Repeatedly broken branches

Wei Hao, please remember, my heart is clear as day, heaven and earth can bear witness, my heart is like autumn water, without waves, but if the wind blows, the blue waves ripple. You are that wind, a wind that can stir up ripples in my heart.

The second morning, after You finished washing up, she opened the door and caught a glimpse of a dark green tassel tied to the doorknob, with the character "Hao" engraved on the bead on the tassel.

You carefully tore off the tassel and placed it in her palm. The tassel was just as beautiful as its owner. The first time she saw Wei Hao, she also saw this tassel.

Wei Hao, may you have a safe journey. Even if the future is uncertain, I want to hold onto the fleeting moments of beauty.

If I weren't a spy, and you weren't a soldier guarding the desert, we would definitely be together, we definitely would.

But I happen to be a spy, a spy...

"Your Majesty, the spoon is ready, but why hasn't Young Master Ruan's wedding procession arrived yet?"

You had walked back and forth in front of the Yuqin Palace countless times, but she hadn't heard any joyful music or wedding procession. The auspicious time was approaching, and it wouldn't be good if she was late.

The Imperial Qin Palace was a palace bestowed upon Xiao Shao by Yu Yanjing. He named Xiao Shao Princess Qin, and she was the only princess of Chaoyang Kingdom, making her a very noble person. Therefore, Xiao Shao is now a princess, and Ruan Cifeng is her consort.

"I don't know, where is Xie Huai?" Xiao Mu looked around, but couldn't find Xie Huai anywhere.

Are these two playing hide-and-seek together?

"Your Majesty, does Young Master Ruan no longer want to marry me?" Xiao Shao lifted the red veil, her eyes slightly red as she looked at Xiao Mu.

For some time now, Young Master Ruan has been depressed and has never smiled. Xiao Shao thought he was frowning because of the clinic.

However, he was indifferent to himself, but he was exceptionally gentle and caring towards the patients who came to see him. Xiao Shao kept looking for the reasons within himself.

She was afraid, afraid that Ruan Cifeng would break off the engagement.

Xiao Mu comforted him, "No, Ruan Cifeng might have been delayed on the way. How could he not marry you? Don't overthink it."

On the other side, Ruan Cifeng was already dressed. Looking at himself in his red wedding robe, he couldn't smile at all. Instead, he felt extremely bitter. Only when the moment came did he begin to realize how absurd it all was.

It's one thing for him to be trapped in an unsolvable predicament, but he also dragged Xiaoshao into it. What kind of behavior is that?

"Your Highness, the auspicious time is almost here, what are you still doing inside?"

Xiao Mu had arranged for Jian Min, an attendant for Ruan Cifeng, to bang on the door from the outside, but the door was locked from the inside, so Jian Min couldn't get in at all.

Ruan Cifeng did not give him any response.

Jian Min hurriedly pounded on the door and called out, "Prince Consort, Prince Consort, the auspicious hour is approaching! Are you alright? May I come in and take a look?"

Ruan Cifeng sat blankly in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with empty eyes. She was pale and dazed, hardly resembling someone who was about to get married today.

"Xie Huai!"

When Xiao Mu found Xie Huai, he was chatting and laughing with the guards at the door.

She pulled Xie Huai aside and asked anxiously, "Where's Ruan Cifeng? Where did he go? Why isn't he here yet? Didn't I tell you to go to the wedding with Ruan Cifeng? Why did you come first?"

Xie Huai smiled faintly, "Did you give me the money for coming to fetch the bride?"

Xiao Mu was furious. What kind of time was this to bring up money? She didn't know if Xie Huai was doing it on purpose or if it was genuine, but it made her extremely annoyed.

She reached out, gripped Xie Huai's collar tightly, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I want you to bring Ruan Cifeng here right now, no matter what happened to him, bring him to me!"

She was truly frantic. Why did Ruan Cifeng have to do this on Xiao Shao's most important day? How could he treat Xiao Shao like this? Xiao Shao was anxious, but she was even more anxious than Xiao Shao.

Xie Huai mounted his horse and, without the slightest hesitation, whipped it hard, speeding away towards the palace.

Ruan Cifeng, no matter what your reasons are today, you cannot let Xiaoshao down, otherwise, we will no longer be friends.

Xiao Mu silently wondered if Ruan Cifeng didn't want to marry Xiao Shao anymore. Would he... No, Ruan Cifeng wasn't that kind of person.

Min was still calling him from outside the door. He had already gone to find a locksmith. If Ruan Cifeng didn't open the door, he would have to force it open. Since this was the door to the bridal chamber, it couldn't be disassembled or damaged. Otherwise, Min really wanted to break down the door.

Looking at the festive decorations around him, Ruan Cifeng was filled with mixed emotions. If the bride hadn't been Xiao Shao, he probably would have happily gone to greet her.

"Ruan Cifeng, what's wrong with you? Open the door for me right now!"

Xie Huai dismounted and strode into the courtyard. Just as he reached Ruan Cifeng's door, he kicked the door hard.

Min stopped the furious Xie Huai, saying, "Young Master Xie, please calm down. This is the door to the bridal chamber; don't kick it down!"

"What's going on? What's wrong with him? The auspicious time is almost here, what is he trying to do? Don't upset Her Majesty the Empress!"

Min shook his head and said with distress, "Ever since I brought the wedding robes inside at dawn, the prince consort hasn't come out. No matter how much I call him, he won't open the door. I'm really worried!"

Xie Huai suddenly realized something. During this period, Ruan Cifeng's behavior was completely different. He showed no joy on his face as someone who was about to get married, and he was cold to his bride, but he was always concerned about the Empress.

The Empress knew Ruan Cifeng the earliest, and Xiao Shao was completely dragged into it.

Xie Huai instructed, "Min, you can go down now. I need to talk to Ruan Cifeng."

Min nodded, lowered his head, and walked out of the courtyard.

Xie Huai slowly sat down against the door, a cold smile playing on his thin lips. He whispered to Ruan Cifeng inside the room, "Since you promised her you would marry her and take good care of her, why are you going back on your word now?"

She was referring to Xiao Mu.

Ruan Cifeng lowered his head and remained silent. He slowly walked to the door, reached out and touched the neatly pasted "double happiness" character, his eyes flashing several times.

Xie Huai heard the commotion inside, looked at the ginkgo tree in the yard, and said indifferently, "Why cling to something that is no longer possible? Xiao Shao is a good girl, and she is also the closest person to you. Perhaps if you treat Xiao Shao a little better, she will be very happy."

Ruan Cifeng was stunned. His secret had been exposed so easily, and he couldn't help but feel flustered. This secret was known only to him.

"Stop hiding it, I've seen it all along, but I don't want Xiao Shao to know that you and she are about to become husband and wife. What will she do if she finds out? What will Her Majesty the Empress do?"

Ruan Cifeng asked hoarsely, "Then what should I do?"

Xie Huai said calmly, "Be good to Xiao Shao, fulfill your duties as a husband. It's okay if you don't have her in your heart, but don't be as indifferent to her as before."

Ruan Cifeng's gaze instantly darkened. So, this marriage is inevitable?

"I can not do it."

Xie Huai stood up, his gaze sharp as he stared at the door. He rebuked, "What can't you, a man, do? If you can't do it, why did you agree in the first place? Now that you can't do it, you're making a woman bear the burden? Do you expect the Empress to treat you any differently?"

"Will she be happy?" Ruan Cifeng muttered to himself.

Xie Huai said in a low voice, "She is already very happy. She and the Emperor are very happy. If you act like this, she will definitely not be happy. If she is unhappy because of you, I will not let you off the hook. If you are a man, face it honestly. If not, then pretend I didn't say anything. You are a spineless coward."

Ruan Cifeng felt empty inside. Xie Huai's shout suddenly brought him to his senses. Yes, he had already agreed. What was going to happen to Xiao Shao?

He forced a smile, straightened his sleeves and collar, and slowly unlocked the door, letting the outside light shine on his lifeless face.

Xie Huai smiled and sighed, "That's right, it's a wedding, so be happy."

Min rushed in again, shouting, "Prince Consort, hurry, hurry out! If you don't get out now, you'll miss it!"

Ruan Cifeng smiled faintly and said, "Okay."

He was dragged out by Min like a puppet, obeying the orders of the matchmaker and those people, doing whatever they told him to do.

Xie Huai suppressed a laugh and rode his horse behind the wedding procession, genuinely afraid that Ruan Cifeng would run away from the wedding.

……

The moment Xiao Shao's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settled down, joyful music rang out from outside the palace.

She thought that Young Master Ruan would not come. She even thought that if she was ridiculed, she would jump into a well or drink poison and die.

She didn't trust anyone.

Xiao Mu's eyes were filled with tears. Unfortunately, as the Empress, she could not personally send Xiao Shao off to the sedan chair. Holding Xiao Shao's hand, she gave her instructions in a trembling voice.

“Live a good life with him. If he bullies you, I’ll be the first to get back at him.”

Xiao Shao nodded silently, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will often come to Zi Ning Palace to see you."

You, supporting Xiao Shao, said, "The auspicious time has arrived; Princess Qin should leave the palace."

Little Spoon looked at Little Mu with reluctance, "Your Majesty, Little Spoon is leaving."

Xiao Mu held back her tears and choked out, "Go, live a good life."

This is a joyous day, how can I cry? If Xiao Shao sees me, she'll be even more upset.

Don't cry, don't cry.

In her heart, Xiao Shao had long been her younger sister.

Xiao Shao wanted to turn around, but You stopped her and whispered in her ear, "Don't turn around, Princess Qin. Otherwise you will never be happy in this life."

At the corner outside the palace gate, Xiao Shao still couldn't resist turning back to steal a glance at Xiao Mu. If she was unhappy, it was fate, and it certainly wasn't because of this.

Xiao Shao boarded the bridal sedan chair, and You Ye's journey ended there. She couldn't go with her either; Xiao Shao would have to rely on herself from now on. Young Master Ruan was someone she could entrust her with.

Both were palace maids, but one rose to prominence overnight, becoming the emperor's sister princess and marrying the former fifth prince of the Lin Yue Kingdom.

She doesn't know how much longer she'll have to lie low, and her mother, brother, and sister are under threat... Her beloved is also far away in the desert. Her life is destined to be one of wandering.

Having witnessed countless weddings, Xiao Shao, a lowly palace maid, never imagined her own wedding could be so grand. She was marrying out of the palace to become a princess of noble status, living in such a large mansion, with a handsome, gentle, and talented husband. She never thought she could be so happy.

She sat in the sedan chair, listening to the joyous music outside, feeling nervous, anxious, and uneasy. She was now someone else's wife.

The bridal sedan chair went all the way to their residence outside the palace. Her maid, Songyue, helped her out of the sedan chair. She was covered by a veil, so she couldn't see anything outside, only her red skirt and red embroidered shoes.

She and Songyue went into the bridal chamber first, skipping the traditional wedding ceremony because neither of them had any elders.

Xiao Shao heard from the old people in the palace that a couple who don't have a wedding ceremony aren't a real couple. They don't have parents, so there's nothing they can do. Heaven will understand.

Ruan Cifeng kept drinking, one cup after another, and Xie Huai couldn't stop him. He only remembered that Xiao Mu said not to let Ruan Cifeng drink too much, but given his appearance and the fact that he was the groom, there was no way for him to stop him.

The guests kept urging him to drink, and Ruan Cifeng accepted all the drinks offered. He was already not a good drinker, and now he was completely drunk.

It's good that I'm drunk, so I can easily fool people about those things.

"Ruan Cifeng, you should go find the bride. Don't keep her waiting too long."

Xie Huai kindly offered a reminder from the side.

"Oh, I forgot, Little Spoon is still inside. Let's call her out for a drink!"

Xie Huai grabbed his sleeve, supporting him as he swayed and was about to fall. He glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "You can't drink together. You have to go back and sleep with her."

Ruan Cifeng pushed him away, glanced at him curiously, and muttered, "Then I'll go find her and sleep with her."

"Hey, wait a minute!" Xie Huai was about to chase after her when Min pulled him back.

"Young Master Xie, the Prince Consort is going to the Princess's bridal chamber. You shouldn't follow him. Please hurry back to your own residence."

Xie Huai frowned slightly. Was this a way of getting rid of him? Well, fine, it was just a matter between the young couple, why should he interfere?

It's just that little thing; he's not interested at all.

On the way back, he kept thinking about how long he would be lonely, and maybe it would be better when his heart was completely empty. It's a pity that person probably won't appear again, because the one he had met before was just too good, and there's no one in the world better than her.

……

"Wei Hao, how is she?"

Zhou Tingxi glanced lightly at Wei Hao, who was standing by the wall in a daze, seemingly lost in thought. Wei Hao didn't react at all and even chuckled to himself.

"Wei Hao!"

Zhou Tingxi raised his voice and shouted.

Wei Hao trembled with fright and rushed to Zhou Tingxi, stammering, "W-what's wrong, General? Is it time for dinner?"

Zhou Tingxi looked up and said, "You just finished eating, have you forgotten? I was about to ask you, what's wrong with you? Ever since Chaoyang came back, you've been absent-minded. Is it because Xiaozhi is not good?"

Wei Hao felt much relieved and said calmly, "She's doing well and is very much in love with Emperor Chaoyang. Why are you worried about her? We're the ones who can't even protect ourselves right now. Many soldiers don't want to stay here anymore, fearing that Yin Fu'an will come to kill us."

"What do they want?"

Wei Hao bluntly stated, "Go home, I'm just afraid of dying."

Zhou Tingxi calmly said, "Compile a list of all the names of people who want to go back tomorrow and give it to me."

"General, you didn't agree, did you?" Wei Hao looked at Zhou Tingxi in surprise, his whole face filled with disbelief.

“Hmm.” Zhou Tingxi looked up. “It was a voluntary matter to begin with. Since they want to go back, let them go back. Anyway, we’ll be going back soon.” He looked thoughtfully at the brocade pouch in his hand.

The next day, Wei Hao compiled a thick list of soldiers who wanted to go home. Two-thirds of them wanted to return, while the rest were all alone and had nowhere to go, so they had to stay in the military camp.

Zhou Tingxi gave each of them some severance pay and sent them home. He also gave them some silver and told them to do whatever they wanted, whether they wanted to do business or work as laborers, just not to stay in such a poor place as the desert.

In the end, only Wei Hao and Zhen Xun were left. They had nowhere else to go but to follow Zhou Tingxi.

"General, where should we go next?" Zhen Xun looked at Zhou Tingxi blankly.

Zhou Tingxi smiled slightly, "The soldiers have all gone back. I no longer have military power and pose no threat to Yin Fu'an. Let's go find Yizhi."

Wei Hao, still shaken, asked, "Will the Emperor of Chaoyang take us in?"

“It’s not about taking him in, I’m willing to do things for him.”

That way, I can still be by your side and see you every day. Even if you are in love and sweet with other men, I don't care. Am I stupid and presumptuous? But there's no other way.

I don't want anything but you, what should I do?

I will never fall in love again, because... what heart does a person with a dead heart have? I will not disturb you, nor will I get close. I will just stand far away where I can see you and protect you. That is enough.

Xia Yunzhi, I'm sorry. I remember you said we shouldn't see each other again. Unfortunately, I've also become a sinner with nowhere to hide.