Sweet Beauty

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A'Shu woke up at dawn. The darkness had not yet lifted, and the cocks were crowing intermittently.

The numbness and pain of being shot by the torrential rain of arrows seemed to linger. She reached out and touched her body, but her skin was smooth and intact.

It turned out to be another nightmare.

She secretly let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, she heard a gentle female voice by her side, “A'Shu is having a nightmare again?” These words were followed by a sigh of helplessness and a rustling of clothes.

The woman lit an oil lamp. Then, she took out a handkerchief, sat beside the bed and carefully wiped away the sweat on A'Shu’s forehead. “You child, seeing that we are about to arrive in Chang'an, why are you still having nightmares these days? If it wasn’t for your elder brother who asked me to accompany you, how can your delicate body stand the ordeal day and night?”

The woman’s soft and amiable face showed a hazy and gentle luster under the candlelight. A'Shu stared at it in a trance. It took a long time before she could snap back to her senses.

It was currently the third month of the first year of Yongxing, three years before the day she died in Changle Palace as shown in her dreams.

The woman in front of her was her sister-in-law, Deng Wan. Deng Wan was now twenty two years old. This gentle and virtuous woman had been married to her elder brother, Zhao You, for more than four years.

The Zhao family originated in the Spring and Autumn period and prospered in the Warring States Period. Zhao You’s forefathers were the direct descendants of the King of Zhao in the Warring States Period. Living in Handan for a long time, their influence was tremendous, owning a vast expanse of lands and wealth, and thousands of tenant farmers and scouts. The Zhaos were counted as one of the greatest and most notable families.

Zhao You was only twenty-five this year. Since the death of his father three years ago, he had become the head of the family. He was prudent, broad-minded and decisive. He knew how to kept a low profile and was fuel-efficient. In the past three years, he had been able to control this huge family business.

Now, at the invitation of Madame Zhang, who became the Empress Dowager after sending off the Late Emperor on the twelfth lunar month of last year, the elder brother and sister-in-law, along with their houseservants, were escorting A'Shu from Handan to Chang'an.

Just when they were nearing Chang'an after traveling for half a month, A'Shu suddenly contracted a high fever. Zhao You and Deng Wan kept a vigil watch over her for two days until she got better. Unexpectedly, after the fever subsided, this naive little sister, who had been looking forward to seeing the Empress Dowager for months, began to be hunted by nightmares and could hardly sleep peacefully.

Zhao You loved her little sister very much that he asked his wife to accompany her day and night.

“Sister-in-law, I’m alright. It’s just that I haven’t completely recovered yet. I’ll be fine after recuperating for a while.” A'Shu got up from the bed and rubbed her sore back and shoulders. Looking at Deng Wan’s worried eyes, she suddenly whispered, “I have brought trouble to my elder brother and sister-in-law.”

This was the first time in two months that she had spoken softly.

The hand pouring the water paused. After a while, Deng Wan said with a smile, “We’re family. What trouble are you talking about?” She handed over the lacquered cup, reached out a hand to stroke A'Shu’s dark hair, and sighed softly, “It’s just that your elder brother only wants what’s good for you. Sister-in-law doesn’t expect anything else. She just wants you to be a little soft-hearted and understand his good intentions…”

Two months ago, on her hair-pinning ceremony at the age of sixteen, she received a post from Changle Palace. In the letter, the Empress Dowager mentioned how she was lately distracted from current affairs. She remembered her daughter who had been living among the folks in her early years. Missing this daughter very much, she wanted to bring her to Chang'an for a reunion.

She remembered her father and elder brother telling her that her mother died early after giving birth. Now, there was suddenly a mother who had become the Empress Dowager. She was really surprised. She could not help being suspicious. Only after she repeatedly questioned her brother did she connect the dots.

Her mother was born in a poor family. She married her father as the second wife. However, she had just given birth to a daughter when her greedy mother took her home after believing in some divination. She was sent to be a concubine of Liu Kuan, the former Prince of Liang.

Her father erupted into fury and wanted to seek justice from the Zhang family, but whe he turned his head, he saw the baby in swaddling clothes. Fearing that she would later be affected by the scandal of her biological mother, he hesitated for several days. Finally, he endured all the humiliation and rage, and suppressed the matter by secretly expelling the Zhang family from Handan. To avoid a lot of gossips, he only said to the people outside that his wife died in childbirth.

Although the Zhao family’s power was local, it was still a big family that had lasted for hundreds of years. To reconnect with such a shameless and faithless person was unspeakable.

Therefore, Zhao You wanted to politely decline. As long as he gave the envoy enough face , the other party could not put him in trouble.

When Emperor Wu moved several influential families to Maoling City, he did not dare to touch the Zhao family. Not to mention, Empress Dowager Zhang, without name and position, had no authority.

Unexpectedly, A'Shu, who had always been gentle and amiable, was determined to go to Chang'an despite his dissuasion.

One side did not want her sister to be close to the Empress Dowager, while the other held her longing for her mother. Both sides refused to budge an inch. The siblings, who had never quarelled, fought head to head for a whole month. Finally, Zhao You compromised. More than half a month ago, he quietly packed up and set out with his sister.

However, compromises always came with a price. The mutual affection of over ten years between brother and sister gradually cooled down.

For the first time, A'Shu was so stubborn that she didn’t say half a kind word. Similarly, Zhao You was taciturn. Even when he came to visit her two days ago, he was cold-faced and silent.

Over the past two months, Deng Wan tried to persuade both sides for several times, but to no avail. Today, when A'Shu took the initiative to bring it up, she couldn’t help but nag again. She thought she would not get an answer but she still did not want to back down. Suddenly, A'Shu spoke, “I know, sister-in-law. Tomorrow, I will apologize to Elder Brother, and be worthy to a piece of his heart.”

Deng Wan was surprised but delighted. She straightened the bed and made her lie back under the quilt. Holding back her tears, she softly said, “Good child, it won’t waste your elder brother’s running about for days. Go to sleep. If he sees you haggard tomorrow, he will feel sorry.”

A'Shu closed her eyes and turned her back to Deng Wan, pretending to sleep, but tears rolled down her eyes.

How could she not know that her brother loved her dearly?

In the past, she was gullible. Once upon a time, she believed that her biological mother, whom she had never met before, was just forced to leave her behind back then. Until these days, those successive dreams that foreshadowed the future finally let her saw what was good and what was evil.

In her dreams, it was because she readily believed the Empress Dowager that she and her family came to a miserable end in the future.

Now that she had glimpsed the secret of Heaven, how could she still allow herself to be at the mercy of fate?

In this lifetime, the most important thing was to keep the family safe and sound.

……

The next morning, A'Shu went to Zhao You’s room. She was about to knock at the door when she heard his voice. “What does the envoy mean? My sister is still young and this is the first time she ever left home. And now that she’s becoming more famous, how dare I let her enter Chang'an all by herself?”

A'Shu had always been reputed for her beauty since childhood. There was a folk saying in Hebei that went, “Gentleman Jiang leads the world’s talents; Lady Zhao leads the world’s beauty.”

This Gentleman Jiang was Jiang Yu, a son of the Jiang family in Nanyang, and Lady Zhao was no other than A'Shu.

With her reputation, it was hard to guarantee that no one would covet her. Therefore, the Zhao family had been very protective of her over the years.

Another male voice laughed and said, “Why does Master Zhao say this? The Empress Dowager knows Lady Zhao’s reputation so Her Highness would not let your sister go alone. Since Her Highness agreed to grant milady a title, Her Highness would send imperial bodyguards and attendants to accompany milady at all times.”

This man was Feng Yan, the deputy head of Edict Examination Bureau. On the order of Empress Dowager Zhang, he came to persuade Zhao You and his wife to stay in Maoling City outside Chang'an while Lady Zhao would be accompanied by palace attendants to meet the Empress Dowager.

“Besides, Chang'an is not peaceful at present. Master Zhao better not get involved.”

Zhao You wanted to argue, but he fell silent when he heard these words.

Indeed, today’s Chang'an city was a time of great changes.

……

Within over two hundred years of Liu Han’s reign, the country was prosperous, but when it was handed down to Emperor Cheng, the dynasty saw its first sign of decline.

Emperor Cheng was greedy for wine, meat and beauty. He neglected state affairs and people’s livelihood. Later, there were droughts, floods and famines. Natural disasters continued incessantly, leading his consort clans to disorder politics. Roving bandits were everywhere. The situation kept getting worse day by day. Until his sudden death, Liu Kuan, the Emperor Shunkang who was the Prince of Liang at that time, took advantage of this opportunity to raise troops. In the name of restoring the Han empire, he recruited several refugees from all over the country. With the support of Geng Yun and other high-ranking figures, he invaded Chang'an and ascended the throne.

It had only been five years since this incident.

In the past five years, there was still constant rebellion and turmoil among the people due to the rise of several warlords and various nonformist forces. When Liu Kuan passed away, Liu Xian succeeded the throne, and Geng Yun took control. The change was so rapid that it was so unpredictable.

A few days ago, a major event occurred in Chang'an city.

Taking advantage of the assembly of the Generals, the Empress Dowager and the Little Emperor ordered people to intoxicate the Grand Excellency Liu Chang, and provoke him to speak rudely in the hall, expressing his intention to rebel. He was killed on the spot and his body was hung at the city gate for public display!

It should be noted that Grand Excellency Liu Chang was not only of the same ancestry as Emperor Shunkang, but also a trusted minister. He was honest and upright and had made great contributions. His younger brother, Liu Xun, had just won a great victory in Kunyang. He not only conquered the hundred thousand troops of enemy, but also captured the magistrate of Yingchuan. The two brothers were getting more and more famous, their prestige was comparable to Geng Yun which drove the latter to jealousy.

Empress Dowager Zhang and her son had no grudges against Liu Chang. Their purpose of colluding with Geng Yun was obviously just to gain a powerful backup.

At present, Geng Yun was busy cleaning up those who dare to speak for Liu Chang. The situation in Chang'an City was very tense.

……

Feng Ting was watching Zhao You’s pensive face when he suddenly heard the door pushed open. A clear female voice came, “Envoy, since Chang'an City is not peaceful, why don’t you ask the Empress Dowager to evacuate the city?”

The two men in the room followed the sound, only to see the graceful figure of a girl standing at the door. She was dressed in a livid purple curve-fronting robe, and her hair was hung in a bun as usual. Under the morning light, her features looked dreamy and picturesque. It was very moving. This girl was A'Shu who had been listening for a while.

Her lips wore a smile but her voice carried defiance. Her bright eyes flashed a condescending light. The usual gentle and demure demeanor showed some arrogance for no reason.

Feng Ting was stunned. His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing A'Shu. After a flash of astonishment, he put on a flattering smile. “Is this Lady Zhao? Milady truly lives up to her reputation.” He came forward with a slight bow and sighed, “Milady doesn’t know. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty are subjected to a lot of restrictions nowadays, hence, they are unable to move. Originally, Her Highness was reluctant to invite milady to Chang'an in this current situation but Her Highness misses milady very much. Her Highness is afraid that the time is running out, so Her Highness has to make milady come from afar. The loving mother is eager to reconnect and hopes that milady will understand.”

These words sounded sincere. After listening, A'Shu’s eye glistened and dimmed unknowingly.

She knew exactly why Feng Ting was sent by Empress Dowager Zhang. The latter expected that she was innocent and ignorant of people’s intentions, while her elder brother Zhao You was not someone who was easily manipulated. Feng Ting’s job was to block Zhao You and others outside the city, conveniently leading her alone into the city.

In the dreams, she was sincerely longing for her mother. After listening to Feng Ting’s words, she insisted on leaving her elder brother, sister-in-law and a group of family servants at the post station outside the city. She entered Chang'an alone like a moth to a fire.

That night, Empress Dowager Zhang hugged her and wept. She believed that the mother and son were helpless and were really in a difficult situation. Even when she was sent to the Grand Marshal’s mansion, she still deceived herself, finding excuses for the mother and son.

It was foolish to think about it now.

When Zhao You saw that A'Shu was silent, he was afraid that she might trust Feng Ting. He was about to refute but he saw her held her head high and frowned. “If it’s not easy for the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, does it mean it is easy for me to travel all the way from Handan? Haven’t I been in Handan for more than ten years without a mother to rely on? Elder Brother has protected me for many years. How can I enjoy the glory alone when the Empress Dowager has granted me the position of Lady of a County? I must ask my elder brother and sister-in-law to go with me, so that I can be worthy of their kindness. The envoy does not need to say much. I have made up my mind. If the Empress Dowager asks, just reply as it is.”

Feng Ting was floored. His ingratiating appearance immediately dropped. Not only was she defending Zhao You, she was also full of resentment against the Empress Dowager who gave birth to her but was absent all her life!

However, the eunuch sent earlier clearly said that Lady Zhao was naive and kind. It only took a little convincing and she was already brimming with adoration for the Empress Dowager. After listening to her just now, how could he not feel that she was domineering and had no gratitude for the Empress Dowager?

For a moment, he could not keep his expression. His face was a little stiff as he said, “If that is so, this servant will report back to the Empress Dowager.” Without further ado, he flung out.

There were only the two siblings left in the room. Zhao You was overwhelmed. “A'Shu, why did you just一”

Her sister had always been gentle, and she had never spoken so bluntly and condescendingly as she had just now. It was really odd.

However, he could not help rejoicing at the thought of his sister, whom had not spoken to him for two months, openly expressing her trust and gratitude for him in front of outsiders.

A'Shu put away her arrogant facade and returned to her usual temperament. She solemnly said, “Elder Brother, what I said is true. In the past, I was not sensible and was blind to your good intentions. I was wrong. Elder Brother, please forgive A'Shu.”

Zhao You was stunned, and then his eyes turned slightly red. He patted her and said, “Elder Brother never blamed you. As long as you are good, if you want the stars in the sky, Elder Brother will try his best to get them for you.”

A'Shu’s nose felt itchy as she could not help crying.

In her dreams, because she married Geng Yun, her brother moved the Zhao family from Handan to Maoling, and lived next to the Grand Marshal’s mansion just to support her. Then, for her sake, when Chang'an was in danger, he personally led thousands of domestic servants and scouts to fight and die.

She shook her head and said, “I don’t want the stars, and I don’t want Elder Brother to go all out.

"There is no one in this world who treats me better than Elder Brother and Sister-in-law. I won’t go to Chang'an.”