Chapter 339: Chapter 329: Romance
On Xie Xun’s birthday, Jiaozhou City remained calm and tranquil. By the end of October, the weather had turned cooler; the twelve states had already entered early winter. Though the sun blazed high, the cold wind crept into one’s bones. Xie Xun’s injuries had healed, but he could still feel faint pain when the weather changed abruptly. Zhang Lingzheng once said his leg poison had cleared, and it would take a full year of proper care for complete recovery. Xie Xun had initially planned to head south to warmer climates after Xie Zhang’s wedding to recuperate his leg injury. As a military general, he didn’t want to leave behind lingering ailments. But the times shifted unpredictably, leaving no room for recovery. Instead, he was bound to reside long-term in bitterly cold Ningzhou. His wounds might never fully heal, though medicine could suppress the pain, which fortunately wasn’t too intense—something he could still endure.
October 28 marked Xie Xun’s nineteenth birthday, just one year shy of reaching his ceremonial adulthood. Clan men tied their hair at fifteen, symbolizing maturity, and took a courtesy name, followed at twenty by the capping ceremony to mark full adulthood. However, the capping ceremony wasn’t always held at twenty. Both Xie Zhang and Xie Jue had theirs at eighteen; yet Xie Xun was the exception. When he was eighteen, his father and brothers were on the battlefield, and Marquis Zhenbei had planned to host his capping ceremony personally when Xie Xun turned twenty.
But now, that wish could no longer come true, becoming an everlasting regret for Xie Xun, as he’d never have a father to host his capping ceremony.
Originally, he’d hoped to celebrate his birthday with Fengyu, but that wish too had become unattainable. Birthdays had lost their significance to Xie Xun, and he no longer looked forward to celebrating them.
On this day, as with all others, he practiced his swordsmanship and martial arts at the State Mansion. He no longer exchanged words with Lin Helin; their conversations had reached an impasse. Lin Helin knew it was Xie Xun’s birthday, yet offering congratulations would seem sarcastic; thus, neither mentioned the occasion.
"Zhixu, come on, accompany your cousin on a walk around Jiaozhou."
"Alright!"
Xie Xun didn’t refuse. Although their positions differed, they were still cousins without deep-seated enmity. Xie Xun also didn’t decline Lin Helin’s invitation; Jiaozhou was bustling, despite having little farmland. Being situated near Bei River, it enjoyed flourishing trade routes. The citizens of the city lived relatively stable lives. Many residents from West Continent and Huangzhou had migrated to Jiaozhou or Jinzhou.
Though the northern city gate was prepared for war, the city itself remained peaceful.
The skyline was dotted with tall buildings and busy stores, bustling with merchants. Lin Helin took Xie Xun into a restaurant, where Xie Xun behaved with utmost caution. Lin Helin mostly engaged in small talk and avoided official matters. Perhaps aware of Xie Xun’s birthday, Lin refrained from causing him vexation, a rare act of consideration. Xie Xun sat at a table on the second-floor terrace of the restaurant, facing the bustling street where a row of grain shops stood.
It reminded him of Wangjiang Restaurant. The flavors of Jiaozhou cuisine were heavier compared to those of the Capital City. Xie Xun wasn’t picky about food; he accepted whatever was served. Lin Helin asked, "How’s the taste?"
"It’s alright."
"Speaking of flavors, have you noticed a pattern? The twelve states lean toward heavier tastes, while the Capital City and Jiangnan prefer lighter ones. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because of poverty!" Lin Helin explained. "In the twelve states, apart from the affluent areas along the river, transportation is inconvenient, and resources are scarce. That’s why the cuisine has heavier flavors—they need strongly flavored dishes to eat more rice. People can only choose flavor once their hunger is satisfied. Look closely at every dish in this restaurant—they’re all heavy. Radishes, cabbages, all pickled. Rarely do you see anything stir-fried, because winter is approaching, and the freezing cold makes fresh vegetables hard to come by. They eat pickled vegetables instead. Back in the Capital City, I bet you’ve rarely had pickled vegetables?"
Xie Xun replied mildly, "True. At home, I never ate pickled vegetables, but in the military, every meal included them."
Due to scarcity—both of crops and resources—even the commanding tents during winter were bereft of fresh vegetables.
Lin Helin chuckled softly. His gaze shifted to the street shops as he posed another question to Xie Xun, "On our way here, did you notice anything?"
If this were six months ago, Xie Xun wouldn’t have noticed much. But now, things were different. Having accompanied Xie Jue throughout Ningzhou and explored its stores, he understood how people prepared for winter in Ningzhou. Additionally, he’d witnessed famine in the military. Fengyu, frugal to the extreme, ignored mining and prioritized farming, focusing solely on agricultural endeavors. Even if Xie Xun had been pampered and sheltered, he couldn’t help but realize the dire hardships faced by the people of the twelve states.
As they walked, he listened to merchants and residents converse, hearing complaints from the citizens. One message was clear: the price of rice had skyrocketed. People lamented that food once lasting three days now needed to last seven.
"In winter, the twelve states face bitter cold, and grain prices rise," Xie Xun remarked.
Lin Helin chuckled again, raised his wine glass, and ambiguously said, "Zhixu is growing up. You’ve started paying attention to such details. Your cousin toasts you for that."
Xie Xun understood Lin Helin’s words implied something deeper, but he didn’t probe. If his cousin could bear such decisions, why couldn’t he? If his cousin could leave, why shouldn’t he?
After their meal, the pair strolled through Jiaozhou City. As the sun set and night fell, Xie Xun ascended the city wall alone to gaze beyond its borders. Outside the city, tents stretched endlessly, campfires dotted the landscape, and the familiar tiger flag fluttered in the air, bringing him a measure of comfort. He and Fengyu had once promised to celebrate his birthday together. Now, separated by a wall, they gazed upon the same moon, a shared solace that marked an unconventional celebration.
The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was stationed a kilometer outside the city walls, leaving a "safe zone" of 500 meters between their camp and the gates. No one dared cross this distance, as to do so would signify the outbreak of war.
Xie Xun stood atop the city wall under the moonlight. Though the bright beams allowed him to see distant tents and campfires, Fengyu herself was beyond his sight. She couldn’t approach the city gates either—for if she entered the safe zone, the archers on the wall would have no choice but to shoot.
It was somewhat regrettable!
If only he could see Fengyu.
This was his loneliest birthday yet. His family was absent, and Ayu was near but beyond reach. Even in Ningzhou, he had never felt such solitude on his birthday.
In Ningzhou, his father and brothers had always taken the time to celebrate his birthday with care. At night, his eldest and second brothers would even take him to stroll through Ningzhou City.
Suddenly, a firework burst into the air outside the city.
Xie Xun froze.
After the first firework exploded, countless others followed, lighting the night sky. The soldiers on the city wall stared outside in surprise, murmuring in astonishment.
"Is the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry mad? Setting off fireworks in the dead of night?"
"Who knows? Such extravagance!"
Fireworks bloomed extravagantly above Jiaozhou City’s outskirts, prompting its citizens to leave their homes to witness the breathtaking display. This was Jiaozhou, offering the twelve states a rare sight.
Radiant and colorful, the fireworks burst like scattered stars descending to earth.
On the eve of winter’s freezing grip, the twelve states witnessed a spectacular firework display.
A wave of warmth surged in Xie Xun’s chest, bathing his heart in a gentle glow. Amid this grand display, he caught sight of a vibrant splash of red in front of the tents.
He knew it was Fengyu, watching him.
The bright moon above mirrored his pure and steadfast feelings.
Though separated by a wall, they shared this moment of unparalleled beauty.
Fengyu stared at Jiaozhou’s city wall, certain Xie Xun would be standing atop it.
This is my birthday gift to you!
Zhixu, happy birthday!