Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 1047 Let’s talk again

The late spring drizzle lingered for three days. The bluestone slabs in front of the Weiyuan Marquis's mansion were washed to a glossy shine, reflecting the gilded bronze rings hanging from the vermilion lacquer gate. The carved Taotie patterns on the rings were faintly visible in the rain and mist, adding a touch of solemnity. Shen Qingci sat before her dressing mirror. The brass mirror had been polished to a brilliant shine by the maids, making her phoenix coronet and bridal robe shine even more brightly. The Nine Phoenix Rising Sun Crown on her head was adorned with dozens of oriental pearls, each one round and full, reflecting tiny light in the candlelight, swaying gently with her subtle movements, making a subtle clinking sound. The bright red bridal robe was embroidered with a picture of hundreds of sons and grandsons in gold thread, the stitches meticulously detailed and lifelike. It was a masterpiece that took Jiangnan's finest embroiderer three months to complete. But Shen Qingci's gaze didn't linger on the attire, a symbol of honor and celebration. Her gaze passed through the mirror and fell on the rain-soaked courtyard outside the window. The crabapple tree in the courtyard, a few remaining buds still clinging to its branches, trembled under the rain, as if ready to fall. The candle had been added to the third, and the dancing flames stretched her shadow long, casting it on the brocade screen behind her. The painting of "Meeting on the Magpie Bridge" on the screen now seemed somewhat desolate. "Madam, is this really necessary?" the maid Wanqing's voice was tinged with uncontrollable tears. In her hands, she held a neatly folded plain skirt. Made of the most ordinary linen, it lacked even a decent pattern, a stark contrast to Shen Qingci's lavish attire. Wanqing's eyes were red, and tears rolled down like beads from a broken string, splashing onto the hem of her skirt, creating a small dark stain. "The wind, frost, and swords of the border—how could a princess like you endure it?" Wan Qing choked, her voice thick with worry. "You grew up in Jiangnan, clothed in fine clothes and fed with delicious food, where even the wind wouldn't dare to pounce on you. But what about the border? I hear the sandstorms there can crack your skin, and the winter's cold can freeze your ears off. And the howling north wind, like the wailing of ghosts, is terrifying." Shen Qingci slowly raised her hand and plucked the heaviest golden hairpin from her hair. The rubies inlaid on it gleamed softly in the candlelight. As she moved, the pearl tassels gently slid down to rest on her wrist, bringing a cool touch. Her movements were gentle, as if she were performing something extremely solemn. From outside the window came the distinct clinking of armor, a clanking sound that was particularly piercing in the silent, rainy night. The sound, coming from far away, carried an unmistakable majesty, and each clash felt like a knock on the heart. The corners of Shen Qingci's mouth twitched slightly. She knew it was her husband, Weiyuan Hou Xiao Heng, who was assembling troops. Three days ago, an imperial edict, like thunder, shattered the peace of the marquis's mansion. The Northern Di cavalry were knocking on the gates, and Yanmen Pass was in danger. The emperor ordered Weiyuan Hou Xiao Heng to immediately lead 3,000 light cavalry to provide assistance. When the news came, Shen Qingci was personally sewing a close-fitting undergarment for Xiao Heng. The moment she heard the news, the embroidery needle in her hand suddenly pierced her finger, and beads of blood rolled down, dripping onto the white satin like a red plum blossom suddenly blooming. "Wanqing, look at this candlelight." Shen Qingci suddenly smiled. Her smile was very faint, but it was filled with a firm strength. She stretched out her slender fingertips and gently touched the flickering candle wick, causing the flame to sway slightly. "If you're afraid of the wind, hide it in a brocade box. It's better to extinguish it as soon as possible." Wanqing looked at her in confusion, not understanding why her wife still had the mind to say such things at this time. Shen Qingci withdrew her hand, leaving a faint burn mark on her fingertips, but she seemed unaware of it. "My husband and I are married, and we are one. He has to go to the border to fight, how can I stay alone in this comfortable marquis's mansion? Isn't it said that husband and wife should share joys and sorrows?" "But Madam..." Wan Qing wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Shen Qingci. "Don't say anymore, I have made up my mind." Shen Qingci's tone was very gentle, but with a kind of determination that could not be changed. The sound of the three o'clock gong sounded on time in the silent night, one after another, with a long lingering sound. At the moment the gong sounded, the door was gently pushed open, and Xiao Heng stepped in in a black armor. The armor on his body was made of the finest refined iron, and after a special quenching treatment, it glowed with a cold green light. The joints between the armor plates were polished very smoothly, but still made a crisp sound when he walked. His sword tassel was tied with a piece of bright red silk cloth, which was tied by Shen Qingci herself. At this moment, it was still stained with fine raindrops, and it gleamed with crystal light under the candlelight. Xiao Heng had just returned from the training ground, and he had a smell of rain and soil on his body, as well as a faint smell of sweat, which was the smell of a soldier. When he saw his wife slowly taking off her hairpins and rings in front of the mirror, his brows suddenly frowned, forming a deep "chuan" character. He walked forward quickly, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Qingci, nonsense!" Shen Qingci did not look back, and continued to concentrate on taking off the pearl hairpins on her head one by one and placing them in the gold-painted lacquer box on the dressing table. The pearl hairpins collided with each other, making a crisp and pleasant sound, but it could not dilute the tense atmosphere in the air. "My husband forgot?" Shen Qingci turned around slowly. Without the embellishment of the pearl hairpins, her face looked even more pure and elegant. She extended her white fingers and gently stroked the tiger head carved into Xiao Heng's chest armor. The tiger head was so lifelike, it seemed as if it were about to jump from the armor. "When you and I were in the academy, I could recite the entire "Art of War" by heart," she said, pulling out a brass tiger talisman from the bottom of her dressing box. The talisman was palm-sized, engraved with intricate cloud patterns, and a jagged crack in the middle allowed it to perfectly fit together. It was a toy Xiao Heng had given her as a joke on Shen Qingci's birthday last year, saying it would give her a taste of commanding troops. "Besides, the army is short of doctors, and my medical skills won't be a burden to you." Shen Qingci gently placed the tiger talisman in Xiao Heng's palm. Her fingertips were a little cool, and when they touched Xiao Heng's warm palm, they both trembled slightly. Xiao Heng held her wrist tightly, his palm broad and strong, thick with calluses from years of wielding a sword. His fingertips gently caressed the shallow scar on Shen Qingci's wrist, left many years ago. That year, Xiao Heng and Shen Qingci had gone to the Lingyin Temple outside the city to burn incense. On their way back, they were robbed by bandits. Xiao Heng had only two guards with him, and the enemy was outnumbered and the situation was extremely critical. Just as one bandit's knife was about to strike Xiao Heng, Shen Qingci unexpectedly produced a sharp piece of porcelain from nowhere, screamed, and threw himself in front of Xiao Heng, shielding him with his body.