Chapter 6
Chunan was located in the southern border of the country, with towering mountains and rugged wilderness, interspersed with rocky valleys. Those who came here either sighed in admiration at the magnificent rivers and mountains of Great Shao, or held only one other thought—barren mountains and wicked waters, nothing but uncivilized ruffians everywhere.
Previously this area had been an independent tribe, later conquered by Great Shao, becoming a place to exile criminals. While the official title was to send criminals here for reclamation and reform through labor, in reality they were simply left to fend for themselves. Over time it became a lawless region.
Later the court did send officials and garrison troops to manage it, so it wasn't completely out of control, but following the long-standing rebellious and untamed customs, eight out of ten men were rough and savage bullies, and nine out of nine women were fierce and shrewish vixens. Walking down the street every now and then you could hear roars like "You damned executioner's victim!" or "You wicked old hag!" Mixed-gender brawls would start right on the street, chickens flying and dogs leaping in great commotion. Neither side could gain the upper hand, and no one could really bully anyone else.
Ohhh, that woman's Nine Yin White Bone Claws are really something!
Tsk tsk, that man's Thunder Clap Tit-Squeezer is really too low-class!
Li Congqing found fresh amusement every time he watched. Having lived for years in the capital where etiquette and decorum were heavily emphasized, where men were taught to be polite and refined, and women were restrained to be dignified and demure, he found the ruffians and shrews of Chunan quite novel.
Of course, there were also women in the capital who didn't know what dignity and demureness meant. The Li family had birthed and raised one such woman. Li Congqing smiled to himself, thinking that his crazy fourth sister would probably love it here.
Though he came as Supervising Censor to inspect the area and should have received proper respect and courtesy, besides the Seventh Prince constantly staring at Wei Xiaomiao, few people paid them any attention. No one bothered with flattery or boot-licking. Li Congqing didn't mind at all—without people tiptoeing around him following his every step, he was actually more comfortable.
He didn't think the emperor really entrusted him with the important duties of inspecting places and investigating people's conditions. He knew himself well enough to know he wasn't cut out for such a task. He kept feeling that there was a reason to send Wei Xiaomiao to Chunan, perhaps wanting him to temporarily leave the capital. The imperial inspection was merely a reasonable excuse to dispatch them out of the city.
However, he didn't dwell on it much. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten out. He couldn't be bothered to waste brain cells on wild speculation.
Nevertheless, since he was wearing the hat of Supervising Censor, some obligatory show of performing his duties had to be made. Li Congqing sent his accompanying staff to attend to other matters, while he, Wei Xiaomiao, and the two guards who insisted on accompanying them rode around to inspect.
It wasn't hard to see that in this southern frontier region, under the Seventh Prince's governance, wasteland had been reclaimed and wild lands opened up. In just three years, everywhere was filled with orderly farmland. Moreover, the troops were strong and the horses sturdy, showing a latent momentum of sharpening weapons and preparing for battle.
Was this also one of the main reasons the emperor sent him and Wei Xiaomiao to inspect here?
Li Congqing had an intuitive feeling that Song Wei, despite his soaring ambition, wasn't the type with rebellious intentions toward the throne and the world. So was there some other motive? If there truly was an ulterior motive, one could well imagine on whom that motive was focused. Only a blind person wouldn't see the Seventh Prince's covetous gaze toward Wei Xiaomiao.
To prevent Wei Xiaomiao from being gnawed to the bone, Li Congqing always brought him along when going out.
The Seventh Prince followed them like glue in the first few days, wherever they went he followed. But he had to manage this large region and couldn't just skip all his official duties to be a tail all day. He could only grit his teeth in frustration and let Li Congqing take Wei Xiaomiao away from under his nose.
This day the two of them as usual wandered around, occasionally stopping to chat with the common folk, listening to them with their heavy local accents recount all sorts of stories about the region. Occasionally they would find a scenic spot to enjoy the scenery, composing poetry about the wind and moon. When tired from walking, they would rest at a roadside tea stall. It was quite pleasant and carefree.
"Looking at this Chunan, it has its own separate system. The people don't recognize the Son of Heaven, only recognizing the Prince of Chunan. It really is like an independent little kingdom." Li Congqing's tone was casual, but his words were startling. "Xiaomiao, what do you think?"
"A humble one wouldn't dare speak rashly," Wei Xiaomiao replied cautiously.
"I remember your maternal grandmother was from Chunan."
"Yes."
"So Chunan can also be considered your hometown."
"The humble one's childhood did indeed include a period of living in Chunan."
"Are all your relatives here still around?" Li Congqing asked casually again.
"Dead or scattered. No one here remembers me." A hint of melancholy couldn't be hidden in Wei Xiaomiao's eyes.
"I am still very curious why the Seventh Prince would want to come to this place. Xiaomiao, do you know?"
"The humble one truly does not know."
Li Congqing slowly sipped his tea, then suddenly spoke again with startling words: "Perhaps the Seventh Prince wants to give Chunan to you as a betrothal gift."
"Lord Li?!" Wei Xiaomiao exclaimed involuntarily.
"I'm just guessing wildly. Don't take it seriously. Look at how pale your face has become. If the Seventh Prince saw, he'd think I was bullying you. He wouldn't just pluck off my head to use as a ball to kick around." He was being playfully mischievous, then continued: "If there's nothing particularly urgent, I plan to head to Erhe in a few more days. What about you?"
Wei Xiaomiao didn't answer immediately, still hesitating.
"Xiaomiao, you are a person worthy of respect. There's no need to debase yourself." Li Congqing said sincerely.
"How can one serving as another's servant not be debased? Especially one like me, a castrated slave. Even if one obtains glory, wealth, or even positions of power, what does it matter? In the end, I'm still an incomplete non-person." Wei Xiaomiao rarely spoke his inner thoughts so candidly. His delicate features showed a hint of bitter smile.
Li Congqing, hearing him say this, didn't add more words. When concepts of hierarchy have taken root so deeply, it's not something that can be easily reversed in a few words. What Wei Xiaomiao had lost wasn't just part of his body—his soul had also been carved out a piece. Both body and spirit were incomplete.
Suddenly, there was a bit of understanding toward the Seventh Prince's agitation. He liked Wei Xiaomiao as a "person," not as a "servant." But Wei Xiaomiao didn't view himself as human. His self-worth was entirely built on being a thorough servant, self-abasing and humble, not daring to accept any kindness from the Seventh Prince. This caused the Seventh Prince to have no choice but to use coercive methods, crudely forcing his feelings and desires onto him.
An outsider sees more clearly.
Perhaps it would be good for Wei Xiaomiao to stay in Chunan. Song Wei would undoubtedly be able to give him a different perspective and world, restoring him into a complete person.
Speaking of outsiders seeing more clearly, ever since Li Congqing left the capital, recalling bit by bit the various moments between himself and the emperor, he suddenly realized he too was someone who couldn't see the forest for the trees. Especially at the beginning when he still hadn't figured out the situation. Remembering that Lantern Festival encounter that year, his mind at the time was completely muddled. He'd been taken advantage of, being thoroughly explored from head to toe without him even realizing it.
Perhaps the lanterns and fireworks that day were too beautiful, beautiful enough to make them dizzy and enchanted.
The further one departs, the clearer one sees, and the more deeply one yearns. Scene after scene seems as if it only happened yesterday.
Sigh, he really missed him.
Missed his indulgent doting, missed his sweet kisses, missed his gentle caresses, missed his wild entanglements... His body couldn't help but start to warm slightly.
"Lord Li, your face is quite red. Are you feeling unwell?" Wei Xiaomiao attentively inquired.
"No, it's hot weather." Li Congqing flipped open his fan to cool himself.
Thinking about that Lantern Festival year, if it hadn't been for Li Congyin making that vulgar remark, would the emperor have become interested in his... cough, his body? Before that, he had never imagined being forcefully kissed by a man, and then the next day being stripped bare,