TDFM Chapter 114

Ice Bed

Later, Madam Song told the group that they could treat her as their mother.

Yun Qing knew this was just polite talk. But that evening, Madam Song had people prepare fine sable fur coats, brocade hats, ear warmers, cloaks, gloves, along with thick brocade quilts, warming braziers with fragrant charcoal, fearing they might get cold.

She also instructed the kitchen to prepare late-night snacks and keep them warm on the stove, so they could have them brought whenever they wished to eat.

Yun Qing found it hard not to be moved.

Fu Xue lay on the bed, rubbing her face against the smooth, soft brocade quilt, sighing, “Ah, having a mother is truly wonderful.”

“Who could say otherwise.”

That night they stayed in Cheng Suiyan’s courtyard.

Regarding the question of where the two young ladies Yun Qing and Fu Xue should stay, a small disagreement arose between Madam Song and Cheng Suiyan.

Madam Song had already instructed people to clean up a proper guest courtyard, but Cheng Suiyan bluntly refused. “No need for such trouble. My place is spacious enough – it can accommodate however many more people.”

Madam Song knew that these were cultivators who didn’t need to follow the complicated etiquette of the mortal world, but she still felt troubled. “If Princess Anping were to find out…”

Cheng Suiyan glared, “What business is it of hers?”

“Alright, alright, it’s none of her business.” Since her son had just returned home, Madam Song naturally didn’t want to dampen his spirits, so she changed the topic, “Your father will be back soon. You must speak properly with him later.”

“Fine, I understand.”

After Madam Song left, Fu Xue bumped Cheng Suiyan’s arm with her shoulder, grinning. “Young master, who is Princess Anping?”

“Yun Qing, control her.”

Yun Qing didn’t want to control her, because Yun Qing was also very curious.

However, Suiyan seemed unwilling to mention this person, so they didn’t press further.

****

While Yun Qing and Fu Xue were in their room examining the things Madam Song had sent, Cheng Suiyan went to see his father, the current Prime Minister Cheng Yunxiao.

Prime Minister Cheng had also been a dashing and talented young man in his youth. Now past sixty, his temples had turned gray, and having shed his youthful frivolity, his bearing was even more distinguished than before.

He had what could be called a perfect beard. This beard was regularly trimmed and carefully maintained. Even the current emperor often praised it and had even written a poem about it (which wasn’t very good).

Prime Minister Cheng also loved stroking his beard.

Cheng Suiyan had summarized three ways his father stroked his beard.

If he spread his fingers and gently smoothed down from both edges of the beard, he was in a good mood. If he pinched the lower part of the beard with three fingers and gently twisted, it meant he was thinking.

But if he stroked the beard rather quickly from the front, it meant the old man was unhappy and was self-soothing.

At this moment, Prime Minister Cheng was spreading his fingers and gently smoothing from both sides of his beard, so Cheng Suiyan felt quite relaxed.

Despite his father’s stern expression.

“You rebellious son, you finally know to come back!”

Cheng Suiyan said, “This son has been away for half a year and missed his parents, so I came back to visit. What’s improper about that? If Father doesn’t like it, I can leave again.”

“You…!” Prime Minister Cheng really wanted to tell him to leave in anger, but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to say those words.

What could he do? Having this one child after age forty, what could he do! He’d been afraid the child wouldn’t survive since birth – worried at three, fearful at six, anxious at nine, every step filled with terror.

Only when one becomes a parent can one truly understand what “pitying the hearts of parents under heaven” means!

Yet this rebellious son had grown up safely and thrived, only to constantly anger him. He’d never suffered such aggravation in court, but had to endure his son’s provocations at home.

“You, you…” Prime Minister Cheng held back for a long time before managing, “I think you only came back because you ran out of money.”

Cheng Suiyan didn’t mind. “What’s wrong with spending some money? Our family has so much money – if we don’t spend it, won’t it just breed insects? This money also comes from the people’s support. I call this ‘taking from the people and using it for the people.'”

“That’s the Cheng family’s accumulated wealth over generations. How did it become the people’s support?”

“Then it’s the support of every generation of people.”

Prime Minister Cheng shook his head. “I don’t want to hear your twisted logic. I have serious matters to discuss.”

“What matter?”

“A few days ago, someone submitted a memorial to the emperor accusing you of colluding with demons and harming loyal subjects.”

Cheng Suiyan was baffled, pointing to his own nose. “Me? Harming loyal subjects?”

“Yes, you! Honestly confess how Helan Sheng’s grandson really died.”

“Oh, him. He deserved to die.” Cheng Suiyan explained the matter in a few words.

Prime Minister Cheng paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. After hearing his son finish, he frowned. “You really were involved? You brat, you must have been used by someone. What business was it of yours that the Helan family’s little beast killed and burned?”

Cheng Suiyan was displeased hearing this. “When encountering injustice, one should naturally offer righteous assistance. How is it not my business?”

Prime Minister Cheng shook his head repeatedly. “The emperor has already appeased Helan Sheng and ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate this case. The Minister of Justice is old and doesn’t handle affairs, one Deputy Minister position is vacant, so all current matters are controlled by the Left Deputy Minister.

That Left Deputy Minister Sun Zhengxun is Helan Sheng’s brother-in-law. He will certainly seek to find fault with you. Fortunately, you didn’t directly participate in the killing, so this case still has room for maneuvering.

I know you’re young and hot-blooded, full of righteous passion, but doing good deeds and accumulating virtue must be done properly. Charging ahead recklessly like this comes with a price. Throughout history, how many who stood up for others had good endings?

I’m your real father – would I harm you? Listen to me. Don’t associate with those martial artists anymore. Stay home quietly for a few days. Do you hear me?”

Cheng Suiyan laughed carelessly. “Too late. They’re already living in our house.”

“…” Prime Minister Cheng stared at his son speechlessly, pointing. “You, you rebellious son, are you trying to anger me to death?!”

Seeing his father start stroking the front of his beard, Cheng Suiyan knew his father was upset, so he consoled, “Father, don’t worry. It won’t implicate you.”

“It’s not about that,” Prime Minister Cheng suddenly sighed helplessly. “You need to understand that Helan Sheng is currently much favored by the emperor. Even I must give way to him. He’s also been getting close to the Imperial Preceptor lately… You don’t understand the stakes involved.”

Cheng Suiyan snorted disdainfully:

“How could I not understand? The emperor wants to watch his ministers fight. If you and Helan Sheng got along lovingly, the old man wouldn’t be able to sleep. Imperial techniques – isn’t it just playing that balance game? Acting all mysterious, as if no one understands.”

“Keep your voice down! Speaking recklessly about the emperor – do you want to die?” Prime Minister Cheng was both pleased and angry. Pleased that his son understood people and affairs, naturally suited for officialdom. Angry that the stinking boy had no such ambitions, always thinking about those ethereal matters of cultivating immortality.

Prime Minister Cheng wanted to drive those martial artists away, but firstly he feared hurting his son’s feelings, and secondly, he wanted to wait and see what tricks Helan Sheng had.

After thinking, Prime Minister Cheng decided to hold his position for now. He felt that at least this rebellious son was safe, because the emperor couldn’t bear to act against Suiyan. The reason was simple—

“Today the emperor asked again about your marriage to Princess Anping. You two must marry next year without fail. Don’t you like wielding weapons and having extraordinary strength? You’ll go train with the Imperial Guards then. I’ve already paved the way for you.”

Cheng Suiyan said impatiently, “How many times have I said it – I won’t marry!”

Even if he married, he would find a dao companion with mutual affection, like Yun Qing and Baiyu, not be trapped for life in worldly wealth and honor with an arrogant princess.

Prime Minister Cheng angrily raised his chin, his beard bouncing with it, and raged, “If you don’t marry, are you trying to make me die without descendants?”

“How could that be? I think you old man still have plenty of vigor. Why don’t you have another child?”

“You…! You’re infuriating me! Get out! Get out, get out!”

****

The next morning, after a dazzling breakfast, Yun Qing tried activating the Thousand-Mile Sound-Transmitting Conch, but got no response.

Qiguang Zi had told them to come to the capital but didn’t contact them. Who knew what he was scheming.

Cheng Suiyan said, “We can’t just wait around. Why don’t we go out for a walk? I’ll show you around the capital. I grew up here and know it very well.”

Fu Xue asked, “Then tell us, what’s fun in the capital?”

“There’s plenty of fun. Now in the depths of winter, guess what’s the most entertaining?”

“What is it?”

“Ice games, of course. Come, I’ll take you to the river to watch ice games. Ruoshui, bring the ice bed.”

Four maids carried over a pine wood ice bed.

The ice bed was newly made this year and still gave off the fragrance of pine wood. It had tables and chairs and could seat about five or six people. It was adorned with tassels, hung with retractable curtains, and carved with flowers.

Regarding the carved flowers, Yun Qing wasn’t surprised at all. The wealthy households in the capital seemed to be carving maniacs – they carved everything. She suspected even their stables were carved.

Besides the ice bed, Ruoshui and the others also brought two small wooden horses with smiles.

These wooden horses were similar to children’s rocking horses, except their feet were flat, they had handles in back for pushing them to glide on ice, and the handles even had places to hang lanterns – quite exquisite indeed.

These two horses were red and yellow. Not only were they carved lifelike, their expressions even had slight differences. Yun Qing marveled at the sight.

Ruoshui also prepared many warming items – clothing, hand warmers, and such. She thought that since Miss Yun and Miss Xue were young ladies, it seemed improper for male servants to attend them, so she and another maid, Fuyun, planned to accompany them.

Cheng Suiyan waved for them to stay at the mansion – no need to serve.

The warming items weren’t taken either. No one needed them.

He also didn’t need any male servants.

Having wandered outside for half a year, Cheng Suiyan felt he was no longer that pampered young master.

****

So-called “ice games” meant all kinds of performances on ice. Generally, whatever entertainments existed on land had corresponding versions on ice.

For example: ice acrobatics, ice magic tricks, ice monkey shows, ice dancing, ice arrow tossing, ice archery, ice ball kicking, and so on. There were also simple competitions of who could slide fastest on ice, called “ice racing.”

At this season, the river surface was frozen solid. Many people played and enjoyed themselves on the ice. Yun Qing and Fu Xue watched with fascination from the riverbank. Some people set up stalls on the shore selling food and hot tea and wine, all doing good business.

Jiang Baiyu could see that Yun Qing was very interested in those two small wooden horses. He placed the yellow horse on the ice surface and had Yun Qing sit on it.

Then he held the handle and pushed hard, pushing and running at the same time.

Yun Qing laughed.

Racing against the wind on the ice surface, her heart seemed to fly as well, leaving all worries behind. Her chest swelled with boldness, as if she’d returned to her most original state – a kind of carefree, pure happiness.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha!” She laughed heartily.

Jiang Baiyu laughed too.

Behind them, Fu Xue was chasing closely, with Cheng Suiyan pushing her.

“Senior Sister, let’s race!” Fu Xue said while laughing.

“Alright.” Yun Qing waved her hand and formed an air wall. The two of them crashed into it and tumbled on the ice. Being cultivators with tough skin, they weren’t injured, just very disheveled.

“Ah ah ah, Senior Sister, you’re so annoying!”

Cheng Suiyan cursed. “Yun Qing, you were so wicked!”

Yun Qing’s laughter echoed far into the distance.

Cheng Suiyan got up and pushed Fu Xue again. “Too arrogant! You two stop right there!” He gave chase.

Ci Li sat on the ice bed, watching their gradually distant figures, and said, “Idiots.”

He looked left and right, seeing no one paying attention, suddenly raised his palm and struck the riverbank from afar. The ice bed, propelled by the force, whooshed across the ice surface carrying him.

The sky was very blue, the sunlight brilliant. The young man leaned back on the ice bed with satisfaction and smiled slightly.