NCCnovel Chapter 806 This trip has no purpose, just to relieve my longing
Chapter 806 This trip has no purpose, just to relieve my longing
In the early autumn in Chang'an City, willow catkins fluttered like snow, falling on the bluestone roads.
The vermilion lacquer gate of the Jiangxia Palace is mottled, and a thin layer of dust has accumulated on the door knocker, telling of the vicissitudes of time.
Li Xueyan stood in front of the palace gate, raised her hand and gently stroked the cold door knocker. Her fingertips touched the familiar yet unfamiliar pattern, and her thoughts were instantly pulled back to the past.
She took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy door.
"Squeak——" a sound, as if it was a sigh from the long-sleeping palace.
In the courtyard, the crabapple tree is still lush and green, but most of the beautiful flowers that once filled the tree have now withered. The ground is covered with pink petals, like a soft carpet covering the courtyard.
Li Xueyan stepped on the flower petals and walked slowly towards the back hall, each step carrying endless memories.
The tables and chairs in the back hall were still arranged as before, just covered with a thin layer of dust.
She sat down in the seat she used to sit in, her eyes swept over everything familiar, and a feeling of melancholy welled up in her heart.
This is where she grew up, carrying too many of her laughter and tears.
Ever since Li Daozon left, this palace has gradually lost its former vitality. Only someone comes to clean it every once in a while to maintain its last bit of dignity.
Memories came flooding back like a tide, and the embarrassed and blushing look of that silly boy appeared clearly before her.
At that time, they were innocent and played around in the palace courtyard, their laughter echoing in every corner.
She liked teasing him and seeing him shy. That innocent smile was the most beautiful memory in her heart.
This time when she returned to Chang'an alone, she visited many places, each of which hid every bit of her and Zhang Xianhuai.
Those memories flashed in her mind like bright stars.
Now, she has settled down in Nanjing and takes care of the children alone.
Looking at the innocent faces of those children, her heart was filled with emotion.
All of her former friends died in a blaze of glory, leaving only her, the person least capable of taking care of others, to shoulder the responsibility of looking after the descendants of the Qin and Zhang families.
Li Xueyan smiled self-deprecatingly. As a daughter of the royal family, she was now the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty. Even Princess Yunhe had never had such an honor.
She knew better than anyone that the title of the eldest princess was the late emperor's guilt towards Zhang Xianhuai and Qin Ruzhao, and compensation for their sacrifices for the Tang Dynasty.
The late emperor has always been a very good person. Even his affairs after death were arranged properly.
When the imperial court went on a western expedition, all officials had their salaries cut, but her double salary never decreased. All this shows that the late emperor had already made it clear to Your Majesty that you must protect their child for the rest of her life.
She sat in the back hall, unwilling to leave for a long time, staring ahead with empty eyes.
Those past events kept replaying in her mind.
It was not until the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window into the back hall, stretching her shadow very long, that she slowly stood up and walked out of this former home.
The moment the palace door closed, Li Xueyan felt a sense of loss in her heart.
Chang'an, which was once so familiar to her, now makes her feel strange and confused.
This was once her hometown, where she had many close friends, and they talked about everything and shared their girlish thoughts.
As time passed, they all got married and now they are at home taking care of their husbands and children, leading an ordinary and happy life.
But she had experienced too many separations and deaths, and gradually drifted away from their lives.
Jiang Lai, who was closest to her, also went with Qin Ruzhao. Thinking of Jiang Lai, Li Xueyan felt a pang of pain in her heart.
Once upon a time, they talked about everything and agreed to be good sisters for life.
But now, they are separated by Yin and Yang and can never meet again.
Li Xueyan walked aimlessly on the streets of Chang'an.
The streets were bustling with activity, and the laughter of the people reached her ears, but it could not dispel the gloom in her heart.
She looked at the people coming and going around her, as if she was a stranger who didn't fit in.
The street vendors were shouting loudly, selling all kinds of delicious snacks and exquisite handicrafts. The air was filled with tempting aroma, but she had no appetite at all.
Before she knew it, she had reached Suzaku Street.
Standing in the middle of the street, Li Xueyan stopped and her eyes became extremely gentle and full of longing.
This is where she first met Zhang Xianhuai.
That day, the sun was shining brightly and the sky was clear blue.
She sat in the wedding car, feeling somewhat excited about who her prince brother would send to rescue her.
At that time, she was still a little worried. Although her brother, the crown prince, had taken that position, her marriage was arranged by Emperor Taizong.
The Tibetan marriage-seeking team marched in a mighty procession on Zhuque Street. She felt a pang of pain in her heart when she thought that she might be sent to distant Tibet to marry a man she had never met, and forever away from her hometown and relatives.
Just when she was filled with despair, the crisp sound of horse hooves came from afar.
She pulled open the carriage curtain out of curiosity, and what came into her sight was a young man riding a white horse.
He was wearing a flying fish suit, with an upright posture, like a banished immortal descending to earth.
The sunlight shone on his body, giving him a golden glow.
The young man had a determined look in his eyes and went straight into the Tubo marriage proposal team.
He stopped the team without fear, and at that moment, Li Xueyan's heart skipped a beat.
She looked at the young man's heroic appearance, and a throbbing feeling she had never felt before surged in her heart. She knew that she would not marry anyone else in this life.
Recalling this, Li Xueyan's mouth curled up into a smile unconsciously, but her eyes were full of tears.
She remembered Zhang Xianhuai's solemn promise to her that he would always be with her.
At that time, his eyes were sincere and passionate, which made her believe that they would continue to be happy.
Fate makes people.
She has never been a delicate princess, but rather a knife for His Majesty, and Zhang Xianhuai is the most satisfactory knife in His Majesty's hands.
Although Qin Ruzhao is sharp, he is not reliable enough and is far inferior to Zhang Xianhuai.
Li Xueyan knew these better than anyone else.
Once, Li Daozon was worried that His Majesty would not spare Zhang Xianhuai's life in the future, but Li Xueyan firmly believed that the prince who had always taken her to play when she was a child would never be such a person.
The Crown Prince cares about the world and cannot stand the poor. He is a benevolent monarch, so how could he kill his meritorious ministers?
Zhang Xianhuai eventually left her, leaving her alone.
Li Xueyan could no longer control her emotions, and two lines of tears burst out of her eyes and slowly flowed down her cheeks.
She had so many words and so many grievances she wanted to tell that silly boy, but now, she no longer had the chance.
She suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and turned to leave Zhuque Street. She knew that in this Chang'an City, there were still many places that she and Zhang Xianhuai had visited before.
She wants to find them one by one and relive those beautiful memories.
Even if the memories bring pain, she is willing to accept it.
Li Xueyan came to Qujiang Lake where they once played together.
The lake is sparkling and willows are swaying on the shore.
Once upon a time, they rowed boats on the lake here, their laughter echoing on the water.
She still remembered that Zhang Xianhuai rowed the boat clumsily, which made her laugh.
Today, there are still boats passing by on the lake, but the people on the boats are no longer them.
She stood by the lake, looking at the water quietly, as if she could see herself and Zhang Xianhuai playing on the boat.
Then she came to the night market in Chang'an.
Once upon a time, they held hands and walked through the bustling night market, tasting all kinds of delicious snacks and picking out interesting gadgets.
For them, the night market at that time was a place full of joy and warmth.
Today, the night market is still bustling with bright lights and people coming and going. But Li Xueyan feels that everything here has lost its former color.
She walked aimlessly in the night market, looking at the happy couples and joyful crowds around her, and the feeling of loneliness in her heart became stronger and stronger.
As night falls, the sky of Chang'an is dotted with stars.
Li Xueyan looked at this familiar yet unfamiliar city, feeling a mixture of emotions.
Now, everything has changed.
Li Xueyan stayed in Chang'an for many more days and visited every place where they had memories.
Every time she went to a place, she would sit quietly for a long time, recalling every detail of the past. Finally, she knew it was time to leave.
This trip has no purpose, it's just to relieve my longing for you.