Chapter 3: Why Go to Luoyang

  "Write poetry?..." He Lan's eyes widened in surprise, and he patted his own head with a hint of self-mockery. "Minyue, after brother got hurt, many things can't be remembered anymore. Now I've even forgotten whether I know how to write poetry or not, haha... Brother... did I used to write poetry?"

  Mei He Lan Min Yue's face showed a hint of surprise, but it quickly disappeared, and her smile reappeared. "Of course brother will compose a poem, your previous poems have been praised by the Emperor and Empress Dowager! Brother, you must compose a poem for Min Yue's painting later, okay?"

  Looking at Meihualan Minyue's beautiful face, which was a bit dazzling, full of eager expressions, He Lan Min didn't even have the idea of refusing, and hastily nodded in agreement. "Alright... okay, brother will recite a few lines of poetry for you later... hmm... Minyue, don't be impatient, brother is thinking now, really! Brother must think of it when he sees you painting!"

  "That's great!" He Lan Minyue finally let go of He Lan Min's hand with satisfaction, stood back beside the easel and continued painting.

  When painting, He Lan Minyue was fully focused, and didn't even glance at He Lan Minzhi standing beside her.

  He Lan Minzhi stood silently behind, watching He Lan Minyue paint. He was also amazed that the brushwork of ancient women could be so good, it was almost unrealistic. The people of later generations were truly unable to catch up with her, no matter how hard they tried.

  He Lan Minyue's brushstrokes were delicate yet bold, with no hesitation in her movements, exuding a masculine flair. In just a short while, the remaining strokes were all added, and a beautiful painting was completed.

  He Lan Minyue put down her brush, looked at the painting for a while, then raised her head and proudly looked at He Lan Minzhi: "Brother, Minyue's painting is only missing your poem, have you thought of one?"

  He Lan Minzhi was watching He Lan Minyue paint when he already had two very fitting lines of poetry in his mind. Hearing He Lan Minyue ask, he smiled and said: "Minyue, brother really thought of two lines of poetry that fit your painting..."

  "Then recite it quickly for Minyue to hear!" He Lan Minzhi was overjoyed once again.

  "The color of spring fills the garden, but cannot be contained, a branch of red apricot blossoms comes out from behind the wall!" He Lan Minzhi recited these two sentences with a hint of pride and a bit of nervousness, then asked: "Minyue, what do you think of the poem that brother just recited?"

  The most vivid thing in He Lanmingyue's painting is the apricot blossoms that stick out from behind the wall of a small garden. The red apricot blossoms are blooming brightly, and with the subtle contrast of the hidden trees, rocks, and willow branches, a strong sense of spring rushes forth, very lively and dynamic. Looking at it makes one feel especially comfortable. The last two lines of this famous poem can be said to be a perfect description of this painting. I estimate that anyone who has read this poem will think of these two lines when they see He Lanmingyue's painting.

  "The garden is full of spring color, can't be closed in... A branch of red apricot comes out from the wall... The garden is full of spring color... Can't be closed in, a branch of red apricot... Comes out from the wall. Brother, these two lines of poetry are too good, better than all the poems you've written before!" Mei He Lan Minyue savored them for a moment, almost clapping her hands and jumping up, these two lines of poetry really fit perfectly with this painting, nothing could be more suitable to write on it. She was very proud of her brother, but immediately felt puzzled, "Brother, why is such good poetry only two lines? Can't you finish writing it?"

  "Min Yue, brother saw your painting and suddenly thought of these two sentences of poetry, feeling that they are very suitable for the meaning of your painting, no other sentence can be used... don't you think so?!" Sweat, really don't know how to explain! Glancing at the several lovely maids behind with faces full of adoration, He Lan Min had a bit of a guilty conscience.

  "Ah, I see!" He Lan Minyue's face lit up with a look of sudden understanding, her expression still full of pride. "Brother, Minyue thinks these two lines are absolutely wonderful poetry. Later, let's show them to Mother and also send them to the palace for Auntie to see! Minyue thinks that Mother and Auntie will definitely praise them, and His Majesty will surely commend you and reward you too! Ah...Mother is here!"

  A tinkling sound of jade pendants striking together came from a distance, followed by the voice of maidservants greeting. He Lan Minzhi hastily turned his head and saw that his mother, Wu Xun, was walking towards him with several maidservants in attendance, so he hurriedly went to meet her.

  "The child has seen his mother..." The brothers and sisters all bowed to Wu Shun together!

  Several maidservants stood at a distance, Wu Shun hastily walked to He Lan Min's side, stretched out his hand to support him, and revealed a warm smile. "Min, your injury is not fully healed yet, you need to rest more, don't stand for too long, quickly go over there and lie down on the soft couch to rest for a while!"

  "Mother, don't worry, the child was just watching his sister paint!" He Lan Min pointed to the painting on the table that He Lan Min Yue had just finished, "Mother, look, Minyue's paintings are getting better and better!"

  "Oh?! Let's take a look!" Wu Shun replied somewhat absent-mindedly, and walked over with He Lan Minyue's proud face supporting him.

  But Wu Shun just took a brief glance and forced out a smile, "It's pretty good, much better than what you've done before!"

  Mother's evaluation, He Lan Minyue was somewhat displeased, pulling Wu Shun's hand, and coquettishly said: "Mom, you haven't taken a good look at it yet... Besides, just now brother matched two sentences of poetry for this painting, these two sentences are very good, mom wait, daughter will write them on immediately!"

  As he spoke, he let go of Wu Shun's hand and quickly picked up his brush to write down the two lines of poetry that He Lan Min had just recited, adding a postscript.

  Wu Shun carelessly glanced at the poem written by He Lan Minyue, but just this one glance made her very surprised. She immediately walked closer and looked carefully for a while before lifting her head with a radiant smile: "Minyue, did you write these two lines of poetry?"

  "Yes!" He Lan Min acknowledged with a stiff upper lip, "It's what the child just thought of, and it feels very much in line with the intention of this painting by Mian Yue!"

  "It's indeed quite apt!" Wu Shun's face showed appreciation, "Min, it seems that after you got hurt, you haven't forgotten what you learned before. The poem you wrote is even more outstanding. With this, Mother can rest assured. I'll get someone to tell your aunt not to worry... Alright, go lie down on the bed for a while!"

  "Yes, Mother!" Following Wu Shun's gesture, He Lan Minzhi sat down very obediently on the soft couch that had already been laid out, "Mother, please sit down too!"

  Wu Shun sat down on the couch with a loving expression, gesturing for He Lan Min to lie down. He then leaned forward slightly and reached out to gently stroke the forehead bandage covering He Lan Min's injury, asking softly, "Min, are you feeling any better today?"

  "Mother! The child... the child feels quite good, just gets sleepy easily and can't remember some things from before!" He Lan Minzhi smiled at her mother, her eyes unconsciously falling onto Wu Shun's chest which was exposed when she bent down. Today, Wu Shun wore a pink blouse with a semi-transparent cloak on top, and when she stood up straight, nothing would be revealed, but now that she was bending down like this, everything was exposed.

  He Lan Min immediately realized that looking at his mother like this was not proper, and quickly turned his head away. He also thought about when to remind his mother to dress a bit more conservatively, so as not to draw attention from others.

  "Let it go, don't think about things you can't remember. Later, your mother and Minyue will tell you slowly, and you'll understand eventually!" Wu Shun lovingly stroked He Lan Minzhi's cheek and said softly: "Minzhi, the wound on your head is almost healed, and your mother is much more at ease! You're sleepy, just lie down and take a little nap. This spot is perfect for sunbathing, and when the sun sets, let Qing'er and Xue'er help you back into the house..."

  He Lan Minzhi grasped Wu Shun's extremely smooth hand, smiling and shaking her head, "Mother, I won't sleep anymore, if I sleep...I'll have insomnia tonight!"

  "That's right, just rest for now and let Qing'er and Xue'er help you with your body. Don't forget to take your medicine later! Wu Shun's face was full of doting affection, his tone still gentle, "Mother has already instructed the kitchen to make you a stew with high-quality ginseng sent by your aunt, you must eat more of it and drink all the soup to nourish your body... and go to bed early!"

  "Mother, the child is fine now, no need to replenish his body anymore!" He Lan Min hastily declined. These past few days he had eaten too many nourishing foods and felt his yang energy was too strong, his young body could hardly bear it, and he had an urge to find a place to release it. And by his side were piles of beautiful women, especially the two little maidservants in the house, Xue Er and Qing Er, whose delicate figures and gentle voices were deadly temptations!

  Wu Shun didn't know what He Lan Min was thinking, and smiled: "Min, your injury hasn't fully recovered yet, and you're still weak. You need to nourish yourself more. You're still young, when you get hurt, you must take good care of yourself, or else you'll regret it later." As he spoke, he turned his head and ordered the two little maids standing beside him: "Xue Er, Qing Er, make sure to serve Young Master well at dinner!"

  "Yes, ma'am!" Xue Er and Qing Er replied almost in unison.

  He Lan Min had no choice but to agree, "Alright then, child listen to mother, eat more nourishing food! Mother has been tired these days too, need to rest well!"

  "It's okay, mom! Minzhi, just lie down here and don't go anywhere... " Wu Shun said, pausing for a moment, as if thinking of something, with a bewildered expression in his eyes. He sighed and continued, "Mom... has to go take care of some things... I'll come back to see you tonight! Mom needs to instruct the servants on some matters..." Although he said this, his body didn't get up, and he looked at He Lan Minzhi with a complex gaze, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.

  He Lan Minzhi also noticed Wu Xun's unusual expression and asked in a low voice, "Mother, is there something else you want to tell me?"

  Wu Shun's eyes darted around, and he looked a bit flustered, not daring to meet He Lan Min's gaze. He turned his eyes away and opened his mouth several times before speaking: "Min... Mother wants to ask you something..."

  "Daughter, what's on your mind? Just tell me and I'll take care of it!"

  Wu Shun didn't say anything directly, hesitated for a moment, then ordered the several maids standing by: "You all withdraw first!"

  "Yes, ma'am!" Several maids responded and retreated.

  Only Hèlán Mǐnyuè was present on the side, Wǔ Shùn's expression was still quite unnatural, his eyes still avoiding Hèlán Mǐnyuè, and his voice was even softer. "Mǐnyuè, His Majesty...and the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage will be going to Luòyáng in a few days, His Majesty has sent someone to say...let us follow the imperial carriage! Your aunt has also sent someone to ask about your condition, whether you can follow the imperial carriage to Luòyáng, if your body...Mǐnyuè...mother..."

  "Mother, I haven't fully recovered yet and can't take the jolting of the carriage ride. I don't want to go to Luoyang, I just want to stay in Chang'an with you and Minyue. We'll wait for another chance to go to Luoyang next time, Mother... is that okay? You promised Minzhi, this time we won't go to Luoyang!" He Lan Minzhi pleaded repeatedly, naturally pulling on Wu Shun's arm.

  He Lan Minzhi knew that his "original body" had a big argument with Wu Shun about whether to go to Luoyang, and as a result, he was accidentally injured. He knew that there must be a very important reason for this, otherwise, the previous He Lan Minzhi would not have opposed Wu Shun's decision to go to Luoyang so fiercely.

  When his mother said this, her expression was too abnormal, which made He Lan's doubts in his heart even greater. A sense of foreboding rose up, and he thought that there must be a very important reason behind it, and he really wanted to figure out the reason.

  He Lan Minzhi's words made Wu Shun feel extremely uncomfortable, and the disappointed look on her face deepened. She gently broke free from He Lan Minzhi's hand, stood up, forced a smile, "Alright then, mother will listen to you, we won't go to Luoyang, we'll all stay in Chang'an. Mother will have someone inform the Emperor and Empress that we're not going to Luoyang... Minzhi, mother has some business to attend to, you rest well, let Minyue and Xue'er, Qing'er keep you company!"

  "Mother, then... you go ahead and take care of things..." He Lan Minzhe also saw the disappointment that Wu Shun couldn't hide on his face, and his inner worries deepened even more...