Spring in Jinghe Year Four: Three Moments, One Answer
These three mini-theaters—An Old Friend Arrives, A New Branch in the Ai Family, and As If the Plum Blossoms Never Faded—are written as a quiet triptych of spring.
Each explores a different facet of Ai Miao's world:
A past friendship resurfaces, and is gently but firmly claimed over (An Old Friend Arrives);
A child is born into the Ai family, and the emperor offers a name, a future, and a quiet reassurance (A New Branch in the Ai Family);
A childhood acquaintance reappears, and a silent handclasp becomes the final word (As If the Plum Blossoms Never Faded).
Though each stands alone, together they trace a season of emotional clarity— Where possession is not just jealousy, but protection; Where family is not just blood, but choice; And where love is not declared, but quietly held.
If you read them in sequence, you may find that spring in Jinghe Year Four was not just a time of blossoms— But a time of belonging.
Spring, Jinghe Year Four
That spring, an unexpected visitor arrived in the capital.
His name was Xiao Shisan—a roguish wanderer of the martial world, with sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, and a wild, carefree smile. He had once been a companion of Ai Miao's during his youthful travels: they had explored danger together, shared drinks, and forged a brief but genuine bond. Back then, Ai Miao had yet to reveal his edge, traveling under the alias "Ah-Ai," and Xiao Shisan had simply taken him for a quiet, clever boy with a solitary streak.
Now, passing through the capital, Xiao Shisan had heard of the powerful Lord Wen'an—Ai Miao—and, driven by curiosity and a touch of recklessness, made his way straight to the heavily guarded gates of the Wen'an Residence.
"Please inform Lord Wen'an," he said cheerfully to the gatekeeper. "An old friend, Xiao Shisan, requests an audience."
—
In the imperial study, when Ai Miao's attendant quietly reported the name "Xiao Shisan," his writing hand paused—barely perceptible. But that subtle motion did not escape Gu Lian, who had been watching him from the corner of his eye.
"Xiao Shisan?" Gu Lian set down his vermilion brush. His tone was mild, but his gaze sharpened. "An old friend of yours? I don't believe I've heard of him."
Ai Miao's expression had already returned to calm. "Your Majesty, he is someone I met during my youth while traveling. A friend from the martial world. We haven't seen each other in years. I don't know why he's come now."
"Oh? A friend from the martial world?" Gu Lian raised a brow, repeating the phrase with unreadable emphasis. Then, with a seemingly generous wave of his hand, he said, "Well then—since an old friend has come to call, go and receive him. Do not neglect your… friend."
Ai Miao glanced at him, sensing that final word had been bitten off with particular weight. He bowed. "Then I shall take my leave."
As Ai Miao's figure disappeared through the doorway, the calm on Gu Lian's face vanished. A shadow passed over his features. He gave a cold snort. "Go," he ordered the attendant beside him. "Find out everything about this Xiao Shisan."
—
In the flower hall of the Wen'an Residence, Xiao Shisan blinked in surprise at the sight of Ai Miao in his deep purple court robes, his entire bearing transformed. Then he strode forward with familiar ease, raising a hand to clap Ai Miao on the shoulder.
"Well, well! Ah-Ai! Look at you—didn't recognize you at first! You've made it big, haven't you?"
Ai Miao subtly sidestepped the gesture. "Brother Xiao. It's been a while."
Xiao Shisan's hand missed its mark, but he didn't mind. He laughed heartily and plopped down into a seat, giving Ai Miao a once-over. "Tsk tsk, being a big official really changes a man—so many rules now. But that cold, keep-your-distance look of yours hasn't changed a bit. I recognized you right away!"
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Hey, I hear you're the emperor's favorite these days? What's palace life like—boring, isn't it? Want to come roam the world with your big brother again?"
His words were unfiltered, his manner casual, completely ignoring decorum—as if he were still the same carefree rogue who once dragged "Ah-Ai" into mischief (not really).
Ai Miao frowned slightly, about to speak, when a sharp voice rang out from outside:
"His Majesty arrives—!"
Both men froze.
Gu Lian entered in plain robes, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was calm, but his gaze swept over Xiao Shisan's posture—leaning far too close to Ai Miao—and darkened.
"I heard Lord Wen'an had an old friend visiting," he said, voice unreadable. "I thought I'd come see for myself." He walked straight to the main seat and sat down, eyes fixed on Xiao Shisan. "And this must be Hero Xiao?"
Xiao Shisan, though informal by nature, knew this was the emperor. He rose and cupped his fists in greeting, still relaxed. "Commoner Xiao Shisan, greets Your Majesty."
Gu Lian studied him. "So, Hero Xiao and my Grand Councilor are old acquaintances?"
"That's right!" Xiao Shisan grinned, oblivious to the tension. "Back in Jiangnan, Ah-Ai and I…" He launched into a string of youthful escapades, each tale more familiar than the last.
With every sentence, Gu Lian's fingers tightened around his teacup, knuckles whitening. His smile remained polite, but his eyes grew colder.
Ai Miao, seated beside him, could feel the emperor's growing stormcloud of jealousy and sighed inwardly.
Finally, when Xiao Shisan mentioned for the third time, "Ah-Ai and I once shared a bed—" (it was just one night, due to a lack of rooms), Gu Lian set his teacup down with a soft but final clink.
"It seems Hero Xiao and Lord Wen'an are indeed… close." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I hear you're quite skilled. I recently acquired a few new palace guards from the wrestling battalion. Would you be willing to spar with them?"
Xiao Shisan, a martial arts fanatic, lit up. "If Your Majesty commands, how could I refuse?"
Ai Miao: "…" He tried to interject. "Your Majesty, this—"
"No matter," Gu Lian cut him off, eyes still locked on Xiao Shisan. "Just a friendly match."
—
Half an hour later, at the palace training grounds.
Xiao Shisan was locked in fierce combat with a palace guard. Fists flew, feet struck, neither gaining the upper hand. Gu Lian sat above, watching. As the two fighters exchanged blows, he spoke—quietly, but clearly:
"Next move—he'll feint right and strike your left flank."
The guard adjusted instantly. Xiao Shisan's next move unfolded exactly as predicted— And was cleanly countered. He nearly lost his footing.
Startled, he pulled back, glancing up at the young emperor with new wariness.
Gu Lian sipped his tea, then looked at him with calm eyes. "Thank you for the match, Hero Xiao."
Xiao Shisan's back was damp with cold sweat. This emperor hadn't lifted a finger— But his insight alone was terrifying.
The capital, he now realized, was no place for careless bravado.
"Your Majesty's perception… is truly admirable." This time, his bow was sincere, and his tone far more respectful.
Gu Lian set down his cup. "The capital has many rules. It's not as free as the martial world. Since you're Lord Wen'an's old friend, enjoy your stay— But do try not to… stir up trouble."
The final words were unmistakably pointed.
—
That night, in the Qianqing Palace bedchamber.
Ai Miao had just finished bathing. Dressed in white sleepwear, hair still damp, He was pulled into Gu Lian's arms and pinned against a dragon-carved pillar.
"Your Majesty?" He looked up into Gu Lian's smoldering gaze.
Gu Lian didn't answer. He kissed him—hard, possessive, punishing— Until Ai Miao was breathless.
Only then did he pull back, resting his forehead against Ai Miao's, voice hoarse:
"Shared a bed, hmm?" His fingers brushed Ai Miao's swollen lips, voice dripping with jealousy. "I had no idea my consort had such… deep ties with others."
Ai Miao looked at his sulking emperor, torn between exasperation and amusement. He softened his tone. "That was over ten years ago. There was only one room left at the inn…"
"One room, and you shared a bed?" Gu Lian cut him off, logic sharp as ever. "Did he know who you were? That you were mine?"
His hand slipped beneath Ai Miao's robe, Touching warm skin with possessive heat.
"Seems I've been far too lenient with you…"
That night, Gu Lian gave new meaning to the word "possession." Every inch of Ai Miao's body bore his mark— Erasing any trace of that so-called "old friend."
—
The next morning, Ai Miao didn't wake until the sun was high. His body ached all over.
As for Xiao Shisan— Having received a generous "travel stipend" from the emperor, He wisely departed the capital at dawn, Riding hard and fast away from this perilous city.
When Ai Miao heard the news, He glanced at the refreshed, innocent-looking Gu Lian beside him— And could only shake his head.
His emperor, in some matters, Was truly… petty to the bone.