Chapter 24: The Jade Pendant (2)

Di Jiang, her two attendants, and Zhong Xu each had their own thoughts, making the journey back to Taiping Prefecture less than smooth. Zhong Xu could have easily flown away with a leap, but because Di Jiang was an ordinary woman without martial arts skills, they rented a carriage for the journey.

Inside the carriage, Di Jiang remained calm and content. She had always been adaptable, finding joy wherever she went, and saw no issue with the situation. Shu Xiang also refrained from complaints, as he was accustomed to following wherever the boss went.

However, Wen Yao sat frowning and sighing throughout the journey.

“Boss, my butt feels like it’s been split into three parts!”

“You’re riding in a carriage and still not happy? You’re truly difficult to please.”

Wen Yao pouted and whispered, lowering her voice: “Why don’t we just dismiss Zhong Xu and use the ‘Land Contraction Technique’ to return to Taiping Prefecture? Without him, we’d already be lying on our own beds, eating meals cooked over bamboo fires, and living in bliss!”

“Daoist Zhong has endured half a month of traveling by carriage without complaint, yet you can’t stop whining?” Irritated, Di Jiang cast a small spell, sealing Wen Yao’s mouth shut.

Several times, Wen Yao tried to open her mouth but failed. Flailing about in agitation, she lost her balance and tumbled to the back of the carriage with a loud thud, pulling Di Jiang down with her.

“What happened?” Zhong Xu called out from outside.

Fearing that Zhong Xu might see something amiss, Di Jiang quickly replied: “Nothing’s wrong.”

Zhong Xu didn’t press further and continued driving the carriage along the main road.

Once Wen Yao calmed down, Di Jiang said: “My relationship with Daoist Zhong is finally beginning to improve. Don’t ruin it.”

Wen Yao stared wide-eyed, nodding dumbly, silently pleading for her boss to release her. But Di Jiang, determined to punish her, ignored her pleas until they reached the next post station before unsealing her mouth.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the post station. Wen Yao, like someone who had been wandering in the desert and suddenly spotted an oasis, bolted out of the carriage and greedily gulped in fresh air.

“Ah—feels like I’m alive again!” Wen Yao sighed deeply but was promptly rewarded with a sharp slap from Di Jiang.

“Keep it low-key.”

“Understood.” Wen Yao drooped her head and walked toward the post station.

Zhong Xu tethered the horses to the feeding trough, arranged the fodder, then quickly fetched a bucket of water from the well. He returned to the carriage to wipe off the mud. Di Jiang stood in the courtyard, watching him work diligently, feeling rather intrigued.

Zhong Xu hadn’t spoken a single word all day, quietly going about his tasks without complaint, embodying patience and endurance.

How had his personality changed so drastically?

Di Jiang remembered how he used to talk nonstop all day, his face animated and lively. To others, his demeanor might even have seemed arrogant.

Now… he had become a silent little lamb.

Di Jiang sighed, unable to bear watching him any longer, and turned to enter the post station.

Songcheng Post Station was located at the foot of a mountain, two hundred miles from Taiping Prefecture, serving as a resting place for passing travelers and merchants.

The interior buzzed with noise, bustling with travelers coming and going. Di Jiang glanced around and found no empty seats. Just as she was pondering what to do, a familiar voice called out: “Doctor Di, what a coincidence to meet you here!”

Di Jiang turned her head toward the source of the voice and saw Prince Wu Rui’an sitting on a platform by the window, waving at her. On either side of him leaned two beautiful concubines.

“Citizen Di pays respects to Your Highness…” Before she could finish, Wu Rui’an rushed over in three quick strides and helped her up.

“In these humble surroundings, Doctor Di need not stand on ceremony. Come join me for a drink.” Overjoyed to encounter an old acquaintance, Wu Rui’an immediately invited Di Jiang to sit beside him and dismissed the four concubines. As they left, they shot her murderous glares.

These beauties wore Hu-style clothing, clearly not from noble families, but rather resembled courtesans commonly seen by the roadside…

Di Jiang was startled by their venomous gazes and lowered her head, swallowing nervously. She forced herself not to look at them and thought inwardly: “This Wu Rui’an truly lives up to his reputation. Wherever he goes, a crowd of beauties flocks to him willingly, and he accepts everyone without discrimination.”

“What is Doctor Di thinking about? Your expression seems troubled. Are you feeling unwell?” Wu Rui’an reached out to touch her forehead.

Startled by the gesture, Di Jiang instinctively turned her head and ducked down, pretending to adjust her shoes.

Wu Rui’an didn’t retract his hand, instead leaving it suspended mid-air, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched her. Di Jiang had no idea how long she stayed crouched, thinking it had been an eternity before finally raising her head—only to meet his palm directly.

Wu Rui’an’s palm was icy cold, and the touch against her forehead made Di Jiang wonder if she was running a fever…

At this moment, Wu Rui’an exhaled in relief and chuckled: “It’s nothing. Perhaps Doctor Di is simply tired from the journey. Rest will set you right.” Casually withdrawing his hand, he began preparing tea for Di Jiang.

Meanwhile, Di Jiang sat frozen, feeling her cheeks grow warm. Reflecting on how she had teased Zhong Xu countless times in the past, startling him endlessly, she had considered herself a seasoned flirt. Yet now, faced with Wu Rui’an’s gentle charm, she found her heart fluttering involuntarily.

She inwardly scolded herself: “Di Jiang, oh Di Jiang, you’re regressing! How can someone of your age still be captivated by mere appearances?”

Just as Di Jiang felt slightly awkward, her gaze suddenly fell upon a white jade pendant with gold accents hanging from Wu Rui’an’s waist.

“How did Doctor Di end up here?”

Di Jiang was so captivated by the pendant that she didn’t hear his words. Instead, she asked: “Prince Wu, may I borrow your jade pendant for a closer look?”

Wu Rui’an was taken aback but quickly removed the pendant and handed it to her: “Doctor Di, do you know what it means when a woman asks a man for his jade pendant in our Xuanwu Kingdom?”

“Hmm?” Di Jiang took the pendant and examined it intently, completely ignoring his words as they went in one ear and out the other.

“If a man gives his jade pendant to a woman, it signifies his acceptance of her affection,” Wu Rui’an explained, expecting to see Di Jiang’s shocked expression. However, she showed no reaction. After a long pause, she finally raised her head and asked: “Prince Wu, where did this jade pendant come from?”

“The jade pendant?” Wu Rui’an frowned, somewhat displeased, and added: “Every member of the Wu family has one.”

“Members of the Wu family, or the royal family?” Di Jiang pressed.

Wu Rui’an pondered carefully and replied: “All children of the royal family possess one.”

“The character ‘An’ engraved on this pendant—is it your name?”

Wu Rui’an nodded: “Precisely.”

“So, if the jade pendant is engraved with the character ‘Wan,’ does that mean the owner’s name contains the character ‘Wan’?”

“Correct,” Wu Rui’an replied impatiently. He had been sitting elegantly before her, yet she didn’t even glance at him, only focusing on studying the jade pendant—it was utterly humiliating.

“Di...” Wu Rui’an started to tease her again, but Di Jiang interrupted: “Then, in the past thirty years, has anyone from the imperial clan borne the character ‘Wan’ in their name?”

Seeing how serious she was, Wu Rui’an thought for a moment and nodded: “Princess Taihe, Wu Wanyan, bore the character ‘Wan’ in her name.”

“And where is Princess Taihe now?” Di Jiang asked anxiously.

At this moment, Wu Rui’an chuckled: “Princess Taihe passed away many years ago. By now, she’s likely just a handful of yellow earth in the imperial mausoleum.”

Di Jiang’s heart sank, and she urgently asked: “What caused her death?”

“You seem very concerned about her?” Wu Rui’an leaned closer without showing any emotion, but Di Jiang was entirely absorbed in thoughts of Wu Wanyan and didn’t notice his movements. Distractedly stroking the jade pendant, she nodded: “I’m just curious about her.”

“I don’t know the specific illness that caused her death. I only know she was my aunt and passed away shortly after reaching adulthood.”

“Was she betrothed to anyone?”

Wu Rui’an thought carefully, then shook his head.

Di Jiang felt deeply disappointed, but Wu Rui’an suddenly changed the subject, teasing: “I can investigate the archives upon returning. Why don’t you visit my palace once we’re back in Taiping Prefecture? I’ll personally invite you over for a chat.”

“Agreed!” Di Jiang readily consented, completely unaware of how close they were sitting. It wasn’t until Wen Yao spotted them in the corner and immediately screamed: “Boss! Wha—what are you doing?!”

“What’s wrong with me?” Di Jiang looked up, her expression blank.

“How can you be lying in Prince Rui’an’s arms?!” Wen Yao’s eyes were wide with disbelief. Only then did Di Jiang realize she was already enveloped in Wu Rui’an’s embrace, giving the appearance of lying in his arms.

Di Jiang quickly stood up, coughed lightly, and bowed her head: “This humble citizen is deeply uneasy.”

Wu Rui’an waved his hand dismissively and blurted out an unrelated question: “Doctor Di, are you betrothed to anyone?”

“No...” Wen Yao started to answer on Di Jiang’s behalf, but Di Jiang hastily interrupted: “Yes!”

Ignoring Wen Yao’s astonishment, Di Jiang continued with a smile: “This humble citizen is already betrothed.”

At this moment, Di Jiang caught sight of Zhong Xu standing by the door, gazing at her intently. She turned her head and met his enigmatic eyes.

Wu Rui’an’s expression suddenly became stormy, tinged with anger as he asked: “May I inquire whom Doctor Di is betrothed to?”

“My husband passed away many years ago.” Di Jiang’s eyes lingered on Zhong Xu, but her words were directed at Rui’an.

“Ah... I apologize for bringing up such a painful memory...”

“It’s no matter—I’ve long accepted this reality,” Di Jiang smiled faintly. “Besides, in my view, as long as he remains in my heart, death is not separation.”

“Admirable! Doctor Di’s perspective is truly profound,” Wu Rui’an raised his thumb in praise. “You never cease to amaze.”

Di Jiang withdrew her gaze from Zhong Xu and asked Wu Rui’an: “May I ask why Your Highness is here?”

“To enjoy the scenery and relax.”

“Have you enjoyed yourself?”

“Not quite.” Rui’an shook his head, forcing a bitter smile: “I offered my heart to the bright moon, but alas, the bright moon shines upon the ditches.”

“...” Di Jiang found his words strange, and Wen Yao, standing aside, was even more baffled. Seeing their exchange filled with unspoken meaning, she felt like an unnecessary presence. Deciding to make herself useful, she grabbed a chicken leg from the table and began eating while watching the scene unfold like a play.

On the other side, Zhong Xu remained uninvolved. After nodding slightly at Prince Rui’an, he quietly retreated. Rui’an understood that Zhong Xu had completed his mission of burying his childhood sweetheart and returned the nod as a gesture of gratitude.

After finishing their meal, the three of them stepped outside together.

“Is Your Highness returning to Taiping Prefecture?” Di Jiang asked.

“Precisely.”

“How do you plan to travel?”

“On foot,” Wu Rui’an chuckled: “I prefer to remain low-key.”

“Then why not travel together?”

“Excellent idea!” Wu Rui’an had clearly been waiting for Di Jiang’s invitation. With a grand wave of his hand, he climbed into the carriage first. Zhong Xu, seeing this, said nothing and focused on driving the carriage steadily. That night, the five of them returned to Taiping Prefecture together.