Chapter 23: Farewell

Upon arriving at the Octagonal Pavilion, they discovered that Wu Rui’an had already sealed off the surrounding roads and privately reserved the entire pavilion for himself.

“Miss Di, His Highness has been awaiting your arrival for some time,” Steward Liu said with a smile, leading the three of them across the corridor over the lake toward the top floor of the pavilion.

On the top floor, Wu Rui’an had arranged an imperial banquet. Both the ingredients and the chefs were from the inner palace, offering the same level of luxury enjoyed by Empress Chen Zhao.

Di Jiang sat amidst the dappled reflections of the lake water, her eyes curved like crescent moons. Shuxiang and Wen Yao stood quietly on either side of her. From afar, the lush green willows along the riverside framed their brightly dressed figures, creating a picturesque scene that caught the eyes of onlookers.

As soon as Wu Rui’an saw Di Jiang, his smile never faltered. He picked up a colorful pastry and placed it on the silver plate in front of her. “Miss Di, please try this Golden Silk Jade Dew Pastry. It’s the latest creation by Imperial Chef Shen, filled with a blend of flowers. It’s fragrant, soft, and leaves a lingering aroma in your mouth.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Di Jiang shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her expression strained, and she didn’t touch her chopsticks.

Seeing this, Wu Rui’an immediately asked with concern, “Are you still unwell?”

Di Jiang shook her head. “I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Then let’s not eat for now.” Wu Rui’an set down his chopsticks and retrieved a brocade box from the side. Opening it revealed a jade bracelet lying inside, its emerald-green surface smooth and translucent, exuding an aura of vitality.

He handed the bracelet to Di Jiang and said, “This jade armband was presented by the envoy from the Kingdom of Piao. Its crystal-clear texture and delicate craftsmanship make it a rare treasure among jade artifacts. Even Princess Jingyi, who is known for her discerning eye, took a liking to it. However, upon hearing that I wished to gift it to you, she graciously relinquished it without hesitation.”

Wu Rui’an smiled warmly and added, “Princess Jingyi admires you greatly.”

“Is that so? This humble woman also holds Princess Jingyi in high regard,” Di Jiang replied, examining the bracelet briefly before shaking her head with a smile. “This bracelet is undoubtedly exquisite, and Your Highness is equally remarkable. But placing it on me… would truly be a waste.”

“What do you mean by that, Miss Di?” Wu Rui’an widened his eyes in astonishment. “Miss Di possesses extraordinary grace and serves as a role model for women everywhere. Why belittle yourself so?”

Di Jiang ignored his words and shook her head again. “Let me ask you this: if this bracelet were worn on my wrist, it would merely appear as common dyed chalcedony seen in the marketplace. But if placed on the arm of a refined young lady, it would be regarded as a rare and valuable glass-like jade. In the eyes of others, could these two scenarios possibly be the same?”

“You needn’t live according to others’ perceptions. You only need to exist within my heart, where you are one of a kind! Besides, what’s so special about this jade bracelet? If it displeases Miss Di, then let’s discard it altogether.” With that, Wu Rui’an released the bracelet, letting it fall to the ground, where it shattered into two pieces.

“Ah! How could you break it!” Di Jiang’s face filled with surprise and regret. Even Wen Yao and Shuxiang were momentarily stunned. Yet, oddly enough, Wu Rui’an, the owner of the jade, remained completely calm.

He explained, “Since Miss Di doesn’t appreciate jade, I’ll bring something else next time. In this vast world, there must surely be something you’ll like.”

Di Jiang shook her head repeatedly, realizing that no amount of reasoning would work. She waved her hand, signaling Wen Yao and Shuxiang to leave.

The two exchanged glances, pouted silently, and descended to the second floor, joining the waiting steward and maidservants below, secretly eavesdropping.

After they left, Di Jiang pulled Wu Rui’an to sit on a low stool, adopting a tone reminiscent of a mother teaching her child.

Wu Rui’an nervously swallowed.

Di Jiang, however, smiled calmly and said, “Your Highness, the issue isn’t about what you’ve given me—it’s about the giver being inappropriate.”

“So, Miss Di is dissatisfied with this prince?” Wu Rui’an asked.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s just…” Di Jiang paused, then continued, “Does Your Highness truly understand me?”

“Of course! You’re my savior!”

“Is that all? The one who truly saved you was Mei Jie.”

“I will never forget Mei Jie’s kindness in this lifetime, but my feelings for Miss Di are different from those I hold for her.”

“Oh?” Di Jiang was taken aback. “How exactly are they different?”

Wu Rui’an thought for a moment before replying earnestly, “I respect you, admire you, cherish you, and love you. I go to great lengths to please you while ensuring I never act improperly toward you…”

“It certainly sounds like you treat me with utmost respect,” Di Jiang nodded, then added, “But what have I done to deserve such deep affection from Your Highness?”

“You… you are gentler, more graceful, more beautiful, down-to-earth, fearless against authority, neither opportunistic nor materialistic…” With each word Wu Rui’an spoke, bursts of laughter echoed from downstairs—not just from Wen Yao, but even Shuxiang couldn’t help but stifle chuckles.

“Stop, enough. Please don’t say any more.” Di Jiang quickly interrupted him, rubbing her temples. “What you’ve described is far from who I am. Perhaps you’ve misunderstood.”

“How could I misunderstand? I would never misjudge someone!”

Seeing Wu Rui’an’s unwavering confidence, Di Jiang sighed helplessly. “In that case, may I ask Your Highness a question?”

“Please, Miss Di, I’m all ears.” Wu Rui’an leaned forward attentively.

Di Jiang gazed into his earnest eyes and softly asked, “Daoist Zhong was willing to sacrifice all his cultivation for me. What about you? Would you be willing to give up your status as a prince for me?”

Rui’an’s mouth hung slightly open. After a moment, he replied, “The title of prince only adds to the splendor of our relationship—it’s not an obstacle.”

“Status creates distance—vast and insurmountable. How can we love each other when our backgrounds are so mismatched?” Without waiting for him to respond, Di Jiang pressed on, “Even if you impulsively gave up your princely title for me now, could you guarantee that you would remain faithful to me forever? Perhaps you could do so today, but what about five years from now? Ten years? When my beauty fades and my youth is gone, what will I be to you then?”

After she finished speaking, a prolonged silence settled between them.

Di Jiang raised her eyes to gaze at the willow catkins swaying by the riverbank and the clusters of crimson apricot blossoms. Suddenly, she recalled how perhaps in a similarly vibrant season of apricot blooms, Wu Wanyan had met Shen Zimo—one smile toppled a kingdom, another sealed a lifetime of regret.

“Let me tell you a story,” Di Jiang said faintly.

Wu Rui’an nodded, leaning in to listen.

“Once upon a time, the daughter of a wealthy family fell in love with a poor scholar. Despite her parents’ and siblings’ disapproval, she eloped with him. The scholar obeyed her every word, but she was still the daughter of a prominent household, accustomed to commanding others. Over the years, even the strongest love became lost amidst the mundane struggles of daily life. In anger, the scholar left home, leaving the young woman alone, unable to return to her family or voice her suffering. Who wronged whom? In truth, no one did. He endured her for over a decade, but the beautiful fantasies of early love ultimately couldn’t withstand the erosion of time.”

Di Jiang smiled gently and continued, “For you and me, the roles in this story may be reversed, but the principle remains unchanged.”

“That can never happen! I will never betray you—I won’t leave you, nor will I treat you harshly. I will cherish you like a precious gem, holding you close to my heart.”

“I’ve heard too many sweet promises before, from people far more determined than you, yet their endings weren’t always happy,” Di Jiang shook her head and smiled. “Your Highness, I don’t wish to burden you, and I hope you won’t let me down either. Miss Di takes her leave.” With that, she rose and departed from the Octagonal Pavilion, leaving behind startled gazes as she walked away resolutely.

Wu Rui’an didn’t chase after her. Wen Yao followed silently behind, watching her firm and decisive figure disappear into the distance. Only then did she realize that what she had mistaken for springtime longing wasn’t about romance at all.

The shopkeeper wasn’t pining for love—she simply missed Zhong Xu. Anyone else, no matter how excellent, was merely a complication.

The lavish feast atop the Octagonal Pavilion once again went to waste. Wu Rui’an watched her departing figure, drained the wine jug dry, and ordered the steward to bring up all the stored wine from the cellar. He drank through the night until dawn before finally returning to his residence.

In the days that followed, Wu Rui’an stayed away from Jian Su Medical Clinic for quite some time. It seemed the conversation they’d had lingered heavily on his mind, prompting deep reflection.

Over the next fortnight, undisturbed by outsiders, Di Jiang spent her days idling in the shop, though her condition improved significantly compared to earlier. She often ventured into the mountains to gather herbs, tended to nearby spirits when free, and sometimes, in good spirits, even waived consultation fees.

Faced with Di Jiang’s transformation, both Wen Yao and Shuxiang were astonished—but also deeply pleased.

At least… Di Jiang had come back to life.

Just as the shop gradually returned to its normal rhythm and the people of Taiping Prefecture enjoyed peace and prosperity, an imperial decree shattered the calm. Prince Wu Rui’an volunteered to join the military, earning the title of Junior General from Empress Chen and being dispatched to guard the borderlands.

On the evening before his departure, he waited outside Jian Su Medical Clinic for an entire night. Reflecting on the ancient adage—”Of those who march to war, how many return?”—he wished to bid her farewell.

The flickering candlelight illuminated his resolute face. He thought that if Miss Di were to see him now, perhaps she’d believe he was no longer the frivolous nobleman of old.

His actions aimed to prove that he wasn’t merely someone who dallied among flowers. He wanted to mature, to show her that he, too, could sever emotional ties, purify his heart, and remain steadfast for the woman he loved—becoming a righteous, upright man who stood tall under heaven.

From now on, he would no longer be the carefree prince of Taiping Prefecture, ignorant of worldly affairs and indulging in daily pleasures.

What awaited him were vast deserts, endless skies filled with lonely smoke, and fields of corpses wrapped in horse hides during enemy invasions—a landscape strewn with countless white bones…

The continuous spring rain soaked his clothes and shoes. He cast aside his umbrella, standing in the rain all night long. Even as the candlelight in Di Jiang’s room extinguished, he lacked the courage to knock on the clinic’s door.

He was afraid.

Afraid that seeing her one last time would rob him of the strength to leave.

The next day, the streets of Taiping Prefecture stretched empty for ten miles as crowds of women gathered to bid farewell to this charming prince. Even Di Jiang joined them.

Perched atop the city gate, hidden where no one could see her, Di Jiang held a vibrant spring begonia in her hand. As the cries of women grew louder, she looked down to see the royal carriage slowly passing beneath her.

With a gentle toss, the begonia landed on Wu Rui’an’s carriage.

Parting sorrow weighed heavily; Facing the long road ahead, each must take care. …