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After the banquet ended, everyone left except for Jiang Qionglin, who was invited by Chen Zhao to take a nighttime stroll through the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden was located between Daming Palace and Banyue Palace. The garden featured winding streams and continuous flowing water. In the center of the lake stood towering rockeries and ancient cypress trees, adding a touch of coolness to the oppressive early summer heat.
As they walked through the garden, neither spoke first.
An Suyun led a group of maids and eunuchs, following at a leisurely pace, always maintaining a distance of about three zhang (approximately ten meters).
“Qionglin, you have greatly surprised me,” Chen Zhao finally broke the silence after some time. She strolled casually through the garden, with Jiang Qionglin following on one side, appearing very respectful and cautious.
Faced with Chen Zhao’s praise, he didn’t know how to respond.
After pondering for a long while, he said, “This is not solely Qionglin’s achievement.”
“My lord, there’s no need for modesty. Your performance at the banquet was witnessed by all; I am deeply reassured.”
“Qionglin dares not claim credit,” Jiang Qionglin honestly replied. “This clue was provided by the owner of a pharmacy, who is on good terms with Prince Wu.”
“Oh? Is there really such a thing?” Chen Zhao stopped walking, her face showing surprise.
Jiang Qionglin nodded. “Perhaps all this was orchestrated by Prince Wu to prove his innocence.”
“Why didn’t he come directly to me? After four whole days, I haven’t even seen his shadow,” Chen Zhao sighed, rubbing her forehead. “None of my royal sons can give me peace of mind.”
“Prince Wu merely refrains from expressing himself due to pride. I believe in time, he will explain everything to Your Majesty.” Jiang Qionglin said.
“I hope so. Beside me, he is my only royal son left.” Chen Zhao spoke softly, her eyes filled with desolation.
It was a deep loneliness hidden beneath a strong exterior—unseen, intangible, yet ever-present.
But this loneliness, Jiang Qionglin understood. He had seen it the first moment he met her at Huan Yi Pavilion.
They chatted casually for a few more moments. By midnight, when Jiang Qionglin was heading back to his residence, he passed by Banyue Palace and found that the once brightly lit palace was now closed, with everything pitch black inside.
Though Jiang Qionglin harbored doubts, he dared not inquire, suspecting the matter might be related to him…
The next day, Mingge hastily led the Turkic delegation away. They left in such a rush that they didn’t even have time to bid farewell to Chen Zhao, leaving behind only a surrender document and the full war reparations.
This trip for the Turkic people truly resulted in losing both the bride and their army.
Chen Zhao was overjoyed and hosted a feast for all officials at Taiji Palace.
Jiang Qionglin was seated closest to her, even closer than top-ranking officials like Gongsun Miao and Changsun Wugou.
Facing Chen Zhao’s favor, most were convinced, but they also mused. They wondered how long Jiang Qionglin would remain in favor. Would he suddenly be stripped naked and displayed at the palace gates again one day?
No one could guess the Emperor’s intentions, but most understood that this drama was just beginning its prelude.
…
After dinner, as usual, Jiang Qionglin was asked to stay and accompany Chen Zhao on a walk in the Imperial Garden.
As they exited Taiji Palace and passed by Banyue Palace, they noticed it remained dark, just as it had been the previous day.
Although Jiang Qionglin had questions, he kept silent.
Chen Zhao, observant, noted his unease and sighed faintly. “Do you think this is a coincidence?”
Jiang Qionglin was taken aback, meeting Chen Zhao’s mirror-like eyes with confusion.
“You were splashed with water; do you think it was just a coincidence?”
“It was indeed just a coincidence.” Jiang Qionglin lowered his head respectfully, making a slight bow.
“I’m just chatting idly with you; there’s no need to be so tense,” Chen Zhao smiled faintly. “Madam Shu resides deep within Banyue Palace. How could she possibly bathe in the side hall near the gate? Moreover, there are specific servants to handle bathwater afterwards. How could it coincidentally splash on you?”
“What does Your Majesty mean…?” Jiang Qionglin was startled, looking bewildered.
“You’re so clever, able to uncover the Turkic plot, yet you fail to see through a woman’s small schemes. Perhaps this is a common flaw among men?” Chen Zhao turned back with a self-deprecating smile, tinged with subtle anger.
“…” Jiang Qionglin bowed his head, not daring to reply.
“I executed the maid; perhaps she was wronged. But if I could execute the mastermind behind it, it would be truly satisfying.” Chen Zhao spoke these words to herself, regardless of whether Jiang Qionglin understood, then sat down in the pavilion.
Jiang Qionglin’s mind was clear, understanding perfectly what she meant.
He had never focused on this before, not understanding why Chen Zhao held such a grudge against the person in Banyue Palace.
“Suyun, fetch some ‘Jianxi Du Kang’ wine.”
Jianxi referred to a thousand jars of Du Kang wine buried in the cellar by the Ministry of Rites during the founding emperor Taizong’s ascension. It was excellent wine from the Jianxi era, considered the king of wines.
Jiang Qionglin had long heard of its fame. Just hearing Chen Zhao mention it triggered his craving.
Earlier at the banquet, they had already drunk enough to feel slightly tipsy. Now, drinking under the moonlight, facing aged fine wine, they became increasingly cheerful.
After finishing one jar, they were already about seventy to eighty percent drunk. Yet Chen Zhao still felt it wasn’t enough and ordered two more jars of Du Kang.
Jiang Qionglin stared at the person before him, feeling she was beautiful and charming, very pleasing to the eye.
Staring at her for a long time, Chen Zhao smiled. “Is there something on my face?”
Embarrassed, Jiang Qionglin didn’t know how to respond and pointed randomly at a tall tower behind her. “I was curious about that place.”
Chen Zhao turned around and saw a white pagoda built at the highest point of Jing Mountain behind her. Compared to the entire palace, it appeared even more majestic and grand.
“That’s Mingjing Pagoda, the residence of the current national master. He works tirelessly day and night to protect the safety of Daming Palace for me.”
Jiang Qionglin nodded thoughtfully, roughly understanding what it meant.
This safety concerned both the living and the dead, something ordinary guards couldn’t achieve.
“The national master has been in seclusion for a long time without appearing, which makes me somewhat worried. Once this busy period is over, I’ll take you to see him.” Chen Zhao smiled warmly.
“Yes…” Jiang Qionglin nodded.
After drinking three jars, they finally grew drowsy.
Before Chen Zhao was carried back to her chambers, she tightly held Jiang Qionglin’s hand, not letting him leave.
An Suyun took the initiative to send them both back to the bedroom.
That night, they slept soundly without dreams.
…
However, that night, the people at Jian Su Medical Hall at the end of South Street couldn’t sleep. The shop was brightly lit, with a tense atmosphere.
Wu Rui’an, having heard in the afternoon that the Turkic delegation had suddenly left the capital, had been sitting there for half the day.
He had countless questions for Di Jiang. But Di Jiang had been busy in the side room, paying no attention to him. With no choice, Wu Rui’an waited. This wait lasted most of the day.
Wu Rui’an sat cross-legged in the hall, pretending to read a book. But in reality, he hadn’t even seen the book’s title; his eyes were on Di Jiang.
Di Jiang was still wearing an apron, sewing up the abdominal wound of a cat injured by horse hooves in the side room.
When the wind blew, occasionally lifting the curtain at the door, or when Wen Yao carried out a basin of blood, Wu Rui’an caught occasional glimpses of Di Jiang.
He was genuinely curious how a money-loving woman could spend half a day saving a horse-trampled cat.
Wouldn’t it be better to let it die and escape suffering?
Yet she refused to let it die and even closed the shop for half a day to save it.
It was utterly unreasonable.
Wu Rui’an yawned. Coincidentally, Wen Yao carried out another basin of something blood-red and indistinguishable.
Peering into the inner room, he saw Di Jiang drenched in sweat, her clothes sticking to her body, clearly putting forth her utmost effort.
Seeing her so serious stirred something in his heart.
Perhaps this was Di Jiang. After spending a month with her, he discovered her actions were spontaneous, her personality cunning and sly, often unpredictable, quite different from the her he saw three years ago.
But somehow, he didn’t find her lacking in any way; instead, he appreciated her even more.
Yet this appreciation came with some distance. He didn’t dare to be as unrestrained as before.
In interacting with her, he unconsciously restrained himself.
He thought he no longer liked Di Jiang, merely categorizing her as a good friend. Little did he know that by this time, his fondness might have evolved into love.
Of course, that’s another story.
In the end, the cat couldn’t be saved.
Hearing the result, Wu Rui’an felt relieved.
Considering its intestines were spilled all over the ground, how could it possibly be saved?
If it had been saved, he’d have suspected Di Jiang was a celestial immortal reincarnated.
Seeing his relaxed expression, Di Jiang couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness seems to be in a good mood?”
“The Turkic delegation has left the capital, and Princess Tianxiang’s case is solved. Naturally, I’m in high spirits.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness. It’s late; rest early. I’ll retire to my room too.” Di Jiang drooped her head, her face cold, issuing an eviction notice.
“Just two sentences and you’re kicking me out? That’s rather unfriendly. I’ve waited for you all day!” Wu Rui’an was dissatisfied, frowning, persistently staring at her.
“So what? It’s not like I asked you to wait.” Di Jiang rolled her eyes, continuing to push him out.
“Are you on fire?” Wu Rui’an angrily retorted. “I haven’t provoked you; why are you so short-tempered?”
Di Jiang took a deep breath and said, “I’m just in a bad mood. If I’ve offended you, please forgive me. But I’m really tired today. Let’s talk tomorrow.” With that, she slammed the pharmacy door shut.
Wu Rui’an, unprepared, got a noseful of rejection.
With no choice, he returned to his room, disheartened.
Back in his room, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Even if he was furious, he knew there was nothing he could do.
He clearly understood that if Di Jiang were easy to deal with, he wouldn’t have been living in the coffin shop all this time.
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