CXD - 10

The commotion in Yaoguang Pavilion quickly spread throughout the entire Marquis Manor.

At first, a group of guards and servant women marched in with murderous intent, only to be carried out later half-dead, groaning in pain. Even Matron Chai, who had served Lady Zhong for over a decade, was directly expelled from the manor. In no time, nearly everyone outside Yaoguang Pavilion was gripped by fear.

Especially those serving in Huifeng Courtyard—from lowly maids to head matrons—everyone tucked their tails between their legs, not daring to speak loudly, fearing that even a misplaced word might reach the ears of the Jinyiwei stationed at the gate. If they did, the next person strapped to the punishment bench would be them.

Lady Zhong remained unconscious from noon until late at night. When she finally came to, she saw unfamiliar faces attending to her, as if she were under house arrest, and promptly fainted again in despair.

On one side, the eldest son was still bedridden with illness; on the other, the Lady had collapsed… Everyone knew how much Lady Zhong had secretly siphoned from Yaoguang Pavilion over the years. Yet, the young mistress had always turned a blind eye, never confronting her outright. No one expected that when it came down to it, she could crush the Marquise’s wife like an ant!

For three days, the entire household was filled with unease. On the third afternoon, a carriage bearing the insignia of the Yong’en Marquis, covered in frost and dust, entered Chang’an City and stopped outside the side gate of the mansion.

A plainly dressed woman stepped down from the carriage, weary from the journey, and hurried into Yaoguang Pavilion.

Inside Yaoguang Pavilion, Jiang Zhiyi lounged on a divan, cradling a lynx cat, while Gu Yu poured a cup of hot tea for the visitor.

“After receiving your letter, Lord Marquis immediately wanted to return, but the Emperor’s orders were pressing, and the construction couldn’t be delayed. He instructed me to bring this handwritten letter and seal back ahead of him…” The woman spoke as she handed over a letter and a sandalwood box.

Jiang Zhiyi took the letter from Gu Yu and opened it.

Her uncle had two concubines. This woman, Madam Xu, though of humble origins and plain appearance, shared a deep interest in carpentry and architecture with her uncle. Whenever he traveled for work, he often brought Madam Xu along.

“The Lord Marquis said that Lady Zhong has indeed mentioned many times, both openly and covertly, about arranging your marriage to—” Madam Xu tactfully omitted the name Jiang Zhiyi didn’t want to hear. “The Lord Marquis knows you wouldn’t consider such a match, so he opposed it every time. Before his recent long journey, Lady Zhong brought it up again. Irritated, the Lord Marquis remarked, ‘A toad wishing to eat swan meat—it’s nothing but wishful thinking.’ Little did he expect that it would drive Lady Zhong to resort to such underhanded methods, nearly endangering you…”

“The Lord Marquis deeply regrets his oversight and blames himself for not handling the matter properly. He promises to take full responsibility for you this time.”

Jiang Zhiyi raised her head from the letter: “Then let’s see how my aunt is faring.”

Changing into simpler attire, Jiang Zhiyi sat on a sedan chair and, accompanied by Madam Xu, headed toward Huifeng Courtyard.

In Huifeng Courtyard, the servants moved cautiously, sweeping the ground with utmost care. Seeing the sedan chair arrive outside the courtyard, they all held their breath and bowed their heads, stealing glances toward the bedroom.

Just as Jiang Zhiyi followed their gazes, the sharp sound of a porcelain bowl shattering echoed from inside the room.

Immediately after, a soothing female voice rang out: “Madam, please calm down. The medicine must be taken…”

The speaker was another concubine of the Yong’en Marquis.

Years ago, after Lady Zhong gave birth to a sickly son and struggled to conceive again, she felt threatened by Madam Xu, who bore two sons and was beloved by her husband. To counterbalance Madam Xu’s influence, Lady Zhong elevated her own maid to become her husband’s concubine.

However, things didn’t go as Lady Zhong planned—this maid bore two daughters.

Lady Zhong: “Other than telling me to calm down, what else can you do? Useless!”

An “Aiyo” of pain followed, as if the maid had been pushed to the ground.

“If it weren’t for your barren womb back then, I wouldn’t have ended up being manipulated by some orphaned girl!”

Jiang Zhiyi paused her steps. Behind her, Madam Xu stopped as well, shaking her head with a silent sigh.

From inside, Lady Zhong continued her endless cursing. After taking a deep breath, she muttered: “All these years, I’ve been deceived by that girl. She pretends to be pure and detached, but behind my back, she schemes to humiliate me! That day, if she hadn’t gone to the palace to call for reinforcements and deliberately plotted against me…”

“The Young Mistress doesn’t need schemes to humiliate anyone.”

Lady Zhong jolted, her eyes snapping open. She instinctively shifted toward the inner side of the bed but, realizing she was losing face, straightened her back.

“People I find repulsive aren’t worth my schemes.” Jiang Zhiyi stepped over the threshold and cast a cold glance at Lady Zhong. “But since Aunt has the energy to curse, I assume you also have the strength to move out of Huifeng Courtyard?”

Lady Zhong froze, replaying the words in her mind before understanding sank in. Her eyes widened in disbelief: “…I am the Lady of this Marquis Manor, your elder. How dare you!”

Jiang Zhiyi tilted her chin backward.

Madam Xu stepped forward, bowing to both Jiang Zhiyi and Lady Zhong: “By the Lord Marquis’s order, Lady Zhong, for practicing witchcraft and disgracing the family, all household affairs are now temporarily under my management. The eldest son will also be under my care. Please move to the small Buddhist hall in the north to reflect on your mistakes. Without permission, you are not to step out of the hall.”

“…This is rebellion! All of you, conspiring against me! Once I leave Huifeng Courtyard, you’ll seize the position of Lady of the Manor—you’ve been dreaming of this for years, haven’t you?!”

“I have never thought of such a thing,” Madam Xu replied humbly, presenting the handwritten order. “Everything I say comes directly from the Lord Marquis, every word true.”

With a sharp rip, Lady Zhong tore the letter to shreds: “You accuse me of practicing witchcraft—where’s the evidence? Show me the proof! If you can’t produce any, even if you’ve deceived the Lord Marquis, I’ll take you to court!”

“Evidence—” Madam Xu glanced at Jiang Zhiyi.

“Your evidence isn’t just a few strands of hair, is it?” Lady Zhong sneered at Jiang Zhiyi. “What can a few strands of hair prove? For all I know, you could’ve planted them to frame me!”

Jiang Zhiyi sighed lightly: “Does Aunt truly wish to see the evidence?”

Hearing Jiang Zhiyi’s sigh, Lady Zhong smiled confidently, straightening her robe: “Naturally.”

Jiang Zhiyi signaled behind her. Gu Yu stepped forward with the confession document.

“Practicing witchcraft disgraces the family, but bribing thugs to pose as bandits under the Emperor’s nose disgraces the royal household. It seems Aunt finds Uncle’s punishment too lenient.”

“You… how did you know—”

She had seen her son’s condition worsening and decided to take a gamble, kidnapping the girl to use as a medicinal catalyst. Seizing the opportunity when the girl left the house, she made her move. Even if it failed, it would’ve seemed like an accident…

Lady Zhong hesitantly took the official document, drew a deep breath, and unfolded it. Her trembling hands revealed her face slowly turning pale.

Jiang Zhiyi: “The charges personally investigated by General Shen, with the witness currently detained in the storeroom of my courtyard. Does Aunt still wish to take this to court?”

The air Lady Zhong had drawn in escaped in a rush, and she collapsed limply onto the bed.

________________________________________

At dusk, Jiang Zhiyi returned to Yaoguang Pavilion from Huifeng Courtyard. Without a word, she curled up in an armchair, allowing Gu Yu to massage her shoulders and back to relax.

“After waiting three days, we’ve finally received confirmation from the Lord Marquis. This matter is settled!” Gu Yu sighed in relief, but seeing Jiang Zhiyi’s weary expression and the hint of annoyance in her eyes, it was clear she wasn’t entirely pleased.

A soft sigh echoed in the room.

“Yes, three whole days…” Jiang Zhiyi rested her cheek on her hand, gazing at the twilight outside the window like a lovestruck maiden. “He didn’t send me a single message, did he?”

Gu Yu had known about the young mistress’s lover for some time. Yet, every time she witnessed Jiang Zhiyi’s fierce determination—crushing obstacles in her path—she still found herself momentarily stunned.

It was as if the stage was performing Mu Guiying Takes Command , and in the blink of an eye, the scene shifted to Romance of the Western Chamber .

“For these past few days, I’ve asked the gatekeeper daily. General Shen hasn’t sent anyone…” Gu Yu replied softly, her thoughts drifting back to three days earlier.

That evening, she had been sent to Xiance Camp to deliver the good news, reciting Jiang Zhiyi’s words with vivid emotion. But upon finishing, Shen Ce remained silent, his face pale—only slightly paler than the night itself.

Then, she was politely yet firmly escorted out.

When Jiang Zhiyi heard the report that day, she was visibly troubled. However, with the household in chaos, she prioritized awaiting news from the Lord Marquis.

And so, she waited until today.

“All these years, Aunt has obstructed us—blocking our meetings, sabotaging our tokens…” Jiang Zhiyi frowned, clicking her tongue lightly. “Now that I’ve swiftly resolved everything with Aunt, there’s no one left to hinder us. Why does he seem unhappy instead?”

“Now that you mention it…” Gu Yu’s eyes lit up with sudden realization. “I think I understand…”

“Hmm?” Jiang Zhiyi responded absentmindedly.

Gu Yu pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts: “As you said, that day in the torture chamber, General Shen’s anger was meant to stand up for you, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“But before he could solve the case, you unraveled everything yourself, resolving all matters independently. What more can he do now?”

The room fell silent. Jiang Zhiyi blinked, sitting upright.

“Just as women adorn themselves for those who admire them, men also wish to display their bravery and strength before the ones they cherish. That day, when you sent me to deliver the news, wasn’t it like pouring a bucket of cold water over General Shen’s head? You hurt his pride, making him feel useless and unworthy of you.”

“So you’re saying—” Jiang Zhiyi’s dark pupils shifted subtly, and she nodded slowly. “I need to restore his pride.”

________________________________________

Two incense sticks later, at Shengye Ward, outside the eastern gate of the Shen residence.

Gu Yu carefully helped Jiang Zhiyi down from the carriage, looking at the unfamiliar estate and asking softly: “Young Mistress, are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Didn’t you say I should show some weakness and let him help me too?” Jiang Zhiyi shot her a glance, taking the bundle from Xiaoman and slinging it over her shoulder. “Does it look like I’ve been kicked out by my aunt?”

When others carried bundles, it looked like they were fleeing hardship. But when their young mistress carried one, it looked like she was showcasing the latest fashionable accessory in Chang’an.

Gu Yu and Xiaoman hesitated, their mouths opening and closing.

“Forget it,” Jiang Zhiyi waved dismissively, walking toward the gate herself. “Whether it looks convincing or not, the intention is what matters. Hurry back—you don’t want to delay my plans.”

On the other side of the gate, inside the Shen residence, a figure clad in night attire paused mid-step, his fingers resting on the door latch.

“…So the Young Mistress really won’t use the main entrance?”

“Our relationship isn’t one that can walk through the front door.”

Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow, withdrawing his hand from the door.

Outside, Gu Yu and Xiaoman repeatedly turned back to give Jiang Zhiyi final instructions, hesitating before boarding the carriage and leaving.

Bathed in the dim light of the lantern above, Jiang Zhiyi ascended the steps and knocked on the door ring.

Three short knocks, three long, then three short again.

No response.

Not back from the camp yet?

Jiang Zhiyi crouched near the door crack, squinting to peer inside.

Yuan Ce silently sidestepped out of view.

After staring for a long while without spotting a trace of light, Jiang Zhiyi stood up, waiting silently for a bit before returning to the steps below. Lowering her head, she began pacing back and forth.

After gathering her emotions, she stood in front of the door, forcing a smile as she lifted her head: “Ah Ce Ge, you’ve finally come!”

Yuan Ce hesitated, looking down at himself, then at the sturdy door in front of him.

“?”

Outside, there was no follow-up. Slow footsteps resumed, followed by the clearing of a throat. Then, a sobbing voice emerged: “Ah Ce Ge, you’ve finally come…”

Yuan Ce: “….”

Outside, Jiang Zhiyi sighed, touching the dry corners of her eyes.

She had always spoken truthfully in her life, never needing to act or flatter anyone. Even with practice, she couldn’t cry convincingly. Reciting her lines smoothly was enough to convey her sincerity.

Lifting her head to the sky, Jiang Zhiyi began reciting the script she’d rehearsed with her maids on the way: “Ah Ce Ge, do you know that if you had arrived just a moment later, you would never have seen me again?”

“I thought that with such a big incident at home, Uncle would surely disown me for the greater good—but I never expected that I would be the one discarded.”

“I’ve finally realized that in that house, I’m nothing but an outsider. The only person in this world who truly cares for me is you.”

“Now that I’ve been thrown out by Aunt and left homeless, with nowhere to go, I’ve come to seek refuge with you. Ah Ce Ge, will you—” pausing for breath, she smiled satisfactorily, “take me in?”

“…”

Yuan Ce’s face remained cold as he folded his arms and turned around, walking back inside.

In the east wing, Qing Song watched Yuan Ce make a quick round trip and said in confusion: “Young Master, aren’t you going out?”

Without looking back, Yuan Ce entered the room: “Tonight, even if the King of Hell comes knocking, don’t open the door.”

As the sky grew darker, night fell completely. Servants carrying candles lit the lanterns hanging along the corridors one by one.

Servants bustled about like orderly geese, bringing steaming dishes from the kitchen, delivering them to the warm chambers, waiting for the occupants to finish, and then clearing away the dishes.

The footsteps coming and going gradually ceased as the hour approached Hai Shi.

The courtyard fell silent, the night deepening, the air growing colder. Doors and windows were shut, and braziers were lit in each room.

In the brightly lit study, Qing Song stood by the desk grinding ink, watching Yuan Ce take a military strategy scroll from the bookshelf, flipping through it casually, occasionally picking up his brush to write something.

After a while, a knock sounded at the door. A soldier from Xiance Camp arrived in the dead of night.

Yuan Ce looked up from the pages, taking the letter handed to him.

The soldier turned to leave but paused at the door: “General, when I arrived, I saw the Young Mistress at the gate. She looked extremely cold…”

Yuan Ce’s hand paused as he broke the wax seal, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. He glanced at the dark sky outside the window.

“Should we invite her in…”

“No need.” Yuan Ce refocused on the letter.

The messenger left as swiftly as he came, and soon the room was silent again.

The dripping of the water clock sounded like a lullaby.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Qing Song’s hand, which had been grinding ink, dropped, and he began nodding off like a chick pecking at rice.

Outside, the northern wind howled, sneaking through a crack in the window and causing the candle flame on the desk to flicker. Shadows danced across the black-and-white pages of the scroll.

Suddenly, a snowflake drifted into the study, gently landing on the desk.

Yuan Ce’s hand holding the scroll loosened, and he raised his eyes.

Outside, the snowstorm had intensified without notice. Thick white flakes swirled densely in the air, swallowing the pitch-black night, turning the sky into a mottled expanse.

In the courtyard, wind lamps swayed, and the branches of potted plants drooped, their petals trembling as if about to fall apart.

A servant hurried out, wrapping themselves in clothing, shielding the most delicate flowerpot with an umbrella and rushing it inside. They called for others to hurry and retrieve the remaining pots.

Yuan Ce withdrew his gaze, looking at the water clock inside the room.

The flurry of footsteps in the courtyard grew closer, then farther, eventually fading into silence once more.

Yuan Ce observed quietly for a moment, set the scroll down, and walked out.

Qing Song snapped awake from his daze, confused for a moment before quickly grabbing an umbrella and following. “Young Master, where are you going at this hour?”

The crosswind hit them head-on, nearly flipping the umbrella inside out. Struggling to hold it steady, Qing Song followed Yuan Ce all the way to the back gate.

Unlocking the bolt, the gate swung open to reveal an empty expanse. As expected, it was…

Yuan Ce paused mid-turn, lowering his gaze to see a white mushroom-like figure curled up by the doorpost, hugging herself and shivering violently.

Hearing movement, the “mushroom” abruptly turned its head, raising misty eyes. Frost-covered, it stared at him blankly, as if frozen stiff. “Ah Ce Ge?”

Yuan Ce’s gaze slowly swept over her red ears and nose, blinking incredulously.

“Young Mistress—why are you still here?”

Finally hearing a familiar voice, Jiang Zhiyi, dazed and barely comprehending, felt tears welling up. Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked up: “I wanted to see you…”

Yuan Ce’s gaze sharpened, focusing on the snowflake that slid off her lashes.

Jiang Zhiyi’s frozen brain started working again, trembling lips reciting her lines: “Ah Ce Ge, tonight… Uncle… no, Aunt threw me out of the house…”

Her fragmented murmurs mixed with the howling wind and snow, buzzing into his ears.

Yuan Ce watched the snowflake melt into a droplet. Coming back to his senses, he saw her hugging her knees, shivering twice in succession: “Ah Ce Ge?”

Yuan Ce glanced at the intensifying snowfall, then looked down at her: “Stand up and talk.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked at him helplessly, her hand moving down to rub her calf: “It’s not that I don’t want to get up—it’s that my legs are numb…”

Yuan Ce averted his gaze, falling silent for a moment before bending down and gripping her thin arm, pulling her to her feet.

Jiang Zhiyi stumbled but steadied herself. Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, she grabbed it: “Ah Ce Ge, does this mean you’ll take me in?”

Yuan Ce lowered his eyelids, looking at the hand gripping his wrist.

After a pause, he raised his eyes: “The Young Mistress is of noble birth. My humble abode cannot provide the care you deserve.”

“It can!” Jiang Zhiyi immediately pointed toward Chongren Ward. “I can send a letter to the manor and have my two maids come immediately!”

Yuan Ce gave a faint snort: “Are you saying I must take in not only the Young Mistress but also her two maids?”

“Well, it’s not impossible? After all, sooner or later, they’ll be part of it anyway…”

“?”

Jiang Zhiyi inhaled softly, licking her lips with a hint of embarrassment: “Um… unless something unexpected happens, they’re supposed to be my future dowry maids. You can consider it as them coming early to adapt. That should… be fine, right?”

“…………”