CXD - 20

After a quick bath to wash away the unpleasantness she had encountered, Jiang Zhiyi’s heart was set on her rendezvous with her beloved. She skipped a few post-bath routines, simply applied some moisturizer, and exited the bathing chamber, dismissing Guyu and Xiaoman.

Returning quietly to her bedroom, Jiang Zhiyi gently moved the door and glanced toward the bed—but didn’t see anyone there.

Lowering her gaze, she spotted a tall youth lying on the footstool beneath her bed. One leg was bent, his left arm cradling his head, and his right hand resting casually on his chest. His eyes were closed, unmoving, as if he were asleep.

She had told him to rest on her bed—why was he still subjecting himself to such discomfort?

Frowning slightly, Jiang Zhiyi tiptoed closer, picking up her thin quilt from the bed and holding it in her arms as she crouched down.

Just as she approached, the sleeping figure suddenly snapped awake, leaping into action. His arm shot up to block, his bent knee swung sideways, and in one fluid motion, he flipped over, pinning her firmly to the footstool.

“Ah…” Jiang Zhiyi barely let out half a cry before the world spun around her, and she found herself pressed down completely.

Looking up at the arm gripping her throat, Jiang Zhiyi tilted her head back, clutching the quilt in her arms, her eyelashes trembling faintly in bewilderment.

The sharp gaze above her softened instantly upon meeting her gentle expression.

Seeing the blindingly pale, almost translucent skin of her neck, Yuan Ce’s hostility vanished in an instant. Realizing where he was, he quickly averted his eyes, released her, and rolled off.

Jiang Zhiyi hesitated, following his gaze downward, then hastily pulled her loosened robe tighter. Clutching the quilt, she scrambled to her feet, breathing lightly as she touched her flushed cheeks.

Watching him stand silently by the bed, not uttering a word or turning around, Jiang Zhiyi steadied her breath and spoke to the back of his head: “I-I thought you were asleep, so I brought you a blanket…”

If not for five consecutive sleepless nights, how could he have fallen asleep in such a dangerous place?

“In the future, don’t come near me when I’m asleep,” Yuan Ce said slowly, suppressing his irritation as he walked to the small tea table and poured himself a cup of water.

“Why?”

“No reason. I just don’t like it.”

“You never had such rules before…”

Yuan Ce paused mid-sip.

Of course, living in Chang’an meant freedom came with constraints, but at least there was no threat to one’s life. No one else would be trained like a wild beast, more alert while sleeping than awake, treating any living thing that approached as an enemy in a life-or-death struggle.

A long silence followed.

Yuan Ce: “The past is the past.”

“Alright, it’s not a big deal—why so serious…” Jiang Zhiyi muttered as she stood up, setting the quilt aside. After adjusting her sleeping robe, she looked up and saw him standing silently by the tea table. Taking the initiative, she stepped forward.

Feeling her approach, Yuan Ce turned around, holding the teapot like a barrier between them.

“What’s wrong? You’re awake now. If I can’t come near you whether you’re asleep or awake, why don’t you just say it outright—how many paces away should I stay?”

Yuan Ce slowly turned the teapot, pointing its spout toward the bed and raising his chin slightly. “This far.”

He really said it outright!

Jiang Zhiyi faltered, fuming as she turned back to the bed. Climbing up, she yanked the quilt high over her head and feet. Feeling it wasn’t enough, she rolled over onto her side, presenting her cold back to him.

After drinking some water, Yuan Ce turned back to look at the trembling lump hiding under the quilt. Leaning closer, he heard faint murmurs—

“Saying you don’t like it… weren’t you the one who used to love it when I got close?”

“Could it be that I’m no longer likable now?”

“I even washed myself so nicely, yet I’m still being rejected… It seems there’s no place for me in this vast world. Maybe I should become a nun!”

The quilt was abruptly pulled off her head. Jiang Zhiyi clamped her mouth shut, blushing as she turned her head back.

Yuan Ce held the corner of the quilt, tilting his head slightly without expression. “How do you want to get close?”

Jiang Zhiyi immediately relaxed, sitting up and patting the space beside her on the bed. “You must be tired tonight. Sit here—I’ll manage on my own.”

“?”

“Do you really think I’m angry?” Jiang Zhiyi blinked innocently. He had gone out of his way to offend powerful figures for her sake; how could she waste this precious time over a minor disagreement? “I’ve always been the one to reject others, never the other way around. I know my worth. I was just teasing you—for fun!”

“…”

It was the first time someone had used the phrase “self-awareness” in such a context.

Yuan Ce frowned and turned his head away.

Jiang Zhiyi: “What? I’m not angry—are you still angry?”

“Teasing you—for fun,” Yuan Ce echoed dryly, lifting his eyelids slightly. Under her earnest gaze, he flicked the hem of his robe, sat on the edge of the bed, and emotionlessly extended his arms, signaling for her to proceed as she wished.

Jiang Zhiyi took the initiative. After finding a comfortable angle, she adjusted his shoulder and bent his arm here and there.

Yuan Ce relaxed completely, letting her manipulate him as if he were a lifeless tool.

Jiang Zhiyi finally settled into position, snuggling comfortably into the crook of his arm and leaning against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.

Yuan Ce’s breathing tightened slightly, and the tension he had released returned, his waist and abdomen stiffening like a board.

Unaware, Jiang Zhiyi sighed contentedly.

No wonder Princess Baojia always praised the joys of having a companion at night, saying it felt like being among the gods. It truly wasn’t an exaggeration.

Lost in thought, gazing at the peaceful tranquility of the moment, Jiang Zhiyi suddenly asked: “Brother Ce, after tonight’s events, do you think my eldest cousin will dare come again?”

Even embracing like this couldn’t stop her chatter.

Yuan Ce closed his eyes, calming his mind for a moment before answering indifferently: “Unless he has a death wish.”

“Well, harming his life isn’t an option—it wouldn’t be right…”

“So, are you really going to become a nun and save all beings?”

Jiang Zhiyi glared at him. “It’s not about pity—it’s because Uncle only has one legitimate son. I can’t let him lose his heir because of me. If my relationship with Uncle becomes strained because of my cousin’s life, then I’ll have no blood relatives left in this world!”

Yuan Ce opened his eyes, lowering his head.

“I’ve known since I was little that Auntie doesn’t truly care for me. She acts kind only because of my status and my father’s contributions to the country and the court. As long as she treats me well, she gains many benefits. The rest of the Fang family is the same…”

“If that’s the case, there are plenty of places I could live—Ningguo Mansion, the palace—why stay here for so many years?”

“Because Uncle genuinely cares for me. I want Uncle, and only here can I have him.”

Yuan Ce closed his eyes again, frowning slightly. “Then we’ll wait until his legs heal and break them again.”

Jiang Zhiyi paused, realizing he was talking about her eldest cousin.

“…Actually, breaking his legs is only a temporary solution. I have a permanent plan—listen and see if it makes sense.” She cleared her throat, seeming a bit embarrassed, and tightened her grip on his arm. “Given my cousin’s current condition, he’ll need at least three months of bed rest. If I’m already betrothed within those three months, even if he still harbors ill intentions, there’ll be nothing he can do about it. What do you think?”

A flash of white light seemed to streak through the darkness as Yuan Ce’s eyelids twitched involuntarily.

“Yesterday’s dirty words have reached others’ ears. Though they’ve all been beaten by you to the point of needing a hundred days of bed rest, what about after that? Rumors can’t be completely eradicated. The only solution is to turn those rumors into truth before then. If you marry me, their gossip will become congratulations for our wedding…!”

There was no response from above. Jiang Zhiyi’s voice grew softer and quieter: “There’s still over a month until the New Year. When Uncle returns to the capital, perhaps… our engagement could be finalized?”

After finishing, she looked up expectantly.

But the person above remained silent, eyes closed peacefully, not even a flutter of his lashes.

Had he fallen asleep again?

“Brother Ce?” Jiang Zhiyi called tentatively. Receiving no response, she gently shook his arm. “Brother Ce?”

After countless repetitions of “Brother Ce,” the room finally fell silent, leaving only the faint sigh of a woman.

________________________________________

Early the next morning, at the suburban military camp.

As usual, Mu Xinhong rose early to inspect the camp. Walking near the training grounds with his saber strapped to his waist, he glanced at the figure inside drawing a bow. He gave a soldier at the entrance a light punch on the shoulder: “Why aren’t you collecting arrows for the young general? What are you spacing out for?”

“General Mu, the young general arrived before dawn today. He went straight to the training grounds to practice archery. He seems troubled, so I didn’t dare disturb him.”

Troubled? At that ungodly hour, when even the roosters hadn’t woken, who could possibly trouble the young general’s mind?

Mu Xinhong hurried into the training grounds. Glancing at the densely packed targets, he walked to Yuan Ce’s side, observing his inscrutable expression. Opening his mouth, he hesitated, then closed it again.

Yuan Ce held the bow in his left hand and drew a new arrow from the quiver with his right.

“Speak.”

“Young General, is everything alright?”

“Do I look like something’s wrong?”

Mu Xinhong coughed lightly. “Well… Your current expression reminds me of when I argued with my wife last night…”

“Am I you?” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not! Young General, you’re a paragon of perfection. Even if you argue, as long as you step in to make amends, one word from you is worth ten of hers. I’m sure by now, the princess must be utterly devoted to you, head over heels, ready to marry you!”

“…”

Yuan Ce: “Why didn’t you say this earlier?”

“Huh?” Mu Xinhong was taken aback. He was merely flattering him—was this important? “What’s troubling you…?”

Yuan Ce closed his eyes briefly. “Just a small issue.”

“What issue? Let me share your burden!”

“No need.” Yuan Ce nocked an arrow, drew the bowstring taut, and glanced at the already full target. Adjusting his aim upward, he released the arrow with a flick of his wrist.

A sharp “snap” rang out. Thirty paces away, at the edge of his vision, a bamboo leaf drifted down gently.

Yuan Ce handed the longbow to Mu Xinhong and walked out.

Mu Xinhong quickly stowed the bow and chased after him. Before he could ask further, a soldier carrying a food box approached hurriedly.

“Young General, a maid from Princess Yongying has arrived. She says… you left early this morning and likely haven’t eaten yet. This is breakfast for you.”

Yuan Ce glanced down at the three-tiered sandalwood food box, hesitating before opening the top layer.

At first glance, he saw a pair of steamed buns marked with red double happiness characters.

“…”

Second layer—

Red dates. Peanuts.

Third layer—

Longan. Lotus seeds.

“…………”