CXD - 33

The sun climbed high in the sky, its rays piercing through the window lattice and rousing the deeply slumbering figure from a night of confused dreams.

Jiang Zhiyi opened her eyes with an uncomfortable frown, slowly turning her head to see Cui Mei hurrying over. “Princess, you’re awake. Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

“My head hurts a little…” Jiang Zhiyi weakly pressed her hand to her temple.

“It’s probably from drinking too much yesterday. Let me help you freshen up, and then you can drink some herbal tea to soothe your mind.”

Jiang Zhiyi was helped to sit up and attended to by Cui Mei. After drinking a warm, rich broth, she felt slightly better and asked, “Where is Elder Sister Baojia?”

“The princess went out. She said you’re only used to having me attend to you, so she left me here.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded.

Back when Emperor Bo was still Prince Duan, she often accompanied her father to the prince’s residence. While her father and Emperor Bo discussed matters in the study, she would play with the prince’s children.

Later, she became a princess, and those siblings grew into princes and princesses. Over the years, they all married or changed, growing distant from one another. Only Baojia, now twenty-two and still unmarried, remained as close to her as they had been in childhood. Cui Mei, who had served Baojia for many years, naturally understood Jiang Zhiyi’s habits and temperament.

Jiang Zhiyi treated Cui Mei as one of her own and asked, “I’m a bit hazy about last night… Did anyone—any guests come to the mansion?”

Cui Mei smiled. “The princess said that if you’ve forgotten, then it’s fine. Nothing important happened. But she did leave you three mysterious pouches, saying they could resolve your troubles.”

Jiang Zhiyi blinked, taking the three enigmatic pouches. Following Cui Mei’s instructions, she first opened the bright red one.

A slip of paper fell out, written in Baojia’s familiar handwriting—

“To secretly communicate will lead nowhere. If you wish for your beloved to become your husband, the best plan is to bring your relationship into the open and make it known to all.”

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the smiling Cui Mei, cleared her throat lightly, and tucked the note away. Then she opened the second pouch, which was green—

“Elder Sister has devised this clever plan for you. In return, I hope you’ll help me with something. I’m quite interested in the young Master Pei you mentioned. Please find out for me: Is he already married? If not, what kind of woman does he prefer? Remember, you must ask him personally, without delegating the task to others. I wouldn’t feel at ease otherwise.”

“There are only three plans, and one of them is asking me for help?” Jiang Zhiyi frowned. All she had mentioned yesterday was performing with Pei Zisong, and just hearing that his qin skills were good, Elder Sister had already started entertaining… those kinds of thoughts?

“The son of a chancellor can’t be your personal attendant. Elder Sister’s…”

“She’s always been playful,” Cui Mei explained. “Since you can talk to Master Pei, just help her by asking a few questions. Don’t mention the princess’s name, so as not to startle him. As for whether Master Pei has any feelings for her, let it be as fate decides.”

“Alright, then,” Jiang Zhiyi said, reaching for the third pouch, which was peach-colored, but Cui Mei gently stopped her.

“The princess said that you must complete the tasks in the first two pouches before opening the third. Otherwise, the good fortune might not come to pass.”

________________________________________

Early the next morning, Jiang Zhiyi sat in front of her dressing table, contemplating the two slips of paper given to her by Baojia. A new day brought new thoughts.

Yesterday, after returning from Princess Baojia’s mansion, she hadn’t gone anywhere else due to her headache. She spent the day resting and pondering how to carry out the tasks in the first two pouches.

After all, Baojia had said that only after completing these tasks could she open the third pouch.

Her relationship with General Ce could wait—it had already been several days, and one more wouldn’t hurt—

But her curiosity couldn’t wait!

She had endured for a full day, and now she absolutely had to know immediately what was written in the third pouch!

…To make her relationship with General Ce public, there needed to be an audience. And since she also had to inquire about Pei Zisong’s marital status for Baojia, the most efficient solution seemed clear: visit the academy.

Jiang Zhiyi made up her mind, touching the hairpin on her head. She instructed the person behind her, “Take it down. Style my hair like a man’s. I’m going to the academy today.”

Gu Yu hesitated. “Hmm? But I heard that classes aren’t being held at the academy today. The young masters have all gone hunting in the suburbs. If you go, it’ll be bumpy and cold. Plus, the fields are muddy and dirty, and hunting is rather bloody.”

Jiang Zhiyi wrinkled her nose as if she could already smell the stench. “Why does the academy even have hunting events?”

“I heard that winter hunting is part of the ‘military rites’ and falls under the category of ‘rituals,’ one of the six arts.”

“When will the academy resume classes?”

“The hunting expedition lasts two days and one night. At the earliest, they’ll return the day after tomorrow. If some delicate young masters need rest, it’s uncertain when they’ll return.”

How could she wait? If she waited any longer, her eyes would bore holes into the third pouch…

Jiang Zhiyi closed her eyes, making up her mind. “Forget it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hunting it is. Is there anything this princess can’t handle?”

________________________________________

An hour later, in the suburbs.

Jiang Zhiyi, supported by Gu Yu, stepped down from the carriage. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight and gazed toward the sprawling encampment that stretched endlessly before her.

With the presence of noble young men, the camp wasn’t rudimentary. It was set up amidst green hills and clear waters, surrounded by tall, sturdy fences. Inside, carpets covered the ground, and the hexagonal tents were thick and ornate, their red flags fluttering atop. Each tent was spaced apart to ensure privacy.

The weather was sunny, and the areas warmed by the sun weren’t too cold—a stroke of luck.

Jiang Zhiyi lifted her boot and walked inside. An official from the Ministry of Rites overseeing the hunting event immediately greeted her with a smile. He explained that since she had arrived unexpectedly, there hadn’t been time to set up a tent for her, but extra ones had been prepared as backups. She could make do with one of them.

Not planning to stay overnight, Jiang Zhiyi didn’t complain. As she walked in, she glanced around, noticing the absence of the young masters.

“Where are the people?”

The official answered eagerly, “The sacrificial rites just ended. For now, there’s nothing happening. Some young masters have gone out to scout the terrain, while others are resting in their tents.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded, looking at the tightly closed tent doors. “How are the tents assigned?”

“To prevent disputes over auspicious locations, they were decided by drawing lots in advance.”

“And where is Master Pei Zisong’s tent?”

“Follow me.”

Jiang Zhiyi followed the official to a tent marked with a wooden sign bearing the character “Pei.”

She had thought it through—the task in the second pouch was easier than the first, so she decided to ask Baojia’s question first. Pei Zisong wasn’t the type to be enthusiastic about martial pursuits, so he likely wouldn’t be out scouting the terrain. Meanwhile, General Ce was probably not in camp at the moment.

Besides, she didn’t quite know how to face him yet…

At first, she had been angry with him for days. But the other night, she vaguely remembered him coming to her—he had acted as her “human cushion” when she fell. Now, she didn’t know whether to forgive him or stay mad. She recalled that he had taken care of her for a long time that night…

Lost in thought, Jiang Zhiyi snapped back to attention as the official called Pei Zisong out.

“Long time no see, Young Master Jiang. Are you well?” Pei Zisong greeted her politely with a bow, not asking why she hadn’t attended the academy recently.

“Well enough,” Jiang Zhiyi waved dismissively, gesturing for the official to leave. Looking around to confirm no one was nearby, she got straight to the point. “I came to ask you something.”

“Young Master Jiang, please speak.”

“It’s like this,” Jiang Zhiyi began, recalling Cui Mei’s advice not to mention Baojia’s name. “I have a close friend who asked me to inquire—”

“Hmm?”

Looking into his clear, innocent eyes, Jiang Zhiyi suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Clearing her throat, she continued, “That is… um, I wanted to ask if Master Pei is already married?”

Not far away, separated by a tent, Yuan Ce emerged, lifting his bow as he stepped outside. He overheard this deliberately softened female voice.

The shy, hesitant tone was one he knew all too well. Without needing to hear the entire sentence, he recognized who it belonged to.

Yuan Ce came to a halt, tilting his head slightly as he glanced toward the scene unfolding ahead—

The male protagonist in the conversation’s gaze flickered, his ears reddening faintly as he shook his head hesitantly. Stammering slightly, he replied, “N-no, I’m not married.”

The young woman standing with her back to Yuan Ce let out a drawn-out “Oh,” then pressed further, “Then what kind of woman do you prefer?”

The male protagonist’s ears turned an even deeper shade of red. “I haven’t come of age yet and haven’t given much thought to marriage.”

The young woman clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, pressing on relentlessly. “Why don’t you think about it now?”

“I—” The male protagonist struggled under her questioning, finally managing to force out, “Perhaps I’d favor someone quieter…”

“Is that so…” The young woman sighed, disappointment evident in her voice.

“?” Yuan Ce crossed his arms, holding his bow tightly.

On the other side, Gu Yu, who had been keeping watch, darted her eyes around nervously. When she spotted Yuan Ce, her face paled, and she tugged urgently at Jiang Zhiyi’s sleeve.

Jiang Zhiyi turned her head in the direction Gu Yu indicated, only to meet Yuan Ce’s icy glare—a look that could kill without a blade.

“…?”

In the blink of an eye, Yuan Ce had already turned sharply on his heel and strode briskly toward the edge of the encampment.

After a brief moment of surprise, Jiang Zhiyi glanced back at Pei Zisong behind her, realization slowly dawning.

“…Shen Yuance!” Jiang Zhiyi took off after him, but after a few steps, she remembered Pei Zisong was still standing there. She quickly turned back to explain, “It really was my close friend asking—not something I made up! Don’t misunderstand!”

Pei Zisong blinked hesitantly, nodding. He watched as Jiang Zhiyi hurried off in the direction Yuan Ce had gone.

Elsewhere, a tent flap that had been quietly lifted for some time now closed silently—

Inside the tent, Zhong Boyong turned to his companion behind him. “Shen Yuance has gone to scout the terrain. Should we go too?”

Zhuo Kuan sat leisurely, sipping his tea. “Whether or not we scout makes no difference. With his skill in archery and riding, defeating him in this hunting competition is utterly impossible.”

Zhong Boyong angrily slapped his hand against the table and sat down. “My father won’t let me provoke trouble directly. This hunting event was my best chance to compete with him recently.”

“If he broke your brother’s leg in a sneak attack, why must you confront him openly here?” Zhuo Kuan asked calmly.

“Do you have any better ideas?” Zhong Boyong’s eyes lit up.

Zhuo Kuan’s family had earned their noble title through military achievements, though by the time it passed to Zhuo Kuan’s father, they had transitioned to scholarly pursuits. As the son of a scholar-official, Zhuo Kuan’s mind was sharper than Zhong Boyong’s, the son of a warrior.

During the polo match before, it was Zhuo Kuan who suggested planting a mole within Shen Yuance’s team.

Zhuo Kuan smirked, swirling his teacup. “I wasn’t certain during the polo match, but surely even you can see how obvious it was just now.”

“Obvious? What are you talking about?” Zhong Boyong had been too busy staring at the design of Shen Yuance’s bow.

“The princess and Shen Yuance aren’t bitter enemies—they’re—” Zhuo Kuan leaned over and whispered into Zhong Boyong’s ear.

Zhong Boyong’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean…?”

“Perhaps your brother knew too much, which is why they—”

Recalling how his brother had stammered and refused to explain the incident, and remembering that his brother had indeed visited a wine house frequented by noblewomen on the day of the accident, Zhong Boyong’s face flushed with anger. Slowly, he clenched his fists.

“How dare they! If I don’t avenge this, I don’t deserve to be called a brother…! Tell me, do you have any ideas on how to deal with them?”

Zhuo Kuan swirled his teacup lazily. “Your brother suffered in silence. Why not make them suffer the same way? You might not be able to touch Shen Yuance, but surely you can handle a mere servant girl?”

________________________________________

Deep within the encampment, Jiang Zhiyi sat inside a single-person tent. After a long moment of reflection, she suddenly clasped her hands together. “…I understand now. Everything makes sense!”

“What did you understand?” Gu Yu asked from beside her, pouring a cup of hot tea.

Jiang Zhiyi took the tea and sipped it thoughtfully.

Her conversation with Pei Zisong must have caused Brother Ce to misunderstand. Unfortunately, he had walked away too quickly for her to catch up and explain. Left with no choice, she had taken refuge in an empty tent.

After sitting for a while, she recalled the cold look in Brother Ce’s eyes. It reminded her of something she’d seen before.

She remembered the last polo match when he had abruptly left the field mid-game. At the time, she had been speaking with Pei Zisong. Afterward, he had started ignoring her…

Connecting the dots, everything fell into place.

“Unbelievable,” Jiang Zhiyi muttered, shaking her head. “Brother Ce cares so deeply about me that he can’t even bear to hear me talk to another man…”

“But whenever I’m upset, I always tell him directly. Why doesn’t he say anything? If he had told me, it wouldn’t matter if ten Pei Zisongs or a hundred others surrounded me—I wouldn’t give them a second glance!”

“Sigh, what a mess this is!”

Jiang Zhiyi muttered to herself, but the gloom that had lingered over her for days had lifted. After a moment, she suddenly perked up, setting her teacup aside. “Gu Yu, find me a good horse! Let’s go scout the terrain too!”

“Huh? But do you even know how to ride?”

Before her words had even faded, a sudden gust of wind rushed toward them. A sharp sound rang out as a light arrow pierced through a gap in the tent flap, embedding itself in the pillar behind them.

Both master and servant jumped in fright, turning their heads in unison. They saw a note pinned to the arrow.

Gu Yu: “Hmm? Could it be General Shen…?”

“Quick, take it down and let’s see!”

Gu Yu tiptoed to pull the arrow free and carefully unfolded the note for Jiang Zhiyi to read. On it was a simple map of the terrain, with a small grove near the eastern gate marked. Two simple words were written below—

“Wait for you.”

________________________________________

A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Zhiyi hurried out of the camp through the eastern gate, glancing down at the note in her hand as she walked.

It was Brother Ce’s handwriting and the style of map he would draw. Finally, he was taking the initiative to clear things up instead of bottling his feelings inside…

As she walked farther and farther, her expression brightened with excitement. Watching her cheerful demeanor, Gu Yu couldn’t help but mutter softly, “General Shen is being unreasonable. He didn’t even consider how tired you might be, arranging to meet you so far away where carriages can’t pass!”

For a martial artist, this distance was nothing, but for Jiang Zhiyi, it was unthinkable to walk such a path under normal circumstances.

However, her mood was so good at the moment that she didn’t complain. Instead, she focused on following the route on the map.

Finally reaching the fork leading into the woods, Jiang Zhiyi stood at the entrance and peered inside. About ten paces away, she spotted a corner of dark clothing behind a tree. Feeling reassured, she signaled to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu nodded and stayed behind to keep watch, as usual.

Jiang Zhiyi tucked the note away and stepped forward, her footsteps deliberately light as she approached the figure with folded arms. However, as she noticed the layer of brittle leaves beneath her feet that crunched with every step, she abandoned her plan to surprise him. Knowing Brother Ce’s sharp hearing, he likely heard her approach the moment she entered the woods.

Feeling foolish, Jiang Zhiyi scratched her nose and continued walking at her usual pace. After a few more steps, she noticed the figure hadn’t moved at all, and a strange feeling crept over her.

She was so close now—why hadn’t he reacted?

Jiang Zhiyi slowed her steps, her unease growing. Her mind raced with doubts.

If Brother Ce were angry, would he write something as sweet as “wait for you”—words he never said in ordinary times? But if he weren’t angry, knowing her legs weren’t meant for such long walks, how could he let her come all this way?

With a sudden jolt, Jiang Zhiyi froze in place. Looking at the unmoving figure, her spine tingled with unease. She turned abruptly to leave.

But just as she began to turn, the patch of grass beneath her feet was yanked with unnatural force. Caught off-balance, she stumbled, her foot slipping into empty air!

“Ahh—!” The next instant, her body plummeted, crashing hard onto the ground below.

A sharp pain shot through her ankle. Jiang Zhiyi collapsed into the muddy earth, too weak to cry out. Black spots danced before her eyes, and as she slumped to the side, she lost consciousness.

It felt like falling endlessly into a bottomless void. In the darkness, Jiang Zhiyi’s soul seemed to float aimlessly, unable to find rest or grounding.

Her entire body ached, especially her ankle, which felt as though it had been twisted beyond repair. She wanted to cry, but her body felt weightless, tears suspended and unable to fall.

She drifted endlessly, sinking and floating, until suddenly, a wave of noise crashed over her.

Amidst the clamor, her body landed in strong, solid arms.

Someone called her name close to her ear.

Jiang Zhiyi struggled, her vision blurry as she opened her eyes. A hazy figure came into view, and as the mist cleared, a pair of familiar eyes appeared.

Clutching the fabric of his clothes like a lifeline, Jiang Zhiyi burst into tears. “Why did you take so long to come…?”

Gasps echoed around them.

Yuan Ce knelt on one knee, laying her across his lap. Seemingly relieved, he asked, “Where are you hurt?”

Jiang Zhiyi sobbed between breaths, “My… my ankle hurts so much…”

“Did you hit your head?”

“I-I don’t think so…”

Yuan Ce relaxed slightly, straightened up, and scooped her into his arms.

Countless pairs of stunned eyes followed their movements.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyi realize something was amiss. Her tear-filled eyes shifted, and she saw that she was still at the edge of the pit in the grove, surrounded by a circle of noble sons.

Heat rushed to her face. Holding her breath, she quickly turned her head, burying her face into Yuan Ce’s chest.

Another round of gasps erupted.

Yuan Ce carried her swiftly toward the edge of the woods, leaving the stunned crowd behind.

“Brother Ce… have we… been discovered?” Jiang Zhiyi whispered tearfully, peeking up at him.

Without pausing his strides, Yuan Ce glanced down at the muddy mess in his arms. “Do you have the energy to worry about that now?”

Jiang Zhiyi remembered her throbbing ankle, and as the pain hit her again, tears streamed uncontrollably. Overwhelmed, she clutched his clothes tightly, trembling as she took a deep breath. “Brother Ce… could you… could you knock me out like you did at the military camp before? My ankle really hurts so much…”

Yuan Ce frowned. “How can I do that right now?”

“You… you can just put me down by the road! I’m already dirty—it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is to make me pass out so I don’t feel this pain anymore…”

Yuan Ce didn’t respond, continuing to stride quickly toward the camp.

“Hurry up!” Jiang Zhiyi urged through her tears.

Yuan Ce: “No.”

“Why not? Didn’t you just raise your hand and knock me out last time?”

“That was last time.”

“…What’s different now?”

Yuan Ce closed his eyes and stopped abruptly. “Because I can’t bear to hurt you now, alright?”