CXD - 37

After delivering the token of affection, Jiang Zhiyi rested at home for a few more days. When the physician came to examine her again, he declared that her ankle was fully healed and she could move freely as before.

Though she usually preferred staying indoors during cold weather, being confined to the house and being unable to go out were two entirely different things. After half a month of restricted movement, upon receiving the physician’s approval, Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t wait a moment longer. She immediately sent a message to Yuan Ce, asking him to accompany her on an outing.

Half an hour later, Jiang Zhiyi saw Yuan Ce for the first time in broad daylight, openly coming to find her at the main gate of the marquis’s residence.

Moved by this sight, Jiang Zhiyi hesitated at the threshold, her handkerchief instinctively moving toward her eyes.

Yuan Ce dismounted his horse with a frown. “What now?”

Jiang Zhiyi dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief and waved at him. “Thinking about how we won’t have to sneak around anymore, I got a bit overwhelmed with joy.”

“…”

It wasn’t that sneaking around would help at this point—it was simply unnecessary.

Yuan Ce glanced at her. “Then cry here for a while. I’ll ride my horse around and come back?”

“No, no more crying. Let’s go!” Jiang Zhiyi quickly wiped away her tears of joy, took the hand of a maid, and stepped onto the carriage stool. As she raised her head after settling into the carriage, she noticed Yuan Ce still standing there motionless. “What’s wrong? Get in!”

Yuan Ce frowned at the ostentatious carriage, tinkling with decorations. “Do we really have to take your flashy contraption?”

“Your carriage is too small. There’s no room to move inside. Mine has a couch.”

“…Why do you need a couch during the day?”

She was merely trying to emphasize the size of her carriage, not nitpick over semantics. “And what’s with your fussing? Do you need instructions on how to get into a carriage?”

“…Have I ever ridden in such a tall carriage? Here—just step on that stool, and you’ll be fine…”

Yuan Ce swung his long legs up, stepped into the carriage, and bent down to enter. “Am I like you?”

Jiang Zhiyi gave him a sidelong glance and leaned out the window to instruct her maids. “You don’t need to follow us today. The prince consort and I are going out alone without disturbances. Just take care of his precious steed.”

Yuan Ce: “….”

The carriage rumbled out of Chongren Ward. With the New Year approaching, the various departments of the court were swamped with the shocking embezzlement case of the Zhong family, creating a tense atmosphere. However, this didn’t stop the common folk from joyfully preparing for the Lunar New Year.

Under the bright winter sun, Chang’an’s streets and alleys were festooned with lanterns and red decorations. Every household hung red lanterns and tassels, and the shops in the Western Market were bustling with business, their owners grinning ear to ear. Street vendors’ stalls were crowded with people coming and going.

When they reached a section where the carriage could no longer pass, Yuan Ce got out first and extended his hand to help her down.

Before the coachman could set up the stool, the prince consort lifted the princess effortlessly, as if she weighed no more than a leaf, and placed her gently on the ground.

Jiang Zhiyi adjusted the veil on her hat. “You didn’t put this veil on properly—it’s crooked.”

If he’d known accompanying her shopping meant being treated like a servant, he wouldn’t have left a pile of tasks behind to come here. Yuan Ce frowned. “Wear it or don’t.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked around and spotted a clothed woman at a nearby stall. She removed her veil and handed it over. “Here, take it!”

The woman, surprised, accepted the veil adorned with golden tassels. “Thank you, noble one! Thank you!”

Jiang Zhiyi: “I won’t wear it then. If all the men on the street start staring at me, don’t get jealous.”

“…”

Jiang Zhiyi linked arms with Yuan Ce and walked forward, only to soon realize that not only the men but everyone—young and old, men and women—were looking their way. From their astonished expressions, it seemed they recognized Yuan Ce.

…She had forgotten that she was walking arm-in-arm with the man who had caused a sensation across the city just two months ago during his triumphant parade.

At the snack stalls, groups of customers whispered among themselves. Jiang Zhiyi, whose hearing wasn’t sharp enough, leaned in and asked softly, “What are they saying?”

Though the words were unclear, it wasn’t hard to guess. Someone must have recognized her—

The haughty noblewoman who had antagonized and provoked the stoic general at the teahouse, only to be shot down with a single cold remark: “May I ask who you are?”

Clearly, in this scandalous affair between the capital’s noblewoman and the war god general, she was the unlikable antagonist.

Yuan Ce listened briefly and glanced down at Jiang Zhiyi.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhiyi knew her guess was correct. Her face reddened, and she wished she could sink into the ground. “It’s all your fault. Why did you pretend not to know me back then? My reputation is ruined… I’ll never come out on the streets again…”

Yuan Ce slowly withdrew his arm from hers.

Jiang Zhiyi tugged his hand back forcefully. “They already think I’m clinging to you. If you act like this, it’ll only make things worse…”

Before she could finish, her struggling hand was suddenly enveloped by his. Jiang Zhiyi lowered her head in surprise, watching as his long fingers intertwined with hers, gripping tightly.

A chorus of gasps erupted around them. Yuan Ce turned to glare at the gawkers, who immediately shut their mouths and bowed their heads.

Yuan Ce: “Will this recover the dignity the princess lost?”

Jiang Zhiyi stared at their clasped hands, her heart pounding as she looked up at him. “…How did you know lovers hold hands like this?”

Yuan Ce tilted his chin forward.

Jiang Zhiyi followed his gaze and saw a happy family ahead—a young father carrying his daughter on his shoulders, holding his wife’s hand.

“Well, as long as you don’t let go of my hand for a moment while we’re on the street today, I’ll forgive you for pretending not to know me back then.” Jiang Zhiyi smiled and tugged him forward.

As they walked further, the curious gazes faded into the distance, and Jiang Zhiyi focused on shopping. Spotting a candy figure stall diagonally across the street, she was about to ask Yuan Ce if he wanted any when her gaze shifted and landed on a graceful figure beside the stall—

The young woman stood in front of the stall, but her eyes weren’t on the candy figures. Instead, they were fixed steadily on Jiang Zhiyi and Yuan Ce, as if she’d been watching them for some time.

It was Pei Xueqing, whom they hadn’t seen since the academy nearly a month ago.

Following Pei Xueqing’s gaze, Jiang Zhiyi looked down at Yuan Ce’s hand holding hers.

“…Someone’s watching us.” Jiang Zhiyi murmured, her smile fading.

“He knows.”

True enough, with his keen senses, he must have noticed earlier than her. Jiang Zhiyi pouted unhappily. “Everyone already knows our relationship. Why is she still looking at you like that?”

“How should I know?” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Pei Xueqing again. This time, she didn’t look away—or perhaps she was lost in thought—and continued to stare at their clasped hands.

“I want a candy figure!” Jiang Zhiyi lifted her chin.

Yuan Ce glanced at the candy stall where Pei Xueqing stood, then at the troublemaker beside him, sighing as he led her toward the stall.

As they approached, Pei Xueqing snapped out of her trance and hurriedly lowered her veil.

“No need to cover up. We spotted you from afar.” Jiang Zhiyi greeted her with a smile.

Pei Xueqing paused mid-action, bowing to both of them. “Princess, General Shen.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded toward the vendor behind the stall. “Buy a candy figure.”

“Alright,” the vendor busied himself with his craft, pointing to Pei Xueqing. “I’ll finish the one for this young lady first, then make yours. Choose a design, both of you!”

“The same rabbit she’s getting—one will do. We’ll share it.” Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Yuan Ce.

Yuan Ce handed over the silver for the candy figure.

“Good choice! Eating my candy figures guarantees sweet love and unwavering affection!”

Pei Xueqing’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she quietly lowered her gaze.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the medicine package in her hand. “Is this medicine for your mother, Miss Pei?”

“No, it’s for my older brother.”

“What happened to Lord Pei?”

Yuan Ce coughed lightly.

Jiang Zhiyi turned to look at him and whispered, “I’m just showing some concern for a fellow student.”

Yuan Ce: “My throat was just itchy.”

“…My brother has caught a slight cold, but it’s nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Princess.” Pei Xueqing forced a smile, then inhaled deeply as if unwilling to stay any longer. Suddenly, she hurriedly excused herself. “Princess, General Shen, please take your time. I must return home.”

“Young lady, your candy figure isn’t ready yet!” the vendor called after her.

“I have an urgent matter at home and can’t wait. Since they’re all the same design, why don’t you give it to that young lady instead?” Pei Xueqing sidestepped the stall and walked away with her head bowed, her pace quick.

“I’ve already taken your money! Here, take this package of milk candy—it’s not going to leave you at a loss!” The vendor, still busy crafting candy figures, picked up a paper-wrapped package with his free hand and extended it toward her retreating figure.

Pei Xueqing stopped abruptly.

Seeing that she had paused just behind Yuan Ce’s side, Jiang Zhiyi nudged Yuan Ce’s arm gently.

Yuan Ce took the paper-wrapped package from the vendor and held it out to Pei Xueqing.

Out of the corner of her eye, Pei Xueqing seemed to freeze in place, standing silently with her back turned for a long while. Slowly, she turned her pale face back, raising her eyes to look at Yuan Ce.

Her reddened eyes were wet with unshed tears.

Yuan Ce paused, confused.

“I’ve been allergic to milk since I was a child—every time I drink it, I break out in hives and can’t breathe.” Pei Xueqing spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.

“She’s been allergic to milk since she was a child—every time she drinks it, she breaks out in hives and can’t breathe.” Half an hour later, inside the rattling carriage, Jiang Zhiyi furrowed her brows. “That candy was the vendor’s—he could have told her so. Why did she say it while looking at you?”

Yuan Ce leaned against the carriage wall. “You’re asking me; who should I ask?”

“If I’m not asking you, who else am I supposed to ask?” Jiang Zhiyi turned to glare at him. “Explain yourself clearly—did you know that Miss Pei couldn’t drink milk or eat milk candy?”

“If I knew, would I have handed it to her?”

“Then why did she act like you should have known about it?”

Yuan Ce narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”

“What do you mean, ‘am I sure?’” Jiang Zhiyi laughed bitterly. “Are you unsure whether you knew her before? Whether you knew about these private matters of hers?”

“…” He wished he could be certain.

“Of course, I’m sure—but—” Yuan Ce circled around cautiously, testing Jiang Zhiyi’s reaction. “In your opinion, does she think I should know about this?”

“Yes! Otherwise, why would she look so wronged, as if you’d hurt her? A girl’s intuition is never wrong!”

Yuan Ce crossed his arms and looked out the window, frowning.

If what Jiang Zhiyi said was true, and his brother should have known such intimate details about Pei Xueqing, what kind of relationship did his brother have with her?

And if he had already privately pledged himself to Jiang Zhiyi, why did he have such a close connection with Pei Xueqing?

“I’m asking you a question, and you’re lost in thought again?” Jiang Zhiyi flushed with anger, lightly smacking his shoulder. “Tell me honestly—did you have any romantic entanglements with other girls besides me in the past? Were you flirting with every flower you came across?”

“No.” Yuan Ce looked at her.

“Then swear to me!”

Yuan Ce hesitated, then raised three fingers. “I, Shen—”

“Hmm?”

Never mind. He no longer had much confidence in his older brother’s character.

Yuan Ce: “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven—”

“How dare you omit your surname!” Jiang Zhiyi frowned. “Are you deliberately shifting the oath to someone else named ‘Yuan Ce’?”

“…”

“A surname represents a family; it’s inappropriate to casually use it in an oath. Omitting the surname and using only the given name works the same way.”

“Fine, Yuan Ce it is. Go ahead and swear.”

Yuan Ce raised three fingers again. “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that I have never flirted with anyone or had any private feelings for other women in my life.”

“Other than Jiang Zhiyi,” Jiang Zhiyi reminded him.

Yuan Ce: “I have never had any private feelings for any woman other than Jiang Zhiyi.”

“While you’re at it, add a few more words,” Jiang Zhiyi quickly thought it through. “Say that from now on, you’ll only love me, and as long as I don’t leave, you will never abandon me.”

“…”

Yuan Ce lowered his hand and gave an incredulous smile. “Do oaths come with extras now?”

“Of course they do.” Jiang Zhiyi pointed to the sky outside the carriage. “Heaven is so busy—how can it spare time to listen to you swear multiple times? If you’re swearing anyway, might as well get it all done in one go and save trouble.”

“…”

Heaven may have saved trouble, but he was definitely in trouble now.

“What? Now that our relationship is known throughout the city, are you planning to abandon me?”

Yuan Ce thought for a moment, lazily leaning against the carriage wall, then raised three fingers again. “I, Shen Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that for the rest of my life, I will only love Jiang Zhiyi. If she does not leave—”

“Wait,” Jiang Zhiyi interrupted mid-sentence with a playful smile. “Why did you add your surname this time?”

Yuan Ce glanced at her sideways. “So which one do you want—Shen Yuan Ce or Yuan Ce?”

Jiang Zhiyi was baffled. “Didn’t you just say it’s inappropriate to include the surname in an oath? Just Yuan Ce is fine.”

“Oh, is that so?” Yuan Ce turned his head away.

Jiang Zhiyi leaned forward, staring at his suspiciously curved lips. “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.”

“Well, are you going to finish this oath or not? If you don’t, I’ll leave right now, and you can abandon me too!” Jiang Zhiyi pouted.

Yuan Ce exhaled deeply and raised three fingers for the fourth time, sitting upright to look directly at Jiang Zhiyi. “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that for the rest of my life, I will only love Jiang Zhiyi. If she does not leave, I will never abandon her. If I break this vow—”

Jiang Zhiyi quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

“That’s enough,” Jiang Zhiyi smiled contentedly. “I see your sincerity. I wouldn’t bear to let you get struck by lightning!”

Yuan Ce lowered her hand and held it in his palm. “Are you no longer angry?”

“Yes. I believe there’s nothing between you and Miss Pei.”

Yuan Ce nodded and turned his head to gaze at the azure sky outside the window.

She believed him, but he wasn’t entirely convinced anymore.

This Pei Xueqing was indeed strange. If his brother had really flirted with flowers and grasses, surely the flowers and grasses wouldn’t demand—

Yuan Ce rubbed the hand in his palm, deep in thought with his eyes narrowed.