CXD - 38

On New Year’s Eve, Jiang Zhiyi was awakened early in the morning by the bustling laughter and chatter echoing through the courtyard.

The servants of Yaoguang Pavilion were well aware that their princess disliked cold weather and cherished her sleep during winter. They always worked quietly in the mornings to avoid disturbing her—except on this one day of the year.

On this day of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, everyone brimmed with joy. From the rooftops to every nook and cranny, the entire estate was cleaned, windows adorned with paper cutouts, and peachwood charms hung. One year, while they were busy chatting and laughing, they accidentally woke the princess. To their surprise, instead of being angry, she said that New Year’s Eve should be lively. Whoever brought the most cheer would receive the most yasui qian (lucky money).

Later, when they discreetly inquired among themselves, they learned that the princess’s mother had passed away on the morning of the Lunar New Year. Adding more festivity and joy to these two days could help distract her from painful memories.

Since then, on this day each year, everyone chattered freely without restraint.

Jiang Zhiyi rose amidst the cheerful noise, gazing at the festive scene around her. She couldn’t help but lament that her uncle’s current mission had kept him away, preventing him from returning for the holiday. Even Jingzhe, her cousin, wouldn’t be by her side.

A few days earlier, news arrived from Zheng County about Jingzhe’s condition. Her injuries had improved significantly; though she still couldn’t walk, she could move freely in bed.

There was also good news: it seemed Jingzhe had taken a liking to an apprentice at the medical clinic. The apprentice now often helped care for her, sparing the maids Jiang Zhiyi had sent.

Jiang Zhiyi had sent some lucky money ahead of time, including a share for the apprentice. However, the apprentice refused, fearing Jingzhe might think he was interested in her family background.

When Jiang Zhiyi heard this, she laughed heartily. She planned to arrange a match between them once Jingzhe fully recovered. By then, she and Brother Ce would likely be engaged—it would be a double celebration.

As she thought about this, Gu Yu hurried in to report: “Princess, there’s been trouble at the small Buddhist hall. The guards discovered Lady Zhong disguised as a servant trying to sneak out of the estate. We’re unsure what she intended to do.”

Jiang Zhiyi, who had been lost in pleasant thoughts, was abruptly interrupted and lost all enthusiasm. Frowning, she asked, “Where is she now?”

“Don’t worry, Princess. The guards have already escorted Lady Zhong back to the Buddhist hall. However, she’s been cursing nonstop. On such a festive day…”

It wasn’t hard to imagine how vile her aunt’s curses were. What should have been a joyful occasion was now marred by discord.

Annoyed, Jiang Zhiyi sighed deeply and decided to deal with the matter herself. Pulling on her cloak, she left the courtyard and boarded a sedan chair to head north to the small Buddhist hall.

Before entering the courtyard, she heard fierce cursing even from outside—

“That ungrateful wretch! Separating my son and me for two months, not even letting us see each other on New Year’s Eve or allowing Lord Hou to return home… Having lost both her parents, she can’t bear to see others’ families united…!”

“My brother’s imprisonment must also be her doing… I’m trapped here now, so you find a way to send a message to Lord Kang Le. Tell him this girl is trying to destroy our family and framed him deliberately…”

“After praying to Buddha for two months, why hasn’t He taught you not to think so highly of yourself?” Jiang Zhiyi stepped into the hall.

Lady Zhong shuddered, sitting on her prayer mat. Startled, she scrambled to her feet.

One of her concubines rushed to help her.

“You—” Lady Zhong stumbled forward but was stopped by the guards a full zhang away from Jiang Zhiyi. “I want to see Lord Hou! I want to see my son… I want to see Lord Kang Le!”

“Auntie wishes to see many people, but I doubt they wish to see you,” Jiang Zhiyi said sympathetically. “You’ve plotted so carefully for your eldest son, yet after recovering from his illness, his first stop was Yanchun Pavilion—not this hall. And as for Lord Kang Le pleading on your behalf before His Majesty? Once he heard you were confined, he was too busy saving himself…”

“I may have no parents, but your so-called family unity seems rather hollow.”

“You—don’t try to win with words! It’s you who intercepted my letter to Lord Kang Le and stopped my eldest cousin from seeing me…”

At this point, Lady Zhong recalled something that pained her deeply. Trembling, she pointed at Jiang Zhiyi. “You ungrateful wretch! After only a few days with Shen Yuan Ce, you had him break my son’s legs… All those years under the same roof, my son treated you with utmost sincerity, yet he couldn’t compare to an outsider after just two months!”

Jiang Zhiyi blinked. “Auntie, didn’t you know about my relationship with General Shen before the New Year?”

“What do you mean ‘before the New Year’…? What did I know…”

Pausing, realization dawned on her face. “So you were already intimate with Shen Yuan Ce before the New Year?! Fine, wait until I tell your uncle—he’ll break Shen Yuan Ce’s legs…”

“Auntie’s acting skills are impressive,” Jiang Zhiyi remarked, appraising her. “Do you remember all the obstacles you secretly placed in my path with General Shen before the New Year? Go ahead and tell Uncle—we can confront each other. Let’s see whether he finds his niece outrageous or his wife malicious.”

Lady Zhong froze. “…What obstacles did I place before the New Year? Don’t slander me like this!”

Not wanting to argue further on such a festive day, Jiang Zhiyi sighed. “Believe whatever you like. I came here today for two reasons: to wish you an early Happy New Year and to remind you that no matter how loud you shout, you won’t leave this hall. Save your energy, curse less, and perhaps gain some merit before Buddha.”

After dealing with Lady Zhong, Jiang Zhiyi felt drained and lost her appetite for lunch.

In truth, allowing her aunt and cousin to reunite on New Year’s Eve wouldn’t have been unreasonable. After all, she and Brother Ce were close to becoming engaged, and this mother-son pair wouldn’t cause much trouble.

However, the Zhong family’s embezzlement case was still under trial. Though Lady Zhong was foolish, she knew many things about Jiang Zhiyi and Brother Ce. If she spread rumors, claiming they conspired against the Zhong family, it might hit uncomfortably close to the truth—

She’d already asked Brother Ce why he’d investigated the Zhong family’s crimes beforehand. He explained it was because her aunt had treated her cruelly, and he needed leverage against the Zhong family in case of emergencies.

Though Lady Zhong lacked concrete evidence, her words could sway public opinion. Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t risk Brother Ce being suspected by Marquis Xuande, so she had to keep Lady Zhong confined until the case concluded.

With little appetite for lunch, Jiang Zhiyi decided to visit Princess Baojia’s residence early in the evening.

On New Year’s Eve, she usually attended banquets in the palace or shared a reunion dinner with her uncle and the Fang family. But this year, due to the massive embezzlement scandal involving hundreds of thousands of taels, the emperor canceled the palace banquet to set an example of frugality. With her uncle absent, she chose to celebrate with Princess Baojia, who lived independently.

Upon entering the princess’s residence, Baojia teased her immediately. “Is this your last New Year’s Eve dining with me?”

Jiang Zhiyi paused, confused. “What do you mean?”

Cui Mei chuckled and chimed in. “Isn’t it obvious? Once married, you’ll spend the reunion night with your husband’s family.”

Jiang Zhiyi stamped her foot and sat beside Baojia. “I just walked in, and you’re already teasing me… If you’re so reluctant to let me go, why don’t you marry off your military doctor? Then we four can celebrate together!”

Baojia choked on her words and turned to Cui Mei. “See how quickly she forgets gratitude after using my brilliant plan? Now she mocks her own sister.”

“The suggestion isn’t bad, actually.”

Baojia glanced at Cui Mei and then asked Jiang Zhiyi, “Why isn’t your Brother Ce accompanying you tonight, knowing you’re alone?”

“He has a mother—though she’s his stepmother, she raised him. They haven’t seen each other for years. How could he not return home on such a day? Besides, the soldiers in his camp have come to Chang’an with him—they deserve a feast. He already has two New Year’s dinners to attend tonight. I told him I’d be with you, so he could focus on his duties.” Jiang Zhiyi spoke with the poised demeanor of a general’s wife.

Thoughtfully nodding, Baojia asked, “So… does that mean he’ll visit the camp later tonight?”

“Yes, we agreed that after our dinner with you, I’d write to him, and we’d stay up late together…” Jiang Zhiyi paused, realizing something. “Are you trying to fish for information about where Doctor Li will be tonight?”

Baojia smiled silently and sipped her tea.

Jiang Zhiyi sighed. “You’ve squeezed every drop of information out of me, yet you reveal nothing. This reunion dinner isn’t about togetherness—it’s about hidden agendas!”

“It’s not that I’m withholding anything—it’s all in the past. Didn’t you know Li left the capital seven years ago? What more could there be?”

“Why did he leave you and go back then?”

“Who said the one who stays behind is necessarily abandoned? It wasn’t him who left me—it was me who left him.” Baojia laughed as she stood up. “I didn’t expect you so early, and I haven’t finished dressing yet. Chat with Cui Mei for a while, and we’ll have dinner later. I’ll take you to release lanterns afterward.”

With that, Baojia went to prepare herself. Jiang Zhiyi rested her chin on her hand and turned to Cui Mei. “Cui Mei, don’t tell me you won’t talk either? Look at what my sister left behind—she told me to chat with you, meaning she doesn’t want to talk, but she wants you to do it instead. Surely you understand?”

Cui Mei chuckled. “I’m not entirely sure about how Princess Baojia and Mr. Li parted ways, but Mr. Li didn’t leave the capital by choice. He was forced to follow his father, who was exiled to the border after being convicted.”

Jiang Zhiyi gasped. “Convicted? For what crime?”

“If you want to hear, this goes back to an old story.”

“Of course I want to hear! Stop stalling.”

Cui Mei obliged. “This happened before you were born, during the reign of the late emperor, who was deeply devoted to Daoism. At that time, there was a young Daoist master named ‘Jianwei Tian Shi.’ Though still young, he was exceptionally skilled in divination and astrology, rumored to predict the future. Whether or not his predictions were accurate, the late emperor trusted him greatly. Have you heard of him?”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded.

Lady Zhong had once falsely claimed that a cursed sachet was a blessed talisman gifted by Jianwei Tian Shi. Ironically, Lady Zhong didn’t know that this very master had recently resigned and gone wandering—no one could request his talismans now.

“Go on, what happened to this master?” Jiang Zhiyi urged.

“About ten years ago, this master observed a great ominous sign in the stars. He prophesied that twin ‘demonic stars’ would be born that year, which might destabilize the empire and endanger the throne. As a result, the late emperor secretly ordered the execution of all twin infants born that year—from the capital to the borders.”

A chill ran down Jiang Zhiyi’s spine. Clutching her warm tea tightly, she seemed frozen with shock. “All those infants... just born, innocent of any wrongdoing... they were all slaughtered in their cradles?”

“Not all of them. Orders like these always leak out, and some people managed to escape. Mr. Li’s father, who worked at the Imperial Medical Bureau, showed mercy and secretly saved a pair of newborn twin girls from an official’s family. Eight years ago, this old matter was exposed by one of Dr. Li’s political enemies. Dr. Li was stripped of his position and sentenced to seven years of exile.”

“What happened to those twin girls? They must be grown by now—are they going to be executed too?”

“The twins didn’t survive past their first birthday—they both died of illness. Who knows what might have happened if they’d lived? But the current emperor doesn’t place much stock in Daoist practices. While Dr. Li was punished for defying the late emperor’s orders, the twins—if they were alive—wouldn’t pose a threat since women can’t hold office. Don’t worry; times are peaceful now, and such things won’t happen again.”

Jiang Zhiyi sipped her tea to calm her nerves, momentarily forgetting about romantic matters. She also forgot to ask why, if the sentence was only seven years, Li Dafeng hadn’t returned to the capital in all that time.

________________________________________

Late at night, on the outskirts of Xuan Ce Camp.

Two figures—one clad in black, the other in white—stood side by side atop a tall watchtower. Their robes fluttered fiercely in the wind as they silently clinked their wine jugs together.

Li Dafeng took a sip of wine, lifted his robe, and sat down with a long sigh. “You’re a married man, spending New Year’s Eve drinking bitter wine with me here? What’s the point?”

Yuan Ce held his jug with one hand, lowering his gaze. “What marriage?”

“You know what I mean. You’re a soldier—why quibble with a scholar like me?”

Yuan Ce gazed toward the direction of Chang’an. “Then go ask your princess why she hasn’t released me yet.”

“Ah, she probably hasn’t finished dining with her sister.” Li Dafeng chuckled lightly. “Those noblewomen often lose track of time—staying up all night isn’t unusual. Besides, she’s still your princess, isn’t she? Why say ‘that princess’?”

“Not your own romantic debt?”

“Stop fishing for information,” Li Dafeng teased, glancing at him. “Why are you so concerned about this lately?”

Yuan Ce took another sip of wine. “Do you think I want to be? Someone asked me to inquire on your behalf.”

“Your little princess certainly has boundless curiosity.” Li Dafeng shook his head mockingly. “If you’ve got this much free time, why not worry about your brother’s romantic debts instead? How’s the investigation into Miss Pei coming along?”

Yuan Ce shook his head. Earlier, he had sent men to keep an eye on the Pei household. If Pei Xueqing truly had a history with his brother, she might investigate his brother’s whereabouts over the past year upon noticing his absence.

But so far, there had been no movement.

Miss Pei spent most of her days caring for her sickly mother, gaining enough experience to be considered half a physician. Her outings were limited to medical clinics, and no suspicious letters had left the estate. Lord Pei’s activities were equally unremarkable.

At this rate, Yuan Ce began to suspect that Jiang Zhiyi’s “jealous eyes” had overcomplicated the situation. After all—his brother wasn’t the type to juggle two relationships.

A faint sigh drifted through the wind.

“No results? Then why sigh?” Li Dafeng grinned, glancing up at him. “Do you really hope your brother turns out to be a villain?”

Yuan Ce shot him a sidelong glance. “I’m sighing because handling these women’s affairs is more troublesome than fighting battles.”

“That’s the truth,” Li Dafeng agreed, nodding. Suddenly, he noticed a pair of dimly glowing Kongming lanterns floating toward them in the distance. “How many have we seen tonight? Why does the wind keep blowing them this way?”

Yuan Ce found these lanterns irritating too. Once the lamp oil burned out, they would fall, potentially causing fires. Just earlier, one had landed on a tree in the camp, nearly igniting it. Judging by the trajectory of these two, they would likely land in the camp as well.

As the lanterns drew closer, their flames flickering weakly, Yuan Ce reached out and intercepted them as they passed over the watchtower.

Li Dafeng remarked, “That’s rather unkind of you. What if your interception ruins someone’s wish?”

“They’d fall to the ground anyway. What’s the difference?”

“If they’ve fallen into your hands, it must be fate. Take a look at their wishes—you might even help fulfill them.”

“With such kindness, why practice medicine? Go become a Buddha instead.” Yuan Ce was about to crumple the lantern cover and toss it aside when he spotted the character “Li.” Pausing, he glanced at Li Dafeng before unfolding it.

Bold, flowing calligraphy revealed seven startling words—

Li Dafeng will die alone.

Li Dafeng: “...”

The two exchanged a slow glance. After a moment of silence—

Yuan Ce: “Lord Li, with such compassion, perhaps you can help fulfill this wish?”

Li Dafeng turned his head away. “You did the right thing intercepting it.”

He then turned back, looking at the other extinguished lantern.

Yuan Ce already guessed whose handiwork the second lantern was. Setting aside Li Dafeng’s, he hesitated briefly before slowly unfolding the other.

The character “Shen” greeted him first.

Following it, familiar delicate handwriting emerged word by word—

Shen Yuan Ce and Jiang Zhiyi grow old together, undying love till death parts them.

Of course, it was Shen Yuan Ce.

It could only be Shen Yuan Ce.

Among the thousands of lanterns lighting up the city, names of everyone in Chang’an might appear—but never the name “Yuan Ce.”