CXD - 40

The cold moon hung high in the sky, and the chilly wind swept through the withered branches, brushing against their faces. Yet Jiang Zhiyi felt no trace of coolness.

Holding hands with Yuan Ce as they walked back to the camp, the heat on her cheeks refused to fade. She wasn’t sure whose palm had started sweating, but she glanced at him quietly. Seeing Yuan Ce silently gazing ahead, deep in thought, she murmured softly, “Big Brother Ce, are you feeling hot too?”

“...”

Yuan Ce turned his head slightly and looked at her—

“It’s your own sweat; don’t blame it on others.”

Jiang Zhiyi was momentarily speechless. Sighing dramatically, she said, “So am I the only one feeling warm inside?” Then, curious, she peeked at him again. “When you kissed me just now, didn’t your heart race and your body feel hot?”

“...”

Yuan Ce opened his mouth as if to tell her to be quiet, but meeting her earnest gaze, he narrowed his eyes. “Wouldn’t you know if I did?”

“How would I know?”

“Are you saying... I’ve never kissed you before?” Yuan Ce probed, locking his eyes onto hers.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked. “Are you saying you have kissed me before?”

“Isn’t that what I’m asking you?”

“No...” Jiang Zhiyi blinked, recalling. “...I think?”

“There’s a yes or no answer—what do you mean by ‘I think’?”

“It’s not like you’ve lost your memory! How can you not know whether we’ve kissed before?”

“...”

Fine. Judging by her reaction, it seemed they hadn’t. Back then, they were still young, and his brother had always been self-disciplined and respectful—unlike him...

The soft sensation lingered on his lips. Yuan Ce closed his eyes briefly, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.

When he opened his eyes again and turned his head, he saw Jiang Zhiyi lost in her own thoughts, still pondering the matter.

“Just a random question to see if you remembered anything from our past,” Yuan Ce quickly added.

“But why do I really feel like I can’t remember clearly?” Jiang Zhiyi furrowed her brow, trying to recall. “Actually, I think we might have kissed before. Do you remember? It was mid-spring in the second month, when grass grew lush and flowers bloomed. The apricot blossoms were white and covered the branches...”

“?”

“My kite got stuck on a tree branch. You stood behind me and helped me retrieve it. Then, as I turned my head, you bent down, and we... kissed.”

“...”

“What’s the point of bringing this up?” Yuan Ce stopped walking, his expression darkening.

Jiang Zhiyi snapped out of her reverie and noticed his displeased look. Confused, she asked, “Didn’t you ask me first?”

“I asked for a simple yes or no, not for you to narrate an entire story!” Yuan Ce let go of her hand, pausing for a moment before turning away and adjusting his collar.

...She claimed she couldn’t remember, yet her storytelling was so vivid that it felt as though he’d witnessed it himself.

“I just find it strange. I only remember up to that point. I can’t recall how you kissed me afterward or how it felt when you did. Do you remember?”

“If you want to relive it, I can help refresh your memory right now.” Yuan Ce turned back, his gaze falling on her slightly parted lips.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked in confusion, then smiled mischievously once she realized where his eyes were focused. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she teased, “It was such a long time ago—it’s not my fault if I can’t remember clearly. Don’t be mad. Why don’t you kiss me again? This time, make it last longer, and I promise I won’t forget!”

Looking at her innocent, trusting face leaning toward him with her eyes closed—

Yuan Ce’s hand clenched and unclenched at his side repeatedly. Finally, he raised it, gently pushing her chin away. “It’s late. Tomorrow morning, we still need to visit your mother’s grave. Let me take you home first.”

Jiang Zhiyi hadn’t expected Yuan Ce to remember this obligation, nor did she anticipate that he would decide to accompany her to the cemetery without her having to ask. She had assumed she’d be alone this year since her uncle wouldn’t be there.

Smiling softly, Jiang Zhiyi linked arms with Yuan Ce and followed him onto the carriage heading back to Chongren Ward.

After returning home, they agreed on the departure time for the next morning and parted ways at the entrance of her residence.

________________________________________

Early the next morning, Yuan Ce rose half an hour earlier than planned. After dressing and freshening up, he prepared to head to Yong’en Marquis’s residence to pick her up. But just as he stepped out of his room, Qing Song hurried across the corridor to report: “Master, we have a visitor—Miss Pei.”

Yuan Ce frowned. “Which gate did she use?”

Qing Song paused. “Naturally, she came through the main gate. She says she’s here to pay New Year’s greetings.”

As long as she hadn’t used a side entrance, it was fine.

Qing Song continued, “Madam is currently entertaining her in the main hall. Miss Pei insists on seeing you. Madam, knowing you’re accompanying the princess today, tried to decline on your behalf, but Miss Pei seems determined. Would it be convenient for you to meet her briefly?”

Whatever was coming, it had to come. Whether this was another debt left by his brother or some other force probing his identity, it was time to get clarity.

“Send someone to the Yong’en Marquis’s residence to inform the princess that I’ll be delayed.” Yuan Ce gestured for Qing Song to step aside and began walking. Not two steps later, Lady Shen, his stepmother, entered the courtyard with Pei Xueqing.

From afar, his stepmother shot him a glance, shaking her head subtly—a sign that she hadn’t been able to stop her.

Qing Song looked astonished as he watched the seemingly gentle and serene Miss Pei approach slowly, her demeanor unexpectedly resolute despite her delicate appearance.

Thinking this over, Qing Song quickly lowered his head and moved behind Yuan Ce.

Pei Xueqing approached Yuan Ce and bowed respectfully. “I apologize for disturbing you so early. I have a few words to say to General Shen. I’ll leave immediately after and won’t delay you for long.”

Yuan Ce gestured toward the study. “Miss Pei, please follow me.”

Inside the study, Pei Xueqing sat in the rosewood chair below, politely declining the tea offered by Qing Song. She looked at Yuan Ce seated behind the desk. “General Shen, could you please ask them to temporarily excuse us?”

Yuan Ce rubbed his hand resting on his knee and nodded at Qing Song.

Qing Song bowed and withdrew, closing the study door behind him.

In the silent study, the faint crackling of embers filled the air. Pei Xueqing stared at the charcoal brazier by her feet for a moment before softly speaking. “You never feared the cold in winter, and now there’s always a brazier ready in your study—for the princess, I presume?”

Yuan Ce’s fingers, which had been absently rubbing against his knee, stilled for a moment.

“The paintings, the screens, the items on the curio shelves—they’ve all changed…” Pei Xueqing raised her eyes, surveying the entire study before turning back to Yuan Ce, who had remained silent.

“You needn’t be nervous. I’m not here to accuse you of anything. I simply want my belongings returned. Since you’ve decided to marry the princess, could you please return the token I once gave you?”

Yuan Ce’s expression didn’t change, but his hand beneath the desk slowly clenched into a fist.

“I remember…” Pei Xueqing pointed toward the curio shelf. “It was originally inside that porcelain vase. But it seems the vase has been replaced—did the princess see the jade pendant inside and ask you to throw it away?”

Yuan Ce turned his head slightly, following her gaze toward the new porcelain vase—

The old vase, which had contained the jade pendant, had shattered, leaving Jiang Zhiyi upset for quite some time. She insisted that an empty spot on the shelf reminded her of sad memories, so he replaced it with a new vase as a decorative piece.

As if hearing an unexpected opening line, Yuan Ce blinked at the new vase. “What did you say… what?”

Pei Xueqing observed every subtle shift in Yuan Ce’s expression, taking note of each detail. After a pause, she spoke in a choked voice: “…Have you forgotten? The other half of this jade pendant.”

Yuan Ce turned his gaze back toward her. As Pei Xueqing loosened her grip, a jade pendant dangled from her fingertips—

Adorned with snow-green tassels, the smooth white jade bore an engraved character: “非” (not).

In an instant, the image of Jiang Zhiyi’s “衣” (clothes) pendant flashed through Yuan Ce’s mind. His eyes widened abruptly.

Pei Xueqing looked down at the jade in her hand and took a deep breath. “This jade originally formed the character ‘裴’ (Pei). When split in half, the crescent-shaped piece was given to you, while I kept the other half. You said that only when you were ready to formally marry me would you dare reunite them…”

Pei Xueqing turned back to Yuan Ce. “Where is the other half now?”

Yuan Ce sat frozen behind the desk, staring fixedly at the jade pendant in her hand. After a long silence, he slowly picked up the sandalwood box beside him and hesitantly retrieved the shattered, clumsily repaired “衣” pendant. “You mean… this jade pendant?”

No sooner had he spoken than a commotion erupted outside. Qing Song’s panicked voice rang out: “You can’t go in!” But it was futile—the door was forcefully pushed open the next moment.

Jiang Zhiyi stepped into the study, her eyes immediately locking onto the two seated figures. With a resolute nod, as if confirming her suspicions, she said bitterly, “Good, very good—is this why you’re late?”

Both Yuan Ce and Pei Xueqing held their respective jade pendants and turned to look at her.

Before Jiang Zhiyi could continue, her gaze flickered over the jade pendant in Pei Xueqing’s hand. Blinking as though disoriented, she looked again, then stared intently at the one currently in Yuan Ce’s possession.

“…?”

Jiang Zhiyi looked left, then right, comparing the two jade pendants in mid-air three times. “What does this mean… why are there two jade pendants? What is going on?”

Yuan Ce lowered his head, gazing at the jade in his hand.

He was still trying to figure out what it meant.

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes widened in shock. Hurrying forward, she snatched the “衣” pendant from Yuan Ce’s hand and approached Pei Xueqing to compare the two.

The two jade pendants perfectly formed the character “裴.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s astonished gaze shifted to Yuan Ce, disbelief etched across her face. “…So you used the same token twice? For me, it’s an ‘衣,’ and for her, it’s a ‘裴’?! And you still claim you have no connection with her, that you haven’t been flirting around!”

Yuan Ce: “….”

Pei Xueqing’s eyelashes trembled. “What do you mean, Princess?”

Jiang Zhiyi clutched the broken “衣” pendant tightly. “This is the token of our love. Miss Pei, what do you think this means?”

Pei Xueqing’s face paled as if confirming a suspicion. Tears that had long been brimming in her eyes spilled over, and she murmured in a dazed tone: “So it’s true… it really is…”

Jiang Zhiyi, who had been seething with anger, wasn’t ready to cry yet—but seeing Pei Xueqing break down first, she couldn’t hold back. Trembling, she blinked rapidly. “Shen Yuan Ce, how could you be like this…”

Yuan Ce was still rapidly piecing together the events in his mind when he looked up to see two tear-streaked faces turned toward him.

“…………”

As if witnessing something utterly shocking, Yuan Ce raised both hands, hesitatingly pressing them downward alternately. “Ladies, perhaps we should… calm down and let me explain?”

Jiang Zhiyi: “How can I possibly calm down!”

Pei Xueqing: “There’s no need…”

One sobbed audibly, the other silently wept, and both seemed to cry even harder.

Yuan Ce closed his eyes, feeling a throbbing vein in his temple amid the flood of tears.

Dealing with one crying woman was bad enough; dealing with two was worse. Worse still, both believed he was a heartless cad.

And worst of all, he hadn’t wronged either of them.

“……”

Yuan Ce was absolutely certain that compared to the emperor’s scrutiny, political rivals’ probing, or enemies’ watchful eyes—

This was the greatest crisis he’d faced since arriving in the capital.

If his brother were watching from above, now would be the time to intervene and provide an explanation.

After a long wait, nothing happened except for the situation becoming even more dire.

The Buddha doesn’t save sentient beings; one must save oneself.

Yuan Ce opened his eyes, glanced at Jiang Zhiyi wiping her tears, and turned to Pei Xueqing. “Miss Pei—”

“You dare comfort her first!” Jiang Zhiyi pointed at him, her chest heaving with rage, trembling all over, looking as though she might faint from crying.

“It’s not like that.” Yuan Ce sighed, stepping forward to take Jiang Zhiyi’s wrist. He turned back to Pei Xueqing.

Before he could speak, Pei Xueqing seemed to understand. Nodding slightly, she wiped her tears, clutched the “非” pendant, turned around, and hurried out of the study.

Yuan Ce closed his eyes briefly, then faced Jiang Zhiyi. “I swear to heaven—I’ve done nothing to wrong you.”

Jiang Zhiyi sniffled, looking up at him through tears. “With both evidence and witnesses against you, how can you still make excuses! Swearing won’t help now!”

Yuan Ce picked up the “衣” pendant. “This jade pendant—you say you gave it to me, but she says…”

“I don’t want to hear it—” Jiang Zhiyi covered her ears firmly. “Last time you twisted words to confuse me, and I’ll never believe your lies again!”

Yuan Ce turned his head, rubbing his temples.

Behind him, Jiang Zhiyi sobbed: “Why did you have to reveal these upsetting truths today of all days…”

“I already hate today enough as it is…”

“Now every year on this day, I’ll have another reason to feel hurt. What did I ever do to deserve this…”

Yuan Ce’s head throbbed as he turned back, lifting her abruptly and placing her on the desk. “Can you please stay quiet for a moment so I can think this through?”

Jiang Zhiyi stumbled, steadying herself on the edge of the desk. Looking up, she realized she was now almost eye-level with him. Glaring directly into his eyes, she snapped, “No!”

“You made a mistake, and now you want me to stay quiet? Not even the heavens would condone such arrogance!”

“If you find me annoying, then leave! Go chase after your Miss Pei—how quiet she is, not uttering a single word of reproach despite being wronged by you…”

“I’ve always been someone who talks a lot. Didn’t you know that already? Now you complain—”

Yuan Ce leaned down, sealing her parted lips with his own.

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes widened in shock, her words cut short. Before she could react, her lips were gently coaxed open, and something warm and slippery slid inside like a fish.

A sudden heat surged within her, spreading from her cheeks to her ears. Jiang Zhiyi gasped, letting out a frightened whimper, and quickly pulled back.

Yuan Ce paused his advance, slowly releasing her lips. Lowering his gaze, he watched the glistening moisture on her lips, swallowed lightly, and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. “Dear ancestor, please… just be quiet for a moment.”