CXD - 44

After asking, Yuan Ce patiently waited for her response without saying another word.

The chamber was so quiet that the sound of a needle falling could be heard. The charcoal stove at their feet filled the room with warmth, making Jiang Zhiyi feel dizzy as though she were drunk. She stared into his eyes, her body still, but her heart raced so fast it felt like it might leap out of her throat.

For days, she had been the one incessantly bringing up marriage, but now, sitting sideways on his lap and hearing him ask her directly, she was flustered and overwhelmed, unable to speak.

Hadn’t they already secretly pledged lifelong devotion three years ago? Why did it feel so much more intense this time…

The word “yes” was already on the tip of her tongue, ready to spill out, but at the last moment, Jiang Zhiyi nervously swallowed and glanced away to steady herself.

After a brief pause, she straightened up, raised her chin slightly, and said loftily: “Before I answer you, I have a question—”

“Will you only treat me with such care and affection today, on our betrothal day, or will you treat me well every single day after this?”

A smile flickered in Yuan Ce’s eyes. “If you want it every day, then every day.”

“I naturally want you to treat me warmly every day like today…”

Yuan Ce smirked. “That’s not guaranteed. Over time… perhaps one day you’ll suddenly stop wanting it.”

“Don’t project your petty thoughts onto me, Your Highness. I’m not someone who changes their mind easily! As long as you treat me well every day, how could I ever grow tired of you?”

“Is that so?” Yuan Ce fixed his gaze on her eyes. “Those are your words.”

“They’re my words. What, do you want me to swear an oath?”

“That’s not impossible.”

Jiang Zhiyi decisively let go of her arms around his neck and raised three fingers to the sky, mimicking his previous vow. “I, Jiang Zhiyi, swear to the heavens that as long as Brother A Ce treats me well every day from now on, I will remain devoted to him as I am now and never despise him. If I break this vow…”

“If you break this vow—” Yuan Ce suddenly interrupted her, speaking slowly, “I’ll bind your hands and feet so you can’t escape even a single step.”

Jiang Zhiyi blinked. “Isn’t it supposed to be ‘struck by lightning’?”

“What use is that to me?”

Jiang Zhiyi smiled faintly, pressing her lips together. “Just say you can’t bear it if you can’t bear it… Binding my hands and feet—you wouldn’t have the heart to…”

“So, are you marrying me or not?”

Jiang Zhiyi laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck again, leaning forward to quickly peck his cheek. “Marry! I’ll marry right now!”

Startled, Yuan Ce turned his head slightly and saw that Jiang Zhiyi had already buried her blushing face into his shoulder. He raised his hand, lightly brushing the top of her head with the edge of his palm, and his lips curved upward bit by bit.

________________________________________

The next morning, Jiang Zhiyi woke to the deafening sound of suona horns. Upon opening her eyes and seeing the bed beneath her, she immediately sat up in a panic, her hair disheveled. “Oh no, it’s too late! Too late!”

Nearby, Guyu and Xiaoman, who had been preparing tea, were startled and quickly came over. “Young Mistress, what’s too late?”

“What’s wrong with you two? Look at the time! The suona has been blowing for ages outside, and you still haven’t woken me to change into my wedding gown!” Jiang Zhiyi hastily threw off the quilt and prepared to get out of bed.

Guyu and Xiaoman froze, staring at each other in confusion.

Guyu: “Suona…?”

Xiaoman: “Wedding… gown?”

Jiang Zhiyi was also taken aback. She glanced at the bright winter sun outside the window and then at the chamber, which was filled with many of her familiar belongings but clearly wasn’t her bedroom. Her expression clouded with doubt as she murmured hazily: “What day is it today…?”

“The second day after I proposed to you,” Yuan Ce stepped into the chamber, looking at her strangely from head to toe. He hadn’t expected to see someone even more anxious than himself. “Your wedding gown hasn’t even been made yet, and you’re already hearing suona horns?”

“…”

Jiang Zhiyi’s legs, dangling at the edge of the bed, stiffened. Finally regaining her senses, her toes curled awkwardly one by one.

It was all because she had thought too much about the wedding before falling asleep last night. They had talked about how dozens of embroiderers would spend hundreds of days crafting her wedding gown, how her phoenix crown and bridal veil would be the most luxurious style in the empire aside from the empress’s, and how the wedding date should be chosen during a warm, pleasant season…

Yuan Ce had agreed to each point until she grew tired and fell asleep.

And then she dreamed of the wedding day, hearing the sound of firecrackers and suona horns outside, drums and gongs thundering, while she overslept on the bed. How could she not be worried?

Jiang Zhiyi silently watched Yuan Ce as she slid her legs back under the covers, turned her back to him, and lay down. Slowly pulling the quilt over herself, she covered her face completely.

Yuan Ce silently chuckled and walked over to sit at the edge of the bed, pulling her quilt down slightly.

“Don’t bother me if I’m not awake yet…!” Jiang Zhiyi covered her face with her hands.

Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow: “The oath you swore yesterday—did you forget it so quickly?”

“… What have you done for me today? You embarrassed me as soon as you woke up—it’s only natural that I’m annoyed!”

“I came to ask whether you’d like to have breakfast here or in the dining hall.”

Jiang Zhiyi paused, turning her head. “If we go to the dining hall, won’t your mother see…?”

“She told me to ask you.”

Though Jiang Zhiyi had visited the Shen Mansion many times, she had never left the eastern courtyard. Initially, Yuan Ce had been forced to acknowledge their relationship to stabilize the situation, so he instructed his stepmother to pretend ignorance and ignore any commotion from the eastern quarters. But now that they were discussing marriage, his stepmother said it would be impolite for Jiang Zhiyi to remain hidden. It might also displease Lord Yong’en when he returned.

Realizing that things had changed, Jiang Zhiyi blinked and asked, “So my aunt wants to see me?”

“If she wants to see you, then fine. If not, there’s no need to force it.”

“What’s there to force? Then let’s eat in the dining hall.” Jiang Zhiyi had seen plenty of grand occasions and wouldn’t be intimidated by such a minor matter. She quickly rose, instructing the two maidservants to help her wash and dress.

Yuan Ce leaned against the window, waiting as they dressed her hair, applied her makeup, and finished dressing. Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, and Qingsong stumbled in, gripping the doorframe. “Master! Something terrible has happened! Lord Yong’en is here!”

Jiang Zhiyi turned abruptly, surprised. “Uncle Jiufu is already in the capital?”

Yuan Ce hadn’t received news from Mu Xinhong yet and was also surprised. “So what’s the big deal—”

“The big deal is that Lord Yong’en looks like he’s about to kill someone. As soon as he entered the mansion, he didn’t say a word but immediately asked where you were. He’ll be here any moment—”

“Where’s Shen Yuance? Bring that boy out here!” A deep male voice boomed closer.

Jiang Zhiyi quickly stood up. Yuan Ce reached out but failed to stop her. She happily rushed out of the chamber: “Uncle!”

In the corridor, Lord Yong’en, covered in dust from travel, froze mid-step. His round eyes widened in shock—

His niece, whom he hadn’t seen in months, still dressed beautifully and radiantly, appeared in someone else’s mansion early in the morning, just after waking up. Behind her stood the rumored future son-in-law who was supposedly about to marry her—an event he knew nothing about.

He had first heard of this matter at a post station during his journey back to the capital. An official traveling from the capital to another region congratulated him, saying, “Congratulations, Young General Shen and Her Highness make a perfect match.”

Before returning to Chang’an, he had refused to believe that after being away for just a short time, his usually haughty niece—who had rejected dozens of marriage proposals over the past two years—had suddenly found her destined partner.

Even after arriving home and finding Jiang Zhiyi absent, with servants at Yaoguang Pavilion reporting that the young mistress hadn’t returned last night, he still clung to hope. Perhaps she had gone to visit her mother’s tomb and stayed out overnight, or maybe she had gone to Princess Baojia’s residence to talk because she was upset. Only now did he witness this scene with his own eyes.

Lord Yong’en placed one hand on his chest and the other on the small of his back. “Oh dear...”

The guards following behind quickly supported him. “My Lord!”

“Niece!” Jiang Zhiyi’s expression changed as she rushed forward, supporting the other side of Lord Yong’en’s arm. “What’s wrong, Uncle?”

After recovering from the dizziness, Lord Yong’en wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and looked up to see Yuan Ce approaching. With unhurried composure, Yuan Ce clasped his hands and bowed respectfully: “Yuan Ce greets Lord Yong’en.”

... Unhurried? How dare he remain calm?

And he dares to stay here?

Lord Yong’en extended a trembling finger toward him, then turned to Jiang Zhiyi, who was clinging to his arm. “Clothesy, did this boy kidnap you and bring you here?”

Jiang Zhiyi finally realized why Yuan Ce had tried to stop her earlier when she had impulsively rushed out in excitement.

She may have reunited with her uncle, but her future husband might soon depart from this world.

Jiang Zhiyi frantically waved her hands. “No, no, Uncle, I came here on my own.”

“Oh dear...” Lord Yong’en, with his large belly, leaned back, feeling even more dizzy.

“Uncle, please don’t misunderstand. I and Brother A Ce—”

Lord Yong’en glared, straightening himself. “Brother A Ce? What brother?”

“... I and Young General Shen,” Jiang Zhiyi patted his back to soothe him, “we are not doing anything improper. We are preparing to discuss marriage properly, and we’ve been waiting for you to return—”

Lord Yong’en raised his palm. “There’s no need to discuss it. I do not approve of this marriage!”

________________________________________

Half an hour later, Jiang Zhiyi sat at the lower seat in the warm pavilion of Yaoguang Pavilion, nervously twisting her fingers together. She glanced at her uncle seated above every few moments.

She had explained everything on the way here earlier. She emphasized that she hadn’t shared a room with Brother A Ce, and that he was no longer the dissolute noble he used to be. Now, having achieved great feats and become a pillar of the nation, he treated her with utmost devotion, standing up for her whenever she was bullied, tolerating her pickiness.

She had praised Brother A Ce all the way, explaining how compatible they were. By the time she finished, her throat was parched, but her uncle remained unimpressed, his frustration transforming into an even deeper headache.

Lord Yong’en closed his eyes, hand on his forehead, silent for a long while. Finally, he sighed deeply: “If he were still that dissolute noble, and as long as you two are fond of each other, this uncle wouldn’t necessarily refuse the marriage.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked up. “Uncle, what are you saying? If he were truly a dissolute noble, I wouldn’t look at him!”

“But if he’s so capable, can he stay in Chang’an with you for long? When he returns to Hexi in the future, do you plan to separate from your husband or follow him and endure hardship?”

“Governor Shen governed Hexi well before his death. The prosperity of Guzang City rivals Yangzhou in Jiangnan—it’s not as harsh as you imagine…”

“Let’s not talk about that. Have you forgotten your mother? War is perilous. He’s a general who faces life-and-death battles. Do you want to follow in your mother’s footsteps?”

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her head. “His martial skills are unmatched—he won’t let that happen...”

“Then let’s assume he’s invincible. Do you know how your royal uncle views him? While Governor Shen was alive, he was a hostage kept in the capital. In the future, if you have children with him, will they be able to stay by your side?”

“Uncle, I… I haven’t thought about that yet...”

“You haven’t thought about it, but I have. This is not a good marriage!” Lord Yong’en waved his hand dismissively. “You’ve only known him for two months, and there’s no deep attachment. It’s best to end this while you still can!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Guyu entered timidly. “My Lord, Young Mistress, Young General Shen is here. He requests an audience with you...”

“What does he want? Isn’t it enough that he’s bewitched my niece? Is he here to bewitch me too?” Lord Yong’en frowned. “I won’t see him. Throw him out!”

“Uncle—!” Jiang Zhiyi anxiously stamped her foot, opening her mouth to speak but closing it again. After hesitating for a long while, she took a deep breath.

At this point, drastic measures were necessary.

“Uncle,” Jiang Zhiyi said earnestly, “if it were just two months, it might be easy to break off. But what if I told you that actually... three years ago, we were already close...”

Lord Yong’en’s pupils dilated as he slowly turned his head toward her, trembling.

Jiang Zhiyi continued: “Would you reconsider...?”

Lord Yong’en slowly raised his hand, stopping Guyu, who was about to leave with orders to throw Yuan Ce out. He took a deep breath. “No need to throw him out. Invite him in.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s face lit up.

“This uncle will consider breaking which leg of his.”

“…………”