CXD - 48

As the first month of the year began, the weather grew warmer day by day. Under a string of sunny days, the Yong’en Marquis’s residence and the Shen family joyfully prepared for the engagement of their children.

In the Buddha hall of the marquis’s residence, disconnected from the world’s joys and sorrows, Lady Zhong sat listening to the lively commotion outside—first the proposal, then the betrothal gifts. Meanwhile, the court had just announced that Lord Kang Le’s crimes were confirmed. In recognition of his past contributions to the nation, he was spared the death penalty. However, all the women of the Zhong family were to be expelled locally, and the men were sentenced to exile a thousand miles away.

With her maternal family now utterly powerless and without support, Lady Zhong’s heart sank to its lowest point. She could no longer muster the strength to curse or complain. Her once-vivid eyes now stared blankly ahead as she lay slumped on a prayer cushion, having given up all resistance.

On the day the Zhong family’s verdict was handed down, Jiang Zhiyi visited Lady Zhong in the Buddha hall. Seeing her like this, Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t quite articulate her feelings.

If it was sympathy she felt, there was none. But neither could she say she was happy.

Her grudge against her aunt and eldest cousin had reached its conclusion, but her uncle still had to live on with his wife and children.

Her uncle had torn apart his family for her sake. Once she left, what would become of the marquis’s household? Would her uncle find peace?

Thinking of this, the day of parting from her uncle inevitably brought some worry and reluctance.

The day they set off for Hexi happened to be the Lantern Festival.

The night before the festival, Lord Yong’en lamented to the two youngsters why they couldn’t stay one more day so the family could watch the lanterns together. Jiang Zhiyi also felt a bit regretful, but seeing Yuan Ce remain silent, it seemed they couldn’t delay any further, so she let it go.

On the morning of the Lantern Festival, at the entrance of the Yong’en Marquis’s residence, Jiang Zhiyi stood beside the carriage exchanging last-minute instructions with her uncle. After saying one thing, she’d remember another, stepping onto the carriage stool only to step back down again, over and over.

“Enough, enough! What trouble could I possibly get into here in Chang’an? Just take care of yourself. If you don’t reach the next post station before nightfall, you’ll have to sleep outdoors. Hurry up and get in!” Lord Yong’en waved his hand, urging her onward.

Jiang Zhiyi stepped onto the carriage stool for the eighth time and turned back. “...Then I’m really leaving.”

“Hurry up,” Lord Yong’en looked toward Yuan Ce, who had been waiting patiently. “Help her up!”

“Don’t be rough! I’ll get in myself, I’ll get in myself!” Jiang Zhiyi allowed Guyu to assist her as she finally bent down and climbed into the carriage.

She had packed lightly for this journey, bringing only one maid. The carriage had been specially modified to remove unnecessary decorations and reduce weight for easier travel. Her luggage had already been sent ahead to the post stations in advance.

Traveling about two post stations per day, barring any accidents, they would spend each night at a post station. By the time she moved on to the next station, her luggage would be forwarded accordingly, everything arranged step by step.

As the carriage rumbled forward, Jiang Zhiyi leaned out of the window, waving goodbye to her uncle all the way until he was out of sight, still craning her neck to look back.

Yuan Ce rode his horse beside her window, glancing down at her. “So reluctant to leave? Then why not stay?”

Jiang Zhiyi rested her chin on the window frame and looked up. “Being reluctant to leave my uncle is only natural. Going with you is my decision. There’s no conflict between the two. Besides, we’ll have plenty of time to be together on this long journey. Who knows, we might grow tired of each other along the way. So don’t take these few moments away from my uncle.”

“Tired of each other? Is the steamed bun no longer fragrant once it’s in hand?” Yuan Ce chuckled softly.

Jiang Zhiyi tilted her head. “If you’re going to compare yourself to a steamed bun, then I can’t help it!”

Yuan Ce curled his index finger and gently tapped her forehead with his knuckle, pushing her back inside. “It’s windy. Go in.”

“Alright, then don’t freeze. If you’re cold, tell me, and I’ll pass you a hand warmer and some hot tea.” Jiang Zhiyi sat back inside the carriage and accepted the hot tea offered by Guyu.

As the carriage exited Chongren Ward and approached the city gates, a deep, resonant male voice suddenly sounded from outside the window: “Young General Shen, what a coincidence! You’re also leaving the capital today?”

Jiang Zhiyi recognized the voice—it was Fan Denian, the Hedong Circuit Governor.

During the Lantern Festival season, foreign envoys and regional governors who had come to the capital during the New Year were gradually returning. It seemed Fan Denian was also heading back to Hedong.

While she pondered this, Yuan Ce and Fan Denian exchanged words outside. Fan Denian expressed regret: “What a pity that I must head east while Young General Shen heads west. We’ll surely part ways from here on... Why not travel together for a stretch before leaving the capital?”

Jiang Zhiyi furrowed her brows. Remembering how Fan Denian had stirred trouble before the emperor last time, it seemed he knew what Yuan Ce had done to the Zhong family. Regardless of his intentions, this suggestion surely harbored ill intent.

Though she, as a princess, could dominate among noble sons and daughters, she couldn’t directly confront someone as powerful as him.

After some thought, Jiang Zhiyi opened the carriage window and leaned out. “Brother A Ce—”

Yuan Ce turned his gaze from Fan Denian and looked over.

Jiang Zhiyi dabbed at her dry eyes with a handkerchief. “Brother A Ce, we’re almost out of the city. I suddenly feel a bit reluctant to leave. Could you accompany me to the city tower for one last look at Chang’an?”

Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow and turned back to Fan Denian. “It seems this final stretch won’t include Governor Fan after all.”

Fan Denian, seated on his horse with a waist saber, smiled and glanced at Jiang Zhiyi. “It’s understandable for Her Highness, who has never left the capital, to feel some reluctance. Take your time and look. I’ll wait for the two of you below.”

Jiang Zhiyi stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the city tower with composed steps.

Built atop the outer city wall of Chang’an, the city tower was normally off-limits to civilians. The imperial guards on duty only allowed them entry after seeing the imperial decree Jiang Zhiyi presented.

“This token will be useless once we leave Chang’an. Let’s make the most of it for the last time!” Jiang Zhiyi led Yuan Ce up the steps to the tower and whispered in his ear, “...Just wait and see how long it takes me to glance at Chang’an before letting that man downstairs know!”

Yuan Ce glanced sideways at her. “You seem to dislike him quite a bit?”

Indeed, setting aside Fan Denian’s provocations toward Yuan Ce, Jiang Zhiyi didn’t particularly like this “Uncle Fan” either.

During the battle that secured her imperial uncle’s ascension to the throne, Fan Denian’s contributions were as indispensable as her father’s. However, while her father sacrificed himself for the city, Fan Denian survived and rose steadily to become the Hedong Circuit Governor.

With Fan Denian’s rise, his entire family benefited. His sister, originally a concubine of the emperor, became an empress consort and began challenging the empress dowager. Fan’s son, the second prince, also grew increasingly arrogant, constantly clashing with the gentle and scholarly crown prince.

When she played at the emperor’s Duan Wang residence as a child, the empress dowager and crown prince treated her kindly. Naturally, she disliked the Fan family.

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her voice and whispered to Yuan Ce: “Because I don’t like his nephew—the second prince.”

Yuan Ce nodded thoughtfully. “Your uncle told me that when you were little, you’d cling to whoever you liked and call them ‘big brother.’ If you don’t like the second prince, then who did you like? The crown prince?”

“...” She should’ve known her uncle shouldn’t have revealed all her secrets.

“How could it be? The crown prince is nearly ten years older than me. Back then, we didn’t play together much. He simply treated us younger siblings well.”

“Then moving down, the third prince passed away early, and the fifth prince is a few years younger than you. The one you likely played with was the fourth prince.”

“...”

If you’re this smart, stop fighting wars and go take the imperial exams!

Jiang Zhiyi huffed. “That’s all in the past. I haven’t spoken to the fourth prince in years!”

“Not even a word?” Yuan Ce nodded. “To be so estranged, it seems there was real affection.”

“...Are you done yet?!” Jiang Zhiyi glared at him. “I’m going all the way to Hexi with you, and you’re still obsessing over old grievances!”

Yuan Ce hummed softly but didn’t respond.

By the time they reached the city tower, standing atop the two-zhang-high city wall, the entire square city sprawled beneath them. Wards upon wards lined up neatly, streets bustling with carriages, horses, and pedestrians weaving through.

Though they had initially come up to avoid Fan Denian, they truly felt a sense of farewell now.

Jiang Zhiyi gazed sentimentally at the capital where she had spent seventeen years and turned to ask him, “Have you ever been up here on the city tower?”

“Of course not,” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow. “Unless something unexpected happens, a military governor wielding significant power won’t set foot here for the rest of his life.”

“What kind of unexpected event?”

Naturally, it would be the day a military governor leads his troops into Chang’an—

Yuan Ce smiled faintly. “You.”

Jiang Zhiyi smiled as she gazed into the distance. “Though I can only show you the outer city walls. Even I cannot ascend the palace walls.”

Indeed, the outer city walls were two zhang high, while the palace walls soared over three zhang. Even from here, one couldn’t glimpse the entirety of that majestic and deeply guarded palace.

That palace, where life and death were decided at will, was heavily protected in the most impregnable northern center of Chang’an.

Yuan Ce squinted as he stared into the distance at the deep palace, his eyes narrowing as if envisioning countless cavalry thundering through the streets of Chang’an, storming through the palace gates. The palace walls crumbled, bricks shattered, and the palace was engulfed in roaring flames, vanishing into ashes in an instant.

“Look, that’s Chongren Ward, where your uncle resides—” Jiang Zhiyi suddenly hooked her arm through Yuan Ce’s.

The vivid red scene in his mind abruptly faded. Yuan Ce paused, following the direction Jiang Zhiyi pointed.

“That’s Yongxing Ward, where your mother lives, and Shengye Ward, where Sister Baojia resides. That’s my home before I turned seven, and that’s the Western Market we used to visit together…”

Yuan Ce looked toward each place she mentioned, his tightly clenched fist slowly loosening by his side.

“Who knows what it’ll look like the next time we return,” Jiang Zhiyi sighed. “Tonight, Chang’an is holding a lantern festival—it’ll be especially lively. It’s such a pity we won’t see it. Next year on this day, you must accompany me to enjoy the festivities!”

Yuan Ce blinked but didn’t respond.

The incessant chatter beside him continued lamenting the missed lantern festival, going on and on about how grand tonight’s celebrations should have been.

Yuan Ce lowered his eyelids and glanced down at the base of the city tower. “Alright, Governor Fan has already left, irritated by you. Let’s go down.”

________________________________________

After leaving the city gates, Jiang Zhiyi’s carriage met up with Xuan Ce Army outside the city.

Mu Xinhong had already departed ahead of time with the main force of the Xuan Ce Army, while Yuan Ce only brought along a dozen elite soldiers and Li Dafeng to accompany them.

Traveling along the official road wasn’t too bumpy. After sitting in the carriage for a while, Jiang Zhiyi would lie down when tired, then sit back up to read or chat idly with Yuan Ce outside the window. When mealtime came, they would heat up pre-prepared food using a small stove inside the carriage. However, Yuan Ce didn’t eat with her; instead, he ate dry rations with the soldiers outside.

After a full day in the carriage, though they hadn’t endured harsh conditions, her body still felt weary.

By nightfall, the group arrived at the post station. Yuan Ce lifted Jiang Zhiyi out of the carriage, and she finally stretched her limbs, moving around to loosen her muscles outside the station.

The station master hurried out to greet them. “Your Highness, Young General Shen, dinner for both you and the soldiers has been prepared. Tonight is the Lantern Festival—please come in quickly to enjoy some sweet dumplings!”

Post stations provided free lodging and meals for passing officials. However, since Jiang Zhiyi’s journey was considered personal, silver had been sent ahead to each station along the way.

This station was still near the capital and was quite luxurious due to its proximity to the emperor’s domain. It was adorned with bright red lanterns for the Lantern Festival.

Jiang Zhiyi and Yuan Ce entered together. Just as they stepped into the courtyard, a familiar female voice suddenly called out: “You kept me waiting so long!”

Jiang Zhiyi froze, raising her eyes to see Princess Baojia, who should have been dozens of miles away, approaching in a dashing riding outfit.

“Sister, what are you doing here?!” Jiang Zhiyi exclaimed in surprise.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye earlier, so I thought I’d come to spend the Lantern Festival with you.”

“...”

If Jiang Zhiyi remembered correctly, they had just shared a lavish feast and bid farewell for two whole hours yesterday.

Jiang Zhiyi slowly turned her head, glancing at Li Dafeng behind her, and coughed lightly. “Oh yes, I’ve been regretting not saying goodbye to Sister all along!”

“Regret not walking faster? I arrived an hour earlier on horseback.”

“Then thank you for waiting here like a rabbit in hiding!”

Princess Baojia turned and walked inside. “I’ll wait for you in the main room.”

Jiang Zhiyi turned back. “Then Physician Li, why don’t you join us for dinner in the main room?”

Li Dafeng glanced at Princess Baojia’s retreating figure and clasped his hands. “Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness, but I’ll dine with the soldiers in the side room.”

Jiang Zhiyi nudged Yuan Ce’s arm gently and whispered, “What about your unyielding military orders?”

Yuan Ce glanced at Li Dafeng. “Military orders.”

Li Dafeng: “...”

After pondering for a moment, Yuan Ce addressed Jiang Zhiyi. “Since the princess has arrived, you’ll stay in the main room with her tonight. I’ll have dinner and then go out for a while. Rest early—you don’t need to wait for me.”

“What are you going out for in the middle of the night?” Jiang Zhiyi’s brows drooped in disappointment. “I was thinking that since we’re not traveling tonight, we could at least make lanterns and celebrate the Lantern Festival here at the station...”

“I’ll scout the road ahead for tomorrow. You celebrate with the princess,” Yuan Ce signaled to Li Dafeng. “While I’m not at the station, keep an eye on things here.”

Li Dafeng saw the seriousness in his eyes and nodded. “Go ahead—I’ll take care of it.”

________________________________________

Past midnight, the night was cool as water.

A hundred miles away from the station, far from the Lantern Festival lights, a group of exiles in shackles huddled under thin blankets against tree trunks, resting fitfully.

Nearby, a few bailiffs guarding the prisoners clinked their wine jugs and drank heartily. “On this Lantern Festival, everyone else is enjoying the festivities in the city, but here we are, stuck escorting these criminals...”

“Right? Why didn’t His Majesty just execute the Zhong family after they embezzled so much money? Exiling them is such a waste of resources...”

“Shh—keep your voice down. I heard someone powerful is backing Lord Kang Le, which is why he escaped execution. Who knows, maybe they’ll rise again after exile. Be careful what you say—we don’t want to offend anyone!”

The bailiffs chatted and drank until nearly four in the morning, eventually collapsing drunkenly by the campfire.

Zhong Boyong woke up when the noise suddenly stopped. Seeing the unconscious bailiffs by the fire, he elbowed his father beside him. “Father, Father...”

Lord Kang Le jolted awake.

“Father, something’s off about these bailiffs collapsing. Could someone have drugged their wine? Is Uncle Fan sending someone to rescue us?”

Lord Kang Le’s gaze darkened instantly, all traces of sleep gone as he straightened up and scanned the surroundings warily.

“Uncle Fan sparing our lives is already merciful. We’re less than two hundred miles from the capital—he wouldn’t dare risk rescuing us...”

Zhong Boyong shivered involuntarily.

From imprisonment to exile, enduring inhumane torture, he finally understood his father’s earlier warnings—why he shouldn’t provoke Shen Yuance.

Back in May of the previous year, Shen Yuance faced a life-or-death crisis in Hexi when the main force of the Xuan Ce Army was annihilated. It had all been orchestrated by Zhong Boyong’s father.

His father, caught embezzling military funds years ago, had been blackmailed by Fan Denian and forced to work for the Fan family ever since.

As a pawn for Fan Denian, his father had thoroughly offended the Shen family. Yet Zhong Boyong, blinded by arrogance, dared to provoke Shen Yuance for the sake of his younger brother’s leg...

But it was all too late now. All they could do was survive and seek revenge when the opportunity arose.

Still, the silence of the bailiffs was unnervingly strange...

Zhong Boyong’s hair stood on end. “If the person who drugged the wine isn’t here to save us, then...”

“They’re here to kill you.” A young male voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Lord Kang Le and Zhong Boyong whipped their heads around.

In the pitch-black night, a youth dressed in black gripped the sword at his waist, stepping forward through the broken stones and tall grass. Gradually illuminated by the campfire, his tall, lean silhouette emerged, revealing sharp eyebrows, piercing eyes, and a chiseled face.

Yuan Ce: “Long time no see, Young Master Zhong.”

Zhong Boyong trembled, trying to scramble up, but his shackles tangled, causing him to collapse onto the ground. He could only crawl backward awkwardly.

Several other sons of the Zhong family also awoke, seeing the scene unfold. One by one, they scrambled away in terror.

“Shen Yuance—” Lord Kang Le stood up, positioning himself in front of his sons. Raising his shackled hands, he tried to placate Yuan Ce. “I know you hate me to the bone, but your true enemy isn’t me. Spare us, and I’ll tell you—the mastermind behind all this is—”

“Hedong, seeking to weaken Hexi’s power. Fan Denian, aiming to crown the second prince as heir. And the second prince, striving for the throne.” Yuan Ce stopped, gripping his sword. “I already know all this. Does Lord Kang Le have any other bargaining chips to trade for your lives?”

Lord Kang Le paled, gasping for breath. “I hold evidence of Fan Denian colluding with foreign tribes...”

“If Fan Denian were that foolish, why isn’t Hedong under your control? If the emperor cares about evidence, why are you still standing here?”

Lord Kang Le took a deep breath. “What do you want? Name it—I’ll serve you without question!”

“That offer sounds sincere enough,” Yuan Ce smirked. “Unfortunately, I don’t lack cattle or horses—I just want to send you to hell.”

Staring at the fleeting murderous intent in Yuan Ce’s eyes, Lord Kang Le knew there was no persuading him. Swallowing nervously, he bent down and pulled a dagger from his boot.

Yuan Ce chuckled softly, drawing his sword. The blade gleamed as he raised it horizontally.

Lord Kang Le blocked with the dagger, but before it touched the sword, Yuan Ce moved like a ghost, darting past him.

Lord Kang Le turned in shock, screaming, “No—!”

With a swift motion, the sword slashed across. In an instant, several young men clutched their bleeding necks, their eyes wide open as they collapsed lifelessly.

“Shen Yuance—! On the fifteenth day of the first month, the gods watch over all actions. You’ll meet a terrible end—”

The sound of shackles clinking echoed as Lord Kang Le screamed, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Yuan Ce as he charged forward with the dagger.

Yuan Ce flicked his wrist, thrusting the sword backward. With a piercing sound, the blade pierced through flesh, straight into the heart.

The shackled figure’s eyes widened as he slowly knelt, then collapsed.

Yuan Ce turned, gripping the sword hilt and pulling it free.

Blood splattered three feet away. Nearby, the crackling campfire flickered, illuminating the thick liquid dripping from the sword tip.

The wind carried the heavy stench of blood across the dark wilderness.

Yuan Ce raised his hand, curling his index finger to wipe the blood from his cheek with his knuckle. He glanced down at the lifeless bodies at his feet—

“You know it’s the fifteenth day of the first month tonight.”

“And you still rushed to be exiled right in front of me.”

“You ruined my fiancée’s chance to see the lanterns.”