CXD - 53

The look in Yuan Ce’s eyes shifted subtly as they rested on Jiang Zhiyi. Jingzhe, standing behind the divan, held her breath, feeling a chill run down her spine as she anxiously watched the Princess struggle with her opening gambit.

Jiang Zhiyi slowly raised her eyelids, staring at Yuan Ce’s face. Hidden behind her handkerchief, she pressed her lips together—lips that could not tolerate insincerity.

As she gazed at the man before her, memories of his past insults overlapped with his current presence. She thought about how he had witnessed so many of her embarrassing moments over the past few months. Even if this was all an act, forcing herself to utter even the first syllable of “Brother Ace” was already the greatest concession she could make.

If she couldn’t call him that, could she say something else to convince him she was still deluded?

Jiang Zhiyi strained her already overtaxed mind, trying to think of what to say next.

Just as the tension reached its peak, the pair of black leather boots that had lingered outside finally crossed the threshold.

Jiang Zhiyi straightened her back, sitting up even more rigidly.

“Did you catch a chill?” Yuan Ce asked in a casual tone, turning to close the door behind him. He seemed to notice nothing amiss.

Jingzhe exhaled in relief and quickly signaled to Jiang Zhiyi: the next sentence must not give her away.

Jiang Zhiyi caught the hint and nodded. “Yes.”

Jingzhe: “...”

Such a harsh, abrupt “yes”—even a walnut shell wouldn’t be as unyielding as that response.

Realizing her misstep, Jiang Zhiyi quickly coughed lightly. “It’s all… your fault for coming back so late. I’ve been sitting here, my heart growing colder by the minute!”

Well, at least this line wasn’t hard to deliver—it was true, after all.

Yuan Ce blinked twice where he stood, then approached her. “I heard you wanted to leave the estate today?”

“Mm.”

From behind, Jingzhe grew anxious and discreetly poked Jiang Zhiyi’s back.

The Princess herself might not have noticed, but as an observer, Jingzhe saw how drastically different Jiang Zhiyi was now compared to just days ago, when she had been sweet and talkative in front of General Shen. Now, she could barely force out a single word…

“Last night I didn’t stay out long before fainting,” Jiang Zhiyi added stiffly after catching Jingzhe’s hint. “I wanted to go out again during the day, but who would’ve thought your men would dare stop me…”

Yuan Ce sat down beside her and reached out to drape his arm around her shoulder.

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyelashes fluttered, and she abruptly jumped up and backed away, every inch of her—from her hair to her toes—tense like a startled bird.

Yuan Ce’s outstretched arm hung empty in the air. He raised his head, one eyebrow arching slightly.

Watching his surprised expression, Jiang Zhiyi felt a dirge of despair begin to play in her heart. Pretending to be foolish was proving much harder than she had imagined.

Slowly, Yuan Ce withdrew his arm, letting his fingertips rest idly on his knee. “Are you upset about this?”

Of course she should be upset. If pretending to be foolish wasn’t working, at least being upset shouldn’t be too difficult…

Jiang Zhiyi steadied herself, finally finding words that suited her role. With a stern face, she said, “You’ve figured it out, then. I’m alone here with no family or friends. You’re never around, and now you won’t even let me go out to pass the time?”

Yuan Ce leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees as he looked at her. “So what do you want me to do?”

“Starting tonight—no, tomorrow—you’ll keep those menacing lackeys of yours out of my sight. They make me uncomfortable!”

“Fine. I’ll have them stay out of your view.”

“And I want to come and go freely. Even in Chang’an, His Majesty allows me unrestricted access. Are you treating me like a prisoner here?”

“Agreed. But Güzang is a chaotic place. If you go out, you’ll either go with me, or I’ll send someone to protect you.”

Protect her? In her opinion, the most dangerous person here was him. Güzang might be chaotic, but his men weren’t mixed at all—they were all villains!

Jiang Zhiyi clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeves. “Do we really have to do it this way?”

Yuan Ce: “We really have to.”

Jiang Zhiyi frowned in irritation and nodded. “Fine. A compromise. Deal.”

Yuan Ce tilted his chin slightly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Are you making a business deal with me?”

Jiang Zhiyi remained expressionless. “If I can still make deals with you while I’m unhappy, you should burn incense and thank the heavens.”

“So everything’s settled? Are you feeling better now?”

“What if I’m not better? What then?”

“I’ve dealt with a mess of things at the camp today and I’m a bit tired,” Yuan Ce said, holding out his hand to her. “If you’re feeling better, why don’t you come sit with me for a while?”

Jiang Zhiyi glanced down at his open palm.

If she hadn’t recovered her memory, she would place her hand in his now, asking what had happened, and lean against him as she sat on the divan…

Jiang Zhiyi shook her head, dispelling the unpleasant images from her mind.

…Did escaping this house really require such a high price?

“Hmm?” Yuan Ce extended his hand again.

Detecting what might—or might not—be a probing look in his eyes, Jiang Zhiyi gritted her teeth and slowly extended her hand.

But as her fingers neared his, her very hair seemed to bristle in resistance.

At the last moment, she slapped his palm sharply, giving him a high-five instead.

Yuan Ce: “...”

“It’s a business deal. We seal it with a handshake. I forgot earlier,” Jiang Zhiyi quickly explained before he could react. She hurried forward and sat down in the farthest corner of the divan.

Yuan Ce glanced at the space between them—enough room for two more people—and turned to look at her. “Do I have thorns on me that might prick you?”

“...I have thorns. I’m afraid I might prick you.” Jiang Zhiyi clutched her hands defensively in front of her. Thinking their conversation was over, she wondered why he hadn’t left yet. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Didn’t you say you were tired? You should rest early.”

“I am resting right now.”

“Sitting doesn’t count as resting. Sleeping does.”

Yuan Ce glanced at her bed. “Then can I borrow your bed to sleep on?”

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes widened slowly, her back stiffening as she turned her head. “Don’t you have a bed in your own room?”

“My room doesn’t have you in it.”

“...”

Some distant, painful memories surged into her mind. Jiang Zhiyi’s heart trembled, and she turned her head away, closing her eyes in frustration.

“So now that you’ve made your demands, you’re kicking me out? Has the princess finished using me and decided to discard me?” Yuan Ce propped his head on his hand as he looked at her.

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense and the Princess struggling to keep up appearances, Jingzhe quickly intervened. “General Shen, the Princess is upset, so naturally her words may sound harsh. But deep down, she cares for you. Look, every word she says is meant to encourage you to rest early!”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded slightly, signaling that Jingzhe’s words were correct.

Yuan Ce silently observed her for a moment. Then, without a word, he pushed himself up from his seated position and took a couple of steps before turning back. “I’ll still be out during the day tomorrow, but I can spare some time around noon. If you’d like me to accompany you, send someone to let me know.”

Jiang Zhiyi gave a faint “Oh,” watching him linger in place as if waiting for some parting words. Reluctantly, she opened her noble lips: “Take care.”

“...”

The next afternoon, Jiang Zhiyi, accompanied by Jingzhe and Guyu, climbed into a carriage bound for the streets.

As Yuan Ce had said last night, he was absent from the estate again during the day. Therefore, unless something unexpected happened, this would likely be her last chance to leave the mansion.

The act of pretending felt like a thorn in her throat, a needle in her back, or sitting on pins and needles. Jiang Zhiyi simply could not endure such humiliation. Pretending for even one more day might cause her to lose control, so she resolved to seize the earliest opportunity to escape.

Today—she absolutely had to leave Shen Yuance and Güzang.

Last night, Yuan Ce had mentioned that he could free up some time at noon, so she deliberately waited until after noon before setting out, claiming she wanted to shop on the streets.

Inside the moving carriage, mistress and maids exchanged tense glances.

The coachman and accompanying guards were all members of the Xiance Army. Jiang Zhiyi remembered Yuan Ce mentioning that these elite soldiers had extraordinary hearing. Thus, even inside the carriage, they couldn’t say much. Instead, they clasped each other’s hands, adding a sense of fatal urgency to their escape plan.

Upon reaching the bustling street, Jiang Zhiyi was helped down from the carriage by her maids. Just as she was about to dismiss the guards, a fresh-faced youth of fifteen or sixteen approached with a cheerful smile. “Madam, my name is Sanqi—like the number twenty-one—and I’m General Shen’s personal guard assigned to protect you. Wherever you go, I’ll follow!”

Jingzhe interjected, “Even when the Princess visits cosmetic shops or clothing stores, will you still follow?”

“Yes,” Sanqi replied. “Is there something inappropriate about that, Madam?”

Jiang Zhiyi scrutinized his armor. “Dressed like that, won’t you scare away the customers in those shops? Must I become an unwelcome sight wherever I go?”

Sanqi glanced down at himself and quickly stripped off his armor. In no time, he revealed an ordinary civilian outfit.

Jiang Zhiyi: “...”

“Madam is right to correct me. General Shen reminded me of this, and I almost forgot!” Sanqi grinned, dimples forming on his cheeks. “Madam, I’ll stay ten paces behind you and won’t trouble you. Look at your heavenly beauty! If ruffians notice you, it could be dangerous!”

“...” So this was the man Shen Yuan Ce had specifically chosen—an affable speaker with charming dimples.

She had already experienced how persistent these soldiers were. Each one valued military orders above all else, willing to shed blood or sacrifice their lives rather than disobey their general’s commands. Even her status as a princess couldn’t override their devotion to duty.

Time was short, and she couldn’t afford to waste it here.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the tall, imposing soldiers behind her. Compared to them, Sanqi seemed smaller and leaner. With a flick of her sleeve, she turned and walked into the crowd, tacitly accepting his presence.

Sanqi quietly followed along.

With Jingzhe on her left and Guyu on her right, Jiang Zhiyi strolled forward for a while before entering a two-story clothing shop. Pretending to browse, she randomly pointed at a long skirt and said she wanted to try it on.

The female shopkeeper eagerly led her upstairs to the second floor.

Sanqi followed up to the staircase landing but was stopped by Jingzhe.

Jingzhe accompanied Jiang Zhiyi into a private fitting room, slipping the shopkeeper a gold leaf to fetch more garments. After closing the door, she whispered to Guyu: “You stay with the Princess and help her try on garment after garment. Every time she finishes one, say she’s dissatisfied and wants another.”

Then, turning to Jiang Zhiyi, she said, “I’ll bring a horse as quickly as possible to take you to meet the envoy from the Ministry of Rites.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded.

Last night, after calming down, she had thought carefully. If she were to escape, she needed to do it swiftly, decisively, and ruthlessly. She didn’t entertain any fantasies of riding a thousand miles back to Chang’an with just Jingzhe. Shen Yuance clearly intended to keep her, and once he discovered her absence, he would surely pursue her. Not only were they no match for him on foot, but their horses wouldn’t outrun his either.

Thus, she had painstakingly recalled one thing.

Earlier in the year, during the first lunar month, the Queen of Xiluo suddenly fell critically ill. The Xiluo delegation hastily returned west, accompanied by imperial physicians sent by the court. Diplomatic affairs were always handled by the Ministry of Rites, and it was unthinkable for a physician to travel alone with the Xiluo delegation. There must have been officials from the Ministry of Rites accompanying them.

The delegation had departed nearly half a month earlier than her, traveling faster and heading farther west. Calculating this, it was possible that the Ministry of Rites’ official was currently on the return journey and would pass through Güzang.

After hearing this, Jingzhe had discreetly inquired and, coincidentally, learned that the official from the Ministry of Rites was indeed arriving in Güzang today and might stay overnight to rest.

Though likely a minor official, anyone dispatched by the emperor to handle such significant matters held the title of “imperial envoy.” Killing an imperial envoy was akin to challenging the emperor himself, making this person invaluable as her lifeline—the sole connection between her and the capital amidst Shen Yuan Ce’s overwhelming influence in Hexi.

Even if she couldn’t immediately follow the envoy back, sending an urgent message to the capital via this official would ensure that the letter couldn’t be intercepted by Shen Yuance.

After watching Jingzhe leap out of the second-floor window, Jiang Zhiyi pretended to try on clothes inside the fitting room, occasionally raising her voice to complain—

“How difficult is it to put on this dress?”

“It doesn’t look good; bring me another one.”

“I don’t like this color!”

After what felt like an eternity, a small pebble finally struck the second-floor window.

Jiang Zhiyi hurried over, leaned out, and looked down to see Jingzhe mounted on a tall horse waiting in the alley below. Jingzhe whispered softly, “Princess, hurry and come down!”

Seeing Jingzhe appear like a heroic figure descending from the heavens, Jiang Zhiyi was deeply moved and nodded.

Everything had gone so smoothly that it almost felt unbelievable—until she realized she couldn’t step onto the windowsill.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyi feel a sense of reality sink in.

Indeed, escaping always came with trials.

Seeing Jiang Zhiyi frozen in place on the windowsill, Guyu exerted force from behind, lifting her slightly.

Jiang Zhiyi cautiously sat on the windowsill, slowly dangling her legs over the edge. Peering down, she felt dizzy.

From the ground, the second floor appeared modest, but now, preparing to jump, it seemed to have transformed into a fourth-floor height.

Below, Jingzhe positioned herself on the horse, arms outstretched, signaling with her eyes for Jiang Zhiyi to trust her and jump. She assured her that she would catch her.

Sitting on the windowsill, Jiang Zhiyi dangled her delicate boots, taking deep breaths to steady her pounding heart.

Guyu, recognizing this familiar scene, encouraged her in a hushed tone: “Princess, four months ago, you scaled such a high wall for General Shen. Surely today, you can jump from this height for him too!”

“...”

What clever words—they instantly reignited her anger.

Shen Yuance, you despicable scoundrel!

Jiang Zhiyi closed her eyes, breathing deeply and cursing him furiously in her mind. Summoning her courage, she leaped straight down.

For a fleeting moment in mid-air, it felt as though an entire lifetime passed. All she could hear was the wind rushing past her ears. Fighting back the scream rising in her throat, she tightly shut her eyes.

The next instant, she felt herself securely caught in Jingzhe’s arms, safely landing on the horse.

Like a drifting duckweed finding its haven, Jiang Zhiyi’s wildly beating heart calmed, and she opened her eyes gratefully—

Only to meet a pair of dark, somber eyes.

“Princess!” At the same moment, Jingzhe, who had been shoved aside by a suddenly appearing fast horse, shouted loudly.

Jiang Zhiyi focused her gaze downward, taking in her predicament—

On the horse sat Yuan Ce, and she lay slanted in his arms.

Jiang Zhiyi trembled violently, her face pale as frost.

Yuan Ce pulled her closer. “How did trying on clothes result in falling? Were you frightened?”

...Was it the fall that scared her?

Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t stop trembling, curling herself into a tight ball. “How… how did you end up here…”

“Because I heard you cursing me,” Yuan Ce lowered his gaze at her, exhaling faintly. “My little ancestor.”