CXD - 59

The master and her two maids, along with the dog, stared wide-eyed at the figure outside who looked as if he had just stepped out of a bath. After a long silence, Jiang Zhiyi hesitantly asked: “What happened to you...?”

Yuan Ce’s expression was slightly unnatural as he pointed to the dog in her arms. “Same as it—caught in the rain.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked down at the dog, then back up at Yuan Ce. “You were caught in the rain?”

Yuan Ce coughed lightly and nodded.

Holding the dog, Jiang Zhiyi stepped closer, squinting suspiciously as she observed the wisp of steam rising from his head. “Then why is the dog shivering from the cold, while you’re emitting heat?”

Yuan Ce: “...”

He should have known Mu Xinhong wasn’t reliable. When he asked for a bucket of water, the man, fearing Yuan Ce might catch a chill, brought him a bucket of hot bathing water.

“You didn’t look like this when you walked for two hours in the rain last time. Who are you trying to fool…?”

“Last time, someone wiped my face for me. This time, no one did.” Yuan Ce fixed his gaze on her.

“...”

Slowly, the occupants of the room—the two humans and the dog—shifted their eyes toward Jiang Zhiyi.

Feeling awkward, Jiang Zhiyi turned away, still holding the dog. “...Serves you right for not having anyone wipe your face.”

“If no one will wipe my face, can I at least take shelter from the rain?”

“The rain stopped ages ago. What are you still avoiding…?” Before she could finish, a chilly breeze swept through the open doorway, causing Jiang Zhiyi to shiver involuntarily.

Quick as lightning, Yuan Ce stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

“Are you a thief? Who gave you permission to come in?” Jiang Zhiyi frowned at him.

“Isn’t the open door making you cold?”

“You could’ve closed it from outside.”

“I’m cold too.”

“...In February, this much rain wouldn’t even count as rain. In March, even I feel cold. The weather changes more than you do.”

Before they could exchange another word, water began dripping off Yuan Ce’s drenched figure, quickly forming a puddle on the floor.

“Look at you...” Jiang Zhiyi sighed exasperatedly at the mess. Turning to her maids, she urged, “Hurry up and clean this up. My room is flooding!”

Guyu and Jingzhe quickly sprang into action. One wiped the floor, while the other handed Yuan Ce a dry towel.

The one wiping the floor had barely cleaned up one puddle when another appeared.

Meanwhile, the maid handing over towels watched as the first towel became soaked, prompting her to hand over a second.

Jiang Zhiyi sat on the chaise lounge with the dog in her arms, sighing. “How can you dry off without changing clothes? I don’t have any clothes for you here. Just go back to your room...”

As soon as she finished speaking, a dark blur flashed past. “General!”

Yuan Ce raised his hand, catching a bundle that had been thrown through the half-open window.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the window and the swiftly retreating figure of Mu Xinhong outside. “...”

Yuan Ce: “Then I’ll go change inside.”

“You dare wet my inner chamber again? Change here and leave immediately.” With that, Jiang Zhiyi carried the dog into the inner room, followed by her two maids, who discreetly retreated.

Once inside, Jiang Zhiyi began rubbing the little Pekingese’s head, much like how she used to with Tiger. “Have you eaten yet?”

Outside the door, Yuan Ce paused in the act of removing his belt, surprised. “No.”

Jiang Zhiyi slowly turned her head toward the partially open door. “I was asking the dog, not you.”

Silence fell outside for a moment before the sound of the belt buckle hitting the floor echoed crisply.

Jiang Zhiyi flinched, as if she had seen the belt fall before her eyes. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she called out, “What’s the name of your dog?”

Yuan Ce: “Wait for you to decide.”

Considering the dog had braved the rain for her today, Jiang Zhiyi thought carefully but couldn’t come up with a meaningful name. They say dogs resemble their masters...

“What’s your name—Shen something?”

The person outside fell silent for a moment. “Didn’t I tell you, you can call me Shen Yuance.”

“Who names themselves so strangely, sharing a name with their brother… If you don’t want to say, fine.”

“My name is Yuan Ce.”

Jiang Zhiyi was taken aback. “Shen Yuance’s—Yuan Ce?”

Yuan Ce said nothing more.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked, suddenly recalling some fragmented memories.

The day her foot injury healed, she and Yuan Ce went to the Western Market together. After a bout of jealousy with Pei Xueqing, she forced him to swear an oath. He swore under the name “Yuan Ce” that he had never dallied with women, but when it came to pledging his loyalty to her, he used the name “Shen Yuance.”

“Even taking an oath, you find loopholes everywhere. Truly clever.” Jiang Zhiyi sneered.

Yuan Ce also remembered this incident. “Later, when you asked for ‘Yuan Ce,’ didn’t I swear the oath again?”

...It seemed so. She had been angry and acted hastily.

But why was she angry? She wasn’t Yi Yi from those romance novels anymore. What use were such trivial oaths?

Frowning slightly, Jiang Zhiyi lowered her gaze to the white ball of fluff in her arms. After a moment, she said, “I’m only temporarily sheltering you from the rain. You’ll eventually return to your master. Since your master’s surname is Yuan, we’ll call you Yuan Tuan.”

Yuan Ce listened from outside, confirming each syllable: “Yuan... Tuan?”

At the sound of his master’s voice, Yuan Tuan’s fur stood on end, and he leapt out of Jiang Zhiyi’s arms.

“Hey!” Startled, Jiang Zhiyi chased after him, running into the outer room. As the whiteness of the dog blurred past her vision, so did the whiteness of Yuan Ce.

Slowly raising her eyes, Jiang Zhiyi saw Yuan Ce standing there, half-naked and glistening with moisture. His broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuated his defined muscles, and the droplets of water traced their way down his chest, disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants...

Her mind reeled. Blinking dazedly, she stammered, “Y-you turn around this instant!”

As she spoke, she quickly turned away herself.

Caught off guard, Yuan Ce turned his back to her, glancing down at himself. “...It’s not like you haven’t seen me before.”

“When have I ever seen you?”

“The first day we entered the capital, you saw me.”

...It seemed that was true. But she remembered that she had easily caught him changing clothes that day, and he hadn’t seemed to care about covering himself.

“So you and your brother have the same face—and even the same body?”

“Do you see me as my brother?”

“...”

“You’ll be disappointed. Our bodies aren’t the same.” Yuan Ce tossed aside the towel he had been using to dry himself.

“How can they be different without raising suspicion?” Jiang Zhiyi asked curiously.

“Our builds are similar, and after three years, it’s normal for my physique to have become stronger. None of this needs to be hidden. What needs to be concealed, I’ve already concealed.”

“What did you hide?”

“Old scars and thick calluses on my hands.”

Jiang Zhiyi raised her head and looked at the bronze mirror. In its reflection, the nineteen-year-old youth’s back was marred by several jagged scars. She couldn’t tell what weapons had caused them—perhaps swords or spears.

So these scars belonged to him, but not to Shen Yuance.

Jiang Zhiyi stared in silence for a long while. “...But aren’t these scars still there?”

“Old scars naturally don’t fade. To make them look fresh, I simply made it appear as though my brother had recently sustained these injuries.”

“How do you make them look fresh...?” Jiang Zhiyi’s mouth hung open. No matter how she thought about it, there seemed to be only one method, and it was horrifying.

“I simply reopened all of them.” Yuan Ce said it lightly.

Jiang Zhiyi gasped, her breath catching. Trembling, she steadied herself against the dressing table, visions of bloody, mutilated flesh flashing before her eyes.

...No wonder he thought she was overreacting whenever he got injured in the capital.

Yuan Ce seemed to sense something and turned his head to look at her stiff back, raising an eyebrow slightly. “It’s not like the scars are on you. What are you afraid of?”

Jiang Zhiyi swallowed hard, steadying herself before continuing. “So how did you get these scars?”

She had guessed that Lord Shen must have kept this son who couldn’t show his face in Hexi. If Yuan Ce had so many old wounds, could it be that he joined the army from a young age?

“Some were from military service after I turned ten, others were from martial arts training as a child.”

“Martial arts training could leave such injuries? Don’t they have instructors supervising at academies like yours?”

“If everyone trained like those flower vases, how would we win battles?” Yuan Ce put on his outer garment, fastened his belt, and turned around. “Besides, when have I ever been to an academy?”

Jiang Zhiyi also turned around. “Then where did you train in martial arts?”

“In places no one could see.”

“Most of your wounds are on your back. Were you ambushed during private training?”

“If it happens on the battlefield, it must happen in training too.” Yuan Ce still sounded utterly matter-of-fact.

Jiang Zhiyi was left speechless, overwhelmed first by shock at a world she had never heard of or seen—one filled with horrifying truths—and then chilled to the bone by the realization of what it meant.

These twins, sharing a name, grew up in unseen, life-or-death combat training since childhood, their lives constantly hanging by a thread for years...

No wonder he had said not to approach him while he slept.

And that day—was truly the first time he had walked openly through the night market in Güzang.

“Did you willingly choose all of this?” Jiang Zhiyi asked incredulously.

Yuan Ce blinked, as if he had never been asked this question before, nor expected her curiosity to end with such a query.

“...I guess so.” After a long pause, Yuan Ce casually answered, picking up his soaked clothes. “If you don’t welcome me, I’ll leave.”

“Oh...” Jiang Zhiyi nodded, watching him step out the door. Suddenly, she called out, “Yuan Ce.”

Yuan Ce froze mid-step, turning his head back, seemingly startled.

In Chang’an, people had called him by that name, but they were always referring to his brother. Rarely, and not for a long time, had anyone used “Yuan Ce” to address him personally.

Jiang Zhiyi felt awkward after saying it—it did seem strange, as if she were affectionately calling Shen Yuance. But he went by that name, so...

“What is it?” Yuan Ce’s hoarse voice met her gaze, pulling her eyes toward him.

Jiang Zhiyi shifted her gaze slightly, pointing to a small red clay stove nearby. “Do you want to take some ginger tea with you...?”

________________________________________

The next morning, Jiang Zhiyi was having breakfast in the inner courtyard when Jingzhe informed her that Pei Xueqing had arrived early at the estate.

“Did she come alone?” Jiang Zhiyi looked up from her porridge.

Jingzhe: “Yes. But if you want to send a message to Master Pei, it should be possible. It seems General Shen isn’t hiding Pei Xueqing’s visit.”

“How dare he hide it? After all, I’ve eaten—”

Jingzhe was startled. “Eaten what?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Zhiyi avoided eye contact, lowering her head to sip more porridge. For now, she had no new messages for Pei Zisong, but she should apologize to Pei Xueqing. “If it weren’t for me, her jade pendant wouldn’t have broken. I wonder if Yuan Ce returned it to her afterward...”

“Then let me accompany you. She’s in General Shen’s main hall.”

After finishing breakfast, rinsing her mouth, and grooming herself, Jiang Zhiyi left the courtyard. Just as she approached the main hall, she saw Pei Xueqing stepping out.

Pei Xueqing still wore her pale blue gown, her face hidden behind a veil. Upon seeing Jiang Zhiyi, she stopped and curtsied. “Princess.”

The last time Jiang Zhiyi had seen this scene was in January—not long ago—but so much had changed. It felt as though she had lived two lifetimes, leaving her with a surreal sensation.

Jiang Zhiyi stepped forward. “No need for formalities. Did you just arrive? Are you leaving already?”

“Not exactly. I made a bold request for General Shen to take me to pay respects—”

Pei Xueqing didn’t finish, but Jiang Zhiyi understood upon seeing the plain food box in her hands. Paying respects to Shen Yuance must have been Pei Xueqing’s primary purpose for traveling to Hexi.

It seemed Pei Xueqing had learned from Yuan Ce that Jiang Zhiyi also knew the truth. Now, there was no need for concealment, and they could speak frankly. “How could that be presumptuous? It’s only appropriate. But is he letting you go alone?”

“It’s hard to find the place. I’ll guide us there.” Recognizing the reproach in her tone, Yuan Ce emerged wearing light gear.

“Oh.” Jiang Zhiyi glanced up at him, recalling his shirtless state from last night, and responded awkwardly.

Yuan Ce cautiously glanced at her. “Do you want to come along? If you do, we can go together and save me from making two trips.”

Jiang Zhiyi opened her mouth to decline, but then thought about how uncertain her next meeting with Pei Xueqing might be. What if she left for the capital after paying respects? After pondering, she said, “Alright, count me in. I wanted to speak with Lady Pei anyway.”

“Alright?” He sounded reluctant. In front of someone else’s true love, her excuse was clever enough.

With a complex gaze, Yuan Ce escorted them out of the estate.

Since the place of worship was extremely private, neither Jiang Zhiyi nor Pei Xueqing brought their personal maids. This trip included only Yuan Ce and Sanqi, who served as their driver, steering an inconspicuous carriage.

The carriage drove out of Güzang City and headed toward an unknown mountain outside the city.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Zhiyi sat across from Pei Xueqing. “Lady Pei, I recently learned the full story. Please accept my apology. If it weren’t for my mistake, your jade pendant wouldn’t have shattered. I also said harsh words to you before, causing you much distress.”

Pei Xueqing looked apologetic and shook her head. “General Shen has already explained everything to me. How could I blame you when you didn’t know? If I were to blame you, I also caused you much suffering, so you should blame me too. Besides, I helped General Shen deceive you before, and I’ve always wanted to apologize...”

Yuan Ce sat cross-legged in the front compartment, turning his head. “No one blames anyone. Blame me.”

“How are you eavesdropping again?” Jiang Zhiyi lightly scolded him.

“Maybe you should ask why the carriage door doesn’t block sound.”

Pei Xueqing chuckled, glancing at Jiang Zhiyi’s flustered expression.

After about half an hour of bumpy travel on the outskirts, the carriage finally stopped at the foot of the mountain.

Jiang Zhiyi bent down first, reaching the carriage door. As she lowered her eyes to find a spot to step, a pair of arms lifted her down vertically.

Jiang Zhiyi almost cried out but remembered Pei Xueqing behind her and suppressed the sound. After landing, she steadied herself by holding onto Yuan Ce’s waist, her eyes flickering as she looked up at him.

A moment later, Pei Xueqing stepped down, supported by Sanqi’s arm, thanking him.

Sanqi took the food box from Pei Xueqing’s hands. “Lady Pei, don’t be polite. There’s quite a walk ahead. If you don’t mind, think of me as a male attendant and lean on me.”

“I wouldn’t mind at all. Thank you for the help.”

Sanqi moved the carriage to a concealed location and led Pei Xueqing up the mountain.

Jiang Zhiyi slowly turned her head to look at Yuan Ce. So her male attendant was—

Yuan Ce: “Disgusted?”

“I didn’t say that.” Jiang Zhiyi averted her gaze.

“If you want me to carry you on my back, that’s fine too. After all, I’m just a male attendant.”

“...Not necessary.” Jiang Zhiyi turned and followed Pei Xueqing and Sanqi. Looking down, she saw a steep slope ahead and had to stop.

A familiar hand appeared in her line of sight.

Silently, Jiang Zhiyi grabbed Yuan Ce’s forearm and stepped up, using it as leverage.

The rarely visited wilderness proved difficult to traverse. Even though the weather was clear today and the ground dry, Sanqi had to clear tall grass and thorns as he led the way. Yuan Ce also stayed close to protect her, yet Jiang Zhiyi found the journey exhausting, soon panting heavily with weak legs.

Looking ahead, she saw Pei Xueqing also breathing heavily but persevering, each step firm and determined.

Of course. How could her resolve compare to Pei Xueqing’s when it came to paying respects to Shen Yuance?

Seeing Jiang Zhiyi resting with her hand on her waist, hesitating to look up at the overgrown path that seemed endless, Yuan Ce held her arm and glanced at her. “Can’t walk anymore? Weren’t you eager to come earlier?”

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her voice. “I didn’t expect it to be like this...”

“If you had known, you wouldn’t have come?” Yuan Ce observed her strained expression.

Though she didn’t answer verbally, her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

“Jiang Zhiyi, I understand now,” Yuan Ce crossed his arms and stared at her.

“Understand... what?”

“You clearly don’t admire my brother nearly as much as Pei Xueqing does.” Yuan Ce nodded upward.

“...”

Jiang Zhiyi avoided his piercing gaze. “They’re a couple. I’m not...”

Mid-sentence, she spotted a colorful, slithering creature moving through the grass at her feet.

Before Yuan Ce could pull her away, Jiang Zhiyi let out a startled shriek and leapt up.

In the next instant, she clung to Yuan Ce, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and her legs around his waist.

Yuan Ce lightly adjusted his hold to steady her and glanced at the grass. “It’s just a harmless snake. It’s gone.”

Jiang Zhiyi, dizzy and breathless, looked down at him. “Just... a harmless snake? How can you say that so casually...”

Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow. “Oh—there’s actually a snake in these mountains?”

“Of course, it’s surprising! Why wouldn’t it be?” Jiang Zhiyi pressed a trembling hand to her wildly beating heart.

“It’s surprising,” Yuan Ce nodded solemnly. “You came to pay respects to my brother, and he sent a snake to scare you but didn’t scare Pei Xueqing. Clearly, whether alive or dead, my brother’s choices remain consistent. Therefore—”

“Therefore...?” Jiang Zhiyi lowered her eyes blankly.

“Therefore—” Yuan Ce looked up and smiled at her. “Stop liking my brother and like me instead.”