CXD - 69

Feeling Yuan Ce’s sudden tremor, the “perpetrator” herself also shuddered. Her tightly closed eyes fluttered open as she mustered her courage.

Looking at his thin lips, now pressed into a tight line from tension, and recalling the fleeting sensation of that earlier lick, Jiang Zhiyi belatedly felt her face heat up. She retreated slightly, like a thief caught in the act.

In the silence, neither offered an explanation nor asked questions. Only their deliberately subdued breathing rose and fell quietly.

Jiang Zhiyi knelt by Yuan Ce’s side, cautiously lifting her eyelids to peek at him. His eyes were covered by her palm, betraying no emotion. The shadow of his high nose bridge flickered in the candlelight. Despite his sharp angles, he always seemed to gently nuzzle her whenever they kissed...

Her heart swayed softly. After gazing at him for a moment, she slowly leaned down again.

A strand of hair slipped from behind her ear. She lowered her head and lightly kissed the tip of his nose, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Yuan Ce’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his jaw lifted slightly.

Jiang Zhiyi’s gaze dropped to his taut jawline. She moved closer and kissed his chin.

Yuan Ce’s breathing grew heavier, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

Following his movements, Jiang Zhiyi shifted her gaze downward, tilting her head to examine his Adam’s apple as if it were something novel.

As if aware of where she was looking, he swallowed again under her gaze.

Curious, Jiang Zhiyi blinked and cautiously leaned down, pressing a kiss to his Adam’s apple.

Yuan Ce finally raised his hand, gripping her wrist tightly and flipping her over.

In the next instant, the world spun upside down. Jiang Zhiyi’s black hair cascaded across the bed like a waterfall. Startled, she looked up to see him looming above her, his tall frame completely enveloping her, pulling her into his shadow. His eyes, fixed on her, were dark and turbulent, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

“... Fun?” Yuan Ce lowered his eyelids, his hoarse voice whispering the question.

Surrounded by his overwhelming presence, Jiang Zhiyi’s heartbeat raced to her throat. She glanced sideways at his hand tightly gripping her wrist and shrank back slightly: “It... it was okay...”

“You’ve been playing for so long, and it was just okay?”

“It was fun...”

Yuan Ce let out a soft hum: “So, are you done playing?”

“Almost...”

“Then—” Yuan Ce lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her plump, slightly upturned lips, “is it my turn?”

Before Jiang Zhiyi could respond, his scorching breath approached, and Yuan Ce had already leaned down to kiss her. Like a predator lying in wait, he skillfully parted her lips and delved inside with practiced ease.

Unaccustomed to such intensity after so long, Jiang Zhiyi trembled all over and instinctively tried to pull back.

The hand Yuan Ce had used to grip her wrist loosened, shifting instead to cup her chin, holding her firmly in place.

A faint moan escaped Jiang Zhiyi’s lips as she was forced to part them. It felt as though he intended to devour her whole, consuming her entirely, leaving her no room to breathe as he plundered her mouth relentlessly.

Clutching the bedding tightly, Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes remained closed, her long lashes trembling. Dizzy and overwhelmed, struggling to catch her breath, she weakly raised a hand to push against his shoulder.

Yuan Ce paused his movements, releasing her and raising his eyes.

Jiang Zhiyi half-opened her eyes, her flushed face beaded with sweat. After catching her breath, she managed to speak: “I wasn’t this rough earlier... Are you kissing me or eating me alive...”

Yuan Ce blinked: “Everyone has their own style. I didn’t question your methods when you were causing trouble earlier.”

“You wouldn’t dare question me!” Jiang Zhiyi glared at him. “Being favored by this duchess is your honor...”

“Then, Your Grace, tell me—how do you like to be kissed?”

Jiang Zhiyi cleared her throat, licked her lips, and slowly averted her gaze: “Like—last time was fine.”

“Last time?” Yuan Ce feigned a look of recollection. “What was last time like? Enlighten me, Your Grace—I don’t recall.”

Jiang Zhiyi turned her glare back on him, kicking him with her foot: “How dare you forget that! Then don’t kiss me anymore!”

“Understood, Your Grace. I’ll be gentler.” Yuan Ce lowered his eyes, his thumb gently caressing her glistening lips. He soothed her by rubbing the corner of her mouth before leaning down to kiss her once more.

________________________________________

Early the next morning, Jiang Zhiyi was awakened by the bright sunlight.

The quilt felt unbearably warm, especially the heat radiating from behind her, as if a charcoal stove had been lit. Drowsily opening her eyes, she wondered whether it was April or December. Lying on her side, she reached back and touched a warm chest. Instantly alert, she threw off the quilt and looked down to see an arm draped over her waist.

Turning her head, she discovered Yuan Ce lying behind her, his chin resting on her hair, peacefully asleep.

“Ah!” Jiang Zhiyi exclaimed, tugging the quilt and rolling out of his embrace in one swift motion.

Yuan Ce’s arm fell empty. He opened one eyelid, squinting at Jiang Zhiyi, who had distanced herself along with the quilt, and raised an eyebrow in question.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave before dawn?” Jiang Zhiyi pointed to the rising sun outside.

Last night, when Yuan Ce insisted on staying overnight, she had noticed the dark circles under his eyes and considered his exhausting journey here. Reluctantly, she agreed to let him stay, but only on the condition that he leave before sunrise.

“I woke up after dawn—since it’s already light...” Yuan Ce raised a hand to rub his neck.

“Don’t you usually go to the camp before dawn?”

“Do you think about what time I went to sleep last night?”

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyebrows twitched.

She wasn’t sure of the exact time. By her internal clock, it felt as though he had kissed her for half the night...

True, after traveling nonstop for a day and night, and then kissing her for half the night, even an emperor wouldn’t rise early for court...

“Then... have Jingzhe and Guyu come in? Did they see us?”

Yuan Ce slanted a glance at her: “When have you ever avoided them during our moments together?”

Jiang Zhiyi pouted: “It’s different now. I’ve already declared my intention to return to the capital and dissolve our engagement. If I change my mind so quickly...”

Thinking of Jingzhe and Guyu, who had helped her escape by jumping off the tower, Pei Zi Song, who used Minister Pei’s name to send an urgent letter over four hundred miles, Minister Pei himself, who unexpectedly meddled in someone else’s marriage affair from afar, her uncle, and the people he had sent to fetch her—now still on their way—Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t help but wonder how many faces she would have to lose.

“You mean—” Yuan Ce sat up straight, his eyes fixed on her, “you’re planning to go back on your word?”

Jiang Zhiyi immediately shook her head, muttering: “... I didn’t say that. This matter still needs consideration. You’ll just have to wait.”

Yuan Ce crossed his arms and looked at her sideways: “Then what was last night, when we slept together?”

“What does sleeping together mean? There are countless people who served Princess Baojia, and none of them demanded explanations.”

... That Li Dafeng. Unable to make the princess devoted to him, he even made his fiancée follow the example.

Yuan Ce turned away, laughing bitterly. He narrowed his eyes and said: “Fine. Since Your Grace considers me merely a ‘casual guest,’ be careful today. Don’t go out.”

“Why? Are you going to interfere with me again?”

Yuan Ce raised his thumb, gently wiping her lower lip: “Here—it’s swollen.”

A jolt ran through Jiang Zhiyi’s head. She touched her lips with her fingertips, recalling how they had kissed until they grew drowsy the previous night, and how he continued to peck her intermittently. Panic-stricken, she jumped off the bed and rushed to the dressing table. Looking into the bronze mirror, she turned around with tearful eyes, her face red: “Yuan, Ce—!”

“From now on, without my summons, you are forbidden from entering my bed!”

Jiang Zhiyi didn’t realize that lips could be so fragile. After years of eating without issue, half a night of kissing caused them to swell—indeed, they should be swollen.

However, seeing Yuan Ce unscathed and leaving entirely intact, Jiang Zhiyi felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction. Regretting her insufficient skill, she vowed to make him embarrassed next time.

But first, she needed some time to rest and recover before making another attempt.

After several days of recuperation, news arrived from the capital. It was reported that the case against Marquis Xuande had concluded; he was imprisoned for attempting to assassinate a reigning duchess and sentenced to execution in autumn.

Jiang Zhiyi learned this news immediately because, during her outing with Pei Xueqing, Yuan Ce had arranged for twenty members of the Xuan Ce Army to accompany her, creating a long trail behind her. Now San Qi came to report joyfully, saying she no longer needed to worry about anything and could freely go out for spring outings.

However, when Jiang Zhiyi heard this news, she wasn’t thinking about spring outings.

Seeing her seemingly low spirits, Jingzhe asked what was wrong. The punishment of this evildoer was something to be happy about.

Jiang Zhiyi sighed: “I’m just thinking about when this cycle of revenge will end. This whole incident started because Zhong Boyong and Zhuo Kuan plotted to make me sprain my ankle. Yuan Ce retaliated on my behalf, and then Marquis Xuande attempted to assassinate me to avenge his son... The Zhong family has been sentenced to exile, but there’s still a chance they might return one day. Who knows if it will lead to another storm of bloodshed.”

Jingzhe was puzzled: “Your Grace, didn’t you hear about the Zhong family’s situation from Young Master Shen? It seems unlikely they will return.”

“Why? Was the sentence changed?”

“No, all the male members of the Zhong family disappeared during their exile, presumably escaped. Escaped convicts can never return.”

“Really? He didn’t tell me. How do you know?”

“When I returned to the mansion from Zheng County in the first month, I saw Madam crying daily. The entire household was talking about it. They said the Zhong family made an unwise decision. Exile might have given them a chance to rise again, but by escaping, they would only face death if they ever reappeared.”

“Why did the Zhong family act so rashly?” Jiang Zhiyi sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, puzzled. “You said this happened in the first month... wasn’t it shortly after they were exiled from the capital?”

“Not long at all. They disappeared on the Lantern Festival night while still in the capital area, near Mount Cuo’e.”

“How did they choose the Lantern Festival night...” Jiang Zhiyi paused mid-sentence, her expression changing slightly.

The Lantern Festival? Wasn’t that the same day she and Yuan Ce departed for Hedong?

They set off for Hedong, and shortly after, the Zhong family fled. Could it be related to them?

But they traveled for over a month without encountering any danger.

Moreover, the Zhong family left first. It seemed unlikely they knew their route. If anyone knew, it should be Yuan Ce who knew the Zhong family’s movements...

Wait, Jiang Zhiyi carefully recalled the events. She remembered wanting to stay in Chang’an to see the lanterns before leaving, but Yuan Ce seemed eager to depart. Out of consideration, she agreed to leave on the Lantern Festival.

That night, they stayed at a post station. Yuan Ce went out, telling her to celebrate the festival with Madam Baojia...

If this coincidence wasn’t the Zhong family seeking Yuan Ce, but rather Yuan Ce seeking the Zhong family...

“Jingzhe,” Jiang Zhiyi nervously swallowed, suddenly struck by a terrifying thought. “How far is the first post station from Mount Cuo’e along the official road from Chang’an to Hedong? Could someone possibly make a round trip in one night?”

Jingzhe reflected on the terrain: “For ordinary people, it would be quite challenging. But with fast horses and skilled riders, it’s possible.”

Jiang Zhiyi slowly lowered her hand from her cheek, clenching it into a fist: “... So if the Zhong family continued northward into exile, and I continued northwest, would I still have the chance to reach them in one night?”

“Different directions. The further apart, the harder it would be to make a round trip in one night.”

“So, the Lantern Festival night was the last opportunity...” Jiang Zhiyi murmured absentmindedly, vaguely recalling that Yuan Ce returned the morning after the Lantern Festival with a faint smell of blood. When she asked him about it, he said he hunted a wild rabbit for her...

Jiang Zhiyi shivered.

“Your Grace, are you suspicious?” Jingzhe realized something upon hearing this.

It wasn’t suspicion. Jiang Zhiyi was almost certain such a coincidence was impossible.

Her desire to see the lanterns was clearly written on her face. Unless absolutely necessary, why wouldn’t Yuan Ce fulfill such a small wish? Judging by their later relaxed journey, delaying by a day or two wouldn’t have mattered.

But why did he do this... Was he worried about the Zhong family retaliating, thus deciding to eliminate them completely?

But he hadn’t done the same to the Zhuo family.

Jiang Zhiyi rubbed her temples, deep in thought. She had previously wondered why he prepared evidence against the Zhong family beforehand. At the time, he explained it was to prepare for emergencies due to her aunt’s mistreatment. But now, considering their relationship before he entered the academy, which was far from affectionate, it was clear it wasn’t solely for her sake...

Even now, his reason for attending the academy to “cultivate himself” seemed weak.

Could he have gone to the academy specifically targeting Zhong Boyong and the Zhong family?

Jiang Zhiyi thought for a moment and called Guyu: “Do you remember any conflicts between Young Master Shen and the Zhong family in the capital before he attended the academy? I mean conflicts between him and the Zhong family, not involving me.”

Guyu recalled and shook her head: “I don’t remember anything. Before entering the academy, Young Master Shen was being pressured by you regarding marriage.”

“...”

“Forget it. Stop talking nonsense.” Jiang Zhiyi shot her a glare but remembered something along these lines. “... Didn’t he ignore me for a few days because I pressured him about marriage?”

“It wasn’t intentional neglect. At that time, Young Master Shen was consulting famous doctors to treat his deputy general, Gao Shi, who had become a ‘living corpse.’ Later, didn’t you ask Mr. Huang to examine him?”

Jiang Zhiyi frowned.

Yes, that was true. But what seemed reasonable at the time now appeared full of inconsistencies—

Why did Yuan Ce need to consult numerous renowned doctors when he had Li Dafeng, a medical genius, by his side?

If Li Dafeng was helpless, why did Mr. Huang diagnose Gao Shi as treatable with a single pulse examination and prescribe a remedy on the spot?

Later, when she asked Yuan Ce about Mr. Huang’s prescription, he said Gao Shi’s condition had improved, so he moved him out of the mansion to recuperate in the military camp.

After that, Yuan Ce didn’t mention it, and she forgot to inquire further.

Reflecting now, Li Dafeng discovered blood stasis in her body through pulse diagnosis, while Mr. Huang remained oblivious throughout. The difference in skill was evident...

As Jiang Zhiyi pondered deeply, she happened to see San Qi passing by the window and called him over: “San Qi, do you know of a deputy general named Gao Shi in the Xuan Ce Army?”

San Qi’s gaze sharpened momentarily: “Yes, I know of him.”

“He was severely injured in battle against the Northern Jie people, then recuperated in the capital. Did he not return to Hedong with you this time? I haven’t seen him.”

San Qi lowered his head: “This matter was handled by Young General. I’m not sure. Perhaps Your Grace should ask him when he returns...”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging with an “Oh.”

Two hours later, inside the Xuan Ce Army camp, Mu Xin Hong stood before the desk reporting: “Young General, San Qi’s message is exactly like this. The young mistress suddenly asking about Gao Shi likely isn’t out of casual concern... Is she suspecting something?”

Yuan Ce furrowed his brow, remaining silent.

Mu Xin Hong continued to think, wondering what would happen if the young mistress found out the young general was still hiding things from her—

Yuan Ce already lifted his eyelids and spoke: “Last time you said, when your wife was upset with you, what would you prepare?”

Mu Xin Hong pointed to his knee, answering fluently: “Knee pads for kneeling.”