CXD - 74

In the seemingly endless gaze, Jiang Zhiyi looked at Yuan Ce, her mind flashing through past events.

The earliest memory was on the way to Hexi, in the inn where she was poked by the ornaments hanging from his belt. He got out of bed and said he would go to the bathroom to take off his belt. The most recent memory was these days when he held her every night, their upper bodies inseparable, while their lower bodies were worlds apart...

Jiang Zhiyi stared intently at the shifting expression in the eyes of the person opposite her, her ears buzzing. In an instant, her face turned as red as a ripe apple.

The slightly warm May breeze blew in through the half-open window, brushing against her cheek. Jiang Zhiyi’s wandering gaze hesitated once again toward the area below Yuan Ce’s belt.

At this glance, one pair of eyes burned, and the other felt scorched by the gaze. Both quickly turned away, their backs facing each other.

In the dead silence, Jiang Zhiyi lowered her head to look at the mess at her feet, her lips unmoving, and let out a series of hums with varying tones: “Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm?”

Xiaoman was momentarily stunned, vaguely understanding the muffled voice—Hurry up and clean it? She hastily crouched down to pick up the booklet.

In her haste, she grabbed the front and dropped the back, causing the previously unopened half of the booklet to unfold completely.

Xiaoman was startled and fumbled with the lengthy booklet like kneading dough, becoming more flustered and unable to put it together.

Jiang Zhiyi stiffly turned her head slowly to look. More entangled poses unfolded before her eyes, revealing glimpses of springtime, breaking through the paper and shimmering in the early summer morning light.

Though it depicted others’ intimacy, she began to see Yuan Ce’s face as she watched.

Looking up again, she found Yuan Ce also half-turning his head, sneaking glances at those pictures just like her.

Their gazes collided in mid-air, and they both quickly turned their heads away, feeling scorched.

The flustered Xiaoman finally finished sorting it out, closed the booklet in her hand, and let out a sigh of relief.

Facing away from Yuan Ce, Jiang Zhiyi stammered: “I... I won’t go to the camp today. You—eat well, drink well, don’t overwork yourself.”

“You too.” Yuan Ce nodded slightly and lifted his boot to leave.

The man who usually strode through fire and brimstone tripped over the threshold, steadied himself by grabbing the doorframe, adjusted his collar while looking straight ahead, lifted his boot again, and stepped out.

Jingzhe and Guyu saw that Jiang Zhiyi’s face remained red throughout the morning. Several times they asked if she was suffering from heatstroke or feeling unwell, but received no response. Unable to resist, they asked Xiaoman what happened in the morning. Xiaoman stammered, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.

It wasn’t until lunchtime that the master and servant duo, who had witnessed Princess Baojia’s generous gift, finally regained some composure.

At the dining table, the three maids served Jiang Zhiyi, overwhelmed with emotions. The last time the three of them gathered like this was the night before Jiang Zhiyi encountered bandits last winter.

Jiang Zhiyi thought of this as well and told them not to stand and serve anymore but to sit down and eat with her.

They repeatedly declined, but ultimately couldn’t refuse the command of their mistress, sitting down awkwardly.

Jiang Zhiyi, whose thoughts had wandered all morning, finally settled her mind and continued to ask Xiaoman about the affairs of the Marquis’ residence in detail.

Xiaoman answered one by one, saying that since the news of the Zhong family’s male members disappearing spread, Lady Hou seemed to have lost her spirit. Even after being released from the Buddha hall, she showed little interest in managing household affairs, leaving many matters temporarily handled by Madam Xu.

The eldest son, having recovered from his leg injury, forgot the pain and frequented brothels. Lady Hou, seemingly soulless, didn’t manage him. Lord Hou, rolling up his sleeves, scolded the eldest son as a wretch and frequently enforced family discipline.

Fortunately, the two sons born to Madam Xu were somewhat promising; both participated in this year’s spring examination. However, whether they passed or not, she didn’t know, as she had already set off for Hexi before the results were announced.

After Xiaoman finished recounting everything in great detail, Jiang Zhiyi asked: “So during these days, has Uncle been staying at home? Has His Majesty not assigned him new duties?”

“Yes, Young Mistress,” Xiaoman lowered her eyes and replied, “His Majesty took pity on Lord Hou for working on the canal project in the south last year and not returning to the capital for the New Year. He allowed him to rest properly this year.”

“That’s good too; promotion is nowhere near as important as health,” Jiang Zhiyi nodded, muttering, “But since Uncle has been idle at home recently, I deliberately informed him of my safety after being attacked, fearing he might be worried. Why hasn’t he replied to me…?”

“Lord Hou hasn’t replied to you?” Xiaoman’s pupils contracted. Seeing Jiang Zhiyi looking at her, she avoided her gaze, lowering her head and said, “Perhaps... perhaps after I left, Lord Hou received new duties...”

Seeing Xiaoman’s nervous expression, Jiang Zhiyi paused her chopsticks, and Jingzhe and Guyu also scrutinized her.

Among the three of them, Xiaoman was the most honest one.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhiyi was taken aback. “Has Uncle been assigned some troublesome task?”

“...I left the capital in mid-March and didn’t know what happened afterward.”

“Then why are you stuttering? If you don’t know, I won’t blame you.” Jiang Zhiyi furrowed her brow.

Jingzhe also became stern: “Xiaoman, you must not conceal anything from the Young Mistress. Don’t forget, the Young Mistress is your true master.”

“I dare not!” Xiaoman immediately stood up and knelt down.

Jiang Zhiyi looked at the trembling figure at her feet, suddenly recalling that morning when she asked Xiaoman about her uncle’s health. After Xiaoman said “everything is fine,” she quickly changed the subject, talking about the package sent by Princess Baojia. She also remembered how urgently her uncle wanted to marry her off—

Jiang Zhiyi’s heart trembled. Slowly, she put down her chopsticks: “Why are you so hesitant? Has something happened to Uncle’s health...?”

“I don’t know either...”

“Then what do you know?” Jiang Zhiyi anxiously stood up. “Get up and answer me.”

Xiaoman stood up, bowing her head, and said: “Young Mistress, I only learned this after you left the capital. Actually, Lord Hou did not miss the New Year due to unfinished work but because he was accidentally hit by a large stone while inspecting the canal. His injury recurred on the way back to the capital, delaying his journey...”

Jiang Zhiyi listened in a daze, processing Xiaoman’s words twice in her mind. Her face turned pale, and she swayed slightly. Jingzhe and Guyu quickly supported her from both sides.

Jingzhe continued on behalf of Jiang Zhiyi: “Before you left the capital, how was Lord Hou’s health? Tell us everything you know.”

“I heard that in the first month, General Shen sent Military Physician Li to examine Lord Hou. Before leaving, he left some medicinal oil. Lord Hou occasionally experienced discomfort in his muscles and bones, but applying the oil alleviated it. However, Physician Li said that Lord Hou’s injury had once affected his internal organs, so he needed to keep warm... Later in February, during the fluctuating temperatures, Lord Hou went out one night to bring back the eldest son and caught a cold. He had a high fever for quite a while. After that, Lord Hou kept coughing and would occasionally have a fever...”

Jiang Zhiyi leaned against the table edge, gasping for breath: “Such a big matter, everyone knows about it, yet no one tells me?”

“Lord Hou instructed not to inform you... Young Mistress, don’t worry. Lord Hou might just be busy with trivial matters and didn’t reply to your letter. Before I left, Lord Hou had already recovered from the fever...”

As soon as the words were spoken, a voice calling “General Shen” echoed in the courtyard. Jiang Zhiyi turned her head and saw Yuan Ce, who should have been at the camp, walking towards them with a solemn expression.

A sudden bad premonition arose in her heart. Jiang Zhiyi let go of Jingzhe and Guyu’s support and walked up: “Has something happened?”

Fifteen minutes later, in a room with only two people, Jiang Zhiyi stared blankly at the cold dishes on the table.

Yuan Ce told her that the trusted subordinate he had previously sent to Chang’an to investigate the storybook matter had returned news today. There was no progress; they hadn’t identified the wandering Taoist. Neither the bookstore nor the clothing shop provided new clues. Master Zhang of Taiqing Temple had left the capital shortly after the beginning of spring to travel, making finding him as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. Hence, he came to ask whether to mobilize manpower to search.

Additionally, the letter mentioned frequent visits by physicians to the Yong’en Marquis’ residence lately. The Marquis had repeatedly developed fevers and had been bedridden for a long time.

“I have already discussed this matter with Li Dafeng. He previously examined Lord Hou and judged several possible conditions based on Lord Hou’s current symptoms. He has prescribed corresponding remedies. A message will be sent urgently to his old acquaintance, the Imperial Physician in the capital, to confirm which prescription to use and adjust the dosage accordingly. This should stabilize Lord Hou’s condition,” Yuan Ce said sitting by the dining table.

Jiang Zhiyi nodded mechanically, but there was no joy in her eyes.

Recalling dangerous terms like “giant stone,” “injury,” “internal organs,” “high fever”... While she was blissfully unaware in the capital, Uncle had teetered on the brink of death.

And now, being thousands of miles away, she couldn’t even see Uncle once.

Her eyes gradually became moist, and as she blinked, tears fell: “Why does Uncle have to be like this too...”

“Hiding things from me, not telling me anything, fearing I’d worry, fearing I’d be troubled, but did they ever think about how painful it would be when I find out later?”

Yuan Ce felt a lump in his throat. He opened his mouth to say something but found no words. The people Jiang Zhiyi referred to included him.

“If I continue to be kept in the dark like this, will one day a sudden blow hit me? When I hear the bad news from others’ mouths, will I realize that our last meeting was actually our final one, and that I left the capital while he was still recovering from his severe injuries...” Jiang Zhiyi said disjointedly.

Yuan Ce reached out to wipe her tears, seeing her raise her eyes limply: “Go back to the camp and busy yourself. Tell them not to come in. I want to be alone for a while.”

Jiang Zhiyi stayed alone for the entire afternoon. The three maids waited outside the door until dusk, without hearing the young mistress call for them.

As darkness fell, lanterns lit up in the courtyard, but there was still no sound from inside the house. Jingzhe paced anxiously, thinking of knocking on the door. Just as she raised her hand, the sliding door suddenly opened, and Jiang Zhiyi walked out.

Her eyes were slightly red from crying, but her tears had dried, indicating that her mood had calmed somewhat.

“Has Yuan Ce returned to the mansion?” Jiang Zhiyi asked first.

“You cried so bitterly. General Shen didn’t go to the camp but stayed in the mansion. Shall I call him over?”

“I’ll go.” Jiang Zhiyi took a deep breath, as if having made a decision, and walked alone to the main hall, knocking on Yuan Ce’s study door.

Yuan Ce opened the door, immediately seeing Jiang Zhiyi’s resolute expression. His eyes flickered slightly.

Jiang Zhiyi entered the study and waited for him to close the door. She looked up at him: “With what happened to Uncle, I can’t avoid returning to Chang’an.”

“I understand.”

When he received the news, he anticipated this. Telling her this news meant letting her decide.

“I’ve already arranged for someone to prepare the luggage this afternoon,” Yuan Ce raised his hand, caressing her red-rimmed eyes, “but I can’t leave Hexi for now, so I can’t accompany you on this trip.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded: “I understand. So before I leave, I need to tell you what I’ve thought about these days.”

Yuan Ce wasn’t surprised as he lowered his gaze to her serious eyes: “Have you decided what you want?”

He indeed overheard her heartfelt conversation with Pei Xueqing in the tent that day.

Jiang Zhiyi nodded solemnly.

Yuan Ce stood there like someone awaiting judgment, lowering his hands, standing quietly.

“I’ve decided. There may never be another person who would sleep well for my sake or carry me through mountain roads for hours in the rain. And there may never be another person who makes me laugh and cry, feel reassured and uneasy... So even though he is a dangerous person,” Jiang Zhiyi shook her head, “I can’t bear to lose him.”

Yuan Ce’s gaze flickered, fixing on her radiant, star-like eyes.

“But I have one condition if I’m to marry him.”

“What condition?”

“This trip to Chang’an isn’t just for Uncle. I believe that solving a problem requires addressing its root cause. Perhaps only I can uncover the truth about the storybook. Moreover, regarding your confrontation with the Hedong Circuit Governor and the Second Prince, while my title as a princess still holds some weight, I also want to do something...” Jiang Zhiyi pursed her lips, her expression resolute.

“I don’t want to remain clueless, knowing nothing, always waiting in trepidation within the confines of a mansion for the sudden arrival of good or bad news about my loved ones. Therefore, the person I marry, to whom I entrust my life, must also entrust his life to me. From then on, his affairs become mine, and we face wind and rain together, living and dying as one. If you are willing to let me face these challenges with you, then this time, I truly accept your proposal.”

Yuan Ce stood there, stunned, unable to process for a long while.

When he thought she would argue with him, she held him tight, kissing his scars.

When he thought that facing his uncertain future, her retreat would be understandable, she said she wanted to face the storms and live or die with him.

Yuan Ce silently gazed at the person in front of him for a long time, pulling her tightly into his arms.

Jiang Zhiyi winced as his arms squeezed her tightly. She lifted her head, gasping: “What do you mean by acting without speaking? Are you willing or not?”

Yuan Ce lowered his eyes, staring firmly at her: “Jiang Zhiyi, my life was originally worthless. But if your life is tied to it—I’ll be a coward who fears death. Will that make you feel at ease?”