CXD - 88

The next afternoon, the carriage rolled into Chang’an under the golden glow of the slanting sun. Inside the carriage, Jingzhe woke Jiang Zhiyi, who had been dozing off, and informed her that they were almost home.

Jiang Zhiyi had spent half the night with Yuan Ce before parting ways with him early in the morning. Once on the carriage, she began to feel drowsy and spent most of the journey napping to make up for lost sleep. It wasn’t until now that she finally gathered her wits, straightened up, and leaned out the window to look outside.

Compared to the outskirts of the capital region, which had endured many battles, Chang’an itself—aside from the initial palace coup—had not suffered much from the fires of war. As a model for the realm, it had quickly resumed its livelihood.

At first glance, this square city, absent for half a year, still appeared as it did before she left. On the crisscrossing streets, throngs of people crowded together—nobles, commoners, traveling merchants, men and women, young and old—all bustling about amidst a steady flow of carriages and horses.

As Jiang Zhiyi gazed at the familiar markets and towering buildings, she couldn’t help but feel that the past six months of hardship, life-and-death struggles, had felt like half a lifetime. Returning to this city where she had lived for seventeen years brought an odd sense of both familiarity and estrangement.

The carriage continued toward Chongren Ward in the northeast of the city, finally stopping in front of the residence of the Marquis of Yong’en.

In front of the estate’s screen wall, two of the marquis’s concubines, accompanied by maidservants, had been waiting for some time. Seeing Jiang Zhiyi step down from the carriage with Jingzhe’s assistance, they hurried forward to greet her: “Welcome back, Your Grace. You must have had a tiring journey looking after Lord Hou!”

“Lady Xu, no need for formalities. How has Uncle been these days?” Jiang Zhiyi bade Lady Xu rise while gesturing for Li Dafeng to enter the estate. She then hurried inside.

Lady Xu followed closely behind, speaking as they walked: “Initially, after taking Mr. Li’s prescription, Lord Hou’s fever subsided, and his cough improved somewhat. However, when the fighting broke out at the end of June, Lord Hou grew increasingly anxious day and night, and his cough worsened again. The physicians feared he might damage his lungs from excessive coughing, so they’ve been keeping him sedated with calming herbal soups to ease the pain and suppress the cough. Lately, he’s rarely been awake. But the physicians say the prolonged sleep is due to the medicine, and once it’s stopped, he’ll wake up naturally. The root issue lies in curing the cough.”

Suppressing the cough with sedatives was only a temporary solution—it didn’t address the root cause—but it could stabilize his condition for now. Jiang Zhiyi had already learned about the situation during the journey and confirmed this with Li Dafeng.

Jiang Zhiyi quickly followed Lady Xu into the main courtyard and headed straight for the marquis’s bedroom. Upon entering, she was immediately hit by a strong medicinal smell.

On the bed, the Marquis of Yong’en lay quietly sleeping. His face was sallow, his lips cracked, and he looked far thinner than he had in the first month of the year. Beneath the thin blanket, even his once-prominent belly was no longer visible.

Jiang Zhiyi barely had time to take more than a glance at her uncle before stepping aside to let Li Dafeng approach the bedside.

Li Dafeng carried his medical kit forward, took the marquis’s pulse, examined his tongue and eyes, and carefully listened to the wheezing sounds in his breathing: “Lord Hou’s lung ailment has indeed become quite complicated due to prolonged neglect. Healing will be slow, like drawing silk thread, and requires gradual care and adjustment. However, Your Grace can rest assured. I’ll write a new prescription, and he won’t need to continue relying on those sedative soups, which can cause harm if taken excessively.”

“That’s wonderful,” Jiang Zhiyi sighed in relief, then instructed the maidservants behind her: “Prepare paper and ink for Mr. Li.”

Li Dafeng sat at the desk, dipped his brush in ink, and began writing the prescription.

“We’re fortunate you brought Mr. Li with you, Your Grace,” Lady Xu said gratefully. “I thought the roads to the capital region were still blocked, and it would take much longer, but here you are so soon.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s swift arrival was largely thanks to Yuan Ce. Despite his antics at night, their daytime journey hadn’t lagged a single moment. With many official roads still closed, Yuan Ce had led her through wild paths across the war-torn outskirts of the capital region.

Just as Lady Xu finished speaking, a disapproving female voice echoed from the corridor: “What do you mean ‘so soon’? Do you know how long I’ve waited?”

Lady Xu turned to see who it was, startled, and quickly bowed her head respectfully.

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes lit up, and she rushed out to greet the newcomer: “Sister Baojia!”

“Returning to the capital in such a storm of chaos—were you injured along the way?” Baojia entered gracefully, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Zhiyi.

“I’m fine,” Jiang Zhiyi twirled in front of her and took her hand. “But what about you, Sister? Were you frightened during the palace coup?”

“Don’t worry—I’m just a disgraced and unloved princess. The rebels wouldn’t bother with me,” Baojia replied, glancing behind Jiang Zhiyi. She spotted Li Dafeng sitting at the desk, writing prescriptions as if deaf and blind to her presence. “This army physician of yours still treats patients? He should start by curing his own blindness and deafness.”

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Li Dafeng, then at Baojia.

In the letter sent three months ago, she had affectionately referred to him as “Dafeng,” but now, in public, he was simply “this army physician of yours.”

After finishing the prescription, Li Dafeng handed it to Lady Xu and stepped forward. His gaze briefly rested on Baojia before he lowered his head and bowed: “Greetings, Princess.”

Baojia shot him a sidelong glance but didn’t respond.

Li Dafeng turned to Jiang Zhiyi: “Your Grace, I’ll go prepare Lord Hou’s medicine now. Please excuse me.”

“My thanks, Physician Li.”

After seeing Li Dafeng off, Jiang Zhiyi pulled the visibly displeased Baojia aside and whispered: “Sister, don’t be angry. Physician Li prepared your birthday gift back in May and entrusted it to me to bring. If not for the war, it would have reached you long ago.”

Baojia blinked: “Oh? Is that so?”

“It’s in my luggage. I’ll have Jingzhe fetch it for you later. Physician Li is here solely to treat Uncle, and he’ll be staying at the estate for a while. You can visit him every day if you’d like!”

“Who says I want to visit him?”

Jiang Zhiyi smiled brightly: “Then would you come visit me instead? It’s been half a year since we last saw each other, and I miss you dearly. I hope you’ll come see me often to catch up.”

Baojia pondered for a moment: “Let me think about it.”

Her words were cut short by a soft, kitten-like “Meow—” Jiang Zhiyi turned her head and saw a chubby, yellow ball of fur tearfully bounding toward her.

“Huhu!” Jiang Zhiyi laughed and opened her arms to embrace the Lynx cat she hadn’t seen in six months. But as she lifted the cat, her arm suddenly went limp, and she winced, passing the cat to a servant and shaking her hand.

Baojia was startled: “Didn’t you say you weren’t injured? What happened to your hand?”

Jiang Zhiyi froze mid-shake, slowly turning her head: “It’s nothing.”

“How is it nothing?” Baojia grabbed her arm. “This looks like a muscle or tendon injury. What happened? Didn’t Shen Yuan Ce have Li Dafeng check it for you?”

Jiang Zhiyi hesitated: “N-No, it’s not that serious… He checked it this morning…”

Baojia frowned: “Checked it this morning? So it happened last night?”

“Mmm…” Jiang Zhiyi’s voice trailed off weakly. “It’s not really an injury… Just exhaustion… A couple of days’ rest will fix it…”

Seeing the guilt written all over her face, Baojia narrowed her eyes suspiciously: “Exhausted on your final night together? Could it be that you only started learning from the manual I sent you last night?”

“…”

Baojia shook her head and sighed regretfully: “Such a waste of talent.”

For several days, Jiang Zhiyi remained indoors, spending her days in the main courtyard attending to her uncle’s illness and staying by his side without leaving, then retreating to the Yaoguang Pavilion at night to rest.

After using the new medicine prescribed by Li Dafeng, the dosage of sedative herbal soup was gradually reduced over the next few days. By the end of the month, it was completely discontinued.

Early one morning, Jiang Zhiyi had just opened her eyes in the sleeping quarters of the Yaoguang Pavilion when a servant rushed in to report that Lord Hou had regained consciousness. She quickly dressed, washed, and hurried over to his room.

Upon entering, she saw the Marquis of Yong’en sitting up on the bed, looking much better. With tears brimming in her eyes, she rushed forward and hugged him tightly: “Uncle—finally, you’re awake!”

The marquis had known she was en route to Chang’an before he fell ill, and upon waking, he had been informed of how diligently she had cared for him day and night. He weakly raised his hand to pat her back and said softly: “…You stubborn child, why didn’t you stay safely in Hexi? Fortunately, you’re safe and sound, or this old man’s heart would have stopped from worry!”

“My heart nearly stopped worrying about you , Uncle!” Jiang Zhiyi sat up from his embrace. “How could you not tell me about such a serious issue? If Xiaoman hadn’t been so honest, I might not have even seen you!”

The marquis muttered under his breath while shaking his head: “If I’d known that girl was so honest, I wouldn’t have sent her.”

“No one could have predicted this unexpected turn of events. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Aren’t you happy that I came back early to see you?” Jiang Zhiyi frowned slightly.

“I only hope that you and your future husband can live happily together. This time, I heard that he led troops to Xingyang in three days and four nights—a feat that shocked the entire capital. Are you still upset with him?”

“Even without this incident, we weren’t fighting…”

The marquis let out a relieved sigh: “That’s good. It saves me from having to awkwardly cozy up to Prime Minister Pei.”

Jiang Zhiyi pouted: “Is Uncle really that worried I won’t find a husband?”

The marquis hesitated for a moment: “Of course I know there’s a line of suitors who want to marry my precious Yiyi—it could circle Chang’an! But I’m afraid you won’t choose someone soon, and someone might force an unwanted marriage on you.”

“Uncle, if I don’t want to marry, who would dare force me into it?”

The marquis thought for a moment and sighed: “Yiyi, there’s something I didn’t tell you before you left for Hexi. I was afraid that if the Shen family knew my impure motives for agreeing to this marriage, they might look down on our family and mistreat you. But now, seeing how Shen Yuan Ce has risked his life for you, I no longer worry…”

Jiang Zhiyi was taken aback: “What is it? What impure motives?”

The marquis gestured toward the table beside the bed. Jiang Zhiyi handed him a cup of tea.

After sipping it twice, he set the cup down and said: “Do you remember how I initially opposed this marriage?”

Of course she remembered. Her uncle had suddenly changed his stance after visiting a Daoist temple with their birth dates.

Before leaving Guzang in May, she and Yuan Ce had discussed it. That day, upon hearing her uncle was ill, a trusted subordinate Yuan Ce had sent to investigate also reported that Master Zhang of Taiqing Temple had gone traveling in the spring and couldn’t be found.

Master Zhang was a direct disciple of the renowned fortune-teller Jianwei, who had prophesied years ago about the calamity brought by twins. His departure at such a coincidental time confirmed their suspicions that he was involved.

Recalling how her uncle had agreed to the marriage after visiting Taiqing Temple, they guessed he must have been swayed by Master Zhang’s words.

Jiang Zhiyi asked: “Uncle, did Master Zhang say something mysterious to make you change your mind? Did he claim I’d face misfortune if I didn’t marry Brother Ce?”

“If it were only mysterious words, I wouldn’t have believed him. That day, Master Zhang told me that your destined marriage was to become a peace bride to the Western Luo tribe.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes widened in shock: “…What?”

“When Master Zhang told me, there was no news from Western Luo. But as soon as I left the temple, I heard that their queen was critically ill. Knowing that the previous peace princess had died, they would surely seek another. I hastily followed Master Zhang’s advice and finalized your engagement.”

Jiang Zhiyi shook her head incredulously: “Uncle, you must have been deceived by that Daoist. How could a peace marriage fall on me?”

“Later, I investigated. The old king of Western Luo is ancient but lustful. If they set their eyes on your beauty, anything could happen… Fortunately, during the first month, you stayed close to that Shen boy and avoided banquets at the palace or meetings with Western Luo envoys. Clearly, that Shen boy truly is your lucky star!” The marquis declared confidently.

…This reasoning wasn’t entirely implausible, but Master Zhang was clearly intent on uniting her with Yuan Ce—he might have fabricated the whole story.

After all, the wandering Daoist had once warned her that she’d face divine retribution if she didn’t visit Taiqing Temple to fulfill a vow. Ironically, the “divine retribution” came when she visited—the accident that injured her head!

Seeing Jiang Zhiyi frown in deep thought, the marquis consoled her: “But now, half a year has passed since the Western Luo queen’s death, and they haven’t sought a princess from Da Ye. Moreover, you’ve avoided public appearances and are already engaged. Just as Master Zhang said, this marriage spares you from becoming a peace bride. You needn’t worry anymore.”

Like how Pei Xueqing hadn’t told her family about the Shen family’s secrets, Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t reveal the truth about the storybook to her uncle. She simply nodded: “Alright, I understand.”

Inwardly, however, she thought: This matter grows stranger by the day. She needed to visit Taiqing Temple herself as soon as possible.

The next morning, outside the city, Jiang Zhiyi gazed up at the serene Taoist temple nestled halfway up the mountain, surrounded by lush greenery and arranged harmoniously. Her gaze fell on the ancient black plaque above the entrance, inscribed with three elegant golden characters—Taiqing Temple.

It looked like any ordinary temple. Her initial choice to consult here about her aunt’s folk remedy was purely because Master Zhang was a disciple of Jianwei. Many nobles in the capital frequented this place to ask for divinations.

Wearing a light veil hat, Jiang Zhiyi was helped up the steps by Jingzhe.

Jingzhe asked: “Your Grace, didn’t they say Master Zhang went traveling? Even if you come, you won’t see him.”

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her voice: “He went through so much trouble orchestrating all this. If he’s truly traveling, he must have left instructions with the temple to monitor my engagement with Brother Ce. Otherwise, if his efforts fail and we don’t marry, wouldn’t he step in again to meddle?”

Jingzhe realized: “Your Grace is wise. So today’s visit is to—?”

“To cleverly force him out of hiding,” Jiang Zhiyi smiled faintly. “We arrived early, and there aren’t many visitors yet. In a bit, make a big show of telling the disciples that the Duchess of Yongying has come to offer incense and request they clear the hall for me.”

A quarter of an hour later, inside the empty hall, Jiang Zhiyi knelt devoutly on a prayer mat before the three statues. Hands clasped together, eyes closed, she began: “Venerable Three Pure Ones, I, the believer Zhiyi, come today to repent for my unfaithful heart.”

“My betrothed was once the person I deemed my destined partner. However, in June, I faced a life-and-death crisis, and he was not by my side. During that time, I developed feelings for a young man who shared my hardships, unable to restrain my emotions. Now, I intend to break off the engagement and remarry…”

Master Zhang was undoubtedly a clever man. If she were to fabricate a story, it had to be plausible and convincing—part truth, part fiction.

After all, there were many young men who had suffered alongside her in Xingyang. Master Zhang wouldn’t know which one she referred to.

Jiang Zhiyi continued murmuring: “I have made up my mind to call off the engagement. Please do not try to dissuade me, Venerable Ones. I only beg for your forgiveness for my lack of resolve and betrayal. Spare me from divine punishment. As for what I owe my betrothed, I will repay in the next life.”

With that, she bowed deeply.

Outside the hall, Pei Zisong froze in place, his pupils dilated in shock.