Chapter 98: Conclusion (Part 3)

On a warm spring night in the third month, the bathhouse was filled with steam. Jiang Zhiyi, like a wet fish, was lifted from the bath, wrapped in a soft, thin quilt, and gently cradled into Yuan Ce’s arms.

Yuan Ce lowered his gaze, observing the lingering flush on her face. Her delicate, bare arms draped limply over his shoulder, and her drowsy, cat-like eyes suggested she had been thoroughly pampered.

Carried back to the bedroom and placed on the bed, Jiang Zhiyi wrinkled her nose at the lingering scent within the canopy, her hoarse voice tinged with complaint: “It’s all your smell…”

“All mine?” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow, glancing aside. “Maybe you should think about it again.”

Following his gaze, Jiang Zhiyi noticed the damp cloth spread over the bedding, still bearing traces of their intimacy.

Ever since Yuan Ce’s return in the second month, for several consecutive nights, they had gone through a new sheet each night, leaving the maids blushing furiously. After some reflection, they decided not to waste the sheets anymore but instead use cloths, which were easier to wash.

Jiang Zhiyi nudged him weakly: “Still, it’s your fault.”

Yuan Ce, with one knee resting against the edge of the bed, chuckled as he bent down to dry her thoroughly from head to toe. He then helped her put on her undergarments, pulling her up to sit while leaning her against his chest, brushing aside her thick, cloud-like hair.

Jiang Zhiyi tried to shift her position, but every slight movement sent tremors through her legs.

When a general skilled in wielding swords and riding into battle finds himself idle at home, unable to wield his eighteen martial arts skills, his wife’s bed becomes his battlefield.

Jiang Zhiyi, her entire body aching and limp, turned her head to look at him: “Why don’t you just go back to the barracks…”

Yuan Ce fastened her undergarment ties and pulled up the quilt: “Hmm?”

“I think General Mu coming over every few days to report on military affairs is quite troublesome.”

“The western and northern fronts have both ceased fighting. There’s no real military news these days. He’s probably just bored and talking nonsense.”

“But even during peacetime, doesn’t the army need training?”

“So what?”

Jiang Zhiyi looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes: “You go train them instead of training me… With Ji Zhu’s reputation in the army, you’ll surely surpass expectations. That’s where my A Ce belongs.”

Yuan Ce laughed so hard his shoulders shook as he leaned down to embrace her: “Didn’t you start it tonight?”

“You should’ve stopped me.”

“Little ancestor, I can’t even control myself. How am I supposed to stop you?”

Jiang Zhiyi wiped away her regretful tears: “Tomorrow, I swear. Tomorrow, I’ll definitely resist touching you. We’ll be strict with ourselves.”

“Tomorrow really won’t work.”

Jiang Zhiyi froze.

“Have you forgotten what tomorrow is?”

Dazed, Jiang Zhiyi struggled to recall. Suddenly, realization dawned, and she bolted upright from his embrace.

The next day, at the Shen family cemetery outside Guzang.

Under the bright sun, the layered forest was bathed in golden light. The rays of sunlight spilled over the newly erected tombstone as Jiang Zhiyi and Yuan Ce, dressed in plain mourning attire, stood side by side before the grave. They silently watched Lady Shen carefully trace the characters “Shen Yuan Ce” carved on the stone with black ink.

One after another, they stepped forward to offer incense, bowing deeply in reverence.

In truth, after Yuan Ce had settled all matters in the first month, he had intended to immediately relocate Shen Yuan Ce’s grave. However, relocating a grave was a significant undertaking, fraught with rituals and customs. Though Yuan Ce himself acted without restraint, he deferred to his stepmother’s arrangements regarding his brother’s affairs, choosing this date close to the Qingming Festival.

Looking at the sturdy, weatherproof tomb before her, Jiang Zhiyi’s mind drifted back to that desolate, nameless grave.

Fortunately, the hero no longer lay buried in a remote mountain but had been laid to rest among his ancestors.

Still, after receiving Master Jianwei’s handwritten account, Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of regret. Whether it was the past life described by Master Jianwei or their current life, Shen Yuan Ce’s existence had ended at the age of eighteen.

Before everything had settled, Jiang Zhiyi had hesitated to tell Yuan Ce the truth about the storybook, fearing he might resent Master Jianwei for manipulating his life once again.

It wasn’t until Yuan Ce returned home in the second month that she finally mustered the courage to show him the letter.

Unexpectedly, after a long silence, the first thing Yuan Ce said was, “It’s a pity that Master Jianwei’s foresight couldn’t save my brother.”

Earlier, Jiang Zhiyi had asked Elder Zhang at Taiqing Temple why Master Jianwei, who could foresee celestial omens, couldn’t alter more people’s fates.

Elder Zhang replied, “Everything arises from cause and effect. Only those who sow the seeds can reap the consequences.”

Jiang Zhiyi then understood that Shen Yuan Ce’s death as the sole heir of the Shen family had nothing to do with Master Jianwei’s prophecy. His fate was not tied to Master Jianwei.

But Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t help but wonder where Shen Yuan Ce’s cause and effect truly lay. Perhaps in his next life, he could find a new possibility.

Leaning against Yuan Ce’s shoulder, Jiang Zhiyi sighed: “If he were still here, he’d probably boast to me every day, saying—’Hey, Princess, after all those years of fighting me, you’re now calling my younger brother ‘brother.’ Tell me, who won between us?’”

Yuan Ce glanced at her: “I suppose that would make you lower your rank to be with me.”

“How could I possibly feel wronged? Sister Xueqing would surely take my side, and with her speaking for me, he wouldn’t dare say a word.” Jiang Zhiyi raised her chin proudly. “In the end, the one who wins is still me.”

“By that logic, the lowest-ranking member of our Shen family would be my elder brother. I’m still above him.” Yuan Ce crossed his arms, eyeing the tombstone with satisfaction, clicking his tongue lightly.

After leaving the cemetery and seeing Lady Shen off into the carriage, they decided to stroll back to the city, enjoying the spring scenery along the way.

Yuan Ce held Jiang Zhiyi’s hand as they walked through the sunny spring fields. Suddenly, she asked, “Do you think your brother would come to you in a dream to settle accounts if he knew you attributed the crime of regicide and treason to him?”

“I also credited him with the achievements of being enfeoffed as a marquis at a young age,” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow. “Right or wrong, let posterity judge. A name after death holds no meaning.”

“And what about you?” Jiang Zhiyi swung his hand, tilting her head to look at him. “Would you regret it if you hadn’t even left behind a name?”

“Don’t you call my name eight hundred times a day?” Yuan Ce smiled, looking back at her.

Perhaps there was a time when he would have felt resentment or injustice. But now—

The world may not know his origin or his name, but her calling his name meant more to him than the recognition of millions.

Jiang Zhiyi smiled, walking beside him toward the horizon. She gazed at the clear blue sky, the smiling spring mountains, and the lush green fields dotted with vibrant flowers. It was a serene and peaceful scene, a perfect moment of harmony and tranquility.

If war were to break out again, he would become the god of war for the world.

If peace reigned, he would remain her Yuan Ce alone.

________________________________________

Epilogue

In the third year of Yongning, the Northern Jie, taking advantage of the absence of the Xuan Ce Army’s leader, launched a comeback.

Since their defeat at the hands of the Shen family in the eleventh year of Xingwu, the Northern Jie had spent four years rebuilding their strength, seeking to avenge their humiliation. They mobilized their entire nation’s forces to invade Hexi.

When Daye’s border defenses were in dire straits, a masked general emerged seemingly out of nowhere. Leading the Xuan Ce Army, he annihilated 100,000 cavalrymen of the Northern Jie in the first battle, instantly becoming a legendary figure and shocking the world.

The Northern Jie, enraged, launched another attack, only to suffer another crushing defeat, retreating step by step.

The Xuan Ce Army pursued them relentlessly, winning battle after battle, advancing like a bamboo shoot splitting through obstacles until they reached the royal court of the Northern Jie.

The Northern Jie’s 200,000 archers were completely wiped out, nearly leading to their extinction. Yet, they never even glimpsed the face of the new leader of the Xuan Ce Army.

The people of Daye marveled at how their dynasty had produced two rare military geniuses within just a few years.

It was said that this general joined the Xuan Ce Army at the age of ten, becoming one of its top scouts. For over a decade, he never revealed his true face, known only by his codename “Ji Zhu” within the army. No one knew his real name or origin.

Upon investigation, some realized that this masked general bore a striking resemblance in both appearance and voice to the late Shen Yuan Ce of the first year of Yongning. Rumors spread, and theories abounded.

In the fourth year of Yongning, it was revealed that Shen Yuan Ce had a surviving twin brother, who had been forced to live in hiding due to Master Jianwei’s prophecy about twins bringing calamity to the nation. He had spent his entire life in obscurity, unseen by the light of day.

The revelation shocked the entire court. Emperor Yongning lamented that such extraordinary talent should not be buried in the dust or burdened by baseless prophecies. Recognizing his lifelong military service and illustrious achievements, as well as his fearless defense of Hexi during its time of crisis, the emperor pardoned him for any past offenses, absolving him and his brother of collective punishment. He was enfeoffed as Marquis Pojun and appointed to lead the Xuan Ce Army, ensuring that loyal ministers and capable generals would forever wield their spears under the light of justice.

It was rumored that after Marquis Pojun’s identity was exposed, curious onlookers visited Yaoguang Garden in Guzang, suggesting that if Commandery Princess Yongying still harbored feelings for Shen Yuan Ce, she could consider Marquis Pojun as a substitute to renew their bond.

To their surprise, Marquis Pojun appeared from within, his brows furrowed and eyes cold. The visitors hastily retreated. As they left, they finally noticed the words “Yaoguang Garden” inscribed on the gate—Yaoguang, the seventh star of the Big Dipper, also known as the Pojun Star. It dawned on them that Commandery Princess Yongying and Marquis Pojun might already be united in marriage.

<THE END>