It wasn’t until the morning of the second day that Chen Lun and Princess Yongtai learned the Regent Prince had returned to the city the previous night.

Lady Zhuang said, “This morning being the fifth-day grand council, the Regent Prince has accumulated two days of affairs and didn’t want to delay the council further. He asked me to convey his words – the princess and prince consort should continue enjoying themselves here while he returned first.”

The Regent Prince’s diligence in governance over these two years was known throughout the court. Chen Lun, hearing this, had no doubts whatsoever. The princess also didn’t think much of it, only sighing. Fearing Jiang Hanyuan might be displeased, she made several excuses for her younger brother in front of her, then continued pulling her out for entertainment during the day.

This day, several people went to a lake dozens of li away to go boating, returning with great satisfaction. They had originally agreed to go hunting together again tomorrow. Who knew that in the evening, they received an oral message – the Regent Prince summoned Chen Lun to return immediately for an audience.

Though he didn’t yet know what the matter was, being summoned back early like this, Chen Lun sensed it shouldn’t be a small matter. Not daring to be negligent, he immediately set out. Seeing Jiang Hanyuan alone, and knowing her brother would have no end once he got busy, the princess didn’t leave immediately, planning to stay and keep her company for a few more days.

Chen Lun galloped at full speed all the way, entering the city at the hour of hai that night and going directly to the palace. The Regent Prince was waiting for him in the Wenlin Pavilion.

“This minister arrives late – Regent Prince, forgive my transgression!” Chen Lun hurriedly entered to pay his respects.

“I granted you leave, then summoned you back before it was finished. Don’t blame me.” His expression carried some apology.

“I dare not – this is my duty. May I ask what has happened?”

Shu Shenhui pushed a scroll of documents toward him. Chen Lun took it and quickly finished reading, his expression tightening slightly.

After the assassination attempt on the Regent Prince’s wedding day, Chang’an conducted careful, large-scale searches. Though no suspicious circumstances were discovered later and personnel in the open were withdrawn, in secret, surveillance was increased at places where dragons and snakes mixed and problems could easily arise, such as inns and guesthouses, especially those housing many traveling merchants and other transient people. This matter was Chen Lun’s responsibility. Just today, one of his subordinates had discovered something suspicious. In a guesthouse near Yanguang Gate in the western part of the city, there was a group of merchants from northern prefectures, seven or eight people in total. On the surface, they sold leather goods and such, and their travel documents from various checkpoints along the way were all complete and not forged. In Chang’an city with its million inhabitants, this was truly as insignificant as dust, so initially it attracted no attention. But as time passed, their comings and goings were unusual, which caught the attention of the Tianmen Bureau’s hidden sentries. They ordered the guesthouse keeper to secretly watch them. Last night, when the keeper got up to use the latrine and passed by the large dormitory room where this group stayed, he heard a sentence spoken in a foreign tongue from inside. As soon as the voice arose, the people inside seemed to become aware and immediately fell silent. Then someone opened the window and looked out to check outside. This keeper had happened to visit the northern commanderies in his youth and recognized it as Beidi speech – the person seemed to be cursing about fleas in their sleeping place. Since the two countries were now enemies, and he had previously received orders from the Tianmen Bureau sentries, fearing trouble and responsibility, he was terrified. This morning, he secretly ran to report to the hidden sentries. With Chen Lun absent, the message was delivered directly to the Regent Prince.

“This matter shouldn’t be known by many. I’ve already sent people to monitor that group. You handle what follows – watch to see what this group’s purpose is, whether they have accomplices, and make sure to catch them all in one net.”

Chen Lun acknowledged, discussed some specific arrangements, and then hurriedly left the palace. After watching for several days, he discovered this group of merchants seemed about to conclude their business and leave the city one after another. Making a quick decision, he led people to surround and capture them. Indeed, that entire group was all warriors skilled in martial arts. Seeing officials appear, they were extremely fierce and stubbornly resisted. Chen Lun had prepared thoroughly – how could he fail? Though several of his men were injured, all the people were captured. After severe torture, one person finally couldn’t endure the cruel punishment and revealed that this group was people of the Beidi Sixth Prince South King Chi Shu, who had infiltrated the Wei state with him several months ago and came to Chang’an. After Chi Shu entered Chang’an, he hadn’t stayed with them, and they didn’t know where he had taken lodging. Their task was to await orders for action. But for some reason, no news had come all along, until a few days ago when they received orders to end this mission.

Chen Lun was shocked beyond measure. He hadn’t expected such a major incident to be uncovered in the end. Disregarding that it was already past midnight, he rushed into the palace overnight to request an audience with the Regent Prince.

Shu Shenhui had just lain down when he heard the news and got up to see him. After hearing the report, he asked, “Do you know why that Chi Shu risked infiltrating Chang’an?”

“According to that person’s account, Chi Shu is quite valued by the Beidi Emperor and has great hope of succession, but he ranks sixth, and the princes above him each have their strengths. For him to stand out, he must accomplish something significant. This was also his original intention in establishing the South King’s residence at Yan and You.”

Shu Shenhui nodded, “The Beidi throne customarily goes to the most capable. I’ve had news of this person before – reportedly, he has an unruly temperament and is extremely arrogant. Since he established a South King’s residence, his purpose is obvious. He did this to personally spy on Chang’an and assess strengths and weaknesses for future credit in disputes. He does have courage.”

Chen Lun asked, “Should the city immediately be sealed with a curfew to search and arrest?”

Shu Shenhui pondered for a moment and shook his head, “Forget about within Chang’an. Since these people were ordered to leave the city, he couldn’t possibly remain within. By now, he must have long since left the city. I’ll have Lan Rong cooperate with you to send people to set up checkpoints on roads leading to the northern prefectures to see if there’s any harvest. But I estimate he would take wilderness paths – this would be like fishing for a needle in the ocean…”

Chen Lun noticed him speaking, then suddenly his speech slowed and finally stopped.

Chen Lun waited a moment. Hearing him not speak again, just as he was about to remind him, suddenly he heard him say, “The princess consort’s side. Don’t worry about other things for now – I’ll arrange them. You immediately leave the city for Xianquan Palace and bring the princess consort back first.”

Chen Lun was stunned.

“Go quickly!”

Though they didn’t know where that Chi Shu was now, knowing such a thing and still leaving the princess consort alone at the detached palace was inevitably a risk. Chi Shu dared to do something like infiltrating Chang’an – if he discovered the female general princess consort was alone at the detached palace…

Chen Lun shuddered, his heart immediately rising with anxiety. He left the palace and immediately left the city, rushing through the night toward Xianquan Palace.

His wife, Princess Yongtai, had accompanied the princess consort there for several days, returning just yesterday. Presumably, there should be no problems.

He arrived at the detached palace at the fifth watch. Lady Zhuang was still asleep when she was awakened, not knowing what had happened. She hurriedly dressed and got up to see him.

“Forgive the trouble, Nanny Zhuang, but could you please ask the princess consort to rise? I have matters to report.” Chen Lun used an ordinary tone, fearing to frighten people.

Lady Zhuang said, “What unfortunate timing. After the princess returned to the city the day before yesterday, the princess consort left early yesterday morning on her own, saying if she returned late, she would stay out overnight and told me not to worry. She didn’t return last night.”

“How many people did she take?” Chen Lun’s heart suddenly tightened as he pressed for details.

“The princess consort took two guards. What’s wrong – has something happened?”

Though Chen Lun hadn’t mentioned anything, Lady Zhuang still sensed something unusual and became somewhat nervous.

Chen Lun comforted her with a few words, saying nothing major had happened, then said if the princess consort returned, to send word immediately. After giving these instructions, he didn’t stay a moment longer and immediately rushed back to the city without stopping.

Shu Shenhui learned this news after the morning court council ended. When Chen Lun returned to the palace, he was discussing matters with several ministers. Chen Lun waited until people finally left, then approached to report what he had learned.

He stood before the south window of the Wenlin Pavilion and turned around.

—

“Have Liu Xiang immediately take people and be sure to find the princess consort and bring her back!”

“As quickly as possible!” he ordered.

Jiang Hanyuan had set out early yesterday morning, aimlessly galloping alone across the vast wilderness park.

The princess was very good to her, and she also liked the princess, grateful for her kindness. But she was naturally destined for solitude. The princess’s goodwill and enthusiasm instead made her feel somewhat at a loss. This feeling did fade somewhat as they became more familiar, but it could never be eliminated.

She had been quiet since childhood and wasn’t good at dealing with anyone outside the military camp. She didn’t know how she should behave to be worthy of others treating her so well. That night, when she politely declined bathing in the hot springs with the princess, there was no other reason – she simply didn’t want the princess to see the scar on her back and frighten her.

Now she faced the strong wind alone, galloping on horseback, wanting to recapture the feeling she’d had at the western frontier several months ago.

At that time, military affairs and training occupied almost all her time and energy. Every day, she thought only of camp matters. Though she certainly felt no happiness, she didn’t need to either. She was accustomed to and willing to live that monotonous day-after-day life. It gave her a sense of security – it was something she could completely control. Unlike now, when she felt stifled, sometimes emotionally low, and surprisingly unable to control herself.

She had only left Yanmen a few months ago.

After that night, a stone lodged in her heart, choking her unbearably. These past few days before the princess, she had tried hard to act as if nothing had happened. She wanted to release it.

She had galloped alone in the wilderness for a day but couldn’t recapture her former mood. Evening was approaching – this was a clear dusk with the setting sun falling on mountain peaks ahead of the plain. She stopped her horse and gazed at the sunset for a moment, suddenly remembering the dusk many years ago when she had encountered that youth, and that most beautiful frosty dawn she had ever seen in her life.

That night of camping. When Chen Lun and he unexpectedly mentioned that day, she knew he must have long forgotten. So had she, hadn’t she? That jade pendant he had given to the “little child” he spoke of that day was pressed at the bottom of her chest, not having seen daylight again for many years.

For her, the ideal state of this marriage was to be nominal without substance. Someday in the future, when he no longer needed her, they could peacefully return to their original lives. He could love whom he loved, she could return to the military camp to continue guarding the frontier, or go to Yunluo City to listen to Wu Sheng chant sutras – if he was still there then. Living peacefully through this life, if she didn’t die on the battlefield in the end.

If it couldn’t be nominal without substance, she could also be a true wife with him. But only that. Cultivating so-called feelings wasn’t necessary for this marriage. She especially didn’t want – truly didn’t want – to have any interactions with him beyond what was necessary.

For instance, that dish of duck breast that she had originally thought she liked the taste of.

And for instance, that kiss requires their tongues to intertwine.

Knowing it was an expedient arrangement, why make the performance real today? That wasn’t her strength either. She was more afraid that if one day she took the performance as real and was no longer Jiang Hanyuan, while he remained the Regent Prince who had forgotten their encounter, then where would the destination be for her who was no longer Jiang Hanyuan?

“Princess Consort! Princess Consort!”

The two guards she had left behind finally caught up, seeing her solitary mounted figure facing the setting sun. They called out loudly, reaching behind her to ask if they could return.

Jiang Hanyuan looked at the sunset again. Suddenly, a familiar deer shadow flashed before her. It was the stag they had expended great effort trying to hunt several days ago! One of its antlers had a defect – Jiang Hanyuan remembered very clearly.

Without thinking, she felt for her bow and arrows, turned her horse around, and without hesitation, immediately gave chase.

A night passed, and the next day she continued following its tracks and traces. Twice more they met, and twice it slipped away. The third day. After sleeping in the open for two consecutive nights, fortune finally smiled upon her.

In the evening, beside a hillside, she discovered the deer’s form again.

It had been relentlessly pursued by her for three days and now appeared somewhat weary, no longer having its initial agility and majesty. It stood on the hill with its head lowered – that head that had originally borne a pair of proud antlers. Suddenly, seeing her appear again on horseback approaching, it immediately sprang up, leaping and fleeing swiftly, just as it had done the previous two days.

But this time, Jiang Hanyuan didn’t give it another chance. She sat steadily on her still-galloping horse, drew her bow fully, aimed the arrow at that fleeing deer shadow ahead, and suddenly released.

Her feathered arrow flew straight toward the deer, striking true without deviation, hitting its neck. The stag’s front hooves stumbled, it knelt to the ground, its body tilted, and fell with four hooves skyward, motionless. Yet after a moment, this creature suddenly came alive again, quickly scrambling up from the ground. It seemed to look back at her once, then took off running with all four hooves, leaving behind on the ground an empty arrow shaft with its head broken off.

Jiang Hanyuan stopped her horse, watching the deer’s fleeing shadow, and laughed. The stifling qi that had been in her chest these days was suddenly swept away!

The deer had been shot. Her hunt could also end.

She lowered her bow and arrow, turned to identify directions, wanting to meet up with those two guards. Suddenly, she paused slightly.

When her attention shifted from the deer she had pursued for three days, at this moment, she keenly sensed that there seemed to be someone not far behind her. Not the guards. A stranger.

She didn’t move at first, as if completely unaware. Her hand that had loosened the bow slowly gripped tighter, preparing to be able to shoot an arrow at the fastest speed the moment she turned around.

She was ready. Suddenly, then, the sound of applause came on the wind from behind.

“Perseverant character, extraordinary archery and horsemanship, yet not lacking a compassionate heart. I have long admired General Changning’s reputation and finally met you today. Indeed, your reputation is well-deserved!”

She slowly turned her head. From behind a hill several dozen steps behind her, a person appeared on horseback and approached her.

This was a young man who appeared about the same age as Shu Shenhui, wearing gray clothes and black boots, looking like an ordinary traveler. But those eagle-like eyes and imposing figure made it impossible for anyone to regard him lightly.

This was no ordinary person.

Jiang Hanyuan watched the other party approach her, coming closer and closer, finally stopping in front of her horse, separated from her by only seven or eight steps.

“Who are you?” she asked.

The young man smiled, “I have long heard your great name and wanted to meet you. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity before. Today I finally see you – it’s quite fortunate. Though my humble dwelling is cramped, I do have a place to receive guests. I’ve prepared an honored seat for General Changning early on. Having come so far and being fortunate to meet, why don’t you simply accompany me to my residence as a guest? What does the general think?”

Jiang Hanyuan looked at him for a moment, then suddenly said unexpectedly, “You’re from Beidi?”

The smile disappeared from the young man’s face. He was startled, then laughed it off, “Since you’ve seen through me, I might as well admit it. How did you know?”

“Your appearance is no different from our Wei people, and you speak our Han language fluently – a good disguise. But you forgot to conceal your earhole. No man in our Great Wei wears earrings. Your appearance also shows you’re not from the Western Regions. What remains are only the Beidi people who resemble us in appearance but differ greatly in customs.”

The young man raised his hand, unconsciously touching his earlobe, and laughed heartily, “Exactly! I was careless about this! You even noticed that. You truly are worthy of being the one who took Qingmu Sai!”

“Who exactly are you?”

Jiang Hanyuan looked at the person opposite, her heart already having a vague intuition.

Indeed, the person opposite stopped laughing, his face showing faint arrogance, and said, “Since you’ve seen through me, there’s no harm in saying. This prince is the Sixth Prince of the Great Beidi Dynasty, South King Chi Shu.”