Shu Shenhui arrived at Princess Yongtai’s residence. He wasn’t exactly an outsider, so without any obstruction, he was led straight by the princess’s servants to a place called Baohua Pavilion located in the rear quarters.

The servant respectfully said this was where the princess held her evening banquet for the Regent Prince’s consort and the Great He King’s daughter. Besides these two, she had also invited a dozen or so noble ladies who were usually close to the princess as companions. She had also summoned a troupe of performers from Chang’an’s premier entertainment quarter to play music and sing for the guests’ enjoyment.

Across a large pond reflecting brilliant lamp shadows with dark, quiet water, Shu Shenhui gazed toward the windowed small building floating in the center of the pond. Row upon row of latticed windows blazed with lights. Though the hour was already late, across the water, he could still faintly hear the sounds of strings, pipes, and songs along with joyful laughter coming from the building. Shadows moved behind the windows in the flickering light.

He crossed the curved bridge leading to the water pavilion and arrived below the building.

“This servant will go announce you.”

Shu Shenhui looked up, hesitated for a moment, then said: “Never mind, I’ll wait a bit longer. When their banquet is finished, then tell them I’ve come.”

The Great He King was leaving urgently, and tonight Chen Lun had to work with people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare for tomorrow’s send-off, possibly staying out all night. He was naturally not unfamiliar with the princess’s residence. After giving instructions, he went directly to a nearby pavilion. This was a room the princess and prince consort couple used for leisure and cooling off during summer days. Since the season hadn’t arrived yet, the mica-inlaid flower windows on all four sides were tightly closed. The servant said the princess and prince consort hadn’t entered this room for a long time, and the cleaning might be inadequate, fearing to slight him, suggesting he rest elsewhere. Too lazy to walk further, as if being here could bring him closer to her, he only asked for lights. The servant lit the silver lotus lamp inside. He entered, not needing anyone to attend him, and reclined on a beautiful daybed he encountered, raising both arms and clasping them behind his head as a pillow, closing his eyes, and beginning to wait.

After waiting for some time, the revelry over there continued without signs of dispersing. He calculated the time in his mind – it should already be well past the Hai Hour(21.00-22.00). He naturally knew that wealthy night banquets in Chang’an’s imperial city often involved wild celebrations throughout the night, continuing until dawn. With Chen Lun not returning tonight either, could Yongtai want to keep people entertained all night until dawn?

He thought of sending someone to call Chen Lun home, but knew it was inappropriate. The thought wandered in his mind for a moment before he finally dismissed it, instead opening his eyes and rising, walking to the mica windows and pushing open one of them.

With the window open, the sounds floating from the water pavilion immediately became clear. He stood facing the pool with its dark, quiet water, light outside the window, listening intently, trying to distinguish her voice from the many women’s joyful laughter mixed, but to no avail. After waiting quietly like this for another moment, suddenly footsteps came from behind outside, followed by Princess Yongtai’s voice: “San Lang! They said you came!”

Shu Shenhui turned around to see the door being pushed open and Princess Yongtai walking in. Seeing him, she laughingly complained: “San Lang, what’s wrong with you? Coming without saying a word! If I hadn’t come down just now and the servant told me, I still wouldn’t know! What are you doing?”

Shu Shenhui turned and approached, saying: “I came to fetch the princess consort home. When I arrived, they said you were still drinking, so I waited here.”

The princess glanced around and shook her head: “When did you become so foolish? This place hasn’t had anyone staying for so long, and it’s all dark and gloomy. What are you doing waiting here alone? Does my house have no other place for you to rest?”

Shu Shenhui smiled: “I was too lazy to walk further. This place happens to be quiet, so I can think about things.”

Princess Yongtai looked at him without speaking. Shu Shenhui, feeling somewhat guilty under her gaze, explained as if nothing was amiss: “Tonight’s palace banquet ended early. I had nothing to do when I returned home, and thought it wouldn’t be good to disturb my sister too much, so I came to fetch her on the way.”

Princess Yongtai laughed mockingly: “Come on then. Since you’re here, I’ll release my general sister. It’s just a pity for Linhua – the royal daughter thought she could sleep with your princess consort tonight and was happy for nothing.”

Shu Shenhui followed the princess to the water pavilion. Since there were other women inside, he naturally couldn’t enter. The princess told him to wait briefly and went in. Soon, someone pushed open a window upstairs, and women quietly poked their heads out, competing to look down. The phoenix hairpins in their hair glittered with points of golden light in the night.

He stood calmly, letting those eyes observe him.

Princess Yongtai was extremely enthusiastic, repeatedly inviting and urging her to stay, saying it was a rare opportunity and they should play all night to make it worthwhile. As for San Lang, she would send word to him herself. Jiang Hanyuan couldn’t refuse partly due to courtesy, and secondly, to be honest, although last night she had finally learned the true taste of intimate relations between men and women and understood why men in military camps would discuss such matters with endless enthusiasm, when the pleasure faded and she woke this morning, she had developed a sense of emptiness. Her heart felt hollow and floating in mid-air, unable to settle. She regretted losing control of herself in front of him last night. With the princess urging her to stay so much, she simply agreed, never expecting he would come to fetch her.

The surrounding women had also drunk quite a bit and, in their tipsy state, hearing the princess say the Regent Prince had actually come to fetch the princess consort, they exchanged meaningful glances and laughed endlessly.

Jiang Hanyuan pretended not to see and rose.

During her years in the borderlands, in the bitter cold of winter, she would sometimes drink alcohol to ward off the cold, but usually just a few cups to warm her body before stopping. Tonight was an exception. Princess Yongtai had an amazing capacity for alcohol and was frequently urged to drink. Since she had also prepared to stay overnight, she unknowingly drank a great deal. While sitting, it was fine, but after standing, she felt her steps floating, yet not wanting people to notice, she forced herself to act normal. Amid the giggling laughter of the women behind her, she reluctantly bid farewell to the royal daughter and followed the princess out. Indeed, she saw him standing alone at the bottom of the steps.

“Here, your princess consort – sister is returning her to you. You’d better watch her carefully. If she gets lost someday, don’t blame sister!” the princess joked.

“Thank you, sister. Sister, go entertain your guests. No need to see us off.”

Shu Shenhui smiled and then looked toward the silent Jiang Hanyuan, inquiring: “If you’re ready, shall we go?”

Jiang Hanyuan was gradually feeling somewhat heavy-headed and light-footed. Knowing the women should all be gathered behind windows observing this side, she just wanted to leave quickly. She nodded and immediately stepped forward, but her footing was unsteady, causing her body to sway slightly. Though she steadied herself immediately, he had already reached out his hand, gently supporting her waist. Seeing she was stable, he released his hold. Then, nodding to the princess, the two walked outside side by side.

Behind them erupted a burst of women’s uproarious laughter.

Shu Shenhui abandoned his horse and rode in a carriage from the princess’s residence with Jiang Hanyuan, returning to the prince’s residence.

The carriage rolled forward steadily. The two continued sitting side by side. He asked how she felt. She apologetically said she had merely drunk two cups too many, but had troubled him and made him come fetch her.

Apart from swaying initially and him catching a whiff of alcohol on her breath, she walked steadily without needing his support, spoke normally, and her eyes were bright and clear. She indeed didn’t seem drunk, so he relaxed and began explaining: “It’s not that I wouldn’t let you enjoy yourself with them, but my sister and the others are accustomed to such things, while you’re new to this. If you got drunk, you’d feel unwell.”

She quietly hummed in acknowledgment.

The wheels rumbled, carrying the carriage at an unhurried pace through the empty Chang’an streets in the night.

Shu Shenhui let her rest her head on his shoulder and said, “Regarding His Majesty calling you to shoot the arrow this morning, I truly knew nothing about it beforehand.”

Even though a day had passed, at this moment, his heart still seemed to hold that deep sense of pride. The female general who had captivated the entire crowd of ten thousand was precisely his princess consort.

She didn’t respond to his words. He turned to look at her and saw her eyelashes had lowered and her eyes were closed – she had actually fallen asleep.

Shu Shenhui laughed helplessly and shook his head.

This was truly like a three-year-old child, falling asleep as soon as she said she would – much too quickly.

He stopped talking and let her continue leaning against him to doze. Fortunately, the prince’s residence wasn’t far from Yongjia’s home. After a few streets, they quickly arrived.

The carriage stopped at the gate. Shu Shenhui gently patted her face and called to her softly. She mumbled incoherently twice, frowned, her eyelashes trembling lightly, as if wanting to wake but unable to open her eyes.

He suddenly understood.

She had passed out from drinking.

He no longer tried to wake her, but directly lifted her up, got out of the carriage, carried her into Fanzhi Courtyard, placed her on the bed, and called Zhuang Shi to attend her. When he finished bathing and came out, she had been changed into loose sleeping clothes, her eyes closed, still not awake.

Shu Shenhui also got onto the bed, lying beside her. By the light from outside the bed curtains, he looked at her carefully.

She was extremely different when drunk and asleep compared to her usual self. At this moment, she looked soft and powerless, as if without any strength, at anyone’s mercy.

Shu Shenhui leaned closer and took a sniff.

Even her breathing had become sweetly fragrant.

Shu Shenhui struggled somewhat before finally managing to move his gaze away from her loosened front garment, pulling up the bed covers to cover her body.

She was drunk, and looking at her slightly furrowed brow, she probably wasn’t very comfortable. If he took advantage of the opportunity to do that sort of thing to her, she would likely be even more uncomfortable.

This was also not what a gentleman would do.

He sighed deeply, lay back flat on the pillow, closed his eyes for a moment, couldn’t help opening them again, his gaze falling on her lips.

Last night, she had been quite content, but this morning, when he joked with her based on their intimacy, though it seemed fine at the time and he took it as playful banter, thinking about it afterward, he felt she seemed rather cold.

He felt slightly uncomfortable in his heart. The more he thought about it, the more he felt as if she had used him and then discarded him like worn shoes.

Last night, he had touched her entire body, yet he alone had never kissed her mouth. Only because he still remembered her words at Xianquan Palace last time – that she didn’t like this, which had truly left a deep impression on him.

He stared at her lips for a long time, as if bewitched, slowly holding his breath and approaching inch by inch.

She remained completely unaware, still lying there with lowered eyelashes, motionless. Just as he was about to kiss her mouth, he stopped again, rubbed his forehead, and once more turned over, making himself lie back on the pillow.

Forget it. He wasn’t so desperate that he had to kiss her mouth.

He closed his eyes, deciding to stop his wild thoughts and go to sleep.

He still had to rise early tomorrow.

The inner chamber quieted down. Outside the bed curtains, a candle used for night illumination burned, slowly and silently diminishing at a pace imperceptible to the naked eye. Suddenly, Shu Shenhui heard her making sleep-talking sounds beside him, followed by her body jerking violently.

He opened his eyes abruptly, turned his head, and saw her eyes still closed but her brow tightly furrowed, as if trying desperately to break free from something, as if bound by something. Soon, her body curled tightly together, her expression pained, her posture rigid.

She was having a nightmare!

Shu Shenhui immediately remembered that early in their marriage, one night when he sought her to discuss something, she was sleeping alone on the couch in the outer room. He recalled that at the time, she had similarly fallen into a dream state and nearly fallen off, until he rushed over and caught her.

He was completely awakened, immediately embracing her in his arms, continuously patting her face, calling “Princess Consort,” telling her to wake up. But she seemed deeply trapped in the nightmare, never awakening.

“Jiang Hanyuan! A-Yuan! Wake up!”

Shu Shenhui had never seen a nightmare that could be so frightening. In his urgency, he called her name wildly. Finally, seeing that she seemed to be awakened and had quieted down, curled in his arms motionless, her previously rigid body slowly softening back to normal.

“How are you? What did you dream?”

She still had her eyes closed, as if not completely awake yet. Shu Shenhui, fearing she would fall back into nightmares if she slept again, wiped away the cold sweat that had emerged on her forehead while speaking to her in a low voice.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” His voice unconsciously became extremely gentle.

Jiang Hanyuan had once again fallen into the nightmare that had dragged her countless times into the abyss. She again dreamed of herself standing at the high Iron Sword Cliff, leaping down to be shattered into pieces, her entire being surrounded by blood, wanting to escape but unable to break free. Just as she suffered in agony, suddenly she heard a voice calling beside her ear. That person called her name, bringing her out of the nightmare.

That voice was so pleasant to hear. She vaguely felt as if she had heard it somewhere before.

She was dazed and confused, still partially drunk, half-dreaming and half-awake, slightly opening her eyes. Indeed, in her dream, she saw again that youth she had encountered when she was thirteen.

She stared blankly for a moment, unable to help herself, raising her hand toward this handsome face, slowly reaching out.

It must be a dream, she told herself in the dream.

Shu Shenhui saw she had finally awakened and felt relieved. Seeing her looking at him this way while raising her hand, he took her hand and brought it to his face, smiling: “You’re awake? Do you want to touch me? Then touch me.”

Jiang Hanyuan’s eyes were half-open and half-closed. After looking at him for a moment, she suddenly frowned and murmured: “You’re not him…”

Yes, not him. That young prince on horseback, though he indeed loved to smile and was willing to pity a small soldier in his eyes, how could he possibly tell her to touch his face?

Even in dreams, such things could not possibly happen.

What she saw was merely someone who bore a similar face to that youth.

She closed her eyes and once again fell into deep sleep.

Shu Shenhui was still holding her hand when he suddenly felt as if cold water had been poured over his head. His entire being cooled down, and the tender compassion in his chest faded away bit by bit, inch by inch, thread by thread, slowly receding until it finally dissipated without a trace.

Looking at her closed eyes as she slept again, completely unaware of everything, his heart suddenly surged with irritation.

She was still drunk – this was without question. So when she was awakened from the nightmare just now and looked at him for a long while, why did she finally come out with “You’re not him”? What did she mean?

Who exactly had she dreamed of in her dream? Who was this “him”? Could it be that young monk again? Had she seen someone in her dream and, waking with drunken, bleary eyes, initially mistaken him for the other person?

Shu Shenhui told himself not to overthink. If he continued thinking, he truly couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t do something to that monk.

It should just be her drunken ramblings in her dream, with no specific meaning.

He convinced himself over and over. After a moment, he opened his eyes and turned to look again.

She was curled under the covers, eyes closed, motionless. He ultimately couldn’t suppress the melancholy in his heart. He got up, left the bed, lifted the bed curtains, dressed, and walked out. Passing through the outer room, he suddenly stopped.

Several trunks and cases had appeared by the wall.

He hadn’t returned for the past several days, and when he came back tonight, he went straight to his study. Only now did he notice these trunks in the room.

His intuition told him these should be the things she was taking on her trip back to Yanmen.

He walked over, opened them, and looked through them. Indeed, this was the case. Two of them contained letters and bundles of clothing – items she was helping soldiers from the Qingmu Battalion carry. The remaining one contained her personal belongings, which were pitifully few: several sets of everyday clothes for changing and washing, the dagger she had pulled from her body and thrown away on their wedding night, plus some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones – nothing else.

He frowned and was about to close the trunk when his gaze suddenly moved.

This dagger reminded him of something else.

He reached out and searched through her trunk again, going through every corner, but didn’t find the item he wanted to see.

He concentrated for a moment, slowly closed the lid, walked out, and called for Zhuang Shi.

Zhuang Shi had just gone to sleep not long ago. Hearing his summons and not knowing why, she rose hastily and came hurriedly.

“Are all the princess consort’s things for leaving the capital packed?” Shu Shenhui asked her.

Zhuang Shi was puzzled, not knowing why he would suddenly think to ask this in the middle of the night, but nodded: “Yes, several trunks are all placed in the room. Everything was packed personally by the princess consort herself – she didn’t let us touch anything.”

“What about her remaining things?”

“The princess consort also organized those herself and put them in the storehouse the day before yesterday.”

“Take me to see!”

Zhuang Shi felt even more puzzled. But seeing his expression didn’t look very good, she didn’t dare ask further questions. She took the keys and led him over.