The next day at dawn, Jiang Zhiyi was awakened by a soft “Princess.” She opened her eyes groggily to see Gu Yu bending beside her bed. Not far away, Xiaoman was cleaning up the porcelain cup that had been knocked over during her nightmare the night before.

There was no sign of Yuance in the room.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked, recalling her last memory from the night before—

She seemed to have clung to him, refusing to let go, and after embracing him for who knows how long, she had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

After that, she had slept without dreams.

…When had he left?

Gu Yu said, “Princess, Young General Shen left two quarters of an hour ago.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s lips curved into a smile: “At least he kept his word.”

—No wonder Young General Shen had that expression when leaving, as if he couldn’t wait for the Princess to wake up and was quite annoyed. He had deliberately left in front of her and Xiaoman, as if providing them with testimony.

Thinking this, Gu Yu took a drawing from her sleeve: “Young General Shen also left this, saying our courtyard’s security has gaps and should be changed according to the diagram.”

Jiang Zhiyi climbed out of bed and took the drawing to look at it.

On clean white paper was a bird’s-eye view of Yaoguang Pavilion. The ink was fresh and not yet dry. Although it wasn’t a realistic fine-line drawing, every door and window, every position was clear and distinct, resembling a military deployment plan.

So that’s where he had disappeared to last night…

Gu Yu asked: “But Princess, if we deploy defenses like this, will Young General Shen still be able to get in?”

“Have you ever seen someone dig a hole to bury themselves? It’s meant to prevent—” At the mention of that filthy creature, Jiang Zhiyi’s smile instantly vanished. “Has there been any movement from the elder cousin?”

“Perhaps to avoid your questioning, the Young Master left the mansion early this morning.”

“Keep an eye on him. Tell me as soon as he returns to the mansion.”

“But Princess, aren’t you going to attend Princess Baojia’s gathering today? I woke you just now to remind you that it’s almost time.”

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly remembered that she had forgotten the date during her illness.

Although she rarely went out in winter, invitations never ceased. Those noble ladies from prestigious families were constantly hosting snow appreciation banquets, plum blossom viewing parties, or ice competitions. Even knowing she disliked going out in the cold wind and didn’t enjoy the same activities as them, they still sent invitations out of respect.

She hadn’t taken those social niceties seriously, letting invitations pile up without a glance. Only Princess Baojia’s invitation had been specially set aside and entrusted to her maids.

“Is her restaurant opening today?” Jiang Zhiyi looked at the high sun outside the window and temporarily put the unlucky creature out of her mind. “Then hurry and help me dress.”

An hour later, in the Western Market.

Passing through the crowded streets lined with shops, the carriage stopped in a quiet area along the river. Jiang Zhiyi stepped down using the footstool and raised her eyes through the light gauze of her veiled hat.

Before her stood a magnificent three-story building with red and blue colors, adorned with intricate brackets and cornices. The entrance plaque bore three gold characters in a flowing script: “Feng Xu Lai” (Wind Gently Comes). This must be the elegant name of the restaurant.

A palace-dressed maid quickly came forward to greet her: “We’ve been waiting for the Princess! The Princess is already in a private room on the third floor and specifically ordered me to wait here for you. Please follow me upstairs.”

Jiang Zhiyi recognized this maid called Cuimei and smiled as she responded: “‘The gentle breeze comes, the water remains unruffled.’ How has sister changed her nature to give this restaurant such an insipid name?”

“Indeed! I also said this name is too bland and doesn’t suit the Princess. The feng shui master said it’s unlucky and will lose money, but the Princess wouldn’t listen. She said she’s just backing it financially from behind the scenes, not managing it personally, so if it loses money—” Cuimei covered her mouth and lowered her voice, “—at worst, she’ll just keep fewer male companions.”

“Don’t say that! They’re all dear to their sister’s heart, giving up any would be difficult. If she loses money, I’ll support her!” Jiang Zhiyi joked with Cuimei as they walked in, passing through the bustling main hall to reach the first floor, where the noisy hubbub subsided.

Jiang Zhiyi, with her hand on Gu Yu’s wrist, was about to turn the corner of the staircase when suddenly she heard a drunken, somewhat familiar voice—

“…What do you think troubles me? It’s none other than my Princess cousin!”

Jiang Zhiyi’s footsteps halted at the foot of the stairs.

Gu Yu and Cuimei’s expressions changed slightly as they exchanged glances.

From a private room behind her, another man’s voice sounded: “Your cousin seems high and mighty, unapproachable. No wonder you haven’t been able to get your hands on her all these years…”

“What do you know? That’s all just an act… she already has a lover in secret!”

“Really?!”

“I saw them meeting at midnight with my own eyes. How could it be false?”

“Who is it? Who?”

“You’ll be shocked when I tell you—it’s Shen, Yuan, Ce!”

A commotion erupted in the private room.

“…Wait, aren’t they sworn enemies?”

“How did those two end up together?”

“Who would have thought the Princess liked that type…”

Jiang Zhiyi’s face darkened as she took a slow, deep breath and looked back toward the private room.

Just then, someone inside said, “Going to relieve myself,” and pushed open the door. A young gentleman with a belly full of wine crossed the threshold, his face still smiling and laughing one moment, then tripping and falling flat on his face the next.

“What time is it to be so drunk!” Laughter erupted from inside.

The person sprawled on the ground raised his trembling eyes, saw Gu Yu and Cuimei, and immediately knew who was behind the veiled hat.

“Prin-Princess…”

The private room suddenly fell silent. A group of young gentlemen sitting around the table slowly turned their heads to look outside.

Meeting those ice-cold eyes behind the light gauze, Fang Zongming’s raised wine cup trembled, spilling half its contents: “Cou-cousin, wh-why are you here…”

Jiang Zhiyi gave a light laugh: “Coming to this fine restaurant, yet instead of enjoying the food, you’re here telling tall tales—if elder cousin doesn’t know how to use his mouth properly, perhaps it should be cut off?”

Fang Zongming shuddered, his drunkenness instantly half-sobered, and his flushed face turned as white as if struck by frost.

Cuimei looked sternly at Fang Zongming, then swept her gaze across the drunken faces in the private room: “The Princess speaks truly. As it happens, the cold-dressed pig’s mouth and braised pig’s ears for Princess Baojia’s banquet are still missing one key ingredient.”

“Is that so? Then on this auspicious opening day for the restaurant, we must have everything ready.” Jiang Zhiyi snorted lightly through her nose, turned with a flick of her sleeve, and headed upstairs.

The group watched with trembling legs as Jiang Zhiyi’s figure disappeared around the corner. They touched their ears and mouths, cold sweat streaming down their backs.

In the third-floor private room, the sound of string and wind instruments drifted gently. In the spacious central stage, over a dozen scantily clad Western Region dancers twirled with flowing skirts.

Female guests were seated on both sides, chatting and laughing in small groups.

Jiang Zhiyi entered with dampened spirits, her mood having been ruined on the first floor. She allowed the maid to remove her veiled hat and cloak.

A group of noble ladies near the door quickly stood to greet her, but upon seeing her displeased expression, they hesitated and sat back down.

At the head seat, Princess Baojia wore a flowing colorful gauze dress that trailed on the ground. Her phoenix eyes were adorned with alluring makeup as she leaned against an armrest, chatting animatedly. Hearing the commotion, she straightened up: “Oh, who has upset our little Yongying?”

Cuimei led Jiang Zhiyi to the front, inviting her to sit beside Baojia, and whispered a few words in Baojia’s ear.

“Such a thing happened?” Baojia raised an eyebrow, a trace of disgust appearing in her eyes. She gave Cuimei a look, signaling her to handle it, then moved closer to link arms with Jiang Zhiyi. “Sister will immediately throw those uncouth creatures out! Since this rumor started in my restaurant today, it won’t spread outside. Rest assured.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s expression improved somewhat: “Thank you, sister.”

“How is it that after not seeing each other for a month, you’ve become so distant? Being this upset—could the rumor be true?”

Jiang Zhiyi relaxed her brow and came to her senses: “How could it be!”

“Then why are you blushing?”

Jiang Zhiyi was at a loss for words. In the past, she had never been so obvious in public, otherwise, her relationship with Brother A-Ce would have been exposed long ago. How was it that she was becoming worse at hiding it, losing her composure whenever someone mentioned him?

“I’m just angry,” Jiang Zhiyi snorted coldly. “Of all people, they could spread rumors about me, it had to be Shen Yuance. Sister, you know our grudge.”

“Ah, I almost forgot! This is troublesome—I invited him today as well. Will you two fight when you meet?”

“Has he arrived?” Jiang Zhiyi raised her head to look toward the men’s seating area beyond the screen.

Baojia smiled slightly: “Not yet. Be patient, he might arrive soon.”

Seeing Baojia’s seemingly all-knowing gaze, Jiang Zhiyi cleared her throat, picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and gradually turned her head away.

As she turned, she suddenly felt a prying gaze on her face.

Jiang Zhiyi looked toward the lower seats and saw a young lady wearing a snow-cyan colored vertical-collared long jacket over a tea-white pleated skirt, with simple adornments.

Seeing that she had been noticed, the young lady immediately averted her gaze and lowered her head over her teacup.

Having been secluded for so long, many in the room were secretly observing her, but this gaze was different. It seemed to focus on her lips, as if trying to read her conversation with Baojia.

Jiang Zhiyi recalled that this person had entered the private room after her. When she confronted Fang Zongming and the others, this person might have been behind her at the staircase corner, perhaps overhearing those vile words…

Jiang Zhiyi asked Baojia: “Who is that? She looks unfamiliar.”

Baojia looked toward the lower seats: “Minister Pei’s youngest daughter, Pei Xueqing. A proper young lady from a good family who rarely leaves home—no wonder you don’t recognize her. I hardly recognize her myself… Though come to think of it, I’ve been seeing her out more frequently lately. Perhaps she’s reached marriageable age and is attending banquets to look for potential matches.”

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Pei Xueqing.

Like her attire, her features were elegant and refined. Her delicate face, small as a palm, was lowered quietly. She didn’t speak with those around her and didn’t appear to be the gossiping type.

As a daughter of the Pei family, she should be intelligent and understand that some things are best heard and forgotten. Why was she so curious about her?

Just as she was pondering this, Cuimei led a servant in. Jiang Zhiyi glanced casually and saw a familiar face—

It was Qing Song.

Jiang Zhiyi looked toward the men’s seating area but didn’t see Yuance. In the next moment, Qing Song had approached with lowered head, bowed to the head seats, and introduced himself.

“This humble one greets the Princess and the Princess of the Second Rank. My master is in the military camp and cannot attend the banquet. He has specially sent me to deliver a gift as a token of congratulations.”

“So busy, what a pity.” Baojia glanced at Jiang Zhiyi. “Yongying, would you like to open it and see?”

“I’d like—what do you mean ‘like’? It’s not a gift for me!”

Baojia smiled and beckoned, having Cuimei present the gift box. Opening it, they saw a six-legged pixiu statue of gold-inlaid jade, symbolizing warding off evil and attracting wealth.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at it and smiled sarcastically at Qing Song: “I thought your master only gave swords as gifts.”

“…” Qing Song was unexpectedly nervous and lowered his head.

Jiang Zhiyi continued: “Princess Baojia’s banquet will last all day, ending only at nightfall. Is your master so occupied with affairs of state that he can’t spare a moment? Or has he become so accomplished in military merit that he looks down on everyone, not even giving Princess Baojia face?”

Qing Song’s mouth opened, then hesitated, carefully considering these words.

His master had gone out late for four consecutive nights. If not for his strong constitution, he would probably fall asleep standing. After such hard work, the Princess should have reconciled with the master and wouldn’t have deliberately challenged him…

I understand, she’s giving me a hint!

Qing Song replied: “The Princess misunderstands. My master was delayed this morning, which made him late for the military camp. He will return only after nightfall, around the hour of Xu, and will indeed miss the Princess’s banquet.”

Jiang Zhiyi made a soft sound of acknowledgment, savoring the words “delayed this morning.” She raised her teacup to hide her upturned lips, silently noting the time.

After the hour of Xu, at Yaoguang Pavilion.

Jiang Zhiyi had returned from the restaurant, taken a refreshing bath to relieve her fatigue, and now sat at her dressing table while her maid wrung out her wet hair.

Upon returning to the mansion in the evening, her first inquiry had been about Fang Zongming’s whereabouts. She was told he hadn’t returned all day, likely because he had been caught by her once again and now didn’t dare come back.

If he returned to the mansion, she could surround his courtyard with people to discipline him. But with him staying away, it wouldn’t be appropriate to make a grand display of capturing him, lest it spread and damage her reputation instead.

Jiang Zhiyi sat with irritation, unable to think of a good solution even by the time her maid had wrung her hair dry.

Looking at the bed behind her, it seemed to have taken on a shadow, making her reluctant to lie down.

Last night she had dreamed that Yuance said he wouldn’t leave but broke his promise, resulting in Fang Zongming returning to crawl onto that bed…

Xiaoman, who hadn’t accompanied her out today, had already replaced everything from the bedding to the curtains—even if it was only defiled in a dream, it was still dirty.

Gu Yu and Xiaoman, worried that her newly recovered cold might relapse, earnestly persuaded her to lie down. Actually, after implementing Young General Shen’s defense plan, the courtyard was now as secure as a fortress. It was just that the Princess had been frightened last night and hadn’t overcome the mental hurdle, so she still felt unsafe.

The two maids promised they would stay awake and watch until Young General Shen arrived, ensuring she would never be alone.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhiyi looked at the time but became uncertain.

Had Qing Song understood her hint? Was that “returning at the hour of Xu” referring to Brother A-Ce’s arrival time?

It was already the hour of Hai now.

After much consideration, Jiang Zhiyi sent a guard to the Shen mansion to deliver a message, then sat dispiritedly on the bed waiting for news.

After another half-hour of waiting, the guard returned to report that Young General Shen hadn’t returned to his mansion at all that day.

Jiang Zhiyi grew more depressed, her eyebrows drooping as she leaned back: “So late and still not home. Where has he gone?”

Gu Yu suggested, “Could there be some urgent matter at the military camp, so he’s staying there?”

“So I’m not urgent enough…”

“And he doesn’t even send someone to say a word…”

Gu Yu stepped forward to tuck in her blanket corner: “Then the Princess should stop waiting. If you can’t sleep, lying down with your eyes closed to rest is also good.”

“That filthy creature might return to the mansion at any moment; how could I close my eyes?”

Gu Yu didn’t press further and simply sat with her, thinking that at worst they would sit until the Princess was too exhausted to think of anything else.

After an unknown period, just as Gu Yu was nearly dozing off on the footstool, Xiaoman ran in breathlessly: “He’s here, he’s here!”

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly raised her eyes toward the back window.

“No, it’s not Young General Shen who’s here—it’s the Young Master who has returned!”

Well now! If she couldn’t wait for her lover, waiting for this wolf would do!

Since Fang Zongming dared to return, she must teach him a lesson, making him not only afraid to gossip about her outside but tremble at the mere thought of her!

Jiang Zhiyi roused herself, put on a robe, got off the bed, and waved her hand: “Bring people, let’s—”

“Princess, there’s no need…” Xiaoman, having just caught her breath, continued, “The Young Master has returned with broken legs!”

“?”

“Both legs are broken! He was carried back wailing like a ghost and howling like a wolf!”

Jiang Zhiyi was startled: “What happened?”

“I don’t know either. I just heard the news and hurried to report to you.”

How was it that justice from heaven had descended before she even acted? Jiang Zhiyi blinked and nodded: “Let’s go see.”

Jiang Zhiyi tied up her hair, changed into warmer clothes, and rode a sedan chair to the eastern side. Just as she reached the gate of Fang Zongming’s courtyard, she heard pig-like screaming from inside.

Jiang Zhiyi frowned and rubbed her ears, then entered the courtyard accompanied by Gu Yu and Xiaoman on either side.

From a distance, she could see a brightly lit room crowded with people: two physicians bent over working, several maids and servants holding water basins and towels, and her uncle’s concubine, Madam Xu.

Each time the physician touched him, the person on the bed would bite down on a cloth strip and howl. His hands flailed wildly, impossible to hold him down, making treatment difficult.

“Young Master Fang, please bear with it. If your legs aren’t properly splinted, the bones might not heal correctly!”

Jiang Zhiyi stood at the threshold, looking in: “What has happened?”

Hearing her voice, everyone immediately lowered their heads or made way.

Fang Zongming’s wailing stopped abruptly. Seeing her walk in, he stared with wide eyes as if seeing a ghost, trembling as he tried to move toward the corner of the bed.

“Young Master Fang, you mustn’t move!”

Jiang Zhiyi looked at Madam Xu in bewilderment.

Madam Xu explained: “We apologize for disturbing the Princess at night. The Young Master had some dispute with someone outside and was—”

“Beaten into this state?” Jiang Zhiyi showed surprise. “Just now the physician mentioned bones not healing properly—what happens then?”

The physician replied: “If they don’t heal properly, at best he’ll limp; at worst, he may never be able to walk again!”

“Oh, how serious! Doesn’t that mean he might have to lie in this bed for the rest of his life?”

“Yes…” The physician’s sympathetic sigh had barely begun when he turned and saw the Princess covering her nose with a handkerchief, looking at the person on the bed with a gaze that was deeply sympathetic yet tinged with disgust. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure if he should continue sighing.

“If that’s the case, elder cousin should grit his teeth and endure. Only by healing these legs properly will there be hope for the latter half of his life.” Jiang Zhiyi then turned to the physician. “One must taste the bitterest medicine to become the strongest. Doctor, don’t mind how loudly my elder cousin cries, just apply your deadliest—I mean, strongest treatment. Know that your ruthlessness now is all for the future of the Marquis of Yongen’s household.”

Fang Zongming, with tears and mucus covering his face, kept shaking his head, biting the cloth strip, and making desperate “mmm” sounds.

The physician assured: “Rest assured, Princess. This old one will do his utmost to heal him, returning to Young Master Fang two legs that can leap and jump.”

Once again, pig-like screaming filled the room. Two servants held down Fang Zongming’s hands on either side, finally controlling him.

Watching Fang Zongming go from screaming with bulging veins to gradually losing his voice, becoming faint, and rolling his eyes,

Jiang Zhiyi shook her head and sighed: “With this lesson, elder cousin must be more mindful in the future and avoid provoking those who shouldn’t be provoked. If there’s a next time, who knows what might be broken?”

Terror flashed in Fang Zongming’s eyes, and before he could catch his breath, his head tilted as he fainted.

Leaving the eastern side, Jiang Zhiyi returned to Yaoguang Pavilion by sedan chair. As soon as she entered her bedroom, she curiously asked her maids: “Did you find out what happened?”

Gu Yu replied: “I just got a few words from the Young Master’s servant. The Young Master was lingering at Yanchun House with a group of disreputable friends tonight. After leaving, he was suddenly grabbed by the collar and dragged into a dark alley. Without hearing a word, he was struck with two clubs, and both his legs were mercilessly broken!”

“Wow!” Jiang Zhiyi gently covered her mouth.

“And it wasn’t just the Young Master. Several young gentlemen with him met the same fate, though strangely, they each only had one leg broken…”

Xiaoman exclaimed in surprise: “Who is enforcing heavenly justice with such fair… punishment?”

“They say it was too dark to see clearly, only that the person was very tall, wearing a black cloak, descending from the sky like the Grim Reaper—terrifying and mysterious!”

Just as she finished speaking, the candle flame in the bedroom flickered.

All three fell silent and seemed to sense something as they slowly turned their heads toward the back window.

They saw a very tall, black-cloaked, mysterious person descend from the sky. After landing, he pulled back his hood, stretched his neck left and right, then raised his head.

Jiang Zhiyi: “…”

Looking at the master and two servants frozen like wooden chickens before him, Yuance pulled off his cloak, lifted his eyelids slightly, and said: “Bring me some water.”

After a moment of shock, Gu Yu and Xiaoman responded with “Oh” in unison. Their hands busy pouring water, their eyes still fixed on him.

Jiang Zhiyi stood dumbfounded for a moment, then looked at him as her eyes gradually brightened.

So Brother A-Ce had indeed flown into a rage to defend her honor!

Jiang Zhiyi quickly stepped forward and grasped both his wrists: “With so many people, did your hands get hurt?”

Yuance: “…”

She freed one hand to take the teacup from Xiaoman and held it up to his lips. Seeing he didn’t move, she tilted the cup slightly: “Weren’t you thirsty? Drink quickly.”

Yuance looked at the teacup before him, then at the two maids staring from a distance. He stepped back, took the cup with his free hand, turned around, and drank it down.

Jiang Zhiyi watched him with sparkling eyes: “How did you know I was bullied today?”

Princess Baojia was a shrewd person. After such an incident, she would surely inform the other party involved, sending word to him via Qing Song.

With his brother’s reputation at stake, he couldn’t sit idly by.

Yuance replied: “Is that so? I just found those people disagreeable. What, did they provoke you too?”

Jiang Zhiyi was in too good a mood to mind his stubbornness. She made a long “Oh” sound: “But even though these people are rotten, they come from high backgrounds. Being so reckless, aren’t you afraid of being impeached by court officials?”

“If they impeach me, will those cowards go to the battlefield instead?”

Jiang Zhiyi pressed her lips into a smile: “Rest on my bed first. I just visited my elder cousin’s courtyard and feel filthy. I need another bath.”

Yuance looked at her newly made bed and raised his eyebrows: “Don’t I have a bed at home?”

“But your home doesn’t have me!” Jiang Zhiyi stomped her foot and glared at him. “I’ll be back shortly. Don’t you dare leave!”