The morning passed with the teacher evaluating each group’s performance. Upon hearing Jiang Zhiyi and Pei Zisong’s piece, he praised them effusively, saying it was “like celestial music momentarily illuminating the ear.” He commended their tacit understanding as “mountains echoing valleys, wind stirring water,” truly a perfect match.
The duet of xun and qin was rarely heard, and the mournful tone of the xun perfectly complemented the teacher’s composition “Yu Boya Mourning Zhong Ziqi,” creating a harmonious atmosphere. As a result, Jiang Zhiyi and Pei Zisong undoubtedly earned first place.
A group of noble young men enthusiastically flattered them while others looked on enviously. They remarked that Pei Zisong truly had the luck of eight lifetimes to have gained the opportunity to perform with the Imperial Princess. Seeing how the teacher narrowed his eyes in delight, they nearly said outright that the two made a handsome couple, perfectly matched.
The Princess’s attendance at the academy was already unusual, and lately people had been speculating that she was there to find a husband. Because of this, everyone diligently arrived early and stayed late, attending classes without fail, hoping that such good fortune might fall upon them.
Looking at the situation now, if anyone at the academy could catch the Princess’s eye, it truly would only be Pei Zisong—born to the Prime Minister’s family, achieving scholarly honors at a young age yet uninterested in official ranks and abandoning an official career, coming to this academy without flaunting his talents or being arrogant, treating others kindly and maintaining a low profile. He did indeed seem to suit the Princess’s temperament.
At noon, a group gathered at their seats discussing this matter. Someone suddenly hissed: “Could it be that the Princess came specifically for Pei Zisong? Otherwise, among so many people, how did she just happen to draw the most academically accomplished and virtuous one today?”
Someone quickly recalled: “Now that you mention it, I remember that when drawing lots, Pei Zisong originally didn’t draw this one. It was Shen Yuance who shook the lot container…”
“…Are you suggesting that the Princess wanted to be paired with Pei Zisong, and Shen Yuance helped her? But are Shen Yuance and the Princess close enough for such assistance?”
“Exactly, how could that be possible! Haven’t you noticed how displeased the Princess has been lately whenever Shen Yuance has been in the spotlight?” The group gradually dismissed this speculation as they continued talking.
It certainly seemed an impossible conjecture—if Jiang Zhiyi had been like them, unaware of the inside story.
Just outside the door, Jiang Zhiyi stood at the entrance, her eyelashes trembling as she took a deep breath. After a moment of silence, her face turned cold as she turned away, calling to Gu Yu: “No more studying today. Let’s return to the manor.”
In the depths of winter, during the coldest days of the year, the young gentlemen at the Tianchong Academy increasingly struggled to rise early. Upon discovering that the Princess had been absent from the academy for several days in a row, even fewer students attended classes.
That afternoon, under clear skies, in the warm chamber of the Princess Manor in Shengye District, Bao Jia looked at the person lazily reclining on the beauty couch with curiosity: “I met several young gentlemen at my tavern around noon today. They asked if I had seen you recently, wondering why you haven’t been attending the academy… I told them that in this bitter cold, how could our little Yongying bear to let the wind touch her face? I said I hadn’t had the chance to see you. Who would have thought that right after I said that, you would come to visit me?”
Jiang Zhiyi held a book of leisure reading, glancing at it occasionally. She opened her mouth to accept the preserved fruit that Gu Yu placed at her lips, chewing and swallowing slowly, then moistened her throat with a sip of clear tea: “How bold of them, skipping classes to visit the Princess’s tavern.”
“That’s not it. From what they said, today seems to be the academy’s ten-day break.”
Jiang Zhiyi’s hand holding the book paused. When Bao Jia cast her a questioning glance, she lowered her head and uttered a soft “Oh.”
Bao Jia scrutinized her suddenly dejected face: “In this freezing weather, for you to leave your golden chamber and grace me with your presence, there must be some matter troubling you. You wouldn’t come without a reason. Tell me what’s happened.”
“It’s… not anything significant,” Jiang Zhiyi cleared her throat, set down her book, and straightened up slightly on the couch. “It’s like this, Sister. I have a close female friend—”
“Hmm?” Bao Jia blinked. “Besides me, who else in Chang’an could qualify as your close friend?”
Jiang Zhiyi coughed lightly: “A newly made acquaintance.”
“Oh,” Bao Jia gently flicked her gauze sleeve and raised her teacup for a sip. “So what trouble has this close friend of yours encountered?”
“Yes, it started with her having a secret lover with whom she’s been involved for three years—”
“Pfft!” Bao Jia choked on her tea, coughing while covering her mouth. The attendant Cui Mei quickly patted her back to help her breathe.
Jiang Zhiyi stopped speaking and watched her.
“It’s nothing,” Bao Jia coughed for a moment and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief. “Just that three years is longer than I expected.”
“…Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, they were separated for a long time and have only recently reunited. In truth, the days they’ve spent together aren’t that many.”
Bao Jia seemed to have contained her surprise and nodded: “Then a reunion after a long separation should be a joyous occasion. So what’s the problem?”
“It was supposed to be joyous, but a few days ago, for some unknown reason, that lover suddenly became reluctant to pay attention to my friend. Not only that, but that day there was something my friend wanted to do with him, yet he deliberately gave that opportunity to another young man…”
“That is rather outrageous!”
Jiang Zhiyi sighed: “Indeed. Although it was just a small matter, small things reveal larger issues. Isn’t it essentially the same as pushing her toward another man? My friend left without a word, thinking that since she was angry, her lover would surely come to explain afterward. But he didn’t, and now my friend is stubborn too, unwilling to seek him out first. So several days have passed like this…”
Bao Jia suddenly understood: “So that’s why you haven’t been going to the academy?”
“Of course! And you say today is their break day, yet he doesn’t even come when he’s free…” Jiang Zhiyi stopped mid-sentence as Gu Yu tugged at her sleeve. She closed her mouth and looked up to see Bao Jia and Cui Mei exchanging amused glances.
Feeling a rush of heat to her face, Jiang Zhiyi swung her legs off the couch, slipped on her shoes, and moved to leave: “Forget it, forget it! I’m not talking to you anymore. This is annoying. I’m going back to the manor!”
“Hey, don’t go, don’t go!” Bao Jia quickly rose to stop her. “When I heard your eldest cousin mention you and Shen Yuance at the tavern opening the other day, I suspected there was something to the rumors. I haven’t even complained that you’ve had a lover for over three years without telling me, yet you’re the one getting upset?”
Jiang Zhiyi turned back and pouted: “I guessed Sister would figure it out. I just didn’t know how to bring up such matters, so I made up this story. Sister saw through it but didn’t expose me, why must you point it out now!”
“Alright, alright, my little ancestor, it’s all my fault,” Bao Jia beckoned to her side, and Cui Mei promptly brought over a cup of tea. “Here, have some tea to calm down. Don’t rush off. It’s just a lover; there are thousands of men in the world. If one is gone, we can simply find another. Today, I’ll treat you to my years of ‘treasured collection,’ and we’ll have a grand time!”
By the time the city was aglow with countless lanterns, the Princess Manor was a scene of revelry, with music filling the air.
Under the glazed tiles, the spacious, warm chamber was heated by floor furnaces to feel like spring. The raised platform at the front was laden with exquisite delicacies and fine wines. Jiang Zhiyi leaned against an armrest, holding a delicate white jade lotus-leaf cup, her gaze fixed entranced on the scene below.
In the center of the chamber, two graceful young men, light as swallows, were dancing with swords to the music. Their sword flourishes were dazzling, and amidst the flashing silver light, one suddenly turned his blade and executed a powerful thrust.
“Excellent!” Jiang Zhiyi raised her cup in salute from afar, her flushed face turning toward Bao Jia. “As expected of Sister’s years of treasured collection…”
“This is just sword dancing. There are still archery and wrestling performances to come. Over a dozen men are lined up to perform for you. You can choose those who please your eye to take back with you. If you like them all, take them all.”
Jiang Zhiyi waved her hand dizzily: “I’m just looking. I wouldn’t take what Sister cherishes…”
Bao Jia shook her head: “These are merely entertainers invited for feasts. They’re not my male companions. They’re all here for your enjoyment.”
“Oh, I remember now. Sister prefers those in white robes, ethereal as immortals, with the scent of medicine about them!” Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes curved in amusement. “If that’s the case, then I’ll choose carefully…”
The elegant music played one tune after another, and the young men performed in succession to please the two mistresses. The wrestlers even rolled up their sleeves to expose their arms, revealing pale yet muscular physiques.
At first, Jiang Zhiyi dared not look directly, desperately covering her eyes with her hands. After being teased by Bao Jia, who asked if merely seeing two bare arms was worth being shy about, she reluctantly lowered her hands.
Once she started looking, she became captivated. As Jiang Zhiyi drank the clear wine heartily, the intoxicated expression on her face deepened, as did the delight in her eyes.
“Good, more!”
“How wonderful, how splendid!”
“How did you develop such strong arms…”
—This was the scene Yuance encountered when he arrived in haste.
After riding at full gallop and taking rapid steps inside, he saw the Imperial Princess, who the Princess Manor’s servants had said was “in trouble,” entranced and with a charming, innocent expression as she stared at two men wrestling bare-chested.
To be precise, not just two men. Waiting on the side was a group of young men, each tall and straight-backed, dressed in black garments with hair tied high.
If one didn’t look at their faces, he might have thought he had not just one elder brother, but many identical siblings.
“…”
Yuance stood frozen at the threshold, looking down at his attire, which “blended with the crowd” in this place, then at Jiang Zhiyi, who was intently watching the competition, completely unaware of his arrival, and finally at Bao Jia: “?”
“Princess—” Cui Mei bent down and whispered a reminder.
Only then did Bao Jia notice the newcomer, looking with surprise at Yuance, who stood covered in frost, emanating cold: “You’ve arrived so quickly!”
“Yes, yes,” Jiang Zhiyi, smiling, pointed at the wrestling platform and agreed with Bao Jia, “That move was indeed quick and beautiful!”
Yuance: “…”
Bao Jia covered her mouth in laughter, patted Jiang Zhiyi’s hand, and pointed toward the distance: “No, look who’s here?”
“Hmm?” Jiang Zhiyi followed Bao Jia’s gesture, widening her confused eyes a bit. “Oh, a new one has arrived! What is his specialty?”
Yuance: “…”
“Is this the urgent matter for which the Princess sent servants rushing to my residence late at night?” Yuance squeezed out a question through clenched teeth.
“How is it not?” Bao Jia pointed righteously at Jiang Zhiyi. “Look, she doesn’t even recognize you, General Shen. Isn’t that a major problem?”
Jiang Zhiyi squinted dreamily, struggling to see Yuance clearly: “What general? A general has come? I like generals! Let him perform spear techniques for me!”
“…” Yuance fell silent for a moment, then turned to leave.
“General Shen, please stay—” Bao Jia raised her hand and stopped all the music in the room. The musicians and young men throughout the chamber halted in unison, bowing their heads as they gradually withdrew.
Jiang Zhiyi was startled: “Why is everyone leaving… Continue the music, continue the performance!”
“You’ll have more to see shortly, just wait.” Bao Jia turned back to reassure her, then walked with composed steps behind Yuance, looking at his back: “General Shen says this isn’t a major matter. Then what kind of trouble did you think the Imperial Princess could encounter in my Princess Manor, with its three hundred guards symbolizing imperial authority?”
Yuance stood with his back turned, saying nothing.
“General Shen uses military strategy like a divine being, yet it seems you cannot escape the most difficult stratagem in this world,” Bao Jia sighed lightly with a smile. “The Imperial Princess’s maid has been sent back to her manor by me. The Imperial Princess will stay here alone tonight with no one to take care of her. General Shen, you may stay or leave as you please.”
As Bao Jia said this, she crossed the threshold of the warm chamber with Cui Mei, looking back at the stony-faced Yuance: “By the way, this is also a stratagem.”
In the time it took Jiang Zhiyi to lower her head and pour a cup of wine, everyone had left the room.
“Why has Sister left too…” Jiang Zhiyi looked around in confusion, her gaze landing on Yuance’s rigidly still back. “Can you play music and perform spear techniques at the same time by yourself?”
Yuance closed his eyes, his brow furrowing tightly.
After waiting for quite some time without a response, Jiang Zhiyi put down her wine cup unhappily: “How discourteous you are! This Imperial Princess is speaking to you. Turn around!”
Yuance pivoted on his heel to face her, his gaze heavy: “The Imperial Princess has been watching all evening. Haven’t you seen enough?”
“We’ve barely begun!” Jiang Zhiyi jutted her chin. “What’s this? Are you reluctant to perform for me?”
Yuance turned his head away without answering.
“Then why did Sister call you here? If you’re unwilling, leave. This Imperial Princess doesn’t like to force anyone…” Jiang Zhiyi muttered with a sigh, looking at Yuance, who stood at a distance as if avoiding the plague, then at the empty room where everyone had departed, leaving the tea cold. With waning interest, she picked up the wine jug and stood up, walking unsteadily down from the platform. “If no one will accompany me, I’ll entertain myself…”
Before she finished speaking, her foot caught on something, and with a cry of alarm, Jiang Zhiyi toppled forward toward the ground.
From the corner of her eye, a dark shadow suddenly darted forward. In a flash, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Jiang Zhiyi kept her eyes tightly shut as she fell completely.
A muffled groan from the man sounded.
Jiang Zhiyi’s heart pounded rapidly in fear, yet she felt no pain. She opened one eye slightly, looking with amazement at the wine jug in her hand, which hadn’t spilled a drop, then at the frowning face beneath her. She blinked slowly: “Oh, you look very much like one of my brothers!”
“I am not your brother,” Yuance took a deep breath in tolerance. “…You are my ancestor.”