Shen Yuance didn’t stay long at the Yongen Marquis’s residence. He shouldn’t have come at all; having publicly created the impression of serious injuries, he should avoid leaving traces of his whereabouts. The reason he still came in the night was because he knew this troublesome person would likely rush to the Shen residence in a wheelchair upon hearing the news, so he came to let her see him in person.

Having been seen and having changed her medicine once, Shen Yuance returned to the Shen residence silently, moving through the night without a trace, as if he had never left the east courtyard.

Jiang Zhiyi knew that the overall situation was paramount and also worried that Shen Yuance’s travels back and forth would aggravate his injuries. Since she had a female physician in constant attendance, there was no need for him to come take care of her. In the days that followed, they communicated only through letters.

Every night, she would write a letter describing the day’s events and send it over early the next morning. Knowing he had injured his right hand, she didn’t expect him to write back. She asked Qing Song about it and was very happy to learn that he had read every letter.

Thus, they each nursed their injuries for ten days, until shocking news exploded throughout the capital, rattling both the court and the common people—

Marquis Xuande, due to his son’s serious injuries, had taken a ten-day leave from court. Upon his return to the Imperial Hall, he submitted a formal accusation against Baron Kangle for embezzling military funds, stating that he was willing to stake the Zhuo family title as guarantee that every accusation was true, without fabrication.

After reading the accusation, the Emperor flew into a rage and ordered the Three Judicial Offices to verify and investigate thoroughly. Baron Kangle was immediately stripped of his position, and all the men of the Zhong family were imprisoned overnight.

Now, everyone lamented, saying that Zhong Boyong had relied too much on his martial prowess, like a half-empty bottle making noise, and had committed such a grave sin. The Zhong family was truly unfortunate to have such a son. But it was also a case of evil being punished by heaven—otherwise, how could the person this ignorant youth offended just happen to possess evidence of the Zhong family’s crimes?

Jiang Zhiyi was writing a letter to Shen Yuance when she heard this news. Others might not know who was manipulating things behind the scenes, but she did. She wanted to ask him: was this just a coincidence?

If Marquis Xuande’s accusation against Baron Kangle for embezzlement was also part of his revenge, then from the time she was accidentally harmed until he took action was only half a day. How could he have found evidence to bring down the Zhong family and set up this scheme in such a short time?

Since that was impossible, it meant he had already been investigating the Zhong family before all this.

What was he doing in places she couldn’t see, and why was he doing these things?

Questions arose one after another, but as she put pen to paper, she realized that with the Zhong and Zhuo families currently in the eye of the storm and the case still undecided, it would be extremely dangerous to involve Brother A-Ce in this through their correspondence. It would be better to discuss it in person and continue writing about what she ate today instead.

Early morning, three days later, in the study of the east courtyard of the Shen residence.

Mu Xinhong stood before the desk, jubilantly reporting to Shen Yuance: “The Three Judicial Offices have found embezzled funds amounting to one million taels. Baron Kangle, having retreated from the frontlines due to his limp, must have channeled all his frustrations into stealing money. With such an enormous sum accumulated over time, barring any unexpected developments, his death sentence is certain.”

Shen Yuance, however, showed little joy, looking at the letter in his hand and saying calmly: “The case is being investigated by the Three Offices, and the punishment will be determined by the Emperor. It’s unwise to celebrate too early.”

Mu Xinhong nodded in agreement, resuming a solemn expression.

Previously, they had kept Gao Shi, that “living dead man,” for half a year to lure out the mastermind behind the scenes, who turned out to be Baron Kangle. It seemed Baron Kangle had once shown great kindness to Gao Shi during their time on the frontlines, which was why Gao Shi was willing to betray the Xuan Strategy Army and the Crown Prince to remain loyal to Baron Kangle—all to repay that debt of gratitude.

But Baron Kangle, having been in official circles for many years and having committed such a serious crime as colluding with enemies, wouldn’t be foolish enough to leave evidence. The Young General, without a formal official appointment, couldn’t approach this old fox, so he decisively entered the Tianchong Academy, planning to investigate the Zhong family through Zhong Boyong.

Later, they discovered the relationship between the Zhong and Zhuo families, finding that the sons of both families were privately close, and the two fathers also had business dealings, which provided a breakthrough.

However, the Zhuo family was not originally the Young General’s target. In the Young General’s plan, he intended to drive a wedge between the Zhong and Zhuo families using their interests. But then the Princess was harmed that day, and Young Master Zhuo came forward of his own accord, allowing them to kill two birds with one stone.

Now everything was developing according to the Young General’s plan. But the more crucial the moment, the more careful and vigilant they needed to be, without underestimating the enemy. Mu Xinhong felt the Young General’s words were reasonable. As he thought seriously about this and looked up, he saw that the person who had just told him not to be too happy was smiling slightly himself, seemingly quite pleased.

He had always thought that with revenge for his closest kin about to be achieved, who wouldn’t be happy?

Mu Xinhong formulated an appropriate response: “In any case, the culprit who harmed the Crown Prince is now in prison, which should comfort the Crown Prince’s spirit in heaven!”

Shen Yuance’s smile suddenly disappeared as he raised his eyelids slightly from the letter.

Mu Xinhong was startled. Could this not be said either? What had he said wrong? He hesitantly looked carefully at the letter Shen Yuance was holding between his fingers—

Colorful floral stationery, decorated with beautiful flowers, sprinkled with glittering gold powder, and giving off a fragrant scent—it was obvious who had written it.

“Oh…” Mu Xinhong realized he had misread the situation and laughed awkwardly. “You were happy about the contents of this letter.”

Shen Yuance looked up with a stern face: “I just saw some foolish things.”

Mu Xinhong coughed lightly, remembering how Qing Song had sighed to him a few days ago, saying that recently, the Young Master smiled every day while reading the Princess’s letters, and wondered what the Crown Prince would think if he saw from heaven…

“It’s alright, Young General. Smiling is as natural as sneezing—who can resist? If you want to smile, just smile, without worrying about others’ gazes!”

“…”

Shen Yuance slowly raised his index finger, pointed it at him, and moved it to the right.

Mu Xinhong followed the direction of that finger, saw that it was pointing toward the exit, and withdrew, rubbing the back of his head.

As the door opened and closed, the study returned to silence. Shen Yuance lowered his eyes, his gaze falling back on the letter in his hand—

“To Brother A-Ce, it’s been nearly half a month since we’ve exchanged words through letters, but when will we meet? Qing Song says your bandages have been removed, and my foot is almost fully healed, too. Today, the physician let me try walking. I took two steps, and indeed it doesn’t hurt anymore, though I seem to have forgotten how to walk properly. Hu Hu watched me from the side; with each small step I took, it would dart ahead a large distance, then turn back to meow at me. What does a four-legged creature have to be so proud of, moving faster than someone with two legs? Tomorrow it certainly won’t get any of my fish.”

Shen Yuance’s gaze moved downward, continuing from where Mu Xinhong had interrupted—

“By the way, Sister Bao Jia visited today. When she came to see me earlier, I was asleep after taking medicine, but today I finally got to talk with her. She said if she had known I would encounter such trouble, she wouldn’t have asked me to inquire about Pei Zisong’s marriage. Now you know, right? I don’t have any inappropriate feelings for Pei Zisong. Today, I also asked Sister Bao Jia if she and Li Dafeng were old acquaintances. The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. Sister Bao Jia opened her wine house shortly after Li Dafeng came to the capital, and it happens to be called ‘Wind Gently Comes.’ There must be something fishy about this. But Sister Bao Jia wouldn’t tell me, saying children shouldn’t meddle in adults’ affairs. You should ask your military physician about it and see if you can get any information out of him. I’m just so curious!”

“But I received some bad news today. In my uncle’s letter, he says the canal construction work remains unfinished, and he hasn’t been able to start his journey back to the capital yet. He might not make it back for New Year’s Eve, which means we’ll have to wait longer to formalize our relationship, sigh… But from the tone of his letter, Uncle just won’t make it for New Year’s Eve; he should return as soon as possible after the New Year. You needn’t worry—now that you’ve achieved merit and established your reputation, you are already a worthy match for me. Everyone outside is already talking about us, and even for the sake of my reputation, Uncle will surely accept you as his niece’s husband. After more than three years of waiting, we’re finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m so happy I can barely sleep. What about you? Are you happy?”

Shen Yuance’s hand holding the letter tightened, his gaze slightly darkening.

Just at that moment, the sound of wheels rolling approached, accompanied by a displeased female voice nearing the study: “This Princess has come in a wheelchair, and no matter how busy your master is, how can he not see me? Let him tell me this to my face!”

Shortly after, there was a knock on the door, and Qing Song stood outside, trembling as he said: “M-Master, Princess Yongying is here.”

Shen Yuance looked down at the letter in his hand, fell silent for a moment, folded it and put it into a sandalwood box beside him, then said, “Enter.”

The door opened, and two strong servants carried a wheelchair over the threshold. The person he hadn’t seen for half a month was wearing a goose-yellow jacket with a green dress, a golden hairpin with dangling tassels in her hair, and a pearl flower ornament on her forehead that shone with a lustrous light. As soon as she entered, it was as if spring color had been brought into this dreary room.

“I heard someone is too busy to see me?” Jiang Zhiyi sat in the wheelchair with her hands folded, raising her chin and looking sideways at him across the desk. Though seated and physically lower, her presence was not diminished in the slightest.

Shen Yuance’s gaze fell on her briefly, then turned to Qing Song behind her: “You didn’t announce her to me, so when did I say I wouldn’t see her?”

Jiang Zhiyi was startled, and Gu Yu beside her angrily addressed Qing Song: “What’s the matter with you, spreading false words from your master?”

Qing Song lowered his head, sweating coldly and not daring to speak. He had only felt that things were heading in a concerning direction, that his master truly seemed to be getting close to the Princess, so he had taken matters into his own hands…

“You may go,” Shen Yuance didn’t make things difficult for him.

Qing Song sighed in relief and quickly withdrew after apologizing.

Jiang Zhiyi wanted to say a few more words, but considering she hadn’t seen Brother A-Ce for half a month, she didn’t want to waste time on servants, so she asked Gu Yu to quickly push the wheelchair forward.

Shen Yuance: “Your leg isn’t fully healed yet. Why are you running around?”

“Haven’t you read my letter today? The physician said I can walk now, just not too much. Let me show you a couple of steps.” Jiang Zhiyi was about to stand up to demonstrate.

“No need. Go sit over there where I can see you.” Shen Yuance signaled to Gu Yu with his eyes.

Jiang Zhiyi was pushed to the arhat couch and sat down, removing her shoes and socks.

“After half a month without seeing each other, the first thing you want to see is my foot. Is my foot more attractive than my face?” Jiang Zhiyi grumbled as she kicked her foot toward him. “Here, look, look all you want!”

Shen Yuance leaned back and caught the snow-white foot that was coming straight at his face. He knelt on one knee by the couch, looking down to examine the ankle that no longer showed any bruising. He gently pressed her joints and tendons with his thumb, then looked up and pushed the foot back.

Jiang Zhiyi let out a soft cry, staring in disbelief at his rough action: “You didn’t treat me like this before!”

Shen Yuance stood up, supporting himself on his knee: “Because it’s healed now.”

Jiang Zhiyi handed her foot to Gu Yu with a huff, asking her to put her shoes and socks back on, and snorted coldly at him: “Well, I have new injuries elsewhere!”

Shen Yuance raised an eyebrow, expecting her to say her heart had just been injured, but instead she suddenly held out her hands, showing ten fingers, each with old and new blood spots—some had formed dark scabs, while others were still bright red.

Shen Yuance’s gaze paused: “What have you been doing?”

Jiang Zhiyi curved her lips mysteriously and pulled out a sachet from her sleeve: “I’ve been making a sachet for you!”

Shen Yuance looked at the dark-colored, male-style sachet embroidered with golden tiger patterns, a flash in his eyes.

“I wanted to tell you in my letters how many times I pricked myself each day, but then I thought it would spoil the surprise. Aren’t I good at keeping secrets?” Jiang Zhiyi smiled proudly, then sighed, blowing on her fingers with concern. “This embroidery is too difficult. If it weren’t for you, I would never have touched it in my entire life…”

Shen Yuance frowned at her: “What do I need a sachet for?”

“This isn’t just an ordinary sachet. Remember that jade piece I gave you before? It was broken by you, and broken things aren’t auspicious anymore, so it’s not good to use again. Recently, since I couldn’t move around much while lying down, I decided to make something new with my hands as a token for you. Out with the old, in with the new—it’s for the best. Let’s consider it a new beginning after three years—” Jiang Zhiyi handed the sachet to him, urging him to take it. “Take good care of it! Don’t break it this time!”

Shen Yuance lowered his eyelids, looking at the sachet and the hand covered with wounds. His hand at his side tightened slightly as he suddenly remembered the last question in her letter today—

What about you? Are you happy?

If a person’s joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are all stolen, perhaps his happiness is something that must eventually be returned.

These days, when he picked up those letters, he would briefly forget his brother, but after putting them down, for a longer period, he would dream of his brother’s face again and again.

The clear female voice beside him was still muttering—

“I didn’t know what pattern to embroider at first. When I saw Hu Hu jumping up and down beside me, I decided on a tiger pattern. When you become my Prince Consort in the future, you should just circle me like Hu Hu does!”

“Although this tiger pattern was indeed quite complex, there’s nothing in this world that I, Jiang Zhiyi, cannot accomplish. Isn’t it embroidered quite well?”

“I even embroidered my name on the inner lining of the sachet…”

Shen Yuance raised his eyes, looking at the innocent, radiant smile before him, and suddenly, for the first time, wondered if she had discovered this wasn’t a new beginning, but rather a wrong, inappropriate substitution—

Would she still smile at him like she was now, or would she be so frightened that she would turn and run away?