After sending the token of her affection, Jiang Zhiyi returned to her residence and rested for a few more days. When the physician came to examine her again, he said that her foot no longer needed special care and she could move around freely as before.

Ordinarily, she preferred staying indoors during cold weather, but there was a significant difference between choosing not to go out and being unable to. After being confined for half a month, as soon as she received the physician’s approval, Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t wait a moment longer and sent someone to the Shen residence with a message, asking Yuan Ce to accompany her on an outing to the streets.

Half an hour later, Jiang Zhiyi saw Yuan Ce coming to find her openly at the main gate of the Marquis residence in broad daylight for the first time.

Looking at this touching scene, Jiang Zhiyi hesitated at the threshold like someone approaching their hometown after a long absence, and unconsciously moved the silk handkerchief clutched in her palm toward the corner of her eye.

Yuan Ce dismounted with a confused expression: “?”

Jiang Zhiyi tucked the handkerchief away after wiping the corner of her eye, and raised her hand toward him: “Thinking that we won’t need to sneak around anymore, I’m overcome with tears of joy.”

“…”

There was no point in taking the side entrance anymore since the situation outside was already beyond repair.

Yuan Ce glanced at her with raised eyes: “Would you like me to ride around the block and come back after you finish crying?”

“No more crying, no more crying. Let’s go now!” Jiang Zhiyi hurriedly put away her joyful tears, took her maid’s hand, and stepped forward. She lifted her skirt to climb onto the mounting stool and into the carriage. When she looked up, she saw Yuan Ce still standing in place without moving. “What’s wrong? Come on up!”

Yuan Ce frowned as he looked at the flashy, jingling carriage before him: “Do we have to ride in this ostentatious thing?”

“Your carriage is too small, there’s not enough room to move around inside. Mine even has a couch in it.”

“…What do you need a couch for in broad daylight?”

She was merely describing the spaciousness of the carriage, but why was he being so pedantic? “And what do you need a mouth for when accompanying someone shopping?”

“…”

“Have you never ridden in such a tall carriage before? Let me teach you. Just step on that mounting stool, boost yourself up, and you can get in…”

With one long stride, Yuan Ce stepped onto the carriage with one foot and bent to enter: “Am I you?”

Jiang Zhiyi scrutinized him, then leaned out the window to tell her maids: “There’s no need for any of you to follow today. The Prince Consort and I want to stroll together without disturbances. Just take good care of the Prince Consort’s precious mount.”

Yuan Ce: “…”

The carriage rumbled out of Chongren Ward. As the New Year approached, the various departments and ministries at court were overwhelmed with the earth-shattering corruption case of the Zhong family, creating a tense and gloomy atmosphere. However, this did not prevent ordinary citizens from joyfully preparing for the New Year, already making arrangements for New Year’s Eve attire.

On this fine day, Chang’an’s streets and alleys were decorated everywhere with lanterns and ornaments. Each household had hung red lanterns and red tassels. The businesses in the Western Market were so prosperous that the shop owners couldn’t stop smiling, and the street vendor stalls were constantly surrounded by crowds of people.

When they reached a section where the carriage could not pass, Yuan Ce got down first and turned back with his hand extended to help her.

Just as the driver was about to set up the mounting stool, he saw the Prince Consort lift the Princess straight down. The Princess seemed as light as a leaf in the Prince Consort’s hands, landing steadily on the ground in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Zhiyi stood among the crowd and adjusted the veil hat on her head: “You didn’t put this veil hat on me properly. It’s crooked.”

If he had known earlier that accompanying her shopping meant becoming her servant, he wouldn’t have bothered coming. Yuan Ce frowned: “Wear it or not, as you please.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked around and spotted a common woman at a small stall. She took off her veil and handed it over: “Here, it’s yours!”

The woman was startled as she accepted the veil hat decorated with golden tassels: “Thank you, noble one! Thank you, noble one!”

Jiang Zhiyi: “So I won’t be wearing it. If all the men in the street start looking at me soon, you’d better not get jealous.”

“…”

Jiang Zhiyi took Yuan Ce’s arm and began walking forward, but quickly realized that not just all the men, but everyone—men, women, old and young—were looking in their direction. Judging by their surprised expressions, they seemed to have recognized Yuan Ce.

…She had forgotten that the person whose arm she was holding had caused a sensation by riding through the streets just two months ago.

The diners at the street food stalls were whispering in small groups of three or five. Jiang Zhiyi’s hearing wasn’t good enough to catch what they were saying, so she lowered her voice and asked Yuan Ce: “What are they saying?”

Though she couldn’t hear clearly, it wasn’t hard to guess. Someone must have recognized her—

That haughty noble lady who had provoked and entangled the cold General at the teahouse, only to be killed with one blow by his question: “Excuse me, who are you?”

Clearly, in this romantic tale between a noble lady of the capital and the god of war, General, she was the unlikable antagonist.

Yuan Ce listened for a moment, then looked down at Jiang Zhiyi.

Just by his expression, Jiang Zhiyi knew her guess was correct. Her face gradually turned red, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to disappear into: “It’s all your fault, pretending not to know me back then. My face was trampled into the dirt… I’m never coming out to the streets again…”

Yuan Ce slowly pulled his arm away from her grasp.

Jiang Zhiyi forcefully pulled his arm back: “They already think I was pestering you, and now you’re doing this. Wouldn’t I be…”

Before she could finish speaking, her struggling hand was suddenly taken hold of. Jiang Zhiyi lowered her head abruptly and saw his long fingers gently intertwining with her five fingers, firmly locking her hand in his.

A series of exclamations rose from all sides. Yuan Ce turned his head and swept his gaze over the group of diners, who were startled and quickly lowered their heads, shutting their mouths.

Yuan Ce: “Does this help the Princess pick up her lost face?”

Jiang Zhiyi looked down at their interlocked fingers, her heart pounding as she raised her eyes: “…How did you know that lovers should hold hands this way?”

Yuan Ce tilted his chin forward.

Following his gaze, Jiang Zhiyi saw a family of three walking ahead, laughing and talking. The young father carried his daughter on his shoulders while holding his wife’s hand.

“Fine, as long as you don’t let go of my hand for a moment while we’re out on the street today, this Princess will reluctantly forgive your past offense of not recognizing me.” Jiang Zhiyi smiled as she pulled him forward.

After walking for a while, those curious gazes fell behind, and Jiang Zhiyi focused on shopping. Seeing a sugar figurine stall across the way, she was about to ask Yuan Ce if he wanted one when her gaze wandered over and suddenly noticed a graceful figure standing beside the stall—

A young woman stood before the stall, but she wasn’t looking at the sugar figurines. Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhiyi and Yuan Ce, and who knew how long she had been watching.

It was Pei Xueqing, whom she hadn’t seen for nearly a month since their meeting at the academy.

Following Pei Xueqing’s line of sight, Jiang Zhiyi looked down at her hand held by Yuan Ce.

“…Someone is watching us,” Jiang Zhiyi murmured with a fading smile.

“I know.”

Of course, with his keen senses, he would have noticed even earlier than she did. Jiang Zhiyi pouted unhappily: “Everyone knows about our relationship now. Why is she still looking at you like that?”

“How would I know?” Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Pei Xueqing again and found that this time she wasn’t avoiding or dodging her gaze. Perhaps lost in thought, she continued to stare motionlessly at their clasped hands.

“I want a sugar figurine!” Jiang Zhiyi lifted her chin.

Yuan Ce looked toward the sugar figurine stall where Pei Xueqing stood, then glanced at the ancestor beside him and sighed as he led her toward the stall across the way.

Seeing the two approaching, Pei Xueqing seemed to awaken from a dream and hurriedly moved to lower her veil.

“No need to cover up, we saw you from far away, Miss Pei.” Jiang Zhiyi greeted her with a smile.

Pei Xueqing’s hand paused in the act of lowering her veil, and she curtsied to each of them: “Princess, General Shen.”

Jiang Zhiyi nodded toward the vendor behind the small stall: “I’m buying sugar figurines.”

“Right away,” the vendor busied himself with his craft, then pointed at Pei Xueqing. “I’ll make yours after finishing this young lady’s order. Would both customers please choose a style?”

“I want the same little rabbit as this young lady. Just one will do; we’ll share it.” Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Yuan Ce.

Yuan Ce handed over the money for a sugar figurine.

“Wonderful! After eating my sugar figurines, I guarantee you two will be sweet and loving, devoted to each other forever!” the vendor exclaimed.

Pei Xueqing’s eyelashes trembled, and she quietly lowered her gaze.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the medicine packet in her hand: “Miss Pei, did you come to get medicine for your mother?”

“Not for my mother, but for my brother.”

“What happened to Young Master Pei?”

Yuan Ce gave a light cough.

Jiang Zhiyi looked back at him and said softly: “I’m just showing concern for a fellow student.”

Yuan Ce: “Just a tickle in my throat.”

“…My brother caught a slight cold, nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Princess.” Pei Xueqing forced a smile, then took a small breath as if she no longer wished to remain there. She suddenly hurriedly bid farewell, “Please enjoy your outing, Princess and General Shen. I must return home now.”

“Young lady, your sugar figurine isn’t ready yet!” The vendor called after her.

“I have an urgent matter at home and cannot wait. Since it’s the same style anyway, please give it to this lady instead.” Pei Xueqing walked around the stall, keeping her head down as she hurried away.

“I’ve already taken your money! Take this package of ready-made candy with you. It’s milk candy, and I’m not shortchanging you!” The vendor continued making the sugar figurine with one hand while holding out a paper package with the other, extending his arm toward the departing figure.

Pei Xueqing stopped in her tracks.

Seeing her halt just behind Yuan Ce, Jiang Zhiyi lightly nudged his arm.

Yuan Ce took the paper package from the vendor’s hand and turned to pass it to Pei Xueqing.

From the corner of her eye, Pei Xueqing saw the hand holding the paper package. She seemed to freeze in place, standing with her back turned in silence for a long time. Then, with a pale face, she slowly turned around and raised her eyes to look at Yuan Ce.

Those upturned eyes had reddened rims and were moist with tears.

Yuan Ce paused, not understanding.

Since childhood, I have not drunk milk. It gives me a rash and makes it hard to breathe—” Pei Xueqing looked at him, emphasizing each word heavily.

Since childhood, she has not drunk milk. It gives her a rash and makes it hard to breathe.” Half an hour later, inside the rumbling carriage, Jiang Zhiyi frowned deeply. “The candy was from the vendor; she could have told the vendor. Why did she need to look at you while saying it?”

Yuan Ce leaned against the carriage wall: “You’re asking me, but who can I ask?”

“If I don’t ask you, who else would I ask?” Jiang Zhiyi turned her head to glare at him. “You tell me, did you know that Miss Pei cannot drink milk or eat milk candy?”

“If I had known, would I have handed it to her?”

“Then why did she look as if you should have known about this?”

Yuan Ce narrowed his eyes: “Are you sure?”

“What do you mean, am I sure?” Jiang Zhiyi laughed angrily. “Were you previously acquainted with Miss Pei? Did you know about these private matters of hers? Aren’t you sure yourself?”

“…” He wished he could be sure.

“I am certain, but—” Yuan Ce unhurriedly circled the topic, tentatively glancing at Jiang Zhiyi. “In your view, she thought I should have known this?”

“Yes, otherwise why would she act as if she had suffered a great injustice, as if you had wronged her? Our women’s intuition is never wrong!”

Yuan Ce crossed his arms and looked out the window, frowning.

If what Jiang Zhiyi said was true, that his brother should have known such private details about Pei Xueqing, then what kind of relationship did his brother have with her?

And since he had already privately promised himself to Jiang Zhiyi, why would he have such intimate connections with Pei Xueqing?

“I’m talking to you, and you’re lost in thought again?” Jiang Zhiyi’s face flushed red with anger as she lightly hit his shoulder. “Tell me honestly, besides me, did you have any private relationships with other young ladies in the past? Were you flirting around everywhere?”

“No,” Yuan Ce turned his eyes back to her.

“Then swear it to me!”

Yuan Ce was silent for a moment, then raised three fingers: “I, Shen—”

“Hmm?”

He gave up, as he no longer had much confidence in his brother’s character.

Yuan Ce: “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven—”

“Why are you leaving out your surname?” Jiang Zhiyi put on a stern face. “Are you deliberately making the oath apply only to someone called ‘Yuan Ce’?”

“…”

“A surname represents the family and should not be used lightly in oaths. Omitting the surname and using only the given name is the same.”

“Fine, Yuan Ce, it is. Go ahead and swear.”

Yuan Ce raised three fingers again: “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that I have never flirted around with different women and have never had any private relationship with any other woman.”

“With any woman other than Jiang Zhiyi,” Jiang Zhiyi reminded him.

Yuan Ce: “I have never had any private relationship with any woman other than Jiang Zhiyi.”

“While you’re at it, add a few more lines,” Jiang Zhiyi quickly thought for a moment. “Say that from now on you will cherish only me, and if I do not leave, you will never abandon me.”

“…”

Yuan Ce lowered his hand and gave an incredulous smile: “Since when do oaths come with extras?”

“Why not?” Jiang Zhiyi pointed at the sky above the carriage. “The heavens are very busy. How could they have time to listen to you swear again and again? Since you’re already swearing, wouldn’t it be more efficient to finish it all at once?”

“…”

The heavens might be spared trouble, but he was getting into it.

“What’s wrong? Everyone in the city already knows about our relationship. Are you planning to abandon me?”

Yuan Ce thought for a moment, then lazily leaned against the carriage wall and raised three fingers again: “I, Shen Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that in this life I will cherish only Jiang Zhiyi. If she does not leave—”

“Wait,” Jiang Zhiyi, who had been listening with a smile, stopped him halfway and asked with confusion, “Why did you add your surname this time?”

Yuan Ce glanced at her sideways: “So do you want Shen Yuan Ce or just Yuan Ce?”

Jiang Zhiyi was puzzled: “Didn’t you say yourself that oaths shouldn’t involve family connections? Just Yuan Ce is fine.”

“Oh, is that so?” Yuan Ce turned his head away.

Jiang Zhiyi leaned forward, staring at his suspicious lip corner: “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.”

“Then are you going to finish this oath or not? If you won’t swear, I’ll leave now, and you can consider yourself having abandoned me!” Jiang Zhiyi pouted.

Yuan Ce exhaled deeply, raised three fingers for the fourth time, and sat up straight to look at Jiang Zhiyi: “I, Yuan Ce, swear to heaven that in this life I will cherish only Jiang Zhiyi. If she does not leave, I will never abandon. If I break this oath—”

Jiang Zhiyi stepped forward and covered his mouth with her hand.

“That’s enough,” Jiang Zhiyi smiled with satisfaction. “I just needed to see your sincerity. I wouldn’t let heaven strike you with thunderbolts!”

Yuan Ce lowered his eyes and removed her hand, holding it in his palm: “Not angry anymore?”

“Mm, I believe there’s nothing between you and Miss Pei now.”

Yuan Ce nodded, turning his head to look out at the azure sky.

She might believe it, but he was starting to have doubts.

This Pei Xueqing was indeed strange. If his brother had truly been flirting around, surely both the flower and the grass wouldn’t…

Yuan Ce caressed the hand in his palm, narrowing his eyes in thought.