Xue Huaiyuan called only Ji Heng inside, not asking Jiang Li or Xue Zhao to come together. Jiang Li felt somewhat worried, not knowing what they would say inside.

Xue Zhao observed her anxious expression. He pushed his wheelchair to Jiang Li’s side, signaling for her to come listen. Jiang Li bent down, and Xue Zhao whispered in her ear, “When a father-in-law meets his son-in-law, naturally there are many matters to discuss. Since he knows your identity, Father doesn’t need to be cautious about anything. Sister, don’t worry—Father won’t eat brother-in-law alive.”

He called him “brother-in-law” so naturally, as if they were close brothers-in-law who had known each other for years. Jiang Li thought to herself that she wasn’t worried about what Xue Huaiyuan would do. Father had always been gentle with people. What she worried about was Ji Heng’s temperament angering Father.

However, thinking it over, when Ji Heng met Xue Huaiyuan today, he was so gentle and polite that even Old General Ji was shocked. This showed his skill at pretense wasn’t poor either. No matter how much she worried now, it would be wasted effort, so Jiang Li stopped thinking about it.

Turning her head, she saw Situ Jiuyue staring at her and Xue Zhao, her gaze thoughtful. Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat. Her current position with Xue Zhao was indeed too close. Situ Jiuyue didn’t know that Xue Zhao and Jiang Li were siblings—she might easily misunderstand.

Jiang Li straightened up. Perhaps having glimpsed this bit of Situ Jiuyue’s thoughts, she felt especially tolerant. She said to Situ Jiuyue, “Miss Jiuyue, didn’t you come today to examine Ah Zhao’s wounds to facilitate developing new poison? Why don’t you go examine Ah Zhao first?”

Xue Zhao looked at Jiang Li with some confusion, not understanding why she suddenly brought this up. However, he wouldn’t refuse Situ Jiuyue’s kindness, so he smiled and said, “Really? Doctor Situ, my wounds have improved quite a bit now. If it can be useful for your poison-making, that would be wonderful.”

Situ Jiuyue moved her lips, finally saying only, “Come inside with me.” Although her face remained cold, her tone was much gentler.

Jiang Li wanted to say a few words to Old General Ji, but then she saw him in the distance having a heated discussion with Ye Mingyu about something—probably discussing blade techniques. Old General Ji spoke with his face and neck red, his voice thunderously loud.

Lin Yao sat cross-legged on a stone bench. On the stone table was a plate full of pastries and flower tea. He was eating with great enjoyment, pastry crumbs at the corners of his mouth. Watching him, Jiang Li couldn’t help but smile. She took out her handkerchief to wipe Lin Yao’s mouth while saying, “Eat slowly, Xiao Yao. Doesn’t the Duke’s mansion prepare these things for you? Why are you eating so urgently?”

Wenren Yao also picked up a small piece of osmanthus cake and put it in his mouth, sighing, “Never mind my little disciple—even I as his master have never eaten such delicious pastries at the Duke’s mansion.”

Jiang Li asked curiously, “Why not? The Ye family doesn’t lack money and can afford to hire cooks. The Duke’s mansion isn’t poor either. How could they neglect food like this?”

“Second Miss Jiang, do you really think Ji Heng would be considerate enough to prepare these kinds of sweets that children and young ladies like? The Duke’s mansion cooks all prepare food according to Ah Heng and the old general’s tastes. These things normally aren’t made. If you want to eat them, you have to go buy them on the street yourself. Of course, if Ah Heng cooks someday, you can eat his food. But the days when Ah Heng cooks are too rare—maybe just a few times in ten years.”

Jiang Li found his words amusing and couldn’t help laughing.

Wenren Yao thought Jiang Li didn’t believe him and hurriedly said, “What I’m saying is absolutely true. Even though you and Ah Heng are betrothed now and I’ll have to call you sister-in-law in the future, I still have to mention Ah Heng’s faults.” As he spoke, he muttered again, “Speaking of which, how did Ah Heng get betrothed to a young lady? I thought he’d never marry in his lifetime.”

“Why would he never marry?” Jiang Li asked. She had expected Wenren Yao to say something about Ji Heng’s bad temperament, but unexpectedly, Wenren Yao’s answer was surprising.

“Because of that divination sign!”

Jiang Li asked, “What divination sign?”

Wenren Yao didn’t hide it, only saying, “Ten years ago, when divining for Ah Heng, the hexagram showed: ‘Born in winter months, bearing the aspect of princes and marquises, meeting calamity through a woman, corpse exposed in the wilderness, pecked at by hawks and dogs.’ Just hearing this hexagram sounds very ominous. Although Ah Heng didn’t seem to take it to heart on the surface, I haven’t seen him mention marrying and having children all these years, so I thought perhaps he still cared about it. But unexpectedly, he proactively requested a marriage decree from His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li asked, “What is ‘calamity through a woman’?”

“It means calamity caused by a woman. Ah,” Wenren Yao seemed to realize his words were inappropriate and hurriedly remedied, “I’m not talking about Second Miss. Besides, that hexagram… might not be accurate. Ah Heng himself isn’t afraid. My master also said that the Fuji Gate deteriorates with each generation. By my generation, my divination skills are already a complete mess, simply bringing shame to my sect, so there might have been an error.”

Although Wenren Yao said this, Jiang Li didn’t feel her mood lighten because of his explanation. For some reason, an ominous premonition arose in her heart, like a heavy stone pressing on her chest.

Seeing Jiang Li’s expression still hadn’t relaxed, Wenren Yao cursed himself for being loose-lipped. Suddenly thinking of something, he said, “Second Miss Jiang doesn’t need to worry. This hexagram isn’t complete—it’s only one side. There’s more after it. I…”

Before his words finished, the door to Xue Huaiyuan’s room opened, and Ji Heng walked out.

Wenren Yao immediately forgot what he wanted to say, only looking at Ji Heng and asking curiously, “You’re actually quite happy?”

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng. His complexion was good, smiling, seeming very relaxed. Her heart settled somewhat. Xue Huaiyuan also walked out immediately after. Xue Huaiyuan also looked well. He smiled and nodded at Jiang Li. Only then did Jiang Li’s heart completely settle down.

She walked to Ji Heng’s side and asked softly, “What did Father say to you?”

Ji Heng’s lips curved. “Said you’re spoiled and willful, told me to be more tolerant in the future.”

Jiang Li glared at him, knowing he wasn’t speaking the truth. Where was she spoiled? Speaking of willfulness, Ji Heng was the most willful one. Just as she was about to say more, Ye Mingyu was already calling everyone to the front hall for the meal. Since it was a family banquet, there was no need to be formal.

The Ye family members were probably still somewhat uncomfortable. The others were fine—Old General Ji was straightforward and frank, Wenren Yao was a naturally sociable person who loved liveliness, Lin Yao was just a child, and though Situ Jiuyue’s temperament was cold, she was a doctor and very beautiful, which people could tolerate. But Ji Heng was different. Although Ji Heng was also beautiful, his beauty was too aggressive. Though he wore a smile from beginning to end, it always made people wary that the next moment he might drag someone out to eliminate them.

Moreover, Ye Shijie stubbornly believed that Ji Heng had stolen his niece. Originally, his plan was to bring Jiang Li and Ye Shijie together, so that in the future, Jiang Li would essentially be marrying into her own family, and the Ye family would cherish her well. Who knew such a person would emerge midway?

When Ye Mingyu ate, his gaze carried resentment.

Jiang Li found it amusing inwardly. However, what comforted her was that Xue Huaiyuan, Xue Zhao, and Ji Heng actually got along quite well. Being her own father and brother, Jiang Li understood them very well. She could tell that Xue Zhao was a foolish young man whose heart had long sided with Ji Heng because of his life-saving grace. Although Father didn’t show particular joy, he absolutely wasn’t resistant. It was very natural. Moreover, whether it was her imagination or not, she even felt that compared to how he treated Shen Yurun back then, Xue Huaiyuan seemed to like Ji Heng more.

This meal could barely be considered host and guests enjoying themselves. By afternoon, everyone had to leave. Jiang Li said to Ji Heng in a low voice, “Wait for me outside for a moment. I have something to say to Father and Ah Zhao.”

Ji Heng nodded. Wenren Yao and Old General Ji had already boarded the carriage outside. Situ Jiuyue also packed up her medicine box. Ye Mingyu watched coldly from outside, thinking to himself—what was going on? He was Jiang Li’s uncle, yet whether Ji Heng or Jiang Li, they always spoke privately with Xue Huaiyuan. Could the Xue family have some relationship with the Duke’s mansion?

Ye Shijie was much more courteous than Ye Mingyu. He had actually spent a rather short time at court—only about a year. Compared to the young man who once argued with people on the street over a painting, he was truly a different person. Maintaining one’s principles in officialdom was truly difficult. He was also growing rapidly. Though he couldn’t yet conceal his emotions completely, he had begun learning to hide his feelings so others wouldn’t notice.

Although he felt that his bit of disappointment probably couldn’t escape the eyes of the young man before him, he still did this, hoping his demeanor could be more dignified, making an exit with dignity without dishonoring the Ye family name.

On the other side, Jiang Li returned to the room with Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan.

Jiang Li closed the door. “Father, what exactly did you and Ji Heng say in the room today?”

She was truly very curious.

Xue Zhao said carelessly, “Sister, they already said it’s a father-in-law instructing his son-in-law. Why don’t you understand?”

Jiang Li said irritably, “I wasn’t asking you.”

In front of Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao, her past temperament showed itself completely, as if she hadn’t experienced those tremendous injuries. Xue Huaiyuan observed this and was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. He smiled and said, “Your brother is right. I did indeed instruct him on some matters. After all, I’ll be entrusting A Li to him in the future. I’m not yet at ease.”

Jiang Li asked somewhat nervously, “What was the result?”

“I don’t care what others say about him. After all, there are too many people in this world who are different inside and out. Even if everyone outside thinks someone is a good person, they might not be as kind to their family and friends as they appear. So Father doesn’t care about others’ evaluations. Father wants to see for himself.”

“There are many upright, honest, kind people in the world, but they may not be what A Li likes. After experiencing so much, it’s not that I don’t want A Li to marry someone flawless, of noble character. But if the person A Li likes isn’t like that, I won’t obstruct it either. If A Li likes someone, there must be reasons. I didn’t understand before what Ah Zhao meant about how Ji Heng protects you. Today I had a conversation with him. I think I can be at ease now.”

Jiang Li looked at him in surprise.

“Father can very confidently entrust you to him.” Xue Huaiyuan smiled. His tone didn’t seem false. Even Xue Zhao was stunned for a moment. Even with Shen Yurun before, Xue Huaiyuan hadn’t been this confident.

Xue Huaiyuan also thought of the past.

Jiang Li lost her mother when she was young. A delicate little girl—he personally raised her, being both father and mother. When they first went to Tongxiang at their poorest, there were no maids at home. Even her hair was styled by Xue Huaiyuan himself. When marrying Jiang Li to Shen Yurun, one could imagine how reluctant he was.

At that time, Shen Yurun knelt before him and promised he would definitely become the top scholar, rise to prosperity, give A Li a good life, and cherish her well. But actually, Xue Huaiyuan wasn’t very happy then. He knew his daughter wasn’t someone who sought wealth and status. What she most wanted wasn’t for her husband to rise to prosperity while she became an official’s wife. But at that time, A Li liked Shen Yurun, and Shen Yurun had this intention, so Xue Huaiyuan let it be.

Today’s Ji Heng didn’t kneel before Xue Huaiyuan. He could see the young man’s pride in Ji Heng’s eyes, identical to Ji Minghan of the past. Ji Heng was different from Shen Yurun. The Duke’s mansion had power, influence, and money. He didn’t need to struggle to obtain these things like Shen Yurun. So what could he do for A Li?

“I’ll protect her life of peace and smooth passage, keep her forever happy, never having to compromise for others or become another person. This ‘others’ includes myself as well,” Ji Heng had said.

His words came unhurriedly but sounded like the most precious promise.

In her previous life, A Li had compromised for Shen Yurun, for the Shen family, doing unhappy things. Ji Heng understood this point, so he said he would let A Li forever be A Li. Even for his sake, she needn’t change.

“I don’t understand—what do you like about A Li?” Xue Huaiyuan had said. “Her appearance? She’s no longer the first beauty of Yanjing. Her bravery? Her intelligence? Ji Heng, you won’t lack such women around you.”

“Lord Xue,” Ji Heng said with a smile, “it’s not because I like her qualities that I like her. It’s because I like her that I like her qualities. If she were a woman who killed indiscriminately, was arrogant and domineering, spoiled and willful, vicious in thought—if I liked her, no matter what kind of person she was, I would like her.”

He was truly unrestrained. How many people in the world dared say such words? Promises were easy, but sincere promises were too difficult. He was already an intense and striking person, so his affection was equally resolute and profound.

“I’m not afraid of any amount of infamy,” Ji Heng said with a light smile. “I’ll do the bad things, so she can forever grow up as she is now. Lord Xue,” he looked into Xue Huaiyuan’s eyes, those amber pupils awake to the point of cruelty, yet his words were so tender, like a fierce beast showing its softest fur, stubbornly protecting its most precious treasure. “Shen Yurun couldn’t protect her. I can,” he said.

It was this one sentence that eliminated all of Xue Huaiyuan’s doubts.

His daughter—for a father who had witnessed her being hurt once, all he hoped for was her safety. Although A Li was very smart and capable of many things, when danger came, someone who could protect her was worth more than anything.

Xue Huaiyuan said, “You’ve won.”

Ji Heng continued smiling.

“I’m entrusting A Li to you, Ji Heng,” Xue Huaiyuan said. “Please take good care of her.”

That young man shed the viciousness of the rumors, incredibly gentle. “I’ll also take good care of you all, because you’re her family,” he said.

The conversation with Ji Heng seemed still before his eyes when Xue Huaiyuan saw Jiang Li frowning before him. “But what exactly did you two say?”

“A Li.” Xue Huaiyuan said, “Father is old. Perhaps in the future, I won’t be able to accompany you for a long, long time. He can protect you. Father has confidence in him. You should also have confidence in him, and confidence in yourself.”

Jiang Li fell silent.

She could tell that Xue Huaiyuan had genuinely relaxed. This meeting with Ji Heng had gone even more smoothly than Jiang Li imagined. Since Xue Huaiyuan wouldn’t say more, Jiang Li didn’t continue pressing. If Father wouldn’t say, naturally Father had his reasons. Moreover, this was a conversation between two men—Father and Ji Heng—their secret, which should be respected.

She gave Xue Huaiyuan a few more reminders before preparing to leave. Xue Zhao called from behind, “Sister, say goodbye to brother-in-law for me.”

This child! Jiang Li found it amusing. He accepted this matter faster than anyone. Thinking about it, Jiang Li said, “Ah Zhao, you should properly thank Doctor Situ in your daily interactions. She’s treating your wounds, and you haven’t paid consultation fees. This doesn’t make sense. This isn’t the Xue family’s way.”

After saying this, she ignored the dumbstruck Xue Zhao and left on her own.

Once outside, after saying goodbye to Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie, Jiang Li walked to Ji Heng’s side. She actually had some things to say to Ji Heng, but since Wenren Yao and the others had already boarded the carriage, it wasn’t convenient to say anything, so they could only part ways separately. However, before parting, Jiang Li couldn’t help saying, “Why did you speak to Father that way today? You startled me.”

Ji Heng had never spoken to anyone so politely before.

“Because he’s your father. Because of you,” he said with a smile.

Jiang Li froze.

Perhaps because in her previous life, she was someone who changed for others, knowing that heartache, she had never experienced the tolerance of someone changing for her. Yet Ji Heng, the villain in everyone’s eyes, would change for her.

She smiled, feeling that Ji Heng was truly a demon sent by heaven to compensate her. Just like in those unofficial histories and storybooks about scholars—at unlucky moments, an absolutely beautiful enchantress would descend from the sky, adding fragrance with red sleeves, intimately accompanying him, after which he would continuously pass imperial examinations and rise rapidly.

Only, those absolutely beautiful enchantresses never had good endings. Those scholars all abandoned them, treating them as romantic encounters. But she silently vowed in her heart that she would never abandon Ji Heng.

Seeing her staring at him just smiling, Ji Heng reached out and pinched her cheek. He touched her lightly but scoffed, “Silly girl.”

This was truly wonderful.

…

The matter of Xue Huaiyuan and Ji Heng meeting passed smoothly. After that, Ji Heng became busy, and Jiang Li couldn’t see him again. Zhao Ke did return to the Jiang family as a gardener. Tong’er indirectly inquired with other Jiang residence servants, who matter-of-factly told her that Zhao Ke had left previously to mourn a death in his family.

This lie was actually reasonable and well-founded, laying groundwork from the start for his return.

The weather grew colder day by day. Gradually, Tong’er took advantage of sunny weather to air out rabbit fur cloaks and fox fur mantles, saying that in another month or two, the capital would truly enter winter with heavy snow. With the weather cold, these things needed to be prepared in advance.

The Jiang family members were also very busy—so busy that sometimes Jiang Li couldn’t see Jiang Yuanbai or Jiang Yuanping for several days in a row. They left early and returned late. When they returned at night, Jiang Li had already gone to sleep, so naturally she couldn’t see them. Jiang Li guessed it was because of Yin Zhan’s matter. Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi also gradually accepted that the Jiang family’s son-in-law was Ji Heng and gradually began preparing Jiang Li’s dowry. When Ye Zhenzhen married over back then, her dowry was truly very generous. After Ji Shuran entered the household, she appropriated those things, originally intending to include them all in Jiang Youyao’s dowry when she married. Who knew there would be such changes? Old Madam Jiang gave Jiang Li the storehouse keys and had Lu Shi draft a dowry list.

Jiang Li looked at the dowry list. Speaking from the perspective of the Prime Minister’s daughter, it truly wasn’t low, but saying it was particularly high would be overstating it. Many items were things Ye Zhenzhen had brought over back then. Jiang Li didn’t mind. She didn’t care how much dowry she had. However, she couldn’t help feeling sad for the real Second Miss Jiang. With great difficulty, things belonging to her mother were recovered, yet the person receiving them was no longer herself but had become Jiang Li, this usurper.

Days passed plainly like this, until Jiang Li learned a piece of news from Zhao Ke. Prince Jun of Xia, Yin Zhan, didn’t need to return to Yunzhong.

When Jiang Li heard this news, she wasn’t very surprised. Probably because Ji Heng had already reminded her before that the Yin family wasn’t as detached from worldly affairs as they appeared on the surface. But she still asked, “Why?”

Zhao Ke said, “They say that now that winter has arrived, the road from Yanjing to Yunzhong is covered in heavy snow. It’s difficult for troops to travel and wastes provisions. Moreover, Yunzhong doesn’t need guarding. On the contrary, we should guard against Prince Cheng’s forces making a comeback. The capital is actually the most dangerous place.”

Jiang Li smiled slightly. This reason couldn’t be called bad, but couldn’t be called good either. Clearly, Yin Zhan truly wanted to stay in the capital. And Yin Zhan should have also seen from Emperor Hongxiao’s marriage decree last time that Emperor Hongxiao had become suspicious of the Yin family. He simply stopped concealing his ambition. Even if done very obviously, he still had to stay.

Yin Zhan was different from Prince Cheng. To deal with Prince Cheng, Emperor Hongxiao had prepared for as many years as Prince Cheng had been planning. But Yin Zhan had only returned to the capital much later. For so many years, the court had almost forgotten this person. If not for his shocking bravery displayed in this pacification campaign, people at court wouldn’t take him seriously. Regarding Yin Zhan, Emperor Hongxiao had no preparation and no understanding. He couldn’t act rashly. The method of catching turtles in a jar, waiting for others to walk into the trap, which worked for Prince Cheng, didn’t apply to Yin Zhan.

Both sides were locked in a stalemate.

Jiang Li’s heart also grew somewhat worried. These peaceful days didn’t know when they would end. Once they ended, the Duke’s mansion and the Jiang family would inevitably be implicated.

She could only hope for safety.

…

In the deep palace, all flowers had withered. After prosperity came unusual desolation.

The flowers in the garden had almost all withered. Even those evergreen trees, under the gloomy weather, seemed covered in a layer of dust. The capital’s winter would soon arrive, and winter always took a very long time to pass. People always began longing for early spring before winter had even finished.

The young Emperor stood with hands behind his back. Outside the imperial mausoleum, heavy troops stood guard. He stood before a tombstone. In the grave lay his birth mother, Noble Consort Xia.

In the deep palace, various rumors circulated about Noble Consort Xia. Many of the old people in the palace had either died or scattered—very few remained. Thus, those past glories were no longer mentioned by anyone. Emperor Hongxiao, born as an imperial prince, had witnessed the changes of the Northern Yan court, seen several winds and clouds, and should have been indifferent to these matters. But as a son, remembering one’s mother was a natural thing.

Different from Consort Liu’s youthful boldness and beauty, different from the Empress Dowager’s youthful gentleness and dignity, Noble Consort Xia was cunning and lively, intelligent and beautiful, kind to servants. She was clever, had her own opinions, knew when to advance and retreat—an interesting person whom the Emperor appreciated.

But probably the four words “beauties have unlucky fates” were a curse. Noble Consort Xia died of illness not long after giving birth to him. Emperor Hongxiao didn’t know what his birth mother looked like. He could only find Noble Consort Xia’s appearance in paintings by palace artists of the past, could only piece together Noble Consort Xia’s image through those rumors of unknown truth, mere fragments of words. But even so, whenever he stood before his birth mother’s grave, his mind’s recollections were only blank.

The Late Emperor entrusted him to the Empress. The Empress had the Crown Prince then and wasn’t close to him. Later, the Crown Prince died young. The Empress even once believed he was the murderer, until the imperial physicians cleared him of suspicion, proving the Crown Prince died of congenital deficiency and sudden heart disease.

But at that time, everyone’s suspicious gazes—including his imperial father’s—he still couldn’t forget. Sometimes waking from dreams in the middle of the night, that bone-deep grief and despair remained vivid.

After that, the Emperor established him as Crown Prince. Prince Cheng and his mother grew increasingly arrogant. To preserve his position, the Empress used him as a bargaining chip to struggle against Prince Cheng and his mother. Being temporarily in the same boat, he and the Empress couldn’t completely fall out. At least they had to appear filial and loving, couldn’t let people exploit any openings.

When exactly did he and the Empress Dowager begin appearing especially close, like a true mother and son? Emperor Hongxiao couldn’t remember anymore. But in his heart, the past had never truly passed. He had never truly emerged from those events. So when he heard of Jiang Li’s experiences, he was so enraged. He gradually learned how to be a true emperor, but how to be a son—this right had been stripped from him when he was very young.

“Mother Consort,” the Emperor’s expression was dazed, with a trace of imperceptible fragility. His voice also seemed confused. “How are you doing now?” he said.

…

In Cining Palace, light smoke curled upward. Meixiang stepped forward in small steps, walking to the side of the person kneeling before the Buddha statue, and said softly, “Empress Dowager, the scout just returned. His Majesty went to the imperial mausoleum, to Noble Consort Xia’s grave.”

The Empress Dowager, wearing silk robes and striking a wooden fish, paused her hand. In the curling smoke, a faint, gentle smile appeared on her face.

She sighed deeply, “Truly an ungrateful wretch who can never be tamed.”

Author’s Note: The young Emperor can be said to be quite tragic [covers face]