Jiang Ci draped her outer robe over her shoulders and stepped out to find Madam Wei Five sitting in the corridor, sorting vegetables.
Seeing her, Madam Wei Five quickly stood up to fasten Jiang Ci’s robe properly. “The young master instructed that you shouldn’t be moving about, miss,” she said.
Jiang Ci pouted. “It’s not like my leg is broken. Why can’t I come out for a walk? I’ve been cooped up for days; it’s suffocating.” She sat down on the bamboo stool and gazed at the peach grove beside the wooden house, her voice tinged with melancholy. “The peach blossoms fell early this year. We’ll have to wait until next year to see them again.”
Madam Wei Five smiled. “It’s because you’re not well, miss. If you could go out, the peach blossoms on Red Maple Mountain are in full bloom right now.”
“Really?” Jiang Ci smiled. “Is that where your family lives, Aunt Five?”
Madam Wei Five, not daring to elaborate, changed the subject. “How do you feel after taking the latest medicine from the young master?”
“The pain is gone. Brother Cui’s prescription is indeed reliable.”
“It seems the young master has put a lot of thought into helping you recover quickly.”
Jiang Ci snorted and fell silent.
Madam Wei Five, being experienced, had noticed the strange dynamic between the fearsome young master and this young lady. Remembering that her daughter-in-law and grandson’s lives hung in the balance, she carefully said, “In my opinion, miss, you shouldn’t be angry with the young master. He cherishes you deeply. This injury—”
Jiang Ci shook her head. “I don’t blame him for hurting me. He has always been ill; it was unintentional, done in a nightmare. My affairs with him… it’s better if you don’t know about them, Aunt Five.”
Madam Wei Five sighed. “Miss, you’re a sensible person. How can you not see the young master’s true feelings? He comes every night. If you’re awake, he keeps watch outside the window. If you’re asleep, he stays by your bedside—”
Not wanting Madam Wei Five to know too much, fearing Wei Zhao might silence her, Jiang Ci interrupted, “He’s not that kind-hearted. It’s just that I’m still useful to him, so I can’t die yet.”
Madam Wei Five, hoping to persuade the young lady and please the fearsome young master so she could return home, continued, “The young master may not say much, but you can tell he’s considerate. Look at this garden; his family background must be first-rate. As for his looks, I’d say, except for that rumored ‘Phoenix’ Wei Third Young Master, there’s probably no one in the world who can compare.”
Noticing the strange tone when she mentioned the “Phoenix” Wei Third Young Master, Jiang Ci’s interest was piqued. She smiled and said, “I always hear people talking about this ‘Phoenix’ Wei Third Young Master, saying his beauty is unmatched. I wonder what kind of person he is. It would be nice to meet him someday.”
Madam Wei Five hurriedly said, “Miss, please don’t entertain such thoughts. That kind of filthy, lowly person shouldn’t sully your eyes.”
“Isn’t he a powerful figure at court? How is he filthy and lowly?” Jiang Ci asked in surprise.
Madam Wei Five spat on the ground. “What powerful figure? He’s nothing but a court jester, a male favorite who serves the emperor with his looks!”
After a moment of silence from Jiang Ci, Madam Wei Five looked over to see her in a daze. She quickly slapped her cheek. “Look at my loose tongue, how crude! Miss, please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
Jiang Ci, who had run away from home and wandered in the jianghu, though not for long, had heard people curse the term “male favorite” in the streets. While she didn’t understand its exact meaning, she knew it referred to the most despised men in the world. Her heart churned as she looked at Madam Wei Five and slowly asked, “What male favorite? Wei Third Young Master is a male favorite?!”
Madam Wei Five forced a laugh. “Miss, it’s better not to ask. It’s quite embarrassing to talk about.”
“Please, Aunt Five, explain it clearly. When my curiosity is piqued and I don’t understand something, I can’t eat or take medicine properly.”
Reluctantly, Madam Wei Five said, “Miss, you’re innocent, so of course you don’t know what a male favorite means. Wei Third Young Master was originally a catamite. I heard he entered Prince Qingde’s household at ten and was presented to the emperor at twelve. He’s extremely beautiful and skilled at flattery. People say the emperor favors him greatly and hasn’t favored any other catamites for five or six years. That’s how he’s gained his current position.”
Jiang Ci clutched her collar tightly, too shocked to speak. So, that proud man like a phoenix, that godlike Starry Moon Sect Leader, that lonely person who missed his family day and night, he was actually—
A catamite, the shame of the Moon Falling Clan, despised by the world. What kind of degrading, filthy things did he have to do? What kind of humiliation did he have to endure?
How did he survive all these years? Carrying the world’s contempt and disdain, walking alone on this difficult path, what price did he pay? How strong must his heart be?
Seeing Wei Zhao enter the garden from afar, Madam Wei Five quickly tugged at Jiang Ci’s robe. “Miss, the young master is coming.” She picked up her vegetable basket and retreated into the kitchen.
Wei Zhao approached like a drifting cloud, his hands clasped behind his back. Jiang Ci sat there, dazed.
Wei Zhao stared at her for a while before coldly calling out, “Madam Wei.”
Frightened, Madam Wei Five scrambled out of the kitchen. Jiang Ci quickly said, “It’s not Aunt Five’s fault. I came out on my own.” She suddenly stood up, ran into the room, lay down on the bed, and pulled the covers over her face with her right hand.
Fei Xue Mei Ying’s words, what she had seen and heard on Moon Falling Mountain, Aunt Five’s contemptuous expression, that quiet night in the peach grove—all of it left her without the courage to pull back the covers and look at that exquisitely beautiful face again.
Wei Zhao’s cold voice came through: “Come out!”
Seeing no response from Jiang Ci, he slowly said, “Madam Wei, pull her out.”
Jiang Ci had no choice but to slowly pull back the covers, but she kept her eyes closed. “I want to rest now. Please leave, Third Young Master.”
Wei Zhao swept his sleeve, and the door slammed shut. Startled, Jiang Ci opened her eyes to see him slowly walking toward the bed. She quickly turned away, but the movement aggravated her shoulder wound, causing her to cry out in pain.
Wei Zhao rushed forward to help her sit up. Seeing tears in her eyes, his tone softened slightly. “It seems Cui Ziming’s medicine isn’t effective either.”
Jiang Ci quickly said, “The medicine works. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Thank you for your concern, Third Young Master.”
This was the first time she had spoken softly to Wei Zhao since he had injured her, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Jiang Ci lowered her head and, after hesitating for a while, said quietly, “Third Young Master, my wound is much better now. You don’t need to come check on me every day anymore.”
Wei Zhao remained silent.
Jiang Ci spoke softly, “Third Young Master, I know you injured me unintentionally. I don’t blame you. It’s just that I can’t move my left arm. You should let Aunt Five go home.”
After a long silence from Wei Zhao, she finally couldn’t help but look up, only to be startled by his bright gaze and turn away again.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Just as Jiang Ci was starting to feel anxious, Wei Zhao slowly spoke, his tone icy and indifferent: “I’m not here to check on you. I’m just delivering something to you.”
Jiang Ci forced a smile. “I have everything I need here—” Before she could finish, Wei Zhao tossed a fox fur cloak onto her lap.
Jiang Ci looked down at the cloak, taking a moment to recognize it. She suddenly looked up in shock. “Has he returned to the capital?”
Wei Zhao’s eyes narrowed, his pupils contracting slightly, but his gaze remained sharp as he stared at Jiang Ci and coldly asked, “You recognize this fox fur cloak?”
Knowing she couldn’t deny it, Jiang Ci nodded. “Yes, I wore this cloak when I was at Long Wind Manor.”
Wei Zhao trembled slightly but quickly regained his composure. A smile slowly crept across his lips, contrasting eerily with his snow-white complexion, making Jiang Ci unable to look at him directly.
The wind blew in from the window, gently lifting Wei Zhao’s black hair. He slowly bent down to pick up the fox fur cloak, let out a soft snort, shook his head, and finally laughed. “Shao Jun, oh Shao Jun, how should I describe you?”
In Honghui Hall, the emperor coldly surveyed the assembled ministers, his gaze lingering on Scholar Dong for a moment before moving on.
Scholar Dong seemed to have aged considerably, his legs trembling slightly. The Crown Prince, unable to bear the sight, stepped forward to support his right arm. The emperor sighed and said, “Bring a chair for Scholar Dong.”
After the Crown Prince helped Scholar Dong to sit, the emperor spoke gently, “Scholar Dong, don’t be too grief-stricken. Wang Lang sacrificed himself for the country. I will grant his family titles and benefits.”
Thinking of his wife’s only brother and the loss of his most important military support, Scholar Dong was too overwhelmed with sorrow to express his gratitude.
Prince Jing, sensing the opportunity, stepped forward and respectfully said, “Father, Hexi Prefecture is in dire straits now. It’s only thanks to Tian Ce’s desperate defense that we’re holding on. We must send reinforcements to Hexi immediately.”
Minister of War Shao Zihe said, “Your Majesty, it seems the Huan army is now more powerful than the Bao rebels. We should withdraw some forces from Lou Mountain to support Tian Ce.”
Grand Scholar Yin Shilin glanced at the Crown Prince and said, “Troop redeployment is one strategy, but the key is to have a general who can match Yu Wen Jinglun. I fear Tian Ce may not be up to the task.”
The emperor fell into deep thought. Prince Jing exchanged a glance with Shao Zihe, who understood and cautiously said, “Your Majesty, I wonder about Minister Pei’s condition. If he could take the field and lead the Long Wind Cavalry, he might be the nemesis of the Huan army.”
Yin Shilin’s gaze swept over Scholar Dong. “At this point, it seems only Minister Pei can shoulder this heavy responsibility.”
The emperor tapped his right finger on the dragon throne but remained silent. With Wang Lang dead and Gao Cheng defeated, neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Zhuang felt it appropriate to speak. The hall fell into silence.
The emperor seemed somewhat weary. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes for a moment, and then said flatly, “I have my plans.”
As the warm breeze of spring swept through the imperial palace, Eunuch Tao followed closely behind the Emperor into the heated chamber. He helped the Emperor remove his dragon robe and, noticing the Emperor’s displeased expression, softly asked, “Would Your Majesty like some ginseng soup?”
The Emperor, feeling irritated, was about to reprimand him when Wei Zhao entered with light steps and waved Eunuch Tao away.
Wei Zhao picked up the ginseng soup from the table and gave a faint smile. The Emperor turned his back. Wei Zhao let out a soft sigh, and the gentle clink of a spoon could be heard as he began to drink the soup himself.
The Emperor turned back, and Wei Zhao looked at him with a half-smile, “San Lang always thinks about how to ease Your Majesty’s burdens. It’s just a pity that my body hasn’t fully recovered yet. I wonder if drinking a bowl of this imperial ginseng soup might help me recover faster.”
The Emperor smiled, and Wei Zhao offered him the bowl. The Emperor finished it and said softly, “You’re always so considerate. None of the other ministers put my mind at ease like you do.”
“Is Your Majesty worried about the Huan army’s invasion in the south?” Wei Zhao glanced at the memorials on the desk and asked calmly.
The Emperor gave a light “Mm” and sat down in his chair, closing his eyes slightly. He said, “You’re a perceptive one. Given the current situation, we have no choice but to let Pei Yan take command of the military again. But what if—”
Wei Zhao glided over and began to gently massage the Emperor’s shoulders, speaking softly, “Your Majesty knows that San Lang and Shao Jun have always been at odds, and I don’t care for his arrogance either. But to be fair, when it comes to leading troops in battle, no one in Hua Dynasty can surpass him.”
The Emperor, enjoying the massage, smiled and patted Wei Zhao’s hand. “Your words are fair.”
“San Lang speaks from the perspective of the court and the state, not merely based on personal likes or dislikes. In the current situation, we can only let Pei Yan lead the Changfeng Cavalry to counter the Huan army. Otherwise, Hexi will be in danger.”
The Emperor pondered silently. Wei Zhao smiled and said, “If Your Majesty is still uneasy about Pei Yan, San Lang has a suggestion.”
“Let’s hear it.”
Wei Zhao’s hands paused, and he slowly leaned down, whispering into the Emperor’s ear, “Your Majesty could send a trusted person as a military supervisor to monitor Pei Yan. If he shows any signs of disloyalty, Madam Rong Guo and Pei Zifang are still in Your Majesty’s hands. He wouldn’t dare to disobey.”
The Emperor nodded slightly and asked, “Where is Pei Zifang now?”
“My men report that he will arrive in the capital in three days.”
The Emperor thought for a moment, then smiled. “Pei Yan can be quite arrogant. We’ll need to send the right person to summon him.”
Wei Zhao straightened up and continued massaging the Emperor. After a while, he said, “I don’t particularly enjoy seeing him. As long as Your Majesty doesn’t send me, it’s fine.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. “It’s not that I underestimate you, but you’re not quite at that level yet. Recover from your injuries soon. I have other tasks for you.”
The spring scenery was in full bloom, with azaleas covering the mountains as if determined to show off their last bit of beauty. The entire Baolin Mountain seemed shrouded in clouds and mist.
Prince Zhuang, dressed in a light cloud-patterned brocade robe, leaned out of his carriage to gaze at Changfeng Villa on the mountainside. His hand unconsciously tightened, pulling several jade beads off the carriage curtain.
A servant approached and prostrated himself. Prince Zhuang stepped down from the carriage. Looking at the copper bells on the high eaves of Changfeng Villa, he recalled his father’s strict orders before his departure and thought of the powerful Gao clan in Hexi. He sighed inwardly and stopped the servant who was about to go up the mountain to notify Pei Yan. Instead, he took the lead and started walking up the mountain himself.
It was his first visit to Changfeng Villa. As he admired the intricately carved and richly colored manor gates, he couldn’t help but envy how comfortably Pei Yan had spent the winter. Lost in thought, the manor gates suddenly opened wide, and Pei Yan emerged, dressed in a sky-blue long robe with wide sleeves.
Prince Zhuang hurriedly stepped forward with a smile. “Shao Jun!”
Pei Yan bowed deeply. “Your Highness!”
Prince Zhuang took Pei Yan’s hand and looked him over carefully, his voice full of concern. “Shao Jun, you’ve grown thin. It seems this injury was indeed serious.”
Pei Yan smiled slightly. “My boys said they saw Your Highness’s carriage, but I couldn’t believe it. Your Highness coming to visit is truly too much honor for Pei Yan.”
He gestured with his hand, and Prince Zhuang walked beside him into the manor, saying, “I’ve been meaning to visit Shao Jun for a while, but government affairs have kept me busy. I hope Shao Jun doesn’t mind.”
Pei Yan quickly said he wouldn’t dare, and led Prince Zhuang into the East Flower Hall. Servants brought in the finest cloud mist tea, and Pei Yan coughed a few times.
Prince Zhuang put down his teacup and asked with concern, “Has Shao Jun’s injury not fully healed?”
Pei Yan smiled bitterly. “It’s about seventy to eighty percent better, but I haven’t recovered to my best condition. I’m afraid I’m making a poor impression on Your Highness.”
Prince Zhuang breathed a sigh of relief and picked up his teacup again. As he was pondering how to broach the subject, An Chen entered, bowed to Prince Zhuang, then approached Pei Yan and reported, “My Lord, everything is ready.”
Pei Yan stood up with a smile. “The servants say they’ve found a three-foot-long fish in Pingyue Lake. I’ve had them prepare all the fishing gear. Would Your Highness be interested?”
Prince Zhuang, who enjoyed fishing, was just thinking about how to get closer to Pei Yan. He quickly replied, “That would be excellent.”
Pingyue Lake was located to the southeast of Changfeng Villa, a flat lake on the mountainside.
It was the height of spring. The lake water was clear and the waves gently rippled. Green bamboo and weeping willows surrounded the lake, with geese and swans gliding gracefully. The lake breeze carried a strong floral fragrance, and the lake’s surface was a bright crimson. Everywhere the eye could see was filled with the beauty of spring. Prince Zhuang couldn’t help but sigh, “They say the capital is the most prosperous place, but I think Shao Jun’s Changfeng Villa is far more relaxing and comfortable.”
Pei Yan led him to sit in a wicker chair, then sat down himself, smoothing his robes. He smiled and said, “While I wouldn’t dare say this place is better than the capital, after living here for a while, it’s hard to leave. Over the years, when I wasn’t killing enemies on the battlefield, I was participating in court politics. I’ve rarely had days as relaxed and comfortable as these. So you could say that there’s good and bad in everything – this injury wasn’t entirely unfortunate.”
Prince Zhuang laughed heartily. The servants had already baited their hooks, and the two men cast their lines into the lake.
The willow shade was sparse, and the spring sun was strong. A gentle breeze came, casting flickering light and shadows on their faces. Before long, Pei Yan caught a foot-long golden carp. He was delighted and said to Prince Zhuang with a smile, “It’s a pity we’re not in the capital. Otherwise, we could invite Prince Jing and San Lang for a competition. We could certainly get Prince Jing drunk.”
He seemed to recall something else and asked, “I heard San Lang was seriously injured. Has he recovered?”
Prince Zhuang, busy reeling in his line, caught a two-inch long small crucian carp. He shook his head, “It seems the fish in Shao Jun’s Changfeng Villa are a bit wary of strangers.” He continued, “San Lang’s injury was quite severe. He’s probably only recovered about fifty to sixty percent. He looks much thinner, which makes one’s heart ache.”
Pei Yan cast his line back into the water and sighed, “His Majesty must be both worried and anxious. Ah, as a subject, not being able to ease His Majesty’s burdens truly fails to live up to his sacred trust.”
Prince Zhuang had been waiting for this opening. He put down his fishing rod and turned to Pei Yan, “Shao Jun, Father Emperor has issued an edict.”
Pei Yan quickly put down his fishing rod and waved his hand. All the attendants swiftly retreated. He knelt facing north and said, “This subject, Pei Yan, receives the imperial edict.”
Prince Zhuang stepped forward to help him up, saying, “Father Emperor said there’s no need for a formal ceremony.” He then took out a yellow silk scroll from his sleeve. Pei Yan received it with both hands, opened it, and read it carefully. His face showed hesitation and uncertainty.
Prince Zhuang spoke with utmost sincerity, “Shao Jun, we’ve reached a critical moment for the nation’s survival. Yu Wen Jinglun’s great army is advancing rapidly. If he captures Hexi Prefecture, the capital will be in danger.”
Pei Yan remained silent. Prince Zhuang had no choice but to continue, “Gao Cheng has been defeated, and Ning Jianyu is struggling to hold Loushan and Xiaojing River, unable to turn his attention westward. Wang Lang has also fallen in battle, and Academic Dong has been weeping for days. In this time of national peril, we hope Shao Jun can turn the tide and prop up the falling edifice. Xie Yu, on behalf of all the common people of the realm, extends his gratitude to Shao Jun in advance!” With that, he bowed deeply.
Pei Yan hurried forward to stop him, repeatedly saying, “Your Highness must not do this. It’s too much for Pei Yan.”
Prince Zhuang’s eyes shone with eagerness. “Does this mean Shao Jun agrees?”
Pei Yan still seemed hesitant. Prince Zhuang asked softly, “Does Shao Jun have any concerns?”
“It’s not that,” Pei Yan shook his head. “It’s mainly that my injury hasn’t fully healed—”
Prince Zhuang chuckled and took out a jade box from his sleeve. “Father Emperor knows that Shao Jun’s Yuan Power has been injured, so he sent the palace’s ‘Nine Yuan Pill’ with me.”
Pei Yan’s face showed deep emotion, and his voice choked as he knelt. “This subject thanks His Majesty for his great kindness.”
Prince Zhuang helped him up and patted his right hand affectionately, sighing, “Shao Jun, you are a pillar of the state. The court can’t do without you for a moment. Father Emperor even said that I should seek your advice more often.”
Pei Yan quickly said he wouldn’t dare, adding, “In the future, Pei Yan will still need to rely heavily on Your Highness’s support.”
The lake water reflected the green mountains and red flowers, calm and undisturbed. The reflection of the azaleas was dazzlingly bright. On the shore of Pingyue Lake, the two men exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with laughter, each with a faint gleam of light.
After taking the medicine prepared by Cui Liang and applying external herbal remedies for several days, Jiang Ci’s shoulder injury greatly improved. However, she seemed listless and often sat alone in her room, refusing to go out.
Madam Wei, having spent some time with her, had come to understand her temperament. Although she had been forced to serve Jiang Ci, she still felt some sympathy for her. That night, seeing Wei Zhao enter the garden silently, with one person sitting idly indoors and the other standing silently outside the window, she finally couldn’t help but approach Wei Zhao and say softly, “Young Master, the young lady has been acting strange these past few days.”
Wei Zhao remained silent. Madam Wei sighed, “Young Master, why don’t you go in and talk to her? The young lady must have something on her mind.”
The night breeze blew Wei Zhao’s long hair at his ears, brushing against his cheeks. He suddenly remembered that morning when he had carried her on his back, rushing to Luofeng Rapids, and how her long hair had brushed against his face in the same way. A faint melancholy spread through his heart, and he finally stepped forward, slowly entering the inner room.
She was sitting facing the window, her crimson long dress spread out in the chair like a peach blossom. Her black hair was loose, making her skin appear even whiter in contrast. Wei Zhao gazed at her profile, then looked at the fox fur scattered on the bed beside her. His gaze tightened, and he lightly coughed.
Jiang Ci turned her head to look at Wei Zhao, then turned back, saying softly, “He’s almost at the capital, isn’t he?”
Wei Zhao looked out at the night and said calmly, “By my calculations, he should arrive tomorrow.”