“Your… Your Highness?”
Seeing the sudden change in Jiang Xuanjin’s expression, the Changlin lord wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “If you wish to see the princess, then…”
“No,” Jiang Xuanjin replied coldly, lowering his gaze. “What would I want to see her for?”
What kind of reaction is this? The Changlin lord felt flustered. Just a moment ago, Jiang Xuanjin had been calm, but now his face had darkened. If it wasn’t because of the princess, could it be that he had somehow offended him?
Looking around, the Changlin lord spoke softly, “Your Highness, you know that in Changlin, the taxes are heavy, and it truly cannot be considered prosperous. If there’s any negligence, I hope you can understand.”
“You flatter yourself, Changlin lord.” Jiang Xuanjin clasped his hands in greeting. “From what I’ve seen on my journey, the people of Changlin are simple and live in peace.”
“That’s because I’m holding up the sky; it hasn’t collapsed on their heads yet,” the Changlin lord sighed. “Since the emperor took power, the supervision and taxation of the fiefs have become increasingly harsh. The salt tax has already risen to thirty percent. A while ago, an envoy came to inspect and said that the water in Changlin is tasteless. Hmph… if salt were cheap, who would prefer bland food?”
Jiang Xuanjin listened, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Taxation in the fiefs was a common occurrence. If he hadn’t invited the Changlin lord to Ziyang to discuss matters, clearly indicating his intention to protect Danyang from the capital, this man wouldn’t be sharing these grievances with him today.
The other lords, who were drinking and chatting, were also glancing over at him. Jiang Xuanjin knew very well that his arrival today would undoubtedly make him a shield against the emperor, yet he still came.
Those with no benefits would avoid the situation, while those with benefits would approach. At this birthday banquet, he felt like a fool.
With a low chuckle, Jiang Xuanjin met the eager gaze of the Changlin lord and said the words he most wanted to hear: “Since the taxes are excessive, why not discuss it with the other lords and present it to the emperor?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the previously lively atmosphere of the banquet hall turned serious.
“We have been living in our fiefs for many years and are unaware of the situation in the capital. We also do not know the emperor’s thoughts,” the Pingling lord said quietly. “How should we present this? We ask for your guidance, Ziyang lord.”
“Indeed, I’ve heard that the court is in chaos. Not long ago, the emperor imprisoned several high-ranking officials,” the Guangping lord shook his head. “If this memorial isn’t written well, reducing taxes might backfire and harm the common folk.”
In the end, they all wanted Jiang Xuanjin to take the lead, sharing the benefits while he bore the responsibility.
Jiu Wu sat at the table, observing. He felt that the Ziyang lord before him was quite different from the one in the palace.
In the palace, Jiang Xuanjin’s seriousness seemed feigned; his dark eyes always revealed a hint of childlike light. But now, standing among so many feudal lords, he raised his chin slightly, a half-smile on his face, yet his demeanor was entirely different. It was as if no one could breach his defenses or discern his thoughts.
“Writing a memorial is not difficult,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “If you have any demands, feel free to tell me. I will organize them and present them to the emperor.”
Such generosity? The Changlin lord and the others exchanged glances, feeling somewhat pleased. The rumors that the Ziyang lord was easy to deceive turned out to be true; this method was indeed effective.
With him as the scapegoat, they wouldn’t hold back. They exaggerated how much tax should be reduced, and some of the things they said made Jiu Wu feel alarmed.
Jiang Xuanjin instructed Cheng Xu to take note, not refuting anything.
“What about Ziyang?” he asked. “Do you have anything to say?”
Jiu Wu came back to his senses and clasped his hands with a cold smile. “Just ask the emperor to be at ease.”
The tax revenue from Danyang had never gone to the national treasury; it had always gone into the princess’s pocket. Moreover, since the emperor had issued a decree to hunt down the princess, it was clear he did not recognize her as the lord of Danyang, so what was there to discuss?
Jiang Xuanjin glanced at him and said to the Changlin lord, “I have some old ties with this governor. May I borrow a moment to speak with him? Changlin lord, would you mind?”
Thinking about the tax reduction, the Changlin lord was in a good mood and didn’t mind at all. He waved his hand. “Your Highness, please.”
Jiu Wu frowned. He had never had a good impression of the Ziyang lord. Rather than an old friend, it was more accurate to say they were old enemies. He didn’t want to go out with him. But looking at his current position, Jiu Wu held back and stood up to follow him outside.
“Is it a real illness or a feigned one?”
Outside, the night was cool as water. Jiang Xuanjin stood under the corridor and asked this question.
Jiu Wu was taken aback, realizing he was asking about his princess. His expression turned strange. “Your Highness has been in the officialdom for many years; can you not tell the difference between polite conversation and the truth?”
With their care, how could the princess fall seriously ill? For the past two months, Master Lu had been stuffing her with all the best tonics he could find, and her previously weak body had been restored.
Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened further as he turned his head away. “If she were here today, it would be beneficial, not harmful.”
Everyone knew that, but if she came, who knew what might happen? Thinking of the princess’s belly, which was as round as a drum, Jiu Wu smirked. “You needn’t worry about the princess. Your Highness should think about how to write the memorial. Don’t let Ziyang get involved and drag Danyang down with it.”
He could see through the thoughts of the lords inside. He didn’t know why Jiang Xuanjin had agreed to this. Once the emperor was angered, Ziyang would inevitably become the scapegoat.
Jiang Xuanjin looked at him, his dark eyes cold. “If your princess knew what I was doing, she certainly wouldn’t say such things.”
What does that mean? Jiu Wu was confused.
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t explain further and turned back to the birthday banquet. Jiu Wu stood in the corridor for a long time, ultimately deciding to return and ask the princess.
After the banquet, Jiu Wu was the first to ride back, while the other lords discussed matters with the Ziyang lord for two more days before gradually leaving.
Only Jiang Xuanjin remained until the end, standing in the garden of the Changlin lord’s residence, staring blankly at the fish in the pond.
“Your Highness…” the Changlin lord asked nervously, “There’s a mountain spring in Changlin with clear water. The fish swim in it as if flying in the clouds. Would you like to take a look?”
Jiang Xuanjin shook his head.
“Then… there’s a new dancer in the residence who has prepared a beautiful performance. Would you like to appreciate it?”
Jiang Xuanjin still shook his head.
The Changlin lord pondered for a long time, hesitating before saying, “I have some old ties with the Nandu lord. He asked me to visit the princess. Your Highness, will you return to Ziyang, or will you accompany me?”
Jiang Xuanjin finally turned around and asked him, “If I accompany the Changlin lord, would that be inappropriate?”
A light flashed in the Changlin lord’s mind, and he immediately replied, “Very appropriate! The Nandu lord has many things to pass on to me. I’m not too familiar with the princess, so it would be awkward to go alone. If Your Highness can accompany me to ease the situation, I would be very grateful!”
With his brows relaxing, Jiang Xuanjin raised his chin slightly. “As for Danyang, I also do not wish to go. If the news reaches the capital, it will be another trouble.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! I’ll keep it a secret for you, saying that you are enjoying the mountains and rivers in Changlin!”
Jiang Xuanjin reluctantly nodded. “Since that’s the case, then I will comply.”
Cheng Xu and Yufeng, who were behind him, couldn’t help but twitch their mouths, wanting to step forward to remind him: Your Highness, Lord Lu is still in Ziyang, and you said you would go and return. How can you detour to Danyang?
But looking at their master’s suddenly gentle attitude toward the Changlin lord, Cheng Xu understood it was useless. Nothing would change; after more than two months without seeing him, the master could no longer hold back.
At first, it was fine; the princess had left on her own. The master had held on with anger for more than a month, but how long could that anger last? Once it dissipated, how could he suppress his longing?
It was also Yufeng’s fault. Things had been fine, but he secretly moved the box containing the lady’s belongings out of the master’s room, saying he didn’t want him to see it and be troubled. He thought the master wouldn’t notice, but as soon as he entered the room, he sensed it and coldly ordered them to move the box back and check it.
Upon checking, he found a handkerchief.
The handkerchief was found by Yufeng under the bed, and it seemed the lady hadn’t had the chance to give it to the master. It was embroidered with the words “Dear Husband” in a crooked manner. To be honest, the craftsmanship was quite poor, and the characters were ugly, but for some reason, the master’s eyes turned red upon seeing it.
He had always disliked such overt expressions. Cheng Xu thought it was the lady teasing the master, but he found a framed piece of writing at the bottom of the box.
Cheng Xu recognized it; it was the master’s handwriting. It read “Dear Wife.”
The master only glanced at it before he dared not look again, closing the box and locking it back in place.
Neither Cheng Xu nor Yufeng knew when this writing was done or why it was written, but seeing the master’s reaction, no one dared to ask further.
Forget it, Cheng Xu thought. If he wanted to go, then let him go. It was rare for the master to be willful.
The dry and cold weather in Yixian City made Jiang Shen uncomfortable as soon as he arrived. He developed a high fever. The servant Shuang Tian advised him to rest at the inn, but he refused, groggily heading to the princess’s residence.
Li Huaiyu was watching Xu Chunyang embroider small clothes for the child in her belly when she heard Qing Xian leaning against the door, shouting, “Your Highness, there’s a scammer at the door who won’t leave no matter how we chase him away.”
Her eyes brightened, and Huaiyu became interested. “Someone dares to scam at my door? Let’s go, let’s go take a look!”
“Wait a moment.” Xu Chunyang pulled her back, exasperated. “You’re running around with such a big belly?”
“Rarely, Master Lu isn’t here today; I want to get some fresh air,” Huaiyu said, pouting. “I’ve been told to rest all day; I’m going crazy!”
Xu Chunyang looked troubled. After thinking for a moment, she took down the tiger-skin cloak from the screen and wrapped it around her, tying the straps while examining the cloak’s pattern. “Why did you make such a thing…”
“Master Lu asked if I wanted tiger skin or fox fur. I thought tiger skin looked more imposing.” After putting on the cloak and twirling in front of her, Huaiyu raised her chin proudly. “Looks good, right?”
It was indeed good-looking, but it resembled a mountain bandit a bit.
Looking at the sky outside, Xu Chunyang still felt uneasy. “You hold onto me; I’ll help you over.”
Qing Xian, who had delivered the message, paused his expression complex. “Isn’t Miss Xu afraid of the cold? Just stay inside; we’ll help the princess go.”
“Where would you be without my attention? The other day, when I went for a walk with Huaiyu, didn’t she almost fall?”
“…That was the princess’s idea to climb the fake mountain.” Qing Xian was quite exasperated. “As long as the princess walks properly, we can support her.”
Hearing this, Huaiyu became displeased, patting her belly. “I’m just a bit bigger; do you think I’m lame or something? Enough, stop arguing; I’ll go myself.”
With that, she stepped over the threshold and left.
“Your Highness!” Qing Xian and Xu Chunyang both panicked, forgetting everything as they hurriedly chased after her.
Huaiyu walked steadily, even with her big belly, and the imposing tiger skin, Jiang Shen, watching from a distance, wondered, “Is a tiger charging over?”
Shuang Tian shook his head. “Young master, that’s a person.”
Who in the world looks like a tiger? Jiang Shen was confused, watching the “tiger” approach. He was astonished to see it turn and block in front of him, calling out, “Chunyang, bring me a cloak!”
Xu Chunyang was baffled. “Aren’t you wearing one?”
Slapping his forehead, Huaiyu chuckled awkwardly. “I’m so silly. Well, just go and bring me a cup of tea.”
In the middle of winter, asking someone to bring tea from inside to the door would surely make it cold. Qing Xian wiped his face; he understood what the princess wanted to do, but this excuse was not convincing.
Even Xu Chunyang, who was usually slow, sensed something was off and tried to look behind her.
However, whenever she moved to the left, Huaiyu would block her. When she moved to the right, Huaiyu would block her again.
Thus, Xu Chunyang understood: “Is someone from the Jiang family here?”
Li Huaiyu scratched her chin. “How did you suddenly become so clever?”
Xu Chunyang chuckled lightly. “After being by your side for so long, I have to learn something… Don’t block me; I have nothing to do with the Jiang family anymore. I won’t care who comes.”
“Not… but this person…”
Xu Chunyang smiled and stepped up the stairs, guiding Huaiyu to the side.
In the next moment, she found herself staring into Jiang Shen’s misty peach blossom eyes.
The biting wind rushed in through the door, chilling her to the bone.
Xu Chunyang stared at him for a long time, then lowered her gaze and greeted, “Second Young Master.”
It had been a long time since she had seen this person. Her life didn’t seem as difficult as he thought; at least she was dressed in fine silks and satins, her complexion rosy, and she hadn’t lost weight.
Jiang Shen chuckled lightly, asking her, “You won’t care who comes?”
Xu Chunyang fell silent, her back stiffening, and her face gradually paled.
Saying she didn’t care was a lie. After all, he was someone she had once liked and was now an ex-husband. Seeing him again inevitably stirred some strange feelings. However, she didn’t cry like before. After organizing her emotions, she calmly spoke:
“Second Young Master, you’ve come a long way. Is there something you need?”
Her distant attitude made it seem as if he were just an ordinary visitor.
Jiang Shen scoffed. “Is the etiquette of the princess’s residence to stand at the door and ask questions?”
Li Huaiyu’s gaze turned unfriendly as she pulled Xu Chunyang behind her, staring at him. “My residence has never had much etiquette for guests. If you provoke me, I might just beat you up. Do you want to try?”
Shuang Tian, who was behind, immediately stepped forward in defense. Jiang Shen coughed a couple of times, wanting to say something, but his gaze was drawn to her round belly.
“This…” He was stunned, then his eyes widened. “Could it be…”
Oh no! Everyone was startled. Qing Xian reacted quickly, pulling Xu Chunyang inside, along with Shuang Tian, and then closing the door.
Since he had seen it, he couldn’t let him leave.
Jiang Shen staggered back a few steps, feeling dizzy and unsteady. Xu Chunyang noticed and hesitated for a moment before reaching out to support him.
Upon contact, she realized he was burning hot.
“You…” Xu Chunyang frowned. “Are you sick?”
Jiang Shen let out a low grunt and coughed a couple of times.
Li Huaiyu sighed. “He is here to scam.”
Originally, she had planned to teach the scammer a lesson, but the situation was a bit awkward now. If she acted, he was sick; if she didn’t act, would she treat him like a guest?
Just as she was hesitating, a voice suddenly came from behind. “What’s everyone doing standing here?”
Xu Chunyang turned to see Chi Jin holding her cloak, seemingly ignoring Jiang Shen and walked straight up to her. “Why didn’t you wear more when you came out?”
Feeling a bit stiff from the cold, Xu Chunyang smiled gratefully and took the cloak, wrapping it around herself. “I was in a hurry.”
“Let’s go back to the warming pavilion with the princess first,” Chi Jin said. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
His words were affectionate as if they had been a married couple for many years. Jiang Shen’s face darkened as he looked at Xu Chunyang, who surprisingly didn’t refuse but nodded obediently.
What is this?
With a cold laugh, Jiang Shen turned his head away, suddenly feeling as if a knife had pierced his heart, the cold wind stabbing sharply inside.
What was he doing here? They were perfectly fine, and he was the only one with problems.
Huaiyu pulled Xu Chunyang back inside, noticing her serious expression, and asked, “Can’t you let go?”
“It’s not that,” Xu Chunyang raised her eyes to look at her. “I was thinking, if he sees your belly, will he go back and tell the lord?”
Of course, he would! Huaiyu lay back on the soft couch, feeling a bit troubled. According to the customs of the Northern Wei, any child born after marriage, regardless of gender, belonged to the male side. If Jiang Xuanjin didn’t know, it would be fine, but once he found out and came to snatch the child, she might not be able to win.
She irritably tapped her belly. “It’s all my fault for eating too much lately; otherwise, my belly wouldn’t be so big.”
“The doctor said that a good diet makes the belly grow,” Xu Chunyang shook her head. “You should eat what you need.”
As for how to prevent Jiang Shen from speaking, she could think of a way.
Qing Xian and Chi Jin settled Jiang Shen in the guest room. Jiang Er Gongzi lay on the bed, his face dark, and closed his eyes without saying a word.
His brows twitched slightly, and Qing Xian suddenly asked Chi Jin, “Did you go to the grain distribution point today?”
Chi Jin shook his head. “It’s been cold lately, and the wind is strong, so I didn’t go.”
“Tsk, it’s Xu Chunyang who’s afraid of the cold. Why don’t you go just because she’s not going?”
Of course, if Miss Xu didn’t go, the grain distribution point wouldn’t distribute grain at all. Why would he go? Chi Jin shot him a glance and turned to leave.
“Hey, can you bring a bowl of soup to Miss Xu? She looks freezing,” Qing Xian said.
Without suspicion, Chi Jin agreed and stepped out of the guest room.
Qing Xian’s eyes were full of smiles as he looked back at Jiang Shen, who was still clenching his fists even with his eyes closed. He clapped his hands cheerfully. “If you need anything, just tell the people outside.”
Pausing, he added, “Although saying it might not help, it’s better than not saying anything.”
This kind of neglectful attitude made Shuang Tian frown. Once Qing Xian left, he squatted by the bed and said, “Why do you have to suffer here, young master?”
Jiang Shen kept his eyes closed, his mind filled with the image of Xu Chunyang standing in front of Chi Jin, looking obedient.
What is jealousy? He found it ugly, so he never allowed the women in his courtyard to feel it. Whoever was jealous or resentful, would drive them away.
But now, he knew he was jealous.
A deep sense of helplessness and anxiety spread from his heart, making him feel hot all over, dizzy, and even too weak to lift a finger.
In a daze, he heard Xu Chunyang’s voice again, just like when he was sick a long time ago, softly ringing at his bedside: “Support him and feed him this bowl of medicine.”
Gulong and Cuixue would come to accompany him when he was happy, teasing him and joking with him. But when he was unhappy or sick, the one by his side was mostly Xu Chunyang.
This inconspicuous person had intruded into his life in a way he hadn’t noticed. Without her laughter, he could bear the pain, but without her, even smiling became difficult.
When someone touched the back of his hand, he instinctively grabbed that person’s wrist, struggling to open his eyes.
He dreamed of her again.
Looking at the face before him, Jiang Shen pursed his lips and hoarsely said, “Third brother is very bad.”
Ignoring the reaction of the person in front of him, he murmured, “He’s unhappy, so he comes to make things difficult for me. He wants me to write a divorce letter for you… You get the divorce letter, but you don’t come to question me? I thought you would come; you still have many things at my place. You can’t just leave everything behind… At least take the dowry; there are several boxes…”
Pausing, he tilted his head. “For the last box, can you fit me in?”
His usually charming and romantic eyes were now filled with mist, lacking focus, and his tone sounded somewhat aggrieved.
Xu Chunyang sat by the bed, staring at him in shock.
She had never seen this side of the second young master. Even when drunk, he had never spoken like this. He looked pale and haggard, his lips white, appearing quite ill.
Pulling her hand back, realizing she couldn’t move it, Xu Chunyang bit her lip, suppressing her emotions. With her other hand, she picked up the bowl and offered him the medicine.
Jiang Shen glanced at it and shook his head. “I won’t drink it; if I do, you’ll leave.”
“If the second young master doesn’t want to drink, then I’ll leave now.”
Feeling a bit flustered, Jiang Shen hurriedly took the bowl she was holding and gulped down the medicine, all the while keeping his eyes on her.
Xu Chunyang stared at him for a moment, then lowered her gaze. “You should rest.”
Jiang Shen mumbled, “Will you come to my dreams tomorrow?”
Unable to answer, Xu Chunyang’s eyes turned red.
The one who loved deeply was her, and the one who was wronged was also her. Why was he the one acting like this now?
“Will you come?” Jiang Shen, looking extremely tired, forced himself to seek an answer.
Xu Chunyang stood up, gritting her teeth, and replied, “I will come.”