Huaiyu’s situation had yet to be resolved, and she would inevitably come to plead with him.
After giving Shuang Tian a few instructions, Xu Chunyang rose from the guest room, made her way through the corridor to the back courtyard, and reached a corner. She looked around to ensure no one was watching before slowly crouching down, and carefully wiping her eyes, which were turning red.
Her mother had said that life was full of hardships and that one would encounter many tribulations. If one faces such tribulations, one should not blame heaven or others but should find a way to avoid them. She had followed this advice, blaming no one and trying to avoid trouble, but having come this far, why couldn’t she escape?
Heaven knew how much effort it took for her to forget that there was a person named Jiang Shen in this world. Just when she had finally made some progress, he appeared before her again, as if heaven were playing a cruel joke on her, leaving her both angry and powerless.
She heard faint footsteps behind her.
Startled, Xu Chunyang quickly wiped her face with a handkerchief and pretended to be observing the ants on the ground.
“Isn’t it cold?” someone asked her.
Hearing the voice, she sighed in relief and turned to reply, “I’m just about to return to the princess.”
Chi Jin looked down at her, his gaze passing over her slightly red eyes. He didn’t ask anything but said, “Today while patrolling the city, I saw two very beautiful hot water bottles, so I bought them. The princess is already playing with them; you should go take a look.”
Hot water bottles? Xu Chunyang stood up, shaking off the numbness in her legs, and nodded. “I’ll go right away.”
She was afraid of the cold, and in winter, her favorite thing was a hot water bottle. Whenever she had the chance, she would hug it tightly. The previous one had broken a few days ago, and she hadn’t had the chance to repair it, so this new one was perfect.
The gloomy clouds above her head began to disperse a bit, and she smiled, lifting her skirt and limping forward.
Chi Jin glanced at her. “Did you hurt your foot?”
“No,” she replied, lowering her head in embarrassment. “I just squatted for too long, and it’s a bit numb.”
Chi Jin understood and pointed to a nearby corner. “There’s a bench over there; next time, you can sit and watch the ants.”
This person was really… Xu Chunyang found it amusing and was also somewhat touched.
Huaiyu was right; Chi Jin was a very considerate person. He knew she was hiding her sadness but didn’t make her feel awkward.
“Thank you,” she said.
Chi Jin looked ahead, his expression unchanged. “It’s just a hot water bottle; there’s no need to thank me.”
Xu Chunyang smiled, agreeing with him. “I’ll go see what it looks like.”
A typical hot water bottle was just an oval copper kettle, but the one Chi Jin bought was quite clever. It was lightweight and intricately engraved with a design of a carp holding a plum blossom, and the lid had a hollowed-out plum blossom carving.
Li Huaiyu weighed it in her hands for a moment and smiled. “Is this for me?”
Chi Jin nodded without any shame.
Seeing Xu Chunyang’s delighted expression, Li Huaiyu beckoned Chi Jin closer. “Don’t you think this behavior is a bit too obvious? Everyone in Feiyun Palace knows I don’t use hot water bottles in winter.”
Chi Jin replied seriously, “Your Highness, as long as some people don’t know, that’s enough.”
That was true. Seeing Xu Chunyang so happy, it was clear she hadn’t noticed the thoughts of others. Otherwise, with her personality, she would have immediately returned the item to Chi Jin.
Huaiyu thought for a moment and said, “Xu Chunyang seems soft on the surface, but she has the resilience of the Xu family. If you’re being kind to her out of sympathy, there’s no need. She has me and General Xu.”
Sympathy? Chi Jin frowned in confusion. “Where does she need sympathy?”
“…Huh?”
Glancing at the person over there, Chi Jin said, “Miss Xu is blameless before heaven and earth, and she has nothing to be ashamed of in front of others. Even if she encounters unworthy people, she still seeks liberation. Now, when she walks on the street, she can earn the nods of the surrounding common folk and the gratitude of the poor. What use is sympathy for her?”
Huaiyu was taken aback and then laughed. “I’m indeed narrow-minded; you see things more openly than I do.”
“There’s no need for Your Highness to worry,” he said, clasping his hands. “Chi Jin always acts with discretion.”
“Good,” Huaiyu clapped her hands. “I trust you.”
Xu Chunyang only watched them whispering and didn’t pay attention to what they were saying. Holding the hot water bottle, she let out a long breath, feeling her frozen hands gradually warm up, and her heart began to relax.
It’s okay; since I can’t avoid it, I’ll face it. Life must go on, right?
When Jiang Shen woke up, he felt much clearer-headed. He stared at the unfamiliar bed curtains for a while before turning to look at the bedside.
Xu Chunyang was sitting with her back to him, holding a needle and thread, carefully embroidering flowers on the collar of a small jacket.
After staring at the jacket for a while and confirming that it was far too small for an adult, he hoarsely asked, “That child, is it Third Brother’s or someone else’s?”
Startled, she pricked her finger with the needle, gasping in surprise as she turned to look at him.
He had woken up without a sound, and his sudden question startled her.
Jiang Shen frowned and reached for her bleeding finger, but Xu Chunyang pulled away, sucking on it and placing her hand behind her back.
“I came here to discuss this matter with the second young master,” she said, pursing her lips. “Regarding the princess’s pregnancy, I hope the second young master won’t tell the lord.”
Is that why she was sitting here?
His hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, slowly retreated. Jiang Shen found it amusing. “What kind of relationship do you have with Li Huaiyu that you’re so protective of her?”
Xu Chunyang thought for a moment and replied, “When I had nowhere to go, she took me in.”
How could she have nowhere to go? With such a large Jiang residence… Jiang Shen wanted to refute her, but he thought of certain matters and lowered his eyes.
He was indeed a terrible person, enjoying bullying others. He knew very well that she would be unhappy if she saw him being affectionate with someone else, yet he still wanted to provoke her, wanting to see what she would look like when genuinely angry.
But in the end, he could never find her in Shaohua Courtyard.
He had once wondered where she had hidden herself. Now, the truth was clear; she had gone to Moju.
Pressing his lips together, Jiang Shen said, “You tell me whose child she’s carrying, and I’ll consider whether to tell Third Brother.”
If it were someone else’s, there would be no need to mention it. But if it were Jiang’s family blood, that would be a serious matter.
Xu Chunyang glanced at him. After being married for so many years, she could guess some of his thoughts. After thinking for a moment, she hesitantly said, “Anyway, it’s not… not the lord’s.”
This person couldn’t even lie smoothly and thought he could deceive him. Jiang Shen shook his head and instructed Shuang Tian, “Go find a servant in the residence to inquire.”
Shuang Tian complied, and Xu Chunyang grew anxious. “Do you have to do this?”
“It concerns the Jiang family bloodline; it cannot be taken lightly.”
She had thought she could persuade him or at least trick him. Unexpectedly, neither worked. Xu Chunyang felt frustrated with her uselessness and stood up to leave.
“Where are you going?” Jiang Shen grew anxious, getting out of bed without putting on his shoes and grabbing her wrist.
Xu Chunyang didn’t look back as she said, “I’m going to prepare a carriage to send the second young master back.”
Jiang Shen was furious. “Are you so eager to send me away?”
“There’s no point in the second young master staying here,” she replied. “This Yixian City is desolate, with not even a lively street or alley. It would be better for the second young master to return to Ziyang early; life would be more carefree.”
Jiang Shen was taken aback, gritting his teeth. “How come I never noticed how sharp-tongued you are?”
Xu Chunyang fell silent. Her back looked very stiff, and there was a hint of anger in her demeanor.
Jiang Shen, feeling a headache coming on, softened his tone. “Can’t you just talk to me nicely for a while?”
Xu Chunyang turned to look at him and asked, “Is there anything else the second young master wants to say?”
He was usually good with words, able to charm women of all ages, but now, facing her clear black-and-white eyes, Jiang Shen found it hard to articulate. “Where… where is the divorce letter?”
“It was sent to Danyang’s main city, to my family.”
His heart sank, and Jiang Shen felt a bit angry. “Are you so eager to let everyone know we’ve divorced?”
Taking a deep breath, Xu Chunyang found it somewhat amusing. “Second young master, was the divorce letter forced upon you at knife-point?”
“…Not exactly.”
“Then since you’ve written it, why can’t I give the divorce letter to my family?” Her throat felt a bit sore as she said, “The one who was divorced should at least give their family an explanation, right?”
“I… I didn’t mean that.” He wished he could bite his tongue. “I meant to say that I could take back that divorce letter.”
Fuming and unsure of what to say, Xu Chunyang looked around, picked up the teacup on the table, and shoved it into his hands, pouring half-cold tea into it, and splashing it onto his hand. With red eyes, she asked him, “Can water be taken back?”
Jiang Shen was stunned, and as he held her hand, he squeezed the teapot and poured another cup. “Is this okay?”
Xu Chunyang: “…”
Putting the teapot into his hands, she said, “I wish the second young master’s new cup of tea suits your taste. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Xu Chunyang!” Jiang Shen called after her.
As if she hadn’t heard, the person in front of her walked away without looking back, leaving his sight without any lingering feelings, just like in Yinping.
Jiang Shen stared blankly at the door, suddenly feeling that women were truly difficult to please. In the past, no matter what he did, they wouldn’t get angry, but now it seemed that no matter what he did, he couldn’t make her happy.
“Young master.” Shuang Tian returned with news, bowing. “I inquired, and the people in the residence all say that the child in that princess’s belly… is Master Lu’s offspring.”
“What?” Jiang Shen was shocked back to reality. “You didn’t get it wrong?”
Shuang Tian shook his head. “I asked many people, and they all said the same thing. It doesn’t seem like a lie.”
How could it be Lu Jingxing’s? That belly looked like it was at least five or six months along. Five or six months ago, wasn’t Li Huaiyu still by Jiang Xuanjin’s side?
His expression darkened, and Jiang Shen fell silent.
He suddenly felt that he might not be the most miserable one.
“Your Highness.”
Jiu Wu returned and relayed the events that had occurred at the Changlin lord’s birthday banquet to Li Huaiyu, adding at the end, “This subordinate doesn’t understand what the Ziyang lord means.”
A joint memorial to reduce excessive taxes? Huaiyu leaned against the soft pillow, her expression quite strange. “Is he… also going to oppose Huailin?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Huaiyu spoke softly. “The tax revenue from my Danyang territory doesn’t go to the capital. Isn’t his Ziyang territory the same? Ever since he brought the Jiang family to Ziyang, he has cut off ties with the capital. Taxes aren’t collected, and reports aren’t submitted; he is completely independent of imperial authority.”
In such a situation, how would the memorial be written? It would certainly express the wishes of the various feudal lords, asking the emperor to reduce taxes. After all, it had nothing to do with him; the ones who would be affected by the tax reductions would be the other fiefs.
Those foolish lords at the Changlin banquet thought Jiang Xuanjin was speaking on their behalf. Little did they know that once the memorial was submitted, they would all be seen as being in the same boat as the Ziyang lord in the emperor’s eyes. In the current situation, they would undoubtedly become a bargaining chip for Jiang Xuanjin to counterbalance the emperor.
Even the emperor, who had thoughts of taking action against the Ziyang lord, had stationed troops at Linjiang Mountain. If the Ziyang lord had the Changlin lord, Pingling lord, and Gongyi lord backing him, that would amount to half of Northern Wei’s territory. Would he still dare to act?
Li Huaiyu sighed. “I can already imagine Huailin’s expression when he sees the memorial.”
He had thought that by removing Jiang Xuanjin, he could secure his position, but who would have thought that Jiang Xuanjin would escape and even hand him a gift that could shake the foundations of the state?
Didn’t he fear my hundred thousand troops? Well, not only did I tighten my grip on the troops, but I also tightened my grip on the surrounding feudal lords. Are you afraid?
Looking at Jiang Xuanjin’s attitude, it seemed he wasn’t as rigidly loyal to the emperor as she had imagined. Even with Old Master Jiang pressing down on him, he didn’t seem to intend to walk a single path to the end.
However, how the future would unfold was uncertain. No one could say for sure whether Jiang Xuanjin’s move was good or bad until the end.
“Then…” Jiu Wu pondered, feeling quite perplexed. “The Jiang family has a long-standing reputation, and there’s the imperial decree of loyalty from generations past. How could he do this?”
Huaiyu speculated, “Perhaps it has something to do with the troops stationed at Linjiang Mountain. I heard Qingsi say that the situation over there is somewhat tense.”
Jiu Wu replied, “After all, it’s still Northern Wei territory. The Ziyang lord not allowing imperial troops to approach within ten miles of the Ziyang border is indeed a bit excessive. No wonder the capital reacted strongly.”
Not allowing troops to approach within ten miles of the border was a rule between nations. To do so within Northern Wei was indeed provocative.
Bai Ai, who had been silent, spoke up. “We don’t need to worry about these matters. Danyang is located to the west of Ziyang. Even if the court’s people attack, Ziyang will be there to shield us.”
This position was indeed interesting. The terrain of Ziyang was like a crescent moon, lying in front of Danyang and the capital. At present, it resembled a shield in front of Danyang.
The court’s people couldn’t even approach Ziyang, let alone Danyang.
“If it doesn’t concern us, then let’s talk about some good news,” Jiu Wu said. “Does the princess still remember the Nanjing lord?”
Li Huaiyu replied, “How could I forget him? When the feudal lords gathered in the capital with rebellious intentions, Li Shantui sent me to meet that group of lords. If it weren’t for his protection, I wouldn’t have made it back to the palace alive.”
Jiu Wu nodded. “At the Changlin birthday banquet, the Nanjing lord also attended. He had gifts to pass on to me, but I went alone and couldn’t carry so many things, so I entrusted the Changlin lord to deliver them. Counting the days, they should arrive in two or three days.”
Huaiyu smiled. “That’s indeed good news.”
The Changlin lord had no enmity with her, but their relationship wasn’t particularly close either. After all, the fiefs were adjacent, and it was nice to have the opportunity to exchange a few words.
However, the same news reached Jiang Shen, but it was quite different.
“What did you say?” Jiang Shen stood in the room, his expression darkening. “Third Brother is coming?”
Shuang Tian nodded. “Lord Yufeng just sent word that the Ziyang lord and the Changlin lord are on their way to Yixian City, asking if the young master is well.”
If it were any other time, Jiang Shen would have scolded Jiang Xuanjin for being so reckless, but now…
Thinking of Li Huaiyu’s belly, Jiang Shen shook his head repeatedly. “No, he’ll be furious.”
The entire Jiang residence knew how much the Ziyang lord valued his former princess. If the news only reached his ears, there would still be room for him to ease up, but if he saw it directly, what would happen?
Jiang Shen stood up, intending to leave.
However, there were guards at the door. As soon as he stepped out, two swords were drawn across his path.
“Please rest well, young master,” the guards said expressionlessly. “The princess has ordered us to ensure your safety.”
Damn! Protect him while pointing swords at him? Jiang Shen gritted his teeth, thought for a moment, and decided to send Shuang Tian out to ensure that Third Brother wouldn’t come.
Jiang Xuanjin was in a good mood all the way, and even as he approached Yixian City, which grew increasingly desolate, his eyes still sparkled.
“Master, should we go find the second young master first?” Cheng Xu asked.
Jiang Xuanjin was puzzled. “Why would I look for him?”
With his master in a good mood, Cheng Xu grew bolder and teased, “If you don’t look for the second young master, then what are we doing here in Yixian City?”
Jiang Xuanjin pressed his lips together, the light in his dark eyes shining even brighter, like a freshly emerged black pearl with moonlight swirling within.
The Changlin lord beside him stared at this expression in astonishment, thinking, This isn’t right. The Ziyang lord I saw in Ziyang wasn’t like this. When he was serious, he could scare me, an old man, into silence. How did he suddenly become so gentle?
And… was there a hint of joy?
Sitting upright, the Changlin lord began to recall whether the Ziyang lord had been swapped out without him noticing.
“Your Majesty!”
They had already reached the outskirts of Yixian City when someone suddenly blocked their way. Cheng Xu looked up and saw Shuang Tian and Yufeng returning together, both with unsightly expressions.
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Xu asked. “You can talk in the carriage; don’t block the way.”
Shuang Tian shook his head. “The Changlin lord can go ahead. Third Young Master, please allow me to speak!”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuanjin lifted the carriage curtain. “What is it?”
Running to the side of the carriage, Shuang Tian clasped his hands. “I bring word from my young master. Please, Your Majesty, return to Ziyang and do not proceed further.”
Narrowing his eyes, Jiang Xuanjin’s voice turned cold. “Why?”
“My young master said that Ziyang has many affairs…”
With a sneer, Jiang Xuanjin interrupted, “You either tell the truth or step aside.”
Did they need to remind him whether Ziyang had many affairs? Moreover, they had already reached Yixian City. What did it mean to turn back now?
Shuang Tian hesitated for a moment before saying, “My young master said that unless necessary, he cannot tell you the reason. But if you must enter the city, it would be better for you to know in advance, so you can be prepared.”
What could be so serious? Cheng Xu turned his head in curiosity.
Jiang Xuanjin stared at him, as if sensing something, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
The princess’s residence had prepared a welcoming ceremony. Upon hearing that the Changlin lord and his entourage had entered the city, she wrapped herself in a tiger-skin cloak and set out with Jiu Wu and others to greet them.
It had been sunny when she got up in the morning, but now, looking up, the sky was filled with dark clouds.
“Could it be that it’s going to rain?” Qing Xian muttered.
Bai Ai exhaled into his hands. “If it rains, it will probably be snow; in this cold weather, rain would freeze.”
It rarely snowed in Yixian City, and it could go years without seeing any. If it did snow, that would be nice. Huaiyu smiled, spotting the Changlin lord’s flag in the distance, and walked over, cradling her belly.
“Changlin lord,” she said, “it’s been six years since we last met. I wonder if you are still in good health?”
The surrounding attendants knelt before her. Huaiyu focused on the leading carriage, waiting for the Changlin lord to emerge and exchange pleasantries.
However, after waiting for a moment, there was no movement from inside the carriage.
Huaiyu was taken aback and stepped closer. “Changlin lord?”
A long hand reached out, lifting the carriage curtain. The person inside had a pair of dark eyes that met hers, cold and sharp like icicles hanging from a winter eave.
Her heart jolted, and Li Huaiyu took two steps back, realizing she had no time to cover her belly.
“Wha… what are you doing here?”
Jiang Xuanjin gripped the curtain, his gaze sweeping over her rounded belly before he spoke in a low, deep voice. “Why can’t it be me?”
Pinching herself to confirm this wasn’t a nightmare, Huaiyu turned and walked away.
The fragrant scent of incense wafted in quickly. She had barely taken two steps when someone grabbed her shoulder.
“I thought you didn’t want to see me, so you didn’t go to Changlin,” he leaned in from behind, his fingers trembling slightly on her shoulder. “Turns out you’re just afraid to see me?”
“Your Majesty!” Jiu Wu and the others rushed forward, wanting to protect her, but Jiang Xuanjin’s gaze made them hesitate.
“You…” Huaiyu felt her throat dry, glancing around as if searching for something to say. “Do you like fox fur cloaks?”
“Li Huaiyu,” he said, his voice trembling, “how long do you plan to mock me?”
Mock him? Her nose inexplicably felt a bit sour. Huaiyu turned to meet his eyes and pointed at her belly. “This is you mocking me.”
Heaven knew how happy she had been to tell him when she was pregnant, and how desperate she had felt when she was locked in a death cell.
From heaven to hell, it was only a day.
Now that he knew, what did he want? This was her child. It had nothing to do with him anymore. Even if he wanted to acknowledge it…
“Princess,” Cheng Xu suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
Huaiyu turned her head to hear him say, “Even if my master has made mistakes when he married you, he truly treated you sincerely. Don’t you think this is a bit heartless?”
What? Huaiyu was confused. Given the circumstances at the time, it was understandable that she didn’t say anything. Who should feel guilty?
“Whatever you have to say, let’s go inside. It’s not appropriate to discuss it here,” Yufeng said. “The Changlin lord is still waiting behind.”
Jiang Xuanjin squeezed her shoulder, then released it, lowering his gaze. His lips were pale as he said, “Your Highness, please.”
This expression didn’t look joyful at all; it seemed more like… extreme sadness and anger suppressed.
Li Huaiyu was bewildered as Jiang Xuanjin led her toward her residence. She looked down at his unsteady steps, which were indeed unsteady and chaotic.