The Lord of Pingling never had much affection for Li Shan, and now, feigning illness to avoid going to the capital was a reasonable move. Jiang Xuanjin listened to the report without much comment and handed a letter to Yufeng, instructing him to sneak back to the capital to find Bai Dezhong.
Thus, on the anniversary of Li Shan’s death, Li Fangwu was absent, and Bai Dezhong submitted a memorial to the emperor, accusing him of being unfilial and requesting imperial punishment. Li Fangwu not only failed to report to the capital but also missed Li Shan’s death anniversary. Even if he claimed to be ill, how long had he been sick? Wasn’t he well enough to attend the Changlin birthday banquet not long ago?
Li Huailin pondered for a long time before sending a handwritten edict to Pingling. The edict was gentle in tone but made Li Fangwu shiver. The emperor’s message was clear: Are you coming to the capital or not? If you arrive within three days and offer incense to Li Shan, there is still room for reconciliation. If not, I will heed the censor’s advice and charge you with unfilial conduct.
The words were gentle, but the attitude was one of offering peace before force. Previously, Li Fangwu would have gone to the capital without hesitation, but now he hesitated and went to see Jiang Yan, who was still in Pingling.
Jiang Yan said, “What the Ziyang Lord said was true. The emperor intends to use Pingling as a scapegoat. If you dare to go to the capital, the emperor will surely charge you with deceiving the sovereign. At that time, without the protection of Pingling, and the support of the court officials, you will be at their mercy.”
Li Fangwu broke out in a cold sweat, “Can the Ziyang Lord save me?”
Jiang Yan replied with difficulty, “When I left, he only said that as long as you stay in your fief and protect yourself, there would be no major issues. However, he did not specify what to do.”
Leaving Pingling was impossible. Knowing that going to the capital would be a death sentence, he wasn’t foolish! Terrified, Li Fangwu summoned his advisors to discuss how to rid himself of the charge of unfilial conduct.
Three days later, Li Huaiyu also received the news.
“This is truly strange.” She clicked her tongue as she read the letter in her hand. “Has the Lord of Pingling gone mad? Why would he go against his father?”
Why were rumors of Li Shan’s disloyalty, unfilial conduct, and lack of benevolence and righteousness spreading?
The study was quiet, and for some reason, Qingsi, who had been standing nearby, was silent. Instead, a slender hand reached over, offering her a cup of tea.
Huaiyu took it, glancing up, nearly dropping the cup in surprise.
“You… why is Your Majesty here?”
Jiang Xuanjin stood before her, exuding an icy aura, his expression indifferent. “Passing by.”
He had been staying at the Princess’s residence for several days but had hardly appeared before her. Just as Huaiyu had let her guard down, seeing him again startled her greatly. “Passing… by?”
How could he pass by and cross into her well-guarded study?
Hurriedly trying to hide the confidential letter in her hand, Huaiyu forced herself to remain calm. “Next time Your Majesty passes by, remember to knock.”
Seeing her actions, Jiang Xuanjin scoffed lightly, turning his head aside, and asked coldly, “Do you want the Qu Lin River?”
The Qu Lin River was a major river running through Pingling, with tributaries not far from the border of Danyang. Danyang had previously diverted the river to benefit the three counties of Dongping. Now, to redirect the river back, the greatest resistance came from these three countries. If the Qu Lin River could be channeled to support them, it would be much easier to get the three counties to relent.
Li Huaiyu thought for a moment and asked, “What does Your Majesty want in exchange?”
“Simple,” Jiang Xuanjin said, “Help the Lord of Pingling with a favor.”
The Lord of Pingling was currently anxious about the charges hanging over his head and had begun to consider using Li Shan’s past deeds to his advantage. Otherwise, he couldn’t bear the charge of unfilial conduct. But as Li Shan’s son, he couldn’t openly declare his father’s misdeeds, as that would not win people’s hearts.
At this time, the Princess of Danyang was the perfect helper.
Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding Jiang Xuanjin’s intentions.
She would help the Lord of Pingling, and in return, he would give her a canal. As for Jiang Xuanjin? He didn’t have to do anything; he just needed to connect the two sides and gain favor from both. The Lord of Pingling, already tricked onto his ship, would likely see him as a savior after this.
Clapping her hands lightly, Huaiyu smiled, “Your Majesty is impressive.”
Jiang Xuanjin asked, “Is Your Highness willing?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” Huaiyu stood up, holding her belly, “If Your Majesty is in a hurry, I can set off now.”
His gaze fell on her belly, which looked as if it might fall at any moment. Jiang Xuanjin’s face turned a bit pale, and he shook his head, “You only need to write a letter of accusation.”
“Hmm?” Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, “Wouldn’t it be more convincing if I went to Pingling and caused a scene?”
Given Li Shan’s actions, it would be enough for her to pretend to wage war against Pingling. When the troops were at the city gates, listing Li Shan’s crimes would be even more persuasive!
“A letter of accusation,” Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes, “If you don’t know how to write it, let Jiang Shen draft it for you.”
Seeing his attitude, Li Huaiyu was silent for a moment, then walked up to him, swaying her belly from side to side.
Sure enough, his face turned even paler, and the fingers resting on his knee slowly curled up.
Huaiyu laughed, “Are you afraid of it?”
“No,” Jiang Xuanjin stood up coldly, “I’ve said all I need to say, farewell.”
“Hey!” Feeling playful, Li Huaiyu reached out and grabbed him, smiling mischievously, “Has Your Majesty ever seen someone pregnant? Want to feel it?”
His back stiffened, and Jiang Xuanjin didn’t turn around, “I’ve seen it.”
The Jiang family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Jiang Qi, Jiang Yan’s biological mother, had once walked around the mansion with such a large belly, smiling at him, saying, “Third Young Master is going to be an uncle!”
Later, he did become an uncle, but Jiang Qi died in childbirth, and his elder brother aged overnight, never remarrying in the past ten years.
More than the anger of knowing she was carrying Lu Jingxing’s child, seeing her belly filled him with dread.
When the Jiang patriarch urged them to have children early, he never took it seriously. He used it as an excuse, just wanting to be close to her, never imagining that one day she would stand before him with such a large belly.
“How much do you like Lu Jingxing?”
Like him so much that you completely disregard me, like him so much that you’re willing to risk your life to bear his child?
Unintentionally, the thoughts in his mind slipped out.
The low, lingering voice echoed throughout the study.
Li Huaiyu paused, circling to stand in front of him, her gaze sweeping over his pale face, and instead of answering, she asked, “Are you sad?”
The suppressed emotions almost broke free, Jiang Xuanjin’s jaw tightened as he looked down at her, “What do you think?”
“I think if you’re sad, I’ll be very happy.” Huaiyu curled her lips, her almond eyes devoid of laughter, “Because when I was in the death row interrogation room, I was so sad I almost died.”
He said she was promiscuous, leaving her heart everywhere.
He said she was unworthy of the word love.
She didn’t mind being wronged by anyone else, no matter how big the accusation was, she would accept it with a smile, as if it was no big deal.
But not him, anyone could say that about her, but not him.
“You liar,” Jiang Xuanjin said hoarsely, “You clearly said before that everything was even, and you didn’t hate me.”
“You believed me?” Huaiyu curled her lips, “You must remember, women are unreasonable. The calmer they say it’s okay, the angrier they are. If you don’t notice their anger, they will eventually take revenge on you.”
“Can I be angry and take revenge too?” He tightened his sleeves.
Huaiyu generously said, “Your Majesty can come at me with whatever you have, I’ll take it all. But let’s not involve others in our matters, shall we?”
“Is Your Highness willing to bear it all alone?”
“Yes,” she answered loudly.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Xuanjin nodded, “Then please prepare yourself, Your Highness.”
With that, he waved his sleeve and left without looking back.
Huaiyu watched his retreating figure. Once it completely disappeared from the doorway, she sat back in her chair, resting her chin in thought.
Is there something wrong with Jiang Xuanjin? Why is he so insistent on staying in Yixian City? Could he be preparing some deadly move against her?
Jiang Shen was walking in the courtyard when he saw Xu Chunian.
The weather was cold lately, and she was bundled up like a furball, squatting by the flowerbed, digging in the soil. Her back looked just like a rabbit.
Moved by a thought, he approached to see that she wasn’t tending to flowers but digging up a half-yellow, half-green weed.
“What are you doing with that?” he asked, puzzled.
The squatting rabbit was startled, and upon seeing him, her brows furrowed, and she lowered her head without a word.
Jiang Shen pursed his lips, “How long are you going to stay angry?”
“Angry?” Xu Chunian fiddled with the weed and asked him, “If I’m not angry, can we go back to how we were?”
“Of course,” Jiang Shen looked down at her head, “The divorce was just a moment of impulse. If you nod, we can still be husband and wife.”
“And then?” Xu Chunian said softly, “I go back to you, watch you love others, and cook meals you barely taste. Second Young Master, do you know what you want? Do you know what I want?”
Slightly stunned, Jiang Shen furrowed his brows, “What do you want?”
Xu Chunian stood up, gently dusting off her hands, and looked at him, “I want a husband who is wholeheartedly good to me, who won’t abandon or hurt me, who understands and cherishes me. Can the Second Young Master do that?”
It was clear from the first word that he couldn’t.
People come in many types. Some are naturally devoted, loving one person unwaveringly; others, no matter what can’t settle down, meeting people they like but never having just one person they love, drifting through life, playing with others and themselves.
Jiang Shen belonged to the latter. When he was good to someone, he was genuinely good, and everyone thought he was sincere. He was indeed very invested, but this investment never lasted more than a year. Soon, he would grow tired, inexplicably cold, and the person he had elevated would be dropped back to the ground.
He clearly remembered every time he was moved, the bittersweetness of love, but to remember it forever was a bit too much.
“I once thought that when the Second Young Master was tired, he would want to settle down, and I would accompany you then. In the long years ahead, we would eventually end up together,” Xu Chunian laughed softly, “But I didn’t expect that I would be the one to tire first.”
When a young girl first falls in love, her passion seems endless, feeling like she can love someone for a lifetime, no matter what happens, as long as she’s with him.
But time always proves what youthful folly is.
She knew clearly that she still hadn’t forgotten him, seeing him made her heart race, made her nervous, made her remember many things.
However, she had fallen into this pit twice and hurt herself twice, and while it looked okay from a distance, she was afraid to jump in again.
“Miss Xu,” Chijin returned, and upon seeing Jiang Shen, said nothing, walking to her side and handing her the flowerpot she wanted, “Here.”
Xu Chunian turned, taking it with both hands and curtsied, “Thank you, sir.”
Jiang Shen’s face darkened. Why was this man always around her like a ghost? He saw him every day, and Xu Chunian didn’t notice his ulterior motives.
Feeling displeased, he stepped forward to speak, but Shuangtian quickly came up to pull him away, “Young Master, the Ziyang Lord requests your presence.”
As he spoke, he pulled him away from the flowerbed.
Chijin looked at him calmly, his clear eyes unperturbed. Jiang Shen, seeing this, became even more irritated, struggling for a while before turning out of the moon gate and shaking off Shuangtian, “What are you doing?”
Shuangtian wiped the sweat from his forehead and said softly, “I’ve inquired, both inside and outside the mansion, everyone respects that Lord Chijin. What good is it to confront him head-on?”
“Respect?” Jiang Shen sneered, “Just a mere male concubine.”
Shuangtian shook his head, “He now holds a military command position, no longer bearing the title of a male concubine. The Princess hasn’t restrained him, and seeing him with Miss Xu, she hasn’t stopped it.”
Jiang Shen’s face darkened, “That’s why I don’t understand what this Princess is thinking! These people are essentially her men, and she doesn’t care about them?”
Shuangtian thought for a moment and said, “Actually, since we’ve been at the Princess’s residence, I’ve never seen anyone stay in the Princess’s courtyard, except for the Ziyang Lord who forcibly moved in a few days ago. Even the great shopkeeper Lu doesn’t serve her daily. It’s somewhat different from the rumors.”
He hadn’t noticed until it was mentioned, but it was indeed so. Jiang Shen was stunned, “Is it because she’s pregnant and it’s inconvenient?”
“Who knows,” Shuangtian shook his head, “You should go see the Ziyang Lord first. I heard from Chengxu that His Majesty is in a bad mood.”
“When is he ever in a good mood?” Jiang Shen pouted, flicked his sleeve, and went to Jiang Xuanjin’s room.
This person had become increasingly silent, staring out the window in a daze when no one was around, not knowing what he was thinking. His body was visibly thinning, and the clear, jade-like face was always shrouded in a thick cloud.
“Write something for her,” Jiang Xuanjin said as soon as he entered, “Do it quickly, it’s urgent.”
Jiang Shen said irritably, “Do you think I’m a street-side scribe?”
Jiang Xuanjin pulled out paper and ink, placed them in front of him, and forced a pen into his hand.
Jiang Shen clicked his tongue but still held the pen properly, “Go ahead.”