The crisp laughter was like the sound of wind chimes, ringing in his ears. Jiang Xuanjin’s face turned ashen, and he closed his eyes in frustration. In his past life, he must have been a heinous villain, which is why he encountered such a troublesome person in this life—one he couldn’t break free from, couldn’t escape, and despite all his efforts, couldn’t achieve a happy ending with.
The abbot of Hanshan Temple once said that he was a person of great wisdom, knowledgeable in law and self-restraint. If the abbot saw him now, he might be so angry that he’d break his wooden fish.
Li Huaiyu laughed to herself for a long time. Her thumb gently stroked the back of his hand as she whispered, “You are a fool.”
His lips turned even paler, and Jiang Xuanjin turned his head away. He knew he was foolish; every word and action he took was utterly foolish.
“I’m going back to Ziyang,” he said.
Huaiyu raised an eyebrow but didn’t try to stop him. She only asked, “How long until Qi Jin arrives?”
“At the latest, she’ll be at the outskirts of the city by tomorrow morning.”
“Good,” she smiled, “Tomorrow morning, I’ll see you off and pick up Qi Jin. If you’re not busy, you can meet her.”
Her tone was so relaxed, without a hint of sadness.
Taking a deep breath, he couldn’t help but laugh softly, “In this world, there is probably no one more carefree than Your Highness.”
“You’re too kind,” Li Huaiyu withdrew her hand, still looking at him with a face full of joy.
Qingsi remained on the city tower, watching the carriage by the moat grow smaller and smaller, her heart full of worry.
Xu Chuniang gently patted her shoulder, handing her a hand warmer, “Don’t worry, Huaiyu always knows what she’s doing. Since she chose to take this step, it means she’s thought it through.”
Qingsi turned her head, her brows furrowed with unease, “The Lord…”
She feared the Lord of Ziyang might harbor ill intentions, be angry at her master’s betrayal, and might harm her master directly.
Xu Chuniang seemed to guess what she wanted to say and shook her head with a smile, “No, you should worry about the Lord of Ziyang. I think he doesn’t stand a chance against Huaiyu.”
How could that be? Her master was pregnant and couldn’t fight, and the Lord of Ziyang’s face was so grim as if he was holding back something. If he couldn’t hold back and act, who would protect her master?
But…
Turning to look at Manager Lu beside her, he didn’t seem anxious either, standing on the city tower, gazing at the carriage with a half-smile.
Jiu Wu stood by his side, asking quietly, “Are you content?”
The jade bone fan twirled between his fingers, and Lu Jingxing replied leisurely, “She never gave me a chance, so what is there to be discontent about?”
“Then, are you going to the main city of Danyang?”
“No,” he said, his phoenix eyes narrowing, “The scenery in Yixian City is beautiful. I like it here, wouldn’t trade it for three thousand beauties.”
With that, he waved his sleeve and descended the city tower with great flair.
Jiu Wu watched his retreating figure, thinking that Manager Lu was indeed a shrewd businessman, always knowing which decision was most beneficial.
If only he had met him before the Princess encountered the Lord of Ziyang, would everything have been different?
The Princess’s residence was brightly lit at night. Whether it was because the river in Yixian City was flowing again or for some other reason, many courtyards had their lights on, burning all night.
“What’s going on?” The servants in the residence were puzzled, “Manager Lu can’t sleep, and neither can the Lord of Ziyang.”
“Don’t mention it, even Miss Xu and Young Master Jiang haven’t slept. Look, even the lights in the Princess’s room are still on.”
“Strange…”
He didn’t know why others couldn’t sleep, but Jiang Xuanjin knew why he couldn’t close his eyes.
The main cities of Ziyang and Danyang were six thousand miles apart. He was heading to Ziyang, and she to Danyang. Once they parted, they might not meet again until their hair turned white.
She didn’t have the slightest reluctance.
The candle burned out, leaving a wisp of smoke on the candlestick, dimming the room, with only the moonlight outside still bright. Jiang Xuanjin reached out, touching the moonlight gently.
Not being able to pluck the moon was fine; when nothing else was left, at least it was still in the sky, watching over him.
The silent night gradually turned pitch black, then slowly brightened with the dawn, and before he knew it, it was morning.
“Master,” Chengxu pushed the door open, bringing him water.
Jiang Xuanjin came back to his senses, moving slightly only to find his body stiff from the cold. He chuckled hoarsely, “Chengxu, help me up.”
Chengxu was startled, reaching out to find him ice-cold.
“You…” His eyes reddened, Chengxu gritted his teeth, his brows furrowing and relaxing, full of words of persuasion, but he couldn’t bring himself to say them.
Jiang Xuanjin shook his head, “I’m fine.”
No matter what happened, he always said, “I’m fine,” or “It’s nothing,” as if saying it enough would make it true. Chengxu was both angry and heartbroken, pouring him hot tea and wrapping him in a cloak.
“The carriage is already waiting outside.”
So early? Jiang Xuanjin closed his eyes, washed up, and stepped out the door as if nothing had happened.
Li Huaiyu, rarely up early, stood in the courtyard wrapped in thick tiger fur. Seeing him, she waved her paw, “Good morning, Lord.”
Nodding at her, Jiang Xuanjin didn’t lift his eyes, staring at a spot on the ground, “When are we leaving?”
Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, stepping beside him, whispering, “In such a hurry to leave, Lord? Won’t you miss me?”
His back stiffened, and he replied coldly, “Your Highness overthinks.”
“I had a dream last night,” she said, tugging at the fox fur on his cloak, pulling out a tuft and blowing it from her lips, then looking up at his face, “I dreamed you left the city outskirts and came back.”
“Dreams are the opposite,” Jiang Xuanjin said, “I won’t look back.”
“What if you do?”
Her tone was as if she had him figured out, full of confidence.
His jaw tightened, and Jiang Xuanjin met her gaze, “Impossible.”
“Really?” The person in front of him wasn’t intimidated by his look at all, making a face at him before calling out to Lu Jingxing in the neighboring courtyard.
“Why drag me along?” Lu Jingxing, sleepy-eyed, said wearily, “I don’t have to go, do I?”
“No,” Huaiyu shook her head, “You’re still carrying the title of my child’s father.”
Staring at her for a moment, he asked, “Decided?”
“Yes,” she replied, “If there’s no love, so be it. But since there’s reluctance, why not give it another chance?”
“You let things go.”
“I never like to make things hard for myself.”
Talking to Lu Jingxing was easy; a few words without beginning or end, he understood, and she knew what he meant. The people beside them were bewildered, but the two of them were already on the same page.
At dawn, everyone boarded the carriage. Jiang Xuanjin intended to avoid Li Huaiyu, but when he lifted the curtain, she was already sitting there, waving at him, “Come on up.”
Holding the curtain, Jiang Xuanjin seriously considered whether to ride with Lu Jingxing instead.
“I have something to say to you,” Huaiyu said.
After a moment of silence, he stepped onto the carriage and sat across from her.
As the wheels turned, Li Huaiyu rested her chin on her hand, asking, “If I said I was sincere when I was with you, would you believe it?”
His hand on his knee slowly clenched, “Your Highness’s understanding of sincerity may differ from mine.”
She was used to having many admirers, perhaps liking one the most meant sincerity to her. But he was different; his idea of sincerity was to give it to only one person.
Huaiyu pouted, “I think you misunderstand me quite a bit.”
“Does Your Highness want to explain?”
“Honestly, I’m not willing,” Huaiyu smiled, looking at him, “I’m quite aggrieved, and without you comforting me properly, I don’t want to speak.”
She’s aggrieved? Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth. It seemed he was the more aggrieved one, wasn’t he?
“Will you comfort me?” she asked.
Holding onto his last bit of pride, he shook his head.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Huaiyu chuckled, “You’ll regret it.”
He had too many regrets already. Since it had come to this, what was one more? Jiang Xuanjin turned his head to look outside the carriage.
The carriage passed through the bustling market and out the heavily guarded city gate. Half a mile further, they would reach the post station.
Jiang Xuanjin watched quietly, his throat tightening.
“In the future…” he said softly, “In the future, don’t deceive people anymore.”
The swindler sitting across from him laughed, holding her belly, “Alright, I’ll live well with Lu Jingxing, love each other every day, and after the child is born, I’ll be a good wife and mother, reforming my ways.”
That sounded good. He nodded slowly.
“What should we name the child?” Huaiyu mused, “Lord, you’re so talented, why not help with a name? Lu what?”
His gaze darkened, and Jiang Xuanjin remained silent. As soon as the carriage stopped, he lifted the curtain and got off.
Whatever Lu it was, it had nothing to do with him.
Qi Jin was already waiting at the post station. Jiang Xuanjin wanted to leave immediately, but thinking of the person in the carriage with her round belly, he paused and walked into the station.
As soon as he opened the door, someone knelt before him.
“This servant knows her guilt!” Qi Jin kowtowed, trembling, “This servant shouldn’t have agreed to keep the Madam’s secret. Please, Lord, in light of the happy occasion, spare this servant!”
Jiang Xuanjin looked at her, puzzled, “What are you talking about?”
Hearing his tone, Qi Jin thought her attitude wasn’t sincere enough and quickly kowtowed again, “This servant was only following orders, thinking the Madam would immediately tell the Lord about her pregnancy. Who knew so much would happen afterward, and this servant didn’t know what to do, so I never reported it…”
Li Huaiyu’s pregnancy, Qi Jin knew about it too?
Jiang Xuanjin was a bit slow to react, “You diagnosed her condition?”
Qi Jin hesitated and nodded, “At the time, it was early, and this servant didn’t dare confirm, but it was almost certain. The Madam was very happy, saying she wanted to tell the Lord herself, so…”
“Wait a moment,” his heart skipped a beat, Jiang Xuanjin’s pupils contracted, “She said she wanted to tell me herself?”
“Yes,” Qi Jin nodded, “Second Madam knows about it too, just two days before the incident in the palace.”