“What about me?” Jiang Xuanjin turned his hand over, pulling his sleeve up to cover the scar, and looked away. “Don’t look at me like that.”
He preferred her lively and teasing, her almond eyes filled with the warmth of spring, rather than this, with her eyes downcast and lips quivering as if about to cry. It made his heart ache.
“How did you find out about these things?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion.
Jiang Xuanjin instinctively replied, “Qingsi.”
Li Huaiyu laughed in exasperation, “So you knew all along and still claimed it had nothing to do with you?”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
Why did every conversation with her feel like stepping into a trap?
Frustrated, she flipped the low table on the couch and sat in front of him, glaring, “Weren’t you upset when you found out I was deceiving you?”
He pursed his lips, looking at the overturned table on the floor. Jiang Xuanjin was silent for a long time before he softly murmured, “Yes.”
“If you were upset, why did you still care about me?” she asked, hands on her hips. “To make me feel guilty?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Right is right, wrong is wrong. The blame that is yours is yours, but there’s no reason for you to bear what isn’t.”
It was the same principle as when he promised to overturn Danyang’s case—not for anything else, just for justice.
He must have grown up with a ruler in hand, she thought. How could he be so upright? Li Huaiyu didn’t know what to say. She pulled up his sleeve, grasped his hidden hand, and rubbed it gently, murmuring, “It’s not necessary. I’ve borne it for so many years. To overturn it now would take too much effort. Instead of doing that, it’s better to clear the names of those implicated by me. It’s easier for them to recover.”
At this, Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened.
“Since you arrived in Yixian City, you’ve been paving the way for them.”
“Hmm?” Huaiyu took a moment to realize who he meant by “them” and laughed, “They’ve followed me for years and done a lot for me. Isn’t it right to repay them a little?”
“Repay a little?” Jiang Xuanjin repeated coldly. “Replacing the Yixian City government, clearing out the governor’s office, appointing those people to official positions despite opposition from surrounding lords, even sending their names to the capital, ignoring assassination attempts—this is just repaying a little? What about the rest?”
He spoke as if taking over Yixian City was a simple task.
“Why are you angry?” Huaiyu laughed, “Didn’t I succeed?”
“You did.” Jiang Xuanjin nodded. “In five months, you cleaned them up, but you never defended yourself. In Yinping, you got angry when the Jiang family scolded them, but what about you? Are you happy carrying the blame?”
“…No… not happy.” Her voice weakened, and Huaiyu scratched her chin, feeling inexplicably guilty.
Jiang Xuanjin’s gaze was icy, “If you’re not happy, why do nothing? With your skills, causing a scene and clarifying the past isn’t difficult.”
“It’s not difficult, just not the right time.” Huaiyu smiled, squeezing his hand. “Think about it. If I rushed to clear my name while Yixian City was still in turmoil, wouldn’t people later say I only did it to clear my bad name? They worked hard and are talented. I can’t overshadow their efforts.”
“You value them too much!”
Huaiyu frowned, “After so many years if it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t have endured so much. Is it wrong to value them?”
“No problem!” he said fiercely, “You think they’re important, and I think you’re important. If you won’t spend the effort on yourself, I will!”
His words were clearly for her good, yet they sounded so exasperated.
Softening her gaze, Huaiyu snuggled into his arms, placing his hand on her belly, pouting, “Listen, your father is bullying your mother!”
His face stiffened, Jiang Xuanjin seemed at a loss for words, his fingers curling, eyelashes trembling, and he fell silent.
With a mischievous smile, Huaiyu lay against his chest, teasing her belly, “You should learn from your mother. Speak your mind openly. Your father is a good man, but he’s too reserved. He never says what he wants, like now. He wants to kiss your mother but won’t say it.”
Half his face darkened, Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth, “When did I… don’t talk nonsense about it!”
“Am I talking nonsense?” Huaiyu blinked, “You don’t want to kiss me?”
“I don’t!”
Turning to look at him, Li Huaiyu pondered for a while, then hooked her arm around his neck and leaned in, planting a kiss on his lips.
“Then I do,” she said seriously.
“…”
The cold wind swirled outside the window, unable to enter the room. Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, staring at the brazier, his lips turning a soft, vibrant red.
Huaiyu admired him, reaching out to caress his lips, her eyes gleaming, “You’re so handsome. I want to kiss you again.”
With his hand on her belly, Jiang Xuanjin lowered his head to rest on her shoulder, speaking to the round belly, “Don’t learn from your mother, always speaking without seriousness.”
As he said this, he couldn’t help but smile.
The person in his arms was indignant, raising her neck, “What do you mean I don’t speak seriously?”
Pausing, she added righteously, “I don’t act seriously either!”
Jiang Xuanjin gave her a deep look, speaking to her belly, “In terms of self-awareness, your mother is truly exceptional.”
Huaiyu smacked her lips, puzzled, “Is that a compliment or an insult?”
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t answer, but the amusement in his eyes grew, melting the winter snow and blossoming into a vibrant flower on his lips.
“Your Highness,” came Juwu’s voice from outside the door.
Huaiyu tried to get up, but Jiang Xuanjin pressed her back down, his smile fading as he asked, “What is it?”
Juwu entered, saying, “There’s news from the capital. His Majesty has ordered troops from Pingling to suppress bandits in Yixian City.”
Bandits? Huaiyu sneered, “The original Yixian City scoundrels have reached the capital, haven’t they?”
Juwu nodded, “They’re all at the Court of Judicial Review.”
“Is there an imperial envoy in Pingling?”
“There is.”
“Good.” She cradled her belly, “Inform Danyang Border City to prepare for guests.”
She was just worried that the good news from Yixian City wasn’t known, and now an opportunity was being delivered to her. How could she not seize it?
“What are you doing?” the person behind her held her still.
Huaiyu turned back, blinking, “I’m going to make arrangements. Danyang Border City is thirty miles from here. If we don’t prepare in advance, how can we receive such distinguished guests?”
“Rest well,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
Li Huaiyu was taken aback. She wanted to say, that this is her territory, if she doesn’t manage it, who will? But she quickly realized something.
Yixian City is only ten miles from Ziyang Border City…
Blinking, then blinking again, she grinned, grabbing his sleeve, “Are you going to protect me?”
Letting her lean against the soft pillow, Jiang Xuanjin got up from the couch, expressionless, “National Affairs, what protection?”
Then he left with Juwu.
Juwu followed him to the backyard, puzzled, and as soon as they stopped, he heard Jiang Xuanjin say, “A pregnant woman shouldn’t be too tired. In the future, you can report these matters to me.”
“This…” Juwu lowered his eyes, “Informing Her Highness of the news is my duty.”
Looking at him indifferently, Jiang Xuanjin asked, “Do you know martial arts?”
Juwu’s temple twitched, and he bowed, “I know a little. I taught Qingsi and Her Highness their skills.”
You know Qingsi, right? The best martial artist in the harem! You know the Princess, right? Once unbeatable on the streets of Chang’an! Juwu, who had wandered the martial world for years, was questioned about his martial prowess for the first time, and his face turned blue.
However, the person in front of him seemed to recall the skills of those two and then said slowly, “Indeed, just a little.”
Juwu: “…”
How could he forget that Qingsi was captured by this man? And the Princess, even more so.
But they were both women! They hadn’t fully learned his skills, so what did this dismissive attitude mean? Juwu was a steady person, but facing Jiang Xuanjin’s demeanor, he couldn’t hold back.
“Did I offend you, Lord?” he asked, surprised that Jiang Xuanjin would bother to mock him.
Jiang Xuanjin shook his head kindly, “You’re overthinking. I’m not one to hold grudges, but I have an important task to entrust. I’m concerned you might not be up to it, so I asked a few more questions.”
Saying this, he generously took off his insignia and placed it in Juwu’s hand.
The cold object fell into his hand, and Juwu looked down, his heart pounding.
The insignia of Lord Ziyang, something that could be used as a military token, was given to him so lightly?
“Ziyang Border City has a garrison. Take this to the commander, and he will follow your orders,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “People from Pingling will come, and there should be news tomorrow. Lead the troops outside Yixian City and act as the situation demands.”
Juwu was stunned, “Is the Lord going to defend Yixian City for Her Highness?”
Who said he wouldn’t protect her just now?
“How can it be called defending?” Jiang Xuanjin stood with his hands behind his back, full of righteousness, “It’s just proper etiquette to welcome guests.”
Juwu was silent, staring at the insignia in his hand, thinking this etiquette was quite intimidating.
However, he had the opportunity to lead troops and possibly face an opponent. Just thinking about the clash of swords and the battlefield made his blood boil.
“I accept the order!” he saluted Lord Ziyang.
Huaiyu lay on the couch, curious and restless, wanting to eavesdrop, but her current condition made it difficult to move. If caught, she’d surely be scolded. But staying put was unbearable!
After much struggle, she quietly got off the couch, tiptoeing in her embroidered shoes to the door.
“Creak—” The door opened, but not by her hand. Someone entered, bringing in the cold wind.
“What are you sneaking around for?” he asked coldly.
Shrinking her neck, Huaiyu turned and rolled back onto the couch, pretending nothing happened, tucking herself in and smiling at him, “You’re back?”
Jiang Xuanjin entered, standing over her on the couch, “Afraid I’ll eat Juwu?”
“Not at all,” Huaiyu laughed, “Just worried you’d catch a cold outside.”
Pausing, she couldn’t help but ask, “You didn’t do anything to Juwu, did you?”
When they returned from the post station, she heard Juwu say Lu Jingxing was better than him, and she saw the look in his eyes!
Adjusting her collar, Jiang Xuanjin said slowly, “What could I do to him? He’s a martial artist and learned a lot about military strategy with you. I just asked him to help mobilize troops.”
“Mobilize troops?” Huaiyu was surprised, “You trust him that much?”
“I don’t trust him.”
I trust you.
He didn’t say the latter part, just snorted coldly, giving her a sidelong glance.
Li Huaiyu understood, touched by his gesture, “You’re so considerate.”
With Juwu’s temperament, he would surely enjoy such a task.
“Your Highness flatters me,” Jiang Xuanjin smiled slightly, “While it’s still early, perhaps you should bid him farewell.”
“Okay… wait, farewell?” Huaiyu was confused, “It’s only two or three days, no need for such formality, right?”
Jiang Xuanjin’s gaze softened, gently patting her head, “He has other tasks. He might not return for ten days or half a month. It’s best to see him off.”