Chengxu couldn’t help but feel that their sovereign was becoming more adept at lying. In the past, telling lies would make him uneasy, with a nervous demeanor. But now, he stood tall and straight, his face devoid of any expression, and his tone as casual as asking someone if they had dined yet.
He said, “Since Jiwu will be gone for so long, it’s only proper for her to come and see him off. What’s there to be upset about?”
However, standing in the corner of the courtyard, watching the mistress holding her stomach and chattering away with Jiwu, his gaze darkened as time passed. Why couldn’t they finish their conversation? He would only be gone for ten days to half a month, not ten years!
“Master, should I remind the mistress?” Cheng Xu asked considerately.
Jiang Xuanjin shook his head. “If she hasn’t finished speaking, let her take her time. What’s the hurry?”
That’s what he said, but his face was getting darker and darker. He watched the two figures in the distance for a long time, making sure the mistress didn’t glance in his direction. Then, he let out a very soft hum, brushed his sleeves, and walked straight out of the courtyard.
Huaiyu didn’t notice. She was busy checking Jiwu’s luggage and said to him earnestly, “I can’t give you this opportunity, but he can. You must seize it.”
Sending troops to Lincheng, once the people from Pingling make a move, he could make a great achievement. Even if there were no actions, Jiwu would still be considered Ziyang Jun’s confidant, building relationships with many people and officially stepping into the officialdom.
She forcefully occupied Lincheng, only acknowledging their official positions to the people of Lincheng. Sending the credentials to the capital, if the officials in the capital didn’t recognize them, their status would never be legitimate. Although Jiang Xuanjin’s move was somewhat emotional, he did help Jiwu.
Jiwu nodded with a complicated expression and bowed to her. “Your Highness, take care.”
“Don’t worry, there are still so many people here. You just go.” Huaiyu smiled. “When you come back, we’ll have a celebration banquet.”
“Okay.” Jiwu solemnly bowed again.
Huaiyu held her heavy belly and looked at the dark clouds in the sky. Honestly, the situation in Lincheng and Danyang was not optimistic. Apart from their dealings with Nanping, Danyang was essentially isolated. Even if Jiang Xuanjin now agreed to assist, it would take some time for the tense situation in Danyang to ease.
Huilin was very clever to make a move at this time. If Jiang Xuanjin wasn’t here, she would have a hard time dealing with it.
But luckily, the surprise she prepared for Huilin was already on its way.
After the major personnel changes in the capital, Jinling was weakened and had not recovered. Li Huilin hurriedly established his power, promoting many new people and attracting criticism.
In the past, with the presence of the Grand Princess, there had never been such a massive purge of dissidents. However, the young emperor not only acted ruthlessly but also targeted many respected old officials. There were even signs of disrespect towards the Imperial Historian. Li Huilin relied on Prime Minister Qi, Minister Liu, and Grand General Sima, favoring and trusting them, and his temperament became increasingly harsh.
Every year, envoys were sent between Dong Jin, Bei Wei, Xi Liang, and Nan Yan to enhance relations. In previous years, Bei Wei always sent Yun Lanqing, after all, he was wise and eloquent, often resolving crises and bringing glory to the country. However, this year, Yun Lanqing fled back to Danyang, so Li Huilin had to send Liu Yunlie.
As a result, as soon as he arrived at Dong Jin, Liu Yunlie was blocked outside the gate. How could Minister Liu bear it? The two sides clashed, and this year, Dong Jin directly bypassed Bei Wei and sent envoys directly to Xi Liang.
This incident caused a sensation in both the court and the public. Several old officials, who already had some grievances, finally couldn’t bear it and submitted their petitions to the emperor, asking him to cherish loyal officials and keep away from villains. Li Huilin mumbled a few words, making it clear that he wanted to protect Liu Yunlie. He thought this matter would pass, and he could make up for it later. However, unexpectedly, the sixty-year-old Imperial Historian was so overwhelmed with grief and indignation that he smashed his head to death in front of the throne.
When an old official offers remonstrance and dies, regardless of the content of the remonstrance, the monarch will be labeled as “foolish and stubborn,” and there is no way to defend against it.
Huaiyu sighed. “He’s unlucky.”
Originally, she wanted to ask for a favor from the envoy of Dong Jin. Let him make things difficult for Liu Yunlie, but who knew it would turn out like this?
Jiang Xuanjin sat in front of her and said coldly, “He brought it upon himself.”
Li Huilin was obedient, but he was too deep and too good at disguising himself. When he was teaching him “The Strategies of the Emperor” before, he noticed some of his stubborn ideas and corrected him once, and this child never showed it again.
Originally, I thought he had changed, but now it seems he was just hiding.
Huaiyu lowered her gaze. “If he listened to you, or at the very least listened to me, things wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
Unfortunately, he believed in Li Shan. Li Shan was someone who presented one face in front and another behind, adept in politics, indifferent to loyalty or treachery, and stubbornly self-serving. He must have taught Huailin that the three ministers must be his close aides, so now Bai Dezhong has been stripped of power, and Prime Minister Qi and Marshal Sima are holding up the court.
It seems stable, but in reality, it has lost the people’s hearts.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable in her heart, Huaiyu didn’t want to talk about this anymore, just staring at the person in front of her.
Jiang Xuanjin, when focused on a task, his eyelashes didn’t flutter, his eyes were deep like wet obsidian after rain. His hands, accustomed to handling documents and memorials, were now holding a file, his expression indifferent, but his movements gentle as he carefully trimmed her overgrown nails.
With a relaxed expression, Huaiyu smiled, “Actually, I could do it myself.”
Jiang Xuanjin glanced at her, picked up her other hand that hadn’t been trimmed yet, and handed it to her, “Do it yourself?”
The nails were jagged, clearly gnawed by her.
“Don’t you think this way is faster?” Huaiyu said confidently, “It takes you half a day to file one nail, while I can finish two or three in no time.”
His brow twitched slightly, Jiang Xuanjin narrowed his eyes, “Just sit still.”
Chengxu and Yufeng watched from behind, their faces calm but turbulent inside.
Their Highnesses, actually leaving so many documents unread to come here and file their wife’s nails, all because Qi Jin said pregnant women shouldn’t keep their nails too long.
They were sulking not long ago! Refusing to have lunch in the hall and forcing the wife to come and ask if he was feeling unwell. And now, he’s fine, sitting here for half an hour, even neglecting the urgent letter Lord Lv sent.
Couldn’t he hold his temper a little longer?
While one hand was held by him, the other hand was free, Huaiyu mischievously touched Jiang Xuanjin’s face and then brushed against his lips, instinctively pressed down.
Jiang Xuanjin frowned slightly, glaring at her.
Li Huaiyu grinned, “So soft!”
He must taste sweet.
The hand holding the file paused, Jiang Xuanjin made a soft sound, suddenly leaned in, and took her index finger into his mouth.
“Hiss—” Her finger trembled, Huaiyu felt heat rush through her body, panicked, and tried to pull her hand back, but he refused to let go. His eyes were dark, half angry and half annoyed.
For the first time, the face of Li Dalu changed more red than Jiang Xiaogongzhu’s. After struggling for a while, he softened his tone, “Let go quickly, don’t cut your lips with your teeth.”
“You said it was soft, didn’t you?” He released her, his tone cold.
“Okay, not soft, not soft!” Huaiyu echoed, her eyes shining. Leaning over the soft couch, she kissed him on the cheek.
Chengxu and Yufeng exchanged glances and turned away together.
Such public displays of affection, who wouldn’t feel awkward! It’s tough being with His Highness. When he’s not in a good mood, one has to endure the frost of a thousand miles, and when he’s happy, one has to shield their eyes from this blinding light.
No wonder their salaries are high; this job is not for humans!
On the coldest day of winter, Jiang Shen came to see Jiang Xuanjin.
“I’m going back to Ziyang,” he said.
Jiang Xuanjin lifted his head from the documents, looking at him somewhat surprised. “Have you figured things out?”
“What’s there for me to figure out?” Jiang Shen chuckled, gesturing to his handsome face, “Wherever I go, there will be admirers.”
Jiang Xuanjin silently looked at him.
Jiang Shen laughed, but as he laughed, the light in his eyes dimmed. “After all, we’re brothers. Can’t you pretend not to see through me?”
Li Huaiyu said that, no matter from which angle, he was not as suitable for Xu Chuniang as Chi Jin.
Indeed, Chi Jin was gentle and considerate, without concubines, and wouldn’t hurt her heart. He was an excellent man.
But he couldn’t stand it. Just the thought of Xu Chuniang giving all her affection to that man kept him awake at night. The result of his frustration was that he lost his composure, becoming unlike himself.
When it came to women, he was always relaxed, cherishing them but not becoming infatuated with anyone, wandering among flowers without entangling himself, gaining only a reputation for being frivolous and carefree.
But with Xu Chuniang, he found himself detestable, full of envy, selfishness, and anger. He revealed all his ugly sides.
Instead of exhausting the last shred of goodwill, it was better to leave. He could still salvage a bit of dignity. That’s what Jiang Shen thought, even secretly applauding himself when making the decision.
However, now, under Jiang Xuanjin’s knowing gaze, he suddenly felt very defeated.
“What else can I do?” he said. “I can’t force her.”
Jiang Xuanjin said sympathetically, “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
This consolation didn’t seem sincere at all. Jiang Shen sat down on the nearby chair with a grunt. “You’re feeling triumphant, aren’t you? Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back and tell the old man, and he’ll drag you back?”
“To be honest, how could that be considered tattling?” Jiang Xuanjin leisurely pulled out a letter that had arrived from Ziyang City and placed it on the table. “This matter should also be heard by Miss Xu.”
Jiang Shen was startled, got up to pick up the letter, opened it, and his expression became complex.
Jiang Xuanjin flipped through the documents in his hand, casually saying, “Congratulations, Second Brother, you’re going to be a father.”
Gu Luan was diagnosed with pregnancy, and calculating the dates, it was just before he left.
“It’s a twist of fate,” Jiang Shen laughed, pressing the letter onto the table. “With this, she’s even less likely to leave with me.”
“If this hadn’t happened, would Second Brother have divorced Gu Luan to marry Xu?” Jiang Xuanjin asked.
Jiang Shen shook his head solemnly. “You know it’s impossible. How many years has Gu Luan been with me? If I let them go, where would they go?”
“Then why did Second Brother come after her?” Jiang Xuanjin puzzled, “You know why Xu left.”
He slowly closed his eyes. Jiang Shen pursed his lips without speaking.
Jiang Xuanjin stared at him for a while, and understanding dawned. “Second Brother, there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just that Xu isn’t right for you. Let her go.”
The room fell quiet for a long time. Faintly, voices from the courtyard outside and birdsong from the backyard could be heard.
After a while, Jiang Shen hoarsely said, “If I let her go, will she be better off?”
“She will,” Jiang Xuanjin nodded without hesitation.
He chuckled lowly. Jiang Shen cursed, “You’re truly my legitimate third brother!”
He had an answer to this question in his heart as well. Before coming to this city, he thought she wouldn’t fare well. But after arriving, he found that as long as he wasn’t around, she always wore a faint smile, her gaze gentle, resembling the serene beauty in paintings.
Xu Chuniang wasn’t attractive, he knew that well. There were plenty of people more beautiful than her. But unfortunately, she was the one he fell for, plunging him into despair.
“When I leave, don’t make a fuss,” Young Master Jiang straightened his back, earnestly instructing, “After I’m gone, you must tell her that the flowers in Ziyang City have bloomed, and I rushed back to see them, impatient to wait for her.”
“Also, say that I never intended to cling to her forever. It’s just that the scenery in One Line City is so good, so I stayed a bit longer.”
“Chi Jin is good. She’s got the divorce papers, so she can remarry if she wants, and live her life. I won’t stop her. I’ll also take a legal wife, as she said, I can marry Miss Qi from the Qi family.”
Jiang Xuanjin watched him, seeing his eyes slightly red. “And also, I’ll be kinder to people, and I won’t deliberately hurt anyone anymore. She taught me this, but unfortunately, she won’t get to enjoy it. Pity her for me.”
There was a hint of a smile in his tone, but his lips couldn’t muster one. Jiang Shen closed his eyes, his voice hoarse as he uttered the final words, “From now on, you don’t need to tell me anything about her.”
“Okay,” Jiang Xuanjin replied, “I’ll remember.”
Jiang Shen nodded, took a deep breath, and then left his room.
Xu Chuniang was sitting in the hall, embroidering shoes for the baby in Huaiyu’s belly, her needlework skillful and agile.
Outside, the sound of luggage being moved could be heard, but she pretended not to hear, focusing on embroidering a tiger head pattern meticulously. With each stitch, she soon finished one shoe.
However, somehow, the sound of wheels rolling caused the silver needle to pierce her finger, and a drop of bright red blood emerged.
Chi Jin glanced at her and handed her something.
“What’s this?” Chuniang asked, puzzled.
Opening the paper package, a sweet fragrance wafted out. Chi Jin said, “I made some sugar candies with the newly blossomed plum flowers. Try one.”
The candy, fragrant with the scent of flowers, melted away the bitterness in her mouth. Xu Chuniang tasted it, her vision gradually blurring.
“You know everything, don’t you?” she murmured. “You know everything, but you didn’t expose me.”
He knew she was reluctant, knew she hadn’t let go. Yet he still stood by her side, covering for her, preserving her dignity.
Chi Jin said, “This tiger you’re embroidering is missing a stroke on its forehead.”
“…”
She looked down and indeed, there was a mistake. Chuniang smiled wryly and began to re-embroider the shoe.
“He’s gone, don’t worry about anything else,” Chi Jin said softly, “We still have to live well in the days to come.”
“Okay,” she replied, her eyelashes trembling as tears welled up and fell into her clothes, leaving dark spots.
Frowning slightly, Chi Jin stood up and went out for a while.
With no one around, Xu Chuniang took a deep breath, choked up for a moment, then wiped her face.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t bear it. Jiang Shen had to leave. His home wasn’t in One Line City, and he had already stayed for several months. There were servants in the house who needed comforting, so it wouldn’t be right for him to stay any longer.
But inevitably, some annoying emotions couldn’t be suppressed. The habit was more terrifying than feelings. She had lost the person she had set her heart on, feeling empty and uncomfortable. How could she endure this period?
Half an hour later, Chi Jin returned. “There’s a new shop opening on West Street, selling all kinds of silk threads. Do you want to go take a look?”