As the New Year approached, even with tensions high across the regions, everyone took a break to celebrate behind closed doors. Jiang Xuanjin returned to Yixian City with Li Huaiyu and others. As Li Huaiyu rode through the streets, she heard the lively sound of firecrackers and the vendors selling New Year goods, feeling as if nothing had happened in the city.
The air, filled with the scent of cured meat and firecrackers, felt reassuring. However, the number of people following Jiang Xuanjin was quite large.
Ziyang Jun had just returned to Ziyang, and the governors and magistrates from various regions rushed to offer their New Year greetings, thinking they could do so in the main city of Ziyang. To their surprise, Ziyang Jun insisted on staying in Yixian City due to the tense situation, so they had no choice but to follow him there.
Everyone had heard of this lord’s reputation, but few were familiar with him, making it difficult to flatter him.
Some tried to bribe Chengxu and Yufeng with a large sum of silver to learn about the lord’s preferences, but these two were impervious to such attempts, remaining unmoved even with mountains of gold and silver before them. Left with no other choice, they had to figure it out themselves.
“Master,” Chengxu handed over two invitations, “The governors of Jiuzhen and Cangwu counties have set up banquets at the restaurant to welcome you.”
Jiang Xuanjin took them, glancing over them.
The person in his arms shifted restlessly, and he whispered, “Stay still.”
“Let me see,” Huaiyu said, resting her chin on his shoulder, “Didn’t I often help you look at things before?”
On the soft couch in the main house of Moju, she often leaned against him like this, reading memorials to him.
Feeling a bit nostalgic, Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips and placed both invitations in her hands, “Choose one.”
Tomorrow was the New Year, and they could only choose one place for lunch today.
After looking them over, Huaiyu said, “I think I’ve heard of Jiuzhen County. It has a lot of iron mines and produces many weapons each year. Cangwu County is also good, with thriving trade… Just pick one, Jiuzhen?”
His gaze lingered quietly on the two invitations, touching a few lines. Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, “Let’s go to Cangwu County.”
“Hmm? Didn’t you let me choose?” Huaiyu glared, “I chose, and you don’t listen?”
Returning the invitation to Chengxu, Jiang Xuanjin adjusted her waist, his chin gently brushing the top of her head, “You said it was a random choice.”
Huaiyu pouted, grumbling a bit but said no more.
Chengxu took a peek at the invitations, his eyebrows twitching.
The people from Jiuzhen County thought they would surely win the lord’s favor, but who would have thought he would accept Cangwu County’s invitation instead?
“Why is that?” Everyone was puzzled. The governor of Jiuzhen County was also unwilling to accept it and secretly asked Chengxu.
Chengxu replied tactfully, “The lord of Cangwu County is more attentive than you.”
Was he not attentive enough? He even prepared the carriage and entourage!
Chengxu said no more, showing him both invitations.
The same grand restaurant, the same arrangements, his invitation was much more beautifully written, but the Cangwu County governor’s invitation had a few extra lines.
“Respectfully inviting Ziyang Jun and the Lady. Knowing the Lady’s condition, we have prepared a warm room with a soft couch and nourishing meals to ease her discomfort.”
Jiuzhen County Governor: “…”
Scheming! What a scheme! That old fox from Cangwu County could write such a shameless invitation!
But clearly, the lord appreciated this approach.
Shivering in the cold wind, the Jiuzhen County governor asked, “Is it too late to add this now?”
Chengxu smiled at him, politely asking him to leave.
Li Huaiyu felt something was off. She followed Jiang Xuanjin to the banquet, intending to be a decorative presence, but from the moment they sat down, the governor’s concubines were overly enthusiastic towards her, and the governor himself offered her tea with both hands, drinking a cup of strong liquor himself.
“Did your people also study etiquette at the Jiang residence?” Huaiyu couldn’t help but whisper to Jiang Xuanjin, “This is a bit too thorough, isn’t it?”
Jiang Xuanjin glanced at the people at the table, replying softly, “Perhaps they fear the reputation of the Danyang Princess.”
Is that so? That makes sense, Huaiyu thought, nodding as she accepted this explanation.
But after the banquet, gifts began pouring into her residence, all congratulating her on her pregnancy, sent by the governors of various regions in Ziyang.
Standing beside the pile of gifts, Huaiyu asked Lu Jingxing, “Are people in Ziyang always this generous?”
Lu Jingxing, who hadn’t shown up for a while but still retained his charm, looked at her with a “you’re clueless” expression, “Can’t you see?”
“What?” Huaiyu was puzzled.
“Their actions align with Ziyang Jun’s intentions,” he said, narrowing his eyes, “Ziyang Jun is no longer hiding his actions, quite different from his usual style.”
What does Ziyang Jun favor? The Lady! If they can’t please the lord, they can please the Lady, and it will surely be effective! This was the conclusion the governors and magistrates reached three days after arriving in Yixian City.
Huaiyu was stunned, then scratched her head sheepishly, “I guess I’m benefiting from this.”
“Indeed, with this trend, the interactions between Danyang and Ziyang will surely be smooth,” Lu Jingxing chuckled, “Thanks to Your Highness, I now have official escorts for my goods from Ziyang Border City.”
“Then you should thank me,” Huaiyu grinned, “I don’t want much, just give me that jade Guanyin you recently acquired.”
“In your dreams!” Lu Jingxing rolled his eyes, “That top-quality Tianshan cold jade Guanyin is a treasure even in the palace, and you think you can swindle it from me?”
“Stingy,” Huaiyu pouted, hands on her hips, “The money I helped you earn is enough to buy two Guanyins!”
Lu Jingxing chuckled, twirling his fan, giving her a sidelong glance, “Feeling satisfied?”
Back when she was pregnant and imprisoned, she had endured much grievance. Now, Ziyang Jun seemed to be atoning, openly and secretly showering her with benefits.
“Very satisfied,” Huaiyu sighed with a smile, “I never thought I’d see this day.”
In her past life, she had prepared for a lifetime of loneliness. Even in this life, she didn’t expect a good outcome, but fate had turned, granting her these peaceful days.
Perhaps it was heaven’s compensation for her.
Seeing more gifts being carried in, Lu Jingxing raised an eyebrow, “You’re quite valuable.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Huaiyu glared at him, then proudly pointed to her nose, “I’m priceless!”
When it came to such statements, the Danyang Princess was always shameless. Lu Jingxing shook his head, looking at the red knots on the gifts, “You should stay with Jiang Xuanjin. It’s probably his first time not spending the New Year with the Jiang family.”
Mentioning the Jiang family, Huaiyu paused.
Right, Jiang Xuanjin chose to stay in Yixian City with her rather than return to the main city of Ziyang for a reunion. Old Master Jiang would surely be furious, pounding his cane and cursing her for bewitching him.
Thinking about it, she said, “I’ll go to the main courtyard to see him.”
Lu Jingxing turned, waving his fan at her with a flourish, “You go ahead, I’ll find a place to spend the New Year.”
“Hmm?” Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, calling after him, “You’re not having dinner at the residence tonight?”
“What’s the fun in a bunch of men?” Lu Jingxing didn’t look back, his tone carefree, “I have my plans.”
She didn’t need to ask where he was going. Watching his retreating figure, she pouted and headed to the main courtyard, cradling her belly.
As Lu Jingxing stepped through the moon gate, the smile vanished from his face.
New Year’s Eve was the liveliest time, with every household lighting firecrackers and enjoying reunion dinners. He went to his own Fengchun Tower, ordered a jar of wine, and sat drinking slowly.
“Young Master,” Zhaocai stood behind him, eyes red, “Why not spend the New Year at the princess’s residence? At least there are more people.”
Lu Jingxing smirked, placing his embroidered boots on the bench, resting his elbow on his knee, and looking at him, “What’s the use of more people?”
No matter how many people there were, she couldn’t drink with him until dawn this year. Jiang Xuanjin’s possessive nature meant even a glance from him would be blocked by his sleeve, both amusing and frustrating.
Out of sight, out of mind.
He drank jar after jar of wine, while Zhaocai nagged, “You should have someone by your side. The princess showed you some portraits of beauties recently. Why not choose one? Whether it works out or not, give it a try.”
“I also heard that Baihua Jun from Eastern Jin has entered Northern Wei, perhaps to present gifts in the capital. He brought many beauties from Eastern Jin. You could take a look.”
“The princess is expecting, and you’re still unmarried…” Zhaocai’s voice grew sadder, “If you care, at least fight for her. But you let her go, and if you could let her go, why can’t you let yourself go?”
Annoyed, Lu Jingxing placed the wine jar on the table, chuckling, “How have I not let myself go? I have.”
He just couldn’t move on.
His phoenix eyes dimmed, and Lu Jingxing lay back on the bench, gazing at the red silk hanging from the high beams of Fengchun Tower, murmuring, “The green willows and fragrant grass of the long pavilion road. In youth, it’s easy to leave someone behind. The broken dreams at the tower’s top, the parting feelings beneath the flowers in the March rain.”
Zhaocai hadn’t studied, but after following the young master for so long, he was familiar with these poems. The young master didn’t recite the rest, but he remembered—
“Unrequited love is not as bitter as deep affection. An inch can become a thousand strands. The ends of the earth have limits, but longing is endless.”
Longing is endless…
There were many girls in Fengchun Tower. Usually, when Manager Lu came, they would flock to him. But today, they stayed upstairs, watching, not daring to approach.
A cold wind blew through the carved windows, spreading the scent of wine.
In the princess’s residence, everyone was present, a scene of joy and excitement. Xu Chuniang, egged on by Qingxian and others, drank two cups of wine, her cheeks flushed, her eyes dazed, clearly drunk. Chijin watched from the side, his gaze cold.
“Qingxian, want to play a drinking game?” he asked.
Qingxian, in high spirits, didn’t notice Chijin’s expression and laughed, “Bring it on!”
So Huaiyu sat with Jiang Xuanjin in the main seat, watching Chijin calmly win ten rounds in a row, placing ten cups of wine in front of Qingxian.
“Drink up,” he smiled.
Qingxian’s face turned green, and he turned to cry, “Your Highness, he’s bullying me!”
Huaiyu sighed, whispering to Jiang Xuanjin, “Not very smart, trying to get Chuniang drunk.”
Then she wiped her face and laughed loudly, “A bet is a bet. How is this bullying? Drink, drink, drink!”
Qingxian’s face fell, “Your Highness, you used to spoil me!”
Ziyang Jun, who had been quietly watching the show, paused at his words, looking at him seriously.
Juwu, who had been away for over half a month and finally struggled back, saw Ziyang Jun’s gaze and felt a chill down his spine, instinctively sitting further from Qingxian.
Qingxian, still unaware, counted on his fingers, “When I was injured, Your Highness bandaged me three times and even brewed medicine for me. When Bai’ai argued with me, Your Highness always sided with me. In the entire Feiyun Palace, I was the most favored! Your Highness said you’d protect me!”
Bai’ai glanced at Jiang Xuanjin, moved his chair, and sat beside Chijin.
With a porcelain cup at his lips, Jiang Xuanjin smiled faintly, “Making someone drink ten cups is indeed a bit much.”
Rarely did he speak up for him, and Qingxian was touched, “My lord, save me!”
“Alright,” Jiang Xuanjin nodded, speaking gently, “Let’s roll dice. Best of three. If you win, I’ll drink these ten cups for you.”
“Great!” Qingxian jumped up, rolling up his sleeves, “I’ve been in gambling dens! Come on, bring the dice!”
Huaiyu felt something was off and wanted to intervene, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Jiang Xuanjin looked over.
Help him?
No, no, help you!
Then be quiet.
…Okay.
In a few glances, Li Huaiyu quieted down, watching them roll dice.
The result came quickly. Qingxian lost two rounds in a row.
“How can this be?” Qingxian, bewildered, patted his head, pointing at Jiang Xuanjin’s dice, “How do you keep rolling three sixes?”
Jiang Xuanjin personally placed ten more cups in front of him, “Heaven’s favor.”
“Wait!” Qingxian protested, “You said if I won, you’d drink ten cups for me. You didn’t say I’d have to drink ten more if I lost!”
Looking puzzled, Jiang Xuanjin asked the others, “Aren’t bets supposed to have equal stakes?”
“Yes, yes!” Juwu, Bai’ai, and others nodded in unison, responding without hesitation. Juwu even patted Qingxian’s shoulder, “If you win, the lord drinks ten cups. If you lose, you drink ten cups. It’s fair!”
“…” It sounded fair, but something felt off.
Looking at the suddenly increased number of cups, Qingxian trembled, “Your Highness…”
Huaiyu gave him a deep look, clasping her hands in a salute.
A brave soul! She couldn’t protect him, so he was on his own!
Halfway through the banquet, everyone let loose. Juwu helped hold Qingxian down while Chijin poured wine into his mouth. Jiang Xuanjin sat nearby, watching Chijin pour without spilling a drop, and couldn’t help but applaud.
Li Huaiyu laughed until her stomach hurt, pounding the table. As she leaned over to speak to Jiang Xuanjin, Qingsi entered with a large gift box.
“Master, a New Year’s gift from Manager Lu.”
Lu Jingxing sent her something every year, so Li Huaiyu wasn’t surprised. She gestured for it to be placed beside her and reached out to open it.
Inside was a jade Guanyin carved from Tianshan cold jade, of excellent quality and priceless.