Lovers cannot stay together forever (Part 3)

Zhu Liji remained silent at first.

As he ran his fingertips over the paper bearing both of their seals, he suddenly chuckled, “You certainly know how to pick your timing. I just set the date for my inspection tour, and now you’re adding this joyous occasion.”

“What a perfect timing,” Zhu Liji said, leaning back.

The usually dissolute Wang Miaoxiao did not immediately respond, but remained bowed in the hall, speaking earnestly: "Your Highness the Princess and I are truly of the same fate and have always treated each other with sincerity."

These words were spoken with great seriousness. Zhu Liji raised his eyebrows and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Shared fate?" Zhu Liji raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the scars on Wang Miaoxiao's face. "My eyesight isn't too narrow; I've noticed your private interactions these past few days. I'm just curious, how did a princess and a commander who was promoted beyond the usual ranks become shared fates?" He pointed to the marriage proposal. "Enjoying royal stipends, living in luxury, and wielding supreme power—is this a miserable life?"

Whether proposing marriage at this time constitutes a union or simply a gathering for warmth, Zhu Liji didn't care.

One is his own sister, and the other is his confidante. Having been under his nose for so long, Zhu Liji was confident that the two of them couldn't accomplish anything significant.

He disliked the two of them exchanging gifts privately, so he added a touch of sarcasm to his words.

Wang Miaoxiao remained silent for a moment, then looked up with a hint of self-mockery in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, I know that nothing can be hidden from you." Wang Miaoxiao stepped forward. "Whether you believe me or not, Your Majesty's kindness in recognizing my talent is still there, and I am one of Your Majesty's men." Wang Miaoxiao expressed his loyalty.

Zhu Liji paused, his hand still holding the marriage proposal. These were the only relatives left; there was no need to refuse them. Zhu Liji smiled and tossed the proposal back onto the table: "Fine, go ahead."

"Just tell Zhu Hua that once she's married, she should behave herself and stop treating palace banquets like a stage for a performance," Zhu Liji said calmly, picking up his teacup.

Wang Miaoxiao kowtowed to show that he obeyed the order.

——

Chuxiu Palace.

Wan Zhen'er picked up the clothes that Zhu Liji had sent with one finger, showing no interest whatsoever.

The thing was to coax her to push her away in the morning; it was all a scheme. Wan Zhen'er got up and turned her gaze to Wan Qi, who was dressed in military uniform.

"I haven't congratulated my brother on his promotion yet." Wan Zhen'er raised her cup. "The Grand General of the State, my stepmother must be so proud." Wan Zhen'er grew up in a carefree country village. After returning to the Wan family, she became a tool for consolidating the family's power. She had no affection for her so-called maternal family, and even less for her stepmother who often treated her coldly and harshly.

Wan Qi knew Wan Zhen'er was being sarcastic, but he simply waved his hand and ordered the servants to bring in several boxes from outside.

The box was full of all kinds of gold and silver, including some treasures that were only available in the national treasury. It must have been a gift from the Emperor. Wan Qi didn't take it back to the Wan family; he gave it to Wan Zhen'er first.

"You'll need the help of the palace," Wan Qi said succinctly.

Wan Zhen'er was a big spender, and whenever Wan Qi entered the palace, he would bring her some subsidies. She had long been used to this kind of life, so she naturally accepted them.

She looked her elder brother up and down. The two of them were indeed close before she got married. Even after she entered the Eastern Palace, they still exchanged many letters. However, in recent years, she had become more thoughtful, and they could only see each other once every few months. They had grown estranged.

"Thank you, brother." Wan Zhen'er accepted the jewelry and bowed.

Just as she was about to bow, Wan Qi supported her with his large hands.

“We’re family.” Wan Qi’s gaze deepened. He then asked, “Will the Emperor require you to accompany him on this inspection tour?”

Only favored concubines were qualified to accompany the emperor. Wan Zhen'er composed herself, realizing that the emperor was giving her a warning.

"I'm not going." Wan Zhen'er turned away. Zhu Liji had sent someone to ask her what she thought, but he had already turned her away today. The inspection tour was also a long and tiring journey, so why should she make trouble for herself? It would be better for her to stay in the palace and continue to annoy the Empress.

Wan Zhen'er thought this to herself, but said that she was incompetent and had not made the king bow down for her. When she said this, she did not forget to shrug her shoulders, clearly showing that she was annoyed.

As expected, Wan Qi did not utter the "family advice." He nodded, only saying, "It's better not to accompany the emperor; it's safer that way," before taking his leave.

——

The night before the inspection tour, the Imperial Kitchen delivered a bowl of chilled pear soup to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

It's already the height of summer, so this is a good way to cool off. But the taste... Zhu Liji didn't dwell on it; the imperial kitchen was always conservative, and everything they did followed the same formula.

Zhu Liji leaned back on the soft couch, with Pinghai standing beside him. As he watched Zhu Liji scoop up a spoonful, Pinghai's brows relaxed almost imperceptibly.

The soup is thick and creamy, the pear flesh melts in your mouth, and the sweetness is accompanied by a refreshing coolness.

"Who made this?" Zhu Liji asked, swallowing his soup.

Pinghai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is a newly promoted head chef from the Imperial Kitchen. He said it is a family-inherited medicinal diet recipe, which is very nourishing."

"They certainly put in the effort," Zhu Liji commented, a rare smile playing on his lips.

Pinghai glanced at his expression, took a half step forward, and cautiously probed, "I heard that the newly promoted head chef is a former apprentice of Yan Shangshi, and learned some of her skills..."

"Clang—" A very heavy sound, the sound of a porcelain cup hitting the table.

"You've been talking a lot today." Zhu Liji swallowed back the little laugh he had managed to muster, reverting to his icy demeanor as he glanced at Pinghai.

Pinghai realized he had said the wrong thing, lowered his head, and tried to remove the porcelain bowl.

Zhu Liji touched the bowl before him, then expressionlessly drank the remaining soup in one gulp. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he tossed the empty bowl back onto the tray, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Tell the Crown Prince that he should accompany him on this inspection tour."

"Yes, sir." Pinghai retreated, drenched in cold sweat.

——

The carriage bumped along the official road, its wheels rolling over gravel with a monotonous clatter.

Zhiwei leaned against the carriage wall, a lingering listlessness shrouding her eyes and brows.

Zhu Sheng was not required to go on the inspection tour; it was an imperial decree she received suddenly. Zhiwei was not obliged to come, but Zhu Sheng had caught a cold a few days earlier, and the Empress was very worried, so she sent Granny Jiang to personally invite her.

Although Zhiwei was unwilling, she ultimately agreed out of consideration for the Empress's kindness to her. Besides, she was now just a palace maid, and had no choice but to be sensible.

Zhiwei sighed, twirling her fingers through her hair. Though it was called an inspection tour, the procession was vast and imposing. She only hoped that she wouldn't run into Zhu Liji along the way and cause any further trouble.

While Zhiwei was feeling melancholy, across from her, Zhu Sheng was furrowing his brow and writing furiously by the dim light streaming through the carriage window. An unfinished policy essay lay spread out on the small table—extra homework assigned by his father before their departure.

"Aunt, how do you think my policy essay is?" The boy held up the scroll, his nose still red. "Father said he'll test my knowledge of people's livelihood during this inspection tour, so I need to write more, otherwise he'll get angry again."

Zhu Liji was always strict in disciplining Zhu Sheng. Zhiwei went over and saw that the bamboo slips were filled with words about "borderland refugees". The handwriting was neat and orderly, much more so than before.

Seeing Zhu Sheng's earnest expression, she couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

In fact, Zhu Sheng was at an age where he was naturally playful, so how could he be interested in these boring official documents? However, Cheng Yuzhi's health had been deteriorating lately, and Zhu Sheng was afraid that if he slacked off even slightly, he would incur his father's displeasure and then take it out on his mother. So he put aside his temper and focused on his studies.

It's not easy.

Zhiwei lowered her eyes, suddenly recalling that she had once asked Zhu Liji what should be done if Zhu Sheng failed to become a wise ruler. What was Zhu Liji's answer back then?

"The country needs a wise and virtuous ruler. As long as he is capable, I don't care whose womb he came from, even if he sits on the throne as the crown prince."

It seems so.

But now, so many years have passed, and Zhu Liji's harem remains as desolate as a snow cave, with only one heir, Sheng'er. Does he truly believe Zhu Sheng is capable, or... is his health failing?

This outrageous thought popped into Zhiwei's head, and she couldn't help but let out a very slight smile, letting out a barely audible whisper.

"What are you laughing at, Auntie?" Zhu Sheng happened to look up and caught her smile.

Zhiwei immediately composed herself and shook her head: "It's nothing, just some old memories." After saying that, she turned to the side and lifted the small curtain. Just then, the caravan stopped for a rest. "I'll go to the stream to fetch some water." She picked up her water bag and got out of the car to find a stream.

.

Upon reaching the stream, Zhiwei crouched down and cupped a handful of cool water in her hands. Looking around, the layered mountains and dense forests seemed somewhat familiar.

"Auntie, you're here too." A clear voice interrupted Zhiwei's thoughts. She turned around and saw a young eunuch carrying a bucket of water.

“Yes, the water here is so clear,” Zhi replied with a smile.

The young eunuch who had come to fetch water nodded in admiration: "The mountains and rivers of this Shu region are truly unique!"

Shu County?

Zhiwei's heart sank suddenly.

It was here... The escape to Lingnan, the life and death in the military camp, the reliance on each other in the cave... Those deliberately sealed memories were suddenly pried open and rushed in.

She recalled the way Zhu Mingyu rode his horse through the dense forest of Shu County that year, the strength with which Zhu Liji gripped her wrist when she fell off the cliff, and Sun Wei's words when he helped her in the military camp: "You are very similar to my old friend."

It feels like a lifetime has passed.

Zhiwei gazed at her reflection in the stream, and recalled those laughable promises, such as "Only I can hurt you" and "I will definitely protect you." She was momentarily stunned.

She stood there, stunned. The young eunuch filled the water bag and left, leaving her alone by the stream.

The wind rustled through the trees, creating a few strange noises. Zhiwei's heart tightened, and she turned around abruptly to see two masked men rushing towards her with knives in hand.

"You little wench! You'd better hand over your valuables!"

Zhiwei instinctively grabbed a sharp stone from beside her feet, held it in front of her, and shouted fiercely but weakly, "Don't come any closer!"

She dodged the knife to the side, and the sharp stone in her hand slammed into one of the men's arms. The man screamed in pain, and another man seized the opportunity to pounce on her, grabbing her wrist tightly.

Just as the dirty hand was about to grab her collar—

"Whoosh!"

An arrow pierced the air and struck the bandit in the chest with perfect accuracy.

The bandit's sinister smile froze instantly. He looked down in disbelief at the blood blooming on his chest, and without uttering a sound, he collapsed heavily to the ground.

Zhiwei gripped the stone, still shaken, her chest heaving as she stared blankly at the direction from which the arrow had come.

Deep in the woods, a man put away his longbow and ran quickly towards them. He was dressed in a loose blue robe and had a handsome but anxious face.

"Miss Yan! Are you alright?" Jiang Qin rushed to her side, his breath slightly ragged, his eyes full of concern.

Zhiwei was still in shock, her cheeks flushed from the struggle and fright. She opened her mouth, but before she could say "thank you," Jiang Qin's expression turned solemn. He suddenly turned to the side, bowed his head respectfully, and knelt down in the direction behind her.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Zhiwei froze, her blood seemingly freezing instantly.

She turned around slowly and with great difficulty.

A person stands with their hands behind their back upstream.

His dark-colored casual clothes outlined his tall yet aloof figure. Zhu Liji stood there, watching for an unknown amount of time.

His face was expressionless, except for his unfathomable eyes, which were silently fixed on Zhiwei through the flowing water.