Apologizes and has a strong possessive desire

Even when the head of the Song family came to visit, Jiang Yanhui was not allowed to see him, let alone her youngest son, Song Wenxuan. There were very few distinguished guests in the entire capital who required the personal reception of the Prince of Jiangbei.

If Song Wenxuan hadn't used the pretext of visiting Ah Chou, he probably wouldn't have even been able to get into the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion.

Jiang Yan went to the study to deal with the letters from Lingzhou, while A Chou and Dou Yu went to the hall to meet Song Wenxuan.

The dignified and grand hall made Song Wenxuan feel uneasy just sitting in it. The tea served by the servants was of good quality just by looking at its color, but the anxious Song Wenxuan hesitated to pick it up and taste it.

Song Wenxuan, a native of the capital, had never seen anyone named A Chou before. However, seeing that A Chou was dressed in extraordinary clothes and accompanied by Dou Yu, he assumed that A Chou was a distant cousin of one of Dou Yu's uncles and did not take it seriously.

To his utter surprise, it turned out to be someone from the King of Jiangbei. After learning the whole story, his mother gave him a good scolding and ordered him to go and apologize.

Since it's almost the end of the year, I might as well wait a little longer.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Song family, who had no relation to the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion, should not have visited. However, they had had an extremely difficult year.

Even though Jiang Yanhui relayed the message privately, without receiving a definite forgiveness in person, it still felt like a knife was hanging over her head.

Song Wenxuan lowered his eyes, pondering how to appease A Chou. He really didn't know what kind of person A Chou was, but judging from how he tried to mediate that day, he didn't seem like the kind of person who would cause trouble or act arrogantly.

To be honest, even though Song Wenxuan brought gifts to apologize, he still felt that he had not done anything wrong.

Ultimately, what was the point of him trying to break up the argument with Dou Yu? If he hadn't tried to intervene, he wouldn't have been pushed into the water; he only brought it on himself.

Even from a distance, Song Wenxuan could hear Dou Yu's smug humming. To him, even the frequency of Dou Yu's steps sounded like he was mocking him for having to bow his head and apologize.

Song Wenxuan was very annoyed. He knew that Dou Yu would come on the third day of the Lunar New Year, but he did not expect her to come so early. If he had known, he would not have come so early, just to avoid seeing Dou Yu.

While lost in thought, Dou Yujin had already entered the hall. Remembering how Jiang Yanhui's nonchalant attitude had infuriated Song Wenxuan, she suppressed her smugness. She wouldn't dare sit in the two most prestigious armchairs, even if she had ten times the courage, so she settled for the seat opposite Song Wenxuan, to avoid losing face.

Ah Chou didn't think as much as they did; in fact, she was quite happy that Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan's relationship seemed to have improved considerably during their meeting.

With a stern, handsome face, Song Wenxuan tried his best to ignore Dou Yu's upturned lips and bowed to A Chou, saying, "I really did wrong at Sheng Yu's birthday banquet, and I have come here specifically to apologize."

The tables on either side were laden with apologies brought by Song Wenxuan. Knowing that the King of Jiangbei lacked nothing, and that even if the Song family emptied their coffers and gave them away, the King might not even glance at them, Song Wenxuan felt it was best not to lose face in front of Jiang Yanhui. Therefore, all the gifts were prepared for Ah Chou.

Ah Chou's gaze swept over everything. He had seen many good things since following Jiang Yan back, and although he was shocked by the many things that had been brought, he did not show it on his face.

"These are just small trinkets; the most important thing is this string of fragrant beads for relieving summer heat."

Song Wenxuan picked up the box on top, opened it, and found a string of beads inside. It had a unique fragrance that instantly refreshed him.

"You will soon be returning to Lingzhou with Wang Zun, just in time for the sweltering heat of summer. This bracelet is made from beads of Chinese herbs such as chrysanthemum, sandalwood, and peppermint. Wearing it can help you avoid the heat and dampness, and refresh your mind."

"Forget about the rest, this thing is good, and it'll come in handy for you." Dou Yu leaned over and sniffed it, then gave Song Wenxuan a thumbs up. "Your intentions are commendable, so I won't hold it against you."

Song Wenxuan hadn't come to apologize to Dou Yu in the first place, and when he heard what he said, he almost rolled his eyes, but he managed to hold back and not argue with A Chou.

Compared to other pretty trinkets, Ah Chou preferred the practical summer-cooling fragrant beads. He only took the box and smiled at Song Wenxuan.

Song Wenxuan looked puzzled.

"Oh, so you mean you only want this one, and you can take the rest back with you," Dou Yu explained from the side.

"Putting aside the fact that there's no reason to take back a gift that's been delivered to your door, how do you know what he said?" Song Wenxuan frowned.

Dou Yu was taken aback. Right! How did she know?!

After thinking for a long time, I still couldn't figure it out. I could only conclude that I had spent a lot of time with Ah Chou and had become familiar with him, so I naturally knew what he was trying to express.

“Ah Chou doesn’t covet your things.” Dou Yu walked over and nudged Song Wenxuan with her elbow, saying with an extremely smug expression, “Seriously, if Ah Chou hadn’t been so lenient, do you think the Song family would have only received a private warning from Jiang Yanhui?”

Dou Yu patted Song Wenxuan's shoulder, who looked completely bewildered. Seeing that he was sincere enough, she mercifully offered a piece of advice, "My cousin is paying extra attention to Achou now. Just treat Achou's words as my cousin's words. If he says he won't hold it against her, then he won't hold it against her. If he says he only wants one gift, then he only wants one. Don't talk nonsense."

The first part sounded like human speech, but Song Wenxuan didn't want to pay any attention to him at all.

Having already formed some guesses about Ah Chou's personality, Song Wenxuan automatically ignored Dou Yu's chattering beside him and said sincerely, "These gifts were brought out by my mother. If I take them back untouched, I will be scolded. You can accept them for yourself or give them to others, as long as I don't have to take them back."

Ah Chou hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Song Wenxuan was secretly pleased. Just as he had expected, Ah Chou was a soft-hearted person. He pressed on while the iron was hot and asked, "Is Your Majesty really not angry anymore?"

Ah Chou knew Jiang Yan Hui's power, so the Song family's fear was understandable. It was likely that Song Wen Xuan was also having a hard time at home these days.

Ah Chou smiled, patted Song Wenxuan's arm, and indicated that everything was over and he could rest assured.

The hall was bright, with plenty of sunlight streaming in, making people feel warm and cozy in the winter sun.

Song Wenxuan squinted at Achou, who was bathed in sunlight, and a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

Song Wenxuan didn't consider himself to have a good temper, but he was a man of action and responsibility. Until the conversation just now, he had been disdainful of A Chou's attitude. Firstly, he thought A Chou was just asking for trouble, and secondly, he didn't think that this person had anything remarkable about him that would keep him by the side of the King of Jiangbei.

But after a few simple words, Song Wenxuan understood a profound truth: one cannot judge a person by appearances alone; Ah Chou's kindness and consideration for others were rare and precious qualities.

If it were someone like Ah Chou who didn't concern him, Song Wenxuan might not say anything, but he would probably laugh at his pretentious act in his heart. But when Ah Chou's kindness was shown to him, he realized how precious it was.

Song Wenxuan's lips twitched a few times, then he sighed and slumped his shoulders. "I...I'm sorry." He finished speaking with an unexpected sense of relief.

"Oh my! Young Master Song can actually say sorry!" Dou Yu leaned closer, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and said, "How about this, you apologize to me today, and we'll call it even!"

Despite trying to hold back, Song Wenxuan couldn't help but roll his eyes. After doing so, he felt much better, finally finding it to his liking.

He changed his humble tone towards Ah Chou back to the arrogant young master of the Song family, sneering, "We have a score to settle."

"Hey! You!" Dou Yu pretended to roll up her sleeves and challenge him to a duel.

Ah Chou stepped aside and stood between the two, patting one and the other to calm them down and try to stop the fight.

The hall was bustling with activity.

——

The things that Song Wenxuan brought were ultimately kept. The gifts were purchased according to the popular items among men in the capital, and it was clear that he had put thought into them.

Hongchun moved all the items into Wang Zun's room without missing a single one. The room prepared for A Chou had not been opened yet, and A Chou's clothes and belongings took up half of the main room, making him look like the male head of the household.

No one in the manor spoke out directly. Everyone tacitly treated Ah Chou as if he were their master, and even more cautiously when interacting with Ah Chou. Anyone with eyes could see that Jiang Yan Hui's favoritism towards Ah Chou was almost unconditional.

Fortunately, Ah Chou was not arrogant because of his favored status. He was kind to everyone in the manor and rarely needed their help.

Sunlight streamed through the window into the room, casting tiny dust particles in the beams of light. The room was filled with the comforting scent of burning incense, which warmed the heart.

Ah Chou sat upright at the table piled high with gifts, carefully unpacking each one. Every time she unpacked a favorite item, she couldn't wait to show it to Jiang Yanhui, who was reading on the soft couch.

When she encountered something joyful, she always wanted to share it with the person she liked. When she excitedly showed the first thing she liked to Jiang Yan Hui after unpacking it, A Chou noticed the book in Jiang Yan Hui's hand and realized that she had disturbed her reading. Under Jiang Yan Hui's smiling eyes, she blushed.

But Jiang Yanhui didn't blame him for the interruption. Instead, she listened with great interest to how happy Ah Chou was, which made Ah Chou very happy.

Although she knew she shouldn't disturb Jiang Yanhui while she was reading, Jiang Yanhui didn't mind, so A Chou indulged herself a little and stuck to Jiang Yanhui's side.

Just when Ah Chou thought her relationship with Song Wenxuan had come to an end, the next day someone came to report that Song Wenxuan and Dou Yu had come to ask Ah Chou to go out and have fun. The two met at the door and were arguing about who Ah Chou was playing with.

Jiang Yan Hui did not comment on matters between men, and given her status, she would inevitably be accompanied when she went out. Taking Ah Chou on a trip was not as comfortable as having them accompany her. Jiang Yan Hui was happy to have someone accompany Ah Chou to see more of the sights of the capital.

Everyone in the capital knew that Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan would fight whenever they met. Strangely enough, recently, with Ah Chou between them, they unexpectedly maintained a semblance of harmony and went to and from entertainment venues together.

Even when they occasionally exchanged a few words, Ah Chou would quickly stop them from arguing, preventing them from getting into a real fight.

There are fun things to do in the capital all year round, and there are even more entertainment options in winter. Besides, no one knows how to have fun better than Dou Yu.

For several days in a row, Ah Chou went out early and returned late, his face beaming with a youthful and lively smile. Ah Chou wasn't very old; he would be twenty after the New Year, a time when he loved to play.

Spending more time with friends of the same age is always better for one's mental and physical health than staying cooped up in the mansion and quietly by Jiang Yan Hui's side. At least, that's what Jiang Yan Hui thought at first.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yanhui's good attitude did not last until the end of the New Year holiday, as she could no longer bear the days without A Chou by her side.

As Ah Chou became close to Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan, his fame gradually spread among the young masters of the capital. Many people, upon learning that Ah Chou was a person close to the Prince of Jiangbei, either deliberately tried to befriend him or came to get to know him out of curiosity. However, after learning about Ah Chou's character and conduct, they were all deeply impressed by him. In short, Ah Chou's popularity was even better than Jiang Yanhui had expected.

Those eyes that should have been fixed on her, that smile that should have belonged only to her, Ah Chou unknowingly gave to many people.

When Ah Chou returned home one evening looking travel-worn but with a bright smile on her face, Jiang Yan Hui, who had been suppressing her fierce possessiveness, finally snapped. She didn't listen quietly to Ah Chou's description of what had happened during the day, nor did she look to see what fun things Ah Chou had brought back.

Jiang Yanhui pulled Ah Chou over and slammed the door shut with a flick of her toe. Her hot breath brushed against his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Ah Chou's body went limp, and he could only support himself with Jiang Yanhui's arms around his waist.

Confused and bewildered, Ah Chou didn't know what had happened or why the woman had suddenly become fierce. Her eyes were first misted with tears as she received a series of kisses, and her red lips parted slightly as she breathed in the fresh air.

"Did you have fun today?" Jiang Yan bit his earlobe, her words filled with undisguised sourness. She tightened her arms around his slender waist until Ah Chou was pressed tightly against her body, which finally eased her inner anger.

Intuition told Ah Chou that the woman in front of him was in a dangerous state and that he should do something to make her feel better. However, the rule ingrained in his bones that he should not deceive Jiang Yan Hui made Ah Chou nod despite the burning gaze.

With a dizzying sensation, Ah Chou fell onto the soft bed. Her wet eyes blinked, filled with surprise and confusion, but no longer showing any fear of Jiang Yan Hui.

Jiang Yan, who was propped up on top, admired the handsome man lying beneath her. His delicate face, like a flower, was flushed with spring, tempting one to pluck and play with him.

Unlike her innocent and naive self, Ah Chou, who had been well-loved and pampered, had a more alluring and seductive air about her, which became even more apparent when she was aroused, and she exuded a wonderful aura.

Jiang Yanhui's prolonged inaction only fueled A Chou's restlessness. Her legs involuntarily rubbed together slightly, and the lust in her eyes was almost overflowing.

After waiting for what felt like two blinks of an eye, the woman seemed to be deliberately keeping him in suspense without making a move. Ah Chou pouted, a feeling of grievance welling up inside him.

Ah Chou wasn't the type to be easily spoiled or wronged. Even when she lost her memory, was treated like a slave, and had her self-esteem trampled on, she never felt wronged. All she could think about was how to survive.

After meeting Jiang Yanhui, all his long-lost emotions resurfaced. He didn't care how others treated him, but Jiang Yanhui's every move amplified his inner feelings.

The mere hesitation when moved by emotion was enough to make Ah Chou's mind wander endlessly.

Although Jiang Yanhui rarely went out and interacted with people during her stay in the capital, Ah Chou, who often met Dou Yu and other young masters in the capital, clearly understood how popular Jiang Yanhui was.

With honor and power, and possessing exceptional looks and youth, how could she not stir the hearts of unmarried men? Now that Jiang Yan has finally returned to the capital, each one is eagerly hoping for a fleeting romance with the Prince of Jiangbei.

Ah Chou deliberately tried not to think about what those people were thinking, but as a result, when facing the silent Jiang Yan Hui, many guesses came to mind all at once, and he couldn't stop them, even though he knew that the other party was just teasing him.

Crystal-clear tears slid down his cheeks. He suppressed his grievances until his nose turned red. Ah Chou silently turned his face away, the sharp pain in his heart making him clutch the brocade quilt beneath him tightly.

Jiang Yanhui didn't know why A Chou was sad, only assuming that his rudeness had frightened him. He pinched A Chou's small, thin chin and turned him around, saying in a hoarse voice, "I'll give you a day to say goodbye to your friends. Come back to Lingzhou with me in three days."

Ah Chou was momentarily confused, and forgot all her sadness.

"Don't you want to go back?"

Jiang Yan frowned, her lowered eyes revealing a hint of displeasure. She wondered if it was the right thing to let A Chou go out of the manor to play earlier. Perhaps she shouldn't have let A Chou meet Dou Yu back in Lingzhou, and the current situation would not have gotten out of control.

Such a simple person should be kept close by, never allowed to go anywhere, and one should rely on her wholeheartedly.

As Ah Chou recovered her senses, she noticed Jiang Yan Hui's eyes darkening, her jaw tightening in displeasure, and her expression turning quite unpleasant. Suddenly, based on Jiang Yan Hui's words and reactions, she understood what Jiang Yan Hui was thinking, and a mixture of surprise and apprehension crept in.

With pursed lips, the woman gently pushed Jiang Yan Hui's shoulder, her expression growing even more displeased. Ah Chou mustered his courage and pushed harder, but Jiang Yan Hui gave him a deep look before stepping aside.

As she sat up, Ah Chou didn't have time to straighten her disheveled clothes. She carefully hooked her fingers around Jiang Yan Hui's palm and, noticing that Jiang Yan Hui didn't resist, smiled slightly and pulled her hand to the table.

The brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone prepared for Ah Chou to learn to write were neatly arranged on the table, ready to be used. Ah Chou pinched the inkstone, dipped it in water, and quickly ground the ink twice. Worried that Jiang Yan Hui wouldn't be able to wait, Ah Chou picked up the brush and quickly wrote a line: I miss you.

Jiang Yanhui's expression visibly shifted from gloomy to cheerful, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. She held Ah Chou's hand and gently wiped away the ink splatter that had accidentally appeared. "I know."

After thinking it over, Ah Chou decided to tell Jiang Yan Hui what she had been keeping to herself. The two of them were now... lovers, right? Ah Chou blushed slightly.

Lovers must be honest about their feelings; otherwise, it's like having a small pebble stuck in your heart. Every time it jumps, it's uncomfortable. You can tolerate it for a day or two, but over time, it will wear your heart down.

—Many young men in the capital admire you.

Jiang Yanhui always looked at people with an air of arrogance, making people unconsciously avoid her sharp edge. But no one knew how captivating Jiang Yanhui was when she lowered her eyes and looked gentle, making people unable to look away.

It's rare to see Ah Chou jealous, and even rarer for her to dare to express it. Jiang Yan looked back at Ah Chou, whose face was still flushed, with curiosity. She traced the characters on the Xuan paper with her fingertips and said slowly, "I only went out twice after returning to the capital. Once I accompanied you to the mountain villa, and once I went to a palace banquet. I took you with me then as well."

Jiang Yan held Ah Chou's adorable face in her hands, finding it pleasing to the eye. Even the upturned eyelashes at the corners of her eyes seemed to suit her perfectly. She chuckled softly, feeling exceptionally happy.

“Once we get back to Lingzhou, those people will give up their plans.”

——

Jiang Yanhui said she would give A Chou a day to say goodbye to her friends, so it was only one day. She would keep track of the time A Chou left home and make sure she returned by the time she stipulated.

Jiang Yanhui had no intention of hiding Ah Chou's unusual possessiveness. It would be best to show him all his bad sides so that Ah Chou would clearly realize what a troublesome person he had provoked. It would be too late for him to regret it, and he could only accept his fate and obediently stay by his side.

Upon learning that Ah Chou was returning to Lingzhou, Dou Yu specially booked a restaurant to bid him farewell. Most of the young masters in the capital who had met Ah Chou once came, and the two empty tables were almost too big to hold the gifts they brought.

Of course, a farewell banquet wouldn't be complete without wine. Ah Chou had never drunk wine before, so when Dou Yu poured him some, Ah Chou hesitated for a moment. Seeing that all the men present had wine jugs in front of them, he accepted the wine without saying much.

"Ah Chou, you wait and see, I'll definitely come to Lingzhou to visit you again!"

Dou Yu's eyes welled up with tears, and she blinked hard, her face reddening with sorrow at Ah Chou's departure. She had long been accustomed to having him by her side, and the thought of suddenly losing him was unsettling. Besides, who else could treat her with such sincerity as Ah Chou? She didn't need to be wary of him at all, and could freely confide everything to him.

“I will also go to Lingzhou to find you.” Song Wenxuan paused, carefully considering the feasibility, and said cautiously, “If possible.”

Dou Yu retorted with a laugh, “Go away! What makes you think you’re going to Lingzhou? My mother is stationed there, and the King of Jiangbei is my cousin. I can go there legitimately, but what excuse do you have for running off to the frontier?”

"I'm going to find Ah Chou, what right do you have to stop me?"

“Song Wenxuan, if you can go to Chengling Prefecture, I will change my name to Dou Yu. Don’t cry and complain about the hardships of the journey as soon as you leave the capital.”

"You talk as if anyone is worse than you. If you can go, so can I!"

They started arguing again after exchanging only a few words. The people present were already used to it and automatically ignored them. Anyway, as long as Ah Chou was around, the two of them would at most exchange some harsh words, but it would never come to the point of fighting.

The dinner table was lively, and everyone's conversation inevitably revolved around Lingzhou. Among those present, only Achou and Douyu knew much about Lingzhou. Since Achou couldn't speak, Douyu talked non-stop about what he had seen and heard in Lingzhou.

Fortunately, despite being under the influence of alcohol, Dou Yu still retained some rationality and didn't go so far as to boast about sneaking into the military camp, otherwise it would have caused quite a stir.

When talking about Lingzhou, one cannot help but mention Jiang Yan, the Jiangbei King who commands respect and awe. During the banquet, someone casually mentioned him, immediately drawing intense stares from everyone, who were eager to hear what he might know about something that the rest of them were unaware of.

The man scratched his head sheepishly, glanced at Ah Chou who was sitting in the main seat with her eyes drooping, and said awkwardly, "I only heard from my elders that one year in Lingzhou, a heavy snow collapsed the houses of the people. It was the King who led his soldiers to repair the roof tiles for the people. Otherwise, I don't know how many people would have frozen to death. The local people are very grateful for the King's kindness."

"Wang Zun is really good. No wonder the emperor values ​​such a capable and responsible woman."

“My mother always tells me to choose a wife based on Wang Zun’s abilities. Is it because I don’t want to? Looking around the capital, all the scholars are weak. They can recite books and write essays, but if you ask them to hold a knife, they’d probably have a hard time killing a chicken.”

"Actually, I saw Wang Zun once when I was a child. At that time, Wang Zun led his troops to Lingzhou. He was so majestic and domineering! I remember that many young men on both sides of the road blushed. If the scene hadn't been so serious, I'm afraid they would have been covered in handkerchiefs."

It was a rare occasion for everyone to get together, and once someone started talking, everyone began to chatter away, sharing whatever they had heard or seen, regardless of whether the news was true or not. The gossip was in full swing.

Dou Yu was tired of listening to these people talking about her cousin. She yawned, glanced at Ah Chou beside her, and her gaze immediately stopped on him.

Dou Yu had some idea that A Chou's status in the You tribe was unusual, at the very least a noble one, but A Chou's peaceful personality always made people overlook his outward status.

With just that one glance, Dou Yu glimpsed the contempt hidden in Ah Chou's soft, downcast eyes—an annoyance and disdain for the group's loud talk about Jiang Yan Hui. Ah Chou, however, concealed it well. He always managed to minimize his presence unintentionally, so the excited chatterers didn't notice him sitting silently.

Dou Yu coughed twice, interrupting the heated discussion at the table, and changed the subject to get everyone drinking and talking about having fun.

The excited crowd realized what had happened and looked at Ah Chou, who had a real relationship with Jiang Yan Hui. Some of them felt a little embarrassed, wondering how they could have forgotten about this. It was just that Jiang Yan Hui's image as a lone wolf was too deeply ingrained in their minds.

Once the topic of discussion at the table changed, Dou Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Under the table, she gently nudged Ah Chou with her elbow and whispered, "Don't mind me, I'll scold them one by one later."

When Ah Chou looked up, her expression was gentle, as if what she had just seen was merely Dou Yu's illusion.

Ah Chou shook his head, as considerate as ever.

At the farewell banquet for Ah Chou, he naturally couldn't escape toasting. The pampered man mostly drank sweet fruit wine, which had a low alcohol content and tasted like sweet water. It was a popular social drink among them.

After being persuaded to drink cup after cup, Ah Chou drank quite a bit, which made her already beautiful eyes appear hazy with intoxication. The alcohol-induced flush on her cheeks added a touch of glamour to Ah Chou's delicate features, making her quite captivating.

As dusk approached outside the window, Ah Chou's eyes cleared for a moment. He patted Dou Yu, who was chatting happily with someone next to him, indicating that he had to go back.

Dou Yu squinted at the sky outside the window and said, puzzled, "It's still early. We have activities tonight, like watching fireworks on the boat. I'm sure you'll like that!"

Ah Chou pursed her red lips, moistened by the wine, and resolutely shook her head in refusal.

Dou Yu vaguely guessed who gave the order from this attitude. He had also drunk quite a bit, and his question was more direct than usual: "Is it your cousin who's keeping an eye on you and not letting you go home too late tonight?"

Upon hearing that it was about Jiang Yanhui, everyone at the table fell silent, waiting for Ah Chou's answer.

Ah Chou frowned imperceptibly, suppressing the disgust in his heart, the faint smile on his lips dissipating as easily as the wind.

He nodded.

"Tsk! Why does my cousin have to interfere with this? This is a farewell banquet, can't we drink until we drop?" Dou Yu bluntly expressed his dissatisfaction. He was probably the only one in the room who was simply unhappy that he couldn't have enough fun when he heard that Jiang Yan was controlling Ah Chou's return time.

The others looked at Ah Chou with a slightly strange gaze, but Ah Chou pretended not to notice and dutifully played the role of a simple and kind person in their eyes.

In the capital, there are honest and normal people like Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan, as well as those who are two-faced and cunning. On the surface, they pretend to like Ah Chou as everyone else, but in their hearts, they have already belittled him to the point of being disgusted, and even feel disgusted to eat with someone who used to be a slave. But in order to see what kind of person Jiang Yanhui likes, they can only hold their noses and sit down.

Ah Chou saw right through what those people were thinking and plotting. Their polite approach was just a ploy to get closer to Jiang Yan Hui. Unfortunately, their plans were going to be in vain. Jiang Yan Hui was returning to Lingzhou in two days, and Ah Chou figured he'd never have the chance to dream of marrying her again.

At this moment, the person who had been waiting for so long and finally found something to talk about couldn't hold back any longer and jumped out in front of everyone, saying in a sarcastic tone, "The King even restricts the time you can return to the manor? That's too harsh! If I were Ah Chou, I would definitely think that the King doesn't trust me and can't even let me have fun with my friends. He's simply treating me like his possession."

The man covered his mouth and chuckled, "If you like someone, you have to respect them. I don't think you're happy about it. Why does Wang Zun still have such a sharp and decisive style of doing things?"

Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan both raised an eyebrow. They weren't naive young masters; they naturally understood the divisive undertone in the man's words. Every sentence implied that the King of Jiangbei treated A Chou merely as a plaything. How could anyone not feel upon hearing this?

Dou Yu didn't want the farewell banquet to turn into an unpleasant affair, so she gave the person a wink, hoping they would shut up and avoid making the situation awkward.

"Ah Chou, I heard that Wang Zun is frequenting brothels in Lingzhou. You'd better keep an eye on him, lest..."

"Are you ever going to stop?!" Song Wenxuan slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "One sentence wasn't enough, you keep going on and on. Who here doesn't have parents who set a time limit for coming home late? Do our parents treat us like objects?"

Dou Yu immediately followed, pretending to pull Song Wenxuan to sit down, and said in the same ambiguous tone as the man, "Forget it, forget it. How could my cousin not know how much she cares about me, her cousin? It's normal for outsiders to gossip about the couple."

The implication is that Ah Chou's affairs are none of your business, and you, an outsider, are jumping around and making a scene—it's utterly shameful.

The man's veiled hints no longer held anyone's attention; everyone was watching Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan's back-and-forth banter, wondering how they had made up when they were just arguing.

"Alright, after this meal, I'll take you home, so some people won't try to sow discord." Dou Yu was fuming, so she spoke bluntly and glared at the man.

No one took the minor incident to heart, and the farewell banquet was held successfully.

After everyone dispersed, Dou Yu was mostly sober, while A Chou, who had drunk quite a bit of fruit wine, had rosy cheeks and was walking with a wobbly gait.

Dou Yu helped A Chou down the stairs, still thinking about the person who almost ruined his preparations. He said angrily, "I gave him a look when he opened his mouth, but he clearly saw it and pretended not to. He really doesn't know what's good for him. Today I'm hosting the farewell banquet, and he took advantage of the fact that I can't say anything to make you unhappy with his reckless words."

Ah Chou shook his head and patted Dou Yu's hand, which was supporting him, reassuringly.

For A Chou, there were few important people in his life. In the past, he supported Xiao Le in the Prince's Mansion, later he met Uncle Ban who was very kind to him, and then he met Dou Yu. His experience in the capital made him and Jiang Yan Hui feel connected, and he also met Wang Bo Hong Chun who was very kind to him. He was also able to befriend Song Wen Xuan who spoke up for him. A Chou was already very content.

No one can please everyone, not even someone as gentle as Ah Chou. Therefore, he only cares about the people he cares about, and other people's opinions are like a passing breeze, leaving no trace.

Dou Yu nudged Song Wenxuan, who was following behind, with her elbow, and laughed while tilting her head back: "I didn't know you had such a chivalrous spirit. I owe you for what you did for me today."

Song Wenxuan smiled and said, "You're not bad either. When I started cursing, you weren't idle either."

Finally, the two exchanged the least hostile words they had ever spoken. Before Ah Chou could feel relieved, Dou Yu rolled her eyes and shook her head with feigned regret, "It's just that as an adult, you shouldn't be so reckless. You still need to learn more about the art of appeasement from me. But it's alright. Since I'm three months older than you, I will certainly fulfill my role as an elder brother and teach you well."

Song Wenxuan: "..."

They started cursing again, and Ah Chou chuckled.

——

The orange-red sun hung in the western sky, bathing everything on the street in a warm hue. Ah Chou watched Dou Yu and Song Wenxuan playfully bickering with a smile, their initial anger gone, replaced by playful banter between friends.

The chilly wind dispelled the heat from Ah Chou's face, and also dissipated most of the smell of alcohol. Looking at the good friends he had made in the capital, Ah Chou was filled with emotion, hoping that this pure friendship would last forever.

But Ah Chou understood that once his identity as a member of the You tribe was exposed, all the good things would disappear.

"Is that my cousin's carriage?" Dou Yu's eyes lit up, and she put her long arm around A Chou's shoulder, saying with a smile, "They're here to pick you up, so I don't need to take you back."

The gloom that had been lingering in her heart vanished instantly, and Ah Chou couldn't help but smile sweetly. In a daze, Dou Yu felt that this was Ah Chou's true happy self, and the faint smiles she wore at the banquet were just a facade for outsiders.

Dou Yu didn't have the tactlessness to interrupt their time together. She crossed her arms and watched Ah Chou happily board the carriage, sighing, "I hope that kid's words don't take Ah Chou to heart. My cousin likes Ah Chou, that's why she's worried about Ah Chou's safety outside. Just like my uncles, if I come home a little late, they'll interrogate me until they get to the bottom of things and won't let me sleep."

He finished speaking and let out a heavy sigh.

Song Wenxuan stared intently at the carriage receding into the distance, wondering if Dou Yu was an emotional idiot. How could the discipline of his uncles compare to Jiang Wangzun's treatment of A Chou? One was the responsibility of an elder to a junior, the other was the possessiveness of a lover.

The spacious carriage was covered with a thick, soft plush carpet. The scarlet embers in the charcoal brazier flickered, and a pot of bubbling milk tea sat on a wire mesh over the brazier, with red dates, peanuts, and split chestnuts scattered around it.

Upon entering the carriage, I was first startled by the warm air and smelled the sweet aroma of milk tea, which made me feel just as sweet as Ah Chou's heart.

As they drew closer, the sweet, cloying scent of fruit wine wafted over from Ah Chou. Jiang Yan patted the empty seat next to her, and seeing that Ah Chou sat down without any resistance, her furrowed brows relaxed.

"I anticipated that Dou Yu would be hosting a banquet for you, so I came to pick you up in person. I hope I didn't delay your gathering."

Jiang Yan Hui spoke tenderly and affectionately, but in reality, her arm around Ah Chou's waist was forceful and brooked no refusal. She also whispered in his ear, inhaling the scent of wine emanating from him.

The cold wind dispersed most of the alcohol's effects, but it resurfaced amidst the whispered conversation. Ah Chou's face flushed crimson, her eyes gradually becoming unfocused as she stared blankly at Jiang Yan Hui, who was smiling, her head spinning.

He couldn't hear a word Jiang Yan said; he was staring intently at her pale, soft lips, his mind filled only with the thought of kissing her.

Alcohol emboldens the timid, and it also emboldens Ah Chou. That's what I thought, and that's what I did.

The senses are heightened by intoxication, and the touch of their lips brings a tremor to the depths of their souls. Ah Chou couldn't help but climb onto Jiang Yan Hui's arm, tilting his head back to make it easier for the woman to deepen the sweet and intoxicating kiss.

Ah Chou really wanted to tell the young master who was gossiping at the banquet that the control and possessiveness that Jiang Yan Hui described was what he craved, and that it would even allow Ah Chou to more directly feel Jiang Yan Hui's emotional needs for him.

Outside the carriage was a bustling city, but inside was a tranquil world just for them.

The carriage stopped in front of the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion. A slender man stepped out of the carriage first, his delicate face partially obscured by a white fur scarf. He was assumed to be a young master visiting the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion.

Upon closer inspection, the man turned around and helped the beautiful woman who had just gotten out of the car. When he looked up slightly, his rosy lips were abnormally swollen, and there seemed to be rouge on the corners of his mouth.

His large eyes curved into adorable crescents the moment they met the woman's gaze, and he took the woman's hand from under her cloak, his smile widening.

Ah Chou enjoyed the friends he made in the capital, but he preferred staying by Jiang Yan Hui's side. If his identity were to be exposed tomorrow, he wanted to stay by Jiang Yan Hui's side from this moment on.

Ah Chou vaguely sensed that his possessiveness towards Jiang Yan Hui was no less than Jiang Yan Hui's towards him, but before losing his memory, he was too insecure, and after regaining his memory, he was too cautious.

If he could… if he could, he wanted to have a passionate and equal love affair with Jiang Yanhui again, as the prince of Youbu, Losang.

The resentment and gloom that had been lingering in his heart suddenly cleared up as if the clouds had parted. Ah Chou blinked slowly but firmly, and a plan gradually took shape in his mind.

——

Inside the mansion, an elderly man with white hair sat leisurely in the hall, sipping tea. A small wooden box was placed at his feet. He showed no fear despite being in the famous Jiangbei Prince's Mansion, and his expression and demeanor were relaxed and at ease.

Ah Chou glanced at her a couple more times, guessing she was a distinguished guest invited by Jiang Yan Hui. He thought he would go back to the backyard first and wait for Jiang Yan Hui to finish her business before going to find her. As it turned out, Jiang Yan Hui pulled him into the hall, and after listening to their conversation, Ah Chou learned that the old man had been invited to have his voice checked.

As Ah Chou sat down, he felt as if he were in a dream, unreally cooperating with the old man's examination. Every now and then, he would glance at Jiang Yan Hui, who was sitting beside him, and his uneasy heart would find a moment of comfort.

"Young master's hoarseness is due to excessive fright. I will write a prescription, and he should drink it twice a day. He will surely improve." The old man acted decisively, immediately asking for pen and ink. He then earnestly replied to Jiang Yan, "In the end, it is still caused by a knot in your heart. Medicine can only be considered an aid. The most important thing is to resolve the knot in your heart..."

Ah Chou couldn't hear anything else he was saying. All he knew was that one day he would be able to speak again, loudly refute those who attacked him, and personally express to Jiang Yan Hui how happy he was.

Even after the old man left, Ah Chou was still unable to recover from his joy. He subconsciously grasped Jiang Yan Hui's hand, as if touching her would give him endless strength and bring him peace of mind.

Ah Chou looked up at Jiang Yan Hui, her vision blurring before she even realized it, and she didn't know when her eyes had filled with tears.

"Do you want to talk?" Jiang Yan squatted down in front of A Chou, looking directly at the tearful man.

Ah Chou gripped Jiang Yan Hui's hand tightly and nodded firmly.

Jiang Yanhui's smile was so gentle, and her eyes, with their upturned corners and affectionate gaze, only held Ah Chou.

She grasped Ah Chou's sweaty, excited hand in return, and replied with equal determination, "If you want it, I will definitely cure you."

——

Before leaving the capital, Jiang Yan went to the palace to pay homage to His Majesty. Jiang Jingyue was puzzled by her leaving the capital so early, and even thought that it would be easier to walk on the road if she waited until spring.

The ice and snow have not yet melted, and the journey to the even colder Lingzhou is undoubtedly arduous.

Jiang Yanhui did not offer much explanation, but instead presented a letter sent from Lingzhou.

Jiang Jingyue's face turned pale after reading it. Fang Lan, who was serving him, only caught a few words and knew that it was about the You tribe. Her sense of crisis after serving the emperor for decades told her that she should not look at it too much, so she silently looked away and pretended not to know.

Jiang Jingyue's face darkened. He placed his hands on either side of the table, pondered for a moment, and said, "Go now. If there is any unusual activity, be sure to inform me immediately."

The one who was most reluctant to leave the capital was Wang Bo, who didn't know when they would meet again after this parting.

With teary eyes and a sense of melancholy, Wang Bo held Jiang Yan Hui's hand, his cloudy eyes trying to carefully memorize her face. All his words could be summed up in one sentence: he told Jiang Yan Hui to take good care of herself in Lingzhou.

The journey was arduous and difficult, so the emperor dispatched two additional teams of guards to escort her and personally went up to the city tower to see her off, which was quite a show of respect and also a way of telling the officials in the capital that her brotherly bond with Jiang Yanhui was unbreakable.

Snowflakes would occasionally fall, and riding a horse would be faster and less dangerous than using a carriage. However, considering Jiang Yanhui's old ailment and the fact that a civil official, Deng Jiajin, was also returning to Lingzhou, it was decided to bring two carriages with the caravan.

Having spent the New Year with her husband and daughter in the capital, Deng Jiajin's longing for her husband only intensified. She frequently leaned out of the window to look back at the city gate and her family inside the city.

She only hoped that one day Lingzhou would be at peace and the You tribe would submit, so that she could return to the capital to be with her child and watch her grow up year by year.

Perhaps it was because of the cold weather, but Ah Chou's dizziness from the carriage ride was greatly relieved. At least she wasn't as pale-faced and vomiting so badly when she came to the capital.

The weather was terrible, and everyone was only thinking about how to travel safely. The relaxed and pleasant atmosphere before the journey was replaced by a tense atmosphere amidst the tranquility.

Months later, the ice and snow melted, and the air was no longer bitterly cold. Ah Chou leaned out and looked ahead, a joyful smile on his face. He had returned to Lingzhou.