Separation and Redemption

The roof of the main house was ripped open by the men in black, and rainwater poured in. Combined with the furniture damaged in the fight, it became an uninhabitable ruin.

Actually, it's quick to tidy up, but the original expensive furniture and decorations can't be moved in in a short time. For Jiang Yanhui, who is very picky, it's absolutely impossible for her to move in.

So they arranged for us to rest in another courtyard, which, while not as luxurious as the main courtyard, was still passable.

Jiang Yanhui was not a privileged person who was spoiled by money and power and could not endure any hardship. On the contrary, he spent several nights lying on mounds of earth during military campaigns just to wait for an opportunity. In winter, when military rations were scarce, he would dig up grass roots with his soldiers to boil water to fill their stomachs. He could sleep next to any tree in the wilderness. He was really not someone who could not endure hardship.

However, her picky personality, cultivated since childhood in the palace, meant that she had to have everything go her way to feel comfortable, as long as the conditions were met.

Jiang Yanhui, who hadn't slept all night, had a throbbing nerve in her temple. Lying in bed, she felt no sleepiness whatsoever. After tossing and turning several times, she finally got up and picked up a book to calm her mind.

The sky was overcast, and the pattering rain sounded like pearls falling onto a jade plate, the splashing water mist wetting the hems of passersby's clothes.

Standing in front of the door, Ah Chou hesitated, his fingers slightly curled as he rested on the door panel. After several attempts to mentally prepare himself, he finally took a step forward.

He subconsciously looked towards the bed but saw no one there. Before he could catch his breath, his gaze met that of Jiang Yanhui, who was still sleepy on the bed. Almost instantly, he noticed the gauze wrapped around the other's forearm and his breath hitched.

Jiang Yanhui sank into the soft pillows and blankets, making no attempt to get up. She picked up the book that had fallen beside her and tossed it onto the low table. Her voice, slightly hoarse from just waking up, asked, "Awake?"

Ah Chou nodded. Even though Jiang Yanhui was adjusting her sleeves to cover the glaring white gauze, his gaze still couldn't help but fall on that spot, and his heart ached.

Perhaps out of consideration for Jiang Yan Hui's injury, Ah Chou obediently sat down with a wave of her hand, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes downcast, her pale pink lips pressed into a straight line.

Jiang Yan Hui, who hadn't had enough rest, looked a little pale. Her soft black hair, which was spread across her face, made her look even more beautiful despite her illness. She curled the corners of her mouth slightly and asked, "How much do you still remember?"

Ah Chou's memory ends when Jiang Yan Hui single-handedly fought off countless assassins in black. When he wakes up, he is faced with Xiao Le, whose face is full of worry and fear. Even though Xiao Le says he doesn't know anything, Ah Chou still vaguely guesses that something is strange about it.

Jiang Yan sighed silently, unable to tell whether she felt disappointed or relieved.

Ah Chou tugged at the corner of the gauze peeking out from the cuff with his fingers, his innocent and naive eyes fixed on Jiang Yan Hui with longing. Those expressive eyes had already conveyed his thoughts.

Jiang Yanhui simply rolled up her sleeves and showed them off, observing Ah Chou's subtle expressions, and raised her eyebrows with amusement, "Guess who did this?"

Thud—thud—

Two tears fell onto Jiang Yan Hui's palm, burning her so much that she helplessly curled her hand up, her determined gaze trembling with surprise.

Tears streamed down his cheeks like broken pearls. Ah Chou knew that no matter how much he reminded himself of the vast difference in status between himself and Jiang Yan Hui, he could not control his heart.

When he saw Jiang Yan Hui, his gaze unconsciously followed her. Upon discovering that she was injured, he couldn't help but feel sad and guilty. He wished Jiang Yan Hui could be alright more than himself.

Jiang Yan forced her gaze away from Ah Chou's red eyes, unable to utter the words she was about to say. Frustrated and conflicted, she licked her lower lip and, to save face, made up a story about Lang Rong: "Lang Rong was careless and didn't expect the assassin to fake her death. He was cut while protecting her."

Her eyes, washed clean by tears, were even brighter. Ah Chou sniffed her red nose, completely believing Jiang Yan Hui's words.

Jiang Yan rubbed her hands together in front of her and said irritably, "Wipe your own tears. Do you expect someone else to wipe them for you?"

Ah Chou pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her face haphazardly. Not understanding why Jiang Yan Hui was angry again, she silently got up, wanting to get away so as not to find some strange reason to torment him again.

Before her buttocks had even left the couch, Jiang Yan kicked Ah Chou's lower back with the back of her foot, "My head hurts, rub it for me."

She shifted down onto the round pillow and comfortably closed her eyes.

Believing it to be true, Ah Chou diligently rubbed his palms together to warm them, then sat down, his fair and soft fingertips kneading them gently.

The rain outside the window was still drizzling, but the boredom of being alone was gone. With gentle movements, Jiang Yanhui was finally able to relax and fall into a short, deep sleep.

The Jiangbei Prince's Mansion has its own intelligence network in Lingzhou. There is no information that Jiang Yanhui wants to know that she cannot find out.

In just one day, they found the group that had bought and sold slaves, and by taking advantage of the Jiangbei King's influence in Lingzhou, they successfully obtained useful information.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the leader's description, they found Achou, who was soaking wet, not far from the Duoluo River. At that time, Achou was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and he was fair-skinned and pleasing to the eye, so they took him away. However, after treating him, they found that he was mute, had several external injuries, and was not very bright. They kept him in the team until you redeemed him. The leader couldn't give them any more money."

Jiang Yanhui fiddled with the palm-sized jade pot. Her thick eyelashes obscured her expression, but Aunt Pan, who had served Jiang Yanhui for a long time, could tell that she was in a very bad mood.

"Go and investigate what has happened around Duoluohe in recent years."

Seeing Jiang Yan's resolute attitude, Aunt Pan hesitated to speak.

"What, afraid of finding out something?" Jiang Yan smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes, which were deep and swirling like eddies.

Aunt Pan, "If I may ask, what if there's any controversy surrounding Ah Chou's background? What are your plans, Your Majesty?"

"I bought these people with real money, so naturally they're mine."

——

The gloomy drizzle finally stopped on the evening of the third day, and the fiery red sunset on the horizon created a beautiful scene, attracting passing servants to stop and watch, enjoying the relaxed moment they had enjoyed for many days.

Xiao Le, who was off duty, ran through the rain and jumped onto A Chou's back, hugging his shoulders tightly and whispering, "Do you remember the plan I told you about leaving Lingzhou?"

After a moment of panic, Ah Chou realized that the person who came was Xiao Le. He quickly steadied himself, helped him up, and nodded in response.

"I've found out the conditions for leaving the Prince's mansion. All I have to do is pay back the money I paid to buy us!" Xiao Le calculated the money in his hand, already imagining a wonderful future life, and exclaimed, "The Prince is such a kind person! Other nobles don't treat their servants so well. They either buy them and don't let them redeem them, or they have to pay five or six times the amount to leave."

The conditions for a servant to leave the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion are exceptionally easy, yet over the years, very few servants have actually tried to redeem themselves. Firstly, the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion treats its servants very well; secondly, Lingzhou is far too dangerous, and without real skills, one can only become someone else's prey.

Rather than that, it would be better to live a peaceful life serving in the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion.

Having witnessed the cruelty of the outside world, Ah Chou did not approve of Xiao Le leaving the protection of the Prince's Mansion, but Xiao Le was determined, and as a friend, he should bless and support him.

"Hey, I didn't notice before, when did you get that hairpin in your hair? It looks quite valuable!" Xiao Le teased, fiddling with the dangling pearls. "Judging by the price, it must have been a gift from the King."

Unable to keep a secret, Ah Chou blushed and shyly pulled out her hairpin, hiding it in her sleeve.

"You're shy! Ah Chou, you're actually shy! You don't mean you like...?"

Ah Chou blushed and covered Xiao Le's mouth, glaring at him angrily, as if he would ignore Xiao Le if he continued talking.

"I was wrong, I was wrong." Xiao Le smiled and apologized, then took Ah Chou's arm and bumped it lightly. "Seeing that you are valued by the Prince, I can rest assured even if I leave the Prince's mansion."

When the topic of leaving was brought up again, Ah Chou became somewhat sad.

Xiao Le was the first friend he made at the Prince's Mansion. After leaving the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion, which served as a link between them, he didn't know when they would meet again in the vast world.

The sorrow of parting enveloped the sensitive Ah Chou, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Xiao Le glanced at it, blinked her slightly sore eyes, and tried to comfort her with feigned nonchalance, saying, "I'll write to you once I find a place to stay. Anyway, I think your heart is with the Prince's mansion, and you probably won't be thinking of leaving."

Ah Chou was happy to be able to contact Xiao Le again, but also annoyed that Xiao Le always teased him about Jiang Yan Hui, so he was both laughing and angry.

Xiao Le's determination to leave was an undeniable fact. When he received the indenture from Uncle Ban, his hands trembled uncontrollably, and large tears fell uncontrollably as he wept silently.

Uncle Ban patted him on the shoulder, "No matter what happens in the future, you will have nothing to do with the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion."

Xiao Le felt a moment of emptiness, but it was quickly filled with hope for the future.

Ah Chou, who had rushed all the way, finally arrived at the mansion gate before Xiao Le got on the oxcart. With just a glance, the two embraced tightly, both knowing in their hearts that this might be the last time they would see each other in this life.

"Why did you come all this way to see me off? You made me cry again. I didn't want to cry." Xiao Le wiped her tears and snot and plopped down on the cart.

Before Ah Chou could wipe his face clean, he could see the cattle driver's impatience. He turned his back, took out the money bag hidden in his bosom, and stuffed it into Xiao Le's clothes with lightning speed.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Le lowered his voice. "Even if you're working for Wang Zun, there are still places where you need to bribe people."

Ah Chou shook his head repeatedly, refusing to let Xiao Le push it back.

He understood that compared to being in the Prince's mansion, Xiao Le, being outside, was the one who needed money for everything. He only had this one friend, so how could he not pay more attention to him?

The cattle driver cracked his whip, urging the two to talk quickly and not waste time on the road.

Unable to hold back, Xiao Le burst into tears, clinging tightly to A Chou's hand and refusing to let go. A Chou had no choice but to brush Xiao Le's hand away.

He stood there, listening to the rumble of the wheels, watching his friend getting further and further away, and shed two streams of tears filled with complex emotions.

Just now, Ah Chou truly experienced the bittersweet taste of parting.