Chapter 29 "What does Your Highness intend to do to your subordinates..."
Jiang Fushi, who was quietly following behind Zhan Xiao, was anxiously waiting behind a clump of Xiangfei bamboo in the courtyard. She waited and waited, but instead of the ambiguous sounds she expected, she heard a woman's pained cry and scream.
She was stunned for a moment, her heart filled with doubt and uncertainty. She was about to rush in with Qingdai and two guards when she saw the door open from the inside. Zhanxiao was pressing the scabbard against Xueyi's shoulder, forcing her to kneel on the cold ground in the courtyard.
"Your Highness..." Xueyi turned pale upon seeing the person who arrived, and stammered, "Save...save this humble woman..."
Xueyi was someone Lou Bingling found to help set a trap; she wasn't a servant girl, but a singing girl from the Grand Commandant's mansion.
Zhan Xiao didn't glance at Xue Yi; his deep gaze pierced through the night, landing directly on Jiang Fushi's face. His voice was calm, each word clear:
"Your Highness, there is no need to test your subordinate again and again."
Jiang Fushi's heart skipped a beat, feeling embarrassed as if she had been caught red-handed. She immediately retorted, "So what? I was indeed testing you. Is that not allowed?"
"Yes, Your Highness may do whatever you wish to me."
He answered without the slightest hesitation. This completely submissive attitude left Jiang Fushi speechless, her strength failing her, and she was momentarily at a loss for words.
She stood there, a night breeze swept by, the coolness calming her feverish mind a little.
Yes, her outburst of anger made her look foolish and unbecoming of a princess.
She was a princess, a queen, and he was a subject. She was willing to do anything for him.
So what if we test each other? It's perfectly natural.
She slightly raised her chin, adopting a cold expression. "Fine. I'll remember your words. If you ever contradict yourself in the future, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhan Xiao remained calm: "Yes, Your Highness."
He sheathed his sword, and Xueyi, as if granted a pardon, scrambled to his feet. The eunuch quickly stepped forward to take him away and escorted him out of the mansion that very night.
After all that commotion, Jiang Fushi felt utterly exhausted. She returned to her bedchamber, only to find a figure in black silently following her not far behind. She stopped and turned around, annoyed. "What are you doing following me again?"
Zhan Xiao stopped a few steps away: "It is my duty to protect Your Highness's safety."
Jiang Fushi felt inexplicably annoyed by his businesslike manner, so she turned her face away, unwilling to pay him any more attention, and left.
As the Double Ninth Festival approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder.
The charcoal fire inside the sleeping quarters was burning brightly, making it warm and cozy.
After taking a bath, Jiang Fushi, dressed in her nightgown, nestled on the soft couch to read a medical book. This was "Detailed Explanation of the Thousand Gold Prescriptions" that Lou Bingling had brought her last time. She already knew the book by heart, but she didn't expect to make new discoveries when she read it again.
There was a prescription for stopping bleeding and promoting tissue regeneration, which she hadn't noticed before.
She became more and more interested in watching it, and even thought about getting up to try it out, but the weather was too cold, so she retreated back into the quilt.
It wasn't until Qingdai reminded her that it was almost midnight that she reluctantly put down the book in her hand, asked the maid to blow out most of the candles, leaving only a lamp burning in the corner of the wall, and prepared to go to sleep.
Perhaps the ginseng and black chicken soup she had been simmering tonight wasn't cooked long enough, because Jiang Fushi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and her mouth was dry. She sat up and saw a pot of cold tea on the low table by her bedside. Without thinking twice, she poured herself a cup and drank it down.
The cool tea soothed her throat, temporarily relieving the heat, but also made her more alert. Suddenly, she heard a very faint sound of something cutting through the air.
Jiang Fushi looked out the window with a puzzled expression. Through the crack, she saw a tall, upright figure practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. Snowflakes fluttered down, melting upon touching the ground. The swirling sword light flowed like moonlight, enveloping him in a soft glow.
Only then did she notice that the man's sword hilt was inlaid with a piece of emerald green jade in the very center, which was quite special.
She knew nothing about swords or martial arts.
But she inexplicably felt that this person's martial arts skills were unfathomable and had reached a state of perfection.
Just like before my eyes, the sword light and the snow light intertwine, seemingly perfectly natural, making it impossible to distinguish which is the sword shadow and which is the flying snow.
Jiang Fushi was stunned until the other party withdrew his sword and turned around.
Two gazes suddenly collided in the chilly air.
He showed no embarrassment at being exposed; his deep eyes, illuminated by the snow and moon, were as calm as a deep pool.
He just stared at her quietly.
Jiang Fushi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately wanted to avoid it, but then she heard the person say, "Your Highness, it's a cold night in the snow."
“…Mm.” She responded, closed the window, and returned to her bedchamber.
The biting cold air that had seeped through the window earlier had lessened the heat on her face. Now, as soon as she lay down on the bed, she felt a deep sense of drowsiness wash over her. Perhaps it was because she subconsciously felt that there were reliable people guarding the door, which made her feel especially at ease. Before long, she drifted off to sleep.
...
October is almost over, the time to welcome winter.
Some time before the Winter Ceremony, Jiang Fushi received the regulations and documents from the Imperial Household Department.
The Winter Ceremony is an important celebration held regularly at the turn of autumn and winter. It is an important royal social event, and it is customary to invite the families of important officials to attend.
Therefore, not only will she attend, but Lou Bingling, as the daughter of the Grand Commandant, will also be present. Li Wanru, who has a grudge against her, as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongjia and the niece of Consort Li, will also definitely attend. In short, it will be a lively event that creates opportunities for princes, princesses, and scions of noble families to form marriage alliances and make connections.
The annual Winter Welcome Ceremony lasts for four days. The first day is for arrival and settlement, and an opening banquet. The second day is for the children of each family to enjoy the garden, poetry and wine. The third day is for competitions such as polo and archery. The fourth day is the most anticipated royal hunt.
Jiang Fushi only ever watched the hunts and never participated, mainly because there was no one in her household who was truly skilled in riding and archery and could protect her as she entered the hunting grounds.
On the day of departure, the royal guard marched out of the palace gates in a grand procession.
Because Jiang Fushi lived outside the palace, her carriage departed directly from the princess's residence and joined the royal procession halfway there.
Following them was the princess's magnificent carriage and her exceptionally conspicuous entourage.
When the convoy reached a narrow section of road near a cliff, a wild cat suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling the horses. In an instant, the horses reared up with neighing and then dragged the carriage towards the cliff in a frenzy!
Jiang Fushi was jostled about inside the carriage, her forehead slamming heavily against the carriage wall. A sharp pain shot through her, and she heard the screams of the maids and the cracking of the wood beneath the weight.
Just then, a figure leaped onto the carriage, cut the noose, and caught Jiang Fushi inside just before the carriage plunged off the cliff, bringing her to a landing in mid-air.
Amidst the jolts, Jiang Fushi tightly gripped the clothes of the person in front of her until her feet firmly touched solid ground, only then did she realize that she was being held tightly in someone's arms.
Zhan Xiao released his arms from hers and took a step back. "This subordinate was rude."
Jiang Fushi was still in shock and didn't care about formalities. Her legs went weak and she swayed. Fortunately, Qingdai caught her quickly and looked her up and down: "Your Highness, are you hurt anywhere?"
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that her magnificent palace dress had been torn in several places, and her exposed elbows were also bruised and swollen, making her look quite disheveled. Fortunately, however, they were all just superficial injuries.
The problem was that their carriage was completely destroyed and blocked the road, forcing the princess's convoy behind them to stop as well.
The ornate carriage curtain was lifted by a well-maintained hand.
"What happened up ahead?" Princess Jiang Yu's languid voice came from ahead.
Zisu hurriedly ran forward to apologize and explain the situation: "Your Highness, my princess's carriage was damaged by a wild cat that startled the horse, blocking the road. I am truly sorry!"
"Oh?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow slightly: "Take me to see what's going on."
Jiang Yu got out of the car and walked a few steps leisurely. He saw Jiang Fushi, who looked a little disheveled, and the cold-looking guard beside her.
"Your Majesty," Jiang Fushi bowed, "I've delayed your journey."
In the years since Jiang Fushi returned to the capital, although the Princess was not particularly warm towards her, she never deliberately made things difficult for her. When they met, compared to other sycophants, the Princess was always quite friendly towards her.
Jiang Yu's gaze swept over her for a moment, then he clicked his tongue and said, "Look at this poor little thing, the carriage is ruined, does she expect to walk to the hunting grounds? Come on up, ride with me."
She took Jiang Fushi's hand and instructed the nanny to fetch medicine for her wounds. "Let's go to my carriage. It's a long journey, so it's good to chat with Auntie to relieve her boredom."
"Then I'll have to trouble Your Highness." Jiang Fushi nodded obediently, letting Jiang Yu take her with him.
The princess's carriage was extremely spacious and luxurious, much more spacious than hers. However, as soon as she stepped onto it, she saw two handsome men with gentle demeanors inside, presumably the male concubines that were rumored to be her lovers.
As far as she knew, the princess's ex-husband was the only son of the late General Zhenguo, named Meng Ye.
This man inherited his family's title and held an important position in the army; he was originally a promising prince consort.
However, three years ago, after a palace banquet, he got drunk and lost control. He loudly criticized his father, the emperor, in the imperial garden. Every word he said was overheard by the eunuchs and reported to the emperor.
The emperor was furious, denounced his arrogance, and immediately stripped him of his title and imprisoned him.
In the end, the emperor spared Meng Ye's life, considering the loyalty of the entire Meng family and that Meng Ye was indeed talking nonsense while drunk. However, he was stripped of all his official positions, demoted to a commoner, and exiled three thousand miles away.
Three days after Meng Ye was convicted, Princess Jiang Yu, dressed in mourning clothes, personally entered the palace and pleaded with His Majesty to allow her to divorce Meng Ye, citing her "failure to properly educate her husband and her shame at being unable to retain the title of princess." She requested to remain at home to reflect on her mistakes.
After that, the emperor not only did not punish him, but also took pity on his great sense of righteousness and bestowed upon him generous estates and treasures as a form of consolation.
From then on, although the princess was relieved of the burden of the prince consort's mansion, she truly gained freedom. In her spare time, she kept male concubines, traveled to mountains and rivers, and lived a more unrestrained and carefree life than before.
"You may all leave now," Jiang Yu said casually, waving his hand.
The two male lovers quietly bowed and got out of the car.
Jiang Fushi glanced subconsciously in the direction they left, and Jiang Yu smiled faintly, her red lips curving upwards, "What, looking at them so intently? Do you want your aunt to let you play with them for the night?"
These sudden, impudent words startled Jiang Fushi, causing her cheeks to flush red. She waved her hands repeatedly, and only when she saw Jiang Yu laugh did she realize that her aunt was teasing her.
Jiang Yu said, "Silly child, I was just teasing you. You are not yet married. If this were really the case, His Majesty would probably punish me for leading you astray."
"Sit closer, let me apply the medicine for you." She patted the seat next to her.
Jiang Fushi moved over somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, I can do it myself."
"Don't move." Jiang Yu brushed her hand away. "Why are you being so polite with your aunt?" He then pulled up her sleeve, applied some ointment to her fingertip, and gently applied it.
"This ointment is a miraculous medicine from the Western Regions. Your little injury looks scary with its bruises, but it will be healed in less than two days," Jiang Yu said as he applied the ointment.
"You've been making quite a splash lately," Jiang Yu said, changing the subject as he looked up at her. "Rumor has it that you chose a skilled and handsome bodyguard for the arena. Was it that one just now?"
“Aunt has also heard these rumors…” Jiang Fushi said with a slight embarrassment, “They are just rumors spread outside. I have only recently encountered danger and have no one to rely on, so I had no choice but to resort to this tactic to protect myself.”
Jiang Yu continued working, smiled knowingly, and then lowered his voice:
"However, you should indeed be careful."
“Choosing bodyguards in the arena, being rescued from danger in the street… This is attracting so much attention, I’m afraid some people,” she paused meaningfully, “won’t tolerate any nonsense.”
Jiang Fushi was slightly surprised. The princess's words were veiled, but the meaning was all too clear.
She lowered her head and said softly, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."
"Alright." Jiang Yu released her. "Be careful not to get it wet for the next two days."
Looking at Jiang Fushi's calm and composed profile, she suddenly sighed softly: "You still have such a calm and indifferent nature. But this palace is a den of iniquity. You can't just hide and endure. You have to stand up for yourself and find someone to rely on."
“You’re getting on in years,” Jiang Yu’s tone became somewhat profound. “This winter’s celebration will be attended by the most outstanding young talents in the capital. Your father… might also be considering the marriage of his princess at this time.”
Jiang Fushi's heart tightened, and her fingertips curled slightly.
She had never seriously considered marriage. In her view, she might not wait until that time; once she seized the opportunity, she would definitely escape this golden cage.
Besides, as a princess, her marriage was never her own decision; she was merely a tool used by her father to maintain control of the court and to win over powerful officials. Even if she had someone she liked, what could she do?
Jiang Yu's words left her speechless, so she lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "My niece's marriage is to be decided by my father and the Empress."
"Heh... Empress."
Jiang Yu's voice was cold. Jiang Fushi looked up in surprise and saw that Jiang Yu's face was calm, but a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
"You know in your heart how the Empress treats you." Her tone was calm, but her words were clear. "Remember what your aunt told you today. This Winter Ceremony is your opportunity. A princess with a powerful husband's family will make some people more hesitant to act against her."
Jiang Fushi was startled and stared at her blankly, somewhat surprised that the Princess would speak so frankly to her. Judging from her tone, it seemed that she and the Empress had long been at odds and harbored deep resentment.
"Alright," Jiang Yu resumed his usual lazy expression, leaning back on the cushion. "Let's rest. We still have a long way to go."
It was early afternoon when we arrived at the Royal Hunting Ground Palace.
Jiang Fushi's residence was arranged in a separate courtyard called Lanyue Pavilion. The location wasn't the best, but it was quiet and elegant, separated from the courtyards of Princess Yuyao and other core members of the royal family by a bamboo grove. So, after the eldest princess dropped her off there, she was led by a palace attendant to the deeper and more luxurious main hall area.
Entering Lanyue Pavilion, Jiang Fushi glanced around and was fairly satisfied. After quickly settling her belongings, it was nearly dusk.
The opening banquet was about to begin, and worried that they would be late, Qingdai whispered a reminder that it was time to change.
After changing into her palace attire and redoing her makeup, Jiang Fushi slowly walked out of the courtyard gate. Just as she stepped outside, she encountered Lou Bingling on the bluestone path.
"I estimated the time and waited here for Your Highness to go together." As she spoke, Lou Bingling glanced at Zhan Xiao, who was standing half a step behind the princess, her eyes full of curiosity and inquiry.
Jiang Fushi understood and nodded slightly. The two of them boarded the sedan chairs heading to the banquet hall.
Once the sedan curtains were drawn, isolating her from the outside world, Lou Bingling lowered her voice and asked, "Xueyi has been crying ever since she came back that day. When asked what happened, she couldn't explain clearly, only saying that she offended His Highness and that Guard Zhan. Today, we must ask His Highness, what exactly happened that day?"
Jiang Fushi shook her head and briefly recounted how Zhan Xiao had seen through her probing and spoken frankly that day.
Lou Bingling gasped upon hearing this, then couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "This...this person is so direct? He's really something else."
"However, on the way here, I heard that Your Highness's horse had sprung a fright, and it was that man who bravely protected you. It seems that although he is cold and hard-hearted, he puts your safety first, so he can be considered a loyal and reliable person."
"Hmm..." Jiang Fushi pondered, neither confirming nor denying.
Before long, they arrived at the brightly lit banquet hall, where guests were gradually arriving.
There was still some time before the banquet, and neither the Emperor nor the Empress had arrived yet. So, everyone gathered in twos and threes to exchange pleasantries. Jiang Fushi found a seat near a corner and had just sat down when she saw Princess Yuyao gracefully approaching, surrounded by a group of noble ladies. Everyone bowed and greeted her, and Jiang Fushi also stood up to return the greeting.
"Royal elder sister," she greeted politely.
After a period of rest, Yu Yao's complexion and the red rashes and itching marks on her body have subsided. Now, with exquisite makeup and gorgeous clothes, she looks radiant.
She glanced at Jiang Fushi, then her gaze was quickly drawn to the silent yet prominent man behind her. Her eyes held undisguised scrutiny and criticism. After a moment, she snorted coldly, "I heard that you went to great lengths to choose a bodyguard, and now it seems you are indeed extraordinary and quite handsome."
Upon hearing this, the noble ladies surrounding Yu Yao covered their mouths and chuckled, their gazes shifting back and forth between Zhan Xiao and Yu He, full of mockery.
Li Wanru also stepped forward gracefully. Whether it was due to unbearable bitterness or genuine belief, she deliberately raised her voice so that everyone around could hear her, her tone full of disdain:
"Your Highness, a man's abilities cannot be judged solely by his appearance. A pretty face is useless; Your Highness should not be deceived by his looks and jeopardize your own safety."
Jiang Fushi frowned slightly, gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, and felt a surge of anger in her heart.
Li Wanru's words were clearly meant to provoke trouble, and she was about to retort.
Just then, a bird's cry came from the sky. A gray sparrow was flying over their heads.
No one saw how Zhan Xiao moved; they only felt a barely perceptible sword aura pierce through the air, so fast it seemed like an illusion.
The gray sparrow's flight path remained unchanged; it continued to flap its wings and fly into the distance without uttering a single cry. However, a grayish-brown feather was neatly broken in two, swirling leisurely before landing right in front of Li Wanru's shoe.
Zhan Xiao remained standing half a step behind Jiang Fushi, his posture upright, as if he had never moved.
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared in horror at the feather that had been precisely severed, their earlier mockery and contempt frozen on their faces.
Even Jiang Fushi was startled, awestruck by the incredible swordsmanship. She subconsciously glanced back at the man, but he remained calm and composed, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust.
She looked at Li Wanru, whose face had turned pale, and asked, "Miss Li, did you see clearly?"
She raised her chin and said bluntly, "My guards are used to letting their swords do the talking. Whether his sword can protect me is none of your concern. As for whether it's pleasing to the eye..."
She paused slightly, her tone turning contemptuous: "My people naturally possess both beauty and martial prowess. I'm afraid the guards at Miss Li's residence cannot learn that."
Li Wanru was speechless, her face alternating between pale and flushed. Under the varied gazes of the crowd, she could no longer stand and retreated into the throng.
Feeling bored, everyone made excuses to disperse. Yu Yao glared coldly at Jiang Fushi before turning away, filled with resentment.
Lou Bingling then leaned closer and exclaimed in a low voice, "Your Highness, you've really... struck gold!"
Jiang Fushi was very surprised.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly cold man was so quick-witted and defused a crisis so easily.
She turned to look at him: "You are... quite clever."
"It's my duty," Zhan Xiao replied calmly.
Soon, the banquet began.
Inside the magnificent hall, gilded palace lanterns hung high. Royal family members and dignitaries took their seats according to their rank.
According to the rules, guards and secret agents were not allowed to enter such banquet occasions and could only wait outside the hall. So Jiang Fushi sat alone in her assigned seat.
Before long, the sound of the imperial carriage arriving came from outside the palace, and everyone quickly stood up and stood at attention.
The emperor picked up the wine cup on the imperial table and said some words of encouragement to his court officials, hoping for peace and prosperity for the country in the coming year. The empress also added a few auspicious words. As soon as she finished speaking, musicians outside the palace played their instruments, and palace maids dressed in dancing costumes entered in single file, lifting their skirts. The grand song and dance performance then began.
For a time, the hall was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and joy, a scene of harmony and happiness.
Jiang Fushi sat alone in a corner. As a princess of the royal family, even though she was not favored, her seat was arranged in a conspicuous place. This "honor" made her feel even more lonely. Several noble ladies at the next table were chatting and laughing together, glancing in her direction from time to time with a hint of estrangement in their eyes. When the ladies of the court officials were talking, few of them took the initiative to speak to her.
When the singing and dancing stopped and the toasting session began, Yuyao indeed carried a wine glass and walked over gracefully, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the neighboring tables to hear clearly:
“Sister Yuhe, you have been frightened today. However, your guard’s intimate contact with you in public, even though it was to save you, was still improper. A young lady’s reputation is of utmost importance. Sister, you must be more careful in the future and not give others anything to gossip about.”
Upon hearing this, the laughter and chatter at the nearby tables immediately subsided, and many eyes, some openly and some covertly, turned towards them, creating a subtle atmosphere of anticipation for a good show.
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