Jade pendant rings
Zhao Peiming walked to the door with the booklet in his hand. The door was ajar, letting in a faint light. He pushed the door open with a smile and saw Jiang Heng reclining on his side at the table. A single candlelight illuminated half of his face, and his undergarments hung loosely on his body, their outlines vaguely visible. When Zhao Peiming entered, Jiang Heng casually raised his eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I've come to deliver the documents to Your Excellency." Zhao Peiming placed the documents on the table, took off his coat and put it next to the heater, then squeezed in to sit down next to Jiang Heng. Outside the window, the sound of icicles cracking could be heard, and the sky was as bright and clear as day.
Do you recognize Tang Yao?
"Consort Li, do you recognize her? Is she the one who brought news from the music troupe?"
“That’s right,” Jiang Heng said, spreading out the household registration document. “About four years ago, the emperor favored a maid. Rumor has it that after giving birth to a prince, the woman hid in Tiansong and may have come to Banrihua with Jin Tao to seek refuge. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, if we can really figure it out, it will be a world-shaking event.”
"You're not angry with me anymore?" Zhao Peiming pulled Jiang Heng into his arms and reached out to play with his eyelashes.
“Let’s get down to business,” Jiang Heng said, grabbing Zhao Peiming’s hand that was trying to make a fuss. “I’m here not only to inspect the situation at Banrihua, but more importantly, to find out about this child.”
“The Emperor ascended the throne a year ago, and Fu Qinxiang has taken control of the harem. This child might be the last imperial heir. We don’t know much about the Empress Dowager’s side, but they are probably searching as well. However, the Hu barbarian invasion three years ago scattered all thirty-two border defense units, and many people fled south during the Tian Song campaign. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” Zhao Peiming said, sitting up straight. “A three or four-year-old child? There aren’t many children in Banrihua to begin with, but the age is clear, and the family background is special…” He quickly browsed the household registers using Jiang Heng’s finger and soon found one. “Look at this child. He’s an abandoned baby and is now the adopted son of the Wang family. Is it possible that he is…”
Jiang Heng looked at the booklet and said, "It's possible that the maid abandoned the child and fled on her own." He placed a bamboo skewer between the pages and let Zhao Peiming continue flipping through the pages. Suddenly, he stopped at another page and asked, "What about this child?"
Zhao Peiming hesitated: "This child is also suspicious. He was originally a refugee, but his mother, Bai Xian, recently married Meng Yuxing, a soldier in our army. As for the rest... there really isn't anyone who fits the bill."
“We’ll visit together tomorrow,” Jiang Heng said.
Zhao Peiming nodded: "Okay... By the way, I've been doing what you instructed me to do for several months now, how can you be so sure that Fu Qinxiang won't notice?"
Jiang Heng didn't answer directly. Instead, he got up, took a chessboard from the bedside table, and gave the black pieces to Zhao Peiming to play first. He then picked up a white piece with his fingertips and said, "I'm not very familiar with Gomoku. You need to win the next game quickly. I'll explain it to you in detail after the game."
Zhao Peiming took out the chess pieces with some skepticism and quickly formed his own formation. Seeing that Jiang Heng was only defending, he set up his pieces according to the quick-win method. Soon, he saw four pieces in a line. He held his breath and watched Jiang Heng make his move, preparing to form a five-piece line.
"I won," Jiang Heng said calmly. The white pieces he pointed to were neatly arranged, five in a row.
Zhao Peiming was somewhat dazed. He pinched the black piece in his palm with his fingers and laughed, "Well said, 'Not familiar with it at all.'"
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "You were too eager to win, and you only thought about quickly connecting your pieces. In the end, you didn't have time to observe your opponent's formation, so you naturally lost."
Zhao Peiming seemed to be deep in thought, then opened his hand and placed the black piece back into the chess jar: "For her, victory is indeed in sight."
"I have learned a lot," Zhao Peiming said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I have been away from the court for a long time and have lost all contact with anyone. Perhaps you could tell me something tonight so that we can cooperate in the future."
“Since the adults have already called, there must be some conditions,” Jiang Heng smiled. “What benefits will the general receive? Tell me.”
Zhao Peiming pulled the man into his arms: "I know General Zhao Peiming of Tiansong. Is it fair that I kidnapped him for you to play with?"
Jiang Heng took the opportunity to hook his arm around Zhao Peiming and whispered a few words in his ear, causing the other man to blush immediately.
“When I talked with Tang Yao last night, she also told me something else—not only was she under the control of Fu Qinxiang, but even the Imperial Guards controlled by her brother Tang Ying had been infiltrated by Fu Hu’s assassins, and there was no way to save them. At this rate, things might change soon next spring. She has also taken control of Chenping Prefecture and Lingze County, using the storm to ask the court for disaster relief grain, colluding with local wealthy merchants to monopolize grain supplies, and making a fortune from tombs. This has already been written about by scholars and sung throughout the land.” Jiang Heng pushed the person away, his voice calm and powerful, as if he had just been possessed by a ghost and had nothing to do with him.
Zhao Peiming was momentarily stunned. After a moment of thought, he said, "I know that her forcing me to volunteer for the Half-Day Flower Garden was a ploy to lure us away from our own territory. It turns out that she not only wanted to dampen the morale of our soldiers, but also wanted to take the opportunity to strengthen herself. How can we allow her to cover up everything?"
“I submitted a memorial impeaching him some time ago, but the Emperor doesn’t have many people he can trust, so he couldn’t find any evidence. I’m just a nobody, and none of the people I know are willing to get involved in this mess. We don’t have much time left.” Jiang Heng raised his hand and separated the black and white pieces on the chessboard, gathering the white pieces to his side.
“I had someone investigate Tang Ying. Tang Yao became the leader of the Imperial Guards shortly after entering the palace. Although he was demoted during that time, he still held important positions and was considered a big figure close to the emperor. His Imperial Guards all practice the Cloud Spear Technique inherited from the royal family,” Zhao Peiming said, tugging at Jiang Heng’s hair. “I am familiar with their moves, but the number of troops on both sides is far too different, so we cannot engage in battle rashly.”
“The assassins Fu Qinxiang raises are just as arrogant as she is. If they forcibly occupy high positions in the Imperial Guard and cause dissatisfaction among their subordinates, their morale will definitely collapse,” Jiang Heng changed the subject. “Before I left, I asked Elder Chen to allocate a batch of supplies, which will arrive soon. Remember to use any surplus to replenish the granary.”
Zhao Peiming's eyes lit up: "Uncle Chen always shows such favoritism to the younger generation. This way, our needs for getting through the winter will be met."
Jiang Heng pulled someone to lie down with him, but he kept tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Zhao Peiming asked softly, "Is something on your mind?" Jiang Heng sighed slightly, "We have no choice but to stir up this huge storm."
"Scared?" Zhao Peiming pressed closer to him. "We are not alone. In the sleepless nights we spend, countless people throughout Dazhao are also hoping. Those who are righteous will find many helpers; there's no need to worry too much." Jiang Heng listened, clutching the other's clothes tightly, and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the sunlight streamed evenly through the window onto Jiang Heng's nose. He slowly opened his eyes, and Zhao Peiming was sitting beside him, carrying a meal and waiting. After they finished eating, they dressed and headed to the Wang family's house in the south of the village.
An old man came out and welcomed the two into the house. The child ran out from the inner room and grabbed Jiang Heng's clothes, wanting to be held. Zhao Peiming placed the rice, grain and cloth on the table and stood aside: "We heard that the Prince has only one son, and we have always wanted to find an opportunity to visit him. Today we have the time and have prepared a small gift. We hope you will accept it."
"General, what are you saying?! It's my blessing that you two would come to see this old man." The old man led the child back, then looked at Jiang Heng's wrinkled clothes and thought to himself that it was fortunate that it wasn't a gold-threaded robe.
"Hui'er greets the General and Young Master, and wishes them good health and a smooth and worry-free life." The child bowed respectfully, her voice tender and loud.
"So clever!" Jiang Heng was pleasantly surprised and bent down to pat the child's head.
“This child is pitiful. That night, I was fleeing towards Yuehu Pass when I heard what sounded like a fox calling in the distance. We had heard that Donglin County was an extremely cold place, and foxes were not very agile. So, we discussed with a few others about catching wild animals to eat. But when we got closer, we found it was a child. My companions used the excuse that it was too dark to tell the child apart and insisted on killing him and eating him. I risked my life to protect him, and that’s how I saved him,” the old man said, picking up the child. “I’ve never had a child in decades, and I’ve cherished him like a treasure.”
“You’ve raised him so well,” Jiang Heng said, taking out some candy from his sleeve and handing it to the old man. “Do you recognize the pattern on this pendant?”
The old man examined the carving in Jiang Heng's hand for a long time, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my, you've come to the right person! This must be a painting of peach blossoms. I'm from Nahai, there's no mistake!" He then sighed, "This carving is truly the work of a master craftsman. It must be very expensive!"
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "To be honest, it was indeed carved by a skilled craftsman."
"Grandpa, I want to eat!" the child suddenly said, grabbing the old man's beard.
"Little darling, let go quickly!" Although the old man was in pain, his face was still full of smiles. Jiang Heng hurriedly stepped forward to coax the child to let go, saying, "Then we won't bother you any longer. If you need anything, you can ask someone to pass on a message at any time."
The two bid farewell to the old man and followed the path toward their other destination.
"This one doesn't look like it."
Jiang Heng rubbed the jade pendant and said, "Hmm. I didn't expect you could carve jade. You're really skillful."
"I practiced it when I was a child. Experts would laugh at it, but adults are too kind."
As they were talking, they arrived at the front of the courtyard. Meng Yuxing was weeding in the courtyard when he saw Peiheng and the other person coming to visit. He put down his sickle and opened the door.
“Governor!” Meng Yuxing then looked at Jiang Heng, “…The Prefect?!”
Jiang Heng nodded and followed him inside.
"My lady! The general and Young Master Jiang have come to see us!"
Bai Xian was embroidering when she hurriedly got up to greet them: "I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please have a seat, and I will go and prepare some tea."
Upon seeing Jiang Heng, Meng Xihuan smiled and said, "It's Brother Jiang Heng! He treated my injuries!"
Jiang Heng hugged him tightly: "Huan'er, right? Do you want to hear a story?"
"Yes!" Meng Xihuan clenched her small fist, her eyes sparkling. Zhao Peiming sat opposite her, also looking serious.
“I remember reading a story in history. It tells of a capital city being besieged. A loyal minister disguised his young master as a beggar and smuggled him out among the refugees, but he himself perished in the flames. This young master later grew up and, with his magnanimity and talent, brought glory to the land. Huan’er, what do you think was so remarkable about this loyal minister? And what was the most difficult thing for the young master?” At this moment, Bai Xian also brought tea and stood to the side, looking at Meng Xihuan.
Meng Xihuan pondered for a moment and said, "The loyal minister made a great sacrifice for the young master and deserves to be called a loyal minister. The young master bears a huge responsibility and started from scratch, so he must have put in a lot of effort!"
Seeing Peiheng and the other woman's shock, Bai Xian explained, "My husband always carries several books on military strategy and history with him, but this child only likes to read history. In our spare time, we teach him a few words."
"A promising talent indeed." Jiang Heng reached for the teacup, but the jade pendant slipped from his sleeve and shattered in two.
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