Chapter 76 Chapter 76 "Then divorce me without mercy..."
It was getting colder in late autumn, and Jiang Ci stayed in the house without going out. She always hated windy days. At this moment, she was leaning on the couch and flipping through a storybook.
She listened to Wanniang's report: on the first day, Ji Yang had arrived through the main gate, bearing a visiting card, his expression solemn. However, the guard at the gate was respectful yet indifferent. He returned the card unopened, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "I'm sorry, Commander-in-Chief, but you won't be able to see any guests these days."
Ji Yang pursed his lips and said nothing, just stood outside the door for a long time, but ultimately returned empty-handed.
Jiang Ci snorted, "He wants to see me with just a visiting card. What does he think I am? He's dreaming. Don't pay any attention to him, Wanniang."
Wanniang nodded, refilled Jiang Ci's tea, and said, "Don't worry, young lady. No one will let him in without your approval."
Jiang Ci turned over and said, "That's fine."
The second day.
In the early morning, a layer of cold fog lingered outside the mansion.
Ji Yang came again. He no longer sent letters, but just stood quietly guarding behind the stone lions beside the door.
Finally, he waited until the gate of the mansion opened, and saw Wanniang carrying a bamboo basket, about to go out to buy things.
He hurried forward, blocking her path. With a very humble attitude, he whispered, almost pleadingly, "Wan Niang, please let her know for me. I...I just need to say a few words to her."
Seeing a faint green shadow under his eyes, Wanniang sighed inwardly, but her face still wore that polite yet distant smile. She shook her head and said, "General, why are you doing this? Our daughter said that she has a rare few days of peace and quiet. Please don't disturb her peace."
Seeing that words wouldn't convince her, Ji Yang made up his mind and handed over the gifts he had prepared. They were all gifts he had painstakingly found, including her favorite small ornaments, the newly released chestnut cakes from Xu Ji in the south of the city, and even a jade pendant with a smooth texture and intricate carving of a dragon.
"These... please ask Wanniang to pass them on for me."
Wanniang glanced at the things. Although she took them, she just put them on the windowsill of the gatehouse and declined with a smile: "The governor is really too polite. But I'm afraid these things are of no use to me."
The rejection implied in his words was clear as day.
Just then, footsteps were heard from inside the mansion. It was Jiang Huaice, who was about to go out for a walk. He saw Ji Yang lingering at the door from afar, and his expression immediately turned cold.
Thinking of what his daughter had said to him with red eyes a few days ago, and thinking of the heartbreaking divorce letter, Jiang Huaice's anger suddenly rose.
Without a word, he looked around, picked up a large broom leaning against the door, strode over, pointed at Ji Yang's nose and cursed: "You Ji Yang! How dare you come here? Who told you to come! My daughter said she doesn't want to see you, get out of here!"
As he spoke, the broom hit Ji Yang without any hesitation.
Ji Yang was stunned by the sudden situation and forgot to dodge, allowing the dusty broom to sweep the corner of his robe, looking embarrassed.
He didn't fight back, nor did he make any excuses, but he looked a little dazed. After a moment, he seemed to have finally come to terms with the reality, and knowing he was in the wrong, he restrained all his aura.
He silently took a few steps back to avoid the waving broom, then faced the furious Jiang Huaice, bowed solemnly with his fists clasped, and whispered, "...Sorry for bothering you."
After saying that, he turned around and retreated to the other side of the street, standing far away and not moving forward anymore.
Seeing him like this, Jiang Huaice grew even more smug. He slammed his broom to the ground, turned to the servants peeking into the mansion, and shouted in a full-throated voice, "Did you see that? Even if he's the Governor of Dongyang, he has to make way for me at the gate of my Governor's Mansion! Humph, I can only count on my daughter's help in my life!"
As the night deepened, the autumn rain did not stop, but grew heavier, dripping water on the dark tiles and eaves.
Ji Yang, however, never left. He stood there, letting the cold rain wet his hair and soak through his clothes, just waiting for Jiang Ci to see him.
Raindrops slid down his cheeks, and it was hard to tell whether they were rain or something else. He never moved, and his back looked particularly lonely and stubborn in the night and rain.
It was not until late at night that Wanniang, holding a lantern, patrolled the courtyard and heard the servants say that Ji Yang was still outside. Only then did she realize that Ji Yang was still getting wet in the rain outside the house.
She hurried back to Jiang Ci's room and reported in a low voice, "Miss, the commander-in-chief... Commander-in-chief Ji is still outside in the rain! He's been out in the rain since dusk, and it's probably been two hours!"
Jiang Ci was sitting in front of the window, listening to the lingering sound of rain outside, and his heart was already a little confused.
Hearing this, she frowned slightly, as if a little impatient. After all, she walked to the counter, picked up a plain oil-paper umbrella, and handed it to Wanniang. Her voice was cold and calm, "Give this umbrella to him. You only need to take one message and say... My girl will send a message when she wants to see you. Please go back, Governor."
Wanniang took the umbrella and looked at Jiang Ci's calm and almost cold profile, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
I'm afraid this governor will suffer.
Holding an umbrella, she walked towards the gate of the mansion in the rain, handed the umbrella to Ji Yang, and repeated Jiang Ci's original words. Ji Yang took the umbrella, and his deep eyes seemed even darker in the rainy night.
He didn't say anything, but just held the umbrella tightly and stood in the rain for a long time.
On the morning of the third day, the autumn rain had just stopped and a hint of white appeared on the horizon. The air was filled with the unique moisture and freshness after the rain, which made people feel refreshed.
Jiang Ci woke up early in the morning and opened the window to see fallen leaves piled in the courtyard, wet from the rain and now a deep brown. She walked out of the house and didn't see the familiar figure outside the governor's residence. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the worry on her brow dissipated a little.
"The rain has stopped today. I want to eat some chestnut cake and burn some incense for my mother at the temple." Jiang Ci said to Wanniang who came to meet him, his voice carrying a long-lost sense of ease.
Seeing that her expression finally relaxed, Wanniang happily responded, "Okay, I'll do as you wish."
The master and servant rode in a carriage, slowly driving on the streets of Zichuan City.
As the carriage passed through an alley covered with fallen sycamore leaves, Jiang Ci suddenly sneezed lightly. Wanniang immediately asked with concern, "Miss, you stood in the corridor for too long last night. Did you catch a cold?"
Jiang Ci shook his head lightly, raised his hand and rubbed the tip of his nose, his smile not reaching his eyes: "Maybe it's just the autumn wind, it's not a big deal."
The carriage arrived in front of the chestnut cake stall. Jiang Ci opened the small window to get some fresh air. His eyes casually swept across the distance, but suddenly stopped. The figure was Ji Yang. What was he doing here?
He was standing near a half-dead old tree at this time. Just when Jiang Ci was stunned, a child's scream came from not far away. A naughty child climbed up the tree to play, but slipped and was about to fall from the tree.
In an instant, Ji Yang leaped forward, firmly embracing the child in mid-air, and then carefully lowered him down. The child's mother rushed over upon hearing the noise, and upon seeing this scene, her face, filled with fear, turned to relief. She thanked Ji Yang profusely, but Ji Yang simply nodded, his expression unperturbed.
Jiang Ci took it all in and silently rolled down the car window.
"Girl, do you still want to eat chestnut cake?" Wanniang's voice came from the side, breaking the silence in the carriage.
"Eat." Jiang Ci responded softly, his tone returning to its usual calmness.
At this time, Ji Yang had already walked to the chestnut cake stall. He whispered to the boss to pack a few chestnut cakes and wrap them carefully with clean oil paper.
He turned around and was about to walk towards the governor's mansion, but unexpectedly, he saw Jiang Ci who had just got off the carriage.
He was slightly startled, then took a long step forward. He handed the chestnut cake in his hand to Jiang Ci, and his voice was a little low, but with a hint of embarrassment: "It's just right, I bought this for you."
Jiang Ci looked at his hand suspended in mid-air, hesitated for a long time, and finally turned his head and whispered to Wan Niang: "Wan Niang." Wan Niang understood, stepped forward and carefully took the oil paper bag from Ji Yang's hand.
Jiang Ci didn't even glance at him, and turned around to get on the carriage.
Ji Yang remained where she was. Just as Jiang Ci was about to step into the carriage, she didn't look back. Instead, she said in a calm voice, "Don't you have something to say to me? Why don't you follow me?"
As soon as these words came out, the dark layer in Ji Yang's eyes suddenly brightened up. He immediately followed, striding forward with his long legs and jumping onto the front seat of the carriage. The coachman was about to pull the reins, but Ji Yang had already taken them from him. He turned sideways and asked in a somewhat anxious and inquiring voice, "Where do you want to go?"
Jiang Ci glanced at him and said calmly, "Purple Cloud Temple."
Ji Yang was unfamiliar with Zichuan and Liangzhou. Upon hearing this, he paused awkwardly, then returned the reins to the driver, saying only, "Go to Ziyun Temple."
He was about to say something when Jiang Ci's cold voice interrupted him again, as if he knew what he was going to say: "I have to burn incense for my mother today. Whatever you want to say, wait until I finish."
Ji Yang could only hold back his words and responded softly, "Okay."
Inside the carriage, Jiang Ci opened the oil-paper package, picked up a piece of golden chestnut cake, and gently put it into his mouth.
Ziyun Temple is located on the outskirts of the city, built against the mountain, with towering ancient trees and lingering Buddhist music.
Along the way, the atmosphere in the carriage was silent. Ji Yang sat next to the coachman and wanted to say something several times, but Jiang Ci never opened his mouth. He could only admire the scenery outside Zichuan City.
Arriving in front of the temple gate, the carriage stopped. Ji Yang also jumped out of the car swiftly, and Wan Niang also got out. Ji Yang stretched out his hand, wanting to help, but Jiang Ci came out and ignored him. Ji Yang had no choice but to withdraw his hand and follow silently.
Ziyun Temple is very popular, with a constant stream of visitors and believers, but because of its quiet location, it appears solemn and peaceful.
Jiang Ci entered the main hall while Wanniang went to find some incense and candles. She took three sticks of incense, clasped her hands together, and with a solemn expression, she knelt reverently on the cushion and bowed deeply to the Buddha statue.
Ji Yang was standing not far away, looking at her quietly through the crowd.
After burning the incense, Jiang Ci stood up and inserted the incense into the incense burner. She did not turn around immediately, but stood in front of the incense burner, gazing at the rising green smoke, as if she could see her mother's voice and smile through the smoke.
"Girl." Wanniang called softly.
Jiang Ci came to his senses and went to donate some money to Ziyun Temple.
Ji Yang did not go with her, but stopped in front of the Buddha and stared quietly at the tablet on the altar.
The hall was quiet. He held the incense reverently, bowed deeply, and said: "I will never leave Jiang Ci again in this life. I swear to protect her until death. She is the only one in my heart. If I disobey, I will be punished by heaven and earth and die a miserable death."
His voice was extremely soft, each word etched with solemnity, yet Jiang Ci, returning from the side door, happened to hear it. She paused slightly, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up in her heart. She quietly suppressed it and turned to leave the hall.
She came to an ancient prayer tree behind the temple. The tree was hung with red prayer ribbons, dancing in the wind. Jiang Ci took out a pre-prepared red silk ribbon from his sleeve and wrote a prayer on it.
The handwriting is elegant, with her unique style.
As she finished writing, Ji Yang followed. He saw the beautiful handwriting on the silk ribbon, his eyes fixed on it, and he softly recited, "May the four seas be at peace, wars cease, and all living beings be at peace." When he said "all living beings," Ji Yang's lips suddenly curled up in a faint smile. He thought, this "all living beings" should also include him.
Jiang Ci was about to hang the silk ribbon on the tree branch, but Ji Yang took the initiative to step forward, took the silk ribbon from her hand, jumped lightly, and hung the silk ribbon on the highest branch, which was higher than all the other prayer ribbons.
He landed steadily, looked at Jiang Ci, and said in a gentle voice: "The higher you hang it, the more spiritual it is."
Jiang Ci did not refuse his kindness, but said to Wan Niang: "Wan Niang, please go back to the carriage and wait for me. I have something to say to the governor."
Upon hearing this, Wanniang looked at Jiang Ci, then at Ji Yang, and understood. She responded and retreated, walking towards the carriage, leaving the space for the two of them.
In the temple, Jiang Ci and Ji Yang walked side by side.
"If the governor has something to say, just say it." Jiang Ci spoke first in a calm voice.
Ji Yang stopped and turned to face her, his eyes deep and complicated.
He took a deep breath and said, "I know why you asked me to take a concubine that day. I guess it was because Chu Yao was pregnant. She accused me and told you that I had an affair. Jiang Ci, I swear, that child is not mine. I have never touched her. That child is Yue Bai's."
Hearing this, Jiang Ci sneered, with obvious sarcasm in his eyes: "I saw her come out of your room with my own eyes, her clothes were disheveled."
Ji Yang's face froze, and then a trace of pain and regret flashed in his eyes: "That day I asked Yue Bai to change my clothes, but she broke in by herself, and I chased her out. In such a short time, I shouldn't be so useless..." After saying this, Jiang Ci glared at Ji Yang.
Ji Yang quickly changed the subject: "But why she would do such a thing, I was completely puzzled at the time. I swear, I have never had any thoughts about any woman other than you, not even a glance. I have already investigated this matter thoroughly. Yue Bai was also driven out of the mansion, and Chu Yao was sold. You can go to the Dongyang Marquis's mansion to ask around, this matter is absolutely true."
Jiang Ci's eyes moved slightly, but still with a hint of displeasure: "Then you will divorce me without mercy?"
Hearing this, Ji Yang's eyes flashed with sadness, and his voice was filled with a bit of grievance: "Didn't you tell me to divorce you and let you go?"
After hearing this, Jiang Ci glared at him fiercely, his eyes filled with anger. "I asked you to divorce me, and you divorced me? You didn't even ask why. You're so careless. You keep saying you love me, but then you write a divorce letter just because of a few angry words. Ji Yang, are you really that heartless?"
Ji Yang's face turned pale in an instant. He took a step forward and wanted to grab her hand, but restrained himself and stopped in mid-air.
He looked at her angry eyes, his eyes gradually turned red, and his voice became choked: "That day...that day I..."
He took another deep breath, his voice filled with unspeakable grief. "Zhong Si, my good brother who fought alongside me for seven years, he... he was killed. The Dongyang army suffered heavy losses, and he had a babbling child. I don't know how to explain this to his wife. My mind is in a mess, and my heart is broken. I wish so much that at that moment, you could come, sit by my side, and talk to me for a few words... even if it was just to keep me company."
He finally choked up and lowered his head.
Jiang Ci was speechless for a moment, feeling something gently blocking his chest. So, that day, something unexpected had happened.
Ji Yang's voice was hoarse, suppressing his emotions, and whispered, "But when you came in, without asking why, you just asked me to take a concubine. My heart was already broken. On one side was my brother's coffin, and on the other was you. I lost control for a moment and did something stupid. But from beginning to end, I never thought of separating from you."
Jiang Ci looked at him with slightly red eyes, showing a rare fragility at this moment, which made people feel pity for him.
Ji Yang took out a tiger-head amulet from his arms. The amulet was a little worn out from being rubbed by him, but one could still see its exquisite workmanship.
He handed the amulet to Jiang Ci, his voice trembling: "When I was fighting in Qingzhou, whenever I thought of you, I would look at it. Looking at it, I felt that you were waiting for me to come home. No matter what, I couldn't fall down."
Jiang Ci lowered his eyes and looked at the tiger-head amulet, feeling mixed emotions.
She suddenly smiled, with a hint of tenderness in her eyes: "But I won't forgive you for the divorce letter. I want to see how you perform."
Ji Yang was stunned, then his eyes lit up with joy. He raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, smiling like a teenager: "Really?"
Jiang Ci hummed and nodded slightly.
Jiang Ci looked at him and said:
"Let's go, it's getting late."
Ji Yang immediately followed, his steps becoming much lighter.
When she walked out of the temple gate, Wanniang was already waiting by the carriage. She saw Ji Yang following Jiang Ci. The atmosphere between the two seemed completely different from when they came. Wanniang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and a relieved smile appeared on her face.
Ji Yang took the initiative to step forward and extended his hand to support Jiang Ci. Jiang Ci did not refuse and got on the carriage. Ji Yang sat outside, took the reins from the driver, and said, "I remember the way back home."
When the two returned to the governor's mansion, it was already dark.
As soon as she entered, Jiang Ci felt the atmosphere in the room was stagnant, as if shrouded in an inexplicable sense of oppression. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickened her pace, heading straight for the front hall.
The front hall was brightly lit, but no one spoke. Several trusted attendants wore solemn expressions. Lou Qi was also there, leaning back in a chair, his brows gloomy, not as unruly as before.
Jiang Ci looked around, feeling increasingly uneasy. She gathered herself and said to Jiang Huaice, "Dad, what happened?"
Jiang Huaice looked at his daughter with a heavy expression in his eyes. He glanced at Ji Yang behind her, his throat choking. After a moment, he spoke with difficulty, "I don't know when Beiting and Xiliang formed an alliance. Just today, they jointly captured a city under the jurisdiction of my Liangzhou... The city is filled with blood and fire, and there are no survivors."
The small object in Jiang Ci's hand fell to the ground with a thud. Suddenly, her limbs went cold, her feet felt weak, and she almost lost her balance. Ji Yang was quick to reach out and support her.
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