Chapter 003

Mr. Zhan was named Yue and his courtesy name was Yanqing. He was the youngest son of Duke Anguo and the fourth in line of birth. He and Zhan Shaoying were legitimate uncles and nephews. In other words, Zhan Yue was also Jiashan's fourth uncle who had a crooked child in his previous life.

The year Jiashan left, Zhan Yue had already become the commander-in-chief of the Five Armies. Even the new emperor who ascended the throne later was in awe of Zhan Yue.

Now, although Zhan Yue is still serving in Jinwuwei, he will be transferred to Wujundudufu within five years. By then, with military power in hand, he will be a true loyal minister.

After being reborn, Jiashan naturally couldn't just be willing to change her husband.

After what happened in her previous life, she had already seen clearly. As long as Concubine Zhuang and her son gained power, she would definitely not end well. It would be better for her to take advantage of her thorough understanding of the future developments and seize the initiative.

Thinking of this, Jiashan smiled and told Suyu, "Although the hot summer has passed, I think the weather is still a bit hot and humid."

"The Jinwu Guards must have been tired after standing all day. Later, you take a few palace maids and take some food from our palace to send some mint and mung bean soup to Master Zhan to clear away the heat."

Su Yu was stunned, the Jinwu Guards are the emperor's close guards!

What is the princess planning to do?

After thinking for a while, Su Yu asked softly: "Although your Highness has good intentions, isn't this action a bit too abrupt?"

Jiashan smiled softly: "No."

"I know what you mean." Jiashan smiled disapprovingly, her eyes frankly, "Don't worry. Even if the emperor knew, he would never say anything."

"You can do it openly and honestly." Jiashan deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the words "openly and honestly".

Su Yu nodded slightly: "Yes."

Sure enough, when the meal was served in the evening, someone reported the matter to Emperor Zhanghe.

Emperor Zhanghe was eating the Tianxi Cake that Jiashan had brought from the small kitchen of Fengyang Pavilion. He just sneered when he heard this. He said casually, "The doctor of the Pei family got a good ranking. She is here with me today and she got what she wanted."

"Zhan Yanqing and the others just benefited from this."

After hearing what Emperor Zhang He said, the people who reported back naturally went to Jiashan.

But some people obviously don't think so. There are even many people who hate Jiashan to the core because of this matter.

"This bitch." When Concubine Zhuang heard about Jiashan's behavior, she almost immediately concluded that she was trying to win people's hearts.

Concubine Zhuang was furious for a moment. She said to the nanny beside her unwillingly, "She is really lawless. She even dared to mess with the Jinwu Guards!"

The Jinwu Guards not only commanded the imperial guards, but also oversaw the prison. Even Zhao Youcheng, who was the most proud prince at present, had to give in when he saw the commanders of the Jinwu Guards.

The more Concubine Zhuang thought about it, the more depressed and aggrieved she became. She slammed the teacup in her hand down on the table, took a deep breath, and then said, "Your Majesty knows, but did you really not say anything?"

At this time, the maids in Concubine Zhuang's palace had already been sent away, leaving only a few close confidants. But considering that this was an important palace, and fearing that there were ears behind the walls, Nanny Dou still said softly: "After all, she is the eldest princess, your majesty will not say anything."

"What about Lord Zhan? Did he say anything?" Concubine Zhuang asked.

Madam Dou shook her head: "I haven't heard of that."

Concubine Zhuang's eyes flashed with a cold light: "She is blessed."

"What a pity," Concubine Zhuang smiled coldly again, with a tone of adding insult to injury, "She was born into the wrong womb. It's a girl."

Nanny Dou also smiled slightly, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes faintly visible: "If it weren't for a girl, the eldest princess wouldn't have been so favored by His Majesty."

"Why do you take her to heart, Madam?"

A smile appeared on Concubine Zhuang's lips.

"Sometimes I wonder about this," Concubine Zhuang took a sip of tea, and her mood gradually calmed down. She smiled and said, "Madam, do you think Princess Jiashan is blessed or not?"

Madam Dou looked at Concubine Zhuang with a half-smile, and she replied softly, "In my humble opinion, it is not good."

Dou Ma's words obviously hit the mark of Concubine Zhuang, and Concubine Zhuang smiled even more brightly. She asked with great interest, "How do you see that?"

Nanny Dou's brows showed a hint of pride and disdain. She chuckled and whispered, "Although the Fourth Prince is born of a legitimate wife, he has a disability and has been disliked by His Majesty since birth."

"Even if the eldest princess is favored by your majesty, she can never become a prince." Madam Dou smiled, "Why not let her enjoy the glory for a while?"

Concubine Zhuang said cheerfully, "Madam is right."

"You are a beautiful lady, but what can I do..." Concubine Zhuang smiled gently, and her beautiful face immediately became charming.

Thinking of the Fourth Prince, she was filled with smiles. Her thin lips opened and closed as she said slowly, "What a pity, he is blind."

There was also an arrogant arc on the corner of Nanny Dou's mouth. She refilled the tea for Concubine Zhuang. The master and servant were both proud of themselves.

Jiashan obviously didn't know that Concubine Zhuang had criticized her like this behind her back.

After dinner, she took her people to wander around the storehouse of Fengyang Pavilion - Jiashan had a monthly allowance, although it was not much, but it was enough for her to use when she was in the palace.

It was only after she left the palace and built her own house that she realized there were so many places to spend money outside the palace.

Although she is not in a hurry to get married, Jiashan already has a sense of crisis. Money makes things easier, so she still has to take precautions.

So she took a few palace maids to visit her treasure trove.

Every year on Jiashan’s birthday, the queens of various palaces, the ladies of various noble families, and her maternal uncles, the Pei family, would send her many beautiful gifts.

But she couldn't possibly sell other people's gifts for money...

When Jiashan was frowning, Su Yu, who had just taken people to visit the Jinwu Guard, came back to take orders after finishing her work.

"When I put the soup in the Jinwu Guard's duty room, Lord Zhan was there." Su Yu reported.

Jiashan said "hmm", thought about it, and then asked, "Did he say anything?"

Su Yu shook her head.

She looked slightly embarrassed and suddenly took out a small bag wrapped in a paper bag from her arms.

"Lord Zhan only asked me to bring this to you." Su Yu handed the thing to Jiashan hesitantly.

Jiashan took it with her own hands out of curiosity, and slowly untied the ropes that tied the bag horizontally and vertically. Inside were several pieces of food about three inches long and one inch wide, with a light milky white color, which looked quite delicious. The surface seemed to be coated with starch, and it smelled of authentic crispy fragrance.

Jiashan had never seen this thing before, and he couldn't help but ask curiously, "What is this?"

Madam Zheng stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's Guandong candy."

When she heard it was candy, Jiashan just said "Oh". She was thinking in her heart: Zhan Yanqing is treating me like a child.

She handed it to Su Yu and said, "I don't like candy, so I'll give it to you guys."

Seeing Jiashan's indifferent expression, Su Yu had no choice but to accept it, but she didn't dare to actually eat it.

When Suyu was on night watch that day, she stayed in the outer room. Before she fell asleep, she happened to hear Jiashan calling someone inside, so she hurriedly put on her clothes and rushed over.

Jiashan was born with beautiful eyes, thin eyebrows and fair skin. Now, without the fancy hairpins, she looked as beautiful as a lotus in clear water.

Su Yu didn't dare to look at it any more, and just said softly, "Please give your orders, Your Highness."

"Where's the Guandong candy I gave you tonight?" Jiashan bluntly held out a white and tender palm to her, "Give it back to me."

Su Yu was afraid of this, so she didn't dare to eat it. She handed over the Guandong candy. Jia Shan said, "Well, go down."

He also reminded her: "Don't tell anyone else."

Su Yu said repeatedly: "Yes."

Jiashan took the bag of Guandong candy in her hand and shook it gently. She held her chin and said, "I'll just taste one and see what it tastes like, then share it with them."

Jiashan picked up a piece of Kanto candy and put it in her mouth. The crispy and fragrant maltose flavor immediately filled her taste buds.

She took a bite, but before she could taste the candy, it was gone.

So Jiashan tried another one...

It was not until the next day, when Su Yu and others came to help Jiashan wash and change clothes, that they found only a paper bag left on the table, and all the Guandong candies inside were gone.

Jiashan was still trying to cover up his mistake and asked, "Suyu, was the candy I gave you last night delicious?"

Su Yu replied with a stiff upper lip: "It's delicious."

Jiashan smiled and asked, "Does it smell good?"

Su Yu: "...It smells so good."

Jiashan Fang smiled gently.

In fact, Jiashan and Zhan Yue had few opportunities to interact in their lives. Jiashan was a princess, and although she married into the Anguo family, she still stayed in the princess's mansion most of the time.

There were also several times when Jiashan went to the Anguo Mansion for a family dinner, and Zhan Yue was not even there.

At that time, the old lady and the old Duke of Anguo had passed away, and it was the turn of Jiashan's parents-in-law, Zhan Yue's eldest brother and sister-in-law, to take charge of the mansion.

Zhan Yue had just been promoted to the commander of the five armies at that time. He seemed to be busy with military affairs and rarely came back. Since no one in the Anguo Mansion took the initiative to ask about it, Jiashan was even less likely to take the initiative to ask about it.

Only once did Zhan Yue make Jiashan feel deeply sad.

At that time, her father had just passed away. After Jiashan and the others knelt to send the emperor's coffin out of the palace, she was supported by Su Yu and others and slowly walked towards the princess's mansion.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Zhan Yue, then the Left Commander-in-Chief, at Dongzhimen.

Zhan Yue was not alone. Behind him was an official wearing the uniform of a third-rank military officer. The official looked humble and respectful, as if he was reporting something to Zhan Yue.

Jiashan recognized him as the newly appointed commander of the Jinwu Guards.

Considering that Zhan Yue has been in charge of Jinwu Guard for many years and now commands a large army, he is a person that the new imperial capital has to rely on.

Jiashan had no choice but to cheer up and said, "Governor Zhan, how are you?"

Zhan Yue nodded slightly to Jia Shan, and said in a light tone: "Your Highness, please take care of yourself."

Jiashan was slightly stunned.

After Zhao Youcheng ascended the throne, many people did not take advantage of her misfortune, and very few people were willing to take the initiative to care about her health.

Jiashan nodded slightly, acknowledging his kindness.

But Zhan Yue continued, "When the late emperor was on his deathbed, I had the honor of serving him. I once heard him mention Your Highness."

His voice was as gentle and warm as the spring breeze, and Jiashan couldn't help but pause.

She raised her head and couldn't help but look at Zhan Yue.

Zhan Yue was over eight feet tall, half a head taller than the military officer next to him.

Such a person, but with red lips and white teeth, a complexion like spring, and eyebrows and eyes that can be painted. If it weren't for the murderous sword in his hand, his appearance could be regarded as a truly flawless jade.

That year, Jiashan had been married to Zhan Shaoying for eight years. She was 24 years old at the time. Zhan Shaoying was two years older than her, and her demeanor was no longer young.

On the contrary, this Governor Zhan, the elder named Zhan Shaoying, is already thirty-three years old, but he is still handsome and has a face as white as snow, as if he has hidden an endless amount of years.

No wonder she had always heard that many lords gave beautiful concubines to Governor Zhan, but he returned them all intact. Perhaps he usually just looked at herself, right?

Jiashan came back to her senses from his appearance. She smiled bitterly and asked, "Really? I wonder what my father said about me?"

Zhan Yue pursed his lips slightly, and his gaze lingered on Jiashan for a moment.

After a moment, he finally spoke: "The late emperor said, 'Jiashan has no children so far. After I return, I wonder who can continue to take care of my child...'"

Jiashan tried hard to hold back the bitterness in her throat. She lowered her eyelashes. For a moment, the warm and sad emotions in her heart were so complicated that it was hard to describe.

Zhan Yue just looked at her motionlessly. His gaze was like the snow on the snowy mountains that had not melted for thousands of years, so cold that it had lost its warmth.

Jiashan brushed off the dust on her skirt and choked up, "I understand what you mean, sir."

Regardless of whether these words were true or false, they were all well-intentioned by Zhan Yue.

"Thank you, sir." Jiashan turned her head away sympathetically and said hoarsely, "I will take care of myself."

Zhan Yue finally said "hmm", and then Jiashan seemed to hear him sigh.

Jiashan's will was almost shattered by this sigh.

She reluctantly said goodbye to Zhan Yue and finally walked out of Dongzhimen without looking back.

As for Governor Zhan, after she left, whether he felt pity, lamentation, or sadness for her, Jiashan had no idea.

Since then, the two have never met again.

The news she occasionally heard was that Lord Zhan was in high demand and still had the Emperor's favor. She only knew that his reputation and prestige in the army was growing day by day.

In contrast, Jiashan was not so lucky. She even failed to keep her promise to him.

Because a year later, she died.