Leaving Zhuxi County
As night fell, Jiang Jin lay on her side on the couch. Since the room was rather cramped, she simply let Wei Shu get on the couch as well.
"We'll return to Zhuxi County first thing tomorrow morning." Wei Shu pulled the thin blanket closer to Jiang Jin, secretly sighing that Princess Zhaoyang had given too much ice; it was still a bit chilly late at night.
"Okay." Jiang Jin felt a little weak, perhaps because of the medicinal bath, and drowsiness came unusually strongly. She soon fell asleep and didn't even notice Wei Shu watching her.
Jiang Jin was awakened by the movements of the person beside her in the early morning. Just as she was about to get up, she saw Wei Shu getting dressed.
"Awake?" Wei Shu straightened his outer robe and put on his belt. "His Highness has ordered breakfast to be served, and asked us to have breakfast before we leave."
"Okay." Jiang Jin's long black hair fell loose over her shoulders. Her nightgown was a little thin, and the scars on her shoulders were faintly visible. Jiang Jin threw off the covers and put on her outer robe.
"Wei Shu, your bruises look pretty bad. You didn't sleep all night, did you?" Jiang Jin asked with concern, having just finished fastening her belt and noticing Wei Shu's pale face.
“Only you would fall asleep so soundly in an unfamiliar place.” Wei Shu tapped Jiang Jin’s forehead. “Although this place is heavily guarded, it also means that if Princess Zhaoyang wants to harm us, we probably won’t be able to escape.”
“Princess Zhaoyang isn’t stupid. At least we’re on the same side now. She shouldn’t do something like attacking her own ally.”
Jiang Jin didn't take Wei Shu's words to heart at all. Wei Shu might be someone to worry about, but being here made her feel right at home.
"You do trust Princess Zhaoyang," Wei Shu said, fastening a hairpin around Jiang Jin's neck. "Aren't you afraid she might suddenly turn against you and side with the aristocratic families?"
"I doubt Princess Zhaoyang would do something so harmful and without any benefit. Someone whom His Majesty marries into a trusted confidant is no fool." Jiang Jin suddenly glanced at Wei Shu. "Could it be that you suspect Princess Zhaoyang of having ulterior motives?"
"I didn't say that. I just thought Princess Zhaoyang might catch people off guard."
Wei Shu touched Jiang Jin's forehead to make sure she hadn't caught a cold before continuing, "After all, she's someone who doesn't even put the Dou family girl in her eyes. In the harem, the concubines are all respected as the Noble Consort, but no one would underestimate her."
“A wise person will choose the move that is most advantageous to themselves, and at least for now, our ultimate goals are aligned.” Jiang Jin didn’t want to continue the discussion with Wei Shu, fearing that she might reveal some flaw that would disrupt His Highness’s plans.
"Let's go, don't keep Her Highness waiting." Jiang Jin walked ahead, with Wei Shu following behind her. They arrived at the main courtyard and happened to run into Chang Yi. Although Wei Shu's official rank was higher than Chang Yi's, he was still Princess Zhaoyang's future husband, so Wei Shu gave him a polite bow.
"The three of you have arrived at a good time. His Highness just had some pear soup prepared; Lady Wei can take some back to soothe her throat." Xueya pushed open the wooden door. Lou Xuan was sitting in the main seat, looking at the three of them.
"Your Highness, may you enjoy peace and prosperity." The three stood side by side. Unlike the others, Jiang Jin did not lag behind Wei Shu by half a step. Lou Xuan nodded, glanced at Jiang Jin who was looking up, and winked at her.
"No need for formalities. I've had some local Bianzhou breakfast dishes and some regular breakfast dishes from the capital prepared." Following Lou Xuan's gaze, the three of them saw that the table was laden with breakfast dishes.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Shu stood up, frowned upon seeing the dazzling array of breakfast dishes, and then noticed Lou Xuan waving to Jiang Jin.
"Madam Wei, you've come all this way. Did you sleep well last night?" Xueya moved the wooden stool for Jiang Jin and then placed a bowl of hot soup noodles in front of her.
"His Highness consulted the imperial physician about this; it won't harm your wife if she takes it." Xueya smiled at Jiang Jin, while Lou Xuan glanced at the two standing and relaxed. "Won't you two take a seat?"
"Yes." Wei Shu sat down next to Jiang Jin, while Chang Yi moved a stool a little closer to Lou Xuan.
"I slept very well yesterday, thanks to Your Highness for the ice." Jiang Jin took a sip of soup, feeling a warmth in her heart. It tasted almost exactly like the soup noodles from her favorite stall in the capital.
"That's good." Lou Xuan could tell from Jiang Jin's eyes that she was happy to hear this, so she felt relieved.
"Xueya, go and wrap up the pear soup for Madam Wei." Xueya curtsied and went out the door.
"General Wei, are your injuries getting better?"
Lou Xuan took a sip of milk porridge and looked at Wei Shu, who was tense all over, and laughed: "General Wei, why are you so nervous? I'm not a man-eating tiger, how could I possibly hurt you?"
"I'm just used to it." Wei Shu glanced at Lou Xuan and understood that she was warning him not to forget her status.
"Since you're feeling better, hurry up and make preparations. Don't just stay cooped up in Zhuxi County. People who know you're hiding from assassins will think you have ulterior motives."
Lou Xuan stopped there, knowing Wei Shu was a smart man, and there was no need to be so explicit when talking to a smart person.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Shu nodded. He realized that if he stayed any longer, it wouldn't be good for Elder Qin or Zhuxi County, so leaving as soon as possible was the best choice.
"If General Wei doesn't know where to go, he can stay in the west wing indefinitely; I won't charge him." Lou Xuan wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, looking at Wei Shu with a half-smile.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I do have somewhere to go." Wei Shu was still wary of Lou Xuan and completely failed to notice Jiang Jin's furrowed brows.
"Then I won't force you." Lou Xuan chuckled and placed a Five Blessings Cake into Jiang Jin's bowl.
"Madam Wei, you may wish to have more. These Five Blessings Cakes are made with ingredients brought from the capital and may help ease your homesickness."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Ignoring Wei Shu's thoughts, Jiang Jin took a large bite of the Five Blessings Cake. Wei Shu suspected the prince was unwilling to accept her kindness; if he could keep his identity hidden, he would have shamelessly stayed long ago.
"Ah Jin, you'll get indigestion if you keep eating like this." Wei Shu kicked Jiang Jin with his foot and then apologized to Lou Xuan, "Your Highness, I'll take Madam back first."
"Go ahead, but drive carefully." Lou Xuan laughed as he looked at Jiang Jinyi's reluctant expression. "Since Madam Wei likes Five Blessing Cakes, why don't you take some back with you in oil paper? Xueya can wrap them up for Madam Wei."
Before Wei Shu could refuse, Xueya came in with oil paper and quickly wrapped up the remaining Five Blessing Cakes on the table.
"Madam Wei, please accept this." Xueya placed the steaming hot oil packet in Jiang Jin's hands and then handed the food box to Wei Shu.
"General Wei, this is pear soup that has been boiled. If it gets cold, you can put it on the stove to warm it up."
"Thank you." Wei Shu took the oil packet from Jiang Jin and then took her hand. "Your Highness, my husband and I will take our leave now."
Lou Xuan nodded and didn't try to stop her. Jiang Jin also looked away and obediently followed Wei Shu out of the courtyard.
"Are you so wary of Princess Zhaoyang?" Jiang Jin snatched the oil packet from Wei Shu's hand. The moment she opened it, the fragrant aroma filled her nostrils. She quickly picked one up and put it in her mouth, then turned to see Wei Shu's disapproving look.
"You can never be too careful. I really don't know what's going on in your head. Did you get sick and burn your brain out along with it?" Wei Shu tried to take the remaining Five Blessing Cakes from Jiang Jin's hand, but she nimbly dodged him.
“I’m not afraid. Princess Zhaoyang, perhaps you just want to win her over. Her younger brother is His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Jiang Jin naturally wouldn't give up the few remaining pancakes in her hand. The two bickered and chased each other all the way back to Zhuxi County.
"I've eaten several already, and I'm perfectly fine. Everyone says you're judging me by my own petty standards, right?" Jiang Jin finished the last Five Blessings Cake, patted her round belly, and let out a satisfied burp.
"You really look like you have indigestion." Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin, who seemed uncomfortable and somewhat helpless.
"It's alright, I'll be fine after walking a few steps." Jiang Jin waved her hand dismissively, sighing as she walked around the house.
"When will Wang Juesong finally resort to desperate measures? If we're not in Zhuxi County, where should we go?"
"Don't worry, I definitely won't let you sleep in the wilderness." Wei Shu began packing his bags.
"Then I thank General Wei very much." Not wanting to disturb Wei Shu, Jiang Jin went downstairs and sat in the hall watching the bustling crowd.
"Madam Jiang?" Zhong Wu's delighted voice came from behind. Jiang Jin turned around and saw Zhong Wu running towards her, lifting her skirt as she took three steps at a time.
"Madam Zhong?" Jiang Jin quickly got up and ran towards Zhong Wu. "Why are you in such a hurry? Be careful not to fall."
"I thought you had left, Madam Jiang," Zhong Wu said, panting. "I am very grateful for what happened that day, Madam Jiang. I don't know if you need anything, so I hope you won't find this too troublesome."
Zhong Wu took out a small glass bell from his waist. "This is a special little bell from the North. Legend has it that hanging it on the door can ward off evil spirits. This bell was blessed in a temple. I don't know if it will work, but it is a token of my love for you."
Jiang Jin took the glass bell and shook it carefully. The bell made a clear sound. "Thank you. We'll hang it on the door when we return to the capital."
Jiang Jin first tied the bell to her waist. "We're leaving today. Hope we can meet again someday." Jiang Jin saw Wei Shu, who had finished packing, walking down the steps.
"But the bamboo weaving festival starts in three days. Aren't you going to stay and celebrate before you leave?" Zhong Wu looked at the two travel-worn people with some curiosity. Fu Yuan tugged at Zhong Wu's sleeve at this moment.
"Then I wish you both a safe journey. My wife and I have other matters to attend to, so we won't disturb you any longer." Wei Shu nodded, took Jiang Jin's hand, and left the inn.
"By the way, has Zhou Cong sent any news from the Fu family?" Jiang Jin only remembered today, upon seeing Fu Yuan, that Wei Shucheng had apparently asked Zhou Cong to investigate Fu Yuan's background.
“There’s nothing suspicious, and their ages don’t match up. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.” Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin with a helpless expression, “Why does she look so bitter and resentful?”
“I’m not worried about the situation in the court or Bianzhou. I’ll probably only feel at ease for a few days once these things are settled.” Wei Shu reached out and smoothed Jiang Jin’s brow. “Let’s leave the city first.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com