Peep
The next day, when Jiang Mian went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, she saw an unfamiliar face. The man had an extraordinary air about him, and his peach blossom eyes were particularly affectionate. Upon closer inspection, a small reddish mole under the corner of his eye added to his alluring beauty.
"Mian'er is here?"
The Empress Dowager saw her and waved happily.
The man turned his head, his peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed, and looked at Jiang Mian.
"Grandmother, who is this?"
The man was none other than Prince Cheng. He had been away from home for many years and was not particularly close to the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing that His Majesty was unwell, he hurried back from the border.
"Come, Mian'er, sit next to me." The Empress Dowager smiled and turned to Prince Cheng, Xie Heng, saying, "You've come at the perfect time. Let me introduce you. This is my long-lost granddaughter. I just asked His Majesty yesterday to bestow upon her the title of Princess Chaoning."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Mian raised her eyes in surprise.
Xie Heng smiled knowingly and teased, "I've been away from the capital for many years. I wonder which aunt is so lucky. Sister Chao Ning is truly beautiful."
"Go away, stop talking nonsense." The Empress Dowager pretended to be displeased and did not explain much. Instead, she looked at Jiang Mian and showed some pity in her eyes: "Chao Ning has suffered outside. Now that you have returned, I will not mistreat you."
"Empress Dowager..." Jiang Mian's eyes were a little moist.
"If you don't mind, you can call me Grandmother. As long as I'm alive, no one will bully you."
"Grandson thanks his grandmother for her love." The Empress Dowager lovingly stroked her hand. Princess Xunyang had taken good care of her back then, and now, as her descendant, she was there to support her.
Xie Hengrao pondered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Jiang Mian. After a while, he stepped forward and said, "It seems I'll have another little sister soon."
"Sister Chaoning, haven't we met somewhere before?"
However, Xie Heng's tone suddenly changed, becoming ambiguous.
For some reason, Jiang Mian had a bad feeling. She was certain that she had never met Xie Heng, but the dangerous aura emanating from the other party made her somewhat uncertain.
"Your Highness is joking."
“Chao Ning was raised outside the palace since childhood, and you are far away on the border. How could you possibly have met her?” The Empress Dowager stepped forward and glanced at Xie Heng with displeasure.
"It was my rudeness. Perhaps Sister Chaoning is too beautiful and I mistook her for someone else. I have offended her. How about this, I have a newly acquired fox fur in my house, which can be used to make a dress for Sister Chaoning. This will serve as my apology as her elder brother."
Xie Heng spoke with perfect tact, and her eyes, which seemed to be fixed on Jiang Mian, held a subtle hint of probing.
Jiang Mian lowered her eyes, not wanting to have any interaction with him.
The people in the palace are all extraordinary. This Prince Cheng, who is feared by the Crown Prince, must be no ordinary person either. She only wants to live her life peacefully and does not want to get involved in their struggles.
Thinking of this, she shook her head and smiled gently: "Your Highness is overthinking it. Chao Ning didn't take it to heart."
The Empress Dowager yawned and waved her hand, "I'm tired today. If you have nothing else to do, you may leave."
"Yes." Several voices rang out in unison from inside the room.
Xie Heng turned around and swaggered away. As Jiang Mian watched his retreating figure, a sudden realization dawned on her. She knew why Xie Heng seemed so familiar.
That night.
A person who secretly meets with someone in the Imperial Garden.
That's him!
Having discovered a secret, Jiang Mian immediately returned to her room and gulped down a lot of water to calm herself down. The night was dark, and she wasn't very close. At first, she thought it was a maid and a guard having a secret rendezvous, but the more she listened, the more suspicious it seemed.
The voice and tone sounded like those of an imperial concubine.
But she never expected that a concubine in the harem would dare to have sex with a prince...
And of all things, she happened to bump into it.
"Knock knock—" The door was knocked on.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Please come in."
Granny Kong came in and said with a smile, "The princess left in a hurry and forgot to take these rewards. The Empress Dowager specially ordered this old servant to bring them over."
Looking up, she saw rows and rows of dazzling jewelry; she had never seen so many precious things in her life.
Granny Kong put down the things and left. Jiang Mian looked around, selected some items, and ordered them to be sent outside the palace. She had heard that Jiang Qiyu was about to get married. He had helped her so much, and she had no way to repay him. Although this money was not much, it was her token of appreciation.
Along with the dagger that he had given him years ago, it was also sent out of the palace.
Jiang Qiyu will surely understand her feelings if he sees this.
If she could, she would like to treat him like a reliable older brother, just like Chen Yan did. She didn't want to lose someone who truly cared for her, nor did she want Jiang Qiyu to remain trapped in this situation.
Jiang Mian sighed, hoping he could understand her good intentions.
The palace appeared peaceful and serene on the surface.
His Majesty has been critically ill for many days, but in recent days he has been waking up more often. According to the eunuchs who serve His Majesty closely, when His Majesty is unconscious, he often murmurs the name of a certain person.
Who is it?
The eunuch knelt before the Empress Dowager, his mouth moving, but he couldn't open it for a long time.
“If you don’t speak, then your tongue is useless,” Granny Kong said suddenly, standing to the side.
"Yes, it is Prince Yong'an."
With a "bang," the Buddhist prayer beads in the Empress Dowager's hand fell to the ground. Granny Kong quickly picked them up, then gave a wink, and the eunuch immediately slipped away.
This was the third time Jiang Mian had heard of Prince Yong'an.
The first time was in the Imperial Garden, when the two people secretly having an affair mentioned it. At that time, she didn't know who they were.
The second time was at Shen Ji's place. She saw him and devoutly bowed to the memorial tablet. He said that day was the anniversary of the death of the Crown Prince of Yong'an.
The third time was when His Majesty was in a coma, fearfully and anxiously murmuring this name.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that you should not think too much."
Granny Kong comforted the Empress Dowager.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but show a relieved expression. The Empress Dowager suddenly remembered something and took her hand: "No matter why you entered the palace, I will send you out."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager..." Jiang Mian looked at her. After spending the past few days together, she knew that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was genuinely looking out for her. With the situation in the palace uncertain, staying there at this time would certainly not be safe.
However, she still cannot go out.
“Mian’er wants to stay and keep you company.”
"Good child." The Empress Dowager was moved and touched her forehead with affection.
After the Empress Dowager fell asleep, Jiang Mian immediately began searching through history books. She seemed to know who the Crown Prince of Yong'an was.
Previously in Jeju, she had heard that her maternal grandfather was demoted for speaking up for Crown Prince Yongan. A crown prince who did not become emperor, it was easy to imagine that his end was not good.
Jiang Mian regretted that she had never paid attention to anything before, and now that she needed it, she knew nothing.
Just then, Granny Kong walked in carrying a bowl of hot porridge. Jiang Mian couldn't help but ask, "Granny, who is the Crown Prince of Yong'an?"
Granny Kong's hand trembled, and the scalding hot porridge spilled out, with a few drops splashing onto her wrist. Jiang Mian immediately reached out to wipe it up and helped put the hot porridge on the table.
"This old servant thanks you, young lady." Granny Kong smiled kindly, then added, "There are some things you should refrain from interfering in, young lady."
Jiang Mian didn't force her. After she left, she quietly went to the library. She could vaguely sense that the name of the Crown Prince of Yong'an seemed to be a taboo in the palace. If she asked directly, no one would say anything.
But this library is a different story.
Not to mention historical books and materials, even some old books and classics will have some records.
Jiang Mian carried the lantern and searched for a long time.
Finally, I found a few words in a thick book.
"In the thirty-seventh year of Chengping, the Crown Prince of Yong'an plotted a rebellion to seize the throne, but was beheaded by the Prince of Sui in front of Xuanwu Gate."
Prince Sui.
His Majesty's title before he ascended the throne.
It is "Sui".
Jiang Mian's heart was pounding. She felt like she was about to uncover some secret. She carefully put the book back in its place, but suddenly noticed a thin piece of paper tucked inside.
The paper was clean, except for the signature area.
He wrote the character "尘" (dust).
"What are you doing?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her. Jiang Mian's heart skipped a beat, and the letter in her hand fell to the ground, fluttering in the wind, and landed right at the person's feet.
Immediately, she looked up, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"Cousin?"
Shen Ji nodded, then helped her down the ladder, brushed the dust off her skirt, and couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing here?"
“I…” Jiang Mian opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn’t know what to say.
Shen Ji picked up the paper, said nothing, and casually rolled it up.
"Why is my cousin here?" Jiang Mian looked at him, feeling that it was all so unreal. She felt that she understood him better that night, but now she felt that she couldn't understand him at all. He always appeared and disappeared so mysteriously, as if he was everywhere.
"The Empress Dowager was worshipping Buddha and summoned me here."
Shen Ji gave a brief explanation, and Jiang Mian nodded without asking any further questions.
Are you leaving the palace?
Not for now.
After a brief exchange, Jiang Mian followed him, walking slowly forward. He took her hand and led her from the shadows into the light, then suddenly became serious: "Tell me, why did you enter the palace?"
"What is Xie Zheng forcing you to do for him?"
"When...when did you find out?" Jiang Mian was stunned.
"From the very beginning, from the moment you left me, I have known your every move."
"Mianniang, come with me and leave this place."
Shen Ji suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms. He had been planning how to get her away safely these past few days.
What he did was fraught with danger, but she was innocent, and he didn't want to involve her. The palace was unsafe now, and things could change at any moment.
Jiang Mian was a little breathless from his embrace. She knew that Shen Ji was doing it for her own good, but she couldn't drag him down with her.
"Cousin, I appreciate your kindness, but..."
With a deep gaze, he touched her wrist without saying a word.
Jiang Mian suddenly realized what was happening, but it was too late.
"He poisoned you?"
The young man's expression changed instantly. He should have known. Xie Zheng was insidious and despicable. It was his carelessness to let Mian'er stay by his side.
Jiang Mian looked at him, and for some reason, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat.
"There will be an antidote, don't worry," Jiang Mian couldn't help but comfort him, even though she herself didn't know if she would ever recover.
In the past few days, she has felt more and more clearly that she is losing control of some of her behaviors.
First comes the sense of taste.
When she tastes food, she can't help but eat some strong-flavored dishes, as if only then can she truly appreciate the taste.
Everyone is afraid of dying.
The thought of losing all five senses one day makes Jiang Mian tremble.
She didn't know if Xie Zheng was lying to her.
Perhaps there is no antidote for this poison.
Or perhaps she will die from the poison in less than a month.
She felt uncertain and even more afraid.
I fear that one day I will never see such a beautiful sunny day again.
"I'll take you away." Shen Ji was silent for a moment, then suddenly hugged her even tighter.
"As for the Empress Dowager..."
"I'll handle it."
"good."
Jiang Mian suddenly laughed. She never expected that she would be by his side in the last moments of her life.
She struggled for half a year, desperately trying to get away from him, but in the end, she ended up back by his side again.
That's fine too.
At least, she doesn't have to wander around without a fixed abode.
It's like... there's no home anywhere.
After several days of clear weather, a heavy snow fell. Snowflakes fluttered down, and a thin layer of ice covered the streets. Jiang Mian sat in the carriage, feeling a long-lost sense of peace despite the uncertainty of the future.
Beside her was the figure that had been entangled with her for so long. Even if there was only this short month left, even if it was just this brief period of peace, it was enough.
As the carriage traveled along, Jiang Mian suddenly shouted, "Stop the carriage!"
Yun Qing, not understanding why, still tightened the reins.
Jiang Mian turned around and looked at Shen Ji: "Cousin, I still have some things to do."
Do you need me to come with you?
When Shen Ji looked over, his gentle gaze vanished, replaced by a clear and bright expression.
Jiang Mian shook her head.
He smiled gently, respecting her opinion.
Jiang Mian got off the carriage and stood in front of the familiar painting shop, feeling a complex mix of emotions.
She couldn't understand whether Fu Niang's concern and care for her were all just an act.
Why did she send her to the Zhang family mansion?
"Look, sir, these are all newly released paintings." As soon as she entered the door, the waiter greeted her warmly. It was a completely unfamiliar face that Jiang Mian had never seen before. She shook her head and continued walking forward.
The art shop remained the same, but some paintings in the corner seemed to have been there for too long, covered in dust and having lost their former splendor.
Jiang Mian continued walking forward and finally saw the familiar shopkeeper. She went up to him, and the shopkeeper thought she was there to buy a painting, but when he looked up and saw who it was, he was stunned.
Jiang Mian took a deep breath and slowly asked:
Where is Fu Niang?
**
"I'm telling you, you tuberculosis wretch, all you do is cough all day long."
Following her memory, Jiang Mian arrived at a small courtyard. Before she even entered, the shouting and cursing outside could be clearly heard from several streets away.
She walked forward and smelled a strong medicinal aroma. Then, on the stove, a familiar figure covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and gently lifted the medicine stove down. A few drops of scalding residue rose up and landed on her trembling wrist.
"Fu Niang".
Jiang Mian stood at the door and called out softly.
She watched, and the figure froze. After a long while, it slowly turned around.
In just one month, the woman before me was no longer the shrewd and sophisticated woman she once was. She had become much thinner and more plain, and her favorite accessories were no longer on her.
Jiang Mian didn't speak, she just quietly looked at her.
I originally thought that when I saw Fu Niang again, she would be emotional and ask me why I deceived her, why I was so enthusiastic towards her, and why I schemed against her after that.
She knew perfectly well that delivering the painting to Zhang Xiang's residence was a one-way trip, but she said nothing and only gave him a seal.
A host of questions lingered in my mind.
Now, looking at Fu Niang, she suddenly found herself speechless.
"I didn't expect you to be taken away by the Crown Prince."
Fu Niang's expression was complicated; she hadn't expected to see Jiang Mian again.
"Cough cough..." Then, she covered her mouth and coughed violently a few times. When she looked up again, her eyes were full of self-mockery.
"Ask whatever you want."
"Is Zhang Xiang the one who betrayed you back then?" The girl's voice was soft yet heavy. Fu Niang's handkerchief, which she had been covering her lips, suddenly fell to the ground, and her usually calm eyes were now full of sarcasm.
"Yes, Zhang Xuan is that heartless man."
"So, you sent me to the Zhang residence just so he would see that jade pendant and remember you?"
Jiang Mian looked at her with complicated feelings. In the past, Fu Niang was so carefree. It was she who told her that a woman should not hurt herself because of a man. It was also she who said that she should become her own sky.
But now, she has made herself so miserable because of a man who betrayed her.
Perhaps because she was ill, Fu Niang's eyes held an unprecedented gentleness. She put down what she was holding and leaned closer: "It's funny, isn't it? I've always been like this all these years."
“Back then, when Zhang Xuan asked me to marry him, he was just a penniless scholar who had fallen on hard times. Now he is a high-ranking official and a beautiful wife. He climbed up to this position by stepping on the blood of my Fu family. I will make him pay the price. I will make him pay with his life for the thirteen members of my Fu family.”
Fu Niang's eyes grew bloodshot, and her slender figure seemed to stretch out all at once. Those words struck Jiang Mian's mind heavily. She couldn't imagine how a woman with no one to rely on and a blood feud could walk step by step to this vast Shengjing, vainly hoping to fight against the powerful and wealthy on her own.
“You…” Jiang Mian looked at her in surprise. For the first time, she was so shocked by someone.
She thought that Fu Niang wanted to make Zhang Xiang turn back.
Unexpectedly, she wanted to kill him.
“Look, he has already sent someone to pick me up. He feels guilty towards me, so I cannot give up. As long as I have a breath left, I will definitely kill him.”
...
The setting sun cast a bloody glow on the horizon, and the clouds drifted away. By the time Jiang Mian came out of the courtyard, it was already quite late.
The carriage remained steadily in place, as if it had been waiting for her. Yun Qing watched her come out and called out to her.
Jiang Mian snapped out of her shock and looked up to see the curtain of the carriage being lifted.
With a heart full of thoughts, she met a pair of calm eyes from afar.
In just a moment, he frowned and got out of the car.
"It's so cold, why don't you wear more clothes?"
After saying that, he took off his cloak and wrapped it tightly around her. He wanted to kiss her forehead, but he held back.
“Cousin.” Jiang Mian suddenly gripped his hand tightly.
"What is it?" Shen Ji held it back, her eyes showing heartache, but also a hint of restrained joy. This was the first time she had shown such dependence on him since they separated.
"Let's go home."
The girl's voice was very gentle, as if she had used up all her strength just now. Shen Ji couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand, feeling a strong sense of unease in his heart.
Sure enough, the next moment.
Jiang Mian felt her vision go black, and then she completely lost consciousness.
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