Chapter 21 Wei Qin and Wei Xichen handed it to her at the same time…
Wei Xichen recalled that when he was fifteen years old, in the Imperial Garden, he carried Jiang Yinyue, who had fallen, on his back as they walked on the winding white marble bridge. On one side of the bridge, a stream meandered and koi carp swam, while on the other side, green leaves stretched to the horizon and dewdrops clung to the jade plate.
The vibrant summer day was enhanced by the laughter of young girls.
On an ordinary morning, he put down his work and strolled around with the young girls who had entered the palace early in the morning. But even in the breathtaking Imperial Garden, one can get tired of looking at it for too long.
As the crown prince, he lived a secluded life, and most of the strange tales and anecdotes circulating in the city were told to him by Jiang Yinyue. In his eyes, apart from the girl on his back, all other scenery was bleak.
“Brother Crown Prince, let’s go to the corridor. There’s a marriage lock tied to a latticed window.”
"Oh?" He smiled, his eyes bright, and carried the girl toward the half-corridor connecting to the winding bridge, slowly finding the copper lock hanging on the latticed window.
It is unknown who did this.
With numerous concubines, palace maids, and guards in the harem, perhaps this was a predestined marriage sought by two infatuated lovers who could not be together in the next life.
Just as the girl was making her guesses, a shrill rooster's voice, "His Majesty has arrived," shattered the tranquility of the garden.
He saw his father wave his hand coldly, dismissing all the palace servants.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Jiang Yinyue quickly slid off his back, nimbly walked to the emperor's carriage, bowed, and said, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
"You two are all lovey-dovey this morning, what kind of behavior is this! The Crown Prince should act like a Crown Prince, and a young lady..." The Emperor hesitated, not even bothering to look at Jiang Yinyue, and turned around with his hands behind his back, saying, "Chen'er, come with me."
The emperor's will could not be disobeyed. He touched the girl's aggrieved face, silently comforting her, and then followed the emperor's carriage, leaving the girl alone in place.
On the Emperor's bright yellow dragon robe, embroidered golden dragons raised their whiskers, just like the Emperor's own wispy beard.
"Is there something wrong with that girl's legs? Does my son have to carry her? She's so delicate and has no manners."
He rubbed his forehead and explained on Jiang Yinyue's behalf, "Yinyue only acts like this in front of me."
"Then it is even more wrong! You must remember that a ruler must never be swayed by love."
He always remembered and practiced his father's words, except for this one sentence, which he ignored. But later, he put this sentence into practice most resolutely.
Pulling himself back to reality, Wei Xichen started walking and followed behind the young couple, watching them buy a lot of food along the way.
Wei Qin remained stern and unsmiling in public and in private, but he always went along with Jiang Yinyue, silently following and protecting her without a sound.
Wei Xichen had an indescribable feeling. He disliked Wei Qin, and he also disliked the tender affection between them.
"Wei Yunpan, please wait."
As Wei Xichen deliberately revealed his presence, the Eastern Palace guards in the crowd withdrew on their own, concealing their figures.
Wei Qin turned around without showing any surprise, but Jiang Yinyue, who was choosing puppies, looked cold and indifferent. Thinking of Mr. Gong, she was even more furious.
What is he doing here?
The tone was exactly like someone you loathe, and every word reached Wei Xichen's ears.
The gentle-looking man had a warm expression, but his hands, hidden in his wide sleeves, tightened slightly.
He approached Wei Qin without looking at the woman beside him.
The two, both of similar stature, stood out in the crowd. One was dressed in plain clothes, aloof and unperturbed by praise or criticism, while the other was dressed in fine clothes, elegant and composed.
They looked at each other, as if a secret was being exchanged between them.
"Regarding the investigation of the Salt Transport Office's accounts, I would like to hear Judge Wei's plans."
At that moment, Wei Qin became certain of his guess: the Crown Prince was the one secretly investigating the matter within the court.
One was in the open, the other in the shadows; one was used as a target, the other was playing the long game.
Wei Qin said calmly, "Your humble servant will speak frankly and without reservation."
**
Jiang Yinyue reluctantly followed behind the two, not bothering to eavesdrop on their conversation. She had originally intended to choose a puppy, but now she had lost all interest. As they passed a small tavern that was usually busy with customers, she saw the owner wiping the tables and called out to the two, pointing inside.
A short while later, the shopkeeper brought out a jar of Shaoxing wine and three plates of the same old side dishes.
The shopkeepers, whose identities were unknown, warmly welcomed the three people and even gave them a plate of pickled ginger as a gift.
"This was made by my wife. Please have a taste."
Wei Xichen smiled and thanked him. In the ordinary alley, this prince who stood on the clouds shed his pure and untainted appearance. He was easy-going, polite, and gentle, which made the shopkeeper, a grown man, unable to help but take a few more glances. When pouring wine, he accidentally spilled a few drops.
Looking at the plain-colored man sitting opposite him, the shopkeeper turned around and covered his forehead, having never seen such a handsome appearance before.
Pan An and Song Yu were roughly the same.
I saw two at once.
The shopkeeper smiled and went about his business.
The cramped shop was unusually quiet, and none of the three started a conversation. In the end, Wei Xichen took the initiative to ask Wei Qin about the details and progress of his investigation.
He did not avoid Jiang Yinyue.
Wei Qin answered questions politely and respectfully.
Gradually, Jiang Yinyue became confused and lost interest in investigating. She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the spicy stir-fried clams, but was choked and coughed lightly, covering her mouth.
Immediately, two glasses of clear water appeared in front of them.
Wei Qin was used to taking care of her, while Wei Xichen's was a subconscious habit.
Realizing his actions were inappropriate, the young crown prince paused slightly and took back the porcelain cup.
When the spicy liquor went down his throat, he tasted a strange flavor.
Jiang Yinyue took a sip of the water Wei Qin handed her, which relieved her discomfort slightly. She then avoided touching the clams and the equally scorching lotus root slices.
After picking up dozens of fried peanuts, she picked up a slice of pickled ginger to cut through the greasiness, but Wei Xichen, who had been discussing salt affairs just a moment ago, reminded her: "You can't eat ginger."
It can cause allergies.
Upon hearing this, Wei Qin looked at Jiang Yinyue, clearly unaware of this. He always added shredded or minced ginger to their everyday meals, and his wife had never objected to it.
After a brief moment of surprise, Jiang Yinyue ate the ginger slice she had picked up.
Her childhood allergies had improved after her father had treated her with famous doctors for many years. She just got used to not tasting them and never mentioned this trivial matter to anyone.
Over time, she came to regard ginger as an equivalent side dish to garlic and scallions.
Wei Xichen, who never sought to make a fool of himself, curled the corners of his lips. He wasn't embarrassed at all. How could someone who had seen many storms be embarrassed by such a small matter? He drank a bowl of wine by himself and continued his discussion with Wei Qin.
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Jiang Yinyue walked out the door and sat alone on the stone steps in front of the tavern, keeping company with the foxtail grass in the corner. She couldn't help but think of Qi Bao, the hunting dog of the Eastern Palace.
She and Wei Xichen found and adopted it by chance. When they first met it, it was only the size of a palm and had been abandoned on the street by someone. Even sparrows could peck at it and bully it.
Fourteen years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Qi Bao is still being raised in the East Palace. She hasn't seen it for three years.
There's no going back in life, and Jiang Yinyue, having reconciled with herself, no longer dwells on why she didn't take Qibao directly back to the Jiang residence. She just misses the old friend who used to linger around her.
She knew perfectly well how long a dog could live, but she still wanted to see the little guy who had almost died in her arms the night they first met but survived thanks to his strong will.
No matter how old Qi Bao is, she will always be her little puppy in her eyes.
**
When she heard footsteps behind her, Jiang Yinyue did not turn around immediately. She knew that the slow and deliberate movement was not made by Wei Qin. According to the etiquette between ruler and subject, it should be Wei Xichen who left the tavern first.
Wei Qin was behind.
When she caught a glimpse of a figure in a white brocade robe in the corner of her left eye, she turned her head back, waiting for Wei Qin to approach.
The two men walked out of the tavern and faced each other in the alley. They exchanged a few seemingly insignificant but subtly meaningful words.
Before parting, Wei Xichen looked at Jiang Yinyue, who was still sitting on the stone steps, and said, "After returning to the capital, meet with Qibao. There won't be many more opportunities."
For three whole years, she did not enter the palace to see Qi Bao even once. Every time Qi Bao threw a tantrum at him, it was related to not being able to see Jiang Yin Yue.
These words, though seemingly ordinary, contained a hidden sadness. The old dog, whose days were numbered, had been waiting for her, even running out of the East Palace several times to wander aimlessly throughout the vast palace, hoping that this would lead it to her.
Jiang Yinyue did not respond, and Wei Qin naturally pulled her up.
She took Wei Qin's arm, tilted her head with a detached expression, clearly indicating that she was seeing him off.
If it weren't for Wei Qin's status as a subject, she would have left long ago.
Given Mr. Gong's situation and past grievances, she really didn't want to have any further entanglement with this man; she just wanted to maintain a superficial relationship.
Father is right. Even if the marriage doesn't work out, there are still interests involved. Since it's all about interests, there's no need to open up to each other. Not meeting is the best option.
Wei Xichen was not without self-awareness. He shook his head, turned around and strode away, flicking his wide sleeves behind him, his elegant figure blending into the night.
Vanished along with him were layers of shadows roaming the night.
The fragrance of crabapple blossoms carried on the breeze, mingling with the aroma of Shaoxing wine to create the intoxicating beauty of Yangzhou at night.
Jiang Yinyue lay on Wei Qin's back, swinging her legs, rambling on about this and that, without mentioning Wei Xichen at all.
Tired from talking, and with a long road ahead, she leaned against the back of Wei Qin's neck and fell into a deep sleep.
The two jars of rice wine and the bags of food in his hands were somehow hanging from Wei Qin's fingers.
The night was deep, and the faint sound of melodious singing could be heard from the long street outside the alleys, but Mr. Gong's eloquent tongue was no longer heard.
Wei Qin hoisted the woman who was about to slide down onto his back and walked into the brightly lit street, where he saw a somewhat dejected young girl outside a teahouse.
Cui Shihan turned her head, raised her eyebrows, and without her usual frivolity and carefree attitude, slumped her shoulders and brushed past the two.
He rode away.
Jiang Yinyue was fast asleep and had no way of knowing.
Wei Qin carried Jiang Yinyue on his back and continued walking without looking back.
**
When Wei Xichen returned to the post station, he saw Yan Zhuyi, who had been waiting for him for a long time, and asked with a smile, "Why did you come at this hour?"
He sat by the window, closed his eyes to ease the aftereffects of the rice wine, and his handsome face was softened by the aroma of the wine, making him appear even more gentle.
Yan Zhuyi was very perceptive and had already instructed the guards to prepare a hangover soup. Now, with Fu Zhongcai locked outside, she held the soup bowl alone, scooped a spoonful, blew on it for a moment, and then brought it to Wei Xichen's lips.
"Your Highness, be careful, it's hot."
The broth, at the perfect temperature, exudes a herbal aroma that blends with the fragrance of the woman's fingertips, creating a rich and subtle scent.
Wei Xichen gently pushed him away and said with a faint smile, "No need."
The faint, warm fragrance emanating from Jiang Yinyue still seemed to linger around his nose.
Yan Zhuyi put down the soup bowl, her eyes filled with gentle, flowing tears.
Beneath a gorgeous spring dress lay soft, freshly bathed skin. She tentatively inquired whether she could stay the night.
The two slept in separate rooms. She looked unwell, fearing that her family would suspect she had lost favor with the Crown Prince.
Wei Xichen remained easygoing and gentle, but some things were beyond question and discussion.
Watching the woman leave dejectedly, there was no remorse in his eyes. Some relationships are best left unsaid.
All he could give her was wealth and glory, and that was what she longed for as well.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Because the book will be released early Tuesday morning, the update will be moved to 11 PM Tuesday night. I'll try to increase the word count. See you then! [kissing emoji]
A wave of small red envelopes dropped
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