Chapter 65 A Mismatched Couple: "Love and suspicion cannot coexist."...
Shi Wan stared for a moment, the words of refusal reaching her lips, but she swallowed them back. She thought of Jiang Xu's recent unusual behavior and was afraid of upsetting him again.
Although it seems... that's probably it already.
She said, "What are you forcing me to do?"
Jiang Xu's expression remained unchanged. "As the saying goes, once the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is over, the festive atmosphere of the New Year completely dissipates. I just wanted to catch the tail end of the New Year and wish for good luck. How did that become forcing you?"
The man's fingers still gripped her wrist tightly, refusing to yield an inch, but his words became strangely gentle and soothing. Shi Wan didn't want to argue with him any further, and the joy that had just gathered in her heart dissipated, her expression turning cold. "For good luck, the lantern has already been released."
"You just want to have a child."
Once the matter was brought up, Jiang Xu simply admitted it directly, "I want a child." After a two-second pause, he calmly added, "But I know... you don't want one."
I don't want to go, nor do I want to have children with him.
Shi Wan stopped looking at him and stared at the glass lamp she was holding, its light radiant. Her mood gradually calmed down, and she explained, "With the established moral principles and etiquette in place, if I were to pray for a child and my wish were granted in the future, wouldn't it be you who would be in a difficult position?"
"If the eldest son is born first, then... which noble lady would be willing to marry you?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu smiled faintly, "According to you, you don't want to go, but you're actually thinking of me?" He knew in his heart that this was a lie, but he shamefully felt a little trembling, "A real man should strive for fame and fortune and find his own way. Even if he is an illegitimate son, he is still my son. He will naturally have the courage to do so. There's no need to worry."
If not...
That way, he can live a peaceful and prosperous life, becoming a wealthy and leisurely person.
Shi Wan was annoyed and worried that her wrist might be scratched. After a brief standoff, she finally gave in and said, "...Let's go."
Jiang Xu paused for a moment before turning his grip on the paper into a hand gesture, saying, "I've heard that the fortune slips at Fushou Temple are extremely accurate. I hope to get a good one."
Shi Wan glanced at him but didn't answer, remaining silent the whole way. When they arrived at their destination, the lush trees and magnificent palaces she remembered had been decorated. In late winter, the branches were bare, but further in, one could vaguely see well-maintained plum blossoms in full bloom. Red lanterns hung under the eaves, and amidst the festive decorations, pedestrians occasionally ascended the steps.
Fushou Temple was bustling with worshippers. The two followed the crowd to the main hall. Inside, the Buddha statue sat serenely on a golden lotus, exuding an aura of quiet authority and profound holiness. Shi Wan knelt quietly on the prayer mat, closed her eyes, and made a sincere wish.
Jiang Xu hesitated for a moment, noticing Shi Wan's serious expression. He paused for a second, and after offering incense, the two followed the monk to the backyard to get a fortune slip.
"What did you wish for just now?" he asked.
"Peace and tranquility prevail, the flames of war have been extinguished." Shi Wan's voice came from the side, sounding somewhat unreal amidst the bustling crowd. Jiang Xu waited a moment, then asked, "That's all?"
"If the war can end and the world is at peace, and I have an heir, that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?"
"Otherwise, wouldn't that just add to our troubles?"
She wouldn't easily grant a wish for freedom, let alone a desire for offspring.
It has always been a matter of human effort; if no possibility is given, there will naturally be no such thing as an "eldest son born out of wedlock."
Jiang Xu was still somewhat dissatisfied with the answer, but he knew that this was the best Shi Wan could do. He sighed inwardly and said awkwardly, "That's true. Besides, you're pregnant now... your body can't take it."
Then, while comforting herself, she thought that as the years went by and things slowly wore on, Shi Wan would eventually conceive a child.
It would be better if she got pregnant. With a child, she certainly wouldn't be so heartless and would be able to settle down and stay by his side.
Jiang Xu wasn't thinking about these things for the first time, but at this moment, he couldn't quite articulate his true feelings. He couldn't say whether he was satisfied or not; he could only still see the thin veil separating the two of them, floating neither too close nor too far, occasionally disturbing his thoughts.
Seeing that this person was being hypocritical again, Shi Wan didn't bother with him and quickened her pace to draw a fortune stick. The spot for drawing fortune sticks in the backyard happened to be in a plum grove. The night breeze was blowing, and the rich fragrance of plum blossoms spread instantly. While waiting, Shi Wan couldn't help but pick a plum blossom from the ground and put it in her hair.
A flower stamen adorned the beauty's hair. Jiang Xu looked at it and felt somewhat comforted. He then moved closer to Shi Wan, and just then it was their turn in the queue. Both of them were quite good-looking and could be described as a perfect match. People around them couldn't help but praise or tease them.
"Oh, what a handsome young man! And the young lady is absolutely gorgeous!"
"Yes, they are a perfect couple!"
"They're such a perfect match!!!"
Jiang Xu smiled slightly as he accepted the fortune slip from the monk. He also nodded slightly to the women who had spoken, which elicited several auspicious words from them.
Shi Wan was half-embraced by him as she carefully examined the fortune slip she had just drawn. After a while, she subconsciously murmured, "...The east wind is cruel, and our joy is fleeting?"
A short while later, the surroundings suddenly became much quieter, and Jiang Xu's low, husky voice reached his ears from above, "What?"
Shi Wan was startled and realized that he had led her there. The two of them had unknowingly arrived at the back gate of the temple and it was time to go down the mountain. She put away the fortune slip and then said without changing her expression, "It's nothing. I was just looking at the fortune slip and seeing couples passing by. I was just... moved to write this."
Jiang Xu stared at her expression and suddenly asked, "What did your fortune teller say?"
"Do I need to report this to you?" Seeing that his possessiveness was acting up again, and that he was deliberately bringing up the sore spot, Shi Wan said coldly, "What did your fortune teller say?"
A beautiful woman's slight anger also has a unique charm. Jiang Xu lightly pressed his teeth together and smiled, "Naturally, it's the best fortune, saying that our marriage will be smooth and that we are a perfect match."
A perfect couple? Shi Wan didn't indulge him. "If that's the case, then they should be a miserable couple."
Their ill-fated relationship has absolutely nothing to do with "smooth sailing" or "perfect marriage." It's not like heaven would laugh at them!
Thinking of this, Shi Wan couldn't help but recall the poem written on her fortune slip: "The east wind is cruel, and joy is fleeting," and she became somewhat distracted.
Her thoughts drifted back, and she couldn't help but bring up the old matter again. "I did as you wished, and even if I didn't do anything, I did put in some effort. I wonder if the Prince of Jingbei could enlighten me?"
Jiang Xu was speechless, having been cornered by Shi Wan, so he had no choice but to let her have her way and replied, "What is it?"
"I've been meaning to ask you this before, don't you still have some doubts about me?"
The surname “Shi” was extremely rare in the current dynasty, and could even be said to be almost extinct. If we trace its origins, only people of foreign ethnicities would have this surname.
As Shi Twan recalled those distant memories from her childhood, several blurry scenes flashed through her mind. In fact, the things she mentioned when she was in Chenling, trying to escape and dealing with Zhang Xun, were indeed true and certain.
However, her country had long since perished and disappeared into the vast sea of history, and she herself could no longer be considered a princess.
Shi Wan didn't believe Jiang Xu hadn't investigated these matters, and as she thought about it, she suddenly felt inexplicably flustered.
"What do you mean?" However, the other party just stared silently for a few moments, then suddenly said, "...Be careful."
A resistance came from in front of her. Shi Wan lowered her eyes and realized that she had almost fallen. Her eyelashes were blinking rapidly.
"If we're talking about doubts, they've always existed," he said frankly.
“But, you pose no threat to Daye.”
Personally, I... also want you to stay by my side.
Upon hearing this, Shi Wan finally found her voice, "Really?"
“But, Jiang Xu,” her voice was somewhat unsteady, “love and suspicion cannot coexist.”
The east wind is cruel, and our joy is fleeting.
Perhaps, this relationship was never destined for a good ending.
The steps leading down the mountain seemed endless. Snowflakes began to fall from the sky, swaying in the wind and landing on their heads. Bathed in the snow together, everything suddenly seemed to have a touch of romance.
Only the white mist from their breath lingered between them, refusing to dissipate for a long time.
......
*
As the festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival gradually subsided, Shi Wan focused on staying in the courtyard, occasionally interacting with Lin Feiran and Xuan Min, while Jiang Xu devoted himself to training troops and other matters.
The two tacitly agreed not to mention their conversation on the night of the Lantern Festival, and the matter of having children was also temporarily put aside. Whenever the military doctors came to deliver medicine, they remained tight-lipped, only mentioning that Shi Wan should take good care of her health.
In early March, before the winter chill had completely faded, her health had improved significantly. The dull pain in her chest had almost disappeared, and her complexion had gradually become more radiant, as if a fairy from a celestial palace had descended to the mortal world and been touched by a touch of human warmth.
Just after the Awakening of Insects, Jiang Xu appointed Wan Houyi and Jing Yan as his left and right deputies, preparing to go to the grasslands to deliver the final blow to the Turks. The atmosphere in the army became tense without him realizing it.
A few days later, Jing Yin was sent to Jichuan to garrison, while Xiao Chijie stayed behind to oversee the overall situation.
Shi Wan observed the whole process and, although she did not know the specific details of the arrangements, she could vaguely sense a sense of urgency.
There has been no news of the men who kidnapped her. It is said that they died after being beaten a few times. These men were Wan Houyi's subordinates. It is said that Jiang Xu came here to make him atone for his crimes.
The imperial capital, Luoyang, was like a paradise, a place of extravagance and decadence, isolated from all the surrounding noise and the cries of the common people. Instead, the conflicts between political parties became increasingly intense.
The day before the Spring Equinox, Jiang Xu came to her room to rest as usual. The two had not seen each other for quite some time. The man came under the moonlight, and his appearance was no different from usual.
As usual, Shi Wan slept on the inside, waiting for Jiang Xu to come to bed and sleep peacefully. The number of times they shared a bed was increasing, and perhaps it was just psychological, but this time, her resistance seemed to have lessened somewhat.
I still felt nauseous and didn't want to say anything more to him.
"The date has been set; we will set off for the Turks early tomorrow morning."
Shi Wan has been cramming on intelligence these past few days. With the Jurchen tribe assisting him in his second campaign, it seems he's about to settle things with the Turkic barbarians.
When it comes to matters of national importance, she has always felt that Jiang Xu is a person without fault, so she couldn't help but casually say a few words of praise to him, "The weather is still cold, so please take care on your journey."
After a long pause, he added, "Have a safe journey."
"I'm waiting for your triumphant return."
Since descending the mountain on the Lantern Festival, Shi Wan had been preoccupied with many thoughts. After being busy these past few days, when they met again, Jiang Xu felt that she was still the same thoughtful and anxious person. After lying down beside her for a long time, he subconsciously relaxed and said, "Of course."
"You should also try to think less overthinking; illness often stems from the mind."
The two chatted back and forth like a loving couple bothering each other. Shi Wan felt a little uncomfortable and gave a dry reply. After a while, seeing that the other person didn't seem to want to continue the conversation, she gradually became sleepy.
With her eyes lightly closed, she drifted off into a daze, seemingly hearing Jiang Xu asking her something.
When she opened her eyes, the man's handsome face suddenly pressed close to hers. The candles in the room had all been extinguished, leaving only scattered moonlight filtering through the window lattice.
Shi Wan suddenly felt a chill, let out two soft moans, and asked indistinctly, "...What's wrong?"
Jiang Xu, it seems, is kissing her?
A moment later, the other person's voice sounded softly, calling her, "Wan'er."
Shi Wan woke up a little, but having just emerged from sleep, her mind was still not very clear.
Jiang Xu... It had been quite a while since I had called her that, and hearing it suddenly brought a strange feeling that I couldn't quite explain.
The next moment, he seemed to sigh, his tone complex.
Your lips taste so bitter.
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The author says: "The east wind is cruel, and our joy is fleeting." This is from "The Phoenix Hairpin - Red Crisp Hands," written by Lu You of the Southern Song Dynasty.
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