Side Story 4: Prison (Miaoyan Zhaorou).”
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A shroud of darkness enveloped her vision, and Jiang Zhaorou felt a sense of unease, a sensation akin to seasickness. Instinctively, she tried to steady herself, to alleviate the discomfort, but she found her body as heavy as lead, unable to move even a finger.
While her body remained immobilized, her other senses became more acute. A buzzing sound echoed in her ears. After focusing her attention, she managed to make out the content of the conversation.
“Oh my, Second Master, it’s been days, and yet Jiang Feizao still hasn’t woken up. Could it be that your medical skills aren’t up to par? Is Jiang Feizao going to sleep forever?”
Jiang Zhaorou was left speechless for a moment, cursing inwardly. She had said it countless times, don’t call her that incredibly unflattering name, how could this girl just ignore her?
Nevertheless, this confirmed the owner of the voice. The speaker was… Xia Yuqing. Could it be that she hadn’t died?
“Doubt my medical skills? Then why did you ask me to come over and treat her? I’d better leave. You all can do whatever you want or let her fend for herself.”
Next, a stranger’s voice reached her ears. It seemed the man was ready to leave, but Xia Yuqing caught hold of him. Soon after, she heard Xia Yuqing’s slightly obsequious words.
“Second Master, don’t be like this. How could I doubt your medical skills? If your skills weren’t good, who in this world could claim to be a competent physician? It’s just that I’m concerned. It’s been days, and Jiang Feizao hasn’t made a sound, hasn’t moved at all. I’m getting worried.”
“Worried? Worried about what? If this girl’s master isn’t worried, why should you, a mere outsider who barely knows her, be so anxious? The emperor isn’t in a hurry, only the eunuch is rushed to death. This girl got stabbed in the stomach. She’s lucky to be alive. What’s so strange about her being unconscious for a few days?”
“…Second Master, you’re becoming increasingly rude.”
“What did you say?!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry, I didn’t say anything just now. Oh no, I mean, Second Master, you’re becoming more and more generous, yes, generous!”
“Huh? Really? Why do I feel like I just heard the word ‘rude’ a moment ago?”
“Ahahaha, how could that be? Second Master, you’re so refined. How could you possibly be associated with rudeness?”
The two continued their bickering, completely oblivious to the figure within the ** who, amidst their escalating argument, furrowed their brows and slowly opened their eyes.
“Your Highness, Lady Jiang has awakened.” The first to notice Jiang Zhaorou’s awakening was Cui Er, who had been quietly watching from the side.
Upon hearing Cui Er’s words, the quarrel between the two abruptly ceased. In the next moment, Jiang Zhaorou felt a blur before a figure leaped to her bedside. The familiar face was brimming with pure delight.
“Jiang Feizao, you’ve finally woken up! If you hadn’t, I might have thought you’d turned into a vegetable!”
Xia Yuqing’s excited words rang in Jiang Zhaorou’s ears, slightly grating. Jiang Zhaorou scrunched her eyebrows, feeling uncomfortable as she said, “You’re so noisy. And don’t call me by that name, it’s awful.”
Afterwards, Jiang Zhaorou watched as Xia Yuqing’s body tensed up, momentarily stiffened, and then quickly squatted in a corner, muttering and drawing circles.
“…”
Jiang Zhaorou twitched her lips and withdrew her gaze, then strained to sit up, surveying her surroundings. She realized she was in an unfamiliar room. As her head cleared a bit more, she couldn’t help but reach out to the nearest person and ask, “Where is he? How is he?”
“Who are you referring to, Lady Jiang? Young Master Ji? He’s fine. He’s currently in the palace dealing with the remnants left behind by the Princess’s rebellion.”
The person beside her replied, causing Jiang Zhaorou to pause again. The Princess was dead? Right, the day she lost consciousness happened to be when the Princess led a rebellion. Is he really unharmed?
“Hey, what are you doing?” The people around her saw Jiang Zhaorou trying to get out of bed and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
However, Jiang Zhaorou had only one thought in her mind: finding Ji Miaoyan. She wanted to see him safe and sound before she could rest easy.
“Stay put!” Accompanied by an irritated low growl, Jiang Zhaorou suddenly felt a tingling sensation all over her body, and she fell back onto the **, her tongue slightly numb and unable to form words. She could only widen her eyes and fix her gaze on the person who had taken action.
“Oh my, Second Master, what did you do to Jiang Feizao? You were so excited just now, but now you’re acting like a timid little lamb?” Xia Yuqing approached once again, glanced at Jiang Zhaorou, and then turned to the young man who had acted.
The young man snorted coldly, his expression impatient. “I gave her some soft tendon powder to prevent her from moving around recklessly. I didn’t want her to waste the pills I’ve been giving her these days by moving unnecessarily. Girl, you had a hole in your stomach, not a scratch. I understand you’re eager to see your lover, but at least get that big wound of yours healed first. I worked hard to close it, and now you’re fidgeting again. Isn’t all my previous effort in vain?”
“Yeah, yeah, Jiang Feizao, you’re still seriously injured. General Ji is right there; he won’t run away. Wait until you’re better before going to see him. Moreover, with your weakened state right now, you might collapse before even leaving this mansion. It’s impossible for you to meet General Ji this way.”
Listening to Xia Yuqing’s advice, Jiang Zhaorou pursed her lips. Her tongue was starting to regain some sensation, and she hesitated before asking, “His… His Lordship… did he… ask about… me?”
Jiang Zhaorou clearly saw Xia Yuqing hesitate for a moment, a hint of embarrassment and hesitancy in her eyes – an answer in itself.
Jiang Zhaorou quietly averted her gaze. She had already anticipated this outcome, but confirming it still made her feel unexpectedly disappointed. She had indeed been too greedy. When she had passed out in the prison, she had only wanted to stay by his side and continue to hold his attention. The notion of rekindling his concern was nothing more than a pipe dream.
It seemed Xia Yuqing could sense the deep disappointment in Jiang Zhaorou’s eyes. She awkwardly offered some comfort, “Actually, General Ji probably didn’t mean it. The capital has been chaotic lately, and he has many matters to attend to. He’s been preoccupied, and when he has time, he will surely remember. How about I send someone to let him know you’ve woken up?”
“No… no need.” Jiang Zhaorou slowly closed her eyes, turned her face away, and felt that the numbness was gradually subsiding. She could only speak one word at a time. “Is… isn’t he… busy? Don’t… don’t disturb him.”
Only she knew, and only such an excuse could give her some slight comfort, allowing her to persevere without breaking down completely.
In the following days, Jiang Zhaorou didn’t insist on seeing Ji Miaoyan again. She quietly nursed her injuries, but she gradually sensed that Xia Yuqing and the others seemed to intentionally delay her, not wanting her to meet Ji Miaoyan too soon. But why? Was it that he wasn’t as unscathed as they claimed, or did he simply not want to see her?
Jiang Zhaorou felt uneasy, but she chose to remain composed, burying the fear of being abandoned deep in her heart. However, this suppressed emotion finally erupted after she learned that Ji Miaoyan had visited the Wei Residence.
Suddenly, that person had been to the Wei Residence? And he left hastily without even meeting her once? Could it be that he was truly fed up with her to the point that he didn’t even want to see her anymore?
Jiang Zhaorou suddenly felt like a stick was stirring her heart, causing it to bleed and ache. Acting on impulse and disregarding her still-healing injuries, she evaded the care of the maids who were looking after her and rushed to the Ji Residence.
Standing in front of the Ji Residence’s gate, looking at the familiar entrance, Jiang Zhaorou felt as though she had just woken from a dream. What was she doing? Why had she recklessly come here? What was her purpose? Did she plan to barge in and question him about his indifference? Who was she, and what right did she have to question him? And… maybe he simply didn’t want to see her.
Jiang Zhaorou hesitated for a while, biting her lip. But in the end, she couldn’t resist entering the Ji Residence. However, she didn’t walk in openly; instead, she stealthily hid herself in a corner, intending to observe him without him noticing her.
Jiang Zhaorou concealed herself in the shrubbery of a courtyard directly facing Ji Miaoyan’s room window. She silently observed his every move inside the room.
After nearly half a month, that person appeared thinner and more worn out. He looked exceptionally weary, but what surprised Jiang Zhaorou the most was the lack of vitality in Ji Miaoyan’s eyes.
In all the time she had known him, she had only seen such a despairing and dull look in his eyes once before – when he learned of the Old General’s passing. And now, she saw that same look of hopelessness in his eyes again. Who had caused him to become like this? The Princess?
A sudden pain pierced her heart, even though her wound wasn’t large. Even though he might no longer need her, she couldn’t bear to see him in pain.
As a result, when Jiang Zhaorou regained her senses, she had instinctively, as she had done countless times before, silently offered Ji Miaoyan a cup of warm tea during his most exhausted and desolate moments. She accompanied him silently, letting him know he wasn’t alone. Even if everyone else had abandoned him, at least… there was still someone silently standing behind him… guarding him.
All of this happened so naturally that Jiang Zhaorou had forgotten her original intention. Until she unconsciously murmured “Lord…” and saw Ji Miaoyan tremble, looking at her with astonishment, as though he had seen something unimaginable.
A shiver ran down Jiang Zhaorou’s spine, and she suddenly realized that she might have done something foolish again. She wanted to step back, but Ji Miaoyan’s gaze fixed her feet in place, immobilizing her.
Feeling the chill from Ji Miaoyan’s gaze, Jiang Zhaorou bit her lip and was about to turn and leave. However, Ji Miaoyan, as if sensing her intention, quickly seized her wrist.
Jiang Zhaorou’s eyes widened, looking at Ji Miaoyan in disbelief. She was about to ask, but before she could, he had pulled her into his embrace.
Caught off guard by this turn of events, Jiang Zhaorou felt the warmth emanating from Ji Miaoyan’s chest, and her body tensed up. As his embrace tightened, almost as if he wished to meld her into his very being, his pressure on her wound caused her to feel a faint pain. It was only then that she regained her senses and started to struggle.
However, just as she was about to push Ji Miaoyan away, she heard him whisper almost pleadingly, “Don’t go, don’t leave me again!”
Jiang Zhaorou’s outstretched hand froze in midair. She then silently lowered it, instead reaching around Ji Miaoyan’s waist and hugging him, gradually embracing his back.
Just this once, even if it was just this once, please allow her to be willful again. Allow her to indulge in this moment, to be the support he needed to overcome the pain of losing a loved one. Even if it was only temporary, and even if everything would return to the beginning once he regained his clarity. But at this moment… please allow her this small indulgence. After all… opportunities to be this close to him were so rare, and who knew if she’d ever have another chance? After today, she would restrain herself, bury all her obsessions for this person deep within her heart, and never reveal them again, causing him any further trouble.
And so, the unfolding of events, which one party thought was an unexpectedly regained connection and another party thought was merely a misunderstanding arising from seeking solace from grief, diverged significantly. While they held each other closely, appearing intimate, their thoughts had strayed far from each other. The intended happy reunion was marred by their inability to communicate, leading to a situation where laughter and tears intertwined. If the mastermind behind this unexpected meeting were able to witness this outcome, they might be unsure whether to cry or laugh.
With a crisp sound, on the bustling streets of Shu, a slender and graceful figure walked quietly. Suddenly, she raised her hand to her forehead and tapped it, a look of extreme headache on her face. It seemed she had encountered something troublesome, and her distressed appearance attracted worried and sympathetic glances from those manning the stalls nearby.
Jiang Zhaorou paid no attention to the curious onlookers. Her brows were twisted like twisted dough, and she was increasingly unable to grasp that person’s thoughts. Since the incident two years ago, when he had embraced her too tightly and reopened her wound, she found him becoming increasingly mysterious.
Seeing Ji Miaoyan by her bedside when she woke up after fainting had shocked Jiang Zhaorou to the extreme. Initially, she thought Ji Miaoyan was feeling guilty and responsible for her fainting. But what surprised her even more was his behavior in the days that followed – he was almost inseparable from her, taking charge of her daily life, including her meals and care, which was typically the domain of servants. Even if he felt guilty, going to such lengths seemed excessive.
During that period, Ji Miaoyan’s kindness almost made Jiang Zhaorou think that this man had suddenly reverted to several years ago. Before anything had happened and before any grievances arose between them. However, it was only almost. Because not long after, one day when the atmosphere seemed right, Jiang Zhaorou cautiously advised Ji Miaoyan not to be too saddened by the death of the Princess and not to blame himself excessively for her injury.
Seemingly understanding something, Ji Miaoyan immediately darkened his expression, glanced at Jiang Zhaorou, and left after slamming down his bowl. Jiang Zhaorou was left standing there, bewildered and not knowing what she had said wrong. Later, after some careful reflection, she thought that Ji Miaoyan might have felt that she was meddling in their family affairs, genuinely apologized, but unfortunately, the effect was not good. It seemed to have backfired.
So, Jiang Zhaorou was very puzzled and lived under Ji Miaoyan’s black face for quite some time, fearing that he might kick her out in a fit of anger. Fortunately, even when Ji Miaoyan’s mood was bad, he never treated her harshly, let alone throw her out of the mansion to fend for herself.
However, gradually, Jiang Zhaorou was once again surprised to find that the previously mature and stable Ji Miaoyan had become capricious. Although he no longer ignored her as before, he often made her do strange things. For example, watering the nearly dead flowers in his backyard or having her grind things for him while maintaining a cold face, not even sparing a glance…
All these things, if it weren’t for knowing that Ji Miaoyan wouldn’t tolerate people wandering around aimlessly in his presence, Jiang Zhaorou would have thought she offended him somewhere and caught his attention.
Forget it, as long as that person doesn’t despise her and drive her away with his own words, she will never willingly leave him. This much had been clear to her from years ago, hadn’t it? Besides, no matter how much that person changes, in her eyes, he is still him – the one who has firmly occupied her heart. If that’s the case, what’s the point of delving into these matters?
Jiang Zhaorou sighed helplessly and smiled. She scolded herself for getting lost in her thoughts. Just as she was beginning to clear her mind, she suddenly felt like she had collided with something head-on. Staggering back a couple of steps, she barely managed to regain her balance. Before she could steady herself, a sharp female voice rang out, “Oh my, who’s the fool with no eyes that dares to run into this Madam? Are you courting death?”
Jiang Zhaorou’s body stiffened as she fought to regain her composure. She narrowed her eyes, looking at the person she had collided with, feeling a sense of surprise.
The person before her didn’t look much older than Jiang Zhaorou. She had heavily painted makeup on her face and considered herself to be extraordinarily beautiful. However, in the eyes of others, she appeared excessive and carried a somewhat unseemly air of age, making her quite repulsive. Accompanying this woman was another who looked somewhat similar to her and was slightly younger.
Despite the changes in their appearances over the years, Jiang Zhaorou recognized their faces and the tone of their speech. They were…
The woman who had been scolding her for some time finally noticed that Jiang Zhaorou hadn’t responded at all and became even more arrogant. However, as she got a clear look at Jiang Zhaorou’s face, she furrowed her brows in confusion. After a moment of contemplation, as if she remembered something, she sneered, “I was wondering who the fool with no eyes was, causing such a ruckus. Turns out it’s you, the b*stard. Hah, didn’t think you, this b*stard, would still be alive. Back when the Jiang family was executed, how did you, this escaped fish, slip through the net? I wonder if you’re just like your mother from that place of debauchery, clinging to some big shot, selling yourself for your pathetic life, shameless!”
That’s right, these two women who had collided with her were the daughters of the former main wife of the Jiang family. They were Jiang Zhaorou’s half-sisters, Jiang Yu and Jiang Yao. When the Jiang family was purged, these two had eloped with two men from the city, a scandalous act that should have been ridiculed by society. However, due to the subsequent downfall of the Jiang patriarch, they managed to escape punishment.
What Jiang Zhaorou didn’t know was that shortly after their elopement, these two sisters were abandoned by their men for being difficult to handle and unwilling to endure hardships. Upon hearing about the downfall of the Jiang family and their execution, these men feared being implicated and regarded the sisters as burdens to be discarded.
Later on, the men finally found the opportunity and sent the sisters to work in the pleasure district. After spending years there, enduring hardships, they still clung to their sense of superiority as former noble ladies, believing that they would eventually rise again. As for their shared background with Jiang Zhaorou, they considered it a joke. How could someone like Jiang Zhaorou, born of a lowly concubine, compare to them, who came from a respectable family? Thus, these two women, to put it nicely, were haughty, but to put it bluntly, they were utterly foolish.
However, fate had played its part, and these sisters eventually found an opportunity. They used their relatively decent looks to become mistresses of a certain official and wealthy merchant in the capital. Since then, the arrogance they had exhibited in their youth had been rekindled, and they delighted in bullying the weak, as evidenced by their current behavior toward Jiang Zhaorou.
Jiang Zhaorou clearly felt the sharpness in Jiang Yu’s words. The glances from the passersby around them had unconsciously turned toward them, some unknowing spectators giving her a familiar yet chilling gaze, as if she had suddenly returned to the days when she was scorned and ridiculed in the Jiang residence.
But she was no longer the helpless girl who would cower behind a tree, accepting everyone’s insults. She had changed.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhaorou lifted her head to look at Jiang Yu and sneered, “If we’re talking about luck, my dear sister, I’m not as lucky as my two elder sisters. If it weren’t for you two having the foresight to not wait until Father was arrested before rushing to elope with those men of unknown origin, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have survived until now. From the looks of your hairstyles, it seems you two are already married. I wonder if your husbands are the same men you eloped with back then?”
As Jiang Zhaorou spoke, the gazes that were initially fixed on her suddenly shifted to the two sisters. Jiang Zhaorou observed this without surprise, her eyes full of mockery. These two dared to bring up their own backgrounds, oblivious to the fact that their own actions were hardly any better than those less reputable women in the pleasure district. It was only natural that they were attracting such attention.
The two sisters hadn’t expected the once defenseless little girl, who couldn’t fight back or retort, to have a day where she could bite back. Enraged, they pointed at Jiang Zhaorou and shouted in a low voice, “You b*stard, you’ve gone too far!”
Jiang Zhaorou wasn’t frightened by their aggressive demeanor. She gave a nonchalant, sardonic smile and retorted, “Is this dear sister saying something wrong? The deeds my elder sisters accomplished in the past were quite the sensation throughout Lingnan. With so much gossip, it’s not something that can be simply brushed aside.”
“Shut up, you wretch…” Jiang Yu, infuriated and embarrassed, raised her hand, seemingly intending to slap Jiang Zhaorou across the face.
Anticipating this, Jiang Zhaorou was prepared to respond. However, before Jiang Yu’s hand could make contact, another hand came out of nowhere and gripped her wrist firmly.
“Who are you calling a wretch?” A familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind, causing Jiang Zhaorou’s eyes to widen in disbelief. She turned her head to meet the cool gaze of Ji Miaoyan.
Jiang Yu, upon feeling her wrist being held, was about to react angrily. But upon seeing the handsome young man before her, her initial anger was instantly replaced with infatuation.
“This… young master, your grip is hurting this humble one’s hand. A man and woman shouldn’t touch, you being like this…” Ji Miaoyan’s brows barely twitched as she responded, clearly feeling somewhat disgusted by the person’s lack of shame. He also found it distasteful touching them.
Jiang Zhaorou noticed the change in Jiang Yu’s expression and couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. She thought to herself that after so many years, this woman was still the same as before. Whenever she saw a handsome man, she would act like a fly seeing something good, rushing towards it directly. This habit of hers hadn’t changed a bit. However, in the past, she would just smile and pass by when she witnessed such things, mocking them in her heart. But now, seeing that Jiang Yu’s target was Ji Miaoyan, Jiang Zhaorou couldn’t help but feel a similar aversion towards him.
It must be said that after being by Ji Miaoyan’s side for so long, they had developed some unspoken understanding. Seeing Ji Miaoyan’s slightly furrowed brows and the quick rejection of Jiang Yu’s hand, Jiang Zhaorou had a plan in mind.
Pulling out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, Jiang Zhaorou approached and called out softly, “My Lord.” Then, she casually pulled Ji Miaoyan’s hand, which had just been touched by Jiang Yu, and carefully wiped it.
Ji Miaoyan, observing Jiang Zhaorou’s actions, was momentarily stunned. After seeing the mocking look in her eyes, he smirked and cooperated unconditionally, saying, “Make sure to clean every part. If you accidentally bring dirty things home, it won’t be good.”
Jiang Zhaorou was taken aback for a moment, but the smile in her eyes deepened.
Jiang Yu didn’t expect Ji Miaoyan to humiliate her so openly. Her face darkened, and upon hearing Jiang Zhaorou’s low call and actions, she snorted coldly, “So, you are the grand patron this b*tch is relying on now? Huh, it’s really someone who doesn’t know the current affairs, willing to keep such a b*tch by his side. Disgusting…”
With a loud slap, before Jiang Yu could finish her sentence, an enraged person struck her across the face. She collapsed to the ground, her small face instantly swelling up. She covered her throbbing face, looking at the aggressor in disbelief.
“Sister!” Jiang Yao, startled by the turn of events, rushed forward to help Jiang Yu up.
“You dare slap me? How dare you slap me! Do you even know who I am?”
Disdainfully picking up the embroidered handkerchief that Jiang Zhaorou had used, Ji Miaoyan wiped his hand and sneered, “I don’t care who you are. If you dare insult my woman as a wretch, are you seeking death or just tired of living?”
Jiang Zhaorou was taken aback, looking at Ji Miaoyan in astonishment. She couldn’t believe Ji Miaoyan had just referred to her as “my woman.”
“I told you, what’s the matter? This wretch had a background in a pleasure district, shameless and ignorant, only knowing how to seduce men. Now she’s acting like a fox spirit, sticking by a man’s side, using charm to gain favor. How disgusting, it’s revolting. So, are you daring to do what you won’t let others say?” Although Jiang Yu was momentarily startled by Ji Miaoyan’s sudden burst of anger, her inherent arrogance quickly overtook her fear. She widened her eyes and shouted at Ji Miaoyan and Jiang Zhaorou.
On the street, people gathered gradually due to the commotion on this side. Some recognized Ji Miaoyan and Jiang Zhaorou, but they didn’t show any unusual expressions towards the two because of Jiang Yu’s words. Instead, they frowned and pointed at the woman who was loudly berating the two in the street.
Ji Miaoyan’s face grew increasingly grim as he listened to Jiang Yu’s words. However, he managed to glean some clues from her remarks. Suppressing the surge of emotions within him, he turned to Jiang Zhaorou and asked, “Your mother? She knows your mother. Who is this woman?”
Jiang Zhaorou’s biological mother had passed away before Ji Miaoyan had encountered her. While there were discussions about her background after she came to Ji Miaoyan, no one had explicitly mentioned her mother. Given the familiarity in their conversation, the only explanation was that this woman must have known Jiang Zhaorou before she entered Ji Miaoyan’s service.
Jiang Zhaorou trembled, hesitated for a moment, and then replied, “They… are my elder sisters, the children of the first wife.”
Ji Miaoyan’s eyes flickered slightly. He had looked into the Jiang family’s affairs before taking Jiang Zhaorou in, so he was aware that these two sisters had mistreated Jiang Zhaorou in the past. However, he hadn’t expected that after all these years, Jiang Zhaorou would end up by his side, and yet these two women dared to insult her openly in his presence. It was truly audacious.
Ji Miaoyan’s anger gave way to a sneer as he looked down at the two women on the ground. He spoke with a condescending tone, like he was addressing two insignificant ants, “So, you’re the ones who slipped through the cracks of the Jiang family. If I recall correctly, the Jiang family was personally purged by the Emperor back then, and yet there are still survivors.”
Jiang Yu, observing Ji Miaoyan’s derisive expression, couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. Her arrogance waned, and she instinctively moved back slightly, nervously asking, “What… what do you want?”
Seeing Jiang Yu’s hesitation, Ji Miaoyan’s lips curled into a mocking smile. His eyes flashed with a hint of malice as he continued, “Nothing much, just as an official of the court, it’s my duty to report when I have information about criminals. Let it be known that harboring fugitives in my presence and allowing them to be brazen is a failure on my part. Men, take them away and throw them into the dungeon.”
As Ji Miaoyan’s words landed, the guards behind him swiftly moved forward, easily restraining the stunned Jiang Yu and Jiang Yao.
For a moment, Jiang Yu and Jiang Yao were dumbfounded. They felt their arms being seized, and panic surged within them. Jiang Yu’s attempt at an imposing demeanor dissolved, and she pleaded desperately, “What are you doing? Do you know who I am? I am the concubine of Lord Xing from the Ministry of Rites, and my sister is the favored concubine of the wealthiest merchant in the capital. How dare you treat us like this! Let go of me… let go!”
Jiang Yu’s uncontrollable screams seemed like a joke in the eyes of Ji Miaoyan and the others. Ji Miaoyan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Minister of Rites, Lord Xing?”
“Yes, Master.” Just as Ji Miaoyan inquired, a servant who had been following him stepped forward and whispered, “It should be Vice Minister of Rites, Xing Yan Lord Xing. The servant heard that a few years ago, Lord Xing went on a trip with the richest man in the capital. They encountered two sisters in a brothel in a border town and brought them back to the capital as concubines. It seems to be these two.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaorou was surprised. She never expected that these women, who hypocritically accused her mother of humble origins, would have once fallen into the world of courtesans. It was ridiculous that they, who had experienced the same environment, would still arrogantly insult others from the same background, as if they were exempt from it.
The onlookers on the street were also taken aback. They had seen a lot of tricks, but they didn’t expect someone from the world of courtesans to insult others from the same background. It was as if they were not part of that world, which was truly laughable.
“Humph, a mere Vice Minister of Rites dares to secretly keep criminals and allows them to act recklessly in front of me. Inform this Lord Xing and the wealthy merchant that they can choose between losing their heads and their precious concubines!” Ji Miaoyan coldly snorted, showing no mercy.
“Yes.”
Jiang Yu did not expect that her last resort, mentioning the influential figures behind her, would be met with disdain instead of fear.
At this moment, they finally realized that they had provoked someone they couldn’t afford to offend. However, they were not willing to just accept their fate.
“You can’t do this, you can’t! Sister, sister knows she was wrong. Sister apologizes to you. Please plead with this noble person for us, sister doesn’t want to die, sister doesn’t want to die, sister…” The two sisters, realizing that they were about to be apprehended, panicked and screamed towards Jiang Zhaorou. Jiang Zhaorou frowned but turned her head without being moved, unwilling to look at the hypocritical faces of the two.
Seeing that even after putting down their pride, Jiang Zhaorou showed no intention of helping them, the two sisters became more agitated. “D*mn it, how can you just watch us die like this? We are your sisters, your blood sisters. You will face retribution for this, definite retribution! Who gives that so-called noble person the right to judge us? He says we are from the Jiang family and guilty! Is that wretched woman not from the Jiang family as well? Why should we die while she enjoys wealth and luxury by a man’s side? This is a blatant injustice!”
Jiang Zhaorou’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. She was disappointed and disgusted by her sisters, who, even on the brink of death, were trying to drag her into their troubles.
Before she could respond, Ji Miaoyan laughed softly, his eyes coldly staring at the two sisters. He sneered, “Don’t compare yourselves to her. In my eyes, you’re not even worth one of her fingers. What right do you have to be judged by me? Well, I’d like to see if the head of the Ji family, the youngest general in the Shu Kingdom, has the right to judge your crimes. Also, let me remind you, this person has long been a member of my Ji family. She has nothing to do with your Jiang family anymore. Make it clear that even offending whom, you don’t know. It would be a pity if you end up in the underworld without knowing who to complain to. Take them away, they’re annoying.”
“Yes!”
Jiang Zhaorou, you heartless wretch who watches others die, you will face retribution, you will definitely face retribution. And that b*stard,…”
The clamor of Jiang Yu’s two sisters echoed from nearby, but even the people escorting them found it distasteful. They covered the sisters’ mouths and dragged them away.
However, Jiang Zhaorou paid no attention to the insults. At this moment, her mind was occupied with one thought. Maybe the first time was a misunderstanding, but this time she was sure she hadn’t misheard. Ji Miaoyan had just declared in front of everyone that she belonged to the Ji family. His people?
“What are you standing there for? Let’s go back. Encountering such unreasonable people early in the morning is really unfortunate.” Jiang Zhaorou was still in astonishment when she heard Ji Miaoyan’s displeased snort. He then turned and walked away.
Watching Ji Miaoyan’s somewhat annoyed figure, Jiang Zhaorou’s heart trembled, and she instinctively placed her hand on her chest. Indeed… she had misunderstood, how could that person possibly…
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhaorou sighed quietly, ready to follow as she usually did, silently trailing behind him. However, before she could act, Ji Miaoyan turned around, seeming quite impatient.
“What are you dilly-dallying for? Come over here!” he said, reaching out his hand towards Jiang Zhaorou as if intending to pull her over.
Jiang Zhaorou stared in disbelief at Ji Miaoyan, who was extending his hand toward her.
The rising sunlight cast a hazy glow behind him, creating a mysterious silhouette. In that moment, Jiang Zhaorou suddenly felt that the person before her completely overlapped with the young man who had reached out to her on the execution ground.
Without any gaps, without any distance, without any barriers, it was as if they had returned to that time when nothing had happened.
Seeing Jiang Zhaorou standing still for a long time, Ji Miaoyan’s displeasure deepened. He directly stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and complained, “You’re so aloof. I called, and you didn’t respond. I had to come over and invite you myself!”
Feeling the warmth in her hand, Jiang Zhaorou’s eyes tightened, and her face involuntarily revealed a hint of surprise. However, this surprise turned into a faint fear after hearing Ji Miaoyan’s murmurs. “No, I am not…”
“What’s not? Can’t even speak properly. Always trailing behind me like a ghost. If you want to follow, stay by my side properly!” Ji Miaoyan scolded, and without waiting for her to react, he reached out and pulled her along.
Jiang Zhaorou, still in a daze, could only nod faintly, “Yes.”
Ji Miaoyan glanced at the twist of her hair above her head, lips slightly curved, and tightly held the hand as they continued walking forward.
He would never tell this silly girl that the first time he saw her, a child standing on the execution ground, looking at the sky with a face of relief, he was momentarily amazed. It was that amazement that made him impulsively bring a condemned prisoner back with him.
He would never tell this silly girl that during the years they spent together, he had developed feelings he shouldn’t have for her. But at that time, he couldn’t figure out what kind of feelings they were. He simply enjoyed her admiration for him, vaguely feeling that this person cared about him.
Coupled with the sudden death of his dearest family member, he lost his direction and was unable to discern the true nature of those emotions. Yet, it was precisely because of this confusion that he failed to anticipate her voluntary departure. He never imagined that the person who cared for him so deeply would one day choose to leave him. It was as if he was being ridiculed for his previous misguided feelings, which fueled his anger and resentment for so many years.
He would never tell this foolish girl that on the day she left, he hadn’t bid her farewell in person. He had stood on the city gate, watching her departing figure, enduring a cold night wind for hours. He had caught a chill that night and fallen seriously ill, his mood fluctuating wildly. He took out his frustrations on anyone he encountered, feeling overwhelmed by sorrow.
He would never tell this foolish girl that the next time he saw her, she had shed the innocence of youth, and he understood the depth of her admiration for him. Yet, he felt that his resentment toward her had somehow intertwined with something else, something he was hesitant to touch. He couldn’t respond to her, nor did he think he had the ability to respond. Years of instinctual awareness of danger had taught him that if he gave in to her, he might be irreversibly lost. So, he repeatedly pushed her away, only to hide his inner fears.
He would never tell this foolish girl that when he found out she had risked her life to return to Ye Country and attempted to kidnap the future empress, he had dropped everything and rushed to Ye Country. Upon seeing her, all his worries and frustrations erupted, and he impulsively slapped her. It was the first time he had ever struck her since meeting her. When he finally regained his senses, she was lying on the ground, her cheek marked with the imprint of his fingers.
At that moment, he had acted foolishly. Overwhelmed by emotions, he had said hurtful words to mask his momentary loss of control. Only he knew how much effort it took to suppress his tumultuous emotions and maintain a stern facade as he pushed her away. He was torn between feeling guilty for his impulsiveness and disgusted with himself for allowing a woman to manipulate him and undermine his once-prized rationality.
He would never tell this foolish girl how panicked he felt when he found her unconscious and severely injured on the mountain path, her life hanging in the balance. In front of his trusted subordinates, he lost his composure, rushing past bewildered soldiers to reach the doctor and command them to treat her. Looking back, he wished he could turn back time and awaken his calmer self in that moment of crisis.
But that was impossible. So, he was left to counter-threaten his loyal subordinates, who had witnessed everything, as if the whole incident had never occurred. He dared not face her, fearing that she would read his guilt and embarrassment. It was too shameful! However, some things were inevitable, and after that incident, he had come to accept it. This woman was his nemesis, and since he couldn’t avoid her, he could only begrudgingly accept her presence. Since he couldn’t let go, he would keep her by his side forever.
Yet, he never anticipated the series of unexpected events that followed. When he learned from Xia Yuqing that the woman had died in the rebellion, for a brief moment, his world seemed to collapse. He couldn’t deceive himself anymore. He realized that his feelings for her had evolved into something just as deep as what she felt for him.
He had drawn a boundary around her, confining her, but he had unknowingly imprisoned himself as well.
He would never tell this foolish girl how surreal it felt to see her standing before him, alive and well, after he thought he had lost her forever. The joy and hope he felt were indescribable, and he wished time would freeze in that moment.
However, just as he resolved to treat her better, to give her the best he could offer, she interpreted his kindness as guilt, attributing his care to pity. In that moment, his patience snapped. He restrained his urge to strangle this infuriating little enchantress who had managed to rile him up without realizing it.
He would never admit to this foolish girl that he had spent two years holding a grudge against her for this, though his agitation never truly subsided. That clueless fool couldn’t comprehend why he had asked her to water the flowers in the backyard. Little did she know, he had planted those flowers himself, pure white lilacs, representing a hard-won love.
He certainly wouldn’t disclose to this foolish girl that this very morning, he had personally petitioned the emperor for a marriage decree. The edict was now hidden in his sleeve, waiting for the opportune moment to surprise her.
“Sir, I heard that the foolish girl who disappeared for a whole year has returned to Ye Country.”
“Yes, it was quite a shock to see her suddenly reappear when we thought she was gone for good. Interested in her? I heard people from other countries have flocked to Ye Country for this. Even His Highness went there. If you’re interested, we could go too.”
“Well… do you want to go, sir?”
“What if I said I want to go? Are you going to follow me, or will you stay here?”
The other voice fell silent for a moment before replying, “Wherever you go, I’ll be there.”
“Call me by my name.”
“What… what?”
“I said, call me by my name.”
“…”
“Still trying to make me angry?”
“N-no, Miaoyan.”
“Good…”
As the sun slowly rose, its warm light enveloped their clasped hands. The sunlight streamed through them, casting two intertwined shadows on the ground, growing longer as they pulled closer.
Years ago, a young man had pulled a girl out of the depths of h*ll, and now, in circumstances unbeknownst to her, that same young man found himself drawn into her world. Two people had become trapped in the same cage. From that moment on, their happiness was intertwined, locked within this cage of their own making.
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