The Daily Life of a Depressed Salted Fish Chapter 54

Jiang Wu couldn’t quite understand Yin Wuzhi’s behavior. 

He had been so angry earlier in the day, even deliberately teasing him while feeding him. Why was he suddenly so considerate now?

Yin Wuzhi, realizing that his actions were too obvious, hesitated briefly and pulled back slightly.

His change in attitude wasn’t without reason.

Everyone had always called Jiang Wu a benevolent ruler, but Yin Wuzhi had never thought much of it. To him, Jiang Wu was just a self-indulgent, worthless person, a far cry from any image of a wise monarch.

He was heartbroken and angry, but there was still some pride left in him.

Stripping away his noble status, Jiang Wu was just a little nobody. It was bad enough that the person he liked didn’t reciprocate, but to be humiliated by him in return was even worse. The most infuriating part was that, despite being treated poorly by a nobody, he still couldn’t help but want to be good to him.

This seriously wounded his self-esteem.

However, today, for the first time, Yin Wuzhi witnessed Jiang Wu’s martial skills. It made him realize that Jiang Wu’s ascension to the throne wasn’t simply due to luck—he was far more capable than Yin Wuzhi had believed.

Chen Ziyan’s conversations revealed much as well.

Yin Wuzhi even began to suspect that in those mysteriously missing memories of his, there might be hidden truths he wasn’t aware of.

He decided to set aside his prejudices and rediscover the Jiang Wu of legend. That’s why, when King Xiang made those remarks earlier, Yin Wuzhi couldn’t help but stand up for Jiang Wu.

After all, everyone said Jiang Wu was a remarkable person.

Besides, earlier, Jiang Wu had bluntly said he didn’t want to see Yin Wuzhi bleed, and he liked his liking him for no reason at all.

In this world, only Yin Wuzhi liked Jiang Wu without reason, so that meant Jiang Wu liked Yin Wuzhi back for the same reason.

When you look at it that way, it made perfect sense.

Yin Wuzhi suddenly remembered something and said seriously, “I noticed something earlier.”

Jiang Wu: “?”

“When King Xiang first arrived in Guanjing, Qiu Wuchen quickly sent a set of hand-sewn clothes to Your Majesty,” Yin Wuzhi pursed his lips. “I found the timing a little too coincidental.”

“Thinking back, it seems she was deliberately trying to make Your Majesty think of her, hoping you would visit her, which would allow her to execute her next plan.”

Jiang Wu indeed remembered this. He had thought of visiting Qiu Wuchen multiple times, but due to his natural tendency to procrastinate, he had never actually gone.

His face didn’t betray much emotion, but Yin Wuzhi still caught a shift in his eyes, signaling his agreement.

“And King Xiang is suspicious as well. When we mentioned King Ning being poisoned and King Qi being injured, his expression was strange,” Yin Wuzhi continued. “It’s as if he couldn’t help but suspect Your Majesty.”

Since Jiang Wu hadn’t been involved in that particular conversation, he showed no reaction.

“And when he first came to the palace, I thought he…” Yin Wuzhi furrowed his brow. “What exactly is going on between King Xiang and Your Majesty?”

Jiang Wu remained silent.

“At this point, this official can’t hide the truth from Your Majesty any longer. That day when this official fought King Xiang, it was because he suddenly climbed into Your Majesty’s bed. This official thought he intended to do something improper, so this official—”

“You should’ve been in the imperial study that day,” Jiang Wu said calmly. “How did you know about this?”

Yin Wuzhi confessed, “Because this official also climbed into Your Majesty’s bed that night.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

He briefly wanted to make an expression, but was too tired to bother.

Yin Wuzhi lowered his lashes. “Does King Xiang have feelings for Your Majesty?”

From Jiang Wu’s perspective, it was true that King Xiang treated him a little differently, and he had once speculated that the original host of his body had driven King Xiang away from Guanjing because of this.

He lazily cast a glance at Yin Wuzhi, as if inviting him to guess.

Yin Wuzhi brooded for a while, then asked, “Is she beautiful?”

Jiang Wu didn’t understand.

“Qiu Wuchen,” Yin Wuzhi clarified.

Jiang Wu had no idea. He was far too indifferent to have ever met her.

But he still said, “Unrivaled beauty.”

Yin Wuzhi’s expression darkened. “Is that so?”

“Hmph.”

After some thought, Yin Wuzhi couldn’t help but add, “She only loves Crown Prince Yuan.”

Jiang Wu seized the moment. “I’ll force her to marry me.”

Yin Wuzhi looked at him for a while. “Forced marriage isn’t love—it’s possession.”

Jiang Wu: “.” You said it.

“In the end, Your Majesty doesn’t really like her, does he?” Yin Wuzhi mused, searching his memory for the figure erased from it. “It’s only after finding out about King Xiang and Qiu Wuchen’s plot that you wanted to marry her. You’re angry at them, so you’re acting recklessly, convincing yourself you want this. You’re just trying to cover for their treachery and protect them.”

Jiang Wu was starting to feel dizzy from his words. With what little strength he had left, he murmured, “I really do like Qiu Wuchen.”

“Then let me take Your Majesty to see her.”

By this point, whether he wanted to or not, Jiang Wu had to go out. Yin Wuzhi had firmly attached a label of kindness onto him, one that couldn’t be peeled off no matter what. For the first time, Jiang Wu realized the terrifying nature of love, and even more so, he understood what it meant to see Xi Shi through the eyes of a lover.

So, he decided to meet Qiu Wuchen, to display in front of Yin Wuzhi his deep affection and longing for her.

The day they went to see Qiu Wuchen, the weather was nice. Despite the lingering cold of spring, the rooftops were still piled with white snow, and the streets of Guanjing were clean and clear.

At the city’s outskirts, in a famous alley teeming with all sorts of people, one could find hawkers peddling their wares, idle beggars, and wandering folk dressed in white, all struggling to make a living.

Because of the cold, every household had their doors shut tight. Jiang Wu was pushed into the alley, stopping in front of a worn-out, red double-door. The door had yellow papers pasted on it, like Spring Festival couplets, inscribed with strange symbols drawn in vermilion. Their purpose was unknown.

Yin Wuzhi hadn’t expected a wealthy young lady like her to live in such a place.

Qi Hanmiao sighed, “Your Highness, you may not know this, but the eldest young lady had a fit in the Qiu household once. Afterward, Lord Qiu drove her out. Since then, she’s been moving from place to place, saying she’s trying to locate the soul of the Crown Prince.”

Yin Wuzhi glanced up at the flags stuck in the walls and asked, “These…?”

Qi Hanmiao lowered his voice, “They’re spirit flags. It’s said they’re used to call the Crown Prince’s soul back home.”

Yin Wuzhi: “…”

No wonder Lord Qiu kicked her out.

Jiang Wu looked up, feeling a strange familiarity with the flags covering the wall.

Qi Hanmiao stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, a round-faced maid appeared, delighted, “Attendant Qi, His Majesty has finally come to see our young lady.”

“It’s been a while, Little Miss Xi,” Qi Hanmiao greeted her with a smile and then stepped aside, revealing Jiang Wu. Little Miss Xi’s face changed, “His Majesty’s legs…”

“His Majesty hasn’t been feeling well lately, always feeling weak in his limbs. That’s why he’s using a wheelchair. No need to worry.”

Relieved, Little Xi led them inside and whispered, “The young lady is still in the ancestral hall, accompanying the Crown Prince. May His Majesty wait a moment.”

Qi Hanmiao nodded, and while Jiang Wu’s expression remained unchanged, Yin Wuzhi asked, “Accompanying the Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince’s memorial tablet,” Little Xi explained as she poured tea. “Our young lady often does this, saying she’s afraid the Crown Prince will feel lonely.”

She handed the tea to Jiang Wu, but Yin Wuzhi took it on his behalf, saying, “Miss just leave it.”

Jiang Wu was surprised by how peculiar Qiu Wuchen turned out to be, though he didn’t spot any ghosts in the courtyard.

Of course, that might be because he was now a mortal himself.

The wait was long. Little Xi went to heat up a plate of flower cakes and offered them to Jiang Wu, saying, “The young lady guessed His Majesty would visit soon, so she instructed me to make the sticky rice cakes you love. There are also persimmons and dried meat, all things you enjoy. Please have some while you wait.”

Jiang Wu didn’t move, showing no interest in the food.

Qi Hanmiao quickly made up an excuse, “The imperial physicians recently advised His Majesty not to eat these things.”

Yin Wuzhi quietly observed the food on the table.

So, even the emperor had favorite foods once. He used to enjoy chewy things like dried fruit and jerky.

Clearly, Yin Wuzhi’s understanding of Jiang Wu had been far too limited.

Jiang Wu grew drowsy as he waited. Yin Wuzhi adjusted the wheelchair’s backrest to let him recline more comfortably before stepping outside.

The courtyard where Qiu Wuchen lived wasn’t large, dominated by an old, sturdy locust tree. The winters in Guanjing were long, and the tree was bare, its branches thick and dry. Odd talismans were tied all over them.

To the east, there was an altar with a silver basin and burnt-out red candles.

“Who are you?”

As the sun started to set, a woman’s voice came from behind. Yin Wuzhi turned to see Qiu Wuchen.

Her expression was cold, her hairpin made of a tree branch, with the bark still rough and showing fresh breaks. 

In the Xia Dynasty, the bridal attire for a formal marriage was a green gown, and today, Qiu Wuchen wore just that. Her forehead was painted with a symbol similar to those on the doors, and her earrings were red strings. Red cords also adorned her wrists and ankles, making her appear strangely dressed in red and green.

Yin Wuzhi regained his composure and bowed, “I am Yin Shu, here accompanying His Majesty to visit the eldest young miss Qiu.”

Qiu Wuchen’s face turned colder, “Who are you calling a ‘young miss’?”

“…” Before the silence could grow, Qi Hanmiao stepped forward, “Crown Prince Consort, this servant has come to see you.”

Qiu Wuchen’s face softened slightly, “Attendant Qi.”

“This is Yin Shizi, who has recently returned to Guanjing. He wasn’t aware that Your Highness is already wed, and I ask your pardon.”

Qiu Wuchen glanced at Yin Wuzhi and said, “Since you look like a pitiful soul like me, I’ll let it go.”

Yin Wuzhi: “?” Who’s as pitiful as you?

“Your Highness, His Majesty is inside.”

At the mention of Jiang Wu, Qiu Wuchen nodded and stepped through the door. Despite her eccentricity, her curtsy was quite graceful, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

This woman—was she truly mad or just pretending?

Yin Wuzhi helped the half-awake Jiang Wu sit up. Jiang Wu lazily glanced at Qiu Wuchen and said, “You may rise.”

Qiu Wuchen stood and glanced between him and Yin Wuzhi, a hint of confusion crossing her face, “Your Majesty once said the next time you will bring someone to meet me, it is Yin Shizi?”

Instinctively, Yin Wuzhi looked to Qi Hanmiao, but he didn’t know what Jiang Wu and Qiu Wuchen had discussed.

Not to mention them, even Jiang Wu himself didn’t know. 

But since it was brought up, he simply responded, “Mmm.”

Qiu Wuchen’s confusion deepened as she repeatedly glanced at Yin Wuzhi. He asked, “Qiu… Crown Prince Consort, is there something you wish to say?”

Qiu Wuchen hesitated but shook her head and turned to Jiang Wu, asking, “Your Majesty, is your visit today about marrying me?”

“Mm,” Jiang Wu remembered his purpose. He switched to a look of deep affection and said, “I intend to marry you as my Empress. Will you agree?”

“If Yin Shizi has no objections, I would naturally be pleased to enter the palace.”

At first, Yin Wuzhi didn’t realize how this matter concerned him. But he quickly asked, “What do you have to say about plotting against His Majesty with King Xiang?”

“I didn’t plot against His Majesty with him,” Qiu Wuchen responded calmly. “I had already told him, whether the secret report was true or false, we should explain it to His Majesty clearly. This matter concerns both of our lives, and if His Majesty found out, it could lead to a death sentence.”

She casually picked up some unknown ointment and applied it to her hands, filling the room with a subtle fragrance. Yin Wuzhi frowned as she continued, “But King Xiang feared that if it wasn’t His Majesty’s doing, it would only cause more grief. Yet he couldn’t stop himself from suspecting His Majesty, which led to his hesitation. In the end, His Majesty found out.”

“Where is the letter?” Yin Wuzhi asked.

“It’s here with me.” Qiu Wuchen went inside and returned with a small box. Yin Wuzhi was suspicious. “Why is such an important item with you?”

“Because I’m a madwoman.” Qiu Wuchen pushed the letter toward Yin Wuzhi. He put on gloves before taking it, and she chuckled, “No wonder His Majesty values you. You’re indeed cautious.”

Yin Wuzhi ignored her. He opened the letter to reveal only a few words: “The Crown Prince and King Qi are at odds, and there’s a hidden hand. There’s a ghost in the palace.”

He suddenly recalled a phrase King Qi had said to him when he returned from Qi:

“Can you tell the origin of the paper, Your Highness Shizi?”

“This is Zhenping Xuan paper from Guanjing, with a hidden pearl sheen. The ink doesn’t bleed.”

“Correct,” Qiu Wuchen said. “And what about the ink?”

“The ink has a bluish tint and smooth edges.” Yin Wuzhi paused, pricked the ink slightly with a needle, and placed it in water. After observing it, he said, “This is official ink, very common. It’s used by all scholars in Guanjing.”

“I’ve never seen this method of identifying ink,” Qiu Wuchen remarked in surprise. “I and King Xiang determined it by smell. What, are you afraid the ink might be poisoned?”

“If it were poisoned, they wouldn’t have been able to stir up trouble between King Xiang and His Majesty,” Yin Wuzhi said as he packed up the letter. “I’m not guarding against him—I’m guarding against you. What did you just rub on your hands?”

“It’s called ‘Old Acquaintance Fragrance,’” Qiu Wuchen said with a smile, touching his nose lightly. “With this, you can see the person you most wish to meet and dream of your happiest memories.”

Madwoman. Yin Wuzhi took a step back, removed his gloves, and looked at Jiang Wu. He noticed that Jiang Wu’s eyelids were twitching. He was startled. “What’s wrong with His Majesty?”

Qiu Wuchen looked over as well, puzzled.

“He’s having a spasm,” Yin Wuzhi said, squatting in front of Jiang Wu. He gently pressed his fingers against Jiang Wu’s eyelids. His fingertips were calloused but soft enough, and the warmth from them eased the tension in Jiang Wu’s stiff eyelids.

Yin Wuzhi’s voice sounded in his ear, “Relax a bit. Yes, look at me… Do you feel a little better?”

Jiang Wu blinked, and indeed, he felt somewhat better. “Mm.”

As the conversation between Yin Wuzhi and Qiu Wuchen wound down, Jiang Wu looked at Qiu Wuchen with deep affection once more.

The lifeless, silent gaze sent a shiver down Qiu Wuchen’s spine. She knelt immediately and said, “Your Majesty, I truly never doubted you. I only wanted to uncover the truth behind Ah Yuan and King Qi’s conflict, nothing more.”

Jiang Wu was now the emperor, and things were no longer the same as before. Qiu Wuchen understood that no matter how close they once were, the emperor was still the emperor.

Jiang Wu: “…”

This couldn’t be. He used to be so good at acting when he was a ghost. He felt like he performed particularly well. How could it turn out like this?

Yin Wuzhi cupped his face. “Alright, don’t be upset. I’ll find out the truth and present the evidence to them, making them take responsibility and commit suicide.”

“I won’t kill myself,” Qiu Wuchen said without hesitation.

Yin Wuzhi replied, “Don’t you want to meet the Crown Prince?”

“Those who commit suicide have no afterlife. If I don’t find Ah Yuan in this life, I’ll meet him in the next.”

“…”

By the time they left Qiu Wuchen’s courtyard, night had fallen. Qiu Wuchen had shared a lot with Yin Wuzhi, knowing that he, too, wanted to investigate the events of that year. Yin Wuzhi couldn’t tell whether she was truly mad or faking it. If she was mad, she behaved almost like a normal person in many ways. But if she was sane, she often spoke in shocking riddles.

Yin Wuzhi led the unusual emperor out of the unusual courtyard. Noticing that something was off with the emperor, he glanced over. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

He seemed really down.

Jiang Wu said gloomily, “I like Qiu Wuchen.”

“…Mm.” Yin Wuzhi patted his head. Although his gaze earlier had been cold enough to kill, he had been repeating this, so maybe he did like her. He said, “Your Majesty is truly a romantic.”

Yin Wuzhi wasn’t angry, and there was no other emotion in his tone. Jiang Wu felt uncertain. Later, when Yin Wuzhi was placing him in bed, he directly asked, “Beloved Minister Yin.”

“Mm?”

“Do you still like me as much as you did before?”

“I do.”

“But I like my royal brother’s woman.”

“Knowing it’s wrong and still doing it,” Yin Wuzhi said, looking at him. “Another virtue added to Your Majesty’s list. How could I not like you?”

“…” Jiang Wu was numb.

“But,” Yin Wuzhi pressed himself closer, “since Your Majesty keeps bringing it up, maybe you feel that liking Qiu Wuchen isn’t such a good thing?”

Jiang Wu: “?” No, that’s not what he meant.

“Since that is the case,” Yin Wuzhi gazed at him, his eyes tangled like a web. “Why not try liking me instead?”

“Look, Qiu Wuchen is all mysterious and doesn’t even look that great,” Yin Wuzhi said quickly, with a hint of pride in his tone. “At the very least, if I were a woman, I’d definitely be better-looking than her.”

Realizing he was competing with a woman for affection, his face gradually flushed red, but he forced himself to maintain a composed expression.

Jiang Wu looked at him seriously.

To be honest, if Yin Wuzhi wore a dress, he might actually be more attractive than Qiu Wuchen.

With his flushed, handsome face, who wouldn’t describe him as the embodiment of the phrase “beauty that can bring down a kingdom”?

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