Chapter 113:
“Why were you running so fast?”
Xue Fangli’s expression remained unchanged, his demeanor calm.
Jiang Juan said, “It’s because you were too slow.”
He turned the tables on Xue Fangli, who didn’t say much in response, just glanced at him with a hint of amusement.
When Lan Ting saw Xue Fangli, she quickly greeted him, “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”
Bai Xuechao, who had been lying in bed, struggled to get up and bow. Seeing this, Jiang Juan quickly pulled him back, “Grandfather, what are you doing?”
Bai Xuechaoo glanced at Xue Fangli. Jiang Juan turned his head to follow his gaze, seeming to understand a bit. Before Xue Fangli could speak, he said, “Grandfather, there’s no need. You’re still unwell.”
“Good grandson.”
Bai Xuechao shook his head at him, giving him a meaningful look. This time, Jiang Juan didn’t understand the hint and asked, puzzled, “Grandfather, what’s wrong?”
Bai Xuechao: “…”
It was hard to explain directly. Bai Xuechao could only reply awkwardly, “It’s nothing, nothing at all.”
But his demeanor suggested otherwise, which made Jiang Juan even more puzzled. Since Bai Xuechao wouldn’t say, he turned to Xue Fangli for help, feeling that Xue Fangli must know.
“Mr. Bai, there’s no need for such formalities.”
Meeting Jiang Juan’s gaze, Xue Fangli smiled slightly, his expression quite pleased, “What the Empress says is what I mean.”
Jiang Juan didn’t understand Bai Xuechao’s hint, but Xue Fangli did. It was nothing more than a warning for Jiang Juan not to upset him by preventing the formal greeting.
With Xue Fangli’s words, Bai Xuechao no longer needed to get out of bed. He bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Mr. Bai, do you know why I became the emperor?”
For some reason, Xue Fangli suddenly asked Bai Xuechao this question.
“Well…”
Bai Xuechao was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.
Ascending to a high position was usually for power and status, but this new emperor showed no signs of ambition. He seemed indifferent to the position, as if being the emperor was fine, but not being one wouldn’t be a big deal either.
“There was a time when I was often puzzled by one thing,” Xue Fangli said calmly, “I didn’t know what my empress was always afraid of.”
“I took him to the Eldest Princess’s residence, and he’s scared. I took him to the Imperial Stables, and he’s scared too. It seems like he’s afraid of everything,” Xue Fangli said. “It’s not that he’s a coward, but he is scared of all sorts of random people. I’ve comforted him so many times that I got tired of it. Since being a consort makes him so fearful, he might as well be the empress.”
Bai Xuechao was stunned by Xue Fangli’s words.
Bai Xuechao understood the intention behind Xue Fangli’s words.
Over the past few days, while Jiang Juan was unconscious, Bai Xuechao had been anxious, but Xue Fangli was almost frantic. Bai Xuechao had noticed this.
Just the fact that Xue Fangli had people smash up temples and kidnap many monks had caused a lot of criticism. If it had been in the past, even Bai Xuechao would have called it ridiculous.
But this concerned Jiang Juan.
Bai Xuechao wasn’t senile yet and knew that the new emperor was doing this for his grandson.
Even so, as an elder, Bai Xuechao couldn’t help but worry about Jiang Juan.
That’s why, when Jiang Juan stopped him from bowing, Bai Xuechao had to wait for Xue Fangli to give the word before he stopped struggling.
In the past, Bai Xuechao had never considered what Jiang Juan’s future would be like. He just wanted his grandson to be safe and ordinary. So, he hadn’t taught Jiang Juan many things.
But now, Bai Xuechao regretted it a bit.
Jiang Juan didn’t understand anything. While Xue Fangli was willing to indulge him now, what about the future?
If Jiang Juan weren’t present, Bai Xuechao had many things he wanted to tell Xue Fangli.
For example, his grandson never had bad intentions. If he did something wrong in the future, Xue Fangli should talk to him patiently instead of getting angry.
For example, if Jiang Juan upset him, it wasn’t intentional. He just didn’t understand, so he shouldn’t be blamed.
But now, Xue Fangli said he took this position for Jiang Juan.
Bai Xuechao’s lips moved, but he didn’t know what to say. Xue Fangli calmly added, “Mr. Bai, you’re getting old. Since you’re here in the capital, why not stay?”
Xue Fangli glanced at Jiang Juan, “This way, he won’t have to worry about you. Besides, if I ever make him angry again, he’ll have somewhere to go and someone to support him.”
“Mr. Bai staying in the capital means you can see for yourself if my feelings for him are temporary or for a lifetime.”
Xue Fangli laid out all of Bai Xuechao’s concerns and offered a solution.
Jiang Juan didn’t catch the underlying tension between them. He only heard Xue Fangli suggest that Bai Xuechao stay and thought it was a good idea. Excitedly, he asked, “Grandfather, would you like to stay in the capital?”
Bai Xuechao looked at Jiang Juan, smiling kindly, “Do you want me to stay?”
Jiang Juan nodded, “Of course. If you stay, I can spend more time with you. If you go back, we’ll only see each other a few times a year. I don’t want that.”
Bai Xuechao watched Jiang Juan for a while before saying kindly, “Alright, if my dear grandson wants me to stay, then I’ll stay.”
Staying would be good. He could spend more time with Feiyue. He also had many old friends in the capital and could meet with them occasionally. Whether in the mountains or the capital, accompanying his grandson would be a joy.
Jiang Juan’s eyes lit up, “Great!”
Bai Xuechao patted his hand. Seeing Jiang Juan’s eyes crinkle with his smile, he couldn’t help but smile too. “Wherever my dear grandson goes, grandfather will accompany you.”
Jiang Juan had come to visit Bai Xuechao and was delighted to find out that his grandfather would also stay in the capital.
However, Bai Xuechao was getting old and had just recovered from an illness. After talking for so long, he was a bit tired. Jiang Juan didn’t want to keep him any longer, so he said his goodbyes and let Bai Xuechao rest.
As for Bai Xuechao’s condition, Jiang Juan asked Lan Ting, and after getting the assurance that he was fine, he and Xue Fangli returned to the carriage.
“Back to the palace?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Juan nodded, and the carriage was lifted. They hadn’t traveled far when someone ran after them.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
“Empress—!”
Jiang Juan lifted the curtain. The person shouting was Steward Gao, who was carrying an ice chest and was out of breath. Jiang Juan quickly said, “Stop for a moment.”
The carriage was put down, and Steward Gao finally caught up. Leaning against the wall, he spoke between breaths, “E-Empress, this is what you wanted to eat last time…”
“The milk curd.”
Steward Gao took out a bowl from the ice chest. Jiang Juan stared for a moment before realizing it was what he had wanted before they left for the summer palace with Xue Fangli. At that time, just as Steward Gao was preparing it, someone reported that Emperor Hongxing was gravely ill. Jiang Juan and Xue Fangli had to leave immediately and he never got to eat it.
Jiang Juan took the bowl and thanked Steward Gao, “Thank you.”
Steward Gao smiled, “It’s nothing. Your Majesty, please try it.”
Jiang Juan took a small bite. The creamy taste was rich, the texture smooth and cold, melting in his mouth. It also had mint, giving it a refreshing flavor, perfect for cooling off.
With just one bite, Jiang Juan loved the taste of the iced cream. He remarked, “It’s delicious.”
Seeing this, Steward Gao was quite pleased. “I searched all over the capital to find this recipe and had the kitchen make it. I’m glad you like it.”
After a pause, Steward Gao added, “Since you like it, I’ll give the recipe to Lan Ting so she can bring it back to the palace.”
Jiang Juan nodded, “Alright.”
But after speaking, he realized something and asked Steward Gao, “Aren’t you coming back to the palace with us?”
Steward Gao whispered, “Your Majesty, I have a sweetheart.”
If he entered the palace, he’d have to become a eunuch, which Steward Gao didn’t want. He chuckled, “I can serve His Majesty and Your Majesty just as well by staying at Prince Li residence.”
Jiang Juan finally understood and agreed. “Alright, thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Steward Gao waved. Seeing the sky darkening, he hurriedly said, “It’s getting late. Your Majesty and His Majesty should head back to the palace soon.”
“Okay, we’re leaving now.”
Jiang Juan waved at him, and the carriage was lifted again. Steward Gao, smiling, bowed and watched them leave.
As they moved further away, the figure of Steward Gao grew smaller, and the Prince Li residence became more indistinct. Eventually, under the dimming sky, only the glazed tiles were faintly visible, evoking a sense of melancholy.
Watching Prince Li residence fade into the distance, Jiang Juan suddenly felt reluctant to leave.
Actually, he had been quite happy living there.
In that moment, Jiang Juan finally began to grasp the reality of Xue Fangli’s new identity.
“You’ve become the Emperor, not just a prince anymore.”
Jiang Juan murmured.
Xue Fangli replied indifferently, “If you don’t want to change how you address me, it’s fine.”
Jiang Juan shook his head. Even though he was used to calling him His Highness, he decided to start changing it gradually. However, he felt a bit regretful.
“It’s a pity I fainted on the day of your coronation and didn’t see the end of it.”
“There’s nothing to regret.”
Xue Fangli glanced at him. “Just make sure you don’t faint on the next big day.”
Jiang Juan looked at him in confusion, “Huh? What other big day?”
Xue Fangli, seeming casual, said, “I mentioned before that our wedding was too rushed. We should have another proper ceremony. I already gave the orders while preparing for the coronation.”
Saying this, Xue Fangli smiled and lifted Jiang Juan’s face, his voice low and captivating, “This time, you’ll wear the wedding robes for me, and we’ll drink the nuptial wine together.”
“But…”
Jiang Juan blinked. After a while, he asked Xue Fangli, “After the bridal sedan, you’ll have to carry me on your back for a while. You just coughed up blood, your health is poor. Can you manage to carry me?”
“And also,” Jiang Juan said worriedly, “there are many things to do for the wedding. Do you have the stamina for it? Can you handle it?”
“This time, will it be you who faints?”
Author’s note: “Can you carry me? Do you have the stamina? Can you handle it?”
Salted fish Juan, hanging over the fire, asked this.
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