Chapter 17

“Lord Xie, please hurry into the palace! The Emperor is urgently summoning you!” The messenger was an old eunuch with a face full of coarse flesh—none other than Deng, the close attendant to His Majesty.

Fu Cang stepped out ahead to greet him discreetly and slipped a silver ingot to Eunuch Deng. “Eunuch, what has happened in the palace?”

Deng was known for his love of wealth and had often accepted favors from the Marquis’s household. Yet this time, he refused the silver without a glance, hesitating as if wanting to speak but holding back.

“No need to ask,” Xie Yan said as he paced forward, already knowing that their eldest brother had stirred up trouble behind the scenes, incurring the Emperor’s wrath.

Without troubling Deng, Xie Yan gestured for him to proceed together into the palace.

Grateful, Deng bowed deeply.

They reached the bamboo grove outside the courtyard when Xie Yan suddenly recalled something and asked Deng to wait as he turned back.

Approaching the side chamber, he saw the silhouette of a woman by the window. He gently knocked on the window frame. “Jiao Jiao, are you asleep? This trip to the palace may take some time. I will leave Fu Cang with you; if anything happens, do not hesitate to seek him out.”

Inside, Jiang Yunchan had been sitting dazed for quite a while. Hearing someone outside startled her, and she quickly blew out the candle.

Darkness fell instantly within, and no reply came. Only a faint shadow hurried into the inner room.

Xie Yan’s words caught in his throat, swallowed back as he left with Eunuch Deng.

Deng, an experienced old servant, immediately noticed the disappointment in Xie Yan’s eyes.

After all, he was still a passionate youth; no matter how mature, even the most prudent could fall under a beauty’s spell.

With a knowing smile, Deng joked, “I heard the heir didn’t consummate the marriage last night?”

“Don’t mention it, Eunuch,” Xie Yan sighed. “I had no idea she already had a beloved. I rashly brought her into the household, so naturally, she was unwilling.”

“Ah, women must be coaxed!” Deng flicked his whisk and comforted him, “Our heir is pure and indifferent to women by nature. It’s no surprise he hasn’t quite figured out how to appease a lady when he’s found someone he likes.”

Xie Yan’s eyes brightened as he respectfully bowed. “Please, teach me.”

Deng had never seen this high and mighty heir bow to anyone before. Truly ensnared by love and unable to extricate himself.

Clearing his throat, Deng could not help but offer some advice: “Though I’ve never married, I know women love jewelry most. I heard Consort Song has a pair of rare peach blossom jade hairpins. If the heir could obtain one of those, it would surely win the lady’s heart.”

“Consort Song…” Xie Yan murmured the name.

Consort Song and the eldest Xie were as close as two peas in a pod. It would be nearly impossible for Xie Yan to take anything from her without suffering humiliation or worse.

Would the exiled heir truly humble himself for a woman?

Deng’s probing gaze lingered on Xie Yan, a faint, inscrutable smile playing at his lips.

Meanwhile, inside the side chamber—

Jiang Yunchan lay hidden beneath the covers, eyes tightly shut as if asleep.

Though she kept telling herself Xie Yan was a man of virtue who would not harm her, the loneliness of two unmarried people sharing a residence, and her sudden status as his new wife, weighed heavily on her heart.

So, she refused to leave the room or meet him, thinking it safer that way.

Xie Yan’s sudden voice had startled her moments earlier, and she hadn’t even caught what he said, only hurried to avoid him.

Now, the door creaked open.

Jiang Yunchan tensed and sat upright, alertly watching the shadow behind the beaded curtain.

As the figure drew nearer, moonlight revealed the visitor’s face.

“Xia Zhu!” Jiang Yunchan thought she must be mistaken, rushing out of bed to look closely.

“It really is you! How did you come here?” she asked excitedly, clasping Xia Zhu’s wrist. “Where have you been these past few days?”

Separated by their ordeals, Xia Zhu knelt at her mistress’s feet, emotions welling up. “I was nearly seized by the lord’s guards… by them…”

Tears fell in torrents.

A servant follows her mistress; Jiang Yunchan knew Xia Zhu had suffered the same hardships.

Fearing her lady’s worry, Xia Zhu grasped her hand to comfort her. “Don’t worry, miss! I was caught and dragged into a dark alley by the lord’s personal guards at first, but thankfully, some kind-hearted fellows from the wedding escort saved me and brought me back to the Marquis’s residence.”

“We suffered such humiliation but are reunited thanks to the heir,” Xia Zhu said with gratitude.

Jiang Yunchan nodded in agreement.

After all, she had taken the initiative to seek refuge with the heir, who not only saved her but also Xia Zhu.

She ought to thank him properly.

Moreover, she could not avoid going out or seeing the heir forever if she wanted to find Gu Huai’s whereabouts.

“Tomorrow, we will go and thank the heir. We should find a way to bring some gifts.”

The problem was their empty pockets.

Seeing her lady’s furrowed brows and weary eyes, Xia Zhu decided not to dwell on these troubles and gently stroked her back. “Rest early, miss. Everything will work out in the end—no need to worry over what might come.”

After comforting her, Xia Zhu began to tidy the bed.

“Don’t bother! We’ll sleep together,” Jiang Yunchan said, grasping Xia Zhu’s wrist and shaking it playfully.

Perhaps after their recent trials and reunion, the young lady finally showed a rare, girl-like dependence.

Xia Zhu chuckled, shaking Jiang Yunchan’s hand. “My dear miss, if you agree to listen to me and take good care of your face wounds, I’d be happy to share your bed every night! Though I fear when your master returns, seeing you two as a pair, he might find me a nuisance!”

“Who’s sharing a bed with him!” Jiang Yunchan blushed and hid her face as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Xia Zhu fetched ointment to apply to her face.

There was no use in ruining her looks to spite Xie Jin; Jiang Yunchan naturally had no reason to cause herself further harm.

She obediently sat while Xia Zhu tended to her and asked, “Did no one suspect or follow you when you rashly entered Xianyun Courtyard?”

Xia Zhu stirred the ointment and replied, “Certainly not! Fu Cang had me wear a veil, entering under the pretense of a dance maid accompanying the bride. Besides, the courtyard is heavily guarded by the heir’s trusted men—no one can sneak in unnoticed…”

“Shh!” Jiang Yunchan put a finger to her lips mid-sentence, glancing toward the window.

On the translucent paper, a hunched figure loitered outside, its form wavering.

Jiang Yunchan and Xia Zhu exchanged glances, then quietly crept to the door and cracked it open.

The courtyard was empty save for swaying bamboo shadows.

“Is this place haunted?” Xia Zhu shivered.

“It’s the unpredictability of human hearts,” Jiang Yunchan scoffed, striking a fire stick to illuminate the doorstep’s ashes.

Clear footprints marked the pale powder.

Since leaving the heir’s chamber last night, Jiang Yunchan had felt watched but never caught the watcher.

So she sprinkled ash at the door, knowing the intruder would leave traces.

“Who dares play ghost in the heir’s courtyard and spy on you, miss?”

Xia Zhu was puzzled, as was Jiang Yunchan. “Anyway, I mixed some fragrant powder into the ash. Whoever touches it will find it difficult to wash off. Let’s wait for the heir’s return and leave it to him.”

After two days of turmoil, Jiang Yunchan was weary and yawned, comforted that Xia Zhu was nearby for a peaceful night.

They climbed into bed and drew the curtains.

Yet Jiang Yunchan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

“Are you worried about the heir?” Xia Zhu asked, looking out the window.

It was already past midnight, and the heir had yet to return.

Occasionally, servants returning from the palace relayed messages to Fu Cang, bustling like ants in hot oil.

The comings and goings suggested something grave had occurred.

“The heir is a man of great standing, with hundreds eager to care for him. We need not worry,” Jiang Yunchan said dreamily, gazing at the ceiling and shaking her head.

Her heart now belonged to Gu Huaizhou, keeping her awake all night.

Gu Huaizhou was a scholar with a frail constitution. She wondered if he was eating well or keeping warm amid whatever dangers he faced.

Alas, fate bound Jiang Yunchan tightly to the Xie household, making it impossible to seek him freely.

A sorrowful tear slipped from her eye.

Time passed uncertainly. In a haze, Jiang Yunchan suddenly heard a cough.

“Huailang!” she opened her eyes and sat up sharply, gasping.

Xia Zhu quickly handed her a cup of tea.

The warm liquid soothed her throat, grounding her scattered spirit.

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing Jiang Yunchan’s face.

Shielding her eyes, she realized dawn had come.

“Summon the palace doctor! Brew ginger soup! Heat water quickly!” Fu Cang’s anxious voice rang outside.

Shadows flickered on the paper window, footsteps grew more chaotic.

“What’s happening?” Jiang Yunchan dressed and peered out a crack in the window.

Xie Yan was being supported, his steps weak as he staggered toward his chamber.

His clothes were soaked, his usually neat hair crown askew, his face pale, coughing incessantly.

“I heard the Emperor was furious and punished the heir to stand all night in the cold lake outside the Vermilion Bird Gate!” Xia Zhu said.

Jiang Yunchan now grasped the severity and looked again.

The one assisting him was none other than Lu Chi, the Crown Prince’s tutor.

“How strange that these two would be together…”

The ailing Emperor had lain bedridden for years; veteran ministers waned while new nobles close to the Crown Prince grew in power.

To prevent them from conspiring with the Crown Prince in treason, the Emperor sowed discord among the Prince’s three chief ministers, creating a tripartite balance.

By rights, Xie Yan and Lu Chi should be rivals, yet Lu Chi personally escorted Xie Yan home.

Jiang Yunchan pondered briefly but found it unrelated to her and stopped thinking, planning instead to personally cook fish soup as thanks.

*

At that moment, inside Xie Yan’s chamber—

The palace doctor had just finished his diagnosis. While writing a prescription, he instructed, “The lord’s body is chilled. Beyond these medicines, he should drink hot fish soup to sweat and recover faster.”

“You old fool, went gambling again last night and forgot your head?” Lu Chi snorted. “Don’t you know the lord can’t stomach fish soup? You’re trying to kill him!”

Xie Yan’s temples throbbed with pain as Lu Chi babbled on. “Go on back, don’t give anyone a handle.”

“What’s there to fear? You’re almost dead! I, Lu Chi, your political rival, come to mock you at your home. Fair and reasonable!”

Lu Chi helped Xie Yan by patting his back as he gasped and coughed violently.

“You’re usually so shrewd, always avoiding trouble and currying favor. Last night, the Emperor suspected your Loulan bride was a spy. You should have handed her over, let the Emperor deal with her, clearing your own name!”

“But no, you defied the Emperor’s orders, blocking the arrest of your bride. Would the Emperor not be furious?”

“Even if he spares you today, the grudge is planted deep.”

Xie Yan remained silent, calmly skimming tea foam with the porcelain cover.

“Fine! You’re not worried!” Lu Chi clapped his hands, defeated.

Last night, ministers loyal to Xie Jin accused Xie Yan’s woman of espionage, with solid evidence and Consort Song whispering in the Emperor’s ear. The Emperor believed most of it and ordered a swift trial by the Censorate.

Xie Yan was given a chance to defend himself, only asked to hand over the Loulan woman for harsh interrogation.

But he stubbornly used his own head as guarantee, refusing to let anyone take her.

The Emperor was enraged, barely restraining himself from beheading him on the spot, but spared him due to the Marquis’s merits, ordering him to reflect outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.

A night of storms swelled the river, flooding to Xie Yan’s waist.

The icy mountain water and rain left his iron constitution no match.

“Be careful you don’t ruin your lineage!” Lu Chi eyed Xie Yan’s stiff waist. “Who is this celestial Loulan woman to deserve such protection? Aren’t you afraid your hard-earned legacy will be snatched by your eldest brother because of your infatuation?”

“She’s been framed,” Xie Yan finally spoke, defending the Loulan dancer.

Lu Chi grit his teeth, frustrated.

Xie Yan added, “But you’re right—eldest brother has been acting more reckless lately.”

He tapped the table, summoning Fu Cang. “Have Magistrate Zhang from the Censorate interrogate the Loulan entertainer at the East Street music house thoroughly. Also, set fire to the lucky money house.”

“Yes, sir!” Fu Cang left to carry out the orders.

Though unrelated, Lu Chi quickly understood.

First, Xie Yan saw through Xie Jin’s conspiracy with the Loulan entertainers to frame his beloved and used the fierce Magistrate Zhang to extract the truth.

Second, Xie Jin had stashed much money at the money house; a fire there would expose his illicit funds.

Wasn’t a thousand taels reported stolen from the Jizhou camp? It was all a setup by Xie Jin.

Framing colleagues, colluding with Loulan, embezzlement—each charge enough to ruin Xie Jin.

Xie Yan’s intelligence far surpassed Lu Chi’s expectations. This counterattack would surely cripple eldest brother.

Lu Chi nodded approvingly—this was the Xie Yan he knew!

Yet he hesitated. “If you knew the Loulan woman was innocent and had means to exonerate her, why not explain to the Emperor last night? Why endure all that suffering?”

Xie Yan sipped tea slowly, lifting his long lashes. “Do you think the Emperor truly believed the Loulan dancer was a spy?”

The Loulan dancers were handpicked and trained by the Emperor himself as agents to watch over ministers’ households.

The Emperor knew their backgrounds thoroughly.

Last night, the Emperor’s fury was a test—to see Xie Yan’s attitude toward the dancer.

The more he defended her, the more valuable she became, which pleased the Emperor.

“Our Emperor trusts no one. Go and check your own concubines; surely some harbor impure thoughts. Deal with them accordingly.”

The porcelain lid tapped the cup, crisp and chilling in the silent chamber, striking fear into the heart.

Lu Chi suddenly understood.

This cold, detached Lord Xie harbored no deep feelings for a mere dancer. It was all a performance for the Emperor.

Even his plea to Eunuch Deng on how to coax a woman was feigned affection.

In truth, Xie Yan’s heart was cold.

Lu Chi bowed in thanks for the insight, then asked, “So this morning, when you humbly begged Consort Song for a peach blossom jade hairpin, that was an act too?”

Earlier, the Emperor had spared Xie Yan, who entered the palace to give thanks and passed Consort Song in the corridor.

Xie Yan bowed low, humbly requesting her secret peach blossom hairpin.

Consort Song, riding in her palanquin, was in high spirits, looking down on the drenched ‘gentleman’ with delight.

She deliberately kept him bowed, letting passing maids and eunuchs see his pitiful state.

Only when her heart was fully pleased did she toss the hairpin to him.

How proud and lofty was Xie Yan, reduced to accepting alms like a beggar?

“Even pretending to be a lovesick nobleman needn’t be so sincere,” Lu Chi said, knowing Xie Yan’s every move was calculated, each step linked.

“So, why the peach blossom hairpin? What meaning does it hold?”

Xie Yan produced the pale pink jade hairpin from his sleeve, translucent and exquisite, like the bashful blush on her face.

He gently stroked it and after a long moment, smiled faintly. “No reason—I simply fancy it.”

“You look very ill!” Lu Chi nearly spat cake at him.

Just then, Jiang Yunchan entered with a tray, witnessing the scene.

Two powerful ministers of the capital, bickering inside a room?

It felt as if she had uncovered a great secret, causing her to retreat hastily.

But the soup bowls on the tray clattered noisily.

Lu Chi spotted her immediately.

“Sister-in-law, don’t leave yet!” He stood and blocked her path, then glanced toward Xie Yan inside. “Brother Xie was soaked in ice water all night. Please help undress him and see how he fares.”

Lu Chi took the veiled young lady for the Loulan dancer.

Knowing the Loulan folk’s bold nature, he was not concerned about his words.

Since Xie Yan and the dancer were husband and wife, he had no reason to be discreet, motioning her inside. “I’m truly worried he’s frozen his reproductive organs.”