Chapter 183 Xiao? Owl Slave?

Chapter 183: Xiao? The Owl's Servant?

As December approached the year's end, another wave of refugees returned to Chang'an. Jiang Congyan first arranged for handing out porridge before personally stepping forward to reassure the people.

Outside the city gates, dozens of large cauldrons had been set up, with thousands of people queuing in orderly lines. Suddenly, a troop of Personal Guards, armed with spears and halberds, marched out from the city with crisp, forceful strides, forming an imposing line on either side. Upon closer inspection, however, it became clear that this guard unit was a mixed formation of Han and Xianbei soldiers.

They wore matching armor and carried the same swords, obeying orders with precision. If not for careful observation of their facial features, one could hardly distinguish between the nomadic tribes and the Han.

The common folk held a deep-seated fear of soldiers, especially when faced with such an intimidating presence. As the guards advanced, the crowd recoiled as if encountering a stampede, even forgetting about the porridge in their panic to retreat. Most dared not look directly at the soldiers, instead stealing glances from lowered heads.

Jiang Congyan emerged under the protection of the Personal Guards, scanning the crowd before reassuring them in a calm voice that the guards would not harm civilians without cause. Once the commotion subsided, she raised her voice:

"I know you have suffered under the brutal massacres of the Xiongnu and now harbor deep hatred and fear for non-Han people, worrying that the Xianbei might be just as cruel. But I promise you now—they are not! The Xianbei forces will not massacre innocents, and I will never allow such atrocities to happen. I am a princess of Liang State, the great-great-granddaughter of the Founding Emperor and granddaughter of Crown Prince Zhaowen. Their blood runs through me, and no matter what, I will never forsake the people of Liang. The Xiongnu were bloodthirsty tyrants, and it was only through the efforts of the Xianbei Army led by the Prince of Mobei that they were vanquished. In this sense, it was the Xianbei who saved the people of Liang from the Xiongnu's blades. I am now the Xianbei Queen, but I remain a princess of Liang. To me, both Han and Xianbei are my people, and I will treat all equally. You may return to your homes and resume your former lives..."

Jiang Congyan's words were reasoned and sincere, deeply moving to the crowd. But what truly swayed them was her identity—no one else could have delivered such a speech with the same effect. Only her words could earn their trust.

"Thank you, Princess, for saving us from suffering! We bow deeply to you!"

"Bow deeply to the Princess!"

Once someone took the lead, the rest of the crowd followed, kneeling and chanting their gratitude in waves that spread outward.

Even those too far to hear her clearly saw the masses bowing and joined in the prostration.

"We are saved! The Princess will protect us!"

The voices of thousands merged into a deafening chorus, a testament to the unity of the Han people.

All eyes were fixed on that regal and graceful figure—their princess, who would always shield her people.

Seeing that her message had been delivered, Jiang Congyan raised a hand to signal for them to rise. "Please, continue with your—"

Before she could finish, a man in the refugee crowd suddenly widened his eyes, staring fixedly at her wrist, then lunged forward toward her.

"Who gave that to you?!"

The sudden appearance of an "assassin" sent the Personal Guards into action, drawing their blades to intercept him. Si Zi also rushed forward, shielding Jiang Congyan.

The peaceful scene instantly descended into chaos.

Jiang Congyan was startled for only a moment before regaining her composure.

Over the past few months, she had often appeared before the people to offer reassurance. The refugees were a motley crowd, and there was no telling if any harbored ill intent. While presenting an approachable demeanor was beneficial, she would never neglect her own safety.

The Personal Guards were the very best of the elite, reacting with flawless precision. The man carried no weapon and was overpowered in seconds.

A guard twisted his arms behind his back, pressing a knee into his spine to force him down. Half his face was pressed into the dirt, distorted, yet his eyes blazing red remained locked on Jiang Congyan, his entire being consumed by madness.

The guards found a dagger on him, still sheathed—never drawn.

At first, everyone had assumed this sudden attacker was an assassin. But now, his actions seemed anything but. What kind of assassin didn’t even draw his weapon?

"Who gave it to you?! Who gave you that cord bracelet?!" he roared incessantly.

Cord bracelet?

Jiang Congyan instinctively touched her wrist, her expression shifting abruptly as realization dawned. Her gaze toward him grew searching and intent.

With the man's sudden outburst, the scene was in disarray—hardly the place for discussions. Jiang Congyan ordered the guards, "Take him into custody."

As an afterthought, she added, "Do not harm him."

Once the man had been led away, she reassured the people at the scene, assuring them it was just an accident.

Seeing that she was indeed unharmed, the crowd eased up.

If the princess had been hurt, what would they do?

Back at Chu Manor, Jiang Congyan sat in the carriage, pushing up her sleeve slightly and staring at the bracelet on her wrist for a long time, her face grave.

This bracelet was a birthday gift from Tuo Baxiao during their first year together.

The first one she’d made had long since worn out and faded, but she wove a new one every year. She swapped out other bracelets, beads, and jewelry often, but this bracelet alone accompanied her every day.

Was it really what she suspected? Jiang Congyan's heartbeat quickened slightly.

Arriving at Chu Manor, she had originally planned to gather people for discussions but left it to Ruo Lan to handle.

Returning to the inner courtyard, she found a room and told the Imperial Guard to bring the man in.

After so much time, he seemed less frantic now, but the moment he saw her, he grew agitated again.

Jiang Congyan thought for a moment and said, "Leave us."

"Princess?" The guard hesitated, uneasy about leaving her alone with this man.

"He’s no threat," Jiang Congyan said. "He has no weapons, and his hands and feet are bound."

Moreover, she had an intuition that this man would not harm her.

"I’ll be right outside," the guard replied.

Thus, only Jiang Congyan and the man remained in the room.

"Can you let me see your bracelet one more time?" His eyes begged, but there was also a desperate, last shred of hope.

Jiang Congyan removed the bracelet and passed it to him, allowing him to examine it closely.

The man trembled as he looked at it for a while before asking, "Where did you get this bracelet?"

The bracelet’s pattern wasn’t that intricate, nor was it so unique that it stood alone, but he was sure—in all these years, he’d never seen its match.

Jiang Congyan studied the man before her. He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with leathery skin and tired eyes, but upon closer inspection, his face still had traces of handsome refinement.

Jiang Congyan lowered her gaze. "Someone taught me how to weave it."

"Who?"

Instead of answering, Jiang Congyan asked, "Is the person you're looking for named Wang Fu?"

He froze, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. He opened and closed his mouth several times without making a sound, until finally, with all his strength, he roared, "You’ve seen her? Where is she? Is she still alive?"

His eyes were wide with fury, his features twisted, as if he had lost all reason.

"Tell me now!"

His frenzy reached its peak, and he even forgot he was still bound, thrashing wildly.

Seeing the desperate longing and faint hope in his eyes, Jiang Congyan almost couldn't bear to tell him the truth. But she still said, "She’s gone."

"Gone... from this world?"

The man seemed to have all his strength drained in an instant, his racing blood turned cold. He gave her an incredulous glance before collapsing in a heap.

The spark in his eyes that had lain dormant for over twenty years flickered for just a moment before being snuffed out forever.

Really, what had he expected? What was left to expect?

"My husband—her son—taught me how to make this bracelet," Jiang Congyan said.

The man's pupils finally moved again as he murmured hollowly, "Her son?"

His fractured mind struggled to reassemble the pieces. She was Princess You'an, and her husband was... Tuo Baxiao.

Tuo Baxiao is A'Fu's son?

"How is that possible?" He couldn't believe it.

"You heard right. Tuo Baxiao's mother was Wang Fu. I've told you everything I know. Now it's your turn. Did you know her?"

It took the man a long time to digest her brief words. A'Fu hadn't died—she had borne a child...

He remained lost in his thoughts until Jiang Congyan prompted him again, finally replying, "My name is Xiao Yi. I was engaged to A'Fu."

Xiao? Jiang Congyan frowned slightly.

Xiao Yi continued, "I was from the Bohai Xiao family. A'Fu was from the Bohai Wang family, an offshoot of the Langya Wangs. We grew up together and were engaged..."

"We were about to marry. That year, A'Fu's maternal grandfather passed away, and she went with her family to Changshan for the funeral. But they were attacked by barbarians. The surviving Wang family members told me A'Fu had died..."

Yet she hadn't died—she had been taken captive and presented to the then Xianbei King, Tuo Bata.

"If I'd known A'Fu wasn't dead but had been captured, I would have gone after her! But the Wang family told me she was dead! Dead!" Xiao Yi spat the words out bitterly.

Jiang Congyan could guess—the Wangs probably figured a daughter defiled by barbarians would shame the family. Since she couldn't be rescued, they simply claimed she had been killed by the barbarians.

Xiao Yi swung between sobbing and bitter laughter for a long while. He had long abandoned hope, just going through the motions like a dead man walking. Just as he glimpsed a sliver of hope, he plunged into even deeper despair.

He could have saved her, but the Wang family's lies had severed all his hopes. If he'd only known...

So many regrets in life stem from those words—if he'd only known...

"When did she pass away?"

"Fifteen years ago."

"Fifteen years..." Xiao Yi echoed hollowly.

He had over a decade to search for her, yet he hadn't. A'Fu must've held on for years before giving up.

Did A'Fu die hating him for never coming?

She didn't know the Wang family had declared her dead. Had she spent years waiting, praying he'd rescue her? Yet she never saw him before her death.

The idea hit him like a punch to the gut, stealing his breath.

Jiang Congyan's eyes stung, and she turned away, dabbing at them with her sleeve.

"She never held it against you."

Xiao Yi's eyes paused.

"This wristband... she taught Tuo Baxiao how to make it. She said it was a gift from her beloved."

She never blamed him. Xiao Yi wanted to smile, but the muscles at the corners of his mouth trembled uncontrollably, unable to form a smile.

He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down, drenching a whole section of the floor.

"Ah-Fu..."

Even Jiang Congyan couldn't bear the sight.

She ordered his bonds to be loosened, then left the room, walking alone down the hallway to her chambers. She glanced up at the overcast sky, where gritty snowflakes stung her face, bringing a bone-chilling cold.

Fate could be so cruel.

If Wang Fu and Xiao Yi's love hadn't been so steadfast, neither would have suffered so deeply.

Had Wang Fu pretended to submit to Tuo Bata, waited for Tuo Baxiao to grow up and seize power, or had Xiao Yi simply moved on from his youthful love—yet neither did. Instead, they lived with their pain for years, each burdened by unbearable wounds.

Jiang Congyan returned to her room, her heart weighed down, still caught in the emotions of the moment. Then, Tuo Baxiao rode back in a hurry.

He had also left the city earlier—the Xianbei army was stationed at the capital’s garrison, and he made his rounds regularly to oversee training, preparing for next year’s campaign.

When he heard Jiang Congyan had been "attacked," even knowing she was unharmed, he dropped everything to rush back to her.

He flung the door curtain aside, and only when he saw her sitting there, safe and sound, did his frantic worry settle.

He strode over, pulled her to her feet, and looked her over head to toe repeatedly. Still unsatisfied, he seemed ready to strip her bare for a full inspection.

Jiang Congyan, caught between amusement and annoyance, pressed his hands down. "Didn’t I send word that I was fine?"

"But I had to see for myself."

Those simple words said everything about his love.

Tuo Baxiao held her tightly, only releasing her after a long moment. Then, recalling her earlier expression—her sorrow, the faint redness in her eyes—his expression turned sharp. "What happened? Who upset you?"

Jiang Congyan shook her head. "No one. I just... found out something."

"What?"

"About your mother."

Tuo Baxiao frowned, a strange unease rising in his chest.

"Go on," he said, his tone even but his voice slightly strained.

Jiang Congyan untied the wristband from her wrist and handed it to him. "When you gave this to me, you said your mother taught you how to make it. That it was a gift from her beloved."

"Yes."

"Today, outside the city, I met someone. He must have seen it—he rushed over, asking where I got this wristband."

The words hit Tuo Baxiao like a tidal wave.

Jiang Congyan felt his breathing grow heavy, but this concerned his mother. Now that the truth was out, she had to tell him.

"So I brought him back. He said his name is Xiao Yi... and that he was Wang Fu’s fiancé."

At that, Tuo Baxiao's face immediately darkened. His hand suddenly tightened on her shoulder. "Xiao?"

Xiao.

Xiao Nu?