Chapter 25

Chapter 25

In front of Jiang Heng, Gu Yu gripped her sister’s wrist and turned to leave the main hall of the official courier station.

He stopped before the carriage, standing there in a daze, but did not release her hand.

“Duke Wei?” Jiang Wan called softly, gently shaking the hand he held as a reminder.

Gu Yu’s gaze did not turn to her; he simply let go.

A glaringly bright red bruise had already formed on Jiang Wan’s wrist. When he had seized her, he hadn’t treated her as a mortal woman but as a weapon to retaliate against an enemy. The force he exerted was filled with anger.

The reason for his earlier isolated and desolate state, and the anger with which he now departed, became clear to Jiang Wan in that moment.

“Duke Wei, didn’t you have official business with Envoy Xiao?” Jiang Xing, less perceptive than his sister, failed to detect the sudden tension emanating from Gu Yu and eagerly approached him to remind him.

“It’s done,” Gu Yu replied coolly, swinging onto his horse and preparing to ride off.

Though puzzled about when Duke Wei had met the envoy, Jiang Xing noticed his seventh sister signaling him not to press further. So he dropped the subject and instead asked, “Duke Wei, don’t you think it’s time for Xiaoqi to accompany you to your residence?”

Jiang Wan, posing as the Duchess of Wei, had already stayed at the Jiang family’s home for several days. Under normal circumstances, this might have been acceptable, but tomorrow they were to attend the palace banquet as husband and wife. It wouldn’t do for Duke Wei to come to the Jiang family to pick up Jiang Wan and then return her after the banquet, as others would surely gossip.

Since Duke Wei had tacitly allowed the sisters to switch identities, Jiang Wan would eventually have to move into his residence.

Hearing this, Gu Yu turned to look at Jiang Wan, remained silent for a moment, and then said, “I will come to fetch her tomorrow morning.”

With that, he spurred his horse and rode off alone.

“Duke Wei…” Jiang Xing wanted to persuade him further but was stopped by his seventh sister.

“Elder Brother, it’s more appropriate for me to stay at home. We can simply say that Mother is ill and I want to spend more time with her. It’s a perfectly reasonable explanation,” Jiang Wan said.

“Elder Brother, I have something to ask you.”

Returning to the Jiang family, Jiang Wan specifically went to Jiang Xing’s courtyard, dismissed everyone else, and kept only the two siblings.

“Who exactly is that Envoy Xiao?” Jiang Wan asked seriously.

“You noticed?” Jiang Xing looked at his sister in surprise.

“Not just me—Duke Wei noticed too,” Jiang Wan said gravely.

Earlier at the official courier station, the look in Gu Yu’s eyes when he gazed at Envoy Xiao was filled with murderous intent. He must have seen through the envoy’s identity long ago.

“I suspected Duke Wei had noticed, but since he didn’t expose it, I assume he doesn’t mind,” Jiang Xing said.

“Elder Brother, how can you be so foolish? Who said he doesn’t mind?” Jiang Wan, usually gentle, was unusually agitated.

Jiang Xing assumed she was afraid Duke Wei would take his anger out on the Jiang family and tried to reassure her: “Don’t worry. Think about it—Duke Wei originally intended to marry you. He only married A Heng because you two look alike. Now that you’re back, he naturally wants to marry you. Since someone is helping to placate A Heng at this time, why would he dig deeper? He’s turning a blind eye and pretending not to know. Why should we expose it?”

“Elder Brother, how do you know that his turning a blind eye and pretending not to know is because he wants to substitute one sister for the other under false pretenses? Or because—” Jiang Wan paused, growing even more serious as she warned her elder brother, “he doesn’t want to break with A Heng to the point of no return?”

If this matter were exposed, there would be no need for him to divorce her himself. Their father and brother would likely be too ashamed and would step in to request a letter of divorce on A Heng’s behalf. Once that happened, there would be no turning back for him and A Heng.

Gu Yu had seen through the situation but chose not to expose it. It wasn’t about substituting one sister for the other under false pretenses; it was about maintaining the illusion of harmony between him and A Heng, so that the Jiang and Gu families wouldn’t pressure him to divorce her.

Jiang Xing had never considered this possibility. After a long pause, he waved his hands dismissively. “Impossible, impossible. He must want you sisters to maintain the current arrangement, substituting one for the other under false pretenses. Otherwise, he would have long since killed Yan Hui.”

Based on Jiang Xing’s understanding of Gu Yu, if he truly wanted to remain married to A Heng, he would have drawn his sword and killed Yan Hui the moment he discovered his true identity. He wouldn’t have remained so calm, let alone allowed A Heng to stay alone with Yan Hui.

He must be using this opportunity to substitute one sister for the other under false pretenses.

“Perhaps…” Jiang Xing couldn’t entirely dismiss Jiang Wan’s words. Upon reflection, any man who discovered his wife still yearning for her old lover would be unlikely to let it go. Even if Gu Yu didn’t have deep feelings for Jiang Heng, he would still feel some anger.

“Perhaps he is indeed somewhat angry. So, Xiaoqi, you must make an effort to placate him. We’ve already spoken to A Heng about tomorrow’s palace banquet. You must be careful too.”

Jiang Wan had been married to the former ruler of Southern Chen in their youth, and they had shared deep affection. Now, separated by death, she naturally felt sorrowful. These past few days at the Jiang family, she had worn plain clothes and eaten simple meals, clearly observing mourning. Her elder brother worried that at the palace banquet, upon seeing the Southern Dynasties royal family and former officials, she might be overcome with grief for her lost kingdom and husband, revealing her sorrow in front of Gu Yu.

Jiang Wan understood her elder brother’s concern. “I know. I’ll be careful.”

“Dress more vibrantly tomorrow. Don’t always wear these plain clothes. You don’t want Duke Wei to grow tired of seeing them.”

Jiang Wan remained silent. Seeing his sister’s displeasure, Jiang Xing softened his tone. “Xiaoqi, you’ve always been sensible. You would have paid attention to these things even without my saying so. But I’m afraid of any missteps. You know our Jiang family can’t afford any more trouble.”

Jiang Wan nodded slightly. “Elder Brother, what exactly is the story between Yan Hui and A Heng?”

She needed to understand clearly to decide how to proceed and how to placate Gu Yu.

Jiang Xing recounted the history between Yan Hui and Jiang Heng in detail, concluding, “Since A Heng is so stubborn, let her have her way. In the future, we’ll find a way for her and Yan Hui to leave far away, so they don’t cause any more trouble in the capital.”

Jiang Wan frowned, thought for a moment, and chose not to argue with her elder brother. She returned to her chamber.

For now, whether Gu Yu truly intended to substitute one sister for the other under false pretenses or was merely angry with Jiang Heng, she had to follow her elder brother’s advice and focus on placating Gu Yu. As for future plans, she would need to speak with A Heng and confirm her intentions before deciding.

...

The palace banquet was held in a spacious cool palace hall.

Madam Guiyi, as the widow of the former ruler of the Southern Dynasties, was seated at the head of the Xiao clan’s relatives and former Southern Dynasties officials, with Yan Hui directly below her.

Aside from the Xiao clan’s old acquaintances, the banquet attendees included nobles and officials of the third rank and above from the current dynasty. They were seated on opposite sides of the hall, facing the Xiao clan’s relatives and former officials.

As luck would have it, Jiang Heng was seated directly across from Gu Yu.

She should have been seated beside him, but she had chosen to sit next to Yan Hui.

From the moment he took his seat, Gu Yu’s gaze never left the opposite side. Yet Jiang Heng kept her eyes lowered, appearing serene and quiet. She neither carried the arrogant smiles of the current dynasty’s noblewomen nor displayed the sorrowful and despondent expressions of the Xiao clan’s relatives.

It had to be admitted that, for such an occasion, she perfectly embodied the emotions expected of Madam Guiyi.

Clearly, she had done some preparation to play the role of Madam Guiyi well—to continue being Madam Guiyi.

Gu Yu withdrew his gaze, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank it in one gulp. When he looked up again, his eyes, almost instinctively, returned unabashedly to the young woman across from him.

Duke Liang and his wife were seated just below Gu Yu. Li Daorou had long since noticed Gu Yu’s demeanor and smugly said to Jiang Wan beside him, “Duchess Jiang, you’d better not let your husband get drunk and do something disgraceful in public.”

Jiang Wan, not being the real Jiang Heng, felt too guilty to meet Li Daorou’s eyes. She simply poured Gu Yu a cup of tea and quietly reminded him, “That is Madam Guiyi.”

Although rumors had long circulated that Gu Yu still harbored feelings for Madam Guiyi, his behavior today threatened to confirm those rumors in front of everyone.

Gu Yu ignored the woman and turned to Duke Liang. “Whether I get drunk or not has nothing to do with your wife. Why is she such a busybody?”

“Who are you calling a busybody?” Li Daorou straightened her back and turned to argue with Gu Yu, even raising a finger to point at him.

Duke Liang quickly stopped her, saying, “Enough, enough. His Majesty and the Noble Consort will be here soon. Don’t let people make a spectacle of us.”

Li Daorou had now been openly insulted by Gu Yu twice and was furious. She brushed off Duke Liang’s attempt to calm her, snorted, and took a sip of tea. When she looked up, she saw the Xiao clan’s relatives across from her watching. Though they didn’t openly laugh, their expressions clearly showed amusement.

The others didn't matter much, but even "Madam Guiyi" glanced her way and even seemed to mock her.

Li Daorou grew even angrier, but seeing the Emperor and Noble Consort Wei enter the hall hand in hand, she had no choice but to suppress her fury and join the others in paying their respects.

The purpose of this palace banquet was to celebrate the exoneration of Madam Guiyi. After taking her seat, Noble Consort Wei naturally asked after Jiang Heng warmly. Noticing she hadn't touched the tea or crucian carp soup before her, Noble Consort Wei asked with a smile, "You've been married into a family in Jiangnan for many years now, yet you still aren't accustomed to these flavors?"

At the time, there were significant differences in diet between northerners and southerners.

The ancestors of the Qi Dynasty originated from Dai Province in the north, originally nomadic tribes who followed water and pasture. They took advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains to join the northern warlords in competing for supremacy, eventually moving south and unifying the north and south, establishing their capital. Most of the nobility in the court were still northerners. Though they had settled in the Central Plains for a long time, their dietary habits retained northern customs, favoring mutton and kumiss.

Southerners, however, were different. With the abundant waters and fertile fish of Jiangnan, southerners preferred dishes like crucian carp soup and tea. Today’s banquet hosted many Jiangnan natives, so crucian carp soup and tea were served before them.

Crucian carp is bony, and tea is bitter—Jiang Heng truly wasn't accustomed to them.

"It's not that I'm unaccustomed, just that I haven't had much appetite lately," Jiang Heng replied calmly and with dignity.

As Madam Guiyi was newly widowed, having lost her country and her husband, it was understandable she had no appetite. Noble Consort Wei said no more and instead gently advised her to grieve moderately.

"I didn't realize she had any reason to grieve," Xiao Shunhua retorted, still resentful over her brother's death and feeling her sister-in-law's words were hypocritical. Even at the banquet, she made no effort to conceal her malice.

Jiang Heng remained silent, lowering her head as if resigned to being criticized and vented upon.

Noble Consort Wei had come today precisely to assert her authority. Hearing Xiao Shunhua's words, she first inquired about her injuries, instructing the physicians to take good care of her, then said, "Your brother has recently passed, and you are grieving. It's understandable if you act impulsively or speak in error due to sorrow. But there is a long road ahead, and I hope you can look forward. Rest assured, as long as you abide by the law and act with discretion, your life will not be worse than when you were a princess."

Her words combined kindness and authority. The Xiao clan quickly expressed their gratitude and pressed Xiao Shunhua to yield.

Yan Hui, observing the attitude of the Xiao clan, his expression cooled slightly, and he took a sip of tea.

Gu Yu glanced at Yan Hui, then turned his gaze to Wu Jun, a former official of the Southern Dynasties seated opposite. "Minister Wu, which do you think is better at this banquet—mutton or crucian carp soup, kumiss or tea?"

How could Wu Jun not understand the true meaning behind Gu Yu's question? He made a show of eating earnestly, took a bite of mutton and a sip of kumiss, nodded with satisfaction, and said with a smile, "Having long resided in Jiangnan, I had no idea such delicacies existed in the world. Crucian carp is bony, tea is bitter—these two aren't fit to hold a candle to mutton and kumiss."

"Don't you all agree?" Wu Jun turned to several other former Southern Dynasties officials, and many voiced their agreement, eliciting laughter from the Qi Dynasty emperor and his ministers.

Gu Yu sneered, inwardly scoffing at their "spinelessness," and looked again at Yan Hui. "Envoy Xiao, what do you think?"

Yan Hui calmly took a sip of tea and replied, "I prefer crucian carp soup and tea."

Hearing this, the Qi nobility took it as a deliberate provocation, and several of them remarked, "You really don't know what's good for you. You disregard the eight delicacies of kings and nobles, favoring instead stinky fish and bitter tea, the wretched fare of commoners."

Yan Hui did not engage in verbal sparring, simply taking another bite of crucian carp soup.

Jiang Heng was displeased. She frowned slightly, glanced at the ministers opposite, lowered her eyelashes, and followed Yan Hui's example by taking a bite of crucian carp soup.

Li Daorou, keenly aware of this scene, could not let the opportunity pass and immediately said loudly to Jiang Heng, "What, does Madam Guiyi also think crucian carp soup is more delicious?"

All eyes turned to Jiang Heng, but she did not look up, keeping her gaze slightly lowered as she said slowly, "Mutton is the finest product of the land, fish the best of the water—both are treasures of nature, each a delicacy in its own right. In terms of taste, which is superior depends on the individual. Today's banquet presents both land and water delicacies, embracing north and south, fully demonstrating the dynasty's inclusiveness and broad-mindedness, capable of encompassing all streams. I hadn't expected to hear such narrow-minded words, ranking personal tastes as superior or inferior."

After she spoke, a silence fell over the hall for a long time, nearly every gaze lingering on Jiang Heng.

Finally, the Emperor's light laughter broke the silence.

"Truly a lady from the Jiang family, her elegance undiminished from years past."

The hall soon returned to an atmosphere of harmony. Only Gu Yu continued to stare at Jiang Heng, lowering his eyes only after a long while to drink gloomily.

She was speaking up for Yan Hui again.

She always stood unwaveringly with Yan Hui, unable to bear seeing him suffer even the slightest grievance.

He had never known she could be so sharp-tongued, so daring as to defy the court ministers openly.

It was all for Yan Hui, everything for Yan Hui.

Right before his eyes, she cared for and defended another man so openly.

What was so great about that? He didn't care.

Gu Yu picked up the wine jug, poured himself several cups, and drank them one after another. He lifted his head, and his gaze, like a magnet, was again drawn uncontrollably to the lady opposite.

She kept her eyes lowered, eating the crucian carp soup carefully, somewhat clumsily.

*How could she be accustomed to such a thing?*

But because Yan Hui said he preferred crucian carp soup, she ate it with him.

Was she so attentive and obedient to Yan Hui?

Gu Yu drank several more cups in succession, watching the lady opposite. Suddenly, for some reason, he remembered an afternoon in winter five years ago.

At that time, Jiang Xing was still a general of the previous dynasty. Having lost a battle due to a misjudgment, he refused to admit fault, instead blaming Gu Yu for acting on his own authority and misrelaying orders. He had Gu Yu bound on the drill ground, stripped to the waist, to be publicly caned.

Then a young lady arrived at the military camp, wearing a red cloak with a fluffy white fur collar and a tall pointed hat embroidered with pink cherry blossoms. From afar, she called out to Jiang Xing, "Elder Brother!"

"Ling Lu!" Jiang Xing beamed and walked toward her. Eventually, persuaded by her, he did not proceed with the caning.

It was then that Gu Yu learned Jiang Wan's childhood name was Ling Lu.

It was Ling Lu who had always treated him with courtesy, not the lady opposite whose heart and eyes were filled with another man.

He never cared for her attentiveness and gentleness anyway!

Gu Yu withdrew his gaze from the opposite seat, set down his wine cup, and right in front of Jiang Heng, personally picked up a piece of tender, succulent mutton and placed it in Jiang Wan's bowl. Deliberately softening the coldness in his voice, he said with some warmth, "Eat more."

Having said this, he looked up at the lady opposite, only to see her lowering her eyes to sip tea, completely unaware of what he had done.

"Eat more," he said again, picking up another piece and intentionally raising his voice. Even Prince Qin, seated at the head table, heard and looked over curiously.

Duke Liang also glanced over and teased him provocatively, "I see Duke Wei is also quite indulgent toward his wife."

Another wave of laughter spread through the hall, and Jiang Heng finally looked toward them amid the commotion.

Gu Yu had already averted his gaze, staring gloomily at the food table before him, silent as he added another piece of mutton to Jiang Wan's bowl.

Lifting his eyes again, he saw Jiang Heng looking calmly at her sister, a faint, approving smile at the corner of her lips?

What was she smiling about? Wasn't she angry at all?

Did she not care at all what he did?

Gu Yu suddenly felt deflated, listlessly setting down his chopsticks and drinking several more cups of wine, a rare look of weary defeat on his face.

No matter what he did, it was futile. She didn't care at all, giving him not the slightest reaction.

In her eyes, he simply didn't exist.

...

After the palace banquet, Prince Qin summoned Gu Yu to meet with the emperor to discuss the southern campaign.

"You can head back to the Jiang residence by yourself," Gu Yu said to Jiang Wan.

Jiang Wan nodded slightly and said softly, "Go tend to your business, no need to worry about me. I want to talk with... big sister."

In the bustling palace grounds, Jiang Wan spoke thus.

Gu Yu didn't respond. He lifted his gaze and immediately spotted Jiang Heng among the stream of people.

She was walking away at a leisurely pace, alone, not with anyone. Three paces behind her followed Yan Hui, also alone.

They walked single file, both alone, not particularly close to each other, with people occasionally passing between them.

Yet, for some reason, to Gu Yu, they seemed exceptionally intimate.

A deep sense of defeat welled up inside him once again, out of nowhere.

Gu Yu withdrew his gaze, clenched his fists behind his back, still did not respond to Jiang Wan, and turned to head toward the Council Hall.

···

"Big sister, come home with me for a visit. Mom and Dad really miss you."

Outside the imperial city gates, just as Jiang Heng was about to board her carriage, she heard Jiang Wan say this.

Though not particularly close to her twin sister, Jiang Heng had never resented or disliked her due to their parents' favoritism. Figuring Jiang Wan had something to say, she thought for a moment and replied, "Why not come with me to the government post station?"

She feared that if she returned home, she might no longer be able to maintain the false identity as Madam Guiyi.

"Alright," Jiang Wan said, understanding her concerns, and agreed kindly.

At the post station, the two sisters closed the door to speak privately. To prevent eavesdropping, Yan Hui personally stood guard outside.

"A Heng, I want to ask you, what are your true intentions regarding Duke Wei?" Jiang Wan cut to the chase.

Jiang Heng paused, then said, "Duke Wei says he'll divorce me and then marry you, big sister."

Jiang Wan was stunned. How can that be? Whether intentionally or not, Gu Yu had never hinted at such an idea in her presence.

"A Heng, I'm not asking about Duke Wei's intentions. I'm asking about yours."

Jiang Wan knew very well that Gu Yu was currently acting in anger—his words and actions were impulsive, not sincere.

Jiang Heng lowered her eyes silently. She knew that what she was about to say would surely draw the same reproach from her elder sister as from her father and brother—that she was acting recklessly and selfishly.

Steadying herself, she spoke slowly, "I also wish to divorce. I want to be with Brother Yan. Wherever he goes, I will follow."

Jiang Wan was not surprised by this answer. After a moment of silence, she still said, "Are you willing to go into exile with him, even to the ends of the earth?"

Jiang Heng nodded.

"A Heng, it's not that simple." Jiang Wan had been a captive, experienced the fall of her country, lost her husband, and faced one misfortune after another—almost overnight, her dignity had been shattered.

If not for Gu Yu's unwavering support, she dared not imagine how wretched she would have been.

She understood Prince Zhennan well. He was the most ambitious among the imperial princes. Even before the fall of the previous dynasty, he had always advocated for the northern expedition and was marginalized, sent far away to Lingnan. It was said that during his years guarding Lingnan, his military preparations never slackened, and his determination for the northern expedition never wavered.

Thus, she knew clearly that these peace talks would go nowhere—a war between the court and Prince Zhennan was inevitable.

When the nest is overturned, no egg stays intact. What hope could there be for Yan Hui's fate?

As her own sister, she could not stand by and watch Jiang Heng embark on that dark path of no return.

"But even staying here in the capital, living aimlessly, is not easy either," Jiang Heng said. She had already spent three years in a state of confusion, turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the world.

"Big sister, do you know? Duke Wei always calls me 'Ling Lu.' I never know whether to answer. If I do, I fear he will be angry because I know I am not you—I fall far short of you. If I don’t answer, I also fear he will be angry, accusing me of being rude and cold."

"For three years as husband and wife, he has always treated me as you. Only when I displeased him would he realize that I am not you—that I am not as outstanding, that I am uneducated and crude in how I speak."

Jiang Wan frowned. "He told you that?"

"Yes," Jiang Heng remembered it clearly.

Jiang Wan pressed her lips together, speechless.

"Moreover, he never trusted me. His cousin falsely claimed I ordered his concubine to be given contraceptives. He was convinced it was my doing, allowed that He Ji to bully Chun Jin, and even punished me by sending me to Guanyin Temple to hold memorial services for that concubine."

Jiang Wan's frown deepened. "Such a thing happened?"

"Yes," Jiang Heng said, sharing this only because they were sisters. "Big sister, that cousin of his intends to marry Duke Wei. She hides a dagger behind her smile and is very difficult to deal with. If you ever consider entering the Gu household, you must be careful."

Jiang Wan's expression stiffened. Was this why she had sought her out today? It almost sounded as though she were already preparing to enter the Gu household, seeking advice from her.

"But perhaps with you, things would be much better. At least Duke Wei would trust you and treat you well," Jiang Heng added, turning her head away.

Jiang Wan heard the deep hurt in her words.

No wonder she was leaving so resolutely. It turned out that over these three years, all she had felt and accumulated was hurt.

"Does that Mr. Yan agree to take you away?" Jiang Wan wondered. Even if her sister was determined, Yan Hui should know how arduous the road ahead would be and how best to ensure her safety.

"He'll agree."

At the mention of Yan Hui, Jiang Heng's eyes instantly brightened.

"Big sister, you probably don’t know. When I was young, I often got into fights because others called me a jinx, a calamity, unwanted by my parents. My nanny always felt that accompanying me to the old residence was a punishment. She often wrote to mother, complaining about how disobedient and hard to handle I was. Mother’s replies always urged the nanny to be stricter with me, ever stricter."

"Later, when I got into fights, I didn’t dare return home. It was Brother Yan who let me stay, protected me, and even told the nanny to either write truthfully to mother, explaining why I fought, or not write at all to complain about me. Otherwise, he would also write to the Jiang family to report the nanny's neglect."

"When I was seven, I fought with a princess. Mother only said I was outrageously bold for scratching the princess's face and tearing her hairpins, but she never asked that it was the princess who deliberately stepped on my rag doll first."

That rag doll was the first birthday gift mother had ever sewn for her—the first gift from mother she had ever received.

Jiang Heng lowered her gaze and fell silent for a long time.

Jiang Wan also watched her quietly, unsure what to say.

She remembered when Jiang Heng returned to the capital. It was winter, and their eldest brother had brought her back. The family was surprised for a long time, puzzled as to how she had ended up with their eldest brother.

They later learned that upon hearing their parents intended to bring her back, she couldn’t wait and came to the capital herself. Passing by her eldest brother’s camp, she sought him out.

That day, she wore a bright red cloak, a fluffy white fur collar, and a tall hat decorated with cherry blossom embroidery. Her smile was quite adorable, carrying a free-spirited, playful charm.

She even laughingly complained to their parents that eldest brother hadn’t recognized her, mistaking her for her elder sister.

At the time, Jiang Wan thought she must have had a good life at the old residence in Canghe—at least, more interesting than their sheltered upbringing in the secluded women's quarters.

But I never imagined she had been through so much.

Without Yan Hui's companionship all those years, she might not have been that bright and lively girl when we first met.

"A Heng, I know Mr. Yan's feelings for you are deep, but have you truly made up your mind?"

Jiang Heng nodded. "Sister, Duke Wei found out about A-Heng and Brother Yan. At best, he might spare the Jiang family out of respect for you, but he will never continue as my husband. There's no going back for us."

Hearing this, Jiang Wan knew further persuasion was useless and said instead: "Then, is there anything I can do to help you?"

Jiang Heng pressed her lips together, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Jiang Wan.

She certainly had a request.

"Though we never whispered secrets under the same quilt, today's words are also girl talk between sisters, aren't they?" Jiang Wan noticed her hesitation and said with a light laugh.

Only then did Jiang Heng speak: "Then, could you persuade Duke Wei to agree to a quick divorce?"

After all, swapping identities was just a stopgap measure. Stuck using Madam Guiyi's identity, she couldn't go anywhere. How could she easily break free? And with Jiang Wan using her identity, life in the Gu family probably wouldn't be easy—her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law would likely vent their grievances onto her sister.

Naturally, the best solution was for them to switch back: she would divorce, and her sister could choose again whether to marry into the Gu family.

"Duke Wei will probably listen to you," Jiang Heng said.

Jiang Wan gave a faint smile, not revealing Gu Yu's true thoughts to her.

"I can try, but it'll probably take some time." Jiang Wan wasn't very confident.

"Thank you, Sister." Jiang Heng sounded genuinely happy.

...

After the meeting at the Council Chamber, Gu Yu and Prince Qin left the palace together. As they were about to part at the palace gate, Prince Qin suddenly remembered something. "Envoy Xiao said today he wants to post a few guards to the official posthouse to prevent another incident like when Princess Heyi hurt someone. Should you handle it, or shall I assign someone else?"

This wasn’t a major matter—Prince Qin could easily have his household steward arrange it. But since Gu Yu had always handled matters related to Madam Guiyi personally, he naturally asked for Gu Yu’s opinion first.

Gu Yu thought for a moment, understanding Yan Hui’s intention.

Preventing further incidents was one reason; the other was likely to deter him from recklessly seeking out Jiang Heng.

With eyes watching, he would have to exercise more restraint.

"Get someone else to handle it," Gu Yu said indifferently.

"Huh?" Prince Qin couldn’t hide his surprise. "You're washing your hands of it?"

Gu Yu lowered his gaze. "Yes."

He wouldn't go looking for Jiang Heng at the official posthouse again. If she wants to be with Yan Hui, so be it.

He'd write a letter of divorce to set her free.

After all, she had never had eyes for him. Why should a pillar of the state force himself on a woman?

"Why suddenly… not manage it?" Prince Qin very much wanted to ask for details, but seeing Gu Yu’s lowered gaze and unwillingness to speak further, he feared pressing further would annoy him. He cut his question short and looked up to see his own sister and Gu's younger sister talking under a willow tree nearby. Gu's younger sister was pouting, as if wronged.

"Cheng Zhou, once Prince Zhennan’s matter is settled, I should come to propose marriage and ask for A Yue’s hand."

Prince Qin had long been aware of Gu's younger sister’s desire to marry him. He also intended to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family. If Gu Yu could resolve the Prince Zhennan affair, his merit and status in the court would be unshakable, becoming his strongest support for ascending the throne in the future.

"A Yue is simple-hearted. I hope Your Highness will take good care of her in the future." Gu Yu knew very well that his younger sister wanted to marry Prince Qin only because she had long admired him, without the calculated considerations Prince Qin had.

"Of course."

"Farewell."

Just as Gu Yu mounted his horse, he saw Gu's younger sister approaching him.

"Third Brother, where are you going?"

"Home."

Gu Qingyue looked upset, gazing at Gu Yu with a wronged expression. "Aren’t you going to bring Sister-in-law home? She went to the official posthouse to talk with Madam Guiyi."

Instead of answering, Gu Yu asked, "Did Princess Huyang bully you?"

Gu Qingyue pouted. "No, but aren’t you really going to bring Sister-in-law home?"

"Your sister-in-law still needs to return to the Jiang family to attend to the sick." Gu Yu reined in his horse, showing no intention of heading to the official posthouse.

But Gu Qingyue spread her arms to block his horse. "I don’t care! Go to the official posthouse and bring Sister-in-law back!"

Gu Yu frowned. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Seeing his anger, Gu Qingyue grew fearful, and the more afraid she felt, the more wronged she became. Regardless of consequences, she looked up and questioned him: "Do you want to marry Madam Guiyi?"

"Everyone says you want to marry Madam Guiyi. I know Sister-in-law isn’t as good as Madam Guiyi, but have you ever considered this? Three years ago, it was you who took a liking to Sister-in-law and personally went to propose. Now that your old flame has returned, you’re neglecting Sister-in-law. What will others say about our Gu family?"

"Won’t you think of me? I’m also going to marry. Aren’t you afraid that one day Prince Qin might treat me the way you treat Sister-in-law?"

"Go bring Sister-in-law back! You’re not allowed to abandon her!" Gu Qingyue blocked the horse, crying and pleading.

Gu Yu knew she must have heard gossip from Princess Huyang again. "The matter between me and your sister-in-law isn’t what you think. Don’t listen to nonsense. Go home."

"I won’t! Go bring Sister-in-law back."

Gu Qingyue stubbornly blocked the horse, refusing to let him pass. Left with no choice, Gu Yu went to the official posthouse.

There he found Yan Hui guarding Jiang Heng’s door.

As he stepped closer, Yan Hui didn’t stop him, allowing him to approach and clearly overhear the conversation between the two women inside.

He heard every word: Jiang Heng’s determination to divorce, the grievances she had accumulated in the Gu family, and even her final request for Jiang Wan to persuade him to agree to a quick divorce.

Yan Hui had let him approach precisely so he would hear all this.

So she wasn’t a quiet person who cared about nothing.

Didn’t she talk a lot with Yan Hui? Didn’t she share everything with Jiang Wan too?

It was just that she didn’t like talking about these things with him.

Why had he been so certain back then that she was the one who tried to harm the three concubines?

He had overestimated her affection for him.

He had always thought she had only him and would stay by his side for the rest of her life.

He had never imagined that one day he would have to write a letter of divorce and divorce her.

Back then, he married her only because she resembled Ling Lu…

Now that the real Ling Lu was back, he could easily divorce and remarry, regardless of what others might say…

How difficult could it be to write a letter of divorce?

Hadn’t he already decided, more than once, to divorce her?

Gu Yu stood with his hands behind his back for a moment. Before the woman noticed him upon opening the door, he turned and left.

"Duke Wei, what brings you here?"

As he reached the main hall of the official post station and was about to leave, a voice called out to him from behind.

Gu Yu stopped and turned to look upstairs, addressing Jiang Heng, "I came to take you home."

A moment later, realizing he had mistaken the person, he shifted his gaze to Jiang Wan and said, "Let’s go."