Chapter 42

Chapter 42

There were no timekeeping devices in the prison, nor could one see the sun. The straw-reinforced earthen walls were scratched with lines and marks, mottled and patchy, likely the idle markings of previous inmates.

Gu Yu also used this method to keep track of time, adding a horizontal tally below the eighth vertical mark.

When would she come next?

Why had he said those words, "She need not come"? If she came, so be it—why should he dwell on whether she would choose him in the future?

Even if she didn't choose him in the future, couldn't she visit him now?

Turning pages absently, Gu Yu felt inexplicably restless.

After a while, he called for the jailer.

"Deliver a message for me. This book isn't interesting. Ask my wife to bring a few military texts from the study and send them to me."

The jailer thought to himself that he'd never seen anyone so particular about books, but he respectfully agreed.

On the ninth night, as soon as footsteps echoed outside the cell, Gu Yu heard them. He was about to rise when he realized the footsteps didn't belong to Jiang Heng.

Looking up, he saw Prince Qin carrying a book case, arriving outside the door.

Gu Yu frowned at the book case and turned his gaze to the jailer following Prince Qin. "I asked you to deliver the message to my wife."

Not Prince Qin—he hadn't asked Prince Qin to bring the books. He had made it clear: he wanted his wife to come.

"It was your wife who entrusted me to deliver it," Prince Qin said.

Gu Yu’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he lowered his eyes and fell silent.

Had she really taken his words to heart? Was she not going to visit him anymore?

"What, are these books not what you wanted?" Prince Qin looked at Gu Yu in confusion, wondering when he had become so particular about his reading.

"These will do for now," Prince Qin said, ordering the jailer to open the cell door. He entered, set down the book case, and noticed Gu Yu still seemed dejected. Thinking he was dissatisfied, Prince Qin tried to reassure him: "His Majesty hasn't abandoned you, but the Xiao clan is filled with resentment. Your actions indeed overreached and were improper in many ways. Many at court have impeached you. His Majesty cannot simply ignore all this and show blatant favoritism toward you."

Gu Yu understood the principle that when the wall collapses, everyone pushes. As long as his family wasn't punished, he had no complaints about staying in prison for however long.

"Prince Zhennan has already taken Shaocheng, stationed troops there to rest and regroup, and intends to march north to recover ancestral lands," Prince Qin said. "If I recommend you to guard the southern frontier, would you be willing to go?"

Although they had discussed this matter many times before, and Gu Yu had long been prepared for a southern campaign, this expedition was different from previous ones. After months of negotiations and stalemates, the Emperor had grown increasingly firm in his belief that they must not rashly declare war. Lingnan was coastal, with mountains and a climate that northern-born men like them would find difficult to adapt to. If they truly ventured a thousand miles in a do-or-die campaign, they would likely only boost enemy morale while dampening their own, needlessly sacrificing the lives of countless soldiers. If news of a defeat spread widely, it could destabilize the recently pacified situation.

A defensive approach was the best strategy for now. But the role of defensive commander was not an easy one.

Prince Qin said, "Truthfully, I would rather you not accept this commission. It would take too much time, and there may not be any merit to be gained. To toil without merit is a general’s greatest fear. A single defeat could destroy all the honors you’ve accumulated thus far."

After a pause, Prince Qin continued, "But this is also your chance to get out of prison quickly."

"I'll go," Gu Yu said.

Prince Qin looked at him, pondered for a moment, and asked, "How confident are you?"

Gu Yu shook his head. "Not confident at all."

"You'd take command without any confidence?" Prince Qin didn't want Gu Yu to take such a risk. Many at court were already watching eagerly, waiting to cut off his support. But as long as Gu Yu didn't suffer a defeat, other impeachments and slanders would merely be minor disturbances, unable to truly harm him.

"It’s only a defensive post. We can proceed gradually. It won't remain without confidence forever."

After saying this, Gu Yu fell silent for a moment, as if considering something, then spoke again: "I want to bring my family with me."

Unlike military campaigns, defensive postings allowed for family members to accompany the general by convention.

Prince Qin, however, did not approve. "Other generals bring their families because they are stationed in one place for years on end. Do you also plan to settle in that godforsaken place and never return?"

Gu Yu remained silent but stood firm.

Prince Qin tried to persuade him again: "If you find it too lonely there, take a few concubines. If you want to bring them back in the future, you can. If not, give them some money and send them away properly. Why go through the trouble of bringing your family?"

"It’s no trouble," Gu Yu insisted.

Prince Qin had no choice but to concede. "Very well, I will petition His Majesty accordingly."

······

The Mid-Autumn imperial banquet invitation was delivered to the Duke Wei residence as usual, even though Gu Yu was still in prison. Luo Shi, worried about her son and somewhat displeased with the imperial family, flatly refused to attend. Jiang Heng also disliked such occasions, but if no one from the Gu family attended, it would inevitably invite gossip about showing disregard for imperial grace and being ungrateful. So she went to the banquet with Gu's younger sister.

"Sister-in-law, did you know? Today is also Prince Qin’s birthday."

As they entered the imperial city, Gu Qingyue suddenly leaned close to Jiang Heng’s ear and whispered.

Jiang Heng naturally didn't know. "Is that so?"

Gu Qingyue took out an embroidered pouch she had made herself, cradling it lovingly in both hands as she looked it over again and again. She asked Jiang Heng, "Sister-in-law, do you think Prince Qin will dislike this pouch I embroidered?"

"Prince Qin’s mansion houses countless treasures. No matter what precious gift you give, it would likely seem ordinary to him. But this pouch you embroidered by hand—I doubt he has anything like it in his residence." Jiang Heng glanced at the pouch and said with a smile.

"Sister-in-law." Gu Qingyue was pleased by these words and grew even happier. For a moment, she forgot that her brother was still in prison. She hugged Jiang Heng affectionately and said, "If I give him the pouch later and someone sees, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly and teased, "Then perhaps you shouldn't give it to him?"

"Sister-in-law!" Gu Qingyue knew she was being teased and said with playful reproach. Suddenly, she sighed. "Choosing gifts is so difficult. I’ve given a pouch this year, but I don’t know what to give next year."

She turned to Jiang Heng and asked, "Sister-in-law, have you ever given my brother gifts before? What did you give him?"

Jiang Heng shook her head slightly. "No."

"No?" Gu Qingyue was very surprised. "Then has my brother ever given you gifts?"

Jiang Heng also shook her head, feeling inexplicably relieved. "No."

They had never exchanged gifts for holidays or birthdays—neither owed the other anything.

"In three years of marriage, you’ve never once exchanged gifts?" Gu Qingyue suddenly felt sorry for Jiang Heng.

"Mmm." Jiang Heng’s expression remained unchanged, without a trace of disappointment or loneliness, as if she didn't care about gifts at all.

Gu Qingyue lowered her head and fell silent, thinking to herself that when her brother was released from prison, she would bring this up with him. If nothing else, the fact that her sister-in-law had pleaded and sought help everywhere for him during his imprisonment outweighed any past mistakes.

Once seated at the banquet, before the Emperor had arrived, officials and their families gathered in small clusters chatting. Prince Qin, however, had already taken his seat early and didn't join any conversations.

The Duke Wei’s seats were not far from Prince Qin’s. Gu Qingyue, clutching her embroidered pouch, wanted to approach him but didn't dare. Hesitant, she could only steal looks in Prince Qin’s direction.

"A Heng, I made some Mid-Autumn cakes. Take them back with you to eat."

Jiang Wan arrived at Jiang Heng’s side carrying a food container. As she spoke, Prince Qin’s gaze also turned in their direction.

Jiang Heng’s attention was entirely on her older sister, so she didn't notice Prince Qin’s movement. She took the food container and thanked her sister.

Gu Qingyue had been keeping an eye on Prince Qin and couldn't help but notice where he was looking, following his gaze to Jiang Wan.

Jiang Wan just gave her a polite smile in return, without so much as a look toward Prince Qin. After setting down her things, she returned to where Madam Guiyi was sitting.

When Gu Qingyue looked back at Prince Qin, he had already averted his gaze, drinking his tea like it was nothing, as if his earlier glance had been nothing more than a random look that didn't mean anything.

"Sister-in-law, I'll be back in a minute," Gu Qingyue said, working up her nerve as she walked toward Prince Qin.

Since Gu Qingyue had given Prince Qin gifts almost every year, he had a return gift ready in advance. After accepting her pouch, he handed her a beautifully made box, his fingers gently tracing the embroidered patterns on the pouch as he spoke in a warm tone, "You really thought about this."

He looked pretty happy with her gift.

Gu Qingyue lowered her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, and said softly, "I'm glad you like it."

With that, she didn't dare stick around any longer and quickly returned to her seat.

Prince Qin watched as Gu Qingyue returned to her seat, then turned his gaze to Jiang Wan.

She was seated not far across from him, sitting alone without engaging in conversation with anyone, her eyes downcast as if lost in thought.

Prince Qin had not visited the Jiang family or seen Jiang Wan for half a month. Seeing her now, she seemed indifferent, so he decided to let her wait a little longer—to make her understand that he was not the kind of man to be manipulated, unlike Emperor Xiao Chen.

Northerners were big on martial arts, and banquets often featured martial dances. Today’s performance was the "Song of Breaking the Formation." As the music ended, everyone broke into applause—except for Jiang Wan, who remained deep in thought, looked like she was somewhere else, sitting quietly without any reaction.

Her demeanor wasn’t inherently improper, but it got noticed by people looking for trouble, who seized the opportunity to make a big deal about it.

"Madam Guiyi, you seem not impressed with this piece?" Li Daorou smiled as she looked at Jiang Wan. "I’ve heard that Madam Guiyi is also skilled in music and dance. We’ve long admired your reputation. Why not take advantage of this Mid-Autumn occasion to perform a piece for us, so we may all see what you can do and treat our ears?"

Music and dance were specialties of the court entertainers—performers of low status, often including those who had been enslaved due to criminal convictions. While women from noble families might also study music and dance, their purpose was never to entertain everyone in such settings. By publicly suggesting Jiang Wan perform, Li Daorou was intentionally trying to make her look like some common performer, aiming to humiliate her.

Jiang Wan remained silent, her head bowed.

Jiang Heng, seeing her sister getting picked on, was about to stick up for her when Jiang Wan said, "The piece just now was powerful and exciting—I was truly captivated by it. How could I not like it? However, I do have a thought: if the pipa accompaniment were replaced with a five-stringed pipa, it would be even more uplifting."

"Oh? I’d really like to hear how Madam Guiyi would play this piece on a five-stringed pipa," Li Daorou said, turning to Noble Consort Wei. "What do you think, Noble Consort?"

Many in the hall chimed in agreeing. Noble Consort Wei then looked at Jiang Wan and said, "Why don’t you play a piece for us to hear?"

Jiang Wan nodded slightly and replied, "I will only play the pipa part—the other accompaniments can be omitted."

She was making it clear: she was not putting herself on the same level as the performers to amuse the crowd but was merely offering a suggestion for improving one part of the performance.

A palace attendant brought a five-stringed pipa, and Jiang Wan rose to accept it. She remained seated in her spot, testing the strings, made slight adjustments, and began to play.

She had known in advance that "Song of Breaking the Formation" would be performed at the banquet and had listened to the full piece several times beforehand. Though she had no written score, she could play it from memory. She intentionally altered a few parts of the melody to emphasize the grandeur of breaking through formations. Without other accompaniments, her performance evoked an even stronger sense of bravery against the odds.

When she finished, the room went quiet, and nearly every gaze was fixed on her.

"Hmm... as expected of a daughter of the Jiang family—you haven't lost your touch," the Emperor applauded and praised, saying what he always says.

Noble Consort Wei also looked at her with admiration. "You had no score, yet after hearing it just once, you remembered it?"

Jiang Wan replied that she hadn’t memorized it—her hands simply followed her heart, without regard for any score.

Noble Consort Wei nodded at her in approval.

Prince Qin held his wine cup, staring at Jiang Wan for a long while without speaking.

After the banquet, as guests were leaving the palace grounds, Prince Qin called Jiang Xing over and said softly, "Take her to my residence."

Then he hopped on his horse and rode off ahead.

Jiang Xing stood there stunned. He naturally knew whom Prince Qin meant, but if he really brought Jiang Wan to Prince Qin’s residence, what would that make her?

Some kind of servant he could call for whenever he wanted?

But if he didn’t send her, Prince Qin had already been neglecting Jiang Wan for days—would he write her off completely and never want her again?

Jiang Xing didn't know what to do, and relayed the message to Jiang Wan.

"If you don’t want to go, we won’t. We can find another way later," Jiang Xing said, making it sound like he respected her choice.

Jiang Wan replied, "Why wouldn’t I go?"

It was Prince Qin who wanted her to come to his residence—it wasn’t as if she had asked to go herself.

······

Jiang Xing had intended to see Jiang Wan to the front door of Prince Qin’s residence, but the steward of the prince’s household bid Jiang Xing farewell and then had a carriage take her to a side gate, where Jiang Wan was finally let into the residence.

"Do you know today is my birthday?"

Prince Qin didn't bother with pleasantries, pulling her into the room as soon as she entered. Without leading her to the bed, he pinned her against the door and began undoing her sash.

Jiang Wan acted as though she didn’t know. "Your birthday? I hadn’t heard."

Prince Qin paused, his eyes turning cold. He tore off her dress and tossed it aside, his large, warm hand pressing against her waist. "Now that you know, what will you do?"

Jiang Wan didn't react, merely lifting her head to look at him and replying flatly, "Happy birthday."

Prince Qin gave a bitter laugh, suddenly turning her around so her back was to him. He pressed her arms against the door, his rough palms tracing the lines of her body before pressing firmly against her.

"Without you, how could there be any happiness?"

He held her slender fingers, rubbing and caressing them. "You played so well—was it really not for me?"

Jiang Wan could barely get the words out, her breathing uneven under his control. "You... can consider it... played for you."

"I don’t want 'can consider'—I want to hear you play it again."

He picked up the pipa while still holding her, not pulling away from her, continuing to move to his own rhythm. "Let your hands follow your heart—play it for me again."

In her current state, how could Jiang Wan possibly play the pipa? As Prince Qin moved his hands to trace her body, she let go and dropped the instrument.

"If you want to hear the pipa, release me, and I’ll play it properly for you."

Prince Qin said nothing, only suddenly thrusting with force. The young woman couldn’t withstand such intensity, her legs giving way as she collapsed to the floor.

Prince Qin still didn’t release her, lifting her again and pressing her against the door, forcing her to brace herself against it. His palm rubbed against her neck. "Have you missed me these past days?"

"Do you hope I missed you, or do you hope I didn’t?" Jiang Wan’s voice was soft, tinged with moisture, but no emotion could be discerned.

For a moment, Prince Qin grew impatient, gripping her neck and pulling her back against his chest. "Answer me properly."

When Jiang Wan remained silent, Prince Qin found other ways to torment her.

"If you hope I missed you, then I did. If you don’t, then I didn’t," Jiang Wan replied, her body trembling.

"Am I powerless against you?" Prince Qin turned her to face him again. "Don't even think about going back tonight. I've been holding back for over ten days—you need to make it up to me properly."

The next morning, the carriage once again stopped at the side gate to pick up Jiang Wan and take her away. As it exited the alley, it happened to cross paths with Princess Huyang's carriage.

Jiang Wan's carriage naturally had to pull over to let her pass. Princess Huyang lifted the window curtain, and together with Gu Qingyue, they looked out, curious about whose carriage would be visiting Prince Qin's residence so early in the morning.

At that moment, Jiang Wan also gently lifted her window curtain to see what was happening outside.

The three of them briefly caught sight of each other.

Jiang Wan even bowed slightly to Princess Huyang before calmly lowering her curtain.

The two carriages passed each other and continued on their separate paths.

Princess Huyang and Gu Qingyue were both stunned for a moment. They leaned out further, their eyes following the departing carriage.

"Is that... Madam Guiyi?" Gu Qingyue felt a sense of foreboding.

...

"Sister-in-law!"

Gu Qingyue ran into the Ninghe Court with reddened eyes. "Your elder sister... is she having an affair with Prince Qin...?"

"Did your sister seduce Prince Qin?!" Gu Qingyue demanded accusingly at Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng frowned and replied calmly, "Prince Qin is his own man. He's not a fool. If my sister seduced him, would he just go along with it?"

Gu Qingyue shook with anger, pointing at Jiang Heng. "And I thought you were a good sister-in-law to me! How could you deceive me like this! Your sister is shameless! First, she failed to seduce my brother, and now she's going after Prince Qin!"

Jiang Heng couldn't stand hearing her slander her sister like this. She furrowed her brows and said, "Don't make unfounded accusations. When did my sister ever seduce Prince Qin?"

"You're still denying it! I saw her leaving Prince Qin's mansion early this morning with my own eyes! If she wasn't there for a secret meeting with Prince Qin, why would she be there so early?!"

Gu Qingyue grew angrier the more she thought about it. She didn't care if Jiang Heng was aware or not and scolded her along with her sister. "Neither of you is any good! You helped your sister hide this from me and deceive me! You knew perfectly well that I like Prince Qin, you knew I want to marry Prince Qin! How could you do this to me?!"

"That's enough."

Outside the room door, Gu Yu stood there, who had appeared at some point. He looked at Gu Qingyue, his expression stern, warning her to stop her disrespectful talk.

"Third Brother!" Gu Qingyue ran over, grabbing Gu Yu's arm and sobbing about her grievances. "Sister-in-law deceived me! She knew I want to marry Prince Qin! She saw me giving gifts to Prince Qin! And she let her sister seduce him! She didn't tell me anything, just let me be kept in the dark!"

Gu Yu didn't push his younger sister away, but neither did he offer comforting words. He said calmly, "And if you had known, what then?"

Gu Qingyue sobbed uncontrollably, shocked that her own brother would respond with such an indifferent remark, showing no intention of standing up for her.

"You're my own brother..." Gu Qingyue cried, shaking his arm. Pointing at Jiang Heng, she said, "She knows how to protect her sister! Don't you stand on my side?"

Gu Yu sighed helplessly. The issue wasn't which side he was on, but how to resolve the problem. His younger sister's issue clearly couldn't be solved simply by him taking a side.

"Haven't you always known that Prince Qin already has concubines?" Gu Yu spoke to his sister patiently and rationally.

Gu Qingyue nodded, then immediately said, "But that's different! Concubines are concubines! Madam Guiyi isn't an ordinary concubine..."

"Even if it weren't her, there would be others in the future. I never discussed these matters with you in detail before. Now that you know, think carefully about whether you can still accept marrying Prince Qin."

Gu Qingyue refused to accept this. Pointing at Jiang Heng, she said, "It was her sister who seduced Prince Qin!"

"A Yue!" Gu Yu frowned, his voice turning cold. "It takes two to tango. That's not the issue you should be concerned with. You should only be concerned with whether you still wish to marry Prince Qin."

After a pause, he added, "Alternatively, if you believe you can change Prince Qin, can persuade him to stop seeing Madam Guiyi, you are welcome to try. Then make your decision."

"In any case, stop causing an unreasonable scene here."

Gu Qingyue stood there stunned for a long moment, then stamped her foot in anger. "You're no brother of mine!"

She ran off crying.

Jiang Heng was also unsettled by A Yue's crying and accusations. She didn't think to ask Gu Yu why he was back yet. Frowning, she looked at him and asked, "Is it true about my sister and Prince Qin?"

Gu Yu paused, the package in his hand suggesting that he had just returned from prison—how would he know these things?

Jiang Heng then realized he was out of prison. She asked casually, "How did you get back so soon? Wasn't it supposed to be three months?"

Gu Yu looked at her intently, his brow furrowing.

"Did you not want me to come back so soon?"

Jiang Heng realized her poor choice of words but didn't attempt to explain further. Silently, she reached for the package in his hand, intending to have it laundered.

As Jiang Heng tugged at the package, Gu Yu didn't let go. He looked at her for a moment, then tossed the package aside, swept her up into his arms, and carried her into the inner chamber.

"You promised," Jiang Heng said, clutching her clothes tightly to prevent him from undoing them, reminding him. "We agreed to part ways amicably after a year. Our being together now is only a temporary arrangement."

Gu Yu frowned, his rough hand tightly gripping hers that held the clothes.

Her resistance was useless. If he truly wanted her, she had no way to stop him.

He had missed her terribly, an ache that gripped his heart and liver.

He held her hand and undid her belt.

"Are you going to break your promise again?" Jiang Heng looked at him stubbornly, her entire body rejecting him.

Gu Yu stared at her intensely for a long time, then suddenly lowered his head and bit her shoulder hard. He then got up and left the room.

Shortly after, the sound of splashing water came from the next room, continuing for a while before ceasing.

Jiang Heng knew what he was doing. It had been like this before. When he was emotionally stirred but didn't want to proceed with intimacy, yet found it hard to endure, he would go to the next room and pour cold water over himself. After several buckets, his emotions would cool, and he would manage to endure it.

When Gu Yu emerged, he was fully dressed, looking dignified and handsome, his eyes no longer holding the intense desire they had when he looked at her earlier. He was back to his usual cold, calm, and composed self.

Jiang Heng returned to questioning him about her sister. "Did you know all along about my sister and Prince Qin?"

From what Gu Yu had said to A Yue earlier, it seemed he had known for some time.

Gu Yu gave a slight nod.

"Did Prince Qin force my sister?" Jiang Heng couldn't believe her sister would willingly engage in an improper relationship.

Gu Yu remained silent. He had already said it takes two to tango. A Yue hadn't listened, and it seemed she hadn't either...

"Why didn't you help her?" Jiang Heng's tone held an accusatory note.

Gu Yu's eyes shifted, and his brow furrowed slightly. How was this his fault? How could he have helped?

After thinking for a moment, he said slowly, "Prince Qin may not be a faithful man, but he won't mistreat his women. You don't need to worry too much."

"A Yue is your own sister, and you just let Prince Qin act so recklessly?" Jiang Heng was also indignant, both for her own sister and for Gu's Younger Sister.

Gu Yu sighed softly, feeling quite helpless.

"I am not a woman. What I choose is the future ruler, not a husband. Prince Qin may not be a good husband, but in my view, he can be a good ruler. I only consider whether he can govern the world, stabilize the state, and secure the people's loyalty. I cannot control how many women he wants or what kind of women he desires."

Jiang Heng looked at him for a moment, realizing that their identities, positions, and concerns were different, and they couldn't see eye-to-eye on this matter. She said no more and stood up to dismiss him, "You've been in prison for many days, and Mother misses you dearly. Go see her."

Gu Yu remained seated and said, "I have something to tell you."

Jiang Heng fell silent, waiting for him to speak.

"I will be heading south in a few days. Would you be willing to come with me?"

"I won't go," Jiang Heng said decisively, without a moment's hesitation.

Gu Yu frowned again, looked at her for a while, and reminded her once more, "I am going south to garrison the newly conquered cities and prevent Prince Zhennan from advancing further north."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Prince Zhennan."

Sure enough, the maiden's eyes lit up, and she turned to look at him after a moment's delay.

But Gu Yu averted his eyes and no longer looked at her, as though it didn't matter to him whether she went or not.