Chapter 52

Chapter 52

With Gu Yu's words of "taking it slow," Jiang Heng felt even more uninhibited. That day, she changed into ordinary young man's attire and went alone to see Yan Hui.

Jiang Heng took him to Zhao Qing's grave.

It was a communal burial ground, where soldiers from other regions who had died in battle over the past few months were interred.

Yan Hui looked at the two characters "Zhao Qing" on the small tombstone, his brow furrowing slightly as if something had stung his eyes.

The tombstones in the communal burial ground offered little information—only a name and the date of death and interment.

Yan Hui could tell that the "Zhao Qing" buried here had died on the day he led the surprise attack on Gu Yu.

"Brother, this is Zixing, the Zixing you knew."

Jiang Heng's tone was not accusatory; her voice remained gentle, as if she were simply bringing him to pay respects to an old friend.

"When he arrived, he was seasick. Duke Wei originally intended to send him back, but I interceded for him to stay. I even used the method you taught me to help him overcome his seasickness. Yet, before he could even enter Yongzhou City—"

Jiang Heng's voice choked up. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears, and fell silent to calm the sudden surge of sorrow.

Yan Hui gently pressed the maiden's shoulder, comforting her: "It's not your fault. In war, death is inevitable."

"He died saving me." Jiang Heng decided to tell Yan Hui the truth.

"During the underwater battle that day, when the other soldiers jumped into the water, their first instinct was to save Duke Wei. Only he swam toward me. If he hadn't been alone, he might not have died so easily."

Yan Hui was visibly shaken.

That day, only one person had gone to save Jiang Heng—and that person had died by his hand.

Yan Hui looked again at the tombstone, slowly crouched down, and placed his hand on it, remaining silent for a long time.

"Brother," Jiang Heng knelt beside him, speaking softly to console him, "I know killing Zixing was not your intention. You must be heartbroken too. So, please, let this go, alright?"

Yan Hui did not speak, only slowly stood up and released his grip on the tombstone.

"A Jiu, when I met Prince Zhennan, the wounds all over my body were festering. I was in a worse state than the filthiest beggar. He took me into his residence, summoned over a dozen physicians, and treated me for more than two months."

Yan Hui said only this.

Jiang Heng compressed her lips, remaining silent for a long time. Ultimately unable to suppress her grief, tears fell against her will.

"Brother, I've failed you." She closed her eyes, turning her back to him, feeling too ashamed to face Yan Hui. "I know the predicament you're in now is all because of me—"

"A Jiu, don't say that. I've never blamed you."

Yan Hui paused, then asked, "But last time, why didn't you come with me?"

Jiang Heng had long wanted to explain this to him. "If I had gone with you last time, what if Prince Zhennan used me to threaten Duke Wei? I couldn't—"

"Are you that important to him? Could he be threatened because of you?" Yan Hui's voice suddenly turned cold.

Jiang Heng was stunned, never having expected Yan Hui to ask such a question.

"Are you so concerned about whether he could be threatened?" Yan Hui looked into her eyes, his gaze uncharacteristically icy.

Jiang Heng shook her head, explaining reflexively, "It's not that I'm concerned. I just don't want to ruin his plans because of me—"

"A Jiu," Yan Hui said sternly, "you're helping him. Have you never wondered why he brought you all this way to suffer? Why he allows you to see me again and again? He's using you."

Jiang Heng was taken aback, looking at Yan Hui as if he were a stranger.

"You advise me not to help Prince Zhennan, saying I should help neither Prince Zhennan nor Duke Wei. But do you realize that if I don't help Prince Zhennan, I am effectively helping Duke Wei? If you can't see this, Duke Wei certainly can. I don't know what he has promised you, but A Jiu, I cannot simply walk away as if nothing happened. Prince Zhennan is in peril, and I cannot stand by and watch him face destruction."

"Duke Wei has you come again and again to persuade me to give up. What are his intentions? Don't you understand?"

If she hadn't been by Gu Yu's side all this time, Jiang Heng might have almost believed Yan Hui's words—that Gu Yu was using her to lure Yan Hui, to deprive Prince Zhennan of a key commander.

She knew very well whether Gu Yu was using her. But what about her brother? Was Yan Hui using her?

Why had Jiang Xing been able to turn Yan Hui so quickly and so convinced that Yan Hui was genuinely switching loyalties? Because Jiang Xing believed that Yan Hui cared for her, just as she cared for Yan Hui, enough to oppose Prince Zhennan.

"Brother," but Jiang Heng did not challenge him. Even if he was using her, she would not blame him.

"Duke Wei is not using me. I'm urging you to leave Prince Zhennan only because I can't forget you. I want to be with you."

She continued softly, "But I also cannot return to Shaocheng with you. I can leave the Jiang and Gu families behind, but I cannot let both families face calamity because of me."

"A Jiu, you're still defending him," Yan Hui said coldly.

"I am not!" Jiang Heng's resentment welled up, no longer containable. She knew exactly why she had come here, and she thought Yan Hui understood just as clearly.

But in Yan Hui's eyes, there was only conspiracy, only scheming and manipulation—he could no longer see her sincerity.

She had come here with no consideration for Gu Yu whatsoever.

In the capital, bound by family ties, she could not abandon the Jiang family. She knew Yan Hui could never accept the Jiang family again, so she was willing to leave with him.

Why was it that now, when she had come to where he was, he was doubting her sincerity?

"Brother, I won't pressure you. Take your time to think. When you've figured it out, we'll leave together."

***

"Master, the lady and Military Advisor Xiao went to the cemetery and have returned safely."

The retainer tasked with following Yan Hui came to report to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "From now on, when the lady goes to see Military Advisor Xiao, assign additional guards."

After all, she was still his wife. Yan Hui might not harm her, but Prince Zhennan's men were another matter. If by any chance she were put in danger—

Enough. He would go and tell her himself—from now on, she must not go to see Yan Hui alone.

Gu Yu entered the room. Jiang Heng was sitting in front of the dressing mirror, holding a comb but not moving, her half-undone boy's hairstyle still loosely tied.

It was clear her mood was low.

Gu Yu approached and sat on the daybed beside her dressing table, casually asking, "He still refuses?"

Jiang Heng's listless eyes barely flickered as she replied irritably, "You already knew the outcome."

They both knew Gu Yu would have secretly sent someone to follow them.

"My men kept their distance and didn't hear what you discussed," Gu Yu said honestly.

"Brother said you're using me. You allow me to see him and persuade him to leave Prince Zhennan only to bolster your own position." Jiang Heng spoke as she continued to undo her hair.

She knew Gu Yu did not believe Yan Hui had genuinely surrendered, and she wasn’t afraid to say it to him directly.

Gu Yu’s face tightened, but he did not refute it.

After a moment, he said, “If that makes you feel better, you can think of it that way.”

Jiang Heng’s hand, which had been combing through her hair, paused briefly before she continued as if nothing happened. “I’m not stupid.”

“Regardless, don’t go to see him alone from now on. If you want to meet him, I’ll have him come here,” Gu Yu said.

Jiang Heng did not respond. She hastily tied up her hair and stood. “It’s too stuffy in here. I’m going for a walk.”

Before she even reached the main gate, she saw several local servants beating and scolding a ragged young beggar, trying to drive the beggar away. But the little beggar was stubborn, seemingly drawn to the wealth here, and kept coming back.

The servants were cursing in the local dialect, which Jiang Heng couldn’t fully understand, but it sounded vicious. She summoned one of the servants and instructed him to give the little beggar some food and send the beggar away properly.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing Jiang Heng, the little beggar ran toward her. Before they could get close, Gu Yu, who had hurried over, kicked the beggar away.

Though Gu Yu had used only a fraction of his strength, the little beggar was so frail that they tumbled several times, scraping their forehead on a stone. Lying on the ground, the beggar sobbed and mumbled, “Your honor, please don’t hit me. I’m just hungry.”

The beggar wasn't speaking the local dialect but rather the official language, and from the voice, it was clear she was a young girl.

Jiang Heng felt pity and wanted to step forward to ask more, but Gu Yu stopped her.

“Go ahead with your walk. I’ll handle this.”

This place was not like the capital, and with the two armies facing off, even the most ordinary things could hide danger. Jiang Heng was afraid of unintentionally causing trouble for Gu Yu, so she didn’t push further. She only said, “If she really is just an ordinary beggar, don’t be hard on her.”

Gu Yu nodded.

After Jiang Heng left, he ordered the little beggar brought before him for questioning.

“You speak the official language?” Gu Yu studied the little beggar.

Her clothes were tattered, and she was covered in filth, but she looked to be only fifteen or sixteen, about the same age as A Yue.

The little beggar nodded. “I’ve been a beggar for many years. I’ve seen all kinds of people and learned to speak in many ways.”

Gu Yu smiled slightly; it was a plausible enough reason.

“Look up,” Gu Yu said.

Upon hearing this, the little beggar immediately shrank back and lowered her head. “What are you going to do?”

As she refused to cooperate, Gu Yu called Cheng Ping over and instructed her to take the beggar to clean up and change, adding deliberately, “You have hands and feet. There’s no need to beg. Stay here and work.”

Hearing that it was just work, the little beggar offered little resistance and obediently followed Cheng Ping.

A while later, Cheng Ping returned to report, “Master, that little beggar has porcelain skin, fair as snow, without a single scar except for a fresh wound on her forehead. I’m afraid she’s not from an ordinary wealthy family.”

But rather from an extremely noble family.

Gu Yu had expected as much and asked calmly, “What about her appearance?”

“Quite delicate and graceful.”

“Hmm. Go ahead, watch her closely. Give her some tasks, but under no circumstances let her get anywhere near the lady.”

Gu Yu had guessed the little beggar was unusual.

Her official language was quite fluent, meaning she must have deliberately studied and practiced it. It wasn’t something she could have picked up just by begging for years and seeing the world. If she really had been begging, how many opportunities would she have had to hear such fluent official language in this remote southern wilderness?

Even if she had, a young female beggar with such an attractive appearance would never have had the chance to roam freely. She would have long been taken by someone as a wife or concubine, or at the very least, as a serving maid.

She must have come here with some purpose, but she was brave but foolish, riddled with inconsistencies, and didn’t seem to be part of any well-planned scheme or under someone’s orders.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Yu instructed Cheng Ping to assign her a task: to deliver some pastries to Yan Hui.

“You won’t sneak a bite, will you?” Cheng Ping pretended to worry.

The little beggar also looked at the pastries with longing eyes.

“If you sneak a bite, our master won’t keep you. If you do the task well, you’ll be rewarded when you return.”

Cheng Ping’s words made it clear this was a test for the little beggar.

“Okay, I won’t sneak a bite.”

***

After assigning the task to the little beggar, Gu Yu sent for Jiang Heng and said, “Come with me to Military Advisor Xiao’s place.”

“Which… Military Advisor Xiao?”

Since Gu Yu had just told her not to go see Yan Hui, Jiang Heng was momentarily confused and wondered if there was another Military Advisor Xiao here.

Gu Yu said, “Your beloved brother, that’s who.”

With that, he changed into inconspicuous everyday clothes with Jiang Heng and took her to Yan Hui’s courtyard.

Yan Hui didn’t live far away. Unlike Gu Yu’s five-courtyard compound, Yan Hui’s was only two courtyards in size. The servants and guards were all Gu Yu’s people. With a slight signal, he quietly brought Jiang Heng into the courtyard.

“You…” Jiang Heng wanted to ask what Gu Yu was planning, but a large hand covered her mouth, and she was half-led, half-carried closer to Yan Hui’s main room.

It was nearly evening, and the light was fading, but no lamps were lit in Yan Hui’s room.

As if expecting Yan Hui wasn’t in the outer room, Gu Yu guided Jiang Heng directly to the window of the inner chamber and signaled her to listen carefully.

The voices inside were soft but grew gradually louder in their urgency.

“Who told you to come here? Leave tonight!” It was Yan Hui’s voice, stern and firm.

“Why do you still care? You betrayed my brother. Whether I live or die is none of your business!” The girl’s voice was stubborn, not deliberately hushed, though it seemed someone later covered her mouth, making her speak more quietly.

“If you know I betrayed your brother, why come here to die? Have you thought about what would happen if your identity were exposed? If the Qi people captured you to blackmail your brother, what would you have him do?” Yan Hui’s voice had softened, trying to talk sense into her.

“You’ve already betrayed my brother. Why bother with any of this? If they really catch me, I’ll take poison and end my life. It’s not like my life means anything anyway!”

“Ah Sheng, don’t be reckless. You’re still so young. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

Yan Hui’s comforting voice was always so gentle and reassuring, but Jiang Heng’s eyes darkened as she listened.

“Brother, why did you betray my brother? Didn’t he treat you well? Didn’t I treat you well?”

The girl inside was now weeping softly. “Come back with me, please. I’ll beg my brother. If you apologize, he won’t make things difficult for you.”

“Brother, do you remember? On my thirteenth birthday, you gave me a pony and taught me to ride. You taught me the official language, how to write, and poetry. You always said I was too young to understand anything. But I’ve come of age now. I can marry. I know who I want to marry. Why did you suddenly abandon me at a time like this?”

The crying from inside grew more intense.

"I went to see that woman they talked about. Did you betray my brother for her? What's she got that I don't? If she truly loved you, if she couldn’t bear to part with you, how could she have calmly married in such splendor when you were severely injured and fighting for your life? Why didn’t she choose to die with you?"

"Brother, I won’t leave. Either you come back with me, or I’ll die here with you."

Gu Yu listened with great interest, and it turned out his guess was right—this little beggar was from the residence of Prince Zhennan, actually Prince Zhennan's own younger sister. She had taken Yan Hui’s surrender as genuine and risked her life to chase him here.

As he was pondering this, he suddenly felt a raindrop fall on the back of the hand covering her mouth.

When he turned to look, Jiang Heng’s tears were already falling like pearls scattering, drop by drop.

For a moment, Gu Yu was momentarily flustered.

He had brought her here with no good intentions, but now, seeing her reduced to such a state, he felt a pang of regret.

No matter how much he wanted to keep listening, Gu Yu quickly collected himself and, still carrying Jiang Heng the same way he had brought her in, quietly left the courtyard.