Chapter 5

Chapter 5

After the meal, the Emperor left first, and the Empress dismissed the attendants, asking Xingchun to take Jiang Mo for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

As Jiang Mo departed, the hall doors closed behind her, leaving only the Empress and Prince Yu inside.

The heavy snow from the day before yesterday had mostly melted under yesterday's sunlight. The snow still clinging to the garden's tree branches looked relatively clean, but the snow spread over the flower beds appeared somewhat dirty—there was really nothing worth admiring in the scenery.

Xingchun said, "Your Highness, to the southwest of the Imperial Garden there's a plum grove with wonderful scenery."

Jiang Mo was not in the mood. Spotting a pavilion, she said, "Let's wait for the prince there."

The stone benches were icy cold, yet Xingchun somehow produced a cotton cushion from nowhere.

As soon as Jiang Mo sat down, Xingchun handed her a hand warmer, and the young maid behind served hot tea and pastries—clearly arranged by Xingchun in advance.

Jiang Mo sighed inwardly. Those who had served in Kunming Palace were truly thorough.

Holding the hand warmer, she leisurely ate the pastries and sipped tea, gazing toward Zichen Hall as she waited for Prince Yu.

From a distance came the sound of two men talking. One voice was slightly louder and more talkative; the other was lower, occasionally responding.

When the two men saw Jiang Mo, she saw them too.

As they drew closer, Jiang Mo made out their faces.

The man in a bright blue robe was younger, fair-skinned, with delicate features and a slightly raised head, standing in front. The man in a gray-purple robe was older, with a calm and gentle demeanor and an even gaze, standing behind.

Searching through the dozens of portraits in her memory, she identified them as the Tenth Prince Chen Yingyun and Zhu Shiliang, the legitimate son of the Minister of Personnel and a Director of the Ministry of Works.

The Tenth Prince was on good terms with Prince Yu, and the Zhu clan were supporters of Prince Yu, with Zhu Shiliang being a close friend. Now that she was the Princess Yu, she would inevitably have to interact with these two in the future, so she felt she should take the initiative to greet them.

Jiang Mo rose and walked out of the pavilion. The two men also approached, and they stopped on the main path of the Imperial Garden.

Before Jiang Mo could speak, Chen Yingyun said first, "You must be my Ninth Sister-in-law, right? I waited outside Zichen Hall for a long time but didn't see Ninth Brother come out. I thought I wouldn't get to meet you today. But here you are, Ninth Sister-in-law. Where is Ninth Brother?"

The scrolls she had read did not mention any acquaintance between Wei Yalan and the Tenth Prince. Jiang Mo guessed that at most they had met at banquets, essentially strangers.

Now the Tenth Prince was being so informal with her—he really had an outgoing personality.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Tenth Prince. Greetings, Master Zhu." Jiang Mo smiled politely. "The prince is still speaking with the Empress."

Chen Yingyun glanced at the pavilion behind Jiang Mo, his expression seeming displeased. "Who arranged this? There are plenty of warm rooms in Zichen Hall. Why make my sister-in-law wait for Ninth Brother in this bleak winter garden?"

His words were full of concern for her. Was he trying to build a closer relationship, or was the Tenth Prince simply straightforward by nature? It was hard to tell at the moment.

"Sister-in-law, if you don't mind, you could come to my place for a bit."

It seemed she had been overthinking earlier—this was the Tenth Prince's real intention: to test her on behalf of Prince Yu.

She was wary of being tested. She could choose her words carefully, but she feared that if the Tenth Prince had actually interacted with Wei Yalan before, her behavior might reveal flaws.

"I think the prince should be coming soon. I won't trouble Your Highness."

Hearing this, Chen Yingyun immediately instructed Zhu Shiliang beside him, "Please wait at the gate of Zichen Hall, Brother Zhiming. When Ninth Brother comes out, tell him that Ninth Sister-in-law is at my place."

Zhu Shiliang, whose courtesy name was Zhiming, acknowledged and headed toward Zichen Hall.

"Look, Ninth Sister-in-law, now you have no choice but to come wait for Ninth Brother at my place."

Jiang Mo's smile turned stiff. "I'll gladly comply."

The Tenth Prince, Chen Yingyun, had just turned sixteen. He was born to the Emperor and a dancer during a southern tour. The Emperor had not given the dancer any rank, and it was said that she was executed after giving birth. The Tenth Prince was raised by a wet nurse and various palace matrons and maids. Because he had clung to Prince Yu since childhood, and Prince Yu was fond of this younger brother, the Emperor specially allowed the Tenth Prince to reside in Yaohua Pavilion, close to Kunming Palace.

Upon arriving at Yaohua Pavilion, the Tenth Prince stood at the door and gestured for Jiang Mo to enter first.

Jiang Mo nodded with a smile and stepped inside, greeted by a wave of warm air.

Inside, there were charcoal braziers that had been burning for a while and a chessboard already set up. A red stove bubbled with water, and the fragrance of tea filled the room.

"At your wedding yesterday, Ninth Brother was in a hurry, and I barely got a few words with him. Since he returned from battle, it's been a long time since we last brewed tea, played chess, and talked together."

His words sounded somewhat pitiful, like a child yearning for attention.

She had been mistaken. The Tenth Prince wasn't trying to flatter or test her; perhaps he simply wanted his Ninth Brother to spend some time with him.

Jiang Mo looked at the chessboard for a moment, feeling inexplicably sentimental. "If Your Highness wishes to play chess, I can oblige you for now. When the prince arrives, we can put the board away."

Chen Yingyun was taken aback, then suddenly understood.

"It's my fault. I still arranged things according to Ninth Brother's preferences before his campaign. Now that his eyes... This chessboard should be put away."

He waved his hand, and a young eunuch behind him stepped forward to remove the chessboard.

"Ninth Sister-in-law, please sit." Chen Yingyun guided Jiang Mo to one side of the long table by the stove, then sat on the other side.

A palace maid came forward to brew tea for them, and Xingchun promptly removed Jiang Mo's cloak and stepped back.

"I heard Ninth Sister-in-law likes Silver Needle white tea. Try this—I had someone buy it from Fuding. What do you think?"

Jiang Mo was not fond of white tea, but because Wei Yalan liked it, she had tried it a few times and could manage some remarks about tea tasting.

She took a sip, gently set down the cup. "This tea has a clear, greenish liquor, a refined fragrance, and a smooth flavor. Excellent tea."

Chen Yingyun looked quite pleased. "I'm glad you like it, Ninth Sister-in-law." He raised his cup, took a sip, pursed his lips, and after a moment of thought said, "I was worried before that you might call off the engagement. Even if you didn't, I feared you'd be reluctant and make a fuss. Ninth Brother's heart is already heavy with sorrow. If that happened, it would only make things worse. But from what I've seen today, I'm relieved. Ninth Sister-in-law is dignified, gentle, wise, and proper—you show no disdain and even consider Ninth Brother's feelings."

Jiang Mo thought to herself, Wei Yalan's reputation preceded her, so the Tenth Prince's concerns were understandable.

Chen Yingyun stood and bowed. "I, your younger brother-in-law, implore Ninth Sister-in-law to persuade Ninth Brother. The dead cannot be brought back to life. He must stop dwelling on the Zhuoyang Battle. Losing his sight is no cause for fear. Even if he can't be the Crown Prince or a general, he can still participate in state affairs. If he continues to wallow in despair, I fear Father Emperor will lose patience, and before long, Mother Empress may also grow tired of him. What then?"

Jiang Mo wanted to agree but couldn't.

Today's support, reliance, and rescue had nothing to do with affection—only with her role.

Many must have tried to console Prince Yu, all to no avail. And Prince Yu had spoken fewer words to her than the Tenth Prince had in this half hour. She feared that as soon as she opened her mouth, Prince Yu would despise her.

Her propriety came from her effort to play the part of Princess Yu. She didn't want Prince Yu to be saddened by the chessboard because she respected him.

Of course, she didn't despise Prince Yu, but that didn't mean she had the right to console him.

Most importantly, she believed Prince Yu didn't need consolation.

Most people only sigh and grieve briefly for the soldiers who sacrificed for the people; a few might offer memorials, then go back to their daily lives.

Only their loved ones live in sorrow. Perhaps for the sake of survival and family, they don't have the luxury to wallow in despair. They have to dry their tears and force themselves to be strong.

Under the weight of life, sometimes, even despondency and slackness are a luxury.

"He's only been mourning for three months. What harm is there in a few more months of remembrance?" Though she had barely exchanged a few words with Prince Yu, she knew that only a person of deep loyalty and love would blame himself so much. Precisely because of his sense of duty, she didn't believe he would remain despondent forever. His loyalty and love extended beyond the fallen soldiers to the vast rivers and mountains, and to the common people.

Tenth Prince, rest assured. The prince will come around. What he needs now is not consolation, but the freedom to grieve and remember. Three months have passed since the Battle of Zhuoyang. How many interesting anecdotes and topics of conversation have arisen in the capital during these three months? If no one specifically mentions it, how many people would still recall that battle? The soldiers who died for their country deserve to be mourned by their commander-in-chief for a while longer.

"How long will that take?" the Tenth Prince asked, still worried.

Jiang Mo remained silent. She could not give an answer—perhaps tomorrow, or perhaps not until the nation and its people need him again.

"The general survived a hundred battles, his body unscathed; the brave warrior leaves and never returns. The wind comes with sound but leaves without form; old friends are lost across ten thousand miles." A voice came from the entrance of the hall.

Qiao Yun, supporting Chen Yingchou, walked around the screen and entered.

Chen Yingyun quickly went to meet them. Qiao Yun released his grip at the right moment, and Chen Yingyun took over, supporting him. "Ninth Brother, how long has it been since we brothers gathered?" he said, already guiding him toward the table.

Chen Yingchou did not move or respond. Instead, he called to Jiang Mo, "Madam."

Jiang Mo had been looking their way ever since Chen Yingchou entered. Now she was a little dazed. The two words he had said seemed to have heard them but wasn't sure. She pondered for a while and felt she must have misheard.

"Madam," Chen Yingchou called again, raising his other arm to indicate that she should come and support him.

This time Jiang Mo heard clearly—he was indeed calling her.

Jiang Mo rose, walked to Chen Yingchou's side, and took hold of his forearm.

Chen Yingchou unhurriedly withdrew his arm from Chen Yingyun's grip and patted him on the shoulder. "Tenth Brother, do not worry. If one day Father Emperor no longer has expectations of me, and Mother Empress no longer cherishes me, I can still become a carefree prince, detached from worldly affairs."

Clearly, Chen Yingchou had overheard their conversation from earlier.

"Let's go," he said to Jiang Mo.

As they began to move, his sleeve was tugged.

"Ninth Brother, don't go now. Don't be angry. I won't try to persuade you anymore. Today I specially prepared your favorite Cloud Mist tea. Won't you stay for a cup before leaving?"

Chen Yingchou turned his head toward Chen Yingyun and said in an ordinary tone, "I am not angry, Tenth Brother. It's just that coming to this Yaohua Pavilion stirs up sad memories, and I don't wish to linger. Moreover, I haven't felt like talking much lately. I've already worn myself out talking with Mother Empress just now."

That feeling of not wanting to see anyone or do anything—Jiang Mo had experienced it herself.

A month before Duke Qingguo found her father, Luo Li had fallen ill and passed away. Luo Li was an orphan her father had taken in, her maidservant. Although they were mistress and servant, they were more like sisters, growing up playing together and seeing each other as family. In her grief, Jiang Mo shut herself in her room for over ten days before slowly recovering. If not for worrying about her father and younger brother, her heartache might have lasted even longer.

What Chen Yingchou had experienced must have been even more sorrowful and tragic. At least Luo Li passed peacefully, without blood, without anguished cries, and she was not buried in a foreign land.

As they started walking again, Chen Yingyun did not stop them. Instead, he quickly went to the wooden shelf behind the table, took a tea tin, and handed it to Qiao Yun. Without a word, he waved his hand, signaling Qiao Yun to follow his master.

On the way back to the mansion, Jiang Mo could tell that Chen Yingchou had something on his mind. He frowned occasionally, his hand clenching into a fist, sometimes tight, sometimes loose, his head always slightly lowered. It seemed as if covered in a layer of frost.

She guessed that perhaps the Empress had said something to him.

Jiang Mo lifted the carriage curtain, wanting to see the scenery outside.

Unexpectedly, the wind picked up, blowing the curtain wide open. The red silk ribbon covering Chen Yingchou's eyes fluttered, tangling with his hair and swirling to brush against his cheek and the corner of his mouth.

For some reason, though Chen Yingchou paid no attention to the teasing of that mischievous wind, she inexplicably reached out her hand.