Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Throughout Prince Yu’s entire residence, except for the Chaomu Courtyard, everything was under his control. Before this armory, no one dared to act recklessly, and the one playing the qin at this moment could only be his princess.

Chen Yingchou had also realized that Qiao Yun and He Ji had found him. Given their nature, they would have barged in if someone hadn’t stopped them, and he didn’t need to wonder who could have stopped them. Even finding him had likely been her doing.

A mix of emotions surged in his chest—should he feel fortunate or regretful?

Fortunate to have married a princess who understood him so well. Even though they had never shared hardships or even heartfelt conversations, she understood him better than those who had been by his side for years.

He had to admit that although nightmares still plagued him in recent days, they were no longer as tormenting, and his mood had gradually brightened.

But while feeling fortunate for himself, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Wei Yalan. Such a refined and intelligent woman was forced to marry a blind man like him. Bound by status and her maternal family’s interests, she had to dutifully play the role of Princess Yu, racking her brains to ease his troubled heart.

Did his princess know that the time he had allotted to Duke Qingguo was running out?

When that time came, what would she do? Would she regret having been so devoted to him?

A thought suddenly arose in his mind: If only she were not the daughter of Duke Qingguo.

For a moment, he was startled by this thought.

He shook his head, took a deep breath, forced himself to discard all distractions, and carried his sword to the open space at the center of the armory.

His body moved with the music, the sword dancing in time with the melody.

He wore dark blue inner robes, a black cloak, and his black hair cascaded like a waterfall. A lake-blue hair ribbon fluttered with his sleeves and robes. The gleam of the sword flowed like a river of stars, and the cold light of the black iron gleamed on the blue satin strip covering his eyes. His brow held a fighting spirit, and the ringing of the sword sounded like shattering jade and cracking ice, imbued with the power to break through constraints.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he thrust the sharp sword straight into the ground. Sweat slid down his arm and dripped onto the blade.

Chen Yingchou panted and laughed at himself. "I’ve become so weak."

He returned the sword to its place. This time, he felt no reluctance. He walked straight to the door and opened the armory door.

The door, left uncleaned and untended for three months, let out a creak.

Everyone turned to look. They saw Chen Yingchou standing at the entrance, thinly dressed, his hair loose.

Qiao Yun immediately stepped forward, draped a large cloak over Chen Yingchou, and supported his arm. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

He Ji also came to his side, standing at attention, ready to take orders. "Your Highness."

Jiang Mo stopped playing the qin. She did not approach but turned and left on her own. She still remembered Chen Yingchou’s words—except for those two days each month, they didn’t need to see each other.

Xingchun put away the qin and followed her out.

Chen Yingchou stood still in silence, waiting for something. But what exactly he was waiting for, he could not say.

"Xingzhi, you are finally willing to see me."

Xingzhi was Chen Yingchou's courtesy name.

The newcomer wore a light purple robe and a white fox fur cloak, making him look even more radiant. Seeing the three characters for "Armory," he lightly swirled his closed folding fan in circles. "I heard your armory has rusted. Today, it seems the rumor was wrong."

Qiao Yun hurriedly explained, "I couldn’t find Your Highness and got anxious, so I sent someone to invite Master An."

An Zeyou was the second son of An Shengwu. An Shengwu had been stationed at the northern border for years. Ten years ago, on the emperor's birthday, the emperor said he missed Old General An and summoned him and his family to the palace. An Shengwu, claiming his wife was gravely ill, his eldest son was stationed elsewhere, and his daughter was caring for her mother, brought only his youngest son, An Zeyou, to the palace to offer birthday congratulations.

That year, An Zeyou was twelve. After entering the palace, he never left. As a companion for the princes, he was raised in the side hall of Kunning Palace, growing up with Chen Yingchou.

Chen Yingchou's expression remained steady, and Qiao Yun couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

"Prepare a meal and bring out some peach blossom wine for Master An."

At the dinner table, An Zeyou studied Chen Yingchou. "Xingzhi, do you remember how envious I was when General Qilin taught you martial arts? Now, I fear you will envy me—envy me for having a pair of bright eyes."

Qiao Yun, hearing this, could have kicked himself. Such blunt words, which no one dared to say, not even Imperial Physician Xu when treating him, and this man had said them outright.

He was already ready to show the guest out, but to his surprise, Chen Yingchou simply ignored it, as if he hadn't heard.

An Zeyou continued, "You have been back in Shangjing for over three months, turning me away each time. Even on your wedding day, you just made a toast and said nothing. Your wedding banquet was the most festive and luxurious I've seen, yet also the coldest and most boring. By the way, where is your princess? Please summon her so I can meet her."

Chen Yingchou still did not respond, but An Zeyou did not mind, continuing on his own, "Ever since you left the palace to establish your own mansion, the side hall of Kunning Palace has become so dreary I can barely stand it. Fortunately, your tenth brother often comes over for chess and tea, or else I would have run back to the northern border."

"You wouldn't dare!" A voice suddenly called out from the entrance of the flower hall.

Chen Yingchou frowned. Qiao Yun quickly explained, his voice almost in tears, "Your Highness, the Tenth Prince and Dr. Zhu were also invited by me."

The Tenth Prince, Chen Yingyun, sat down unceremoniously between Chen Yingchou and An Zeyou. Zhu Shiliang took the seat farthest from the head, and a young eunuch hurriedly handed them bowls and chopsticks.

"There's braised pork hock—great!" Chen Yingyun picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. "I've been craving this for a long time. Only the braised pork hock from Ninth Brother’s chef hits the spot." He served a piece to Zhu Shiliang and then one to An Zeyou. "Try it, it's delicious."

Zhu Shiliang looked at Chen Yingchou and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, did you summon me for any urgent orders?"

Chen Yingchou gave a helpless smile. "Nothing urgent, Zhiming. I just wanted to hear your voices."

Zhiming was Zhu Shiliang's courtesy name.

He could hardly say that he had hidden in the armory, that Qiao Yun couldn't find him, and that in his anxiety, he had sent for them—wouldn’t these people laugh him to death?

The Prince Yu mansion had not been this lively in a long time. Lately, he had hated noise, but today he found it not at all bothersome. Maybe such days weren’t so bad after all.

An Zeyou laughed. "If you miss us, just say so. No need to say you want to hear our voices." Then he pretended to suddenly realize. "No, no, I'm overthinking. Xingzhi's words are literal. No wonder you didn’t say anything when I talked so much—you only wanted to listen, not talk."

Chen Yingyun looked around. "Since we're not discussing business, how about we enjoy some tea after the meal? Ninth Brother, I heard Ninth Sister-in-law is an excellent qin player. Let me enjoy her playing, alright?"

An Zeyou's heart clenched. He frowned. "Xingzhi, the woman playing the qin in front of the armory just now—was that your princess?"

Chen Yingchou said, "That’s right. She is Wei Yalan, the legitimate daughter of Duke Qingguo."

An Zeyou fell into thought, losing his usual carefree demeanor. He tried to speak in a teasing tone. "I’m also a regular at the pleasure quarters and have heard many exquisite qin pieces. Princess Yu's skill is indeed top-notch. The Tenth Prince would be missing out if he didn't hear her."

Chen Yingchou said, "The princess is tired today. Another day."

Chen Yingyun grew excited and pointed at Qiao Yun. "Qiao Yun, you did that on purpose! You're both in the palace. Why did your messenger go to invite Master An first? You should have sent for me first. You made me miss Ninth Sister-in-law’s qin playing. I will punish you!"

Qiao Yun quickly knelt. "Please spare your servant, Tenth Highness." He truly hadn't played favorites. In his panic, he had randomly sent three messengers—how could he know which one would arrive sooner?

Chen Yingyun turned back, pleading. "Ninth Brother, just let Sister-in-law play one piece. One piece, and I'll spare Qiao Yun. Just one piece, alright?"

Given Chen Yingchou's temperament, once he decided something, no one could change it. But at this moment, when he thought of Jiang Mo, a strange warmth stirred within him, and he found himself missing her.

"Qiao Yun, go invite the princess to bring her qin."

"Yes."

"Wait!" Chen Yingchou called Qiao Yun back. "If the princess says she’s tired and doesn’t want to come, don’t force her."

"Yes."

He didn't know what was wrong with him—he wanted to see her but was afraid to see her, and feared that she wouldn't come.

When Jiang Mo arrived at the main courtyard's flower hall with Lanqiu, the dining table had already been cleared. Several people were lounging in armchairs, sipping tea and chatting.

"Xingzhi, once your eyes can see again, you'll have to finish that game we left unfinished before I leave."

Jiang Mo stopped in her tracks, looking toward the speaker. No one dared to bring up that topic, but this person spoke of it casually. She couldn't help but be curious.

The man wore a bright lavender silk robe and waved a gold-trimmed folding fan in his hand. Judging by his demeanor, Jiang Mo concluded that this was An Zeyou, the youngest son of General An Shengwu.

He was also the one she had passed by when leaving the armory earlier.

During that month of tutoring, she had memorized everyone associated with Prince Yu, but there was very little recorded about An Zeyou—just one line: "Second son of An Shengwu, a hostage. A dissolute, extravagant playboy, the Ninth Prince's study companion."

Having met him today, he truly was a dashing, reckless rake.

Indeed, as a hostage, euphemistically called the Ninth Prince's companion, the emperor forbade him from studying with the princes, from practicing swordplay or martial arts, and from befriending high officials. All he could do was indulge in pleasure and romantic affairs.

She never expected that he would be so close to Prince Yu.

Chen Yingchou finally couldn't hold back. "Qufei, if you go any further, I'll have to throw you out."

An Zeyou's courtesy name was Qufei.

"This pain shouldn't be hidden away. It needs to be brought out, whipped, and aired from time to time. After a while, when it goes numb, it won't hurt anymore." An Zeyou suddenly turned to look at Jiang Mo. "Don't you think so, Princess Yu?"

Jiang Mo stepped over the threshold and entered the hall, curtsying to Chen Yingchou. "Your humble wife greets the Prince." Then she nodded and smiled at the others. "Lady Wei greets everyone."

The others all stood up and returned the courtesy.

Chen Yingyun: "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Zhu Shiliang: "Greetings, Princess."

An Zeyou: "Greetings, Princess Yu. Princess, please answer my question from earlier."

Chen Yingchou stood up, guided by Jiang Mo's voice, and beckoned to her. "Lan'er, ignore him. Come sit by me."

Jiang Mo's feelings grew complicated. Before coming, she had thought she would be playing the zither in the center of the hall.

When Qiao Yun came to invite her, she was unwilling, believing that Prince Yu wanted to treat her like an entertainer to amuse his friends.

Playing in the center of the hall was to please others.

Sitting beside Chen Yingchou meant that others were there to appreciate the music.

She couldn't tell whether Prince Yu intended to give her the respect she deserved or wanted her to play along and act as a loving couple.

Jiang Mo thought it was the latter.

Soon, a zither stand was set up. Lanqiu placed the seven-stringed zither on it and then stepped back to stand behind her.

Chen Yingyun said, "Ninth Sister-in-law, if you would."

"That piece from before at the armory was lovely," Chen Yingchou said gently. "I'd like to hear it again."

Jiang Mo placed her hands on the strings and nodded to the three of them, a polite gesture to indicate she was about to begin playing.

All three nodded in response.

Author's note:

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