Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The thrilling and tense acrobatic performance held no interest for Jiang Mo, nor did Chen Yingchou pay any attention to it.

Lin Mei, watching acrobatics for the first time, was quickly captivated, her eyes fixed on the stage. Zhu Shiliang gently held her, occasionally feeding her a grape.

The Tenth Prince, Chen Yingyun, was thoroughly delighted, clapping and cheering at the highlights, even sending his attendants to offer rewards.

Su Jiying's gaze rested on the stage, but her mind was elsewhere. She occasionally turned to look at Jiang Mo, her expression unreadable.

At Hai hour (around 10 PM), the acrobatics ended, and everyone left the Luoyun Tower.

"Everyone, go back," Chen Yingchou said. The others bowed in salute and watched as Qiao Yun helped him into the carriage.

As Jiang Mo was about to board the carriage, Su Jiying stopped her. "The Princess is different from what I expected. They say the Wei family's eldest daughter is proud and overbearing, but I see none of that in you."

She stared intently at Jiang Mo, watching as the woman lowered her eyes, the corners of her eyes trembling slightly, before lifting them again with a smile. "People change. Maybe someday things will be different."

Su Jiying's expression was complex as she looked at the woman, a mixture of suspicion, inquiry, sympathy, and resignation.

The carriage slowly departed. After bidding farewell, the others left in their own carriages. Only Su Jiying stood still, staring in the direction Jiang Mo had gone, unable to move for a long time.

From the moment Jiang Mo entered the room and spoke her first words, Su Jiying had sensed something amiss.

Wei Yalan kept to herself, attending only a handful of banquets, always coming and going alone, leaving early each time.

Only once, after the emperor's betrothal decree was announced, did Su Jiying become deeply curious about what kind of woman Wei Yalan was, to have caught the Empress Dowager's eye.

So, on the palace path where Wei Yalan left the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Su Jiying had followed her, sending a maid to set a cat loose to startle her.

As Wei Yalan panicked, Su Jiying stepped forward to inquire and show concern. They exchanged only a few words before Wei Yalan hurried away, and Su Jiying failed in her goal of making friends. Yet, she distinctly remembered that Wei Yalan's voice back then was different from today's, and her demeanor was also different.

Suspicions arose in her mind, but she dared not be certain. The next day, she went to the Kunning Palace.

"Your Majesty, do you still remember the first time you met Wei Yalan?"

Logically, all high-ranking families would flatter the harem, with ladies frequently bringing their daughters to visit. Even families like the Wei clan, which had no woman serving as a consort in the harem, would find ways to establish some connection.

But the Wei family never came calling.

It wasn't until after the betrothal decree that the Empress first met Wei Yalan, when she was summoned to the palace.

"I remember. That day, Yalan had a chill and her throat was sore, so she said little. It was the Duchess of Qingguo who answered for her."

Su Jiying's lips parted, but in the end she kept her doubts to herself.

"What is it, Ying'er?"

"Nothing. Yesterday, I met my cousin and Wei Yalan at the Luoyun Tower and watched the acrobatics together. I find Princess Yu different from her reputation."

The Empress smiled and asked, "And is it better or worse than what you heard?"

Su Jiying recalled Jiang Mo's clear eyes, her attitude toward Lin Mei, and even her 'blessing' of the loving couple—she couldn't find anything to dislike.

"Wei Yalan is wonderful; my cousin is very fortunate."

The Empress had clearly misunderstood, and took Su Jiying's hand. "Ying'er, do you still have feelings for Chou'er?"

After Prince Yu went blind, she had asked herself this question.

She had to admit her own shallowness: she had liked the majestic and glorious Ninth Prince, the handsome and spirited Ninth Prince, the benevolent and decisive Ninth Prince, and the Ninth Prince who was about to become the Crown Prince.

She was meant to stand by the most dazzling man in the world, at the pinnacle of power.

Once, she had truly liked Chen Yingchou, especially his eyes—like autumn waters, like cold stars, gentle and bright yet deep and resolute.

But those eyes were now blind; the majesty and spirit were gone; the status of Crown Prince was lost. And it seemed her love had vanished along with them.

The thought of spending a lifetime with a blind man, enduring his mediocrity and despondency, even having children he could never see, unable to teach them to read or play chess with them—it made her unable to love him anymore.

She finally realized she had never truly loved Chen Yingchou; she had merely been dazzled by the halo of his past glory.

What she had always loved was honor and power themselves.

"Auntie, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Don't be sad, Ying'er. I will find you a suitable match."

Su Jiying shook her head repeatedly. "Auntie, I don't want to marry yet."

Her mother was born frail and had a gentle disposition. Before marrying Su Xing, she had a deep love, but that man had died of a serious illness before negotiations for marriage could begin.

Her father was a womanizer, keeping many concubines. Her mother devoted herself to fasting and praying and never interfered. The daughter her father doted on most was not her. Only because she was the legitimate daughter and her mother's dowry was generous were she and her mother able to survive in the household.

Having seen the sorrow of marrying someone you don't love, she didn't dare marry hastily, nor did she want to live like her mother.

"You're not young anymore; it's time to discuss marriage."

The Empress genuinely loved this niece. She had once longed for a daughter of her own but was unable to have children, so she poured all her affection onto Su Jiying.

Su Jiying came up behind the Empress and draped her arms around her shoulders playfully. "Auntie, you can't just randomly pair me up! The day I meet someone I truly love, I'll tell you first, and you can officiate our wedding."

"Fine, fine, fine!" The Empress patted Su Jiying's hand, laughing. "But you'd better hurry; I'm waiting."

Su Jiying picked up a candied fruit from the dish and popped it into the Empress's mouth. "Fine, I'll do as you say, Auntie."

*

The morning of the sixth day of the lunar month was beautiful—clear sky, gentle breeze.

Jiang Mo had risen before Mao hour (5–7 AM). After getting dressed and putting on her makeup, she stood in front of the main courtyard doors, waiting for Chen Yingchou.

It had been two days since she last saw Prince Yu. They had agreed to go together to the military camp today, but now, she wasn't sure if his words from that day still held true.

After returning from the acrobatics on the night of the third, Prince Yu's attitude toward her had changed drastically, becoming cold. She thought perhaps it was because he had run into Su Jiying, stirring up old feelings. She didn't dare ask, nor did she dare disturb him. Feeling like a third wheel, yet occupying the position of the legitimate wife, she felt it was improper, so she had her belongings moved from the main courtyard back to the Chaomu Courtyard.

For the past two days, she had been thinking: if Prince Yu could treat her so well out of duty, how much more would he dote on the woman he truly loved?

"Your Highness, the Prince was summoned to the palace last night and returned late. He's only been asleep for a little more than two hours." Qiao Yun was delighted to see Jiang Mo taking the initiative. These past two days, his master had been in low spirits, especially after the Princess sent someone to retrieve her things from the main courtyard—he had been frowning and had barely eaten.

He wished the Princess would go inside, but he also felt sorry for his master, who had slept so little.

"Your Highness, would you like to return to the Chaomu Courtyard to wait? When the Prince wakes up, I'll have someone inform you immediately."

Jiang Mo quickly asked, "Did something happen?"

"I don't know," Qiao Yun replied. With a flicker in his eyes, he added, "When the Prince wakes, you can ask him yourself."

Jiang Mo grew worried. "No need. I'll wait for the Prince here." She looked at Qiao Yun. "Has the Prince been preparing for visiting the soldiers and their families at the camp these past two days?"

Qiao Yun was taken aback. The tradition of sharing joy on the sixth day was a long-standing custom of the Flying Cavalry Camp. Since the Princess knew about it, the Prince must have told her. Could it be that the Prince intended for her to come along? But when he prepared the supplies yesterday, the Prince hadn't mentioned it.

"Everything's ready. What about you, Princess?"

Jiang Mo was a bit disappointed. From the look on Qiao Yun's face, he didn't know.

If Prince Yu hadn't told Qiao Yun, then either he forgot or his promise didn't count.

But she truly wanted to visit the soldiers who had fought and bled for their country, to show her appreciation.

Jiang Mo lowered her eyes. "I've also prepared some things. I'd like to accompany the Prince to see the soldiers and their families, if the Prince allows."

Qiao Yun was in a bind. Most of the time he could read his master's mind. Before the acrobatics show, the answer would've been a definite yes, but now even he wasn't sure.

Jiang Mo added, "It's okay if he says no. The things have already been bought; we can just take them to the camp."

When Jiang Mo turned to leave, Qiao Yun felt something was wrong and stopped her. "Princess, I'm sure the Prince would be delighted for you to come. I heard from He Ji that the guys in the Flying Cavalry Camp all..."

"Qiao Yun, help me get dressed."

Jiang Mo turned to see Chen Yingchou standing inside the door of his room, wearing just a dark blue undershirt. He wasn't wearing his cloak or silk blindfold; his hair was down, as if he'd just yanked the door open.

Qiao Yun stepped forward to support Chen Yingchou, but Chen Yingchou didn't move. Facing where Jiang Mo's voice came from, he said, "I haven't even said yes or no yet, and the Princess is already deciding for me. Do you really want to go, or are you just keeping that promise from the other day?"

Jiang Mo's heart tightened. Had her words on horseback that day not been clear enough? Why did Prince Yu still need to ask her this?

"It doesn't matter if I'm sincere. I'll go along with whatever the Prince decides."

Chen Yingchou was choked up, his lips pressed together tight. He squeezed Qiao Yun's arm hard, stood there for a long time, not saying a word.

Qiao Yun sensed his master's irritation and quickly intervened. "Your Highness, go freshen up and get dressed first. When we're ready to leave, I'll send someone to tell the Princess."

His master clearly wanted this. The Princess wasn't giving him an out, so he'd give one.

Jiang Mo also noticed Prince Yu's annoyance and caught Qiao Yun's drift. An out? Easy. She steadied herself and said, "I genuinely want to go."

Chen Yingchou didn't say another word and went back inside.

Half an hour later, Prince Yu's carriage was heading to the Flying Cavalry Camp.

The carriage smelled of jasmine. On the small table sat tea and pastries. Jiang Mo sat alone inside, not in the mood to taste the fancy pastries or the priceless tribute tea.

Chen Yingchou rode his warhorse, the reins held loosely in his hand. Whether at a gallop or a trot, the horse carried its master steadily at the front of the line toward the camp.

The soldiers and their families, having heard that Prince Yu and the Princess were coming, waited eagerly at the camp entrance since early morning.

As soon as they spotted the convoy, they rushed forward excitedly.

Chen Yingchou, who saw everyone every year, could already picture it. As always, he dismounted and gave his New Year's wishes.

"Your Highness, this old woman thought you wouldn't be coming this year," an elderly voice said, choked up.

After the Battle of Zhuoyang, Prince Yu had gone blind. Many in the troops believed that their commander wouldn't join them for the New Year celebrations this time.

"Your Highness, my wife brewed the plum wine you said was good last year. Please take some back to the mansion," a soldier said, handing a small jar of wine to Chen Yingchou.

Before the attendant beside him could take it, an old man thrust a basket of eggs into Chen Yingchou's hands. "Your Highness, these are eggs from my own chickens. Knowing you were coming today, I fed them good millet for days. These eggs are delicious."

"And here I have my own baked flatbread. Everyone in the village says mine is the best."

"Me too! Steamed sugar buns I made myself—the kids love them."

"And me..."

...

A crowd gathered, offering humble gifts. Qiao Yun had the attendants take them and store them in the carriage.

"And from Fatty Ya!" a clear, childish voice suddenly rang out. A little girl, carried by her armored father, wore a flowery cotton jacket with her hair in two buns, holding a pinwheel in her hand. "I made this for you, Prince."

Hearing this voice, Chen Yingchou's heart melted. He still remembered what Fatty Ya looked like. Though called Fatty Ya, she wasn't chubby; in fact, she was quite thin. She had smiling eyes, a little nose and mouth, and two dimples.

Last year she was three; this year she must be four.

He pulled a small wooden figurine from his chest and handed it to her. Fatty Ya took the figurine and shoved the pinwheel into his hand, then turned to look at her father. "The Prince carved it to look just like Daddy! Now when Daddy's off at war and not home, I can talk to this carving."

This was something he had promised Fatty Ya and carved long ago. She had said that at three years old, she had barely seen her father—only around New Year's. She wished she could see him every day. So Chen Yingchou promised to carve a wooden figure so she could always see her father.

Back when his maternal uncle was in charge, the Flying Cavalry Camp was stationed at the border and never summoned back to the capital. The soldiers were often separated from their families.

After he took over, the Emperor ordered eighty percent of the troops to stay garrisoned, while the rest stayed with him in the capital, stationed on the outskirts. Soldiers could rotate, but they were still often apart.

After the Battle of Zhuoyang, the Rong Kingdom suffered a major defeat and wouldn't wage war for three to five years. The Flying Cavalry Camp had taken heavy casualties and needed to recover. So the Emperor recalled them and sent other troops to garrison the border.

"Don't worry, Fatty Ya. The border is peaceful these two years. You'll see your daddy often."

Chen Yingchou wanted to touch Fatty Ya's face. But as he raised his hand, he couldn't find her, so he lowered it again.

"Your Highness, when will you be able to see? Fatty Ya has gained weight and grown taller. Please take a look at me!"

Out of the mouth of a child came the truth. Everyone had deliberately avoided that topic, but a four-year-old had broken it.

The lively scene fell silent. They weren't worried that Prince Yu would be harsh with a child; they feared it would embarrass him, shatter the joy and peace.

Chen Yingchou smiled and reached out. "Let me hold Fatty Ya."

He bounced her in his arms and patted her head. "Who says I can't see and don't know what you look like, Fatty Ya?"

"Not only have you gained weight and height, you must have become even prettier too."

His calm tone, relaxed attitude, and the gentle curve of his lips as he spoke to Fatty Ya relieved the crowd. They began to chatter again.

Jiang Mo stood not far away, watching the crowd surround Prince Yu, offering what they considered their best. Watching him hold Fatty Ya, speak those reassuring words, and the joyful scene—she felt both comfort and a pang of sorrow.

Fatty Ya's father stepped forward. "Your Highness, shall we start the banquet?"

Chen Yingchou handed Fatty Ya back to her father and announced loudly, "Today, my wife, Lady Wei, is also here. She is my lawful wife and the only wife I will ever have in this life. As a couple, we wish you all a Happy New Year."