Chapter 106

Chapter 106

At the third quarter of the hour of Chen (around 7:45 AM), the carriage entered the Northern Territory. Guards had reported ahead early on, and officers above the rank of centurion lined up at the post station entrance to welcome them. The grand spectacle piqued the curiosity even of An Zeyou, who was confined in a room.

After An Zeyou was released from prison, Chen Yingchou, fearing he might escape, added a small amount of Bone-Softening Powder to his medicinal remedies. This allowed him strength to move but not to exert martial arts skills.

His body was weak, he leaned against the windowsill to look outside. "What's going on out there?"

This room was in the rear courtyard, so he couldn't see the front at all. "Can I go out for a moment?"

The eunuch did not reply. Over the past two days, An Zeyou had asked this more than once, and each time the eunuch remained silent.

An Zeyou sat back down at the square table. "Go inform him. I want to see His Majesty."

Chen Yingchou had said he would give him one day to consider, but five days had passed and the man still hadn't come. An Zeyou sensed that something must have happened.

"His Majesty is not here."

"Where did he go?"

The eunuch fell silent again.

An Zeyou shot a glance at the eunuch, his heart filled with irritation. How had Chen Yingchou sent such a blockhead to be by his side? He was already in low spirits, and facing a lifeless face all day only added to his endless annoyance.

"Get out!"

The eunuch showed no anger, calmly leaving the room.

As usual, An Zeyou opened the window and threw a teacup at the nearest guard. The guard, already accustomed to this, didn't even turn around after An Zeyou had thrown all his cups.

Helpless, he lay down on the bed to pretend to sleep. This tiny space gave him no books, no paper or pen, not even a bamboo flute or long xiao. He would have been better off in prison, where he could at least chat with the person in the opposite cell. These five days had been unbearably boring, wearing away his once spirited nature.

Moreover, he grew increasingly uneasy and missed his mother, elder sister, and Jiang Mo desperately. His mother was gravely ill—he wondered how she was. His sister must have already learned of their father and eldest brother's deaths; he feared she might impulsively seek revenge on Chen Yingchou. And Jiang Mo—was she waiting for his return?

Ever since sending Jiang Mo away, these thoughts had circled in his mind, tormenting him day and night, making him long to return home.

The commotion outside continued. The more he heard it, the more agitated he became. He simply covered himself with the blanket.

In the front courtyard of the post station, Chen Yingchou led Jiang Mo inside. The assembled troops saluted in unison, "Your Majesty!"

Chen Yingchou raised Jiang Mo's arm and declared loudly, "My empress is alive! I have found her again. My heart is overjoyed. Tonight, a banquet shall be held—let everyone share in the joy. Tomorrow we rest, and the day after, we set forth!"

Although most of the officers had seen Jiang Mo before, they also knew about the proxy marriage. For a moment, they were uncertain whether this was truly Jiang Mo.

Seeing the soldiers' hesitation, He Ji said loudly, "Before you stands the very Empress who shared joy with all the soldiers during the New Year festivities." He stepped forward, cupping his fists. "This general congratulates Your Majesty on finding Her Majesty. Long live the Emperor and Empress!"

Hearing this, the soldiers' doubts vanished, and they chanted together: "Long live the Emperor and Empress!"

When Qiao Yun saw Jiang Mo, his eyes instantly welled up. He stepped forward with tears in his eyes. "It was not in vain that I prayed day and night; I have finally awaited Her Majesty's return."

Zhu Shiliang's nose stung. He looked at the couple with immense envy. If only his Lin Mei were still alive.

Chen Yingchou was in excellent spirits. "Everyone disperse. Tonight, drink your fill."

The crowd withdrew, and Chen Yingchou led Jiang Mo inside. Entering the room, he saw her tired appearance and ordered, "Qiao Yun, arrange for maids to attend to the Empress's bath and change of clothes. Also prepare some dishes Her Majesty enjoys."

"Your servant has already arranged everything." As Qiao Yun finished speaking, Chen Yingchou noticed that there were already four or five maids waiting in the room.

Qiao Yun muttered inwardly: Truly, when something lost is regained, it becomes precious beyond measure. His Majesty has eyes only for the Empress.

"Your Majesty, may your servant also attend to Your Majesty's bath and change?"

Chen Yingchou held Jiang Mo's hand tightly. He was still afraid. A whole day had passed since finding Jiang Mo, but it still didn't feel real. He feared that if he let his attention lapse, she would disappear again—just like on the carriage ride there. He couldn't handle any more scares.

Qiao Yun saw his master's anxiety, his nose stinging. Having been swapped away once, vanished inexplicably once, and died once—even the strongest heart could not endure such torment.

"Your Majesty, let He Ji lead men to surround the chamber tightly. The Empress will be safe without doubt. Rest assured."

He Ji immediately said, "Your Majesty, this general will guard this chamber securely."

Chen Yingchou was still uneasy, unwilling to release Jiang Mo's hand.

Seeing this, Jiang Mo blushed. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in Chen Yingchou's ear, "Your Majesty, you wouldn't be thinking of taking a steamy bath together with me, would you?"

Chen Yingchou's eyes lit up. He looked at her with shyness. "That wouldn't be unacceptable either."

She meant to embarrass him into backing down, but instead, he had become so brazen. Was this really the self-restrained Prince Yu she used to know?

Everyone nearby overheard and blushed.

Jiang Mo said, "Your Majesty, rest assured—there is no one in this post station who wishes to harm me. We've traveled a long way, and I, too, would like to bathe and change." She leaned in and sniffed on purpose, then said with some distaste, "Your Majesty should also bathe."

Chen Yingchou pondered for a moment. Looking around, he first instructed He Ji, "Send a few more men to keep an eye on An Zeyou." Then he said to Jiang Mo, "I'll go take a bath now."

As Chen Yingchou left, Jiang Mo felt a mix of heartache, gratitude, and helplessness. She wondered how much longer it would take before Chen Yingchou no longer feared losing her.

*

The sudden extra guards outside his door made An Zeyou nervous. He used his old trick, opening the window, aimed at a new guard and tossed a teacup. Leaning heavily against the windowsill, he asked, "Kid, what's happening? Tell me—why have you been posted to guard this young master?"

The new guard was about to turn around when the older guard beside him tugged his arm. "Don't turn around. Don't say a word."

An Zeyou observed this and teased, "Don't pull him. Your martial arts must be worse than his. Otherwise, you alone would be enough—why send another man?"

Sure enough, the provocation worked. "You're a prisoner! You've got no right to talk to me like that!"

An Zeyou was not at all offended; instead, he smiled and said, "I am a prisoner, that's true. But it's also true that your skills are inferior. Why don't the two of you fight and settle who's better?"

The guard was clearly angered, but still remembered the Flying Cavalry Camp rule that members could not fight each other. "Don't try to get me to break the rules!"

An Zeyou's aim wasn't that. He kept goading. "I'm not trying to stir you up—you're just a coward at heart."

The guard finally broke. "Cowardly? I'm not as cowardly as you! Your father and brother both died in battle, yet you still cling to life here. You've got no backbone! The army leaves the day after tomorrow. I won't have to guard a gutless loser like you anymore!"

"Leaves the day after tomorrow? Why?" He still hadn't told Chen Yingchou where Jiang Mo was. Could it be that Chen Yingchou had already found Jiang Mo?

An Zeyou asked quickly, "Where has His Majesty been these five days? Did he return this morning?"

The guard didn't think much. "Telling you won't hurt. His Majesty has found the Empress and returned with her. A banquet tonight, rest tomorrow. The rebellion was put down nearly a month ago. The Flying Cavalry has been stuck in the Northern Territory for almost a month. It's time to head back to Shangjing. Whether you'll go with us or get executed on the spot, who knows?"

He found her? Chen Yingchou really found Jiang Mo. An Zeyou's heart sank. He felt as if drenched in ice water. Downcast, he closed the window, leaned heavily against it, and stood there stunned for a long while.

Suddenly, he yanked open the door and bolted outside, shouting at the top of his voice, "I need to see Jiang Mo! Let me see her!"

He tried to grab a guard's sword, but the moment his hand touched the hilt, it was knocked aside. In the past, his movements were swift, but now he couldn't even seize a knife.

If he weren't so weak, these men would be no match for him. Since he couldn't get out, he would force Chen Yingchou to come—just like when he made himself sick in prison. He aimed for the table corner and rammed his head into it. By the time the guards at the door reacted, he had already crashed and fallen unconscious to the ground.

"Hurry! Summon His Majesty! And find a doctor!"

An Zeyou really did crash into the table, but he didn't pass out. He forced himself to stay awake. When he heard the guard say they'd fetch Chen Yingchou, he gave a bitter smile. So he'd once again resorted to threatening to kill himself.

Several eunuchs immediately entered and carried him onto the bed. Before long, Chen Yingchou arrived, followed by a doctor.

Chen Yingchou sat by the bed and said to the doctor, "Examine him."

Just as the doctor was about to take An Zeyou's pulse, the latter suddenly opened his eyes wide, grabbed Chen Yingchou, and said with a fierce glare, "I want to see Jiang Mo!"

Chen Yingchou's expression remained calm. "We depart for the capital the day after tomorrow. I will send someone to take you to the graves of An Shengwu and An Zexin. If you wish to take their bodies with you, you may. I have also prepared a travel permit for you. Your mother and elder sister are waiting for you in the Li State, hoping to reunite with you."

An Zeyou's brow twitched slightly. As an enemy on the opposing side, Chen Yingchou had already done more than his duty. He had no reason to complain, but he couldn't accept it—why should he have both the kingdom and Jiang Mo?

"I want to see Jiang Mo." His eyes turned bloodshot as he locked his gaze on Chen Yingchou. "You are not her; you have no right to make decisions for her. I tell you, I saved Jiang Mo three times. I have the right to see her!"

Chen Yingchou's expression darkened. An Zeyou was right—he was indeed A Mo's savior. Whether or not she wanted to see him, he shouldn't decide for her.

"I will tell A Mo." He knocked An Zeyou's hand away. "If A Mo is unwilling to see you, just leave. Stop making a scene."

With that, he turned and left.

Chen Yingchou originally planned to tell Jiang Mo after the banquet, but the soldiers were too enthusiastic, and the Northern Frontier's wine was too strong. Jiang Mo quickly became drunk.

Before the banquet ended, a maid helped her back to her room and helped her settle down for the night.

Perhaps the charcoal brazier in the room was burning too intensely. In the middle of the night, Jiang Mo's mouth was dry, and she wanted a glass of water. As she lifted the bed canopy, she saw Chen Yingchou.

He was sitting by the square table with his eyes closed, facing her, his forearms crossed behind his head, with his head resting on them, his brows tightly furrowed, and fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

Jiang Mo got up, draped a blanket over Chen Yingchou, and sat on the other side of the table, pouring herself a cup of tea.

She raised the cup and drank, and as she set it down, she saw that Chen Yingchou had already opened his eyes.

"A Mo, you're awake?" Chen Yingchou leaned forward and gazed tenderly at Jiang Mo.

Jiang Mo poured another cup of tea and pushed it in front of Chen Yingchou. "Why not sleep in the bed, Your Majesty?"

Chen Yingchou took a sip of tea. "I didn't want to wake you."