Chapter 108

Jiang Yi's arrival and declaration of ownership made the originally subtle situation instantly clearer, yet even more delicate.
However, Jiang Yi still came under the pretext of official business. After handling matters, he was to escort Nan Gongxuan with Shao Jingyu and “escort” Yan Yiming and Jian Yuyan back to the capital. For a time, only Jian Yuyan and Yan Yiming remained idle in the residence.
Jian Yuyan heard from the maids serving him that Princess Ming usually stayed in her room due to her injury, only coming out in the evening when Jiang Yi returned to have dinner with her. Sometimes, the two would take a walk together.
Jian Yuyan pondered the relationship between Princess Ming and Jiang Yi but couldn't make sense of it.
From his earlier conversation with Yan Yiming, Jian Yuyan had clarified many things. For instance, Princess Ming and A'Ming had known each other long ago, and perhaps she had even helped A'Ming, which was why A'Ming wrote letters to assist Princess Ming. Thus, he should feel grateful to her. Another example was that Princess Ming was not truly aligned with the Prince of Jiangxia; she was the biggest spy under his command. She used A'Ming to force him to reveal Chancellor Jian's secrets to Jiang Yi, ultimately overthrowing Chancellor Jian.
Following this line of thought, Jian Yuyan gradually convinced himself. However, upon witnessing the intimacy between Jiang Yi and Princess Ming, everything seemed to become tangled once again.
If the two had known each other long ago and were so close, why hadn't Princess Ming personally informed Jiang Yi of all of Chancellor Jian's plans? Why resort to using him as a middleman to achieve her goals, why take such a roundabout approach?
Jian Yuyan had inquired and learned that before Princess Ming came to the capital, she had never met Jiang Yi. So when exactly did the two become acquainted?
According to the Crown Prince, Princess Ming had risked her life to protect him solely because of Jiang Yi's request. She was willing to sacrifice herself and even betray her family just to fulfill Jiang Yi's expectations. What had Jiang Yi done to earn such unwavering loyalty from her?
He couldn't help but recall Princess Ming's words to him: “There are far more important things in this world than love.” How could someone who spoke like that abandon everything for Jiang Yi?
Moreover, having known Princess Ming, this woman appeared warm and smiling on the surface but seemed more like a cold-blooded observer at heart.
Therefore, rather than believing he had misjudged her, Jian Yuyan felt that the relationship between Princess Ming and Jiang Yi was far more complicated than it appeared.
After the truth came to light, the Crown Prince had a long conversation with him, and it felt as if they had returned to the days when they studied and played together. The day after Jiang Yi's arrival, during a casual chat, the Crown Prince suddenly brought up Princess Ming. From his words, Jian Yuyan sensed that, although the Crown Prince was unwilling to admit it, her desperate efforts to save him had clearly stirred feelings in him.
Unfortunately, the Crown Prince had not realized it until Jiang Yi appeared, when it suddenly dawned on him.
Jian Yuyan considered telling the Crown Prince that perhaps things were not as they seemed, but after a moment's reflection, he dismissed the idea.
If Princess Ming were truly devoted to Jiang Yi, she would never marry the Crown Prince. If there were some ulterior motive between her and Jiang Yi, then such a scheming woman would be unsuitable for the Crown Prince.
Furthermore, even though Princess Ming had saved the Crown Prince, she was still the daughter of Prince of Jiangxia. The Emperor had already shown great mercy by sparing her life; there was no way he would allow such a dangerous person to remain by the Crown Prince's side.
After careful consideration, Jian Yuyan lowered his eyelashes and sighed, “I heard it was Lord Jiang who went to Hangzhou to escort the Princess to the capital. Perhaps that was when their connection began.”
Nan Gongxuan waved his hand and said, “Not at all.”
Because after arriving in the capital, Princess Ming had clearly expressed her affection for him.
If only he hadn't coldly rejected her back then...
Observing the expression on Nan Gongxuan's face, Jian Yuyan remarked calmly, “If the Crown Princess knew that Your Highness has finally been able to let go, she would rest in peace in the afterlife.”
This piercingly ironic remark jolted Nan Gongxuan back to reality. The image of A'Ming shielding him on their wedding night suddenly flashed before his eyes, and a wave of guilt washed over him, overwhelming him completely.
Nan Gongxuan closed his eyes abruptly and, after a long while, said weakly, “I was foolish.”
After A'Ming's death, he had vowed that no one would ever take her place. Yet, only a few years later, he had lost his senses.
The two fell into a sudden silence. After a long pause, Nan Gongxuan suddenly said to Jian Yuyan, “Back then, everyone said you had fallen so low because of an actor, but I always believed your deep capacity for affection was rare.”
Because of his own profound love for his late Crown Princess, Nan Gongxuan greatly admired those who valued emotions deeply, Jian Yuyan was one such person, and later, Jiang Yi was another.
For the sake of his deceased wife, Jiang Yi had rejected countless excellent marriage proposals. For eight years, he neither remarried nor took a concubine, a rarity even when compared to him and Jian Yuyan.
Yet, unexpectedly, he had now fallen into the hands of Princess Ming.
Nan Gongxuan felt the urge to mock him, but he sighed instead. A woman like Princess Ming made it all too easy to fall for her, especially since she was so devoted to Jiang Yi.
After leaving, Nan Gongxuan found himself wandering near Yan Yiming's courtyard, almost as if by accident. Coincidentally, he ran into Yan Yiming, who had stepped out for some fresh air. Recalling his earlier conversation with Jian Yuyan, Nan Gongxuan's expression darkened. Yan Yiming, however, greeted him with natural ease.
Though he had resolved not to interfere further, the sight of her made Nan Gongxuan unable to resist asking: For Jiang Yi, would she truly sacrifice her life and betray her family?
Shifting all unexplainable reasons onto Jiang Yi, Yan Yiming felt quite at ease. Besides, with Jiang Yi absent, she shamelessly admitted it without hesitation.
Seeing this, Nan Gongxuan grew even more displeased, and his tone sharpened involuntarily. “Do you know that Jiang Yi has refused to remarry for years because of his late wife? No matter how much you give, you can never compare to his deceased wife.”
Yan Yiming blinked innocently and replied sincerely, “It’s precisely because he values sentiment so deeply that I admire him even more. As long as I can stay by his side, I care about nothing else.”
Observing her demeanor, Nan Gongxuan was so angered that he failed to notice how different this Yan Yiming was from the one he had interacted with before. Watching Nan Gongxuan storm off in a huff, Yan Yiming chuckled to herself for a while before limping back to her courtyard.
When Jiang Yi returned, an informant hidden in the shadows relayed Yan Yiming's words to him verbatim. Even though he knew she had said it deliberately to provoke the Crown Prince, hearing such exaggerated “affection” still lifted his spirits.
After reporting this matter, the informant told Jiang Yi that Princess Ming's residence, and even the princess herself, was surrounded by spies.
Not only from the Crown Prince but also from Jian Yuyan and Shao Jingyu.
What surprised him most was that the maid serving Yan Yiming closely was not, as he had assumed, sent by the Crown Prince, but was instead Shao Jingyu's agent.
Shao Jingyu and Princess Ming had never met, but given that the princess was the daughter of the Prince of Jiangxia, if he were suspicious, he could have simply detained her. If he had shown leniency out of respect for the Crown Prince, he should have at least placed her under strict surveillance.
Instead, he had sent a maid to attend to her meticulously.
This puzzled Jiang Yi and aroused his suspicion.
Without alerting anyone, Jiang Yi continued as usual but ordered his men to closely monitor the movements of Yan Yiming's maid and discreetly investigate Shao Jingyu's recent activities. A few days later, he indeed uncovered some clues.
The maid by Yan Yiming's side probably went to see Shao Jingyu every day, precisely after Jiang Yi had visited Yan Yiming. Jiang Yi harbored ill intentions, and that night, he deliberately played around with A’Ming, “accidentally” knocking over the low stool by the bed. Yan Yiming gasped in surprise, only to be pinned beneath him as he nibbled on her earlobe.
When the maid rushed in anxiously, she happened to see him and Yan Yiming “frolicking” together on the bed. She immediately blushed and ran out. It was said that the Crown Prince was furious that day, and another bookshelf in Shao Jingyu's room was broken.
As Jiang Yi listened to his hidden guard report that Shao Jingyu had recently been investigating the past of Princess Ming and had even sent someone to find a highly respected diviner, he lightly tapped his fingers on the table and ordered an investigation into another person.
The female general who had shaken the court and the public four years ago, the Marquis of Yiyong.
Compared to Shao Jingyu's inquiry into Princess Ming's past, the details of that female general were far simpler. There was no need to travel all the way to the capital; one only needed to ask the Dingbei Army, who had fought alongside Shao Jingyu and the Marquis of Yiyong, to learn the finer points.
When mentioning that renowned female general, former comrades still spoke with excitement. For instance, they recalled how she had seemed small and slender like a delicate figure, yet fought more fiercely than any man. They also mentioned that her name wasn't the one she later adopted, her original name was actually more memorable because it happened to be the same as that of the Crown Prince's deceased Crown Princess.
Jiang Yi repeated the phrase “same name as the Crown Princess” under his breath several times. Recalling Shao Jingyu's intense focus and Yan Yiming's exceptional martial skills, he finally wrote three characters on paper:
Yan Yiming.
After that day, Jiang Yi found an opportunity to “coincidentally” meet Yun Xiao, who had been by Shao Jingyu's side for many years and was now a fifth-rank general but still retained his talkative and cheerful nature.
Having navigated the official circles for so long, Jiang Yi had never failed to befriend anyone he wished to, let alone someone as straightforward as Yun Xiao. With just a few words, he struck up a conversation.
Yun Xiao was surprised that among the civil officials who often looked down on military men, there was such an esteemed minister who appreciated them. After several exchanges, he already held a degree of respect for Jiang Yi. In the chilly autumn breeze, Jiang Yi casually mentioned to Yun Xiao his great interest in the famed female general of the past, but General Shao seemed reluctant to speak of her. He wondered if General Yun might share some stories.
Over the years, many had inquired with Yun Little About the Marquis of Yiyong. When they first arrived in the northwest, many new recruits were curious about that “Mulan.” However, facing Jiang Yi, the most trusted official in the court, Yun Xiao set aside his usual boastful tone and spoke more earnestly.
Yun Xiao praised Yan Yiming's martial prowess repeatedly, describing how she remained unshaken even amidst thousands of troops. He noted that despite her humble origins, she was well-read in poetry and literature, skilled in calligraphy and painting, and had studied countless military texts, far surpassing the so-called noble ladies of the capital.
“Truly, women hold up half the sky,” Jiang Yi praised sincerely. Yun Xiao nodded in agreement, unaware of the storm brewing in Jiang Yi's eyes.
That evening, when Jiang Yi visited again, Yan Yiming greeted him as usual and invited him to sit and share the evening meal. The maid stood by, diligently serving the dishes. Jiang Yi picked up the soup spoon with two fingers, swirling it in the bowl of ginseng soup, and without even lifting his eyelids, ordered the maid to leave.
The maid dawdled out of the room, glancing back three times before finally leaving. Jiang Yi set down the spoon, the clink against the porcelain bowl crisp and clear. He lifted his head, a smile in his voice as he looked at Yan Yiming. “Guess whether that girl is hiding by the window or outside the door right now.”
Little A eagerly chimed in, “Outside the door.”
Yan Yiming smiled faintly. “Most likely outside the door.”
“I think so too,” Jiang Yi said, taking a sip of ginseng soup before setting the spoon aside. He propped his chin on one hand, gazing at Yan Yiming with an air of casual ease. “But I initially thought that girl was sent by the Crown Prince. It was only recently that I realized she’s not one of his people.”
Yan Yiming concealed the hesitation in her eyes and replied calmly, “If not the Crown Prince, then who?”
“I find it quite intriguing,” Jiang Yi chuckled. “It turns out she’s from General Shao.”
Yan Yiming’s heart gave a slight jolt, and a sudden unease washed over her. Still, she tried her best to remain composed. “General Shao? How could it be him?”
“Perhaps,” Jiang Yi said, lifting his head. His deep, penetrating eyes locked onto Yan Yiming’s as he gently raised her chin with his fingers. His thumb brushed over the red mole at the corner of her eye. “Perhaps the female general who once made General Shao willingly leave the capital and settle in the northwest also had a red mole at the corner of her eye.” Jiang Yi’s smile was tender. “What do you think, A’Ming? Does that make sense?”