Chapter 111

Shao Jingyu gazed at Yan Yiming's face, which feigned delight yet held a subtle distance, and recalled her earlier words, “I've only just learned how.” For a moment, his mind went blank.
Yan Yiming, dragging her “injured” leg, half-heartedly welcomed Shao Jingyu. He instinctively reached out to support her, but she deftly avoided his touch, lifting her beautiful eyes to invite him to take a seat.
As she turned her head, Shao Jingyu's sharp eyes caught the mark behind her ear. His hands involuntarily clenched, then loosened helplessly.
Perhaps he had missed her for too long, and now, he was overthinking everything.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yan Yiming noticed Shao Jingyu's still expressionless face. She quietly set down the chess piece in her hand and sighed with a hint of exaggeration, “I give up, I can't win.”
Yun Xiao chuckled for a while before saying, “When I first started playing, I was just like you, Princess, I couldn't win no matter what.”
Yan Yiming smiled faintly, casually responding to Yun Xiao while subtly guiding the conversation.
Earlier that day, when she saw Yun Xiao playing Gomoku, Yan Yiming had an idea and deliberately showed a weakness in front of her. Though the move was contrived and didn't align with her usual intelligence, Yun Xiao had started the game herself, Yan Yiming had merely joined out of curiosity. And, as luck would have it, her acting skills were quite convincing.
With these conditions in place, even if Shao Jingyu didn't dismiss all his suspicions, his doubts would certainly deepen.
Yan Yiming had no desire to confront him directly. She could almost imagine how aggressive Shao Jingyu would be in a face-to-face confrontation, picking apart one flaw after another, pressing her step by step as if interrogating a criminal. She might even lose control and end up fighting him on the spot.
So, if she could save herself through indirect means, that would be for the best.
Nowadays, Yan Yiming was constantly watched, whether coming or going. When Jiang Yi returned, he heard that she was sitting in the rear garden with Shao Jingyu and Yun Xiao, which surprised him slightly.
Through his interactions with Yan Yiming, Jiang Yi had realized that she was genuinely resistant to Shao Jingyu, or rather, she was doing everything possible to avoid being recognized. In truth, she didn't want to be identified by anyone; she just wanted to leave. But Jiang Yi had caught her off guard, and now she had no choice but to accept the situation.
With Shao Jingyu already suspicious, Yan Yiming was bound to take measures to dispel his doubts.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yi felt somewhat grateful that he had been the first to grow suspicious. At that time, Yan Yiming had not yet been on guard, nor had she tried to deceive him. Thus, he would be the only one who truly understood her and could genuinely possess her.
Jiang Yi waited for a moment, then took the cloak a servant hurriedly brought him and leisurely made his way in their direction.
The chessboard had already been put away. As the weather grew colder, servants brought freshly brewed hot tea. Yun Xiao, noticing Jiang Yi's arrival, eagerly invited him to sit and tactfully took the seat opposite Yan Yiming, leaving the spot beside her for Jiang Yi. She grinned and said, “Lord Jiang, you've arrived just in time to enjoy a cup of hot tea.”
“Better to arrive at the right moment than to come early. Thank you for your hospitality, General,” Jiang Yi replied with a smile as he walked over. He shook out the cloak in his hands and draped it over Yan Yiming's shoulders, carefully fastening it in front of the other two. “You're still unwell, be careful not to catch a chill.”
“Not mentioning it was fine, but now that you do, I do feel a bit cold,” Yan Yiming glanced at Shao Jingyu out of the corner of her eye and smiled gently. “You're quite thoughtful.”
“If you're not careful, then I have to be,” Jiang Yi teased, taking the hot tea handed to him by Yun Xiao. He paused, then passed his cup to Yan Yiming and swapped it with the one in her hand, which had already cooled slightly.
Many years ago, Yan Yiming's health had been much weaker than it was now. The doctor had warned her against this and that, but she never paid it any mind. Yet Jiang Yi remembered every detail clearly.
The tea that reached her hands was always warm, the heating stove by her side was always just the right temperature, and the longan sent from afar was always peeled by him and placed in a beautiful celadon bowl.
This was the case when they were alone, and it was the same even when the maids were around. Later, as Jiang Yi gradually reconciled with the Jiang family, he still took care of her meticulously, even during meals with the elders, leaving no room for criticism.
So now, Jiang Yi cared for her naturally, and Yan Yiming accepted his care just as naturally. But it was precisely this naturalness that made it stand out in the eyes of Yun Little And Shao Jingyu.
Yun Xiao simply felt like he was being shown off to, while Shao Jingyu watched the unspoken warmth and tacit understanding between the two. The weather had turned cold, and even the tea had cooled, carrying a faint, indescribable bitterness. He suddenly lost interest in savoring the tea.
Jiang Yi noticed this and leisurely remarked to Yun Xiao, “It seems General Yun's Huangshan doesn't suit General Shao's taste.”
Yan Yiming shot Jiang Yi a sidelong glance. Shao Jingyu, despite his imposing presence, preferred lighter teas. Jiang Yi was clearly picking a fight on purpose, but for now, it was better for her to stay quiet and not interfere.
Yun Little Also gave Shao Jingyu a puzzled look. Having been by Shao Jingyu's side for so many years, he knew his preferences well. Just as he was about to say something, Shao Jingyu lifted his eyelids and said, “After spending a few years in the northwest, I've developed a preference for stronger-tasting teas.”
Yun Xiao immediately fell silent.
Jiang Yi nodded understandingly. “His Majesty recently gifted me some excellent Tieguanyin. In that case, I'll have some sent to your residence once we return to the capital.”
“No need,” Shao Jingyu said flatly. “The general's residence isn't lacking in tea.”
Jiang Yi clicked his tongue and chuckled lightly. “The princess and I both prefer Biluochun. It seems this tea will go to waste. I wonder if General Yun likes it?”
“Of course, I do.”
“The princess also prefers Biluochun?”
Yun Little And Shao Jingyu spoke at the same time. Jiang Yi set down his teacup and said to Yun Xiao, “Since General Yun likes it, I'll have some sent to you.”
Then, lazily glancing at Yan Yiming, he relaxed his brows and said with a smile, “Because I love Biluochun the most, the princess loves what I love and has no choice but to follow my taste.”
Yan Yiming choked on his tea, glaring at Jiang Yi, who seemed to sense it and turned his head to blink at her.
Shao Jingyu could no longer sit still. Setting down his teacup, he made to leave. Jiang Yi glanced at him and said leisurely, “Is the general leaving already? I still have a few words I’d like to make clear with you.”
Shao Jingyu paused in his steps. Yan Yiming was taken aback and immediately looked up at Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi finally set aside his casual smile, his dark eyes losing their last trace of warmth as he said to Yun Xiao, “Trouble General Yun to escort the princess back to rest first.”
Her heart gave a sudden, violent thump. She glanced at Jiang Yi once more before rising. “I’ll go back and rest now.”
Shao Jingyu watched as Yan Yiming and Yun Xiao departed but did not sit down. Instead, he remained standing, looking down at Jiang Yi from above, his stern face showing a hint of impatience. “What else does Lord Jiang have to say?”
Jiang Yi remained seated. Though his features were handsome and his frame slimmer than Shao Jingyu’s, his presence was in no way diminished. He leisurely straightened his clean sleeves and said, “I arrived in Changzhou a few days later than you, General. I suppose I should thank you for your care and attention toward the princess.”
“It was nothing more than a small gesture,” Shao Jingyu replied, his brow furrowing.
“In that case,” Jiang Yi continued, “could the general withdraw the spies you’ve placed around the princess? Oh, and the maid who serves her personally, yesterday, the princess needed her for something, only to find she had gone to see you. That’s when I learned she was your person. If you’re so reluctant to part with her, please take her back. It’s a pity to make her run back and forth every day, exhausting herself for your sake.”
Jiang Yi deliberately twisted the truth, yet every word was laced with sarcasm. His indirect mockery was far more humiliating than outright exposing Shao Jingyu’s surveillance of Yan Yiming. Shao Jingyu was already growing angry but found himself unable to refute Jiang Yi’s insinuations.
From the moment Jiang Yi arrived today, he had been subtly taunting him, how could Shao Jingyu not notice?
He had initially thought Princess Ming resembled Yiming too closely, which was why he had investigated her. Never had he imagined that Princess Ming and Jiang Yi shared such a past.
After a moment of silence, Shao Jingyu suppressed his anger and said to Jiang Yi, “Princess Ming has rendered great service by saving the Crown Prince. She cannot be treated like an ordinary disgraced official. However, she is still the daughter of the Prince of Jiangxia, which is why I ordered close surveillance. I must ask Lord Jiang to choose your words carefully.”
“Is that so? Then I must have misunderstood General Shao,” Jiang Yi played along with Shao Jingyu’s act, though the mockery in his tone was unmistakable. “However, now that I am in Changzhou, the princess is, after all, under my care. For the sake of your reputation, General, I must ask your people to keep their distance from her, lest others misunderstand.”
A vein throbbed on Shao Jingyu’s forehead. Unable to bear it any longer, he glared coldly at Jiang Yi and said, “Lord Jiang, now that you’re protecting Princess Ming so fervently, I wonder if your late wife in the underworld would feel heartbroken if she knew.”
“My late wife was born with a weak constitution. Back then, she told me she didn’t want to burden me with her illness. Now that I’ve found another chance at happiness, she would surely rejoice for me in the afterlife. On the other hand, General, you allowed your clansmen to drive the one you loved to her death. And now, barely four years after Commandant Yan’s passing, you’re already eyeing another woman. Isn’t that far more heartbreaking?”
For so many years, no one had dared mention Yan Yiming in front of Shao Jingyu. Yet Jiang Yi did, not only did he bring her up, but he also mercilessly tore open Shao Jingyu’s old wounds. Shao Jingyu clenched his fists tightly, word by word, he demanded, “What did you say?”
Jiang Yi let out a light laugh and stood up. Though his frame was somewhat slender, his height was by no means lacking. He met Shao Jingyu’s murderous gaze head-on. “I heard General Yun mention that the princess has a red mole at the corner of her eye, just like Commandant Yan. Coincidentally, the princess also knows some martial arts. Given your longing for Commandant Yan, it’s only natural you might entertain some unrealistic hopes. However, the princess is the princess, and Commandant Yan is Commandant Yan. I urge you to see clearly, lest you make a fool of yourself.”
“Is Lord Jiang so certain that I’ve mistaken her for someone else?”
“There are no such things as ghosts or deities in this world. Commandant Yan is already dead,” Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. “Rather than believing in such absurd rumors, General, you should go visit Commandant Yan’s tombstone. I almost forgot, before her death, Commandant Yan said she never wanted to see you again in this lifetime.”
With those final words, Jiang Yi watched as Shao Jingyu stood frozen in place. He sneered coldly, stepped back, and brushed past Shao Jingyu as he walked away.
Shao Jingyu remained standing in the cold wind, the echo of Jiang Yi’s last words ringing in his ears: “Commandant Yan didn’t even want to see you after death, so how could she possibly appear before you again?”
The image of Yiming dying in his arms resurfaced, along with those words that, night after night, replayed without warning.
She hadn’t even wanted to see him in death. She hated him to the core. So how could she possibly resemble Princess Ming, smiling and speaking to him as if nothing had happened?
Shao Jingyu’s long-dormant heart ached with an unbearable pain once more. He clutched his chest tightly and, after a long while, sat back down on the stone bench in a daze, allowing the early winter wind to redden his eyes.
By dinnertime, the maid who had always served by Yan Yiming’s side had been replaced. Yan Yiming was momentarily surprised but quickly understood, it must have been due to whatever Jiang Yi had said to Shao Jingyu after she left earlier.
Not only had the maid been replaced, but Little A also mentioned that even the hidden spies around her had been completely withdrawn.
This piqued her curiosity. Despite all the hints she had repeatedly given Shao Jingyu, he hadn’t given up. Yet after Jiang Yi’s words, the effect had been so remarkable.
When Jiang Yi visited again, Yan Yiming asked him what exactly he had said to Shao Jingyu. Jiang Yi glanced at her teasingly and replied, “A young wife, left alone and too charming for her own good, attracts unwanted attention. Now that her husband has returned, anyone who doesn’t back off would be shameless.”
Yan Yiming nearly choked on another sip of water. The words might be crude, but the reasoning was sound, Jiang Yi’s analogy was quite fitting.
But, we’re not at that stage yet, are we?
“Back then, you told me there was no difference between us and a married couple,” Jiang Yi brought up the old argument. “So how could I be wrong in saying that?”
At that time, Jiang Yi was only sixteen. Under the clear summer night sky, he told her that if no one in the world wanted her, he would; if no one married her, he would marry her.
To placate him, Yan Yiming said, “Our relationship is even closer than that of husband and wife, so why bother with such formalities?”
Later, when the Jiang family agreed to his request, he officially became the son-in-law of the Jiang family. During their playful moments, Jiang Yi would often say that even before they were truly married, no couple in the world could compare to the depth of his affection for her.
Yan Yiming didn't know how to respond. Gazing at Jiang Yi's face, she sighed helplessly.
Faced with such a Jiang Yi, how could she tell him that she would inevitably leave, that there would be no future for them?
The time they had left to talk and laugh like this, at most, was only half a year.
That was all.
The affairs in Changzhou were finally settled. The emperor's decree arrived, ordering Shao Jingyu and Jiang Yi to escort the Crown Prince and transport Princess Ming and Jian Yuyan, among others, back to the capital.
Though they were labeled as “prisoners,” the treatment of these individuals was surprisingly lenient.
Jian Yu’er and Madam Jian were placed in one carriage, followed by Jian Yuyan's carriage. Yan Yiming was originally supposed to share a carriage with Jian Yu’er and Madam Jian, but on Jiang Yi's orders, Princess Ming was granted a carriage of her own.
So that Lord Jiang could rest inside when he grew tired from riding.
After that day, Shao Jingyu seemed to vanish from her side. Even when the group set off, there was no sign of him. According to the maids, Shao Jingyu was tasked with ensuring the Crown Prince's safety and was likely at the front of the procession.
Yan Yiming responded with an “Oh,” though she wasn't particularly interested in knowing.
The Crown Prince's return to the capital was far more grand than Yan Yiming's journey to the capital. Moreover, he was accompanied by Jiang Yi and Shao Jingyu, both highly favored by the emperor. During a break, Jian Yu’er, whom they hadn't seen in a while, joined them. Jiang Yi ordered someone to buy Yan Yiming's favorite poria cakes.
As the delicate and translucent pastries were brought over, Jian Yuyan happened to notice and remarked, “So the Princess also likes poria cakes.”
Shao Jingyu's movements paused once again. Only the Crown Prince, who was completely unaware of the former Crown Princess's preferences, looked confused. “Does everyone like them?” he wondered.
“Women generally have a sweet tooth, so we just ordered a variety,” Jiang Yi explained.
With that, the maids hurriedly brought more pastries. “Young Lord Jiang ordered three portions. We're not sure if Madam Jian and Miss Jian would like them.”
Jian Yuyan glanced at Jiang Yi again. He had always considered himself exceptionally attentive, but now it seemed Jiang Yi surpassed him in that regard.
The group continued their journey. Yan Yiming sat in the carriage, enjoying the pastries and tea. Before long, Jiang Yi entered, and Yan Yiming poured him a cup of tea.
As he drank, Jiang Yi looked at her and suddenly said, “I just realized something interesting.”
“What is it?” Yan Yiming asked casually.
“Earlier, when Miss Jian was present, both the Crown Prince and General Shao avoided her out of propriety. It reminded me that Miss Jian and General Shao were childhood sweethearts and she nearly became the Crown Princess,” Jiang Yi said, observing Yan Yiming's slightly stiff expression before continuing. “The actress Jian Yuyan once liked also bore a striking resemblance to Miss Jian. It's quite amusing how everyone seems to have some inexplicable connection to Miss Jian. A’Ming, what do you think is the reason for this?”
Yan Yiming opened his mouth, then after a long pause said, “Miss Jian is beautiful and gentle in temperament. It’s no surprise so many people like her.”
“That’s true,” Jiang Yi nodded. “But unfortunately, all those people later ended up liking someone else...”
“Someone else...” Yan Yiming picked up a lotus seed cake and stuffed it into Jiang Yi’s mouth. “Let’s not bring up the past.”
Jiang Yi chewed the overly sweet pastry he didn’t particularly like and smiled. “Alright, we won’t mention it then.”
Shao Jingyu had already given up, and neither the Crown Prince nor Jian Yuyan had discovered anything. So, what was past should remain in the past, all he wanted was Yan Yiming’s future.
Because of the Crown Prince’s presence, their journey back to the capital progressed less than a hundred li each day, dragging on for nearly half a month before they arrived.
The Crown Prince, who had been missing for several months, had left the Empress weeping daily in the rear palace. Prince Yue, who should have returned to Beiping, had also stayed in the capital because of the Empress. Now that her son had finally returned, the Empress even wanted to go out of the city to meet him herself, but the Emperor and Prince Yue kept her in the palace. Several princes went out of the city to welcome him instead.
As for Yan Yiming, Jian Yuyan, and the others labeled as “criminals,” Jiang Yi smiled and pinched Yan Yiming’s cheek, saying, “You’ll have to endure a little hardship for now.”
No matter how meritorious they were, at this moment they were still considered “traitors.” After entering the capital, Yan Yiming and the others eventually parted ways with the Crown Prince and his party. The Crown Prince and his entourage headed to the palace to report, while they were taken to the imperial prison to await judgment.
Two hours later, Jiang Yi personally came to the prison to fetch them.
Yan Yiming glanced back at Jian Yu’er and the others. Jiang Yi understood and said, “His Majesty still hasn’t uncovered Jian Yuyan’s identity. Given his contributions now, he’ll certainly be fine.”
Yan Yiming breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Yi smiled and draped a cloak over her shoulders. “They’re safe, and so are you.”
“Everyone is alive and well. Your goal has finally been achieved,” Jiang Yi said slowly, watching Yan Yiming’s stunned expression. “After all these years, you... can finally leave.”