Chapter 57

From then on, Jiang Yi transformed into the Jiang family’s prospective son-in-law.
No one complained that his status was unsuitable or that he shouldn’t stay with the Jiang family. Instead, they feared that this promising future son-in-law might sever ties with them. Even the older young masters in the household treated him with great respect.
Old Madam Jiang was quite displeased with this, but Lord Jiang thought nothing of it. Since Jiang Yi was already a provincial scholar, he was naturally different from ordinary young men. What if he passed the imperial examination in the future?
Since he was to become a son-in-law, he was now part of the family. Lord Jiang devoted even more effort to mentoring Jiang Yi, even swallowing his pride to introduce him to prominent scholars in Luoyang. Everyone in the Jiang household was envious, and even Second Lady Jiang couldn’t help clicking her tongue in amazement.
“He’s being treated like a son even before the marriage is finalized. A son-in-law isn’t as close as a son, who knows if he’ll remain the Jiang family’s son-in-law someday?” Second Lady Jiang couldn’t suppress her jealousy. Why was the main branch so fortunate to pick up such a treasure?
She suddenly recalled her earlier attempts to win Jiang Yi over, only to be rejected. No wonder he had refused so firmly, he already had a beauty hidden away.
“A young man and a young woman living so close together, not even knowing shame,” Second Lady Jiang spat out disdainfully. Second Master Jiang also felt uncomfortable, thinking to himself why he didn’t have a daughter as stunningly beautiful as Yan Yiming. If he did, who knows…
Ahem, Second Master Jiang coughed twice. “It’s fine to say such things at home, but don’t let others hear.”
Second Lady Jiang was resentful but acknowledged his words. After all, her husband had said that the prefect greatly valued Jiang Yi, claiming he would surely achieve great things in the future.
“How great? Greater than the main branch?” Second Lady Jiang asked naively.
Second Master Jiang was furious, slamming the table as he glared at his shortsighted wife. “The prefect said that young man is almost certain to pass the imperial examination and might even achieve more than him! How could he care about a mere fifth-rank county magistrate?”
Second Lady Jiang gasped sharply. The highest official she had ever heard of was the prefect. Could Jiang Yi really achieve more than the prefect in the future?
Having spent half her life bullying the weak and fearing the strong, Second Lady Jiang never dared to trouble Jiang Yi again after realizing this. When she visited the Jiang residence for the New Year, she even enthusiastically inquired about Jiang Yi’s studies. However, as soon as she turned and saw Yan Yiming, she raised her chin and strode away haughtily.
Even Yan Yiming couldn’t figure out why Second Lady Jiang was holding a grudge against her.
But these matters were no longer within her scope of concern.
The date of the imperial examination was drawing closer. It would be held in the capital by the Ministry of Rites. From Jinling to Luoyang, it usually took several days by carriage, but if they traveled quickly, they could arrive in ten days.
The entire Jiang household grew exceptionally tense because of Jiang Yi’s departure for the capital, except for Yan Yiming, who had long known that Jiang Yi would pass the examination with flying colors.
Back when she was pursuing Nan Gongxuan and Jian Yuyan, it had only taken half a year. This time, however, nearly four years had passed. Yan Yiming took out the long-unseen card deck. Due to the full affection value, Jiang Yi’s card had reached its maximum stats.
The imperial examination was scheduled for the first day of the second month. It consisted of three sessions, while the palace examination required only one. The palace examination would take place on the seventh day of the third month, and the results would be announced three days later, on the tenth day of the third month. That was the day Jiang Yi would achieve the title of Zhuangyuan, the top scholar.
And now, it was already the first month.
Jiang Yi had to leave.
Lady Jiang couldn’t help but tease, “It’s only a little over a month. When you return triumphantly, it will be time for your wedding with A’Ming.”
Jiang Yi was naturally overjoyed. He bowed respectfully to Lady Jiang and promised to do his utmost.
Lady Jiang smiled and said, “A’Ming hasn’t been feeling well these past couple of days. Go and see her, but don’t get too close, you might catch her illness.”
Yan Yiming’s illness flared up every winter, and the Jiang household had grown accustomed to it, so no one paid it much mind. When Jiang Yi entered Yan Yiming’s room, it was noticeably warmer than the rest of the house. The maids were dressed lightly, while Yan Yiming alone remained huddled on the bed, clutching a hand warmer.
Seeing him, she made to get up, but Jiang Yi, now tall and lithe, crossed the room in two strides and gently pressed her back down. He warmed his hands under the covers before feeling her forehead. “Stay put. It seems the fever has subsided.”
“It’s been gone for a while,” she replied. Earlier, she had been speaking with Little A, though to others, it would have looked like she was merely lost in thought. Yan Yiming often kept a book nearby for appearances. Setting the book aside, she shifted further inward. “Keep your distance. I don’t want you to catch this.”
Jiang Yi ignored her, taking off his boots and climbing onto the bed beside her. He hooked an arm around her, drawing closer with a grin. “This is much better.”
“The old lady said we should be cautious since we’re not married yet, and here you are pushing your luck,” Yan Yiming retorted, kicking him under the covers.
Jiang Yi swiftly caught her bare ankle, unfazed. “Why bother with what she says? What we have is nothing like those arranged marriages.” Yan Yiming struggled, but he only tightened his grip. The skin under his fingers was smooth and delicate. A lazy smile played on his lips as he murmured, “We’ve done far more intimate things. Feel free to tell her all about it.”
Jiang Yi was young, and the one he loved was always by his side. In the half-year since their engagement, he had often clung to Yan Yiming. When their affection grew too intense, he would struggle to restrain himself. If not for the presence of the maids, they might have crossed the final line long ago.
Truly, he was one of the flawless male leads, his initiative was impeccable, and he never held back when it came to his own desires.
Now, with Jiang Yi holding her ankle and his fingers creeping upward beneath her loose clothing, Yan Yiming squirmed, ticklish and trying to escape. But he held her fast. “Don’t move,” he whispered. “Let me give you a massage.”
His fingers paused at her ankle, pressing with a steady, moderate pressure. “In the days after I leave, have Lan Xiu massage this spot for you every day. Even with the room this warm, your feet are still as cold as ice.”
Yan Yiming hummed in acknowledgment and remained still.
“I'll be back in a month at the earliest, two months at the latest. When I return, I'll marry you in grand style,” Jiang Yi said slowly. “If I don't pass the exams, I'll stay home. If I do, once I've settled matters, I'll bring you to the capital.”
Yan Yiming smiled radiantly. “You will definitely pass.”
Jiang Yi couldn't help but chuckle. “And if I don't?”
“I say you'll pass, so you will,” Yan Yiming replied, tucking a pillow behind her back to get comfortable. “If you don't, I'll be in trouble.”
Just like the first time she saw Jiang Yi four years ago, the day he left was once again filled with swirling snow.
Lan Xiu squeezed next to Yan Yiming and asked cheerfully if she was missing the young master, adding that the household was already preparing for the wedding, waiting only for his return. “Miss, you must get better quickly so you can joyfully step into the bridal sedan.”
Yan Yiming smiled faintly. “I hope so.”
Life in ancient times was truly inconvenient. After Jiang Yi's departure, the Jiang family could only guess roughly where he might be each day. A few days later, they speculated he had likely reached the capital. Another couple of days passed, and they surmised he might have visited his father's former teacher with a letter of introduction.
On the twentieth day after Jiang Yi left, Yan Yiming finally caught a glimpse of him in the long-unviewed plot summary.
The plot summary only showed people or events related to Jian Yu'er. Since Jiang Yi appeared, it meant that Jian Yu'er had finally met him.
Yan Yiming and Little A watched a genuine chance encounter unfold. Afterward, Yan Yiming couldn't understand. “So how did they actually recognize each other?”
When Jiang Yi first met Jian Yu'er, he was only eleven, and she was just eight. Now, Jiang Yi was a young man of seventeen, and Jian Yu'er, at fourteen, had blossomed into a graceful maiden. Though Yan Yiming had never seen what Jian Yu'er looked like at eight, she assumed there must be some differences from her current appearance.
That they could reconnect after a single meeting five years ago left Yan Yiming utterly baffled.
After a moment's thought, Little A explained, “That's the power of the male and female lead auras.”
Because Jiang Yi was one of the four main male leads and Jian Yu'er was the female lead, their meeting was inevitable, and their recognition of each other was equally destined. In simple terms, no reason was needed.
“How arbitrary,” Yan Yiming sighed, leaning against the quilt with Little A as they watched the two converse. Jian Yu'er spoke of her family background, while Jiang Yi shared where he had been all these years. They talked happily for nearly an hour before Jian Yuyan personally came to fetch her. As she left, Jian Yu'er called out brightly, “Goodbye, Brother Jiang Yi!”
Yan Yiming gazed at the youthful image of Jian Yuyan and the little girl Jian Yu’er on the screen, feeling a wave of emotion. “Just a few years ago, we were all the same age, and now I'm already a big sister six or seven years older than her.”
Little A pondered her words for a moment before cautiously asking, “Then next time, would you like to be the younger sister again?”
“Let's not,” Yan Yiming waved her hand dismissively. The screen now showed only the Jian siblings. Jian Yuyan asked Jian Yu’er who that person had been earlier, and upon learning he was a candidate in the imperial examinations and even the top scholar from Luoyang, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
But it was merely a passing remark, and after that, he never mentioned it again.
Afterward, Jiang Yi's figure disappeared from the plot summary, only to be replaced by a flash of fiery red bursting into view. The youthful Shao Jingyu, with skin as pale as snow, wore a vibrant red martial attire that accentuated his dashing and heroic demeanor. His black hair danced wildly in the snowy night.
A youth burning like fire.
Yan Yiming smiled faintly and closed the plot summary.
As the metropolitan examination approached, Little A reminded Yan Yiming that from this point on, her body would gradually deteriorate until it eventually reached complete necrosis.
Yan Yiming let out a long sigh, wrapped herself in a cloak, and stepped out into the courtyard. Her icy fingers slowly melted the snow as a cold wind swept into her collar, causing her to shiver.
The next day, Yan Yiming fell ill, coinciding with the final session of the metropolitan examination.
In early February, Jiang Yi from Jinling embarked on the initial steps of his official career, while Yan Yiming in Luoyang fell ill for unknown reasons, to the point where she could barely swallow even medicinal broth.
By mid-February, the metropolitan examination results were announced. Jiang Yi, the top scholar from Luoyang, had once again claimed the highest honor among thousands of candidates, becoming the youngest provincial graduate.
Having achieved two consecutive top honors at such a young age, the name “Young Lord Jiang” quickly spread throughout Jinling, even reaching the ears of the emperor's younger brother in the palace, who specifically inquired about this exceptionally talented young genius.
Jian Yu’er had never imagined that the young man she had only met once in her childhood would achieve such feats. Her father, who was not yet the Grand Chancellor at the time, grew even more attentive upon learning that his daughter actually knew this renowned scholar who had taken the capital by storm.
By the time the news reached Luoyang, another ten days had passed. The Jiang household was shrouded in worry over Yan Yiming's illness until the sound of a gong jolted the entire estate awake. The news of Jiang Yi's top honors in the metropolitan examination and his repeated success as the top scholar sent the Jiang family into a frenzy of joy.
Lord Jiang nearly wept with happiness.
Lady Jiang, who had once argued with her husband in anger, saying that Jiang Yi might one day even win the top honors in the palace examination, now felt a sudden tension upon hearing of his consecutive successes.
The metropolitan examination pitted scholars from across the land against one another. Since he had managed to stand out and claim the top spot, who could say for certain what would happen in the palace examination?
Lady Jiang wiped her tears as she sat by Yan Yiming's side. “My child, Shaojun has brought us honor. You must fight too, get better quickly and stop worrying your mother.”
Yan Yiming offered a weak smile. In just a few days, she had rapidly withered away. Her already pale, translucent face now bore a faint grayish hue. She closed her eyes and, after a long while, let out a deep sigh. “Mother, I'm afraid I won't make it.”
The medicine bowl in Lady Jiang's hand shattered on the floor, the crisp sound of breaking porcelain echoing as the bitter liquid splashed onto her skirt.
Outside the window, the wind howled and snow swirled, but Lady Jiang heard none of it. She stared blankly at her daughter on the bed, only then realizing that even forming a complete sentence had become an unbearable struggle for Yan Yiming.
“A’Ming...” Lady Jiang grasped her hand, her entire body trembling uncontrollably. “Don't scare me like this.”
“Mother...” Yan Yiming called out with difficulty. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the bed curtains before slowly closing them again.
“It really hurts too much.”
Too much pain.
Lady Jiang's tears fell silently. She often couldn't understand why, even while lying in bed, A’Ming's forehead would be covered in cold sweat, why she would occasionally grit her teeth as if enduring unbearable agony.
Because she was in pain.
Lady Jiang would never forget that day - she had just been overjoyed about Jiang Yi's success, only to have all her strength drained away the next moment by her daughter's single word: “It hurts.”
When the physician was called again, he slowly shook his head.
Lady Jiang collapsed to the floor. Lord Jiang came in from outside and quickly caught her, urgently asking what had happened.
Lady Jiang could no longer hold back her tears, clutching tightly to Lord Jiang's sleeve as she wept without regard for her appearance. “Our A’Ming... she...”
She didn't have many days left.
What should have been a celebration had turned into a tragedy. Yan Yiming forbade anyone from sending word or disturbing Jiang Yi, saying she wanted him to complete his final examination without distractions.
On the tenth day of the third month, she learned from the story summary that the emperor himself would preside over the palace examination that day. She learned that he was ultimately personally selected by the emperor, becoming the most watched top scholar. Jian Yuyan and Jian Yu'er sat in a teahouse on Jinling's main street, watching the grand spectacle of the top scholar's procession. They saw Jiang Yi riding on horseback in red robes, exceptionally handsome and elegant. They watched as everyone around marveled at the top scholar's youth and beauty, speculating about which noble families were already inquiring about him.
After the procession ended, Jian Yu'er intercepted Jiang Yi, who was preparing to immediately return to Luoyang. She smiled brightly as she congratulated him on his success. “My father would like to invite Brother Jiang Yi to our residence. I wonder if Brother Jiang Yi would honor us with your presence?”
Jiang Yi hesitated slightly. Only then did Jian Yu'er notice his packed luggage and expressed surprise. “Brother Jiang Yi, where are you going?”
“I need to return to Luoyang as soon as possible.”
“Is there something urgent?”
Hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled, his eyes warming noticeably. “To seal a marital alliance, of course it's important.”
Jian Yu'er was momentarily stunned, never having imagined Jiang Yi was already betrothed. Though she felt slightly disappointed, she didn't dwell on it, quickly offering congratulations before pausing to say, “But my father is already waiting at the residence. It's quite late today - why not stay one more day and leave tomorrow? Just one day shouldn't delay anything important.”
Seeing Jiang Yi still hesitating, Jian Yu'er thought for a moment and added, “Even if just for my sake, Brother Jiang Yi, please come to our residence.”
Jiang Yi, recalling the past kindness, ultimately did not refuse.
A delay of one day was something A’Ming could certainly wait for.
Jiang Yi followed Jian Yu'er to the Jian residence, where Lord Jian praised him as a young prodigy and conversed with him delightedly. Later, upon hearing that Jiang Yi was already married, Lord Jian felt somewhat disappointed but said nothing more. Instead, he had gifts prepared as a token of his goodwill.
Jiang Yi was naturally grateful. He rested at the Jian residence that day and, after bidding farewell to the Jian family the next morning, hurried back to Luoyang.
The carriage raced swiftly, it had taken him fifteen days to travel from Luoyang to Jinling, but this return journey to Luoyang took only ten short days. After two months, seeing the familiar city walls again, Jiang Yi suddenly felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement.
Leaving his book boys to catch up slowly, he spurred his horse and galloped straight toward the Jiang residence. Riding too fast, he didn’t hear the murmurs of the crowds around him until the overwhelming sight of white abruptly stung his eyes.
The Jiang residence was still the same Jiang residence, but now it was draped entirely in white silk.
A sudden fear gripped Jiang Yi’s heart. For some reason, he dared not step inside, not even dismount from his horse.
He stared blankly at the glaring white flowers adorning the Jiang residence’s plaque until a startled cry snapped him back to reality. A servant had finally noticed Jiang Yi at the entrance and fell to his knees with a thud.
“Young master, you’ve returned at last,” the servant wailed. “The young lady… she passed away just yesterday…”
Jiang Yi swayed on his horse.
Young lady… gone… What did that mean?
Yesterday… What did that mean?
He opened his mouth, but it took a long moment before he could utter a few words. “...What… which young lady…?”
Of course, it’s Fifth Young Lady. She fell ill not long after you left.
The servant said she had been holding on, waiting for his return. She endured for so many days, but yesterday, she could hold on no longer. She fell asleep and never woke up.
She had been waiting for you to come back.
Waiting all these days.
Why did you return just one day too late?
It felt as though his heart had been abruptly seized, the pain so intense he could hardly breathe. The pervasive white mercilessly pierced his heart and wounded his eyes. Though everything before him was white, in an instant, it all turned into a hazy, blood-red haze.
The servant cried out in alarm as Jiang Yi toppled straight from his horse, losing consciousness.