Chapter 86

In Jian Yuyan's world, the A'Ming from back then had been gone for four years.
Over those four years, he had painted countless portraits of her. Her image was deeply engraved in his mind, and with just a touch of his brush to the paper, he could sketch her familiar outline.
Yet, Jian Yuyan had never gone to look for Yan Yiming.
In her spare time, Yan Yiming had reviewed the actions of the four male leads and Jian Yu'er over the past three years.
Although Nan Gongxuan had taken a concubine, he still kept the position of the crown princess vacant. Jian Yuyan had let go of Jian Yu'er, whom he had loved for over a decade, and had since lived a reclusive life, withdrawn from the world. Jiang Yi remained unmarried, still wearing the faded tassel and treating her parents with kindness. Shao Jingyu had buried her on the small hill in Liu Family Village, just as she had wished, never visiting her grave. However, on the anniversary of her death each year, he would appear there, standing silently at a distance where the tombstone was barely visible, remaining until dawn the next day.
On the surface, nothing seemed different, yet everything was not quite the same. Looking at the situation coldly, Jian Yuyan was actually luckier than the others.
After all, that A'Ming had only left; she hadn't died.
If this scenario were applied to the others, Nan Gongxuan aside, Shao Jingyu and Jiang Yi would undoubtedly scour the ends of the earth to find her. At that point, even if A'Ming were to scold or hit them, it wouldn't matter, because only by finding her would there be a chance to make amends.
But the one in this situation happened to be Jian Yuyan.
Yan Yiming's departure back then had directly sentenced Jian Yuyan to a life of self-imposed punishment, even though it was a sentence that could still be commuted.
Although no one could prove she was still alive, no one could prove she was dead either, right? Yan Yiming's gaze fell on the familiar portrait as she asked sharply, “Why didn't you go look for her? Couldn't you, didn't you dare, or didn't you want to?”
He had just angrily scolded her, asking what she knew, but after this question, he realized she knew more than he had imagined.
Even so, Jian Yuyan had no desire to explain anything to her. Avoiding Yan Yiming's gaze, he said calmly, “Princess, this matter has nothing to do with you.”
“Let's speak plainly without beating around the bush. We both know each other's identities, and in principle, since we understand each other so well, there's no need for such an exaggerated way of meeting. However, given the many eyes and ears in the capital, some discretion is still necessary,” Yan Yiming said leisurely as she sat in a nearby chair. “But these words are truly hurtful. You are the husband my father personally selected for me, so how could this matter have nothing to do with me?”
“The marriage arranged by Prince of Jiangxia,” Jian Yuyan chuckled lightly, “I never agreed to it.”
“Then I don't understand,” Yan Yiming sighed softly. “Your refusal to marry and even abandoning your great ambitions for the sake of that girl is indeed touching. But since she is still alive, yet you make no effort to find her, I can't help but doubt the sincerity of your feelings for her.”
Though it was their first meeting, every word struck at Jian Yuyan's heart. Even someone as patient as him could hardly bear such slander.
“Princess, please watch your words,” Jian Yuyan's eyes darkened, his tone losing its earlier impatience and growing more serious and somber. “The relationship between her and me is not as simple as you imagine.”
“I think it's quite simple,” Yan Yiming curled her lips into a mocking smile. “If you still love her, you would naturally want to find her. But you haven't, which can only mean you cannot or dare not. It's truly pitiful, despite your noble status, you are trapped in the capital, unable to take a single step beyond it, all because of Chancellor Jian. So you cannot find her, and because you feel guilty toward her, you dare not seek her out. Tell me, am I right?”
Jian Yuyan's gaze flickered, but Yan Yiming pressed on relentlessly, rising to her feet and approaching him slowly, her words coming faster and faster.
“So you know she might still be alive, yet you treat her as if she were dead. Are you angry because I've hit the mark? But this is the truth. In my eyes, she seems more like an excuse for you to escape your identity and responsibilities. I'm beginning to doubt whether you ever truly loved her. Over the years, you've painted countless portraits of her, but she can't see any of them. So who are you trying to move? You neglect your duties and wallow in despair, who are you letting down?”
Yan Yiming stepped closer, pressing Jian Yuyan into his chair, her eyes locked on his as she slowly delivered her final words:
“You are letting down your own conscience, and the only one you've moved is yourself. Young master, it really is that simple.”
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace, after concluding his official business with Prince Nan Gongxuan, Jiang Yi returned to the Jiang residence, where he was informed that Lord Wei had come to visit.
Since Yan Yiming, Wei Xiongjie, and the others had arrived in the capital, they had been constantly busy. Now, with a moment of leisure, Wei Xiongjie naturally came to the Jiang residence to pay his respects and express gratitude for Jiang Yi's earlier welcome.
Jiang Yi was not entirely surprised, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.
The Emperor had privately tasked him with investigating Prince of Jiangxia and his entourage. Wei Xiongjie's visit was timely, if Wei Xiongjie hadn't come to him, Jiang Yi would have sought him out himself.
However, it was past noon and too early for evening. Wei Xiongjie had clearly chosen this time intentionally, indicating that he did not wish to stay at the Jiang residence for long.
Jiang Yi had taken off his official robes and was now dressed in a moon-white long gown, his ink-black hair flowing freely, exuding the demeanor of a scholar from the Chenxia era. Seeing Wei Xiongjie, he smiled warmly and said, “It's too late for lunch and too early for dinner, so I can only offer you some tea from my residence.”
Wei Xiongjie understood Jiang Yi's implication but pretended not to, replying cheerfully, “The tea from Lord Jiang's residence must be exceptional.”
The tea, a gift from the emperor and the crown prince, was indeed of high quality. In a good mood, Jiang Yi graciously brewed the tea himself, his movements fluid and elegant, yet strangely familiar.
Taking a sip, Wei Xiongjie expressed slight surprise, “Lord Jiang also enjoys Biluochun?”
“So, Lord Wei likes this tea as well? It seems I've stumbled upon your preference by chance.”
“I prefer teas with a stronger flavor,” Wei Xiongjie chuckled. “But the princess only likes Biluochun.”
Jiang Yi's heart stirred.
So she really did like Biluochun.
His tea-sipping paused imperceptibly, though his expression remained unchanged. He feigned mild surprise and remarked casually, “So I share a preference with the princess. If the opportunity arises, I must seek her out for a cup of tea.”
“If the princess knew Lord Jiang's tea-brewing skills are on par with hers, she would be astonished. It's amusing, just now, your demeanor while brewing tea bore some resemblance to hers.” Realizing it might be inappropriate to compare a man to a woman, Wei Xiongjie immediately apologized, “I meant no offense, Lord Jiang.”
“None taken,” Jiang Yi replied calmly, though he couldn't ignore the remark.
His fondness for Biluochun stemmed from her, and he had learned the art of brewing tea by observing her movements. Now, Wei Xiongjie was saying his tea-brewing style resembled that of Princess Ming.
Masking his inner confusion, Jiang Yi smiled and said, “It's rare to find a fellow tea enthusiast. Your words have piqued my interest further. If time permits, I must seek the princess's guidance. I wonder what other preferences she has, perhaps Lord Wei knows what foods she enjoys? If I'm fortunate enough to invite her, I'd like to prepare in advance.”
Wei Xiongjie, ever vigilant, could never have guessed Jiang Yi's true thoughts. While some matters required discretion, the princess's tastes were no secret.
Jiang Yi's words sounded harmless, and Wei Xiongjie, having admired Princess Ming for years, recalled her preferences clearly and shared them without reservation. He failed to notice the increasingly profound and inscrutable look in Jiang Yi's eyes.
A fog of suspicion gathered in Jiang Yi's mind, thick with unanswered questions.
Princess Ming.
The red mole, Biluochun, tea artistry, her favorite flavors.
The coincidences were too striking to ignore.
It seemed that beyond the relationship between Prince of Jiangxia and Chancellor Jian, what demanded his attention even more was how many more unexpected similarities this Princess Ming possessed.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yan Yiming and Jian Yuyan were interrupted by Little A's sudden exclamation of alarm. Yan Yiming frowned slightly but, unable to inquire at the moment, hurried to resolve Jian Yuyan's matters.
Her words were too direct, even sharp, like a sharp blade mercilessly tearing apart all of Jian Yuyan's pretenses.
The screenwriter truly played a colossal joke. Whether it was Jiang Yi or Shao Jingyu, either would have been a hundred times more suitable for the role of the former dynasty's prince than Jian Yuyan. Yet, it had to be Jian Yuyan.
Yan Yiming slowly rose to her feet, shifting her gaze away from Jian Yuyan's face, still strikingly handsome even in its pallor. After a long silence, she remarked with a hint of mockery, “Of course, even if she were to return now, you wouldn't be capable of protecting her.”
Back then, he couldn't protect her, and now he was even less capable. Yan Yiming mercilessly exposed him. So, what had he accomplished in these three years?
He had lost his beloved, and along with her, the responsibilities he had once clung to for her sake. In the end, what had he truly gained?
Three years had passed, and Jian Yuyan seemed to have changed, yet in some ways, he hadn't changed at all. After all, if he had truly changed, why would he still find himself in this predicament?
Exhausted and somewhat dazed, Jian Yuyan asked her how she knew so much. Yan Yiming chuckled lightly, “Because I am the daughter of the Prince of Jiangxia, and because I have the right to know everything.”
Jian Yuyan lowered his eyelids.
“So, you've known all along.”
“Indeed,” Yan Yiming replied leisurely.
“In that case, why do you still wish to marry me?”
“Because I have my own goals,” Yan Yiming said. “In this life, there are too many things worth cherishing. Compared to love, there are things I desire even more.”
Jian Yuyan smiled faintly, a trace of irony in his expression. “Power, I suppose?”
Of course not.
Yan Yiming avoided answering directly and instead focused on persuading Jian Yuyan. “Some things are destined to be irreconcilable. But since you've already missed your chance, find a way to make amends. Free yourself from your father's control, find her, and tell her your difficulties. She will surely forgive you.”
“Easier said than done.”
“It's not easy, but I will help you,” Yan Yiming said, her lips curving into a smile, her voice soft and enticing. “Young master, would you like to give it a try?”