Chapter 19: Stirring Up Dust — Your Reputation, Your Military Merits, for a Man…The long bridge cut across the center of the lake, and lotus lanterns on the water flickered on and off.Su Zheyun was caught completely off guard by his arrival. Before she could react, Jiang Weixu grabbed her arm through her clothing, his grip so tight it hurt."Your Highness, let go of me!" She struggled to break free, but the force on her arm only tightened."Shen Qing, what are the two of you doing here in the middle of the night?" Jiang Weixu's gaze at him was cold, his chin slightly raised, exuding an air of arrogance.Shen Bingwen's expression quickly returned to calm, his eyes landing on the two standing side by side. "Your Highness, is there something wrong with me and Mr. Su taking a stroll together?""Of course there is." He refuted without a second thought. "On the Qixi Festival, two men strolling together will inevitably invite gossip. When you marry in the future, wouldn't it be a problem if rumors affect your betrothal negotiations?"Shen Bingwen lowered his eyelashes, then suddenly let out a soft laugh. When he opened his eyes again, the mockery in them had completely faded."Then what does Your Highness propose?""A feast has been prepared at the Tower Pavilion. Will Shen Qing join?"He slowly shifted his gaze to Su Zheyun, who looked helpless. "No, I'm still in mourning, so I won't intrude. Please go ahead, Your Highness. Zheyun, would you like to return together?""He's not going." Before Su Zheyun could speak, Jiang Weixu cut in loudly. "Lu Xun, escort Shen Qing back.""Yes."Lu Xun emerged from the shadows. Jiang Weixu's oppressive presence remained, glancing down at Shen Bingwen from above."Go on. Don't leave the house tonight."As the words fell, a forceful grip suddenly yanked Su Zheyun away. Jiang Weixu strode swiftly, and she stumbled along, dragged for several steps. Before she could collect herself, she was already on the third floor of the Tower Pavilion.The force on her arm disappeared. Jiang Weixu returned to the seat of honor, and she looked up to find most of the people in the room staring at her without moving."Sit." Jiang Weixu spoke, and a servant immediately added a table and chair below the seat of honor.No one in the room spoke, and the atmosphere was especially awkward. Su Zheyun felt uneasy. After sitting down, her eyes darted around a few times before finally landing on Zhao Jing beside her."Zhao Siqing is here too? What have you been busy with lately? I haven't seen you at the manor in a long time." Su Zheyun put on a smile, her face full of warmth."There was a banquet at the palace tonight, so I came out for a small gathering afterward. We've invited dancing girls—what would you like to hear?" Zhao Jing's face resumed its carefree, roguish look as he waved to bring the dancers on stage."I don't know much about these things. Zhao Siqing should decide." Su Zheyun sat up straight, thanked the servant for the tea, then lowered her head to minimize her presence.The dancing girls had supple waists and silken eyes, twirling gracefully in a beautiful, lively display.Fu Qinglan rose, holding a wine cup as he wove through the crowd, walking straight toward Su Zheyun."Thousand-Day Drunk—Mr. Su, will you do me the honor?" His dark eyes locked onto her expression, a hint of mischief curling at the corner of his lips, half-smiling.Su Zheyun had no choice but to tip her head back and down the cup in one go. The fiery liquor burned down her throat, making her cough lightly, and a flush of crimson spread across her cheeks.This wine was far stronger than the Golden Osmanthus Floating Snow."Qinglan, don't force him to drink." Jiang Weixu frowned, handing a cup of plain tea to Su Zheyun, his tone carrying an involuntary note of reproach. "If you can't hold your liquor, then don't drink. Why show off?"The light tea entered her mouth, immediately dispersing the spiciness in her throat. She coughed a few more times before finally recovering."Don't blame Fu Siqing—it's my own fault."Jiang Weixu said nothing in response, casting her a cold glance before sweeping his robes and returning to the seat of honor.Witnessing his action laced with hidden anger, Su Zheyun felt bewildered. Beside her, Fu Qinglan spoke, drawing her attention back."I heard Mr. Su is going to marry Lady Yutang from His Highness's manor? That's truly something to congratulate. When do you plan to hold the ceremony? I'd like to send a wedding gift."Fu Qinglan wore a smile, curiosity brimming in his eyes."Thank you, Fu Siqing… Actually, I haven't decided yet. Perhaps next year.""Wait two more years." Jiang Weixu interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument. His gaze met Su Zheyun's, and he spoke slowly, "You still need more experience. I have a responsibility to Yutang."The dance below had ended, and the third floor with its sealed doors and windows felt stuffy and oppressive. Su Zheyun avoided his unabashed stare, instead lowering her eyes to stare blankly at the corner of the table.Each person in the room had their own thoughts, but none was more anxious than He Xinli."Your Highness, Mr. Su's marriage is settled—when will yours come to fruition? I've heard the Crown Prince has taken a liking to the eldest daughter of Yang Rong. Yang Rong commands the Imperial Guard. If he truly becomes the Crown Prince's man, it may bode ill for us."Jiang Weixu did not respond. Zhao Jing looked back and forth among the several people, then spoke: "I've heard the Consort has taken a liking to Minister Lin's daughter, and His Majesty has already nodded in approval. So when does Your Highness plan to marry?"With a few words, Zhao Jing settled the matter of the marriage. Jiang Weixu's face showed impatience, and he said in a deep voice, "The matter of the Princess Consort will be discussed another day. No need for idle chatter. Keep watching the Crown Prince—report immediately if anything comes up."All those present were Jiang Weixu's trusted confidants, so He Xinli saw no need to beat around the bush. He cut straight to the point: "Your Highness holds the people in your heart, but having no heir is ultimately a source of trouble. I urge Your Highness to take a consort soon, for the sake of continuing the royal line."Su Zheyun watched the scene unfold from the sidelines, inwardly amused. So the tradition of nagging people to marry and have children really did have a long history!Crack—A white porcelain cup shattered against the floor, shards scattering along with tea leaves, staining the cloud-patterned brocade carpet.Su Zheyun was startled by the sharp sound and looked up toward the seat of honor. There she saw Jiang Weixu's face twisted with fury, his entire demeanor shrouded in a terrifying gloom."He Xinli, remember your place! My affairs are none of your business to dictate.""Your Highness!" He Xinli called out after him, but Jiang Weixu didn't look back. He strode quickly down the stairs, pulling Su Zheyun along with him.The night wind was biting cold, made worse by the damp chill from the nearby lake.Lin Chengyun was up ahead, frantically harnessing the carriage. Zhao Jing caught up to the two of them and requested a private word with Jiang Weixu.The cicadas' chirping was faint, and drifting over from the lake came the sound of singing, accompanied by the teasing laughter of women.The soil beneath their feet was soft and loose; the two men stood in a dim, secluded spot.Over by the lamplight, Su Zheyun waited quietly, head bowed as she idly kicked at a few wildflowers by the roadside with her foot.The warm yellow light fell upon her, softening the lines of her face, making her appear even more radiant than the moon itself compared to when they first met.Zhao Jing followed Jiang Weixu's gaze, and the suspicion in his heart was confirmed, making his heart skip a beat."Weixu, the sages said: 'The Son of Heaven has no private loves, no private grudges. Desire must not be indulged, and passion must not be indulged either.' You have always kept your emotions hidden and restrained yourself with propriety. Why are you like this today?"Zhao Jing shed his usual carefree demeanor, his words unusually earnest.Jiang Weixu withdrew his gaze and met Zhao Jing's eyes. After a long silence, he nodded and said, "I was somewhat out of line today. Explain it to He Xinli for me later.""I'm not worried about him—I'm worried about you!" Zhao Jing's face was full of anguish. "That is a road of no return! If the Censorate gets wind of this, who knows what filth they'll sling. Have you forgotten the lesson of the Crown Prince? The reputation you've painstakingly built over the years, the military merits you earned at the risk of your life—are you going to throw it all away for a man?"His voice grew louder, and Su Zheyun glanced over in their direction a few times upon hearing it.Jiang Weixu was silent at first, then raised his eyes to meet Zhao Jing's complicated gaze. His tone was calm: "You worry too much. I will not fall in love with a man."Zhao Jing let out a long sigh, his chest heaving violently. "…Fine. If you say there's nothing, then there's nothing. I believe you." He took a deep breath, his expression turning solemn. "Another day, go to the palace. Auntie often mentions your marriage to me. If you settle it soon, she'll have less to worry about.""Mm."Lin Chengyun had already finished harnessing the carriage over by the side. Jiang Weixu gave a faint acknowledgment, left Zhao Jing behind, and shared a carriage with Su Zheyun.The carriage gradually receded into the distance, merging into the flow of the bustling street.Zhao Jing gazed at the moon with a long sigh, composed himself, and turned back to ascend to the third floor of the pavilion.Inside the carriage, incense burned as usual. The roads were congested, and even with Lin Chengyun's skill, the carriage jolted from time to time, stopping and starting unpredictably.Jiang Weixu leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, resting, making no move to speak with her.She was happy to be left alone, lifting a corner of the curtain to observe the life of the streets."Su Zheyun, come sit closer."Jiang Weixu had opened his eyes at some point, gazing at her profile as he suddenly spoke.Su Zheyun obediently shifted a little closer, her eyes fixed on him without blinking, waiting for his instruction."Why did you go out with Shen Bingwen today?" He couldn't figure it out, so he finally asked."Huh?" Su Zheyun hesitated for a moment. "What's wrong with going out with a friend? He thought that since I was new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, he'd take me out to see the sights. But Your Highness, why exactly are you angry?"It was rare for Su Zheyun to be so direct with Jiang Weixu, yet he dared not respond. After a long silence, he spoke in a low, somber voice: "On the Qixi Festival, why didn't you take Yutang out?""She's a member of the prince's household after all—I can't just take her out casually." She broke into a smile, her eyes brightening a few shades. "But tonight, Your Highness, grant me this favor. I'll take Yutang out in a bit."The anger Jiang Weixu had just suppressed flared up again. Several strands of beaded chains swayed with the carriage's motion, tangling together inextricably.The carriage stopped at the gates of the prince's residence, but Jiang Weixu made no move to get out. He spoke in a low voice, and the guards beside the carriage immediately entered the residence.Before long, Yutang boarded the carriage. The beaded curtain at the eaves swayed gently, and the carriage set off once more toward the main street.The matter had come up suddenly, and Yutang wore a lotus-pink outer robe with a white gauze skirt embroidered with peach blossoms, matching the top. She didn't dare look at Jiang Weixu in the middle, only stealing glances at Su Zheyun across from her.The east wind scattered flower-like fireworks across the night sky, and the long street bustled with crowds. Su Zheyun pulled Yutang down from the carriage, while Jiang Weixu rode back to the pavilion.Stars fell like rain, laughter thundered through the air. Yutang had been somewhat ill at ease at first, but as Su Zheyun dragged her around to wander, a smile gradually spread across her face, and she happily strolled along with Su Zheyun.On Qixi, it was customary to give hairpins as gifts. Su Zheyun lingered at a stall for a long while, then picked out a peach-blossom hairpin and tucked it into Yutang's hair.Her round bun was tied with a pale pink ribbon, and a delicate peach blossom hairpin adorned her silky black hair, giving her an overall look of charm and liveliness."You have excellent taste, sir! With this hairpin, your lady looks like Chang'e descending to earth!" The stall owner, quick to read the situation, looked at the handsome man and beautiful woman and began to praise them without hesitation.Yutang's cheeks suddenly flushed crimson, while Su Zheyun smiled softly and bent down to pick out two more hairpins, paying the silver."You know, a few days ago I came across a poor mother and daughter on the road. I bought them, and they'll be arriving at my place in a few days, so I thought I'd get them a little welcome gift."Yutang nodded and praised her sincerely: "I heard from the guards by His Highness's side—Su Xiansheng truly has a kind heart.""Oh? His Highness knows about it too?"The two walked across the long bridge to the other side of the river, where willow trees shaded the stalls of river lantern sellers."He does. To make sure they weren't spies planted by someone else, His Highness sent people to investigate the mother and daughter's background. They're indeed from an honest family."Yutang took a lotus lantern she handed over. The body of the lantern was made of thin silk fabric cut and sewn together, with a wooden base for stability and a candle standing in the middle. Legend has it that on the night of Qixi, one writes their wish on the lantern and sets it adrift on the river. If the flame flows downstream and never goes out, the River God will hear the prayer, and it will surely come true the following year.The two bent over to write their wishes. On the third floor of the pavilion by the tower, Jiang Weixu silently listened to his subordinate's report.A wave of irritation rose in his heart. He left the others and walked to the window for some air—only to see the very source of his agitation.By the shore, the two chatted and laughed merrily, one after another holding lotus lanterns as they set them adrift on the lake.Suddenly, ripples stirred across the surface, and a splash dampened the woman's hem.The handsome young man immediately crouched down, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped her skirt clean. He said something unknown, then looked up, and the two exchanged smiles.Like a perfect pair of jade.The hand gripping the wine cup suddenly tightened. Guan Yang noticed his reaction, paused mid-sentence, and followed his gaze.By the shore, the two had already released their lanterns and, smiling, merged side by side into the flowing crowd.Jiang Weixu found the sight before him unbearably grating, and Guan Yang's earlier report had already slipped from his mind."Go fish that lotus lantern out."He ordered coldly. No need to spell it out—Guan Yang understood exactly what he meant."Should we still send the shadow guards to watch over Su Xiansheng's residence?""Send them," Guan Yang could faintly hear a grinding of teeth, "send twice as many."The man in dark brocade robes had already stepped away from the window, returning to the lively center of the room.But with his heart ablaze with restlessness, how much of the drifting qin melody could he truly take in?Merely sprinkling salt to mimic snow—a veneer of peace over troubled waters.The sage's heart is pure—when, exactly, did it gather dust?

Plotting with My Wife