Chapter 5: The Matchmaker — "But I Don't Want to Marry Her"Autumn cicadas chirped plaintively, clinging alone to the wutong leaves.The scout sent to Houlíng Village had already returned with his report. The paper was densely covered with records of someone's daily life. Jiang Weixu picked it up, swept his eyes over it, and casually pressed it beneath a memorial.In the study, his subordinates and advisors were arguing endlessly over the Shuofeng Division affair. Jiang Weixu grew weary of the noise and closed his eyes in exhaustion.Seeing this, Lu Xun stepped forward quietly and asked in a low voice whether he should summon Su Zheyun.Jiang Weixu raised his right hand to stop him. The veins on the back of his hand bulged faintly. Light from outside refracted through the room, casting a shadow on the floor beneath his hand."After the evening meal, have him come see me in the study."His words fell clearly into the air—Su Zheyun looked at the inscrutable Zhao Jing before him and gradually steadied his nerves, then suddenly let out a derisive laugh."I am a man, plain and simple. I truly don't know what Zhao Dasi is getting at?" The end of his sentence rose slightly, his expression returning to normal. "It sounds so outrageous—like something you'd only read about in storybooks.""Oh?" Zhao Jing leaned back, resting his arm on the nanmu round chair, his gaze dropping downward. "For instance… the absence of an Adam's apple."Su Zheyun touched his neck, revealing its slender length. Indeed, there was no protrusion."It's not as if every man has an Adam's apple. My family was poor when I was young—I never developed properly as a child."As he spoke, a light smile spread across Su Zheyun's face. He placed both hands on his belt, his eyes carrying a hint of provocation. "Since there happens to be no one else in the room, does Zhao Dasi need to 'personally' verify my identity?"The word "personally" was deliberately emphasized. Zhao Jing averted his eyes and used the motion to pick up his teacup."No need. I trust Young Master Su."As he finished speaking, he blew on his hot tea and added a remark with a hint of regret: "He brought you from Fang County to the capital with such thunderous haste—quite the stir it caused. In truth, I rather wish you were a woman."Su Zheyun did not respond. Noon had arrived, and people bustled outside—Yutang was arranging for the servants to serve the dishes.The porcelain base of the teacup met the wooden tabletop. Zhao Jing was naturally dining at Jiang Weixu's residence, so he rose to take his leave.Su Zheyun stepped forward a few paces to see him off, his expression calm, only responding to what the man had said earlier."His Highness simply treasures talent."Zhao Jing snorted a couple of times and waved his hand in farewell without turning around."Spare me the explanations. He's Jiang Weixu's man—not my business to manage."His clear voice faded along with the sapphire-blue figure. The courtyard, filled with pale green and touches of yellow, was bathed in warm sunlight, leaving only faint shadows on the ground."Mr. Su, shall I serve the meal now?""Yes!"Su Zheyun answered Yutang loudly and turned back into the room.The immediate crisis had been resolved for now, and his mood was light.—During the days of travel, he had felt unsettled at heart, and sleep had been elusive.Now that he had finally reached a place to rest, the soft brocade quilt lay over him. The moonlit gauze canopy of the bed was embroidered with simple meander patterns, and layers of curtains blocked out the light. Su Zheyun breathed steadily, already drifting into dreams.Rarely, she dreamed of the past.In those days, the darkness was filled with steel and iron armor mingled with the haze of gunpowder—technology seemed to arrange every aspect of life neatly. Not like waking up to struggle in dirt and under tyranny, sinking day by day.A tear slipped into her hair. Su Zheyun opened her eyes. The doors and windows were shut tight, the room dim and murky—she couldn't see clearly for a moment.Autumn brought dryness, and after sleeping long, her throat was hoarse. A cough cut through the darkness. Yutang heard the sound, entered the room, and lit a candle."What time is it?""Just past the middle of the You hour. Shall I serve the meal, Mr. Su? Officer Lu Xun also came by earlier—he said Prince Duan has summoned you.""I'm not hungry—no need for a meal." Su Zheyun sat on the bed in a daze for a moment, then got down and began dressing herself."Since His Highness has summoned me, I'll go now, so as not to delay."Yutang's slender white fingers naturally reached for Su Zheyun's sash, moving to dress her as a matter of course.Su Zheyun dodged imperceptibly, pretending to bend down and search for something."Where's my belt?""Here."A crisp voice came from beside her. Su Zheyun took the belt, casually tucked back the loose strands of hair by her ears, and was about to stride off."Wait," Yutang produced a lantern from somewhere, her face fair and bright, her tone as gentle as always."His Highness's study is guarded. They may not let you in if they don't recognize you, Mr. Su. The manor's paths are also winding. Let me take you there tonight—it'll help you learn the way."Su Zheyun naturally nodded, taking the lantern with both hands, and said humbly, "Then I'll trouble Miss Yutang to lead the way."Lanterns hung throughout the courtyard, and strands of light refracted through, making the path underfoot reasonably clear.The two passed through the hanging-flower gate, where the vermilion main hall doors came into view. A few steps to the side was Jiang Weixu's study, where he and his advisors most often held discussions.Su Zheyun's quarters were somewhat remote, but fortunately a small path led to the main hall. Thanks to Yutang's familiarity with the manor, she was able to take a shortcut.Yutang had been in the residence for many years. Back then, Jiang Weixu was often at the military camp and had little interest in romance, but Consort Rong felt he still needed someone to tend to his needs, so she bestowed Yutang upon him. Everyone knew the situation well and naturally did not dare treat her as a mere maidservant.Although Jiang Weixu had no such intentions, Yutang handled matters with propriety, and the household staff held her in considerable respect.As she approached the study, the guards indeed stopped Su Zheyun. Yutang stepped forward calmly to negotiate, casually glancing at the two men who had just walked out."Mr. Su," Yutang said with a smile, two small dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth, "when you finish your discussion, shall I wait for you outside the door?"Su Zheyun lowered her head slightly, handed the lantern in her hand to Yutang, and gave a faint smile in return. "No need. I know the way now. The lamps are dim at night—take the lantern and head back."Just as they were exchanging pleasantries, two men emerged from within the doors.Yutang bowed slightly. "Greetings, Mr. Li, Mr. Shen."The man on the left had a slightly hunched back, sunken cheeks, and a frame as thin as a withered willow. His weathered face, paired with a loose black robe, gave him an air of otherworldly transcendence.The man on the right, by contrast, stood tall and straight as a pine, elegant as jade. He broke the silence with a genial laugh."I am Shen Bingwen of Nanjun, and this is my colleague Li Jin. We are both tutors to His Highness." Shen Bingwen clasped his hands in greeting, his smiling eyes fixed directly on Su Zheyun. "You must be the Mr. Su that His Highness brought back from Fang County? I have long heard of your reputation."Su Zheyun raised a silent smile and exchanged a few pleasantries with him, when Lu Xun, having heard the commotion, appeared at the courtyard entrance."Since Mr. Su has arrived, please go on in. His Highness is inside."With words like that, the group had no choice but to part ways.A draft whistled past her ears as she crossed the threshold. The candlelight within the room was bright and clear. Su Zheyun looked at the faint silhouette inside, took a deep breath, and pushed open the heavy carved door.Jiang Weixu looked up from his pile of documents. Seeing Su Zheyun's hesitant demeanor, he curved his lips into a barely perceptible smile and gestured with his eyes to the side."Please, have a seat, Mr. Su."Su Zheyun had just sat down as instructed when Zhao Yuyan brought over a stack of memorials and documents, placing them on the sandalwood table nearby."Tomorrow, Princess Hulan of the Shuofeng tribe arrives in the capital, and the Crown Prince is hosting a night banquet at Yaoguang Tower. Shen Bingwen is still in mourning, so you will accompany me to the banquet instead."Su Zheyun listened in a daze, scanning the contents of the documents—nothing but gift lists.Fabrics, jewelry, hairpins…Were these for Princess Hulan? What did that have to do with her? Was she supposed to deliver them?"What mourning? What princess? I don't quite understand." Unable to guess, Su Zheyun decided to ask directly."The Shuofeng tribe has strong soldiers and abundant pastures. They have been vassals for years, yet never once formed a marriage alliance. So with Princess Hulan coming to the capital this time, the Crown Prince will certainly not pass up this opportunity for a political marriage."Still none of her business!"And you," Jiang Weixu looked at her, a faint, barely noticeable smile crossing his usually indifferent face, "you will ruin the Crown Prince's plans. Make Hulan fall completely in love with you."There was a seductive quality to his words. Su Zheyun felt dizzy, Jiang Weixu's figure blurring into multiple afterimages before her eyes.She rubbed her temples, steadied herself, and spoke through gritted teeth: "And if she falls in love with me, how am I supposed to resolve that?""Naturally, you would marry her with a grand procession of eight bearers. Then you wouldn't even need the imperial examinations—I would petition the throne to have you enter court service directly.""Why not send Mr. Li?""He is past forty and already has a family.""What about Chief Justice Zhao?""He already has someone in his heart.""Guard Lu, then? Or someone else."Jiang Weixu narrowed his phoenix eyes, stopped the hand turning his thumb ring, and pressed down his brow. The oppressive aura of one born to power swept over the room."Why are you so unwilling?""But I don't want to marry her!"Su Zheyun's temper flared, blood rushing to her head, her voice rising before she could control it."Why?" Jiang Weixu frowned, his expression turning solemn again. "Chen Dao said you have no one in your heart, and you yourself stated you are not married."Su Zheyun was momentarily struck speechless. Since she had crossed over, no one had ever asked her about matters of the heart. Where had Chen Dao gotten such nonsense?But fabricating a lover on the spot was too difficult. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth—sorry about this."I didn't before. But now I do." Su Zheyun opened her eyes, her gaze clear and steady. "I like Yutang."Just as he suspected.The words spoken to Su Zheyun that morning still echoed in his ears. The suspicion in Jiang Weixu's heart was confirmed, yet it brought him no pleasure.The twilight shadows deepened, and the water clock dripped on ceaselessly, as if it would never stop.Several candles had burned down to their lowest point, offering the last of their light.The study fell silent for a long while, until finally Jiang Weixu let out a long sigh, as if conceding."Then tomorrow at Yaoguang Hall, just ruin the Crown Prince's plans. As for the rest… your marriage is your own decision."The discussion concluded, and Su Zheyun moved to leave the study, but something felt off.Actually, ruining the Crown Prince's plans was no easy task—and had she even agreed to it?Well, she hadn't refused either.Su Zheyun's temples throbbed twice, and her feet felt as if they were filled with lead, growing heavier with each step."Your Highness," Su Zheyun turned around before stepping out of the room, trying to keep his tone as normal as possible. "Your Highness is also unmarried. If the Crown Prince wishes for someone to marry, why don't you marry her? Why must it be me?""But I don't like her."Jiang Weixu didn't even lift his head from the official documents, his tone utterly flat.But she didn't like it either!Unable to vent his frustration, Su Zheyun sighed at the moon on his way back, letting his troubles dissolve into the vast world.

Plotting with My Wife