The Emperor sipped his tea and sighed softly, “My Imperial Brother is certainly living a very leisurely life.”
Xie Yu Nian lowered his eyes, remaining silent.
Some things the Emperor could say, but which others could not follow up on.
“That secondary residence was a gift from Zhen to my brother Heng. The scenery is excellent, and there is a hot spring in the backyard; the view in winter is especially charming,” the Emperor said slowly, a look of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. “Zhen” is the Emperor’s self-address.
“When winter arrives, you may take Zhen’s token, invite your Miss Jiang the Third, and go together.”
Upon hearing this, an image involuntarily surfaced in Xie Yu Nian’s mind:
Chickens running all over the backyard.
“Thanking Your Majesty for your kindness, but your humble servant feels there is something inappropriate about that.”
“What’s inappropriate? With Zhen’s token, could my brother Heng possibly turn you away?” The Emperor frowned slightly and raised an eyebrow, asking the question.
His dark eyes were instantly filled with majesty, emanating an awe-inspiring aura that was enough to make people tremble.
“The backyard has already been used by His Highness Prince Jin to raise pheasants. I fear the hot spring cannot be bathed in now. However, if Your Majesty wishes to eat pheasant, you may bid your humble servant to take Your Majesty’s token and procure two,” Xie Yu Nian said, as if he had noticed nothing amiss, still smiling as he spoke.
The Emperor knitted his brows. “Pheasants?”
“Your humble servant went to see them. They are all quite plump and large,” Xie Yu Nian chuckled lightly.
A moment later, the tension between the Emperor’s brows eased. Following a soft sigh, his forehead relaxed completely.
“If he wants to raise them, then let him. It’s better than leaving the place to fall into disrepair.”
As if he had recalled something, the Emperor took a sip of tea, pointed at Xie Yu Nian, and scolded him with a laugh, “But you, Zhen has heard about your matter with Miss Jiang the Third. You actually kept such good news a secret even from Zhen!”
“It was a loss to Zhen that I was still worrying about your marriage a while ago. Senior Father Xie has only you under his knee; you should have heirs as early as possible.”
Outside the window, raindrops fell from the eaves, gently tapping on the window lattice, making a subtle and rhythmic sound. This sound was particularly clear in the quiet imperial study.
Xie Yu Nian stood there, saying nothing.
He had originally intended to clarify to the Emperor today that there was no illicit affair between him and the third daughter of the Jiang family.
But as it now appeared:
After the Emperor learned of the matter, the trust in his eyes grew even stronger than before, and his attitude seemed much more intimate. It was as if… their relationship had returned to how it once was.
Back when the Emperor had not yet ascended the throne, and he was still the young general of Shuobei.
Xie Yu Nian let out a silent, soft laugh in his heart. After all, from the Emperor’s perspective, a blade with a weakness (or a ‘soft spot’) was naturally easier to use than one without.
A subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he returned to his usual carefree demeanor. “Now, my father can also be considered to be in the prime of his life. Speaking of spreading the family line, he, too, can do his part for Your Majesty.”
“Haha! Now, only you would dare speak such words in front of Zhen!”
The Emperor laughed, his expression relaxing considerably.
He beckoned to Eunuch De, who stood nearby, to fetch a small wooden box and handed it to Xie Yu Nian. “Inside this is a hundred-year-old ginseng root. Take it and send it to the Jiang Residence under your name. It will be a good tonic for your Miss the Third.”
Eunuch De stepped forward with a smile, tucking the box into Xie Yu Nian’s hand. “Ginseng is excellent for nourishing qi and blood, My Lord. Please accept it quickly.”
Xie Yu Nian took the box and offered his thanks, saying, “Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty on behalf of Miss Jiang the Third.”
He had not mentioned Jiang Yao’s falling into the water upon entering. He would not ask now why the Emperor knew.
The Emperor beckoned for Xie Yu Nian to sit opposite him. “All right, let’s not talk about those matters. Come and play this unfinished game with Zhen.”
Xie Yu Nian nodded slightly. “If your humble servant wins, Your Majesty must also grant your humble servant something as a reward.”
After staying for another hour, the Emperor finally allowed Xie Yu Nian to leave.
Xie Yu Nian bowed his head in a salute before slowly backing out of the imperial study.
A young eunuch stood beneath the eaves. Seeing Xie Yu Nian emerge, he personally held an umbrella and escorted him to the palace gate.
Upon reaching the palace gate, the young eunuch respectfully handed the umbrella to Yuan Zheng.
Xie Yu Nian noticed the figure standing behind the palace gate not far away.
He lowered his gaze to the young eunuch, his eyes showing concern, and asked softly, “I don’t remember the past very well. When did His Majesty’s coughing ailment begin?”
The young eunuch lowered his head slightly and whispered, “Reporting to My Lord, His Majesty’s cough has been intermittent and has lasted for a period of time now.”
Xie Yu Nian’s brows furrowed tightly, revealing a hint of worry. “What did the imperial physician say?”
“The imperial physician comes to take his pulse every two days,” the young eunuch’s voice carried a hint of helplessness. “His Majesty also takes the prescribed medicine on time, but there hasn’t been much improvement.”
Xie Yu Nian glanced out of the corner of his eye, saw the figure disappear, and only then nodded and bid the young eunuch to return.
The light rain drizzled down, bringing a hint of coolness to the summer day.
Yuan Zheng held the umbrella, following Xie Yu Nian out of the palace. He carried the wooden box in one hand, unsure of what to do with it.
“My Lord, this ginseng…”
Xie Yu Nian’s thin lips were pressed together, his hands clasped behind his back.
Through the edge of the umbrella, he could vaguely see the misty rain outside.
“Go to the Jiang Residence.”
When they arrived at the gates of the Jiang Residence, the two were blocked.
“Young Master Xie, our young lady is unwell today and has gone to sleep early. Please come again another day,” the servant boy at the Jiang Residence gate said with a placating smile.
Xie Yu Nian looked up at the sky.
It was only this hour; the sun had not even set yet. She had already gone to sleep?
This Miss Jiang the Third was certainly unique.
Xie Yu Nian did not speak again. He turned and glanced at Yuan Zheng before getting back into the carriage.
Yuan Zheng leaned forward and slipped two pieces of silver into the servant boy’s hand. “Miss Jiang the Third was fine yesterday. Did something happen today?”
The servant boy gripped the silver in his hand and stuttered, burying his head, “The Third Miss returned this morning and went back to her own courtyard, but then, for some reason, she had a quarrel with the Master this afternoon…”
…
In the morning, after Jiang Yao had tidied herself up, she led Chun Lan to look for her Elder Sister.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ying was not in her room.
Then, the young attendant by Xiao Wu Heng’s side stopped her. “Miss the Third, our Prince and Miss Jiang the First have gone to the backyard to look at the peacocks. Fearing you might not find them, he specifically sent me to lead you there.”
Looking at peacocks?
That was a rather unique date for the two of them.
When Jiang Yao arrived, she saw Xiao Wu Heng and Jiang Ying waiting for her at the entrance to the backyard. Their gazes seemed to be deliberately avoiding each other, and a subtle awkwardness permeated the air.
How innocent.
Jiang Yao lifted her skirt and jogged over, her skirt swaying gently with her movement, like a blossoming lotus flower.
“Elder Sister!” Jiang Yao’s voice was clear and melodious, breaking the silence between the two.
Jiang Ying turned her head, a gentle smile appearing on her face. “Yao’er, you’re here.”
Xiao Wu Heng nodded slightly and led the two toward a corner of the backyard. “I also heard that Miss Jiang has always enjoyed rare and exotic things. I recently acquired a pair of peacocks, which is why I wished to invite Miss Jiang…”
Jiang Ying’s eyes brightened slightly. She had read The Record of Exotic Beasts written by Zhang Yi, which mentioned peacocks, but this was the first time she had seen them in reality. A certain expectation inevitably arose in her heart.