Jiang Zhaohua sat in the carriage, her heart growing increasingly uneasy as they approached the Imperial Stables. The thought of delivering a meal to Duan Jinxing under the watchful eyes of everyone at the stables—letting them all see that she was the wife of the stable's assistant supervisor—filled her with unbearable shame!
Yet she had no choice. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhaohua silently reminded herself that her husband would one day rise to the highest ranks of the court, and everything she was doing now was necessary. The more she endured today, the greater her rewards would be in the future.
By the time the carriage arrived, she had steeled her resolve. But nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming stench of the stables.
It was midsummer, and the stables were packed with horses. The moment Jiang Zhaohua stepped inside, the pungent odor assaulted her senses, making her gag repeatedly. She pinched her nose, frowning deeply as she forced herself forward, taking only shallow breaths through her mouth when she could no longer hold it.
Even so, the stench clung to her, and several times she nearly vomited.
Looking around, she didn’t see Duan Jinxing but instead noticed many men feeding and grooming the horses. Their clothing and mannerisms were no different from the grooms at the Marquis's Mansion.
The realization that the man who shared her bed worked alongside these "stable hands," holding the same lowly position, nearly made her retch again.
Pinching her nose, she asked the men where Duan Jinxing was. Some pointed her in the right direction, while one immediately went to fetch him.
"Scholar Duan! Your wife is here to see you!"
At the stables, everyone called Duan Jinxing "Scholar Duan," though the title held no respect—only mockery for a once-promising scholar now reduced to tending horses.
Jiang Zhaohua’s face darkened at the insult. She wanted to reprimand them but swallowed her anger, remembering these were not the Marquis's servants.
When Duan Jinxing heard that Jiang Zhaohua had come to bring him food, his expression twisted in displeasure. He had been staying at the stables under other pretenses, hiding their marital strife from prying eyes. Now her visit would invite gossip, and worse—speculation about their discord.
Suppressing his irritation, he forced a look of delighted surprise. But the act nearly crumbled when Jiang Zhaohua, catching a whiff of the horse stench clinging to him, gagged violently.
For a moment, Duan Jinxing’s smile froze before he painstakingly reassembled it.
"My dear… what brings you here?" His voice held a mix of joy and cautious hesitation.
Duan Jinxing had been brushing horses, and the smell on him was overpowering. Jiang Zhaohua, too busy fighting nausea to notice his momentary lapse, only saw his carefully crafted expression.
Secretly relieved, she thought, He still cares for me after all.
Their fight was nothing serious—what couple didn’t argue? Clearly, Duan Jinxing missed her too, though his pride kept him from admitting it. If she softened him with sweet words now, he would surely return home with her.
She had rehearsed what to say in the carriage. Gazing at him tenderly, she began, "Husband, I—"
But before she could finish, chaos erupted at the stable gates.
Someone rushed in, panicked. "Quick! The Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord is here to select horses! Everyone, prepare at once!"
The announcement sent the entire stable into a frenzy.
Jiang Zhaohua reacted with more alarm than anyone. She nearly dropped the food basket in her hands, her face paling.
The Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord is here to pick horses? Then he must have brought Jiang Yunshu!
She couldn’t let them see her here, delivering food to her lowly husband!
Like a startled rabbit, she darted behind a large tree, dragging her maid with her.
Duan Jinxing watched, his lips curling in bitter amusement.
Am I really such an embarrassment to her? He thought darkly. Does she even remember who reduced me to this state?
The stablemaster barked orders, sending everyone scrambling.
"You—sweep the entrance!"
"You—change the water in the troughs!"
"Scholar Duan—clean up the manure!"
Duan Jinxing had no time to dwell on Jiang Zhaohua’s hiding. He was immediately put to work.
The stable buzzed with activity until the Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord’s carriage arrived. Everyone lined up at a distance, standing stiffly with bowed heads.
As the lowest-ranking official, Duan Jinxing stood at the very back.
Jiang Zhaohua remained hidden behind the tree. She could have slipped away earlier, but a sudden curiosity held her back.
Who has the Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord brought today?
Perhaps it wasn’t Jiang Yunshu anymore—maybe another beautiful woman had taken her place?
Even if it was still Jiang Yunshu, surely the Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord’s favor had waned by now. Men always grew tired eventually.
Jiang Zhaohua thought of her own marriage. After just over a year and a son, Duan Jinxing had already lost some of his initial patience. They had never fought in the early days.
Maybe… just maybe… she would witness the Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord’s indifference toward Jiang Yunshu today.
Driven by this thought, she stayed, pressing herself deeper into hiding.
Moments later, Xie Lin stepped out of the carriage. By then, it was too late for Jiang Zhaohua to leave unnoticed. She could only hold her breath and pray she remained unseen.
Xie Lin entered the stables with Jiang Yunshu at his side. Everyone kept their heads lowered.
It was Jiang Yunshu’s first visit to the stables, and she glanced around curiously, surprised by how clean it was.
The smell of horses lingered, but Xie Lin had prepared for it—he had tied an herbal sachet around her waist and dabbed mint balm on her wrists, instructing her to inhale lightly if the odor became too strong.
Jiang Yunshu lifted her wrist, breathing in the soothing scent. It helped.
She stole a glance at Xie Lin, wondering how he had known to do this—and why he had become so unexpectedly considerate.
Xie Lin’s gaze swept over the assembled workers before pointing to the last in line.
"You. Step forward and attend us."
A tall, lean figure moved into view. Jiang Yunshu blinked in surprise.
That man… could it be Duan Jinxing?
