Jiu Yue had some free time and spent a few days recuperating in her room.
As she wished, Prince Ping did not come to see her during this period, though he made sure to arrange for nourishing tonics and medicine—perhaps the last shred of his conscience.
Mei Wuchang visited daily to check on her, keeping her company and lifting her spirits.
After a few days, the bandages were removed from most of her wounds, leaving only the one on her leg.
Mei Wuchang marveled at her rapidly healing injuries and couldn’t help but remark, "That medicine of yours works wonders."
"Just a lucky find," Jiu Yue replied modestly, waving it off before casually asking, "Where’s His Highness? I haven’t seen him these past few days."
Mei Wuchang, peeling an orange, answered vaguely, "The prince has been busy with court affairs… The regent is severely injured and recuperating at Mingzhi Mountain, so many responsibilities have fallen on His Highness’s shoulders."
"I see…" Jiu Yue rested her chin on her hand, her voice tinged with melancholy as she looked at Mei Wuchang. "I thought maybe he was avoiding me."
"Cough—" Mei Wuchang choked on the orange juice, forcing a dry laugh. "You’re overthinking it. The prince just didn’t want to disturb your rest. Why would he avoid you for no reason?"
Jiu Yue gave him a long, knowing look.
Mei Wuchang slowed his chewing.
"W-what?" he asked awkwardly.
Jiu Yue clicked her tongue, frustration seeping into her voice. "Don’t think I haven’t noticed… The prince never intended to take me back to his fief."
Mei Wuchang stayed silent.
Jiu Yue rubbed her face, her smile turning self-deprecating.
Mei Wuchang lost his appetite for the orange. "Don’t be like this. You could always—"
He cut himself off abruptly.
Jiu Yue turned to him. "Could always what?"
Mei Wuchang pressed his lips together, scratching his head as if nothing had happened. "Understand the prince’s position, right?"
Jiu Yue: "…"
She averted her gaze, her eyes drifting toward a certain direction as if sensing something.
"Of course I understand," Jiu Yue exhaled deeply, standing up to catch a leaf fluttering down in the wind.
"He’s all I have left."
"No matter what he does, I’ll support him."
Mei Wuchang lowered his eyes, watching his own hand clench emptily, grasping at nothing.
"Do you want to go up to the roof to sunbathe?" He scratched his head and stood. "I’ll take you there."
…
Hidden in the shadows of the courtyard wall, Prince Ping watched the slender figure from afar. If he said his heart remained untouched, he’d be lying.
That word—"support"—instantly dragged him back to a summer night years ago.
In the cold, quiet palace, A-Yue had once said to him without hesitation, "I’ll always stand by you."
A breeze swept through, carrying fallen leaves from Jiu Yue’s courtyard.
Prince Ping caught one, an inexplicable sense of peace settling over him.
A-Yue had forgotten the unpleasant past.
A-Yue had returned to the devoted A-Yue she once was.
They had already weathered the hardest times. From now on, he would give her the best of everything.
A faint smile touched his lips as he twirled the leaf between his fingers and walked away.
Meanwhile, Jiu Yue, freshly hauled onto the roof by Mei Wuchang, sprawled contentedly under the sun.
The sound of faint footsteps faded into the distance. Slowly, her lips curved into a smirk.
A woman’s tears, three parts performance, could shatter a man’s heart!
Using past promises to guilt-trip the original host? Please. She could play that game too. Tch.
Of course, Jiu Yue hoped Prince Ping would never bother her again… but she hadn’t forgotten the jade pendant Sima Qing had entrusted to her.
She still needed to secure a trip to the northwest to meet Xiao Chi.
If she didn’t butter Prince Ping up now, what if he sneaked off on his own and ruined her plans?
Jiu Yue swung her legs lazily, basking in her own brilliance—until Mei Wuchang’s flat voice cut through her thoughts.
"Y-your leg…" He pointed at her knee. "Doesn’t it hurt to bend it like that?"
Caught off guard, Jiu Yue: "…"
Her smile vanished instantly.
"Ahhh, it’s gone numb from the pain," she groaned dramatically.
Mei Wuchang: "…"
Arms crossed, he stared at her in silence before finally letting out an exasperated laugh.
"So your leg’s mostly healed too, huh… Jiu Yue! You’ve been treating me like a servant all this time—how does your conscience not ache?!"
"It does ache! It’s killing me! Waaah… Help me down, my leg’s cramping, I’m stuck—"
"Shut up! Stop kicking me!"
In the imperial court.
"Your Majesty, our dynasty has maintained friendly relations with Great Yan for years. With our troops stationed in the northwest for so long, this subject believes it is time to recall General Xiao to the capital for his official report."
"Your Majesty, I oppose! Great Yan has long coveted our lands. Without General Xiao guarding the borders, they might seize the opportunity to strike when we least expect it!"
"Allied nations do not break their word so easily. Such distrust is beneath our dignity!"
"Are you on such good terms with the Emperor of Great Yan? How can you vouch for them so blindly? Could it be you’ve already colluded with—"
"Preposterous! Slander! Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for your loyal subject!"
"Bah! Your Majesty, do not heed such treacherous words!"
"Who’s treacherous? Minister Chen, say that again and see what happens!"
"Who’s lying? I merely speak the truth. Why so defensive?"
The two elder ministers locked eyes for a tense moment before simultaneously dropping to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor.
"Your Majesty—"
"Your Majesty—"
"We beg for your judgment!"
The emperor: "…"
He massaged his temples and glanced helplessly at the other officials.
"Well? Any opinions, my lords?"
The ministers hemmed and hawed, none daring to speak. Prince Ping, too, remained silent, eyes fixed on his own feet.
Then, a frail old minister stepped forward with a bow.
"Great Yan is a powerful nation. Though we are allied, we must remain vigilant."
The emperor arched a brow, expression unreadable. "So, Lord Shen, you suggest General Xiao should not return?"
Lord Shen remained composed, pivoting smoothly. "General Xiao has served his entire life. Now in his twilight years, Your Majesty should grant him the peace of retirement. As for the northwest… General Lu is a valiant warrior, more than capable of assuming command."
The mentioned General Lu stiffened, his gaze darting reflexively toward the throne.
The emperor met his eyes, fingers tapping the armrest with a faint smile of approval. "Lord Shen speaks wisely. Then, who among you shall go to the northwest and escort General Xiao back?"
The ministers exchanged glances, all too aware this was no enviable task.
Beneath the flowery rhetoric, the mission was clear: drag Xiao Chi back to the capital, strip him of his military power, and send him off to till the fields.
And who was Xiao Chi? A veteran who had fought alongside the late emperor to forge this empire! When the previous ruler fell ill, it was the Xiao family’s blood that held the northwestern gates, crushing Great Yan’s ambitions.
Even children in the remotest villages knew the name of General Xiao.
Such a renowned hero now finds himself under the emperor's suspicion... If this matter is mishandled, sparking public debate and shaking the morale of both the military and the people, the consequences could range from losing his position to losing his head—all while being left to accept his fate without recourse.
In the past, such a task, fraught with the risk of offending both sides, would naturally fall to the Regent King. But now, who doesn’t know the Regent King is recuperating in silence after an assassination attempt?
Unease spreads like wildfire, and no one dares draw the emperor’s attention.
After what feels like an eternity, a voice finally breaks the silence in the grand hall.
"Your Majesty, this humble brother is willing to undertake this journey on your behalf!"
