A gust of wind swept past, dislodging snowflakes from the eaves in a flurry of white. Yan Congzheng gazed at Ye Jiao's puzzled expression, at the snow resting on her brow, at her eyes and crimson lips. He had once been too ashamed to look at her face, and thus missed countless moments of beauty. He had always treaded carefully, but now, just this once, he allowed himself to be reckless.
"Because you said you wanted to see the peach blossoms, I rode out of the city to find them. You craved roasted sweet potatoes, so I went out to buy them, even in the pouring rain. You avoid detestable people, refuse to forgive betrayal and harm. You are spontaneous, unrestrained, free, and sincere. Standing beside you, time seems to fly—as if I'm standing in the breeze of spring."
Though the words were profound and elusive, Ye Jiao still couldn't quite grasp them. She stepped closer to Yan Congzheng and looked up at him, tentatively asking,"It's winter now, the peach blossoms aren't in bloom. But... do you want roasted sweet potatoes?"
Yan Congzheng couldn't help but smile. He raised his hand to brush away the snow from her shoulders, yet dared not overstep his bounds.
"Perhaps it's because, for so many years, I've lived as if shackled—saying what I didn't mean, doing what I despised. That's why I long to be like you. That's why I want to be with you."
"So that's the reason..." Ye Jiao casually brushed the snow from his shoulders, just like she used to years ago, unreserved and free."I'll tell you the secret to living like that," she said, her eyes gleaming, white teeth peeking through her smile. "Stop trying so hard to be good. Do whatever you want. Be kind to yourself."
Yan Congzheng let out a weary laugh. "It's not that easy."
"It is easy," Ye Jiao said with certainty. "Because when you're happy, those who care about you will be happy too. As for everyone else—why should you care?"
She flicked her sleeve, and the scarlet fox-fur cloak unfurled like clouds at sunset—fluid and graceful."There are many who care about you. Like me. Like Shuwen from the Grand Princess's residence."
At the mention of Shuwen, Yan Congzheng's expression stiffened. The light in his eyes dimmed, his smile vanished, and he bid Ye Jiao farewell. She opened her mouth to say more, but Yan Congzheng had already turned and walked away, as if fleeing from a truth laid bare.
As the guests dispersed, the Duke of An's residence returned to its usual peace.
In the front hall, Ye Jiao gave a gentle kick to her drunken brother Ye Changgeng. He was flush with success today, having received a torrent of praise and made many new connections. Even those who once turned him away now eagerly sought his favor, bowing and flattering him, coaxing him into intoxicated bliss.
Upon seeing Ye Jiao, Ye Changgeng raised his head and grinned."Little sister," he said, thumping his chest, cheeks flushed. "From now on, your big brother's got your back!"
"Yeah, right." Ye Jiao took the wet towel from the maid and pressed it to his face. "Listen up. I've got three things to tell you. First, you report to the Ministry of War tomorrow—stay humble, don't show off. Second, steer clear of the Tubo delegation. Third, the people you met today? Don't consider them friends just yet. Be cautious—it never hurts."
Ye Changgeng wiped his face, eyebrows raised, and chuckled,"You're amazing. That lecturing tone of yours is starting to sound just like Father."
He stood up, searching the table. "Where are the peach pastries? The ones Ye Rou made? I want to send some to Father."
The maid quickly answered, "Master Bai took the rest with him."
Ye Changgeng slumped to the ground in dismay, eyes brimming with tears. "Then what do I have to give Father?"
"Father isn't in the capital." Ye Jiao called for a servant to help him to his room. Ye Changgeng muttered all the way there:
"When you left, you said the Duke's estate was in my hands. I've never forgotten.""I was wounded, I walked through fields of corpses and seas of blood, but I did it.""Father, the family is safe now. Can't you come home?"
The child who always spoke most harshly of their father was often the one who missed him most.
As Ye Jiao closed the door behind her, she reminded herself to repeat those three warnings to her brother again tomorrow. Judging by his drunken state, he wouldn't remember a thing.
But when Ye Jiao awoke the next morning, she heard that Ye Changgeng had already left.
"Where did he go?" she asked.
The well-informed maid Shuiwen replied, "He's gone shopping with the Tubo princess."
"What is Ye Changgeng doing?" someone asked in a spacious teahouse.
The hour was early, and the air was cold. The streets were nearly empty. Censor Baili Xi glanced out the window, then turned to the man standing across from him. The man was short and plain, unremarkable in a crowd, yet exuded a quiet menace. Even Baili Xi dared not stand too close, as if proximity alone would conjure the stench of blood.
"He's escorting the Tubo princess on a shopping trip," Feng Ming said softly.
Baili Xi set down his teacup, his fingers brushing the jade toad at his waist. He forced a laugh. "Did no one warn him to stay away from her?"
"He's basking in his newfound glory," Feng Ming replied.
"That's only because he returned to the capital alive," Baili Xi growled. "If he had passed through Ganzhou, our men could have disguised themselves as refugees and annihilated the Tubo envoy. He wouldn't be so smug now, Yan Jide wouldn't be exiled, the Tang court wouldn't be forced to negotiate with Tubo, and His Highness the Prince of Jin would've secured control over the Ministry of War."
All of this changed because Ye Changgeng silently altered his route, avoiding the earthquake-stricken Ganzhou, and rendering Baili Xi's plan futile.
"So now..." Feng Ming looked to Baili Xi, awaiting orders.
"If he won't die on the road," Baili Xi sipped his tea, his beard twitching, "then let him drag the entire Duke of An's household to the grave with him."
The teahouse doors were tightly shut. The guards outside stood solemn, while muffled whispers echoed within—too soft for anyone to catch what was being plotted.
Outside, the sky was overcast, leaden clouds pressing down like a dormant beast ready to pounce.
Prince Zhao, Li Jing, gingerly moved the princess's leg off his backside, then her arm, then gathered her hair. The bow and arrows at the foot of the bed were tucked beneath it. He tiptoed to the door and slipped out.
His attendant stood ready with clothes and boots. The corridor was frigid, and the servant shivered as he dressed the prince."Your Highness," the servant offered, "perhaps you'd prefer to change back inside?"
"I'd rather die!" Li Jing gritted his teeth. "She wants a lively child so badly, she's trying to kill me in the process. This whole night, I…"
Noticing the attendant's ears pricking up, he stopped himself and hissed, "Forget it. Let's just go!"
"Not eating at home?" the servant asked.
"Nope." Li Jing shoved on his boots, tying his sash as he strode out. "We'll get meat buns from Guangde Lane, then head to Qian County for tofu pudding. Be quick with the buns—we mustn't run into the demoness."
They didn't encounter her at the bun shop—but ran into Ye Jiao while eating tofu pudding.
Only one empty table remained in the hall. Ye Jiao claimed one seat. Her blade "sat" in the other. If Li Jing didn't join her, he'd have to stand to eat—which was beneath his dignity. He was Prince Zhao, most beloved son of the Emperor and Empress. He couldn't tarnish the royal name.
Li Jing picked up Ye Jiao's blade, dragged the stool a little farther away, and sat down at an angle.
Ye Jiao looked up and, seeing him, protectively drew her tofu puffs and sweet rice dumplings closer.
Li Jing put on a face of indifference, but when he saw how deliciously she ate, he reached out with his chopsticks."Don't be so stingy," he said. "I paid for this tofu pudding, remember? From the Marquess of Wu's estate."
"I'm not short of money," Ye Jiao replied coolly.
Li Jing pouted, bit into his meat bun, and tried again, "Well then, do you happen to be short of information? I heard that…"