After leaving home, I went directly to Prince Ning’s residence. He was about to embark on a journey, and the mansion was in disarray. Jiang Yunqiao was headed to Raozhou, a distant place known for frequent earthquakes and hardly prosperous. It seemed like a land grant, but was actually a punishment. Officials who once fawned over her now avoided her, and many servants had also left. The exotic beasts had either been sent away or released. The entire residence appeared desolate and quiet.
Only Ah Fu remained, laughing innocently, which made my heart ache. Jiang Yunqiao, seeing me, handed Ah Fu to her consort and walked with me.
“What brings you here?” Despite her fallen status, she still smiled freely and at ease.
“Came to see Ah Fu,” I smiled at her. “Am I to blame?”
She shook her head. “It’s each person’s ability to win or lose. Once defeated, why blame heaven and others? But about the gold cup incident—”
“I know you didn’t do it,” I replied. “I heard Raozhou isn’t a good place. If you need anything after you go, just let me know.”
“Don’t worry, Ah Yao. I’m going to a granted land, not wandering. I’m sorry only to them, making them suffer with me.”
“What about Xia Zhiyuan? What do you plan to do with him?”
Her smile faded. “I’ll take him with me. Leaving him here would keep me on edge.”
“Will he agree?” Given Xia Zhiyuan’s temperament, he would not accept such a defeat easily. Now that Jiang Yunqiao lost her power, he would likely seek another patron.
She wore a bitter smile. “What if he doesn’t agree? I must take him away. He’s no match for An Jin. Staying in Fenzhu would lead to certain death.” She looked at me again. “Ah Yao, please show mercy with An Jin. I swear, while I’m in Raozhou, he will never pose a threat to you.”
“Let me talk to him.”
If not for the cold war between me and An Jin, he would have already dealt with Xia Zhiyuan.
By meeting Xia Zhiyuan before him, I aimed to give Yunqiao a chance to protect him.
Xia Zhiyuan was closely guarded by Yunqiao’s people. When he saw me, he appeared calm.
“You’ve come to see me in total defeat?”
