The child wore a bright red wool cloak and a deep red tiger-head hat, looking like a red fruit. The imperial consort, followed by a wet nurse, caught up from behind and helplessly smiled at Jiang Yun Qiao: “This child insisted on finding you, so I had to bring him. We didn’t disturb you, did we?”
Jiang Yun Qiao smiled softly, “It’s fine.”
I also smiled at the imperial consort to indicate no problem. The couple, married for so many years, were still so polite.
I took a tea cake from the table and offered it to A Fu, who obediently caught it, giving me a silly grin, revealing a dimple on one side, incredibly adorable. “Thank you, Aunt.”
I picked him up, wiped the crumbs from his mouth, and fed him a sip of tea. Jiang Yun Qiao watched and smiled, “A Yao likes children? You should have more in the future.”
I was slightly stunned, thinking of An Jin. Where would he be now? What would he be doing? Would he remember me? When would we reunite?
If we could reunite, I would be content even if we never had children.
Jiang Yun Qiao, seeing me lost in thought, signaled the imperial consort and wet nurse to take A Fu away. After they left, she leaned close to me, asking with concern, “I heard An Daren’s whereabouts are still unknown. A Yao, rest assured, we’ve sent people to search in Xi Liang and Da Qi Kingdom, and we believe news will come soon.”
I forced a smile. “I understand. Thank you for your trouble.”
“What are you talking about,” Jiang Yun Qiao waved her hand: “We’re family. Your matters are my matters.” She suddenly remembered something and whispered: “Fortunately, we found you and fulfilled Father Emperor’s wish, so I can leisurely stay with my darlings. You know, I only love dealing with these birds and beasts, and have no interest in court affairs.”
Was she indicating she had no intention of competing for the throne and bore me no ill will? Did I show my wariness so obviously?
I smiled awkwardly: “Actually, I don’t want to—”
She suddenly became serious: “This isn’t about what you want. These things were always meant to be yours. Father Emperor has decided, and you absolutely cannot refuse.”
I was stunned, but she suddenly laughed. “This is a predetermined path. Don’t try to escape responsibility and leave the burden to me.”
I chuckled and changed the subject: “You really know how to enjoy life, with a good husband, lovely child, a big house, pets, and wanting plenty of leisure time.”
You’ve claimed all the good things in life.”
Jiang Yun Qiao smiled, with a slight melancholy. “Although that’s true, but—”
I raised an eyebrow: “What? You’re still not satisfied?”
She paused, shaking her head. “As you said, I have everything I should have. If there’s anything I want, it would be something beautiful but untouchable, like a mirage.”
The more I interacted with Jiang Yun Qiao, the more I felt she truly seemed indifferent to power. Her heart did harbor a desire, but it wasn’t the imperial throne. However, the Wujin Token was no longer on me, and I naturally couldn’t hand it over. Emperor Hong only consoled me, saying he had already sent people to search and investigate, but I knew in my heart that the Wujin Token had fallen into the hands of the Third Prince Xia Zhichun, who was now nowhere to be found, making the possibility of finding the token extremely slim.
But since Xia Zhichun was collaborating with Yan Huo, even if he hadn’t handed over the Wujin Token to Yan Huo, Yan Huo must know his whereabouts. Perhaps by starting with Yan Huo, I could locate the Wujin Token. If I could go to Xiliang once and successfully retrieve the token, I would naturally be able to silence Cen Taixiang and convince all the officials.
I did not reveal this idea to anyone.
From various signs, it was clear that the Wujin Token was an extremely important token for Nanrui. Cen Taixiang’s proposal to hand over the Wujin Token for a trial, with the officials’ support and Emperor Hong’s dilemma, all seemed like a well-prepared trap, just waiting for me to walk into it and reveal the token’s location. I had not yet fully trusted Emperor Hong and Jiang Yunqiao, and since Cen Taixiang was Jiang Yunqiao’s father-in-law, could his actions be at Jiang Yunqiao’s behest?
I must go to Xiliang. Besides trying to obtain the Wujin Token, I privately hoped to find An Jin. Just then, a perfect opportunity arose.
Chapter 58: A Little Sister’s Heart
The heir of the new emperor of Xiliang was born, and the whole world celebrated. Emperor Hong planned to send an envoy to Xiliang to show goodwill between the two countries. I volunteered, expressing my willingness to go. Emperor Hong hesitated, saying he had heard that the Crown Prince of Qi Kingdom would also be going to Xiliang, and he was afraid I would encounter him and touch upon painful memories, or that I would fall into their schemes again.
Emperor Hong had been furious when he learned that the Qi Emperor and the Crown Prince had once used my family as leverage to force me to marry the Crown Prince. He vowed to make Qi Kingdom pay, raising the import tariffs on Qi Kingdom goods by thirty percent and restricting salt transportation to Qi Kingdom. After Nanrui restricted salt, Qi Kingdom had to buy expensive salt from Xiliang and resell it, causing widespread public discontent. Because of me, the relationship between Nanrui and Qi Kingdom had become extremely tense. If we met the Qi Kingdom’s Crown Prince in Xiliang this time, it would naturally be a confrontation between enemies.
My status was now established, and this trip to Xiliang represented the entire Nanrui. No matter how much they hated me, they would have to maintain appearances and would not choose to harm me at this time. Although I explained these reasons to Emperor Hong, he was still worried until Jiang Yunqiao spoke up for me, and he reluctantly agreed, nagging me to be careful.
Although I told myself to be wary of him, I still instinctively liked him, just as I couldn’t help but like Jiang Yunqiao. It was truly contradictory.
Although Emperor Hong agreed, he stuffed a large group of palace experts to accompany us and ordered General Shen to escort me, ensuring my safety.
I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but Emperor Hong seemed to be deliberately matchmaking me with General Shen. Before departure, he even subtly hinted that General Shen was still unmarried, with excellent character and appearance, and would be the perfect companion for starting a family and traveling.
Jiang Yunqiao, seeing my helplessness, winked and suggested I bring my little sister along.
Thinking about it, I realized there was some truth to it. My little sister and General Shen might bicker, but they had never truly fallen out, and they didn’t seem to avoid each other. Instead, they seemed to become more familiar with each other.
My little sister was lively and loved traveling. She was delighted to go to Xiliang, and General Shen didn’t seem to object. And so, the plan was set.
After just one day on the road, I regretted my decision. My little sister found reasons to argue with General Shen every day, insisting on exchanging a few sharp words, only stopping when he turned dark-faced and said “unreasonable” before walking away.
This scene played out daily, and I was getting visually fatigued.
I had to have a heart-to-heart talk with my little sister. When I subtly asked if she had any special feelings for General Shen, she jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, eyes wide and fur metaphorically standing on end.
“Me and him?! Big sister, you’re thinking too much! I clearly hate him, okay?”
I raised an eyebrow and stared at her face.
She probably felt uncomfortable under my gaze and shrank her neck. “W-why are you looking at me like that…”
