I began my duties in the Ministry of Revenue, rising at dawn for morning court, then handling official business, busily seeking guidance from the deputy minister and colleagues, barely having time to drink tea. Fortunately, most in the ministry were Liu Hua’s faction and were extremely welcoming, generously sharing their knowledge. Though busy, I gained much and earned a reputation for diligence and humility.
In truth, my current abilities were at best supportive. Their respectful treatment was due to my Yu Wang title and Hongdi’s support, with potential to become the future heir. I was well aware and dared not slack, working diligently to live up to Hongdi’s expectations.
Gradually, I had shed my previous wariness. I had thought Hongdi was kind because of the Wujin symbol, but even without returning it or revealing its whereabouts, he remained friendly and supportive, never mentioning the symbol. His care for my family was even more touching. During a private conversation, he even recalled his oath to return the throne to the Xuan Emperor’s descendants, lamenting that I was not yet capable of controlling the situation and must proceed gradually.
His every word and action considered me, leaving no room for doubt.
The same was true for Jiang Yunqiao. Although the factional struggles between Liu and Gan had positioned us as competitors, she remained unconcerned, maintaining our interactions without hesitation. Her actions were always transparent, often helping and guiding me. After guarding against her for so long without finding anything suspicious, I gradually opened my heart to her.
Not long after, a significant event occurred. The Qi Emperor suddenly fell seriously ill and passed the throne to Crown Prince Xia Zhiyuan. Xia Zhiyuan ascended, becoming the new emperor of Qi.
I knew An Jin and the others had certainly begun to act, but I never expected their move to be so swift.
This is only the beginning. Months later, the Western Liang army, accompanied by the long-missing Third Prince Xia Zhichun, came charging into the Qi Kingdom from the border under the banner of “following the will of heaven to eliminate evil and punish treachery”. Meanwhile, inside the Qi Kingdom, people were in panic, and rumors spread that the current emperor had obtained the throne by poisoning his father and murdering his brothers.
Rebellions arose in various parts of the Qi Kingdom, responding to Third Prince Xia Zhichun’s call, vowing to drive this patricidal and fratricidal demon from the dragon throne. The Western Liang army joined forces with local rebel troops, capturing Yanfeng City.
The Third Prince Xia Zhichun rescued the former Qi Emperor, confirming Xia Yiwen’s misdeeds. Supported by officials and the people, he replaced Xia Yiwen as the true Son of Heaven. Xia Yiwen fled in fear of punishment, whereabouts unknown. Shortly after being rescued, the Qi Emperor passed away due to physical weakness.
After the situation stabilized, the Western Liang army withdrew from the Qi Kingdom. Emperor Yan and the new Qi Emperor Xia Zhichun expressed that the two countries would usher in a long-awaited peaceful era. To show gratitude for Western Liang’s support, Xia Zhichun ceded the western cities of Liao and Kangyuan to the Western Liang Kingdom as a gesture of friendship.
When hearing this news, my family seemed somewhat dejected. After all, the Great Qi Kingdom was our homeland. Who would willingly see their native land suffer such changes?
I felt uneasy. Although I understood that ceding territory was a transaction between Xia Zhichun and Yan Or, An Jin was also involved, at least as someone who knew about it.
With the Qi Emperor and the Eastern Palace dead or fled, they no longer posed a threat to us. However, these decisive methods inevitably damaged the Qi Kingdom that the An family had guarded for hundreds of years.
Right or wrong could no longer be clearly distinguished. The Qi Emperor and the Eastern Palace had repaid their debt to the An family, and the An family’s centuries-old responsibility had come to an end. I was willing to share the guilt that An Jin bore.
But why hasn’t my husband appeared?
Chapter Sixty-Five: Youth in the Snow
Not long ago, Miao Yin finally gave birth to my elder brother’s daughter, my little niece. Although the process was difficult, mother and daughter were ultimately safe. The little girl was chubby and plump, with eyebrows like my brother’s and a cherry-red mouth just like Miao Yin’s. The child was cherished by our entire family from the moment of birth. Mother, besides her joy, lamented that she had expected to hold my child first.
I felt melancholic inside but maintained a light, unconcerned exterior.
Since the news of Xia Zhichun’s ascension spread, I had been anticipating An Jin’s arrival. However, over a month after Xia Zhichun took the throne, An Jin still had not appeared. I was anxious and began to imagine whether he had been harmed by Yan Or or encountered some mishap…
Perhaps noticing my heavy heart, Jiang Yunqiao mysteriously said after a court session that she would take me somewhere that could dispel my melancholy.
I wondered what miraculous place she meant, only to find it was a tavern. Though a tavern, it was built on a stone bridge spanning a river, with the sound of rushing water creating a unique atmosphere. According to Yunqiao, the tavern was built over the river with the meaning “sorrows flow away like water, never to return”, intended to help people forget their troubles through drinking.
They say one can forget a thousand sorrows with a drink. I’ve never loved alcohol or its spicy stimulation, but the wine here was different – fragrant yet smooth, without bitterness, like drinking flower nectar. Curious, I drank several cups, not realizing the wine, though gentle, had a strong effect, and I soon felt dizzy.
She did not pay attention to my words, pushing open the window with a dazed look, as if immersed in a memory she could not escape. The cold wind carrying river mist rushed in, making me shiver and tremble.
Yun Qiao leaned out the window, half her body exposed, her hair disheveled by the wind, yet wearing a gentle smile. Worried she might fall, I quickly grabbed her. She pointed ahead and said, “I want to find him!”
“Alright, go find him, go find him,” I finally believed she was truly drunk and tried to soothe her like a child. She looked at me blankly, then said melancholically, “No, I can’t do this.”
I have A’fu and my consort husband… I can’t abandon them.”
I felt melancholic too. The cold wind was chilling, and I had to constantly prevent her from falling into the river. Was I here to comfort her or to create trouble for myself?
At this point, she found my hand to hold, looking at me earnestly, “We are both wanderers. A’yao, you must understand my pain.”
“Father the Emperor wants to arrange a marriage between you and General Shen. He asked me to persuade you privately. I know you love Official An and dislike General Shen. But the Shen family has been loyal officials and generals for generations, holding military power and remaining faithful. Marrying him would be beneficial for your future ascension to the position of Crown Prince. This is Father’s careful consideration, paving the way for you.”
I was confused. I knew Emperor Hong wanted to match me with Shen Dan’ding, but I hadn’t realized his considerations were like this. I was grateful but would never accept.
Yun Qiao sighed deeply. “Loving one person yet having to marry another. Are the sisters of the Jiang family destined to bear such a fate?”
She finally fell silent, returning to the table to embrace the wine jar, drinking the last drop, then collapsed like a malfunctioning wooden doll onto the table.
