LF Chapter 33

Chapter 33: A Celebration Throughout the Nation

The northern border’s sky was high and clear, with countless stars twinkling and the ground covered in soft, jade-like snow. Inside the Prince Zhao Manor, bright red lanterns hung high, and the young maids wore festive new clothes, gleefully clutching their bestowed red envelopes.

Because Jiang Yinghua had “caught a cold and was bedridden,” Your Majesty, upon hearing the news, could only helplessly wave her hand, calling off the decree to summon her back to the capital. She only ordered Yan Wanzhi to stay in the northern border to take good care of her.

The capital was incredibly lively, with every household joyously replacing the faded old spring couplets in front of their doors with bright new ones. Strings of firecrackers crackled, and joyful laughter spilled from the windows of every home, warmed by the candlelight.

At this time, the Tai Zhang Palace seemed rather desolate.

Palace lanterns were arranged everywhere, especially along the usually dark palace roads, which were exceptionally bright today. However, the vast palace only housed two masters, Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, which made it feel somewhat deserted.

In the past, Your Majesty would always hold a grand banquet for all the officials at the end of the year. This year, unexpectedly, she issued a decree to save costs, saying that the war was pressing, and the national treasury’s funds were limited, so they would not be extravagant.

In the Empress Dowager’s Palace, a steaming New Year’s Eve dinner filled the air with fragrance. Gazing at the exquisite, petite dumplings in the jade dish, the aged Empress Dowager suddenly sighed, “Hua’er loves these the most.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingche’s hand holding the chopsticks paused, and a trace of loss flashed in her eyes. “Mother, don’t worry. Hua’er is very open-minded and won’t mistreat herself.”

This was the third New Year’s Eve that Jiang Jingche had spent with only her mother since she ascended the throne. The days when the whole family gathered and laughed together had long become a fleeting memory. With war raging, Jiang Jingche did not tell the Empress Dowager the truth about Jiang Yinghua’s illness preventing her return to the capital, casually fabricating a lie to deceive her.

After returning to her sleeping quarters from the Empress Dowager’s Palace, Your Majesty gazed distractedly at the flickering candlelight in the hall, the doubts in her heart stirred and suppressed:

Jiang Yinghua’s illness was too coincidental. For more than two years, she had never heard of her being sick, but now, as soon as she sent Yan Wanzhi to invite her back to the capital for the festival, she immediately fell ill.

“Someone, bring wine.” Your Majesty suddenly felt a craving for alcohol. Since she couldn’t rest tonight anyway, and she had to receive New Year’s greetings early in the morning, she might as well drink and seek pleasure.

At this moment, in the northern border’s manor, Jiang Yinghua, as delicate as a swaying willow, was supported by two young maids, insisting that she couldn’t neglect Yan Wanzhi and had to get up and have a New Year’s Eve dinner with him.

“Scholar Yan, I’ve troubled… you, cough cough, you can’t go back to the capital for the New Year… cough cough…”

Jiang Yinghua paused three times in one sentence, appearing very pitiful.

Yan Wanzhi hurriedly said, “Your Highness, your illness hasn’t healed yet, you shouldn’t exert yourself. Why bother? This official is a lonely person anyway, it’s the same wherever I am.”

“Sit, today is a festival, there’s no distinction… between ruler and subject. But, cough cough… the doctor won’t let me drink, so I won’t keep you company.” Jiang Yinghua slowly sat down, somewhat weakly looking at Yan Wanzhi, and said softly.

“Yes, thank you, Your Highness. This official is very content to be able to accompany you. This official can’t hold much alcohol anyway, so it’s better this way.” Yan Wanzhi replied gently, his eyes never leaving her sickly face, and he sat down very properly.

During the meal, Jiang Yinghua took the initiative to pick up some dishes for Yan Wanzhi, but because her throat was not well, she didn’t say much. Perhaps because she had taken too much bitter medicine, she didn’t eat much of the food in front of her. Jiang Yinghua didn’t even eat half of the three kinds of dumplings that the people in the manor had painstakingly prepared.

Yan Wanzhi was a little worried, so he lost his appetite as well. However, Jiang Yinghua looked at him with a smile and instructed the servants to serve him food. Seeing Jiang Yinghua put down her chopsticks, Yan Wanzhi made a gesture to stop, but Jiang Yinghua waved her hand: “I can’t eat anymore, you eat more, don’t waste it. I’m happy to see you eating so heartily.”

With this reason, Yan Wanzhi couldn’t refuse, and with a slightly flushed face, he symbolically picked up a few more bites of food under her burning gaze.

When Yan Wanzhi couldn’t hold on any longer, Jiang Yinghua waved her hand and ordered people to clear the table. Then, she smiled and took out a large pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Yan Wanzhi: “Happy New Year.”

Yan Wanzhi was a little surprised, what was this situation? Was a little girl giving him a red envelope?

“Why don’t you take it? To wish for good luck, cough cough… you have to accept it.” Jiang Yinghua teased playfully.

Yan Wanzhi reached out and took it, opening it to see that it was a whole pouch full of brand new gold leaves. Yan Wanzhi chuckled, “Should this official kowtow to Your Highness?”

Jiang Yinghua was amused by her, “Haha… cough cough cough… cough cough…”, after panting for a while, she said, “When did you become so mischievous?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Yan Wanzhi also smiled brightly and knelt down directly towards Jiang Yinghua, really frightening Jiang Yinghua. Was she really going to kowtow to thank her?

While Jiang Yinghua was stunned, Yan Wanzhi said loudly, “To bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, this official respectfully wishes Your Highness boundless happiness and everlasting joy.” After saying that, she was about to bend down.

Seeing her serious appearance, Jiang Yinghua quickly pulled her up, “Thank you, don’t really do that, I don’t have any more red envelopes, don’t make me feel ashamed.”

With this commotion, Jiang Yinghua’s mood did improve a lot, and the calm, sickly look on her face was replaced by a long-lost, unrestrained appearance, although it was only for a moment, it didn’t escape Yan Wanzhi’s keen eyes. Eighteen years old, such a good age, should be carefree and happy.

The doctor said that she needed to recuperate for half a month, but Jiang Yinghua’s illness dragged on for almost a month before it improved.

Only after the Lantern Festival did the decree from Your Majesty appointing Yan Wanzhi as the Chief Secretary of Prince Zhao Manor enter the manor. Jiang Yinghua, who had just recovered her health, always felt tired, so she waved her hand and threw all the tasks and the documents that had piled up for a month to Yan Wanzhi.

Watching Yan Wanzhi’s expression of dismay when she looked at the mountain of paperwork, Jiang Yinghua secretly cursed herself for being so wicked while also feeling a sense of pleasure.

She had to admit that Yan Wanzhi was a capable person. After working together for a month, Jiang Yinghua understood why this person was so valued by her elder sister. This person’s uprightness and seriousness were very good when used in serious matters, and although she was upright, she was not dull or stubborn. Her thinking was flexible, and she handled things meticulously, she was truly a rare talent.

As for why her elder sister was willing to put such a treasure by her side, Jiang Yinghua naturally guessed it.

Living in the same manor, seeing each other every day, discussing official business together, Jiang Yinghua’s fondness for Yan Wanzhi deepened. She realized that she had become dependent on this person, and she would feel empty if she went out on inspection without her.

Therefore, later, whenever this little Prince Zhao left the manor, she was always accompanied by a gentleman in red robes who never left her side, serving her attentively.

The northern border was not peaceful, and there were often bandits and barbarians who disturbed the border defenses and caused trouble. Although they were mostly small-scale disturbances, such as petty theft, they were quite troublesome.

After half a year of assistance, Yan Wanzhi noticed that Jiang Yinghua was not as concerned about these matters as she used to be. She always listened to her reports casually, waved her hand and let her make the decisions, and never asked about them afterwards. Her A playboy habits became more and more prevalent, and she became somewhat decadent, indulging in pleasure.

The relatively peaceful days passed by day after day, and in the blink of an eye, another golden autumn was approaching.

The osmanthus flowers in the manor were fragrant, and Jiang Yinghua stood under the tree, looking up and greedily sucking in the rich osmanthus fragrance, smiling and asking Yan Wanzhi, “Chief Secretary, do you remember when this Prince first met you, I gave you osmanthus cake?”

“How could this official forget? One plate of cakes, a high fever for three days, thanks to Your Highness.”

Yan Wanzhi stood behind her, and after enjoying the banter, she cautiously stepped back a little.

“Why are you hiding? I haven’t bullied you. That was just an accident, you’re really stingy.” Jiang Yinghua noticed her small movements and turned her head to respond playfully, with a deep smile in her eyes that didn’t seem fake.

“This official was joking, Your Highness’s craftsmanship is excellent, I wonder if this official will have the honor of savoring it again in the future.” Yan Wanzhi raised her eyes to meet Jiang Yinghua’s gaze and asked with a soft smile.

“Dream on.” After saying that, Jiang Yinghua fluttered her eyelashes twice and added, “It’s been a long time since I made it, how about some mung bean osmanthus cake?”

Upon hearing this, Yan Wanzhi’s expression immediately changed, and she raised her foot to slip away…

Three days later was the fifth day of the eighth month. According to custom, Jiang Yinghua was in charge of the military camp, handling military affairs. Yan Wanzhi stood by her side, as usual.

As evening approached, Jiang Yinghua was teasing Yan Wanzhi, “I just want to eat mung bean osmanthus cake, what do you say?”

Yan Wanzhi pursed her lips, just wanting to prevaricate: You can eat it yourself, don’t drag me into it. Before she could say these words, a soldier outside shouted, “Report!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yinghua turned her gaze to the front of the tent, the playful look on her face swept away: “What is it?”

“Reporting to the commander, this is an urgent military report from the court delivered at eight hundred li per stage; in addition, scouts report that the Imperial Guards from the capital will arrive at the camp tonight, please wait for the decree.” The soldier knelt on one knee and presented the military report.

Jiang Yinghua frowned slightly. Recently, there had been no unusual activity in her jurisdiction. Although she seemed idle and not doing her job properly, she was well-informed. If something really happened, she was here, how could she survive?

Yan Wanzhi quickly stepped forward to take it and passed it to Jiang Yinghua. Jiang Yinghua’s gaze fell on her hand and she nodded slightly, signaling Yan Wanzhi to read it to her.

Yan Wanzhi carefully took out the military report, glanced at it roughly, and her face lit up with joy, then quickly stuffed the military report into Jiang Yinghua’s hand: “Your Highness, great news!”

Jiang Yinghua was a little surprised to take it, and when she saw the words on it clearly, her phoenix eyes also brightened, her red lips curved, and anyone could see that this was a release and joy from the bottom of her heart.

Jiang Yinghua slammed the table, “Heaven bless Great Chu! Yan Wanzhi, tonight we won’t eat osmanthus cake, you and I will stay in the camp and drink heartily with the soldiers!”

Yan Wanzhi no longer feared the strong liquor, but gladly agreed, quickly instructing people to carry on. Smoke curled up in the camp, and the soldiers told each other the news. The rebellion of Prince Yún’an of the southern border, which had been plotting rebellion and independence for three years, had finally come to an end. From then on, even the name “Yue” no longer existed, and the prestige of Great Chu was greater than before.

After more than half a year of living together day and night, Jiang Yinghua always smiled at Yan Wanzhi, as if the trivial matters of life could not stir the ripples in her heart. Yan Wanzhi watched every day, and after a long time, she felt a little sad, as if this person’s true nature had disappeared with the passage of time.

She still missed the little girl from Prince Zhao Manor who dared to love and hate, who seemed naughty and mischievous but also understood the greater good.

But today, she finally found a bit of familiarity, and Jiang Yinghua at the banquet tonight showed her true feelings while toasting and exchanging drinks. It was as if someone had removed the haze from her face and the huge stone behind her, and she could once again cry and laugh unrestrainedly.

Just as the soldiers in the camp were singing loudly, the sentry reported: “The envoy from the capital has arrived outside the camp, please Your Highness move to receive the decree!”