LF Chapter 34

Chapter 34: A Homesickness Close to Home

Having received the message from the soldier, Jiang Yinghua reluctantly put down her wine cup. She adjusted her luxurious purple brocade robe and, with a retinue of close aides and officers, grandly walked towards the outside of the camp.

As the group reached the camp gate, the Imperial Guard, who had been galloping at full speed, tightened their reins. Seeing the purple-clad figure leading the welcoming party, the leading officer swiftly dismounted and paid his respects to Jiang Yinghua.

Jiang Yinghua calmly observed, only responding faintly, “Rise. Do you have an edict that requires me to receive personally?”

The officer stood, clasped his fist in salute, and said loudly, “Reporting to Your Highness, I have Your Majesty’s personal edict and letter, each to be opened by you alone. There is also an edict for the defending general in the camp.”

Having said that, the adjutant stepped forward, handing over all the documents to Jiang Yinghua, while holding a framed bright yellow satin edict, standing respectfully on the opposite side.

Seeing this, Jiang Yinghua raised her hand, lifted her robe, and knelt straight down, “Your subject respectfully listens to the Imperial decree.”

The crowd of officials behind her knelt down with a rustle, a dark and vast expanse. On the Imperial Guard side, the leading officer was stunned, then quickly stepped aside, and the others scattered, turning their bodies away.

Jiang Yinghua’s action seemed particularly well-behaved and obedient. In fact, she didn’t have to be so respectful for this edict.

Jiang Yinghua hadn’t had the chance to check what was written in Your Majesty’s personal edict and letter, but the content of the edict had already allowed her to guess the contents of the letter.

It was just a repeat of the old trick, nothing more than being afraid that she would find another excuse to claim illness and not return. Your Majesty, taking advantage of the great victory at the front and the peace of the land, wanted to celebrate the whole country and ordered Jiang Yinghua and Yan Wanzhi to set off for the capital immediately. The border army affairs were to be temporarily handled by subordinate officers, and Jiang Yinghua would remotely supervise in the capital.

After receiving the decree, Jiang Yinghua rose and coldly watched the Imperial Guard standing respectfully on the side, and then remembered the past three years ago in Shuofang, when Your Majesty forcibly brought her back to the capital and imprisoned her.

More than three years had passed since then, and every time she thought of this matter, she would feel a chill all over her body.

Jiang Yinghua turned to the side and softly instructed Yan Wanzhi: “Scholar Yan, please arrange for the Imperial Guard brothers to settle down. I will return to the Prince Zhao Manor first.”

Yan Wanzhi vaguely sensed Jiang Yinghua’s somewhat low mood, bowed deeply and said, “Your Highness, rest assured.”

Jiang Yinghua nodded slightly, took the horse led by the personal guard, leaped up, waved her whip lightly, and rode off alone, disappearing into the deep night.

That night, when Yan Wanzhi dragged her tired body into Prince Zhao Manor, it was already past midnight.

She stepped into the door and found that the purple figure was still standing under the corridor. Hearing the sound, the gaze that had been raised to look at the stars turned to Yan Wanzhi.

Yan Wanzhi walked forward, “It’s so late, why haven’t you rested yet, Your Highness?”

“Waiting for you. Are you tired? Would you be willing to chat with me?” Jiang Yinghua’s voice was very weak, without the domineering tone of the past, but rather like a request.

Yan Wanzhi was indeed very tired, but couldn’t resist Jiang Yinghua’s gentle and soft request, and came closer again, “Please speak, Your Highness.”

Jiang Yinghua led the person to sit down at the stone table in the back garden, and beckoned to her. Yan Wanzhi did not refuse or act politely, and sat down next to her. Getting closer, she actually noticed that Jiang Yinghua was emitting a faint fragrance, different from usual, especially pleasant today.

There was no scent of incense in the camp, so she came back and didn’t sleep, but instead had such a refined mood?

Yan Wanzhi greedily twitched her nose. Jiang Yinghua’s tastes had always been very elegant, and the incense would never be too strong or intense. This faint scent was intoxicating, hooking away people’s minds.

“Yan Wanzhi, I know more or less what your purpose is in coming here. Can you tell me, in recent years, what has been Your Majesty’s reaction whenever she hears news of me?” Jiang Yinghua’s eyes were calm, and the words she spoke were light and slow.

Yan Wanzhi realized that she might have smelled too much fragrance, and her head was a little dizzy. She opened her eyes and tried to perk up, after all, Jiang Yinghua’s question was a bit too straightforward and tricky.

Others at most speculated about the Emperor’s intentions, but she didn’t hide anything and even wanted to reveal her bottom card completely.

After pondering for a moment, Yan Wanzhi said softly, “Your Majesty misses you very much and is worried about your hard work in the northern territory, which is why she sent your subject here.”

Jiang Yinghua lowered her eyes, didn’t say a word, just faintly hooked the corners of her mouth.

After a long time, she opened her mouth again: “Scholar Yan, do you think if I ask not to return, Your Majesty will arrest me again and convict me?”

Yan Wanzhi was getting even more dizzy. She supported her head with one hand and asked, “Why doesn’t Your Highness return? Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager must miss you. It’s not appropriate.”

“If I encounter danger when returning to the capital, Adjutant, would you still be willing to protect me without hesitation, just like on the battlefield?” Jiang Yinghua’s eyes were filled with struggle.

Yan Wanzhi’s head was dizzy, and her eyelids were constantly fighting. Hearing these words, she opened her mouth decisively in a daze: “Of course, your subject will accompany you to the death without hesitation.”

Jiang Yinghua lowered her eyes and remained silent, sitting quietly by her side, watching Yan Wanzhi’s head tilt and fall on the stone table.

A black shadow flashed behind the tree, “Master, what should we do?”

“Go search his room. If there is nothing unusual, feed him an antidote and take good care of him so he can rest,” Jiang Yinghua ordered coldly, turning and entering the room.

The next morning, Yan Wanzhi rubbed her sore and swollen head, only thinking that she was tired and greedy for wine last night, which hurt her spirit a little. She completely couldn’t remember the conversation with Jiang Yinghua, nor could she remember how she returned to her room.

She dressed neatly and went to find Jiang Yinghua. This person had gotten up unusually early today, rarely changed into a water-blue gauze dress, returned to women’s attire, with hairpins and ornaments all over her head, lingering under the corridor.

Yan Wanzhi stepped forward to pay her respects. Jiang Yinghua turned her head to look at her with a more complex expression, staring at her up and down, making Yan Wanzhi a little nervous. Only then did Jiang Yinghua shift her gaze and said softly, “Adjutant, pack up, we will set off for the capital this afternoon.”

Did she agree?

Yan Wanzhi was a little surprised. She had been depressed for a long time because she couldn’t bring her back before the new year. At this time, Jiang Yinghua agreed readily, and she was inexplicably happy. Although there were no relatives she cared about in the capital, Jiang Yinghua was there.

Yan Wanzhi clasped her fist in salute and returned to her courtyard.

Jiang Yinghua’s eyes fell on her back, her eyes were dark, and after a long time, she murmured to herself: “It’s been hard to hide for so many years.”

The entire manor was busy together, and all the carriages and horses gathered in front of the door. Jiang Yinghua turned and entered the carriage, sitting safely inside. Seeing Yan Wanzhi heading straight for a steed beside her, she lifted the curtain and smiled, “There will be dust all the way, Adjutant, come up to the carriage.”

Hearing this, Yan Wanzhi’s face was a little embarrassed, “Your Highness, this is not in accordance with the rules.”

“Stop talking nonsense, hurry up!” Jiang Yinghua knew her temper, so she pretended to be annoyed and reprimanded her. In this way, Yan Wanzhi finally slipped into the carriage in disgrace.

Along the way for several days, Yan Wanzhi was always restless. Jiang Yinghua found it funny: “Don’t worry, I’ll let you down as soon as we enter the gate of the capital.”

Hearing this guarantee, Yan Wanzhi finally calmed down, sweeping away her worried look.

I don’t know what she’s afraid of.

After seven days of stopping and going, seeing that they were getting closer and closer to the capital, Jiang Yinghua, who usually talked a lot, suddenly became mute. Yan Wanzhi’s panic had just dissipated, but Jiang Yinghua’s face was gradually filled with sorrow.

Yan Wanzhi was a little puzzled. This person had never mentioned anything about the capital in the northern territory. Now that she was about to return home, she didn’t seem happy. As far as she knew, the three years in the northern territory should be the first time Jiang Yinghua had left her close relatives, left the capital, and survived alone, except for suppressing the rebellion. How could she not have any nostalgia for her prosperous and wealthy hometown.

“Your Highness, are you homesick close to home?” Yan Wanzhi thought for a long time and finally teased her.

Jiang Yinghua supported her forehead with one hand and glanced at her faintly. After a long time, she asked, “Do you know why I avoided seeing my mother and Your Majesty for three months when you and I first met?”

Yan Wanzhi shook her head honestly. Back then, Your Majesty was extremely angry and ordered her to secretly investigate Jiang Yinghua’s movements. She didn’t take this little girl to heart at first, but after investigating, she realized that this person’s thoughts and methods in private were all remarkable.

“Actually, I am not close to my mother. I was lively and talkative since I was a child, and my imperial father liked me. My mother was resolute and decisive, and my father was gentle and humble. The two of them were like water and fire, with very different personalities. My elder sister followed my mother, but I stuck to my father. It was my mother who didn’t want me to learn my father’s temper, so she raised me by my elder sister’s side. She is twenty years older than me. I respect her and fear her. Later, my imperial father fell ill and passed away, and my mother took me away again, and she never showed me a good face. My home is too complicated for me, and these two elders are even more difficult to explain what kind of feelings I have for them.”

Jiang Yinghua slowly revealed her thoughts, which surprised Yan Wanzhi. Jiang Yinghua was willing to tell her about these family entanglements that were not meant for outsiders.

“I heard that you are an orphan, maybe I shouldn’t have said these things to you. But I couldn’t answer your question, so I digressed. In fact, it’s not bad to be alone, without any worries, without any scruples, and without having to feel guilty about being a burden and restraint to anyone.” Jiang Yinghua lowered her eyes and stroked the golden embroidery thread on her cuff.

“Your Highness, take it easy. It is the constant arrival of joy and sorrow that makes life vivid. Without waves and without concerns, without ordinary hearts, what is the joy of living?” Yan Wanzhi did not agree with these words in her heart. Although she was alone, her heart was filled with huge stones, and it was difficult to be relieved.

“Okay, let’s not talk about these things, the festival is coming soon, let’s think about some fun things. By the way, I have newly acquired some hairpins, can you choose one for me?” Jiang Yinghua turned her head to look at Yan Wanzhi and asked, while beckoning for the maid to bring the jewelry box.

The little maid handed it over respectfully, opening the buckle. Inside, there were several gold hairpins inlaid with colorful jewels, as well as several warm jade hairpins, neatly arranged. Unlike ordinary girls’ hairpins, these were all used to tie the hair on top of the head and to fasten the small crown, with simple and generous styles.

Jiang Yinghua fiddled with them casually, “Which one do you think would be better for me to wear when entering the palace?” Asking casually, Jiang Yinghua supported her cheek with one hand, blinking her big eyes, waiting for Yan Wanzhi’s response.

Yan Wanzhi couldn’t stand her coquettish look the most, carefully glanced at them, and slowly replied: “If Your Highness wears court dress, purple naturally matches the gold hairpin; if you wear ordinary clothes, the jade hairpin is also very suitable.” After saying that, she picked out two hairpins.

Jiang Yinghua glanced at them, raised her eyebrows, and smiled lightly, “Take off your hat.”

Yan Wanzhi didn’t understand why: “Huh?”

“Hurry up, stop dawdling.” Jiang Yinghua urged anxiously.

Yan Wanzhi had no choice but to take off her official hat.

Suddenly, Jiang Yinghua raised her hand and pulled out the silver hairpin from her head, and turned around to pick up the white jade hairpin she had just chosen and inserted it into her hair.

Yan Wanzhi was shocked by this sudden action and couldn’t speak. This little Princess really acted without any scruples, touching a courtier, which seemed inappropriate. But in her heart, there was a kind of flattered joy.

She subconsciously raised her hand to touch the hairpin on her head, but Jiang Yinghua suddenly became anxious and pulled down her sleeve: “Don’t take it off, wear it, it looks good.”

Okay, if you say it looks good, it looks good. Anyway, I can’t see it, so I’ll wear it. Yan Wanzhi nodded slightly on the surface, but her heart was already blooming with joy.

The sound of hooves stepping on bluestone bricks gradually became clearer. Jiang Yinghua didn’t need to inquire around to know that they were about to enter the main street of the capital. She put away the playful look just now, her eyes fell on Yan Wanzhi’s delicate face, “It’s time, you get off the carriage.”