HXC Chapter29

In the biting cold of winter, a fine, broken snow began to fall.

 

Yi Zhi visited the Shen Mansion through the snow. He stumbled over the threshold, cursed under his breath, and then quickened his pace into the courtyard.

 

Yu He was standing guard in front of the study. Seeing the newcomer, he hurriedly led him in and said in a low voice, “Lord Yi, you’ve come at just the right time. Please, persuade my lord. He hasn’t closed his eyes for a day and a night already. The Young Madam…”

 

Yi Zhi raised a hand. “I’ve come for this very matter.”

 

With that, he pushed open the door and entered. Shen Yanqing, who was practicing calligraphy, looked up at the sound, gave him a faint glance, and then continued his writing as if nothing had happened.

 

Yi Zhi was astonished at the sheets of paper piled high on the desk and floor. He walked over to look, and every single one was filled with Ji Zhen’s name. The strokes had enough force to pierce the paper, revealing the turmoil in the writer’s heart.

 

“What is this?” All the words Yi Zhi had planned to say were stuck in his throat because of the scene before him. He paused, then said, “I’ve heard about Ji Zhen. But you don’t have to act like you’re going to turn the whole capital upside down either. You have always been calm and thoughtful. With such a massive stir, believe me, someone will surely impeach you, Scholar Shen, for your reckless behavior during tomorrow’s court session.”

 

Shen Yanqing hung the purple brush on the brush stand and said, “The people I’ve dispatched were all hired with my own silver.” “It is only natural for me to search for my wife.”

 

Yi Zhi was choked with surprise. “Now you remember that Ji Zhen is your wife, but what about the Ji family…”

 

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to be too harsh on his friend. After a pause, he said with frustration, “Shen Yanqing ah, Shen Yanqing, I have known you for nearly two decades and thought I knew you somewhat. But now I truly don’t understand you. You followed the Third Prince without telling me, and I thought you understood that I didn’t want to get involved in the political turmoil, so I didn’t hold it against you. But when it comes to Ji Zhen, what are you truly thinking?”

 

Shen Yanqing lowered his half-rolled-up sleeve and slowly organized the stack of papers. He didn’t answer Yi Zhi’s question, only saying with an indifferent tone, “Ji Jue is still in prison. Ji Zhen will have to come back, no matter how far he runs.”

 

Yi Zhi sighed. “You know full well how much Ji Zhen cares for Ji Jue, and yet you!” He shook his head. “Let me say something from my heart. If you find it unpleasant, just let it go in one ear and out the other. Your marriage to Ji Zhen back then was a matter of necessity. Now that things have come to this, it seems to me that perhaps you two are fated to meet but not fated to be together. Why not just let him…”

 

“Yi Zhi,” Shen Yanqing interrupted in a cold voice. “I consider you a close friend, but this is my family’s business. Let’s stop here.”

 

Yi Zhi saw Shen Yanqing’s stubbornness and didn’t try to persuade him further. He sighed. “Since that’s the case, my Yi family also has some idle hands. I will assign them all to you.”

 

Only then did Shen Yanqing’s cold demeanor soften, and he nodded. “Thank you.”

 

Outside the window, the snow was falling, and sunset was approaching.

 

Two figures in gray cloth robes hid in the dark alleyway. Ji Zhen looked at Huangyin Tower not far away. Normally at this time, the singers from the tower would come out to sweep the ground, but now the entrance was empty.

 

Jiang Yunyu pulled Ji Zhen back. “This place must also have people watching. We shouldn’t stay for long.”

 

After leaving the ruined temple last night, the two had changed into coarse clothes and rushed to the city gate, but they were a step too late. The city guards were already checking the identities of the people leaving the city. Many of them knew Jiang Yunyu and Ji Zhen, so they didn’t dare to take the risk and had to change their route.

 

But even the secluded mountain paths leading out of the city had many guards stationed on them.

 

The entire capital was like a giant net; it was impossible to escape.

 

Ji Zhen, who had been pampered since childhood, had never fallen into such a wretched state. Though already worn out, he refused to burden Jiang Yunyu and forced himself to endure. Yet now, realizing that even Huangyin Tower was under surveillance, a wave of despair washed over him. The pain in his inner thighs, which he had been trying to ignore, flared up intensely.

 

He took a step, gasped, and his face crumpled in pain.

 

Jiang Yunyu turned around. “What’s wrong?”

 

Ji Zhen’s legs trembled, and he finally couldn’t help but choke out, “My leg hurts…”

 

Hearing this, Jiang Yunyu supported Ji Zhen and said in a deep voice, “There’s an empty, abandoned thatched hut ahead. We’ll rest there for a while before we go on.”

 

Once inside the hut, Jiang Yunyu lit a fire stick and asked Ji Zhen where he was hurt.

 

Ji Zhen curled his leg slightly and said in a low voice, “It seems to have been chafed while I was riding the horse.”

 

“Let me see the wound.”

 

Ji Zhen was in so much pain that in this situation, he couldn’t be shy anymore. He thought for a moment and lifted his robe.

 

On the upper part of his thigh, his once snow-white leggings were stained with faint blood.

 

Jiang Yunyu’s eyebrows furrowed, and he instinctively said in a sharp voice, “You’re so badly hurt, why didn’t you say something sooner?”

 

Ji Zhen shrank his neck back in an aggrieved manner. “I didn’t want to delay our trip…”

 

There was also a wound on his neck, left by a sharp branch that had scraped him when he departed from the Shen Mansion. After a day of hiding and running, he was covered in dust and dirt, no longer looking like the precious young master he once was. He looked as wretched as a lamb that had tumbled into the mud.

 

Jiang Yunyu took a deep breath. “Where else are you hurt?”

 

Ji Zhen shook his head. He felt that everywhere ached and hurt.

 

Jiang Yunyu pondered for a moment, then rolled up Ji Zhen’s sleeves. There were some bruises on his arms, too. He assumed there were only more bruises underneath his clothes.

 

These scrapes were secondary; the most urgent thing was to treat the wound on Ji Zhen’s legs.

 

Jiang Yunyu gave the fire stick to Ji Zhen and instructed him, “I’ll go outside and find some water. You stay here. Don’t go anywhere.”

 

Ji Zhen looked at the pitch-black thatched hut and nodded, suppressing his fear.

 

A moment later, Jiang Yunyu returned, having somehow stolen a clean cloth from a nearby house where it had been hung out to dry.

 

Ji Zhen’s skin had already stuck to his leggings and couldn’t be pulled off. Jiang Yunyu used a dagger to cut the blood-stained cloth bit by bit.

 

Ji Zhen was initially embarrassed, but soon the pain was so intense he couldn’t think of anything else. He shivered and cried softly.

 

Jiang Yunyu was no stranger to the smell of blood on the battlefield. If it were anyone else crying in pain from such a small wound, he would have scoffed at them already. But when the person was Ji Zhen, it felt completely understandable—it was as if Ji Zhen was meant to be held in the palm of a hand and couldn’t endure any hardship.

 

He swiftly rinsed the wound with water, sprinkled some golden sore powder he carried with him, and then tied it with the cloth. His movements were smooth and natural, without a hint of impropriety at all.

 

Ji Zhen’s face was covered in tears, and he couldn’t stop whimpering.

 

Jiang Yunyu roughly wiped the tears from his face with his hand and teased, “Such a small wound and you’re already crying like this. You’re a weakling.”

 

“You’re the weakling.”

 

“When I’m hurt, I don’t cry like a baby.”

 

Ji Zhen’s eyes widened. “Say that again!”

 

Jiang Yunyu continued to provoke him. “I’ll say it again. What are you going to do? Weakling, crybaby…”

 

Ji Zhen felt embarrassed and, in his annoyance, covered Jiang Yunyu’s mouth with his palm. Jiang Yunyu immediately fell silent.

 

The two were close and were staring at each other. Ji Zhen, with tears on his face and cheeks puffed out, said proudly, “I’ve got you blocked. Let’s see how you’ll mock me now.”

 

Jiang Yunyu just looked at Ji Zhen, his gaze deepening.

 

Ji Zhen didn’t understand. He asked meekly, “What’s wrong?”

 

Jiang Yunyu slowly pulled Ji Zhen’s hand away and, unable to help himself, leaned in. But just as their lips were about to touch, Ji Zhen suddenly turned his face, and Jiang Yunyu’s kiss landed only on his cheek.

 

Ji Zhen shrank his shoulders, his breathing slowed, and he stared straight ahead, not daring to move.

 

Jiang Yunyu closed his eyes in defeat and held him loosely. He said with a bitter tone, “You still have Shen Yanqing in your heart.”

 

Ji Zhen lowered his gaze and bit his lip. He had admired Shen Yanqing for a full four years. Even with his resolve to leave, it was difficult to take back the love that had accumulated for so many years in a single moment. Besides, he was truly startled by Jiang Yunyu’s actions. They were just bickering, so why did he suddenly try to kiss him?

 

He thought of Shen Yanqing again. Shen Yanqing had never been willing to kiss him.

 

Ji Zhen finally understood now. When you have no romantic feelings for someone, you instinctively move away…

 

“It’s alright,” Jiang Yunyu said, looking up. “Once we get to the northern desert, you’ll see the vast sand dunes and experience the scorching red sun. Perhaps then you’ll realize that the capital’s sky is even smaller than the bottom of a well, so small that you can’t see anyone else…”

 

Ji Zhen blinked and mumbled, “Are you calling me a frog in a well?”

 

Jiang Yunyu’s metaphor was wasted, and he felt both annoyed and amused. He flicked Ji Zhen’s forehead. “You’re so dumb.”

 

Ji Zhen really wanted to ask why Jiang Yunyu had done that just now, but he had a vague feeling that if he did, their relationship would no longer be as open and honest. In the end, he kept the question to himself.

 

Northern desert, he silently recited these two words.

 

What kind of a place would that be?

 

—

 

For two consecutive days, Jiang Yunyu and Ji Zhen were unable to leave the capital. Not just Ji Zhen, but even Jiang Yunyu hadn’t expected Shen Yanqing to set up such a huge net to find them.

 

If this continued, they would surely be discovered.

 

On the third day, just as Jiang Yunyu was starting to feel helpless, a new path finally opened up.

 

On their way to the mountains in the south of the city, the two of them ran into Wang Lingzhi and Lu Chen, whom they had briefly met in the Southern Garden.

 

Jiang Yunyu originally didn’t want to show himself, but he was completely out of options and had to take a gamble.

 

Wang Lingzhi and Lu Chen were traveling together in the winter when they both were surprised to see Jiang Yunyu.

 

“Isn’t the Young General supposed to be on the battlefield? What are you doing here?”

 

Jiang Yunyu explained the whole situation, and at the end, he said, “Although we have had little contact, I know that you two are good-hearted people. Now Ji Zhen and I are at a dead end. I would never ask for your help unless it was a last resort. I, Yunyu, implore Miss Wang and Lord Lu to help Ji Zhen and me leave the capital and get away from this place of turmoil.”

 

Wang Lingzhi and Lu Chen exchanged glances and then looked at the freezing, pale-faced Ji Zhen.

 

After a moment, Wang Lingzhi clapped her hands. “I shouldn’t interfere, but I can’t just stand by and watch the two of you throw your lives away, what about you, Lu Chen?”

 

Lu Chen smiled. “I will follow your lead.”

 

“In that case, we should not delay. I will have the coachman bring the carriage over right away and take our official pass to the city gate. The captain of the guards is an old acquaintance of my father, so I’m sure he won’t give us any trouble.”

 

Jiang Yunyu cupped his hands. “Your great kindness is beyond words.”

 

Ji Zhen also let out a long sigh of relief.

 

The Wang family’s carriage drove straight to the city gate, where it was halted by the guards.

 

Inside, Ji Zhen shrank back, casting an anxious look at Jiang Yunyu, whose furrowed brows and grave expression revealed his heavy concern.

 

Wang Lingzhi lifted the curtain halfway and said sharply, “I have an urgent matter and must leave the city quickly. Let us pass.”

 

The guard immediately reported to the captain. Before long, the captain waved his hand, allowing the carriage to pass.

 

Ji Zhen’s heart was pounding in his throat. It wasn’t until the carriage was gradually leaving the city that he turned his head, feeling somewhat lost. He slowly clenched the hands resting on his legs.

 

From this moment on, the sky would stretch endlessly and the land lie far away, he feared he might never come back.

 

Gege, is this what you wanted?

 

Will we ever be able to see each other again?

 

He couldn’t help but ask Jiang Yunyu in a low voice, “Can we write a letter to Uncle Jiang once we’re out of the capital?”

 

Ji Zhen was desperate to know his elder brother’s current situation.

 

Jiang Yunyu was silent for a while. Then, under his hopeful gaze, he gave a slight nod.

 

Two hours after the carriage was permitted to pass, the captain descended from the city gate to meet Shen Yanqing. “Lord Shen, why did you come in person? I have this place locked down tight. Not even a fly can get out.”

 

Shen Yanqing thanked him and casually picked up the registration book, which recorded every carriage and horse leaving the city.

 

The captain saw this and said casually, “Miss Wang Lingzhi left the city in a hurry just now. She must have had an urgent matter…”

 

The knuckles holding the book suddenly tightened. Shen Yanqing raised a pair of cold, sharp eyes and looked out into the distance beyond the city gate.

 

Outside the city, carriages and horses came and went, while the wind blew and clouds drifted across the sky.

 

The author has something to say:

My favorite trope: He flees, he pursues, he cannot escape!