Chapter 26: A Peculiar Love Triangle

"I... I was bored on my own," Jiang Wu explained cautiously, "so I invited Qingyang to keep me company."

She saw a flicker of anger in Chu Ling’s eyes. Her heart hammered even harder, and she instinctively took two small steps back, fearing the man was about to lose his temper. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the anger vanished.

"Come here."

The tone was calm, but Jiang Wu dared not be careless. She immediately moved to his side.

He grasped her hand—his palm was rough and dry, and her sensitive skin could feel the calluses. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into his lap.

Chu Ling didn't seem angry, a realization that allowed her to breathe a slight sigh of relief. Based on their past, she knew he disliked her spending time with Qingyang, but perhaps he was simply too exhausted to be angry now. After all, this man always maintained such a composed facade; when had he ever allowed anyone to witness his fatigue like this?

If he were so tired, why come all the way to find her in the middle of the night?

Because she had already prepared for bed, her hair was loose. As she sat on his lap, he turned her body slightly so her back was to him.

Jiang Wu was relieved; this way, she could not see his face. Although the oppressive feeling of his presence behind her remained, it was much better.

Unable to see his movements, she only felt his hand stroking her hair. Jiang Wu treasured her hair and always kept it well-maintained. Feeling him stroke it again and again, she felt a bit reluctant and shifted forward slightly, only to be immediately pulled back into a closer position. She dared not move again.

The room, lit by only a single candle, was dim. Glancing to the side, she saw their shadows on the floor—one large, one small, clearly defined.

In the silent room, she sat on his lap while he stroked her hair.

Judging by the shadows alone, one might think they were a deeply affectionate couple. But who could know the truth? In reality, neither held the other in their heart.

Almost as soon as this thought crossed her mind, the man, who had been leaning against the chair with only his hands moving, suddenly leaned forward.

Jiang Wu froze. Before she could react, she saw the man’s large shadow slowly draw closer to her.

The two shadows merged, becoming increasingly intimate.

It took her a moment to realize what was happening.

Chu Ling was kissing her hair.

She could even feel his warm breath against the nape of her neck. Perhaps it was only her imagination, yet it still made her shudder.

For some reason, this felt more unsettling than if they were doing something more intimate; she felt a faint, lingering sense of danger that terrified her.

What was Chu Ling’s expression right now? She didn't dare to think, nor did she want to look.

Jiang Wu wanted to turn around and escape this posture, but the hand pressed against her waist tightened.

"Don't move," the man said in a weary, hoarse voice.

From their shadows, she saw Chu Ling sit back up, and she remained still.

His hands began to move again. Jiang Wu couldn't see exactly what he was doing, but after a few deft turns, he had managed to secure her hair into a simple bun.

He held the bun in place with one hand and reached out toward her with the other.

Jiang Wu tentatively placed the jade hairpin she had been holding into his palm. He took it and pinned it into her hair.

"Turn around."

She turned to face him, but she could find no emotion in his eyes; he seemed to be merely admiring the bun he had fashioned and the hairpin he had chosen.

Only when his gaze finally met hers did Jiang Wu realize she should probably say something.

"My Lord... your hands are very skillful," she stammered, touching the bun she couldn't see. "I didn't expect you to have such a talent."

Chu Ling merely hummed and asked, "Did you have a good time?"

Caught off guard, Jiang Wu didn't know what he was referring to. The man patiently explained, "Didn't you go horseback riding with Qingyang today?"

"Ah..." Jiang Wu realized, "Yes, it was fun. I haven't ridden in a long time."

Chu Ling’s attitude today was strange, making her feel uneasy.

Yet he seemed to be genuinely asking, and upon hearing her reply, he simply nodded. "If you enjoyed yourself, then have a good time during this period."

Even after lying in bed, Jiang Wu was still mulling over what Chu Ling had meant. Beside her, the man had fallen asleep quickly; his breathing was already long and steady.

Jiang Wu watched his face for a moment by the moonlight, then carefully turned over to face the inside.

Regardless, she decided she should return to the manor tomorrow. Yangzhou was still here, and with Chu Ling so vigilant, Jiang Wu really didn't dare to let these two cross paths.

Unable to sleep again, she replayed Chu Ling’s actions and expressions in her mind over and over.

Could it be that Chu Ling liked her? The thought flickered through her mind just as she was finally drifting off.

*Surely not,* she thought, drifting into a haze as she provided her own answer.

***

Early summer mornings in the mountains were still a bit chilly.

Jiang Wu had slept late and felt a slight chill in the morning. She tried to pull the quilt tighter but couldn't move it; instead, there was a source of warmth behind her. Without thinking, she shifted backward until she was pressed firmly against the heat. She even nudged her head against it, finding it comfortable, and drifted back to sleep.

Not long after, she realized something was wrong. Hadn't she slept with Chu Ling last night? Jiang Wu snapped her eyes open.

She finally realized that the warm spot behind her was none other than Chu Ling’s body.

The man was wearing only a thin undergarment. When she had moved toward him, he had wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind. His sturdy frame made her look very petite in his embrace.

Jiang Wu could even smell his scent with every breath.

She regretted it so much she wanted to slap herself. How could she have forgotten this?

Sensing her stiff body, Chu Ling naturally knew she was awake. Only moments ago, she had been as docile as a clingy cat, eager to press against him, moving lazily in his arms.

But the moment she woke up, she became like this, avoiding him as if he were a poisonous snake.

"Cold?"

Chu Ling’s voice came from above her head. Jiang Wu was fully awake now. She wanted to shake her head, but she didn't dare move, so she simply replied, "No."

The two fell silent. Jiang Wu was thankful that she was dressed thickly enough that their contact wasn't too obvious, but even so, the heat from the person behind her—the same heat that had brought her comfort in her sleep—now felt scorching through their clothes.

Every part of her body was tense; only her toes dared to twitch slightly, and her hands were clenched into fists.

If one ignored their true feelings, their moment together could even be described as tender. Jiang Wu knew this tenderness was false, but the man behind her seemed unaware. He remained silent, his head resting behind her neck, leaving her in a daze, as if he were truly savoring the warmth.

Jiang Wu recalled the thought she had before falling asleep yesterday, and her heart jumped. She quickly suppressed it. She couldn't take it anymore and took the initiative to speak: "My Lord, do you not have an early morning court session today?"

"I just returned to the capital. There is no need to go."

Chu Ling answered, though it wasn't the answer she had hoped for.

"Don't want to sleep anymore?" he asked, just as she was struggling with what to say next.

Jiang Wu felt a sense of relief and nodded hurriedly.

The moment his grip loosened, she sat up in bed.

She happened to meet Chu Ling’s gaze, which hadn't yet been masked by his usual coldness.

Even without the mask of indifference, she found his expression harder to decipher. Although the fatigue in his eyes had vanished after a night's rest, she read a momentary flash of injury—like a piece of flesh that had just been filled, only to be torn open again.

She once again stopped her strange train of thought.

"Are you not getting up, My Lord?"

Chu Ling gave a hum and closed his eyes, appearing as if he truly intended to keep sleeping.

This was a rare occurrence, but Jiang Wu didn't have the time to dwell on it; she quickly got out of bed, fearing he might have another "episode" and demand she stay with him. Servants came to help her wash, but she noticed the maid who had fallen asleep while keeping watch for her last night was missing. Her heart sank, and her dislike for Chu Ling grew even stronger.

***

By the time she finished dressing, Chu Ling was still in bed. Jiang Wu thought he was asleep and was about to stand up when she heard his voice: "Do you not like the jade hairpin I gave you?"

Jiang Wu’s heart tightened. She looked over, and the man was lying in bed, but his eyes were open, staring at her with an unfathomable gaze. She dared not say she didn't like it.

"No, that's not it," she said, accustomed to making up excuses to fool Chu Ling. "I cherish it too much to wear it, so I wanted to keep it safe."

Whether or not he bought the excuse was another matter.

Sure enough, Chu Ling said, "There is no need."

That meant he wanted her to wear it. Jiang Wu didn't see the point in fighting him over such a trivial matter, so she immediately told the maid to put it on for her.

Looking back, Chu Ling had closed his eyes again, with no intention of commenting or even glancing at her. Jiang Wu certainly wouldn't ask him to, so she hurried out quietly.

When the sound of the door closing echoed, the man on the bed opened his eyes instantly.

He had been traveling day and night for several days, coming straight to Jiang Wu the moment he returned. Now, the spot beside him seemed to retain her warmth; his nose was filled with her scent, and his hands still lingered with the sensation of her touch—the softness of her hair, the delicacy of her skin.

The man tried to steady his breathing for a long while, but when he realized it was futile, he frowned. Finally, as if surrendering, he covered his eyes with his hand.

Traces of her were everywhere, enough to satisfy his body.

But the longing in his heart was deepening daily, and his patience with her had reached its limit.

*Hurry back to being the A-Wu who only loves me.*

***

When Jiang Wu arrived at the front hall, Qingyang and Mo Yangzhou were already there.

Mo Yangzhou held a bouquet of fresh flowers, likely just picked, still glistening with morning dew.

"My Lady," Mo Yangzhou greeted her.

Jiang Wu was preoccupied and didn't respond with much enthusiasm, merely nodding and offering a casual compliment: "What beautiful flowers."

"I picked them in the back mountain this morning," Mo Yangzhou said, placing them in a vase. "The flowers in the back mountain are blooming beautifully. You should go see them, My Lady."

Jiang Wu suddenly remembered her invitation yesterday for him to accompany her to the back mountain, and then thought of Chu Ling still sleeping in her bed. Her head began to ache.

She knew that while Yangzhou claimed to be placing them in the hall, he really wanted her to see them.

But for now, she could only wrong him.

So, when Mo Yangzhou left, Jiang Wu seized the opportunity to say to Qingyang: "Find a way to make Yangzhou leave first."

Qingyang, who was eating porridge, rolled her eyes at her: "Did you two fight? Why don't you say it yourself?"

How could Jiang Wu say it? Yesterday they were lovey-dovey, and today, now that her husband had returned, she was chasing him away—she felt guilty, alright?

"Chu Ling is here."

This caused Qingyang to stop mid-spoon, staring at her in shock: "What?"

Jiang Wu nodded seriously, confirming it was true.

"Even though Yangzhou is technically your guest, you know how sharp Chu Ling is. If this is exposed, none of us will come out of it well. Make sure you get him to leave quickly."

Qingyang seemed equally surprised, her hand pausing repeatedly as she spooned her porridge. She murmured, "That was fast."

"Tell me about it. It’s a mess. I doubt the seat is even warm yet."

Jiang Wu felt miserable just talking about it. She sat down, but though the servant brought her porridge, she drank it absentmindedly.

The mood for fun was gone; she planned to return to the manor today.

"When did Chu Ling come back?" Qingyang asked after a moment.

"Last night. He appeared suddenly and scared the life out of me." Jiang Wu pushed the porridge aside, having no appetite.

Just as they were talking, they heard someone outside bowing: "Greetings, Prime Minister."

Both women were startled. Jiang Wu looked over to see Chu Ling entering. He was back to his usual lofty, untouchable self, completely devoid of last night's fatigue.

Jiang Wu stood up quickly. Qingyang didn't move; being a princess, she didn't have to bow to Chu Ling on the surface.

"My Lord," Jiang Wu said weakly, playing the part of the submissive wife, though inside she was screaming. *Why is he up so early?*

Chu Ling nodded at her, gave a perfunctory greeting to the princess, and sat down beside Jiang Wu.

"Do you have any plans for the day?" Chu Ling asked casually.

Jiang Wu quickly mentioned her plan to return to the manor, but the man frowned: "Didn't you just arrive? Why go back so early?"

Jiang Wu made up an excuse: "I've only been out a short while, but I'm already missing A-Ye and Nian-Yin."

"Don't worry about that; I've already sent someone to bring them here."

This shut down all of Jiang Wu’s excuses. She had no choice but to comfort herself, thinking, *Fine, let them come. It's all the same wherever they are.*

Just as she reconciled herself to this, she heard the man ask: "I heard you brought a theater performer on this trip, Your Highness?"

This was addressed to Qingyang, but Jiang Wu felt even more nervous. She looked over, but saw no emotion in Chu Ling’s eyes. She checked Qingyang, who fortunately remained calm.

"Yes, there is one."

"Since it’s a quiet day," Chu Ling said, spooning his porridge as if he were just making small talk, "let him perform a song. Let me see what he’s capable of."

Jiang Wu’s heart tightened, her fingers twisting under the table.

"He's just an undistinguished performer; I fear he might offend your eyes, My Lord."

"It is of no consequence."

"Then..."

Seeing Qingyang about to give in, Jiang Wu couldn't sit still. She tugged at Chu Ling’s sleeve: "My Lord, since the Princess is unwilling, why force it?"

Chu Ling glanced at her hand on his sleeve with a faint, unreadable smile, his tone gentle but pointed: "What? The Princess hasn't said a word, yet you are already feeling sorry for him?"

This gentleness was more terrifying than his coldness; it felt like he was implying something. Jiang Wu almost felt as if he already knew about Yangzhou. She slowly released his sleeve.

"He is just a performer," Qingyang said, stepping in to smooth things over. "A-Wu is just worried I'll be put in a difficult position. Why make things hard for her, My Lord? Someone, go call Master Mo."

Jiang Wu was anxious, but she had to act calm. She couldn't let Chu Ling see anything, or given his nature, Yangzhou’s life would be in danger.

Mo Yangzhou arrived quickly. "Greetings, Prime Minister, Your Highness." He bowed calmly, his expression betraying nothing.

Chu Ling studied him for a moment before telling him to play the guqin that had been prepared.

Beyond acting, Mo Yangzhou was indeed a master of the qin.

Jiang Wu kept her head low, not daring to look toward him. She felt guilty toward Mo Yangzhou—part of why she had been unwilling to make any commitments was exactly this.

This status was too lowly.

To be seen as a mere "guest" of Qingyang was already a blow to a man's dignity; to be humiliated in front of her husband was unbearable. Jiang Wu felt both heartache and fury, though she didn't know who to direct her anger at.

"What’s wrong?" Chu Ling’s voice sounded beside her. He took her hand as he spoke. "Are you unhappy?"

Jiang Wu couldn't muster a happy expression even if she tried. She wanted to pull her hand away, but he gripped it tighter.

"Not eating? You haven't had much, have you?" Chu Ling’s gaze fell on the porridge she had pushed aside after two bites.

The lingering sound of the qin did not bring Jiang Wu peace; instead, it made her increasingly restless, wanting only to escape this situation. She answered his question impatiently: "I'm not hungry."

She regretted it the moment she said it; she should have said she was hungry so he would let go of her hand. She immediately changed her tune: "But now I am hungry again."

Sure enough, even before she could ask, Chu Ling let go of her hand. However, Jiang Wu felt no relief, because the man pulled her bowl toward him and, using the same spoon she had used, took a bite.

Jiang Wu felt her blood run cold. Her mind was screaming, *Are you sick in the head?*

"It's cold," Chu Ling remarked.

"Then..." Jiang Wu wanted to say she would have a servant bring a hot one, but before she could finish, Chu Ling pushed his own bowl toward her.

"Drink mine. It's hot." He added kindly, "I haven't touched it."

Jiang Wu dared not show her disgust. To avoid drinking from the bowl he had touched, she had no choice but to accept it, adding, "My Lord, you should also have a fresh, hot bowl."

Chu Ling’s eyebrows lifted, revealing a good mood: "No need."

Even if Jiang Wu didn't understand the qin, she noticed a distinct pause in the music. She looked over and locked eyes with Mo Yangzhou.

The sorrow in his eyes was too obvious; he immediately lowered his head as if fleeing in panic.

Jiang Wu’s heart felt as if it had been pierced, sharp and painful, which quickly turned into resentment toward Chu Ling.

*Why? Why can his beloved be openly kept in the manor, visited whenever he pleases, protected as a matter of course, and even pampered and encouraged? Yet my beloved must be tortured and humiliated like this?*

At this moment, she didn't even think there was anything wrong with her beloved; she simply couldn't stay a second longer. She put down her spoon: "My Lord, I am full. I will take my leave."

She left without waiting for his response.

The hall was left with only Qingyang, Chu Ling, and Mo Yangzhou, who hadn't stopped playing.

Chu Ling acted as if nothing had happened, finishing his bowl of porridge spoon by spoon before wiping his mouth and leaving as well, never once looking at Mo Yangzhou.

Qingyang remained silent as if trying to be invisible. Only after they had all left did she look at Mo Yangzhou.

"Why do you do this?" she sighed. "Isn't this just asking for suffering?"

Mo Yangzhou merely smiled, continuing to play the qin with detachment: "So what? Do you think he won? A-Wu feels for me, and she cares for me."

"And then what? In the end, he is still the one who wins."

The qin music stopped abruptly.

Mo Yangzhou looked at the strings, a trace of gloom flickering in his eyes: "This time, that won't happen."

***

The person who ended up going for a walk in the back mountain was Jiang Wu and Chu Ling.

Jiang Wu keenly sensed that something about Chu Ling had changed—perhaps since before the time she had gotten drunk.

Before, apart from having her grind his ink, eating, and going to bed, they seemed to have little interaction.

But now, he not only brought her gifts and fixed her hair, but he also took her for walks.

Even when she felt he was getting angry, he would silently calm himself down, never resorting to the cold words he used to use.

Actually, Jiang Wu would have preferred his coldness.

It was the season for flowers to bloom and the scenery was perfect, but because Chu Ling was by her side, Jiang Wu had no interest in enjoying it. She just kept her head down and walked forward.

She didn't know if Yangzhou had left yet. She hoped Qingyang would be useful and get him to leave quickly so that nothing like today would happen again.

*If I had known, I wouldn't have come,* she thought resentfully.

She walked too fast, paying no attention to the person beside her or the path beneath her feet. She tripped on something, her ankle twisted, and she fell toward the slope.

Fortunately, the person beside her grabbed her. Unfortunately, it was useless. Not only did Chu Ling fail to pull her up, but he was also dragged down with her.

Chu Ling protected her head firmly, so she suffered no injuries. But after tumbling down the slope and coming to a stop at the bottom, Jiang Wu was dizzy.

It took her a while to recover. When she looked up, Chu Ling was still pressed beneath her, his hair slightly disheveled and covered in grass. Even in such a state, the Prime Minister’s dignity remained intact. He asked her calmly: "Why were you walking so fast?"

Jiang Wu was furious. She climbed up, and since her hair and accessories were simple, she just tidied herself up and sat to the side, fuming.

She dared not speak her anger, but in the end, she couldn't help it: "My Lord, with your skills, couldn't you have just snatched me up?"

It wasn't that she was blaming him, but she couldn't believe that with her build, Chu Ling could be dragged down. Was he really that weak?

Fortunately, Chu Ling didn't know what she was thinking. He sat up from the ground, thought for a moment, and replied: "I could," he paused, "but I didn't want to."

Jiang Wu’s eyes widened. She couldn't imagine Chu Ling saying such a thing. She even suspected he was an impostor.

*What does 'didn't want to' mean? Does he enjoy playing like this? Does he even know how old he is?*

Jiang Wu didn't think it was her fault for not looking where she was going. However, she didn't dare voice these complaints, so she just stood up gloomily and brushed the dirt and grass off her clothes.

When she looked back, she saw Chu Ling still sitting where he had landed.

Jiang Wu hesitated before asking: "My Lord, are you not getting up?"

"Hmm." Chu Ling didn't move, his face as calm as ever. "I twisted my ankle."

Jiang Wu was truly speechless. The words "twisted ankle" and "Chu Ling" seemed completely incompatible. Was this a joke? How could he twist his ankle? But after the shock came a sense of satisfaction. *That serves you right for not wanting to pull me up.*

She didn't let these thoughts show, instead feigning concern: "What should we do?"

Chu Ling said nothing. She looked at the slope; she certainly couldn't carry him up by herself, so she suggested: "Should I go find someone to help you?"

Chu Ling remained silent for a long time before giving a hum.

Jiang Wu climbed up without ceremony. After reaching the top, she didn't leave immediately. She didn't believe he had really twisted his ankle, so she circled back and peeked down.

To her surprise, Chu Ling was still sitting there, in the same spot, but he was picking flowers and weaving something.

The scene was too surreal. If Mo Yangzhou were doing this, the movement and the picture would be beautiful.

But how could it be Chu Ling?

The man sitting there, head bowed as he wove a flower crown, had lost his usual ruthlessness and coldness. He was truly waiting for her, with an inexplicable sense of docility. Even his features seemed much softer.

For a moment, Jiang Wu felt as if she had never truly known Chu Ling.

This man could fix hair, plant trees, and weave flower crowns.

Just as she wanted to think more deeply about it, her familiar headache forced her to stop. *Fine,* she thought. She suddenly felt much less guilty about dumping such a useless man onto Chu Ling's sister, Chu Yan.

But since Chu Ling really had twisted his ankle, she had no choice but to go find someone to help him back.

She saw Chu Yi at the entrance of the back mountain. Seeing her return alone, Chu Yi’s expression shifted.

Jiang Wu couldn't be bothered with small talk. She was exhausted, so she said before Chu Yi could ask: "Your Lord twisted his ankle in the mountain. Go get him."

Chu Yi’s face turned grave. He confirmed: "My Lady, are you saying the Lord is alone in the mountain and has twisted his ankle?"

*Why ask again when you heard me?* Jiang Wu didn't want to deal with it and was about to walk away when she heard Chu Yi say: "My Lady, forgive me."

Before she could react, Chu Yi grabbed her by the waist and, stepping on the leaves, flew toward the mountain.

Jiang Wu felt like throwing up from the swaying, and she wanted to curse him. *That stone-faced fool! She never said she wanted to go back!*