Chapter 46: Past Lives (Part VIII)

After Bai Su’s departure, Jiang Wu’s life returned to its normal rhythm.

She exchanged several letters with Bai Su, all of which were delivered through Chu Ling’s hands. Jiang Wu sometimes felt a bit embarrassed since he was a man occupied with a myriad of affairs, so she made her letters as brief as possible.

The following spring, however, a major event occurred in the Jiang family.

Jiang Wu’s younger brother passed the provincial examinations, gained the appreciation of a noble patron in the capital, and was admitted to the Imperial Academy to study. Furthermore, he became engaged to the daughter of a Minister, prompting the entire family to relocate to the capital.

Jiang Wu read the letter repeatedly, calling out to Liang Qian in disbelief.

"Liang Qian, take a look at this. Does this really say Jiang Geng?"

Liang Qian had been reading a book by the nearby table. Hearing her call, he put down his book, walked over, and sat with her on the edge of the bed.

Having already read it, he simply smiled. "How many younger brothers do you have?"

Could that rascal really achieve such success?

Jiang Wu had a quite good relationship with her brother. They were less than two years apart in age and had essentially grown up together.

Thus, after the initial shock, joy followed. "I truly never expected it. They used to call him 'Glory-to-Ancestors', and he actually brought glory to them."

When Jiang Geng was young, their father had hoped every day that this son would bring honor to their ancestors, even giving him the childhood nickname of Glory-to-Ancestors, and he had indeed lived up to it.

"It’s just that Father and Mother are also moving to the capital now. They will be so far away."

Jiang Wu felt a tinge of sadness.

The capital was a great distance from this place, and seeing each other in the future would no longer be easy.

What she did not expect was that only a month after the Jiang family moved to the capital, a letter arrived stating that Jiang’s mother had fallen severely ill and wished to see her daughter.

The letter was vague and did not specify the exact severity of the illness, leaving Jiang Wu terribly worried after reading it.

Liang Qian arranged for a journey to the capital while comforting her: "Didn't you also see Mother before she left? She was in good health; she shouldn't take a turn for the worse in just a month. It is likely she simply suffered from homesickness and the sudden change in climate and water upon arriving in the capital."

These words slightly eased Jiang Wu’s anxious heart.

Her relationship with her mother had never been particularly harmonious; sometimes, if they spoke too much together, she would find herself on the verge of losing her temper.

Yet a mode of interaction was one thing; the affection between mother and daughter was genuine.

A trip to the capital was unavoidable. Liang Qian had originally intended to accompany her, but it happened to be the spring flood season, and he was currently busy coordinating with several other counties to repair the upstream dikes, making it impossible for him to leave at the moment.

His eyes filled with guilt as he kissed Jiang Wu’s forehead. "Let Zhao Si escort you to the capital first. You can stay there and tend to Mother with peace of mind. Once matters here are settled, I will go to the prefecture to request leave, and then I shall come to fetch you."

That was the only possible course of action.

Since her departure was rushed, Liang Qian packed her luggage, while Jiang Wu used these final moments to spend time with her daughter.

The little girl could now walk unsteadily and pronounced her words much more clearly.

Seeing her tottering over on unsteady steps, she called out, "Mama, Mama."

Leaving home, the person Jiang Wu could bear to part with the least was her daughter. She scooped the child up into her arms. "Oh, my little pearl."

Holding the soft, chubby little bundle against her chest, she felt deeply troubled. "What should I do? Mama hasn’t even left yet, and I already miss you."

Little Mingzhu grabbed Jiang Wu’s face—not hurting at all—and babbled, "Don't go, don't go."

Jiang Wu was amused and planted a firm kiss on that chubby cheek.

Liang Qian’s mood was far from relaxed either.

For some reason, an intense unease gripped his heart, causing him to pause repeatedly while packing Jiang Wu’s belongings.

This sequence of events felt as though it had been meticulously arranged by someone. For a fleeting second, he even considered casting aside everything in his hands to accompany her.

Reason compelled Liang Qian to dispel such thoughts, and he forced himself to stop letting his imagination run wild. After packing the luggage, preparing the carriage, and giving strict instructions to the accompanying servants, he went to find Jiang Wu.

Upon entering the room, what met his eyes was his wife and daughter laughing happily.

This somewhat eased Liang Qian’s heavy mood.

"Daddy!" Mingzhu reached out her little hands toward him.

As for the child’s mother, although her lips were saying, "Daddy is here, isn't he?", her eyes never left her precious daughter.

Liang Qian knew that Jiang Wu could not bear to part with their daughter and therefore wished to steal a few more glances.

He sat nearby, intending to be understanding, but after waiting a moment without receiving a single glance from his wife, his dissatisfaction finally got the better of him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and lightly pecked her on the cheek, finally compelling her to look at him.

Jiang Wu had not noticed anything amiss with him and simply asked, "Is everything prepared?"

"Mn."

Hearing his reply, Jiang Wu felt an even deeper reluctance to leave and kissed Mingzhu once more. With lingering attachment, she bid farewell to her daughter, who could not yet understand: "Mingzhu, Mama will be back very soon."

Mingzhu, who had never been separated from her mother, did not yet realize that Mama was going on a long journey. She continued to smile and reached out her chubby hands to grab at her mother.

Just as Jiang Wu’s heart melted from the child's smile, the person beside her moved once more, this time clasping her hand.

Her husband had been acting exceptionally clingy and affectionate since earlier, something Jiang Wu had not paid much attention to at first. Now, finally sensing his abnormal behavior—laden with heavy melancholy—she turned her attention fully to him.

"What is the matter?"

"If my wife can feel such reluctance to leave Mingzhu, can she not spare a shred of reluctance for her husband?"

He was not usually like this—not with such a plaintive tone, nor would he ever try to vie for affection with a child.

Jiang Wu was amused by his rare childishness. "What are you talking about? At most, it will be three months for the round trip. Small children forget easily; if I don't spend more time looking at her, I'm afraid she won't recognize me when I return." With that, she cast a sidelong glance at Liang Qian. "Will you fail to recognize me as well?"

Without a word, Liang Qian pulled her into his embrace.

How could he possibly fail to recognize her?

He had never possessed any grand ambitions in this life; Jiang Wu simply surpassed every single paramount existence in his world.

"Haven't you read those plays, where scholars enter the capital only to abandon their white-haired,糟糠 wives?" Liang Qian said with a sullen voice. "Do not let the prosperity dazzle your eyes."

Torn between laughter and tears, Jiang Wu pinched the back of his hand. "Understood, my white-haired,糟糠 husband."

Yet Liang Qian proved excessively clingy. Jiang Wu ended up departing while Mingzhu was asleep, fearing the child would cry. Not until she boarded the carriage did her husband finally loosen his grip, though his gaze remained lingering and profound.

"Remember to write me a letter once you arrive, and keep me informed of Mother's condition."

"Be careful on the road, and do not rush too anxiously."

It seemed he had endless instructions to impart, until Jiang Wu lowered her head and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You stay home and take good care of Mingzhu; I will be back very soon."

All of Liang Qian’s words came to an abrupt halt. He froze for a moment before bursting into a helpless laugh.

He knew it well—even if not for his sake, simply for Mingzhu's, Ah Wu would undoubtedly return.

Reassured, he stepped back a few paces and allowed the carriage to set off.

While looking at someone, one might not feel much, but once they were truly out of sight, Jiang Wu finally perceived the longing that had sprouted even before her departure.

Longing for her daughter, for this home, for this place, and for her husband.

She hoped her mother’s illness was nothing serious so that she could return all the sooner.

***

Within the Grand Duke’s Estate.

The doorman collected the daily letters every morning, sorted them according to the names inscribed upon them, and had servants deliver them to the respective chambers one by one.

Upon spotting a letter bearing the Eldest Young Master’s private seal, the doorman did not dare to be negligent. He immediately set the others aside and hurried toward the Eldest Young Master’s quarters with the letter in hand.

It was nothing trivial; months ago, when the Eldest Young Master had returned from outside, he had issued strict instructions that any correspondence stamped with his private seal was to be delivered to him immediately.

Letters had arrived quite frequently at first, but for the past two months, they had completely ceased. This had prompted the Eldest Young Master to make specific inquiries a few days ago, and when the doorman had replied in the negative at the time, an unreadable and indefinable emotion had flashed across the young master’s face.

It was rather peculiar.

Therefore, upon catching sight of the letter this time, he rushed to present it to the Eldest Young Master like someone offering a precious treasure.

Chu Ling had just finished practicing martial arts.

Dressed in a thin, light tunic with a light sheen of sweat beading on his forehead, he held a handkerchief in one hand, preparing to wipe it away, when he caught sight of the letter in the servant’s hand.

On the envelope was his own private seal, yet now, it had been endowed with a completely different meaning.

Ever since Princess Qingyang had been brought back to the palace and placed under house arrest, Chu Ling had intercepted all such correspondence without forwarding a single one.

He tore it open directly.

The envelope bore Liang Qian’s handwriting, but once unfolded, the paper within revealed Jiang Wu’s neat and faintly delicate penmanship. Chu Ling even fancied he could catch a faint fragrance rising from it.

That, of course, was merely an illusion.

Memory continuously beautified the object; because he had yet to obtain her, it stirred him into a state of relentless restlessness and persistent yearning.

The letter had been written by Jiang Wu prior to her departure and had arrived even sooner than she would.

The doorman stood aside. Whether due to the residual heat of his martial arts practice or not, he felt that his master—usually so restrained and understated—was currently exuding an underlying, predatory wildness.

"Shall I come for the reply tomorrow?" he asked.

A faint, subtle smile currently graced their young master’s face.

"No need."

Welcome to my territory, Jiang Wu.

***

After ten days of enduring wind and dust along the road, Jiang Wu finally arrived in the capital.

Even before the carriage entered the city gates, she could already feel the stark contrast between the capital and smaller locales.

The imperial highway was paved flat and wide, with clean, spacious tea houses dotting the roadside at regular intervals.

It was said that those capable of operating tea houses in such a location were wealthy merchants.

As this concerned the prestige of the capital, the decorations were invariably opulent and meticulously pristine.

Furthermore, both sides of the road were lined with flowers, plants, and trees whose names Jiang Wu could not even identify. In short, it was utterly incomparable to a small county like Tonghuai. Having arrived in such a grand place for the very first time, Jiang Wu kept the curtain lifted, gazing outside with fascinated interest.

Just as she was absorbed in the view, she heard someone shouting not far ahead: "Make way, everyone make way! Clear the road! A person of nobility is passing, do not block the path."

Jiang Wu understood that in an imperial city like this, casually running into someone could easily spell doom for a petty official like Liang Qian, so she promptly motioned for the driver to pull the carriage to the side.

No sooner had they stopped than a black horse galloped past. Its rider was clearly merely clearing the way, the previous shout having originated from him.

Following closely behind was a thundering cohort of horses.

Boasting a variety of coats, dozens of horses surged forward together, their resounding hooves echoing from afar. Atop the horses were youths of tender years, whose attire and bearing immediately marked them as either wealthy or noble.

Stunned by the spectacle, Jiang Wu watched for a few moments, silently marveling at the breadth of experience this afforded her. Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze as the procession drew near, a familiar figure abruptly entered her vision.

That leader at the front—was it not Chu Ling?

Lacking the stern, unapproachable dignity he wore as an Investigating Censor, he now blended seamlessly among the youths, looking far more vibrant and spirited, truly the picture of youthful vigor.

Jiang Wu did not linger, immediately retreating back into the carriage.

Before the carriage curtain fell, Chu Ling, who was on horseback, seemed to cast a glance in her direction as well.

Jiang Wu could not be certain whether he had seen her or recognized her.

Nonetheless, she paid it no mind.

The two of them had no grounds for交集 (interaction). In her letters to Bai Su, she had already mentioned her impending journey to the capital. Since the other party was a princess, if she was willing to see her, a meeting to set her mind at ease would be for the best.

Should she be unwilling to see her, it mattered not; she would simply visit her mother and return.

As Jiang Wu entertained these thoughts, the rumbling sound of hooves echoed past her carriage as the cavalcade swept by.

There were quite a few people, so it took a short while before the surroundings gradually quieted down again.

Only then did Jiang Wu give the command: "Let us proceed."

A long queue had formed outside the capital’s city gates. Registrations were supposedly required for all arrivals from other regions, and such registration invariably involved paying a road toll.

In a place like the imperial city, Jiang Wu maintained a philosophy of avoiding trouble whenever possible; whatever road tolls were demanded, she paid without hesitation.

Her carriage lined up near the end of the queue, while she sat inside. Suddenly, a voice caught her ears: "Is this the wife of the Magistrate of Tonghuai County, Lady Liang?"

Startled, Jiang Wu quickly lifted the carriage curtain. Several guards stood outside questioning people, while nearby stood a young man in black. He possessed ordinary features and youth, yet his entire expression was as cold as frost, carrying an almost innate aura of menace.