Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 52

“I am but a hunter and harbor no such thoughts. The Princess is of noble birth, and I know well that she is beyond my station. However, I would feel ashamed if His Majesty allowed me to bypass the martial arts examinations to work directly by his side. Given this, it would be better if His Majesty first granted me a minor position so that I may earn a modest salary. Once the martial arts examinations arrive, if I truly secure the top rank, I can then serve by His Majesty’s side with honor and merit.”

He had once heard that among the people of the Central Plains, whether in civil or military service, those who wished to serve the people faithfully had to pass the examinations first.

Fortunately, Emperor Zhaoming was of a temperament that welcomed advice. After Zhou Yan finished speaking, the Emperor’s anger had mostly dissipated. “So, what you mean is that you wish to serve under Wanwan first, and later, after winning the top rank in the martial arts examinations, you will come to serve me?”

Zhou Yan lowered his gaze and cupped his hands. “Precisely so.”

Emperor Zhaoming was about to turn and ask Jiang Wanshu for her opinion when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a chubby little figure fly like the wind toward Jiang Wanshu, and he reflexively closed his mouth.

The energetic child ran toward Jiang Wanshu with wide strides. To her shocked and visibly moved expression, the little boy hurriedly hugged the goose-yellow skirt around her legs. Using the martial arts techniques his tutor had recently taught him, he skillfully climbed up Jiang Wanshu’s body.

He didn’t stop until his arms were tightly wrapped around her neck. Resting his small face against her shoulder, he spoke coaxingly, “Yun’er thought Sister didn’t want Yun’er anymore, leaving me behind to go traveling for so long.”

As it turned out, Emperor Zhaoming and Empress Xi had concocted this excuse because they feared Jiang Yun would be heartbroken if he knew the truth of her “death.”

Naturally, Jiang Wanshu was willing to uphold the lie. She tenderly returned the boy’s embrace and coaxed him, “It was Sister’s fault. From now on, whenever I go out, I will definitely take Yun’er with me, alright?”

Only then did Jiang Yun nod obediently. However, though he was only five years old, his weight as a healthy child made it a bit difficult for Jiang Wanshu to hold him.

She gently patted his back. “Yun’er, Sister is getting a bit tired from holding you.”

Jiang Yun knew what she meant, but remembering his “heartless” sister who had disappeared for months without visiting him, he clung even tighter. “I won’t. I’m afraid Sister will abandon me again.”

As expected, these words successfully stirred a sense of guilt in Jiang Wanshu, and she allowed him to lounge softly against her.

Yet, Jiang Yun considered himself someone who was very good to his sister. After receiving her affection, he obediently hopped down from her arms.

Suddenly remembering unfinished business, Jiang Yun walked with the air of a little adult over to the man standing in the middle of the Imperial Study—a man he had found an eyesore for a while now. He respectfully performed his salutations to the man sitting upright at the head of the room and his mother beside him. “Yun’er greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”

Toward Emperor Zhaoming and Empress Xi, Jiang Yun’s attitude was one of both reverence and complicated affection.

After a few brief words, Jiang Yun stood by Jiang Wanshu’s side, and matters finally returned to their proper course.

Emperor Zhaoming no longer asked for Jiang Wanshu’s opinion and chose to agree directly. “In that case, you shall first serve under Wanwan. Since the positions around her are not particularly high, would a guard’s post suffice?”

Zhou Yan nodded, accepting the offer. “I thank Your Majesty.”

However, Jiang Yun, who was standing to the side and had pieced together the situation, tugged on Jiang Wanshu’s skirt.

Jiang Wanshu had been crouching at Jiang Yun’s height, watching the exchange between Zhou Yan and the Emperor. This tug nearly caused her to lose her balance and fall.

Fortunately, her reactions were quick, and she managed to steady herself.

She looked down at Jiang Yun, her eyes brimming with tenderness, as she listened to his complaints. “Sister, I don’t like this man. Why does Father want him to serve by your side?”

In front of Jiang Wanshu, Jiang Yun never hid his emotions.

He truly disliked this man.

He was young, but that did not mean he was stupid. When he had rushed in and clung to his sister, he had caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye: a bloodthirsty red light had suddenly flared in the eyes of that cold, indifferent man.

He knew that the man’s displeasure was directed straight at him. Though he didn’t know why, his first impression of the man was ruined.

Jiang Wanshu hurried to redeem Zhou Yan’s image. “Sister encountered some trouble on the road, and it was this brother’s family who saved me. So, this brother is a good person; Yun’er must not dislike him.”

As soon as she spoke, Jiang Yun ignored her last sentence and instead pulled up her left sleeve, then her right, inspecting her closely. With a worried heart, he asked, “Then was Sister hurt?”

Jiang Wanshu quietly pulled her sleeves back down and said softly, “Thanks to that brother and his family, Sister is safe and sound.”

Jiang Yun gave a small, quiet “oh.” He looked at the tall man and found it easy to let go of his grudge. “Then I will listen to Sister and stop disliking this brother.”

“Mm.” Hearing this, Jiang Wanshu affectionately stroked Jiang Yun’s head.

As another wave of winter snow began to fall in front of the Imperial Study, Zhou Yan was the first to withdraw to the Lanyue Pavilion where she used to live. Maidservants had already prepared a side room for him.

At this moment, it was truly a reunion for their family.

After they finished dinner a few days later, the sky had turned dark, and they finally dispersed.

Amidst the night snow, Empress Xi walked with her left arm around the young prince and her right arm linked with her returned daughter. They stepped along the snowy path, walking the same route toward their respective palaces.

Midway, Jiang Yun grew tired. He looked up at Empress Xi with confusion and puppy-dog eyes. “Mother, it is so snowy and cold; why aren’t we taking the sedan chair back?”

Empress Xi merely smiled and looked up at her daughter, who was already a head taller than her.

Jiang Wanshu understood the Empress’s intent. She stopped and walked over to Jiang Yun, saying slowly, “That is because Mother wants to spend a little more time with us.”

Jiang Yun was puzzled at first, but then his eyes sparkled with realization. “Then let’s keep walking!”

It had been a very long time since Mother had accompanied him like this.

Pitying Jiang Yun, Jiang Wanshu shook her head gently. “Yun’er, if you are tired, Sister will have someone take you back, alright?”

“No, no! I want to walk with Mother and Sister!” Jiang Yun reacted vehemently, shaking Jiang Wanshu’s sleeve back and forth.

Jiang Wanshu felt sorry that he was tired from a day at the private school, yet she couldn’t bear to refuse her beloved brother’s pouting. She could only shake her head.

It wasn’t until Empress Xi spoke that the three of them resumed their journey.

“Alright, Wanwan, let Yun’er walk with us. He is a boy and will have even more lessons to learn in the future. If he tells you he’s tired every time just to slack off, won’t he grow into bad habits? A gentleman should be both diligent and loyal.”

These words made Jiang Wanshu feel a sense of shame.

Instead, Jiang Yun ran between them and held both their hands with his chubby little palms. He looked up at Jiang Wanshu with an innocent smile.

“Sister, Mother told Yun’er that I am to be a very, very great official in the future. A single thought of mine could decide the life or death of many people. Yun’er shouldn’t be lazy; I must be diligent so that I can make those people live better lives.”

Jiang Wanshu looked down and smiled at Jiang Yun. Seeing his “little adult” manner, she finally began to understand why her parents were so strict regarding her brother’s studies.

Her brother was the Empress’s firstborn son and would eventually inherit the throne. Therefore, her parents had to be strict with his education, for his growth was tied to the future livelihood of the common people. They had no choice but to treat him so.

But she was different; she could treat this younger brother as a simple sister would. In her eyes, Yun’er would always hold the foremost claim to her affection.

As if waking from a dream, Jiang Wanshu cast an admiring glance at Jiang Yun. “It seems Sister thought Yun’er was too weak.”

“It’s not that Sister thought I was weak; it’s that in Sister’s heart, Yun’er will always be your little brother, which is why you spoil me so. That’s what Mother told me.” As he spoke, Jiang Yun stuck out his tongue playfully.

That night, the two adults and the child walked hand-in-hand through the snowy night back to the palace. From a distance, they were a picture of warmth and tenderness that anyone would envy.

Once they reached Jiang Yun’s palace, Empress Xi saw him inside, leaving Jiang Wanshu to walk the rest of the way to her own chambers alone.

The scenery along the way had turned over in her mind a hundred times during her absence; now that she was stepping back into it, everything felt intimately familiar.

As she entered the Lanyue Pavilion, candles were lit everywhere. Jiang Wanshu looked across the hall and saw her personal maidservants, who had served her for years, coming forward with tears in their eyes.

Jiang Wanshu opened her arms, and they all huddled together in a warm embrace.

Finally, the candlelight dimmed. Jiang Wanshu had finished bathing in the washroom and, dressed in soft white inner robes, was preparing for a quiet night’s rest.

Stepping behind the folding screen, her lily-white hands were busy tying the silk cords at her waist. Just as she lifted her head, she caught a glimpse of a figure lounging on her bed out of the corner of her eye.

Having been away from this room for so long, Jiang Wanshu assumed an intruder had broken in. She opened her mouth to scream, but in that instant, a voice drifted from the bed.

“What, is the Princess unwilling to let her official warm the bed for her?” Zhou Yan arched an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on his face as he propped his head up with one hand, watching her intently.

It was Zhou Yan. His words were incredibly strange—not at all like his usual style.

Oh well, she was in a good mood today and wouldn’t argue with him. However, there was one thing she had to remind him of.

Feeling quite content with her plan, Jiang Wanshu moved with graceful steps and sat on a corner of the canopy bed. She raised a hand, palm open, and gave Zhou Yan’s body a push.

She couldn’t stand the way he acted like the master of the house in her bed; she felt she had to give him a little lesson. Unfortunately, the man’s physique was robust; how could a single push from her possibly topple him?

Instead, in the next heartbeat, Zhou Yan sprang up and pulled her entirely into his arms.

With the “fragrant jade” in his embrace—a beautiful woman fresh from her bath, dressed in thin robes with a loosened collar—Zhou Yan looked down to see the gentle curves of her figure. Memories of their past intimacy flooded back, and he instantly forgot his intention to tease her. He lowered his head, pressing his nose against her fragrant neck and inhaling her scent.

“Let go of me!” Uncomfortable with this sudden intimacy, Jiang Wanshu pushed him away once more.

This time, Zhou Yan cooperated.

His thin lips left her neck. He looked down into her eyes, watching the spark of anger fade as he moved away, and narrowed his eyes slightly. “Is the Princess dissatisfied with my service?”

He started teasing her again, driving her to distraction.

Her snow-white hand swatted at his palm. “Who taught you to talk like that?!”

Zhou Yan gave a disdainful “tsh” and remained silent.

Ever since Zhou Shu’an had started referring to himself as “your official” (臣) in front of Jiang Wanshu, Zhou Yan had wanted to use that title himself. He just hadn’t found the right opportunity until now. With this legitimate excuse, how could he not take advantage of it?

Furthermore, he really wanted Jiang Wanshu to call him “Brother.” Every time he heard her sweetly call Zhou Shu’an “Brother,” he was consumed with jealousy. He swore that one day, he would make her call him that of her own accord.

Thinking of Zhou Shu’an, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

Jiang Wanshu still held some affection for the man. If he had actually beaten Zhou Shu’an up last night, she surely would have scolded him and ignored him all morning.

To avoid that, he had changed his approach.

Though he hadn’t hit him, he had gone to a vegetable garden worked by tenant farmers early this morning and done a “good deed” for them. He had caught an entire small hemp sack’s worth of non-venomous rat snakes that were hibernating in the pits. While Zhou Shu’an was escorting Jiang Wanshu into the palace, he had quietly slipped them into Zhou Shu’an’s bedroom.

The snakes weren’t venomous, and since people usually pull back the quilts before getting into bed, he was certain it would only give Zhou Shu’an a good scare. He wasn’t worried about such a prank reaching Jiang Wanshu’s ears.

After all, even a “gentle as jade” man like Zhou Shu’an wouldn’t want the world to know he had been terrified by a bunch of rat snakes. He would do everything in his power to suppress such a rumor, so Zhou Yan didn’t have to worry about Jiang Wanshu blaming him.

Meanwhile, back at his quarters, Zhou Shu’an—who was just about to turn in for the night—pulled back his quilt only to find nearly twenty curled-up, hibernating rat snakes. His forehead was lined with black streaks of exasperation.

The thought of Zhou Shu’an’s face upon seeing those “little toys” put Zhou Yan in an excellent mood. He turned back, grabbed Jiang Wanshu’s hand, and kissed it several times. “Never mind who taught me to say it. Wanwan, seeing as I was so obedient in front of your Father Emperor, shouldn’t you think about how to reward me?”

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