Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 55

“Ah!” Yun Jie’s mind felt as though it had been struck by a thunderbolt, staring in utter shock at the scene before her.

By the time she reacted—assuming a lecher had broken into the lady’s private chambers—she turned to run out and call for help. In an instant, a fair, large hand clamped over her mouth.

The person before her was filled with caution. “Yun Jie, do not make another sound!”

Yun Jie was bewildered, but seeing her Princess standing there unharmed, she froze. She nodded frantically, mumbling reassurances behind the hand. Only then did Jiang Wanshu slowly release her grip.

Ever meticulous, Jiang Wanshu shut the door firmly before Yun Jie could fully process the situation. She leaned her back against the bolted wooden door, waiting a moment. Hearing no soldiers outside attracted by Yun Jie’s cry, she lowered her guard and walked toward the girl.

In the pitch-black darkness, Yun Jie seemed to realize something.

If a rogue truly had appeared in the Princess’s chambers, the Princess should have screamed for help alongside her the moment she was discovered. Instead, the Princess had blocked her only chance of rescue.

There was only one possibility…

Realizing the truth, Yun Jie’s eyes widened further.

Jiang Wanshu looked at Yun Jie’s expression with a sense of helplessness. Her entry earlier had been so quiet that neither of them had noticed her. That single “Ah” was enough to prove that Yun Jie had seen at least something of their intimacy. Against such a backdrop, how could she possibly hide it?

Fortunately, Zhou Yan was fast. At a warning slap from her just as Yun Jie was about to bolt, he had leapt out the window, vanishing without a sound.

At least she could still try to spin a tale when explaining later.

Jiang Wanshu pressed her fingertips to her temple, looking at the girl with a look of utter exhaustion. She didn’t plan to speak first; she would wait for the other to calm down before answering.

In the silent night, starlight flickered outside. It wasn’t until another star faded from the sky that Yun Jie finally recovered from her shock.

After the sound of a copper basin hitting the floor, Yun Jie asked with a steady, unflinching face, “Princess, who was that man?”

Jiang Wanshu knew Yun Jie’s character; once she spoke a certainty, it was hard to change her mind. This question alone proved that Yun Jie had seen everything clearly.

Facing such an awkward and uncomfortable situation, Jiang Wanshu didn’t want to make it even more agonizing. She gave a cold laugh. “If I told you that Second Sister missed me so much she came to my bed for a midnight chat, would you believe me?”

“Princess Linyang has always been at odds with you. Does the Princess think this servant would believe that?” When it came to matters of such gravity, Yun Jie no longer acted like her usual self.

She and Feng Shu were maidservants sent by the Empress specifically to watch over and serve the Princess. Naturally, the Empress’s instructions came first. The Princess’s behavior had crossed the “bottom line” set by the Empress for the two sisters, forcing her to treat the matter with the utmost seriousness.

Hearing Yun Jie’s words, Jiang Wanshu gave a wry smile. “Yun Jie, your eyesight is as sharp as ever.”

In truth, if she were just an ordinary maid, Jiang Wanshu wouldn’t bother explaining—a few threats would usually be enough to keep them quiet. But Yun Jie and Feng Shu were different; they were her mother’s people, loyal to the Empress. If they hadn’t committed a fault, she couldn’t simply scold or threaten them.

Yun Jie lifted her chin, her attitude strictly solemn.

Looking at that small, stern face, Jiang Wanshu suddenly remembered a conversation she had overheard before her marriage—Yun Jie and Feng Shu discussing a young gentleman they admired. An idea sparked in her mind.

She lowered her gaze, smiling warmly. “Good sister, if you keep this secret for me, I have something good in store for you…”

A girl in love is always more susceptible. This arrangement would give Yun Jie more opportunities to be near that person. Thus, Yun Jie promised that not even the Empress or Feng Shu would know.

The exquisitely crafted red wood door opened and closed once more.

Jiang Wanshu returned to the candle stand. Seeing the flame about to flicker out, she used a fire starter to light a new candle and walked slowly toward the window where Zhou Yan had escaped.

Seeing the empty moonlit yard where the man’s figure had vanished, she sighed softly.

Earlier, her and Zhou Yan’s reactions in front of Yun Jie had been exactly like a pair of lovers caught in an affair. Yet, after his frantic escape, he hadn’t stayed behind to comfort his “lover” until the situation ended.

Jiang Wanshu closed the window and walked back to her bed to rest.

When she woke the next morning, it was the day Zhou Yan officially began his duties by her side.

When Yu Lu came in to serve her and opened the bedroom doors, Jiang Wanshu saw Zhou Yan standing outside. From her angle, she could see his silhouette clearly.

Following local customs—especially now that he was in the palace—Zhou Yan wore the tight-fitting martial attire required of palace guards. The wide sleeves of his usual clothes were replaced by a tailored fit; a belt denoting his rank was cinched tight at his waist. His long, slightly calloused hand gripped the hilt of his sword. He looked spirited and imposing, his silhouette tall and grand—hardly the bearing of a mere lowly guard, but rather that of a triumphant general.

It was the first time Jiang Wanshu had seen him in this attire. Seeing how the belt couldn’t hide the ripple of his muscles, her face flushed, and she turned toward the dressing table.

She sat on the rosewood chair, allowing Yu Lu to comb her hair and pin it up. After calming her heart, she looked in the bronze mirror at Yu Lu—whom she had intended to release from the palace yesterday with the gift of a shop and a residence.

She sighed. “Yu Lu, have you truly thought this through?”

In all honesty, she wanted Yu Lu by her side, but she didn’t want to prevent her from seeking a better life.

Yu Lu arranged the half-pinned tresses, her expression indifferent. “Princess, this servant only wishes to stay by your side.” She looked like someone completely unconcerned with the outside world.

Helpless, Jiang Wanshu replied, “The residence and the shop are still yours. It will give your family a place to live and a way to earn a living when they move up from the countryside.”

For someone like Yu Lu, who had traveled thousands of miles from the Central Plains to the grasslands for her, defying death, she deserved a better life. Thinking of her large family in the country, Yu Lu finally nodded.

Before long, Yu Lu had finished the hairstyle.

Today, the Princess wore a light blue silk gown embroidered with gold thread. Large patterns of small flowers were stitched onto the expensive fabric. Under orders, Yu Lu added a pair of exquisite dangling hairpins. Soon, a woman of natural, breathtaking beauty appeared in the dim bronze mirror.

Jiang Wanshu hadn’t been so meticulously dressed in a long time. Highly satisfied with her reflection, she praised Yu Lu’s skill. Yu Lu accepted the praise with a beaming smile.

Then, something happened outside the bedroom door. A girl in a maid’s uniform approached and began speaking to Zhou Yan.

Sensing this, Jiang Wanshu tried to listen, but the maid’s voice was so low she couldn’t hear a thing. By the time they finished, Jiang Wanshu had lost interest. She picked up a green jade hairpin from the table, her expression darkening as she examined it.

The maid’s long-winded chatter finally stopped. She heard Zhou Yan’s deep, low “Mhm.”

Then, the man’s large hand knocked on the wooden door. “Princess, I have something to report.”

Jiang Wanshu nodded with satisfaction. At least Zhou Yan knew the rules—not to act out in front of others. Otherwise, with his temperament, he might have barged into her bedroom without a word.

For this, she decided to forgive him for running away like a “caught adulterer” last night and not returning.

Jiang Wanshu signaled Yu Lu to open the door and invite him in.

The man walked with steady steps toward the mirror. Yu Lu was also curious; today’s Zhou Yan seemed different from usual. The cold sharpness around him seemed slightly restrained in the guard’s uniform—and yet, it wasn’t. Because when that brute walked behind the Princess, his dark eyes stared at her as if she were his prey.

Jiang Wanshu wasn’t frightened by his gaze; he always looked at her like that. She was used to it.

“What is it?” she asked through the mirror. Looking closely, she realized that in Central Plains clothing, he actually looked a bit like a local.

Seeing that only Yu Lu was present, Zhou Yan didn’t bother with formalities. He looked at Jiang Wanshu’s reflection, a flash of stunned admiration in his eyes, but then he remembered the maid’s words, and his tone soured. “Zhou Shu’an wants to see you.”

Jiang Wanshu immediately set down the jade hairpin. She pointed to a cloak hanging on the rack and told Yu Lu to bring it.

She stood before Yu Lu. Since Yu Lu was shorter, Jiang Wanshu took the cloak herself and threw it over her shoulders, letting Yu Lu straighten it.

She had originally planned to wait a few days until her father officially restored her status before thanking Zhou Shu’an, but since he had sent a formal invitation, she had to respond—and quickly, so as not to keep him waiting. “Did Brother Zhou say where we are meeting?”

“In the Pear Garden.” Zhou Yan watched her expression, a flicker of displeasure crossing his heart.

At the sound of his cold voice, Jiang Wanshu forgot to even ask him to follow and hurried outside. Zhou Yan knit his brows and followed without being asked.

Yu Lu had intended to follow as well, but one look from the man scared her back. She stayed behind, secretly praying for the Princess.

When the two of them arrived at the Pear Garden, Jiang Wanshu realized Yu Lu wasn’t there.

“Where is Yu Lu?” she turned to ask.

“How should I know?” Zhou Yan snapped, his mood foul.

She finally remembered her maid, instead of being so flustered by the news of Zhou Shu’an that she forgot everything else.

Naturally, Jiang Wanshu noticed the simmering anger in his eyes. Recalling his attitude toward Zhou Shu’an, she softened, her large, misty eyes carrying a hint of apology. “I’m just seeing him. Don’t worry, I won’t cross any lines.”

Zhou Yan gave no answer, but the fierce look on his face softened considerably.

Watching him, Jiang Wanshu felt a subconscious sigh of relief. For some reason, seeing Zhou Shu’an now made her feel a faint sense of guilt toward Zhou Yan.

This wasn’t what she wanted. She had intended to dismiss him once she returned to the palace, but now she found herself reluctant. She felt that treating him that way would be too cruel, and her conscience would ache.

Fine then, she would let him linger before her for a few more days. Once her identity was truly restored, she would decide whether he stayed or left. After all, once she was a Princess again, it wouldn’t matter if he was a high-ranking official of the grasslands or anyone else—she would have the power to keep him away if she chose.

Lost in thought, she reached Zhou Shu’an.

Because she was distracted, she didn’t realize she had reached him. She was about to walk right past him when Zhou Yan suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her back.

In the next second, Zhou Shu’an watched as Jiang Wanshu’s entire body fell against Zhou Yan’s chest.

Zhou Shu’an’s eyes widened in shock. He reached out to pull her away, but in that instant, Zhou Yan controlled his strength and pushed Jiang Wanshu out of his embrace.

Jiang Wanshu now stood firmly right in front of Zhou Shu’an. Confused, she looked at Zhou Yan, then back at Zhou Shu’an.

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