Kunning Chapter 3: Go home

Quite a deep breath.

However, Shen Jie calculated Yan Lin's age and realized that, having stayed for two months and undergone the coronation ceremony, it was indeed time to consider marriage.

He said with a smile, "Do you think so? Does Lord Hou know?"

"Yes, he does."

With Yan Lin by his side, Shen Jie casually swung his horsewhip with a stylish posture.

The Jiuzhong Palace Ban was just ahead.

First, he untied his saber and then said, "My father mentioned that the Jiang family's literary and scholarly legacy is significant, and Mr. Jiang currently serves in the household department. She can be considered to have rendered meritorious service to the royal family. Being the daughter of the Jiang family, I can be considered a close relative. After the coronation ceremony in November, I plan to extend a marriage proposal."

"You usually pay little attention to the fashionable youths in the capital and don't indulge in the flattery of ladies. I thought you were still youthful and unaware of such matters, maintaining a pure and ascetic demeanor. Who would have guessed there was more beneath the surface!"

Shen Jie pondered it carefully and slowly caught up with the conversation.

"Furthermore, after last night's inebriation, I didn't behave recklessly like a fool. It was merely an accidental shoulder contact when I woke up this morning. Yet, you hurriedly informed me of her family background and declared your intention to marry her in the future. Yan Lin, isn't this overly protective?"

As the saying goes, "A friend's wife should not be bullied." In addition to cautioning Shen Jie to maintain a proper distance from Jiang Xuening, Yan Lin's previous words clearly marked her as part of his territory. It was a preemptive move to discourage others from coveting her before any ideas took root.

The young man's subtle intentions were exposed, his handsome face turning slightly red. However, he spoke with more force, as if trying to cover something up, "What's wrong with protection? I'm willing!"

Such assertiveness.

Shen Jie couldn't help but laugh.

The two halted in front of the Meridian Gate.

Yan Lin handed over his saber, and together with Shen Jie, they proceeded to the right through Huiji Gate toward Wenhua Hall.

The current emperor, Shen Jie's elder brother Shen Lang, ascended the throne four years ago.

In any dynasty, the year of a change in leadership is perilous.

When Shen Lang ascended the throne, it was no exception.

The former emperor, ailing and confused, initially confined Shen Lang in the palace and even considered sending him to the fiefdom. The entire court was in turmoil. Fortunately, Xie Wei entered the capital, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He first stabilized Shen Lang's position in the capital and then brought in a renowned physician to cure the late emperor's ailment.

Xie Wei, also known as Ju'an, hailed from the Xie family, a prominent family in Jinling, referred to in the poem "Old King Xietangqianyan."

However, by the time of this dynasty, the Xie family had fallen into decline.

He passed the Jinshi exam at the age of twenty and entered the Hanlin Academy. However, not long after, news of his mother's illness reached Jinling. Xie Wei and Ding You returned to Jinling to observe a three-year mourning period for his mother.

Three years later, at the age of twenty-three, he secretly returned to Beijing, just in time for crucial events.

He played a pivotal role in helping Shen Lang ascend the throne smoothly, alongside Monk Yuanji, becoming the most trusted individual of the new emperor.

While lacking an official position, he was bestowed the title of the prince's junior teacher.

There's no need to deliver lectures to the prince if there's no prince in the palace for an extended period. Instead, he imparts his teachings to the emperor.

As the autumn weather turned colder, Shen Lang gradually began to feel unwell. Consequently, he discreetly summoned the three cabinet ministers into the palace on several occasions.

The specifics of their discussions remain unknown.

However, since last month, Shen Lang issued a decree inviting some children from noble families into the palace to attend scripture readings and lectures with him. This included several of his brothers, such as Shen Jie.

By the time Yan Lin and Shen Jie reached the Wenhua Palace, the daily lecture had been in progress for a while.

Huang De, the chief guardian at the door, hurriedly leaned over and bowed when he saw the two approaching. In a low voice, he said, "Your Highness and young master are quite late today; we've been in session for two minutes. When you enter, the young master is sure to notice."

Given their jovial drinking session the previous night, attending the daily lecture today was the last thing on their minds.

Shen Jie and Yan Lin exchanged glances, both feeling a headache.

This gentleman, Xie Wei, is known for being both lenient and strict, adhering to humane principles and embodying the legacy of ancient saints. He doesn't tolerate negligence.

Previously, even Prince Yanping, who was favored by His Majesty, dared not be a moment late. He discreetly slipped in through the palace door and memorized the previous day's discourse on the "Party Treatise."

Prince Yanping, who had been playful in his youth, found it challenging to recall.

After much hesitation and stammering, he ultimately blushed.

Surprisingly, Xie Wei wasn't angered. Instead, he gently advised Prince Yanping to take a seat, attributing the lapse in memory to the complexity of the previous day's discussion. It was a forgiving stance.

Prince Yanping felt genuinely ashamed as he sat down.

From that day on, he diligently applied himself.

Despite the initial embarrassment, Prince Yanping, being only fourteen, could claim youthful ignorance. However, Yan Lin and Shen Jie, not being too young, faced an awkward situation.

Now, standing before the gates of Wenhua Palace, listening to the faint lectures from within, both felt a twinge of nervousness and apprehension.

Quick-thinking Huang De suggested, "Master tends to forget issues once they've passed. If you wait it out, he won't pursue the matter further. The Imperial Music Bureau sent over a guqin today, a gift from His Majesty to Young Master. There will be two breaks in the lecture for tea. Young Master loves the guqin. Why don't Your Highness and Young Master wait a while? Enter after Young Master has played the guqin, and the matter will be overlooked."

Shen Jie felt a sense of relief and quickly thanked him, "Thank you!"

Afterward, he quietly retreated to a side hall and waited without drawing attention.

At this moment, Jiang Xuening had no idea about Yan Lin and Shen Jie's unexpected visit to the palace for a lecture on this festive day.

After they left, she swiftly made her way back home.

Although she had explored almost every street and alley in Beijing during her youth, coming out of the inn still felt a bit unfamiliar. Yet, her old memories gradually resurfaced within a few steps, leading her back to the Jiang Mansion.

The bustling street was filled with people, vendors with beaming faces calling out their wares, and young children playing games with masks in hand.

All the lively scenes rushed toward Jiang Xuening, coloring her brows. Her initially tense body slowly relaxed, and she finally felt that the rebirth was real. It was a stark contrast to her encounters with Shen Jie and Yan Lin earlier, which felt like a chaotic dream.

Now, she is no longer the queen.

There's no necessity to reside continually within the high-walled confines of the Kunning Palace.

Jiang Xuening strolled along the street, akin to a fish returning to the water, even her steps quickening.

The Jiang Mansion, situated in Huaishu Alley, wasn't far, and the vermilion gate became visible shortly.

Truth be told, her sentiments towards the Jiang family were not particularly deep.

After all, she didn't return to the capital until the age of fourteen. Before that, she grew up on a farm in Tongzhou, raised by her father Jiang Boyou's concubine, Wanniang.

In her mother's words, she was raised in adversity.

Jiang Xuening's life story is somewhat complicated.

Born to her father's first wife, Meng Shi, during an unpleasant dispute with Wanniang, Wanniang, a lean horse from Yangzhou, became a concubine favored by her father. She was also pregnant.

According to Wanniang, Meng Shi intended to send her away to Zhuangzi due to a mistake.

Wanniang, not one to be trifled with, decided not to endure the fate of being banished to the Tongzhou farm. Exploiting the chaos of the labor night shared with the Meng family, she switched her own daughter with Meng Shi's newborn daughter.

From that point, Wanniang's daughter transformed into the Jiang family's concubine, well-cared for and educated in etiquette and righteousness, known as Jiang Xuehui. 

Meanwhile, the Meng family's daughter ended up on the farm with Wanniang, unfamiliar with the ways of a refined lady.

This unfortunate daughter of the Meng family was none other than Jiang Xuening.

Fortunately, Wanniang treated her kindly, teaching her to read and write, imparting knowledge of makeup, and refraining from harsh treatment.

Reflecting on it now, Jiang Xuening realized the depth of Wanniang's scheming.

Four years ago, when Wanniang fell seriously ill, she penned a letter and traveled directly to Beijing, exposing the truth of the prince's substitution with a commoner.

The entire Jiang Mansion erupted in chaos after verifying the claims made by the people from Beijing.

However, Wanniang, uninterested in further dialogue, proclaimed, "It's too late to regret," and passed away, leaving behind a tumultuous situation.

Although the Meng family harbored deep resentment toward Wanniang, given Wanniang's relatively lenient treatment of her daughter, she had left behind a phrase suggesting remorse. Unable to confront a deceased person, there was no outlet for their anger, especially towards Jiang Xuehui.

The Jiang family, being an esteemed household, was averse to letting such a scandal unfold. Although Jiang Xuehue was the daughter of Wanniang, she had been raised under Meng's care since childhood. Regaining her status as a concubine's daughter could invite ridicule and complicate marriage arrangements.

Hence, the family collectively decided on a compromise.

They falsely asserted that Jiang Xuening had been sent away to survive under the master's orders before the age of fourteen, residing in the village as an ordinary child. Now that she had reached fourteen, it was only natural to bring her back to the mansion.

Thus, the Jiang family ended up with two daughters.

Upon her initial return to the Jiang Mansion, Jiang Xuening maintained a reserved demeanor. The Meng family compelled her to learn whatever was required to become a lady of a distinguished family, and she made earnest efforts to comply. However, Jiang Shilang, a loving father, couldn't help but feel pity for his unfortunate daughter, and he harbored a sense of guilt. Consequently, he spoiled her to some extent.

Over time, Jiang Xuening's temperament grew more indulgent.

Even Jiang Xuehui started mistreating her.

After meeting Yan Lin, there was no one left to control her.

When the revelation about the woman disguised as a man came to light, Meng was furious, convinced that she had truly been raised by that little wretch Wanniang.

Jiang Boyou finally began to feel that something was amiss.

Yet, Yan Lin couldn't resist taking her out to play. The young Yan Lin visited Jiang's mansion, and after conversing with Jiang Boyou, the mansion silently acquiesced to this behavior.

When Jiang Xuening disguised herself as a man, everyone referred to her as "Master Cousin," collectively maintaining the facade as if there truly was such an individual in the Jiang mansion.

Now, upon her return, the gatekeeper, in a state of shock, quickly lowered his gaze and timidly called out, "Master Biao is back."

Real estate in the capital was costly, and although Jiang Boyou occupied a relatively prime location as a servant of the household department, he was still only a third-rank official. The family, being wealthy, didn't want to attract undue attention.

Jiang Xuening remembered that she should be residing in the west-wing room at this time.

Next door was Jiang Xuehui.

Upon her return from her previous life, Jiang Xuening observed Jiang Xuehui's demeanor, characterized by low self-esteem and jealousy. Spoiled and manipulating her status as a concubine's daughter, Jiang Xuening tacitly allowed mistreatment by the servants.

She seized Jiang Xuehui's opportunity to study in the palace and even interfered with Jiang Xuehui's marriage. Initially, Shen Jie's affection was directed towards Jiang Xuehui, who possessed only a handkerchief as a token. Unaware of the lady's identity, Jiang Xuening exploited the opportunity.

Jiang Xuehui eventually married a scholar from the first department and left Beijing with him. Although Jiang Xuening glimpsed at her during the married woman's New Year's Day homage at the palace, they remained distant.

Learning that Jiang Xuehui is doing well, Jiang Xuening now faces the "sister" who seemingly took away what was rightfully hers, feeling conflicted. Planning to contemplate how to treat Jiang Xuehui in the future, she headed back to her room.

However, upon reaching the veranda, she overheard a heated exchange. A woman, evidently upset, asserted her authority, claiming superiority due to the larger number of people in her room.

Jiang Xuehui, clad in a sky-blue embroidered lotus-patterned skirt, stood firm, facing the woman's condescension. Behind her, a girl in bijia and a friend wearing gold and silver with a mocking demeanor formed a trio.

Intrigued, Jiang Xuening listened too as the woman from Wang Xing's family boasted about commanding the second girl, seemingly unaware of Jiang Xuening's presence. Jiang Xuening, recognizing her servant from her previous life, was astonished by her audacity.

As Wang Xing's family couldn't see Jiang Xuening, Jiang Xuehui, facing her, observed the situation with a heavy heart. Concerned about the potential chaos caused by her demon sister, Jiang Xuehui hoped to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

The timid girl behind Jiang Xuehui greeted Jiang Xuening, causing Wang Xing's family to quickly change her demeanor, offering warm greetings and extending a flattering hand. Jiang Xuening, seeing through her false pretenses, recognized the sapphire bracelet on her wrist.

In her previous life, Wanniang had given her the same bracelet, asking her to deliver it to Jiang Xuehui. However, she had hidden it, fostering her jealousy of Jiang Xuehui. Now, she was startled to find the bracelet at Wang Xing's house.

Glancing at Jiang Xuehui, Jiang Xuening's expression became enigmatic. While Wang Xing's family continued to speak warmly, Jiang Xuening, with a slight smile, remarked, "Who knew you were so capable, even changing faces?