Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

Fan Changyu was stunned for a long moment after hearing his words.

Then suddenly, she cupped his face, stood on tiptoe, and quickly brushed her lips against his.

Before Xie Zheng could react, she yanked the door open and bounded several steps away. Only then did she turn back under the dim glow of the lanterns beneath the eaves, forcing a composed expression as she said stiffly, "Um... I can go back by myself. Don’t bother seeing me off. It’s late—you should rest early too."

Without waiting for Xie Zheng’s reply, she strode off down a small path.

Xie Zheng lifted a hand to touch his lips, still somewhat dazed.

Fan Changyu had her back to him, so he couldn’t see the flush covering her face—only the faint pink tips of her ears glowing under the moonlight.

He called out, "Changyu."

Fan Changyu didn’t even turn around, merely raising a hand to wave dismissively behind her. "I told you not to see me off. I’ll be home in just a few more steps."

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he remarked dryly, "You’re going the wrong way. That leads to the kitchen."

Fan Changyu stumbled mid-step, nearly tripping.

The air was silent for several breaths before she turned around, walking toward the correct path with an utterly straight face. "It’s too dark. I couldn’t see the way clearly."

As she continued forward, she heard Xie Zheng let out a very soft chuckle behind her.

Fan Changyu ignored him, half-annoyed and half-embarrassed by her own blunder. For some reason, her heart was pounding wildly, as if a little deer had been let loose inside her chest.

She trudged back to the east wing in a huff. The Blood-Clad Cavalry on night watch in the manor saw her return and promptly brought her hot water for washing up.

After a quick rinse, Fan Changyu collapsed onto the bed, staring at the dark canopy overhead. Remembering the embarrassing incident from earlier, she silently pulled the quilt over her head.

How could she have made such a fool of herself?

Yet her heart still thumped wildly—part mortification, part an indescribable joy wrapping around her.

Perhaps she really had been too slow when it came to matters of the heart, or perhaps she had simply been preoccupied with too many things before. But tonight, after laying everything bare, she finally realized—liking Xie Zheng seemed to be an extraordinarily happy thing.

Just thinking of him made her lips curl upward inexplicably.

Having been under the covers for too long, she was starting to feel stifled and was about to poke her head out for air when—

A faint sound came from the window. Fan Changyu instantly tensed, her hand reaching for the boning knife hidden beneath her pillow.

The bed dipped slightly as Xie Zheng’s cool voice cut through the darkness, unusually clear. "Asleep?"

Fan Changyu released the knife’s hilt and peeked out from under the quilt.

Her hair was mussed, a few strands sticking up, her eyes bright and clear. Her face, flushed from being buried under the covers for so long, gave her a somewhat endearing air. "Why are you here?"

Xie Zheng simply lay down beside her fully clothed, slipping a hand beneath the embroidered quilt to wrap around her waist and pull her into his arms. "Don’t worry, no one saw me come. I’ll leave before dawn."

Fan Changyu choked slightly. "Isn’t that too much trouble..."

Xie Zheng’s firm chest pressed against her back as he lowered his head to inhale the faint scent of her hair. "No trouble at all."

His breath against the nape of her neck tickled, making her squirm. She tried to wriggle away, but Xie Zheng pulled her right back. Yet after that, he remained perfectly well-behaved, as if he had truly come just to hold her while they slept.Fan Changyu had initially intended to let him be, but after being held like this for a while and feeling something pressing against her back, her expression shifted slightly. Unable to hold back, she spoke up, "You... maybe you should go back to sleep?"

Xie Zheng held her motionlessly, his voice deep and hoarse as he replied, "Don’t talk. Sleep."

Hearing the restraint in his tone, Fan Changyu didn’t dare move or speak again. She lay stiffly in his embrace for a while longer until, exhausted, her breathing gradually evened out.

Listening to her steady breaths, Xie Zheng opened his eyes and gazed at her sleeping face in the darkness. After watching quietly for a moment, he lowered his head, nipped at a soft spot on her neck, and gently grazed it with his teeth, leaving a red mark before finally letting go.

He pulled her even tighter into his arms, adjusted his position slightly, rested his chin against the crook of her shoulder, and closed his eyes, sinking into deep sleep.

By the time Fan Changyu woke the next morning, Xie Zheng was already gone.

After washing up, she went to the front hall to have breakfast with him. Xie Zheng was preparing for his "return to the capital," while Fan Changyu, after her discussion with Zhu Youchang the previous day, wanted to interrogate the loyal servants of the Sui family who had been imprisoned in the capital, hoping to extract useful information.

Zhu Youchang, upon learning that Changning was also in the capital, expressed a desire to see her. However, given the uncertain situation, they decided it was best to wait until Wei Yan’s sentencing was finalized before arranging a meeting, lest the location of the estate be exposed and attract Wei Yan’s assassins.

A carriage was already prepared outside the estate to take Fan Changyu back. She had arrived empty-handed, but Xie Zheng gave her all the annotated military strategy books and maps from his room for her return. Fan Changyu accepted them without hesitation.

Xie Zheng still had to oversee the arrangements for his "return to the capital." After submitting a memorial to the young emperor, he would lead his troops through the Zhengyang Gate, finally making his presence in the capital official.

Xie Shiyi was assigned to escort Fan Changyu back.

She had already settled into the carriage when the thick curtain was suddenly lifted. It was a rare sunny day, and Xie Zheng held the curtain aside with one hand, the warm sunlight softening the sternness of his features as it fell on his dark lashes.

He looked at Fan Changyu and said, "Take these books back and study them slowly. Jot down anything you don’t understand and ask me next time."

Fan Changyu had the stack of books on her lap, the top one already open—clearly, she had started reading as soon as she boarded. She nodded, glanced at Xie Zheng, then returned her gaze to the open page.

When she focused on something, she exuded a kind of earnest simplicity that was oddly endearing. The sunlight streaming through the carriage door was a bit harsh, making her long lashes droop halfway, soft and feathery, while her slightly swollen lips looked even fuller.

Xie Zheng watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly, before suddenly saying, "Found something you don’t understand already? Let me see."

With that, he dropped the curtain and stepped inside.

Fan Changyu stared at him in shock. Aware that the carriage was right at the estate gate and any movement might draw the guards’ attention, she didn’t dare struggle when Xie Zheng cupped the back of her head and kissed her.As the kiss ended, Xie Zheng glanced at the page of military strategy spread open on her lap. Though his breathing hadn't yet steadied, his tone remained as cool and composed as ever, betraying no abnormality: "The highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy's strategy; next is to attack alliances; then the army; the worst is to assault walled cities. The supreme excellence lies in subduing the enemy without fighting. Thus in the art of war, the best approach often targets the mind."

Fan Changyu glared at him, still catching her breath as he so properly summarized the military text on that page.

Her hands had already clenched into fists, but remembering Zhu Youchang and others were just outside, she ultimately restrained herself.

For the first time, she realized just how shameless this man could be!

Xie Zheng seemed to read her thoughts from her wide, round eyes. The corners of his lips lifted slightly in a silent smile before he leaned down to kiss her lips once more, then lowered his voice to say, "I'm leaving."

Only after Xie Zheng had jumped down from the carriage did Xie Shiyi take his place on the carriage shaft, having been checking the reins and smoothing the horse's mane in front.

Zhu Youchang, seated in his wheelchair, was pushed out the gate by a Blood-Clad Cavalry member to see Fan Changyu off.

Watching as the carriage disappeared into the distance, Xie Zheng also mounted his horse and departed the estate with several Blood-Clad Cavalry members to rendezvous with the second wave of troops returning from campaign—creating the illusion that he had "just" returned from the northern frontier.

Zhu Youchang said with immense satisfaction, "If the old general knew that niece Changyu had risen to a third-rank official position in the court and earned the Marquis's high regard, and that the Meng family could continue serving the Xie clan, he could rest with a smile when meeting General Xie in the afterlife."

Xie Zhong remained silent as he watched the carriage and horses part ways, heading north and south respectively.

His Marquis's feelings toward the General of the Cloud Banner were likely far more complicated than mere camaraderie...

Fan Changyu had often been away at military camps before, so Aunt Zhao, her husband, and Changning were already accustomed to her occasional absences of several days. When she left the Office of Presentations yesterday, she had also informed Xie Qi, so upon her return, the elderly couple and Changning assumed she had been away on official business and weren't overly concerned.

Changning excitedly held up a rabbit in a bamboo basket for her to see: "Sister, sister! Look at Ning Niang's little rabbit!"

Fan Changyu had initially refused to let Changning keep pets, fearing it would complicate their eventual departure from the capital. But now that the rabbit had already been brought home, she didn't scold her, merely smiling as she asked, "Did you beg your Uncle Xie Qi or Uncle Xiao Wu to win this for you?"

Changning's grape-like eyes sparkled with excitement: "Bao'er won it for me!"

Fan Changyu couldn't hide her surprise: "Bao'er knows how to play pitch-pot?"

The boy wasn't much older than Changning and usually appeared quite gentle and scholarly—his memory for poetry and texts was excellent, but he was even less rowdy than Changning when it came to play.

Xie Wu, who had accompanied Yu Bao'er out yesterday, answered with a smile: "The young master spent the entire afternoon playing pitch-pot at that vendor's stall, nearly pawning his jade pendant to the vendor before finally scoring. The vendor was so delighted he even threw in a rabbit lantern."

So Yu Bao'er had gone out yesterday to play benefactor. Fan Changyu found herself both amused and exasperated.

She crouched down to speak with Yu Bao'er, who was standing quietly to the side with pursed lips: "When Auntie has time, I'll take you back to that vendor's stall and we'll win every last item he has!"

Changning immediately perked up at this, clapping her hands in delight: "Win everything! Then Ning Niang will set up a stall too and have people come play pitch-pot!"

Unable to suppress her laughter, Fan Changyu pinched her soft, chubby cheeks: "Is Ning Niang a little money-grubber now? Already figuring out how to make cash?"Changning glanced guiltily at Yu Bao'er, twisting her fingers as she said, "Bao'er spent all his money playing pitch-pot. As his little aunt, I need to earn it back to repay him."

This made Aunt Zhao and Zhao Da Shu burst into laughter.

Aunt Zhao praised, "Now that's what it means to be a proper little aunt!"

Changning's eyes crinkled with delight at the compliment, her lips curling into a smile as she straightened her small chest proudly.

Only Yu Bao'er looked at Changning with apparent displeasure.

After seeing to the two little ones, Fan Changyu returned to her room to put away the military books Xie Zheng had given her. But Yu Bao'er trailed after her like a little shadow, calling out, "Aunt Changyu."

He clenched his fists, hesitating to speak.

Fan Changyu asked, "What's the matter, Bao'er?"

Yu Bao'er looked up at her and said, "I want to learn martial arts."

This request gave Fan Changyu a slight headache. Given Yu Bao'er's noble status, the hardships of martial arts training—constant falls and bruises—would be tough for him.

She replied, "Martial arts is very demanding. Why do you suddenly want to learn?"

Yu Bao'er lowered his long lashes, pressing his lips together in silence before finally murmuring, "I just want to. If I become as strong as you, Aunt Changyu, I can protect my mother in the future."

The incident where the Crown Prince's eldest grandson's men had tried to abduct Yu Qianqian and her son had left a deep scar on Yu Bao'er's heart.

Hearing this, Fan Changyu grew serious.

She said, "Martial arts is hard, but the most valuable part is perseverance. Just as studying is like rowing upstream—if you don't advance, you fall behind—the same goes for martial arts. How about this: I'll start by teaching you the basics. If you can endure the hardship and stick with it, I'll teach you more later."

Yu Bao'er nodded vigorously. "Okay."

Changning, who had apparently been eavesdropping from somewhere, suddenly popped up and declared, "Ning Niang wants to learn too! Then I can punch bad guys flat and slap pigs unconscious with one blow!"

She even swung her tiny fist for emphasis.

Fan Changyu rubbed her forehead, realizing Changning still remembered her past as a butcher.

She said, "You're not in good health. Don't join in the mischief."

Changning suffered from wheezing disease and had often struggled to breathe since childhood.

When Fan Changyu's mother was pregnant with her, the turmoil in Jinzhou had forced her to flee with Fan Changyu's father, enduring hardships all the way to Jizhou. The journey had weakened her health, and only Fan Changyu's robust constitution in the womb had ensured her safe birth.

Despite years of care, Fan Changyu's mother never fully recovered. It wasn't until Fan Changyu was nearly ten that Changning was born. Due to their mother's frailty, Changning was born small and weak, with congenital wheezing disease—she had been on medication since infancy.

As a baby, she refused to drink goat's milk because of the strong smell, and it was only after Fan Changyu secretly mixed in some sugar that she could be coaxed into drinking it.

Even after Fan Changyu joined the army and earned money, she never stopped providing medicine for Changning.

Hearing Fan Changyu's refusal, Changning grew anxious, tugging at her sleeve and whining, "No, no! Ning Niang wants to learn too!"

Worried that Fan Changyu might still refuse, her eyes reddened, her voice turning nasal as if she were on the verge of tears.

Fan Changyu's heart softened. She bent down and patted Changning's head. "Be good, Ning Niang. Your sister will find the best doctor in the capital to check on you. If the doctor says you can learn martial arts, then I'll teach you, okay?"

Only then did Changning nod reluctantly, still pouting.After meeting Zhu Youchang and obtaining a lead to investigate Wei Yan, Fan Changyu found herself swamped with countless tasks. However, arranging a physician for Changning was equally urgent. That very afternoon, she sent Xie Wu out to inquire about renowned physicians in the capital.

With Fan Changyu occupied, Yu Bao'er looked at the still-sulking Changning and said, "It's okay if you can't practice martial arts. I'll protect you in the future."

Changning puffed up her cheeks in frustration and muttered, "No."

Yu Bao'er asked, "Why not?"

Changning fiddled with the pearl buttons on her clothes, her expression awkward. "Then you'll be stronger than me, and I’ll never be able to beat you."

Yu Bao'er replied, "Then in the future, I won’t fight back when you hit me."

Changning glanced at him sideways with her round, bright eyes. "Really?"

Yu Bao'er nodded. "Really."

Only then did Changning’s lips curl into an uncontrollable smile. She stretched out her plump, delicate pinky finger and said, "Then let’s pinky swear. If you break your promise, you’re a puppy."

Yu Bao'er hooked his pinky with hers and solemnly said, "Alright, it’s a promise."

Imperial Palace.

Qi Sheng paced frantically around the hall, staring at the memorial that had arrived in the palace that morning. "Xie Zheng is about to return to the capital, and Wei Yan still hasn’t told me how he plans to counter these impeachment charges against the Li faction..."

His eyes bulged with rage as he kicked the Dragon Desk. "If Xie Zheng sides with the descendants of the Chengde Crown Prince, just like that old fox from the Li family, then his return would mean forcing me off this throne!"

"I must think of a way, think of a way..."

The newly appointed Chief Eunuch, ever the smooth talker, quickly flattered, "Your Majesty, do not worry. Wu'an Marquis holds a powerful army. If he truly defects to those so-called descendants of the Chengde Crown Prince, it would only be to overthrow Wei Yan. Whatever the Chengde Crown Prince’s descendants could offer him after usurping the throne, you can offer him now. As long as Wu'an Marquis assists Your Majesty, first eliminating the Li family and then toppling Wei Yan, granting him the position originally meant for Wei Yan—wouldn’t that be far better than him sharing power with the Li family after helping the Chengde Crown Prince’s descendants?"

Ever since Xie Zheng defied the imperial decree and even severed the ear of the eunuch sent to deliver it, Qi Sheng had harbored deep resentment for this blatant disrespect.

The thought of Xie Zheng taking Wei Yan’s position filled him with reluctance—a thousand, no, ten thousand times over. But now that Wei Yan clearly couldn’t handle the Li family, Qi Sheng began to doubt whether Wei Yan could even help him retain the throne.

His slightly bulging eyes fixed on the eunuch. "I’ve already antagonized him to this extent. Can you think of a way for me to win him over?"

The question stumped the eunuch. Under Qi Sheng’s predatory gaze, he could only force a nervous smile and say, "When it comes to men, the ways to win them over are nothing more than power, wealth, or... beauties?"

The answer was as good as saying nothing at all.

Yet Qi Sheng sat back on the Dragon Throne, propping his head on one hand. The whites of his bloodshot, slightly protruding eyes gleamed coldly. "Beauties? I tried to arrange a marriage between him and my elder sister. How did he repay me?"

The eunuch’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "The Eldest Princess... seems to have some connection with Wu'an Marquis..."

Qi Sheng’s eyelids snapped up as he sneered. "He rejected my marriage proposal, only to turn around and associate with my elder sister? What is he plotting? My elder sister has disappointed me too. After all I’ve done for her, is she also securing her own escape route?"His gaze turned icy as he suddenly looked at the eunuch: "And how did you come to know of this?"

The eunuch's legs gave way, and he immediately knelt: "This servant dares not deceive Your Majesty. I have an adopted son who formed a eunuch-maid pairing with a palace maid from the Grand Princess's residence. It was when that maid went in to serve tea that she accidentally overheard the Grand Princess instructing her trusted eunuch to ensure the letter was delivered to Wu'an Marquis's people."

Qi Sheng's fingers began tapping rhythmically against the armrest of the dragon throne, the sound of his nails scraping against metal particularly grating: "What has my imperial elder sister been up to lately?"

The eunuch discreetly observed Qi Sheng as he replied in a carefully modulated voice: "This servant has heard that people from the Grand Princess's palace have been frequently visiting the Cold Palace recently, becoming rather close with a deranged maid who once served in Jia Guifei's quarters..."

Qi Sheng's fingers dug deeper into the armrest, his neatly trimmed nails now jagged from scraping against the carved reliefs. He murmured to himself: "She's helping Xie Zheng investigate the matter of the sixteenth imperial brother... Why would Xie Zheng look into the sixteenth imperial brother?"

A fingernail finally gave way and snapped.

The slight pain abruptly pulled Qi Sheng from his thoughts.

His slightly protruding eyes gleamed unnervingly bright. The eunuch broke out in goosebumps under that piercing stare.

Qi Sheng's lips curved into a smile, his expression carrying a strange excitement as he fixed the chief eunuch with a sinister look: "Go. Bring me that madwoman from the Cold Palace. Be discreet about it - I don't want my imperial sister catching wind of this."