Youthful Glory

The night was drizzling with light rain, droplets pattering from the eaves. Ming Tan lay sideways on the couch, quietly listening to the sound of the rain.

When Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan arrived in the rain, Suxin had just cooled the congee and was about to bring it into the room.

Bai Minmin took it from her hands. "Let me."

Suxin nodded, gave them a slight curtsy, and glanced at the people behind them.

The Heir Zhang, Commander Lu Ting, and Second Young Master Shu—quite the gathering.

Suxin initially thought it improper for men to enter the room, but then she reconsidered. Staying in this brothel for days was already the most improper thing, and with Miss Jingwan present, she didn’t say anything more.

Bai Minmin carefully carried the congee and led everyone inside. She hurried to the couch, sat down, placed the bowl beside her, and looked at Ming Tan with teary eyes. "A Tan, you’ve suffered!"

Ming Tan’s eyelashes fluttered weakly. "I’m fine. Why have you come at this hour?"

"I haven’t been able to sleep these past few nights. When I heard you were awake, how could I stay put?" She tightly grasped Ming Tan’s hand. "Does it still hurt? It must be painful. I’ve asked Zhang Huaiyu to send someone for rare medicine from the Western Regions—it will surely remove the scars completely. Don’t worry!"

Ming Tan gave a faint smile. "You always understand me best."

"Of course—" Bai Minmin couldn’t stop talking, but Zhou Jingwan gently tugged at her sleeve, her gaze fixed on the large dark stain on the embroidered pillow.

"A Tan, your shoulder is injured. You shouldn’t use such a high pillow. Let’s change it."

Zhou Jingwan’s voice was soft, and her movements were gentle as she supported Ming Tan, signaling Bai Minmin to replace the pillow.

Bai Minmin complied without understanding, only realizing afterward that the original pillow was wet. She froze, her heart aching even more.

Ming Tan, however, appeared calm and asked Bai Minmin to feed her the congee. Bai Minmin nodded eagerly, picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it carefully, and then brought it to Ming Tan’s lips.

The room was quiet. Shu Jingran and the others had entered but kept their distance, standing far away.

After Bai Minmin finished feeding the congee and the three sisters had exchanged a few words, Zhou Jingwan finally spoke lightly, not looking at anyone. "Didn’t you have something to say? Keep it brief. A Tan still needs rest."

Hearing this, Lu Ting spoke first. After all, A Wan had been giving him the cold shoulder for days. If not for bringing her to see the Consort tonight, she might have continued ignoring him.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t good with words and often missed the point. "...The prison of the Dali Temple is still a royal dungeon. Even with His Highness’s orders, the conditions are what they are. The Marquis must have suffered somewhat, but rest assured, Consort, his life is not in danger."

Shu Jingran almost wanted to facepalm and had to step in to explain. "What Lu Ting means is that the Marquis is unharmed and hasn’t endured physical torture. It’s just that the prison is damp, and the food is simple. These past few days have been hard on him."

Lu Ting pressed his lips together and nodded.

Seeing Ming Tan show no reaction, Shu Jingran continued, "To be honest, Qizhi didn’t want to hide this from you, but there are spies from Behe and Qiangyu in the capital. If we alarmed them, all the intelligence the Marquis gathered would be wasted. After all, even Prince Dingbei’s Manor had spies planted by Empress Dowager Su for years, didn’t it?" He paused. "Besides, apart from His Majesty, Qizhi, the Marquis, and Lu Ting, no one else knew about this. You must understand, Consort, that imperial orders cannot be disobeyed."

Would this really help? Zhang Huaiyu couldn’t help but glance at him.However, Second Young Master Shu continued unhurriedly, "On the day the edict was issued, the major task was half accomplished. Qizhi intended to return to the manor immediately to reassure you, but he was ambushed midway by remnants of the Su faction."

Ming Tan's fingertips twitched slightly.

"Empress Dowager Su confined herself to the Shoukang Palace, hoping for a peaceful burial in the imperial mausoleum and incense offerings after her death. But she realized that His Majesty and Qizhi had no intention of granting her this wish. So she decided to drag others down with her—one after another. While ambushing Qizhi, she also activated hidden spies planted in the prince's manor for years, sowing discord between you and Qizhi."

"That night at Bie Yu Lou, Qizhi was already waiting for Empress Dowager Su's elite archers. Your sudden appearance made it impossible for him to predict when they would strike. He wanted to send you back to the manor, fearing your prolonged stay there might lead to unforeseen danger. Unfortunately, the danger still came to pass."

Ming Tan understood most of these events and showed no further reaction.

Zhang Huaiyu's heart pounded, doubting for the ten-thousandth time whether Shu Jingran was truly up to the task.

"Of course, I know what concerns Your Highness the most is not these matters," Shu Jingran suddenly said. "Does Your Highness recall the great fire on the Lingyu River during your journey south to Lingzhou? After you fell unconscious for a full day and night, he kept vigil without rest. When I urged him to sleep and let the maids take shifts, he refused. For the first time in his life, a woman had rushed into the flames to save him. He asked me, 'Does this mean she has feelings for me?' I countered, 'If she does, what then?' He replied—'If she does, I must not fail her.'"

Ming Tan unconsciously clenched the embroidered quilt.

"Though marrying Your Highness was not his original intention, when the imperial decree was issued, he vowed that since he had taken you as his wife, he would ensure your safety for life. In truth, he never intended to act against the Marquis. On the contrary, he has always held him in high regard." He paused meaningfully before adding, "Were it not for Qizhi, the Jing'an Marquis Manor and the Ling Guo Gong Mansion might well have become in-laws through shared adversity by now."

Zhang Huaiyu couldn't help but glance sideways—for Qizhi's sake, Shu Jingran was even subtly criticizing His Majesty... Such layered rhetoric truly befitted a Tanhualang.

At this point, Shu Jingran paused briefly before continuing softly, "Many things—whether sincere or feigned—Your Highness must have already judged in your heart. Though recent events were forced upon him against his will, when Your Highness lay unconscious, he admitted his fault: 'Allowing my wife to be harmed is my greatest failure.'"

Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan were visibly moved.

For someone like Prince Dingbei to say such words... Were it not for her trust in Second Young Master Shu's integrity, Bai Minmin might have suspected he was fabricating the story on the spot.

"I have said all that needs to be said. Qizhi has always been reticent by nature, though he has improved somewhat over the years. In the past, he never deigned to explain his actions, and sometimes it took others a year or two to comprehend his intentions."

"My uninvited visit tonight stems solely from my knowledge of Qizhi's regard for Your Highness. The journey northwest is fraught with peril. If he could depart with Your Highness's forgiveness, he might fight more cautiously on the battlefield, increasing his chances of returning alive."

He bowed deeply from a distance. "I apologize for the intrusion and beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

Lu Ting had intended to chime in, but Shu Jingran shot him a discreet glance. He opened his mouth but ultimately remained silent.In contrast, Zhang Huaiyu was much more tactful. Shu Jingran's words had made the point without overdoing it, and any further attempts to evoke sympathy would have been excessive. Thus, he didn't plan to say more, merely giving Bai Minmin a look that signaled, "Let's go first."

Bai Minmin understood and exchanged a glance with Zhou Jingwan before saying softly, "A Tan, it's getting late. You should rest well. Jing Wan and I will come to see you again tomorrow."

The group quietly retreated, gently closing the door behind them.

...

Once outside the Bie Yu Pavilion, Lu Ting walked beside Zhou Jingwan and asked in a low voice if she was satisfied with today's outcome.

Zhou Jingwan didn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the carriage in the distance as she replied softly, "It was Second Young Master Shu who did all the talking. Even if A Tan is now at ease, it has nothing to do with you."

Just as Lu Ting was about to say more, Lǜ'e's voice suddenly called out from behind, "Miss Minmin! Miss Jing Wan, wait!"

Lǜ'e hurried over, lifting her skirt, her face filled with anxiety. "Miss! Consort! She—"

"Speak slowly. What's wrong with A Tan?" Zhou Jingwan asked.

Lǜ'e was so frantic that sweat beaded on her forehead. "Miss suddenly insisted that I find someone to prepare a horse for her—she wants to leave the city!"

Bai Minmin's eyes widened. "Leave the city? Could she be planning to chase after the Lord? She's injured like this—is she out of her mind?"

"This... this really isn't necessary. A letter would suffice," Shu Jingran said, a sense of having overplayed his hand dawning on him.

"But Miss has already struggled to sit up. She insists she must leave the city today. If I can't find someone to take her, she says she'll walk there herself and dares anyone to stop her."

Stopping her was out of the question, and walking was impossible in her condition. But if she collapsed again before even leaving the building, no one could bear the blame.

Just as Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan were about to follow Lǜ'e to persuade her, they saw Ming Tan trembling as she leaned against the windowsill, looking down.

"A Tan!" Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan called out in concern.

For some inexplicable reason, Lu Ting, seeing everyone else anxious to rush upstairs and dissuade her, suddenly said, "I'll take the Consort."

Zhou Jingwan: "...?"

...

To travel from the capital to Yangxi Road, one had to exit through the western city gate. However, Bie Yu Pavilion was located in the eastern part of the city. It took the mounted party over an hour of swift riding just to reach the city gate.

No sooner had they exited the gate than rain began to fall. The winter night was bitterly cold, the rain icy. An officer reined in his horse and suggested, "Lord, perhaps we should set up camp here for the night and cross the mountains once the rain stops?"

Jiang Xu tightened his grip on the reins and glanced back at the distant city walls before issuing a firm order. "Halt. We'll rest here tonight."

A simple camp was quickly set up. The meager dry wood produced only a small fire, around which everyone gathered for warmth before finding spots to sleep.

Jiang Xu sat by the fire as well. The wood occasionally crackled, sending sparks flying.

He had spent the past few days keeping vigil by Ming Tan's side, barely resting. Yet now that he was no longer with her, sleep still eluded him.

Had he known it would rain, he might have stayed another night. But upon reflection, staying or leaving made little difference—she didn’t want to see him either way.

He sat in silence through the night.

By the fifth watch, the sky began to lighten. The group roused themselves, packed up the camp, and prepared to set off.

Jiang Xu gripped the reins and took one last look at the western city gate, now gradually becoming visible in the dawn's faint glow. Without further hesitation, he gave the order: "Move out."

"Jiang Qizhi!"

"Hyah!"

"Hyah!"

"Jiang Qizhi!"The warhorse beneath him galloped with a piercing neigh when suddenly, an officer at Jiang Xu's side shouted, "Lord! It seems someone is calling for you from behind!"

Jiang Xu slowed slightly. Truth be told, he had heard it too—only the voice was faint yet familiar, and he thought it might be his imagination playing tricks on him.

The entire troop gradually reduced their speed, the sound of hooves quieting. Though distant, the voice calling his name from behind became clearer than before.

"Jiang Qizhi! If you don't come back, I'll never forgive you!"

Jiang Xu slowly turned his horse around, gazing at the tiny figure atop the distant city wall.

"Is that the Consort?"

"It seems so..."

One of the men gathered the courage to suggest, "Lord, perhaps you should return and speak with the Consort? It would only take an hour or two. We can make up the time by resting less later and still catch up with the main army."

"No need."

Jiang Xu stared at that distant figure. Though separated by great distance, it felt as though their eyes met.

After a long pause, he raised his hand, his gaze sharp and resolute. "Recapturing Rongzhou—this battle cannot wait another moment. Forward!"

With a crack of the whip, his horse swiftly turned, its iron hooves kicking up dust as they gradually disappeared into the mountains, leaving the capital far behind.