Chapter 458 Extra Story: Each Finds Joy in Their Own Way (1)
The Jiang household was celebrating a joyous occasion.
Their daughter Xie Xian, now sixteen years of age—the prime of a maiden’s youth—sat in her bridal attire within her chamber, having her makeup done.
The matron of blessings chattered incessantly with auspicious well-wishes.
A crowd of neighbors chatted merrily nearby.
“Lady Jiang is truly blessed to be acquainted with the current Empress Dowager. Rumor has it the Empress Dowager herself arranged this match between Miss Xie and the Qi family.”
“The Qi family holds a third-rank official position. Even if he’s a son by a concubine, he’s beyond the reach of ordinary folk. I heard he passed the imperial examinations a few years ago and earned the title of Cultivated Talent—his future looks bright indeed.”
“How many good deeds did Lady Jiang perform in her past life to deserve such fortune in this one? It’s truly enviable.”
As they spoke, a loud announcement came from outside—
“The Eldest Princess has arrived!”
The crowd immediately fell silent, their gazes snapping toward the entrance.
A young maiden in palace attire strode in. Exceedingly beautiful, she had deliberately chosen an elegant, understated gown and adorned her hair with but a single palace flower to avoid overshadowing the bride’s radiance. Though simply dressed, her presence was captivating.
“Is this the Eldest Princess? She’s stunning!”
“This is my first time seeing the Eldest Princess—so dignified and noble, even more beautiful than a peony in full bloom.”
“They say the Eldest Princess and Miss Xie are bosom friends. Miss Xie’s frequent visits to the palace were to accompany Her Highness.”
“To lay eyes on royalty in my lifetime—I’ve truly been honored by the Xie family.”
“Why are we just standing here gossiping? Quick, pay your respects…”
Before anyone could kneel, Chu Changsheng swiftly interjected, “Today is Xian’er’s special day. There’s no need for formalities—attend to your duties as you would.”
Just then, Xie Xian rose, her face alight with joy as she grasped Chu Changsheng’s hands. “You left the palace? I thought…”
Over a decade ago, enemy spies had nearly abducted Changsheng, and since then, she had scarcely ventured beyond the palace walls.
On her wedding day, Xie Xian naturally wished for her dearest friend to see her off, yet the world outside was far less secure than the imperial city. Thus, she had specifically written to Changsheng, urging her not to come.
Who could have guessed that despite agreeing to stay away, Changsheng had come after all?
“Of course I’d come for your wedding,” Chu Changsheng pinched her cheek playfully. “I had to see how terribly the most timid Xian would cry on her big day.”
Xie Xian swatted her hand away. “The Qi residence is barely any distance from my home. I won’t shed a single tear.”
She said as much, yet when she was hoisted onto Xu Ti’s back and carried into the bridal sedan, when the sedan was lifted and she gazed back at the figures at her doorstep, tears instantly streamed down her face.
No matter how near her marital home, she was still leaving hers.
Henceforth, visiting her mother would require a carriage ride—never again could she return as freely as before.
As the bridal sedan gradually faded into the distance, Lady Jiang wept as if her heart would break. But with guests still present, she forced back her tears and turned to Chu Changsheng. “Your Highness, please don’t stand out here. Come inside—the banquet is about to begin.”
Chu Changsheng waved a dismissive hand. “Aunt Jiang, don’t trouble yourself. I’ll join the feast at the Qi residence.”
There, she could witness Xian’er’s wedding ceremony firsthand—perhaps even sneak into the bridal chamber to keep her company.
Xian had always been so timid. Now, entering a household of strangers, who knew how frightened she might be?
Mounted on horseback, Chu Changsheng trailed the bridal sedan toward the Qi family home.Minister Qi held a third-rank court position, and his eldest son served as a seventh-rank official. Xie Xian married the third young master of the Qi family, a Cultivated Talent. Although he was a son born of a concubine, the Qi family still held a grand wedding banquet, inviting many court officials.
Chu Changsheng arrived uninvited, causing the Qi family great alarm. They hastily ushered her to the seat of honor. She had come specifically to lend Xie Xian support and unhesitatingly took the prominent seat. After eating until half-full, she mingled her way toward the bridal chamber.
A group of Qi family women were in the bridal chamber chatting with Xie Xian and introducing her to the family members. The atmosphere was quite pleasant. Seeing this, Chu Changsheng decided not to intrude. She led her horse away from the Xie residence.
This horse had been a gift from her father and mother, brought back from the southern regions the year she came of age. It was an exceptionally gentle horse, and she adored it. Having been confined to the palace for so long, she seized this rare opportunity to leave the palace grounds and wanted to stroll around a bit more. Her elder brother enjoyed eating Eight-Treasure Duck, so she thought she might bring one back for him. That rascal Jue Ge'er loved the chestnuts stir-fried by an old man at the street corner—she ought to buy some for him too...
As she led her horse to the street corner, she saw a crowd gathered around the chestnut vendor's stall. An old man lay on the ground, his face deathly pale.
"Oh my, what's happened to Old Man Li? Could his time be up?"
"He's over seventy and still comes out every day to sell chestnuts. What kind of life is that?"
"Don't talk nonsense! Old Man Li has a simple-minded son to support. If he passes, that son won't last long either."
Amid the crowd's murmuring, a young man pushed his way through. Just as he knelt to examine the old man, concerned bystanders blocked him: "Who are you? What are you doing? No one touches Old Man Li until the physician arrives."
The young man's voice matched his appearance—refined and gentle: "I am a physician."
"You're awfully young to be a physician."
"Indeed, you look barely sixteen or seventeen—still a child. How could you be a physician?"
"Child, Old Man Li has had a hard life. Don't make trouble."
The young man insisted, "I truly understand medicine. Let me try." His features were upright, his gaze clear and steady, which lent him some credibility. The crowd relented and allowed him to approach.
Kneeling down, the young man extended jade-like slender fingers to check Old Man Li's pulse and examined his tongue coating. His furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and he smiled. "It's nothing serious—a minor issue."
With that, he took a paper packet from his sleeve, withdrew a very common piece of candy, and prepared to place it in Old Man Li's mouth.
"Child, don't act recklessly! Don't put just anything in the old man's mouth."
"Don't tell us this candy can save him."
"This is too frivolous."
The young man frowned. "The patient shows deficiency in both heart and spleen, with an accelerated pulse. Clearly, he lacks sugar. A piece of candy will suffice."
"How ridiculous!"
"I've never heard of such a thing."
"If sweet candy can cure illness, what's the use of those bitterly awful medicines?"
"Ah, child, why won't you listen to reason..."
In a flash, the young man slipped the candy into Old Man Li's mouth.
Instantly, the surrounding crowd began to reproach him harshly.
Suddenly, a young girl's voice rang out: "He's waking up! Old Man Li is waking up."
The speaker was none other than Chu Changsheng.As a child, she preferred tranquility, but as she grew older, she developed a fondness for bustling scenes. Having been confined in the palace for so long, it was only natural that she longed to witness something extraordinary.
Her gaze remained fixed on Old Man Li, and when she noticed his fingers twitch, she knew he was about to regain consciousness.
It was the first time she had ever heard that sugar could save a life.
Involuntarily, her eyes drifted toward the man who had performed the rescue.
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