Chapter 100: The First Imperial Princess
The First Imperial Princess had been a little worried recently.
After the State Preceptor’s incident, Jiang Chu’s attitude towards her was still the same as before.
This was the most abnormal point.
The night before the State Preceptor’s incident, she had abandoned the darkness and turned to the light, revealing the State Preceptor’s plan to Jiang Yu and beautifying her own thoughts, packaging herself as a meritorious minister who had dealt with the evil forces to steal the State Preceptor’s entire plan.
It was unclear how much Jiang Yu believed.
But regardless of whether Jiang Yu believed it or not, Jiang Chu should not have this attitude now. If Jiang Chu thought that she was innocent and had only gotten involved with the State Preceptor to go deep into the enemy’s camp, then Jiang Chu should have been more affectionate towards her; and if Jiang Chu did not believe her words and thought that she had sincerely cooperated with the State Preceptor at the beginning and had only turned against her out of fear, then she should have been a little more cold towards her than before.
So… could it be that Jiang Yu had not told Jiang Chu about “her knowing about the State Preceptor’s assassination attempt” at all?
The First Imperial Princess was at a loss and could only comfort herself by responding to the changes with no change, and that the boat would naturally go straight when it reached the bridge.
She beckoned for an attendant and asked, “Do you know the Second Sister’s movements?”
That attendant said, “According to the spy in the Second Highness’s manor, the Second Highness entered the palace early this morning and is now in the Hall of Diligent Governance, helping the Emperor with memorials.”
The First Imperial Princess hissed, “Didn’t our mother-empress always forbid us from personally handling political affairs? How did the Second Sister get a head start now?”
“Perhaps the Emperor is in high spirits today?” that attendant said. “Why doesn’t Your Highness also go to the palace for a look?”
The First Imperial Princess had already grabbed her cloak, walked to the door in a few steps, and left a sentence, “Prepare the horse.”
**
The First Imperial Princess had guessed correctly. Jiang Yu had indeed not told Jiang Chu about “the First Imperial Princess informing her of the State Preceptor’s incident the day before.”
But it was not intentional, it was just that it was chaotic at that time, and there were really a lot of things to do. After Jiang Chu knew about the history between Jiang Yu and the State Preceptor in their previous lives, she just thought that she had found out about the State Preceptor’s plan in some other way, so she did not ask any further, and Jiang Yu also put it to the back of her mind.
Today, Jiang Yu was originally in the Imperial Study with Jiang Chu, looking at memorials, when someone suddenly reported that the Second Imperial Princess had arrived.
“What is the Second Sister doing here at this time?” The Emperor was a little troubled. “A’Yu, you go and see for me. I’m very busy at the moment. If it’s not an important matter and she’s just here to ask after my health, then tell her that I have received her good wishes and that she can go back.”
Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, “How can you be such a mother?”
The Emperor said vaguely, “Oh, I’m really busy today.”
Jiang Yu thought for a moment, “Why don’t you let her in? I see that her homework and her discussions on the classics and politics have been good recently, and the Grand Tutor has praised her a lot. It’s time to let the Eldest, Second, and Fifth share some of your burdens. If not, you have a thousand and eight hundred memorials a day now, and in a few more days, it will be the imperial examinations. There will only be more before and after the imperial examinations. How can the two of us handle it all?”
Jiang Chu was stunned for a moment, and after a moment, she answered irrelevantly, “A’Yu has become a little more lively recently and is willing to say a few more words to me. I suppose it’s because your days are comfortable and your life is happy.”
Jiang Yu was noncommittal, “General Shen has raised me well.”
“That’s good, that’s good…” Jiang Chu murmured and turned to instruct the eunuch. “Let the Second Sister in.”
And half an hour after the Second Imperial Princess had come in, someone suddenly reported that the First Imperial Princess had arrived.
“Did the two sisters make an appointment?” the Emperor muttered.
The Second Imperial Princess smiled respectfully and replied, “We did not make an appointment. Perhaps the Imperial Eldest Sister and I are of one mind.”
The Emperor waved her hand and said, “Forget it, I have encountered a difficult problem here and want to see what you two sisters think. The Eldest can come in too.”
Only then did Jiang Yu suddenly remember the matter of the First Imperial Princess informing her.
The case of Jiang Chu’s assassination was completely sealed off. Apart from the few people who were present, the rest did not know the details and only thought that the State Preceptor had died unexpectedly, and the whole country was in mourning.
And the Second Imperial Princess was still present, and Jiang Yu did not want her to know too much, so she simply stood up gracefully, flicked her sleeve, and reported in a faint voice, “Since the two imperial princesses are here to help the Imperial Sister with political affairs, I will take my leave first.”
Jiang Chu said hurriedly, “You’re leaving now? The two of them are here, and you don’t need to move for them. It’s just a matter of adding a chair.”
“I’m leaving,” Jiang Yu said. “The main thing is that I have an appointment with Zhishu to see her for lunch.”
The First Imperial Princess and the Second Imperial Princess looked at each other, blinked at the same time, and their lips stretched to their ears.
Jiang Chu coughed unnaturally, pretended to pick up her teacup and take a sip of tea, and then asked again, “Then is Huai’an coming to the palace for dinner tonight? I have already ordered someone to stew your favorite lotus leaf and black chicken soup.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, Imperial Sister, but I can only accept it in my heart,” Jiang Yu said. “Tonight, Zhishu is treating the martial arts masters of the Martial Hall to a meal, and she has also invited me.”
The First Imperial Princess and the Second Imperial Princess immediately provided a voiceover for Jiang Chu, and let out a long and regretful “Ah—.”
Jiang Chu frowned and glanced at the two treasures, then turned her head back and still wanted to fight for it, “The Eldest and Second are both very fond of you. You and General Shen have dinner every day, and it’s not a big deal to miss one day. Why don’t you accompany these two little nieces?”
The First Imperial Princess and the Second Imperial Princess were very cooperative. One said, “That’s right, that’s right,” and the other said, “I even dreamed of my little aunt yesterday.”
Jiang Yu glanced at the First Imperial Princess with a faint expression and opened her mouth, “Alright, I still have something to say to my Imperial Sister, the State Preceptor—”
The First Imperial Princess’s “That’s right” was halfway through and split. She changed the subject, “That, since my little aunt and General Shen have an appointment, I think it’s not convenient to disturb them.”
So Jiang Yu flicked her sleeve and left, and when she left, she left a small landscape painting that she had drawn in her spare time for Jiang Chu.
Jiang Chu became happy again, her face beaming with a smile, and she put that doodle in the innermost part of her desk.
**
At dinner time, the two of them held a banquet at the Banquet Again Pavilion to entertain everyone. They had a great time with the wine and food, and it was already the first watch when they returned home.
Shen Zhishu was originally thinking of playing a game of Go with Jiang Yu and then going to bed, when she suddenly heard a report, “The First Highness has arrived—”
Hearing this, Shen Zhishu put down the black chess piece she had just picked up, picked up her flower tea and took a sip, and only then did she say slowly, “What is she here for?”
“She probably has something to discuss about the State Preceptor,” Jiang Yu said with a blank expression. “When I went to the Imperial Study during the day, I suddenly remembered that I had not yet told Jiang Chu that the Eldest knew about the State Preceptor’s plan. I was about to mention it, but I was interrupted by the First Imperial Princess. I suppose she has come to sound me out.”
Shen Zhishu picked up the steaming teapot from the hook and poured a cup for Jiang Yu as well, “Then does Wuya plan to see her?”
“Let’s see her and see what she’s really thinking. The General doesn’t have to avoid her, we’re all family.”
So, a cup of tea’s time later, the three of them were sitting in a circle in the flower hall.
Jiang Yu did not rush to get to the point, but instead raised her hand and gestured for the First Imperial Princess to drink tea, “New Da Hong Pao, you can try it.”
The First Imperial Princess savored it as she was told and then raised her head and smiled, “It’s really good. Our mother-empress really dotes on our little aunt the most. This is a new tribute from today, right? I haven’t gotten any yet.”
“Not necessarily. My Imperial Sister naturally dotes on you children the most,” Jiang Yu said. “I heard that you and the Second Sister were discussing politics today, and you each had your own shortcomings. My Imperial Sister did not get angry with you, but instead called the Grand Tutor in and scolded him, and then felt that it was inappropriate and gave the Grand Tutor a reward of jewels. It can be seen that she is still reluctant to reprimand you.”
The First Imperial Princess said stammeringly, “I have made a fool of myself in front of my little aunt. It was my lack of skill. I will definitely consult the Grand Tutor properly in the future and will not be careless again.”
Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, “There’s no need to say that to me. It’s fine as long as you make progress in your next discussion on politics.”
The First Imperial Princess said, “Yes, yes,” and changed the subject, “Has my little aunt been staying at the General’s Manor recently? I went to the Eldest Princess’s Manor tonight, but the doorman said that my little aunt has not been there these past few days.”
Jiang Yu was noncommittal, “The layout of the General’s Manor is more to my liking.”
The First Imperial Princess let out a long sigh, “Seeing that my little aunt has a family, I can’t help but think of myself.”
“You?” Jiang Yu said in a faint voice. “General Xie is deeply in love with her late wife. I’m afraid you won’t be able to get what you want.”
Hearing this, there was no surprise on the First Imperial Princess’s face, “How did my little aunt find out? That’s right, the State Preceptor should have told you everything. Then… has my little aunt told our mother-empress what I said to you?”
Jiang Yu answered irrelevantly, “You’re more concerned about this than whether you and Xie Jin can be together.”
“Actually, I knew long ago that it wouldn’t work,” the First Imperial Princess sighed and turned to Shen Zhishu, who was sitting by Jiang Yu’s side. “Little Lord Shen, General Xie may have many misunderstandings about me. Please help me explain a few words. I have no ill intentions towards her. It was because I was in love with her that I did those inexplicable things. Now I’ve also thought it through. Anyway, General Xie and I are not the same kind of people. It’s better to be friends from now on.”
Shen Zhishu smiled, “Your Highness has to tell Xie Jin this in person. If you want me to be a messenger, I’m afraid I can’t convey it perfectly.”
As she spoke, her fingertips were idly twirling Jiang Yu’s loose hair, it was unclear whether it was intentional or not, and it had a natural and intimate look.
The First Imperial Princess nodded and looked away from them, “That’s right. But my little aunt has not yet answered my question—have you told our mother-empress about my matter with the State Preceptor?”
“No,” Shen Zhishu was the first to respond. “But it was not intentional, I just forgot. Her Highness Huai’an did not open her mouth in the Imperial Study today because the Second Highness was there, and she wanted to save you some face.”
“I knew my little aunt doted on me,” the First Imperial Princess smiled. “That’s also what I mean—it doesn’t matter if you tell our mother-empress. Our mother-empress will have her own judgment. It’s just that it would be bad if others found out. After all, rumors are terrible. If it spreads outside, I’m afraid I’ll be branded with the crime of matricide.”
“Of course,” Shen Zhishu said. “When Her Highness Huai’an enters the palace tomorrow, she will dismiss all the irrelevant people around and explain the cause and effect to the Emperor.”
The First Imperial Princess let out a breath, “Then I am at ease. I believe our mother-empress will definitely not misinterpret my meaning. But… why is it always General Shen who is speaking, and why doesn’t my little aunt open her mouth?”
Jiang Yu put down her teacup and said in a faint voice, “The General’s meaning is my meaning.”
The First Imperial Princess blinked and said sincerely, “My little aunt and General Shen are a match made in heaven, which makes me envious. It’s getting late, so I won’t bother my little aunt and the General’s rest here. I’ll go back to my manor first, and you two don’t have to see me off.”
Jiang Yu watched the First Imperial Princess’s receding back for a while, and her gaze then flowed back and landed on Shen Zhishu’s face.
After a moment, she said, “They all say that you and I are a match made in heaven.”
“Is that not right?” Shen Zhishu asked in a low voice.
“No,” Jiang Yu said.
They were getting closer and closer, and the east wind, wrapped in their breath, was intertwined.
“Your Highness,” Shen Zhishu called out softly.
“Hmm?”
“Close your eyes.”
The moment Jiang Yu closed her eyes, a warm and soft touch came from her lips.
Her brow moved slightly, and after a moment, she poked out the tip of her tongue and deepened this moist and lingering kiss.
