Chapter 69: Ji Province Part 2

They took the silver and bowed in unison. “We thank the Princess on behalf of the General.”

Yuan Man spread her hands helplessly, kicked them lightly, and said, “Is this my wedding or yours? There are so many generals in the army. Tomorrow, I’ll find some to marry you off.”

One girl, about sixteen or seventeen, in gray cloth, had sharp brows and a fierce look, but her words were coquettish. “General, don’t forget we decorated your new bridal chamber. We know best what’s missing. We want to marry, but no one dares take us. Where to find delicate girls in Ji Province? You’ve already hidden Asu away; we can’t marry her.”

Xun Changqing pursed her lips, finding the three subordinates beside Yuan Man amusing. Military folk were straightforward, unlike the scheming hearts in the Imperial Capital. This place felt freer.

Under the blazing sun, they walked back. At a fork, the three women split off toward the market to buy things, while Yuan Man led Xun Changqing and the others to her small courtyard.

With no one around, Yuan Man detailed recent events. “Something happened in the borderlands, but I couldn’t get specifics. Asu won’t talk. That night I saw her, she’d drunk poisoned wine. I gave her the antidote, but it didn’t fully clear the toxin. Her looks are a bit ruined, but at least she’s alive.”

Yuan Man recounted Xun Yisu’s ordeal slowly, skipping Ana Yanran—too tied to Xun Changqing’s identity, hard to explain briefly.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, someone emerged: simple coarse cloth skirt and hairpin, delicate features that seemed noble at first glance, but a nail-sized scar on her right cheek marred her beauty. She hurried forward with a gentle smile. “You really came. I thought A-Man was fooling me again.”

The scar caught Xun Changqing and Wei Lingci’s eyes, and they exchanged a glance of pity. The latter felt a chill in her heart. For a woman, ruined looks meant she could never hold her head high again.

Xun Changqing quietly gripped her hand and teased Xun Yisu with a grin. “Sister Asu, why didn’t you ask for betrothal gifts? You’re letting Yuan Man off easy.”

The words instantly dispelled the melancholy. Yuan Man jumped forward, raising a fist. “Xun Changqing, tearing me down the moment you arrive—despicable! Whoever marries you will go bankrupt…”

“No way. No wedding skips betrothal gifts. You’re just stingy. Sister Asu is so gentle and doesn’t mind, so you skimp on her.” Xun Changqing dodged the fist and cleverly hid behind Wei Lingci, watching veins bulge on Yuan Man’s forehead.

Wei Lingci smiled faintly, letting them play. Xun Yisu, seeing Wei Lingci, first looked surprised, then understanding, piecing things together. Suddenly, she said to Xun Changqing, “Changqing, should I prepare one room or two? I have many people but few rooms. Better one.”

The light tease made Wei Lingci’s earlobes redden. Yuan Man fell silent, puzzled. “Why one room? Didn’t you prepare two?”

Xun Changqing didn’t answer. Neither did Wei Lingci.

Xian Yu, who followed, chimed in. “What about two rooms? Where do Xian Yun and I stay?”

Yuan Man’s face flushed, awkward. “I forgot about you two.”

Xun Yisu leaned leisurely against a tree, watching the pair exchange glances, pitying her dense A-Man. A hint of post-disaster joy flickered in her eyes. She smiled. “A-Man, with guests, tidy another room.”

“Ah…” Yuan Man groaned, vision darkening. She gave up hitting Xun Changqing and pushed back. “Just four people. Two rooms are enough. Changqing, you and Lady Wei share one. Tidying rooms is exhausting. My subordinates are lazy, don’t want to do it. I’m busy too, no time. Make do.”

In the past, servants handled such things wherever she went. Here, she and Asu did everything themselves—farm life, rice, oil, salt, all tended carefully, fulfilling her old promise.

Rising with the rooster, returning at sunset—such days beat imperial wealth.

The courtyard quieted. Yuan Man gazed at the smiling Xun Yisu, her eyes spilling overt longing. Wei Lingci coughed lightly, breaking the silence, and reminded her, “For your wedding, do you need our help?”

Deeply eyeing Yuan Man, Xun Changqing couldn’t see her expression from behind. Yuan Man immediately said, “Yes, of course. Right, Changqing, bring your silver. Come shopping with me. I’m free today.”

Wei Lingci smiled and nudged the rooted Xun Changqing. “You come, and you’re stuck with errands.”

Before Xun Changqing could speak, Yuan Man dragged her out. Her shouts echoed far from the gate. Xun Yisu smiled, glancing sideways at the two maids by the door and pointing to the end of the pebble path. “The rooms are back there. Go that way.”

Xian Yun and Xian Yu bowed and left.

Once alone, Xun Yisu invited Wei Lingci inside, poured tea, and seated her. “I haven’t seen you in years. I forgot to thank you for the message back then, which let me survive in the borderlands. You have my gratitude; I remember it.”

The room was simply furnished, like a modest household, with table, chairs, and tea set complete. Seated, Wei Lingci cut straight. “No need to dwell. I just want to know what happened in the borderlands. The borderlands’ lord remains, so why did you escape?”

“That brings up Ana Yanran. She’s returned to the borderlands, seized military power, and may raise troops soon. I also learned Changqing isn’t her daughter; she doesn’t know the birth mother. But Ana Yanran let me go intentionally, and I didn’t reveal her whereabouts. To the world, there’s no more Great Qi Princess Xun Yisu—just Asu, soon to be wed.”

Ji Province’s air was turbid, summer sands filling the city, but the sky was clear blue, white clouds veiling the sun—a decent view. Xun Yisu gazed out, lost in thought. At death’s door, old obsessions were mere clouds. Ana Yanran, nostalgic, let her return to Great Qi, clearly hoping she wouldn’t expose her.

But before the greater picture, she had no choice but to send Yuan Man to Border City, hinting to General Huangfu to watch for borderlands incursions.