Chapter 12: I’m So Poor

After getting off the carriage, Jiang Huaiyue felt like a wild horse set free—everything seemed so new and fascinating.

“Qiu Chan, did you bring any money?” she asked while weaving through the bustling market streets, her eyes drawn to steaming pastries and bright red candied hawthorn skewers.

Hearing this, Qiu Chan hesitated and took out her small purse:
“Princess, I only brought this little bit.”

Jiang Huaiyue took the purse, weighing it in her hand, incredulous:
“Only this much? We’re so poor!”

“Princess, we’ve always been poor,” Qiu Chan said calmly.

Jiang Huaiyue returned the purse with a sigh:
“Being a princess is really frustrating.”

Others who transmigrated usually gained wealth and power easily, but she thought about how she had to worry about keeping her life every day. Now, walking around the market, she didn’t even have a few coins.

“Princess, are you hungry?” Qiu Chan noticed her staring at the snack stall and guessed she must be.

She took some silver coins from the purse and handed them to Jiang Huaiyue:
“Princess, if you want to eat, let’s buy some.”

“Forget it, I’m not hungry. Let’s go to the General’s mansion,” Jiang Huaiyue closed Qiu Chan’s hand and turned to leave.

Rather than fret over a few pieces of pastry, she’d rather see what clever money-making idea Wanwan had come up with.

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Yunxiang Pavilion

Yunxiang Pavilion was the most famous restaurant in the capital, known for exquisite cuisine and the best place for nobles to host banquets.

Pei Ji was known by everyone in the capital. When he entered Yunxiang Pavilion, many eyes turned to him. The restaurant’s manager approached:
“Your Highness, what would you like to order today?”

A shadow behind Pei Ji responded, “Have the private rooms been reserved?”

“Yes, upstairs. Your Highness, please follow me,” the manager replied quickly and attentively.

The Yunxiang Pavilion was elegantly decorated. In the main hall, there were musicians playing traditional instruments, filling the air with beautiful sounds.

The manager led Pei Ji to the last private room on the second floor, respectfully saying,
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived. The honored guest is already inside.”

The shadow waved the manager away, who left knowingly. Then he reached out and pushed open the door.

Pei Ji stepped inside. Smoke from the stove curled in the air. Near the window sat two men.

One wore red robes, with delicate features and an androgynous appearance, holding a folding fan and lazily fanning himself, a slightly roguish look on his face.

This was He Lan, the most famous playboy in the capital and the Prince of Pingyang.

The other wore a dark narrow-sleeved robe, his hair tied high with a silver crown. The jade belt at his waist outlined his strong figure. He was drinking wine with a somewhat gloomy expression.

This man was Shen Yanli, in charge of all river transport business in the Jiangnan area, known in the underworld as Second Master Shen. As for why not “First Master,” there was no special reason—he just thought “First Master” sounded awkward.

Seeing Pei Ji enter, He Lan fanned himself lazily and said,
“Married men really are different—you promised to meet us several times but never showed.”

Pei Ji sat down on the soft couch beside Shen Yanli, crossing his legs with a carefree expression:
“Is the matter settled?”

He Lan raised an eyebrow. “When did the Crown Prince ever slip up? The letter has already been delivered into Xiao Qingrong’s hands. Now we just wait for the news that he has died in battle. Then we’ll storm the palace and pull Jiang Jingchen off his throne.”

They had waited so long for this day—finally, their wish was about to be fulfilled.

“My side is also ready, just waiting on your signal,” Shen Yanli responded loudly.

Pei Ji’s expression remained calm, showing little reaction. After all, everything was under control.

This score had been settled late—over ten years overdue—but now was the time to make things right.

Ten years ago, Dayong wasn’t yet Dayong, and the royal family wasn’t surnamed Jiang, but Ning. The emperor was Ning Shixu, a ruler who loved his people like his own children, and the people lived in peace and prosperity from top to bottom.

Pei Ji’s original name was Gu Zhilin. He was the legitimate eldest son of General Gu of the capital. His father’s name was Gu Cong’an. That year, when the northern Rong tribes invaded, Gu Cong’an led the troops out to fight. But in the final battle, the Rong forces learned of the battle plans and surrounded him until death.

At that time, Gu Cong’an’s wife was pregnant. Upon hearing the news, she suffered a miscarriage due to shock, the premature child bleeding heavily and dying overnight.

After Gu Cong’an’s death, the border was on the verge of collapse. The then-deputy general Jiang Qilin showed no fear and led the army to defeat the northern Rong decisively.

After the war ended, Jiang Qilin reported his achievements in the capital. Emperor Ning Shixu, impressed by his victory, appointed him Marquis Xuanwu and put him in charge of the Shen Ce army, responsible for guarding the capital’s security.

But on the surface Jiang Qilin was loyal; in reality, he was an ambitious wolf.

On the day of the palace incident, he led the army into the palace, slaughtering everyone. Emperor Ning Shixu was tortured to death, and Jiang Qilin declared himself king, renaming the country Dayong.

The Gu family was left with only Pei Ji and his just-born younger sister. On the day of the coup, when assassins stormed their residence to wipe them out, it was the loyal soldiers of his father who fought desperately to open a path, allowing Pei Ji and his sister to survive.

That day, the royal city was stained red with blood, a scene of devastation. Apart from Pei Ji and his sister, the only other survivor was the crown prince Ning Yanqing—now the great general Xiao Qingrong.

Pei Ji was taken away from the capital by his father’s men. Along the way, those protecting him were hunted down by assassins. In the end, under their cover, he escaped with his sister and began a life of hiding and fleeing.

Since then, his only thought was revenge. His sister was premature, underdeveloped, and mentally impaired—never able to live like a normal person.

All of this was caused by the Jiang family, so he vowed to personally send them to their end.

He secretly cultivated his power, later came to the capital to take the imperial exams, and by his own effort passed three consecutive highest degrees. After becoming prime minister, he bribed those around Jiang Qilin, poisoned him, causing his early death.

At that time, the young Jiang Jingchen was insignificant, only a child. The border was still chaotic with the northern Rong pressing, and the people suffered greatly.

Xiao Qingrong and Pei Ji agreed that once the northern Rong were repelled, they would restore the Gu family’s honor openly and justly.

Pei Ji had no objections. Jiang Jingchen was no threat. The Dayong court was already in his grasp—whether it took a few years more or less made no difference.

Besides, watching a trapped beast desperately resist was quite entertaining.

Now, years later, most who were involved had been dealt with. Only Jiang Jingchen remained.

“All right.” Pei Ji withdrew from his memories. His pitch-black eyes were calm and still—like the endless depths of a dark lake.

He Lan tapped the table with his fan, smiling. “By the way, after you’ve had your revenge, what do you plan to do with Princess Yunhe?”

If he were to say, he thought Pei Ji was just being purposelessly reckless—he could have refused, but instead married her. No one knew what he was thinking.

Pei Ji’s expression was indifferent. He said lightly, “A pawn—whether she lives or dies is entirely at my whim.”