Chapter 28: Xiao Jinyu Arrives in the Capital

Aunt Fang clawed at the door, unable to get in. Hearing Xie Jiu’er, she turned. “Little vixen, you say I trespassed? Do you have proof? You’re reporting me; I’ll report you and your mother for adultery!”

She looked at the trembling Zhou shi. Xie Jiu’er didn’t fall for it.  “Fine, let’s go. Let’s see who the yamen believes.  And you said my mother and I did something shameful; say that to the officials.”

“Wait, count me in. A few days ago, this woman slandered me, saying I seduced her husband. She yelled all morning until her husband returned. I saw everything; I can testify for your mother. She trespassed, and there’s no escaping that.”

Aunt Liu from the end of the alley came over, ready to go to the yamen.

“You… two prostitutes, testifying for each other, bullying me! I won’t live!”

Seeing the situation, Aunt Fang sat on the ground and started acting.

“Come back and cook!  Are you not ashamed? When have I been unfaithful? Stop causing trouble!”

Mr. Fang, grim-faced, pulled Aunt Fang inside, slamming the door shut.

There were bangs and crashes, followed by Aunt Fang’s curses.  “You heartless man! Look at yourself!  Your eyes wander everywhere! That widow eats meat every day; she lives well.  Why would she want you? I spit!”

“Mother, how long will you make a fuss? It’s getting dark; are you going to cook or not?”

It was Aunt Fang’s son, Fang Mancang, around Xie Jiu’er’s age. He looked disgusted at his mother. If he had a place to go, he’d leave immediately.

Aunt Fang calmed down. “Mancang is hungry, Mother will cook. Wait a moment.”

Xie Jiu’er and the others were speechless. Aunt Liu rolled her eyes at the Fang’s door. “She knows her husband’s eyes wander, yet she bites others like a mad dog.  Luckily, you didn’t let her in. She probably wanted to steal food.”

Zhou shi narrowed her eyes. “What kind of person throws such accusations around?  Her heart is so vicious.”

Xie Jiu’er put down her things. “Mother, don’t be angry.  Aunt Liu is right; she just wanted an excuse to see if we had any food. Look at their clothes; they’re probably worse off than us.  They think they can steal from others.”

Xie Jiu’er deliberately spoke loudly for the Fangs to hear.

Aunt Liu laughed. “Your mother is so honest, but you’re clever. I like you. I have a daughter around your age; she’ll be back with her uncle in a few days. Come to my house; you can be playmates.”

Xie Jiu’er smiled wryly. Playmates? She didn’t have time to play; she’d starve if she didn’t work.

“If you have problems, don’t suffer in silence.  Let us know; my family runs a dart bureau, (often refers to an escort agency that protects merchants and their goods during travel).”

Xie Jiu’er’s eyes widened. She had met amazing neighbors!  Having a escort agency as a neighbor was reassuring.

Xie Jiu’er nodded repeatedly. “The Fangs aren’t easy to deal with; I might need Aunt Liu’s help.”

Aunt Liu was straightforward, and they quickly became familiar.

…

Thousands of miles away, Xiao Jinyu finally returned to the capital.

“Your Highness, you’re alive! You hid so well that not only did the Crown Prince’s men not find you, but we also failed to find you after searching for days.”

Wu Huan hugged Xiao Jinyu, then explained resentfully.

Xiao Jinyu, after washing up and dressed in a black brocade robe, glared at him. “Stupid is stupid; don’t make excuses.”

Wu Huan sat opposite him, looking guilty. “Look, you’re back safe and sound!”

“If I’d waited for you to save me, I’d have died a hundred times over. What’s the situation with the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao?” Xiao Jinyu sipped tea.

“They’re acting like monkeys in a circus, trying to win over ministers and suppress those who fought alongside you.”

Wu Huan scoffed.

“The day you had the accident, I followed your trail to the cliff edge.  I didn’t see you.  Zhu Wei, who attacked you, was killed. I threw his body off the cliff and faked your death.  The Crown Prince believed it, but Prince Zhao sent several groups of people to search the surrounding villages for a while before stopping.”

Xiao Jinyu smirked. “What have you been doing?”

Wu Huan looked like a wronged wife. “I searched for you and monitored Prince Zhao’s men, fearing you’d fall into their hands.” He hesitated, seeming to want to say something more.

Xiao Jinyu frowned. “What are you hiding?”

Wu Huan swallowed. “Everyone is loyal to Your Highness, even though they’re suppressed by the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao.  But there’s a problem with General Xue.”

Xiao Jinyu was surprised. General Xue?  He was a veteran under his maternal grandfather.  His mother had betrothed him to Xue Ling’er.  General Xue was the least likely to betray him.

“What’s wrong with General Xue?”

“Nothing’s wrong with General Xue, but His Majesty has appointed Miss Xue as the Crown Prince’s concubine, and the wedding is set for the Lantern Festival.”

Wu Huan’s voice grew quieter. The room was warm, but he felt cold.

“Was it His Majesty’s idea, or was someone behind it?”

Xiao Jinyu paused, then resumed his nonchalant demeanor, as if his betrothed becoming the Crown Prince’s concubine was irrelevant.