IDWBE -Chapter 387 The End of Fate

Jiang Yi poked his head out from behind Tao Yingyi and chuckled, “If he really ends up with Zhou Xun, then one of them will have to accept their fate.”

A married couple—one in the Supreme Court, one in the Capital Garrison—both holding official posts?

Where in the world does such a good deal exist?

One of them would have to strip off their official robe.

Tao Yingyi cursed, “When the hell did you get here? You scared me half to death. You don’t even make a sound when you walk.”

Jiang Yi grinned sheepishly. “Those old fogeys have been making noise every day. How could we from the Military Commission not show up? Just yesterday alone, I secretly arrested three.”

Tao said curiously, “Isn’t this usually the Imperial Guards’ job? Instead, it’s you and the Prefect’s Office running yourselves ragged. Is it really necessary to scramble for merit like this?”

Jiang Yi glanced around and lowered his voice. “The Imperial Guards can’t even sort out their own mess. How would they have time for this? Besides, Pan Duo isn’t a fool. With past lessons in mind, he wouldn’t dare stretch his hand too far.”

“That’s true,” Tao nodded. “If they step on the wrong toes, Prince He might ignore them—but Lord He Jixiang certainly wouldn’t.”

Jiang Yi smiled. “I heard you’re about to be promoted?”

“Promoted my ass,” Tao rolled his eyes. “The day Wadan is wiped out—that’s when we’ll truly spread our wings. For now, this little merit is nothing.”

Jiang lowered his voice. “I heard General Shen is still living in the barracks—can’t go home?”

“You bastard, why are you always digging into this kind of gossip?”

Tao laughed. “Everyone thinks the more wives the better. But when the zither strings fall out of tune, the more you have, the more troublesome it becomes.”

Shen Chu had already been married in the capital. But obsessed with the idea of having a son, he took a concubine after going to Sanhe.

When he returned to the capital, he couldn’t very well leave the concubine and her daughter behind in Sanhe. So he bit the bullet and brought them along.

After that, he fled north to the frontier, avoiding domestic matters altogether.

The first wife despised the concubine. But the concubine had trained in martial arts in Sanhe—she was no easy target. The first wife couldn’t outfight or outargue her, and had been swallowing her anger ever since.

When Shen Chu returned, the first wife poured all her grievances onto him, hoping he would stand up for her.

The concubine was charming and captivating—Shen Chu naturally favored her more and couldn’t bear to punish her. But the first wife was his properly wedded partner of many years, treated each other with mutual respect—he couldn’t bring himself to speak harshly to her either.

Unable to offend either side, he could only avoid them both.

Thus he now had a home he dared not return to.

“Who would’ve thought the mighty General Shen, so imposing on the battlefield, would be afraid of his wife? How unmanly,” Jiang Yi laughed. “They say his first wife chased him three streets with a rolling pin. He ran straight back to the barracks and hasn’t dared show his face since.”

“Enough,” Tao suddenly said sternly. “Is General Shen someone we can gossip about? Be careful—walls have ears.”

Jiang nodded quickly. “Yes, yes.”

Shen Chu’s talents were average, and his martial skills weren’t the strongest in the army.

But one thing no one could rival—he was Prince He’s trusted confidant. The prince trusted him deeply.

In the army now, he was second only to He Jixiang.

He Jixiang was older and handled overall coordination; he oversaw military affairs but not in minute detail. In practice, Shen Chu called the shots.

He held real power now—not the cautious captain of guards he once was.

Treating him the way they used to would be like eating arsenic out of boredom.

“Among us, the luckiest one is actually Ma Jie,” Tao suddenly sighed. “Who would’ve thought a lowly advisor would transform into a fourth-rank official? Meanwhile Liu Boxian is still just a prefect. And at his age, he still has quite the spirit—I heard he’s taken a secondary wife?”

“They’ve been married over twenty years with no children. So he found a concubine, hoping for a son or daughter,” Jiang teased. “Sixteen years old. Yesterday everyone was saying—at his age, having the heart is one thing, but does he have the strength?”

“Still, what a pity. He’s a fourth-rank official—he could’ve married any respectable girl. Instead he chose a courtesan.”

“You said it yourself—he’s a fourth-rank official,” Tao smiled. “He just took office. If he married a respectable family’s daughter, people might accuse him of coercion. And he’d have trouble explaining it to Lord He. A courtesan is perfect—she can bear heirs without damaging his reputation. Two birds with one stone. The old fox is clever. No wonder the prince favors him. By the way—your Jiang family has been military households for generations. You’re of martial background too. How about I recommend you to the Capital Garrison?”

Jiang waved his hands without hesitation. “I’m just a gate officer. What kind of general am I? I’d only embarrass myself there. The Military Commission suits me fine.”

“Think carefully,” Tao said. “You may be deputy commander now, but you’re the same age as Zhang Mian. As long as he’s above you, you’ll sit in that position till death. Can you accept that?”

“I admit you’re smarter than me,” Jiang replied bluntly. “But don’t trick me like this. I’d gain nothing from going to the Capital Garrison. I won’t go—even if you beat me to death.”

On the surface, joining the Capital Garrison was also serving Prince He. But since becoming deputy commander, he’d already been branded as part of Zhang Mian’s faction.

If he suddenly switched allegiance, who would respect him again?

Besides, the Capital Garrison was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Seventh- and eighth-rank officials everywhere.

He hadn’t even broken into sixth rank—what business did he have there?

And under Tao Yingyi, no less!

Tao just laughed and patted his shoulder. “If you change your mind, my door’s always open.”

“Thanks.”

Jiang left in a huff.

He made up his mind not to linger near Tao again. Too much suspicion in such matters—if rumors spread, Zhang Mian might think he harbored divided loyalties. Not worth it.

That evening, the north wind rose again.

Lin Yi sat by the canal fishing. After several casts, he failed to throw the line into the river; the wind kept tangling it in the dry branches along the bank.

“Damn it.”

Annoyed, he threw down the rod and crouched by the fire to warm himself.

Jiao Zhong carefully untangled the line and smiled. “Your Highness, shall I cast it for you?”

Once his hands warmed up, Lin Yi pulled his hat down and said, “Fine, you try.”

Jiao Zhong wrapped the line with a flick of force. The hook landed precisely in the hole cut through the ice.

“Well done—you’ve got some skill.”

Lin Yi took back the rod, letting the cold wind lash his face, occasionally wiping his runny nose with his sleeve.

“Your Highness, it’s freezing. Shall we head back?”

Jiao Zhong couldn’t understand the appeal of fishing.

In this weather, sitting here in the wind?

If they wanted fish, he could just smash the ice and haul out a dozen in no time.

Wasn’t that easier than waiting?

Lin Yi seemed to read his thoughts. “You don’t understand the joy of fishing. For a man, having a hobby isn’t easy.”

In his previous life, poverty had limited his hobbies. He only dared pursue cheap ones.

Photography? Travel? Fitness? He hadn’t even dreamed of them.

No money to burn.

Now he had money—but nowhere to spend it.

“Your Highness speaks wisely,” Jiao Zhong smiled awkwardly.

“Has Hong An returned?” Lin Yi asked.

“Yes, last night. It was too late to pay respects.”

“Xiao Ying dotes on that disciple. What post did she get?”

“She’s assigned to the Military Commission’s Patrol Division, in charge of patrol affairs.”

“She can handle it,” Lin Yi nodded. “In a few days, Song Cheng is getting married. Send a gift list in my name.”

“Yes, I hear General Shen, General Pang, and Luo Han will attend. I’ll go join the fun.”

“Good.”

After a pause, Lin Yi added, “I heard that old bastard Ma Jie married the top courtesan from Jinman Tower? Did you attend? What does she look like?”

Jiao Zhong hesitated. “Your Highness… she wore a red veil. I couldn’t see clearly.”

“Bullshit,” Lin Yi scoffed. “You’ve been to Jinman Tower often enough. And you’re telling me you don’t know what their top courtesan looks like?”

“Your Highness, I’m innocent!” Jiao Zhong protested. “She’s a pure courtesan—sells talent, not herself. To drink with her, you’d need to know poetry or music. I’m a rough man. Or you’d need silver to pave the way. I’m not short of money—but I won’t let them fleece me. So I never saw her up close.”

“Shame on your ancestors,” Lin Yi said disdainfully. “One day I’ll take you there and show you what it means to pass through a forest of blossoms without a single leaf sticking.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Jiao Zhong said bitterly.

Prince He was now Regent! How could he casually visit pleasure houses?

If Jiao Zhong dared accompany him, both the chief steward and He Jixiang would tear him apart.

Even if it was the prince’s own idea, failing to stop him would be disloyal—a capital crime.

He wasn’t ready to die yet.

“Boring,” Lin Yi muttered, roasting a cleaned fish over the fire. “With courage like yours, you’re not cut out for big things.”

“Your Highness…”

Jiao Zhong’s heart trembled.

Was the prince dissatisfied?

He Hong was about to leave; he had his eye on the post of Chief Guard. If the prince was displeased…

He nearly wanted to cry.

“Enough. Stop talking. Hand me the chili powder.”

“Yes.”

As Jiao Zhong sprinkled the crushed chili, he suddenly heard the whistle of arrows cutting through the air.

A guard approached and whispered something.

Jiao Zhong gave instructions, then smiled at Lin Yi. “A tiger charged in. It’s been captured—hide intact. We can tan it and make a cushion for you.”

“Forget it,” Lin Yi waved dismissively. “Sell it. Split the money among yourselves.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Tiger hides weren’t common near Ankang’s outskirts. It would fetch dozens of taels—enough for several rounds of wine.

Under the pale moonlight, the lifeless land lay desolate.

A fierce northwest wind blew. Hong An sat on a rooftop, arms wrapped around herself, staring at a low shack across the way. Candlelight flickered inside; shadows moved.

“This is your home. Why don’t you go in?” Zhou Xun asked beside her.

“I haven’t had a home for a long time,” Hong An said expressionlessly. “My surname is Hong—not Sun.”

“Then why bring me here?”

“I’m afraid.”

“You? Afraid?”

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

Without waiting, Hong An drifted away like a shadow.

“Wait for me!” Zhou Xun called—but Hong An was already gone.

“She’s broken through again…” Zhou murmured.

Unable to catch up, she looked back at the shack.

Soon she heard shouting, then crying—chaos. Dogs barked in waves.

She shook her head and returned home.

Hong An was sitting in the pavilion, hugging her knees.

“It’s colder here than in Sanhe. Why sit like this?” Zhou asked gently.

“It’s fine.”

Zhou stroked her head. “Don’t you want to go in? After you left, I stayed a while. They were arguing. Probably your mother and your sister-in-law.”

“My mother isn’t easy to deal with,” Hong An smiled faintly. “Neither is my sister-in-law. Quarrels are normal.”

“Then what’s troubling you? Tell me. Maybe I can help.”

Hong An’s voice grew dim. “Sometimes I still think of the past. I thought I wouldn’t be able to let it go. But when I really reached the door… I realized I don’t care anymore. Sister Mingyue once said—from the moment I entered Prince He’s residence, the bond between mother and daughter was already over.”

Her voice broke, tears blurring her eyes.