Chapter 244: The Daily Life of a Couple

"It still doesn't seem quite right," whispered Little Marquis Wu. "He should have gone to Yunzhou to assume his post, yet he lingers, refusing to leave, claiming he can't get up."

"He's not truly unable to rise," Bai Xianyu lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the crowd entering the city gate. He pointed at a man and commanded, "Double-check that man's travel permit."

The Little Marquis snapped to attention and hurried over. Bai Xianyu closed his records, murmuring to himself, "He's waiting for the Yan family's execution to finish so he can collect their bodies. Truly a pitiful soul."

Bai Xianyu shook his head. This was the bitter consequence of choosing the wrong side. It was a shame that Yan Congzheng, upright and honorable, was being dragged down by his father's sins. Looking at the situation now, Bai Xianyu was certain his own choice was sound. No matter how capable the other princes were, none could rival the Crown Prince. After all, the emperor's heart was set on the Crown Prince and never once considered another son for the throne. The other princes served roles: some as pillows on the Crown Prince's bed to ensure his peace of mind; some as swords in his hand to clear obstacles; others as fertilizer in his garden to nurture the Eastern Palace's blossoming glory. Li Can was the pillow, Li Ce the sword, and Li Chen was the fertilizer buried deep in the garden.

Bai Xianyu's thoughts were interrupted by the Little Marquis rushing back breathlessly: "Boss, you're incredible! This travel permit is forged! The man stammered and feigned deafness, so I arrested him."

"Ask where he's from," Bai Xianyu's eyes sharpened. "Sounds like someone from the Turkic regions."

The Little Marquis immediately adopted a grave expression and nodded firmly. "Understood! We'll let him experience the little gadgets from our Marquis's office. Who does he think he is, daring to sneak into Chang'an?"

He chuckled awkwardly afterward. Were it not for Bai Xianyu's keen eye, this man might have slipped past them.

To regain face, they had to interrogate thoroughly.

Bai Xianyu waved his hand. "Stay alert these days. The Dragon Boat Festival approaches in May, and with the need to execute those hundreds of rebels, plus the An Guogong Mansion's formalities with the Pei family—so many affairs at once. Be careful not to cause any mishaps or lose your heads."

He glanced up at the sky. Thick clouds loomed, promising rain. Raindrops began to patter on his forehead, but Ye Jiao seemed utterly unaware.

Soon, a paper oil umbrella appeared above her head. Without looking, she knew who it was. She was tossing small pebbles one by one into the pond, the "plop plop plop" sounds persistent.

Li Ce stood silently behind her, holding the umbrella. As she neared the end, he raised his other hand.

Qing Feng hurried forward with a handful of stones. After Li Ce took them, Qing Feng retreated to the corridor to chat with the maid Shui Wen standing nearby.

"The princess seems intent on filling the pond," Qing Feng remarked.

Shui Wen rolled her eyes. "The Chu Prince's residence has no sea. It's just a small pond. Our young master could fill it with a few shovels of earth."

Qing Feng grinned. "Must be in a bad mood. Why not pick peaches? The peaches in the mansion are ripe. Or watch the dragon boat races? Yesterday, a man fell into the water, lost his trousers climbing out, and was so embarrassed he only dared to show his head. Everyone laughed."

Realizing it was inappropriate to discuss pants with the young lady, Qing Feng trailed off. Shui Wen was not angry but gently reminded him, "You're almost out of stones."

Qing Feng hurried to gather more, returning breathless and asking, "How can the princess brighten her mood?"

Shui Wen twisted her handkerchief anxiously. "Just serve the prince well. Why concern yourself with the princess?"

"Don't you know?" Qing Feng sighed heavily. "When the princess is unhappy, the prince grows worse. Though he seems delicate and refined, if anyone angers the princess, he can draw his sword in an instant."

"No need," Shui Wen said with growing confidence. "Our princess will wield the blade herself."

The maids and attendants chatted animatedly, yet Li Ce and Ye Jiao spoke little. The rain thickened as they stood beneath the shelter of the umbrella, watching large droplets gather on lotus leaves before tilting aside, drooping mournfully.

"Jiao Jiao," Li Ce finally spoke, "don't worry."

Ye Jiao turned her head, moisture shimmering on her thick lashes. He understood her well—not merely melancholic, but worried. Worried about Fifth Brother and his wife's child, about her elder brother's marriage, about the impending executions, about Yan Congzheng.

"I once thought," she sniffled, pressing her lips, "that after all we've endured and suffered, no more troubles would come."

Li Ce wrapped her shoulders gently, soothing her with soft pats. "If…"

Her head resting against his chest, she whispered, "If my brother had not entered officialdom, he could have married the woman he loved. If Yan Shuangxu had not married Prince Wei, the Yan family would not have been implicated in treason. If Fifth Brother were an ordinary son of a common family, he would already have a dozen children."

"That's right. You're absolutely right, Jiao Jiao," Li Ce said, one hand holding the umbrella, the other embracing her, his voice like a mountain spring cascading over stones. "But there are no 'ifs' in this world—only to meet force with force, water with earth. Only through cautious steps and careful plans can we find safety."

"Is that so?" Ye Jiao asked.

"Isn't that how we came this far?" Li Ce replied tenderly. "Rest assured."

Ye Jiao relaxed slowly, clutching his waist and swaying slightly as if coaxing him.

"Sisi," she murmured, "I want to protect so many people. So many."

"I know," Li Ce answered softly, pulling her closer, "I know it all."

The scene was idyllic. Qing Feng's gaze stiffened, shifting away to meet Shui Wen's eyes. They both stepped back, bumping against the corridor pillar with a loud thud. Neither dared cry out, clutching their heads as they veered toward the nearby house, rain forgotten.

Shui Wen flushed red. "Why are you blushing?"

Qing Feng teased. "I'm not used to following the lady. Didn't know it was like this—always hugging, maybe even about to kiss?"

Qing Feng, as if surprised by her innocence, strode under the eaves, wiping his face with a grin. "That's nothing. When I drove the prince's carriage before, I overheard—" His voice cut off abruptly, too embarrassed to continue.

Shui Wen quickly diverted the topic, wracking her brain.

"The prince and princess are already married."

"Yes," Qing Feng scratched his head.

"You seem pretty relaxed lately," Shui Wen noted. "Your wounds from Jinzhou are healing well."

"They can't hurt me," Qing Feng said proudly.

"I think Yan Yun's swordsmanship is excellent too," Shui Wen said.

Qing Feng chuckled. "You don't agree?"

Shui Wen smiled behind her hand. "Where has Yan Da gone? Haven't seen him these days."

"Went to the mountains to see a doctor," Qing Feng replied.

"To the mountains? Aren't the best doctors in the palace?"

Qing Feng folded his arms, watching the rain thin, smiling. "Some mystical arts the palace doctors can't perform."

He suddenly froze, glanced left and right, and his expression grew cautious, as if revealing a secret. "Don't let this slip."

Shui Wen looked confused. Seeing Qing Feng's pale face, she asked, "Then why send Yan Yun? Because he's skilled?"

Qing Feng stared at her, then answered after a pause, "Because he has thick skin and isn't afraid of mosquito bites."

On a rainy day, Sixth Prince Li Can did not wish to venture out, yet Fu Mingzhu came to visit.

"You're busy doing good deeds, yet find time to honor us with your presence?"

Li Can sat in the octagonal hall surrounded by folding screens, sipping tea while listening to the rain, eyes closed in repose. His voice was pleasant, like a gentle plucking of strings, carrying far without harshness.

Fu Mingzhu, unimpressed, sat down dejectedly. "Everything's arranged, but will Yan Congzheng make it? I heard from the imperial physician that he's frail."

Li Can glanced at him sideways. "Martial artists have ways to confuse their pulse. He deceived the doctor."

"That brat!" Fu Mingzhu clenched his fist and struck the screen.

Li Can scolded, "If you break it, remember to pay for it!"

Fu Mingzhu leaned closer. "Tell me first, how do we get him out? I've built such a grand stage. If he doesn't come out to perform, we won't have a show."

"Promise me one thing," Li Can narrowed his eyes, voice low, "and I'll tell you."

Fu Mingzhu nodded eagerly. "Please, do tell."

Li Can's gaze sharpened. "I don't care if you frame Yan Congzheng. But don't touch the Chu Prince."

"Wasn't this supposed to kill two birds with one stone?"

"Trust me," Li Can leaned forward, grasping Fu Mingzhu's collar in warning, "If you harm Li Ce, he's the stone, and you and the Crown Prince are the two birds."

"Clumsy birds," Li Can added quietly.