You were my husband, and I had given myself to you willingly.
When Chen Yang and the rest of the Imperial Medical Bureau were preparing to return to the capital, the season had already passed Major Heat. The scorching weather had peaked; lotus flowers blushed at dusk, rotting grass turned to fireflies, and rain would fall from the sky now and then, without any rhythm. Soon, it would slowly enter autumn and begin to cool. This great epidemic had tormented everyone for months. Fortunately, Heaven had shown mercy, and it was finally quelled. It truly fulfilled Ji Hong’s promise before departing—that they would be back by the Night of Sevens at the latest.
Yan Sining had originally come to latch on to the merits of flood control, but ended up falling gravely ill for no reason. He had walked back and forth along the River of the Underworld several times. Although Yu Jinnian had dragged him back in the end, he was still young and had hurt his foundation. He remained somewhat sickly even now.
Yu Jinnian found an empty room by the window in the building and was seated there flipping through medical cases, summarizing similar illnesses, when Yan Sining was brought in, surrounded by a cluster of inner attendants. The fine brocade robe the eldest prince had worn so neatly when arriving in southern Chu now looked a little loose on him. His face was no longer plump and round. Upon entering, he didn’t interrupt Yu Jinnian’s reading. He only left his close attendant Qi En behind and dismissed the others, then chose the seat opposite Yu Jinnian and sat down.
After a while, Yu Jinnian finally looked up from the medical cases. He tapped the small bowl at his side and said to the attendant who had come in, “Please, bring His Highness a serving of ‘Blue Gate, Green Jade Cup.’”
Yan Sining had been about to speak, but upon hearing this, he sat down quietly again. Before long, he saw the attendant bring over a palm-sized watermelon. Just as he was puzzled, an unusual fragrance wafted to his nose. The attendant placed the watermelon in a slightly concave round dish and stood it upright, then reached out and removed the lid at the top—revealing a hidden world inside.
It looked like a miniature watermelon from the outside, but its flesh had been entirely scooped out. In its place were diced ingredients of all kinds: early-season longan just harvested, plump and tender white lotus seeds, chopped walnuts, pine nuts, almond meats, along with chickpea-sized pieces of chicken and diced ham. A spoonful in the mouth brought a mix of nutty aroma and the tender savor of chicken and ham, while a faint sweetness of watermelon lingered beneath it all.
After eating about half, Yan Sining finally remembered to speak. “Seems you’re not only good at making pig slop. This dish is quite good.”
Yu Jinnian gave a soft chuckle at his words. “So the grand prince does know how to compliment others, huh?”
“……” Yan Sining flushed with embarrassment and anger. He opened his mouth, ready to fire off his usual sarcasm, but was elbowed by Qi En beside him. He shut his mouth and buried his head to finish the watermelon cup down to the last bite. Then he cleared his throat, lifted his head, and awkwardly said, “You rendered service in treating this prince. What reward do you want?”
Yu Jinnian glanced at him, then suddenly replied irrelevantly, “That chicken came from wild game on the mountain. It’s been quite cheap lately, but the meat is tender. The bones we took from it were used to make a pot of chicken soup—very savory. We also have fresh-killed wild rabbit. Think of it as a farewell meal for Your Highness.” Saying this, he raised his hand and tapped the small bowl on the table again, calling in a young attendant and instructing, “Serve His Highness a braised yellow rabbit, and a cup of astragalus chicken soup. Let the kitchen decide on the rest.”
Astragalus chicken soup nourished the blood—perfect for someone like Yan Sining who was just recovering from illness.
Not long after, several dishes were served, with a thoughtful addition of a bowl of five-grain rice.
In the past half-month, Yan Sining had abstained from rich and meaty food to survive and recover. Now, faced with this table full of delicacies, just the aroma alone made his mouth water. Though these dishes weren’t anything rare or precious, they smelled even more enticing than the imperial banquets he had in the palace. Once everything was on the table, Yan Sining grabbed the bamboo chopsticks and took a few mouthfuls. Moments later, he heard Qi En give a couple of pointed coughs and realized his eating posture was indecent. He quickly straightened up and resumed eating with measured grace.
“I know what you mean. I saw those chicken bezoars too, but I can’t do anything about it,” Yan Sining said. “I heard that a few days ago, the Imperial Astronomical Office observed the skies at night and saw Venus shining—a sign of ill omen. Now, the court and the public alike are in an uproar. Southern songs have even reached the capital; the rumors are spreading. Father can’t pacify the people, and had no choice but to seal off Zhaoyang Palace and place Consort Ji under house arrest.”
“At a time like this, no officials in the capital dare associate with the Duke of Li’s household. Not throwing stones when someone’s down is already kind. Those who are willing to speak up for the Ji family are few and far between. Though Minister Min spoke out boldly, it not only achieved little, but it brought scandal upon himself—he was impeached for colluding with eunuchs in the palace and ruining court discipline. Father is quite troubled by it all. Even as a prince, what good ideas could I possibly have?”
Yu Jinnian replied, “I’m not asking you to do anything. When you get back, just recount the events in Chu’nan truthfully. Speak of how our Lord Ji shielded you from rioting refugees, how he braved plague to inspect the epidemic himself, and how he tended to Your Highness at your sickbed tirelessly, day and night… In short, Heaven and Earth can attest to our Lord Ji’s loyalty to the sovereign. It’s best that Your Highness speak of this in court, after court, wherever the crowd is thickest—say it there.”
Yan Sining cut in, “Wait a minute—when did he ever tend to me day and night?”
Yu Jinnian replied unreasonably, “If I say he did, then he did. My care counts as his care. Without me, would you still be alive drinking chicken soup right now?”
Yan Sining: “……”
Yu Jinnian smiled “kindly” and kept his head lowered, reading, occasionally jotting down notes on the paper.
“You really are a strange one,” Yan Sining muttered. “I offer you ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand mansions, and you want none of it.” He kept picking at the dishes while peeking at the pages, curious. “Your handwriting, while a little ugly, shows hints of the Qingluan calligraphy style in its strokes and hooks. Do you also study the Qingluan manuals?”
“What a coincidence,” Yu Jinnian said without lifting his head. “I didn’t learn it from a manual. Qingluan Gongzi taught me stroke by stroke himself.”
“……” Yan Sining had been too busy eating to recall that fact. Now, hearing him casually describe how Ji Shuluan had taught him calligraphy “hand in hand,” he felt an immediate surge of sour jealousy. He slammed the soup bowl down hard. “This chicken soup tastes awful! Take it away!”
Yu Jinnian nodded and said to the servant, “The kitchen must’ve added too much vinegar and soured His Highness. Go remake it, and bring up some milk jelly while you’re at it.” After the orders, he added to Yan Sining, “I heard from Chief Steward Qi that Your Highness is fond of dairy treats. Just this morning, a milk-seller auntie passed by, so I had the kitchen prepare some milk jelly.”
Yan Sining shot Qi En a glare, and Qi En immediately lowered his head.
Thus, swindled one way and coaxed the other by Yu Jinnian, Yan Sining ended up stuffing himself full. By the time Yu Jinnian reached the last medical case, Yan Sining was already belly-round, slumped at the window, sipping digestive tea while watching the crowds bustling on the long street below. It was hard to imagine that this place—Chu’nan Prefecture—had recently been a city of weeping and wailing. And he himself had personally experienced the miracle of this medical art.
Although Yan Sining normally didn’t get along with Yu Jinnian out of jealousy, upon seeing the thriving marketplace scene before him, he couldn’t help but remark, “You really are a medicine immortal descended to the mortal realm.”
Yu Jinnian couldn’t help but laugh. “There are no such things as medicine immortals in this world. I’ve just seen enough cases to stay calm under pressure.”
Yan Sining studied him for a long while, then asked curiously, “I heard Ji Shuluan is as cold as ice. He’s even dared to turn down imperial invitations from my father. His old friend, the son of the Min family, often finds himself shut out of his gate. He pays no attention to affairs outside his household… So how did *you* manage to get your hooks into him?” He leaned in to examine Yu Jinnian closely. “Did you feed him some kind of love poison?”
Yu Jinnian shook his head calmly. “You should be asking him that! Maybe… he simply had poor judgment.”
He actually dared say that Ji Shuluan, renowned throughout the realm for his talent, had poor judgment!
Yu Jinnian set down the medical records and drew a fresh sheet of paper. Neatly, he wrote out several prescriptions and handed them to Chief Steward Qi—medications for the journey ahead, some to reinforce health, others for blood nourishment, along with notes on precautions to take while traveling.
Though Yan Sining muttered, “With the Imperial Medical Bureau accompanying me, why should you worry?” he still accepted the prescriptions. After a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not coming back to the capital with us? Once we’re back, Father will surely reward you.”
Yu Jinnian shook his head. “There are still matters in this building that need wrapping up. I’ll have to stay a few days longer.”
As they spoke, the physicians below had already finished readying the carriages and horses. Yan Sining had no choice but to head downstairs. Just outside, at the stairwell, he ran into Ji Hong, who had been waiting for some time. The minister had changed into practical riding wear, and his usual flowing black hair had been tied up high, secured with a small jade pin. Seeing this, Yu Jinnian came down, stepped onto a slightly higher step, and steadied Ji Hong’s shoulder as he helped adjust the tilted jade pin, softly reminding him to be careful on the road.
Ji Hong gripped his wrist, brows furrowing slightly. “You really won’t come with us? What remains here can be entrusted to Duan Ming and the others.”
Yu Jinnian smiled. “They’re not skilled in medicine. How could they manage it properly?”
Ji Hong replied, “I’ll leave Shi Xing here for you. And a good horse as well.”
Yu Jinnian shook his head. “No need. Any horse I ride will do. Besides, the times are turbulent now. Who knows how many eyes are watching you—better to keep Shi Xing and the others by your side.”
Yan Sining had already boarded the carriage. Looking back and seeing the two of them clinging to each other like sticky taffy, he felt his back molars ache from the sweetness and rolled his eyes. Hearing them bicker over who should keep which guard, he finally couldn’t take it anymore. He knocked on the carriage wall and called out, “Lord Ji! That newly repaired embankment still looks a bit flimsy to me—why don’t you stay behind and make some arrangements? You can travel together with Lord Yu later!”
Yu Jinnian was about to object that it might not be proper, but Ji Hong had already turned and accepted the “grace” without hesitation.
Yan Sining was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected him to not even pretend to protest. Fuming, he let the curtain drop and snorted, “What a Ji Shuluan—just waiting for me to say it!”
Chief Steward Qi, sitting at the front of the carriage, couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
——
Though the crown prince had spoken, courtesy still demanded a ten-li escort out of the city. Ji Hong rode a tall, dark red horse, Yu Jinnian held in his arms at the front. They trailed slowly behind the carriage procession. One hand held the reins, the other circled the youth’s waist, noting how he’d lost a few pounds from his midsection.
Yu Jinnian leaned half against Ji Hong’s chest, fingers lightly caressing the back of his hand. He asked softly, “What will you do when you return to the capital?”
“We’ll deal with soldiers when they come, and block the water with earth,” Ji Hong murmured. Using his height, he dipped his head to plant a kiss on the side of Yu Jinnian’s neck. “Though… you might be dragged into it too.”
Inside the carriage, Yan Sining stomped his feet several times. “Out in public, in broad daylight! Indecent!”
Qi En flicked the whip. “Your Highness will be fifteen next year. It’s time to leave the palace and establish your own household. Do you prefer talent or beauty? Many in the capital have both. I’ve heard that Minister Li’s youngest daughter is thirteen this year and plays the qin beautifully.”
Yan Sining asked in confusion, “What are you bringing this up for?”
Chief Steward Qi replied, “This servant saw how Your Highness kept staring at those two lords. I thought perhaps you were quite envious, and already thinking of marriage!”
Yan Sining, embarrassed and angry, shouted, “Another word and I’ll cut out your tongue!”
“……” Qi En hurriedly nodded in submission.
Once the ten-li mark was reached, Ji Hong’s party stopped. He and Chief Steward Qi exchanged bows and went their separate ways. The bamboo grove rustled in the breeze, and the air had grown noticeably cooler than in recent days. The sun hung slanted above, casting golden light over the official road, making Ji Hong’s hand on the reins look as if it were sheathed in golden foil.
Yu Jinnian turned to look at him, noticing the scar beneath his eye—the one he got blocking a blade for Yan Sining—had healed into a fine line. Scars on the face were always the hardest to treat. Now that this one lay just beneath his eye, anyone glancing at him would see it instantly. For a man as striking as him, such a blemish would surely break the hearts of all the noble ladies secretly in love with him.
Ji Hong noticed the youth’s gaze and smiled, teasing, “What, do you find your husband ugly now?”
“……” Yu Jinnian had been thinking about a salve for the scar, but upon hearing that, he huffed, “When did you become my husband? When did your eight-carriage wedding procession pass my door? The name isn’t proper, nor is the role—don’t think I’d throw myself at you.”
“All right, all right,” Ji Hong laughed, correcting himself, “You are the husband. I’m the one throwing myself at you.”
He reached again to stroke Yu Jinnian’s waist. “Once we’re back in the capital, I’ll hire the finest embroidery artisans to make you a robe. We’ll trim gold thread around the sleeves, add silver cloud patterns at the hem, and have the jade carvers make you a full set of belt ornaments.”
Yu Jinnian asked, puzzled, “Why would I need such a fancy robe?”
As the horse plodded along leisurely, Ji Hong hugged him close and whispered by his ear, “You’re going to marry me, so of course you’ll need a good outfit. Can’t let others laugh at you. You’ll ride a red-tasseled horse, I’ll sit in the eight-carriage palanquin, cross the fire basin, and enter *your* house.”
Yu Jinnian imagined the scene—Ji Hong in golden hairpins and silk jewelry, red lips and rosy cheeks, clad in flowing red wedding robes, led by Aunt Qingniang into the house with joy and laughter. He couldn’t help but burst into laughter, calling him “Ji Little Bride,” his voice ringing through the bamboo forest in a cascade of mirth, mingling with the horse’s lazy snort.
Ji Hong let him laugh, offering no rebuttal.
The epidemic had mostly passed. As for those rumors on the streets, they wouldn’t be resolved in a day. Better to steal a little peace amidst the chaos—take each easy day as it came, and live a few comfortable ones while they could.
Trailing behind the two were Duan Ming and the others, with dozens of guards hidden in the shadows. All of them feigned deafness and dumbness by now—already well accustomed to the open displays of affection between their two masters. Shi Xing, moved by the moment, began missing Young Master Jiang waiting back in Chu’nan. Glancing over to see Duan Ming looking dumb and wooden, he couldn’t help but jab him hard and grumble, “Fifth Brother, what about you? When are you marrying that little lady Qinghuan?”
Duan Ming’s wooden face flushed bright red, and he stammered, “W-What are you talking about!”
“Don’t play dumb.” Shi Xing laughed. “Who was it in Jin Youting who pulled her out every night to look at the stars? You told the Cowherd and Weaver Girl story at least a dozen times. Didn’t you also give her flowers? What kind? Did you give her a hairpin? I’ve seen others give hairpins or jade pendants when they’re serious.”
Duan Ming coughed awkwardly. “N-No, I didn’t.”
Shi Xing frowned. “No hairpin? Then what did you give her? Wait—you didn’t give her a knife, did you? Come on! When the heir gave a knife to a young man, it had special meaning. You can’t just go handing a blade to a young lady. You blockhead!”
“I didn’t give her a knife!” Duan Ming hastily clarified. “I gave her… a bracelet!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he’d slipped up and quickly shut his lips tight.
Shi Xing chuckled meaningfully, then looped back to his first question. “So it *was* a bracelet. Well then, Fifth Brother, when’s the wedding feast?”
“Shut up!” Duan Ming kicked his horse’s belly and whipped its flank. The horse bolted forward three zhang with a shrill whinny, charging straight toward Yu Jinnian and Ji Hong.
“Fifth Brother, are you seriously angry? You can’t take it out on my horse!” Shi Xing shouted between peals of laughter as he spurred after him. Turning back to Yu Jinnian, he complained, “Young Master, just look at him! I was just asking about his wedding. Everyone says if the elder brother isn’t married, the younger brother can’t marry first. Me and my Ya’er want to hold our ceremony soon—Fifth Brother’s totally holding up my plans!”
Duan Ming, fuming, charged after him. “Shi Xing! One more word—!”
The two horses raced forward, neck and neck. Duan Ming drew his sword and exchanged a few strikes with him mid-gallop. Yu Jinnian found it endlessly entertaining and even fanned the flames: “How about this—whoever wins gets married first! I’ll cover the cost of the wedding feast!”
Shi Xing called out gleefully, “Ohh! The young master has spoken! Fifth Brother, let’s settle this!”
Ji Hong sighed helplessly. “You just want to see a spectacle.”
The two raced farther ahead. Ji Hong twitched the reins and urged his horse to catch up. Shi Xing’s sword slashed like it could cleave iron and mud, slicing down branches in a flurry of fluttering leaves. Duan Ming wasn’t about to back down either. He countered with his blade, ringing out a clash. The guards behind watched with interest, shouting and teasing, goading Duan Ming to show Shi Xing what it meant to be the elder brother.
Yu Jinnian sighed, “What a shame. My little bride is all brains and no brawn. That embroidery of punches she knows—wouldn’t hold up against a mountain bandit.”
Ji Hong, hearing that, was about to show him just how powerful “embroidered punches” could be—when suddenly, Shi Xing shouted ahead: “Fifth Brother—watch out!”
The words had barely left his mouth when the shriek of a blood-chilling horse cry cut through the air. A runaway carriage burst from the forest path, unmanned and wildly charging forward. Its speed was so great that it plowed through several thick bamboo stalks without slowing. Duan Ming, unable to maneuver away in time, used a stirrup to leap from his horse and landed atop the mad carriage. Shi Xing quickly yanked his reins, his horse digging a deep groove in the dirt as it barely swerved to avoid a collision.
Yu Jinnian’s heart sank. *Did I jinx it with that mountain bandit comment? Is this really happening in broad daylight?*
Shadows flashed through the woods.
“On guard! We have intruders!” a guard shouted.
Shi Xing immediately drew his blade and led a squad into the trees, chasing the shadows that had flitted between the branches.
Meanwhile, Duan Ming crouched on the rampaging carriage, fingers wrapped tightly around the reins. He barked commands to stop the horse, but the beast seemed deaf, barreling toward a tree. He was about to jump off when he heard a faint groan from inside the carriage.
*Someone’s alive inside?!*
Duan Ming hesitated—but then clenched the reins even tighter.
The leather reins cut into his palms, blood welling out as he pulled with all his strength. At last, the horse began to slow. That’s when Duan Ming noticed an arrow embedded in the horse’s right haunch, fresh blood still seeping from the wound.
*So it was shot just recently—that’s why it panicked.*
Ji Hong waved his hand, and several guards dashed forward. Some moved to the front to stop the horse, others pushed from behind. It took considerable effort to halt the carriage just before it would’ve crashed into a tree.
Duan Ming released the reins, bloodied palms stinging. He wiped them off casually on his robes and turned to check the passenger inside. But the moment he lifted the curtain, he reeled back in shock.
*That was close,* he thought. *If I’d let go, the carriage would’ve smashed and killed them—who knows what chaos that would’ve caused!*
The guards, seeing him stunned, quickly crowded around to look. Five heads squeezed in at once, and one glance left them all gasping.
“It’s Young Master Min!”
“My lord! Young Master Yu! It’s the second son of the Min family!”
Ji Hong’s expression changed. “Xuefei?!”