Chapter Ten: The Beauty

The memorial submitted by Yang Huating, Assistant Minister of the Imperial Stable, was withheld. Prince Cheng summoned the Right Chancellor to his residence overnight, and the Emperor is now searching for you everywhere.

“Mm.”

The tall guard, sword at his waist, had just begun to speak when the young man beside him shushed him, cutting his words short.

The mountain was quiet; distant temples glowed brightly, ensuring this would be a sleepless night. A figure in splendid night attire moved at an unhurried pace, saying, “Wen Ji, don’t speak out of turn while watching a play.”

The guard called Wen Ji fell silent.

“He likes watching plays.”

Inside the house, Jiang Li was explaining to Tong’er.

“Miss, you mean that was... that was the Duke of Su?” Tong’er asked.

Jiang Li nodded. “Indeed.”

The Yan Dynasty had produced countless talents over its century, but the Duke of Su was the youngest noble of his rank. At present, he is only twenty-four.

Ji Heng, Duke of Su, was the son of Ji Minghan, the Golden Guard General, who had followed the late emperor in expanding the realm, earning great merit. Out of gratitude, the emperor granted him the title Duke of Su.

The Golden Guard General was renowned for his valor and remained favored by the imperial family—he was the dream of all Yan Dynasty maidens. Yet, this distinguished general, Ji Minghan, married a daughter of a disgraced minister: Yu Hongye.

Yu Hongye’s father became embroiled in a corruption scandal; once exposed, the entire family was implicated. As a secondary daughter, Yu Hongye was banished to a brothel. The young Ji Minghan, attending social affairs with colleagues, fell in love with her at first sight.

Yu Hongye possessed extraordinary beauty and keen, cunning wit. Despite her status as the daughter of a criminal, the young gentlemen of Yanjing flocked to win her favor. Eventually, Ji Minghan redeemed her and brought her home as his wife.

Had Ji Minghan been from an ordinary family, people would have merely talked. But as the Golden Guard General and Duke of Su, his family fiercely opposed his marriage to Yu Hongye. Nevertheless, Ji Minghan acted on his own will, and none could sway him.

A year after Yu Hongye and Ji Minghan wed, she gave birth to Ji Heng. When Ji Heng was one, Dongxia invaded, and Ji Minghan led the troops to war. Upon his triumphant return, he learned Yu Hongye was gravely ill and could not be saved.

No one truly knew what happened; only that all the household staff were replaced, the maids who served Yu Hongye vanished, and Ji Minghan severed ties with his clan, leaving the Duke of Su’s family isolated.

Once everything was settled, Ji Minghan disappeared, leaving only his young son Ji Heng to be raised by his grandfather, Old General Ji. Later, the late emperor passed, and Emperor Hongxiao ascended. Ji Heng, still a youth, inherited the title and became the youngest duke in Yan at fourteen.

Ji Heng’s father lived a legendary life, and Ji Heng’s own story was no less remarkable.

What fascinated the people of Yan most was Ji Heng’s appearance.

It was said his mother, Yu Hongye, was famed as a beauty unparalleled in the realm—her every gesture as vivid as a painting, yet livelier than any painted figure, earning her the title of “sorceress.” Ji Heng inherited much of her beauty, able to captivate any onlooker. His temperament, however, was icy, a legacy from his father; to be Golden Guard General’s son, one must possess unwavering resolve.

Ji Heng was exquisitely beautiful and cold—not that he was aloof, but cruel at heart, his moods unpredictable. Perhaps in one moment he would treat you kindly, and the next, without blinking, have you dragged out for execution. Yan’s citizens called him “the Jade-faced Asura,” yet regardless of his somber temperament, countless young women still threw themselves at him.

He was flamboyant by nature. Rumor had it that in Yanjing, even officials, princes, and royals were wary of him. Ji Heng was deeply shrewd; to offend him was to invite endless trouble. He favored bright colors, which made his looks even more striking, and he delighted in beauty—good or bad, ugly or fair. Even the lowest servants in his residence, those who emptied chamber pots, were charming and handsome.

Ji Heng had two hobbies: appreciating flowers and watching plays. His estate collected rare and exotic blooms, and he often invited troupes to perform. If he enjoyed the show, he rewarded them generously; if not, he would banish the entire troupe a thousand miles from Yanjing. The city’s performers both loved and feared him.

Some said Ji Heng liked watching plays because he enjoyed keeping actors—an unsavory habit among noble youths of Yanjing. This rumor persisted until the famous lead performer Liu Sheng of the Auspicious Troupe was thrown out of the Duke’s residence with broken limbs, supposedly for failing to seduce Ji Heng. That scandal finally put the rumor to rest.

In short, Ji Heng, Duke of Su, was a capricious, fearsome, unpredictable beauty who cared nothing for tender affection.

A poisonous beauty, but a beauty nonetheless.

Tong’er had heard of the Duke of Su’s reputation. Eight years ago, when they arrived at this nunnery, Jiang Li was only seven, and the Duke of Su was already sixteen—a legend in Yanjing. She never expected to meet him here.

“How did Miss recognize the Duke of Su?” Tong’er asked. “You’ve never seen him before.”

Jiang Li smiled gently.

How did she know the Duke of Su? When she was still Xue Fangfei, married to Shen Yuyong in Yanjing, her fame as the city’s foremost beauty grew. The Duke of Su, with his love of beauty, heard of Xue Fangfei’s reputation.

How did he appraise her? It was said that one day, Ji Heng saw Xue Fangfei and Shen Yuyong’s sister shopping for jewelry. After a single glance, he scoffed, “Beautiful, yes—but utterly soulless.”

This remark became a city-wide joke, especially among the noble ladies. Suddenly there was a rival beauty, and Ji Heng’s comment gave them a sense of vindication. Some men sympathized with Xue Fangfei, but none dared challenge Ji Heng openly.

Xue Fangfei herself was unconcerned, but Shen Yuyong was vexed; she even comforted him. Shen Yuyong’s sister and mother, however, felt Xue Fangfei had embarrassed the Shen family, and confined her to the house for three months.

Looking back, she still wasn’t angry about Ji Heng’s words; in fact, she thought he was right. When she married Shen Yuyong, to please his mother and sister, she suppressed her nature, living cautiously. She tried to be a virtuous wife and mother, but lost the joy and liveliness of her youth.

To love someone so much as to lose oneself—to become someone else entirely—was to become humble to the point of losing one’s soul.

Jiang Li said, “In Yan Dynasty, only the Duke of Su could possess such looks. Besides, he has a red mole at the corner of his eye.”

Tong’er had no doubts, only wondered, “But why would the Duke of Su come here? Is he here to offer incense?”

Of course not.

“Perhaps he’s here to admire flowers,” Jiang Li mused, unable to suppress a laugh. “He’s seen a good play tonight. Both of life’s greatest pleasures met in one day—he must be in an excellent mood.”

Naturally, she felt the same herself.

——— Side note ———

The male lead is the Duke of Su, Ji the Beauty! The Ji family stands atop the pinnacle of good looks.