Chapter 143: Winter Solstice

Whispers about Ji Shuran were circulating wildly through every street and alley, yet the men sent out by Jiang Yuanbai ultimately failed to discover who had leaked the news. The matter seemed destined to remain an unsolved mystery, but the outcome was all too real: the reputation of the Jiang family suffered a severe blow. At the very least, within the imperial court, countless memorials impeaching Jiang Yuanbai for failing to govern his household properly piled up.

The faction of the Right Chancellor seized the opportunity to spread various unfavorable rumors about Jiang Yuanbai. At such a time, the more one attempted to clarify, the deeper one sank into the vortex of gossip. Jiang Yuanbai simply claimed illness and ceased attending court, falling into a profound silence. Jiang Yuanping was also implicated to a considerable extent, casting a gloomy atmosphere over the Jiang residence.

Amidst these complex circumstances, the winter solstice of this Yanjing winter arrived quietly.

On the day of the winter solstice, snow fell heavily. Tong'er stood at the courtyard entrance and remarked, "I've never seen such heavy snow in Qingcheng Mountain. It's truly beautiful."

A scene commonplace to the people of the northern regions appeared novel indeed through Tong'er's eyes. After all, the two of them had lived in the temple for many years, rarely witnessing a landscape so completely swathed in silver. Tong'er asked Jiang梨, "My lady, are we still going to the Ye residence today?"

"Yes," Jiang梨 smiled. "However, before that, let's stop somewhere else first."

"Somewhere else?" Tong'er looked puzzled.

Jiang梨 smiled without answering.

Outside, the snow fell with such force that even the vendors who usually set up their stalls every day refrained from doing so. The streets were deserted, sparsely populated even by pedestrians. Upon the thick snow, only the deep ruts left by passing carriages and the chaotic impressions of horse hooves remained.

When Jiang梨 departed from the mansion, the gatekeeper's lips twitched slightly, yet in the end, he did not dare to offer any dissuasion. Everyone knew by now that the Second Young Miss held the final say in the senior branch, and the Old Madam had already given her permission to come and go as she pleased without prior reporting. Were lowly servants like them expected to stand in her way?

The departure proceeded smoothly, and Jiang梨 headed straight for the Yanyu Pavilion in Bailu Bay—the resting place of Xue Zhao.

Tong'er and Baixue still retained memories of this location, having visited once before their return to Tongxiang. They had heard that Yanyu Pavilion offered the finest view of the mist and rain, and their previous visit had indeed coincided with rain. Today, however, there was no rain. Could it be that the snow scenery of Yanyu Pavilion was exceptional? Was that why Jiang梨 had seized the mood to visit today?

Jiang梨 instructed the maidservants to wait outside the courtyard and entered the backyard of Yanyu Pavilion alone. Beneath the peach tree, the grave mound of Xue Zhao still lay quietly. It was almost entirely blanketed by white snow; but for the upper half of the stele protruding into the air, it would have been utterly untraceable.

Ever since Jiang梨 returned to Tongxiang, this spot had remained unvisited by a single soul. Watching this with her own eyes sent a pang through her heart. Leaving Xue Zhao here all alone caused her immense distress.

She bent down, found an old broom nearby, and swept away the accumulated snow from before the tomb, clearing a small patch of ground. Then, taking a cloth from the basket, she meticulously wiped the stone tablet before setting out the incense, candles, and sacrificial fruits upon the cleared space.

Even though she was now free to leave the manor at will, she could not casually visit Yanyu Pavilion. The Ye family was, after all, her maternal family, whereas Xue Zhao shared no ties whatsoever with the Second Young Miss of the Jiang family. Should anyone spot her and connect the visit to her recent legal advocacy for Xue Huaiyuan, complications might arise, which would be far from ideal.

Yet on the winter solstice, past days had invariably been spent indoors by the three of them: Xue Zhao, herself, and Xue Huaiyuan. Xue Zhao would roast venison he had hunted on the mountains, and Xue Huaiyuan would permit them to drink wine on that single day. Thus, clear plum wine would simmer over a clay stove while Xue Zhao gestured wildly, recounting his dreams of the pugilistic world. She would chime in with a remark or two, and Xue Huaiyuan would look on from the side with indulgent smiles.

Things remained, but the people were gone; it was still winter, yet people had died, scattered, or lost their minds. Jiang梨 could not yet bring Xue Huaiyuan to Xue Zhao's grave, leaving her no choice but to come alone.

She seated herself before the tomb, arranged the venison wrapped in oiled paper, and poured a cup of plum wine for Xue Zhao, exactly as she had done in years past.

After lingering a little longer, she rose, patted the snow granules from her garments, and turned to depart.

Tong'er and Baixue had been waiting outside until their entire bodies were chilled to the bone. Catching sight of Jiang梨 at last, they refrained from asking what had become of the bamboo basket she had carried upon arrival, simply inquiring, "Are we heading back?"

Jiang梨 nodded.

"Then let's go. One truly cannot stay out in this weather for long." Tong'er handed a handwarmer to Jiang梨 and assisted her into the carriage.

Next, Jiang梨 proceeded to the Ye residence.

Inside the Ye manor, Ye Mingyu and his martial brothers were heartily eating meat and drinking massive bowls of wine. When the gatekeeper announced Jiang梨's arrival, Ye Mingyu panicked momentarily. The room was in complete disarray—how could he receive guests in such a state? It was Ye Shijie who, upon seeing this, shook his head and stepped forward to greet Jiang梨 himself.

Failing to spot Ye Mingyu in the room and greeted only by Ye Shijie, Jiang梨 asked, "Why isn't Uncle here?"

"He was drinking, and upon learning you had arrived, he went to change his clothes." Ye Shijie looked slightly troubled. Hearing the boisterous shouts of drinking games echoing from the room and observing Ye Shijie's helpless expression, Jiang梨 understood immediately. Ye Mingyu possessed an unrefined, bold disposition, whereas Ye Shijie exercised strict self-control. Now that Ye Mingyu had practically transplanted the martial underworld into the residence, it naturally failed to bring any joy to Ye Shijie.

Jiang梨 glanced toward the inner rooms and smiled, "Uncle's nature is magnanimous; do bear with him."

"I know," Ye Shijie replied. "Third Uncle has always been this way." He looked at Jiang梨. "Why did you come over so early?"

"Today is the winter solstice, so I came to check on you all." Jiang梨 signaled Baixue to present the pastries prepared in advance. "I brought some confections for you as well."

Ye Shijie accepted them, a strange sensation welling up within his chest. Jiang梨's expression was gentle, and her demeanor entirely natural, as though treating them like true family. When the word "family" flashed through his mind, Ye Shijie felt a slight start, as if struck by something intangible.

Just as he found himself momentarily dazed, Ye Mingyu emerged having finished changing his clothes. Judging by the flushed look he must have had while carousing with his brothers, though he had changed his attire, traces of alcohol still lingered. Fortunately, he remained relatively clear-headed. Catching sight of Jiang梨, he called out, "Ah-li, you're here! Come inside and sit down?"

"Uncle has guests, so I won't stay long." Jiang梨 smiled as well. As a young lady surrounded by rugged men, she personally cared little, but feared those men might feel ill at ease.

"I brought some items for you all, and I wanted to check on County Magistrate Xue along the way," Jiang梨 smiled. "I'll leave right after seeing him."

"Why..." Ye Mingyu attempted to persuade her to stay, but Ye Shijie cut him in, saying, "Very well, indeed today is not a convenient time for you to remain here. Come back another day when there are no outsiders in the manor."

He heavily emphasized the word "outsiders" and cast a meaningful glance at Ye Mingyu.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Ye Mingyu rubbed his nose and chuckled, "Right, then, let's hurry and go see County Magistrate Xue. With Young Miss Situ coming over to administer acupuncture a few times these past few days, the old man's health is much improved! He manages a full bowl of rice every day and his spirits are quite high!"

Speaking thus, he led Jiang梨 toward Xue Huaiyuan's courtyard.

Xue Huaiyuan was entirely absorbed in watching a shadow play. Evidently a small novelty specially procured for him by Ye Mingyu, he watched with rapt attention, bursting into delighted laughter from time to time. Witnessing this firsthand, Jiang梨 could not help experiencing a flicker of disappointment.

There was no trace of returning clarity in his faculties.

As if perceiving her thoughts, Ye Shijie said, "You needn't be overly anxious. Miss Situ stated that County Magistrate Xue's condition is difficult to treat and requires gradual progress. Moreover, as Third Uncle mentioned, County Magistrate Xue's health has improved significantly over the past few days. When he first arrived in Yanjing from Tongxiang, he was utterly frail. Now, he has recovered almost completely."

Only then did Jiang梨 slowly calm herself, shaking her head as she murmured, "It seems I was too impatient."

"Understandable," Ye Mingyu scratched his head. "You regard Old Man Xue with even greater importance than your own father, so naturally you worry over him. Why don't you formally recognize him as your foster father once he recovers? Given how much you've sacrificed for him, he certainly wouldn't refuse. As for your father's side, you needn't worry—I'll go have a word with him!" He then added with lingering resentment, "I haven't even settled accounts with Ji Shuran regarding that matter yet. The events of those years—she uttered sole accusations based on empty words, leaving my Ye family with nowhere to stand!"

Mentioning this topic made Ye Mingyu grind his teeth once more.

When news of Ji Shuran's past scandals broke, Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie naturally learned of it immediately. Unsurprisingly, they had subjected Jiang Yuanbai to a thorough tongue-lashing. Had Ji Shuran not already been dead, they would have marched straight to the Ji family to demand an explanation. In the end, it was only through Jiang梨's personal intervention that Ye Mingyu had been placated.

Yet, realizing how much grievance Jiang梨 had endured, Ye Mingyu grew even less favorably disposed toward the Jiang family. He had even birthed the notion of urging Jiang梨 to sever ties with the Jiangs and return entirely to the Ye household, though this was ultimately reined in by the more rational Ye Shijie.

"A foster father?" A ripple stirred within Jiang梨's heart. She had never entertained such a possibility before, but given Ye Mingyu's background in the pugilistic world—where forming sworn bonds and recognizing foster fathers was an everyday occurrence—he naturally viewed it with utter casualness. Though spoken thoughtlessly by the speaker, the listener recorded it deeply. She cared far too deeply for Xue Huaiyuan; in the future, gossiping tongues would inevitably wag. Yet, should he be her foster father, every difficulty seemed poised to resolve itself effortlessly.

Prior to that, however, she had first to restore Xue Huaiyuan's sanity. Otherwise, regardless of how remorseful the Jiang family felt toward her, they would never permit Jiang梨 to acknowledge a completely deranged man as her foster father.

At this thought, a new direction seemed to open up before her path, lightening Jiang梨's spirits considerably. When she resumed speaking with Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie, her smiles carried an even truer warmth.

Though Ye Shijie vaguely sensed the shift in Jiang梨's attitude, he remained unaware of the underlying cause. Observing her radiant smile and her rare, carefree demeanor unburdened by calculated schemes, he paused, ultimately swallowing the questions poised on his lips.

Until the moment she departed the Ye residence, Jiang梨 maintained an exceptionally pleasant mood.

Baixue asked, "My lady, shall we return to the manor now?"

"Let's head back." Jiang梨 glanced at the sky. Although the hour remained early and she would ordinarily have lingered longer at the Ye residence, the presence of Ye Mingyu's martial brothers and guests made it inconvenient for her to stay, prompting her early departure. With the snow still falling, remaining outside brought excessive cold. Having completed her errands, returning home seemed the wisest course.

Tong'er responded cheerfully, imagining the cozy, embracing warmth of the hearth back at Fangfei Courtyard, which vastly surpassed freezing outside. Just as the group prepared to board their carriage, an enthusiastic voice called out from behind: "Second Young Miss Jiang?"

Jiang梨 turned around to find none other than Wenren Yao and Situ Jiuyue, whom she had met not long ago. The person who had stopped her was precisely Wenren Yao.

Upon spotting Jiang梨, Wenren Yao hurried over with a beaming smile, saying, "Has the Second Young Miss just come from the Ye residence?"

Jiang梨 nodded, addressing Situ Jiuyue, "Is Miss Situ on her way to administer acupuncture to County Magistrate Xue?"

"No," Situ Jiuyue replied. "No acupuncture is required for the next three days."

Jiang梨 smiled, "Ah, it seems I was mistaken. Where might the two of you be heading?" Encountering Situ Jiuyue outside the Ye residence gates had led Jiang梨 to assume she was visiting Xue Huaiyuan; she had not anticipated otherwise.

Her inquiry had been casual, devoid of any genuine desire for an answer. After all, Situ Jiuyue and Wenren Yao maintained close ties with Ji Heng. Whatever business they intended to pursue was neither of concern to Jiang梨, nor was she in a position to care.

To her surprise, Wenren Yao answered immediately, "We are going to the State Duke's Manor."

Situ Jiuyue shot a sideways glance at Wenren Yao, evidently finding his carefree attitude rather difficult to appreciate. Jiang梨 felt a momentary flash of surprise before responding, "In that case, I won't delay you." She stepped aside to let Situ Jiuyue and Wenren Yao pass first.

Yet Wenren Yao's handsome face broke into an exceedingly warm smile as he declared, "No delay at all, no delay! We are merely heading to the State Duke's Manor to make a social call. Today is the winter solstice, after all; we're simply going over for a free meal. Isn't the Second Young Miss heading back? Since it's still so early, why not come along to the State Duke's Manor for a meal?"

Jiang梨: "..."

She felt entirely baffled by the inner workings of Wenren Yao's mind. Did her relationship with Ji Heng truly appear familiar enough that she could casually stroll into his residence? Naturally, Ji Heng could wander into the Jiang household at will, but that was solely because of his willful nature, not because of any genuine private friendship between them.

Jiang梨 offered a polite refusal: "There's no need."

"Why are you being so formal?" Wenren Yao continued to smile. "Come along, come along. There's no time like the present. Since we met on the road, it's destiny. We're all friends here; sharing a meal is no grand affair. I can see the Second Young Miss is a decisive person—no need to stand on such ceremony."

Jiang梨: "...... I believe the young master greatly misunderstands my relationship with the State Duke. We are not friends."

Believing this sentence clearly conveyed her stance, she was taken aback when Wenren Yao replied with customary nonchalance, "I understand. Given his temperament, no one in this world is willing to be friends with him. Still, let's pretend you aren't his friend—being my friend will suffice! Please don't stand on ceremony, and don't feel hesitant to visit just because Ji Heng didn't issue a personal invitation. Ji Heng didn't invite me either! And yet, am I not going?"

Jiang梨: "......"

Words truly failed her when dealing with this Young Master Wenren.

Standing beside them, Situ Jiuyue could no longer bear it. She glared at Wenren Yao, turned her gaze toward Jiang梨, pondered for a moment, and said, "If you have nothing better to do, you might as well visit the State Duke's Manor. I heard about what happened at your manor these past few days. Ji Heng was privately involved in that matter; perhaps you two should speak of it."

Situ Jiuyue's words reminded Jiang梨 of a lingering matter: why Imperial Concubine Li remained completely unharmed, where Daoist Priest Chongxu was currently hiding, and whether Emperor Hongxiao had discovered that Chongxu was a fraud. She had originally intended to question Zhao Ke about this; reflecting on it now, consulting Ji Heng might prove far more convenient. Zhao Ke was stationed day and night guarding the Jiang residence, whereas Ji Heng possessed direct access to palace intelligence.

Since Wenren Yao extended the invitation, she could seize the opportunity to visit the State Duke's Manor. However... arriving uninvited went against her principles, and she lacked Wenren Yao's ability to act entirely unfazed.

"It's fine, you can just say Wenren Yao kidnapped you," Situ Jiuyue stated flatly, as though reading her mind.

Wenren Yao's spirits lifted. Far from refuting the claim, he grinned and said, "I'd be happy to oblige."

Thus, the matter was decided in the most absurd fashion possible. No sooner had Jiang梨 left the Ye residence than she found herself steered toward the road leading to the State Duke's Manor.

To avoid drawing undue attention, Jiang梨 bypassed the Jiang family carriage and shared one with the two companions. Along the journey, Wenren Yao proved exceptionally talkative, devising every possible angle to strike up a conversation with Jiang梨, while Jiang梨 remained largely silent. Despite the relatively short distance, she felt utterly exhausted mentally. Even Jiang Jingrui, the most boisterous youth in the Jiang household, appeared "serene and quiet" when compared to Wenren Yao. She failed to understand how a young master blessed with such jade-like good looks could possess such an endlessly chatty disposition. Jiang梨 silently swore that if Wenren Yao simply kept his mouth shut and stood quietly on the street corner without uttering a word, he would attract far more lingering glances than by manufacturing small talk with women.

When the carriage arrived before the gates of the State Duke's Manor, Wenren Yao hopped down. Tong'er and Baixue assisted Jiang梨 down as well, only to watch Wenren Yao familiarly instruct the gatekeeper to fling the main gates wide open.

He behaved with the unreserved ease of returning to his own home.

The grand gates of the State Duke's Manor swung open.

In both her past and present lives, this marked Jiang梨's very first time stepping inside the State Duke's Manor. The rumors surrounding the estate painted it variously as eerie and terrifying, or decadent and romantic; a proper mansion portrayed either as a sanctuary for immortals or the depths of hell, distorted by endless tales. As Jiang梨 walked inside, however, a single impression struck her: it was exceptionally beautiful.

Unlike the ostentatious wealth of the Ye family or the refined scholarly elegance of the Jiang household, the State Duke's Manor reflected its master—gorgeous and multifaceted. Despite the freezing winter, the courtyard gardens remained splashed with vibrant, multicolored hues. White snow blanketed the boughs, yet someone had evidently brushed away the frost weighing down the delicate petals. The greater the expanse of snow and silver, the more vividly it highlighted those flamboyant spring blossoms. It remained impossible to tell whether early spring or deep winter reigned here, much like the master himself—was he affectionate or ruthless? The question always proved perplexing.

Wenren Yao viewed this spectacle with absolute nonchalance. Noticing Jiang梨 closely studying the flowers lining their path, he remarked, "Every single plant across this estate is a prized treasure belonging to Ji Heng; make sure you don't step on them or brush against them. Oh, and it's not because they're exceptionally rare or because Ji Heng spent a fortune transplanting them that you'll be turned into flower fertilizer if you crush one—it's primarily because most of these flowers are poisonous. If the sap accidentally touches your hands, it could cost you your life."

"Poisonous?" Jiang梨 turned her head in astonishment.

"Indeed," replied Situ Jiuyue. "The more brightly colored something is, the more venomous it tends to be. Flowers are no exception."

Jiang梨 fell silent, reflecting that this detail matched Ji Heng's personality remarkably well. Ji Heng was hardly the sort to squander a fortune simply to nourish ornamental beauty for mere aesthetics. Furthermore, as he had stated himself, he valued only things with practical utility. Toxicity constituted the functional value possessed by these blooms.

Walking past corridors, flower beds, and winding pathways, Jiang梨 even caught sight of a martial arts training ground. Carving out a training ground of such scale within the confines of the State Duke's Manor was quite an extravagant use of space. Scattered sparsely around its perimeter sat various weapons and archery targets. Adopting the posture of a host, Wenren Yao introduced the area: "This is the Old General's territory. Fearing the Old General might practice his saber-play at home and massacre his beloved flowers, Ji Heng deliberately carved out this separate plot for him."

Jiang梨: "..." She had to hand it to the State Duke's Manor for its sheer size.

The estate appeared devoid of female residents, though the rumors proved entirely accurate: every passing servant boy possessed delicate, striking features pleasing to the eye. Yet these attendants clearly underwent rigorous training; upon seeing Wenren Yao approach with guests, they kept their gazes fixed straight ahead, attending solely to their respective tasks without casting a single extra glance.

At last, they reached the main hall.

The estate was truly expansive. Just as they approached the hall, a hearty, booming burst of laughter rang out from within, vigorous enough to uplift anyone who heard it.

"Old General—" Wenren Yao called out affectionately.

Stepping across the threshold, Jiang梨 beheld an elderly man clad in armor seated at the center, gripping a long spear tipped with a red tassel and spinning it in a fluid flourish. Hearing Wenren Yao's voice, the old man turned; the spear shaft proved so long it nearly poked Wenren Yao right in the nose.

"Yaoliao boy, when did you return to Yanjing?" The elder's eyes widened. Catching sight of Situ Jiuyue next, he beamed, "Ah, Jiuyue is here too!"

Wenren Yao murmured softly to Jiang梨, "This is the Old General, Ji Heng's grandfather."

Jiang梨 experienced a sudden realization. She had long heard tales of the Old General without ever meeting him in the flesh; what little she knew stemmed from accounts of his fierce valor in battle during his youth. Seen now, the rumors held true—maintaining such robust vitality at his advanced age proved he was far from a frail man.

Yet... the casual familiarity between the Old General, Wenren Yao, and Situ Jiuyue granted Jiang梨 yet another layer of insight into their relationship with the Ji family.

The whispered exchange between Wenren Yao and Jiang梨 did not escape the notice of the Old General. Catching sight of a companion beside Wenren Yao for the first time, he stepped closer, thoroughly appraised Jiang梨, and suddenly announced, "Yaoliao boy, it's been a few years—now you've even found yourself a wife? Which household does this young lady belong to? She looks exceedingly clever; how on earth did she ever take a fancy to someone like you?"

Wenren Yao: "......"

Jiang梨: "......"

This old veteran certainly didn't mince words.

Wenren Yao protested, "What kind of talk is that, Elder! What do you mean by 'how did she take a fancy to me'? Is there something wrong with me? Don't give me that look—countless maidens across Northern Yan are dying to marry me. Why make it sound like I'm completely undesirable in your eyes?"

"Oh, cut the nonsense," the Old General ruthlessly punctured Wenren Yao's boast. "Take yourself, for instance—leave everything else aside, my grandson surpasses you in every imaginable way, and even *he* doesn't have a wife yet you've managed to snag one? If this isn't a case of a young lady going blind, what is it?"

Sensing the conversation veering wildly off course with no one stepping in to clarify her identity, Jiang梨 had no choice but to intervene. She offered a helpless smile, "Old General, I am not Young Master Wenren's wife."

Silence fell over the room for a moment. Then, abruptly, Old General Ji burst into uproarious laughter, his booming voice echoing loud enough to reach anyone waiting in the outer courtyard. He declared, "I knew it!"

Wenren Yao flushed beet red.

"Young lady, who might you be? And why did you accompany Yaoliao boy into the manor? Are you a friend of Jiuyue's?" the Old General inquired.

"Not my friend," Situ Jiuyue denied with absolute crispness. "She is someone Ji Heng knows."

"Someone Ji Heng knows..." The Old General's eyes lit up. Fixing his gaze upon Jiang梨 with the intensity of a pauper spotting a mound of gold, he stepped closer still and demanded, "Young lady, what sort of relationship do you share with that stinking brat Ji Heng?"

"Grandfather," interjected a cold voice from the doorway just as Jiang梨 found herself overwhelmed by the Old General's intense scrutiny. Turning her head, she saw Ji Heng walking in with an expressionless face.

Normally, he wore either an ambiguous smile or an alluring, superficial grin—even when false, he never displayed such an icy demeanor. Yet beneath this chilling facade lay a relaxed, unguarded ease reserved exclusively for those he considered his own.

"Oh? Why has the Second Young Miss Jiang arrived as well?" Another voice chimed in from behind Ji Heng. Jiang梨 recognized him immediately as Kong Liu. He carried a platter of pastries, followed closely by Lu Ji.

Why had everyone gathered here? Jiang梨 felt a dull ache in her temples. Had she failed to consult an almanac before leaving the house today? If she truly wished to converse with Ji Heng, she preferred to do so privately, rather than letting the entire world know. Yet how had this transpired? The State Duke's Manor was hosting a family gathering, meaning everyone now knew she had come uninvited to seek out Ji Heng.

"My lady, what business brings you to see our Ah-heng?" the Old General pressed relentlessly.

Ji Heng tossed the dish in his hand onto the table, fixing his cold gaze on the gathering before stating, "I invited her here." Without giving the Old General a chance to reply, he added frostily, "Ask another question, and no one eats."

Old General Ji instantly clamped his mouth shut.

Jiang梨 glanced sideways at Ji Heng, finding him exceedingly peculiar today—evidently in a foul mood. Noticing Jiang梨's fixed stare, Kong Liu edged closer and inquired, "Is something the matter, Second Young Miss?"

"Nothing," Jiang梨 replied. "I merely felt that the State Duke appears exceptionally unhappy today. Could it be... because of my arrival?"

"Not at all." Kong Liu, evidently well-versed in the root cause, enthusiastically enlightened her: "He's always in a foul mood whenever he cooks."

"He cooks?" Jiang梨 registered sheer shock.

"Indeed," Kong Liu affirmed as though it were the most natural, self-evident truth in the world, nodding toward the table. "He prepared every single dish himself. The Old General specifically demanded it, so he had to cook whether he liked it or not."

Only then did Jiang梨 direct her attention toward the long table at the center of the main hall, laden with an array of dishes that appeared both colorful and aromatic. Judging by the timing, the meal was about to be served. Kong Liu gestured to the platter in his hands, offering, "Pastries handmade by the State Duke himself—would you care to sample one?"

Involuntarily, Jiang梨's gaze followed Kong Liu's motion down to the platter. The confections resting within were crafted with exquisite precision, displaying delightful hues and emitting an enticing fragrance that surpassed even the most renowned pastry shops in Yanjing.

She felt the entire scene was utterly absurd, teetering on the edge of a hallucination where nothing felt real.

She looked back at Ji Heng. Catching her gaze, Ji Heng cast a detached, fleeting glance in her direction.

That look lacked his habitual, manufactured smile—even qualifying as utterly indifferent—yet it sent a sudden chill straight through Jiang梨's heart.

Ah. She seemed to have stumbled upon yet another secret belonging to Ji Heng. Would she be silenced to preserve it?

---

Author's Note:
Yes! You read that correctly! The State Duke's skill set includes cooking! Beneath that frivolous, wicked exterior lies a consummate husband material!
(And by the way, I suddenly realized that "Old General Ji" sounds remarkably like "Gay Lord General" in Chinese puns!)