Chapter 25: Treating You Well
Page (1/3)
Who is it?
Jiang Wu squinted and looked again. Those beautiful features—the nose, the eyes—weren’t they Mo Yangzhou’s? The very same man, just why had he been so fierce in his words today?
“Of course it’s the person I like,” she confessed. Usually, she kept such feelings tightly repressed, but now intoxicated, she found courage. After all, he was someone she kept hidden, unable to be seen by others, and Jiang Wu felt she owed him something. In this moment, with a hint of compensation, she affectionately nuzzled against the man’s chest. “From now on, I will only cherish you.”
In her hazy state, the body she leaned on suddenly grew colder. The hands that had been tightly holding her loosened their grip, and her body slipped downward, causing Jiang Wu to cry out in surprise and instinctively clutch the man’s neck tightly.
The hands beneath her didn’t fully withdraw either, but they appeared unwilling to exert strength, leaving Jiang Wu feeling utterly insecure. Her hands gripped his neck desperately, trying to cling on.
“Get down.”
“No.”
“Walk by yourself.”
“No.”
Jiang Wu didn’t understand why the normally gentle Mo Yangzhou suddenly became as grim as that dead man’s face. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt; her eyes grew hot, and her chest ached painfully.
Sensing the man’s persistent silence—even in his drunken state—Jiang Wu grew a little temperamental. When she loosened her grip, prepared to get down, he silently embraced her again and walked out of the palace.
The servants followed at a distance. Jiang Wu nestled back into the man’s arms. On the quiet palace path, the only sound was the powerful beat of his heart in her ear.
Even though she was held again, her sadness didn’t dissipate; tears continued to fall, slipping down her face onto the fabric of the man’s chest.
“Be kinder to me,” she choked out, her voice nearly broken, voicing the mistress’s grievances. “No one else has ever treated me well.”
Her arms tightened around his neck as if she were a drowning person clutching a lifebuoy.
The man’s footsteps hesitated for a moment, then quickened.
Outside the palace, the carriage waited. The servants moved to greet their lord and lady, only to see the man’s face dark and sullen as he carried the lady straight into the carriage, ignoring everyone.
Only when the command “Return to the residence” came from within did everyone snap back to attention and hurry toward the manor.
Chu Ling did not put Jiang Wu down. Keeping her in his embrace, he seated himself and placed her on his lap.
His expression was grim. The anger he had restrained all along finally found release. Even though the person in his arms was still tearful and pitiful, any trace of tenderness was drowned beneath the overwhelming fury and jealousy.
He moved to kiss those crimson lips fiercely, but Jiang Wu quickly covered her mouth, refusing the kiss.
“No.”
This softened the man’s expression somewhat. Even if he was mistaken, at least he knew not to force a kiss. His rationality returned.
Jiang Wu thought that if she grew closer to Yangzhou, and Chu Ling found out, he would surely not spare him.
They needed a divorce... only after the divorce could things be different.
Though her mind was foggy, she remembered this much.
“Is it just because I treat you well?” she heard Yangzhou ask.
Of course not. Her Mo Yangzhou was handsome, gentle, and kind.
Though so many things crowded her mind, her drunken tongue tied itself in knots, and she could only manage, “You’re the best.”
The man sighed but said no more.
Jiang Wu sat on his lap, fiddling with the edge of his garment, feeling a strange familiarity. She poked at it with her nails, pondering.
After some time, the man asked again, “If it’s only about being good to you, if Chu Ling treats you well, would you like him?”
Chu Ling?
Jiang Wu blinked, realizing he meant her husband with the dead man’s face.
No. She must not like him!
“No.”
The man grabbed her wrist abruptly, forcing her to look up. “Why?”
The drunken woman couldn’t read his expression or tone clearly but instinctively felt afraid of this version of Yangzhou.
“Just be kinder to me,” she repeated.
She didn’t understand why no one treated her well, why she longed for a love where she could give and receive equally.
But the last shred of the man’s patience shattered completely at her “No.”
“Sir, we’ve arrived.”
Hearing this, Chu Ling carried her from the carriage.
“Prepare the sobering soup.”
***
Warm soup entered her mouth, quenching the thirst that had already set in. As the liquid slid down, the blurred scene before her gradually cleared, revealing the person feeding her water—was it Chu Ling?
Before she could look closely, the man withdrew the bowl.
“Awake?”
“Hm?” Jiang Wu was still confused. The man frowned and gently pushed her, causing a splash as she fell into the nearby hot spring.
The water was shallow; she quickly stood up, soaking wet and embarrassed, staring at the man who stood by the pool like the grim reaper.
“Sir...”
The water wasn’t cold, but her teeth chattered.
Who had angered this Buddha statue?
Chu Ling chuckled coldly. “Looks like you’re awake.”
His smile was devoid of warmth, sending a shiver down Jiang Wu’s spine. When he spoke, his hand was already on his belt.
In an instant, her clothes were cast aside. Her gaze barely flickered over his muscular body before quickly looking away, unsure where to focus.
Though more lucid, her head still spun. She couldn’t understand how, after defending Chu Ling from the wine, things had come to this.
Chu Ling gave her no time to think, entering the water and wrapping his arms around her slim waist, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Then remember who I am, don’t get it wrong.”
His overwhelming kiss descended, and Jiang Wu knew tonight there was no escape.
Tonight, Chu Ling was even more intense than usual. Before she fainted at the peak of their union, she felt him clutch her tightly.
“Ah Wu,” he murmured helplessly, his voice filled with confusion and pain unknown to him before, “Don’t torment me anymore.”
In her haze, she might have scolded him.
Damn it, who was torturing whom?
***
Chu Ling disappeared again.
Jiang Wu learned days later that he had personally gone to quell a rebellion.
Not sure which rebel group was so pitiful that he had to take action himself, but this gave her some relief.
She arranged to visit the villa with Qing Yang.
Seeing Qing Yang reminded her of the news about the Empress Dowager’s illness.
Jiang Wu asked, but Qing Yang only smiled: “Mother saw me later, it was just a mild cold, nothing serious now.”
That was a relief. Jiang Wu patted her shoulder. “The Empress Dowager is blessed; no worries are needed. You shouldn’t fret too much.”
Qing Yang nodded.
Mo Yangzhou had arrived earlier and was already waiting there.
Page (2/3)
Jiang Wu felt a heaviness in her heart upon seeing him. The divorce she planned was now stalled. Chu Ling’s inexplicable stubbornness had shattered all her schemes.
So now, her smile toward Mo Yangzhou was somewhat forced.
“Madam,” Mo Yangzhou greeted warmly as always, “How have you been these days?”
His smile always calmed Jiang Wu’s unease.
Though she harbored doubts and guarded herself around him, she needed a pillar of support so badly that she chose to overlook many red flags.
“I’m fine,” she replied, not entirely truthful, but seeing him made her feel better. “Where’s Mingzhu? Didn’t I ask you to bring her along to play?”
“She’ll be here shortly.”
Jiang Wu still worried about the Li family son’s matter. “You must keep an eye on her marriage; don’t let her be confused.”
“Madam, you should speak to her yourself; she listens to you more.”
Jiang Wu smiled. “Of course, I will.” She touched the pouch at her waist, where the safety charm Mingzhu had given her was kept.
That girl was grateful and dutiful, always filial to her.
Since the matter last time hadn’t been resolved, this time she would speak properly.
Sure enough, Mingzhu arrived soon, accompanied by the Night-Guard Jade Lion horse.
Jiang Wu hadn’t come alone but with many servants. Though they were all sent to the outer courtyard, the presence of so many eyes prevented her from being too close to Yangzhou. But Mingzhu was different—a girl who caught her eye. She could be affectionate with her without raising suspicion.
“Mistress,” Mingzhu, dressed in white men’s clothing, stood by the horse, making Jiang Wu’s eyes brighten. Besides being Mo Yangzhou’s daughter, Jiang Wu liked her because such girls were rare in the capital.
“How did you ride it here?”
“Madam, didn’t you say you hadn’t ridden your horse more than twice? Why not take advantage of this and try this one?” Mingzhu smiled brightly.
Jiang Wu hadn’t ridden for a long time. Perhaps the timing was right. She wanted to relax, and Mingzhu’s cheerful smile awakened a youthful feeling. She was indeed intrigued.
She glanced at Qing Yang. “Want to try too?”
Qing Yang lazily waved her hand. “No, it’s too hot. Sweating means washing later.”
“Lazybones,” Jiang Wu teased, then went off to change.
There was a ready-made riding ground behind the mountain. Jiang Wu changed into more convenient clothes. Though she claimed her riding skills were average, it was partly modesty.
After mounting gracefully, seeing the astonishment in Mingzhu’s eyes, Jiang Wu’s vanity was greatly satisfied.
“Too long since I rode,” she said, tugging the reins on Treadsnow, the horse’s name Mingzhu had just told her, quite fitting.
Mingzhu smiled at the “modesty” but her eyes gleamed with pride. “Madam, you surprise me. I thought you’d take it easy today. Looks like I underestimated you.”
“I can’t compare to you, the champion of races,” Jiang Wu replied, not waiting for Mingzhu to mount, flicked the whip, and Treadsnow galloped away.
Mingzhu lingered a moment before mounting.
She had spent years fleeing—running, riding, swimming—whether in alleys or hills, skilled in all, for to slow down meant death.
That was why she so easily outpaced the wealthy young men of the capital.
The woman’s riding figure soon disappeared, but Mingzhu’s smile remained.
She glanced at her father, who was watching Jiang Wu’s departing figure. Mingzhu understood: like her, Father had wandered too long, but this woman gave them a sense of a settled home.
She thought no more and spurred her horse to follow.
***
The seasonal breeze was refreshing, not bitterly cold.
Jiang Wu rode swiftly.
At this moment, she felt no pressure from Chu Ling, no constraints of being the Prime Minister’s wife, only the long-lost freedom of riding freely.
Soon, hoofbeats sounded behind her. She looked back to see Mingzhu catching up, smiled, “You’re amazing.”
Knowing Mingzhu was holding back, Jiang Wu sped up.
Mingzhu caught a rare genuine smile on Jiang Wu’s face—the last time she saw it was when Jiang Wu was with her children.
Did that mean she could bring such smiles too?
Her children might cause her pain, but Jiang Wu wouldn’t.
This thought made the woman’s heart quietly leap.
Like her father, she longed for this person.
Suddenly, a sharp “hup” sounded. Mingzhu saw a small rabbit dart out in front of Jiang Wu’s horse. She instinctively pulled the reins urgently but couldn’t control the startled horse.
Mingzhu’s eyes sharpened. She leapt off her horse, using agility to land behind Jiang Wu.
Grabbing the reins from behind, together they regained control without incident.
Jiang Wu, still shaken, glanced back at the rabbit that had fled, scolding, “How do those servants manage this stable?”
Though the stable was behind the mountain, such incidents were understandable.
Mingzhu rarely liked blaming servants, but seeing Jiang Wu’s angry face, she found it amusing.
Jiang Wu’s anger flared and subsided quickly. Being embraced by Mingzhu felt novel; she couldn’t help laughing. “Mingzhu, you really have amazing skills.”
She didn’t see Mingzhu’s brief startled expression.
Mingzhu bit her lip, realizing she had accidentally revealed her abilities in haste.
Before she could speak, Jiang Wu continued, “Good for you, a girl having skills makes me more at ease.”
Treadsnow slowly headed back. Mingzhu was momentarily stunned by Jiang Wu’s words—she was truly just relieved, not suspecting otherwise.
She pressed her lips, thinking quietly, “Fool.”
Jiang Wu hadn’t thought much. Maybe in her eyes, Mingzhu’s skills were no big deal.
She relaxed, knowing a girl who ran about all day should have some abilities to be reliable.
“Oh, by the way,” Jiang Wu suddenly remembered. “How’s it going with that Li family son recently?”
Mingzhu thought for a moment. She’d been busy lately, hardly seeing him.
But she said, “He’s probably quite busy. We haven’t met much.”
Jiang Wu recalled Mrs. Li’s words about studying at home. Afraid Mingzhu was deceived, she said, “Busy to the point you can’t meet? Sounds like he’s not serious.”
“No,” Mingzhu defended her ‘beloved’ earnestly. “He really is busy. The imperial exams are coming next year. As the books say, if love is long-lasting, it doesn’t matter if you don’t see each other every day.”
Jiang Wu thought the girl was foolish but had no remedy. This couldn’t be rushed; the young maiden in love might rebel if pushed. She sighed, planning to handle it slowly.
They rode back on one horse, drawing Qing Yang’s curious gaze.
Jiang Wu felt nothing; in her heart, she treated Mingzhu almost like a daughter. After dismounting, she held Mingzhu’s hand affectionately.
Mo Yangzhou’s eyes lingered briefly on their linked hands before offering the water he had cooled earlier.
“Drink and rest.”
Jiang Wu drank deeply, wiped sweat with a handkerchief, and recounted the earlier excitement to Qing Yang.
“You should try it too, Qing Yang. It’s tiring, but after, your whole body feels refreshed.”
Qing Yang showed little enthusiasm. “I can’t stand being tired.”
“You’ll age faster that way.”
That earned a melon seed shell thrown at her. “Not a kind word.” After a pause, she asked, “Do you know where Chu Ling went this time?”
“Wasn’t he sent to quell the rebellion?” Jiang Wu sat down. “No idea which unlucky rebels made him go. At least it gives me some peace. What’s for lunch?”
She didn’t want to mention Chu Ling, especially with Mo Yangzhou and daughter present, so she switched topics after a brief reply.
Qing Yang followed suit, and the day ended pleasantly.
But at night, despite exhaustion, Jiang Wu couldn’t sleep.
Her relationship with Chu Ling was like a knot she couldn’t untie. She couldn’t find the key point. She had hoped that with Chu Yan back, divorce would be easy, but now all plans were shattered.
Why did he insist on giving her the status of principal wife?
Because of this worry, Jiang Wu had restless nights for days. While thinking, faint flute music drifted outside.
She wasn’t usually one for frivolous arts, but anything concerning Mo Yangzhou always seemed meaningful.
The longing woven in the flute’s notes made her restless. She quietly slipped out under dim light, wearing a shawl, without waking the sleeping maid at the door.
The villa’s lease was hers; she came every summer to escape the heat and knew the path well. She quickly found the source—a man playing flute in the pavilion.
Under the moonlight, the man in white looked ethereal, the melancholic melody wrapping around her.
Jiang Wu clutched her shawl tightly. When the flute stopped, Mo Yangzhou turned, seeing the lingering apology in her eyes, his gaze softened with a gentle smile.
“Madam, still awake?”
“You too?”
Mo Yangzhou looked at the flute in his hands. “I just realized we hadn’t talked alone today.”
Jiang Wu saw the silent loneliness in his lowered eyes and wondered why she was so affected. She waved him over.
He looked up at her.
Maybe it was the moonlight, but she thought Mo Yangzhou was even more handsome than she expected—cold yet gentle, the kind one grows more enchanted with the closer one looks.
“Tomorrow, let’s go to the back mountain,” she smiled. “When we rode past today, the flowers were blooming. Let’s take a walk.”
Mo Yangzhou’s hand twitched, hooking her finger. “Is it because you feel guilty?”
Jiang Wu’s fingers trembled but did not pull away. She heard him sigh helplessly. “Madam, you never need to feel guilty. My existence is meant to bring you happiness, not trouble.”
It was like that at first, but now she was planning the future. How could their relationship be so one-sided?
“But…” Mo Yangzhou changed tone, “I’d be delighted to go to the mountain with you.”
Jiang Wu smiled.
Her eyes were drawn to the fireflies by the lake. Without hesitation, she stood from her seat. “Fireflies.”
Mo Yangzhou followed her to the lake.
Jiang Wu’s favorite thing was summer night fireflies. Without a fan, she gently touched the light. “So beautiful. I probably don’t have many years left to enjoy this.”
Mo Yangzhou looked puzzled. “Why?”
“That’s for little girls to like,” she sighed, “I’m old now.”
He laughed wryly.
Yet the woman bathed in firefly light looked anything but old.
“Madam.”
“Yes?”
Jiang Wu looked up to see his serious expression. She thought he had something important to say but instead heard him ask, “Madam, which do you prefer: to suffer awake or to be happy and confused?”
A profound question.
Jiang Wu frowned in thought. If unaware, happiness in confusion was better, but knowing the truth, who could choose ignorance?
“Can one be happily awake?” she asked.
Mo Yangzhou paused, then smiled. “If it’s you, Madam, of course.”
Jiang Wu wanted to ask why he asked this but he suddenly leaned close, lightly tapping her arm.
“What?”
His closeness, the lowered brows, gave her an inexplicable familiarity.
“Fireflies.”
At his words, she looked down. His hand was slightly curled, faintly glowing. When he withdrew it, the trapped firefly flew out of sight.
“Love for beautiful things knows no age,” he said.
Jiang Wu didn’t stay long. The night maid checked in regularly, so after a short talk, she left.
The man remained, watching her departing figure.
His fingers still tingled from the touch. He wanted to stay longer but dared not reach out.
“Awake happiness?” he murmured. “Then I must try harder.”
***
Jiang Wu felt much better and expected a peaceful sleep.
At the door, she found no night maid and felt a brief flicker of alarm, then calmed herself.
Even if discovered, she’d make up an excuse.
She entered quickly.
Unexpectedly, she saw someone—dressed in black, seated inside. It was Chu Ling. Wasn’t he supposed to be suppressing the rebellion? How was he back so soon? Which rebel leader was so ineffective?
Though panicked inside, she forced calm.
“Sir, why are you here?”
He pursed dry lips, not answering, instead asking, “Where did you go?”
Only now did she notice he looked less refined than usual. His hair was tousled, his robes and shoes dirty, as if he had just returned and rushed here.
Had he heard something? She felt wary.
“Couldn’t sleep, so I went out for a walk.”
Maybe her insomnia wasn’t a secret, for Chu Ling didn’t press further, seemingly believing her.
He took a box from his chest and handed it to her. She hesitated, then opened it under his gaze—a jade hairpin. Though plain, it suited her taste.
Of course, if it wasn’t from Chu Ling, she’d feel like holding a hot potato, unsure what to do.
“Why would you give me this?”
“Didn’t you say when you were drunk you wanted me to treat you better?”
Jiang Wu felt utterly exhausted, so perhaps it was a hallucination. Chu Ling speaking gently like that?
He had given her countless gifts but never directly like this.
“What did you do today?” Chu Ling asked, his softened eyes showing fatigue.
Jiang Wu struggled to concoct a quick lie.
“Just rode horses with Qing Yang.”
The man’s demeanor changed sharply.
“Qing Yang came too?”
He finally understood why the report on the first day had a moment of hesitation.
Jiang Wu was confused. “You didn’t know?”