Chapter 29: Betrayal

Jiang Wu hadn’t slept all night again.

When Zhi Zhi came in to see her at dawn, she was startled. “Madam, haven’t you rested well?”

The sky was already bright by then. Jiang Wu glanced into the bronze mirror.

She had always been praised for her beauty since childhood; perhaps because she was so used to her own reflection, she never thought much of it.

But now, seeing the woman in the mirror—the bloodshot eyes, the haggard complexion, the lips devoid of any color—Jiang Wu had never felt her aging so profoundly as at this moment. Beauty or not, the twilight of her life was undeniable.

Yet she quickly stopped such wandering thoughts. She had waited so long for dawn, and there were many matters to attend to.

“Where is Chu Ling?”

“He should be in his courtyard, milady.”

Jiang Wu nodded. “Help me wash up.”

***

She arrived at Chu Ling’s courtyard, but Chu Yi was guarding outside. Upon hearing she wished to see Chu Ling, Chu Yi explained, “My lord is currently discussing affairs with the Minister of Personnel. Madam, you might consider coming back a little later.”

“Minister of Personnel?” Chu Ling was here, but he still managed court affairs. Jiang Wu knew that much, but she wondered, “Isn’t the villa under strict lockdown now? No one is supposed to come or go.”

Chu Yi answered matter-of-factly, “If my lord wishes to see someone, naturally they may come.”

That made sense; after all, Chu Ling set the rules.

Jiang Wu soon understood, but Chu Yi glanced at her without revealing any emotion.

Usually, if he heard her say such things, although Madam might not say it aloud, she would be displeased and glare at him with a look that said she wanted to punch someone.

But those usually bright and enigmatic eyes now seemed dull and desolate, as if dust had settled over them, and the man himself looked listless, as if he had lost his soul.

He recalled last night, when the assassin was in Madam’s room. He had asked if his lord wanted to intervene and capture the culprit, but the lord merely ordered the troops withdrawn, speaking with casual indifference.

“Killing is the simplest but also the most ineffective method.”

So now… this must be the effective method his lord spoke of.

A strange feeling flickered in his heart.

“Are you listening to me?” Chu Yi snapped back to attention.

He had been distracted, but seeing Madam’s angry and frustrated expression, an unexplainable relief quickly passed over his heart, though his face remained serious.

“What did Madam say?”

Jiang Wu clenched her hands tightly. Old grievances and new wounds made her want to strike him twice. But her mood was too terrible now to bother. She asked again.

“What happened to the assassin from yesterday?”

“The assassin has not been found. My lord suspects she is a spy from the villa. She is injured, and the villa has been sealed off. They are conducting a thorough investigation and will find her soon.”

Jiang Wu’s heart tightened.

She suddenly remembered that Mingzhu’s wounds were inflicted by Chu Ling. He naturally knew the assassin bore injuries. If they were truly searching, it wouldn’t be long before they found Mingzhu.

Setting aside their grudges and not thinking about Mingzhu’s deceit or manipulation, Jiang Wu simply did not want her to come to harm.

After waiting a while there, she glanced again at the locked study door, anxiety overwhelming her heart. Chu Ling was here, but his subordinates were likely busy investigating elsewhere. She could not afford to linger.

With that thought, Jiang Wu turned and left immediately.

She carefully considered for a long moment in her mind. After much pondering, only Qing Yang was someone she could discuss this with. She hurried toward Qing Yang’s quarters.

Since this concerned a grave matter involving the lives of Mingzhu and her daughter, Jiang Wu could not reveal everything to Qing Yang. As she walked, she thought about how to broach the topic and seek her help in smuggling them out.

There were no servants guarding Qing Yang’s door, which suited Jiang Wu perfectly. She and Qing Yang were close enough that announcing her arrival was unnecessary.

Out of courtesy, she intended to knock but stopped when she suddenly heard voices inside.

Jiang Wu did not mean to eavesdrop—she did not have such a habit—but when she recognized the voice as Yang Zhou’s, her hand froze before knocking.

Yang Zhou was nominally Qing Yang’s favored guest, but given their relationship, the two seldom interacted, certainly not to the point of sharing a room alone.

“Even the princess is aiding Mingzhu’s escape from the villa.”

“Why didn’t you consult me before taking action? Chu Ling is conducting a thorough investigation; what am I supposed to do?”

“I didn’t expect her to act rashly.”

The rest was indistinct. A buzzing filled Jiang Wu’s ears. The tension in her mind, stretched taut since yesterday, suddenly snapped as if someone had pulled it to breaking point.

She should have realized earlier, but she refused to believe it.

When she learned Mingzhu was the assassin, a voice already whispered in her mind.

Yang Zhou must have known. He was Mingzhu’s father—how could he not?

His approach had been a complete deception from start to finish. While she pondered their future and felt guilty toward him, all he cared about was using her.

The only one she hadn’t suspected was Qing Yang.

Qing Yang was also in the know.

From beginning to end, the only fool kept in the dark was herself.

With a bang, the door was flung open.

***

Jiang Wu looked at her own hands in a daze. She had meant to leave but, for some reason, found herself pushing the door open instead.

Her gaze shifted to the two inside, both shocked.

“Ah Wu—”

“Madam—”

They spoke almost simultaneously, standing side by side with eyes full of panic. They pretended not to know her, acted unfamiliar, yet they had known each other long ago.

Jiang Wu thought to herself—perhaps she opened the folding door just to see this scene, to finally give up hope.

She couldn’t even muster a word of reproach, only looked at them once more before turning and running out.

“Madam!” Mo Yangzhou’s expression changed. Without hesitation, he rushed after her but was grabbed by Qing Yang.

“Let go.” The man’s usually gentle face showed rare anger.

Qing Yang sneered coldly. “You want to chase after her? For what? To let the whole villa know the prime minister’s wife has something going on with a performer? She might be anything, but you won’t be leaving here.”

His words restored some of the man’s reason. Gritting his teeth, he watched Jiang Wu vanish from sight before turning back.

Qing Yang released his hand.

After a moment’s silence, Mo Yangzhou suddenly asked, “Did you intend for her to hear? Did Chu Ling order you to do this?”

Qing Yang’s hatred for Chu Ling was undeniable. The former emperor’s death was suspicious, and Qing Yang believed it was all a scheme by Chu Ling.

But as long as the Empress Dowager remained in the palace, Qing Yang was bound by Chu Ling’s control.

Hearing his question, Qing Yang only sneered. “Does Chu Ling need my cooperation? Did I order the assassination? Did I tell Mingzhu to rescue someone? Did I send you to find me?”

She added cryptically, “Is it better to suffer in painful clarity, or to live happily in ignorance?”

Mo Yangzhou’s eyes darkened. Those were the words he had said to Jiang Wu that night.

Qing Yang’s face remained stern. “This villa is full of spies. Mo Yangzhou, you’ve crossed a line. You are a thorn in his side. He has tolerated you for so long. Do you think it is out of mercy that he hasn’t killed you?”

Mo Yangzhou clenched his fists tightly and said no more.

***

Jiang Wu returned to her room in a daze.

Zhi Zhi looked worried. Madam’s complexion had been poor already, and after visiting Princess Qing Yang, she seemed even more distracted.

“Madam,” she carefully offered a cup of tea. “What’s wrong with you?”

Jiang Wu could barely recall how she had returned. Seeing the tea, she reached for it absentmindedly, but the water was warmer than expected. As soon as her hand touched the cup, she cried out and withdrew it.

“Madam!”

Startled, Zhi Zhi examined her hand, noticing it was slightly reddened.

“How do you manage your affairs?” Jiang Wu suddenly exploded, her roar making the servants kneel immediately.

Zhi Zhi knelt as well, pleading, “Madam, please calm down.”

The servants feared Jiang Wu mostly because of Chu Ling. In truth, Jiang Wu rarely lost her temper. At worst, it was minor anger, usually directed at her lord.

This outburst toward the servants was rare.

After saying that, Jiang Wu regretted it. The water was hot but not enough to cause injury from brief contact.

She was simply overwhelmed by grief, her chest aching as if it might burst. Her life was a mess—no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t escape fate’s cruel mockery.

No, it wasn’t fate’s fault; she was just too foolish. How could she have been so stupid to be deceived so thoroughly? None around her was genuine; all was false. She had nothing.

Her hands trembled as they gripped the table’s edge. Pressing on her chest, the pain remained sharp.

Her only relief was tears, which came suddenly, fiercely, uncontrollably, as she sobbed aloud.

Zhi Zhi signaled the others to fetch her lord while comforting her, but it was useless.

Her emotions always seemed veiled by a layer of sorrow, leaving her in despair regardless of mood.

She was both desperate and hopeful—a contradictory turmoil.

Never before had she felt so utterly without light.

***

When Chu Ling arrived, Jiang Wu was throwing things onto the floor in her usual tantrum.

Her face was swollen from crying, and the bracelet she held was flung at him.

“Are you even human?” she yelled, no longer caring about anything.

In just a short time, she had relived all her lifetime grievances, and the greatest source was Chu Ling.

If he hadn’t mistreated her, would she have taken a concubine? And ended up raising someone so treacherous? If he hadn’t acted so badly, would they have so many enemies? Even her only friend sought to use her against Chu Ling.

Her misery all traced back to him.

The angrier she grew, the more she wanted to blame him. Yet seeing the imposing man there, she controlled her strength and let the bracelet fall just in front of him.

With a sharp crack, it shattered.

Chu Ling glanced at the broken bracelet on the floor.

Seeing his indifferent expression and recalling her own sacrifices, Jiang Wu’s anger flared even more. This time, she grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at him.

The man caught it effortlessly, his expression unperturbed, as if watching a child throw a tantrum, letting her have her way to see what came of it.

Jiang Wu’s accusations came one after another.

“You’re that busy? Nian Yin is sick, and you haven’t even gone to see her as her father.”

“She and A Ye were born from my womb. Why should I leave them to be raised by your mother? If Nian Yin were with me, how could she have acted so foolishly because of wild thoughts? I know your mother despises me. If she despises me, why did you marry me in the first place? Why didn’t you marry a woman of equal standing?”

“There was an assassin here. I told you we had to return. I told you we had to go back. Why didn’t you?”

Usually, she dared not say such things out of fear of Chu Ling, but now on the brink of collapse, she no longer cared.

Her voice was hoarse from crying. She didn’t notice when the man came close.

Chu Ling sat beside her. Seeing her struggle to breathe through tears, he gently patted her back twice.

Jiang Wu tried to pull away but failed. When she tried to rise, he held her firmly. She couldn’t escape him, and her grievance deepened.

“You only know how to bully me! Why do you always—”

Before she finished, he suddenly pulled her into his embrace.

“Jiang Wu.”

When he spoke, she dared not argue.

Held in his arms, she couldn’t see his expression clearly, only feeling his hands softly and evenly patting her back.

“It’s good that you’re willing to speak,” his deep, authoritative voice whispered near her ear, now laced with a barely perceptible warmth. “Ah Wu, we are husband and wife, family.”

He took her hand resting on her lap.

“In this world, only family will never abandon or betray you.”

Suddenly, Jiang Wu stopped crying. She felt those words carried a hidden meaning.

Before she could think further, he asked, “Did you quarrel with Qing Yang?”

She realized that since leaving Qing Yang’s place, she had been like this. Chu Ling must have thought they had argued.

Her mind shifted from blaming Chu Ling back to the mess with Qing Yang. She nodded faintly.

Chu Ling stepped back, releasing her. Their eyes met.

His gaze held a strange, flickering light that made her instinctively uneasy. Yet looking closer, it was empty—still deep, unfathomable darkness.

“Why do you like to cry so much?” His voice was soft, almost a sigh. He took out a handkerchief, which he seemed to carry everywhere. He handed it to her, and she stopped sulking and took it.

She tugged at it once, but it didn’t move. Thinking she was too weak, she pulled harder.

Still no movement.

Just as she looked up, a shadow fell over her. She instinctively closed her eyes.

Tears still lingered, flowing down her closed lids, which felt a warm touch.

She hadn’t reacted until her eyes were gently licked. Startled, she tried to pull away, but the man held her still and leaned forward, continuing what he had started.

His lips brushed away the tears on her lashes, the corners of her eyes, even her cheeks.

Jiang Wu felt his soft lips moving across her face, even sensing his tongue flicking her skin.

Not… dirty? She couldn’t comprehend it, stiffening so much she dared not move, uncertain whether she was disgusted by Chu Ling or felt he was filthy. Her eyes narrowed slightly, catching the almost indulgent expression on his face.

This man rarely kissed anywhere other than her lips.

Jiang Wu’s heart trembled. Unable to endure this torment, she suddenly pushed him away. Seeing the narrow slits of his eyes darken with displeasure, she clung to Chu Ling as if surrendering.

The unexpected motion made Chu Ling pause.

Jiang Wu felt exhausted—so very tired. She even thought of giving up, doing nothing more.

In Chu Ling’s arms, she looked up at him. “My lord, I don’t want to see Qing Yang anymore. Please let her leave. Let everyone she brought leave.”

Chu Ling’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. His deep eyes seemed to see through her true intent, but after a moment, he agreed. “Very well.”

Jiang Wu exhaled in relief. What she said was genuine—she truly did not want to see those people again. Sending them away was all she could do.

She lowered her head.

“My lord,” her voice hoarse but calmer, “let’s go home, please? I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

This time, she waited a long while before Chu Ling slowly lifted his hand and embraced her again.

“Alright,” he replied, “we’ll go home.”

The words “go home” seemed to carry a tangled array of emotions, suppressed into a strangely modulated tone, the final tremble the only genuine sound.

But Jiang Wu had no spirit to dwell on it. She closed her eyes. Go home… where was her home?