A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 86
by Little PandaThe Grand Army Departs
Pie Falling from the Sky
At dawn, before the sky had even begun to lighten, Shen Hetang was already prepared to set out for the Imperial Palace.
Jiang Chenyu had woken the moment she rose.
“Let me help you dress!” Watching the person getting up to put on shoes, she sat up and embraced her from behind, pressing her face against that beautifully contoured, straight back.
Her long hair cascaded smoothly down, concealing the reddened rims of her eyes.
Seeing the arms tightly wrapped around her waist refusing to let go, Shen Hetang grasped them back and said, “All right.”
“Mm…!” Jiang Chenyu hurriedly pressed her face against her back, wiping the tears welling up in her eyes against her white sleeping robe.
Shen Hetang bent down to pick up the embroidered shoes from the floor and slipped them onto her fair, delicate feet.
Jiang Chenyu did not move, letting her put the shoes on, while still reaching up to cling tightly around her waist, as if trying to hang onto her body.
“All right. When I’m not home, be careful in everything you do. If anything comes up, go find the Heir’s Wife1 to help you sort it out — don’t shoulder everything yourself. Mother is occasionally unreliable, so look after her more. Take good care of yourself, don’t get sick, and wait for me to come back!” Shen Hetang said whatever came to mind, her words scattered and rambling.
“Don’t worry about me. Everything is fine on my end. Just take good care of yourself, and come back to fetch me quickly.” Though reluctant in her heart, she did not show too much sorrow on her face.
After washing and arranging her hair into a topknot, she fetched a dark red narrow-sleeved robe and draped it over her. The brocade robe was bordered with magnificent gold trim, embroidered on the chest with a fierce, snarling beast that would make the timid afraid to look twice.
The golden Fish-Scale Armor2 was somewhat heavy. Jiang Chenyu held it with effort but could not bring herself to put it on her — Shen Hetang put on the armor and battle skirt herself, and took up her sword and helmet.
Her upturned brows were full of martial spirit, and her clear, noble phoenix eyes revealed tenderness within their sharpness.
That smooth, full forehead, that jade-white face — every feature had grown straight into Jiang Chenyu’s heart.
In the days ahead, without herself by her side to look after her, would this beautiful Little General end up disheveled and dust-covered?
Jiang Chenyu’s heart was both sour and sweet. She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips against those red, beautiful ones.
But the moment their lips touched, she found the back of her head seized, was spun around and pressed against the door, her waist lifted up.
“Mm…!”
She closed her eyes, fully absorbed in the sensation of those recklessly invading lips and tongue, that faint, pure sweetness, and that passionate entanglement.
It was as if she wanted to pour her very self in, pressing forward and deepening the kiss relentlessly.
Jiang Chenyu was kissed until her face flushed peach-pink, her lips ached, her breath came with difficulty, and her legs went soft — yet she still did not want to push her away. A tingling current spread rapidly from a single point across her entire body, making her fingers sink into Ah Tang’s neatly combed topknot.
Her hair had gotten a little messy. That really could not be blamed on her — there was nowhere on her entire body she could pinch, and not many places where she could get a grip. She could hardly leave a mark on her face. Watching the strands of hair at the back of her head pulled loose, Jiang Chenyu felt a twinge of guilt and re-combed them back into place.
But just before heading out, her collar was still pulled open, and a deep red mark was branded onto her tender white skin — the kind that felt like it would not fade for a month.
The melancholy atmosphere was broken by this intimate entanglement, making the parting feel less sorrowful.
Jiang Chenyu accompanied the entire family in seeing Shen Hetang out the gate, comforting Madam Shen.
Madam Shen clutched her hand as if finding a pillar of support, wiping tears while rambling on.
After arranging everything, she dressed properly and went with Cuiwan to the route the army would have to pass, thinking she might catch one more glimpse.
In the solemn and majestic Imperial Palace, the Emperor and ministers had all come to see her off.
Amidst earth-shaking drums, Shen Hetang received the Battle Flag3 with a steadfast gaze and upright posture.
“General Shen, I watched you grow up as well. Now Great Qian’s safety is formally placed in your hands. You must carry on the Shen family’s martial glory and make the enemies tremble at the very mention of your name.” The Emperor patted Shen Hetang’s shoulder and spoke with earnest weight.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. If anyone dares invade Great Qian’s territory, I will ensure they see a change of dynasty.” Her voice was clear and resonant as she replied.
“Good, good. Truly worthy of the Shen family lineage. You surely have the same presence as the Old General who pacified the realm in years past.” The Emperor’s imperial face broke into a pleased smile.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Shen Hetang led her troops in a grand procession out through Desheng Gate4. The imposing black war horse seemed to look down on everyone with proud disdain, wearing an expression of sheer arrogance.
The red-robed, gold-armored general with the jade-handsome face rode a tall horse, the first to pass through the crowd, followed by the magnificent, orderly ranks of the great army.
The spectators on both sides were so stunned by the sight before them that they dared not make a sound. The street, which had been bustling, fell utterly silent in an instant. Everyone watched in quiet awe as the departing army passed, led by that otherworldly being they dared not gaze upon too long.
In the chilly spring air of the third or fourth month, the biting wind sent her cape billowing wildly behind her — like a wing taking flight, or a brilliant streak of red clouds.
She seemed to sense something and turned her head. On the second floor of a tavern along the road, she spotted a delicate woman in pink, gazing at her with reluctant longing.
The road was not wide; they were close enough to see each other’s features clearly. General Shen raised two fingers, pressed them to her lips, and kissed them firmly before blowing — a blown kiss, delivered with a smile that captured every bit of rakish charm.
Jiang Chenyu’s face flushed slightly as she hurriedly waved goodbye.
“Madam, what does the master mean? What was that?” Cuiwan asked beside Jiang Chenyu, utterly baffled.
Jiang Chenyu’s beautiful eyes danced as she said casually, “Adult matters. Children shouldn’t pry.”
Cuiwan was completely bewildered. She was not a child!
After sending Ah Tang off, she felt as though all the strength had drained from her body. She lay in the warm pavilion like someone without bones, wanting to do nothing, say nothing, only wanting to stay in bed.
She had been in low spirits, but the moment she thought of yesterday’s absurdity, her face flushed crimson and she buried her head under the covers.
After dismissing the maidservant yesterday, she had been like a peeled lychee — sweet and dewy.
Held by her slender, soft waist, she was lifted and seated on the edge of the pool.
Then, a pair of strong arms gripped her waist and hips, and before she noticed, lips pressed against hers…!
Her head swam with dizziness. She bit her own finger to keep from making too loud a sound.
Her smooth legs had tried to close, but could only drape weakly over her shoulders, her back…!
All she could remember was the white gauze curtain she had torn down herself — half falling into the water, half falling onto her body.
The aftermath of being left alone persisted for several days. Everything seemed dull and meaningless — until a month later, when a piece of news blew her composure to pieces.
In the bedchamber of the Princess Mansion, she stared at Princess Shunhe in shock, as if she had not heard a word she said.
“Why must you be so alarmed!” The Princess said languidly, her face pale.
“Princess? Then what are your intentions?” She had no idea why the Princess was telling her such a secret. A dreadful suspicion formed in her heart, but she dared not even think in that direction.
“I have come to you precisely because I wish to discuss this matter with you. It is not a question of what I wish — it is what I can still do.” Complex emotions flickered in the Princess’s eyes.
“Princess, is there anything your subject-woman5 can do to help?” Jiang Chenyu was now feeling rather flustered. This was trouble — she had caused a disaster!
“No need to be so nervous. This matter can be made large or small. As long as no one speaks of it openly, what does it matter even if everyone knows?” Princess Shunhe still appeared entirely at ease. Even with the situation burning with urgency, she remained as steady as a mountain.
“At the time, I assumed that at my age, I would not have this sort of trouble. But I suppose Official Hua’s constitution must be particularly robust, and so this not-too-big, not-too-small trouble came about.” Princess Shunhe did not hide or dissemble — she spoke plainly.
But Jiang Chenyu wished she could find a crack in the floor and crawl in. At the time she had only been thinking of saving Ah Tang — she had never expected to truly sacrifice her old father in the bargain.
“I never intended to marry your esteemed father. First, I am not so besotted with him, and second, I am well past the age of desperate yearning for marriage. You need not be so afraid.” Looking at Jiang Chenyu, who dared not lift her head, Princess Shunhe laughed. She had no desire to be tied to one person — she had grown accustomed to her freedom and had no wish to wed.
“Then, Princess, what is your plan?” Jiang Chenyu asked carefully. If the Princess had intended to terminate the pregnancy, she would not have come to find her.
“I originally just wanted to quietly get rid of the child. But I am already more than four months along. The physician says that given my age and my condition of qi-blood deficiency6, terminating the pregnancy would risk severe hemorrhaging. The only safe course is to let her be born naturally.” Princess Shunhe’s complexion looked more haggard now. Without the concealment of cosmetics, her natural pallor was all the more apparent.
“If the Princess wishes to bear this child but keep it from outsiders, you could always acknowledge her as a foster daughter and keep her by your side.” Jiang Chenyu still did not understand the Princess’s purpose in seeking her out — or perhaps she simply dared not guess in that direction.
One thunderbolt after another had left her scorched on the outside and tender on the inside.
“Do you think I do not want to keep her? But my only son feels I have disgraced him. He laid down an ultimatum — either the child goes, or he goes. He told me to sort it out myself!” At this, Princess Shunhe cast aside all restraint and poured out her grievances.
Jiang Chenyu’s entire body went numb. What did this even mean — a pie falling from the sky7? Or a trap?
“Then why doesn’t the Princess seek out Official Hua?” Jiang Chenyu asked, weighing her words carefully.
“I cannot abide that woman of his in his household — she is utterly beneath notice. If the child were mistreated anywhere I could not see, I would regret it.”
“And you — you are her elder sister by blood. The Shen family holds high status, and there are no sordid scandals in your household. This would be the best home for the child. She shares a blood tie with you, and the physician says it is very likely a girl — so she would not affect any children of your own in the future.” In truth, on the surface, the reason was that with her son’s stance, she could not keep the child. But at her age, bearing another child might also invite the Emperor’s displeasure for disgracing the royal family. She dared not take that gamble.
Looking at this pie falling from the sky that seemed determined to land on her head no matter what, Jiang Chenyu laughed.
“Is the Princess certain she can bear to part with her? Your subject-woman is most willing to share your burden. If the Princess entrusts this child to me to raise, I give you my word — she will be my only child. Because… I have a congenital condition that makes me unable to bear children. So this child would be charcoal in the snow8.” Jiang Chenyu looked at Princess Shunhe and spoke with sincerity.
Upon hearing that she could not have children of her own, Princess Shunhe’s eyes flickered with a brief brightness. Then she expressed concern, saying Jiang Chenyu was still young and should not be in a hurry, and that perhaps things might improve in the future.
But Jiang Chenyu shook her head firmly and said, “It is congenital. There is no cure.”
The Princess set her mind at ease and did not press further. At this age, to suffer such a tribulation was truly harrowing.
Now the only option was to handle this discreetly. She planned to summon Official Hua over one day to vent her frustration — truly, this was an unprovoked disaster9.
Footnotes
- Wife of the heir apparent; here referring to Shen Yunshu, SHT's older sister.
- A type of Chinese armor made of overlapping metal scales resembling fish scales, worn by military commanders.
- A military banner symbolizing command authority, ceremonially bestowed by the Emperor upon a departing general.
- Desheng Gate; the gate in the capital's city wall traditionally used for military expeditions departing the capital.
- A formal self-referential term used by a married woman of official rank when addressing royalty.
- A traditional Chinese medicine concept referring to a deficiency of vital energy (qi) and blood, which can cause weakness, dizziness, and in this context, dangerous hemorrhaging.
- Literally 'a pie falling from the sky'; an unexpected windfall, sometimes carrying an undertone of suspicion as in 'too good to be true.'
- Literally 'charcoal in the snow'; timely assistance arriving at the moment of greatest need.
- Literally 'an unprovoked disaster'; an unexpected, undeserved misfortune that befalls someone who had nothing to do with its cause.
0 Comments