Chapter 172: Leaving

From that day, a rumor spread within the Hanlin Academy. It was said that Jiang Boyou, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and Xie Wei, the Crown Prince’s mentor, had argued over an exam paper, supposedly involving some matter of “ethics and morals.”

The usually mild-mannered Jiang Boyou had turned visibly livid, even giving Xie Wei two sarcastic laughs and repeatedly saying, “Outrageous, simply outrageous!” before storming off.

No one thought of anything else.

After all, someone as upright and virtuous as Master Xie, a man as untainted as the moonlight, could never be associated with any “ethics and morals” scandal.

However, after his unpleasant conversation with Xie Wei, Jiang Boyou found himself unsettled. 

The thought that such a powerful and influential figure had taken an interest in his daughter did not feel like a blessing. 

Moreover, the speed with which Xie Wei had shifted between politeness and insolence made Jiang Boyou question whether this man was the same Xie Ju’an he once knew.

After much deliberation, Jiang Boyou decided to have a serious talk with Jiang Xueníng that very day.

In the afternoon, after Jiang Xueníng regained clarity, she began instructing her maids to take inventory of her belongings and replied to You Fangyin’s letter, planning to set off for Sichuan within the month. 

When Jiang Boyou sent someone to call her over, it turned out to be a convenient opportunity.

In the study, Chang Zhuo, who served Jiang Boyou, brought tea before quietly withdrawing.

Only father and daughter were left in the room.

Jiang Boyou deliberated for a moment before speaking. “Ning’er, your elder sister’s marriage is now settled, and the wedding will take place in a couple of days. I’ve noticed that since you returned from the palace as a study companion, you haven’t been going out much. Among the noble families and prominent households in the capital, aside from that less-than-ideal Prince of Dingfei, is there anyone you fancy? It’s about time for our family to start planning for you.”

Sure enough, the time had come for her family to begin worrying about her marriage prospects.

Jiang Xueníng picked up her tea, gazing at her reflection in the cup—her eyes flickering with light and shadows. The first face that came to mind was cold and composed, yet it didn’t evoke warmth or tenderness in her heart. Instead, it brought a faint ache.

Her hand trembled slightly, and she slowly put the tea down.

Jiang Boyou, observing her expression, quickly said, “It’s not that your father is eager to marry you off immediately. If you and that Prince of Dingfei get along well, and if he could change his hedonistic ways, and you truly like him, it wouldn’t be impossible…”

Jiang Xueníng chuckled, “Father, you’re overthinking. I don’t fancy him.”

Jiang Boyou breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if she had liked Xiao Dingfei, it might actually be worse than Xie Wei.

He pressed on, “So, do you have someone in mind?”

Of course, she did.

But unfortunately, the one she fancied didn’t seem to return her feelings.

Jiang Xueníng felt this was a conversation better left untouched, so she decided not to engage with it. Instead, she straightforwardly said, “Father, I currently have no interest in discussing marriage. The matters in the capital are tiresome, and I plan to go to Sichuan this month for a break.”

“Absurd!”

Jiang Boyou was so startled that his eyes widened in disbelief, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“You’re just a young girl, why on earth would you want to travel to Shu with its far mountains and long roads?”

Jiang Xuening had anticipated this reaction. After all, it was indeed shocking for an unmarried woman to propose such a journey.

She wasn’t surprised by Jiang Boyou’s outburst.

But since she had dared to bring it up, she was well-prepared.

Calmly, she continued, “Recently, the capital was abuzz with discussions about the princess being sent away for a diplomatic marriage. I was involved in those plans. It was my idea to suggest Xiao Shu replace the princess in the arrangement.”

Jiang Boyou shot up in shock. “What did you say?!”

In his agitation, he knocked over a teacup.

But Jiang Xuening wasn’t done. She added, “On the day of the princess’s departure, the reason I returned late was because I was plotting to substitute her with another and even planned an ambush to eliminate the diplomatic entourage en route. However, the princess disapproved, so it didn’t come to pass.”

“…”

Jiang Boyou was utterly speechless.

Any one of these actions was enough to warrant execution for treason!

Until now, Jiang Boyou had thought of his daughter as playful and mischievous, but only in the harmless way of the young and naïve. He never imagined that the recent turbulence in the capital had her fingerprints all over it.

His entire perception was upended, leaving him stunned.

Jiang Xuening, on the other hand, remained composed and began analyzing the situation for him. “Xiao Shu is fully aware of these matters. Now that she has become the Emperor’s newly favored Consort, who knows how many ways she’s scheming to take revenge on me. If I remain in the capital, first, who knows what reckless things I might still do; second, my actions might implicate my sister, who is now the concubine of the Prince of Linzi; and third, Xiao Shu’s vendetta against me might also harm the family. Leaving the capital for a while would avoid such disasters. Out of sight, out of mind—the people here will gradually forget about me. Moreover, I’ve heard that Shu is a land of great talent and prosperity. If I go there and mend my ways, no one will know of my arrogance in the capital. Perhaps I might even find a suitable husband for myself, bringing honor to you. Please, Father, consider this carefully.”

In truth, it didn’t matter much to her whether Jiang Boyou agreed or not.

If he agreed, the arrangements would be straightforward. If he didn’t, the worst-case scenario would mirror her previous life as You Fangyin, when she simply ran away. As for travel permits and the like, Zhou Yin would easily handle them. Besides, unlike her previous life, she now had ample silver at her disposal and wasn’t the least bit constrained.

Jiang Boyou’s first reaction was fury.

But as Jiang Xuening spoke, his anger began to dissipate.

Not because he was fully persuaded by her strained reasoning, but because thoughts of Xie Wei came to mind. His second daughter had lived away from home for years, and since her return to the capital, he hadn’t done enough for her. His guilt was immense.

If Jiang Xuening had no feelings for Xie Wei, yet Xie Wei was intent on forcefully taking her, Jiang Boyou absolutely couldn’t stand idly by. But he also knew Xie Jiu’an’s abilities better than most. Jiang Xuening’s prospects in the capital weren’t optimistic.

Thus, leaving for Shu might not be a bad idea.

Though the journey was far and the region remote, it would at least remove her from the capital’s tumult, putting her beyond Xie Wei’s reach and eliminating any risk of entanglement in scandalous rumors like “improper teacher-student relations.”

Frowning deeply, he pondered for a long time before finally sighing and asking, “Is your mind made up?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening knew the matter was settled.

She confidently replied, “Yes.”

Jiang Boyou said, “Let me think it over and look into the situation in Shu. Even if you go, proper arrangements must be made.”

Jiang Xuening rose, bowing respectfully. “Thank you, Father.”

A conversation initially meant to gauge his daughter’s thoughts on marriage abruptly ended with Jiang Xuening’s unexpected proposal to leave the capital.

Jiang Boyou turned to his desk to review the situation in Shu.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xuening left the study and returned to her room.

Her maids had brought out all her valuable belongings because earlier that afternoon, Jiang Xuening had instructed them to pawn off items that were too cumbersome to take on her trip.

However, when they uncovered a jade bracelet from her jewelry box, Tang’er and Lian’er hesitated.

The bracelet was an object neither Tang’er nor Lian’er knew the origin of. It wasn’t particularly valuable, but Jiang Xuening had always kept it at the bottom of her jewelry box. Moreover, the incident last year when Wang Xing’s household was harshly reprimanded by Jiang Xuening—and fell into misfortune—was due to this very bracelet.

The two maids whispered among themselves, not daring to include it with the items to be pawned. Instead, they placed it in a small box and set it on the table.

When Jiang Xuening returned, she spotted it at a glance.

Lian’er quickly stepped forward to explain, “We found it in the jewelry box earlier, and neither Tang’er nor I dared to move it without asking you how to handle it.”

It was a bracelet of Hetian jade, with a warm and lustrous hue and fine, smooth patterns resembling rippling water. Jiang Xuening picked it up, her expression becoming momentarily dazed.

The maids stayed silent, not daring to speak.

After a long pause, Jiang Xuening suddenly asked, “When is Shen Jie’s wedding?”

The title “His Highness, the Prince of Linzi” was what most people used. The mention of “Shen Jie” took the two maids by surprise, but as realization dawned, they couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat over Jiang Xuening’s boldness. Lian’er replied nervously, “This month, on the eighteenth. Just a couple of days from now. Will you be attending, miss?”

Jiang Xuening placed the jade bracelet back into the small box.

There was a fleeting emptiness in her eyes, like clouds dispersed by the wind. She answered slowly, “It’s something I should see for myself.”

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