Chapter 188: The Difference

The page was densely covered with ink, a hurried report from the border. However, at the end, there was a vermilion imperial edict stamped with cinnabar!

The moment she finished reading, an overwhelming sense of absurdity engulfed her.

Jiang Xuening could hardly believe the words she saw at the end. Tears mixed with hatred and resentment welled up in her eyes and suddenly streamed down, staining the already dried ink.

Wei Liang had come downstairs, unaware of the visitor’s identity or Jiang Xuening’s relationship with the man. But the way she had called him “Sir” sounded unusual to his ears.

When had he ever seen a young lady cry?

For a moment, he was utterly at a loss.

Jiang Xuening, however, slowly tightened her grip on the piece of paper and simply said to Wei Liang, “Let’s go back.”

If he had heard this earlier, he would have been overjoyed.

After all, it would have meant he could sneak away.

But now, though Wei Liang agreed, he didn’t dare leave, worried that something might happen to her in this state.

Jiang Xuening stood still for a while, then carefully folded the letter and put it away. She called the people she had brought with her, left a message for You Fangyin, who was still in the middle of the meeting at Qingyuan, and returned to Xie Bai Residence ahead of time.

You Fangyin knew Jiang Xuening had planned to meet Lu Xian today.

As soon as the meeting at Qingyuan ended, she hurried to Guanlan Tea House but didn’t find Jiang Xuening there. After receiving the message, she rushed back to Xie Bai Residence, only to find Jiang Xuening sitting alone by the water pavilion, staring at a fishing rod propped on the railing.

Instinct told her that something had happened, something she wasn’t aware of.

After hesitating for a moment, she approached.

Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing Jiang Xuening. “You were right, Miss. Lu Xian hasn’t been in Jinling these past few days, but as soon as the government announced the salt voucher distribution, he showed up at Qingyuan, looking like he’d traveled a long way. When the meeting ended, he left immediately. Did you not see him?”

Jiang Xuening glanced at her and slowly said, “There’s no need to see him now.”

You Fangyin was stunned.

Jiang Xuening, however, asked, “What about the salt vouchers?”

You Fangyin replied, “We had prepared a large sum of silver, but during the meeting at Qingyuan, the officials from the Two Huai Salt Administration said that since we came from Shu, we shouldn’t meddle in Jiangnan’s salt affairs. They didn’t even give us a chance to bid. Strangely, although Lu Xian was there, he only joined in for the spectacle and didn’t bid much or secure many salt vouchers.”

Jiang Xuening wasn’t surprised.

Xie Wei’s words at Guanlan Tower echoed repeatedly in her mind, layer upon layer, unraveling like silk threads, slowly weaving a nearly insane speculation in her heart!

—At this critical moment, with the political situation in the capital on the edge of turmoil and the conflict between the Heavenly Teachings and the Buddhist sects intensifying, Xie Wei had come to Jiangnan and even mentioned that he would head to the border in three days…

If it were anyone else, Jiang Xuening wouldn’t dare to think such thoughts.

After all, what a terrifying speculation it was!

But the one who had said it was Xie Wei.

A wooden box with a lock was placed on the nearby table.

The page of paper lay beside it.

Jiang Xuening turned, unlocked the box, and slowly opened it. Inside were neither pearls nor treasures, but only a handful of aged, weathered soil.

You Fangyin suddenly realized something.

Jiang Xuening, however, gave her a comforting smile and said, “Fangyin, please calculate the funds and assets we can mobilize as soon as possible. I’m afraid it might be too late if we wait until the last moment.”

You Fangyin was silent for a long time before replying, “Understood.”

Jiang Xuening then picked up the box, took the page of paper, and returned to her room.

She had originally arranged to meet Lu Xian but didn’t show up, and surprisingly, Lu Xian didn’t send anyone to inquire further.

On the afternoon of the third day, after You Fangyin had worked through the night to sort out the complex accounts, Jiang Xuening took a carriage and headed to the villa where Lu Xian was staying, as she had previously learned.

The place was quiet despite being in a bustling area, located in a small alley by the Qinhuai River.

As the carriage reached the entrance of the alley, she lifted the curtain and saw a charcoal seller sitting at the entrance, who looked like one of the men she had seen with Xie Wei that day.

The man’s aura was restrained, his eyes sharp.

Though he noticed her at a glance, he showed no reaction and simply lowered his head, continuing to hawk his wares.

Jiang Xuening knew she had come to the right place.

She got out of the carriage and walked into the alley.

An autumn rain had fallen the night before, and the weather had turned cooler. The faint scent of osmanthus drifted from behind the walls of the alley, but the place was eerily quiet. At the end of the alley was a secluded courtyard, guarded at the entrance. When Jiang Xuening stopped, she unexpectedly encountered a familiar face.

It was a serene and unassuming woman.

She wore a light blue pleated skirt, with no extravagant adornments except for a pair of crescent-moon white jade earrings. A jade belt cinched her waist, giving her a pine-like elegance.

In her hands, she held a volume of poetry, standing quietly at the foot of the steps.

Over the past two years, Jiang Xuening had seen this woman before.

She was Fan Yilan, the daughter of a minister who had nearly become a companion reader at Yangzhi Zhai.

Back then, when Jiang Xuening left the capital for Shu, Fan Yilan happened to be there as well, and they had exchanged polite greetings. Fan Yilan had a reserved temperament, and though she was a woman, she carried herself with the air of a scholar. Jiang Xuening had taken a liking to her.

During their time in Shu, the two had traveled and enjoyed the scenery together.

Later, when Fan Yilan left Shu, they lost contact.

Jiang Xuening never expected to run into her here.

As she approached, she heard Fan Yilan speaking to the person at the gate: “I am Fan Yilan, a student who once received a word of guidance and a day of kindness from Sir Xie. I happened to hear that Sir Xie is in Jinling and have come to pay my respects.”

The person at the gate seemed to recognize her and replied, “You’ve come three times already.”

Fan Yilan appeared slightly embarrassed. “Please inform him.”

The gatekeeper then said, “Wait a moment. I’ll go check.”

Fan Yilan thanked him and waited patiently, showing no sign of impatience. She stood quietly, watching as the gatekeeper left.

Her appearance wasn’t particularly striking, but her serene and detached demeanor was something to admire.

As Jiang Xuening drew closer, she noticed the book of poetry in Fan Yilan’s hands.

Of course.

Back then, Fan Yilan had been renowned for her poetic talent and was a candidate to become a companion reader at Yangzhi Zhai. However, Xie Wei’s comment that “there is no good poetry in the palace” had easily disqualified her. Yet, it seemed to have awakened something in her, leading to her current reputation as a celebrated poetess among scholars.

Fan Yilan had been somewhat nervous earlier. When Jiang Xuening was still at a distance, she hadn’t noticed her approach.

It wasn’t until Jiang Xuening was close that she finally saw her.

Surprised, she took a closer look and then smiled. “Miss Jiang, what brings you here?”

Jiang Xuening avoided answering directly and instead asked, “What about you, Miss Fan?”

Fan Yilan didn’t think much of it and replied, “I arrived in Jinling the day before yesterday and happened to see Sir Xie on the road. At first, I thought I was mistaken, but after asking around, I confirmed it was him. I once received his guidance and have never forgotten his kindness. So, I’ve brought a few of my recent works to present to him, both to express my gratitude and to seek his advice. However, the first two times I came, I was told he was resting and didn’t dare disturb him. So, I’ve come again today.”

Jiang Xuening didn’t respond.

Fan Yilan continued, puzzled, “It’s strange. The day before yesterday, I came in the afternoon and was told he was resting. Yesterday, I came in the morning, and they said the same…”

From the day before yesterday to yesterday.

Jiang Xuening’s heart felt as if it had been stirred with mixed emotions. She wasn’t sure what prompted her to reply, but she smiled faintly and said, “Perhaps he’s just arrived in Jinling and is exhausted from the journey.”

“Just arrived in Jinling?”

Fan Yilan gave her a slightly surprised look.

Only now did she realize that Jiang Xuening had only asked about her purpose for coming but hadn’t mentioned her own.

She wanted to ask further, but at that moment, Jian Shu, dressed in dark green martial attire, walked out from inside. He had come out to run an errand and to send Fan Yilan away. As he stepped out, he said, “Miss Fan, Master Xie is still resting. Please come another day.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Jiang Xuening standing beside Fan Yilan.

Fan Yilan’s face immediately showed disappointment.

A hint of regret flashed in her eyes, and she bowed slightly. “In that case, I’ll come another day.”

Jian Shu’s gaze, however, was fixed on Jiang Xuening. “Miss Ning…”

Jiang Xuening had already heard what he said to Fan Yilan and replied, “Then I’ll come back tomorrow.”

But that wasn’t what Jian Shu meant.

Having witnessed his master’s state two years ago, he knew how special Jiang Xuening was.

He quickly said, “No, please wait a moment.”

Jiang Xuening was startled.

Fan Yilan also looked at her.

Jian Shu didn’t have time to explain. He turned and hurried back into the villa, returning shortly afterward, slightly out of breath. When he reached the gate again, he said, “Sir Xie has just risen. Please come in.”

Fan Yilan: “…”

It was clear that this wasn’t directed at her.

Jiang Xuening also remained silent for a moment before stepping past Fan Yilan, ascending the steps, and entering the villa.

Jian Shu bowed slightly to Fan Yilan and then led Jiang Xuening inside.

Fan Yilan was left alone outside the villa.

Standing at the gate, she seemed lost in thought, a faint bitterness rising in her heart. But after a moment, she smiled and let it go. The carefully compiled book of poetry she had brought was tossed aside like a wisp of cloud, a sign of her release.

*

Xie Wei had been awakened by Jian Shu.

Outside the window, the twilight was dim, but it was warmer than in the north. The air was moist, and as he sat up, he felt a moment of disorientation, realizing this wasn’t the climate of the capital.

A branch of osmanthus was placed in a plum vase.

It seemed he had slept for quite a while.

The porridge in the small kitchen had been simmered, replaced, and simmered again.

After hearing Jian Shu’s report, he draped a robe over himself and got up.

Dao Qin immediately brought the prepared hot porridge and set it on the table, along with a few side dishes, avoiding anything greasy. During the journey to Jinling, Xie Wei hadn’t eaten properly, and oily food might upset his stomach. Plain porridge and light dishes were safer.

Too tired to speak, he sat down and began to eat.

Soon, Jian Shu brought Jiang Xuening in. Xie Wei’s face was pale, and after drinking half a bowl of porridge, he didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Come in.”

His expression and tone were exactly the same as when he had been her teacher in the capital.

It was as if the confrontation in Bidu Hall two years ago had never happened.

Jiang Xuening walked in and bowed respectfully, performing the proper etiquette for a student. “Greetings, Sir.”

He showed no reaction, holding a white porcelain spoon and stirring the porridge in front of him. Watching the faint steam rise, he didn’t ask her about her decision. Instead, he asked, “Have you eaten?”

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