Even though she said she'd share the scallion pancake, Shen Changyin didn't step forward. Xie Yu didn't walk toward her either.
Shadows of tree branches swayed; leaves trembled lightly. Wind drifted between them.
The distance between the two did not shrink at all.
Neither would take the first step.
Shen Changyin said, "Third Highness, weren't you going to share your scallion pancake with me?"
Xie Yu replied, "I am. Don't you want some? Why don't you come get it yourself?"
Under the tree, two rocking chairs swayed slightly in the wind.
The hems of their skirts were lifted gently, fluttering like low-flying butterflies.
Yet neither moved.
"Third Highness, if you don't wish to share your food, you can simply say so."
"Really? I thought I made it very clear before that I have no interest in the position of Crown Princess. Does saying things directly actually help?"
"Some things are like medicine—bitter but necessary."
"Then what is it that you pour into the iron tree pot in our room every day? Isn't that your medicine? Why don't you take it?"
"I didn't realize you valued this scallion pancake so much."
"It's just a scallion pancake. Come get it yourself."
They stared at each other. Neither retreating, neither stepping forward.
Only their hair shifted faintly in the wind.
Old Jin and Zhu Ting walked in from outside the courtyard. Before they even entered, they saw this scene.
"What is this about?" Old Jin asked.
Shen Changyin answered evenly, "Nothing. Third Highness wishes to share her scallion pancake but refuses to bring it over."
"Oh, that's all? I'll bring it for you." Old Jin finally understood and began to walk toward Xie Yu.
Xie Yu glanced at her.
In that instant, it was like a flash of cold light. The back of Old Jin's neck chilled. She froze instinctively.
She looked at Shen Changyin, then at Xie Yu.
Quietly, she stepped back and stood with Zhu Ting.
The wind passed over the threshold and brushed her face, leaving her with a cold feeling inside.
What on earth was happening?
Weren't these two fine just yesterday?
The atmosphere froze.
Then three more sets of footsteps sounded.
The steward arrived at the gate and paused in surprise before bowing. "Third Highness, Superior Shen, two visitors have arrived. They said you invited them. I've brought them in."
She stepped aside, revealing two people behind her.
One of them was Jiang Fang, who had changed out of the practical farming clothes and back into a student's attire, which unexpectedly made her look scholarly and refined.
Xie Yu had learned in the dream that although Jiang Fang looked like she came from an ordinary farming-and-reading family, her grandmother had once been Chancellor. No wonder she didn't starve despite being terrible at farming—she'd been living on family wealth.
Her grandmother had personally taught her, and Jiang Fang had studied many subjects besides agriculture.
Xie Yu had already witnessed her intelligence in the dream, which was why she went to Jing Shui Village that afternoon to recruit her as support in the real world.
The second visitor wore a physician's uniform. Despite the loose fabric, her well-built muscles were obvious. She carried a traveling pack and looked about twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
Standing together, the two visitors gave off a quiet sense of capable, complementary intelligence.
Old Jin exclaimed joyfully, "Military Doctor Zhang, you came all the way from the northwest!"
The doctor nodded with composed politeness.
Shen Changyin glanced at Xie Yu before introducing them. "Third Highness, this is my army's chief military doctor. Her family name is Zhang."
Military Doctor Zhang saluted Xie Yu.
Xie Yu pointed to Jiang Fang. "Jiang Fang. She's my newly appointed advisor—hired this afternoon."
Jiang Fang saluted Shen Changyin.
After the formalities, the courtyard once again fell strangely silent.
Old Jin whispered, "Scallion pancake."
The two newcomers looked at the situation, then at the scallion pancake Xie Yu was gripping tightly.
They both smiled and began to smooth things over.
Jiang Fang said, "The doctor and I haven't eaten yet. Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration."
The doctor added, "Indeed. For Your Highness to still think of me as one of Superior Shen's subordinates, I'm deeply grateful."
They reached for the scallion pancake in Xie Yu's hand.
Shen Changyin watched.
Xie Yu looked at Shen Changyin, and finally, she loosened her hold.
"Since the food is shared, we all have business to attend to tonight. Let's discuss matters quickly."
"Third Highness, Advisor Jiang, after you," the doctor said with a gesture.
Xie Yu walked down the steps with Jiang Fang.
The doctor, Old Jin, and Zhu Ting followed behind.
As Xie Yu led Jiang Fang past Shen Changyin, Shen spoke quietly, eyes lowered. "It's late and cold. For the two of you to meet in private—what business could you have?"
"Discussing matters, of course. Don't you often have official duties yourself?" Xie Yu replied, soft but pointed.
Shen Changyin said no more.
Xie Yu brought Jiang Fang into her study and closed the door behind them.
"You're here for the atlas I mentioned this afternoon, right? I'll look for it."
The moment the door shut, she began rummaging through shelves and drawers.
Jiang Fang shook her head. "No hurry. I'd rather know what was happening just now."
Xie Yu stood on tiptoe to see the top shelf. "What?"
'What was happening?'
"…Um… your rivalry with Superior Shen?" Jiang Fang looked at her with an expression that clearly meant you're asking something you already know the answer to.
Xie Yu reached up to feel the top shelf of the cabinet and ended up with a handful of fuzzy gray dust. She wrinkled her nose in disgust and grabbed a piece of soft paper from the desk to wipe her hand.
"What rivalry? We're just having normal exchanges."
Jiang Fang laughed.
"This afternoon when you came to find me, I actually wanted to say something. How is it that after just half a month apart, you seem so much more composed? Your emotions barely show on your face now. But it looks like you're just pretending—you're still a mess inside, aren't you?"
She sat at the small round table. "Sit. Let's talk?"
Xie Yu couldn't get her hands clean, so she went to the copper basin by the desk, washed her hands thoroughly, and stirred the water loudly before looking over. "So you're not only my subordinate now, but also my therapist?"
Jiang Fang lifted the teapot and poured tea. "Therapist? Another new word."
"Third Highness, have you noticed that sometimes you say very strange words? They sound odd, and if you ran into a devout believer, she might even think you're possessed or something."
Xie Yu dried her hands with a towel. "Impossible. I say these words in front of Shen Changyin every day. She's never said a word about it."
"Well, since we're on the topic… let's talk about her." Jiang Fang finished pouring tea and gestured for her to sit.
"You wanted me to bring up Shen Changyin's name myself, didn't you? You set me up." Xie Yu sighed.
She looked at Jiang Fang's waiting hand and finally sat at the round table with clear reluctance.
Jiang Fang began, "Should we start with that scallion pancake incident just now? You really weren't acting like yourself."
Xie Yu held the delicate teacup in one hand but didn't speak.
"I have a guess," Jiang Fang said. "I think you're angry with her."
Xie Yu lifted her eyelids. "I'm not angry."
She spun the teacup in her hands, watching the clear brown tea ripple over the smooth white glaze again and again.
"Ohhh," Jiang Fang leaned back slightly, pretending to suddenly understand. "So you're not angry."
"Of course. Why would you be angry at Shen Changyin?"
"After all, that princess title you hold now—she was the one who requested it for you, wasn't she?"
Xie Yu tightened her grip on the teacup.
"And now you've become Crown Princess—second only to one person in power. Shouldn't you be thrilled?"
Some tea spilled over the rim and burned the web of her thumb.
"And last time, she handed you military power without hesitation. Also, the reputation for compassion in the northern suburbs ended up credited entirely to you. Everyone covets that kind of acclaim. How could you possibly be angry?"
The teacup slammed onto the table.
Xie Yu blurted out, "Because she refuses to explain anything and refuses to confess!"
The words fell, and the room fell silent.
Even Jiang Fang was stunned.
Xie Yu realized she had walked right into Jiang Fang's trap.
But since she'd already said it, she didn't plan to take it back. Forget it.
She glanced at the study door to make sure it was closed.
Only then did she turn back, exhaling. "Fine, you're right. I admit it—I'm angry. Satisfied?"
She grew even more agitated. "She doesn't explain anything. And she doesn't confess anything!"
She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. "There are so many things she's done, and I never questioned her."
"Coming to the docks to drag me back, kissing me, killing the Fifth Princess, pushing me into becoming Crown Princess today…"
"I didn't flip out, didn't interrogate her, didn't overthink it. Sometimes she is very patient and very good to me. So I wanted to give her the chance to explain on her own."
"But I originally wanted to run away, not get involved in the capital's affairs. She's the one who wouldn't let me go. She's also the one who kissed me—twice! Since she's the one who dragged me to this point, she should at least give me an explanation."
"If she can't explain the events, then she should explain the feelings. She owes me a reason."
She downed the rest of her tea in one gulp, exhaled, and continued. "But what does she do? No explanation. No confession. Nothing about anything. What does she want!"
Jiang Fang refilled her cup and sighed.
Then she cautiously asked, "Why not just ask her? At least ask whether she likes you."
Xie Yu immediately pouted. "I don't want to."
"She did these things. She should be the one to explain."
"And besides, if I ask…" She looked away, her voice shrinking. "It's embarrassing."
Jiang Fang said patiently, "But you're not like this with other people. You're direct. You don't hesitate to ask."
Xie Yu puffed out her cheeks and exhaled twice like a stubborn child, making all sorts of silly expressions before muttering, "She's different."
She looked out the window. A pair of swallows that had just built their spring nest flew out and glided across the brightly lit courtyard, weaving harmoniously before settling on a tree branch and grooming each other.
Xie Yu muttered softly, "Stupid swallows."
"Hey, don't blame the birds. This is your own trouble."
Jiang Fang continued, "So you're actually accepting the idea that she likes you?"
Xie Yu looked at her, then dropped her head onto the table, cheek squished flat. "What else am I supposed to think? She went against my will, did all those things to me, and kept me trapped at her side. If I didn't immediately stab her and run away, do you think it's because I'm kind?"
Jiang Fang blinked and thought for a moment.
"Then do you like her?"
Xie Yu instantly sat up straight and shook her head violently. "Nonsense. How could I like her? I don't like her."
Jiang Fang gave her a very skeptical look.
Xie Yu sighed again. "I really don't like her that much."
"But… she does look exactly like my type. And she's smart. The moment I saw her, I thought she was beautiful."
"Beautiful is beautiful. Whatever. That's not the same as having feelings. I figured we'd never cross paths again. But no—she insisted on tying me to her side. Then she has to take responsibility."
Her irritation built again. "I may not like her yet, but if she wants to pursue me, she should at least open her mouth! Explain the misunderstandings or confess properly!"
"She keeps doing things that make my heart feel… itchy. And then she says nothing."
Even recalling it made her chest ache—lightly, like new skin growing over a wound, tender and uncomfortable.
She pressed her lips together, genuinely feeling wronged now.
"I know she's probably been through a lot. Maybe her past was horrible. Maybe that's why she ended up with this personality that can't speak clearly."
"But that's not my fault. Why do I have to suffer for it?"
"If she only wanted to harm me, at least I wouldn't feel this way. But she doesn't just want to harm me."
"She seems to like me, even kisses me, but never says a word. Every day feels like she's fishing, waiting for me to take the bait."
Stubborn pride flashed across her face. "I won't. If she thinks I'll just bite the hook on my own and let her win—no way."
"I'm not losing."
Jiang Fang rubbed her forehead, glanced around, then asked, "Third Highness, when you were fifteen or sixteen, did you ever experience your first stirrings of love?"
"Huh?" Xie Yu didn't know why the topic suddenly jumped back in time.
Jiang Fang almost laughed. "You're eighteen. How can you talk about liking someone while acting like a fifteen-year-old? Kids in the village are more mature. If they like someone, they say it. If they want to know if someone likes them, they ask."
She added, "As for Superior Shen—she's even stranger. On one hand she's far more composed than you, far more patient, yet she's still playing this weird winning-and-losing game with you?"
She shook her head. "Both of you are strange."
Xie Yu immediately bristled. "Sure, sure, your romance is healthy. Where's your wife?"
Jiang Fang quickly changed topics. "Let's play it safe. Is it possible… that Superior Shen doesn't like you?"
Xie Yu shot upright, offended. "What is that supposed to mean? You think I'm delusional?!"
"No! No," Jiang Fang said quickly. "I mean—is it possible she kissed you just because she was tempted by your beauty?"
Xie Yu's eyes widened. She put down her teacup, palm flat on the table, leaning back. "She dared kiss me without liking me? Just because she got lustful? What is she, a scumbag?"
After a moment of disbelief, she gave a cold laugh. "Then she better like me. Because if she doesn't and she still dared to do all that—she's finished."
For a moment, the killing intent felt real. Jiang Fang swore the candle flame flickered sharply.
She hurried to change the subject. "Or… is it possible she doesn't even realize she likes you?"
Xie Yu immediately frowned. "No way. She kissed me twice. I don't buy it."
She shook her head, resolute.
"Whether she knows her feelings or not, it doesn't change the fact that she's fishing for me. And it definitely doesn't excuse her from explaining."
She turned her teacup upside down on the table. The table trembled, and even the candle flame shook for a moment.
With firm determination, she said, "Anyway, I won't admit defeat. And she shouldn't even think about winning."
"That's it? You just agreed to become Crown Princess like that?" Jiang Fang asked.
"I want to win against her—no matter in what aspect," Xie Yu said, sulking but competitive.
"I need to build power. The title of Crown Princess is very useful." She was still a practical person. "If I want to surpass Shen Changyin, I need to use everything I can."
"As for the responsibilities that come with being Crown Princess? My mother isn't dead yet, is she? I'll withhold her pills and make her handle the government affairs."
"But the Crown Princess' next step is Empress. Now that you're forming a faction… what are you planning for after that?"
"Three years from now, I'll divorce Shen Changyin. I'll still be free to do as I please."
"As someone in your faction, I'm very worried," Jiang Fang said. "My boss personally told me she plans to abandon me in three years."
"You'll be fine." Xie Yu looked at her. "I'll hand you all over to Shen Changyin then. She's horrible to me—really, incredibly horrible—but she's very good to her subordinates and to the people."
She added honestly, "She pays her subordinates more than I do."
Jiang Fang immediately stood up and looked toward Shen Changyin's study. "Does Lord Shen need more people over there?"
"Hey!" Xie Yu smacked the table.
Jiang Fang laughed and sat back down.
"I won't switch jobs," she reassured her. "You're a good boss."
"Although you're still childish when it comes to romance. But I told you before—you've actually become much steadier. The plan you told me this afternoon was long-term and very thorough. How did you do it?"
Xie Yu shrugged, pretending she hadn't already run a trial run in her dream—and failed—pretending she was just naturally smart.
Jiang Fang didn't mind that she didn't answer.
"So, Crown Princess, what's the first task you're giving me?"
Xie Yu snapped her fingers. "You know the loyal-dead-soldiers' camp I took down not long ago? Shen Changyin's people are currently watching over them. We need to take them back and settle them in the southern suburbs."
—
T/N: If you're enjoying this translation, feel free to check out my Patreon. If you're unable to support financially, you can still subscribe for free and receive chapters two hours earlier, along with updates and announcements. Paid tiers offer early access and daily chapters.
Thank you so much for reading!
patreon.com/Baenz