“…How?”
“Old injury,” replied Gouyedo grimly. “Yet I found no sword scars on his body.”
“What do you mean?”
The herbal master took a deep breath. “Xingshuang Sword Style leaves unique frigid wounds. Its mastery culminates in ‘sword snow’ that freezes human flesh. Victims gradually suffer invading cold over time until suddenly incapacitated, as though locked in glacial hell.”
He paused broodingly. “This collapse resulted from aggravated old trauma when fresh wounds reopened. But no scarring exists.”
“You’re certain?” Jiang pressed in confusion.
“Quite puzzling indeed…” Gouyedo conceded just as baffled. “He bears evidence of past sword blows yet his flesh remains unmarred.”
Jiang bit her lip. “He never told me anything about this.”
Gouyedo sighed. “Since he chose to keep silent, let’s respect that secrecy, hmm? As friend I regret unintentionally discovering more than he wished known and will safeguard it closely.” He performed an apologetic bow.
Jiang returned courtesy. “May I query his current condition?”
“Bleeding’s been stanched and injury freshly bound,” Gouyedo reported reassuringly. “But overexertion seems to have taken steep toll, thus he may remain comatose for some time yet.”
“Master Gou, another imposition if you would…” Jiang pressed both sleeves together beseechingly.
He smiled. “Speak freely.”
“When able, please convey him safely to Chang Le borough for consultation with an apothecary named Shen.” She bent waist-deep in obeisance. “Urgent affairs force my immediate departure now… thus we must part ways awhile.”
Gouyedo gently raised her upright. “A trifling matter, no need for such formality! Business draws me towards the capital regardless so I’d have visited them eventually. A fortuitous early reunion as fate deemed fit!”
“Endless thanks for your timely intervention today,” she insisted with another bow.
“None necessary.” His grin turned cryptic. “Though soon enough you both may be repaying me a small favor instead…”
They exchanged further pleasantries before Jiang ducked behind the ship cabin’s curtains with a lantern. The senseless patient slept deeply despite terrible pallor, elegant features locked in distress, damp inky hair framing such vulnerable youth that she involuntarily winced.
Kneeling close, her scolding held infinite tenderness. “Foolish boy… Rest peacefully without needless worries. I’ll rejoin father soon then come find you after everything.”
With utmost care her fingertips gently soothed away creased tension lining his brow. At her featherlight touch, he weakly stirred – coughing slightly with a drowsy mumble before lapsing back into deathly stillness. This time truly relaxed as all strained lines smoothed into tranquil repose.
She lingered a moment more simply gazing down at him.
“Hiding so many secrets…” Reproach softened into wry resignation. “I’ll definitely clobber you later. But for now…”
Hesitation slowed her whisper. “Deep down I think I’ve already realized the truth.”
She slowly bent closer, fingers tracing his features one by one – arched brow, aquiline nose, curved lips, sharp jawline finally halting over his heart. Through it all he never reacted, his icy skin sending tremors up her spine.
Unsteady breathing matched the delicate quiver of her lashes and stray wisps of hair. Eyes drifting shut, she saw fleeting glimpses of someone else overlapping his still form. For an instant her mouth shaped unspoken words before pressing thin.
“…See you in Chang’an,” she finally breathed.
Gathering her spear Jiang strode off without looking back.
“Another failure?”
Metal token smacked wood with a sharp crack.
Within a dilapidated wing of the forbidden northern palace quarters, black robed Eunuch Yu watched a bored youth lazily flipping coins atop the ornate zitan table before him.
Four consecutive attempts produced the same clear note whenever landing. “He intervened again alongside the Princess.” Voice hoarse with frustration, Yu recounted their disastrous ambush. “That ‘Patriarch Geng’ clearly has no court ties yet continually meddles with state affairs… Moreover this time for personal ties judging by his collaboration.”
The laconic young man gave an amused huff through delicate fingers stroking glossy wood grain. “Believe those pretty words?”
Another negligent coin toss, attentively tracking its arc. “Keep investigating his background of course, but no rush. More pressing issues take priority…”
A mirthless smile slowly stretched his mouth.
“Inform King Qi an unparalleled opportunity has surfaced against the Crown Prince.”
Yu jolted in astonishment. “So swiftly?”
“Rumors say heavy northern snowstorms obstruct grain shipments down Yangzi River. Thus His Majesty intends dispatching the heir apparent eastwards towards ancient capital Luoyang as acting regent to oversee relief efforts.” The spinning token glinted as it spun. “Since the river journey commences here, what better chance for a tragic accident?” *
Yu cackled approvingly. “This servant shall personally convey the summons to Eastern Palace once the edict arrives!”
“Do act quickly then.” A soft chuckle lingered. “The year-end dirge will make appropriate timing.”
One last negligent toss produced a puff of dust when it landed decisively.
Studying outcome, the nameless young man smiled. “Most auspicious.”
Jiang Kui returned to Chang’an as winter deepened.
Dusk rays set her descent before the towering gates ablaze, bundle once more in hand as she turned towards familiar alleys.
Sweet scented tendrils escaped an innocuous wooden door which little Chen soon opened, his cheerful expression swiftly sobering upon recognizing this visitor. “My apologies Sir Jiang, Master Zhu hasn’t been here at all.”
Her face fell slightly. “Not even for consultation with Shen?”
“Oh he did come earlier, escorted by Master Gou,” Chen hastened clarifying. “That was… hmm, midwinter I believe? Stayed a few days until suddenly leaving again.”
“I see… And present condition?” She queried almost nervously.
The lanky boy could only lift both shoulders helplessly. “Remained secluded in his room so I never saw anything myself. Just helped make medicine deliveries.”
Jiang bid him thanks and continued searching through other known haunts Zhu previously frequented but everywhere signs pointed to a puzzling disappearance. Growing desperate, she backtracked towards East Villa Lane and the upper garret room that proved just as dusty and barren.
Echoing desolation greeted her soft murmur. “No one’s visited for so long… Where did that awful liar sneak off to now?”
She carefully neatened scattered items left as though awaiting his return someday then retraced hidden shortcuts leading towards the Eastern Palace.
Urgent confirmation awaited on a crucial issue gradually dominating thoughts of late…
Jiang easily infiltrated the private bedchambers through an unlocked window left warded only by darkness and starlight from outside, blazing lamps revealing no one had slept within for several nights judging by perfectly untouched covers. A familiar silver heating stove gathered dust amidst lavish furnishings but no other personal traces lingered.
After loosely braiding her windswept mane and haphazardly sliding in that red jade hairpin he once gifted, Jiang crossed the adjoining wing where Second Secretariat Gu promptly met her coming the opposite way.
News of Xie Wuyang’s abrupt departure only reinforced her worst fears.
With grave patience, she slowly began combing voluminous scrolls mapping Chang’an’s immense underground hydraulics network seeking a certain vein… triumphantly finishing confirmation with a decisive slash of vermillion ink that angrily splattered the page.
“Arriving at Eastern Palace’s lotus pools…” She pronounced almost inaudibly.
Snow spiraled in Jiang’s wake racing towards those placid waters and still form illuminated by pearlescent mix of moonbeams and thick falling flakes – crimson ceremonial robes sodden black, the scrolling phoenix rank badges cold comfort for vicious wounds still leaking warmth that sloughed bright petals away from near colorless features.
Yet she breathed his name like coming home.
And wrapped in sheltering wings, enfolded him close until the sluggish tempo of his heart gradually revived against hers.
Without sandalwood to mask it came subtle traces of clean wintry blossoms cutting through copper bitterness. That special scent forever spelling safety in her childhood memories…
Jiang tightened both arms in reaction.
“…It’s you after all.”
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