The letter was slightly yellowed, and its edges were even stained with a few spots of blood that had long since dried and blackened.
When Jiang Xun usually wrote, he paid the utmost attention to straight lines and square corners.
Just like his temperament, which had been rigid his entire life.
But the writing on this letter was frantic and cursive.
It was full of panic and despair.
Jiang Yuechu lowered her eyes, silently reading the contents of the letter.
[To my esteemed Brother Wenda:]
[By the time you open this letter, your foolish younger brother may have already returned to the Nine Springs, his body turned to dust.]
[My life has been mediocre and solitary. Only these few words, stuck in my throat, must be spoken.]
[You know me. When I was young, I had the ambition to assist the state, but lacked the means to ascend to high office. I wasted half my life, remaining nothing more than a humble minister.]
[The turning point of my fate was the Lantern Festival Night seventeen years ago.]
[That night, demons entered the palace, the Imperial City fell into chaos, the Imperial Guards scattered, and flames soared into the sky.]
[I was ordered to be on duty in the palace that night, and I happened upon this disaster. In my panicked rush, I mistakenly entered Consort Ming's sleeping quarters.]
[At that time, Consort Ming was already on her deathbed, clutching a baby in her arms. She tearfully pleaded, hoping only that I could take the infant out of the palace, find a safe place for it, and let it survive in the world.]
[I agreed out of a moment of weakness... Who knew that the Former Emperor would find out? The Former Emperor did not punish me; instead, he summoned me to the palace, saying that the child's survival was the will of Heaven.]
[He ordered me to raise her well and keep it a secret, promising me the position of vice minister of rites.]
[I was overwhelmed with fear and gratitude, thinking it was boundless imperial favor, and I foolishly accepted.]
[I named the female infant Yuechu.]
[But gradually, I realized something was amiss. The Former Emperor would secretly send confidants every year just to ask if Yuechu was healthy and if there was anything unusual about her. He even ordered me to secretly record her daily speech, actions, diet, and routines, reporting monthly without fail. Later, he even sent unknown secret medicine every month, requiring her to take it every so often...]
[After several years of walking on thin ice, a rumor suddenly spread in the palace.]
[The rumor stated that what Consort Ming carried was a Demon Fetus.]
[When I heard this, I felt struck by lightning and could not rest through the night.]
[The Former Emperor's strange behavior combined with this rumor confirmed his intentions were obvious. I secretly investigated, trying to discern the truth, but the Former Emperor discovered it, flew into a rage, and under duress, I could only continue to do his bidding and monitor my adopted daughter.]
[On one side was the Emperor's command, heavy as a mountain; on the other, was the affection of kin... Even raising a dog for more than ten years would result in a bond, let alone Yuechu?]
[I personally held her as she grew, fed her myself, and watched with my own eyes as she grew from an infant in swaddling clothes into a graceful young woman.]
[But the Former Emperor's heart is unfathomable... Once Yuechu returned to the clan, I knew my end was near. My whole life, I have been timid and compliant, failing too many people. She once came to ask me the truth about those years. How could I dare tell her? How could I possibly tell her?]
[The kindness of raising her is true, and the act of surveillance is also true. Now that my time is running out, I only wish Yuechu well.]
[If there is an afterlife... may we never meet again.]
[Sinner Jiang Xun, written in his final moments.]
The letter fell onto the table.
Jiang Yuechu looked indifferent, showing no sign of emotion.
Duke Wei looked at the letter and sighed deeply: "Right and wrong, merit and fault, lie in the human heart; the weight of good and evil must be judged by King Yama."
"The human heart is volatile. How many people dare claim their conscience is perfectly impartial and peaceful?"
"Jiang Xun... he was only a Mortal after all."
"Although he failed Your Highness, every word in this letter is written with tears of blood. It seems he was overwhelmed with remorse at the time of his death."
"I hope Your Highness... will not blame him."
Jiang Yuechu did not reply.
She simply rose slowly and walked to the window.
In truth... there was nothing to complain about.
Was Jiang Xun a wretched person?
Perhaps.
But was he an evil person?
In a person's life, how much is truly black and white?
Most people just struggle, wading through the gray mire.
In this cannibalistic world.
To demand that an ordinary, defenseless person oppose the supreme imperial power.
That itself... was a form of harshness.
The kindness of raising her had already been repaid by the death of her previous self.
As for the rest.
It was merely dust to dust, earth to earth.
When a person dies, the lamp goes out.
That was all.
After pondering for a long time.
She slowly lifted her gaze: "Where... is the body now?"
Seeing Jiang Yuechu's expression.
Duke Wei cupped his hands and said softly, "That was months ago. The messenger said the corpse was already somewhat decayed and unsuitable for long-distance transport back to Chang'an."
"Considering our past friendship and unwilling to let him be exposed in the wilderness, this Old Minister took the liberty of having someone find a sunny slope behind that ruined temple, erecting an unmarked stone tablet, and burying him hastily."
"We did not hold a grand ceremony. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, her expression easing a little.
"It's fine. It's already difficult enough for him to rest in peace. Duke Wei, you have my gratitude."
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the window.
"Later, I will instruct the palace to send people there to bring the remains back."
"He will be interred with the rites of a Grand Tutor, buried honorably outside Chang'an, with a monument erected and an inscription written, to receive incense offerings."
He spent his life in fear; he ought to have dignity in death.
Hearing this, a heavy weight lifted from Wei Wenda's heart.
His eyes slightly red, he bowed deeply.
"This Old Minister... on behalf of Jiang Xun, thanks Your Highness for your great favor!"
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand, signaling him to rise.
Then her gaze sharpened, and she said solemnly, "As for the contents of this letter..."
"Keep it buried inside you. Do not mention it to a third person again."
"This Old Minister understands!"
Wei Wenda replied earnestly.
Immediately after, he seemed to recall something, and his expression became extremely serious.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally stepped forward half a pace and lowered his voice.
"It's just, Your Highness... the letter mentioned the Former Emperor's strange behavior, even planning to use secret medicine to control Your Highness."
"Although the Former Emperor disappeared many years ago, the secrets involved are truly appalling. This Old Minister worries whether there are still hidden plans that haven't surfaced... Your Highness must be extremely cautious in your future actions."
Hearing this.
Jiang Yuechu's expression became somewhat strange.
If she remembered correctly... that so-called birth father.
Hadn't she personally beaten him to death back in Jiannan Circuit?
She shook her head.
In the end, she didn't reveal anything.
She just said faintly, "I understand."
...When she emerged from the study, the sun was already beginning to set in the west.
The golden-red afterglow scattered across the blue bricks of the corridor, casting long shadows.
Returning to the back courtyard.
Wei Qing was still sitting by the pond, her posture unchanged, but the fish food in her hand had long been scattered, and she was staring blankly at the clear water.
Hearing footsteps, she turned her head.
Seeing that Jiang Yuechu's expression was normal, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finished talking?"
"Mm."
Jiang Yuechu walked over and sat down beside her: "Nothing major, just catching up and rambling about some old, trivial matters."
Wei Qing was an intelligent woman.
Looking at Jiang Yuechu's overly calm eyes, she knew that this so-called catching up was definitely not that simple.
But she didn't open her mouth to ask.
Everyone has a few Forbidden Lands within their heart that cannot be touched.
As friends, they should know how to maintain that boundary.
"That's good then."
Wei Qing smiled: "I just remembered, although Chang'an has been chaotic these past few days, I heard that the cosmetics shop in the East Market recently brought in a batch of excellent goods."
"It's called 'Drunken Beauty.' They say that if you apply it to your lips, even a stone-hearted Man will be stirred by some Mortal desire."
"Shall we go take a look if we have time another day?"
Jiang Yuechu took a bite of pastry, speaking somewhat indistinctly.
"Cosmetics?"
She subconsciously touched her cheek.
It had been a long time since she had touched such feminine items.
"Sure."
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
"If it's really that miraculous, we'll try putting it on Running Ox later and see if we can find him a cow."
"Pfft—"
Wei Qing nearly spat out the tea she had just drunk.
She gave Jiang Yuechu an annoyed glare, but couldn't hold back her laughter, covering her mouth as she shook wildly.
The atmosphere in the courtyard finally livened up a bit.
The two chatted idly for a few more sentences.
Most of the time, Wei Qing spoke and Jiang Yuechu listened.
Occasionally, she would interject a word or two, either nodding or shaking her head.
Until the sun was setting.
That last trace of sunset was finally swallowed by the night.
At the courtyard gate, a massive head suddenly poked out.
Two magnificent Dragon horns topped the head, which was stealthily peering inside.
Seeing Jiang Yuechu look over, the old fellow immediately switched to a fawning smile.
He hunched his body and scurried over.
"Your Highness."
First, he cupped his hands toward Wei Qing, acknowledging her.
Only then did he lower his voice and address Jiang Yuechu.
"I trust this old slave hasn't disturbed Your Highness's pleasant mood?"
Jiang Yuechu glanced at him and put down the teacup in her hand.
"Spit it out."
This old loach was usually the biggest scoundrel.
If it were nothing, he would never dare to bother her at this time.
"Heh heh..."
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon rubbed his hands: "Your Highness is wise."
"Your Majesty asked this old slave to pass a message to you."
"The Golden Body... is ready."