Chapter Twenty-Five: The Little Princess of the Jiang Dynasty

Recently, the imperial city was abuzz with excitement, rumors flying everywhere. Two pieces of news were spreading most wildly: one claimed that Princess Jiang was kindhearted and had inherited the decisiveness and wisdom of King Jiang; the other suggested that the legitimate daughter of the Shen family was almost certainly to become the crown prince’s chosen consort.

“Aunt Hongzhu, did any constable take over the case of that young maiden, Doukou, from yesterday?”

Jiang Jiu was cracking sunflower seeds with relish as she spoke. Shen Yueru was quite skilled in the culinary arts; with a few spices added, her roasted sunflower seeds were truly delicious.

Hongzhu beckoned a palace maid over, then suddenly furrowed her brow.

“Princess, there’s been a murder among the constables…”

Jiang Jiu’s hand paused mid-crack. “Who?”

“That young maiden Doukou. Even the constable who agreed to take her case is dead.”

[Master, don’t blame me, I really can’t find out anything about this!]

Jiang Jiu had no intention of blaming her little spirit companion—after all, she’d handled the Doukou matter herself, and now that something had gone awry, the royal family’s reputation would inevitably be affected. Even if she wished to withdraw, it was too late.

[Master, do you think I’m useless…?]

[Yes, so is there a way to return you?]

[No… there isn’t…]

The sound of sniffling echoed in her mind.

[Alright, enough tears, you little drama queen. Since I can’t get rid of you, I’ll just have to make do.]

“Jiu! Something’s happened!”

“I know, you mean Doukou—”

“No, not that! It’s my father—he’s been leaving early and returning late recently. This morning when I went to greet him, I found him in his study speaking with a stranger. They said the medicine was successful, that some of the test subjects had already been released. I was afraid of being discovered, so I left before I could hear more!”

Shen Yueru had clearly run all the way here, her breath still uneven. Jiang Jiu gently patted her back to calm her.

“Yueru, why are you telling me this…?”

Shen Yueru fell silent. She’d pondered all afternoon whether to confide in Jiang Jiu. That stranger’s voice alone told her he was up to no good, yet he was conspiring with her father. Telling Jiang Jiu meant exposing her family’s secrets to an outsider; she knew better than anyone the depths of her father’s ambition.

But then, who in this world is without ambition?

Even she herself had once schemed for the position of the crown prince’s consort. This, then, was her way of repaying Jiang Jiu—a life for a life; the matter of pushing Jiang Jiu into the water was thus settled.

“Jiu, I don’t know if this is good or bad, but I’m telling you to settle our debts. From now on, you remain the lofty princess, and I the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. It’s best if we keep our distance.”

With that, she rushed out.

Jiang Jiu still held the embroidered sachet Shen Yueru had given her, sewn by her own hand.

[Master, Shen Yueru is actually quite a good person…]

[She pushed Jiang Jiu into the water and felt guilty. After spending time with her, even a stone would soften.]

[But now two problems have landed together. Master, what should we do?]

[My eldest brother says the Grand Diviner’s predictions are always accurate. Why not ask him to divine the truth behind these recent events?]

Yesterday’s brief glance had left her with the vague impression that both the form and features of the Grand Diviner bore a striking resemblance to a certain someone.

“Your Highness, the King requests your presence in Phoenix Harmony Palace.”

“I understand.”

Jiang Jiu cast a cool glance at the palace maid, then set off for Phoenix Harmony Palace with Hongzhu.

In the grand hall, the King and Queen of Jiang sat side by side. Jiang Che and Jiang Ling lounged at either end, sprawled on the couch, looking every bit like the idle sons of some wealthy family.

“Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother.”

Jiang Jiu greeted each in turn, then took a seat beside Jiang Ling, while Hongzhu was dismissed to wait outside.

“Jiu, come here to Mother.”

The Queen beckoned gently, and Jiang Jiu rose to sit at her knee.

“Mother?”

“Jiu, after tomorrow, you will be fourteen years old.”

The Queen stroked Jiang Jiu’s hair with tender hands. Jiang Jiu rested her head in her mother’s lap, savoring the gentle touch.

“Jiu, fourteen is a significant age for some children. In our kingdom, a rare few are born with the constitution of a spiritual cultivator, and their gifts awaken on this very day. Do you understand?”

“So, I have the gift of spiritual cultivation?”

“That’s right. When your mother came of age, she awakened the healing gift—a particularly rare talent. If only…”

The Queen pinched the King’s arm, realizing she’d said too much and quickly stopping herself.

“If only what?”

“It’s nothing. All you need to know is that at tomorrow’s birthday banquet, you are to formally become the Grand Diviner’s disciple.”

Jiang Ling suddenly rolled over with a lazy drawl:

“Mother, why didn’t I have a birthday banquet when I turned fourteen…”

The King kicked Jiang Ling squarely in the backside.

Jiang Ling tumbled twice before stopping to clutch his rear, a look of aggrieved misery on his face.

“At fourteen, you were nothing but trouble for me. If I hadn’t sent you to the frontier to toil in the fields, it’s only because I’m too soft-hearted!”

Jiang Jiu was stunned—so even a king sometimes lost his composure.

The King, realizing his youngest daughter was still present, quickly composed himself, his expression serene.

“Jiu, you mustn’t follow your second brother’s example and become idle!”

Jiang Jiu nodded solemnly—she had no desire to become another Jiang Ling.

A twitch flickered at the King’s eye—his image as a noble, dignified father was in shambles.

Jiang Ling tried to protest:

“I’m not idle! My cultivation requires that I travel the land and experience its mysteries…”

“And have you discovered anything marvelous on your journeys?”

Jiang Ling struck a charismatic pose, winked at Jiang Jiu, and said with mock seriousness:

“I have discovered the depth of a father’s love for his son!”

The King laughed, the Queen laughed, Jiang Che laughed—Jiang Ling alone was left near tears.

“Come, let me show you an even deeper fatherly love. I hear there are two new cases in the capital—after tomorrow, take two secret agents and investigate. Don’t return until you’ve solved them, and write a full report.”

Jiang Ling’s smile froze, and his face fell as he left Phoenix Harmony Palace.

“Second Brother, don’t worry. Eldest Brother and I will help you.”

Jiang Jiu patted her chest reassuringly. Jiang Che nodded with equal fervor.

Jiang Ling was moved to tears—truly, they were a band of siblings.

Afterward, Jiang Ling decided to first review the details of the cases, send two coroners to examine the bodies, and start his investigation after the birthday banquet.

Back in Pear Blossom Hall, with Shen Yueru gone, the place felt much quieter. There were no more jade dew cakes, no more candied pears, even the fragrant sunflower seeds had to be rationed. Life was growing increasingly frugal.

[Master, why do I get the feeling that Drunken Fragrance Pavilion and Shen Zhao are involved with each other?]

[Who knows? You can’t see anything now, so how should I know if they’re entangled or not?]

[Master, I feel your dislike for me is about to overflow…]

[Nonsense! There’s only one Little Rascal—you, my precious. How could I ever dislike you?]

[Heh, I knew it! I’m the treasure of your heart!]

Ah, why did her spirit companion have to be so slow-witted? And since he couldn’t be replaced, what could she do? Other great cultivators had powerful, high-end spirit companions, while hers seemed to know nothing at all.

She truly despaired for Little Rascal’s intelligence!