Chapter 20: Farewell
◎Want to be a Consort? Think again.◎
The palace servants in the East Palace were baffled; the Crown Prince was completely different.
Aside from dismissing his concubines, he exuded an air of transcendence. Once a melancholic pretty boy, he now resembled a celestial being.
He was kind, no longer killing indiscriminately, but this made everyone even more apprehensive, fearing a worse fate.
Nan Gong Xuan was naturally androgynous, possessing an innate charm. One glance from his slender, phoenix-like eyes could make anyone swoon.
However, he was spoiled and loved collecting beautiful women, inviting several to his bedchamber every night.
The Emperor had hinted at this excessive indulgence, warning it was detrimental to his health, but Nan Gong Xuan ignored him.
Beneath his almost ethereal beauty was a rebellious spirit; the more he was forbidden from doing something, the more he did it.
Reliving his life, he wanted to experience different things. In his previous life, he had everything; this time, he wanted to experience longing.
While the Emperor worried about his son, Nan Gong Xuan proactively entered the palace, announcing his desire to travel south to understand the people’s lives.
Jiangnan (the southern region) was known for its beautiful mountains, rivers, and women. The Emperor figured his son was tired of the palace women and wanted fresh flowers.
As a man, he understood. After all, the Ministry of Rites had recently suggested finding beautiful women from the common folk, and he’d turned a blind eye.
Now that the palace was full, with daughters from prominent families, it was time to spice things up with commoners.
Nan Gong Xuan received his father’s approval and set off for Jiangnan incognito.
He deliberately didn’t bring any women, wanting to meet them in his own way; the trope of a talented man meeting a beautiful woman was so interesting.
The powerful Crown Prince traveled south, his attendants attending to his needs, but he found a new kind of enjoyment.
Being kind was easier than being a monster. Locking his evil soul in a good person’s shell gave Nan Gong Xuan a strange sense of satisfaction.
When he encountered that girl—or rather, his beloved from his past life—he would use every means to pursue her.
He would tell her about his past life after winning her over; it would be fun.
“Young Master, we’ll reach Huizhou in five or six days.”
Nan Gong Xuan sipped his tea, staring at the rippling water, smiling slightly. “Yes, let’s go to Yanhua Town.”
She was there.
In a small alley in Yanhua Town, smoke curled from a small household’s chimney. Dinner was being prepared.
Mu Jiaojiao was staying at the Zhan family for dinner and prepared a lavish meal.
She suddenly wanted hot pot, preparing various ingredients. The kitchen echoed with the chopping of vegetables. Mu Jiaojiao, sleeves rolled up, washed fruit by the well with Zhan Qiyu.
The fruit was a type of small, ugly peach that Shan Cha bought, but it was sweet, requiring careful washing.
Squatting, she carefully washed a peach, instructing, “Brother Zhan, you’re taking the exam next month. Just perform normally, and you’ll succeed.”
The young man held a peach, his lips pursed tightly, restraining his emotions, merely murmuring a soft “hmm.”
He felt uneasy. This should be a day of closeness, but something felt off.
He lacked experience with women, but he felt it should be gradual. This felt too fast.
Mu Jiaojiao was talking incessantly, as if she wanted to say everything she had in her heart. He wasn’t annoyed, but he feared this happiness would end too quickly.
He wanted lasting happiness, not just a fleeting moment.
Mu Jiaojiao’s loose hair fell behind her ears, her laughter filling the courtyard. A breeze blew, and the surrounding plants swayed, releasing a fragrant scent.
“Dinner’s ready!”
Shan Cha carried the pot filled with ingredients, placing it on a small table in the courtyard. Mu Jiaojiao glanced at the peach Zhan Qiyu had been rubbing for a long time and replied, “We’re done; we’ll be right there.”
A small, white hand snatched the peach from him, placing it on a small plate. Smiling, she said, “Let’s eat.”
Her smiling eyes and dimples made Zhan Qiyu think that if they were married, having this scene after court would erase all his worries.
Only after the cheerful figure was gone did he touch his lips, trying to suppress his thoughts.
He was thinking too much.
A round wooden table, specially prepared, accommodated the five people, resembling a close-knit family.
Mu Jiaojiao had only eaten hot pot with her family in winter.
The clay pot bubbled, releasing an alluring aroma. The white radishes bobbed at the top.
A Liu was thrilled; he had heard about this communal meal and finally saw it.
Shan Cha had only seen the rich eat this way and was experiencing it for the first time.
Madam Zhan bustled about, ensuring there was enough meat and vegetables, her mind far from the meal.
Zhan Qiyu looked calm, as if it were an ordinary dinner, but he knew he was happy, genuinely happy.
Eating together as a family was a wonderful life.
“Should we start?”
Mu Jiaojiao, seeing Shan Cha drooling, spoke first.
Shan Cha understood. “Miss, let me try.”
She picked up a piece of meat and a radish.
A Liu looked at his master, hoping for permission, but Zhan Qiyu didn’t look at him.
The considerate Miss Mu said, “A Liu, you try some too.”
He then used his chopsticks to pick up the meat.
The pot contained vegetables, meat, fresh tofu, and eggs. The soy sauce broth was subtly sweet.
Madam Zhan added several pieces of meat and tofu to Mu Jiaojiao’s bowl, smiling. “Miss Mu, you’re too thin. Eat more meat.”
Holding her small porcelain bowl, her charming face visible through the steam, Mu Jiaojiao tasted the meat. After swallowing, she said, “Madam Zhan, just call me Jiaojiao.”
“Jiaojiao.”
The name made Zhan Qiyu’s heart itch. Everyone could call her Jiaojiao; he couldn’t.
When he could openly call her Jiaojiao, he would call her countless times.
The person he longed for offered him a piece of tofu. The soft tofu, half of it fell on the ground.
The girl smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t say anything but picked up the half-piece of tofu and savored it; it was sweet.
The pot was quickly emptied. Madam Zhan added bone broth and more ingredients. They continued eating and chatting. Darkness fell, and surrounding houses began to turn off their lights.
Mu Jiaojiao didn’t rush to leave, calling Madam Zhan to her room.
She brought out a small booklet she’d written, recording key information.
For example, to stockpile rice and firewood for winter, to watch for heavy rainfall and disease outbreaks in early spring—significant events from her memory.
“Madam Zhan, please keep this for me. Give it to Brother Zhan later.”
Considering that Madam Zhan might not be literate, she asked her to keep it safe. Once she was in the palace, she wouldn’t have to explain the contents.
She wouldn’t tell anyone about her rebirth.
Madam Zhan couldn’t read but carefully stored the booklet and brought out a small cloak she’d made, tailored to Mu Jiaojiao’s size, filled with new cotton for warmth.
“Thank you, Madam Zhan.”
Holding the cloak, she felt warmth. In this life, she hadn’t lost her son, and her life was getting better.
If Brother Zhan passed his exam, she might get Madam Zhan a title. She might not be able to match him with his cousin.
“I wish you a long life.”
She hugged Madam Zhan, then left for the Mu family with Shan Cha.
Even Shan Cha sensed something different about her mistress; it felt like a farewell.
Helping her mistress unbraid her hair, Shan Cha voiced her concerns. “Miss, are you hiding something from me?”
The comb paused in her hair. Mu Jiaojiao knew she could no longer keep it secret. She pulled Shan Cha down to sit beside her and said earnestly, “Mother is sending me to the palace, Shan Cha. I hope you stay.”
“The palace? Miss, are you going to be a consort?”
Shan Cha’s eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined her mistress would go to the palace.
The distant imperial city—she had seldom heard of it, yet her mistress was going there.
She instinctively wanted to go too, but Mu Jiaojiao shook her head. “Shan Cha, I don’t need you. You have more important things to do.”
Her long hair fell on either side, obscuring her face. The oil lamp illuminated her tearful eyes.
“I haven’t repaid my debt of gratitude yet. Will you continue for me?”
Tears streamed down Shan Cha’s face. She shook her head, refusing to let her mistress repay her debt; she wanted to stay with her.
Mu Jiaojiao hugged her, comforting her. “Alright, I’ll go to the palace first, and you help me repay my debt. After a few years, when you have more to do, I’ll send for you, okay?”
She soothed Shan Cha, promising to fetch her to the palace.
Shan Cha cried, not wanting to be separated from her mistress.
Meanwhile, Zhan Qiyu learned of Mu Jiaojiao’s impending entry into the palace. His gaze was sharp, fixed on the Mu family’s direction.
Entering the palace wouldn’t be easy.