Chapter Forty-Seven: Jiang Yufeng’s Story Comes to an End

A few days later, Weicheng.

A strikingly beautiful woman of mixed heritage strode into the Jiang residence, leading a fine steed of unmatched endurance. She moved with poise and confidence, her presence impossible to ignore.

Standing at the entrance, Jiang Biehe caught sight of her and hurried forward, his face breaking into a wide grin. “Ah, my good daughter, you’re finally back! How was the journey? Was it tiring, did you suffer much along the way?”

This young woman was none other than Jiang Biehe’s eldest daughter, Jiang Yufeng.

Unmoved by his solicitous questioning, Jiang Yufeng waved her hand dismissively, heading straight into the sitting room. She poured herself a cup of tea and sipped as she spoke, “Don’t worry, Father. I’m not a child anymore. You speak as if I’m incapable of traveling on my own.”

“Good, good, my clever daughter has grown up. Not only are you sensible, but you’re also capable of helping your father now,” Jiang Biehe praised her with a smile.

Jiang Yufeng didn’t notice the hint of obsequiousness in her father’s manner, something that set him apart from his usual self.

But she didn’t hesitate to voice her recent doubts, “Father, what exactly is this strange illness the emperor has? And why would performing such an indecent dance cure him? You’re not deceiving me, are you?”

“How could I deceive you? Not only did you cure the emperor’s illness, but our family has also received some fantastic news.”

“And what news is that?”

“The day you cured the emperor, he took notice of you. Since then, he’s been thinking of you day and night. Now that he knows you’re my daughter, it won’t be long before the imperial edict arrives to make you one of his consorts.” Jiang Biehe made no effort to hide his delight as he spoke.

“What? No, I won’t agree to it!”

The moment she heard these words, Jiang Yufeng’s temper flared. Performing a provocative dance was already the limit of what she could endure; now her father wanted to send her off? She refused him outright.

“Why refuse? Once you enter the palace, you’ll be mother of the nation. As long as you please the emperor, is there anything you cannot have?”

“Father, I have no desire to be mother of the nation.”

“Why are you so disobedient? You know our family has long been under Liu Xi’s thumb, and I’ve done many things out of sheer necessity. But all of it—for what? For you! So you could eat well, dress well, and live a good life, I’ve bowed my head under Liu Xi’s tyranny. But lately, Liu Xi has grown even more ruthless with me. I have no other choice but to try this path and send you to the palace. If you can serve the emperor well, would your father still fear that eunuch Liu Xi?”

“And don’t you want to help your father escape Liu Xi’s clutches?” Jiang Biehe pleaded with her earnestly.

“Father, this isn’t about helping or not helping. This concerns your daughter’s entire future! Besides, my heart already belongs to someone else. How could I possibly marry another?”

Her father’s persuasion had no effect; instead, it made Jiang Yufeng’s refusal all the more resolute.

“Who is he?” Jiang Biehe’s expression darkened as he pressed her for an answer.

But Jiang Yufeng did not reply directly. Instead, she repeated her stance, “No matter what, I will not enter the palace as a consort.”

“Marriage has always been decided by parents. How can you make such decisions yourself? Would you really stand by and watch your father be killed by Liu Xi?”

Jiang Yufeng took a deep breath and tried to reason with him, “Father, think carefully. Is entering the palace so easy? Once inside, it’s a prison as deep as the sea. Do you really want to push your daughter into the fire pit? Besides, serving a king is like living with a tiger. How many families have been wiped out in this world?”

“You’re my daughter. I know you well. How could you ever make such a grave mistake? Those who were executed were all guilty of severe crimes. I hold no official post, just a commoner—there’s no way I could implicate you.”

“Father…” Seeing how determined Jiang Biehe was, Jiang Yufeng realized she could not change his mind. Helplessly, she broke into tears.

Jiang Biehe, his heart hardened, declared, “This matter is not yours to decide. Once the imperial edict arrives, you will enter the palace at once. If you really wish to abandon this family, then go. When the emperor finds you gone, do you think Liu Xi will have to act? I’ll take the whole family and wait for you in the afterlife!”

With these harsh words, Jiang Biehe turned on his heel and left. Watching his unyielding back, Jiang Yufeng collapsed into a chair, lost and alone.

Neither of them noticed the figure outside the window, in the shadows—a woman with a smile on her lips. It was Jiang Yuyan.

Her face wore a smile, but her hands, tightly entwined, showed veins bulging, and blood oozed from where her nails had dug into her skin. Yet she seemed not to notice, watching the scene in the sitting room with chilling calm.

Jiang Yuyan’s hatred for Jiang Biehe and Madam Liu had long seeped into her bones. Whatever they did, Jiang Yuyan endured in silence, always waiting, planning her revenge to be repaid in full.

But now, there was someone else on her list of enemies—the only person in the Jiang family who ever smiled at her.

Her half-sister, Jiang Yufeng.

Hatred surged within Jiang Yuyan. She thought, Master Zhu is perfect in every way, but you are not worthy of him. He is the exalted emperor—how could he tolerate your refusal? No, he belongs to me!

Just because you are Liu’s daughter, you have stolen everything from me: my father, my life, my dignity as a person. Now you want to take away the man I love? I hate you! I hate you!

Now, I will take back everything that should have been mine, with my own hands!

Though a storm raged in her heart, Jiang Yuyan’s face remained serene as she returned to her quarters.

She retrieved a manual, its pages pieced together from translations she’d gathered from the yamen, the Six Doors, and the Western Depot. It was the legendary art of “Transplanting Flowers,” and she began her cultivation.

If Zhu Yu were to learn of this, he would be beside himself with envy—what kind of extraordinary talent was this? Someone who had missed the prime age for martial training, yet in a short time had mastered a supreme martial art? And not from the original text, but from fragments she’d collected and translated before assembling them herself!

What’s more, she’d cultivated it without a teacher, entirely on her own. Judging by her progress, she was far beyond the introductory stage.

Of course, Zhu Yu knew nothing of this.

The next day, as Jiang Yufeng wandered listlessly about the residence, Jiang Yuyan approached her and asked, “Sister, is something troubling you? You don’t seem very happy.”

Jiang Yufeng glanced at her, but did not hide the truth. “It’s Father. He wants me to enter the palace as the emperor’s consort. I don’t want to go, but if the imperial edict arrives and I refuse, the whole family will suffer because of me.”

“Sister, I have an idea.”

Seeing Jiang Yufeng’s reluctance, Jiang Yuyan felt both angry and jealous, but she kept up her innocent act, luring her sister in.

“Really? Tell me—what should I do?” Jiang Yufeng grabbed Jiang Yuyan’s arm in excitement.

“Don’t be hasty. The household is full of Father’s people. If I tell you now, Father will hear of it before long. Tonight, let’s meet at the ruined temple behind the mountain. I’ll tell you the plan then—it’s sure to work.”

“All right, see you tonight,” Jiang Yufeng replied, turning away in relief at the sudden good news.

Jiang Yuyan watched her go, a pure yet dangerous smile playing on her lips.

A few days later, news of Jiang Yufeng’s disappearance spread throughout the Jiang residence.