Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Life is bound to have its share of unhappiness.

In the Capital of Zhao Kingdom, Emperor Jiang Qiqian’s unhappiness had lasted for several months. Nothing seemed to go his way.

Ever since the revelation at the palace banquet that Crown Prince Jiang Ruilin was actually a girl, Jiang Qiqian hadn’t experienced peace. It felt like many things had slipped out of his control, and despite his efforts to rearrange everything, sudden events kept undermining his plans.

Second Prince Jiang Shouchuan, born of Han Yu, colluded with Yong’an Bo’s daughter, Liu Xitong, who was originally meant to be a concubine for the Crown Prince, toppling the shield Jiang Ruilin he had relied on for eighteen years. Jiang Qiqian had to go along with the situation and raise Jiang Shouchuan earlier than planned.

He allowed Jiang Shouchuan to incriminate Jiang Ruilin, agreed to rename Jiang Ruilin as Jiang Wu, consented to Jiang Wu’s exile, and even approved Jiang Shouchuan’s casual suggestion to assign a palace maid as a concubine to the Deposed Crown Prince, Jiang Wu.

At the banquet, Jiang Shouchuan acted with complete indifference toward his siblings, wearing the demeanor of a petty person celebrating great revenge. The civil and military officials present must have clearly understood what kind of person he was.

No matter how strong the Han family was in Linzhou, no matter how they heavily shielded Han Yu and the Second Prince in the palace, they couldn’t prevent Jiang Shouchuan from growing into a heartless character who hated his siblings intensely, nor stop him from showing a vile, arrogant nature.

Yet Jiang Qiqian never anticipated that before he could elevate Jiang Shouchuan to the pinnacle, or before he could shape him into the perfect bait to lure Han Zhi from Linzhou, Jiang Shouchuan would cause a huge disaster.

How could someone cause such big trouble?

The crown prince had been removed for just over a month when, during the autumn hunt, Jiang Shouchuan provoked the Heir of Prince Cheng. They ventured deep into the woods, encountered a wolf pack, then a tiger, and finally an unknown group of assassins appeared…

Jiang Shouchuan was fortunate to be rescued. But the Heir of Prince Cheng perished…

All regional kings left heirs in the Capital, but Jiang Qiqian cared most about the Heir of Prince Cheng. Back when Jiang Qiqian wasn’t Emperor yet, the late Emperor, knowing his time was limited, sent princes unfit for the throne to their fiefdoms in advance, leaving only two in the Capital for final observation.

Jiang Qiqian was one of the two left in the Capital, while Prince Cheng Jiang Yikun was the last prince sent to a fief, showing the late Emperor valued him greatly. Jiang Qiqian believed that if troubles hadn’t arisen between Jin Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom’s Yizhou, or if Jiang Yikun hadn’t spent a year with the army in the West, the late Emperor might not have sent Prince Cheng to the fief.

Perhaps three would have remained in the Capital.

This was one reason Jiang Qiqian cared about the Heir of Prince Cheng. Another was that Prince Cheng had few offspring. Besides the heir in the Capital, he only had one son from a concubine with him.

Now, with the Heir of Prince Cheng gone during a royal hunt, Jiang Qiqian couldn’t ask Prince Cheng to send his remaining son to the Capital too…

But not sending him meant losing leverage over Prince Cheng and Yizhou.

At the same time, Jiang Qiqian aimed to mislead the Han family into thinking that without the Crown Prince, he’d choose Jiang Shouchuan. Furious over the Heir of Prince Cheng affair, he had to go easy on Jiang Shouchuan. For the Han family’s military power and to reclaim the Linzhou army, even as Emperor, he had to swallow his pride.

Before he could further mislead the Han family, trouble erupted in Daizhou. The disaster escalated into refugee revolts and rebel gatherings before any word reached the Capital, dealing Jiang Qiqian a harsh humiliation.

Unable to retrieve the Han army in Linzhou, lacking leverage over Yizhou, and with Daizhou’s disaster affecting neighboring states, Jiang Qiqian was overwhelmed with worry. He summoned waves of ministers after court sessions daily and rarely visited the Empress’s palace.

Amid this chaos, a report arrived from Daizhou’s Northern lands: the Deposed Crown Prince Jiang Wu had been devoured by refugees, nearly stopping Jiang Qiqian’s breath.

The report seemed credible. It detailed how constables escorting the exile convoy carried the remains of those eaten until reaching Hua’an City near Linzhou in Daizhou’s north. There, they found functioning officials who verified the relics and remains before submitting the report.

Jiang Qiqian, having approved Jiang Shouchuan’s suggestion to exile Jiang Wu to Linzhou, knew she’d face harsh treatment on Han family territory. But with the shield exposed, Jiang Wu was useless. Better to let her become a stepping stone for Jiang Shouchuan’s arrogance, serving her final purpose.

He planned to use Jiang Shouchuan to lower the Han family’s guard, eliminate Han Zhi, and reclaim Linzhou. If Jiang Wu survived, he’d bring her back to the Capital and give her a grand house. Though she wouldn’t receive a princess’s treatment, her basic needs would be met for life.

But Jiang Qiqian never imagined… his own son, a royal descendant, would end up devoured by filthy refugees—utterly absurd!

During famine years, exchanging children for food was not unheard of.

Yet Daizhou lay far from the capital. With only a memorial to go by, Jiang Qiqian remained skeptical.

Though eradication notices targeting the Skull Banner bandits circulated all prefectures, Jiang Qiqian secretly dispatched investigators to verify the report.

Jiang Wu was his son—permitted to die for his schemes, but never in such a ridiculous manner!

Jiang Qiqian was deeply displeased.

After stewing in discontent, he grew unwilling to suffer alone.

The emperor, long absent from the rear palaces due to state affairs, directed his sedan straight to the Cold Palace upon entering.

Jiang Qiqian, pent-up for days, found himself inexplicably wanting Liu Baozhu to share his misery.

Whether the capital’s residents believed the memorial or felt displeased remained unknown to Jiang Wu’s group in distant Shuzhou.

Yet life inevitably brings discontent.

The capital had its grievances; Shuzhou had its own.

Their group—elderly and children combined—had drawn attention. After escaping the cannibal village and counter-robbing bandits, Du Yinsui disguised them once resources allowed.

Gender proved the simplest disguise. But fearing "cross-dressing as boys" might trigger Jiang Wu’s trauma, Du Yinsui chose Qin Chongli—now clean-shaven—for the task.

An all-female group looked like easy prey to rebels and refugees alike. With Du Yinsui guiding them, they evaded large forces entirely. Smaller groups became targets for replenishing supplies.

Traveling from Daizhou to Shuzhou, Du Yinsui nearly grew accustomed to Qin Chongli’s dust-faced, headscarf-wearing "auntie" persona.

However…

"Shuzhou remains too close to Daizhou. If they’ve posted eradication notices while secretly hunting us, they could trace us here. Endure until we reach Yuzhou at least." Du Yinsui maintained vigilance despite temporary safety.

In truth, this caution would persist until they entered Jin Kingdom, where new threats would replace it.

"……" Qin Chongli sighed in resignation.

His silent acceptance was clear to adults but lost on the children.

"Grandmother." Qin Haoyang gently tugged Qin Chongli’s sleeve. "Bear it a little longer. I’m here with you."

Qin Chongli eyed his twin-bunned grandson, mouth twitching. "Call me that less. Say it too often and you’ll never switch back, little granddaughter!"

"Who called me?" The little one hid her hands behind her back, pastry secretly pilfered from their bags.

A foolish grandson, a granddaughter misusing her cleverness… Qin Chongli rolled his eyes.

He didn’t mind playing "grandmother" for safety’s sake, but why should he suffer alone?

Qin Chongli squinted at his cross-dressed yet gleeful grandson, pinching the boy’s cheek irritably. "Our situation improves. Time to resume the studies you abandoned months ago."

"……" Qin Haoyang’s eyes widened. He turned pleadingly to his mother. "Mother! I want to be a chef!"

Qin Chongli pushed the boy’s hand down. "Chefs must read too. Or you’ll bring recipes for us to decipher."

The logic was sound. Everyone nodded, offering no rescue.

Qin Chongli settled his grandson, then hoisted the pastry-sneaking little one. "You’ve mastered counting. Time for schooling. We’ll buy books and start lessons on the road."

The little one didn’t grasp "schooling," but "learn" triggered her defenses.

"Grandmother…" She pivoted, offering her half-eaten pastry. "Grandfather… eat this. No learning."

Qin Chongli devoured the treat but shook his head. "No. Our family shuns illiterates."

Before she could protest, her brother’s snickers distracted her. She pounced, giving Qin Haoyang a good thrashing.

The children tussled.

Qin Chongli turned to the adults.

One nibbled melon seeds, smiling at the chaos. The other focused solely on shelling seeds at lightning speed, ensuring a steady supply.

"Jiang Wu, your studies lapsed too. Pick books you fancy at the bookstore—I’ll teach you." Qin Chongli’s tone softened with remorse before hardening toward the other. "Little Du girl, travelers must read. Join Yao Yao’s lessons tomorrow."

"I can read!" Du Yinsui leaned back, creating distance.

"Half-characters?" Qin Chongli scoffed. "Neglect learning, and you won’t recognize your name on a wanted poster."

Du Yinsui: "……"

She hated learning ancient characters!

Even melon seeds turned tasteless!

Having convinced one, Qin Chongli addressed Jiang Wu.

Jiang Wu collected himself after Qin Chongli’s words. "I’ll heed your guidance, teacher."

"Don’t just heed me. Choose what interests you. If I’m unfamiliar, we’ll learn together." Qin Chongli bitterly regretted past constraints from imperial power.

No longer would the emperor dictate Jiang Wu’s studies—he’d learn whatever he wished.

The sincerity moved Jiang Wu to nod again.

Qin Chongli felt satisfied. His student surpassed those three reluctant learners.

Pleased, he instinctively reached to stroke his beard—grasping only air. He remembered his guise.

Before he could disguise the motion, muffled laughter erupted nearby.

How infuriating! Now he understood his granddaughter’s urge to strike.

Qin Chongli rubbed his bare chin and snorted!