Chapter 65

Chapter 65: How Does She Know Everything!?

Jiang Wu grew up in the Palace of the Zhao Kingdom and naturally understood the relationship between musk and pregnant women. He definitely wanted to help! But…

"You said before…" Jiang Wu hesitated.

"Never mind what I said before," Du Yinsui gently tapped Jiang Wu’s hand. "It doesn’t matter now. Help if you want to. Oh, besides her clothes being scented with musk, there’s also some in the lining of her sachet. And tell her to check her flower-patterned gold hairpin—there might be a hidden gap."

Everyone: "…"

Just hearing about it made their stomachs churn.

Jiang Wu studied Du Yinsui closely. Her encouragement felt genuine this time—unlike during their exile when she’d set traps for them.

"Then… how do I say it?" Jiang Wu trusted Du Yinsui, but convincing the lady was tricky.

"For safety, speak to her alone. Just tell her what you know—you’ve done your part whether she believes you or not." Seeing Jiang Wu’s lingering doubt, Du Yinsui added, "Even without proof, she’ll check for her child’s sake."

That settled Jiang Wu’s hesitation.

As Jiang Wu stood and walked toward the shaded trees, Qin Chongli—who’d been shoveling broth-soaked rice into his mouth—grumbled.

"You used to insist one plus one equals two. Now it equals three?" Qin Chongli didn’t oppose Jiang Wu’s help, but he remembered all those drills about suppressing sympathy and avoiding meddling!

Though subtle, his resentment was obvious.

Du Yinsui watched Jiang Wu persuade the lady to step aside with him. She tossed Qin Chongli an orange from her tray. "With me here, it can equal three."

Qin Chongli: "…"

Fine! By that logic, it could equal five too!

Jiang Wu’s message was brief, but the lady tugged his sleeve afterward, delaying his return.

"She tried giving me silver notes—I refused. Said her family’s in Sui Ye City ahead. If we go there, find the Wangs at Treasure Pavilion." Flushed, Jiang Wu reported to Du Yinsui without sitting.

Du Yinsui—having overheard everything—pulled him down with a chuckle. "We’re not going to Sui Ye City. Keeping the silver notes was your choice—what matters is you’re happy."

Happy?

Probably.

His scent held relief and quiet joy.

Did this ease Jiang Wu’s burden?

Liu Yaozu was dead, but the tragedy from eighteen years ago remained. Back then, infant Jiang Wu was powerless. Now he could act. Du Yinsui hoped such chances would help him release the past—if chosen carefully.

Like today’s travelers: their spotless carriage meant a short journey, while their incense smell hinted at temple visits from a nearby city. They wouldn’t linger locally, and our paths diverge west. The risk was minimal.

Noticing Jiang Wu’s slight smile as he peeled an orange, Du Yinsui decided the gain outweighed the danger.

After just a few glances, a peeled orange appeared beside her. Du Yinsui automatically took it, thinking… well, it felt much higher. The woman kept glancing their way, but seeing no one seemed interested in conversation, she tactfully retreated to her carriage and departed.

Du Yinsui and her group didn’t enter Sui Ye City after all. They pressed onward, only reaching a small town as the sun dipped below the horizon. During the journey, Du Yinsui pondered how to adjust her spice blend and braised meat steps once more.

Qin Chongli finally reached his limit. While they were out buying meat, he went straight to the inn and ordered several vegetable dishes. So, dinner that evening became a bowl of braised meat alongside a table full of vegetables.

Normally, eating greens was fine. The trouble started when the dishes were nearly cleared.

Jiang Wu suddenly remarked, "Was there wine in today’s vegetables?"

Drawn by the braised meat’s aroma, the inn’s staff kept passing by. One happened to overhear and immediately started tooting their own horn. "The yellow wine from our Qifeng Town is rich and mellow! It’s perfect for stir-frying vegetables. Tasty, aren’t they? Not a hint of earthiness!"

They truly were quite good. Chu Xiulan offered a few compliments, shooing away the server who kept eyeing their empty braised meat bowl. She then turned to Jiang Wu. "Can you not drink?"

Jiang Wu nodded, rubbing his temples. "I should rest early…"

Du Yinsui frowned slightly. She’d already detected the wine in the dishes. But… wasn’t the story that the Crown Prince was frail and couldn’t drink? Didn’t the Empress say that to prevent Jiang Wu from drinking too much, losing composure, and revealing herself?

"There probably wasn’t much in these dishes," Du Yinsui said, steadying Jiang Wu as he seemed about to stand. "Can you tolerate even a little? What happens if you do?"

"I get… a bit drunk. Say things I shouldn’t." Jiang Wu pressed his lips together, as if afraid to continue.

A wave of palpable guilt cut through the light wine scent, making Du Yinsui pause as she supported him.

Qin Chongli, who’d ordered the feast of vegetables, smacked his lips guiltily. Had he really ordered that many?

Fortunately, after dinner there was little to do besides read. Qin Chongli, having performed his "good deed," didn’t dare suggest reading. The group dispersed, each heading to their room.

After washing up, Du Yinsui ignored Jiang Wu, who was bent over arranging bedding on the floor. She pushed him straight onto the bed. "You’re drunk. Forget the floor. Sleep here!"

Jiang Wu: "…"

Thick waves of guilt and unspoken words hung in the air.

Du Yinsui pursed her lips, shook out the floor bedding, and plopped down with a thud.

From the scent alone, Du Yinsui knew Jiang Wu wanted to say something—something he felt he needed the excuse of being "drunk" to voice.

So, guessing what it was proved easy enough.

Having clarified her own feelings, Du Yinsui thought getting things out in the open might be best. Better than everyone stumbling in the dark, trapped in this bittersweet limbo.

But Du Yinsui hadn’t expected this. She waited. And waited. She even dozed off briefly. Still, no sound came from the bed where the supposedly "tipsy, loose-lipped" person lay.

Unbelievable…

What kind of ineffective lie was this?

"Jiang Wu." In the end, Du Yinsui was the one who broke the silence first.

"Hmm?"

The reply came swiftly from the bed.

"How did you know a little wine makes you drunk and talkative?" Du Yinsui pulled the conversation back to the start, sounding helpless.

A faint rustling came from the bed. It sounded like someone shifted from lying flat to facing the inner wall.

"The deposed Empress tried many times before—meant to train me as a heavyweight drinker. But I’d always get drunk after just a sip… and talk too much when tipsy." Jiang Wu stared into the bed canopy, dim and unlit by the oil lamp, like a dark vortex pulling him into distant memories. "After too many failures, she gave up. Then rumors spread that I was too frail for even a drop of liquor."

No lies hung in the air, only sorrow and pain.

That wasn’t what Du Yinsui had intended. She sat up abruptly, poked Jiang Wu’s back, and swiftly changed the subject. "Didn’t you just complain downstairs about drinking too much? Why so quiet now?"

"Not… that much," Jiang Wu mumbled guiltily.

Impulse was brief; regret followed fast.

"Seemed like plenty. Every dish had yellow wine—strong smell, too." Du Yinsui poked him again, dissatisfied. "What, am I chatting with the wall here?"

Jiang Wu: "…"

The figure on the bed squirmed deeper under the blankets until only his head showed, then slowly turned outward.

"You purposely sent me to help her today, right?" Jiang Wu wasn’t foolish. After returning from speaking with the woman, he’d guessed Du Yinsui’s plan.

"Yes." Du Yinsui didn’t deny it.

"Thank you," Jiang Wu said earnestly.

Then came a long, slightly awkward silence.

The atmosphere felt strange. Even with his face flushed, Jiang Wu couldn’t resist peeking out.

He’d only meant to check the situation, but emerging from the covers, he met Du Yinsui’s direct stare.

Guilt almost made him duck back under immediately.

Of course, Jiang Wu resisted. Otherwise, it’d seem too odd and obvious.

"That’s it? After drinking, this is all you say?" Du Yinsui sounded exasperated. Couldn’t he have said this sober?

Jiang Wu nodded seriously.

Though he struggled to express himself clearly, he felt truly happy—happy Du Yinsui noticed his small worries and took risks for him.

Sincerity and gratitude thickened the air, bittersweet and heavy.

Fine, so it was truth. Took wine just to say thanks—what more could she expect?

Du Yinsui flopped back down, wondering how long this secret crush would last. Until Yao Yao’s child could call her "mother"?

Nice as it felt, it was pointless.

Otherwise, she’d be old before dating. If they proved incompatible, no time left to find another.

"Jiang Wu." Du Yinsui sat up again, instantly sensing the tension from naming him.

That’s how it is—when the pig’s fattened, it should be slaughtered; otherwise, it just hogs the pen.

Before Jiang Wu could speak, Du Yinsui mused aloud, "I thought when you said alcohol makes you babble nonsense, you meant you wanted to marry me."

Silence followed her words. Then the figure on the bed shot upright, eyes wide as he stared down at her.

Well, the deed was done—might as well finish it thoroughly.

"Isn’t it obvious? I smelled the musk on that lady, and I certainly smell your wish to marry me." Curling her legs beneath her, Du Yinsui propped her chin on her hand, studying Jiang Wu. "What? Did I misspeak?"

Where could she be wrong…

Throughout their journey—bamboo rats, pheasants, rabbits, ginseng, dendrobium, cannibals, captives, musk—Du Yinsui seemed to know everything.

So knowing her feelings… that couldn’t be wrong either.

But!

How did she know?!

Since when?!

Du Yinsui’s blunt strike left Jiang Wu’s mind utterly blank.

Then his mouth moved on its own.

"Haven’t… haven’t we already been wed by imperial decree?" Jiang Wu murmured dazedly before clapping his hand over his mouth.

Ah!

What had he said?!

Wasn’t that just a secret daydream?!

Jiang Wu’s return volley stunned Du Yinsui in turn.

That seemed true… yet something felt off.

"We’ve already fled. What imperial decree remains?" Du Yinsui clenched her fists, shooting Jiang Wu an exasperated glare. She’d nearly been derailed by him.

Deflation smothered Jiang Wu’s nerves. He lowered his gaze.

Yes. Thus, it remained only a secret dream.

The stench of defeat and frustration displeased Du Yinsui.

Fine—her earlier phrasing was at fault.

She scooted toward the bedside, choosing new words. "I meant: I smell that you fancy me."

Tension, panic, shyness—these scents instantly clashed in the room.

"I… I…" Jiang Wu stammered helplessly. Like a rabbit poised to bolt, he threw Du Yinsui one terrified glance before his eyes darted away.

Why such alarm?

Du Yinsui almost felt guilty for weaponizing her scent ability.

Was liking someone so unspeakable?

The pig was slaughtered—might as well eat it hot.

"Enough ‘I’s. It’s fine. I also…" Du Yinsui refused to bully with her gift, nor did she find affection shameful—yet when her turn came, the words jammed in her throat.

Her heart seemed to kindle an ember, each quickening beat pumping scorching blood through her body until even her face burned with heat.

"I also…" Du Yinsui attempted again, failing once more.

Jiang Wu, however, caught those repeated "I also"s, glancing over hesitantly.

Du Yinsui’s cheeks flushed deeper.

When "I" wouldn’t come, she started with "you"—Du Yinsui had quick wits.

"I can smell you like me. Can’t you smell me?" Du Yinsui said helplessly.

Jiang Wu, who had no scent-related abilities: "…"

Awkwardness hung in the air.

"Forget it. We’re married anyway. Let’s just live well. Why talk about liking…" Du Yinsui forced a laugh, flopping back onto her floor mat.

The silence didn’t last.

At that crucial moment, Jiang Wu found the courage she often lost.

"You… could you… like me?" Jiang Wu leaned forward slightly, hardly believing his own words.

Had the wine in tonight’s vegetables been too strong? Maybe he’d fall asleep after washing up, and this was all just a dream.

Yes, a dream—why else would he ask something so absurd?

Just as Jiang Wu meant to lie back and preserve this dream, the voice below answered.

"Huh? Wasn’t it obvious? I shared pine nuts with you and peeled your shrimp," Du Yinsui countered stubbornly.

Jiang Wu thought he’d misheard. "The liking you mean… it’s what I’m thinking? Not like with Yao Yao… it’s—"

"It’s the married kind," Du Yinsui cut through the sudden bitterness.

The room fell silent. Then came the thud of Jiang Wu collapsing back onto the bed.

"Definitely drunk. Dreaming," Jiang Wu muttered, eyes shut. "Sweet dreams."

What sweet dream? Du Yinsui liking him? Marrying him?

Du Yinsui: "???"

After slaughtering it for ages, the pig came back to life?

Unacceptable!

Wait—what was that scent…

As Jiang Wu closed his eyes, replaying every moment since that soft call to memorize this "dream," someone poked his arm.

"Jiang Wu, did you want to sleep with me just now?" Du Yinsui sounded equally stunned.

Jiang Wu’s eyelids trembled, squeezed tighter shut.

"You clearly wanted—" Du Yinsui’s words were muffled by a trembling hand over her mouth.

"I—" Jiang Wu covered her mouth, speechless.

How did she know everything?!

He’d only been thinking about marriage—and maybe, just maybe, a tiny fraction more!

The lips beneath his palm felt soft. As Du Yinsui tried to speak, her movements brushed Jiang Wu’s skin, making him shiver. Wine-loosened thoughts spiraled out of control.

Fine—more than a fraction.

Their eyes met.

Du Yinsui smelled it.

Jiang Wu knew she smelled it.

If this was a dream, was it sweet or terrifying?

Qifeng Town’s wine had a uniquely potent kick.

In that thick, awkward air, drunkenness seized Jiang Wu, loosening his tongue.

"So what if I did? Will you come up?"

One moment: reckless words.

The next: wishing he could strangle himself.

Would Du Yinsui think him insane? His first sweet dream…

Wait—was this even a dream?

Jiang Wu’s face burned crimson, mind reeling.

Du Yinsui felt equally dazed.

That bold, bitter-sweet scent had finally met its match.

How had talking led to sleeping together?

Not her fault—Jiang Wu smelled that way first.

Not that she minded…

But.

Du Yinsui gripped Jiang Wu’s wrist, moving the branding-iron-hot hand from her mouth. She cleared her throat. "We can only think about it today. Your… period came."

Jiang Wu froze, his mind racing through increasingly improper "dream" scenarios.

"Pfft—" Du Yinsui burst out laughing at his flushed, dumbstruck face. "Your period’s here. No wonder you’d think of that…"