Jiang Xingyan returned on horseback to find Xiaoya already fast asleep.
The medicine Yun Chunfeng had given was remarkably effective—even Imperial Physician Sun had praised it profusely. After just a small dose dissolved in water, Xiaoya’s complexion visibly improved.
Qiu Yan and Chun Xue crouched by the bedside, whispering in awe, “That State Preceptor might truly be an immortal! Look, Miss, Xiaoya isn’t coughing anymore.”
Jiang Xingyan’s eyes softened with tenderness.
Last night, Xiaoya had been burning with fever, and every time she drifted off, a coughing fit would jolt her awake. At its worst, her little face would turn red from the strain, a sight that wrenched the heart.
They truly owed the State Preceptor a great debt.
She would have to prepare generous gifts to thank him properly another day.
Jiang Xingyan instructed the servants to set up a meal in the side courtyard, skipping the main hall to avoid dining with Old Madam Huo.
Just the sight of that old woman’s face was enough to kill her appetite.
Xia Feng and Dong Yang had also slipped over quietly.
“Where is he?”
Xia Feng knew her mistress was asking about the “young master.”
“He went to the main courtyard this morning and hasn’t returned since. Before noon, they only sent over a basket of plain vegetables—likely, he’s being punished for not doing his chores well.”
Jiang Xingyan scoffed coldly and didn’t inquire further.
Dong Yang, recalling the strangeness of last night, nudged Xia Feng with her elbow.
Understanding the hint, Xia Feng lowered her voice. “Miss, last night, the young master was beaten by Yinzhu and made to kneel in the ancestral hall for two hours. Strangely, though, your body doesn’t have a single scar. Yet, judging by his reaction, the pain seemed real.”
Jiang Xingyan fell into thought.
Could the injuries be internal?
That didn’t make sense.
In the past, when those matrons had laid hands on her, the red welts and swelling would take three or four days to fade.
Could it be related to the inexplicable soul-swapping?
Her mind suddenly turned to Yun Chunfeng.
As a celestial being with divine insight, perhaps he would know something?
But if she rashly asked and he caught on, reporting it to the Emperor, wouldn’t that be the grave crime of deceiving the sovereign?
“Huh? Miss, what are you thinking about? Your ears have gone all red!”
“It’s true!”
Chun Xue suddenly noticed that Jiang Xingyan’s left ear was flushed a vivid red, almost swollen.
“Nonsense, how could only one side of the earlobe turn red? It must be a bug bite,” Qiu Yan said, quickly standing to fetch ointment.
Then she remembered—this wasn’t even their mistress’s body. Why bother? So she sat back down.
Xia Feng brought over a bronze mirror for a closer look. The redness seemed more like it had been pinched, with a slight tear under the earlobe.
Jiang Xingyan touched it—no pain, no itch.
After some puzzled examination, they found no answers and decided to focus on the meal instead.
“The medicine’s ready!”
Xin Zhui pushed the door open triumphantly, holding a bowl of decoction.
It was mealtime now—surely the general wouldn’t forget about him again?
But as soon as he stepped in, he saw a table of half-finished dishes, with two maids already clearing them away.
His face immediately fell.
Jiang Xingyan sighed inwardly.
Whether she left food for him or not, it was always a problem.
So difficult to please!
Just as she was about to dismiss him to find his own meal, a servant hurried in to announce, “Young General, an envoy from the palace has arrived!”
Straightening her robes, Jiang Xingyan strode to the main hall with Xin Zhui in tow.
The Chief Eunuch Su Sheng stood solemnly before them, holding an imperial decree. Behind him, a retinue of junior eunuchs carried the phoenix coronet, brocade robes, and jade belt befitting a first-rank noblewoman.
Old Madam Huo, supported by her maids, arrived shortly after.
Behind her followed Huo Ci, dressed in fine silks and dignified attire.
He lifted his head, gazing pleadingly at Jiang Xingyan.
She only spared him a cold glance before looking away.
A sharp pain shot through him—one of the matrons had pinched him hard as a warning against attempting to seduce the young general.
Disgusted yet powerless to resist, Huo Ci could only endure.
Once the crowd had knelt in deference, the Chief Eunuch cleared his throat and began reading the decree.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Now, there is the exemplary general Huo Ci, a prodigious talent, loyal to his country, with illustrious military achievements.
His wife, née Jiang of the Huo family, though born of humble merchant stock, remains steadfast in her devotion to the throne. With selfless generosity, she resolved His Majesty’s urgent need, upholding the legacy of her grandfather, Jiang Haiji.
Thus, Huo Ci is hereby promoted to First-Rank Great General, granted the title ‘Guardian of the North.’ His wife, Lady Jiang, is ennobled as a First-Rank Commandery Lady, entitled to the stipend of a secondary first-rank official.
The wicked servants of the Huo household, daring to overstep their station and harm their master, have committed acts most horrifying. After review by the Ministry of Justice, no accomplices were found. They shall be executed at the market square in three days as a warning to all.
Respect this.”
“Your subject (your subject’s wife) receives the decree, thanking His Majesty’s boundless grace. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
Old Madam Huo pressed her forehead to the floor, a chill piercing from her brow straight into her heart.
Jinzhu had served her for over twenty years—how could she bear to see her end like this?
Her fingers clenched.
It was all that wretched woman’s fault!
She would make her pay in blood!
Huo Ci’s mind was in turmoil. He had no idea what problem Jiang Xingyan had solved for the Emperor or what price she had paid.
Jiang Xingyan rose gracefully and exchanged a glance with Xin Zhui.
Xin Zhui handed a heavy purse to Su Sheng, who beamed and offered a few auspicious words before Jiang Xingyan personally escorted him out.
When she turned back, Xin Zhui was lurking by the gate, staring at her with resentment.
The general had always disdained currying favor with eunuchs—usually, he’d just toss them silver and be done with it. Since when did he bother with personal greetings?
This was getting more and more suspicious!
Xin Zhui knew of a disguise technique in the martial world—wearing a lifelike mask to impersonate someone flawlessly.
Had someone replaced the general?
With this thought, all the general’s recent odd behavior suddenly made sense.
His gaze toward “Huo Ci” turned icy.
Jiang Xingyan frowned at him, baffled. “If you’re hungry, tell the kitchen to make you something. Don’t just stand there.”
Suddenly, Xin Zhui shouted, “Eunuch Su, you’re back?”
“Hm?”
Jiang Xingyan instinctively turned to look.
Seizing the moment, Xin Zhui lunged forward, grabbing her cheeks with both hands and yanking them apart.
“You imposter! How dare you pretend to be the general?!”
“Let me see your true face!”