Chapter 2: The Young Master of the Pei Family Seeks a Medicinal Ingredient Before the Emperor

Following the words of his cousin-in-law, Xiang, Jiang Shiyuan leaned out again to take a look. Their private chamber happened to face the imperial viewing stand, granting them a full view of everything.

He saw Pei Zisu, surrounded by a crowd, stride confidently up to the stand.

Though Jiang Shiyuan was far away and couldn’t discern his features clearly, Pei Zisu emanated a scorching heat as if blazing under the sun, perfectly matching the image of the young general from Jiang Shiyuan’s memory.

The Pei family’s power was immense, and this young General Pei was exceptionally gifted.

By fifteen, he had fought and won seven battles, crushing the southern rebels and reclaiming nine cities including Fancheng. Such feats earned him great renown not only in Hanzhou but throughout the entire Great Sui Dynasty.

Everyone said he was a rising star among the dynasty’s generals, yet no one knew he would meet an untimely death, passing away in the summer before he even turned twenty.

Jiang Shiyuan still remembered the scene vividly: the Great Sui royal family dressed in plain mourning clothes, civil and military officials observing three days of mourning, and the sorrowful populace lamenting this prodigy taken too soon—truly unprecedented.

Before Jiang Shiyuan’s sigh could deepen, he saw Pei Zisu kneel on one knee before the emperor and loudly say,

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless. I dare to request the Four Rootless Waters.”

This declaration stunned everyone present. Such an opportunity could have been used to request great official positions or favorable marriages, yet he asked for this enigmatic “Four Rootless Waters.”

“What are the ‘Rootless Waters’?” Xiang looked puzzled, and Jiang Shiyuan calmly replied,

“Rain, dew, frost, and snow.”

“Why would cousin Pei want these?” Xiang questioned further.

“Probably as a medicinal ingredient,” Jiang Shiyuan answered.

Jiang Shiyuan had been ill for many years—not fatally—but never fully recovered. Her life had been prolonged thanks to the Ningxiang Pills, which contained these very four Rootless Waters as their medicinal base.

Collecting them was neither easy nor simple; it required painstaking patience year after year. She wondered if someone close to General Pei was also ill.

The old emperor on the stand looked weary.

His health was never robust, and though he had forced himself to attend today, exhaustion was now apparent. Watching Pei Zisu, he felt his own age.

He recalled the recent bulletin of Pei family’s military victories, expecting Pei Zisu to petition for wealth or status. Instead, it was for the Rootless Waters, which slightly eased the tension in his heart. Smiling faintly, he asked the attendant nearby,

“Rootless Waters? Dezhong, does the Imperial Pharmacy have any in stock?”

The attendant, hair streaked with gray but face smooth, dressed in dark green silk and black boots, quickly bowed and replied,

“Your Majesty, there is some, though Princess Qinghuan recently took a portion, so the remaining quantity is limited.”

“Oh? Qinghuan took some? Is that girl up to some strange business again?”

“That, Your Majesty, I cannot say for sure.”

Princess Qinghuan was the emperor’s youngest daughter. Born during a year when Great Sui scored several victories and the northern tribes submitted, she was regarded as a heavenly blessing and thus the most favored princess. The common folk often whispered that had she been born a boy, the throne might well have fallen to her.

“Since we have it, grant it all to the loyal minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the attendant replied.

Seeing this, Pei Zisu’s lips curled into a calm smile, his eyes steady and respectful as he looked up at the old emperor. Such unshakable loyalty from a fierce warrior pleased the emperor greatly.

“Next.”

The dragon boat race had many winners besides Pei Zisu. One after another came forward with their requests, mostly aligning with the emperor’s expectations and were approved with a smile. Among those waiting in line, second cousin Wang Kuan and third cousin Wang Hong, upon seeing Pei Zisu step down, joked,

“I thought you were working hard to seek a marriage alliance, but you asked for something useless. Tell me, what’s it for?”

Pei Zisu smiled at them but said nothing. His tall, handsome figure drew shy glances from nearby ladies.

Seeing the noble youth in his expression, Wang Kuan sighed,

“You’d better return to Hanzhou. Staying in Xijing will only cause mischief. Look at those noble ladies, always favoring the Wang brothers. Now, besides you, where else can they find such a man?”

Wang Hong slapped Wang Kuan’s shoulder and laughed heartily,

“Second brother, you’re unreasonable. If you’re no good, why blame cousin Pei?”

“You brat, after a few years in Hanzhou, why are you so arrogant? Planning to change your surname from Wang to Pei?”

The two teased each other, unaware that Pei Zisu’s gaze swept around, unable to find the person he sought. His expression turned cold.

“Too hot. Let’s go back.”

These words from him were surprising. After all, he was the one who drilled troops daily under the sun in Hanzhou, enduring harsh training so intense it seemed the men’s skin would peel three times over. Yet now, he complained of the heat so easily—something was amiss.

Before Wang brothers could ask more, Pei Zisu strode off. Wherever he went, low murmurs of awe followed, but none reached his ears.

The excitement on the stand continued. In the private chamber, Jiang Shiyuan popped a fruit into her mouth.

The sweet and sour taste lifted her spirits slightly. As she reached for another, a swift woman burst in through the door, startling her.

“Aunt, what brings you here?”

It was none other than Jiang Shiyuan’s aunt, the lady of the Wen Yuan Marquis household, and the matriarch of cousin-in-law Xiang’s family.

Over forty but well-maintained, she wore a cross-collared gown embroidered with flowering branches and an inlaid vase pattern, the hem adorned with sheer fabric. Her shoes held a bright pearl set in intricate fish-scale embroidery—a striking sight. Without knowing her age, one might mistake her for a woman in her early thirties.

In truth, she had four sons, three nearly of age, and the youngest still a child.

“Greetings, matriarch.”

Xiang stepped forward and respectfully bowed. The matriarch lightly raised her hand to stop her, then frowned at the items on the eight-immortal table and scolded gently,

“Anian’s illness is most sensitive to heat. Why would you let her eat these fruits?”

“Don’t worry, matriarch. I keep a close eye. Though the plate looks full, she only ate three or five. See? The shells are still here.”

Jiang Shiyuan smiled awkwardly and put the fruit back, then looked innocently at her aunt. Fearing more blame, she quickly rose and walked over, taking the matriarch’s arm with affection.

“Why didn’t you watch the match from the stand? It’s too hot outside. Sit down, let Anian fan you and cool off.”

The matriarch, seeing Jiang Shiyuan’s pleading expression, didn’t bother arguing further.

Guided by Jiang Shiyuan, she sat on a round wooden chair, glanced at the dispersing crowd outside, and exclaimed with satisfaction,

“Guess what I encountered on my way here?”

The expression on the matriarch’s face reminded Jiang Shiyuan of the last time they met—after the furious visit of Princess Chun when she discovered the Jiang family’s deception. This time was no different.

“Could it be that my second younger sister is in trouble again?”

“You’re sharp, Anian.”

After some mindless praise, she recounted what she had seen.

“Today’s boat race, on the second boat was a young master surnamed Zhao—he’s the third son of the Fengchang family. He came accompanied by his younger sisters. The two Misses Zhao are said to be captivating. Today, upon seeing the heir of Prince Chun, they were so nervous they nearly fell into Quyang Pond. The prince heroically saved them, and now both Zhao sisters are crying in his arms, heartbroken.”

“You didn’t see how ugly Jiang Shijin’s face looked. She has to hide her husband’s infatuation while pretending to be magnanimous. Living like that, she’s truly a laughingstock in Xijing.”

The matriarch relished her schadenfreude so much it felt like she had a few slices of summer melon before her.

Jiang Shiyuan passed her some tea with a wry smile.

“You’ve said enough, aunt. Have some tea to soothe your throat.”

The matriarch took a hearty gulp, her boldness undiminished.

Born into a military family, she had been doted on by her in-laws and husband. All four sons had bright futures, leaving her little to worry about—except the regret of having no daughter.

After Jiang Shiyuan’s mother died, the elder matriarch personally traveled south to Xuzhou to bring her back to Xijing. Seeing the six-year-old girl, delicate yet frail, she cherished her like a precious gem.

Clothed in brocade and silk, treated with utmost care, yet despite such pampering in the Wen Yuan Marquis household, this child was schemed against by her own grandmother and second aunt. The Jiang family’s second daughter, who often put on airs, was forced into a marriage. The matriarch was furious for days, berating the family and making sure everyone in Xijing knew how Jiang Shijin stole her sister’s match.

Today’s encounter unsettled her, and she needed to vent.

Jiang Shiyuan exchanged a glance with cousin-in-law Xiang, both somewhat amused and exasperated.

They knew well the matriarch’s temperament—frank and blunt, lavishing affection on those she liked and mercilessly stamping on those she disliked.

She pulled Jiang Shiyuan to sit before her, gently stroking her hair. Before Jiang Shiyuan could speak, the matriarch’s expression softened from glee to concern.

“There are plenty of fine young men in Xijing. I was blind before to choose such a useless husband for you. In the future, you must keep your eyes open and let me find a good match worthy of your mother.”

When the matriarch married in, Jiang Shiyuan’s mother was still alive—one cheerful and generous, the other pure and modest. Naturally, their temperaments clashed.

When she moved to Xuzhou, the matriarch and elder matriarch wept bitterly the most. After bringing Jiang Shiyuan back, all their unspent maternal love and longing for the younger sister poured onto this niece.

Nearly ten years of raising her had ingrained deep affection.

Jiang Shiyuan understood her aunt’s heart. With a gentle smile, she took her hand and coaxed like a child.

“All right, aunt. You pick well. Whoever you choose will be the best, and I will marry happily!”

“Good, just wait and see.”

Hearing this, the matriarch brightened considerably. Jiang Shiyuan and cousin-in-law Xiang exchanged a glance and suppressed their smiles.

Half an hour later, the festivities outside mostly dispersed.

The old emperor departed first, and the rest naturally followed their families. Jiang Shiyuan watched as her aunt and cousin-in-law boarded the Wen Yuan Marquis carriage, then stepped into the Jiang family’s carriage.

Earlier that year, Jiang Shiyuan’s father, Jiang Huaishan, earned a promotion to a fourth-rank official in the Department of Rites due to excellent performance. He managed affairs concerning the royal clan and maternal relatives—a modest post but with clear authority.

Thus, the Jiang family’s status rose, and their social interactions became more courteous.

Her elder brother was still at the academy preparing for the spring imperial exams next year. Jiang Shiyuan planned to visit Guanghua Temple soon to pray for his success.

As the carriage jolted forward, it happened to pass by the Chun Prince’s carriage.

As the wind lifted the curtain, Jiang Shiyuan and her sister Jiang Shijin caught a glimpse of each other.

Jiang Shijin’s eyes were red-rimmed, and when she looked at Jiang Shiyuan, her gaze was filled with defiance and anger.

Princess Qinghuan had not come to the festivities today; Jiang Shijin felt deceived by Jiang Shiyuan.

Also, the two Zhao sisters were clearly troublemakers, and the matriarch had been scheming to find a concubine for the heir. It seemed the Zhao family had caught wind of this.

Thinking this, Jiang Shijin twisted the handkerchief in her hand into a tangled mess, reflecting her turbulent mood.

Sitting beside her was the heir of Prince Chun.

He wore a jade crown, his hair neatly tied. His clear, bright features and silk robe made him appear like a graceful gentleman. A jade pendant with a circular pattern hung at his waist, shimmering softly. He sat steadily and calmly within the carriage, a faint smile on his face like the warm spring sun.

“Madam, what captivates you so deeply?” the heir glanced sideways and caught Jiang Shiyuan lowering the curtain.

With just a glance, he was struck by her beauty, surprised. He hurried to lift the curtain, but the carriage was already pulling away. Curiously, he asked,

“Who is that? I’ve never seen her before.”