Mistaken Fate

Keke was trailing behind Jiang Chunxi.

Yawning, she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going.

Her forehead bumped right into Jiang Chunxi’s perfectly round, full moon-like head, and her petite body was bounced backward, stumbling a few steps.

She wondered why her lady suddenly stopped moving.

Tilting her little head to see what was going on, Keke’s expression instantly turned pale when she spotted Princess Anle. How could they have run into the princess! This was bad — a fight was about to break out again!!

Keke hurriedly found a corner to hide.

Lan had already taken refuge there early on, leaving the center stage for their respective mistresses.

Lan and Keke were old acquaintances by now.

“Hello, Sister Lan!” Keke greeted with a smile. Lan responded with a nod, then curiously asked, “Keke, why is your lady also in Yunzhou?”

Before Keke could answer, Princess Anle snapped back to her senses first, covering her mouth as she giggled coquettishly, “Well, well, well, look who I’ve run into—Isn’t this One Forty-Nine? Oh my, it’s been such a long time!”

Hearing “One Forty-Nine,”

Jiang Chunxi’s cold, jade-like face suddenly hardened like frost. Her eyes, no longer warm, glared icily as she snapped, “Only One Forty-Eight, you’re just proud because you’re ahead by one!”

These two numbers

were the tally of their past defeats against each other.

They had known each other since childhood,

and no matter what they did, they always competed fiercely. Over five hundred battles in total, excluding draws,

Princess Anle had won one hundred forty-nine times,

Jiang Chunxi one hundred forty-eight.

Princess Anle was currently in the lead.

Qin Guo’er toyed with her nails smugly and said, “Looks like One Forty-Nine isn’t too happy about that. But what can you do? You’re still my lady’s defeated opponent.”

Jiang Chunxi’s face darkened as she said, “Enough nonsense. What are you doing here in the Guozi Institute?”

Seeing Jiang Chunxi,

Princess Anle had already found a solution for the Foundation Establishment Pill problem.

She wasn’t planning to go to the Alchemy Hall anymore.

Sitting back down leisurely on the soft couch, she drawled, “The whole world belongs to the emperor, so what’s wrong with me being here at the Guozi Institute? As for you, Sister Jiang, haven’t seen you for half a year. I thought you’d found yourself a lucky husband and ran off, abandoning your little sister.”

“You’re the one who ran off with someone!”

“Your whole family ran off with someone!”

Jiang Chunxi retorted sharply, “I’m not like you, marrying off early to the northern border to secure a hundred years of peace for our Great Xia.”

Princess Anle’s eyes suddenly turned cold as swords stabbed through the air.

Jiang Chunxi showed no fear.

Their gazes collided in midair, sparks practically flying between them. Lan and Keke huddled together, not daring to breathe.

Jiang Chunxi had some business to attend to with Zhang Wenpu.

After a round of verbal sparring,

she refused to waste time on Qin Guo’er, snorting coldly, “If you want to fight, find someone else. I have no time for you now.”

Qin Guo’er responded coolly, “You still haven’t formed the third spirit statue. Sister Jiang, you’re just too weak. I have no interest in fighting you.”

“Your cultivation is just a pile of family background. How can you be proud of that?”

“So what if my cultivation is built on that? It’s still my own. What’s there to be ashamed of?”

“You’re not ashamed?”

“Only defeated losers without skill are.”

“You—”

“What about me? Still as stunning and charming as ever~”

Qin Guo'er laughed coquettishly.

Jiang Chunxi’s chest trembled with anger, her cold white cheeks flushing red with fury, rivaling even Lan in intensity.

She was used to being calm and aloof.

Quiet by nature and poor with words, she simply couldn’t out-argue Qin Guo'er.

Knowing she’d lose if the quarrel continued.

Suppressing her anger, Jiang Chunxi ignored Princess Anle and turned to Zhang Wenpu with a cold voice: “The questions for the academy exam haven’t been finalized, right? Then set the poetry topic to verses related to ‘cold.’”

Jiang Chunxi came from one of the five great families.

She was the legitimate daughter of the Jiang clan and the head of the Third Academy in the Imperial Academy, a position second only to the Imperial Academy’s Dean stationed in Chang’an.

Zhang Wenpu, who had established his position relying on the influence of the great families, dared not disobey her orders.

He was about to agree immediately.

Princess Anle sneered sarcastically, “Just now you mocked me for relying on my family background, yet now you’re abusing your family’s power at will? No wonder everyone in Chang’an praises you as a virtuous lady~”

Jiang Chunxi forced down her anger, “I said that as an individual. What does my family background have to do with it?”

“Such words only fool yourself. Don’t you think he agreed because you’re the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family?”

“How he thinks is none of my concern! Besides, what business is it of yours?”

“Why wouldn’t it be my business?” Princess Anle curled her lips, “Zhang Wenpu.”

Just having been scolded by Qin Guo'er, Zhang Wenpu hurriedly bowed deeply to her.

“The academy exam’s poetry topic has been changed to ci poetry.”

“Ci poetry…?”

She pondered for a moment, her gaze falling on the pale jade-colored tea table in front of her, then smiled, “I’ve got it. It will be called ‘Qing Yu An’ (Green Jade Table).”

Jiang Chunxi snapped coldly, “Don’t listen to her! The topic should still be poetry with the theme of ‘cold’!”

“I said it’s changed to ci poetry!” Qin Guo'er stood her ground without yielding an inch.

“Poetry!”

“Ci poetry!”

“Poetry!”

“Ci poetry!”

The two of them clashed again.

Princess Anle was clearly looking for trouble, and even Jiang Chunxi’s usually good temper was ignited. Her fury surged wildly, and a chill radiated from her body. “Qin Guo'er, if you dare oppose me like this, do you really think I’m afraid of you?”

A flash of cold light flickered beneath Jiang Chunxi’s feet.

Ice shards burst through the ground, instantly frosting the floor!

“Just two spirit statues, and you dare to act so arrogantly in front of me?” Qin Guo'er chuckled lightly.

Boom!

Crimson flames roared behind her like a pair of wings, engulfing everything!

The blazing sea of fire instantly reduced the cushion beneath Princess Anle and the surrounding calligraphy scrolls to ashes!

Frost and flames collided with a sharp “sizzle” between them!

Jiang Chunxi said, “Since you’re so eager to fight, I’ll rewrite your record of one hundred forty-eight defeats to one hundred forty-nine now!”

Their spiritual energies surged wildly.

The large room was split between ice and fire.

Seeing that they were about to come to blows, Lan and Keke tried to intervene.

But they were both intimidated by the overwhelming pressure and dared not step forward.

Zhang Wenpu shouted, “Your Highness! Head of the Academy! Our Imperial Academy is small; it cannot withstand the divine might of you two!”

“Poetry and ci… both poetry and ci will be tested! Both will be tested!”

After a moment of deadlock, the two finally reached a compromise.

Jiang Chunxi, after all, was the top scholar of the Imperial Academy. If they truly started fighting here, the Academy would inevitably suffer damage.

Just as she was about to withdraw the chilling aura surrounding her,

Princess Anle had already retracted the flames that enveloped her and said, “Since this is the Imperial Academy’s territory, today I’ll give Dr. Zhang a favor and spare Sister Jiang this time.”

“Spare you? Who do you think you are?”

Jiang Chunxi was nearly having a stroke. “Then let’s settle this at the martial arena—one match, just the two of us!”

Princess Anle felt her bait was almost ready to be pulled in; it was time to cast the net. She said, “Your cultivation realm is too low right now. I have no interest in fighting you. But if you want a contest, we can compete in something else.”

“Compete in what? No matter what it is, I won’t lose to you,” Jiang Chunxi replied.

“You’re so confident. Then let’s compete with the two poems you just recited.”

“What do you mean?”

Qin Guo’er’s eyes held a hidden smile, the trap was about to be revealed.

“One poem and one lyric. After the academy exam results are announced, if the best poem written on the theme of ‘cold’ is yours, then you win. But if the best lyric composed on the tune ‘Qing Yu An’ is mine, then I win. How about that?”

Jiang Chunxi said coldly, “Agreed.”

“Don’t be so quick to agree. I haven’t finished,” Princess Anle said. “Just betting on winning or losing is too dull. Let’s raise the stakes: the loser must comply with one request from the winner.”

“Do you think I’m afraid of you? It’s settled then!”

“You’re so straightforward. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, Princess Anle left, supported by Lan.

Sitting in the phoenix carriage, preparing to return to the mansion, Lan, who had accompanied Princess Anle for many years and could read her thoughts, asked with some confusion, “Princess, since Chief Jiang is so skilled in alchemy, your bet must be about the Foundation Establishing Pill for your husband. But what if you lose?”

“How could I possibly lose?”

Princess Anle smiled faintly. “Later, you’ll go to the Hanlin Academy and find a few clever, pretentious scholars to compose a fine lyric on ‘Qing Yu An.’ When the academy exam is held, have Wu Zhe find a trustworthy examiner and slip it to that dog to copy.”

“……”

Lan: “The Princess is truly clever.”

With the spread of the Azure Phoenix’s wings, the carriage became a streak of light, flying straight toward the princess’s mansion.

After Princess Anle left, Jiang Chunxi also departed. But as she passed the Imperial Academy’s long corridor, the anger that Princess Anle had provoked earlier suddenly cleared from her mind.

If anyone in this world knew Qin Guo’er best,

It had to be Jiang Chunxi.

Her icy, penetrating eyes flickered with suspicion. “No, Qin Guo’er, though spoiled, arrogant, cunning, and unscrupulous, never provokes without reason. This move must have an ulterior motive.”

With that thought,

Jiang Chunxi abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Keke, following behind her carelessly, bumped her head on Jiang Chunxi’s prominent, round forehead and nearly fell to the ground from the rebound.

Holding Keke’s hand,

Jiang Chunxi turned back and found Zhang Wenpu.

After some threats and persuasion,

Zhang Wenpu, who came from a powerful family, couldn’t withstand the pressure from Jiang Chunxi, a top lady from a prestigious clan. He spilled everything Princess Anle had instructed him to do in one breath.

Jiang Chunxi was stunned and shocked upon hearing it.

Even Keke was stunned.

Only after confirming the truth repeatedly from Zhang Wenpu’s mouth did the two of them dare to believe it—Yang An actually had some connection with Princess Anle!

And on top of that, Yang An was just like those good-for-nothing slackers who rely on connections and backdoors!

Jiang Chunxi’s good impression of him instantly plummeted.

You never really know a person’s heart just by looking at their face! She had thought he was a passionate and talented young man, but it turned out he was just another member of the corrupt gang, a harmful element! There was no way she would allow any bribery or favoritism in the Imperial Academy!

Jiang Chunxi said coldly, “Zhang Wenpu, you don’t need to concern yourself with this matter anymore.”

“Wait until the imperial exams.”

“I will personally review Yang An’s exam paper!”

“If he’s truly capable, earning the top rank is only natural. But if he isn’t, then he can forget about stepping foot inside the Imperial Academy!”

……

For several consecutive days, the weather was warm and clear.

The biting cold that had engulfed Yunzhou softened under the gentle sunlight.

On Yunling Mountain,

the waist-deep snow had only just begun to melt. To survive the winter and make ends meet, the hunters all set out from their homes, venturing into the mountains.

Among them were the father and son from the Zheng family: Zheng Shoutian and Zheng Fei.

The two of them carried animal traps and bows and arrows, fully equipped as they moved through the pine forest, where water droplets dripped from the branches.

It was already past noon.

Zheng Fei sighed, “Father, we stayed in the mountains all night yesterday, but we haven’t even seen the shadow of a single fierce beast. If we can’t hunt any, how are we going to get money? Mother’s illness… what are we going to do?”

Zheng Shoutian’s face was grim as well.

He pulled out a cold, hard pancake from his pocket and handed it to Zheng Fei. “Eat first. Later, we’ll head deeper into the mountains and try our luck.”

This year, the snowfall in Yunzhou was heavier than usual.

The mountains were sealed by snow.

Many families were running low on food supplies, and with Zheng’s mother gravely ill, their savings had all but vanished. Zheng Fei took the coarse pancake, broke off half, and offered it to his father. “Father, you eat too.”

Zheng Shoutian didn’t take it.

Instead, he scooped up a handful of snow from the treetops, mixed it with some edible roots, formed it into a ball, and chewed it down. “You eat. Finish quickly so we can move.”

Zheng Fei hesitated.

He forced half the pancake into his father’s mouth.

After they finished eating,

they crossed over several smaller hills surrounding Yunling Mountain. Along the way, Zheng Fei picked a few thumb-sized red blood fruits and tucked them into his clothes.

Zheng Shoutian asked curiously, “Why aren’t you eating them?”

Zheng Fei grinned, “A few days ago, I ran into Brother An at Old Man He’s house. He said Sister Yang Ning is weak, and these red blood fruits are the best for nourishing the blood and boosting energy. I picked some to take to their home later.”

Zheng Shoutian had a close relationship with Li Yan.

Their families often visited each other and shared a strong friendship. Hearing this, Zheng Shoutian sighed, “Every family is struggling.”

The two continued deeper into the mountains.

When they reached the pine forest, Zheng Shoutian suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal Zheng Fei to stay still. Zheng Fei, who had been following his father up the mountain since he was just a boy of ten or so, now with five or six years of experience, immediately held his breath and lowered his voice. “Father, is there any sign of fierce beasts nearby?”

Zheng Shoutian said nothing.

He took an iron spade from his back and tapped it against the snow beneath his feet.

Then he took a few steps forward and poked at the snow again.

He spoke up, “Sure enough, the snow surface is a bit hard. I’m afraid something has made its nest underneath. Let’s be careful and dig along the edges to take a look.”

Zheng Shoutian tossed an iron shovel to Zheng Fei.

Father and son gathered around the hardened snow, carefully digging.

Before long, the snow pit was uncovered.

A black eagle buried beneath came into view, its wingspan stretching several zhang!

Zheng Fei’s eyes widened in amazement.

He shouted excitedly, “Dad! There really is something down here! Such a huge black eagle! Judging by its size, it must weigh several thousand jin. We’re going to strike it rich! Mom’s medicine money is finally secured!” He dropped the shovel and eagerly grabbed his father’s arm.

A faint smile appeared on Zheng Shoutian’s usually tense face.

In a low voice, he said, “It’s probably a fierce beast’s leftover prey that it couldn’t finish, buried in the snow. This pine forest is likely where it stores its food. We need to quickly haul the black eagle out and disassemble it—just be careful not to disturb that beast.”

Zheng Fei nodded in agreement.

They jumped into the pit and tied ropes around the giant eagle together.

Though Zheng Shoutian’s training was in a low-level miscellaneous martial art,

he was still considered a mid-tier martial artist, and Zheng Fei had already reached the foundation-building stage. With their combined strength, after some effort, they finally dragged the several-thousand-jin black eagle out of the snow pit.

When they got a full look at the eagle,

especially the several slashes carved deep into its body,

Zheng Shoutian’s smile immediately froze.

Then it completely vanished.

After a moment of silence, he pulled out a saw from his bag and began cutting into the eagle’s leg bone. Zheng Fei frowned in confusion, “Dad, why are you sawing it? Can’t we just tie it up and carry it back?”

“No,” Zheng Shoutian replied without looking up. “Your mother won’t need that much medicine. One hind leg is enough.”

“This huge black eagle must be worth at least a thousand taels of silver. Isn’t leaving the rest behind just throwing money away?” Zheng Fei urged.

Zheng Shoutian suddenly stopped.

He glared at Zheng Fei and snapped, “This black eagle has blade wounds—it’s clearly prey hunted by someone else and buried here, not food stored by a fierce beast! We may be hunters and lowly in status, but we still have our integrity. Can we really stoop to stealing from others?”

Zheng Fei scratched his head, puzzled. “But Dad, aren’t we stealing right now?”

Zheng Shoutian’s hand paused mid-saw.

His voice grew a few shades older and softer, “Not us. Only I am stealing. You’re not.”

As he spoke,

he had already sawed off a whole hind leg of the black eagle.

He picked it up and weighed it in his hands. Including feathers and bone, it must weigh over eight hundred jin, and selling it would bring in at least a hundred or two taels of silver—enough to pay for his wife’s medical treatment.

Zheng Shoutian didn’t cut off any more meat.

With a look of regret, Zheng Fei helped re-bury the black eagle back under the snow.

As for the severed black eagle leg,

Zheng Fei wanted to help carry it but was refused by his father. Zheng Shoutian shouldered the more than eight hundred jin limb alone and began the slow trek down the mountain.

Watching his father’s back, Zheng Fei felt a swirl of complicated emotions in his heart.