Spring Message in the Snow – CH 108

Chapter 108

Heading westward, past Zhengzhou, they reached Xijing.

Surou had initially thought that since she had never traveled by boat before, such a long journey of several hundred miles would inevitably cause seasickness, but to her surprise, it was not too bad. After all, it was an inland river, not as turbulent as the ocean. Although there were bound to be some waves in the wider sections, after several days and nights of acclimatization, she had gone from initial anxiety to complete calm.

Nanny Yang said this was because her mistress had a strong constitution; those with weaker constitutions would be unable to withstand even the slightest turbulence, like Quelan.

These past few days, Quelan had been vomiting so much she was practically coming up with bile. She lay sprawled on the bed, groaning, a basin beside her, the thought of it making her want to tear out her own heart.

There was not a particularly good way to treat seasickness. The accompanying physician prescribed some medicine, but it only made her vomit more. Later, we could only have her suck on slices of ginger. Slowly, she got used to it, and one day the symptoms completely disappeared. She could even walk briskly up and down the deck.

Traveling by water, if one could enjoy the experience, was indeed a fascinating thing. The Fujian-style ship was large; with its sails billowing, traveling a hundred miles a day was no problem. Each leg of the journey offered its own scenery, from plains and waterways to towering mountains and deep valleys. Upon reaching Shanzhou, with towering mountains on both banks, the ship gliding through them felt like stepping into a painting. It evoked both awe at the magnificent landscape and a sense of insignificance, like an ant.

Her favorite time was when it rained. The raindrops shot straight into the water, creating countless circular ripples. Now, in mid-spring, the lake and water were breathtakingly beautiful, and the weather was mild and warm—perfect for the season.

The helmsman on the boat knew how to fish, giving them a net full of fish before the wind and a net full of shrimp after the rain. Plus, water chestnuts were ripe, so the boat would stop at towns and counties to buy some. They ate their fill of river delicacies along the way.

Surou had brought several maids with her this time, many of whom were excellent cooks, and they knew how to make various kinds of dried fish dishes for her. Before, back home, she had not particularly liked river fish, always finding them too bony and fishy. But after drifting on the water for more than half a month, she had developed a craving for fish.

That day, while making mandarin fish wontons, watching the maids chop the fish meat, she remembered the time she made Shanhai Dou for Helian Song when he was sick.

Glancing out the window, she rested her chin on her hand and murmured, “I wonder where my husband is. Has he entered Longyou territory?”

Nanny Yang said, “The 800-li urgent courier service travels on straight roads, unlike boats, which follow river currents. Judging by the time, the young master should be arriving in Longyou soon.”

Surou could not help but sigh. This man was very good at maintaining his health in the capital; after his marriage, he rarely even exposed himself to the sun. Now, traveling day and night to return, he probably would not have time to rest before throwing himself into battle… He’s truly suffered.

Last night, she had dreamt of him, seeing him riding a warhorse, wielding a long spear, fighting fiercely. The cold expression on his face made her feel somewhat unfamiliar with him. Thinking about it after waking up, she realized that was actually the real Heir Apparent of Longyou; it was just that his captivity in the capital had forced him to hide his fangs and disguise himself as a cat.

Now, she had no other desire but to pray for his safety. That was why when marrying a military man, fear and anxiety were truly unavoidable.

Her worries were obvious to everyone around her. When Quelan saw her lost in thought, she would invite her outside for a walk to watch the boats glide on the water and the sails pass over the mountains.

As they approached Hezhong Prefecture, the water finally opened up and became lively. Merchant ships were everywhere, along with pleasure boats that specialized in the floating sex trade. The Fujian boat would rest briefly at the ferry dock that night, and after dark, the water would be dotted with lights. The night breeze carried the rich scent of rouge, skimming the water’s surface. The boat prostitutes had beautiful voices, their voices clapping as they sang of the prosperous times and also of their own sorrows.

Surou sat in front of the cabin, fanning herself as she watched the stars and moon on the river. It was the fifteenth again; time flew by. A little further on, the waterway would end, and they would have to travel by land. The weather was gradually getting warmer; traveling by carriage through the prefectures and cities would probably not be as pleasant as it was now.

Quelan brought over apricots. After days on the water, the fruit had all broken; these were ones she had bought at the dock earlier. The apricots and small pears from Hezhong Prefecture were quite good. According to Quelan’s taste, the pears were sweeter and more fragrant, while the apricots had a slightly tart and astringent taste, not so palatable, but her mistress liked them very much.

“Want one?” Quelan offered one.

Surou picked one and took a bite. In the distance, from a flower boat, came a mournful song: “Flowers fill the market, moonlight soaks my clothes, youthful love brings old age sorrow…”

Suddenly, there was a splash, as if something large had fallen into the water. Because it was not too far away, it was clearly heard.

Then someone shouted, “She’s fallen into the water… Lady Song has fallen into the water… Lady Song…” But the cries for help stopped abruptly, disappearing into the vast night like a passing breeze.

Surou stood up, still faintly hearing splashing sounds on the water. Startled, she exclaimed, “Quick, someone check! Has someone fallen in?”

The old woman beside her rushed down to relay the order, and everyone on deck peered down. The full moon illuminated the shimmering water, revealing a dark figure bobbing up and down. Initially struggling, the figure gradually weakened and was about to sink. Fortunately, the rescuer grabbed her neck from behind and, after some effort, pulled her onto the boat.

Everyone rushed over to see what was wrong. The person who had fallen into the water was exhausted and lying on the deck, barely alive. The physician examined her and said, thankfully, she had only swallowed some water and would recover with some rest.

By the lamplight, they could see she was a woman in her early twenties, with delicate features and considerable beauty. After her struggle, her collar had opened, revealing a peach-colored braid underneath. Surou then instructed the old women nearby to find a way to help the woman into the cabin, change her clothes, and brew her a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the cold.

The old women obeyed and went to do so. Quelan said, “I wonder what her background is. Could she be an escaped prostitute?” She made up a story, biting her finger in alarm, and said, “Could she be a lost girl who was kidnapped to a pleasure boat? The madame forced her to entertain guests, and when she refused, she risked her life by jumping into the water to preserve her chastity. The pleasure boat dared not make a sound, so they preferred to let her drown rather than save her, is that right?”

Surou scoffed, “You’ve heard too much about money. What are you speculating about? Once she’s sober, she will naturally come forward to report.”

Sure enough, a short while later, Nanny Yang led the woman in, announcing, “Madam, the young lady who fell into the water has come to thank you.”

Surou put down her book and turned to look. The woman was pale and frail, clearly shaken. She knelt before her without a word, weeping, “Thank you so much for saving my life, Madam! If your boat had not been nearby, I would have lost my life today. Tomorrow, there would just be another floating corpse on the river; nobody would care.”

As she spoke, her head pounded repeatedly. Surou quickly had her attendants help her up, comforting her, “It was just a small act of kindness; we could not just watch a life be wasted. You were frightened; sit down and let’s talk. What happened? Did you accidentally fall into the water, or…?”

The woman bowed again, thanked her, and sat down, wiping away her tears, saying, “I did not accidentally fall in; I jumped in in a fit of anger.” As she spoke, large tears welled up in her eyes. She rolled up her sleeves to show everyone that her slender, fair arm was covered in bruises and welts, old scars still visible, new wounds appearing—a truly horrifying sight.

Nanny Yang chimed in, “I saw it when she changed clothes earlier; there were bruises on her back and legs. I do not know who could be so cruel.”

Surou frowned and asked her what had happened. She choked back tears, “Madam, my surname is Song, my name is Fufu, and I am the concubine of Gao Can, a merchant from Jiezhou. My master travels between Jiezhou and Hezhong Prefecture for business, and our family lives on the water with his merchant ships. Before, I worked as a performer in a brothel.”

“After my master redeemed me, my mistress has been extremely intolerant of me, beating and scolding me daily. Because my master is often away on business and not always on the ship, and because my mistress’s family is powerful, my master is somewhat afraid of her. Every time he returns and sees me in this miserable state, he just tells me to endure it. This time, while my master was away, my mistress came looking for me again. She ordered those old women to tie me to the ship’s side. I panicked, had nowhere to hide, and since living was just suffering anyway, I figured death would be better, so in a fit of anger, I jumped into the river.”

Quelan suddenly understood, “No wonder they left you to your fate on that boat; no one came down to save you.”

Fufu said yes, then gave a bitter smile, “My mistress has been hoping I’d die every day. This time, I jumped off the boat myself, so naturally, they would not save me. If the Master had not secretly released me, I am afraid she would have sold me long ago. Now she cannot deal with me, so she tortures me every day. I have nowhere to go, so she…” She gestured with her arms, “…ruined me like this.”

Everyone sighed. Most women in the world had a hard life; how many were born into good families? Poor families sold their children to make a living; good girls ended up in brothels, and this was the inevitable outcome.

Surou said, “Your injuries are solid evidence. Do you want to report this to the authorities? I will have someone take you to the yamen tomorrow.”

But she hesitated, lowered her head in thought for a moment, and slowly shook her head. “This is a private matter within the household. It’s perfectly acceptable for the mistress to discipline her concubines; the yamen here does not concern itself with such matters. Now that I’ve survived this ordeal and escaped, I doubt the Gao family will bother me again. I am already fortunate to have survived. I simply will not go back; I do not want to go to court against Madam Gao.”

Indeed, continuing the commotion would only cause further distress. Surou nodded. “If you can swallow this anger and resume your life after things calm down, that would not be bad.” She glanced at the sky outside and said gently, “It’s getting late. Have them take you down to rest. Think about how you will arrange your life from now on. Our ship will dock at the pier for the night, and we will continue our journey tomorrow. Would you like to disembark here? Or if you find it inconvenient, we can give you another ride to the next dock.”

Fufu agreed, bowing slightly, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Madam.”

Nanny Yang led the woman out of the cabin and towards the small pavilion at the back. Quelan watched her retreating figure and sighed, “She’s such a weak-willed woman. If it were me, I would have cracked that mistress’s head open.”

Surou smiled. “Everyone has a different temperament. If she were more assertive, she would not have gotten herself all injured.”

Quelan clicked her tongue and shook her head. “That man is useless, too. If he’s afraid of his wife, why take a concubine? He cannot even protect her. Is it really that appealing to see her covered in all those colorful clothes?”

So there really were men like that in the world. Buying a woman was easy; they decided on a whim, brought her back, and then could not settle her down. Knowing they were in the wrong, they had no choice but to hand her over to the wife for punishment. Then, every three days they’d quarrel, and every five days they’d make a scene. He’d be speechless before his wife, then turn to his concubine and weep, finding his tragic love story beautiful, like a pair of star-crossed lovers.

In short, everyone had their own fate. Meeting the wrong person was just bad luck. She was merely helping out incidentally; this little encounter along the way could not change the course of events.

The next day, after breakfast, while rinsing her mouth and washing her hands, news came that Lady Song had arrived. When she appeared, Surou looked up and saw that Lady Song looked much better. She gracefully curtsied and greeted her.

Surou, still with a gentle demeanor, asked if she had eaten breakfast and what her plans were for the day.

Unexpectedly, Song Fufu knelt, clutching the crack in the deck, and said, “I am grateful to you, madam, for saving my life. I wish to serve you from now on. I was sold to a brothel as a child, and I have long since lost my parents and have nowhere to go. I beg you, madam, to have mercy and take me in! I have two hands; I can cook and flavor food, and I can sing and dance to entertain you…” She then looked up at the head of the table with a sorrowful expression, crying, “Madam, you have the heart of a bodhisattva; Heaven has sent you to rescue me. I did not sleep a wink last night, constantly thinking about my future. The more I thought, the more frightened I became. I fear that Madam Gao is not unaware that I am still alive, but is hesitant to offend because it’s an official ship that rescued me. If I were to disembark alone, I fear I would not be able to walk two miles before they capture me and take me back. I do not know how I will be humiliated then. I have no one to rely on; sooner or later, I will die anyway.”

She cried with genuine emotion, her eyes swollen, and she truly looked pitiful.

Those standing on either side looked at Surou, waiting for her decision. They thought she was kind-hearted and could not bear to see the person she had saved fall back into the abyss, but they were wrong.

Surou’s face remained calm as she pondered for a moment before saying, “How about this? You come with our ship. Disembark at Tongzhou, and no one will be able to catch you then. We are traveling by water now, but we will be traveling by land in a few days. It’s inconvenient to take you along, and the journey is long and arduous; I cannot let you suffer.”

Upon hearing this, she quickly said, “Madam, I come from a poor background and am not afraid of hardship. If you take me in, I will repay you by serving you like a slave. Please, Madam, do me a favor to the end.”

However, these words only made Surou frown.

The two most terrifying phrases in the world are: one, “a debt of gratitude so heavy that one will repay it with one’s life”; and two, “do me a favor to the end.” Having saved a life out of a moment of chivalry, one was now burdened with an invisible responsibility, as if failing to properly arrange everything would be a betrayal of the rescued person.

Why this? After thanking her, they could have gone their separate ways. Why add the phrase “do a favor to the end”? It made one wonder, was this act of kindness right or wrong?

Song Fufu looked at her earnestly, but Surou finally shook her head. “I have enough people with me; there’s no need to hire more. Furthermore, we are strangers; I do not associate with people whose backgrounds I am unfamiliar with.”

She then instructed Nanny Yang, “Tell the helmsman to find a ferry far from here so that Lady Song can disembark. Prepare twenty taels of silver for Lady Song; it will be for her accommodation.”

Nanny Yang agreed and gestured to Song Fufu. “Lady Song, come with me. With money, you will not have to worry. After we disembark, you can rent a house to stay in temporarily, and then you can plan for the future.”

She still looked distressed. Seeing that the person at the table would not budge, she could only wipe away her tears and leave.

The boat continued on its way, sailing from dawn into dusk. Finally, they reached a ferry dock. Nanny Yang slipped some silver into her arms, urging her to be careful, and then helped her off the boat.

The boat set sail again, and the figure was still standing at the dock, bowing as she watched them go. Quelan felt a pang of sympathy for her, sighing, “I think she’s quite pitiful, all alone and without relatives. I do not know how she will make a living in the future.”

Surou merely smiled, turned, and went back to her cabin. As everyone moved inside, they heard Nanny Yang say, “Madam has her reasons for not wanting to take her in. Her origins are unclear, and having her around would be very inconvenient. If it leads to any legal trouble later, are we supposed to have Madam confront that merchant? Besides, she might have sensed Madam’s unusual status and is therefore trying so hard to stay and serve her. Such a large Fujian ship is rarely seen. If Madam just has a change of heart, she will be taken care of.”

Actually, with such a large household and enterprise, having one more person was not a problem; the real concern was future complications. After finishing her explanation, seeing that Quelan was still confused, Nanny Yang became even more thorough, laughing and saying, “Miss, you are young and naive. That Lady Song was once a concubine, unlike you. If we take her with us to Longyou, we do not know her character. What if she develops some improper thoughts? Would that not be asking for trouble?”

“Besides, looking at her appearance, she seems pitiful, not like someone who would do rough work and be bossed around. She would not act like a maid or a servant. Today she says Madam be kind enough to take her in; tomorrow she says Madam be kind enough to take her in as a concubine… If we do not agree, she will get injured and show it to everyone. What will we do then? Doing good deeds must have limits; letting a wolf into the house often starts with a moment of soft-heartedness. Come on. The lady saved her life and gave her twenty taels of silver; she’s already done more than enough. There’s no promise of a lifetime of support after just one act of kindness.”

Quelan finally realized, “I was too naive.”

Surou picked up an apricot and fiddled with it in her hand, saying softly, “If she does not go to court, she cannot sever ties with the Gao family. It’s unclear whether she’s of good or slave status. If the Gao family comes looking for her, they will say a whole lot of hurtful things, ruining our reputation.”

Therefore, it was better to avoid trouble. Such a terrible situation might not actually happen, but if it did, it would be a hassle. Why take the risk?

This was an unexpected encounter on the journey, quick to happen and quick to resolve. They arrived in Hezhong Prefecture five days later. From there, they would begin their overland journey. It seemed Helian Song had made prior arrangements; carriages were already waiting at the dock upon their arrival.

Traveling by land was indeed more arduous than by water. At each stop, one had to find an inn to stay at. Sometimes, if the journey was unlucky, there was no village or inn in sight, forcing one to set up camp in the wilderness. Although inconvenient and arduous, knowing that Xining Prefecture was getting closer brought increasing peace of mind.

Along the way, they inquired about any battles along the route. Passing through Yuan Prefecture, the Zhenrong Army was stationed ahead. There was no news of troop movements there, indicating that the Xihe Road area was at least peaceful.

Finally, they reached Huang Prefecture. Further ahead was Kuo Prefecture, with the Jishi Army’s garrison just a stone’s throw away. Surou sent Changxing to the camp, who returned with news that the rebel army led by the Left Commandant had been suppressed ten days prior, the Left Commandant and other rebels had been executed, and the Longyou army had won a great victory and had withdrawn from the Protectorate General’s office.

Surou’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. “That’s good. I’ve been living in fear these past few days. Now that I hear the situation is pacified, I can finally relax.”

She asked the accompanying guards how long it would take to reach Xining Prefecture. The guards calculated and said it was still over a hundred li, taking about three to five days.

Three days or five days—the difference was significant. Surou was eager to arrive, so she did not mind the hardship. They set off almost at dawn and did not rest until dark. That day, they camped on a vast grassland outside the city. A campfire was lit there, and not far away were temporary shelters built by the Kucha people. Wealthy officials and residents of the city were out enjoying themselves, and the joyful, lively music of the Hu Xuan dance could be heard from afar.

The guards left behind by Helian Song were all from Longyou. They were perfectly at home here. They had exchanged meat and vegetables with the Kucha people, roasted them, and served them on trays.

Although they ate outdoors in the wind and rain, the mealtimes could not be neglected; a felt mat had to be laid out, and then a thick silk cloth had to be placed over it. The old woman sprinkled condiments into the plate in front of her. Since caravans from the Western Regions traveled here, there were more varieties of pepper, cumin, and other spices from foreign lands than in the Central Plains. However, perhaps because of the heat, her appetite was not as good as before. Surou ate two vegetables and then felt indigestion. The meat and fruit in front of her were visible, but she could not eat them.

Quelan said, “This will not do. My Lady did not eat much yesterday; she’s suffering from the summer heat. Let Physician Ping take a look.”

Surou said it was not necessary. “It’s nothing serious; I’m probably just tired. I will be fine once we get to Baixiang City.”

But usually, the more tired a person was, the more they needed to eat. Nanny Yang said, “We should still summon the physician to take her pulse. If it is summer heat, at least prescribe some medicine to regulate her condition. Otherwise, if My Lady becomes thin when we get to Xining Prefecture, we will not be able to explain it to the master.”

Surou could not refuse, so she agreed. Soon, the accompanying physician was summoned. He first examined her complexion, then took out a pulse pillow from his robes and asked the Princess to place her wrist on it.

Along with the chirping of insects in the open fields and the singing of the Hu woman, Physician Ping, amidst the rising and falling tones, placed his handkerchief on her slender wrist.

After examining her, he concluded it was probably caused by the heat, nothing serious. Physician Ping initially wore a smile, still caught up in the amusing anecdotes from their long journey. But that smile suddenly froze on his face, growing increasingly solemn and cautious…

The physician’s expression, as if facing a formidable enemy, caused everyone to panic. “Physician Ping…” Nanny Yang asked cautiously, “What did you find in the pulse?”

Physician Ping said, “Wait a moment.” He then examined Surou’s other hand. This time, after a careful examination, he finally dared to make a diagnosis, his brows relaxing as he bowed. “Your Highness’s appetite is poor, but it’s not indigestion, nor is it summer heat; you are pregnant. I have examined you carefully several times. Your Highness is strong and healthy, with abundant qi and blood. Although the journey has been bumpy, the little prince is growing very robustly, much more stable than those ladies confined to the inner quarters. It is truly a joyous occasion!”

Surou was somewhat stunned, and it took her a while to believe that she was indeed pregnant.

Heaven was kind; the diagnosis came back just as they were leaving the capital and about to enter Longyou. She stroked her belly; it was still flat, but knowing there was a little one inside filled her with joy, like carrying a precious treasure.

“Can you tell how big it is?” she asked Physician Ping.

Physician Ping replied, “The pulse is weak, and the respiration is five beats per breath. The Princess is newly pregnant, probably around two months along.”

Two months… It must have been that night the Emperor wanted them divorced; in her despair and anger, they had not used any medicine, and this unexpected turn of events had worked.

It seemed that the itinerant physician in Youzhou was quite skilled. At first, she was worried that too much medicine would prevent her from conceiving, but it had not caused any problems at all. It was a pity that Helian Song was not by her side, and she could not tell him this good news immediately. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became to see him. The hundred-mile journey was truly agonizing.

But if they wanted to continue traveling day and night, Physician Ping clearly would not allow it, repeatedly instructing her not to overexert herself or experience too much jolting; everything had to be done gently.

Those around her naturally took even better care of her, no longer letting her sit. A carriage was prepared with bedding so she could lie down the entire time. Several maids and servants were willing to squeeze into another carriage rather than let the child be cramped.

Surou had no choice but to follow everyone’s advice and take good care of herself. The caravan moved slowly; they were still forty or fifty li from Baixiang City. She had slept for several days in a row, her days and nights reversed, and she was becoming increasingly confused.

One day, she did not know where they were. She had just drunk some water and lay down again. After traveling a while, she noticed the carriage had stopped. At first, she did not pay much attention, but then she heard faint voices, so she opened her sleepy eyes and sat up to look outside.

With a loud “bang,” the carriage door was pushed open, the bright sunlight outside contrasting sharply with the dim light inside. The sudden shift from darkness to light momentarily blinded her.

She raised her hand to shield her eyes, and after a moment, she could see the smiling face clearly. Suddenly, her nose stung with tears, and she called out, “My Lord, is that you? You’ve come to pick me up?”

His smile widened. He climbed into the carriage and gently touched her nose. “I’ve been waiting for you fifty miles outside the city for several days. I’ve finally found you.”

Surou could not hold back her tears. A sudden, overwhelming sadness enveloped her. Strangely, the journey had been smooth sailing; she had not suffered any hardship. Yet, she felt inexplicably sad, feeling that both she and he were pitiful.

Looking at him, he was thinner and darker; he must have endured much hardship in the recent battles. And she, appearing before him disheveled and unkempt… The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. Finally, she covered her face and wept bitterly.

This startled him. He quickly climbed into the carriage, embraced her, and comforted her, “What’s wrong? Did you suffer on the journey? Did they not take good care of you?”

She said no, choking back tears as she touched her face and hair, “I wanted to dress up beautifully to see you, but now…” She tugged at her disheveled clothes. “It’s like this…”

A woman’s emotions were truly inexplicable and endearing. She was crying, but he laughed, kissing her as he laughed, “My wife is the most beautiful lady in the world, even without dressing up. You do not know, I married you to see you without any fuss. You were always so dignified; I felt unworthy of you. But now, I feel we are a match made in heaven…” Before he could finish, he received a light tap on the cheek.

The young couple, separated for two months, felt an overwhelming urge to tear open their hearts and embrace each other completely upon seeing each other again. He held her tightly, as if it were not enough. He said, “My wife, I’ve missed you so much these past few days. Not a single night has passed without me dreaming of you. If I were not so reluctant to let go, I would devour you whole and never be separated from you again.”

That was just how he was; he never hid his love. Surou laughed, but he was also suffocating her.

“Ouch,” she gently struggled, “It will not taste good if you strangle me. Let go.”

He laughed and pressed his face against her neck, taking a deep breath. “Even my wife’s sweat smells sweet.”

Surou became even more embarrassed. “I did not bathe yesterday, and you still smelled it.”

He did not seem to care, grinning. “Not properly bathed? That’s what makes you authentic.”

Perhaps because they were pressed so close, he sensed something amiss. He looked down at her chest. “My wife, have you gained weight on your journey?”

Surou immediately understood his meaning, blushing as she said, “I have not gained weight. Someone brought provisions to my door.”

He was completely bewildered by her words, turning around blankly for a moment. “A person? Who? Who came?”

Surou laughed at his naiveté, pulling his hand to cover her stomach. “It’s here. Someone came here… two months ago.”

He was stunned by this sudden news, looking at her in astonishment, then at her stomach, struggling to process it. “You mean, you are pregnant?”

Surou’s lips curved into a wide smile, filled with joy and pride. She puffed out her chest and said, “Did not expect that, did you? I arrived without a single delay. I’ve also brought someone else for you, My Lord. You’ve really struck gold this time.”

He was still dazed, a few tears slowly welling up in his deep, pool-like eyes. He said helplessly, “I did not like children before. When Zhiniang gave birth to Yun’er, I even thought he was ugly. But… but when I heard you are pregnant, I wanted to cry…” He gently stroked her belly as he spoke, “This is my flesh and blood; it will definitely be different from ordinary children.”

This man would surely become a powerful ruler in the future, but his childlike nature in private was both endearing and exasperating. Surou asked, “Then, guess, is it a boy or a girl?”

Without even thinking, he said, “Let’s have a girl first, a capable elder sister who can manage her younger siblings, just like you. Besides, we can take her back to the capital to visit our families in five years. If it’s a son, it will not be convenient for us to go together.”

Yes, if it were a son, he would surely be detained if taken back. What parent could bear to be separated from their child? Fortunately, life was long, and the couple’s love was enduring. Countless possibilities lay ahead; having sons or daughters did not matter.

Helian Song tapped the carriage railing, signaling to continue the journey. Once he was with his wife, there was no need to ride; he preferred to stay in the carriage, the two of them talking under a thin quilt.

He told her about his recent experiences: how he rushed back, how he fought on the battlefield. “I captured the men who were chasing me, and confirmed that the masterminds were those two uncles. Taking advantage of this purge, I personally avenged my father-in-law. During the chaos, they crossed the border and fled to Western Xia territory, where they were besieged by the Western Xia army outside Gaizhu City. Knowing we were cleaning up our own household, the Western Xia army did not intervene.”

“We slaughtered the rebels on the battlefield and brought back the bodies of those two uncles, carrying them on flagpoles, and returned them to their families. Father has already decreed that no male members of those two branches of the family may join the army from now on. This will at least guarantee twenty years of peace in Longyou. You do not need to worry about me going to war again. Let’s live peacefully, raise the children, and share our wealth.”

Surou breathed a sigh of relief. “My father’s spirit in heaven can finally find peace.”

“I also built a temple for my father-in-law,” he said, as if taking credit. “It’s called the Temple of Loyal Martial Valor. The shrine has been erected, and the statue is still being sculpted. If you ever miss home, you can go to the temple to pray. My father-in-law can receive some offerings in this remote border region—a win-win situation.”

So who said military men were all reckless? He was thoughtful and considered everything for her. With her father’s achievements, building a temple in the capital was impossible, but in Longyou, he was revered as a god.

Surou was very gratified, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. She thought this was the biggest surprise, but she did not expect to see such a scene of thousands flocking to the city upon arrival in Baixiang City. Everyone had heard that the Heir Apparent’s new bride, the Princess from Shangjing, had arrived in Longyou, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of her. Therefore, when she appeared in her full regalia, she drew much admiration. People bowed in respect, and flowers were even laid out along the path; such treatment made it seem as if she were being married again.

Helian Song smiled and said, “This was arranged by my mother and sisters to welcome you.”

The Princess of Wukang came from a prominent family in Zhangye. Although she grew up on the frontier, she was still influenced by the Central Plains’ culture, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along perfectly.

This was also Surou’s first time meeting her father-in-law and mother-in-law. At the end of the straight road in front of the royal city stood a couple with kind eyes and smiling faces. The Prince of Wukang resembled his son, Helian Song, lacking the rough manners of the Xiongnu and sporting a beard, exuding the air of an elder. Princess of Wukang was only in her early forties and remarkably well-preserved; time had left few marks on her face. Perhaps it was her serene state of mind that had permeated her years, sculpting a gentle, jade-like elegance.

After Surou had paid her respects, the Princess personally stepped forward to help her, smiling as she looked her over. Turning to her husband, she said, “Look, this is our good daughter-in-law; how well she matches Jie Ran!”

Her brothers- and sisters-in-law also gathered around, the family exchanging greetings in a lively and intimate atmosphere, reminiscent of the Zhang Mansion in the capital.

The Prince of Wukang did not say much, only instructing his siblings to be kind and not to harbor any resentment. Her mother-in-law, however, held her hand and spoke many intimate words, saying gently, “Your father-in-law and I could not come to the capital to officiate your wedding, and we feel very indebted to you. I heard from Jie Ran that he was all alone before, and only after marrying you did he have a home. His words were full of gratitude towards you and the Zhang family. My dear child, now that you’ve come all this way to be with us, do not be shy; we are your closest family.”

“And your father, because he was protecting Jie Ran, died in the line of duty; he is our savior. His daughter marrying into our family is a great honor for us. Your father-in-law and I are very grateful to you and will treat you like our own child from now on. We hope you will join us in this effort. If anyone dares to treat you badly or make you angry, just tell us, and I will have your father-in-law give him a good beating to vent your anger.”

It seemed that all reasonable in-laws in the world, when trying to maintain the relationship between the young couple, first give their son a good beating before speaking. Surou smiled and glanced at Helian Song, then turned to the Prince of Wukang and his wife, saying, “Thank you, Father and Mother. My husband has been very good to me. I experienced some turmoil in the capital, but now that we are back in Longyou, husband and wife are together, and I have everything I need. I will certainly live a harmonious life from now on and serve you well, Father and Mother, to repay your kindness.”

Helian Song, perceptive as ever, seized the opportunity to express his feelings, bowing slightly to his parents, “Let me make this clear first: I will not take a concubine in this life, even if I have only daughters.”

Naturally, this earned him a glare from his father. “Who said you were going to take a concubine? You are just being presumptuous!”

His mother also shook her head. “You went to the capital, and now you’ve become so long-winded. You cannot even take care of your first wife, and you want to take a concubine? Are you asking for trouble?”

But Surou knew that this statement was the greatest promise he could make to her. He was being upfront about it beforehand, which was better than the daughter-in-law later arguing with her in-laws.

Fortunately, no one objected to the topic, and it was easily dropped. A reunion dinner had been prepared in the main hall. The Princess invited everyone to sit down, then led Surou to sit beside her, smiling as she said, “Jie Ran arrived home before you, giving me time to prepare. I found two chefs specializing in Shangjing cuisine, but I do not know if they will be authentic. You should try them. If they are good, take them back to your own residence. When you are homesick, having a taste of home will ease your longing.”

Surou asked in surprise, “Mother, did you prepare a separate residence for us?”

The Princess nodded. “It’s different here than in the capital. In the capital, people value family harmony. Here, after children get married, they usually build their own residences. This way, they avoid gossip and can get together when necessary, which is more polite.” She smiled again. “However, there are courtyards for you in the palace. They were converted from Jie Ran’s old residence. You can come back whenever you want. It’s all up to you.”

Actually, it was not much different from going to the capital, just like the roles of men and women were reversed. In the capital, the bride’s family would keep her boudoir before marriage, while the Prince of Wukang’s Mansion would preserve the heir’s courtyard for the couple to stay in when they returned.

Surou suddenly found it amusing. Indeed, in a new place, there were always new sights and sounds. The Heir Apparent, who had been showered with love and affection, did not seem so adored after returning to his parents’ side.

Helian Song, however, was quite unperturbed, busily serving her food. The Princess pointed to the crab-stuffed orange. “I heard this is the ultimate test of a chef’s skill. Let Surou try it quickly.”

Surou hesitated. The dish was delicious, but it was not convenient to try it right now. She was trying to figure out how to politely decline when Helian Song came to her rescue, smiling as he said to his parents, “I forgot to tell Father and Mother that Surou is pregnant. This crab meat is considered cold in nature, so we cannot let her eat it. Let me try it; one taste will tell if the baby is healthy.”

This good news immediately excited everyone. Young people in Longyou married later than in the Central Plains. Helian Song’s younger siblings were all engaged but not yet married. Surou was carrying the eldest grandson of the Helian family, which made the Prince and Princess of Wukang extremely happy.

The Princess said, “Amitabha! We were only expecting to welcome two beautiful newlyweds, but Heaven has truly been kind to us.”

Surou was weary from the journey and felt unwell, so she dared not let her entertain the family and friends any longer. After dinner, she hurriedly asked Helian Song to take her back to rest, saying that once she was well-rested, he should introduce her to the Helian clan members one by one.

The couple left the palace and boarded a carriage in the back alley. Longyou was a place of lush vegetation; it was said in the Central Plains that “no place in the world is as prosperous as Longyou.” As a breeding ground for fine horses, its vegetation was naturally more abundant than that of the capital.

The journey from the Wukang Prince’s Mansion to the Heir Apparent’s Mansion was shaded by green trees, and flowers bloomed almost everywhere. A breeze rustled through the treetops, creating a gentle wave of leaves; the climate was better and more suitable for living than in Huangzhou and Kuozhou.

Surou peered curiously through the window. “Before I came, I always thought Longyou could not compare to Shangjing, and that the borderlands were not as peaceful. But now, it’s completely different. The plants here are so beautiful…” She pointed to a cactus by the roadside. “No wonder there are so many exotic flowers and plants in the Shangjing gardens; they must have been moved from Longyou!”

He hummed in agreement. “They were moved from here. Every year, someone traveling between the two places would bring me one, but unfortunately, the climate in Shangjing is not quite right. They did not grow as tall and strong as those in Longyou. I carefully tended the one in the garden for seven or eight years, and it only grew to be a little over a meter tall.”

In the end, he broke it off and used it as a gesture of apology. Those seven or eight years of effort were not in vain.

The carriage slowly moved forward and stopped in front of a detached mansion. At first glance, the lintel had the feel of the Prince’s Mansion in Shangjing.

He got out of the carriage first, turned around, lifted her to the ground, and led her inside. The moment they stepped across the threshold, not only Surou but even Quelan and the others behind her exclaimed in surprise, “Just like the Prince’s Mansion in the capital!”

Helian Song was quite pleased with himself. “Last year, I had someone draw up the layout and sent it back to Longyou by fast horse to give to my mother so she could build the mansion according to the plans. Unfortunately, the craftsmen in the two places have different skills, so there are still some differences in the details, and the furnishings cannot be exactly the same. No rush; we can find something suitable later and replace it.”

Surou, however, felt a mix of emotions. Standing before the door for a long time, she felt as if she had been transported back to the capital.

She turned to look at him. “My Lord, you’ve gone to so much trouble.”

Having prepared for so long, just to earn her praise, he said shyly, “It was not much trouble. I just knew I’d come back and worried you’d miss home, so I simply moved the Prince’s Mansion from the capital to Longyou… as long as you are happy.” He then carefully examined her face. “My wife, are you happy?”

Surou nodded. “Happy, very happy.”

She was a content woman. With her husband’s devoted care, what more could she ask for?

Now they had freedom, their dearest loved ones were by their side, they lived harmoniously with their in-laws and siblings, and they welcomed their little Song. Although they did not know if it was a boy or a girl, it did not matter; they were filled with anticipation.

Suddenly, a hawk’s cry echoed from the sky, startling the clouds and resounding throughout the city. Looking up, a dark shadow soaring in the dome spread its wings, gracefully yet powerfully traversing the sky, and with a gentle flap, it was already thousands of miles away.

–End–