Because she had lost face, Wanwan was dejected and unhappy. Liang Shi could only console her, “I told you before we set out that you wouldn’t bring any female attendants, and I would take care of everything for you. Last night at dinner, I was occupied with official duties and couldn’t be with you. It’s only natural that I should wash the clothes you changed out of at night, isn’t it? What’s wrong with an undergarment? If I don’t wash it, should I let Yu Qixia do it? Don’t be like this – something I consider sweet as honey becomes unbearably painful when it reaches you?”

She was truly too distressed to speak, and after languishing for a long while finally said: “Those are my intimate garments… I could wash them myself.”

He took her hand – those delicate fingers like almond tofu, wouldn’t doing such work ruin them?

“Just keep them this way, I like them like this.” He treasured them in his palm like precious objects, murmuring softly to himself, “It doesn’t matter if men are rough, but you’re the illustrious Grand Princess. If word got out that you had to wash your own clothes at my place, it wouldn’t just lose face for you – I’d be the one with no dignity. I know you’re embarrassed for me to see your undergarments… but we’re husband and wife. Though we haven’t reached that stage yet, we’re already bound together and will share honor and disgrace for this lifetime. If you’re so reserved, how will we manage in the future? If you feel you’ve been wronged, that’s fine – I’ll take out my own undergarments for you to examine at will. That way we’ll be even.”

She immediately said it wasn’t necessary, “I just… need some time to come around to it. If I take a step back and think of you as Tonghuan or Xiao You, then my heart feels at ease.”

He paused for a moment, then said awkwardly that was also fine, “But you can’t forget that I’m your prince consort. Setting aside status, we’re still an ordinary married couple – don’t forget our matrimonial bond.”

What matrimonial bond! Wanwan’s face flushed red. Thinking he was also in a difficult position – to please him, he had even lowered himself to become like a maidservant. Fearing the conversation would become increasingly awkward, she turned to look outside, “Those elderly and children yesterday couldn’t hold on any longer. When they heard about food, they acted like they didn’t care about their lives. Where exactly did all that grain go? Have you found any leads from the questioning?”

He told her the results of Shuquan’s overnight interrogation, saying regretfully: “Grain supplies have always been the lifeblood of military forces. One hundred thousand bushels of grain could feed fifty thousand troops for half a year. Guizhou Prefecture has always had favorable weather and good harvests – I’ve never heard of any disasters. For a small grain merchant to have such quantities of rice stockpiled, where would he get such capability! The only explanation is that some important figure is helping him fence stolen goods…” He watched her expression carefully, “Wanwan, the Great Ye isn’t very peaceful, do you know?”

She frowned and nodded, “I know. These past few years I’ve often heard of rebels causing trouble – the Songpan Guard during Emperor Huizong’s reign, and the Moerkan under the current sage. Fortunately they were all border garrison areas that could still be handled. Guizhou Prefecture… once it involves Guangdong and Guangxi, it would be like a prairie fire…” She shivered, slowly turning her gaze to fix on his face, “Liang Shi, regardless of what others do, you mustn’t act rashly. Can you promise me that?”

His heart skipped a beat because she had called his name, giving him the feeling of a head-on collision with happiness. But she was also so perceptive, ultimately worried – in her heart, country and family always came above all else.

He maintained his smile, “Why bring this up suddenly?”

She studied his expression, trying to see a hint of uncertainty, but his brow and eyes were open and honest, completely unguarded. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, “You’re different from others – you’re my prince consort, part of the imperial family. I grew up under my father and brothers’ care, and with high position dare not forget concern for the country. Since you say you love me, you should be of one heart with me, helping the Emperor guard this Great Ye dynasty.”

Her meaning was very clear – love and ambition, you could only choose one. If he chose warmth and tender affection, he must forget his military aspirations and from then on peacefully be an ordinary man, guarding the title left by his ancestors and living mediocrely until old age. However, his desires were ultimately hard to satisfy – he wanted to have both, wanted to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations, wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with her and share the realm… This was probably somewhat difficult. He had known from the beginning that she wasn’t the type to sacrifice the greater good for personal concerns.

Fortunately he didn’t need to face these issues immediately for now. Over time, some obsessions would change. He placed his hopes in the future – once she had children, she would naturally know what was more important.

She stared at him intently, waiting for his answer. He said yes, “I promise you, I’ll share your animosity toward enemies. If anyone acts treasonously, even if it means mutual destruction, I’ll protect the dynasty.”

Wanwan was reassured, gratified and satisfied, “Thank you for not putting me in a difficult position.”

He couldn’t smile at her words – the reason it would be difficult was because she had feelings. He leaned forward and drew her into his embrace, her body so fragile that he had to use strength to hold her tightly.

“Your concern for country and people is admirable, but you’re ultimately a young woman. Let the men handle the changing winds and clouds outside – you just need to take good care of yourself and let me always see you smiling.”

She raised her face to touch his, “My good and bad fortune are intimately connected with yours.”

His brow furrowed even tighter, and without speaking, he pressed her forcefully against his chest.

They always involuntarily talked about such heavy topics – there was no help for it, most political marriages were like this. Rather than constantly testing each other, it was better to be straightforward like her, letting him know her position. If he cared about her, he should behave properly – this was the greatest guarantee for this marriage.

Unable to speak from his heart, he took her outside to go among the disaster victims, letting her see the devastation everywhere. He and she walked in front, with Yu Qixia following behind. Regarding Yu Qixia, he knew he was Xiao Duo’s man. This time he had deliberately appointed him precisely to use his mouth to convey news of Huaining. Of course, his stationing of troops along the Anqing Prefecture line couldn’t possibly be known to him. Rather than letting him move freely in Nanjing, it was better to bring him along. During the day their activities were together, and at night his people kept watch – he couldn’t leave the post station.

The disaster victims’ suffering was beyond description. All this was seen by Wanwan, whose focused gaze in the corner was like that of a hunter, making her both sad and frightened. She kept asking what to do if they couldn’t eat their fill, what to do if they got sick. He said they could only trust to fate, “If grain from other places can be transported in time, then their livelihood can still be maintained. Now we can only pray heaven shows mercy and doesn’t let an epidemic break out. The population is too dense – if one person falls ill, a whole area follows. I’m also afraid…”

She tightly gripped his hand, and he turned to give her a bitter smile.

Fortunately Shuquan was extremely reliable in his work. When he returned with borrowed grain, he arrived just as the soup kitchen was lighting fires to prepare the evening meal. When the porridge came out of the pot, they stuck chopsticks into it and the chopsticks stood upright without falling – it was truly thick enough to satisfy hunger.

The copper bell for distributing relief rang out, and the entire county echoed with buzzing sounds. Wanwan watched the queue stretch out like a long dragon, with clerks ladling porridge into broken porcelain bowls one by one. Whether she or the disaster victims, all heaved deep sighs.

They ate squatting by walls, using two reed stalks as chopsticks. She hadn’t known the common people lived like this. After walking among the people, it was like falling from heaven into the dust. The ten-thousand-generation foundation established by the Murong ancestors had inexplicably become like this.

He assigned tasks to his subordinates, and after finishing his instructions, called for her to return to the post station, “We’ll stay one more day tomorrow, then I’ll take you back to Nanjing first while the rest handle the remaining matters.”

Wanwan said it didn’t matter, “There are still so many miscellaneous affairs not properly handled, and the grain hasn’t been recovered. The grain Second Master borrowed won’t last many days either.”

He walked with her slowly under the setting sun, only saying: “You needn’t worry. The grain Sixth Lord gathered is already on the road. If we hurry, it won’t be long before it arrives. As for what County Magistrate Sha embezzled, whether it can be recovered is uncertain – don’t dwell on it for now.”

She was troubled – one hundred thousand bushels of grain really wasn’t a small amount. If it had truly been transported to Guizhou Prefecture, with Prince Zhen’an hoarding so many mouths to feed, what was it really for?

Returning to the post station, she was still pondering this. Yu Qixia stood to one side while she sat at the desk in deep thought.

“I haven’t corresponded with the Emperor for a long time. Should I report truthfully to him what I’ve seen and heard these past days?” She turned to look at him, “The court’s eyes are always fixed on Nanyuan, but this actually causes joy to enemies and pain to allies. In my opinion, nowhere can be treated lightly – Prince Zhen’an, even Prince Wusi and Prince Pingliang, none can have their restraints relaxed. Do you think… if I write like this, will it make the Emperor suspect me of being wholly partial to Nanyuan?”

Yu Qixia looked at her with slight pity. Having probably suffered at the hands of that imperial brother before, she was no longer as innocently carefree as in the past. The older people get, the more they worry about. Why was it that playing together as children, close as one person, they would gradually be corrupted by power and become increasingly suspicious, even to the point of fratricide? Growing up was truly a cruel thing. The Grand Princess was sixteen and could already feel the cold and warmth, even having to carefully consider the wording in letters. Writing “Your Imperial Majesty Ten Thousand Years” at the top and signing “Your subject sister humbly submits” at the bottom – wanting to be close but unable to be close was truly the world’s greatest sorrow.

“How could His Majesty be suspicious of Your Highness’s loyalty! However, in this humble subject’s shallow opinion, Your Highness need only write about the lost disaster grain in the letter, and mention in passing that the grain merchant was from Guizhou Prefecture. For the rest, let His Majesty consider it himself.” He said deferentially with a bow, “His Majesty is a wise ruler with such deep strategies – what matter can’t he guess? If you speak too clearly, it would instead be inadvisable. Please think thrice, Your Highness.”

After hearing his words, Wanwan looked at him with new respect. Since coming to her side, he had always been cautious in handling affairs and speaking, very much in Xiao Duo’s style. Calling the Emperor a wise ruler was clearly somewhat exaggerated – otherwise, what could be done? One could hardly say he was narrow-minded and temperamental!

She smiled slightly, shallow dimples appearing, elegant and serene. Nodding, she said good, “I’ll follow your advice. I’m just afraid I’ll have to wait until returning to Nanjing to send it out. This place lacks personnel and is terribly chaotic – I can’t add to his troubles.”

Yu Qixia hesitated slightly before asking: “Your Highness and the Prince no longer have any grievances now, do they?”

Her brush paused in her hand, and after a moment she said: “His using strategy to marry me was no great matter – I can forgive him for that. As long as he behaves properly from now on, I think… there should be no more grievances.”

Yu Qixia tucked his hands and said yes, “This subject understands Your Highness’s meaning. The Prince is someone who will accompany Your Highness for life. That Your Highness can see it clearly makes us subjects happy for Your Highness too.”

Hearing this, she blinked, “Regardless, I still cannot do without Manager Yu’s companionship at chess. Let Manager Yu serve long-term in my Princess Manor – don’t return to the capital in future either. I cannot function without you people at my side.”

He showed a faint smile and bowed, saying yes, “This subject will never leave Your Highness’s side in this life. I’ve already made arrangements for affairs in the capital long ago – aside from the Princess Manor, I have nowhere else to go.”

Cutting off retreat, he could only press forward boldly. The Grand Princess sat in the remaining glow of sunset, her expression peaceful, like a gold-leaf Buddha in a temple.

The weather grew hot. In a few more days it would be the Dragon Boat Festival. After nightfall, insects chirped everywhere. A round moon rose, and lamps were lit throughout the post station. This post station had somewhat of a Western Region flavor, built on open ground beside the main road – a two-story wooden building with four sides forming an enclosed square courtyard. When people walked about, the exposed staircase echoed with strings of footsteps. After a long time, she could distinguish which belonged to Liang Shi – unhurried and steady, with an air of remaining composed even if the sky fell. You couldn’t find a second person like him under heaven.

Wanwan pushed open the window to look. He came up from downstairs, his vermillion jacket opening and closing with his steps. He walked steadily, step by step, as if climbing to the summit of the imperial steps. She remembered her big brother in front of Qianqing Palace, who had once been incomparably elegant, but unfortunately later was destroyed like broken jade – now even his soul didn’t know where it had drifted.

She rose to meet him at the door. He brought clothes for her, neatly folded and held flat in both hands with solemn bearing. Seeing her, he smiled brilliantly, not feeling awkward at all.

She reached out to receive them, somewhat embarrassed, “Thank you.” Turning to enter the room, he naturally followed her in.

“I’ve already had people prepare the evening meal. With the urgent crisis temporarily resolved, let us have a small drink.”

Wanwan had intended to say she couldn’t drink, but fearing she’d dampen his spirits, she nodded and said fine. He smiled as he watched her – a beauty’s glances, every look and gaze full of charm. Earlier when she had opened the window, with half her body showing behind the window frame, she looked exactly like a meticulous painting of court ladies.

Some writing materials were scattered on the table, and she went back to slowly tidy them. When she reached too far, a section of pale wrist showed beneath her sleeve. He went over to help, seizing the opportunity to let out a long sigh.

She looked up and asked what was wrong, “Did something else happen?”

He hemmed and hawed, “Didn’t I hang the clothes to dry in the room during the day? The dripping water soaked the bedding – I can’t sleep tonight.”

Wanwan stared in shock, “Don’t tell me you hung the clothes on the bed frame?”

He wasn’t stupid – how could he do something so outrageous! But having a flash of inspiration, he had taken a basin of water and splashed it on the bed. This was called putting oneself in mortal danger to survive – he had sacrificed even his sleeping quarters for her clothes. How could she not take him in? Actually, he didn’t want to do anything particular, just wanted to put on a show. Previously at the Princess Manor they slept in separate rooms, and aside from her people, no one knew. Now they were outside, and under everyone’s watchful eyes if they continued this way, those guards wouldn’t dare openly mock them, but Shuquan’s grin had already stretched to his ears. According to him, his habit of not acting without guaranteed success had completely changed – this time his investment was large enough. He felt the same way. However, washing her clothes and feet wasn’t much – the important thing was sharing a room. Even if they slept separately, at least it would restore some of his dignity.

He said: “There was nowhere to hang them to dry in the room, and people keep coming to report matters. Fearing they’d see them, I had no choice but to put them inside the bed curtains.”

Though she felt he was somewhat lacking in sense, Wanwan still felt very apologetic, “I’m truly sorry for causing you trouble. What should we do? Have them change the bedding – it’ll be fine after drying tomorrow.”

“I asked, and they said there are no spare bedding sets to replace them with – they’ve all been given to the disaster victims.”

“Then sleep with Second Master – brothers together will be lively.”

He looked at her mournfully, “I’m already married. How can I sleep apart from my wife and share a bed with my brother instead! If people found out, they’d spread gossip.”

Wanwan swallowed and finally understood his meaning. She touched her ears – the earlobes were burning. After struggling for a while, she gave up, “If you want to stay, just say so directly. It’s fine – it’s proper and appropriate. Having to hint at such things to me shows my thoughtlessness and makes you laugh at me.”

Her being so straightforward instead startled him, and he immediately felt sheepish, “I don’t have any other intentions…”

The post station manager brought people to deliver food and wine, calling out from outside the door to report. Only then did the two come to their senses. Verbally inviting them in, they both reached to organize the gold-flecked paper, and when their hands touched, both turned away with reddened faces.

Being away from home brought many inconveniences. This step would come sooner or later anyway, so Wanwan didn’t mind. It was just very awkward facing each other, and those dishes tasted like chewing wax.

He poured wine for her – the cups were very small, holding at most one sip each. Knowing her alcohol tolerance was poor, he drained a cup himself and invited her to drink as she pleased.

“I’m not pressuring you – please don’t misunderstand.” He looked around the room, “This isn’t a good place either, it rather… wrongs you. I’m just borrowing lodging for one night tonight, tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow you’ll also stay here.” She lifted the cup and took a small sip. Not knowing what kind of wine it was, it burned going down, but after the heat passed it was actually mildly sweet. Setting down the cup, she sighed: “I’m not a competent wife – you must have resented me in your heart.”

He said never, “Better to give people momentary joy in new acquaintance than lasting tedium in long association. The former is easy to achieve – I’m using all my abilities to accomplish the latter.”

She smiled slightly, “Thank you for Your Highness’s consideration.” She lifted her sleeve to serve him food, seeing he only kept drinking, and said softly, “Eat some food to cushion it, lest you hurt your stomach.”

He suddenly reached out to grasp her wrist, “Wanwan…”

His palm was surprisingly warm. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand over the back of his hand.