Three days after Mid-Autumn passed, on this day Yuan Cheng received good news.
The one who brought the news was exactly Huayi, who had already resigned his position and left the palace. “Three thousand warships suddenly increased on Daqiu’s Habu Poluo River surface. Half the water fortress combat strength where Fengzhou borders Yuling has been withdrawn. As you predicted, sir, Daqiu is about to move.”
Li Yan slapped the table. “Excellent move. This way, peace talks between Great Zhou and Daqiu will inevitably be difficult. War is right before our eyes.”
Zhang Zhen also said, “The Great Zhou Emperor was already inclined toward war. Daqiu’s intention to attack is obvious. Once the two nations start disputes, our opportunity will arrive.”
Yuan Cheng carefully read Thunder Gate Master’s letter, then said to Li Yan and Zhang Zhen, “You two take the remaining people and leave as quickly as possible.”
Li Yan nodded. “Yes.”
“Luoyi, how are the guards outside?” Yuan Cheng asked again.
“Since secretly increasing a hundred guards on Mid-Autumn night, it’s remained unchanged until today.” Luoyi and Zhengyi were still there. “These hundred guards are obviously coming for Miss Mo Zi. As long as she goes out, they follow closely.”
“The Emperor fears Miss Mo Zi will flee the marriage?” Li Yan laughed heartily. “Just a hundred people—not enough for her to toy with.”
“What kind of talk is that, Elder Li?” Mo Zi entered the study with Zan Jin. “How would I dare toy with the Southern Guard? I’ve really received quite a few invitation cards from great family ladies. Offending any family wouldn’t be good, so I have no choice but to rush east and west.”
“Going out again now?” He was confined to the estate, yet her social obligations increased daily.
“Today it’s someone familiar. Wu You is about to give birth these days. She wrote saying she’s both nervous and scared, insisting on holding a handkerchief gathering at this time, wanting to be happy for one day. After Luo Niang finished her month of confinement, I still haven’t seen her. Apparently the baby came too—killing two birds with one stone. I’ll return early tomorrow morning. No need to leave the door open tonight.” The previous two days she’d been toying with people—otherwise she wouldn’t attend gatherings of people she didn’t know.
“Help me send a meeting gift for the child.” Yuan Cheng didn’t say much.
“What I send is what you send.” After Mo Zi finished speaking, she discovered Li Yan and the others were smiling at her. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
Zhang Zhen waved his hand. “Nothing wrong. Miss Mo Zi is completely correct.” The Emperor’s decree of two marriages had spread throughout the capital until everyone knew. But Mo Zi, as the bride-to-be, had a relationship with Yuan Cheng that became increasingly clear, comforting these followers.
“Since we can all meet today, it’s also a good opportunity. Next time, who knows when we’ll meet again.” Yuan Cheng’s gaze was gentle.
Mo Zi suddenly stared at him intently. After understanding his meaning, a faint watery light floated in her eyes. “When?”
“Within these few days.” He knew her reluctance. “Mo Zi—”
“I understand.” Mo Zi smiled. “I’ll bring Zan Jin and Luo Ying. I’ll return as early as possible tomorrow.”
“Good. There’s no banquet in the world that doesn’t end, but there will still be times of reunion, even if we have to wait several years or over ten years.” He said softly.
“As long as it’s not you making me wait.” She only wanted him by her side.
“If you and I separate, it must be life parted by death.” His promises were often given inadvertently, yet he wouldn’t take them lightly.
Li Yan tugged his beard and coughed. Zhang Zhen smiled with narrowed eyes. Huayi and Luoyi looked here and there.
Only then did Mo Zi feel embarrassed. She turned and left.
Wu You had already handed over Wu You Pavilion’s business to reliable people to manage and moved with Sister Xiu to a residence. Because of collaborating with Bai He to open shops, she lived very close to Jiang Mansion—separated by two streets, making daily business discussions convenient.
When Mo Zi arrived, everyone had surprisingly already gathered—just missing her.
Wu You’s belly didn’t look large. She was half-reclining on a couch basking in the sun, but her expression wasn’t relaxed. One hand stroked her belly, brows knitted.
“Sister Wu You lying so comfortably like this—like a lazy cat.” Seeing Qiu Sanniang was also there, Mo Zi unconsciously sat beside her.
Bai He and Hong Mei, who were brewing tea, smiled at Mo Zi. Lu Ju was still absent.
Sister Xiu directed servants to bring up pastries and teased Mo Zi. “After all, engaged to Prince Jing’s household’s second young master—even going out has grand style.”
Wu You was first amused by Mo Zi, then hearing Sister Xiu say this, asked curiously, “How so?”
“The gatekeeper just told me—outside the gate right now there are about a hundred Southern Guard standing watch, fierce and imposing. Those who don’t know would think we’ve offended the authorities. Turns out they came with Sister Mo Zi.” Sister Xiu explained.
Chen Niang had seen Xiao Wei and said, “Mo Zi, you’re truly blessed.”
Luo Niang didn’t yet know. After asking, she also congratulated her.
“You all consider this her blessing, but in my view, she avoids it like the plague.” Though Qiu Sanniang was the last to join the Strong Women’s Alliance, she fit in like a fish in water, familiar with everyone.
Sister Xiu joked, “Oh my, why do I smell something sour? Could it be that master and servant becoming sisters-in-law makes you feel uncomfortable, Sanniang?”
Wu You had the most big sister temperament among them. “Sister Xiu, say fewer meaningless words like that. If Sanniang coveted Prince Jing’s household’s fine clothing and precious food, why would she separate households and live alone? I think she’s right—Mo Zi isn’t so willing about this marriage.”
Qiu Sanniang didn’t mind. “Sister Xiu was just joking—I understand. Honestly speaking, if Mo Zi could really become sisters-in-law with me, I’d be happier than anyone. With her fighting that great household together with me, would I still need to rack my brains?”
She and Qiu Sanniang becoming sisters-in-law? Mo Zi got goosebumps. “Spare me. Sanniang, you know best I’m annoyed by household fighting. Fighting mother-in-law above and wives and concubines below—better to never marry and have peace.”
“See, what did I say?” Qiu Sanniang picked up a pastry. “She fundamentally doesn’t care for my second uncle.”
“Mo Zi, you still have no interest in Xiao Second Master?” Wu You had asked Mo Zi about this before.
Mo Zi shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare climb so high.”
Bai He glanced at Mo Zi and lowered her head to continue brewing tea. Though she knew Mo Zi’s heart belonged to someone, she hadn’t even told Qiu Sanniang. She herself was tight-lipped, and after becoming Madam Jiang, she had her own opinions, believing this was Mo Zi’s private matter and shouldn’t be spread by her.
“But His Majesty already decreed the marriage—marry you must even if unwilling.” Luo Niang, newly a mother, was plump and beautiful. Following Mo Zi’s suggestion, she’d abandoned wet nurses to nurse her son herself.
“There are still several months. I’m not thinking about it now. You all don’t mention it either.” Mo Zi smiled and changed the subject. “Sister Wu You is about to give birth—everyone gather around her.”
They were all intelligent women, understanding at a hint. Immediately they comforted Wu You with one word after another.
“Can Gang Leader Fu make it here?” Qiu Sanniang’s question was somewhat sharp, but without malice.
“Some days ago I received a letter saying he’s on the road. But whether he comes or not, I don’t really care. I just fear he’ll come and not help me, but add to my troubles instead.” Between Wu You and Fu Tian stood a domineering legitimate wife—the contradiction could never be resolved.
“Sister, don’t be afraid. Though giving birth hurts, for this little thing, any hardship is worth it.” Luo Niang picked up her loudly crying son and went into the room to nurse.
“Look at her—after giving birth she says it’s easy. Back then, who knows who it was who sent servants to have us rush over to see her one last time before labor.” Chen Niang brought up something that happened before.
“Mo Zi, fortunately you hadn’t returned to the capital then. We cried our eyes out one by one at her bedside, thinking she wouldn’t make it. Result was everything went smoothly—she’d just gotten tired and fallen asleep.” While exposing this, Bai He brought over green tea. Only Wu You drank tonic soup.
“By the way, how are the two midwives Luo Niang sent over?” This question from Qiu Sanniang seemed to come only from concern.
“Very good. They can prepare meal plans and medicine prescriptions, preparing everything properly. Their temperaments are also good, kind people. However, as for their skill in delivering babies—I’ll only know after I’ve given birth.” With so many good sisters here, Wu You’s mood improved greatly.
“If they’re good, after you’re done using them don’t return them—send them to my place.” Qiu Sanniang suddenly came out with this.
Those about to give birth and those not yet having given birth all said, “You’re pregnant?”
“Mm, some days ago I had no appetite. Yesterday my body burned. Thinking I’d caught a chill, I found a doctor to see me, only then learning I was pregnant.” Understated, expression unmoved.
Mo Zi congratulated her, then said, “Other people when pregnant are at a loss, but how are you like an Immovable Wisdom King?” Where was the usually hot-tempered Qiu Sanniang?
“I don’t know either. Sanlang says it’s probably because the child resembles him—quiet.” Qiu Sanniang was still completely casual.
Hong Mei laughed out loud. “If Third Master were quiet, everyone in the household would be quiet.”
Two women make a show, let alone so many women. From morning to afternoon, they talked for most of the day without a bit of boredom.
When Wu You and the others went for afternoon naps, only Qiu Sanniang and Mo Zi remained in the pavilion, each reading books.
“When are you leaving?” Qiu Sanniang suddenly asked.
Mo Zi put down her book, not rushing to answer. “Xiao Yi told you?”
“She’s now wholeheartedly looking outward. Some days ago she suddenly came running to say goodbye, saying this trip she feared she wouldn’t see me for a long time.” But Qiu Sanniang held up her book, covering her face. “She’s walking in the same direction as you, so I guess you also won’t stay long.”
“Mm.”
“When you leave, I won’t have dowry silver to give you. I’ve said before—I won’t treat you the same as Bai He and Lu Ju.” Qiu Sanniang’s temper was not only fiery but stubborn.
“…I know.” Mo Zi smiled. “You’re with child now. Soon you’ll have your own child. If your temper stays like today’s, it would save a lot of troublesome matters. Hong Mei and Lu Ju can worry less, and the in-laws’ household would be easy to deal with.”
“Now you only say empty words, not wanting to manage my vexing matters at all. My father couldn’t resist my stepmother. He sold the Luozhou estate and some fields. The whole family is already on the way to the capital. Zhang Shi thinks I still care about her, ordering me around imperiously to help her acquire property. I dare say if I really spend silver to buy a residence, that money would be money down the drain.” Speaking to this point, Qiu Sanniang smiled. “Why am I even telling you this? You’re someone I’ll soon not see. I, after all, must get used to days without you giving advice.”
Mo Zi’s nose felt a bit sour. “It’s not easy for you either—neither in-laws nor natal family can give you peace. And I, without responsibility, can’t do good things.”
“Finally speaking from the heart.” Her voice still carried a smile.
Zan Jin strode over and whispered something in Mo Zi’s ear.
Mo Zi stood up. “Leopard Gang’s Xu Jiu came to give Sister Wu You a message. I’m acquainted with him—I’ll go say hello.”
Qiu Sanniang said go ahead.
Mo Zi walked a few steps then turned back. “I never thought you’d give me Hongyu Shipyard. Yuan Cheng said you didn’t let him tell me, but he said we were about to leave and I should know, so he still told me.”
“But if you can’t marry in this lifetime, this shipyard must be returned to me.” Dowry, dowry—naturally given when marrying out.
“Then you’ll lose out. I’ll definitely be able to marry. Moreover, things already given away—what logic is there in taking them back?” Mo Zi turned to continue walking, lightly waving her hand. “Thanks.”
Qiu Sanniang put down her book, tapping her elbow. Stubborn words: “No one’s more cunning than you.”
Her bright face, two streams of pear blossoms in the rain, lip corners both raised—crying and laughing at once.