Li Yuangui didn’t return the jade pendant, and Jiafu naturally didn’t feel comfortable asking about it. She left the palace and returned to the Duke’s mansion.
Madam Xin and the second branch of the family had already heard that she had been taken away in a palace carriage. All were secretly watching, and when she returned, maids and old women from both places came sidling over to question the common servants in the courtyard about what had happened. Soon, everyone in the Duke’s mansion knew that the First Madam was also preparing to leave the capital for the north.
Although everyone was talking about how Pei You’an had offended the emperor and been banished beyond the frontier, neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Court of Judicial Review had issued any official documents about it. All the rumors stemmed from those few silhouettes seen leaving early that morning. So previously, it hadn’t been possible to completely confirm whether this was true—after all, given the close relationship between the emperor and Pei You’an, such an overnight change was truly incomprehensible. But now the news was confirmed, and there was inevitably another wave of hidden commotion in the Duke’s mansion. Soon after, Lady Meng from the second branch came to verify the news with Jiafu. With a sympathetic expression, she offered a few words of comfort, adding that the Second Master had asked her to convey a message: since what had happened couldn’t be changed, being sad was useless. He told her to take heart, to take good care of herself on the journey, and that once there, after some time, an imperial pardon would surely come soon. Lady Meng stayed a moment, saying she would come to see Jiafu off when she departed. Jiafu thanked her and showed her out.
Jiafu had already learned from Li Yuangui that Pei You’an had been sent to Suye City in Ganzhou. By such coincidence, it was exactly the place where he had died in her previous life. She had no time for reflection, only growing more anxious, wishing she could set out that very night. As soon as Lady Meng left, she immediately began packing her belongings.
Since Pei You’an wasn’t going to the frontier to take up an official position, their existing luxurious garments were naturally inappropriate to bring. After rummaging through trunks and cabinets, she selected some thick ordinary winter clothes. Fearing these wouldn’t be enough, she immediately began cutting fabric for new clothes, using common materials with the best insulating silk wadding for the lining. All the maids and old women in the courtyard who were skilled with needlework gathered around, sitting in a circle—one sewing sleeves, another making a collar—working through the night with flying needles. In just one night, they completed several new warm garments, which were packed into trunks one by one.
By early the next day, the packing was nearly complete. Li Yuangui hadn’t said the emperor forbade her from bringing servants, which meant she could. Tanxiang and Muxiang, both of suitable age and having served Jiafu for many years, volunteered to go with her. Liu Mama, who truly loved Jiafu, also wanted to go, but Jiafu persuaded her to return to Quanzhou instead, to bring a message to her mother and help her live out her remaining years in Quanzhou.
Liu Mama clutched Jiafu’s hand, talking on and on, instructing Tanxiang and Muxiang to serve their mistress well. When she reached a sad point, her eyes reddened, and everyone’s eyes brimmed with tears.
As everyone in the room was feeling emotional, an old woman from Madam Xin’s household arrived.
Jiafu wiped away her tears and called for the old woman to enter.
The old woman came in, glanced at the trunks and bundles on the floor, plastered a smile on her face, and bowed slightly: “First Madam, while you were away some days ago, the original storehouse in our mansion caught fire. Though it was extinguished promptly, the building was damaged and is no longer suitable for use. Considering that rebuilding would be another expense and that the large courtyard by the connecting bridge has been empty for so many years—which seems a waste—Madam thought that even if the Master returned in the future, he probably wouldn’t move back there. So she wanted to clear out those old items, make some repairs, and convert it into a storehouse, saving a sum of money. While the First Madam is still at home, she sent me to inform you. The old items inside—those still useful can be brought here, and those no longer needed can be disposed of altogether.”
That southern courtyard by the connecting bridge was where Pei You’an had lived as a youth. When they married earlier, the old Madam had assigned them this small courtyard near her northern room. Though they hadn’t moved back to the other courtyard, it still contained many books and other miscellaneous items Pei You’an had collected since childhood. To move everything would take several days to clear out completely.
Jiafu was silent for a moment, then said coolly: “Converting it into a storehouse is fine. I’ll go take a look. Don’t damage the books—bring them all over here.” She took several servants and went to the courtyard. Before even reaching the gate, she saw a pile of tables and chairs that had been moved out and stacked on the road outside. The courtyard gate was wide open, and inside, tables, chairs, and bookshelves that had been cleared from the rooms were piled high. A stack of books lay scattered on the ground, with maids and old women going in and out, busy moving things. That old woman surnamed Ye from Madam Xin’s household stood on the steps, loudly directing the women to carry out the bookshelves. The shelves were heavy, and when they couldn’t lift them properly, they tilted to one side, causing the books that hadn’t yet been removed to come crashing down.
“So damn heavy! Quick, come help prop it up—”
The woman carrying the bookshelf shouted. Others rushed over, and with seven or eight feet trampling on the books that had fallen to the ground, they finally managed to carry the large bookshelf to an open space.
Jiafu walked over, stooped down, and picked up a book from the ground that had a black footprint on it.
The book was very old, its pages yellowed, with handwriting familiar to Jiafu—sentences of varying lengths. These were notes Pei You’an had left when studying as a youth.
Jiafu carefully dusted off the mud stuck to it and picked up the books from the ground, one by one.
Seeing this, Old Woman Ye came over to help collect the books, smiling: “First Madam, you’re here! Please look, which of these things do you still want? I’ll have them packed and sent to your courtyard.”
Jiafu stacked the few books in her hand neatly, placed them on a nearby table, straightened up, and coldly said: “I want all of them! Including this courtyard, I still want it! Move everything back, and restore it to its original state. However they were moved out, move them back in the same way!”
Everyone stopped, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Old Woman Ye was stunned, then smiled awkwardly: “First Madam, aren’t you making things difficult for me? I’m just following Madam’s instructions.”
Jiafu looked around at the maids and old women, and coldly laughed: “You all think the Master has left like this and won’t return in the future, so you’re deliberately mistreating his belongings, aren’t you? Let me tell you, today the Master may have lost his position, but who can see what will happen in the future? I advise you to take a longer view, don’t be like oil-stealing rats, following your masters and only seeing two inches in front of you! Life is still long! If anyone dares to step on anything in this courtyard again today, just wait—today you step once, and in the future, I’ll make you know that I am not some clay figure with a Buddha’s heart and nature!”
The courtyard fell dead silent. After a moment, those women who had been carrying things hurriedly came forward, picking up all the books from the ground with many hands, saying: “First Madam, please don’t blame us, we were just careless earlier.”
Jiafu turned to Old Woman Ye: “Will you move them back? If you won’t, I’ll get people to do it myself.” As she spoke, she turned and ordered Liu Mama to call all the servants from their courtyard. Liu Mama responded affirmatively and left quickly. Jiafu no longer paid attention to Old Woman Ye, continuing to gather the scattered books from the ground.
Old Woman Ye wore an embarrassed smile, quietly edging sideways toward the exit. Upon reaching the door, she hurried away.
Jiafu directed people to first organize the books that had already been moved out, and after dusting the tables, chairs, and bookshelves, to move them all back in. As they were busily working, Madam Xin arrived, accompanied by Old Woman Ye and others. Seeing the situation, she frowned and said with displeasure: “What is this about? I noticed this place had been empty for so many years, and the elder master rarely used it even when he was home. Now that our family’s circumstances have changed, I thought we could save where possible. Didn’t I send someone to ask your opinion?”
The servants in the courtyard stopped their work. Jiafu walked over and said coolly: “I was just about to inform you, Mother-in-law, that even if my husband doesn’t use this courtyard when he returns, we should still ask his opinion first. Inside are books accumulated over many years, and there are many miscellaneous items—moving them back and forth might cause damage. If Mother-in-law wants to create a storehouse, there are other empty rooms in the mansion. Please find another suitable place.”
Madam Xin stared at Jiafu: “Do you still regard me as your mother-in-law? Even if You’an were here, it’s just a matter of clearing an empty courtyard—I don’t think he would speak to me as you are doing!”
“Since Mother-in-law also remembers my husband’s goodness, now that he’s not at home, please don’t disturb his things. If Mother-in-law is dissatisfied with me, when he returns, tell him to divorce me!”
After speaking, Jiafu turned and ordered Liu Mama to lead the people they had brought to continue moving the items. Liu Mama responded loudly, gave Madam Xin a sideways glance, and directed people to continue. The courtyard became busy again.
Madam Xin was so angry she couldn’t speak for a moment, her face alternating between red and white, but there was nothing she could do.
Jiafu coldly watched this woman before her, suddenly feeling a surge of that same satisfaction she’d felt years ago when fighting others in Meng Mu Bu. The resentment in her heart seemed slightly relieved. She no longer paid attention to her and continued organizing the books. As she was busy, a maid ran in quickly, shouting: “People have come from the palace! His Majesty has sent rewards!”
Madam Xin was surprised and, no longer concerned with this courtyard, hurriedly turned to ask who the rewards were for. The maid shook her head, looking confused.
Thinking it over, it must be for her son. Madam Xin glanced at Jiafu, then abandoned the courtyard and hurried away.
Jiafu heard it was rewarding, which naturally had nothing to do with her. Since she had already fallen out with the emperor and would be leaving tomorrow, she didn’t go to kneel and receive them, staying instead to continue sorting the miscellaneous items. Unexpectedly, a moment later, the maid ran back quickly, shouting: “First Madam, the rewards are for you! First Madam, come quickly!”
Liu Mama and others were delighted, all looking toward Jiafu.
Jiafu hurried to the front hall and saw that it was still Cui Yinshui, with several small eunuchs beside him, carrying a row of gilt-inlaid mother-of-pearl boxes covered with yellow silk. Madam Xin, Old Woman Ye, and others were also there, their expressions quite different from earlier.
Cui Yinshui announced in a drawn-out tone: “Lady Zhen, receive the imperial rewards.”
Jiafu knelt, and the others also knelt alongside to hear the announcement.
The emperor had rewarded Jiafu with five hundred taels of silver, and various amounts of ramie silk, gauze, and brocade. After Cui Yinshui finished reading the list, he took a small box from a eunuch, held it out, and said with a smile: “Lady Zhen, this is a box of premium Yu Shu cordyceps just recently sent as tribute from Qinghai. Only this much was collected in a year, and His Majesty has also rewarded you with it. Express your gratitude.”
Jiafu thanked the emperor, received the rewards, and saw the eunuchs off. When she returned, Madam Xin had already excused herself, claiming poor health. All the maids and old women Jiafu encountered on the way showed respect, each eagerly calling her “First Madam”—as if they had returned to times past.
The warmth and coldness of human relations, the fickleness of the world—all of this had played out in the Duke’s mansion in just half a day. Jiafu had no time to reflect on this. Returning to the courtyard, she found that many servants had arrived, all eagerly working, with people even coming from the second branch. When everything was restored to its original state, Jiafu surveyed the surroundings, personally closed the doors and windows, locked them, and then left.
Passing by the large tree that was said to have been used for hanging in the past, Jiafu paused, then turned and ordered: “Cut down this tree and dig up its roots!”
……
The next day, Jiafu joined a supply convoy of nearly a hundred people heading beyond the frontier. Seated in a carriage, she left the capital and set out on the road to the north.
Yang Yun also escorted her on this journey.
She left Beijing in early November. By this day, almost a month had passed since Pei You’an had departed from the capital.
This military convoy was transporting a batch of urgently needed medicinal materials to the border city of Ganzhou, and it moved at a good pace. According to the plan, they would arrive before mid-December. Initially, the journey was smooth. After traveling for a month, Jiafu and the convoy reached Suzhou. The centurion in charge told her that after Suzhou, going northwest for several hundred li, crossing a section of the Tianshan mountain range—about a ten-day journey—they would reach Suye City in Ganzhou.
This journey had been incredibly arduous. Jiafu’s feet, confined in the carriage for so long and exposed to the severe cold, had developed chilblains. Yet she didn’t feel any hardship at all, only anticipation upon learning they would soon arrive. Unexpectedly, at that moment, the weather suddenly deteriorated. While crossing the mountain path in Tianshan, a heavy snowfall came, covering the ancient road that had been trampled by troops and horses over thousands of years in just two days. It also buried the high plateaus and ravines between the steep mountains. Unable to find the path, one wrong step could mean falling into a cliff or abyss. The convoy was forced to stop in a wind-sheltered mountain hollow. After halting for seven or eight days, the heavy snow finally stopped. The advanced soldiers explored the path, stopping and starting, taking many more days to finally navigate through this mountain range. When they finally reached Suye City, it was already the end of the year. Heavy snow fell from the sky, howling winds raged, and in a few days, it would be New Year’s Eve.
Suye was an ancient place, but previously it had only been a stopping point on the commercial route to the Western Regions. Due to its strategic position, with lush grass and lakes fed by springs from the Tianshan Mountains nearby, at some point in an unknown dynasty, the imperial court had built earthen walls, and gradually a large population had settled there. Now, it had become one of the important cities where Ganzhou stationed troops to resist the Hu people, with a combined military and civilian population of over a hundred thousand. The city had a military and civilian administration office. When Administrator Hu Liangcai learned of Jiafu’s arrival from the capital, he neither met her nor sent anyone to receive her. Jiafu stood in the snow outside the administration office, her hands and feet numb from the cold. After waiting for a long time, she finally got information from an old guard who took pity on her. He said Pei You’an had arrived almost two months ago but wasn’t in the city—he had gone to the forage yard outside the city.
The old guard said he had been here for decades, so he knew some things. This Hu Liangcai’s father had once been a subordinate of the Duke of Weiguo but had violated military discipline and received military punishment. Hu Liangcai harbored resentment about this. Now that he had become the Suye Administrator and Pei You’an had been sent here as a criminal, though he appeared courteous on the surface, he had assigned him to oversee the forage yard.
This position seemed idle but was a difficult assignment. The location was far from the city, surrounded by desolate emptiness. At the forage yard, besides managing the inflow and outflow of fodder for all the military horses in the area, one also had to care for sick and weak war horses sent there. With only a few old and weak soldiers under his command, the work was not only burdensome but if one encountered a deliberately difficult superior, one could be held accountable at any time for the thinness or death of horses.
Jiafu thanked the old soldier, then returned and asked Yang Yun to find the centurion who had traveled with them, requesting him to send someone to guide her to the horse farm outside the city. Unfortunately, the centurion, thinking she had been received by Hu Liangcai, had gone to hand over the medicinal materials and wouldn’t return until evening.
This meant that if she waited for the centurion to return, she would set out tomorrow at the earliest.
Jiafu felt she couldn’t wait another moment, wishing she could sprout wings and fly there immediately. She hurried back to find the old guard again, begging him to guide her, wanting to go right away. The guard had just finished his shift and agreed. Yang Yun drove the carriage with the old guard beside him, while Jiafu and her two maids sat in the carriage with their luggage. Several people in one carriage, in the vast snowfall outside this lonely northwestern city, trudged slowly toward the depths of the wilderness.
Jiafu imagined the moment of seeing Pei You’an, of angrily slapping that letter against his face. Despite her stiffened limbs, she didn’t feel the hardship at all. Traveling onward, they had gone half a day’s journey by evening when suddenly the carriage jerked to a halt, the horses neighing and stopping.
Jiafu peered out and saw the horse’s body tilting, its front hooves deeply stuck in a snow pit. Yang Yun got down, checked everything, and said the horse’s hoof had stepped into a hole buried deep in the snow, injuring its front leg—it couldn’t continue.
The old guard said it was getting dark, and they could only turn back. There was a place nearby where they could rest for the night.
Jiafu asked about the distance to the horse farm, and the old guard said there were still eight or nine li to go.
Looking at the vast expanse of snow ahead, Jiafu said: “It’s just a short distance. Let’s walk!”
Yang Yun couldn’t dissuade her. With no choice, he led the injured horse and carriage to the roadside. Jiafu and her two maids took light bundles and, under the old guard’s guidance, walked through the knee-deep snow, facing the wind and snow, step by step moving forward.
When Jiafu finally stood before the fence gate of the forage yard, it was already the deep night hour of Hai.
The sky was pitch black, with heavy snow falling. Along this journey, she had slipped and fallen countless times, her entire body covered in ice and snow.
An old soldier, yawning, opened the main gate. Upon learning it was Pei You’an’s wife who had arrived, he stared at Jiafu, who resembled a snowman, his mouth hanging open. After a moment, he reacted, took up an oil lamp, and hurriedly led her in. They passed through rows of warehouses used as storerooms, finally stopping and pointing to the end of a row of houses: “Lord Pei lives there.”
It was a row of dilapidated houses, pitch black, with only a faint yellowish lamp light visible through the window in the direction the old soldier pointed.
“Lord Pei is truly good to the horses. Since he arrived, the sick horses here have all improved significantly. But he has fallen ill. These past few days, his cough has worsened.”
The old soldier muttered softly beside her.
Jiafu’s entire body was trembling. She composed herself, then turned to have Yang Yun find a place to first settle Tanxiang and Muxiang, whose faces had turned blue from the cold. She walked quickly toward that faint light.
She stepped through the accumulated snow, walking faster and faster, getting closer and closer.
As she approached the door, her pace slowed, and finally, she stopped.
Snow fell silently from the depths of the endless night sky. All around was pitch black, with only a few spots of dim yellow lamplight filtering through the door and window in front of her.
The door and window were old, with cracks everywhere between the wooden slats. Jiafu held her breath, suppressed her heart that was about to leap out of her throat, and slowly approached that decrepit window. Through the cracks in the wood, she looked inside.
In the corner of the room was a bed, a table, a stool, and a stove—nothing else besides these. The fire in the stove was dim and weak, looking as if it would soon extinguish.
Though they hadn’t seen each other for only half a year, he had become thin, his complexion pale. Wearing an old robe, he sat at the table, bent over a dim bean oil lamp in the corner, writing in what appeared to be a stack of account books beside him.
He wrote for a moment, then suddenly began to cough, a slight expression of pain crossing his face. He then stopped writing, stood up, and bent down to lift a kettle, seemingly wanting to pour water.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he stopped his movement, slowly straightened his body, turned his head, and looked in the direction of the window where Jiafu stood.
“Who’s outside?”
He asked, his voice slightly hoarse but extremely calm.