The two entered the new bridal chamber at Fanzhi Courtyard. Shu Shenhui removed his ceremonial robes, changed clothes, and sought out Jiang Hanyuan.

“Today I have leave from duties, and it’s also your first day entering my princely residence. Would you like me to accompany you? I can walk with you and point out the locations of various places, helping you learn the way.” His face bore a smile as he extended the invitation.

“Thank you. That won’t be necessary.”

She declined, which he should have anticipated. Perhaps his earlier words were merely meant as a conversation starter. He nodded, “Very well then, as you wish. I won’t disturb you. During the day, I’ll be at Zhaoze Hall—if you have any matters, you can send someone to fetch me at any time.”

Jiang Hanyuan said, “I have no affairs in the residence, so I might as well go out. I have some private matters to attend to. Could you lend me someone to show me the way?”

Shu Shenhui didn’t inquire further. He turned and summoned Zhang Bao, instructing, “The princess wishes to leave the residence. You shall guide her. Have Wang Ren accompany as well.”

Zhang Bao immediately bowed in acknowledgment.

Shu Shenhui nodded to Jiang Hanyuan and said to return early, then turned to leave. After a few steps, remembering something, he stopped and said, “By the way, in the next few days you’ll likely receive many invitations for banquets and visits. If you have no interest in socializing, I’ll have the residence’s protocol office handle it and decline on your behalf.”

After Shu Shenhui finished speaking, he went about his own business. Jiang Hanyuan changed into plain clothes, donned a bamboo hat, and gathered her belongings. Zhang Bao accompanied her, disguised as an ordinary household servant, while the residence’s guard captain Wang Ren brought two capable subordinates who followed at a distance, leading horses and traveling light. They exited through the residence’s side gate onto Chang’an’s streets.

“Princess, this slave has grown up in Chang’an since childhood. It’s not boastful to say that whether it’s major streets or small alleys, as long as you name a place, this slave guarantees to lead you there. North of the city, inside and out: the Prime Minister’s Shrine, the Fire God Temple. East of the city, inside and out: Longshou River, the Lantern Flower Market. South of the city, inside and out: the Guan Di Temple, Golden Fish Pond. West of the city, there’s the City God Temple and Hundred Flower Mountain—all wonderful places to visit. Even if you don’t know the name, it doesn’t matter. Just tell me what’s in the vicinity, and I can still find it for you!”

Once outside, Zhang Bao chattered away enthusiastically, appearing quite delighted.

He was indeed very happy.

Truth be told, having a superior like the old eunuch Li Xiangchun, whose frown could crush an autumn mosquito, normally prevented him from freely roaming the four quarters of the imperial city. This was entirely thanks to the current young emperor’s favor. In earlier years, when the young emperor often left the palace to visit the princely residence, he would venture out upon arrival, with Zhang Bao accompanying him. Thus, he had nearly traversed every nook and cranny of Chang’an city. In recent years, the young emperor had been kept under stricter supervision, and he, too, lost many opportunities to go out. Unexpectedly, with the female general’s arrival, on the second day after the wedding, instead of staying in the residence to accompany the Regent Prince, she went out directly, allowing him to come along and get some fresh air—how wonderful!

Jiang Hanyuan’s impression of this little eunuch was quite favorable. She handed him a paper listing over ten addresses, all homes of soldiers from her Azure Wood Camp who came from Chang’an and its vicinity. On this trip to the capital, she was also helping those soldiers deliver letters home or money they had saved in the military camp.

Zhang Bao, having served at Shu Shenhui’s side since Shu Shenhui was still Lord Anle and spent his days reading, had over time learned to recognize some characters. Glancing at the list, he said there was no problem.

Jiang Hanyuan first went to the Yang family—Yang Hu’s home.

Yang Hu’s ancestors held the rank of commandery duke, but his father had committed an offense in earlier years and died of illness in prison. Though later proven to have been misled by subordinates, he was still demoted three ranks for negligent oversight, and the family fortunes declined thereafter. Yang Hu was the seventh among his clan brothers, showing how prosperous the family once was. After the incident, clan relations gradually became sparse. Now only his mother and elder brother’s family remained, with the elder brother serving as a minor capital official, barely maintaining the household’s dignity.

When Jiang Hanyuan called without revealing her identity, she simply said she was from near Yanmen Xixing Pass and, having regular dealings with the military camp, knew Yang Hu. Since she happened to have business in Chang’an, she was delivering Yang Hu’s letter home. If they had anything that needed to be taken back, she could carry it as well.

Yang Hu hadn’t returned home since enlisting years ago. His elder brother was overjoyed to hear this news. After receiving the letter, he thanked her repeatedly. Seeing she was a woman, he called out his mother, wife, and their only daughter. The entire family was very grateful. When Yang Hu’s mother inquired about his situation in the army, Jiang Hanyuan patiently explained everything—how he fought bravely and repeatedly earned merit. Hearing this, the mother felt both heartache and joy, laughing while wiping tears from her eyes.

While Jiang Hanyuan spoke, she noticed Yang Hu’s young niece standing behind her mother, stealing glances at her. After sitting for a while and finishing their conversation, she said she had other matters and needed to leave. The Yang family earnestly tried to persuade her to stay for a meal, but she politely declined. Before rising to leave, she smiled slightly at the little girl and beckoned to her.

The girl’s eyes lit up, but she remained somewhat shy, hands behind her back, not daring to come forward. Jiang Hanyuan walked over to her: “Let me guess—your name is A’Guo, isn’t it?”

The girl was surprised, even forgetting her shyness: “Sister, how do you know I’m called A’Guo?”

Jiang Hanyuan replied, “Your Uncle Hu told me. He mentioned to me that he has a little niece named A’Guo at home. When he left Chang’an, A’Guo was only three or four years old. Now several years have passed in a flash—she’s probably become a big girl who might forget her uncle.”

A’Guo quickly shook her head: “Never! Sister, please tell my uncle that Father and Mother often mention him, and I’ve always remembered him!”

Jiang Hanyuan handed over a packet of candy she had thought to buy at an old shop on the street earlier: “This is from your Uncle Hu—he specifically instructed me to buy it for you.”

The girl was delighted but didn’t dare take it, turning to look at her parents. Her mother was even more surprised than A’Guo, not expecting the usually rough-and-ready younger brother-in-law to remember to have someone buy treats for A’Guo after being away for so many years. Believing it was true, she smiled and told her daughter to accept it, thanking Jiang Hanyuan again for the trouble.

Jiang Hanyuan took her leave. A’Guo followed the adults to see her off. As they neared the main gate, Jiang Hanyuan noticed she seemed to want to say something and asked with a smile what was on her mind.

A’Guo gathered her courage: “Sister, since you come from there, have you seen General Changning’s face? Is she a celestial maiden descended from heaven? Yesterday I heard everyone talking about how the female general married the Regent Prince, and many people in the city went to see. I wanted to see what she looked like, but there were too many people, and Mother was afraid I’d get crushed, so she wouldn’t let me go.”

By now, they had reached the door. Jiang Hanyuan stopped.

“The female general is quite ordinary—how could she be a celestial maiden descended from heaven?”

“But she became a female general!”

A’Guo’s courage gradually grew. She didn’t believe her words and shook her head again.

“That’s because from childhood she aspired to join the military, and every day thereafter, she worked toward that goal.”

“Can one become as capable as the female general just by doing this?” The little girl remained half-convinced.

“If you want to become a certain kind of person, then work toward that goal. Whether you ultimately achieve it or not, you’ll always get closer and closer to it.” She thought for a moment before answering.

The little girl looked up at her, seeming to understand yet not quite.

Her mother then pulled her daughter behind the door, laughingly apologizing for the impropriety and asking the guest’s pardon.

Jiang Hanyuan smiled and said it didn’t matter. Just as she was about to leave, Yang Hu’s mother hurried out with an old servant’s support, holding out a travel bag. She said it contained two sets of winter and summer clothes and two pairs of shoes made last year. Having been unable to find someone traveling that way, she still had them on hand. She asked if it would be convenient for Jiang Hanyuan to take the clothing to her son.

“Young lady, you helped bring the letter back and spent so much time listening to this old woman’s chatter, leaving without even eating—I truly shouldn’t impose further. It’s just that Qi Lang has been hard on clothes and shoes since childhood. I worry he might wear them out over there with nothing to change into, so I must brazenly ask once more…”

Before Yang Hu’s mother could finish, Jiang Hanyuan readily agreed. Just as she was about to step forward to take the bundle, Zhang Bao, who had been craning his neck and watching from beside the hitching post outside the gate, saw what was happening and rushed over, snatching it away while saying, “This slave will carry it! Princess, you needn’t!”

As his words fell, the Yang family’s masters and servants inside and outside the gate all looked over.

Others might not have reacted yet, but Yang Hu’s elder brother was a court official, and when the Yang family had not yet fallen, he had seen some of the world. He had been thinking that this young woman, disguised in men’s clothing, spoke with natural composure, appearing quite different from ordinary people, and was extremely familiar with military affairs. Connecting this to yesterday’s wedding of the Regent Prince, he had harbored suspicions, only to dismiss them upon reflection—if she were truly the female general herself, now honored as the Regent Prince’s consort, how could she personally visit a family of their standing to deliver letters and inquire after them, patiently accompanying his mother in conversation for so long, especially on the second day after her wedding? So the thought had passed fleetingly.

He never imagined it was actually true. He hurried to her side, bowing low: “This humble minister pays respects to the Regent Princess! Not knowing the princess had personally arrived, we showed much discourtesy—please forgive us, Princess!”

The stunned Yang family members also came to their senses, following Yang Hu’s elder brother out of the gate to pay their respects. Yang Hu’s mother was especially alarmed, repeatedly apologizing and saying she didn’t dare accept such an honor, begging the princess to leave the items behind rather than trouble herself.

Jiang Hanyuan glanced at Zhang Bao, who was holding the bundle. Zhang Bao knew he had misspoken and caused trouble, hunching his neck and slapping his mouth.

Jiang Hanyuan went forward, helping Yang Hu’s mother up from the ground, then telling Yang Hu’s brother and sister-in-law to rise as well: “Yang Hu is a capable junior general under my command. He serves the country loyally—I’m merely passing through, and it’s just a small favor. Why shouldn’t you accept it? You haven’t had news of each other for years, so you must miss him dearly. Today I had free time, so I came out. Madam, please rest assured and care for yourself at home. When the day comes that the borderlands are peaceful and Yang Hu returns home with merit, all that will remain is for you to arrange a good marriage for him.”

The Yang family finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. Yang Hu’s mother and his brother’s family beamed with joy, continuously bowing in gratitude and respectfully inviting her to enter and sit again. Neighbors, seeing commotion at the Yang family’s gate, also came out to see what was happening.

Jiang Hanyuan politely declined. Noticing Yang Hu’s shy little niece hiding alone behind the door with only her head visible, eyes wide as she stared, quite adorable, she smiled at her again. Then she mounted her horse. Just as she was about to spur it forward, A’Guo, as if encouraged by that smile, suddenly ran out from behind the gate, passing the adults who were still bowing farewell, and ran straight to her horse. Looking up at her on horseback, eyes sparkling brightly: “Female General! So you’re the female general, Sister!”

Jiang Hanyuan made a sound of acknowledgment, looking down at her from horseback and asking playfully, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“No!” A’Guo shook her head vigorously. “I’m not afraid! Female General, you can smile! You look so beautiful when you smile!”

Jiang Hanyuan was stunned.

This was the first time in her life anyone had described her this way. She couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. Leaning down, she reached out and ruffled A’Guo’s soft hair, returning the little girl to her mother, who had hurriedly caught up to apologize, then spurred her horse onward.

After the Yang family respectfully saw her off, neighbors approached with questions. Learning the details, they were amazed, envious, and discussed it endlessly. After leaving there, Zhang Bao no longer dared to be careless, successfully leading her to find several more households, delivering the letters and money she had brought, and informing mothers about their sons’ situations in the army. When encountering families in poor circumstances, she would add some silver money of her own. If they had items to send back, she accepted those as well.

Chang’an’s imperial city was larger than Jiang Hanyuan had imagined. After rushing about east and west for half a day, by evening, they had only visited five or six families. The remaining households and those far outside the city would have to wait for the next few days. When she returned to the princely residence, it was already completely dark, yet Shu Shenhui was even later—he was still at Zhaoze Hall.

Zhuang Shi said the Regent Prince had sent someone at dusk to ask about her, and learning she hadn’t returned, he didn’t come to this side for dinner.

“His Highness also said that if the princess returned, she was to inform him. It’s cold outside—Princess, please go in first to warm your hands and feet and have some food. I’ll send someone to request His Highness’s return immediately.”

Zhuang Shi ordered the maids to attend to her while preparing to go herself, but Jiang Hanyuan stopped her, saying it wasn’t necessary to make a special trip.

Zhuang Shi smiled: “When the princess has returned, how can we not inform His Highness?”

Jiang Hanyuan truly didn’t want this.

If he were summoned back, he would have to exert himself thinking about how to deal with her. He must be weary inside, and she was unwilling to trouble others in this way, making both herself and him uncomfortable.

Knowing Zhuang Shi would certainly not listen to her, she changed her approach: “Then please trouble Nanny to go and tell His Highness that I walked many roads today and am quite tired. If His Highness still has matters to attend to, he needn’t return specially for my sake—I’ll rest early myself.”

Zhuang Shi paused but quickly agreed and withdrew.

Shu Shenhui indeed didn’t return. After Jiang Hanyuan ate, Zhuang Shi also had the maids prepare steaming hot bath water. The maids wanted to attend to her, but she declined, bathing herself. When she emerged from the bath chamber, her hair was wet. A brazier had been added to the bed, shaped like a waist drum, hollow inside with burning incense and charcoal, covered by a thin deer hide membrane that felt warm to the touch. In winter, people could lean against it for warmth, and it could also be used to perfume clothes or dry hair.

Zhuang Shi helped dry her hair, having her lie back against soft cushions placed behind her, then knelt behind her, spreading all her hair evenly over the brazier. When it was nearly dry, she gathered it in her hands and combed it carefully with a rhinoceros horn comb while praising: “The princess truly has wonderful hair—so black, thick, smooth, and cool to the touch, like silk from the south where the late Imperial Consort’s family originated. I don’t know how many women would be envious. Years ago, when I served the Imperial Consort in the palace for several years, Chang’an women favored the peony bun—only those with thick hair could make it look good. Someone like the princess would be perfect, but many palace consorts had thin, sparse hair and could only use false hair for padding. I still remember once when two young consorts fought over a roll of fine false hair, neither giving way, and finally brought the matter before the Imperial Consort for judgment. Looking back now, it’s both laughable and lamentable…”

Having bathed, lying against soft, fragrant, warm cushions, Jiang Hanyuan was naturally drowsy. With Zhuang Shi’s gentle voice recounting old palace stories in her ear—and having no interest in the scheming among palace consorts—she found it as good as a lullaby, making her even sleepier.

After Zhuang Shi had been chattering for quite some time with no response, she glanced over to see the female general’s eyelashes had drooped closed. Smiling to herself, seeing her hair was also dry, she called the maids to gently remove the brazier. Jiang Hanyuan stirred awake and opened her eyes. Zhuang Shi smiled and told her to rest, extinguishing the candles save for one lamp for light, then lowered the heavy curtains, withdrew, and closed the door.

The room dimmed. Jiang Hanyuan stretched lazily, hair loose, and flopped onto the soft pillow, closing her eyes and quickly falling asleep.

When Shu Shenhui returned to Fanzhi Courtyard, it was past the hour of Xu. The night-duty servants were all inside, leaving the vast courtyard quiet and empty. Only the row of lanterns hung yesterday for the wedding still glowed along the corridor, casting a red light on the thin remaining snow covering the roof tiles opposite.

He had bathed in the old bedchamber behind Zhaoze Hall before returning, so he called for no one and went directly to the bridal chamber. Walking alone along the corridor, as he neared it and saw the door and windows ahead glowing with candlelight, his already slow steps became even more hesitant. Arriving at the door, he first stopped for a moment. About to push it open, he hesitated slightly, then raised his hand and knocked twice lightly. Hearing no response after knocking, he slowly pushed open the door, passed through the outer room to the inner chamber. Warm air suddenly enveloped him as he rounded a lowered curtain screen, and his steps halted.

Only one candle stood burned in the inner chamber, casting a quiet pool of warm orange light. By that light, Shu Shenhui saw her sleeping with her eyes closed on the pillow in the shadows at the head of the bed.

Shu Shenhui stopped where he stood.

Born into the imperial family as the emperor’s beloved son, in his youth, he had been high-spirited and had seen all the world’s riches and splendors. Now noble as the Regent Prince, second only to one, above all others. In his twenty-some years of life, whenever he wanted something, he could have it at will. Even in court deliberations, he could claim to have wisdom and strategy in his grasp, never experiencing setbacks—truly heaven’s favored child.

Yet now, having entered this marriage he had schemed and plotted for with ulterior motives, for the first time in his life, he felt uncertain.

All this uncertainty came from the Jiang family’s female general, his new bride.

Those two words of “must” he had spoken to her last night were not false. He truly thought so. Even if the female general were truly as plain as the rumors claimed, it would make no difference to him. From the first day he decided to seek this marriage, he had prepared to live with his future wife in mutual respect and courtesy. Meeting his new bride and finding Jiang Hanyuan beautiful was an unexpected gift, naturally good. However, this gift of beauty was quickly washed away completely by the subsequent unprepared, massive defeat.

A day and night had passed. Though the Regent Prince appeared calm as still water on the surface, he still couldn’t bear to recall the wedding night. Whenever he thought of it, it was like having thorns on his back.

Though extremely reluctant to admit it, he had to acknowledge that tonight he had lingered there until this late hour not truly because of many affairs—perhaps subconsciously, he hoped that when he returned to the bridal chamber, she would already be fast asleep.

His wish was finally fulfilled.

He drew a breath, watched her sleeping form for another moment, then lightened his steps, silently removing his outer garments and sash. Finally approaching the bed, about to get on, he stopped again.

Last night, he had asked her to sleep further in. Tonight, she remembered and slept toward the inside, leaving him his preferred outer position. But…

Her long hair was scattered across the pillow, spread out and occupying his space. If he lay down like this, he would certainly press on her hair.

Shu Shenhui stood before the bed, staring for quite some time. Finally making up his mind, he leaned forward, raised his arm toward the black hair scattered on his side of the pillow, and slowly, with movements meant not to disturb her, gathered the long hair and held it in his palm. Just as he was about to move it toward her side, perhaps because he had drawn too close, she sensed it—her drooping eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she woke!

The most awkward scene he least wanted to encounter had arrived again.

More awkwardly still, his hand was holding her hair.

Seeing her open her eyes, her gaze moving from his face to the hand holding her long hair, he quickly composed himself, releasing her hair as if nothing had happened, then straightened up with a slight smile: “Though there were no major affairs today, there were many miscellaneous matters. Once busy, I forgot the time and returned late, disturbing you.” After a pause, he pointed to the hair he had just released, continuing his explanation: “Just now, it had all fallen to this side. You were asleep and didn’t know. I was afraid that if I lay down, I might press on it and accidentally pull your scalp painfully.”

Jiang Hanyuan turned her face, glanced at her hair occupying his pillow, and gathered it up: “Thank you for the trouble.”

Shu Shenhui smiled: “We are husband and wife—why be so formal? It’s late now—let’s extinguish the light.”

He then put out the light, plunging the room into darkness, and finally got onto the bed and lay down.