A white moon hung above the forest, casting pale and cool light on the group of people proceeding single file through the woods below.

Shu Shenhui led the people behind him on horseback out of the forest, continuing forward for several li until the sound of gurgling stream water reached them. Following the sound of the stream, they rounded a moonlit ridge, and the mountain valley appeared before their eyes.

From their afternoon departure until this moment, with only brief rests in between, their earlier enthusiasm had long since completely dissipated. Everyone was both hungry and exhausted. Finally reaching their resting place for the night, their spirits lifted, and they all dismounted to busy themselves. They selected a slightly elevated flat area to make camp. More than ten guards under Wang Ren’s direction split into groups – one to pitch tents, one to start fires, and another to go to the water’s edge to clean and prepare the wild rabbits and pheasants they had caught. Soon, campfires blazed up. The meat was sprinkled with thin salt and roasted over the fire, while dried provisions and wine brought along were heated. After sharing portions with the guards, the four of them – Shu Shenhui, Jiang Hanyuan, Chen Lun, and Princess Yongtai – sat beside the campfire drinking wine and chatting leisurely.

The princess sat beside Jiang Hanyuan. Though initially weary, her spirits had revived, and being a talkative person, her voice dominated the conversation. She spoke about today’s hunt, then chatted with Jiang Hanyuan, asking her many questions about life in the military camp, which Jiang Hanyuan answered one by one. The princess listened with great interest, her heart filled with longing. She asked again, “Sister, did you grow up in the military camp from childhood? You must have endured many hardships, no?”

While speaking with the princess, Jiang Hanyuan had noticed that Shu Shenhui, sitting across the campfire, seemed to glance this way from time to time. Looking now, indeed, she saw him chatting casually with Chen Lun beside him, but across the fire, his gaze seemed to be directed this way once again.

She replied, “Not really. My father was in the army and took great care of me.”

“That still wasn’t easy! The frontier is bitter and cold, full of men – elder sister truly admires you greatly!” The princess said, taking the wine pot to pour a cup and toasting her.

She was as noble as a princess and also Shu Shenhui’s sister. No matter how ignorant of etiquette Jiang Hanyuan might be, she couldn’t accept, demurring that she didn’t dare. The princess said seriously, “Sister, you kill enemies on the battlefield with an illustrious reputation – you truly bring honor to us women. Elder sister is useless, and having the opportunity to toast you is my honor. What is there for you not to dare? I drink first in respect.” She finished her cup first. Jiang Hanyuan had no choice but to accept and drink, then poured a cup for her in return.

Seeing his wife, who usually looked down on everyone, show such respect and affection for the female general princess consort, Chen Lun was also pleased. Having drunk two cups and being slightly intoxicated, the restraint he had developed toward Shu Shenhui over these years, due to Lord Qi’s position and accumulated authority, relaxed somewhat. He laughed, “I wonder if Your Highness still remembers the border inspection many years ago? On the last day before returning to the capital, when this minister accompanied Your Highness hunting at the frontier?”

Shu Shenhui withdrew his gaze from across the fire and looked at him. “Naturally, I remember. Are you perhaps thinking today’s scene resembles that day?”

“You understand me well, Your Highness!”

Chen Lun laughed and toasted him, “This minister remembers that day riding freely at the frontier. After a full day, Your Highness’s grand enthusiasm was undiminished, and you conceived the idea of going to Ling Qiu to pay respects to Lord Zhao. It was already evening then, but Your Highness insisted on going. Our group set out that very night, traveled all night, and arrived at Ling Qiu the next morning.”

“Your Highness was seventeen then, and this minister had only recently married the princess. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed!” He sighed with emotion.

Shu Shenhui smiled, poured himself a cup of wine, and raised it toward Chen Lun across the space. Chen Lun hurriedly filled his cup, and both drank. After drinking, he continued, “Now Your Highness is honored as Regent, and this minister is fortunate to hold a high position. I remember Wang Ren was also Your Highness’s guard that day, and he’s here tonight too. After so many years, returning to such a place with similar circumstances – isn’t it moving? Oh yes, there was another person that night!”

He suddenly remembered.

Shu Shenhui held his empty cup in one hand, rotating it playfully, then raised his eyes to look at him with slight puzzlement in his gaze.

“It was that little soldier who guided our way! Does Your Highness still have an impression? I remember Your Highness took pity on his youth and finally gave him a piece of personal jade pendant, telling him to return home and marry. I wonder where that little soldier is now. If he followed Your Highness’s words and returned home, by now he should have long since married and established a family, with children gathered around his knees.”

Shu Shenhui seemed lost in distant thoughts. After a moment, remembering, he nodded, “We see only children growing, not ourselves aging. I wonder how that little boy fares today. What they call ‘a white horse passing a gap, time urging people on’ – it should be just like this.”

“Your Highness, don’t misunderstand!”

Chen Lun quickly said, “Your Highness is in the prime of life – where do such feelings come from? It’s just that in these years, this minister has experienced various human affairs and feels deeply the impermanence of life. I was just speaking nonsense under the influence of wine. I hope that after many more years, this minister can still drink wine and laugh with Your Highness as tonight, then life would have no regrets!”

Shu Shenhui poured another cup of wine and raised it, “Certainly!”

Across the campfire, the princess grew gradually intoxicated, her pale wrist supporting her cheek as she spoke, her body leaning slightly toward Jiang Hanyuan. Jiang Hanyuan had been looking down at the fire pile before her without saying a word. Seeing the princess was drunk and fearing she might sit unsteadily and fall, she collected herself and extended her arm to support the princess’s lower back.

The princess spoke with her some more, finding her more lovable the more she looked. She turned to look at Shu Shenhui.

“Third Brother! What boring nonsense are you and the prince consort discussing? Elder sister truly likes your princess consort! Tonight you give her to me – let me sleep with her, how about it?” Without waiting for a response, she emerged from the female general’s embrace, forced herself to stand up unsteadily, and pulled Jiang Hanyuan up as well.

“Sister, come on, let’s sleep together. Aren’t they talkative? Let these men talk to their hearts’ content!”

Chen Lun came to his senses, knowing she was drunk. Looking at the Regent Prince, who hadn’t spoken to express his opinion, he understood the meaning. He immediately walked over, took hold of his wife with one hand, pulled away her hand that was linked with the princess consort, begged pardon, and called out, “Your Highness, the princess is drunk! We dare not disturb Your Highness and the princess consort’s rest any longer. I’ll take her to sleep.”

Shu Shenhui slowly stood up, watching the couple enter another tent dozens of steps away. Only he and Jiang Hanyuan remained by the fire pile, standing opposite each other across the flames.

He paused for a moment, looking at her, “It’s late. You must be tired too. Rest well. I’ll go check on the night watch arrangements.” He stepped away.

This overnight valley was narrow and long – they only needed to guard the two directions of entry and exit. After Wang Ren checked the perimeter, he divided the guards into two groups, arranged shifts, and told some to sleep first. He planned to guard the most difficult hour before dawn himself, so he also needed to hurry and catch some sleep. But seeing the Regent Prince approach, he hurried forward to greet him.

Shu Shenhui asked a few questions about the night watch, then instead of leaving, told Wang Ren not to follow and to go rest himself. He continued walking around the area and even stood by the stream for a while.

Wang Ren guessed that the Regent Prince, being naturally cautious, had come to personally inspect the surrounding environment. This was normal – after all, they were in the wild with both the princess consort and princess present. How could he dare to go to sleep? He waited nearby.

Jiang Hanyuan had already retired to the remaining tent.

This type of tent used by wealthy families in the capital for outdoor excursions was naturally much better in material and interior furnishing than military tents, but for ease of carrying, when set up, it wasn’t large. With the need to place candlestands, food boxes, clothing chests, or warming braziers for cold weather, what remained could only accommodate two people lying side by side. After lying down, she left space for him, then turned toward the tent wall and closed her eyes to rest. After some time, there was movement at the tent entrance. He came in, seemed to stand for a while, then removed his outer clothing, extinguished one of the horse lamps in the tent, and slowly lay down.

The two lay with their heads together, separated by about an arm’s length in the middle.

Inside this tent, it was pitch black, cold, and desolate, without the slightest movement. The two lay down and seemed to fall asleep immediately. Dozens of steps away in the other tent, the atmosphere was completely different.

Chen Lun helped the slightly tipsy princess into the tent. After some bustling about, he finally settled her down. Just as he was about to extinguish the lamp and sleep, he remembered something and said, “You also went to the plum garden yesterday? Why must you meddle in so many affairs? Whatever you saw, don’t speak of it.”

The princess snorted, “Do I need you to remind me?” She turned to look at her husband, finding him more displeasing the more she looked.

“Truly useless! Just now, when I couldn’t sit steadily, it was my sister’s general who supported me. What were you doing? Where did all those words come from to endlessly chat with Third Brother? Don’t you know he finds your chatter annoying? Usually, before me, when have I ever seen you open your mouth? They’re newlyweds – if I hadn’t spoken up to remind you, I think you would have kept him talking until dawn! And the deer hunting too! Later, if you hadn’t blocked my way, I would have hit it long ago! More hindrance than help!”

Chen Lun was rendered speechless by the first half of her scolding. Newlyweds being inseparable like lacquer and glue, wanting to stick together from morning to night – he had experienced this himself. But hearing the latter part, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The reason he had stayed close throughout was that the forest was dim with no proper paths, and he feared she might have an accident riding too fast. He hurried to explain.

The princess’s expression improved somewhat, and she complained that riding horses all day had made her back and waist ache. The prince consort massaged and kneaded for her. Having already drunk some wine, with this rubbing here and pressing there, passion inevitably gradually stirred.

The two had been married for years, and Chen Lun was now busy with official duties, so in bedroom matters, there was inevitably weariness and perfunctory behavior. But tonight, being in this wild setting with the princess dressed as she was, the prince consort felt considerable stimulation and couldn’t control himself. Both felt extremely satisfied. Their only worry was the noise, fearing to disturb the Regent Prince and his wife dozens of steps away. Though they guessed those two might also be intimate at this moment, they were older after all and felt embarrassed. They could only desperately suppress their sounds to avoid awkwardness.

After he entered and lay down, Jiang Hanyuan closed her eyes in the darkness. Gradually, drowsiness came over her. Just as she was becoming drowsy, suddenly a strange sound seemed to drift into her ears. The sound was extremely soft and weak, intermittent, barely audible, and sounded very suppressed.

At first, she thought she had misheard or that it was the singing of small insects hidden somewhere in the wild, so she paid no attention. But after a moment, the sound drifted into her ears again. Judging by the direction, it seemed to come from the princess and prince consort’s tent.

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

If she were alone here, hearing it would be hearing it – no matter. But behind her at this moment lay another person. She didn’t know if he was asleep. If he was awake like her, or if he was asleep but might be awakened by that sound…

Jiang Hanyuan felt uncomfortable all over. A strange, unfamiliar feeling. Like lying on needles and felt. The few cups of wine she had drunk that evening seemed to transform into soft brushes, gently brushing her skin all over in the darkness.

She patiently closed her eyes and waited a while longer, hoping for the prince consort and princess to finish. But the two seemed endless, actually lasting so long…

Jiang Hanyuan finally decided not to wait any longer. It would be better to leave the tent temporarily.

Even sleeping in the open field under the sky as shelter, she could spend the night.

She opened her eyes and, using the lightest movements she could manage without disturbing the person beside her, slowly sat up. Just as she was about to rise, incredibly coincidentally, the person lying with her also sat up at this moment.

She paused. He also stopped. The two sat together in the darkness, neither moving.

After a moment, just as Jiang Hanyuan was about to get up, she suddenly heard him say in a low voice, “You continue sleeping. I’ll go outside again to see how Wang Ren and the others are doing with the night watch.”

He got up, apparently not even taking his outer clothes, opened the tent flap, and walked out.

Only she remained in the tent. Jiang Hanyuan sat for another moment, then slowly lay back down.

After another moment, that subtle disturbance from heaven and earth that had disturbed her sleep also completely subsided.

—

Shu Shenhui didn’t return for the entire second half of the night. It wasn’t until near dawn, around the fifth watch, that he quietly entered the tent with a body full of coldness and lay back down.

In a moment, day broke.

From this tent, the newlywed couple emerged, and looking carefully, their eye circles seemed slightly blackened, their spirits listless and silent. The couple emerging from the opposite side, however, were like old trees blooming, spirited and vigorous, even their glances at each other seemed entangled together.

Shu Shenhui pretended not to see, called Wang Ren and the others to prepare for today’s return journey.

The previous night, the Regent Prince had suddenly come out again, telling Wang Ren to go sleep, saying he wasn’t tired and would take over the night watch. Wang Ren was baffled and naturally didn’t dare agree at first. Later, seeing he was serious and had sat down at the valley entrance, he believed him and went to sleep. Having rested well last night, this morning he was naturally also full of energy, arranging his subordinates to their various tasks. After simple washing, they heated some food, everyone ate, packed up, and set out on the return journey.

On this day’s return journey, perhaps heaven was compensating them – their harvest was quite abundant. They shot two yellow muntjacs and various wild sheep, foxes, and rabbits – no fewer than several dozen. The guards’ saddles could barely hold everything. Returning fully loaded in triumph, they smoothly arrived back at Xianquan Palace as darkness fell. Lady Zhuang and the palace administrator led people to welcome the group inside.

The Regent Prince hadn’t returned yesterday and had also been delayed during today’s daylight hours. Originally, he had planned to return to the capital overnight after reaching the palace. Upon arrival, however, the princess wouldn’t let him leave, pointing to the sky outside, “It’s completely dark! Even if you, Regent Prince, rush back overnight, you’ll arrive in the middle of the night. Which minister will still have his eyes open, waiting to discuss affairs with you? Besides, if there were urgent, important matters, messages would have been sent here to urge you long ago! That bunch of people – capable they may be, but everyone is shrewd. If there were really big matters, which one would you be willing to take responsibility for? I know them well enough! You’ve ridden horses all day – aren’t you tired? Tonight, listen to your elder sister, stay one more night, and return early tomorrow morning!”

These words were truly impossible to refute. Thus, the Regent Prince stayed another night.

This evening was spent differently from the previous night. After the meal, the Regent Prince and the Prince Consort bathed together in the hot springs. On this side, the princess also came to call Jiang Hanyuan, saying she had reserved the best pool with fruits and wine prepared for them to bathe together and dispel their fatigue.

Jiang Hanyuan politely declined, saying she was naturally different from ordinary people and couldn’t withstand soaking in hot springs. The princess was very surprised to hear this. Jiang Hanyuan apologized repeatedly. Though the princess felt regretful, she could only give up and go alone. After soaking briefly, she also found it tasteless. Being tired from a day of hunting as well, she retired early.

The hour grew later and later. Jiang Hanyuan had long since fallen asleep, but that person still hadn’t returned.

She guessed that by this time, the prince consort should have already returned to accompany the princess.

Where had he gone? Had he come out and gone elsewhere? Or was he still alone, remaining in the spring pool?

This was also none of her concern.

She closed her eyes, calming her mind and spirit. Gradually feeling a trace of drowsiness, hazily beginning to feel sleepy, suddenly the door to the bedchamber’s inner room made a soft knocking sound.

Jiang Hanyuan was startled awake, thinking he had returned.

She hadn’t barred the door – he could push it open himself. But no one entered. After a moment, there were two more gentle knocks.

Jiang Hanyuan had to get up and go over. Opening the door, she found Lady Zhuang standing outside.

Lady Zhuang apologized for disturbing her rest, then continued, “The prince consort returned to his bedchamber some time ago, but His Highness has never been seen coming out, nor has he called anyone in to serve him. When we knocked just now, there was no response. He and the prince consort drank some wine tonight. Zhang Bao usually serves His Highness closely, but he’s not here, so others don’t dare enter without permission. Could the princess consort go look and remind His Highness that hot springs shouldn’t be bathed in for too long?”

Though Lady Zhuang’s tone sounded much the same as usual and was very tactful, it was clear her expression already carried a trace of anxiety.

After hearing this, a thought immediately sprang to Jiang Hanyuan’s mind.

Could he have gotten drunk, fallen asleep, and drowned in the pool?

Her heart tightened, and she immediately said, “Good!”

She grabbed a jacket to throw over the undergarments she had been sleeping in, not even having time to tie the sash properly, and immediately left the inner hall.

The hot spring source wasn’t far, right near the sleeping quarters. They arrived quickly. Two maidservants stood outside the door, and Lady Zhuang also stopped at the entrance.

Jiang Hanyuan knocked forcefully on the door, “Your Highness! I’m coming in!”

After she called out, there was still no sound from inside the door. Without further hesitation, she immediately pushed it open and walked in.

Upon entering, she felt a wave of humid heat hit her face, enveloping her from head to toe. Steadying herself, she looked and first saw several layers of light shark-silk curtains hanging straight down from the hall ceiling as screens.

Usually, when no one was present, the skylight here would be open for ventilation, but tonight it was sealed on all sides. Those shark-silk curtains hung quietly motionless.

“Your Highness? Your Highness!” She called out tentatively several more times, rushed forward, and swept aside several layers of curtains with one motion, then stood still and looked.

Inside was like a huge bathing palace.

Glass bright lamps burned in the four corners of the hall, their light gentle. The floor was laid with non-slip white polished stone with fine bead patterns. In the center was a very large pool that could accommodate more than ten people swimming simultaneously. Wisps of white hot steam rose from the pool surface. Amid the moist, hazy mist, she finally saw the person she was looking for.

He had his back to her, sitting leaning against the edge of the hot spring pool, his arms spread left and right on the pool’s rim. His vigorous upper body was bare, half exposed above the water surface. Within easy reach sat a wine pot and two luminous cups. His head was tilted slightly back, motionless – it appeared he had fallen asleep.

At least he hadn’t drowned!

Jiang Hanyuan breathed a sigh of relief, slowed her steps, and walked slowly toward that back, coughing heavily, “Your Highness!”

Whatever state of drunkenness he was in, he still showed no reaction at all.

“Your Highness! Wake up!”

Jiang Hanyuan had no choice but to walk behind him.

She didn’t touch him, only raised her voice to shout in his ear.

After she shouted, she finally saw him move slightly. Before she could exhale in relief, unexpectedly, she saw him slide down toward the water surface.

If he went down like this, he really would drown.

Jiang Hanyuan reached out and grabbed one of his arms, trying to stop his sliding. But he continued sliding down. His mouth and nose were about to be submerged.

His skin was wet and extremely slippery. The pulling force of a grown man’s weight was considerable, and in this position, relying solely on pulling one arm was somewhat difficult. Helplessly, she had to lean closer, stop behind him, bend down, grasp both his shoulders with both hands, and was about to exert force to forcibly drag him out of the water when he suddenly bent one elbow and reached back to grab her wrist, pulling down.

Completely unprepared, Jiang Hanyuan fell into the pool with a loud splash.

Fortunately, she was familiar with water and quickly steadied herself, emerging from the hot spring water. She stood firm, wiped the water droplets from her face, looked over, and saw he had already opened his eyes. He was just lazily leaning against the pool’s edge, looking at her, actually smiling with a serene expression.

Looking completely fine.

She understood. He had been pretending to sleep all along!

Such mockery!

Her face immediately turned cold. But he acted as if he hadn’t noticed. After finishing his smile, he actually reached for the wine pot, poured a cup, offered it to her, and smiled gently, “This wine is sweet and mild. Would you like a cup?”

Jiang Hanyuan snatched the wine cup and threw it into the water, then pushed him away and braced her hands against the pool wall to leap out onto the pool’s edge.

Behind her came the sound of water, and the next moment, a pair of hands reached over, embraced her waist, and forcibly dragged her back into the pool again.

Having succeeded, the man then turned around and, before she could steady her footing, pressed her against the pool’s edge.

“Just now, you were concerned about me, afraid I would drown?”

The man’s face leaned toward her. He asked her in a low voice, his tone carrying a seductive hoarseness. That extremely handsome face was wet, with what seemed like ghostly light flickering in his eyes.

As he drew closer, Jiang Hanyuan smelled the scent of alcohol again.

She suddenly felt her face burning and her heart beating violently. It must be due to anger. She knew this.

She didn’t struggle or push away. She just stared at his eyes like that and said coldly, “Indeed, afraid you’d become a drowned ghost. But you’re also thinking too much. You are the Regent – if you died now, the court would likely fall into chaos. I’m thinking of the great plan for the northern expedition.”

He fell silent, looked at her, looked for a long while, then suddenly nodded and smiled again.

“Yes. So am I. I married you for the Great Wei. It seems you and I are indeed well-matched, a natural pair.”

That face, covered with water vapor, pressed even closer to her.

“Princess consort, what do you say – is that so or not?”

His eyes stared intently at her gaze, but his mouth used a somewhat teasing tone to speak slowly and deliberately.