Dowager Consort Zhuang’s gentleness and warmth finally dispelled some of the reluctance Jiang Hanyuan had initially felt.

She and Shu Shenhui were still covered in travel dust. After meeting, they went to briefly wash their faces and change clothes, then had dinner. The dishes served weren’t numerous, but all were refreshing and delicious. Besides several seasonal Jiangnan vegetables, all the dishes that Zhuang Shi used to make at the prince’s residence to suit Jiang Hanyuan’s taste were also served without exception. When the servants brought them, they all coincidentally placed them within Jiang Hanyuan’s easy reach.

The Dowager Consort sat alone at the head, while Jiang Hanyuan and Shu Shenhui sat side by side facing her. She ate little and didn’t speak during the meal. Jiang Hanyuan liked this atmosphere—eating was just eating, without having to be distracted by answering questions or thinking about proper responses. The only small incident occurred when she reached her chopsticks toward a dish of white wild rice stems placed near her hand, and he also extended his chopsticks at the same time. Somehow, by such coincidence, they both aimed for the same piece in the dish. Not only did their chopsticks clash in the air, but their hands also brushed against each other. She instinctively withdrew her chopsticks quickly, and his hand paused slightly, then he did the same. Afterward, she never touched that dish of white wild rice stems again, and neither did he.

However, this small incident didn’t affect her appetite at all. This meal was unexpectedly comfortable. After dinner, the servants cleared away the dining table, and Jiang Hanyuan and Shu Shenhui accompanied the Dowager Consort to move to the low couch by the window of the southern pavilion for casual conversation to aid digestion.

The Dowager Consort looked at her son and only then said, “You seem to have gotten darker.”

This was true. Since leaving the capital, Jiang Hanyuan had watched him grow darker over this past month.

Shu Shenhui raised his hand to touch his face and smiled. “Have I? Perhaps it’s from sun exposure during travel.”

Zhang Bao, who had been standing by the pavilion door, finally found an opportunity to speak tonight and interjected, “Reporting to the Grand Dowager Consort, His Highness has worked extremely hard on this southern journey. Whenever we passed agricultural counties, he would personally go down to the fields in disguise to understand the people’s conditions. This must be how he got so tanned.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang nodded and looked at her son again, but then said, “Don’t farmers work hard too? This is his duty—what hardship is there to speak of?”

Zhang Bao had wanted to earn favor for the Regent Prince before the Grand Dowager Consort. Hearing this, he hurriedly knelt, lowering his head and not daring to speak again.

Shu Shenhui glanced at Zhang Bao, then also spoke, but about another matter. He smiled and said, “Mother, there’s another matter regarding Hanyuan that you should know. After she married me, we felt we’d met too late and were perfectly compatible, wishing we could stay together forever and serve Mother together. This time, when she came to Qiantang, she originally wanted to spend more time accompanying Mother. However, she is both my Princess Consort and the court’s general. When family and state both need her, naturally, the state comes first, especially now when the court’s northern campaign is imminent. Some days ago, news came from Yanmen requiring her to return to handle matters, and General Jiang has already sent someone to fetch her. In a few days, when they arrive, she will take her leave. I wanted Mother to know about this.”

After he finished speaking, Jiang Hanyuan also changed from sitting to kneeling and bowed to the woman before her.

Dowager Consort Zhuang seemed slightly surprised, but quickly nodded. “A daughter’s ambition should also soar like the wild goose! Though I would love to keep you here, with such noble aspirations, how could I obstruct you? When they arrive, go with peace of mind. I’ll wait here for news of victory. Next time you and San Lang come to see me together will be just the same.”

Jiang Hanyuan bowed in thanks again. The Dowager Consort told her to rise, gazed at her thoughtfully for a moment, then instructed a servant to fetch something. The servant brought a golden tray containing a brocade box. The Dowager Consort personally opened the box, revealing a floral garland (a necklace made of flowers strung with silk ribbons in ancient times). She smiled and said, “In my homeland, there’s a custom that when marrying off a daughter, the dowry must include a floral garland. This was given to me by my mother before I entered the Wei palace. She selected seven treasures and personally wove them, then took them to the Yue Nu Temple, where she fasted for three days, saying she sought the protection of Yue Nu, ensuring a life without worry and all wishes fulfilled. It’s not some rare treasure, merely a mother’s devoted heart.”

“Sisi, I have no daughter, and though we’ve just met today, I feel very close to you. I give you this item. Please accept it.”

The Yue Nu Temple was a shrine built by locals to commemorate Xi Shi. Legend says that after achieving her mission, she drowned in the river with Fan Li. Others say she eventually escaped with Fan Li to roam the rivers and lakes freely for the rest of her life. The truth has long been buried in history’s dust—all versions are merely different hopes of later generations. But Yue Nu has been worshipped as a deity locally for thousands of years, with women often praying at the temple for good marriages.

Jiang Hanyuan looked down. The garland in the box was woven with red silk rope in intricate swastika patterns, stringing together flower pendants. Though small, upon close inspection, the petals were made of gold and silver threads securing treasures like colored glass, coral, giant clam shells, red pearls, and agate. It subtly embodied the meaning of the seven-treasure garland’s boundless radiance.

Though the item was small, with such provenance, how could she dare accept it? But the Dowager Consort had spoken thus, and she couldn’t refuse. She had to accept it and bow in thanks again.

The Dowager Consort called her close, personally took it out, and placed it around her neck. After examining it and appearing very satisfied, she finally smiled. “You two have traveled far and must be tired. There are matters tomorrow, so you needn’t accompany me further. Go rest early.”

Jiang Hanyuan followed Shu Shenhui in bidding farewell to the Dowager Consort. They entered a residence in the palace called Jianchun Pavilion. After closing the door, she removed the garland from her neck and carefully placed it back in the brocade box, saying, “Your Highness, this item is too precious. I’m afraid I cannot and should not accept it. I couldn’t refuse before the Dowager Consort just now, so I’ll return it to Your Highness.”

With his back to her, he was removing his outer garments to prepare for bathing. Without turning his head, he said, “Mother gave it to you, not to me! What would I, a man, do with it? If you don’t want it, return it yourself in the future!” After speaking, he left her and strode into the bathing room. Soon, sounds of vigorous water splashing came from inside.

Accompanied by the water sounds in her ears, Jiang Hanyuan slowly sat down, looking at the garland she had just removed, unconsciously falling into a daze.

In the southern pavilion, after watching her son and the Jiang family daughter leave shoulder to shoulder, Dowager Consort Zhuang didn’t go to rest but sat there alone, deep in thought.

Her son and his wife appeared quite affectionate on the surface, but shortly after they arrived, the Dowager Consort had noticed that they never once made eye contact, not to mention the scene during dinner when their hands accidentally touched. Though extremely brief, it didn’t escape her eyes. Such unconscious minor reactions couldn’t be faked. If they were truly as loving and harmonious as they appeared, why would even touching hands cause such a reaction?

Zhuang Shi was still on the road and hadn’t arrived. After frowning and pondering for a moment, Dowager Consort Zhuang suddenly thought of someone and ordered a servant to summon him.

Zhang Bao felt his flattery hadn’t hit the mark tonight, making him somewhat dejected. After being dismissed, His Highness didn’t require his service either, so he dispiritedly returned to a side room where he was lodging.

Tomorrow, His Highness and the Princess Consort would go to pay respects at the Wuyue King’s tomb, and he would accompany them. Rubbing his sore legs, he was about to settle down to sleep when a servant from the Dowager Consort’s side came to summon him, saying the Dowager Consort wanted to speak with him.

He didn’t know what it was about, wondering if perhaps his inappropriate interjection earlier had displeased the Dowager Consort. Feeling uneasy and anxious, he hurriedly adjusted his clothing and rushed over. Entering the southern pavilion again, he saw the Dowager Consort sitting alone in her previous position. He quickly approached and prostrated himself on the ground. “Grand Dowager Consort, this servant has come!”

Dowager Consort Zhuang looked at him and smiled. “I haven’t seen you in quite some years, but your appearance hasn’t changed much. How has your father’s health been these past two years?”

Li Xiangchun had originally served Dowager Consort Zhuang in the palace. Zhang Bao secretly raised his eyes and, seeing her gentle expression, finally breathed a sigh of relief. He held great affection for the Dowager Consort in his heart and kowtowed several more times, saying joyfully, “Thank you for your concern, Dowager Consort. This servant’s father is in good health. When this servant returns, I’ll tell him that the Dowager Consort asked after him.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang smiled and nodded, instructing those beside her to reward him with money. Zhang Bao became even more delighted, his kowtowing making loud thumping sounds—all the hardships of this journey seemed insignificant now. After he rose, seeing the Dowager Consort dismiss the others, she asked, “How did His Highness and the Princess Consort get along when they were in the capital?”

Zhang Bao was startled. After hesitating and seeing the Dowager Consort’s gaze upon him, she added, “Tell me honestly everything you know about how things were!”

He shuddered and didn’t dare evade, kneeling again. “What the Dowager Consort asks about, this servant truly doesn’t dare claim to know. I can only tell the Dowager Consort what I observed.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang nodded. Zhang Bao then recounted in detail the strange circumstances before the royal couple departed from the capital. “I don’t know what happened, but His Highness didn’t return to the prince’s residence for several consecutive days. When Nanny Zhuang sent this servant to invite him, His Highness wouldn’t come back. Later, it was the Princess Consort who ordered this servant to go again, and only then did His Highness return once. He came back late at night, and after just a moment, he left again that same night. He only returned the night before departure!”

Dowager Consort Zhuang asked again, “How have they been on this journey?”

“This servant observed that the two of them didn’t speak much on the road, sometimes not saying a single word all day.” After speaking, he prostrated on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

After hearing this, Dowager Consort Zhuang dismissed him to rest. After pondering for another moment, her frown deepened. She summoned someone, saying, “Go fetch Prince Qi immediately. Tell him it’s about tomorrow’s outing—I have instructions.”

Jianchun Pavilion was excellently positioned. Opening the window revealed an unobstructed view of the lake and mountains. But now that night had fallen, as far as the eye could see, only darkness remained.

Shu Shenhui emerged wearing a white silk inner garment and saw her standing by the window. His gaze swept over the brocade box containing the garland, recalling how she had immediately removed it upon entering, as if it burned her neck. He withdrew his gaze, got onto the bed by himself, and lay down.

Jiang Hanyuan heard the sounds of him coming out, turned back to see he had already closed his eyes and was lying on the pillow. She also closed the window, composed herself, and was about to wash up and sleep when a voice called from outside the door: “Your Highness, the Dowager Consort requests Your Highness to visit her once more. She has instructions regarding tomorrow’s worship ceremony.”

Shu Shenhui quickly turned over and got up, hurriedly dressed, and went to the Dowager Consort. Only mother and son were in the room when he asked, “What other instructions does Mother have?”

Dowager Consort Zhuang didn’t answer directly. “When is Sisi’s birthday? This is her first time marrying you as wife—it shouldn’t be overlooked. I plan to prepare celebratory gifts in advance, so that even if she’s in Yanmen at the time, they can still be delivered.”

Shu Shenhui paused.

When the marriage ceremonies were initially arranged, the Wise Prince and Ministry of Rites personnel handled everything. He was busy all day—how could he have time to personally examine the marriage documents? In these few months after marriage, with continuous affairs, he naturally never thought of this, much less personally asked her. He hadn’t expected his mother to inquire about it.

He reacted quickly, immediately smiling in response. “I was too busy before and momentarily didn’t remember. Let me go back and ask, and when I find out, I’ll tell Mother. But Mother needn’t worry about this—just leave it be. I’ll remember—”

Dowager Consort Zhuang looked at him, the smile disappearing from her face as she said coldly, “You’re so busy you can’t even remember a date, yet I should expect you to have time to prepare gifts?”

Shu Shenhui sensed her anger and felt uncertain, quickly reviewing tonight’s meeting but truly not knowing what he’d done wrong to arouse her suspicion.

While thinking this, he verbally admitted his fault, blamed himself thoroughly, put on a smile, and moved closer like in his youth, trying to please her by massaging her shoulders and coaxing, “Mother, you haven’t changed much over these years, just like when I was small…”

Before he finished his coaxing words, his hand was swept away by Dowager Consort Zhuang.

“San Lang, tell me honestly—how exactly do you treat her? Why were you having conflicts with her before departure? You even quarreled all the way here to my presence? Why does she want to return to Yanmen after being newly married for only two or three months? Don’t try to deceive me with claims of urgent military affairs! You came south this time, surely to raise provisions and military funds. The south is far from the northern front—you’re just taking the opportunity to build popular support for the northern campaign. The court hasn’t even gathered enough money and grain yet, so I don’t believe there’s any urgent matter in Yanmen requiring her immediate return! Sisi is an honest child without so many devious thoughts. You’re different! Are you mistreating her and breaking her heart?”

Shu Shenhui was momentarily speechless.

How could he say she was deeply scheming, speaking of leaving after three months on their wedding night, and had now even returned the engagement sword?

Seeing him remain silent, Dowager Consort Zhuang became more convinced of her suspicions and shouted, “Kneel!”

Shu Shenhui obediently knelt.

Dowager Consort Zhuang suppressed her anger and said, “I know why you married her—this is commonplace and nothing unusual. But having married her, don’t you know even the most basic respect? I thought you were a person with principles! You can’t think that because of your noble status as imperial blood, all women in the world compete to marry you, can you? I tell you, she may not even be willing! It’s just that most women have no control over their marriages! Having married her, regardless of whether you have feelings for her or not, you must fulfill your duties as a husband. Now you treat her with such contempt—what exactly do you mean by this?”

This was the first time in Shu Shenhui’s life he’d seen his mother so angry, much less heard her scold him so harshly. How could he dare defend himself? He had nothing to say either.

How could he not know that during this period, he had indeed mistreated her? But if he were expected to act as if nothing had happened without any resentment in his heart, he couldn’t do it—he didn’t have that kind of magnanimity.

Besides, did she want him to treat her well? She simply disdained his kindness toward her.

He remained silent, bowing his head and accepting the scolding. After she finished berating him and fell silent, he quietly raised his head to see his mother’s eyes directed toward the window covered with azure gauze, gazing into the night as if lost in some deep contemplation. He didn’t dare interrupt, fearing it might bring another harsh rebuke.

After another moment, he finally saw her seem to return to awareness. When she spoke again, her voice had become low and deep.

“San Lang, the Jiang family girl, is very good—I won’t misjudge people. If you treat her well, she won’t betray you. I called you here for just this one thing.”

“Yes. Your son will remember Mother’s teachings.” Shu Shenhui replied repeatedly.

“You may go.”

Shu Shenhui saw fatigue on her face. After kowtowing to her, he got up from the ground and stepped forward. “Mother, you’re tired too. Let me escort you to rest.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang gazed at her son’s face, which had long since become composed, thinking of his youthful exuberance and then of his burdens over these years. She raised her hand and gently touched his face. “I’m not tired. Don’t exhaust yourself either. If you’re all well, that’s my only wish for this life.”

“Your son is doing very well and has a clear understanding. Please rest assured, Mother, and take good care of your health.”

He smiled, helped Dowager Consort Zhuang rise from the couch, gently supported her arm, and escorted her all the way to her bedchamber. He had servants attend to her as she went in to rest, then turned back. After walking only a few steps, he saw Zhang Bao.

His expression darkened.

Zhang Bao had just withdrawn from the Dowager Consort’s presence when he glimpsed him being summoned over. His joy from receiving rewards vanished, and he couldn’t help trembling. Seeing his dark expression now, before he could speak, Zhang Bao threw himself down in self-defense: “Your Highness, spare my life! It wasn’t this servant who reported anything! This servant had already gone to sleep when, somehow, the Dowager Consort summoned me for questioning. This servant didn’t dare refuse to answer! This servant is utterly loyal to Your Highness—the sun and moon can witness this! If Your Highness doesn’t believe it, this servant might as well bash his head to death right here to prove his loyalty!” After speaking, he lay prostrate and motionless. After a long while with no sound, he secretly raised his head only to discover His Highness had long since left.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, breathed a sigh of relief, and secretly felt fortunate. Otherwise, whether he should bash his head or not, and if so, to what degree, would indeed be difficult to determine.

Jiang Hanyuan had just lain down moments before when she suddenly heard the door move. Opening her eyes and turning her head, she saw him enter, wordlessly remove his clothes, and get onto the bed.

She was lying with her back to him. She kept feeling he wasn’t asleep, as if he were watching her.

She opened her eyes again and turned her head.

Indeed, she found him leaning against the headboard, just like that night before their departure, his eyes looking down at her in the dim light.

Her neck immediately bristled, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you staring at me like this again?”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Do you know why my mother summoned me just now?”

“Wasn’t it to give instructions about tomorrow?”

He snorted coldly. “She blamed me for your return north, saying I forced you to do it.”

Jiang Hanyuan was somewhat surprised. After thinking for a moment, she immediately turned over and sat up, throwing off the covers to get out of bed.

“What are you doing?” He grabbed her arm.

“I’ll go see her and explain clearly that it has nothing to do with you—there is urgent business at Qingmu Camp requiring my immediate return.”

“Come back here!” He pulled hard, dragging her back onto the bed. She fell backward, half her body pressing against his abdomen and thighs.

She saw him also sit up and lean over her, pressing down.

“Isn’t being scolded enough? Do you want me to get beaten too before you’re satisfied?”

His face pressed close to hers, very near, with an unpleasant expression. Combined with this tone of voice, it should have been quite uncomfortable. But somehow, looking into his eyes so closely, when the image of him submissively accepting his mother’s scolding appeared in her mind, she inappropriately felt like laughing.

She forcefully suppressed the corners of her mouth that wanted to rise and said seriously, “Nonsense! What benefit would it be to me if you get beaten and scolded?”

She raised her hand to push away his approaching face and tried to sit up, but just as she was halfway up, her shoulder was weighed down as he pressed her back down with his arm.

“What are you laughing at?” His expression seemed to grow even uglier.

“Am I laughing?” She blinked.

He stopped talking and stared at her. Jiang Hanyuan kept a straight face and confronted him for a moment longer. Gradually, she noticed he had fallen silent, as if something was wrong—he was completely motionless.

Having had several intimate encounters with him before, she was becoming familiar with his body’s reactions.

She quickly understood and realized this position of lying on top of him was indeed inappropriate. She immediately exerted force, broke free from his restraint, rolled over, and returned to where she had been sleeping. Pretending ignorance, she immediately closed her eyes. “Fine. It’s better if I don’t explain! I’m tired today. I’m sleeping—we need to rise early tomorrow.”

The person beside her didn’t approach her again, but only slowly sat up straight. After a moment, he turned over, got out of bed, opened the door, and walked out.

He didn’t go far. Jiang Hanyuan could distinguish the faint footsteps and felt he seemed to be wandering in the courtyard outside this bedchamber. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he ended his moonlight wandering, came back in, stopped before the bed, and said word by word: “Starting tomorrow until the person coming to fetch you arrives, you needn’t explain anything to my mother. Don’t add to her troubles unnecessarily.”

“It’s all my fault anyway.”

Finally, he added this sentence flatly.