Luoshen had slept too late last night. At first she had been anxious and worried for most of the evening, then in the latter half of the night, finally relieved of her concerns and extremely tired, she closed her eyes and fell into deep, sweet slumber. Later, in a hazy dream, she seemed to dream that there was an additional large furnace beside her. That furnace surrounded her with warm heat.

Her constitution tended toward coldness, so having such a furnace to keep her warm in the winter bedding was truly a very comfortable thing. As she warmed up, she even seemed to break out in perspiration.

When she awoke fully rested, she was still a bit confused. Rubbing her eyes, she suddenly remembered that Li Mu had also slept in her bed last night and hurriedly opened her eyes and turned to look – he was already gone.

She sat up, lifted the bed curtains, and poked her head out to look around.

The room was empty with no sign of him, but the light outside the windows was bright, suggesting it was quite late.

She called out for someone.

A’Ju responded and entered with maidservants to help her get up.

Luoshen looked down and saw that the front of her inner garment had come loose in sleep, and her body was covered with a layer of perspiration, especially on her chest and back.

The feeling of warm perspiration from her dream had been real. Only now the sweat had gradually cooled, and her undergarments clung to her body, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

A’Ju helped her wipe away the sweat and change into clean underclothes.

Luoshen somewhat wanted to ask where Li Mu had gone early in the morning, but facing A’Ju, she felt too embarrassed to speak.

While helping her dress, A’Ju said: “Master came early this morning. Li Langjun is currently accompanying Master.”

Luoshen’s heart leaped with joy. She hurriedly got out of bed, quickly washed and groomed herself, had her hair done and got dressed, hastily ate a few bites, then rushed to the front hall. There she indeed saw her father had come, with Li Mu seated in the lower position beside him. The two were talking, but hearing her footsteps, they stopped and turned to look at her together.

Luoshen lifted her skirt and crossed the threshold, walking briskly to her father’s side. She greeted him with a bow, then sat beside him.

“A’Ye, why did you come so early?”

Gao Qiao looked at his daughter, whose eyes sparkled with smiles like a morning lotus bud fresh with dew, his gaze showing irrepressible affection. He smiled: “A’Ye thought you would have returned to the city yesterday, but not one of you came back. Having nothing to do this morning, I came to take a look.”

He glanced at Li Mu.

“Once your A’Niang comes out, you should all return to the residence together today.”

Luoshen knew her father must already know the news of her mother agreeing to let Li Mu take her away. She secretly glanced at Li Mu across from her.

He sat kneeling on the mat, hands properly placed flat on both thighs, his sword removed from his waist and placed on his left side. While she and her father spoke, he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the low table before him. With refined brows and clear eyes, dignified bearing, and upright posture, thinking of how they had shared a bed last night, how he had gently tucked her covers and coaxed her to sleep with gentle eyes and brows, compared to his appearance before her father now – they seemed like two different people.

Thinking of this, a trace of sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

Gao Qiao also looked at Li Mu.

“Jingchen, there aren’t many days left until year’s end, and there’s nothing urgent in the capital for now. After having a meal at the residence today, you can take A’Mi back for a visit. Other matters can wait until you return next year.”

Among the rewards Emperor bestowed upon Li Mu for his great merit was a leave of absence, allowing him to return home in glory to his native place.

Now it happened to be year’s end. Though Gao Qiao was reluctant to part with his daughter, since she was married, keeping her at home for New Year’s would be inappropriate, so he spoke thus.

Li Mu respectfully said: “My mother specifically instructed before that A’Mi could stay in Jiankang for New Year’s and return afterward, which would also be fine.”

Gao Qiao waved his hand with a smile: “That’s your mother’s kindness. You should still take A’Mi back.”

“Thank you, father-in-law.”

Li Mu bowed to Gao Qiao.

Hearing that she would soon follow Li Mu back to Jingkou, Luoshen didn’t know what to feel. Looking at Li Mu again, she saw his gaze still didn’t turn toward her, as if she didn’t exist – different from usual. While she wondered about this, she suddenly heard footsteps outside. Turning, she saw her mother’s figure appear at the door and quickly rose to greet her.

Though Xiao Yongjia’s complexion looked much better than last night, it was still somewhat pale, and the light rouge on her cheeks couldn’t hide her exhausted appearance.

Seeing her daughter come to greet her, she smiled and nodded, and mother and daughter walked together.

Li Mu stood and greeted Xiao Yongjia.

Xiao Yongjia nodded: “Sit, no need for excessive courtesy.”

Her voice was quite gentle but sounded slightly hoarse.

Luoshen helped her mother take a seat.

Gao Qiao observed his wife and felt she was very different from usual.

Not only had her attitude toward Li Mu changed dramatically, but her spirits didn’t look good either.

After just one day apart, whether in her tone of speech or the expression in her eyes, everything appeared dull and colorless, lacking any of her former sharpness.

Gao Qiao felt suspicious but didn’t feel comfortable asking in front of their daughter and son-in-law, only saying: “I just heard Jingchen say you’ve allowed him to take A’Mi back to Jingkou. This is very good. Why don’t we all return to the residence together today, have a meal, and let Jingchen take A’Mi back to Jingkou. What do you think?”

He asked his wife in a somewhat careful tone.

Xiao Yongjia didn’t look at him initially, her gaze resting on Luoshen for a moment, then she looked at her husband and nodded: “Whatever you arrange.”

His wife had become so agreeable!

Gao Qiao completely relaxed and smiled: “Then it’s settled!”

…

In the afternoon, Luoshen rode in the same carriage as her mother on the road back to Jiankang.

Luoshen’s gaze fell on her mother’s face. Seeing her turn slightly to fix her gaze on the distant mountains slowly receding outside the window, remaining lost in thought like this for a long time, she couldn’t help leaning closer.

“A’Niang, when you went to find that woman last night, did you suffer some loss? He told me he didn’t go, only had one of his brothers go on his behalf to decline the invitation.”

Xiao Yongjia turned back, gazed at her daughter for a moment, then raised her hand to close the window and drew Luoshen into her arms. After holding her for a while, she said in a low voice: “A’Mi, remember well what A’Niang is about to tell you. Li Mu is a capable man who definitely won’t stop at his current position – he’ll surely achieve more in the future. Though A’Niang doesn’t know why he went to such lengths to marry you initially, since you’ve married him, it must be Heaven’s will, and A’Niang accepts it.”

Luoshen was stunned, not understanding why her mother was suddenly telling her this in such a strange tone.

She looked up at her mother.

“A’Niang can see that he cares for you quite deeply, which is good. But with a man like him, as his position continues to rise, more and more women will try to attach themselves to him. Remember, if you encounter such situations in the future, never be extreme in front of him, but don’t be overly magnanimous either, tolerating other women around him, and absolutely don’t give him opportunities to get close to others. While you’re still newly married, treat your husband well in the future. I’m reassured about your nature, but you still need to learn methods for winning a man’s heart, making him completely devoted and loyal to you. A’Niang will instruct A’Ju – if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask her.”

Luoshen seemed to understand yet not fully comprehend, unable to react completely at once.

Methods for winning a man’s heart?

What kind of powerful methods were those?

“I heard from A’Ju that you previously wouldn’t let him sleep in the bed with you, and you still haven’t consummated the marriage?”

This sentence Luoshen naturally understood. Her face heated up as she nodded, then shook her head, saying bashfully: “Last night, I already let him sleep in my bed…”

Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz.

“Did you become intimate together?”

Luoshen had been taught about such matters before marriage and knew what her mother meant. Her face immediately flushed red as she shook her head.

Xiao Yongjia whispered: “After returning to Jingkou, consummate the marriage early. Methods for winning a man’s heart naturally extend far beyond bedroom matters, but without this foundation, it’s absolutely impossible. Do you remember?”

Luoshen was extremely embarrassed, keeping her head down without moving even a strand of hair.

Xiao Yongjia gazed at her daughter’s appearance, suppressing the surge of bitterness and tenderness in her heart, and held her close.

“A’Niang…”

After a moment, when that wave of embarrassment gradually faded, Luoshen sat up straight in her mother’s arms and called to her.

Seeing her mother look over, she hesitated before saying softly: “A’Niang, what you’ve taught me, I’ll remember. But A’Niang, I don’t understand – why has A’Niang refused to get along well with A’Ye all these years?”

Xiao Yongjia was lost in thought for a moment, then smiled.

“A’Niang is old and understood this principle too late – it’s already too late. That’s why I want to teach you to know it early. Don’t worry, A’Niang is fine now, but if everything goes smoothly for you, A’Niang will have no regrets. Do you understand?”

…

At the Gao residence, Gao Qi had led people to wait outside the main gate early to welcome the family head inside.

That evening, Gao Qiao held a family banquet at the residence, summoning more than ten important Gao clan members and young men, including Gao Yun and Gao Yin, to attend together.

Gao Huan was naturally there too. Seeing his eldest uncle talking and laughing cheerfully during the feast, the Eldest Princess wearing a gentle smile, and his second uncle, though not as pleasant-faced as his eldest uncle, at least able to look Li Mu directly in the eye, while other clan members, knowing family head Gao Qiao had clearly accepted this son-in-law – and Li Mu himself displaying refined manner in speech, conduct, and every gesture, plus his previous battle fame – who would dare oppose Gao Qiao and show any disrespect to his son-in-law?

The stone that had been pressing on Gao Huan’s heart was finally removed, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

This family banquet could be called thoroughly enjoyable for everyone. It wasn’t until late in the xu hour that everyone dispersed in high spirits, supported by their respective family members.

At such family banquets, except for Xiao Yongjia, Gao family daughters naturally wouldn’t sit among them. Luoshen had packed early the luggage she would take on tomorrow’s journey. After bathing, she got into bed and lay on her pillow reading idle books. As she read, her mind gradually began to wander.

The instructions her mother had given on the road home quietly surfaced in her thoughts, making her somewhat restless.

Regardless of the reasons, A’Ye and A’Niang had accepted Li Mu as their son-in-law.

Though every time she thought of Lu Jianzhi and that lonely figure from the night he left, it still made her feel melancholy and pained, there was nothing to be done about it.

Perhaps it was as A’Niang said – everything was destined by fate.

She and Elder Brother Lu were not meant to be. In the future, if nothing changed, Li Mu would be her husband for life.

She somewhat understood A’Niang’s words, yet also seemed to understand only partially.

But her mother’s words had indeed affected her mood – this was true.

Thinking of tonight, when she would again be alone with Li Mu in one room, she suddenly felt nervous, no longer as composed as before, even somewhat at a loss.

“Li Langjun has returned!”

A maidservant’s voice suddenly came from outside.

Luoshen’s heart suddenly jumped. She hastily threw down her book, turned over to face inward, closed her eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

The door was gently pushed open, followed by equally gentle footsteps.

Luoshen could distinguish that these were Li Mu’s footsteps.

After a moment, he emerged from the bathhouse, seemed to hesitate briefly, extinguished the lamp, then walked over.

He gently lay down.

Luoshen kept her eyes closed throughout.

Nothing else happened either.

This night, she initially pretended to sleep, then gradually became truly tired and slept until dawn.

When she woke, he was again gone from her side – empty space.

Luoshen didn’t know whether she felt relieved or faintly disappointed. She sat on the bed in a daze for a moment, then suddenly remembered that early this morning she still had to bid farewell to her parents and follow him to Jingkou, so she got out of bed and called for someone. After washing and dressing, just as she was about to go out, she saw Li Mu enter the room and stopped.

Today he wore the court dress of a third-rank military official – a blue robe with black borders and dark brocade, with a leather belt at his waist. He looked extremely spirited. Standing there, he glanced at her briefly and smiled: “I just came from the palace and have already thanked His Majesty for the leave. If you’re ready here, I’ll take you to bid farewell to your parents-in-law and return to Jingkou?”

Luoshen lowered her eyes and softly hummed in agreement.

…

From Jiankang to Jingkou, if Li Mu traveled alone on horseback, it would take at most three days. Since he was bringing Luoshen along, they naturally chose the more comfortable water route.

Gao Qiao saw his daughter and son-in-law off at the gate. After Li Mu and Luoshen bid him farewell, he had Gao Yin and Gao Huan represent him in escorting the couple to the boat dock. After the group left, he returned to find Xiao Yongjia.

Seeing her sitting alone in the room, her back motionless, he hesitated before walking to her side and consoling: “Fortunately Jingkou isn’t too far. If you miss A’Mi in the future, just have her come visit. Li’s mother is a reasonable person, so asking wouldn’t be difficult.”

Xiao Yongjia smiled faintly without responding.

Gao Qiao remembered that her complexion hadn’t looked good yesterday, as if she were ill. After he returned, he had been busy with various things, and after the family banquet she went directly to her room. When he returned to his chamber it was already late and she was lying down asleep with a completely exhausted look, so he hadn’t dared disturb her then. Now finally finding an opportunity to speak, he asked: “Yesterday morning I noticed your complexion didn’t look good. Are you feeling unwell somewhere? If anything’s wrong, you must have the imperial physician examine you early.”

Xiao Yongjia said: “Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.”

Gao Qiao was silent for a moment, then said: “Oh yes, when I saw His Majesty the other night, His Majesty asked me to convey his regards to you.”

Xiao Yongjia nodded: “Thank you for the trouble.”

The couple faced each other with no more words. Gao Qiao stood for a moment, then suddenly remembering the Qingxi Garden incident, quickly said: “You know about the fire at Qingxi Garden the other night, right? You needn’t worry about the funeral arrangements for Prince Yulin’s residence – I’ve already instructed Gao Qi, and he’ll handle it properly.”

Xiao Yongjia stared at him for a long while without speaking.

Gao Qiao saw her staring at him with a strange expression, seemingly lost in thought, and couldn’t quite tell what she was thinking.

“A Ling, why are you looking at me like that?”

He unconsciously touched his own face.

Xiao Yongjia seemed to come back to herself and turned away.

“I’m going to stay at Bailu Zhou for a few days. When I’ve figured some things out, I’ll come find you to talk.”

She rose and passed by Gao Qiao as she walked away.

…

Gao Yin and Gao Huan escorted Li Mu and Luoshen to the dock. After bidding farewell, the boat left shore and gradually sailed away following the river current.

Near the dock, traffic was heavy with people coming and going. Murong Ti sat by the window in an elegant room on the second floor of a riverside tavern, drinking alone, his gaze following the boat heading toward Jingkou, his purple eyes indifferent.

A man in ordinary clothes came upstairs – removing his hat revealed Xu Yue.

Murong Ti withdrew his gaze, showed a respectful smile, and rose to invite him to sit.

Xu Yue said: “Elder brother asked me to tell you that Gao Qiao spoke against you before His Majesty, but fortunately His Majesty didn’t listen. You should be careful in the future – Gao Qiao probably won’t give up.”

Murong Ti bowed: “Thank you for informing me, Minister.”

“They say Murong family men and women are all naturally stunning – indeed the reputation is well-deserved…”

Xu Yue gazed at Murong Ti’s handsome face across from him, his eyes showing a playful gleam.

“His Majesty hadn’t taken five-mineral powder for a long time, but after spending a night with the beauty you presented, he took it again. Very good. As long as you serve loyally, when the Crown Prince ascends early, we’ll certainly lend you troops according to our previous promise.”

Murong Ti showed grateful expression, knelt on the mat, and kowtowed with his forehead to the ground.

Xu Yue leaned over and whispered: “Such small matters wouldn’t normally require me to come personally, but respecting you as a person of importance, I came to tell you in person. You must remember my kindness toward you.”

Murong Ti thanked him again with a grateful expression.

Xu Yue leaned closer and frivolously stroked his face, then left with satisfied laughter.

Murong Ti remained kneeling like a wooden sculpture, motionless, until Xu Yue had left and his footsteps completely disappeared. Only then did he slowly raise his head, staring in the direction of his departure with deep poisonous hatred in his eyes.

To successfully borrow troops from the Xu clan in the future, he had secretly presented his sister Murong Zhe – the most outstanding woman in their clan who had fled with him – to Emperor Xingping. Fearing Gao Qiao’s discovery, Murong Zhe had entered the palace as an ordinary palace maid.

He slowly stood up from the ground and gazed at the rushing eastward river below the window, secretly making a vengeful vow in his heart.

Just wait – these ignorant and stupid Southern Dynasty Han people. Someday he, Murong Ti, would avenge past humiliations, pacify the north, then march south, making all the prosperous beauty south of this great river belong entirely to the Murong clan!

When that time came, those who had insulted him today, one by one, he would repay them tenfold!

…

Several days later, at this year’s end, Luoshen followed Li Mu and once again set foot on Jingkou’s dock.

The weather was very good this day. It seemed half of Jingkou had nothing to do and came running to the dock to watch Li Mu return home in glory. Everywhere were crowded heads and cheerful voices.

Guo Zhan, Sun Fangzhi, Dai Yuan and others who had previously followed Li Mu to Shu, having traveled overland, had returned to Jingkou two days earlier. Knowing Li Mu and Luoshen would arrive today, they had led people early to form ranks at the dock waiting, all looking spirited and proud. The Jingkou Prefect had also brought officials to welcome them. The lively scene surpassed even the day when Luoshen had arrived by bridal boat.

Naturally, for Luoshen, the feeling of first setting foot on this land compared to returning today was completely different.

She had gradually grown familiar with this place and its people. When disembarking, seeing A’Ting had run to the dock to greet them, she was very happy, took her hand to ride together in the carriage, and returned to the Li residence under the watching eyes of onlookers lining the road.

The Li family’s main gate stood wide open with over ten neighborhood women crowding at the entrance to peer inside. Suddenly seeing Li Mu escort a carriage home, knowing Luoshen had arrived, some smiled and came to receive them while others hurriedly ran inside to report to Lu Shi.

Luoshen got down from the carriage and entered the gate with Li Mu. Just reaching the courtyard entrance, she saw Lu Shi being supported out by Shen Shi and hurried forward to take her hand, calling “A’Jia.”

Lu Shi wore a newly made outfit today, looking spirited. Feeling Luoshen’s hand, she grasped it back and smiled: “A’Mi has truly returned. A’Jia has missed you somewhat.”

Simple words, but the most sincere welcome for Luoshen’s return.

“A’Sao, I forgot to mention earlier – I missed you too!”

On the way here, A’Ting had chattered about this family and that, telling Luoshen fresh news from nearby households during her absence, also mentioning that recently wealthy households in the area kept coming to voluntarily offer fields and houses, all politely declined by A’Mu. But she had apparently forgotten to mention this, and being reminded by Lu Shi, quickly added this sentence.

Everyone laughed, went inside together, and had a good talk. Later, Li Mu went out, and Shen Shi and others, knowing Luoshen was tired from the journey, took their leave. Lu Shi asked Luoshen to return to her room to rest.

Luoshen returned to that eastern wing room.

The east room had been cleaned yesterday, spotless and dust-free. Moving in today only required arranging the luggage brought and re-making the bed.

Luoshen sat there watching A’Ju direct servants and maids carrying boxes in and out, bustling about.

She noticed that A’Ju had also removed the bedding that had previously been left for Li Mu to sleep alone on the couch, and after making the bed, it grew dark.

Li Mu declined various invitations and social obligations to return home for dinner.

Lu Shi asked Li Mu about his plans after New Year’s.

Li Mu said: “His Majesty granted one month’s leave. After the Lantern Festival, by the end of the first month at latest, your son should return to Jiankang to await His Majesty’s assignment.”

Lu Shi smiled: “Since there’s nothing else, apart from necessary social obligations at home, don’t go running around anymore. You should spend more time with A’Mi.”

Li Mu glanced at Luoshen beside him who was keeping her head down seriously eating her rice, and said: “Your son understands.”