No one knew who had brought the matter of Nanny Xia to the Emperor’s attention. The Emperor, who had been in poor spirits these past days, actually sent someone to summon Nanny Xia to Hanliang Hall for an audience.

Upon seeing this familiar face from years past, the Emperor’s eyes filled with tears: “It is like seeing her — my beloved departed Empress.”

The Emperor took comfort in the loyalty of those who had served the Empress’s palace, and in his mind, all such loyalty naturally belonged to him.

Whatever the case, the Emperor’s audience with Nanny Xia was accompanied by generous gifts — it was, all things considered, not a bad thing.

Xie Yuzhang’s dowry had begun to be prepared from the day she was born. Even after the Empress died, the matter had never been halted in the Court of the Imperial Clan. Only, no one had anticipated she would be sent as a peace bride to Mobei — many things now had to be reorganized and adjusted from the inside.

Each bureau and office busied themselves.

In the capital’s garrison camp, when the roster was announced, the mood was every bit as dreary as within the palace walls. Only Wang Shitou, Li A’da, and the others looked completely stunned.

A promotion?

Li A’da and the others had been promoted to squad leaders and platoon commanders — shocking enough in itself. But Wang Shitou had been bumped up all the way to Captain of a Hundred?

And his Captain’s post was unlike an ordinary one. Normally, two platoons formed a unit, and a unit had one Captain. But the princess’s guard detail had five hundred men — a full five platoons. That meant this Captain’s authority was far greater than that of an ordinary Captain.

Even if it was only a deputy rank.

This group of men were mostly from the same hometown, and they had always gotten along well — not the sort to flatter superiors or curry favor. When word got out that they were selecting five hundred soldiers to serve as the princess’s escorts and go north with her, Li A’da had said early on: “We’re sure to be on the list.”

Everyone had cursed him for his bad mouth. Though they cursed, they were nervous in their hearts too. They discussed amongst themselves whether they should spend some money and pull some strings — but on one hand they had little money, and on the other hand… they had no strings to pull.

When the roster was announced, Li A’da’s unlucky prediction proved true.

The one thing none of them had anticipated was also getting a raise in rank. And looking at the roster, the ones who’d been promoted were not strangers — they were all the brothers they’d been close with all along.

Strange indeed.

Still, however you looked at it, this was good news within bad.

A bunch of penniless bachelors — after their initial sorrow and dumbfounded confusion had passed — flung all those feelings aside.

“Come on! Let’s go drink! Captain Wang is buying! You’re a Captain now and you’re still not buying drinks!”

Wang Shitou was in the most bewildered stupor of all.

He had been summoned to speak with the superior of the superior of the superior of his superior, and only then learned that he had not only been promoted to Captain but was being made the deputy commander of the princess’s guard detail.

Second only to one — in authority over five hundred men!

Still in a daze, he was swept along by his brothers to go drink.

Three rounds of wine in, the floodgates opened, and everyone was talking over each other about just how bizarre it was that they had all been promoted together. Wang Shitou, who had been sitting in brooding silence, suddenly spoke: “It was the princess.”

“What?” Nobody had caught up yet.

“Princess Baohua. The one being married off to Mobei.” Wang Shitou explained. “What they said was — the princess personally circled our names, and everyone got moved up.”

A group of men sat there dumbfounded.

After a moment, the whole table burst into laughter.

“You had us going — we almost believed you!”

“‘What they said was’! Listen to him!”

“Well, now that he’s a Captain, he really is something else!”

No matter how Wang Shitou turned red in the face and sputtered his explanations, not a single one of them would believe him.

Who did they think they were? Princess Baohua was of imperial blood — how in the world would she know them from whatever backwater corner they came from? This story Wang Shitou was spinning was so implausible it fell apart at the first poke!

The men joked and carried on, and talk turned to following this princess out to the frontier — and someone started crying. That set off all the emotion the rest had been holding down, and suddenly everyone was overwhelmed at the thought of possibly ending their days in a foreign land alongside this princess.

Wang Shitou saw this, and shared ahead of time what his superiors had told him about the “settlement money” for these five hundred soldiers. The moment everyone heard there was money coming, their attention was immediately captured.

This selection was the same as conscription during war — they had prioritized men who had brothers at home. None of these men were only sons; all had siblings.

So now they crowded around Wang Shitou, wanting to know: after all the layers of skimming and deducting, how much of this money would actually reach their hands? Would it be enough to leave something for their parents in their old age, enough for their brothers to build a house and take a wife?

Ah.

Time flew, and by the beginning of the eighth month, both inside the palace and in the garrison camp, those who were to go out to the frontier with Xie Yuzhang had slowly made their peace with it. Their spirits were no longer as low as before.

The princess’s full staff had been assembled. The princess’s household steward was named Yuan Yu — a man recommended by the Duke of Merit’s estate. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince knew he had been specifically chosen for Xie Yuzhang by her mother’s family, so they approved his appointment without any objection whatsoever.

In her past life, he had died of a sudden illness from not adapting to the local conditions within half a year of arriving in the Khanate. Though Xie Yuzhang’s time dealing with him had been brief, she knew him to be solid and practical — a man of genuine administrative talent.

Not long after the roster was announced, the Duke of Merit’s estate invited Xie Yuzhang to pay them a visit.

Ordinary princesses would open their own establishment and have their own subordinates only after they received a residence. The princess’s establishment was the princess’s own domain. But Xie Yuzhang still lived within the palace, which was quite inconvenient.

Yang Changyuan had invited her to the Duke’s estate so that, before the peace marriage, she could meet her future household staff for the first time.

Led by the household steward Yuan Yu, a full complement of household managers, secretaries, recorders, attendants, and others — together with the interpreter and the imperial physician Bao Zhongjin, who would all accompany Xie Yuzhang — bowed and presented themselves to her.

In Xie Yuzhang’s eyes, they were all familiar faces. She accurately addressed each person by name and title, which left them all rather flattered and moved.

Yuan Yu couldn’t help glancing at his old patron Yang Changyuan. This Duke had said that his princess niece was simple-minded and a bit naive, not worldly-wise.

A little naive and unworldly was fine enough — what he most feared was a bad temperament: the sort who had soft ears, was easily talked into things, and could be manipulated by petty people — that was the worst of all.

Yuan Yu observed Xie Yuzhang; Xie Yuzhang observed him in turn. He was thin and lean, but looked healthy enough — how on earth had a man who looked like this died suddenly from a simple illness?

After the introductions, Xie Yuzhang said to Yuan Yu: “I came today primarily to hand over three matters to Master Yuan. The first: the majority of those accompanying me in my dowry procession are from the capital area, or have at least lived there for many years. As we travel northwest, the road is long, and the further we go, the more the food, water, and conditions will differ from what they are used to at home. I have been told that people traveling to unfamiliar regions often fall ill from the change — it sounds like a minor ailment, but it can sometimes be fatal. We need to make arrangements early.”

At just this first point alone, Yuan Yu felt his heart settle considerably.

Whether the princess had thought of it herself, or had been advised by someone at her side — the fact that this princess had raised this issue first, as her very first concern, was enormously reassuring.

Yuan Yu bowed and said: “This matter will require relying on Imperial Physician Bao.”

Xie Yuzhang had two imperial physicians accompanying the dowry procession, and had additionally recruited several doctors from among commoners, with Imperial Physician Bao Zhongjin serving as the head.

Bao Zhongjin was a widower in his thirties, not the easiest in temperament, who had not fared well within the Imperial Medical Office. Getting to examine and diagnose the palace nobility and nobles was not the sort of assignment that typically came his way; his usual work was tending to the ailments of palace servants and eunuchs. It was also because of his poor social relations that he had been kicked into the dowry retinue.

Seeing Xie Yuzhang look toward him, he clasped his hands and said: “The note Your Highness sent earlier to the Imperial Medical Office — the Head Physician has already instructed us to prepare a good supply of the medicines listed. The ailments Your Highness is concerned about — adjustment sickness, digestive troubles, nausea, and diarrhea — we have stocked especially generously. Your Highness may rest easy.”

Xie Yuzhang knew his medical skill was actually quite exceptional — he had even saved her life once. It was simply that they had lived on the grasslands for ten years, where medicine was scarce to begin with, and later, when conflict broke out and the trade routes were cut, medicine became nearly impossible to obtain at any price.

It was also for this reason that when Wang Shitou and the others fell ill, and she refused to abandon them, they had been so profoundly grateful.

This life, a full round of planning and effort, though unable to change the fate of the peace marriage, was already very different from her past life.

Seeing these differences, Xie Yuzhang felt a sense of strength growing within her.

“The second matter,” Xie Yuzhang said: “We need to purchase sheepskin in large quantities. I’ve already had the people around me working on this, but those around me are mostly women, and they live in the palace — it’s not always convenient for them to act. Now that we have everyone here, it will be much easier.”

Yuan Yu’s eyes brightened, and he clasped his hands and asked: “How much does Your Highness wish to buy?”

“You calculate that yourself. In short, of all the people going with me, I want every single one of them to have at least one sheepskin coat by the time we arrive out there.” Xie Yuzhang said.

Her household manager couldn’t help but interject: “His Majesty has already bestowed thick padded coats on all those in the dowry party. The sheepskin — though it is only sheep’s hide — will still be a considerable expense. Your Highness should think carefully.”

“I have money, do not worry,” Xie Yuzhang said. “I have asked around — even a thick padded coat is not enough for out there. In winter the storms come often, and the snow can pile up past your shins. People can freeze to death.”

“Exactly so!” Yuan Yu said approvingly. “Your Highness is most thoughtful. The frontier lands are bitter and cold — utterly unlike the passes. Those who haven’t experienced it can scarcely imagine. Were one unprepared, a single snowstorm could mean being buried far from home.”

Xie Yuzhang nodded: “Everyone has left home and followed me out there — I absolutely cannot let a snowstorm bury them in a foreign land. Sheepskin and wool are cheap to begin with — it’s not as though we’re buying sable or fox fur. The only question is whether we can purchase enough in Yunjing all at once. But it doesn’t matter — if we can’t find enough, we’ll buy as we travel. The further north we go, the cheaper the hides will be.”

She even knew that the closer you got to the source, the cheaper the goods would be. How was this the “naive and unworldly girl” the Duke of Merit had described?

Yuan Yu’s eyes grew brighter still.

For the third matter, Xie Yuzhang raised the question of learning the foreign language.

“Everyone must study. There’s no need to teach anything too deep or bookish — just teach the everyday language for food, clothing, shelter, and travel, and how to barter and trade. That is enough.” Xie Yuzhang’s goal was crystal clear. She had even prepared a general outline in advance and handed it to the chief interpreter. “This is what I’ve organized — have copies made, and teach from this.”

She added: “You’ll need to divide up the work and go to the palace, the garrison camp, and the craftsmen’s camp to teach everyone. If you’re short-handed, ask Master Yuan to come tell me, and we can arrange to borrow people from the Bureau of Foreign Affairs.”

She sat at the head of the room. Since this was her first formal meeting with her own household staff, she had come with a proper procession and dressed in full formal palace attire.

Deep mountain-purple Huanhua brocade with a phoenix pattern, a sweeping floor-length pleated cloud-and-mist skirt in crimson pressed with gold thread, and a jeweled golden flower crown on her head. As she spoke — clear, unhurried, thorough in every detail — everyone forgot her age.

What they saw before them was a princess who was young, yes, but clear-headed and capable of managing affairs.

This first meeting left both sides quite satisfied.

Yuan Yu was especially impressed. Afterward he said to Yang Changyuan: “Duke, you are too modest. At her age, how many young women of the capital could match Princess Baohua in forethought and thoroughness?”

The calm composure and careful precision Xie Yuzhang had shown — Yang Changyuan was actually more astonished than he was. He wanted to say something, but didn’t know what. He held his tongue, feeling only an aching sadness.

With Yuan Yu now certain that those he was to follow were dependable, everyone felt their hearts settle. They each received their assignments and went off to start on their work.

On the other side of the city, at the Li estate on the south avenue of Zhuque Ward, Li Ming on this day summoned Li Gu and Li Weifeng to him and told them: “Pack your things. We set off in five days.”

“We’re going back?” Li Weifeng lit up. “Finally — I thought we’d never go back. If we stayed any longer, my body would have gone to rust — I don’t even know if I can still lift a sword.”

Li Ming burst into laughter.

Li Gu said nothing at all. When he returned to his own courtyard and instructed his personal soldiers to pack up, he himself sat on the corridor outside and stared for a long time at the large Chinese scholar tree in the center of the courtyard.

After a long while, he suddenly called a personal soldier over, took out the dagger he always carried on his person, and said: “Measure it out properly, then go find me a nice-looking box in the market.”

He untied his money pouch and tossed it to the soldier: “Don’t be stingy about it. Get something good.”

The soldier took the pouch and went off. He was efficient — in less than an hour he was back, carrying a sandalwood box with very fine craftsmanship.

Li Gu looked it over and was satisfied. He cleaned his meteorite-iron dagger carefully and laid it inside.

The personal soldier asked in surprise: “General, is this a gift for someone?”

Li Gu said: “Someone’s birthday is coming up, and I’m afraid I’ll miss it. Might as well prepare it early.”

The soldier smiled: “It must be someone the General holds in very high regard.”

This soldier had followed him for several years now, and knew that dagger as well as he knew his own face — it was one of the General’s most personal and constant possessions. To give away something so close and habitually carried, the sentiment behind it was in the object itself — naturally it would be for someone greatly cherished.

Li Gu paused, then only said: “Mm.”

Two days later, Yang Huaishen and a group of Yunjing’s noble sons hosted a farewell banquet for Li Gu and Li Weifeng, with even the Fifth Imperial Prince attending.

At the banquet, Li Gu quietly handed the box to Yang Huaishen, saying: “I hear you often mention that the princess’s birthday falls in the eighth month — I won’t make it in time, so this is prepared early. A birthday gift. I’m sorry to trouble Er Lang with passing it on to Her Highness.”

Having said this, he paused, and added: “I can’t accept the princess’s golden saddle without giving something in return.”

Trying too hard to hide it, Yang Huaishen thought. He accepted it. Li Gu hesitated a moment, then said: “Er Lang, please also tell the princess that I hope she will keep this close to her at all times.”

Yang Huaishen stared at him. This… wasn’t this a bit too openly obvious? He couldn’t help the sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Li Gu, seeing his odd expression, was first confused — then suddenly understood.

“It’s a dagger,” he explained.

Yang Huaishen was taken aback: “A dagger?”

Sending a woman a dagger as a birthday gift did seem a bit unconventional — no wonder Yang Huaishen was surprised. Li Gu nodded and told him: “The customs of the foreign peoples are different from ours. On the grasslands, the strong are wolves and the weak are sheep. Clashes between clans happen all the time. Women, cattle, and horses are the primary targets of raids — and because of this, even women wear small knives and daggers at their waists. I want the princess to develop this habit.”

Yang Huaishen finally understood — he had been thinking about it in entirely the wrong way. His mind had been filled with youthful romantic notions, while Li Gu was thinking about the life Baohua would have to face. He flushed with a sudden shame and said: “I see.”

Li Gu fixed his gaze on Yang Huaishen.

Yang Huaishen, as the second son of the Duke of Merit’s estate, had been drilled well in swordsmanship, archery, and horsemanship under his father’s watchful eye — considerably better than most of the other sons of noble families. Yet his character had not grown nearly as strong as his body.

Li Gu could smell weakness on him — the way a wolf smells a sheep.

If Xie Yuzhang were to marry such a man, and chaos came, this sort of man would be unable to protect her. Li Gu was completely certain of this.

But the situation now was far worse than that. She was to be married off to Mobei — to be given to that old wolf Ashina.

Who could protect her?

No one.