There was only one bed in the chamber, so the two of them would ultimately have to sleep together. This wasn’t the first time either – on the second day after their grand wedding, they had once shared a bed, but because he had attempted to kiss her, she had angrily returned to the Grand Princess Manor that very night. That incident wasn’t very long ago, but thinking back on it now seemed quite amusing. What was wrong with a kiss anyway? Between husband and wife, this was the most basic interaction. She was a naturally aloof person, and not entirely due to her status – she was accustomed to maintaining distance from others. At that time she hadn’t imagined she could be so close to a man. When he kissed her, it was like stamping a seal on her heart – her life was already fixed, destined to be entangled with him.

“In my Yude Palace, there’s a Western Mansion crabapple tree. Every year when it blooms, I hang a red silk ribbon on it. My mother said this could pray to the matchmaker god for a good marriage. After mother died, whenever I walked beneath that tree, I would hold my breath and concentrate, thinking about what my future prince consort would look like… tall, very young.” She spoke while leaning against the white inner robe on his chest, then paused and looked up to study him, “Different from you. I thought he should be about my age – young spouses, like friends, growing up together, so our feelings could be deeper.”

He was somewhat displeased, “Are you saying in a roundabout way that I’m old?”

“Not really, but children would come earlier. You Qi people have to have bedchamber maids at thirteen – what a terrible custom! If Lan Zhou follows your example, let me calculate… you’d become a grandfather at thirty-two.” She laughed softly, “By then you could grow a beard, a long one… I’d trim it for you, trim it to look like Fifth Master’s.”

She was young after all, sometimes quite childish. A scene appeared before his eyes – sitting under the eaves in the morning with a bib around his chest, head tilted back waiting for her to come with scissors, cutting left and right… how was this like a gardener pruning flowers and plants!

“Fifth Brother’s beard doesn’t look good. When leaving the city I saw a goat herder who looked exactly like him.” He spoke while gently stroking her back with one hand. She wore only sleeping clothes, her delicate shoulder blades like two fragrant fans. He closed his eyes, trying hard not to look at her, but the faint fragrance of sweet herbs from her body couldn’t be blocked, lingering around his nose.

He sighed: “You already think I’m old, and with a beard I’d look even more aged. Wait until I’m fifty – by then you’ll be in your early forties too, and we’ll still match well.”

“When I’m forty-two, I don’t know what I’ll look like. Loose skin, wrinkles, eyes drooping down… I don’t want to grow old, how wonderful it would be to stay young forever!” She became melancholy, truly feeling the helplessness of a beauty’s declining years.

His hand had unconsciously reached her waist, wandering and circling in that small space, “Silly talk – who in this world doesn’t age? Don’t be afraid, I’ll be with you…”

Her voice was ethereal, not picking up his thread of conversation but speaking to herself: “When you have feelings for someone, that person should be very fortunate. When you’re heartless toward someone, that person’s fate must be very tragic… County Magistrate Sha’s wife reportedly died.”

His hand paused, “Where did you hear that?”

She said: “Walking among the disaster victims during the day, I happened to overhear it. She hanged herself when she returned from the post station – was that your handiwork?”

He opened his eyes and twitched the corner of his mouth, “What makes you think it was me? Her husband committed crimes and faced execution – feeling she had no way to live, she might have chosen to die for honor. Who knows?” He reached up to pinch her cheek, “Am I so evil in your eyes? Whenever someone dies, it must be related to me? You say you trust me, but that’s just lip service – I know it all.”

Wanwan choked slightly. Indeed, the first thing she had thought of was that Mrs. Sha had fallen victim to his machinations. Thinking it over now, this suspicion was unreasonable – he couldn’t kill someone just because they had shown favor once!

She shrank her neck apologetically, “I misspoke.”

He smiled and drew closer to her, “But your words weren’t wrong – whoever I love, I give my heart and soul to. No matter how tumultuous things are outside, in front of you I’m just an ordinary husband.”

His breath was warm and his heart fervent. He didn’t know how much strength it took to restrain himself. Lying in the same quilt and just chatting was truly a waste, but he didn’t dare be rash – the first time should be in a beautiful place with flowers and moonlight, absolutely not in this crude post station.

It was just difficult to endure. He didn’t even dare kiss her, fearing a single spark would ignite everything. She seemed completely unaware of his suffering, at most slightly shy. Finding it uncomfortable to lie stiffly, she stretched one leg forward, nestling it into his heart.

He trembled slightly, frowning deeply, “Don’t move around carelessly, or something might happen.”

She was trapped by him and couldn’t move easily. Glancing at him, she saw sweat at his temples and an impatient expression. She sensibly arranged her hands and feet properly, then stopped talking. She only heard his breathing above her head, gradually fell asleep, and he followed her into her dreams.

One person’s understanding of another deepens constantly over time. In her heart, he gradually became a figure of vast supernatural powers. Even though the grain warehouses in Huaining had been cleaned out by giant rats, he could make them operational again in a very short time. The common people had eaten two full meals and their hearts gradually settled. When they saw him pass by, they knelt and kowtowed, “Your Highness, you are a living Buddha”… The people only recognized whoever kept them from starving.

After arranging everything, he brought her back to Nanjing. They had traveled by land when coming, but took the water route returning.

A light boat swayed among mountains and waters. Sometimes Wanwan went to find him – he would be burning incense, sitting leisurely by the window reading. Seeing her, he would beckon, and she would kneel facing him. He would move the incense table aside, then pat the spot beside him, inviting her to sit closer so they could be intimate.

Wanwan had always felt herself drifting without anchor. Though her brothers were affectionate, they had their own affairs to attend to. When she wanted to see them, she couldn’t always do so. For instance, when her eldest brother fell ill, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t allow the women of the inner palace to visit him, so until his death, she never managed to see him one last time.

Only after marriage did she realize that in this world, only a husband would revolve around you. She was accustomed to loneliness, but now with him, her days seemed to gradually become flavorful.

She returned with him to the Prince’s Manor. In the future, that Grand Princess Manor would probably remain empty. As their carriage entered the courtyard, she faintly heard commotion. Lifting the curtain to look, everyone in the household, great and small, was waiting at the entrance. Lan Zhou and Lan Ting came forward to bow, “Father and Mother had a hard journey.”

He helped her down from the carriage. Lan Zhou quickly supported her other arm, wearing a brilliant smile as he said: “When Mother went to Huaining, your son only learned of it afterward. If you had told me earlier, I would definitely have accompanied you to serve at your side.”

Liang Shi felt uncomfortable with his attentiveness, “It seems your studies aren’t demanding enough.”

Lan Zhou’s face dimmed. Wanwan felt his father was being unreasonable and quickly consoled: “We didn’t tell you precisely because we feared disturbing you. There was famine there – many people, very unsanitary. It wouldn’t have been good for you to go there.” While supporting her toward the entrance, she continued, “Your son knows Mother was thinking of him… I heard earlier that all the disaster grain was embezzled? That lawless person truly harmed the people!” As they walked inside, she said, “Mother, your son has already read to ‘The Confucian Conduct’ in the Book of Rites. ‘Gentleness is the foundation of benevolence; reverence and caution are the ground of benevolence’… I’ll recite it for Mother later.”

Liang Shi’s expression was grim. What kind of son was this? The moment he appeared, he occupied all of Wanwan’s attention, while he himself became dispensable again. But he couldn’t lose his temper now, watching that boy constantly saying “Mother this” and “Mother that,” while having no communication with him as father beyond that single greeting.

The Dowager Consort had gone to the temple to burn incense and didn’t know they were returning today. With nothing to do, he was left out in the cold. His gaze swept around and landed on Lan Ting.

“Brother Ting, how are your studies? Have you memorized the ‘Strategic Attacks’ chapter of Sun Tzu’s Art of War completely?”

Lan Ting was like a deer caught in water, stunned for a long while, blinking as he tried to remember. The beginning went smoothly enough, but when he reached the principles of warfare, he began reciting nonsense.

“If five times their number, surround them; if equal, attack them…”

His father spat harshly, “It’s ‘If ten times their number, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, divide them!’ You muddled fool – after all this time, you still can’t memorize this line. What have you been doing!”

Seeing him scold the child, Wanwan felt a bit frightened herself, shrinking as she looked at Lan Zhou, “Put in a good word for Brother Ting.”

Regarding Lan Ting being scolded, this was almost a daily occurrence. He felt no panic at all, stepping forward to bow with cupped hands: “Father, please calm your anger. Yesterday the riding instructor praised Brother Ting, saying his horsemanship and archery were excellent, even better than your son’s.”

His father wouldn’t even listen – the riding instructor must be blind to say such things!

Seeing no success, Lan Zhou tried another approach: “In recent years the Ryukyu Islands have been constantly troublesome. Last month they landed at Weihai Guard to pillage, alarming the court. Father may not know yet – the Emperor specifically appointed Regional Military Commissioner Tan Jin to campaign and pacify the barbarians…” He paused slightly, “Eastern Depot Director Xiao Duo is accompanying the army as supervisor. The naval forces departed from Tianjin dock two days ago.”

So indeed, Xiao Duo was unwilling to remain in the capital – this was planning a staged death, wasn’t it! Just as well, one source of anxiety was eliminated. This trip would certainly be a one-way journey for him, because even if he returned to the capital, that influential position wouldn’t necessarily be his anymore.

He turned to look at Wanwan. Her expression was somewhat sorrowful, probably pained by the gradual dissolution of those few people close to her in the capital. Lan Zhou had deliberately mentioned this in front of her to make her give up hope. She indeed sighed regretfully, “The dead are dead, the departed have left – in the end it’s all scattered.”

She stood up, letting Xiao You and Tonghuan support her as she returned to her courtyard.

If Yin Lou was still alive, using this opportunity to escape to sea, she would be going to a very, very distant place, wouldn’t she? They had long lost contact with her, and she knew nothing of the inside story, only able to speculate on her own. It would be best if they were all alive – she’d rather they settle down elsewhere than have this be Xiao Duo’s desperate gamble. Compared to both dying, it would be better if one remained.

Tonghuan prepared fragrant bathwater for her to wash away the dust of travel. She slowly sat in the water, and after a while asked if the several secondary consorts in the manor had all been sent away. Tonghuan said yes, “All three ladies went to Songjiang Prefecture. The Dowager Consort originally wanted Lady Chen to return to her family, but she refused. She said that having a title after all, if she returned home she wouldn’t be well-received, so she’d rather go with the other two – after all these years she was already accustomed to it.”

Born a servant girl, entering the Prince’s Manor young to serve the Dowager Consort, later becoming the heir’s bedchamber maid, then promoted to secondary consort – for someone from such a background, this was tremendous honor. If she suddenly returned to her natal family now, the story would become “couldn’t please her master and was thrown out of the manor,” and her relatives would probably truly turn cold.

She said forget it, “Let her decide for herself. If she wants to stay, let her stay.” She then asked, “What do the two young masters say? Having their mothers sent far away, do they resent me?”

Xiao You washed her hair with soapberries while saying: “What’s to resent? Going to Songjiang Prefecture they still have servants to command – isn’t that better than living under others’ roofs? The Prince doesn’t pay attention to them anyway. Having them in sight would just make everyone uncomfortable – better they go and live more freely. That the two young masters can stay is already Your Highness’s grace. They know what’s good for them and won’t blame Your Highness.”

Hopefully so, though mothers and sons were ultimately mothers and sons. Even if they called her “Mother” affectionately, they probably still missed their real mothers in their hearts. When they grew older, they would hate her for not tolerating others… But there was no help for it. She had her narrow-minded moments too. Being the noble Grand Princess and still having to share a man – how then would ordinary women under heaven live?

After a hasty wash, she still needed to pay respects to the Dowager Consort when she returned from her Buddhist devotions. Now that she was in this manor, she needed to properly live like a wife and couldn’t put on airs anymore.

She emerged from behind the screen wearing thin spring clothes, her hair hanging wet and loose over her shoulders. The fabric, dampened with water, faintly revealed what lay beneath. Looking up to see him arriving, she noticed nothing amiss and only asked if the Dowager Consort had returned.

He said no, waving for all the people in the room to leave. He approached and carefully dried her hair with a towel and comb.

Lake breezes blew gently, making the bamboo curtains by the window rustle. She sat sideways on a porcelain stool while his hands moved tenderly through her hair. After a long while he said: “Director Xiao will probably never return from this journey. Will you be sad?”

She turned around to look up at him, “That means Yin Lou is still alive, doesn’t it?”

He nodded, “Such a large blessing ship – where couldn’t it hide one person! He must have made complete preparations before deciding to go to sea.”

She looked lost, lowering her head. Her thin collar revealed a section of slender neck, as if adjusting her emotions. After thinking it through, she seemed relieved, “They love each other – whether at the ends of the earth, as long as they’re alive, it’s good. I just pity the Emperor. He must have really liked Yin Lou too, but imperial power often covers up feelings. When he looked at Yin Lou, that expression was genuine – I could tell…”

Hearing this, he laughed, “You can distinguish expressions? Then can you see what’s in my mind?” He pulled her up to face him closely, eyes fixed steadily on her, “What do you see?”

A circle of brilliant gold surrounded pupils black as lacquer. Only then did she discover his eyes were so beautiful – clear black and white, pure as a child’s.

She suddenly smiled, “I see…”

He pressed: “What?”

“Eye discharge!”

She blurted this out in a moment of playfulness, forgetting she was a noble princess and somehow couldn’t stop such crude words. He was greatly shocked, his face flushing red. She couldn’t bother regretting it now, covering her mouth and laughing heartily.

How mortifying! He hastily turned around, touching with his hand only to realize he’d been tricked. She laughed until her whole body shook, and he felt mischief rise as he reached for her. She nimbly dodged, but her spring shirt was too thin. When he caught a sleeve, she naturally slipped out of it, actually removing half her outer garment.

This game had gone too far. Her cheeks were crimson while he was dazzled by those graceful curves and white skin. She could neither advance nor retreat, biting her lip as she tugged at the sleeve. He was like willow catkins in the wind – one swirl of air current could carry him eighteen thousand miles away.

He searched bewilderedly for her lips. At first she still dodged, but somehow her arms had crossed and wound around his neck.

He was tall, she was short. Her soft shoes stepped onto his black boots, the fine rice-pearl grit on the boot surface pressing through her soles into her feet. She called his name softly, “Liang Shi…”

He made a sound of acknowledgment, his eyes misty as he looked at her.

She said: “Don’t betray me.” She was just afraid and wanted confirmation again, then leaned up to kiss him, feeling in this moment that she truly loved him deeply.

He had fantasized about this many times, thinking everything before his eyes could never happen, but now it was real and tangible, making him both surprised and delighted. But her heart was heavy – even at such a time she didn’t forget the responsibility on her shoulders. He felt he might have to compromise. He couldn’t persist much longer without this kingdom, so he might as well wait a bit more. When Prince Zhen’an or Prince Wusi sent troops, he could use the righteous name of rescuing the monarch to legitimately attack Beijing… In any case, he wouldn’t hurt her heart.

He was helpless – no wonder people said a wife’s pillow talk was stronger than thousands of troops. Today he truly learned this. He had lost his grand ambitions and only wanted to drown in gentle embraces. His fingers moved, and her body was like an ancient famous instrument, resonating with deep tones. The princess was a person made of honey – how could he resist?

He gently nibbled her earlobe, “I won’t betray you. If such a day comes… let me forever lose what I love most and die without a burial place.”

Vows shouldn’t be made lightly, but he had made up his mind, so he felt no fear at all.