Granny Song then asked Zhenzhen: “What’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

Zhenzhen didn’t answer, but her sorrow became even harder to suppress. She simply buried her head on the table and wept bitterly.

Granny Song approached and gently stroked her back: “Did this wine remind you of someone?” After waiting and hearing no response from Zhenzhen, she looked at the flower in Zhenzhen’s hair and sighed: “You wear no jewelry, only a white flower each day. For whom?”

Only after a long while did Zhenzhen say: “For my husband.”

“You were married?” Granny Song immediately asked again, “Then why are you wandering alone outside? Don’t your natal family and husband’s family care about you?”

Zhenzhen said: “My natal family is broken and scattered. My husband’s family believes I caused my husband’s death and drove me out of the house.”

“Did they say that because you were young and passionate, you clung to your husband insatiably and caused him to die from sexual exhaustion?” Granny Song suddenly glared with wide eyes, her face full of anger.

Zhenzhen remained silent, only wiping her tears without answering.

Taking her silence as confirmation, Granny Song became even more furious: “All the parents-in-law in this world are completely unreasonable! They only know how to dote on their sons. If they find the slightest fault with their daughter-in-law, they torment her to death. No matter how their own son acts up or causes trouble, as long as he doesn’t kill or commit arson, he’s always right. If anything goes wrong, it’s the daughter-in-law’s fault! If she doesn’t bear children, it’s because the daughter-in-law didn’t try hard enough or serve well enough. If the son gets sick, they say it’s because the daughter-in-law is wanton and exhausted the son’s energy… If the son dies from illness, then the daughter-in-law deserves to be cut to pieces, or their hatred can’t be resolved! They marry a daughter-in-law to be a slave and servant. Since she’s not their own daughter, why would they show any pity…”

As she spoke, tears flowed down her face as well. She kept using her sleeves to wipe them away, making Zhenzhen feel sorry for her. She turned to comfort her instead: “It’s all in the past. I’m fine now and live more freely than before. Don’t be sad for me, Granny.”

Granny Song wiped away her tears and asked Zhenzhen again: “If you leave here, what are your plans?”

Zhenzhen answered: “I’ll probably find a decent family to work as a cook. Or set up a noodle stall in town, get settled first and then see.”

Granny Song shook her head repeatedly: “That won’t work. If you go to a wealthy family, seeing that you’re young and pretty, they’ll definitely bully you. Setting up a noodle stall is too public, and many people will make things difficult for you… Since you have excellent cooking skills, why not open a proper restaurant or tavern? Run it well – that would be much more stable.”

Zhenzhen said: “Opening a tavern requires renting premises first, then decorating and furnishing, buying furniture and utensils. It needs quite a lot of capital. I don’t have much money with me – I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”

Before leaving Lin’an, Yinqi had wanted to give her a lot of money, but Zhenzhen was afraid of owing too much to others, so she only accepted a tenth or so, explicitly stating it was a loan that she would repay if she ever returned.

Granny Song lowered her head in thought, remaining silent.

Zhenzhen saw her face looked quite aged and haggard in the lamplight, with tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes. Feeling compassionate, she took her hand and patted it gently, saying kindly: “Granny, I’ve left some money in your cupboard for you to use. Don’t go up the mountain alone to dig wild vegetables anymore. If you need to buy anything, ask Uncle Zheng Er for help. I’ve already asked him to come see you once a day. I’ve written down the cooking methods for all the dishes you liked these days and left them by your bedside. Look at them when you have time and try making them yourself. If you can’t read the characters clearly, ask Uncle Zheng Er to read them to you when he comes. I’ll try to find time to visit you in the future and bring you delicious food…”

“Stop talking,” Granny Song suddenly raised her head and said to Zhenzhen: “Rest tonight. Tomorrow I’ll take you to see a place that might be suitable for use as a shop.”

The next day, Granny Song brought Zhenzhen to a courtyard gate dozens of feet from her home. She took out a key, unlocked it, and let Zhenzhen enter to look around.

The courtyard was several times larger than Granny Song’s own dwelling, with many flowers and trees planted in it. The building had two stories plus an attic, and even the single floor had four or five rooms – very spacious. The entire building had powder-white walls and black tiles, very beautiful in appearance. Judging by its construction style and age, it should have been built over twenty years ago, but it was still in good condition. With slight repairs, it could probably be used immediately.

“I used to run a shop here too. Don’t think this place is a bit far from the city – good wine fears no deep alley. As long as the food is well-made, no matter how many distinguished officials and nobles from the city will come here specially to taste it.” Granny Song brought Zhenzhen to the second floor, opened the window, and let her see the scenery outside. “There’s a river in front and mountains in the distance. The view is beautiful. When I ran my shop, it was almost full every day – you had to make reservations to get a seat.”

Upon entering the house, Zhenzhen felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if she had seen it somewhere before. She walked casually toward the room on the south side of the second floor and saw that the window there was round. Daylight streamed through the window, casting a circular spot of light on the floor. Under the window was a writing desk. She suddenly felt somewhat dazed, and an image flashed through her mind: a thin-figured father with a blurred face sitting by the writing desk, writing furiously, with the round window above like a bright moon quietly illuminating him.

This room also had a bed and wardrobe. Opening the wardrobe, she saw many men’s clothes still folded inside. Zhenzhen asked Granny Song: “Did someone live here before? Who was it?”

Granny Song said sadly: “After my daughter and granddaughter left, I lost heart for running the shop. This courtyard was too big for me, empty and echoing. Seeing it made me sad, so I moved to the small courtyard where I live now, and this courtyard has been vacant ever since. Later, a little lady as beautiful as a fairy came to find me, saying she had heard my cooking was good and came specifically to visit me, wanting to take me as her master to learn cooking. I refused outright, but she didn’t give up. Every day she came over holding a baby girl just a few months old, chatting with me. I saw she had no milk and really didn’t know how to cook well, not knowing what to feed that child. The little girl was so thin, and I couldn’t bear to see it, so I began teaching that little lady cooking skills. Later, seeing this courtyard was vacant, she proposed wanting to buy it to live here with her husband and child. I agreed, and she gave me a large sum of money. Then the family of three moved here.”

Zhenzhen listened in a daze to this point and suddenly asked: “Was that little lady surnamed Wu? Could her husband practice medicine?”

“Yes, she was surnamed Wu. Her husband was said to be surnamed Qiao. At first he stayed home reading all day, and I thought he was a scholar preparing for the imperial examinations. Later, when Uncle Zheng Er’s father fell ill and he went to treat him, I learned his medical skills were very good… Uncle Zheng Er’s medical skills were taught by him. Later, everyone in the village called him Dr. Qiao.” At this point, Granny Song felt somewhat surprised and asked Zhenzhen: “How do you know these things?”

Zhenzhen covered up: “I also heard from Uncle Zheng Er, but he only mentioned a little, not in great detail.” Then she asked Granny Song again: “Are you sure Lady Wu and Dr. Qiao were husband and wife?”

“A man and woman living together with a child – what else could they be but husband and wife?” Granny Song said, but thinking about it, she added: “However, they seemed to sleep in separate rooms. Dr. Qiao lived here, and Lady Wu and the child lived in that room…”

She pointed to the room at the east end of this floor and brought Zhenzhen to see it. That room was slightly larger, with a rattle and a hand-sewn doll still on the table. Looking in the wardrobe, Zhenzhen also found many women’s and children’s clothes.

“How long did they live here? Why did they leave later?” Zhenzhen pressed.

“They lived here for over two years,” Granny Song answered. “Lady Wu studied cooking with me every day, very attentively and virtuously. Dr. Qiao either read books or went out to treat patients all day. Lady Wu took care of the child completely, managing household affairs daily, cooking for her husband and child, busy inside and out, very hardworking. I couldn’t bear to watch and often came to help her. She treated me very well too, regarding me like a mother… Those days were among the few happy times I had after my own family passed away…” Granny Song couldn’t help but wipe her tears again. After calming herself slightly, she continued: “But one day, I caught a cold and lay at home for a day and night, burning with fever. That night there was a great storm, and in my daze, I seemed to hear a woman’s crying coming from this neighboring courtyard. I really wanted to know what had happened at Lady Wu’s place, but I was truly too weak to get up. I slept until the afternoon of the next day, when I felt a bit better, and came over to check. I found the courtyard gate and room doors were unlocked, the keys still placed inside the house, but all three of them were gone. I sat in this courtyard waiting until dark, but they didn’t return. I kept guarding this empty house, waiting day after day, but they never came back. Over these dozen years, many people have wanted to buy this courtyard, but I refused them all, saying the house was already sold and I was no longer the owner, so I couldn’t make decisions… Now giving it to you to use is also a temporary measure. If they return in the future, you must pay them rent according to the days you’ve used it.”

Zhenzhen agreed. Granny Song then took her to the attic. Opening the door, she saw it was filled with utensils for running a tavern, and they were quite exquisite. The wine vessels were from official kilns, the dining utensils were made of silver, all in complete sets with large quantities.

“I think these should be enough for you to open a shop, no need to buy more,” Granny Song said to Zhenzhen with a smile.

Zhenzhen said in wonder: “Such fine dining utensils and wine vessels – even the great taverns in Lin’an might not have better.”

Granny Song couldn’t help showing a proud expression again: “My original shop was opened in Lin’an. The dishes I made – even the late Emperor often sent people to buy them.”

Zhenzhen went to check the back courtyard and saw several flower beds inside. Peach, plum, and other trees had already grown quite thick, and there were others that must have been used for planting herbaceous flowers back then but were now overgrown with weeds. However, in the largest flower bed in the center, a patch of bright red flowers was blooming magnificently. These flowers had no leaves, growing in clusters of five, with flowers growing directly from the stem top. The petals were silky, with inner layers embracing inward and outer layers curving up and outward, forming a cup shape. They were enchanting and gorgeous, blooming passionately one by one, connecting into a patch like blood-colored flames spreading.

Zhenzhen stared at them in amazement and was instantly reminded of the flower sea beneath the bridge that separated her from Crown Prince Zhuangwen in her dream.

“What flowers are these?” she asked Granny Song with a pale face.

“Golden lamp flowers,” Granny Song answered. “Probably because the flowers look like golden lamp flames, so they got this name. But this herbaceous flower is rather rare – when the flowers bloom, there are no leaves, and the leaves only gradually emerge after the flowers fall. The flowers and leaves never meet in their lifetime, so they have another name – heartless grass.”

Zhenzhen asked again: “Did you plant these flowers or did Lady Wu?”

“I never planted them, but I’m not sure if she did,” Granny Song said. “These flowers only appeared after Lady Wu’s family left. They bloom every year, more and more each time. Some people advised me to dig up the flowers and plant vegetables instead, but I think since the flowers bloom so beautifully, why bother? Besides, I’m no longer the owner here – I can’t move even a single flower or tree without permission.”

The Emperor had never been content with the temporary refuge in the south and constantly thought of northern expeditions, determined to restore the realm. Since ascending the throne, he had paid considerable attention to military training and preparation, conducting multiple military reviews at the great drill ground outside the palace, inspecting the three military commands that guarded Lin’an: the Palace Guard Command, the Cavalry Guard Command, and the Infantry Guard Command. This was called “military review.” Originally scheduled for November this year at the Maotang Great Drill Ground, the review was to be canceled due to Crown Prince Zhuangwen’s sudden death, as the Emperor was overwhelmed with grief and became haggard and dejected.

When the news spread and all sides were preparing to stop the review preparations, Third Prince Zhao Hao requested an audience with his father. He knelt in Funing Hall and asked his father to rescind the order and proceed with the review as planned.

The Emperor sat dejectedly slumped in his throne, glancing sideways at his son: “Look at me in this state – where do I have the energy for a military review?”

Zhao Hao bowed to his father: “Father, elder brother has departed this world. It’s natural for father to grieve for his son, but it’s been over three months since elder brother’s death. As the ruler of a nation, father must restrain your grief, gather your spirits, and pick up all the affairs that have been delayed by this matter one by one, keeping this realm stable and prosperous. The military review is one of them…”

The Emperor angrily said: “Are you saying I’m wallowing in grief, neglecting state affairs, and causing governmental stagnation?”

Zhao Hao was frightened and kowtowed repeatedly, apologizing: “Your subject dares not. If I spoke inappropriately, please punish me, father.”

After prostrating for a while and seeing his father didn’t scold him further, he secretly half-raised his head to observe his father, then lowered his head again and pleaded while prostrate: “Your subject only hopes Your Majesty will listen to a few words from your subject’s heart: The military review is of great importance. It can demonstrate Your Majesty’s determination to restore the realm to subjects and people throughout the land, boosting the morale of the three commands and indeed all soldiers. It can also assess the results of recent military training, and if any deficiencies are found, they can be corrected promptly to prepare for war. The three commands have been preparing for this review for a year. If it’s suddenly canceled, it will inevitably cause discussion. Those who are understanding will comprehend Your Majesty’s love for your son, but those with dark minds may make wild speculations, thinking that Crown Prince Zhuangwen’s death will affect the current situation, or even believing that Your Majesty’s health is damaged and you cannot attend…”

“How dare you!” The Emperor angrily picked up a cup beside him and threw it at Zhao Hao. “Is this something you should say?”

Zhao Hao didn’t dare dodge and let the cup strike heavily on his shoulder, then shatter beside him. Though he was startled and trembling all over, he still remained prostrate and continued his earnest remonstrance: “These words are not what your subject said, but what many subjects and people might speculate in their hearts. Since the heir apparent has died, people throughout the realm are watching Your Majesty’s reaction. Now Your Majesty can only show that everything is normal to dispel rumors. Only by proceeding with the review can you stabilize the people’s hearts, boost military morale, and show neighboring countries that the situation is stable and everything is under Your Majesty’s control.”

That day, Zhao Hao was driven out of Funing Hall by his father. He went to Cifu Palace in dejection to find Feng Xian, recounted his experience in detail, and wiped the sweat from his forehead while complaining: “You insisted I remonstrate at this time. As I expected, father was furious and nearly took my life.”

“It’s all right,” Feng Xian smiled and used her handkerchief to wipe his sweat, comforting him: “You spoke very well. Though His Majesty is somewhat angry now, he’ll soon come to his senses and realize that what you said was reasonable. Moreover, you risked such great danger to speak frankly – he’ll see you as a good son who understands the greater picture, considers the overall situation, has courage, and takes a long-term view. Don’t think about this matter anymore now. Just focus on practicing your riding and archery well, and you’ll have a chance to show your skills.”

The Emperor indeed finally adopted Zhao Hao’s counsel and decided to proceed with the review as scheduled. On that day, the Emperor brought Second Prince Zhao Ai and Third Prince Zhao Hao along. All three father and sons wore golden armor, rode from Xiangxi Hall out through Lizheng Gate, followed by several armored chief ministers and close attendants, and proceeded majestically toward Maotang Great Drill Ground under the escort of 800 mounted Imperial Guard cavalry.

Upon entering the drill ground, the Emperor ascended the curtained pavilion. Several thousand officers and men arranged themselves neatly in the field. The field marshal raised a yellow flag, drums sounded suddenly, one drumbeat and they shouted acknowledgment, another drumbeat and all voices cried “Long live!”, then two drumbeats and they repeatedly called “Long live, long live forever!”, their voices shaking the heavens. The Emperor sat in the pavilion, showing a long-absent smile amid these mountain-like cheers.

Thereafter, the Emperor mounted the command platform, horns sounded from the curtained pavilion, and all around became solemn. After another round of drumbeats, the cavalry mounted their horses and the infantry raised their flags. Following the drum rhythm, they raised white flags, then yellow flags, and after five drumbeats, they raised red and blue flags. The soldiers in the field also changed formations according to the flags – sometimes square, sometimes round, sometimes in long snake formation, or changing to triangular pointed formation, moving diagonally in single file, forming shapes for charging the enemy. Afterward, with overlapping drums and crossing flags, the infantry engaged in face-to-face combat with spears and mixed fighting, while the cavalry followed with great battles on all four sides. After the gongs sounded to recall the troops, the various armies successively presented various equipment including great swords, vehicles, cannons, smoke devices, and firearms before the imperial presence for inspection.

The Emperor watched with great delight and ordered the field marshal to convey imperial words of comfort to the officers and men. At this time, most soldiers had retreated to the original square formation, while another team of soldiers formed a circle below the command platform. A general released a deer into the circle, and then a prince in full golden armor, even wearing a golden face mask, rode in, galloped toward the deer, and calmly drew his bow at the deer, killing it with one arrow through the throat.

The deer struggled a few times before falling to the ground. All the troops cheered, their voices thundering. The prince who shot the deer faced the direction of the command platform and raised his bow in salute, then dismounted, walked before the Emperor, and knelt in obeisance.

This was the final ceremony of the review, and the deer shooter was called the “Hunting Official.” The Emperor had previously indicated his intention to select one of the princes for this position, but afterward, due to his poor mood, he only ordered the officials to prepare without asking about every detail. When he occasionally thought about it, he assumed this position would mostly go to Zhao Ai, who had always loved riding and archery.

However, when the Hunting Official removed his face mask, the Emperor immediately widened his eyes in surprise, discovering that the prince was not Zhao Ai but Third Prince Zhao Hao.

Zhao Hao performed the ritual properly, respectfully presenting the deer he had shot to his father.

The Emperor accepted it with a smile but still couldn’t help asking Yinqi, who was attending behind him, in a low voice: “Why isn’t Second Brother the Hunting Official?”

Yinqi bowed and answered: “Second Prince has been observing religious abstinence for Crown Prince Zhuangwen these past months and hasn’t killed any living beings for a long time.”