The next day, the Grand Empress Dowager returned to the palace with Fei’er.
Upon receiving the news, Wei Shao immediately interrupted his meeting with officials and personally went to welcome the Grand Empress Dowager outside the Vermilion Bird Gate. When he saw her, he was unexpectedly emotional. After escorting her back to Jiade Palace, he lingered, reluctant to leave, and stayed by her side talking for a long while.
Madam Xu initially thought he had matters to discuss with her. Finally, she smiled and said, “Does the Emperor have something to say to his grandmother? Please feel free to speak.”
Wei Shao was taken aback, suddenly remembering that a group of officials was still waiting for him in the Hall of Proclamations. He hurriedly shook his head, instructed the palace attendants to take good care of the Grand Empress Dowager, and then took his leave.
Xiao Qiao, who was nearby, also found it a bit strange. Judging by his behavior, it seemed as if he hadn’t seen Madam Xu for a long time. That evening, when he returned to his bedchamber, they bathed together, and she casually teased him about it.
The speaker meant no harm, but Wei Shao’s heart suddenly skipped a beat as he recalled the events of the previous night.
Last night, he had indulged Xiao Qiao in every way on the dragon bed, and she had reciprocated with tender affection. They had spent most of the night in a passionate embrace, their intimate moments beyond compare. Finally, exhausted, as he held his beloved woman before falling asleep, he suddenly felt his heart emit a long, satisfied sigh.
At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it. He had embraced Xiao Qiao, who had already fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion, closed his eyes, and drifted off himself.
Now, prompted by her reminder, he recalled that subconscious sigh of contentment from last night. Thinking back to the vivid daydream he had experienced yesterday, which felt as if he had lived through it personally, Wei Shao suddenly felt a wave of unease.
Zhuangzi dreamed he was a butterfly, or was the butterfly dreaming it was Zhuangzi? Could it be that he was still in a dream and hadn’t awakened?
“Manman… hit me again! Hit me hard!”
Xiao Qiao had merely been teasing him, but seeing his suddenly serious expression, she chuckled softly. Cupping water in her hands, she unexpectedly splashed it in his face. “What’s the matter with Your Majesty now?”
Wei Shao, his face splashed with water and droplets scattering, closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, he saw her right in front of him. Through the misty vapor, she tilted her head slightly as she looked at him, her eyes twinkling like stars, her smile radiant. He reached out and pulled her close, pressing his forehead against her warm brow. Suddenly, his heart settled, and all the previous feelings of disorientation vanished.
“It’s nothing…” he murmured, lowering his head to kiss her lips.
“Manman, how fortunate I am, Wei Shao, to have you in this lifetime…”
……
Two months later, the Empress was diagnosed with pregnancy.
Madam Xu was overjoyed, as were all the officials, eagerly awaiting the birth of another royal heir.
……
In the early summer of the third year of Taihe, on this day, just after the fourth watch, Xiao Qiao was awakened from her sleep by a dull, growing pain in her lower abdomen. She nudged awake Wei Shao, who was snoring soundly beside her.
Wei Shao woke up to find her curled up in a ball, clutching her stomach. Alarmed, he sprang up, tumbling off the dragon bed. Without even putting on his shoes, he ran out barefoot, shouting, “The Empress is about to give birth!”
His shout startled the entire imperial palace.
As the Empress’s due date approached, all preparations had already been made in the palace. With the Emperor’s cry, the entire Guanghua Palace immediately came to life, lights blazing everywhere, and palace servants rushed to Jiade Palace to report the news.
Madam Xu quickly arrived. By this time, several midwives had already entered the room, and the doors were tightly closed. The Emperor stood guard outside the birthing chamber, his expression a mix of nervousness and excitement.
The last time Xiao Qiao gave birth to Fei’er, he had been fighting in the south. By the time he returned, Fei’er was already several months old. He had always regretted not being able to accompany her during the birth of their first child.
This time, he could finally be with her, and he felt immensely happy. Seeing Madam Xu arrive, he hurried to support her personally. “Grandmother, Manman is about to give birth!”
Madam Xu glanced at him, noting his beaming smile, and nodded with a smile of her own.
And so, Wei Shao, filled with excited anticipation, sat with Madam Xu, waiting for Xiao Qiao to give birth to their second child.
As the water clock marked the passing hours, he began to grow restless, the smile gradually fading from his face.
Wei Shao had heard before about the pain women endure during childbirth.
He just hadn’t imagined that Manman would have to endure such agony. He listened to the occasional voices of the midwives coming from the birthing chamber, interspersed with her muffled, intermittent groans of pain, his entire body tense.
Several times, if not for Zhong Mou and Chun Niang holding him back, he would have rushed in.
Another cry of pain.
“Do you even know how to deliver a baby? How can you let my Manman suffer so much!”
He suddenly jumped up, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, rushing to the door and shouting inside.
The voices inside immediately fell silent, presumably startled by his outburst.
Zhong Mou and Chun Niang both went to him, trying to persuade him in low voices to step away for a while.
Wei Shao refused to listen, pacing back and forth at the door.
“Emperor, why don’t you go rest for a while? Come back when the child is born!”
Finally, even Madam Xu couldn’t bear to watch anymore and spoke up.
Wei Shao seemed not to hear.
Madam Xu sighed and shook her head, smiling wryly.
“Ah—”
Finally, as dawn was about to break, he heard Xiao Qiao let out a long cry of pain from behind the door. The last bit of color drained from his lips, his heart pounding like a drum. He suddenly rushed to the door.
“Manman!” He raised his hand to push the door open.
“Ah! Ah! Your Majesty!”
Zhong Mou and Chun Niang were startled and hurried to grab him from both sides.
Suddenly, a clear cry of an infant rang out from inside the room.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Grand Empress Dowager! The Empress has successfully given birth to a prince. Both mother and child are safe!” This was followed by the midwife’s jubilant voice, raised in pitch.
Wei Shao stopped, and after a long moment, he let out a long breath. Taking advantage of Zhong Mou and Chun Niang’s momentary distraction in their joy, he pushed the door open and strode in.
The midwives had already swaddled the newborn prince and brought him to Xiao Qiao’s side. Suddenly seeing the Emperor burst in, they were startled and quickly knelt, their faces beaming with smiles as they offered congratulations.
Wei Shao went straight to Xiao Qiao’s side and gazed down at her sweat-covered, pale face. Without saying anything, he simply reached out and gently took her hand.
Xiao Qiao had been hearing the commotion he was making outside all along, so she wasn’t surprised when he rushed in.
At this moment, although she felt exhausted and weak, her heart was filled with warmth. She turned her face to meet his gaze and gave him a faint smile, saying softly, “Your Majesty, look at our son, Fei’er’s little brother. He’s so handsome.”
Wei Shao’s gaze shifted to their newborn son in her arms.
Although he had just been born, he already had a high nose bridge and long, jet-black eyelashes. He was gently sucking his lips in his mother’s arms, looking incredibly adorable.
“Manman, you’ve worked so hard.”
In front of the midwives, he lowered his head and planted a kiss on his Empress’s forehead, his heart overflowing with a sense of happiness.
……
The Empress joyfully gave birth to the Crown Prince, named Hong. The entire empire celebrated. Three days after the birth, the Emperor personally offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The court’s ritual officials made offerings at the Altars of Soil and Grain, while civil and military officials wore ceremonial robes for ten days. At the same time, an edict was issued to announce the news throughout the empire.
In September of that year, the envoy of Wuzhu Qu Chanyu arrived in Luoyang. The court and the Xiongnu signed a treaty, agreeing to use the Sanggan River as the boundary and pledging mutual non-aggression. They also established several trading posts along the border. The Xiongnu offered fine horses as tribute, while Great Yan returned tens of thousands of prisoners captured during the battle of Shanggu several years ago.
On the day the prisoners were sent back, aside from the war, the banks of the Sanggan River, which had flowed quietly for a hundred years, were filled with cries of “Father” and “Mother,” with reunited family members shedding tears of joy. Wuzhu Qu, in his name, also presented a generous gift to the Grand Empress Dowager, including a brocade vest called “Hamo,” made from sixteen well-cut pieces of lambskin.
In Xiongnu custom, after a man and woman become engaged, the man’s family would give such a vest to the woman’s mother as a token of gratitude for raising her daughter for sixteen years before marriage.
After conveying the gift, the envoy was initially anxious, fearing that the Grand Empress Dowager might not accept the Hamo. It wasn’t until half a month later, when they were about to leave and hadn’t received a return gift, that they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
……
In the fourth year of Taihe, after the Crown Prince turned one year old, one day, Madam Xu summoned the Emperor and Empress before her. With a smile on her face, she told them that she had decided to return to Youzhou and settle in Wuzhong City for her retirement.
That year, the Grand Empress Dowager was nearly seventy years old. Although she showed signs of age, she maintained a light diet every day and still insisted on personally tending to flowers and weeding, remaining spirited and energetic.
The Emperor and Empress were very surprised. They both knelt, blaming themselves for being unfilial, and begged their grandmother to reconsider.
Madam Xu said that her desire to return was not because they had done anything inadequate, but because she was reassured that everything was going well for them, and she could now set her mind at ease.
Wei Shao continued to kowtow and plead, while Xiao Qiao, looking at Madam Xu’s benevolent smile, gradually became thoughtful.
That small border town called Wuzhong was where she and Wei Shao’s grandfather had married, and also where she had bid farewell to Wei Shao’s grandfather.
Besides her husband, it held memories of her son, daughter, and grandchildren.
Her life’s experiences, or perhaps an unfulfilled wish, were all intimately connected to that place, inseparable.
Now that she was approaching seventy, suddenly making such a decision, Xiao Qiao might still find it difficult to fully understand her feelings, but she would respect her choice.
She kowtowed to Madam Xu and said that as her granddaughter-in-law, she understood. After escorting her grandmother back to her hometown for retirement, she would bring their children to visit her every year, hoping for her grandmother’s health and longevity. This, too, was a blessing for them as juniors.
Madam Xu smiled at the Emperor and said, “Shao’er, I’ve always felt that you weren’t as perceptive as your wife, and it’s still true today. She can understand me, so you shouldn’t obstruct anymore.”
Although Wei Shao was extremely reluctant, Madam Xu had made up her mind, and he finally agreed.
In September of that year, as the scorching summer passed and golden autumn arrived, the Emperor and Empress left Luoyang together to personally escort Madam Xu back to the north.
The night before departure, Xiao Qiao brought Fei’er and Hong’er to accompany Madam Xu to Jiade Palace.
As the night deepened and the siblings fell asleep, Xiao Qiao helped Madam Xu to bed, then knelt at her knees, unwilling to rise for a long time.
Madam Xu gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly said, “Manman, grandmother is leaving tomorrow. I know that you’ve probably always wanted to know why grandmother decided to have Shao’er marry you, a daughter of the Qiao family, joining the Wei and Qiao families in marriage.”
“If it weren’t for grandmother’s arrangement back then, how could I have married my husband and become his wife? Grandmother’s magnanimity and kindness are my great fortune.”
Madam Xu smiled and sighed, “You’re so intelligent, there’s no need for me to say much. You probably understand what I’m thinking. Shao’er used to be fixated on revenge, refusing to listen to advice. I always worried that he would be trapped by his inner demons, unable to let go of his obsession, which might not be a good thing for his life. His deepest obsession stemmed from the pain of losing his father in his youth. So when I learned that your Qiao family had sent a message seeking to resolve the grudge between our families through marriage, and I heard of the virtuous reputation of the Qiao daughter, and then thought of the past events…”
She paused.
Xiao Qiao straightened up from her knees and looked up at her.
Madam Xu seemed to be lost in memories of the past. After a while, she sighed, “Manman, before your grandfather passed away, he sent me a letter, confessing his past actions and swearing to willingly fall into hell for ten thousand kalpas, begging for the Wei family to spare the Qiao family after his death. Grandmother also hated your grandfather for his betrayal, which caused grandmother to lose her son and grandson. However, in times of chaos, what is justice? Among kings, dukes, generals, and ministers, whose hands are free from blood? Who hasn’t caused someone’s wife to lose her husband, or a son to lose his father? One must know that life in this world is inherently unfair. The dead cannot be brought back to life, and even if we were to annihilate your entire Qiao clan, would it lessen the pain that has already been caused by even half? But if we could take this opportunity to resolve the hatred, free Shao’er from his inner demons and obsessions, and allow him to spend the rest of his life not in mourning, what is there that I cannot let go of?”
She seemed to be touched by sadness, with tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes.
Xiao Qiao held her hand, slowly pressing her cheek against the warm back of Madam Xu’s hand.
Madam Xu lowered her head, lovingly stroking her beautiful hair.
“Manman, grandmother isn’t as good as you think. I had my selfish motives back then when I arranged for you to marry into our family. At that time, I thought, that if the Qiao daughter could use her wisdom to soften my grandson’s anger and form a good marriage, my wish would naturally be fulfilled. If not, it would only be sacrificing one daughter of the Qiao family. Just now, you said you were grateful to your grandmother, but it’s your grandmother who should be grateful to you. Because of your arrival, our Wei family has achieved today’s prosperity, and I’ve lived to see my great-grandchildren. Tomorrow I’ll return to the north, and from now on, I’ll entrust Shao’er entirely to you. Grandmother feels very at ease about this.”
In Madam Xu’s single eye, a contented smile sparkled.
“Grandmother! Manman doesn’t want to be apart from you!” Xiao Qiao choked up, involuntarily throwing herself into Madam Xu’s arms.
Madam Xu smiled and embraced her, gently patting her back to comfort her, as if she were still just a child.
Not far away, at the corner of the hall door, Wei Shao, who had just arrived, stood there, silently watching her being comforted in his grandmother’s embrace, without making a sound.
……
The next morning, the Emperor and Empress left Luoyang, successfully escorting the Grand Empress Dowager to Wuzhong City. After staying for three days, at Madam Xu’s urging, they finally reluctantly bid farewell and left.
Wei Shao still couldn’t understand his grandmother’s decision. After leaving Wuzhong City, he kept looking back, feeling depressed.
Xiao Qiao said that perhaps the grandmother still had an unresolved attachment in her heart. This place was closer to her attachment.
Wei Shao fell silent, and finally nodded, saying he understood.
After leaving Wuzhong, the imperial couple first passed through Yuyang, staying for a night in the old Qianlong residence in Yuyang.
Early the next morning, Xiao Qiao was surprised to find that Wei Shao, who had never worshipped ghosts or gods before, had specially gone to the Queen Mother Temple in the east of the city. Not only did he burn incense there, but he also ordered the Yuyang magistrate to recast the golden statue of the Queen Mother, not forgetting the few attendants in front of her statue, who also benefited.
In the end, he even circled several times around one of the golden-armored god statues, staring at it for a while with a somewhat strange expression.
Afterward, as they sat together in the carriage, she remembered the incident years ago when he had torn down the mural wall, and couldn’t help teasing him: “Years ago you tore down walls, now you’re restoring temples. Has the Emperor suddenly had a change of heart? Did the immortals appear in your dreams, asking you to apologize?”
That strange dream that still made Wei Shao wake up in the middle of the night feeling terrified, needing to immediately reach out and touch the Empress, only feeling at ease when he felt her sleeping beside him, was naturally something he would never tell her about, even if it killed him.
Being teased by her, Wei Shao was initially embarrassed, but then thinking of the absurdity of the dream, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He embraced her and whispered in her ear that heavenly secrets couldn’t be revealed.
……
This trip out of the palace, besides escorting Madam Xu back to the north, had another important purpose: inspecting the river works. By the end of October, the Emperor and Empress, in disguise, arrived at Wuchao Ferry, where their journey had once been blocked by the frozen Yellow River.
Wuchao Ferry no longer had its former glory. Because there was a new ferry with large ships several dozen miles upstream, which was more convenient and safer to travel, this place had gradually declined, with only a few boats coming and going each day. But the inn where the two had once stayed still stood by the ferry, its dusty sign swaying in the wind. Through summer heat and winter cold, sunrise and sunset, it seemed to have always been there since ancient times and would continue to be there through the changes of time.
On this evening, the setting sun over the Yellow River had dyed the mountains and wilderness a golden hue, and dust flew on the yellow dirt road outside the inn.
During the day, the last traveler in the inn had left, and no one else had entered all day.
The female innkeeper was dozing off, leaning against the old counter, when she suddenly heard the sound of an approaching horse-drawn carriage from outside. Knowing that those in carriages wouldn’t stay at her place, she opened her eyes briefly, then continued to doze.
But the sound of the carriage stopped at the door. The innkeeper opened her eyes and saw a couple entering – a man about thirty, with a dignified bearing and bright, piercing eyes, and a woman who looked much younger than him, beautiful and radiant. As they entered together, she stood by the man’s side, and the two looked like a perfect pair, their radiance seeming to brighten even this dim and shabby inn.
There was an official post house dozens of miles away, and any important officials or nobles needing to stay overnight would invariably choose to stay there. This old, dilapidated ferry inn was only for ordinary travelers passing by to rest for the night. When had such guests ever come to stay here?
The innkeeper was stunned for a moment, then came to her senses and hurried to welcome them. Hearing that they and their entourage wanted to stay here for the night, she became flustered, nodding repeatedly. She led them to the cleanest guest room, wiping the tables and chairs again and again, serving them attentively. As she finally left, she couldn’t help but look again at the beautiful young woman.
Xiao Qiao, noticing the innkeeper’s frequent glances, smiled gently at her.
The innkeeper was stunned for a moment, then suddenly slapped her thigh and exclaimed, “Oh! This old woman remembers now! Many years ago, the lady and gentleman stayed here when the ferry was frozen!”
This young woman was truly too beautiful to forget. At first glance, she had felt as if she had seen her before, and now, seeing her smile, she finally remembered.
Xiao Qiao, seeing that she still remembered, nodded and smiled, “You have a good memory, old mother. Many years ago, my husband and I did indeed stay here. Today, passing by, we’ve come to lodge again.”
The innkeeper remembered that the couple from years ago had been of noble status and had left a generous reward before leaving. She never expected that after so many years, this couple would come to stay again. Overjoyed, she bowed repeatedly in thanks, her previous nervousness dissipating.
She happily began to chatter: “It’s all thanks to the lord and lady’s generous reward back then. Now that the ferry has fallen into decline, few guests are staying at my place, and it’s hard to make ends meet. My son and daughter-in-law have gone to the city, using the reward money to set up a small business. Though it was difficult at first, now that the empire is at peace and there’s no more war, life has gradually stabilized. My son often says he wants to bring this old woman to live with them, but I’ve guarded this ferry for most of my life and can’t bear to leave. I also think, although there aren’t many people coming here, after half a lifetime, I’ve made a few regular guests. If I leave too, who knows if there might be a traveler in need of lodging who can’t find a place to stay? I consider it as accumulating good karma, so I’ve kept on staying day after day. I never expected to welcome such distinguished guests again today. It’s truly this old woman’s good fortune!”
Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao exchanged smiles.
The Yellow River inspection tour was nearing its end, and they were originally about to return to Luoyang. When they learned that Wuchao Ferry was just ahead, they remembered the old incident years ago when Xiao Qiao had traveled south to her maiden home and Wei Shao had gone to meet her but missed her, and on the way back, the two had met eyes in this ferry inn. They couldn’t resist especially seeking it out.
Before coming, they had heard from local officials that Wuchao Ferry was now in decline, and they hadn’t expected the inn to still be there. Not only was it still there, but the innkeeper even remembered the events from years ago, which filled them with a myriad of emotions.
That night, Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao spent an extremely wonderful evening in this dilapidated but clean inn. In the middle of the night, they were still reluctant to sleep. Wei Shao held Xiao Qiao as they sat side by side by the window, whispering and reminiscing about the scenes from that time. Even their mutual wariness and suspicion back then, now remembered, felt exceptionally sweet.
Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Wei Shao suddenly remembered the nameless hill they had once climbed together in the snow and became excited. He pulled Xiao Qiao up, helped her dress piece by piece, then carried her out of the room and onto horseback. He spurred the horse and followed the old road.
Under the moonlight, the horse raised its hooves, the sound of its steps echoing. Not far behind, a group of secret guards silently followed.
Wei Shao finally found the hill from years ago. Holding Xiao Qiao’s hand, they once again climbed to the top of the hill together.
At that moment, with the bright moon overhead, distant mountains undulating, plains stretching out, and the Yellow River flowing beneath their feet, the mountain wind rustling their clothes, Wei Shao tightly embraced Xiao Qiao as she stood leaning against him. His heart surging with emotion, he suddenly shouted towards the distance: “Oh heavens! I wish to grow old with you! Life after life, our forms and shadows following each other! Even if the great river one day runs dry, my heart can never be taken away!”
Xiao Qiao was startled at first, then laughed, worried that his shout might be heard by the hidden guards. She went to cover his mouth.
As she covered it, her hand paused. She looked up, gazing steadily at his excited eyes looking at her in the moonlight. Suddenly, she punched him lightly, softly scolding him “Fool,” then tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips.
……
“Manman, if I hadn’t met you, what would I be like now?” the man said.
“But you have met me, Wei Shao!” the woman laughed.
The moon’s shadow was silent, the stars like a river of water, quietly watching this loving couple on the hilltop by the great river.