Early spring in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, in Stone Lion Alley.
The lotus pond had just started to warm up, with a few slender stems emerging from the water’s surface. The crabapple trees, however, were the first to bloom. The ones planted outside the flower hall were covered in pink and white blossoms.
The main room now had bamboo blinds, and with the windows propped open, one could see the newly sprouting willow branches outside. The warm weather allowed a gentle breeze to flow in when the partitions were opened.
“My lady, the Marquis has arrived,” announced a maid dressed in a cyan jacket as she lifted the curtain and entered with a bow.
Under the eaves, a pair of melodious laughingthrushes were kept. He was truly meticulous, knowing her fondness for such things and buying them at a high price. After all, he didn’t lack money. This mansion was purchased from a wealthy local gentry, who had willingly handed it over to him. He was skilled at pleasing people in these matters, seemingly eager to pile the best things before her.
Luo Yining was trimming the branches of a cast-iron plant when she heard of his arrival. Her anger caused her to accidentally cut off a main branch.
Despite his soft persuasion and persistent efforts, the man remained unmoved. He simply wouldn’t let her leave! She had told him it was all in the past, that she had moved on and no longer cared for him, but he refused to accept it.
Luo Yining didn’t dare to escape on her own. Not only was Lu Jiaxue personally overseeing her confinement this time, without Cheng Lang to help her, but he even knew how many mosquitoes flew into her room each day. Moreover, her visibly protruding belly, now five months along, prevented her from taking any risks. How could she endanger herself when the child was so carefully protected at this stage?
Lu Jiaxue, for his part, allowed her to socialize with the wives of local officials to prevent boredom. The neighbors included the wife of Nanjing’s Assistant Prefect, who often visited along with another gentry’s wife. He seemed to have plenty of free time, tending to flowers and birds, and sending them to her once they were well cared for.
She put down the scissors and glimpsed Lu Jiaxue entering, followed by a tall woman carrying a bundle.
Luo Yining was surprised to see the woman… After many years, could it be… Xuezhi?
Xuezhi had her hair styled in a married woman’s bun, appearing somewhat older than before. Upon seeing Yining, her eyes reddened. Yining had grown up under Xuezhi’s care. How could she not be surprised and moved to see the young girl she had raised now with a child?
“You said your usual servants weren’t satisfactory,” Lu Jiaxue sat down and poured himself some tea. “So I brought her back to serve you. Is that all right?”
Lu Jiaxue sipped his tea, noticing Yining’s rounded chin, and smiled. She had indeed grown plumper. Although she showed him no kindness, she didn’t refuse the food he sent. She cared about the child. During her recent bout of morning sickness, she had been violently ill each morning. Lu Jiaxue, who slept in her gauze-curtained bed, would wake up to check on her and bring her tea to rinse her mouth.
Luo Yining was startled to find out he had been staying there.
Lu Jiaxue knew she hated him now, but he didn’t do anything to her, just taking care of her like a delicate flower.
Luo Yining still ignored him, so Lu Jiaxue put down his teacup and left, allowing her to talk with Xuezhi.
The mistress and maid, not having seen each other for years, naturally had much to discuss. Yining learned that Xuezhi had married in Baoding and given birth to a son who was now five years old. However, the child had been kidnapped by human traffickers, and she couldn’t find him anywhere. By then, the Luo family had moved to the capital, leaving her without anyone to turn to for help. She cried heartbrokenly. Her husband’s family blamed her for not watching the child properly and treated her coldly. Eventually, Xuezhi packed up her dowry and left to live on her own.
Then Lu Jiaxue’s people found her and said they would take her somewhere.
Unexpectedly, this led to a bumpy journey by water, bringing her to Nanjing in Jiangsu Province. This was the most prosperous area of Jiangsu, which had been the capital before the Emperor moved it.
Xuezhi, who had felt life wasn’t worth living anymore, broke down in tears upon seeing Luo Yining. Yining hugged her comfortingly and called for a maid to bring hot water to wash her face.
How could such a vibrant young woman end up like this after losing her child?
Lu Jiaxue must have had her cleaned up before bringing her here. Yining held her shoulders and said, “You’ve just arrived. Rest for a while before we talk more. There’s no rush for anything else.”
Luo Yining walked out of the room and indeed saw Lu Jiaxue in the adjacent flower hall, with a man in official robes bowing and speaking to him.
Seeing her approach, Lu Jiaxue dismissed the man.
“Xuezhi’s child was kidnapped two years ago and is missing…” she stood before him, hesitating. Xuezhi had served her for many years, watching her grow up. When she left, it was with great reluctance. Their bond was special, and Luo Yining wouldn’t have asked this of anyone else.
“Are you begging me?” Lu Jiaxue looked at her and asked.
Luo Yining nodded and said, “Yes, I’m begging you. Will you agree?”
Lu Jiaxue said, “Come here.”
Luo Yining walked to his side, only to be suddenly pulled onto his lap. She glared at him, but Lu Jiaxue said, “Let me hold you for a while, and I’ll go find her son. If you want me to do something, there should be some reward, right?”
Lu Jiaxue noticed her slender neck, with its soft pink-white hue, more beautiful than the apricot blossoms outside. She smelled good too, with a sweet milky scent from the sheep’s milk she often drank. It was very pleasant. Being a normal man, he felt a fire gradually building within him. If only he could kiss her cheek, which looked so kissable. But she would surely jump up and then refuse to speak to him for days out of anger.
Lu Jiaxue tightened his arms, holding her closer. She was like a soft, fragrant candy, comfortable to hold. Of course, he was only holding her: “Don’t move, or Xuezhi’s child won’t be found.” He let her sit on him and then spoke, “A few days ago, that famous Nanjing doctor said your baby is a boy…”
Luo Yining didn’t know. Watching her belly gradually grow, the period of severe morning sickness had been the most difficult. The feeling of new life growing within her was incredibly intense. She had wondered if it would be a boy or a girl. Either would be fine, though she preferred a girl a little more.
Thinking of Luo Shen Yuan, she felt he would probably have a hard time getting along with a son. If it were a little girl like her, Luo Shen Yuan would probably dote on her.
Luo Yining said nothing. She was becoming increasingly afraid and wanted to go back. She feared returning too late, with the situation in the capital changing rapidly… What about Luo Shen Yuan? He had never lacked female admirers.
Would he still be waiting for her? Perhaps he would be forced to declare her dead.
“I know you’ve always wanted to go back,” Lu Jiaxue said lazily. “But I simply won’t let you leave.”
“You won’t give up, will you?” Luo Yining looked at him and asked.
Lu Jiaxue nodded, leaning back in his chair and saying, “I suppose this counts as confining you, as you said, tyrannical and heartless. Yining, you have to give me a few years’ chance.” He squeezed her hand and said, “Back then, I was just a concubine’s son with nothing. Now I have everything, and I can give you anything you want.”
He looked down at her, his gaze intense.
Luo Yining’s lips twitched slightly: “Where am I supposed to find a few years to give you? I have my husband and father in the capital, and now a child of his in my belly. After a few years, I’m afraid everyone will think I’m dead. Is that what you’re counting on? It’s better for you if others think I’m dead, isn’t it?”
Lu Jiaxue laughed upon hearing this, his laughter deep and magnetic. “Yining, think about it. If you had waited for someone for fourteen years, when they finally appeared before you again, you wouldn’t want to quibble over anything. You’d just want to use every means possible to hold onto them. Let me tell you, I’m still being restrained right now.”
Luo Yining averted her gaze.
Luo Yining was finally able to stand up. The child in her womb seemed to give her a gentle kick, and she let out a small sound of surprise.
It was the first time she had felt the child move so clearly. It was fascinating like it might have stretched out a tiny foot. Or perhaps she had made it uncomfortable, and it wanted to change position to suck its thumb more comfortably.
Lu Jiaxue frowned, “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head lightly, her mood becoming quite wondrous.
Lu Jiaxue asked her to sit down. He played with the string of prayer beads in his hand and continued, “The Qinhuai River flows through Nanjing, and both banks are incredibly prosperous. Would you like to go see it? Or perhaps you’d like to visit the Dà Bào’ēn Temple to pray for blessings for you and your child?”
The Dà Bào’ēn Temple was built by the founding emperor to commemorate the first emperor and empress. It was magnificently constructed, with the pagoda’s body said to be made of glazed tiles, and 146 perpetual lamps placed inside and outside the tower. It was known as the “First Pagoda Under Heaven,” originally called the Ashoka Pagoda. Du Fan Chuan’s verse “Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many towers in the misty rain” referred to the Dà Bào’ēn Temple.
“I’ll have someone prepare,” Lu Jiaxue immediately beckoned. When he went out, he insisted on a grand procession, as his current status demanded caution.
“No need to trouble yourself,” Yining stopped him. “It’s inconvenient for me to travel now. If it’s convenient for you, about Xuezhi’s matter… I’d still have to trouble you.”
Knowing she can’t leave, so she’s not bothering to go out?
Xuezhi’s child had been missing for over two years, and even searching ten villages and eight shops had yielded no results. It was uncertain if the child could still be found.
Lu Jiaxue smiled and asked her leisurely, “If I help you find him, how will you thank me?”
Luo Yining knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Lu Jiaxue continued, “Asking you to serve me tea isn’t convenient for you now. From now on, you’ll be responsible for my breakfast every day. Make it well, if it’s not good, you’ll have to redo it.”
Luo Yining was speechless. Thinking about how she hadn’t seriously cooked for many years, she felt a bit daunted. But since she was asking for his help, she couldn’t refuse.
From that day on, Yining got up early every day to make his breakfast. Although she didn’t cook often, she was familiar with Lu Jiaxue’s tastes. He liked noodles, especially lamb noodles, and could eat a large bowl at once. He absolutely wouldn’t want plain porridge, and barely liked pastries and buns. He preferred pickled vegetables, so Yining had a shed set up to grow cucumbers for him year-round, which were good for cold dishes, pickling, soup, or stir-frying with meat.
Lu Jiaxue never complained. After breakfast, he would lounge around reading a book in her quarters.
Spring passed into summer in the blink of an eye, and the weather grew warmer.
Outside, pale green buds appeared on the lotus pond, but there was still no news of Xuezhi’s child.
Yining mostly ignored him, but Lu Jiaxue came to bother her. He picked up the baby’s belly band she was embroidering and looked at it: “I need an undergarment, can you make one for me?”
“Don’t you have undergarments to wear?” Yining asked him.
His smile faded, and he looked at Yining for a long time.
Luo Yining stiffened under his gaze. He leaned in, placing his hand beside her. His tone turned slightly cold: “Luo Yining, make me an undergarment, understand?”
Lu Jiaxue stood up without saying anything more and walked out. Xuezhi, who had been watching, felt chilled to the bone. She softly said, “Miss, I see that the Marquis truly treats you well… if there’s no other way…”
“You don’t understand him,” Luo Yining sighed slightly. She knew that if she took one step back, Lu Jiaxue would see that her heart had softened, and he would take a big step forward. Until he had her cornered with nowhere to go. He was best at this.
Xuezhi had never asked about her relationship with Lu Jiaxue. Luo Yining suspected that Lu Jiaxue must have told her. It was even possible that Xuezhi had been bought by him and sent here deliberately. Perhaps Xuezhi’s story was fabricated; Lu Jiaxue was capable of such things. Otherwise, why did she rarely hear Xuezhi mention her child or in-laws?
Although Luo Yining had her doubts, she never asked.
In the afternoon, Lu Jiaxue brought her a basket of lotus roots. Nanjing’s lotus roots were excellent, as thick as a strong man’s arm, crisp and without fibers. He also included a small basket of Osaka water chestnuts, which melted in the mouth like ice and snow without needing to be chewed. These were fresh seasonal items, sent to stimulate her appetite in the stuffy summer heat.
The lotus roots were cut into chunks and stewed with spare ribs, along with a handful of lotus seeds, some soy sauce, and sesame oil. Once tender, it was especially delicious.
Undergarments were intimate items, and Yining absolutely wouldn’t make them for him. But as she saw the dusk settling outside, she still couldn’t bring herself to be completely heartless. She had a maid pack the stewed lotus root and ribs in a food basket, along with several plates of pastries, to be sent to him.
The servant guarding his study was particularly pleased to see Luo Yining’s approach.
Whenever the lady came to deliver dinner, the Marquis’s mood would be exceptionally good. It could last for several days, so the servants were always happy to see her.
“Please sit inside and wait,” the servant bowed and said. “The wind is strong outside. Be careful not to catch a chill!”
The maid helped her sit in the master chair outside the study. She was nearing full term and had to be especially careful in her movements. Yining heard people talking inside: “The Minister of Works retired half a month ago. Due to the lack of a suitable candidate and with Wang Yuan’s strong support… Luo Shen Yuan has succeeded as the new Minister of Works. The news just arrived recently. This man is very cunning; he had kept it completely secret until now. No one knew… The Duke of Ying has been inquiring about your whereabouts, but because the Oirats have resurged, the Emperor has ordered him to guard Xuanfu.”
“He needn’t concern himself anymore,” Lu Jiaxue said. “What about Cheng Lang?” He had left the capital after conferring with the Emperor, a secret discussion. No one knew the specific content, but he had received an imperial edict.
“General Cheng and Minister Luo have been scheming against each other relentlessly, but Luo Shen Yuan is close to Ge Hongnian, the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, so they can’t do anything to him.”
Lu Jiaxue sneered, “He’s become the Emperor’s confidant and is now showing off. Didn’t he publicly express support for the Crown Prince in court last time? Didn’t the Qingliu Party curse him to death?”
The Third Prince had been adopted as the legitimate son, and being studious and gentle in nature, he had always been supported by the Qingliu Party.
The man quickly replied, “After Luo Shen Yuan expressed support for the Crown Prince, many of Wang Yuan’s faction followed suit in declaring their stance. The Qingliu Party’s memorials criticizing him for betraying the country came like snowflakes. But the Emperor favors the Crown Prince and instead calls Minister Luo for an all-night discussion. I suspect that within a few months, Minister Luo might have a chance to enter the cabinet…”
Of course, Luo Shen Yuan would use support for the Crown Prince to please the Emperor. Even Wang Yuan turned a blind eye to this, so he dared to do it. The Emperor would be more than gratified.
Lu Jiaxue continued, “We can’t let him manipulate things unchecked. The Qingliu Party is utterly useless. Write to the Empress and have her find Xie Yi. That old fox may not take a stance, but he has always supported the Third Prince.”
The man accepted the order and withdrew.
Lu Jiaxue opened the study door to see Luo Yining standing outside. Without looking up, he said, “Did you hear? That third brother of yours is truly skilled at gauging the Emperor’s wishes. He’s become a minister now.”
“I brought you some soup,” Yining lifted the food basket.
Under the candlelight, Lu Jiaxue slowly drank the soup. The lotus root soup had a sweet taste that no culinary skill could replicate. It was the flavor of her holding it in her hands and placing a small bowl on his desk.
Seeing that he had almost finished, Yining picked up the basket to leave. Lu Jiaxue suddenly grabbed her hand and said, “Luo Yining, where’s my undergarment?”
Luo Yining wanted to throw the food box at him. Didn’t he have plenty of undergarments in his wardrobe?
Lu Jiaxue called for a servant to bring in a soft tape measure: “It’s been so many years, you must have forgotten my measurements. Come, measure me.”
He stood up and spread his arms, beckoning her to come and measure him.
The tape measure loosened, and Luo Yining measured his arm span from behind. She thought that if she wrapped the tape measure around, she might be able to strangle him. Swallowing her anger, she said, “Bend down a bit!” If she angered him, he was capable of anything. She might as well measure him and have Xuezhi help make it later.
As she measured his waist, Lu Jiaxue looked down at the top of her head. She wore a light pink underjacket, and a faint fragrance kept wafting into his nose. He smiled. He could have easily embraced her, but he decided to wait for her to come closer on her own, lest he frighten her. After measuring, he squeezed her hand and said, “Thank you. Make it look nice.”
A few days later, he received the undergarment. Lu Jiaxue was in a much better mood, though he didn’t know it was Xuezhi who had made it, and she didn’t dare tell him. The stitching was neat, and the fabric was comfortable.
Lu Jiaxue liked it very much and wore it often.
One afternoon, the Nanjing Prefect came to see him, and they drank some wine together. As the alcohol took effect, he went to find her.
Luo Yining was leaning against a pillow, using a small hammer to gently tap her swollen legs. Pregnancy was difficult, and in these final days, she could barely move around.
Lu Jiaxue received a letter from his subordinate at the door. As he opened and read it, his whole body went cold.
The border was in urgent danger. Wei Ling had been holding the line, but now he couldn’t hold on anymore.
The Oirats and Tatars had conspired to break through Xuanfu and Datong, at one point pushing as far as Yanmen Pass. The Emperor ordered him to go to Datong and lead troops to meet the enemy.
He handed the letter to his subordinate: “Tell the Commander to come tomorrow.”
He entered the room and walked to the side of the couch. Seeing him arrive, the maids and old women withdrew.
“You seem carefree,” Lu Jiaxue said. “Not in a hurry to go back anymore?”
Being heavily pregnant, she couldn’t risk her life. Luo Yining knew that she was already young for this, and needed to be extra careful. As she continued tapping her legs, she suddenly asked, “Lu Jiaxue, have you found Xuezhi’s son?”
“Missing for two years, how could there be news so quickly?” Lu Jiaxue replied.
Luo Yining leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes: “…How did you buy her off?”
Hearing this, Lu Jiaxue smiled and said, “You never believed Xuezhi’s words?”
“I did at first, but then I didn’t. Thinking about it, how could it be so convenient? If her child wasn’t lost, then there’s no need to look…” Luo Yining said, “So I don’t have to worry about it.”
Lu Jiaxue suddenly leaned closer, pulling her hand and pressing her: “Actually, you suspect me, don’t you?”
Luo Yining’s face was pale, and she remained silent. Lu Jiaxue suddenly became angry: “Speak!” But then he saw her brow gradually furrowing, and she half-curled up, clutching her belly.
Seeing something was wrong, Lu Jiaxue quickly supported her: “What’s happening?”
“It hurts…” Luo Yining mumbled, the pain slowly intensifying. She had no time to argue with him, her body trembling slightly as if someone was forcefully wringing her insides.
Lu Jiaxue immediately stood up: “Where are the attendants? Come in quickly!”
…
The main gate of the mansion opened, and carriages carrying the doctor and midwife rushed in through the inner gate.
Old women carrying hot water in copper basins hurried into the room, and the curtains were lowered. Lu Jiaxue held her hand. At first, when the pain wasn’t so severe, she didn’t want him to hold her. But as the pain intensified, she no longer knew who was beside her and instead gripped his hand tightly.
“My lord should step away, the birthing room is inauspicious…” the midwife said, sweating profusely. Yining’s pelvis was too small, and despite the intense pain, her cervix wasn’t dilating.
“I’m staying right here,” Lu Jiaxue said sternly. “You just focus on delivering the baby, don’t talk nonsense!”
The doctor brewed the labor-inducing medicine, which was brought in by an old woman to be fed to Yining. She was too young, and her body was naturally weak, so she had to take the medicine.
Lu Jiaxue, thinking of how he had pressured her earlier, felt guilty and heavy-hearted. He knelt and kissed the back of her cold hand, her palm damp with sweat. He took off the prayer beads from his hand and wound them around hers. These beads had protected him through numerous battles; surely they would protect her too.
Luo Yining was delirious with pain, clutching the brocade quilt. She seemed to see Luo Shen Yuan standing beside her, not speaking, just looking at her gently.
But when she saw his back, she suddenly felt at ease. She closed her eyes.
“Meimei, don’t be afraid. Third Brother is here,” a warm voice murmured.
Thousands of miles away in the capital, Luo Shen Yuan had just left Wang Yuan’s place. More than half a year had passed, and he had been maneuvering in the capital, going out with an entourage preceding and following him.
“My lord, a letter from Shandong,” Lin Yong handed him the letter.
Luo Shen Yuan took the letter. It was from Lin Mao in Shandong. Lin Mao had become a local official in Gaomi. Everyone thought he had gone there just to idle away his time, and he had indeed spent a year seriously enjoying himself. Unexpectedly, he later achieved some success, and now many people in Gaomi respected him greatly. This fellow had quite a talent for winning people’s hearts.
Lin Mao had been secretly investigating Wang Yuan’s affairs in Shandong for him, and now there was finally some progress.
Luo Shen Yuan crumpled the letter and put it in his sleeve: “Any response from Xi’an?”
Lin Yong hesitated and shook his head: “Not yet.”
Over the past half year, Luo Shen Yuan had searched almost all of Zhili, but there was no trace. At first, he was convinced that Zhili was Lu Jiaxue’s stronghold and that he must be there, but after failing to find him, he began to doubt. Although Lu Jiaxue was a military man, he was very clever and had erased his tracks, leaving no trace to be found. Perhaps he wasn’t in Zhili at all.
So when the Tatars pressed to Yanmen Pass, he was the first to suggest Lu Jiaxue to the Emperor. To force Lu Jiaxue out, to force him to go to war.
On the black night of midsummer, filled with the sound of crickets, the night was very quiet. Luo Shen Yuan looked at the lantern light spread across the ground, feeling an unusual stirring in his heart as if something important was happening, but he didn’t know what.
Luo Shen Yuan closed his eyes, his expression cold.