Everyone was discussing how to take the two provinces when Chou Yu pushed someone in, immediately shouting, “Brother Mo, look who this is?!”

Mo Zi looked and her mouth fell half open, unable to close. “How did you find us?” Dressed as a boatman in coarse clothes and cloth pants, head wrapped in a gray cloth, face smeared with charcoal—only the eyes were large and rolling—it was actually Wu Youyan.

Chou Yu said, “She followed our ships. Don’t know how she snuck in—no need to search for her.”

“What?” Mo Zi was truly speechless.

“She boarded the tail ship and hid in the food storage. She’s gnawed through quite a bit of our dried rations. Like a mouse falling into a rice bin—won’t go hungry.” Chou Yu shrugged. “How should this matter be handled?”

Li Yan had never seen Wu Youyan. “This young man is—?”

When Wu Youyan heard him say “young man,” a trace of a smile appeared on her face, as if proud her disguise had succeeded.

“This young lady is the daughter of Great Zhou’s Prince Li, Princess Wu Youyan.” After Yuan Cheng’s introduction, he indeed saw everyone’s faces change. But his expression remained calm as he turned to ask Wu Youyan, “What brings the Princess here?”

Wu Youyan became somewhat hesitant. “I… I thought you were returning to Shangdu, so I followed you onto the ship.”

Mo Zi easily exposed her. “If that were the case, why didn’t the Princess tell us directly, but instead secretly hid in the food storage?”

“That was—I was afraid you’d find me troublesome and wouldn’t take me along.” As soon as Mo Zi and the others left, Wu Youyan had followed on horseback. At first she truly thought they were returning to Shangdu, but who knew she’d hear they were going to Nande. She could have stopped right there, but somehow her feet wouldn’t obey and like a thief she secretly snuck onto the ship.

Mo Zi looked toward Yuan Cheng, silently asking what to do.

“Mo Zi, you take the Princess to the back garden to settle in first. I’ll have people inquire if there are reliable travelers going to Great Zhou—when the time comes, we’ll ask them to take her along. Besides, Dou Lu will surely want to see her sister.” Of course they couldn’t let Wu Youyan know too much about their affairs. Yuan Cheng had Mo Zi take her away.

Mo Zi and Yuan Cheng were already in perfect accord. She nodded and invited Wu Youyan to leave with her.

Luo Ying and Hua Ying were talking in the pavilion outside, just discussing Prince Su’s child-swapping scheme, when they saw Mo Zi and immediately came forward.

Hua Ying didn’t say much, but her expression was full of concern. “As long as Miss is safe.”

“Thank you.” Mo Zi smiled. “Was your journey smooth?”

Hua Ying replied it was smooth. “Miss Dou Lu fell ill once, but after recuperating these past days, she’s mostly recovered.”

“What illness?” Mo Zi asked anxiously.

“She caught a chill from rain while traveling, but fortunately Doctor Hua is here. She’s been taking the medicine he prescribed.” Hua Ying knew Mo Zi and Dou Lu had deep sisterly affection, so she explained in detail.

While the two were talking, Luo Ying studied Wu Youyan. The more she looked, the more she narrowed her eyes, then let out a loud cry. “It’s you!”

“Didn’t you see your brother-in-law run in just now?” Mo Zi half-joked. “Too busy talking about your husband?”

Luo Ying’s thin eyebrows jumped twice as she smiled. “Wait until you’re married—it won’t be many days now.” Then pointing at Wu Youyan, “How did she get here?”

“She hid on the ship. Until we can arrange passage back for her, she’ll stay with us temporarily.” Mo Zi walked behind Hua Ying who was leading the way.

“I’m not going back!” Words she dared not speak before the men, Wu Youyan spoke out to these women.

Mo Zi suddenly stopped and turned around. “I guessed you’d say that—you’re not one to obey. Can you tell us the reason? It’s Prince Su who wanted to rebel. Your father’s charges won’t stand. Restoring his power and position is only a matter of time, and he’ll surely seek justice for your marriage.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” Wu Youyan bit her lip as if making up her mind. “If I go back, my family will definitely send me to Qing Zhou. I know my father’s temperament. Even though Ningyuan Marquis Manor treated me that way, a married daughter is like spilled water—for the sake of face, he won’t keep me.”

“That’s true. After all, to your parents, you’ve already entered the bridal sedan and married. A woman’s reputation is paramount. After you married and returned to your natal family, regardless of the reason, others will see you as a married woman. Finding another suitable match will be difficult.” One could only say this Princess’s luck was bad. If her father hadn’t gotten into trouble, the people at Ningyuan Marquis Manor would naturally treat her well. Though it would be superficial, it’s better than nothing.

“I don’t want to go to Ningyuan Marquis Manor, and I don’t want to marry a man I don’t know based on my parents’ orders.” That Father would be fine, that her blood brother was actually her cousin—these huge blows made her decide at the last moment to step onto an unfamiliar path. Among this group of people, it seemed she too could have value.

“Even so, you still can’t stay here.” A Great Zhou princess among Nande rebel forces and mobs.

A spy? A hostage? Either could be exploited by those in power.

“If I don’t say anything myself, and you don’t say anything, Nande won’t know my identity. If you insist on making me leave, I’ll go back and tell the Emperor you’re raising troops in Nande to rebel.” Not quite certain whether this would make them change their minds, Wu Youyan didn’t care anymore.

“Is the Princess threatening me?” Mo Zi smiled. “You can say this to me, but definitely don’t say it to Yuan Cheng, or you’ll surely be kicked out immediately.”

Wu Youyan frowned, her gaze stubborn. “I’ll be useful to you.”

Mo Zi said no more and had Hua Ying prepare a room for her. “Rest well for two days. Once arrangements are made, please return home, Princess.”

That evening, dining with Yuan Cheng, Mo Zi repeated Wu Youyan’s words. “I think she won’t easily give up the idea. You’ll probably have trouble on your hands. However, there’s one thing I’m quite curious about—what use could she be to us?”

Yuan Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, “Are you speaking well of her?”

“You saw through me?” Mo Zi blinked and smiled. “As a woman, I just sympathize with her plight. She’s right—once she returns, she’ll definitely be sent to Ningyuan Marquis Manor, though those people’s attitudes will be vastly different. However, trust no longer exists. Her personality seems unable to compromise. In the end she probably still won’t gain her husband’s affection, and her days won’t be good.”

“You’re still soft-hearted, which makes me even more moved.” Yuan Cheng returned her smile. “Whether Wu Youyan stays or goes, let’s see in two days. If we can’t find a use for her, I’ll still have to send her away.”

“I’ve done my utmost duty—after that, it’s up to you.” Mo Zi served him food.

“Consider it accumulating blessings for our happy day.” Yuan Cheng ate, lowering his head with a smile.

Mo Zi let out a sound. “I told you to pick a date, but you don’t need to be so hasty. Within two days? When Sanniang married, that was considered very rushed, and the whole process still took a month or so. Let me tell you first—I haven’t prepared any wedding trousseau like quilts, and I haven’t even made a wedding dress or celebration clothes.”

“These things are normally prepared by the bride’s family, but you’re different.” Yuan Cheng raised his eyes. “A beloved wife obtained through a thousand hardships—I dare not trouble you with such trivial matters. What if you change your mind and refuse to marry just for a few trunks of trousseau? Wouldn’t I be filled with regret? I’ll prepare those things myself.”

“I’ve never heard of the groom preparing the bride’s trousseau.” Mo Zi was touched inside. Being pampered by him, she had become lawless. “I can prepare it myself, but two days definitely won’t be enough. Because of the chaos of war, even if we keep everything simple, it’ll take ten days to half a month.”

Yuan Cheng gazed at her. “To have such a wife—what more could a husband ask? Mo Zi, today on the ship I didn’t lose composure—it was truly because I was immensely delighted, overflowing with joy. Let people call me foolish—I rejoice in it. I never thought I would pamper a woman, because my nature is indifferent. I never indulge in exclusive love, and even the thought of marriage I had dismissed. The Yuan clan ends with me—let it end. This surname has too much suffering. I hope Grandfather, Father and Mother, elder brother and sister, all who died because of the Yuan name—may they never be reborn into the Yuan family in their next lives, never bear the grievances of previous generations. Before I met you, even revenge had become willful and erratic, flickering in and out of existence. The petty schemes of people like Grand Tutor Wu—I regarded them as child’s play, contemptible. Life was meaningless, death was difficult to face—that was my state of mind the day I met you. I can only say Heaven favored me—meeting you gave me life. There’s something I said to Xiao Wei but never told you. Now in this whole world, I scheme only for you alone. Today I add one more thing—from now on, I scheme for your entire life. Phrases like ‘life after life’—I dare not use them. My hands have taken too many lives, accumulated too much evil. I don’t know if I’ll descend to the eighteenth level of hell, never to reincarnate. I can’t have you waiting in vain. I seek you for this life, this world. May we live long and grow old together—transforming an eternal wish into a promise for one lifetime. How could I not pamper you more? You’re not an ordinary young woman, and I’m not an ordinary ideal husband. Our elders are gone—we need not be particular about wedding customs. I’ll arrange everything. You just need to appear when the time comes.”

Mo Zi wept. This man—clearly so capable, clearly so powerful—but the rare words of love he spoke made her heart overflow with sweet and bitter complexity.

Transforming an eternal wish into a promise for one lifetime.

Though she didn’t believe in heaven and hell, this life and the next, she couldn’t help but be moved.

“Trying to say sweet words—how did I make you cry again?” Yuan Cheng raised his sleeve to wipe Mo Zi’s tears.

“Don’t you even have a handkerchief?” Already finished wiping, and still complaining.

“Waiting for my beloved to give me one.” Yuan Cheng’s warm fingertips brushed across her peach-blossom pink cheeks.

“Chancellor Yuan, Elder Li urgently requests an audience.” Ming Nian ran in, saw this scene, and stumbled.

The two were eating with the door open, just without anyone serving nearby.

Yuan Cheng sighed, reluctantly withdrawing his hand. “Ming Nian, next time before you come in, peek twice first. If you see a scene like just now, wait a bit before calling out.”

Ming Nian scratched his head, tongue-tied for a long moment, then said yes.

“Yes what yes?” But Mo Zi wasn’t a shy young woman. “Don’t listen to your master’s nonsense. Matters have priorities—when the door is open, of course you can run in to report.”

Ming Nian looked at one, then the other, his face falling. One master, one mistress—who should he listen to?

“Don’t just stand there. Go invite Elder Li in.” Mo Zi smiled secretly.

Only then did Ming Nian react and hurry out to invite him. Other servants entered to clear the dishes and replace them with hot water and refreshments.

Mo Zi looked and saw they were all people from the original Yuan Mansion, and felt a sense of familiarity.

Before long, Li Yan hurried in. After a brief courtesy, he said, “He Hu has sent someone. Does the Chancellor wish to meet them personally?”

“He Hu sent someone? What about the people we sent some days ago? Did they return together?” Yuan Cheng wasn’t pleased that the other side had sent an envoy.

“No.” Li Yan answered.

Yuan Cheng’s eyes turned cold.