Three days later, Prince Su’s army began to show signs of panic and disorder.

Yuan Cheng observed the changes quietly.

Two more days passed. The defensive fortifications nearly ceased, and soldiers whispered to each other.

Yuan Cheng dispatched ten thousand troops to test the soil at the Song County-Heng City border, then did nothing and returned to the city.

That night, hundreds of soldiers mysteriously disappeared.

Another day passed. Yuan Cheng had fifty thousand troops practice their voices at the border, only shouting: “All Han people—surrender and you won’t be killed.”

On the seventh day after Prince Su entered the cave, his subordinate generals sent people with surrender documents. They retreated to the trestle bridge, expressing willingness to submit.

Yuan Cheng, Jin Yin, Wei Jia, and Xiao Wei led one hundred thousand troops to receive the surrendering soldiers—an imposing and magnificent force. This finally allowed the common people of surrounding prefectures and counties to see hope of driving away the Daqiu people, and they volunteered to join the army in droves.

Mo Zi paid no attention to the upheaval outside. She secluded herself without emerging, rushing to produce woodblock prints. To her, it wasn’t a key to open a door, but a key to open a mountain. As long as she found the mountain hidden in the water shadow, all secrets would no longer be secrets.

She didn’t know which day or which print it was when she closed her eyes and ran her left hand over it again and again, finally breathing a long sigh of relief.

Success.

Opening the door, she handed the woodblock print to Zan Jin. She said to Luo Ying, “I need to sleep.”

Luo Ying said many things. She couldn’t hear them very clearly and only felt it was noisy. Hugging her head with a pitiful expression, she said, “Elder Sister, dear Sister, right now my head is dizzy and my ears are ringing. Whatever you want to say, wait until I wake up.”

Returning to the bedroom, without changing clothes or washing her face, she fell into bed, humming that beds were still the most comfortable. The exclamation reached her lips but went silent—she was asleep.

Luo Ying smiled helplessly and said to the person who had been in the room looking at documents all along, “Your wife’s slovenly appearance—you’ll pretend you didn’t see it, right? It’s all for you anyway.”

That person was precisely Yuan Cheng. He put down what he was holding and walked to the bedside. “You go ahead. I’ll take care of her.”

Luo Ying teased, “Shouldn’t you be taking care of her? I’m a big-bellied woman now. At home, my husband won’t even let me bend over once.” Speaking, she went out.

Yuan Cheng smiled faintly. Turning toward Mo Zi, who slept unconscious to the world, he gently brushed aside the hair scattered across her face and gazed carefully. “Are you slovenly? How is it that I feel there’s no girl in the world more beautiful than you?”

His nose was more sensitive than ordinary people’s, but he only smelled the woody fragrance all over her body. In her hair and clothes were wood shavings. When she had just fallen down, the quilt had also gotten quite a bit on it. He picked up a small wood curl, rubbing it with his fingers—truly as she often said, delicate and simple, without embellishment yet revealing the most natural aspect, becoming more beautiful through the years.

“Good wood, right?” He lay down, turned sideways toward that sleeping lovely face, and kissed gently on her forehead and between her brows. “My wife has worked hard.”

Mo Zi of course couldn’t hear, but was drawn by his body warmth. Unconsciously moving closer, her head settled comfortably against his shoulder and she breathed out contentedly.

Yuan Cheng closed his eyes, smelling the peaceful fragrance, gradually falling asleep.

The next day, Mo Zi woke up after sleeping to her heart’s content and asked A Yue, who was setting out breakfast, “Is Yuan Cheng still in Song County?”

With Luo Ying pregnant and Xiao Yi unable to stay put, Yuan Cheng had A Hao and A Yue change from hidden to visible, formally becoming Mo Zi’s personal maids.

“Prime Minister Yuan returned three days ago.” A Yue said this, then found it strange. “I just saw Prime Minister Yuan walk out of the room earlier. Madam didn’t know?”

“One day in the mountains, one year in the world—I completely lost count of the days.” She only remembered completing the woodblock print last night, returning to the room and going to sleep. Yuan Cheng? She had no impression of seeing him at all.

“Song County has already been taken. The defense line has been pushed forward to Ping City. Prince Su’s fifty thousand troops have surrendered, been reorganized, and joined the Righteous Yuan Army.” She hadn’t missed that much.

“Ping City. Of Yuling’s four prefectures, we’ve taken two.” Mo Zi asked A Yue to also sit down and eat.

“Yes.” A Yue couldn’t resist her and had to sit down. At first it was awkward, but after talking it got better.

“What about Prince Su? Has he been found?” Mo Zi asked.

A Yue answered, “No. Prime Minister Yuan personally went back to Crescent Moon Mountain. The cave entrance has been solidly blocked by large stones. According to people guarding outside the forest, at that time the earth shook violently for quite a while. By the time they rushed to the cave entrance, it was like this. Prince Su’s people searched the entire mountain—there are no other exits, and they didn’t see anyone who entered the cave that day.”

This was already within Mo Zi’s expectations, but there was nothing to be happy about either. Among these people were hers and Yuan Cheng’s bloodline sources. Although she had made up her mind to abandon that bond, her heart inevitably sighed.

A Yue saw her emotions were somewhat low and understood the reason. She wanted to say some words of comfort but feared it would backfire, feeling very troubled for a moment.

Mo Zi saw this and instead comforted her. “It’s nothing. Personally sending my own maternal grandfather into a tomb—I’ve achieved mastery in cultivation. He disregarded flesh and blood affection and caused the death of his own daughter and son-in-law. He should have anticipated today’s end. Good is rewarded with good, evil with evil. It’s not that there’s no retribution—the time hasn’t come yet. So then, how are rumors spreading outside about Prince Su’s inexplicable disappearance?”

“It seems that except for those who followed Prince Su into the cave, everyone else has no idea. They think Prince Su unfortunately encountered a landslide.” The treasure matter was just conveniently concealed.

“How is Dou Lu lately?” Just released from seclusion, she was sluggish with eyes seeing nothing.

“Miss Dou Lu followed the Second Prince to Ping City. Prime Minister Yuan originally didn’t allow it, but Miss Dou Lu was very stubborn—no one could dissuade her. As a result, Prime Minister Yuan asked Minister Yang to accompany them and look after her. Oh yes, Master Song also went.” A Yue secretly watched Mo Zi’s expression. She knew this lady cared most about her younger sister.

Song Yan’s martial skills were high. With him going, she could rest assured. However, “Which Minister Yang?”

“Minister Yang Ling. He came together with General Wei and General Xiao.” A Yue seemed to hesitate at this point.

“Speak freely if you have something to say.” Mo Zi could tell.

“Minister Yang and Miss Dou Lu gathered to talk as soon as they met.” Words like “seems very attentive” she wouldn’t say, to avoid causing misunderstanding, although everyone knew perfectly well that Yang Ling clearly had quite a favorable impression of Dou Lu.

“The two have met once before, and that Yang Ling is good at talking too.” Mo Zi recalled the first place she met Yang Ling. He was a romantic talented scholar worthy of the name. “What was Jin Yin’s—I mean the Second Prince’s—reaction?”

“The Second Prince didn’t have much reaction. Prime Minister Yuan had Minister Yang accompany them to Ping City. Miss Dou Lu wasn’t too willing, but he didn’t object.” These matters were all discussed in the back residence, so A Yue knew about them.

Was Yuan Cheng’s arrangement deliberate, or purely from a strategic perspective? Mo Zi leaned toward the former.

“How does that saying go? When sons grow up, mothers can’t control them. I’m not managing anymore.” Managing would be useless anyway.

A Yue smiled with pursed lips. “Madam, an elder sister is like a mother. You’ve always worried about your younger sister. Now with Prime Minister Yuan also taking care of things, Miss Dou Lu will definitely be able to pick a good husband.”

“Let’s hope so.” Feeling like she was becoming naggy after marrying, Mo Zi put down her bowl and chopsticks. “I’m going to the workshop. This time I won’t set door restrictions. If Yuan Cheng comes back, help me tell him.”

A Yue stood up and said she understood.

Going out to find Zan Jin, she discovered he wasn’t there. At this moment, a strange voice suddenly came to her ear—somewhat cold, somewhat hoarse.

“Zan Jin is sleeping. I’ll follow.”

“Who are you?”

“Lan Yi.”

“Luo Yi, Zheng Yi, Huayi, plus you and Xiao Yi—complete set.” Most likely Yuan Cheng’s arrangement.

No one answered her.

“Then thank you.” Recalling that Zan Jin seemed to have said Lan Yi spoke the least, it appeared to be true. The others at least had questions and answers.

Tree leaves rustled. A flash of blue clothing passed by.

Yuan Cheng’s habit of liking quiet had always been maintained. Though this back residence was large, no human voices were heard. In Yuling’s flower country, even in the cold, there were flowers to see. Plum blossoms were about to fade, winter jasmine faintly golden. Mo Zi strolled leisurely through the courtyard, finally able to carefully look at this temporary dwelling place.

Turning the corner to reach the workshop, she saw a person standing with back against the wall. A silver-blue brocade robe embroidered with peony and silver thread patterns supported a full and solid figure—imposing and distinguished.

“General Xiao.” This person—whether she owed him or he owed her, she really didn’t know what to say.

Xiao Wei’s body trembled. He immediately left the wall and stood straight. Lowering his eyes felt cowardly, so he looked directly at her. “I thought you were still—um—in seclusion.”

“What seclusion? It’s not like I’m practicing some peerless martial art. It’s just that when I’m absorbed in work, I don’t like being interrupted.” Actually, they could be friends if he were like Wei Jia and didn’t give people pressure. “General Xiao was pulled into battle as soon as he arrived. Thanks to you all, I could focus on my own profession.”

Xiao Wei neither smiled nor spoke.

Mo Zi sighed inwardly. It was precisely this disposition that prevented people from liking him or getting close to him. After half a day’s effort, they couldn’t say more than a few sentences.

“Is General Xiao eating and lodging well? If there’s anything you need, just tell me and Yuan Cheng. Right now with military campaigns, things are complicated. There are inevitably areas where hospitality is lacking—” She was temporarily half a host. “Don’t pretend to learn what back-residence women do.” When Xiao Wei spoke again, his tone was bad.

Huh? Mo Zi was baffled by what he said. She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “What does General Xiao mean?”

“If marrying him means you just manage these eating and lodging matters, what difference is there from marrying me?” After the Emperor bestowed the marriage, he had imagined many times her appearing virtuous at home waiting for him, but had to tell himself over and over that she wouldn’t be a mistress content with the back residence. Even if elders blamed and disapproved, he had to give her a certain freedom, even like Third Brother, separating to live independently. Although Grandfather and Father both hinted that Prince Jing’s position would be assumed by him, he still felt his loyal and family-oriented eldest brother was most deserving. As for his own position in court, of course he would earn it himself.

Mo Zi had a quick and clever heart. She quickly understood what he was angry about. “General Xiao still doesn’t understand women. A woman who is strong and capable outside, as long as she meets the right person, can also settle in the back residence and manage guests’ food and lodging. Although I feel you’re meddling, you being direct and losing your temper is better than false courtesy. Fleeing the marriage—for you, your heart must want to explode, right?”

Was he losing his temper because she fled the marriage? Xiao Wei was stunned. After a long while, he said, “The matter has already passed. I originally didn’t want to bring it up again. No—I do want to bring it up. Holding in this anger, I wanted to ask you face to face clearly: what exactly is wrong with me that you had to use such a method to humiliate me?”

This was Xiao Wei—the noble young master who said whatever he had to say.

Mo Zi smiled. “If I married you, that would be humiliating you. Xiao Wei, I’ve said more than once that we’re not the same kind of people. It’s not that you’re not good, but that we’re not suitable for each other. Ask yourself—are you tolerating me more, or liking me more? Do you want me to change my temperament, or keep my original nature? If it’s all the former, then I guarantee that half a year after marrying you, you’d be unable to stand me and would go to Hong Luo, Lu Bi, or even Lady Wei Liu to seek gentle comfort. You and I—rather than being a bumpy couple who endure each other, it’s better to be polite friends who can chat about common topics.”

“What about Yuan Cheng? Is he suitable for you?”

“Him? Put it this way: I could tear down the Great Zhou Emperor’s ancestral temple, and he’d still laugh it off.” It wasn’t something to describe with “suitable” anymore. “Because he only gives to me without expecting anything in return.”