Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Wei Prince’s Mansion.

Since the untimely death of Prince Zhao Jing of Wei, the main gate of the Wei Prince’s Mansion, located southeast outside the East Gate, had remained firmly closed. The two large stone lions flanking the gate had long been neglected, covered in bird droppings and fallen leaves. Although the side gates on the east and west had seen occasional use over the past two years, they were mostly kept tightly locked. The back gate, however, was used daily, as it had always been.

The back gate of the Wei Prince’s Mansion faced North Street, diagonally opposite the renowned South Market. Every day, all the meat and vegetables needed within the mansion were purchased from that market.

Prince Zhao Jing had no full brothers or sisters, only a younger sister, Zhao Chuoyun, who had been titled the Duchess of Bashu. When Zhao Jing passed away, Zhao Chuoyun was only eleven years old but had already been apprenticed to the famed swordsman Lou Sanfeng for three years, learning the Lou family swordsmanship.

Zhao Jing had been married less than half a year before his sudden death, leaving behind a young and beautiful princess consort who mourned him deeply. She had wished to follow him in death, but with a child in her womb, she was forced to live on. After ten months, she gave birth to a son, named Zhao Yuan. With this hope, the princess consort resolved to raise her son well. But fate was cruel; when Zhao Yuan was four, a devastating plague took the princess consort’s life, finally reuniting her with her husband. Upon hearing the news, Zhao Chuoyun hurried home and, seeing her young nephew, was heartbroken. After arranging for the burial of the princess consort, she took Zhao Yuan away from the mansion.

At eighteen, Zhao Chuoyun married Sima Xi, and Zhao Yuan accompanied his aunt to Bashu. Later, both Zhao Chuoyun and Zhao Yuan vanished without a trace.

Since their departure, the Wei Prince’s Mansion had no owner. When Zhao Jing was alive, the estate employed hundreds of staff, including a chief historian, overseers, attendants, guards, cooks, ceremonial officials, and physicians. After his death, these people scattered. One named Ding Jishan, who had studied alongside Zhao Jing and was close to him, refused to leave the mansion. Without a salary from the court, he stayed on as steward, and his family became servants of the estate. When Zhao Chuoyun entrusted the mansion to him, Ding Jishan swore to care for the young prince and manage the estate until their return.

“Your Grace, just take good care of the little prince,” Ding Jishan said to Zhao Chuoyun. “Old Ding will look after this mansion until you come back.”

But nearly twenty years had passed, and they had yet to return. Without income, many servants left, but around twenty elderly, sick, or unwilling ones remained. Without means to live, Ding Jishan found a solution at the South Market through the back gate—selling vegetables. He sent healthy male servants with him to the market. At first, they sold all sorts of produce, but eventually specialized in selling lotus roots and lotus seeds. Their lotus roots gained a stellar reputation for their smooth skin, pure white flesh, longer segments, and crisp, sweet taste, beloved by customers. Strangely, despite selling lotus roots for over a decade, no buyer ever inquired about their origin.

Ding Jishan’s son was now a judicial officer in the southern province. He could have followed his son to a comfortable life but chose to remain, honoring his promise to Zhao Chuoyun and waiting for her and Prince Zhao Yuan’s return.

Osmanthus Garden.

After the wedding feast, Chancellor Lü bid farewell to the brothers Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng. Madame Zhou insisted on accompanying her husband back to the mansion because the chancellor had drunk a bit too much, and she was concerned for his safety. Though Lü reassured her, saying he had urgent matters to attend to and the wine was nothing, Madame Zhou, a sensible woman, entrusted the young page with instructions and returned home ahead.

At the celebration, Lü Qianqian had drunk more than anyone else and was truly drunk. She was the last guest to leave. With blurred eyes, she said to Gu Yusheng, “Groom, the sun is still high; it’s not yet time for the bridal chamber. I, Lü Qianqian, must return to the prime minister’s residence. Won’t you see me off?”

Qi Yaoyao overheard, walked over, took Gu Yusheng’s hand, and said, “Sister, my husband and I will accompany you back to the prime minister’s residence.”

Lü Qianqian opened her eyes and said, “Today is my sister’s joyous day; how dare I trouble her to escort me!” Saying so, she walked to the carriage and, helped by a maid, climbed aboard and returned home.

Inside the carriage, tears streamed down Lü Qianqian’s face silently. She wished only to drown in her sorrow.

After receiving the imperial edict, Xiao Guimu rode to the western suburb military camp and returned to Osmanthus Garden only at dusk. Upon her return, she saw Gu Yuru still washing dishes beneath the osmanthus tree.

Xiao Guimu approached and asked, “Sister Yuru, still busy? Need a hand?”

Gu Yuru pointed at a pile of dirty dishes and smiled, “Just this small pile left. Not much; I can handle it alone. You’ve had a tiring couple of days—rest a bit.”

Looking at the “small pile,” Xiao Guimu saw there were quite a few and doubted they’d finish before dark. Rolling up her sleeves, she squatted by the wooden basin, grabbing a dishcloth. She rinsed while Gu Yuru scrubbed, reminiscent of their childhood working together at the salt fields. Qi Guang, standing under the osmanthus tree, glanced between Xiao Guimu in her general’s uniform and Gu Yuru in a red jacket, thinking to himself, “They really look like a little married couple—if only they were both men!”

Qi Guang then came over with a smile. “General Zhen Nan, when did you come home to visit? Your little wife is so diligent and beautiful!”

Xiao Guimu was momentarily confused by Qi Guang’s random comment.

Gu Yuru threw the dishcloth at Qi Guang and scolded, “You little brat, Sister Yuru is not married yet!”

After leaving Osmanthus Garden, the young page asked Chancellor Lü, “Sir, where are we going now?”

Lü replied, “Nowhere. Let’s just circle around the main streets for a while.”

The page lifted the curtain, poked his head out, and told the coachman, “Sir said to circle the streets first.” The coachman responded heartily, “Right away!” and turned the horses toward the main streets.

Lü sat quietly inside the carriage, eyes closed, seemingly drunk.

The carriage circled from East Street to West Street, then North Street to South Street, again and again. Yet Lü said nothing, appearing to have fallen asleep.

As the sun began to set, Lü finally spoke: “Let’s go to the back gate of the Wei Prince’s Mansion.”

This time, the coachman silently turned the horses. He knew the way well, having been there many times.

As soon as the carriage stopped at the mansion’s back gate, as if on cue, Ding Jishan appeared carrying a sack. He climbed aboard the carriage but soon got off and returned inside.

Back at the prime minister’s residence, the page unloaded a sack of dried lotus seeds—brought by Ding Jishan.

Madame Zhou looked at the sack and asked Chancellor Lü, “Sir, where did this sack of dried lotus seeds come from?”

Lü smiled, “We bought it at the market on the way.”

Madame Zhou inquired, “Why buy so many?”

Lü answered, “Lotus seed soup is for Qianqian to sober up.”

Osmanthus Garden.

“The wedding of the second brother and Yaomei is finally settled.”

Gu Yuren sat on a bench in the parlor, resting and sipping tea. As the elder brother, a great relief filled his heart. Since leaving Yang City last year to come to the capital, attending both the civil and military imperial exams, his second brother, younger brother Guang, sister Guimu, and himself had all fulfilled their aspirations. This brought him deep comfort. He quietly watched the younger siblings playing in the courtyard, smiling knowingly and broadly.

The parlor was already lit. Moonlight filtered beneath the osmanthus tree.

Gu Yuren rose from the bench and stood near the tree, lost in thought. His phoenix-like eyes, which had captivated Qi Qiongqiong since childhood and inherited from their mother Lou Mingxuan, narrowed as he gazed at the bright moon hanging high. Those eyes always held a charming smile.

He began to miss his father, Aunt Rouya, and Uncle Xiao Tianjian, who lived at the salt fields; and his in-laws Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan, his wife Qi Qiongqiong, and their son Dabao, all at the Qi family’s salt shop.

Xiao Guimu approached and asked, “Brother Yuren, what are you thinking about?”

Gu Yuren turned with a smile. “Sister Guimu, I’m thinking of my father at home…”

Xiao Guimu said, tears already falling, “Young master, I miss my parents too…”

Gu Yuren comforted, “Sister, don’t cry! Guang and I will return to Yangzhou in a few days to take up our posts. Write a letter for me to take back to Aunt Rouya!”

“I’ve already written it. I’ll give it you tomorrow!” Xiao Guimu replied.

“Good! Anything else?” Gu Yuren asked.

Hesitantly, Xiao Guimu said, “I… I want to ask your opinion on something…”

“What is it?” Gu Yuren asked.

“I want Sister Yuru to disguise herself as a man and serve as a deputy commander, accompanying me to war. Is that alright?” Xiao Guimu asked.

Gu Yuren was shocked but thought it over and asked, “Is Sister Yuru willing?”

Gu Yuru stepped forward. “Brother, I’ve discussed it with Guimu. I’m willing.”

“Then I agree,” Gu Yuren said.

“Thank you, Brother!” Gu Yuru said gratefully.

“Should we change her name to Gu Yu?” Xiao Guimu suggested.

“Alright,” Gu Yuru nodded.

“Then at tomorrow’s troop inspection, I’ll have the clerk register you under the name ‘Gu Yu,’” Xiao Guimu said.

Gu Yuru nodded deeply, “Okay.”

The next morning, Xiao Guimu and Gu Yuru packed their bags and bade farewell to Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Yaoyao, and Qi Guang. They left Osmanthus Garden for the military camp. Before parting, Qi Yaoyao accompanied them to the South City Gate, reluctant to say goodbye.

Perhaps it was quantum entanglement or a kindred spirit.

On the day of Gu Yusheng and Qi Yaoyao’s wedding, thousands of miles away at the Qi family salt shop, a pair of magpies on the roof chirped incessantly from early morning; red roses at the courtyard wall blossomed, releasing intoxicating fragrance.

After breakfast, Qi Wei was in high spirits, playing with her six-month-old grandson, Gu Dabao, who pushed his walker around the yard. Watching the toddler stumble and fall, she clapped and laughed joyfully. Unconsciously, the afternoon nap time passed. Qi Qiongqiong came to take the child for a nap, but he refused, clutching the walker’s handle tightly and crying for his grandfather’s help.

Qi Wei coaxed gently, “Dabao, don’t cry! Our Dabao won’t nap—he wants to keep playing!”

“Daddy?” Qi Qiongqiong relented and released the child’s hands. Dabao stopped crying and smiled, quickly pushing the walker away with tear-streaked cheeks.

Yin Yuanyuan watched, heart warmed. “Haha, ‘When first learning to talk and walk, reluctant to sleep, loves the little cart.’ Qiong’er, don’t be too harsh with him! You were even naughtier as a child!”

Qi Qiongqiong blushed, “Mother, I’m not harsh with him!”

In truth, Qi Qiongqiong was a very wise young mother. When her husband Gu Yuren went to the capital for the exams, she packed his bags with a heavy belly. After the birth of their son, she stayed home alone, caring for her father-in-law and raising their child, fulfilling her duties as a daughter-in-law. Yet without her husband, her heart felt empty, tethered yet torn. The nights alone were hard to bear. She often longed for the capital and her husband.

Tonight, the wind was clear and the moon bright.

Dabao had played all day with his grandfather and, after being well-fed, was sound asleep. Qi Qiongqiong leaned against the bedhead knitting a sweater. Looking out the window, she saw a bright moon hanging in the sky. A gentle breeze carried feelings of longing. Her thoughts drifted again, silently asking, “My husband far away, do you know I’m thinking of you?” But the moon gave no answer, only the shadows of swaying trees outside. Sitting long by her dressing table, recalling every scene and word from her dreams, her expression grew serious. She murmured, “Husband, from now on, Qi Qiongqiong will never leave your side.”

The day for General Zhen Nan to lead troops to war arrived.

At dawn, the general, clad in a red battle robe, stood on the command platform, heroic and spirited. Beside him was the disguised female deputy commander Gu Yu.

He shouted to the soldiers, “Comrades! Our emperor says that before repelling foreign enemies, we must secure internal peace! Now, the rebellious folk of Taohua Village in the southern province are causing chaos, rushing into towns and disturbing order. What shall we do?”

“To suppress! To suppress! Resolve to crush them!” The training ground echoed with fierce cries.

Raising his long sword to the sky, the general commanded, “Advance!”

Five thousand soldiers marched proudly toward Taohua Village in the southern province.

Chancellor Lü wished the young general well: “May the young general be invincible and return victorious from the southern province!”

The general saluted on horseback. “With His Majesty’s blessings and Chancellor Lü’s auspicious words, I shall do my utmost!”

Besides Chancellor Lü, Lü Qianqian, Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Yaoyao, and Qi Guang came to see off the general at the training ground.

After leaving the training ground, Gu Yuren clasped his fists and bid farewell to Chancellor Lü and the others. “Sir, Miss Qianqian, second brother, Yaomei, Guang and I are also returning to Yangzhou to take up our posts!”

Chancellor Lü said, “I wish you both great futures!”

Gu Yusheng added, “Brother, Guang, be careful on the road!”

Tears streaming, Qi Yaoyao said, “Brother-in-law, Guang, safe travels! Please send my regards to grandfather, father, and mother… and to eldest sister and the rest… Write often…” She broke down in sobs.

Now, the peaceful Osmanthus Garden on Xianghe Street had only the newlywed couple Gu Yusheng and Qi Yaoyao left. The groom was handsome, the bride beautiful, newlyweds blissfully enjoying their life together.

Gu Yusheng’s heart was so full of sweetness it felt like it might burst—after years of secret longing, the woman he truly loved was finally his. Even now, he felt it was a dream. Sometimes he couldn’t believe that the woman nestled in his arms was Qi Yaoyao. Before leaving home, the proud and beautiful girl had never once looked at him with favor, let alone liked him. After his success in the imperial exams, he met a woman who resembled Yaoyao—Lü Qianqian—and found a substitute in his heart, leading to a night of passion with her. He regretted losing control that night. A man who took responsibility, he had planned to explain and apologize to Lü Qianqian before marrying Yaoyao, but time ran out. After marrying Yaoyao, Lü Qianqian did not trouble him much, and Chancellor Lü’s family treated him like kin. He grew closer to them but had yet to find a chance to explain things alone with Lü Qianqian. Life’s tangled affairs always made one sweat nervously.

At night, after closing the street gates, Qi Yaoyao led Gu Yusheng to their chamber to enjoy their time together.

Newlyweds, Yaoyao was especially joyful. She was remarkably romantic. Tonight, she extinguished all candles except a pair of red ones, casting a warm and tender glow. Yaoyao was cool on the outside but warm within, skilled at creating romance.

Upon entering the room, Gu Yusheng, as usual, closed the windows and sat by the bed reading. Yaoyao busied herself applying rosewater, its fragrance intoxicating.

Gu Yusheng asked, “Yaomei, honestly, when did you start to love me?”

He recalled his dream where he feared she would fly away through the window.

Yaoyao shyly retorted, “Want to hear?”

Gu Yusheng sat up straight, “Of course!”

Yaoyao narrowed her eyes, “Finish your homework first, then I’ll tell you.” Saying this, she stripped off all her clothes and lay naked on the bed.

Gu Yusheng embraced her, and the two quietly slid under the covers. He buried his face in her soft, fair neck, whispering, “Yaomei, I finished my homework. Can you tell me your story now?”

Yaoyao flipped over, climbed onto Gu Yusheng’s chest, and whispered into his ear, “You’ll never know!”

Since the day Master Gu revealed that the masked “Salt Hero” was Gu Yusheng, Yaoyao had been shocked, then joyful, then fallen in love. Ultimately, she realized she had sealed him in her heart long ago, only never opened the seal. Gradually, she felt she was loving him alone. This would not do. Being a swordswoman, she did not dwell on such things. She told her mother, “Mother, don’t forget the Qi salt shop still has a daughter waiting for marriage!”

Yin Yuanyuan asked, “Girl, do you want to fly away? Leave your mother? Who has caught your eye?”

Yaoyao blushed, “Master Gu has an unmarried son!”

Yin Yuanyuan, unsurprised, poked Yaoyao’s nose, saying, “A girl proposing for herself—what shamelessness!”

In the end, the Gu and Qi families engaged matchmakers and arranged the marriage. Though the wedding was set, Yaoyao remained uneasy—she knew Xiao Guimu also liked Gu Yusheng and feared their feelings might deepen, leading to complications. She found another chance to tell her mother, “Mother, I want to go to the capital to find him.”

Her mother asked, “Why?”

Yaoyao leaned close and whispered, “Mother, have you heard of the capital’s ‘catching a son-in-law under the list’? What if he…”

She trailed off.

Yin Yuanyuan laughed, “Haha, they say girls can’t be held back—your mother believes that! Fine, let Yu accompany you on your trip to the capital!”

Yaoyao joyfully said, “Thank you, mother!”

“…I and little Yu have traveled for months, enduring hardships and long journeys! Do you think I love you deeply?… Oh, husband, why have you fallen asleep?” Yaoyao tenderly shook her head and covered herself and her husband with the quilt, drifting into dreams while recounting past tales to Gu Yusheng.

Gu Yusheng’s internal biological clock was strong. At three in the morning, he awoke slightly groggy but knowing he must attend the morning court session, he could not sleep longer. Gently cradling Yaoyao’s head with one hand, he freed the other from numbness and lifted the quilt to get up. Yaoyao immediately rolled over halfway, wrapping her arms around his waist, clinging tightly. Gu Yusheng bent down, kissed her ear, then gently pried her hands apart and placed his pillow in her embrace. Yaoyao hugged the pillow and fell asleep again. Gu Yusheng quietly got out of bed, washed quickly, and rode off.

Perhaps Yaoyao was destined to bring her husband fortune! Soon, the emperor, valuing talent, appointed Gu Yusheng as Director of the Ministry of War.

On the day he received the imperial decree at dusk, Gu Yusheng donned his new official uniform and returned home, greeting Yaoyao, “My lady, the Director of the Ministry of War sends his respects!” He repeated twice, but Yaoyao sat without moving or speaking.

He embraced her and said, “Yaomei, I’m home!”

Suddenly, Yaoyao turned sharply, clinging to him tightly and bursting into tears.

Gu Yusheng was startled and asked anxiously, “My lady, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Yaoyao only sobbed without a word.

He cupped her face and asked again, “Yaomei, don’t cry! Who bullied you? Tell me!”

Through tears, she said, “Yusheng, let’s go back to our hometown Yang City. I don’t want to stay in the capital.”

Worried, Gu Yusheng asked, “Why?”

Yaoyao sobbed, “I miss my mother…”

His anxious heart finally eased. He smiled helplessly, “But we can’t leave the capital.”

“Why not?” she asked with wide eyes.

“I serve the court. I can’t leave at will,” he explained, hugging her tightly.

Tearfully, Yaoyao pleaded, “Husband, let’s not be officials anymore?”

Gu Yusheng was puzzled. “Why?”

Yaoyao cried, “We have no family here. It’s too lonely! See, just a few days ago this courtyard was bustling. But Guimu and Yuru have left, my eldest brother and Guang left too. Now it’s cold and empty! I’m scared, so scared!”

“Don’t cry, Yaomei,” Gu Yusheng wiped her tears, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

He held her close, and slowly her tears ceased. Hand in hand, they prepared to have dinner.

At that moment, Chancellor Lü’s young page arrived, asking, “Is Director Gu at home? My master and Miss Qianqian invite you and your wife to the prime minister’s residence for a banquet tonight.”