Нumiliаted and dishеаrtеnеd, Wаnwan remainеd sullеn. Liangshi had nо choiсе but tо соnsоle her, "Вefore we set out, I tоld уou—sinсe уоu didn’t bring аnу femаlе аttеndаnts, I would tаke carе оf evеrything for yоu. Last night, I was tiеd up with offiсiаl dutiеs аnd соuldn’t dinе with you, sо it wаs onlу nаturаl that I wаshed thе сlothes уоu chаnged out of. Whаt’s wrong with a bellуbаnd? If I didn’t wаsh it, should I hаve let Yu Xiхiа dо it? Don’t bе likе this. Whаt I find swееt аnd satisfуing, whу doеs it seеm unbearаble tо уоu?"
She wаs tоо uрset to spеak, wilting for a long while bеfore finallу saying, "Тhosе аre mу underclothes... I could have washed them myself."
He took her hand in his—those delicate, almond-tofu-like fingers—wouldn’t it be a shame to put them to work?
"Just keep them like this, I like it," he murmured softly, cradling her hand in his palm as if it were a treasure. "It’s fine for a man to be rough around the edges, but you, the dignified Princess Royal, having to wash clothes yourself once you’re with me—if word got out, it wouldn’t tarnish your dignity, it would shame me. I know you’re embarrassed for me to see your underclothes... but we’re husband and wife. Even though we haven’t reached that level yet, we’re already bound together, sharing honor and disgrace for life. If you’re this reserved, how will we manage in the future? If you feel you’ve been shortchanged, that’s all right. I’ll bring out my own underclothes for you to inspect as you please—that way, we’ll be even."
She immediately said it wasn’t necessary. "I just... couldn’t wrap my head around it for a moment. If I take a step back and think of you as Tong Huan or Xiao You, I feel more at ease."
He hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly agreed, "That’s fine too... but don’t forget that I am your Imperial Consort. Setting aside status, we’re still an ordinary couple. Don’t forget the natural bonds."
Natural bonds! Wanwan flushed crimson. Thinking about it, he had it hard too—to please her, he had even lowered himself to the role of a servant girl. Afraid the conversation would grow even more awkward, she turned to look outside. "Those elderly and children from yesterday couldn’t hold on any longer. When they heard there was food, they acted as if their lives depended on it. Where did all that grain go? Have you found any leads?"
He told her the results of Shu Quan’s overnight interrogation and sighed, "Grain and fodder have always been the lifeblood of military strategists. A hundred thousand dan of grain could feed an army of fifty thousand for half a year. The Guizhou Bureau has always enjoyed favorable weather and never reported any disasters. How could a small grain merchant amass such a quantity of rice? The only explanation is that someone powerful is helping him dispose of the stolen goods..." He watched her expression carefully. "Wanwan, do you know that Great Ye is not at peace?"
She frowned and nodded. "I know. In recent years, I’ve often heard of riots by rebels. During Emperor Huizong’s reign, there was the Songpan Guard, and now under the current emperor, there’s Moerkan. Fortunately, these are all border regions and can still be managed. But the Guizhou Bureau... once it involves the Two Guang Provinces, it could spread like wildfire..." She shuddered, her gaze slowly shifting to fix on his face. "Liangshi, no matter what others do, you must not act recklessly. Can you promise me that?"
His heart skipped a beat—because she had called his name, it felt like a head-on collision with happiness. Yet she was so perceptive, and in the end, her concern remained. In her heart, the nation would always come before everything else.
He maintained a smile. "Why bring this up so suddenly?"She studied his expression, trying to detect any trace of hesitation, but his gaze was open and unwavering, meeting hers without evasion. She quietly sighed in relief. "You are different from others. You are my Imperial Consort, a member of the Imperial Kinsmen. I was raised under the guidance of my father and brothers, and though my position is high, I dare not forget the worries of the nation. Since you claim to love me, you should share my heart and help the Emperor safeguard the State Altars of Great Ye."
Her meaning was clear: love and ambition could not coexist. If he chose the warmth of jade and fragrance, he must forget his aspirations of glory on the battlefield, content himself with the hereditary title left by his ancestors, and live an ordinary, uneventful life until old age. Yet his desires were ultimately insatiable. He wanted to have both—to establish an Eternal Foundation, to stand side by side with her and share the world... This was likely difficult to achieve. He had known from the start that she was not one to sacrifice the greater good for personal fulfillment.
Fortunately, he did not have to face those choices immediately. With time, some obsessions might change. He placed his hopes in the future, believing that once she had children, she would naturally understand what truly mattered.
Her eyes remained fixed on him, awaiting his answer. He agreed, "I promise you. I will stand with you against our enemies. If anyone acts treacherously, even if it means mutual destruction, I will protect the State Altars."
Wanwan felt reassured, comforted and satisfied. "Thank you for not putting me in a difficult position."
His smile faded at her words. The difficulty arose precisely because he had grown attached. He leaned down, drawing her into his embrace. Her body felt so frail that he had to hold her tightly.
"Your concern for the nation and its people is admirable, but you are still a woman after all. Let men handle the turbulent affairs of the outside world. You need only take good care of yourself, so I may always see you smiling."
She lifted her face, pressing it against his. "My well-being, good or bad, is intimately tied to yours."
His brow furrowed even more deeply. Without a word, he pressed her firmly against his chest.
They always ended up discussing such heavy topics, but there was no helping it—political marriages were often like this. Rather than constant probing, it was better to be as direct as she had been, letting him know her stance. If he cared for her, he would remain dutiful, which would be the greatest safeguard for their marriage.
Unable to speak his true feelings, he took her outside, among the disaster victims, so she could witness the devastation firsthand. He walked ahead with her, while Yu Xixia followed behind. Regarding Yu Xixia, he knew he was Xiao Duo’s man. By deliberately summoning him this time, he intended to use his mouth to convey news of Huaining. Of course, he could not let Yu Xixia know about the troops he had stationed along the Anqing Prefecture front. Rather than allowing him free movement in Nanjing, it was better to keep him close—during the day, he would stay with them, and at night, his own men would guard the Courier Station, preventing Yu Xixia from leaving.
The suffering of the disaster victims was evident to Wanwan. The intense, hunting-like gazes from the corners filled her with sorrow and fear. She kept asking what would happen if they had no food, or if they fell ill. He replied, "We can only leave it to fate. If grain can be transported from other regions in time, their livelihoods may still be sustained. For now, we can only pray for heaven’s mercy, that no epidemic breaks out. The population is too dense—if one person falls ill, it will quickly spread to many. I fear that too..."
She gripped his hand tightly. He turned to her, offering a bitter smile.Fortunately, Shu Quan was extremely reliable in his work. He returned with the borrowed grain just as the porridge kitchen was lighting fires to prepare dinner. When the porridge was ready, a chopstick inserted into it stood upright without falling—truly substantial enough to satisfy hunger.
The copper bell for relief distribution rang out, its reverberations echoing throughout the entire county town. Wanwan watched as the line stretched long like a dragon, with clerks ladling porridge one by one into chipped ceramic bowls. Both she and the disaster victims sighed deeply.
Eating while squatting against a wall, using two reeds as makeshift chopsticks—she had never known that the lives of common people were like this. After this journey among the populace, it felt as though she had fallen from the heavens into the dust. The Eternal Foundation established by the ancestors of the Murong Clan had inexplicably deteriorated to such a state.
After assigning tasks to his subordinates, he called her back to the courier station. "We'll stay one more day tomorrow. The remaining matters will be handled by them. I'll take you back to Nanjing first."
Wanwan said it was no trouble. "There are still so many miscellaneous affairs unresolved. The grain hasn't been recovered yet, and the grain Second Brother borrowed won't last more than a few days."
Walking slowly with her under the setting sun, he replied, "You needn't worry. The grain Sixth Brother gathered is already on its way. If they hurry, it won't be long before it arrives. As for what Magistrate Sha embezzled, whether it can be recovered is uncertain, so don't dwell on it for now."
She remained deeply troubled. A hundred thousand dan of grain was no small amount. If it truly reached the Guizhou Bureau, what exactly was Prince Zhen'an hoarding so much food for?
Still pondering this upon returning to the courier station, she sat at the table deep in thought while Yu Xixia stood nearby.
"It's been a long time since I last corresponded with The Emperor. Should I truthfully report what I've seen and heard these past two days?" She turned to look at him. "The imperial court always keeps both eyes fixed on the Southern Garden, unaware that this only pains allies and pleases enemies. In my view, no place should be taken lightly—Prince Zhen'an, even Prince of Wusi and Prince Pingliang, must not be allowed to loosen their restraints. Do you think... if I write this, will it make The Emperor suspect that I am solely siding with the Southern Garden?"
Yu Xixia looked at her with a hint of pity. Having likely suffered at the hands of that Imperial Brother before, she was no longer as naive and carefree as she once was. The older one grows, the more one worries. Why is it that those who played together as children, as close as one person, gradually become steeped in power, growing suspicious and even turning against their own flesh and blood? Growing up is truly a cruel thing. The Princess Royal, at sixteen, could already understand the warmth and coldness of the world, even carefully weighing every word in her letters. Beginning with "Long Live My Emperor" and ending with "Your subject sister kneels to address," wanting to be close yet unable to be—truly the greatest sorrow in the world.
"Your Highness serves His Majesty with loyalty—how could The Emperor doubt you! However, in my humble opinion, Your Highness need only write about the loss of disaster relief grain in your letter, mentioning in passing that the grain merchant was from the Guizhou Bureau. Leave the rest for The Emperor to consider." He bowed respectfully. "The Emperor is a wise ruler, with such profound insight—what could he fail to deduce? If you explain too clearly, it might not be appropriate. I urge Your Highness to think twice."
Wanwan listened to his words and regarded him with newfound respect. Since coming to her side, he had always been cautious in his work and speech, much like Xiao Duo. Saying The Emperor was a wise ruler was clearly an exaggeration—but what else could one say? It wouldn't do to call him narrow-minded and temperamental, after all.She smiled, shallow dimples gracing her lips, elegant and serene. Nodding in agreement, she said, "Very well, as you suggest. However, I'm afraid we'll have to wait until we return to Nanjing to send it out. There aren't enough hands here, and the place is too chaotic. We shouldn't add to his troubles."
Yu Xixia hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Highness and the Prince, are there no longer any lingering resentments between you?"
Her brush paused in her hand for a while before she replied, "His scheme to marry a princess was harmless enough; I can forgive him for that. As long as he remains dutiful from now on, I think... there should be no more grievances."
Yu Xixia clasped his hands and said, "I understand Your Highness's meaning. The Prince is the one who will accompany you for a lifetime. It brings us joy to see Your Highness so open-minded."
Hearing this, she blinked and said, "Regardless, we still cannot do without Steward Yu for our chess games. Let Yu Chengfeng remain in my Princess's Residence for a long-term post. In the future, he need not return to the capital. I cannot do without all of you by my side."
A faint smile rose to his lips as he bowed and replied, "For the rest of my life, I shall never leave Your Highness's side. As for matters in the capital, I have already settled them long ago. Apart from the Princess's Residence, I have nowhere else to go."
With all retreat cut off, one could only press forward courageously. The Princess Royal stood bathed in the glow of the setting sun, her expression serene, like a gilded Bodhisattva in a temple.
The weather grew warmer, and in a few days, it would be the Dragon Boat Festival. As night fell, the chirping of insects filled the air everywhere. A full moon rose, and lanterns were lit in the courier station. This station had a touch of Western Region charm, built on open land beside the official road—a two-story wooden structure enclosed on all sides, forming a large courtyard shaped like the character "口." People moved about, their footsteps echoing on the open-air staircase. Over time, she had learned to distinguish which footsteps belonged to Liangshi—unhurried and steady, as if he remained unperturbed even if the sky were to fall, a demeanor unmatched anywhere in the world.
Wanwan pushed open the window to look. He was coming up from downstairs, his vermilion ceremonial robe swaying with each step. He walked with poise, step by step, as if ascending the Vermilion Steps. She thought of her eldest brother before the Palace of Heavenly Purity, who had once been peerlessly elegant and talented. Sadly, he met a tragic end later, and now his soul was adrift, who knew where.
She rose to greet him at the door. He had brought her clothes, neatly folded and held level in both hands with solemn grace. When he saw her, he flashed a radiant smile, showing no trace of embarrassment.
She reached out to take them, feeling somewhat awkward. "Thank you." Turning back into the room, he naturally followed her inside.
"I've already had someone prepare dinner. With the urgent matters temporarily resolved, let's share a small drink."
Wanwan initially wanted to say she didn't drink but feared dampening his spirits, so she nodded in agreement. He smiled as he looked at her, her beauty captivating with every glance. Earlier, when she opened the window, half her figure was revealed behind the window frame, resembling a meticulously painted portrait of a noble lady.
Some writing materials lay scattered on the table, and she slowly tidied them up, her sleeves sliding back to reveal a section of her fair wrist. He stepped forward to help, seizing the moment to let out a long sigh.
She looked up and asked, "What's wrong? Has something else happened?"
He hemmed and hawed, "During the day, didn't we hang the clothes to dry in the room? The dripping water soaked the bedding, so we won't be able to sleep there tonight."
Wanwan stared in disbelief. "Don't tell me you hung the clothes on the bed frame?"He wasn't foolish—how could he do something so outrageous! But in a flash of inspiration, he fetched a basin of water and splashed it on the bed. This was what they called "forcing a desperate situation to find new life." He had sacrificed his own sleeping quarters for her clothes—how could she have the heart not to take him in? Truthfully, he didn’t actually intend to do anything improper; he just wanted to put on a show for others. Back at the Eldest Princess Residence, they had slept in separate rooms, but aside from those close to her, no one else knew. Now, out in the open, under the watchful eyes of everyone, if they still slept apart, even though the Goshiha wouldn’t dare mock him openly, Shu Quan’s grin would already stretch from ear to ear. As he put it, his habit of "not releasing the hawk without seeing the rabbit" had completely changed—this time, the stakes were high enough. He felt the same way. Washing her clothes and feet were nothing; the crucial thing was sharing a room. Even if they slept separately, it would at least help him regain some face.
He said, "There’s nowhere to hang the clothes to dry in the room, and people often come to report matters. I was afraid they’d see, so I had to put them inside the bed curtains."
Although Wanwan thought he was a bit foolish, she still felt deeply apologetic. "I’m truly sorry for causing you trouble. What should we do? Let’s have them change the bedding. It’ll be fine after drying in the sun tomorrow."
"I already asked. They said there are no spare beddings to replace it—they’ve all been given to the disaster victims."
"Then sleep with Second Brother. It’ll be livelier with the two of you."
He looked at her mournfully. "I’m already married. How can I sleep apart from my wife and share a bed with my brother? If word got out, people would gossip."
Wanwan swallowed hard and finally understood his meaning. She touched her ears—her earlobes were burning hot. After struggling internally, she gave in. "If you want to stay, just say so. It’s fine, it’s only right. That I needed you to hint at something like this is my oversight. I’m sorry for making you go through this trouble."
Her straightforwardness surprised him, and he suddenly felt awkward. "I didn’t mean anything else…"
The stationmaster brought people to deliver wine and dishes, calling out from outside the door to report his arrival. Only then did the two of them snap back to reality. They invited him in while simultaneously reaching to tidy the gold-flecked paper. Their hands brushed against each other, and both withdrew awkwardly, turning their faces away.
Traveling outside was inconvenient in many ways, but since this was bound to happen sooner or later, Wanwan didn’t mind too much. It was just awkward facing each other, and the dishes tasted like wax.
He poured wine for her. The cups were small, holding at most a sip each. Knowing she wasn’t much of a drinker, he downed a cup himself and invited her to drink as she pleased.
"I’m not rushing you—please don’t misunderstand," he said, glancing around the room. "This isn’t a good place either… I wouldn’t want to wrong you. I’ll only borrow the room for tonight. Tomorrow…"
"Tomorrow, you’ll stay here too," she said, picking up her cup and taking a small sip. She wasn’t sure what kind of wine it was—it burned sharply at first, but after the initial sting, it left a faintly sweet aftertaste. Setting down the cup, she sighed. "I haven’t been a proper consort. You must have resented me for it, haven’t you?"
He said he never had. "It’s easier to bring joy in a brief encounter than to avoid weariness over a long companionship. The former is simple to achieve; I’m doing my utmost to accomplish the latter."
She smiled. "Thank you for your consideration, Prince." She lifted her sleeve to serve him dishes and, noticing he was only drinking, softly added, "Have some food to cushion your stomach. Be careful not to hurt it."
Suddenly, he reached out and grasped her wrist. "Wanwan…"The heat from his palm was startling. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand over the back of his.
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