Jiafu didn’t see Li Yuangui return the jade pendant, so she naturally refrained from asking about it. Upon leaving the palace, she returned directly to the Duke’s residence.
Madam Xin and the second branch of the family had long known she had been taken away in a palace carriage, and all had been secretly keeping an eye out. Now that she had returned, maids and matrons from both sides began lingering nearby, probing the servants in the courtyard for news. Soon, word spread throughout the Duke’s residence: the young mistress was also preparing to leave the capital and head north.
Though rumors had been circulating that Pei You’an had offended the emperor and been exiled beyond the frontier, neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Dali Court had issued any official documents on the matter. The source of all the gossip had merely been a few figures glimpsed at dawn that day. Thus, it had been difficult to confirm the truth—especially given how close the emperor and Pei You’an had once been. Such a sudden turn of events seemed almost unbelievable. But now, with the news confirmed, the Duke’s residence was once again abuzz in private.
Before long, Meng Shi from the second branch arrived to verify the news with Jiafu. Wearing a sympathetic expression, she offered a few words of comfort and added that the second master had asked her to relay a message: since things had come to this, grieving would be of no use. She urged Jiafu to take care of herself on the journey and assured her that His Majesty’s pardon would surely come in due time. After lingering a while longer, Meng Shi asked when Jiafu planned to depart, promising to see her off. Jiafu thanked her and escorted her out.
Earlier, Jiafu had learned from Li Yuangui that Pei You’an had been exiled to Suyeh City in Ganzhou. The coincidence was uncanny—it was the very place where he had met his end in her past life. But there was no time for lamentations; her anxiety only grew fiercer, and she wished she could set off that very night. The moment Meng Shi left, she began packing at once.
Since Pei You’an was not traveling beyond the frontier to assume an official post, their fine furs and luxurious garments were unsuitable to bring along. After rummaging through chests and trunks, she selected some sturdy, everyday winter clothes. Fearing they might not be enough, she immediately set to work cutting new garments from plain fabric, lining them with the finest silk wadding for warmth. Every maid and matron in the courtyard skilled with a needle gathered around, sleeves and fronts swiftly taking shape under their hands. Working through the night, they managed to complete several new cold-weather outfits, which were then packed into trunks.
By the next morning, the luggage was nearly ready. Li Yuangui hadn’t mentioned any imperial decree forbidding her from bringing servants, so she assumed it was permitted. Tanxiang and Muxiang, both of suitable age and having served Jiafu for years, volunteered to accompany her without hesitation. Liu Momo, who genuinely cared for Jiafu, also wished to go, but Jiafu persuaded her otherwise, asking her instead to return to Quanzhou with a letter for her mother, urging her to settle there peacefully in her later years.
Clutching Jiafu’s hand, Liu Momo rambled on with tearful advice, reminding Tanxiang and Muxiang to take good care of their mistress. The sorrow in the air brought tears to everyone’s eyes.
Just as the room was steeped in melancholy, a matron from Madam Xin’s side arrived.
Jiafu wiped her tears and called the woman in.The old servant woman came in, glanced at the boxes and bundles on the floor, then smiled obsequiously and bowed slightly. "Madam, while you were away, there was a fire in the old storeroom of our estate. Though it was put out quickly, the building was damaged and can no longer be used. Madam Xin thought that rebuilding it would cost another sum of money. That large courtyard by the connecting bridge has been empty for so many years—it seems a waste to leave it unused. She believes that even if the young master returns someday, he wouldn’t move back there. So she wants to clear out the old things inside, do some minor repairs, and convert it into a storeroom to save some expenses. Since you’re still at home, she sent me to inform you. Please let us know which of the old items are still useful—we’ll have them moved here. The rest will be disposed of."
That southern courtyard by the connecting bridge was where Pei You'an had lived in his youth. When they married, the old mistress had allocated this small courtyard near her northern quarters for the young couple. Though they never moved back to the other place, it still held many books and miscellaneous items Pei You'an had collected since childhood. Clearing it out would take several days at least.
Jiafu was silent for a moment before replying coolly, "Turning it into a storeroom is fine. I’ll go take a look. Be careful with the books—move them all here." She took a few servants with her to the courtyard. Before they even reached the gate, they saw piles of tables and chairs from inside stacked along the path. The courtyard gate stood wide open, and the yard was filled with furniture and bookshelves cleared from the rooms. Books lay scattered on the ground, while maids and servants bustled in and out, busy moving things. The old servant woman surnamed Ye, who served Madam Xin, stood on the steps, loudly directing others to carry out a heavy bookshelf. It tilted to one side, and the remaining books on it tumbled to the ground with a crash.
"It’s too heavy! Come help hold it—"
The servants carrying the shelf shouted, and others rushed over. Seven or eight feet trampled over the fallen books before they finally managed to haul the shelf to an open space.
Jiafu walked over, crouched down, and picked up a book marked with a black footprint.
The book was old, its pages yellowed, filled with handwriting she recognized—sentences long and short. They were notes Pei You'an had written as a young student.
Carefully, she brushed off the mud clinging to the pages, then gathered the books one by one from the ground.
Noticing this, the Ye servant woman came over to help, smiling. "Ah, Madam, you’re here? Tell us which of these things you still want, and I’ll have them packed and sent to your courtyard."
Jiafu stacked the books in her hands neatly on a nearby table, then straightened up and said coldly, "I want all of it! Including this courtyard! Move everything back to where it was. Put it all back exactly as it was before!"
The servants froze, exchanging uncertain glances.
The Ye servant woman was taken aback and forced a smile. "Madam, you’re making things difficult for me. I’m only following Madam Xin’s orders."Jiafu glanced coldly at the maids and matrons surrounding her and sneered, "You all think that since the master has left and might never return, you can trample over everything as you please? Let me tell you—though the master has fallen from favor today, no one can predict what tomorrow holds! I advise you to think long-term. Don’t be like thieving rats, following your mistress’s lead, seeing only what’s right in front of your noses! Life is long! If anyone dares to step on anything in this courtyard again today, just wait—today you take a step, and tomorrow I’ll make sure you learn that I’m no soft-hearted, forgiving lump of clay!"
The courtyard fell dead silent. After a moment, the matrons hurried forward, scrambling to pick up the books from the ground, muttering, "Please don’t blame us, Madam. It was just an accident."
Jiafu turned to Granny Ye. "Are you moving out or not? If you won’t, I’ll have someone else do it." With that, she ordered Liu Momo to summon all the servants in the courtyard. Liu Momo acknowledged the command and swiftly left. Ignoring Granny Ye, Jiafu continued tidying the scattered books.
Granny Ye forced an awkward smile and sidled toward the door, slipping away the moment she reached it.
Jiafu directed the servants to gather the already moved books, dust off the tables, chairs, and bookshelves, and return them one by one. In the midst of the bustle, Madam Xin entered, accompanied by Granny Ye and others. Frowning at the scene, she said displeasedly, "What is the meaning of this? I saw this place had been empty for years, and since my eldest son never used it when he was home, and our family’s circumstances have changed, I thought we might as well save where we can. Didn’t I ask for your opinion?"
The servants halted their work. Jiafu walked over and said coolly, "I was just about to inform you, Mother-in-law, that this courtyard—whether my husband uses it or not upon his return—should first be decided by him. It’s filled with years of collected books and miscellaneous items. Moving them risks damage. If you need storage space, there are other empty rooms in the house. Please find another suitable place."
Madam Xin glared at Jiafu. "Do you even see me as your mother-in-law? Even if You’an were here, he wouldn’t speak to me like this over clearing out an unused courtyard!"
"If you still remember my husband’s kindness, Mother-in-law, then while he’s away, please don’t touch his belongings. If you’re dissatisfied with me, wait until he returns and have him divorce me!"
With that, Jiafu turned and ordered Liu Momo to continue moving things with the servants she had brought. Liu Momo responded loudly, shooting Madam Xin a defiant look before directing the workers. The courtyard bustled with activity again.
Madam Xin was so furious she couldn’t speak, her face alternating between red and white, but there was nothing she could do.
Jiafu watched the woman coldly, a surge of satisfaction rising in her heart—the same thrill she’d felt when fighting in Meng Mu’s tribe. The resentment in her chest seemed to ease slightly. Ignoring Madam Xin, she continued organizing the books. Just then, a maid rushed in, shouting, "Someone from the palace has arrived! His Majesty has sent rewards!"
Madam Xin, startled, forgot about the courtyard and hurriedly asked who the rewards were for. The maid shook her head blankly.
After a moment’s thought, Madam Xin concluded it must be for her son. She shot Jiafu a look, then turned and hurried away.Jiafu heard that there were rewards being bestowed, which naturally had nothing to do with her. Since she had already broken ties with the emperor and was leaving tomorrow, she didn’t bother to go kneel in welcome and stayed behind to continue packing her belongings. Unexpectedly, moments later, the same maid came running back, shouting, “Madam! The rewards are for you, Madam! Please come quickly!”
Liu Momo and the others were overjoyed and all turned to look at Jiafu.
Jiafu hurried to the front hall and saw that it was still Cui Yinshui who had come, accompanied by several young eunuchs carrying a row of gold-inlaid mother-of-pearl boxes draped with yellow silk. Madam Xin and the old woman Ye were also present, their expressions now completely different from before.
Cui Yinshui drew out his voice: “Zhen, receive your reward.”
Jiafu knelt down, and the others followed suit to listen to the decree.
The emperor bestowed upon Jiafu five hundred taels of silver, along with quantities of ramie silk, gauze, and brocade. After reading out the list, Cui Yinshui took a small box from one of the eunuchs and presented it with a smile. “Zhen, this is a box of premium cordyceps from Qinghai, freshly presented as tribute this year. It took a whole year to gather just this much. His Majesty has granted it to you. Express your gratitude.”
Jiafu thanked the emperor, accepted the rewards, and saw the eunuchs off. When she returned, Madam Xin had already excused herself, claiming discomfort, and was nowhere to be seen. Every servant and maid she encountered along the way greeted her with deference, eagerly calling her “Madam,” as if the past had returned.
The fickleness of human relationships and the harshness of the world had played out vividly in the Duke’s residence in just half a day. Jiafu had no time for reflection. Returning to her courtyard, she found it already bustling with servants, all vying to help, even some from the second branch of the family. Once everything was restored to order, Jiafu glanced around, personally closed the doors and windows, locked up, and left.
Passing by the large tree where, it was said, someone had once hanged themselves, Jiafu paused and turned to give an order: “Cut this tree down. Dig it out by the roots!”
…
The next day, Jiafu joined a supply convoy of nearly a hundred men heading beyond the frontier. Seated in a carriage, she left the capital and embarked on the road north.
Yang Yun accompanied her as her escort.
She had departed the capital in early November. By then, nearly a month had passed since Pei You’an had left the city.
The convoy was transporting a batch of urgently needed medicinal supplies to the border city of Ganzhou and moved at a brisk pace. According to plan, they would arrive by mid-December. The journey was smooth at first. After a month of travel, Jiafu and the convoy reached Suzhou. The captain informed her that beyond Suzhou, they would head northwest for several hundred li, cross a section of the Tianshan Mountains, and reach Suyeh City in Ganzhou in about ten days.The journey had been arduous beyond words. Jiafu's feet, confined too long in the carriage and exposed to the bitter cold, had developed frostbite. Yet she felt no hardship, her heart brimming with anticipation as their destination drew near. Just then, the weather took a sudden turn for the worse. While traversing the Tianshan mountain pass, a blizzard descended with overwhelming force. Within two days, the ancient path—worn by countless soldiers and horses over centuries—was buried under snow, along with the plateaus and ravines between the towering peaks.
With the road lost, one misstep could send them tumbling into the abyss. The caravan was forced to halt in a sheltered mountain hollow. After seven or eight days, the snow finally ceased. The vanguard soldiers probed ahead, advancing in fits and starts, and it took many more days before they finally emerged from the mountain pass. By the time they reached Suyeh City, the year was drawing to a close. Snow fell heavily, and the wind howled fiercely. In just a few days, it would be New Year's Eve.
Suyeh was an ancient settlement, once merely a stop along the trade routes of the Western Regions. Due to its strategic location and the lush pastures and lakes fed by Tianshan's springs nearby, it gradually grew into a thriving hub after some dynasty built earthen walls to fortify it. Now, it had become one of the key garrisons for Ganzhou's troops to fend off the northern nomads, housing a population of over a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians. The city was governed by the Regional Military Commission, overseen by Hu Liangcai.
Upon learning of Jiafu's arrival from the capital, Hu Liangcai neither received her nor sent anyone to greet her. Jiafu stood in the snow outside the Commission's headquarters, her limbs numb from the cold. After a long wait, an elderly guard, moved by pity, finally gave her news: Pei You'an had arrived nearly two months prior but was not in the city—he had been sent to the fodder yard outside the walls.
The old guard, having served there for decades, knew a thing or two. Hu Liangcai's father had once served under the Duke of Wei but was punished for violating military discipline. Hu Liangcai had nursed a grudge ever since. Now, as the Regional Military Commissioner of Suyeh, he had ostensibly treated Pei You'an—exiled here as a convict—with courtesy, assigning him to oversee the fodder yard.
The post seemed idle but was in fact a harsh assignment. Isolated far from the city in desolate surroundings, the yard was responsible for supplying fodder for the entire garrison's warhorses and tending to sick or weakened steeds sent there. With only a handful of aging or ailing soldiers under his command, the workload was heavy. Worse, if superiors chose to make trouble, they could easily pin blame on him for emaciated or deceased horses.
Jiafu thanked the old guard and returned, instructing Yang Yun to find the centurion who had accompanied them on the journey and request an escort to the fodder yard. Unexpectedly, the centurion, assuming she had already been received by Hu Liangcai, had left to deliver medicinal supplies and would not return until evening.
In other words, even if she waited for the centurion, the earliest she could depart would be the next day.
Jiafu couldn't bear to wait another moment—she wished she could sprout wings and fly there immediately. She hurried back to the old guard and begged him to guide her without delay. The guard, having just finished his shift, agreed. Yang Yun drove the carriage with the old man seated beside him, while Jiafu and her two maidservants, along with their luggage, rode inside. Thus, the small party ventured into the vast wilderness beyond the isolated northwestern city, swallowed by the relentless snowstorm.Jiafu imagined the scene of meeting Pei You'an and slapping that letter fiercely onto his face. Even though her limbs were stiff with cold, she felt no hardship at all. They pressed onward like this for half a day until evening, when suddenly the carriage jolted to a halt amid the horses' whinnies.
Leaning out, Jiafu saw the horses tilting, their front hooves deeply sunk into a snowdrift. Yang Yun dismounted to inspect and reported that a hoof had stepped into a snow-hidden pit, fracturing the leg—they could go no further.
The old soldier said night was falling; they could either turn back or take shelter at a nearby resting spot. When Jiafu asked about the distance remaining to the fodder yard, he replied it was still eight or nine li ahead.
Gazing at the endless snowscape before her, Jiafu declared, "It's just a short distance—we'll walk!"
Unable to dissuade her, Yang Yun reluctantly led the injured horses and carriage to the roadside. Jiafu and her two maids shouldered light bundles and, guided by the soldier, trudged forward step by laborious step through knee-deep snow against the howling wind.
By the time Jiafu finally stood before the fodder yard's gate, it was deep into the night—the Hour of Hai.
The sky was pitch black, snow swirling endlessly. Countless times she had slipped and fallen along the way, her body now caked with ice. A yawning old guard opened the gate, gaping in astonishment at the snow-covered figure who turned out to be Lord Pei's wife. After a long pause, he hastily lit a lantern and ushered her in, leading her past rows of granary warehouses before stopping to point toward the end of a shabby row of buildings: "Lord Pei lives there."
The dilapidated structures stood dark, save for one window where a faint yellow glow flickered. "Lord Pei treats the horses so well—since his arrival, even the sick ones have improved. But he's fallen ill himself these days, coughing worse by the day," the soldier murmured.
Trembling all over, Jiafu steadied herself. She instructed Yang Yun to find shelter for Tanxiang and Muxiang, whose faces had turned blue with cold, then strode resolutely toward that distant light.
Her footsteps quickened through the snow, faster and closer she drew—until she slowed abruptly near the door, coming to a complete stop.
Snowflakes drifted soundlessly from the infinite night sky. In the all-encompassing darkness, only that weathered door and window emitted scattered patches of dim lamplight. The aged wood was riddled with cracks. Holding her breath, Jiafu pressed a hand to her pounding heart and crept to the broken window, peering through its fissures.
Inside: one bed, one table, one stool, one stove—nothing more. The stove's feeble fire seemed on the verge of extinguishing. After just half a year's absence, he had grown alarmingly thin, his face pallid as he sat wrapped in a worn robe. Bent over the table by the faint glow of a soybean oil lamp, he appeared to be transcribing ledger pages.
After writing awhile, he suddenly coughed, his expression tightening with discomfort. Setting down the brush, he rose to reach for the water kettle—then froze mid-motion. Slowly straightening, he turned his gaze directly toward the window where Jiafu stood."Who's there?"
He asked, his voice slightly hoarse yet remarkably calm.
OpenNovel