Jiafu was now heavily pregnant and found it difficult to move around. She had already been sleeping poorly at night, and with Pei You'an absent these past two nights, it was even harder for her to rest. That night, she drifted in and out of sleep and was fully awake before the fourth watch, unable to fall back asleep. Her thoughts were consumed with worry for him, unsure of how his affairs in the city were progressing. As she tossed and turned in bed, she suddenly heard the crunching sound of footsteps on snow outside the door and immediately recognized them as his. Sure enough, the next moment, she heard his soft voice calling her name from outside. Overjoyed, she sat up, draped a robe over her shoulders, and carefully climbed out of bed, supporting her belly before shuffling in her slippers to open the door for him.
Pei You'an stamped the snow off his boots outside before lifting the door curtain and bending to step inside. In an instant, his arms were filled with a warm, fragrant figure. Jiafu, disregarding the chill clinging to him, threw herself into his embrace as if they had been separated for ages.
His heart warmed at her touch, but fearing he might make her cold, he said, "I'm freezing. You should go back to bed."
Jiafu shook her head, releasing him only to help him remove his outer robe. She then led him to the stove and pressed him to sit down. Pei You'an pulled her onto his lap and asked about her meals and sleep over the past two days. She assured him she was fine and inquired about his affairs. Pei You'an gave her a brief account, omitting any mention of his ruthless suppression of dissent, and simply said, "I’ve temporarily placed Hu Liangcai under house arrest. In urgent situations, one must act decisively—the garrison troops absolutely cannot be withdrawn. I had no choice but to proceed this way. Last night, after completing the initial defense arrangements, I sent a letter to the Military Commissioner of Longyou, Elder Lord Tang, requesting that he urgently dispatch someone to take charge here."
Elder Lord Tang, the Military Commissioner of Longyou, was of the same generation as Pei Xian, the Duke of Wei’s father. The Duke of Wei had once honored him as an uncle, and Pei You'an addressed him as Great-Uncle. In the first year of the Young Emperor’s reign, when Prince Shun'an was regent, the old general had retired and returned to his hometown. Several years later, after Prince Shun'an ascended the throne, as veteran court generals like Dong Chengmao were either demoted or dismissed, the northwest was left without capable leadership. Prince Shun'an then recalled the old general, already in his sixties, back to service. Though the general harbored resentment toward Prince Shun'an for usurping the throne, he could not bear to see the border people suffer. Thus, he accepted the position of Military Commissioner of Longyou and had remained in command ever since. Now nearing seventy, he still had not laid down his armor.
Several months earlier, the old general and Pei You'an had exchanged letters. Between the lines, the general hinted at his desire to retire once more and offered words of comfort regarding Pei You'an’s misfortunes. In his letter, he also mentioned that while he knew Hu Liangcai was a fierce general who had once rendered meritorious service to the court, he was stubborn and prone to reckless ambition. The general worried that Hu might one day act rashly for personal glory, potentially plunging the people into misery if his military decisions went awry. He earnestly urged Pei You'an, though now stripped of rank, to always remember the heroic spirit of his father, the Duke of Wei, who had defended this land. If a crisis arose, Pei You'an was to act as he saw fit, prioritizing the greater good above all else.
Though Pei You'an recounted the events lightly, Jiafu’s heart still raced with fear. But in her eyes, whatever he did—even if it were a crime punishable by death—was always right. She admired him unconditionally.
She nestled deeper into his arms, and Pei You'an held her close. After a tender moment, Jiafu remembered that he must have gone without sleep the previous night and was likely exhausted and hungry. She insisted on calling for a meal so he could eat and rest sooner.Pei You'an said he would go out himself, then seemed to remember something and added, "Cui Yinshui has arrived. I locked him outside the main gate. Later, tell the maids to pack him some hot food and send him away immediately. Don’t let him stay!"
Jiafu was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Cui Yinshui, the most favored young eunuch under Li Yuangui’s wing, to suddenly appear here at this time. She asked what the matter was.
"He said he came to serve you," Pei You'an replied indifferently.
Jiafu inquired further and learned that Cui Yinshui had come alone. After some thought, she realized she certainly didn’t need his service, but his arrival must have been the emperor’s doing. Though she couldn’t fathom the emperor’s intentions, since the eunuch was already here and the weather outside was bitterly cold, she recalled that he had been courteous to her in the past and even helped her once. Feeling pity, she said, "He probably didn’t want to come to such a place either—he must have been ordered. It’s freezing outside. At the very least, let him come in to warm up first. Whether he stays or not, I’ll listen to you. You must be tired too—lie down for a while. I’ll call you when the meal is ready."
Seeing her about to dress and go out, Pei You'an quickly pulled her back and laid her on the bed. "You’re too soft-hearted. Fine, let him come in to warm up. Just don’t let him stay."
Dawn broke.
He hadn’t slept for two nights. After eating a little and bathing, he was urged by Jiafu to lie down and rest, but he insisted she stay with him. They had barely slept for an hour or two when someone arrived from the city with urgent news: scouts reported that the vanguard cavalry of the Hu people, originally headed for Sword Gate Pass, had changed course and seemed to be advancing toward the border. Li Rui and others urgently requested Pei You'an to attend a council.
Pei You'an woke immediately and rose. Jiafu silently helped him dress and saw him off, leaning against the doorway as she watched his retreating figure.
After a few steps, Pei You'an suddenly turned back, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "I’ll return as soon as I can—to be with you when our child is born."
He hugged her tightly, then strode away, his figure gradually disappearing from sight.
Jiafu slowly returned to the room and sat down. Suddenly remembering Cui Yinshui, she asked about him. Tanxiang said, "Didn’t we let him in to warm up this morning? He refused to enter, just nibbled on a few bites of steamed bun. He’s still kneeling outside the main gate."
Frowning, Jiafu told Tanxiang to summon him. Moments later, Cui Yinshui appeared, his face frostbitten like a radish left in the cold—pale with a bluish tint, his eyebrows and hair coated in ice. His knees and trouser legs were caked in snow, the chill having seeped deep into his bones. Shivering uncontrollably, he entered the room and saw Jiafu, but his stiffened joints made it impossible to kneel properly. Instead, he collapsed straight onto the floor like an icicle, his tongue seemingly frozen, unable to speak.
Startled, Jiafu hastily called Lao Ding and his wife to carry him away and warm him up. After a while, Cui Yinshui finally regained some vitality and returned to Jiafu, kneeling before her. Trembling with gratitude, he kowtowed in thanks.
Jiafu said, "I don’t need your service here, and you shouldn’t kneel outside like that anymore. Go back. When you see your godfather, give him my regards and tell him there’s no need to send you here to serve us."Cui Yinshui kowtowed repeatedly. "Please have mercy on this lowly servant, Madam. Before I left, my godfather made it clear that if I were sent back, I wouldn’t be allowed to stay in the palace anymore. I have no parents, entered the palace at ten, and became a useless wretch. If I’m driven out, I’ll have no way to survive..."
He spoke with tears and snot running down his face.
Jiafu knew he was exaggerating to gain sympathy and frowned. "Why did His Majesty suddenly send you here? Is it really just to serve me?"
Cui Yinshui immediately swore by the heavens, vowing that if he had any ulterior motives, he’d be reborn a eunuch in his next life. After this oath, as if suddenly remembering, he hurriedly added, "Ah, yes! This servant also brought a letter from your family in Quanzhou for you, Madam." He pulled a letter from his robe and presented it.
This place was remote, and ordinary people had little means to communicate with the inland, let alone Quanzhou, which lay far to the south. Earlier in the year, after Jiafu arrived, Pei You’an had gone to great lengths to find an old retired soldier from Fujian in the city, paying him to deliver a letter of reassurance to her family. Now, nearly a year later, though Jiafu firmly believed her family was well, she still worried at times. Hearing that a letter had arrived, she was overjoyed and eagerly took it, tearing it open.
The letter was from Madam Meng, saying that in the fourth or fifth month, they had received her letter and were comforted to know she and her husband were doing well. The family was fine, and Old Madam’s health had not worsened further, so Jiafu need not worry. She urged Jiafu and her husband to take care of themselves and hoped they could reunite soon.
At the end, the letter mentioned her brother’s marriage. When Pei You’an had been at the height of his glory, suitors had practically lined up at their door, including local officials. They had nearly been spoiled for choice. But a year ago, when news spread of Pei You’an’s downfall and exile beyond the pass, the house grew cold, and all those eager suitors vanished. Madam Meng then arranged for Yuzhu to marry into the family. After such ups and downs, Old Madam’s attitude had also changed. Seeing Yuzhu’s steadiness and capability—how she had managed everything inside and out flawlessly over the past year—and knowing her grandson was determined to marry her, Old Madam no longer objected. She had wanted to write and tell Jiafu earlier, but with the vast distance, there had been no one to carry the letter. Then, by chance, a man came to their door, saying he was heading beyond the pass and could deliver a letter for the Zhen family. Madam Meng, overjoyed, immediately wrote this letter, entrusting it to him in hopes it would reach Jiafu and ease her worries.
Jiafu read her mother’s letter several times, her heart swelling with happiness.
Cui Yinshui stole glances at her and, seeing her excitement, seized the moment to plead again. "Though this servant was sent here to serve you, Madam, I know you’re the finest of mistresses. I’d gladly serve you—please don’t send me back."
"And if you must send me away, I beg you to wait until spring when it’s warmer… It’s so cold now—on my way here, I nearly lost an ear to frostbite..."
His face was the picture of misery.Jiafu glanced at him. In such weather, she couldn't bear to force him to leave immediately. After a moment's thought, she said, "Forget it, let's wait until winter passes. This isn't the imperial palace—no need for humble speech. Just speak normally like the rest of us. And there's no need to kneel constantly; we don't stand on ceremony here. Remember, behave yourself. If you try any tricks, I may not be able to deal with you, but you know how formidable my husband can be."
"Yes, yes, thank you, madam!"
Cui Yinshui was overjoyed and kowtowed to Jiafu once more before happily retreating.
Thus, the eunuch Cui temporarily stayed, working diligently and eagerly taking on tasks. With a silver tongue, he addressed Tanxiang and Muxiang as "elder sisters" at every turn, and within half a day, the two maids had warmed up to him.
That evening, Pei You'an sent someone back with a brief letter for Jiafu. It explained that the current conflict had originated when Hu Liangcai's spies were discovered by the northern tribes. Knowing of Hu's eagerness for merit, the tribes feigned full preparations for a surprise attack on Sword Gate Pass, intending to divert attention. According to scouts, the enemy cavalry would arrive soon, so he was departing that night for the border to organize emergency evacuations and deploy defenses. There might be battles in the coming days, preventing his return, and he urged her to stay at home without worry.
Though Jiafu maintained a calm expression after reading the letter, how could she not be concerned? She anxiously awaited news of him each day. Finally, after seven or eight days, she received confirmation: following several battles, Pei You'an had personally led his troops to a decisive victory the previous day by the Suyeh River, two hundred li from Suyeh City, utterly crushing tens of thousands of enemy cavalry. The northern tribes suffered heavy casualties, and the remnants fled north in disarray, no longer daring to invade.
When the news reached Suyeh City, the people erupted in cheers. Despite the bitter cold, many brought wine, food, and clothing, voluntarily traveling dozens of li beyond the city to welcome and reward Pei You'an and his soldiers.
Everyone at the fodder yard was overjoyed at the news.
Jiafu received another brief letter from Pei You'an, stating he would try to return before nightfall.
Suppressing her excitement, Jiafu couldn't wait until evening. By dusk, she had Tanxiang and Muxiang support her as she slowly made her way to the fodder yard's gate to await his return. Midway, she suddenly felt a sharp pull in her abdomen, followed by a warm trickle down her legs. She froze, gripping Tanxiang's hand tightly, and said slowly, "I think the baby is coming. Help me back."
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