Youthful Glory

Ming Tan had never left the capital since birth, and the farthest she had ever traveled was to the Buddhist temples in the outskirts for prayers and blessings. Suddenly hearing the suggestion of going to Lingzhou together, she was momentarily stunned.

Go? What would she do there? Could she really go?

Ming Tan looked at Jiang Xu, first in a daze, then slowly regaining her senses—hesitant yet unable to suppress a little flutter of excitement.

She carefully tugged at Jiang Xu’s sleeve and asked, "Husband, are you serious? Can A Tan really go? Won’t I disturb your official business?"

"It’s fine. It’s just a long journey, with the hardships of travel—"

"That’s alright, A Tan isn’t afraid of hardship!"

Ming Tan answered without hesitation, her eyes sparkling.

Jiang Xu: "..."

He wasn’t entirely convinced.

But soon, Jiang Xu understood why his usually delicate little Consort could declare so resolutely that she wasn’t afraid of hardship.

For the trip to Lingzhou, he had originally planned to depart directly from Yongchun Garden, but Ming Tan wanted to return to the manor first. Since he also intended to visit the prison at the Court of Judicial Review before leaving, he agreed.

However, he hadn’t expected that upon returning from the prison, he would find a neat row of carriages parked at the second gate of the manor.

His temple throbbed, and belatedly, he recalled the five carriages she had taken for her prayers at Lingmiao Temple.

"Are these all the luggage the Consort is bringing?" he asked.

"Replying to the Lord, yes. The Consort said—"

"Husband!"

The servant’s words were cut off by Ming Tan, who had come over to check the luggage. She called out cheerfully and hurried forward, lifting the hem of her skirt.

As she approached, she proudly took Jiang Xu’s wrist, her eyes bright. "Husband, come see the luggage A Tan has prepared."

She turned, and Suxin promptly handed over a thick ledger of the luggage.

"I had someone list everything in order of the carriages. We can check what we need along the way—isn’t that very convenient?" she said, flipping through the pages. "The first carriage is naturally the one we’ll ride in. Lingzhou is far, and it’s the height of summer, so we must have ice. That’s why there’s an ice chest inside, and three wooden windows added to the curtains. If it rains, the water won’t get inside."

Jiang Xu: "..."

Ming Tan then pulled him toward the first carriage, with Suxin following to lift the curtain.

The carriage was extremely spacious, with a soft couch that could sleep two people. In the middle was a table large enough for a game of chess, and beside it stood a curio shelf. The couch was layered with multiple cushions, the topmost made of cooling ice silk fabric to prevent overheating. There were also vases and paintings for decoration—every detail exuded refined luxury.

Aside from this carriage for travel, the others mostly carried their clothing, utensils, and dry provisions.

Ming Tan wanted to guide him through each one, but after inspecting two, he interrupted, "This trip to Lingzhou is for official business. Do you think a dozen carriages are appropriate?" Anyone seeing this spectacle might think she was going to take over Lingzhou.

"It’s not a dozen, only ten," Ming Tan corrected earnestly.

"..."

Only ten—did she think that was few?

Jiang Xu was momentarily at a loss for words. Glancing at the last empty carriage, he asked, "Leaving aside the rest, why bring an empty carriage?"

"Lingzhou is prosperous, with many rare and exotic goods. And I’ll need to bring back plenty of gifts. Without an empty carriage, how will we transport everything?""If they can't fit, we can always arrange for more carriages when we return to the capital, can't we?"

"But the ones we get now won't match the ones from our estate. That way, the returning procession won't look as neat and presentable."

"..."

He was truly at a loss for words.

Ming Tan then reasoned with him, "Husband, A Tan knows traveling isn't easy. These carriages have already been pared down, and the remaining items are all necessities."

Jiang Xu believed her—after all, even a trip to Lingmiao Temple required five carriages for her. Given the long journey to Lingzhou, she must have gone through great pains to reduce it to ten carriages, likely causing herself considerable distress.

However, there was no way he would actually let her bring all that luggage. Not wanting to argue further, he made a firm decision: "If you want to come with me, you can bring no more than two carriages."

"Two? That's far too few!"

Ming Tan looked up at him with disbelief and a pitiful expression.

Unmoved, he said, "It's your choice."

With that, he gently pried her soft little hands away and strode inside.

Ming Tan couldn't help but twist her handkerchief and stomp her foot. She absolutely had to go to Lingzhou—she had never left the capital in all her years. But as she stared at the row of carriages, her delicate brows furrowed in genuine difficulty over what to leave behind.

The carriage they would ride in was non-negotiable. The compartments inside could barely fit some of her jewelry, but there was no room for anything else. Spare cushions, embroidered quilets, clothes, embroidered shoes, utensils, dried provisions—how could all that fit into just one carriage?

Flipping through the thick inventory of luggage, she felt a headache coming on.

Meanwhile, after delivering his ultimatum, Jiang Xu went to his study to attend to official matters.

It wasn't until late at night when he returned to rest that he realized Ming Tan seemed to be sulking over the matter. Hearing him enter the inner chamber, her small figure, which had been lying flat, suddenly turned to face the wall, deliberately making noise.

Ming Tan waited for what felt like ages—for him to enter, for him to undress, for him to climb into bed and settle heavily beside her.

But no matter how long she waited, not a single word of comfort came. It seemed he intended to sleep just like that. Unable to contain her frustration, she deliberately turned over twice more, determined not to let him rest easily.

Though deliberate, the tactic was highly effective.

Jiang Xu had initially planned to ignore her, but in the end, he sighed and wrapped a long arm around her, pulling her into his embrace.

"What's this tantrum for?" he murmured.

"Who's throwing a tantrum? This humble wife has strictly followed the Lord's orders and reduced the carriages to two!"

She was even referring to herself as "this humble wife"—clearly throwing a tantrum.

"Does the Lord think all those things I prepared were just for myself? Well, when the Lord finds himself lacking something later, don't blame this humble wife for not bringing it!"

"I won't."

"...!"

Ming Tan, fuming, was about to turn away again.

For once, Jiang Xu patiently explained, "On this journey south to Lingzhou, we won't pass through particularly remote areas. If we lack anything, we can simply buy it along the way."

Ming Tan remained silent.

Jiang Xu added, "Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you."

Only then did Ming Tan let out a satisfied "hmph," as if to say "that's more like it," and finally stopped sulking.

Early the next morning, before the sun had even risen, Jiang Xu set off with Ming Tan and her two meticulously pared-down carriages.

The journey to Lingzhou was mostly overland. Knowing Ming Tan wasn't one for hardship, Jiang Xu adjusted the route slightly to ensure they could find decent inns in bustling towns along the way.Since they were traveling light with minimal luggage, it wasn't appropriate to bring too many maids. Ming Tan couldn't decide between Suxin and Lǜ'e, so she simply brought Yun Yi along.

Having someone skilled in martial arts on the journey added an extra layer of safety.

When Shu Jingran met up with them outside the city and saw Yun Yi, he was somewhat surprised. "Miss Yun."

Yun Yi looked at him in confusion. "You are...?"

Shu Jingran paused briefly, then chuckled.

Not that he was vain, but it was the first time a woman had failed to recognize him by their third meeting.

Just then, Ming Tan lifted the carriage curtain and greeted him with a smile. "Second Young Master Shu."

Shu Jingran quickly clasped his hands and returned the greeting. "Greetings to the Consort."

"No need for formalities, Second Young Master Shu."

Yun Yi finally remembered—this was the man the Consort had insisted she save. Later, she had encountered him again in the estate and exchanged a few polite words, nearly losing a roast chicken in the process.

She had mentioned this to the Consort when paying her respects, and the Consort had scoffed at the time, saying, "He's the most handsome man in the capital—how could he possibly do something as undignified as taking a roast chicken?"

She quickly lowered her head and echoed Ming Tan's greeting. "Second Young Master Shu."

"Has Miss Yun remembered me now?"

Yun Yi nodded honestly. "The Consort said you are the most handsome man in the capital."

Shu Jingran laughed again.

Ming Tan felt slightly embarrassed, but since everyone in the capital said so, she wasn't exactly wrong.

Then Jiang Xu suddenly set down his military book and remarked coolly, "If we want to reach Hezhou before nightfall, we shouldn't linger here chatting. Otherwise, we'll be sleeping in the carriage tonight."

Ming Tan glanced at him hesitantly, wondering: Is he jealous because I called Second Young Master Shu the most handsome man in the capital? Surely not—he and Second Young Master Shu are close friends. But his expression... is unreadable.

The journey continued in silence, and unexpectedly, Jiang Xu's words proved prophetic.

As dusk approached, the clear weather suddenly turned violent. A fierce storm swept in, the horses whinnying and refusing to go any further.

"Lord, we can't press on," the guard said calmly, gripping the reins.

"Find shelter from the rain first," Jiang Xu replied, his voice equally composed.

Thanks to Ming Tan's meticulous preparations, their carriage remained comfortable despite the storm. With the windows closed, the interior was cozy—only the sound of the rain outside was unsettling.

Ming Tan asked worriedly, "Husband, does this mean we won't reach Hezhou?"

Jiang Xu hummed in agreement. "As you wished—sleeping in the carriage."

Ming Tan: "...?"

How was this her wish?

In truth, Hezhou bordered the capital. After leaving the city, one only needed to cross two low hills to enter Hezhou territory. A single rider could make the trip in half a day.

But with two carriages, their speed was inevitably slower. They had planned to reach Shuzhen in Hezhou by sunset, but the sudden downpour made that impossible.

A stone pavilion halfway up the mountain provided shelter. While Jiang Xu and Ming Tan remained in the carriage, everyone else—including Shu Jingran, whose carriage offered no protection from the rain—took refuge in the pavilion.

By the time the rain stopped, night had already fallen.

Ming Tan was stunned. She couldn't believe that on the very first day of their journey, they were stranded overnight in the wilderness.

"So tonight, I won't have a proper meal, a bath, or a spacious bed to rest in?"

She lit a lamp and maintained her poised posture, elegantly flipping through a book on the cushioned seat—though her composure was beginning to crack.Jiang Xu didn’t know why either. He glanced at her, gave a brief “Mm,” and then stepped out of the carriage.

Ming Tan had wanted to ask where he was going, but he moved too quickly. Before she could speak, he was already gone.

A wave of inexplicable grievance washed over her. Abandoning any pretense of restraint, she suddenly kicked off her embroidered shoes, tucked her feet onto the soft divan, and hugged her knees. She thought to herself: If this is how he treats me on the very first day, who knows how much of this marital bond will remain by the time we reach Lingzhou? Might as well request to return home tomorrow—spare him the trouble.

About a quarter of an hour later, Jiang Xu lifted the carriage curtain and paused at the sight of her. “What are you doing?”

Ming Tan turned her head away, ignoring him, her eyes suddenly reddening.

Jiang Xu: “…”

For a moment, he couldn’t tell whether he had brought a daughter or an ancestor on this trip.

He climbed back into the carriage, half-kneeling before her as he quietly slid her feet back into her embroidered shoes. “Didn’t you say you wanted to eat, bathe, and sleep on a proper, spacious bed?”

Ming Tan froze.

Jiang Xu stood. “Get down. I’ll take you.”

“Where? I thought we couldn’t make it in time?” she asked, still dazed as she rose.

Jiang Xu didn’t answer, striding straight to a horse instead.

A lantern hung from the horse’s saddle. Turning back, he lifted her onto the steed, tightened the reins, and with a sharp whinny, the horse raised its front hooves slightly, shaking off raindrops from its mane.

“Shu Town is half an hour away at full gallop. It’ll be rough—bear with it.” With that, he suddenly cracked the whip— snap!

The horse bolted forward. Before Ming Tan could regain her senses, the rapid motion beneath her drew a startled gasp from her lips.

The wind howled past her ears as the lantern illuminated the faint path ahead. The rain-washed night sky was clear, stars bright, moonlight pure.

After riding for some time, Ming Tan finally pieced it together and couldn’t help asking, “Husband, are you taking me ahead to Shu Town to settle in?”

“What else? If I didn’t arrange a place for you first, would you have turned back home tomorrow?”

“How did you know?” Ming Tan blurted out.

“…”

He really had brought an ancestor along.