Youthful Glory

Jiang Xu had always been a man who planned meticulously before acting. Before leaving the capital, he had already memorized the maps of the three southern provinces—Ling, Yu, and Quan—where they would be staying for extended periods.

About fifty li from Tong Port, at the foot of Xumin Mountain, there was a hot spring.

Though they wouldn’t reach a comfortable town to rest in tonight, they could still make it to the hot spring a little later without issue.

The two rode slowly on a single horse, chatting intermittently, and by the time the bright moon had risen to its zenith, they finally arrived at the foot of Xumin Mountain.

Perhaps because the area was remote, the night sky was an exceptionally pure blue, dotted with stars, the moonlight flowing like water. Under the night’s veil, a misty haze rose above the hot spring, like a beauty half-hidden behind a veil—alluring and graceful.

The moment Ming Tan saw the hot spring, she seemed to come alive.

“A hot spring! It really is a hot spring!” She dismounted and hurried closer, her voice bright with excitement. “Husband, can I go in right now?”

“As you wish.”

Jiang Xu secured the horse and followed her.

With his permission, Ming Tan eagerly began undoing her clothes. But just as she loosened her waist sash, she paused and negotiated, “How about this—I’ll go in first, and you start a fire. I’ll wash my clothes in the water, and you can dry them for me. Alright?”

“...”

Jiang Xu’s hand, which had been resting on his own sash, suddenly stilled. After a long moment, he gave a quiet “Mm” and turned away in silence to gather firewood.

Ming Tan paid him no mind and soon happily splashed into the water. By the time Jiang Xu had built a fire by the spring’s edge, she was mimicking the maids back at the estate, scrubbing her clothes in the water with exaggerated motions.

“Done! Here, Husband!”

Jiang Xu approached, took the clothes, and returned to the fire, patiently hanging each piece—her undergarments, inner robes, short jacket, and skirt—on makeshift branches he had propped up.

The flickering firelight outlined his sharp, clean features—his sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, straight nose, and thin lips. The slight press of his lips gave his expression an inexplicable air of solemnity.

Seeing him dry her clothes with the same intensity as reviewing official documents, Ming Tan felt both amused and mischievous.

“Husband!” she suddenly called.

Jiang Xu glanced sideways.

Seizing the moment, Ming Tan scooped up a handful of water and flung it at him.

But Jiang Xu didn’t even flinch. He simply watched as the water landed harmlessly half a zhang away from him before turning back with a faintly mocking tone. “Childish.”

Ming Tan: “...”

A cold wind seemed to rustle through the trees.

Jiang Xu acted as if he hadn’t noticed and continued, “You’re in the water, at a lower position, and a zhang away. Without inner strength, there’s no way you could splash me. Of course, even if you had inner strength, it would be futile if I didn’t want to be splashed.”

“...”

“You’re the childish one!”

How could a man be so utterly devoid of romance? Back then, Liang Zixuan would have praised her with lines like, “Sister Tan is a radiant pearl; even veiled, her brilliance cannot be hidden.” But this man only ever said things like, “You can’t,” “You’re childish,” and “This prince is unmatched.”

Huffing, Ming Tan turned her back and moved to the farthest corner of the spring, squatting down and refusing to look at a certain high-and-mighty, invincible, “this prince reigns supreme” War God.

But while the hot spring was soothing, it wasn’t like ordinary water—the heat lingered. After a while, Ming Tan began to feel overheated and thought about getting out.But now she suddenly realized she couldn't very well climb ashore stark naked—her clothes were still in someone's hands. Yet she'd made her anger so obvious; wouldn't initiating conversation now be utterly humiliating?

As Ming Tan crouched in the corner, adjusting her breathing while agonizing over whether to speak first, a dangerous aura suddenly crept up behind her.

Could it be... something in the water? Goosebumps rose along her spine as she instinctively turned, about to scream.

Yet in the next instant, she was abruptly pulled into an embrace, her startled cry muffled against lips and teeth, reduced to a muted whimper.

Only after a long while did Jiang Xu release her, letting her catch her breath.

"Why did you come down?" Ming Tan asked in shock.

"The clothes will take a while to dry anyway."

"But you—"

"Don't move." His voice was low and slightly hoarse.

Pressed against him in his embrace, skin to skin, Ming Tan quickly became aware of something.

Her scalp prickled with tension, and she truly didn't dare move.

Whether from the scalding hot spring or her own nervousness, her heartbeat suddenly raced, pounding so hard it threatened to leap from her throat. Her ears, cheeks, even her neck and collarbones flushed pink.

Good heavens! Though no one was around, this was still the wilderness beneath open skies—she absolutely didn't want to do anything here! What proper young lady would dare such things outdoors!

Obedient with fright, she stayed perfectly still.

Yet Ming Tan was still too naive. When a man was determined, her docility alone couldn't resolve anything.

After a tense standoff, Jiang Xu withdrew slightly. Ming Tan relaxed, thinking the crisis temporarily averted. As she sighed in relief, she discreetly shifted her stiff, numb feet.

Unexpectedly, the water rippled behind her. The tension she'd just released snapped taut again, and the soles of her feet tingled as if swarmed by ants. A soft hiss escaped her as she lost balance, stumbling backward—right into someone's arms.

"Didn't I tell you not to move? It seems... my Consort is eager to throw herself into my arms and do something."

Jiang Xu's voice was husky, his broad palms lingering on her delicate skin, his tone carrying an air of "this prince will reluctantly oblige you."

...?

No! I didn't! I don't! Don't talk nonsense!

Before Ming Tan could voice her protest, she was pulled into an embrace, her lips sealed.

Ripples spread across the hot spring's surface. Her accusatory gaze and muffled cries were all obscured by the steam rising from the water, while the moonlight grew hazy and ambiguous in the swirling mist. The forest's nocturnal creatures seemed too shy to sing, leaving only rough breathing and barely restrained moans that escaped through clenched teeth.

Now she'd lost not just face, but all dignity.

...

The night deepened in silence, the wind whispering by.

By the time the water stilled, Ming Tan was utterly exhausted, as if all the fatigue accumulated over days had surged forth tonight.

In her fading consciousness, she only remembered someone wringing her hair dry and dressing her. The clothes were warm from drying—her inner garments didn't need exposure, so they were of her usual comfortable fabric.

She wanted to do nothing, not even lift a finger. Once dressed, she collapsed against someone's chest and fell into a deep sleep.For the next two days on the road, Ming Tan felt quite uneasy, acting shy and constantly avoiding Jiang Xu's gaze. Jiang Xu couldn't understand why she was so embarrassed—they'd shared intimacy before, and what difference did it make whether it was in the hot springs or the bathing chamber?

When they returned to the town where they had previously stopped with their carriage and horses, the hardships of the journey finally began to ease.

After the experience in Tonggang, Ming Tan no longer found the carriage ride back to the capital exhausting.

In truth, with no pressing matters on the return trip, it should have been much more relaxed. Jiang Xu had even planned to take her part of the way by water, detouring through prosperous regions to fulfill her wish of buying ten carriages to return to the capital.

But Ming Tan suddenly became sensible. Aside from preparing gifts for relatives and friends in the capital, she didn’t buy anything extra along the way.

When Jiang Xu asked, she earnestly spoke about the livelihood of the common people in Daxian, how there were still many impoverished and remote places like Tonggang. Now that she was part of the imperial family, she ought to lead by example and practice frugality.

Jiang Xu wanted to say something, but since she was showing such rare consideration—even if it was just a passing whim—he didn’t want to dampen her spirits and let her have her way.

Ming Tan remained this sensible all the way back to the capital.

They had left for Lingzhou in the height of summer, and by the time they returned, the capital was already deep into autumn. The willows along the Xian River were withered, but the ginkgo trees lining the streets had spread a golden carpet. When the wind blew, the city was filled with swirling golden leaves, a breathtaking sight.

Since Jiang Xu had been away on official business, his first duty upon returning was naturally to report to Emperor Chengkang. At the crossroads, he instructed his men to escort the princess consort back to the manor first, while he rode alone to the palace.

Prince Dingbei's Manor.

The carriage stopped outside the gates, and Ming Tan stepped down.

Uncle Fu had specially opened the main gate wide. Servants stood in two rows from the entrance all the way to the inner gate, their formation stretching so far it seemed endless.

"Welcome back, Your Highness!" As Ming Tan descended from the carriage, everyone bowed in unison, ushering her inside with loud and respectful greetings.

It had been a long time since Ming Tan had seen such a grand reception. She felt both nostalgic and pleasantly surprised.

Fortunately, though she had been away for months, she still remembered her status as Princess Consort Dingbei. She composed herself with the dignity befitting her title, nodded calmly, and then smiled warmly at Uncle Fu. "Uncle Fu, with His Highness and I away for so long, you've worked hard managing the household. Thank you."

"Not at all, not at all. It is this old servant's duty."

Uncle Fu remained as humble as ever, his smile as respectful and kind as always.

"No matter how vast the outside world may be, nothing compares to the comfort of our own home. Your Highness has endured months of travel and must be exhausted. Please return to Qi'an Hall to rest. Miss Suxin and Miss Lǜ'e have been overjoyed since receiving word a few days ago that you and His Highness would soon return. They've been bustling about nonstop!"

Ming Tan nodded and, accompanied by Uncle Fu, entered the manor and made her way to Qi'an Hall.

Truth be told, Uncle Fu truly went above and beyond for her as the princess consort. In the past, when Jiang Xu left the capital on business, his departures and returns were simple affairs—nothing like today's grand reception with the main gate opened, servants lining the path, and welcomes extending all the way to Qi'an Hall.

Upon reaching Qi'an Hall, the courtyard outside was already decorated with lanterns and colorful banners. The maids welcoming her back had all changed into bright new clothes. Anyone unaware might have mistaken the manor for preparing for some joyous celebration.

A fire basin was placed at the courtyard entrance.

On the other side of the basin, Suxin and Lǜ'e stood with beaming faces, curtsying gracefully. "Welcome back, Your Highness. Please raise your noble foot and step over the fire basin to ward off ill fortune and welcome blessings."

"..."

Well, it seemed the capital did have such a custom—those returning from afar were to step over a fire basin.Ming Tan stepped across the threshold.

Suxin and Lǜ'e hurried forward to greet her, unable to hold back any longer as they called out alternately, "Miss!" and "Consort!"

"Miss, how have you become so thin!"

"Why is Miss still wearing this dress? Good heavens, the embroidery is coming undone!"

"Has Miss suffered hardships outside?"

...

The two of them chattered incessantly, not giving her a chance to speak before practically carrying her into the room.

Even the usually composed Suxin was nervously scrutinizing her, her earlier joy fading, replaced by reddened eyes and a choked voice.

"Miss must have endured hardships outside—your face is so thin, and you look utterly exhausted!"

Lǜ'e's emotions were stirred as well, looking up at Ming Tan's hair. "Exactly! With me here, when has Miss ever worn such a crude hairstyle? This can hardly even be called a proper updo!"

"Aunt Yun returned a few days ago and even claimed Miss had been doing well this whole time. How is this 'doing well'? It’s clearly been nothing but suffering! When has our Miss ever endured such indignities!"

"If we had known, Miss should never have taken Aunt Yun along. All she knows is waving swords and spears—what does she understand about taking care of people? Had I gone instead, I would never have let Miss suffer like this!"

Both of them had served Ming Tan since childhood and had never been apart from her for so long. They doted on her as if she were the apple of their eye, and seeing her so gaunt and weary, their hearts ached unbearably.

As they spoke, the two of them ended up weeping bitterly around Ming Tan.

Their wailing left Ming Tan dizzy. After a long moment, she finally found a gap to helplessly protest, "Stop, stop, stop! Anyone who didn’t know better would think Prince Dingbei's Manor had wronged you two terribly. Aren’t you ashamed? Are you mourning me? I’ve just returned from a journey, not risen from the dead!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Miss has only just returned—how can you say such a word! Quickly, bow this way and apologize to Heaven!" Suxin fretted anxiously.

"..."

Ming Tan had no choice. In the end, she couldn’t resist these two maids and obediently bowed toward the doorway.