Stepping into the Li residence, Shen Yujiao and Pei Xia first went to the study to pay respects to her maternal grandfather, Li Conghe.
Li Conghe was past sixty, clad in a dark-blue long robe, figure thin and spare, a gauze cap upon his head—an image of the archetypal scholar-official.
Truthfully, Shen Yujiao was not very close to her maternal grandfather. Though he treated his granddaughter with kindness and mild affection, his pedantic scholarly air was too heavy. Though her own grandfather was also a man of letters, he was more flexible and adaptable.
In Yujiao’s private thoughts, the two elders had started from the same place, yet her grandfather had spent a lifetime as an official and only reached the post of Secretary Supervisor, whereas her other grandfather had entered the central government as chancellor by the age of forty. The difference, she felt, lay greatly in their dispositions.
After a few polite words, not knowing what more to say, she rose with Pei Xia to go to the back courtyard to visit her grandmother.
Unlike her feelings for her maternal grandfather, Shen Yujiao was fond of her maternal grandmother, Madam Luo. Among the grandchildren, Madam Luo doted the most on Yujiao, her little granddaughter.
When she stepped into that familiar, spacious courtyard and saw, seated on the couch in the main room, the round-faced elderly lady whose temples were frosted with gray, Yujiao’s nose stung with sudden sourness.
But with Pei Xia present, she restrained herself, bowing respectfully to the seated Madam Luo and to her aunt Madam Song beside her: “Jiaojiao greets Grandmother, greets Aunt.”
Pei Xia also followed in salute to the two elder ladies at the upper seats: “Pei Xia greets Grandmother and Aunt, and wishes you both peace and health.”
Madam Song had specially dressed herself today, high coiffure and splendid robes, gold hairpins and jade belts. Seeing the young couple before her, her eyes reddened, her voice choked: “Good children, such good children, there is no need for so much ceremony.”
She bent slightly, raising her voice to the old lady: “Mother, open your eyes and look, your Jiaojiao has come back to see you and offer her respects.”
At this sound, the elderly lady on the couch, dressed in a turquoise robe embroidered with silver-threaded pine and crane patterns, seemed to wake from a dream. Struggling, she opened her clouded eyes, gazing forward in confusion: “Where? Where is my Jiaojiao?”
When Shen Yujiao saw her grandmother’s eyes fail to recognize her, she paled with alarm: “Aunt, what is wrong with Grandmother?”
Madam Song sighed deeply, her face sorrowful:
“You know… even before, your grandmother was a little muddled. Last year when disaster struck your family, she wept anxiously. When she heard your whole family was sentenced to exile in Lingnan, she fainted on the spot. After waking, she wept day and night for your mother, for you and Sister Yu who must suffer with her. No matter how others tried to console her, she could not be comforted, and cried her eyes nearly blind. Now her sight is poor, her hearing failing, her mind all the more confused…”
Shen Yujiao had guessed her grandmother would be heartbroken, but had never thought she would weep her eyesight away.
Her heart clenched painfully. Forgetting all else, she hurried to the old lady’s side, lifting her hand to her face: “Grandmother, Jiaojiao is here.”
Though Madam Luo’s eyes were poor, they were not entirely blind. Now at close distance, with her hand touching a warm, tender young face, she suddenly grew clearer: “My child, is it you? Truly you?”
“It’s me, Grandmother. I’ve come back.” Shen Yujiao answered through tears. “Look closely once more.”
The old lady, gazing at the familiar fair young face and hearing the familiar voice, tears streamed down as she pulled her into her arms: “My Jiaojiao, you’ve finally come back. Do you know how much I’ve missed you? Day and night I thought of you and your mother, until my very heart was near to breaking. You were both pampered girls, never having suffered hardship. How could you endure that wretched place of Lingnan? Your mother, when I carried her, was frail in the womb, and her health has never been good. How could she bear such torment? And you—unmarried, how would your match with the Pei family be arranged in exile? And little Yu Jie’er, only three, knowing nothing, so young and forced to suffer…”
The old lady cried incoherently.
Madam Song quickly handed her a handkerchief, gently soothing: “Mother, you’ve mixed things up again. Didn’t I already tell you? Jiaojiao has already married into the Pei family. She is now the young madam of the Pei household, dressed in silks, enjoying endless blessings. Don’t cry. Look again—Jiaojiao is now with child, and she has come today with her husband to pay respects.”
Saying this, Madam Song turned to the young gentleman of noble bearing standing nearby:
“Son-in-law, if you do not mind, please come closer so Mother may see you clearly.”
Pei Xia looked at Shen Yujiao and Old Madam Li clinging to each other, grandmother and granddaughter crying together in a heap. He stepped forward and addressed Old Madam Li: “Grandmother, this junior, Pei Xia, is Yu… Jiaojiao’s husband.”
He recalled that last year at Ba Bridge, when his mother-in-law Madam Li had introduced Shen Yujiao, she had said that in the family she was often called Yuniang or Jiaojiao.
At that time he had thought “Jiaojiao” far too intimate—calling her that upon first meeting would seem frivolous—while “Yuniang” sounded more proper.
Afterward, the name “Yuniang” came naturally, and he had always called her that.
As for “Jiaojiao,” the last time he heard it was from that ruffian of Jinling.
Thinking of how that man called her “Jiaojiao” so fluently, he must have called her that many times before…
Pei Xia’s thick lashes lowered, veiling the darkness in his eyes.
How was such a man worthy to call his wife with such intimacy?
Shen Yujiao did not know what Pei Xia was thinking at that moment, only saw him lift his robe and half-kneel before her grandmother, with a look of respect and cooperation. She was moved, and so she smiled and introduced: “Grandmother, this is my husband, Brother Shouzhen of the Pei family. You always said I must marry the most handsome young man. Open your eyes and see—doesn’t he look handsome?”
“Good, good, good.” Old Madam Li squinted to look at the young man before her, then smiled in satisfaction: “Handsome, handsome—his face is so fair.”
At those words, the servants in the room, along with Shen Yujiao and Madam Song, all could not help but laugh.
Only Pei Xia, still half-kneeling, had a faint flush spread across his thin face.
Shen Yujiao caught sight of it and blinked at him playfully, as if wordlessly saying: Don’t mind it.
Pei Xia also glanced back at her: I won’t mind.
On the side, Madam Song took in all the subtle glances between this young couple, and secretly chuckled in her heart. It seemed the little husband and wife had deep affection indeed.
For a woman, if she can win her husband’s love, her days in the inner chambers will be much easier.
Since Pei Xia was an outsider male, it was not proper for him to linger long in the women’s quarters. After sitting and taking two sips of tea, he rose together with Shen Yujiao’s two cousins and headed to the study.
Before leaving, he handed Shen Yujiao a handkerchief: “Reuniting with elders is a happy thing—don’t shed tears. I’ll go ahead to speak with Grandfather and Uncle. We’ll meet again at the noon meal.”
Shen Yujiao accepted the kerchief and dabbed at the damp corners of her eyes, nodding lightly: “I know. Go on, Lanjun.”
Once the men had gone, Madam Song could not resist teasing: “Jiaojiao, it seems you and the young master are just as the rumors outside say—like mandarin ducks and flatfish, deeply affectionate and inseparable.”
Shen Yujiao started slightly, then realized her aunt was referring to that story of her exile. She did not explain further, only lowered her eyes in shy embarrassment: “Aunt, don’t make fun of me.”
“Silly child, how is this making fun of you? I’m truly glad for you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Madam Song looked her over again and again, saw her complexion rosy and her cheeks full, her hair ornaments and clothes all finely made. She knew she was living well now, and the heart she had been holding finally settled back into her chest.
“Last year when we heard that Pei Shouzhen had taken you back to Wenxi before the exile, your uncle and I were truly astonished. We thought the marriage must have fallen through. After all, at that time… sigh, the crime decreed by the Emperor, and that pagoda built by order of the late Empress Dowager—once it collapsed, there were few willing to send help in the snow, far more who were eager to throw stones at someone fallen into the well!”
Thinking of how last year, when the Shen family was condemned, the men of the Li family had braved the burning summer, running everywhere, enduring countless cold stares and slammed doors, only to achieve nothing—Madam Song still felt stifled in her chest.
Her fingers twisted the green gauze handkerchief tight. She took a deep breath, suppressing her resentment at the world’s coldness, and went on: “In Chang’an, everyone avoided your Shen family like a plague. But Pei Shouzhen bore the storm and insisted on taking you home—it was no easy thing. Perhaps you don’t know, but the moment news of your marriage spread to Chang’an, there were malicious men in court who accused him of defying the Emperor’s order, of sheltering a traitor’s daughter.”
Shen Yujiao was stunned: “There was such a thing?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Madam Song’s face showed indignation. “Your uncle came back from court cursing and fuming. Fortunately, the Pei clan is known for keeping its word and has a fine reputation, and your marriage with Shouzhen was arranged from childhood, known to all. The Pei family’s officials are no soft persimmons to be kneaded at will. In the end, the Emperor ignored that censor and instead praised Shouzhen for having the bearing of an ancient virtuous gentleman.”
Shen Yujiao had never thought her marriage with Pei Xia had even been brought up in court.
Now, upon hearing this, a chill ran down her back.
If at that time the Emperor’s anger had not abated and insisted on punishing Pei Xia, he would have had no way out—for under heaven, imperial power is supreme.
Madam Song saw her grave expression and worried she might be frightened. She quickly waved her hand: “It’s all past now, don’t trouble yourself. Besides, now you are the foster daughter of Her Highness Consort Xian, and the tale of your loving marriage with Shouzhen has spread across the land. Would the Emperor really dig up old scores and quibble with you two youngsters over this?”
As she spoke, her body leaned forward slightly, her brows furrowed as she looked at Shen Yujiao: “Jiaojiao, there are no outsiders here—tell your aunt frankly, what really happened in May? I can’t believe the rumors outside. You don’t know—back in June, the Pei household in Luoyang sent someone to our manor with a mourning notice. Your aunt happened to be visiting that day, and upon hearing the news, she fainted right in my arms from crying. Your uncle even had your eldest cousin take three days’ leave to rush to Luoyang to find out the truth…”
“Later the eldest son came back with grief all over his face, saying that indeed you had perished in the floods, and the funeral rites had already been held.”
“As for your grandmother here, we didn’t dare tell her, afraid of shocking her further.”
Madam Song sighed. Recalling those days last year when everyone was on edge, her tone grew heavy: “Back then, the court was in an uproar over disaster relief and dam repairs. There was war in the south, floods in the north, and not nearly enough silver in the state treasury. The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Personnel quarreled day after day—this one said there was no silver, that one said there was no silver, this one said there weren’t enough men, that one said there weren’t enough men… Ai, it was truly a mess. During that time I didn’t even dare leave the house. In Chang’an, no household dared host banquets, afraid the censors would seize on it and submit a memorial against them to the Emperor—walking straight into the knife’s edge.”
Shen Yujiao had guessed her aunt would ask, so she repeated the same explanation she had earlier given to Qiao Momo.
As expected, after hearing it, Madam Song was first stunned, then ground her teeth and cursed Madam Wang and Pei Tong: “Seeing how affectionate you and Shouzhen are, I thought you had married into a nest of blessings. Who knew the Pei family’s inner courtyard was a den of vipers! What sort of mistress conducts herself so muddle-headed, actually conspiring with a second branch’s daughter to harm her own daughter-in-law? If it were me, I’d have stuffed that little sl*t’s mouth, dragged her to the ancestral hall, and given her a bowl of medicine so she couldn’t bring harm to anyone again! And she could still stomach letting that sl*t stay on so many days?”
“Your mother once told me the Pei household was a widowed mother and her only son, and she feared you would suffer grievances if you married there. At that time I consoled her, saying that your grandfather himself had approved this marriage, and we had also met that Pei Hengzhi—his conduct was quite decent. And Madam Wang, coming from a great family, surely would not be like some petty household mother-in-law, playing those cruel little tricks to torment her daughter-in-law. Hah, instead of petty tricks, she went straight to the big ones—even daring to take a life!”
The more Madam Song spoke, the angrier she became. She had only two sons of her own, and so had always cherished her two nieces like her own daughters. Now seeing her sister-in-law’s child suffer such wrongs, she couldn’t hold back—slapping the table, grinding her teeth: “Last year when your elder cousin went to the Pei residence, he came back and told us how generous they were, not only holding the funeral rites with full solemnity but also setting up a porridge stall to accumulate blessings for you. Pfah! She was just making up for her guilty conscience, trying to accumulate merit for herself!”
Madam Song cursed fiercely. Old Madam Li, muddled and confused, was startled by the commotion. She quickly pulled Shen Yujiao into her arms: “Jiaojiao, come here, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. With Grandmother here, no one can take you away!”
Shen Yujiao could not help both laughing and crying, though sourness welled in her heart. She held onto Old Madam Li’s arm: “Grandmother, I’m not leaving. I won’t go anywhere. Today I’ll stay with you the whole day.”
After soothing the old lady, she raised her eyes toward Madam Song, lowering her voice: “Aunt, it’s all in the past now. And look, am I not perfectly fine today?”
Madam Song too was afraid of frightening her mother-in-law further, so she lowered her voice. She looked Shen Yujiao up and down, saw her belly already round and full—before long she would give birth. Though Madam Wang was truly outrageous, at least Pei Shouzhen was a man worthy of lifelong trust. After all, where in the world is there a flawless marriage? Most couples just make do and get by.
With a long sigh, she concluded: “Now that you’ve divided households and live separately, not seeing one another, at least you have peace and quiet.”
Shen Yujiao nodded: “Yes, I think the same.”
Everything has two sides. She sometimes thought, if not for that incident, she might still have to live under the same roof with Madam Wang, feigning courtesy for decades—and would that not also have been a kind of torment?
Seeing the mood grow heavy, Madam Song quickly shifted the subject, asking about Shen Yujiao’s pregnancy: “Have you found a midwife yet?”
Shen Yujiao smiled: “It’s still early. In another two months it won’t be too late.”
“It isn’t early. Childbirth for a woman is like crossing the gates of h*ll. Especially since this is your first child, you must be extra cautious. Ordinarily this should be for your mother-in-law or your own mother to see to, but those two…” Madam Song shook her head, not wishing to say more, only continuing: “In the next few days I’ll help you look. Once I find someone suitable, I’ll have her come to your residence to pay respects, so you can meet her.”
“I knew Aunt would always look after me.” Shen Yujiao’s eyes curved in a smile, her tone brimming with intimacy.
Looking at this young lady she had watched grow up since childhood, Madam Song’s heart softened completely: “Since your mother is not here, I as your aunt must take even more care of you.”
At the mention of her younger sister-in-law, sorrow welled in her eyes: “I wonder how your mother fares down in Lingnan…”
Shen Yujiao asked: “Aunt, you haven’t corresponded with her there?”
“Your uncle sent letters to Lingnan twice, but they sank like stones in the sea, never a word in reply.” Madam Song sighed in worry.
Shen Yujiao was taken aback, and told her about how she herself had been receiving family letters from time to time.
Hearing this, Madam Song was both surprised and delighted, finally remarking with emotion: “When it comes to connections, it still has to be the Pei family. Your grandfather and uncle… ai, never mind.”
A family of scholars, knowing nothing but how to read books and write essays—famous for their lofty virtue, but when it came to actually getting things done, they could accomplish nothing at all.
Shen Yujiao also knew her maternal family’s situation well. In times of peace, scholars were ornaments for the powerful; but when chaos struck, they were no different from the common people—pigs and sheep at the mercy of the butcher’s knife.
The Hedong Pei clan, with its deep roots and countless officials, held power beyond comparison. Even if the Shen and Li families combined, they could not match a single Pei clan.
“With Shouzhen handling matters behind the scenes, your parents and brothers in Lingnan should be living better.” Madam Song looked at Shen Yujiao, smiling in relief: “Your husband truly is remarkable—so handsome, with literary talent to compose poetry and policy, and military skill to strategize at the front lines. And when he comes home, he treats you with such care and tenderness. No wonder the young ladies of Chang’an all envy you.”
Shen Yujiao flushed but did not deny it.
Catching sight from the corner of her eye of Old Madam Li’s muddled look, she forced a smile. “My lord also promised me that when the army returns triumphant to the capital and His Majesty rewards merit, he will use his military service to win a chance at overturning my father and brothers’ case. I only hope the injustice can be washed clean smoothly, so my family may return soon, and we can be reunited…”
Before her words had fallen, she saw that Madam Song’s face, which still bore a smile just a moment ago, suddenly stiffened, her brows knotted tight as she fixed on Shen Yujiao. “Exchange military merits for a retrial? No, no, absolutely not!”
“To reopen that case? Impossible, impossible!”
In the study of the front courtyard, hearing Pei Xia ask about the Shen family’s old case, Li Conghe and his son Li Ji both changed countenance.
Pei Xia’s long fingers stilled on the cup, and he slowly lifted his gaze. “Why?”
Li Conghe and Li Ji exchanged a glance, then looked toward the two younger Li sons at the lower seats. “Eldest, Second, go to the kitchen and ask if lunch is ready.”
Second Son Li asked doubtfully, “Such a small matter, why not let the servants ask… hey, elder brother, why are you kicking me?”
Eldest Son Li: “……”
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes at his foolish younger brother, he stood, bowed toward the elders at the upper seats. “Grandfather, Father, we will withdraw first.”
Then he saluted Pei Xia and dragged Second Son Li away.
The study door closed from the outside, leaving only the faint fragrance of tea in the quiet room.
Seeing that the Li father dup had sent away the juniors, Pei Xia also set down his cup and straightened his posture. “I do not know what instruction the two esteemed elders have for me. I will listen with all respect.”
The Li father and son were silent for a while, until Li Conghe said, “You speak.”
“Yes.” Li Ji nodded, then looked toward Pei Xia with a grave expression. “Shouzhen, you wish to overturn your father-in-law’s case out of filial devotion. We are moved by that. But this corruption case is not as simple as you think. You have only just come to Chang’an. Though you hold merit for quelling the Huainan rebellion, you have not yet been officially appointed to office. And the court is deep waters; your foundation is shallow. To rashly raise the Shen case at this time would truly be unwise.”
Reading their expressions, Pei Xia also grew solemn. “I heard that Grandfather and Uncle spent many months last year pursuing this case, only for it to end without result. I wonder, what was it you discovered that makes you so opposed to me overturning the case?”
Li Ji had not expected him to strike the heart of the matter. He choked and glanced hesitantly at Li Conghe.
Li Conghe’s brows also sank. After a long silence, he cast a meaningful look at the pure and upright figure seated below, then sighed. “Since you are family, and wholehearted for your wife’s family, there is nothing to hide. Speak.”
Li Ji then lowered his voice, his tone heavy. “Your father-in-law worked on projects for most of his life. How could he be incapable of building a mere pagoda? Only, this pagoda was for the Empress Dowager, and the current emperor is himself the most filial of sons…”
At this point, the corners of Li Ji’s lips curled slightly, unable to conceal his scorn. Li Conghe coughed lightly, and only then did Li Ji lower his gaze and continue. “Since it was for the Empress Dowager, all the materials had to be the finest. And the finest naturally cost the most. With such a fat piece of meat, who would not covet it?”
Your father-in-law, as Minister of Works, to say he remained completely incorruptible—unrealistic. After all, the Ministry of Works is no clean post like where your and Jiaojiao’s grandfather once served. To accept a few small gifts, to go along with the dust of the world, that was nothing grave. But in matters of construction, your father-in-law was always strict. Especially for so great a matter as celebrating the late Empress Dowager’s birthday in the netherworld—he would never act recklessly. The accusation that he embezzled twenty thousand taels and used inferior materials is sheer slander!”
“The one who used inferior materials and pocketed illicit gains—was someone else.”
He paused. “Someone whom the Shen family, the Li family, and even your Hedong Pei clan cannot afford to provoke.”
Pei Xia’s brows knit. “I ask Uncle to speak plainly.”
Seeing his determination to get to the bottom of it, Li Ji glanced warily around and lowered his voice further. “Duke Ying, Sun Shang.”
At that name, Pei Xia’s heart gave a jolt.
Duke Ying, Sun Shang—the present Emperor’s maternal uncle, Empress Dowager Xiaoci’s only younger brother.
Even though Pei Xia had seldom been to Chang’an, he had heard of Emperor Zhaoning’s renown for “utmost affection and utmost filial piety.” Loving those his mother loved, he also showed extreme respect to this uncle, Duke Ying.
“Grandfather, Uncle—do you have any evidence that Duke Ying was truly the culprit behind the collapse of the Shenghua Pagoda?” Pei Xia asked.
“This… who would dare investigate further?” Li Ji’s face darkened, his eyes full of fear. “That is the current emperor’s maternal uncle.”
If not for a well-meaning friend’s warning last year, had they kept pressing without relent, if they provoked Duke Ying, the Li family itself might have suffered disaster.
It was not that they did not wish to save their sister’s family—but like an ant trying to stop a chariot, they were powerless.
When the Son of Heaven wills a minister to die, can the minister refuse? If the Emperor insists on shielding his uncle, and needs a minister as scapegoat, what could they do? Only grit their teeth and swallow the bitterness. To be able to preserve their family’s lives at all was already the Emperor’s boundless grace—long live, long live, long live.
The study fell silent, only now and then a sound of wind outside the window.
After a long time, a servant outside announced that lunch had been set in the dining hall.
The three within rose together.
At the door, Li Ji cast a deep look into Pei Xia’s eyes. “Shouzhen, there are matters which, if pressed in haste, will never be clarified. If left with time, they may become clear on their own. Do not be rash, do not be hasty. Remember this, remember this!”
Pei Xia’s brow shifted slightly. After a moment, he lifted his sleeve and bowed solemnly. “Thank you, Uncle, for your instruction.”
That lunch at the Li residence looked harmonious on the surface, but both Shen Yujiao and Pei Xia each harbored their own thoughts—and each sensed the other did as well.
After lunch, Shen Yujiao wanted to spend more time with her grandmother, Madam Luo, and so she napped in her courtyard.
Pei Xia, meanwhile, was pulled by his two cousins to play chess and exchange poems—
Of the six gentlemanly arts, apart from charioteering and archery which could not be practiced for the time being, in ritual, music, calligraphy, and numbers, Pei Xia was flawless, beyond reproach.
In just one afternoon, the two cousins of the Li family were completely won over by their brother-in-law’s talents, regretting only that they could not spar with him daily.
When the sun tilted westward and Pei Xia and Shen Yujiao were preparing to take their leave, the two cousins still pressed in on either side of him: “Shouzhen, next time there is a poetry gathering, I will definitely send you an invitation.”
“On rest days, if you wish to go hunting outside the city, you can send someone to find us at any time.”
Shen Yujiao, squeezed to the back: “……”
Pei Xia, wanting to hold his wife’s hand but surrounded by their enthusiastic company: “……”
At last, reaching the gate, the couple bid farewell to the Li family and boarded the carriage together.
Inside, with its gentle, refined fragrance, Shen Yujiao let out a slow breath. “I hadn’t expected my two cousins to get along with Lanjun so well.”
“Both elder brothers are pure-hearted and hospitable,” said Pei Xia.
He smoothed his sleeve, then raised his eyes to see weariness between Shen Yujiao’s brows. Thinking also of how absentminded she had been at lunch, he guessed her grandmother or aunt must have spoken of old matters, troubling her mind.
He had intended to tell her the inside story of the corruption case, but seeing her so tired, he held it back, deciding to wait until later.
Shen Yujiao did not know what he was thinking, but she indeed felt drained.
As for the old case, she would discuss it with him once they were back home. For now, she only wanted some quiet.
The vermilion-wheeled, decorated carriage rolled smoothly along Chang’an’s broad avenue. Inside, the couple rested with eyes closed, saying nothing all the way.
By the time the carriage stopped before the Pei residence in Yongning Ward, dusk had already deepened, evening clouds filling the sky.
Pei Xia helped Shen Yujiao down. Seeing some of her weariness fade, her brows relax slightly, he was just thinking how to broach the matter when, upon stepping into the residence, they saw Steward Zuo hurrying toward them. “My lord, my lady, at last you are back.”
His flustered look made both halt in their steps.
“What has happened?” Pei Xia asked.
Steward Zuo quickly saluted, then raised his head again, his gaze falling on Shen Yujiao. “Half an hour ago, a junior eunuch from Xianling Palace brought Her Highness Consort Xian’s word, inviting our lady to enter the palace tomorrow for a talk.”
Shen Yujiao was startled—
“Consort Xian wants me to enter the palace?”
—Meanwhile, in the Ningzhou military camp:
“Commander Huo wants me to go to Chang’an?”
Xie Wuling looked at Fan Yuping in astonishment. “Is that true?”
Fan Yuping shot him a glare. “You think I’d stuff myself full and then amuse myself by passing on a false order from Commander Huo? One word: are you willing to go or not? If not, I’ll go report back that you’d rather stay in camp for the New Year, too busy to leave.”
He turned as if to go, and Xie Wuling hastily grabbed him. “Hey now, good Uncle Fan, wasn’t I just too surprised? Of course I’ll go, I’ll definitely go!”
Fan Yuping slanted him a look. “You don’t even ask what the assignment is, and you agree right away?”
Xie Wuling’s fine peach-blossom eyes lifted in a smile. “If Uncle Fan is passing this on to me, it must be a good task. Besides—it’s Chang’an—”
Fan Yuping did not know that the “wife” Xie Wuling always mentioned was in Chang’an. He only assumed the boy longed for the capital’s bustling splendor. His brows grew stern, and he said seriously: “You are being sent to Chang’an to escort the young master of the Huo family back to the marquisate. The road is long through mountains and passes, and it is very possible Chen Liang that dog will send men to attack. This is no trifling matter. At the critical moment, Commander Huo needs you and seventeen other elite guards to protect the young master with your lives. Do you understand?”
The Huo young master—the only legitimate grandson of Marquis Zhennan’s household.
If anything were to happen to him, the Huo line would be cut off completely.
Xie Wuling’s frivolous smile disappeared. Straightening, he cupped his fists toward Fan Yuping. “Rest assured, Uncle Fan. Since Commander Huo trusts me so, even if I must lay down my life, I will see the young master delivered safely!”
All the more so since his Yujiao was there. Even if blades rained from the sky, he would still go to Chang’an.
