First, they were delayed seven or eight days in Lijia village, then they stayed more than half a month in Xijiang City. Once they resumed their journey, if they could travel nonstop day and night, it would take about another month to reach Yingguan Pass. But—
“We’ve already lost too much time on the road. If we detour to Nanhe now, we might not even reach Yingguan before the New Year.” Inside the swaying carriage, Ah Ye reminded her helplessly.
Feng Lezhen leisurely ate snacks bought from a rural market and responded calmly, “That place, Yingguan, is bitterly cold in the winter. The later we arrive, the better. Ideally, we’d miss the whole winter.”
“…The winter at Yingguan probably won’t end until April next year,” Ah Ye’s mouth twitched. “If we really try to avoid the entire winter, we might not even arrive before the imperial edict of punishment catches up to us.”
Traveling to one’s fief was equivalent to an official assuming office in another region, and Great Qian’s laws had strict rules about arrival deadlines. For example, the journey from the capital to Yingguan typically took almost two months. So starting from the departure date, they were expected to arrive within two and a half months. Given their special circumstances—being hunted and managing a plague—they could reasonably delay for another month.
In other words, by law, they should have arrived in the eleventh lunar month. With the extended grace period, they had until the twelfth lunar month, but under no circumstances could they miss the New Year, or they would face punishment.
“Your Highness, surely you don’t want to arrive at your fief only to be immediately scolded by an imperial decree?” Ah Ye fretted. “That would be so embarrassing. How would you establish your authority before the local people?”
“The emperor is currently overwhelmed by the mess in Xijiang City. He has no time to worry about whether I’m late. If he actually sent a decree to scold me, it would make him look petty, as though he holds a grudge over my accomplishments. He wouldn’t do something so damaging to his reputation. As for establishing authority… Yingguan is governed by Zhenbian Marquis. Even if I go, I’m just a figurehead. Whether I have authority or not doesn’t really matter,” Feng Lezhen said as she bit into a persimmon cake, her eyes lighting up. “This is sweet, you should try it too.”
As she spoke, she picked up another piece of the snack, but the always gluttonous Ah Ye immediately pushed it away. “Even if none of that matters, Zhenbian Marquis has always seen you as a thorn in his side. Aren’t you afraid he’ll make a big deal out of you arriving late? What if he deliberately makes things difficult for you because of it?”
“Even if I’m not late, he would still make trouble for me…” Feng Lezhen stopped halfway, seeing that Ah Ye was already frowning tightly, and quickly amended, “We’re only staying in Nanhe for a few days. We still have enough time. We won’t be late.”
“Do you really have to go to Nanhe?!” Ah Ye asked angrily.
Before Feng Lezhen could answer, Shen Suifeng lifted the carriage curtain and came in. “Yes, she absolutely has to go.”
“Why?” Ah Ye was already used to him showing up unannounced lately.
Shen Suifeng smiled faintly. “Because I promised to take her to see my elder brother.”
Ah Ye frowned. “Does it have to be now?”
She knew that gaining the support of the Shen family in Nanhe was important, but since Shen Suifeng was already aligned with Her Highness, the Shen family’s submission was only a matter of time. Why insist on meeting now?
“That’s also what I wanted to ask Her Highness. Does it really have to be now?” Shen Suifeng looked at Feng Lezhen.
Feng Lezhen replied, “Yes.”
“Why?” Shen Suifeng smiled lightly.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “People’s hearts change easily. How can I know whether you might regret it later? Rather than taking that risk, I’d rather secure it early.”
“Your Highness saying this is really too hurtful to me.” Shen Suifeng pretended to be heartbroken.
Ah Ye: “……” Here we go again.
Feng Lezhen raised her eyebrows. “Instead of accusing me, you might as well swear a few more oaths to prove your loyalty and that your feelings for me won’t change easily.”
“Does Your Highness believe in oaths?” Shen Suifeng leaned casually against the carriage wall.
Feng Lezhen: “I don’t.”
“Then why have me swear?”
“It makes me happy to hear it,” Feng Lezhen answered.
Shen Suifeng paused, then met her gaze and laughed helplessly. “Your Highness really is…”
Feng Lezhen’s eyes also brimmed with amusement. Just as she was about to speak, Ah Ye grumbled from the side, “Must you two say such disgusting things in front of your servant?”
Every time, every time Shen Suifeng showed up, the two would exchange witty banter like this. Perhaps the people involved enjoyed it, but as the thoroughly ignored bystander, it was truly frustrating.
“If you had any sense, you’d know to excuse yourself,” Shen Suifeng smiled.
Ah Ye was immediately provoked. “Why should I leave?”
Shen Suifeng tossed her a bottle of pills. “Beauty Elixir—one pill a day for smooth skin and a radiant complexion.”
Ah Ye, who had been about to throw the bottle away, paused for a moment, then quietly tucked it into her clothes. “I wish the two of you deep affection and a long, happy life together.”
With that, she decisively exited the carriage.
It was warmer inside the carriage than outside. As soon as Ah Ye stepped out, the cold made her shiver. Before she could sit properly, a thick cloak was tossed out from the carriage. She immediately wrapped herself tightly in it.
“Her Highness still cares about me,” she said to Chen Jinan, who was driving the carriage with his head lowered, focused.
Chen Jinan’s expression remained calm, and he didn’t respond. Based on his understanding of Ah Ye, she probably didn’t need him to reply.
Sure enough, Ah Ye continued, “But Shen Suifeng is so annoying. He always interrupts my alone time with Her Highness. Every time he shows up, Her Highness’s eyes are full of him, and she has no time to care about me anymore.”
Chen Jinan tightened his grip on the reins, carefully steering the carriage around small potholes in the road.
“But I have to admit, he does have some skills. He always manages to make Her Highness happy. No wonder she likes him,” Ah Ye sighed.
Chen Jinan kept driving in silence.
“But he really comes too often. I get kicked out eight hundred times a day. It’s driving me crazy. Can’t you stop letting him onto the carriage next time?”
Chen Jinan paused briefly and said, “When he comes, Her Highness is happy.”
“Oh? You’re not mute after all?” Ah Ye raised her eyebrows.
Chen Jinan: “……”
From inside the carriage, Feng Lezhen’s voice drifted out, “Ah Ye, you’re not allowed to bully Jinan.”
Chen Jinan’s eyes flickered slightly.
“…Got it. Your Highness, your ears are really sharp.” Ah Ye shrank her neck, deciding to stop teasing the quiet one.
Inside the carriage, after the door was firmly shut, Shen Suifeng tucked the heavy curtains securely, finally sealing off the sound from inside and outside.
Feng Lezhen lazily hugged a hand warmer, watching Shen Suifeng do all this. Only when he sat back down across from her did she slowly ask, “Why are you sealing it so tightly?”
“Don’t want anyone eavesdropping,” Shen Suifeng replied.
“They’re not that bored,” Feng Lezhen said with a smirk.
“You never know,” Shen Suifeng shrugged.
Feng Lezhen chuckled, handed him half of her leftover persimmon cake. Shen Suifeng reluctantly accepted it. “Only half? Your Highness is so stingy.”
“There are only two left. I have to save one for Ah Ye. If you don’t want it, give it back,” Feng Lezhen said, reaching to take it back.
Shen Suifeng immediately leaned away to dodge, then calmly took a bite once she withdrew her hand. “It’s really sweet. Anything Your Highness bestows tastes better.”
“It’s not for free,” Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “After you finish eating, tell me about your brother. I need to know more before we reach Nanhe.”
“Your Highness has seen him before—do I still need to describe him?” Shen Suifeng asked.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “I’ve met him twice, but we didn’t really interact. All I know is that he holds his liquor well.”
“My elder brother’s drinking capacity…” Shen Suifeng chuckled, “is indeed impressive.”
Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze and poured a cup of tea, gently sliding it toward him with her fingertips.
“My brother has a good temper, and he’s patient. He’s a businessman, after all—always wears a smile when meeting people. Like… a whetted cleaver?” Shen Suifeng thought for a long while and could only come up with that term.
Feng Lezhen was amused by his phrasing. “Shen Suinian is indeed smooth and adaptable, quite different from you. If the two of you didn’t look somewhat alike, I wouldn’t have guessed you were brothers.”
“Didn’t Your Highness say you realized I was from the Shen family because you saw my magnanimity and medical skills?” Shen Suifeng spoke coolly.
Feng Lezhen had accidentally let something slip. She calmly sipped her tea, and Shen Suifeng, though amused by her reaction, didn’t argue further.
“I’ve been removed from the family registry, no longer involved in the Shen family’s business, so naturally I didn’t need to learn how to say one thing to people and another to ghosts like my brother. I’ve always been a bit freer than him,” Shen Suifeng spoke of his brother with an unconscious tone of admiration. “It’s thanks to him that I was able to leave the Shen family smoothly and freely pursue what I wanted.”
“Are you sure he didn’t just encourage you to go your own way so he could have the family fortune all to himself?” Feng Lezhen suddenly killed the mood.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
“Just concerned for you. Why that face?” Feng Lezhen looked innocent.
Shen Suifeng was speechless for a long time, then sighed. “Your Highness, not all sibling relationships in this world are as full of schemes and backstabbing as the royal family.”
“Oh,” Feng Lezhen obediently sat up straight.
Shen Suifeng had been a little touched, but her one word killed all that emotion instantly. He only reminded her seriously, “My brother is good in every way, but he cannot tolerate any offense when it comes to family matters. Of course, Your Highness is the Eldest Princess, and he will have to listen no matter what you say. But if you truly want to win him over, it’s best not to make jokes like the one you just did.”
Feng Lezhen nodded. “Is there anything else I should be mindful of?”
Shen Suifeng thought for a moment and said, “One more thing. My sister-in-law is in poor health. She didn’t give birth to my niece until she was thirty, and after that her body was so damaged she could no longer have children. My brother and she are deeply affectionate and have long sworn not to take concubines. Yet over the years, many people have tried to push women at him. My brother has never torn his face with them, but he’s gradually distanced himself from each one.”
“Understood,” Feng Lezhen listened carefully. “Anything else?”
The brazier warmed the carriage until it was steaming inside. Just as Shen Suifeng was about to continue, he looked up and saw her face flushed from the heat, her gaze overly serious.
“Why did you stop talking?” she asked.
Shen Suifeng suddenly recalled what Ah Ye had told her that night at the training grounds — that she shouldn’t force herself to win over the Shen family. He paused briefly before saying, “Also… I am no longer a member of the Shen family. Although I promised to bring Your Highness to see my brother, I cannot influence his decisions. So even if you go this time, things may not go as planned.”
“Whether it works or not depends on people’s efforts,” Feng Lezhen smiled.
“And if it fails?” Shen Suifeng asked.
Feng Lezhen calmly held his gaze for a long time, then suddenly smiled. “With you here, how could it fail?”
Shen Suifeng’s heart quietly sank, but he kept a smile on his face. “Seems like Your Highness didn’t really take my words to heart. I just said—”
“This orange is pretty good. Want to try it?” Feng Lezhen smiled as she handed him an orange. “It’s a bit warm in the carriage, so something cool would be just right.”
Shen Suifeng met her gaze for a moment, then smiled and took the orange.
The convoy traveled day and night, and within three days they had reached the outskirts of Nanhe. Feng Lezhen sent several guards ahead to deliver a message, while the rest of the group slowed their pace.
“I thought you’d be homesick and would go ahead with the guards,” Feng Lezhen said to the man beside her, who was lazily munching on sunflower seeds.
Shen Suifeng slouched against her soft cushion. “No rush at this point. But Your Highness, we’re only about two hours away. Why bother sending guards ahead?”
“You don’t understand. It’s called making an entrance,” Feng Lezhen shot him a sideways glance.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “That, I really don’t understand. You nobles are always so troublesome.”
Feng Lezhen grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and tossed them at him. Shen Suifeng didn’t mind at all, just tilted his head and let them fall aside. “Your Highness, wasting food is not good.”
“You can always pick them up and keep eating,” Feng Lezhen said kindly. “Or I can call Ah Ye in to feed you.”
Knowing Ah Ye’s martial skills first-hand, Shen Suifeng immediately sat up straight and sincerely apologized.
As they bantered, the convoy drew closer to Nanhe. When the city gates were visible in the distance, Shen Suifeng returned to his own carriage. Feng Lezhen sat alone for a while before calling Chen Jinan inside.
“Starting today, you’ll take the position of Guard Commander and be responsible for protecting me,” Feng Lezhen said gently.
Chen Jinan paused. “…Yes.”
“Aren’t you curious why I’m doing this?” Feng Lezhen asked with a smile.
Chen Jinan fell silent.
Feng Lezhen had just asked casually, not expecting him to answer. She was about to say more when she heard him speak with some difficulty: “Because Your Highness doesn’t want Mr. Shen to misunderstand.”
Feng Lezhen was slightly startled, then smiled. “Of course not. I’m doing this because you deserve it. I should have appointed you back when we were in Xijiang City, but you were still injured at the time, and you’d been quite frightened by me and Shen Suifeng…”
Thinking of that night, she found it a bit amusing and helpless. “Anyway, for many reasons, and now that we’re nearly in Nanhe, I don’t want people to mistake you for a boy toy serving me with his looks. I want to give you a clear identity before entering the city.”
She explained so much, but Chen Jinan only heard one thing: “So it wasn’t for Mr. Shen.”
“What does what happens between you and me have to do with him?” Feng Lezhen was puzzled.
Chen Jinan met her gaze briefly, then quickly lowered his head. “This servant accepts the order.”
“Since you’ve accepted, you shouldn’t call yourself ‘this servant’ anymore. Say ‘this subordinate’ instead,” Feng Lezhen said, and seeing his brows furrow again, she continued, “I know you’re not used to it, but you’re not of servant status. When you were doing odd jobs in the Eldest Princess’s residence, it was fine to call yourself a servant, but now that you’re a guard, it’s no longer appropriate.”
“But Miss Ah Ye still calls herself a servant,” Chen Jinan frowned slightly.
Feng Lezhen raised her brows slightly. “Ah Ye doesn’t obey, are you not going to obey either?”
Just that one sentence was enough to make Chen Jinan back down. “This… this subordinate obeys.”
Feng Lezhen was finally satisfied.
The convoy continued forward and finally arrived outside Nanhe City before noon.
As Feng Lezhen had expected, the moment the guards delivered the message, all the powerful figures of Nanhe came to the city gates to welcome her. Standing alongside the Nanhe Provincial Governor was Shen Suinian, who bore some resemblance to Shen Suifeng.
“He’s just a merchant, and yet he can stand in the position of honor,” Ah Ye was somewhat surprised.
Feng Lezhen, however, was perfectly calm. “When a merchant’s wealth rivals that of a nation, he’s no longer just a merchant. Not only these people—even I and Feng Ji must treat him with courtesy.”
Ah Ye felt a sudden wave of emotion and was about to speak when the man leading the way could no longer hold back. He spurred his horse forward, charging straight toward Shen Suinian.
“Brother!”
Hearing his voice, Shen Suinian’s gentle expression showed a flash of surprise. His mind hadn’t yet reacted, but his body had already moved to meet him.
Abandoning the other officials like this was highly inappropriate, but no one present showed any displeasure. On the contrary, they happily watched the brothers reunite. Feng Lezhen’s smile deepened, because the closer these brothers were, the more it would benefit her.
“The arrival of Eldest Princess Hengkang!”
With a loud announcement, Shen Suinian immediately pulled Shen Suifeng back into the crowd and respectfully knelt toward the approaching carriage. For a moment, the voices calling out their greetings to the Eldest Princess thundered across the scene.
Feng Lezhen was long used to such occasions and calmly raised her hand with a smile. “All may rise.”
“Your Highness’s visit was unexpected. This humble official failed to prepare the post station in advance. I ask Your Highness’s forgiveness,” the Provincial Governor bowed as he stepped forward.
Feng Lezhen steadied herself as she got off the carriage with his support. Only then did she speak slowly, “It is I who arrived without notice. It should be me asking your forgiveness, Governor.”
“This humble official is greatly honored. If Your Highness does not mind, would you stay at the governor’s residence? I would be able to properly fulfill my duties as host,” the governor hurried to say.
Feng Lezhen smiled and glanced at a certain someone who was standing obediently beside his elder brother.
“No need to trouble yourself, Governor,” that person spoke up considerately, “the governor’s residence is crowded and not convenient for Her Highness. The Shen family’s West Garden is still vacant, it’s spacious and quiet. Her Highness should stay at the Shen residence.”
Shen Suinian’s gaze shifted slightly, lingering on him for a moment.
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?” Feng Lezhen asked him, but her eyes were actually looking at Shen Suinian.
Shen Suinian was already over forty, with a few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and a slightly fuller figure. Compared to Shen Suifeng, he had a more refined, scholarly air. At this moment, hearing Feng Lezhen’s question, he immediately beamed. “Not at all, not at all, how could it be trouble? If Your Highness is willing to grace us with your presence, it would bring great honor to my humble house.”
“In that case, let’s do that,” Feng Lezhen responded warmly.
The governor showed no dissatisfaction at being overshadowed and instead respectfully thanked Shen Suinian. Shen Suinian also replied with courtesy. Their back-and-forth was surprisingly harmonious. Even Ah Ye, who had seen many grand occasions, found the scene rather strange—
In the hierarchy of society—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—the Provincial Governor and Shen Suinian stood at opposite ends, yet they could be so courteous with each other. It was certainly strange. No wonder Shen Suifeng had been so arrogant when they first met, even disregarding the Eldest Princess. Turns out, the Shen family had long broken free from the lowly status traditionally assigned to merchants.
After the polite exchanges, it was time to enter the city. Feng Lezhen returned to her carriage. Shen Suifeng was about to follow, but Shen Suinian stopped him.
“Where are you going?” he asked kindly.
“Riding. Into the city,” Shen Suifeng answered with an innocent face.
“We’re home now, what’s the point of riding? Come sit with me in the carriage,” Shen Suinian said and signaled for the servants to bring his carriage.
Shen Suifeng waved his hand to refuse. “No need, I have my own horse…”
Before he could finish, he met his brother’s smiling gaze, coughed lightly, and obediently stopped arguing.
Everyone either rode or sat in carriages in an orderly procession into the city. The soldiers opened the road, and the Provincial Governor personally led the way at the front. Curious commoners hid along the roadside to watch. When they heard that it was the Eldest Princess, they hurried to kneel and pay respects. Even the busiest streets fell silent, fully meeting Feng Lezhen’s expectations for the grand scene she wanted.
Through the carriage window, Shen Suifeng saw all this and couldn’t help but curve his lips in a faint smile.
“Why did the Eldest Princess suddenly come to Nanhe?” Shen Suinian asked abruptly.
Shen Suifeng immediately sat up straight. “Back in Xijiang, I promised her I would introduce her to you.”
“My brother, I met Her Highness years ago. Why would I need you to introduce us?” Shen Suinian glanced at him.
Shen Suifeng spread his hands, not intending to beat around the bush. “You know what I mean.”
Shen Suinian’s brows furrowed, no longer as easygoing as he had been outside. “You’re not young anymore. You should know that the Shen family has thrived for so many years because we mind our own business.”
“I know. But I already promised her. I have to keep my word,” Shen Suifeng spoke carelessly, lounging against the pillow. He had always been carefree, and now that he was back with family, his behavior was even more unruly.
Shen Suinian was used to it and merely replied calmly, “Then the Eldest Princess will likely be disappointed.”
“She’s not the type to be easily disappointed,” Shen Suifeng smiled.
Shen Suinian frowned slightly at his intimate tone but simply responded with a mild smile and changed the subject to talk about his wife and daughter.
When Shen Suifeng heard that his niece had started learning embroidery, his interest immediately sparked. “When we get home, she must make me a pair of shoes.”
“I haven’t even gotten a pair yet. Get in line,” Shen Suinian grumbled.
While the Shen brothers chatted happily, in the Eldest Princess’s carriage, Ah Ye was marveling at the scenery outside—
“All the shops along this street have the same emblem. Don’t tell me… are they all Shen family businesses?”
“The Shen family’s businesses are spread all over the country—naturally, there are even more in their hometown,” Feng Lezhen was not the least surprised.
Ah Ye sighed, “No wonder the Provincial Governor is so respectful toward the eldest son of the Shen family. It seems the whole city depends on the Shen family’s taxes to survive.”
Feng Lezhen only smiled silently at those words and did not reply.
It was already noon, and lunch was arranged in the Shen family’s garden. However, by the time they arrived, Shen Suifeng was nowhere to be seen.
“My younger brother was eager to see his niece, so he excused himself early. I ask for Your Highness’s understanding,” Shen Suinian explained warmly.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “It’s perfectly understandable. There’s no need to speak of forgiveness.”
Ah Ye pouted and quietly said to Feng Lezhen when Shen Suinian sat down, “Shen Suifeng is really too disloyal, just leaving Your Highness behind like that.”
“He probably wanted to be loyal but was powerless to do so,” Feng Lezhen smiled faintly, as if she saw through everything.
Ah Ye didn’t understand and was about to ask more, but Shen Suinian and the others had already started chatting with Feng Lezhen, so she sensibly retreated to the back.
One day passed, then two, then three… Shen Suifeng completely vanished, never appearing again. Every time Feng Lezhen asked about him, Shen Suinian would simply say he was busy accompanying his niece and quickly changed the subject. Feng Lezhen didn’t mind. She continued eating, drinking, occasionally going out for walks—her days were relaxed and pleasant, and she never once mentioned leaving.
Five days passed like this, and just when Ah Ye was about to lose patience, someone knocked on Feng Lezhen’s window in the middle of the night.
Feng Lezhen raised her brows slightly, got up, and opened the window to see a certain someone standing outside in a rather miserable state.
“Did Mister Shen go wolf hunting?” she asked calmly.
Shen Suifeng casually took off his mud-covered outer garment and met her gaze with a smile. “I had to crawl through a dog hole to sneak out. Is Your Highness sure you still want to make fun of me?”
Feng Lezhen chuckled and reached out her hand to him.
