Chapter 26

When Shen Qing saw the person he had longed for day and night and heard her heartfelt confession, his eyes turned red. She had suffered so much, and yet never once blamed him. But what could he do for her?

The maid cleared her throat. “Shouldn’t you two thank the lady?”

Shen Qing blurted, “Thank you, Madam!”

Xiao Wanling snapped out of her embarrassment. “Thank you, Madam!”

The maid escorted them to the door, gave a slight nod, and turned back into the hall.

A servant girl led them outside. Near the back gate stood a horse-drawn carriage and a loaded oxcart.

The two attendants from before—one tall and one short—appeared and invited Shen Qing and Xiao Wanling onto the carriage to escort them back.

Shen Qing boarded first and helped Xiao Wanling up, pulling the curtain down behind her.

Xiao Wanling felt it all a bit surreal. Had that domineering Madam Ji really let her go? She lifted the curtain slightly and peeked outside—sure enough, they were heading toward the city gate. But it was already dark. Would the gates still be open?

Suddenly, she felt a tight grip around her waist; she was lifted and set on Shen Qing’s lap. Before she could cry out, his lips sealed hers. The kiss began soft but quickly turned aggressive. They were still inside the Prince of Jin’s carriage!

Shen Qing gave her no chance to speak, holding the back of her head as he deepened the kiss, not allowing any rejection.

Xiao Wanling’s face flushed red. She pounded lightly on his chest, only for her hands to be caught. All that escaped her lips were soft murmurs.

Clearly aroused, Shen Qing slowly released her and whispered, “Wanling, I like you.”

Xiao Wanling wanted to explain that not everything she said to Madam Ji had been genuine, but just then the carriage came to a sudden stop.

One of the Prince of Jin’s men showed the gate guard his token. “Carriage of the Prince of Jin!”

The crimson gates groaned open.

Shen Qing dropped the curtain and looked away. So this is power, he thought. Maybe Madam Ji was right. Only with power can one protect those they love.

Xiao Wanling whispered urgently, “Shen Qing, don’t take it seriously. I said all that because I had to.”

Shen Qing leaned back against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and said, “I’m so tired.” Soon, soft snores followed. His arms still tightly wrapped around her.

No matter how she nudged or called him, he wouldn’t wake. Helpless, she gave a soft sigh and dozed off in his lap.

Outside, cicadas and frogs chirped into the night. Villagers had dragged their stools to the door to catch a breeze when suddenly they heard the distant sound of bells.

Curious heads turned. A horse-drawn carriage followed by an oxcart? Who in Qishan Village could afford such a thing?

“Could it be that new group of people?”

“No way. The rich would’ve bought a house in town.”

The lanterns on the carriage swayed, heading up the hill toward the Shen family’s house.

Curious, the eldest grandson of the Xue family broke free from Cheng Qiao’er’s arms and ran toward the village entrance, with Cheng Qiao’er chasing after him.

The villagers followed all the way up the hillside.

Aunt Wu fanned herself and muttered, “Wasn’t it said Madam Xiao wasn’t coming back?”

Xue Cui rolled her eyes. “Probably got rejected.” But the grand return with escort and fanfare looked more like an honor student returning home.

Aunt Wu laughed aloud, pointing at the characters on the carriage’s lantern. “Hey! Is that the character for ‘Jin’? Looks like the ones at the city gate!”

Xue Defu’s eyes widened. “That’s the Prince of Jin’s carriage!”

The carriage stopped in the Shen family courtyard. Shen Qing disembarked and helped Xiao Wanling down.

She shot him a glare as her legs were numb from sitting too long. Every step felt like being pricked by needles.

Meanwhile, gossip started among the villagers.

“Rejected, huh? Doesn’t look like it.”

“What do you mean?”

Aunt Wu turned to the speaker, who smirked with meaning. She suddenly got it and burst out laughing. “Ah, to be young…”

Xiao Wanling walked slowly, her gait clearly unusual. Even the two guards gave her a funny look.

With everyone watching, Shen Qing suddenly scooped her up and carried her inside.

The attendants unloaded the oxcart, cupped their hands in farewell, and departed.

They had tokens and could re-enter the city whenever they pleased. Shen Qing thanked them and saw them off to the foot of the hill.

The villagers followed all the way down, the elder among them asking, “Did you join the Prince of Jin? And got noticed, huh?” He was a bit envious.

Shen Qing gave a noncommittal “Mm” and turned to climb back up.

The eldest Xue boy tugged on Cheng Qiao’er’s sleeve. “Mom, I want Aunt Xiao’s tea tomorrow!”

Aunt Wu laughed. “You’ll soon have a little Brother Shen to play with!”

“Shen Qing’s really been hiding his cards,” someone muttered. Chen Gui kept his mouth shut, remembering the beating he got.

Xue Cui stomped her foot and stormed back home.

Behind her, the eldest Xue boy chased her down. “Aunt! What are you up to now?” He just hoped she wouldn’t steal his malt candy again—Aunt Xiao had given that to him in secret!

At home, Xue Cui threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Shen Qing’s back! And that wretched Madam Xiao too!”

Old Lady Liu had been suffering from diarrhea for days and didn’t dare cross Shen Qing anymore. Hearing that Xue Cui still hadn’t given up, her expression turned cold. “Forget Shen Qing! When your husband comes back, go with him. You’re not a child anymore.”

Xue Cui looked at her in disbelief. “Are you my mother or his? He hit me! I’m not going with him!”

In his room, Xue Zhengyang was lying down but had been listening. Hearing Old Lady Liu’s change of tone, he smiled in satisfaction. Finally, she listened. He’d seen it from the start—Shen Qing wasn’t going to leave Madam Xiao.

—

On the day they returned from the prince’s manor, Shen Qing had been deeply conflicted. He felt it was time to confess his true feelings. Xiao Wanling had the same thought. After witnessing Madam Ji’s ruthless ways, she knew it wasn’t enough to be skilled—she needed means of self-protection too. With food prices rising daily, she thought of planting sweet potatoes.

Shen Qing was absent-minded when he heard that Xiao Wanling wanted to try growing sweet potatoes. He made a living by hunting, and he learned farming on the spot. He had no idea about the yield of a hundred jin per mu.

She’d meant to say a thousand, but there was no fertilizer, and no one in the area even grew sweet potatoes. Still, whether to be a chef or have granaries full—any wise ruler would know which to choose.

As Xiao Wanling spoke gently, Shen Qing’s eyes filled with tears. He yawned and quickly sat up straight.

She figured he didn’t fully understand. They needed to plant, expand, and eventually offer it to the court. It would take time. “Shen Qing, is there something you want to say?”

He grabbed her hand, eyes wide. “I want us to be like Brother Xue and his wife—loving and strong together. I want you to see my heart! I want to join the army and earn merit so no one dares to look down on us again!”

“Join the army?” Xiao Wanling pulled her hand back. She disliked fighting and killing. If that was his goal, he was free to pursue it.

She didn’t want either of them to compromise. Better to do what they each loved. Before, she thought Shen Qing also wanted a quiet life, but maybe she was wrong. If their goals didn’t align, even affection wouldn’t hold them together.

Shen Qing saw her face fall, and his heart sank. Then she said, “We’re not suited for each other. Better to part now than resent each other later.”

In the prince’s manor, she’d clearly said she liked him. What had he said wrong?

His voice trembled. “If you don’t like it, I won’t go.”

“Shen Qing,” she said gently but firmly, “loving someone means helping each other grow—not forcing the other to give things up.”

It had been a tense day and night, and they both needed time to rest. This wasn’t the moment for heavy conversations.

That night, Shen Qing stood at her door, hugging his pillow. He mulled over her words, then trudged back to his room. He lay in bed, unable to sleep.

He didn’t understand; if they liked each other, why couldn’t they be together? Was it because Madam Ji had forced Xiao Wanling to do things she hated? Was she scared of dragging him down?

But hadn’t she said “not yet”—meaning there was still time?

The next morning, he blocked her at the door. “Tell me clearly. I don’t understand!”

After a night’s rest, Xiao Wanling realized her words had been too harsh. Shen Qing probably overheard what she said to Madam Ji, which is why he kissed her on the carriage. She did like him—but not enough to call it love. She couldn’t use his feelings for her benefit. And his sudden desire to earn military merit clearly started after their trip to the prince’s manor.

She thought a moment, then said, “I think we should build our careers first before talking about feelings. We both have a lot to do.”

Golden honeysuckle flowers bloomed along the bamboo fence, vibrant and full of life.

First, they had to find sweet potatoes. No one in Qishan Village grew them, so she’d need to search in town.

Shen Qing thought, “If I need a reputation first, I’ll earn military merit.” He couldn’t read, so his only choice was the battlefield. But recruitment was over for the year, so he’d have to wait till next spring.

Just then, the woman who lived behind the hill showed up at their gate, carrying a big carp. “Madam Xiao, do you have any coarse salt? We’ve run out.”

Purchases required a trip to town or a market twenty li away, only open on the 1st and 15th. Xiao Wanling smiled. “Yes, hold on.” She turned to fetch it.

The woman admired the Shen house. To break the awkward silence, she said, “I heard the mountain god’s angry on the east ridge—earth’s trembling, and grain prices jumped again!”

Xiao Wanling handed over a yellow-paper-wrapped bundle. “It’s already up to 40 wen per jin—double the old price.” The newcomers probably lacked supplies. “Take the fish back, make some soup for the kids.”

But the woman insisted on leaving the fish. “We’ve got plenty. Brother Shen, my husband would be honored if you joined us for a drink tonight.”

Shen Qing wanted to ask for advice anyway. He truly didn’t understand women. So he agreed.

That evening, he brought fresh game and headed over. From afar, he saw over a dozen people—young and old—seated under a grass awning. Roast fish, meat, coarse porridge, and wild vegetable buns were laid out.

The woman rushed to take the game from him. “Brother Shen, you’re too kind, bringing something!”

The older man rose and invited Shen Qing to sit. With no chairs, everyone sat on straw mats. Shen Qing didn’t mind.

A large bowl of wine was handed to him.

The elder asked with a chuckle, “Had a spat with your wife? You look glum.”