Chapter 63

The imperial palace had expanded for dozens of miles, built against the mountain slopes.

As night fell, pavilions and towers lit up like a heavenly palace from myth. Shen Qing wanted to take Xiao Wanling to see this magnificent nighttime view.

Xiao Wanling stood at the doorway holding a lantern. From far off, she heard the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Shen Qing appeared at the gate, calling, “Wanling!”

She opened the door and saw Shen Qing carrying a massive bundle, practically like a walking wall.

He led his horse into the courtyard, tied it to the cattle pen, and added some straw to the stone trough. As he moved, the items on him clanged noisily. He unloaded everything into the main hall, washed his hands, and came in holding a bundle.

Xiao Wanling sat in front of her sewing basket, working on baby clothes.

Shen Qing held up a piece—it wasn’t much bigger than his hand. He took out a stack of silver notes. “It’s done!”

Then he leaned his left cheek toward her as if asking for a reward.

Xiao Wanling laughed and lightly tapped his cheek. His face was warm and fragrant with jasmine. A large hand suddenly cupped the back of her head, and his soft lips gently brushed hers.

Satisfied, Shen Qing smiled, then spun off like a gust of wind. He poured a cup of tea and brought it to her lips.

Watching her sip from his hand, he dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, placed the cup on the table, and sat beside her to help with sewing.

The small quilt Shen Qing made had fine and even stitches. As he stuffed the fluffy white cotton into it, he said, “This way, our daughter won’t be cold.”

He seemed oddly fixated on the idea of having a daughter.

Xiao Wanling smiled and playfully glared at him. “It’s late—let’s sleep.”

She’d originally stayed up to wait for him, but now he was addicted to needlework.

Shen Qing pulled her into his arms. “Starting tomorrow, I can sleep in with you every day.”

The tiger tally had been returned, so no more early drills, no daily patrols, and he could just be with her.

Soon, Xiao Wanling’s breathing became steady. Shen Qing kissed the top of her head. He didn’t know how many more months he’d have to endure this way. Holding her like this was sweet and torturously tempting.

****

The next morning, Xiao Wanling woke up from hunger. She opened her eyes and saw Shen Qing still asleep.

Their fingers were intertwined. As she stirred, Shen Qing woke instantly, pulled her close, and whispered against her ear, “Stay with me a bit longer…”

“I’m hungry. The baby in my belly is hungry too,” she replied.

Startled, Shen Qing bolted upright, quickly dressed, and tucked her back under the covers. “Wait here.”

He went outside and shut the door tightly to block the cold air.

Xiao Wanling was nearly dozing off again when the scent of osmanthus reached her nose. She opened her eyes to see him bringing over a bowl of sweet rice wine soup with poached eggs.

Shen Qing sat by the bed and fed her with a porcelain spoon. “Come on, open up!”

Xiao Wanling laughed. “Are you practicing for postpartum care?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Shen Qing spoke righteously. “Spoiling my wife is natural. Eat up!”

She took a bite. “It’s sweet! Your cooking’s gotten better!”

His eyes lit up. “Really? Then eat more!”

With a smile, she nodded. “Mm!”

Just then came a voice from outside. “Is Madam Xiao home?”

“That sounds like Chun Zhi,” Xiao Wanling said.

“I’m full,” she added.

Shen Qing set the bowl aside, grabbed the outer robe from the screen, handed it to her, and went to open the door.

He led the guests into the sitting room and poured tea for Madam Zhang and a city governor.

Xiao Wanling, freshly washed and dressed, entered to find Madam Zhang seated beside a man she didn’t recognize. Chun Zhi stood behind Madam Zhang, hair done up in a married woman’s bun. She exchanged a knowing smile with the governor’s attendant.

Xiao Wanling pushed down her questions and sat beside Shen Qing. “Madam Zhang, you came specifically to see me?”

Madam Zhang wore a pale green long robe with a pleated skirt, her hair adorned with a pink lotus crown, pearl makeup glowing. She had clearly dressed up for the occasion.

She smiled. “Sister Xiao, I came to tell you—the palace is expanding, and the shops and houses in Jin City’s inner walls all have to relocate.”

“Where to?” Xiao Wanling asked.

“Of course, as close to the palace as possible. Between Fuhu Village and Xianhe Village, it’s only ten miles from Qishan. I’ve moved into a new house and wanted to invite you over to meet some new ladies.”

Xiao Wanling knew all the ladies Madam Zhang was acquainted with. It seemed that she had befriended many noble ladies from the capital. “Sure.”

Chun Zhi stepped forward and laid down an invitation card. She and the attendant stepped outside to wait. Now only Xiao Wanling, Shen Qing, Madam Zhang, and the city governor remained in the room.

Finally, the city governor spoke. “The palace hasn’t finished construction, but Qishan Village may soon become Qishan City.”

No one had expected His Majesty to abandon the capital and return to this remote fiefdom once scorned by other princes.

He guessed it had to do with the agricultural minister. Rumors had spread all over Jin City that Xiao Wanling had discovered a crop capable of producing a thousand jin per mu. With endless forests in Jin territory, they could grow enough food not just for the entire Yongji Dynasty but also for the borderlands and export as well to trade for weapons, horses, and more.

Shen Qing and Xiao Wanling exchanged a glance, thinking of how Chancellor Fu’s family and Master Zhi’s household had brought hundreds of people with them, and even that was considered a small number.

Jin City had barely ten thousand residents. Add noble households, their staff, and garrisons… it was bursting.

Xiao Wanling realized this official had been reassigned to Qishan to give them a heads-up.

Sure enough, he said, “I’ve been appointed to Qishan to oversee the construction of city gates. I hope you both will look after me.”

“Congratulations, sir,” Xiao Wanling replied.

“Congratulations,” Shen Qing echoed.

The governor cupped his hands. “By imperial command, I am to assist the agricultural minister with corn cultivation. Whatever you need, you just have to say the word.”

That was perfect. Having someone to guard the fields would be reassuring.

“Thank you, sir,” Xiao Wanling said.

She’d already started growing corn seedlings in the yard. Once the true leaves appeared, they’d be transplanted. The soil would need turning, fertilizing, and watering.

Once the arrangements were made, the governor took his leave. Madam Zhang rose too. “I’ll see the governor out.”

She winked at Xiao Wanling before following.

Chun Zhi and the attendant walked closely and chatted with unusual familiarity. Both governor and attendant wore stoic expressions of restraint.

Suddenly, Xiao Wanling guessed—Madam Zhang had feelings for the governor. She’d once mentioned he saved her after Han Shuyi pushed her into the river.

He’d avoided scandal by settling her in private, nursing her to health before telling others it was just chance. She must’ve fallen for him back then.

Xiao Wanling called out silently to Madam Zhang: Go after him!

Madam Zhang’s face first showed surprise, then flushed red. She looked down, clenched her fists, and seemed to make up her mind.

The governor had already left the courtyard. The attendant followed. Chun Zhi glanced back at her mistress and then stepped over the threshold.

Madam Zhang hurried after them. “City Governor!”

He paused and stood quietly to wait as she caught up. He slowed his steps.

They walked one behind the other. Madam Zhang picked up her pace. “I have something to tell you.”

He looked back. “Yes?”

“You aren’t married, are you?” she asked.

Puzzled, he answered, “No.”

Why ask that out of nowhere?

Madam Zhang beamed. “What do you think of me? You govern the city, and I do business—husband and wife supporting each other.”

Then she lowered her head, not daring to look at him. When he didn’t reply, her heart sank. “If you’re unwilling, just pretend I never said anything.”

He snapped out of his stunned joy. “I am willing!”

He had noticed her long ago, when she handed out food and clothes to disaster victims with her father. He just regretted not speaking up earlier.

He removed the jade pendant at his waist and held it out with both hands.

Chun Zhi squealed with delight, grabbing the attendant’s hand. “It’s happening!”

Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing watched from behind the mulberry tree. Looks like the housewarming and wedding would be held together?

Meanwhile, Sister-in-law Lu appeared on the path. Lu Dahai chased after her. “I already divorced you!”

Lu Dahai held a bag of silver. “I sold the house. Pick whichever place you like—we’ll buy a new one.”

She sneered. “Who wants your house?”

She and Jiang Ting had saved up to replace their thatched hut with a proper brick one. When she needed him, he was nowhere to be found. Now that she didn’t, he suddenly appeared to be an eyesore. She shoved past him toward the Shen home.

He followed to the gate and found Shen Qing and Xiao Wanling standing there. He smiled awkwardly. “Sorry you had to see that, General Shen. Could you maybe put in a good word for me?”

Neither of them responded.

Fight all you want, Shen Qing thought, just don’t upset Wanling and get me in trouble.

Sister-in-law Lu said, “Didn’t we say we’d test the new tea today?”

“Come on in,” Xiao Wanling said, heading inside.

Sister-in-law Lu beamed and followed her in.

Lu Dahai tried to enter too but was blocked by Shen Qing. Just as he opened his mouth, Shen Qing shot him a glare. He shrank down and sat by the gate in silence.

In the kitchen, milk, coconut, tea, and sugar were all prepped. Xiao Wanling showed Sister-in-law Lu how to peel the coconut skin or extract the flesh from inside.

At first, Sister-in-law Lu’s hands wouldn’t cooperate—sometimes she peeled too shallowly, leaving fibers, and sometimes she gouged holes. Her forehead was slick with sweat.

Xiao Wanling sat nearby, sipping hot milk. She only chimed in when Sister-in-law Lu got the tea-making order wrong.

The finely chopped coconut wasn’t visible in the milk tea, but stirring with a bamboo stick revealed it was packed with ingredients. After a few tries, she got the sweetness just right—“coconut” milk tea was done.

Xiao Wanling called out, “Shen Qing, come taste this tea!”

Shen Qing grinned, slammed the door shut, and hurried to the kitchen.

She handed him a large bowl. He took a spoonful. The tea and milk flavors blended perfectly, and the coconut bits were crisp and fragrant.

He nodded. “Even something this plain can taste so good?”

He’d encountered coconuts before while hunting in the mountains during winter, but he just drank the juice and tossed the white layer away.

Sister-in-law Lu left with half a sack of coconuts, smiling ear to ear. Lu Dahai reached to help but was rejected. He followed behind, pleading, “Don’t overexert yourself!”

Shen Qing opened his mouth to speak but hesitated.

Xiao Wanling guessed. “Lu Dahai asked you to plead for him?”

Shen Qing said, “Yeah. But I don’t want to.”