Chapter 72 The vow to fulfilled is now granted; a single petal of incense is offered in return. ...

Stepping into the Jingxin Courtyard of the Ye Family Mansion once again, I was greeted by lush bamboo groves and verdant greenery.

Looking at this familiar scenery, Su Jinxiu couldn't help but feel embarrassed and sweaty.

Recalling how I intruded last time and almost broke up the couple, I still feel ashamed.

Passing through the moon gate and turning into the inner courtyard, one sees Lan Shexiang, dressed in a lake-blue soft satin dress, sitting with her back to the stone table, whispering to the maid beside her with her head bowed. The kingfisher feather hairpin in her hair sways gently with her nodding.

Su Jinxiu tiptoed and gestured for her maid to be quiet. Just as she was about to speak up and scare her, the maid spoke first: "Madam, Miss Su has arrived."

Lan Shexiang turned around upon hearing the voice, a smile playing on her lips: "You're here."

Su Jinxiu's joke was interrupted, and she felt slightly annoyed. The maidservant quickly curtsied and apologized, "Miss Su, please forgive me. My mistress is really too disturbed right now."

Lan Shexiang raised her hand to dismiss the maid: "It's alright, you can go now."

After the maid left, Su Jinxiu deliberately stood at a distance, refusing to sit down.

Lan Shexiang turned around and saw him, and asked, "What are you doing? Come and sit down."

Su Jinxiu raised her chin and deliberately said, "I wouldn't dare. That maid just now specifically instructed me not to get close to you, perhaps because she thinks that I, a commoner, am not worthy to be near Madam Ye. Now I can't even joke around, who knows if this is what my mistress wants?"

The jealousy in her words was no less than the playful banter between lovers. Lan Shexiang was amused and laughed out loud. She got up and went over to pull her aside, saying, "Look at your mouth, you're getting more and more unserious."

"Whether I was the embroidery alley doctor in the past, the second young lady of the Lan family, or the current Madam Ye, our sworn sisterhood will never change. It's just that I am now..."

She paused at this point, then gently touched her lower abdomen.

Seeing that her expression was strange, Su Jinxiu immediately became worried and hurriedly stepped forward: "What's wrong? Did you eat something bad and have a stomachache?"

Lan Shexiang simply smiled faintly and remained silent.

Seeing her radiant complexion and rosy cheeks, and remembering that she had been married into the Ye family for almost half a year, Su Jinxiu's heart skipped a beat.

"Huh?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?"

Lan Shexiang raised an eyebrow and said, "I can take a pulse myself, how could it be fake?"

“But, but you…” Su Jinxiu stammered, finding it hard to accept the fact that her friend was going to become a mother.

In the stillness of the night, after the two had finished washing up, they squeezed onto a bed in the west wing, leaving Ye Jiuzhao alone in the main courtyard.

The bed curtains were a warm orange, just like the old scene in the embroidered alley, the two of them shoulder to shoulder. Su Jinxiu lay in the quilt, tossing and turning, still unable to fully accept the news.

"What's wrong? Is the birthday gift I prepared for you not to your liking?" Lan Shexiang asked softly.

"Satisfied, so very satisfied!" Su Jinxiu waved her hand hurriedly. "I was dazzled by all those rare treasures just now. I just... I haven't quite recovered yet. She Xiang, I really can't accept that you're going to be a mother all of a sudden. But, I'm genuinely happy for you. If Ye Jiuzhao ever treats you badly in the future, just tell me, and I'll grab a shovel and go fight him to the death!"

Lan Shexiang was amused by her indignant appearance, and the two of them lay on their sides, propping their heads up, and chatted idly.

“Actually, I was quite surprised too,” Lan Shexiang said softly, “but now that the child is here, we must take good care of him.”

Su Jinxiu sighed, her face full of heartache: "Sigh, you're going to suffer a lot. I can't bear to even think about it."

Thinking of this, she inexplicably felt a sense of hatred towards Ye Jiuzhao.

Lan Shexiang was unaware that Wen Shiqin was still alive, believing him to have died on the battlefield. Therefore, she repeatedly tried to comfort Su Jinxiu, but the words caught in her throat. She knew all too well that the entanglement of feelings between the two was intense and persistent, and could not be easily resolved with a few words.

After hesitating for a while, she finally changed to a roundabout way of asking, "Qiao Niang, you look much better lately. It seems you've gradually come to terms with things." Seeing that Su Jinxiu simply nodded slightly without saying much, she cautiously probed again, "So, what are your plans for the future?"

Su Jinxiu was inwardly cursing Ye Jiuzhao when she heard this. She looked up at her, paused for a moment, and then asked, "What are your plans?"

Lan Shexiang said, "That Taoist priest has already gone to Lingnan, and Xie Hongying has also been assigned to a post elsewhere. Now, the only one left in the capital is Brother Ruxu. Considering his noble character and his deep affection for you, he has become the best candidate. However, if you really have no interest..."

Before he could finish speaking, Su Jinxiu interrupted him: "I've already made it clear to Ruxu. I'm truly unworthy of him; I'm only begging for his time. He deserves a better woman. I've already advised him to go and meet the young ladies from prominent families recommended by his uncle. As for my future..."

She was about to mention Wen Shiqin, but then remembered that he had told her to keep it a secret, so she changed her mind and said, "I don't plan to think about these things for now, and I'll just focus on making a lot of money at Huayun Pavilion."

Lan Shexiang nodded: "That's good. As long as you don't dwell on the past, I will support you no matter what you do."

"Shexiang, you're so good to me." Su Jinxiu hugged her neck and said coquettishly, "I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you."

Lan Shexiang asked in confusion, "Best friend? What does that mean?"

"It means a close female friend."

Lan Shexiang's constitution was strange; the saying "a doctor cannot heal himself" was truly exemplified in her case. Only two months into her pregnancy, before the pregnancy was stable, she began to experience nausea and discomfort. After that, Su Jinxiu simply stayed at the Ye residence to take care of her, and even slept with Lan Shexiang at night.

However, she never gave Ye Jiuzhao a friendly look and often secretly competed with him. Lan Shexiang saw this and couldn't help but laugh and cry.

Su Jinxiu spent her days in a particularly fulfilling way from late spring to late summer.

She practiced calligraphy every day to clear her mind and cleanse her thoughts. She also learned to play the pipa, and her fingertips gradually developed a rhythmic quality.

In her spare time, she led the Huaiyun Pavilion staff to visit the weaving workshop in the north of the city, only to find the courtyard full of suffering female slaves, toiling day and night in front of the looms. Although she was worried, she knew that this matter could not be rushed and could only be considered in the long run.

Feng Xun's usually icy expression was gradually melting away. He seemed to be slowly beginning to regard her as one of his own, and he was talking to her more often.

As early autumn quietly arrived, she finally received the long-awaited news.

Early autumn is often rainy, and today marks the fifth consecutive day of continuous rain.

The Tinglan Xiaozhu where Su Jinxiu lived was a newly built courtyard for her by the Feng family. It was quiet and elegant. The courtyard was lush with plants and trees, and the rockery and flowing water complemented each other. Its layout was quite similar to her Shushiju. I wonder how Feng's mother knew her preferences.

As the daylight faded, she was awakened by the pattering of rain on banana leaves outside her window.

A cool breeze swept through the hall, and she realized that the window had not been closed properly last night. But her left hand was being used as a pillow by Qingluan, and her right hand was being pressed down by Qingyi. The two children had been frightened by the thunderstorm yesterday, and since Fengxun had not returned home, they had run from Qingmo Residence to find her, so she had slept with them in her arms.

Su Jinxiu gently pulled her hand away from under the child's neck, shook her numb arm, and then carefully got out of bed to close the window.

After opening the umbrella, Su Jinxiu led the children to the main hall for breakfast. Feng's father, mother, and Shi Yunyu were all present.

As everyone was enjoying a steaming bowl of Seven Treasures and Five Flavors porridge around the table, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard, and a figure in crimson rushed in. Mu Xiu, who was beside him holding an umbrella, tried to catch up but couldn't, calling out repeatedly, "Master! Master, slow down!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and were all astonished. No one had ever seen Feng Xun in such a state of disarray.

Feng Xun entered the room, panting. He straightened his disheveled clothes and suddenly knelt down in front of his parents, raising his hands to present a battle report.

Su Jinxiu was just beginning to have doubts when she saw Feng Yanting take the battle report, quickly read it, and his eyes instantly reddened. He exclaimed repeatedly, "Good! Good!"

When Su Jinxiu received the battle report, it read: "Our army of two thousand light cavalry launched a night raid on the Shuo Mo royal court, bravely defeating the enemy and capturing their king. General Feng personally beheaded the enemy, and the remaining troops were routed. Shuo Mo has already submitted a letter of surrender. The army will soon return to the capital."

Everyone present was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Su Jinxiu was especially so.

Later, they received accurate news that he would return in a month. During that month, Su Jinxiu took Shi Yunyu and toured all the brocade shops and treasure pavilions in the capital, selecting new clothes and jewelry.

During this time, the rumors about him in the capital became increasingly bizarre.

Su Jinxiu always felt that those stories were heavily embellished. One moment he was said to be a prophet, with perfect foresight. The next moment he was said to have dared to raid the palace at night with only five hundred personal guards, take the head of the Shuo Mo King, and escape unscathed. Then he was said to have coordinated from within and without to wipe out the Shuo Mo stronghold in one fell swoop and install a new king on the throne.

Even more remarkably, songs spread from the northern deserts, which were carried to the capital by merchants: "Where has the cavalry returned? Do not leave my borders! His horses trample my tents, the earth cracks my fields!"

On this day, Su Jinxiu and Shi Yunyu rode side by side out of the city gate.

Su Jinxiu felt that the scenery in the outskirts of Beijing was several times more beautiful than usual. The endless frost-covered forests were ablaze with color, the red maple leaves on the mountains seemed to be burning, the sky was clear and the autumn wind was refreshing. There had never been such a comfortable day.

On the way back, Shi Yunyu teased her, "You've bought so many clothes these past few days, and you've made me pick out every single one for you. Isn't that just a woman dressing up for the man she loves?"

Su Jinxiu did not deny it, but simply rode slowly with her through the streets and alleys of the capital.

On the way back, we arrived at Chang'an Street, which is as round as a moon and adjacent to the imperial road, surrounded by the residences of the newly rich.

Su Jinxiu suddenly saw a house that was not yet completed. It had upturned eaves and corners and a majestic appearance. Stone lions stood on the side of the door and servants were wiping their manes. However, the lintel was empty and no plaque had been inscribed yet.

She then asked Shi Yunyu, "Which noble family has settled here?"

Shi Yunyu glanced up and replied casually, "It was a gift from the Emperor to Siyuan."

"Before he left, the Emperor issued an edict that if he returned, he would be granted the title of Marquis. Now that the Marquis's residence is completed, he should be addressed as Young Marquis from now on."

"Huh?" Su Jinxiu exclaimed.

Seeing her like this, Shi Yunyu teased, "What, not ready yet? You'd better get used to being the mistress of this manor beforehand."

Su Jinxiu's cheeks flushed crimson at her words, as if painted with the finest rouge. Shi Yunyu smiled at this and said no more. The two rode away slowly, leaving only a series of crisp hoofbeats that faded into the twilight of Chang'an Street.

When the two arrived at the Ye residence, they saw that Lan Shexiang's complexion was still rosy despite her pregnancy, so they surrounded her and asked her about her well-being.

Su Jinxiu said irritably, "Ye Jiuzhao is really something, daring to accept an assignment outside the manor instead of staying home with you."

Lan Shexiang smiled and smoothed things over: "The Minister of Agriculture's supervision of the Jintian matter was ordered by His Majesty himself. He dared not disobey, and he had no choice in the matter."

Su Jinxiu nodded, then said, "Speaking of which, I was just thinking of going to the Daxiangguo Temple. The wish I made for his safe return has indeed come true, so I should go and properly thank the Buddha."

Lan Shexiang's eyes lit up: "That's perfect, I'll go too, to pray for the safety and well-being of the child in my womb."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yunyu frowned and said, "With your health, although the journey to the Buddhist temple is not far, the bumpy ride in the carriage might not be enough to withstand the strain."

Lan Shexiang, however, did not take it to heart and waved her hand, saying, "How could I be so delicate? I often move around in the mansion and can still run and jump."

Su Jinxiu quickly pulled her back: "You mustn't do that, it's better to be careful."

However, the number of people who were supposed to go on this trip was changed at the last minute.

Lan Shexiang's pregnancy was still unstable, and it was a dangerous time with less than three months remaining. The two were really worried about her and insisted that she stay at the mansion to recuperate.

Su Jinxiu held her hand and comforted her, "Rest assured, I will take this sentiment with me to fulfill the vow. Sincerity is key, and Buddha will surely understand."

Shi Yunyu originally intended to go along, but unexpectedly, she was urgently summoned by official business just before leaving, and ultimately could not go.

In the end, only Su Jinxiu went.

She had to go no matter what. Wen Shiqin had managed to escape from the battlefield where he was on the verge of death and had made great contributions. This must be due to the Buddha's protection. She had to go in person to express her gratitude and offer a grand sacrifice.

Su Jinxiu mounted her horse and had not gone far from the gate of the Ye residence when she bumped into an acquaintance.