Xiayun City

Listening to Lingyuan's explanation, Yan Shu couldn't help but ask, "Then why didn't you take Ayun with you to the capital back then?" As soon as she said it, she laughed at herself—this question was really naive.

Ling Yuan smiled and poured her another cup of tea: "We were only eighteen then. I had just earned my military merits, and my maternal clan held military power. Returning to the capital was fraught with danger; how could I dare to bring just anyone?"

Yan Shu nodded. She understood that a young prince returning to the capital with a large army would be under the watchful eyes of countless people, and the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin. At that time, Ling Yuan himself would be in a precarious situation.

"This Miss A-Yun is truly devoted," Yan Shu sighed softly. She calculated that A-Yun must be around twenty years old this year. In a world where people marry at fifteen or sixteen, it's rare to find someone in their twenties still unmarried. She herself married into the royal household at seventeen, which was considered late.

Suddenly, on a whim, she tugged at Ling Yuan's sleeve: "Your Highness, how about we cook for ourselves tonight?"

Before she could finish speaking, A-Yun and Ling-Ying walked over. A-Yun's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Your Highness wants to cook? I'll go grocery shopping with you; I know this city best!"

Yan Shu looked at Ling Yuan expectantly. Ling Yuan frowned slightly: "But..."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness," A-Yun quickly assured her, "the market is just around the corner on the main street, not far at all. Besides, Xia Yun City has the best security; there are soldiers patrolling everywhere."

Yan Shu gazed at him expectantly, gently shaking his arm: "Your Highness..."

Seeing her unusually calm demeanor, Ling Yuan finally smiled and said, "Go ahead, and come back soon."

After the two women disappeared into the alley, Ling Ying stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, I have confirmed the two matters you were asked to investigate on the way with General Lin. We are just waiting for conclusive evidence."

Ling Yuan said, "Alright. From now on, discuss these matters privately with me, and keep them away from the Princess."

"yes."

---

The streets of Xiayun City were indeed bustling with activity. Yan Shu curiously looked at the stalls on both sides, many of the trinkets being things she had never even seen in the capital. Ayun explained as they walked, "Madam, don't underestimate this small border town. Merchant caravans trade here, so we have all sorts of rare and unusual items. Let's take our time browsing; there's no rush."

Yan Shu smiled and agreed. The two walked and stopped along the way, and soon bought all the ingredients.

Back in the courtyard, Lingyuan looked at the groceries they had brought back and said to Lingying, "Go find a cook."

"Why would Your Highness need a cook?" Ah Yun immediately interjected, "I'll do it!"

Yan Shu quickly replied, "I can do it too, Your Highness, have you forgotten?"

How could Ling Yuan forget? It's just that her cooking skills… well, they weren't terrible, at least no one would go hungry. The subtle expression on his face made Yan Shu immediately understand, and she quickly changed her mind: "How about I help A-Yun?"

The two women exchanged a smile, then carried their shopping baskets to the kitchen. Ling Yuan watched their retreating figures and shook his head helplessly.

The afternoon sun shone brightly. Lingyuan sat under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, brewing a pot of tea and holding a book. Occasionally, he would look up and see Yan Shu and A Yun busy in the kitchen. Yan Shu was bent over picking vegetables, her profile appearing particularly gentle in the light and shadow. At that moment, he suddenly felt that if he could live like this forever, it wouldn't be so bad.

As evening approached, Ayun's clear voice rang out: "Dinner's ready!"

"Your Highness—"

"Brother Ying—"

Ling Yuan and Yan Shu sat down at the table. Seeing that Ling Ying and A Yun were still standing, Yan Shu said, "Come, sit down with us."

Ling Yuan also looked up: "From now on, let's sit together."

"Yes." The two then sat down.

Lingyuan picked up a piece of bright green wild vegetable with her chopsticks and placed it in Yan Shu's bowl: "Shu'er, try this. It's called wild onion, and it's a local specialty."

Yan Shu took a closer look and realized it was a modern-day sand onion! She had almost mistaken it for chives at the market. She took a bite; it was crisp and refreshing, with a unique aroma.

As they were eating, a rattan ball rolled into the yard, followed by an eight- or nine-year-old boy chasing after it. Four pairs of eyes turned to him at once, and the boy froze on the spot.

"Little Zhu! Why are you barging into someone else's house!" A woman rushed in, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, so sorry, the child is naughty..."

Ayun got up to greet her: "Aunt Yu, it's alright. This is a relative of mine; they just moved in."

After seeing Aunt Yu and her son off, Ayun returned to the table and explained, "Aunt Yu and her husband moved here a few years ago. I heard they used to work for a wealthy family in the capital, but as they got older, their employer gave them a stipend so they could make a living on their own. Xiaozhuzi is their son, born when they were in their forties."

Yan Shu was taken aback by what he heard. Ling Yuan immediately looked at her nervously and gently took her hand under the table.

Yan Shu smiled at him and shook her head to indicate that she was fine. Seeing this, A Yun quickly changed the subject and started talking about interesting things that happened on the street.

As night deepened, Yan Shu and Ling Yuan returned to their room.

The candlelight flickered as Yan Shu walked to her dressing table, removed the jade hairpin from her hair, and let her long, black hair cascade down like a waterfall. She approached Ling Yuan and softly called out, "Your Highness..."

Since his miscarriage, Ling Yuan had been extremely careful not to touch her. Now, seeing her approach him, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice tightened: "Shu'er, is it alright?"

Before the word "ma" could be fully uttered, Yan Shu sealed it with a kiss.

A gentle breeze, carrying warmth, drifted into the room through the window, stirring the bed curtains.

That night, the moonlight in Xiayun City was exceptionally gentle.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Yan Shu was awakened by a gentle kiss. Ling Yuan's deep voice sounded in her ear: "Shu'er."

Last night's intimacy left her both satisfied and exhausted. Still half-asleep, she snuggled deeper into the covers: "Why is Your Highness up so early?"

"Get up quickly, I'll take you out to play." Ling Yuan gently lifted the blanket.

Yan Shu perked up immediately: "Where to?"

"horse riding."

"Huh?" Before Yan Shu could react, Ling Ying's voice came from the courtyard: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the horses are ready."

Yan Shu quickly got up and washed. When she was ready and went into the courtyard, she saw three horses already tied up at the gate. She looked at Ling Yuan in confusion: "There are four of us, why are there only three horses?"

Ling Yuan smiled slightly and reached out his hand to her: "Come on, your husband will take you horseback riding." He then laughed first.

He led Yan Shu by the hand and helped her onto the horse. Ling Yuan nimbly mounted, sitting steadily behind her. This familiar posture reminded her of the spring hunt, and she couldn't help but turn back to ask, "Young Master Lin, did you already have feelings for me back then?"

Ling Yuan didn't flinch, wrapping his arm around her waist, his voice tinged with laughter: "Actually, I can't quite pinpoint when it started. But it must have been earlier than that."

Yan Shu felt as sweet as if she had been filled with honey. Unexpectedly, Ling Yuan then asked, "And you? When was it?"

She turned to look at him and whispered, "My love for Young Master Lin can transcend a thousand years."

The horse moved slowly forward, gradually emerging from the city gate. The scenery before them was completely different from that of the capital; a vast desert stretched to the horizon, with a few scattered poplar trees standing tall in the distance, and the air filled with the scent of sand. This must be the freedom and vastness that modern people yearn for…

Looking at the scene before her, Yan Shu couldn't help but recite the poem: "A lone plume of smoke rises straight from the desert, the setting sun hangs round over the long river." Leaning against Ling Yuan's chest, she whispered, "Your Highness, I love it here."

Ayun rode alongside, explaining, "Your Highness, this is the time of year when the sandstorms are least intense; it's the mildest time in the Northern Territory."

"Shu'er, look!" Ling Yuan pointed into the distance. "It's a caravan from the Western Regions."

Yan Shu looked in the direction he pointed and saw a camel caravan slowly moving between the sand dunes, the camels laden with goods, the sound of bells carried on the wind. Her inner historian was instantly ignited—wasn't this the living Silk Road? And she was currently at the very beginning of the Hexi Corridor. This scene, which had previously existed only in murals and history books, was now unfolding before her very eyes.

The four dismounted and sat casually on a sand dune, watching caravans come and go. The setting sun bathed the entire desert in gold.

When Yan Shu returned to the courtyard that evening, she saw Xiao Zhuzi sitting alone on the threshold, reading intently by the moonlight. His focused expression made it seem as if everything around him was irrelevant.

Yan Shu stood there for a while, then turned and went inside to get an oil lamp. She walked to the small pillar and said, "Use the lamp to look; it will be clearer."

Xiao Zhuzi looked up and politely accepted the oil lamp: "Thank you, Madam Lin."

Inside the Cui Prime Minister's residence, a thousand miles away, a person shrouded in shadows reported in a low voice: "Prime Minister, they have gone to the Northern Border and settled in Xiayun City."

Cui Chong tapped the table lightly: "So he went to his mother's territory. We need to find a way to follow him; I have a feeling this isn't simple."

"yes."

The next day, in the Imperial Palace, the Minister of Revenue was reporting on the flourishing border trade this year: "...travel between the Western Regions and other countries has been frequent, and customs revenue has increased by 30% compared to last year. Now, envoys from the Western Regions have proposed that formal negotiations with the Great Yong Kingdom in the northern border be held before New Year's Eve to expand the scope of trade."

The Emperor was delighted upon hearing this: "This is excellent. What do you, my ministers, think is the most appropriate person to send?"

A minister stepped forward and said, "This humble subject recommends His Highness Prince Chen. The northern border is where Prince Chen's maternal clan resides. Your Highness's going there will firstly demonstrate the court's high regard for the region, and secondly, in case anything happens, General Lin can offer some assistance."

The Emperor nodded slightly, clearly quite satisfied with the suggestion.

Upon seeing this, the Crown Prince immediately stepped forward: "Father, my sixth brother is about to get married. Is it perhaps inappropriate for him to travel so far at this time?"

The Emperor then remembered this and turned to the Imperial Observatory, asking, "When is the Prince Chen's wedding date set?"

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau official quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have recently carefully calculated the birth dates and times of Prince Chen and Miss Yu, and also observed the celestial phenomena... There is truly no auspicious day for their marriage this year. I'm afraid we will have to wait until next year."

Xuan Gui immediately panicked: "How could this be?"

The Imperial Observatory quickly explained, "Your Highness, please forgive us. A prince's wedding is not only a personal matter, but also a matter of the continuation of the royal bloodline. In addition... in addition, the Prince Duan's family has just suffered the loss of a son. According to etiquette, it is truly inappropriate to hold a wedding this year."

These words silenced the entire court. Everyone remembered the unborn Prince Duan, who had died before even being born.

Xuan Gui wanted to say something, but the Emperor waved his hand: "Since there's no auspicious day, let's wait. Prince Chen, once autumn is over, you should go to the Northern Border."

Xuan Gui opened his mouth, but in the end could only lower his head: "Your subject... obeys the decree."

After the court session, Xuan Gui went to the Yu residence. Yu Xue'er was pruning flowers in the courtyard. Seeing him arrive, she put down her pruning shears and greeted him, "Your Highness."

Xuan Gui pulled her into his arms, remaining silent and sullen. Yu Xue'er gently patted his back and softly asked, "What's wrong?"

He released her, his hands still on her shoulders, and said with his head down, "I need to go to the North."

Yu Xue'er paused, then asked, "Then what about our marriage...?"

Xuan Gui recounted everything that had happened in the court and the words of the Imperial Observatory. Yu Xue'er listened quietly, then comforted him, "It's alright, Your Highness. We're already engaged, and marriage is just a matter of time. Your trip to the Northern Border is a good opportunity to visit Prince Duan and his consort. I... will wait for your return."

Looking at her gentle smile, Hyun-kyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and pulled her into his arms again: "Mmm."

The morning sunlight streamed in, and Yan Shu was already awake, quietly rummaging through the book box.

Ling Yuan was awakened by a slight noise. He propped himself up and asked sleepily, "What are you doing?"

Yan Shu turned around, holding several books: "I plan to give these books to Xiao Zhuzi. The Prince has read them countless times; they're just gathering dust here. But for that child, they're rare treasures."

She said this as she picked up her books and walked out. Ling Yuan watched her hurried figure, shook her head helplessly, and lay back down.

When Aunt Yu from next door opened the door and saw Yan Shu, she was somewhat surprised. After understanding why she had come, she quickly called Xiao Zhuzi out.

"Quickly thank Madam Lin." Aunt Yu supported her son's shoulder.

Xiao Zhuzi's eyes lit up as he looked at the exquisite books. He bowed respectfully and thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Madam Lin."

"Don't be so polite." Yan Shu patted his head. "If you have any questions while studying, feel free to ask Uncle Lin."

When she returned to the courtyard, Ling Yuan was already up and practicing his sword. Seeing her return, he sheathed his sword: "Did you deliver the book?"

"I've sent it." Yan Shu smiled. "I told the child that he can ask Uncle Lin if he doesn't understand anything."

Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Sure enough, Xiao Zhuzi came with his books that afternoon.

"Is Uncle Lin here?" the child asked timidly, standing at the gate of the courtyard.

Lingyuan beckoned Xiaozhuzi over: "What don't you understand?"

Little Zhu pointed to a passage on military strategy in the book, asking questions with great interest. Ling Yuan patiently explained, occasionally drawing diagrams in the sand. Yan Shu sat to the side, watching the two figures, one big and one small, sitting opposite each other, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips.

After Xiaozhuzi explained, he stood up, bowed respectfully to Lingyuan, and then greeted Yan Shu before leaving with the book in his arms. His demeanor exuded a maturity beyond his years.

Yan Shu gazed at the small figure retreating into the distance and murmured, "This child is truly remarkable."

"Yes." Ling Yuan brushed the dust off his clothes. "I... I told him he can come anytime."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shu smiled and looked at him. The afterglow of the setting sun fell into her eyes, filled with gentle light.