Chapter 70 Becoming Her Live-in Son-in-Law

Huiyin returned to the tower. The maid on night watch saw her return covered in snow and quickly opened the door to let her in. The warmth inside melted the snowflakes off her body.

She sat in front of the charcoal brazier, slowly drying her hair and clothes, while telling the palace maids on night watch to go and rest. Judging from the sky, it wouldn't be long before dawn.

The silvery charcoal in the brazier made a faint cracking sound. Huiyin took off her shoes and socks to warm her cold hands and feet, thinking of Pei Yu.

When she entered the house, she glanced down and saw a dark figure still standing where it had been, motionless and blending into the wind and snow. Even if someone was physically strong, it would probably be difficult for them to stay in this snowy night for even a short while.

From inside the room came Suiyang's soft murmur. Huiyin listened intently, and in her sleep she called out to her mother.

Huiyin was completely wide awake. She sat quietly by the window, opened a crack, and gazed at the snow scene outside, remaining awake until dawn.

The sky began to lighten, and a reddish-brown glow shone through the clouds, indicating that it was going to be a bright and sunny day, and the snow that had been falling for several days had finally stopped.

After the patrolling soldiers changed shifts four times, the morning whistle rang out, and the entire Hangu Pass visibly came to life. Someone was gently knocking on the door. Huiyin opened the door, and the golden sunlight bathed her. The clear sky after the snow was a very auspicious sign.

She stepped aside, allowing the palace maids who were attending her to enter the room and help Suiyang get up. After Huiyin finished getting ready, she sat to the side and watched the palace maids help Suiyang with her grooming. Suiyang had dark circles and swelling under her eyes, and the palace maids were gently covering them with powder puffs.

Suiyang kept her eyes closed, yawning incessantly while covering her mouth with her right hand and shaking her head. Huiyin took the comb from the palace maid and knelt behind Suiyang to comb her hair. She didn't use overly complicated hairstyles, but simply divided her hair into two sections and coiled them on both sides, then secured them with hairbands and hairpins.

Her crimson robe, embroidered with phoenixes in flight, had a long, flowing hem that wrapped around her body several times. It was cinched at the waist with an indigo-blue belt with a dark pattern, giving her a graceful and elegant figure.

Suiyang rubbed her eyes and pouted at Huiyin, reluctantly asking, "Sister, are you leaving?"

Huiyi tidied the last strand of her hair and said with a smile, "I've heard that the scenery of Dai County is exceptional. I wonder if Your Highness could give me a ride?"

"Sister, are you serious? You're going to come to Dai County with me?" Sui Yang stood up excitedly, grabbing Hui Yin's arm in disbelief.

Huiyin touched her face, recalling her soft sobs and murmurs last night, and couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness in her heart. She comforted her, "Really, I'll take you to Dai County."

Tears welled up in Suiyang's eyes as she hugged Huiyin and sobbed softly, "Sister, you are so good."

"Alright, let's go down."

Huiyin helped her wipe away her tears, and helped Suiyang up to walk outside. The wedding procession was ready and waiting solemnly outside Hangu Pass. Pei Yuzhen, just as he had said last night, did not appear in front of Huiyin. He called Fang Mu to pick up the two of them.

Fang Mu was a lively and witty person, and he kept making Huiyin and Suiyang smile with delight.

The convoy moved at a moderate pace. The carriage from Suiyang was spacious and comfortable, with a windproof and shockproof interior. The compartment under the carriage could even hold a copper charcoal furnace, making it comparable to an earthen furnace. It was far superior to the carriage that Huiyin had ridden in when she arrived.

Huiyin didn't tell Suiyang about Wang Zishao, because she was worried that he might not make it in time or that Wang Zishao might not want to come, and she didn't want Suiyang to be disappointed.

Along the way, she tried her best to avoid getting off the carriage to avoid running into Pei Yu. However, Chi Yan often brought some fresh game to add to Huiyin and Suiyang's meals.

That day, the wedding procession stopped to rest in front of a valley. Huiyin, who had been cooped up in the car for several days, couldn't stand it any longer and wanted to get out and walk around.

Thick snow still covers the ridges and shady areas, while on the sunny slopes, the snow has become mottled, and the melted snow flows down the rock walls, gathering into a stream in the valley.

She rolled down the car window and peeked out. The soldiers were busy setting up camp, but Pei Yu and Chi Yan were nowhere to be seen.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial were worried that Suiyang would be bored in the carriage, so they specially invited him to get out of the carriage for some fresh air and to relax.

The valley was open and spacious, with many traces of snow still remaining on the surrounding cliffs. Huiyin squatted by the stream, closed her eyes to feel the breeze, and immersed her hands in the cold water. The stuffiness and restlessness of the past few days dissipated.

Yan Niang kept chattering beside her. Huiyin listened carefully and realized that she was worried that the sausages she had made at home might spoil. "It looks like we'll be spending the whole New Year in Dai County this year."

Huiyin nodded. It was already the end of the twelfth lunar month, and by the time they returned to Jingzhou from Dai County, it would probably be almost spring.

Suddenly, a few cheers came from the bonfire not far away. Huiyin turned her head to look and saw several figures emerging from the depths of the woods. Pei Yu had a fish basket in his right hand, and the guards behind him were all carrying loads of prey, with drops of blood falling to the ground, indicating that they had just hunted in the mountains.

The soldiers stationed at the camp rushed over to take the prey from their hands, skillfully processed it, and roasted it over the fire.

Huiyin had grown tired of eating wild game these days. She stared at the fish basket in Pei Yu's hand for a few moments before reluctantly looking away. She remembered the fish soup she hadn't had a chance to drink, and she could almost smell its salty aroma.

Seeing the longing look on her face, Yan Niang smiled and asked, "Should I go ask General Pei for one? Surely he wouldn't be stingy with a fish?"

"No." Huiyin interrupted decisively, refusing. It was just a bite to eat; she could drink it every day once she returned to Jingzhou.

As dusk fell, bonfires were lit every ten paces in the camp, filling the air with the aroma of roasting meat. Huiyin sat next to Suiyang, holding a small, charred chicken leg in her hand, taking small bites as if she were chewing.

The caravan would rest here for the night. The carriages in Suiyang were much more comfortable and spacious than the tents, so Huiyin rested with her in the carriage. Halfway through her sleep, Huiyin vaguely heard someone knocking on the door outside the carriage.

A small kerosene lamp hung on the inner wall of the carriage, covered with a thin layer of gauze. Although the lamp was bright, it was not dazzling under the cover of the gauze.

Huiyin slowly sat up and saw out of the corner of her eye that Suiyang was sleeping soundly, breathing evenly with a flushed face. Perhaps she felt hot, as one leg was sticking out of the blankets, and her brocade trousers were rolled up, revealing a section of her fair and slender calf.

The knocking sound was still faint outside the carriage, rhythmic and distinct. Huiyin was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses. Who was knocking on the door so late at night?

She wasn't completely sleepy yet, her eyes were still moist from lack of sleep, and her eyes were a little sore from rubbing them. Huiyin leaned closer to the window, her loose black hair falling over her shoulders, and asked softly, "Who is it?"

The knocking stopped, followed by a deep, familiar voice, "It's me."

Huiyin paused in her act of gathering her hair. Pei Yu? Coming here so late, could something big have happened?

Thinking of this, she hastily threw on her coat and opened the window. The cold wind rushed into the carriage. Huiyin quickly turned around to cover Suiyang with the blankets and anxiously asked, "What happened?"

Suddenly, a ceramic jar was placed on the wooden board outside the car window. Huiyin reached out to touch it, and the jar was still hot. She leaned out and stared at Pei Yu with a puzzled look.

Pei Yu stood under the moonlight, looking somewhat uneasy as he looked away, his voice a little hoarse, "Fang Mu and the others caught a few fish for a midnight snack, you and Your Highness should try some."

Huiyin's gaze shifted from Pei Yu's indifferent face to his slightly reddened ears. If she hadn't seen Pei Yu return with a fish basket in her own eyes, she would have truly believed his story.

She felt a mix of emotions. She had never imagined that the arrogant and domineering Pei Yu would resort to such tricks, secretly delivering midnight snacks to people in the middle of the night.

Huiyin swallowed hard, suppressing her craving, and replied calmly, "His Highness has already gone to sleep. You can take it back."

Pei Yu's dark eyes darted around, and he pursed his lips, saying, "Don't you need some?"

Huiyin looked away, staring angrily at the pottery jar, and said, "Didn't you say you wouldn't appear in front of me?"

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you a change of pace." Pei Yu lowered his head slightly, his voice low.

"unnecessary."

Huiyin initially wanted to close the window and ignore her, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She simply opened the window wider and said coldly in a low voice, "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because I agreed to go to Dai County? You said you wouldn't appear in front of me or bother me! What are you doing now?"

With each question she posed, Pei Yu's face paled further, and his lips pressed tightly together.

Huiyin didn't want to see Pei Yu's dejected look anymore, so she irritably closed the window and lay down sullenly.

The flame inside the lamp flickered gently. Huiyin stared at the figure through the gauze window and sighed helplessly. Behind her, Suiyang rubbed his eyes and sat up, asking groggily, "Sister, who were you talking to just now?"

After hesitating for a while, Huiyin decided to tell the truth, "Pei Yu just brought over some late-night snacks, would you like some?"

Upon hearing this, Suiyang's drowsy expression vanished in an instant, and she stood up cheerfully, saying, "Yes, where is it!"

Huiyin opened the car window. Pei Yu had already left, leaving only the pottery jar and bowls and spoons sitting forlornly on the wooden board, looking desolate.

She carried the earthenware pot into the carriage, its warmth radiating into her arms. Huiyin lifted the lid of the pot, and instantly, the carriage was filled with the delicious, savory aroma of fish soup.

She had been craving this soup for a long time, and now her mouth was watering. Suiyang, on the other hand, was almost sick of eating roasted meat all the way, and hurriedly urged Huiyin to serve the soup, as she couldn't wait to devour it.

Huiyin served two bowls of soup and knelt facing Suiyang, with silk quilts piled around their waists.

One sip of the fish soup seemed to bring their dormant taste buds back to life. The fish slices were tender and juicy, and the fish bone broth was exceptionally delicious, retaining its original freshness. The two sat in the carriage, taking turns drinking from bowl to bowl, and finished off the entire pot of fish soup.

Suiyang wiped his mouth clean, slumped down on the soft bed with his full stomach, and sighed contentedly, "If I go to the Xiongnu, I probably won't be able to eat this delicious fish anymore."

After cleaning up the mess, Huiyin asked, "Should I tell him to add a bowl of fish soup to every meal from now on?"

Suiyang chuckled and looked at Huiyin with a leisurely air, teasingly saying, "Don't mention it, I only got to eat this because of you."

"Nonsense, you are His Highness, so naturally you get to use all the good things." Huiyin carefully lay down, cradling her belly. She had used too much, and when she lay down, she could even hear the sloshing of water inside her.

Sui Yang squinted, stroking his lower abdomen with one hand like a lazy little raccoon. "I'm not lying. Although my cousin treats me well, he would never be so meticulous as to think about my food, let alone send me fish soup late at night."

Huiyin consciously shut her mouth and didn't reply; she didn't want to discuss Pei Yu.

Sui Yang blinked, leaned closer to Hui Yin, hugged her arm, and whispered, "Sister, what can my cousin do to make you forgive him? I haven't seen a smile on his face in days."

Huiyin closed her eyes, pulled her arm away, turned over to sleep, and changed the subject, "Go to sleep, we still have to travel tomorrow."

Suiyang sighed softly, "Cousin, I've done my best after drinking your fish soup. Keep it up!"

——

The city walls of Dai County, built of loess, were covered with a layer of ice, and the streets and alleys were covered with a few inches of snow, which made a crunching sound when the carriages drove over them.

The wedding procession headed towards the prefect's residence, filling the long streets with the magnificent convoy from Chang'an.

Pei Yu and the people from the Court of State Ceremonial had already made contact with the Prefect of Dai County. After exchanging only a few words, the group headed towards the princess's ceremonial carriage. Prefect Zhang Bin of Dai County stopped outside the carriage and said in a loud voice, "Your subject Zhang Bin greets Your Highness Suiyang."

Huiyin opened the car window, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, instantly blowing away the car's heater. Suiyang was dressed in a crimson formal suit with a vermilion bird pattern, her hair piled high like clouds, adorned with a cluster of ornate flower hairpins. Her face was beautiful, her eyebrows like distant mountains, and her demeanor elegant and dignified.

She sat upright in the carriage, nodded slightly upon hearing this, and smiled, "Prefect, please rise."

Prefect Zhang bowed again, saying, "Your subject has prepared a banquet in the manor to welcome Your Highness and wash away the dust of your journey."

After they exchanged pleasantries, Huiyin went to close the window. When she looked up, she met Pei Yu's gaze. He seemed to want to say something, but Huiyin quickly closed the window and shrank back to the stove, her hands red from the cold.

Suiyang, having lost his previous composure and majesty, looked at Huiyin and covered his mouth to chuckle.

Huiyin glanced at her helplessly, rubbed her hands, and didn't reply.

Pei Yu watched as the window was pulled down, and a crisp sound rang in his ears. He paused for a moment, then raised his hand and knocked on the window. "The caravan is scheduled to rest in Dai County for five days. Once we make contact with the envoys from the Xiongnu, we will cross the border."

Suiyang sipped her tea with a smile, showing none of the vulnerability and tears she had displayed that night. Throughout the journey, she had always been smiling, her face devoid of any sadness. Only Huiyin knew that every night, she would sit quietly for a long time, gazing in the direction of Chang'an, silently weeping.

Upon arriving at the prefectural governor's residence, while everyone was unpacking, Huiyin secretly slipped away to the front courtyard. Pei Yu seemed to have known she would come, and was waiting at the door with his hands behind his back, wearing a cloak.

Huiyin stopped a foot away, maintaining a safe distance, and asked with her chin slightly raised, "Has Prince Shao arrived?"

"I'll arrive at noon tomorrow," Pei Yu replied softly.

Huiyin was relieved. Fortunately, she was able to meet with Prince Shao before Suiyang left the pass, so that the two could say their final goodbyes. She was sincerely grateful and said, "Thank you."

Pei Yu walked up to Huiyin, lowered his head slightly to look at her, and said in a hoarse voice, "Suiyang is my sister, so I should be the one thanking you."

The distance was rather close; Pei Yu's breath floated in front of Huiyin. She blinked uncomfortably, took a step back, and said aloofly, "Then I'll go back first."

Just as Huiyin was about to turn around, her right hand, which was hanging down, was grasped by someone. A large, warm hand held her tightly and refused to let go.

She angrily pulled her hand back and slapped Pei Yu across the face. The crisp sound was exceptionally pleasant. Huiyin took a step back and said coldly, "Have you forgotten what you promised me?"

A red mark quickly appeared on Pei Yu's cheek. He turned his head to the side, his throat bobbing up and down, his eyes fixed on Huiyin with a deep look, his voice tinged with vulnerability, "I haven't forgotten, I just wanted to talk to you for a while."

Pei Yu looked somewhat bewildered. He rarely got slapped in the face, and the few times it happened were by Huiyin. He had felt embarrassed and angry before, but now he felt no displeasure at all, and was even a little happy.

Huiyin said coldly, "But I don't want to talk to you. I'm warning you, if you lay a hand on me again, it won't be as simple as a slap."

Seeing that she was about to leave, Pei Yu could no longer hold back and hugged Huiyin tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to embed her into his body, greedily inhaling her faint fragrance.

Huiyin clenched her fists and pounded on the person in front of her, shouting angrily, "Let me go! Let me go now!"

Pei Yu ignored her, held the person in his arms tightly, and pleaded, "Huiyin, I just want to talk to you for a bit, just for a little while, okay?"

Snow began to fall again, and soon the two people in the courtyard were covered in snow, with snowflakes all over their hair. Huiyin sighed helplessly, "Why do you have to do this? You are of noble birth, you can have any kind of person you want, why do you have to fixate on me?"

Pei Yu remained silent.

Huiyin frowned, struggling but unable to break free. She gave up, panting, "If you don't let go of me, I'll go back to Jingzhou right now. I've already sent His Highness to Dai County, so there's no need for me to stay any longer."

Pei Yu's body trembled, as if he were having an internal struggle. He didn't keep Huiyin waiting for long before he quickly released her and returned to his original spot.

He released Huiyin, tears welling in his dark eyes, and pleaded, "No matter how good they are, I only want you. Huiyin, I swear to you, in this life, I will only have you, and I will never take another woman. If I break this vow, may I be pierced by a thousand swords and my body be reduced to ashes."

His calloused fingertips caressed Huiyin's cheek, warming her cold face. He lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers, pleading silently.

Huiyin remained silent for a long time, unsure how to respond to Pei Yu. Undeniably, his words had stirred a wave of emotion within her.

Pei Yu waited for a while, and the snow fell on their shoulders and slowly melted. He pulled Huiyin's cold hand into the house. The person in front of him did not refuse, nor did she mention leaving again. Pei Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

A charcoal brazier burned inside, instantly melting the remaining snow on her clothes. Pei Yu carefully untied the sash of Huiyin's cloak, and when he realized she didn't resist, his throat tightened. He sat down beside Huiyin, holding his breath, and slowly warmed her cloak.

The room fell silent for a moment. Huiyin's hands and feet slowly warmed up. She looked at the firelight in the charcoal brazier and replied, "I cannot agree to that."

Pei Yu froze, the joy that had risen in his heart because she hadn't resisted vanished instantly. He gripped his cloak tightly and asked with difficulty, "Are you still angry about what happened before? I'll change. If you don't like the Pei family or my mother, then let's move out."

“It’s not because of that.” Huiyin shook her head and looked at Pei Yu with utmost seriousness, saying what was on her mind. “Even if I don’t want to admit it, it’s the truth. I’m the only one left in the Song family now. I don’t want to adopt a son-in-law from the clan. I will only take a son-in-law into the family in the future, and my children can only have the surname Song.”

Pei Yu lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Huiyin took the cloak from his hand, put it on, and left into the heavy snow. Nothing in life can be perfect; she could compromise on other things, but not this. She didn't want her parents to be left without anyone to care for them after she passed away, and for the world to forget her lineage.

"What if I were willing to marry into the family?"

Huiyin suddenly stopped. What did she hear? A crunching sound came from the snow behind her. Huiyin turned around in disbelief. Pei Yu walked up to her and said, word by word, "What if I were willing to be your son-in-law and treat you as my master?"

Huiyin regained her voice and scolded, "Are you crazy?"

Has Pei Yu gone mad? Does he even know what he's doing? If word gets back to Chang'an that he's planning to marry into the family, the Empress and Madam Pei will tear him apart first.

Moreover, given his status and position, why would he possibly become a son-in-law?

Pei Yu remained calm: "I'm not crazy, I'm serious."

"You..." Huiyin was speechless for a long time before her mind cleared up. "Your Pei family doesn't have many children. The Empress and your mother are counting on you. Aren't you going to carry on the family line?"

Pei Yu: "Isn't there still Ayan? If you and I help him marry the girl he loves, he doesn't mind sacrificing a little. Let them have more children."

Huiyin: "..." She's gone mad, she's really gone mad.

She couldn't stay any longer and ran away quickly, lifting her skirt. Huiyin seriously suspected that Pei Yu was sick and had lost his mind, otherwise how could he say such nonsense?

Huiyin stumbled back to the backyard, where Suiyang, who was eating hot pot, immediately waved, "Sister, come and try this to warm yourself up."

Inside the warm pavilion, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Suiyang sat in the main seat, surrounded by several maids kneeling and serving dishes. A copper pot sat on an exquisite charcoal stove, the soup bubbling and releasing a rich, spicy aroma.

Huiyin was suddenly stopped by Suiyang, and she was a little flustered. She subconsciously looked away and waved her hand to refuse, "I'm not eating. I'll rest for a bit first."

After saying that, she hurriedly went into the east room. The warm fragrance of the inner room was comforting and also dispelled the panic in her heart. Huiyin sat on the soft couch, feeling a little tired, and pressed her irritated brow with one hand.

Yan Niang was tidying up the bed in the room when she heard the noise and came out from behind the curtain. She saw Huiyin sitting blankly on the bed with snowflakes still on her head. Yan Niang quickly went over and took a handkerchief to wipe Huiyin's head.

"Where did this come from? Its hair is all snow."

Huiyin made up an excuse to brush it off. She covered her pounding chest and warmed herself by the fire, her mind a complete mess, filled with Pei Yu's words, "I am willing to be your son-in-law."

"What's wrong? What happened?" Yan Niang asked, noticing Huiyin's absent-minded appearance.

Huiyin took off her cloak, and hesitated before speaking. Pei Yu might have just said it casually, and she couldn't be so foolish as to take it seriously.