Chapter 60: Giving Birth
Pei Heng could find almost nothing to commemorate her.
Her old clothes and embroidered handkerchiefs were burned. The clothes she brought into Jinghezhai were taken away silently when she left the palace and burned to ashes in the fire. Only the cold gold ornaments remained, which she never liked to wear.
He sat alone on the soft couch in Jinghezhai, repeatedly touching a red veil depicting mandarin ducks playing in the water. It was an object she had hoped would bring joy to the child when he was born, and it was also the only thing she could still use to remember their ill-fated relationship.
On the veil, a pair of mandarin ducks intertwined their necks, so lifelike, yet things have changed.
He arrogantly held her in his grasp, filling his heart with twisted satisfaction and base joy. After losing her, all that remained was endless regret and longing.
In the height of summer, a torrential downpour struck the capital city.
Outside the palace, the wind and rain howled, and the dark clouds seemed about to collapse, just like his shaky and faltering mind, and the endless lament in his heart.
Pei Heng felt he was probably going to die.
The breath stuck in my chest was neither swallowed nor exhaled; each heartbeat was accompanied by a heavy, dull pain; and often, the slightest thought would cause my body to be tormented by the surging poison, leaving me feeling like I was dying.
Because of his youth, the blood vessels in his wrists and neck could hold out for a while, but the tiny blood vessels on his face had burst several times. Under his snow-white skin, a petal-like crimson bleed out. Sometimes, when he briefly woke up and opened his eyes, the whites of his eyes were stained red with blood.
The entire Imperial Medical Academy was on tenterhooks, using countless good medicines, but no one could cure the poison of the Thousand-Thread Induced Toxin. They could only barely keep him in a daze to prevent his mental breakdown.
However, the poison lingered, and Pei Heng's illness worsened day by day. At first, he could still get up to review memorials, but after the rainstorm, he was bedridden and rarely spoke a word. He tightly clutched the red veil in his hand and murmured softly.
"This is all my retribution."
None of the palace servants dared to respond, and none dared to listen.
As the emperor's illness worsened, panic and unease spread throughout the court and the country, with even some treasonous remarks circulating in the capital.
—The current emperor, like the late emperor, suffers from headaches, his temperament has changed drastically, he has no interest in governing, he has no harem, and he has no children. If he were to pass away one day, I fear the world would descend into chaos.
Before the rumors even reached Pei Heng's ears, someone came to the Taiji Hall to request an audience.
Jinbao bowed as he entered, speaking cautiously: "Your Majesty, Minister Liang of the Court of Judicial Review is requesting an audience outside."
Liang Muze, father of Liang Xiu and Liang Zhang, was a veteran of two dynasties and one of the important ministers highly regarded by Pei Heng.
Pei Heng's eyelids trembled, a complex sense of guilt welling up in his heart. After a long silence, he finally said, "Summon."
Liang Muze walked in with steady steps, dressed in a neat official robe. Although he was over fifty, his hair and beard were still black, and his eyes were strong and powerful. When he reached the bedside, he did not look at the emperor's sick appearance for long, but simply paid his respects according to etiquette, his voice as deep as a pine tree.
"This old minister greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
"No need for formalities." Pei Heng's voice was weak, and he dared not look directly into his eyes. "What is it, Minister Liang?"
Liang Muze knew almost everything about the absurd things he had done. He intended to give important positions to the loyal ministers of the Liang family. In order to take Yuezhi away, he transferred Liang Zhang to a distant place and fabricated rumors of his disappearance, which was ultimately detrimental to the Liang family.
Liang Muze stood quietly. “This old minister heard that Your Majesty is unwell, so I came to visit you… Forgive my bluntness, but Your Majesty’s illness originates from the internal organs and cannot be cured by any medicine. If the knot in your heart is not untied, how can you get better?”
Pei Heng closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "This is the retribution I deserve. Who can avert it?"
“Your Majesty.” Liang Muze knelt beside the dragon bed, his voice not loud, but carrying a wisdom that came from the experience of the world, “You are still young, only in your early twenties, yet you already hold the reins of power over the world. But how can things in this world always go as one wishes? Especially when it comes to matters of the heart, when two hearts understand each other, it is the most difficult thing to force. The more you insist on it, the more it is like holding sand in your palm, all in vain.”
These days, no one dares to mention this matter in front of him. When Liang Muze spoke up boldly, the young emperor was like a beast whose wounds had been ripped open. He suddenly opened his eyes wide, his eyes bloodshot.
"I never forced her; I simply cannot live without her! How could someone as fortunate as you, with such perfect family ties and a life of ease, possibly understand my feelings for her?"
“But you’ve already lost her.” Liang Muze’s tone was calm. As an outsider, he cruelly pointed out that the young man’s stubborn infatuation was nothing but wishful thinking and selfishness.
"Your Majesty knows that you have a deep-seated attachment. It is true that the late Emperor and the new Empress neglected you in the past, but that is all in the past. You are now the Son of Heaven, bearing the weight of the world on your shoulders. Everything within the Great Zhou Kingdom belongs to you. Are you going to give it all up because of the princess's departure?"
"Does the princess want to see you like this?"
"You have already granted my son and the princess a divorce. I should not say more, but I must say that the princess dislikes your control and deception. Leaving is her choice. As the ruler of a country, your primary responsibility is to ensure the well-being of all people and the peace and tranquility of the land."
"If you indulge in grief because of your own feelings, harming your health and neglecting state affairs, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? If you can't keep the princess, will you also let down the people of the Great Zhou?"
Every word struck a chord with the emperor.
Seeing the struggle in his expression, Liang Muze did not stop talking. After all, not many people knew the inside story. If he didn't persuade him, who else could? He couldn't just watch the emperor become despondent and the court descend into chaos.
"I speak without thinking, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty truly cares for the princess, you should set her free. If you are too attached to part with her, you should entrust your affections to the land, become a wise and benevolent ruler, and create a peaceful and prosperous era. This way, the princess can live a peaceful and carefree life wherever she is in the Great Zhou Dynasty. That would be the best outcome you can give her."
Let her... live freely in his kingdom?
"Yes, all she wanted was stability. I was out of my mind to give her what I thought was good..."
Whether it's gold and silver, the princess's status, or his so-called sincerity, to her, they are all worthless and dispensable.
"Set her free...she wants freedom..."
Pei Heng muttered to himself, a glimmer of light shining through his dark eyes.
The intense throbbing in his heart gradually subsided, turning into a deep, dull ache. He took a deep breath, exhaled with a sense of relief, and then laughed twice, as if mocking himself.
He was still weak, but the overwhelming despair and urge to self-destruct slowly faded. He just stared blankly at the top of the tent, silent for a long time, so long that those around him thought he had fallen asleep again.
Finally, he slowly turned his head to look at Liang Muze, who had been waiting quietly. His tired voice had a hint of clarity: "Thank you for your understanding, my dear minister. I understand."
Let the flowers on the branches bloom where they are.
The butterflies among the flowers dance freely in the wind.
Leaves turn green and wither, flowers bloom and fade—all follow their own natural laws. The human heart is no different; how can it be swayed by one person's obsession?
With each sigh of relief, Pei Heng recalled many years ago when he was still ignorant of love between men and women and did not understand his feelings for Yue Zhi. He only felt that when she smiled, the world became brighter and when she was at ease, the world became more expansive.
Back then, there was no such complicated and tragic relationship. The two of them didn't think about each other and were so close, both physically and emotionally.
To truly love someone, you don't necessarily have to hold them tightly in your hands.
Many days later, as he gazed at the azure sky and drifting clouds outside the window, he suddenly felt that the world was vast, so why did he have to keep her by his side?
He truly loved Yuezhi, so he gave her the freedom and stability she wanted. As for him, the six months of marital bliss and sweet joy he had stolen from her were enough.
The wind blows the clouds away, and everyone is at ease.
That's fine too.
A few days later, the emperor, who had not attended court for a long time, reappeared in the council hall. He was much thinner, but his brows had regained their former majesty.
Not long after, an imperial edict was issued from the palace, announcing to the world that Princess Ning'an had passed away due to illness.
The princess's coffin lay in state at her residence, mourning was held, and white mourning clothes filled the sky.
From then on, the emperor never mentioned Princess Ning'an, who had once been highly favored, nor did he accept any beauties from the imperial concubine selection or those presented by local princes and nobles.
In the secluded depths of the palace, where no one could see him, Pei Heng remained silent in the quiet Jinghezhai, gazing at the "gift" Yuezhi had given him as a final gesture, wiping away his silent tears, and remaining silent night after night.
He pretended not to think about her anymore, hoping that letting go at this moment would bring her a lifetime of peace.
Alone in the dark, she buried her guilt and resentment deep in her heart, making her kingdom the gentlest night where she could hide in peace.
The summer heat in the capital quietly faded away in the continuous autumn rain, the green leaves inside the palace walls turned yellow, and the chill gradually deepened.
*
Four months later, the twelfth lunar month will arrive.
The lush mountains and fields faded in the cold air from the north, while in a village east of the river, the thin mist rising from the river lingered all day.
Just past noon, the sky turned gloomy, a thin layer of ice formed on the river, snowflakes fell silently, and the distant mountains and nearby fields were covered with a layer of white. Wisps of smoke rose from the village houses.
In an inconspicuous farmhouse courtyard, a man dressed in cloth was busy in the kitchen. One stove was boiling water, and another was simmering medicine. He walked across the yard to the main room and heard a woman's unbearable screams of pain coming from the inner room through the flickering curtain. He paced back and forth anxiously.
Hua Chun came out of the inner room carrying a basin of hot water. Seeing him rubbing his hands in a panic, she hurriedly urged, "Brother Su, is the medicine for your wife ready? She's been bleeding quite a bit, she needs to take the medicine to stop the bleeding."
"The medicine is ready, but it can only be given after the baby is born. I'll bring it over now and let it cool down first." Su Jingyun hurriedly went out, looking nervous and anxious.
Two braziers of charcoal were burning in the inner room of the main hall, making the room warm and cozy. Three midwives were helping with the delivery.
Yuezhi lay on the bed, with a clean old cotton mattress under her and a thinner quilt covering her. One of her hands was being gripped tightly by the midwife. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, her hair was disheveled and stuck to her cheeks, and her lips were bitten until they had lost their color.
The contractions, one after another, brought indescribable pain. She gripped the midwife's hand tightly, and painful groans escaped her throat.
"Wife, push harder, we can already see the baby's head."
The midwife below held the baby up with both hands, while another midwife picked up scissors that had been scalded with hot water, ready at any moment.
Yuezhi felt like she was about to die from the pain. Everything went black before her eyes, and she could only listen to the midwife's words, pushing again and again, enduring the almost tearing pain, her body trembling.
Su Jingyun brought the medicine into the main room and listened to the sounds inside through the curtain. His brows were furrowed, and he would occasionally ask the midwife who came out to change the water how Yuezhi was doing.
Huachun brought in hot water and wrung out a warm cotton cloth to wipe Yuezhi's sweat. Seeing that Yuezhi's face was pale from the pain and her lower body was covered in blood, Huachun felt flustered but tried to remain calm and comforted her.
"My wife, just a little more effort and you'll be done soon."
"My wife is taking good care of herself during her pregnancy, so everything will be fine."
Inside the house, there was a flurry of activity. From afternoon to evening, the snow gradually intensified, and outside the window, all was a silent expanse of white.
Finally, as dusk settled on the horizon, a hoarse shout, almost strained from exhaustion, came to an end, and the baby's loud cry shattered the tense atmosphere in the small house.
Before everyone could catch their breath, the midwife exclaimed in surprise and joy, "There's another one! Madam, push a little harder, it's twins!"
Another difficult struggle ensued...
The second loud cry rang out, and it was already completely dark. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"My wife, you have given birth to twins, a boy and a girl."
Hua Chun burst into tears of joy, busily helping the midwives clean the two little ones, who were covered in red, wrinkled skin.
Su Jingyun, who was outside the door, heard the commotion, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled with relief.
The midwife cleaned up Yuezhi's disheveled state, covered her with a blanket, and brought over the hemostatic medicine that had been warming by the charcoal fire in the outer room, feeding it to her.
Yuezhi was completely exhausted and could not even support her body. She could only listen to the careful instructions in her ear and sip the medicine in small mouthfuls. Her body, which had been cold due to blood loss, gradually warmed up.
"I've been delivering babies in this village for over ten years, and this is the first time I've delivered twins."
"My wife is so lucky, the whole family dotes on you."
"My wife is now blessed with both a son and a daughter, a truly happy and prosperous life! Our household is sure to flourish in the future!"
Su Jingyun hesitated outside, too embarrassed to go in. But when the midwife brought out an empty medicine bowl and said that everything inside was ready, he couldn't wait to go inside.
Then, the two children were wrapped in soft cotton cloth and placed in the swaddling clothes that had been prepared beforehand, in the arms of the exhausted Yuezhi.
She was panting, soaked to the bone as if she had just been pulled out of the water, and tremblingly reached out to carefully touch her two soft little faces.
The child seemed to sense her mother's touch and made a soft humming sound. Hearing the sound, she smiled slightly and touched the other side. Compared to her quiet brother, the little girl was moving her little arms restlessly.
When Yuezhi reached out her hand, her daughter grabbed her fingers and became quiet.
Feeling that tiny bit of softness, an immense sense of happiness overwhelmed all her pain and exhaustion. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with sweat, and a gentle smile slowly spread across her lips.
Seeing this scene, Su Jingyun also felt like crying.
Like Yuezhi, he had no family to rely on. Together they escaped the strict and terrifying palace, gained their freedom, and lived a quiet life as a family of three. Now, they have two more little ones.
"Brother Su, don't just stand there, come over and help me wipe my sister's sweat."
Huachun's call brought him back to his senses, and he hurriedly went to get the hot cotton cloth and went to Yuezhi's side.
Hua Chun hastily wiped the water off her hands and clothes, then took out some loose silver from her clothes and gave it to the three midwives.
The midwife looked and found that each person received one tael of silver!
"This is too much. When I go to someone else's house to deliver a baby, I usually only take a dozen or twenty copper coins, and give them some food or something. There's no need for so much."
"Yes, yes, that's not necessary. Don't spend so much money, young lady. You still have twins to raise."
Huachun stopped the three women from refusing, glanced back at Yuezhi on the bed, and, with a signal from her eyes, said, "This is my wife's wish. You've all worked hard all day to help my wife give birth to twins. Here's a little money to bring good fortune to the aunts and ladies."
The three midwives also felt this was auspicious, and happily accepted the money before leaving one after another.
Huachun saw the person off, then returned and closed the door tightly to keep out the cold of the falling snow. She rubbed her hands together and went into the inner room.
With a mix of joy and curiosity, she asked, "Giving birth to twins is tiring but also a rare blessing. Has my wife thought of names for the two children?"
Yuezhi lay on the bed, tilting her head to gently press her cheek against the swaddling clothes of the two children, her voice weak and gentle.
"The elder brother's name is Yan Qing, and the younger sister's name is Yun Xi... I only hope that they can be as clear and free as water and clouds, living a peaceful and smooth life, free from all troubles..."
Hua Chun sat back down by the bed, watching over the mother and her two children. She exchanged a glance with Su Jingyun, who was sitting at the head of the bed, and smiled easily.
Outside the window, heavy snowflakes were falling.
Inside the house, all three people's eyes were on the two children. The little ones were so soft and precious, like tender buds hidden under the snow in the cold winter, containing boundless vitality.
*
Winter goes and spring comes, summer rains and autumn frosts.
Another winter has arrived in the blink of an eye.
The long-dormant officialdom of the capital was suddenly shaken by a piece of news—the second son of the Liang family has returned to the capital!
Since the "disappearance of the imperial son-in-law" shortly after the beginning of spring last year, Liang Zhang disappeared for a full year and eight months, only reappearing in October of this year.
Everyone thought he had been killed by the thieves, but unexpectedly he not only returned unharmed, but also made a great contribution.
During the year and a half he was missing, he was sent by the emperor to secretly investigate the salt route. Now he has returned to the capital as the Salt Inspector, having done a great job. He not only cleaned up the salt route but also recovered a large amount of deficit for the national treasury.
Everyone offered their congratulations to the Liang family, and when the topic of Princess Ning'an's unfortunate passing came up, Liang Muze, as the head of the family, took the opportunity to bring it up.
"His Majesty had already granted my second son a divorce before the princess passed away. Now that the princess's body is buried in the imperial mausoleum, my Liang family dares not presume to marry her. We can only express our respect. We ask all the guests not to mention the princess's death, as a sign of respect for the royal family."
With his explanation, the guests dared not say anything more, only lamenting in their hearts that the two lovers had been separated by fate, leading to their deaths, which was truly a pity.
Although they didn't understand why the Emperor would grant the two a divorce, the Emperor's intentions were unpredictable, and no one dared to say anything. However, they couldn't help but feel a bit more sympathy when they looked at Liang Zhang.
The day after Liang Zhang returned to the capital, the emperor summoned him to the imperial study.
He looked travel-worn, his face much thinner than when he left the capital, his skin darker, but his eyes were calmer and sharper, carrying a composed air of someone who had weathered many storms.
The gentleman who was once as gentle as bamboo has now become like a pine or cypress, unafraid of the cold wind, possessing his own kind of resilience.
He knelt down respectfully and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Pei Heng sat behind his desk, his expression also conveying a deep meaning.
"Rise, my dear minister." His voice was emotionless. "You did a great job on this salt inspection. You shared my burdens and eliminated abuses for the country. You haven't been home for a year and a half. Thank you for your hard work."
"It is my duty, and I dare not complain about the hardship."
One was a powerful emperor who had swept through the court and was now unscrupulous, wielding great power and ruling the world; the other was a virtuous and capable minister with a calm and discerning heart, who knew how to be loyal to the emperor and love his country, and was also aware of the suffering of the people.
There was no need for pleasantries. Pei Heng spoke frankly, “You have rendered great service, and I shall reward you. You may choose any of the Six Ministries and Three Departments. I will grant you a third-rank official position. Your future prospects are up to fate.”
This was an extremely high promise, almost directly pushing him to the edge of the core of power. Just one more step and he would become a trusted minister, eligible to enter the cabinet.
Pei Heng remained silent for a moment, without responding immediately.
Upon returning to the capital, he heard of the tragedy at the princess's residence. After a great fire, Princess Ning'an could not be saved and passed away. That gentle, kind, blind, and compassionate woman had left so suddenly.
What made him suspicious was that the princess had stayed in the palace for several months to prepare for childbirth, and after only two days of staying at her residence, a fire broke out there... He knew about the illicit relationship between the emperor and the princess, and the secrets of the royal family were as deep as the sea. He dared not think too much about it, much less ask.
Sadness and doubt can only be suppressed in the heart, turning into a heavy, hidden wound.
In a year and a half, he traveled from Jiangdong to Jiangnan, saw through the deep-seated problems in local officialdom, and knew that the emperor could stabilize the capital and suppress all sides with military force, but the emperor's reach could not extend that far.
Staying in the capital would be a great help to the emperor's cabinet, but it also inevitably led to discussions about his brief marriage to the princess.
Liang Zhang took a deep breath and kowtowed.
"Your Majesty's great favor is deeply appreciated by your humble servant. However, I am not very talented and am afraid that I am not up to the heavy responsibility of the Six Ministries and Three Departments. On this trip, I have seen that the people in the local areas are suffering greatly. I am willing to govern the region for Your Majesty and pacify the people in order to repay Your Majesty's kindness."
Pei Heng raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised by this choice: "Where do you want to go?"
"When I was inspecting the salt, I passed through Qingzhou. Qingzhou is a vast and sparsely populated place, close to Lizhou, and has great potential. I wish to request permission to take up this post. I will do my utmost to manage Qingzhou well for Your Majesty and make it a solid bulwark for the court."
These words coincided with Pei Heng's thoughts. He had already rectified and purged the capital, and the next step was to deal with the local princes and nobles, with his sixth uncle being the first to be targeted.
The Sixth Prince's prefecture was extremely wealthy, attracting countless powerful gentry and leaving neighboring prefectures impoverished to this day.
Liang Zhang was determined to go to Qingzhou to make a difference, not only to improve people's livelihoods, but also to keep an eye on the movements of those leaving the prefecture and to keep the Sixth Prince in check.
He didn't want to discuss whether Liang Zhang still cared about his marriage with Yuezhi; he simply made the emperor's judgment and granted his request.
"I hereby appoint you as the Prefect of Qingzhou. I hope you will not fail my high expectations."
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! I will certainly do my utmost!"
Neither of them mentioned the supposedly deceased Yuezhi, and they simply fulfilled their duties as ruler and subject.
On a desolate winter night, when I can't sleep alone, I think of the same person.
Liang Zhang soon received his appointment letter from the Ministry of Personnel. He stayed at home for two months and saw his elder brother, sister-in-law, and nephew's happy family of three. He felt envious and inevitably bitter.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, his father called him in for a long talk, and his words were nothing more than advice to him to think more positively.
"His Majesty used to be a bit impulsive when he was young, but after these events, he has matured a lot. Now that he has given you a powerful official position, it is clear that he intends to give you important responsibilities."
"Although Qingzhou is far away, it is a truly important place for officials to realize their ambitions. Our family is fortunate to have the wealth and glory we enjoy today because of the Emperor's grace. When you are in a local area, do not forget the Emperor's boundless grace. As a subject, loyalty is the only way to ensure longevity."
"Your mother is looking forward to your return to the capital and wants to find you a good match. Unfortunately, you can't stay in the capital for long. As for marriage, let fate decide. Your father doesn't expect you to forget your past feelings, he just hopes you can think more positively."
Liang Zhang listened attentively and nodded emphatically.
This December, the Liang family was all together, and they had a happy and harmonious New Year.
After the New Year, Liang Zhang packed his bags and set off for Qingzhou with his servants and accompanying officials.
As soon as I stepped out of the city gate, I heard the clatter of horses' hooves behind me.
Looking back, it was the Fourth Princess, Pei Yao.
In the past, during the salt inspection tours, she was ordered by the emperor to lead guards to protect the salt along the way, and she did a great deal of work. Now that her mission is over, and it is not yet the first month of the lunar year, she is not at the princess's residence, but has come here.
"Yuezhi is gone. The Emperor is busy with state affairs all day long, and no one cares about a widow. It's really boring to stay in the capital. I remember that the scenery in Qingzhou is quite nice. I want to go there to relax. Maybe I can even help Lord Liang ward off evil spirits."
She claimed she was going sightseeing, but her personal guards betrayed her. Liang Zhang smiled helplessly.
Pei Yao coughed and explained, "The Emperor insisted on giving them to me, saying that they were used to working by my side and wanted to send them to me as guards so that I could gain more experience. He meant well, how could I refuse?"
"I'll have to trouble you along the way, Lord Pei," Liang Zhang replied with a smile. The two rode side by side, heading southeast.
Traveling light and quickly, they arrived at the border of Pizhou half a month later.
"My lord, if we continue along this official road for another two days, we will reach Qingzhou."
It was mid-January, and the weather was still cold.
The group was in a hurry to get on their way, intending to rest properly after entering Qingzhou. However, when they arrived at a remote and desolate place, snowflakes suddenly began to fall, the wind picked up, and the road ahead became blurred and difficult to see.
The scout reported: "My lords, the road ahead looks difficult. There's a village at the foot of the mountain. Why don't we take shelter there for a while and continue our journey when the snow subsides?"
Liang Zhang and Pei Yao exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
Not wanting to disturb the villagers, the group chose a small courtyard near the village entrance. The courtyard had earthen walls and gray tiles, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimney, making it seem especially warm in the wind and snow.
The guard stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Is anyone home? We are just passersby who have been caught in a blizzard and are unable to travel. May we be allowed to enter the courtyard to take shelter from the snowstorm?"
A moment later, the courtyard gate creaked open.
A man leaned out. Although it was snowing heavily and he couldn't see the man's face clearly, he could tell from their distinguished attire and the presence of guards that they were important people. Despite his hesitation, he politely invited them into the courtyard.
Liang Zhang and Pei Yao dismounted and entered the courtyard. Led by the man, they entered the not-so-spacious main room.
A charcoal brazier was burning inside, with this year's newly harvested sweet potatoes roasting in it. The air was filled with a sweet aroma, warm and comforting, dispelling the chill.
"Please have a seat, I'll go get a pot of hot water." The man slipped out, passed through the corridor crowded with his subordinates and guards, and went to the kitchen.
Pei Yao rubbed her hands and face, admiring the cleanliness of the house, and said, "This family really knows how to manage their lives. Everything is tidy and organized, and they can even heat such a hot charcoal brazier to roast sweet potatoes."
Liang Zhang smiled and said, "Isn't our purpose in coming here so that every household in the Great Zhou can live such a life?"
As the two chatted, the curtain to the inner room was slowly lifted.
A woman dressed in simple clothes with a white cloth blindfold, carrying a drowsy child in her arms, walked out by feeling her way along the wall and said softly, "May I ask if you two are officials on your way to take up your posts in the provinces?"
Her voice was gentle, yet it struck them like a bolt from the blue.
Upon looking up and seeing her face, the two froze on the spot, staring at the woman in disbelief.
The outline, the voice, the posture... it was clearly him!
Pei Yao looked at Yue Zhi, then at Liang Zhang, trying to glean some hidden answer from his eyes. But he stood frozen in place, his eyes fixed on Yue Zhi. Even when she tugged at his sleeve, he didn't notice.
Liang Zhang bit his lower lip, unable to utter a single word.
When someone who should have passed away and whose connection with him had long been severed reappeared before him, a surge of emotions silently churned and collided in his chest, causing his fingertips to tremble with pain.
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