Outside the inn, everyone led the carriage out and waited for departure.
Hu Bo'er had just mounted his horse, holding another tall black horse in hand, and turned his head to observe the courtyard gate.
Zhang Junfeng rode beside him, also keeping watch on the courtyard gate.
In merely two blinks, Mu Changzhou emerged from the courtyard, took the reins from Hu Bo'er's hand, tucked in his garments, stepped on the stirrups and mounted the horse.
Hu Bo'er immediately asked, "The military commander was really in the hall, conversing with someone just now?"
He and Zhang Junfeng had been waiting anxiously outside the hall when they suddenly saw Mu Changzhou appear at the door and wave to them.
The two understood this meant they were to prepare for departure, and immediately summoned everyone out to wait.
Mu Changzhou didn't answer, merely saying, "You were too noisy just now."
Hu Bo'er was obviously accustomed to being told this and laughed dryly twice: "I traveled thousands of miles to welcome a new wife for the military commander, yet the military commander hasn't rewarded me."
Zhang Junfeng scolded in low voice: "What reward should you receive? You departed as soon as you received the order from the general manager, and you didn't even help the military commander pay proper attention, yet you welcomed someone like this!" Then he whispered, "The general manager is truly doing us a disservice this time. He insisted on ordering the military commander to marry into the Central Plains, and he also reported to the emperor to gain a favorable reputation for loyalty to the imperial capital. As a result, he selected such a 'noble lady' and decided on her without any explanation."
Otherwise, why would they have come here to provide support at this time? The marriage was arranged by the general manager of Liangzhou, and the military commander hadn't needed to intervene before.
Hu Bo'er detected a peculiarity in his tone: "Are you looking down on her?"
Zhang Junfeng looked up at the sky. "I only feel sympathy for the military commander. Given her current circumstances, she's no match for him, and certainly of no benefit to him."
Just as he finished speaking, Shunyin emerged from the courtyard, followed by several maids.
She walked somewhat hastily, then paused, glancing down, realizing she'd forgotten to don her veil. She glanced calmly around.
All eyes were fixed upon her.
She wore the dark blue, high-waisted silk tunic worn by a bride, a rosy-colored shawl draped over her shoulders, her arms folded between them. Her dark hair was bound in a bun, adorned with pearls and emeralds. Her face—bright eyes and red lips—was more beautiful than spring itself.
Even her expression remained cold, yet it couldn't conceal her graceful demeanor.
For a moment, Shunyin glanced at Mu Changzhou.
His words had provoked her to follow him from the hall, and she had walked faster.
Mu Changzhou glanced at her.
Shunyin exchanged the briefest look, then silently boarded the carriage.
"What did I just say?" Zhang Junfeng suddenly asked in low voice.
Hu Bo'er unconsciously lowered his voice: "You said she was unworthy of Junsi."
Zhang Junfeng replied, "I will revise my assessment now. Except for her appearance, she remains a suitable match."
Hu Bo'er nodded seriously. This new lady had been wearing a veil throughout the journey. People thought she was delicate and pitiful. Today, they finally witnessed her true appearance. They said she was one in a hundred—no, one in a thousand!
After boarding the carriage, Mu Changzhou glanced at the bamboo curtain that had just been lowered. In fact, he had wanted to mention it when they were in the hall. It wasn't only he who had changed profoundly—she had changed as well. Seven years was sufficient for her to grow from a young girl into a woman.
He turned his eyes to the two men beside him.
Hu Bo'er understood at a glance. Without him needing to speak, he hurriedly urged, "Go, go, go, into the city!"
The carriage was moving. Shunyin still frowned in annoyance. Suddenly, she recalled the look he had turned on her at the Qujiang Night Banquet. She thought incredulously: Could he have heard it at that time?
She peered out the window. Mu Changzhou, broad-shouldered and upright, sat upon his horse leading the way, appearing strange and distant. She suspected he was deliberately making things clear, then thought of the arrow, averted her eyes, and whispered to herself, "We really can't get along."
Seven years later, it remained the same. Surely, they would never get along...
Soldiers and cavalry formed a protective formation, their weapons sheathed, and they advanced deliberately, escorting the newlyweds straight to Liangzhou.
The procession moved purposefully along the way, resembling a military march more than a wedding.
Late in the afternoon, a maid leaned close to the carriage window and whispered, "Madam, Madam?"
There was no response.
Hu Bo'er, growing impatient, turned back on his horse: "Can't you speak louder? You've said it so many times along the way!" Then he simply called out, "Madam!"
The curtain on the window was lifted, and Shunyin peered through it.
Hu Bo'er, speaking for the maid, asked, "Do you wish to stop and rest?"
Mu Changzhou turned back from his horse and gazed toward the window.
Shunyin's eyes met his and she lowered the curtain: "No need."
"It seems your hearing is truly poor," Zhang Junfeng muttered.
Hu Bo'er rode up to rejoin Mu Changzhou and whispered, "This lady is precisely like that. Everything else is acceptable, but she's been so quiet throughout the journey, often requiring several calls before she responds. She truly has a temper!"
Mu Changzhou turned his gaze away from the carriage: "Is that so?"
"Yes!" Hu Bo'er suddenly remembered something. "By the way, she also claimed she could write. Did she bring any manuscripts?"
Mu Changzhou inquired, "Did you see them?"
"Huh? No," Hu Bo'er tugged at his beard. "I don't believe it either."
Zhang Junfeng sighed, "That sounds even less worthy of a military commander."
Mu Changzhou spurred his horse forward, noncommittal.
As expected, the company didn't stop, continuing westward.
Shunyin didn't emerge from the carriage again. Occasionally, she could hear voices outside, but she couldn't discern what they were saying. The buzzing sound proved annoying, so she simply sat away from the window.
Outside, the light gradually dimmed. As dusk approached, the sun prepared to set. The faint sound of drums seemed to be carried on the wind, and the company's pace slowed considerably.
Shunyin vaguely recognized the sound of a drum signaling the curfew. She lifted the curtain and looked out, her eyes fixing.
The city walls were broad and majestic, and it seemed as though there was no boundary in this vast world. The walls rose straight upward, and the towers appeared to reach the sky. The setting sun hung like blood upon the city's summit.
Liangzhou had been known since ancient times as "the strategic point of the world and the frontier of the country," and now it lay before her eyes.
Shunyin observed the city wall, where neatly arranged guards wore armor and held spears, their cold gleam revealing impenetrable defense.
She examined it carefully several times, thinking to herself: The military and political affairs of Liangzhou are under Mu Changzhou's jurisdiction, and this is managed by him, a Jinshi graduate?
The more she considered it, the more he seemed a completely different person.
Suddenly, several swift horses emerged from the city and headed straight for the front of the company. An official in a green shirt led the way, followed by several city guards. After reining in their horses, they all saluted Mu Changzhou, as though they had been waiting for an extended time.
The official first congratulated loudly, then said, "To celebrate Junsi's marriage, the general manager has specially prepared a generous reward. Please proceed to the general manager's office to claim the reward after returning to the city."
Several officers and soldiers guarding the city behind him congratulated in unison.
Mu Changzhou nodded, turned and ordered, "Send the madam to the mansion first." After that, he flicked the reins, urged his horse forward, and entered the city gate first.
The officials and others hurriedly spurred their horses to follow.
Shunyin watched his figure enter the city gate until he disappeared, thinking that he was truly trusted.
Hu Bo'er was already shouting, "Let's go!" After saying so, he rode to the front of the company to lead the way, as though already accustomed to this.
The carriage started again. Shunyin retracted her gaze and followed the company into the city.
The curfew hour had arrived, and the pedestrians on the street had dispersed, but the lights on both sides burned bright, and the faint voices of people still conveyed that the bustle was no less than Chang'an.
The carriages and horses passed through the street, creating considerable noise. Perhaps many people were observing, but they were soon left far behind along with the voices and lights.
Approximately a quarter-hour later, it was bright outside the carriage again, and the carriage stopped.
Shunyin raised her eyes. The bamboo curtain had been lifted by the maid, and she saw the open mansion gate outside the carriage. The servants before the door were lighting lamps, and the surroundings were as bright as day.
"Madam, please enter the mansion!" Hu Bo'er shouted to welcome her.
No wedding ceremony was more direct than this moment. Shunyin gathered herself, donned her veil, and stepped out of the carriage.
A maid hurried over to support her. Just as her wrist was about to be touched, she remembered the dagger concealed in her sleeve and quickly withdrew.
The maid startled and stepped back to regard her.
"Madam, what are you doing?" Zhang Junfeng, who had just dismounted, looked over in confusion.
Shunyin only then properly observed him. He was indeed thin, but also quite tall, only slightly shorter than Mu Changzhou, and slightly younger, probably in his early twenties. He appeared like a scholar, yet was dressed like a warrior. A closer inspection revealed that his face alone bore no resemblance to the former Mu Changzhou. The mistake was entirely due to the darkness that night.
She held no favorable impression of him, so she withdrew her hand, descended from the carriage, and walked toward the mansion gate.
Zhang Junfeng didn't expect to be ignored and looked around with wide eyes.
Hu Bo'er winked at him: "Don't let those words that offended her become known!"
Servants holding lamps at the mansion gate were divided into two lines to welcome the newly arrived mistress.
Shunyin ascended the stairs, surveyed the entrance, and walked in.
The mansion was brightly illuminated, and the courtyard was spacious, with the unique simplicity and solemnity characteristic of Liangzhou. She proceeded all the way to the main hall in the courtyard, and was invited by the maid to sit upon the upper Hu chair, then removed her veil.
The servants and maids all followed in and knelt to pay their respects to her.
Shunyin looked around. There weren't many servants, but all of them, both men and women, were young and robust. Perhaps this was also a feature of Liangzhou.
The group paid their respects one by one, which required considerable time. After they finished, they retreated, leaving only Hu Bo'er and Zhang Junfeng who had followed in.
Shunyin suddenly said, "Why doesn't Zuo Shi bow?"
Zhang Junfeng was stunned: "Me?" He wasn't a family servant—why should he bow in this situation?
Shunyin sat with dignity: "I made an error earlier. I intended to pay my respects to the military commander. The assistant historian mistakenly accepted my greeting and has not returned the courtesy until now. It seems he believes himself superior to the military commander." After a pause, she added, "If that's the case, then there is no need to pay your respects."
"..." Zhang Junfeng was speechless. He hadn't expected her to raise this matter at this time.
Hu Bo'er had experienced this before and wasn't surprised at all. He looked around but couldn't find words to support her. He quietly gave Zhang Junfeng a look, as if to say "handle it yourself," turned around and departed the hall.
Zhang Junfeng grew more speechless and looked up again.
Shunyin's brows were painted delicately, yet she remained silent and waited for him to express his position.
Zhang Junfeng had nothing with which to refute. After careful consideration, he realized he hadn't understood the etiquette. He had to step forward, raise his hand and bow, then exit in silence.
Shunyin immediately relaxed her sitting posture and raised the corners of her lips.
It remained quiet for a while before someone entered from outside. She looked up and saw Mu Changzhou.
As soon as he entered, he observed her, his gaze sweeping from head to toe, as though admiring her posture as she sat at the head of the table.
Shunyin hadn't expected him to return so swiftly, and wondered whether he'd noticed her reciprocating Zhang Junfeng's greeting. She pressed her lips together and sat straight.
Before she could speak, several maids entered. The sturdy, capable-looking woman in the lead bowed her head and said, "The auspicious day has passed, so please keep the ceremonies simple. Please ask the military commander and the lady to perform the wedding ceremony to signify the completion of the rite."
Shunyin had anticipated this; at least it was a Han ritual, not some unfamiliar foreign custom.
Mu Changzhou had already approached, his robe lifted, and he sat down on the chair to her left.
Suddenly sitting beside her, Shunyin felt strangely uneasy, her eyes fixed on his robe. In her peripheral vision, he sat in a leisurely, yet natural manner.
Immediately, two maids arrived, holding golden basins, and invited them to wash their hands. Then another maid arrived, carrying a small table with a gourd cut in two halves and filled with fine wine.
Mu Changzhou took half of the wine and drank it.
Shunyin saw him move, took the other half, lowered her head and took a sip. When she looked up, he had handed her the other half.
She deliberately avoided looking at his face and handed the wine in her hand to him. After exchanging the wine, she saw him holding the half she had drunk and consuming it all in one gulp. She also took the half he had drunk, raised her sleeve to cover her lips and drank it all. When she looked up again, her expression was calm and composed.
The maids tied up the two halves of the gourd with a red rope and put them away. They said in unison that the ceremony was concluded and retreated.
Only the leading maid remained standing. She bowed and said, "There is still the bridal chamber ceremony remaining. The backyard has been prepared. Please ask the military commander whether we should proceed to the bridal chamber today or select another auspicious day?"
Mu Changzhou tilted his head to the side and said, "Please decide, Madam."
The maid bowed and turned to Shunyin.
Shunyin's eyes flickered, her previous composure vanishing in an instant. He had actually let her decide when to consummate their marriage...
But then her thoughts returned, recalling what had transpired in the inn's hall. She turned to him and asked the question she hadn't asked Hu Bo'er along the way: "Didn't Second Brother Mu know whom he was marrying beforehand?"
Mu Changzhou replied, "The steward arranged it. I only learned of it after receiving the marriage certificate."
Shunyin understood. He hadn't even considered marrying her. The steward of Liangzhou had made the decision for him, simply delivering the marriage certificate, denying him even the opportunity to choose. No wonder he'd explicitly mentioned her refusal of the marriage; he must have been displeased with the outcome.
After all, who would wish to marry someone who had already rejected them and was now in dire straits? Now even the consummation of the marriage was left to her decision.
Shunyin said calmly, "What a coincidence! I didn't know it was Second Brother Mu I was marrying beforehand."
Mu Changzhou glanced at her, remaining silent.
Shunyin turned to the maid and said, "Let's select another house in the backyard for me to reside in first. We should be prudent about the auspicious date and take our time selecting it."
The maid regarded her and nodded in agreement.
Shunyin looked at Mu Changzhou and asked, "Is this acceptable?"
Mu Changzhou observed her and smiled: "Since Yinniang thinks so, then let's do it."
Shunyin heard him address her thus again, averted her eyes, and thought to herself: Why do you ask me to think that way? I should be more sensible now that I'm in such disadvantaged circumstances. She stood, straightened her dress, motioned for the maid to lead the way, and walked out.
Mu Changzhou watched her pass by him, her shawl fluttering, brushing against his garments as she departed the hall.
Hu Bo'er quickly strode in from outside the hall and said with a smile, "Nowadays, there are foreign customs everywhere in Liangzhou, yet the military department has arranged to perform Han ceremonies. It seems they are treating the new lady well. I am indeed a good person in welcoming the bride this time!" He rubbed his hands, "The banquet at the mansion is prepared, and you can give me a glass of wedding wine first!"
Zhang Junfeng came in behind him and said in muffled voice, "You are the only one in the mood to drink. The steward truly knows how to select people. Look at this lady. She can be so formidable now. If her family were still intact, she would be even more remarkable."
Mu Changzhou didn't respond, thinking of the marriage certificate he had received earlier.
When he saw the name inscribed upon it, his mind recalled the young, cold and distant noblewoman of that year, and he wondered how she could accept it. It wasn't until last night when he lifted her veil and recognized that the face was indeed hers that he completely believed it.
After being away from the capital for seven years, he heard Hu Bo'er's report last night and learned that the Feng family had actually fallen into decline, leaving her without choice. What's more, she had just stated that she hadn't known the person she was to marry was himself at the beginning.
It's just that when he casually mentioned the rejection of the marriage today, judging from her reaction, it seemed as though he was also being held accountable.
He raised the corner of his mouth, stood and walked out, and when he stepped out of the hall, he casually remarked, "The steward is indeed skilled at selecting people."
After going through so much trouble, the person who was sent to him was Feng Shunyin.
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