Though it was already October, Qian Xiang Country remained lush and green, with not the slightest hint of autumn desolation.
Since all customs in the country followed those of Great Zhou, there was naturally a Reception Pavilion three or five miles outside Qinglin Prefecture. Only days ago, Sun Shaozong had welcomed the newly appointed envoy, Hou Yong, there. Today, however, it was Hou Yong's turn to see him off.
Just as Sun Shaozong had expected, the court had no intention of punishing him. It merely issued an edict ordering him to set out for the capital immediately after completing the handover with Hou Yong.
Hou Yong had also brought good news: Prince Yizhong, whom Sun Shaozong had offended, had been confined in the Imperial Clan Court after word leaked out about his private manufacture of firearms. All the property in his residence had been seized and sold off, and even the coffin he had ordered in advance had been resold to someone else.
"Second Master!"
Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, Hou Yong solemnly cupped his fists. A trace of loneliness appeared on his rugged, horse-like face. "After you return to the capital, don't forget to tell my old mother that I'm safe. Tell her to take good care of herself and wait for me to return and fulfill my filial duties!"
Unlike Ambassador Niu before him, Hou Yong came from the military and was known alongside Sun Shaozu, Sun Shaozong's elder brother, as the Patrol Camp Twin Tigers. The two had a fair degree of friendship, so he did not address Sun Shaozong by his official rank, but called him "Second Master."
Though they had only spent a few days together, Sun Shaozong had gotten along remarkably well with this forthright, generous, yet tactful Brother Hou.
Now, seeing this bold man, built like a black iron tower, grow choked up at the mention of his mother, Sun Shaozong was deeply moved as well. He hurriedly returned the salute. "Rest assured, Brother Hou. Once I'm back in Shuntian Prefecture, I'll visit your residence often and look in on Auntie!"
"Then I'll thank you in advance!"
With that, Hou Yong gestured behind him. An attendant immediately brought forward two bowls of watered wine. Hou Yong handed one to Sun Shaozong, took the other for himself, and raised it. "It's getting late. Drink this farewell cup, Second Master, and be on your way. Come, bottoms up!"
"Bottoms up!"
Sun Shaozong hurriedly raised his bowl in return.
After pouring the bowl down his throat, he and Hou Yong exchanged smiles. Just as he was about to bid farewell, a rider came galloping down the official road. The figure was dressed as a man in a blue robe and cap, but from afar, the voice that rang out was as crisp as a warbler's song. "Brother Sun, wait for me!"
At that one cry, Sun Shaozong recognized Ruan Rong.
He felt both joy and alarm. He was glad that he could bid this girl farewell in person before leaving, but alarmed because she was supposed to be getting engaged today, yet had rushed out of the city to see him off. It would be no good if her future husband's family found out.
Sun Shaozong instinctively stepped forward a few paces and asked, "Miss Ruan, why are you..."
Before he could finish, Ruan Rong leaped from her horse and threw herself into his arms without a care. She declared resolutely, "Brother Sun, I don't want to marry that fool from the Pan Family. I want to return to Great Zhou with you!"
The turn of events was so abrupt that Sun Shaozong stared dumbfounded at her delicate, picturesque face, unable to think of any response for a long while.
"Hahaha..."
Hou Yong burst into hearty laughter, stepped forward, and clapped Sun Shaozong on the shoulder. Teasingly, he said, "Who would've thought you had such skills, Second Master? You truly make your brother here envy you!"
Sun Shaozong went rigid, afraid to move recklessly. He turned his head awkwardly and gave a bitter smile. "Brother Hou, don't talk nonsense. Miss Ruan is the Qinglin Prefecture Governor's daughter, and the Pan Family's head is the Minister of Revenue of Qian Xiang Country. If I really took her to Great Zhou, how could those two families possibly let it go?"
"And what if they won't? Do they dare chase you all the way to Shuntian Prefecture?!" Hou Yong said dismissively. "That young lady disregarded even her reputation for your sake. Her devotion is worth more than pure gold. Are you really going to push her toward that Pan Fool?"
As he spoke, he glared with his bull-like eyes and threatened fiercely, "Let me make this clear: if you dare do something so cold-blooded, not only will we no longer be brothers, these fists of mine, as big as saucepans, will have a word with you!"
Speechless...
Brother Hou truly was the very model of chivalrous loyalty!
And that young master of the Pan Family was merely obsessed with books. How was he any sort of fool?!
As mentioned before, Sun Shaozong did have some affection for Ruan Rong, but it still fell far short of romantic love. Yet this daughter of a prefectural governor was willing to run away from home just to be with him. How could he bring himself to say the word "no"?
After hesitating briefly, he saw panic appear on Ruan Rong's face. He could only let out a long sigh and lower his head to ask, "Do you truly want to go to Great Zhou with me?"
Ruan Rong nodded without the slightest hesitation, her upturned little face filled with expectation.
"Fine!"
Sun Shaozong held out one hand before her. "Then let us seal it with a high-five. While we remain in Qian Xiang Country, you'll have roughly eight days to think it over. If you regret it at any point, I'll immediately send you back to Qinglin Prefecture without another word. But once you set foot on Great Zhou soil, you'll be my, Sun Shaozong's, woman. You will no longer be allowed to regret it!"
Ruan Rong stared blankly at that large hand for a long while. Then she took a deep breath and pressed her fair, jade-like hand against it. Solemnly, she said, "If you do not betray me, I will never betray you!"
Once the vow had been made, Ruan Rong felt relieved, but embarrassment soon followed. She hurriedly pulled free from Sun Shaozong's embrace and, blushing, fussed with the hair beside her ear.
"Feng Xin!"
Having made up his mind, Sun Shaozong cast all his misgivings aside. Pointing at the white horse Ruan Rong had ridden, he ordered, "Tie it behind the carriage first. We can take turns using it on the road."
Like Sun Shaozong, Feng Xin had also been ordered to return to Great Zhou. The difference was that Feng Xin was returning to the capital to report to the Ministry of War, while Sun Shaozong was returning for an audience with the Emperor—meaning he first had to make an appearance before the Emperor before further arrangements could be made.
Feng Xin accepted the order and went to lead away the white horse.
Sun Shaozong then said to Ruan Rong, "Get into the carriage first. Once I've said farewell to Brother Hou, we'll set off."
Ruan Rong nodded obediently. First, however, she untied a bundle from the white horse's back and gave Hou Yong a Wanfu Greeting. Only then did she climb into the carriage on her own.
"Brother Hou, I..."
"Enough, quit dawdling!"
Seeing that Sun Shaozong still intended to come over and bid him farewell, Hou Yong impatiently waved him off. "Get moving already, kid. Delay any longer, and the aggrieved party will catch up!"
Sun Shaozong could only silently cup his fists. He snatched the driver's whip from Feng Xin, jumped onto the carriage shaft, and flicked it casually. The horses immediately surged forward on all four hooves, speeding east along the official road.
Behind them, Feng Xin quickly mounted Sun Shaozong's Black Steed Horse, tugged the reins, and followed close behind.
From that day onward, the three traveled by day and rested by night, making their way steadily toward the border between the two countries.
Eight days later.
The three finally left Qian Xiang Country and formally set foot on Great Zhou soil. That evening, Ruan Rong burned incense and bowed three times in the direction of Qinglin Prefecture. When she rose, tears were already streaming down her face.
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