Wang He

Nearby, three generations of the Wen Family were saying their farewells.

It was his grandson's first journey far from home, and Wen Hong felt both reassured and worried. Gaining experience in the world was nothing like studying at the Imperial College; even though he had arranged everything, there was no guarantee that nothing unexpected would happen.

"Rest assured, Foster Father. I'll take good care of the young master!" Wang He cupped his hands and bowed, his manner respectful and sincere.

Wen Hong nodded slightly and motioned for him to come aside for a word.

"Wang He, ever since you placed high in the examinations last year, you have remained in office in the capital and had no chance to bring your wife and children here. Do you resent me for that?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Wang He bowed deeply and said with fear and trepidation, "I know you did it for my own good, Foster Father. My footing in the capital isn't secure, so it truly wouldn't be suitable to bring my parents, wife and children here."

"Besides, I have relied greatly on your support this time as well. You recommended me to His Majesty as the inspecting censor for Jiangnan's twelve prefectures, and I was fortunate enough to be promoted within six months from a director to an assistant director of the Ministry of Works, a post of the lower fifth rank. I know full well that everything I have today is thanks to your boundless love and kindness, Foster Father."

"Since you understand the care behind my efforts, my plans for you were not in vain."

Wen Hong made a gesture to help him up. "On this journey south, you will inspect the region on the emperor's behalf. Though your rank is low, your authority is great, and for my sake alone, the people in Jiangnan won't make things difficult for you. You conduct yourself with steadiness, so I can rest easy entrusting Yu'er to you to gain experience at your side."

"There is one more heartfelt word I must say to you."

Wang He respectfully cupped his hands again and listened to his instruction.

Wen Hong glanced at Zhao Huiluan, who was saying farewell to the Zhang boy, and said, "On your inspection of Jiangnan's twelve prefectures, it doesn't matter how much you accomplish in office. As long as you make sure Princess Zhenning enjoys herself in Jiangnan and returns safely to the capital, promotions and rewards will be yours for the asking."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Wang He said, "I understand."

He was being told that once he reached Jiangnan, all he needed to do was enjoy himself; he needn't interfere in its affairs.

From a distance, Zhao Huiluan glanced at Wen Hong and Wang He, who had stepped away to talk beneath the city wall. Before she could speak, Zhang Yunchi gave a disdainful snort.

"Foster Father? He's only a few years older than the man's grandson. How can he have the face to call him Foster Father? He has no scruples!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

Zhao Huiluan gestured for him not to let Wen Yan and his sister hear.

But she recalled what a fellow student at the Imperial College had said: "One cry of 'Foster Father,' and you'll gain rank and riches." Sure enough, within half a year, Wang He's promotions had taken him above Rong An.

Zhang Yunchi rolled his eyes and went to check the carriage and luggage again, afraid something had been left behind.

"Brother!" Wen Nihe's eyes were slightly red, and she was utterly reluctant to see her brother leave on a long journey.

Wen Yan affectionately stroked his sister's head, only to hear her grumble in displeasure, "Sister-in-law is far too cold-hearted. She knew you were leaving on a long journey today, yet she didn't even come to see you off! What kind of wife behaves like that?"

"He'er, have you forgotten what I told you? Hmm?"

"I remember!" Wen Nihe said crossly. "I mustn't say a single bad word about Sister-in-law. But Brother, I feel wronged on your behalf!"

"You thought of everything for Sister-in-law. You worried she wouldn't be used to living alone at the Wen residence, so you made an exception and sent her back to her family. But what about her? She isn't even willing to see you off!"

Though it was late autumn, Wen Yan still had a folding fan in his hand. As usual, he tapped his sister on the head with it.

"I'm the one who told your sister-in-law not to come see me off. The frost is bitter and the dew heavy—what if she caught a chill?"

Over on the other side, Wen Hong and Wang He returned after finishing their talk.

It was getting late, and time to set off. Everyone said their farewells once more, and Zhao Huiluan, Wen Yan and Wang He each boarded their own carriage.

Just then, a carriage came racing out of the city gate, startling pedestrians into scrambling out of its way. The wooden plaque hanging on it showed that it belonged to the Shen Family.

"Jianjian!"

Zhao Huiluan was about to climb into her carriage when she heard someone calling her and lifted the gauze of her veiled hat.

A young woman in green robes and a veiled hat came running toward her. The wind blew the gauze aside, and sure enough, it was Shen Zhiyun.

Wang He had already boarded his carriage, but Wen Yan was a step behind and still stood outside. Watching the two sisters greet each other with joy and hold hands as they said goodbye, he felt a surge of envy for no apparent reason.

In the end, Wen Yan couldn't restrain himself and looked back toward the Yan Capital.

Unexpectedly, the curtain of the Shen Family's carriage lifted again, and another woman in white, wearing a veiled hat, slowly stepped out.

That figure was unmistakably Shen Zhiyao!

Wen Yan cast all else aside and ran toward his wife.

Chapter 40: Wang He

The three carriages gradually traveled into the distance.

Outside the Yan Capital, the members of the Wen and Shen families who had come to see them off, along with Zhang Yunchi, also returned to their respective residences.

Before entering the city, Zhang Yunchi couldn't help looking at the inconspicuous carriage beneath the city wall.

It had been parked there since he saw Jianjian out of the city. He hadn't seen anyone come out or go in, and he didn't know why it was parked there.

Zhang Yunchi shook his head, couldn't be bothered to think about it, and turned to disappear into the crowd.

A young man carrying a sword brushed past him, walked up to the inconspicuous carriage and called out:

"Young Master."

Rong An's deep voice came from inside the carriage.

"Let's go."

Half a month later, the party finally reached Jiangnan.

Zhao Huiluan complained that she had spent too long in the carriage and that the jolting had made her backside ache. Unwilling to ride any longer, she insisted on getting out for a walk.

The guards found themselves in a difficult position and had no choice but to report to Wang He.

"How much farther to the city?"

Wang He asked the guards. Hearing that the city was only a few li away, he ordered a group to go ahead and make arrangements, then kept four or five highly skilled fighters behind to accompany him and the princess on foot.

The veiled hat blocked Zhao Huiluan's view too much, preventing her from enjoying Jiangnan's scenery. She set it aside and put on a face veil instead, then lifted the curtain and eagerly stepped down from the carriage with her hand resting on Fudong's.

A broad river ran alongside the road. The clear, gentle autumn sunlight lay upon its surface, where sparkling ripples stretched as far as the eye could see, reflecting the red autumn maples on the distant mountains. It was a beautiful sight.

The three walked along at a leisurely pace, with attendants two or three zhang ahead and behind to clear the way and bring up the rear. They looked like young ladies and gentlemen from wealthy families out on an excursion.

"I hear you're from Jiangnan, Lord Wang?"