Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Chun Zhi, I Will Take You as My Wife

Chun Zhi froze and said: “What did you say?”

Huo Zheng said firmly: “By the Three Letters and Six Rites, an open and proper wedding, everything you should have, not one thing less. Chun Zhi, I will take you as my wife.”

Hearing this, Chun Zhi did not look happy. She pushed Huo Zheng away and said: “Huo Zheng, do not make promises you cannot keep. Do I really need to teach you that?”

Huo Zheng said with a straight face: “I have always kept my word.”

Before Chun Zhi jumped into the river, he had not yet faced his own heart. He only wanted to bring her back to be a cook. But that leap in the storm burned into him forever and made him finally understand what he felt. He liked Chun Zhi. He wanted to live with her day and night, for the rest of his life.

Chun Zhi did not crave power or wealth. She truly believed in this: “I would rather be the wife of a humble home than the concubine of a grand house.”

Huo Zheng even felt that when Chun Zhi agreed to pretend to marry him, it was because she thought he was an ordinary man named Huo Qi. If she had known he was Prince Chang’an, she would never have taken even one step toward him. He could not gamble on that.

Chun Zhi had refused to be Lu Jing Yun’s concubine and left the Lu Clan, not because Lu Jing Yun’s rank was too low, but because she would not be any man’s concubine. Huo Zheng knew this clearly. That was why he made such a serious promise.

Chun Zhi looked at him and said: “You are the dignified Prince Chang’an. In the capital, there are many noble ladies for you to choose from. Your Emperor Father, your Empress Mother, and even your subordinates will not let you marry me.”

Huo Zheng’s birth mother had died early, and he was raised under Empress Wang’s care. Empress Wang had no sons of her own. Whether she could one day be an Empress Dowager with real power depended on whether Huo Zheng could win honor and success. Chun Zhi did not know the details of the Imperial Court or the Inner Palace, but she did know that even common families cared about being a good match when marrying. All the more so for Prince Chang’an, noble and exalted.

She said: “Huo Zheng, you cannot marry me. You will not be able to marry me.”

Huo Zheng said: “I even thought of making you an honored concubine or a secondary consort. I do not have a principal consort. You would be the only mistress in the Prince’s Manor, and no one could bully you. But I know you would never accept that.”

So he had not brought it up until now.

Song An Lan had been right: a prince with great ambitions could not, under normal ways, give Chun Zhi the open marriage she wanted. But Huo Zheng chose to take a risky path and try to carve out a new road from a thousand difficulties. He wanted both the realm and the woman he loved.

He said to Chun Zhi: “You need not worry about anything else. Just tell me if you are willing to marry me.”

After a long silence, Chun Zhi said: “I am not willing.”

She did not know how many trials Huo Zheng would face if he married her. She did not want him to give anything up for her. Many couples are loving when young, but as time wears on, love fades and only hatred remains. [If only we had stayed in Linshui Town.] After Prince Chang’an finished his work in Nanzhou and returned to the capital, Chun Zhi could have stayed in Peach Blossom Lane, given birth alone, sold tofu, and raised the child. That life would have been good too.

But fate played tricks. She learned who Huo Zheng was. When she tried to leave, he kept chasing her. That was how they arrived at today.

Huo Zheng heard her say she was not willing, yet he did not get angry. He said calmly: “Then I will wait. One day, you will be willing.”

Chun Zhi had no words.

While they were talking, Song Wan’er returned with maids carrying trays. Jade Shrimp, goat milk and yam soup, sweet honey porridge—these were all Chun Zhi’s favorites. Song Wan’er had the maids set the food on the table and planned to eat with Chun Zhi, but then she saw Huo Zheng skillfully ladle porridge into a bowl. He scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool, and held it to Chun Zhi’s lips.

[So Prince Chang’an actually knows how to take care of people,] Song Wan’er thought.

For the past few days in the South City Villa, Chun Zhi had been waited on hand and foot. Now that she was in the Song Manor with Song Wan’er watching, she felt shy.

She reached out and said: “I can do it myself.”

Huo Zheng did not give her the bowl and insisted on feeding her.

Chun Zhi’s face warmed. She said firmly: “I can eat on my own.”

Huo Zheng said: “Then take this one bite first.”

Chun Zhi had no choice. She drank that spoonful of honey porridge from his hand. After that, she took the bowl and spoon and said to him: “Go do your work. I will eat with Wan’er.”

Huo Zheng glanced at Song Wan’er, then said to Chun Zhi: “Eat slowly,” and turned to leave.

As soon as he left, Song Wan’er grew lively again. While adding food to Chun Zhi’s plate, she said: “This Prince Chang’an looks cold and distant, but I didn’t expect him to feed someone porridge.”

Chun Zhi almost choked on her porridge. She quickly filled a bowl of honey porridge for Song Wan’er to keep her from talking and said: “Eat up.”

Song Wan’er sipped the porridge and thought that her own elder brother was gentle enough, but even he would never serve another person like that. How could a prince of such high status do this so naturally? It was strange.

Song Wan’er still wanted to talk, but Chun Zhi kept adding food to her bowl and telling her to eat more, leaving no time for chatter.

After the meal, Song Wan’er was stuffed.

Chun Zhi took Song Wan’er for a walk in the garden. There they met Doctor Zhao, who took Chun Zhi’s pulse and said she would soon give birth. He told her not to brood or worry and to keep a cheerful mind.

But Chun Zhi had been together with Huo Zheng every day, and even now back at the Song Manor, he had followed her here. On this very day he had said he wanted to marry her. It was hard not to worry. [Why is it so hard to live a simple, peaceful life?]

Doctor Zhao could only try to comfort her and tell her to think more openly.

Soon Chun Zhi grew tired. Song Wan’er supported her. As they passed through an archway, they happened to meet Song An Lan coming toward them.

“Elder brother!” said Song Wan’er at the same time that Chun Zhi said: “Young Master Song.”

Wrapped in thick fox fur, Song An Lan was still pale. He gave them a gentle smile and said: “It is getting late. The wind is strong in the garden. Take a short stroll and then go back indoors.”

“Alright,” Song Wan’er replied, then asked: “Elder brother, where are you going?”

“I have something to take care of outside,” Song An Lan said.

Song Wan’er did not ask further.

After he told his sister a few things, he walked on.

“Young Master Song,” Chun Zhi called after him. “About our marriage matter, I wronged you and brought you criticism. I feel very guilty.”

“Chun Zhi, you did not wrong me,” Song An Lan said gently. “I was the one who suggested we marry. Yet on the wedding day, I failed to protect you.”

His voice was warm, even apologetic, as he added: “It is enough if you do not blame me.”

“Of course I would not blame you,” Chun Zhi said.

After all, she had brought the trouble. How could she blame Song An Lan?

Looking at Chun Zhi with serious eyes, Song An Lan said: “Chun Zhi, in my heart I already see you as family. You and Wan’er are as close as sisters. From now on, treat me as your real elder brother, how about it?”