Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Be My Princess Consort of Chang’an

Song Wan’er lit up with joy and said: “I can go to the Capital too?”

Chun Zhi hadn’t expected that when Song An Lan said “send her off,” he meant bringing Song Wan’er and personally escorting her to the Capital for the wedding. She put down her chopsticks and looked up at him.

Song An Lan gave a small nod.

“That’s wonderful!” said Song Wan’er, so excited she forgot to eat. “I’ve never left Dongzhou. What’s the climate like in the Capital? What clothes should I bring… Jin Shu, Luo Shang, hurry and help me pack!”

She couldn’t wait even a moment and tried to order the maids to pack right away.

“No rush,” said Song An Lan. “Finish dinner first. Packing afterward won’t be too late.”

“So Brother Song will come with us to the Capital,” said Huo Zheng with a smile.

“I only hope Your Highness won’t find us troublesome,” said Song An Lan.

“Not at all,” said Huo Zheng.

“I need to see with my own eyes that Chun Zhi will live well,” said Song An Lan.

Young Master Song added bluntly while serving his sister more dishes: “Let me put the ugly words up front. If Your Highness does not marry Chun Zhi as promised, I will take her back to Dongzhou. We merchants may not have the glory of the Imperial House, but the Song Clan’s money is enough to keep me and my two sisters comfortable for life.”

Huo Zheng smiled, set food on Chun Zhi’s plate, and said: “It’s best of all that Brother Song is willing to travel with us to the Capital.”

After supper, everyone packed their things.

At first, Huo Zheng and Chun Zhi had planned to travel light by carriage.

But with Song An Lan and Song Wan’er joining, the number of servants and belongings multiplied many times over.

After a quick discussion, they changed to boats and took the river route to the Capital.

What Song An Lan brought filled several boats. The main boat was the very one that had rescued Chun Zhi on the Lishui River, now used for living.

Everything else went on cargo boats. There were hundreds of bodyguards just for escorting the goods, plus boatmen and servants. The Song Clan’s entry into the Capital was truly grand.

On the ninth day of the second month, Huo Zheng, Chun Zhi, and the Song siblings left Song Manor for the Capital.

The trip went smoothly. Since Song Wan’er had never traveled far, she was curious about everything.

Each time the boats docked, she wanted to go ashore and look around.

Chun Zhi hadn’t traveled much either. In Linshui Town she had rarely left, and after coming to Dongzhou she hid at Song Manor, afraid of being found by Huo Zheng. Seeing so many new things at once, she was interested in everything.

Song An Lan and Huo Zheng went along with them. The two young women walked ahead, looking around and picking what they wanted, while Song An Lan followed behind to pay.

Huo Zheng’s job was to scare off any men who tried to chat up the two pretty misses.

After more than half a month on the river, the boats arrived at the Capital.

Huo Zheng had to enter the palace and ask for punishment. Chun Zhi, carrying Little Xing Hui, went with the Song siblings to live in the Song Manor in the Capital.

Huo Zheng had wanted to bring Chun Zhi straight to the Prince of Chang’an Manor, but Song An Lan said calmly: “Your Highness and Chun Zhi have not yet held a formal wedding. If she moves into the Prince of Chang’an Manor now, people will talk.”

Huo Zheng thought it over and agreed.

Almost no one knew about the private wedding in Linshui Town. The Capital was not like other places; you had to be careful about every step.

Since the Song siblings were here, it was better for Chun Zhi to stay with them first. Once he received the Imperial Edict granting the marriage, he would bring her to the Prince’s Manor on the wedding day.

So Huo Zheng first escorted mother and child to the Song Manor in the Capital.

Chun Zhi worried and asked softly: “You stayed so long in Dongzhou. When you go into the palace, will they blame you?”

Blame was unavoidable.

It would all depend on how he faced it.

Huo Zheng kissed her lightly on the forehead and said: “I have a way to handle it. Don’t worry.”

It was hard not to worry, but seeing him so calm, she said no more and walked him to the gate.

The Shadow Guard had already led his horse to wait outside.

Huo Zheng swung into the saddle, looked back at Chun Zhi once, then spurred his horse and galloped away.

Chun Zhi stood at the gate, watching him until he turned the corner and disappeared. Only then did she go back inside.

The Song Manor in the Capital had been cleaned days before their arrival.

Song Wan’er chose a courtyard close to Chun Zhi’s so they could visit easily.

Song An Lan opened the storerooms and had the servants carry in all the chests and trunks brought from Dongzhou.

Although Huo Zheng had found a wet nurse for Little Xing Hui, Chun Zhi preferred to feed him herself.

She had plenty of milk and didn’t need a wet nurse to keep him full.

Besides, ordinary families could never afford one. Only nobles like Huo Zheng or rich merchants like Song An Lan thought a baby must have a wet nurse.

After she nursed him, Little Xing Hui fell asleep at once.

Breathing in the sweet milk scent on him, Chun Zhi couldn’t help thinking: [I wonder how Huo Zheng is doing in the palace.]

At that moment, in the Imperial Palace, the first thing Huo Zheng did was go to see Empress Wang.

Usually calm and dignified, Empress Wang let out a long breath when she saw him and said with relief: “Seventh, you finally came back.”

Ever since returning from Nanzhou, Huo Zheng had acted without restraint. He had just taken a hundred lashes and, still badly hurt, dared to run off again. On the road, illness and wounds nearly killed him.

He barely pulled through, then went to Dongzhou.

He had even missed the New Year’s Palace Banquet, disappearing for a whole month. The Emperor asked about him several times. Empress Wang could only dodge by saying he was confined for six months by the Emperor and was still reflecting in his manor.

The Emperor likely knew that was only an excuse, but he didn’t expose it on the spot.

Empress Wang had sent several letters, yet Huo Zheng never returned. She had been so worried that sores broke out in her mouth.

Huo Zheng bowed and said: “Your son has been unfilial and made you worry, Empress Mother.”

Empress Wang knew he had been staying away to find a certain young woman, but now that he was safely back, she did not want to quarrel with him over an outsider.

“When have I ever called you unfilial?” she said, beckoning him closer with a gentle voice: “Come sit and let me have a good look. You must have grown thinner while running about.”

Huo Zheng did not sit. He bowed again and said: “I have a request, and I ask Empress Mother to allow it.”

“Whatever it is, just tell me,” said Empress Wang. “We are mother and son. There’s no need to speak of requests.”

Huo Zheng said steadily: “When I was inspecting Nanzhou, I was almost killed in an attack. A commoner girl saved my life.”

“Is that so?” said Empress Wang. “Who is she, and where is she now? I will ask that she be honored and rewarded well.”

“I already married her in Nanzhou,” said Huo Zheng. “I went to Dongzhou this time to find her. Now I have brought her back to the Capital. Please, Empress Mother, acknowledge and protect our marriage.”

Empress Wang stared in disbelief and said slowly: “You mean…”

Huo Zheng straightened and said firmly: “I want to marry her as my wife and make her my Princess Consort of Chang’an.”