Chapter Sixty-Three: Liangzhou

In the eighteenth year of the Jin Yuan era under the Liang Dynasty, winter arrived exceptionally early. The wheels of the carriage rumbled forward in the dim dawn as Gan Sui, Banxia, and their family prepared to leave this place. Gan Sui was about to be promoted to Governor of Liangzhou.

He had spent three years here. After the spring plowing that year, Gan Sui discovered the soil was particularly suitable for growing tea. He led the townspeople to reclaim land beyond what was needed for grain, and began cultivating tea. The sales were handled directly by Wang Xiaoshan. After the maritime embargo, all shipping was nationalized, but two ships were leased for private use. Although the rent was steep, the returns were considerable. Wang Xiaoshan leased one and ran maritime trade. When their child turned one, Bai Lian accompanied him, and during a tea collection trip, she told Banxia she had seen a strange person with golden hair and blue eyes.

Banxia feigned surprise, though in modern times she had long been used to seeing foreigners and found nothing unusual.

With the tea trade established, Gan Sui invited a tea scholar to teach the people how to plant, pick, and process tea. Truly, every corner of this town held his memories. Gan Sui planned to leave quietly. Life had improved for the people over the past few years, and they wanted to host a farewell banquet in his honor, but he declined. In the still-dark morning, the family readied their carriage to depart the city.

Yet the townsfolk had gathered early, their faces blurred by the mist, but every pair of eyes watched them with warmth.

“Master Gan, you saved my child’s life… This is a chicken we raised at home, I’ve made chicken soup for you to take on the road.”

“Master Gan, this is some of my freshly roasted tea…”

“Master Gan…”

Gan Sui stepped out of the carriage. “Please, everyone, listen to me. I am deeply grateful for your kindness. In these three years as your official, I have relied on the support of all my elders and friends. I have already handed over all official matters to Magistrate Wang. After I leave, the tea trade will not see any major changes, so please rest assured. But remember, tea is our way to prosperity, yet grain is our foundation for survival. Never convert your fields entirely to tea for temporary profit. All feasts must end; there’s no need for further farewells. Let us part here.”

“Master Gan…”

The group waved their goodbyes, reluctant to part.

“Sister, why have they all come to see brother-in-law off?” asked Anzi.

“Because he was good to them. Naturally, they are grateful. The most important thing for an official is to care for the people,” Banxia replied.

“One day, I’ll be an official who treats the people well,” Anzi declared solemnly. Banxia patted his head, thinking, You’ll become the highest official in all of Liang one day; I only hope you never forget your heart.

Liangzhou was desolate, its winds harsh and dry, heavily garrisoned at the border between two nations. During the journey, Banxia discovered she was pregnant—an unstable time, worsened by travel, and she grew gaunt. At last they found an inn, but as soon as she alighted, Banxia was overwhelmed by nausea, retching until even bile came up.

Gan Sui carried her inside and secured a room.

“There’s no doubt it’s a boy in here, so mischievous,” Banxia murmured weakly. Pregnancy was truly exhausting.

Gan Sui handed her water to rinse her mouth. “I think it’s a girl—so delicate, she needs lots of care.”

Ever since learning of the pregnancy, both Anzi and Gan Sui had been obsessed with having a little girl. Banxia thought, If it’s a boy, these two will be heartbroken.

Seeing her suffering, Gan Sui said, “Why don’t you rest here a few more days before moving on to Liangzhou?”

“No need, it’s just morning sickness. I heard it’s only a few more days’ journey. It’s fine.” Just then, a knock came at the door. “Sister, brother-in-law, it’s me.”

“Come in,” Banxia called.

Anzi entered with a bag of fruit. “Are you still unwell, sister? I brought oranges—they’re sweet and tart, perfect for easing nausea. Would you like one?”

“Hearing you say that makes me want one. Peel it for me, will you?” Banxia said.

Anzi had just turned nine, and already bore a striking resemblance to Qi Nanxing—though his temperament was gentler. Gan Sui watched him, his feelings complex. “You’ve seemed down these past days. Did your father say something in his recent letter?” Banxia knew that Gan Sui and Anzi’s father always corresponded, but this time, after receiving a letter, Anzi had uncharacteristically kept silent, his mood low for days, which worried her.

“Father knows I’m heading to Liangzhou. He told me not to wander, said the people there are rough and combative, and warned me not to get into trouble.”

“He’s just looking out for you.”

“I understand.” Anzi handed the orange to Banxia. “You’re expecting, sister. Don’t worry about me. I’m grown up now—I’ll take care of myself. The most important thing for you is to look after your health and give birth to a beautiful little niece.”

“I don’t know why you and your brother-in-law are so partial to girls. What if it turns out to be a boy?”

“I do prefer girls, but as long as you’re the one who gave birth, I’ll love the baby all the same. I saw some lovely fabric on the street just now and bought it. I’ll ask Sister Shanzhi to make clothes for the baby.”

Banxia could hardly picture bold Shanzhi with her exquisite embroidery skills. After they’d spoken openly that year, Shanzhi no longer doted on Anzi, but she did little things—sewing clothes, teaching him martial arts, and helping Banxia with household matters.

Several of the girls once sheltered in the library had learned needlework from Shanzhi, who, though outwardly cold, was warm-hearted and quietly cared for them. When they left, many wept bitterly, reluctant to part. They were earthquake orphans—without Gan Sui’s help providing shelter and teaching them skills, most would not have survived these troubled times.

Banxia understood Gan Sui’s feelings. They had both known hardship—eating coarse grain, gnawing cold mantou, sleeping under leaking roofs. All this talk of loving the people like one’s own children was just empathy born of shared suffering.

“The baby already has enough clothes. With all the fabric you’ve bought, there’s enough for the baby to wear from birth to adulthood.”

Besides the clothes Shanzhi had started sewing, Lu Ying had bought cloth, Aunt He made tiny shoes, and Anzi always wanted to buy something for the baby—good thing he had a wealthy father. Each letter from his father included a banknote with a sum so large Banxia was shocked at first, but quickly grew accustomed.

“Girls love pretty clothes. If other babies have them and ours doesn’t, she’ll be sad. So I’m buying lots now. If she doesn’t like them later, at least she’ll have choices—isn’t that right, brother-in-law?”

Banxia looked at Gan Sui, who nodded in agreement. She glared at him, and he awkwardly rubbed his nose. “It’s not wasteful—daughters should be pampered, so we need to be prepared. Today I saw a beautiful bracelet…”

“No buying! We don’t even know the baby’s gender. If it’s a boy, it’ll be wasted.”

“Too late. I bought it for my big girl.” Gan Sui took a jade bangle from his pocket and slipped it onto Banxia’s wrist. “My dear, you’ve worked hard. You’ll always be the most precious girl in my heart.”

Banxia gazed at him sweetly.

“Ahem, I think I’m no longer needed here. I’ll check the kitchen—maybe buy a pigeon to make soup for sister,” Anzi said as he left.

After a moment together, Banxia remembered her concerns. “I feel Anzi’s been off lately. Keep an eye on him. He’s almost at that age—let’s not have him turn into a rebellious teenager.”

“All right. I’ll talk to him later. You should rest—sleep a while, and I’ll wake you for dinner.”

“Okay.” Banxia lay down to rest. Gan Sui tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and left the room.

Outside, he found Anzi in the courtyard, plucking leaves absentmindedly.

“Another pull or two and this plant will be bald,” Gan Sui remarked.

“Brother-in-law, why are you out here?”

“Your sister’s tired, and she’s worried about you, so she asked me to check on you.”

“I’m making her worry.”

“We’re family—there’s nothing we can’t face together. Your sister worries about you, and so do I. If something’s on your mind, why not tell me?”

Anzi hesitated, then took a letter from his pocket. “This is my father’s latest letter. Would you like to read it?”

Gan Sui opened the letter. It was mostly everyday matters, but at the end was a single line: “The family is now secure—my son, do you wish to return?”

Gan Sui handed the letter back. “What do you think?”

“My mind’s a mess. You know my father’s true identity, don’t you? I’ve known for a while, too. I didn’t understand when I was younger, but now it’s clear. My mother was the late Empress Yuan, my uncle is General Lin, and my father… is the Emperor. So I…”

“You have a choice. You can remain Anzi, or return as the Emperor’s son. Whatever you decide, your sister, your brother-in-law, and His Majesty will respect your wishes.”

After a moment’s thought, Anzi said, “When I was little, I was terrified that my sister would abandon me, and I’d be left homeless. Now that I’m older, I wonder how many children are like me—homeless, perhaps even worse off, without a kind sister to take them in. I’m starting to understand why you were so strict with me, brother-in-law. I never really had a choice. Now that my father’s broken with the Wen family, he won’t make their son his heir, and he has no other sons. So whether I like it or not, I have a responsibility to shoulder.” His voice faltered. “But I still long for the warmth of home. I don’t want to go back so soon. I want to see the baby before I leave. Is that selfish?”

“No, you’re a good child. You’re still young, and since your father asked, it means he can wait—he’s still young himself, and you have plenty of time to grow. It’s all right.”

“I really don’t want to go…” Anzi said quietly.

With maturity comes the painful clarity that life’s joys and sorrows rarely bend to our desires. He was already being swept along by the hands of fate, pulling everyone into its current.

That evening, when Banxia saw Anzi again, he seemed perfectly normal. She shot Gan Sui a look of approval—he was surprisingly gifted at comforting young hearts. Gan Sui could only smile.

At last, just as Banxia was at her limit, they reached Liangzhou. They arrived at dusk, when the sky was ablaze with red clouds, golden sands stretched to the horizon, and the mighty river shimmered beneath the setting sun.

Liangzhou—another new beginning.