Chapter Sixty-Six

Winter nights fell early, and when Gan Sui departed, darkness was already settling in. In ancient times, traveling after dusk was perilous, especially as snow began to fall from the sky. Han Shui hurried the carriage a little faster than he had on the way there.

Leaving the county, they reached a narrow road bordered on both sides by deep ditches. Han Shui slowed the carriage as they entered the ditch, but suddenly, two fierce dogs burst out from behind, barking madly at the carriage. The horses startled, neighed in terror, and bolted forward uncontrollably. Han Shui tried to rein them in, but it was futile; after only three strides, a hoof slipped, and the carriage plunged into the ditch. The change was so abrupt that neither Gan Sui nor Han Shui had time to react—they were thrown against the side of the carriage and lost consciousness.

A whistle echoed from behind, and the fierce dogs, tails wagging, ran back. Goose-feather snow began to fall, covering all traces.

Banxia had felt uneasy all afternoon. As dusk deepened, she sent Shan Zhi to inquire several times, but Gan Sui had not returned.

“Sister, don’t worry. I’ll go with Master Lu to meet Brother-in-law on the road,” Anzi offered.

“No, you’re still too young.”

“Sister, I’ll be ten after the New Year. That’s grown up. Besides, I’ve been learning martial arts from Master Lu. We’re only going to look for someone; it’ll be fine.”

Banxia glanced at the darkening sky, unable to shake her worry. Lu Ying came in to reassure her, “Madam, rest assured. I’ll go with the young master. It will be perfectly safe.”

Banxia finally agreed, wrapping Anzi in a cloak and sending him out with Master Lu.

Gan Sui, having struck his head when they fell into the ditch, was briefly unconscious. The cold wind revived him, and he rubbed his aching temple. Han Shui had his leg trapped under the carriage shaft and could not move. Gan Sui moved forward and shifted the shaft, causing Han Shui to groan in pain, his brow covered in cold sweat. Blood still seeped from his leg, and Gan Sui tore off a piece of his robe to bind the wound, stemming the bleeding for now.

“Master… what should we do now?” Han Shui asked.

Gan Sui surveyed the ditch; its sides were nearly vertical, coated in ice and snow, making any attempt to climb out impossible.

“We can only wait now. Banxia will notice my absence and send someone to look for us.” Gan Sui fetched a cloak from the carriage and draped it over Han Shui, then brought out some provisions, which they shared. The sky grew steadily darker, and the snow intensified.

Gan Sui felt chilled to the bone.

“Master, you take the cloak. I’m used to hard labor and don’t fear the cold,” Han Shui said, trying to remove the cloak.

“Nonsense. Your leg is injured; if you catch cold, you might lose it entirely. Keep it on—someone will come soon.”

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Gan Sui faintly heard voices calling, “Brother-in-law… Brother-in-law…”

“Master Gan… Master Gan…”

“We’re here! Down here!” Gan Sui shouted.

Fortunately, help had arrived at last. Anzi and the others, hearing their voices, discovered them in the ditch. With rough ropes at hand, Lu Ying quickly hauled both men out.

Once rescued, the group hurried home at full speed.

Banxia had been waiting by the courtyard gate. When she saw them return, she rushed to meet them. Gan Sui, drained of strength, barely managed to dismount; his body nearly collapsed. Banxia ordered the servants to help him inside and sent for the physician. She then had Aunt He prepare ginger soup, which she fed to Gan Sui, reviving him somewhat. Touching her face, he said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m fine—just chilled.” Then he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Banxia was so anxious she nearly wept, but reminded herself that panic would only make things worse.

Shan Zhi brought thick blankets, Banxia placed two warming bottles in the bed, and only then did the doctor enter. The room was much warmer than outside, and the doctor began to sweat as soon as he entered, but he ignored it and focused on Gan Sui’s pulse.

“Master Gan’s pulse is weak and floating, his tongue is heavily coated, and he feels chills and fever—wind-cold has invaded his body. Normally, this would not be serious, but inner heat and agitation, combined with emotional distress, have made the illness more severe. I’ll write a prescription for decoction—three bowls boiled down to one. If he develops a fever tonight, use spirits to rub his body. He must rest quietly for the next few days and avoid emotional strain.”

“Thank you, doctor. There is also a servant in the side room with a leg injury. Please see to him as well. Anzi, take the doctor to Han Shui.”

Han Shui’s leg was wounded, but fortunately only the flesh was injured, and bleeding had been stopped in time. With medicine and a few days’ rest, he would recover.

The doctor wrote out the prescriptions. The medicine boy rushed to fetch the herbs, and Anzi delivered them to Aunt He in the kitchen, then returned.

Gan Sui began to burn with fever; his face flushed bright red, sweat beads rolling down. Banxia quickly opened a bottle of spirits and rubbed his body.

“Sister, let me do it. You’re pregnant,” Anzi pleaded.

“It’s alright, just for a while. Keeping busy keeps my mind from wandering. How is Han Shui?”

“He’s fine, but it will take a hundred days for bone injuries to heal properly. He needs to rest well.”

“Tell Aunt He to buy more bones for soup these next few days to help him recover. Have Master Lu look after him until his leg is healed—we mustn’t let him develop a lifelong ailment.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Soon the medicine was ready. Gan Sui, feverish and dazed, was woken so Banxia could feed him the decoction, then she collapsed onto the footstool. A lingering fear haunted her—if Anzi and the others had been late, or failed to notice the ditch, Gan Sui might have…

Banxia dared not imagine it.

“Sister, please go rest for a while. You’re carrying a baby.”

“I can’t sleep. I won’t feel at ease unless I’m watching over him. When I’m tired, I’ll rest. Anzi, you’re exhausted today—go rest first.”

“I’m not tired. Can’t I stay here with you?”

“Let’s take turns watching. You sleep now, and we’ll switch in the second half of the night, alright?”

“Alright. You must keep your word.”

“I promise. Go rest now.”

Banxia suspected Anzi hadn’t slept at all, for as soon as the midnight bell sounded, he knocked on the door. Considering her pregnancy, Banxia went to rest in the adjoining room. The night was cold, and she quietly wept in the winter darkness.

Illness strikes like a mountain, but leaves like a thread. Gan Sui’s high fever persisted for a day and a night before finally subsiding. Newly recovered, his complexion was pale, bearing a sickly beauty reminiscent of Lin Daiyu.

“I wonder how the people of Ling County are faring?” Gan Sui mused as he drank his medicine.

“You’re always thinking of the people. When will you put our child and me first? If anything happened to you, I…” Banxia could not continue, pausing before saying, “You never think of home.”

Gan Sui quickly finished his medicine. “How could I not think of home? Even if I don’t worry for the little one you carry, I always worry for you. But you didn’t see those people—so many froze to death. As an official, I must consider them.”

“But it’s not urgent right now. The assistant prefect isn’t useless. You must learn to delegate.”

“Madam, you’re right—I was wrong. Look at you, you’ve lost sleep these days. Rest now, won’t you?” Gan Sui’s voice softened, and Banxia, unable to resist, lay down and soon drifted into sleep.

Seeing her asleep, Gan Sui quietly rose, wrapped himself in a thick cloak, and walked outside. Anzi was practicing sword in the courtyard and called out, “Brother-in-law…”

Gan Sui motioned for silence and beckoned him to a side room. Anzi and Master Lu followed him inside.

“Brother-in-law, are you feeling better?”

“Much better, nothing to worry about. When you came for me that day, did you notice anything strange around?”

“We were focused on rescuing you, so we didn’t really see anything. Besides, the snow was heavy—any traces would have been buried. Do you suspect it wasn’t an accident?”

“It’s not suspicion, it’s certainty. Before we fell in, I lifted the curtain and saw two dogs—those fierce breeds, ones common folk can’t afford.”

“Who do you think was behind it?”

“I already have a good idea. Go read your books now—I’ll talk with Master Lu.”

“Alright.” Anzi left, glancing back repeatedly.

“If they want to play these petty tricks, let’s see who truly excels at these games.” Gan Sui smiled suddenly.

Lu Ying, noticing this side of Gan Sui—usually gentle and amiable—realized he was not to be underestimated.

Banxia slept through the afternoon, and woke to find Gan Sui beside her, his sleeping face serene and beautiful. “How can someone be so handsome?” Banxia traced his features, thinking, “This face, in modern times, would surely be the national heartthrob of countless young women.”

“I don’t want to be a heartthrob. I only want to be your husband.”

Gan Sui’s voice as he woke was lazy and alluring; Banxia nearly had a nosebleed. Even after all this time, she could not resist Mister Gan’s charm—utterly improper, utterly improper.

“Are you hungry? Let’s eat.”

“Yes—yes, let’s eat. I’m starving.” Blushing, Banxia fled.

Gan Sui smiled behind her.

The imperial capital, Purple Dawn Palace.

“Your Majesty, there is news from Liangzhou and Fangcheng.”

“Quick, bring it here.”

Qi Nanxing assumed it was a letter from Anzi, but upon opening it, saw Gan Sui’s handwriting—detailing events in Liangzhou, warning of potential military unrest. He opened the second letter, sent by the Headmaster and Master Chuan, who had set up an inn outside the frontier; the message must be important.

Qi Nanxing unfolded it. The letter contained only one line: “The Great Dawan has allied with Keller—Liangzhou is in grave danger.” Qi Nanxing’s eyes flashed; perhaps this was the long-awaited opportunity. “An Yi, send word at once—inform the northern desert, summon the Lin family army home, and ensure Liangzhou is defended.”

“Yes.” The black-clad man vanished instantly.

Liangzhou must not fall.

“Your Majesty, Noble Consort Wen requests an audience.”

“What does she want? I will not see her.”

“Yes.”

Eunuch Wan exited the palace. “Your Highness, His Majesty is busy with affairs of state and cannot see you now. Please return.”

“Busy, busy—ten times I’ve sought him, nine times he’s busy. What is he so busy with that he can’t spare a moment for me? If I insist on seeing him today?”

“Please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for me,” Wan replied, still smiling.

“You eunuch, what if I do make things difficult for you? Today, I will barge in—will you try to stop me?” With that, she strode inside.

Wan’s eyes narrowed, and he signaled the guards to step forward.

“Your Highness, please return.”

But Noble Consort Wen ignored him, forcing her way inside. The guards dared not restrain her, and so she entered, calling, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”

“What are you making such a fuss for? Do you realize this is the Purple Dawn Palace?”

“If I didn’t cause a scene, how could I see Your Majesty?” Her face was full of longing.

“State affairs are complex, yet you do nothing to help me and only cause trouble. Is this the Wen family’s upbringing? Someone, escort the Noble Consort back to her palace!”

He turned and entered the hall, not even sparing her a glance.

Noble Consort Wen watched his retreating figure, desolate. “After all these years, Your Majesty, are you still so impatient to even look at me?”

No answer came.

She walked back to the Zhaowen Hall. The matron greeted her, “Your Highness, where is His Majesty?”

“He said he was busy and couldn’t see me.”

“His Majesty is truly…”

“That’s enough, matron. I’m tired and want to rest.”

“Mother, I don’t recognize this character…” The second prince ran over, but before the matron could stop him, the consort grabbed him. “It’s all your fault—you’re not clever enough. Every time your father asks you something, you can’t answer… Are you brainless?”

Her fingernails dug deeply into the child’s shoulder.

“Mother, it hurts… Mother…”

The matron hurried forward, took the child, and handed him to a maid to comfort.

“Your Highness, how can you treat the second prince like this? He’s still so young…”

“Don’t think I don’t know your scheming. But look at him—born dull and stupid… he has no sign of being heir… Your hopes are all wasted… all wasted… ha ha ha… wasted.”