11 – Returning to the Northwest
Shen Qiu and Ye Chen talked from their first meeting all the way to their marriage.
Ye Chen said, “It seems Heaven was helping me. First, I had to observe mourning, then I was assisting the Emperor with official matters. The Emperor even considered arranging a marriage for me, but I declined! That’s how I could wait for Qiu’er!”
Shen Qiu glanced at Ye Chen and cautiously asked, “Was it… because of Miss Gu?”
Ye Chen shook his head and said, “If I had spoken up back then, the Emperor wouldn’t have refused. We could have smoothly been together, but I always felt unprepared. I never expected it to drag on for three years.”
“Later, her family arranged a marriage for her. If I had pleaded with the Emperor for her sake then, he would have reluctantly agreed too. But I still didn’t act—perhaps I just didn’t care enough!”
“Until later, when my grandmother arranged our engagement. As you know, although I was unwilling, strangely enough, I didn’t even put up much of a fuss!”
Shen Qiu scoffed and said, “You fought with Lord Chen over Miss Gu—it’s something everyone in the capital knows about. And you say you didn’t care? You didn’t argue with your grandmother because deep down, you felt that since it wasn’t her, then it didn’t matter who it was, right?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have treated me like that on our wedding night!”
Ye Chen looked at Shen Qiu, his eyes filled with bitterness. How could his Qiu’er be so clever? How could she articulate his innermost thoughts so perfectly?
Ye Chen gave a bitter smile and said, “Qiu’er, don’t tease me. To be honest, I’ve never regretted anything I did before marrying you. But for who I am now, those are just things of the past, already unrelated to me.”
“The only thing I regret, the only thing I can’t forgive myself for, is what I did to you on our wedding night!”
Seeing that their conversation had circled back to that day again, Shen Qiu grabbed Ye Chen’s hand and said, “Alright, why are we going back to this? We agreed to look forward and not dwell on the past. From now on, let’s not bring up that day again, okay?”
Ye Chen picked up Shen Qiu’s hand that was holding his, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. He held it for a long time before letting go and said, “Thank you, Qiu’er. You are my redemption!”
Ye Chen looked up at Shen Qiu and asked, “What about you, Qiu’er? How did you end up waiting until now?”
“You’re already nineteen this year. Many of your peers in the capital have become mothers, haven’t they?”
“Can you tell me about it, Qiu’er?”
Shen Qiu smiled and said, “When I was twelve, I returned from the northwest to fulfill filial duties for my parents. Every year, I would leave the northwest for the capital around Qingming Festival and return to the northwest after the Double Ninth Festival. Which family in the capital would accept a woman who appears in public like this?”
“Although the Yong’an Marquis estate is somewhat respectable in the capital, my father and brothers are far away in the northwestern deserts. Marrying me wouldn’t bring much support to the husband’s family either.”
“In the years right after I came of age, my grandmother mentioned a few families to me. But I had comparisons in my heart, so I brushed them off!” Shen Qiu said this last sentence very softly, but Ye Chen still heard it.
Ye Chen felt more and more like he was soaking in a honey jar—he couldn’t stop smiling!
His heart felt sweet, and his hand unconsciously wrapped around Shen Qiu.
It was only when Ming Yue called them from outside to eat that their increasingly intimate atmosphere was interrupted!
At the dinner table, Ye Chen kept looking at Shen Qiu while eating, to the point where even Shen Qiu’s mother couldn’t stand it anymore.Ahem… Well, young master, I’ll be setting off back to the northwest tomorrow. Could you delay your departure by half an hour? I’d like to speak with Qiu’er properly – who knows when we’ll see each other again after this!
Ye Chen glanced at Shen Qiu and said, “Of course, that’s only right. I’ll send word to my grandmother about the delay, you needn’t worry, mother-in-law.”
Shen Qiu asked in confusion, “Why such haste? Can’t you stay a few more days?”
Shen Qiu’s mother sighed and said, “You know how your father and brother are – they can’t manage anything without me. If not for that, you wouldn’t have had to travel back and forth all those years!”
“Besides, your father wrote saying something has happened in Qi County. He didn’t specify what, only that things are unsettled. I need to return quickly – I worry about those two being uncared for in the northwest.”
Shen Qiu smiled and said, “Indeed, with mother there, father and brother can act without worries. After the meal, I’ll help you pack!”
Shen Qiu’s mother said, “It’s mostly done already.”
“Just keep me company while we talk!”
After the meal, Shen Qiu remained inside speaking with Wang Linfang, while Ye Chen was left outside the door, holding that little bell and grinning foolishly as he examined it.
Inside, Shen Qiu’s mother advised her daughter: “Qiu’er, I can see this son-in-law is a good man. Those rumors about him in the capital seem unreliable. Live well with him – now that you’re married, your husband’s family should be your priority, your husband your heaven.”
“Moreover, he’s a Duke, highly positioned and favored by the Emperor. Many women covet him – given his status, even being his concubine would be honorable!”
“Did you see your second cousin? During the meal she repeatedly tried to engage with him. Fortunately, your husband only has eyes for you! You…”
“Alright, mother, I understand. I won’t obsess over things, nor will I let myself be wronged, alright? Don’t worry. Finish packing now so you don’t forget anything.” Shen Qiu interrupted as her mother seemed increasingly carried away.
Shen Qiu’s mother tapped her daughter’s forehead and said, “You… oh, and getting pregnant soon is what really matters, understand?”
Shen Qiu hadn’t expected her mother to bring this up so suddenly, and her face instantly flushed. As they were speaking, they heard commotion outside.
“Brother-in-law, why are you standing out here alone?” It was Shen Rouyun’s voice.
“Brother-in-law, where’s sister? How could she leave you alone under the hot sun? She’s so inconsiderate – you might get heatstroke.” When Ye Chen didn’t respond, Shen Rouyun continued.
“Get away!” Suddenly, Ye Chen roared angrily!
Shen Qiu quickly opened the door and rushed out, asking, “What happened?” She glanced at Shen Rouyun and said, “What brings second cousin here?”
Seeing Shen Qiu emerge, Ye Chen immediately embraced her, sniffing her hair as he said, “Let me smell Qiu’er – that thing was too pungent.” Shen Rouyun gritted her teeth in fury.
Shen Qiu’s mother also flushed at Ye Chen’s behavior. Wasn’t her son-in-law being rather… forward? With so many maids and servants around, and his mother-in-law right here – how must he behave in private?
Blushing, Shen Qiu pushed Ye Chen away and asked, “What’s wrong? I heard you shouting – who angered you?”
Ye Chen glared at Shen Rouyun and said, “It’s nothing, I just can’t stand vulgar face powder. Second cousin came too close.”
Then he turned to Shen Qiu’s mother and said, “Mother-in-law, it’s getting late – we should be returning. We’ll see you off at the city gates first thing tomorrow morning!”Shen Qiu-niang thought she had said all that needed to be said to Shen Qiu, so she remarked, “Yes, it’s getting late. You can’t return home too late for this bridal visit, so you two should hurry along.”
“Ah, um, Son-in-law.” Just as they were about to leave, Shen Qiu-niang called out to Ye Chen, pulling him aside.
“I’m entrusting Qiu’er to you. You must treat her well. Don’t be fooled by her silly demeanor—she’s incredibly strong-willed deep down! As for your past… normally, I wouldn’t have the right to pry, but since you’ve been good to Qiu’er, I’ll be bold this once.”
“Qiu’er is simple-hearted. Once she sets her mind on something, she won’t change. Don’t let her down, or even ten oxen couldn’t drag her back!”
Ye Chen bowed to Shen Qiu-niang and said, “Mother-in-law, rest assured. I understand. I will never betray Qiu’er!”
Shen Qiu-niang nodded in satisfaction.