The summer rain ceased abruptly, and the scorching sun reappeared. The official road was flooded, forcing carriages and horses to crawl along at a snail’s pace. The temperature quickly soared again.
Inside the carriage, it was stiflingly hot. Guo Jiao had just lifted the curtain when a wave of heat rushed toward her. Frowning, she withdrew and gestured to the maidservant kneeling by the carriage door.
The maidservant immediately unlatched the wooden panels on both sides. With a soft metallic click, the panels slowly unfolded. The light gauze hanging from the carriage frame swayed gently in the hot breeze, and in the blink of an eye, the carriage transformed into a well-ventilated, cool retreat.
The wooden panels on both sides were propped up by supports and covered with cool mats. The spacious interior instantly lifted one’s spirits.
“Speaking of which, this carriage was purchased by Father a few years ago from Sister’s Thousand Wonders Pavilion,” Guo Jiao said softly as she personally attended to her husband, helping him change into dry clothes. She lowered her gaze and smiled, seemingly bringing it up casually. “Father spent a fortune acquiring over ten of them and hired skilled craftsmen to replicate them, hoping to trade them for livestock from the barbarians on the grasslands. But after seven years of effort, he still couldn’t figure out the method. If he had known Sister was in charge, he wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble.”
“Indeed,” Xie Song sighed deeply, his expression complex. “Previously, the master of the Thousand Wonders Pavilion remained hidden behind the scenes, amassing immense wealth. Many tried to uncover the person in charge, but none succeeded. It was only known that this person had connections with the southern court. Who would have thought that a delicate woman like Lin Ruo could build such an enterprise? If she hadn’t admitted it herself, the world would still be in the dark.”
He had thought Lin Ruo would wait quietly for him in their hometown. He had imagined returning in glory, holding the grandest wedding to let her know he had never forgotten her, not even for a moment.
She would be moved, would weep in his arms, would dream of cooking for him, would become a wife like A’jiao, dependent on him and seeing him as her everything…
“Speaking of which,” Guo Jiao said, noticing her husband’s dazed expression, her eyes glinting slightly, “the Thousand Wonders Pavilion’s daily profits are just a small matter. The pavilion has many side businesses—carriages, horses, and curiosities aside, she also operates the Donghai Ranch. Over the years, it has bred many fine horses. These horses are often rented out to noble ladies for polo matches, while the inferior ones are used for delivering messages or plowing fields. What a waste! If the ranch were handed over to you, husband, to establish an iron cavalry, think of the great achievements that could be made…”
“Ah, what you say makes perfect sense,” Xie Song replied, unable to help pressing a hand to his chest in distress at the thought. “Although the Donghai horses are not as tall as those from Liangzhou nor as elegant as the Ferghana horses, they could still serve in the military. Yet she uses them for delivering messages and playing polo. If this continues, even fine horses will become nags!”
Although their Guangyang Righteous Army had risen up over a decade ago, occupying the entire Qingzhou and even seizing half of Jizhou last year, despite their formidable power, they were severely lacking in horses. Thinking of the tens of thousands of horses Lin Ruo had wasted over the years… he couldn’t bear to dwell on it; it made him short of breath.
He still remembered, five years ago, when the Prince of Guangyang had wanted to march south to capture the Donghai Ranch, which bordered Qingzhou. He was soundly defeated by the Xuzhou Iron Cavalry, composed of Donghai horses, completely thwarting the Prince of Guangyang’s southern expansion plans. Lin Ruo had truly meant well but ended up causing harm.
Guo Jiao lowered her eyes slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “So, although Sister is skilled at amassing wealth, she doesn’t understand the greater principles of the world or the hardships of the people like you do, husband. In the future, you must keep a close eye on the Thousand Wonders Pavilion. It must not prioritize profit above all else again!”
Xie Song's gaze sharpened as he stroked his wife's long hair, smiling faintly. "A'jiao, this Thousand Wonders Pavilion involves far-reaching interests. I'm afraid it's not something Lin Ruo alone can decide. We must not be hasty."
Guo Jiao's heart tightened, realizing she had been too impatient. She couldn't help but chide softly, "Husband, what nonsense are you speaking? I am only considering your future. Even if I have some worries, that is only natural. Of course, I won't rush to speak to Sister about it."
Xie Song smiled in agreement. He naturally understood A'jiao's little concerns—she was merely worried that Ruoruo might grow too powerful in the future and overshadow her.
But one thing she said was correct: an industry like the Thousand Wonders Pavilion was far too crucial to be entirely in Lin Ruo's hands. Especially the Donghai Pasture—in the Central Plains, where horses were difficult to obtain, it was truly a treasure of the state. It had to be kept in his own hands for peace of mind.
"It's good that you understand, A'jiao," Xie Song said, moved as he looked at his sensible wife. "You've worked hard managing both internal and external affairs all these years."
"This is all within my duties as your wife," Guo Jiao replied, pleased that her husband did not mind. "But… all these years, you haven't informed your family of your survival. Won't Sister… won't she be angry?"
Xie Song tilted his head slightly. "I have my difficulties. She will understand me. Besides, without the support of the Xie Clan, where would she be today?"
After a pause, as if persuading himself, he added, "When we reach the clan, the elders will support me, not allow her to remarry with such a vast foundation…"
Over forty years ago, chaos erupted in the north. The royal family fled south, and great clans and noble families scattered in all directions. The wealthy and powerful families who crossed the river first occupied Jiang Nan, securing high positions and fertile lands. Their Jinyang Xie Clan, located near the border to resist the barbarians, fled later. By the time they finally crossed the Huai River with their elders and children, the southern court forbade them from crossing the Yangtze. They could only settle in Xuzhou, mingling with countless northern refugees. Not only were they denied provisions and funds, but they also had to bring their own manpower to resist the northern barbarians who frequently raided south.
Thus, the Xie Clan, once at the peak of power with members serving among the Three Excellencies, fell into obscurity. By his generation, most parents and elders had perished in the turmoil, their treasured books lost, and even the clan school could not be sustained. Among the remaining elders in the clan, who did not yearn to restore their former glory?
Now, as a leading general under the Prince of Guangyang, he had the prospect of contending for the realm. Who else would the clan support if not him?
Lin Ruo had witnessed how destitute he once was. He had to seize every opportunity to establish himself in this chaotic world and protect her safety.
Therefore, she would surely understand this matter of taking another wife…
Guo Jiao watched as he drifted into frequent distraction even before entering Xuzhou's borders, his spirit unsettled. Furious inwardly but showing nothing on her face, she changed the subject, pointing through the green gauze at the vast fields outside. "Husband, look at how much Jade Grain is planted here."
Clenching her teeth inwardly, she thought, Once that Lin Ruo enters the inner household, I will make sure she understands exactly who should be in charge of the Xie family!
Hearing this, Xie Song looked up. On both sides of the official road, beyond the sparse roadside trees, green land stretched endlessly into the distance. In the fields, sturdy stalks and lush leaves stood in orderly rows like soldiers at attention. When the long wind swept through, the broad leaves rustled like tens of thousands of silkworms devouring mulberry leaves. For a moment, he was stunned.
"To think… it has grown so much…"
"What has grown so much?" Guo Jiao asked, puzzled.
"This Jade Grain," Xie Song fell silent for a moment before murmuring softly, "it was brought from the heavens by her."
That year, a girl dressed in coarse linen stood before the low, damp thatched hut, carefully sorting a small handful of seeds in her palm.
She poured a handful of seeds from a transparent box smaller than her palm, her ponytail swaying happily: "Ah, ah, a stroke of luck in the midst of misfortune. Good thing I didn't listen to those unscrupulous merchants at the scenic area recommending that more expensive corn-free bird feed. With corn seeds, who needs to think about going to South America? So what if there are no potatoes or sweet potatoes? Why ask for the moon…"
He didn't quite understand, only catching the words "bird feed," and couldn't help asking: "Is this food for birds?"
"Exactly! The scenic area's main attraction is the bird-watching forest, promoting mixed grains. Can you believe such a small box costs ten yuan? They claim it's the most scientific formula… Wow! Peanuts!!!" Lin Ruo exclaimed in delight again, "And pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds? What a steal, ah ah ah, what are these tiny ones… rapeseeds!? Jackpot, jackpot!"
Watching the girl's joyful expression, he couldn't help but smile: "A'ruo, you always manage to be so happy."
"Of course! Life is our own. Complaining about fate is utterly useless," Lin Ruo carefully placed the seeds back into the small box, looked up at him, and teased, "Little brother, have you finished today's homework? Don't tell me you had Xiao Huai do it for you again?"
The ten-year-old boy beside them immediately jumped up: "No, I didn't help Second Uncle!"
The girl giggled: "Alright, you two have a new task now. Help me find a good plot of land that's easy to water. I need to take good care of these seeds. In the future, if people want to eat their fill, they'll have to rely on this."
"Really?" Xiao Huai widened his eyes.
"Absolutely true!" Xie Song immediately patted his nephew's head. He took out a bamboo slip but hesitated, his face inexplicably warming: "A'ruo, this is your household registration… that, you, do you really want to join my, my family?"
"Of course," Lin Ruo reached out and poked his chest, "You're going to achieve great things in the future. I need to hold onto you tightly, won't let any middlemen profit from us!"
"And me, and me," Xiao Huai said loudly, "Sister, look at me, I want to be someone who achieves great things too."
For a moment, the small thatched hut was filled with joyful laughter.
…
"Husband, husband!"
Guo Jiao's voice pulled him out of his memories. Xie Song suddenly snapped back to reality, somewhat dazed: "What is it, A'jiao?"
Guo Jiao simply found her husband's foolish, reminiscing expression too glaring. It angered her to see it—pretending to be so affectionate! If you liked her that much, why haven't you sent any word all these years!
But she certainly couldn't say that out loud. She could only force herself to come up with a reason and asked: "Why is so much Jade Grain being planted? It's so harsh on the throat to eat. Isn't this too careless with the common people's well-being…"
Although Jade Grain has a pleasant name, when cooked into porridge, it scrapes the throat just like wheat porridge—it's food for the poor. If everyone plants this Jade Grain, wouldn't it become difficult to eat millet and rice?
Xie Song straightened his expression and said seriously: "Madam, you are mistaken. One mu of Jade Grain can yield three dan, while millet yields only one dan. Such excellent grain is truly a divine gift from heaven. If my family had had this Jade Grain to pay the grain tax in my childhood, my parents wouldn't have had to serve as laborers and die in the Huainan Rebellion…"
Guo Jiao was immediately both surprised and remorseful: "So that's how it is, husband. It was my ignorance that led me to speak such words. I am truly ashamed, far from matching Sister's wisdom and grace…"
Xie Song smiled and drew her into his embrace: "Why say such things, my lady? Lin Ruo comes from humble origins, like an orchid in a secluded valley, enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow on her own. But you are different. You have been cherished since childhood and naturally know nothing of farming. It is my fortune to have plucked you, this pampered peony from the garden."
Guo Jiao laughed, her body trembling like a flower in the breeze: "Peonies are delicate and fragile, and still need my husband's tender care…"
Just as they were indulging in playful intimacy, the carriage suddenly came to a halt.
Author's Note: