Upon receiving orders to inspect the river embankments along the route to Bianliang and Cao Pu, Yan Peifeng immediately began preparations.
He first went to the Ministry of Works to retrieve the records from last year’s embankment construction. The Vice Minister of Works assigned two officials skilled in water conservancy engineering to accompany Yan Peifeng as assistants.
Next, Yan Peifeng hurried to the Hanlin Academy Library to look through past memorials submitted by court officials dispatched to inspect riverways. Though he lacked experience, there was no shortage of precedents to learn from.
As Yan Peifeng was engrossed in reading at the Hanlin Academy, a young eunuch from the Eastern Palace arrived, saying the Crown Prince had sent him to relay a message: the Empress had just summoned Lady Shen to the palace, but unfortunately, Princess Mingzhu was also scheduled to visit the Empress that day, and the two were likely to cross paths.
Hearing this, Yan Peifeng’s expression darkened. Irritated, he closed the memorial, stood up, and strode directly out of the room, disappearing through the doorway in just a few moments. The messenger eunuch stood there bewildered for a moment before scurrying after him.
When Yan Peifeng arrived at Kunning Palace in haste and inquired with the palace maids guarding the entrance, he learned that only Shen Yunying was inside. He straightened his attire, hesitating whether to stay and wait or turn back and return to the library.
Before he could decide, he saw Shen Yunying slowly emerge from Kunning Palace. Spotting him, her eyes curved into a smile as she approached and called out, “Husband.”
Yan Peifeng decided to escort Shen Yunying back to their residence first.
Drawing on his understanding of the Crown Prince, Yan Peifeng deliberately scanned the less crowded walls and corners nearby. Sure enough, he caught sight of the Crown Prince’s mischievous expression—truly unbecoming of a future ruler!
Princess Mingzhu was the daughter of Prince Cheng, the current emperor’s younger brother. Though they had different mothers, the two mothers were close friends and often helped each other care for their children. Thus, while the brothers were not full siblings, their bond was no less strong than that of blood brothers.
Princess Mingzhu admired Yan Peifeng. She was known for her flamboyant and willful personality. After the New Year celebrations, she had gone to her maternal grandparents’ home in Jiangnan. If she learned that Yan Peifeng had married, she would undoubtedly seek to meet his wife, Shen Yunying.
Yan Peifeng, knowing Shen Yunying’s gentle nature, feared she might suffer or be wronged if confronted by Princess Mingzhu. That was why he had rushed to Kunning Palace.
It turned out this whole incident was orchestrated by the Crown Prince. Yan Peifeng was speechless—what was the Crown Prince trying to achieve?
The palace path from Kunning Palace to the palace gate was long and straight. As it was inconvenient to speak freely within the palace, Shen Yunying and Yan Peifeng walked calmly and leisurely past the red-walled, green-tiled halls, looking as if they had stepped out of a painting. The palace maids sweeping the path couldn’t help but stare for a moment, captivated.
The Yan family carriage gradually moved away from the palace.
Shen Yunying turned her head to look at Yan Peifeng sitting beside her and asked proactively, “Husband, earlier the Empress mentioned that you’ve been promoted to River Inspector and will be traveling to inspect the riverways?”
The so-called River Inspector was a temporary official position. Upon returning to the capital, this title would automatically become void.
Generally, the rank of capital officials was one level lower than that of local officials. Therefore, when capital officials were dispatched to the provinces for inspection duties, the Emperor would grant them a temporary official title.
Could this also be seen as a sign of favor?
A flicker of guilt passed through Yan Peifeng’s eyes. This was something he should have told her himself.
Since things had come to this point, there was no need to elaborate on his plans. Yan Peifeng nodded gently. “That’s right. We are both going. Did Her Majesty the Empress instruct you on what to pay attention to? Her Majesty has seen much of the world, so just listen to her advice.”
“According to the plan, we depart early tomorrow morning. We must travel light and focus on making good time.”
Yan Peifeng could bring female family members along, but time was tight. Their party needed to hurry, and this was no leisurely trip—they couldn’t bring many belongings.
Shen Yunying nodded. “I understand.”
“Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to take good care of my husband,” Shen Yunying said with a bright smile, opening the sandalwood box on the tea table. She took out a yellow peace talisman and handed it to Yan Peifeng. “Her Majesty specially went to Xiangguo Temple to obtain this. We each have one.”
She spread open her left palm, revealing an identical peace talisman, and said with admiration, “Her Majesty cares for your safety just like an ordinary aunt from a common family. Hurry and tie it on.”
The peace talisman was small and could be attached to a pouch or tucked directly into a sleeve for convenience.
Yan Peifeng’s expression softened as he smiled. “This was likely snatched by my uncle from Xiangguo Temple, and Her Majesty presented it to you on his behalf.”
“Snatched?” Shen Yunying exclaimed in surprise, finding it hard to believe. Would the Emperor need to snatch a peace talisman from Xiangguo Temple?
Yan Peifeng picked up the thin string of the peace talisman and tied it to the drawstring of his pouch before explaining to Shen Yunying, “Because my uncle went to Xiangguo Temple five or six times to complain, saying their peace talismans couldn’t ensure safety. The abbot of Xiangguo Temple had no choice but to beg my uncle not to visit again and even privately instructed the monks not to send any peace talismans to the palace.”
Peace talismans were merely comforts for the heart; they couldn’t perform miracles.
Neither Princess Jiarong nor Consort Yan could live peacefully to old age.
Shen Yunying was astonished. It was the first time she had heard of someone causing trouble at a temple because a peace talisman didn’t work. The Emperor truly was the Emperor—he acted without restraint.
But whether it was the Emperor or the Empress, both had made thoughtful arrangements for Yan Peifeng.
Thinking of Jiang Wensheng, Shen Yunying shifted slightly and asked, “Husband, since we’re about to depart, I’d like to return to Taishi Mansion first to visit my mother.”
Yan Peifeng nodded directly. “Of course. Let’s go together.”
He was taking his wife on a long journey and needed to inform his mother-in-law, as well as bid her farewell.
Yan Peifeng accompanied Shen Yunying to Taishi Mansion but only stayed in the rear courtyard for a short while before going to the front courtyard study to meet Grand Tutor Shen. Shen Yunying took the opportunity to spend time alone with Jiang Wensheng, sharing heartfelt words and reassuring her that she would write letters.
Jiang Wensheng, in turn, had someone fetch several small jars from the storeroom, saying they were provisions for Shen Yunying and Yan Peifeng during their journey.
Shen Yunying opened them and found fermented black bean sauce, beef paste, and dried sour bamboo shoots—all appetizing and perfect for summer meals. She immediately hugged Jiang Wensheng’s arm and acted coquettishly, earning a teasing remark from Jiang Wensheng about how she hadn’t grown up even after getting married.
Neither of them stayed long at Taishi Mansion, as there were still many matters awaiting them back home.
Yan Peifeng busied himself in the front courtyard with the advisors, guards, and physicians who would accompany them. Most importantly, he needed to deepen his understanding of the river channels and embankments to avoid being deceived by subordinates.
Meanwhile, Shen Yunying was in the rear courtyard, too preoccupied with packing to even take a sip of hot tea.
At Yan Peifeng’s request, the group of about thirty people set off lightly equipped and traveling simply. Therefore, the luggage to be taken along had to be carefully considered, while also accommodating clothing, food, shelter, and transportation.
In this regard, even Jiang Wensheng couldn’t offer her any advice, as he himself had no experience. Shen Yunying then summoned the Yan family’s chief steward and Nanny Yang.
Her voice was crisp and clear as she smiled and said, “Yan Bo, Nanny Yang, you are both longtime servants by my husband’s side, and as experienced elders, you have much more knowledge than I do in many matters.”
To be praised by the mistress in such a way, affirming their positions, was both thrilling and gratifying for the two loyal servants.
Noticing their expressions, Shen Yunying continued, “This time, my husband is leaving the capital on official business, and I must trouble you both to lend a hand in helping me prepare a comprehensive set of luggage. My husband’s intention is to travel light and simply, with everything focused on making the journey.”
Yan Bo and Nanny Yang each took on their tasks—one overseeing the overall arrangements, the other handling the details. They were more familiar with Yan Peifeng’s habits, and every item they chose to bring had a solid reason.
Shen Yunying listened while sipping tea, nodding from time to time to indicate approval—this should be taken, that wasn’t necessary. With the help of the chief steward and Nanny Yang, more than half of the luggage was packed in less than two hours.
In the end, Shen Yunying was pleased that she didn’t have to lift a finger, as Yan Peifeng’s luggage and carriage arrangements were all taken care of. As for her own portion, with Yinping and Yinzheng around, it was quite simple.
As the evening glow spread across the sky, Zhengran Residence returned to tranquility under the lingering rays of the setting sun. All tasks were completed before the sun went down.
Shen Yunying stood by the windowsill of the rear corridor, looking at the newly transplanted mugwort planted beside the gardenia tree. The scents of the two plants mingled, not unpleasant but rather emitting a faint, refreshing herbal fragrance. Shen Yunying was quite satisfied.
“It’s a pity about the vegetables I just planted—they haven’t even sprouted yet. This trip will take at least one or two months, so I won’t be able to water and weed them every day.” Shen Yunying regarded daily watering and weeding as a form of light exercise to stretch her muscles. Having just listed the tasks she wanted to do, she suddenly had to give them up. For someone who rarely sought to exert herself, Shen Yunying felt a bit reluctant to let go.
Yinzheng puffed out her chest and said, “Don’t worry, Madam. I’ve already instructed someone to take meticulous care of them. Perhaps by the time you return, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh vegetables.”
Shen Yunying chuckled. Well, not having to do it herself was also a good thing. Her summer vegetable-growing endeavor had been interrupted halfway, so she would wait until winter. Shen Yunying remembered that one of her dowry estates had a hot spring, and she planned to visit it when she had time to see how she could grow some vegetables there.
That way, fresh and tender vegetables could still grace the table in winter.
She was always open-minded. Seeing that the sky had completely darkened, she led Yinping and Yinzheng inside for dinner.
Today was the sixteenth day of the month, and Shen Yunying hadn’t expected Yan Peifeng to come to the Rear Courtyard at all. Not only did she dine early, but she also retired early for the night, ordering Zhengran Residence to extinguish the lights before the hour of Hai.
Shen Yunying wanted to take advantage of the last bit of time to get a good night’s sleep. Starting tomorrow, they would be on the road, and the conditions while camping might not even be one-tenth as comfortable as those in the Princess Mansion.
She naturally intended to make the most of her remaining time in the capital and enjoy a good night’s rest.
While Shen Yunying slept comfortably, Yan Peifeng was in the Study, reading and holding confidential discussions. He spoke in detail with two trusted secretaries from the mansion about the official position and responsibilities of the Wangjiang River Inspector.
The lights in the Study weren’t completely extinguished until well past midnight.
Early the next morning, Shen Yunying specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare several lamb sauce pancakes—crisp, smooth, and refreshing, with the sauce thoroughly soaked into the dough. After the crispy edges, the soft interior lingered delightfully on the palate, making them both filling and convenient to carry.
As the morning sun rose, the Yan family’s traveling party gathered at the Princess Mansion gate with the Ministry of Works officials they had arranged to inspect alongside.
Shen Yunying sat in the carriage, biting into a warm lamb sauce pancake, and directed Yinzheng to place a soft pillow in one corner of the compartment so she could lie down for a while when bored on the road.
The aroma of the pancake drifted out as a breeze lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.
Coincidentally, Yan Peifeng stood right below the curtain, facing Shen Yunying directly, seemingly with something to say to her inside the carriage.
Shen Yunying paused instantly, glanced down at the pancake in her hand, and smiled at Yan Peifeng. “Would you like one, husband?”
Worried he might think it was bought from a street vendor and disdain it, she added, “It was made by the mansion’s cook. I even had him make extra to serve as provisions on the road.”
Siqi first glanced at Yan Peifeng, then stepped forward with keen awareness, cheerfully saying, “How thoughtful of you, madam. The master was too busy to have breakfast this morning, and with departure imminent, a warm pancake is just perfect.”
As Siqi was about to flatter further, Yan Peifeng shot him a sidelong glare, and he immediately fell silent.