Early the next morning, Chen Ping delivered official matters requiring Jiang Chengyuan’s attention to the Yun residence. Led by the Yun family’s servant to Panyue Garden, he was momentarily stunned to see both the lord and lady emerging from the room one after the other.
Chen Ping: “…”
While Chen Ping stood frozen, Jiang Chengyuan asked: “Has there been word on the disaster relief in Rong County?”
Chen Ping quickly recovered: “Yes, news has come. The palace has decreed that His Majesty will allocate one hundred thousand taels for relief. But it must be personally delivered to Rong County by you, my lord.”
Jiang Chengyuan accepted the document and carefully reviewed its contents. Since the funds had been allocated, the imperial edict would soon arrive at the Prime Minister’s residence. He planned to return after breakfast.
Chen Ping added: “My lord, Master and Madam request that you and the young lady return to the residence together today. They wish to discuss something.”
Yun Shuyue had intended to stay at home for several more days, then stroll through the streets to see if there were suitable estates or shops available. But now, she had to abandon that plan.
After breakfast, they prepared to return to the Prime Minister’s residence. Seeing her daughter’s reluctant expression, Miao Yuhua felt a pang of sorrow but kept it hidden: “Go on now. Your husband’s official duties are important.”
Yun Hongyi also urged: “Your brother couldn’t make it back this time. When he returns, we’ll invite you both again to talk at home. Now, hurry along.”
In the carriage back to the residence, Yun Shuyue occasionally lifted the curtain to look outside. Shops along Lique Street were already open, and vendors lined the roadside selling vegetables and sundries. But since this area was far from the eastern part of the city, she saw no storefronts available for purchase.
Watching the scenery recede, Yun Shuyue felt a twinge of disappointment.
From the moment they boarded the carriage, Jiang Chengyuan had closed his eyes to rest. But now he was quietly observing Yun Shuyue, who leaned forward eagerly to peer outside.
The morning sunlight illuminated her face, highlighting her beauty like a painting. Her long lashes fluttered, her ink‑black hair swayed with the carriage’s motion. Every gesture seemed filled with longing for the world beyond.
Sensing his gaze, Yun Shuyue turned back—only to see Jiang Chengyuan still with eyes closed, as if meditating. She thought she had imagined it.
No sooner had they returned to the residence than the imperial edict arrived. Its contents confirmed Jiang Chengyuan was to personally deliver the disaster relief funds to Rong County.
At the news, Yun Shuyue’s eyes flickered with worry. The famine in Rong County had begun the previous year due to drought. The harvest had failed entirely, leaving the people destitute, corpses scattered across the land. Many had starved to death.
The court had already allocated relief twice, but the results were poor. Rumors of riots had spread.
Among all officials, only Jiang Chengyuan had consistently paid attention to Rong County’s plight, despite the tangled political interests surrounding it.
As he accepted the edict, Yun Shuyue’s heart grew heavier. According to the story’s original plot, the journey to escort the relief funds would bring disaster. Rong County lay thousands of li away; even traveling day and night, it would take seven or eight days to arrive.
Along the way, several mountain passes had to be crossed. If she remembered correctly, near Great Pine Mountain, Jiang Chengyuan would be ambushed by bandits and gravely injured.
Yun Shuyue pondered how to warn him without sounding strange. After all, nothing had happened yet—if she spoke too plainly, he might grow suspicious.
Back in the main hall, Gu Lanfang sat drinking tea. After two days of rest, her mood had eased somewhat. Yet she hadn’t expected such an imperial decree, summoning the couple back from the Yun residence so soon.
If Jiang Chengyuan went to Rong County, it might take two or three months—perhaps even four or five. Already worried about their strained relationship, Gu Lanfang’s mood soured further.
When Jiang Chong arrived, he heard her complaining: “You’ve only just married, and now you’ll be separated. Who knows when I’ll ever hold a grandchild?”
Jiang Chong replied cheerfully: “Ah, that’s no problem. Since Yuan’er will be busy with disaster relief in Rong County, why not let Shuyue accompany him? They can look after each other.”
Yun Shuyue: “…”
Jiang Chengyuan: “…”
In the past, Jiang Chong would never have suggested such a thing, believing Yun Shuyue too frail to endure the hardships of travel. But since her marriage, he had noticed she wasn’t as delicate as rumors claimed. With the couple newly wed, more time together could only strengthen their bond. As the saying goes, affection grows with time—he thought this an excellent opportunity.
Yun Shuyue tried to decline: “But my husband is going on official duty. If I accompany him, people might gossip.”
She knew Jiang Chengyuan’s cold, reputation‑conscious nature. He would never take her along. More importantly, the journey was dangerous. Unlike him—an official but secretly a skilled fighter—she was defenseless. Preserving her safety was paramount.
Jiang Chong dismissed her concern: “What’s there to fear? His Majesty knows Yuan’er just married you. A young couple being inseparable is natural. Besides, the edict doesn’t forbid bringing family. Just go with him.”
Yun Shuyue hesitated: “But…” She glanced at Jiang Chengyuan, but he only lowered his head to sip tea, offering no comment.
Gu Lanfang, however, thought her husband had finally come up with a decent idea. If the two spent every day together, perhaps sparks would fly—and then, surely, good news would follow.
Following this line of thought, Gu Lanfang agreed with her husband’s suggestion: “No more ‘buts.’ In other households, when the husband goes on official duty, he rarely takes his wife along. Yuan’er has already tacitly agreed—you should be glad.”
Glad? Yun Shuyue’s heart sank. Glad was the last thing she felt.
The situation in Rong County was still unclear, but the mere thought of bandit ambushes along the way was terrifying enough. Worse yet, imagining months of constant proximity to Jiang Chengyuan made her heart pound uneasily, as though ten buckets were swinging inside her chest.
Leaving the main hall, Jiang Chengyuan headed toward the study. Yun Shuyue hesitated, then finally followed.
Inside, Gu Lanfang exchanged a glance with Jiang Chong: “Husband, ever since they returned from the Yun family, something feels different. Look—this is the first time Shuyue has willingly followed Yuan’er.”
Jiang Chong chuckled: “Didn’t I tell you? Their days together are long ahead. I said not to worry, but you wouldn’t listen. If you want to know more, ask Chen Ping. I wasn’t at the Yun residence—how should I know what happened?”
At the study door, Jiang Chengyuan already knew Yun Shuyue was behind him. He turned and asked: “Madam, do you have business?”
Yun Shuyue nodded: “Indeed, a small matter.”Glancing at the door, she added softly: “Husband, may we speak inside?”