Qianxi had told her to head west because the lands in that direction remained relatively stable and peaceful.
Yet places that seemed calm and orderly were often the most watchful of outsiders. The slightest unusual movement or occurrence would quickly become a hot topic of discussion among the local people in their daily conversations.
But Shen Ying was determined to follow her own plan, and she chose to travel south instead.
In the southern regions, widespread floods had submerged vast stretches of fertile farmland. The imperial court had dispatched laborers to construct water conservation works, and the area had become a gathering place for serious criminals, exiled offenders, and fugitives. With people of all sorts mixed together, it was the perfect environment to hide one’s true identity and move unnoticed.
As winter set in, the cold air seeped deep into every part of her body, leaving her chilled to the bone.
Strange, eerie cries of birds echoed through the woods, and shadows of unknown creatures darted quickly through the thickets of shrubs…
Shen Ying’s steps grew unsteady and weak, and before she knew it, she stumbled and fell to the ground. When she looked closely, she spotted a simple thatched hut not far away.
A mountain watcher’s dwelling!
And what had caused her to trip was nothing but a pile of burned charcoal.
Shen Ying hurriedly set down her bundle. Using only her bare hands, she dug a hole in the soil beneath a tree, placed the bundle inside, and covered it carefully with dry fallen leaves to hide it from view.
No sooner had she finished this task than the little prince, whom she had set aside for a moment, suddenly let out a loud, wailing cry. In the quiet stillness of the forest, the sound of an infant crying carried far and wide.
Who is there? Who’s lurking over there?
A rough, deep voice rang out, filled with suspicion and warning. At the same time, a dim oil lamp flickered to life inside the thatched hut, casting a faint glow through the cracks in the walls.
Kind sir… please help me.
Shen Ying grabbed a handful of dark ash and smeared it all over the little prince’s face to disguise him. Only then did she pick the child up and stagger slowly toward the hut.
By the light, she could make out the figure of a middle-aged man around fifty years old, weathered by life in the mountains. His skin was sallow, and his face was covered in thick, unkempt whiskers.
Shen Ying was utterly exhausted; her body had reached the very limit of its endurance.
Her knees gave way, and she collapsed forward. In her dazed and fading consciousness, she felt someone reach out and catch her, while a voice called out to her with urgent concern close to her ear: Young woman! Young woman, wake up!
Shen Ying sank into a deep sleep—or more accurately, she slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
It was only as she began to regain her senses that she started to dream. In her dream, she saw Imperial Consort Wan.
Imperial Consort Wan was the daughter of a provincial governor, just eighteen years old. She had a lively, cheerful, and open nature.
Perhaps it was her playful, charming, and endearing temperament that won her the emperor’s deep favor and affection. He granted her many special privileges, and she would often take Shen Ying and Qianxi along to sneak out of the palace to explore and travel through towns and prefectures surrounding the capital.
Shen Ying had even built billiard tables and hand-painted playing cards during their time together. Throughout the five years they spent in the Moonlight Palace, laughter and joy had filled every corner.
Yet for all the high favor and status Imperial Consort Wan enjoyed, in the end, the only person she could truly rely on was Shen Ying, her personal maid.
Tears welled up in the corners of Shen Ying’s eyes. She longed to remain in the dream a little longer, to hold onto those precious memories from the past, but the same rough voice she had heard earlier broke through her thoughts once more.
Young woman, you’re awake now. Come, have some wild vegetable soup to warm yourself.
She slowly opened her eyes, and her heart skipped a beat with sudden alarm.
The little prince!
Instantly alert and wide awake, she turned her head and saw that the young royal child was lying right beside her on a bed of straw. His bright, round eyes were fixed steadily upon her, full of curiosity and innocence.
Only then did Shen Ying let out a long breath of relief.
If anything had happened to the little prince, she would have no face to meet Imperial Consort Wan or Qianxi, even after death.
Here, a young woman has some hot soup.
The mountain watcher pushed a rough earthen bowl toward her. Warm steam rose from its surface, and the green vegetables inside had been simmered until they were soft and tender.
Shen Ying expressed her gratitude and took the bowl carefully in both hands.
The man tugged at the lynx pelt draped over his shoulders and asked, Young woman, what brings you to these mountains alone so late at night, and with such a young baby in your care?
Shen Ying had long prepared a story to explain her situation. Lowering her head, she let her lips tremble slightly, putting on an appearance of sorrow and helplessness.
I came here looking for my husband. He went into the mountains to gather firewood many days ago, and I have not received any word or news from him since.
I was so worried that something terrible might have happened to him that I came searching for him myself. But soon after I entered the woods, I lost my way and could not find the path out again.
She raised her eyes to look at him, her eyelashes glistening as if wet with tears. If you had not come to my aid and taken us in, kind sir, there is no telling what fate would have befallen us. My child and I might well have been carried off by wild beasts roaming these hills.
The mountain watcher held a dark, worn tobacco pipe in his hand and tapped it lightly against the wooden frame of the window.
Bits of dried tobacco leaf fell from the pipe as he spoke, his forehead creasing with deep lines from years of working outdoors. And what is your husband’s name?
Though her mind raced with anxiety and panic, Shen Ying kept her expression calm and composed, showing no sign of her inner turmoil.
His name is Wang Dachui. Our home is located in the third alleyway of the eastern market in Jichuan Prefecture, in the district known as Glazed Tile Quarter.
The man walked over to the corner of the hut and began flipping through the pages of an old, tattered register book.
The book contained the names of every woodcutter permitted to gather timber in these hills. All the mountain lands near the prefecture were owned by local noble families or placed under the jurisdiction of the county government. Anyone wishing to enter the forests had to pay a fee to obtain permission.
Shen Ying had provided such detailed information because she clearly remembered that when Imperial Consort Wan had traveled through Jichuan Prefecture, they had stopped to rest and take shelter in the very household she had just described.
The name Wang Dachui remained fresh and clear in her memory, so she knew there was no risk of making a mistake.
As the mountain watcher turned the pages of the register, his movements paused for a brief moment. He glanced sideways at Shen Ying from the corner of his eye, observing her closely.
Her fingers were slender and delicate, hands that clearly had never done heavy physical labor. Even the infant she held, though covered in dirt and grime from their journey, still had skin that was soft, fair, and smooth.
Such a fine and healthy appearance was not something children born into poor families usually possessed.
Shen Ying let her expression turn even more sorrowful. She lowered her head and wiped at her eyes as if brushing away tears.
My husband has always been so protective of me. He would never let me do any hard or tiring work, choosing instead to carry every burden himself just to provide for me and our son. If anything should happen to him, how will my child and I ever survive?
Now, there is no need to be so upset.
Much of the suspicion in the man’s heart faded away as he listened to her words. There are many people coming and going through these mountains every day. I will pass word along, and everyone will keep an eye out for him. I am sure he is safe and well.
I hope so.
Shen Ying replied in a soft, quiet voice and began to drink the warm soup. As the warmth spread through her body, restoring some of her strength, she was already thinking about continuing their journey. Just then, sounds of footsteps and voices came from outside the hut.
The mountain watcher stepped out to greet the newcomer, and Shen Ying heard the loud, hearty voice of an older woman ring out.
Glazed Tile Quarter? I know that area very well—I live there myself! Once I have finished gathering my firewood, I will lead this young woman and her child down the mountain safely. These woods are far too dangerous for anyone to travel alone.
Leaving the mountains was one thing, but traveling in the company of a stranger was quite another.
Yet things had already reached this point, and Shen Ying had no other choice but to accept the situation. While the older woman was still busy gathering wood deeper in the forest, Shen Ying made an excuse to collect some kindling from the surrounding area, saying she did not want their time here to be wasted.
The mountain watcher had no objection and let her go about her task. Shen Ying carefully took her bundle, wrapped it securely in bamboo shoot sheaths and pine needles to hide its contents, tied it tightly with sturdy vine, and slung it over her shoulder.
She had left the Moonlight Palace in such a rush that she had not even taken the time to put on proper outer clothing. The thin fabric of her dress offered little protection, and the sharp pine needles pierced through the material, pricking her skin and causing sharp, stinging pain.
When the older woman was ready to begin their descent, Shen Ying picked up the little prince, bid farewell to the mountain watcher, and set off.
The bundle of firewood the older woman carried weighed nearly eighty pounds. Made up of logs of different thicknesses and lengths, it swayed heavily from side to side as she walked, making her steps unsteady.
They traveled slowly, stopping frequently to rest before moving on again. The woman had a loud voice and loved to talk, sharing all kinds of stories and observations along the way.
Young woman, you really must stop wandering around aimlessly. You are very fortunate to have met such a kind and honest man as our mountain watcher. If you had encountered bandits or criminals instead, what on earth would you have done?
Shen Ying gave a faint smile. At the very least, the mountain watcher held an official position and was supported by government funds. No matter what flaws he might have, he could never be truly malicious or dangerous.
After all, it had been he who had taken the silver hairpin she carried with her while she lay unconscious the night before. Shen Ying was fully aware of what had happened, but she kept her thoughts to herself and simply responded to the woman’s words.
From what I have seen, life in Jichuan Prefecture seems peaceful and prosperous, and its people appear happy and content.
That is only because you see things from the limited perspective of a woman living a sheltered life, isn’t it? The truth is, crowds of displaced people and refugees are currently camped right outside the city gates. The flooding in the regions south of the Yangtze River has destroyed thousands of homes and left countless families homeless. Though the imperial court claims to have sent supplies and grain to aid those affected, no one has actually seen or received any of it.
Shen Ying knew very well that the Great Qi Dynasty was already in a precarious state, a fact she had often heard discussed by Imperial Consort Wan.
The older woman continued talking without pause, sharing story after story until they neared the foot of the mountain. Then she leaned closer and spoke in a mysterious, hushed tone.
And I have also heard rumors that great trouble has broken out within the imperial palace itself. Authorities are currently searching everywhere to arrest fugitives who have escaped from the capital. Just yesterday, someone tried to sell a stolen horse, and they were captured on the spot. No one knows yet whether they are alive or dead.