9
The imperial decree stated that in the fifty-second year of the Fenghuang era, General Li, a loyal subject defending the border, had maintained peace and safety in the land, protecting the people from harm.
In recognition of his service, he was summoned to the imperial court to receive his reward in the fourth month.
Li Taixuan accepted the decree with a stunned expression.
The luxurious, golden silk scroll felt heavy in his hands.
As he stood up, he glanced at his family, his heart heavy with sorrow.
He had been stationed at the border for over ten years, practically half of his life.
While his children hadn’t lived in luxury like the noble children in the capital, they had enjoyed a certain freedom, away from the complexities of court life.
The dangerous and deceitful minds of the capital were something no father would wish his children to encounter.
He had always hoped for a simpler life for them, that they would grow up understanding and sensible, marry into families of decent but humble status, with partners of kind and simple hearts.
That would be enough.
However, if he had to take his family to the capital this time, they might never return to the border.
Zhengqing, though still young, was reaching the age where he should be finding a suitable match.
And soon enough, Ying Ying would face similar questions.
Li Taixuan exchanged a glance with his wife.
Shen Xuefei smiled faintly, signaling her understanding of the situation.
Shen Xuefei, originally the daughter of a scholar’s family, was well-versed in literature, poetry, music, and all forms of needlework.
However, her love for folk tales, miscellaneous readings, and even martial arts set her apart from the typical demure and refined women of the inner chambers.
She refused to conform to the ideal image of a virtuous lady, instead being true to herself, which eventually caught Li Taixuan’s eye, leading to their marriage.
She wasn’t naive.
Amidst the complexities of the capital and the many aristocratic families, daughters were born to forge alliances, and sons to strengthen power.
How many people truly got to marry for love?
Shen Xuefei was one of the rare few.
Feng Yongyuan had once investigated the Li family and discovered that many of General Li’s decisions—both in military matters and in his personal life—were influenced by her.
Originally, Li Taixuan had been an honest but hot-tempered man.
Although he had the courage and strength to lead charges into enemy ranks, his strategic abilities weren’t sharp enough to hold the position of a general commanding tens of thousands of troops.
Behind his military victories was Furen Li, acting as his advisor.
Li Taixuan, who had encountered many people in the martial world during his time at the border, never believed in suppressing women.
He didn’t restrict his wife to household duties and always discussed major decisions with her, listening to her advice.
The love between husband and wife ran deep.
When Shen Xuefei passed away, the foundation of the family collapsed.
In the end, Li Taixuan died on the battlefield, their son met a tragic end, and their daughter was left to endure bullying and torment, barely surviving.
Feng Yongyuan understood well that the most influential person in the Li family wasn’t Li Taixuan, but Furen Li.
“Go prepare yourselves to return to the capital.
In three days, we will set out,” Li Taixuan told his two children.
It was early in the second month, and the journey from the border to the capital would take at least a month on horseback.
If they traveled by carriage, it would take twice as long.
To arrive by the fourth month, as required by the imperial decree, they couldn’t afford any delay.
“The capital?
We’re really going to the capital?”
Li Zhengqing asked excitedly, then turned to his younger sister.
“The snacks from the capital that the merchants brought last year were quite good.
I remember you liked the Osmanthus jelly and the lotus-flower pastries.
How about we buy several boxes when we get there?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful!
Big Brother knows me so well,” Li Yue Haili replied with a sweet, squinty-eyed smile.
She too realized that going to the capital might not be a good thing, but for her beloved brother, their parents would gradually teach him about the cruelty of the world.
As his little sister, her role was to keep that kindness alive in his heart for as long as possible.
Feng Yongyuan, seeing her smile so sweetly at her brother, felt a surge of jealousy burn within him.
“I have a chef at the prince’s residence who specializes in making sweets.
I could send some to you, would you like that?” he offered.
The young girl looked up at the prince, blinking her large eyes twice before answering in a clear, soft voice, “No, thank you.” She refused without hesitation, her small lips curling into a gentle smile.
But to Feng Yongyuan, that smile felt distant and cold.
The young prince’s heart shattered into pieces.
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it you who loves sweets, Your Highness?”
She replied absentmindedly before quickly walking into the cabin, leaving him behind.
The heart that had just been shattered was mended in an instant by that single remark.
Feng Yongyuan’s blue-brown eyes lit up with surprise.
How did Ying Ying know he liked sweets?
Could she remember something too?