…
On the day she received the Emperor’s Shengzhi, Shen Miao immediately returned to Junzhu Fu. She dispatched additional personnel to take stock of the granaries, arranged for carts, horses, and boats, and began preparing provisions for the northern border day and night without rest.
Millions of dan of military grain continuously converged from Jiangnan, Bashu, and Lingnan. Sacks of grain piled up like mountains, fleets of boats stretched endlessly, creating a grand and imposing scene. Yet, it also made everyone in the capital break into a cold sweat.
Three days before departure, she went to Cining Gong to pay her respects as was customary.
As soon as she stepped into the hall, the Empress Dowager immediately set down her prayer beads, hurried forward, and grasped her hand.
Her fingertips were slightly cool, and her tone was filled with unconcealed reproach and concern: “You’ve finally come! I was just about to send someone to fetch you.”
Shen Miao lowered her gaze slightly and said softly, “I’ve worried you, Grandmother.”
“How could I not worry!” The Empress Dowager gently patted the back of her hand, her brows tightly furrowed, her eyes filled with deep anxiety. “I say, the Emperor is truly at ease! Knowing full well that the Northern Di border is engulfed in war and fraught with danger, he still entrusted such a perilous task to you.”
“That’s going to the border, to a place of war. You’re just a young woman—what if something were to happen… I dare not think about it.”
Shen Miao could clearly feel the trembling and warmth in the old woman’s palm.
Her heart softened. She clasped the Empress Dowager’s hand in return, her voice gentle and steady: “Grandmother, rest assured. This journey is not a solitary venture deep into enemy territory. It’s merely escorting provisions, and the Water Transport Guild will provide protection along the entire route. The waterways are calm, and the guards are strict. There will be no danger.”
“Even if there’s no danger, the journey is a thousand miles long, with wind, sand, frost, and snow, traversing long rivers and distant mountains. The constant jostling and exhaustion—how can you endure it?” The Empress Dowager still refused to relent, her eyes slightly reddening. “I’ve only just found you, only just kept you by my side. How can I bear to let you suffer like that?”
Shen Miao felt a pang in her nose. She leaned gently against the Empress Dowager’s shoulder, like a true junior who had shed all defenses, her voice softening: “Grandmother, I’ve only just found you. How could I bear to let anything happen to myself?”
“I promise you, I will go safely and return smoothly, coming back to your side without a single hair out of place.”
She repeatedly assured and comforted her, speaking softly and patiently, until the worry in the Empress Dowager’s eyes gradually faded, and she finally relented.
The Empress Dowager looked at her, sighed softly, her gaze full of affection and pride: “You, you’re just like your father back then.”
“Clearly able to live a peaceful life, yet you must care for the world. Clearly able to stay out of it, yet you shoulder the heavy burden.”
“You and your father are both loyal subjects of Dajing.”
Shen Miao lowered her eyes, concealing a fleeting bitterness within them.
Her father was loyal to the sovereign and served the country, yet he met such an end.
Her mother was gentle and virtuous, yet she was secretly harmed.
This realm of Dajing—she was not born to protect it. It’s just that there are debts to collect.
Some grudges to avenge.
Some justice to personally reclaim.
But these words, she could not speak them to the Empress Dowager.
She only responded softly, burying all her emotions deep within her heart.
…
After bidding farewell at Cining Gong, all preparations were complete.
The provisions were assembled, and the fleet was ready to depart.
Shen Miao stood on the dock in neat, practical attire, her red robes fluttering in the wind.
Zhao Chengyu had long been waiting there, dressed in a moon-white short jacket, his posture tall and straight. His peach-blossom eyes held a smile, and the moment his gaze landed on her, it shone with startling brilliance.
“Ah Shen, everything’s ready.” He stepped forward, his tone light yet carrying an unconscious protectiveness.
Shen Miao looked up at the man before her—clean-cut, with eyes full of her—and nodded gently. “Then let’s set off!”
“Alright, let’s go—”
The wind swept across the river, stirring ripples upon ripples.
The massive Water Transport Guild vessel slowly pulled away from the shore, its white sails unfurling.
A journey of a thousand miles began here.
Shen Miao stood at the bow: her long hair fluttered gently in the river breeze, the clean lines of her profile reflected in the shimmering water, softening even the ripples.
Zhao Chengyu produced a fishing rod from somewhere, grinning as he sidled up, his peach-blossom eyes curved like crescent moons. “Ah Shen, since we’re just idling, why not catch a few fresh fish? I’ll make you soup tonight.”
Shen Miao shot him a sidelong glance. “The current is too strong while the ship is moving. How could you possibly catch fish?”
“Let’s give it a try.” Without waiting for her reply, he shoved the fishing rod into her hands and sat down beside her, his arm lightly brushing against hers. “What if we get lucky? If we catch one, it’s yours. If not, it’s on me.”
“What kind of twisted logic is that?”
The river breeze brushed their faces, cool and moist.
Zhao Chengyu chatted with her intermittently, sharing amusing stories about the Water Transport Guild.
He spoke of the customs of river-dwelling families.
Which stretch of the river had the plumpest fish.
Which treacherous shoals required the most caution.
His voice was clear and soothing, easing the tension in her heart.
Gradually, Shen Miao’s tightly wound nerves relaxed amidst the gentle rocking of the boat and his cheerful chatter.
After a while, the fishing line suddenly tugged.
Shen Miao was momentarily stunned.
Zhao Chengyu was even more excited, springing to his feet. “It’s biting! It’s biting! Ah Shen, pull it in!”
She reeled in the line, but her strength wasn’t enough.
Zhao Chengyu leaned in from behind, his palm covering her hand. Together, they pulled, and a large, silvery carp broke the surface, thrashing on the deck.
“Wow, it’s huge.”
His chest pressed against her back, his warm breath brushing the tip of her ear. Shen Miao’s ears flushed instantly, and she instinctively tried to pull away.
But Zhao Chengyu let go first, scratching his head with a sunny smile. “See? I told you we could catch one!”
His triumphant expression bore none of the sharpness of the Water Transport Guild Young Master, instead resembling a boy eagerly awaiting praise.
Shen Miao looked into his sparkling peach-blossom eyes, and the corners of her lips unconsciously lifted.
That smile left Zhao Chengyu staring, lost for words.
…
In the evening, the boat anchored in a shallow shoal, the river breeze gentler now.
Zhao Chengyu glanced at the fish they’d caught earlier, then at Shen Miao’s serene profile. Suddenly, he stripped off his outer robe, spat into his palms, and declared, “Wait here. I’ll catch you an even fresher one.”
Before Shen Miao could respond, he plunged into the river with a splash.
Shen Miao gasped and hurried to the edge of the boat. “Zhao Chengyu!”
The river was cool, but he was an excellent swimmer. Moments later, he surfaced, wiping the water from his face, his peach-blossom eyes dazzling in the sunset. “Don’t worry, I won’t drown!”
In the water, he moved like a nimble fish, diving down and resurfacing with a plump red-tailed fish in hand.
He swam to the boat, hoisting himself up with one hand. Water droplets trailed from his hair, his soaked robes clinging to his body, outlining his lean frame.
Shen Miao handed him a dry towel, her tone tinged with a hint of reproach. “How old are you, still acting so recklessly?”
“Here, for you to eat.” He grinned carelessly, taking the towel to wipe himself off haphazardly before leaning closer to her. “Smell it—isn’t it fresher than what you’d catch fishing?”
Warm steam mingled with the faint, clean scent of his body washed over her. Shen Miao turned her head away, yet her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.