BXG - 73

◎ The Wedding Feast ◎

After Yan Fu’s stunning victory, it seemed as though he had been divinely blessed. Chu Lin handed over command of the left guard of the western camp to him, and Yan Fu quickly became a central figure in the western camp. The battles against the Western Shaos proceeded with unstoppable momentum.

By the following spring, the Western Shaos had retreated once again beyond Lishao Pass.

Yan Fu was recalled to Bian capital briefly. Chu Lin praised him endlessly, expressing relief that after his own passing, the western front would have a capable successor. Even Song Chang was moved, personally adorning Yan Fu with a ceremonial feathered sash.

Fortunately, the fabricated records Zhou Tan had created for Yan Fu were meticulously detailed, leaving no one to question his identity. Both the Crown Prince and Li Wei assumed he was merely an obscure soldier under Wang Juqian.

Song Chang sent his first letter to Zhou Tan through Yan Fu.

Yan Fu accepted all the gifts sent from various places, packing them into two carts, and happily returned to the western frontier. He gave one cart entirely to Xu Zhi and distributed the other among his troops. Qu You watched as “Feihu” and “Niujiao,” close companions of Yan Fu, played with rare cat’s eye moonstones—gifts from the Crown Prince—using them as marbles, leaving her both amused and exasperated.

After reading Song Chang’s secret letter, Zhou Tan asked casually, “Won’t you keep some for yourself?”

Yan Fu replied, “My elder sister is gone, and my parents are no longer with me. I only have my foster father and these brothers. It’s fine to give everything to them. I’ve also set aside something for Lord Zhou…”

Qu You quickly interjected, “No need, no need. We lack nothing.”

Yan Fu continued, “I kept some fashionable fabrics and jewelry from Bian capital. Nanny Yun said they’re top-quality. I gave half to Sister Yiran and kept the rest…”

Qu You immediately changed her tone, “Xiaoyan, thank you so much!”

Zhou Tan chuckled softly, then covered his mouth to hide it. Turning serious, he asked Yan Fu, “So, do you not plan to marry anytime soon?”

“What’s worrying about that?” Yan Fu blushed quickly. “While in Bian capital, several old officials wanted to marry their daughters to me. But when they heard I’d be stationed in the west, they all backed out—except for one Miss Gao, who was unusually persistent…”

Hearing this, Qu You grew curious. “Miss Gao? Is she still unmarried?”

Yan Fu replied, “Does Madam know her? Ah… She sent someone to intercept me, saying someone wanted to inquire about something. I thought it was just an excuse and didn’t go. Oh no, what she wanted to ask about was probably you, Madam.”

“Ungrateful girl! If she wants to inquire about me, why didn’t she write me a letter?” Qu You teased, shaking her head. “I wonder how she’s doing now.”

“I followed your instructions and visited the shops and residences along the street. I even had tea with Boss Ai,” Yan Fu whispered, seeing no servants in the room. “Young Master Su is extremely influential in court right now and couldn’t spare time to see me. But Boss Ai said the young master is doing well. A physician named Bai is attending to him during his outings. Please rest assured.”

Zhou Tan responded indifferently, “That’s good.”

Though Yan Fu appeared straightforward and guileless, he was actually highly perceptive and intelligent. Accepting all the gifts in Bian capital was part of his strategy—to make the emperor and the Crown Prince believe he was a simple-minded soldier obsessed with warfare, ignorant of worldly affairs. This would put their minds at ease.

In reality, Yan Fu, orphaned at a young age and raised among beggars and soldiers, was sharp-witted and adept at reading people. After Zhou Tan’s brief comment, Yan Fu understood that the emperor’s secret letter wasn’t meant for him—and he had no interest in it anyway. He promptly took the uneaten pastries Qu You had made, excused himself, and left.

Zhou Tan broke the seal on the confidential letter and read it carefully. In it, Song Chang expressed concern for his health, mentioned missing him greatly, and wrote at length about his recent poor health. He assured Zhou Tan that he could return to Bian capital whenever he wished.

Qu You pondered. Emperor De’s health had indeed begun to decline this year, so his words weren’t false.

But Zhou Tan sneered, holding the letter over the candle flame until it burned to ashes. Coldly, he remarked, “As people grow old, they become sentimental. Perhaps realizing their end is near, they start seeking merit. But… it’s far too late.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his expression softened. After burning the letter, he gently stroked Qu You’s hair, apologizing slightly. “However, to avoid suspicion in Bian capital about Xiaoyan being too close to me, I didn’t dare ask him to visit your parents on your behalf…”

“It’s fine. My parents and siblings write to me often. Their letters are like seeing them face-to-face.” Qu You nuzzled his palm and smiled. “Xiangwen did exceptionally well this year, passing the spring exams on his first try. When we return to Bian capital, he’ll be your ally.”

Zhou Tan leaned his head affectionately on her shoulder. Whenever he made such gestures, she found it hard to resist, unsure how to express her love.

She heard him murmur sweetly into her ear, “Well, there’s just one thing left…”

Qu You asked curiously, “What is it?”

Zhou Tan bit her earlobe lightly, feigning grievance. “Last July, we never got around to having our wedding feast.”

After the war, there were many tasks to handle: comforting the wounded, repatriating civilians, and rewarding the troops. Chu Lin stayed in Ruozhou for a while, helping Zhou Tan prepare a banquet to honor the soldiers.

Chu Lin had seen Zhou Tan in Bian capital before but hadn’t interacted much with him. Initially dismissive based on rumors, Chu Lin discovered after working closely with him that Zhou Tan, though reserved and taciturn, was genuinely devoted to the people.

He was also humble. When the Western Shaos attacked Ruozhou’s gates, Yan Fu was twenty miles away resisting another enemy force. Chu Lin and Wang Juqian personally manned the city walls, eating and sleeping alongside the soldiers for three sleepless days. Despite sustaining injuries, they remained concerned about treating the wounded.

After reopening the gates, Zhou Tan rested for a few hours before addressing refugee and food issues. The people of Ruozhou admired him deeply, as well as Governor He Yuankai. Chu Lin was astonished by their respect when he first arrived.

Qu You was also incredibly busy during this time. Besides assisting the city’s physicians in treating injured soldiers, she worked with Wang Yiran to care for the elderly, weak, orphans, and widows. To help women who had lost their husbands in the war, she opened a restaurant on a nearby street, teaching them to prepare rare dishes.

This initiative proved highly effective, and the restaurant thrived.

Sometimes Qu You reflected that she wasn’t a science student with extraordinary abilities. Her most useful skill since arriving in Da Yin turned out to be cooking.

Before Chu Lin left Ruozhou, Zhou Tan hosted a small farewell banquet. As they sat across from each other, Chu Lin sighed, “Young Lord Zhou, Bian capital is a place of intrigue, where hearts are inscrutable. Without a cunning mind, survival is impossible… It’s better you stayed away from that cesspool. In Bian capital, they viewed you as a dangerous beast, but I never imagined you were such a person.”

He patted Zhou Tan’s shoulder firmly. “Everyone in Ruozhou praises you—I’ve seen it myself. With your immense talent, they smeared you with filth. This court…”

Qu You brought another pot of wine, sitting down to join their conversation.

Zhou Tan showed no reaction to Chu Lin’s words, only smiling bitterly. “Lord Chu flatters me. Speaking of which, I’d like to discuss something with you.”

Chu Lin, not yet drunk, glanced at Qu You beside Zhou Tan and probed, “I heard Young Lord Zhou was exiled to Ruozhou due to factional struggles in the Eastern Palace…”

Regarding the incident with Fu Qingnian, everyone knew Zhou Tan had been framed but never considered his role in it. They assumed the Crown Prince had seized a major flaw, prompting the emperor’s wrath and punishment.

Zhou Tan asked, “Lord Chu has just returned from Bian capital. What’s your take on the situation there?”

He avoided answering Chu Lin’s question. Understanding, Chu Lin pointed at him knowingly and poured a cup of wine. “His Majesty’s health is failing, yet he delays appointing the Crown Prince as regent. He must have other plans. Are you asking because you’re concerned about the Crown Prince?”

Zhou Tan shook his head, surprising Chu Lin slightly. “Then…?”

Zhou Tan evaded the topic lightly. “The soldiers under your command, though stationed far away in the western camp, maintain strict discipline and earn praise wherever they go. This contrasts sharply with General Li Wei’s arrival. Though you now hold military power in Da Yin, you remain stationed in the west. Consider whether you can truly become the emperor’s trusted confidant rather than someone else’s. Be cautious not to misstep.”

Chu Lin had intended to probe Zhou Tan’s relationship with the Crown Prince but received instead a sincere reminder about loyalty to Emperor De. Growing solemn, he straightened up and toasted Zhou Tan. “Young Lord Zhou is right. After I settle matters in the west, I’ll spend some time in Bian capital.”

Qu You, seated nearby, thought for a moment before finally speaking softly as she refilled Chu Lin’s cup. “If the day comes when you’re summoned back to the capital, please consider carefully and weigh your options. As you said, the political arena is no less deadly than the battlefield—it kills without mercy. General Chu, please take care.”

Chu Lin dismissed her words with a smile.

In early April, before Yan Fu returned to the western camp with his troops, He Yuankai and Zhou Tan held a simple wedding feast on the same day.

Everything had been prepared last July, but the sudden Western Shao attack forced postponement. Now, with some adjustments, the ceremony was conducted properly.

Fresh from the war, the people preferred simplicity. Wang Yiran’s relationship with He Yuankai had blossomed during this time, and neither cared much for formalities.

The couple, Zhou Tan and Qu You, were now beloved by the people of Ruozhou. As Zhou Tan rode through the streets, enthusiastic elders tossed fruits and flowers along the way, creating a lively scene at the mansion gates.

He Yuankai rented nearly all of Ruozhou’s restaurants, hosting celebrations for three days.

Nanny Yun, holding the ancestral tablets of Zhou Tan’s parents, sat at the head of the hall, watching as the couple bowed to her several times.

This marriage was vastly different from their previous one. Their hands were tightly clasped, their faces flushed with contentment.

Recalling the past, tears welled in her eyes. As she helped them rise, her voice trembled. “If your parents and ancestors could see this day, they would surely be delighted.”

Qu You and Zhou Tan sat together in the bridal chamber, lit by flickering red candles, waiting as Nanny Yun led the maids in scattering blessings and singing celebratory songs. She then carefully trimmed a lock of hair from each of them with a small silver scissors.

“For thousands of generations, may your bond endure.”

Zhou Tan and Qu You drank the ceremonial wine, their cups crossing. He leaned close to her ear, his voice deep. “When I return from battle…”

Qu You felt it was an ominous remark but had no time to dwell on the future. Instead, she earnestly promised, “Even in death… I will always remember you.”

“You’ve finally married me,” Zhou Tan whispered.

To marry a lover whose heart beats in harmony with yours, to receive the blessings of family, friends, and an entire city, amidst fireworks and a hall full of guests—it all felt unrealistically perfect.

“I never imagined I’d have a day like this.”