Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

When the sun shone upon Qingzhou once more, many shed tears. This was the long-awaited light of hope, a radiance earned through immense hardship.

From elders in their eighties to young children, and even the strong young men—all had reddened eyes. They had protected their Qingzhou; they had saved their homeland. People cheered and danced, spreading the news far and wide. Even the heavens seemed to feel their joy, as a rainbow arched across the sky.

God bless Qingzhou.

“A rainbow in the east brings clear skies; a rainbow in the west brings rain. A rainbow in the south or north means selling one’s sons and daughters.” Gu Zhuang looked at the rainbow hanging in the east and finally revealed a smile. From this point on, there would be no more major natural disasters this year; everyone’s hard work had not been in vain.

“Foster Father, Foster Father! You smiled! This is the first time I’ve ever seen you smile!” Wen Cha shouted as if she had discovered a new continent.

Gu Zhuang glanced at Wen Cha; he was in a good mood and chose not to bicker with her. The person he wanted to see most now was Rongrong. Seeing other couples reuniting made him feel a bit envious…

…

While everyone was immersed in joy, a crisis was gradually approaching. At this time, emissaries sent by the Imperial Court arrived at the Nan Manor. Nan Zhao, the father of Nan Nuan, led his household to receive the decree:

“By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: We have heard that Nan Nuan, daughter of the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Nan Zhao, is refined, virtuous, and of outstanding character and appearance. We are greatly pleased. The Crown Prince is now twenty-one, an age suitable for marriage, and a virtuous wife must be chosen for him. Nan Nuan, currently of marriageable age and residing in her chambers, is a perfect match for the Crown Prince. To fulfill this union of beauty and merit, We hereby betroth you to the Crown Prince as his Consort. All ceremonies shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory. A suspicious day shall be chosen for the wedding. Let this be proclaimed throughout the empire.”

Nan Zhao accepted the decree and saw off the officials. Suddenly, he felt exhausted and powerless. Must we finally be dragged into this vortex of struggle? If he died, so be it. But why involve his Nuan’er? She was only eighteen. She shouldn’t have to face this. Could she ever find peace and joy as a Prince’s consort? Unlike others, Nan Zhao did not see this as a supreme honor or the glory of his clan. He only wished for his daughter’s happiness and did not want her to become a sacrifice.

Nan Zhao, with his heart of a devoted father, did not know that all of this was within Nan Wei’s expectations—in fact, Nan Wei was the primary catalyst behind it. Nor did Nan Zhao know that his daughter, Nan Nuan, had successfully led the people of Qingzhou to conquer the floods… or that many things were brought upon themselves!

But the decree had been issued. Nan Zhao had no choice but to send people to find Nan Nuan. He hoped they would find her quickly, otherwise, missing the wedding date would be a capital crime.

…

At this time, Nan Nuan and Wen Cha were discussing where to roam the martial arts world after leaving Qingzhou.

“Nuan Nuan, do you want to go to my hometown? I’m sure my mother will really like you.” Wen Cha remembered Nan Nuan’s oath to her and wanted to take her home.

“I can consider it. I’ve heard it’s like spring all year round there,” Nan Nuan replied while reading, still focused on that copy of Lüshi Chunqiu.

“Nuan Nuan, when will you finish that book and lend it to me?”

“We’ll see, after I’ve finished it.” Nan Nuan felt she really needed to change books; even if she hadn’t fully grasped this one, she couldn’t keep reading it…

“Okay, um… about that…” Wen Cha still remembered the letter she had seen that day. She wanted to ask but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“About what? Just say it.” Nan Nuan guessed Wen Cha’s doubt. That letter had been left for Wen Cha to see in the first place, and now she was just waiting for the question. When Nan Nuan turned the page, she used too much force and accidentally tore the paper, knocking over her teacup.

“Master.” An San’s voice came from outside the door, interrupting Wen Cha.

“How insolent. Making such a racket—where are your manners?” Nan Nuan rebuked. Perfect timing, she thought. An San was indeed the sharpest of them.

“This subordinate was wrong,” An San knelt outside the door to admit his fault.

“Never mind. Come in and speak,” Nan Nuan said. An San’s expression was urgent; something big must have happened.

An San entered and glanced at Wen Cha. Nan Nuan followed his gaze. “Speak freely; Cha-cha is not an outsider.” Nan Nuan told him to report directly. At this, An San knew the play had to be performed to the fullest.

“Master, news has come from the Capital. Your father has arranged a marriage for you and wishes for you to return and wed.”

At that moment, Wen Cha, who was drinking tea, dropped her cup.

An San observed Wen Cha’s expression and continued: “The Master says you have played enough and it is time to come home.”

“Um, Nuan Nuan, it’s not appropriate for me to hear this. I’ll go out first.” Wen Cha said and ran out.

Nan Nuan watched her leave and smiled. “Well done. But it really is time to return to the Capital; the decree has likely been issued.”

“Thank you for the praise, Master. There is one more thing. Madam has been taken.”

“What? How did this happen?” Nan Nuan grew anxious. Truly, blessings do not come in pairs, and disasters do not travel alone. One layer after another!

“An Shi reports that she took Madam to stay in Daishan on Madam’s orders. They were about to return when the weather cleared, but they were intercepted by a woman in blue. An Shi fought her but was defeated within ten moves. Please punish us, Master.”

“How is An Shi?”

“Not seriously injured.”

“I don’t blame An Shi; she was never specialized in combat. Did the woman leave any information? What did she look like?”

“The woman was very beautiful, wore strange clothing unlike those of the Central Plains, and used a dagger as a weapon.”

“An outlander… tell Mr. Zhuang about this. Tell him that if he needs help, I will give him my full support.” Nan Nuan felt this likely had something to do with Wen Cha’s mother. An outlander… I only hope Madam is safe.

…

Rongrong did not feel like a captive at all.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister, I want some Persian eye-shadow (Muzi Dai),” Rongrong said to Wen Wu, who was driving the carriage.

“You’re not a child anymore. Can you even use that now?”

“But I just want it. Senior Sister, you’re the best!” Rongrong acted spoiled. Wen Wu was always most vulnerable to Rongrong’s pouting; Rongrong knew that as soon as she acted like a child, her sister would surrender.

“Wait in the carriage, I’ll be right back.” Wen Wu said, steering the carriage toward the nearest jewelry shop, hoping she could find such a luxury in this small town. Persian eye-shadow was extremely valuable and not something one could find just anywhere.

…

In truth, when Wen Wu found Rongrong in Daishan, it was at night. At that time, Rongrong and An Shi were sitting together at a table. Rongrong was doing needlework, and An Shi was watching her.

Rongrong could sense that An Shi had developed feelings for her. Heavens as her witness, Rongrong swore she had not seduced this man who was more than ten years younger than her. They had merely discussed pharmacology and prescriptions together; nothing more. Rongrong felt helpless but couldn’t reject him outright because An Shi had never actually declared his feelings.

An Shi was the youngest of this batch of secret guards and was well cared for by the others. Even Nan Nuan favored him slightly. Secret guards take after their masters; initially, An Shi thought Rongrong was just someone seeking fame. But after seeing her actions, he became curious, and his feelings spiraled out of control. He knew she was married and even had a second child on the way. But when the heart is lost, how can the gaze be pulled back? Sometimes, An Shi was grateful for his medical skills, as they allowed him to spend a period of time alone with Miss Rong—just for a while.

Wen Wu knew this “An Shi” was there to protect Rongrong, or perhaps to monitor her. She showed no mercy and attacked directly. Both consciously avoided hitting Rongrong. Within ten moves, An Shi was defeated.

She originally wanted to teach him a harsher lesson but was stopped by Rongrong. She let him go back to deliver the news. An Shi left, dejected. A romance had ended before it even began. For the first time, An Shi felt he was too weak. What use was being good at medicine or poison? He couldn’t even protect the person in his heart…

An Shi would later become a master of toxicology, but that is a story for another time.