Chapter 4.3

Two and a half months later, the news of a great victory reached the capital, and the whole nation rejoiced! The sound of firecrackers echoed through Chang’an and Luoyang for three days and nights. The three great generals’ residences were flooded with congratulatory guests, with crowds at their doors.

The delighted emperor had already issued a decree promoting the meritorious to three ranks. Yuan Buqu, who had contributed the most, was granted the title of “Duke of Dingbei,” promoted from the top general to a noble rank, and bestowed countless gifts such as splendid mansions, gold, and silks. There were even rumors of dozens of beautiful maidens being sent to the general’s residence. The former position of Chief of Staff, previously held by Sha Pingwei, was filled by Yuan Buqu’s military officer, and Sha Pingwei was promoted to “General of Zhenbei,” with the future responsibility of leading new recruits. The great strategist Sha Shao was recruited to the palace as a Grand Tutor, serving as both an advisor to the emperor and a tutor to the crown prince.

These news alone were enough to make civil and military officials eager to curry favor. Even though the army had not yet returned, the entire city of Chang’an was already in a frenzy! There was also a reliable rumor that the emperor intended to marry his youngest daughter, Princess Changping, to Yuan Buqu. Now, Yuan Buqu was not only a duke but also a prince consort! Those who had previously prided themselves on their refinement and looked down on military men were no longer daring to criticize. They were too busy trying to ingratiate themselves!

The flood of people eager to curry favor made Yuan’s residence a hub of activity, with congratulatory gifts piling up to the point where the house could hardly accommodate them. Li Cheng had consulted with Du Bingyan and decided to convert those splendid treasures into silver to help the poor, finally clearing out a room full of items.

Due to Yuan Buqu being on the battlefield when they first got married, there was no grand ceremony, and hardly anyone knew he had a wife, thus allowing them to “escape a calamity.” They avoided the bombardment of congratulatory guests, with all reception matters handled by Li Cheng. She spent her days in their elegantly arranged bedroom, sewing clothes and making shoes for her husband. The clothes and shoes she had prepared before marriage had all gone with Li Yuhu to the Qi family, and since Li Yuhu was unfamiliar with such matters, the dowry sent to the Yuan residence consisted only of some ready-made fabrics, just enough to occupy her for two months.

The capital city was quite open, and as long as she was accompanied by servants, she could go out and shop without attracting unwanted attention. In this magnificent city, she could see people from different countries, hear various languages, and encounter exotic items from around the world that piqued her curiosity and made her reluctant to part with them.

What pleased her the most was the drastic change in Li Cheng’s attitude towards her. No longer dismissive or cold, he had transformed from merely observing her to genuinely treating her as a true member of the Yuan family, making her worries vanish completely!

Now, hearing that Yuan Buqu had won a great victory and was on his way back, she felt as if it was all a dream! She couldn’t believe how perfect everything was! Everything was going so smoothly!

The journey from Taiyuan to the capital was expected to take ten days, and with only five days having passed, she needed to hurry and finish a new set of clothes for him, sewing all her love into them! Oh, how she missed him!

The worries and fears of recent times seemed to be coming to an official end. Yuan Buqu’s promotion was also excellent news; however, why did she still feel a sense of unease? Perhaps she was not an optimistic person, but she had never had the habit of seeking trouble. Where did this anxiety come from? She was already his! Regardless of the Qi family’s acceptance or her own family’s opinions, she had chosen not to look back. With this certainty, there was little concern left in her heart. But could she really have a lasting life with Yuan Buqu? Could she be sure he would only favor her throughout his life?

In a place as untempting as Liangma City, he undoubtedly cherished her greatly; but in Chang’an, where beauties were as numerous as the clouds, and with a thousand charms and beauties, she seemed to pale in comparison. Regardless of whether he would take additional wives or concubines, even the beautiful maidens the emperor planned to bestow were enough to worry about!

Oh! She must have forgotten the teachings of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues while pretending to be a man! Otherwise, why was there no tolerance for the scenario of numerous beautiful women moving into the residence?! At home, her father had three wives, and no one thought it was inappropriate; even she considered it natural. Why, then, did the idea of such a situation happening to her make her feel as though she was being pricked by needles?

Yuan Buqu was now so distinguished! He had risen from a general to a noble rank, attracting widespread attention. When the time came, those who sought to marry into his family might have to queue up all the way to Luoyang! Could she endure this? In Liangma City, they understood and cherished each other, promising a lifetime together, never considering long-term issues—perhaps they were not an issue for him. But for her, it was an issue!

What would Yuan Buqu do?

He loved children and had always married for the sake of having children! He loved her, but for the sake of having more sons and grandsons, he might take in other women to bear children! And then give her most of his affection?

If he were to marry a royal princess as well, it would be even more exciting!

This was the source of all her anxiety!

Putting aside her embroidery work, she stared blankly at an article she had read yesterday.

“Collecting wild hemp on the mountain.”

Collecting wild hemp on the mountain, meeting an old husband on the way down. Long kneeling, she asked the old husband: “How is the new wife?”; “The new wife may be good, but not as good as the old one. Their looks may be similar, but their hands are not.”

“The new wife enters the door, the old one leaves the chamber.”

“The new wife wove silk fabric, the old wife wove plain cloth; one roll of silk is woven per day, while over five yards of plain cloth is woven per day. Comparing silk to plain fabric, the new wife is not as good as the old one.”

This was the first article her mother had taught her, regarded as essential learning for a virtuous woman.

At that time, there was no objection; it was simply assumed that a virtuous woman should behave like this. Yet, the fate of the virtuous woman in the poem was to become a cast-off wife! After becoming a cast-off wife, she still had to kneel to welcome her unfaithful ex-husband, inquiring if his new marriage was happy. The husband’s response now seemed worse than that of a pig or a dog.

“The new wife may be much prettier than you, but her weaving skills are far inferior.” The only regret was that the new wife’s clumsy handiwork couldn’t save him more money.

This story served as a warning to her mother, who strictly supervised her embroidery skills. With both talent and virtue, she would not only avoid being dismissed but also be capable of managing the household, firmly holding her position as the main wife.

The four virtues of a woman are virtue, appearance, speech, and skills. Among these, skills are crucial in considering everything for her husband.

Had she really become narrow-minded? It was no longer just a matter of Yuan Buqu; her heart had rebelled, questioning everything she had believed for eighteen years, even the teachings of her parents!

Seeing the congratulatory guests flooding the front hall, her heart sank into a despair beyond mere joy.

He was a man with feelings, and she shouldn’t demand too much from him! After all, transitioning from a widow to marrying her beloved was already a great favor from heaven. Could she really ask for more? Don’t be too selfish, Du Bingyan! Remember past self-control! She could suppress all discontent in her heart, and she would manage this time too. As long as she could learn not to care too much; as long as she diligently studied the virtues of a woman, she could certainly become a graceful and refined lady again.

In reality, she had resisted him more in the military camp, only occasionally submitting to his intimidating orders, but always unwillingly.

Women might find it difficult to understand a man’s heart, yet they impose self-righteous rules on women. Who is truly being clever?

She missed the straightforward arguments with Sha Pingwei, the vast desert landscape, the freedom of time, and his tender care.

Oh! She, a woman who indulged herself so much, would surely have to face the consequences! She sighed and laughed aloud. A woman who values propriety yet yearns for freedom has truly fallen to such a state. She would indeed be caught between two worlds!

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