Chapter 6.3

The matchmaker, Zhang, who had avoided responsibility and pinned all the blame on Du Bingyan after the scandal was exposed, was immediately brought to tears and confessed everything when questioned by Yuan Buqu the next day at the county office. If not for the fact that she had helped make Bingyan his, he would have certainly punished her severely! In the end, she was only ordered to leave Yangzhou within a day, never to return.

Gossip spreads the fastest! Within an hour, a new version of the mistaken marriage became the hot topic. Zhang was like a rat crossing the street, becoming the target of everyone’s criticism. Meanwhile, Du Bingyan, whose reputation had plummeted, suddenly became known as a victim of deceit, and a noble and virtuous lady favored by the great general. It was said that the Emperor planned to personally officiate their wedding again! Moreover, the royal princess was Du Bingyan’s close friend, making this grand event a sensation in Yangzhou’s eight counties! As for the foolish county magistrate Qiu Chao Xing and the malicious rumor-mongers Qiu Shi and He Shi, they were exiled to the border and their assets confiscated by Yuan Buqu.

The once quiet Du household was now bustling with activity.

With the Emperor’s deadline approaching, Yuan Buqu decided to have Sha Pingwei escort the princess back to the capital. Since they were inseparable and the Emperor would be pleased with their union, Yuan Buqu planned to wait for his father-in-law to return and then hold a grand wedding, bringing Bingyan home in style. He also wrote a letter for Sha Pingwei to deliver to the Emperor.

After a heartfelt farewell, officials from several counties in Jiangnan came to see them off, crowding Yangzhou with dignitaries and causing quite a stir among the people! This was truly an unprecedented spectacle in Yangzhou in a hundred years!

After seeing them out of the city and letting the officials return, Yuan Buqu and Bingyan rode to the Land Temple at Shilipu.

“This is where your fate took a turn!” He dismounted and lifted her down.

Bingyan smiled faintly, entering the somewhat worn temple and paying respects to the Land God; she then led him into the inner hall. It still looked the same as before, with a few straw mats and a small open space.

“I once talked with Yuhu here. She was a bright and good girl, beautiful and clever.”

He held her from behind.

“Certainly not as wise as you.”

She wrinkled her nose in a dismissive manner and then leaned against his chest, recalling, “We talked a lot. She was a girl full of righteousness; she worried that you wouldn’t treat her well and was very concerned about her situation, but she still had the heart to stand up for me! She even said I shouldn’t marry into the Qi family and curse Qi San Gongzi to die early! See, isn’t she a lovely person?”

He raised his eyebrows, saying nothing, but he did start to have some regard for Li Yuhu. After all, he and Li Yuhu were of the same opinion—if Bingyan had married into the Qi family, it would have been a waste of her.

“Then, we also talked about you!” She glanced back with a smile. “You were described as a fearsome man bent on revenge after being mistreated by the Li family, and also as a military leader who must be skilled at killing. Marrying Yuhu was not just about having children but also about fighting vigorously and not dying easily!”

His brows furrowed deeply.

“Oh, don’t be angry!” She quickly soothed his brows. “If I see Yuhu again, I’ll tell her she was mistaken! You are a gentle and affectionate man, kind and tolerant, just a bit lonely! You are a one-of-a-kind good husband and will be a doting father—”

Yuan Buqu only heard the last sentence and exclaimed, “You—are you pregnant?”

He immediately moved away from her, looking at her flat stomach, and gently placed a hand on it, but he didn’t feel anything!

She had that mysterious smile on her face again, the glow of motherhood. She wrapped her arms around his waist and said, “I think I am. It’s been twenty days since returning from Luoyang, and my period hasn’t come. I have a strong feeling that we are nurturing our own blood within me.”

“Oh…” He quickly picked her up, not letting her move. “Do you feel any discomfort? Should I call a doctor…”

“I am a doctor myself!” She laughed at his nervousness, trying to wriggle free from his embrace, but he wouldn’t let go! “I can still walk! Don’t think that just because I’m pregnant, I can’t do anything!”

But Yuan Buqu’s face turned even paler.

“You can’t walk! You’ll surely fall!” He thought of his second wife who had died from a fall, and of Bingyan mentioning how Li Yuhu had a miscarriage from falling. No! He couldn’t risk any danger! He couldn’t lose Bingyan! Especially since she was more fragile than any other woman! If any accident happened, she would certainly die!

Bingyan saw his fear in his eyes. Oh! She had forgotten his fear of pregnant women. In his mind, women could easily die from accidents; just a fall or a harsh winter could be fatal.

“You don’t need to be so nervous, really! Before I experience morning sickness, the baby won’t harm me at all. Zi Ren, trust me, it’s not time to worry yet! If you’re this anxious now, with nine months to go, you might not make it yourself!” She tried to reassure him with a light tone. Sigh! This man, who could remain calm and composed in the face of attacking enemies, was so hard to see nervous! But now, for her, he had become an ordinary man, a husband who cared deeply. All his protective masks were stripped away, letting her see his emotions.

She tenderly cupped his face—how fortunate she was to receive such deep love from him.

“Bingyan, you must take good care of yourself,” he held her tightly.

She buried her head deep in his chest.

“I will take good care of myself, just as I cherish your deep affection for me.”

Yuan Buqu took a deep breath and lightly stroked her hair; her tenderness eased the fear and turmoil in his heart. He had lost family for many years, wandering in loneliness until now, finally finding his lifelong love. It stirred up many more emotions—strange worries, unfamiliar fears, and more unfamiliar tenderness, all because she had come into his life! A beautiful, wise, gentle, and affectionate lady!

No matter how prestigious his current position was, it couldn’t hide the fact of his humble origins; his rough demeanor had no hint of nobility, and lacked the elegance of a scholar. He felt he was unworthy of her! She was a truly talented, virtuous lady, with exceptional grace and beauty. She understood him! That was the key to moving his soul!

“Heaven knows how much I love you!” He looked up at the worn inner hall, grateful to the heavens for having orchestrated a mistake that led him to her! If the heavens truly had feelings, let them be together for life; he would give everything to repay this favor!

“I love you too, Ziren. So, believe me, not only will I live to grow old with you, but I’ll also bear strong children for you. Don’t say anything about me dying. My mother had three children, and though she was as small and thin as I am, she lived without illness or pain until now.” She pulled his hand to rest on her flat abdomen.

He smiled, finally showing a relieved expression. At least this time, he could stay by her side day and night.

Although the Du family treated him with great hospitality as a valuable guest, Yuan Buqu still didn’t plan to stay with them; while waiting for his father-in-law to return to Yangzhou, he bought a lakeside house and moved Bingyan there three days later.

Yangzhou, with its beautiful mountains and waters, had its own captivating scenery. He also realized that Bingyan had deep feelings for her hometown, so he decided to buy a house there for future vacations.

Moreover, as someone who deeply detested sycophantic bureaucratic habits of flattery, he couldn’t tolerate staying at the Du residence any longer! With the title of “Newly Appointed Prince” and the reputation of a great general, it wasn’t just the high-ranking officials from Jiangnan who were eager to associate with him; even within the Du household, wherever he went, he was greeted with the nauseating “Prince” title. Enduring it for four days was his limit!

After moving to the new house, he only allowed the Du family members to come and go; he ignored and showed a cold face to anyone else trying to curry favor with him. He thoroughly enjoyed their newlywed world. The couple often stayed in the study, indulging in literary pursuits. She loved painting, having previously been skilled in embroidery and drawing; her skills transferred well to painting, often incorporating him into her works while he read.

As for Yuan Buqu, he immersed himself in studying Bingyan’s medical books. He particularly focused on books about dietary supplements and health maintenance, even hiring an experienced old nurse to prepare nourishing tonics for her daily.

Though Yangzhou was her place of upbringing and she had an affection for it, what she missed most was the vast desert landscape outside the city of Liangma. Perhaps because of their engagement location or because only such expansive territory could be the domain of a soaring eagle! He was an eagle soaring through the skies, not suited for the poetic, gentle Jiangnan or the bureaucratic atmosphere of Chang’an.

The previous day, it was mentioned that the Emperor intended to establish the “Anxi Protectorate” in the northwestern borderlands to govern the frontier and promote Tang culture, and was searching for suitable candidates. She knew Ziren wanted to recommend himself for the position but had kept it to himself out of concern for her possible adjustment issues. As soon as they returned to Chang’an, she would tell him how much she missed that land and would follow him to the ends of the earth.

With a smile, she had just finished another portrait. As she was about to show it to him, the gatekeeper of the Du residence was hurriedly brought in by a servant.

“Young master… I… I have to report…” The gatekeeper knelt on the ground, stuttering and unable to speak clearly. Yuan Buqu’s imposing appearance often made servants afraid to look him in the eye.

“What’s the matter?” He waved his hand, dismissing all formalities.

“A young woman came to our Du residence and collapsed after saying she wanted to see the Madam! The old lady sent me to inform you! The woman… she’s pregnant and came riding a fast horse. She looks—looks like—like Miss Li Yuhu…”

“What?!” Bingyan was taken aback! Yuhu? Why would she come back to Yangzhou to find her? And she’s pregnant and riding a horse! What could have happened?

“Ziren—”

“Prepare the horses!” Yuan Buqu instructed, taking her toward the front door. It seemed something unusual had happened, and he was also very curious about what Li Yuhu looked like. The rough little maid from ten years ago, described by Bingyan as celestial beauty, he didn’t think she could be more beautiful than his wife. But if she was indeed a good girl, it was also good for Bingyan to have another friend!

Soon, they arrived at the Du residence…

Sansukini: Well, the chapter is so long so I had to add one more chapter. 🙂 FInal Chapter tomorrow.

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