Wish You All the Best - Chapter 98
Chapter 98
Jiafu was now heavily pregnant and had difficulty moving about. Even on normal nights, she slept poorly; with Pei You’an absent for the past two nights, sleep became all the more elusive. She drifted in and out of consciousness throughout the night. Before the fourth watch, she was wide awake, her heart heavy with thoughts of him and uncertainty over how matters in the city were progressing. As she tossed and turned in bed, she suddenly heard the crunching of footsteps on snow outside. She immediately recognized it was him. Sure enough, the next moment she heard his soft voice calling out from beyond the door. Filled with joy, she sat up, threw a cloak over her shoulders, and with one hand on her belly, climbed off the bed to shuffle over and open the door.
Pei You’an stood outside and stamped the snow from his boots before lifting the curtain and ducking inside. A soft, warm, fragrant body collided with his chest. Jiafu ignored the freezing chill clinging to his clothes and threw her arms around him, as if they had been separated for an eternity.
Pei You’an felt a glow in his heart, but fearing his cold exterior would chill her, he said, "I’m frozen through. Hurry, lie back down."
Jiafu shook her head, loosened her grip, helped him off with his outer robe, and pulled him toward the stove, forcing him to sit. Pei You’an pulled her onto his lap and asked how she had been eating and sleeping these past two days. Jiafu said she was fine and asked about his progress. Pei You’an gave a simple account, mentioning nothing of the bloodshed he had employed to secure his command. He simply said, "I have temporarily placed Hu Liangcai under house arrest. In an emergency, one must act accordingly; the garrison absolutely cannot be moved, so I was forced to take this step. Last night, after completing the defense arrangements, I sent a letter to Governor Tang of Longyou, requesting him to send someone here posthaste to take charge."
Governor Tang of Longyou was of the same generation as the father of the Duke of Wei, Pei Xian. In the Duke’s younger years, he honored Tang as his uncle, and Pei You’an addressed him as his great-uncle. In the first year of the young Emperor Chengning, while the Prince of Shun’an was Regent, the old General Tang retired to his hometown. Several years later, after the Prince of Shun’an ascended the throne and a generation of old court generals—like Dong Chengmao—were demoted or exiled, the Northwest was left momentarily leaderless. The Emperor had to personally request the then-sixty-year-old general to emerge from retirement. Although the old general harbored resentment toward the Prince of Shun’an for usurping the throne, he could not bear to see the border people suffer under calamity. He accepted the post of Longyou Regional Governor and had sat firmly at his post ever since. Now approaching seventy, he had yet to lay down his armor.
Months prior, the old Governor had exchanged letters with Pei You’an. Between the lines, he had hinted at the desire to lay down his arms, while also offering comfort regarding Pei’an’s misfortune. The letter ended by stating that he knew Hu Liangcai to be a fierce warrior who had served the court, but he was also headstrong and obsessed with personal glory. He feared that Hu might one day act greedily and recklessly, and should the military force be misused, it would plunge the people into fire and water. He earnestly cautioned Pei You’an that, though he was now a commoner, he must always remember the heroic spirit of his father, the Duke of Wei, who had guarded this soil with his life. If a crisis arose, he was authorized to act as circumstances required; all actions should prioritize the greater good.
Pei You’an spoke lightly of the events, but Jiafu found them heart-pounding nonetheless. Yet, whatever he did—even if it meant committing a capital offense—was, in Jiafu’s eyes, entirely correct. Beyond worship, she felt only more worship.
She burrowed into his arms, and Pei You’an held her close. They cherished the moment of tenderness for a while. Remembering that he hadn't slept the night before and was likely hungry and exhausted, Jiafu moved to call for food so he could eat and rest soon.
Pei You’an told her he would go out, but as if remembering something, he added, "Cui Yinshui has arrived; I have left him outside the main gate. In a moment, tell the maid to pack some hot food for him and tell him to leave immediately. Do not let him stay!"
Jiafu was stunned. She had not expected Cui Yinshui—the most favored young eunuch by the Emperor’s side—to appear here so suddenly. She asked for the reason.
"He says he has come to serve you," Pei You’an said flatly.
Jiafu asked a few more questions and, learning that Cui Yinshui was alone, pondered the situation.
Naturally, she had no need for Cui Yinshui’s service, but the arrival of this eunuch was surely the Emperor’s will. Though she did not know the Emperor’s true intent, since he had arrived in such freezing weather, and remembering that the little eunuch had treated her with courtesy and helped her in the past, her heart softened. She said, "He may not be happy to be in such a place either; he is likely just following orders. It’s so cold out there; regardless, let him come in to warm up first. As for whether to keep him, I will listen to you. You must be tired; go lie down. When the food is ready, I will wake you."
Seeing her about to dress and go out, Pei You’an hurriedly pulled her back and laid her on the bed. "You are just too soft-hearted. Very well, let him come in to warm up. But you must not keep him."
Day broke.
Pei You’an had not closed his eyes for two nights. After eating and bathing, he was urged by Jiafu to sleep, but he insisted she lie down with him. They had slept for barely two hours when someone arrived from the city with new reports: the Hu vanguard cavalry, originally headed for Arrow Gate Pass, had altered course and seemed to be heading toward the border. Li Rui and the others urgently requested Pei You’an’s presence to deliberate.
Pei You’an woke and immediately rose. Jiafu silently helped him dress and saw him off, leaning against the doorframe as she watched his retreating back.
Pei You’an walked a few steps, then suddenly turned back and whispered in her ear, "I will return as quickly as I can, to stay by your side until our child is born."
He hugged her firmly, then turned and strode away until his figure disappeared from sight.
Jiafu slowly returned inside and sat down. Suddenly remembering Cui Yinshui, she asked about him. Tanxiang replied, "Didn't we invite him to come in and warm by the fire this morning? He wouldn't come in, just gnawed on a few steamed buns. He’s still kneeling outside the main gate."
Jiafu frowned and told Tanxiang to bring him inside. A moment later, Cui Yinshui appeared. His face was as blue and white as a frostbitten radish, his eyebrows and hair were coated in ice, and his knees and pant legs were caked with snow. It was clear the chill had seeped into his bones; he was shivering violently. When he entered the room and saw Jiafu, his joints were so stiff he couldn't kneel. He collapsed straight onto the floor like an icicle, his tongue seemingly frozen as well, unable to utter a word.
Jiafu was startled and hurriedly called for Old Ding and his wife to carry him off and warm him up. After a long while, Cui Yinshui regained a glimmer of life. He returned to Jiafu, knelt, and thanked her with immense gratitude.
Jiafu said, "I have no need for your service here, and you should not kneel out there like that anymore. Go back. When you see your foster father, give him my regards and tell him we have no need for you to be sent here to serve us."
Cui Yinshui kowtowed repeatedly. "I beg the Madam to have pity on this servant. Before I left, my foster father gave his word: if I were sent back, I would have no place in the palace. I have no father or mother, and I entered the palace at age ten, only to become a 'broken man.' If I am driven out of the palace, I will have no way to survive..."
As he spoke, he was a river of tears and snot.
Jiafu knew he was exaggerating to gain sympathy, but she frowned and asked, "What does His Majesty suddenly want with you here? Is it really just for service?"
Cui Yinshui immediately swore to the heavens, claiming that if he had ulterior motives, he would be cursed to be a eunuch again in his next life. After his oath, he seemed to recall something. "Right! This time, I also brought a letter for you from your family in Quanzhou." He reached into his robes, pulled out a letter, and presented it.
This place was remote. Without official channels, it was difficult for ordinary people to communicate with the interior, let alone Quanzhou, which was separated by a vast distance from south to north. It was only at the beginning of the year, after Jiafu had arrived, that Pei You’an had inquired everywhere and finally found an injured veteran from Fujian in the city. He paid him to take a letter of safety from Jiafu back to her maiden home. Now, a year had flown by. Though Jiafu trusted that her family was well, she still missed them. Suddenly hearing that a letter had arrived, she was overjoyed and hurriedly took it to open.
The letter was written by Madam Meng. She said that in the fourth or fifth month, they had received her letter, and knowing that she and her husband were well there brought them great relief. All was well at home, and the grandmother’s health had not deteriorated further. She told Jiafu not to worry, admonished her and her husband to take care of their health, and hoped for a reunion soon.
At the end of the letter, she mentioned her son’s marriage. She said that when her son-in-law was still in a position of prestige, people would come to the door almost daily, hoping to arrange a marriage, including local officials; it had been nearly overwhelming. However, a year ago, when news of her son-in-law’s disgrace and exile beyond the pass spread, the house became desolate, and those who had previously been interested all changed their tunes and disappeared. Consequently, she decided to bring Yuzhu into the family. After experiencing such drastic ups and downs, the old matriarch’s mindset had changed from before. Seeing that Yuzhu was steady, capable, and had helped manage everything inside and out over the past year, and knowing her grandson was determined to marry her, she no longer opposed it. She had originally wanted to write and tell Jiafu, but was distressed by the lack of a messenger across the vast distance. Just then, someone happened to come to their door claiming to be headed beyond the pass and offered to carry letters for the Zhen family. Madam Meng was overjoyed and immediately took up her pen to write, hoping it would reach Jiafu and spare her from worrying about her family.
Jiafu read her mother’s letter over and over, filled with joy.
Cui Yinshui secretly watched Jiafu, and seeing her excitement, he pleaded again, "Though I was sent here to serve the Madam, I know the Madam is the best of masters. I am willing to serve; I beg the Madam not to drive me back."
"Even if I must be driven back, I beg for the Madam’s pity—wait until spring when the weather warms... It is truly too cold right now. When I arrived, one of my ears was nearly frozen off..."
Cui Yinshui wore a miserable expression.
Jiafu glanced at him. In such weather, she could not bear to force him back onto the road. After thinking, she said, "Fine, wait until winter has passed. This is not the imperial palace; you don't need to use such lowly terms, just speak as we do. And don't kneel at every turn; there are not so many rules here. But remember, you must be honest. If you have any ulterior motives, I may not be able to deal with you, but you know how formidable my husband is."
"Yes, yes, many thanks to the Madam!"
Cui Yinshui was overjoyed and kowtowed once more to Jiafu before happily retreating.
The eunuch Cui was thus temporarily allowed to stay. He was exceptionally diligent, snatching up chores, and had a sweet tongue. Within half a day of calling Tanxiang and Muxiang 'big sister' this and 'big sister' that, the two maids had become familiar with him.
That evening, Pei You’an sent someone back with a brief letter for Jiafu. It stated that this military conflict originated because Hu Liangcai’s spy had been discovered by the Hu tribes. Knowing Hu’s eagerness for merit, the Hu had played along, feigning thorough preparation to launch an unexpected attack on Arrow Gate Pass, their intention being to strike in the east while feinting to the west. According to reports from scouts, the Hu cavalry would arrive any day. He was setting off tonight for the border to arrange the emergency evacuation of civilians and bolster the garrison. There might be a battle in the coming days, so he would be unable to return. He told her to rest easy at home and not to worry.
Jiafu read the letter. While she remained outwardly calm, how could she not worry in her heart? Every day she waited for news of him. Finally, seven or eight days after he left, she received confirmation: after several skirmishes, yesterday, at the banks of the Suye River two hundred miles from Suye City, Pei You’an had personally led his soldiers in a great battle, thoroughly crushing the tens of thousands of Hu cavalry. The Hu had suffered heavy casualties, and the remnants had fled in panic to the north, never to dare an invasion again.
When the news reached Suye City, the people cheered and roared. Ignoring the bitter cold, many brought wine, food, and clothing, and spontaneously traveled dozens of miles outside the city to welcome and reward Pei You’an and the soldiers he led.
The people at the supply yard, upon hearing the news, were all overjoyed.
Jiafu received another brief letter from Pei You’an, saying he would try his best to return before dark.
Jiafu suppressed the excitement in her heart, but she truly could not wait until dark. By evening, she had Tanxiang and Muxiang support her as she walked slowly toward the supply yard gate, hoping to wait there for his return. Midway there, she suddenly felt a sharp contraction in her abdomen, and a warm flow slowly emerged from beneath her. She froze in place, gripped Tanxiang’s hand tightly, and said slowly, "I think I am about to give birth. Help me back.”