Chapter 42: Dreams Come True

In Hongjing Year 1, the emperor passed away and bequeathed the throne to the Eldest Princess, Xiao Liju, who changed the era name to Kaixing.

Just three days after the new emperor ascended the throne, before the late emperor’s coffin had even been laid to rest in the Imperial Mausoleum, an express courier arrived from the border pass with dire news: Prince Yu had risen in rebellion.

He had gathered five hundred thousand rebels at the border, allying with the Northern Frontier, Great Wan, and Western Xia. They swiftly seized twenty-six cities across Ying Province, Rong Province, and Wu Province, sweeping all before them in a unstoppable tide.

Prince Yu flew the banner of upholding the orthodox line of Great Ye, declaring outright that for a woman like Xiao Liju to claim the throne was an act against heaven itself.

For a time, corrupt and inept fools inside and outside the court rallied to his cause, as if they had completely forgotten that they themselves had been born of women. They ignored all facts and clung solely to the point that Xiao Liju was female.

They had utterly forgotten the unparalleled merits she had earned for Great Ye over the years.

In recent days, Shi Yuning had overheard some rumors from the servants who went out shopping—tales circulating on the streets. She sensed that spies had infiltrated the Imperial Capital, spreading carefully crafted slanders against Xiao Liju.

At first, she was quite worried. But seeing that neither Xie Zhaoran nor Xiao Liju seemed affected, she gradually stopped fretting.

If those two clever women weren’t concerned, she wouldn’t worry needlessly.

After all, the Shi Family supported Xiao Liju wholeheartedly.

For the new emperor’s first campaign, Marquis Shi was the first to petition, volunteering to lead troops against the rebels.

In his petition, Marquis Shi recounted how Prince Yu had once plotted to kidnap the families of generals to blackmail and control them. The daughters of the Shi and Xie Families, in order to thwart his scheme, had chosen death over dishonor and flung themselves off a cliff—one had died, the other gravely injured.

If young ladies could perform such noble acts, how could the Shi Family hang back?

Everyone who heard this flushed with shame. They recalled how the Shi girl had survived only because she knew how to swim, though she had injured her legs. The Xie girl, however, had only been found as a corpse.

They said that when her body was discovered, it had already been mangled beyond recognition by fish and shrimp—truly heartbreaking.

Surely the Xie Family would want vengeance for their daughter.

Xiao Liju did not immediately approve the Shi Family’s request. Instead, she turned to the Xie Family and asked if they wished to lead troops.

Duke Xie promptly declared that he felt the same as Marquis Shi and was willing to be the first to charge into battle.

Xiao Liju approved the Xie Family’s petition and appointed Duke Xie as Grand General to Pacify Chaos, putting him in command of three hundred thousand troops to set out ahead of the main force.

Marquis Shi was to lead troops in defending the Capital Region.

Xiao Liju resolved to lead the army in person for this battle, departing as soon as the late emperor’s coffin was interred in the Imperial Mausoleum.

Before setting out, Xiao Liju came to visit Xie Zhaoran. Shi Yuning prepared wine and dishes to see her off.

Xie Zhaoran knew how crucial this battle was for Xiao Liju. Plenty of people in the court already chafed at her rule; if she won a decisive victory, even those who inwardly resented her for being a woman wouldn’t dare voice it openly.

An emperor didn’t need the wholehearted devotion of everyone—just enough majesty to deter open defiance.

Xie Zhaoran filled Xiao Liju’s cup to the brim and clinked it gently against her own. “Stay safe.”

Xiao Liju drained it in one gulp. “Just in case, I’ve prepared an edict. If anything happens to me, you read it aloud and select a successor from the imperial clan on my behalf.”

Xie Zhaoran nodded. She believed Xiao Liju would be fine. “Go without worry.”

Xiao Liju cautioned Xie Zhaoran in turn. “I’ve planted a body to pass for you, but plenty of people in the capital know what you look like. Stay cautious in the short term—don’t let anyone recognize you.”

Xie Zhaoran nodded her assent. After Xiao Liju led the army out, the Shi Mansion shut its gates tight, restricting all outings. Heavy guards were posted at the entrance.

A month later, news of a great victory arrived from the border. Only then were the guards at the Shi Mansion’s gate fully withdrawn.

The tense air of imminent crisis lifted from the streets and alleys of the Imperial Capital. Once the period of national mourning ended, the city buzzed back to life—even more lively than before.

Some teahouses celebrating the border triumph even hung up red banners.

Ever since hearing that Shi Yuning had been found, Lu Wenzhou had called on the Shi Family multiple times. The first few visits were turned away because Shi Yuning needed time to recover from her injuries. Later, with Marquis Shi stationed in the capital and the family posting guards to keep out unrelated visitors, he still couldn’t get in.

Now, at last, the Shi Mansion was accepting calling cards normally. Lu Wenzhou arrived early at the gatehouse to present his.

These days, unable to see Shi Yuning, he had grown deeply worried. Wild rumors swirled outside: some said she had lost limbs and couldn’t walk properly; others claimed her face was ruined, turning her into an ugly monster.

All sorts of tales circulated, and since no one had laid eyes on Shi Yuning after her return to the capital, the gossip only grew hotter.

The gatekeeper soon ushered Lu Wenzhou inside. Before he could even ask after Shi Yuning, Tu Chunhua spoke first, declaring that the earlier talk of marriage between their families had been mere jest. He shouldn’t take it to heart.

This only confirmed Lu Wenzhou’s fears that Shi Yuning must be disfigured or crippled. “Auntie, no matter what state Yuning is in, I wouldn’t mind.”

No sooner had she spoken than Shi Yuning entered from the outer room, smiling as she said, “Don’t jinx me—I’m perfectly fine.”

Shi Yuning walked smiling to Tu Chunhua’s side and turned to Lu Wenzhou. “I’ve told you before, I don’t like you. Forget about it. Besides, I’m about to head out wandering the jianghu. What, are you coming with me?”

Lu Wenzhou frowned. “How could I let that happen?”

He turned immediately to Tu Chunhua. “Auntie, this…?” He meant to ask how she could agree to such an outlandish idea.

Tu Chunhua smiled. “Mm, I’ve agreed.”

Lu Wenzhou was stunned. “How can that be? It’s far too dangerous for her alone!”

Tu Chunhua chuckled. “She’s grown up now. Besides, don’t you scholars always say traveling ten thousand li beats reading ten thousand books? A little wandering will broaden her horizons.”

Lu Wenzhou’s brow furrowed tighter. “That’s not the same at all. Those who go wandering for study are all men. Yuning’s just a girl.”

Tu Chunhua and Shi Yuning both sobered at once. Before Shi Yuning could reply, Tu Chunhua beat her to it. “What’s wrong with a girl? These days, even the emperor’s a woman.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Lu Wenzhou hurried to explain. “I just think it’s too dangerous for her to travel alone.”

Tu Chunhua nodded. “Life’s never smooth sailing. Danger? You could choke to death eating at home.”

Lu Wenzhou was struck speechless. Shi Yuning gave her mother a covert thumbs-up from the side. Her mother’s outlook had shifted so quickly since Xiao Liju became the first woman on the throne.

She used to always tell Shi Yuning that women must be demure and gentle, marry and bear children. Now it was as if she had realized nothing was truly obligatory—girls could live as their hearts desired.

Nothing was impossible, nothing forbidden.

In the end, Tu Chunhua politely saw Lu Wenzhou out. Shi Yuning immediately sidled up to her. “Mother, your enlightenment is something else these days.”

Tu Chunhua swatted her arm. “Enough flattery. Where’s Zhaoran? Why are you here alone?”

These days, wherever Shi Yuning went, Xie Zhaoran was always within arm’s reach.

“She’s in the kitchen making food—we heard a guest was coming.” Shi Yuning had come rushing because she heard Lu Wenzhou had arrived and felt guilty, wanting to clear things up first. She hadn’t expected her mother to chase him off for her.

Tu Chunhua swatted her again. “How can you keep making Zhaoran cook!”

Shi Yuning clutched her stung arm. “It’s to keep you happy, isn’t it?”

Tu Chunhua shot her a glare. “Tell her to stop. Her leg isn’t fully healed yet—she needs rest.”

“Feeling sorry for her now?” Shi Yuning grinned slyly.

Tu Chunhua figured the time was right and relented. “Zhaoran’s going to be family soon. Of course I feel for her.”

Shi Yuning almost missed it. After a beat of silence, she jumped up and down on the spot. “Mother, really?”

Tu Chunhua’s mood lifted with her joy. She nodded. “Really.”

“That’s wonderful! That’s wonderful!” Shi Yuning crowed in delight. “I have to tell Zhaoran!” She bolted toward the kitchen.

When Xie Zhaoran was dragged into Tu Chunhua’s room, she was still dazed, wondering if Shi Yuning had misheard.

That was until she saw Tu Chunhua smiling at her and handing over a box.

Xie Zhaoran opened it to find a pair of fine white jade bangles nestled inside.

“This was one of the pieces I prepared for Ningning’s dowry. I meant to put it on her the day she married. But now it’s even better—she doesn’t have to marry out.”

Tu Chunhua sounded genuinely pleased. No mother wanted to send a daughter she had raised with such care off to another family. In the past, bound by tradition, she had accepted it as inevitable. Now she saw how foolish that had been.

The thought of her daughter not having to “marry out” filled Tu Chunhua with relief, and she gazed at Xie Zhaoran with even greater warmth.

Xie Zhaoran’s eyes reddened, mist gathering as she struggled to believe this day had come so soon.

“Auntie?” Xie Zhaoran hesitated, as if afraid to trust it.

Tu Chunhua took the box from her hands, drew out the white jade bangles, and slipped one onto Xie Zhaoran’s wrist, the other onto Shi Yuning’s.

“From now on, take good care of each other. Be each other’s support.”

Shi Yuning and Xie Zhaoran nodded in unison, seeing the depth of love mirrored in one another’s eyes.

Afterward, Tu Chunhua and Shi Minda persuaded Marquis Shi.

Marquis Shi had been alone for so long. Now that he had found his son and the family was together and happy, he accepted Shi Yuning pairing off with another girl quite readily.

Under the witness of Tu Chunhua and the Shi father and son, Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning held a simple ceremony, exchanging vows.

Xiao Liju had promised she would gradually reform the laws, so that one day two women could marry, establish a household, and enjoy the same rights as men.

Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning agreed they would hold a proper wedding then.

For now, Xie Zhaoran called this ceremony a moving-in rite.

At last, she could openly move from the guest quarters into the boudoir of her beloved Shi Yuning.

Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning lay head to head on the new pillows Tu Chunhua had prepared for them, their eyes falling on the soft rose-tinted bed curtains. Beside her was the gentle, shallow breathing of her heart’s desire.

Xie Zhaoran reached out and took Shi Yuning’s hand, their fingers intertwining tightly. She let out a soft laugh. “It feels like a dream.”

Shi Yuning’s lips curved up. She propped herself up slightly and kissed the corner of Xie Zhaoran’s mouth. “Is it like this in your dreams?”

Xie Zhaoran’s gaze ignited in an instant. Without a moment’s hesitation, she slid her hand to Shi Yuning’s slender waist, kneading the soft flesh there through her nightclothes as she captured those cool red lips.

Noses pressed close, lips and teeth rubbing together—their breaths grew scorching, flushing both their faces crimson in the humid heat.

Xie Zhaoran’s breathing quickened palpably. Still locked to her beloved’s lips, her tongue delving to disrupt her breath, she tugged loose the ties of their nightclothes with her other hand.

Her cool fingers met warm, silken curves. Xie Zhaoran panted lightly into Shi Yuning’s ear.

“Of course your dreams are more than this.”