We stayed in Pengcheng until the ninth day of the new year. Upon returning home, my mother fussed over me for a long time, holding my face and examining it. Then she said, "Nannan, why is it that after being injured, you've actually gained weight?"
"What else could I do but gain weight when I was lying in bed all day?"
Imperial Physician Cai wouldn't let me move a muscle, and the cook, afraid I would starve, kept bringing me extra meals, all of them nourishing and beneficial.
I felt I had done well to not need any of my clothes altered.
After my mother and I had our fill of affectionate greetings, Situ Yao cupped his hands and said, "Aunt Qing, you entrusted your son A Chun to my care back then. Not only did I fail to look after him, but I also allowed him to be severely injured. I truly feel I've failed you."
"A... Chun?" My mother, having grown up reading storybooks, immediately grasped the significant detail.
Situ Yao glanced at me. I immediately glared at him nervously, afraid he might say something he shouldn't. Fortunately, he understood my intent and only said, "Aunt Qing, having spent so much time with A Chun, calling her 'Wang girl' feels distant and awkward, and calling her by her childhood name is inappropriate. So, I chose a middle ground."
"What's inappropriate about it? The Second Prince has called her that since he was little. You're just being too polite. Come, come, don't just stand by the door. Come inside."
"I can't, Aunt Qing. I'm afraid you're missing your daughter terribly. I've sent A Chun back first. I still need to report to His Majesty in the palace later. I will pay a personal visit another time."
"If you're coming, then come. No need for such a formal visit. As long as you come, Aunt Qing will have plenty of food and wine."
My mother laughed heartily and chatted enthusiastically with Situ Yao, then urged him to hurry to the palace, as the Emperor could not be kept waiting. As soon as Situ Yao left, A Xiu, having heard the news, rushed out. Naturally, she embraced me and wept, while also cursing Pengcheng, "It's all his fault. If he hadn't insisted that Ru Yi and I return to the capital, you wouldn't have suffered so much alone in Meicheng."
"It wasn't exactly suffering. The Crown Prince's manor was not short of servants."
"Oh, please. With all those monks serving as cooks, who could really take care of you?"
"Pengcheng bought a temporary maid for me. Yue Gui, come here. This is my mother, and this is A Xiu. You will serve her from now on."
Yue Gui bowed to my mother, "Greetings, Madam." She also asked A Xiu to guide her in the future. Her demeanor, both graceful and composed, suggested she was a well-trained maid. Pengcheng indeed had been thoughtful.
Imperial Physician Cai had warned that my internal injuries were quite severe. Even though I was back, I still needed proper recuperation. I didn't have to stay in bed all day, but I absolutely could not overexert myself. I held my sword and caressed it countless times, and couldn't help but recall the man who fought with me in the mountain god temple.
I wondered when I would encounter someone with such excellent skills again.
If I were to give this sword to Situ You, that battle-loving fellow, he would surely be ecstatic.
While in Pengcheng, Situ Yao was very busy. However, he didn't avoid me when discussing official matters. I had a general idea of the situation regarding his mission. The person behind Magistrate Tao was the eldest son of Prince Qing, Situ Yang.
Before the Emperor ascended the throne, Prince Qing had been the Crown Prince for over thirty years. But the position of heir apparent was stripped away without warning, and Situ Yang's status plummeted. He went from being the Emperor's eldest grandson to merely the Crown Prince of Prince Qing. Although the Emperor offered him opportunities to serve the court, he was constantly restrained, leading to years of unproductive work.
It seemed he could only rely on his family legacy to get by.
Naturally, he was unwilling to accept this.
Meicheng was one of his strongholds. He was accumulating wealth while attempting to sow discord between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. The Emperor had only these two sons, and if they were to weaken each other through conflict, he, as the Emperor's eldest grandson, would naturally have a chance to ascend the throne.
The rumors that Situ You resembled his father and would contend for the Crown Prince's position were spread by him.