"How long will you be gone? When will you return, and do our vows still count?"
"I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I will certainly come back. If you are still unmarried and have no woman you fancy by then, our vows will count. At that time, I will definitely marry you!"
It was only after a long while that he looked at Yun Jinnian, "Alright, I’ll wait for you!"
Yun Jinnian pursed her lips, struggling to keep from looking too sad, "When I’m back, you’ll be dealing with a fifteen-year-old girl. You’d better prepare a generous dowry; if it’s too little, I won’t marry you!"
"Hmm, the dowry will definitely be plentiful!"
With great reluctance and against his wishes, Chu Yu let Yun Jinnian go.
By the time she returned, Chu Yu was already a striking young man in his prime, having accomplished several impressive feats that demanded a second look.
With his extraordinary identity, he became the object of many noble young ladies’ admiration, with countless declaring they would marry no one but the wise prince.
The nineteenth year of Yuanhe, the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Several horse-drawn carriages clattered down the road, escorted by twenty-four horses, each ridden by a burly, imposing man.
Dressed in black cloaks, they exuded an aura so sharp that nobody dared to look at them askance.
Snow fluttered down from the sky, yet a young man galloped towards the carriage on horseback.
The horse stopped, and the carriages did the same.
A woman lifted the curtain of the carriage and called softly, "Tianci, aren’t you cold? Do you want to come in for a cup of hot tea?"
Han Tianci chuckled, "Mother, I’m not sister; I’m not cold!"
Mrs. Han laughed, "Indeed, you’re not cold, but who was it that insisted on sleeping with a warmer last night?"
Han Tianci’s handsome face flushed red, "Mother, if you keep exposing my faults, how will I ever find a wife in the future?"
"Others might not find a wife, but I don’t believe that will be an issue for you!" Mrs. Han said, taking the tea poured by Yun Jinnian and handing it to Han Tianci, "Drink a few sips quickly, or else if you do get frozen, I’ll feel hurt!"
"Thank you, Mother, you always care for me the most!"
Han Tianci took the teacup and gulped down a few sips, then handed the cup back to Mrs. Han, "Mother, I want some snacks!"
Mrs. Han laughed and pinched off a piece of snack to feed Han Tianci.
"Delicious! Mother, I want more!"
Mrs. Han indulged Han Tianci, feeding him several more pieces before stopping.
After Mrs. Han recovered from her illness, she doted on her children.
Even to the point of being a little overindulgent.
Fortunately, both Han Tianci and Yun Jinnian were sensible and well-behaved children.
Yun Jinnian nestled in a corner, holding a snow-white cat in her arms, gently stroking its head.
Tuanzi enjoyed the affection quietly.
"Sister, the snow outside is getting heavy. Do you want to come out and see?" Han Tianci called out from outside the carriage.
Yun Jinnian shook her head slightly, "It’s cold!"
"Alright then, let’s continue on our way. In one more day, we’ll reach the Capital City!"
The just-turned-nine Han Tianci was now a head taller than Yun Jinnian, his features becoming more distinct and elegant, the baby fat largely gone. He looked quite different from over a year ago, but on closer examination, he did resemble Mrs. Han.
Han Tianci still loved riding horses, and although Mrs. Han worried for him, she allowed it.
The group continued on their journey.
Inside the carriage, Mrs. Han looked at Tuanzi in Yun Jinnian’s lap and reached out to stroke its head.
Tuanzi opened its eyes to glance at Mrs. Han, then closed them again to continue sleeping, looking quite proud.
"Tuanzi, do you want some fish?" Mrs. Han said, taking a small dried fish from a drawer. Tuanzi quickly opened its eyes, jumped into Mrs. Han’s lap, and meowed.
"You greedy cat!" Yet she lovingly fed the dried fish to Tuanzi.
Thinking of the purpose of this journey back, Mrs. Han’s resolve grew firmer, "Jinnian, perhaps we could take a shortcut!"