Phoenix in the Moonlight

"I will accompany you. You will not face any difficulties in your house." The reassurance was enough for the little girl. He was a man of twenty-four years of age, how could he not know what would come tomorrow? He could only promise to not do her any wrong and accompany her throughout life. "You do not need to worry about the gifts, I have already prepared them. You should rest."

The Eunuch silently took his leave, moving out of the courtyard and rushing to the treasury to find suitable objects the wangye could present to his in-laws.

The wangye and his new consort stay indoors, one reading a book while the other embroidered a handkerchief. Suddenly, he remembered the happenings of the court and moved his gaze to her. She seemed content with her circumstances, he could only imagine how she would react when she found out he would be leaving.

"I will be leaving for the South in a few weeks. I have asked the servants to prepare. Is there anything you want me to bring back?" She looked up from her work, startled.

"I hear that the silks of the south are very famous," she didn't think much of it and commented.

"I understand." He paused. "I do not know when I will come back, it will be hard on you."

Something moved in his eyes. Though it was just for a split second, he caught it.

"Don't be distressed. I will come back," he reassured.

Jian Lixue's brow scrunched as she thought about what he said. What did that mean? He was just going on a trip.

It was then that Wang Yifeng realized that the girl had no idea that the country was in turmoil. She was the protected little princess of her family, knowing no hardships. How could she know?

They toiled the evening away, and when night came, he left for his courtyard, telling her that he had some business to attend to.

Lixue stared at his disappearing silhouette and sighed in her heart.

Like every other night, he had left her to spend time alone. Before her marriage, her mother had prepared her for her wifely duties, and she had looked forward to it, knowing that it was the only way she could make her way to his heart. She might not enjoy it herself, but it would bring him great pleasure and hopefully give him an heir he could spoil. All men wanted heirs, and she could only assume that her husband was the same.

She sighed as she moved back into her room.

"Bring me water to wash my feet," she ordered the old servant. She had been working for this family since before the wangye was born and she was surely not used to the bratty behavior of young girls who think they are something big because they married a good man.

The servants the new lady had brought were equally arrogant. But at least, the momo had been in the imperial harem and knew how some people could behave when they thought they were on top of the world. She almost wanted to reprimand them for their behavior, for disbalancing the harmony of the wangfu.

The momo couldn't say anything because the wangye had assigned her to take care of the consort, and she knew that it was a sign that the master cherished this woman. She didn't dare trifle with such a major matter. Her master was gentle but harsh on those who didn't follow instructions.

The lady had her dinner and then went to sleep. Lixue knew that tomorrow would be the best chance to persuade her husband lord.

- - -

The sun had barely risen and the birds chirped when the new lady and the wangye awoke and prepared for the journey back to Jian Lixue's paternal house. They sat in separate carriages, as was the custom of propriety of their dynasty. As Lixue caught up on some sleep, Wang Yifeng was busy going through the book of four families, getting to know the history of his country. It spoke of war and who was on which side, and it wasn't his first time reading it, either.

The servants scurried to the gate when they saw the wangye and their young miss arrive. They greeted the couple whole-heartedly.

Lixue's mother hid in a corner, peering out and looking at her daughter to make sure that she was well taken care of. Her husband greeted the pair at the gate and seemed unbothered by such matters.

"Wangye, welcome to our humble abode." He bowed. The family sat in the common area, talking about everything about life, enjoying the snacks the servants served. Soon it was later in the morning and the couple were ushered away.

Mother Jia pulled her daughter to the side for a chat.

"Daughter, your complexion looks good and the jewelry you are wearing has been prepared by the wang fu." Seeing that the prince was taking such good care of her daughter, some of her worry eased. As the mother, how could she stand to see her daughter unhappy?

She embraced her daughter and pulled her to sit next to her.

"Mother, don't be worried," Jia Lixue emphasized. "The wangfu is very comfortable. Even the servants treat me with respect and consider my every whim. Don't worry about me, please take care of your health while this daughter is away."

Mother Jia felt tears prickle at her eyes.