RVW-38.1

For the next two days, Ah Nan calmly stayed in the Imperial Mansion to pack up Chu Baning’s luggage for the long journey.

Winter will be coming soon, and Tongcheng is located in the northern border area so winter comes early. It was said that it will start snowing in November. One can well imagine how harsh the climate is, especially compared to the capital city, it is practically a wilderness area. When An Momo told her the prepared luggages and things needed by Su Wang——Ah Nan, hearing it, asked An Momo to add more thick and warm pelt clothes, cloaks, and mantles, then also all kinds of medicinal herbs, such as injury medications, frostbite medications, common cold medications, etc. So much so that when Ah Nan saw that there were still some hundred-year-old ginsengs in the warehouse, she also dumped them all together in the luggage. Although this hundred-year-old ginseng couldn’t be compared to the one gifted by Wen Liang, it was still an extremely rare and precious thing. If something happened outside, it would come in handy. 

“Wang fei really loves Wang ye deeply, almost half of the medicinal herbs in the warehouse were quickly moved into Wang ye’s luggages,” a Momo couldn’t help but tease her with a smile as she saw Ah Nan reciting the list. Her surname is Zhang, and she was the Momo who felt¹Might sound weird but in Chinese, there are some knowledgeable people who can grope (basically like massage) and feel around your limbs, diagnose what happened and treat it with massage. Ah Nan’s bones when she sustained injury on the first day of her wedding. It was said that she once stayed in the Imperial hospital, and had some medical expertise. Ah Nan saw that she was well proportioned, was only in her early thirties, cautious, meticulous, and loyal, so she was brought to serve by her side.

Ru Cui, who was helping Ah Nan check the list together, also smiled with her and said, “Zhang Momo, Xiao Jie is actually really reluctant to part with Wang ye, but she doesn’t have the courage to suggest going together with Wang ye, and could only prepare this much as a compensation for her lack of courage and guilt.”

Hearing it, the majority of the Momos and servant girls in the room all laughed in good will.

Ah Nan’s face blushed slightly, glaring at Ru Cui and Zhang Momo, and continued to carefully check the list of the luggages.

Ah Nan, right now, was the kind of newlywed little wife who was worried about her husband’s long journey far away from home, hating that she couldn’t give every good things she possessed for him to bring along, afraid that if some unexpected accidents were to occur along the way, he couldn’t find anything useful. Therefore, towards these people’s teasing, there was some shame and anger, but she was not really furious. In fact, her heart was indeed as they said, really unwilling to part.

However, Chu Baning did not suggest for her to go along, moreover that place was the front line of the war, she actually had no reason to go along.

While Ah Nan was inspecting, someone from the palace came again and brought several intact fox and tiger skins, as well as a pile of medicinal herbs. It was said to be a reward from the Empress Dowager.

Ah Nan sincerely thanked the favor and happily put these rewards into the luggage. She then flipped through the intact fur sheets, feeling them comfortably warm and wondered about wanting to make a thick cloak for Chu Baning to wear, or making some gloves were also acceptable.

Ah Nan went and did it after thinking. She cut a piece of a fox skin and quickly began to work on making cloak and gloves.

In the Zichen Palace hall²殿 refers to the main part of the palace where “business” is usually conducted, like a work space for the Emperor and the officers (such as courts or other major occasions). It’s different from the 宫 (gong, as in palace, and how the ladies refer to themselves in ben gong), 宫 refers to the palace where they live., Emperor Chongde’s expression was somewhat gloomy.

Across from Emperor Chongde was Chu Baning with a cold and stern expression. These brothers born from the same mother actually look very similar, only that their temperament were different. Emperor Chongde was a cool-headed and reservedly profound person, with the confidence and calm as if everything was completely under control, fully demonstrating the prestige of an emperor. While Chu Baning was solemn, with upright, honorable, and poised temperament; high-spirited and unyielding; a valiant and upright man standing between heaven and earth, making people enchanted with admiration.

“Imperial brother, Xian Mu Fei and Mu hou have long been in a feud. Zhen is afraid that she might harm your Wang fei,” said Emperor Chongde.

The reason why Emperor Chongde let Chu Baning remain today was not only to discuss the route to escort the military supplies to Tongcheng, but also for this matter. Emperor Chongde has ascended to the throne for ten years, and has already cultivated his own network and influence, especially the undercover spies. Although there were not many, they can help him find out whatever he wants. And what he was saying just now was the news that his spy received from the Anyang Wang Mansion.

Chu Baning’s eyes were deep, coldly saying, “Xian Mu Fei is a smart person. Ben Wang believes she can do it. Perhaps she will secretly cause some trouble for Ah Nan, but she will not strike her hard, otherwise she cannot bear the consequences.”

Emperor Chongde thought for a moment and said softly, “However, Xian Mu Fei is already old and not as smart as she used to be.”

“Then let her enjoy her later years properly!” Chu Baning lowered his eyes slightly, “AnShun Wang in the northwest is probably unable to withstand the continuous plundering of the Bei Yue barbarians. It is likely that after half a month, there would be an official report asking for help. However, this year the dynasty has suffered severe disaster, it’s likely that the military and material resources are too lacking and unable to provide assistance. We can only let the AnShun Wang endure for a few more days.” As for how long it will last, it’s hard to say ah!

Emperor Chongde laughed heartily after hearing it, and said, “Imperial brother’s idea coincides with Zhen’s! Whether it’s the northwest or Tongcheng’s Tiandie Valley area, are all within Zhen’s concern. However, Tongcheng is a military stronghold of our Great Chu, and if it was seized by the Bei Yue people, the consequences are unimaginable. At this point, we could only let Fifth Imperial Brother be wronged for a while.”

Chu Baning ticked his lips slightly, looking indifferent as if the thing he had just discussed was today’s weather, and not taking advantage of the war to weaken the power of an ambitious brother in a few words.

After saying these words, Emperor Chongde’s mood improved, wanting to tease, asking, “Ba Ning ah, Zhen just remembered Tongcheng’s City Guard He’s Furen, Lady Chu. In fact, you can also take your Wang fei to Tongcheng.” Since there was an earlier case of this matter, Chu Baning bringing his Wang fei along to defend the border is also fine.

Chu Baning shook his head, “Tongcheng is in the extreme north, the weather is cold and resources are scarce, not suitable for a woman’s survival.” Put it bluntly, how could he be willing to let his snowball-like little wife go to Tongcheng to suffer hardships?

Emperor Chongde chuckled and said, “Yo, imperial brother is feeling sorry for his wife~ Isn’t Lady Chu also a woman? Also, Zhen heard that there are also a lot of military officials’ families settling down in Tongcheng. Those women are all living well, and your Wang fei should be living the same way.”

Chu Baning obviously didn’t like that The Emperor was teasing about his wife and solemnly said, “They are them, Ben Wang’s Wang fei is naturally different from them.”

“What kind of difference are there, aren’t they all women, never saw those women having more eyes or nose either.” Emperor Chongde suppressed his smile.

Chu Baning frowned, “Your Majesty, if you’re so curious, you can go back to your harem and compare the differences between your Niang niangs. I believe they will cooperate with your interests.” After saying that, he bowed and said, “Chen di ask to be excused.” Then he left Zichen Palace Hall without looking back, leaving Emperor Chongde to watch helplessly at his back.

***********

When Chu Banning returned in the evening, Ah Nan was busy making his cloak. Seeing Chu Banning’s return, Ah Nan served him his meals and bath, and then continued to sit under the lamp and sew.

Chu Baning didn’t go to the study tonight, so he sat aside as usual and read for a while before closing the scroll, and fixed his eyes at the young lady focussing on sewing clothes under the lamp.

Her creamy porcelain white skin appeared healthily pink and tender under the light, her long curly lashes slightly drooped over, faintly covering her pair of clear jet-black eyes. Her delicate little nose and lovely rosy lips pursed slightly, looking very serious, as if she was doing something very important. Her long hair casually draped over her back, the wet end of her hair from the bath just now had already dried. Some strands of her soft silky black hair hung down onto her chest, making the young lady look exceptionally cute and gentle. And she just casually draped the outer robe over her body, her pink Du dou³Du dou (肚兜) is an ancient chinese undergarment, it looks pretty much like this. was faintly discernible from her loose middle robe.

With a slightly constricted throat, Chu Baning averted his gaze and looked at the clothes she was sewing. It was a black cloak with a fiery red fox fur sewn on the collar. Judging by the color and length, he knew that the cloak was not made for her, it goes without saying what the answer was.

His deep eyes softened slightly, he liked to watch her looking busy under the lamp light. The atmosphere was peaceful and warm, with only the rustling sound of the wind passing through the trees outside the window. Making it felt like there was only himself and her existing in this world.

When Ah Nan was sewing on the hood of the cloak, she felt a burst of sore tingling sensation in her waist, not knowing how long she had maintained this posture. Ah Nan spread out the cloak and checked the stitches, inwardly evaluating that she should be able to finish it if she rushed tomorrow.

Ah Nan’s needlework⁴女红 or female arts refers to needleworking, spinning and weaving (making textiles), embroidery, sewing and tailoring, and other things done by women isn’t bad, it is one of the most basic skills for ancient women. As a woman, although her four arts⁵琴棋书画 (qin qi shu hua) refers to the arts of Zither (古琴 gu qin), Go (围棋 wei qi [Go is how the koreans call it]), calligraphy (书法 shu fa), painting (绘画 hui hua) were only at intermediate level, she should be able to master this one needlework skill no matter what. Though she, as a part of official bigwigs, does not need to personally measure and tailor the clothes, it’s good for her to make small stuff for her parents to show filial piety, or make a few pieces of clothes for her husband after marriage to show virtuousness. If it weren’t for the fact that the clothes of the Empress Dowager were specially made by the people in the palace’s clothing storage bureau, she might have made two pieces of clothes to present one for the Empress Dowager as a symbol of daughter-in-law’s filial piety.

“Is this for me?” Chu Baning walked over and took the cloak from Ah Nan’s hand and looked it over.

Ah Nan smiled with her eyes curved, “Yes, I heard that Tongcheng is different from the capital, and that snow starts falling in November, just hearing about it makes one feel cold. So I want to make it ready before you set off and let you take it.”

Chu Baning looked somewhat relaxed, as if he had smiled and looked very satisfied.

Ah Nan stared at his face, feeling somewhat regretful for that fleeting smile. Thinking, why didn’t he smile a few more times, it’s fine if it made her into a nymphomaniac ah. Her husband is obviously very good-looking, but because he has that solemn expression, even more grave than that of an old man’s, it only makes people feel extremely distressed that they were unable to notice that he has a very attractive appearance.

Chu Baning fiddled with the cloak a little, then put it aside, saying, “It’s already late, continue tomorrow.” He then straightforwardly picked up Ah Nan, kissed her lips, and headed towards the big bed.

At this moment, Ah Nan knew they were about to roll on the sheets. She had originally wanted to continue to work for a while longer, but seeing a certain Wang ye like this, she could only roll on the sheets with him.