Traveling south from the capital, after savoring local delicacies and admiring scenic views along the way, the Empress Dowager and Qi Shuguang finally arrived in Langya.
The couple didn't forget the purpose of their journey and immediately went to pay respects to their parents upon arrival.
The Qi Family's ancestral graves were located halfway up the mountain, with the family's old house - where Qi Shuguang grew up - situated at the foot.
Since they were already there, the Empress Dowager naturally wanted to take a look, so she suggested, "It's still early, why don't we stay at the house for a few days?"
To her surprise, Qi Shuguang seemed hesitant.
The Empress Dowager noticed this and raised an eyebrow, asking, "What's wrong? Afraid I'll embarrass you in front of your neighbors?"
Qi Shuguang responded with an awkward smile, "No, I'm worried I'll embarrass you."
"Oh?" the Empress Dowager arched her brow. "How so?"
He explained, "When I resigned from my official position and returned home years ago, the neighbors assumed I had been dismissed for some wrongdoing. Then, remaining unmarried for so many years made them view me as an unfilial son. In short... I'm not exactly well-regarded in the village..."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager paused, looking at him with complex emotions. "So in the end, it's all because of me?"
As Qi Shuguang tried to protest, she took his hand and said, "You've done nothing wrong. There's no reason you can't return to your own home. Don't worry."
With that, she headed down the mountain.
Upon reaching the Qi Family's old residence, the Empress Dowager surveyed the property. The houses were built with gray bricks, and the courtyard was spacious, indicating the family's former middle-class status.
Though long uninhabited, the property wasn't overgrown with weeds but rather well-maintained.
Qi Shuguang explained, "When I was teaching at the academy, I would return here during holidays. Even these past two years while I've been in the capital, my colleagues and students would help maintain the place."
The Empress Dowager nodded, teasing him, "I see. So you're not as terrible as the neighbors make you out to be?"
Qi Shuguang laughed, "I'm grateful my wife doesn't find me wanting."
After their playful exchange, they prepared to clean the dust inside and outside the house.
The courtyard had an ancient, tranquil charm, with tall trees surrounding the buildings, making it cool and pleasant. Staying for a few days would make for a nice summer retreat.
Before they could begin cleaning, a woman peeked in through the gate. Upon seeing Qi Shuguang, she exclaimed in surprise, "I thought there were thieves! Fourth Brother, aren't you supposed to be in the capital? Why are you suddenly back?"
Qi Shuguang was startled but quickly smiled and greeted her as Third Sister-in-law, explaining, "The academy is on summer break, so we came back to visit Father and Mother's graves."
The Third Sister-in-law nodded, then turned her curious gaze to the Empress Dowager, asking, "And who might this be?"
Qi Shuguang cleared his throat and smiled, "This is my wife."
The Empress Dowager smiled as well, quickly addressing the Third Sister-in-law, "Hello, Sister. I'm his wife, my maiden name is Guan."
Since leaving the palace, she naturally couldn't use her original surname Zhou, so she had adopted her mother's surname, which was what she used in the capital as well.
The Third Sister-in-law beamed, "So you're my sister-in-law! Oh my, Fourth Brother, why didn't you tell us when you got married!"
Before Qi Shuguang could respond, the Empress Dowager smoothly interjected, "It's our fault. We should have informed the family, but the capital is so far away. We took this opportunity during the summer break to come back."
The Third Sister-in-law nodded, "So sister-in-law is from the capital too? That's wonderful!"
She continued excitedly, "Our Fourth Brother finally getting married is such joyous news! We must celebrate properly!"
The Empress Dowager eagerly agreed, "Sister is absolutely right. That's what we had in mind too. No time like the present - why don't we invite everyone over for drinks today?"
The Third Sister-in-law happily replied, "That's perfect! I'll go spread the word!"
She added, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I'll call the other sisters-in-law and nieces-in-law to help out!"
With that, she hurried away excitedly.
Watching this scene, Qi Shuguang, who hadn't been able to get a word in, smiled at the Empress Dowager, "You seem to get along better with her than I do."
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, "That's what we call adapting to local customs."
Thanks to the villagers' help, by evening, the once-quiet Qi Family courtyard was bustling with activity.
The tables were laden with homestyle dishes, and the wine was homemade sorghum liquor brought by neighbors. Though simple, it was honest and flavorful.
Naturally, everyone was curious about the new Qi Family bride's background, and they took the opportunity amid the festivities to inquire.
"Sister-in-law, what does your family do in the capital?"
"Looking at your refined manner, you must be from an official's family?"
The Empress Dowager responded graciously, "You're too kind. My father was indeed an official, but he passed away long ago. I have no family left now. I was previously married and widowed for many years. Then through a matchmaker, I met him and we got together."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood - the new Qi Family bride was a widow.
However, the village didn't care much about such matters, and besides, the new bride was both beautiful and dignified. What did it matter if she was a widow?
The most important thing was that their village's most troublesome bachelor had finally married!
Everyone was delighted, and several of the sisters-in-law encouraged the Empress Dowager, "That's wonderful, just focus on living well together. Try to give the Qi Family an heir - that would put Uncle and Aunt's spirits at ease."
Qi Shuguang tensed at these words, about to speak, but the Empress Dowager smoothly replied, "I'm afraid I'm not as blessed as you sisters. I'm getting on in years and probably can't bear children anymore."
The sisters-in-law nodded, showing some disappointment, then asked, "Do you have any children from before?"
The Empress Dowager smiled, "I have a son who is quite filial."
Qi Shuguang quickly added, "He's very good to me too."
The sisters-in-law nodded and didn't pursue the matter further.
After all, women of a certain age couldn't bear children even if they wanted to. Besides, all the meat and fish on the table had been bought from various households with the new bride's money - she was clearly well-off. Fourth Brother hadn't done badly for himself.
Just then, the tipsy Third Brother slurred to Qi Shuguang, "You finally get married and you couldn't find someone younger..."
Before he could finish, his wife, the Third Sister-in-law, snapped, "What's it to you? What's so good about young women? They'd just be waiting for you to die young!"
This retort left the Third Brother speechless and sent everyone into fits of laughter.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help laughing too, and smoothed things over, "They say young couples grow old together - Third Brother and Sister are such straightforward people!"
The Third Sister-in-law then turned to her husband, "Serves you right with no money and no skills, stuck farming all your life! If you were like Fourth Brother, you'd probably want a young wife too?"
This thoroughly frightened the Third Brother, who quickly shook his head, "No, no, I wouldn't dare!"
Everyone burst into laughter again as the festivities continued with great merriment.
As night fell and stars appeared in the clear sky, the farmhouse feast came to an end.
After cleaning up, Qi Shuguang and the Empress Dowager cuddled in the courtyard to enjoy the cool evening air.
The wine had left the Empress Dowager feeling soft and relaxed, and she rested her head on his shoulder as he held her.
A sweet fragrance drifted on the cool night breeze, and she asked, "What's that smell?"
Qi Shuguang replied, "It's the scent of harvest."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "It's lovely."
After a pause, Qi Shuguang added, "The villagers are farmers who speak plainly. Don't take offense."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "Why would I? Having no pretenses makes them easier to get along with."
She sighed, "Other men all want young wives, but you spent half your life alone, bore the label of being unfilial, and ended up marrying a widow like me."
He nuzzled her forehead with his cheek, saying, "You're the one who didn't mind taking me, a man past forty with nothing to his name except these old country houses."
She smiled, "How can you call this a country house? It's a paradise. I love it here. Let's come back every year and stay for a while."
He nodded, "Of course."
Anything you like is fine with me.
Back in the capital, at the Imperial Palace.
Ever since getting burned by chili peppers, the little prince had behaved himself for quite a while. During meals, he no longer dared to eye the adults' dishes and obediently ate from his own bowl.
However, despite his young age, the little fellow was quite caring.
For instance, one evening during dinner, when Father happened to return home early, Mother specially ordered the royal kitchen to prepare spicy eel, one of Father's favorite dishes.
As soon as the dish was served, the little one immediately spotted the red chili pepper slices in it.
In that instant, memories of that night when he got "bitten" by chilies flashed before his eyes.
The little one was startled and quickly waved his small wooden spoon at his father, saying, "Hurts..."
Yuwen Lan was initially confused and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong, Heng'er? Where does it hurt?"
The little one stuck out his tiny red tongue and said, "Mouth... hurts..."
Huh?
Yuwen Lan grew even more confused and leaned in to check his son's mouth, asking worriedly, "What's wrong, Heng'er?"
Yanshu laughed beside them and explained, "It's nothing. The other day I was eating boiled fish with chilies, and he was curious to try it. I told him it was spicy, but he wouldn't believe me. He sneaked a taste when I wasn't looking, and now he knows what spicy means."
Hearing this, Yuwen Lan couldn't help but smile and told his son, "It's alright, Father isn't afraid of spicy food."
He patted the little one's head gently and said softly, "Good boy."
Just as he reached for the eel with his chopsticks, the little one suddenly burst into tears, shaking his head frantically, "Father... spicy... no..."
Yuwen Lan was speechless.
His son was this worried about him getting burned by the chilies?
Deeply touched, he had no choice but to put down his chopsticks and say, "Alright, don't cry, darling. Father won't eat it then."
Upon hearing this, the little one finally calmed down and stopped crying.
The father, feeling warmth in his heart, bent down to kiss his son's forehead.
However, when he turned his head, he discovered his wife eagerly enjoying the delicious spicy eel.
Yuwen Lan asked puzzled, "Why doesn't he cry when you eat chilies? Isn't he worried about you getting burned?"
Yanshu, while enthusiastically eating, replied, "Oh, it's nothing. I told him that day that I would fight the chilies and destroy them all to protect His Majesty and him."
Yuwen Lan: "???"
Meanwhile, their round-faced little one broke into a smile, waving his small wooden spoon and exclaimed, "Mommy, amazing!"
Yuwen Lan: "..."
