Ten years later.
Danzhou, Chen Manor.
On a winter afternoon, the sun shone gently as Madam Chen and Rongyue sat in the courtyard, embroidering knee pads for their respective husbands.
Madam Chen chuckled as she said, "Yesterday, my husband mentioned that once the military training ends, we'll have a month of leisure. We can travel around with Jing Yan and enjoy ourselves. It's been a while since we've had a chance to relax."
Rongyue smiled in agreement, "Danzhou doesn't see snow, and Nian Wan has been eager to see what it's like. With this extended break, coinciding with the New Year's Eve, it's perfect timing to take Nian Wan back to the capital city."
Nian Wan, mentioned by Rongyue, is the adopted daughter of her and Xiao Jingyan.
Five years ago, Lady Jing passed away, and at that time, Zhao Hua needed a trusted person to train her personal guards. Xiao Jingyan volunteered for the task, and Rongyue accompanied him to Danzhou.
At that time, Prince An of the Qi Dynasty had 'died', and as a concubine of the former emperor, Rongyue couldn't openly establish a residence outside. Fortunately, the Chen couple, Cheng Yu's foster parents, were in Danzhou.
So Zhao Hua arranged for them to live together in a large mansion, creating a lively atmosphere.
Every New Year's Eve, when Xiao Jingyan returned to the capital to report on his duties, he would spend some time with Rongyue in the capital.
Nian Wan is the abandoned baby adopted by Xiao Jingyan and Rongyue after they arrived in Danzhou by chance.
The small knee pad by Rongyue's side is meant for her precious daughter.
Madam Chen took the knee pad and joked, "Rongyue, you're so skilled. If it were me, I'd never be able to handle such delicate work."
Rongyue chuckled, "Sister is being too modest. When you took care of Cheng Yu, you paid attention to every detail. You wouldn't have any trouble with these small tasks of taking care of children."
Mentioning Cheng Yu, Madam Chen's eyes softened even more.
Though they hadn't seen each other for over a decade, they exchanged letters every year.
In his letters, Cheng Yu addressed Zhao Hua as 'mother', and Madam Chen as 'mother', all of which were approved by Zhao Hua.
"Speaking of Cheng Yu, now he's become the General of the Valiant Cavalry, achieving great military feats for the Qi Dynasty at a young age. His prestige intimidates even the southern barbarians, surpassing even the achievements of the former General Ning."
As Madam Chen spoke, pride filled her tone, yet Rongyue knew there was also regret in her heart.
So she gently patted Madam Chen's hand and comforted, "Last New Year's Eve, Zhao Er mentioned to me that if given the chance, he would personally come to thank you both for raising him."
Madam Chen's eyes welled up with tears, but she waved it off, saying nonchalantly, "Why bring this up? Being able to take care of Zhao Er is already a blessing for us."
Then, she changed the subject and asked, "Have you heard that this year's top scholar is a woman?"
Rongyue smiled and nodded, "We should start from Danzhou. With such a joyous event, the news will spread far and wide. How could anyone not know?"
Madam Chen couldn't help but sigh, "In the past, it was believed that women without talent were virtuous. But now, with the civil service examination system reformed for five years, women, like men, can change their own destiny through education.
Many people used to dismiss it, saying that even if the civil service examination is open to both men and women, it would still be difficult for women to achieve top rankings. Yet now, in just a few years, there are women who have achieved top honors. It's truly a wonderful thing."
As they spoke, Madam Chen glanced sideways at the slightly opened lattice window of the side hall.
Inside the hall, Nian Wan was busy scribbling and doodling on the imperial decree.
Madam Chen smiled and asked Rongyue, "Nian Wan is six years old now. But I see that you and Jing Yan don't intend to steer her towards an official career?"
Rongyue looked at Nian Wan with affection and tranquility, saying:
"Her interests lie elsewhere, much like her father's passion for poetry and painting. We, as a couple, believe that we should let her pursue whatever she likes. After all, nowadays, women and men are almost equal in the world. Even if she focuses on music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she won't be easily looked down upon as we were in the past."
It's unknown whether the two's conversation was heard by the little one inside the hall.
Nian Wan subconsciously glanced in their direction, then picked up the drawing paper beside her and happily walked over to them.
She unfolded the paper in front of them and asked with her head tilted:
"Mother, aunt, do you think my drawing is good?"
The child's drawing depicted a spring flower scene,
with various flowers in full bloom, each radiant and charming, creating a dazzling array of colors,
although the strokes were a bit lacking due to her young age, for a child of only five years old, achieving this was already quite remarkable.
Rongyue didn't simply praise Nian Wan because she was her daughter; instead, she offered constructive criticism,
"Overall, it's good, but the colors are too bright, making it difficult to focus on the main point. It's somewhat overwhelming."
But Nian Wan didn't seem to fully agree with her opinion,
"But flowers should each have their own brilliance when they bloom, shouldn't they? Mother, don't you often say that every flower in this world should bloom to its fullest and become its most beautiful self?"
Rongyue couldn't help but smile, then teasingly said to Madam Chen,
"Look at this, her little mouth is already starting to preach like her father, haha~"
Madam Chen gently stroked Nian Wan's fair cheek and asked her,
"What do you want to be when you grow up, little Nian Wan?"
Nian Wan said earnestly, "When I grow up, I want to be the best painter in Qi Dynasty, just like Master Nalan."
The Master Nalan she mentioned was Nalan Ruo, the most prestigious immortal brush master in the Ruyi Gallery of the Qi Dynasty.
She was the most famous painter in Qi Dynasty, also known as a remarkable woman.
Madam Chen encouraged Nian Wan,
"Then work hard, my dear. Aunt believes you will fulfill your wish sooner or later."
After Nian Wan went off to play, Madam Chen whispered to Rongyue again,
"I heard that Nalan Ruo used to be the cherished concubine in the former palace, Nalan Ruguo. But the Nalan family denies it, insisting that she is their second daughter. Didn't your younger sister enter the palace during last year's New Year's Eve banquet? You had a brief encounter with Concubine Zhen, so you shouldn't fail to recognize her."
Rongyue shook her head with a smile, "Concubine Zhen was deeply devoted to the late Emperor. After his passing, she followed suit. How could she enjoy such prosperity today? Moreover, Lord Nalan is already married and has a harmonious relationship with her husband, and they have two sons. If she were truly the late Emperor's concubine, who would dare to marry her? I believe His Majesty would not allow her to remain in the palace."
"You're right," Madam Chen sighed with a smile, picking up her needlework to continue sewing knee pads.
"After all, this is not something we should worry about. We should focus on living our own lives well, and that would be excellent."
As they spoke, they heard laughter and chatter coming from the entrance.
Looking up, they saw the door being pushed open, with Xiao Jingyan and Chen Ge entering side by side.
Rongyue noticed that Xiao Jingyan was carrying a lot of fresh meat, eggs, and fish, while Chen Ge was carrying two jugs of wine.
Both men were facing backward, engaged in conversation with someone out of sight.
Thinking that guests had arrived, Rongyue was about to get up to greet them when Xiao Jingyan suddenly looked at her and exclaimed, "Rong'er, guess who's here?"
Only after the two men entered did Rongyue see a man in military attire, leading a black horse, slowly stepping across the threshold...
The young man was tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, handsome and imposing.
At this moment, he was looking at Rongyue and Madam Chen from a distance, showing a confident smile.
Madam Chen, upon seeing the newcomer, seemed even more excited than Rongyue. Her hand, which had been tightly gripping the needle, now trembled so much that she accidentally pricked her finger.
Looking at her, flustered and staring at the newcomer, it took her a moment before she tremulously called out, "Yuyan... Yuyan?"
