386: Back in the mansion

Ye Nianrui sat upright inside the carriage, her fingertips lightly twisting the fringe at the edge of the curtain, which was woven from multicolored silk threads and shimmered with fragmented light in the dim interior.

She took a deep breath, a mix of eagerness and apprehension in her heart, and slowly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.

In an instant, the clamor and vibrancy of the outside world flooded her vision like a tide.

This was the Northern Frontier City, a city rumored to combine boldness and gentleness, now unfolding unreservedly before her eyes.

The streets were broad and clean, with shops lining both sides in orderly rows. Wooden signboards swayed gently in the breeze, their inscriptions either powerful and vigorous or delicate and elegant, each telling its own story.

Within her line of sight, a group of merchants dressed in foreign attire had paused before a silk shop.

Their garments were of intense colors, embroidered with intricate and peculiar patterns. Exquisite jade pendants and curved knives hung at their waists, and they exuded an exotic Aura distinct from the Central Plains.

Several camels knelt nearby, their tightly wrapped cargo only hinting at the shapes of furs and spices within.

The merchants haggled with the shopkeeper, their speech interspersed with unfamiliar accents—sometimes impassioned, sometimes calm—like a unique musical composition, adding an air of mystery and liveliness to the city.

Not far away, several women carrying vegetable baskets walked side by side. The greens in their baskets still bore fresh dewdrops, and ingredients like radishes and potatoes were neatly arranged.

As they walked, they conversed in low voices, their talk filled with the trivialities of daily life—the Zhang family's young son had recently begun his studies, the Li family's new bride was a masterful cook, the Wang family's wheat harvest was exceptionally bountiful this year.

Their faces wore content and peaceful smiles, warm and soothing like the afternoon sun, vividly capturing the essence of ordinary, everyday life.

At the other end of the street, a few children in simple, coarse-cloth clothes darted through the crowd like frolicking fawns.

They held malt candy in their hands, their faces smudged with a bit of sugar frosting. Their clear, bell-like laughter echoed through the street, pure and fervent, brimming with carefree childhood joy.

Occasionally, a child would accidentally bump into a passerby. After a few soft-spoken apologies, they would resume their unrestrained running and chasing, their sheer vitality infecting everyone around them.

As Ye Nianrui watched these scenes unfold, the curiosity in her eyes gradually transformed into a deep longing, sprouting and spreading in her heart like a tender shoot breaking through the soil.

Since childhood, she had possessed a strong interest and remarkable talent for the Dao of commerce, long having grown dissatisfied with the confined world of the inner courtyards.

This Northern Frontier City, teeming with merchants and rich in resources, was undoubtedly the perfect stage for her to display her talents.

She could almost see it: a shop she had established rising from the ground on this very street, a constant stream of customers coming and going, the numbers in the account books growing day by day.

What warmed her heart even more was her anticipation for the future.

She longed to stand side by side with Situ Jun, spending the rest of their lives together in this city.

Whenever she thought of Situ Jun's figure, ripples of emotion would stir in her heart. That tenderness and deep affection were her most solid support since she had been left with no one to rely on.

Yet, woven into this longing was a thread of unease, barely perceptible.

The affection between her and Situ Jun was like stars in the dark night—beautiful yet hidden.

Situ Jun's estate housed many wives and concubines, each gentle, virtuous, and possessing her own unique qualities.

She knew well that she was merely one among them. Could this carefully guarded love blossom safely in this city, like flowers in a courtyard, undisturbed by wind and rain?

She had no way of knowing, and could only bury this unease deep within her heart, silently praying for a happy and fulfilling future.

The carriage procession advanced slowly through the crowd, passing through the bustling main thoroughfare and heading towards the Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion.

The clamor outside the carriage gradually faded behind them. Ye Nianrui let the curtain fall, the lingering coolness from its fabric still on her fingertips, but her heart was now a tumult of mixed emotions.

At the same time, Situ Jun was seated in another carriage. He slowly drew aside the curtain, his gaze sweeping gently over the common people along the way.

Sunlight fell on his face, outlining his handsome features. His deep eyes were now filled with complex emotions.

Recalling the past, when he had taken over the position of City Lord of the Northern Frontier, it was merely to provide a safe haven for the women, with no experience in managing a city whatsoever.

After taking charge, facing this vast and complex city and the livelihoods and safety of its tens of thousands of inhabitants, his heart was filled with indescribable pressure and confusion.

Countless late nights, he sat alone in his study, frowning over piles of official documents. Countless dawns, he personally patrolled the city walls, gazing at the expansive Northern Frontier land, his heart heavy with a sense of responsibility.

Now, returning once more and seeing the city's people living and working in peace and contentment, their faces radiant with happy smiles, the streets bustling with activity—a scene of prosperity—a weight finally lifted from his heart.

This peace and harmony was the fruit of his relentless efforts, and it further solidified his resolve to protect this land and its people.

The carriage procession continued onward, passing through several city gates. Before long, a magnificent and imposing estate came into view: the Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion.

The estate's main gate was crafted from high-quality vermilion wood, inlaid with exquisite gold-gilded patterns that gleamed brilliantly in the setting sun, exuding an air of nobility and authority.

On either side of the gate stood two majestic stone lions, large in stature and carved with lifelike detail.

The lions glared with wide, furious eyes, their fangs bared. Their gazes were stern and sharp, as if able to perceive all good and evil in the world, silently guarding the estate's peace and tranquility.

Above the gate hung a jet-black plaque. The plaque was made of hard material and remained intact despite enduring a century of wind and rain.

The five characters for 'Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion' were inscribed upon it. The calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, the strokes sharp and unrestrained, faintly revealing a sense of spiritual liveliness.

It was said this plaque was personally inscribed by a famous master calligrapher from the Tianqi era a hundred years ago. His ink treasures were priceless, and its presence here now added to the estate's heritage and grandeur.

Before the estate gate, a middle-aged man in a deep blue brocade robe was eagerly looking out.

He stood as straight and tall as a pine tree, his face resolute, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's—seemingly able to see through a person's heart. This was Zhu Changpo, the Commander of the Northern Frontier City.

Seeing the carriage procession slowly approaching, Zhu Changpo's face immediately broke into a delighted smile as he hurried forward to greet them.

"Lord, you've finally returned!"

Zhu Changpo walked to the side of the carriage, bowed respectfully, his voice unable to conceal his joy.

After straightening up, he promptly added:

"Yun Niang heard you were returning today. She personally arranged a banquet in the West Courtyard early this morning, preparing your favorite dishes and wine, just waiting for your return!"

Situ Jun stepped down from the carriage, raising a hand to indicate there was no need for such formality. A warm smile touched his face:

"Yun Niang has gone to great trouble. In the half-month I've been away, has everything in the estate been well? Have there been any issues with the city's security or the people's livelihood?"

Hearing Situ Jun's inquiry, Zhu Changpo's expression turned solemn, his tone respectful and firm:

"Rest assured, Lord. With your Subordinate here, everything within the estate and throughout the entire Northern Frontier City has been peaceful! All shops are operating normally, the people live and work in contentment, and there has been no unusual activity at the border. Everything is in perfect order."

Situ Jun nodded with satisfaction and said:

"You've worked hard. Come, let's go inside first."

With that, he instructed the coachman to drive the carriage and entered the estate alongside Zhu Changpo.