tallest building

Chapter 202 Next step

That night, Wen Mingqian returned to Wuqiu Nunnery and slept quite restlessly.

She had many dreams, which were fragmented yet interconnected.

One moment she dreamt of Gong Xu coldly rebuking her as a poisonous woman, and the next she dreamt of a carriage heading to Shuangxi getting stuck in the mud and being unable to pull it out no matter what.

One moment she dreamt that Wei Fu was holding the newborn prince in front of her, and the next she dreamt that Zhang Ma was leading Gong Chang'an and telling her that the carriage back to the capital was ready.

When she finally opened her eyes, she found that the sun was already high in the sky.

"Mother, you're awake. I didn't wake you because I went to bed too late last night." Sang Er's flower-like smile was right in front of me. "Breakfast is just ready, please get up and eat!"

“It’s another beautiful day,” Wen Mingqian said as he got up. “It’s a good time to take the spices out to dry, otherwise they’ll easily get damp.”

After breakfast, Wen Mingqian picked up a book and sat down to read quietly.

Sang Er was drying spices in the courtyard. Ao Shuang wasn't there; her mother had been ill for the past few days, and she had gone back to take care of her.

Around noon, a kind-looking old woman arrived, smiling as she approached Wen Mingqian and said, "Madam Wen, this is a letter my master sent me to deliver."

Wen Mingqian took it and saw that it was from the Prince of Changliu. He read it carefully from top to bottom.

When the old woman saw that Wen Mingqian had finished reading, she said, "The prince said that after you finish reading this letter, you should burn it. There's no need to keep it."

The prince is leaving the capital the day after tomorrow, and it's inappropriate for his wife to see him off. So, let's consider this farewell.

"Are you the Li Mama mentioned in the prince's letter?" Wen Mingqian asked the old woman with a smile.

"It is indeed I," the mother replied with a smile.

"The prince said in his letter that I can come to you for anything I need in the capital."

“That’s right, I run a teahouse on Peach Blossom Street. If you need anything, just tell your servants to come to my place,” Mama Li replied.

Wen Mingqian knew that this Li Mama was the contact person Ying Wuchou had left for him.

Although she looks like just an ordinary old woman, she actually has hidden talents.

"I wonder if Mother could convey a message to the Prince for me today?"

"Yes, yes, please speak freely, my lady."

"I wish Your Highness a safe journey, and I hope we will meet again."

After Li Mama left, Sang Er came in from outside, holding a letter in her hand and said with a smile, "It's a letter from Young Master Chang'an, such a thick stack! Mother, please take a look at what's written inside?"

"I reckon you should receive a letter in the next couple of days." Wen Mingqian smiled as he took the letter. "One every five days on average is the best we can hope for, unless there are delays on the way."

He opened the letter and read it from top to bottom, repeating to Sang Er, "He said everything is fine at the academy. He has recently learned many books he has never read before. He also said that the spring scenery there is particularly beautiful, and he would like us to go and enjoy it if we have the chance."

“Spring is here, it’s a good time for Cuju (ancient Chinese football) again,” Sang Er interjected. “I imagine Young Master Chang’an is having a great time playing with his fellow disciples over there.”

“How could he possibly stay still?” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but laugh when he mentioned his son. “Hey, he said in his letter that he would be returning to the capital with Master Zhuge this autumn… This kid, he actually said that although autumn is still far away, he decided to tell me early so that you and I can look forward to it every day and the days will pass by faster.”

"Really? He'll be back this autumn!" Sang Er exclaimed with delight. "That's wonderful! Isn't it said that he can only come down the mountain once every three years?" "It must be that Master Zhuge is going to the capital on some business, so he took him along," Wen Mingqian speculated. "The letter didn't go into too much detail, so it's probably not entirely certain."

“If you ask me, Master Zhuge is biased. He always shows favoritism to this last disciple,” Sang Er said. “But then again, who can blame him when Young Master Chang’an is so young and lovable! His previous disciples were all at least seventeen or eighteen years old. So when he suddenly took in such a little kid, he naturally doted on him like a treasure.”

"It's a pity that I won't be able to see Prince Changliu when I return to the capital in the autumn," Wen Mingqian said with regret.

Given the deep affection the Prince of Changliu had for Sister Shen, how much he longed to see her child!

In fact, the Prince of Changliu fell in love with Shen Jinglian at first sight when they first met.

However, due to a series of unexpected events, Shen Jinglian was selected to enter the palace.

King Changliu had no other choice but to bury his deep feelings, but he suffered for a long time and could not find relief.

As a result, he has refused to get married for so many years.

"Mother, will Zhang Ma come back with us?" Sang Er asked.

“Of course, he’s wherever Chang’an is. He’s been by Chang’an’s side since he was born. He’s never left.” Wen Mingqian said.

Wei Fu, the chief eunuch who once served in Consort Shen's palace, is said to have been burned to death during the chaos of war.

Little did they know that he had disguised himself as Zhang Ma and stayed by Gong Chang'an's side all along.

Even if people who knew him before met him again, they wouldn't recognize him, because over the years Zhang Ma had worked hard to become a big fat man and had intentionally changed his accent and walking and sitting habits.

“Mother, write to them and ask how long they can stay in the capital when they return in the fall?” Sang Er said expectantly. “They left last winter, and it will be almost a year before they come back in the fall.”

"You're really too impatient," Wen Mingqian said with a shake of his head. "If you ask me, you shouldn't have too high hopes. It's better to take it easy. Otherwise, you might not be able to come back and end up disappointed."

“No, I know Young Master Chang’an has a way. Since he said so in his letter, he will definitely find a way to come back,” Sang Er said. “Mother, please write quickly! I will prepare pen and ink for you right away.”

Helpless, Wen Mingqian had no choice but to pick up his pen and write a letter.

Sang Er went to the back to check on lunch.

After Wen Mingqian finished writing his letter, Sang Er brought out lunch.

It's tofu stewed with gluten, and two bowls of vegetable soup.

"The gluten here is so delicious, I could eat it every day and never get tired of it," Sang Er said. "If I left here, I wouldn't be able to get this taste anymore."

"When Aoshuang comes back, let's tidy up everything in this house," Wen Mingqian said to Sang Er. "We should move out of here in a few days."

"Are we going to the residence given by Princess Zhao?" Sang Er asked as she opened the box. "Not to the Princess's place?"

“Naturally, I’ll go to Princess Zhao’s place,” Wen Mingqian said. “If I want some peace and quiet, I can go to the Eldest Princess’s place. Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity in the future!”

"Sigh, it turns out I really won't be staying here for more than a few days. Looks like I'll have to eat a few more bowls of gluten." Sang Er picked up the bowl and said, "Thinking about it, it's not so bad that Huixin became a nun. She's peaceful and quiet, without the troubles of housework, and she doesn't have to suffer the pain of having children. Most importantly, she can eat such delicious gluten every day."

"If you really love to eat, why not take advantage of these few days to learn the techniques?" Wen Mingqian reminded her with a smile, "As the saying goes, 'A hidden treasure is a treasure,' and having many skills is never a burden."