Chapter 28: No one can make her turn back.

Chapter 28: Nothing Could Make Her Look Back.

Securing titles for his wife and heirs had been Huo Shiming’s lifelong pursuit.

Now, his wife held an official title, his young son had earned a seventh-grade captaincy, and his daughter had settled in the capital. This brought Huo Shiming a greater sense of accomplishment than any promotion ever could.

After the eunuch departed, Huo Shiming clutched the imperial edict, his typically stern face breaking into an irrepressible smile.

Prince Duan offered his congratulations to Huo Shiming, then turned his gaze to Huo Ling.

Taking the hint, Huo Shiming said to Huo Ling, "Such wonderful news—I should rush home to tell your mother and brother. Remember to join us for dinner tonight."

"Safe travels, Father. I won’t escort you out."

Soon, the hall was left with only Huo Ling and Prince Duan.

Huo Ling approached Prince Duan. "Your Highness looks troubled."

Prince Duan sighed softly. "Somewhat."

Huo Ling invited, "I heard from your Royal Guards that you’ve been occupied with post-war commendations and pensions, going sleepless for days."

Prince Duan couldn’t help but smile, the furrow between his brows finally easing. "Who’s been gossiping to you about this?"

"They only worry for Your Highness," Huo Ling replied. "On my way here, I noticed the crabapple blossoms are in full bloom. Why not step outside for some sun instead of brooding indoors?"

The breeze was warm, and the crabapple trees were in full bloom.

The winter-bare courtyard now held a fragile charm.

Huo Ling admired the blossoms before turning to Prince Duan beside her. "Lovely, isn’t it?"

Prince Duan looked at her. "Lovely."

Huo Ling laughed. "I meant the flowers."

"So did I. A flower that speaks to the heart." Even as he said this, Prince Duan stepped forward to admire the blooming crabapples. "Have you finished packing?"

Huo Ling: "Everything’s ready. I had originally planned to send someone ahead to the capital to arrange a residence, but now that His Majesty has bestowed an estate, there’s no need for the trouble."

"That’s good. The court has settled the plans—we’ll set off the morning after tomorrow."

Prince Duan smiled again. "I’ve had a carriage worthy of a Commandery Lady prepared for you. If you’re interested, I can show it to you."

In such matters, Prince Duan was always thorough.

Given the long journey, he had specifically sought skilled craftsmen from the military to construct the carriage to ease the journey.

Outwardly, the Commandery Lady’s carriage might not rival the grandeur of a prince’s, but inside, every detail matched Prince Duan’s own—luxurious and comfortable.

After touring the carriage with Huo Ling, Prince Duan asked if there was anything she found unsatisfactory or wished to add.

Huo Ling replied contentedly, "This is perfection itself. Asking for criticism would be futile."

When a subordinate came looking for him, Huo Ling nodded with a smile, saying she would join Huo Shiming and the others for their reunion.

Prince Duan did not stop her, only saying, "Take the carriage—consider it a test ride. If there’s anything you’d like adjusted, we still have time before departure."

Huo Ling agreed with a smile.

Prince Duan twirled the jade thumb ring, watching as the carriage carrying Huo Ling disappeared from view before beckoning to his subordinate.

The subordinate stepped forward and reported in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort of Duan has sent another letter."

Prince Duan closed his eyes briefly, striving to remain composed. "Let us go and see."

His earlier comparison of Huo Ling to an understanding flower was not without reason.

Ever since Prince Duan had snubbed his Princess Consort by refusing to return to the capital for the New Year and then immediately petitioning to confer a title upon another woman, the Princess Consort's letters had been nonstop.

Originally, Prince Duan's return to the capital should have been a joyous occasion. However, along with the news of his return came the announcement that Xiang'an Commandery Lady would also be entering the capital.

This had completely rattled the Princess Consort, who had sent several letters in quick succession.

Between handling military affairs and attempting to placate the Princess Consort, even Prince Duan's usual patience was wearing thin.

He knew that Huo Ling, being sharp as she was, could discern his troubles and likely guess their cause. Yet she had simply walked beside him in silence, saying nothing on the matter.

Clearly, she trusted him to handle everything and shield her from the storm.

The comparison only fueled Prince Duan's impatience.

He took a deep breath, slowly steadying his emotions.

By the time he stood before the courier, his expression had returned to its usual calm.

But when Prince Duan took the letter and saw the signature at the bottom, he smiled wryly. "So my petty household matters have even alarmed my father-in-law and mother-in-law?"

***

Huo Ling, of course, could guess what troubled Prince Duan.

However, her reason for not mentioning it was the exact opposite of what he imagined.

This so-called 'two-wife blessing' was hardly easy to enjoy. It was precisely because she had no desire to pretend to be an understanding flower or bother with comforting Prince Duan that she played dumb.

By the time Huo Ling arrived at the courtyard where Fang Shi and the others resided, things were already in full swing.

Fang Shi, in particular, was grinning from ear to ear.

In the small town of Yanxi, high-ranking officials were few, and the title of Fourth-Rank Lady Gong was considered a real feather in one's cap.

When Huo Ze saw Huo Ling and Wu Mo, he teased, "Elder Sister, Sister Wu Mo, don't you dare call me A Ze anymore."

Huo Ling humored him. "Then what should I call you?"

Huo Ze cleared his throat and put on a solemn expression. "You must call me 'Little Commander Huo.'"

This had everyone laughing again.

Huo Shiming gave Huo Ze a light swat on the head. "Enough, 'Little Commander Huo.' Step aside—I have something to discuss with this Xiang'an Commandery Lady beside you."

Huo Ling barely held back laughter.

Huo Ze grinned. "Fine, then. I'll take this Fourth-Rank Lady Gong out with me."

Fang Shi was about to give her son an earful.

She wasted no time grabbing Huo Ze by the ear and dragging him out. "I'll have the kitchen whip up a feast. Tonight, our family must celebrate properly."

A plate of spring rolls lay nearby. Huo Ling selected the crispiest one and took a slow bite. "Spring rolls are best when hot—they're less greasy that way. Father, care for one?"

Huo Shiming chuckled, then picked up one with his hand, finished it in a few bites, and drank half a cup of tea to cut the richness before saying seriously: "A Ling, I rarely talk to you about your mother."

Huo Ling hadn’t expected the topic to involve her mother. She put down her chopsticks and sat up straight to look at Huo Shiming.

"You probably already know that your mother came from the House of Wuwei—she was the third daughter of the old Marquis. But I don’t think I’ve ever told you why she married me back then."

Huo Ling nodded. She truly wasn’t familiar with this family history.

As far as she knew, her father had always stayed in Yanxi, while her mother had lived in the capital before marriage. By all accounts, their paths should never have crossed.

Could it be that before the Huo family’s decline, the House of Wuwei had arranged a marriage alliance with the Huo family?

Before Huo Ling could continue speculating, Huo Shiming gave her the answer.

"Over thirty years ago, the Huo family was at the height of its influence. As fellow military families, the Huo and the House of Wuwei had been close for generations."

"Our fortunes changed, and the Huo family declined. But our ties with old friends and relatives weren’t severed all at once."

Thinking back to how people turned their backs on them, Huo Shiming couldn’t help but sigh.

"In the first few years after the Huo family moved to Yong’an County, the House of Wuwei and the Huo family still exchanged annual gifts."

"Our family had little of value to offer. To show sincerity, your grandfather personally returned to the capital to deliver the gifts and also sought opportunities for the family’s revival."

"That winter, your grandfather caught a cold and couldn’t make the trip to the capital. I was fifteen or sixteen at the time—brash and overconfident—so I volunteered to take on the task for him."

As time passed, ten years went by with no sign of the Huo family’s revival. The annual gifts from the House of Wuwei became less generous each year.

When Huo Shiming arrived to deliver the gifts, the gatekeeper led him to a side room and asked him to wait there.

But when Huo Shiming entered, he found himself surrounded by other families' attendants.

Back then, young and hot-headed, he was furious at their clear hierarchy. He tossed down the gifts, marched out past the gatekeeper, and left.

Not far from the gate, he came across a group of people bullying a little girl.

Huo Shiming held his teacup, a trace of nostalgia and emotion crossing his face. "That girl was your mother."

"She must have been around twelve then. Her stubborn expression left a deep impression. I helped her out of trouble, and she spoke with surprising maturity, asking me which household’s guest I was, why I was standing there alone, and if I was lost."

It was such a small moment.

At the time, Huo Shiming only remembered his constant disappointments in the capital.

He had been naive, and those who had once been friendly with the Huo family showed him how society truly worked.

Embittered by the cold treatment, he returned to Yong’an County, barely remembering the little girl he had casually helped.

It wasn’t until later, when Huo Ling’s grandfather began arranging Huo Shiming’s marriage, that things changed.

Huo Shiming’s marriage prospects were neither prestigious nor humble—just complicated. Then, unexpectedly, he received a letter from Huo Ling’s mother.

Huo Ling had been listening quietly until then, but at this point, she couldn’t hide her surprise.

Seeing her expression, Huo Shiming laughed. "Surprised, right? I was even more shocked," he added. "What stunned me most was that she actually asked in the letter—if I wasn’t betrothed, would I consider marrying her? I was completely dumbfounded and even thought I was being scammed."

"Fortunately, your mother realized how bold her proposal was. Two days later, she sent another letter giving the full context."

Huo Ling's birth mother was named Gu Shengyu.

Gu Shengyu's mother had been the ladies' maid of the old Marquis of Wuwei's wife, accompanying her to the marquis’s household.

When the old Marquis’s wife was pregnant and nearing childbirth, the old Marquis took a fancy to her. After one night together, she became pregnant.

Because of this incident, the old Marquis’s wife was so distressed that she gave birth prematurely to a daughter, who would later become the mother of the Princess Consort of Duan and the wife of the Hereditary Prince of Duke Liu.

Once she had a child, it was no longer appropriate for her to remain a maid. Gu Shengyu's mother was made a concubine but also became a constant source of resentment for the old Marquis's wife.

The old Marquis, knowing he was in the wrong and not particularly fond of Gu Shengyu's mother, gradually stopped visiting her quarters.

Without the old Marquis's favor or protection and having incurred the wrath of his wife, Gu Shengyu and her mother lived in fear within the marquis’s household, where even some of the higher-ranking servants dared to bully them.

Later, Gu Shengyu's mother took suddenly ill in the middle of the night. Gu Shengyu tried to leave the marquis’s residence to get a physician, but the gate guards refused to open, citing the curfew and claiming it would disturb the other masters. They insisted she wait until morning.

Gu Shengyu had no choice but to beg the old Marquis’s wife for help. She knelt outside the wife's courtyard all night, but no one so much as looked at her.

By the time she staggered back to her quarters, her mother was already gone, her body long cold.

Having lost her only remaining connection in the marquis’s household, Gu Shengyu had no desire to stay. Fearing the old Marquis’s wife might marry her off to anyone at will, she ultimately chose to write a letter to Huo Shiming, who had given her his name three years prior.

In the letter, she told Huo Shiming that if he was willing, he should come and ask for her hand.

She would wait only a month—if he did not appear within that time, she would take it as a refusal.

The letter would take at least ten days to travel from the capital to Yanxi, and another ten days for Huo Shiming to return to the capital. Most of her month would be spent just in transit.

Huo Shiming didn't delay. He immediately sought out Huo Ling's grandfather, stating his wish to marry the old Marquis of Wuwei's third daughter. With his father's approval, he hurried to the capital with bridal gifts.

At this point, Huo Shiming chuckled again. "Your mother was in dire straits in the marquis’s household, but do you know why she was able to leave you so much land, shops, and silver?"

Huo Ling had a guess and smiled faintly. "Did my mother have a confrontation with the marquis’s household?"

Huo Shiming nodded. "Yes. She threatened them, saying that if they did not prepare a dowry for her according to the standard for a marquis’s secondary daughter, she would expose the marquis’s household's shameful conduct to the entire capital."

"When I went to propose, the old Marquis’s wife still tried to assert authority over her. But she grabbed a knife and stormed right up to the wife, declaring she would die together with her."

Recalling the scene—which seemed like a farce but was in fact a desperate gamble by a young woman staking her entire future and courage—Huo Shiming felt a profound sadness.

Gu Shengyu left behind not even a single portrait, so Huo Ling's impression of her was very vague.

Now, hearing Huo Shiming recount these events, she found herself imagining a vivid image of a spirited, quick-witted woman.

Unaware of her thoughts, Huo Shiming continued, "Your mother was only fifteen at the time and had just lost her birth mother. Your grandfather treated her as family and pitied her plight, so he discussed with her the idea of an engagement first. That way, she could properly reside in the Huo residence. After she finished mourning her mother, we would marry."

Because of Gu Shengyu's experiences, Huo Shiming had never considered marrying Huo Ling into a noble household. As for what happened afterward, there was little more to say. Suppressing his sigh, Huo Shiming smiled at Huo Ling.

"Your grandfather was renowned for his looks in the capital back then—riding a white horse, his hat tilted just so, the very picture of charm. Your looks mostly come from him."

"But your boldness, cleverness, and quick wit? That’s all your mother, to the core."

A Ling had inherited nearly all the best traits from her parents and grandfather. No wonder she was so exceptional.

Huo Ling smiled and asked, "Father, are you telling me all this so I’ll know how to handle my interactions with the Marquis of Wuwei's household?"

Huo Shiming nodded. "The old Marquis has long passed, but his wife is still alive."

"She is the Princess Consort of Duan's maternal grandmother. If you ever encounter anyone from the marquis’s household, given the old grudges, I fear they might cause you trouble."

Huo Ling fully understood Huo Shiming's meaning.

Their family had a distant relation with the Marquis of Wuwei's household, but in reality, this connection was only useful for building connections with Prince Duan.

To bring it up seriously before the Marquis of Wuwei's family would be ridiculous.

"I'll be careful." More curious about something else than concerning herself with the Marquis of Wuwei's household, Huo Ling asked, "Is Grandmother buried in the Marquis' estate?"

Huo Shiming paused before realizing Huo Ling was referring to Gu Shengyu's mother.

"Yes. After all, she was the old Marquis of Wuwei's concubine. They wouldn't allow us to take her body. Your mother only managed to bring her spirit tablet with her."

"If there's a chance, I'll visit her grave on Mother's behalf. It must be something she always wanted to do but never got the opportunity."

After discussing Gu Shengyu, the atmosphere between them turned heavy.

Soon, someone from the front courtyard called them for dinner.

After the meal, Huo Ling and Wu Mo prepared to return to the county magistrate’s office.

Before climbing into the carriage, Huo Ling turned to Huo Shiming and said, "There's something I'd like to ask of you, Father."

Huo Shiming replied seriously, "Go ahead."

"Could you gather as much information as possible about His Majesty for me? The more, the better."

Huo Shiming automatically said yes before realizing who she was referring to.

"Wait—what?"

Without explaining, Huo Ling smiled and stepped into the carriage, then turned back to emphasize, "Thank you, Father. I'll need it by the day after tomorrow."

As the carriage rolled over the stone pavement, those inside felt barely a bump.

Leaning against a soft pillow, Huo Ling pondered matters related to Gu Shengyu when she noticed Wu Mo's sharp, curious gaze fixed on her.

What Huo Shiming wouldn’t dare ask, Wu Mo did without a second thought.

"Miss, why do you want to know about His Majesty?"

Huo Ling put a finger to her lips and blinked playfully at Wu Mo. "I just want to get to know him better first."

"And... after that?"

Playing with a loose hair ribbon around her finger, Huo Ling replied with a sly grin, "Then I'll find a way to meet him. I need to confirm whether His Majesty is as generous as I think."

Even before entering the capital, she already knew of three high-ranking noble houses that had it out for her:

- Prince Duan’s wife

- The Duke of Liu's household

- He Tai, the Duke of Chengen's household

- The Marquis of Wuwei’s widow

All were duke’s or marquis’ estates.

Is Prince Duan capable of protecting her?

Without a doubt, given his status, he certainly could—and do so quite effectively. But with Princess Consort of Duan and his legitimate heir, Ji Yuanwan, in the picture, could he truly spare no effort in shielding her?

He Tai was a man who never spoke without spewing venom, but one thing he said was ultimately correct.

—"You think Prince Duan will keep shielding you and taking your side in the capital like he did in Changle County?"

Forget everything else, as long as Princess Consort of Duan, the principal wife, adamantly refused, even becoming Prince Duan’s concubine would be fraught with hurdles.

If so, why stubbornly cling to being Prince Duan’s concubine?

In Yanxi, Prince Duan had been her best option. She needed him, depended on him, and even when she sensed the insincerity in his bones, she didn’t mind playing along.

But now, she’d found someone far more generous—and better—than Prince Duan.

If so, why not give herself another choice?

Prince Duan could give her power, but always at a price. In small things, he was the perfect lover—considerate, charming—but when it came to core interests, he coldly weighed the pros and cons.

Funny enough, she was no different.

Did Prince Duan really think she’d settle for crumbs? He wouldn’t help her kill He Tai, yet still wanted to possess her.

She needed someone who’d help her kill He Tai.

Better yet, someone who’d let her kill He Tai herself.

—"What’s the big deal about the capital?"

—"Imperial power reigns supreme—and the capital is where you find it."

At last, she was on her way to the capital she’d dreamed of for ten long years. At last, she was entering that place closest to imperial power.

Next, she wanted to meet the emperor who embodied that very authority.

With such anticipation, on the eighth day of the fourth month, amid lush grass, singing orioles, and a continuous drizzle, the city gates swung open. As countless onlookers watched and friends and family bid farewell, the long procession of carriages departed Changle County, slithering like a great serpent through the rain.

Huo Ling sat in her carriage, aware of the eyes upon her from the walls—but she never looked back.

Nothing would make her turn back.