Chapter 18

“The capital is good.”

Xiao Jingyan looked up and turned his gaze to me, with a tenderness and resolve I had never seen.

“But in Yunzhou are things I cannot leave. My responsibility. My people. And… the person I want to protect all my life.”

“I want to stay beside her. Watch the harvests grow, the children become adults, the yellow sand turn into green oases.”

“Father, please grant this.”

My tears broke free.

The emperor looked at us, then laughed.

“Good! Very good—‘the person I want to protect all my life’!”

“Granted!”

“Not only may you return. I have another decree.”

He signaled a eunuch to bring the decree prepared earlier and read it before everyone.

“...Shen Qingning, principal consort of Prince Yan, possesses upright conduct, complete virtue, and skill in household governance... In three years at Yunzhou, her benevolence has reached the common people. Her service to the state cannot be disregarded...”

“...She is hereby elevated to First-Rank Consort Who Protects the Realm, granted a golden patent and seal, and entitled to the ceremonial honors of a princess...”

I was stunned.

First-Rank Consort Who Protects the Realm.

An honor unknown since Great Xia’s founding.

I looked at Xiao Jingyan. He looked back, his eyes seeming full of stars.

Before everyone, he approached, knelt on one knee, took my hand, and kissed it gently.

“Qingning.”

Looking up, his voice soft as spring wind, he said, “I was wrong. Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“Let me protect you from now on. With the rest of my life.”

I smiled as tears fell quietly.

I knew he meant it this time.

We returned to Yunzhou.

In the home we had built with our own hands, we lived out our lives together.

We had two children. One resembled him, one me.

He taught them reading and archery. I taught them household management and manners.

He became the finest prince in the hearts of Yunzhou’s people.

I was his only consort, forever bearing the title First-Rank Consort Who Protects the Realm.

The capital’s splendor became a distant memory.

Here, in poor but hopeful land, we had found each other and the happiness truly ours.

The white fox-fur cloak stained with wine had long been ashes.

Later, Father sent me another, entirely different.

Red as fire, like Yunzhou’s sunset.

Xiao Jingyan put it around my shoulders himself. He said red suited me best.

He said I was the brightest light in this land when I wore it.

Perhaps this was the best ending.

We had both made mistakes and lost our way in darkness.

In the end, we found the road home.

Found the person whose hand we could hold for life.

The End

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