Chapter 198: Destiny

Chapter 198

Destiny

The six months spent in Hubei City passed quickly. Soon, the General and his family were preparing to return to the capital before the harsh winter set in. They aimed to celebrate the year-end festivities at Yong An Hou Manor, and most importantly, they would be back just in time for Princess An Le’s due date and the wedding ceremony of Kang Wang and Nie Ying. How could they miss such important events?!

During the journey back, the children were excited and lively. They had grown accustomed to the freedom and wide-open spaces of the cold northern territories, where their parents allowed them to run and play in the fields or splash in streams when their father took them on outings. Sometimes, their meals consisted only of steamed buns, dried fruits, and boiled eggs. They had gotten used to long rides in carriages, sleeping in them or out in the wilderness, wiping themselves in the evening, and only occasionally washing thoroughly at inns or waystations when they could stop for a proper bath.

For the children, as long as they were with their parents, they didn’t feel any hardship. On the contrary, they found it enjoyable. Their grandparents were also very kind to them. The Hou had learned from his wife how to care for the children, and he had successfully won their hearts. These days, whenever the children played, they would pull their grandfather along to join in, bringing him immense joy.

When they finally arrived back in the capital, the children’s skin had tanned slightly, and their cheeks were rosy with good health. Their eyes sparkled with energy, and they looked more robust and active than other children their age. When Princess An Le saw them again, she was so overjoyed that she cried.

“Sister Nie! Bao Bao! Bei Bei! Hua Hua!”

She had grown heavier with pregnancy and didn’t dare run toward them. Song Ren helped his wife up from her seat as she bowed to the Hou and Xu Shi before embracing Nie Shuang.

"Sister Nie, how was it over there? I hope you were all well. Everyone looks so healthy and bright. It seems I’ll have to join you next time."

Song Ren, hearing this, cleared his throat and coughed.

"Your Highness, you still have to deliver our little prince or princess. How could you possibly travel? And if you go, who will I stay with?"

Everyone laughed heartily at Song Ren’s playful complaint as they headed inside to sit and chat in the quarters. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful. That evening, the whole family dined together, including the third and fourth brothers. The children, who rarely saw them, stared intently.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you two should spend more time playing with them from now on. Look, the children barely recognize you anymore,”

An Le teased. The third brother glanced nervously at the crowd of little ones staring back at him, feeling a sudden chill. How could his eldest brother manage so many children? Before getting married, he hadn’t even liked children. It was hard to believe that after the marriage, he would spend most of his time caring for them himself. Meanwhile, the fourth brother admired his eldest brother deeply. He had always seen him as a hero, not only for his incredible combat and military skills but also for providing their parents with so many grandchildren.

“Has Kang Wang already arrived in the capital?”

Song Qilin turned to ask his second brother. Smiling, Song Ren replied,

“They set off before you did, but I heard their journey may be delayed a bit since his soon-to-be consort is pregnant again. The wedding can’t be postponed any longer, though. They’ll have to return in time to complete the ceremony as planned.”

Nie Shuang laughed with delight.

“Nie Ying is pregnant again? That means Ye Tianpeng will have a sibling soon.”

“Before long, Bao Bao and the others will have plenty of playmates, all of them family,”

An Le said cheerfully to the children. She had grown up in the inner palace, where, despite receiving much affection from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she had never felt any familial bond with her royal siblings or other relatives. It wasn’t until she married into the Yong An Hou Manor that she began to experience the warmth of true family ties.

When it was announced that Nie Ying was pregnant again, though Kang Wang was pleased, he was also worried about her having to travel a long distance. He had a spacious carriage specially prepared, lined with soft cushions to ensure comfort and safety during the journey. Fortunately, the route between Huangjing City and the capital was a major thoroughfare, well-maintained due to the constant flow of goods between provinces.

Wang Dongpo also accompanied them to the capital. He hadn’t seen Princess An Le, his former mistress, for many years, and he intended to discuss the tea house plans with Nie Shuang. This year, tea shops from the southern cities had sent in their local teas for sale, and he planned to bring them to Lady Boss for her review. While Wang Dongpo was away, Da Shi would help oversee the tea house.

Kang Wang and his entourage arrived in the capital seven days after the Hou’s group. They had to meet with the Emperor and reside at the royal palace, so they hadn’t yet had the chance to visit. Wang Dongpo, meanwhile, went straight to Yong An Hou Manor to meet Nie Shuang. She arranged accommodations for him, and the next day, he formally requested an audience with both Nie Shuang and Princess An Le. Since the weather was pleasant, they decided to meet him in the garden pavilion.

“Eunuch Wang! Oh...no, I mean Manager Wang! You haven’t changed one bit,”

An Le greeted her former servant with a bright smile. Wang Dongpo bowed respectfully to both women, who had each been benefactors in his life.

“It has been a long time, Your Highness. I hope both you and the Lady Boss are well.”

By now, Princess An Le had also taken on some managerial duties at the tea house, so she listened attentively as Wang Dongpo and Nie Shuang discussed next year’s plans, including the launch of new products and staffing arrangements. As she listened, she kept glancing at Manager Wang’s face until her big round eyes suddenly widen with realization.

“I’ve got it! She looks like you!”

Wang Dongpo was confused by the princess’s sudden outburst, but she often blurted out whatever popped into her mind, leaving others perplexed. Even Nie Shuang raised her eyebrows in curiosity as An Le became so excited that she struggled to find the right words.

“Manager Wang! She...your sister. I know who she is now.”

Wang Dongpo froze in shock, barely hearing the princess’s next words. When he regained his composure, he asked in disbelief,

“Really...? Who is she?”

“Miss Zhang! The one managing the tea house in the capital. I’ve been wondering why her face seemed so familiar. I just didn’t make the connection before. It’s been so many years since I’ve seen you.”

As soon as Princess An Le spoke, both she and Wang Dongpo began to piece together the truth. The two women who managed the capital’s tea house had both been courtesans purchased to become the General’s concubines. All the women in Wang Dongpo’s family had been sold into brothels. His mother and older sister had chosen to end their lives, while the fate of his youngest sister remained unknown. At the time, Wang Dongpo was still a child and had no way to search for or rescue her. Years passed before he entered the princess’s service, and by then, it was impossible to trace her.

Wang Dongpo abruptly stood up, even though their conversation wasn’t finished.

“Manager Wang, where are you going?”

Nie Shuang called after him. Wang Dongpo’s usually composed face had gone pale, and his steps were unsteady.

“I...I...I’m going to find A’You,”

He murmured weakly. Nie Shuang and the princess exchanged glances and then stood up.

“Manager Wang, calm down. If you rush to her now and claim to be her brother, wouldn’t that startle her? She’s never met you before. Why don’t we confirm things first?”

Wang Dongpo stood still, staring at the ground, fists clenched. He slowly closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. Nie Shuang then sent for Song Qilin.

“Back when I sent people to investigate brothels around the city, they were all looking for a woman with the surname Wang. If she’s your sister, why would she go by Zhang?”

Princess An Le asked, puzzled.

“We’ll have to ask the brothel madam about this. She might have changed Zhang Liyong’s name,”

Nie Shuang guessed.

Song Qilin arrived quickly, carrying Bei Bei in his arms and with Bao Bao on his back. Xiao Hua Hua was with their grandparents. Seeing the serious expressions on the three individuals’ faces, he gently set his sons down and asked in a stern voice,

“What’s happened?”

Nie Shuang briefly explained the situation and then asked,

“I need to inquire about Zhang Liyong’s background. Can you help?”

“Don’t worry, Shuang Shuang. I’ll have the butler bring someone right away.”

Before long, the brothel madam, who looked as though she had just woken up, rushed into the pavilion, kneeling with her head lowered. Being summoned in broad daylight was alarming, and she feared the worst.

“Do you know Zhang Liyong?”

Nie Shuang asked without preamble. The madam glanced nervously at the General seated beside his wife and Princess An Le. She knew any wrong answer could spell trouble for her.

“She...she’s the girl from my Tianmeng Brothel, the one I sold to the General’s manor. She hasn’t caused any problems, has she? If so, I have nothing to do with it.”

Nie Shuang ignored the madam’s attempts to absolve herself of responsibility and pressed on,

“Has she always used the surname Zhang? Tell me her full background in detail.”

The madam fidgeted, but before she could respond, the General’s commanding voice boomed,

“If you hide even the slightest detail, don’t expect to leave this manor in one piece.”

The brothel madam trembled in fear after hearing the General’s threat, nearly fainting. Nie Shuang shot her husband a glance before turning back to question the madam.

"If you answer truthfully, you have nothing to fear. Who is she, really?"

The soft tone of Nie Shuang’s voice eased the madam’s fear somewhat. She collected her thoughts before beginning her story.

"What Young Furen asked is correct. She wasn’t originally named Zhang. When she was sold, she was only five years old. Her mother and older sister were sold with her, but...but they hanged themselves. When I found Zhang Liyong, she didn’t cry at all, just stood staring at the bodies of her mother and sister, hanging in the middle of the room. She was so small, probably too young to understand what had happened. But when people tried to take the bodies down, she went mad, screaming and refusing to let anyone near her mother and sister. It was truly heartbreaking. Such a tiny child, trying with all her might to stop the adults. Eventually, she collapsed from exhaustion, trembling and sobbing until she passed out. She developed a high fever, and I thought she wouldn’t survive. I heard her calling for her mother, so I held her and comforted her. When she recovered from the fever, she remembered nothing. I feared that if she regained her memories, it would only bring her more sorrow. So, I gave her a new name and told her she was an orphan who had been sold."

Wang Dongpo raised his hand to cover his eyes, his broad shoulders trembling. He was likely crying, grieving over the tragic past of his sister. Though the madam had told the story briefly, Wang Dongpo could vividly imagine the scenes she described. A’You’s childhood had been filled with sorrow, yet at least she had survived.

"What was her original surname? Do you remember?"

Princess An Le asked.

"It was Wang, Your Highness. Years ago, there was a noble family accused of crimes, and all the women in the family were sold. That’s all I know, Your Highness."

Having received the information they needed, the General dismissed the madam. Wang Dongpo remained silent, but his eyes were red. Nie Shuang and An Le exchanged glances, both agreeing that they should accompany him when he went to see Zhang Liyong. They had a carriage prepared and immediately set off for the tea house.

"Don’t worry, Manager Wang. Miss Zhang isn’t going anywhere. Soon, you will finally be reunited,"

Nie Shuang reassured him as they boarded the carriage. Seeing that the situation was starting to calm down, Song Qilin took Bao Bao and Bei Bei back to their grandparents. During the carriage ride, Wang Dongpo was filled with anxiety, his hands tightly clenched. He didn’t know if his sister would recognize him or if he should even bring up the past, fearing it might only cause her pain. Perhaps it was better that she had forgotten everything.