The distant ferry beyond Jingmen, I come from a tour of the Chu region. Mountains follow the flat plains to their end, the river flows into the vast wilderness. A celestial mirror flies under the moon, clouds gather to form sea towers. I still miss the waters of my hometown, sending my boat miles away.
"Xiao Qing, come here."
Inside a room of a dilapidated courtyard rented for Zhou Fugui by Murong Tengge in Youzhou City, Zhou Fugui said to Xiao Qing with a smile.
Zhou Fugui's father was a pure Han Chinese, while his mother, Lady Liu, was a Xiongnu from the royal family of Tuge, with the surname Hu Yan. They once established a kingdom called Wei, which was later destroyed by Yan, and Lady Liu then drifted into the world.
The Han people have a three-year mourning period, while the Xiongnu do not. Therefore, Lady Liu allowed Zhou Fugui to consummate his marriage with Xiao Qing today, and the two then shared a room.
"Mmm..." As the moment arrived, Xiao Qing became somewhat afraid. Blushing, she walked hesitantly to Zhou Fugui's side.
"Let's go look at the moon," Zhou Fugui said with a slight smile, taking Xiao Qing's hand and walking outside.
Outside, the moon hung in the sky, a hazy crescent, half-hidden and half-revealed within the thin clouds, like a veiled beauty with bright eyes and white teeth, luminous and elegant.
"Xiao Qing, I've wronged you," they sat outside, looking at the crescent moon, and Zhou Fugui suddenly spoke.
"Hmm? Fugui Ge, what... what do you mean?" Xiao Qing asked, not understanding.
"Miss Xiao Qing, your feelings for me, I truly cannot bear them..." Zhou Fugui pondered for a moment and replied hesitantly, "At least not now."
"Mmm, I am but a humble person. To be able to serve by Fugui Ge's side is more than enough. I ask for nothing else," Xiao Qing said, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at herself with self-pity and spoke sadly in a low voice.
"Alas, Xiao Qing, you misunderstand..." Seeing this, Zhou Fugui hastily clasped Xiao Qing's cold, small hand and explained, "I am a crude person, unromantic, and have hurt your feelings. It is my fault. Xiao Qing, you are a humble person, and how much better am I? I once held a minor official post, but now... and I'm about to be exiled to Xue Lin City. Once there, my life is uncertain. If I were to... without regard for the consequences, wouldn't that harm you?"
According to Han customs, one cannot marry or take concubines during the mourning period. However, Zhou Fugui's veins coursed with Xiongnu blood, and like his mother, Lady Liu, he did not care about such worldly rituals. Furthermore, Zhou Fugui believed that filial piety to one's parents and elder brothers was a matter of the heart, not merely outward display.
A full three years of mourning! During these three years, would humanity cease to procreate? Would the Zhou family not continue its lineage? Marriages could be postponed, but the vital matter of human reproduction must continue... Zhou Fugui thought to himself.
The main reason for Zhou Fugui's actions today was not wanting to delay Xiao Qing, not wanting to harm her. His journey to Xue Lin City would be akin to that of a slave, and the fate of military slaves was well known.
With his own life uncertain, how could Zhou Fugui dare to take Xiao Qing into his home today?
"Fugui Ge..." Hearing this, Xiao Qing's tears immediately flowed. She couldn't help but fall into Zhou Fugui's embrace and sob, "My heart has long been yours. What do I have to fear? What harm is there? I... I don't care..."
"Alas... I... damn it..." By all rights, with Xiao Qing having poured out her heart, if Zhou Fugui refused again, he would truly be a heartless and unjust person, a case of unrequited love. So, Zhou Fugui simply picked Xiao Qing up, placed her on his lap, and said gently, "Fine, fine. Xiao Qing, you are so devoted to me, how can I be unfeeling? As long as you don't mind, today I will make a vow of eternal commitment with you. What do you say?"
"Fugui Ge..." Xiao Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this, her heart feeling as though it would leap from her chest. Sitting in Zhou Fugui's embrace, she hid her blushing face against his neck and whispered affectionately, "You know, I am willing, I have always been willing. Even if I were to die now, I would be happy."
"What is this talk of death?" Zhou Fugui glared at Xiao Qing and said, "Do not speak of ill omens. Not until we have a proper wedding, not until you have borne heirs for my Zhou family, and not until they have grown to adulthood, are you allowed to speak of death again."
"Ah...?" Xiao Qing looked up at Zhou Fugui blankly, almost disbelieving her ears, not understanding his meaning.
"A proper wedding, to marry you. What? You're not willing?" Zhou Fugui asked with a smile.
"Fugui Ge..." Xiao Qing was both surprised and delighted. However, she still softly leaned into Zhou Fugui's embrace and said gently, "Your kindness to me, Fugui Ge, I hold it in my heart. A proper wedding, of course, I am willing. But... the Princess... Fugui Ge, I don't aspire to anything more. Just being by Fugui Ge's side is enough. As for the main wife or a concubine, I don't care."
"Alas, Xiao Qing, it's better if you don't mention the Princess. But now that you have, I don't know how to proceed," Zhou Fugui sighed, looking up at the crescent moon. "A person cannot break their word. How can one be considered human if they break their word? Xiao Qing, to be honest, before you, I had already made a vow of eternal commitment with the Princess. This is the reason for my hesitation today... Xiao Qing..."
"Fugui Ge, don't say more. Xiao Qing understands," Xiao Qing gently placed her small hand over Zhou Fugui's mouth and said softly, "The Princess is a good person, and she is deeply devoted to you. You should marry her. Xiao Qing is willing to be a concubine."
"Marry?" Zhou Fugui shook his head with a bitter smile and fell silent.
Whether it was an eternal bond or a sacred oath between Zhou Fugui and Murong Huiying, they had indeed secretly pledged themselves to each other, vowing to marry no one but each other. But now, it seemed all of it was a reflection in water, a moon in a mirror.
Zhou Fugui's current status was that of a convict in Xue Lin City, almost equivalent to a slave. Murong Huiying, on the other hand, was a highly respected princess of the Great Yan Kingdom, the legitimate daughter of Murong Bole, the Left Worthy King of Great Yan. Thus, Zhou Fugui, who had previously felt inferior, now felt even more so.
Even if Zhou Fugui were not self-conscious, it seemed impossible for the matter between them to ever materialize. How could Murong Bole and the royal family ever agree to marry the legitimate daughter of the royal family, Princess Ziyue of Great Yan, Murong Huiying, to a convict? Even if the heavens were to collapse, it would be impossible.
At Zhou Fugui's moment of life and death, Murong Bole even wished for Zhou Fugui to die.
However, no matter what, Zhou Fugui had to make this matter clear to Murong Huiying in person.
One who breaks their word is unfit to be human!
Therefore, Zhou Fugui said to Xiao Qing, "I have the heart to accompany the phoenix, but alas, what of fate? The Princess and I are truly on different boats; we can never be together. Xiao Qing, do you understand? Once the Princess's matters are resolved and my mourning period is over, I will marry you. Xiao Qing, are you willing to wait?"
"I am willing..." Xiao Qing nodded heavily, then hesitantly said, "But Fugui Ge, regarding the Princess, you mean... you want to break the engagement? But she... she will be very sad."
"I know, I know," Zhou Fugui nodded helplessly and sighed. "The difference in status is like a chasm, the distinction between clans like mountains. What can be done?"
Xiao Qing was a person of great understanding. Hearing this, she looked at Zhou Fugui with a pained heart, and also felt pain for the matter between Zhou Fugui and Murong Huiying. She empathized with his feelings and felt heartbroken.
"Fugui Ge, I will accompany you to Xue Lin City," Xiao Qing then said, resting her head on Zhou Fugui's chest and listening to his strong, steady heartbeat.
"How can that be?" Zhou Fugui was startled by this. He put his hands on Xiao Qing's slender shoulders and looked at her, saying, "How can that be possible?"
"Hehe, how can it not be possible? Didn't I accompany you south back then?" Xiao Qing said, recalling those times. She stretched out her jade hand and tapped Zhou Fugui's high nose bridge, smiling, "We were together for a full two years. Those were the happiest times of Xiao Qing's life."
"Heh heh..." Zhou Fugui embraced Xiao Qing and laughed, "That was then, this is now! The situation is different now."
"What's different?" Xiao Qing asked.
"Back then, we were going south. Now, we're heading north to a harsh land. Your delicate constitution won't be able to bear it," Zhou Fugui replied after thinking. "Back then, I was a soldier of the Yan army. Although a conscript, I was still a soldier. Now, I am a prisoner being escorted to Xue Lin City. How can you possibly follow?"
"Xiao Qing..." Seeing that Xiao Qing was about to speak again, Zhou Fugui stopped her. "This time, you must listen to me. No more foolishness. Stay home and take good care of Mother and the others. I'll be back."
"Mmm, Fugui Ge," Xiao Qing nodded helplessly and pressed herself closer to Zhou Fugui.
"Stop calling me 'Fugui Ge,' 'Fugui Ge.' How should a husband be addressed?" Zhou Fugui asked with a smile.
"Hus...band..." Xiao Qing replied shyly, her face blushing.
"Haha, that sounds nice. Say it again," Zhou Fugui chuckled.
"Husband..." Xiao Qing knew she was being tricked, but she was willing, and it was incredibly sweet.
"Changed again?" Zhou Fugui muttered inwardly. It seemed the appellations for people in China were incredibly complex, with one person having many ways of being addressed.
"Husband" was a general term, while "Husband" was a respectful term used by women in this world for their spouses.
"Xiao Qing, I haven't heard your zither music in a long time. Will you play a song for me tonight?" Zhou Fugui then said to Xiao Qing.
"Mmm, whatever Husband asks me to do, I will do. But..." Xiao Qing said with some difficulty.
"But what?" Zhou Fugui asked, surprised.
"Hus...band..." Xiao Qing replied shyly, "Before playing the zither, one must bathe and change clothes, wash hands, burn incense, prepare the three incense burner accessories, and there are the ten virtues, ten commandments, twelve desires, seven requisites, and five things not to play..."
Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Xiao Qing had received various training since childhood in the palace, for performances, dances, even how to eat, how to respond, how to greet, and sleeping postures, all under strict training. The various rules were deeply ingrained in her bones.
"Stop... stop..." Zhou Fugui's head felt like it was about to split. He quickly said, "This is the inner chamber, understand? Where are all these rules coming from? Just play casually. If you played without clothes, I, your husband, wouldn't blame you. Hahaha..."
Having decided their future, Zhou Fugui no longer needed to put on airs.
Before speaking with Murong Huiying, Zhou Fugui did not want to wrong her. But indulging in a bit of playful banter was harmless.
"Husband..." Xiao Qing chided playfully.