The matter of escorting Si Tu Yao back to the capital, though hidden from others, couldn't be concealed from my mother.
She usually treated gods and Buddha with a certain casualness, but this time she lit incense and candles to honor the deities. Afterwards, she held me, her voice filled with apprehension, "Thank goodness you went to Mei City. Otherwise, if something had happened to His Highness the Crown Prince, your mother would have been heartbroken."
"Mother, please don't be so dramatic. His Highness the Crown Prince had Peng Cheng by his side. Even without me, he would have returned safe and sound."
"You're still hiding things even now." My mother playfully tapped my forehead, chiding, "His Highness the Crown Prince himself said this journey was fraught with danger, and if he hadn't encountered you, he would have perished in Mei City. The Emperor intended to enfeoff you as a County Princess, but I refused. Saving His Highness the Crown Prince was our duty, not something to seek reward for. When the Empress summons you, you must say the same thing, understand?"
I nodded quickly.
To be honest, I only looked after His Highness the Crown Prince for two days and let him hitch a ride in my carriage. How could I have the audacity to accept such a reward?
But why did His Highness the Crown Prince say that?
Was it to compensate for what happened that night?
For some reason, this thought made me deeply uncomfortable.
The autumn in the capital was always brief. A few days after returning from Mei City, an autumn rain fell. This rain acted as a signal, and the weather suddenly turned cold.
Yet, the invitations to divination banquets piled up, unusually high. And it seemed different from the usual gatherings with my young lady friends. Many elders were present at these banquets, ladies and old madams alike, each one pulling me aside to offer praise. The compliments I'd received these past few days were more than I'd had in my entire life.
They praised me to the point of a cold sweat.
Where did this enthusiasm come from? While my family served the Empress, the noble families of the capital always prioritized matching social standing. Our family, though reputable, was often not taken seriously by them behind our backs.
Those who proposed marriage to me, if they held any significant status, often offered to marry me to their illegitimate sons.
My mother, upon learning of my confusion, happily enlightened me, "Silly child, they are looking for daughters-in-law."
"How is that possible? I've been of age for quite some time. If they truly wanted to find a match, why would they wait until now?"
"Can it be the same? Although we declined the rewards, news of your courageous rescue of His Highness the Crown Prince has spread. Now, what family wouldn't want to marry you, so they could forge some connection with His Highness the Crown Prince?"
I was speechless, "It was just a little help, how did it become a 'courageous rescue'?"
"What are you hiding from your mother? Storytellers are already spreading tales about it. Speaking of which, what's been happening with you lately? You've been staying home all day and not going out to wander?"
"I have so many banquets to attend every day, where would I find the energy to go out?"
My mother looked at me suspiciously, then sighed, "Indeed, you haven't recovered from your previous losses. My dear, perhaps you should feign illness. You don't have to attend those banquets."
Now it was my turn to be suspicious, "Haven't you always been looking for a suitable match for me?"
"Times have changed. While it's flattering that many families seek your hand, they are all doing so because of His Highness the Crown Prince. Such families are not suitable for marriage. Let's wait for this trend to pass. If that doesn't work, we can wait for the spring examinations next year to catch a scholar. Or, my dear, what do you think of the present situation?"
It was getting more and more absurd.
I was speechless, "Let's forget feigning illness. The Empress is planning to open a winery in Mei City, isn't she? Let me handle that matter. It's a good way to avoid this fuss."
"No, preparing a winery involves too much work. Don't wear yourself out again."
"Mother, please let me go. I've been assisting you and Father all these years, and I've long wanted to take on responsibilities independently."
At this moment, my father entered from outside the door, "Take on responsibilities independently?"
My mother went to help him take off his rain-soaked cloak, "Our daughter wants to go to Mei City to open a winery."
My father understood me well. He was silent for a moment, "My dear, you must think carefully. Aristocratic families will absolutely not permit their daughters-in-law to engage in commerce, even if it's to serve the Empress. It is considered appearing in public. If you insist on this path, you will truly have to marry an ordinary man in the future."