Ning Erlang busied himself organizing their outing.
A wu suspected this and complied, changing into a fresh dress.
As they passed the courtyard, the flower hall doors were open, and tea steam drifted out.
Her father sat inside, speaking with Emperor Jingxi.
The day was fine, sunlight warmly bathing the Emperor, highlighting his high nose bridge and sharp, handsome features.
Just then, the Emperor seemed to sense something, turning his head to look.
A wu was caught in his warm, smiling gaze.
She smiled shyly and followed her brothers outside.
The days following the Sea Worship were the busiest on the coast.
With the sea ban lifted, the seaside market was more prosperous than ever.
Ning Sanlang and A wu wandered through the bustling streets, dazzled by the array of goods.
Merchants returning from Nanyang brought exquisite treasures: pearls, spices, rare birds and beasts, as well as potatoes, guavas, and black pepper.
Ning Sanlang showed A wu a rare curiosity and bought plenty.
As the tide receded, many shouted and rushed to collect sea treasures.
A wu and Ning Sanlang also gathered shells.
While doing so, Ning Sanlang noticed a fleet of treasure ships approaching.
He exclaimed, “Look over there!”
Many noticed the ships and gathered, curious to see their origin.
A wu had little interest and wandered alone along the beach, picking shells.
It was sunset.
The sea was bathed in golden light, casting a beautiful glow.
She carefully walked among the stones, using a small shovel to uncover pretty shells.
Nearby, waves crashed against rocks—the familiar sound of the sea, the companion of her childhood.
It brought warmth and security.
Though her original home and mother were gone, this was the eternal Eastern Sea, with its timeless waves and shells, and, of course, her father and brothers.
When she had drifted far away, no matter how much silver she saved, her heart remained restless.
Now, back home with family, even penniless, she was content.
Dreams were colorful.
She idly sifted through the sand, leisurely and aimless, yet collected many treasures: cat’s eye snails, white clams, eagle-wing shells—all beautifully shaped.
Then she spotted something shiny ahead and dug it out.
It was a lovely shell, but unfortunately broken.
Regretfully, she pinched it and tossed it aside.
“If only it weren’t broken.”
At that moment, a clear, gentle voice spoke, “What about this one?”
A wu paused, then slowly looked up.
The setting sun cast a rich orange and purple glow over the beach, scattered with shells sparkling and multicolored.
And there he stood amid the radiant hues: elegant face, jet-black hair tied high, crimson and dark blue robe fluttering in the breeze.
At that moment, A wu’s heart melted.
She tilted her head and smiled at him.
Emperor Jingxi stepped forward and opened his palm.
In it lay a small shell.
Not large, but exquisite—a bright blend of orange and yellow, its surface shimmering as if dusted with silver powder, smooth and radiant.
She had searched long but found none more beautiful.
Smiling, she reached out, “It’s quite pretty…”
The Emperor placed the shell gently in her hand.
The tiny shell still held his warmth, delicate and smooth.
She held it close, turning it over in her palm.
Emperor Jingxi took her hand, clasping her fist.
Words seemed unnecessary—everything understood without speaking.
He led her along the shore and said, “Do you remember the tune ‘Flowing Water’? It suits this place perfectly.”
A wu smiled, “You once said you’d play it for me someday.”
Emperor Jingxi: “Shall I play it today?”
A wu: “Today?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Yes.”
His tea-colored eyes smiled.
“The sunset is so magnificent. I’m fortunate to share this view with you. Should I not play a tune to enhance the mood?”
A wu: “Alright.”
Though he should have been discussing the marriage with her father at home, he appeared here instead, unexpectedly but pleasantly.
A man holding supreme power always acts with order and care. His dedication could bring the greatest surprises.
For A wu, who no longer cared for power or wealth, listening to the Emperor’s music by the sea was a blessing.
The ship was exquisite inside, tastefully decorated.
Emperor Jingxi guided A wu aboard and began to play.
The Emperor’s posture was graceful, his fingers sculpting the notes like flowing streams—sometimes surging powerfully, sometimes crisp and clear as stones struck by waves.
On the vast sea, waves crashed against rocks as she listened to the Emperor’s melody.
A wu gazed at the distant sunset, feeling a profound, vast melancholy.
Poems she once learned flashed through her mind—words about unparalleled achievements, mountains towering to the sky, and rivers flowing thousands of miles.
Her heart swelled.
The Emperor looked up and asked, “Do you like it?”
A wu: “Yes, I do.”
Emperor Jingxi: “What other tunes would you like?”
A wu: “You play whatever I want.”
Emperor Jingxi: “Of course.”
A wu laughed, “Why?”
His eyes softened, “If you marry a man ten years your senior, he must make up for it somehow.”
A wu: “Like how?”
Emperor Jingxi: “By playing whatever you wish.”
She smiled softly, “You’re very agreeable now…”
Emperor Jingxi smiled at her, “So, do you like it?”
A wu made a soft hum, “No, I don’t!”
The Emperor looked at her playful denial with a hint of grievance and said, “You little liar, little scoundrel. I’m the Son of Heaven, yet you deceive and torment me every day.”
A wu: “You’re just blaming me!”
Emperor Jingxi stepped closer, cornering her.
“Fine, if you say I blame you, then let’s settle this. Don’t you think you owe me a debt?”
A wu: “What debt?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Eighteen years.”
A wu: “?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Why weren’t you born sooner? Why wasn’t there you in my youth? I feel cheated. That’s the debt you owe me!”
A wu: “You! That’s unreasonable! Nonsense!”
The Emperor laughed, lowering his voice to coax her, “A wu, don’t be mad. Come back with me, will you?”
She glanced at him teasingly.
Emperor Jingxi: “I’ve already proposed to your father. The betrothal gifts are agreed.”
A wu: “What betrothal gifts?”
Emperor Jingxi: “You’ll like them.”
He looked at her warmly in the sunset and said, “Your father said the gifts are yours, and he and your brothers will only hold them on your behalf.”
Curious, A wu asked, “What exactly? What did you discuss?”
Emperor Jingxi smiled, taking her hand.
“I’ll show you.”
A wu: “Show me?”
At that moment, the ship began moving slowly, sailing out to sea.
A wu saw the golden sunset reflected on the vast blue waves, with a fleet of treasure ships shimmering in the light.
Leading the fleet was a grand treasure ship, its bow carved with a cormorant, the hull adorned with cloud-wreathed dragons.
Golden scales gleamed faintly in the sunset—a magnificent sight.
The ship’s hull was massive, at least thirty feet tall, with sails like walls extending endlessly into the distance.
A wu looked at Emperor Jingxi in puzzlement.
He raised his hand.
At once, commands echoed, followed by the thunder of drums.
Banners unfurled in the sea breeze, fluttering wildly.
Bathed in the sunset’s glow, the banners blazed like fire.
On the flags was a bold “Ning” character.
A wu’s confusion deepened, “What is this?”
Emperor Jingxi: “This is my betrothal gift—one hundred treasure ships, all under your name, managed by your father and brothers, sailing the seas in your stead.”
A wu was stunned.
She knew her brothers had earned money but had only hoped for ordinary merchant ships.
What lay before her were two-decked treasure ships capable of mounting Frangqi cannons.
Beyond their high value, these ships were built with painstaking effort, meant to bear the weight of the realm.
In other words, owning these hundred treasure ships meant almost controlling all Eastern Sea trade.
Deeper still, Emperor Jingxi aimed to eliminate threats in the Eastern Sea and control its trade routes personally.
He had destroyed the Zhen’an Marquis Manor but entrusted the spoils to her family.
She recalled the Emperor’s words about Lu Yunjian—that the previous Emperor had left hidden dangers.
Now, with these hundred treasure ships, Emperor Jingxi had sown a new danger for himself.
A wu frowned, looking at Emperor Jingxi, “Isn’t this too much? I…”
Emperor Jingxi: “A wu, this is the betrothal gift, for you. Since I dare to give it, and your father accepts it for you, then you may take it.”
She raised her face, meeting his warm, sincere gaze.
Her throat tightened, and emotion choked her.
Their beginnings had been so wild and reckless—one was base scheming and clinging, the other a fleeting infatuation.
Yet fate had pushed them together.
After Nanqiongzi’s furious wrath and her near collapse, the gap had been filled with pity and yearning.
Later entanglements mixed desire, regret, and affection.
Now, no matter how cold or indifferent she tried to be, she could not escape the net he wove.
This man wielded supreme power but bowed patiently to hold her hand.
Five Sacred Mountains may return, yet the traveler no longer sees them; Huangshan may return, yet no longer gazes upon other peaks.
She was just an ordinary girl.
After fulfilling her deepest wishes, she found him still waiting.
Why should she not look back?
Emperor Jingxi extended his arms, slow but firm, and embraced her.
With a hoarse voice, he said, “A wu, I spared you back then. This life, I am doomed to be caught in your web. You’ve agreed today, so no regrets. If you dare deny it, I—”
A wu raised her face, biting her lip, staring at him, “What will you do?”
His fingers gently caressed her cheek, eyes tender yet sharp.
“The Son of Heaven’s wrath can stain the Eastern Sea with blood. Do you believe that?”
A wu softly replied, “I believe.”
She smiled lightly, eyes weaving silken threads.
Emperor Jingxi’s pupils flickered.
Without a word, he bent down.
In his deep, gentle gaze, A wu wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her face up to kiss the smooth line of his neck and his strong jaw.
The soft scent enveloped them.
Emperor Jingxi bent lower, yielding to her playful, fleeting kisses.
A breeze blew, bringing the salty scent of the sea.
Emperor Jingxi raised his brow, eyes roaming, whispering, “A wu, can you come back with me now?”
A wu: “Mm.”
He held his breath, gaze intense and burning.
“The Peony flower of Nanqiongzi is blooming beautifully now.”
A wu tilted her head, eyes bright: “Hm?”
He lowered his head, pressing his forehead to hers, voice soft, “During the peony’s bloom—the queen’s flower of the nation—the Emperor and Empress’s wedding must use fresh peonies.”
A wu laughed, looping her arms around his neck and asked, “So… if the flowers wilt before then, wouldn’t that be a pity?”
Emperor Jingxi smiled lightly, “Yes, what says Her Majesty the Empress?”
A wu rose on tiptoe, hands climbing his strong arms.
His eyes darkened with desire as he bent toward her.
A wu clung to his neck, her soft lips kissing the sharp lines of his neck, then lightly biting upward.
She lifted her eyes, watery and seductive, her sharp teeth lightly nipping his Adam’s apple.
His eyes were the sea, a blazing ocean of fire.
A wu tilted her head, smiling playfully, “Her Majesty the Empress consents!”
Emperor Jingxi felt a light enter his heart, filling him with ease and joy.
He tugged her into his arms, holding her tightly, lifting her, and lowered his head to kiss her deeply.
At that moment, all the bitterness they had endured turned to satisfaction.
Sweetness surged, rewarding their thousand-mile journey.