Moonlight over the River - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

That morning, my mother-in-law kept me in her chambers for breakfast.

I didn’t refuse.

For one thing, Mama Fang, who served at my mother-in-law’s side, was an extraordinary cook. Her food was even better than what came out of my mother’s private kitchen in the palace.

During the meal, I took a few extra pieces of crystal pork knuckle. My mother-in-law smiled and moved the dish right in front of me.

“If you like it, have more.”

I said shyly, “Thank you, Mother…”

Her loving gaze fell on my face. She reached out and smoothed my hair at the temple, speaking gently.

“You’ve suffered all these years. You were separated from your husband not long after your wedding, with thousands of miles between you. And you’re such a good child, coming every day to pay your respects. Every time Mother sees you, my heart aches…”

Suffered?

Not in the slightest!

I had money, status, a doting mother-in-law, and a husband who never came home.

In all the capital, you couldn’t find a better marriage than this.

I was just about to speak when I heard my mother-in-law continue, “But all those difficult days are over now. Dao’an will return to the capital in three days. From now on, the two of you will be able to stay by each other’s side…”

I couldn’t hear a word after that.

My mind was filled with one sentence:

Xie Dao’an was coming back…

My husband, Xie Dao’an, whom I had not seen for three years.

He was coming back?!

Chapter 2

“Princess, please stop pacing. This servant is getting dizzy just watching you.”

Chuntao grabbed me, trying to stop me as I anxiously circled the room again and again.

I seized her in return, shaking her so hard that the hairpins in her bun trembled.

“What do I do? What do I do? Xie Dao’an is coming back!”

Chuntao looked puzzled.

“The general is returning to the capital. Is Your Highness not happy?”

I was even more puzzled.

“Why would I be happy?”

“You and the general were separated less than half a month after your wedding, and that separation lasted three years. Now that he is returning safely, shouldn’t Your Highness be happy?”

I rubbed my chin in thought.

I felt that Chuntao’s words did make some sense.

But still, a husband I had not seen in three years was suddenly coming back…

This princess was truly nervous!

Chapter 3

Three years ago, my mother had chosen my marriage with the Xie family from among thousands of options.

She only kept telling me how upright and refined the Xie Mansion was, how brave, strategic, and loyal Xie Dao’an was, how sensible the Xie family’s old madam was, and how I wouldn’t need to trouble myself after marrying in.

At the time, I had only just turned sixteen.

Listening to Mother drone on and on, I chewed the sweet cake in my mouth and asked only one question.

“Then Xie Dao’an-is he handsome?”

Mother froze, then jabbed a finger against my forehead.

“You girl! When you become someone’s wife, it’s enough if your days are comfortable and your husband treats you sincerely.

“What use is being that handsome? Can you spend his face like gold or silver?”

I disagreed and retorted, “If he’s so ugly that I can’t swallow my food, how am I supposed to live comfortably?”

At that, Mother shot me a glare, then lowered her head and continued sewing my wedding clothes.

“After you marry into the General’s Mansion, you must be careful with your words. Don’t be willful.”

I pouted and sat down beside her, stroking the rosy ceremonial robe embroidered all over with gold beads. The gold and silver threads pricked my fingers.

“Isn’t this work for the palace embroiderers? Why is Mother sewing it yourself?”

Mother smiled and pinched my cheek. The affection in her eyes drowned me in warmth, making my ears redden and my heart burn.

“Zhao Zhao is Mother’s only daughter. When a daughter gets married, of course her mother must stitch a few seams with her own hands. I only hope Zhao Zhao’s husband will cherish our Zhao Zhao even half as much as Mother does. All right?”

Warmth welled in my eyes. As I always had, I leaned over and rested against Mother’s shoulder.

On the day I married into the Xie Mansion, the complicated rites had me kneeling endlessly. By the time I sat on the bed, the crown on my head was so heavy it felt as if my neck might snap.

A balance rod lifted away the sheet of red before my eyes.

-Fine. This princess admits it. Consort Xie was somewhat good-looking.

But the way he grinned was awfully foolish, not at all like a general.

For some reason, when I looked at the wedding robe on him and the vermilion ribbon tying up his hair, my heart began to beat in disarray.

The roomful of red candles made my face burn. Xie Dao’an stared straight at me.

A little embarrassed and annoyed, I stubbornly asked, “What-what are you looking at?”

“Something beautiful.”

“Smooth talker!”

He took my hand. The thin calluses on his palm scraped faintly against my skin.

I was so shy I didn’t dare look at him.