Return to the capital

Zhuang Kang and his son spent nearly a month drafting new clan rules for the elders to sign. These rules still preserve the good things that have been passed down in the tribe. As for the bad part, such as superstition, Zhuang Kang cut them all out. Although there were some elders who wanted to dispute this matter. But Shuang Zhizhi, who now has the status of a prince, tells everyone about events that have happened before so that everyone should think carefully before making a decision again. The group of elders realized that it was because of their own obsolete thinking that the clan almost collapsed in Duke Guang's hands. They immediately agreed to sign off on the new regulations.

 Zhuang Kang had his men announce all the new rules to the tribespeople. He also stated that he would travel to strengthen friendship with the Emperor of the He Province for several months. In matters within the clan, he now has Grand Uncle as his regent with Senior Brother Ye Ji assisting. Including his teacher who has been by his father's side for a long time as a personal adviser.

 The tribesmen who had been afraid that the He Province would invade and seize territory were surprised by the new Prince's desire to build friendly relations with the He Province. Zhuang Kang didn't want to hide the people in the clan. He then told of his relationship with the Emperor of the He Province, that they had been like brothers for many years. And now he also holds the position of General of the He Province.

 The people of the tribe agreed to allow the Duke and Prince to leave the tribe with several pieces of high-grade leather, an important commodity of the Xiongnu clan. They have been skilled at hunting since ancient times. The methods of peeling various skins were much better than the people in the He Province. This was Shuang Zhizhi who had offered Father to take it to His Majesty Uncle. He also wanted to find other local products of the tribe to present to His Royal Highness. But was stopped by Father first. Father reasoned that after becoming an alliance We remain in contact with His Majesty as always. He didn't want his son to be in such a hurry that he would neglect the feelings of the people in his clan who still didn't trust people from other regions. Shuang Zhizhi took only a small amount of animal skins.

 Five days later, Zhuang Kang's traveling convoy was separated into three convoys. The Xiongnu people who had followed him fled to the He Country earlier. He put him in charge of the palace and sent news to him in the He Province. Another part ordered him to return to perform his duties in the He Province as before. Most of these people were born from the He Province. They received help from Zhuang Kang and had been following him for many years. and another part which had less than a hundred people They were on their way to pick up Shuang Zihua at the border town before making a reconnaissance stop following His Majesty's orders on the way back to the capital.

 The tribe members came out to send off the Duke and Prince and wish them safe travels. Everyone will be waiting for good news from the Prince regarding the opening. The border that the Prince had discussed with the Emperor a long time ago. His Majesty had only given him the condition that If only he were a clan ruler. Your Majesty will then allow the opening of the northern border checkpoint. Now he has succeeded. He was not at all worried about this matter.

 It wasn't until Zhuang Kang and Shuang Zhizhi arrived at the border town. They took almost two months. It's such a rush to travel. But the terrain was more difficult than in the He Province. As a result, the trip was delayed quite a bit. Upon entering the city gate, Zhuang Kang ordered him to go find Shuang Zihua at a dessert shop instead of returning to the house. He misses her terribly. Even the two of them, father and son, thought that they would not spend long in the Xiongnu clan. It turned out that they had been there for over half a year. I don't know if his wife will become thinner from nostalgia or not. But they had always sent her letters every two months because they were afraid that she would worry too much about them.

 Zhuang Kang ordered some of the people in the convoy to proceed to the house to collect their things first. He will wait to take his wife home later. Zhuang Kang also had people rent out an inn for all of them to rest for one night before continuing their mission tomorrow.

 Shuang Zihua, who was in front of the store, saw the large procession of people arriving and thought of her husband and son who had been gone for more than half a year. Two months ago, she received a letter from him saying: I'll hurry and pick her up. She waited until now to see them. She thought it was her husband and son because she remembered his close bodyguard and her son.

 Zhuang Kang and Shuang Zhizhi hurriedly got off the carriage when they reached the front of the store. They all rushed towards Shuang Zihua and hugged them longingly. Zhuang Kang felt that his wife had become very thin. This was his fault for wasting time to make her worry this much. After this, he wouldn't let her wait like this again. If he goes anywhere He would always take her and his son with him. They will never be separated again.

 After hugging each other for a long time Shuang Zihua, who was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the father and daughter's embrace, struggled to get them to release her. There are quite a few customers who are still sitting and eating tea and snacks. Even though she wanted to show that she missed them very much as well. But she still maintained her customary manners out of habit.

 A close customer was surprised to see a strange man hugging their handsome shop owner. They then asked Shuang Zihua directly. Shuang Zihua, who was quite close to them, said that he was her husband. The customers who thought she was a widow were surprised. Shuang Zihua makes an excuse that he works in a different city. And we just met while taking our son to take the exam in the capital last year. Those customers therefore did not ask any further questions. They were just worried about her and asked.

 Zhuang Kang took his wife and son to the back of the store. He told Shuang Zihua that tomorrow he had to travel on a mission that His Majesty had promised. He wanted to know how she would handle the dessert shop here next.

 Shuang Zihua, who had prepared the plan long in advance, answered the father and son with a smile. She said that two of the skilled cooks she had taught had volunteered to take care of the restaurant in her place while she returned to the capital with the others, and that her husband's two bodyguards were willing to take care of the two women. She said that they were so close that she intended to wait for Zhuang Kang to return first. So I will ask for permission to marry.

 Zhuang Kang was happy for his people to have a family of their own. He never forbade his men from having wives. Only these people saw that he still couldn't find his wife. So they remained single and followed him. Since now they want to have a family. He will also give them financial support to start a small family.

 Zhuang Kang and Shuang Zihua held a small wedding for the two couples before leaving the border city on a mission to the capital four months later.