Uncharted

"Right! Do you know about Haili, Aeng-mei?" 

She shook her head. I've been curious about it since that official mentioned it, though. 

"Why am I not surprised," he chuckled lightly, casting a meaningful look at Long Dahai.

Gu Yunzhi explained how a well-defined hierarchical structure lay at the heart of governance in the vast and intricate empire.

Imperial Princes played a pivotal role in upholding this structure. Their significance extended beyond mere titles; it was their multifaceted duties and responsibilities that upheld the empire's stability.

From a young age, princes underwent rigorous education and training. This comprehensive curriculum encompassed various subjects, including Confucian Classics, politics, literature, fine arts, and martial arts. The goal was to mould these royals into well-rounded individuals capable of ruling and appreciating the empire's profound cultural and intellectual heritage.

Upon adulthood, they received peerage titles, signifying their status and the significant responsibility of governing a province.

Princes' natural abilities played a pivotal role in determining their assigned provinces. Those demonstrating martial prowess often found themselves in charge of border regions, overseeing military affairs, and serving as General Commanders in the Imperial Army. Others with a knack for commerce and trade were entrusted with wealth-generating provinces, while the diplomatic-minded were stationed in regions situated closer to the capital, managing political affairs.

The princes also were expected to prove their worthiness for roles within the royal court. This typically entailed enhancing the wealth, stability, or strength of their ruling province, which in turn would directly affect the empire's political or military standing.

"While most princes would seek prosperous and established provinces," Gu Yunzhi continued, "This show-off specifically requested to oversee Haili, the young, remote, and struggling province near the western border."

"Western border," Han Aeng traced the edge of his robe with her fingers. Her expression shifted to one of mild concern. "So it must be quite chilly there."

Long Dahai nodded, his eyes momentarily leaving hers to gaze out at the darkening landscape. "Winter can be quite severe," he affirmed, a hint of contemplation in his eyes as they returned to study her.

He took a moment to respond, choosing his words carefully. "Have no fear. Benwang will ensure the rooms are specially heated during the colder months."

She blinked, her surprise evident in her widened eyes and parted lips. "You're too kind, Your Highness. But chenqie will graciously accept the offer. Chenqie really can't stand the cold."

"Benwang will remember that, wangfei."

As they settled into a comfortable silence, Gu Yunzhi couldn't help but observe that the air of formality still lingered between Han Aeng and Long Dahai, starkly contrasting the friendship that had developed between him and Han Aeng.

A memory of Nobel Consort Rong's advice suddenly flashed in his mind – the idea that sharing embarrassing details was a simple yet effective way to dissolve initial barriers and foster relatability among people.

If there is one thing Long Dahai is embarrassed about, it's got to be that!

"Besides the freezing cold, there's something else that might pique your curiosity," He paused, leaving a sense of intrigue in the air, "When you get back to the palace, make sure to ask about the 'Prince of Bit-" 

Long Dahai's eyes widened in alarm as Gu Yunzhi teased him. Without thinking, he urgently covered Gu Yunzhi's mouth, his body reacting instinctively before his brain caught up with the situation. "They sure are taking their time."

Pretending not to have heard anything, Han Aeng looking around searching for the help that was supposed to arrive and remarked casually, "Mm, chenqie wonders where they are."

Muffled against Long Dahai's hand, Gu Yunzhi couldn't help but chuckle at the situation, his eyes dancing with amusement as he struggled to break free from Long Dahai's grip.

And so, in the stillness of the evening, the group waited for the help that would eventually arrive to repair their broken carriage. 

The fading sunlight painted the sky with shades of pink and orange, casting a serene glow over the landscape. Now calmer horses grazed nearby, and the wind carried the distant sounds of birds returning to their nests.

Their moment of tranquillity was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching carriage wheels.

The carriage stopped beside them, and with an air of confidence Mei Fubai leaned out of the window.

She spotted the broken-down carriage and saw only Long Dahai and Gu Yunzhi on the roadside, so she offered them assistance.

"Gege, I saw your carriage broken down there," she began, her tone carrying a teasing undertone, "do you want to come home with me?"

"Can you fit us?" Gu Yunzhi couldn't help but interject at lightning speed.

He shot a nervous glance at Han Aeng huddling close to Long Dahai's back to shield herself from the chilly wind.

Heaven forbid she misunderstands and labels Long Dahai as a womanizer. He couldn't handle such an accusation, especially when this oblivious fool wasn't even aware of Mei Fubai's intentions toward him.

Mei Fubai waved a dismissive hand, "There is space. You will be fine."

Nodding in agreement, Long Dahai turned his head to Han Aeng. "Wangfei, let's go with her."

Her curious eyes peeked out from behind him, instantly souring Mei Fubai's expression.

Her spontaneous offer was not extended to this extra passenger. However, it was too late to retract her invitation.

As the carriage began its journey, Long Dahai took the opportunity to introduce the two women.

"Fubai, let me introduce you to benwang's princess consort, Han Aeng," he said, extending his hand towards Han Aeng, seated a noticeable distance away from him. "Wangfei, this is Mei Fubai."

"Ah, the new 'princess consort.' How delightful to meet you, Wangfei." Mei Fubai responded with a barely concealed smirk. Her voice held an air of nonchalance as she spoke, her words laced with an attempt at casual politeness.

 Han Aeng met her gaze with a polite but knowing smile, expertly perfectly mirroring Mei Fubai's act of aloofness. "Nice to meet you too, Mei Fubai."

"From where have you returned, Fubai?"

Gaze fixated on Han Aeng's jacket, one she had often seen Logn Dahai wear, Mei Fubai's response was curt, "Market."

Deciding that engaging with Mei Fubai wasn't worth the effort, Han Aeng turned to enjoy the journey and slid open the window curtains, letting the cool night wind gently caress her cheek. 

The chilly night air seeped into the carriage, and Han Aeng's body instinctively gravitated towards the warmth of Long Dahai until her shoulder gently brushed against his.

At the sight, Mei Fubai's anger surged, her jaw clenching tightly, but she refrained from uttering her protest. Instead, she turned her attention back to Long Dahai. "Where are you two returning from, gege?"

The use of "two" was not lost on anyone in the carriage; it was clear that Mei Fubai was trying to make Han Aeng feel excluded.

"The three of us were exploring the capital," Gu Yunzhi replied smoothly, not missing a beat. At that moment, Gu Yunzhi felt like a wife warding off potential rivals for her husband's affection. "Dahai wanted to show Aeng-mei all the sites we frequented."

"Dahai-ge," she tried once more, "have you been busy with your responsibilities? I don't see you around often anymore."

Once again, before Long Dahai could respond, Gu Yunzhi interjected smoothly. "What kind of questions is that? Of course, Long Dahai has been quite occupied. He has a cute wife to attend to."

Curiosity piqued, Han Aeng dropped the hand that was holding the curtain into her lap, directing her attention towards Mei Fubai. Quickly noticing, the other's gaze lingered on her shoulders. 

As if a storm cloud had gathered over Mei Fubai's features. Her brows furrowed, drawing together like dark thunderheads, and her lips pressed into a thin, rigid line. An expression of intense displeasure at the message his words conveyed: Long Dahai was married, and any romantic interests or advances were unwelcome.

Mei Fubai's posture remained confident but rigid, as though she were a tightly drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any moment. Her back was straight as an arrow, determined to maintain control of the situation.

Meanwhile, throughout the entire ordeal, Han Aeng effortlessly challenged Mei Fubai's composure by subtly closing the gap between her and Long Dahai. 

Her shoulders, once taut with formality, now eased with a growing sense of satisfaction as she observed Mei Fubai's evident frustration and inability to gain the upper hand.

It was like a silent game of wits, and Han Aeng was relishing every moment of it. Each twitch of Mei Fubai's clenched fingers, every subtle shift in her rigid posture, only added to Han Aeng's internal amusement. It was a victorious sensation.

Struggling to suppress laughter, Han Aeng found herself shuddering from the sheer joy of it all.

"Feeling cold?" Long Dahai's voice held a hint of curiosity as he observed her. It hadn't escaped his notice that she had been inching closer to him. In fact, the sensation of her brushing against him had drawn his attention away from Mei Fubai's conversation - completely tuning her out.

"Erm," she glanced at him, feeling like a child getting caught stealing candy. "It seems chenqie hasn't adjusted to the change in climate."

While she was trying to find an excuse, she wasn't lying.

Her usual resilience to the cold seemed to have waned in the face of the unfamiliar Shangwei weather and the lingering effects of her collapse.

Long Dahai tapped his finger against his leg.

While he was still grappling with his unfamiliar role as a husband, the physician's advice to keep his newlywed wife warm couldn't be dismissed. With a deep breath and a hint of certainty in his eyes, he took a hesitant step into unfamiliar territory.

In a moment of uncharacteristic boldness, he extended a tentative arm, an action born more from a sense of duty than familiarity. A gesture mirroring what he thought was expected at this moment: mimicking something he had seen his elder brother do.

His fingers lightly brushed over the fabric of Han Aeng's robe as he placed it gently over her shoulder. The touch was neither imposing nor overbearing; instead, it carried a sense of reassurance. 

"Hold on for a while longer," he whispered in a comforting murmur. "We'll be home soon."

Taken aback by the unexpected contact, Han Aeng felt a momentary tenseness in her shoulders. Her gaze drifted to the carriage walls, her eyes not quite meeting his. "...Thank you, your highness." 

Eventually, she relaxed into the touch, allowing her body to be nestled against his side. 

While their position maintained a degree of modesty and decorum, this had been the most physical contact they'd shared in the few days of their young marriage.

They were two individuals thrust into a partnership they were still in the process of defining. The roles and responsibilities that came with the title and entity of 'spouse' remained uncharted territory for both.

Truth be told, it wasn't uncomfortable for either of them, but rather an awkward exploration of this 'marriage' status. 

Seated across from them, Mei Fubai couldn't help but let her frown deepen. 

She had seen that intimacy and attentiveness before—subtle actions that spoke volumes about their relationship status.

Dahai Gege has never touched any girl like this before. Why is he being so attentive to her? He's never acted this way with me. 

Is this how it feels to be his wife?

Any snide remark Mei Fubai would have directed at Gu Yunzhi died in her mouth, silenced by the overwhelming surge of emotions. Her clenched fists, hidden beneath the folds of her robe, revealed the depth of her frustration through white-knuckled tension and faint trembling.

The remainder of the ride to the palace unfolded in a heavy silence.