They rode through the capital at dusk. The streets were thinning, vendors closing stalls. Su Lin sat in the carriage reading a book while Chun Tao peeked out of the window like a cat.
Outside, the General rode with one hand on the reins, posture perfect. His men kept formation without word. Every few minutes those that recognise him, would salute him. Su Lin watched from behind the curtain. No wonder the Emperor asked him to relocate and settle in a far way place from the capital. With the treatment he was getting it was like he was the actual ruler.
The carriage rattled on.
By the time they reached the City gate, night had taken the sky. A lantern burned low by the guard post. Shen Liang gave the gate captain a nod, and the heavy doors began to swing open.
The captain bowed low. "Congratulations, General. May your new wife bring you joy."
Shen Liang didn't answer. Su Lin, from inside the carriage, muttered under her breath, " He'll be lucky if I entertain him enough to bring him joy."
Chun Tao slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
....
Back at the palace, the Emperor stood on his balcony, watching the last lights fade from the city. "So," he said to his chief eunuch, "the wolf is married to a little lamb."
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Good," the Emperor said, smiling faintly.
"Married men fight less. Let him settle in that faraway fief. The Capital's been too quiet anyway."
He turned away, satisfied.
....
Outside the City gate, the night carried the sound of hooves leaving the city, quiet and steady.
In the carriage, Su Lin finally leaned back, closing her eyes. Chun Tao fidgeted beside her.
"Miss...are you nervous?"
Su Lin yawned. "No. I'm sleepy."
"But it's your wedding day!"
"Oh that's why am feeling so sleepy."
She shifted the pillow behind her head and sighed. "Wake me when we arrive."
The maid stared at her speechless. "Miss..you're really going to sleep?"
"Mm."
The carriage jolted forward again. Outside, the general's silhouette moved steady under the moonlight.
Su Lin dozed, lips curving faintly.
...
They had been travelling for hours when the sun finally dipped below the horizon.
The road stretched wide and empty ahead, liked with tall pines. The air had grown colder, the kind that crept into your sleeves and made you wish for a thicker robe.
Su Lin leaned against the carriage window, half-awake, half-bored. Chun Tao sat opposite her, yawning for the tenth time.
"How much longer?" The maid muttered. "My legs are numb."
"Then stop sitting on them," Su Lin said without opening her eyes.
Chun Tao groaned dramatically. "Easy for you to say, Miss. You've been sitting like a statue since we left the capital!"
"That's because statues don't talk," Su Lin murmured.
Shuang He, sitting near the door, covered her mouth to hide a smile.
Outside, the general's deep voice broke through the night air. "We'll stop soon. There's a clearing ahead. We'll rest before crossing the valley."
Su Lin peeked through the small gap in the curtain. "Finally. "
The moon was just beginning to climb the sky when the convoy reached the clearing. The soldiers dismounted in practiced silence, setting up a small camp. Tents were raised in neat rows, and a fire pit was dug at the centre.
The general's second-in-command approached the carriage. "Madam, We'll stop here for the night. The general said you should rest. It's still a few days before we reach the fief."
Su Lin nodded. "Understood."
Chun Tao stretched so hard her joints cracked. "Finally, air!"
Su Lin stepped out of the carriage, lifting her skirt slightly so it wouldn't catch in the grass.the night air bit at her cheeks, but it was refreshingly fresh and cleaner than the perfumed suffocation in the capital.
"Miss, it's cold!" Chun Tao rushed to wrap a shawl around her.
"I noticed," Su Lin said, her tone flat as usual.
The General stood near the already made camp fire. Speaking quietly to his men. His armor glinted faintly under the moonlight. A few soldiers went off into the woods to hunt for prey, while others unpacked the supplies.
Su Lin's eyes lingered on him for a moment. He moved with the kind of ease that came from years of command.
"Miss?" Chun Tao followed her gaze and smiled knowingly. "He's even more handsome up close, isn't he? Don't tell me you are falling in love already..this is unlike you at all!"
Su Lin picked a pebble and tosses it lightly at her maid's foot. "You're talking too much again."
"I was just saying.."
"Don't."
Shuang He warned, already busy setting up Su Lin's small tent, "What if the General hears you."
Chun Tao clamped her mouth shut immediately.
The soldiers returned shortly with two hares and a pheasant. Soon the smell of roasting meat filled the air.
Su Lin sat at a log near her tent, enjoying her meat and sipping warm tea from her small flask, watching the flames dance.
Across the fire, Shen Liang discussed patrol shifts with his soldiers. He didn't eat until his men did. When they finally dispersed, he sat alone, cleaning his sword by the firelight.
He didn't look up when he spoke. "You should sleep soon."
Su Lin raised her brow. "You were talking to me?"
"You're the only one sitting there," he said evenly.
"I thought you don't bother with small talks."
"I don't, this is considered advice unless you'd rather feed the mosquitoes."
"Then consider it received, goodnight." She stood, brushed off her robe, and headed toward her tent.
Inside, the tent was simple. Two small bedrooms, a lantern, and their packed case.
"Miss, do you think it's safe here surrounded by trees and a valley?" Chun Tao whispered, peeking out nervously.
"As long as you don't snore loud enough to attract thieves," Su lin said dryly, lying down.
"I don't snore!"
"Then it's the wind," Su Lin said, pulling the blanket over her shoulder. "Sleep."
Within seconds, she was out cold.