Chapter 38: A Secret Tryst

With the turmoil of war now settled and the New Year approaching, the entire Great Zhou Empire was in need of a grand celebration.

In the capital, decorations were being set up everywhere; much like in the Southern Border, there was a desire to host a grand festival. However, while the Southern Border had already begun preparing for the festivities half a month before the year's end, the capital was only just beginning its arrangements. According to the ancestral traditions of the Great Zhou, the capital was permitted to hold gatherings during the year-end period for no more than ten days. No one saw anything wrong with this custom, and given that the capital lacked for nothing, beginning the preparations ten days in advance was already considered a sign of great importance. It was unlike the Southern Border, where everything was in ruins and they had to purchase even the simplest necessities from elsewhere.

Fang Han was still awake, and Lin Qingwei was just as unable to sleep. This was her first time experiencing the New Year—or rather, the first time someone had accompanied her for it. Because of her illness, everyone in the capital viewed her as a harbinger of misfortune. Even during the New Year, she would remain alone in the palace, never having witnessed the bustle of the holiday season.

Seeing the candlelight in Lin Qingwei’s room still burning late into the night, Fang Han, wondering what she might be busy with, went in to check on her. Upon entering, he found her sobbing softly. Reflecting on her experiences, Fang Han couldn't help but smile. "What is wrong? Has someone been bullying our little princess?"

Hearing Fang Han’s voice, Lin Qingwei hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes. "You... why haven't you rested yet? Is there still work to do?"

Fang Han walked over to her and took her hand. Lin Qingwei resisted slightly, but after struggling for a moment, she stopped. "Let’s go see the city. Let’s look at this Southern Border city—our city," Fang Han said.

A bright light appeared in Lin Qingwei’s eyes, and she nodded firmly.

Tomorrow would be the first day of the annual festival. Currently, soldiers were patrolling every location to check for potential hazards. For the first annual festival of the Southern Border, not a single incident could be allowed to occur.

Fang Han and Lin Qingwei walked through the streets. This time, they did not take a carriage, nor did they bring any personal guards. When the sentries on duty realized that the Protector and his lady had left the Protector’s Mansion, they immediately informed Fang Shou. Knowing this, Fang Shou did not make a scene; instead, he took a few guards and followed in secret to provide protection.

Fang Han led Lin Qingwei through the streets. At first, she was somewhat timid, but gradually she grew bolder. Her eyes darted around, filled with curiosity about everything she saw.

Along the first street, which was elaborately decorated, many small vendors from the Southern Border had chosen to sleep right by their stalls, fully clothed, to secure a good spot for business. Seeing some Southern Barbarians among them, Lin Qingwei frowned, feeling somewhat unhappy. This was a grand festival for the Southern Border; why invite the Southern Barbarians? If they were doing business here, wouldn't all the gold and silver be taken away by them?

Fang Han noticed her confusion and whispered an explanation. "These are the common people under the rule of the Southern Barbarians; the affairs of the Southern Barbarian state have nothing to do with them. In the future, when we conquer the Southern Barbarians, these people will be our subjects. In fact, the people of the entire world will belong to us one day."

Hearing Fang Han’s bold words, Lin Qingwei found herself half-believing him. In the past, she would never have believed such claims. But now, less than half a year after arriving in the Southern Border, he had stabilized the situation, and the strength of the capital was constantly growing. Whatever Fang Han said now, Lin Qingwei felt it was possible. Even if he claimed he could pluck the moon from the sky, she felt there must be a reason for it.

Just then, a Southern Barbarian street vendor was startled awake. Seeing Fang Han and Lin Qingwei, his face immediately broke into a wide smile. "Are the young master and lady out to see the festival? Would you like a sugar-coated hawthorn skewer?"

Fang Han was surprised to hear about the hawthorn skewers. He hadn't expected the Southern Barbarians to be so advanced that they even had such treats. It is said that one only thinks of indulgence after being well-fed; in a place where people couldn't even eat their fill, such things would be futile. Only when people are full can they engage in entertainment or develop novel foods. If the Southern Barbarians had hawthorn skewers, it meant they had already solved the problem of hunger. No wonder they had always coveted the Southern Border.

Lin Qingwei didn't think so deeply; she was simply wondering what a hawthorn skewer was. Fang Han, also curious to see what the Southern Barbarian version looked like, ordered the vendor to show him one. The vendor complied, immediately bringing out a prepared skewer.

When Fang Han saw it, he was stunned. It was just a few wild mountain fruits strung together, coated in a layer of transparent sugar. Furthermore, it appeared the coating wasn't made from boiled sugar, but rather a simple sugar-water mixture. This primitive version of the treat didn't really pique Fang Han’s interest. However, Lin Qingwei stared at it; it was her first time seeing one. She had only ever heard the palace maids mention it.

"Fang Han," Lin Qingwei whispered.

Seeing her expression, Fang Han knew she wanted to try it, so he had the vendor hand one over. But when it came time to pay, he realized he didn't have a single coin on him. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

The vendor looked at Fang Han and said with a grin, "Young master, they are three copper coins each."

Lin Qingwei noticed the strange atmosphere and immediately realized Fang Han hadn't brought any money. Just as she was about to put it back, Fang Shou emerged from the shadows. "My Lord."

Fang Shou’s appearance calmed Fang Han down; with him there, he wouldn't have to lose face. "Pay for it. And bring me some money."

Fang Shou paid the three copper coins for the skewer and handed Fang Han several taels of silver. With money in hand, Fang Han felt much more confident. He took Lin Qingwei’s hand and walked deeper into the street.

The streets were lined with red lanterns, their candles flickering inside. Because the festival didn't officially begin until tomorrow, those areas that weren't fully decorated were still being worked on by laborers working overtime. When the soldiers saw Fang Han and Lin Qingwei, they greeted them one after another. "Greetings, Protector."

Fang Han waved in acknowledgment, urging them to ensure that every detail was absolutely secure.

Lin Qingwei took a bite of the hawthorn skewer, but it wasn't as delicious as she had imagined. It was no different from eating wild fruit directly. "So this is what a hawthorn skewer tastes like; it’s not that good," she remarked.

Hearing her, Fang Han couldn't help but ask, "Have you seen them before?"

Lin Qingwei shook her head. "No, but a palace maid once said that when she was young, there were hawthorn skewers in the capital—sweet and sour and very tasty. But later, they disappeared."

Fang Han hadn't realized that the Great Zhou once had such things. By the time he had arrived in this world, the Great Zhou was already embroiled in war. Although the capital hadn't fallen, the lives of the people were miserable, and there were no decent markets. It was only through the series of reforms he initiated that production gradually recovered. It turned out that before the wars, the Great Zhou had indeed been quite prosperous.

The two didn't walk much longer, and Lin Qingwei gradually lost her timidity. Since the festival hadn't officially started, many activities were not yet open, and with the streets looking largely the same and devoid of crowds, they eventually lost interest.