Chapter 111: Conferment of Rewards

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Shen Qingyun’s feelings were complicated. She gazed toward the frontier, but could see nothing beyond an endless expanse of white.

Yicui stepped forward. “Miss, have some hot soup to warm yourself.”

“Have Han Feng and Han Yu been settled?”

“Yes. They patrol the area every day to inspect the situation, then return to the courtyard you prepared for them. There is plenty of food, drink, charcoal, and everything else they need.”

Shen Qingyun nodded and turned away from the window.

After drinking a bowl of hot soup, she felt warmth spread through her entire body.

Meanwhile, Prince Li’s convoy had hurried through the snow and wind with its supplies and reached the frontier several days ahead of schedule. In addition to everything Shen Qingyun had prepared, they also brought grain and provisions allocated by the imperial court.

In her previous life, a large quantity of grain and supplies had also been sent to the frontier. Yet after being skimmed off layer by layer, less than half had eventually arrived. Now that Prince Li was personally supervising the transport, no official dared lay a hand on anything along the way.

When the soldiers saw the abundance of supplies, they erupted in cheers.

They immediately came forward to thank the emperor for his gracious benevolence, then assigned people to sort and store everything properly.

Old General Han let out a sigh of relief. He had never expected the reinforcements to arrive so promptly. He welcomed Prince Li and the others into the main tent, clasped his fists, and said gratefully, “Your Highness, you have gone to great trouble to make this journey. On behalf of the soldiers of the entire army, I thank you!”

A barely perceptible smile touched Prince Li’s eyes. “Old General Han, I’m afraid you do not know that someone else deserves credit for this as well.”

The old general stroked his beard, puzzled. “Who?”

Just then, a soldier came to report, “General, the army physician requests an audience!”

The old general nodded. A middle-aged physician, travel-worn and with bloodstains still clinging to his sleeves, hurried inside.

“Greetings, Great General and Prince Li,” he said urgently. “May I ask who prepared this newly arrived medicinal powder? Its effect is remarkable! Is there any way to obtain the prescription? It would be an enormous help to our soldiers!”

Medicines in the army had been running short for some time. The moment the physician saw the large supply Prince Li had brought, he had immediately put it to use treating the wounded.

Unexpectedly, this wound powder was far more effective than any they had used before. It stopped bleeding in a remarkably short time, and reduced pain by at least half compared with ordinary medicine, greatly soothing the injured soldiers.

What was more, medicines for treating severe chills had even been thoughtfully included. It had truly arrived like timely rain.

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Without haste, Si Moli took a list of medicines from inside his robe.

“These were specially obtained by the old general’s granddaughter. The medicines and cotton-padded clothing were all donated by her as well. Before we departed, she said that if they happened to be of use, you were to take this prescription.”

Old General Han stared at Prince Li in disbelief.

The army physician was too astonished for words. He accepted the list with both hands and examined it carefully twice. He discovered that, compared with ordinary wound powder, it contained one additional medicinal herb and used a different proportion of ingredients. He could not stop exclaiming in amazement.

“Could it be Miss Shen Sisi?” he asked excitedly.

Prince Li’s eyes darkened. He enunciated every word. “No. Her name is Shen Qingyun.”

The old general had a granddaughter who had been separated from the family for many years and recently found again. The army had heard about it. During that period, the usually stern and cold-blooded Old General Han had worn a smile nearly every day, and everyone had been happy for him.

“So it is Miss Shen Qingyun. She is so sensible and generous, with such noble character. She truly is the old general’s own flesh and blood!” the army physician praised sincerely.

Many wounded soldiers below were still in urgent need of treatment. After receiving the prescription, the physician offered his thanks several more times before hurrying away.

Old General Han looked at Prince Li. After hearing everything that had happened during this period, he suddenly slammed his palm onto the table.

“Good riddance to that marriage! Tell Qingyun that she may boldly do whatever she wishes. Her maternal grandfather will take responsibility for everything!”

Though he had not yet met his granddaughter, he already felt immense affection and curiosity toward her.

Si Moli then took out the protective armor Shen Qingyun had prepared. The old general praised it repeatedly and immediately went to put it on.

By that very day, half the army knew that the old general’s new armor had been sent by his granddaughter.

Everyone who saw it had to praise it.

With abundant grain and provisions, highly effective medicine for the wounded, warm cotton-padded clothing, and Prince Li stationed among them, the army’s morale soared. The soldiers shouted in unison:

“Let the barbarians come—and make sure none return!”

When battle began again, the deafening thunder of hoofbeats made the entire earth seem to tremble. Jagged blades pointed toward the sky, flashing with icy light, while crimson banners soared beneath the heavens, whipping through the wind and snow. A roar of slaughter suddenly erupted. The army surged forward with irresistible force, raising billowing clouds of dust. For a time, the heavens rang with cries and wails, while the wilderness was filled with murderous devastation and the earth was stained red with blood.

The barbarian soldiers’ faces were mottled with grime, panic impossible to conceal in their eyes as their formation was hacked apart.

Two hidden arrows shot straight toward Old General Han—one aimed at his knee, the other at his heart. In his previous life, the old general had been wounded by such an ambush. In this life, however, the protective armor stopped them.

With a cold snort, the old general spurred his warhorse forward and charged directly into the enemy ranks.

Victory reports arrived from the frontier one after another, greatly delighting the emperor.

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At this rate, it would not be long before the barbarians were successfully driven back.

The heavy snow in the capital finally stopped. Having followed Shen Qingyun’s advice, the rice and flour shops under the Han family’s name were all well stocked. Han Rou now took the lead in distributing porridge, prompting many wealthy households to follow her example in hopes of earning a good reputation.

The days passed in orderly fashion, and the Duke of State’s residence endured an exceptionally subdued New Year.

The old madam, Shen Zhifeng, Shen Qingyun, and Shen Sisi rarely sat together. They shared a meal, each finding the others displeasing, and, without needing to say so aloud, all returned to their separate rooms.

The Courtyard of Jianjia, however, was another matter. The maids had all received red envelopes and new clothes. They gathered together to offer prayers, laugh, and play, bringing a touch of New Year’s joy to the residence.

Early the morning after the New Year, Shen Qingyun was preparing to go out and help Han Rou distribute porridge when Pearl came rushing in.

“Miss, Miss! An imperial edict has arrived!”

“What imperial edict?”

Seeing that Shen Qingyun remained unhurried, Pearl stamped her foot. “Miss, it specifically names you and orders you to receive it!”

Shen Qingyun was even more bewildered. She searched her memory for anything that had happened recently, but she did not think she had done anything of note.

When she reached the main hall, the old madam, Shen Zhifeng, and Shen Sisi were already waiting there. Shen Sisi wore a worried expression and covered her mouth as she whispered, “Sister, you are always going out in public to distribute porridge. You couldn’t have caused some trouble outside and brought disaster upon the duke’s residence, could you?”

Shen Zhifeng’s eyes were filled with icy anger. “Ungrateful daughter. Just like that mother of yours, you are never anything but trouble.”

The old madam was displeased as well, but when she saw that the chief eunuch from the palace had already approached, she had no choice but to kneel and receive the edict.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Shen Qingyun, daughter of the Duke of State, is gentle and prudent by nature, harmonious and pure in character, well-versed in the principles of the inner chambers, and possessed of refined virtue. During this bitter winter, she donated forty-nine carts of cotton-padded clothing and medicine, sharing the nation’s burdens and performing a truly loyal and benevolent deed. She is hereby granted the title of Lady Changning, and is additionally awarded five gold hairpins, ten bolts of tribute silk, and one hundred taels of gold. Thus is it decreed!”

When the edict had been read, a chorus of shocked gasps filled the hall.

The chief eunuch smiled benevolently. “Duke Shen, you truly have raised an excellent daughter!”