The truth be told, the women of the Du family are remarkable—not only is the Liaodan Lady Yan a daughter of the Du family, but the future Lady Yan of the Meng slaves is also theirs. Though the Empress Dowager of Great Jin isn't surnamed Du, her connection to the Du family is like flesh bound to bone. Otherwise, for the grave crime of rebellion committed by the Du family, mere exile would never suffice. Surely, it was the Empress Dowager who intervened so they could narrowly escape death and settle down in peace among the Meng slaves!
...
Two months later, one evening, in the early spring chill of the northern lands, a red jujube horse galloped furiously along the wide official road. On its back sat an utterly fatigued young man gripping the reins, lashing the horse's body as they raced toward the city.
