Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

Xie Zheng’s hand, resting on the arm of the round-backed chair, unconsciously clenched into a fist. “Father has always been loyal to His Majesty!”

Wei Yan, however, abruptly changed the subject. “Do you know why the Crown Prince has yet to appoint a Crown Princess?”

Xie Zheng frowned slightly. “Rumors say the Crown Prince is particularly fond of a concubine, to the extent that even his eldest son was born to her.”

Wei Yan took a slow sip of tea and asked, “Do you believe that?”

Xie Zheng’s brow furrowed even tighter. “The Crown Prince is wise and virtuous—he is not the type to be blinded by lust. Could it be that the delay in appointing a Crown Princess is also related to His Majesty?”

Wei Yan’s gaze grew particularly complex. “After sitting on that high throne for so long, one likely forgets what they were like in the past.”

Xie Zheng remained silent, waiting for Wei Yan to continue.

Wei Yan rose from the Grand Tutor chair and walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he gazed at the wild chrysanthemums filling the courtyard, his eyes deep and distant. “Twenty years ago, His Majesty was much like the current Crown Prince—virtuous, sincere, and benevolent. But back then, the Late Emperor was wary of the Qi family and the Eastern Palace, favoring the Jia mother and son to suppress the Crown Prince. His Majesty tread on thin ice at every step. Later, during the Taiqian Palace coup, it was only through the combined efforts of the Qi, Xie, and Wei families that His Majesty was pushed onto the dragon throne.”

“His Majesty remembers the meritorious service of the Qi, Xie, and Wei families in supporting his ascension. But judging by his attitude toward the Eastern Palace over the years, he is also wary of history repeating itself. The Empress’s family comes from a civil official background and has repeatedly tried to secure a military-affiliated marriage for the Crown Prince, only to face repeated setbacks and even lose imperial favor. The Empress may not yet understand His Majesty’s intentions, but the Crown Prince has seen through it. That is why, all these years, he has remained with only one concubine and never mentioned appointing a Crown Princess.”

Wei Yan turned to look at Xie Zheng. “If he is so wary of his own son, how could he possibly trust and rely entirely on a non-imperial marquis commanding hundreds of thousands of troops stationed far in the northwest? The prominence of your Xie family has long surpassed that of the Qi family. If the hilt of the blade remains firmly in his grasp, he might indulge it. But if he senses that this blade is no longer obedient, have you considered the fate of the Xie family?”

Xie Zheng sat silently in the round-backed chair, his expression cold.

Wei Yan said, “Set aside the plan to counterattack the Northern Jue for now. Even if you bring it up when His Majesty summons you, he can use the recent floods in Jiangnan as an excuse to delay.”

Xie Zheng stood up and bowed solemnly to Wei Yan. “Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. I understand.”

Wei Yan watched his nephew’s retreating figure as he left the study, his eyes, etched with the passage of twenty years, momentarily tinged with melancholy.

In his previous life, by this time, that child had long since turned against him.

Lowering his gaze to the memorial on the corner of the desk about the Jiangnan floods, his eyes held a trace of deep contemplation.

The most unfathomable thing in this world is truly the human heart.

Who could have predicted that the once-renowned Chengde Crown Prince, after sitting on the dragon throne for twenty years, would also begin to fear his own sons and military generals?

Yet, having been indecisive for most of his life, soft-hearted and overly concerned with his reputation, even if he now harbors such wariness, he lacks the means to take decisive action.

As for the one in the Eastern Palace…

Wei Yan recalled the methods of the Crown Prince’s eldest son, who had allied with the Li family in his previous life, and tapped his knuckles lightly against the windowsill.

—

Xie Zheng had not expected that, upon arriving in the capital, he would meet the Crown Prince before even seeing the Emperor.

That night, Wei Yan returned home under the moonlight and stars.Watching the man disguised as Wei Yan's attendant, Xie Zheng cupped his hands in salute after Wei Yan closed the doors and windows: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Dressed in plain cloth, Qi Min still exuded an air of nobility as he gestured for Xie Zheng to rise: "Marquis, please dispense with formalities. I have long heard of your valor, and seeing you today confirms your extraordinary bearing."

Xie Zheng simply replied: "Your Highness flatters me."

Qi Min motioned for Xie Zheng to be seated. Only after Wei Yan returned did he smile modestly and say: "It was my eagerness to meet heroes that compelled Shu Bai to bring me to see you without prior notice. I hope you won't find my visit too abrupt."

Xie Zheng chuckled, his bright eyes reflecting the spirited confidence unique to youth: "Your Highness's gesture truly makes me feel undeservingly honored."

With the exchange of courtesies, both parties understood each other's stance clearly.

Qi Min stated: "I know you came to the capital regarding military supplies for the campaign against Northern Jue. His Majesty, benevolent to all under heaven, wishes to avoid further conflict and intends to accept Northern Jue's peace proposal. However, I believe negotiation would only be letting the tiger return to the mountains. Great Yin has been recuperating for years, and while Marquis Guan Shan has been containing Northern Jue these five years, no major battles have been fought. Given Great Yin's current national strength, engaging Northern Jue in a decisive battle is entirely feasible."

Xie Zheng straightened his expression and asked: "What is Your Highness's esteemed opinion?"

Qi Min responded: "Esteemed opinion is hardly the term. Marquis Guan Shan is renowned throughout the land, and you, young Marquis, achieved fame in your youth—known throughout court and country. I thought: while Marquis Guan Shan guards Great Yin's territory in the northwest, if you were to hold a nominal post in the capital to instruct those arrogant young nobles here, with both father and son serving Great Yin, His Majesty would surely be pleased."

Understanding Qi Min's implication, Xie Zheng's smile faded slightly: "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will carefully consider your proposal."

With this, Qi Min rose to take his leave. As he fastened his cloak and reached the door, he glanced back at Xie Zheng: "My risky visit today was indeed motivated by a desire to connect with heroes. My own circumstances aren't much better than yours."

Only after Wei Yan saw Qi Min out did Xie Zheng allow himself to lean back in the chair, one arm draped over his eyes, his lips pressed tightly together.

The Crown Prince's meaning was clear: the Xie father and son had gained excessive renown in court and military circles. If he remained in the capital holding a sinecure, his presence as a hostage might reassure the Emperor about Xie Linshan's loyalty.

When Wei Yan returned, Xie Zheng remained in the same position.

Wei Yan sat by the window, picking up a book to browse: "Resenting me?"

Xie Zheng lowered his arm from his eyes and answered listlessly: "No."

Wei Yan said: "The Crown Prince will be a wise ruler. Introducing you to him, I'm not afraid you'll hold it against me."

Recalling what Wei Yan had told him during the day, Xie Zheng looked up at his cousin: "How many other military commanders has the Crown Prince secretly contacted?"

Wei Yan's gaze lifted from the book pages, finally showing some surprise: "You're quite perceptive. Besides you, the only other family in the capital worthy of the Crown Prince's proactive outreach is the Shen family."

Xie Zheng looked at him inquiringly about the outcome.Wei Subai said helplessly, "Lord Shen Guo is a loyal minister, but after all, he is a veteran official who has served three dynasties and has far-sighted vision. Although Shen Shen was once as renowned as you in earlier years, later he only gained a reputation as a wastrel. The reason was that he was betrayed by a courtesan, and from then on, he never recovered."

Xie Zheng's expression became somewhat indescribable: "Shen Shen... it couldn't be that bad."

Wei Subai glanced at Xie Zheng: "When the Crown Prince's honored guests were discussing strategies for you and your uncle today, someone suggested that you also pretend to be heartbroken and become a wastrel and libertine to put His Majesty at ease. I said it wouldn't work—the Shen family has already used this tactic, and if you use it again, it would be redundant. Moreover, if you have a girl you fancy, she might misunderstand, and I'm afraid you'd be annoyed again..."

Xie Zheng interrupted Wei Subai: "I've been in the military camp for five years—where would I find a girl I fancy?"

Wei Subai laughed: "I often hear Auntie mention you and General Meng's daughter. I thought you were childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates."

Xie Zheng recalled the girl he met today who kept calling him "elder brother," and felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. Hearing Wei Subai's words now made it even worse. A trace of impatience flickered across his refined features: "What nonsense are you talking about? A troublemaker since she could walk—only Mother likes her and treats her kindly."

Wei Subai looked at Xie Zheng and smiled meaningfully: "I think Miss Meng is sincere and pure-hearted, which is rare and precious."

Xie Zheng remembered the little girl from his memories, and for some reason, her current appearance surfaced in his mind, adding to his irritation. He only said: "I see her as a younger sister."

Wei Subai hummed in acknowledgment, "That would suit Mother's wishes. She often tells Auntie that she wants to find a good match for Miss Meng. But Auntie says she can't bear to part with her, and hopes you might come to your senses in a few years when you return. Otherwise, she'll have to watch the daughter-in-law she raised since childhood become someone else's."

Xie Zheng frowned: "I've long told Mother that I only see her as a younger sister."

As soon as he said this, his heart grew even more unsettled. Impatiently, he raised his eyebrows: "What's with you today, cousin? Why keep talking about this?"

Wei Subai smiled: "You're almost nineteen now. In another year, you'll be of age—it's time to think about marriage."

Xie Zheng lifted his eyelids: "You're not in a hurry, cousin, so why should I be?"

Seeing him turn the topic back on himself, Wei Subai knew when to stop: "Fine, I won't discuss this with you anymore. It's late tonight—go back to your room and rest."

Wei Subai left with his wide sleeves flowing, but Xie Zheng couldn't sleep.

He left his room and sat leaning against a pillar on the wooden rail of the Wei Mansion's waterside pavilion, one leg propped up. Gazing at the full moon reflected in the water, he inexplicably recalled the scene today at the Jin Wengong Mansion's pavilion where he encountered Changyu.

The girl was tall and slender, dressed in a pomegranate-red skirt. As she lay on the leaning rail, half of her skirt trailed on the ground. Green lotus leaves covered her face, leaving only her dark hair cascading over the long bench, like a red carp stranded on shore.

The moon's reflection in the water seemed to transform into the girl's face—bright and captivating features, yet gazing at him with a slightly silly smile.

Xie Zheng frowned and tossed a stone into the water. The ripples scattered, and the bright, charming face in the water disappeared along with them.

Changyu saw Xie Zheng again during the archery class at the Imperial College.While changing into their equestrian attire, the noble ladies chattered incessantly about the new martial arts instructor.

But Changyu had never concerned herself with such matters, so she paid no attention. It wasn't until they lined up on the training field and saw him that she was taken aback.

Their previous martial arts instructor, his face stern beneath a thick beard, announced: "Instructor Xie is a general who has fought beyond the frontier, slain Northern Jue barbarians, and achieved illustrious military exploits. His archery skills are renowned for hitting the bull's-eye from a hundred paces. Henceforth, Instructor Xie will teach you archery. Do not slack off!"

The students responded in unison, though the female disciples' replies were noticeably more enthusiastic.

Xie Zheng remained expressionless throughout. Only after the martial arts instructor finished his lecture did he speak his first words, his face cold: "Run ten laps around the training field."

This left everyone dumbfounded. A chorus of "Ah?" echoed, as if they thought the new instructor had misspoken out of ignorance.

But Xie Zheng showed no intention of retracting his order. Thus, the group of young men and women had no choice but to resign themselves and start running laps around the field.

As luck would have it, Qi Zhu had taken leave that day. The princes, seeing the noble ladies all running laps, couldn't bring themselves to admit they couldn't complete the task. The noble ladies, observing that the pampered princes remained silent, dared not complain either.

By the fourth lap, one of the frailer princes turned pale and declared he couldn't go on, and was led away by a eunuch waiting outside the field.

Seeing even a prince give up, the noble ladies also began to drop out one after another, claiming they couldn't run anymore.

In the first archery class under the new instructor, less than one-tenth of the original students remained to practice archery.

When Xie Zheng explained the essentials of archery, he seemed utterly unconcerned about how many were left. After his brief instruction, he had them practice individually for a short while before examining them one by one on their target shooting.

While practicing, Changyu even overheard two princes grumbling: "Why did this living Yama come to be our martial arts instructor instead of staying on the battlefield to kill barbarians? What a waste of talent!"

Changyu also felt it was a waste for Xie Zheng to teach at the Imperial College.

A man as untamed and free-spirited as him belonged in the vast frontiers. Why had he taken up such a duty?

Distracted by these thoughts, when it was her turn to shoot, she missed the target entirely.

Xie Zheng's face darkened as if he wanted to devour someone.

He immediately ordered the other students to continue practicing while he focused solely on Changyu.

The few princes and officials' sons who hadn't yet taken their turns shooting looked at Changyu with grateful eyes.

Standing on the archery range aiming at the target, Changyu felt a chill run down her spine.

After shooting three arrows that all hit the bull's-eye, she turned to look at Xie Zheng, awaiting his verdict.

Xie Zheng's words fell like hailstones: "Your eyes aren't blind, and your hands aren't broken. How did you manage to miss like that earlier?"

Changyu replied honestly: "I was distracted."

Xie Zheng's expression turned even colder: "You can get distracted while drawing a bow and releasing an arrow? What were you thinking about?"

Nearby, the noble ladies' fantasies about Xie Zheng had completely shattered. They looked at Changyu with immense sympathy as she endured his scolding: "Instructor Xie is too harsh! Changyu is still a young lady—how can he be so severe?"

"My mother was right—you really can't judge a man by his looks. Instructor Xie may be exceptionally handsome, but with such a terrible temper and being a military man, who knows if he might hit someone when angered!"

At these words, the noble ladies who had been watching Xie Zheng and Changyu from a distance grew even paler, collectively taking several steps backward.On the archery field, Changyu was also feeling somewhat aggrieved by Xie Zheng's series of cold remarks. When he questioned her again, she answered honestly, "I was thinking about you..."

The bronze bell rang, signaling the end of the archery class.

Interrupted by the bell, Changyu was about to finish her unfinished sentence when she noticed Xie Zheng's anger falter, as if stunned by her half-spoken words. His expression turned extremely peculiar, and he only said, "Stop indulging in wild fantasies!""

Changyu realized he had misunderstood and hurriedly said, "I didn't..."

But Xie Zheng raised his hand to stop her, seemingly unwilling to hear more, and stated, "Today's lesson ends here."

Changyu watched helplessly as he walked away with an icy demeanor, nearly stumbling and falling face-first on the steps outside the training ground.

Changyu scratched her head, "Did I really make him that angry?"

What she had meant to say was, "I was thinking about why you came here."

Because of the incident during the archery class, Changyu felt gloomy all day.

She believed Xie Zheng must have misunderstood her words. Since he was so angry, she needed to clarify things with him.

Her classmates, seeing her dejected, assumed she had been severely reprimanded by Xie Zheng and expressed their indignation on her behalf: "Instructor Xie is too strict! He really doesn't consider a young lady's dignity at all!"

"Exactly! No wonder my mother says no matter how handsome someone looks, if they're from the military, they're mostly rough and uncouth!"

"Changyu, I have some Almond Crisp for you. Don't be upset."

"Here, have my plum wine candied fruits!"

"And my pine nut thin biscuits!"

...

In the end, Changyu was bewildered as she received a book bag full of snacks from the noble young ladies.

Li Huaian, a student from the neighboring Upper Jia Academy, had likely also heard about Changyu being scolded by the martial instructor. Since Qi Zhu wasn't around today, he proactively waited for Changyu outside the academy. When he saw her, he handed over his abacus homework as familiarly as ever: "I've finished the problems the instructor assigned today."

Taking the exercise book, Changyu reciprocated by pulling out a handful of candies given to her by the noble young ladies from her book bag and said sincerely, "Thank you."

Li Huaian, holding the candies, was at a loss and could only reply with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "Thank you, Miss Meng."

Changyu waved her hand, "No need, no need."

Turning around, she noticed someone standing by the moon gate whom she hadn't seen before. His face was like cold jade, his eyebrows dark as ink, and his gaze was piercingly cold, fixed squarely on the two of them.

Changyu's skin prickled with tension, feeling as if she had been caught red-handed copying homework by Xie Zheng.

Li Huaian, however, felt that the young man's gaze was so icy and gloomy it seemed as though he wanted to sever the hands holding the candies.

Just as Changyu was struggling to find words to break the awkward silence, she saw Xie Zheng cast a cold glance at her before turning and walking away.

Fearful that Xie Zheng would report this to her mother—who would surely be angry, and even more humiliated if Ning Niang found out she had copied abacus homework—she quickly retrieved Li Huaian's abacus booklet and returned it to him. "I'm sorry, my elder brother saw us. I won't take this booklet home."

After returning the booklet, she grabbed her book bag and hurriedly chased after Xie Zheng.

She ran all the way out of the academy without spotting him. As she was looking around, a cold voice came from nearby: "Over here."Changyu turned and saw the person leaning against the stone lion beside the academy with arms crossed, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over and said, "I thought you had already left."

Xie Zheng glanced at her coldly. "Wouldn't leaving be more convenient for you two?"

Changyu grew angry, frowning at him. "What nonsense are you talking about? I won't copy his arithmetic homework anymore. Is it necessary for you to mock me like this?"

Xie Zheng knew he had spoken recklessly, his rationality nearly overwhelmed by that inexplicable surge of fury.

He fell silent for a moment before asking, "How long has this been going on?"

The anger that had just flared up in Changyu immediately vanished, replaced by guilt. She hung her head and traced circles on the ground with her toe. "Since last year when we studied the 'Commercial Calculations' chapter of the Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art. I kept making mistakes and was scolded by the teacher several times, so I started copying his homework with the Eldest Princess..."

Qi Zhu felt that as a princess of the nation, being reprimanded by the teacher was embarrassing, so she brought Changyu along to copy the homework.

Changyu thought that since Qi Zhu was copying, refusing to do so would be disrespectful to her, so she joined in.

Xie Zheng stared at her. "You learn all the wrong things..."

Changyu didn't explain further, and since she had indeed copied, she drooped her head and said dejectedly, "I know I was wrong. Please don't tell my mother."

With her head bowed, looking obedient and ready to be scolded, and him maintaining a cold expression like a villain, passing students frequently glanced their way.

Xie Zheng's temple twitched twice. Keeping a stern face, he asked, "You can't solve commercial calculation problems?"

Changyu whispered, "Now there are also the equation chapter and the Pythagorean theorem chapter."

Xie Zheng: "..."

Finally, he rubbed his forehead and prepared to take her to a tavern as he used to in the northern lands, but for some reason he paused and asked, "Where do you usually copy his homework?"

Changyu confessed honestly, "We were afraid of being seen at the academy, so the Eldest Princess and I would book a private room at Ruyi Tavern on the street corner."

Xie Zheng's expression turned even colder. "Convenient for you to gnaw on a pig's trotter too, right?"

A unique anger, as if something precious had been stolen from their past, surged in his heart. Xie Zheng didn't know why he was so furious.

But the thought that someone had taken his place during the five years he was away made his chest tighten inexplicably, filling him with immense malice toward that person.

It was as if that person were a thief who had stolen his most treasured possession.

The current distance between him and Changyu was all because of that thief.

Changyu thought he was angry because she copied Li Huaian's arithmetic homework and went to the tavern for good food, so she quickly explained, "I didn't eat."

Qi Zhu was an elegant person who would at most order a pot of tea and a few snacks.

Xie Zheng snorted, finally stopping his sarcasm.

But he didn't take her to a tavern private room either. As he led Changyu back, they passed by a riverbank planted with weeping willows and featuring a pavilion with stone tables and stools.

He took Changyu inside, crossed his arms, and said, "We'll study here. Speak up if you encounter any problems."

Changyu obediently took out her writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. As she prepared to start writing, she looked up at him hesitantly.

Xie Zheng frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Changyu said cautiously, "What if I don't know how to solve any of them?"

Xie Zheng took a deep breath, restraining his temper as he asked, "What have you been learning at the Imperial College all these years?"Changyu whispered, "I missed just one lesson in arithmetic class, and then I couldn't understand anything after that..."

Xie Zheng looked up at her and said, "You don't know any of it, yet you dare to copy someone else's homework?"

Changyu, both guilty and helpless, replied, "It's because I don't know it that I copied..."

Xie Zheng glared at her fiercely, "Stay away from that Li family boy from now on. He gives you the answers when you don't know them—he's full of bad intentions. When I helped you copy those poems and essays before, it was only because you had already memorized them perfectly that I wrote them for you."

Even Li Huaian was scolded along with her, and Changyu actually felt quite guilty. But now that she was caught in a vulnerable position, she didn't dare speak loudly. She just hung her head and listened to the lecture, appearing so meek and pitiful.

Xie Zheng glanced at her and finally stopped his scolding, saying, "Take out your book. Today I'll start teaching you again from the 'Shang Gong' chapter."

Changyu took out the book. Without even looking at it, Xie Zheng directly explained: "'Shang' means estimation. 'Gong' refers to labor and time. So 'Shang Gong' is calculating the size of objects to estimate the manpower required for engineering projects. For instance, with continuous warfare in the northern regions, city walls need annual repairs. Determining how much earth and stone craftsmen should gather—all this must be calculated using Shang Gong methods."

Changyu, who had been drooping listlessly, instantly became focused upon hearing Xie Zheng's explanation.

Xie Zheng's voice continued: "'Chuan di' means excavating earth, 'jian' refers to compacted soil, 'rang' is loose soil, 'xu' is ruined earth. To calculate loose soil from excavated earth, multiply by five; for compacted soil, multiply by three—all divided by four..."

He taught from midday until sunset, and Changyu finally grasped the Shang Gong chapter, even accurately solving the problems left by their teacher.

This put Changyu in high spirits. Noticing his lips were nearly parched from speaking, she generously bought a bunch of longans from an old man poling a boat selling them along the river.

Xie Zheng turned his face away: "I don't like sweet things."

"What a pity," Changyu said regretfully. "Then I'll have to eat them for you."

She plucked one from the trimmed branch, squeezed it between both hands, and the translucent white flesh popped out. Its refreshing sweetness filled her mouth as she ate.

Xie Zheng sat on the wooden railing of the pavilion with one knee bent, leaning against a pillar as if watching the river winding into the distance under the setting sun. Yet his gaze occasionally drifted sideways, lingering on the girl squatting on a stone stool, her hands stained with longan juice.

As she bit at the fruit flesh being squeezed out, the corner of her mouth brushed against the longan skin, picking up a speck of dust from the peel like a tiny mole forming there.

The more Xie Zheng looked, the more it bothered him—or rather, that tiny stain hooked onto his heart like a barb, itching and irritating him.

When his gaze swept over again, he finally frowned and spoke: "You've got something dirty at the corner of your mouth."

"Hmm?" Hearing this, Changyu wiped with her hand and turned her head: "Gone now?"

Xie Zheng glanced and said, "Still there."

Changyu wiped more vigorously, rubbing the corner of her mouth red.

"Come here," Xie Zheng frowned.

Changyu obediently approached. When his index finger brushed her mouth corner, both froze momentarily.

The sunset dyed the entire river red, her face flushed too. Only the corner of her mouth, from eating too many longans, seemed moist when his thumb brushed over it.

Xie Zheng caught a whiff of fresh sweetness, like the fragrance of longan flesh.

"Done." As he withdrew his hand, he hid it behind his back, for the first time not daring to look directly at the girl before him.

His heart pounded like war drums, just like his first time on the battlefield.

—

That night, Xie Zheng inexplicably had a dream.

In the dream, they were still at the riverside pavilion. Changyu held a bunch of longans, eating them, her rosy lips glistening with the sweet juice of the fruit like peach petals adorned with morning dew in March.

She opened her clear, bright almond eyes and asked him: "Is there something on my lips?"He stared at her clean lips, wanting to say no, yet inexplicably began panting. Uncontrollably, he cupped the back of her neck and kissed her with some roughness...

When Xie Zheng jolted awake from the dream, his expression was extremely grim. He threw off the covers and went to the adjoining room to take a cold bath.

Changyu didn't see Xie Zheng for several consecutive days. She no longer followed him to Ruyi Tavern to copy Li Huaian's arithmetic homework. When Qi Zhu learned that her "elder brother" had discovered this, she felt quite sympathetic toward Changyu.

But soon Qi Zhu also stopped copying Li Huaian's homework.

Changyu found this somewhat strange. Qi Zhu feared nothing and no one, and only her mother could manage to control her.

However, Qi Zhu blushed and stammered, saying that their teacher had found out and was displeased.

Changyu knew that the teacher Qi Zhu cared about was none other than the young Master Gongsun, who had only placed third in the imperial examinations two years prior and was currently temporarily assigned to teach at the Imperial College.

How Teacher Gongsun discovered that Qi Zhu was copying homework, Changyu didn't know. But now Qi Zhu went to Teacher Gongsun for extra arithmetic lessons every day after school, and Changyu felt rather envious.

Wondering if Xie Zheng thought she was too foolish, Changyu noticed that he had been avoiding her afterward, as if afraid to continue teaching her.

When Li Huaian learned that Changyu needed to intensively study arithmetic, he kindly offered to teach her.

Changyu thought that once she mastered it, she could finally hold her head high in front of Xie Zheng.

Unfortunately, on the very first day Li Huaian was teaching her, Xie Zheng came again to pick her up after school.

Seeing the young man standing by the door, his gaze cold enough to freeze ice, Li Huaian swallowed hard while holding the textbook and said, "Miss... Miss Meng, your elder brother is here. Perhaps I should teach you another day?"

Seeing that Xie Zheng seemed to be in an extremely bad mood and knowing he already held prejudices against Li Huaian, Changyu feared implicating the innocent and nodded.

After Li Huaian left, she pursed her lips and said, "I wasn't copying his homework. I was learning the chapter on equitable transportation from him."

"Oh? How's the learning going?" Xie Zheng lifted his eyes to look at her. His tone sounded calm, yet somehow this calmness was intimidating.

Changyu said, "I haven't mastered it yet."

Xie Zheng said, "Let's go back. I'll teach you."

Changyu looked up at him in surprise: "I thought you found me too stupid and didn't want to teach me anymore."

Xie Zheng looked at her with a cold smile: "You are indeed stupid, so from now on, don't make assumptions."

Changyu: "..."

Unable to contain her anger, she said: "I sent you a return gift, but you refused to see me. If that's not you avoiding me because you didn't want to teach me, then what was it?"

Xie Zheng paused in his steps, and Changyu nearly bumped into his hard back.

He turned around, and Changyu looked up to meet his gaze, only seeing his bottomless dark eyes.

He said: "I've been thinking about some things. Once I figure them out, I can see you."

Changyu asked in confusion: "What things?"

Xie Zheng, however, said: "You wouldn't want to know right now."

Changyu found this baffling.

But under Xie Zheng's "earnest teaching," her arithmetic studies earned her the top grade of A1 by the end of the academic year.

Changyu only heard fragments about court affairs from her mother and classmates. She knew that a tough battle was imminent beyond the frontier, that Uncle Xie would lead her father and grandfather beyond the pass to fight the Northern Turks, and that her father wouldn't be able to return to the capital this year to celebrate the New Year with her, her mother, and sister.

Since Madam Xie would be visiting her maternal family on the first day of the new year, she asked Meng Lihua to bring Changyu and her sister to the Xie residence to celebrate New Year's Eve together.Over the years, whenever Wei Qilin did not return to the capital for the New Year festivities, they had celebrated in this manner. However, this year, with Xie Zheng joining them, the atmosphere seemed livelier than before.

Changning clamored to watch fireworks. While Madam Xie and Meng Lihua were still chatting at the dinner table, Changyu and Xie Zheng had already taken Changning to the courtyard to set off firecrackers and fireworks.

The two older ones indulged the little one in their boisterous play until Changning, tired out like a little piglet, grew drowsy.

Changyu wrapped her in a thick blanket and laid her down to sleep on the soft couch in the warm pavilion.

Having drunk too much fruit wine during the meal, and after running around in the snow and setting off firecrackers outside, Changyu’s face was flushed—whether from the wind or the lingering effects of the alcohol—and her mind grew hazy.

There were no extra blankets in the warm pavilion, but a charcoal brazier was placed under the low table. She leaned over the table to rest for a while, waiting for Meng Lihua and Madam Xie to finish their conversation so they could all return home together.

When Xie Zheng came looking for them, he found both the older and younger girls fast asleep in the warm pavilion.

Outside, the wind and snow were fierce. He unfastened his cloak and draped it over Changyu’s shoulders.

Changyu murmured something indistinctly in her sleep, but the wine had left her deeply unconscious, and she did not wake.

Xie Zheng gazed down at her flushed face in the candlelight, his eyes lingering on her full lips.

In the flickering candlelight, the young man rose with a soft sigh. After one last glance at the girl sleeping peacefully at the table, he quietly closed the door of the warm pavilion and left. Only then did the girl’s long, closed eyelashes flutter slightly.

Her already rosy lips appeared slightly swollen in the candlelight.

Shortly after the New Year, before Changyu could celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony, tragic news arrived from beyond the frontier: her grandfather had been severely wounded in battle.

Meng Lihua was frantic with worry, but the frontier was thousands of miles from the capital. As a woman of delicate health, with a young daughter not yet five years old, she could not immediately pack up and travel to her father’s side to care for him.

Changyu offered to go in her mother’s place to visit her grandfather beyond the frontier. Meng Lihua knew that her daughter had trained in martial arts with her father since childhood and had never neglected her skills with the blade even after moving to the capital, often sparring with the estate guards. After careful consideration, she finally agreed.

On the day Changyu set out northward, Xie Zheng rode out of the city to see her off, accompanying her for over ten li.

At their parting, he handed her a token. "This token can mobilize my personal guards. If you encounter any difficulties on your journey, do not hesitate to seek their help."

Changyu clutched the token and asked, "You’re giving it to me, but what about you?"

The wind and snow were too fierce. Seated on his horse, Xie Zheng glanced back toward the capital and said, "I cannot return for now."

Changyu only vaguely understood his meaning, faintly guessing that Xie Linshan’s successful campaign against the Northern Jue might be related to Xie Zheng’s role as a martial instructor at the Imperial College.

Xie Zheng said no more. Leaning over from his horse, he took advantage of his long reach to pat her head, just as he had when they were children. "When you see Old General Meng, give him my regards."

Changyu murmured an acknowledgment.

Xie Zheng then took a brocade box from his robes and handed it to her. "Your birthday is in a few days. I had intended to give this to you as a coming-of-age gift on the day, but I must present it to you now."

Changyu opened the box and found an exquisitely crafted jade hairpin. The pin was pure white, save for a splash of pigeon’s blood red at the end, like the first glow of sunrise—a touch that brought the entire piece to life.

She frowned. "This is too precious..."

The quality of the jade alone made it clear that this was no ordinary piece.Xie Zheng scoffed, "For your coming-of-age ceremony, would I give you something unworthy?"

Changyu seemed to recall something and fell silent.

Xie Zheng, however, looked at her with unusual seriousness. "When you come of age, I have something to say to you."

Changyu lowered her gaze and gave a slight nod.

Xie Zheng reined his horse back a few steps. "Go now. Be careful on the road."

The carriage had traveled far across the snow-covered ground when Changyu lifted the curtain to look back. She could still see the young man standing tall on the low slope, his posture straight as an ancient cypress.

—

Yet Xie Zheng never expected that this parting would nearly cost him the girl forever.

At the end of February, urgent battlefield reports from the northern frontier once again raced eight hundred li to the capital.

The emperor was furious after reading the reports, and the entire court was shaken.

General Sui Tuo, dissatisfied with Xie Linshan's order for him to remain garrisoned inside the pass, had led his troops deep into the desert in pursuit of the enemy, hoping to claim military merit. A cornered Northern Turk army, after days without supplies and driven by desperation, turned to attack Jinzhou—only to find the city poorly defended.

Overjoyed, the Northern Turk forces launched a ferocious assault like starving wolves closing in on prey.

The severely wounded Meng Shuyuan ordered the evacuation of the city's civilians and donned his armor, preparing to defend the city walls to the death. But his granddaughter, who had been attending to him in the army, unexpectedly produced a token, rallied a group of elite soldiers, and commanded the personal guards to escort Meng Shuyuan to safety. She then put on his armor and took charge of the defense on the city walls.

When they could no longer hold the line, she led the remaining troops in a feint retreat to lure the enemy away, buying more time for the civilians to escape. In the end, the Northern Turks forced her over a cliff, and her fate remained unknown.

Xie Linshan returned with the main army in time to reinforce Jinzhou. The city was saved, and the civilians had sufficient time to evacuate with few casualties. But despite sending numerous search parties for Meng Shuyuan's granddaughter, there was still no news.

When Meng Lihua first heard the tragic news, she nearly wept herself unconscious. Wei Wan stayed by her side without leaving.

Upon hearing the news, Xie Zheng immediately rode post-haste to the palace.

No one knew what he said to the emperor. After leaving the palace, he didn't even return home, only instructing his attendant to relay a message before galloping northward.

A journey that usually took three to five days even for an eight-hundred-li urgent courier, Xie Zheng covered in just two and a half days, riding day and night until he reached the cliff where Changyu had fallen.

Fortunately, a great river flowed below. He followed it downstream, asking everyone he met along the way. Half a month later, he finally found her in a small town called Lin'an.

An elderly couple named Zhao had discovered her by the frozen river. Thinking she was already frozen to death, they kindly intended to bury the unknown girl—only to find she still clung to a thread of life.

The old man, a former veterinarian, tried a desperate remedy as a last resort. Against all odds, the girl's stubborn will to live pulled her through.

After half a month of hardship and exposure, a disheveled Xie Zheng stood at the gate of the Zhao family's small courtyard. A snow-white Gyrfalcon landed on a nearby rooftop, beneath which a dilapidated wooden window stood half-open.

Inside, by the window, a girl wrapped in a patched, worn-out coat sat on the bed, holding a chipped medicine bowl. Her brows were tightly furrowed as she struggled to drink the bitter brew.

Xie Zheng's eyes suddenly reddened.

He took a step forward, but as the tension in his heart eased, the exhaustion and chill of nearly half a month without rest overwhelmed him. Darkness swept over his vision, and he lost consciousness.Changyu heard a loud "thud" and turned to see the young man collapsed at the doorway. Holding the medicine bowl, she exchanged a bewildered look with the elderly woman keeping vigil by the bed.

—

When Xie Zheng woke again, he found only the old man surnamed Zhao tending to him at the bedside. Suppressing a cough from the lingering chill, he rasped out, "Where is the young lady I was looking for?"

The old man replied, "That young lady injured her leg and still can't leave her bed. She's resting in the next room."

Xie Zheng tilted his head to glance out the window. After days of heavy snow, the sun had finally emerged. Sunlight filtered through the paper-covered wooden window, offering little warmth yet bringing a comforting glow to the heart.

When the old man left for his carpentry work, Xie Zheng struggled to drape a coat over his shoulders and stepped out of the room.

The window of the opposite room remained open. Bathed in sunlight, the young woman sat grooming the snow-white feathers of the Gyrfalcon perched on the windowsill with her still-scabbed fingers, occasionally murmuring something with a soft smile.

Xie Zheng leaned against the doorframe watching her for a long time.

Noticing him at last, Changyu turned her head: "You're awake? Your chill hasn't subsided—don't stand in the wind, or the fever might return tonight."

His gaze remained fixed on her, voice gravely serious: "I almost thought I'd lost you."

Changyu paused briefly before smiling: "What if you truly couldn't find me?"

Xie Zheng responded: "I'd have found you regardless. Alive or dead."

Still smiling, she asked: "And now that you have?"

Xie Zheng said: "I wish to ask if you'd marry me."

Tilting her head, Changyu inquired: "Is this what you meant that day when you saw me off from the capital? Something you wanted to tell me after I came of age?"

The pale, ailing youth leaning against the doorframe answered slowly: "Yes."

His expression was resolute and unyielding.

Changyu asked: "What if I refuse?"

Xie Zheng replied: "While your leg is injured and you can't run away, I'd carry you back to wed."

Changyu laughed again: "Since when are you so overbearing?"

With utter sincerity, Xie Zheng stated: "I've never been a good man."

Frowning slightly, Changyu patted her own head: "How strange. I feel like you've said this to me before."

She broke into another laugh: "Speaking of which, while I was unconscious from my injury, I had the most peculiar dream. In it, you were the one wounded and stranded here, while I became a butcher's daughter."

Listening quietly, Xie Zheng said: "If I could truly take your place in suffering, I would."

But Changyu shook her head: "The dream was too bitter. You lost your parents, I lost mine. The present is better."

Xie Zheng chided gently: "Silly girl, dreams are never real."

Nodding in agreement, Changyu said: "Right, it must have been false—in the dream, you even married into my family! How absurd..."

Xie Zheng fell silent for a breath, looking up at her with an indescribable expression: "What exactly do you usually think about?"

Changyu immediately raised three fingers: "Heaven as my witness, I never imagined you marrying into my family—"

Xie Zheng abruptly interrupted: "Was Li Huaian in your dream?"

Being an honest soul, Changyu nodded earnestly: "Yes."

Watching Xie Zheng's face darken, she added in confusion: "But in the dream, I never copied his homework. It was you who taught me to read."

Just as Xie Zheng began to feel somewhat appeased, he heard her mumble: "Though in the dream, I also had a fiancé..."Xie Zheng’s temple twitched as he barked an order to someone unseen, “Prepare the carriage at once! Tie her up and bring her back to the residence!”

Changyu watched several shadow guards drop from the roof and immediately clung to the windowsill in alarm, glaring at him. “What are you doing?”

Xie Zheng gritted his teeth fiercely. “Taking you back to get married!”

Better to act now than risk complications later!

Changyu clung to the windowsill and wailed, “No! I want to go to the battlefield, slay enemies, and become a general!”