Spring in Yunzhong Commandery also boasted splendid scenery. As several hundred cavalrymen galloped along the main road and ascended a slope, they saw apricot blossoms blooming across the land ahead.
Liang Qiang couldn't help but rein in his horse, and at his signal, the soldiers behind him also came to a halt.
"Commandant, what's the matter?" a soldier asked.
Liang Qiang smiled. "Nothing," he said, gazing at the apricot blossoms ahead. "I just felt like admiring the flowers."
The soldiers behind him fell into silence—neither echoing his sentiment nor questioning his sudden stop. They didn't care, didn't mind, and had no interest. Liang Qiang had intended to say more, but after glancing back at them, he swallowed his words.
"Let's go," he said, urging his horse forward.
The soldiers followed, surrounding him as they moved ahead.
After crossing Wild Apricot Valley, they arrived at a city. Liang Qiang ordered the soldiers to return to camp, but a dozen or so personal guards still accompanied him through the streets, sticking to him like shadows.
Although the war wasn't over yet, Western Liang hadn't managed to breach Yunzhong Commandery. The border residents had grown accustomed to the situation, and the spring market bustled with activity, with merchants bringing goods from all corners of the land.
Soon, Liang Qiang's hands were full—several packages of pastries and vividly crafted sugar figurines. As he turned from the main street into an alley, he saw a group of six- or seven-year-old children playing.
"Brother's back!" a little girl was the first to notice, shouting joyfully as she rushed toward him.
Liang Qiang scooped her up with one arm, calling her "Xiaomei."
The other children watched the young man in military attire with a mix of fear and envy, especially the dozen soldiers standing solemnly behind him.
"My brother is amazing," Liang Xiaomei boasted proudly. "My brother is a great general!"
Liang Qiang smiled as he set her down, handing her a package of pastries. "Share these with your friends."
Instantly, Liang Xiaomei was surrounded by the children, and the alley grew even livelier than before.
"I am the young mistress!" Liang Xiaomei declared among them. "I told you I'm the young mistress—I wasn't lying."
Liang Qiang paused at the doorstep. When the Liang family had been convicted, Xiaomei was only five. Born into luxury, she retained memories of being a noble young lady, but the past two years of life had left her confused—
Eager to get their share of pastries, the children encircling Liang Xiaomei happily chanted, "Young mistress, young mistress!"
To them, "young mistress" was just a pastry.
Liang Qiang pressed his lips together and stepped inside. The soldiers behind him did not follow but dispersed to stand guard around the area.
Since Liang Qiang and his father had earned merit, received rewards, and been promoted, the family had moved out of the labor camp. However, even in the Border Commandery, housing was expensive, and their salaries and rewards had only been enough to afford a small house.
"Ah Qiang is back," Mother Liang said in the courtyard, where she was washing clothes with two other women.
These women weren't servants; when Second Master Liang left the labor camp, he brought the others out with him, and they all lodged here temporarily.
Seeing Liang Qiang enter, the two women greeted him with smiles. Though they were his elders, their expressions were full of humility and ingratiation.
"Your father is already back," Mother Liang said. "Go talk with him. I'll cook for you all after I finish washing these clothes."
Liang Qiang nodded, noticing the chapped skin and chilblains on his mother's hands. Even though they had left the labor camp and the weather had warmed, her hands, constantly immersed in washing, would never again resemble those of the pampered noblewoman she once was.
The noble lady who initially didn't know how to wash clothes had learned everything within a year in the labor camp.Should I say something? Take care of yourself? Being able to live decently is enough—at least now she’s only washing the family’s clothes, not those of a labor camp. Liang Qiang withdrew his gaze and turned to go inside.
Father Liang was sitting under a tree in the backyard, enjoying a drink with a few small dishes laid out before him.
“Ah Qiang is back,” he greeted, then asked, “Is everything in the army settled?”
After all, Liang Qiang was the Left Wing Army Commander. Even at the fastest pace, a trip to the capital and back would take over a month. Naturally, arrangements had to be made for the troops.
Liang Qiang understood his father’s meaning, but in truth, there was nothing for him to arrange. Those troops had little to do with him. If anything, he was the one constantly being given orders.
“Be cautious in everything during this trip to the capital—” Second Master Liang began, wanting to say more but stopping himself.
Although he suspected that this summons to the capital was orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, his son had fought with his life on the line. Going to the capital was an honor he had earned.
If his son were to learn that this honor was part of a conspiracy—
The young man’s spirit would be crushed.
Second Master Liang swallowed his remaining words and looked at Liang Qiang. “Our Liang family are still convicted criminals. We’ve managed to secure a place in the Border Army through merit and rewards, but in the capital, we are nothing. Moreover, rising too quickly will draw attention and suppression. You must be extremely cautious. The Liang family has come a long way to reach this point. Whether we live or die hinges on this critical moment.”
Liang Qiang knew that his trip to the capital was indeed a critical moment—but not for the Liang family. It was critical for the person behind the scenes, he thought.
“Father,” he said, but upon seeing his father’s concerned, expectant, and grave expression, he held back the words on the tip of his tongue.
No matter what the person behind the scenes intended by pushing him forward, he had to go. At this point, there was no turning back—otherwise, the Liang family would truly be doomed.
Liang Qiang swallowed his words and said softly, “Since the Grand Tutor has summoned us to the capital, it means our military achievements are a credit to the court. As long as I remain cautious in my words and actions, I will surely return safely. Don’t worry too much.”
Besides, he was curious—was the Grand Tutor the one behind this?
Second Master Liang was also curious about the Grand Tutor. Unfortunately, Deng Yi came from a humble background and rose to power after the Liang family had already left the capital. They knew nothing about him.
However, Grand Tutor Deng Yi and the Xie family were certainly not on good terms. Back when the Liang family received their first reward, it was with the Grand Tutor’s assistance.
It made sense for Deng Yi to support and win over the Liang family.
“Take this opportunity,” he said. “When you go, you can also make contact with the Grand Tutor.”
Liang Qiang acknowledged the instruction and raised his wine cup. “I leave the family and the army in your hands, Father. Please be cautious and avoid seeking undue credit. What we have now is already quite good.”
His son was worried that he might strive for greatness and charge ahead recklessly. Second Master Liang smiled bitterly to himself. Whether he was cautious or ambitious, it was no longer up to him to decide.
“Alright, I understand,” he said, raising his cup.
Father and son drained their cups in one go.
“The capital—” Father Liang wanted to offer more advice but ended up smiling. “You’re familiar with it anyway. I won’t say more.”
There was no use in saying more. The Liang family was no longer in control of their own fate.
Liang Qiang acknowledged his father’s words. He had nothing more to say either. He bid farewell and returned to his room. There were no maids or servants in the household, and this small room was now the only place where he could truly be himself.There wasn't much luggage to pack. Liang Qiang lay on the bed, paying no mind to the unfolded bundle. Off to the capital.
No, it should be said—returning to the capital.
He, Liang Qiang, was going back to the capital. After his disgraceful departure from the city, he, Liang Qiang, was now entering the capital clad in armor as the Grand Tutor's appointed Military Marquis!
Whoever stood behind this arrangement didn't matter—as long as it allowed him, Liang Qiang, to return in glory and reclaim his place in the world, that entity was the deity he would worship!
Soon, he would see her in the imperial court.
She would be seated high in the court, and he would stand there as well—no longer the disgraced official's kin or the frivolous young master, but a valiant new talent of the Border Army.
Liang Qiang sprang up from the bed, hastily wrapping the bundle—
To the capital!
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