"The Cross-River Campaign lasted 42 days, capturing major cities like Nanjing, Shanghai, and Wuhan, as well as the entire provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, most of Zhejiang, and parts of Jiangxi, Hubei, and Fujian. This created crucial conditions for the subsequent liberation of the entire East China region and the advance into South and Southwest China."
The evening sun cast its glow over the courtyard, with fiery red clouds blazing across the horizon, painting the ground in a crimson hue and even dyeing the old banyan tree in a layer of red light.
It was already June, and the weather was growing increasingly hot. Even though this house stood by Jialing Lake, it still couldn't fully dispel the day's lingering heat.
"Alright, I've talked until my mouth is dry. You lot only know how to pester the young lady."
Mei Xiang emerged carrying a blue-and-white porcelain basin, dressed in a light, cool gown with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. As she walked, she called out, "Iced sour plum soup—who wants some?"
Upon hearing this, Jingjing clapped her hands joyfully and hopped up, exclaiming, "Oh! We get to drink sour plum soup!" With that, she hurried to the kitchen to help bring out bowls and spoons.
"Young lady, I chilled it with ice from the cellar. It's very refreshing—please try some."
After leaving Tang Capital, Chu Qiao had insisted that Mei Xiang stop addressing her as "my lord." She had initially wanted them to call each other sisters, but Mei Xiang absolutely refused, so they settled on the somewhat awkward address of "young lady."
The evening sun was warm, but Chu Qiao wasn't as sensitive to the heat as Mei Xiang and the others. Compared to summers in the 21st century, this felt more like spring or autumn. Still, Mei Xiang's sour plum soup was truly a delight—not to be missed.
"Sister, didn't that place have airplanes? Why didn't they just fly over instead of crossing the river in small boats?"
A butterfly fluttered over, circling the clivia flowers in the small garden. Chu Qiao sat beneath the banyan tree, wearing a light blue floral blouse and a beige skirt, looking simple and elegant. Sipping her soup, she said, "Duoji, explain it to Ping An."
Duoji frowned thoughtfully, then set down his bowl and spoke with an air of maturity, "I think airplanes must have been rare and precious back then. Marshal Jiang had support from Western powers, so he had an air force. But Marshal Mao had no foreign backing, fought prolonged battles, and lacked stable urban bases. It's only natural that his military equipment was underdeveloped, so he probably had no airplanes or air force of his own."
Chu Qiao finished her bowl of sour plum soup in one gulp, feeling a cool sensation wash through her chest. Smiling, she said, "Duoji is right. At that time, social productivity was underdeveloped, and Marshal Mao had no air force. That was a key reason for the heavy casualties and losses in the early stages of the war."
Ping An suddenly shook his head and sighed, "Sister, the China you described is truly incredible—like something out of a myth. They could fly in the sky and had cannons that could flatten a house in one blast. If they came to attack our Ximeng, just one artillery corps might be enough to defeat us all. Neither Daxia's Iron Army nor Yanbei's Black Hawks would stand a chance."
"Sister already said it's just a story," Jingjing piped up, her little mouth red from the soup. "How could anything so terrifying exist in this world?"Chu Qiao didn't speak, merely smiling quietly. Mei Xiang served her another bowl, but she couldn't drink anymore, simply holding it in her hands. The cool sensation spread through her fingertips to her entire body, feeling quite comfortable.
"Not necessarily."
However, Duoji shook his head and said somewhat doubtfully, "Three hundred years ago, we in Ximeng didn't have large ships, and there were never naval battles in the coastal areas. But now, our merchant fleets can sail to very distant foreign countries. Take ironware for example—five hundred years ago, our ancestors still fought with bronze weapons, with blades and swords being very fragile. How could people back then imagine we'd be able to forge three-foot-long iron swords today? Not to mention paper and silk—people used to create scrolls with stone carvings and bamboo slips, and wear animal hides for clothing. But what about now? So technology keeps advancing. Perhaps after several hundred or thousand years, there might really appear the flying machines you mentioned, miss, or cannons that can destroy a house in one blast—who knows?"
Hearing this, Chu Qiao was immediately delighted. She looked at Duoji with praise and said with a smile, "Duoji thinks more deeply."
Though Duoji usually acted like a little adult, he became somewhat shy when facing Chu Qiao. Scratching the back of his head, he grinned sheepishly and said, "Miss, there are a few points I'm a bit confused about."
Chu Qiao looked at him with interest. "Tell me."
"First, I think the principle of that cannon is somewhat similar to the fireball bombs you made back in Yanbei, and also resembles the firecrackers we buy in the market. I wonder if there's any connection between them?"
Chu Qiao grew even more pleasantly surprised. She nodded and smiled, "Duoji is very observant. Indeed, there are common points. Firecrackers are the most basic gunpowder devices, and the fireball bombs are essentially the same—they just utilize the power of exploding shrapnel, making them more powerful. To achieve the level of cannons, more advanced and precise technology is needed, which is difficult to reach with current iron forging techniques."
Ping An and Jingjing listened half-understandingly, nodding along even though they clearly didn't comprehend. Duoji, however, pondered silently for a while, then frowned and said, "These weapons you mentioned, miss—I don't think they're made-up stories. They should all have logical foundations, though I can't quite figure out how yet."
He frowned, looking deeply troubled like a little old man.
Suddenly he asked again, "Miss, yesterday you asked us to think about why Marshal Jiang failed and Marshal Mao succeeded. I've thought about it some, but I'm not sure if I'm right?"
Chu Qiao encouraged him, "Tell me what you think."
Duoji thought silently for a long time, seeming very hesitant. Gathering great courage, he finally said, "I think the main reason Marshal Mao succeeded was because of the people's support."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ping An immediately objected, "No, no, I think it's because that Marshal Jiang was too foolish. All his subordinates had their own agendas, and with so many troops under him, they became divided until everyone rebelled. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lost."
Chu Qiao turned to look at Ping An and asked quietly, "Then have you considered why Marshal Jiang's subordinates rebelled?""Because..." Ping An was momentarily stunned. He had been about to say that Marshal Jiang was too foolish, but upon second thought, that didn't seem quite right. After mumbling for a long while, he finally said, "Because Marshal Mao's power grew too strong, they became afraid, and that's why they rebelled."
"But why did Marshal Mao's power grow so strong? You must remember, at the beginning of the war, the disparity in their numbers and military equipment was enormous."
Ping An was immediately rendered speechless. He scratched his head for a long time but couldn't come up with any explanation.
Duoji chimed in from the side, "I think Marshal Mao did several things that were extremely wise."
He analyzed seriously, "This Marshal Mao's combat philosophy was highly sophisticated. In the early stages of the war, he abandoned the cities and moved into the countryside, implementing land reforms and distributing land to the common people. By doing this, the people naturally supported him, all hoping he would become emperor. They all came to join his army, so his forces grew larger with each battle, while Marshal Jiang's dwindled. Even though his weapons and equipment were inferior, greater numbers meant greater strength. Over time, he naturally gained the advantage. Moreover, Marshal Mao's army maintained strict discipline, never harming the common people, and was united within, working together with one heart. In contrast, Marshal Jiang's subordinates were representatives of great corruption, with lax military discipline, chaotic governance, internal power struggles, and unstable morale. An army like theirs might have held some advantage in the early stages of the war due to superior equipment and numbers, but as the war dragged on, they were bound to fail eventually."
After finishing, Duoji noticed Chu Qiao remained silent and immediately grew worried, thinking he had said something wrong. He quickly added, "I think the conflict between these two armies was a clash of two ideologies, as well as a confrontation between two forces—one representing the noble and official class, and the other the common people. It's just like... just like the war between the Great Alliance Society and His Majesty the Yan King."
As soon as he said this, he realized he had spoken out of turn. Mei Xiang, who had been peeling lotus seeds, immediately turned around and shot him a warning look.
However, Ping An, who was beside them, didn't catch the implication and asked, "Then why did Mr. Wu and the others lose?"
Chu Qiao looked at Duoji, slightly dazed. She had always known this child was clever, but she never expected him to be this astute. She had merely told him a story, yet he had seen straight through to the essence of the war. Surprised, she nodded at Duoji and said, "Although not entirely comprehensive, being able to pinpoint this level so incisively is already quite remarkable."She didn’t mind Duoji mentioning Yan Xun at all and instead earnestly explained, “Different tactics and combat ideologies must also adapt to the current circumstances and productive forces. The Great Alliance Society is not like Marshal Mao’s military regime. The Great Alliance lacks a strong leadership organization, a well-established internal system, and clear political ideology. It is also deficient in superior military skills and war strategies. Moreover, Yanbei is different from Huaxia. Not only is its productivity low, but it has also not experienced a full-scale invasion by foreign tribes. Its internal governance and social systems have not completely collapsed and remain under the original social structure. Additionally, the people’s awareness is underdeveloped—they don’t understand what revolution means, nor do they know how to stand up against the oppression above them. Naturally, they won’t offer full support to the army. Duoji made a good point: the war in the story appears to be a battle between two sides vying for leadership, but in reality, it’s a clash of two ideologies. Just ask yourself, in Yanbei, where even the idea of freedom hasn’t reached the ears of the common people, how can the Great Alliance rely on their strength to oppose the Yan King? So, the outcome of failure was predetermined from the start.”
The three of them nodded repeatedly, though Jingjing and Ping An likely had no idea what she was talking about.
Duoji thought carefully for a long time, as if trying to memorize every word Chu Qiao had said. After a while, he suddenly grew somewhat dejected, his young face crestfallen as he said, “Miss, from what you’re saying, does that mean such a system is completely unsuitable for our current society?”
“Yes.”
“Then all my thoughts are just castles in the air.”
Seeing the child’s despondent expression, Chu Qiao smiled gently and said, “Not entirely. The transmission of ideas isn’t something that happens overnight. Everything requires a guide. Today, you might not be able to mobilize everyone in the world to join you in accomplishing this task, but you can try to influence a portion of people, slowly spreading these ideas like seeds of fire. Bit by bit, they will spread, and one day, they will ignite into a prairie fire.”
Duoji was momentarily stunned, then suddenly said, “Miss, can what you’ve said be written into a book?”
Chu Qiao patted the child’s head with a smile and said, “You are teachable indeed.”
Duoji cheered happily—a rare display of childish excitement—and said eagerly, “I understand now. True warfare is mediated through ideology. Revolution requires fertile ground for theory. For society to progress, it first needs people to transmit these ideas.”
Mei Xiang stepped forward and handed him a bowl of sour plum soup, frowning as she said, “Look at you, so excited and covered in sweat. Don’t rush to spread ideas just yet. Drink my soup first. If it gets cold later, all my effort will have been wasted.”
Everyone burst into laughter at her words. Duoji’s handsome face flushed slightly red, and he sat down somewhat sheepishly.
As dusk gradually fell, Chu Qiao returned to her room. After the children had frolicked for a while, they too went back to sleep.
In the night, a light rain began to fall. Chu Qiao leaned by the window, watching the continuous drizzle outside. Noticing that the light in Duoji’s room was still on, she couldn’t help but smile faintly.
In the blink of an eye, a year and a half had already passed.
Back when they left Tang Capital, they hadn’t gotten far before these children, who also lived at Mihe Residence, caught up with them. Left with no choice, she had to bring them along.Because she had children with her, Chu Qiao abandoned her dream of wandering and instead went to the south of Biantang, settling in a small town with beautiful scenery and relative tranquility. The climate here was mild, life was peaceful, and because it was close to Biantang's imperial mausoleum at Meishan, public security had always been good, with few bandits.
Moreover, this place was the hometown of Biantang's great scholar Shen Mobai, whose ancestral home was also here, so the academic atmosphere was very strong. Students preparing for the imperial examinations often came to pay respects to Mr. Shen and took the opportunity to tour the town's landscapes and historical sites.
Over time, this town became known as Academy City.
After Chu Qiao arrived with her companions, she bought a lakeside inn to operate.
On one hand, it was to avoid drawing attention—after all, a lone woman with a maid and three children living idly would stand out. On the other hand, she genuinely wanted something to do, as staying idle all day, eating and sleeping, would be quite boring.
Although she hadn't come to make money, due to Chu Qiao's innovative management system and excellent hygiene conditions, coupled with the advantageous geographical location, this "Scholar's Inn" gradually gained a reputation locally. Visitors to the area would always choose this inn as their first choice, and during the spring and autumn examination periods, it was always fully booked, with business thriving.
Time flew by. One morning while combing her hair, Chu Qiao suddenly noticed a strand of silver at her temple. Mei Xiang grumbled that it was because she didn't eat properly or sleep regularly. Chu Qiao smiled faintly, but when she turned her head, she saw a few more silver strands on the other side.
This body was aging uncontrollably. Although she was only twenty-one years old, years of wandering and fighting, repeated drifting in icy conditions, and the hardships she endured in her youth had prematurely afflicted her young body with many ailments. Those old injuries would ache bone-deep whenever it rained, her joints like knees felt as if filled with snow, always cold, fine crow's feet began to appear at the corners of her eyes, and her energy was declining—she would feel exhausted and want to sleep after just a little exertion.
She had become a medicine pot, as if every part of her body was failing. Colds and fevers visited her almost every month. Often, lying in bed enduring the torment of illness, she would even wonder if this body still belonged to her. She felt like a puppet torn to pieces, about to fall apart.
Fortunately, life had finally settled down. There was no more bloody warfare, no more cruel deaths, no more unpredictable games of strategy. Her heart had finally calmed, like a still lake, undisturbed.
For over a year, she rarely inquired about the outside situation. But because she ran an inn with a constant flow of people, and the children were interested, she would still hear all kinds of news.
For example, the marriage between the fourth young master of the Zhuge family and the eldest princess of Huai Song, Nalan. It was said that after Zhuge Yue returned to Daxia, he readily agreed to this marriage. However, just as the ministers of Daxia were clapping in celebration, Young Master Zhuge produced a marriage certificate, declaring that he already had a principal wife in Qinghai. Upholding the ancestral teaching of not abandoning one's wife who shared hard times, even if Princess Nalan married him, she could only be a concubine, and if she bore children, she might be promoted to a secondary wife.It was truly a single stone stirring a thousand waves. The envoy from Huai Song was instantly enraged, but this incident that should have created massive ripples across Ximeng was skillfully suppressed by Zhuge Yue’s political maneuvering. Like a pebble sinking into water without even a bubble, it passed by in calm tranquility.
Then, the Seventh Prince Zhao Che, with the full support of Grand Marshal Zhuge, returned from the northern frontier, bringing back over five hundred thousand elite cavalry from the northern borders. He expanded vast territories along the frontier and quelled the border rebellions. Working in perfect coordination with Zhuge Yue, they shattered Zhao Yang’s monopoly on power, establishing a rival faction in the Daxia court.
Life in Yanbei, however, was not so easy. Biantang closed the southern waterways, cutting off economic exchanges between Yanbei and Huai Song. Yet, Yanbei lacked the capacity to wage war against Biantang again, as the simultaneous attacks from Qinghai and Daxia had already pushed them to the brink.
Fortunately, Zhao Yang was currently preoccupied with his power struggle against Zhao Che, significantly reducing military investments at Wild Goose Cry Pass. Over a year and a half, only one large-scale offensive was launched, which lasted merely two days at Dragon's Roar Pass before retreating—clearly a superficial show of force.
The situation was bizarre and fraught with twists and turns.
Zhao Yang surely understood that without the threat from Yanbei, Zhuge Yue’s Qinghai army would cross Dragon's Roar Pass and march straight into the Daxia capital. In that scenario, his Southern Army alone would be no match for the combined forces of Zhao Che and Zhuge Yue.
Thus, to some extent, he and Yan Xun had become unlikely allies.
The ways of the world were truly bewildering.
Yet, what most captivated the literati and poets was the extravagant wedding of Yan Xun, the King of Yanbei.
At the New Year a year prior, Yan Xun held a grand wedding in the Shuofang Palace, taking eighteen daughters of high-ranking officials as consorts in a single ceremony, all welcomed with the status of imperial concubines. He launched massive construction projects behind the palace to expand his harem. The wedding banquet lasted eighteen days, with the entire populace of Yanbei taking turns to pay homage at Shuofang Palace—an unprecedented spectacle that left onlookers in awe.
On the very next day after the wedding, the Nada Palace on Sunset Mountain was finally completed. Those fortunate enough to visit Yanbei and witness the palace would recount its wonders endlessly. Scholars and poets penned countless poems and verses praising the magnificent structure.
It was said that the Nada Palace on Sunset Mountain was built mid-air, embedded into the cliffs. It featured upward-flowing fountains of warm water, floating gardens of vibrant colors, rivers of wine fragrant for miles, and walls of gold and silver gleaming like the sun. It was a structure akin to a divine miracle, surpassing even the millennia-old Jinwu Palace of Biantang.
Everyone under heaven knew that this palace was originally built by the King of Yan for his beloved, General Xiuli. However, ever since their decisive split on Huolei Plain four years earlier, this legendary woman—who rose from slavery and repeatedly triggered wars among Yanbei’s King Yan, Daxia’s Army Minister, and Biantang’s Emperor—had completely vanished from the political landscape of Ximeng.Some say she married into the Biantang imperial family, changed her name, and now stays by the side of the Tang Emperor. Others claim she is the wife declared by Daxia's Sima Zhuge Yue, currently continuing to lead troops in Qinghai. Still others insist she has returned to Yanbei and now resides in the magnificent Nada Palace.
However, all these rumors remain mere speculation. No one knows that the legendary woman is currently running a small inn in a southern town of Biantang. Every morning and evening, she strolls by Jialing Lake, passing time chatting with elderly chess players.
Life has suddenly become simple. Many matters she no longer wishes to dwell upon, yet occasionally she still recalls the story she told the young man many years ago in that dilapidated courtyard.
"The king built an aerial pavilion for his beloved woman, featuring fountains with warm water flowing upward, colorful gardens floating in the air, rivers of wine fragrant for miles around, and golden carvings and silver walls brilliant as the sun. That Hanging Garden eventually became a world-renowned heritage, symbolizing the king's unchanging love for his beloved."
Half a lifetime has drifted by. Some people stay, others pass through; some forget their origins, while others lose their way forward. Even if occasional nostalgia flickers in memories, how can it restore affections that have already faded away?
Raindrops beat against the banana leaves outside the window—another sleepless night.
Chu Qiao only managed to fall asleep at daybreak and woke when the sun was already high. Mei Xiang, now the chief steward of the inn, was always busy. Old Lady Wu, who usually handled cooking and cleaning, was absent from the courtyard today as her son was getting married.
Pushing open the window, she saw a clear, bright day with a cloudless blue sky. Two orioles perched on the banyan tree in the courtyard, chirping merrily.
Chu Qiao wore a moon-white buttoned top and a light purple floral-patterned long skirt, her hair loosely tied up, giving her a fresh and elegant appearance. When she opened the door, she saw Duoji sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, bent over writing something. Jingjing sat beside him, fanning him while struggling to stay awake, her eyes barely open but persisting nonetheless. As usual, Ping An was not at home, likely off playing somewhere again.
Duoji, now eighteen, was tall and handsome, resembling a scholarly young man from the Jiangnan region more than a native of the Yanbei grasslands. At his age in this era, he was already old enough to marry and start a family.
Jingjing, fifteen years old, was a bright and spirited girl who followed others around all day like a little shadow.
"Sister!"
Hearing the sound, Jingjing immediately opened her eyes and called out happily.
"Young Miss is awake."
Duoji stood up, quickly gathering the items on the stone table and stepping back somewhat sheepishly.
Chu Qiao knew what he had been doing but did not comment. Instead, she walked over and straightened his slightly disheveled collar, frowning as she said, "Scholarly pursuits aren't accomplished in a day or two. What time did you sleep last night, and you're still up so early today?"
Duoji looked embarrassed, his head bowed like a child's. The dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep made him resemble a panda.
"Exactly!"
Jingjing chimed in, accusingly, "He sits here writing all day and never plays with me."
"Jingjing! Duoji!"
Ping An rushed into the courtyard, calling out. Seeing Chu Qiao, his face lit up with joy. "Sister, today is the Lotus Festival! It's so lively outside. The lotuses at Spring Lotus Pond bloomed overnight—aren't you going to see them?"
Jingjing was instantly delighted, her face full of excitement. But when she glanced at Duoji, he seemed indifferent, clearly not keen on going.
Chu Qiao smiled lightly and said, "Alright, let's go join the fun."
Duoji frowned and replied, "The streets will be crowded, and Young Miss isn't in the best health."
"Duoji! It's rare for Sister to want to go out and relax. Don't spoil the mood."
Jingjing pushed his arm, pouting.
Reluctantly, Duoji said, "Then, Young Miss, please wait a moment. I'll change clothes and go with you."
Jingjing and Ping An happily high-fived each other, still acting like two children who hadn't grown up.
The four of them soon set out. Duoji changed into a moon-white scholar's robe, looking handsome and ethereal, strikingly dashing.
He held a bamboo parasol over Chu Qiao to shield her from the sun, and the two of them walking together looked like figures from a painting. Jingjing carried a small basket with cool tea and pastries, resembling a little maid.
Frowning as she watched Duoji and Chu Qiao, she suddenly declared loudly, "Sister, I don't want to wear double buns anymore either."As they were walking, they were momentarily stunned when they suddenly heard her say this.
"Double buns make me look like a child. I'm already fifteen, it's time to grow up."
Chu Qiao couldn't help but smile, well aware of her thoughts, and said with a slight smile, "Yes, Jingjing has grown up and can get married now."
Ping An turned around and made a sound of disdain, using her index finger to scrape her cheek as she said, "Shameless."
The two children immediately started playing around, running wildly together along the way.
It was the perfect season now, with all the lotus flowers on Spring Lotus Pond in full bloom—a mix of pink, white, and emerald green. When the breeze passed by, a subtle fragrance wafted gently, sweet and intoxicating. For miles, the wind-swept lotuses were set against the blue sky and clear water, with misty pavilions and crimson shadows, creating a scene of splendid, shimmering beauty.
Chu Qiao was in an excellent mood today and decided to rent a boat. Jingjing and Ping An were, of course, thrilled and agreed immediately, while Duoji couldn't bear to dampen Chu Qiao's spirits. The four of them boarded the boat, and Duoji, standing at the stern, gave a strong push with the pole, slowly moving the boat away from the shore and rowing into the lotus leaves that seemed to stretch to the sky.
As the water rippled, Jingjing sat at the bow, happily parting the lotus leaves with her hands. Where the small boat passed, duckweed scattered, only to close again after it moved on. The clear water stirred with gentle ripples, and their scattered words drifted into the breeze, lightly brushing against their tingling earlobes along with their flying strands of hair.
Ping An gathered lotus seed pods in large handfuls. Though he didn't particularly like eating lotus seeds, he busied himself as if competing for treasure. In no time, the boat was filled with green lotus seed pods.
Chu Qiao's spirits lifted, and she took a deep breath, feeling as if the stagnant air in her lungs was expelled with each exhale, making her body feel lighter.
"Ah! There's a fish!"
Jingjing suddenly exclaimed happily, and Ping An quickly leaned over to look. With a splash, a red koi leaped out of the water, tracing an arc in the air and splashing large droplets onto their faces.
Duoji turned around and watched the two laughing and playing at the bow, a faint smile appearing on his face. He rowed the oars slowly, his tall figure reflected in the lake water. His robes fluttered, his wide sleeves billowing, and his leisurely posture already resembled that of an elegant young master.
Chu Qiao looked at him and smiled gently as well.
They had all grown up, yet she still often thought of them as children.
"Duoji, it's been almost two years since you left home. Don't you want to go back and visit?"
Duoji was momentarily taken aback by her words, then replied with a somewhat unnatural smile, "Maybe in a little while."
Chu Qiao nodded thoughtfully and said, "That's true. With the ongoing border conflicts, travel is indeed inconvenient these days."
"Mm," Duoji nodded. "There are no conflicts in the interior of Yanbei. My parents have lived at the foot of Huihui Mountain for decades, always safe and sound, so I'm quite at ease about them. But with you, miss, living here alone with Ping An and the others, how could I rest easy if I left too?"
Chu Qiao was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but laugh. "Why would you worry about us?"
Duoji shook his head, not giving a reason, and merely murmured, "I just don't feel at ease."
"Haha, I got it!"
Suddenly, Jingjing let out a happy laugh as she plucked a delicate pink lotus flower and stood up, turning to Chu Qiao to ask, "Sister, is it pretty?"
With that, she started to run over.
Chu Qiao was startled and quickly called out, "Jingjing, be careful!"
But as soon as she spoke, the boat tilted abruptly.
"Jingjing, sit down!"Ping An shouted as the boat rocked even more violently, and Jingjing cried out in panic. Suddenly, the boat tilted sharply to one side. Duoji immediately released the oar and lunged toward Chu Qiao, grabbing her arm. At the same time, there was a loud splash as Jingjing finally fell into the lake.
"Whoosh!"
White spray shot into the air as Ping An immediately dove in after her, pulling Jingjing up in an instant.
"Ping An, swim over here."
Duoji reached out and, together with Ping An, hauled the pale-faced Jingjing back into the boat. The young girl was so terrified that she trembled and huddled into Chu Qiao's embrace, biting her lip for a long while without recovering.
"You're so stupid!"
Ping An scolded.
Upon hearing this, Jingjing pouted and began to cry.
"Ping An, that's enough."
Duoji reprimanded him, "Jingjing is still young."
Chu Qiao patted Jingjing's back and said with a laugh, "Silly girl, don't you know how to swim? Why are you crying?"
Jingjing froze at these words, even forgetting to cry. After a moment, she suddenly smiled sheepishly and said, "I forgot."
Ping An couldn't take it anymore and yelled, "So stupid! So stupid!"
Fortunately, their summer clothes were thin, and after rowing around the lake for a while, they were almost dry. But with all the commotion, the group had lost their enthusiasm. They went ashore and decided to head home.
Just as they stepped onto the shore, five or six rough-looking men in their twenties suddenly approached. As they passed by Chu Qiao, one of them, emboldened as if he had the courage of a leopard, reached out to touch her cheek.
With Chu Qiao's skills, how could she let him succeed? She nimbly dodged, leaving the man grasping at air.
"Oh?" The man, dressed in a pink-and-white scholar's robe, spoke in a lecherous and frivolous tone, grinning at his companions. "This little lady is quite slippery!"
The others burst into laughter at his words.
Chu Qiao frowned slightly, but then Jingjing suddenly stepped forward and angrily shouted, "Shameless! Are you looking to die?"
The man hadn't noticed Jingjing before, but now that a younger girl had stepped forward, he was even more delighted. He laughed heartily and said, "This one's not bad either. A bit young, but still fresh and tender."
"Sister?"
Ping An's face flushed red with anger as he turned to look at her.
Chu Qiao sighed helplessly and said in a low voice, "Be careful. Don't let this get out of hand."
Ping An let out a cheer and, before the men across from them could react, pounced like a young tiger.
There was a sharp crack, followed by intense pain. The young man was struck hard in the chest and sent flying backward like a sandbag.
Seeing her brother take action, Jingjing threw aside the small basket she was holding and charged forward as well. Behind the men were over a dozen guards and servants who, seeing their masters being bullied, rushed forward. Jingjing spun around with a sweeping kick, knocking two of them down. She then grabbed another man's arms, locked them in place, and executed a shoulder throw. As his arm dislocated, a pig-like squeal of agony erupted.
Ping An kicked one man in the kidney, then leaped up with nimble footwork, locking his legs around another man's jaw. With a sickening crack, the man was sent flying through the air and landed on the ground like a dead dog.The crowd grew larger, and since this was Jingjing's first real fight, she gradually found herself struggling. Fortunately, Ping An was agile and unstoppable, knocking people down with collisions and kicks. In just a short while, five or six people had fallen, all incapacitated.
At that moment, someone noticed Chu Qiao and Duoji standing aside watching the fight and stealthily approached, hoping to take advantage. But before they could get close, a blur suddenly flashed before their eyes!
Strike! Grab! Lock the wrist!
Duoji, his robes fluttering, stood quietly in place without even changing his stance. The sound of cracking bones echoed as he twisted and pushed, and the burly man crumpled to the ground, his wrist bent at an unnatural angle, screaming in agony.
"Ha!"
A sharp cry rang out as Jingjing executed a perfect aerial side kick, landing squarely on a man attacking Ping An. The man staggered and fell to the ground, unable to get up.
With the last opponent down, the small street was littered with over a dozen people lying haphazardly, none able to rise unscathed.
Jingjing smugly clapped her hands and snorted, "Serves you right! Let this be a lesson—see if you dare do evil again."
The onlookers burst into cheers of praise, and Ping An was immensely proud. But when she turned and saw that Chu Qiao had already left with Duoji, she quickly grabbed Jingjing and chased after them.
The crowd watched their departing figures, all murmuring in awe.
Under the willow trees by the lake, a young man in his mid-twenties, dressed in a moon-white robe, stood silently gazing in the direction they had left, his eyes distant, lingering for a long time.
Upon returning home, they found Mei Xiang standing at the door, anxiously looking around. When she saw them, she hurried over, chattering incessantly with a long stream of complaints.
Duoji animatedly reported their achievements of the day, frightening Mei Xiang so much that her face turned pale and red alternately, exclaiming that Ping An and Jingjing were nothing but troublemakers.
Dinner consisted of four dishes and a soup, with both meat and vegetables. The group sat around the table. With Mother Wu absent, Mei Xiang had cooked for once, and Chu Qiao was forced to eat an extra bowl of rice to satisfy her.
In the evening, they sat under the trees to cool off. Chu Qiao was tired today and listened half-heartedly, not joining in the conversation.
Mei Xiang, embroidering, said, "There was a strange incident today. Granny Hua from East Street came to propose a match, saying she wanted to arrange a marriage for the only son of Mr. Song from the South City private school. I flatly refused."
Jingjing laughed upon hearing this, "Hah, a toad lusting after swan flesh! What kind of family are they to dare set their sights on Sister?"
Mei Xiang looked at her strangely and said, "When did I say they were here for the young lady?"
"Ah? Did they take a fancy to Sister Mei instead?"
Mei Xiang tapped Jingjing's head and said, "Silly girl, they were interested in you—they came to propose a match for you."
As soon as the words were spoken, Jingjing's face flushed bright red, and she spat out, "Scoundrels! Just wait until I run into Mr. Song's son—I'll break his legs!"
"You should be grateful anyone would take a liking to you, and here you are putting on airs,"
Ping An mumbled through a mouthful of apple.Mei Xiang shook her head and said, "Actually, the son of Mr. Song is quite decent too. He holds an official rank and is usually refined and courteous. I heard he will take the imperial examination this autumn. However, he cannot marry Jingjing. Duoji is already eighteen this year, and once Jingjing comes of age next year, it will be time for their wedding."
At these words, everyone was stunned. Jingjing’s face turned even redder, and she kept her head lowered without refuting as she had earlier.
Duoji, however, frowned slightly and said somewhat uncomfortably, "Sister Mei, who said Jingjing and I are getting married?"
Mei Xiang raised her eyebrows and replied, "Does it even need to be said? Everyone knows."
Duoji stood up, looking displeased, and said, "Well, I didn’t know."
With that, he turned and went back to his room.
Everyone was left speechless, even Ping An gaped foolishly.
Jingjing’s eyes reddened, and she suddenly stood up and ran into her own room.
"Did... did I say something wrong?"
Mei Xiang was dumbfounded and quickly stood up to go to Jingjing’s room.
"Sister, what’s going on?"
Chu Qiao opened her eyes and calmly gazed at the empty courtyard without saying a word.
The night breeze was warm, and the chirping of cicadas rose, grating on the nerves.
In the evening, someone gently knocked on Chu Qiao’s door. Chu Qiao, who hadn’t been asleep, draped her clothes over her shoulders and opened the door to find Jingjing standing there, her face streaked with tears.
Upon seeing Chu Qiao, the young girl burst into tears and threw herself into Chu Qiao’s arms, utterly heartbroken.
Chu Qiao led her into the room and comforted her for a long while, but Jingjing kept crying without saying a word. After about two hours, she finally calmed down, still sobbing intermittently.
"Alright, stop crying. Duoji was just joking."
Jingjing stood up, wiping her tears and shaking her head. "It wasn’t a joke."
Chu Qiao understood perfectly well but couldn’t bear to break her heart, so she continued to console her. "Don’t overthink it."
"I actually know."
Jingjing lowered her head and murmured, "Duoji doesn’t like me. The one Duoji likes is you, sister."
Chu Qiao was taken aback and frowned. "What nonsense are you talking?"
"I’m not talking nonsense." Jingjing lifted her head, her small face as delicate as a palm, looking utterly pitiful. She insisted stubbornly, "I saw Duoji secretly drawing your portrait and hiding it under his pillow."
Chu Qiao’s frown deepened, and she remained silent for a long time.
"But I also know that you don’t like Duoji, sister. The one you like is the person who gave you the jade pendant."
After saying this, the young girl wiped her tears and walked out of the room. The moon outside the window was large and round, its light shining through the window, casting a silvery glow.
A pure white jade pendant lay quietly beside the pillow, radiant and smooth as jade.
Sleepless through the night, the next day, someone knocked on the courtyard gate. A young servant in blue stood respectfully at the door and said politely, "Is anyone home? My master has come to pay a visit.
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