Shadow Love (Yu Jin Chang An)

Li Shuang woke up to find herself lying on the bed, cradling the still-sleeping Jin An in her arms. She blinked in surprise. She had slept so soundly last night that she didn’t even remember when she had gotten into bed.

But... she had to admit, it was the most peaceful sleep she’d had in a long while—perhaps even the longest time. Her body felt warm, untouched by the biting cold of the northern frontier.

The child in her arms stirred slightly. Li Shuang looked down and saw a faint smile curling at the corners of Jin An’s lips, as if he were dreaming of the sweetest candy.

It was rare to see such an innocent, adorable expression on the boy’s face. With a faint smile of her own, Li Shuang pinched his nose playfully before checking his forehead.

His recovery was swift—the fever had already subsided. Whether it was the military physician’s medicine or Jin An’s own resilience, he seemed to be out of danger.

Li Shuang pushed aside the covers and got out of bed. Glancing back at the still-sleeping Jin An, she decided not to wake him. After washing up, she stepped out of the tent.

Today, the gates of Lucheng were wide open as the townspeople, who had fled during the war, gradually returned. Li Shuang had deployed a considerable number of soldiers to inspect those entering the city, ensuring no spies from other northern tribes or nations slipped in unnoticed.

By the time she arrived, the city gates were heavily guarded, with each person being thoroughly questioned before being allowed entry. A long line had already formed outside. Qin Lan spotted her and approached with a salute. "General, what brings you here?"

"Just checking in. Any issues?"

"We’ve caught two spies." Qin Lan gestured to the side. Following his direction, Li Shuang saw two wooden cages, each holding a prisoner. One was dressed like a local, but his features unmistakably marked him as an outsider. He sat hunched in the cage, his expression a mix of frustration and anxiety—likely a scout sent by another tribe.

The other, however...

Was peculiar.

Li Shuang studied him carefully. The man was clad in fine silk robes. Having grown up in a general’s household, she was familiar with both weapons and luxury fabrics. The material he wore must have cost at least a hundred gold pieces. A white jade hairpin adorned his head, its surface smooth and flawless—undoubtedly high-quality mutton-fat jade. Judging by his attire, the nation that had sent this spy was... rather ostentatious.

Moreover, his face was as refined as jade itself, with delicate, gentle features. He sat cross-legged in the cage, meditating like a Daoist or Buddhist monk from the Central Plains.

Li Shuang arched an eyebrow and turned back to Qin Lan. "A spy?"

"Hard to say," Qin Lan admitted. "When questioned about his origins or purpose here, he remained silent. Given the current state of Lucheng, we couldn’t take any chances, so we detained him for further interrogation."

"His delicate complexion suggests he’s from the south," Li Shuang remarked as she approached the cage.

The meditating man seemed to sense her presence. His long lashes fluttered as he lifted his gaze, his gentle, spring-like eyes settling softly on her face. His dark pupils reflected her image, and after a moment of silent observation, his lips curved into a smile. "What a striking presence you have, miss."

Huh. Was that... an attempt at casual yet dignified flirtation?Li Shuang raised an eyebrow at him. "My subordinate said you wouldn't answer any questions, but it turns out you can speak after all."

"I only speak to those with whom I share a connection."

What a mysteriously handsome man.

But at least he was willing to talk now. Li Shuang asked him, "Our Changfeng Camp never detains innocent people. Explain your origins and purpose, show your identification documents, and if everything checks out, we can release you immediately. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?"

"What do you think? Naturally, we'd send you to the county jail's dungeon for interrogation. If you still refuse to answer, you'll stay locked up indefinitely."

"The county jail's dungeon," the man mused for a moment. "Never been there. Could be an interesting experience." He looked up at Li Shuang with a gentle smile. "Go ahead and lock me up then. Don't worry about me."

Li Shuang: "..."

Every year she encountered a few odd characters, but this year... there seemed to be an unusual number of them. And they were all uniquely peculiar.

"Winter provisions are scarce this year. If you want to be jailed, you'll have to pay for your own meals."

"Fair enough," the man nodded thoughtfully. He patted himself down. "Seems I've lost my purse." After a moment's consideration, he reached up, plucked the white jade hairpin from his dark locks, letting his hair cascade down—making his already delicate features appear even more feminine than most women's. With a light chuckle, he offered the pin to Li Shuang. "Here, this should cover a few meals' worth."

That hairpin could probably cover a lifetime's worth of meals in Lucheng's dungeon.

Li Shuang silently regarded him before unceremoniously accepting the jade pin. "As you wish."

As she turned to leave, the man called out softly, "Miss." When Li Shuang glanced back, he was smiling up at her with an utterly harmless expression. "You'll encounter bloodshed soon. Do take care of yourself."

Li Shuang paused, then waved it off indifferently. "There isn't a day when I'm not surrounded by bloodshed."

She walked away. Qin Lan threw one last glance at the smiling man in the cell before following Li Shuang out. After a few steps, he said, "General, that man is truly strange..."

"Throw him in the dungeon. No matter how odd he is, he won't be able to cause trouble there." Li Shuang twirled the hairpin between her fingers. "Once he's locked up, assign extra guards to watch him."

"Yes, sir."

After standing guard at the city gates a while longer without incident, Li Shuang finally headed back. Along the way, she overheard reunited townsfolk exclaiming, "Who would've thought we'd make it back to celebrate the festival this year? How fortunate!"

It took Li Shuang a moment to realize—after all the recent chaos—that the date for Lucheng's Qingsnow Festival was fast approaching.

The Qingsnow Festival was essentially the last major celebration before the New Year in these northern borderlands. After this festival, the region would plunge into deep winter, with howling winds driving everyone indoors. No farming, no trade—just hibernation until the New Year festivities concluded and spring arrived in March.

Thus, the Qingsnow Festival held great importance in Lucheng. People honored their ancestors, lit sky lanterns, and prepared for the long winter ahead.

Li Shuang recalled how Li Ting had mentioned before his departure that she should visit home if she found the time. But winters at the northern frontier were always tense—when was there ever spare time? Even if by some miracle she did have time... Li Shuang wasn't sure she'd go back anyway.The capital was too refined and bustling, where every relationship required meticulous care, unlike the rugged freedom of the northern frontier. It was, in truth, not quite the place for her.

When Li Shuang returned to her tent, she happened to see Jin An stepping out. Without glancing elsewhere, his gaze pierced through the crowd and locked onto her, then he walked straight toward her. Li Shuang crouched down in advance, and as Jin An approached, she effortlessly scooped him up into her arms. "Didn’t go to pass messages to your Black Armor today?" she teased.

Jin An, however, pondered seriously for a moment before replying, "If I did, would you be angry?"

Li Shuang thought for a bit. "Before, I might have been a little upset. But now..." She chuckled lightly. "He’s practically a benefactor to Lucheng. Though he might have gone too far with some things before, he’s done no harm to the nation—even protected my country. I can’t stay mad at him. So if you pass messages to someone like that, I probably wouldn’t be angry either."

"Then would you marry him?"

"..."

How did this child’s train of thought jump around just like that Black Armor’s?

"That’s a different matter."

Jin An frowned. "You wouldn’t marry him? Why? Do you dislike him? His looks? His body? Or is he not strong enough?"

She...

She was actually left speechless by a child’s questions.

"I just... don’t know him well enough," she answered, then suddenly paused—how had she let a child lead her by the nose? She shot Jin An a glance and set him down. "Go on, go on. Now that you’re better, go back to training."

She turned to leave just as a deputy general approached to discuss matters with her. The two walked into the main tent while Jin An remained outside, staring intently in the direction Li Shuang had gone. "You’ll get to know him," he said firmly.

He would make sure she knew him.

His looks, his body—he’d show her everything, let her understand everything. As long as she said she wanted to know.