Pingjun replied, "Yes, it was quite good." Madam Ye smiled and said, "Come, tell me about it." Pingjun acknowledged but couldn't resist turning her head to glance back, only to see a tall wall and the jujube tree towering above it. She wondered if he had left yet, and a playful smile curled at the corners of her lips as she walked to the stone table and sat down. Noticing tea on the table, she realized she was thirsty and poured herself a cup. Just then, Madam Ye urged, "I'm still waiting for you to tell me about the play. Go on, speak up."
Pingjun hadn't actually watched the play and couldn't answer immediately, so she brushed it off, saying, "It's all the same old story—about a husband who doesn't trust his wife, but after some events, they reconcile."
Madam Ye didn't quite understand and, fanning herself slowly with a palm-leaf fan, asked, "Was the man unfaithful and fell for another woman?" Pingjun replied, "Not in the play, but there are too many fickle men in this world who abandon the old for the new. Why bother watching it in a play?"
She spoke without thinking, unconsciously glancing toward the wall again, her mind preoccupied with whether Jiang Xueting had left or not. Hearing a few meows, she suspected he might be teasing her out there. Unaware that her girlish thoughts were written all over her face, she was caught by Madam Ye, who chuckled and said, "Is Xueting still standing outside?"
Pingjun froze in embarrassment and quickly changed the subject. "He left long ago, Mom. My wrist is so itchy—can you scratch it for me?" She placed her fair wrist on Madam Ye's knee, grinning playfully. Madam Ye laughed and tapped Pingjun's head affectionately with the fan, saying softly, "You silly child, still acting coy at your age. Go check if Xueting is still outside, and if he is, invite him in. He usually comes and goes freely—what's gotten into you two today? Are you fooling around again?"
Feeling even more flustered, Pingjun stood up, her face flushed. "I'm not fooling around with him. Since you want me to check, I'll go take a look." She walked to the door, opened the double-leaved gate, and peered out. The area under the jujube tree was empty, with only moonlight casting shadows of the tree on the ground. A flicker of disappointment crossed her mind as she stepped down the stone stairs and stood in the middle of the path. Looking up, she saw a kitten leap from a branch of the jujube tree onto the nearby wall, then tread along the tiles with soft meows before disappearing.
As Pingjun turned to go back into the courtyard, her eyes caught a car parked in the shadows of the alley ahead. She froze, staring intently, until the sound of a car door opening broke the silence of the night, startlingly loud. Yu Changxuan had stepped out of the car and stood in the open, watching her.
Ye Pingjun lifted her head and met his gaze directly. Her heart skipped a beat, and even from that distance, she could feel the intensity of his deep stare piercing through her. Suddenly terrified, she turned her back to him, stiffening in place. He moved to approach her, but she spun around and stumbled back into the courtyard as if fleeing from some ferocious beast. In her panic, she slammed the double-leaved gate shut with a loud clang.The moonlight was like water, casting shadows of trees across the ground. The night alley was so quiet that only the sound of wind rustling through leaves could be heard.
Yu Changxuan stood motionless in place.
His adjutant, Wu Zuoxiao, hesitated for a long time upon seeing this situation but eventually pushed the car door open and stepped out. The cool night breeze blew over him in waves. Glancing at Yu Changxuan’s expression, he couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated and cautiously remarked, "Fifth Master, if we return too late, I’m afraid Madam will worry."
Yu Changxuan was filled with frustration. Without a word, he delivered a heavy, resounding kick to the car, so forceful that even Wu Zuoxiao trembled. Wu Zuoxiao knew this was Yu Changxuan’s old habit of venting his anger, but the kick landed so hard on the unyielding vehicle that even Wu Zuoxiao’s face showed a flicker of alarm.
After delivering the kick, the corner of Yu Changxuan’s mouth twitched slightly, but he remained silent for a long while. Wu Zuoxiao watched him, his gaze drifting from Yu Changxuan’s foot to his face. Finally, he mustered the courage to ask, "Fifth Master, does it hurt?"
Yu Changxuan could no longer hold back and bent over, leaning his head against the car beside him, muttering, "Get lost!"
Yet with that single remark, a rift began to form.
Late as it was, the Yu Family Mansion was still brightly lit. The butler, Zhou Tai, had just arranged for freshly made pear syrup to be served in the flower hall, waiting for people to help themselves. Jun Daiti had also arrived and was playing noisily with Qixuan, dismantling a nine-linked ring puzzle. Minru and Jin Xuan were nearby, arranging newly cut floral patterns. Suddenly, Qixuan exclaimed, "Sister Daiti, you’ve messed it up! I was just about to get one piece off, and now all my effort is wasted."
Daiti, who had seemed somewhat distracted, put down the nine-linked ring and said, "I’m done playing. All that clattering is giving me a headache." Qixuan suggested, "Then why don’t we go upstairs to Second Sister’s room and play a few rounds of cards? How does that sound?" Hearing they would go upstairs, Daiti picked up the nine-linked ring again, lowered her head, and said softly, "Let’s sit here a little longer. I’ll head home soon."
Minru smiled faintly and glanced outside the hall. "How strange it is today. Why hasn’t Fifth Brother returned so late?" Jin Xuan picked up an embroidery hoop, inserted a few stitches, and casually remarked, "He’s probably gone dancing with the Tao sisters again. Fifth Brother is hardly one to stay idle. As you’ve seen, Sister-in-law, he’s been spending a lot of time with the second Tao sister lately."
Daiti remained silent, but her expression shifted, her face flushing slightly. Minru said nonchalantly to Jin Xuan, "I’ve noticed it too, but our father and Minister Tao hold very different political views. I doubt this pairing between Fifth Brother and the second Tao sister will last long."
As they spoke, footsteps echoed from outside. Jun Daiti immediately turned her head to look at the hall entrance, only to see Madam Yu walk in, followed by several people from the guards’ office. Daiti turned her head back and silently tossed the nine-linked ring aside. They heard Madam Yu say as she walked, "What’s the matter with him, going to Maple Terrace? That place is always windy and bitterly cold. What strange impulse has taken hold of him now?"The aide-de-camp reported dutifully, "Fifth Master said there's been much business at the Army Department these days. Working at the official residence would disturb you, so he moved to Maple Terrace instead. He'll return once he's finished."
Madam Yu sat on the sofa and couldn't help but smile at these words. "It's rare for him to show such filial piety. My affection for him hasn't been in vain." After a moment's thought, she added, "Take some cooks and servants over there, and bring Qiu Luo along as well. That girl has always served him diligently and conscientiously. Also, have..."
Before Madam Yu could finish, Qixuan chimed in with a laugh, "Don't forget to bring two catties of rock sugar, one catty of bird's nest, along with ginseng, deer antlers, crabs, shrimp, and rose syrup—take it all! When Father returns, he can give Fifth Brother a good whipping, and then everything will be complete."
This remark carried a deep historical reference, understood by everyone present except Jun Daiti, including even Minru, who had married into the family later. Minru couldn't hold back her laughter and said, "Our little sister is becoming more mischievous and sharp-tongued by the day. Settle down for a while!" Jin Xuan also laughed, "You, little sixth, may be young, but you certainly know a lot of stories."
It turned out that the Yu family had been a lineage of generals and eminent officials since their ancestors, a prestigious and illustrious clan. Almost every Yu man was born to be a commander. Yu Changxuan was sent by his father to the Southern Bright Military Academy for training before he was even ten years old. Madam Yu had always doted on her youngest son, constantly sending precious medicinal herbs and tonics to the academy. She even brought the family cook to set up a temporary kitchen outside the school dormitory, dedicated to serving Yu Changxuan. For a time, the name "Fifth Master of the Yu Family" resounded throughout the Southern Bright Military Academy. When Yu's father returned from the battlefield and learned of this, he stormed straight to the academy. Upon entering the small kitchen, he found bird's nest congee with rock sugar simmering inside. Furious, his eyes bloodshot, he dragged Yu Changxuan back to the official residence and gave him a severe whipping. Madam Yu was also punished with a month of reflection at the Yu family's private residence, Fenghua Manor. Only then was the matter settled.
Now, Qixuan was referring to this long-past incident. Madam Yu, unable to suppress her amusement, poked Qixuan lightly on the forehead with her finger. Meanwhile, the steward Zhou Tai entered and led the aide-de-camp to arrange the tasks Madam Yu had just assigned. The aide-de-camp then left the Yu family official residence and headed straight to Maple Terrace to report.
Maple Terrace was another private residence of the Yu family, located at the foot of Jade Cloud Mountain in Golden Mausoleum. It was named for the abundance of maple trees on the mountain, which, in late autumn, turned the forests into a blaze of red with falling leaves. That day, Gu Ruitong was on duty. As dawn barely broke, he had just dozed off in the guard captain's room when a gunshot rang out outside. Startled, he sprang from his seat and rushed out the door. An aide-de-camp said, "It's in the backyard!" Without another word, Gu Ruitong led the guards charging toward the rear courtyard. There, they found several guards who had arrived earlier standing still, while in the center of the yard stood a figure holding a pistol with his arm extended straight forward—it was Yu Changxuan.
Gu Ruitong exclaimed in surprise, "Fifth Master!"
Yu Changxuan merely held his arm steady, aiming the pistol forward. Gu Ruitong waved his hand, signaling the guards to withdraw, then stepped forward with a smile and said, "A gunshot at this early hour—Fifth Master isn't just practicing his aim, he's testing our courage, brother."Yu Changxuan remained silent, his eyes deep and dark like a pool of still water. Gu Ruitong, seeing his expression grow increasingly grim and knowing his temper, quietly stepped aside. Suddenly, Yu Changxuan spoke coldly, "Who does she think she is? Must I repeatedly fawn over her?"
Gu Ruitong was taken aback as Yu Changxuan raised his pistol and fired another shot, hitting the bullseye. The gunshot echoed sharply in the quiet dawn, startling the birds perched in the trees into a flurry of fluttering wings. Gu Ruitong stepped forward and said, "Fifth Master, there are plenty of fish in the sea."
Yu Changxuan’s face darkened. He aimed silently at the target for a long moment before holstering his pistol and turning to leave, tossing back a cold remark: "I refuse to believe I can’t handle her!"
That morning, the sun had not yet fully risen, casting pale golden light slanting into the courtyard. The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of pagoda trees. Pingjun had just washed her face, styled her hair into two round buns, and was pouring the washbasin water at the base of a pagoda tree when Mama Zhao from across the way came out to pick vegetables. Remembering the events of the previous night, Pingjun blushed and hurried back inside, nearly colliding with her mother, who was coming out. Madam Ye said, "What’s the matter? So careless."
Pingjun smiled faintly, went to her room to fetch her blue cloth schoolbag, straightened her skirt, and stepped outside. Just then, she heard Mama Zhao call out cheerfully, "Off to school, miss?"
Pingjun quickly acknowledged but avoided looking at Mama Zhao’s grinning face. Her mother reminded her, "Be careful on the way, and don’t dawdle or neglect your studies." She replied, "I understand," and went to open the main gate. As she pushed one door open, she froze. A car stood parked in front of her house, flanked by several Guards, while Gu Ruitong stood nearby smoking. Hearing the door, he looked up.
The smile on Pingjun’s face instantly stiffened. Gu Ruitong, upon seeing Ye Pingjun, tossed his cigarette to the ground and extinguished it with his foot. He looked up and said calmly, "Miss Ye, come with us."
Ye Pingjun glanced at Gu Ruitong, silently biting her lip before releasing it. After a long pause, she said, "Brother Gu, I know you’re a good person. Could you let me off just this once?"
Gu Ruitong’s expression remained rigid and detached. The Aide-de-camp beside him had already opened the car door. Gu Ruitong stood at attention, bowed his head slightly, and gestured with his hand in a "please" motion, stating dutifully, "Miss Ye, please get in the car."
Seeing this, Ye Pingjun flared up angrily, "In broad daylight, I refuse to believe you’d dare to kidnap me if I don’t go!"
Gu Ruitong offered no reply, merely repeating calmly, "Miss Ye, please get in the car!"
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