On this leisurely day with perfect weather, Yu Changxuan suggested going for a horseback ride at the parade ground to unwind. As head of the attendant office, Gu Ruitong naturally prioritized Yu Changxuan’s safety, having already arranged for the guard brigade to set up patrols around the riding ground, with cavalry units stationed as sentinels and the guard troops providing protection along the route.
By two or three in the afternoon, Yu Changxuan, accompanied by several attendants, had completed a large loop around the parade ground and returned. He rode a dappled grey horse over four feet tall, dressed in dashing riding attire that accentuated his heroic bearing. Spotting Pingjun seated under a temporarily erected canvas canopy, he grinned, raised his riding crop, and beckoned to her, calling out, "Dare you give it a try?"
Pingjun, who had also changed into riding clothes instead of her long skirt, stood up and laughed, "Do you really think I can’t ride? That’s underestimating me. But if we’re riding, I want my own horse."
Seeing the confidence in her expression, Yu Changxuan turned to Gu Ruitong and said, "Find her a gentle horse."
Gu Ruitong hurried off to the stables himself and soon returned leading a deep chestnut horse. Two guards assisted by holding the reins and adjusting the stirrups. Pingjun stepped forward confidently, grasped the reins, placed her left foot in the stirrup, and with a swift, effortless motion, mounted the horse, settling steadily into the saddle.
Yu Changxuan couldn’t help but laugh, "Where did you learn to ride?"
Pingjun glanced back, her delicate features brightening with a spirited glow, and replied with a soft smile, "Bai Liyuan’s father is an expert horse trainer. Both Liyuan and I learned from him, though I only picked up the basics. You’re not allowed to laugh at me."
Yu Changxuan chuckled, "Whether you’re showing off before an expert, we’ll find out by racing." Pingjun laughed lightly and said, "Oh, so the Commander-in-Chief wants a race? Then I’ll take the lead." With a flick of the reins, she urged her horse forward, galloping several miles along the parade ground before pulling up and turning back. She saw Yu Changxuan following closely behind at a leisurely pace.
Pingjun smiled, "So, I’ve won."
Yu Changxuan rode up beside her and, still concerned, reached out to take hold of her reins. He laughed, "Alright, you win. What will you reward me with?" Pingjun couldn’t suppress a radiant smile at his words, "Why should I be the one rewarding you?"
Yu Changxuan grinned, "If I weren’t worried you might fall, I could have made several rounds by now. Given my consideration, don’t you think you ought to reward me?" Pingjun pressed her lips together, smiling, "That almost sounds reasonable. So, what reward do you want?" Yu Changxuan leaned closer from his saddle, whispering something near her cheek. Pingjun immediately blushed, pushed him away, and chided, "Shameless, and you call yourself a Commander-in-Chief? Go on, get away. I’m heading back."
She turned her horse to leave, but suddenly felt an arm wrap firmly around her waist, pulling her onto his horse. Startled, she let out a cry as she landed in his embrace. He lowered his head, kissed her cheek, and murmured with a low laugh, "With me here, where do you think you’re going?"She was truly startled by him, her heart still racing wildly. Unable to resist, she looked up and chided, "You're just like Zhao Kuangyin's gamble—demanding victory even in defeat. So unreasonable!" He laughed, holding her tightly in his arms, and said, "When it comes to you, why should I be reasonable?"
Pressed against him until she was slightly breathless, warmth nonetheless surged uncontrollably in her heart. She leaned her head back gently, resting against his chest. He sat astride the horse, cradling her in his embrace, and pointed his riding crop into the distance, saying, "Pingjun, look—that's Jiangbei."
Following the direction of his crop, she saw the vast, distant landscape rising from the earth as if meeting the sky, with lush green grass stretching endlessly like an emerald expanse. Yu Changxuan said, "Right now, all of that belongs to the Xiao Family, but my father says that one day, our Yu Army will surely cross over to Jiangbei." He paused, holding her a little tighter, and smiled as he added, "When that time comes, I'll take you riding through those lands to enjoy the scenery. How does that sound?"
Pingjun smiled faintly. "You think so beautifully, planning everything so perfectly. But even the moon waxes and wanes. Aren't you afraid that fate might grant you this but deny you that? What would you do then?"
Her words were spoken lightly, almost in jest, yet for some reason, Yu Changxuan felt a twinge in his heart. With a somewhat forced smile, he replied, "Then what would you have me do?" Pingjun reached up to smooth the wind-tousled hair at her temples, then turned her head, her eyes clear as water. "I want something from you."
Yu Changxuan asked, "What do you want?" Pingjun pointed to his military belt and said with a laugh, "I want this sword." Glancing down, he realized she meant the short sword he always carried. It had been issued to him along with his diploma upon graduating from the Southern Bright Military Academy, engraved with the words "Success or Martyrdom," symbolizing the ethos of achieving victory or dying honorably—hence its nickname, "The Soldier's Soul."
Now, pointing at the short sword, she smiled softly and said, "This is what I want." Yu Changxuan unfastened the sword and handed it to her, smiling as he said, "Since you like it, let it be a token of our love." Holding the short sword, she gently traced the exquisitely carved plum blossoms on the hilt with her fingers, then nodded. The smile at the corner of her lips was both resolute and blissful. "Whatever you wish to do, I will follow you. I'll follow you for a lifetime."
A surge of emotion swept through Yu Changxuan's chest, filled with the warmth radiating from her. He lowered his head, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of her hair, which seeped slowly into his breath. Dark strands, lifted by the wind, brushed against his handsome face. His heart swelled with waves of joy and exhilaration—a rapture beyond words. He simply held her tighter and whispered, "Pingjun, I am so happy."
Gu Yigang and several senior staff officers from the Ninth Army arrived a little late. They noticed Guards stationed around the temporarily erected canvas tent but saw no sign of Yu Changxuan. Even his adjutant, Wu Zuoxiao, had remained behind. Gu Yigang led the officers into the tent to sit down, then asked the chief guard, Gu Ruitong, "Where is the Commander-in-Chief?"Although they were father and son, Gu Yigang was an extremely strict man who never showed favoritism. Gu Ruitong stood properly at attention and reported, "Sir, the Commander-in-Chief has gone horseback riding." Gu Yigang, then serving as Deputy Commander and Supervisor of the Ninth Military District, was also Yu Zhongquan's most trusted man placed beside Yu Changxuan. Upon hearing this, his face immediately darkened with anger: "The Commander-in-Chief goes riding, and you guards are all dead? Why didn’t you follow him?" Gu Ruitong looked slightly troubled and after a moment replied, "The cavalry unit has been arranged to follow at a distance."
Gu Yigang demanded, "What do you mean by 'at a distance'?"
Gu Ruitong had no choice but to answer, "The Commander-in-Chief went riding with Miss Ye." Gu Yigang was taken aback, his expression turning unpleasant. The staff officers nearby were drinking tea and eating snacks; hearing this, they exchanged meaningful smiles. Gu Yigang turned to them and said with a laugh, "Look at this, it turns out our Commander-in-Chief is quite the romantic hero."
One staff officer under the canopy laughed heartily: "The Commander-in-Chief's actions truly reflect the saying: 'A true scholar is naturally gallant, and only a great hero shows his true colors.'" Everyone joined in the laughter, except Gu Yigang, who didn't crack a smile. The military flags fluttered vigorously on the riding ground, and the soldiers stood robustly. He turned and gave Gu Ruitong an extremely stern look, causing Gu Ruitong to silently lower his head.
By July and August, although internal troubles had somewhat stabilized, external threats grew increasingly severe. The Fusang Army advanced steadily, having fought their way up from the southern Yunnan battlefield, while another force landed at port cities and gradually occupied several key railway lines from south to north. Meanwhile, internal factional struggles within the Jinling Government intensified, leaving no capacity to address the Fusang threat. This led to rising waves of public opposition, making the political situation increasingly turbulent.
After the routine meeting at the Military Headquarters concluded one day, several secretaries and advisors withdrew. Noting Yu Changxuan's deeply furrowed brows, Gu Yigang slowly asked, "Commander-in-Chief, do you still disagree with the Chairman's directives?"
Yu Changxuan frowned: "Now that the Fusang Army is advancing step by step, my father still insists on preserving strength and keeping troops stationary. I fear that if the Yu Army continues to yield and allows Fusang free rein, we'll end up inviting a wolf into our house—and then we won't be able to drive it out."
Gu Yigang let out a long sigh: "The Mou and Tao families have formed a powerful alliance, pressing relentlessly against the Yu family and suppressing us at every turn. The Chairman has no choice in the matter. Moreover, there's another issue that puts us at an even greater disadvantage."
Yu Changxuan asked, "What else?"
Gu Yigang explained: "Jiang Xueting, the adopted son of the Mou family, already had considerable influence as editor of the Name Report, winning public support with his sharp pen and eloquent critiques. The Chairman finally couldn't tolerate it and suppressed him once, but unexpectedly this only enhanced Jiang's image as a hero fighting for freedom. Now he enjoys great prestige and has been promoted to Vice President of the Executive Council. The cabinet led by Chu Wenfu is already in name only. Currently, the Mou and Tao families in Jinling are at the peak of their power—even the Chairman may have to yield to them."
Yu Changxuan remarked coolly, "Jiang Xueting has risen quickly indeed."Gu Yigang said, "The Mou family patriarch is the top figure in the Central Party. With such a powerful backer, Jiang Xueting naturally thrives in political circles, rising rapidly through the ranks." He paused briefly, his expression turning grave again, and added, "Moreover, that kid Jiang Xueting is not to be underestimated. After all his scheming, he finally got what he wanted and became the Tao family's second son-in-law."
Longing Lingers in the Corridor, the Lonely Moon Leans Alone
A light drizzle fell mistily. In the backyard of the headquarters, several pear trees planted there were at the stage where blossoms had fallen and leaves flourished, with hints of young fruit peeking through—quite charming and delightful. As the wind rustled the branches, a military vehicle parked by the courtyard gate. Gu Ruitong stepped out first, opened an umbrella, and held the car’s rear door. Ye Pingjun alighted carrying some paper bags, took the umbrella from Gu Ruitong, and walked into the inner courtyard.
Gu Ruitong watched her figure gradually recede into the distance when he suddenly heard the guard beside him snap to attention and call out, "Salute!" Turning, Gu Ruitong saw his father, Gu Yigang, standing ahead in a raincoat, his expression stern, with an aide holding an umbrella for him.
Gu Yigang called to Gu Ruitong, "Come here!"
Gu Ruitong walked over. Without even allowing his aide to follow, Gu Yigang led his son to a secluded corner, turned, and without a word, slapped Gu Ruitong hard across the face. Gu Ruitong silently took the blow, then dropped to his knees with a thud in the rain-soaked ground, murmuring, "Father."
Gu Yigang said coolly, "Do you know why I hit you?"
Kneeling there, Gu Ruitong kept his back ramrod straight. "Yes."
Gu Yigang replied coldly, "Good that you know. Just for bringing her here—stirring discord between the Chairman and the Commander-in-Chief, father and son—look how bitterly they’re arguing now! If not for my standing, the Chairman would have had you killed long ago. Remember what happened to Li Boren. Don’t end up dead without even knowing why."
Gu Ruitong bowed his head deeply, listening to his father’s retreating footsteps. The fine rain beat down from all sides, yet he remained motionless on his knees. Above him, the leaves of a parasol tree rustled noisily in the rain, the heartless drizzle chilling his face with its icy sting.
The light rain continued drizzling into the afternoon until, unexpectedly, the clouds parted and the sun emerged, quickly drying the muddy ground. Pingjun was in the inner room tidying the newly purchased items when she heard footsteps outside. Peeking through the window lattice, she indeed saw Yu Changxuan returning, surrounded by guards—likely the meetings up front had concluded. As she turned back, he entered and chuckled, "Saw you from outside. What, are you a child? Still peeking through windows."
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