Gu Ruitong nodded silently, while Feng Tianjun smiled and handed him a cigarette, saying, “After all, the Commander-in-Chief’s strategy worked well. After dragging on for so long, the Chairman has finally conceded. The window paper has been pierced—it seems we can no longer refer to her as Miss Ye, but should call her the Young Madam instead.”
Gu Ruitong took the cigarette from Feng Tianjun but merely held it between his fingers. His gaze drifted to the snow-white pear blossoms in the courtyard, his expression unreadable, as though lost in thought. After a long while, he finally murmured, “Let’s hope so.”
Around eight or nine in the evening, the room was illuminated by a pink silk-shaded lamp, its crystal bead tassels glowing softly under the light, casting a warm, rosy hue that shimmered continuously. On the windowsill sat a pot of newly bloomed Penglai Purple, its fragrance rich and pervasive. Pingjun, dressed in a soft red Antique Satin Cheongsam, was folding clothes by the bed when she suddenly paused, turned her head, and chuckled, “Look at you—you didn’t even notice there’s a tear in your clothes. How did this happen?”
Yu Changxuan, who had been reviewing some documents, glanced at her hand and saw her holding a white stand-collar shirt with a fingernail-sized hole in the chest. He smiled and said, “I really can’t recall how that happened. Don’t bother with it—just throw it away.” Pingjun looked down at the shirt, thought for a moment, then smiled faintly and stood up. She walked to a small rosewood wardrobe nearby, retrieved a sewing kit, and sat by the window, head bowed as she began mending the shirt.
Yu Changxuan set aside the documents and walked over to her. Seeing her carefully stitching along the fabric’s weave, he chuckled, “You’re really making trouble for yourself. We have plenty of shirts like this—why waste your energy? We’re setting sail tomorrow, and you’re pregnant. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
Pingjun continued sewing, glanced at him, and replied softly, “Go attend to your work. Don’t worry about me.” Seeing that he couldn’t dissuade her, Yu Changxuan brought the documents over and sat beside her, saying with a smile, “Then I’ll keep you company.” Pingjun smiled gently and focused intently on mending the small tear in the shirt.
Time passed slowly. Yu Changxuan glanced at the documents a few times, then lifted his head to look at her. The light from the pink silk-shaded lamp cast their shadows onto the white wall, side by side. He couldn’t help but smile, though she remained unaware, her head slightly bowed as she diligently worked.
When the small golden clock on the table chimed eleven or twelve times, Yu Changxuan watched as Pingjun cut the thread with scissors and shook out the shirt. He breathed a sigh of relief and said cheerfully, “It’s finally done. Please rest now, Pingjun. Look at your eyes—they’re red from staying up.”
Pingjun turned to him, feigning annoyance, and chided, “Silly, how can it be considered finished? I’ve only closed the hole—it’s not delicate or pretty at all.” Seeing her pick up the embroidery thread again, Yu Changxuan asked, “What are you going to do now?” Pingjun smiled, her expression as gentle as a painting, and said, “I’ll embroider something on it for you.”He said, "Stop embroidering, it's so late at night, and you still have to board the ship tomorrow." Pingjun replied, "Then I'll just sleep on the ship." She glanced out the window and saw the vast, dark night with a bright moon hanging at the horizon. The three pear trees in the courtyard were covered in snow-white blossoms, like white brocade entwining the branches, exceptionally dazzling, while the cool fragrance seemed to overpower frost and snow.
She smiled and said to him, "Let me embroider a pear blossom for you here." Yu Changxuan said, "How long will that take? Aren't you going to sleep?" Pingjun was setting up her embroidery frame and looked up at him, whispering softly, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. If you're tired, go to bed."
He laughed, "It's so late, but I'm actually hungry."
Pingjun said, "That's perfect. I bought some water chestnuts today; they make the best snack. I'll have the aide-de-camp boil some for you now." Yu Changxuan chuckled, "No need for you to move, I'll take care of it." He stood up and walked to the outer room, where the on-duty aide-de-camp was stationed. Seeing Yu Changxuan come out personally, they all stood up and saluted, saying, "Commander-in-Chief."
Yu Changxuan didn't take long before returning, carrying washed water chestnuts and a gas stove used for hot pot. He placed them on the table, put the water chestnuts into the pot, and started cooking them himself, amusing Pingjun so much she couldn't help but laugh. "Does the Commander-in-Chief know how to do this too?"
Yu Changxuan smiled and said, "This is the only thing I can do. When I was young, I often messed around with my eldest and third brothers doing this, though back then it was all for fun and mischief, eating was secondary." Seeing Pingjun sitting at the table, he walked over, picked her up, and carried her to the bed, settling her there. He then took out a soft quilt to cover her legs before saying with a laugh, "Alright, I admit defeat. The ancients wrote of brave Qingwen mending the Sparrow Golden Coat while ill, and now we have virtuous Pingjun embroidering pear blossoms through the night. Go ahead and embroider."
Pingjun lowered her head with a gentle smile and picked up her needle and thread. She heard him whisper playfully, "Threading needles with affection, betting on books and splashing tea—these pleasures of the inner chamber surpass even the joy of painting eyebrows." Pingjun instantly blushed crimson and shot him a teasing glare. "The more you talk, the more improper you become. So unserious, and you call yourself a Commander-in-Chief? Where has all your usual authority gone?"
Ignoring him, she focused intently on her embroidery. The small golden clock on the table showed it was past one in the morning. Yu Changxuan still sat by the table, gazing at her. Under the soft glow of the pink silk lampshade, she leaned against the headboard, slightly bowing her head as she embroidered, revealing a curve of snow-white neck with delicate black strands of hair softly scattered across her skin. Her focused profile was exquisitely beautiful, as if carved from jade, glowing with a warm halo under the lamplight.
He watched her silently, feeling an involuntary warmth surge in his heart.
As the night deepened, the small golden clock on the table continued its steady ticking. Gradually, she grew weary, her eyelids heavy and her vision blurring. He said, "Stop embroidering. Leave half of it for when I return to Golden Mausoleum, and you can finish it for me then." Rubbing her eyes, she smiled softly at him and said, "It's alright, I'm almost done."Yu Changxuan took out a boiled water chestnut, peeled it, and sat down by the bed. He brought it to her lips, and Pingjun took a gentle bite, savoring the sweet fragrance that filled her mouth. She took another bite from his hand, and Yu Changxuan smiled faintly, his handsome brows carrying a dashing charm. "You greedy thing, when you return to Golden Mausoleum, my mother will surely prepare a pile of nourishing delicacies for you."
She lowered her head slightly and whispered, "I just happen to love this." Yu Changxuan leaned close to her ear and chuckled softly, "I know. Anything I prepare with my own hands must taste good." She turned her head away, a faint blush spreading across her cheek. After a moment, as if remembering something, she pursed her lips lightly. Yu Changxuan asked, "What's wrong?"
Pingjun said, "I feel a little scared thinking about returning to Golden Mausoleum alone."
Yu Changxuan laughed, "Don’t worry. My mother listens to my father the most. She already calls you her daughter-in-law, which means my father agrees too. You already know my second sister—it’ll be even better with her there to keep you company. Just rest well at the Jinling Official Residence and focus on your pregnancy. When I return, I’ll give you a proper status."
Pingjun kept her head down as she embroidered the last petal of a pear blossom, listening quietly to him. Unexpectedly, the needle pricked the tip of her finger. She let out a soft "ouch," and a drop of blood welled up on her left index finger, staining the white blouse beside the embroidered pear blossom. Yu Changxuan frowned, "How could you be so careless?" He reached for her finger, but she stared at the bloodstain on the blouse and sighed repeatedly, "It was perfectly fine, and now it’s ruined."
Yu Changxuan said, "Let me see your finger." He took her bleeding finger, held it up to his eyes, then brought it to his mouth to suck gently. Pingjun gasped again, pulling her finger back and shooting him a flustered glare, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Yu Changxuan smiled, "Your blood is sweet."
Pingjun avoided his dark, smiling eyes and kept her head down as she finished the last few stitches. Finally, she removed the embroidery hoop and took out a small brush to gently smooth the fabric. But the drop of blood beside the pear blossom remained, unable to be brushed away, leaving a permanent mark. Already weary from her pregnancy, she handed the blouse to him, sighed softly, and said with a light laugh, "I’m leaving tomorrow. If you miss me, just look at this pear blossom. It’s a token of my heart..."
As she spoke, she grew dizzy, her complexion paling, and her breathing became slightly labored. Yu Changxuan, realizing how exhausted she was, quickly helped her lie down and tucked the quilt around her. Glancing at the golden clock on the table, he saw it was already past four in the morning. "Close your eyes and rest for a while," he said.
Pingjun took a shallow breath and said, "Please bring me that short sword." Yu Changxuan knew she meant the one he had given her, which she usually hung on the nearby ebony stand. He stood up, retrieved the small sword, and handed it to her.
The short sword was exquisitely crafted, about the size of a dagger. Its hilt was engraved with delicate plum blossoms, and at the junction of the hilt and scabbard was a spring mechanism. With a press of the switch, the blade could be drawn from its sheath.She lay under the soft quilt, her face slightly pale. Taking the sword from his hands, she quietly held it with both hands against her chest before looking up to give him a faint smile and whispering, "While I'm away, you must remember me and our child firmly. Don't forget us."
He nodded gently and smiled at her, "Alright, I will definitely remember you both."
Late the next night, under the pitch-black sky, as Feng Tianjun was escorting Pingjun back to Golden Mausoleum, Gu Ruitong had arranged for He Junsen, the deputy leader of the sixth group in the second section of the attendant office, to temporarily take over Feng Tianjun's duty. While Gu Ruitong was speaking with Wang Ji and several other secretaries in the telegraph room, they suddenly heard the Guards outside shouting, "Director Gu! Director Gu!..." The calls grew increasingly urgent. Gu Ruitong knew immediately that something major had happened and hurried out. Wang Ji, puzzled, waited for a long time without seeing Gu Ruitong return. He glanced outside the telegraph room and was shocked to see Gu Ruitong standing in the courtyard, looking utterly terrified.
Wang Ji exclaimed in astonishment, "Director Gu."
Gu Ruitong turned around, his face ashen. He glanced at Wang Ji, then suddenly turned and grabbed the lead Guard, almost viciously demanding, "Can you guarantee what you said? Can you guarantee it?" His voice trembled, carrying a tone of desperation. The Guard replied fearfully, "There's absolutely no mistake, Director Gu. I have a brother on a nearby fishing boat who saw the ship explode into flames and then sink to the bottom of the river with his own eyes."
At these words, even Wang Ji's face turned pale, and he stammered nervously, "It's Miss Ye..."
The night was eerily silent. Gu Ruitong and Wang Ji stared at each other, their foreheads drenched in cold sweat. The wind rustled through the trees in the courtyard, creating a rustling sound, when suddenly they heard the sentries outside call out in unison, "Attention!" Followed by hurried footsteps approaching.
Such a commotion could only mean one thing: Yu Changxuan had returned.
In the inner courtyard, several pear trees shed their petals under the chilly night breeze, covering the ground like a thin layer of snow. Bathed in moonlight, the scene exuded a cold, penetrating fragrance. The courtyard was unusually quiet, with only his footsteps approaching... gradually... drawing nearer...
Jade Hairpin falls to the ground, pear blossoms frost over.
Yuzhou.
The courtyard was planted with various flowers and trees, surrounded by expansive rose fields and embraced by pine and cypress trees, offering exquisite scenery. On the carved balustrade of the upstairs terrace, exquisitely detailed phoenixes were depicted. A sandalwood dressing table held a cosmetic box, with several compartments left open, revealing contents such as pearls and diamonds.
Suddenly, a maid's voice came from outside the door, "Madam, Mr. Jiang has returned."
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