Jiafu changed into men's attire, tying her hair up at the crown. Once ready, she dashed out and stopped in front of him, spinning around. "Cousin, how do I look?"
Pei You'an, leaning against the dressing table, motioned for her to come closer. He turned, took one of his own hairpins from the box, and secured it into her bun. After a brief appraisal, he smiled. Under the dim moonlight, she now resembled a young attendant by his side.
A carriage waited outside, with Yang Yun in plain attire and a small cap, holding the reins. Pei You'an brought no other attendants. He lightly lifted Jiafu into the carriage and followed her inside. They passed through the southern city gate and arrived near the Garrison by the sea, where a grove of coral trees stood. There, Li Zongbing and several of his officers waited on horseback.
Civil officials preferred traveling by carriage or sedan—both a mark of status and comfort. Though Pei You'an had led troops and recently brought to justice a notorious pirate who had plagued Guangdong and Fujian for years, in Li Zongbing’s eyes, he remained the epitome of a civil official—a young high-ranking scholar who had once been announced in the imperial court. Thus, seeing him arrive by carriage elicited no surprise. Li Zongbing hurried forward to greet him.
Pei You'an alighted from the carriage and mounted a horse instead. Surrounded by the entourage, he rode off, leaving Yang Yun leaning drowsily against the carriage, whip in hand, awaiting his master’s return.
The pale moonlight cascaded like a watery veil over the coral trees, their shadows casting dappled patterns that enveloped the carriage.
Earlier on the road, Pei You'an had told Jiafu that tonight, he would first join Li Zongbing and the others in patrolling the coastal defenses. She was to wait for him in the carriage.
So Jiafu sat in the dimly lit carriage, listening to the distant roar of the waves, quietly biding her time.
As the moon climbed higher, nearing the middle of the Hai hour (around 10 PM), Jiafu heard the sound of approaching hoofbeats—Pei You'an had returned.
Li Zongbing’s family was not in Quanzhou, so he stayed at the Garrison that night to draft urgent coastal defense reports. He insisted on escorting Pei You'an back to the city, but Pei You'an declined, urging him to remain.
Having spent half a month with him, Li Zongbing knew this young official well—despite his high rank and strategic prowess, he was diligent, frugal, and hands-on, disdaining the usual bureaucratic formalities. Not daring to press further, Li Zongbing and his men halted at a distance, watching as Pei You'an boarded the carriage. The carriage departed the coral grove, heading toward the city gate, gradually vanishing into the night. Only then did Li Zongbing dismiss his men and hurry back into the Garrison.
Jiafu’s small hand was clasped in the man’s beside her as they stood breathlessly behind towering coral trees, their figures concealed by the dense canopy’s shadows. Once the carriage had left and the soldiers dispersed, she tilted her face up to look at him.
He lowered his head slightly, the tree shadows casting an eerie darkness over his features.
“I’m going to meet an old acquaintance.”
He tightened his grip on her hand and murmured the words before turning, leading her away.
Jiafu’s heartbeat quickened. She took a deep breath, suppressing the thrill and nervousness of embarking on what felt like an adventure with him, and followed.
Guided by him, she moved silently through the coral grove, stepping onto a stretch of moonlit, rocky beach, until they reached a secluded coastal inlet.
Beside the reef rocks, a small fishing boat bobbed gently with the lapping waves.
Pei You'an lifted Jiafu, waded through the thigh-deep shallows, and placed her in the boat before climbing in himself.He pushed the dinghy out of the cove with an oar against the reef, then sat at the stern, took up the oars, and rowed away.
At this hour, the tide was slowly receding, carrying the small boat across the waves as it glided forward.
Tonight, the sea was calm and windless. The silver moon reflected on the dark waters in the distance, its light dancing in scattered points. As the boat moved, it seemed to float atop an obsidian gemstone studded with shimmering stars.
Jiafu sat at the bow, facing Pei You'an. At times, she watched him row with steady, unhurried strokes, exchanging a smile with him. Other times, she leaned over the side, dipping her hand into the cool seawater, letting it flow through her fingers. Or she faced the sea breeze, gazing into the distance, where the starry night merged with the water, filling the boat with a dreamlike serenity. A whimsical thought struck her—she didn’t care where this man under the moonlight would take her, only wishing that this moment would last forever, that they might sail together, untouched by time.
The dinghy followed the current, gradually approaching a small rocky islet that emerged at low tide and vanished at high tide. The bow gently touched the shore. Pei You'an stepped out, secured the mooring rope, and helped Jiafu onto the damp stone shore. After standing still and surveying their surroundings, he took out a whistle and blew a sound mimicking a seabird. From behind a distant reef, a man’s figure appeared.
The man hurried over. Under the moonlight, Jiafu saw that he was a tall, middle-aged man with a full beard. He called out, "Eldest Young Master," and was about to kneel before Pei You'an.
Pei You'an swiftly stepped forward and caught him by the arms, preventing him from kneeling.
The middle-aged man seemed emotional. "Eldest Young Master, it’s been so long since we last heard from you. When I received word the other day, I couldn’t wait any longer. I barely managed to hold back until tonight, just as you instructed—coming here alone and in secret. Rest assured, even the young master knows nothing of this..."
His gaze shifted to Jiafu standing behind Pei You'an, pausing in confusion before turning back. "Eldest Young Master, who is this...?"
Pei You'an looked at Jiafu, his eyes softening. "This is the girl from the Zhen family of Quanzhou. Now she is my wife. We’ve been married for over a year. Uncle Dong, you’re no outsider, and since you saved her brother this time, I brought her along so she could thank you in person."
Earlier, the middle-aged man had noticed the young attendant accompanying Pei You'an. Under the moonlight, the attendant’s jade-like features and delicate, almost feminine appearance had puzzled him. He couldn’t understand why Pei You'an would bring such a person along—never imagining their true identity.
Now, looking at Jiafu again, he realized she was indeed a woman and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Ah! So she’s the one who saved..."
He abruptly stopped himself.
Pei You'an smiled and nodded, gesturing for Jiafu to come forward. "Fu'er, this is the Golden-Masked Dragon Lord. I call him Uncle Dong. Your brother and the others were able to return safely this time entirely thanks to his intervention."
On the way here, Jiafu had wondered who Pei You'an’s "old acquaintance" might be. Never had she imagined it would be her brother’s savior—the legendary Dragon Lord of the seas.
Though Pei You'an hadn’t elaborated, Jiafu had already deduced from the middle-aged man’s words. He referred to himself as "this humble general" and addressed Pei You'an as "Eldest Young Master," treating him with such reverence. It wasn’t hard to guess that he had once served under the Duke. And more importantly, he had saved her brother.Jiafu straightened with solemn respect, curtsying deeply toward him. "Thank you, Uncle Dong! When my brother and the others returned, the villagers all praised the Dragon King's virtue. On behalf of my grandmother, mother, and the hundreds of villagers fortunate enough to return home under your protection, I thank you for saving our lives!"
Dong Chengmao hastily stepped aside, waving his hands. "Madam, you honor me too much. Eradicating the Japanese Pirates is my duty—there's no need for such courtesy."
Pei You'an removed his outer robe and spread it over a flat rock, helping Jiafu sit down before crouching in front of her, meeting her gaze. He leaned in and whispered, "I still have a few words with Uncle Dong. Wait here—I won't be far. Call if you need anything."
Jiafu nodded.
Pei You'an habitually patted her head before rising and walking with Dong Chengmao to a reef dozens of steps away, where they stopped.
Dong Chengmao still wore an expression of emotion. "Eldest Young Master, I never imagined that the Zhen family girl who once saved the Young Lord would now be your wife. Truly a match made by heaven—how wonderful!"
Pei You'an glanced back at the petite figure sitting quietly under the moonlight and smiled. "Though my wife has already thanked you, I must do so again. Uncle Dong, your loyalty and courage are unmatched. Not only have you protected Yu'er all these years without complaint, but even while living in the wilds, you never forgot to shield the people. This time, driving out the Japanese Pirates for the sake of Quanzhou and Pinghai's citizens was a heroic act that puts us officials in the imperial court to shame." With that, he bowed deeply.
Dong Chengmao quickly returned the gesture. "Eldest Young Master, you speak too highly of me! The imperial troops failed to act—how could anyone with a shred of conscience stand by while the Japanese Pirates slaughtered our coastal people? This was my duty! My only concern is that this incident was sudden and drew too much attention, contrary to your original instruction for me to lie low. If the court takes notice, my life matters little, but I fear it may expose the Young Lord."
Pei You'an pondered.
Dong Chengmao's expression shifted slightly. "Eldest Young Master, has word truly leaked?"
Pei You'an replied, "Uncle Dong, stay calm. It was indeed unfortunate—the Quanzhou garrison commander began speculating about your identity, but the matter is under control. The Young Lord's affairs should remain undisclosed."
Dong Chengmao exhaled in relief, a trace of guilt crossing his face. "My actions were reckless—I nearly caused disaster. Thank you for your guidance. I will be doubly cautious upon my return."
Pei You'an said, "Your concern for the people is no fault—why blame yourself? But I did meet you today to relay instructions. When His Majesty first ascended, he proclaimed that if the Young Lord still lived, he would welcome his return with an empty throne. Having served His Majesty for years, I dare not claim his words were insincere, but neither can I assume they were wholly truthful. To my knowledge, spies searching for the Young Lord have never ceased. As you said, this incident drew too much attention, and I remain uneasy. After returning, refrain from further action until you hear from me. Prepare an escape route in case of emergency—better to plan ahead than mend fences after the fact."
Dong Chengmao nodded. "Understood!"
...Jiafu sat on the stone surface, watching the figures of Pei You'an and the Golden-Masked Dragon Lord not far away. The wind carried fragments of their hushed conversation—indistinct murmurs blending with the sea breeze before dissolving into the night.
She had no intention of eavesdropping on their discussion.
A thought lingered in her mind: just like Pei You'an's unspoken origins—beyond being an imperial confidant and a court strategist—he harbored another hidden world unknown to others.
Tonight, he had finally brought her here, introducing her as his wife to someone from that secret realm. That alone filled her with profound contentment.
Resting her chin in her palm, she gazed intently at the man's silhouette under the moonlight. Just as she lost herself in thought, she sensed movement nearby.
Turning her head, she caught sight of a shadow flickering behind a nearby reef under the pale glow. Startled, she was about to call out for Pei You'an when the figure swiftly peeked out, flashing a grin—revealing a row of gleaming white teeth in the moonlight. Seeing her wide-eyed shock, the person pressed a finger to their lips with a soft "shh."
It was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, his skin sun-darkened and his head dripping wet as if he'd just emerged from the water. Yet his eyes shone brilliantly, sparkling with unmistakable delight as they met hers.
Jiafu froze, staring at the boy in disbelief. Her eyes widened further until she suddenly gasped, "It's you? You're still alive?"
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