Youthful Glory

Two days later, Yun Yi and Shu Jingran, who had voluntarily stayed in Pengcheng to wait for her, finally caught up with the group. The carriages and horses had already entered Yuzhou.

Having spent the journey reading books and playing chess in the carriage, Ming Tan was thoroughly exhausted.

Moreover, after two days of playing chess, her husband clearly had no intention of continuing their matches. The moment he saw her pick up the chess container, he would go outside to ride his horse.

Ming Tan was quite frustrated. Her chess skills were among the best of the noble ladies in the capital—how could he disdain her so?

Fortunately, they soon entered Yuzhou, and the weariness and frustration in her heart finally began to ease.

The western region of Yuzhou was a key passage for travel to and from the Western Regions, and the scenery along the way was rich with exotic charm. Moreover, her full-blooded elder brother served as the county magistrate in Pangshan, within Yuzhou. Her husband had already promised her that they would detour to Pangshan and stay for a day, allowing her to visit her brother.

Ming Tan’s brother, named Ming Heng, was eight years her senior. He had participated in the imperial examinations twice and earned the title of tong jinshi in the second year of Chengkang’s reign. In the same year he modestly achieved this honor, he became engaged to the eldest daughter of the Left Remonstrance Official. However, shortly after the engagement, the young lady succumbed to an untreatable seasonal illness and passed away.

Though Ming Heng was not exceptionally talented, he was diligent, steadfast, and deeply loyal. Having met his betrothed only once, he still vowed to observe mourning for her, refusing to marry for three years. Moreover, he stubbornly refused to rely on the influence of the Marquis’s household to secure a position in the capital, instead requesting an assignment outside the capital and willingly accepting the humble role of a county magistrate.

This was already his fourth year serving in Pangshan. Next year, his term would end, and he would return to the capital for reassignment.

Jiang Xu had taken note of Ming Heng’s evaluations in the Ministry of Personnel—they were excellent every year. Judging from the assessments, he was a commendable local official.

This detour to Pangshan was not just to satisfy Ming Tan—it was also because Jiang Xu himself wanted to meet Ming Heng.

Upon learning that his little sister, whom he hadn’t seen in years, would be passing through Pangshan with her Lord husband, Ming Heng was deeply excited.

He hadn’t been able to return to the capital to attend Ming Tan’s wedding and could only send someone to add to her dowry. After her marriage, he had exchanged a few letters with the capital. Each time he inquired about Ming Tan, the replies all said she was doing well. But letters were just letters—without seeing her in person, how could he truly know whether she was well or not?

"Sir, weren’t you supposed to visit the mortuary today?" a young constable asked, chasing after him.

"Let the coroner handle it. My sister is coming today." After concluding the day’s land dispute case, Ming Heng removed his official hat and hurried back to his residence at the county office. Midway, he suddenly stopped and turned to the young constable following him. "Qinghe, you don’t need to go either. Since you’re a girl, you can help me tidy up the house."

The constable, called Qinghe, was surprised. "Your sister? The one from the capital? How is she coming to Pangshan?"

The county office staff only knew that their magistrate was from the capital, unaware that he was the heir of a marquis’s household. But after working with him for so long, they had vaguely sensed that his status was anything but ordinary.

Several times when he had been in danger, shadow guards had appeared to rescue him. Even the prefectural governor had treated him with unusual respect during inspections.

"It’s a long story. For now, just come with me to clean up."

"Yes, sir."

Qinghe cupped her hands in acknowledgment, her curiosity about the magistrate’s long-rumored sister growing even stronger.

The magistrate rarely spoke of his family, but whenever he did, he always mentioned his beautiful, adorable little sister, who looked like a celestial maiden. Moreover, though he lived frugally—eating and drinking simply at the county office and dressing only for cleanliness—he spared no expense when it came to collecting rare and exotic items to send to the capital.She was extremely eager to meet this sister of the lord that everyone spoke of.

By noon, she finally had her chance.

As the carriage entered Pangshan County, Ming Tan lifted her veil and drew back the carriage curtain, her gaze wandering curiously.

It had been nearly four years since she last saw her elder brother. She wanted to take a good look at the place he had governed for all this time.

Yet at first glance, Ming Tan couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

Though Pangshan was a prosperous county, it could never compare to the capital. In the capital, young masters from noble families indulged in gallant pursuits, surrounded by beauties. Yet her brother, stubborn and sincere, had insisted on becoming a mere magistrate in this small place. His refusal to marry due to mourning rites had even strained his relationship with their father. Now, there wasn’t even a sister-in-law in sight.

When the carriage stopped before the county office, Ming Tan stepped lightly onto the footstool. Clad in a flowing white gauze dress with pear blossoms, she looked ethereal. Without Lǜ'e’s skilled hands to style her hair, she had kept it simple, adorned only with a jade hairpin—yet none of this could diminish her exquisite beauty.

As she alighted, Yun Yi stepped forward to shield her from the sun with a paper parasol.

Qinghe was stunned.

Ming Heng was also stunned.

When he had left the capital, Ming Tan had still been a pretty little girl with chubby cheeks, sweetly calling him "brother." He never imagined that four years later, she would blossom into such a celestial beauty—every movement as graceful as spring water and pear blossoms, utterly captivating.

"Brother!"

Ming Tan’s eyes swept over the welcoming party before settling on the tall man at the forefront, dressed in the dark blue official robes of a county magistrate.

The man was handsome, dignified, and warm—the kind of face that instantly put others at ease. Unable to hold back, she called out softly.

Ming Heng snapped out of his daze, nearly blurting out "little sister" in return. But he restrained himself—his attention was quickly drawn to the black-clad man who descended from the carriage behind her.

Tall and imposing, the man’s cold demeanor carried the natural authority of someone accustomed to command. This must be the renowned Great Xian’s God of War—his brother-in-law, Prince Dingbei.

Ming Heng froze for a moment before shifting his gaze back to Ming Tan. It took him a while to suppress the surge of emotion in his chest. "You’ve had a long journey. Please, come inside."

When he noticed Shu Jingran stepping down from the following carriage, he courteously gestured, "Second Young Master Shu, please come in as well."

Shu Jingran nodded with a smile. He had initially intended to address him as "Young Master," but after a brief hesitation, he settled on "My Lord."

He didn’t know Ming Heng personally, but he recalled that the heir of Marquis Jing'an had often been among the guests his elder brother invited for tea and poetry discussions.

The group followed Ming Heng into the Pangshan County office.

As they reached the guest hall, Ming Tan could no longer contain herself. She removed her veil and rushed forward to embrace Ming Heng. "Brother!"

"Little sister!" Ming Heng quickly hugged her back, patting her head, his voice trembling with emotion.

Jiang Xu: "..."

His little consort, who usually insisted on propriety in public, had no qualms about hugging her brother so freely.

"Brother, you’ve gotten so thin! Have you been neglecting meals because of your duties? A Tan missed you so much!" Ming Tan’s eyes brimmed with tears, her expression full of concern.

Qinghe, standing nearby, swallowed hard. While marveling at the beauty of his lord’s sister, he couldn’t help but think: My Lord has actually gained weight since coming to Pangshan. His official robes didn’t fit this year, so he had to order two new sets. Just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean you can lie through your teeth! However, she wasn't the only one telling white lies. Ming Heng also remarked, "You're one to talk—you're so thin a gust of wind could knock you over. Is it—"

Before he could finish, Jiang Xu shot him a glance that seemed to ask, "What, does the heir apparent believe Prince Dingbei's Manor has mistreated the consort?"

"I'm fine, brother. No need to worry," Ming Tan quickly interjected, cutting Ming Heng off. "By the way, brother, this is my husband." She then turned to Jiang Xu, "Husband, this is my elder brother."

The gazes of the two men finally met.

With outsiders present and their identities not explicitly stated, Ming Heng hesitated over how to address Jiang Xu, finally settling on, "Brother-in-law?"

Jiang Xu paused briefly before nodding after a long moment. "Elder brother, you may call me Qizhi."

Elder brother? Ming Heng nodded, though while it sounded appropriate, he couldn't shake the feeling he'd somehow gained quite an advantage.

This reunion between siblings was rare, and since Jiang Xu had brought Ming Tan here, he naturally wouldn't deny them a chance to speak privately. He took the initiative to leave with Shu Jingran, leaving only Yun Yi waiting outside the pavilion while the siblings talked.

Their conversation lasted the entire afternoon. That evening, Ming Heng prepared a lavish feast early, sharing drinks with his brother-in-law Jiang Xu and his old acquaintance Shu Jingran.

Ming Tan, overjoyed, joined them for a couple of small cups. But her tolerance was poor, and the liquor wasn't fruit wine—after two cups, her cheeks were already flushed.

Jiang Xu had initially allowed her only one small cup. Seeing her sneakily reaching for a third, he suddenly snatched it away and downed it himself, then expressionlessly instructed Yun Yi, "Madam is drunk. Escort her back to rest."

At his words, Ming Tan guiltily rose like a child caught misbehaving.

Watching this, Ming Heng couldn't help but worry. During their afternoon talk, Ming Tan had said the lord treated her well, but from the looks of it, his little sister seemed completely under the lord's thumb.

With no outsiders around, he poured wine and hesitantly ventured, "Lord, my sister is young and inexperienced. If she makes any mistakes, I hope you'll be lenient."

Jiang Xu drank his cup unhurriedly, his voice as cool and crisp as the liquor. "Elder brother need not worry. My consort naturally does no wrong. If there is any, it is others who err."

"..."

Well, that was domineering.

That night, Jiang Xu, Ming Heng, and Shu Jingran talked late into the night. Mostly, it was Jiang Xu and Ming Heng conversing, with Shu Jingran rarely interjecting. He knew Jiang Xu had deliberately passed through Pangshan with the intention of recruiting talent.

Once Tong Harbor opened in due time, Quanzhou and Yuzhou would need to be firmly under their control. Ming Heng had spent four years in Pangshan and knew Yuzhou intimately—if he proved capable, he couldn't be overlooked.

...

By the time Jiang Xu returned to his room, it was deep into the night.

Finding the chamber quiet, he assumed Ming Tan, drunk, was already asleep. But upon entering the inner room, she suddenly emerged from the blankets.

Somehow, she had changed into the exotic dancer's outfit they'd bought earlier—crimson, with the top baring her fair shoulders, neck, waist, and abdomen, adorned with shimmering fringe, while the bottom was sheer crimson gauze, faintly veiling her modesty and her long, straight legs.

"Husband, does A Tan look beautiful?"Her voice was sweet, heavily intoxicated as she swayed to her feet, imitating the Western Region dancers she had seen at the market earlier that day, her gaze fixed intently on Jiang Xu. Her imitation was clumsy, but the innocent charm mixed with a hint of practiced coquetry was even more devastatingly alluring.

Jiang Xu wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pinning her restless little hands behind her back, his voice slightly husky. "Behave. We're at your brother's residence."

"Brother? Mm… Gege?"

She was too drunk to properly understand what he was saying.

"Who are you calling 'Gege'?" Earlier that day, Jiang Xu had listened to her calling Ming Heng "Gege" over and over, stirring a strange impulse in him. Now, with Ming Tan barely coherent, that same urge crept back. He asked calmly, "What is my name?"

"Mm… Jiang… Qizhi."

"What is my courtesy name?" he coaxed.

"Qi… zhi…"

"Whose residence is this?"

"Gege?"

"Say it all together."

"...?"