Gongsun Yin was responsible for leading the central army in this battle. Halfway through, he suddenly saw a cavalry unit charge in, scattering the Chongzhou infantry and helping him complete the encirclement of the rear.
As the two armies joined forces, Gongsun Yin noticed an elderly man in plain clothes calmly holding an umbrella in the heavy rain. Surprise and delight flashed across his face as he hurried forward, cupping his hands in greeting: “The Marquis mentioned earlier that a master was overseeing the reinforcements below the mountain. I didn’t expect it to be you, Grand Tutor!”
His guards followed closely behind, holding an umbrella for him. Rain cascaded down the umbrella ribs, and the cold wind lifted the hem of his robe, giving him a somewhat graceful and carefree air.
Grand Tutor Tao said, “I was wandering in the area and decided to stop by for a look.”
He appraised the young man before him with an approving expression: “I’ve long heard that the Gongsun clan of Hejian produced a worthy descendant. It’s quite an achievement for that lad to have persuaded you to join his ranks.”
Gongsun Yin nodded, saying, “The Marquis cares for the world and empathizes with the common people. Gongsun admires his integrity and is willing to serve under him.”
After speaking, he led Grand Tutor Tao towards the carriage: “One of Shi Yue’s formidable generals, with immense strength, tore through the vanguard and helped Shi Yue escape. The Marquis went in pursuit and should be on his way back. Grand Tutor, please come up the mountain with me first for a cup of ginger tea to ward off the cold.”
It was already evening, and after this great battle, the soldiers also needed rest. The ready-made camp and defensive walls on the mountain made it the best strategy to remain there for now.
Grand Tutor Tao said “Much obliged” and boarded the carriage with Gongsun Yin. Raindrops pattered on the carriage canopy like scattered beans. As the carriage swayed along the mountain path, Grand Tutor Tao’s voice drifted leisurely amidst the rain: “I must trouble young friend Gongsun to find someone for me.”
Gongsun Yin was pouring tea for Grand Tutor Tao when he heard this. He smiled amiably and said, “Please tell me, Grand Tutor.”
Grand Tutor Tao said, “Among the Jízhōu troops who escorted the provisions up the mountain half a month ago, there was a young woman. She’s considered half a disciple of mine. She rashly went up the mountain that day and must have endured quite a bit of hardship these past days.”
Gongsun Yin’s hand paused while pouring tea. He thought to himself that among the reinforcements who brought supplies up the mountain last time, only Fan Changyu was a woman. Could Grand Tutor Tao be referring to Fan Changyu? Or was there another woman disguised as a man on the mountain now?
He pushed a cup of tea towards Grand Tutor Tao and asked, “May I know the name of Grand Tutor’s beloved disciple?”
Grand Tutor Tao replied, “Her surname is Fan, given the name Changyu. She’s an honest child.”
Gongsun Yin felt as if the mouthful of tea he had just drunk had suddenly turned into century-old vinegar, so sour that he could barely open his mouth. After a long while, he managed to say, “I’ve heard that you have quite high requirements for disciples’ aptitude?”
Grand Tutor Tao was no ordinary person. Hearing Gongsun Yin’s words, he realized that he must have had contact with Fan Changyu. Not wanting to admit that he had offered to take her as a disciple and been refused, he coughed lightly, stroking his goatee, and said, “That girl has good physical attributes. She’s a rare talent in martial arts that comes once in a hundred years. It’s just that she’s a bit lacking in wisdom, which is why I say she’s only half a disciple.”
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yin was no longer sour. He smiled and said, “I’ve met your disciple, sir.”
As soon as Fan Changyu returned to the military camp, she went to look for Changnin. Not finding her, she inquired around and learned that Changnin had been taken away by Xie Qi.
She immediately went to search for her and entered the tent to find Changnin asleep on Xie Qi’s bed. Beside the bed was a bamboo basket of unknown purpose, filled with dry grass. The Gyrfalcon was dozing inside it, but upon hearing footsteps, it immediately opened its round, bean-like eyes.
Fan Changyu was startled to see the Gyrfalcon, unable to determine if it had been tamed by Xie Zheng or if it had been his from the beginning.
Xie Qi was also unsure if his lord’s identity had been exposed. Seeing Fan Changyu, he tentatively called out, “Miss Fan.”
Fan Changyu glanced at him, picked up Changnin without a word, and started to leave.
The presence of the large falcon here indicated that he was aware of Xie Zheng’s identity. She had been deceived by them all this time.
Seeing Fan Changyu’s expression, Xie Qi realized she must have learned everything. Feeling both guilty and ashamed, he didn’t dare stop her as she prepared to leave.
Changnin, feeling herself being moved, drowsily opened her eyes. Seeing Fan Changyu, she murmured “Sister” before falling back asleep on her shoulder.
Fan Changyu carried Changnin with one arm, still able to hold an umbrella with her free hand. Seeing this, Xie Qi hurried forward and said, “Miss Fan, let me hold the umbrella for you.”
Fan Changyu stared at the young man before her, who was smiling stiffly, trying to please her. After a while, she decided not to make things difficult for him. After all, he had Xie Zheng above him, and deceiving her wasn’t his intention.
Raindrops made soft “puff puff” sounds as they hit the umbrella. Despite the unfavorable weather, every tent in the victorious military camp was lit up. Unable to celebrate openly, the soldiers were enjoying good wine and meat inside their tents.
Through the veil of rain, those sounds seemed both distant and clear.
Xie Qi, always quick-witted, carefully said, “Miss Fan, I know you’re probably upset that the Marquis has been concealing his identity from you. But this was a necessary measure. The Marquis has always been surrounded by threats. Miss Changnin was previously kidnapped by rebels, and the Marquis feared you might also be in danger. He had no choice but to resort to this strategy.”
Fan Changyu’s steps faltered slightly. She asked, “Changnin’s previous kidnapping was also related to him?”
Xie Qi hesitated, unsure how to respond. But Fan Changyu had already gleaned the answer she sought from his momentary silence, causing her heart to grow even more chaotic.
They had reached the tent where she and Changnin were staying. Fan Changyu turned at the entrance and said, “Thank you for escorting me, Brother Xie Qi. The inside hasn’t been tidied up, so I won’t invite you in to sit.”
Xie Qi hurriedly replied, “Miss Fan, you’re too kind. This is my duty.”
Fan Changyu said nothing more. After entering the tent, she didn’t even light a lamp. In the darkness, she placed Changnin on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and then sat down nearby, hugging her knees and staring blankly into the pitch-black night.
There was only one Marquis in the entire Northwest, so Yan Zheng was the Wu’an Marquis who struck fear into the hearts of the Northern Xue people.
Before, she had thought Yan Zheng was vivid and real. He had a bad temper, a sharp tongue, and was picky about food, but he was also kind. He complained about her lack of intelligence but always helped her, and he rarely broke his promises.
He had read many books and understood many principles. He was the smartest person she had ever met.
Perhaps the time she spent with Yan Zheng was the most difficult period after her parent’s death, which was why she often thought of him after he left.
Sometimes when she stewed pork intestines, she would imagine him frowning as he picked up his chopsticks, and she would find it amusing. Sometimes when she flipped through the books he had annotated, she would remember how he once said she had no proper posture when reading the classics, and she would immediately sit up straight to read. Sometimes when she went to the candy shop to buy pine nut candy for Changnin, the shopkeeper would ask why she no longer bought tangerine peel candy. Even though there was no one at home to eat it anymore, she would still instinctively buy some to take back…
When she encountered difficulties, she would think, if only Yan Zheng were still here. He was so clever, he would surely be able to help her find a solution.
The person she had traveled mountains and rivers to find, the one she fearlessly entered the battlefield to protect, was someone like that. But that person never really existed.
She couldn’t continue to see the Wu’an Marquis as Yan Zheng.
Behind that title were illustrious military achievements, the admiration of countless people, and a distance she could never bridge.
The rain-soaked hair she hadn’t wrung out yet was dripping water onto her freshly changed dry clothes, creating a small damp patch. The wet fabric clung to her skin, making her feel cold, but it also made Fan Changyu increasingly clear-headed.
Xie Zheng returned to the camp in the pouring rain. An aide came forward to take his horse, saying, “My Lord, Mister Gongsun sent someone earlier with a message asking you to visit him when you return. He said there’s an honored guest.”
The wet cloak hanging on his body was uncomfortable. Xie Zheng took it off and tossed it to the aide, saying, “I’ll change into dry clothes first.”
Striding into the central military tent, he found that his guards had already prepared hot water for bathing and fresh clothes.
After a quick wash, Xie Zheng roughly toweled off the water on his body, picked up a set of arrow-sleeved robes from beside the bed, and put them on, asking, “How is she after returning?”
Xie Qi, who was attending to him in the room, considered his words carefully: “The lady still seemed somewhat angry. I tried to persuade her, but she hardly said a word.”
Xie Zheng frowned slightly. After fastening his belt, he said, “I’ll go see her.”
Fan Changyu was still sitting in the tent lost in thought when suddenly she heard footsteps splashing through the rain outside, approaching. It sounded like more than one person.
Soon, the footsteps stopped at the tent entrance. It was Xie Qi’s voice: “Miss Fan, the kitchen has prepared some ginger soup. I’ve brought you a bowl.”
Fan Changyu’s mind was in turmoil, and she only said, “I have a strong constitution. I don’t need it. Please give it to the other soldiers.”
But the person outside didn’t leave. Instead, they lifted the tent flap and stepped inside.
Fan Changyu looked up and met Xie Zheng’s beautiful yet unruly eyes.
He entered the tent carrying the ginger soup. Behind him, Xie Qi carefully shielded a candlestick with one hand. Seeing Fan Changyu, he smiled awkwardly, placed the candlestick on the table, and retreated.
The warm candlelight seemed to drive away all the chill in the room.
Changnin always slept deeply. Wrapped in a scarlet cloak with only her chubby little face exposed, she sensed the light source, turned her back to the candlestick, smacked her lips, and her breathing became long and steady again.
Fan Changyu looked at Xie Zheng. He had always looked good in plain clothes, but now dressed in an intricately embroidered brocade robe, his noble air was undisguisable. Only the bruise at the corner of his eye was a bit jarring.
By now, she had completely calmed down and thought through the pros and cons. Knowing that he was, after all, a Marquis, she realized that the punch she had thrown in her anger and hurt was ultimately inappropriate. She pressed her lips together and said, “I’m sorry for hitting you like that.”
Xie Zheng raised his eyebrows in surprise and said, “Compared to the last time you hit me, this should be considered light.”
Fan Changyu knew he was referring to the time when he was recruiting soldiers and got captured. She apologized again: “I’m sorry.”
Xie Zheng had only been half-joking with her, but hearing her response, he frowned and said, “Why do you keep apologizing to me? That time, I was indeed being a bastard.”
His dark eyes locked onto her, and beneath his casual demeanor, he seemed like a vicious dog that had retracted its fangs: “I’ve read many classics and understand propriety and shame, but with you, I sometimes can’t help wanting to do despicable things.”
He spoke these words with a hint of self-loathing.
Fan Changyu instinctively glared at him fiercely, but after a moment of silence, she softened her tone: “Ya- My Lord, let’s talk.”
Hearing the change in her form of address, Xie Zheng’s eyelids lifted, his gaze deepening. He said, “Alright, drink the ginger soup first.”
He handed her the bowl of ginger soup.
Fan Changyu took it and downed it in one go. After drinking the bowl of ginger soup, her entire stomach indeed felt warmer.
Only then did Xie Zheng speak: “I never intended to deceive you initially. I was being pursued and ended up in Qingping County by chance, where you happened to save me. If I had truthfully revealed my identity to you, it would likely have brought trouble. That’s why I kept it hidden all along.”
Fan Changyu said, “I don’t blame you for concealing your identity back then, My Lord.”
She suddenly adopted an extremely reasonable demeanor, which inexplicably made Xie Zheng feel uneasy.