Yang Xuan emerged from Gao Qiao’s presence with his back and forehead still drenched in hot sweat. Standing in the wind for a moment until the perspiration began to subside, his mind turned to Xu Mi’s peculiar behavior—first angry, then suddenly cheerful.

For many years, the Xu family had been secretly competing with the Gao and Lu families for clan interests and advantages.

Though the Xu family enjoyed the benefits of being imperial relatives, in terms of both prestige and family strength, their chances of surpassing the Gao family were slim. Their rivalry with the Lu family was more intense, as their powers were more evenly matched, leading to fierce competition in both the recommendation and appointment of disciples and the actual acquisition of regional interests.

In this crisis facing the military pressure from Northern Xia, Xu Mi not only supported having Gao Qiao take overall command of military affairs but also declared in court that personnel from the Xu military administration could be deployed at Gao Qiao’s discretion.

After all, when the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact. No matter how zealous Xu Mi was about clan interests, he wasn’t foolish enough to disregard the nation’s fate. This also earned him a reputation for considering the greater good.

But beyond this reason, Xu Mi’s motivations, upon deeper examination, extended much further.

Others might not know, but Yang Xuan understood perfectly.

During those days when war clouds gathered, while Gao Yun and others had already departed for the northern front to prepare for battle, within the Great Yu state, from court to countryside, pessimism still prevailed.

Over the past twenty years, Northern Xia had successively absorbed various large and small barbarian regimes established by the Rouran, Xiongnu, Xianbei, and others, unifying the Central Plains.

In this conflict, whether in terms of population or military strength, the disparity between north and south was too great. Therefore, even though Gao Qiao had repeatedly argued in court that Northern Xia appeared strong but actually lacked internal cohesion, and that if Great Yu united as one and fought to the death, victory was not impossible—trying to boost morale—from the imperial court down to common people, everyone still held little hope that Great Yu could win this war.

Xu Mi was no exception. When initially dispatching troops, he had used strengthening upstream defenses as a pretext to secretly preserve strength in the Jing-Xiang region he had cultivated for years.

According to Xu Mi’s calculations, if the Gao family led this military campaign and failed, they would naturally bear the brunt of responsibility. Not only would the Xu family avoid blame, but with this preserved territory, they could potentially seize the opportunity to replace the Gao family during their moment of weakness.

Yang Xuan had already detected Xu Mi’s deployment strategy at the time, knowing he hadn’t fully cooperated as previously promised to Gao Qiao. Worried about unfavorable war outcomes, Yang Xuan had felt somewhat dissatisfied.

But as a general of the Xu family’s military forces, he could only follow orders.

What Xu Mi hadn’t anticipated was that Great Yu not only won this war but won so swiftly and brilliantly.

The Gao family’s prestige became even more glorious because of this victory, making the Xu family appear increasingly powerless by comparison.

If the Gao family alone wasn’t enough, even the Lu family, which had been evenly matched with the Xu family before the war, seemed poised to surpass them due to their children’s outstanding achievements and marriage alliance with the Gao family.

Not to mention that if the two families united through marriage, forming a close alliance, the Xu family’s remaining foothold in court would likely be completely seized.

How could Xu Mi willingly accept this?

Today, such an incident had conveniently occurred. Li Mu from a humble background had actually conceived the notion of seeking marriage with Gao Qiao’s daughter.

For Xu Mi, wasn’t this precisely the opportunity being delivered to him?

If Gao Qiao, to preserve his reputation as a gentleman who keeps his word, married his daughter down to Li Mu, the Gao family would not only lose face among the aristocracy, but the Lu family would inevitably be ridiculed as well. Moreover, the two families would certainly develop mutual resentment.

If Gao Qiao refused Li Mu’s marriage proposal on grounds that scholars and commoners shouldn’t intermarry, then proceeded with the Lu family marriage, he would inevitably gain a reputation for breaking his word and would certainly become enemies with Li Mu.

This matter, regardless of its final outcome, was a sure profit with no loss for the Xu family. How could he possibly try to stop it?

Moreover, given Yang Xuan’s understanding of Xu Mi, in this situation, he would probably prefer to see Li Mu succeed in his marriage proposal.

Even if Li Mu became the Gao family’s son-in-law and subsequently aligned with them, for aristocratic families, the value of a fierce general was merely that of a handy tool.

If such a tool later posed a threat, it could simply be eliminated.

Clan interests would always take priority.

Given Li Mu’s age and previous experience, he had no opportunity to get close to these aristocratic families, nor could he possibly think so far ahead.

This time, he was probably just young and hot-blooded, inexperienced in worldly affairs, which led him to want to seek marriage with the Gao family daughter.

How could he know that this action of his had unknowingly become a potential knife that could pry into the seemingly long-maintained balanced interest game among the three top aristocratic families of Gao, Xu, and Lu?

Understanding these connections, Yang Xuan couldn’t help but gasp in alarm. The hot sweat that had just subsided began pouring out again.

He knew all too well how terrifying the power of aristocratic families could be.

Destroying people like them from common families, ensuring their children and descendants would never have a chance to rise, was as easy as turning one’s hand.

Yang Xuan hesitated no longer and decided to find Li Mu immediately.

He had to make Li Mu retreat in the face of difficulty, lest he unknowingly get caught up in this undercurrent of aristocratic rivalry and end up not even knowing how he died.

Yang Xuan wiped his sweat and hurriedly began to leave, when he heard a voice nearby: “General Yang, please wait!”

Yang Xuan turned to see several young men approaching.

One was Gao Qiao’s nephew, Gao Huan. The other appeared to be Lu Huanzhi from the Lu family, wearing a tall cap and high clogs, standing with hands folded, looking at him indifferently.

Beside them was another man, somewhat older, about the same age as Li Mu—in his twenties, tall and slender, with handsome, refined features and a jade-like temperament. But between his brows was a hint of heroic spirit rarely seen in aristocratic sons. Compared to the powder-painted aristocratic youth who could be seen everywhere today, having come from the city in ox carts to observe the troop rewards, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

This young man was the famous eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Jianzhi.

Today when Emperor Xingping rewarded the troops, his name was prominently listed among the meritorious officials. Combined with his earlier pacification of the Linyu rebellion, these two achievements had earned him promotion to Palace Attendant at his young age, with the additional title of General Jianwei.

Yang Xuan naturally recognized him, but due to their vast difference in status, they had never interacted. Seeing him approach with a warm smile, his robes flowing in the wind, Yang Xuan was surprised and immediately went forward to meet him.

Lu Jianzhi said: “I have long heard of the general’s great reputation. Having the fortune to see you in person, you are indeed as mighty as described.”

Yang Xuan was even more surprised.

He had long heard that Lu Guang was always conscious of his status and placed great importance on the distinction between scholars and commoners.

Yet he hadn’t expected that the famous eldest son of the Lu family, Jianzhi, would have Gao Qiao’s style, showing no trace of looking down on a humble military general like himself in his words. Yang Xuan quickly replied: “Young Master flatters me. Yang Xuan is unworthy of such praise.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Jianzhi said: “The general is exceptionally mighty, and Li Mu under your command is also no ordinary person. In this great battle north of the Yangtze, he not only achieved remarkable merit and became famous in one battle, but previously saved Zile in front of the battle lines. Li Mu’s courage is truly admirable. I have always regarded Zile as a younger brother and have long wanted to express my gratitude to Li Mu, but due to military entanglements, I never had the opportunity. Now that the north has been pacified, this is the perfect chance. The Double Ninth Festival approaches, and Jiankang’s young gentlemen have always enjoyed climbing heights during this festival. I wish to invite Li Mu to climb Fuzhou Mountain north of the city together to admire the autumn scenery. Please convey this message for me, General. I will soon prepare a formal invitation to show my sincerity.”

Yang Xuan was surprised again and quickly nodded: “To receive Young Master’s invitation is a rare opportunity. I thank Young Master on Li Mu’s behalf and will convey this to him immediately.”

Lu Jianzhi nodded, exchanged farewells with him, and then departed.

While the two were speaking, Gao Huan had been standing nearby. Seeing Yang Xuan leave, his face showed joy as he approached, saying: “Thank you, elder brother, for making this happen!”

His gratitude was evident in his expression.

Lu Jianzhi smiled: “Even without your request, I had intended to thank him anyway. This is a perfect opportunity. Elder brother will surely invite all of Jiankang’s famous scholars then, don’t you think?”

Gao Huan was overjoyed, while Lu Huanzhi beside them frowned in disagreement: “Elder brother, naturally we should thank him for saving Zile, but there’s no need for such a grand affair…”

Lu Jianzhi turned to look at him, his gaze falling on his face.

Lu Huanzhi had come out of the city this morning to observe the ceremony and had applied fragrant cream to his face, then carefully powdered it white. After a day, the powder layer had flaked off, mixing with sweat and leaving streaks across his forehead. Some dirty powder clung to his eyebrows, making his appearance rather unseemly.

Gao Huan followed Lu Jianzhi’s gaze and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Only then did Lu Huanzhi become aware, touching his face and quietly defending himself: “I didn’t want to apply it either, but everyone else in our group was wearing it…”

Lu Jianzhi frowned slightly: “Men with beards and mustaches, yet they spend all day learning to apply rouge and powder like women. No wonder northerners mock us southerners as having only women and infants!”

Lu Huanzhi’s face turned red with embarrassment as he quickly pulled out a handkerchief to vigorously wipe his face.

After laughing, Gao Huan couldn’t bear to see his friend in such an awkward position and quickly helped smooth things over, feeling quite pleased.

Since his uncle wouldn’t agree, this was the next best option. Being able to have the invitation issued in Lu Jianzhi’s name was still good. Li Mu would surely be delighted to receive this news.

Gao Huan had originally wanted to go find Li Mu personally, but thinking of his uncle’s prohibition, though he couldn’t understand it and felt dissatisfied, he ultimately didn’t dare openly disobey. So he had sought out Lu Jianzhi and finally achieved his wish.

He suppressed his anticipation, breathing a long sigh of relief, only hoping that the Double Ninth Festival would arrive quickly.

…

It was already the middle of the hai hour.

Usually at this time, the Gao household would have closed its doors and Luoshen would have long since gone to sleep.

But tonight, the entire Gao residence was still brightly lit. Gao Qi was leading the household servants in the outer courtyard, eagerly awaiting the master’s return.

Luoshen was currently keeping Xiao Yongjia company.

Seeing her yawn, Xiao Yongjia urged her to return to her room to sleep first.

No matter how tired she was, Luoshen refused to sleep at this moment.

She forced her eyes wide open, shaking her head: “I’m not tired. I want to wait for A’Ye to come back. A’Niang, let me comb your hair.”

Luoshen had beautiful black, lustrous hair. When it hung down, under the lamplight, it looked like a piece of fine silk with a beautiful sheen.

This was entirely inherited from her mother, Xiao Yongjia.

Her black tresses were so beautiful they had once inspired someone to pay a thousand gold pieces for a literary composition that was widely circulated.

This story had been inadvertently revealed a few years ago when A’Ju got drunk and was chatting with Luoshen.

According to the tale, when the Eldest Princess was only about Luoshen’s age, the Xianbei Murong clan—which had not yet been destroyed and still claimed loyalty to Southern Yu—sent envoys south to Jiankang for an audience with the late emperor.

Among the delegation was a young Xianbei royal who, at a banquet the late emperor held for the envoys, happened to encounter Princess Qinghe and was completely smitten. He not only imitated southern customs by spending heavily to commission someone to write a poetic composition expressing his admiration for the princess, but actually hoped that Great Yu would consent to the princess’s marriage.

Naturally, the late emperor would never allow his proud and noble princess daughter to marry north to that already tottering vassal state, so he refused the Xianbei man on grounds that the princess was already betrothed. The Xianbei man departed with regret.

Many years later, everything had changed.

The former princess was now a mother, and the Xianbei kingdom had long been destroyed by the Jie people. That royal, Murong Xi, after surrendering to Northern Xia, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Daning and, being skilled in warfare, earned the title of the north’s foremost general.

And that composition bought with heavy gold had long since dissolved into the gentle smoky waves of the Qinhuai River, leaving no trace behind.

But according to A’Ju, the entire piece lavishly used the most gorgeous language to describe and praise the princess’s beauty, especially her black hair, which was depicted as a beautiful symbol that could haunt one’s dreams.

After A’Ju sobered up, she repeatedly denied everything, claiming it was all her own fabrication and telling Luoshen not to take it seriously.

Whether the story was true or not, in Luoshen’s heart, A’Ju’s drunken slip had only added a layer of mystery to her parents’ past.

Though Xiao Yongjia was now middle-aged, her long hair remained jet black and lustrous.

Tonight A’Ye would return.

Out of her own small, secret feelings that couldn’t be shared with others, Luoshen suddenly wanted to help her mother arrange her hair again, to make it look even more glossy and beautifully alluring.

She took a jade comb and had Xiao Yongjia sit before the mirror stand while she knelt behind her, carefully combing her mother’s hair in front of the mirror.

After combing it, she called for a skilled maid to arrange her mother’s favorite “returning heart” chignon, then used her little finger to take a tiny bit of rose lip balm she had just prepared recently and personally applied it gently to her mother’s lips.

The lip balm was smooth and delicate. When applied to the lips, it was fresh as flowers with a subtle fragrance.

Though Luoshen didn’t usually care much for such things, she liked this scent.

As she busied herself, though Xiao Yongjia complained constantly, she still sat there smiling, allowing her daughter to comb her hair and apply lip color.

“A’Niang, A’Ye has worked so hard and finally gets to come home. Tonight, don’t make him sleep in the study, all right?”

Luoshen leaned over from behind, her soft arms embracing Xiao Yongjia’s shoulders, whispering her request close to her ear.

Xiao Yongjia turned to face her daughter’s bright eyes filled with expectation, and her heart suddenly ached.

Before she could speak, she heard A’Ju say from outside: “Reporting to Eldest Princess, the master has returned!”