At dusk, under the escort of two columns of naval vessels, specks of sail gradually entered the port, appearing in everyone’s view.

The shore was already crowded with people who had come to welcome the ships. When they saw the silhouettes, a commotion first arose in the crowd. As they gradually became clearer, cheers erupted. Those with family members on board were especially tense and excited, pushing their way to the front, anxiously waiting.

Jiafu and Madam Meng had already arrived and were now waiting at the dock, straining their eyes toward the distance. As the ships gradually approached, Jiafu finally saw her brother Zhen Yaoting, crowded with a group of people at the bow. Some were crying with excitement, while others were frantically waving and jumping toward the shore.

It should be noted that if merchant ships fell into the hands of ordinary pirates, family members could pay the ransom, and people might still return. But if they encountered Japanese pirates, there was usually only one possibility: sunken ships and lost lives. Therefore, although Governor Gao had sent naval forces to rescue them, almost no one believed the people could truly be saved—the hope was too slim.

But the most unlikely thing had happened.

When Madam Meng saw her son’s figure, she couldn’t help but weep with joy. Jiafu supported her, her own eyes reddening.

Zhen Yaoting had long spotted Madam Meng and Jiafu beside her. Wild with joy, as soon as the ship docked and the gangplank was laid, he rushed ashore, called out “Mother” to Madam Meng, then turned to Jiafu and called her “Sister,” asking why she had returned to Quanzhou at this time. After hearing Jiafu’s explanation, he quickly spread his arms, turned around, and said, “I’m fine! Sorry to have worried you!”

Madam Meng grabbed her son’s arm, examined him up and down, and saw that apart from being darker and thinner, with a few scars on his neck and forehead, he indeed looked fine. Wiping away her tears, she also asked about Zhang Da and the others. She learned that during this perilous journey, the ship and cargo were lost, and unfortunately, one person had died. Fortunately, Zhang Da and the rest of the crew were not seriously harmed. Those who were injured did not have severe wounds and would recover after resting for a few days ashore. Only then did she breathe a slight sigh of relief and bow several times in the direction of the Mazu Temple.

Zhen Yaoting said, “Mother if you want to pay respects, don’t forget to also pay homage to the Golden-Faced Dragon King. If it weren’t for the Golden-Faced Dragon King this time, your son might not have been able to return!”

Madam Meng hurriedly asked for details, but others who had disembarked were already describing the events to their families.

It turned out that several days ago, as they were sailing at sea on their return journey, they encountered Japanese pirates and were overtaken by their ships. The pirate vessels were built differently from ordinary merchant ships, suited for pursuit at sea, agile and fast. The pirates were also extremely brutal. How could ordinary merchant ships possibly resist? Anyone who showed the slightest resistance was killed on the spot and thrown into the sea. This time, the pirates seemed to want to capture people to build fortifications at their lair, which was why they had fortunately survived. A total of more than ten ships were hijacked one after another. The valuable cargo was plundered, and the remaining ships were scuttled and sunk. Altogether, hundreds of people were captured and locked in cargo holds. When the pirates were about to escape, they unexpectedly encountered the Golden-Faced Dragon King’s warship. After a fierce battle, the pirates were defeated. Some died, some were killed, and the rest jumped into the sea to escape. The Golden-Faced Dragon King rescued many people, including Zhen Yaoting, and escorted them back. On the way, they encountered the official naval forces again. The two sides met, and because of the special circumstances, the Commander did not attack the Golden-Faced Dragon King. All the people were taken back, and the two sides sailed away from each other.

This ordeal had caused significant losses for various ship owners, and naturally, some unfortunate deaths. Nearby, sounds of crying could be heard. But the narrator was quite talented, like a storyteller, describing the thrilling events of that time. The Golden-Faced Dragon King was portrayed as impressive and formidable. The audience was captivated, and there were constant shouts of praise.

After saying a few words, Zhen Yaoting looked around: “Sister, has Official Pei also come?”

Though he was nominally the elder brother-in-law, he was younger than Pei You’an and certainly did not have the same status. Thus, he addressed him as “Official Pei,” not daring to call him “brother-in-law.”

Jiafu turned her head. The shore was crowded with people. She saw him standing at the bow of a naval warship, with Governor Gao and other local officials nearby. A middle-aged man who looked like a military officer, presumably Commander Li, was leading a line of guerrilla commanders and deputy generals, paying their respects to him with a reverent demeanor. Pei You’an seemed to have been keeping an eye on them. He turned his head, looked over, said something to the Commander, apparently asking him to wait, then came ashore and approached Jiafu.

Zhen Yaoting had always been somewhat constrained in Pei You’an’s presence. When asked about his well-being, he quickly replied that all was well, even swinging his arms to prove it.

Pei You’an smiled, nodded, and turned to Madam Meng and Jiafu: “Mother-in-law, Fuer, I still have some matters to attend to. It’s good that Yaoting is safe, which puts my mind at ease. I’ll have someone escort you home first, and I’ll return a bit later.”

Although Pei You’an was dressed in civilian clothes today, his natural dignity and bearing made him stand out among the crowd like a crane among chickens. Nearby residents had already noticed him and observed that despite his young age, even Provincial Governor Gao showed him the utmost respect. There had been rumors in Quanzhou that when the Zhen family’s daughter married earlier, the family received imperial favor, and the old lady was granted an honorary title, all because their son-in-law was a high official in the capital. Now they guessed that this elegant-looking, somewhat scholarly, and tall young man must be the Zhen family’s high-ranking son-in-law. They all watched him with reverence. When they saw him disembark and walk over, the surrounding area quickly fell silent.

Madam Meng knew that once he arrived here, official social engagements would be unavoidable. Moreover, this unfortunate situation had occurred just as they arrived, making him even busier. She hastily nodded.

Pei You’an personally escorted them to the carriage. Governor Gao and others, seeing this, also hurried over to send them off. After the Zhen family’s carriage departed, they returned to the warship and entered the cabin. Commander Li immediately followed, but Governor Gao did not dare to enter, waiting outside with the remaining officials.

Pei You’an smiled and said, “In this matter concerning the Zhen family, I must thank you for not only protecting their home but also safely bringing back the people today.”

Commander Li quickly bowed: “Official Pei, your words are too kind. It was my dereliction of duty, to begin with. Even at the cost of my life, I would have had to protect the Zhen family completely.”

Pei You’an said, “Although you were negligent, your timely response afterward prevented greater losses, offsetting your fault with merit. The suggestions you made earlier, I will consider and personally convey to His Majesty. Remember, you here must protect not just one household, but thousands. You must never relax your vigilance, and such incidents must never be allowed to happen again!”

Commander Li had been stationed in Quanzhou for many years. When they met earlier, he had proposed establishing additional inspection divisions, expanding the number of soldiers, increasing warships, and replacing weapons. He explained that he had been requesting these measures from the authorities for years, but because there had been no major pirate threat for a long time, the authorities had always brushed him off, leading to disunity and lax defenses. Moreover, there had been collusion with bandits from eastern Guangdong, which had caused this failure. Hearing Pei You’an’s response, he was overjoyed and immediately knelt to express his gratitude.

Pei You’an asked him to rise and inquired in detail about the situation with the bandit leader from eastern Guangdong and the coastal defenses. They arranged to inspect the terrain the next day, then he dismissed him. The Commander retreated a few steps, hesitated, then came forward and bowed again: “Official Pei, this humble official has another matter, but I am not sure if it is appropriate to mention?”

Pei You’an said, “If it concerns the state and the people’s livelihood, then speak.”

Commander Li lowered his voice: “Sir, the safe return of Young Master Zhen and others is due to the Golden-Faced Dragon King’s efforts, and I dare not take credit for that. This Dragon King, I was ordered to hunt him down two years ago, but his Gold Dragon Island is hidden and well-defended. Since he never raids the coast, the authorities were not persistent, and I let him be. This time, the Japanese pirates attacked not only Quanzhou but also Pinghai. I’ve heard that the pirates attacking Pinghai were surrounded and eliminated at sea before they could land. According to the soldiers, it seems to have been the work of the Golden-Faced Dragon King’s men…”

He paused: “The Golden-Faced Dragon King has rendered great service in helping the government eliminate the pirates, but over the past few years, I have been secretly observing this man and always felt that his background is not simple. This time, I finally had a chance to meet him face to face, which reminded me of someone.”

“Who?”

“General Dong Chengmou from the Tianxi reign!”

“How are you so certain?”

“Sir, what you may not know is that I once served as a guerrilla commander under General Dong. Later, General Dong was punished and disappeared. After various twists and turns, I arrived in Quanzhou. This time, when I finally met the Golden-Faced Dragon King, though I only caught a glimpse of him from a distance, and he truly did wear a mask over his face as rumored, I still felt I had seen him somewhere before. Moreover, his flags and signals also seemed familiar, hence my bold conjecture. If this Dragon King is indeed General Dong from those years, he is a true man, wronged in the first place, and now with this meritorious service. If he were to submit to the court, I believe His Majesty would accept him.”

Pei You’an looked intently at Commander Li: “Have you told anyone else about this?”

“This is entirely my speculation and may not be true, so I have not dared to tell others. Knowing that you are a close official to the Emperor, I ventured to inform you, asking for your consideration and decision.”

Pei You’an pondered for a moment, then nodded: “You are loyal and cautious in your actions. I will recommend you to the Emperor. I will pay attention to this matter, but you must not mention it to anyone else.”

Commander Li was delighted by this praise, overwhelmed with gratitude. He knelt again to express his thanks, then rose and obediently withdrew.

…

Jiafu returned home with her mother and brother, first visiting her grandmother, and then surveying the property. The report stated that a warehouse had been burned, and a large ship fully loaded with goods had been lost, resulting in severe losses. Moreover, after this incident, the imperial court would likely soon issue another maritime ban. Once implemented, it was uncertain when shipping would resume. Merchants like the Zhen family, who relied on sea trade, would be severely weakened as if their lifeline had been cut.

But these were all external matters. Fortunately, most of the people on the ship had returned safely. That evening, the Zhen family set up a meal in the hall to comfort those who had been frightened on the ship, providing compensation to the wounded and the families of the unfortunate deceased. In the inner quarters, a separate family banquet was also arranged. Pei You’an declined Governor Gao’s invitation and returned to the Zhen family for dinner. That night, Madam Meng prepared a room for her daughter and son-in-law, and they stayed. The next day, Pei You’an went out, accompanied by Governor Gao and Commander Li, to inspect coastal defenses, adjust defense forces, and coordinate troops from various regions to encircle and eliminate the bandit leader from Guangdong. He was busy, leaving early and returning late. Finally, news came that the bandit leader who had plagued Guangdong and Fujian for years had been captured and beheaded, with his head displayed as a warning. When the people of Quanzhou heard the news, they spread the word to one another. On the day Pei You’an returned to the city, the entire city was celebrating. People rushed into the streets to catch a glimpse of the legendary Official Pei. Officials of all ranks and local gentry arranged celebratory banquets in succession, sending so many invitation cards that they nearly filled the Zhen family’s card box.

That evening, Pei You’an accompanied Jiafu as they left Grandmother Hu’s room after visiting the sick. Returning to their room, he changed clothes and said he had another matter to attend to. He might not return that night and told her not to wait for him, to retire early instead.

Jiafu held tightly to his arm, pouting: “What matter is so urgent that you must go out at night and stay away all night? Could it be that those people have arranged a flower banquet, inviting some ‘ten beauties of rosy clouds’ for you to admire under the lanterns, to appreciate and evaluate?”

Pei You’an had declined all those invitations, citing mourning as his reason. Jiafu naturally knew this, but she had seen that since his arrival, he had finally gotten some free time today, yet he was going out again in the evening. Having spent so much time with him, she could sense that he seemed to have something on his mind tonight, different from his previous busy matters. Hearing his tone, he would be gone all night. She felt both concerned and somewhat displeased. Knowing that he always doted on her and would not truly get angry no matter how she acted, she simply threw a little tantrum.

Pei You’an smiled, pinching her pouting lips that resembled a morning glory flower, then embraced her, comforting her in a low voice. After a while, Jiafu finally released his arm but switched to hugging his waist. Looking up at him, she said solemnly: “Big Cousin, I know you must have matters to attend to, and I know I’m useless, unable to help you. But I want you to know that your matters are my matters. Even if I can’t help, I hope you won’t keep everything from me. I’m not a child; I am your wife.”

Pei You’an looked down at her, their eyes meeting for a moment. He said softly: “I’ll return tomorrow. Sleep early.”

Jiafu suppressed her disappointment, slowly released her arms, and smiled: “I understand. Take care of yourself. I’ll wait for your return.”

Pei You’an raised his hand to cradle her head, bent down, and gently kissed her forehead, then turned to leave.

How many burdens did he still carry on his shoulders? And in his heart, how many secrets did he still bear alone?

Jiafu watched his figure leave, a sense of dejection slowly welling up in her heart. She wondered what matter he had tonight that he couldn’t share with her. As she sat there lost in thought, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she saw that Pei You’an had returned.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you with me.”

Pei You’an smiled slightly at her and said.