Jiafu changed into men’s clothing, gathered her hair at the top of her head, and after finishing her preparations, ran out to stand before him, turning in a circle: “Big Cousin, is this fine?”
Pei You’an was leaning against the dressing table. He beckoned her over, turned, and took one of his hairpins from the box, inserting it into her hair bun. He examined her, smiled, and under the dim moonlight, she became like a young attendant by his side.
A carriage waited outside. Yang Yun, in a blue robe and small cap, drove the horses and waited. Pei You’an brought no other attendants. He helped Jiafu into the carriage, then sat inside himself. They passed through the South Gate and traveled to a coral tree forest near a coastal garrison, where Commander Li and several of his deputy generals were waiting on horseback.
Civil officials preferred to travel by carriage or sedan chair, both to display their status and for comfort. Although Pei You’an had also led troops in military campaigns and recently brought to justice the maritime bandits who had plagued Guangdong and Fujian for years, in Commander Li’s eyes, he was still the exemplary civil official—a young minister who had passed the imperial examination. Thus, seeing him arrive by carriage was not at all surprising, and he hurried forward to welcome him.
Pei You’an alighted from the carriage and switched to horseback, surrounded by the group as they departed. Yang Yun remained behind, holding a riding crop, leaning against the carriage as if drowsy, waiting for his master’s return.
The bluish-white moonlight poured like a water screen over the coral tree forest, sifting dappled moonlight through the tree shadows, enveloping the carriage.
On the way, Pei You’an had told Jiafu that tonight he would patrol the coastal defenses with Commander Li and the others, asking her to wait in the carriage for him.
Jiafu sat in the dimly lit carriage under the shadows of trees, listening to the waves in the distance, quietly waiting.
The moon gradually rose higher. In the middle of the hai hour (around 10 p.m.), Jiafu heard the sound of hoofbeats outside. Pei You’an had returned.
Commander Li’s family was not in Quanzhou, and he was staying at the garrison that night to draft an urgent memorial on coastal defense, intending to personally escort Pei You’an back to the city. Pei You’an declined, telling him to remain.
Having spent half a month with him, Commander Li knew that this young high-ranking official, though in a position of power with strategic acumen, was strict in his inspections, personally attended to matters, and was frugal and diligent. He did not favor the excessive formalities common in officialdom. Therefore, Li did not insist on accompanying him but had his men stop at a distance, watching as Pei You’an boarded the carriage. The carriage left the coral tree forest, heading toward the city gate, gradually disappearing into the night. Only then did he dismiss his men and hurriedly enter the garrison.
Jiafu’s small hand was held by the man beside her as she held her breath, standing behind towering coral trees. Their figures were concealed by the shadows cast by the lush canopy. After the carriage had left and the Commander and his men had dispersed, she looked up at him.
He lowered his head slightly, the tree shadows casting enchanting night shadows on his head.
“I’m going to meet an old acquaintance.”
He tightened his grip on her hand and spoke softly, then turned with her.
Jiafu’s heart suddenly quickened. She took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and tension of seemingly embarking on an adventure with him, and followed.
Led by him, she silently passed through the coral tree forest, stepped onto a jumble of rocks bleached white by the moonlight, and finally turned into a remote cove.
By the reef, there was a small fishing boat, its hull gently rocking with the waves that lapped against the shore.
Pei You’an lifted Jiafu, waded through the shallow water that reached his thighs and approached the small boat. He placed Jiafu inside, then boarded himself.
Using the oar against the reef, he pushed the boat out of the cove, sat at the stern, took up the oars, and began to row.
At this hour, the tide was slowly receding, carrying the little boat forward as it parted the waves.
Tonight, the sea was calm with no wind. The silver moon reflected on the distant black sea surface, its light dancing in points. The boat traveled over it as if floating on a piece of obsidian gem studded with glittering stars.
Jiafu sat at the bow, facing Pei You’an, sometimes watching him row the boat at a steady pace, exchanging smiles; sometimes bending over to reach out, letting the cool seawater flow through her fingers; or facing the sea breeze, gazing into the distance, seeing stars and night entering the water, filling the boat with clear dreams. She couldn’t help but have a whimsical thought: regardless of where this man in the moonlight was taking her, she wished that at this moment, Penglai would never age, and she could journey with him forever.
The boat flowed out to sea, gradually approaching a small rocky island that emerged during low tide and submerged during high tide. The bow gently touched the shore. Pei You’an disembarked, secured the rope, and helped Jiafu onto the wet stone shore. They stood firm, looked around, and then he took out a whistle and blew a sound imitating a seabird. From behind a distant reef, a man’s figure appeared.
The man ran up close. Jiafu looked and saw in the moonlight a tall, bearded middle-aged man who called out “Young Master” and was about to kneel before Pei You’an.
Pei You’an quickly stepped forward and raised him.
The middle-aged man appeared somewhat excited: “Young Master, it’s been a long time since I’ve received news from you. When I got the message the day before yesterday, I was truly impatient, and finally waited until tonight, following Young Master’s instructions to come here quietly and alone. Rest assured, Young Master, even the Little Master doesn’t know about this…”
He looked at Jiafu standing behind Pei You’an, paused, and with a confused expression, turned to Pei You’an: “Young Master, this is…?”
Pei You’an looked toward Jiafu, his eyes gentle: “She is the girl from the Zhen family in Quanzhou, now my wife. We’ve been married for over a year. Uncle Dong, you’re not an outsider, and you just saved her brother, so I brought her along to personally thank you.”
The middle-aged man had already noticed the young attendant who came with Pei You’an. In the moonlight, seeing this attendant’s jade-like face with feminine features despite the masculine attire, he found it somewhat strange, not understanding why Pei You’an would bring such a person. He hadn’t at all guessed her identity.
He looked at Jiafu again, recognizing that she was indeed a woman, and couldn’t help but exclaim: “She is the one who years ago saved…”
He abruptly stopped.
Pei You’an smiled, nodded, and gestured for Jiafu to come over: “Fuer, this is the Golden-Faced Dragon King. I call him Uncle Dong. Your brother and the others’ safe return to port was entirely due to Uncle Dong’s intervention.”
On the way here, Jiafu wondered who the “old acquaintance” Pei You’an mentioned might be. She never imagined that the person they would meet would be her brother’s lifesaver, the famous sea king.
Although Pei You’an hadn’t said much, Jiafu had already observed that this middle-aged man referred to himself as “this subordinate” and addressed Pei You’an as “Young Master” with such reverence. It wasn’t hard to deduce that he was formerly part of the Duke’s forces, especially since he had just saved her brother.
Jiafu felt profound respect and curtseyed to him: “Thank you, Uncle Dong! When my brother and the others returned that day, the villagers were all praising the Dragon King’s virtuous deeds. On behalf of my grandmother, my mother, and the hundreds of villagers who were fortunate enough to return home under your protection, I thank you for saving their lives!”
Dong Chengmou quickly moved aside, waving his hands: “Madam, you flatter me. Eliminating pirates is simply my duty. There’s no need for such formality.”
Pei You’an took off his outer garment and spread it on a flat rock, helping Jiafu sit down. He crouched in front of her, at eye level, leaned close, and said softly: “I have a few words to discuss with Uncle Dong. Wait here. I’ll be right over there. Call me if you need anything.”
Jiafu nodded.
Pei You’an habitually stroked her head, then rose and walked with Dong Chengmou to a reef about a dozen paces away from Jiafu, where they stopped.
Dong Chengmou still wore an expression of amazement: “Young Master, I never imagined that the Zhen family girl who saved the Little Master back then would now become Young Master’s wife. It’s truly a match made in heaven, excellent!”
Pei You’an looked back at the delicate figure sitting quietly in the moonlight and smiled: “Although my wife has already thanked Uncle Dong, I must also express my gratitude. Uncle Dong, with your loyal heart and gallant spirit, these years you have not only protected Yu’er without complaint, but even in your outlaw status, you have not forgotten to protect the people. This time, driving away the Japanese pirates for the people of Quanzhou and Pinghai was a righteous and heroic deed, making those of us in high government positions feel deeply ashamed.” With these words, he bowed deeply to him.
Dong Chengmou hurriedly returned the gesture: “How can Young Master say such things! When official troops failed to act effectively, anyone with half a drop of blood in their heart would not sit by and watch the Japanese pirates massacre our coastal people. This is simply my duty! I’m only concerned that this incident was sudden and quite major, contrary to Young Master’s initial intention for me to keep a low profile. I fear that if it draws the court’s attention, my life and death would be of little consequence, but I worry it might implicate the Little Master.”
Pei You’an pondered.
Dong Chengmou’s expression changed slightly: “Young Master, has news truly leaked out?”
Pei You’an said: “Uncle Dong, be at ease. It was indeed unfortunate that this incident sparked the Quanzhou Garrison Commander’s speculation about your identity, but the problem is not serious. I have suppressed it, and matters concerning the Little Master should not have leaked out.”
Dong Chengmou let out a sigh of relief but showed a slight expression of remorse: “My actions were not well considered, nearly causing a great calamity. Thank you for your guidance, Young Master. After returning, I will be doubly cautious.”
Pei You’an said: “You care for the people. What error is there in that? Why should you blame yourself? However, my meeting with you today is indeed to give you some instructions. His Majesty once proclaimed to the world that if the Little Master were still alive, he would welcome him back to court. Having followed His Majesty for many years, I dare not judge whether his words were insincere, but I dare not assume that His Majesty’s words and heart are true as one. To my knowledge, over the years, His Majesty has continuously sent secret agents to search for the Little Master’s whereabouts. And as you just mentioned, this incident was rather major, and I’m somewhat uneasy. After you return this time, do not take any further action for now. Wait for my news and prepare an escape route in case there are changes. It’s better to prepare before the rain than to mend the pen after the sheep are lost.”
Dong Chengmou nodded: “I will remember!”
…
Jiafu sat on the rock, watching the figures of Pei You’an and the Golden-Faced Dragon King in the distance. The wind carried their low voices, but she could only hear murmurs mixed with the sea breeze, dispersing into the night.
She had no intention of eavesdropping on their conversation.
She had a feeling that, just like Pei You’an’s secret origin that could not be spoken of, beyond being a close minister to the Emperor and a force in the court, he had another secret world unknown to others.
Tonight, he had finally been willing to bring her here, introducing her as his wife to someone from his other secret world, and for this, she already felt very satisfied.
She rested her chin on her hand, gazing at his figure in the moonlight. As she became more and more engrossed, suddenly, she felt movement nearby.
She turned her face and, in the moonlight, was startled to see what appeared to be a figure moving lightly behind a nearby reef. Just as she was about to call out to Pei You’an, the person quickly peeked out from behind the rock, grinning at her, revealing a set of clean, even teeth in the moonlight. Seeing her eyes suddenly widen, he hastily pressed his finger to his lips and gently shushed her.
This was a youth of fifteen or sixteen, with dark skin and a wet face and head, as if he had just emerged from the water. His eyes, however, were exceptionally bright, filled with shimmering flecks of joy as he looked at her.
Jiafu was stunned, staring fixedly at the youth, her eyes growing wider and wider until suddenly she cried out: “It’s you? You’re alive?”