Every year in August, Quanzhou experiences its hottest period, which is also the peak trading season. In previous years during this time, various ports would be filled with newly arrived ships of all sizes, and the shores would be crowded with merchants from different regions coming to purchase goods. Every day would be bustling with activity. But this year, the ports had become deserted. Even in broad daylight, only a few white-headed seagulls remained, hopping about on empty ships in search of food.

Most of the city’s residents traditionally made their living from the sea. Now, having suddenly lost their source of livelihood, they couldn’t help but feel anxious. At first, they would still go to the Maritime Trade Office daily in groups to inquire about news. But now, even the Maritime Trade Office had closed its doors, with a notice of closure posted at the entrance and not a single person in sight. No one knew when the maritime ban would end. Some impoverished people had no choice but to find alternative means of livelihood, while those who could still manage to get by wore worried expressions and sighed constantly.

This once vibrant ancient city seemed to have had its life force drained overnight, leaving the entire small city shrouded in gloom.

With circumstances as they were, the Zhen family could not escape unscathed. The previous calamity, though not crippling to the Zhen family, had resulted in significant losses. Now, with not a single ship able to set sail, there was nothing to do. With no alternative, after providing three months of relief grain and money to the sailors and workers dependent on their families, they gradually dismissed their personnel and closed the shipyard, retaining only widows and orphans to continue their daily routines. Zhen Yaoting and Zhang Da remained at the shipyard, taking advantage of the current inactivity to repair ships and rebuild warehouses.

This afternoon, the entire Zhen household was quiet. Jia Fu returned to her room from her grandmother’s quarters. With no desire for an afternoon nap, she sat by the window, chin resting on her palm, gazing at a cluster of banana trees outside, gradually becoming lost in thought. At that moment, Maid Liu came to report that Yu Zhu had arrived from the capital and was currently paying respects to Madam Meng in the flower hall. Madam Meng had urgently sent her to summon Jia Fu.

Jia Fu was overjoyed and hurriedly went to the flower hall, where she found her mother holding Yu Zhu’s hand as they chatted and laughed. Yu Zhu appeared somewhat thinner, but her spirits seemed quite good. Seeing Jia Fu arrive, she was delighted and immediately came forward to pay her respects, still observing the old etiquette. Jia Fu stopped her: “You’re the same as us now, please don’t do this.” She pulled Yu Zhu to sit down, exchanged some words about the journey, and then asked about Pei You’an’s recent situation.

He had been gone for several months. Only last month had she received a letter delivered through the official postal service reporting his safe arrival in the capital, saying that all was well and that she shouldn’t worry, but should remain in Quanzhou for the time being. After that, there had been no further news. Jia Fu had considered returning to the capital herself, but remembering his instructions before departure, she, being obedient as always, hesitated. Feeling uncertain this way, recently she had the sensation that each day passed like a year. Today, upon suddenly seeing Yu Zhu arrive, besides her delight, she also guessed that her arrival must be related to Pei You’an. After a few words, she couldn’t help but ask, and indeed, Yu Zhu explained that he had been recalled to service by the Emperor and sent back to the Southwest to handle the refugee resettlement matter. Before leaving, he had arranged for her to come to Quanzhou, which was the purpose of her journey.

Madam Meng then asked how long he would be gone. Upon hearing it would be at least a year or more, she couldn’t help but sigh, glancing at her daughter before quickly smiling and saying: “Well, it shows how highly His Majesty values him. Even a year will pass quickly. It’s August now, and there are only a few months left until the end of the year. After the New Year, he will probably return.”

Jia Fu felt dejected inside, but outwardly she smiled. She sat with Yu Zhu for a while longer, knowing she was tired from the journey. Afterward, she and Madam Meng led servants to prepare a spacious and bright room in her courtyard. After arranging everything, she took Yu Zhu to pay respects to Madam Hu. By evening, Zhen Yaoting returned from the shipyard, and upon hearing of Yu Zhu’s arrival, he was beyond delighted. From then on, Yu Zhu stayed as Madam Meng’s niece. The Zhen family servants, seeing that she came from the capital with a demeanor and bearing that even some local young ladies from wealthy families could hardly match, and observing how the mistress and young miss were so close to her, dared not look down upon her and treated her as a young lady.

That night after dinner, Jia Fu went to Yu Zhu’s room to bring her chilled fruits to relieve the summer heat. Yu Zhu was sorting out small items with a young maid. Seeing Jia Fu personally delivering fruits, she hurried to welcome her. Jia Fu said: “I came to see how you’re doing. If you need anything in your room, just let me know. Please don’t hesitate.”

Yu Zhu was deeply moved: “Since I arrived today, from the Old Madam to everyone in your family, all have been good to me. How could I be inconvenienced? Rather, it is I who receive favors without merit, making me feel quite undeserving.”

Jia Fu smiled: “We were already close before, why are you being so formal with me? Besides, you have your means of support; you’re not here for us to maintain you. You’re only here because you cherish our past relationship and followed the Young Master’s arrangement to help my mother. Though our family business isn’t large, it’s not without its affairs. Now that Grandmother can no longer manage things, everything has fallen on my mother’s shoulders. Having you come to assist, my mother couldn’t be happier.”

Although Yu Zhu had been sent by Pei You’an, being newly arrived, she inevitably felt somewhat uncomfortable. After hearing Jia Fu’s words, her heart gradually became clearer, and she silently resolved to exert her utmost effort in the future, so as not to betray the Zhen family’s generous treatment. She said: “First Madam, rest assured, since I’ve come, I will certainly do my best in the future, hoping to be of some help.”

Jia Fu nodded and finally brought up the topic she wanted to ask about: “Sister Yu Zhu, when the Young Master went to Ci’en Temple to find you that day, what did he say? Could you tell me everything that happened and what he said?”

Yu Zhu nodded and repeated everything Pei You’an had said at the time, finally adding: “After the Young Master finished his instructions and paid respects to the ancestors’ tablets in the Ancestral Hall, he spent the night in the Sutra Repository. The next morning, when I went there, he had already left. The monks said he had gone down the mountain before dawn.”

Jia Fu asked a few more questions but couldn’t learn anything more. After sitting for a while longer, she told Yu Zhu to rest early and return to her room. That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Pei You’an had been recalled to service by the Emperor and sent to the Southwest to handle the unfinished refugee resettlement matter. Before leaving, he had arranged for Yu Zhu to come to Quanzhou, both to assist her and to provide a path for Yu Zhu, who had originally been determined to keep vigil for the Old Madam—a very natural and reasonable arrangement. But for some reason, recalling the unusual tenderness and reluctance to the part that he had shown her on the night before leaving, Jia Fu couldn’t calm her heart, as if something was about to happen.

Before passing, Old Madam Pei had revealed to her the secret between the Emperor and Pei You’an. Jia Fu understood that in the Old Madam’s view, this might be a major hurdle in Pei You’an’s life. She feared her grandson might not be able to overcome this hurdle and hoped that when the time came for Pei You’an to face it, she would be by his side to support him.

But Jia Fu was truly afraid. She feared that if the day came when this matter truly arose, she might not have enough strength to stand by Pei You’an’s side and provide the support that his grandmother had hoped for.

She couldn’t help but recall that evening when he had taken her to sea and up to the reef island, where they met that youth named Yu.

After the youth left that night, Pei You’an didn’t tell her more, and Jia Fu didn’t ask. But she had heard the youth call Pei You’an “Junior Preceptor.”

In this world, what kind of student would have the right to call his teacher “Junior Preceptor”?

Jia Fu thought of the rumors from the previous dynasty and some old affairs from Pei You’an’s youth. These days, vaguely, she had finally begun to understand.

Pei You’an had his principles and integrity, which Jia Fu understood all too well.

But from the moment she realized the youth’s identity, she had been anxious for him.

He navigated between day and night, seemingly with ease, but over the years, each step he took was like walking on the edge of a knife.

Jia Fu also recalled something her brother had mentioned in the evening. He said that during the day at the shipyard, there were rumors that in recent days, people had seen over a dozen imperial warships setting sail and that the court was recruiting experienced fishermen who knew the sea routes with generous rewards, supposedly to attack the pirate stronghold.

Her brother was quite excited about this.

Indeed, if the pirates could be eradicated soon, it would mean the maritime ban could be lifted earlier, which would certainly be good news.

But Jia Fu felt very uneasy.

She had a foreboding feeling.

Pei You’an was still keeping something from her, and it was something significant.

……

Cui Yin Shui, who accompanied Pei You’an to Jing-Xiang, though exhausted from the journey, dared not relax and served diligently all the way. On this day, they arrived in Nanyang, just a few days’ journey from An Hua County, the destination of this trip. That night, after finally reaching the relay station, both men and horses were exhausted. The station official, seeing their travel documents and learning that Pei You’an had returned to handle affairs, welcomed him enthusiastically, smiling as he said: “Lord Pei’s virtue and benevolence are widely respected. After your hasty departure last time, the common people still speak of you fondly. Unexpected that you have returned, it is truly a blessing for Jing-Xiang!”

Pei You’an asked a few questions about the people’s livelihood before settling down. Late into the night, Cui Yin Shui knocked and entered with tea, finding Pei You’an still sitting at the table, focused on writing what appeared to be a letter.

Cui Yin Shui didn’t dare approach, standing by the door to attend to him. As his eyes grew tired and sore, he advised: “My Lord, you’ve had a tiring day of travel, and we need to rise early tomorrow. It would be good to rest now. Before I left, my godfather instructed me, saying this assignment was an arduous one, and told me to take good care of myself. He would blame me if you were to become ill.”

Pei You’an was typically prolific in his writing, but tonight, for unknown reasons, and unclear whom the letter was addressed to, he had stopped several times. Hearing Cui Yin Shui speak, he raised his head, slowly put down his pen, and said: “Very well. I’ll sleep now. You should rest too.”

Cui Yin Shui hurriedly prepared the bedding. After Pei You’an lay down, he blew out the lamp and quietly left, closing the door behind him. The night passed without incident, and the next day, Cui Yin Shui rose early and waited outside for Pei You’an to awaken. After waiting for a long time with no sound from within, he boldly pushed open the door, only to find the bed neatly made and Pei You’an nowhere in the room.

Cui Yin Shui hurriedly called for the station official, who said: “Lord Pei departed at the fourth watch, saying you were tired from the journey and instructed me not to disturb you.”

Cui Yin Shui was shocked.

On this journey to the Southwest, besides serving, he had also been instructed by Li Yuan Gui to pay attention to Pei You’an’s movements and immediately inform the local secret office if he noticed anything unusual. Throughout the journey, there had been no abnormalities, but unexpectedly, this morning Pei You’an had left without notice. Cui Yin Shui stomped his foot and turned to leave urgently, but an accompanying guard stopped him, smiling as he said: “Eunuch Cui, Lord Pei gave instructions that you have worked hard all the way, and ordered us to keep you here to rest well for a few days. After you’ve had sufficient rest, it won’t be too late to find him.”