Zhu Yu – Chapter 129

As autumn deepened, the northern lands grew colder day by day. In the early mornings, a layer of frost coated the bare branches of the elm and poplar trees in the courtyard.

During the month Fan Changyu spent recuperating from her injuries, her attire had changed from light summer garments to thick autumn clothes.

She had injured her back while protecting Yu Qianqian and her son, leaving her unable to practice martial arts for a short period. Bored with lying around, she turned to the abstruse Four Books and Five Classics.

In truth, Fan Changyu was more interested in military treatises, but the tactics and strategies mentioned in them often required knowledge of astronomy and geography, which gave her headaches. She decided to start with more basic texts, progressing gradually.

Changning, who had previously studied with a tutor, often skipping lessons, now saw Fan Changyu reading every day. With Yu Bao’er as a playmate, she suddenly became interested in studying again, competing with Yu Bao’er to see who could recognize more characters.

Yu Bao’er could already recite simple poems, which Changning couldn’t match. Her competitive spirit aroused, and Changning demanded a tutor to teach her.

The tutor who had been hired for her during their temporary stay in Chongzhou hadn’t followed them to Jizhou.

As they didn’t have a stable place to stay, Fan Changyu postponed hiring a new tutor for her.

Yu Bao’er volunteered to teach Changning, but the girl’s strange pride prevented her from accepting. Fan Changyu, though not widely read, had been forced by her mother to learn all the characters, so she began teaching Changning herself.

Yu Bao’er was eager to learn and joined Fan Changyu’s lessons every day.

The two children often competed to recite poems, seeing who could memorize them faster. Usually, Yu Bao’er had the upper hand, which nearly brought Changning to tears. Too proud to cry openly, she would sneak into Fan Changyu’s room at night with her pillow, pretending she wanted to sleep together but trying to get ahead in her studies. This amused and exasperated Fan Changyu.

Using this method, Changning managed to beat Yu Bao’er a few times. However, Yu Bao’er learned quickly, and soon suggested they learn two poems a day instead of one.

Changning, already feeling guilty about her secret studying, couldn’t find a reason to refuse. She fidgeted nervously, unable to speak.

Fan Changyu, somewhat oblivious, saw that Changning had caught up and thought both children were learning quickly. She agreed to the new arrangement.

As expected, Changning lost again when they started learning two poems a day.

When Madam Zhao brought them snacks, Changning sat on a small stool in the corner, facing the wall, her pigtails drooping.

Madam Zhao asked with a smile, “What’s wrong with Miss Ning? Her little mouth is pouting so much you could hang an oil bottle on it.”

Fan Changyu, sitting on a lounge chair in the sun with a book, laughed and replied, “She lost a recitation competition with Bao’er.”

Madam Zhao called Changning over to eat some water chestnut cakes, saying cheerfully, “Come and eat the cakes I made. Ning, you’re Bao’er’s little aunt, after all. It’s only right to let him win.”

Changning turned her head in surprise, exclaiming excitedly at Yu Bao’er, “I’m your little aunt!”

Yu Bao’er, hearing this for the first time, furrowed his brow in confusion: “But Ning is younger than me. Shouldn’t she be Little Sister Changning?”

Madam Zhao laughed heartily: “Generational order isn’t determined by age. You call Changyu ‘Aunt,’ and Ning is Changyu’s sister, so that makes her your little aunt, doesn’t it?”

Changning, young but clever, realized she had gained an advantage over Yu Bao’er in terms of family hierarchy. She immediately cheered up, grinning from ear to ear, and said to Yu Bao’er, “Quick, call me Little Aunt!”

Fan Changyu shook her head and smiled at the two little mischief-makers.

Yu Bao’er pressed his lips together, then suddenly looked at Fan Changyu: “Then I won’t call Changyu ‘Aunt’ anymore. I’ll call her ‘Elder Sister’ instead.”

Fan Changyu had just turned a page in her book when she heard Yu Bao’er’s question. She found herself both amused and exasperated: “That won’t do.”

Yu Bao’er’s face, no longer as round as before, wrinkled in confusion, showing traces of a young boy’s features. He asked, “Why not?”

Fan Changyu explained, “If you call me ‘Elder Sister,’ wouldn’t that put me and your mother in different generations?”

Yu Bao’er fell silent, looking glum.

Only Changning was gloating, her smile reaching her eyes.

As the sun rose higher, the morning frost on the eaves and bare branches melted away. Sunlight streamed into the room as Changning and Yu Bao’er resumed their studies, swaying their heads as they read. Fan Changyu watched them with amusement for a while before stretching lazily on her lounge chair.

Xie Wu entered from outside the courtyard and reported, “Commander, an esteemed guest has arrived.”

Fan Changyu raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering who could be visiting her in Jizhou.

Soon, Gongsun Yin appeared, walking gracefully into the courtyard. He wore a white robe with a silver fox fur cape draped over his shoulders. Despite the cold autumn, he smiled as warmly as a spring breeze: “It’s been a long time since we parted at the Yixian Gorge battlefield. I can finally congratulate you in person on your promotion to Commander, Miss Fan.”

Surprised to see Gongsun Yin, Fan Changyu rose to greet him: “Master Gongsun, what an unexpected pleasure.”

Yu Bao’er, having never met Gongsun Yin before, eyed the handsome stranger warily.

Changning, however, dashed towards Gongsun Yin like a little firecracker, exclaiming joyfully, “Uncle Gongsun!”

Gongsun Yin patted the top of Changning’s head, commenting sincerely, “Your hair is finally neatly tied.”

Changning shook the bells and fluffy flowers on her hair bun, saying, “Madam Zhao did it.”

Gongsun Yin replied, “I guessed as much.”

Fan Changyu coughed lightly, interrupting the conversation between the adult and child: “Our humble abode is simple, Master Gongsun. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Madam Zhao, sensing that Fan Changyu had business to discuss, coaxed the two children to leave with her.

Xie Wu helped Gongsun Yin pour a cup of tea, and Fan Changyu asked, “Weren’t you in Kangcheng, Master Gongsun? What brings you suddenly to Jizhou?”

Gongsun Yin took a sip of hot tea and raised an eyebrow: “Haven’t you received the news, Miss Fan? His Majesty has decreed that all generals who contributed to quelling the rebellion are to go to the capital for investiture.”

Fan Changyu replied, “I’ve been recovering from my injuries and haven’t been on duty at the military camp, so I was indeed unaware of this news.”

She asked curiously, “Is Master Gongsun joining the troops to head to the capital together?”

Gongsun Yin opened his folding fan, speaking mysteriously, “The Gongsun family doesn’t involve itself in court affairs. I’m here at Xie Jiuheng’s request.”

Noticing Fan Changyu’s momentary confusion, he paused and asked, “Didn’t Xie Zheng tell you his courtesy name?”

Fan Changyu shook her head. Previously, she hadn’t known Xie Zheng’s true identity, and after finding out, they quickly parted ways, leaving no opportunity to discuss such details.

She remarked with some interest, “So his courtesy name is Jiuheng.”

Gongsun Yin said sourly, “Grand Tutor Tao personally chose his courtesy name, so of course it’s good.”

Fan Changyu said, “My adoptive father gave me a courtesy name too.”

Gongsun Yin’s strikingly handsome face instantly twisted with jealousy. Gripping his teacup, he looked at Fan Changyu with extreme resentment and said, “Alright, let’s drop this topic.”

Fan Changyu looked bewildered, not understanding Gongsun Yin’s sudden change in mood.

She hadn’t received any letters from Xie Zheng for a long time. Before he went to the capital, he had told her that if anything happened to him, she shouldn’t heed the summons to the capital and should stay in the northwest instead.

Now that the summons had arrived, but there was no news from Xie Zheng, Fan Changyu wasn’t sure whether to stay put or bring Bao’er to the capital as ordered.

She asked, “What did he ask you to do in Jizhou?”

Gongsun Yin looked at Fan Changyu and said thoughtfully, “Well, that’s a secret for now. However, he’s suddenly started investigating matters related to the Sixteenth Prince in the capital, which might be connected to the truth about the Jinzhou incident.”

At the mention of the Jinzhou massacre, Fan Changyu’s heart sank, and she momentarily lost focus.

Gongsun Yin said, “I came here today firstly to visit you, Miss Fan, and secondly, to meet the descendant of Crown Prince Chengde.”

Tapping his closed fan against his palm, he asked, “That child in the room earlier, he’s the descendant of Crown Prince Chengde, isn’t he?”

Fan Changyu nodded.

Gongsun Yin continued, “I heard that Miss Fan was seriously injured while saving that child. Your departure from the city caused quite a stir, and you brought the child with you to the capital afterward. Tang Peiyi is bound to be suspicious. Before you set out for the capital, Miss Fan, you should think about how to explain the child’s background to Tang Peiyi.”

Fan Changyu asked, “Does Master Gongsun have any suggestions?”

Gongsun Yin looked at Fan Changyu with some surprise, noting that her time in the military had indeed matured her. He said, “General Tang is an honest man, and with Lord He’s connection, he can be won over.”

This aligned with Fan Changyu’s thoughts.

Gongsun Yin stayed for less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea before leaving. Changning and Yu Bao’er were playing in the courtyard, and when they saw Gongsun Yin leave, Changning followed him like a little tail to the main gate before finally letting him go.

Looking at the child’s large, moist eyes that resembled black grapes, the usually miserly Gongsun Yin gritted his teeth and gave Changning all the silver he had on him, telling her to buy some candied hawthorn fruits.

Changning’s calls of “Uncle Gongsun” became even sweeter.

She was generous, though, and didn’t forget to share the candied hawthorn fruits with Yu Bao’er. For the first time, Yu Bao’er, who had never refused anything she offered before, declined. He said seriously, “Eating too much sugar will give you cavities, and that’s ugly.”

Changning wasn’t afraid of cavities, but she was afraid of being ugly. She hesitated, holding the candied hawthorn fruits, not daring to eat them.

Yu Bao’er continued earnestly, “My mother says that people who randomly buy sweets for children are usually bad. I think that man from earlier looked very suspicious.”

Changning’s mouth gaped open in an “Ah,” and she clutched her clothes, conflicted. “But Uncle Gongsun isn’t…”

Yu Bao’er suddenly asked, “Are you close to him?”

Changning nodded. Because she was dressed warmly and had been playing in the courtyard for a while, she had worked up a sweat. Her cheeks were rosy, and in the sunlight, the fine hairs on her face were visible, making her look adorably pink and white.

She said, “Uncle Gongsun’s hairstyles are so pretty!”

Yu Bao’er looked at her soft, fine hair tied into little buns and pressed his lips together tightly. He said, “I can do pretty hairstyles for you in the future.”

Changning couldn’t do her hair and found it troublesome. When she heard Yu Bao’er’s offer, she was quite tempted. Her large black grape-like eyes looked at Yu Bao’er: “Do you know how to do hair?”

Yu Bao’er said, “I can learn.”

The next day, when Madam Zhao was doing Changning’s hair early in the morning, a little figure stood beside them, observing. Madam Zhao laughed and told Yu Bao’er not to rush, saying they could go out to play after Changning’s hair was done.

Yu Bao’er watched very attentively and said, “I’m not in a hurry, Madam Zhao. Please take your time.”

Madam Zhao praised the child for being so understanding.

Fan Changyu knew nothing of this. Her injuries had fully healed, and on her first day back at the military camp, Tang Peiyi told her about the imminent departure for the capital. He then kept her behind to ask about Yu Bao’er, as she had expected.

Fan Changyu saluted and said, “I feel guilty for concealing this from you until now, General. That child… indeed has an unusual background.”

Tang Peiyi sighed, “If you’re planning to bring the child to the capital with the troops and you don’t give me some insight, I won’t know how to react if something unexpected happens on the way.”

Fan Changyu nodded: “It was careless of me. That child… is a descendant of Crown Prince Chengde.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Peiyi exclaimed in shock, “Wasn’t the Crown Prince’s eldest son killed…?”

He stopped mid-sentence, realizing the implications.

With this child appearing now, and the Blood Clothes Riders secretly protecting him, who had tried to kill the child before?

Tang Peiyi was unaware of Qi Min’s existence and assumed it was the Emperor who wanted to kill Yu Bao’er. He broke out in a cold sweat.

After pacing back and forth in the tent several times, he said to Fan Changyu, “I understand now. You may go. I’ll secretly assign more men to protect the young prince during our march.”

Fan Changyu bowed and said, “This subordinate thanks the General.”

Tang Peiyi pointed at Fan Changyu and said with some resignation, “You…”

He sighed, “Preserving this bit of Crown Prince Chengde’s bloodline is fulfilling our duty as subjects.”

After two months of marching, the army finally reached the capital.

With Tang Peiyi’s secret support, the carriage carrying Yu Bao’er was protected like an iron barrel throughout the journey, and no further incidents occurred.

The soldiers camped at the Western Mountain Camp outside the city. Tang Peiyi selected only a few hundred of the most distinguished and meritorious officers to enter the city with him.

The court officials who came to receive them had specially prepared newly forged Mingguang armor, to make the army look more magnificent and imposing as they entered the city.

After changing and resting, the army headed towards the North City Gate.

Fan Changyu had achieved great merit in quelling the rebellion. Even though the court hadn’t officially bestowed rewards yet, the entire capital knew that a female general had emerged from the northwest.

Flag-bearing ceremonial troops led the way, with crowds of cheering citizens lining both sides of the long street to welcome their triumphant return.

Fan Changyu rode her horse just behind and to the side of Tang Peiyi, with He Jingyuan’s eldest son riding beside her.

Citizens along the street threw flowers at them. As the only female general in the army, and with her outstanding appearance and demeanor, many citizens called out to Fan Changyu enthusiastically. The cries of “General Fan” were full of admiration and joy.

Some young women even threw handkerchiefs at Fan Changyu.

Faced with this situation for the first time, Fan Changyu felt somewhat at a loss. Afraid of losing her dignity, she tried to maintain a stern expression on horseback.

Little did she know that her cold demeanor only made her appear more like the awe-inspiring female general the citizens had imagined.

Among the crowd, the loudest cheers were for Fan Changyu.

Young girls, in the bloom of their youth, even shed tears, lamenting, “What a pity that General Fang is a woman; otherwise, I would marry her!”

“I wonder if General Fang has any brothers. If I can’t marry her, I’d be happy to be her sister-in-law!”

Amidst the bustling crowd, the officers and soldiers trying to maintain order struggled to hold back the excited citizens rushing to welcome the victorious army. Yet, in this sea of faces, Fang Changyu’s keen eyes caught sight of a gaze directed at her from a nearby tavern.

She tilted her head to look up. Most of the windows on the second floor of the tavern were wide open.

In one half-opened window, she recognized a familiar figure, who was quietly watching her.

The vibrant red chrysanthemums on the windowsill couldn’t overshadow the elegance of his features.

Fearing detection, Fang Changyu offered a slight smile to Xie Zheng as she passed.

Inside the private room, Xie Zheng gazed at the female general, now surrounded by cheers as she rode triumphantly down the street. For a moment, he was lost in thought.

A year ago, he had seen her in a tavern in Lin’an, wielding a cleaver as she led a group of ruffians, exuding an aura of defiance.

Now, she rode back on a silver-saddled steed, clad in armor, a dazzling presence basking in the cheers of the crowd, a radiant general who shone like the sun.

Xie Zheng admired the sight of her, upright and poised like a young bamboo on horseback, and he too couldn’t help but raise the corners of his lips in a faint smile.