Border fortresses were mostly used for stationing troops.

The General’s Residence was built at the center of the city. It served as the residence for commanders who had been stationed in Xinzhou across dynasties to guard Yanmen Pass. Inside were the confidential seal room, records office, provisions department, and other facilities—though small like a sparrow, it had all the vital organs complete. Its land area was already considered extremely vast for a small city like Xinzhou.

Yan Lin led them all the way there, and they had already arrived at the entrance.

“The city received news early on that Master Xie was coming to supervise the troops. Officers of all ranks, both high and low, are already waiting inside.”

He dismounted at the entrance, handed the reins to a soldier nearby, and even reached out to steady Jiang Xuening who was dismounting beside him. He said this to Xie Wei who was emerging from the carriage, then waved his hand.

“Master, please.”

Xie Wei wasn’t wearing official robes, only plain clothing.

Others had only heard that in the past few days a high-ranking official from the capital had arrived at the border city, and had been speculating in their hearts about what kind of figure he might be. Now seeing him, they all couldn’t help but freeze for a moment, then were filled with amazement.

A person like this was actually an official?

Xie Wei didn’t look at anyone else. After getting off the carriage, he walked up the steps alongside Yan Lin and entered the General’s Residence, only asking: “Should we listen to the strategy discussion together?”

Jiang Xuening was startled for a moment before reacting: “Master is asking me?”

Xie Wei glanced at her but said nothing.

Jiang Xuening inexplicably shivered, feeling that Xie Ju’an’s gaze made people feel cold. Her spine straightened a bit more, but she instinctively glanced at Yan Lin. Thinking about the relationship between these two people, she felt it would be better not to get involved in this matter, so she said: “No need, how could I understand anything? Just have Yan Lin find someone to take me to rest first.”

Calling him “Yan Lin” so casually one after another made those nearby break out in cold sweat.

But she herself didn’t notice.

Yan Lin had no objections either. He summoned the old steward of the General’s Residence and asked him to take Jiang Xuening to the guest room.

Xie Wei then waved his hand at Jianshu, saying: “You go along too.”

Jianshu bowed his head and replied: “Yes.”

He stepped back from beside Xie Wei and automatically followed next to Jiang Xuening.

This left Jiang Xuening somewhat puzzled.

However, thinking it over, although it was said that Yan Lin had already taken control of military authority, it had only been a short time after all. At a time like this, who knew if any accidents might occur? Being cautious ensured safety—sending someone to follow her couldn’t be wrong.

She didn’t say anything and turned to follow the steward.

Yan Lin watched Jianshu following behind her, but for some reason suddenly frowned, again feeling that vague sense of something unusual.

He shifted his gaze to look at Xie Wei.

But Xie Wei had no reaction, only saying “Let’s go too,” and then crossed through the entrance hall, heading toward the strategy hall.

The border garrison had a hundred thousand troops. Named officers and generals numbered more than a dozen, and that didn’t even include local government officials from Xinzhou prefecture. So when Xie Wei went to meet them, it was quite lively.

He remained calm and composed, but these people were somewhat uneasy.

After all, winter was approaching, and they had never heard of anyone deliberately starting a military campaign in winter. Each had their own concerns.

Yan Lin had arrived in Xinzhou a month ago.

Single-handedly on horseback.

At that time, he carried neither transfer orders nor imperial edicts, and was even a “criminal official” who had left his place of exile without permission. Fortunately, few people at the border recognized him, so he took this opportunity to thoroughly understand the border situation.

The Marquis of Yongyi’s household had originally led troops in battle.

Among the border commanders, quite a few were old subordinates of his father, Yan Mu.

This should have been a good thing.

But after the marquis household’s incident, many people were also implicated—either unable to advance further in the military, or dismissed and demoted. Those in charge of Xinzhou’s hundred thousand garrison troops naturally belonged to the Xiao faction.

So on the first day of taking power, in order for future commands to be obeyed smoothly, Yan Lin did one thing.

“Beheaded?”

As Jiang Xuening followed the steward toward the guest room, she naturally inquired about border city matters along the way, but heard something that Yan Lin himself hadn’t mentioned earlier on the street, and was momentarily stunned.

“Executing a general on the battlefield…”

The old steward was advanced in years, his back hunched, but he felt not the slightest pity for that unfortunate soul who lost his head. In a muffled voice he said: “General Yan had just arrived in Xinzhou—wasn’t this doing a great service for us common people? These years with no wars at the border, who knows how many wastrels were bred, sucking blood from us ordinary folk. That killing was satisfying! Well deserved!”

Jiang Xuening suddenly fell silent.

But the old steward continued to ramble: “Look, those Tatars are about to attack, but a bunch of rice buckets still wanted to avoid battle. Yesterday it was the Grand Princess going to make a peace marriage, tomorrow those dog bastards could come plunder the city’s young ladies! Generals who don’t want to fight wars are good generals, but generals who don’t dare to fight wars should be dragged out and beheaded like that. You came too late—if you’d come a few days earlier, the blood on the execution platform outside the city wouldn’t have dried yet. Quite a sight to see.”

Jianshu quietly glanced at Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening was lost in thought.

The old steward had already reached the guest room entrance. After talking for so long, he finally realized and quickly bowed: “Look at me, getting old with too much to say. I don’t even know if these words should be said in front of noble persons. Please don’t blame me.”

Jiang Xuening was just somewhat surprised.

But actually there was nothing shocking about it.

To truly stand firm in such a place and genuinely control military authority, decisive killing methods were indispensable. Only by making an example of someone could the remaining people be filled with trepidation, and only then could those old subordinates from the marquis household in the army truly be convinced.

She just felt some pity for the youth of former days—

Coming here single-handedly to such a place, isolated and without support yet still having to make all sorts of decisions. Who knew how many dangers he had encountered, yet when meeting her, he hadn’t mentioned a single word, as if everything was going smoothly.

Jiang Xuening thanked the old steward and entered the room herself, discovering that this room had been carefully arranged and wasn’t as rough as it appeared from outside. Even new rouge had been placed on the vanity table.

She couldn’t help but smile.

But turning her head, she said to Jianshu: “I’ll just stay in the room and not go out. You should go back and stay with your master first. In case there are any orders, you’ll be there to attend to them.”

Jianshu hesitated briefly, probably also feeling that the unfamiliar environment of Xinzhou was worrying. He bowed to her and without saying much more, took his leave and headed back toward the strategy hall.

Xie Wei naturally came to first understand the situation in the city.

What these commanders were most worried about was the provisions situation.

The court had sent Xie Wei ostensibly to supervise the troops, but in reality it was to prevent a mutiny at the border. Naturally they wouldn’t prepare any provisions, and one could say there wasn’t even the slightest hint of it. But Xie Wei and Yan Lin had other plans—the Tatars definitely had to be fought, and Shen Zhiyi definitely had to be rescued. So when responding to questions about provisions, he showed no panic at all, only saying that provisions and supplies were already on their way, and asking everyone not to worry.

Since such a high-ranking official from the capital had said so, everyone relaxed somewhat.

After the discussion ended, they only said that a banquet would be held in the evening to welcome Xie Wei, and then all took their leave.

Only Xie Wei and Yan Lin remained in the hall.

The tea in the cups retained only a trace of warmth.

Xie Wei picked it up and took a sip.

But Yan Lin watched him, a rare hesitation appearing in his eyes, even containing a different kind of scrutiny. He tried to discern something from his features, tried to match them with the anticipation and watchfulness his father had shown these past two years.

When the Marquis of Yongyi’s household nearly faced the calamity of having their home raided and clan exterminated, fortunately someone behind the scenes helped them.

That person was Xie Wei.

But what relationship did he have with the marquis household? On the surface, none at all—he was merely his teacher when he studied in the palace.

Back then, when his father was ill, Yan Lin had his own speculations and asked him: “Who exactly is Master Xie?”

His father coughed severely but refused to reveal more.

Only with tears in his eyes, he told him: “He is someone you must completely trust.”

At that time, he had an answer in the depths of his heart.

After a long silence, Yan Lin finally said: “These years, thank you for looking after us, Master.”

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids: “Is the Marquis well?”

Yan Lin said: “In past years in the capital, there were always matters weighing on him, and the illness had taken root early. It worsened somewhat on the road to Huangzhou. However, after arriving there, life became harder, and later it became more leisurely. It seemed as if some knot in his heart had been untied, and he actually recovered. When I left Huangzhou, Boss Lu came to look after him, and everything has been properly settled.”

Xie Wei nodded and said nothing more.

He had never been easy to approach.

Yan Lin also found it difficult to imagine that his former teacher was actually his older brother. He blinked but ultimately couldn’t change how he addressed him, and asked again: “Master, since you’ve come here, what about the court?”

Xie Wei said: “The border is still some distance from the capital. Fighting a war is such a major matter—even if Xinzhou is under control, it’s impossible to cut off communications completely. So the battle must be swift and decisive. Otherwise, when the court reacts, we might face enemies on both fronts. But if we can defeat the Tatars and rescue the princess before the court reacts, we’ll have won a step ahead. At that point, I’ll only claim that when I arrived in Xinzhou, the border garrison had already fallen under your control, and it truly wasn’t within my power to change, so I could only go with the flow. Since you control military authority and have won popular support, the court won’t dare break with you openly, but will find ways to pacify and recruit you, granting you the rank of duke, marquis, or earl.”

Yan Lin immediately frowned: “Duke, marquis, or earl?”

Xie Wei looked at him with a half-smile: “Don’t want it?”

Yan Lin was frank: “Don’t want it.”

Xie Wei gently set down his teacup. The slight curve at the corner of his lips took on more inscrutability, and he only said: “Not wanting it is also simple.”

The two didn’t talk for very long.

Xie Wei had also come by carriage and horse, traveling day and night. There was still a banquet to attend in the evening. After speaking a few words with Yan Lin, he emerged from the strategy hall, went to his own guest room, inquired about the situation on Jiang Xuening’s side, then after briefly washing up, rested for two hours.

When the sky gradually darkened and someone came to request his presence, he went out again.

The welcoming banquet was set up inside the General’s Residence.

Everyone up and down knew that a distinguished guest had come from the capital.

Apart from that immortal-like Master Xie, the most attention-catching was none other than that “Second Miss Ning.” People didn’t actually know her identity or name, but hearing those who came with her all address her this way, they followed suit, all thinking her surname was “Ning” and she ranked second in her family.

How specially General Yan treated her—in just an afternoon, it had already spread throughout Xinzhou city.

No one in the residence dared treat her poorly.

Moreover, Yan Lin had given instructions, and she was naturally invited to attend the evening welcoming banquet.

The courtyard outside had already been rearranged. Inside what was originally the strategy hall, tables and cases were newly arranged, and rare fine wines and dishes were all served.

When Jiang Xuening arrived, almost everyone was already there.

Xie Wei sat at the head seat.

Yan Lin sat across from him.

She figured she was just here to eat and drink, and didn’t want to join that commotion. She sat closer to the other female family members brought by various officials and commanders, listening to them talk about interesting border stories.

Without a doubt, Jiang Xuening was absolutely the eye-catching focus among these wives and young ladies.

People couldn’t help being curious about her identity.

She didn’t reveal her family background, only saying she was Xie Wei’s student and Yan Lin’s friend. Hearing this, everyone exclaimed in amazement and came to toast her.

Jiang Xuening really didn’t have much alcohol tolerance.

But after this difficult journey, finally arriving at the border, and waiting for You Fangyin and Lu Xian to subsequently arrange provisions and supplies so they could attack the Tatars and rescue the princess—she felt some anticipation, some happiness in her heart. Half-pushing, half-accepting, she drank two cups and already felt somewhat dizzy.

Border women were truly bold and forthright.

Even women who had already entered inner households weren’t as constrained by rules as those in the military, being quite open. Seeing that she didn’t truly refuse, they became even more energetic in urging her to drink.

After Jiang Xuening drank two more cups, alarm bells went off.

She didn’t dare be too unrestrained in this kind of occasion, and after all wasn’t a girl raised in the north—she really couldn’t handle it. Quickly finding an excuse about getting some fresh air to sober up, she slipped out first.

On the commanders’ side, they had also gone through three rounds of drinks.

Yan Lin saw Jiang Xuening go out from afar and couldn’t help worrying a bit. He said “excuse me” to those beside him and to Xie Wei across from him, then also set down his cup and left the hall.

Behind him immediately rose a wave of good-natured laughter.

Who hadn’t heard today’s rumors in the city?

Though they didn’t know that Second Miss Ning’s identity, they could guess she should be Yan Lin’s sweetheart.

Watching him go out, how could they not know what he was doing?

So someone at the table teased: “Even heroes cannot pass the beauty barrier.”

Others naturally chimed in.

Only Xie Wei watched coldly and picked up his wine cup.

Everyone present knew this person was the current Imperial Tutor—they didn’t dare slight him in the least and were extremely perceptive. Seeing him pick up his cup, they immediately came over with smiles to toast him.

Xie Wei held the cup and didn’t refuse.

His fingers were slender like jade bamboo, and his drinking manner was quite refined, only his facial expression was somewhat detached, not warm toward anyone. The commanders also didn’t dare be presumptuous, but instead grew wary of him and became even more cautious.

Lanterns hung along the corridor, and servants carrying wine and dishes came and went, ready to answer any summons.

Jiang Xuening came out from the hall and sat on the beauty’s rest at the corner to get some fresh air.

Northern winds were cold—one gust across the face made one sober up.

Yan Lin emerged from the hall and immediately recognized her not-very-distinct silhouette in the dim area. He was about to walk forward when his eyes caught sight of a small cluster of stonepink blooming by the corridor.

White on the outer ring, purple in the center.

Though the flowers were only slightly larger than copper coins, in the northern cold they were delicate and lovely, extraordinarily rare.

He stopped to look for a moment, remembering something, couldn’t help smiling, and bent down to pick one, along with a stem about as long as a finger with a small leaf.

He spun it once between his fingers, then walked toward Jiang Xuening with his hands behind his back.

When he got close, he coughed once.

Jiang Xuening turned to see him and couldn’t help raising her eyebrows with some surprise, standing up and smiling: “Why did you come out too?”

Yan Lin said: “Saw you come out.”

Jiang Xuening raised her eyes and had to tilt her head back slightly to look at him, muttering: “This is Xinzhou, you’re the commander of the three armies. How can you just leave the table at will? Being this willful, be careful Master scolds you later.”

Yan Lin thought, what was there to worry about?

Though they had been here almost a full day, sometimes it was strategy discussions, sometimes arrangements—aside from some casual conversation on the road here, there actually hadn’t been an opportunity for detailed talk.

He looked at her: “Have the past two years been well?”

The sounds of toasting from the distant hall carried over.

But here it was extremely quiet.

The lanterns swayed gently in the slightly cold wind, also swaying gently in Jiang Xuening’s vision.

She curved her lips into a smile: “How could I not be well?”

After a long silence, she asked: “And you?”

Yan Lin’s deep black eyes were illuminated by the dim light, carrying a warm, soft quality. He slowly said: “Not as bad as imagined.”

For a moment, they were at a loss for words.

In the deep blue ink-like night sky, the bright moon hung high.

That silk-like luminance was pure as cold frost.

Yan Lin took another step closer and asked: “How did you end up coming with Master Xie?”

Jiang Xuening thought of Xie Wei and said nothing.

But Yan Lin watched her for a long time, then actually asked: “Where is Zhang Zhe?”

In this moment, Jiang Xuening felt as if struck by something.

She hadn’t thought of this person for a while.

Suddenly hearing this name, a kind of unfamiliar dull pain surged up, making her eyes moisten somewhat. Not knowing what to say, she lowered her gaze somewhat dimly.

Actually, words weren’t necessary.

Yan Lin had after all accompanied her through those days of wandering the streets and alleys—he didn’t understand her completely, but could discern her emotions and guess there probably wasn’t a good outcome.

After hesitating a moment, he still brought out that stonepink and held it toward her.

He only smiled: “Such a small matter. Look, I just saw this and picked it for you. Don’t be unhappy.”

In the quiet night, the small petals trembled.

Jiang Xuening’s gaze moved from his face to the flower, and she was reminded of that rainy night long ago, that string of winter jasmine. Tears finally clung to her lashes and rolled down, but she only looked at him, not reaching out to take it.

Yan Lin suddenly felt very frustrated.

Frustrated at her being like this.

For an instant, he wanted to hold her tight and press her into his embrace, but he was no longer in his recklessly carefree youth. He only said: “Even if there’s no Zhang Zhe, it still won’t be me, will it?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t dare answer.

Yan Lin gave a sudden laugh.

He looked at that stonepink for a moment, then after all raised his hand and pinched off the flower at the top, only holding out the thin section of stem with its single leaf, both indulgent and helpless, with a shallow melancholy: “Consider it my sincere feelings. Don’t disappoint them.”

Only then did Jiang Xuening take it.

Her nose stung, her eyes burned. She almost choked out a response: “Mm.”

But Yan Lin smiled and ruffled her hair: “Two years without seeing you, how are you still like this? No wonder people don’t want you.”

Jiang Xuening thought, was it really a matter of wanting or not wanting between Zhang Zhe and me?

But though her heart was full of sadness, it was all disrupted by his vigorous hair-ruffling, and she suddenly burst into laughter through tears, reproaching him: “If Minister Zhang heard you talking such utter nonsense, no matter how good his temper, he’d have to beat you.”

Yan Lin looked at her and didn’t refute, only saying: “The wind is cold outside. Let’s go back.”

Jiang Xuening figured she was tired too and didn’t want to return to the banquet, so she nodded, wanting to go back to the guest room to sleep.

But after walking two steps forward, she stopped again.

Turning around, holding that thin flower stem in her hand, from several steps away she looked at Yan Lin, whose stature had become even more mature, and said extremely earnestly: “Yan Lin, I’m not unhappy. I’m truly very happy.”

Very happy that you’re still that youth who would pick flowers for me.

Though…

I’m no longer that girl who could accept your flowers with peace of mind.

She walked far away.

The corridor lights remained as before.

Yan Lin stood tall, his shadow stretched long on the ground. His fingers, from years of gripping swords, had grown a thin layer of calluses. That small purple-white stonepink hung low between his fingers, silent.

After a very long time, he slowly smiled.