The melodious music of Shao and the harmonious sounds of qin and se filled the air. The governor’s mansion was festively decorated, with lanterns and candles burning brightly.
Pei Yan had ordered Tian Ce to take over the defense of Longzhou and other areas, leading troops there. Tong Min returned to the Long Feng Guard, no longer holding a military position. Pei Yan had also asked Military Doctor Ling to propose marriage to Doctor Li on Tong Min’s behalf. They chose this day to hold the wedding of Tong Min and Miss Li at the governor’s mansion in Cheng County.
On that day, Doctor Li from “Huichun Hall brought his family to Niubi Mountain. After presenting the token given by Nan Gong Jue, they joined Tong Min’s army as military doctors. Miss Li, like Jiang Ci, had witnessed the war firsthand and helped her father save wounded soldiers in the medical tent. Somehow, she and Tong Min had fallen in love. Later, when Tong Min led troops to “Returning Geese Pass,” the father and daughter followed with the army.
Now that the two were finally getting married, the entire Long Feng Guard was genuinely happy for Tong Min. With the recent victory in the great battle, although the wedding was somewhat hastily arranged, it was extraordinarily lively. Even Guard Commander Wei Zhao, who had been bedridden since being wounded by Yi Han, attended the wedding.
Military Doctor Ling personally served as the officiant. As Tong Min had no relatives, Pei Yan acted as the male family representative. When Tong Min led Miss Li into the bridal chamber with a red silk ribbon, the Long Feng Guard erupted in laughter. Tong Min’s face turned bright red with embarrassment, but he couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing Chen An and others winking and making faces, he knew these rascals would surely make a commotion in the bridal chamber tonight, but there was nothing he could do about it, and could only accept it with good humor.
Pei Yan’s smile was as elegant as jade. After drinking the tea offered by Tong Min and Miss Li, he took out a token and handed it to Tong Min.
Seeing the token clearly, Tong Min fell to his knees with a thud. Miss Li, her face veiled, quickly knelt as well. Pei Yan smiled and said, “Please rise.”
Tong Min was choked with emotion and could barely speak. After a while, he finally said, “Tong Min will not fail My Lord’s trust, nor Brother An’s—”
Only then did everyone realize that on this joyous day, Pei Yan had officially handed over the command of the Long Feng Guard to Tong Min. Remembering the late An Chen and seeing the room full of red candles, many of the Long Feng Guard members felt deeply moved, their eyes growing moist.
Pei Yan bent down to help Tong Min up, smiling, “Get up quickly. You can’t have the bride kneeling with you.”
Tong Min’s eyes were red, and he couldn’t speak. Pei Yan gave a signal, and Military Doctor Ling cheerfully announced, “The ceremony is complete! Escort them to the bridal chamber!”
Chen An and the others surged forward, their laughter shaking the heavens as they escorted the newlyweds to the back hall.
Pei Yan watched as the crowd led the newlyweds away, then turned to Wei Zhao with a smile, saying, “Guard Commander Wei, shall we—”
But Wei Zhao hadn’t heard him. He was smiling faintly, his gaze fixed on a corner of the hall. Pei Yan followed his line of sight, his smile gradually fading. He slowly picked up a cup of wedding wine from the table and brought it to his lips. The wine in his mouth was tasteless, and he found he couldn’t look away.
Jiang Ci had changed back into women’s clothing for the occasion, wearing a light cyan double-breasted padded jacket and a dark cyan gauze skirt. Without makeup, her beautiful face was as captivating as the new moon. She had styled her hair in the Jinghu bun, worn only by married women, with no pearl ornaments, only the jade hairpin inserted at an angle.
She stood in a corner of the hall under the red candles, a smile on her lips, her gaze meeting Wei Zhao’s over the laughing crowd. They seemed to recall something simultaneously, their cheeks flushing slightly. After a moment, Jiang Ci smiled, her eyes radiating endless brilliance, like intoxicating wine.
The laughter filling the hall and the guests in the room all seemed to fade into the distance. Pei Yan slowly finished his cup of wine, finding it indescribably bitter. He stood up and bowed slightly, saying, “Guard Commander Wei, please excuse me.”
Wei Zhao came to his senses, inwardly alarmed. He also stood up and said calmly, “I’m feeling a bit tired as well. Please excuse me, everyone.” He nodded to Ning Jianyu and Cui Liang, then walked towards the back hall. Jiang Ci quietly slipped through the bustling crowd and followed him.
Pei Yan patted Ning Jianyu’s shoulder, who quickly stood up and followed him toward the study in the main courtyard of the governor’s mansion.
Jiang Ci closed the door of the west side room and rushed into the room, smiling, “It’s a pity the bride’s face was veiled. I wanted to see if she’s as beautiful as the rumors say.”
Wei Zhao took her right hand, gently pulling her into his embrace. Stroking her hair, he said, “Xiao Ci, I—”
Knowing what he was about to say, Jiang Ci covered his mouth with her hand. Looking at his slightly guilty expression, she said softly, “I like that we married in front of my father and sister.”
Wei Zhao’s voice was hoarse: “Xiao Ci, in a few days, when the Crown Prince’s edict arrives, we’ll have to return to the capital.”
The smile on Jiang Ci’s face slowly faded. She murmured, “So soon?” Suddenly, she hugged Wei Zhao’s waist tightly and looked up at him, her voice pleading, “Can we not go back to the capital?”
Wei Zhao was at a loss for words. Jiang Ci gradually calmed down, resting her face against his chest, and said softly, “Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”
“Xiao Ci, I’m sorry to put you through this.” Wei Zhao hesitated for a moment before continuing with difficulty, “Right now, only the Young Lord and Ziming know about our relationship. When we return to the capital, I still have several important matters to attend to.”
Jiang Ci fell silent for a while, then said quietly, “Then I’ll follow behind you secretly, going to the capital alone.”
“No, that won’t do. Judging from the Young Lord’s reaction earlier, I’m afraid he won’t let you leave. If you go alone, what if something happens to you?”
“The Lord let me go before, so he shouldn’t—”
Wei Zhao smiled slightly, “I understand his thoughts best.”
He thought to himself: When he let you go that day, allowing you to come find me, it was merely to use you to hold me back. But your thoughts are pure; it’s better if you don’t know too much about these intrigues and schemes. In this world, there should be a place that remains untainted.
Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Ci looked up with a smile, “Don’t worry. Didn’t you say that no matter where I go, you’d be able to find me?” She gently traced his straight nose, “You have a nose like a cheetah’s. No matter where I run, I can’t escape your grasp.”
Her words were playful and gentle. He couldn’t resist kissing her lips until she was breathless. Then he said softly, “You’re truly naive.”
“What do you mean?”
He sighed, holding her tightly, and said, “What I said before was just to scare you.”
“Then how did you manage to intercept me at the inn when I tried to escape?” Jiang Ci asked, confused.
He laughed, “You think you’re clever? When you walked backward, your footprints were much deeper. I saw through it immediately. Once I found the big tree where you had hidden, of course, I could catch up to you. But I wanted to see how long you could last, so I gave you one night of freedom.”
Jiang Ci grew annoyed and bit his hand hard. Enduring the pain, he stroked her back, coaxing her, “I was wrong. Please don’t go alone.”
Remembering the current situation, Jiang Ci said, “Then starting tomorrow, I’ll stay by Brother Cui’s side. I want to continue learning medicine from him anyway, so it won’t arouse suspicion.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Wei Zhao’s heart grew heavy with regret and guilt. The path ahead seemed shrouded in dark clouds and thorny brambles. What future could he promise her? He could only hold her tightly and say, “Xiao Ci, I was careless. I shouldn’t have brought you to Cheng County.”
Jiang Ci looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. “No, you promised me you’d never leave me behind again.”
From outside the courtyard, faint sounds of laughter and merriment drifted in. Wei Zhao kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear, “Follow Ziming to the capital. Once there, ask him to find a way to lose Shao Jun’s men. Then wait for me at the last house on Old Willow Lane in West Zhizhi Street of the Inner City. The key is hidden in a hollow of the second branch of the willow tree in front of the house.”
Jiang Ci softly murmured her agreement. Wei Zhao hesitated for a long moment before finally saying, “Don’t worry, that… that person is now bedridden with a severe illness—”
Jiang Ci wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Go do what you need to do. I’ll wait for you there. Just remember the promise you made to me.”
Wei Zhao stroked her silken hair, then suddenly lifted her into his arms, his dark eyes brimming with affection. Jiang Ci buried her face in his shoulder and softly said, “Wu Xia, I want to bear you a child—”
Wei Zhao’s steps faltered as he carried her to the bed. Slowly, he removed her jade hairpin. The bed curtains enveloped them in tenderness, the pillow covered with her ebony tresses. He dared not think of their future, instead losing himself in endless, tender passion.
Outside, laughter continued to float through the air. Inside, the red candle flickered with a soft “pop,” its light casting shadowy figures on the bed curtains.
He gently wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. Her cheeks still flushed, he smiled softly and rose to dress.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
He paused, a flicker of pain crossing his face. When he turned back, his smile was gentle once more. “I have some business to attend to. You sleep first.”
In another part of the compound, Ning Jianyu listened to the distant sounds of laughter, Chen An’s booming voice particularly clear. He closed the window of the study and shook his head with a chuckle. “Those rascals, Tong Min is in for a rough night.”
Pei Yan, seated at the chess table, couldn’t help but laugh as well. “Well, he’s marrying the most beautiful woman in Han Province. He should expect to suffer a bit.”
Knowing Pei Yan had important matters to discuss, Ning Jianyu sat down across from him. They played a game in silence, with Pei Yan winning by three moves. As he slowly gathered the pieces back into the box, he spoke softly, “Jianyu, I truly hate to leave Cheng County.”
“The brothers will all miss the Marquis as well.”
“Indeed,” Pei Yan’s voice was low, tinged with weariness. “They’re all brothers who have fought beside me through life and death. In the Battle of Hua Huan, I truly failed them. When we return, it’ll be back to that life of intrigue and scheming. Here, with all of you, I feel I can live honorably, freely.”
“Marquis,” Ning Jianyu paused before continuing, “the brothers are all sworn to follow you, no matter what you decide.” He placed a piece on the board and spoke slowly, emphasizing each word, “The Long Feng Cavalry – will – follow – no – other!”
Pei Yan laughed heartily, but only forcefully uttered one word: “Good!”
The two men exchanged knowing glances, both feeling a surge of camaraderie.
“Jianyu, in a few days, once the Crown Prince’s edict arrives, I’ll have to return to the capital,” Pei Yan said.
Ning Jianyu hesitated, and Pei Yan, understanding his concerns, smiled gently. “We must return. We only control the north of the Hexi region now. The situation in the south is unclear. We can’t act rashly.”
“Yes, the brothers fight abroad, but their hearts are with their homeland.”
Pei Yan recognized the meaning behind Ning Jianyu’s words. He gave a slightly bitter smile, pushing aside another worry in his heart, and said, “Now the Emperor is gravely ill, and the situation at court has changed dramatically. I need to return to assess the situation before deciding on our next move. But the north, that I leave entirely to you, Jianyu.”
“Rest assured, Marquis. Tian Ce guards Longbei, I’ll defend Cheng County, and Xu Jun holds Hexi. There won’t be any chaos.”
Pei Yan shook his head slightly. “Jianyu, merely preventing chaos isn’t enough. What’s more important is—” He stood up and walked to the window, pushing it open. Ning Jianyu came to stand beside him.
Gazing up at the starry sky, feeling the night breeze, Pei Yan spoke in a deep voice, “Jianyu, I want you to help me turn this northern half of the realm into the most prosperous place in the world. Make it the most solid foundation for my, Pei Yan’s, grand ambitions, the starting point for the future unification of the world!”
Pei Yan had never spoken so frankly before. Ning Jianyu felt a surge of passion rising in his chest, his heart moved. He couldn’t help but step back, give a military salute, and say in a deep voice, “Please give your orders, Marquis!”
Pei Yan took out a book from his sleeve and handed it to Ning Jianyu. “This is the post-war plan for pacifying the people and governing that Ziming drafted for me.”
Ning Jianyu opened it and read carefully, his eyes brightening. He smiled and said, “Marquis, since you’re entrusting me with such a heavy responsibility, why not just leave Ziming here to help me?”
Pei Yan shook his head slightly. “Ziming must return to the capital with me. I will arrange for our people to be appointed as governors in various regions. You just need to oversee the big picture. After I return, no matter how the situation at court changes, remember this: In civil matters, govern according to Ziming’s plan, laying the foundation for our future grand enterprise. In military affairs, help me hold this northern half of the realm, allowing me to maneuver freely at court.”
“Understood, Marquis,” Ning Jianyu respectfully replied.
Pei Yan clasped his hands behind his back, gazing out at the vast night sky. “Jianyu, I hope that one day, this world will have a clear and righteous government, the people will live in peace, all ethnic groups will be united, and envoys from all corners will pay tribute. But this goal cannot be achieved in just a few short years. I ask you to join me, Pei Yan, in dedicating our lives to establishing a powerful, unified imperial state, and achieving immortal merit!”
Ning Jianyu’s eyes blazed with enthusiasm. The man before him exuded an awe-inspiring presence, his ambitions reaching to the heavens, his bearing extraordinary. Only such a man was worthy of his and the Long Feng Cavalry’s lifelong loyalty and devotion. He couldn’t help but kneel on one knee and solemnly declare, “Ning Jianyu is willing to follow the Marquis for life, unwavering until death!”
Pei Yan helped him up, saying, “We are brothers. There’s no need for such formality in the future.”
Just as Ning Jianyu was about to speak, another burst of laughter came from outside. Pei Yan couldn’t help but smile and say, “Shall we go and crash the wedding chamber too?”
Ning Jianyu was all too eager, rubbing his hands together. “Hehe, with the Marquis personally crashing the wedding chamber, that little Tong Min is truly blessed.”
The two men, feeling as if they had returned to their youthful days in Nan’an Prefecture, exchanged smiles and walked to the Qingwo Courtyard in the northeast corner of the governor’s mansion. Inside the courtyard, laughter shook the heavens. Tong Min was being mercilessly teased by Chen An and the others. Seeing Pei Yan enter, he felt as if salvation had arrived and came over to bow, saying, “My Lord!”
Pei Yan’s gaze swept over Chen An and the others, his face darkening. “How can you all behave like this?”
Chen An’s grin froze, and the Long Feng guards quietly settled down. Tong Min felt a hint of smugness, while Miss Li, sitting on the bridal bed, quietly wiped away a bead of sweat.
As the room fell silent, Pei Yan took the silk handkerchief from Chen An’s hand and smiled. “Your skills at wedding chamber pranks are terrible. Watch how the Marquis does it.”
Tong Min’s vision went black. Chen An burst into laughter, being the first to rush forward and hold Tong Min down. The Long Feng guards swarmed in, and the room erupted into chaos.
Just as they were about to present the gagged Tong Min, bound with silk handkerchiefs, to Miss Li, a Long Feng guard rushed in and knelt, reporting, “Marquis, the granary in the west of the city is on fire. No guards on duty survived.”
Everyone’s expressions changed. Another person rushed in to report, “Marquis, the military camp outside the city has also been attacked. Dozens are dead, and over ten military tents have been burned!”
Ning Jianyu drew in a cold breath and said, “It seems the Huan army still hasn’t given up.”
Pei Yan’s brow frosted over as he said coldly, “Relay my military order: Deploy the Shanhu and Jianjin battalions from Qilin Pass!”
On the second day of the eleventh lunar month, the weather was clear and cold with a slight breeze.
In the capital, the streets were paved with yellow earth and moistened with clear water. From the northern gate of the capital to the Jinshi Kou main camp, bamboo canopies and street pavilions had been set up. Citizens poured out of the city, lining the roads. Led by the Crown Prince, the civil and military officials, with countless banners flying and golden canopies gleaming, set out in a grand procession at the beginning of the Chen hour (7-9 am) towards Jinshi Kou to welcome the victorious return of the Sword-Cauldron Marquis, Left Prime Minister Pei Yan, and the Long Feng Cavalry.
For this triumphant return to the capital, Pei Yan brought only eight thousand troops, part of which were survivors from the original six battalions of the capital that had been sent north, and the other part was his three thousand trusted Long Feng guards.
At the Yu hour (around 11 am), dust clouds appeared on the horizon, accompanied by the thunderous sound of hoofbeats. The Crown Prince, standing on the command platform, gazed into the distance and chuckled to Pei Zifang beside him, “My eyesight isn’t good. Pei, can you see if that’s Prime Minister Pei leading the way?”
Pei Zifang looked intently for a moment, then smiled and bowed, saying, “Indeed it is Your Highness.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince began to descend the platform, with the officials hurriedly following. The Crown Prince walked slowly, forcing the officials to follow according to their ranks.
Pei Yan, dressed in a purple robe and silver armor, rode his “Black Gold Stallion” closer. Seeing the Crown Prince approach, he quickly dismounted and took several steps forward. Still in his battle armor, he knelt on one knee before the Crown Prince and said in a clear voice, “Your subject Pei Yan, thankfully not having failed Your Majesty’s command, returns victorious. I kneel to thank our Lord for his great kindness.”
The Crown Prince bent to help him up, his face wreathed in smiles. “Prime Minister Pei has worked hard. By saving the people from danger, you truly are a pillar of the state.”
After exchanging a few more ceremonial words, a court attendant brought forward water and wine. The Crown Prince personally poured wine for Pei Yan, who raised his cup along with the other officials in a toast, drinking it all in one gulp.
The Crown Prince watched with a smile, his gaze briefly passing over Wei Zhao standing not far away. Wei Zhao, dressed in light white fur, stood gracefully. His eyes met Prince Zhuang’s for a moment before quickly looking away. Still holding the dragon-engraved sword bestowed by the Emperor in his right hand, he did not bow to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, still smiling, poured him a cup of wine as well and said in a friendly tone, “Sir Wei has also worked hard.”
However, Wei Zhao did not drink the wine. His gaze carried a hint of urgency as he asked, “Has His Majesty’s health improved?”
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. Wei Zhao’s handsome face turned cold as he said, “Your Highness, I must take my leave first. I need to hurry to attend to His Majesty.” Without bowing, he mounted his horse and, with a sharp cry, galloped past the officials.
The officials, under the pretense of drinking with Pei Yan, tilted their heads back to hide the cold smiles playing on their lips.