At dawn, the light of the rising sun spread over the tranquil Yinyue River. A gentle breeze passed, and the surface of the river shimmered with rippling reflections.

For the people of the city, this was a day of celebration.

The dark clouds of war that had hung overhead had completely dispersed. The Western Di Prime Minister and Shan Yang, dispatched by Jinxi, had already ridden out more than a hundred li beyond the city gates to receive the honored guests.

Before noon, they should be able to escort the distinguished visitors into the city.

In a bedchamber of the royal palace, sunlight also slanted through the eastern window, falling upon a woman dressed in a deep crimson gown embroidered with an intricate pattern of cloud-phoenixes.

She sat quietly before the mirror by the window, combing her hair and changing her clothes.

Madam Roujiang, wife of Shan Yang, had not helped Jinxi dress her hair in a very long time. Yet this morning, she had set aside all other duties and come specially to the palace to attend to her former mistress. After finishing her hair, she took from the dressing case a golden hairpin adorned with a phoenix holding a propitious tassel in its beak, and placed it at Jinxi’s temple. She studied the result, then asked softly whether it would do.

Jinxi raised her eyes and looked at the woman reflected in the mirror before her.

She was long past the bloom of youth. Yet in the morning sunlight, the woman gazing back at her from the mirror still had raven-black hair gathered elegantly and eyebrows like feathers of kingfisher jade.

She gazed, momentarily lost in thought. For a fleeting instant, she seemed to see the young girl who had sat at a window in the deep, jade-towered courtyards of the imperial palace in the capital, dressing her hair in the early morning — and then, in that very moment, urgent footsteps sounded behind her.

“Mother, are you ready? When are we leaving?”

Jinxi came back to herself and turned her head. She saw Huaiwei come bursting in from outside in his usual whirlwind fashion, anxiously hurrying her along.

It was barely dawn, yet beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead.

Goodness knows how long he had been pacing about.

Her son was growing up. In the royal palace, before outsiders, he had begun to learn how to project the air of gravity and authority befitting a king. But in private, in her presence, he was still exactly as he had been as a small child — not a bit changed.

Madam Roujiang smiled and poured him a cup of water. He took it with a grin, gulped it down in several large swallows, then dashed to Jinxi’s side, took hold of a section of her sleeve, and shook it playfully, like a child seeking affection.

“Mother, if we don’t go out soon, I’m afraid we’ll be late! What if by the time we leave the city, Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, and the General are already here?”

Jinxi knew her son had been looking forward to this day for a long time. She smiled back at him, raised her hand, and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, then stood. “Let’s go.”

Huaiwei let out a cheer and jumped to his feet. He was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, eyes wide, staring at her. “Mother, you look so beautiful today!”

Jinxi laughed in spite of herself.

Having praised his mother, Huaiwei took her hand and led her outside.

The procession to go out and welcome the guests was already assembled outside the great gates of the royal palace.

Jinxi mounted a splendid ceremonial carriage with a jeweled canopy. Huaiwei decided against riding his horse and climbed in after her, sitting close at her side and, with great enthusiasm, telling her once more about all the various things he had experienced on his journey away.

Jinxi listened with a smile.

As Huaiwei talked on, he came to the scene of the day Jiang Yi had led him to wait at the mountain pass to intercept Mili.

It was truly the most thrilling and harrowing battle he had ever witnessed in his young life — deeply impressed upon his memory.

“Mother, the General is so incredibly impressive! That Mili was supposed to be some great first warrior, but when he met the General, wasn’t he just defeated by the General’s hand! The General thrust his spear into Mili’s chest, lifted him clean off his horse, and hurled him to the ground! When I saw that, I could barely breathe! I thought Mili was already dead, and I let my guard down for a moment and ran forward — but who knew Mili wasn’t quite dead yet? When I wasn’t looking, he pulled out a dagger from behind me, and from the ground he lunged at me trying to launch a sneak attack! It was the General who saved me! He flew off his horse and shielded me…”

Huaiwei was simply too excited today. He lost himself in telling the story and forgot himself, blurting out the part he had been keeping from his mother. It was only when he reached this point that he suddenly recalled Jiang Yi’s instructions to him that day. He let out an “oh” of alarm, hastily clamped his mouth shut, and shot a quick glance at his mother.

The smile had already vanished from Jinxi’s face. Seeing that he had suddenly stopped, she asked: “And then what?”

“Nothing… nothing much…”

At first Huaiwei tried to mumble his way past it. But seeing his mother look at him and ask, “Was he injured?” he was startled, and no longer dared conceal it. He nodded: “Yes, he was injured…”

He gestured to the area of his own chest.

“The wound was this long, and very deep! He bled so much — when I helped him remove his armor, his inner garments were completely soaked through with blood! He didn’t want me to know at first, he was hiding it from me. I discovered it myself!”

Jinxi was silent for a moment, then looked at Huaiwei, who had been sneaking glances at her from beside her.

“He was injured saving you. When you came home, why didn’t you say a single word about it?” Her tone was grave.

Huaiwei protested in a small voice: “It wasn’t that I wanted to deceive you, Mother. It was the General who told me to. He told me not to tell you he was injured — he said it was to keep you from worrying about me…”

Jinxi paused, fell silent again, then raised her eyes to see her son sitting beside her, not daring to breathe, staring at her. She suppressed the tide of indescribable feeling rising in her heart, gently pulled her son into her arms, and said softly: “When someone saves your life, you should come home and tell your mother immediately. Remember that. And this time — you must take it as a lesson. Don’t be so reckless again next time…”

Huaiwei let out a breath of relief and immediately nodded his head. “I know! Mother, don’t worry about me — I really am completely fine! I’ve learned my lesson too, and I definitely won’t make the same mistake again!”

Jinxi gently rubbed his head.

Huaiwei nestled in his mother’s soft embrace, satisfied at first — but then he noticed she was patting his head to comfort him, just as she had when he was small. When she raised her hand, he caught the faint scent of orchid wafting from her sleeve. He suddenly felt a little awkward. He quickly wriggled out of her arms, sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said with a serious expression: “Mother, today it’s not only Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law coming — the General will also be coming with them! When I see the General, I’ll properly thank him then!”

Jinxi smiled and nodded.

The procession moved along the road, making its way from the royal palace toward the outskirts of the city.

The Empress Dowager and the young king were greatly beloved by the Western Di people. Along the road, townsfolk who saw the Empress Dowager’s carriage emerge from the city stopped what they were doing and stepped aside to bow in greeting. After the carriage left the city gates, they continued traveling more than ten li before finally halting at the roadside to wait.

Li Xuandu and Pu Zhu, leading a party entering the city, were guided by the Western Di Prime Minister and Shan Yang, and met smoothly with the procession led by Jinxi.

On the road, banners and flags fluttered in the wind; fine horses whinnied joyfully; and laughter and warm conversation flowed without end.

Huaiwei came rushing over. He called out to Li Xuandu as “Fourth Brother,” then, unable to contain his eagerness, immediately wanted to bring Pu Zhu to meet his mother.

Li Xuandu led Pu Zhu forward and said with a smile: “Aunt, this is Shuzhu.”

Pu Zhu had already caught sight of the woman on the other side.

Jinxi was now middle-aged, yet at this moment, the woman who had appeared before her looked no more than thirty or so.

Just as she had imagined — beautiful in appearance, with a warm and gentle smile. The moment they met, a feeling of long familiarity welled up in Pu Zhu’s heart, as if she had known her for a very long time.

She followed Li Xuandu and respectfully addressed her as “Aunt.”

Jinxi looked at her, praised her lovely appearance, then said to Li Xuandu: “Though I am here, so far away, I had previously heard the name of the wife of the Protector-General of the Western Regions. That you have gained such a capable and devoted partner is your good fortune.”

Pu Zhu’s face grew warm. She stole a glance at Li Xuandu beside her, saw him nod in agreement and smile back at her, then quickly looked away and said softly: “Aunt is too kind — I haven’t done very much.”

Jinxi smiled and took her hand. “Long ago I heard Yuli’er speak of you in my presence, and Huaiwei has mentioned you I don’t know how many times. You’ve taken care of Huaiwei so much in the past, and I’ve always been deeply grateful. Today, finally meeting you at last, I’m very happy. Shuzhu, you and Yuli’er are truly a perfect match made by heaven.”

Pu Zhu’s heart was full of warmth, though she felt a little shy as well. She was just about to reply when she heard Li Xuandu beside her break into delighted laughter: “Aunt truly has exceptional taste! That is even better said!”

As his words fell, Madam Roujiang and the others nearby all burst out laughing.

Pu Zhu’s face grew even warmer. She couldn’t help looking over at Li Xuandu and shot him a sharp glare, signaling him to stop talking.

Li Xuandu immediately fell silent.

This scene caught Jinxi’s eye, and she couldn’t help but laugh in spite of herself.

While the two groups were still exchanging pleasantries, Huaiwei was already craning his neck to look around at the rear, calling out: “Where’s the General? Where is he?”

Pu Zhu and Li Xuandu exchanged a glance.

Li Xuandu paused briefly, then said: “Aunt, Uncle Jiang had something to attend to and couldn’t make a prolonged stop. He set out with the army this morning and is already on his way back.”

Jinxi was momentarily startled.

Huaiwei, however, was bitterly disappointed. “I’ll go after him!” he cried, pulling over a horse and swinging up into the saddle.

Jinxi quickly collected herself and called out, stopping him, ordering him not to cause a scene.

Huaiwei didn’t dare defy his mother, but he was still reluctant to let it go, and protested: “The General promised me he would come — so why didn’t he come today after all?”

He suddenly seemed to think of something. “Brother, is it that he’s badly wounded and can’t come?”

Li Xuandu quickly explained: “His wound has healed. Don’t worry. He truly did have something to attend to — that’s why he couldn’t come.” As he spoke, he took a curved blade from the hands of an attendant behind him and held it out.

“He asked me to pass this on to you this morning before he left. He said he made it himself during his free time at the horse ranch in the old days. He’s giving it to you. He said that if there’s a chance in the future, he’ll come to see you. He asked you to keep up your studies and martial practice diligently, and to grow up and become a king who brings prosperity to the people.”

Huaiwei took the curved blade and clutched it tightly in his arms. His eyes slowly grew red. Holding back tears that threatened to fall, he wiped his eyes and nodded.

Pu Zhu felt a pang of sympathy and went over to him with a smile. “Didn’t you once say you’d take me to see your little sheep?”

Reminded of that, Huaiwei finally broke into a tearful smile. “Right — Fourth Sister-in-law, come with me quickly!”

The atmosphere finally lightened.

Madam Roujiang invited Jinxi to board the carriage again.

Her gaze swept over the crowd and lingered for a moment on the distant horizon.

There, the Yinyue River wound its way forward, flowing east. That was the direction of the march.

She withdrew her gaze. A smile appeared on her face. She invited Pu Zhu to share the carriage with her, while Li Xuandu rode with Huaiwei. The procession set off on the road back to the city.

Entering the city, the royal palace held a grand welcoming ceremony, followed by a banquet and music. Everywhere in the city people sang and danced in celebration. Li Xuandu and the Left Virtuous King Sanggan and others were reunited in joyful gathering. Sanggan also summoned his grandson Tuotuo, asking him to pay his respects to Li Xuandu and thank him for saving his life years ago.

That day, Li Xuandu was kept busy entertaining the noble clans of the Western Di — shooting arrows, hunting on horseback. Pu Zhu was not idle for a moment either. She met many noblewomen who had gathered in Yinyue City from various tribes over the preceding days, attended banquets, and accepted an invitation from the assembled guests to watch a polo match. Only in the afternoon did she find a moment free, and she followed Huaiwei to see his little sheep first.

The little sheep was kept in the stables behind the royal palace. It had been raised until it was impressively large, round and plump, having long since grown into a proper full-grown lamb.

She laughed and asked: “Do you still hold it while you sleep?”

Huaiwei was instantly reminded of the foolish notion he’d had as a small child. His face went red. He grabbed her arm and spun around to leave, saying the polo match was about to start.

Seeing him like this, Pu Zhu knew he was embarrassed — clearly he was growing up and becoming more self-conscious. She held back her laughter and stopped teasing him, making her way to the polo field. Midway there, she saw Jinxi coming in this direction with a group of noblewomen, so she went to meet them.

On the polo field, she sat beside Jinxi and watched the skilled servant women gallop across the field striking the ball. After the match, she presented awards to the winning team. By now, the day’s schedule — apart from the evening banquet — was more or less complete.

Jinxi personally escorted her back to her quarters to let her rest a while first.

Pu Zhu took Jinxi’s arm, and the two walked side by side slowly along the corridors of the royal palace.

Madam Roujiang brought several attendants and followed behind them.

They had been surrounded by people all day since first meeting; only now, at last, could they finally speak privately.

Jinxi asked Pu Zhu about Luan’er. When she heard that he had already taken his first tottering steps, she smiled and sighed: “What a pity — this trip you couldn’t conveniently bring him, so I didn’t get to meet Luan’er. He must be utterly adorable.”

Pu Zhu said: “It truly is a shame this time — but there will be many opportunities in the future. When Luan’er is a little older, we’ll bring him to visit you, Aunt. Or perhaps Luan’er also hopes that his Great-Aunt will come to the capital to see him one day.”

Li Xuandu had once told her that when he was young and saw his aunt off to the frontier, he had secretly vowed that one day he would bring her home again.

Now he finally had that ability. But his aunt had also set down roots here. Here she had her responsibilities, her ties, and her son.

The hope of bringing her back east — Pu Zhu did not dare say such a thing outright. She could only borrow this moment to express the sentiment obliquely.

Jinxi smiled and said: “I also hope that one day I’ll have the chance to hold my Luan’er in my own arms.”

Pu Zhu immediately replied: “Luan’er is waiting for his Great-Aunt!”

Jinxi smiled and nodded, slowly walking until she reached the entrance of the bedchamber where Pu Zhu was staying, and stopped.

Pu Zhu invited her inside.

Jinxi said: “You must be tired today as well — rest first.” With that, she smiled and bid Pu Zhu go in.

Pu Zhu nodded, told her to go rest as well, then turned and went inside.

She was nearly through the doorway when she suddenly heard a voice behind her call out: “Wait a moment.”

She stopped at once and turned around. Jinxi had not left yet. She walked quickly toward her and asked: “Is General Jiang’s wound truly healed?”

She paused, then added by way of explanation: “I heard Huaiwei mention in passing that the General was gravely injured saving him that day. And I know something of the weapons Mili used — they are generally poisoned. Yet today Yuli’er said the wound had healed. It’s only been a matter of days. Has it truly healed?”

The reason Li Xuandu had said that to her was because, when they had said their farewells to Jiang Yi that morning, Jiang Yi had made a special point of requesting that the two of them — if Huaiwei or his mother asked about his injuries — say it had healed, so as not to cause needless worry.

Li Xuandu had spoken exactly according to Jiang Yi’s wishes.

Pu Zhu was hesitating when she heard Jinxi speak again: “Shuzhu — tell me the truth. Don’t deceive me.”

Pu Zhu raised her eyes and met the gaze Jinxi had fixed steadily upon her. Her heart suddenly grew warm. Not wanting to deceive her, she found herself saying without thinking: “Aunt, your guess is correct — my Godfather’s wound was indeed poisoned—”

Seeing Jinxi’s expression change, she quickly added: “But Aunt, you needn’t worry too much. My Godfather should truly be all right. Yesterday I asked the physician, and the physician said that his constitution is extraordinary, that he has already passed through the most dangerous moment, and that all he needs now is to rest and recuperate. That is why yesterday I wanted my Godfather to enter the city with us to recover — but he said he had things to attend to and couldn’t stay, and this morning he set out with the army ahead of us. He seemed unwilling to make you worry on his account, and this morning he asked us again that if we were asked about his injuries, we should say he had recovered. Yulang was not intentionally deceiving you, Aunt.”

Jinxi was silent for a moment. Then she raised her eyes. The smile returned to her face: “Thank you for telling me. Go in and rest.”

Pu Zhu agreed, bid her go rest as well, and turned to go inside.

Jinxi watched her figure disappear, then stood quietly in place for a while longer. She turned around and slowly made her way back to the bedchamber she had emerged from that morning.

The sun had begun its western descent. Its light slanted in through the western window, opposite to the one that had let in the morning sun.

She sat before the same mirror where she had dressed her hair that morning, gazing at the woman reflected in it.

It was still Madam Roujiang who helped her remove her makeup and change her clothing.

The room was hushed. The only sound was the faint tinkling of hairpins and jewelry as they were taken off.

After Madam Roujiang removed her hair ornaments, she softly asked her to rise so she could help her change. Jinxi slowly rose from her seat — but instead of letting her female attendant change her clothes, she walked to the western window and stood before it, looking out at the setting sun, her silhouette motionless.

Madam Roujiang knew she was lost in thought, and having just overheard her exchange with the Consort of the Prince of Qin, she did not dare disturb her. She stood behind, holding her breath, watching that figure by the window. After a moment, she suddenly saw her turn and stride swiftly outside, giving the order: “Bring a horse! I must go out of the city!”

She had been beyond the frontier for many years and had long since mastered horsemanship, her riding skills exceptional.

Madam Roujiang was startled for a moment, then immediately understood. She nodded at once and turned to follow her as she hurried out.