“How… how is this possible?” Xu Qingfeng stammered. That was Miss Hua from the Hua Guogong Manor, his cousin’s friend, and his second sister-in-law’s good friend. Why had she suddenly become some Miss Yang? Most importantly, why did she happen to be there and overhear his words?
Seeing Xu Qingfeng’s face full of regret, Ye Li and Qin Zhong exchanged a glance. Qin Zhong smiled and asked, “Third Brother, do you know her?”
“Well…” Xu Qingfeng looked embarrassed. “I’ve seen her a few times before… by chance in the capital.”
Ye Li smiled and said, “I see. Don’t worry about it. Tianxiang isn’t the type to hold grudges. I’ll apologize to her on Third Brother’s behalf later. However… Second Aunt, since Third Brother doesn’t have such intentions, perhaps we should let this matter rest. Although Miss Yang is currently staying at the Prince Ding Manor, her family and Xiuyao are old friends. We shouldn’t wrong the young lady.”
Having raised him herself, how could Madam Xu not notice Xu Qingfeng’s unusual behavior? Her eyes flickered as she smiled at Ye Li, “Li’er, I was too hasty in this matter. I was just anxious since your Third Brother is leaving for a distant journey soon, and I lost my judgment. Please explain things properly to Miss Yang. I’ll personally visit to apologize another day. As for this unfilial son of mine… never mind, I won’t bother with him anymore.”
“Mother…” Xu Qingfeng anxiously glanced at the now-empty doorway, then at his mother’s leisurely expression, his face reddening. Madam Xu calmly wiped the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief and turned to First Madam Xu, “Elder Sister-in-law, looking at this unfilial son just makes me angry. Let’s head back.”
First Madam Xu looked at Xu Qingfeng, covered her smile, and nodded, “Very well. Later we can go outside the city to visit the Old Master and Yu Chen Rui. It’s cooler out there, much better than staying cooped up at home feeling irritated.”
Madam Xu smiled in agreement, “Sister-in-law is right. Let’s head back first. Zhong’er, you can return later. Help me apologize to Miss Yang while you’re at it.”
Qin Zhong smiled gently and curtsied, “I understand, First Aunt, Mother, please go ahead.”
Watching the two madams leave, Qin Zhong and Ye Li exchanged smiles and looked at Xu Qingfeng, who stood dejectedly to the side. Ye Li blinked and walked up to him with a smile, “Third Brother, tell us, how did you come to know Ruhua?”
“Ruhua?” Xu Qingfeng looked confused.
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, and Xu Qingfeng finally came to his senses. His usually cheerful face showed rare signs of embarrassment and shyness, making Ye Li and Qin Zhong laugh secretly in their hearts.
“Um… I did see her twice in the capital. Also, didn’t I visit Prince Ding’s Manor a few days ago when I just returned? Feng San asked me to help deliver something to Master Shen. Then I saw her… with Wuyou at Master Shen’s place…” Xu Qingfeng looked at Ye Li with distress, “Li’er, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know she was Miss Yang. If I had known…”
Ye Li smiled and asked, “What would Third Brother have done if you had known?”
Xu Qingfeng lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then shook his head dejectedly, “Never mind, it’s nothing. Well… please help me apologize to Hua… Miss Yang. I didn’t mean it.”
Qin Zhong looked at Ye Li puzzledly, not understanding the reason for Xu Qingfeng’s sudden change. Ye Li said with a smile, “Isn’t it more sincere to apologize in person?”
Xu Qingfeng shook his head, “Better not. Miss Yang is an unmarried lady. It wouldn’t be proper for me to visit her directly. I’ll take my leave now, Li’er, Second Sister-in-law.”
Watching Xu Qingfeng turn to leave, Ye Li narrowed her eyes and grabbed his arm, saying softly, “Third Brother, you’re afraid that if something happens to you during the campaign, you’ll end up delaying the young lady’s future. But aren’t you also afraid that when you return alive, you’ll find the lady has already become someone else’s wife?”
Xu Qingfeng looked at Ye Li in surprise. Ye Li smiled and said, “There’s always a solution to problems. Go explain things clearly to Tianxiang. People in our Prince Ding Manor aren’t gossiping. Go on…”
Xu Qingfeng’s handsome face turned bright red as he stepped back several paces, staring at Ye Li, “Li’er…”
Ye Li pulled Qin Zhong and waved at him, “Hurry up and go. Zhong’er and I have things to discuss, we don’t have time to clean up after you. If no one apologizes to her today, a young lady might become heartbroken and then…”
Xu Qingfeng’s face paled, and he turned and hurried away.
Behind him, the two women exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
“Li’er, the way you’re teasing Third Brother…” Qin Zhong wiped tears from her eyes after laughing. Ye Li shrugged helplessly, “How am I teasing him? Third Brother seems straightforward, but his nature might be even more honest than Second Brother. If I hadn’t said that, he might have left carrying these feelings, and if he returns to find Tianxiang married to someone else, wouldn’t he cry himself to death?”
“Being in the midst of it all, Third Brother has lost his composure. When he comes to his senses…”
“What can he do to me?” Ye Li lifted her chin and laughed. The third Brother couldn’t beat her in a fight! Besides, if things worked out, wouldn’t he be grateful to her?
In the guest quarters of Prince Ding Manor, Hua Tianxiang sat alone by the flower bed in the spacious, quiet courtyard, brooding. She wasn’t overthinking Xu Qingfeng’s words or taking them the wrong way. After all, she knew something of the character of the Xu family’s sons, otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed when her aunt told her about Madam Xu’s intentions. From the situation earlier, it was clear that Xu Qingfeng had spoken carelessly under pressure from his mother.
Although she knew Xu Qingfeng didn’t have anything against her, it was impossible for a young lady not to feel angry after being rejected like that. At the very least, she had immediately thrown the thick book in her hands at him. What a pity it hadn’t hit Xu Qingfeng’s face directly!
You just wait until you fall into this young lady’s hands, Xu!
Xu Qingfeng quietly dropped into the garden from the wall, just in time to see the beautiful, graceful lady viciously pinching a flower. He couldn’t help but shrink his neck. He wasn’t really stupid. He did not doubt that right now, that lady was imagining pinching his neck instead.
“Ahem…” He coughed lightly. Xu Qingfeng watched awkwardly as Hua Tianxiang turned her head, first startled to see him, then her pretty face darkened as she turned to leave.
“Um… Miss Hua- Miss Yang!” Xu Qingfeng quickly called out.
Hua Tianxiang turned back, looking at him coolly, “What instructions does Third Young Master Xu have?”
Xu Qingfeng stepped forward awkwardly and said, “About what I said earlier, that wasn’t what I meant. Please forgive me.” Hua Tianxiang’s beautiful face broke into a cold, enchanting smile, “Young Master gives too much weight to his words. How dare a nouveau riche common girl like me to blame Third Young Master Xu?”
“Miss Yang…” Looking at the young lady’s cold pretty face before him, Xu Qingfeng felt completely at a loss. He felt more nervous than if he were going to battle. He deeply regretted not having his eldest brother’s or fourth and fifth brothers’ eloquence, or at least his second brother’s ability to remain unmoved even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him. He wasn’t even sure if his face was red right now.
Hua Tianxiang looked coldly at the flustered man before her, her mouth twitching as she rolled her eyes heavenward. Why did it look like she was the one bullying him?
“If Young Master Xu has nothing else, please take your leave.” After waiting a while without Xu Qingfeng saying anything more, Hua Tianxiang couldn’t be bothered to waste more time with him here. Who knew if they might spend the whole afternoon here without him managing to say another word?
Seeing Hua Tianxiang turning to leave, Xu Qingfeng panicked and reached out to stop her.
“You…”
“Ah?!” Coming to his senses and realizing he had acted improperly toward a young lady, Xu Qingfeng became even more flustered and almost wanted to flee in panic. But his cousin’s earlier warning echoed in his mind: “Already someone else’s wife… already someone else’s wife…” Immediately, his mind conjured up a scene of the lady before him being led by a faceless man in a wedding ceremony. Xu Qingfeng quickly shook his head to clear away the image. He had indeed seen Hua Tianxiang twice before in the Chu capital, but he hadn’t paid much attention then. It wasn’t until a few days ago when he returned to the city that, trying to avoid his mother, he had used the excuse of helping Feng Zhiyao deliver something to visit Prince Ding Manor, where he happened to meet Hua Tianxiang chatting with Princess Changle at Shen Yang’s place. Upon seeing her then, he had been completely struck by her beauty.
At the time, Xu Qingfeng hadn’t thought much of it, until he returned home and his mother started talking endlessly about marriage. Words that had originally only given him a headache now kept bringing that beautiful face to mind. Xu Qingfeng wasn’t a fool; he naturally understood that he had developed feelings for the young lady, but because he was about to go on a campaign, he hadn’t dared to think more about it. Who would have thought that before anything could even begin, he had already offended her?
Hua Tianxiang looked strangely at the man before her, completely speechless.
“Miss Hua- Miss Yang… I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know it was you. My mother kept bringing up this matter, and I was pushed to say those things in desperation. I wanted to tell my mother that I already… already have someone I care for.” At this point, Xu Qingfeng’s ears turned red as he lowered his head.
Hua Tianxiang couldn’t help but look exasperated as she said coolly, “Since it was just a misunderstanding, now that it’s cleared up, that’s that. I don’t blame Young Master Xu. Please return now. Farewell.”
Watching Hua Tianxiang turn to leave, Xu Qingfeng stood dumbfounded. Had he… said something wrong?
Just outside the moon-shaped gate behind him, Ye Li and Qin Zhong couldn’t help but roll their eyes. Third Brother (Third Brother) wasn’t usually this dense. Ye Li bit her lip, took a pearl flower from her hair, and threw it, hitting Xu Qingfeng’s head with a thud. Xu Qingfeng rubbed his head and turned to see their half-exposed heads, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Li’er, Second Sister-in-law, what are you doing here?”
“Fool… confess!” Ye Li whispered.
“Eh?” The Third Young Master’s face reddened as he turned back to steal a glance at Hua Tianxiang, who had just disappeared behind the flower bushes, catching only a glimpse of her dress hem. Ye Li said in frustration, “How will she know what you mean if you don’t explain clearly?” Qin Zhong covered her smile and said, “Third Brother, Tianxiang probably thinks you like some other lady.”
“I… I didn’t…”
“If you haven’t, then hurry up and go!”
Finally realizing what was wrong, Xu Qingfeng quickly turned and chased after her. Ye Li and Qin Zhong exchanged glances and quietly followed. They had barely taken two steps when they heard Xu Qingfeng’s voice from not far away, “Miss Yang, I meant that you are the one I care for!”
Xu Qingfeng’s voice wasn’t loud but definitely wasn’t quiet either – at least Ye Li and Qin Zhong, still standing at the courtyard entrance, heard it. They both covered their faces and sighed, almost unable to bear watching.
Behind the flower bushes, Hua Tianxiang was startled by his sudden confession. Before she could say anything, a figure in the tree branches above the adjacent wall fell with a crash. Xu Qingfeng quickly moved to shield Hua Tianxiang, glaring disapprovingly at the unfamiliar guard, “What are you doing here?”
“Standing guard. Sorry for the interruption, please continue,” the guard said expressionlessly and calmly, leaping back up to the tree branch. After a moment’s thought, he turned back and added, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Xu Qingfeng replied with a foolish grin.
“Thud!” The guard who had just climbed back up the tree fell again, this time on the outside of the wall. The Xu family’s Third Young Master couldn’t possibly be this simple-minded – it must have been his wrong guard stance!
When Third Young Master Xu came to his senses and turned around, he saw Hua Tianxiang glare at him before rushing away. Third Young Master Xu was immediately bewildered, “This… did I say something wrong again?”
“You didn’t say anything wrong, but you picked the wrong place,” Ye Li and Qin Zhong emerged from behind the flower bushes, glaring at him in exasperation.
“What do you mean?”
Ye Li smiled and said, “Just now, it wasn’t just us – at least ten people inside and outside the courtyard heard Third Brother’s heartfelt confession.”
“So what?” He certainly knew there were many guards in Prince Ding’s Manor. Their psychological quality was too poor though – that one had fallen from the tree twice in just moments.
Qin Zhong glared at him irritably, “Third Brother, Ruhua is an unmarried lady. For you to do this… to a young lady…”
Xu Qingfeng suddenly understood, “Li’er, Second Sister-in-law, thank you for pointing this out. I must go now.” With that, Third Young Master Xu turned and ran straight out of the courtyard.
“Where are you going?!”
“To ask my mother to make a marriage proposal…” Third Young Master’s voice came from afar, leaving Ye Li and Qin Zhong looking at each other helplessly.
“Princess Consort, Young Madam Xu,” from behind the rockery, the Empress led Hua Tianxiang out. Seeing Ye Li and Qin Zhong, Hua Tianxiang lowered her head in rare shyness. Ye Li stepped forward apologetically, “Your Highness, Third Brother is straightforward and doesn’t stand on ceremony. Please forgive any offense to you and Ruhua. But please believe that the Xu family has no intention of being disrespectful.” The Empress smiled and said, “I naturally believe the Princess Consort’s words. Third Young Master Xu… ahem, is also a man of true feelings.”
Seeing that Ye Li and the Empress had things to discuss, Qin Zhong decided to sound out her friend’s thoughts. She pulled Hua Tianxiang aside and said softly, “Let’s have a chat.”
The Empress smiled at her niece and said, “Go ahead, I’d like to speak with the Princess Consort as well.”
Only then did Qin Zhong lead Hua Tianxiang away. The Empress turned to look at Ye Li and said, “I believe in the Princess Consort’s and the Xu family’s sincerity. Today’s incident was likely just a misunderstanding. However, although Third Young Master Xu has expressed his feelings to Ruhua, he still…” Ye Li smiled and said, “Marriage is a serious matter, we certainly can’t force it. Even if Ruhua and Third Brother aren’t meant to be, I guarantee today’s events won’t affect her reputation. The guards of Prince Ding Manor don’t spread gossip carelessly.”
“The Princess Consort is too kind to worry about this,” the Empress said apologetically.
“Your Highness speaks too formally. One is my cousin and the other a dear friend – how could I not care?” Ye Li said with a gentle smile.
By the time Ye Li and the Empress finished talking, Qin Zhong and Hua Tianxiang had returned hand in hand. Seeing Qin Zhong’s smile and Hua Tianxiang’s slightly reddened face, Ye Li knew the answer. She didn’t say anything more to make Hua Tianxiang uncomfortable, just gave her a slight smile. Hua Tianxiang’s pretty face flushed as she said softly, “Li’er, thank you.”
“Silly.”
The Xu family moved quickly. Early the next morning, Madam Xu came to make the marriage proposal. Since both parties were willing, the Empress naturally didn’t make things difficult and agreed. Finally, because of the impending campaign, the two families set the wedding for next year. Although there was some regret about not being able to bring the daughter-in-law home immediately, Madam Xu was still relieved to have it settled and went about with a joyful expression all day. Seeing this, First Madam Xu felt both envious and helpless – unfortunately, her sons were even more difficult to manage, and for the time being, there seemed to be no way to make them comply.
After Xu Qingfeng’s marriage was arranged, the day for the army to depart arrived in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the twenty-sixth of the sixth month, the early morning was clear and peaceful with light clouds and gentle winds. The usually bustling Li City was unusually quiet, while outside the city walls, it was packed with people and reverberating with drum beats.
The Mohist army soldiers, dressed in black clothing and holding gleaming weapons, stood in neat formation at the city gate awaiting orders. The surrounding citizens who had come to bid farewell saw only an endless sea of black that seemed to stretch infinitely. Within that blackness, countless silver glints flickered in the sunlight, adding an icy sharpness to the hot summer day.
Behind these soldiers, powerful and sturdy warhorses stood quietly. Even the thunderous war drums couldn’t startle them. Beside each warhorse stood a tall figure wrapped in black robes. These one-man-one-horse combinations made people envision their heroic charges on the battlefield.
“So… these are the Black Cloud Cavalry,” someone in the farewell crowd whispered curiously. People instinctively admired heroes – all the men looked at them with increased reverence, and all the young women’s eyes held more admiration.
“Worthy of being the Black Cloud Cavalry. In all the world, only Prince Ding’s Manor possesses such elite troops.” People discussed among themselves, their gazes toward the city gate showing even more awe.
At the city gate, all of Li City’s civil and military officials had come to bid farewell to the army. Even the usually reclusive Master Qingyun and Su Zhe had come with the students from Lishan Academy. Perhaps because of the military service system in the Northwest, unless there were special circumstances, scholars there had to complete at least one year of military service after reaching a certain age before they could take the imperial examinations to become officials. Therefore, in the Northwest, the contempt scholars held for military officers and the divide between civil and military officials was much less pronounced than in other places. There were even some students who, after their military service, simply gave up their brushes to follow the military path.
“I’ll have to trouble Master Qingyun to watch over Li City in the future.” Mo Xiuyao bowed respectfully to Master Qingyun. Master Qingyun quickly reached out to support him, nodding and smiling, “Your Highness need not worry. For this journey, this old man wishes Your Highness victory from the first battle.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “Thank you for your kind words, Grandfather.”
“Mother, Mother… doesn’t Mother want Little Bao anymore?” Mo Xiaobao pitifully pulled at Ye Li’s clothes, looking up at her with his big wet eyes. Ye Li sighed softly, bent down to pat his little head, and said, “Mother needs to go on a journey with your Father Prince. Little Bao must be good and listen to Great-grandfather and Uncle, understand?”
“Mother is lying to children! Mother is going to war with Father Prince, not just on a journey,” Mo Xiaobao said poutingly.
Ye Li was helpless, “Alright, Mother is going to war. Little Bao must be good at home.”
“Little Bao wants to help Mother fight too!” Mo Xiaobao said excitedly.
Two black lines slid down Ye Li’s face – sure enough… she knew it…
“No, you’re too young. You can go when you grow up,” Ye Li shook her head. Mo Xiaobao looked rather disappointedly at the soldiers standing at attention in the distance, his big eyes sparkling, “Really? When Little Bao grows up, can he lead so many soldiers to war?”
Ye Li nodded wordlessly. Although she couldn’t be called purely kind-hearted, she was at least somewhat of a peace lover. Why did her son get so excited about war?
Mo Xiuyao, having finished speaking with Master Qingyun, turned back and lifted Mo Xiaobao to eye level. Mo Xiaobao set his little face and stared back at his father Prince expressionlessly – he was still angry about last night when his father wouldn’t let him sleep with his mother.
“Will you behave at home?” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and said coolly.
Mo Xiaobao met his cold gaze with an even cooler tone, “Protect Mother well, win big victories?”
Mo Xiuyao reached out to rub his son’s little head and asked, “Nothing else to say?” Mo Xiaobao hesitated for a moment before saying somewhat conflictedly, “Take care of yourself.” Expressing concern for his usual rival father Prince was something young Master Mo wasn’t used to.
Others watching Mo Xiaobao’s conflicted yet determined expression couldn’t help but laugh secretly in their hearts. However, no one went to embarrass the young Prince Bao. Xu Qingchen cleared his throat and said to the two, “Be careful in everything. You can rest assured about Li City with me here.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, “I naturally trust Young Master Qingchen. I’ll leave everything in your hands.”
Ye Li said softly, “Elder Brother, take care.”
“Take care of yourself,” looking at the woman before him in white training clothes, without powder or ornaments yet appearing even more graceful and valiant, Xu Qingchen advised softly.
The Xu family’s women also came forward to bid farewell to Ye Li. First Madam Xu looked at Ye Li seriously and said, “Don’t worry about Yuzhen and Junhan, Great Aunt and Second Aunt will take good care of them. You must be very careful out there.”
“Li’er, take care,” Qin Zhong and Hua Tianxiang held Ye Li’s hands and said softly. Although they had always known Li’er was different from them, it wasn’t until now, seeing her calmly standing beside Prince Ding in training clothes, that they truly realized their friend was different from them. Women going to war had always been just legends in storybooks to them. Now, they not only admired her ability and courage but even more so envied her power to stand shoulder to shoulder with her husband, advancing and retreating together.
“I know, take care of yourselves too,” Ye Li smiled.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort, it’s almost time,” Zhuo Jing, in full military attire, came forward to report quietly.
Mo Xiuyao nodded and said to Ye Li, “A’Li, we should set out.”
“Alright,” Ye Li nodded, smiling in response.