Four hundred thousand troops mobilized from Shandong and Shanxi… Although Xu Lingyi had been at home, he had been closely following court affairs, and he had heard nothing of this — which meant it was a decision the Emperor had only just made.

Changing commanders on the eve of battle…

He pondered for a moment and asked the Prince of Yong: “How does the military situation stand now? And who proposed the change to Ouyang Ming?”

Xuantong city had fallen. Fan Weigang’s whereabouts were unknown.

Unknown was the better outcome — dying in defense of the city, at least, would atone for the loss. What was to be feared was if he was still alive. After the fact, the accountability would come, and his family would suffer.

“Zhao Nuo, the General of Datong, has blocked the Tartars at Datong and sent an urgent report requesting reinforcements. The Emperor then dispatched Ouyang Ming.” The Prince of Yong smiled. “Minister Lu of the Ministry of War has personally gone to Tongzhou to oversee the transport of military provisions. I have also put in a word with Minister Lu about Jin Ge’er’s situation.”

“This is a guaranteed victory — all the commanding officers of the Five Military Commands must be competing to go,” Xu Lingyi said with a smile. “If we also get involved, we will only invite unnecessary gossip.” He then turned the conversation to the military situation: “Do you know who has been assigned as sub-commanders?”

“It seems a few sub-commanders were transferred from Shandong and Henan.” The Prince of Yong had come in high spirits, but seeing that Xu Lingyi was genuinely uninterested, he deflated like candy that had lost its sweetness. He said a few more things without much direction, then took his leave with an awkward smile.

Xu Lingyi sat alone in the room for a long while.

Ouyang Ming appointed as Grand General for the Campaign to Pacify the West… He had spent his entire career in the Imperial Guard. His loyalty was without question, but fighting a war was not a matter of loyalty alone… Fan Weigang — in his day, he had served as the late Emperor’s personal guard, and because of his loyalty, he had been appointed Garrison Commander of Xuantong… Who knew what had become of him now?

He stood before the *Atlas of the Nine Provinces*, his expression clouded with obscure difficulty.

Shiyiniang, meanwhile, was turning things over in her mind.

The Prince of Yong had not been invited to stay for a meal, so by her estimate, he should have taken his leave by now.

She sent Lengxiang to find out.

Hanzxiao came in with a smile to report: “Madam, Wan Yizong’s wife and Chang Jiuhe’s wife have settled in and are here to kowtow to you!”

“Show them in!”

Upon hearing of Xuantong’s fall, Shiyiniang had immediately sent Wan Dasheng to bring Wan Yizong’s family from the orchard and Chang Jiuhe’s family from the estate into the residence at Jinyu Lane — she feared that if the Tartars advanced upon Yanjing, the two families would not have time to flee and would be caught up in the devastation of war.

“Madam’s compassion is boundless — you are a merciful and benevolent soul who delivers people from suffering.” Even days later, when Wan Yizong’s wife and Chang Jiuhe’s wife spoke of the matter, their faces were still ashen with lingering fear, and they trembled as they spoke. “If not for your order to leave behind everything we couldn’t carry and enter the city before the gates were closed, we would not be able to enter even if we wanted to now!”

Shiyiniang was rather surprised.

Chang Jiuhe’s wife hastened to explain: “After Xuantong fell, so many people fled toward Yanjing. Now that everyone knows the news, they are all pouring into the city as well. The soldiers of the Five Districts Command are at the city gates every day, driving away refugees. Anyone dressed in coarse cloth is not permitted entry. Some have no choice but to head toward Shandong and Henan instead. They say tens of thousands are on the road, and the tree bark along the way has all been stripped and eaten.”

Wan Yizong’s wife joined in with a sigh: “My husband sits under the eaves every day smoking his long pipe, saying that if your letter had come even a little later, we would not have made it through the gates either.” Then she said: “Madam, surely they won’t truly attack here? This is the foot of the Son of Heaven’s throne!”

Shiyiniang had no certainty in her own heart either.

If even Xu Lingyi had no means of keeping her safe, then households like Wan Yizong’s and Chang Jiuhe’s had even less protection!

“It probably won’t come to that,” she said vaguely. “In any case — while I am here, you are here.”

The two women were put at ease, and thanked Shiyiniang again and again. Shiyiniang chatted a few words with them. They saw Hanzxiao come in from outside with a smile, stand to one side without speaking, and knowing Shiyiniang had matters to attend to, respectfully kowtowed and took their leave.

“Madam,” Hanzxiao said, bowing, and in an understated manner: “The Prince of Yong has already left. The Marquis is alone in the study —” she paused delicately, “— and has instructed Denghua that he will not see anyone.”

Shiyiniang nodded, and did not go to him until Xu Lingyi returned to the main room, then asked: “What did the Prince of Yong come for?”

“Nothing much,” Xu Lingyi said offhandedly. “He spoke a little of the military situation.”

Not a word more of specifics.

Shiyiniang did not press him.

She served him with gentle care as he settled in for the night.

In the middle of the night, Xu Lingyi gathered her in his arms. Unlike his usual tender warmth, he was urgent and fretful, unwilling to release her for even a moment, as though she might slip away if he took his eyes off her.

Shiyiniang was swept up in his feeling, and her body quickly blazed and surged like water set to boil. But with each successive wave, she gradually began to struggle to keep up. Toward the end, she could do nothing but endure, and something slowly began to clarify in her mind.

He seemed to be proving something through all of this!

Not wanting to reproach him, she instead tried her best to relax her body and let him do as he pleased… until she grew dizzy and faint. Only then did Xu Lingyi sense something was wrong. He stopped at once and held her close — her face still flushed with the last traces of that dazed warmth, now gone somewhat rigid: “Moyan, Moyan…” His voice was taut and anxious.

Shiyiniang gradually caught her breath.

These past few days, Xu Lingyi had been far too unlike himself.

There must be something weighing on his heart — something he could not resolve, and could not speak of to those around him.

Thinking of how, that last time the late Emperor had summoned him to the palace, he had calmly made arrangements for the household… her heart filled with a deep, tender ache. She could not help but stroke his back with a gentle touch, soothing his agitated emotions.

What is the matter with me tonight? To have lost control of my emotions like this.

Xu Lingyi felt a pang of guilt, rolled to one side, though his breathing remained heavy and ragged for a long while before it settled.

In the darkness, Shiyiniang gritted her teeth, pressed herself against him, bit his ear, and murmured: “I very much enjoyed it…” then reached out her hand and began to tease him.

Xu Lingyi knew her body — she was only accommodating him at this point. Guilt gripped him, yet his body responded against his will… He hesitated for a long while before he caught her hand.

“Moyan,” he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m all right…” His voice was drawn taut, the words coming with great difficulty.

Shiyiniang felt his body growing ever more agitated… and simply pressed forward into the opening herself.

Xu Lingyi gave a low exhale, could hold back no longer, and rolled over to cover her, beginning to move!

Fortunately, Shiyiniang’s rare initiative was like a soul-captivating incense, and he did not hold out for long before he surrendered.

Shiyiniang let out a long, slow breath.

Xu Lingyi could not bear to move. He held her tenderly for a good while before finally carrying her to the washroom.

Once they had freshened up and lay back down, there was already the sound of the maidservants stirring outside.

“My lord, allow your concubine to help you rise?”

In the past, there had been times when they had made a night of it like this until dawn, but considering that their sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and the two concubines would all come to pay their morning greetings, they would rise first, go to pay their respects to the Grand Madam, and then return for a short rest.

This time, Xu Lingyi made no response, and instead tightened his arms around Shiyiniang just as she was beginning to rise, answering her with actions.

“My lord…” Shiyiniang was uneasy.

Xu Lingyi covered her eyes with one large hand: “Rest a while.” Then: “I’ll keep you company.”

His embrace was warm and enveloping. Shiyiniang was also truly exhausted. The moment she shut her eyes, the pull of sleep rose up — and then Xu Lingyi murmured softly in her ear “I’m right here,” and her eyelids could no longer stay open. She sank into a deep sleep.

She did not know how much time had passed before Hupo called out softly: “Madam, Madam, please wake up — the Princess of Jiangdu has arrived!”

Shiyiniang bolted upright: “Where is the Marquis?”

“The Marquis has been summoned to the palace by the Emperor!” Hupo had already prepared her clothes, and knowing what she would worry about most, added at once: “The Fourth Young Madam and Fifth Young Madam have been told that you took a slight chill yesterday and your head is somewhat light, and that they should come in the evening to pay their respects!”

Shiyiniang quickly nodded and rose to dress.

Hupo, from the corner of her eye, caught sight of a purple mark left by suction on her shoulder, bowed her head, pressed her lips together to suppress a smile, and moved swiftly and nimbly to help her into her outer robe.

The Princess of Jiangdu could not wait, and came in calling as she went: “Aunt, Aunt!”

Ever since Jin Ge’er had gone to Guizhou, Shiyiniang had changed from “Marchioness of Yongping” to “Aunt.”

Shiyiniang’s hands felt somewhat weak — she attempted to fasten her bracelet twice and failed both times. Hupo noticed and hurried to help. The Princess of Jiangdu had already swept in.

“Oh, Aunt hasn’t finished getting ready!” The Princess of Jiangdu was a little surprised, but she was naturally forthright and not in the least flustered. She sat down beside Shiyiniang and was drawn immediately to a hairpin ornament in her jewel case.

“How beautiful!” she said, picking it up to admire.

The ornament was roughly the size of an infant’s palm, fashioned with white shells as petals into the shape of a magnolia flower in half bloom. Around the edge of the petals hung strands of beads threaded with pale red coral and purple pearls — the coloring was delicate yet luminous, and to look upon it was to be struck with admiring wonder.

The ornament had been a gift from Xu Lingyi. In the past she had only thought it too large and too heavy — an unwary tilt of the head and it might slip from the hair knot. Now she found that it was also a fine thing simply to hold and admire.

Shiyiniang smiled gently and asked the Princess of Jiangdu: “What brings you here today?” She said nothing about the ornament.

The Princess of Jiangdu was a person of broad experience and had come with a purpose, so she did not dwell on it. She set the ornament back in the jewel case with easy unconcern, and said with a serious expression: “Aunt, do you know that Third Imperial Brother came by yesterday?”

Shiyiniang rose and led the Princess of Jiangdu to the large heated platform by the window, smiling as she did: “I know.”

“Then do you know what Third Imperial Brother came for?” the Princess of Jiangdu pressed.

Shiyiniang was momentarily taken aback: “I have not yet had a chance to discuss this with the Marquis!”

Before she had finished speaking, the Princess of Jiangdu let out an exclamation: “Really, you are something else — caring not a whit about Jin Ge’er! You ought to know that Ouyang Ming is about to be appointed Grand General for the Campaign to Pacify the West and lead four hundred thousand troops to Datong to resist the Tartars. Third Imperial Brother came out of goodwill to tell Uncle to transfer Jin Ge’er from Guizhou back to Yanjing, where he could assist Minister Lu in transferring military provisions and such. Once Ouyang Ming achieves a triumphant victory, given Jin Ge’er’s standing, he could certainly secure a title of Marquis or Earl at minimum.” She said this, then grew anxious. “Aunt, this is a rare opportunity — there are I do not know how many people in Great Zhou keeping their eyes on it. Even with Third Imperial Brother stepping forward, things did not go entirely smoothly — yet Uncle said he feared it would invite idle talk and declined Third Imperial Brother’s offer. Third Imperial Brother was so furious he was practically jumping up and down at home. Third Imperial Sister-in-law came rushing to tell me, asking me to come and speak to Uncle. That is how I only just found out.”

Shiyiniang felt a flash of joy upon hearing this.

She had never thought of having her son vie with Xu Sizhun, but she still had some concern in her heart about what her son’s future would be. Of course she was glad that there was now an opportunity to make his future more certain. Yet scarcely had this gladness shown on her face before she quickly composed herself again.

Simply transporting military provisions would be enough to earn a title of Marquis or Earl… Where in the world was there a windfall like that? What she most feared was that the military merits would end up being taken from those soldiers who had truly fought in blood and steel on the battlefield, with no influential backing.

Moreover, Xu Lingyi had also thought it inappropriate.

—