At night, the lights in the small mansion blazed piercingly bright. Jiang Xueting paced in the bedroom’s adjoining room. He took a few steps, then looked toward the bedroom interior. He saw gauze curtains hanging around the rosewood canopy bed, with gold-embellished embroidered velvet balls hanging down from all four sides of the canopy. She lay inside the curtains, not moving at all. Anxious, he turned and shouted angrily toward the outside: “Where’s the doctor? Why hasn’t the doctor arrived yet? Is everyone going to die?!”
Before his scolding ended, an attendant officer outside said, “Director Jiang, the doctor has arrived.” As the door opened, a tall doctor walked in carrying a medicine box—the attendant officer had requested him from the hospital overnight.
Jiang Xueting couldn’t spare words, only saying, “Please, come in quickly.” Ruixiang emerged from the bedroom and led the doctor inside. The bedroom was extremely large and naturally warm. Ruixiang first went over to pull back the curtains. Pingjun, in a daze, felt someone come forward to help her up. She gasped for breath, unable to open her eyes, but said barely audibly, “Save me…”
The doctor suddenly froze. Ruixiang beside him smiled and said in a low voice, “Madam was frightened during the day, which disturbed the pregnancy.” The doctor nodded. After taking Pingjun’s pulse, listening with his stethoscope, and measuring her temperature, he said blandly, “Indeed she was frightened, but it’s nothing serious. Madam is blessed—I’ll prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy. Just take it on schedule.”
He went aside to write the prescription. Ruixiang helped Pingjun lie back on the pillow. After the doctor finished writing the prescription, he turned to Ruixiang and said, “Take my prescription to show Director Jiang first, to avoid any errors.” Seeing his caution, Ruixiang took the prescription and went to the outer room.
Pingjun lay on the pillow, her eyelids so heavy she couldn’t open them at all. In her daze, she heard someone beside her trying hard to lower their voice: “Miss Ye, Miss Ye, what are you doing here?”
In her semi-conscious state, she somehow heard this voice immediately. She desperately forced her eyes open to see a person standing by the bed wearing a white robe—clearly a doctor. She said with difficulty, “Save me…” That person said softly, “Miss Ye, don’t you recognize me? I’m Liyuan’s eldest brother, Xie Zaohua.”
Her mind was in complete chaos. The name Xie Zaohua still held some impression. Finding herself in such desperate straits and finally seeing hope, her heart seized up. She reached out and tightly grasped the corner of his clothing, saying quietly, “Please help me write a letter to the Yu family’s fifth young master Yu Changxuan in Jinling. Tell him I’m in Jiang Xueting’s hands, my situation is dangerous, the child… the child might not survive…”
Xie Zaohua felt like he had fallen into a fog of confusion, his eyes full of incomprehension. However, seeing her condition, he knew her current situation was extremely perilous. He reached out and firmly squeezed her hand, saying warmly, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you.” Tears in her eyes, she slowly released her grip.
The door opened with a sound. Ruixiang walked in holding the prescription, smiling at Xie Zaohua: “Doctor Xie, Director Jiang says there’s one medicine that Madam might be allergic to. Please change it.” Xie Zaohua said “Alright,” turned around, picked up his medicine box and walked over. Ruixiang came forward to pull the quilt over Pingjun. Seeing Pingjun sleeping soundly, she followed him out with peace of mind.
After taking one dose of pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, her complexion gradually improved and she slept much more peacefully. When Jiang Xueting came in to check on her, Ruixiang lifted the curtain and called softly, “Miss Ye, Miss Ye.” She made no sound. Jiang Xueting waved his hand and said quietly, “Forget it, don’t disturb her.”
Ruixiang lowered her head, pulled open the curtains on both sides, hooked them with gold hooks, then retreated from the bedroom and closed the door.
She lay on the pillow with her eyes closed, breathing very evenly. Her hair cascaded cloud-like onto the pillow, as if scattered by chaotic wind. That haggard face was completely devoid of color. He didn’t know what he was feeling—it was as if a cat was scratching at him raw. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, “Pingjun, if I lose to him in the future, will you be happy for him? Or sad for me?”
Her eyelashes moved slightly, as if blown by wind, but all the windows in this room were tightly closed—there was no wind. He knew she was awake. He reached out to hold her hand. Her fingers trembled, and she opened her eyes. Those pupils were like black pebbles sunk in a water-filled vase. He gazed at her, his eyes full of confusion: “Pingjun, do you still remember when we…”
She finally said, “I remember.”
His heart stirred—she had never spoken to him so softly before. He stared at her fixedly. She gazed at the canopy top, saying silently, “I lost the jade hairpin you gave me. Later you gave me another one, saying this one was better than the one I lost. I told you that no matter how good it was, it wasn’t the original one anymore.”
He paused briefly and smiled faintly: “I really wish I could find that original one.”
She said, “The time is wrong. Even if we found it, everything has changed—what would be the point?”
The room was deathly silent. The gold-embellished small velvet balls hung down from the curtains, their shadows cast on the wall by lamplight, indistinct and wavering. He gazed at her, as if drained of strength, and smiled self-mockingly, saying softly, “I know—I did such things to you, you must hate me. But I don’t care. What about him though? Do you think he truly won’t care?”
Her lips trembled silently. He said, “There are two things I must tell you. First, your aunt’s death was no accident. Someone arranged the fire. Whether you believe it or not, that person’s real target was to burn you to death, because he couldn’t tolerate his son being preoccupied with a woman day after day, losing the empire!”
He continued, his voice bland: “There’s one more thing. When I abducted you to Yuzhou, I actually saved your life. Less than an hour after my people secretly took you away, the boat exploded—naturally that person’s arrangement as well. Pingjun, having told you all this, don’t you understand yet?”
Pingjun’s breathing was rapid, her voice so low even she could barely hear herself: “I don’t believe it.”
Jiang Xueting smiled slightly: “You don’t dare believe it. Once love involves interests, where is there any eternal devotion?”
Her lips trembled slightly: “Then, are you the same way?”
Jiang Xueting gazed at her. The lamplight through the gauze shade fell on his face. His eyes were still clear and gentle, but the trace of haggard vicissitude between his brows couldn’t be concealed. He smiled self-mockingly: “That’s right, I’m exactly like that! The man you love is also like this now.”
She slowly withdrew her gaze, quietly turning her head inward. The curtain’s patterns rippled before her eyes bit by bit. Though the curtains were hazy, one could still see clearly the night outside the window—ink-like color, as if covered with a layer of gray. She lay on the pillow, weeping silently. Tears scattered like beads, soaking the pillow surface. His voice came through, clear and distinct: “Pingjun, I’ve decided—this is our child. His surname is Jiang.”
A few days later, Pingjun had improved considerably. With her swollen belly, movement was quite inconvenient. Generally she didn’t leave the room. That day Doctor Xie came to examine her. As he was leaving, while placing his stethoscope in his medicine box, he smiled at Ye Pingjun: “It’s not good for Madam to stay cooped up like this. When I came, I saw the white tuberose flowers blooming beautifully in the garden. When Madam has time, you should go look at them—it will help lift your spirits.”
Pingjun leaned against the bed, saying quietly, “I’m not in that mood.”
Doctor Xie nodded to her and smiled: “Breathing fresh air and smelling flowers is also very good for the fetus.” Pingjun looked at Doctor Xie’s expression, slightly startled, then said to Ruixiang beside her, “Then go pick me a bunch and bring them up.”
Ruixiang smiled: “I’ll go in a moment.”
Pingjun turned her head: “I want them now.”
Having hit such a snag, Ruixiang knew Pingjun was aware she had been ordered to monitor her. Not daring to defy Ye Pingjun, she could only nod and walk out. Seeing Ruixiang leave, Pingjun supported herself on the chair and slowly stood up, saying, “Mr. Xie.”
Xie Zaohua knew time was precious and only said the most urgent things: “Miss Ye, I already sent a telegram to Yu Changxuan in Jinling yesterday!” Hearing this, Pingjun didn’t know what she was feeling—tears burst forth: “Then, he’ll know I’m here soon?”
Xie Zaohua said, “I’ve already clearly explained the situation here to Yu Changxuan. I believe there will be news back soon. Miss Ye, please endure for now and don’t be afraid.”
Her tears kept falling, all manner of feelings tangled in her heart. For a long moment she couldn’t speak, her lips trembling constantly. Xie Zaohua looked at her and consoled her gently, “Miss Ye needn’t be sad. Believe that heaven doesn’t cut off all paths. You must take care of your health above all.”
She silently wiped the tears from her eyes with her fingers. The teardrops stuck to her fingertips, wet. Her heart was filled with tender anguish—she could no longer hold back. Tears fell in streams. She had grievances she couldn’t voice, only slowly nodding her head, softly saying “Mm,” then saying, “He must come soon… otherwise this child truly cannot be saved…” Before finishing, she was choked by tears.
In August, Jinling’s weather grew increasingly hot. In the Yu family official residence’s office building, Wu Zuoxiao and several guards on duty said a few words outside the corridor of Yu Changxuan’s office. Then they saw sixth young miss Qixuan holding a newspaper, marching aggressively in from outside the office building, about to rush into the office. Wu Zuoxiao quickly blocked her: “Sixth Miss!”
Yu Qixuan completely ignored Wu Zuoxiao, angrily saying, “Get out of my way!” She pushed open the office door and barged in, facing Yu Changxuan who was working at his desk: “Fifth brother!”
Yu Changxuan was reviewing documents submitted by the Army Department. Looking up to see Qixuan burst in like this, he frowned: “You’re becoming more and more improper as you grow up. Don’t you see what kind of place this is? Can you make such a scene here?”
Qixuan raised her eyebrows and replied impolitely, “I don’t care what kind of place this is. I just came to ask one question—are you still the fifth brother I used to know?!” After speaking, she threw the newspaper in her hand onto the desk, already speaking angrily, “What does it mean to ‘uphold the League of Nations peace cessation, strongly promote Jinling-Yuzhou integration, temporarily halt all fire attacks on Japan’?! What does it mean ‘years of war on our soil all stem from the Xibei Xiao faction, warlord chaos, usurping power and stealing the nation, occupying territory, brewing national disintegration’?! Fifth brother, explain this to me!”
Yu Changxuan said, “Everything must have priorities. Right now, Jinling-Yuzhou integration is the top priority. For this integration, Father even publicly resigned. I’m already being disturbed endlessly by Yuzhou’s Jiang Xueting—do you want to stick your foot in too?!”
Qixuan laughed coldly: “Yuzhou’s Jiang Xueting? I’ve heard that fifth brother and Yuzhou’s Jiang Xueting are like sworn brothers now. You even sent five telegrams inviting Jiang Xueting to come govern in the Jinling government! You even sent Jiang Xueting an invitation to fifth brother’s wedding.”
Yu Changxuan’s face darkened: “Political matters are not for you to question! If you have any dissatisfaction, go talk to Father!” Knowing his words were too harsh, he softened slightly and said, “I’ll explain just once to you. Right now Jiangbei is fighting intensely—it’s the best opportunity for us to attack. But if Jinling and Yuzhou don’t integrate, the Yuzhou government sitting there is a major threat. The Yu military cannot act rashly—how can we talk about going north then!”
Qixuan’s gaze shot straight at Yu Changxuan’s face. She laughed half-mockingly and said, “Now I understand clearly. Fifth brother’s entire speech can be summed up in one sentence—you just want to first appease Jiang Xueting to ensure no trouble in the rear, then go north to take advantage of others’ crisis!”
Yu Changxuan frowned: “Going north is Father’s lifelong ambition. When the time comes to sweep away warlord separatism and bring peace to the land, wouldn’t that be a great deed for the nation and people?”
Qixuan said coldly, “Talk about serving nation and people? All I see is Xiao Beichen in the north resisting Japan without any retreat, while you help Father here争 for power and position, losing all sense of honor and righteousness! You’re just pursuing your ambitions. Father wants to rule the empire, and fifth brother has now gone mad, also enchanted by this empire!”
Yu Changxuan forcefully suppressed the rage in his heart, saying blandly, “Qixuan, are you criticizing Father and me?!”
Qixuan said, “How would I dare criticize you? I just know that Jiangbei’s Xiao Beichen is a hero—fifth brother is not. Even if fifth brother rules the empire in the future, you’re still not a hero. You’ve degenerated from a soldier who should serve the nation with passion into a cold-hearted, cold-faced politician—how tragic!”
Yu Changxuan, full of rage with nowhere to vent, finally said coldly after a long moment, “Since you say so, if you have the guts, go to Jiangbei and find your great hero! See if he wants you!” Qixuan declared loudly, “Good! I came precisely to tell fifth brother—I’m going to find him now!”
She turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped and turned back: “Fifth brother, in a few more days you’ll be getting married.” Yu Changxuan stood facing the window. Thinking she was backing down, his anger not yet dissipated, he only gave a bland “hmph.”
Yu Qixuan smiled and said clearly, “Sixth sister wishes fifth brother and sister Daiti a long and happy union, a hundred years of harmony! I also wish you success in Jinling-Yuzhou integration and achievement of fame and merit!”
She spoke these words extremely cheerfully. Yu Changxuan turned around in shock to see the office door half open—Qixuan had already rushed out. He heard sudden commotion outside. An attendant officer came running, too rushed to knock, directly pushing the door open: “Commander, sixth miss grabbed a horse from behind and rode off—we couldn’t stop her!”
Yu Changxuan’s heart shook violently. He rushed outside to see several attendant officers standing in the clearing with shocked expressions on their faces. Seeing Yu Changxuan rush out, Wu Zuoxiao hurried forward: “Commander, sixth miss has left!” Yu Changxuan was deeply agitated and asked urgently, “What did she say?”
Wu Zuoxiao said, “She said she’s going to Jiangbei!”
Yu Changxuan never expected Qixuan would follow through like this. That little sister who had always followed behind him, bantering and joking, turned out to be such a resolute person. He stood there dumbly for a long time. Wu Zuoxiao beside him stepped forward: “Commander, don’t worry. Sixth miss doesn’t have a special passage permit—she can’t get through the checkpoint.” Only then did Yu Changxuan come to his senses, but he flew into a rage: “Hurry and chase her! Bring her back to me no matter what!”
With Yu Changxuan and Jun Daiti’s wedding imminent, the entire official residence was busy arranging this major event every day. Originally they planned to use Fengtai as the bridal chamber, but because Yu Changxuan said running back and forth between two places was too troublesome, they didn’t use Fengtai. They just redecorated Yu Changxuan’s quarters at the official residence. That day, Jun Daiti was dragged to the residence by her cousin Minru, who said they should first look at the bridal chamber—if anything was missing, they could prepare it early.
Daiti followed Minru and Jinxuan for a tour. Seeing everything perfectly arranged and impeccable, she was naturally very pleased. After viewing everything, everyone went to the main hall to taste tea, sitting with Madam Yu. Madam Yu’s expression was always somewhat melancholy—everyone knew it was because of Qixuan running away from home. After sitting a while, Madam Yu said, “I’m rather tired. You all go walk around yourselves. If there’s anything, wait until Changxuan returns to discuss it. Just leave Jinxuan here.”
Minru pulled Daiti out of the hall, then actually pulled her back to the bridal chamber they had just seen. Daiti was puzzled, but Minru smiled, closed the room door, took out a telegram from her body, and handed it to Jun Daiti, smiling slightly: “Take a look.”
Jun Daiti was slightly startled. She took out the telegram and looked at it, her eyes showing shocked expression. Minru, knowing she had finished reading, smiled: “Sister Daiti, what do you think we should do?”
Daiti pressed the telegram face-down on the huanghuali table surface, saying blandly, “Why ask me? This is your family’s business—do I need to give suggestions?”
Minru smiled: “You’re about to become our family’s fifth young mistress. Why distinguish between your family and our family? I’ll tell you the truth. Father held back this telegram. Father gave it to Mother, and Mother had me bring it to show you. She said no matter who came first or second, you’re the one properly married into our Yu family. At most she’s a concubine.”
Daiti lowered her head, eyes on the huanghuali table surface. After a long moment, her lips moved slightly, saying softly, “What does Auntie mean?” Minru smiled: “Mother’s meaning is that the woman doesn’t matter much, but she’s thinking the child in her belly is after all the Yu family’s. But your wedding with fifth brother will be held very soon. In the future if you want children, there will be plenty—that woman’s unborn child doesn’t amount to much.”
The expression on Daiti’s face remained bland. She asked another question: “What does Uncle say?”
Minru smiled: “Father needs no further explanation. Just from him holding back the telegram, isn’t everything clear? Right now, what’s most important for our Jinling government? Jinling-Yuzhou integration. We’ve reached this critical juncture—do you think Father will fall out with Yuzhou government’s Jiang Xueting over a woman?! Or give him any reason for wariness?!”
In front of that large huanghuali table was a louvered window, the two window panels open outward. Clouds in the sky gradually thickened. Outside the window was a pond, wrinkled by wind into rippling circles. Wind blew through the open window panels, carrying fragrance—exactly the momentum of mountain rain about to come, wind filling the tower.
Minru said beside her, “You absolutely can’t let Changxuan know about this telegram.”
Hearing her cousin’s words, her vermillion lips parted slightly. She smiled faintly and said softly, “Am I mad? To actually go tell him!”
As they were speaking, Jinxuan’s voice came from outside: “Sister-in-law, Daiti, are you inside?” Footsteps came pattering over. Minru was startled and instinctively pushed the telegram inward, hastily finding something to press it down with, then pulled Daiti out of the room. She saw Jinxuan about to enter. Minru quickly smiled: “Second sister, what is it?”
Jinxuan smiled: “Mother is calling you. She says she bought new fabric and wants to make new clothes. She’s asking you to come down together to choose.” After speaking, she pulled Minru and Daiti downstairs together. They saw the large table downstairs indeed piled with fabric. Madam Yu held a tobacco pipe, took a puff, and seeing them come down, smiled slightly: “Perfect timing. Come quickly and see if there’s anything you like?”
Minru smiled: “This is all thanks to Daiti’s blessing. Mother is making us new clothes. That piece of dark blue patterned silk is mine—nobody try to fight me for it.” Madam Yu smiled: “Minru’s mouth makes it sound like I’m usually very stingy. The new bride hasn’t even entered the door yet—don’t frighten her.”
Daiti smiled slightly, didn’t say much, and stood with Minru and Jinxuan at the large table, casually selecting some fabric. Butler Zhou Tai came in from outside, bent down beside Madam Yu and said a few words in a low voice. Madam Yu was slightly startled: “Why did he leave right after returning? Is he that busy?!” After saying this, she glanced toward Daiti, then fell silent and said no more.
After looking at the fabric, Daiti claimed she had left her handbag upstairs in the room and needed to retrieve it. Only then did she excuse herself. Alone, she walked back to the room, wanting to secretly put away that telegram. Who would have thought that upon pushing open the door, she heard the louvered window violently shaken by wind, making “clatter, clatter” sounds. The telegram that had been on the huanghuali table surface had vanished.
Daiti looked out the window to see the pond water all rippling in the wind, raising small waves. Faintly she could see a scrap of paper floating and sinking in the water. She smoothed the hair blown up by the wind, silently watching for a long time before saying in a low voice, “It’s good it blew into the water. Let it drift away with the water.”
Jun Daiti’s father was a Methodist minister with considerable wealth. The Jun family had only this one daughter, Daiti, naturally treasuring her like a jewel. They specifically purchased property in Jinling for Daiti, also counted as part of her dowry. After returning to China, Daiti lived here. That morning, still wearing a morning robe with her hair down, she sat in bed reading when she saw her personal maid Hongyu push the door open, stick out her tongue at Daiti, and smile cheerfully: “Miss, your prospective young master has arrived.”
Daiti’s face immediately reddened. She said to Hongyu, “You ghost girl! What ‘prospective young master’? You actually dare tease me.” Hongyu usually got along well with this young miss, so she boldly said, “Can’t I call him prospective young master? Should I directly call him young master instead?” Daiti picked up a book and threw it over half-annoyed, half-smiling: “Go tell him to wait for me downstairs.”
Hongyu went downstairs smiling. Daiti quickly got up from bed, changed out of that morning robe, and picked through the wardrobe. In the end, she chose a Chinese-style xiangyunsha silk drip-collar qipao—elegant and dignified. She pinned up her long hair, coiling it into a bun at the back of her head, inserted a jade hairpin, and carefully groomed herself in the mirror. She was about to get up and go downstairs when, after a few steps, she paused, seemingly lost in thought, then slowly sat down on a Western-style gilt chair to the side.
She sat for a while before going downstairs. She indeed saw him sitting on the sofa in the main parlor, eyes actually closed, resting there. She was slightly startled—his heroic face actually looked very fatigued. In the few days she hadn’t seen him, he had become so thin. Having just recovered from serious injury, she was even more worried. She gently pushed him, saying softly, “Fifth brother.”
Only then did Yu Changxuan open his eyes—those eyes actually had bloodshot streaks. Daiti looked at him: “What’s wrong with you? Why have you become so thin?” Yu Changxuan rubbed his temples, looked at her and smiled: “It’s nothing. I’ve been rather busy these past few days.”
Daiti said, “Is it about Jinling-Yuzhou integration?”
Yu Changxuan was slightly startled by her question, not knowing how to answer. He only nodded vaguely. As for government matters, she wasn’t convenient to ask more, so she smiled: “Since you’re so busy, why did you come looking for me?” Yu Changxuan said, “Mother insisted I personally deliver something to you.”
He took out a brocade box, untied the ribbon on top, and revealed a dragon-and-phoenix patterned pendant resting on black velvet—the jade quality white and lustrous, the color infusion extremely beautiful, strung on a fine gold chain. At a glance, one could tell it was extremely precious. He looked at her and smiled: “This is something Mother gave specifically to you. No one else has one.”
He placed the pendant along with the box in Daiti’s hands. Daiti pushed her hands outward. He was slightly startled, looking at Daiti. Daiti smiled slightly and said to him, “Put it on me.”
She sat beside him, turning her back to him. Yu Changxuan froze, finally picking up that dragon-and-phoenix pendant after a long moment, fastening it around her pure white neck. The gold chain, ice-cold, slid through his palm like flowing sand. He slowly fastened the clasp on the chain, but his heart suddenly felt empty.
She waited a long time without hearing him speak. Turning her head back, she saw his gaze fixed on her as if frozen. Those pupils were jet black, as if containing a magnet inside, drawing people in. Her cheeks flushed with color. She lowered her head, smiling as she said softly, “Silly, are you mesmerized?”
Only then did he come to his senses. Seeing her shy appearance, he supplemented, “Beautiful.”
Daiti smiled gracefully, the blush on her cheeks not yet faded, saying gently in a low voice, “I knew it was beautiful, otherwise you couldn’t have looked so entranced!” After speaking, she lowered her head again. Seeing her like this, he reached out and took advantage of the moment to embrace her. The parlor was extremely warm. A rosewood screen stood to one side of the sofa, embroidered with a lively pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix—extremely lifelike.
She leaned in his arms. His iron-gray military uniform was crisp and stiff—leaning against it was certainly not comfortable. Yet the happiness in her heart was beyond measure, simply brimming with joy overflowing from her brows. She couldn’t control her urge to smile and said softly, “Fifth brother, I’m so happy. We’re about to be married.”
Yu Changxuan’s arm suddenly stiffened there.
He thought of what seemed like a day long ago. Back then, outside the window was winter penetrating with bone-chilling cold, yet the bedroom was warm as spring. That pot of white tuberose appeared gracefully before her eyes, the pure white flowers like a quietly beautiful maiden. The corners of her lips lifted, her eyes like water. He said to her tenderly, “So beautiful.”
He saw her lift the corners of her lips in a smile. Her lustrous profile was like a fragrant flower petal—truly a thousand kinds of charm around her brows, raven hair cascading like a waterfall over jade hairpins. He loved her deeply, so he leaned toward her, held her in his arms, and said softly, “I’ve only heard: ‘When qin and se are played together, may there be tranquil peace!'”
He still remembered the courtyard full of pear blossoms. Moonlight shone down, flower shadows covering the ground. She seemed entangled by nightmares, choking as she said to him, “Changxuan, you must stay, you must always stay. I’m afraid alone.”
“When worldly affection deteriorates, all things follow the turning candle. The fickle husband has a new person beautiful as jade. Even the hehuan flower knows its time, mandarin ducks don’t sleep alone. Only seeing the new person’s laughter, who hears the old person’s tears?”
He was suddenly dazed, unable to distinguish where he was or what he was doing. Qixuan said he had gone mad—he truly had gone mad. He was now nothing but a trapped beast, a trapped beast firmly entangled by his family. He thought of his father striving to promote Jinling-Yuzhou integration. To show sincerity to Yuzhou’s Jiang Xueting, Father publicly resigned. When leaving Jinling, the look in Father’s eyes as he gazed at him—how profound and meaningful it was.
Father had used his own political career to pave a smooth road ahead for him.
He told himself: A great man acts according to the times. Now the overall situation is set—this is precisely when there can’t be the slightest variable or mishap! One wrong move and everything is lost! He could only proceed with utmost caution.