Steadfast Stone and Flexible Reed, Silken Vines and Towering Trees

In early June, Xiao Beichen from the northern Xiao family and Yu Changxuan from the southern Yu family unexpectedly shared wine and conversation, calling each other third brother and fifth brother. This reconciliation that wiped away all enmity caused a sensation in both domestic and foreign public opinion. Yet this peace truly brought great fortune to the people and great security to the nation.

After the peace accord, the Xiao army withdrew to defend Huyang Pass, while the Yu army stationed heavy troops at Xiangpingkou. Yu Changxuan was promoted to commander of the Ninth Military District with the rank of lieutenant general in the army, stationed at the strategic military stronghold of Xiangpingkou. To the north, he contained the northern Xiao family, forming a standoff with the Xiao forces guarding Huyang Pass. To the south, he controlled military power and awed Jinling. Thus, although the Mou and Tao families in Jinling had grown their wings full and strong, they no longer dared to act rashly against the Yu family!

Since reaching the peace accord, the domestic situation of warlord factions battling each other had been alleviated. The Xiao warlord clique and the Jinling government entered a rare period of peace. At root, it was simply two tigers on one mountain, yet neither could overcome the other, so they could only temporarily coexist peacefully. The Yu forces at Xiangpingkou and the Xiao forces at Huyang Pass began to rest and recuperate. It was even reported that on the confrontational front lines, the two armies actually started joking and cursing at each other from within their respective fortifications.

On this leisurely day with fine weather, Yu Changxuan said he wanted to go to the training grounds to ride horses and clear his mind. As chief of the adjutant’s office, Gu Ruitong naturally prioritized protecting Yu Changxuan’s safety, having already arranged for the guard battalion to set up perimeter security around the horse grounds, with cavalry units on guard duty and the guard brigade providing protection along the route.

By two or three in the afternoon, Yu Changxuan had led several adjutants in a large circle around the training grounds before returning. He rode an azure chrysanthemum-colored horse over four feet tall, and combined with his handsome riding outfit, he cut quite a dashing figure. He saw that Pingjun, who had come with him, was sitting in a temporarily erected canvas pavilion. He smiled, raised his riding crop toward the front of the pavilion, and beckoned to her, saying, “Do you dare?”

Pingjun had also changed out of her long dress and put on riding attire. Seeing him like this, she stood up with a smile and said, “Do you think I can’t ride? That’s really underestimating me. But since we’re going to ride, I want my own horse.”

Seeing the confidence in her eyes and brows, Yu Changxuan said to Gu Ruitong beside him, “Go find a gentle horse.”

Gu Ruitong hurried off to the horse management office personally and soon led back a horse that was entirely jujube-red in color. Two guards beside them helped hold the horse and steady the stirrups. Pingjun walked over gracefully, grasped the reins with one hand, placed her left foot in the stirrup, and with just that light, nimble movement, she was up, sitting steadily in the saddle.

Yu Changxuan couldn’t help but smile, “Where did you learn that?”

Pingjun turned back, her delicate features suddenly brightened with a spirited expression, and she smiled sweetly, “Bai Liyuan’s father is an expert horse trainer. Liyuan and I both learned from him, though I only learned the basics. You’re not allowed to laugh at me.”

Yu Changxuan laughed, “Whether you’re showing off skills in front of an expert, we’ll know once we compete.” Pingjun laughed and said, “Oh, so the commander wants to compete? Then I’ll go first.” She loosened the reins and took the lead, spurring her horse forward. She rode several li around the training grounds before reining in her horse, turning around to look back, and saw Yu Changxuan following behind her at an unhurried pace.

Pingjun laughed, “This counts as my victory.”

Yu Changxuan spurred his horse to her side, but still worried, reached out to help her hold the reins, smiling, “Fine, let’s say you won. What reward should you give me?” Hearing this, Pingjun couldn’t help but smile charmingly, “Why should I reward you?”

Yu Changxuan laughed, “If I hadn’t been afraid you’d fall, I probably would have made several round trips by now. With such thoughtfulness on my part, tell me, shouldn’t you reward me?” Pingjun pursed her lips in a smile, “That does seem to have some logic. What reward do you want?” Yu Changxuan leaned over on horseback to her cheek and whispered something with a smile. Pingjun immediately blushed, pushed him away, and said coquettishly, “And you’re supposed to be a commander! How shameless. Go away, I’m going back.”

She turned her horse around to head back, but suddenly felt her waist tighten as he reached out and pulled her onto his horse’s back. Frightened, she couldn’t help but cry out, already finding herself in his arms. He lowered his head to kiss her cheek and whispered with a laugh, “With me here, where do you think you’re going?”

She was truly startled by him, her heart still pounding wildly. She couldn’t help but look up at him reproachfully, “This is truly like Zhao Kuangyin’s gambling—whether you lose or win, you demand something. How unreasonable!”

He just laughed, holding her tightly in his arms, “When it comes to you, why should I be reasonable!”

She was held so tightly by him that she could barely breathe, yet in her heart, she couldn’t help feeling waves of warmth. She leaned her head back slightly to rest against his chest. He sat on horseback with her in his embrace, then pointed his riding crop toward the distance, saying, “Pingjun, look—that’s the north.”

She looked in the direction his crop pointed and saw that expanse of mountains and rivers stretching into the distance, rising from the earth as if to meet the sky, with green grass carpeting the ground in endless emerald waves. Yu Changxuan said, “Right now that’s all Xiao territory, but my father says that someday our Yu forces will definitely march across to the north.” He paused, holding her slightly tighter in his arms, and smiled, “When that time comes, I’ll take you to ride horses and see the scenery on that northern land, all right?”

Pingjun smiled sweetly, “Your dreams are beautiful, planning everything so perfectly. Even the moon waxes and wanes—aren’t you afraid heaven might give you this but refuse to give you that? Then what would you do?”

She spoke these words with gentle laughter, meant as a joke, but Yu Changxuan felt an inexplicable pang in his heart and smiled somewhat forcedly, “Then what do you think?” Pingjun reached up to smooth her hair that had been tousled by the wind, turned back with eyes as clear as water, and said, “I want something from you.”

Yu Changxuan asked, “What do you want?” Pingjun pointed to his military belt and smiled, “I want this sword.” Yu Changxuan looked down and realized she was pointing at the short sword he wore daily. This was issued to him along with his graduation certificate when he graduated from Nanming Military Academy. The blade was inscribed with four characters: “Success or Martyrdom,” meaning “succeed or die for the cause,” which is why it was also called the “Military Soul.”

At this moment she pointed at that short sword and smiled slightly, “I want this.” Yu Changxuan unfastened the sword and placed it in her hands, smiling, “Since you like it, let’s make it our token of love.” She gripped the short sword, her fingers lightly stroking the delicate plum blossom petals carved on the hilt, nodded, and the smile at the corner of her lips was both firm and happy, “Whatever you want to do, I’ll follow you, follow you for a lifetime.”

Yu Changxuan’s chest surged with excitement, filled with the warmth radiating from her body. He lowered his head—her hair carried an intoxicating fragrance that gradually seeped into his breathing. Black strands were blown by the wind and brushed across his handsome face. His heart overflowed with waves of joy and elation—such wild happiness was simply indescribable in words. He could only hold her tighter and whisper softly, “Pingjun, I’m so happy.”

Gu Yigang arrived somewhat late with several senior staff officers from the Ninth Military District. They saw guards standing around the temporarily erected pavilion, but didn’t see Yu Changxuan. Even adjutant Wu Zuoxiao remained there. Gu Yigang first sat down in the pavilion with the staff officers, then asked guard captain Gu Ruitong, “Where’s the commander?”

Though they had a father-son relationship, because Gu Yigang was extremely strict and never showed favoritism, Gu Ruitong stood at attention properly and reported, “The commander went riding.”

Gu Yigang currently served as deputy commander and supervisor of the Ninth Military District, and was also the most important person Yu Zhongquan had placed beside Yu Changxuan. Hearing this, his face immediately darkened and he angrily said, “The commander went riding, and you guards are all dead men? Why didn’t you follow?” Gu Ruitong looked somewhat troubled and after a long pause said, “We’ve already arranged for cavalry units to follow from a distance.”

Gu Yigang said, “What do you mean ‘follow from a distance’?”

Gu Ruitong had no choice but to answer, “The commander went riding with Miss Ye.” Gu Yigang was slightly taken aback, and his expression became rather unpleasant. The staff officers beside him were all drinking tea and eating snacks. Hearing this, they all smiled meaningfully. Gu Yigang turned back and also smiled at these officers, “Look at this—turns out our commander is quite the romantic hero.”

A staff officer in the pavilion laughed heartily, “The commander’s actions perfectly embody that saying: ‘A true gentleman is naturally romantic; only great heroes show their true nature.'” Everyone laughed along, except Gu Yigang, whose face bore not a trace of a smile. The military flags fluttered on the training ground, and the soldiers looked imposing. He turned to glance at Gu Ruitong with an extremely stern look, and Gu Ruitong quietly lowered his head.

By July and August, while internal troubles were somewhat settled, external threats were becoming increasingly serious. The Japanese military advanced steadily, fighting all the way from the Yunnan-Burma battlefield, while another force landed at port cities and gradually occupied several major railway lines from south to north. The Jinling government was consumed by increasingly fierce internal factional struggles, naturally having no time to deal with the Japanese, leading to rising waves of domestic opposition and increasingly turbulent times.

After this day’s regular meeting at the central military headquarters ended, several secretaries and staff members withdrew. Seeing Yu Changxuan still frowning deeply, Gu Yigang slowly said, “Does the commander still disagree with your father’s instructions?”

Yu Changxuan frowned, “Now that Japanese forces advance step by step, yet father still insists on preserving strength and keeping troops stationary, I fear that if our Yu forces keep retreating and allowing the Japanese free rein, we’ll eventually invite the wolf into our house, and when we want to drive them out, we won’t be able to.”

Gu Yigang let out a long sigh, “The Mou and Tao families have formed a strong alliance, pressing the Yu family step by step and suppressing us everywhere. Your father is also helpless in this situation. Besides, there’s one more matter that’s even more disadvantageous to us.”

Yu Changxuan asked, “What matter?”

Gu Yigang said, “When Mou family’s adopted son Jiang Xueting was editor-in-chief of Fame Daily, he used his pen and tongue to rail against heaven and earth, winning over many hearts and building quite a foundation. Your father couldn’t restrain himself and suppressed him once, but unexpectedly this only enhanced his heroic image as a fighter for freedom. Now he has great prestige and has been promoted to vice president of the Executive Yuan. The cabinet headed by Chu Wenfu has long been merely nominal. Now the Mou and Tao families in Jinling are at their zenith—even your father probably has to give them some ground.”

Yu Changxuan said coolly, “Jiang Xueting certainly rose quickly.”

Gu Yigang said, “Old Master Mou is the number one person in the central party headquarters. With such a patron, Jiang Xueting naturally thrives in political circles and rises steadily.” He paused slightly, but his expression grew grave again, “Moreover, Jiang Xueting is not to be underestimated. After all his scheming, he finally got his wish and became the Tao family’s second son-in-law.”

Longing in the Gallery, Lonely Moon Leaning

A fine drizzle fell, and in the courtyard behind the headquarters, several pear trees were in their season of fallen blossoms and flourishing leaves. Some fruit could be seen hidden among the branches, creating a charming scene. The wind swayed the trees as a military vehicle stopped at the courtyard gate. Gu Ruitong got out first, opened an umbrella, and held the rear door open. Ye Pingjun got out carrying some paper bags, took the umbrella from Gu Ruitong, and walked into the courtyard compound.

Gu Ruitong watched her figure gradually disappear in the distance when he suddenly heard a guard beside him stand at attention and salute. Gu Ruitong turned around to see his father Gu Yigang wearing a raincoat, standing in front with a stern expression, with an adjutant holding an umbrella beside him.

Gu Yigang called to Gu Ruitong, “Come here!”

Gu Ruitong walked over. Gu Yigang didn’t even let the adjutant follow, leading Gu Ruitong alone to a secluded corner. He turned around and without a word gave Gu Ruitong a hard slap across the face. Gu Ruitong silently endured the blow, dropped to his knees in the rain with a thud, and said quietly, “Father.”

Gu Yigang said coldly, “Do you know why I slapped you?”

Gu Ruitong knelt there with his back straight, “I know.”

Gu Yigang said coldly, “Good that you know. Just for bringing her to this place, you’ve caused friction between your commander and his father. Look at how father and son are fighting now. If not for my sake, your commander’s father would have taken your life long ago. Think about Li Boren’s fate—don’t end up not even knowing how you died!”

Gu Ruitong lowered his head deeply, listening to his father’s footsteps as he turned and left. Fine rain beat against him from all directions. He remained kneeling there motionless. Above his head, a plane tree’s leaves rustled noisily in the rain, and the merciless raindrops fell on his face, ice-cold and piercing.

The light rain continued pattering into the afternoon, but then the clouds parted and the sun emerged, quickly drying the muddy ground. Pingjun was in the inner room organizing things she’d just bought when she heard footsteps outside. She looked through the window lattice and indeed saw Yu Changxuan returning, escorted by guards. The meetings in front must have ended. She turned back, and he entered with a smile, “I saw you from outside—what are you, a child? Still peeping through windows.”

Pingjun came over to help him unfasten the buttons on his military uniform, smiling slightly, “I heard your footsteps and came to look. Who told you to have such good eyes that you see everything?” He squeezed her hand, and she smiled as she pulled away, hanging his outer coat on a nearby rack. Turning back, she saw him sitting down to drink tea, looking somewhat subdued. She asked, “What’s wrong? Encountered some difficult matter?”

Yu Changxuan placed his military belt, sidearm, and other items on the table, turned to look at her, and smiled slightly, “Nothing really, just been too busy these past few days and somewhat tired.” Seeing the weariness in his brow, she said, “Then go lie down on the bed for a while. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

Yu Changxuan agreed and lay down on the bed without even changing clothes. He’d been severely entangled in military affairs these past days, with countless matters weighing on his mind. He was utterly exhausted in body and spirit. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep. He slept very deeply, and when he woke again, he saw moonlight filling the windows—it was already deep into the night. The room was completely quiet. He turned his head slightly and saw her sitting quietly under the lamp, holding an embroidery hoop, stitching stitch by stitch. Half her face was illuminated by the lamplight, beautiful as peach blossoms. He watched her intently for a long while before smiling, “What are you embroidering? Show me.”

She was first startled by him, then turned back to see he was awake and smiled, “You woke up without saying anything—you scared me.” She stood up and brought the embroidery hoop to him. Yu Changxuan looked and saw she was embroidering a “Lotus Picture”—she’d just finished one lotus and a few leaves. Yu Changxuan pointed at the hoop with his finger and smiled, “This flower is me, these leaves are you.”

Pingjun couldn’t help laughing, “You’re really… How did you become this graceful flower while I became leaves?” Yu Changxuan said, “What can I do about it? Who told you your surname is Ye [leaf]?” Pingjun took the hoop back and pointed her needle below the lotus, laughing softly, “In that case, I’ll embroider some little fish below—let those be you.”

Yu Changxuan said warmly with a smile, “Those aren’t me—those are our sons.” Hearing this, Pingjun gave him a light push and laughed, “You really are wide awake now, starting to talk nonsense again.” Yu Changxuan laughed, “This isn’t nonsense. I’ve thought it all through. When we have children in the future, father will certainly choose their formal names, but we’ll give them nicknames. If it’s a son, we’ll call him Little Fish, and if it’s a daughter, we’ll call her Little Jade.”

Little Fish and Little Jade were homophonic with the Yu surname. Pingjun smiled slightly but didn’t continue the conversation, only saying, “It’s already so late, and you missed dinner. Are you hungry?” At her reminder, Yu Changxuan felt hungry and said, “Is there anything to eat?”

Pingjun put down the embroidery hoop, “Just lie there a bit longer. I’ll ask the adjutant outside to cook some noodles.” She’d just stood up when they heard knocking at the door. Confidential secretary Wang Ji’s voice came through, “Commander, telegram from your father.”

Yu Changxuan was slightly taken aback, knowing that Wang Ji knocking at this hour meant something extremely important. Pingjun had already brought Yu Changxuan his outer coat. Yu Changxuan took the coat and said, “Go to sleep early, don’t wait for me.” Pingjun nodded, and Yu Changxuan walked to the outer room. Confidential secretary Wang Ji was already waiting with a telegram.

Yu Changxuan took the telegram, unfolded it, and immediately frowned. He slapped the telegram down on the table with a “crack” and laughed coldly, “What a fine vice president of the Executive Yuan! Just promoted and already eager to show his authority at Xiangpingkou!”

This trip kept Yu Changxuan away for several days. On this particular noon, an adjutant brought lunch, but Pingjun could barely eat after mixing some soup with rice. Feeling inexplicably restless and irritated, unable even to do needlework, she put away the embroidery hoop and took some of Yu Changxuan’s freshly washed shirts and jackets to iron. Keeping busy this way, it gradually became evening. The pear trees in the courtyard swayed in the wind, their shadows dancing in the light of the setting sun, but still Yu Changxuan didn’t return.

Pingjun finally couldn’t help going to the courtyard to wait. Sixth Group leader Feng Tianjun was on duty and came out from the adjutant’s office, “Miss Ye, the commander called to say you should go to sleep early tonight and not wait for him.” Pingjun couldn’t help asking, “Is he still busy?”

Feng Tianjun said, “Several government officials have arrived. The commander will be tied up for several more days.”

Having asked this much, Pingjun didn’t inquire further. She nodded, and Feng Tianjun returned to the guard office. Pingjun still sat in the courtyard as the pear tree branches rustled overhead and a light fragrance floated through the quiet courtyard.

She was about to turn and leave when she suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps from the front courtyard, as if everything had become chaotic at once. An angry voice immediately reached her ears: “Outrageous! Now that Japanese forces press at our borders, you Yu Changxuan command heavy troops yet cower and keep your forces stationary, allowing the Japanese army to swallow territory in one gulp. I, a vice president of the Executive Yuan, came personally to the front lines to persuade you—not to your restaurants and dance halls for entertainment!”

Upon hearing this voice, Pingjun’s whole body stiffened and she froze in place.

Immediately came Yu Changxuan’s cold, mocking voice: “A general in the field need not obey every command, especially from someone who has no military authority! If you represented the government and came to find me, deciding to fight the Japanese to the end, that would be one thing. But what are you saying—something about fighting the Japanese to suppress domestic protest waves? My Yu forces have no cowards, but we won’t die so meaninglessly either!”

Standing in the inner courtyard, Pingjun heard this conversation clearly. She heard rapid footsteps approaching, someone coming this way and almost arriving. Pingjun panicked, hurriedly entered the house, and had barely closed the door halfway when she heard footsteps and the guards on duty in the inner courtyard snapping to attention and presenting arms in unison. Feng Tianjun said, “Commander.”

Pingjun’s heart relaxed slightly, and she was about to come out when she suddenly heard Gu Ruitong shout, “Vice President Jiang, this is the inner courtyard—please stop!” Jiang Xueting, who had chased after them, angrily said, “Yu Changxuan, stop right there! I represent the Executive Yuan—how dare you speak to me this way! Your way of commanding troops for personal gain—what are your real intentions?”

Yu Changxuan turned back to look. Jiang Xueting stood at the moon gate of the inner courtyard, blocked by Gu Ruitong and several guards, while the guards Jiang Xueting had brought were no pushovers either. Both sides had their hands on their guns. Yu Changxuan’s face was filled with gloom: “Our Yu forces use gun barrels to guard the realm for you government officials, facing gunfire and bullets daily. Today you bunch of pen-pushing bastards sitting in government offices just want a few peaceful days, but want my troops to trade their lives for it. I tell you, never mind that you’re just a vice president—even if Old Master Mou himself came, he couldn’t make my Yu forces move an inch.”

Jiang Xueting’s face was ugly beyond description. From the outer courtyard came a flurry of footsteps as dozens of Yu army guards surrounded them—all from the guard regiment—completely encircling Jiang Xueting and his people. Following behind Jiang Xueting was his adjutant Xue Zhiqi, who stepped forward to stand beside Jiang Xueting and whispered, “Vice President Jiang, we cannot remain here long!”

Jiang Xueting knew that at this time and place, the situation was entirely detrimental to him—absolutely not a time for impulsiveness. He temporarily swallowed his anger and turned to leave. The Yu army guards also lowered their weapons. Just then, they heard a “creak” as the half-closed door was suddenly blown open by the wind. Yu Changxuan turned back and saw Pingjun standing inside the doorway.

Jiang Xueting only glanced back once, but Pingjun’s figure entered his sight. His body shook violently—he never expected to see her here. Instantly a rage surged up, nearly driving him mad with fury. He roared, “Yu Changxuan!” Turning around, he drew his sidearm from its holster and pointed the black muzzle at Yu Changxuan. His adjutant Xue Zhiqi cried out in alarm, “Vice President Jiang!”

Pingjun instantly turned pale as paper and cried out, “Changxuan!” She was far from Yu Changxuan, and in her panic, she stumbled out from the doorway.

In an instant, there was a “crash” as all the surrounding guards pulled their bolts and aimed at Jiang Xueting and his escort standing in the center. It looked like they were about to fire wildly. Xue Zhiqi’s cold sweat poured down as he could only grip Jiang Xueting’s arm forcefully, repeatedly saying, “Vice President Jiang, don’t act impulsively!”

Jiang Xueting seemed frozen in place, his right arm held straight out, gripping the gun, his eyes shooting out rays of desperate fury as he stared fixedly at Yu Changxuan standing in the courtyard. Yu Changxuan showed no trace of fear, turning to walk to Pingjun’s side and steadily helping her up from where she’d fallen.

Pingjun’s eyes were filled with horrified light. He turned to stand between her and Jiang Xueting, his back to Jiang Xueting, slowly smoothing her slightly disheveled hair. Pingjun was even more frightened, trembling as she said, “You go quickly.” She tried to stand in front of him, but he squeezed her hand and smiled, “Don’t worry.”

Pingjun’s hand was already ice-cold, held tightly in his palm. Jiang Xueting stood at the moon gate, looking at the two of them. His gun-holding arm trembled in waves, and his whole body seemed to shake like he had malaria. Xue Zhiqi seized the opportunity to press down his arm, and the gun-holding hand dropped powerlessly to his side. Xue Zhiqi breathed a slight sigh of relief, but looking up saw Jiang Xueting still staring straight at the two people ahead, his eyes filled with scalding tears.

Xue Zhiqi said in astonishment, “Vice President.”

Jiang Xueting seemed not to hear him, only looking ahead, calling out: “Pingjun.”

She finally lifted her eyes to look at him silently, but across such a great distance, as if separated by past and present lives—everything had changed. Jiang Xueting stared at her blankly and said in a low voice, “Your mother, wasn’t she…”

Before he could finish speaking, his voice was quiet, and Pingjun, standing behind Yu Changxuan, hadn’t even heard clearly when Yu Changxuan suddenly turned around, drew his sidearm, and fired a “bang” at the ground near Jiang Xueting’s feet, startling everyone around. But Jiang Xueting didn’t move at all, looking straight at Yu Changxuan, suddenly laughing coldly, “The commander is too impatient. I don’t believe you’d dare kill me even if I spoke out!”

Garden Full of Floating Fragrance, Heaven and Earth

Before he could finish speaking, his voice was quiet, and Pingjun, standing behind Yu Changxuan, hadn’t even heard clearly when Yu Changxuan suddenly turned around, drew his sidearm, and fired a “bang” at the ground near Jiang Xueting’s feet, startling everyone around. But Jiang Xueting didn’t move at all, looking straight at Yu Changxuan, suddenly laughing coldly, “The commander is too impatient. I don’t believe you’d dare kill me even if I spoke out!”

Yu Changxuan slowly raised the gun muzzle from pointing at Jiang Xueting’s feet upward, aiming at Jiang Xueting’s head. His lips pressed tightly together, his gaze cold as frost, radiating a bone-chilling menace that made one’s heart tremble with fear. It was absolutely certain that if Jiang Xueting said one more word, he would fire without hesitation!

The courtyard seemed filled with thick gunpowder smoke, tense and ready to explode, with a deathly silence where one could almost hear heartbeats. The scene was like a fuse about to ignite—one touch would set everything off!

In this heart-stopping atmosphere, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out from the outer courtyard, quite jarring. Before the laughter faded, Gu Yigang had already led several guards and strode over quickly, walking right up to Jiang Xueting. Looking at this scene, he laughed heartily, “Young and hot-blooded, young and hot-blooded! All just young and hot-blooded!”

After laughing at the ice-cold Jiang Xueting, he turned to look at Yu Changxuan, pointing at his gun-holding arm, and assumed the manner of an elder, laughing as he scolded, “I say, Commander, I know you come from a military family, but you really act like you’d dishonor the Yu surname if you didn’t brandish this gun around every day! Vice President Jiang has come all this way with great difficulty, and this is how you treat guests? Put it away immediately.”

Yu Changxuan smiled slightly, “Uncle Gu arrives at just the right time.” He holstered his pistol. Gu Yigang turned to scold adjutant Wu Zuoxiao beside him, “You fool! Can’t you see how exhausted Vice President Jiang has been these past few days? Why don’t you hurry and escort Vice President Jiang to rest? Just standing there like an idiot!”

Wu Zuoxiao quickly stood at attention, “Yes!” He walked over to Jiang Xueting, “Vice President Jiang, please come with me!”

Jiang Xueting knew this was his last chance to retreat gracefully. He glanced at Pingjun, but she turned her head away. Jiang Xueting’s lips trembled slightly. Adjutant Xue Zhiqi whispered, “Vice President.” Jiang Xueting finally turned around and followed Wu Zuoxiao with his men. Gu Yigang turned back, his gaze lingering on Ye Pingjun’s face for a moment before shifting to Yu Changxuan’s face. After a long pause, he smiled faintly, “Commander, I have a few words to say.”

Yu Changxuan nodded and said to Ye Pingjun, “Go inside first.”

Pingjun lifted her eyes to look at him. Yu Changxuan smiled and said consolingly, “Go in, it’s nothing serious!” Only then did she respond with an “mm.” Yu Changxuan led his men directly to the study in the front courtyard. Gu Yigang followed behind, but before leaving, he looked at Ye Pingjun again and said with a smile, “Miss Ye was frightened.”

Pingjun really couldn’t bear his fox-like smile and lowered her head, “It’s nothing.”

Gu Yigang smiled kindly like an elder, “Hurry inside. It’s cold out here, and if you catch a chill, our young master will be heartbroken again. If he loses his wits, the commander in Jinling will send another angry telegram! When both father and son are stubborn, it really gives one a headache. We need a perfect solution.”

Pingjun was slightly taken aback and looked up to see Gu Yigang still wearing that slight smile. He nodded to Pingjun and turned to leave the inner courtyard.

Yu Changxuan waited in the study, and soon saw Gu Yigang walking in slowly. He stood up and smiled at Gu Yigang, “I was indeed acting impulsively today. If Uncle Gu wants to lecture me, I’ll listen.”

But Gu Yigang also smiled and said slowly, “I have no lecture to give. I just wanted to follow you here and ask the commander one question: How did it feel to be chased all the way to the inner courtyard and questioned like that today? Never mind anything else—in all your years, have you ever experienced such treatment?”

Yu Changxuan leaned against the office desk, took out his cigarette case, and opened it with a “snap.” He took out a cigarette, bit it between his teeth, casually picked up matches from under a nearby table lamp, and lit it. After taking a few puffs and seeing Gu Yigang still smiling there, he said, “Uncle Gu, just say what you want to say directly.”

Gu Yigang walked up and patted Yu Changxuan’s shoulder, “Then I’ll speak frankly. Commander, have you ever thought about how you differ from that Xiao Beichen up north?”

Yu Changxuan looked at Gu Ruitong, who smiled unhurriedly, “He’s an absolute commander, while you’re a restricted commander! When he gives an order, from top to bottom, who dares disobey? But whatever you want to do, whatever you want to achieve, you must first listen to others! You need written military orders first—that’s your fatal weakness!”

Yu Changxuan frowned. Gu Yigang immediately followed with a smile, “If the commander wants to somersault straight to heaven, to elevate the Yu family above those three great families, to suppress them so they can never rise again, then right now you must endure. ‘Small impatience spoils great plans.’ Even the commander in Jinling is enduring. Why do they say ‘a thousand-li dike can be destroyed by ant holes’? Think about it the other way—it’s gradual accumulation, bit by bit infiltration until it’s hollow inside.”

Yu Changxuan turned to look at Gu Yigang and smiled, “Uncle Gu means…”

Gu Yigang smiled, “Isn’t the commander just unable to stand Jiang Xueting’s manner of seemingly standing above you and issuing orders?”

Yu Changxuan asked, “Does Uncle Gu have insight on this?”

Gu Yigang said slowly, “What insight is needed? You wield gun barrels—are you afraid of those pen-pushers? We’re just giving them some face right now. When it comes down to it, whether he says to fight or not, isn’t the decision to fight or not still ours? We still hold the dominant position. For someone like him, a petty person who’s achieved success, he won’t be arrogant for long. What we want is just a perfect opportunity!”

Yu Changxuan asked, “What opportunity?”

Gu Yigang said, “Naturally, the opportunity to fulfill your Yu family’s lifelong ambition.”

That one sentence went straight to Yu Changxuan’s heart. He almost blurted out without hesitation, “Cross the Xi River!”

“Exactly, exactly! Finally got through to you.” Gu Yigang immediately breathed a sigh of relief, patting Yu Changxuan’s shoulder and smiling with infinite warmth, “Look how you’ve made me sweat! You and your father really have the same temperament! These words had to come from your own mouth to convince yourself!”

Yu Changxuan stood there with the cigarette between his fingers, his brow tightly furrowed, his dark eyes profound. His angular face showed a stern expression, full of deep thought. The cigarette burned by itself, slowly forming a long ash that silently fell beside his fingers.

Gu Yigang was a master of psychological warfare. Seeing Yu Changxuan like this, he kindly patted Yu Changxuan’s chest again and laughed easily, “If things appear successful on the surface, there’s definitely turmoil underneath. Nothing in this world can have the best of both worlds. If you want this, you can’t have that. Uncle Gu will presume on his age today and say one more thing for the commander to hear: In this world, what could be more reliable than this realm? And what emotion could be more important than the father-son bond between you and the commander?”

Within a few months it was already winter. After several snowfalls, the weather grew colder day by day. Pingjun had only stood in the courtyard for a while before feeling a penetrating chill. She hurried inside, covered herself with a velvet blanket, and lay down to sleep slowly. While sleeping groggily, she seemed to hear footsteps. Opening her eyes, she saw Yu Changxuan hadn’t turned on the room’s light and was carefully removing his military uniform with his back to her. There was also a faint smell of alcohol. Having slept for a long time, her head felt heavy and her voice was slightly hoarse, “You’ve been drinking?”

Yu Changxuan turned around and, seeing she was awake, smiled, “I still woke you up after all. If I’d known, I would have just slept in the guard room for the night.” Pingjun sat up in bed. Yu Changxuan said, “Don’t get up, I don’t need anything.” He came over to cover her with the quilt again. Pingjun touched his palm and found it ice-cold, hurriedly saying, “Your hands are so cold, let me warm them for you.”

She tried to pull his hands under the quilt, but Yu Changxuan pulled back his hand and smiled, “Don’t be silly. You just warmed up under the covers—if my cold hands touch you, can your body handle it?” Pingjun smiled gently, “Truly, ‘after three days apart, one should look at someone with new eyes.’ Today’s commander is different from the former young master—now you even know how to care for people.”

Yu Changxuan smiled and said, “That’s unreasonable. Whether I was the former young master or today’s commander, when have I ever not cared for you? Looking at you now, even if I took out my whole heart for you, you probably wouldn’t treasure it. Tell me honestly, do you have me in your heart or not?”

Pingjun was too disturbed by his teasing to sleep, so she smiled, “You come back reeking of alcohol wanting to throw a drunken tantrum with me, is that it? Getting this drunk in the middle of the night—did you accomplish something? Just wait till I settle accounts with you tomorrow.” Yu Changxuan just smiled and lowered his head to kiss her cheek. Pingjun looked up at him, “What are you doing?”

Yu Changxuan laughed heartily, “This is ‘give an inch and they’ll take a mile.'”

This phrase was quite fitting for the situation and made one want to laugh when thinking about it carefully. Pingjun laughed so hard she couldn’t lie still, so she pulled the quilt up to cover her face, but still laughed violently. She felt something soft on her cheek—he had also lifted the quilt and lay down, kissing her cheek. She tried to hold back her laughter while pushing him away, “Your stubble is prickly.” He’d been so busy these past few days, hardly coming back at all, so he’d had no time to tend to his facial hair. Pingjun pushed at his chin, “Go shave first.”

Yu Changxuan said softly, “Too troublesome. Just bear with it.” Pingjun, unable to break free from his pestering and unable to breathe, said with both coquetry and anger, “Why should I have to bear it?” He laughed, “Because I can’t bear it.” He kissed her lips, his palm gripping her hand forcefully, his whole body pressing down against her, his chest burning like a branding iron. Her cheeks were scalding hot. He kissed her greedily, and her head spun dizzily, as if she’d stepped into a bottomless abyss, her body falling down and down with no support. She suddenly became afraid—that inexplicable terror invaded her, her heart beating fast and hard. In panic, she reached out to grab his arm, whimpering his name, “Changxuan…”

His movements paused.

Her cry was like a child’s sob, tears streaming from her tightly closed eyes, soaking the soft pillow. Her black hair lay softly beside his hand. She gripped his arm tightly, scalding tears falling uncontrollably as she choked out, “Mother is gone. You must stay, must always stay. I’m afraid to be alone.”

He lowered his head, his pupils containing dark light. The room was filled with night, immersing everything in unclear shadows. Only her bare shoulders were like white ivory, radiating warmth. He slowly kissed her shoulder, as if branding it with an intense, burning mark.

He was a torrential river; she was rootless duckweed. Even if shattered to pieces, she could only follow him, not knowing where the current would carry her. He was blazing flame; she was a moth drawn to fire. He would burn her completely to ashes, and she would ultimately be utterly defeated.

Brilliant pale light, moon-thin frost shone down, cold and penetrating, yet still blindingly radiant, as if accumulated from several lifetimes of brightness. The window lattice reflected the pear tree’s branch shadows, winding and swaying gently in the wind. The courtyard was filled with floating fragrance—a night of heaven on earth.

A Startled Swan Parts Company, Flowing Waters and Fallen Blossoms

That winter, the fierce factional struggles within Jinling’s central government finally reached their peak. The Mou and Tao families’ attempt to force Military Committee Chairman Yu Zhongquan to step down ended in complete failure, and the Jinling government formally split.

In early January, Mou Dechuan and Tao Wan led a group of important Jinling government leaders in announcing their departure from the Jinling government. In early February, they established a new central government in Yuzhou, set up another central party headquarters, incorporated all armies west of Yuzhou, and declared Jiang Xueting as Premier and National Government Chairman of the Yuzhou central government, with Tao Wan as Finance Minister and Secretary-General of the Political Committee. South of the Xi River was thus split into two major factions, going their separate ways from then on, naturally shocking the entire nation.

At the end of March, in the central military headquarters at Xiangpingkou, Feng Tianjun had just come out of the adjutant’s office when he saw Gu Ruitong leading several guards standing outside the moon gate of the inner courtyard. Since Yu Changxuan had been busy expanding the air force recently, and Gu Ruitong was Yu Changxuan’s most capable aide who always accompanied him from early morning to late night, it was only evening now, yet seeing Gu Ruitong standing here, Feng Tianjun walked over with a smile, “Has the commander returned?”

Gu Ruitong nodded, pointing to the inner courtyard, “Just went in.” After a pause, he said, “Tomorrow you’ll be escorting Miss Ye back to Jinling. Will this trip be by water or land?”

Feng Tianjun smiled, “Miss Ye is now pregnant. The commander worried that taking the train might not be good for her, so he’s having me escort Miss Ye by water route. It’s calm and peaceful—we’ll arrive in a day and night. Once in Jinling, Madam Yu will arrange for people to meet us.”

Gu Ruitong nodded silently. Feng Tianjun smiled and offered Gu Ruitong a cigarette, “The commander’s move was brilliant after all. After such a long struggle, he finally made the commander give way. That layer of pretense has been pierced through. Looks like we can’t call her Miss Ye anymore—we should call her Young Madam.”

Gu Ruitong took the cigarette from Feng Tianjun but only held it in his hand, looking at the snow-white pear blossoms in the courtyard with a bland expression, lost in thought. After a long time, he finally said, “Let’s hope so.”

Around eight or nine in the evening, the room was lit by a lamp with a red powder silk shade, with crystal beads hanging on all sides, also tinted to a lustrous pink by the lamplight, the radiance flowing continuously. On the windowsill sat a pot of newly bloomed Penglai purple flowers with an intense fragrance. Pingjun wore a soft red ancient fragrant satin qipao and was folding clothes at the bedside when she suddenly paused, turned around with a smile, “Look at you—you don’t even know when your clothes get torn. How did this happen?”

Yu Changxuan was reading several pages of files. Hearing her speak, he glanced at her hands and saw she was indeed holding a white collared shirt with a fingernail-sized hole in the front. He smiled, “I definitely can’t remember how that happened. Don’t bother with it—just throw it away.” Pingjun looked down at the shirt, thought about it, pursed her lips in a slight smile, stood up, went to a nearby rosewood small wardrobe to get needle and thread, and sat by the window with her head down working on the shirt.

Yu Changxuan put down the files and walked over to her. Seeing her taking thread and carefully mending the shirt stitch by stitch along the seam lines, he smiled, “You’re really making trouble for yourself. There are plenty of such shirts available. Why bother with this effort? Tomorrow you’ll be boarding the ship, and you’re pregnant—don’t tire yourself.”

Pingjun continued with her needle and thread, glanced at him, and smiled slightly, “Mind your own business and don’t worry about me.” Seeing he couldn’t stop her, Yu Changxuan brought his files over to sit beside her and smiled, “Then I’ll keep you company.” Pingjun smiled slightly and lowered her head to focus on mending the small hole in the shirt.

Time passed bit by bit. Yu Changxuan looked at the files a few times, then lifted his head to look at her. He saw the light from the red powder silk shade lamp casting both their shadows on the snow-white wall, paired together. He couldn’t help smiling. She hadn’t noticed, still with her head slightly lowered, mending seriously.

The small golden clock on the table struck eleven or twelve times. Yu Changxuan watched Pingjun use scissors to cut the thread, then shake out the shirt. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Finally finished embroidering! Please, Miss Ping, go to sleep. Look at your eyes—they’re all red from strain.”

Pingjun turned back and smiled reproachfully, “Silly, how can this be considered finished? I only mended the hole—it’s not delicate or pretty at all.” Seeing her pick up the embroidery thread again, Yu Changxuan said, “What are you going to do now?” Pingjun smiled slightly, her features gentle as a painting, “I’m going to embroider something on it for you.”

He said, “Don’t embroider anymore. It’s so late, and tomorrow you have to board the ship.” Pingjun said, “Then I’ll sleep on the ship.” She glanced out the window and saw the vast night with a bright moon hanging on the horizon. The three pear trees in the courtyard were covered with snow-white blossoms, like white brocade wrapped around branches, extraordinarily dazzling, and that patch of cold fragrance even surpassed frost and snow.

She smiled and said to him, “I’ll embroider a pear blossom here for you.” Yu Changxuan said, “How long will this take to embroider? Aren’t you going to sleep?” Pingjun was setting up the embroidery hoop and looked up at him, saying softly, “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. If you’re sleepy, go to sleep.”

He smiled, “It’s so late, but I’m actually hungry.”

Pingjun said, “That’s perfect. I bought some water chestnuts today. This food makes the best snack. I’ll have the adjutant cook some for you right now.” Yu Changxuan smiled, “You don’t need to move. I’ll do it.” He stood up and went to the outer room. There were naturally duty adjutants outside who all stood up when they saw Yu Changxuan come out personally, standing at attention, “Commander.”

Yu Changxuan didn’t stay out long before returning with washed water chestnuts and a gas burner used for hot pot, which he placed on the table. He put all the water chestnuts in the pot and started cooking them himself, making Pingjun laugh despite herself, “The commander can cook this too?”

Yu Changxuan smiled, “This is the only thing I can make. When I was little, I often fiddled with these things with my eldest and third brothers, though back then it was all for mischief and fun—eating was secondary.” Seeing Pingjun sitting at the table, he walked over and carried her to the bedside, having her sit on the bed, then covered her legs with a soft quilt before smiling, “Fine, I surrender to you. The ancients wrote about brave Qingwen mending the golden peacock cape while ill; now we have virtuous Pingjun embroidering pear blossoms through the night. Go ahead and embroider.”

Pingjun lowered her head with a gentle smile and picked up her needle and thread. She heard him laugh softly, “Love’s needle and longing’s thread, wagering books and spilling tea—such boudoir pleasures surpass even eyebrow painting.” Pingjun immediately blushed furiously at his words, smiled, and glared at him, “More and more improper! No dignity at all. You’re supposed to be a commander—where did all your usual authority go?”

She ignored him and concentrated on embroidering flowers. The golden clock on the table had already pointed past one in the morning. Yu Changxuan still sat at the table, looking up at her. Under the soft light filtering through the pink silk lampshade, she leaned against the headboard with her head slightly lowered, embroidering, revealing a curve of snow-white neck. Some black wisps of hair lay softly against her skin, and her focused profile was beautiful as carved powder and jade, seeming to emanate a warm glow in the lamplight.

He gazed at her silently, his heart involuntarily warming.

Deep into the night, the small golden clock’s hands continued their circular motion. She gradually grew tired, her eyelids heavy, her eyes not working well. He said, “Stop embroidering. Leave half for when I return to Jinling and you can finish it for me then.” She rubbed her eyes and smiled gently at him, “It’s fine. This is almost finished.”

Yu Changxuan took out a cooked water chestnut, peeled it, walked to the bedside, and held it to her mouth. Pingjun gently bit into it—indeed, it was sweet and fragrant. She took another bite from his hand. Yu Changxuan smiled slightly, his handsome features showing noble bearing, “Little glutton. When you return to Jinling, my mother will surely prepare a pile of supplements for you to eat.”

She lowered her head slightly and said softly, “I just happen to love eating this.” Yu Changxuan moved close to her ear and whispered with a smile, “I understand—this was made by my own hands, so how could it not taste good?” She turned her head, half her cheek showing a faint blush, but after a moment seemed to think of something, her lips pursing lightly. Yu Changxuan asked, “What’s wrong?”

Pingjun said, “I’m thinking about going back to Jinling alone—I’m somewhat afraid.”

Yu Changxuan smiled, “You don’t need to worry. My mother listens to my father most. She’s already calling you daughter-in-law directly, which means my father agrees too. You know my second sister as well—it’s even better with her there to talk with you. Just stay in the Jinling residence and take care of your pregnancy. When I return, I’ll naturally give you a proper, legitimate status.”

Pingjun kept her head down embroidering the last pear petal, quietly listening to him speak. But unexpectedly, with one careless moment, the needle pricked her fingertip. She cried “Ouch!” and a drop of blood seeped from her left index finger, falling on the white shirt beside the embroidered pear blossom. Yu Changxuan frowned, “How careless! How did this happen?” He came to look at her finger, but she stared at the bloodstain on the shirt, sighing repeatedly, “It was fine before, but now it’s stained.”

Yu Changxuan said, “Let me see your finger.” He grasped her bleeding finger, brought it to his eyes, then put it in his mouth to suck on it. Pingjun cried “Ai!” again, pulled her finger back, and glared at him with flushed cheeks. Yu Changxuan smiled, “Your blood is sweet.”

Pingjun didn’t look at his dark, laughing eyes, only kept her head down and finished the last few stitches. Finally, she removed the hoop and took out a small brush to gently clean it, but the drop of blood beside the pear blossom couldn’t be brushed away and could only dry there. Being pregnant, she tired easily. She placed the shirt in his hands, breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled softly, “Tomorrow I’ll be leaving. When you miss me, just look at this pear blossom. It’s at least my sincere heart…”

Saying this, she was already dizzy and lightheaded, her complexion poor, even her breathing somewhat labored. Yu Changxuan knew she was severely exhausted and hurriedly helped her lie down, covered her with the quilt, glanced at the golden clock on the table—it was already past four in the morning—and said, “Close your eyes and sleep for a while.”

Pingjun breathed gently and said, “Help me get that short sword.” Yu Changxuan knew she meant the sword he’d given her, which she usually hung on a nearby ebony stand. He stood up, walked to the stand, took down the small sword, and returned to place it in her hands.

The short sword was extremely exquisite, dagger-sized, with several wonderful plum blossoms carved on the hilt. Where the hilt connected to the scabbard was a spring mechanism—just press the switch to draw the sword from its sheath.

She lay in the soft covers, her complexion somewhat pale. Taking the sword from his hands, she quietly held it with both hands against her chest, then looked up at him with a slight smile, saying softly, “During the days I’m gone, remember me and the child firmly. Don’t forget us.”

He nodded and smiled gently at her, “Good. I will certainly remember you both firmly.”

The next night, deep in darkness, since Feng Tianjun was escorting Pingjun back to Jinling, Gu Ruitong arranged for deputy group leader He Junsen from the second division, sixth group of the adjutant’s office to temporarily take Feng Tianjun’s duty. At this moment, he was in the telegraph room with He Junsen talking with Wang Ji and several other secretaries when they heard a guard shouting outside, “Director Gu! Director Gu!…” Each call more urgent than the last. Gu Ruitong immediately knew something serious had happened and hurried out. Wang Ji was also puzzled, but after a long time Gu Ruitong still hadn’t returned. He glanced outside the telegraph room and saw Gu Ruitong standing in the courtyard, looking as if his soul had fled his body.

Wang Ji said in astonishment, “Director Gu.”

Gu Ruitong turned around, his face actually ashen. He looked at Wang Ji, then suddenly turned to grab the leading guard, asking almost viciously, “Do you dare guarantee what you said? Do you dare guarantee what you said?” His voice trembled, carrying a hoarse, strained quality. The guard said fearfully, “Absolutely no mistake, Director Gu. My brother was on a nearby fishing boat and saw with his own eyes that ship first explode and catch fire, then immediately sink to the river bottom.”

These words made even Wang Ji’s face turn white as he said in panic, “Is it Miss Ye…”

The night was completely silent. Gu Ruitong and Wang Ji stared at each other, both covered in cold sweat. Wind blew through the trees in the courtyard with a rustling sound. Suddenly they heard the sentries outside give a unified “Attention!” followed by hurried footsteps approaching this direction.

Such formation could only mean Yu Changxuan had returned.

The several pear trees in the inner courtyard swayed in the cold night wind, petals falling to the ground like a thin layer of snow, illuminated by moonlight in a patch of penetrating cold fragrance. The courtyard was extraordinarily quiet, with only his footsteps walking this way, gradually… getting closer and closer…