Jade Hairpin Falls to Earth, Pear Blossoms Covered in Frost

Yuzhou.

The courtyard was planted with various flowers and trees, patches of rose fields, embraced by pine and cypress—the scenery was excellent. On the carved balustrade pillars of the upstairs terrace, exquisite phoenixes were etched. On the rosewood dressing table sat a cosmetic case, with several compartments casually open, containing nothing more than pearls, diamonds, and such items.

Suddenly a maid’s voice came from outside the door, “Madam, Mr. Jiang has returned.”

Tao Ziyi merely gave a cold snort, casually throwing the powder puff in her hand into the powder jar on the dressing table. She heard the door open but didn’t even turn her head, continuing to face the mirror while applying CD lipstick to her mouth, occasionally pressing her lips together to carefully check if the lipstick had gone beyond the lip line.

When Jiang Xueting entered and saw her like this, he smiled slightly, “You’re up. Why didn’t you sleep a bit longer? You came back so late last night.”

Tao Ziyi finally turned to glance at him, “Is President Jiang showing off his official authority to me? Interrogating my affairs here? I only went to a restaurant to dance last night—is that not allowed?” Jiang Xueting smiled faintly, “You play as you wish. When have I ever interrogated you? But tonight father and eldest sister are coming over, so you should at least entertain them at home.”

Tao Ziyi laughed coldly, “My father and eldest sister are my own family. When they come, do I need to entertain them? It’s your brother and sister-in-law who’ve come more than once. Your brother insists on becoming president of the Central Bank—a country landlord who runs a money shop dares to make such a demand. Isn’t that utterly laughable?”

Jiang Xueting looked at Tao Ziyi. She giggled, “Aren’t I right?” Jiang Xueting smiled lightly, “Right, everything you say is right. Who gets appointed as bank president still depends on father’s arrangements.” Tao Ziyi arranged her sapphire blue georgette qipao in the mirror, then turned to smile charmingly at Jiang Xueting, “Does it look good?”

Jiang Xueting saw some yellow roses in a nearby vase, casually picked one, and held it toward Tao Ziyi with a smile, “For you.” Tao Ziyi looked up to see the brilliant yellow rose swaying before her eyes. Jiang Xueting tenderly pinned the flower in her hair bun, smiling, “Extremely beautiful.”

Tao Ziyi immediately became happy, picked up her handbag from nearby, and said to Jiang Xueting, “I’ve arranged to see a movie with friends, so I’ll probably be back late again tonight.” Jiang Xueting said, “But father and eldest sister…” Tao Ziyi pouted, “How annoying. I’ll go call and tell them not to come.”

Jiang Xueting said nothing. Tao Ziyi walked toward the door, pushing it open while saying to the maid outside, “Tell Old Wang to drive the car to the main gate.” Since their marriage, Jiang Xueting had been completely obedient to Tao Ziyi, and she was absolutely authoritative at home. The maid hurried to follow her orders. Before leaving, Tao Ziyi suddenly turned back to smile at Jiang Xueting, “Your sister-in-law brought some pastries. I had the servants put them all on your study desk. Go look for yourself—I won’t eat such things anyway.”

Having said this, she shut the door with a “bang” and went downstairs.

Jiang Xueting’s gaze fixed on that door, staring for a moment. Then he casually grabbed the remaining roses from the vase, threw them on the floor, stepped on them, and ground them to pulp with force, his facial expression remaining calm and indifferent throughout.

Outside the door came adjutant Xue Zhiqi’s voice, “President Jiang, there’s some trouble at the small mansion.”

Outside the window was a gentle wind, making the wisteria leaves wrapped around the terrace rustle. Jiang Xueting slowly raised his head to look at the newly green wisteria leaves, his gaze pausing slightly.

This three-story building combining Chinese and Western styles was located on the south bank of Yuzhou. The Hanjiang River divided the city of Yuzhou in half. Compared to the bustling north bank, the south bank offered tranquility amid the clamor. Most of the high officials and wealthy people from the north bank would buy small apartments here, their purpose naturally being obvious and self-evident.

In March, Yuzhou’s weather was already quite warm. The terrace of the three-story building faced the small garden behind, where several gardeners were busy on the lawn. Holly trees formed a living wall, with a whole row of white jade hairpin flowers just sprouting buds, their azure leaves serene—clearly receiving the most devoted care.

In the bedroom on the third floor, beside a pleated silk redwood curved floor lamp stood Western-style soft armchairs. A maid carried a tray of small pastries into the room, smiling obsequiously at a delicate woman in an overcoat sitting on the soft chair, “Miss, please have some pastries. These are chicken broth soup dumplings—my master says they’re your favorite.”

Ye Pingjun turned around, her gaze radiating bright, cold light. The maid still held the tray with a smile. Pingjun stood up, pushed the maid aside, and quickly walked out of the room. The maid cried out in alarm, “Miss Ye, you can’t go out.”

Pingjun ignored her completely and ran downstairs, but hadn’t gone more than a few steps when she heard someone say, “Miss Ye, please stop.” From beside the door on the other side of the hall, several people had already approached. The refined gentleman leading them smiled politely at Pingjun, “If Miss Ye needs anything, you can ask the servants to do it—there’s no need to come downstairs personally.”

Pingjun said angrily, “Who exactly are you people? By what right do you confine me here?”

The man smiled slightly, “I’m the attendant here, Zhou Zhenghai.” Pingjun stood there, her gaze radiating clear intensity, “What is this place?”

Zhou Zhenghai said politely, “This is Yuzhou.”

Pingjun was immediately stunned, lifting her head to look toward the outside of the hall. She saw several gentle rays of sunlight streaming in through the main entrance, with sentries standing straight at the door. Zhou Zhenghai beside her said courteously, “Miss Ye has had a tiring journey. Please go upstairs to rest first.”

Ye Pingjun knew this place was nothing but a cage—she could never escape from here no matter what. She turned around to see the maid had already come downstairs, smiling gently at her with a slight bow, “Miss Ye, I’m Ruixiang, the maid here. Whatever you need, you can tell me.”

Pingjun pushed her away and went upstairs, saying coldly, “Call him here!”

Zhou Zhenghai stepped forward, still extremely polite, “Miss Ye.” Pingjun turned back, looking at Zhou Zhenghai with icy coldness, her lips parting to speak each word with particular clarity and coldness, “Tell Jiang Xueting to come see me.”

Jiang Xueting didn’t arrive at the small mansion until near evening.

Zhou Zhenghai led the guards to greet him, but he waved his hand, making them all withdraw. He walked upstairs quickly, rushing until he pushed open the bedroom door. He saw the heavy dark green curtains by the window held back on both sides by golden hooks, with a vase of broken peach branches placed on the side table by the window. She sat sideways on the soft chair, her profile even more tender and beautiful against the backdrop of the peach blossoms. He gazed at her, as if once again stepping into that beautiful, innocent dream that had once belonged to him, softly murmuring, “Pingjun.”

She finally turned around, her fingers trembling repeatedly. That beam of cold light pierced straight into his heart in an instant. Her words were ice-cold, “Jiang Xueting, how dare you treat me like this!”

Jiang Xueting said slowly, “I just wanted you to come back.”

She stared at him, the pair of jade earrings swaying constantly. His eyes showed gentle warmth, keeping his gaze fixed on her face, as if seeing her again after a lifetime. He smiled softly as if immersed in a dream, “Pingjun, we’re finally together again.”

Ye Pingjun stood up from the chair and said coolly, “Jiang Xueting, you’re now an important figure. You should act openly and honorably. What’s the meaning of kidnapping me here for no reason? I want to return to Jinling!” Her gaze was icy cold. She lifted her feet to walk toward the door, but he grabbed her arm tightly. She turned back as he gazed at her with a slight smile, “Still so quick to anger. I still remember—every time you were angry with me, you wanted me to apologize first. Let me apologize to you again, all right?”

She struggled forcefully to shake off his hand, shouting angrily, “Jiang Xueting, show some respect!” He stared at her angry eyes, his lips still bearing a slight smile, like sleep-talking, “Pingjun, you don’t know how difficult things are for me now. Whenever I’m troubled, I want to see you. I’ve never had such a crazy, intense desire to see you. I tell myself that you should have been my woman originally, and I must take you back.”

She felt waves of heart palpitations under his gaze, her face pale, yet her chest seemed to burn with rage. Instinctively she tried to pull her hand away, but unexpectedly he came forward to embrace her, one arm around her waist and one around her head, holding her tightly in his arms. He said obsessively, “Pingjun.”

Pingjun was held so tightly she could barely breathe, her hands pushing hard against his chest, angrily saying, “Jiang Xueting, you bastard.” But he still smiled gently, saying softly, “Pingjun, for you, I’m willing to be a bastard. I thought I had gained the best of everything in this world, and even without you, it didn’t matter. But now I realize that if the best of everything doesn’t include you, it simply won’t do!”

She felt her whole body trembling, “Those are all past matters. You’ve already married Tao Ziyi, and I’m already Yu Changxuan’s woman. You clearly know we’ve both reached this point—nothing can be salvaged!”

He looked intently at her face and said with firm determination, “If I say it can be salvaged, then it can be salvaged.” He bent down to kiss her regardless. Her face was deathly pale as she used all her strength to resist against his chest, throwing her head back and struggling desperately. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her abdomen. She cried “Ah!” and collapsed onto the carpet, tightly covering her abdomen. Her forehead was instantly covered with fine, cold sweat. Jiang Xueting said in panic, “What’s wrong? Where do you feel unwell?”

Pingjun could barely catch her breath, her abdomen cramping with pain. Fine sweat instantly soaked her temples, and nausea surged to her throat. She lowered her head, her whole body curled into a ball, retching uncomfortably. Her face was pale without a trace of color.

Her hand was suddenly gripped with such force it nearly crushed her bones. She looked up in alarm to see Jiang Xueting’s furious face. He looked at her pale, haggard appearance, his eyes gradually growing cold, and said word by word with hatred, “Ye Pingjun!”

She lowered her head and retched again, her body trembling like she had malaria.

Jiang Xueting turned to shout toward the door, “Come here!” Urgent footsteps were heard, and Zhou Zhenghai called from outside, “President Jiang!”

Jiang Xueting shouted through gritted teeth, “Get a doctor here, immediately!” Zhou Zhenghai went to carry out the order. Jiang Xueting grabbed Pingjun from the carpet, not caring how haggard and pained she looked, and dragged her toward the door. Ye Pingjun understood his intention. She knew she could no longer hide it, and said with bright, clear eyes, “You don’t need to find someone to examine me. You guessed right—I am carrying his child! I live as his person and will die as his ghost!”

Jiang Xueting turned around, his eyes as if filled with blood, roaring, “Ye Pingjun, you ungrateful, cheap woman!” Without another word, he raised his hand and slapped Ye Pingjun hard. Pingjun staggered from the blow and fell headfirst toward the foot of the bed. She couldn’t protect herself and could only desperately cover her abdomen, turning back to glare at him angrily, “Yes, I am an ungrateful, cheap woman. I’m not worthy of you—let me go!”

He laughed coldly, suddenly pointing at her decisively, “In your dreams! Even if I cut you to pieces and scatter your bones to the wind, I’ll never let you and Yu Changxuan meet again.”

She suddenly froze there, her whole body ice-cold. But he stepped forward again, grabbing her in his hands. Her hair bun had already come undone, her hair disheveled, her face deathly pale, her breathing disordered, but her eyes still blazed bright as lightning, “Jiang Xueting, if you treat me like this, you’ll face retribution!”

His face was iron-blue, rage surging to his head. He grabbed the back of her head and slammed her head forcefully against the ground. She only felt her head “buzz,” and warm liquid slowly flowed down from her forehead. Jiang Xueting grabbed her hair and lifted her up, saying coldly, “Even if I face retribution, I must first deal with that bastard in your belly!”

Her consciousness scattered, and she cried out in despair, “Jiang Xueting!”

He pushed her away and strode quickly out of the room. The door slammed shut with a “bang.” His angry footsteps went straight downstairs, as if trampling heavily on her heart. She collapsed helplessly on the carpet, half her face bearing a clear line of blood, her whole body shaking. This small room had absolutely no place where she could feel safe. She swayed as she stood up and moved toward the balcony. This was the third floor—if she jumped down, she definitely couldn’t save the child.

Pingjun trembled as she retreated back into the room. She placed her hand on her soft abdomen, her gaze sweeping around the room once. Suddenly she quickly walked to the table, gathered up all the apples from the plate on the table and stuffed them under the bed, then also hid the chicken broth soup dumplings that maid Ruixiang had brought in, along with the tray, under the bed…

She ran to the coat rack where her overcoat hung, took the short sword from the coat pocket, gripped it tightly in her hand, and slowly retreated to sit by the bed. Leaning against the bed, she held the short sword with both hands against her chest. Only then did her heartbeat slow slightly, but her whole body remained taut as a drawn bow, still trembling uncontrollably.

“No one will touch me and your child,” she said to herself through gritted teeth.

She never ate anything that Ruixiang brought in again, afraid they had put abortion medicine in it. From daylight to nightfall, she spent all her time curled up at the head of the bed clutching that dagger. The wound on her forehead slowly dried and finally stopped bleeding. In the evening, Ruixiang brought in a bowl of noodles and tried her best to persuade her to eat a bite, but she wouldn’t even look at it. Ruixiang smiled and said, “Miss Ye, you should eat something at least. Don’t starve yourself. If Young Master Jiang finds out, he’ll surely be heartbroken.”

Pingjun just turned her head away, lips pressed tightly together, not saying a word.

Having hit such a snag, Ruixiang couldn’t say anything more and could only retreat. Pingjun waited until midnight before getting out of bed and taking out a few xiaolongbao buns she had hidden under the bed earlier. Those buns had been sitting for a long time and were already cold and hard. She bit into them a few times—they tasted like chewing wax and were impossible to eat, but she could only force herself to swallow. After a few bites, her stomach churned violently. She turned her head to the side, vomiting and crying at the same time, her mouth full of salty bitterness.

The pale, cold moonlight shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the balcony. The huanghuali furniture in the room, illuminated by moonlight, seemed covered with a layer of white frost, radiating coldness. She silently touched her abdomen, tears falling in streams, yet still brought the dry bun to her lips, swallowing it down bit by bit with difficulty.

For this child, she thought she could endure anything.

She persisted like this for two days, but gradually developed a fever. Even her breathing was burning hot, and her vision kept going black. Whenever she stood up, the world spun around her. She could only cover herself entirely with the quilt, yet still shivered uncontrollably from the fever, her teeth chattering.

That night, she slept in a daze when she heard the door open. Ruixiang’s voice came in, deliberately lowered: “You’re supposed to be an experienced doctor—this isn’t your first or second time doing this kind of thing. What are you afraid of? Just do as Young Master Jiang said. As long as your hand is steady and you don’t hurt the woman, it’ll be fine.”

Cold hands pressed on her pulse. Someone above her head said, “Fortunately it’s only three months—we can still get rid of it. Hand me my needle.” She struggled desperately to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. Her heart was burning with anxiety, and the darkness before her eyes seemed to be spinning—the world whirling around, calling to heaven brought no response, calling to earth brought no help. Subtle pain slowly pierced into her skin. She felt pain, terrible pain, as if her body was plummeting straight down into an invisible abyss. She cried in a daze, “…Changxuan… save me…”

No reply, no light.

Scalding tears flowed down, burning the skin at the corners of her eyes, yet no one saved her. Her world suddenly became vast and empty. The pain grew increasingly intense and unbearable, yet a baby’s cry rang out. That crying made her feel as if her heart was being torn apart, but the crying grew farther and farther away, farther and farther…

She didn’t know where she found such strength, but suddenly opened her eyes. The doctor beside her holding the fine needle and Ruixiang were both so frightened they stepped back. Pingjun had already sat up from the bed, hair disheveled, screaming at them like a madwoman: “Don’t touch my child!”

She pulled her hand from under the quilt, revealing the dagger she clutched tightly, and without caring about anything else, swung it at those two people. The doctor and Ruixiang retreated again and again. Ruixiang’s face was deathly pale as she trembled, “Miss Ye, please calm down.”

Pingjun’s face flushed bright red. Seeing they still wouldn’t leave and seemed ready to rush forward and subdue her at any moment, she thought she truly had to become a madwoman now—at least that might scare these people away. She desperately screamed, “If you want to harm my child, kill me first!” While wielding the dagger, she grabbed a low stool beside the bed and smashed it toward the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony. With a “crash,” she shattered more than half of the window. Glass fell through the gaps in the third-floor railing to the ground below with a clanging sound. Cold wind rushed in immediately. She shouted loudly into the empty night: “Help—! Help—!”

The night was deathly silent. Her voice seemed to scatter before traveling very far. In the distance, tall trees were shrouded in night, shadowy and indistinct, like groups of ghosts—wandering ghosts with nowhere to go—all standing there, staring at her expressionlessly, as if just waiting for her to die so they could rush forward and devour her.

Seeing this scene, the doctor grabbed his medicine box and rushed out, repeatedly saying, “She’s a madwoman! She’s a madwoman!”

Ruixiang still tried to persuade Pingjun to calm down, but seeing Pingjun with disheveled hair, skin white and bloodless, charging at her with that sword, only to stumble and fall to the ground, yet still struggling to stand up—Ruixiang screamed in fright and ran out. This had already alarmed the people in the guard room downstairs. Zhou Zhenghai had already led guards rushing up, shouting at Ruixiang, “What happened?”

While pressing hard against the door, Ruixiang shrieked at Zhou Zhenghai, “This is terrible! Lock this door quickly—Miss Ye has gone mad, she wants to kill people!” Zhou Zhenghai froze, then turned to a guard beside him: “Go lock the door.” The guard immediately stepped forward to help Ruixiang lock the door.

Pingjun heard the sound of the door being locked. Her heart pounded wildly, her throat burned with pain, and she could only tell herself in her heart: “I won, I won, I drove them away…”

Clutching that dagger, she retreated bit by bit back to the bed, pulling the quilt over herself again. The two shattered window panels were blown by the wind, banging back and forth. Her nose suddenly felt warm—she wiped it with her hand and felt a handful of blood. She tilted her head back toward the ceiling, letting the warm nosebleed flow back, yet two streams of tears silently flowed from the corners of her eyes…

Her whole person seemed suddenly agitated. Her head ached terribly, yet she couldn’t sleep. Her shoulders trembled continuously. She remained awake like this, watching the window shrouded in darkness gradually brighten. This night passed just like that.

Around eight or nine o’clock in the evening, because her elder sister Tao Yayi had come, Tao Ziyi didn’t go out dancing that night. She stayed at the mansion to eat some pastries with her elder sister. Tao Yayi ate a plate of fruit jelly, and after a few bites, couldn’t help frowning: “This small place Yuzhou really can’t compare with Jinling—even the refreshments are made like this. How can anyone eat them?”

Tao Ziyi drank her coffee and said, “I’d love to eat Jinling’s Baota Xiangsu.” She took a sip of coffee, lightly tapping the small teaspoon on the saucer, smiling cheerfully: “Elder sister, I’ve heard that Father’s intention is that having the two governments separated like this is never good—he wants to merge with Jinling’s side again. Jinling’s side is willing too, and they’ve even sent representatives to Yuzhou to negotiate. They say they’ll entrust Father with important responsibilities.”

Tao Yayi smiled: “Yes, there is such a matter, but it’s not enough for just our father to have this intention—there will always be those who oppose it, like your院长Jiang.” Tao Ziyi pouted and tossed the small teaspoon down with a “clack”: “Perfectly good Jinling to go to, but he insists on staying in this broken place. I’ve always known there’s something wrong with his brain. I really must teach him a lesson.”

Tao Yayi quickly waved her hand: “Sister, don’t say such things. Xueting is at least an Executive Yuan President and National Government Chairman. You don’t know how bad your Xueting’s temper is now—even my father-in-law can’t persuade him. Yesterday at the regular meeting, he actually contradicted our father in front of everyone, saying several things that made Father unable to save face.”

Hearing this, Tao Ziyi’s delicate eyebrows immediately stood on end, and she became angry at once: “What? He dares treat Father like that? Doesn’t he think about who helped him get where he is today?!”

Just as she said this, footsteps could be heard outside the living room. A maid said, “Director Jiang has returned.” As soon as the words fell, Jiang Xueting had already walked in, followed by adjutant Xue Zhiqi and several attendant officers. Jiang Xueting’s face was full of gloom. Upon entering the hall and seeing Tao Yayi, he said blandly, “Elder sister is here.”

Tao Yayi quickly stood up with a smile: “Brother-in-law has returned. You’ve been busy these past few days?”

Jiang Xueting nodded, then said to Tao Ziyi, “You keep elder sister company. I’m going to the study to take care of some business.” Tao Ziyi snorted through her nose and said petulantly, “That’s a laugh—my own sister, do I need you to remind me?” Jiang Xueting turned his head and went to his study.

Xue Zhiqi turned on the light in the study. Jiang Xueting had already walked in and casually took the pistol from inside his clothes, throwing it on the desk. He said coldly, “This bunch of old bastards—wherever there’s advantage, that’s where they run. Talking about Jinling-Yuzhou integration—I’d like to see how much benefit Yu Zhongquan can give them when they go back!”

Seeing his great anger, Xue Zhiqi stood to the side, hesitating slightly before still saying, “The Japanese do have the intention to support our Yuzhou government. They’ve even specially sent an envoy…”

“Shut up!” Jiang Xueting suddenly turned around, angrily saying, “I, Jiang Xueting, haven’t reached such desperate straits that I need to rely on the Japanese and become a traitor!”

Xue Zhiqi quickly shut his mouth. Jiang Xueting waved his hand to let him leave, then sat alone under the lotus-green desk lamp, irritably lighting a cigarette. He knew that since Jinling’s representatives arrived, more than half the people in the Yuzhou government agreed to Jinling-Yuzhou integration. Even the Mou and Tao families had such intentions. In the end, it was nothing more than that he, this Executive Yuan President and National Government Chairman, hadn’t given them enough benefits.

Now Jinling’s Yu family had actually allied with the Xiao family to jointly resist the Japanese military. Fighting was fierce on both the western and eastern fronts. All domestic public opinion stood on Jinling government’s side, making the Yuzhou government seem like superfluous baggage—what an insignificant position. Moreover, the Japanese envoy repeatedly came to disturb him, and there was even public opinion claiming he, Jiang Xueting, had intentions of selling out the country.

They were all forcing him! These people were all forcing him!

His head ached as if it would split. Thinking chaotically like this, the more he thought the more irritated he became. Thinking left and right, there was no way out. His anger grew even greater. Before he knew it, he had smoked a floor full of cigarette butts. The standing clock nearby struck twelve times before he was startled, realizing the night had deepened. Only then did he stand up, push open the study door, and go upstairs. The bedroom light was actually still on. Tao Ziyi was leaning against the headboard, holding a book to read. Seeing him enter, she lifted the book up, covering her entire face.

Jiang Xueting was full of irritation and didn’t pay attention to her, going to the bathroom to wash up. When he returned, he saw Tao Ziyi had already sat down at the vanity, forcefully combing her hair with a comb, her whole face tense. He had no choice but to patiently step forward and touch her shoulder, smiling lightly: “You were lying down fine just now—why did you get up again? What if you catch cold?”

Tao Ziyi said, “Mind your own business!”

Jiang Xueting smiled slightly: “You’re my own wife—how can I not care?”

Tao Ziyi turned around abruptly with a “swoosh,” picking up the comb in her hand and throwing it at Jiang Xueting’s forehead. Her face full of anger, she cursed repeatedly: “Jiang Xueting, who gave you such nerve? You actually dare scold my father at the regular meeting, you ungrateful wretch! Without our Tao family, how would you have today?!”

Jiang Xueting froze suddenly, then saw Tao Ziyi grab the powder jar, foreign ointments, and other items from the vanity and throw them all at him. He retreated all the way to the door. Tao Ziyi still wouldn’t let up and came forward to grab at him. Jiang Xueting only watched her behavior coldly, and after a long moment said one sentence: “Haven’t you made enough trouble? Despite being a lady of a prestigious family, you’re behaving like a marketplace shrew!”

She laughed coldly: “This is how I am. Don’t forget—in the beginning, you were the one who desperately insisted on marrying me. Otherwise, do you really think I would marry someone like you…” Before she finished speaking, Jiang Xueting said coldly, “I misjudged you back then! If you’re unwilling, we might as well separate.” Tao Ziyi froze immediately. Jiang Xueting had already slammed the door and walked out. Tao Ziyi’s whole face flushed red. Seeing him leave like that, she couldn’t care about anything and chased out barefoot, loudly shouting, “Jiang Xueting, Jiang Xueting!”

Jiang Xueting had already reached the downstairs hall. Everyone in the mansion was alarmed, but no one dared come over. Tao Ziyi stood upstairs, shouting down at Jiang Xueting: “Jiang Xueting, you stop right there!”

Jiang Xueting’s steps paused briefly. He turned his head to glance at Tao Ziyi. Tao Ziyi’s face was completely red, trembling all over with anger. She hadn’t expected him to treat her this way—he had always been compliant with her wishes. She stamped her foot: “If you want to leave, then leave! Once you go, don’t come back!”

Jiang Xueting snorted coldly, his face full of gloom that chilled the heart, and walked straight out. Xue Zhiqi hurriedly followed with guards. Tao Ziyi stood frozen upstairs, watching him leave. So angry she couldn’t speak, she turned and grabbed a pot of orchids from the nearby flower stand and threw it straight downstairs!

At midnight, rain began to fall. Pingjun heard raindrops hitting the floor-to-ceiling window with a pitter-patter. She reluctantly ate a few bites of the apples she had hidden earlier, only feeling her throat burning like fire. Extremely thirsty, she stumbled to the table, picked up a teacup, and supported herself as she walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Just as she opened it, wind mixed with rain surged in. She couldn’t stand steady and fell to one side of the window, her head leaning against the glass, gasping for breath with difficulty, extending the teacup to catch the rainwater falling from the sky. Before the cup was full, the sound of a lock opening came from outside the door.

She turned her head back. Jiang Xueting had already walked in. Ruixiang held a string of keys, closing the door behind him again. His cold, sharp gaze swept over her snow-white face. He suddenly stepped forward and dragged her away from the window. She had no strength left at all. The water cup dropped from her hand. She could only let him pull her, her legs dragging on the ground. Jiang Xueting released his grip and she fell silently onto the carpet, her long hair scattered, like a butterfly with broken wings.

Outside the window was the sound of pouring rain. Cold wind blew in, making one shiver involuntarily. He turned to close the window, casually pulling the dark green curtains shut. A red-shaded hanging lamp was lit in the room. Her face illuminated by the lamp looked even more haggard, so thin that the bones of her wrists protruded high. Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes. She choked out a plea: “Xueting, I beg you, for the sake of our past feelings, let me go.”

“When you were with Yu Changxuan, did you ever think of our past feelings!” He looked at her and suddenly smiled slightly, saying in a low voice, “You still speak to me of past feelings. In the past when we were together, how good it was—I really miss those times. But you actually went with Yu Changxuan…”

Her breathing was difficult, burning hot: “Back then I did it to save you.”

He suddenly said angrily, “I would rather die in prison than be saved by you that way!”

She looked at him in despair, tears falling in streams, falling on the thick carpet: “Even if I did wrong, is that not enough? I beg you, stop torturing me.”

He stared at her, suddenly stepped forward, pulled her up from the carpet, held her in his arms, but his voice lowered, like a dream murmur: “Pingjun, let’s start over. Do you remember how happy we were before? You wore your hair in beautiful twin buns, pinning the jade hairpin I gave you in your hair—so beautiful. You always got angry easily, and were so eloquent, always leaving me unable to argue back. When we were young, I caught crickets for you, picked flowers for you too… We can always start over…”

She struggled hard to get out of his embrace, trembling with tears: “It’s impossible. It’s truly impossible for us.”

He was so volatile in mood. Suddenly his hands gripped her shoulders hard, pulling her before his eyes, angrily glaring at her tear-filled eyes: “Do you look down on me too?! You also think I’ll never compare to Yu Changxuan?!”

She was utterly desperate: “No, I don’t.”

He laughed coldly, saying bitterly, “Then don’t tell me it’s impossible anymore. I’ve said it—I’d rather you die by my hand, grind your bones to dust, than ever let you see Yu Changxuan again!”

She was weak to the extreme, even breathing became difficult. He suddenly came forward to kiss her face. She desperately struggled outward, desperately struck at him, even bit him, but nothing worked. He pressed her firmly there, kissing her while saying indistinctly, “Pingjun, now they’re all forcing me. I don’t want anything anymore—I only want you.”

Her face immediately turned snow white. She grabbed the dagger hidden on her body and stabbed toward him, but he grabbed her arm with one hand. He snatched the sword from her hand and casually threw it aside. He lowered his head and began forcefully tearing at the clothes on her body. She pushed outward with all her might, crying, “Jiang Xueting, you’re not human!”

He ignored her scratching and crying, didn’t care at all, only greedily demanded. All her resistance was as futile as a mayfly shaking a tree. He invaded frantically, finally feeling the warmth in her body, warmth that seemed to seep into his very bones, making him unable to help sighing indistinctly, “Pingjun…”

He heard her desperate crying beneath him. Afraid of hurting the child in her belly, she tried hard to curl her body, not daring to struggle forcefully, only able to make very thin crying sounds, fragile as a single delicate thread.

He truly wished he could shatter her to pieces, as long as this warmth would never leave. Since losing her, he always thought it was no big deal, that he could find someone better. But he just couldn’t find anyone. Everyone in the world was betraying him, mocking him. He had endured too long, been servile too long—he was long since fed up. Only at this moment did he finally know this pleasure and satisfaction of acting according to his own will, controlled by himself alone. Even if it meant tearing her bloodily from Yu Changxuan’s world, even if she died the next moment, he had to achieve his purpose at this moment.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window was overwhelming rain—such loud rain, just like that jujube tree in front of the house she once lived in. On a morning when she leaned against the door watching him leave, the branches and leaves of the jujube tree rustled above her head. She smiled slightly at him, the gauze scarf around her neck fluttering gracefully in the wind—so beautiful.

He still remembered, had always remembered.

The rain outside the window gradually stopped. The darkness of night receded, and the horizon gradually revealed a patch of blue.

She felt as if she had been shattered and then sewn back together, so her whole body everywhere was a wound. Her cracked lips had bleeding cuts, her throat was scalding and burning. She didn’t even have the strength to stand up, laboriously crawling bit by bit toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

She pushed the window open a small crack. The soft little pompoms on the curtain brushed against her face. That water cup was still placed outside with a cup of ice-cold rainwater in it. She held the cup with both hands, trembling as she drank the rainwater down. The cool water was like sweet dew, and her painful throat felt much better.

Jiang Xueting’s breathing was somewhat rapid: “For his child, are you really willing to give up even your life? What’s the use of doing this for him?! He’s probably long since thrown you to the back of his mind!”

She didn’t even look at him, only lay there, her scattered hair softly pressed against her pale cheeks. She raised her eyes to look at the distant horizon, her lips trembling lightly, scalding tears flowing over her entire face. This scene was like a fragile wisp of light smoke that could dissipate at any time, utterly unable to withstand a blow.

He finally turned his head away, no longer looking at her. The corner of his mouth twitched silently: “I won’t touch your child anymore, as long as you live.”

The Yu military and Japanese forces had long eyed each other like tigers. Both sides were on edge, like a fuse ready to ignite at the slightest touch. After reaching a joint agreement with the Xiao family of Jiangbei at the beginning of spring, they officially declared war on the Japanese military. At the end of March, Ninth District Commander-in-Chief Yu Changxuan was ordered to urgently deploy to the Eastern Front. Yu Changxuan was naturally a vigorous and resolute person. Upon arriving at the Eastern Front war zone, he quickly built a national defense fortification line from Yunzhou to Chumen, firmly suppressing the Japanese forces attempting to attack from south to north.

This battle was naturally fierce and intense. Yu Changxuan even personally went to the front lines to command and supervise. His left chest was hit by shrapnel but he still refused to withdraw. Both sides engaged in fierce firefights for a full three months, until the League of Nations intervened, threatening to mediate. Only then did this war—the Jinling government and Xiao warlord alliance jointly resisting Japan—temporarily cease.

At the end of June, at the Jinling Yu family official residence, brilliant red pomegranate flowers bloomed magnificently, illuminated by the afternoon sun, dazzling to the eyes. Qixuan wore a moon-white satin robe, hiding under the pomegranate tree in the courtyard. She could hear her father’s voice from Yu Zhongquan’s study, carrying through the window lattice, sounding very angry: “Just for a woman, he risked his life like this. I don’t have such a son—better if he’d died!”

Madam Yu was equally angry: “Don’t you care what he risked his life for—at least he won you a victory. Every day you keep such a gloomy face. He’s been unconscious for so long, yet you won’t even go look at him once. What’s that supposed to mean?!”

Hearing her father and mother quarreling like this, Qixuan’s face showed a melancholy expression. Then she heard someone call softly from behind: “Qixuan, what are you hiding here for?” Qixuan turned her head and saw her second sister standing there. She quickly waved her hand and ran over: “Second sister, Father and Mother are quarreling.”

Jinxuan glanced toward the study and said to Qixuan, “Don’t worry. Mother always has ways.” Qixuan nodded. Jinxuan said again, “Your fifth brother just woke up for a while. Let’s hurry and go see him.” Qixuan quickly nodded. Jinxuan took Qixuan’s hand and headed to the front hall. They went upstairs all the way to Yu Changxuan’s room and saw a British doctor in the room packing up his medical kit. Sister-in-law Minru and Jun Daiti were attending at the bedside. This British doctor had been specially requested from the church hospital—his medical skills were quite exceptional. Jinxuan went to ask a few questions. Qixuan had already rushed to the bedside, saying to Yu Changxuan, “Fifth brother, fifth brother, how are you?”

Yu Changxuan’s chest had been struck by shrapnel, and the front-line medical conditions were extremely poor. He was so reckless with his life that the wound became severely infected and inflamed, nearly festering. He himself had fallen unconscious and was carried all the way back to Jinling from the front lines—truly a narrow escape from death. During this period, with careful care, he had finally improved. He lay in bed, seeing Qixuan’s anxious appearance, and smiled slightly: “You little thing making a fuss again. Don’t worry, I guarantee I won’t die. Otherwise, when you marry in the future, if you don’t have a brother to look after you and get bullied, what would you do?”

Qixuan pouted: “How annoying! I’m so worried about you, yet you still tease me. You don’t even know how anxious I was.” Yu Changxuan smiled: “Good sister, I know I was wrong. At worst, next time we bicker, I’ll give in to you.” After saying just a few sentences, he felt waves of pain in his chest and coughed several times, which pulled at his wound painfully. Jun Daiti at his side said anxiously, “Don’t talk anymore. Just lie down properly.”

Yu Changxuan suppressed his coughing and said to Jun Daiti, “Thank you.” Sister-in-law Minru stepped forward, pulling Daiti before Yu Changxuan, smiling: “If we’re talking about thanks, you owe our sister Daiti many thanks. Sister Daiti has been here every day caring for you, practically never leaving your side for even half a step.”

Jun Daiti’s face first flushed bright red as she lowered her head. Hearing him say this, she raised her head to look at him. Those almond-shaped eyes were actually brimming with tears. After a long moment, she choked out, “I don’t want your thanks. I just… as long as you promise not to do this again in the future, I’ll… I’ll…” Her words caught halfway and she choked up, tears pattering down. Yu Changxuan watched her like this, was silent for a moment, then said one sentence: “I’ll remember.”

Minru gave Daiti a push, smiling: “Sister Daiti, don’t cry. You treat our fifth brother this way—you truly deserve those four words: deep affection and profound devotion. If he ever dares bully you like before, we won’t let him off.”

Yu Changxuan nodded and smiled slightly: “Having just escaped death at the gates of hell, how would I dare be as reckless and inconsiderate as before?”

Jun Daiti said, “You just woke up—why talk about these things? Quickly take your medicine.” Jinxuan exclaimed “Ah” and smiled: “Sister Daiti is still the most thoughtful. Yes, yes, take the medicine first.” Everyone busied themselves, those getting medicine got medicine, those getting water got water. In a moment, footsteps could be heard outside the room, along with distant voices—Madam Yu was coming.

Yu Changxuan lay in bed for over half a month. Thanks to his good physical constitution and the careful care from everyone at the residence, with Jun Daiti coming and going daily, caring for him meticulously—the masters and servants at the residence all saw with their own eyes and spread word that the fifth young master and Miss Jun’s feelings were growing better and better. Before long, even talk of engagement spread. When sister-in-law Minru found out, in broad daylight she dragged the servant who spread the rumors to the main courtyard and severely scolded her, claiming that whoever dared damage her cousin’s reputation again would get a beating.

That morning, after Yu Changxuan had his medicine changed and bandages wrapped, Madam Yu sat beside him. Seeing his complexion was good, she thought for a moment, then smiled slightly and said softly, “This child Daiti—I find her better and better.”

Yu Changxuan smiled at Madam Yu: “I also think she’s good. Mother, why don’t you recognize her as an adopted daughter?”

Madam Yu immediately smiled: “Don’t I have enough daughters already that I need to eagerly adopt another one? I like this child, but I don’t need to adopt her as a daughter. I’ll make her my daughter-in-law—wouldn’t that be even better?”

Yu Changxuan fell silent. Madam Yu, seeing his expression, knew what he was thinking. She sighed and said softly, “Changxuan, I’m truly afraid you’ll get stuck in this rut. To say something unpleasant—when a person dies it’s like a lamp going out. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Why must you dwell on this? Do you really want to make yourself suffer for a lifetime?”

Yu Changxuan turned his head to the side. The floor was covered with a purple velvet cloud-dragon carpet, its pattern seeming to ripple outward in circles. His military uniform hung on a Western-style coat rack to one side, the gold collar insignia on the uniform gleaming in the sunlight, piercingly bright. On a carved rosewood shelf by the window sat a pot of beautiful white tuberose flowers, swaying in the wind. A delicate tuberose petal was blown by the wind and gently fell into the pot soil.

His chest ached. His vision went black, and he could barely breathe. A tragic color surfaced in his dark eyes. After a long moment, he finally parted his lips and said in a low voice, “At the time, I only thought it was ordinary…”

She left in March.

He still remembered—at that time, the pear blossoms hadn’t yet withered, blooming throughout the entire courtyard. She sat by the window facing the pear blossoms, mending that shirt for him. Her head slightly lowered, revealing a curve of snow-white neck. Some black wispy hairs lay softly against her skin. Her focused profile was beautiful as if carved from powder and jade. Under the lamplight, she seemed to emanate a warm glow. He sat beside her watching. Their two shadows were cast on the wall, a perfect pair. Outside the window, pear blossoms lay like frost across the ground. When she finished mending, she raised her head, nodded at him, and smiled gently and warmly, saying softly, “Let me embroider a pear blossom on it for you.”

Love’s needle and longing’s thread embroidering pear blossoms—at the time I only thought it was ordinary.

Thinking of it now, the heartache was excruciating, as if his entire body had been hollowed out, light as a feather with no weight left. It was as if he had lived one lifetime and died another. He had exhausted all his emotions and energy, never again daring to hope for anything.

Madam Yu sat beside him, watching his face gradually pale. She sighed and said softly, “Changxuan, look at Daiti. She cares for you so attentively, not even caring about her own reputation. You must do right by her…”

Yu Changxuan’s eyes were filled with a hazy light. Suddenly he said in a low voice, “Forget it.”

Madam Yu froze, not knowing what his “forget it” meant. Then she heard a maid’s voice at the door: “Miss Jun, why are you standing here instead of going in?” Madam Yu quickly stood up and called toward the door, “Daiti.”

Jun Daiti walked in, holding a walnut wood floral-patterned tray with a white porcelain cup and some pills—all things the British doctor had instructed must be taken on schedule. Seeing this, Madam Yu said, “Let Daiti feed you the medicine first. We’ll talk about other things later.”

Madam Yu then left. Jun Daiti carried the tray over, first handing the medicine to Yu Changxuan. After he took the pills, she quickly brought the water over. Only after he finished drinking did she take back the cup, but she didn’t speak, only sat there quietly with her head lowered.

Her breathing was slightly heavier, as if sobbing. Tears fell—with a “pat” they fell on her lap, quickly soaking into the sapphire blue qipao silk. She choked out, “Yu Changxuan, I’ve done so much for you, loved you, remembered you—isn’t that enough?”

Jun Daiti raised her head, tears streaming down her face.

Yu Changxuan looked at her. She wore a sapphire blue真丝rotten-flower velvet short-sleeved qipao, revealing two snow-white arms. On her wrist was a white jade rope-patterned bracelet. The qipao had pipa buttons, one of which had a handkerchief tied to it. He remembered she used to like tucking her handkerchief into the bracelet on her wrist, wrapping it around once. Now the bracelet hung loosely on her wrist—clearly she had lost a great deal of weight.

In July, the tuberose flowers at the small mansion were all in bloom. Pingjun lay in bed, opening her eyes in a daze to see afternoon sunlight streaming through the Western-style curtains, casting several thin beams of light on the carpet. She could faintly see dust particles dancing chaotically there. Ruixiang sat beside her, concentrating on weaving a flower basket. Scattered white petals danced between her nimble fingers. Those flowers were bright and dazzling, like somewhere in her memory—those several trees of blooming pear blossoms.

Her lips opened and closed silently several times. Ruixiang noticed and leaned over to ask softly, “Miss Ye, how are you? Are you still burning with fever?” Her whole body felt heavy and she couldn’t speak. Then she heard a creaking door sound. Ruixiang turned her head to see Mama Fu from the small mansion walk in, saying, “So you’re hiding here. My heart’s been uneasy—I feel like something’s going to happen.”

Ruixiang said, “What could happen? I know your son is in the Northwestern Army—you’re missing your son again.”

Mama Fu paused, lowering her voice: “Yesterday when I went over to serve tea, I saw Director Jiang burning things in his study—looked like documents. Director Jiang’s expression these past few days has been terrible. I heard people outside saying the Yuzhou government is about to be crushed by the Jinling government.”

Ruixiang said, “What do you know? That’s not called being crushed—it’s called integration.” Mama Fu nodded: “Whether it’s crushing or integration, as long as there’s no war, that’s good. How’s this one?” Ruixiang glanced at Pingjun sleeping in bed and smiled cheerfully, “Four more months until she gives birth.”

As they talked like this, Pingjun moaned softly. Ruixiang quickly stood up: “Miss Ye, have some water.” Mama Fu hurried to pour a cup of water. Ruixiang supported Pingjun and had just fed her a sip when noisy footsteps sounded outside. The door was suddenly flung open with a “bang.” Ruixiang was so frightened her hand trembled. She turned around in panic to see Tao Ziyi and Tao Yayi, the pair of sisters, standing aggressively at the door. Ruixiang immediately lost her wits: “Madam Jiang!”

Tao Ziyi’s gaze stopped on Ye Pingjun’s face. In the blink of an eye, her delicate eyebrows stood on end. She threw the handbag in her hand at Pingjun, flying into a rage: “You vile woman, I want your life!”

In the afternoon, inside the red brick gate with large pillars, mu jin flowers bloomed magnificently. Sunlight shone down through the gaps in branches, illuminating the ground with swaying flower shadows. On the pebble-paved path, hurried footsteps approached. A sentry at the gate shouted, “Who goes there?!” Then came a “smack”—he was punched in the head. Finally came the panicked voice of the struck sentry: “Director Jiang!”

That group of people passed the sentry post and headed straight for the main hall. This was Tao Yayi’s private residence in Yuzhou. Usually very few people came here. Suddenly becoming so noisy—this was the first time. Zhou Zhenghai led a group of guards surrounding Jiang Xueting into the hall. The Tao sisters were sitting on the hall sofa. As soon as Tao Ziyi saw Jiang Xueting enter, she suddenly stood up from the sofa. Her eyes were red and swollen as she glared at Jiang Xueting through gritted teeth: “Jiang Xueting!”

Hearing this, Tao Ziyi’s anger flared immediately. She cursed furiously, “What do you mean I did what to her? She’s such a vixen—even if I killed her, what could you do to me?!” Jiang Xueting’s face immediately showed a fierce coldness, his teeth grinding audibly: “You killed her?!”

Tao Yayi, seeing the situation, felt uneasy and hurriedly grabbed Tao Ziyi, repeatedly urging, “Sister, don’t speak in anger. You two are husband and wife—whatever there is to say can be discussed sitting down. No need to be at each other’s throats over an outsider. Xueting, you also don’t—”

Jiang Xueting pointed his finger at Tao Yayi, his face showing terrifying rage: “You shut up!”

Tao Yayi froze stiffly there. Tao Ziyi’s eyes filled with tears. She grabbed a cushion from the sofa and threw it at Jiang Xueting, crying bitterly and cursing, “Jiang Xueting, you ungrateful dog! Tell me, whose child is in her belly? You actually let her have your child—you’ve been deceiving me all these years! Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been deceiving me all these years!”

Jiang Xueting laughed coldly: “Right, I’ve been deceiving you. Do you even deserve to bear my children?! You’re not worth even a single strand of her hair!” Tao Ziyi’s whole body trembled. Tears flowed down in streams: “You dare humiliate me like this—I’ll take her life for this!”

Jiang Xueting’s gaze was cold as a forest, fierce as a wolf’s eyes: “If you dare touch her, I’ll take your life first!” Without another word he stepped forward. Zhou Zhenghai on the side hurriedly brought people to hold him back firmly, repeatedly saying, “Director Jiang, you mustn’t!”

Tao Ziyi watched Jiang Xueting’s eyes almost spitting fire. Several guards could barely hold him. Her heart was filled with both hate and pain, churning like stormy seas. She actually began crying hysterically: “Jiang Xueting, kill me! If you have the guts, kill me! You’ve ruined me—what’s the point of living?”

Tao Yayi was also frightened pale, never expecting Jiang Xueting to lose control like this. She desperately pulled Tao Ziyi backward. Just then, an attendant officer rushed in from outside, shouting, “Report!” Zhou Zhenghai said, “Come here!” The attendant officer walked over. Jiang Xueting saw him and his strength loosened: “Did you find her?” The attendant officer stood at attention: “Found her. Second Battalion’s men found her at the ferry.”

Jiang Xueting turned to look at Tao Ziyi. Tao Ziyi clenched her hands tightly, glaring at him defiantly. Jiang Xueting looked at her coldly: “Your father has already sided with the Jinling government. Don’t you really want to go back to Jinling? Leave now—you don’t need to come back!”

Having said this, he led the guards and turned to walk out.

Tao Ziyi stood there dumbly for a moment, then heard his footsteps growing more and more distant. Her face suddenly went pale, as if awakening from a dream. She ran out quickly. Tao Yayi cried out in shock, “Second sister!” But she had already rushed out of the hall, chasing along the pebble path. She saw Jiang Xueting’s figure ahead and called out in panic, “Xueting—”

That distant back paused briefly, but didn’t turn around.

The sky was azure blue. All around were clusters of mu jin flowers, brilliant purples and reds, blooming so fully they weighed down the branches, bending them toward the ground. She looked at his back. Hot wind blew over, engulfing her face and head. She choked out, “Don’t go.”

He didn’t turn his head back, just walked straight away.

Tao Ziyi stood alone among the mu jin flowers. Before her, a flower branch was bent down by its full load of blossoms. A heavy double-petaled mu jin flower at the tip had soaked into a puddle of mud at the flower’s base. Soaked for so long, though the flower hadn’t withered, it had already wilted more than half.

She reached out to touch the tears on her face—cool teardrops, so cold they seemed to prick like needles. Like in those extravagant days gone by, when she wore floor-length gowns with a precious hairpin inserted obliquely in her coiffure, spinning round and round on the dance floor—what magnificent beauty. The long pearl tassels from that hairpin hung down, rustling against the carved collar, occasionally touching her neck—also cool like this.

So this was how flowers withered, just like her brilliant, carefree youth—it had reached its end.