{"id":3941,"date":"2026-06-10T03:24:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T03:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-107\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T05:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:28:10","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-107-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-107-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit of Jade 107"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 107

After Gongsun Yin left, Xie Zheng sat silently before the low table.

He had bathed, but his hair was still damp. Wet strands hung loosely across his forehead. Under the candlelight, a shadow stretched from the bridge of his high nose. His thin lips were pressed tightly together, lending him a stubborn, untamed air.

His long fingers picked up the ugly yet oddly adorable wooden doll with its arrogant expression.

He stared at it for a long time before gently rubbing it with his thumb.

A large bundle sat beneath the table, having been brought from Yanzhou by his personal guards.

He untied the rope and opened it.

Inside were two sets of clothes, a pair of unworn double-stitched short boots, and a packet of dried tangerine peel candy.

It was the very bundle Fan Changyu had entrusted Carpenter Zhao to deliver to him.

The damp weather had left everything inside carrying a faint trace of moisture.

Xie Zheng opened the oil-paper package containing the candy.

The sweets had partially melted, some even sticking together.

As if he did not notice, he picked up a piece and put it into his mouth.

Instead of letting it slowly dissolve, he bit down and crushed it between his teeth before swallowing.

After finishing one piece, he immediately picked up another and chewed again.

The taste spreading across his tongue was entirely the sweet-tart bitterness of dried tangerine peel.

By the time he reached the end, he could hardly taste any sweetness at all.

Only sourness and bitterness remained.


—

Chongzhou.

The rain poured heavily through the night.

A single lamp inside the tent kept out the chill carried by the damp wind outside.

Fan Changyu sat cross-legged on her bed, staring blankly at the empty chest beside her.

She had already taken out every piece of clothing and placed them on the bed, yet she still could not find the wooden doll she had painstakingly carved.

Although she occupied the tent alone, squad leaders and section leaders occasionally came by to discuss military matters.

She was always careful with her personal belongings.

Her spare clothes were stored neatly inside the chest.

Whenever she had free time, she would take out the doll to carve it, then place it back into the chest afterward.

Earlier, when she had hurriedly changed into clean clothes before going to see He Jingyuan, she had not noticed anything missing.

Now, in the stillness of the night, she wanted to take the doll out and refine some of the details.

But it had vanished.

Footsteps sounded outside the tent.

Then came the noise of an oil-paper umbrella being folded.

A moment later, Aunt Zhao entered, holding a dripping umbrella in one hand and a bowl of medicine in the other. She pushed aside the tent flap with her elbow as she walked in.

“This rain is frighteningly heavy!”

She set the umbrella against the side of the tent and walked over carrying the medicine.

Seeing all the clothes spread out, she asked,

“Why have you taken everything out?”

Remembering that Aunt Zhao had cared for her during the two days she was unconscious, Fan Changyu quickly asked,

“Auntie, when you helped organize my things, did you happen to see a wooden doll in the chest?”

Aunt Zhao shook her head.

“I didn’t see any wooden doll.”

Seeing Fan Changyu’s dejected expression, she asked,

“What happened?”

Fan Changyu merely shook her head.

Under the candlelight, her bright almond-shaped eyes carried traces of confusion and bitterness.

How could the doll have disappeared so suddenly?

Although Xie Wu was one of her personal guards, he would never touch her private belongings without permission.

During the two days she had been unconscious, however, the only other person who had entered the tent was Xie Zheng, disguised as Xie Wu.

Had he taken the doll?

Aunt Zhao said,

“Drink the medicine while it’s still hot. I still need to go back and help your Uncle Zhao prepare more medicine.”

The injuries to Fan Changyu’s hands had not yet healed.

For the past several days, Aunt Zhao had remained in the military camp to take care of her daily needs.

Whenever she had spare time during the day, she helped the military physicians brew medicine or washed the clothes of severely wounded soldiers.

The casualties from this battle had been substantial.

Even Carpenter Zhao, who had originally been a veterinarian, had been drafted into treating wounded soldiers and bandaging injuries.

At first he had been nervous, afraid his medical skills were insufficient and that he might harm the wounded.

Later, however, he discovered that many of the newly recruited physicians assigned to treat the injured understood medicinal properties even less than he did.

After asking around, he learned that many were merely rural healers.

Some were even simple herb gatherers who only recognized medicinal plants.

The realization left him somewhat uneasy.

Still, he understood there was no other choice.

There were thousands of wounded soldiers, while only a handful of military physicians accompanied the army.

Many injuries required immediate treatment.

The physicians simply could not handle such numbers alone.

Anyone within a hundred-mile radius who knew even a little medicine had been recruited into the army to help.

No matter their skill level, receiving treatment was better than receiving none.

Thanks to the experience he had gained while saving Xie Zheng from his severe injuries before, Carpenter Zhao had successfully rescued many wounded soldiers.

As a result, he was officially promoted to military physician.

Military physicians were always treated with respect.

He no longer had to work as either a carpenter or veterinarian and had even been assigned his own tent.

Returning to her senses, Fan Changyu accepted the bowl of medicine.

For the past two days, Aunt Zhao had stayed by her side because she had been unconscious.

Now that she was awake, there was no need for the elderly woman to continue caring for her constantly.

Holding the bowl, she said,

“The rain is pouring, and the camp is pitch black. It’ll be difficult for you to walk alone. I’ll have Xiao Wu escort you over. Once you’re done, just stay with Uncle Zhao and rest there. Don’t bother coming back here tonight.”

Her tent was still some distance from the area where the wounded were housed.

Going back and forth would be exhausting for someone her age.

Fan Changyu understood Aunt Zhao’s desire to do something for the injured soldiers.

The Zhao couple’s son had died on the battlefield years ago.

After arriving at the camp and seeing the wounded soldiers, Aunt Zhao had likely been reminded of her own fallen son.

She had even cried once.

Since then, she treated the wounded soldiers as if they were her own children, constantly helping wherever she could and never allowing herself a moment’s rest.

Perhaps she was trying to make up for the regret of years ago, when all they had known was that their son had died in battle, yet there had been nothing they could do for him.

Still, Aunt Zhao looked worried.

“Will you be alright by yourself tonight?”

Fan Changyu held the medicine bowl and replied,

“My hands only suffered injuries to the flesh and tendons. The bones are fine. It’s nothing serious.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Aunt Zhao nodded.

“Alright then. If anything happens, have Xiao Wu come get me.”

Fan Changyu agreed.

She then called for Xie Wu and instructed him to escort Aunt Zhao to Carpenter Zhao’s tent.

Once the tent flap closed again, shutting out both the rain and the endless darkness outside, silence settled around her.

Holding the medicine bowl, she lowered her head.

A drop of moisture seemed to fall into the dark liquid, sending ripples across its surface.

She drank the medicine in one gulp.

The bitterness was so strong it made her stomach cramp, but she ignored it.

After setting the empty bowl on the stool beside the bed, she stuffed the clothes back into the chest, wrapped herself tightly in a thin blanket, pulled it over her head, and went straight to sleep.


—

The report of Prince Changxin’s death was sent to the capital.

When the imperial envoy carrying the Emperor’s decree and rewards finally arrived in Chongzhou, half a month had already passed.

When the envoy entered the camp, Fan Changyu was the only person below the rank of Commandant who had been summoned to join the reception party.

An imperial edict was equivalent to the Emperor’s personal presence.

All civil and military officials were required to wear their official attire.

Though He Jingyuan’s injuries had not healed, he forced himself into his heavy armor and led the assembled generals to welcome the envoy at the camp entrance.

His cheeks had grown gaunt, his cheekbones protruding sharply.

Even his complexion carried a sickly gray pallor.

The sight filled many of his subordinates with sympathy.

Fan Changyu also felt her heart grow heavy.

He Jingyuan’s injuries were not limited to the arrow wound.

During the battle against Prince Changxin, he had taken a lion-headed spear strike on behalf of Tang Peiyi, damaging his internal organs.

That was why his condition had never truly improved.

When He Jingyuan submitted his memorial to the capital, he had already stated that his injuries were severe and that he might no longer be able to serve as commander of the campaign against Chongzhou.

No one knew what this imperial decree would contain.

Standing near the rear, Fan Changyu saw a large procession approaching from outside the camp.

At its head was a man wearing official robes unlike any she had ever seen.

He looked neither like a civil official nor a military officer.

His face was wrinkled with age, yet he had no beard whatsoever, making him seem strangely unnatural.

Upon seeing He Jingyuan, he lifted his eyelids arrogantly and announced:

“Governor of Jizhou, He Jingyuan, receive the imperial decree!”

His voice was shrill and piercing.

Only then did Fan Changyu realize this must be one of the eunuchs who served at the Emperor’s side.

He Jingyuan immediately led everyone in kneeling.

Afraid of committing some breach of etiquette that might cause trouble, Fan Changyu did not dare continue observing the eunuch.

She lowered her gaze to the ground before her.

The eunuch began reading:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

The rebels of Chongzhou have brought chaos to our realm and oppressed our people. Governor He Jingyuan has upheld the state and slain the rebels, bringing great comfort to Our heart.

Having learned that your injuries are severe, We hereby confer upon you the title of General Huaihua, reward you with one thousand taels of gold, temporarily transfer military authority to General Xuanwei Tang Peiyi, and permit you to return to Jizhou to recuperate.”

The moment those words ended, expressions shifted throughout the crowd kneeling before the camp.

The decree had granted He Jingyuan a higher honorary title.

But it had also stripped him of military command.

Tang Peiyi knelt behind and to the left of He Jingyuan.

Since He Jingyuan had personally promoted him, he held deep respect for the older man.

Upon hearing the decree, anxiety flashed across his face.

He clearly wanted to speak, but the eunuch had not finished reading.

Thus, he could only remain kneeling while barely containing his frustration.

The eunuch continued:

“General Xuanwei Tang Peiyi, for your achievement in constructing a dam to halt the rebels and for leading the Right Wing Army to an unexpected victory on the Chongzhou battlefield, demonstrating the talents of a great general, you are hereby promoted to General Yunhui and rewarded with five hundred taels of gold.”

“Your subordinate generals have likewise distinguished themselves through valor. Wang Daqing, for slaying a rebel vanguard commander, is hereby granted the title of Cavalry General and rewarded with one hundred taels of gold. Gou Si, for slaying a rebel Commandant, is hereby granted the title of Zhiguo Commandant…”

The decree was exceptionally lengthy.

Nearly every military officer kneeling outside the camp received rewards and promotions.

Only then did Fan Changyu understand why she had been summoned.

She was also among those being rewarded.

The battle reports detailing military achievements had all been written and submitted by He Jingyuan.

He must already have known who would receive imperial recognition and had therefore gathered everyone in advance.

Still, her name was not mentioned for a long time.

By the time her knees had begun to go numb, she finally heard the eunuch call:

“Right Wing Army Captain Fan Changyu…”

Fan Changyu froze.

Instinctively, she looked up toward the eunuch.

Unfortunately, he happened to be looking at her as well.

His eyes seemed to be smiling.

Yet they inexplicably sent a chill down her spine.

She could not explain why, but the feeling made her deeply uncomfortable.

She quickly lowered her head again.

The eunuch continued:

“For slaying Prince Changxin and achieving extraordinary merit, you are hereby granted the title of Xiaoqi Commandant and rewarded with three hundred taels of gold. By imperial decree!”

Fan Changyu had no idea how high the rank of Xiaoqi Commandant actually was.

But seeing that the reward was three times greater than the hundred taels granted to Wang Daqing under Tang Peiyi’s command, she guessed the position could not be insignificant.

After finishing the decree, the eunuch’s arrogance disappeared.

Smiling broadly, he looked at He Jingyuan.

“Lord He, please receive the decree.”

Yet from the corner of his eye, he also glanced toward Fan Changyu.

Despite his illness, He Jingyuan’s voice remained firm and powerful.

“He Jingyuan receives the decree!”

The eunuch handed over the imperial edict.

With a smile that seemed friendly yet somehow unsettling, he said,

“Congratulations, my lord. Congratulations indeed.”

Looking at the decree in his hands, traces of weariness appeared in He Jingyuan’s eyes.

“It is His Majesty’s grace.”

Tang Peiyi immediately clasped his fists and protested indignantly.

“My lord, this subordinate is unworthy of serving as commander. I ask that you continue to lead the army!”

He Jingyuan barked:

“Nonsense! Do you intend to defy an imperial decree?”

Tang Peiyi wanted to argue further.

But seeing the eunuch nearby watching with an amused smile, he ultimately swallowed his words.

Only then did He Jingyuan address the eunuch.

“Eunuch, you have traveled a long way and must be weary. The camp has prepared humble accommodations. If you do not mind, please rest first.”

The eunuch chuckled.

“Not weary at all, not weary at all. It is loyal ministers like Lord He, who labor tirelessly on the front lines, who truly suffer.

“But whether one serves as a minister or, like this humble servant, serves His Majesty as a slave, we all enjoy the Emperor’s favor and must share his burdens, mustn’t we?”

He Jingyuan understood the implication behind those words.

Yet his expression remained unchanged.

“What Eunuch says is entirely correct.”

The eunuch’s smile deepened.

“It is good that Lord He understands.”

Only after attendants led the eunuch and his entourage away did Tang Peiyi finally lose control of his frustration.

“My lord, how could His Majesty simply strip you of your military authority?”

Half angry and half resentful, he lowered his head.

“I don’t have the ability to take over your responsibilities! I can’t handle the situation in Chongzhou!”

He Jingyuan merely replied:

“Foolish.”

“My lord…”

Tang Peiyi tried to continue, but He Jingyuan interrupted him.

“If the military authority does not pass to you, then the court will simply send someone else.

“Compared to the latter, I would much rather see the Jizhou Army placed in your hands.”

As he spoke, he patted Tang Peiyi’s shoulder.

Tang Peiyi, a sturdy man over eight feet tall, found his eyes reddening.

“If you hadn’t saved me that day…”

He Jingyuan suddenly sighed.

“Peiyi… I truly am getting old.”

Looking at the graying hair at He Jingyuan’s temples and the emaciated figure that had lost so much weight over the past half month, Tang Peiyi’s eyes grew moist.

In the end, he could no longer voice any refusal.

Fan Changyu also found the scene difficult to watch.

Since ancient times, the fate of military generals seemed always to end the same way.

Once the birds were gone, the bow was put away.

Though she had received a promotion and a generous reward, she felt no joy whatsoever.

After He Jingyuan dismissed everyone, she found herself remaining where she stood for reasons she could not explain.

Seeing her still there, He Jingyuan did not seem surprised.

“Walk with your Uncle Sui for a while.”

Fan Changyu nodded.

“Alright.”

She followed half a step behind him.

Because of his injuries, He Jingyuan walked slowly.

Even clad in armor, he could not conceal the scholarly gentleness that naturally radiated from him.

After they had walked some distance and reached a secluded area, he finally spoke.

“I didn’t conceal your killing of Prince Changxin.”

“Now the entire court knows your name.”

“From this day forward, you must be more vigilant. Countless eyes in the shadows are watching you.”

Fan Changyu answered,

“Changyu understands.”

He Jingyuan sighed.

“The Chancellor can no longer tolerate me. I don’t know when he may target you and your sister again.

“You cannot hide forever.

“Now that everyone knows who you are, the Chancellor will at least think twice before making another move.”

After a pause, he continued:

“The faction of Grand Tutor Li has already investigated your parents’ identities.

“He wants to bring down Wei Yan, so for now he will spare no effort to protect you.

“Li Huai’an remains in the army as supervising commissioner. Though he appears humble, courteous, and of excellent character, he is ultimately a member of the Li family.

“Do not trust him too easily.”

Fan Changyu could feel the elder’s sincere concern and good intentions.

Filled with gratitude, she replied earnestly:

“Changyu will remember all of it.”

Only then did He Jingyuan nod slightly.

His eyes carried the affection and pity of an elder looking upon a younger generation.

“Walking this path has been hard on you.”

Fan Changyu thought of her parents’ deaths, of the seventeen years her grandfather had endured disgrace, and of the day she parted ways with Xie Zheng.

In her dark almond-shaped eyes, quiet determination flickered like an undying flame.

“It hasn’t been hard.”<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3941","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3941"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3945,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3941\/revisions\/3945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}