Chapter 129

As autumn deepened, the weather in the north grew colder by the day. When people rose in the morning, a layer of white frost coated the bare branches of the elm and poplar trees in the courtyard.

During the month Fan Changyu spent recovering from her injuries, the light summer clothes she had worn were replaced with thick autumn garments.

She had injured her back while protecting Yu Qianqian and Yu Bao’er. For a time, she was unable to wield blades or practice martial arts. Lying idle all day was unbearably boring, so she once again picked up the obscure and difficult Four Books and Five Classics.

In truth, she was more interested in military texts.

But many military strategies involved troop formations, astronomy, geography, and terrain. The complexity gave Fan Changyu a headache.

She could only proceed step by step, starting with the most basic books.

Changning had once studied characters under a tutor, though she had never been particularly diligent.

Now, seeing Fan Changyu constantly reading and having Yu Bao’er around as a companion, her interest in learning was rekindled.

Soon she was competing with Yu Bao’er to see who recognized more characters.

Yu Bao’er could already recite some simple poems and essays.

Naturally, Changning could not match him.

Her competitive streak flared up, and she immediately began demanding a tutor.

The private teacher hired during their stay in Chongzhou had not come with them back to Jizhou.

Since they still lacked a permanent residence, Fan Changyu had temporarily postponed hiring a new tutor.

Yu Bao’er volunteered to teach Changning himself.

But the strange pride children possessed got in the way, and Changning absolutely refused.

Though Fan Changyu had not read many books herself, her mother had forced her to learn every character.

So she took it upon herself to teach Changning.

Yu Bao’er loved learning.

Every day, he came to Fan Changyu’s room to study alongside Changning.

The two children frequently competed in memorizing poems to see who could recite them faster.

Yu Bao’er usually won.

Changning became so anxious she nearly cried.

Yet she was too proud to actually shed tears.

So at night, she secretly carried her pillow into Fan Changyu’s room under the excuse of wanting to sleep beside her.

In reality, she was there for extra lessons so she could memorize poems ahead of time.

The whole situation left Fan Changyu both amused and exasperated.

Thanks to this strategy, Changning finally managed to beat Yu Bao’er a few times.

Unfortunately, Yu Bao’er learned far too quickly.

At first, they memorized only one poem per day.

Once both children could handle that easily, Yu Bao’er suggested studying two poems each day instead.

Changning had only won through cheating in the first place.

Already feeling guilty, she wanted to object but couldn’t come up with a reason.

All she could do was fidget with her clothes and mumble under her breath.

Fan Changyu, however, was oblivious to such subtleties.

Seeing that Changning had caught up, she simply assumed both children were progressing rapidly.

Learning two poems a day seemed perfectly reasonable.

So she agreed.

As expected, on the first day they studied two poems, Changning lost again.

When Aunt Zhao brought over some pastries, Changning was sitting on a small stool facing the corner of the room.

Even the little buns of hair on her head drooped sadly.

Laughing, Aunt Zhao asked,

“What’s wrong with Ning-niang? That pout is big enough to hang an oil bottle from.”

Fan Changyu was reclining in a lounge chair, reading while basking in the sun.

She smiled and replied,

“She had a poetry competition with Bao’er and lost.”

Aunt Zhao beckoned Changning over.

“Come eat some water chestnut cakes. Ning-niang is Bao’er’s little aunt, after all. It’s only proper for her to let him win.”

Changning immediately whipped around.

“Huh?”

She stared excitedly at Yu Bao’er.

“I’m your little aunt!”

It was the first time Yu Bao’er had heard such a thing.

His childish brows furrowed.

“But Ning-niang is younger than me. Shouldn’t she be Little Sister Changning?”

Aunt Zhao laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.

“Family rank isn’t determined by age.”

“You call Changyu Auntie. Ning-niang and Changyu are sisters, so naturally she’s your little aunt.”

Changning was surprisingly shrewd for her age.

Realizing she had gained an advantage in seniority, she instantly brightened.

Her grin stretched from ear to ear.

“Quick, call me Little Aunt!”

Watching the two little rascals, Fan Changyu couldn’t help shaking her head with a smile.

Yu Bao’er pressed his lips together.

Then suddenly he looked at Fan Changyu.

“Then I won’t call you Auntie Changyu anymore. I’ll call you Sister Changyu instead.”

Fan Changyu had just turned a page in her book.

Hearing this, she burst out laughing.

“That won’t do.”

Yu Bao’er’s face had grown less round than before.

When he frowned, he already looked a little like a young teenager.

“Why not?”

Fan Changyu replied,

“If you call me Sister, wouldn’t that make me a generation younger than your mother?”

Yu Bao’er immediately fell silent.

Meanwhile, Changning looked so pleased with herself that her smile practically reached the sky.

As the sun climbed higher, the frost on the eaves and branches melted away.

Morning light streamed into the room.

The two children held their books and resumed reciting aloud, swaying back and forth as they read.

Fan Changyu watched them for a while with a smile before stretching lazily in her chair.

At that moment, Xie Five entered the courtyard.

“Commandant, an honored guest has come to visit.”

Fan Changyu raised an eyebrow.

Who could possibly be visiting her in Jizhou?

Moments later, a man in white robes entered leisurely from the courtyard.

A silver-furred cloak rested across his shoulders.

Despite the chill of late autumn, his smile was as warm as spring.

“Since we parted at First-Line Gorge, it has truly been a long time.”

“Commandant Fan has now risen to the rank of Commandant. At last I can personally offer my congratulations.”

Seeing who it was, Fan Changyu was genuinely surprised.

“Mr. Gongsun, what a rare guest.”

The visitor was Gongsun Yin.

Yu Bao’er had never met him before and watched the handsome stranger warily.

Changning, however, reacted entirely differently.

Like a little cannonball, she charged straight toward him.

“Uncle Gongsun!”

Gongsun Yin rubbed the little bun of hair atop her head.

“Your hair is finally tied properly.”

Changning proudly shook the bell-shaped ornament attached to her hairstyle.

“Aunt Zhao did it.”

“I guessed as much.”

Standing nearby, Fan Changyu coughed awkwardly and interrupted them.

“My humble home is simple. Please have a seat, Mr. Gongsun.”

Aunt Zhao could tell they had business to discuss.

She quickly coaxed both children outside.

After Xie Five served tea, Fan Changyu asked,

“Weren’t you in Kang City, Mr. Gongsun? What brings you suddenly to Jizhou?”

Gongsun Yin took a sip of tea and raised an eyebrow.

“You haven’t heard the news?”

“His Majesty has issued an edict. All generals who distinguished themselves during the rebellion suppression campaign are to enter the capital and receive rewards.”

Fan Changyu nodded.

“I’ve been recovering from my injuries and haven’t returned to active duty yet, so I wasn’t aware.”

Curiously, she asked,

“Did you come to join up with the army and travel to the capital as well?”

With a flourish, Gongsun Yin opened his folding fan.

“The Gongsun family does not involve itself in court politics.”

“I’m here because Xie Jiuheng asked me to come.”

Seeing the brief confusion on Fan Changyu’s face, he paused.

“Has Xie Zheng never told you his courtesy name?”

Fan Changyu shook her head.

Back then, she hadn’t known his true identity.

Later, after learning it, they had quickly been separated.

There had never been an opportunity to discuss such things.

Somewhat amused, she said,

“So his courtesy name is Jiuheng.”

Gongsun Yin instantly became sour.

“Grand Tutor Tao personally chose that courtesy name for him. Naturally it’s a good one.”

Fan Changyu replied,

“My adoptive father gave me a courtesy name too.”

The handsome Gongsun Yin’s face immediately twisted with jealousy.

Holding his teacup, he stared at her resentfully.

“Enough. Let’s stop discussing this topic.”

Fan Changyu looked completely baffled.

She had no idea what had upset him.

Still, she had not received a letter from Xie Zheng in quite some time.

Before departing for the capital, he had told her that if anything happened to him, she should ignore any summons and remain in the northwest.

Now an imperial summons had arrived.

Yet Xie Zheng had not disappeared entirely.

Fan Changyu still wasn’t sure whether she should remain where she was or bring Bao’er to the capital as ordered.

So she asked,

“What did he send you to Jizhou for?”

Gongsun Yin glanced at her.

“That is a secret for now.”

Then he added,

“However, he’s recently begun investigating the Sixteenth Prince’s affairs in the capital. It may be connected to the truth behind the Jinzhou tragedy.”

The mention of the Jinzhou massacre immediately weighed heavily on Fan Changyu’s heart.

For a moment, she fell silent.

Gongsun Yin continued,

“I came today for two reasons.”

“First, to visit you.”

“Second, to meet the descendant of Crown Prince Chengde.”

Tapping his folded fan against his palm, he asked,

“The child I saw inside earlier—is he Crown Prince Chengde’s descendant?”

Fan Changyu nodded.

Gongsun Yin continued,

“I’ve heard you suffered serious injuries saving that child.”

“The commotion when you left the city that day was enormous.”

“If you continue taking him with you all the way to the capital, General Tang will inevitably become suspicious.”

“Before departing, you’d best decide how you’re going to explain his identity to Tang Peiyi.”

Fan Changyu asked,

“Does Mr. Gongsun have any suggestions?”

Gongsun Yin looked at her with mild surprise.

It seemed he felt she had indeed matured considerably through her experiences in the army.

“General Tang is an honest and loyal man.”

“Given his relationship with Lord He, he can be won over.”

The suggestion matched Fan Changyu’s own thoughts perfectly.

Gongsun Yin stayed for less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea before leaving.

Changning and Yu Bao’er were playing in the courtyard.

When Changning saw him departing, she followed him like a little tail all the way to the main gate.

Looking into her large, bright eyes, Gongsun Yin—a notorious miser—finally gritted his teeth.

He handed over every last tael of silver he had on him.

“Go buy candied hawthorn.”

Changning immediately called out “Uncle Gongsun” even more sweetly than before.

She was generous, too.

After buying candied hawthorn, she offered some to Yu Bao’er.

For the first time ever, he refused something she gave him.

Putting on a serious expression, he said,

“If you eat too much sugar, you’ll get cavities.”

“They’re ugly.”

Changning wasn’t afraid of cavities.

But she was afraid of being ugly.

Holding the candied hawthorn, she hesitated.

Yu Bao’er continued solemnly,

“My mother said that people who randomly buy candy for children are usually bad people.”

“The man earlier looked exactly like one.”

Changning’s mouth fell open.

Clutching her clothes nervously, she protested,

“Uncle Gongsun isn’t.”

Yu Bao’er suddenly asked,

“Are you very familiar with him?”

Changning nodded.

After running around outside, her face was flushed pink.

The sunlight illuminated the tiny fuzz on her cheeks.

She looked adorable.

“Uncle Gongsun can braid hair really beautifully!”

Yu Bao’er stared at the neat little buns in her soft hair.

His lips pressed together slightly.

“From now on, I can braid pretty hairstyles for you too.”

Changning blinked.

She couldn’t even braid her own hair.

Besides, she thought hairstyling was troublesome.

His suggestion sounded surprisingly tempting.

“You know how to braid hair?”

“I can learn.”

The next morning, Aunt Zhao was braiding Changning’s hair.

Standing nearby was a tiny observer watching every move.

Laughing, Aunt Zhao said,

“Don’t be impatient, Bao’er. Let me finish braiding her hair before you go out to play.”

Yu Bao’er watched with complete concentration.

“I’m not in a hurry.”

“Aunt Zhao, take your time.”

Aunt Zhao couldn’t stop praising him for being so thoughtful.

Fan Changyu, meanwhile, knew nothing about any of this.

Her injuries had fully healed.

On her first day back in the military camp, Tang Peiyi informed her that they would soon depart for the capital.

Then he kept her behind and, unsurprisingly, asked about Yu Bao’er.

With a clasped-fist salute, Fan Changyu said,

“I feel guilty for hiding this from you until now, General.”

“That child… truly has an extraordinary identity.”

Tang Peiyi sighed.

“If you’re bringing him to the capital alongside the army, I need to know who he is.”

“If something happens on the road and I know nothing, I won’t know how to respond.”

Fan Changyu lowered her head.

“It was my oversight.”

“That child…”

“…is a descendant of Crown Prince Chengde.”

Tang Peiyi’s eyes widened in shock.

“But the Imperial Great-Grandson died—”

Halfway through the sentence, he stopped himself.

A child appearing at this moment.

Protected in secret by the Blood-Clad Cavalry.

Then who had been trying to kill him?

Tang Peiyi knew nothing about Qi Min’s existence.

Naturally, he assumed the culprit was the Emperor.

Cold sweat instantly broke out across his back.

After pacing around the tent several times, he finally said,

“I understand.”

“You may go.”

“During the march, I’ll secretly assign additional men to protect His Highness.”

Fan Changyu bowed.

“Thank you, General.”

Tang Peiyi merely pointed at her helplessly.

“You…”

Then he sighed.

“Preserving this last bloodline of Crown Prince Chengde is simply the duty of a loyal subject.”


—

After two months of marching, the army finally arrived at the capital.

Thanks to Tang Peiyi’s covert support, Yu Bao’er’s carriage had been protected like an iron fortress throughout the journey.

No further incidents occurred.

The troops camped at the Western Mountain Barracks outside the city.

Tang Peiyi selected only several hundred distinguished officers and soldiers to accompany him into the capital.

Officials sent by the court had specially prepared newly forged Bright Light Armor for them.

The purpose was simple:

To ensure the returning army looked as glorious and imposing as possible.

After changing clothes and making preparations, the procession headed toward the northern city gate.

Fan Changyu’s achievements during the rebellion suppression campaign were extraordinary.

Though the court had not yet formally bestowed rewards, everyone in the capital already knew that a female general had emerged from the northwest.

Ceremonial soldiers carrying banners cleared the way.

Both sides of the avenue were packed with cheering citizens celebrating the army’s triumphant return.

Fan Changyu rode slightly behind Tang Peiyi.

Alongside her rode He Jingyuan’s eldest son.

Flowers rained down from the crowds.

Because she was the only female general in the army—and because of her exceptional appearance and bearing—countless people called out to her enthusiastically.

Every cry of “General Fan!” carried admiration and joy.

Some young women even threw handkerchiefs directly at her.

It was the first time Fan Changyu had encountered such a scene.

She felt awkward and uncertain.

Yet she feared appearing undignified.

So she maintained a stern expression atop her horse.

Little did she know that the citizens found this even more fitting.

In their imaginations, a mighty female general ought to look exactly like this.

Among the countless cheers, the loudest were those calling her name.

Young women even wiped away tears as they cried,

“It’s such a pity General Fan is a woman!”

“Otherwise I’d definitely marry General Fan!”

Another lamented,

“I wonder whether General Fan has any brothers.”

“If I can’t marry General Fan herself, becoming her sister-in-law would be fine too!”

…

The streets were deafening.

Even the soldiers maintaining order could barely restrain the excited crowds.

Yet amid this vast sea of people, Fan Changyu still sensed a particular gaze directed at her from a nearby restaurant.

She lifted her head.

Most of the private rooms on the second floor had their windows wide open.

At one half-open window, she found the familiar figure.

He was quietly watching her.

Several pots of crimson chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly upon the windowsill.

Yet even they could not overshadow his clear and striking beauty.

Afraid of attracting attention, Fan Changyu only allowed herself the faintest smile as she rode past.

Inside the private room, Xie Zheng watched the female general disappear down the avenue amid the cheers of countless people.

For a moment, he was lost in thought.

A year ago, he had watched her pass beneath a tavern window in Lin’an Town.

Back then, she had carried a butcher’s cleaver and led a gang of local toughs through the streets like a queen among ruffians.

One year later, she rode a white horse in gleaming armor.

Amid thunderous cheers, she returned victorious with the army.

She shone like the sun itself.

Looking at the straight-backed figure seated proudly atop her horse, as upright as green bamboo, Xie Zheng’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.