FYM - 74

In the twelfth month of the first year of Taqing, the Yingchuan army broke through Yumen Pass. The rebel forces crumbled at the sight of their advance, retreating step by step. The Northern Protectorate was now within reach. Overjoyed, the emperor issued an edict to reward the entire army. The common people finally saw hope for the end of the war. The Central Plains were filled with celebration, and everyone believed that long-awaited peace would arrive with the coming Lunar New Year.

In the first month of the second year of Taqing, the Western Turkic cavalry crossed the Tian Mountains and descended southward. Khan Tuona openly declared war on the Great Zhou. The rebel forces cleared the way for them, escorting their advance. By mid-month, they clashed with the Yingchuan army at Dianhe City. Within half a month, they had forced the imperial army back to Mingshui.

In the third month of the second year of Taqing, the Eastern Turks also marched southward. The two great khanates, which had been divided for nearly twenty years, temporarily ceased hostilities and reconciled, plunging the entire northern region into chaos and unrest. The court and the populace were stunned. Everyone knew that Prince Wei and the Zhong family, in their desperation to survive, had resorted to treason and collusion with the enemy. Public condemnation was widespread, but nothing could change the reality of nationwide turmoil and calamity from all directions.

This seemed to be the beginning of everything.

Or perhaps… it was already the end.

When the news reached Jiangnan, late spring had passed, and the flowers had withered. It had been more than a year since she last saw him off as he departed northward.

He had written to her. Hearing reports about the troubles she faced in the Song family, he expressed concern and urged her to act according to her heart. If life in Jinling became unbearable, she should return to her grandmother sooner rather than later. He assured her that he would write to her father and ensure that she wouldn’t suffer any further indignities. She did not reject his kindness, nor did she wish to tangle with the large Song family anymore. In the fifth month of the first year of Taqing, she returned to Qiantang. When she wrote to inquire about his situation and when he might return, his reply was distant and vague. Though he provided her with all the protection and care she needed, he remained deeply entrenched on the battlefield, with no clear date for his return.

She naturally worried, especially after hearing of the Turks’ involvement in the war. Her fear left her disoriented and soulless. Though she had never personally witnessed the horrors of the battlefield—corpses strewn everywhere and rivers of blood—she could easily imagine the hardships and dangers he faced at this very moment.

They had been so close to victory…

How could this happen…

The news that arrived in June was even worse.

The Turkic cavalry, fierce and bloodthirsty, had fought relentlessly with the imperial army for months. The northern front had almost completely collapsed, leaving only the southern Yingchuan army struggling to hold on. The Eastern Turks’ entry into the war forced Hedong, Fanyang, and Pinglu garrisons to mobilize troops for desperate battles. The court’s financial strain increased daily, showing signs of exhaustion and inability to sustain the effort.

When the tax burden reached Jiangnan, even wealthy merchant families like the Qiao clan found it difficult to cope. Song Shuyan’s uncle and aunt, who now managed the family business, were well aware of these details. They frequently complained to the old matriarch and their niece, hinting that since they had connections with Lord Fang of the Yingchuan Fang family, they should ask him to intervene and request the Qiantang governor to reduce some of the heavy taxes on the Qiao family, allowing the entire household to live more comfortably.

“In times of national crisis, what kind of talk is this—”

Grandmother Qiao was extremely angry but firmly refused.

“Our soldiers are risking their lives to protect our homeland, and now they can barely eat. How much harm can ordinary people suffer by paying more silver?... Besides, Yingying hasn’t even married into the Fang family yet, and you’re already thinking of using her husband’s influence for personal gain? This shows no regard for her well-being! And—cough cough—it’s also a disgrace to our Qiao family!”

Her scolding silenced her son and daughter-in-law, though they couldn’t help but grumble behind her back, saying that this niece truly lived up to the “external” in her title. Even if she married into a high-ranking family, she wouldn’t help her maternal relatives, and they wondered how she could have the face to freeload in Qiantang.

Song Shuyan knew of these grievances from her elders but never mentioned them to her grandmother. First, she understood that speaking up wouldn’t stop their complaints and would only add to her own distress. Second, over the past year, her grandmother’s health had deteriorated, gradually showing signs of nearing the end of her days.

“Why are you frowning…”

Her grandmother always consoled her this way, even when weakly leaning against her bed.

“Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural. I’ve already spent more time with you than your grandfather did. I’m content…”

Whenever the elder said these words, Song Shuyan’s heart tightened painfully. As she served her grandmother medicine, her hands trembled slightly, unable to bear the thought of how she would face the day of separation.

“You don’t need to take your uncle and aunt’s words to heart… They are short-sighted, and their words lack propriety… In the future, when you enter the Fang family of Yingchuan, you must learn to navigate and make choices. Being the mistress of a prominent family isn’t easy. You must always be cautious and consult with your husband and mother-in-law on everything…”

It felt like she was giving her final instructions. Despite her weakness, making speech difficult, she meticulously detailed every point. Afterward, she gently stroked Song Shuyan’s face, tears glimmering in her eyes.

“Our Yingying has had a hard life, but fortunately, she has found a good family… That Lord surely has divine protection, and he will return safely from this campaign. Don’t worry too much…”

“I still want to see him with my own eyes… To see what kind of fine young man has captured my darling’s heart…”

Her teasing expression carried a smile, but by the end of her words, her breathing had grown heavy. Knowing her grandmother was tired, Song Shuyan hurriedly coaxed her to rest. After she fell asleep, Song Shuyan lingered by the bedside, unwilling to leave. Perhaps she sensed the impending farewell, making every moment spent by her side increasingly precious.

In July, her second brother visited Qiantang again. The first reason was to see her, and the second was to inform her that he was going north to join the military.

“To join the military…?”

Song Shuyan was shocked and didn’t snap out of it for a long time. After deep contemplation, she asked, “Does Father know about this? Does he agree?”

Now that the north was in chaos, with conflicts everywhere, the Song family, a scholarly family of officials, had no soldiers. At most, her second brother could become a squad leader through recommendation. On the battlefield, where swords and spears showed no mercy, there was no guarantee…

Her second brother naturally understood her concerns. Together, they walked along the tranquil bridge by Shihhan Lake, where everything seemed unchanged yet entirely different from the previous year.

“Father naturally disapproves, but since I’ve made up my mind, I won’t change it easily,” he said with a faint smile, his tone somewhat detached. “I’ll depart the day after tomorrow, heading north to Yuanzhou.”

The day after tomorrow…

This familiar sense of urgency reminded Song Shuyan of Fang Xianting, who hadn’t returned for over a year. What would happen to her brother? A sudden wave of anxiety overwhelmed her, and she urgently grabbed her brother’s sleeve to dissuade him. But before she could speak, he looked at her first, his usually bright and carefree eyes now tinged with desolation.

“You know, I’ve always aimed for fame and success. After Lishan, failing the military examination left me wandering aimlessly…”

His tone was self-deprecating.

“A man’s duty in life is to achieve accomplishments, not just for fame and profit but to protect and cherish those around him.”

“You, Shuqing, and my birth mother… I’ve always hoped to protect you. Unfortunately, being born of a concubine, and after Lishan, I lost even more standing in the family… That day, when you were bullied by the mistress in Binwei Hall and Father lost his temper and wanted to hit you, I wanted to speak up for you but couldn’t…”

His brows furrowed tightly, filled with guilt and sorrow.

“Shuyan… I can’t continue like this.”

“I can’t keep kneeling in this family forever. I must fight for myself and for you. Loyalty to the country is a duty. Even if I die on the battlefield and gain nothing, I won’t regret the choice I made today.”

He stopped walking. The gentle warm breeze of Qiantang’s summer and autumn created ripples on the lake’s surface. He turned and embraced her tightly, bidding her farewell like Fang Xianting had done.

“Believe in your brother…”

He spoke into her ear, without a trace of hesitation or weakness.

“When I return… I’ll be able to protect you.”

He was a man of his word. After saying goodbye to her that day, he indeed set off northward two days later. Before leaving, he said he would directly join the third brother in the Yingchuan army, which gave her a bit of reassurance. With that person around, her brother would at least have a little more safety.

Even so, she couldn’t help but worry constantly. Though she was in Jiangnan, temporarily unaffected by the war, everything around her was still closely tied to that conflict. While busy caring for her increasingly frail grandmother, she also tried to gather news from the north. In a short time, she grew thin and weary.

Strangely, during this period, the usually lively and cheerful Zhui’er also became listless, like a wilted eggplant. The other maids found it unusual and thought she was sick, urging her to see a doctor. Song Shuyan gradually noticed her abnormal behavior and, when no one was around, carefully inquired about the reason. After hesitating for a while, Zhui’er finally stammered, “It’s nothing… I just wonder how the second young master is faring in the north…”

This…

Song Shuyan raised an eyebrow. Since falling in love with Fang Xianting, she had become more perceptive. Observing Zhui’er’s demeanor closely, she finally detected traces of affection. Surprised, she asked tentatively, “You… towards my second brother…”

Zhui’er panicked. Her pretty little face flushed red, then turned pale. She shook her head vigorously, sweat forming on her forehead, and stammered, “I don’t… I, I dare not think…”

—How could she dare to think?

He was the son of the Song family’s master. No matter how unfavored or illegitimate he was, he was still a proper young master of an official family. She was just a servant. How could she…

Song Shuyan didn’t find anything inappropriate. After a moment of surprise, she carefully recalled the past and realized that Zhui’er had always loved bantering and joking with her second brother, and he had always treated her warmly. She wondered if there might be romantic feelings involved…

She smiled softly, feeling a rare lightness in her heart. She gently pulled Zhui’er to sit beside her, her expression warm as she said, “What’s there to dare or not dare? In the past, I always hesitated to get closer to my third brother, and you scolded me for being too reserved. Now why do you want to repeat my mistakes?”

Zhui’er was speechless, still flustered and shy. After a moment, her young mistress said, “But now that my second brother has left Jiangnan, it will be difficult to see him again until the war ends… When he returns, I’ll probe his thoughts for you. I hope you can fulfill your wishes just as I have.”

These words were so tender and thoughtful. Zhui’er was moved and grateful, but she also deeply felt unworthy of such profound affection—she dared not dream of becoming a wife or concubine. If she could become a chambermaid, then…

Zhui’er’s face reddened like she was drunk. After a long silence, she finally… nodded hesitantly beside her young mistress.