Madam Ye looked up at her son.To oppose something is difficult—but to support it, even more so.As her only child, Ye Changgeng could have been exempted from military service.What is the battlefield like? Blades and arrows show no mercy.Beyond skill, one needs sheer luck.For every general crowned with glory, countless corpses are left to decay in silence.Few names are etched into the annals of history; most become but bones beneath the dust.When a son journeys a thousand miles, a mother's worry knows no rest—but worry is of little use.
"I heard the willow leaves on the Imperial Avenue today were made of iron," Madam Ye said softly."Yes," Ye Changgeng nodded, "some scoundrel tried to harm me. Fortunately, Jiaojiao saw through their scheme.""And then?" asked Madam Ye."I switched to bow and arrows and struck the iron leaf right through!" he replied with pride, puzzled why his mother still inquired when she clearly already knew.
Madam Ye shook her head slightly, her tone deepening with solemnity."And then?" she asked again, elongating the words deliberately, as though waiting for her son to understand something yet unspoken.At last, Ye Changgeng understood."Mother," he said seriously, "from this day forth, there will be many more who seek to harm me. When out in the world, I must tread carefully—neither too trusting, nor too hasty; neither greedy, nor naive. I will abide by our family precepts."Only then did Madam Ye nod. She reached out to receive a brocade box from a maid, slowly opened it, and took out two old heart-protecting mirrors.
Though polished to a shine, the mirrors bore scratches that spoke of their long history and silent trials."These were your grandfather's," Madam Ye said, handing them to Ye Changgeng. "The heart anchors the soul. Guard your spirit, and all else shall follow. Glory is important, but so is staying alive."
Ye Changgeng nodded obediently.Madam Ye rose and walked with him out of the courtyard.The noise from the street drifted over the walls—onlookers had yet to disperse, but the fervor had stilled her heart.
"My child," Madam Ye said gently, "though our noble house is now in decline, we do not gamble our future on your life.I am but a woman of limited vision. I have no lofty words about dying for one's country. I only wish for your safe return.Now that you're an officer, no matter how many serve under you, remember—they, too, are sons raised by loving parents. Protect them. Let them live."
Ye Changgeng choked up, then nodded with a low voice:"Rest assured, Mother."
Ye Rou was still recovering.Ye Changgeng told her of Qian Yougong's death and what he had done."Brother," Ye Rou whispered, "you remember he had a congenital heart defect, don't you?"
After marrying into the Qian family, Ye Rou discovered that Qian Yougong often sat up late at night, pressing his chest, unable to sleep.The family avoided the topic, but Ye Rou secretly learned he had a birth defect—a condition that caused oppressive pain in the chest.Such a person should never be frightened.
That night, when Qian Yougong was burying the corpse, he had been pale, panting, nearly collapsing.Ye Rou had mentioned it upon returning home—surely Ye Changgeng had heard and remembered.His face darkened slightly at the reminder."I don't recall. You never said anything," he answered, shaking his head. "If I frightened him to death, it was unintentional. His Majesty has granted pardon—worry no more."
Ye Rou nodded meekly, her tears falling again."Brother, I've been so useless…"Ye Changgeng lifted a hand and patted her shoulder.
"What nonsense is that? Who lives a life without setbacks?If your marriage failed, just come home. We'll support you.Wait until I return as a general—who would dare bully you then?All the men in the capital will line up, begging to marry you!"
Ye Rou was coaxed into a smile through her tears.Just then, Ye Jiao burst in, shouting,"Quick, let me see what the Emperor rewarded you with!"
Ye Changgeng spread his hands, indicating nothing had been given.Ye Jiao looped her arms around his neck from behind, locking him in a playful hold."Really? Nothing at all?"
"Fine, fine—seventh-rank official," Ye Changgeng surrendered, "all the salary is yours, as thanks for today.""Now that's better," Ye Jiao beamed."But that salary's not even enough to buy me a pure gold hairpiece, is it?"
Ye Changgeng flushed red."Once I leave, you handle the books and the business—satisfied?""Deal!" Ye Jiao jumped up. "Sister, you heard that! Go get the account books!"
The two siblings laughed and squabbled their way out.Ye Rou raised her hand, signaling the maid to help her up.She felt strength slowly returning to her limbs.The body, once withered after miscarriage, was gradually reviving.
Daylight came late.Clouds scattered slowly across the sky.Sunlight lit the glazed tiles, shimmering like gold.
A wild bee flew into the room, only to be chased out by the servants.The house had been scrubbed several times—windowsills, screens, and floors wiped down with cloths soaked in soap pod and scented water.There was no heavy incense, only a light, clean fragrance.
The steward had double-checked, and Li Ce had said he didn't need breakfast delivered today.Yet he kept getting up to check the courtyard, then hurriedly lay down again.Once, startled by the sound of the door, he kicked over a servant's water basin in his haste.
But it was only a maid, arriving to comb his hair.
Time passed excruciatingly slowly—so slow that Li Ce had reviewed yesterday's events again and again.There could be no mistake—Ye Jiao had agreed to his request and was to bring him breakfast today.
His life had once stood still.Still as he watched the stunted trees by the imperial tomb, the unmoving stone beasts, the unchanging ridges.So still he believed time itself had stopped—until Ye Jiao appeared.
He didn't know how long he waited.Then came the sound of bright, cheerful laughter.His attendants received her as if welcoming a goddess.Li Ce feigned composure, saying gently,"You've come."
"I have!" Ye Jiao set the food box down on the table, then quickly walked to the screen.She leaned in and asked,"Feeling better today? If you still can't sit up, shall I have the maid feed you?"
Have a maid feed him?Li Ce hesitated.
Ye Jiao added,"The line was so long—I barely managed to get two portions.If you're feeling well, we can eat together."
Her eyes, like blooming peach blossoms, sparkled with lively expression.Without hesitation, Li Ce sat up.
"I'm well now. Let's eat together."His tone was brisk and clear.
Last time, at the princess's manor, they had been seated far apart.This time, they could finally sit face to face.Li Ce frowned at the oversized table, silently thinking it ought to be smashed and replaced with a small one—one where they could sit close enough to bump foreheads.
While his thoughts ran wild, Ye Jiao had already opened the box.She laid out a box of spring rolls, three sesame balls, a plate of steamed vegetables, and a bowl of fried dumplings.From the second layer, she retrieved two bowls of tofu pudding.
It was Qian County-style tofu pudding, unsweetened, silky and tender, spicy and savory.
"This bowl with less sesame paste is for His Highness," said Ye Jiao, placing it before him.
Li Ce looked down.The tofu glistened in the broth, fragrant with a hint of vinegar, instantly whetting the appetite.
"Why did you give me the one with less paste?" he asked.
"You're still ill," she replied."I asked the imperial physician yesterday. Your meals should be kept light."
He picked up a spoon, gently scooping a mouthful.So… she'd even consulted the physician for him.
The tofu pudding from Qian County was indeed delicious.
Before he finished his bowl, a servant rushed in—someone was requesting an audience.
"Who is it?" asked Li Ce, "Tell them I'm not seeing anyone."He'd been ill here so long, not a single soul had come.Whoever came now was surely not here for him.
He had no desire to be embroiled in court politics.
But the servant looked uneasy."It's Commander Yan Jide of the Sixteenth Imperial Guard. He bears the visiting card of the Second Prince."
"Yan Jide?" Ye Jiao put down her chopsticks."Wasn't he the one who set up those iron willow leaves on the Imperial Avenue yesterday? Just the man I wanted to confront!"
She rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight.
"Jiaojiao," Li Ce said helplessly, "he's a government official—you can't hit him."
"I can," she said, stuffing a sesame ball into her mouth…