"Xie Jue does not enjoy occasions , and Junior General Fang has a carefree nature that makes him detest such socializing as well." Feng Shu chuckled lightly. "Xie Zhang is the eldest son of the Marquis Mansion. He cannot avoid such gatherings; even if he wants to escape, the Marquis would wrangle him back."
Marquis Zhenbei led Xie Zhang, along with his army, to kneel and bow. Emperor Jianming hurried forward before Marquis Zhenbei could kneel, helping him up. What followed was the customary exchange of pleasantries between monarch and subject, amid a bustling and lively atmosphere. The Emperor’s personal greeting was the highest honor for a victorious general. Marquis Zhenbei had not expected Emperor Jianming to personally come out of the city to welcome them and displayed a humble demeanor. He resolutely attributed their victory to divine blessings and the valor of his soldiers, declaring that the Beiman forces were utterly routed and the heavens favored Yanyang.
Such finely crafted official rhetoric left the court officials dumbfounded, as if the Marquis had spent years studying under a scholar rather than defending the borderlands.
After all, Marquis Zhenbei had gained a reputation for reckless abandon in his youth.
Xie Xun felt his teeth ache upon hearing this—these formal words were undoubtedly drafted by his elder brother, and unfortunately, their father could read through them all.
Even Emperor Jianming felt a twinge of unease, as Marquis Zhenbei seemed to relax and exhale deeply after reciting the prepared speech, as though he had finally completed an arduous task. Once again, he knelt, offering the Tiger Talisman of the Three Armies while proclaiming, "The Beiman has sued for peace, the borders are stable, and the people live in prosperity. I have fought on the battlefield for many years, plagued by illness, and fear I can no longer serve the nation. I beseech Your Majesty to reclaim the Tiger Talisman and permit me to retire to my homeland."
The civil and military officials: "..."
Neither Emperor Jianming nor the Crown Prince could avert their eyes from the Tiger Talisman in Marquis Zhenbei’s hands. This symbol of authority over the armies and borders had resided in the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion for decades.
As long as the Beiman refused to surrender, the Tiger Talisman would not be returned.
Now that the Beiman had sought peace and the talisman was being handed back by Marquis Zhenbei, both Emperor Jianming and the officials breathed sighs of relief. Throughout history, generals whose accomplishments overshadowed their rulers often met tragic ends. This cavalry unit was unique, remaining loyal under the leadership of the Zhenbei Marquis Family for decades.
Even if Marquis Zhenbei returned the Tiger Talisman, it did not mean he could no longer command the army. Originally, when the victorious army returned to the capital, Emperor Jianming planned to send only the Crown Prince to greet them outside the city. However, certain noble families petitioned him to go personally, adding deeper, layered implications to his gesture.
The Emperor’s personal reception was a subtle demand for a public pledge. By surrendering the Tiger Talisman before the soldiers and officials at the city gate, Marquis Zhenbei demonstrated he harbored no ambitions of becoming a tyrannical power.
Xie Xun could see that his father would not easily relinquish military authority in such a short time. After the peace negotiations with the Beiman, even more critical tasks awaited them. This grand ceremony was likely orchestrated by his father and elder brother as a calculated performance. If Emperor Jianming were wise, he would refuse to accept the Tiger Talisman.
Elder Lin exhaled deeply, relieved that Marquis Zhenbei was willing to relinquish power. Tensions between the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion and the royal family, which had been strained to near breaking point, now saw reconciliation. Both sides could rejoice over this.
With a quiet smile, Emperor Jianming paused briefly, then leaned down to help Marquis Zhenbei to his feet. "The Beiman envoy has yet to arrive in the capital, and the peace talks have not progressed. The borders still require Marquis Zhenbei’s defense. I trust that you will not fail to live up to the imperial grace bestowed upon you. Please rise swiftly."
No ambitions of tyranny and no underlying threats; harmony reigned between monarch and vassal. Marquis Zhenbei hesitated to speak further, realizing it was inappropriate to linger at the city gate. The Crown Prince stepped forward, saying, "The palace has already prepared a banquet. Father and I, together with the officials, will host a ceremonial reception for the soldiers. Marquis, please!"
Marquis Zhenbei exchanged courtesies with the Crown Prince, who returned the gesture. The Crown Prince’s eyes briefly lingered on Xie Zhang, tall and handsome. He smiled faintly, and Xie Zhang nodded in acknowledgment, completing their formalities.
Emperor Jianming’s carriage led the way, and Marquis Zhenbei mounted his horse to lead the army into the city. Donning his official Commandant robe, Xie Xun rode forward. "Father, Brother..."
Marquis Zhenbei sneered at his son’s uniform, asking, "How did you end up with the Kyoto Capital Guard?"
"What did the Kyoto Capital Guard ever do to offend you? Why don’t we each send out a thousand men for a drill, and whoever loses calls the other father."
"Just you?" Marquis Zhenbei looked aside and barked, "Shouyu, spar with him and crush his arrogance. Two years in Kyoto have rendered him insubordinate."
"Yes, Father!" Xie Zhang replied with a faint smile.
Marquis Zhenbei whipped his horse forward, with his soldiers closely following.
Xie Xun greeted several familiar generals along the way, then turned to ask Xie Zhang, "Where are Second Brother and Brother Fang?"
"Off making trouble," Xie Zhang cleared his throat, briefly stepping aside and signaling with his eyes. Xie Xun frowned and scoffed, "Act proper, Elder Brother."
Taking Xie Zhang’s place behind their father, Xie Xun noticed that Marquis Zhenbei had glanced back and frowned. "Where’s your elder brother?" he asked.
"Sister-in-law is on the city wall; he’s forgotten his father upon seeing her. It seems the youngest son remains the most dutiful. You should cherish me." Xie Xun responded with feigned nonchalance.
The army entered the city, greeted by rows of cheering citizens lining the path. The Kyoto Capital Guard maintained order as Marquis Zhenbei and Xie Xun rode past the jubilant crowds, their expressions devoid of joy. This felt overly extravagant, like fuel poured onto a roaring fire—something neither could halt.
As the army proceeded further into the city, the excitement at the gates dwindled into quiet. Feng Shu descended the stairs with a flower in one hand and her skirts gathered in the other. Light as a swallow, she moved with the grace of a bird returning to its forest. Xie Zhang dismounted, smiling, and opened his arms wide to catch Feng Shu as she leapt into him.
The gate-keeping soldiers stared fixedly ahead, pretending not to see while secretly feeling envious. The eldest young master and Miss Feng cared nothing for societal opinions. Which other unmarried couple would display such intimacy in disregard of convention?
A young hero and a blooming beauty.
Truly a pair of heavenly lovers.
The warmth and passion in Feng Shu’s gaze rivaled fire itself. Were it not for the nearby soldiers, Xie Zhang would have kissed his beloved right then and there. Holding back his overwhelming longing, he conveyed countless unspoken words through a glance thick with yearning, like the restless surges of spring tides.
The rose in her hand brushed against his nose, her lips twitching but no words escaping. Laughing aloud, Xie Zhang took the flower and tucked it into her hair, now adorned like a dazzling tapestry of colors.
"Wait for me at the mansion," Xie Zhang said hurriedly, wanting to see her but still bound for the palace banquet.
"Alright," Feng Shu replied gently. She knew that Xie Zhang also worried about General Wude and his wife. Xie Zhang explained, "Father plans to request the Emperor to grant my father-in-law the rank of Second-Ranked National General. However, battlefield merit alone might invite criticism, so he intends to send him at the head of three thousand elite troops to suppress bandits across twelve prefectures."
"Will it be dangerous?"
"Rest assured, Ting Feng and Chu Ning are accompanying him. There won’t be any trouble." Ting Feng was Xie Jue’s courtesy name, and General Wude would lead the suppression effort. With these two in the mix, trouble seemed far away.
Marquis Zhenbei strived to guarantee the success of the mission. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning were backing the operation, but Xie Zhang doubted the bandit scourge warranted their involvement.
Feng Shu’s heart settled; if even Xie Jue and Fang Chuning were deployed, the bandits might as well contend for imperial power.
"Hurry to the palace; if you linger any longer, you’ll be late." She suppressed her longing and added, "You’ve only recently recovered—don’t drink too much."
"Don’t worry, Zhixu will shield me from the wine." Xie Zhang reached out to ruffle her hair, then mounted his horse. Before departing, he whispered tenderly, "Wait for me."
As Feng Shu watched him gallop away, she thought of the countless times she had looked upon his retreating figure. She also knew that this time, they would not be separated again. If Xie Zhang was one day stationed in Ningzhou, she would follow him—always.