Chapter Forty-Eight

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Osmanthus Garden.

After Gu Yuren, Qi Qiongqiong, Duan Zhaoyue, Guan Yi, and Qi Yaoyao all enlisted in the Ma Military Division, only Gu Yusheng, Lü Qianqian, Xie An, and the servants remained in Osmanthus Garden. The children were Gu Dabao, Gu Erbao, Gu Yuyu, Xie Fang, and Gu Nuonuo. “Where there are children, spring is always present!” Every day, Gu Dabao and Gu Erbao practiced swordsmanship beneath the osmanthus trees, sometimes accompanied by Gu Yuyu’s flute melodies. Thus, the garden was filled daily with laughter, cheers, and playful sounds.

Xie An was now the General of the Imperial Guard directly serving the current Emperor. He had to enter the palace every day and often stayed there for long hours, leaving only scant time in Osmanthus Garden. Little Xie Fang rarely saw his father these days. Before his mother enlisted in the Ma Military Division, she had asked his father to promise to spend two hours daily at home with Xie Fang, and his father had agreed in front of him! But now, his father was rarely home, and many days passed without a glimpse of him, which made Xie Fang very sad.

Gu Yusheng was now Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War. Minister Yang Wenhua, his old colleague and close friend, looked out for him in every matter. As a result, Gu Yusheng returned punctually to Osmanthus Garden after his daily duties. Besides instructing Dabao and Erbao in the Lou family sword technique, he also taught Xie Fang and Gu Nuonuo to read and write during his spare time.

Xie Fang was touched by his father’s daily presence, yet he still felt his father was untrustworthy.

One day, Xie Fang said to Gu Yuyu, “Nuonuo, you and Brother Yuyu have a father who adores children. It’s so enviable!” His eyes betrayed a deep loneliness.

Gu Nuonuo, a kind-hearted little girl, looked at Xie Fang and placed her small hand gently on his shoulder, comforting him, “Xie Fang, don’t be like that! Your father is the Emperor’s personal bodyguard—he carries a tremendous responsibility! Do you know who the Emperor is? He is the great savior of all our people in Southern Han! Your father is away so much because he’s protecting our great savior in the palace. So, you mustn’t blame your father for being unfaithful, alright?”

Hearing this, Xie Fang nodded and asked, “Nuonuo, who taught you these words?”

Gu Nuonuo smiled brightly, “My second mother taught me.”

She called Lü Qianqian “Second Mother.”

Since Qi Yaoyao had arranged for Gu Yusheng to formally marry Lü Qianqian, Lü Qianqian devoted herself wholeheartedly to the role of “Second Mother.” Every day, alongside Qi Yaoyao, she cared not only for her husband Gu Yusheng but also for Gu Yuyu and Gu Nuonuo. In Osmanthus Garden, Lü Qianqian was busy with Qi Qiongqiong, Duan Zhaoyue, Guan Yi, and Qi Yaoyao—sometimes managing household chores, sewing, or engaging in music, painting, calligraphy, and chess. Life was very joyful!

There was only one regret: Lü Qianqian did not know martial arts. Whenever Qi Qiongqiong and others donned light armor and danced gracefully with their swords beneath the osmanthus trees, Lü Qianqian gazed at them with envy. Yet, being herself, she often leveraged her superior skills in guqin, Go, calligraphy, and traditional painting. While the others danced with swords, she would bring her guqin to the courtyard and play, her melodious tunes complementing the dancers’ movements. The garden resounded with enthusiastic applause, though no one clarified whether the applause was for the sword dancers or the guqin player.

Lü Qianqian truly wished these days would last forever.

But Gu Yuren, Qi Qiongqiong, Duan Zhaoyue, Guan Yi, and Qi Yaoyao had all gone to serve in the Ma Military Division.

Suddenly, Lü Qianqian became the mistress of Osmanthus Garden, managing the daily lives of more than a dozen family members. She was constantly busy with their meals and needs. She had no time to read books; guqin and other arts were left to her son Gu Yuyu. When Qi Yaoyao was home, Lü Qianqian always let her share a room with Gu Yusheng, while she slept separately. Now that Qi Yaoyao was gone, she could share a room with Gu Yusheng. However, she rose before her husband left for court, worked tirelessly all day, and often did not return to her room until after midnight, falling asleep as soon as she touched her bed. Although she slept beside Gu Yusheng every night, their intimacy was rare because she was so exhausted. Gu Yusheng felt only heartache seeing her so worn.

Recently, Aunt Zhou came to help at Osmanthus Garden, easing Lü Qianqian’s burdens and brightening her spirits.

Lü Qianqian longed to bear another child for Gu Yusheng, but her womb remained silent. She had heard that the Guanyin Bodhisattva at Putuo Temple in the southern suburbs was very efficacious, so she went there this morning.

As the sun set in the west, Lü Qianqian had not yet returned from Putuo Temple.

Gu Yusheng sat at the desk, watching Xie Fang and Gu Nuonuo write while lightly tapping the table with his fingers.

Gu Yuyu stood at the gate, constantly scanning the street—this was the task his father had entrusted to him.

“Yuyu, has your mother returned?” Gu Yusheng asked.

“No. There’s no one on the street; it’s still empty and desolate...” Gu Yuyu replied, turning to his father.

“Father, Putuo Temple is far in the suburbs. Maybe Second Mother is staying overnight there!” Gu Nuonuo’s voice chimed in.

Gu Yusheng’s expression darkened. “Focus on your writing, no idle talk!”

Seeing her father’s face, Gu Nuonuo quickly lowered her head and resumed writing.

At the gate, Gu Yuyu shouted, “Father, Mother’s back!” and ran toward the street.

Gu Yusheng fixed his gaze on the gate. Soon, Lü Qianqian’s figure appeared.

He hurried over anxiously, “What happened? You’re just coming back now...”

Lü Qianqian took off her hat and handed it to Gu Yuyu, then smiled at Gu Yusheng, “I planned to return at noon, but I heard Jichan Temple was even more effective than Putuo Temple, so I went there and came back a little late.”

Gu Yusheng scolded, “A little late? If you’d been later, the city gates would have closed, and you’d have had to stay in the suburbs!”

Lü Qianqian scratched her head, teasing, “If that had happened, that would have been wonderful! I haven’t stayed overnight in the suburbs for a long time; tonight I could have enjoyed the night scenery to my heart’s content!”

“The night views in the suburbs are much like those back in the old town of Tucheng—you’ve enjoyed them for over six years!”

Lü Qianqian looked at Gu Yusheng in confusion. What was wrong with him today? How could he be upset just because she came home late?

After dinner and putting Gu Nuonuo to sleep, Lü Qianqian returned to the bedroom. She saw Gu Yusheng lying lazily on the bed, still seemingly upset.

She sat beside him, nudging him gently, “Still angry? Smile for me!”

“I’m not angry,” Gu Yusheng replied calmly.

“I shouldn’t have gone to Jichan Temple today, but my desire for a child is strong. Little Yuyu already bears the surname Lü; I want to give the Gu family another son with the Gu name.”

Jichan Temple was sixty li from Putuo Temple. Recently, the roads were often infested with bandits, so Gu Yusheng worried about Lü Qianqian’s safety.

“I understand your eagerness, but you can’t change your route halfway. What if something happened on the way?” Gu Yusheng’s eyes were full of concern.

Lü Qianqian smiled joyfully, “So you were worried about my safety! Alright, dear husband, I admit my mistake. I won’t change plans halfway from now on. Wherever I say I’m going, I’ll go straight there and come straight back.”

“Who believes that?”

“Guanyin Bodhisattva at Putuo Temple does! She said if we’re together tonight, we’ll conceive…”

“You were gone all day! I had to teach Dabao and Erbao swordsmanship and also teach Xie Fang and Nuonuo to read. I’m exhausted!”

Lü Qianqian pinned Gu Yusheng down playfully, “Tired or not, you have to work!”

Jingnan.

Since Gu Yuru married Zhang Dong, their relationship had been harmonious, like a pair of phoenixes singing in unison. She bore children one after another—her eldest son was six, second son five, third son three, and her youngest daughter A Jie had just celebrated her first birthday. Zhang Dong had been appointed Anfu Commissioner of Jinghu Circuit years ago and was busy with official duties. The large Anfu Commission was managed by Gu Yuru, who was accustomed to hard work and kept the household in perfect order.

One hot midday, Gu Yuru was bathing little A Jie under a tree when a servant rushed in, panicked, shouting, “Madam, something’s wrong!”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Yuru asked.

“The master has fainted at the porridge field!”

“Prepare the horses! I’m going to the porridge field!” Gu Yuru commanded.

“Right away!” The servant dashed to the stables.

Why had Zhang Dong fainted at the porridge field?

Several years earlier, the True Emperor of North Zhen Kingdom passed away. Chancellor Xiang Renwan and other ministers installed the Emperor’s seventh son, Silu, an eleven-year-old, as the new Emperor Yingzong. Because he was too young to rule, Chancellor Xiang and the ministers controlled state affairs and wielded power ruthlessly, suppressing rivals. The late Emperor had seven sons; the eldest died young, the second prince, Tongxi, was a shrewd military man guarding the frontier when the Emperor died. He resented Xiang Renwan and feared losing his military command. He allied with other princes and led troops to besiege the capital under the pretext of “loyalty to the Emperor.” Yet Xiang Renwan’s generals held the gates firmly. The war had dragged on for more than two years without resolution.

War was brutal, destroying infrastructure and devastating civilians’ lives.

Refugees fled southward from the north, gathering on the North Zhen and Southern Han border, starving and freezing. Many died of hunger. They sought to cross the border to survive in Southern Han.

Zhang Dong, Anfu Commissioner of Jinghu Circuit, reported this to the court.

Emperor Zhao Yuan of Southern Han, a benevolent ruler, said to his ministers, “Though North Zhen and Southern Han are separate states, our people share the same heritage. We are one family, bound by blood and sinew! Our kin are in distress; can we simply stand by?”

The Emperor decreed the border open to North Zhen refugees and ordered Zhang Dong to oversee their resettlement. The court allocated special funds for their aid.

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Upon receiving the imperial decree, Zhang Dong acted swiftly. He ordered border guards to open the gates, allowing refugees to enter Southern Han orderly. He and his subordinates purchased grain with the allocated funds, setting up porridge stations to feed refugees. They recruited laborers to build tents for shelter and organized patrols to maintain security.

By early summer, over a million refugees had been received. But the heat took a toll; many in tents fell ill. Zhang Dong hired a doctor, but deaths occurred, causing him great anxiety.

One day, Zhang Dong arrived early at the refugee camp, inquiring about the sick before going to the porridge station. Afraid of starvation among refugees, he sat under a tree by the station, fanning himself with a lotus-patterned fan, watching the now well-fed faces.

Suddenly, a chief captain rushed in, “Master Zhang, several refugees have fallen ill again…”

“Quick, summon the doctor!” Zhang Dong tried to stand but collapsed abruptly.

“Sir, what’s wrong? Wake up, please…”

When Gu Yuru arrived, he was unconscious.

He was suffering severe heatstroke. Despite doctors’ efforts, he passed away.

Zhang Dong had been a prodigy, passing the highest imperial exams in his twenties. His official career was marked by achievements in flood control, famine relief, and governance.

Yet, fate was cruel; he died young without uttering a final word to his family.

Gu Yuru lay beside her husband’s body, face pressed to his chest, tears dried in her eyes.

Six months later, emaciated and pale, Gu Yuru returned to Osmanthus Garden with her four children and household to seek refuge with her brother and sister-in-law.

She fell ill, lying motionless in bed, her three sons silently guarding her, eldest son cradling his sister.

Lü Qianqian sat beside the bed with medicine, urging, “Yuru sister, let it out. Your four children still need you.”

“Mother,” the youngest, A Jie, called softly.

Gu Yuru slowly opened dim eyes, looking at eldest son Dalang, a bright six-year-old resembling his father, kind-hearted and studious, destined to become a scholar. She glanced at second son Erlang, more active and martial like herself, then at third son, and finally at little A Jie, thinking, “She’s barely over one; if I’m gone, who will care for her?”

Her eyes brightened, then closed peacefully. Two clear tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks.

Dalang happily said, “Aunt Qianqian, look! Mother is crying!”

Lü Qianqian, tears in her eyes, comforted Gu Yuru, “Cry, let it all out…”

Meanwhile, Gu Yusheng, now a Hanlin scholar and imperial edict drafter, was on night duty at the palace.

In the Chunhe Hall, Chancellor Lü told the Emperor, “Your Majesty, I believe this is the best time for a northern campaign.”

The Emperor smiled, “Old minister, I agree.” He signaled the palace attendants, “Summon Minister Gu immediately.”

The Hanlin scholars’ quarters connected to the Emperor’s residence. Soon, Gu Yusheng knelt before the Emperor.

The Emperor said excitedly, “Minister Gu, I am about to dispatch troops north. Begin drafting the proclamation!”

Gu Yusheng was both surprised and pleased. Since receiving the “Sun Sun’s Legacy” from Chancellor Lü years ago, he had long hoped for a northern campaign. In his heart, he had drafted the proclamation thousands of times.

He sat at the small desk arranged by a young eunuch, picked up the brush, and wrote a proclamation of over four hundred characters. It declared that the world belonged to the Chinese people. The northern Zhen rulers were originally a tribe dependent on hunting and fishing, ruling the north through military might but ignorant of their subjects’ welfare. They had continuously invaded Southern Han, slaughtering civilians, plundering wealth, and abducting women and children. Internally, they ruled oppressively, exploiting the people to fund their luxury. They were heartless, indifferent to floods and droughts, letting people wander homeless, starving to death. Recently, corruption worsened; factions fought for power, plunging the land into chaos. To save the people and build a unified, strong Chinese dynasty, it was necessary to expel the northern Zhen regime.

Gu Yusheng handed the proclamation to Chancellor Lü, who nodded repeatedly and submitted it to the Emperor.

The Emperor read it, slammed his desk, and exclaimed, “Excellent proclamation!” He ordered copies to be made swiftly, sealed with the imperial jade seal, and announced nationwide.

Chancellor Lü bowed, “Your Majesty’s order is obeyed.”

The Emperor asked, “Who among the ministers will lead the northern campaign?”

Then he commanded the attendants to lead him to the Ciyuan Palace for the night.

Coastal Ancient Town, Li Residence.

In the early morning, all servants gathered in the old courtyard, both male and female. Fifth Lady Lou Mingxuan sat at the front table, handing out severance pay.

She gave two silver ingots to a middle-aged male servant, “Brother Laifu, thank you for your help all these years. Here is your pay. Use it for your journey home and start a small business.”

The servant accepted the silver, bowed, “Fifth Lady, I’ll wait at home. When you return from the war, I’ll come back immediately.”

Lou Mingxuan gratefully said, “Brother Laifu, after we leave, only a few elderly remain to watch the Li estate. Your home is nearby; come often during the off-season.”

The servant bowed again, “Rest assured, Fifth Lady, Laifu will.”

He then left the courtyard.

Lou Mingxuan called, “A Gui,” Li Muwen’s young attendant.

Reluctantly, A Gui approached.

Lou Mingxuan nodded at Jiang Hong beside her, who immediately handed A Gui a prepared packet of silver, “A Gui, this is from Young Master alone.”

A Gui stood still, mumbling, “I want to see Young Master.”

Lou Mingxuan picked up an ingot from the table, “Oh, this is what Young Master gave you separately. Here’s what I gave you.” She handed it over.

A Gui murmured, “Fifth Lady, I don’t want silver or to go home.”

Jiang Hong said, “A Gui, we’re all going to war; no one’s left at home. What use are you here?”

A Gui said, “I’m not staying here! I want to go to war with you.”

Jiang Hong scoffed, “You want to fight? Do you know how to wield a sword or spear?”

“I don’t, but I can take care of horses,” A Gui said anxiously and quickly. “I’ll manage the horses for you.”

Jiang Hong warned, “Even managing horses on the battlefield can be deadly!”

A Gui said, “I don’t care. I can’t leave Young Master.”

Lou Mingxuan looked at A Gui, “A Gui, Madam is right. The battlefield is merciless. You’re young, unmarried. Take the silver and go home to build a house, marry, and have children.”

A Gui knelt before Lou Mingxuan, “Fifth Lady, I’m an orphan. I’ve grown up with Young Master and lived well. I don’t understand war, but if you and Young Master are going, it must be important. I’m not afraid of death. If Young Master isn’t afraid, neither am I.”

Lou Mingxuan first nodded, then shook her head, “A Gui, you belong to the master. Only Young Master can decide your fate. Wait until he buys the horses home and then ask him.”

Before she finished, a woman’s voice interrupted, “What can’t he decide?”

Lou Mingxuan looked up to see Xiao Guimu and Zi Meigui. “Why are you two here? Have you seen the proclamation?”

Xiao Guimu saw Lou Mingxuan and Jiang Hong dressed in armor, “Oh, you’re in battle clothes! Going to war without telling us!”

Lou Mingxuan said, “We were just about to send someone to Mingyue Island to notify you.”

Xiao Guimu teased, “You’re such a chatterbox! Luckily, we left at once when we saw the proclamation. If we’d been late, we’d have missed you!”

Lou Mingxuan asked, “What are you doing here? This isn’t a battlefield.”

Xiao Guimu’s eyes gleamed greedily at the silver on the table. She approached, whispering, “Zi and I don’t have warhorses. Buy us each a good horse?”

Lou Mingxuan asked, “You can’t even afford two horses on Mingyue Island?”

Xiao Guimu said, “Though we’re bandits, we don’t rob. We have hundreds to feed daily, lives are hard. No money for horses.”

Suddenly, A Gui snatched the silver from Jiang Hong’s hand and took an ingot from the table, placing all in Xiao Guimu’s arms, “Madam, is this enough to buy two horses?”

Xiao Guimu looked at the silver, “Who are you?”

A Gui said, “I’m A Gui, Young Master’s attendant. This is the pay from Young Master and Fifth Lady. I’m giving it all to you to buy horses on one condition.”

“What condition?”

“Take me to war.”

Xiao Guimu hesitated.

A Gui pressed, “Madam, I heard from the little princess you are the martial champion, the Emperor’s appointed Southern General. You can decide.”

Xiao Guimu said, “That was before. Now I’m just…”

A male voice interrupted, “She’s still just the Li family’s bride-to-be!”

Seeing Li Muwen, A Gui rushed to him, “Young Master, you’re back! I’ve been waiting for you.”

Li Muwen asked, “A Gui, what do you want?”

A Gui said, “Please take me to war.”

Li Muwen laughed heartily, “Easy! But first, go wash the two horses we just bought—they’re filthy!”

“Aye, sir!” A Gui happily dashed out of the old courtyard.

Yangcheng.

When the northern campaign proclamation reached Yangcheng, Yin Yuanyuan began to worry, “Who will take over the Qi family salt shop?”

Qi Wei advised, “Madam, don’t think too much. Let’s just close the shop and leave.”

Yin Yuanyuan said, “That’s easy for you to say! What about the old employees when the shop closes? They’ve worked with us through thick and thin. Now they’re old—who will care for them?”

Qi Wei said, “There are only a dozen old employees. When we leave, we’ll give them extra silver for their retirement.”

Yin Yuanyuan agreed, “That’s my plan too. Also, if the salt shop closes, who will buy salt from Senior Brother Gu Datong’s salt fields?”

Qi Wei said, “Don’t worry! Brother Gu has awaited the northern campaign for years. He will definitely join us. As for his salt fields, they’ll close for good.”

Yin Yuanyuan said, “Have you thought about what will happen to the over a hundred salt workers there?”

Qi Wei said, “I haven’t thought about that. Right now, I just want to leave quickly. I heard the court has appointed Gu Yuren as Grand Marshal of the northern campaign, and our two daughters are vanguard officers. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll miss the start!”

Yin Yuanyuan said, “If we miss it, so be it.”

Qi Wei said, “No! I, Qi Wei, have been a merchant half my life. Now I’m a general, ready to make achievements!”

Yin Yuanyuan said, “Achievements are for living better! War has a beginning and an end. Afterward, life goes on!”

Qi Wei said, “What if we both die on the battlefield?”

Yin Yuanyuan said, “What if we really die, but our descendants live on? I recently received a letter from daughter-in-law Sima Jiannan. She said she plans to bring our grandchildren back to Yangcheng to live. So I…”

She was interrupted by a woman’s voice: “So, dear mother-in-law, you want to leave a legacy for your descendants, right?”

Yin Yuanyuan looked up to see Hui’er, Gu Datong, and the renowned female poet Mu Mingxuan. Gu Datong was dressed in full military attire.

Yin Yuanyuan welcomed them, “Yes. But mother-in-law, don’t you want our grandchildren to inherit something too?”

Hui’er held Yin Yuanyuan’s hands, “Mother-in-law, please rest assured. After you leave, Qi’s salt shop will continue selling salt. Uncle Gu’s salt fields will keep producing. Hui’er and mother will stay in Yangzhou to help manage everything.”

Yin Yuanyuan gratefully said, “With your help, I can go to war at ease.”

The next day, Gu Datong, Qi Wei, and Yin Yuanyuan, fully armed, left Qi’s salt shop. Those seeing them off included Mu Mingxuan, Hui’er, the salt shop workers, and Yang, the upright official overseeing Yangzhou Prefecture.

Official Yang bowed to the generals, “Go to war with peace of mind! The salt from Gu’s salt fields and Qi’s salt shop will be fully purchased by Yangzhou Prefecture at premium prices.”

Yin Yuanyuan saluted on horseback, “Official Yang, fair prices will suffice.”

Yang replied, “I will follow General Yin’s wishes.”

Qi Wei said, “One more thing—please help us.”

Yang said, “Speak, General Qi.”

Qi Wei said, “On the way back to Yangcheng from the salt fields, bandits often block the road. Please inform the Yangzhou Prefect.”

Yang said, “I’ve heard about this. I will report immediately and have troops handle it.”

Qi Wei saluted, “Thank you, Official Yang.”

After the horses’ hoofbeats faded, the Qi salt shop resumed its usual bustle.

Inside, Hui’er wiped tears while keeping accounts.

Mu Mingxuan approached, “Datong just left. Do you want to catch up with him?”

Hui’er said, “Mother, to let them fight without worries, I promised Datong to stay behind. I must keep my promise.”

Mu Mingxuan embraced Hui’er’s shoulders, “Though we don’t know martial arts, Hui’er, you’re a heroine among women. Focus on managing the salt fields and shop. When Datong returns, he’ll appreciate you even more.”

Hui’er wept, “Mother, I only hope he returns safely…”

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