Chapter 58

Yongzhou.

Standing on Wangxian Slope, Sima Xi watched several wisps of colorful clouds drifting across the sky, resembling celestial maidens flying down from the heavens to join the young men in antiphonal singing at the Yongzhou song festival.

Looking far to the north from the elevated height, Sima Xi beheld the verdant, mist-shrouded Luoxiuchuan Mountains. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, he casually recited a popularly circulated folk poem:
"With lingering thoughts of antiquity I gaze upon Wangxian Slope,
The Five Elephants encircle, providing abundant safeguard.
Sunlight illuminates Mount Luo amid hazy, lingering clouds,
Green mountains and ancient pagodas rise tall and magnificent.
Retreating horses stand high and proud, fit for distant gazing,
The evening bell of Hongren echoes with a lingering tone.
The lanterns of Sanyuan illuminate the southern bank,
On a moonlit night, verses of the flower islet are chanted by the northern river."

Upon hearing this, his adopted daughter, Gui Fufu, quickly praised, "Old sir, you are in such a wonderful mood today! You should have gone out for a stroll long ago!"

Sima Xi said with a glowing face, "Thank you for your good suggestion, little girl! Otherwise, this old man truly would not have known that Yongzhou boasts such a scenic and tranquil Wangxian Slope!"

Sima Xi had been in Yongzhou for over three years, spending every day immersed in the horse markets. Apart from appraising horses, he bought them, living a very fulfilling life. However, now the Northern Expedition had succeeded, and the Tatar troops had retreated back to the grasslands from the Yuhan Pass. The imperial court was no longer fighting wars, and consequently, the horse-purchasing enterprise had been suspended. Sima Xi's passion was appraising horses. Now that he no longer appraised horses, Sima Xi felt a great emptiness in his heart.

Recently, the imperial court had once again appointed Qi Guang as the acting Right Administration Commissioner of the Southern Province. His daughter, Sima Jiannan, along with his grandchildren, had all followed Qi Guang to the Southern Province. With no family members by his side, Sima Xi felt even more bored. He began to yearn for Bashu, wishing to return there to accompany his second wife. Therefore, he submitted a memorial to the imperial court requesting to resign from his post as the Tea-Horse Censor of Yongzhou. Yet three months had passed, and Sima Xi had not yet received a reply from the court. He had no choice but to wait in sheer boredom!

Yesterday, Gui Fufu came to Yongzhou to visit her adoptive father, Sima Xi. Seeing her adoptive father's listless appearance grieved her heart. To alleviate Sima Xi's jaded mood, Gui Fufu proposed that father and daughter tour the eight scenic spots of Yongzhou together, to which Sima Xi readily agreed.

Gui Fufu was now a County Princess of Qingshen, bestowed by the imperial court, and received a court stipend, meaning she no longer needed to live on a boat every day. Her ancestral home was Guiyang, but she had no home there. Her home was upon the boat; the four seas were her home. She yearned for a stable home.

Wangxian Slope had one hundred and fifty-seven steps. Sima Xi and Gui Fufu ascended the steps one by one, admiring the picturesque scenery along the way.

Sima Xi sat down on the one hundred and fifty-seventh step. He drew a brocade letter from his bosom and handed it to Gui Fufu. This was sent from Bashu by Sima Xi's second wife.

Gui Fufu unfolded the brocade letter sent by her adoptive mother, and upon reading it, her eyes instantly misted with tears.

The content written upon the brocade letter read: "My husband, I hear that you wish to resign from your official post and return to Bashu; your lowly wife is overjoyed. Please bring that little girl Gui Fufu back home with you; though I did not give birth to her, I have always regarded her as my very own flesh and blood!"

Sima Xi drew out a handkerchief and handed it to his adopted daughter, saying, "Little girl, come home with this old man. This old man also regards you as my own flesh and blood."

Gui Fufu nodded and said, "Old sir, this little girl must go home. But will the imperial court approve your resignation?"

Sima Xi said with absolute confidence, "Now the realm is unified, and the current Emperor will surely let this old man return home."

Not long after, Sima Xi indeed received a reply from the imperial court—the reigning Emperor agreed to Sima Xi's resignation as the Yongzhou Tea-Horse Censor.

A few days later, Sima Xi and Gui Fufu boarded a flat-bottomed boat together and returned to their old home in Bashu.

Yuhan Pass—Pan City.

On the Mid-Autumn night of that year, Xiao Guimu gave birth to a chubby baby boy in Pan City. She named her son Li Yunlong.

When little Li Yunlong was born, the moonlight outside the window was exceptionally crisp and profound. All around Pan City—whether out on the boundless Gobi Desert beyond the Great North Gate, along the continuous mountain ranges flanking the official road before the Great South Gate, within the unfathomable marshland fifty paces beyond the Great East Gate, or across the mirror-smooth, transparently blue expanse of Lake Hayuqi before the Great West Gate—silver radiance was cast everywhere.

Childbirth was agonizing, and her body was utterly exhausted. Before the midwife had even left, Xiao Guimu had already fallen into a deep sleep, not waking until the following morning. Seeking her son and seeing the little fellow sleeping soundly, she felt reassured. She tried to get up, but Gu Yuru hurriedly pressed her back down, saying, "The red date and lean pork porridge is not yet ready, lie down a bit longer."

Lying in bed, Xiao Guimu looked at Gu Yuru's bustling, weary figure and asked, "Sister Yuru, have you been guarding here the whole night?"

Gu Yuru nodded and said, "Yes. Sister Azai has also been guarding here all night without sleeping either."

Turning her head, Xiao Guimu saw that Rose of the Valley was soundly asleep, resting her head against the edge of her bed.

Xiao Guimu tilted her head and quietly watched her younger cousin. She saw Rose of the Valley's hands lightly crossed and placed upon her chest, her head slightly tilted to one side, her cheek gently pressed against the bedside, and her chest rising and falling softly—even and gentle, like rippling waves on the sea.

Xiao Guimu sighed inwardly, thinking, "She sleeps with such gentleness; how could anyone mistake her for a bloodthirsty female general!"

Extending a hand, Xiao Guimu gently stroked her cousin's beautiful black hair, and murmured to herself, "Once we return in triumph, Sister will surely find you a fine husband!"

Rose of the Valley opened her eyes, and seeing it was Xiao Guimu, asked, "Sister, you're awake?"

Xiao Guimu smiled with closed lips and asked in return, "Azai, you're awake too?"

Rubbing her eyes, Rose of the Valley asked, "Sister, what did you just say?"

Hearing this from beside the bed, Gu Yuru answered preemptively, "Azai, your sister just said that once we return in triumph, she will find you a handsome prince!"

Clutching one of Xiao Guimu's hands, Rose of the Valley asked excitedly, "Sister, is this true?"

Xiao Guimu smiled and said, "You are Sister's only cousin; if Sister doesn't worry about you, who will?"

Blushing fiercely, Rose of the Valley said, "Sister, Azai does not want to marry those dissolute scions in the capital..."

Xiao Guimu said, "Who asked you to marry a dissolute scion? Tell Sister, what kind of husband do you wish to marry?"

Hesitatingly, Rose of the Valley stammered, "Someone like Grand Marshal Gu... Brother Yusheng's type..."

Instantly, Xiao Guimu's face also flushed red, and she scolded, "What a lack of ambition! What is so good about his kind?"

Just as Xiao Guimu finished drinking her first bowl of red date and lean pork porridge, Situ Fu walked into the room holding two wild hares, and said, "Master, this disciple hunted two wild hares, nice and plump. I brought them for you to nourish your health."

Who was this Situ Fu? He was the little boy in the garrison fortress who had discovered the secret tunnel leading from inside Pan City to the outside. Now, Xiao Guimu had taken him as her disciple, teaching him swordsmanship and martial arts in her spare time. Therefore, he now addressed Xiao Guimu as Master.

Xiao Guimu had grown up by the sea since childhood, loved seafood the most, and had never eaten wild hare meat. Glancing at the two white wild hares in Situ Fu's hands, she asked, "Are these two wild hares a male and a female?"

Situ Fu replied, "Master, one is male, and the other is female."

Xiao Guimu said, "Take them both back and let your mother pen them up! When they give birth to little rabbits in the future, you can sell them for money to help subsidize the household."

Situ Fu said, "But my mother said that Master just gave birth to the little junior brother and needs nourishment."

Xiao Guimu said, "Master has red date and lean pork porridge to eat now, and my health is very good; I don't need nourishment."

Looking awkwardly at the two wild hares in his hands, Situ Fu said, "Master, if it's like this, my mother will beat this disciple to death."

Gu Yuru patted Situ Fu's back and said, "Situ Fu, do you still not know that your master has always disliked eating rabbit meat?"

In the early spring of the following year, the Southern Han State and the Tatar State signed a non-aggression pact. The reigning Emperor issued an imperial decree ordering Gu Yusheng to lead his army back in triumph.

About to leave Pan City, Gu Yusheng and his soldiers felt emotions that were both complex and heavy.

He commanded his younger sister Gu Yuru and Rose of the Valley to prepare sacrificial offerings such as pig heads, incense, wine, sunflowers, cattail leaves, moxa sticks, willow branches, and sweet confectioneries, demanding that over one hundred and ninety thousand portions be identical in every way.

Early that morning, Cheng Yusheng led all his military commanders and the sacrificial offerings to the hillside before the Great South Gate—where all the soldiers of the Northwest Army who had fallen in battle were buried. He had the soldiers plant three lit sticks of incense upon every single grave and place an identical portion of offerings before every tomb head.

Leading all the commanders, he walked slowly past rows of tomb heads, pausing and bowing before each one. Here lay over one hundred and ninety thousand soldiers.

Before the graves of the male soldiers, he invariably said: "Brother, may you be reborn soon; eighteen years from now, you will be a sterling warrior once again."

Before the graves of the female soldiers, he invariably said: "Sister, may you be reborn soon; eighteen years from now, you will be a heroine among women once again."

Before the grave of Loyal and Martial General Yang Wenhua, he said: "General Yang, you are the descendant of a meritorious official, and you yourself rendered brilliant service to the nation, yet you never grew proud of your achievements! You and I served as officials in the same court for many years, and you are my most respected mentor and bosom friend. Now you still have an octogenarian mother and young children at home waiting for you to return for a reunion, yet you sleep eternally here! Tell me, how am I, Gu Yusheng, to face your family after returning in triumph?"

Before the graves of Lou Mingxuan and Gu Datong, he said: "Mother, Father, although the two of you are no longer husband and wife, son Yusheng has still buried you together, for you are the biological parents of Eldest Brother Yuren, Sister Yuru, and myself. To be able to be your children in this lifetime is something Eldest Brother, Sister Yuru, and I consider a great fortune! Now son Yusheng is returning in triumph; I pray that Mother and Father are reborn soon, and in the next life we shall still be your children." Having spoken, he kowtowed three times.

Before the graves of Li Muwen and Jiang Hong, he said: "Brother Muwen, Sister-in-law Jiang Hong, although your surname is Li and Second Brother's surname is Gu, our mother is Lou Mingxuan. Both you and I should be proud to have such a heroic mother! The two of you suffered a harsh twist of fate and sleep eternally here without ever enjoying the benevolence of the imperial court, which saddens Second Brother deeply. Fortunately, Sister Guimu has already given birth to a chubby little boy for you. After Second Brother returns to the capital, I will surely submit a memorial imploring the Emperor to bestow upon that boy Li Yunlong the title of 'Imperial Guard Officer'. May the two of you rest in peace and go to your rebirth!"

Before the grave of Qi Yaoyao, he said: "My wife, I am about to leave Pan City. After returning in triumph, I will surely first ask for leave to go to Luoyan Slope in the Jie Family Hollow to have the remains of Baiyun and Caiyun moved here to accompany you—originally you and I had agreed beforehand to move them back to Yangcheng for burial, but now that you sleep eternally here, I can only have them moved here to keep you company! The things I promised you that night, I will surely fulfill. But as for finding a husband for Nuonuo, your husband believes it is better to leave it to her future affinities, what do you say?"

Part (1/3) of (3)

Part (2/3) of (3)

Prime Minister Lü followed the decree of the reigning Emperor and returned to the capital at the beginning of autumn. He brought back the ashes of Li Jingxian and buried them on the back hill of Zhenyi Nunnery.

Originally, Prime Minister Lü was supposed to live in the Prime Minister's residence. The residence possessed high red-walled courtyards and an elegant environment. The main rooms inside were sheltered by bamboo groves, creating a tranquil atmosphere; the study was quiet; and especially the spacious and bright main hall, convenient for receiving guests, was greatly favored by Prime Minister Lü.

However, Concubine Zhou insisted on living permanently in the Osmanthus Garden and refused to move back. As a result, Prime Minister Lü also had to temporarily reside in the Osmanthus Garden.

After the war, the Southern Han administration was harmonious and the people peaceful, with a hundred wastes waiting to be revived. Prime Minister Lü had to meet many officials and guests every day. Yet the Osmanthus Garden was truly too small, and the reception hall was cramped. After careful consideration, Lü Qianqian ordered the servants to clean up and tidy a corner room in the eastern garden, move the Gu family's study there, and vacate a room to serve as her father's small reception hall.

Prime Minister Lü cherished Lü Qianqian dearly. No matter how busy he was, every day he would bring Concubine Zhou to see his daughter once or twice, discussing various matters and speaking in whispered confidence.

That evening after dinner, Prime Minister Lü once again pulled Concubine Zhou into his daughter's room. As soon as he entered, Prime Minister Lü said, "Qian'er, the reigning Emperor has issued an imperial decree for the armies to return in triumph!"

Lü Qianqian asked happily, "Is it the Northern Expedition Army or the Northwest Army?"

Prime Minister Lü held up two fingers and said, "Both have received the decree!" Lü Qianqian was overjoyed and said, "That is simply wonderful! I am going right now to inform the children so they can rejoice as well!" As she spoke, she stood up, intending to walk out the door.

Prime Minister Lü grabbed his daughter and said, "What are you rushing for? My words are not yet finished."

Lü Qianqian said, "Father, the children have longed for this day for a long time! Please speak quickly if you have something to say, Father!"

Prime Minister Lü said heavily, "I forgot to tell you, Jie Fang's father Jie An and Nuonuo's biological mother Qi Yaoyao have both given their lives for the country..."

"Given their lives for the country?" Lü Qianqian repeated incredulously.

"Yes," Prime Minister Lü nodded and said.

"When did this happen?" Lü Qianqian asked, finding it hard to believe.

Prime Minister Lü said slowly, "I saw the news of Jie An's death in the imperial gazette. It happened last year when the Northern Expedition Army was attacking Tongcheng, and Jie An perished during the blocking battle in the Great Gorge. Qi Yaoyao was killed in action at the end of this spring when the Tatars attacked Pan City. In this city defense war, the number of Northwest Army soldiers who fell in battle reached over one hundred and ninety thousand. Loyal and Martial General Yang Wenhua, your father-in-law Gu Datong, your mother-in-law Lou Mingxuan, your brother-in-law Li Muwen and his wife Jiang Hong and other commanders all died in battle."

Lü Qianqian seemed stunned. She stood blankly at the doorway, tears dripping down drop by drop.

She murmured, "Too many people have given their lives for the country!"

After a long while, Lü Qianqian finally collected herself. She ordered the servants to summon her son Gu Yuyu. She said to her son, "Yuyu, Mama's good son, listen to Mama's instructions: tonight you will go and sleep with Jie Fang, alright?"

Gu Yuyu said, "No."

Lü Qianqian asked, "Why?"

Gu Yuyu said quite reluctantly, "Mama, Jie Fang has a body odor of sweat, and whenever this child sleeps in the same bed with him, I can never sleep soundly."

Lü Qianqian said angrily, "Yuyu, didn't Mama often admonish you to treat Jie Fang as your own flesh-and-blood brother? What is a flesh-and-blood brother? A flesh-and-blood brother shares blessings and adversities, advances and retreats together, and never gives up on each other! Now that Brother Jie Fang has just a trace of sweat on him, you despise him?"

Knowing that his mother was truly angry, Gu Yuyu hurriedly said, "Mama, don't be angry, this child will obey your instructions." With that, he immediately took his leave of everyone and headed toward Jie Fang's room.

That night, Lü Qianqian also went to Gu Nuonuo's room and slept in the same bed with Gu Nuonuo. She did not sleep the entire night, lying in bed and weeping secretly.

A month later, the Northern Expedition Army led by Gu Yuren and the Northwest Army led by Gu Yusheng simultaneously returned to the northern outskirts of the capital to encamp, awaiting summons from the Emperor.

In the northern outskirts, family members of the Northern Expedition Army—such as Gu Yuren, Qi Qiongyue, Duan Zhaoyue, and Guan Yi—were joyfully reunited after a long separation with their loved ones in the Northwest Army, such as Gu Yusheng, Qi Wei, Yin Yuanyuan, Xiao Guimu, Gu Yuru, and Rose of the Valley. Having all been baptized by a life-and-death war, now being able to live and see each other again, they all felt a profound sense of relief. They embraced for a long time and wept. Mentioning the tragic deaths of loved ones such as Princess Zhaoyun of Bashu, Yang Wenhua, Jie An, Lou Mingxuan, Gu Datong, Qi Yaoyao, Li Jingxian, Li Muwen, and Jiang Hong, everyone wept in grief once more.

Gu Yuren led his youngest son, Gu Sibao, and youngest daughter, Gu Sumei, to pay their respects to their maternal grandfather Qi Wei and maternal grandmother Yin Yuanyuan.

Xiao Guimu also held her son Li Yunlong to pay respects to her eldest uncle Gu Yuren, as well as Qi Qiongyue, Duan Zhaoyue, Guan Yi, and others.

A few days later, the Emperor ordered Prime Minister Lü to lead the civil and military officials to the northern outskirts to separately reward the Northern Expedition Army and the Northwest Army.

Prime Minister Lü smiled and said to the two brothers Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng, "Two Marshals, tomorrow at the early morning court session, the reigning Emperor will summon all the commanders and meritorious soldiers of both armies at the Ziguang Pavilion."

At the fifth watch the next day, Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng respectively led their subordinates into the city. After undergoing multiple inspections, they arrived at the Ziguang Pavilion simultaneously before sunrise.

Inside the Ziguang Pavilion, lanterns shone brilliantly like blooming trees of fire and silver flowers.

The soldiers of Gu Yuren's Northern Expedition Army stood on the left; the Northwest soldiers of Gu Yusheng stood on the right. They all wore brand-new battle armor, quietly awaiting the arrival of the Emperor.

Attired in a magnificent dragon robe, the heroic reigning Emperor arrived! After formal obeisance, the reigning Emperor opened his golden lips.

Seated upon the golden chair, the reigning Emperor said, "My beloved subjects, over these past four-plus years, with the active support of the people nationwide, our Southern Han court has won two wars. The first is the Northern Expedition. The Northern Expedition Army, with Gu Yuren as Marshal, fought with daring and resolve, ultimately destroying the corrupt and decadent Northern Zhen dynasty. We not only rescued our brothers and sisters who had suffered humiliation in Northern Zhen for a long time, but also recovered all territories within and beyond the Great Wall, enabling the Chinese land to achieve north-south unification once again. The second war is the Defense of Yuhan Pass. The Northwest Army, with Gu Yusheng as Marshal, making full use of sturdy city walls and other factors when our forces were only half of the enemy's, resisted the Tatar advance and held Pan City. This defensive battle was extremely bitter; not only did it endure a long period of grain starvation, but a very large number of soldiers gave their lives for the country. This was a national war resisting Tatar invasion. Winning this war not only secured the victory of the Northern Expedition, but also shattered the dream of the Tatar Khan Erduwen to contend for the Central Plains."

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long-long live!" The shouts of the ministers echoed within the Ziguang Pavilion.

The reigning Emperor continued, "Therefore, today the We bestow rewards upon all the soldiers and meritorious personnel of the Northern Expedition Army and the Northwest Army! Gu Yuren, you led the Northern Expedition Army to attack the Northern Zhen forces, fighting bloody battles for over four years and ultimately achieving victory, realizing the north-south unification of our motherland with outstanding military merits! We confer upon you the title of Marquis of the Northeast, appoint you as the Minister of Punishments, and reward you with three thousand liang of gold. We confer upon Qi Qiongyue the title of Northeast Lady and Second-Rank Assistant State General. We confer upon Duan Zhaoyue the title of Senior Second-Rank Zhenjun General.

"Guan Yi, you and your husband Jie An served as the primary and deputy vanguard commanders of the Central Route of the Northern Expedition Army, capturing cities and breaking enemy forces all along the way with repeated merits! After suffering the loss of your husband, you were able to shoulder heavy responsibilities alone. We confer upon you the title of Lady of Southern Jingnan, Senior First-Rank Cavalry General, with a reward of two thousand liang of gold, and posthumously confer upon Jie An the title of Marquis of Southern Jingnan, with his peerage inherited by his son Jie Fang.

"We confer upon Prime Minister Lü the title of Duke of Ying, with a reward of one thousand liang of gold. We posthumously confer upon Li Jingxian the title of Lady Zhenyi.

"We confer upon Gu Yusheng the title of Marquis of the Northwest, appoint him as the Minister of War, with a reward of two thousand liang of gold, and posthumously confer upon Qi Yaoyao the title of Lady of Western Suppression.

"We confer upon Qi Wei the title of Marquis of Southern Peace, and upon Yin Yuanyuan the title of First-Rank State-Respecting General, with a reward of two thousand liang of gold.

"We confer upon Xiao Guimu the title of Princess of the Southern State, with a reward of two thousand liang of gold. We posthumously confer upon Li Muwen the title of Marquis of the Bright Moon, with his peerage inherited by his son Li Yunlong.

"We confer upon Gu Yuru the title of Lady of Northern Suppression and Suppressing-North General, with a reward of one thousand liang of gold.

"We confer upon Rose of the Valley the title of Junior Second-Rank Cloud-Demon General, with a reward of one thousand liang of gold."

……

"As for the soldiers who fell in battle, such as Lou Mingxuan, Gu Datong, Yang Wenhua, Kong Gengxiu, Jiang Hong, and others, We have already issued decrees to the relevant departments to collect their remains and officially provide for their burials; at the same time, We grant posthumous honors and give relief and comfort to their families!"

The reigning Emperor continued, "We decide to restore the title of Princess Rouya, mother of Suppressing-South General Xiao Guimu, and posthumously confer upon Xiao Tianjian the title of Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant."

The reigning Emperor concluded, "My beloved subjects, the nation is now with a hundred wastes waiting to be revived; We hope that monarch and subjects will join forces to revitalize Southern Han!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long-long live!" The shouts of the ministers reverberated within the Ziguang Pavilion for a long time.

Just as day broke, Lü Qianqian hired a large carriage and sent ten children—including Gu Dabao, Gu Erbao, Gu Sumei, Gu Yuyu, Jie Fang, Gu Nuonuo, Zhang Dalang, Zhang Erlang, Zhang Sanlang, and Zhang Xiaojie—to wait beside Leigushi Street.

This Leigushi Street was the mandatory route for the triumphant returning soldiers. It got its name from a rock. Legend has it that long ago, a large army was stationed in the city, and this place was originally an outpost; when enemy intelligence was discovered, a fire was lit on the hilltop as a signal, accompanied by the beating of drums in the middle to report to the garrison stationed in the city. Because the drum was set up beside a giant boulder, this giant boulder was named Leigushi (Drum-Beating Rock). Later on, the road passing by Leigushi gradually evolved into a commercial street, and this street was also named Leigushi Street after this boulder.

This was where they were seeing them off on Triumphal Street.

Four years ago, it was precisely on Triumphal Street that Lü Qianqian had led this group of children to bid farewell to the Northern Expedition Army.

Two years ago, it was also on Triumphal Street that Lü Qianqian had led this group of children to bid farewell to the Northwest Army. The one seen off that time was her husband Gu Yusheng.

Today was a welcome, and it was also on Leigushi Street.

Lü Qianqian brought the children to Leigushi Street to welcome them, wanting the children to be the very first to see their loved ones whom they had not seen for years.

She wanted even more for Gu Yusheng to see her the moment he entered the city.

However, waiting and waiting, from early morning until noon, the triumphant procession simply did not appear.

Part (2/3) of (3)

Part (3/3) of (3)

Lü Qianqian went to the end of the street to inquire, only to learn that the triumphant soldiers had already entered the imperial palace at the fifth watch during the night.

Lü Qianqian scolded herself self-derisively, "Lü Qianqian, oh Lü Qianqian, you are aging before your time and have begun to grow muddled! Why didn't you ask your father clearly about the exact time beforehand?"

Following the celebration banquet, Prime Minister Lü, Qi Wei, Yin Yuanyuan, Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Guan Yi, Qi Qiongyue, Duan Zhaoyue, Xiao Guimu, Gu Yuru, and Rose of the Valley—eleven people in total—all returned to the Osmanthus Garden together.

As soon as she saw them, Lü Qianqian cried out loudly, "Children, come out quickly and welcome them! The heroes of our family have all returned!" The children all rushed out from their rooms and stood in the middle of the courtyard.

Gu Yusheng saw at a glance that his daughter Gu Nuonuo's smile was feigned. He walked over, squatted down before his daughter, and said, "Nuonuo, if you want to cry, then cry! It is all Your Father's fault for not protecting your mother well; Your Father is not a good father!"

Gu Nuonuo's eyes brimmed with tears as she said, "Nuonuo will not cry! Big Brother Yuyu's maternal grandfather told Nuonuo that my mother is a heroine, and Nuonuo should feel proud to have such a heroic mother! Therefore Nuonuo should smile right now!" As she spoke, she tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile at her father.

Yet, a sudden choke seized her throat, and she threw herself into her father's arms with a wail, weeping bitterly.

Hearing the crying, Yin Yuanyuan hurried over, coaxing her, "Nuonuo, Grandma's heart-and-soul darling, don't cry! Although your mother is gone, your grandmother and grandfather are still here! From now on, your grandmother and grandfather will stay by Nuonuo's side, never leaving an inch!"

Gu Nuonuo hurriedly wiped away her tears and said to Yin Yuanyuan, "Nuonuo knows that grandmother and grandfather cherish Nuonuo very much, but Nuonuo is the daughter of her father and mother. Now that Mother is gone, Nuonuo wants to stay by Father's side to show her filial piety to Father."

Seeing that her granddaughter, despite her tender age, spoke with extraordinary maturity, Yin Yuanyuan was immensely fond of her and said, "Then from now on, wherever Nuonuo and Father are, Grandma and Grandpa will follow, staying with Nuonuo forever."

……

The loved ones they had yearned for day and night had returned, yet not all loved ones had come back. Seeing the solemn expressions of the adults, none of the children spoke. In everyone's eyes, there were tears.

The children were indeed very sensible, and every single child was precocious, especially Gu Yuyu, who seemed even more so. From childhood to the present, he had spent the least amount of time with his father, and at this moment he truly wished his father would give him an embrace. But he could not. For he knew that younger sister Nuonuo had lost her mother and was deeply sorrowful, needing her father's embrace all the more at this time.

When Gu Yuyu saw Jie Fang desperately holding back his grief while continuously wiping away the tears of his mother, Guan Yi, he could not help feeling sorrowful himself. He could not help thinking of his fallen grandfather Gu Datong and grandmother Lou Mingxuan. Although he had only met his grandparents once and spent a mere few days with them, ever since he was little, he had heard stories of his grandparents from his maternal grandfather. In particular, the legendary tales of his grandmother Lou Mingxuan had filled him with lingering sighs.

At this moment, Gu Yuyu knew he ought to do something—in this setting, only the sound of the flute, only the sound of the flute could express his yearning and grief.

Gu Yuyu began to play the flute rendition of *Orchid Pavilion Preface*.

The next day at the early morning court session, Gu Yusheng, Qi Wei, and Yin Yuanyuan all requested casual leave. The three of them took Nuonuo to Luoyan Slope in the Jie Family Hollow to have the remains of Baiyun and Caiyun moved to the hillside of Yuhan Pass for burial. Baiyun's tomb was on the left of Qi Yaoyao's, and Caiyun's tomb was on the right of Qi Yaoyao's. The three tombs stood closely side by side.

Gu Yusheng and Gu Nuonuo knelt before the three tombs with tear-streaked faces. As Gu Yusheng burned paper money, he said, "My wife, Baiyun, Caiyun, the three of you are together again! I know that the three of you shared a deep affection, akin to sisters; I hope that in your next life you will also be sisters, staying together through all generations and never parting!"

Gu Nuonuo filled every cup with wine and said, "Mama, Aunt Baiyun, Aunt Caiyun, please drink your wine! From now on, Father will accompany Nuonuo as she grows up, and Nuonuo will also accompany Father until he grows old. Please rest assured in the underworld!"

At the border garrison, aside from paying respects at the tombs of loved ones such as Gu Datong, Lou Mingxuan, Li Muwen, and Jiang Hong, Gu Nuonuo also viewed the city walls and the battlefield, sighing endlessly.

The newly appointed defender of Yuhan Pass was Qi Guang. He had been transferred from the Southern Province Administration Commission to the Secretariat as a Secretariat Drafter. Now he was once again guarding Yuhan Pass with the titles of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and Manifest-Valour General.

Qi Guang had come to Yuhan Pass alone. His wife, Sima Jiannan, along with their children and family members, remained in Bashu to live with his father-in-law, Sima Xi. Gui Fufu carefully tended to Sima Jiannan's children.

After Gu Yusheng, Qi Wei, Yin Yuanyuan, and Gu Nuonuo arrived at the border, Qi Guang arranged for them all to stay temporarily in the gate tower of the Great North Gate. Gu Yusheng happened to reside in the very same room he had occupied when he was Marshal. He and Qi Yaoyao had spent their wonderful final night in this room.

The bed was still that same bed, the bed curtains were still those same curtains, and the quilt was still that same quilt.

Lying in bed, Gu Yusheng tossed and turned, reminiscing about the past.

The entire gate tower was dead silent. The lights were all extinguished, and bright moonlight flooded the room.

Just as Gu Yusheng was drifting into slumber, he dimly saw a figure standing before his bed and asked, "Who are you? Why come here so late without sleeping and what is your business?"

The figure said in a low voice, "My husband, do not shout! It is I, your wife Qi Yaoyao."

Hearing this, Gu Yusheng hurriedly flipped over and sat up, asking, "You are Qi Yaoyao? Why do you not dare reveal your physical form?"

Qi Yaoyao said, "Now I am a ghost in the netherworld, and this is my soul. Tonight the moonlight is too strong; if I reveal my form, my soul will scatter into nothingness."

Gu Yusheng said, "The matters you entrusted to me before your lifetime are being fulfilled by me one by one; our daughter Nuonuo has also traveled thousands of li to the border to pay her respects to you! If you have any unfulfilled wishes, just let your husband know, and your husband will do his utmost to accomplish them!"

Qi Yaoyao said, "Tonight Baiyun, Caiyun, and I are heading to the Southern Province for rebirth, and from now on we husband and wife will never have the chance to meet in dreams again. Before parting, there is an urgent matter I wish to remind my husband of."

Gu Yusheng hurriedly asked, "What matter is so urgent? Please instruct me clearly, my wife."

Qi Yaoyao said, "You must retire at the height of your success!"

Gu Yusheng said, "The country has just achieved north-south unification with a hundred wastes waiting to be revived; I, Gu Yusheng, have just entered my prime and am in the very vigor of my youth, well able to exert myself for the imperial court, why should I retire at the height of success?"

Qi Yaoyao said, "My husband is a 'double top-scholar' in both civil and military arts; surely you understand the original meanings of such idioms as 'merit so high as to overawe the sovereign', 'when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away', and 'tearing down the bridge after crossing the river'? The imperial court is deep water, and my husband is an upright gentleman who refuses to drift with the current; after such splendor, there will surely be disaster to follow! Please, my husband, retire at the height of your success as early as possible!"

Gu Yusheng asked, "To where should I retire?"

Qi Yaoyao said, "Retire toward Yangzhou; best of all is to return to Grandfather's salt-drying field, for that is truly your haven!"

Gu Yusheng let out a long breath and nodded.

Qi Yaoyao looked out the window and said with lingering reluctance, "Dawn is about to break, and we must hurry to our rebirth. This is our eternal farewell!" With those words, she drifted out through the window.

"Where are you going for your rebirth?" In Gu Yusheng's ears sounded a burst of rooster crowing—it turned out to have been a dream.

Bashu.

After Gu Yusheng, Qi Wei, Yin Yuanyuan, and Gu Nuonuo bid farewell to Qi Guang at Yuhan Pass, they made a detour to Bashu and spent half a month reuniting with Sima Xi, Sima Jiannan, and others.

Every night, Yin Yuanyuan went to Sima Jiannan's room to chat, talking until the late watches before returning to her own room to sleep. Watching her mother-in-law clad in a general's battle robe, Sima Jiannan's eyes burned with envy, and she regretted not following her father-in-law and mother-in-law onto the battlefield to render meritorious service when she was at the Qi family salt shop in Yangcheng. Knowing that her clever and quirky daughter-in-law was yearning for her deputy commander's battle robe, Yin Yuanyuan quickly took it off and wrapped it in a bundle. During the ten-plus days at the Sima residence, she wore casual clothes instead. Every night, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law discussed matters of antiquity, only regretting that the time was too short.

Sima Jiannan appeared quirky on the surface, but inwardly she was a virtuous wife and loving mother. The reason Qi Guang had been able to be a good official all these years was inseparable from having a virtuous wife behind him. When Qi Guang served as the Assistant Prefect of Meizhou, a local bully wanted to drag Qi Guang into corruption; upon learning of this, Sima Jiannan tracked down the bully and tormented him until he vomited blood, after which he never dared harbor any crooked thoughts toward Qi Guang again.

Sima Jiannan understood priorities and distinguished between primary and secondary matters in everything she did. In Yongzhou, Sima Jiannan had eagerly desired to go to battle, but knowing that staying in Yongzhou would be even more beneficial to the imperial court, she remained behind to assist her father and husband.

Making a detour from Yuhan Pass to Bashu and then back to the capital added over a thousand li to the journey, but in Yin Yuanyuan's heart, it was entirely worth it. She simply wanted to chat with Sima Jiannan. From this, one could see how dearly Yin Yuanyuan cherished Sima Jiannan!

Tomorrow they would be parting once again.

Late at night, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law still had endless topics of conversation. As they spoke, Yin Yuanyuan stretched out her arms and pulled Sima Jiannan into her embrace.

This warm and tender scene of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reuniting was abruptly disrupted by a pair of little siblings: "Grandma, hold this grandson!"

"Grandma, hold this granddaughter!"

It turned out to be Qi Guang's son and daughter.

Looking at the two intensely jealous grandchildren, Yin Yuanyuan feigned anger and said, "Grandma hasn't held your mother for many years, so let Grandma hold her a little longer, alright?"

Qi You widened his innocent eyes and said, "Grandma is a biased grandma who only holds the older one and doesn't hold the younger ones!"

Yin Yuanyuan burst into a chuckle and said, "Alright! Grandma will hold all of you!" With that, she also gathered the two grandchildren into her embrace.