Chapter 64: Changes in the North

Xu Zaijing returned home and told his two older brothers, who had just finished afternoon classes, about what he had seen at General Zheng’s house.

Then he slipped over to his eldest sister’s Qiongzhi Pavilion.

Pingmei was carefully embroidering her green silk wedding robe.

“Sister, some distinguished guests may be coming in a few days.”

“Distinguished guests? Whose?”

“The Zhang family of the Duke of Ying.”

“What? Are we going to marry into the Zhang family?”

“Sister, what are you thinking? Our family has such vast wealth—why would we marry into theirs?”

“Then who? Is Princess Pingning coming?”

“No, it’s your little admirer,” Xu Zaijing said offhandedly.

“What little admirer?” Pingmei set down her needle and fixed Xu Zaijing with a stare.

“Today I went to General Zheng’s house and met the fifth daughter of the Duke of Ying. She said you were commended by the Empress, and the Duchess of Ying praised you endlessly, so she wants to come see you.”

“That’s fine. When the Zhang fifth daughter comes, have Anmei come keep her company—she won’t be treated poorly.”

“Good. I just wanted to warn you so you won’t be flustered later. Oh, bring over our golden quilt and silver bed—little girls love that sort of thing.”

“My little fifth is so clever.”

“Sister, isn’t there a maid in your courtyard named Qingzhi?”

Pingmei turned to him, staring intently.

“Yes. What of it? She’s the prettiest of the nine maids Mother selected.”

“Sister, don’t look at me like that—you make me sound like some lecher.”

“Aren’t you? Your little schemes have been plain to your sister for a long time.”

“Sister, then tell me—what exactly do you think I’m thinking? I haven’t even spoken, and you’re already so decisive.”

“It’s just that you’re young but full of big ideas—you want a concubine maid? Wait a few more years.”

“Sister, you’re wrong. I’m not joking. The maid Qingcao in my courtyard and your Qingzhi are from the same village.”

“Ah?”

“Both are from families of miners who suffered a mine collapse. Qingcao says Qingzhi was sold to the broker because her sister-in-law was about to give birth—she’s also pitiful.”

“We can’t save every suffering soul, but we should treat her kindly while we can.”

Pingmei fell still for a moment, then said: “Alright. I understand.”

In the following days, Xu Zaijing received no invitation from the Duke of Ying’s son, and the Zhang fifth daughter did not visit the Xu household.

The air in Bianjing suddenly grew tense.

Relay horses galloped frequently through Ansu Gate and Jin Yaomen.

Xu Zaijing returned with his mother to the Sun household, where the atmosphere was also tense.

Neither his maternal grandparents nor the several aunts who remained at home wore any smiles.

When Xu Zaijing tried to ask his mother, Sun Shi brushed him off with a few words.

Even the horseball matches outside Jinming Pond had been canceled.

At this point, neither the original novel nor the TV drama recorded anything clearly, and Xu Zaijing could not guess what was truly happening.

“Could the Emperor’s health have taken a turn for the worse?”

Xu Zaijing speculated wildly.

Fortunately, there was Gu Tingyu, his future brother-in-law; when the three Xu brothers visited the Gu household, Xu Zaijing finally learned one piece of news from Gu Tingyu.

Lingzhou, the sole horse-breeding land of the Great Zhou, was being pressured by Bai Gao, and the eastern Suizhou was also being pressed by the Northern Liao.

Gu Tingyu stood before a map of the Great Zhou and pointed to Lingzhou.

“The new Empress Dowager of Bai Gao appears to have formed some alliance with the Northern Liao, jointly targeting our Great Zhou’s horse-breeding lands—clearly aiming to cut off our cavalry’s horse supply.”

Xu Zaiduan stared at the map and said: “Bai Gao and the Northern Liao both have wolfish ambitions—they want to bite off a piece of the Great Zhou!”

Gu Tingyu said: “Father returned to the northern front several days ago. The Duke of Ying and the Marquis of Zhongjing have also gone to the front to oversee the overall situation. The court will announce this in the official bulletin within two days.”

“The Western Army bears the greatest pressure,” Xu Zaijing said, staring at the map.

“Yes.”

The three Xu brothers fell silent.

The Western Army—where their father and cousins were stationed.

“The Great Zhou’s strength is great—we won’t let Bai Gao succeed.”

Gu Tingyu finished speaking, his gaze sharp as he continued studying the map, as if he saw northern flames and cavalry clashing.

In his young years, he seemed to have gained an entirely different bearing.

But the image lasted only a few breaths.

“Bang.”

The door burst open, and Gu Tingyi, a boy carved from porcelain, walked into his elder brother’s study.

“Big brother, food.”

Gu Tingyu calmed himself.

Just moments ago, he had felt the admiration in his younger brothers’ eyes.

Then he was interrupted.

“Alright, let’s go eat—Mother specially hired a chef from Pan Lou.”

“Come on, Third Sister, let’s go eat.”

The five of them clustered around Gu Tingyi and headed to the main hall where Bai Shi was.

At the dinner table, though Bai Shi smiled, it was clear she had not slept well—this was her first time enduring her husband’s departure to war.

The next day, Gu Tingyu and Xu Zaijing and several others went to the northern city wall of Bianjing. Beneath the towering wall, tens of thousands of Imperial Guards stood in formation, banners bright.

After General Lu Lao led the troops through the departure ceremony, the Emperor granted them farewell wine, and then the tens of thousands marched toward the Western Army to reinforce it.

Descending the wall and walking home along the street, Xu Zaijing encountered Zhang Fangsong, the third son of the Duke of Ying.

Each had his own circle nearby; they nodded in greeting, then parted ways.

The northern warfire continued to tug at the hearts of Bianjing’s residents.

As military noble families, their concern ran deeper.

The noble ladies’ gatherings had noticeably increased in frequency.

The Hou Fu was also a military noble household; Lord Liang had donned armor and departed—Wu Da Niangzi said he went to Yanzhou to oversee conscription with Prince of Yanzhou.

Rumors about the northern front occasionally surfaced.

Some claimed the Duke of Ying had been defeated; others said he was wounded; some even exaggerated that he had been captured.

For a time, the Zhang family of the Duke of Ying teetered on the brink.

Some claimed the Empress Cao family had colluded with Bai Gao, leading troops into Lingzhou.

Others said Bai Gao had suffered a crushing defeat beneath Lingzhou’s walls.

Still others claimed Prince of Yanzhou had formed an alliance with the Northern Liao and intended to declare himself king in Yanzhou.

Some even whispered that Gu Yan Kai had been blinded by a Northern Liao golden eagle.

These rumors spread through Bianjing, but when anyone tried to track them down, the sources vanished.

After several days, the Duke of Ying’s family invited Xu Zaijing to hunt outside the city; Xu Zaijing brought along his two older brothers and the two Gu Tingyu brothers.

The group rode in fine clothes and spirited horses,

with servants leading hounds and holding golden eagles, laughing and chatting loudly along the way.

To the eye, they bore the air of Bianjing’s spoiled, bullying aristocratic youths—but not a trace of fear or anxiety showed on their faces.

In the forest outside the city, Gu Tingyu watched the golden eagle pounce on birds; his eyes grew somber.

“Fifth Brother, could you shoot down such a golden eagle?”

“If I spot the eagle circling ahead and am prepared, I can draw and shoot quickly. But if it strikes suddenly, I have little confidence,” Xu Zaijing said.

“Big Brother, are you listening to rumors and worried about the Marquis?” asked Zhang Sanlang.

Gu Tingyu nodded.

“Big Brother, relax. Golden eagles excel at hunting birds in the air—attacking humans is not their strength.”

Xu Zaijing added: “I heard from the Zheng brothers that the Marquis once shot down a golden eagle in the north—Brother Yu, don’t worry.”

Gu Tingyu looked surprised. Gu Tingyi said: “I never heard Father mention that.”

The group played outside until the afternoon hour of Wei, then returned to Bianjing.

Along the way, they still saw relay horses and couriers arriving from all corners of the Great Zhou.

“By the way, my fifth daughter said she might visit the Hou Fu in the coming days—please look after her a bit.”

Xu Zaiduan said: “Of course.”

Soon, the story spread through Bianjing that the Zhang family’s sons were laughing and chatting freely, showing no sign of fear.

The Zhang family of Bianjing was known for strict family discipline—if their sons could still be so carefree, the northern front must be stable.

More than half a month later.

A thousand li away.

Yangzhou.

Sheng family, Shou’an Hall.

The Sheng matriarch had returned to Yangzhou from Youyang several days ago.

Before leaving, I heard that Shu Lan from the main house had been locked in the courtyard by Old Lady Li, who was now training her temper, determined to turn this “wild girl” into a proper lady.

Sheng Hong went straight there after returning from the yamen.

He whispered to Old Lady Sheng.

“Mother, war has broken out in the north.”

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Sheng did not tremble like an ordinary old woman; instead, a sharp light flashed in her eyes.

“Tell me the details.”

In the main hall, Fang Mama brought over a cup of tea, and Hua Lan went to meet her.

Thank you all for your support. (`) Heart

If you find any awkward phrasing or typos, please point them out.

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(End of Chapter)