Chapter 883

Shendjing, De Fang, Ningrong Street.

Jia Cong and his party were riding toward the city outskirts; the sky had not yet brightened when six thousand Shenji Camp troops departed their barracks and assembled north of the city.

For this campaign, Jia Cong had consulted with Gu Yan and Shi Ding beforehand, appointing two deputy commanders to assist him in leading the six-thousand-man force.

One was Lin Zhen, formerly a Mobile Corps Commander of the Five Armies Shenji Camp; the other was his old subordinate, Wei Yongzhou, Battalion Commander of the Liaodong Firearms Camp, currently en route under orders.

Lin Zhen had always been a Mobile Corps Commander of the Shenji Camp and was familiar with its daily operations, though he lacked actual firearms combat experience.

Wei Yongzhou, however, was the main commander of the Liaodong Firearms Camp and had fought alongside Jia Cong in quelling the Three Weis of the Jurchens, possessing seasoned firearms combat experience.

Lin Zhen and Wei Yongzhou complemented each other—one internal, one external—balancing strengths and weaknesses, a deliberate choice by Jia Cong.

As the cavalry passed just beyond the eastern mansion’s main gate, Jia Cong heard someone call his name; the voice, still cracking from puberty, required no glance—he knew it was Cai Xiaoyu.

He recalled how Liu Xiao and Cui An had arrived together, yet Cai Xiaoyu, a close friend, was absent—and his excuse felt familiar.

Now Cai Fatty arrived late, accompanied by a carriage; Jia Cong instantly understood, a strange feeling stirring in him.

Jia Cong raised a hand; Jiang Liuliu signaled the column to halt, then rode forward alone.

Cai Xiaoyu drawled, “Yuzhang, I rushed out just to see you off—I thought I’d be too late, yet here I am, just in time.”

“Yuzhang, today you’re heading off to war! The sun’s already up, and you’re only now reaching your own gate?”

Jia Cong sensed his insincerity and smiled. “Are you here to see me off—or hoping I leave sooner?”

Suddenly, a cold snort came from the carriage; Cai Xiaoyu froze, his expression awkward, and fell silent.

…

Jia Cong saw the carriage curtain lift, revealing a handsome youth in a pale moon-white brocade robe with floral patterns, ink-black hair tied with a jade pin, tall and elegant.

He had already guessed—upon seeing the carriage beside Cai Xiaoyu—that Cai the Third Miss, ever capricious, was behind it.

Since their first encounter on the imperial avenue during the victory procession, Jia Cong had seen her antics several times; he was no longer surprised.

Seeing her dismount, he smiled warmly, unbothered: “So it’s Third Brother—long time no see. How have you been?”

Cai Xiaoyu, startled by Jia Cong’s address, nearly tumbled off his horse; he seethed inwardly—this brat had no manners.

Yet when he saw his third sister delighted at being called “Third Brother,” her smile radiant and lovely, he found her quite charming.

How could she be so careless—dressed as a man, laughing so freely, utterly unconcerned someone might expose her?

Cai Xiaoyu felt a strange unease; Jia Cong, smiling warmly and carefree, looked every bit the mischievous rogue.

The Miss smiled and said, “Yesterday, Father attended court and heard Yuzhang departs today. My younger brother came to see you off.”

“I’ve never witnessed a general’s departure—I wanted to observe. If I’ve intruded, forgive me.”

…

Cai Xiaoyu, overhearing this, nearly rolled his eyes—his third sister was spinning more nonsense.

Yesterday, after Father mentioned Yuzhang’s departure, his sister had casually asked him, “Shouldn’t we go see Yuzhang off? It’s only proper among classmates.”

He naturally agreed to go—then she changed the subject, claiming she’d gone to her room to find a book and discovered a pink embroidered pair of mandarin ducks.

She said household maids couldn’t afford such embroidery, then asked if he’d been cavorting outside—surely it belonged to some courtesan—and warned he’d be beaten if Father found out.

Cai Xiaoyu naturally denied it—the embroidered silk was a gift from Xiao Xiao, a top courtesan of the Sixteen Floors.

In the end, after endless bickering, he somehow ended up agreeing to bring his sister to see Jia Cong off.

Even now, recalling it, he felt humiliated—a two-time jinshi, manipulated by his third sister, a disgrace to scholarship.

…

Jia Cong smiled. “Third Brother, don’t speak so formally. I and Xiaoyu are close classmates; our families’ younger generations are like brothers. Thank you for seeing me off.”

The Miss, pleased, beamed with grace and abandon, her elegance enhanced further, then drew something from her purse.

“Yesterday afternoon, I visited Huguo Temple and obtained a talisman for protection. If you don’t mind, carry it for good fortune.”

“I pray your journey is smooth, as when you once rode through Liaodong, sweeping armies aside. May you now win new glory and return victorious.”

Jia Cong tucked the talisman into his robe and smiled. “Thank you, Third Brother, for your blessings. If you have time, visit often—Second Sister mentioned you just the other day.”

Cai Xiaoyu, watching their easy rapport, felt uneasy and interrupted: “Yuzhang, departure must be timed precisely—don’t miss the auspicious hour.”

The Third Miss shot her brother a disapproving glance, then turned to Jia Cong: “I won’t delay your journey. Safe travels.”

Jia Cong smiled faintly, remounted his warhorse, and Jiang Liuliu led the personal guard unit forward.

The Miss stepped aside, watching Jia Cong ride away—his posture upright, martial, her face still smiling.

Cai Xiaoyu turned his horse and said, “Yuzhang, be cautious in battle. Don’t overexert yourself. Leave some glory for others.”

Jia Cong understood his meaning. “I’ll remember. When I return, I’ll treat you to a feast at Chunhua Pavilion.”

Cai Xiaoyu laughed. “I’ll remember that too. After all, we’re classmates—you’re the only one who truly understands me.”

Jia Cong didn’t turn back, only waved a hand, then rode off with his guard, dust rising behind him.

…

The Miss watched the cavalry vanish, yet didn’t reboard the carriage—she strolled along the road. A noble lady rarely stepped outside; she wouldn’t waste the chance.

Cai Xiaoyu dismounted, took the reins, and walked beside her. “Third Sister, you waited until the last moment to go to Huguo Temple yesterday—too efficient.”

“You got your own talisman, yet didn’t get one for me? I’m your own brother.”

The Third Miss glanced at him. “You report to court daily, leave at sunset, live in peace.”

“You don’t study anymore—just dine with friends or wander to strange places. You’re perfectly safe. Why need a talisman? It’s pointless.”

Cai Xiaoyu suddenly understood. “Ah—I get it! You didn’t go to Huguo Temple to pray—you went specifically to get a talisman for Yuzhang!”

The Miss blushed. “What nonsense—you’re imagining things. I visit Huguo Temple every first and fifteenth of the month. This time, I just went two days early.”

Seeing her flush, Cai Xiaoyu sensed weakness and grinned. “Don’t try to fool me—I’ll tell Father everything.”

“I’ll lay bare your schemes—he’ll know how to punish you.”

…

The Miss, far from flustered, brightened and laughed openly. “Go ahead—tell him. I don’t care.”

“I’m open and honest—no secrets. Say whatever you want. I’m not afraid.”

“You, on the other hand, sneak off to drink with courtesans, terrified Father will hear and beat you half-dead.”

“If you tell Father about me, I won’t retaliate—but I won’t spare you either. I won’t mention the Sixteen Floors… or that pink mandarin duck silk.”

Cai Xiaoyu’s grin vanished—he felt a chill.

“Third Sister… are you setting another trap for me?”

The Miss smiled mysteriously. “It’s hard being good. If you don’t tell him, I’ll be glad to stay at peace.”

…

Cai Xiaoyu, bewildered by his sister’s mind, couldn’t fathom a woman’s thoughts.

“Third Sister, I know Yuzhang is outstanding—brilliant in letters, a master of poetry, crowned jinshi, young and triumphant—everyone envies him.”

“But he’s no ordinary scholar-official—he’s the heir of two Jia mansions, bearing hereditary titles.”

“He’s vastly different from us, sons of scholarly families.”

“He’s the Emperor’s most favored young minister, once honored with an imperial marriage proposal—though later, due to his father’s death, it was voided.”

“But the Retired Emperor’s word is final—once spoken, it cannot be recalled.”

“Though Jinling’s Zhen family has fallen, the betrothal will be revived. How many noble daughters from the court’s elite families…”

The Miss frowned, impatient. “Little brother, what nonsense are you spouting? Where did your mind wander? I know your thoughts.”

“I simply get along with Yuzhang—we’re friends. Do you even know what friendship means?”

“You keep dragging in romantic nonsense—it’s unbearable.”

“You’ve been to too many bad places—your mind is full of filth.”

“You’re grown now, yet only wander outside, clueless about girls’ hearts, never saying anything pleasant.”

“You’re fixated on Miss Xiu’e of Minister Huang’s house—look at your clumsy self—you’ll never win her.”

…

Cai Xiaoyu was a man of talent, yet his third sister’s tricks always left him dazed.

He didn’t realize she was merely diverting him to avoid his tedious, unpleasant words.

He shrugged. “Third Sister, you talk about Miss Huang—what’s ‘winning’ or ‘losing’? There are plenty of flowers in the world.”

He brightened. “Third Sister, I’ve got good news—recently, several new Hanlin scholars visited Chancellor Ge.”

“At the side gate of his mansion, we happened to see Miss Ge returning home—I caught a glimpse, truly breathtaking—she made fish sink, birds fall, the moon hide, flowers blush.”

“Chancellor Ge heads the Hanlin Academy; the Ge family is noble and refined—among the top in Shendjing…”

The Miss frowned at her brother’s dreamy expression.

“So the new Hanlin scholars went together—did Yuzhang go too? Did he get a glimpse too?”

Cai Xiaoyu laughed. “Third Sister, you don’t know—Yuzhang’s Hanlin scholar title is just ceremonial.”

“He shows up at dawn, then vanishes. Chancellor Ge never bothers with him.”

“He doesn’t mingle with us new scholars—he spends his days tinkering with firearms.”

“So of course he wouldn’t join us on visits to superiors.”