The one she addressed as eldest cousin was the heir of Anguo Gong Manor, Ming Zhaohuan.
Among the male descendants of the Ming family in Anguo Gong Manor, the generation name was “Zhou,” yet Ming Zhaohuan did not follow this naming convention.
The reason dated back to a time when border conflicts were intense. The old Duke of Anguo had been stationed at the frontier for eight years. Gazing at the bright moon over the battlefield, he was overwhelmed with homesickness and suddenly sighed, “When will the bright moon shine upon my return?”
At the same time, a letter arrived from home announcing the birth of his eldest grandson. Overjoyed, the old Duke named the child “Zhaohuan,” symbolizing his hope for the swift pacification of the border regions and his own early return home under the moonlight.
Half a year after naming his grandson, the border was indeed stabilized, and the old Duke returned triumphantly. From then on, he held high expectations for this grandson whom he had named “Zhaohuan.”
Shi Jianli learned this story when she first came to Anguo Gong Manor. While her aunt was explaining the family’s background, Shi Jianli asked why the heir’s name differed so greatly from her cousins’, and her aunt recounted the tale.
Ming Zhaohuan was now twenty-one. At fifteen, he had followed his father to the border and had returned only twice in six years, so Shi Jianli had seen him only a few times.
A few days prior, he had returned with the Duke leading troops. Shi Jianli had joined the entire household to welcome them outside the city gates and had waited for his return at the manor entrance, but she hadn’t seen him since.
Currently, Anguo Gong Manor was divided into eastern and western compounds. The eastern compound housed the main branch, while the western compound was home to the secondary branch. However, Shi Jianli wasn’t particularly surprised to encounter Ming Zhaohuan in the western compound.
Because entering through the western gate was more convenient—taking the eastern gate would require a detour—she often ran into Ming Zhouqing there as well.
“Young Master,” Lanxing also bowed to him.
“Mmm.” Ming Zhaohuan glanced at them, nodded gently, and passed by with two attendants in tow.
Shi Jianli returned to Tangli Courtyard with Lanxing, reflecting that Ming Zhaohuan appeared more like a refined scholar than a military general, truly deserving of his epithet “the Jade-Faced General.”
Back in the courtyard, Shi Jianli took a nap and, upon waking, began reviewing account books.
Except on rest days, the young ladies of the manor attended the Family School in the morning and were free to spend their afternoons as they pleased.
She had just started on the account books when she heard the maids greeting someone with “Second Young Miss.”
“Sister Li, shall we go practice archery?” Ming Yuelin’s voice was lively as she hurried in, the bells on her Jinbu barely making a sound despite her quick steps.
In prominent families, children were taught not only the Eight Elegant Arts but also the Six Arts. Especially in a military household like Anguo Gong Manor, which had earned its titles on the battlefield, even the young ladies were instructed in riding and archery, though their proficiency varied.
However, some had no interest in these skills, like Ming Yueshu. Influenced by Su Yiniang, she found riding and archery lacking in grace and refrained from learning them.
Setting aside the account books, Shi Jianli nodded. “If you want to practice archery, why haven’t you changed into your riding attire?”
Ming Yuelin pointed to the maid behind her carrying clothes. “I was waiting for your agreement. If you agree, I’ll change; if not, I won’t. I don’t want to go alone.”
Aside from her, none of the other sisters particularly enjoyed riding and archery. Ming Yuelin always had to go and return by herself, so after discovering Shi Jianli shared her interest, she eagerly sought her out.
“Sister Li, hurry and get your riding clothes too.” Ming Yuelin, familiar with the routine, headed into Shi Jianli’s bedroom to change while urging her along.
Shi Jianli didn’t have her maid help her change. As she slipped on the lightweight riding jacket, she listened to Ming Yuelin’s chatter.
“I originally wanted to stay longer at my maternal grandparents’ home, but Mother wrote saying Father and Eldest Brother were returning, so I came back early. However, the muddy roads delayed me, and I missed welcoming them into the city and through our gates. I still feel somewhat regretful about that.”
Shi Jianli recalled the jade-faced young nobleman with a scholar’s demeanor and warrior’s physique she had seen before her noon rest. “Since you just returned, why seek me for archery practice instead of spending more time with the Duke and Eldest Cousin?”
“My father isn’t home, but Eldest Brother is. I asked his attendant and learned he’s at the training grounds. We can consult him later – my brother’s archery skills are exceptional.” Ming Yuelin said with shared pride.
“Though it’s been a long time since we last met, my brother remains exactly as I remember – still gentle and tolerant. It often makes me feel he doesn’t seem like a battle-hardened general at all.”
Shi Jianli nodded slightly in agreement.
“Two years ago I asked him: with his refined scholar’s appearance, did he need to wear an ugly mask like Prince Lanling to intimidate enemies on the battlefield? Guess what he replied?”
Shi Jianli looked at her, perfectly feigning curiosity.
“He said that on the battlefield, martial skill and courage matter most, and no one has time to dwell on appearances. He added that he merely has a scholar’s countenance, not a feminine one that would undermine military morale.”
Shi Jianli commented, “Eldest Cousin has remarkable military achievements. Perhaps he’s quite different on the battlefield from his gentle home demeanor.”
How could a general who achieved fame in his youth lack intimidation?
“True. Sometimes I feel my brother and my icy, rigid fiancé have swapped personalities.” Ming Yuelin puffed her cheeks at the thought of her betrothed. “Ji Rangzhou is practically an antique ice block!”
The thought of marrying such a humorless traditionalist in two years made Ming Yuelin envision a bleak future.
Having met Ji Rangzhou twice, Shi Jianli remarked, “Young Master Ji is noble in character and exceptionally wise.”
The Great Zhou dynasty had twin stars: the Civil Star Ji Rangzhou, who topped the imperial exams at sixteen and now served as Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, known as the Cold-Faced Judge; and the Military Star Ming Zhaohuan, who followed his father to battle at fifteen and returned to the capital days ago with glorious achievements, his new appointment yet unknown.
Close in age, Ji Rangzhou was one year older than his future brother-in-law.
The engagement was arranged years earlier by their grandfathers. Originally between Ming Zhaohuan and Ji Rangzhou’s elder sister Ji Yangqing, it transferred to Ji Rangzhou and Ming Yuelin after Ji Yangqing found her own love.
“You praise him too.” Ming Yuelin’s face fell as she complained, “Mother says he’s cunning as a fox while I’m simple-minded – a perfect match.”
Shi Jianli smiled. “Younger Sister Lin is sincere and lively, the finest young lady one could hope for.”
“Elder Sister Li, you always say the nicest things.” Her eyebrows curved with delight.
Shi Jianli couldn’t help smiling. How could someone express so many emotions – joy and annoyance, laughter and anger – all so radiantly?
After dressing, Ming Yuelin linked arms with her, gazing with sparkling eyes. “Elder Sister Li, you’re truly beautiful. When you smile, it’s like sunlight dancing on rosy clouds.”
She’d match so well with Eldest Brother… if only he weren’t already engaged.
“Your compliments are far sweeter than mine, almost embarrassingly so.” Shi Jianli lowered her eyes and led her out.
Ming Yuelin, being pulled along by her, smiled and asked, “Is this already too mushy for you? You haven’t even heard the mushier ones. Sister Li, are you taking Xing or Yue with you today?”
“Yue, then.”
Hearing this, Xianyue quietly followed her mistress, while Lanxing went off to attend to other matters.
Back when Shi Jianli first arrived at the Duke’s residence, she asked her aunt whether Xianyue’s name clashed with those of the young ladies in the household and if it should be changed.
The Duchess overheard this and permitted it to remain unchanged, teasingly saying, “Embracing the stars and holding the moon reflects a broad-minded spirit—stars and moons accompanying each other is a natural state. If changed, wouldn’t a bright star be pitiful without the moon by its side?”