Amid lush green leaves, a gentle breeze stirred the peach blossoms adorning the branches throughout Linghe Manor.
Ming Shu, in a rare moment of inspiration, had a spring bench brought out and placed beneath a peach tree. She remarked, “This is truly the best way to admire the blossoms.”
The maids and elderly servants naturally obliged.
Though Ming Shu was merely a cousin in the Yan household, she lived more comfortably than many young ladies from proper, well-established families.
Originally the only daughter of Deputy General Ming, she had been entrusted to General Yan on her father’s deathbed and brought to the Yan residence, where she was treated as a cousin. After General Yan died in battle and Lady Yan passed away from illness, Ming Shu became the sole female member of the household.
General Yan and Lady Yan had only one son, Yan Wei, who now upheld his father’s legacy as a formidable general commanding a region.
Ming Shu had not seen her nominal cousin in a long time.
Her maid, Tang Li, had just met with the head steward and returned with a mix of worry and delight on her brow. “Miss, Steward Gao came by earlier. He said the general will be returning to the manor in a few days—apparently seriously wounded—and asked you to prepare carefully.”
It was more a reminder for Ming Shu not to cause any trouble.
Ming Shu plucked a fallen peach blossom from the tree and lowered her gaze.
Oh? So her cousin could actually get injured.
Tang Li also fretted, “Miss, your coming-of-age ceremony is not far off. With the general injured, it will be difficult to hold the ceremony properly.”
“It’s just a ceremony—nothing compared to my cousin’s well-being. If I were to disturb him, how could I bear the responsibility?”
After all, she was merely living under someone else’s roof, and her marriage prospects still depended on her cousin’s approval.
Ming Shu lost interest in admiring the blossoms, her thoughts drifting to her reportedly gravely injured cousin. She wondered where he was now.
Early the very next morning, the sound of hoofbeats echoed outside the Yan residence.
Yan Wei was carried into the east courtyard. His personal guard, Duan Cang, carefully moved him onto the bed before asking, “General, how should we handle those people outside?”
They were a merchant caravan they had encountered on the return journey, who had lent them assistance and then followed them all the way back. As they neared the manor, the caravan’s leader insisted on meeting the general in person to express gratitude for saving their lives.
Yan Wei replied simply, “A personal meeting is unnecessary. That mountain path is plagued by bandits—it is only right for the Linghe Army to intervene.”
The guard saluted and withdrew, leaving Yan Wei alone to rest with his eyes closed.
Meanwhile, Ming Shu had just awakened when she was informed that the head of the Yan household had returned. She had no choice but to go and pay her respects.
According to the news Tang Li gathered from the manor, the general had been carried into the residence, suggesting his injuries were severe.
“Miss, do you think the general might never be able to return to the battlefield?”
Ming Shu paused while applying her makeup. “We’ll know once we see him.”
Deputy General Ming had chosen the name “Shu” for his daughter, hoping she would grow into a beauty as radiant as a celestial maiden. Ming Shu had not disappointed her father’s expectations.
Even without elaborate adornments, her face, bathed in the soft glow of dawn, outshone the peach blossoms of March.
Tang Li frowned slightly. “Why are you making yourself look plainer, miss? The general may be a man, but he’s not a stranger.”
In her opinion, it would be best if her mistress married the general. The Yan household was wonderful—free and unrestrained.
“You don’t understand,” Ming Shu sighed softly.
She was not some maid scheming to climb into her master’s bed. Besides, how could her nominal cousin ever take a liking to her? It was better to accept her place early and maintain a dignified position. With any luck, out of respect for her father, she might still secure a good marriage.
Tang Li pouted but said nothing as she helped Ming Shu change into a jade-colored silk dress retrieved from the bottom of the wardrobe—an old garment from years past.
“The young lady wearing this outfit makes it seem as if the General’s Manor has mistreated her.”
Ming Shu raised her fair wrist and gently tapped Tang Li on the forehead: “Too much talk. Your young lady has her own plans.”
“Oh.”
Once Ming Shu was fully dressed, she went with Tang Li to the eastern courtyard.
Duan Cang had just finished dealing with the head of the merchant convoy and had barely managed to send them off when he ran into Ming Shu upon his return.
Duan Cang knew the person before him and raised his hand in greeting: “Cousin.”
Over the years, everyone inside and outside the Yan residence had treated Ming Shu as a true cousin.
Ming Shu stood straight, smiling as she nodded: “Is my cousin here?”
Duan Cang replied: “The General returned and has already rested.”
This was meant to dissuade Ming Shu from disturbing Yan Wei’s recovery.
Ming Shu paused briefly before speaking: “Then I will come again in a few days to pay my respects to my cousin. I hope he takes good care of his health. Could you convey this message for me, Lord Duan?”
Duan Cang smiled and agreed: “Of course.”
Ming Shu could not linger any longer and returned to the western courtyard with Tang Li.
But halfway there, she was stopped by the gatekeeper: “Cousin!”
Ming Shu slightly parted her lips, her lively eyes turning toward the speaker: “What is it?”
“The headmaster of Shanjuan Academy has come, and… he is looking for you, Cousin.”
The headmaster?
Ming Shu was puzzled, but she followed the gatekeeper to the front courtyard, where she was informed that the headmaster had come to visit Yan Wei after hearing of his injury. Ming Shu had no choice but to go to the eastern courtyard again.
Yan Wei was half-reclining, speaking with the headmaster. When Ming Shu entered, she first paid her respects to the headmaster before looking up and saying: “I wish my cousin peace and well-being.”
Yan Wei’s gaze fell upon the graceful figure but quickly shifted away. He gave a slight nod and simply said: “Sit.”
The headmaster then explained his purpose: “The young lady of this esteemed household has been studying and learning at the academy. Why has she not attended these past few days?”
The headmaster did not wish to offend the General’s Manor, so he refrained from mentioning that he thought Ming Shu had skipped the academy without reason.
Ming Shu widened her eyes: “When I left, I specifically submitted a farewell letter to be delivered to the headmaster by the page. I thought the headmaster knew…”
That day, when she went to find the headmaster, she was told he was dealing with an urgent matter. She had no choice but to ask the page to deliver the farewell letter to the headmaster, assuming he would understand upon reading it.
Had the headmaster not received it, then?
Ming Shu saw the headmaster’s beard twitch as he frowned and said: “I was not aware.”
Ming Shu bowed again: “This humble student is unworthy, having received knowledge from the academy. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I fear I will no longer be able to attend. I hope the headmaster will forgive me.”
The headmaster glanced at her, noticing Ming Shu’s straight posture and her unwillingness to speak further, realizing she did not wish to explain the reason in front of others.
He sighed: “Very well.”
Yan Wei, however, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
The headmaster changed the subject: “I heard the court is deeply concerned about the General’s health. What are your plans, General?”
Ming Shu stood obediently, lowering her gaze to stare at a loose thread on her embroidered shoes that had somehow come undone, as if she had not heard the headmaster’s words. Yet, inwardly, she paid even closer attention.
Yan Wei was tall and imposing. Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, his complexion was somewhat pale, but it did little to diminish his handsome, jade-like appearance and ethereal demeanor.
His voice was deep and rich: “Naturally, I will follow His Majesty’s will.”
Ming Shu pondered this, sensing something beneath the surface.
“His Majesty intends for the General to return to the capital to receive honors, but the General may find it difficult to travel in his current condition.”
“It is of no concern.”
The headmaster’s beard twitched again.
How could it be of no concern? The injury had come within half an inch of piercing his vital organs. Had the sword gone any deeper, the General might not have returned.
Yet such an injury was dismissed with “no concern.” The headmaster was left speechless.
Yan Wei lifted his gaze to look out the window, his voice distant: “It is entirely up to the Emperor’s will.”