Nowadays, in the court, the Empress Dowager ruled with one hand covering the sky, and Yun Li was just a paper tiger with no real power.
Su Jin was honest and upright, which had offended many people.
As power grew, the Empress Dowager tried to pull Su Jin down from his high post, aiming to eliminate him completely.
Shen Yu…
Su Yihan suddenly remembered Shen Yu’s eyes—restrained with a trace of amusement, free and unbound like a wolf from the northwest. He must be a loyal minister.
How long would he stay this time…
If he stayed a bit longer, perhaps Yun Zhao would see a new era.
Maybe Shen Yu could wrest power from the Empress Dowager. Loyal and protective, he could take advantage of Yun Li’s authority being distracted, stir the waters, and ensure her father escaped unscathed.
After the morning court, Su Jin had breakfast with his daughter, a smile spreading across his face.
“Wangyou, do you know who I saw in court today?”
“I don’t know,” Su Yihan played along, pretending ignorance.
Su Jin laughed heartily. “The young general Shen Yu has returned! That boy has grown so much over the years. I imagine the gates of the General’s Mansion will be worn down by matchmakers in no time.”
Shen Yu was the most outstanding youth of his generation, victorious on the battlefield, often outshining many of his elders.
Su Jin particularly admired young men who defended the country. Speaking of Shen Yu, he could not stop praising him.
Tao Chun wanted to mention yesterday’s incident, but Su Yihan gave her a look.
Tao Chun fell silent.
“From what Father says, Wangyou seems curious about this general,” Su Yihan said with a faint smile, gentle in expression.
Su Jin indulgently said, “Then Father shall send a letter, so that Wangyou may meet the Northwest General.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Yet Su Yihan would not sit around waiting. She donned her bamboo hat and, with Tao Chun supporting her, left through the side door.
Tao Chun, concerned, said, “Miss, should we bring a few more people?”
“No matter,” Su Yihan replied calmly. “Shen Yu sent medicine yesterday; I feel much better.”
Tao Chun dared not disobey her mistress, even though she seemed delicate and weak.
News of Northwest General Shen Yu had spread across the capital. Tea houses buzzed with talk about him, and yesterday’s fainting incident in the palace had already faded from the public’s attention.
Tao Chun handed the waiter some silver and arranged a table by the window with a screen, isolated from the outside, yet allowing them to hear the conversations clearly:
“General Shen has returned to the capital and is said to be staying for several months.”
“My father says the emperor is personally matching him with ladies from prominent families. I wonder which young lady will have the fortune to marry the general.”
Marrying Shen Yu would be a blessing, though the couple might live apart.
The Shen family was one of the most distinguished in the capital, enjoying imperial favor. Shen Yu, only twenty-two, had not taken a single concubine.
Marrying into the Shen household meant a life of stable prosperity.
Especially with Shen Yu’s face—so mesmerizing that one might become infatuated, even to the point of doting.
Suddenly, the chatter outside quieted as people respectfully called out:
“General Shen.”
“Young Master Qi.”
Su Yihan curved her lips slightly—her guest had arrived.
Qi Jue was about to enter, but the waiter hesitated.
“Young Master Qi, this table has been reserved by a young lady. Perhaps—”
Su Yihan knew Qi Jue liked this tea house and always sat here. And with Shen Yu returning, this was the spot he would come to meet him.
Qi Jue waved his hand dismissively. “Go on down. I’ll negotiate with the young lady.”
The screen was pulled aside.
Su Yihan held a cup of steaming tea, not to drink but to warm her hands.
“Young Master Qi,” she greeted gently, smiling.
A smile from a beauty could topple a city. Qi Jue was so stunned by her appearance he thought that if Su Yihan were not weakened by illness, she would top the list of beauties in the capital.
Qi Jue nodded slightly.
“I didn’t expect it would be Miss Su.”
A girl who rarely left her home—over the years, people mostly saw her sedan chair or bamboo hat. Yet just seeing her twice was enough to leave a deep impression.
Qi Jue hesitated. Normally, daughters of officials would have excused themselves when seeing him and Shen Yu. But she was the daughter of the Northern Command, of high status. Even the Qi family had to show deference. He had no choice but to greet her properly.
Shen Yu, tall and poised, wore a different style of dark robe. His brows carried a hint of sharpness, free and unrestrained, and his thin lips lifted in a rakish smile:
“Miss Su, you don’t mind if I join?”
“I don’t mind,” Su Yihan replied. Today, her attitude was even gentler than yesterday.
She had been waiting for him!
With that, Shen Yu sat opposite her, and Qi Jue, abandoning pretension, plopped down.
Tao Chun poured tea for the two gentlemen.
“I heard Miss Su fainted at the banquet yesterday. Is she fully recovered?” Qi Jue, sensing tension, asked kindly.
“No harm…” Su Yihan answered, then coughed.
Qi Jue: “…Hmm, not very convincing.”
Yet even coughing, she remained beautiful—graceful as willow branches in the wind, enough to make hearts tremble.
Su Yihan smiled apologetically. “Young Master Qi, no need for formalities. You may call me Yihan, as a younger sister.”
“Yihan, little sister,” Qi Jue immediately corrected himself, feeling comfortable with the address.
Being associated with such an extraordinary beauty lifted Qi Jue’s spirits. Boldly, he said,
“Then Yihan little sister need not be formal—may you call me Brother Qi?”
He immediately regretted it—what nonsense to speak! This was no one to toy with.
Su Yihan let out a soft laugh and said, “Brother Qi.”
At the age of youthful bloom, her voice was soft and gentle, tinged with frailty. One utterance of “Brother” made the listener’s very bones melt.
Shen Yu finished his tea, throat slightly itchy.
He squinted at Su Yihan, sensing she had two faces: yesterday, sharp-tongued and teasing; today, delicate and shy.
Double standards, little sister Yihan.
Shen Yu felt a twinge of displeasure. He said,
“Little sister Yihan, are your eyes failing? How can you ignore a living general like me?”
Su Yihan looked at Shen Yu calmly, smiling faintly:
“Yu Ge?”
She tilted her head slightly, as if questioning.
Shen Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Normally, repeating “Brother” would sound softer and more coquettish—but this single “Yu Ge” struck him harder.
Lowering his head, he poured himself another cup of tea, gulped it down, and replied calmly,
“Alright.”
Unexpectedly, the gentle young lady let out a soft laugh, her words immediately turning sharp again:
“Rumor says General Shen is a lone wolf of the northwest. I doubt it. Just a reckless young master. Yihan has met the general only twice, and yet calls him brother. Are all generals so intimate with women?”