"May you be safe and sound."
The city, having just endured the flames of war, was shrouded in the smoke of gunpowder. Hardly a single brick remained intact, and everywhere was stained with blood and littered with wreckage. Ragged commoners lined up to receive porridge.
The soldiers distributing the porridge stirred their large ladles. When they spotted two figures on horseback approaching from the inner gate, their silhouettes familiar, they immediately set down their tools.
Someone shouted, "It's General Xie!"
"It really is General Xie!"
"General Xie, thank you for saving our lives!"
The crowd knelt in a row. Zhinu, who was not skilled at riding, struggled to keep up with Xie Yujin's horse. Before she could finish speaking, she saw him swiftly scan the crowd, his expressionless face now icy cold. His horse galloped past without pause.
Deputy General Guo followed closely, accompanied by a few trusted aides. He held a portrait in his hand and asked, "Has anyone seen this person?"
The crowd shook their heads in unison.
He put away the portrait and ordered his men to split up and search.
After crossing the city, Xie Yujin paused briefly at a fork in the road. Zhinu finally caught up and hurriedly said, "General, take the left path. If the culprits intend to harm Her Highness, they would surely choose a less crowded route. The right path leads into the city."
Xie Yujin was about to tug the reins but narrowed his eyes slightly at her words.
Zhinu felt uneasy after speaking, thinking she might have sounded too hasty.
Perhaps she was overthinking it, but Xie Yujin still took the left path.
…
"It's almost nightfall, Your Highness," Yunu stood guard outside the courtyard wall. Under the locust tree sat Song Zhiluan, with a bonfire nearby and a pot hanging over it—a new pot she had searched for a long time to find. Yunu watched Song Zhiluan waiting for the water to boil, seemingly oblivious to her words. She stepped closer and said, "Your Highness, the war has just ended, and this place is still unstable. There may be remnants of the enemy waiting for a chance to retaliate. Staying here is too dangerous. We should return."
Song Zhiluan paid no heed and smiled. "Xie Yujin and the army are in the city. There's nothing to fear."
Yunu looked at her and said, "General Xie is burdened with military affairs. He may not come."
"No, he will!" Song Zhiluan stroked the egg in her hand, her mood cheerful. "Besides, we're setting off for Jing in two days. What could possibly keep him busy now? The war ended days ago. He doesn't need to handle everything personally, does he?"
Unable to persuade her, Yunu could only remain vigilant.
…
Xie Yujin reined in his horse outside a small fenced courtyard.
The horse's neigh startled the person inside the courtyard. In the dim light, she turned around. The faint candlelight made it impossible for her to see anything clearly, but it allowed him to see the vivid expression on her face.
Song Zhiluan beamed with joy and called out to the figure standing outside the courtyard, "Yunu, see? I told you he would come!"
The farmhouse was dilapidated, and the stone table under the locust tree was missing a corner. Holding the pot with a cloth, she ladled out the noodles and placed them on the table with a pair of chopsticks.
Xie Yujin had a premonition as he arrived. Seeing her standing safely before him, that premonition came true. Furious, he laughed in disbelief. "Song Zhiluan, have you had enough of this foolishness?"
"This isn't foolishness—" Song Zhiluan drew out her words, her eyebrows lifting in a smile. "Xie Yujin, happy birthday!"
Xie Yujin froze for a moment. Song Zhiluan had already placed the noodles on the stone table. She brushed the locust blossoms off the table with her sleeve and said with a smile, "I made this longevity noodles for you myself. Come and try them. See if they're delicious."
Xie Yujin looked at the bowl of noodles with its unappealing appearance, recalling his subordinates' discouragement in the deputy tent, his emotions reaching an extreme complexity.
"Why are you still standing? It's cold now, the noodles will get cold soon." Song Zhiluan gently stirred the egg in the bowl with her chopsticks, speaking as if seeking credit: "Do you know how difficult it was to make these noodles? According to the customs of our Linghuai County, longevity noodles must come from a centenarian's household. Being unfamiliar here, I inquired all around for a long time before finding an elderly couple surnamed Yu. But they had no noodles, so I had to pound rice myself for ages. And this egg was hard to come by too—I had to go to the opposite mountain to find and trade for just one."
Xie Yujin felt a headache coming on as Song Zhiluan pulled him to sit at the stone table. "Make a wish, make a wish!"
Why was she always so cheerful?
Xie Yujin let out a soft sigh as he settled into the chair, speaking casually, "I don't really want anything. You can have my wish."
"Can I really make the wish on your birthday?"
"Why not?"
Song Zhiluan flashed her silvery teeth, not refusing. She immediately clasped her hands together, praying with utmost devotion to the moon and the longevity noodles: "Then I wish for the war to end soon, for my imperial brother to ascend the throne early, so he can bring sister back…"
Xie Yujin watched her mystical expression, his tone slightly teasing, "You have too many wishes."
"That's too many? I haven't finished yet," Song Zhiluan picked up the egg and stuffed it into Xie Yujin's mouth. Looking into his eyes, she said with a smile, word by word: "I also wish that Xie Yujin at twenty-four becomes invulnerable to swords and spears, safe and sound, and when he's a hundred years old, he can still wield his sword and dominate the battlefield…"
Xie Yujin suddenly couldn't laugh anymore. He gazed at her for a long moment before slowly saying, "Is that all?"
"That's all."
"What about yourself?"
Song Zhiluan thought seriously, resting her chin on her hands: "I'm already very content with how things are now. I don't want anything else. As long as these few wishes come true, I'll be the happiest person in the world."
Xie Yujin didn't respond. After eating the egg, under Song Zhiluan's watchful gaze, he picked up his chopsticks and began eating the noodles.
Song Zhiluan leaned forward watching him: "You seemed a bit angry when you arrived earlier. Did something happen at the military camp tonight?"
After eating several mouthfuls of noodles, Xie Yujin finally said, "With me here, what could possibly happen?"
Song Zhiluan felt relieved, "That's good then. Is it delicious?"
"…"
"Hmm."
"What does 'hmm' mean?"
"Passable."
"So it's very delicious?" Song Zhiluan's eyes sparkled, "Do you remember how I found out about your birthday?"
Xie Yujin looked up, his already dark pupils appearing even deeper under the night's cover.
…
Discovering Xie Yujin's birthday had been an extremely difficult task.
Song Zhiluan had once asked throughout the entire military camp without getting a single answer.
Even her socially adept brother had been vague about it.
On the eve of capturing the Imperial City, a rebellion broke out in the army. Song Zhiluan opened her eyes from sleep to find chaos all around, the sharp clashing of blades giving her a headache, the familiar scent of blood piercing even through the tent.
While she was still putting on her shoes, Xie Yujin suddenly appeared, picked her up and placed her on a horse.
Song Zhiluan quickly clung to the horse's back, anxiously saying: "Zhinu, Zhinu is still at the field hospital!""She had long grown accustomed to such night attacks and didn't make a fuss asking for reasons, but the expression on Xie Yujin's face indicated the situation was critical."
"Song Zhen and Yunu are there."
The pursuers were closing in from behind, with the constant whizzing sound of arrows being shot. As Xie Yujin spoke, blood streamed down his forehead, body, and shoulders in thick rivulets, soaking his clothes.
Song Zhiluan’s face turned pale with fright, and she quickly urged him to get on the horse. "You're badly injured—let me ride."
But Xie Yujin wrapped his arms around her waist and spoke above her head, "Weren’t you always asking when my birthday is?"
"I…" Song Zhiluan froze for a moment, her heart racing.
"It’s tomorrow. Don’t cause trouble now. If we survive today, I’ll wait for you to celebrate my birthday with me."
Amid the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the horse galloped unsteadily, trampling over flesh and blood. Even the wind blowing against them carried the stench of blood. Yet, hearing his calm voice, Song Zhiluan felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
Several arrows shot through the air, striking Xie Yujin squarely in the chest. She felt a violent tremor as his flesh swelled under the impact.
Horrified, Song Zhiluan wanted to turn around but was stopped by his voice.
"Sit still. Don’t move."
"You’ve been hit by arrows, haven’t you? Is it serious?"
Xie Yujin didn’t answer. Afraid of causing trouble, she didn’t dare move recklessly. Only when they had escaped to safety, with nothing but the chirping of birds in the forest, did the horse gradually come to a halt.
As Song Zhiluan tried to dismount, a heavy weight slumped onto her shoulder. The young man’s forehead was burning with a startling fever.
Tears of panic welled in Song Zhiluan’s eyes. Only then did she see Xie Yujin’s back—it was riddled with arrows like a porcupine, the shafts deeply embedded in his flesh, a bloody mess. Calling his name repeatedly, she tried to comfort herself: Maybe it just looks terrifying. He must be wearing armor underneath—it must have lessened the injuries.
But he wasn’t.
In the dim light of night, she realized Xie Yujin was only wearing thin sleepwear. Her fingers trembling, she struggled to prop him up.
But where could she go? The forest stretched in all directions. She had only one shoe on, and the sole of her foot was soon scraped bloody by the stones.
Yet Song Zhiluan didn’t dare stop.
She had to keep moving forward.
At one point, Xie Yujin regained consciousness briefly. Through half-closed eyes, he saw the girl’s red-rimmed eyes and the tightly clenched jaw from exertion.
He asked, confused, "What are you doing?"
"You… you’re awake! Are you hurt anywhere?" Song Zhiluan’s tears fell faster, but she managed a smile. "Are you okay, Xie Yujin?"
"Mm."
"Good, that’s good. Hold on a little longer. I won’t let you die."
Xie Yujin gave a faint, pained smile. Each breath tugged sharply at his injured lungs. "You can’t save me. Leave me here now and go find Song Zhen. You might still live."
"I won’t." Song Zhiluan patted his cheek, her tears blurring her vision of his expression. "I won’t let you die. Stay alert for me."
She had never seen Xie Yujin so close to death. This first encounter had left her terrified and helpless, but she couldn’t show it.
As Xie Yujin’s eyelids drooped, Song Zhiluan forced her voice to sound cheerful. "It’s almost dawn, Xie Yujin. Your seventeenth birthday is coming soon. Very soon. From now on, I’ll celebrate your birthday with you every year, okay?"
"Look, the sky is about to brighten."
The young Xie Yujin suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Song Zhiluan stiffened in alarm. He looked at her tear-filled, worried eyes and silently curled his lips, gesturing for her to come closer.
With red-rimmed eyes, Song Zhiluan leaned in to listen.
"I lied. My birthday has already passed."
"…" Song Zhiluan stared blankly for a moment before forcing out each word, her eyes brimming with tears, looking both hurt and indignant. "Xie Yujin!"
Xie Yujin rarely smiled at her like this for so long. The usual defensive thorns and gathered coldness in him had melted away under the dappled forest light, making Song Zhiluan suspect he was experiencing a final surge of vitality before death. She sniffled and met his gaze, her temper unusually gentle as she softened her voice: "I forgive you. So when is your birthday? If you don’t want others to know, I won’t tell anyone. Is that alright?"
Xie Yujin stopped smiling, studying the contours of her brows and eyes for a long while before slowly shifting his gaze to the muddy path. "The third day of the eleventh month."
"I’ll remember it."
"Since you remember, be quiet. Your chatter gives me a headache."
Though Song Zhiluan’s throat had long gone dry from talking, she ignored it upon hearing this: "Are you sleepy? No, you mustn’t sleep! Absolutely mustn’t!"
"No." Xie Yujin sighed softly. "I’m keeping my eyes open."
…
"By my reckoning, it’s been so many years. This year is special, and I haven’t broken our agreement." Song Zhiluan counted on her fingers while watching Xie Yujin eat noodles with deliberate slowness, feeling a peculiar satisfaction. Had she not encountered the herb-gathering boy on the mountain back then, she would never have seen Xie Yujin in his current flourishing prime.
Remembering this, she pressed her palms together toward the moon and bowed twice.
Xie Yujin held little deep sentiment about the events of that year—it was merely an enemy attack where he incidentally saved Song Zhiluan’s life.
Yet perhaps near-death scenes always etch themselves into memory, for he could still vividly recall the sweat and tears on the teenage Song Zhiluan’s forehead and temples, her fluttering long eyelashes, and the faint warmth of her breath when she spoke.
"Why did you stop eating?" Song Zhiluan asked after bowing to the moon, leaning forward with elbows propped on the table to peer at him. "There’s still half left."
"I can’t eat anymore," Xie Yujin said, setting down his chopsticks.
"Why not? It’s a waste to leave half uneaten." As she spoke, her stomach growled. Embarrassed, she coughed deliberately to cover it up.
Xie Yujin raised an eyebrow. "Hungry?"
"No, I’ve eaten already," Song Zhiluan lied effortlessly. She’d been too busy searching for longevity noodles, going door-to-door to find an elderly celebrant, and then going through the hassle—when would she have had time to eat?
Before she finished speaking, a distinctly boned hand pushed the noodle bowl toward her. His voice was cool as he said, "In my hometown, it’s customary that blessings overflow when full. Longevity noodles should be shared between two people."
Song Zhiluan picked up her chopsticks. "There’s such a custom? I’ve never heard of it."
"You’ve heard it now."
Xie Yujin spoke tersely. "Hurry up and eat."
Without another word, Song Zhiluan took the chopsticks and began eating. Admittedly, her cooking had improved—though the dough was slightly over-kneaded, the broth was sweet and fragrant. After half a bowl, her stomach felt full.
Taking advantage of Xie Yujin’s rare free evening, Song Zhiluan wanted to visit the lake with him. She’d heard of a nearby lake shaped like a gold ingot, where reeds swayed under the moon’s shimmering reflection—quite a lovely sight. The courtyard’s owner, Old Man Yu who’d gifted the noodles, had given them directions.
Song Zhiluan sat on the horse while Xie Yujin walked beside her, holding the reins.
"Before finding this place, I saw many monks planting rice in the fields," she gazed at the neat farmland in the distance. "My teacher once said that during chaotic times, many become monks to avoid taxes. Seeing it with my own eyes is still rather startling."
The young man silently looked into the distance without responding.
Song Zhiluan continued, "Xie Yujin, tell me, when will this land be unified? Father is the emperor of the heartland, yet there are two other emperors in the north and south, and barbarian territories in the northwest. For the common people, is it better to endure the slow agony of a dull knife, or to fight all the battles at once?"
Xie Yujin replied swiftly, "The dull knife hurts more."
Song Zhiluan already had her own answer in mind. Hearing Xie Yujin's response, she nodded.
If her father preferred the slow simmer of a dull blade, then she hoped her elder brother would be the swift sword.