The days in Yuling were peaceful. Murong Jin spent her time idly in the residence. From taxes to correspondence, Xue Liulan handled everything. She had never been good at such things, and since he was willing, she was happy to be free.
The new year came and went. Early spring arrived. The Flower Festival was the best time for outings, but neither of them were in the mood.
"Little Dingzi brought this, riding through the night." Xue Liulan placed a letter on the table and rubbed his temples. He had known this was coming, but hadn't expected the thought of her returning to the battlefield to be so unbearable.
Murong Jin picked it up. Two pieces of news. First, the army at Sushen was defeated. Guo Ren was dead. The second-in-command had locked the gates, waiting for the court to send a new general.
When she read the second piece of news, her eyes went wide. She stared at Xue Liulan.
"You sent someone to assassinate the Commander of the Tiger and Horse Army?"
"Not my men." Xue Liulan stood. "I've already forced our seventh brother out and cleared myself of suspicion. Why would I make such a move? Besides, that army is part of Guo Shangzhong's network. Now isn't the time to turn on him."
Her hand froze. "You suspect I sent the killer?"
As the words left her lips, she remembered something. Her smile stiffened.
"What is it?"
"I'm afraid this was Liu's work," she said, her brow furrowed. "The Li family was also involved in the massacre. He would never let it go."
"The massacre?" He frowned, the brush of his sleeve catching the corner of the table. "You mean the case of the Vice Minister, Xu Cheng?"
"Yes. I heard they nearly executed his entire clan."
"I remember. The two sons were out with their mother and escaped. They were never seen again. Are you saying Liu is a descendant of the Xu family?"
"He's the eldest son. The younger one was lost during their escape." She placed the letter on the table, her mind elsewhere.
"What are you thinking?" he asked, waving a hand in front of her face.
She snapped back, her expression grim. "Xue Liulan, something isn't right."
"What?"
"Knowing Liu, he would never have moved on the Commander first."
"He was an enemy. Killing him isn't so strange."
"But it's not his style. Even in his thirst for revenge, he wouldn't act against your plans. He always sees the bigger picture." Her grip on his sleeve tightened.
He rested her head on his shoulder, stroking her back. "Don't scare yourself. It might not have been him."
"I hope not. Otherwise, if this is a trap, a place like Jindu…" She sighed and shook her head.
He knew what she meant. He had grown up there. It was a place that ate people alive.
Murong Jin stared out the window. In the courtyard, Xue Liulan stood before a budding apricot tree, lost in thought.
"This servant greets the master!" Little Dingzi came running like a puff of smoke and kowtowed.
"Get up. You've been on the road all night?" Xue Liulan asked, gently touching a branch.
"I'll live, as long as I didn't slow you down," the eunuch said with a grin.
The master has changed, he thought. The laziness was still there, but now there was a heroic air about him. Has the princess consort trained him to be like this? A master of taming husbands.
"Good. It was worth leaving you in Jindu," Xue Liulan said, patting his shoulder. "What else has happened?"
"Other… things?" Little Dingzi racked his brain. "Vice Minister Liu's son was dragged out of a brothel by his father."
Xue Liulan shot him a look. "Itching for a beating?"
"My lord, you jest!" the eunuch yelped, making a show of dropping to his knees.
"Alright, enough." Xue Liulan couldn't help but laugh. "News from the Seventh Prince's residence?"
"Yes. He returned after the new year. I heard he handled Yan Town beautifully and has been in the Emperor's good graces ever since. The Empress Deng has even adopted him."
Xue Liulan listened, his face impassive. "Your information is quite timely," he said with a smile.
Little Dingzi's expression changed, but his head was bowed. "Little Zhuozi, the Seventh Prince's attendant… we entered the palace together. I used to play dice with him." A cold sweat ran down his back.
"Used to…" Xue Liulan repeated slowly. "Things are certainly not as they once were."
Little Dingzi didn't dare reply.
"Go and rest. I have to get back to my studies," Xue Liulan sighed, and went back inside.
"News from Jindu?" Murong Jin asked as he entered. She took his hand, cold from the wind.
"Nothing unexpected." He pulled his hand away and warmed it by the stove. "Your hands are already cold. Let them warm up first."
She looked at her hands, then walked to his side, pressing her palm against his cheek. "Still cold?"
"Not anymore." He turned and kissed her hand. "But in the middle of the night, someone's hands are as cold as ice, and they keep pressing them against me."
She blushed. "It wasn't me."
"Oh? Then we have a problem." He laughed. "A red apricot tree leaning over the garden wall. I wonder if we have enough vinegar in the residence for you." He backed away, dodging her playful punch.
"You were asleep. How did you know?" She lunged again, annoyed. She had been teaching him self-defense, and he was using it all against her. And learning surprisingly fast.
"And you're the only one who's a light sleeper?" he teased. His smile faded. If Sushen is calling for reinforcements, the edict will come any day now. Our time is running out.
Ten days later, it arrived. Xue Liulan and Murong Jin received it, their eyes meeting, a storm of emotions passing between them.
She went to pack. He went to the back courtyard to stand alone.
"Hanlu, how did my men in Jindu handle their task?" His voice was low, but it couldn't hide his fury.
A figure appeared. "This subordinate has failed."
"Didn't I tell you that if they sent her, you were to secure the position of commander-in-chief?" Xue Liulan whirled around.
The anger in his voice startled Hanlu. In all the years he had served him, he had never seen his master lose his composure like this. Just because she wasn't named commander?
"The Seventh Prince advocated for Zuo Xunxiao as commander, with the princess as his deputy. With the Zuo family's influence…"
"Do you wish me to take care of him, my lord?" Hanlu asked tentatively.
"He's a veteran of countless battles. You think it's that easy?" Xue Liulan reined in his anger. "Never mind. Go and rest. Don't interfere."
"Yes." Hanlu vanished.
Xue Liulan let out a long breath, his gaze fixed on the apricot tree, his brow furrowed. A single petal fell, brushing his sleeve, melting before it touched the ground.