The Bai residence was no longer peaceful.
Ever since the imperial summons arrived, the air felt heavy, as if the whole world held its breath.
Soldiers came and went, messengers rushed in and out, and Bai Longyuan's study never dimmed its lamps.
But within the courtyard, Rouyuan worked tirelessly.
Gifts Before War
On the stone table lay rows of small ceramic jars, neatly arranged by size and color.
Healing salves, anti-inflammatory ointments, herbal painkillers, antiseptic powders, battlefield deodorant oils, perfumes, and soap bars infused with herbs and sandalwood.
Rouyuan moved carefully between them, filling each jar with exact precision.
Bai Yunchen walked over, holding his spear with one hand and wiping sweat with the other.
"Ah Yuan," he said softly, "did you… prepare them?"
Rouyuan smiled behind her veil.
"I know the battlefield is cold and dry. It's easy to get rashes and infections."
She handed him a small package.
"Your favorite scent. Osmanthus and pine."
Bai Yunchen froze.
Behind his stoic exterior, his ears turned slightly red.
"…Thank you."
She gave her father a larger set of balms.
"For your shoulders and arms, Dad."
"The armor is heavy."
Bai Longyuan stared at the small jars.
He swallowed hard.
"It's been only five years," he whispered, "and you have grown so much."
Rouyuan lowered her gaze shyly.
A Father's Decision
That night, Bai Longyuan stood by the lantern-lit window, holding a letter sealed with a deep crimson jade stamp.
"Yuan Er. Yu Er." His voice was heavy.
The siblings stopped and turned.
"I have contacted your maternal family," Bai Longyuan said.
"The Wen Merchant Clan of the Southern Silk Region."
Rouyuan blinked.
Bai Yanyu looked confused.
"I plan to send both of you there before the war begins," Bai Longyuan continued.
"Both of you were too young to be leave behind by yourself..."
"It is safer. And… it was your mother's wish."
"With Bai family here, I'm afraid they will disturb you two again once I am gone."
The room fell silent.
Rouyuan felt something warm and aching bloom inside her chest.
Wen Merchant Clan…The place her mother came from.
This body's mother who she never met.
The Love Story That Came Before - Repay me with your lifetime loyalty
Bai Longyuan rarely spoke of Wen Rouying—not because he forgot her, but because remembering her hurt too much.
That night, however, he sat the children down and began.
"I met your mother when I was a young Brigadier."
His voice softened with memory.
"It was during the Southern Silk rebellion."
"I had barely survived two winters when I saw her for the first time at a silk festival."
He closed his eyes.
"She wore a light blue dress… smiling gently while helping wounded commoners."
Even Bai Yunchen, usually quiet, leaned in closer.
"Your mother was admired by many," Bai Longyuan said. "Educated, beautiful, kind. A true Southern lotus."
Rouyuan felt a strange warmth, as if her heart recognized a memory that did not belong to her.
"But I…" Bai Longyuan sighed.
"…I was only a low-ranking officer. Rough, poor, and unworthy."
He gave a sad smile.
"I avoided her."
Bai Yunchen spoke softly, "But Mother approached you, didn't she?"
Bai Longyuan nodded.
"She helped my wounded soldiers without hesitation."
"Once, she gave me medicine and silk to help my men survive the winter."
He looked down at his hands.
"I confronted her."
"I told her I could not take favours I couldn't repay."
A faint laugh escaped his lips.
"And she said…"
"Then repay me with your lifetime loyalty."
Rouyuan's heart squeezed painfully.
"And I," Bai Longyuan whispered, "fell completely."
Their marriage was simple but filled with warmth.
Her grandfather, Wen Shisheng, approved because he saw Bai Longyuan's sincerity and integrity.
After marriage, after all things settle, they came back to Bai Clan Manor.
Not long after—their mother died.
Mysteriously, cruelly.
Without justice.
Bai Longyuan's voice trembled.
"She left Chen Er at nine… Yu Er at four… and you at one."
Bai Yunchen closed his eyes, face tight with restrained grief.
Bai Yanyu looked down, hands clenched.
Rouyuan felt emptiness wrap around her heart.
She had no memory of this mother, yet she missed her.
The Wen Clan's Silent Pain
Bai Longyuan continued.
"After your mother's death, the Wen Merchant Clan cut ties with the main Bai clan." He swallowed.
"They blamed my family for failing to protect her."
"They suspect that my family was the reason your mother died."
"Me too. I believed there was something about her death, but I don't have the prove."
Rouyuan understood.
Wen Rouying was their precious jewel…and she died in the Bai Clan's Manor.
"I feel so ashamed to face them. I could not keep my promise to take care of your mother. That's why I have never bring all of you to meet them."
"But the patriarch, your maternal grandfather," Bai Longyuan said softly,
"Still supports us from afar. He has never stopped caring."
Rouyuan placed her small hand on her father's.
"Dad… is that why you want us to go there?"
"Yes," Bai Longyuan whispered.
"You will be safe and loved there."
"And you will learn things the Bai family and I can never teach."
Her heart warmed.
Southern Silk Region…her mother's homeland…her future region.
She nodded slowly, "I will go."
Bai Yanyu nodded too, "I also want to learn, Dad."
Bai Longyuan's eyes softened.
He looked at his children with fierce pride.
A Royal Decree
The next morning, as autumn winds swept through the courtyard, a messenger arrived bearing urgent news from the palace.
Bai Longyuan opened the sealed letter, and his expression became solemn.
"Children," he said, calling Bai Yunchen, Bai Yanyu, and Bai Rouyan to him.
"Our situation has changed."
Bai Rouyuan look at her father, worried.
Bai Longyuan looked at Bai Yunchen first.
"The war is larger than expected."
"His Highness Prince Murong Shaoheng has been ordered to send reinforcements to the Northern Frontier."
Bai Yunchen's hand tightened on his spear.
Bai Longyuan continued, voice deep and steady:
"We have been commanded to join Marshal Prince Murong Shaoheng's forces."
"Together, we will march north to support Marshal Prince Murong Yexuan."
Rouyuan felt the familiar chill of fear settle in her chest.
"Dad… will it be dangerous?"
Bai Longyuan knelt and cupped her small face gently.
"War is always dangerous, Yuan Er. But your brother and I must go."
Bai Yunchen straightened with the calm dignity of a soldier.
"I am ready, Father."
Rouyuan looked between them — father and eldest brother, both preparing to walk into fire and steel.
Master Su stepped forward then, her robes flowing like moonlight.
"In that case," she said softly,
"It is time for me to return to the Sacred Lotus Pavilion too."
Bai Rouyuan blinked. "To… your home?"
Su Yuelian smiled.
"I have been away long enough. I need to go back settle all the pending work."
"You need to follow me to 'Shenglian Ge'[1], if you want to learn more."
"And The Southern Silk Region is the safest and most prosperous place for children like you."
Bai Longyuan exhaled in relief.
"That is why I chose to send Yuan Er and Yu Er there."
Rouyuan's eyes widened.
"Dad…are you seriously want us to go to the Southern Silk Region?"
Bai Longyuan nodded firmly.
"Yes. It's your mother's homeland. The Wen Merchant Clan will welcome you."
"And Master Shen will watch over you."
Bai Yanyu, who had been silent, finally spoke, "I will follow your order, Dad."
"I will also study hard. I want to grow stronger."
"I want to help you and Ge.[2]"
Bai Longyuan placed a hand on his head.
"You will, Yu Er."
Then he looked at his little daughter — the girl with an old soul and an unyielding will.
"And you, Yuan Er…"
"You shine brightest where herbs, fragrances, and knowledge flourish."
"I know you'll love it."
Rouyuan's heart swelled.
The land of her mother…the land of medicine, silk, jewelry and fragrance…
It felt like destiny.
"Dad," she whispered, "Please take care of yourself. Don't worry about me. I'll be good."
"I will make you proud."
He pulled her into a strong embrace, "You always do."
The Journey Begins
There was no time for preparation.
No time for long goodbyes.
By dawn, Bai Yunchen and Bai Longyuan stood armoured at the gates, ready to join Prince Murong Shaoheng's forces.
Rouyuan stood between them with Xiaoya and Bai Yanyu, her Shāmào fluttering in the wind.
"Ah Yuan," Bai Yunchen said quietly,
"Be good. Learn well. And… come back stronger."
"Don't forget to continue your martial art training."
She nodded, eyes shining with tears.
Bai Longyuan knelt, placing a warm hand on each of his children's heads.
"Go," he said. "To the Southern Silk Region."
"To your mother's home."
"To the life she prepared for you."
Rouyuan tightened her grip on Bai Yanyu's hand.
Master Su Yuelian stepped beside them, her presence calm like moonlight on water.
"Let's go, children," she said softly.
"The Sacred Lotus Pavilion awaits us."
And so, with hearts full of hope and sorrow intertwined, Bai Rouyuan and Bai Yanyu climbed into the carriage.
As the horses began moving, Rouyuan turned back one last time.
Bai Yunchen raised his spear in silent promise.
Bai Longyuan just watching while feeling a lump in his heart, holding back his emotions.
And Rouyuan whispered through her veil, "Come back alive."
The carriage rolled forward.
Toward the Southern Silk Region.
Toward new fate.
Toward a home she had never known…
Yet somehow felt destined for.
[1] Sacred Lotus Pavilion
[2] Brother