Peace was originally secured by the general.

Because the Emperor of Dayue had personally dispatched an envoy to negotiate peace, they remained stationed in Yun’er City for half a month. During this time, the generals stationed in the three prefectures were selected as well. Liaowang City was entrusted to the second son of the King of Liaodong, Yuwen Huai; Pingzhou to Guan Yulong; and Yuzhou to Chen Kun. All three had distinguished themselves as deputy generals during the recent campaign.

“As for Yun’er City…” Fu Lancheng gazed at the distant Cuolan Snow Mountain, troubled.

“Nangong Mingchen would actually be a good candidate, but…” Song Gu stopped mid-sentence.

Fu Lancheng picked up the thread, “Uncle, you don’t know—my father values that young Marquis far too much; he would never let him remain in this remote Yun’er City.”

“But Yun’er City is a treacherous stronghold. Only someone truly reliable can hold it,” Song Gu said, referring of course to someone both loyal and capable.

“Then let’s take more time to consider, and choose carefully,” Fu Lancheng replied, believing that finding the right person was vital, even if it meant some delay.

Just as Song Gu was about to leave, he turned back and mentioned, “By the way, I heard you captured a member of the Dayue royal family while at Liaowang City?”

Fu Lancheng had nearly forgotten about that, but upon being asked, he quickly replied, “Yes, that’s true. Nangong Mingchen suggested that, once Dayue’s envoys arrived, we should hand him over to them.”

Song Gu retraced a few steps and asked bluntly, “Why?” Why hadn’t they killed him at the time?

Fu Lancheng recounted Dongling Shunqin’s background to Song Gu in detail.

“So, your plan is… to send him back and use him to counterbalance the new emperor? Yet as the posthumous son of a deposed crown prince, what claim does he have to oppose Dayue’s emperor?” Song Gu was always forthright.

Fu Lancheng folded his arms, a wry smile at his lips. “I’ve heard the retired emperor of Dayue is still alive, living out his days in retirement. Besides, the case of the deposed crown prince was redressed five years ago—otherwise Dongling Shunqin wouldn’t be serving Dayue now.”

Understanding dawned on Song Gu. He nodded, a knowing smile on his face. “In that case, it does make some sense. If Dongling Shunqin can survive under the nose of his imperial uncle, he must have some talent. A lion and a sick tiger… clawing at each other—certainly interesting. But if so, the retired emperor’s peaceful days may be over.”

Fu Lancheng shrugged indifferently. “I simply don’t want the retired emperor to have it too easy.”

Song Gu grinned mischievously, “He’s far away—did he offend you?”

Fu Lancheng replied in a mild, careless tone, “No, not at all.” He simply could not abide those who did not distinguish right from wrong.

The soldiers had already sheathed their blades and were reorganizing. That day, Fu Lancheng attended a military memorial with them, burying all the fallen soldiers together in a wooded glade named Mountain and River Grove.

Though everyone had been elated for some days after the victory, the mood became somber as they paid tribute to their fallen brothers-in-arms. Those who had once fought side by side should have shared in the joy and glory of victory—yet now they lay buried beneath the earth.

It was their years on horseback and their sacrifices that had safeguarded the land, allowing ordinary folk to live in peace and families to remain whole.

Fu Lancheng and Nangong Mingchen stood at the front of the procession in silence. One was accustomed to the dazzling pleasures and intrigues of the imperial city, the other to the gentle beauty of the south. Neither had known the tragic grandeur of generals dying on distant battlefields, never to return home.

Seeing the two so silent, Song Gu finally broke the quiet. “Peace is won by generals—this is both the honor and the duty of soldiers. Your Highness, Young Marquis, do not grieve too much.”

In early August, the army returned triumphant.

The day Fu Lancheng returned to the capital was perhaps the happiest day of the year for the emperor. The palace attendants reported that the emperor had prepared early, personally overseeing the welcoming ceremony.

Xu Guiyi, upon hearing this, instinctively glanced at the empress, and the two exchanged looks. She recalled hearing earlier that, to celebrate the Crown Prince’s victory over Dongyue and the recovery of the three prefectures, the Ministry of Rites had planned a scene where all officials would offer their congratulations. The emperor had vetoed this, saying such a display was reserved for the gravest affairs of state. As a son of the Fu clan, the Crown Prince’s recovery of the lost lands was his duty, and did not warrant such grand ceremony.

Yet shortly after, the emperor instructed the master of ceremonies that the rites should proceed according to precedent: not all officials needed to attend; he would go with the King of Zhao and the King of Qi to welcome the army at Yongding Gate.

Guangling City had three main southern gates: Jiuhua Gate of the forbidden palace, Xuanming Gate of the imperial city, and the outermost Yongding Gate of the capital.

The emperor’s decision to greet them personally at Yongding Gate was a rare honor.

Assistant Minister of Rites Xie Xu had wanted to object; since the founding of Great Yi, it was almost unheard of for the emperor to leave the city gates with two princes to greet a returning general. But he suppressed the urge, fearing that another word might spoil the emperor’s mood and cost him his newly-won post. His predecessor had just been promoted, so Xie Xu had only just managed to secure this position after much competition—he could not risk losing it so easily.

The emperor would not allow all the officials to attend, but insisted on going himself, bringing the empress, the crown princess, and several princes as well.

When Xu Guiyi accompanied the empress to Yongding Gate, the Kings of Qi and Zhao were already listening to the emperor’s instructions, both looking anxious and deferential.

Xu Guiyi thought of how Fu Lancheng spoke to his father, and wondered how, despite being raised by the same emperor, he could be so different from his brothers.

She immediately paid her respects, “This daughter-in-law greets Father.”

The empress also bowed, “Your Majesty.”

The princes then greeted the empress and the crown princess in turn.

After the formalities, the emperor said to Xu Guiyi, “This time the crown prince has performed great service for the nation by reclaiming the three prefectures.”

Xu Guiyi, brows drawn in humility, replied with composure and grace, “It was only by Your Majesty’s blessing and the efforts of the soldiers at the front that the crown prince was able to recover the lost lands.”

The emperor recognized this as mere politeness and continued, “A man must establish a family before he can achieve great things. The crown prince used to be undisciplined, but since marrying the crown princess, he has changed for the better. At last, the empress and I have face before our ancestors.”

Xu Guiyi was at a loss for words when a eunuch rushed in to announce joyfully, “Your Majesty, Your Highness—the army has arrived!”

Everyone looked up to see the fluttering banners. In the center of the formation, the crown prince Fu Lancheng rode forward in dark armor. Xu Guiyi and the empress both scanned him from head to toe, reassured to see him unharmed.

To Fu Lancheng’s left and right were General Qu Zhe and Marquis Changping, Song Gu, with Nangong Mingchen behind. Seeing them all return safely filled the empress with delight.

In front of the officials and soldiers, the emperor first praised Qu Zhe and Song Gu, then commended the front-line soldiers and Nangong Mingchen, before solemnly instructing his own son.

“This time, though you have meritoriously reclaimed the three prefectures, you must guard against arrogance and rashness. Do not indulge yourself—think more of the hardships of the people, and share in your father’s burdens. Do you understand?”

“Father’s counsel is entirely correct. Your son will obey,” Fu Lancheng replied with perfect composure. Song Gu, feigning nonchalance, glanced at the faces of the Kings of Qi and Zhao, noting their displeasure with a cold chuckle.

The emperor dispensed rewards to the soldiers in the Deqing Hall. Xu Guiyi accompanied the empress back to the palace, and that evening the palace banquet was held in Qingluan Hall, with a brief respite in between.

Because the emperor was so pleased, he had Fu Lancheng accompany him to toast many guests. Song Gu, Marquis Changping, had been quietly eating and drinking, when his elder sister, the empress, caught his eye and signaled him to help Fu Lancheng fend off the wine.

Xu Guiyi, witnessing all this, only lowered her head further, pretending to be engrossed in her meal.

It was mid-August, and the air indoors was stiflingly hot. Xu Guiyi never expected to find Marquis Changping, Song Gu, in the study at Yonghui Pavilion. She had only come to consult with Fu Lancheng about what gift to present for the hundred-day celebration of the young princess at Prince Qi’s residence.

Xu Guiyi forced herself to be calm and bowed slightly. “Greetings, Marquis Changping.” Song Gu sat upright, not immediately returning the courtesy, but Xu Guiyi dared not reproach him—after all, even the crown prince was in awe of this imperial uncle.

Song Gu accepted her bow with the gravity of an elder, then nodded lightly, scrutinizing Xu Guiyi before turning his gaze to Fu Lancheng, observing the latter even longer.

Fu Lancheng appeared perfectly at ease, as if nothing were amiss.

After his inspection, Song Gu spoke. “Hmm, not bad. The girl is quite good—shame she’s paired with such a brat.” He had missed their wedding, being far away in the western frontier.

Xu Guiyi smiled. When silent, this imperial uncle seemed dignified and aloof, but once he spoke, he was unmistakably a member of the Song family.

Fu Lancheng protested, “Uncle!” Could he not at least preserve some dignity before his wife?

Xu Guiyi thought of Empress Song and Lady Yongjia; truly, they were siblings—in their bearing, gestures, even their brows, the resemblance was clear.

Whatever she might feel, she still had to play her part. “My lord flatters me, I do not deserve such praise,” she replied politely, exchanging a few more pleasantries.

After the couple saw the imperial uncle out, Xu Guiyi accompanied Fu Lancheng back to Yonghui Pavilion, unable to resist a bit of gossip. “The imperial uncle—oh, I mean, Marquis Changping—still hasn’t married? How could Her Majesty and Lady Yongjia allow it? What a shame for someone so handsome!”

As Fu Lancheng removed his outer robe, he glanced at Xu Guiyi with a smirk. “Perhaps the crown princess should try to find out the marquis’s intentions? If you could resolve his lifelong matter, my mother would be eternally grateful to you.”

Xu Guiyi turned pale and quickly waved her hands. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare! The empress and my aunt must be anxious enough—they don’t dare push him, how could I, a junior?”

For once, Fu Lancheng did not wear his usual cold expression, but rolled his eyes in a most vivid fashion.