When the first flakes of snow drifted over the Western Capital, Gu Huaiyu and Pei Jingyi were still stationed within the city walls.
This land had only just been annexed into the imperial map, and with the empire’s territory suddenly doubling in size, the flags of Great Chen were not yet firmly planted. Countless administrative burdens awaited resolution. From the appointment and dismissal of officials to the vetting of local talent and the auditing of old records, the scrolls and files piled up like small mountains.
Fortunately, Gu Huaiyu’s ranks were filled with capable men. Each department functioned like a well-oiled machine, proving more than a match for the tedious complexities of governance.
After months of tireless labor, this new territory had been revitalized from top to bottom. Academies reopened their doors; to the sound of morning recitations, young boys swayed their heads as they memorized the Three-Character Classic. Tea houses resumed business; with the sharp rap of a storyteller’s gavel, the tales being told were no longer of steppe legends, but of The Romance of the Western Chamber.
From that point on, there was no distinction between Eastern Liao and Han—all who resided here were citizens of Great Chen.
On the day Gu Huaiyu finally set out to return to the capital, the people of the Western Capital, both inside and outside the walls, gathered of their own accord to see him off.
The Han citizens were naturally loath to see him go. If not for this Chancellor, they would still be living lives worse than those of dogs and swine under the yoke of the Eastern Liao. Even many Eastern Liao nomads wiped away tears; it was the Chancellor’s new policies that had seen their stolen sheep and cattle returned from the hands of the corrupt nobility.
Only the former aristocrats—those who had lost their status and were now little more than prisoners—prayed for his swift departure, hoping to end the daily dread of losing their heads.
Gu Huaiyu had no desire for a grand spectacle. He waived the formal Chancellor’s procession, choosing instead to travel low-key with only the Iron Eagle Guard and Pei Jingyi.
In the year they had been gone, Great Chen had undergone a total transformation.
Ever since the war began, the storytellers in every tea house had provided daily updates on the battle reports, playing to packed houses. At first, no one dared believe that the young Chancellor would actually dare to wage war against Eastern Liao, a power that had dominated the northern frontier for a century. Fewer still expected him to win.
When the news of “reclaiming the Three Provinces and Nine Commanderies” arrived, the entire nation erupted in celebration. It was a feat worthy of the history books.
Yet, who could have imagined that it was only the beginning? One staggering victory followed another until, finally, the entirety of Eastern Liao’s vast territory belonged to Great Chen.
Now, even a three-year-old child knew of the two legends: the Chancellor who devised strategies to tilt the world, and the Grand Marshal who was invincible in his pacification of the four corners of the earth.
Better yet, these two legends had become a romantic tale for the ages. It truly lived up to the old adage: A dragon matches a dragon, a phoenix matches a phoenix, and a hero belongs with a hero.
Gu Huaiyu’s return to the capital was equally understated. He declined the formal welcoming ceremony Yuan Zhuo intended to throw, slipping into the city quietly on New Year’s Eve.
The Chancellor’s Estate was ablaze with lanterns as servants bustled about preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.
As the two stepped through the manor gates side by side, Pei Jingyi reached out to brush the snow from Gu Huaiyu’s shoulder, his voice low and teasing. “What’s your sister’s temperament like?”
Gu Wan had already received word and was currently waiting in the parlor, holding her young son. She had clearly come specifically to inspect her new “brother-in-law.”
Gu Huaiyu shot him a sidelong glance, his lips curling into a smirk. “What? Is the great Grand Marshal of the Three Armies actually afraid?”
Pei Jingyi took the opportunity to pull him into his arms, his lips nearly brushing against Gu Huaiyu’s earlobe. “Terrified. If your sister finds out how I ‘bully’ her precious brother every night, she’ll have me flayed alive.”
Gu Huaiyu didn’t dignify that with a response, instead reaching up to lightly pat Pei’s cheek. “Just wait. You’re in for a rough time.”
Pei Jingyi arched an eyebrow and gestured toward the parlor with his chin. “At worst, I’ll just kneel and serve the tea, saying—’Sister, rest easy. When your brother is in my bed, he’s always the one bullying me.'”
Gu Huaiyu gave a cold snort and shook off his hand, heading toward the parlor with the relaxed air of someone waiting to watch a good show.
Despite his bravado, Pei Jingyi shed his usual casual air as they reached the door. His back straightened, his stride became steady, and his tall frame was a picture of disciplined propriety as he followed Gu Huaiyu like a dutiful “little bride.”
Inside the parlor, a table of steaming dishes was already set, the soup bowls swirling with white mist.
Beside the table, Gu Wan sat holding her son, while the seat of honor was occupied by Grand Empress Dowager Chen. The two most powerful women in Great Chen were quietly chatting about family matters.
The moment the young boy saw Gu Huaiyu, his eyes lit up. He stretched out his stubby arms and ran over with a rhythmic thump-thump-thump. “Uncle! Hug!”
Gu Huaiyu didn’t reach out immediately. He let the little fellow cling to his leg, looking down at the chubby little ball of fluff with a furrowed brow. “How did you get so fat?”
“I’m not fat!” The boy tilted his round face up, pouting his little lips. “Mother says this is good fortune! Jin’er has the most fortune of all!”
Gu Huaiyu chuckled and bent down to easily scoop the boy up. The nephew immediately wrapped his arms around Gu’s neck, chattering away about how much he missed his uncle and how his uncle was the best. It was cloyingly sweet.
While uncle and nephew shared their reunion, Gu Wan and Grand Empress Dowager Chen were busy scrutinizing Pei Jingyi from head to toe with sharp, discerning eyes.
Pei Jingyi composed himself and bowed, first greeting the elder woman. “Grand Empress Dowager, I wish you golden health.”
His voice was steady and powerful, his posture neither arrogant nor humble.
Grand Empress Dowager Chen gave a slight nod, her gaze sweeping over him with an indifferent temperature.
Turning to Gu Wan, Pei Jingyi allowed a small smile, though he maintained a respectful distance. “Greetings, Empress Dowager.”
Gu Wan smiled and nodded, gesturing for a servant to pull out the chair beside her. “Marshal Pei, you have worked hard on this journey. It was not easy to protect and serve my Yu-lang. Please, sit and join us for dinner.”
Pei Jingyi sat down gracefully, though his eyes never wandered far from Gu Huaiyu. “It was no hardship. Rather than saying I looked after the Chancellor, it would be more accurate to say the Chancellor showed me every consideration along the way.”
He turned to Gu Wan with a sincere expression. “If not for the Chancellor’s masterful strategies, how could I have achieved such military merit?”
Gu Wan gave a soft laugh and sent a meaningful look toward Gu Huaiyu: He seems decent.
