Zichuan Ning

Zichuan Ning's beauty was otherworldly: flowing long hair, a flawless oval face smooth as jade, willow-leaf brows like a pale moon. Most stirring of all were her lively eyes, now glistening with tears. Yet the tears did not diminish her beauty in the slightest; instead, they lent her a heartrending air of sorrow.

She went to meet Zichuan Xiu. Her steps and posture were indescribably graceful, leaving Changchuan staring blankly, Roger drooling, and Shirakawa thoroughly displeased. Jealousy, of course.

Zichuan Xiu sighed inwardly. She was only sixteen and already had such bewitching charm. Once she grew up, how many people would she drive mad?

"Brother, you're back!" Zichuan Ning had already regained control of herself. The emotions contained in that brief sentence were so complex that Zichuan Xiu did not dare examine them too closely.

Zichuan Xiu gave a bitter smile and respectfully said, "Zichuan Xiu greets the young lady. Has the young lady been well?"

Zichuan Ning froze. She had not expected Zichuan Xiu to answer her in such formal, hierarchical terms. Her deep, lovely eyes watched him for several seconds before she too adopted an official tone. "Quite well. Has Deputy Commander Xiuchuan been well? When did you return to the Imperial Capital?" But the joy from moments ago had vanished from her voice.

"This subordinate entered the Imperial Capital city this morning. I was unable to pay my respects to the young lady promptly, and I offer my deepest apologies."

"Oh, then Deputy Commander Xiuchuan must have had a difficult journey."

"This subordinate does not deserve such praise. I am willing to serve the family."

Zichuan Ning fell silent, as though she did not know what to say. Zichuan Xiu was silent as well. Even someone as slow-witted as Roger could see that Zichuan Xiu had lost his former ease and liveliness, becoming stiff and wooden. Naturally, none of them would speak to break the silence. Zichuan Xiu's discomfort was their greatest happiness!

Shirakawa thought to herself, These "siblings" are really strange...

"Who are these people?" Shirakawa asked, as if she had only just noticed the others beside them.

"They are colleagues from the Far East Army who were transferred to the Imperial Capital with this subordinate. Come, pay your respects to the young lady."

Roger puffed out his chest and introduced himself. "This subordinate is Roger Luo Yange, originally from Shaga. I hold the rank of bannerman in the Far East Army. Young and promising, diligent and ambitious, with a bright future ahead of me. Twenty-four years old, unmarried, currently seeking a gentle, virtuous, and understanding unmarried lady—ow!"

Changchuan and Shirakawa, standing on either side of him, calmly withdrew their fists without looking away, as though that vicious blow had nothing whatsoever to do with them.

Changchuan gave a graceful military salute. "Changchuan Drian, bannerman of the Far East Army, currently serving under Lord Xiuchuan. It is an honor to have the opportunity to meet the young lady. Please allow me to offer you my respects."

Shirakawa saluted. "Shirakawa Kanaming, native of North Sea, currently a bannerman under Lord Xiuchuan."

"Oh my," Zichuan Ning was noncommittal toward Roger and Changchuan, but she was greatly interested in Shirakawa's introduction. "Big sister became a bannerman at such a young age? You're so capable, and you're so beautiful too..."

Shirakawa bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly. "It is all thanks to Lord Xiuchuan's guidance."

"I wonder where Big Sister Shirakawa will be staying during this visit to the Imperial Capital?"

"This subordinate has only just arrived and has not yet been assigned lodging. I will probably stay at the Barracks."

"The Barracks are no good, dirty and old. Why don't you all stay at my home instead?"

"This..." Shirakawa looked toward Zichuan Xiu. Zichuan Xiu coughed dryly. "That would not be appropriate. There are more than forty of us..."

"My home is very spacious. I don't mind having lots of people around—I like lively places!"

While Zichuan Xiu was still searching for another excuse, Roger impatiently spoke up. "Since the young lady has invited us so sincerely, I think we should respectfully accept."

"Exactly, exactly," Changchuan eagerly agreed. The former Chief Commander's residence had to be luxurious beyond imagining, and there would be beautiful women there as well. Anyone who chose to return to the Barracks would be a fool. "They mean well!"

Zichuan Xiu nodded wordlessly, making up his mind to move out as soon as he found a place. Refusing now would only embarrass Zichuan Ning. "Then we shall trouble the young lady."

Zichuan Ning turned back happily and shot him a sidelong glare, as if reproaching him for still calling her "young lady." That indescribable charm made the heart of Zichuan Xiu, a warrior who had faced death countless times, pound wildly.

After Shirakawa and the others had left, she quietly asked Zichuan Xiu, "My lord, I take it the young lady is not your biological sister?"

Zichuan Xiu nodded bleakly. "She is Lord Zichuan Yuanxing's only daughter. I was an orphan adopted by Lord Yuanxing. Without Lord Yuanxing, my mother and I would have starved to death. And thanks to Lord Yuanxing, my mother was able to live out her later years in peace..."

Shirakawa was moved. She had never expected that this man, who seemed carefree every day, carried such painful memories...

"How could you tell?"

"Oh, it was obvious from genetics. Miss Shirakawa is as beautiful as a fairy, while you, my lord..."