Xu Xian bore an imperial command and had gone to the battlefield to kill enemies and serve his country. Bai Suzhen was still in the bliss of newlywed love, and without Xu Xian by her side, she neither ate nor drank well. For several months in a row, she had been listless.
Seeing Bai Suzhen troubled, Xiao Qing pulled her outside to clear her mind. The two took a boat out onto West Lake.
The light boat glided over the water, sending ripples spreading outward. Threads of sunlight shone upon the lake's surface, and the water was so clear one could see to the bottom, as though mountains of gold and silver lay beneath it. The entire lake glittered with golden light. Along the shore, willows lined Bai Causeway. A gentle breeze blew, swaying the willow branches, and the scenery was incomparably beautiful.
Bai Suzhen's longing eased somewhat, and a smile gradually appeared on her face. After enjoying themselves, the two sisters returned hand in hand to the Great General's Estate.
By this time, Xu Xian's name had already shaken the world. Everyone knew him as the greatest general under heaven, a man who had slaughtered the Jin Kingdom's forces until every one of them lived in fear. The titles King of the North and Great General Protecting the Nation spread from mouth to mouth. The people of the Southern Song Dynasty had washed away their former shame and were all proud of him. Whenever Xu Xian's name was mentioned, praise never ceased.
The moment Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing entered the estate, servants delivered countless invitations. Xu Xian had risen beyond reach, so naturally there was no shortage of people eager to flatter him. Many in Qiantang County wanted to latch onto Xu Xian's fast-moving carriage. Unfortunately, Xu Xian