Chapter 665: Big White Cat, Little Sweet Potato

Qi Shence stood by the window, gazing with adoration at the captivating woman who sat cross-legged, expounding on her teachings. Amidst the chaos of war, it was a time when academic pursuits flourished despite national misfortune. Shangyin Academy had temporarily taken in many fleeing scholars from Guangling Road, swelling the number of Jixia Scholars to nearly ten thousand and, for the first time, pushing the Jishang Masters past six hundred. This figure was even more astonishing than the academy’s most prosperous periods under the great Qin and Dafeng dynasties. At a time when the smoke of war seemed almost within reach, the academy remained a haven, untouched by the sounds of hooves and weapons. Masters lectured, and students listened. The Jishang Master in the room that day was one of the academy's most popular scholars in recent years. Her lectures on phonology and prosody were always packed. Regardless of the season, if there were no seats inside, students would stand outside the window, just as many crowded around Qi Shence, intently focused, though it was unclear if they were listening to the lecture or simply watching the teacher. As the eldest grandson of the prominent Qi family and a renowned figure at Shangyin Academy, when Qi Shence arrived at the window, many students who had occupied the prime spots quietly yielded their positions. Qi Shence looked at the graceful woman, whom even many junior Jishang Masters respectfully called "Master Yu." He was inexplicably reminded of a twilight on a snowy winter day last year when a white-haired young man, whose name Qi Shence did not then know, privately visited the Academy's Buddha's Palm Lake. They had engaged in an undercurrent of rivalry, though Qi Shence had not had the chance to draw "Linglong," his sword ranked among the twelve famous blades of Dongyue Sword Pool. After gradually guessing the man's identity and as his various deeds circulated within the academy, Qi Shence had experienced a period of despondency. However, he soon recovered. With Beimang's million-strong army pressing on the Northwest and the Jiang banner raised high in Guangling Road, Qi Shence grew increasingly ambitious. His academic achievements had always been outstanding at the academy: second only to Xu Weixiong in military strategy, second only to Kou Jianghuai in military science, and paramount in swordsmanship. Since Kou Jianghuai had achieved fame, why could he, Qi Shence, with a family background and knowledge no less than Kou Jianghuai's, not seize the opportunity in this turbulent era to rise swiftly and become the one who revitalized his family?

Inside the room, the woman, who was eloquently explaining the principles of music from successive dynasties, wore a stone-blue robe wrapped in light red brocade, cinched at the waist with a jade belt. Though seated cross-legged, her graceful figure was clearly evident. From head to toe, her charm flowed like a spring, stunning and captivating. Beside her was a unique small incense burner, using steamed pear with agarwood, which produced no smoke but exuded a refreshing aroma. The room was filled with a gentle mist, and as a Jishang Master, she sat alone by the wall, as if enveloped in clouds, appearing ethereal like a goddess. On the wall hung a dozen unopened scrolls. Standing beside her was a little girl with pigtails, a "kid king" at Shangyin Academy nicknamed Little Wooden Fish. Both her parents were academy teachers, formerly prominent nobles of Northern Han, but their family had fallen on hard times during the Spring and Autumn Period of strife, and now their family of three lived in poverty. Little Wooden Fish's father was half a disciple of the grand ritual wine Master Wang, who had rebelled against the academy. For reasons unknown, he had not followed Master Wang to Beiliang, giving up readily available wealth and honor, choosing instead to remain a poor and unfulfilled teacher at the academy—perhaps this was what was meant by being content in poverty and happy in one's chosen path.

Unlike those students whose intentions were not solely focused on the lecture, Qi Shence was genuinely listening intently to Master Yu's teachings. That summer, she had published *Jinchen Duiyun*, a work praised by Grand Ritual Wine Master Qi, who had not yet left the mountains for the capital, and who personally wrote its preface. The book sold out on its release day at the academy. Divided into two volumes, it contained only thirty-six interpreted characters but encompassed a vast range of knowledge. Many of its excellent lines had already spread throughout the academy, such as the interpretation for the character "East": "A woman's slender brows, a new crescent moon; a man's mighty spirit, a thousand-zhang rainbow." For "Loyalty," there was: "The Qin Emperor unified the realm in a single military campaign; Dafeng found peace with a three-foot sword." But what most impressed Qi Shence's grandfather was the line interpreting "River": "A thousand mountains face ten thousand waters, an old country faces another land." Moreover, Master Yu had pioneered "Elementary Philology," organizing the evolution of musical scales and phonology since Sanskrit sounds entered the Central Plains from the Western Regions. His grandfather, who had previously expressed strong reservations about his promising grandson's infatuation with a disgraced woman, had recently softened his stance; though still not entirely in favor, he was no longer opposed.

Inside, Master Yu was explaining the military anthems of various dynasties. The pigtailed girl was responsible for unrolling a series of scrolls, each bearing lyrics that were either magnificent or tragic. Only two military forces of the current era had earned this distinction: one was the Dong family army led by Beiman's Southern King, Dong Zhuo, and the other was the "Song of Beiliang" of the Beiliang border army. Qi Shence clearly sensed Master Yu's barely concealed joy, followed by a profound, lingering sadness, as she explained the "Song of Beiliang." Having navigated many romantic encounters over the years without entanglement, Qi Shence understood one truth: shallow affections are easy to pick up, but deep ones are hard to let go. Yet, Qi Shence did not believe that the woman he held dear was truly hopelessly in love with the young man who had visited the academy; otherwise, why would she not have followed him back to Beiliang, choosing instead to remain alone at Shangyin Academy?

As the lecture neared its end, an obese white cat, appearing from nowhere, darted into the room. It was as popular at Shangyin Academy as its owner, due to its simultaneously endearing clumsiness and cunning intelligence. Many Jishang Masters' snacks had been pilfered by it. Master Liu Zhen, a senior master who lectured on the theories of kingship and hegemony, kept a beloved white crane, affectionately called "Crane Wife," but it had lost countless feathers to the white cat over the past six months. Liu Zhen had complained to Master Yu countless times and eventually had to give up his plum grove and move to the most remote part of Shangyin Academy to finally escape the clutches of this white cat, "Wu Meiniang."

The white cat leaped into Master Yu's arms, causing all the Jixia Scholars to silently drool. The bolder ones gazed directly, their hearts fluttering, while the timid ones subtly averted their eyes, fearing their blushes. It was common knowledge that Master Yu's mother was the former West Chu Emperor's sword attendant; her sword dance was one of the four masterpieces of the Great Chu Dynasty, on par with Ye Baikui's military tactics, Li Qin's chess skills, and Wang Qing's poetry. It was said that Master Yu had inherited her mother's true sword dance artistry, and the Jixia Scholars were not blind; they all knew that besides her vast knowledge, the voluptuousness she deliberately concealed was nothing short of "spectacular." To witness her perform a sword dance, it was said, would be worth shortening one's life by ten years.

When the lecture concluded, all the Jixia Scholars, including Qi Shence, whether seated indoors or standing outside the window, bowed respectfully. Master Yu slightly lowered her head in return, then asked the students to leave the room first. She then set down the white cat, Wu Meiniang, who was lazily dozing in her arms, and began helping the pigtail girl roll up the scrolls hanging on the wall. At this moment, Qi Shence went against the flow, entering the room. He quietly watched her gently tiptoe to take down the scrolls. As she stretched and raised her arms, his gaze followed, noticing how her waist was cinched incredibly slender by the jade belt, while other areas were remarkably full. Qi Shence's heart fluttered. He smiled faintly, thinking, just as prose is like looking at mountains—one dislikes flatness—so too is appreciating a woman.

Yu Xuanji, now using her given name, paid no attention to Qi Shence. She looked down at Little Wooden Fish, who had volunteered to carry the large pile of scrolls, patted the little girl's head, and softly asked with a smile, "Can you carry all that?"

The pigtailed girl, more competitive than boys her age, nodded vigorously. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Qi Shence, the young master whom she had always disliked, then pouted at "Sister Yu" before rolling her eyes and running out of the room.

Yu Youwei, the name she had used in Beiliang, looked at Qi Shence with a calm expression and asked, "Is there something you need?"

Qi Shence smiled slightly. "Just saying goodbye before I leave."

Yu Youwei simply murmured "Oh," with no further comment. Clearly, her implication was that their relationship was ordinary, and if he was leaving, she would neither hold him back nor see him off.

Qi Shence hesitated, showing no intention of turning to leave. Instead, he sat down at a short huanghuali desk, commonly seen throughout Shangyin Academy, like a student asking a master for guidance. There was no denying that this future head of the Qi family was dashing and refined; it was rumored that many still-charming female teachers at the academy were captivated by him, not to mention the young Jixia Scholars in the bloom of youth and budding affections. Whenever Qi Shence went out, there was never a lack of young women from prominent families trying to get close to him through various connections. Qi Shence sat upright, looking up at the standing Master Yu, and softly asked, "Master Yu, do you think I should go find my friend Kou Jianghuai for a drink, or should I travel to the Imperial College in the capital?"

Yu Youwei frowned. "That's something you should ask your grandfather, who didn't follow the general trend of serving West Chu, not me."

Qi Shence's smile was knowing. "West Chu? Shouldn't it be Great Chu? Well, I already know the answer. I'll be going to Tai'an City now."

Yu Youwei sneered without speaking.

Qi Shence slowly stood up, looking directly at the woman he admired, who kept all men at a distance. His voice was gentle as he said, "Xuanji, can you wait for me for three years? In three years, I will surely achieve great success, and everyone, from court to common folk, will know of Qi Shence as they know of Kou Jianghuai."

Yu Youwei actually laughed, a sight Qi Shence had never before witnessed.

Just as Qi Shence thought he might have a chance, Yu Youwei looked out the window and calmly said, "What of Kou Jianghuai? And taking a step back, even if you were a transcending, saint-level official like Cao Changqing, what of it? Is that truly remarkable?"

Yu Youwei smiled in a very peculiar way and asked again, "Is it really that remarkable? Is it, perhaps, the number one in the world?"

Qi Shence instantly felt a chill run through him, as if plunged into an ice cave.

If it came down to family background or achievements, Qi Shence truly couldn't compare to that one person.

The hereditary Prince of Beiliang, wielding three hundred thousand elite iron cavalry, unmatched in the world. The top-ranked martial artist, commanding the respect of the martial world in both Liyang and Beiman.

Qi Shence quickly recovered from his despondency, shook his head, and with resolute eyes, said, "It's different. I will rise step by step, starting as an ordinary soldier."

Yu Youwei looked as if she had heard the funniest joke imaginable, barely suppressing a burst of laughter. She waved her hand, scoffing, "Don't say another word, you'll make me die laughing. Qi Shence, I won't delay your glorious exploits on the battlefield."

Qi Shence did not get angry. He asked, "Before I leave, I'd like to know what's so funny. Laughter is best shared, after all."

Yu Youwei held out her hand, clearly issuing a dismissal.

Qi Shence, indeed worthy of being considered by the Qi family as someone who could bear great responsibilities, was decisive in nature. He did not make an overly annoying display of unrequited love, but strode out of the room.

Only when he was far away did Yu Youwei squat down, cradle Wu Meiniang, and meet its gaze, a smile in her eyes. "Someone once told a joke," she murmured, "about a tortoise and a hare racing. He said the hare would never truly catch the tortoise, calling it a paradox. He even used a wine cup and chopsticks to earnestly explain it for ages, but I always thought it was twisted logic, a mere joke. Wu Meiniang, don't you agree?"

She pressed her cheek against the white cat's head, her eyes filled with sorrow, and whispered, "Wu Meiniang, perhaps it's very lonely when no one bullies you anymore?"

Yu Youwei slowly closed her eyes. "Living here with a heart that died there—that's the real paradox, isn't it?"

Little Wooden Fish, who had been hopping back to the room's entrance after setting down the scrolls, saw her Sister Yu squatting on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Immediately, she became furious, quickly knelt in front of Yu Youwei, and indignantly declared, "Sister Yu, Sister Yu, did that scoundrel Qi bully you? I'll go kick him to death right now!"

Yu Youwei opened her eyes, a little helpless, and softly said with a smile, "No, he didn't."

The pigtailed girl looked doubtful. "Really didn't?"

Yu Youwei nodded.

The little girl shook her fist and said, "Sister Yu, you secretly told me that guy was the master who defeated Old Immortal Wang! Hmph, you know, he himself said my punching was invincible and my kicking was unmatched last time!"

Then the little girl timidly asked, "Then why are you crying, Sister Yu?"

Yu Youwei, caught in her emotional moment by a child, blushed slightly and parried, "It's just the scene stirring sad feelings."

Relieved, the pigtailed girl suddenly grinned mischievously. "Heh, Sister Yu, I'm going to study medicine now."

Yu Youwei was confused. "Why?" she asked.

The little girl chuckled happily. "To help Sister Yu make some 'regret medicine'!"

Yu Youwei paused, then, regaining her composure, pinched Little Wooden Fish's rosy cheek. "When you grow up, you'll understand that for some things, it's better to regret than not to regret."

The little girl made a face. "Then I don't want to grow up. If I regret things every day, it'll surely break my heart!"

Yu Youwei smiled, stood up, holding the large white cat in one arm and Little Wooden Fish's hand in the other, and walked out of the room.

On their way back to her residence, passing by Buddha's Palm Lake, Little Wooden Fish couldn't help but exclaim, "The snowman that the white-haired brother built last time was really, really huge!"

For some reason, the pigtailed girl inadvertently looked up at her Sister Yu, who was looking down as if at her own chest. The expression on her face was probably what scoundrels often described as "luscious and tempting."

The little girl gasped. She understood. That guy, who had once freeloaded meals at her home, must have taken liberties with Sister Yu there!

While Little Wooden Fish felt indignant for Sister Yu, she was also curious. Sister Yu didn't seem angry; rather, she seemed a little happy?

The grievances and affections of adults, she still didn't quite understand.

The little girl, a poor child who had to mature early, sighed with an old-fashioned air and muttered to herself, "Indeed, the name of that 'regret medicine' must be 'Forgetting Each Other in Life's Journey,' and the root cause it treats is 'Being Unable to Share Hardships Together.'"

North of Ju Zi Prefecture and south of Xihe Prefecture in Beimang lay Dunhuang City, renowned throughout the land. Luoyang, Beimang's foremost demon, had once been the half-master of this city. Following Luoyang's betrayal of Beimang and Empress's fury, Luoyang had fought her way through the encirclement into Liyang territory, vanishing completely from Beimang's martial world. However, for Dunhuang City, struggling for survival, this was like adding fuel to the fire, especially after the God of War Tuoba Pusa, at the Empress's behest, swept through the rear, eliminating all unruly Xiti forces of the vast grasslands. Although Helian Weiwu, the Hold-A-Staff Envoy of Xihe, had always turned a blind eye to Dunhuang City with no great animosity, and Murong Baoding, the Hold-A-Staff Envoy of Ju Zi Prefecture, was always regarded as Dunhuang City's behind-the-scenes supporter, this great upheaval sweeping across Beimang's northern court still somewhat affected Dunhuang City. Many defiant grassland chiefs, big and small, were forced to leave their territories to escape Tuoba Pusa's sharp edge, causing them to spread like a plague of locusts. Fortunately, the city was now under the command of the newly appointed Grand General Xu Pu, and powerful military captains, such as Yuwen Duan and Duanmu Chongyang from Dunhuang's prominent clans, held real authority. The city's inhabitants believed that as long as Dunhuang City did not raise the flag of rebellion, even if some border-crossing Xiti wanted to seize control, Dunhuang City would not be easily defeated. However, what most unnerved the residents who relied on Dunhuang City was the disappearance of the beautiful City Lord. After quelling a bloody rebellion within the city, she had vanished for about half a year. During that time, not only did ordinary dignitaries in the city not see her, but even the heads of "old and new dynastic veteran" families like the Yuwen and Duanmu families could not get an audience with her. It was not until summer that she leisurely reappeared in Dunhuang City. During her absence, there were widespread discussions, rumors, and wild tales filling the city. Some said this Beimang "little empress" had been abducted by Murong Baoding, who coveted her beauty. Others claimed she had been summoned by the Empress into her imperial tent, acknowledging her as her biological niece. In any case, all sorts of bizarre stories circulated. Fortunately, after disappearing for half a year, this City Lord had regained power from Xu Pu, the general who had transformed overnight from a down-and-out man.

Within Juxian Palace lay an inconspicuous courtyard called Qingliu Courtyard, filled with banana trees. For unknown reasons, it had always been a forbidden area. What was stranger still was that it wasn't heavily guarded; on the contrary, Dunhuang City's Jinwu Guards never patrolled or stood duty there.

It was more like a neglected palace.

At this very moment, Grand General Xu Pu, rumored to be at odds with the City Lord, sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. Besides the mistress of Dunhuang seated opposite him, not even a single palace maid or servant girl was present.

Xu Pu, or rather Xu Pu who, years ago, had wielded great authority over the cavalry alongside the Prince of Beiliang's brother-in-law, Wu Qi, was now giving her a detailed report on the latest battle situation along the Liang-Mang border. Three elite cavalry armies from Beimang's Southern Court had separately invaded Liang, You, and Liu Prefectures. However, their bluster amounted to little; apart from the cavalry force that showed its face invading Liu Prefecture—and then retreated without a fight after a brief standoff—the troops heading for Liang and You Prefectures were completely unheard of. No matter how much Dunhuang City's loyal spies dug for intelligence, they found nothing. It was known that Dunhuang City's top spy had even reached a high-ranking figure in the Southern Court, second only to the Hold-A-Staff Envoy, yet still returned empty-handed. Xu Pu didn't believe this was some excuse about generals outside not being bound by orders; it was either a sudden scheme by "Fatty Dong" or a pre-planned strategy by the Grand Minister of Peace. Whichever it was, Xu Pu felt a suffocating sense of an impending storm. If he were a general in Beiliang's border army, he could remain calm, but now he was merely an "outsider" in Beimang's hinterland, in Dunhuang City, only able to watch from afar. It was inevitable that he felt a great deal of frustration.

The woman was simultaneously a first-class maid in the Prince of Beiliang's Wutong Courtyard, a loyal guard by the Crown Prince's side, the City Lord of Dunhuang, and a top-ranked assassin on Beimang's list.

Hongshu listened as the vanguard cavalry unit, which had advanced south to attack Liu Prefecture, retreated without a fight. She softly said, "Uncle Xu, the Grand General diligently managed Liang and You Prefectures for twenty years before his death. Old General Yan Wenluan guards You Prefecture, and now Chu Lushan personally oversees Beiliang's northern pass. Dong Zhuo's initial decision to attack Liu Prefecture is definitely confirmed. Beimang wants to use Liu Prefecture as a breakthrough point, and our Beiliang wants to use it as bait. Both sides have their objectives. Ultimately, it seems to be about whether geographical advantage or human factors will win."

Xu Pu calmly said, "If Beimang is determined to fight to the death over Liu Prefecture, Liu Prefecture, with no cities to hold and no strongholds to rely on, certainly cannot be defended. The key lies in how much 'meat' both Liang and Mang sides will lose in this slaughterhouse. In my opinion, even if Beimang loses 150,000 elite troops in Liu Prefecture, as long as our Beiliang's casualties reach 50,000—50,000—if we cross that line, even by one soldier, then Beiliang will have lost this war. Defending Northwest Liang Prefecture and Northern You Prefecture is merely buying time for Liyang. Beiliang, Beimang, Liyang, a three-legged standoff. Liyang can best afford the time and national resources, Beimang follows closely, and Beiliang is the most strained."

Hongshu worriedly said, "All 30,000 Dragon Elephant Army are in Liu Prefecture."

Xu Pu said wistfully, "This is actually the Prince's statement to all the people of Beiliang. To guard the nation's gate and fight to the death on the border. If we lose, among those who die in battle, there will certainly be one named Xu."

Hongshu asked, "Is it worth it?"

Xu Pu did not answer.

Hongshu answered her own question, "Many things, one can't say if they're worth it or not."

Hongshu suddenly asked, "Uncle Xu, how is the eunuch Dong Shou's martial arts aptitude?"

Xu Pu smiled. "His aptitude is ordinary, but his character is pure and good. The path of martial arts isn't only for those with extraordinary talent to achieve success. Moreover, the secret manual the City Lord chose doesn't demand exceptional innate root bones; it only emphasizes consistent, accumulated effort."

Hongshu bit her lip, regretting, "It's not that there aren't instant martial arts shortcuts, but none of them suit this honest youth. Yet, I would never trust a clever and naturally gifted martial arts prodigy."

Xu Pu nodded, also sighing, "It's hard to find satisfaction in people, and things rarely go as planned."

Hongshu glanced at the sky. Xu Pu quietly rose, preparing to leave the courtyard.

Hongshu smiled and asked, "Uncle Xu, I still have a few jars of Green Ant Wine here. Would you like to take them back to drink?"

Xu Pu glanced at the closed door, his eyes filled with warmth, then chuckled heartily, "My heart's burden is lifted; no need for wine."

After seeing Xu Pu off, Hongshu turned and walked to the room, opened the door, and then quickly closed it.

Inside, all the tables, chairs, and benches were covered with cotton cloth, and there was a delicate cradle that seemed intended for a child's sleep.

As she tiptoed towards the cradle, her smiling face was warmer than ever before.

She knelt before the cradle and gently cooed, "My little Sweet Potato, grow up quickly, and then go give your daddy a big surprise."