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In mid-August, as the wind and sand of the northwest desert swept in with the sound of camel bells, Yuan Yingwu's silver spear struck down the last flag of the Zhenguo Grand General. He gazed at the distant burning armory, recalling the placenta sent by Liu Ruyi three months prior—the knife marks on it still etched in his heart, igniting his fury every time he wielded his spear, turning enemy tents to ashes.
"Young Lord, it's time to return," Niu Peng said, handing him a water pouch stained with fresh blood. "News from the capital: the lady has entered labor. Old Madam requests your swift return."
Yuan Yingwu turned abruptly, the copper bells on his armor ringing sharply. He took the secret box handed to him by his trusted aide, containing crucial evidence brought from the Northwest Armory—the confidential letters exchanged between the Zhenguo Grand General and foreign powers, along with a military token engraved with his secret markings. These items would convince His Majesty that the defeat in the northwest was not due to the Crown Prince's incompetence, but rather a deliberate act by the Zhenguo Grand General to cut off weapon supplies for power.
"Prepare the horses," he commanded as he mounted his steed. In the swirling dust raised by his black horse, he touched the jade pendant at his chest, still bearing the creases of Liu Ruyi's last letter. "Tell my lady I return victorious."
The autumn rain in the capital fell heavily. Liu Ruyi lay in the delivery room, listening to the rain outside and suddenly recalling that it had been similar weather during her previous childbirth. Back then, she had been given labor-inducing medicine by Liu Rumeng and had bled to death without even seeing her child. Now, as she faced it all again, she gripped a silver needle tightly, her nails digging into her palm—this time, she would witness her child’s safe arrival.
"Lady, push!" The midwife's voice pierced through the intense pain of contractions. Just then, Liu Ruyi heard chaotic footsteps outside. She gestured for Zhang Yue to open a hidden compartment where a soft sword left by Yuan Yingwu lay concealed, its hilt engraved with her name.
"Miss, there are assassins!" Zhang Yue's scream mingled with the sound of rain. Liu Ruyi struggled to rise but saw that the delivery room window had been shattered as three masked figures armed with knives rushed in, their blades glowing ominously blue—poisoned.
In a critical moment, a loud crash echoed from above as a shadow descended like an eagle, a longsword striking precisely at an assassin's throat. Liu Ruyi looked at that familiar figure, tears mingling with sweat—Yuan Yingwu's shadow guard leader, codenamed "Black Eagle."
"Do not be alarmed, my lady; Young Lord has surrounded the estate," Black Eagle said as he landed and dispatched a second attacker with a dagger. "These assassins were sent by the Zhenguo Grand General; unfortunately for them, they were too late."
As soon as he finished speaking, sounds of clashing swords erupted outside, accompanied by a familiar shout: "Zhenguo Grand General scoundrel, come and face me!"
Liu Ruyi turned sharply to see Yuan Yingwu charging into the courtyard on his black horse, his silver spear cutting through the rain with fierce arcs. His armor was still dusted with yellow sand from the northwest, but upon seeing the direction of the delivery room, a softness flickered in his eyes. That glance filled Liu Ruyi with strength; she gritted her teeth and amidst the midwife's cheers heard her child's first cry.
"It's a son!" The midwife exclaimed as she brought forth the child. But at that moment, Liu Ruyi noticed something strange about the swaddling—the dark markings were those of the Zhenguo Grand General. She suddenly pushed away the child and shouted, "It's poisoned!"
Everyone in the room gasped; Zhang Yue quickly drew out a silver needle and saw its tip turn black instantly. Liu Ruyi forced herself up and snatched her child from the midwife’s hands, using her soft sword to cut open the swaddling. A piece of paper fell out bearing the words "Duke's Residence extermination day."
"Give me my child!" Yuan Yingwu's voice came from outside as he burst in covered in blood; his silver spear clanged against the floor. "Let me see him."
Liu Ruyi wrapped her child tightly in her clothing and looked up at her husband only to find a tear in his shoulder armor revealing blood-soaked inner garments. Suddenly she smiled—a sound filled with relief after surviving calamity: "Look, our son cries louder than you did back then."
Yuan Yingwu carefully took hold of their child; his fingertips brushed against that soft little face and tears filled his eyes unexpectedly. He leaned down to kiss Liu Ruyi’s forehead softly and murmured, "I’m sorry for frightening you."
"The one who should apologize is Zhenguo Grand General," Liu Ruyi indicated for Black Eagle to present the secret box. "Inside are proofs of his treasonous dealings and military tokens from Northwest Armory."
Yuan Yingwu opened the box and paused over the confidential letter for a moment before sneering coldly: "So he had already conspired with foreign powers to act when the Crown Prince fell. Unfortunately for him, he underestimated our resolve."
At that moment, Old Madam hurried in supported by maidservants; upon seeing her grandchildren safe and sound, tears streamed down her face. She produced a piece of yellow silk from her bosom—it was an imperial edict just issued that morning: "Yuan Yingwu is to enter the palace immediately; Zhenguo Grand General has been placed under house arrest pending judgment."
"Grandmother, please take care of our child," Liu Ruyi gestured for Zhang Yue to hold their baby. "My husband and I will go to court; there are matters we must address before His Majesty."
Inside Qianqing Palace, His Majesty looked grimly at the confidential letters and military tokens on his desk. The Zhenguo Grand General was shackled beneath him on the steps; once refined and elegant demeanor had turned into disarray as he glared resentfully at Liu Ruyi: "Do you think this will win you victory? His Majesty has long known about your Duke's Residence forging weapons..."
"Silence!" The Emperor slammed his hand on the table and demanded angrily: "I ask you—was it you who replaced ten thousand soldiers' weapons in the northwest with inferior iron materials?"
The Zhenguo Grand General attempted to argue further but was interrupted as Yuan Yingwu presented a blood-stained document containing testimonies from surviving deputy generals: "I witnessed Zhenguo Grand General's shadow guards swap out weapons leading to our brothers' blades breaking against enemy armor..."
Liu Ruyi seized the opportunity to kneel and bowed her head, saying, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s private forging of weapons was indeed a frame-up by Zhenguo Grand General. My husband ventured deep into the Northwest and uncovered the truth. Now that we have solid evidence, I hope Your Majesty will take action for the sake of the hundred thousand soldiers!”
The Emperor closed his eyes and sighed deeply. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “Zhenguo Grand General’s treason is confirmed. He shall be demoted to commoner status and placed under house arrest in Zongrenfu. As for Duke's Residence…” He glanced at Yuan Yingwu, a flicker of complexity passing through his eyes. “Yuan Yingwu has made contributions in quelling the rebellion in the Northwest and shall be promoted to Qi Wang, with the title of Zhenguo Grand General bestowed upon him. Liu Ruyi has raised her children well; she shall be granted the title of First-Rank Noble Consort.”
By the time they left the palace, it was already deep into the night. Liu Ruyi leaned against Yuan Yingwu’s shoulder, gazing at the starry sky, suddenly recalling her past life. Back then, she had curled up in a corner of Liu Residence, watching Liu Rumeng marry splendidly, thinking that this would be her fate forever. Little did she know that destiny would grant her a rebirth, allow her to meet Yuan Yingwu, and lead her to carve out an entirely different path amidst the swirling tides of fate.
“Do you regret marrying into Duke's Residence?” Yuan Yingwu’s voice carried a hint of fatigue but was filled with tenderness.
Liu Ruyi looked up at him; moonlight fell on his rugged profile, casting a gentle outline. She gently took his hand and placed it on her abdomen—where there was still softness yet held the most precious life within. “I do not regret it. Because you have shown me that a woman can be more than just a secluded wife; she can also be her own support.”
Yuan Yingwu suddenly stopped in his tracks and leaned down to kiss her under the moonlight. This kiss carried with it the sands of the Northwest, the blood and fire of battle, yet contained an appreciation for their survival after calamity. In the distance, a night watchman passed by, striking his clapper and startling a couple of night birds, but he could not disturb the deep affection reflected in this couple's eyes.
Upon returning to Duke's Residence, their child was peacefully sleeping in Old Madam's arms. Liu Ruyi gently tucked him in and noticed the red mark on his forehead, suddenly reminded of her child who had died young in her past life. She turned to look at Yuan Yingwu; he was holding their child's small hand with an expression full of clumsy tenderness.
“Let’s give him a name,” Old Madam said softly.
Yuan Yingwu looked up and met Liu Ruyi’s gaze. In unison, they said, “Dan Book Iron Certificate.”
Cheng'an, Chengping Jiunan. This was their hope for their child and their blessing for a nation that had endured hardships. Liu Ruyi gazed out at the gradually lightening sky and knew that this long winter had finally passed; their spring had finally arrived.
In the morning mist, Duke's Residence's vermilion doors slowly opened as sunlight pierced through the fog, illuminating the words “Loyalty and Valor” above the entrance. Liu Ruyi stood on the steps holding their child while Yuan Yingwu’s hand rested firmly on her waist. In the distance came cheers from the common people; they knew that Duke's Residence, once tarnished by rumors, had finally cleared its name and stood once more in the sunlight.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying with it the fragrance of wisteria flowers. Liu Ruyi closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her child in her arms and her husband’s warmth beside her. Suddenly she understood that this was the completeness she had earned with two lifetimes’ worth of fate. All past betrayals, conspiracies, and bloodshed turned to dust in this moment; only the happiness before her remained—real and tangible.
The Jin Ge returned to its sheath; peace reigned over all. She knew that their story was just beginning.
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