Chapter Twenty-Six: Moonlight in My Heart

Spring always arrives late in the North. It's already March, and while the Central Plains should be lush and vibrant with life, here the chill of winter still lingers. Only after a spring rain does the grassland truly awaken, with new green shoots struggling to emerge from the withered yellow, dotting the horizon like stars.

Yunji's newly established school is located next to the newly built market. It is a spacious building constructed of bluestone and logs. At this moment, sunlight shines through the high windows, falling on the evenly ground ink and reflecting a shimmering light.

"Seventh Brother, how do you think my calligraphy is?" A clear, melodious voice, like that of a lark, broke the silence of the room.

Yunji looked up from a pile of border trade documents and saw Yuan Ya standing in front of him, holding a sheet of Xuan paper and smiling. Today she was wearing a lake-blue grassland dress with snow-white lamb's wool trim on the collar and cuffs, which made her skin look even healthier and more rosy. Her eyes, which were always full of smiles, were now looking at him expectantly.

Yuan Ya was the most beloved youngest daughter of Su Tan, the king of the grasslands. Ever since she risked her life to save him when they were in danger on the grasslands, Yun Ji had taken her in as his younger sister. She originally had no Han name, but after coming to the Han studies school founded by Yun Ji, she became deeply fascinated by the culture of the Central Plains and recognized Yun Ji as her older brother. Seeing her intelligence, Yun Ji took the character "Ya" from the Book of Songs and combined it with the name of her tribe, "Yuan," to give her the name "Yuan Ya."

He took the Xuan paper, his gaze falling on the poem she had written—a famous line from the *Book of Songs*, "The Papaya" in the "Wei Feng" section: "You gave me a peach, I returned a precious jade. It wasn't just a repayment, but a token of our enduring friendship!"

Although the handwriting was still somewhat immature, the strokes already showed a certain neatness and structure, indicating that the writer had put in a lot of effort. "Very well written," Yunji praised sincerely, his fingertip lightly touching the phrase "永以为好也" (May it always be good). "This stroke of the character '永' (May always) is particularly skillful."

"Really?" Yuan Ya's eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight. "I practiced for several nights! This poem is so beautiful, 'You give me a peach, I return you a precious jade'... Unlike the songs of our grasslands, where love and hate are directly expressed. The feelings of the people of the Central Plains are like the gentle warmth hidden in jade, to be savored slowly."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily fell on Yunji's hands holding the brush. Those hands, with their distinct knuckles, could wield such a delicate brush, dip it in the soft, black ink, and write Chinese characters that were sometimes vigorous, sometimes flowing, and could even issue decrees to solve the tribe's practical problems. All of this was completely different from the ruggedness of the grassland men drawing bows and wielding swords; it possessed a gentle strength that captivated her. Yunji, somewhat unsettled by Yuan Ya's intense gaze, rose and left the room. He knew all too well that Yuan Ya was beautiful, possessing an innate, free-spirited air characteristic of grassland children. She was an excellent rider, capable of taming even the wildest horses; more importantly, she was naturally close to the creatures of this land, tasting hundreds of herbs, knowledgeable in medicine, and always accompanied by a pure white, bright-eyed snow fox. The little creature was incredibly intelligent, often quietly curled up at Yuan Ya's feet, or bringing her rare herbs.

Last winter, a sudden blizzard swept across the grasslands. Yunji, leading his men on a patrol of the border post, encountered danger on their return journey. Lost in the blizzard, many suffered frostbite, and Yunji himself suffered severe frostbite on his ankles, which became red, swollen, and ulcerated, making movement extremely difficult. The army physician was helpless, frankly stating that it might leave lasting damage. When the news reached the royal tent, Yuanya, without hesitation, braved the wind and snow with her medicine pouch and her nimble snow fox. She mixed several herbs Yunji had never seen before with the oil from some unknown wild animal and carefully applied it to his wounds. The ointment had a strange cooling effect, quickly relieving the excruciating pain and burning sensation. Even more miraculously, the snow fox would often come close to Yunji's feet, pressing its warm body against his wounds and emitting soft, soothing purrs.

In just three days, the frostbite, which had been a challenge even for the military medics, showed significant improvement; the redness and swelling subsided, and new flesh grew. Yunji was deeply grateful, and looking at Yuan Ya's busy figure and her clear, focused eyes, he felt a genuine sense of admiration. This girl, like the grassland itself, seemed simple, yet possessed boundless wisdom and gentleness that nourished life. Not to mention that Yuan Ya had saved him from the danger of being trapped by a pack of wolves.

However, gratitude and affection are ultimately different from the moonlight hidden deep in one's heart.

The grassland at dusk is vast and magnificent. The setting sun dyes the clouds on the horizon a beautiful crimson and gold, and the huge sun slowly sinks into the distant horizon. Herdsmen ride their horses, driving their flocks of sheep that look like clouds back home, and the long pastoral songs drift in the evening breeze.

Yunji stood alone on a small hill at the edge of the camp, gazing at the official road leading to the Central Plains. The wind brushed against his slightly thin face, bringing with it the scent of grass and earth.

He was waiting for a letter. A letter from the capital, imprinted with seasonal flowers, exuding a delicate fragrance, and always ending with a quirky, expressive doll.

Unlike the ease and joy Yuan Ya brought him, Huai Rou was an indispensable guiding light in his life. The suffering in the capital was a spiritual suffering, a suffering caused by the constraints of fate, the uncertainty of the future, and the omnipresent oppression and loneliness. But with Huai Rou by his side, those heavy days seemed to be illuminated. She was not only a companion in his studies and a teacher, but also a pillar of support for his soul. Her wisdom, like a gentle stream, guided him silently; her very existence was a warm comfort.

The hardships of the grasslands lay in the harsh environment, the roughness of the wind and sand, the severe climate, and the precariousness of initially dealing with various tribes. But whenever he received a letter from Huairou, reading her calm analysis of the situation, her words filled with concern and encouragement, discussing national policies and sharing insights with her across the distance, Yunji felt that even the most difficult days were filled with hope and warmth. Those letters were his most important connection to the past and to that profound emotion.

However, it was already almost half a month later than expected. The memorial formally proposing a marriage alliance from King Sutan had reportedly been sent to the capital by messenger at top speed. He needed a conciliatory approach, but even more so… an answer, an answer that would put his mind at ease, or at least give him the peace of mind he needed.

"We can't wait any longer!" Yunji took a deep breath and made up his mind. He summoned his trusted confidant and ordered him to lead a team of capable men to search for the messenger along the official road leading to the capital. "We must find the messenger and receive Miss Guo's reply!"

Almost at the same time that Yunji sent out his troops, a small-scale conflict had just ended at a pass a hundred miles north of the border.

Guo Qiyu reined in his horse, blood still dripping from the tip of his spear. He wore light black armor, the insignia of the Guo family's generals etched on his shoulder armor, the armor stained with dust and specks of dark red. His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, swept over the scattered bandits fleeing before him. Confirming the threat was gone, he gave a deep order: "Clean up the battlefield, aid the wounded, and inventory the supplies!"

"Understood!" the soldiers responded in unison, their actions swift and orderly.

This was a band of horse bandits, independent of any tribe, who roamed and plundered caravans year-round. Their activities had recently become increasingly rampant due to the flourishing border trade. Guo Qiyu was ordered to suppress them, and this ambush was swift and decisive, utterly defeating their main force.

He turned his horse around and looked at the Seventh Prince, Yunji, who was watching the battle from a hilltop not far away. The young prince, draped in a dark cloak, sat steadily on his horse in the fluttering wind, intently observing the battle, his expression calm and composed. After nearly three years of training, the once somewhat frail Seventh Prince had gained much more determination and decisiveness in his eyes.

Guo Qiyu spurred his horse closer, his tone carrying the directness characteristic of a soldier, tinged with a barely perceptible concern: "Your Highness, the banditry has been quelled. It's windy here; we should return to camp."

Yunji nodded, but his gaze still drifted involuntarily to the south, a trace of worry familiar to Qi Yu flashing in his eyes.

On the way back to camp, Qi Yu and Yun Ji rode side by side. Dusk fell, and the last glimmer of light on the horizon disappeared. The campfire lit in the camp, in the deepening night, was like a star guiding the way home.

"Is Your Highness waiting for my sister's reply?" Qi Yu's voice broke the silence.

Yunji paused slightly, but did not deny it, and simply hummed in agreement.

Qi Yu remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the deep night sky, as if it could pierce through mountains and rivers to reach his younger sister back home in the capital—a sister who was always quiet and elegant, yet possessed a heart full of wisdom. "Huairou…she's been different from other young ladies since childhood. She's deep-thinking and far-sighted; sometimes even I, her older brother, can't see through her."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly calm and pragmatic, as if analyzing a battle: "But everything she has done, whether it was assisting His Highness in the palace in the past or now maneuvering for him in the capital, is done with the intention of ensuring His Highness's advancement and stability. She values ​​His Highness's future above all else."

Yunji listened silently, knowing that Qi Yu's words were true. Huairou and Guo Qiyu were siblings with a deep bond. Although Qi Yu was often away from home, he understood and cared for his younger sister very much. His words at this moment were both a comfort and a wake-up call for him.

"Regarding the marriage alliance with King Sutan," Qi Yu continued, lowering his voice to a level only loud enough for the two of them to hear, "this humble general believes that, for the public good, this is an excellent opportunity to stabilize the grasslands and deepen the alliance. Princess Yuanya is of pure character and enjoys an excellent reputation among the various tribes of the grasslands. With her assistance, Your Highness's foundation here will be even more solid. For personal reasons…"

He glanced at Yunji, seeing his focused attention, before slowly saying, "Your Highness should know that some concerns, kept in the heart, may be more enduring. The situation in the capital is complex, and although His Majesty is of noble character, he still needs to balance the interests of all parties. If Your Highness can establish a firm foothold here and wield real power, in the future... perhaps you will be able to truly protect those you wish to protect, rather than becoming a weakness that hinders others."

These words were extremely insightful. They demonstrated both the strategic acumen of a general and the understanding and guidance of a knowledgeable elder brother. He did not directly comment on Yunji's feelings for Huairou, but analyzed the pros and cons of the marriage alliance from the most realistic perspective, and... a more profound possibility.

Yunji was deeply shaken and looked at Qi Yu. This young general, brave and fearless on the battlefield, possessed such a meticulous mind, and clearly had already seen through his deepest inner struggles. He was telling him that true strength sometimes requires making choices against one's will. And this choice might be for greater freedom in the future.

"Brother Qi Yu..." Yunji's throat tightened, a thousand words condensed into one sentence, "I understand. Thank you."

Seven days later, the messenger returned weary from his journey and finally intercepted the messenger from the capital, who had been delayed due to road damage, at a post station a hundred miles away from the military camp.

The letter finally reached Yunji's hands.

The familiar letter, weathered by time, still carried a faint, delicate floral fragrance characteristic of springtime in the capital. He almost held his breath as he walked to the lamp and carefully removed the sealing wax.