The first rain of spring fell on the day the Jin army entered Xiping Pass.
Even from a distance, Su Wan could see the breach in the Xiping Pass city wall caused by the Shenji cannons. It looked like a missing front tooth.
Standing on the high ground, gazing at the distant city walls, she couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing feelings, thoughts, and reflections).
Winter has passed and spring has come; time has flowed by, but the majestic pass still stands tall, like an aged lion king who, though toothless, still exudes an aura of majesty.
As the weather warms, the ice wall used to seal the breach has long since melted, and unidentified green vines sprout from the cracks in the brickwork, climbing upwards along the moss-covered gap. Rain patters on the vine leaves, washing the tangled green tendrils even more vibrant, adding a touch of lightness to the imposing Xiping Pass.
Wei Jingzhuo held up his umbrella to shield her from the rain, and pointed to the gap, saying, "The east and west walls of Xiping Pass are already broken. There's no point in the Southern Chu army guarding here. If I were Chu Yi, I would also withdraw my troops in time."
"Should we continue the pursuit?" Su Wan asked.
“We’ll spend the night inside the pass, and then we’ll go after the Southern Chu army,” Wei Jingzhuo said, putting his arm around her waist. “Since I am the Crown Prince of the Great Jin, it is my duty to protect the country.”
Su Wan leaned against him and followed him down the slope, asking, "Where is the Southern Chu army headed?"
"Chu Yi's forces are not superior. The wisest course of action is to retreat to the border and receive support from the Southern Chu army."
The two arrived in the city and, together with Meng Ruliu, first paid their respects at the tombs of General Zhao Xian and General Meng Kuan, before returning to the general's mansion to rest.
The sky was already overcast, and it grew even darker after dusk. The rain not only didn't let up, but it poured down even harder.
Wei Jingzhuo removed his armor, changed into civilian clothes, and said to Su Wan, "It's damp and cold on a rainy day, why don't we close the windows first? I'll have the servants add two more basins of charcoal to prevent the cold from getting in."
Su Wan rested her chin on her hands, gazing at the rain curtain hanging from the eaves outside the window, listening to the pattering rain, and lazily asked, "What day is it today?"
The sound of rain helps me fall asleep, but it's not time to sleep yet.
Wei Jingzhuo closed his eyes for a moment and said, "Awakening of Insects."
"The Awakening of Insects, according to our local custom, we eat pancakes. After eating the pancakes, we also eat pears... Oh, right."
Su Wan jumped up and said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Ah Jin, I'll make you some pancakes. We'll invite my sworn sister over too, so you can all try my cooking."
Making pancakes is an essential skill for her at home.
There's a saying that goes, "A pancake can wrap up anything." You can put an egg in it, beef in it, spread meat sauce on it, roll it up with scallions...
The most satisfying and complete way to eat it is to buy some skewers, spread meat sauce on a thin, hot flatbread, neatly arrange a few scallions, place the sizzling lamb skewers on top, use the flatbread to hold the skewers, pull out the skewers, roll the flatbread tightly, open your mouth and take a big bite...
The more she thought about it, the craving became. She raised the back of her hand to wipe the corner of her mouth and said, "I'll go knead the dough now."
Wei Jingzhuo smiled and said, "I'll help too, okay?"
Su Wan rolled up her sleeves, examined Wei Jingzhuo's hands, and smiled, "Do you know how to knead dough?"
"No," Wei Jingzhuo replied truthfully.
"It's okay, it's quite simple. I'll teach you how to knead the dough first, and then I'll make the pancakes."
The two excitedly ran into the general's mansion kitchen. Inside, knives and spoons clattered, and steam rose as the chefs prepared dishes.
The head chef, seeing the two enter, said, "General, Madam. The meal will be ready soon. If you're in a hurry, there's some porridge here to tide you over."
Su Wan said, "I want to make pancakes for A-Jin. You guys grill a hundred lamb skewers for me and bring them in later."
The head chef agreed, and Su Wan pulled Wei Jingzhuo into the inner room, where they each took an apron and tied it on.
Wei Jingzhuo was a formidable warrior on the battlefield, looking down upon all living beings. But when he stood before the chopping board, he was like a helpless child. Su Wan had no choice but to stand behind him and personally guide him by holding his wrist.
"Don't use so much force, be gentle. If you press any harder, the dough will sink into the cutting board."
"Haha, then you can make me a cutting board to eat."
"Okay, just imagine this lump of dough is me. Can you be a little gentler... Wow, you... never mind, let's just think of it as flour."
"So, Ah-Wan prefers my gentle touch?"
"Ugh," Su Wan slapped Wei Jingzhuo's face with her flour-covered hands and laughed, "Now my husband is even whiter."
Not to be outdone, Wei Jingzhuo also grabbed a handful of flour and tried to throw it at Su Wan.
Su Wan ran around the stove first, then around the food box, laughing, "You can't catch up, you can't catch up."
Wei Jingzhuo turned to the frying pan on the stove, his face showing a look of panic: "The pan is burnt." Su Wan quickly looked over there, and Wei Jingzhuo walked around, picked her up, and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.
Su Wan raised her hands and laughed, "Alright, alright, quickly put me down, my apron is covered in oil."
Wei Jingzhuo put her down. She picked up the frying pan and placed it on the stove, squatted down to add a few pieces of firewood, and said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Ajin, pump the bellows a few times to make the fire burn."
Wei Jingzhuo obediently squatted down by the stove and started working the bellows.
While rolling out the dough with a rolling pin, Su Wan said, "Ah Jin, do you know how much Miss Bai feels about you? She's the most beautiful woman in the capital, so why are you always so cold to her?"
Wei Jingzhuo said, "I just don't feel anything. I admit she is indeed very beautiful."
“Don’t all men like beautiful women?” Su Wan said. “As the saying goes, even heroes can’t resist the charms of a beautiful woman. You like me, isn’t it because I’m pretty?”
Wei Jingzhuo stopped what he was doing and said, "Awan, you are different from those people. You are not only beautiful."
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