One

Lü Guichen leaned against the palace wall, listening to the sound of the qin and singing from the neighboring Maple Garden. Separated by a wall, on his side of the Guihong Pavilion, there was only a single lamp lit inside, leaving the space feeling empty and devoid of people. In early spring, the night breeze carried a chill, making the thin fabric of his clothes feel inadequate against the cold. He looked up at the bright moon climbing to the treetops, its light spilling onto the courtyard's blue brick floor like a splash of clear water

Ji Ye lowered his head to look at the rising and falling hooves: "In fact, I used to think this way as well. The fact that the sovereign did not grant me the position of deputy general is of no consequence. I will accumulate merits and rise through the ranks on my own. One day, when I ascend to the position of deputy general, it will be more dignified than a title granted by the sovereign, and perhaps I can rise even higher, to the position of rear general, front general, or even grand general..."

The sound of the horse's hooves faded away, and Ji Ye stood alone there, feeling a chill enveloping him. He looked up through the dense canopy of leaves, as the fragmented light of the stars and moon scattered in small patches over his armor.

However, ... ... "I perhaps shouldn't have said this, but I am your friend ... ... I went to the Confucius Temple yesterday, intending to buy a saddle, and I saw Yuran and Young Master Chen over there picking out pendants... Young Master Chen seems to like her too, doesn't he? A girl like her... ... ..."

"How could there be none?" Xiao Su chuckled, "I mean, it was the tea princess who came to stay during the Spring Festival that year."

Xi Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "Ji Ye, don't you think that Uncle is a very difficult person to understand?"

Indeed, it is good, but it ultimately lacks a certain depth. This poem uses lotus leaves as a metaphor, focusing on the four characters 'shallow water, gazing at each other,' which conveys the sense of longing across the water, the twists and turns of thought, the heart as light as a thread, and the feeling of unfulfilled desire. Xiao Su's琴声 is too overt, while Liu Yuer's singing seems too soft, lacking the intended flavor. You must consider that it is that moment in spring when, separated by water and fields of lotus leaves, a young man and woman exchange a glance, or perhaps the young man has intentions while the young woman is indifferent, or vice versa. Yet it is also possible that both harbor feelings but cannot express them. The phrase '依依' is simple yet reveals true emotions; it captures the feeling of stealing a glance and then quickly looking away, yet unable to resist the urge to steal a second glance, the desire to speak but finding nothing on the tip of the tongue, while the feelings remain trapped in the heart, causing distress. Bai Li Yu's voice comes from next door, warm and charming.

"Are you going to confess your feelings?" Ji Ye also laughed, punching him lightly on the chest over the horse, "Then it should be you treating me to a drink."

Sometimes, Lü Guichen feels as if he has become a person from the Eastern Land. Last year, he followed the loyalist army to Shangyang Pass and fought a battle, fighting for the Eastern Land royal family, and nearly did not survive to return. Upon returning, he was immediately seized by Master Lu to continue lecturing on the principles of governance in the Eastern Land, spending his days like a scholar from the Eastern Land, reciting and pondering.

Lü Guichen felt a slight stir in his heart

I happened to see my uncle's documents today. Next month, thirteen soldiers from the Imperial Guard will be promoted, and your rank will be elevated to Yajiang, so you will no longer serve in the Qingying Guard. Shouldn't you treat me to a drink?" Xi Yan smiled, "My uncle said that the sovereign also feels that too many soldiers perished in the battle of Shangyang Pass, and if they are not appeased, it is likely to dampen people's spirits.

"The girl who speaks nonsense, chase her out to beg for food!" Bai Li Yu smiled, yet inexplicably let out a soft sigh.

Ji Ye was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, "I thought I would never be able to rise up in my lifetime."

Where is the general? You are the general's nephew; do you not wish to be like the general? asked Ji Ye

The depth of the river cannot be crossed, that person is right beside you, within reach, yet you can only feel a sense of emptiness and gaze longingly from afar. Bai Li Yu sighed softly over there, saying, "You have grown up in the palace since childhood, and ultimately do not understand that kind of sentiment."

"Has the young master also been moved?" Liu Yuer said

"By the way, have you been promoted?" Ji Ye changed the subject.

This time it is Ji Ye's turn to feel embarrassed, his reaction is the same as Xi Yuan's, lowering his head and scratching his messy hair, feeling very hot and stuffy.

"Just like that, Uncle is a very special person." Xi Yuan sighed, "I think one can still learn from the public, but Uncle cannot be learned from."

The night breeze swirled, and Liu Yuer's singing twisted and turned in the wind, while Xiao Su accompanied her on the zither, the sound tinkling like raindrops falling on a wind chime

"Don't mistake me for a wealthy tycoon, so what if I am?" Ji Ye removed his helmet, shook his sweaty hair loose, and gave his head a vigorous toss

You are the student of your uncle, so it is not surprising that you have been promoted to the Commander of the Martial Hall

"But Xiyuan, so many people died at Shangyang Pass, just like me, they all wanted to be promoted, to advance, to not lack money, and to avoid being looked down upon. Yet they all died. Perhaps if we fight another major battle, neither of us will return. " Ji Ye looked up at Xiyuan, "What do you think we are fighting so hard for? I keep thinking about it, but I can't figure it out.

Gathering lotus, gathering lotus, the lotus leaves are abundant

Gazing at each other from a distance, across the span of a small river

"Jiye, it is time for you to treat me as a guest." Xiyuan leisurely pulled the reins, and he and Jiye strolled on horseback through the streets. Night had fallen, and their day's martial training had just concluded as they returned to the city from Daliuying.

That is not the case; it must be Princess Xiaozhou. Do not be misled by the fact that our young master has only met her a few times; however, during their one meeting, he spent half a day combing her hair.

Is that Yu Ran? Xi Yuan returned a punch to Ji Ye, saying, "It's really hard to say who invited whom!"

He gave a silent wry smile

In the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Yincheng, in the third month, in Nanhuaicheng

He thought that outside the Northern Capital, the land was still frozen, while in Southern Huai City, the weeping willows had already donned a light green hue. This year, he was seventeen years old and had been away from his hometown for seven years. When he first arrived here, he stubbornly climbed to the top of the wall to overlook the Southern Huai City, which was surrounded by gates, feeling that the cities of the Eastern Continent were so cramped and closed off. He missed the boundless northern grasslands, the songs of young girls, and the sight of cattle and sheep grazing in the low grass. However, as days turned into years, his memories of the Northern Capital gradually faded. He had grown fond of the mist-covered waters of Southern Huai City, the eaves of the houses supported by brackets, and the narrow alleys often shaded by jujube trees. At night, the bustling market was filled with the continuous flow of lights, all of which were beautiful in ways the grasslands were not. He had also become accustomed to the soft and gentle melodies sung by Liu Yuer, which, like the willow catkins in the wind, evoked a sense of weariness and languor after prolonged listening. The group of girls who played with Bai Li Yu had grown up day by day, no longer as mischievous as they were in childhood. They no longer jumped and shouted 'Little Barbarian' upon seeing Lu Guichen. When they brushed past him, their faces would show a hint of blush, and they would slightly turn aside to greet him. The little girl who had once shouted 'Little Barbarian' the loudest, Xiao Su, had even become Lu Guichen's music teacher, teaching him finger techniques every few days.

Ji Ye was momentarily taken aback and nodded: "You say that too... Actually, sometimes I feel like I don't understand what the general is thinking, but it's not convenient to say. Xi Yan, have you been by the general's side since you were young?"

I also have it, and I can now be promoted to deputy general, " Xi Yan laughed, " However, I was originally a dental general, and this time I was promoted a level due to my uncle's merit. My uncle said he might arrange a marriage for me, so it is better for my military rank to be a bit higher.

The phoenix tree above Lv Guichen swayed gently in the wind, causing the rainwater accumulated on its leaves to fall down, drenching him. He remained still, staring blankly at the moon in the sky, as something began to rise from his heart, soft like willow catkins, yet heavy as it layered upon itself, filling his heart to the brim

Baili Yu is the same age as him, also seventeen. As time passes, Baili Yu will no longer throw the flower ball at Lu Guichen's forehead. He unexpectedly becomes elegant and composed, spending his days studying poetry and prose, with his writing considered the best in Nanhua City. Some say that a descendant of the Baili family has finally taken up the pen of the literary and wise ruler of the nation. Baili Yu is handsome and possesses excellent skills in playing the guqin. He rarely leaves the palace, yet there are many noble young ladies who admire him. Groups of girls often come to wait for him to exit the palace, while Baili Yu listens to the guqin from beyond the palace walls, pointing out the shortcomings one by one.

Xi Yuan pondered for a moment: "I believe that all of us aspire to achieve great things. To accomplish great things, we must be like Li Gong, daring to fight and unrestrained. In fact, when I see Li Gong commanding on the battlefield, with thousands of troops rallying around him, I truly do not perceive him as my enemy. I think a hero is just like that; so many brave warriors from the southern tribes heed his call, and there must be reasons for that. Unfortunately, there are too few people like Li Gong. You are right; many people die in a single battle, and then they have nothing left."

He scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed: "Actually, it is still a matter without a shadow."

One need not necessarily leave the palace. Once one's heart has been stirred, one naturally understands the nuances within. My words may still be superficial; profound matters ultimately cannot be articulated. Only with a guqin, when played in moments of confusion, can one truly savor its essence. Bai Li Yu has a good temperament and is particularly gentle with these young ladies, remaining unperturbed.

"You don't seem very happy either," Xiyuan said, "Although the position of a general is not a high rank, it is still that of a military officer, different from an ordinary guard. Moreover, you are in the Imperial Guard and a student of your uncle, so your promotion will surely be swift. After you pass the rank of Deputy General, you can be promoted to Vice General. At the Daliu Camp martial arts demonstration, the rank of Vice General should have been yours; the sovereign did not bestow it upon you. However, given your current momentum, you might accumulate enough merit to be promoted to Vice General by the age of twenty. This speed is something many scions of noble families wouldn't even dare to dream of; you have certainly reclaimed what you deserve."

"We do not understand, so does Young Master Yu understand? We have not left the palace, and Young Master Yu is merely listening to the music played by the ladies through the wall. Could it be that he has truly been moved by anyone's琴声?" Little Su teased.

Xi Yuan shook his head: "As for the matters at home, there is no need to mention them... It was only when I was close to death that I learned my uncle was the Imperial Feather General. He came to the prison with the emperor's order to take me out. We had a meal at a restaurant opposite the prison, and he said he would send me to a distant relative. He spoke very little, and I was somewhat hesitant to talk to him. Later, he said someone would come to pick me up, stood up to leave, and I just watched his back. When he reached the door, he turned back to glance at me, then came over and pulled me, saying that from then on, he would be my only relative, and I should follow him." He spoke very little, and I was somewhat hesitant to talk to him. Later, he said someone would come to pick me up, stood up to leave, and I just watched his back. When he reached the door, he turned back to glance at me, then came over and pulled me, saying that from then on, he would be my only relative, and I should follow him."

He realized that it was indeed awkward to say such a thing, so he changed the subject: "I will take my leave now; I don't know how many documents are waiting for me to organize at my uncle's place."

Is that all

"By the way, I need to take a shortcut; I have an appointment with a friend," Ji Ye recalled.