Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Setting Out on Campaign After Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng left the military camp, they returned to the city. Ling Jiayue planned to go home first, while Mu Yuheng said he would escort her back. Ling Jiayue smiled faintly and accepted. The two walked along the road without speaking, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward. Mu Yuheng suddenly broke the silence. “May I call you Yue’er?” Ling Jiayue was utterly baffled. “Why do you want to call me Yue’er?” Mu Yuheng suddenly became bashful. “Because… because… because I have feelings for you.” As he said this, his face flushed red. Although Ling Jiayue knew how Mu Yuheng felt about her, she still felt terribly embarrassed hearing him say it aloud. She remained silent, too shy to respond. After waiting for a long while without receiving an answer, Mu Yuheng glanced at her and saw that both her cheeks had already turned bright red. Mu Yuheng had never seen Ling Jiayue looking so bashful. His heart stirred, and he blurted out, “Since you aren’t saying anything, I’ll take that as your agreement. From now on, I’ll call you Yue’er.” Ling Jiayue had never been called Yue’er before, but she did not feel the slightest bit resistant when Mu Yuheng called her that. She said nothing, tacitly accepting it. Seeing that she had not objected, Mu Yuheng felt as though his heart were blooming with joy and called out involuntarily, “Yue’er.” Hearing him address her that way made Ling Jiayue’s face grow even redder. She did not know when it had begun, but she had developed a sense of dependence on Mu Yuheng. Mu Yuheng smiled, but then remembered the important matter at hand and said seriously, “Yue’er, we’re going to the Northwest to resist the border threat. The imperial court cannot be without people of our own.” Ling Jiayue also became serious. “That’s right. We need to establish our own influence in court as well. Otherwise, wouldn’t we be allowing the Third Prince’s people to dominate everything? Without internal support in the imperial court, we’ll be like deaf and blind people.” “Just leave this matter to me. I certainly won’t let us become deaf or blind.” Mu Yuheng gazed at Ling Jiayue tenderly, and Ling Jiayue nodded as well. Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of the Ling Residence’s main gate. “I should go inside now,” Ling Jiayue said to Mu Yuheng. “Go ahead. I should return as well. We need to make our preparations; we’ll be setting out soon. You should also go back and spend more time with Ling Taian and Madam Ling.” As Mu Yuheng spoke, Ling Jiayue nodded and entered the residence. Mu Yuheng waited until she had gone through the gate before returning to his own residence. After returning home, Ling Jiayue first went to pay her respects to Madam Liu and Ling Taian and told them what had happened that day. Since Ling Jiayue and the others would soon be setting out on campaign, Madam Liu sent her back to rest early. Madam Liu then busied herself preparing Ling Jiayue’s luggage. Although Ling Jiayue said it was unnecessary, Madam Liu insisted. After returning to her own courtyard, Ling Jiayue summoned Lingxue, Lingzhu, and Danyun to her side and instructed them, “This time, I plan to take Danyun with me to the battlefield. The two of you will remain at the residence and wait for my triumphant return.” Danyun nodded in acknowledgment, but Lingxue and Lingzhu were unwilling to accept this. “Miss, the border frontier is bitterly cold and full of hardship. How can we rest easy knowing you’re going alone? Please let us accompany you. That way, Madam will feel more at ease too.” Ling Jiayue instead spoke sternly. “War is no child’s game. Do you know how dangerous the battlefield is? Once the fighting begins, I’ll have to divide my attention to look after you. If either of you suffers even the slightest injury, my heart will ache. You two will obediently remain at the residence and wait for me to return.” Lingxue and Lingzhu still wanted to say something, but Ling Jiayue’s tone grew even harsher. “Be obedient and listen to me. The battlefield is no place for games. Wait for me here at the residence!” Only then did Lingxue and Lingzhu give up on accompanying her to the battlefield. The two left with aggrieved expressions. Danyun could not bear it and said, “Miss, why did you have to be so harsh? If you explained it to them properly, they would understand your good intentions.” Ling Jiayue sighed. “I was harsh because I want them to remain safe. If they truly went with me and I failed to protect them, how could I live with myself? Although they are nominally my maids, I’ve long since regarded them as my sisters. I only hope they’ll be safe.” Hearing how carefully Ling Jiayue had considered everything, Danyun said, “Miss, you’re doing this for their sake. Surely they’ll understand once they think it through. I’ve already finished arranging your luggage. Please go take a look and see whether anything is missing.” “Very well. Take me to see it. Since I’ll be traveling away from home, we mustn’t find ourselves lacking anything.” Ling Jiayue followed Danyun to inspect the luggage. Outside the window, Lingxue and Lingzhu heard the conversation between Ling Jiayue and Danyun. Their hearts grew warm, and they resolved to guard Ling Jiayue’s courtyard well. Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng busied themselves making preparations for their journey, while General Luo had already gone to Jiangnan to train the troops. The soldiers in the military camp were fully equipped and ready to depart, waiting only for the day of the expedition. That evening, Madam Liu came to Ling Jiayue’s room. Madam Liu hung the safety talisman she had painstakingly obtained around Ling Jiayue’s neck. Looking at her, she said, “Your mother doesn’t ask that you establish great achievements. I only hope that you’ll return safely.” Ling Jiayue held Madam Liu’s hand. “Mother, rest assured. Your daughter will definitely return safely. You truly don’t need to worry so much about me. You must take good care of yourself at home, and don’t fall ill. If you’re tired, rest more.” Wiping away her tears, Madam Liu said, “Your mother knows. When a child travels a thousand miles, the mother worries. Yue’er, I only hope that you truly return safely. From now on, your mother will abstain from meat and pray to Buddha, accumulating blessings for you. You must take good care of yourself. Don’t make your mother send off her own child before her time.” Ling Jiayue’s heart softened completely at Madam Liu’s words. She repeatedly assured her that she would return safely, and only then did Madam Liu return to her own courtyard. Madam Liu’s loving maternal heart moved Ling Jiayue deeply. She secretly swore that she would protect everyone in the Ling Residence and keep them safe. The next day, Ling Jiaxuan also came to Ling Jiayue’s courtyard. He said, “Little sister, I’ll set out on campaign with you.” Ling Jiayue, however, tried to dissuade him. “Older Brother, if we both leave, who will care for our parents? You should remain at home.” Ling Jiaxuan felt that Ling Jiayue’s words made sense and no longer insisted. He simply spoke with her at length, also hoping that she would return safely. Time flew by, and at last the day of departure arrived. Early that morning, Ling Jiayue, Mu Yuheng, and all the generals headed to the imperial palace. Mu Yuye had already prepared farewell wine for them. All the civil and military officials of the court were present. Mu Yuye delivered an impassioned speech, and the ministers likewise encouraged the soldiers. “Your Majesty, the auspicious hour has arrived. The soldiers should depart now. It would be unfortunate to delay and miss the auspicious hour,” Eunuch Chen reminded him from the side. Hearing this, Mu Yuye nodded in agreement. The soldiers then knelt to bid farewell to the emperor before departing the imperial palace with imposing bearing. Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng each mounted a warhorse and led the army forward. Ling Jiayue hoisted the commander’s banner and shouted, “Set out!” As her voice fell, the drums and ceremonial music of departure rang out. Accompanied by the sound of the drums, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng slowly led the army onward.