Chapter 66

Prince Yue was the son of the current Empress and the biological younger brother of the Crown Prince. Aside from the Eldest Prince, he was the only one exceptionally granted the title of Prince. Now that Prince Yue had arrived in person, even before the decree was announced, everyone understood the Emperor’s delight and the importance he placed on this matter.
Shao Jingyu’s victory in this battle had been hard-won but exceptionally brilliant. With only seven thousand casualties, he had annihilated over thirty thousand enemy troops. When the Emperor heard the battle report, he openly praised Shao Jingyu as a genius commander in front of all his ministers. The Shao family had already reached the pinnacle of official ranks. After bestowing countless treasures upon them, the Emperor immediately granted Shao Jingyu the title of Second-Rank General of the State and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Anguo with an additional five thousand households.
The decree shocked the entire court, yet no one dared to voice a word of dissent.
Who could have predicted that a young man would possess such capability?
The Shao family was famously a scholarly clan, never had they produced a military man. Yet, Shao Jingyu had stunned everyone with his achievements. Meanwhile, the Cao family, whom everyone had expected to excel, had failed in this battle, committing such a basic error as getting lost, infuriating the Emperor.
By law, this crime warranted execution!
In the end, out of respect for the Duke of Ning, the Emperor allowed them to redeem themselves with wealth, directly demoting them to commoners. The Left General was penalized with six months’ salary deduction and a demotion of two ranks.
Despite Cao Meng’s downfall, the Emperor remained immensely pleased with the overall victory. Shao Jingyu’s aunt, the current Imperial Consort, enjoyed a period of unparalleled favor. The Emperor was so fond of Shao Jingyu that he felt the rewards were insufficient. Ultimately, he ordered Prince Yue to personally deliver the decree.
With Prince Yue’s arrival, everyone came out of the camp to welcome him. Shao Jingyu had frequented the palace since childhood and was close in age to Prince Yue, Nan Gongye. Their relationship was excellent, so Shao Jingyu was genuinely pleased by the Prince’s visit, unlike the others who were tense and fearful.
Exiting the commander's tent with a beaming smile, he casually adjusted his hairpiece. After a few steps, he turned and noticed Yan Yiming standing motionless, lost in thought. He chuckled lightly and said, “Keep up. I specifically requested a reward for you from His Majesty.”
Shao Jingyu was fiercely protective of his own, going out of his way to secure honors for his subordinates without caring what others might say.
“Yes,” Yan Yiming replied, quickening her pace to catch up and lowering her voice. “Thank you, General.”
Shao Jingyu's handsome eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in and whispered teasingly, “How do you plan to thank me?”
Yan Yiming feigned ignorance, adopting a serious expression. “This humble officer will pledge loyalty to the general unto death to repay your kindness!”
“...” Shao Jingyu felt an unusual pang of disappointment, as if a grain of sand had lodged in his heart, grating and itching. He gritted his teeth, staring at the delicate features so close to him.
He had finally come to terms with the fact that he had fallen for a man, only to face the harsh reality that this “man” was far too straightforward.
Forget it, forget it, Shao Jingyu sighed inwardly, calming himself. This matter couldn't be rushed, it required careful planning.
By the time they left the commander's tent, the other generals had already assembled, waiting for him. Shao Jingyu cleared his throat to cover up his delay for personal matters, flexed his wrist, and strode out with an air of solemnity.
Fortunately, Prince Yue was in no hurry. Shao Jingyu and the others waited a short while before the prince's stern face gradually came into view. Everyone bowed in unison to greet His Highness.
Prince Yue had traveled light, arriving at the Northern Camp with only a fine horse and a few hundred personal guards. His robe, embroidered with golden dragon patterns, exuded an aura of nobility.
Perhaps the great victory was truly worth celebrating, as a faint smile played on Prince Yue's lips as he instructed everyone to rise. Turning to Shao Jingyu, he remarked, “It's been a while.” Shao Jingyu laughed heartily, and the two entered the tent arm in arm.
Though one was now a prince and the other a subject, they were still old friends and didn't stand on ceremony.
The other generals dared not utter a word, watching nervously as the two conversed animatedly. Cao Meng and the others were so tense they stiffened.
Shao Jingyu seemed to notice Cao Meng's discomfort only then and coughed lightly. “Your Highness, since you're here, why not stay a few days? For now, let's proceed with the imperial decree.”
Prince Yue chuckled and waved his hand. The court official beside him hurriedly bowed and produced the imperial edict, prompting everyone to kneel instantly.
The contents of the edict were almost exactly as Shao Jingyu had anticipated. The Emperor first expressed his delight upon hearing of the victory, then proceeded to distribute rewards.
Shao Jingyu was ennobled and promoted, eliciting gasps of astonishment from those present. The Right General, who had also contributed to the battle, was granted a title. Cao Meng, having suffered a defeat, was demoted to a commoner, while the Left General was fined half a year's salary and demoted two ranks.
Cao Meng's kneeling body swayed slightly, fortunately steadied by the Right General beside him.
After the merits and demerits of several generals were addressed, a group specifically mentioned by Shao Jingyu in this battle also received rewards.
When the court attendant read out Yan Yiming's name, Nan Gongye's leisurely demeanor suddenly froze.
This name had crossed his mind countless times over the past year away from the capital. Though no one around him dared to mention it, he had never forgotten.
Now, it was merely the same name, yet Nan Gongye was instantly reminded of countless memories, unexpectedly willing to shift his gaze to the young officer also named Yan Yiming.
With just one glance, Nan Gongye was stunned once more.
The soldier bore no resemblance to A'Ming in appearance, but in the exact same position, there was an identical small red mole.
Nan Gongye's hand, hidden in his sleeve, trembled imperceptibly. He fixed his gaze on Yan Yiming once again, and after a long while, suddenly let out a bitter laugh.
What was he thinking?
A'Ming was already dead. The person before him was not A'Ming, he was even a man.
Shao Jingyu didn't notice Nan Gongye's lapse; his focus was entirely on the emperor's reward for Yan Yiming. The emperor had indeed given him face: while Shao had only granted Yan Yiming a rank of Associate Fifth Grade Commandant, the emperor directly promoted him to a full Fifth Grade position.
After the imperial decree was announced, some were joyful while others were worried. As the crowd slowly dispersed, Nan Gongye watched the unfamiliar, slender figure leave the tent before finally looking away. Only then did Shao Jingyu notice and casually ask, “What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” Nan Gongye smiled. “It's been a long time since we raced on horseback. Care to try?”
“Gladly,” Shao Jingyu agreed readily, then called out to Yan Yiming, “Yiming, take Prince Yue to change his clothes.”
Nan Gongye was about to say there was no need for guidance, but upon hearing the name “Yiming” again, he swallowed his words. “Thank you for the trouble.”
Yan Yiming, as aloof as ever, shook her head. “Your Highness flatters me. Please.”
Prince Yue's tent had been prepared early on, more luxurious and complete than the commander's tent. Little A excitedly squealed in her ear, “Love triangle! Love triangle!”
“What love triangle?” Yan Yiming rolled her eyes helplessly. “Same name and the exact same mole, how could I forget Little Five was nearby?”
“Such sin,” Little A sighed. “You sinful woman!”
“Please shut up,” Yan Yiming ignored Little A and stood by the entrance, waiting for Nan Gongye to change into his martial attire.
Nan Gongye flexed his wrist, casually adjusting his armguard as he asked her, “Which characters make up your name?”
“Yan as in color, Yiming as in 'amazing with one cry',” Yan Yiming replied succinctly.
Exactly the same, Nan Gongye sighed inwardly. “It's a good name.”
“...Yes.”
They walked a bit further, and from the corner of his eye, Nan Gongye caught sight of the red mole at the corner of her right eye. His heart ached once more, prompting him to change the subject. “I heard from Jingyu that you saved his life in this battle?”
“This subordinate was merely following orders.”
Nan Gongye smiled at her still indifferent demeanor. “So young, yet so humble.”
“Just doing my duty.”
Nan Gongye chuckled wryly. He quite admired such silent yet straightforward character, though it was nothing like A'Ming at all.
Shao Jingyu had been riding his horse around for quite a while when he finally spotted Nan Gongye and Yan Yiming in the distance. To his surprise, he noticed that Prince Yue, who usually disliked conversing with others, was actually speaking with Yan Yiming. Feeling a pang of jealousy, he couldn't help but regret his earlier decision.
If only he had sent Yun Xiao instead, then he could have been the one chatting and flirting with Yiming.
What a miscalculation.
Fortunately, Yan Yiming, after escorting Prince Yue to the spot, stepped aside like the other soldiers. Life in the military camp was often dull, but today, with Prince Yue and the general racing on horseback, the soldiers gathered in thick crowds to watch the spectacle.
Yan Yiming, being of smaller stature, was inadvertently pushed to the outskirts of the crowd. Realizing she couldn’t squeeze back in, she decided to return to her tent for a nap.
By the time she woke up, the sky was already studded with stars. A young soldier outside her tent grinned as she emerged. “Finally awake! If you’d slept any longer, you’d have missed all the fun.”
Yan Yiming turned her head and saw a blaze of firelight in the distance, the aroma of roasted meat wafting toward her. Rubbing her stomach, she followed the scent, only to spot an exquisitely embroidered pouch lying on the ground.
She picked it up and, by the firelight, opened it to find several familiar candies inside.
They were the very candies she had personally given to Nan Gongye before her departure.