Raised and trained in the Bai army, Jin Yue had been around many men in her life. She had seen the greedy, strong, righteous, and brave. But never had she met such a peculiar fellow as Yin Changpu. He was strong, but a fool in the mind. His expressions varied from a robust soldier to a blushing maiden.
The cold winds were rising, swaying the grass and their hair into a tumble. The ideal time to warm their blood and train.
Every day, they would meet on the hill and eat bread and dried meat. Sometimes with cheese if available. Afterward, they would warm up and run along the path or combat with one another.
On that particular day, Jin Yue and Yin Changpu were running laps around the valley. After some time, they stopped and came to sit on a hill. They watched the grass and the trees, and the nubs of new winter buds just growing.
Jin Yue looked over at Yin Changpu, lying in the grass beside her. He looked nothing like the well-groomed men of the Bai army. His hair was short and black, not long like most men. Scars showed on his arm where blades of battle had cut him. He did not move with unearthly grace, but firmly, often clumsily like a well-built tower leaning from the wind.
His eyes were closed as he caught his breath before opening them to reveal his dark eyes. When he noticed Jin Yue's stare, he froze. His eyes stared up at the sky, the grass, a rock in the distance; all but her eyes.
For the first time, Jin Yue's face twitched. She had long noticed his eyes darted whenever she addressed him. She wasn't a fool. She knew about Yin Changpu's feelings, but never did she think it was serious. Just infatuation.
Even so, his method of courting her...was it not different from a virgin maiden admiring in the distance?
Eyes rested upon him, Jin Yue reached a hand out and touched his flushed cheek, shifting it toward her. She felt him tremble under her touch as he slowly looked at her with wide eyes.
"Look at me." Her voice was gentle in the man's ears, sweet as summer winds.
Yin Changpu's entire body felt heated. He heard his pulse, loud in his ears. He could feel her hand on his cheek, scorching his skin and heart. It had been the first time she touched him. The first time she looked at him so earnestly.
Yin Changpu swallowed and forced any words he could muster out. "D-Do I have something on my face?"
His words had come out so flinchingly that Jin Yue froze, and she suddenly laughed. Her laughter seemed to shock him a little, leaving him in a daze.
Jin Yue withdrew her hand and stood up, reaching a hand down.
"Shall we run a few more laps?" She asked warmly.
He looked at her hand and eagerly grasped it in his own. Due to her height, he didn't need to look down at her. Rather, he was staring straight into her calm eyes. His heart shivered a little.
Noticing his clumsiness, Jin Yue hid a smile and turned when she suddenly froze. Her eyes narrowed, and she quickly squatted down by a boulder, pulling Yin Changpu with her, who was still holding her hand.
"What—" Yin Changpu's mouth was covered by Jin Yue's palm. She gave him a warning glare before looking ahead.
"There's an army up ahead. They are not men of western regions."
Yin Changpu's eyes widened. He slowly raised his head. Across the narrow valley, he could see them, small black figures in rank upon rank, marching swiftly and silently, passing outwards in an endless stream. His eyes followed them as a great chill spread towards his heart.
"Are they from the An Clan?" He frowned.
"No. But they might be working with them." Jin Yue said, and her voice was sharp as he had ever heard it. "We must hurry and warn the others."
Her words pierced him with dread. The two slowly moved back and slid down the hill to their horses. At once, their mounts sprang away and sped like the wind back to the palace.
...
"Hah!" Aiguo passed his sword with a thrust. The steel clashed against one another. Again and again, the swords met until the sound echoed numbly in his ears.
Aiguo was panting from the effort now, his breath steaming in the cold air. At the end of his combat, he was all sweaty but still raging with fire in his eyes. He lifted his head to the figure across from him and trotted over.
"What do you think? Have I improved?" He breathed, a smug grin spread across his face.
Rin leaned against her sword and carefully observed. Not a bead of sweat was seen on her. Only a subtle increase in the rise and fall of her chest.
"You've indeed improved. You even become capable of holding your ground longer as well." She said sincerely.
Aiguo paused. His face grew warm. "D-Do you think I've grown taller too?"
She laughed softly and patted his head. "Mm. You have grown."
His face grew heated again. But he reached no further on the topic. He was almost thirteen. Soon years of childhood would fade behind him. He could soon be a man.
Unaware of his thoughts, Rin's gaze had wandered to the sky and blew out a breath of wintry air.
"Have you visited Jia recently?" She asked.
Aiguo looked up with wide eyes before pursing his lips.
"Uncle Guo would take me to visit her every two months." His voice was a little strained.
"Good." Meeting his eyes, Rin bestowed a gentle smile. "When this is over, let's visit her. Together."
Surprised, he nodded his head, a smile of his own sneaking up on his face. Chuckling, Rin turned. There on the steps, a figure stood. It was the eastern envoy. He was watching them. For how long, she did not know. But all she knew was she did not want to be near him any longer.
"Hmm?" Aiguo glanced behind her back. "Who is that?"
Rin shifted in front of the boy and stared coldly in the envoy's direction. "No one. Get your sword, and let's go."
Just as she said so, the envoy approached them with a polite, innocent smile. "I'm sorry if I interrupted you two. But I was told by the Emperor to come see you."
Rin paused. "Does his Majesty request something of me?" And why had he asked the envoy rather than a eunuch or servant?
Her frosty eyes held him there, unwavering. She did not doubt he was lying. Regardless of what she thought, the envoy didn't seem to mind and just chuckled. He glanced at Aiguo, who also sent suspicious stares his way.
Helplessly, he sighed. "Everyone is gathering in the Great Hall. It seems an army was spotted a few miles from the capital."
It was only then Rin retracted her glares. She frowned. "An army? Is it the An Clan?"
He shook his head. His eyes glinted. "All that is known is that the men are not from these parts."
Taking Aiguo's hand, Rin did not speak again and instead walked past the envoy. She sped quickly to see the Emperor.