The final ultimatum from the capital hung over Fengtian like a heavy dark cloud. Shen Xiaoshan was ordered to depart for the capital within three days. Otherwise, he would be charged with "disobeying imperial decree," and elite troops would be sent to "take over" Fengtian's defenses.
When the news spread, Shen Yanci was inspecting the ammunition depot at the military camp. Anxiety spread across the soldiers' faces like a rising tide, and even the air felt heavy with caution. He neatly stacked the last crate of bullets, clapped his hands, and stood up. His voice cut through the emptiness of the warehouse, clear and steady:
"Afraid?"
No one answered. Only the faint crunch of boot soles on gravel.
Shen Yanci walked to the center of the depot, his gaze sweeping over young and weathered faces alike. Among them were veterans who had fought alongside Shen Xiaoshan through life and death, and new recruits who had only recently joined. Yet in their eyes, he saw the same unwavering loyalty to the Shen family.
"When my father started out with just thirty men, carrying their lives on the line, fighting from beyond the passes all the way to Fengtian—he did not rely on decrees from the capital. He relied on his gun, and on the lives of his brothers!" His voice was not loud, but carried an intimidating weight. "Now someone wants to steal what we've built. They want the Shen family to kneel and beg. Do you agree?"
"NO!"
Someone shouted first. Then roars exploded like thunder, shaking dust loose from the warehouse ceiling.
"We'll fight them!"
"Defend Fengtian!"
"Defend the General!"
Shen Yanci raised a hand. The depot fell silent, save for heavy breathing.
"Good." He nodded, his eyes blazing. "From today onward, I take command of Fengtian's defenses. Anyone who sets foot inside this city will be met with bullets."
As he stepped out of the ammunition depot, his adjutant hurried over and handed over a secret letter.
"Young Master, this just came from the capital… sent by Miss Su's great-aunt."
Shen Yanci tore open the envelope. The handwriting was scribbled and frantic, with only one line:
Forces in the capital plan to use Miss Su to blackmail the General. Make preparations at once.
His fingers tightened violently, crumpling the paper into a twisted knot. So that was why Father had kept Su Wan inside the mansion. Why her great-aunt had seemed so uneasy these days. They had known all along. Someone wanted to use Su Wan as leverage to force his father into submission.
"Saddle the horse!" Shen Yanci's voice was icy cold. "Back to the mansion!"
The atmosphere inside the General's residence was even more oppressive than in the camp.
Shen Xiaoshan sat in the main hall, gripping the ultimatum, his knuckles white. The gray hair at his temples stood out sharply in the candlelight. At the sound of Shen Yanci bursting in, he lifted his eyelids, his voice hoarse.
"You're back."
"Father, about Su Wan—"
"I know." Shen Xiaoshan cut him off, slamming the ultimatum on the table with a dull thud. "They want to use her as our weakness. But they've forgotten—the Shen family's weakness is also our armor."
Shen Yanci froze.
"Go bring the girl here." Shen Xiaoshan's gaze drifted out the window, into the ink-thick night. "It's time she knew the truth."
Shen Yanci turned and left, his steps heavy. He did not know what his father intended, but a faint premonition told him—the storm would eventually drag Su Wan into its center.
The lamp in the east chamber was still lit. Su Wan sat at the table, holding the half-finished cloth doll, her stitches messy, her mind clearly elsewhere. When she saw Shen Yanci enter, she quickly set down her needlework and stood up.
"You're back. Has something happened?"
Worry shone in her eyes, like a startled deer. Shen Yanci looked into her clear, innocent gaze and almost could not bring himself to speak. But he knew he could no longer hide it.
"Powerful men in the capital are moving against the Shen family," he said quietly, but clearly. "They… intend to use you to blackmail Father."
Su Wan's face drained of color, turning as pale as paper. She staggered back, catching herself on the edge of the table, disbelief flooding her eyes.
"Why… why me?"
"Because you are the daughter of Father's sworn brother. They believe… you are our weakness." Shen Yanci stepped forward and took her cold hands in his. "Don't be afraid. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Tears finally spilled from Su Wan's eyes, falling like broken pearls.
"Am I causing you trouble? I… I can leave. I'll go somewhere else, so they can't find me—"
"Don't say such foolish things." Shen Yanci interrupted her, his tone firm and unyielding. "With me here, no one lays a finger on you. Besides, this is not your fault. They are simply despicable."
His palm was warm, carrying a reassuring strength. Su Wan looked into his resolve, and her panic gradually calmed. She sniffled, wiped her tears, and her eyes suddenly brightened.
"I'm not leaving. My father helped Uncle Shen in his time of need. I can help you too. If they want to use me against him, I won't let them succeed."
Shen Yanci looked at her stubborn glow, like a flower blooming in the desert. His heart ached for her, yet swelled with pride.
"Alright." He smiled—a genuine smile, the first in days. "Then we face this together."
In the main hall, Shen Xiaoshan watched the two enter. Su Wan's eyes were red, but she stood straight, without a trace of cowardice, much like her father had been.
"Child, we've put you in an unfair position." Shen Xiaoshan's voice carried unusual gentleness.
"Uncle Shen, you honor me too much." Su Wan bowed slightly, her tone steady. "It is my privilege to share the Shen family's troubles."
Shen Xiaoshan nodded and pulled a small jade pendant from his chest. The jade was warm, carved with the character Su.
"This was your father's. It is said to prove his ties to the Jiangnan Merchant Guild." He handed it to her. "Take this. At dawn tomorrow, leave through the secret passage to the safe house outside the city. My men will meet you there. Return once the danger has passed."
Su Wan took the pendant. Touching its warm surface, she suddenly understood Shen Xiaoshan's plan. He was not simply sending her away to safety. He was letting her play her part. The Jiangnan Merchant Guild wielded enormous influence, even feared by the powerful man in the capital. With this connection, they would not dare harm her easily—and the Shen family gained another layer of leverage.
"I understand." Su Wan clutched the pendant tightly, her gaze resolute. "I will not bring shame to the Shen family."
"Good child." Shen Xiaoshan looked at her, then at Shen Yanci. "Yanci, escort her to the safe house yourself. Return as soon as she is settled. I need you here."
"Yes, Father." Shen Yanci's voice was steady. "I will not fail."
When they left the main hall, the night was deep. Shen Yanci held Su Wan's hand as they walked along the quiet corridor. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, sprinkling silver over them.
"Where is the safe house?" Su Wan asked softly.
"Apricot Valley outside the city. It used to be a relay station, very well hidden." Shen Yanci slowed his pace. "There is food and drink, and guards. You will be safe."
Su Wan nodded, then suddenly stopped and looked up at him.
"You… you must be careful."
"Mm." Shen Yanci looked at her, then leaned down and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead, light as a feather, careful and precious. "Wait for me."
Su Wan's face burned bright red. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.
"Okay. I'll wait."
Shen Yanci smiled and continued leading her forward. He knew this separation might be long. They might even meet again only in death. But he was not afraid. He had something to fight for, someone to protect. That was enough.
At dawn the next day, Shen Yanci led Su Wan out of the General's residence through the secret passage.
The tunnel was dark and long. Only their footsteps and breathing could be heard. Shen Yanci walked ahead with a torch, the flame lighting his stern profile—yet his gaze softened unconsciously whenever it fell on her.
"This was built to defend against mutinies," he explained. "It leads straight to the mass grave outside the city. No one goes there."
Su Wan nodded, following closely, the pendant growing warm in her grip. She knew that from this step onward, she was no longer just a girl who watered flowers and made rice cakes. She had to be strong, to become someone who could stand beside him.
Emerging from the tunnel, they stood in a desolate graveyard. The wind blew, carrying an eerie chill. Shen Yanci had already arranged a carriage, waiting in the distant woods.
"Get in." He helped her aboard, then pulled his mother's old Browning pistol from his tunic and pressed it into her hand. "Take this. Do you know how to use it?"
Su Wan shook her head, but gripped the gun firmly. The cold metal strangely calmed her.
"I learned a little. Great-aunt taught me self-defense."
"Good." Shen Yanci showed her how to disengage the safety. "Remember—don't fire unless you have no other choice. Protect yourself. Wait for me to come get you."
"Mm." Tears welled in Su Wan's eyes again, but she held them back. "You must protect yourself too. I… I made a lot of sesame rice cakes for you. They're in the carriage."
Shen Yanci smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Good. I'll eat them."
He jumped down and spoke to the driver.
"Be careful on the road. Follow the route I gave you."
"Yes, Young Master."
The carriage slowly pulled away. Su Wan lifted the curtain and watched Shen Yanci's figure shrink until it vanished. Only then did her tears finally fall. She squeezed the pistol, then touched the amulet tucked inside her clothes, repeating silently:
Shen Yanci, you must come back.
Shen Yanci stood until the carriage disappeared around the bend, then turned back. The sun shone brightly, but his heart felt empty, as if something had been torn away. He touched the small cloth doll inside his tunic, still warm with Su Wan's presence, and felt slightly at peace.
He knew the road ahead would be difficult. But he had to keep going—for his father, for the Shen family, and most of all, for the girl waiting for him in Apricot Valley.
By the time Shen Yanci returned to Fengtian, tensions had reached a breaking point.
The "occupation" troops sent from the capital had arrived thirty li outside the city, a dark mass like hungry wolves, ready to pounce and tear the city apart. Citizens were panicked. Most shops were closed. Only patrolling soldiers moved up and down the streets, maintaining what order remained.
Shen Xiaoshan had fully handed over command to Shen Yanci, remaining in the residence to steady morale. Shen Yanci did not waste his father's trust. He reorganized the city's defenses, fortified the walls, and set ambushes along key routes outside the city—like a poised cheetah, waiting for its prey.
"Young Master, word from outside the city," the adjutant hurried to report, his face grave. "A small unit has been dispatched toward Apricot Valley."
Shen Yanci's eyes turned icy, like a frozen lake.
"They're targeting her after all." He muttered, his fingers darting across the map. "Tell our men at Black Wind Pass to let them pass."
The adjutant stared in confusion.
"Young Master, but Miss Su—"
"Rest assured. I have a plan." Shen Yanci's voice was calm. "Do as I say."
Though confused, the adjutant obeyed. Shen Yanci looked at the mark for Apricot Valley on the map, a cold smile tugging at his lips. He had anticipated this move. Around Apricot Valley, he had laid an inescapable net.
He would make them understand: anyone who touched what belonged to Shen Yanci would pay in blood.
By evening, word arrived from Black Wind Pass. The unit had indeed entered Apricot Valley.
And none had come out.
"Young Master, it's done." The adjutant's voice held excitement. "They walked straight into our ambush. Not a single one left alive! As for Miss Su—"
"She is unharmed." Shen Yanci cut in, a subtle relief in his tone. "Tell the men there to strengthen their guard. No mistakes."
"Yes, sir."
After the adjutant left, Shen Yanci walked to the window and looked toward the outskirts. The setting sun blazed, painting the sky blood-red, like a prelude to slaughter. He knew this was only the beginning. The real battle was still to come.
He picked up a piece of sesame rice cake from the table—Su Wan's doing, kept warm against his chest all day. He took a bite. The sweet taste melted on his tongue, like her smile, sustaining him through this cold battlefield.
"Su Wan. Wait for me." He whispered, as if speaking to her, and to himself.
Night fell. One by one, lamps lit up in Fengtian, yet they could not chase away the shadow hanging over the city. In the camps outside, soldiers slept with their weapons ready. Guns were loaded. At a single command, they would charge forth, defending this land and the people they loved with their flesh and blood.
Shen Yanci stood on the city wall, gun in hand, staring into the dark distance. The wind was bitter, carrying the scent of gunpowder, but it could not dim his resolve.
He knew the flames of war had been ignited. The path ahead was thorny.
But he was not afraid.
His gun was loaded.
His heart held devotion.
Somewhere, a girl waited for his return.
This love was his armor, tempered in the fires of war. It was also his courage to charge forward without fear.
The night in Fengtian was eerily quiet. But Shen Yanci knew that if they endured this night, dawn would come.
And he would bring victory to Apricot Valley, to bring his girl home.