The reconstruction of Fengtian City unfolded like a slow revival. City walls blackened by artillery smoke were gradually covered with new bricks; scaffolding rose beside collapsed houses; shops on the streets reopened, their cries and the jingle of bicycle bells weaving together to chase away the haze of war.
Shen Yanci was on his feet from dawn till dusk. He tended to post-war military affairs—counting casualties, restocking ammunition—while also comforting civilians and coordinating supplies. He often left before dawn and returned to the mansion late at night. Yet no matter how exhausted he was, he would always pause outside the East Wing for a moment, glance at the lit lamp inside, and feel his heart soften and warm, as if steeped in lukewarm water.
One late night, he dragged his weary body back to the mansion. As he stepped into the corridor, he saw Su Wan standing under the eaves, holding a food container, like a magnolia blooming quietly in the dark.
"Why are you still awake?" He walked over, his voice heavy with tiredness yet unconsciously gentle.
"Waiting for you." Su Wan smiled and held out the container. "The kitchen kept your favorite pork rib porridge warm. I brought it over for you—drink it while it's hot."
Shen Yanci took the container and lifted the lid. Steam curled from the white porcelain bowl; the ribs were stewed tender, sprinkled with bright green scallions, and the aroma instantly chased away the chill from his body. "Thank you for your trouble."
"It's no trouble at all." Su Wan's heart ached at the red streaks in his eyes. "You're the one who's been working so late every day. What if… I come to help you? I can copy documents or do other small things—I can be of some use."
Shen Yanci paused mid-scoop and looked up at her. There was no trace of frailty in her eyes, only a sincere wish to share his burden, pure and bright like a star. "Alright," he smiled. "Come to the military camp with me tomorrow. I'll show you my 'office.'"
Su Wan's eyes lit up instantly, as if starlight had fallen into them. "Really?"
"Really." Shen Yanci nodded, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and held it to her lips. "Have a taste?"
Su Wan opened her mouth and took it in. The warm porridge slid down her throat, carrying a faint meaty fragrance, sweet just right. As she looked into his smiling eyes, she suddenly felt all the waiting and worrying of these days had been worthwhile.
Early the next morning, Su Wan followed Shen Yanci to the military camp.
The soldiers were surprised to see a young lady in a light green qipao beside Shen Yanci, but none dared to ask questions, only casting curious yet kind glances. Shen Yanci led her to his temporary office—a tidy tent with a wooden desk piled high with documents and maps.
"Sit here," he said, pointing to a small stool beside the desk. "Help me copy these casualty lists and sort them by unit."
"Alright." Su Wan picked up a brush and paper and began to work carefully. Her handwriting was delicate and neat, and her speed was swift; she finished half a page in no time.
Shen Yanci sat across from her, studying the maps. Occasionally he looked up to see her bent over writing, sunlight filtering through the tent's gaps gilding the top of her hair. His heart felt full, warm and steady.
When soldiers entered to report, they grew tense at the sight of Su Wan. But Shen Yanci acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, questioning and issuing orders naturally, as if she had always belonged there.
"Young Master, here's the inventory of newly arrived ammunition." His adjutant handed over a document, his eyes darting toward Su Wan.
Shen Yanci took it and signed his name, then spoke abruptly: "Let me introduce you. Su Wan—from now on, she will be my… assistant." He paused, not saying "fiancée," but emphasizing the word "my" heavily.
The adjutant froze for a moment, then quickly smiled and nodded at Su Wan. "Miss Su, nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you."
Su Wan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she replied gracefully: "Hello, Adjutant."
After the adjutant left, Shen Yanci glanced at her reddening earlobes and chuckled. "Shy?"
"I am not." Su Wan lowered her head, the brush leaving a tiny ink dot on the paper, like a guilty mole.
Shen Yanci did not tease her further, returning to the maps with a permanent smile on his lips, rippling like a lake brushed by spring breeze. He suddenly found that even the tedious military affairs had grown interesting with her by his side.
Shen Xiaoshan was more than happy about Su Wan helping at the camp.
He even moved a purple sandalwood desk from his study to Shen Yanci's office, saying, "For Miss Su—she'll be more comfortable writing on this." It was a treasure he had seized from a prince's mansion during his campaigns, one he would snap at anyone for touching.
That evening, father and son drank tea in the main hall. Shen Xiaoshan looked at Shen Yanci and said slowly, "Yanci, you're not young anymore. It's time to settle your lifelong affairs."
Shen Yanci's hand holding the teacup paused, his heartbeat quickening inexplicably. "Father means…"
"Miss Su is a fine girl," Shen Xiaoshan sipped his tea, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You two are devoted to each other and have been through hardship together. I say… why not hold the wedding after the autumn harvest? It'll bring some joy to Fengtian City."
Color flooded Shen Yanci's cheeks, as if burned by fire. He had long thought about this, yet never dared to bring it up to his father—never expecting his father to speak first. "I shall defer to Father's wishes." His voice was hoarse, yet brimming with excitement.
"What do you mean 'my decision'?" Shen Xiaoshan laughed. "This depends on Miss Su's will. If you can't even win the lady over, don't call yourself my son."
A wide grin spread across Shen Yanci's face, like a child who had just received candy. "I understand, Father."
When he stepped out of the main hall, the moonlight was bright, spilling over the corridor like silver frost. Shen Yanci walked lightly, his heart fluttering like a rabbit. He stopped outside the East Wing and saw Su Wan sitting by the window, holding a needle and thread, seemingly sewing something.
He tapped gently on the window lattice.
Su Wan looked up, smiled at the sight of him, and set down her sewing. "You're back?"
"Yes." Shen Yanci pushed the door open and walked in. His gaze fell on what she held—a small baby swaddle embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water, its stitches fine and colors bright.
His cheeks burned even hotter, bright red as a cooked shrimp.
Su Wan also realized what he was looking at. Her face flushed crimson in an instant; she hurriedly hid the swaddle behind her, stammering, "I… I just had nothing to do, so I sewed it randomly…"
Shen Yanci stepped forward and took the swaddle from her hand. His fingertips brushed the soft cotton, and his heart melted completely, tender as soaked cotton. "It's beautiful," he whispered, his voice trembling faintly. "Su Wan… let's get married after the autumn harvest."
Su Wan's eyes widened in shock, like a startled deer, her lips parting as she froze speechless.
Shen Yanci smiled at her dazed expression, reaching up to ruffle her hair. "What? Don't you want to?"
"No!" Su Wan shook her head hastily, tears welling up in her eyes yet still smiling brightly. "I do! I really do!"
She had waited for these words for so long—since the first time she saw him practicing marksmanship in the garden, since he quietly helped her retrieve a kite stuck in a tree, since he charged through gunfire to protect her… She had long known this stern young man had taken root in her heart.
Shen Yanci's heart ached with joy at the sight of her smiling through tears. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Silly girl," he murmured, his chin resting on the top of her head. "From now on, you won't have to wait for me late at night. We can eat together, sleep together, and… watch all the crabapple blossoms in Fengtian City together."
Su Wan nodded vigorously in his arms, her tears soaking his military uniform, yet falling like spring rain, nourishing both their hearts.
Fengtian City after the autumn harvest was wrapped in golden warmth.
The Military Governor's Mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers; red silk hung all along the corridors, lanterns swaying in the wind, bathing the entire mansion in joy. Shen Yanci wore a brand-new formal robe with a red flower pinned to his chest, standing at the entrance of the main hall, staring dumbfounded at Su Wan approaching from afar.
She was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, phoenix crown and embroidered veil, her skin fair as snow, her features stunning. A faint shyness colored her face, yet her eyes shone with joy—like a blooming peony, breathtakingly beautiful.
Shen Xiaoshan sat in the main seat, beaming from ear to ear at the newlyweds, every wrinkle around his eyes filled with happiness. He thought of Wanqing, of Su Wan's father, and felt a surge of emotion—after all their twists and turns, their children had finally come together. Perhaps this was fate, written in the stars.
Wedding music rang out. Shen Yanci held Su Wan's hand and stepped forward, bowing deeply to Shen Xiaoshan.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
"Second bow to parents—"
"Bow to each other as husband and wife—"
At the master of ceremonies' call, they turned to face one another. Shen Yanci looked at Su Wan's blushing cheeks, his smile deep and tender; Su Wan stared at her own reflection in his eyes, her heart pounding like a drum, yet smiling radiantly.
After the ceremony, Shen Yanci led Su Wan toward the bridal chamber. Red lanterns along the corridor cast their long, overlapping shadows, painting a warm picture.
"Shen Yanci," Su Wan whispered, shy yet hopeful.
"Yes?"
"From now on, we are family."
"Yes." Shen Yanci squeezed her hand gently, his voice soft enough to melt. "Forever."
Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned bright, flooding the room with crimson light. Shen Yanci looked at Su Wan sitting on the bed, walked over slowly, and lifted her red veil gently. By candlelight, her eyes sparkled, brimming with starlight.
"You are breathtaking tonight," he whispered, his voice slightly hoarse.
Su Wan's face flushed instantly; she lowered her head, twisting the hem of her gown nervously with her fingers.
Shen Yanci sat beside her and took her hand. It was soft, slightly cool and damp, yet warm. "Su Wan," he said earnestly, looking into her eyes, "thank you. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you… for showing me that even in this troubled world, there can be so much warmth."
Su Wan lifted her head, looked at her reflection in his eyes, and smiled, a faint dimple appearing at the corner of her eye. "Thank you too. For protecting me. For giving me… a place to hide from all storms."
The glow of the red candles danced on their faces, reflecting the affection in each other's eyes, thick as unmelting honey. Shen Yanci lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
This kiss held no smoke of war, no bloodshed—only pure tenderness and cherishing, like spring breeze sweeping across a lake, like drizzle moistening the earth, like all beautiful things converging in this moment.
Outside, the moonlight was pure, casting dappled shadows on the crabapple trees in the mansion. Shen Yanci knew the troubled times were not yet over, and storms might still lie ahead. But he feared nothing.
For by his side, he had someone to guard for a lifetime; in his heart, a home built with love and warmth.
Red candles flickered, warmth lingered long.
Their story had only just begun.