After the issue with the Jiangtang dike was resolved, the capital suddenly grew cold. The crimson maple leaves of Luyi Mountain dyed the capital's horizon, and the late autumn panoramic view from Xiaoxiao Restaurant held a desolate beauty. In the palace, winter clothes began to be rushed into production. The Prince of Pingding's manor received several bolts of silk, and Old Qu also started preparing for winter necessities. The vegetable garden in the backyard was about to enter winter after only a few days of tidying. A few yellow leaves, fitting for the season, drifted in the courtyard. Old Qu didn't have anyone tidy them up, leaving them spread on the flagstones, creating a distinct autumn charm for the courtyard. Xin Yi wore a large cloak, standing with his hands clasped behind his back outside the corridor. The early morning still carried a thin mist and cool frost, yet he stood facing the training grounds, seemingly waiting for someone.

After about half an hour, Meng Chen came from an adjacent courtyard. Seeing that the Young Master had been standing for an unknown duration, his brows and eyes seemed to be covered in a thin layer of frost. But this frost vanished as soon as he saw Meng Chen approach.

Xin Yi smiled faintly, "Battalion Commander."

Meng Chen scratched the back of his head, turning his body away, not daring to accept the bow. He said awkwardly, "I've been in the manor for some time now, why is Young Master still so polite? I'm just a rough man from the frontier. Your Heir should just call me by my name."

Xin Yi received his guidance daily, but calling him 'Master' wasn't appropriate. After a moment's thought, he changed his address, "Uncle Meng."

Meng Chen nodded and turned towards the training grounds. Xin Yi followed him. As they walked, Meng Chen said, "Young Master's horsemanship was taught by your brothers. Although it was neglected before, with this month's intensive training, you've almost caught up. Starting today, let's move on to blade combat." Meng Chen stopped in the wide center of the training grounds, patting the broad-backed heavy blade at his waist. "This blade is named 'Hundred Battles'. It was given its name by the First Young Master. I remember the First Young Master saying when he named it 'Hundred battles on the battlefield'. It should be from a poem, but I'm a crude man and don't know what kind of fancy verse it is. Still, that phrase, 'hundred battles on the battlefield,' truly suits my taste. Hundred Battles has been with me for many years, witnessing countless enemies' blood. Today, I've specially brought this old brother out to meet Young Master."

With that, he flicked his wrist, and the blade cut through the thin, lingering mist. Although it hadn't yet gained momentum, it was as if the sound of iron horses galloping through the cold had already arrived. Xin Yi's spirit was roused, his gaze fixed on the clangorously unsheathed blade, unable to look away.

The blade reflects the man, and the edge follows its master. This blade was three feet long, with a broad back and thick spine. Due to years of handling, the hilt already showed signs of wear. Most remarkably, the blade had an unusually thick edge, making it almost comparable to a battle-axe if not for its length. Meng Chen was strong, and still required both hands to wield the blade. This blade truly deserved the name 'Hundred Battles'; its form was most suitable for cleaving, its edge capable of tearing through flesh and bone.

Meng Chen took a gliding step forward, saying in a deep voice, "Young Master, please!"

Xin Yi had no blade, so he needed to seize one. Given the blade's weight, Meng Chen should have been slow to dodge. But when truly facing him head-on, the man and the blade were one, like an unmoving, majestic peak, leaving no opening for attack.

Xin Yi shed his great cloak, tossing it aside.

The last mist of late autumn had completely dissipated.

When Xin Yi returned to the courtyard, he didn't see Xiao Jin. He saw the golden pheasant pacing under the tree and knew what was going on. Xiao Jin would often sneak a stroll along the corridor when he had nothing to do, but ever since he discovered that the manor not only kept Chichi but also golden pheasants, he came less frequently and more cautiously, truly a cowardly sight, deathly afraid of poultry.

Chichi quickly scurried from under the corridor to Xin Yi's feet, circling around. Xin Yi bent down only to rub its head, not picking it up. Just by bending down like that, he felt a crackling pain in his shoulder bone. Chichi, with its tongue out, tugged at the corner of his robe. Xin Yi, thus dragging a small black furball, entered the room.

Bai Jiu had not yet returned. On the small table by the couch, many scrolls were piled up, all for Xin Yi. Among them, besides those from Bai Jiu's own department, many were copied from the Court of Judicial Review. Although Xin Yi hadn't stepped out of the manor gates for half a month, he had truly toiled hard. Every morning, he would practice with Meng Chen at the training grounds, then take a short nap for half an hour at noon. The afternoon was then immediately filled with Bai Jiu's case examinations and discussions on old cases. Fortunately, their nightly intimacies always stopped at a certain point, otherwise, he feared his clear eyes would turn red from exhaustion. But as the saying goes, hard work never goes unrewarded; putting in the effort was always worthwhile. Xin Yi himself felt that he had gained a lot in this half month, much better than just beating people up as he used to.

After tidying up and changing into clean clothes, he heard the sound of Bai Jiu returning from outside. Xin Yi took a few steps out, lifted the curtain, and saw Bai Jiu, immediately breaking into an incredibly radiant smile. Bai Jiu took the curtain for him, almost stunned by the smile, and took the opportunity to kiss his nose, leading him inside. Outside, Old Qu cleverly didn't follow in, quickly ordering lunch to be served.

As soon as the curtain fell, Bai Jiu embraced him fully, his hands slowly exploring his body. "How was this morning?" When his hand reached Xin Yi's shoulder bone, he heard a slight hiss from Xin Yi, and his hand immediately shifted to a gentle rub. "How did you get injured again today?"

"I'm not practicing horsemanship anymore; it's changed to blade techniques." Xin Yi gradually relaxed, comfortably leaning into his embrace, "I was clumsy, it'll be fine in a few days." He then continued, "How is the Prince of Qin today?"

"Same as usual." Bai Jiu massaged his shoulder with one hand and held his right hand with the other. He lifted it and indeed saw a bruise. His narrow eyes darkened, and his thumb gently rubbed over it without a word.

Xin Yi suddenly looked up, his clear, bright eyes fixed on Bai Jiu. "You said you wouldn't get involved in this."

Bai Jiu lowered his head, resting his forehead against Xin Yi's, and chuckled, saying in a deep voice, "When did I say that?"

Xin Yi's face flushed crimson, his words stumbling, "J-just a few days ago, at n-night."

"Is that so?" Bai Jiu drew out his words in a lazy tone. "That was only for that one night; how long ago was that?"

Xin Yi, blushing, said, "Y-you didn't, didn't s-say that..."

"Then what did I say?" Bai Jiu asked with feigned humility. "Repeat it all."

Xin Yi hunched over, his cheeks puffed out, not speaking, as hot as a small stove. Bai Jiu, pretending not to know, brushed his fingertips along Xin Yi's earlobe. "I can't quite remember. Aren't children supposed to have good memories? Tell me, let me hear it."

Xin Yi wordlessly reached out his hands to pinch Bai Jiu's cheeks, but still wouldn't speak. Bai Jiu allowed his fingertips to play on his cheeks, then chuckled softly by his ear, slowly saying, "It's naturally negotiable if you want me to stay out of this, but it depends on how you negotiate. Begging me with teary eyes won't do, nor will calling me 'Lord.' You've heard so many improper things these days, now would be the perfect time to say them." He recounted everything, even imitating the teasing tone perfectly, finally whispering, "Little Yi holds back well, but I'll only permit it this once."

Xin Yi covered his mouth, his face crimson, wishing that the Lord would direct that cold, aloof demeanor he showed to outsiders towards him. Bai Jiu only laughed, pecking his palm.

"That was just for that one time. Today, of course, I must get involved. After dinner, I'll thoroughly massage away your bruises. Sleep a little, then we'll discuss today's case."

Xin Yi nodded frantically. "I'll listen to you."

Bai Jiu chuckled again, pulling him into a tight hug. "Don't act spoiled."

Xin Yi was silent, quietly allowing the Lord to rub his cheek against his. His earlobes were hot, and his face became even redder from the rubbing.

During the meal, there was a small bamboo bucket on the low table, filled with hot rice. Ever since Xin Yi started following Meng Chen in the mornings, his appetite had begun to match Meng Chen's, even threatening to surpass it. He already had a large appetite, but now it was truly alarming. Old Qu thought that the Young Master was still young and needed to grow, so he watched the kitchen daily to provide all sorts of tonics, just hoping the child would become sturdier and taller. Bai Jiu was a shoulder taller than him; it would take several more years of rapid growth to catch up.

After the meal, Bai Jiu massaged his bruises. Xin Yi took off his clothes, wearing only his pants as he lay on the bed, and only then did he realize that his entire back was covered with them. Bai Jiu frowned tightly but didn't say a word. Following Meng Chen was Xin Yi's own insistence. Though he said he wouldn't care about Beiyang affairs, that was his home, and his father and elder brother had shed blood for Beiyang their entire lives; he harbored his own deep concern. As long as he didn't complain, no one could tell him to stop because of the hardship or exhaustion. To do so would be to underestimate him, to slap his face, and to pierce his heart. Bai Jiu had only hinted at it before, never actually suggesting he stop. All his efforts stemmed from an aching heart, just wanting to kick Meng Chen out the door and have Ji Baiyue take over, then properly hide Xin Yi in his arms to coax and pamper.

Bai Jiu's hands were careful. Xin Yi lay on the bed, smiling as he asked, "Have I become a bit sturdier?"

Bai Jiu hummed in response, then touched his waist, smiling as he replied, "Still slim enough for one hand to grip, but much stronger now."

Xin Yi rested his chin on the pillow, tickled by Bai Jiu's touch, and laughed aloud, "How could I have such a slender waist?"

Bai Jiu's fingertips glided along the curve of his waist, feeling the taut musculature. He really hadn't gained weight during this period; he had become much sturdier, and even his abdominal muscles were gradually taking shape.

The more Bai Jiu touched, the more Xin Yi laughed. Everywhere Bai Jiu's fingertips brushed felt like a fiery tingle spreading. Xin Yi's laughter gradually subsided, his breathing becoming a little unsteady. Bai Jiu stopped, leaning over him, supporting himself above Xin Yi. "Turn your head."

Xin Yi turned, bewildered. Bai Jiu suddenly kissed him, so fiercely it was as if he wanted to devour him whole. Xin Yi's tongue tip went numb from being captured, and he let out a muffled gasp. Bai Jiu directly flipped him over, pressing him down and trapping him beneath to kiss him until his blood boiled like a beast's.

Finally released, Xin Yi's face, flushed scarlet, surprisingly broke into a smile again. Bai Jiu, clinging to him, bit his neck. "What are you laughing at?"

Xin Yi felt numb from the bite, his eyes narrowed, his voice trembling slightly, "Something always happens as soon as you apply medicine..."

"So you just keep getting injured so I can apply medicine?" Bai Jiu pulled the quilt over him, wrapping him up, and held him in his arms. "Who taught you this seductive, mischievous trick?"

Xin Yi chuckled softly, "L-lord teaches well."

Bai Jiu ruffled his hair, then flicked it lightly. "Sleep for a while. I'll naturally wake you when the time comes."

Xin Yi nodded, resting his face against Bai Jiu's chest, warm and cozy as he fell asleep. Bai Jiu also lowered his gaze, gently patting his back. Before long, Xin Yi was sound asleep. Bai Jiu's hand didn't stop, continuously patting.

Outside, a rider spurred his horse, galloping directly towards the palace gates. Xiao Jin, who was upstairs at Xiaoxiao Restaurant, currently filling his belly, immediately spotted the finely embroidered 'Dream Boat' insignia on the rider's lapel. He stuffed the last bite of sweet filling into his mouth, threw a few broken silver pieces to his subordinate behind him, and said, "Go to the Prince of Pingding's manor, tell the Prince of Pingding that the tiger is returning to the mountains."

His subordinate hurried off. Xiao Jin, meanwhile, casually picked up a handful of pine nuts and leaned against the railing, tossing them into his mouth. With matters on his mind, he nonetheless had a baby face, making it hard to tell if he was thinking or just displeased. Just as he watched his subordinate mount his horse and ride off, a familiar face came up the stairs from the other side.

Xiao Jin let out an "Aiyoh" and waved. "Isn't that Lord He? Lord He, you've come here too?"

'Shouldn't he, a member of the Left Faction, be at Bu'er Teahouse drinking tea? What's he doing running to Xiaoxiao Restaurant?'

He Anchang had just looked up and seen him. Since Old Lord He also had a friendship with the Marquis of Huiyang, he stepped over to Xiao Jin, considering it a greeting.

Seeing He Anchang's cool and aloof approach, Xiao Jin couldn't help but pull his clothes tighter and shiver. Noticing He Anchang holding a plate of steamed buns, he asked curiously, "Lord He likes Xiaoxiao Restaurant's steamed buns?" He leaned in to take a look. "Aren't these red bean paste filled?"

He Anchang ate one with an utterly proper and elegant posture, which made Xiao Jin, who was used to only gobbling food down in a race with Xin Yi, feel his scalp tingle. He had always found He Anchang formidable, incredibly so. Not to mention the capital, even in Great Lan, few could compare to him. But Xiao Jin, ever since he was a child, was afraid of this type of person: someone who appeared refined and aloof but was actually, deep down, full of a childlike innocence, straightforwardly offering advice at the slightest disagreement, bearing the world's safety on his shoulders, eager to exhaust himself for the good of the realm.

'Terrifyingly scary, even more so than Chichi and the golden pheasants.'

He Anchang, unaware of what was on his mind, took a bite, then his gaze shifted slightly, showing a hint of disappointment.

Xiao Jin, tossing pine nuts, said, "The best red bean paste buns in the entire capital are here; nowhere else can make them like this."

"Not good." He Anchang tasted another, and still said, "Not good."

Xiao Jin's eyes widened. "Your tongue isn't— Cough —then you're quite picky! Xiaoxiao Restaurant's red bean paste buns are what Brother Jingsheng, ah, that's Lord Xie Jingsheng, loves most. He used to complain to my sister every day in Qingping, saying my sister couldn't make them taste right. You really think they're not good? Then try my sister's some other day."

He Anchang's fingers holding the bun paused, his gaze turning to Xiao Jin. "Xie Jingsheng?"

Under his gaze, Xiao Jin inexplicably pulled in his carelessly splayed legs, straightened his back, and obediently said, like a student before a tutor, "That's him." Then he remembered that He Anchang and Xie Jingsheng didn't get along in the past, and fearing he might displease him by mentioning it, he quickly added, "That old ruffian."

He Anchang raised an eyebrow, his expressionless face showing a slight shift. "Old ruffian?"

Xiao Jin's back straightened further, and he said primly, "Just him..."

"What did he do in Qingping?" He Anchang's hand, holding the bun, moved again.

"Fl-flirting with young girls..." 'How could Xiao Jin remember anything Xie Jingsheng did? He himself was running wild in Qingping!' His mind tied itself in knots, only focused on answering, spouting nonsense.

He Anchang bit the bun a little slower.

"Ah, ah, he also provoked wild men."

He Anchang bit the bun even slower.

"He often helped the little widow across the street carry things..." Seeing He Anchang eating a bun as if he were eating a person, goosebumps prickled rapidly on Xiao Jin's skin. He tremblingly requested to leave, "Lord He, I... I'm due at the Capital Guards Bureau..."

He Anchang casually handed him a bun, as if rewarding him. "Go, eat your fill."

Xiao Jin carefully held the bun and excused himself. As he mounted his horse to leave, he suddenly heard an old man behind him exclaim, "Up there, who is that?"

The refined man supporting the white-haired elder looked up and said, "That is Lord He from our Imperial Secretariat."

"He?" The old man tilted his head, thinking hard. After a while, he suddenly smiled, "Oh, oh right, Little He's son." He looked up again at He Anchang above, sighing reminiscently, "This old man originally thought it was the Marquis of Huiyang."

"You're confused again. The Marquis of Huiyang has already passed away..."

Xiao Jin's horse galloped, and the late autumn wind whipped his face, chilling his recently warmed heart to the bone again. The warmth faded from the bun in his hand. He abruptly pulled on the reins, making his horse rear up. Amidst the horse's neigh, he threw the bun into a narrow alley. A stray dog squatting nearby suddenly darted over. Xiao Jin watched with cold eyes as the bun disappeared, then felt a pang of regret.

He raised a hand and slapped himself, muttering, "Worthless!"

Author's Note:

"Iron armor broken after a hundred battles on the battlefield, the south of the city is already surrounded by layers." — "Songs of the Army" by Li Bai.