Three weeks passed in the gentle tranquillity of the Sacred Lotus Pavilion.
Bai Rouyuan trained in medicine.
Bai Yanyu studied strategy.
Wen Xianyi followed them everywhere like a bright, excited butterfly.
All three children were slowly finding their place in this new, fragrant world.
But tranquillity never lasts long.
Not when war blooms in the north.
A Messenger Arrives
It was early morning when the first messenger reached Lingnan City, riding a horse mottled with frost.
He stumbled into the Wen mansion with frozen fingers and cracked lips. "Urgent news from the Northern Frontier!"
Wen Shisheng, Bai Rouyuan, and Bai Yanyu were in the lotus courtyard when the servant arrived breathless.
"Patriarch! A letter for you—from Great General Bai Longyuan!"
Rouyuan's heart stopped.
Her hands tightened around her medicine basket. "Dad…?"
Bai Yanyu steadied her shoulder, though his own face had lost all color.
Wen Shisheng opened the wax seal immediately.
The moment he read the first line, he inhaled sharply.
Rouyuan froze. "What happened?"
Her grandfather's eyes softened with relief and pride.
"Your brother…" he said slowly, "…has made his first contribution to the battlefield."
Yunchen's First Battle
Wen Shisheng read aloud:
"To my children,
The Northern Frontier is harsh, cold, and endless.
But Yunchen—your brother—stood tall."
Bai Rouyuan's breath caught.
"Yesterday, during a night assault from the enemy tribes, Yunchen led a small defensive formation that protected His Highness Prince Murong Shaoheng's temporary camp."
Bai Yanyu exhaled shakily, a mix of fear and pride.
Rouyuan clutched her veil. "That means…"
"He survived the night attack."
Wen Shisheng nodded. "He did more than survive."
He read further,
"Your brother kept calm during the chaos. He protected ten wounded soldiers while the enemy archers stormed the ridge. He held the line until reinforcements arrived."
Bai Rouyuan covered her mouth.
Tears gathered behind her lashes. "Chen-Ge…"
Her brother Yunchen— the quiet, serious, protective Bai Yunchen, was already fighting like a real general.
Prince Murong Shaoheng's Praise
Wen Shisheng continued reading, voice deepening with surprise.
"His Highness Prince Murong Shaoheng personally commended Yunchen, and promoted him to Deputy General."
Wen Xianyi gasped loudly. "DEPUTY GENERAL? At his age?! Isn't he like… eighteen?!"
Wen Shisheng smiled proudly, "In war, talent matters more than age."
Bai Yanyu nodded firmly, "He always trained hard. This is his result."
Rouyuan trembled, both relieved and worried.
But then—
Wen Shisheng's expression darkened slightly as he read the next part.
Bai Longyuan's Hidden Wound
"As for me—"
Rouyuan's heart seized.
Wen Shisheng's brows tightened. "—I am well enough. A small wound on my arm, nothing serious. "Don't worry."
Rouyuan's voice rose in panic. "Dad is injured?!"
Bai Yanyu's hands clenched.
Wen Shisheng placed a gentle hand on Bai Rouyuan's head. "Your father would never tell, if it were serious."
Rouyuan bit her lip.
But something gnawed at her heart— a heavy, cold worry.
Master Su suddenly appeared in the courtyard, sensing the tension.
"A wound on the frontier, even a small one, is never simple," she said quietly.
"But your father is strong. And your brother is rising."
Rouyuan looked up at her master. "Master… can we help?"
Master Su smiled gently. "You are too young to send yourself there. But your medicines— those you can be send."
Rouyuan inhaled sharply.
Yes. Her hands could heal, even from afar.
Bai Rouyuan's Determination
"I will prepare medicine," she said immediately.
Bai Yanyu nodded. "I will write a tactical analysis—Ge likes reading strategy."
Wen Xianyi clapped. "I'll help pack! And choose the nicest paper! And ribbons!"
Wen Shisheng laughed softly, a sound filled with warmth, "You children… are exactly like Rouying."
Rouyuan froze.
Her mother.
Her heart swelled.
"I will not let my dad or Yunshen Ge sick," she whispered. "Not now, not ever."
The Wen Clan's New Respect
That night, the entire Wen Clan gathered for a meeting.
When they heard of Bai Yunchen's achievement— gasps, murmurs, awe filled the hall.
"That child… is only eighteen?"
"And defending a Marshal Prince?"
"A son of Lady Rouying… truly extraordinary."
Slowly…the Wen Clan began to realize,
Wen Rouying children…were not weak.
Not a burden.
But heirs to two powerful legacies—the Bai Great Generals and the Wen merchants.
Rouyuan felt the shift.
As she knows…people here treated them with pride.
Not pity.
Far Away — On the Frozen Ridge
While Rouyuan prepared medicine in the warm glow of lotus lamps…
Bai Yunchen stood on a snowy cliff, breath misting in the freezing wind.
Prince Murong Shaoheng approached him."You fought well, Bai Yunchen."
Bai Yunchen bowed. "I only did my duty, Your Highness."
Prince Murong Shaoheng smiled. "You remind me of someone."
Bai Yunchen blinked.
Prince Murong Shaoheng looked north, toward the battlefield.
"My nephew… Murong Yexuan."
Bai Yunchen felt a chill—not from the wind.
To be compared to the War God of the North…
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"For my father…"
"For my family…"
"I will not fall."