The Strife of Chaos Chapter 70: The Jade of the Qian Family

A year ago, under the unstoppable assault of the Heavenly Kingdom’s army, the capital city of Song, Kaifeng, fell completely. The imperial court had already relocated to the south, reducing its military strength and fortifying the southern regions, thus escaping the threat of annihilation.

Once, the city of Lin’an was merely a tourist destination in the Song Kingdom, renowned for its coastal beauty and delicious local specialties, a place the Song sovereign visited annually. Now, owing to the southern retreat of the Song dynasty, Lin’an had become the capital, its pleasure palace transformed into the site of daily court sessions.

Lin’an City, the Qian family’s mansion.

A graceful young lady sat at her dressing table, meticulously adorning herself. She dabbed a touch of fine rouge on her smooth, pale cheeks, pressed delicate red color onto her lips, and lightly shaped her slender brows with charcoal powder.

Staring at her flawless reflection, Qian Jinyu could not summon any joy. She set down the ornament in her hand with a sigh of melancholy. Gazing at the pairs of birds outside her window, she murmured,

“It’s been more than a year since we parted. How are you, Brother Yun? I dress up beautifully every day, waiting for your return. Where are you?”

She remembered those days—training with him in martial arts, dragging him out to stroll the streets, and him buying her trinkets with his pocket money. Everything had been so sweet and lovely, until that rainy night when it all vanished. He walked the street, soaked in blood and rain, his gaze ablaze with fury and murderous intent…

“Miss, the master has been waiting for you in the main hall for quite some time.” The urging voice interrupted Qian Jinyu’s reverie.

“I know, I’ll go at once.” She quickly finished her preparations and hurried to the main hall.

As one of the two great families of Song, the Qians had followed the kingdom in its flight to Lin’an. Yet their wealth, rivaling that of the nation, was undiminished.

Within the vast mansion, winding paths twisted and turned—so much so that a stranger might never find their way out. But Qian Jinyu was well acquainted with her home, and soon arrived at the main hall.

Seated in the chief chair was a middle-aged man with a square face, a serious expression, high nose, and large eyes, dressed in splendid robes—the current head of the Qian family, Qian Ju. Beside him sat a woman bearing a resemblance to Qian Jinyu, her mother, Song Yuelan. Though her face bore traces of age, her youthful charm had scarcely faded.

Seeing Jinyu enter, Qian Ju’s stern face softened into a smile. “Jinyu, is something troubling you today? You’re late, the dishes are almost cold.”

Jinyu bowed slightly. “Good morning, Father, Mother. Nothing’s wrong, I simply woke up rather late.”

Song Yuelan asked with concern, “Is something bothering you lately?”

Qian Jinyu sat beside her mother, “Mother, you worry too much. I’m just not used to the climate here.”

With everyone present, Qian Ju said, “Let’s have breakfast first.”

The family took up their chopsticks gracefully and slowly savored the delicacies before them.

Breakfast passed neither too quickly nor too slowly. After the meal, the servants promptly cleared the table.

Usually, each would go about their own affairs. But today, Qian Ju gravely asked his daughter to stay.

“Father, is there something you wish to discuss?”

Qian Ju gazed at his ever more mature and beautiful daughter. “Jinyu, you’ll soon be eighteen. It’s time you found a husband.”

Jinyu was about to protest, but Qian Ju continued, “The mainland is in chaos now. I believe you must find a man who can protect you. You are our only daughter, so your mother and I have decided to hold a martial contest in a few days, to select a warrior of outstanding skill as our son-in-law.”

Before her father finished, Qian Jinyu said angrily, “I refuse! Have you not realized that my heart already belongs to someone? In this life, I will marry no one but Brother Yun!”

“Nonsense! Yang Ruiyun is now a traitor to the kingdom, and you dare mention him?” Qian Ju slammed the table in fury.

“I don’t care. I only wish to wait for Brother Yun.” Qian Jinyu’s voice trembled with tears, but her resolve was unwavering.

“Enough, don’t be harsh with our daughter. You know about Yang Ruiyun’s situation, don’t you?” Song Yuelan held back her angry husband and gently advised her daughter, “Jinyu, I know you and Yang Ruiyun grew up together and you’ve liked him since childhood. But didn’t he choose to leave you? If you truly mattered to him, would he have abandoned you? If he’d chosen you over revenge, with the Qian family’s power, we could have protected him. I’ve experienced life myself. Listen to your mother: a love without reciprocation is not worth waiting for. Finding a man who loves you is far happier than loving someone who does not.”

“But I…” Qian Jinyu tried to argue but could not find the words.

Song Yuelan glanced at Qian Ju. “Tell her the news.”

At his wife’s prompting, Qian Ju said, “Jinyu, we know your heart belongs to Yang Ruiyun. We wish you happiness, so I’ve used the Qian family’s influence to investigate his whereabouts. Recently, word arrived from the troubled lands: Yang Ruiyun has joined Tang. Not long ago, he was conscripted as an ordinary soldier to defend Kaiyan Pass against the Mongol invasion. Though he was exceptionally skilled, according to my sources, he has unfortunately died on the battlefield.”

When Qian Ju finished, despair engulfed Qian Jinyu.

“He’s dead. Brother Yun is dead… No, it can’t be.” Her gaze faded, her body lost all strength, and she collapsed to the floor.

The couple were shocked. “Quick, someone, fetch the physician!”

Qian Jinyu’s bedroom. Song Yuelan held her daughter’s hand gently as she awoke. “Jinyu, you’re not a child anymore. You must learn to shoulder responsibility. Yang Ruiyun chose to face reality and bear his family’s burden. You can’t remain lost in romance. Honestly, I liked Yang Ruiyun too—handsome, skilled in martial arts, from a good family—but we must face reality. The Song army is defeated, and though the Qians seem stable, many secretly covet our wealth. Listen to me: accept reality, and keep Brother Yun in your memories, all right?”

With tear-stained cheeks, Qian Jinyu nodded silently.

“Rest well. I’ll leave you now.” With her daughter’s mood settled, Song Yuelan sighed in relief.

Outside, Qian Ju paced anxiously. Seeing his wife emerge, he rushed forward. “How is Jinyu? If things don’t improve, should we tell her everything and take her to Tang to find that Yang boy?”

Song Yuelan shook her head. “I’ve persuaded her. Now everything must be for the Qian family’s future. We can’t indulge her any longer.”

“Ah, why must my daughter suffer so? And that Song sovereign—was he mad to target the Deng family? If not for all this, regardless of Yang Yan’s opposition, I’d have gladly given my daughter to that boy.”

“Enough, you doting father. What’s done is done. You’d better arrange the martial contest soon, and attract warriors from all the neighboring kingdoms.”

“Understood.” Qian Ju nodded and departed.

Heavenly Kingdom’s army camp.

Grandfather and grandson of the Lan family were discussing the upcoming siege plans with a group of officers. Indeed, the Heavenly Kingdom would soon launch a full assault on Lin’an. This time, their advance would be swifter and more ferocious, leaving the Song court no chance to escape.

“So, that’s the general plan. Everyone, be vigilant against Song’s scouts nearby.”

“Understood.” With that, the officers left the command tent.

On the way, Lan Ke walked with a young officer who somewhat resembled him.

“Hey, Ke. Should we sneak into Lin’an to assess the situation?” asked Lan Hao, Lan Ke’s cousin, two or three years his senior and deputy commander of the Lan family’s sword guards.

Lan Ke replied without hesitation, “There’s nothing worth investigating. Song’s defenses cannot possibly withstand our army.”

Seeing Lan Ke’s resolute attitude, Lan Hao could only shrug helplessly.

“Where are you off to now?”

Lan Ke replied without a change of expression, “To find Luoxuan.”

As they arrived at Yun Luoxuan’s residence, just as they were about to knock, the tightly shut door swung open.

“Big Brother Lan, what brings you here?”

Suddenly seeing Yun Luoxuan, Lan Ke was momentarily speechless. Luckily, Lan Hao responded promptly, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness. We came to report the matters discussed in today’s meeting. Are you heading out?”

“Is that so? Thank you, then. I had some matters to attend to and couldn’t be there in person,” Yun Luoxuan explained patiently.

“Luoxuan, are you going out now?” Lan Ke suddenly asked.

“Yes, I need to go somewhere.”

“What about Xu Yang? Isn’t he with you?”

“Brother Xu left ahead. I’m going with Xu Yue to find him.” Seeing Lan Ke’s seriousness, Yun Luoxuan answered honestly.

“That won’t do. Xu Yue alone can’t protect you. Let us accompany you. I happen to be free these days.”

Before Yun Luoxuan could reply, Xu Yue ran out from behind and challenged, “Hey, Lan Ke, do you doubt my abilities?”

Lan Ke shook his head and answered earnestly, “I don’t doubt your skill, only your attitude.”

“You!” Xu Yue wanted to retort, but was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Enough, let’s all go together. Besides, what I’m delivering today is meant for Brother Lan anyway.” Yun Luoxuan tried to mediate.

“Luoxuan, where are we headed?”

“To Lin’an.”

“What?” Lan Hao exclaimed.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yue asked.

“Nothing, it’s actually good for us all to go together.”

Lan Ke still had his doubts, but Yun Luoxuan’s decisions were never mistaken, so he asked no further—besides, the truth would soon be clear.

Then, Lan Ke and Lan Hao changed from their military uniforms to simple civilian clothes, while Yun Luoxuan and Xu Yue donned plain dresses, with Yun Luoxuan veiling her face. Thus, the group disguised themselves as northern refugees, ready to slip into Lin’an.