The Pride of Sixteen Days

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Tong Youyu said she was uninjured, and only then did Yin Zijian realize that Jin Kui was guarding an old woman—a misunderstanding all along.

He grumbled as he set her down, “Who told you to act like this?”

The once pristine young maiden was now stained with blood and smudged with the black ashes left from a burning lantern. The scene reeked of iron and smoke.

Tong Youyu obediently stood straight and said, “I have yet to thank the young general properly…”

“Do you think you can just say ‘thank you’ and send me off?” Yin Zijian’s expression darkened as he glanced around. “Where is that Mr. Mao?”

Why ask about Mr. Mao again? Tong Youyu was puzzled, her eyelids lowered slightly. “I will naturally present a gift of thanks.”

Yin Zijian snorted coldly, neither confirming nor denying.

At that moment, Yin Mingyan arrived, pushing through the crowd to stand before her brother.

She wore an expression as if to catch someone in the act: “I just saw you holding Sister Tong.”

“So what?”

“I thought so. You still hold grudges from childhood, and you’re not that petty a person.” Yin Mingyan pouted.

Yin Zijian denied it, “I am petty.”

Yin Mingyan didn’t believe him and cupped her cheeks in regret. “I’m the foolish one, charging headfirst for you and nearly offending someone badly!”

Annoying!

“Mind your tongue.” Yin Zijian reached out and pulled his unfiltered sister aside.

He turned to order Ge Jian to escort Tong Youyu back. The wounded, including the old woman, would be properly cared for.

Yin Mingyan couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not sending her yourself? Deputy Commander Lu is here to handle the aftermath.”

“No.” Yin Zijian didn’t even look back.

There was nothing more for Tong Youyu here. She and Jin Kui were sent by Ge Jian to the Star-Picking Pavilion to reunite with their family.

Shen Cheng and Shen Shuzhang hurried out, looking for her. Seeing them disheveled, they were shocked.

Ge Jian explained, “Master Shen, rest assured, Miss Tong is unharmed. She just bravely helped an old woman on the street.”

“Master Ge,” Shen Cheng immediately recognized Ge Jian. Although just an attendant, the Yin family held military ranks, and clad in armor they were junior generals. He politely said, “Good to hear. One cannot just say ‘brave act’ lightly.”

“Master Shen, you are too kind.” Ge Jian smiled at Tong Youyu, then took his leave.

Madam Shen had already begun examining Tong Youyu with concern. “You’re so dirty, it’s frightening!”

At first glance, she almost thought it was her blood!

“Sorry to worry Grandmother. I’m fine,” Tong Youyu said softly. “Are my two cousins alright?”

“Only minor injuries,” Mrs. Peng took over the conversation. “What exactly happened? You saw the lantern tower collapse and didn’t come back together? It was dangerous!”

“Maybe it was to spend time with the young general?” Shen Yumu whispered, careful not to let the Mao family hear.

Shen Lianyin snapped, “You’ll be the death of yourself with that mouth.”

The Mao family hadn’t left yet. Lady Mao smiled, “Miss Tong has great courage, but a lady should be composed. Rushing into chaos like this risks trouble. What if that old woman clings to you?”

Madam Shen replied, “If she does, just pay her off with some silver.”

One can’t just look out for oneself and refuse to help others.

Considering their new acquaintance with the Mao family, the old lady held back her next words.

Lady Mao smiled faintly, “Madam Shen is kind-hearted, like a bodhisattva.”

Tonight’s lantern viewing was spoiled. The two families parted ways.

Before leaving, Mao Yanchi took a moment to bid Tong Youyu a proper farewell. It seemed he had taken a liking to her.

In the carriage, Madam Shen couldn’t help but scold gently. “In danger, take care of yourself first, and only help others if you have the strength.”

“I know,” Tong Youyu nodded softly. “Grandmother, my heart is still racing. I saw the fire, the old woman collapsed, so much blood…”

“Don’t have nightmares.” Madam Shen clasped her hand. The young girl had never seen such things.

“I’ll only have nightmares if she dies,” Tong Youyu said. “The dead are terrifying.”

“She won’t die. She’s been saved.” Though her legs were badly injured, at least she was alive.

After a few words, Madam Shen turned the topic to Yin Zijian. “Was it the young general who saved you? Did he send you back?”

Shen Lianyin had twisted her ankle, Shen Yumu had abrasions on her hand, Tong Youyu was fine. When the lantern tower fell, Yin Zijian was holding her.

Everyone saw it, many eyes witnessed it.

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Tong Youyu hadn’t expected that despite his disdain for her, Yin Zijian would intervene at such a critical moment.

“Maybe it’s because of Madam Yin…”

The old lady agreed. “Thanks to him, you must offer a proper thanks.”

Tong Youyu was troubled, having not yet decided how to express her gratitude.

The old lady continued, “That Mao child seems honest and simple. Get to know him first.”

Tong Youyu nodded slowly. “Mm.”

*******

On the Mid-Autumn moonlit night, Tong Youyu failed to meet Lin Jinzhù as planned and sent a servant to inform him after the accident.

The next day, Lin Jinzhù showed no irritation for the missed appointment but inquired about the lantern tower incident.

The matter was quietly escalating.

These lantern towers were not only in Yongle District but also in Qinghe and Wantai Districts, set up in bustling areas to celebrate with the people. This was tradition every year.

Nothing special this year except that the person in charge was the Crown Prince.

The Emperor, in the prime of life, kept the Crown Prince busy with minor affairs to ease his mind. Officials submitted petitions offering to help.

The Emperor, seeing the Crown Prince’s free time outside studies, assigned him small tasks.

Among them were erecting lantern towers, lantern boat parades, and moon goddess blessings. The Crown Prince supervised the purchase and preparation of lantern and accessories.

But in Yongle District, the tower collapsed, injuring dozens and nearly causing fatalities.

If not for Yin Zijian’s timely intervention, dispersing the crowd and extinguishing the lanterns, the damage would have been worse.

An accident could have been minor or major. Others had not blamed anyone yet, but the Eastern Palace’s subordinates first reported Yin Zijian.

They claimed other towers were intact, but wherever Yin Zijian went, trouble followed, hinting at a possible plot to frame the Crown Prince.

Fearing being reported first, these subordinates struck preemptively.

When the morning court heard the news, Consort Yin was furious.

They hadn’t accused the Crown Prince of incompetence, yet the other side shamelessly claimed they feared being preempted by evil men.

That was shameless!

That afternoon, the Emperor questioned the details but showed no opinion yet.

Everyone guessed whom the Emperor would believe. If he suspected Yin Zijian or viewed him less favorably, the young general’s standing at court would suffer.

The greatest impact would be on the Fourth Prince, who was inexplicably dragged into this. If the Emperor suspected him conspiring with his maternal family, what would he think?

No ruler would tolerate collusion beneath them, even if it involved their own son.

The Eastern Palace’s counterattack aimed to highlight the Fourth Prince and the Yin family’s ambitions, leaving a mark in the Emperor’s mind.

Lin Jinzhù did not see it so deeply. She only felt sorry for Yin Zijian. “Good men get no reward. He helped and was suspected as the culprit. Is there justice?”

Tong Youyu thought for a moment. “The Emperor probably won’t suspect him.”

“The Yin family’s military achievements are great. The Emperor wouldn’t want his soldiers disheartened.”

“Not for that reason,” Tong Youyu whispered. “I, my cousin, and the Fourth Master of the Ministry of Rites’ right chancellor were all under the tower. If the general wanted the tower to collapse and then fake a rescue to frame the Crown Prince, it would have been better if… a few died.”

Children of minor officials would be perfect—cause a stir but not a scandal. That would have been more effective.

The Crown Prince would have faced punishment regardless, so why half-heartedly handle it?

Lin Jinzhù agreed, surprised. “Yuyu, you are so clever!”

“I’m not,” Tong Youyu shook her head. “I’m just hypothesizing. If the Yin family, as Eastern Palace claims, are such villains, this is what they would do.”

Indeed, the Emperor had informants everywhere and knew the scene when the tower collapsed.

He knew the children of the Tong, Shen, and Mao families were watching below and that Yin Zijian saved only one person.

The official’s report named the young girl seen close to the general in Suishan.

The Emperor would not suspect Yin Zijian but grew increasingly disappointed in the Crown Prince.

A good heir should not be so unstable. They should improve themselves rather than suppress their brothers.

Though the accusation seemed to target Yin Zijian, the real aim was the Fourth Prince.

The Crown Prince feared the Yin family backing the Fourth Prince’s rivalry. The Emperor understood but did not intervene much. An heir without a sense of crisis is the worst.

Even ascending the throne requires constant vigilance against rivals.

The Emperor reprimanded the Eastern Palace’s subordinates and fined their salaries—a mild but firm warning.

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Though no direct criticism of the Crown Prince was made, the Eastern Palace’s face was lost.

Moreover, the Emperor rewarded Yin Zijian with twenty silver coins, Ge Jian and others also received shares, and even Tong Youyu was given ten silver coins for her bravery.

The reward wasn’t generous, issued by the Jingzhao Prefecture’s office, which had a tradition of recognizing those who saved multiple lives in serious incidents.

The Emperor didn’t lavish gifts simply because it was Yin Zijian, showing fairness and encouraging the public to do good deeds.

Though the silver was modest, it came directly from the Emperor, giving it weight.

Shen Cheng was ecstatic, almost wanting to enshrine the ten silver coins.

Tong Youyu was happy but troubled over what to give Yin Zijian in return, rare for him to overlook past grievances…

Most girls would make handicrafts to express thanks, but she didn’t want to and feared he might disdain such gifts.

After much thought, Tong Youyu took a rare precious book from her bookshelf—one of her favorites.

The book was valuable, and Yin Zijian’s studious nature made it a fitting gift.

She brought the rare volume and a note to the General’s Mansion, showing sincerity by visiting in person.

Unfortunately, just as she arrived at the gate, Yin Zijian, sword at his waist, was preparing to go out.

“Is the young general unavailable?”

She had clearly handed over the note but encountered this situation. Was she wasting her trip?

Yin Zijian didn’t let her go empty-handed. He gave his horse to Ge Jian and summoned a carriage for her to speak in.

“This…” Tong Youyu asked, “Where is the young general going?”

Yin Zijian stepped into the carriage expressionless. “I won’t let you follow me out of the city. After you finish speaking, this carriage will send you home.”

Tong Youyu hesitated slightly, hearing everything arranged…

“Get in.” He urged.

She pressed her lips and climbed aboard. Before entering the General’s Mansion, the carriage turned and departed.

It was her first time sharing a carriage with Yin Zijian. His long limbs made the space feel cramped.

As the carriage jolted upon starting, the slightly nervous Tong Youyu lost balance and fell forward.

There was nowhere to fall. Yin Zijian sat right in front of her.

In panic, she caught herself with her hand, just managing to keep from falling into his arms.

However, her soft palm pressed against the end of Yin Zijian’s long leg. At her touch, he tensed completely.

“Be lighter.” Yin Zijian bit his back teeth silently.

Tong Youyu was stunned and quickly withdrew her hand. Such a large lump…!

“Sorry,” she said, surprised and a little flustered, “I didn’t mean to discover this… I…”

“Hm?”

Tong Youyu assured him, “I won’t say a word outside. You can trust me.”

Yin Zijian felt uneasy. “What do you think this is?”

“The young general was weak as a child. I didn’t take it seriously,” Tong Youyu lowered her head, somewhat remorseful. “I was wrong before. From now on, I will try to find a miracle doctor to help you, to do what I can…”

Even Yin Zijian was stunned by her sudden words.

“Tong Youyu, I’m not ill.”

“But that lump is so big…” she frowned.

Yin Zijian laughed in disbelief. “You don’t even know the difference between men and women and think I’m sick?!”

He laughed, but the worry in the young girl’s face was sincere.

Then he realized she only had three years’ memory. The Shen family made her study, but probably didn’t tell her much else. Her family never even had a boy wearing split-crotch pants.

Yin Zijian’s tone hardened. “I’m not sick.”

Tong Youyu pursed her lips, not arguing. A favored son of heaven, his fate was pitiable and needed careful coaxing to remove that lump.