Jiafu was gentle and understanding, always by Pei You’an’s side. As they traveled south, spring deepened, and Pei You’an gradually began to open up. In the mornings, they played zither and dulcimer together; at dusk, they sat by the window listening to the rowing songs. It was as if life granted them a brief respite. Jiafu felt at ease and joyful; if it weren’t for her longing to reunite with family, she might have wished the journey would never end.
One evening, the ship entered Fujian waters and stopped at a small fishing port called Langmen. The crew went ashore to purchase supplies and planned to rest overnight before continuing the next morning. After five or six days more of sailing, they would reach Quanzhou.
As night fell, the cabin was lit by lamps. It was too early for sleep. After dinner, Jiafu asked Tanxiang to bring out a small chessboard and set it up on a wide berth by the window. She climbed up herself, arranged the pieces, and called for Tanxiang to disperse and rest. Then she pulled Pei You’an away from his book to play chess with her.
Pei You’an was skilled at the game and often played with Jiafu during their travels. Jiafu could play too, and was not bad, but compared to him she was still no match. Usually, toward the end of the game, even if Pei You’an wanted her to win, there were no moves left for her to make. After losing repeatedly, Jiafu’s competitive spirit flared, and she refused to play. One day when they landed, she bought a chess manual and studied it intensively, with Pei You’an as a good teacher. In just over two weeks, her skill improved noticeably, at least she thought so. That day, having secretly studied a clever new strategy, she was eager to surprise him and after dinner immediately pulled him over to play again.
Pei You’an was dragged over and sat down, playing black while Jiafu took white. As usual, he gave her a three-piece handicap. Jiafu knelt in front of the board, concentrating hard, plotting to lure his black dragon into a trap. But he never took the bait, leaning leisurely by the window with one hand on a piece and the other holding a book, clearly distracted and enjoying himself. Jiafu stopped and pouted, “You’re bullying me!”
Pei You’an snapped back to attention, glanced at her, and seeing her pout, teased her, raising an eyebrow, “How am I bullying you?”
“You look down on me! What does it mean to do two things at once?”
He quickly put the book aside, apologized, and promised to focus on the game. From then on, he sat properly, and Jiafu continued.
But only a few moves in, Pei You’an placed a piece in a corner with a crisp “clack,” then stopped, conceding the game.
Jiafu stared at the board for a long moment before realizing what had happened. She had been so focused on trapping him that she ignored the strategic importance of the corner. His seemingly simple move was actually brilliant, connecting the black dragon’s head and tail, controlling half the board, an unstoppable advantage. Her refusal to concede and playing further was only delaying the inevitable.
Looking up, Jiafu saw Pei You’an’s apologetic but smiling face and, embarrassed and frustrated, she swept the pieces off the board with a “crash,” shot him a glare, and climbed down from the berth, ignoring him.
Pei You’an laughed from behind, caught her, and pulled her back into his arms. He looked at her seriously and nodded, “My Jiafu is upset. Fine, I’ll play another round and promise to fall for your trap properly this time. Are you satisfied?”
Jiafu had already settled into his embrace. Hearing that he had seen through her plan and was teasing her after winning, she got annoyed again, wriggled free, and said, “You just know how to bully me! I’m not playing anymore! Let go, I’m going to see if the supper’s ready… Hey, what are you doing-”
Before she could finish, Pei You’an scooped her up, laid her across the berth. With a swift move, he pinned her down, half of their bodies on the berth, legs dangling off the side.
“I don’t want to eat. I just want to play chess with you,” he said, teasing.
Jiafu’s cheeks flushed red but she stubbornly tried to get up, twisting like a pretzel under him. Suddenly he grew quiet, leaned close, and whispered into her ear, “Don’t move,” his voice slightly hoarse.
Jiafu froze and immediately understood.
Her grandmother had passed away, and as the heir responsible for mourning rituals, Pei You’an was observing the official mourning period, during which the couple must abstain from intimacy.
During the recent mourning, everyone was still grieving, so Jiafu hadn’t thought about this. Now the period was over, but as young and affectionate spouses spending so much time close together, occasional awkward moments like this were inevitable.
For most people, this mourning period was merely for show, and couples might do as they pleased behind closed doors. But Jiafu knew Pei You’an well; although he was tender, he would not intentionally provoke her now. Feeling his body tense, she stayed perfectly still and looked up at him wide-eyed.
Pei You’an rolled off her, lay back on the berth, covered his face with his hand, exhaled slowly, and sat up.
Jiafu peeked at him quietly, crawled over, and whispered, “Cousin, I didn’t mean it just now…”
He leaned close and said softly, “Jiafu, I’m sorry for troubling you.”
Jiafu shook her head hard, “It doesn’t matter how long—it’s all okay!”
Pei You’an no longer spoke, only smiling gently with tender eyes. He stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace.
The silver candle burned bright, the water outside rippled softly, and occasionally footsteps of sailors passed along the deck.
Jiafu closed her eyes, nestling like a little bird in his arms, quietly holding each other, her heart feeling an unparalleled tranquility.
Suddenly, a rapid sound of gongs came to her ears, mixed with some indistinct shouting. Because it was somewhat distant, she couldn’t clearly hear what was being said, but she sensed that there was a commotion on shore.
Jiafu opened her eyes.
Pei You’an pushed open the window and looked outside.
Jiafu also leaned out and saw in the distance on shore a group of people who looked like soldiers. They carried torches and beat drums and gongs, shouting loudly as they marched: “All sailors listen up! Japanese pirates have raided Quanzhou and Pinghai! The authorities have issued orders: to prevent pirate incursions, the port will be sealed starting tonight! All ships are forbidden to leave without permission! Anyone who disobeys will be treated as colluding with the pirates!”
Jiafu was from Quanzhou and naturally knew well about the Japanese pirates. Since the time of her ancestors, coastal areas had suffered from pirate raids, with Quanzhou always taking the brunt. After the founding of the dynasty by the Great Ancestor, numerous garrisons were set up along the coast to train soldiers. In the past, Quanzhou had several times been ordered by the court to close the port due to pirate threats, which greatly affected many merchants, including the Zhen family. However, in Jiafu’s nearly twenty years of life, Quanzhou had not been seriously raided by pirates again. When raids did come, they rarely made landfall and were quickly wiped out.
She had not expected that at this time of year, pirates would attack Quanzhou again! Judging by the seriousness of the alarm, this attack was no small matter; otherwise, the local government would not have been stirred up like this.
“Cousin!” Jiafu’s voice trembled slightly.
Pei You’an gently patted her back to comfort her, then got off the bed and went out of the cabin to call for Yang Yun. Shortly after, Yang Yun returned, bringing an official-looking man who hurriedly came aboard. The man knelt before Pei You’an: “I am Liu Tong, Captain of the Langmen Garrison. I did not expect Lord Pei to travel here tonight. Please forgive my lack of proper reception.”
Pei You’an ordered him to rise and asked about the situation in Quanzhou.
Liu Tong said: “Lord Pei, this time the Japanese pirates colluded with bandits from eastern Guangdong, coordinating from inside and outside. They split their forces to attack both Quanzhou and Yongning prefectures simultaneously, advancing fiercely. I heard they not only seized more than a dozen merchant ships returning to port but also launched a surprise attack on the city under cover of night when the garrisons’ defenses were lax, killing people and setting fires. The pirates entered Quanzhou through the South Gate. General Li arrived in time to repel them, but in the southern city area there were casualties. Many prominent families suffered losses, some quite serious.”
Pei You’an asked, “Do you know anything about the Zhen family?”
Liu Tong answered, “The Quanzhou Zhen family? When the pirates fled, they set fire to warehouses near the harbor. The fire lasted for several days before it was extinguished. The Zhen family’s property likely suffered damage, but I don’t know much about their people.”
Jiafu, listening carefully inside the cabin, was anxious and worried. As soon as Pei You’an came back in, she grabbed his hand and trembled as she said, “Cousin, can we return to Quanzhou quickly? My family lives in the southern city! I’m worried about my mother and the others!”
Pei You’an said, “I will take you back to Quanzhou as soon as possible. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”
Nanny Liu, Tan Xiang, and others packed their things to go ashore. Because the situation was sudden and urgent, the Langmen county magistrate personally came to supervise at the harbor. Upon hearing Pei You’an was passing by, he hurried over and paid his respects. After a short wait, the courier station sent the necessary carriages and fast horses. Pei You’an thanked the county magistrate, took Jiafu into a carriage, and they hurried overnight to Quanzhou.
The rest of the journey was no longer leisurely. Except for necessary rests, they traveled nonstop and finally arrived in Quanzhou three days later. Guards stood at the city gates checking entries and exits. Pei You’an led Jiafu into the city, and as they approached the southern city, they saw many traces of arson and looting, and many homes hung white mourning banners, from which sounds of crying could be heard.
Jiafu was terrified but finally reached her family’s home. She pushed open the tightly closed door. A servant’s head poked out, and upon seeing Jiafu, he jumped up in joy and hurried inside to report. Meng Shi at first didn’t believe it but hurried out and when she truly saw Jiafu and Pei You’an, she cried tears of joy and quickly welcomed her daughter and son-in-law inside.
Jiafu did not see her brother or grandmother and immediately asked about them.
Meng Shi was overcome with grief, tears falling as she said, “The pirates and bandits broke into the southern city, killing and burning everywhere. Luckily, General Li sent troops in time to defend us, so our home was not breached. But your brother… he’s likely fallen into the hands of the pirates…”
Meng Shi was choked by sorrow and could not speak. A servant nearby took over telling the story.
Last month, the Zhen family had a ship headed to Liuqiu, a relatively short sea trip. Zhen Yaoting had obtained consent from Grandma Hu and Meng Shi and boarded the ship with Zhang Da. They were supposed to return around now but unexpectedly were attacked by pirates halfway through, along with over a dozen other merchant ships. After her recent illness, Grandma Hu’s health had not fully recovered, and upon learning her grandson was captured, she became distraught and fainted. She had been bedridden and unable to eat for days. Meng Shi busied herself with going to the government to inquire and taking care of the ill grandmother, utterly exhausted. She was preparing to send a message to the capital when suddenly her daughter and son-in-law arrived, leaving her emotions difficult to control.
Jiafu fought down her panic and quickly comforted her mother.
Pei You’an stood: “Fu’er, you take care of your mother-in-law and grandmother. I will go to the yamen (government office) to inquire.”
After saying this, as he was about to leave, the gatekeeper rushed in, saying that Governor Gao had arrived.
…
Such a serious incident in Quanzhou, if handled poorly, could cost one their official position. Gao Huaiyuan, upon hearing the news, was like a man with his hair on fire, unable to sit still. While sending news to the capital, he personally came to Quanzhou to manage the aftermath. He had arrived the previous day and was busy organizing coastal defenses. When he was informed that Lord Pei from the capital had arrived, he immediately led people to visit him. Upon seeing Pei You’an, he knelt down and beat his head repeatedly, grieving and begging, “Lord Pei! I am guilty! I never expected the pirates to collude with the Guangdong bandit leader to launch this attack! Fortunately, I have always maintained vigilance and ordered frequent drills at all garrisons, which is why we were able to drive the pirates away in time! Regarding the dozen or so merchant ships taken, please rest assured that I have commanded the general to lead the navy in pursuit. Though the sea is vast, we will do our utmost. I humbly ask Lord Pei to speak well of me before His Majesty. I would be deeply grateful!”
Gao Huaiyuan was not lying. When he heard that one of the captured ships belonged to the Zhen family and that the Zhen family’s young master was on board, he immediately lamented his fate and dispatched the navy to search and rescue. But honestly, in the vast sea without any leads, trying to catch up with the pirate ship and rescue the people was like searching for a needle in a haystack, the hope was extremely slim. After finishing his words, he felt a bit uneasy and dared not raise his head.
Pei You’an told him to stand up. While pondering, an urgent report came from outside: “Sir! Sir! Good news! The more than ten captured ships have all returned! They will enter the harbor today!”
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