Power Up, Artist Yang!

Tragedies liked to strike without slowing down. It would be convenient if they took turns, each waiting a month or so before arriving. Except, things didn't work like that. Life moved on at its usual grueling pace, unwilling to take a break in delivering bad news upon bad news. 

Yujia knew her old habits well. With everything that happened to her, it was more than tempting to slip back to alcohol to drown her worries out. However, she knew what would happen if she allowed herself these guilty indulgences. She knew how inescapable a bad habit was. 

Life would not stop for her, so she did not stop either. 

Still, it didn't mean that things were any easier over the next few days. If not for the support of the people around her, Yujia wasn't quite sure whether or not she could make it. 

Simultaneously, things had also seemed to be worsening for Zixu. It was custom for the two to not visit as much since the date of their marriage was drawing near, but when Yujia did catch him around, she heard stories of how his father had seemed stressed lately, for reasons Zixu was unsure about. He speculated poor business deals were the cause, as he saw his father hung over papers and logs. They were the most secretive business arrangements of the family, so even Zixu, the first son of the household, couldn't view them. She comforted his worries, ȧssuring him that things would turn out better soon.

Bad news didn't stop at just Yujia or Zixu's matters. The capital was not restless either. In fact, news that once brought the city joy soon became a new source of worry. The army consisting of the majority of the nation's military was returning from the west. 

At first, this was wonderful; all rejoiced. Things were different now. Although the Western Regions were conquered successfully, new uprisings began appearing from cities all over the empire. The empire viewed them as mere peasant rebellions at first, but it became soon clear that they were anything but. The strength of the rebellion was enough to topple major cities in violent sieges, and word was that the capital was the next target.

The rate at which the rebellion grew seemed to triple with the threat of the main army returning back home. What was perhaps more surprising was the knowledge that these rebellions had been taking place over the past few months, yet only now was the true severity leaked to the residents of the capital, when the capital came into question. 

It wasn't a simple peasant rebellion anymore. It was a coup, with the emperor's throne as the target and a masked figure behind it all.

People fled the capital, in search of safety. Others stayed, praying for the western army to arrive soon. From news that Yujia managed to catch, the Yang Family had been one to flee early on.

Now, with the brink of war at the horizon, the Yu Family planned to leave as well. Zixu let her know during a visit at the break of dawn. As he explained the situation to her, distress plain across his face, she listened closely, eyes fixed on his.

"It's Father's intention to escape before the rebels arrive. There's smaller and unconquered cities not too far away. We'll be safer there. Come with us."

Yujia drew in a deep breath. She wanted to leave too; the threat of war was too much. Yet— "I can't," she stated with heavy words, "I thought about it the moment I heard the news, but I can't leave Master behind. He's sick enough that he can bȧrėly leave his courtyard. The Ye Family is staying behind for Lingxin too. If I were to leave by myself, it would be too selfish."

"They would understand," Zixu pleaded, clutching her arms.

"I… I really can't."

The two were in silence for a long, drawn-out moment. 

At this, Yujia's eyes widened. "But your family—" Yujia began.

"They'll understand. Don't worry about it. Father seems to think the battling will go well. He said before that the capital will be relatively safe for us; escaping is only a preemptive measure."

"Fine," Yujia murmured into his shoulder, her gaze still struck with worry. "I pray the rebellion will end quickly and safely."

His voice quiet, Zixu remarked, "I hope the same."

…

The day the rebelling forces struck the capital, Yujia had her first taste of war.

As it turned out, Lingxin had secret passageways which Yujia was blissfully unaware of until now. She gathered in her master's courtyard, and with shock, Yujia watched as her master twisted and turned some commonplace furniture to reveal an entire underground room filled with supplies and further connected with many other rooms. There was enough in this underground shelter to keep them safe and comfortable for months. 

Despite her initial shock, Yujia was quick to realize the luck of her situation. The Ye Family, the villa's servants, Yujia, and her Master went down this passageway for safety. 

Though underground, when war struck, the sounds of war drums and battle still echoed to Yujia's ears. It brought her back to memories of the time bandits attacked the Lingxin group and the lives slaughtered then. She buried her face in her arms and covered herself from these noises as much as she could. 

Still, she was glad she was in a place of safety with her Master, Yufeng, Yunhe, and of course, Roubao, her dog. All she could do was wait.

At the end of the fourth day, the drumming had slowed to a pause. Whether the capital had defended itself successfully or not was still unknown until information seeped to Lingxin.

The capital was safe. The rebels were defeated.

Relief was apparent on everyone's face. They rejoiced. Exiting the underground structure, the first thing Yujia heard was the deafening cheers roaring across the entire capital.

As Yujia ran to check that Zixu and everyone else had been safe, she caught all kinds of news, but above all, one was repeated over and over again.

The capital only managed to stay safe because on the second day, an army led by General Wu rushed to lend their aid. The troops crashed through the wave of rebels in a splendid wave, charging to protect the capital walls and gates. Because of them, not a single rebel could climb over the outer protective wall. 

And at the front of the army, leading the rescuing troops with a brilliant red cape billowing behind her, it was none other than Wu Yichen: the former Second Miss of the Yang Family, Yujia's half-sister.