Power Up, Artist Yang!

"She was your sister?" Zixu blinked.

The Yang Family certainly appeared to keep the matter of the Second Miss fairly down low, for not even Zixu knew about it. Or, perhaps because the matter of Wu Yichen running away from the family happened so many years ago, even Zixu, with his impeccable memory, would've forgotten.

"En, but I don't know her well," Yujia informed him. "I don't think we were ever close."

To be more accurate, Yujia didn't know what kind of relationship the ex-Second Miss and Fourth Miss ever had. However, judging from what she heard about the personality of the Fourth Miss and how the entire villa secluded her, Yujia imagined it would be difficult for any close relationship to arise between these two sisters. 

"Wu Yichen," Zixu mused.

Yujia said softly, "She's incredible, I think. You must've heard what everyone was saying about her."

Zixu replied, "The savior of this battle. It's a good thing that your sister kept the capital safe. How did she end up from the Yang Family to under General Wu?"

"I'm not too sure," Yujia had to say with a brief laugh. "I guess it was a situation like mine as well, with a marriage that goes against her wishes. So she runs away and finds honor through serving in the military. Who would've guessed that a second daughter of some merchant family would end up where she is now, leading all of these soldiers in a victory parade, heading towards the palace? It's incredible."

"You are, too."

"You think so?" Yujia glanced over at Zixu, who looked back at her without any hesitation. 

"Aren't you the same? A daughter of the same merchant family, ending up as a disciple of Lingxin Pavilion, her master being none other than Master Yue himself. The art shop that you've opened up as well, Three Inks. All of that is astounding."

"I suppose you couldn't quite compare some art business with fighting so valiantly on the battlefields."

"Why compare?" Zixu shook his head, grinning. "They're both amazing accomplishments."

Yujia thought for a moment, then relented. "You know what? You're right."

"As always," Zixu said, his tone light.

Turning her attention back to the parade, Yujia saw the soldiers go by. Now, there were only soldiers to see, when those leading the troops were already far up ahead. "Do you think that Lieutenant Wu will meet the Emperor himself?" Yujia brought up.

"That's why they're heading to the palace, aren't they? For an audience with the Emperor. He'll certainly want to see the people who've saved his walls." 

"Ah, so the Emperor will get to talk to her." Yujia said, letting out a sigh.

"Does it bother you that she gets to talk to your technical Senior Brother before you can?" Zixu raised his brows.

"No, not at all. I don't care much about meeting the Emperor." Yujia looked away for a moment, amused with herself. What a statement that she had just uttered, for this time and era, where there could be no greater honor. "In fact, he's the one who's lucky that he gets to meet Wu Yichen. I wish I could have a talk with her, hear her story, all that."

With a laugh, Zixu said,  "That's quite bold of you; what a slanderous statement against the Emperor."

"Oh please, as if anyone would hear our trivial conversation. Would you want to meet the Emperor if you could?"

Zixu didn't hesitate to answer, "I think it would be nice to have an audience, at the very least. It's not everyday that you get to meet the ruler of the empire, unless you were one of the officials."

As it seemed, Zixu still held his dream of serving in the government. He had always wanted to make a difference in the state of the empire. This was something he had talked about so many times when it was just the two of them, something he was truly passionate about. Yujia could tell that although Zixu was as rational as could be, it wasn't the kind of cold rationality that would lead to cruel decisions. He wanted change for the good of the people, change that would end famines and change that would lift others from poverty. 

In fact, most of what Yujia knew about Xiang came from what Zixu told her in their conversations. It was evident already by the failed rebellion that just took place, but Xiang was not a stable empire. The Emperor was a genius at military matters, but not as much from a general ruling standpoint. Even if the capital was doing well, many other parts of the country were not. The Emperor's decisions had led to impressive, undeniable expansion in the Xiang Empire's might from an outsider's standpoint. Except, with just a look at how everything was on the inside, it was clear to see how his callous decisions were met by the consequential suffering of the people.

Yujia leaned her head against his shoulder, encouraging, "After we get married, let's talk to your father about taking the scholar's exam again and earning a post."

"He wouldn't agree," Zixu protested.

"Who's to say that he won't change his mind? Besides," Yujia patted herself, "He will soon have this very persuasive daughter-in-law that is also fully on your side." 

Yujia knew that Zixu would have to laugh at that. And indeed he did, then saying, "Of course; how could I forget? You better help me convince him." 

"I'll do my best," she promised.

The two watched the last of the soldiers walk by. The crowd around them already began to disperse, trickling away to spend more time with their families in celebration and gratitude.

Zixu let out a deep, soft sigh. "Rebellions are not the right way to change things. They only lead to civilians fearing and innocent lives being lost. We need less of that in this world— less battling, less bloodshed. In the end, it's only a chain of one ruler being overthrown by another, a competition to see who can build the stronger military to keep their throne underneath them. They justify it by saying 'this one's a tyrant', but who is to say that the next one is not also a merciless oppressor? There's got to be another form of change."

"I know," Yujia said. "And I know that you'll be able to do that. If there's anyone capable of making that change for the better, it's you."

Zixu was silent for a moment. Then, he squeezed her hand.. "I will."