Volume One, Chapter 18: The Youthful Shangyang Moon (Part Two)

“Is the princess excited because she will begin martial training tomorrow, or because she will see General Yuwen tomorrow?” Xiao Qi couldn’t help but ask.

Yang Xiangning said nothing in response, only lowering her head shyly.

“All right, I’m going to sleep now,” Yang Xiangning finally spoke softly.

Xiao Qi seemed to sense something but didn’t press further, instead beginning to help Yang Xiangning change her clothes.

The next morning, Yang Xiangning arrived early at the training camp. From a distance, she saw Yuwen Chengdu clad in armor, holding his weapon, engaged in drills.

Yang Xiangning hurried forward, calling out, “General Yuwen!”

Startled, Yuwen Chengdu turned and bowed to her. “Your Highness the Princess, I did not expect you to truly come.”

“We agreed yesterday, so naturally I would come,” Yang Xiangning replied gently, her eyes drawn to the weapon in Yuwen Chengdu’s hand.

“What is the name of that weapon? It looks so majestic,” she admired.

Yuwen Chengdu promptly explained, “This is my weapon, the Phoenix Wing Gilded Lance.”

Nodding, Yang Xiangning said, “Only such a magnificent weapon could befit a general.”

“Your praise humbles me, Princess,” Yuwen Chengdu bowed slightly, then seemed to recall something and looked up. “Since Your Highness is here, please choose a weapon that suits you.”

“Does this mean, General Yuwen, that you are willing to teach me martial arts?” Yang Xiangning’s face brightened.

“As Your Highness commands, I dare not refuse. Please, follow me,” Yuwen Chengdu led her to a place filled with various weapons for her to select.

Yang Xiangning looked left and right but couldn’t decide. “Since you understand weapons well, General, why not help me choose one?”

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Chengdu did not hesitate. After surveying the array of arms, he ultimately selected a light, elegant sword.

“This sword suits Your Highness. Please take a look.”

Yang Xiangning lifted the sword and found it indeed very light and manageable. Yuwen Chengdu had chosen well.

“Thank you, General.”

“Your Highness, please call me Chengdu from now on; there’s no need for such formalities,” Yuwen Chengdu said, feeling unworthy of the princess’s honorific.

Martial artists are straightforward by nature, and today Yang Xiangning saw this clearly. She smiled and said slowly, “Very well, Chengdu. In private, you can simply call me Xiang’er.”

“Chengdu dares not. To address the princess familiarly would be presumptuous,” Yuwen Chengdu replied hastily, bowing.

“No matter,” Yang Xiangning waved her hand dismissively. “You are my lifesaver, and now teaching me martial arts, you are like a master to me.”

Yuwen Chengdu made no further comment, neither agreeing nor denying. Yang Xiangning remained silent as well, changing into armor within the inner tent, ready for her lessons.

Step by step, Yuwen Chengdu taught carefully, and Yang Xiangning learned earnestly.

Watching Yuwen Chengdu’s focused profile, Yang Xiangning found herself momentarily lost in thought. The young hero, exuding uncommon valor, truly deserved such praise. His unwavering, determined gaze was unlike anything she had seen among the palace courtiers or officials—each polished and worldly, none with such clear eyes.

Yet Yuwen Chengdu possessed an aura distinct from every courtier. He was proud and pure, as if no problem could trouble him, as though he had the power to solve everything.

Lost in thought, Yang Xiangning was suddenly called back.

“Your Highness?” Yuwen Chengdu noticed her distraction and spoke softly.

“I’m sorry, Chengdu. I was daydreaming,” she replied.

“That’s all right. Are you tired? Let’s take a short break,” he suggested.

With her consent, Yuwen Chengdu stepped aside to personally command the soldiers’ drills.

Yang Xiangning watched him from afar, her gaze vacant once more.

“Master Yuwen, unrivaled in the world,” she murmured to herself.

After a while, Yuwen Chengdu returned. “Your Highness, shall we continue?”

“Chengdu, you forgot again—you promised to call me Xiang’er from now on,” Yang Xiangning reminded him.

The princess had made her wishes clear, and Yuwen Chengdu could not refuse. He nodded awkwardly, “Very well... Xiang... Xiang’er.”

His stammer was endearing.

“It’s all right, Chengdu. You’ll get used to it,” Yang Xiangning found his reaction amusing.

Without further words, they resumed their training.

Day by day, Yang Xiangning came to the camp to see Yuwen Chengdu, and their bond grew closer.

One day, Yuwen Chengdu was attending the morning court, so he would arrive at the camp later. Yang Xiangning began practicing on her own. At first, she did well, but her eagerness to show progress to Yuwen Chengdu made her overexert herself. In her haste, she accidentally cut her arm.

Yuwen Chengdu arrived to find her doubled over in pain, clutching her arm.

“Princess, what happened?” he hurried to her side.

She revealed the injury. “I accidentally cut myself just now.”

“Bear with it a moment; I’ll tend to it,” he said, leading her into the inner tent.

During his mountain training days with Yang Yuer, they often tended wounds—this was routine. But facing the delicate princess, Yuwen Chengdu found himself reluctant to be rough. Even with Yuer, he had never felt this way.

“It may hurt quite a bit; please endure,” he warned.

Yang Xiangning nodded. Not wanting to appear weak before him, she bit her lip and held firm. Yet when the medicine touched her skin, she gasped sharply.

“Ah...” she couldn’t suppress the sound.

“Hold on, Princess. It will be over soon,” Yuwen Chengdu comforted hurriedly, his hands instinctively gentler.

Cold sweat beaded on Yang Xiangning’s brow, but hearing his words, she braced herself and did not cry out again.

Seeing her strength moved Yuwen Chengdu deeply. He glanced at her and resumed bandaging with great care, gentler than he had ever been with anyone. Whenever he saw her flinch at the pain, his touch softened even more.

Yang Xiangning endured silently, and Yuwen Chengdu’s swift, skillful hands soon finished dressing the wound.

“Princess, you are truly noble-born. This time you’ve suffered, but I have only done a simple treatment. You should still summon the imperial physician to prevent infection,” he cautioned, concern lingering in his voice.