The unsettled hearts in the imperial city and the wine-soaked revelry in the capital were all cast behind Xie Yanlai.

He was like a fish leaping from an exquisite pond into the ocean. The boundless water ahead rose and fell unpredictably, but he felt exhilarated, free, and unrestrained.

After traveling day and night for half a month, the fish leaped out of the water.

Standing on a hilltop, when the wind blew, he was covered head and face with scorching sand and dirt. Xie Yanlai spat, expelling a mouthful of sand, then took a deep breath. He was home.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he smiled self-mockingly.

He actually considered this place home—

“We’re home!”

The dozen or so military guards behind him caught up at this moment. Despite being exhausted from chasing after Xie Yanlai, seeing the faintly visible garrison fort ahead, they all shouted loudly. Some even jumped off their horses and rolled on the ground.

Ahead, dust billowed and people and horses surged with excitement. Cheers came like thunder.

“He’s back—”

“The young master’s back—”

The corners of Xie Yanlai’s mouth curved. He spurred his horse toward those people. His followers also galloped wildly, stirring up rolling clouds of dust on the hillside.

The two clouds of dust quickly collided. People and horses tumbled. Many rolled to the ground. Calls, shouts, curses, and laughter filled the air.

Xie Yanlai didn’t know how many people he’d knocked down, nor who had finally knocked him down. He lay on the ground without getting up again—unlike in the capital camp where he insisted on standing up no matter how many times he fell. These were his own brothers; he’d let them have this.

He lay on the ground. The grass and earth beneath him weren’t soft enough, but he felt incredibly comfortable.

This wasn’t affected speech. It might have been affected petulance before, but now these were his true feelings. Lying here, because he could control himself, his blade, his men and horses—this gave him more peace of mind than fine clothes and jade food, more than crowds fawning and clustering around him.

He pillowed his hands behind his neck, looking at the azure sky. Now he actually pitied that girl a little.

No matter how cunning she was, living in that kind of place, she probably couldn’t live at ease either.

Before, it had just been casual teasing, but after seeing her this time, he felt even more—

“What happened to A’Zhao?”

Zhong Changrong’s booming voice nearly shattered Xie Yanlai’s eardrums.

After riding another full day to reach the main camp, without any rest at all, he’d been dragged to see Zhong Changrong. Sitting in a chair, Xie Yanlai inevitably let his mind wander a bit. Hearing Zhong Changrong ask about Chu Zhao, he instinctively spoke his true thoughts.

Xie Yanlai pointed at the desk. “She wrote you a letter. Read it yourself.”

Zhong Changrong didn’t look. “She definitely won’t want me to worry. I don’t trust what’s written on paper. I sent you to see her real condition.”

“She’s fierce,” Xie Yanlai touched his chin. Her real condition? Still the same as before. “She dared to stand up in court and contradict the Grand Tutor. I—”

He pulled out his new waist token and waved it.

“This Guerrilla General position was fought for by the Empress on my behalf.”

Though Xie Yanlai was too lazy to talk about what happened in the capital, others from entering the city until now had already told the story over a dozen times. About defeating everyone in the capital camp unmatched, about parading through the streets bare-chested, about the capital’s citizens welcoming him throughout the city, countless women throwing down flowers in admiration, nearly being snatched off the street to become a son-in-law. And of course, there was also indignation—

“Young Master Xie had his credit stolen.”

“Can’t really call it stealing—it’s that Liang Qiang latched onto the Grand Tutor.”

The military guards didn’t understand the specific court matters, but they knew Xie Yanlai had caused a scene at the Ministry of War and even been thrown in prison. Finally, it was the Empress who intervened, treating both equally, and both were conferred as Guerrilla Generals.

This trip to the capital let everyone witness several spectacles—enough to talk about for a lifetime, and even pass down to sons and grandsons to continue telling.

Of course, Zhong Changrong wouldn’t just listen for entertainment. He frowned and glanced at Xie Yanlai, couldn’t help but mutter, “A Guerrilla General position originally didn’t need her to fight for. Who told your family to be greedy, wanting a Guard General position, making the Grand Tutor displeased?”

Indeed, the origin of this matter was the Ministry of War requesting a conferral for Xie Yanlai.

The request wasn’t strange—after all, the military achievements, status, and family background were all there. But they should have asked for something modest. The opening they made was too large.

Deng Yi and the Xie clan already didn’t get along. How could he let it pass unchecked?

Xie Yanlai felt no guilt whatsoever. He sneered, “What’s so great about Guard General? I’ve always been doing what a Guard General should do. Now it’s wartime—there aren’t so many strict rules. My family background is exceptional. It’s not strange at all for me to be conferred Guard General. What’s strange is what irrefusible benefit Liang Qiang gave the Grand Tutor to make him oppose my conferral so strongly.”

This conferral dispute couldn’t possibly be simply about conferrals. Even without personally going to witness it, Zhong Changrong could guess—the Xie clan and the Grand Tutor, even the Empress, and all those chaotic court disputes. He wanted to say something, but ultimately just cursed, “Even wartime doesn’t stop you people from scheming.”

Xie Yanlai said coolly, “It never stops at any time. During wartime there’s actually more, because wartime brings greater benefits.”

Zhong Changrong naturally understood this principle. He could only sigh helplessly and fall silent.

“Next, the court will definitely make new adjustments to the border army,” Xie Yanlai continued, raising an eyebrow with a smile. “These adjustments will definitely be mixed with various parties’ interests.”

Zhong Changrong’s expression darkened. He cursed and said, “I just hope they know the greatest benefit is defeating Xi Liang.”

Xie Yanlai said, “They definitely know that, because victory can also bring them even greater benefits.” He stood up. “General Zhong, from now on Luocheng is entrusted to you—”

Xie Yanlai had been conferred Guerrilla General and could independently command thirty thousand troops. Plus, with the previous dispute in the capital over Luocheng, Xie Yanlai definitely wouldn’t be allowed to remain here anymore.

For three years, this young fellow had followed him. Zhong Changrong felt somewhat reluctant—

“From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself,” Xie Yanlai continued. “Without me to help you, you’ll have to fend for yourself.”

This damn brat! Who was helping whom! Zhong Changrong’s reluctance vanished instantly. He glared. “You fend for yourself. If you don’t change your reckless habits and cause a great disaster, even if your surname is Xie, it won’t protect you.”

Xie Yanlai sneered and ignored him, walking a few steps before stopping again.

“Also, you need to remember that everyone comes with their own purposes,” he said, looking at Zhong Changrong. “Watch and guard your own people well. Remember, besides defeating Xi Liang, fighting for the Empress is also your benefit. Don’t trust everyone or pour out your heart and liver to just anyone.”

He paused here.

“Including me.”

With that, he strode out.

Zhong Changrong spat behind him. “Brat, who are you lecturing?” After finishing his words, his expression shifted for a moment. Ultimately his face darkened. From Xie Yanlai’s words, he could understand that next, besides external threats, he also needed to be vigilant internally.

He sat down and opened Chu Zhao’s letter.

A personal guard came in and asked in a low voice, “Mu Mianhong’s side sent word that the ten thousand troops are also ready for deployment. General, shall we take them and incorporate them into the army?”

Originally, from the one hundred thousand troops confiscated from Prince Zhongshan, fifty thousand were separated out for Mu Mianhong to drill and train. After more than a year, a batch was ready to be delivered.

Zhong Changrong looked at the letter in his hands and suddenly shook his head. “No need.”

The guard was stunned. “No need? Then when? Recently the Great Generals have all been asking about troop supplies. If we don’t distribute them, will they misunderstand—”

“Misunderstand what?” Zhong Changrong barked sternly. “I’m the Commander-in-Chief. All troops follow my orders.”

The guard was quite familiar with him. Not only was he not frightened, he actually smiled and said, “General Zhong, why such a temper? Did Young Master Xie anger you again?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran off. Zhong Changrong didn’t manage to kick him.

…

…

The rolling mountain ranges of Yunzhong Commandery were shrouded in night. In the valleys, firelight occasionally flickered like stars, seemingly close at hand, yet no one could find them when approaching.

Mu Mianhong, sitting by the campfire, tossed a piece of wood into it. The firelight blazed, illuminating her slightly surprised face beneath her veil.

“Don’t want them?” she asked. “Zhong Changrong said this?”

The messenger nodded. “That’s what he said. He said to have us keep them for now.”

Someone crouching in a tree nearby snorted. “If he doesn’t want them now, we won’t give them later.”

Another person gestured as if calculating something and said, “Could it be he doesn’t want to provide supplies?”

The messenger quickly said, “He provided the supplies without holding back anything. I brought them back this time.”

Then what was Zhong Changrong doing? Previously, even when Miss A’Zhao had ordered it, he was still reluctant and unwilling, afraid these troops would become mountain bandits. Everyone exchanged glances.

Mu Mianhong said softly, “There’s probably some movement on the capital’s side.”

“What movement?” everyone asked. “We haven’t heard Xiao Man send word. Everything’s been fine.”

Sitting high in the imperial city, A’Zhao was just a young girl—how could everything always be fine? Even if it was fine, this fineness definitely didn’t come easily. Mu Mianhong said nothing, looking past the deep night toward the direction of the capital.

…

…

Night shrouded the deep imperial city, but the lamps burned bright.

Chu Zhao, surrounded by palace maids and attendants, came to the front hall and delivered memorials to Deng Yi. She also brought a late-night meal.

“I’ve reviewed them all,” she said with a smile. “Thank you for your hard work, Grand Tutor. The promotion and transfer arrangements for the border army end here.”

Deng Yi looked at the memorials that had been set down. After half a month of pulling and tugging, it was finally approved.

“Your Majesty has also worked hard,” he said meaningfully.

Chu Zhao said, “The war with Xi Liang not only concerns the Da Xia nation and court, but is also my father’s dying wish. Please understand, Grand Tutor—I cannot remain uninvolved.”

Deng Yi nodded. “I understand.”

Chu Zhao smiled and sat down to personally pour him tea.

“Then, when the Empress attends court tomorrow, will you still not lower a curtain?” Deng Yi asked.

For the past half month, Chu Zhao had continued attending court without a curtain. Because it involved border army military officer transfers, she occasionally needed to speak. Everyone hadn’t said anything about it.

But what about next?

Chu Zhao’s hand holding the teapot paused. She raised her head and smiled. “I suppose not. The weather is getting hotter and hotter.”

Deng Yi looked at her without speaking.

Chu Zhao set down the tea and looked at Deng Yi.

“Grand Tutor,” she said. “A curtain cannot prevent me from speaking. Therefore, there is no need for a curtain.”