Gao Huan passed by Xiao Yongjia’s side but was stopped by her outstretched hand.

“Sixth Young Master, your elder sister’s health hasn’t fully recovered yet, she’s still resting. I know about this matter and will pass it on to her.”

Xiao Yongjia said with a smile.

Gao Huan glanced at Xiao Yongjia and hesitated.

“Let’s leave it at that. It’s getting late. Since you’ve come, have dinner before leaving. I’ll have the cook prepare a few dishes you like.”

She appeared quite kind and gentle. After speaking, she turned to call for servants.

Gao Huan had never felt close to this aunt.

Though he was somewhat straightforward and simple-minded, he wasn’t stupid. He could see that she showed little joy at the news he’d brought.

Earlier, having just learned the news, he’d been too excited and couldn’t help rushing here to find Elder Sister again. Now, having been doused with such cold water by Xiao Yongjia, thinking of all the complications involved, he understood perfectly well and couldn’t help regretting his rashness. Knowing that with Great Aunt present he wouldn’t be able to see Elder Sister anyway, how could he really stay for dinner? He quickly thanked her, declined saying he had other matters, and left first.

Xiao Yongjia didn’t try to detain him either. She had someone escort him off the island, watched his figure disappear, then turned and went inside.

Luoshen returned to her room and had servants pack her things. That evening, while dining with her mother, she asked when they would depart tomorrow. However, Xiao Yongjia said: “Mother has thought about it – the weather in the city isn’t good, and your health is still weak. Better to stay here for now and discuss it again in a few days.”

Hearing her suddenly change her mind, Luoshen looked at her and saw her smiling gently with very tender expression. Though puzzled, knowing her temperament, she didn’t ask further. After the meal, she only had Qiongshu inquire whether anyone had come to the island during the day. Qiongshu returned saying Sixth Young Master had come, but had just arrived when he hadn’t even entered – he’d only spoken a few words with the Eldest Princess before leaving.

The news Qiongshu brought was very simple, but for Luoshen it was quite worth pondering.

She knew Gao Huan – for him to make a special trip here to find her, nine times out of ten it must be related to Li Mu. How could she contain herself? She immediately went to find her mother.

Xiao Yongjia was in her room, having already taken down her hair. She sat alone facing the mirror, her blue-black hair falling like a waterfall down her back. Her figure was motionless, as if lost in thought about something. Hearing her daughter’s footsteps entering, she turned around.

“A’Niang, younger brother came today. Is there news of Li Mu?”

Luoshen asked her directly.

Xiao Yongjia was startled and frowned slightly, standing up: “Who was so talkative…”

“A’Niang! What did younger brother say?”

Luoshen interrupted her.

Xiao Yongjia paused.

“Li Mu won a victory and will return to the capital soon.”

She said flatly.

Luoshen froze.

All the worry in her heart these days, the vague concern, and that heart-pounding fear after today’s nightmare – at this moment, with Xiao Yongjia’s single sentence, suddenly vanished like smoke, and her mood immediately became incredibly light.

He had won this battle that seemed certain to be lost, returning victorious. Lady Lu and A’Ting would surely soon learn this good news.

This was enough.

“A’Mi, though he won a victory, what of it! Think about how he ruined your marriage arrangement initially! I won’t let him see you again…”

Xiao Yongjia’s anger hadn’t subsided. As she spoke, she discovered her daughter didn’t seem to be listening, her eyes sparkling, lips seeming to curve slightly upward, as if her soul had wandered to another realm.

“A’Mi! I’m talking to you! Did you hear me?”

Luoshen made a sound of acknowledgment, snapped back to attention, and gave her mother a radiant smile.

“A’Niang, I’m fine now. I’ll return to my room. You should rest early too.”

She left after speaking.

Xiao Yongjia hadn’t seen her daughter show such an expression in quite some time.

She watched her daughter’s light departing figure, standing in place, slightly dazed.

…

Luoshen slept very well that night. The next day she woke fully rested, and heard from Qiongshu that for some unknown reason, all the people at Ziyun Temple had been driven away overnight by the Eldest Princess’s order, not leaving a single one.

Luoshen’s mood became even more relaxed.

She could now be certain that yesterday’s incident must have been that old hypocrite’s misguided cleverness, thinking her mother had been lonely for too long and arranging such a scene.

Her mother’s reaction made Luoshen completely relieved, feeling both fortunate and grateful in her heart.

Though her mother had a somewhat strange temperament and sometimes did things even she strongly disliked, in such matters she was completely worthy of her noble status.

People like Zhu Jiyue, though also titled noble ladies and princess consorts, their actions were truly contemptible.

Since Li Mu was now safe and her mother stubbornly refused to let her return, there was no need to create more unpleasantness over this matter.

As for what would happen in the future, everything could wait until Li Mu returned.

From then on, Luoshen peacefully remained, spending her days reading and writing. When bored, she would walk by the riverside, gaze at the river scenery, or feed the river herons. Her days passed very tranquilly, and in the blink of an eye, only a few days remained until year’s end.

On this day, all the citizens of Jiankang put aside their busy New Year preparations at home and flocked to the streets.

That road stretching from the city’s east gate all the way to the imperial palace was packed with people from beginning to end.

Looking down from the city gate, the long street was black with crowds, nothing but a sea of bobbing heads.

Li Mu with merely six thousand men had decisively defeated Yuan Jie, not only helping Ba Kingdom restore its independence, earning the Ba people’s eternal gratitude, but also recapturing Liangzhou in the north for Dayu. This news had already spread like wildfire throughout the lands north and south of the great river.

In the vivid descriptions of Jiangnan’s people, overnight Li Mu had become a legendary war god, the pride of the Southern Dynasty.

They said he would arrive in the capital today. To show his commendation, the Emperor not only made the exceptional allowance for him to ride into the city, but also permitted him to bring the soldiers of the original Palace Guard Battalion into the city together, receiving welcome from the citizens along the route.

The sun gradually rose higher. Around the hour of si, on that post road outside the city, a contingent of troops gradually approached from far to near. When they drew closer, Feng Wei, who had been ordered to come here for the welcome, saw from atop the city wall that beneath several military banners fluttering in the wind at the front, a man rode on horseback – it was indeed Li Mu. He quickly descended from the city gate to personally welcome them.

After exchanging pleasantries, Feng Wei conveyed the Emperor’s words of comfort and reward, then with a beaming smile led the party into the city toward Tai City.

Li Mu led the neatly formed soldiers behind him into Jiankang.

The people saw a sharp-eyed young general sitting tall on horseback, wearing imposing battle armor with outstanding bearing. Behind him, the soldiers marched in perfect formation with bright armor, the points of spears and halberds on their shoulders gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. Truly their military bearing was impressive and spirited beyond measure. The crowd couldn’t help but burst into waves of cheering.

Li Xie had commanded the Palace Guard Battalion for many years. This time he’d been inexplicably sent to fight such a battle, originally thinking he would certainly die. He never expected that not only would he survive, but actually return home with honor.

Such glory and treatment was something he’d never even dreamed of before.

He couldn’t help turning his gaze toward that figure on horseback ahead, his eyes full of reverence. Holding his head high and chest out, he led the soldiers behind him, striding boldly into the city.

The procession arrived at Tai City amid cheers all along the route.

Li Mu dismounted, entered the Grand Marshal’s Gate, and finally came to Jiankang Palace, ascending the vermillion steps toward the Golden Throne Hall where the current Emperor governed the realm and deliberated state affairs.

Emperor Xingping wore the imperial crown, sitting upright in the high seat with civil and military officials arranged on both sides.

His eyes were bright, his cheekbones showing an unhealthy reddish tinge. Through the beaded curtain hanging before his crown, his gaze fixed intently on Li Mu entering the hall.

The great hall was filled with people yet completely silent, with only the sound of footsteps as Li Mu led Li Xie and others inside.

His footsteps were clear and steady.

Under countless watching gazes, his expression remained calm, eyes looking ahead as he walked to before the imperial throne and performed the ritual of audience with the Emperor.

Emperor Xingping hadn’t felt so pleased in a very long time. He laughed heartily, commanding him to rise, asked about the battle situation, then said: “The Ba King is deeply grateful to our Dayu. Soon I shall send someone to escort him back to his country to resume his kingship. Your service has been arduous and your achievements great – you deserve generous reward. I immediately promote you to General of the Guards with golden seal and purple ribbon, establishing your own office with public duties. Others who contributed shall also be rewarded accordingly!”

As the Emperor’s words concluded, a buzz of low discussion arose in the hall.

Among this dynasty’s military officials, Grand Marshal held the highest rank, followed by Grand General, General of Chariots and Cavalry, General of Swift Cavalry, and below them, General of the Guards.

The position of Grand Marshal had remained vacant for years, with the Emperor leaving it unfilled. Gao Yun held the title of Grand General, while the several positions of General of Chariots and Cavalry and General of Swift Cavalry were all held by those from prominent families.

Li Mu previously had been merely a Palace Guard Colonel, completely unremarkable among the numerous miscellaneous general titles.

This single battle of his had shocked the entire court, leaving everyone’s jaws on the floor, unable to pick them up again.

If not for the battle reports in black and white, it would be hard to believe that with merely six thousand men he could achieve such results. Calling him the greatest military talent of this dynasty in a hundred years would not be excessive praise at all. Now returning and being rewarded for military merit was naturally proper.

But no one expected the Emperor to skip directly over the positions of Four Expedition Generals, Four Pacification Generals, and Front, Rear, Left, and Right Generals, promoting him straight to General of the Guards with his own office and public duties.

“Establishing his own office with public duties” meant from now on he could establish his own governmental office and personally select subordinates to participate in public affairs.

For a military general from humble origins, barely over twenty years old, to receive such an opportunity – this wasn’t merely honor. What it signified, everyone standing here understood perfectly well.

Amid the endless buzzing discussions, Xu Mi and Lu Guang’s expressions were extremely ugly.

Gao Qiao looked at Li Mu standing just a few steps ahead of him with complex emotions.

Li Mu seemed completely detached, paying no attention whatsoever to the various gazes and reactions around and behind him. He only knelt before the Emperor, respectfully saying: “I thank Your Majesty for this great favor.”