Whether it was General Xu or Prince Jing, both could predict that this great victory would have far-reaching effects—it might very well be the prelude to ending the war between the two nations.

After Qi Shuo went to bathe and change clothes, the two had a discussion about how to write the battle report, then had a small disagreement regarding the matter of Qi Shuo impersonating Tuoli.

“Not make public the Heir’s venture deep into the tiger’s den? This is too unfair to the Heir.”

Prince Jing smiled: “Naturally the battle report to His Majesty will describe everything truthfully. Here on our side, there’s no need. Didn’t Northern Qi previously keep using those Great Zhou traitor generals to shake our military morale? Once we hang Wuye’s head on the city wall, let those Qi people also reflect on why even Wuye’s own nephew could defect to our Great Zhou. This will absolutely be greatly beneficial for bolstering our side’s confidence and striking the enemy’s confidence…”

“It’s just that the Heir suffers unfairly.” General Xu sighed.

If their own troops knew of Prince Jing’s heir’s achievements, the Prince Jing’s heir’s prestige in the army would undoubtedly increase greatly.

“Enough, General Xu, don’t keep wavering. This was originally my son’s idea—it’s all for final victory.”

It’s not like they’re planning rebellion. What does Shuo need such high prestige for? To invite trouble for himself?

“Your Highness—” General Xu’s eyes brimmed with hot tears.

Prince Jing and his son truly possessed noble character and selfless dedication!

What else Prince Jing and General Xu discussed, Qi Shuo no longer had the energy to think about.

Disguising himself as another person to infiltrate deep into the enemy camp, every word, every movement had to be carefully considered. The slightest misstep could mean eternal damnation. Now that the taut bowstring in his heart had relaxed, that deep, deep exhaustion came crashing down like an avalanche.

Qi Shuo soaked in the steaming wooden tub, nearly falling asleep.

“Heir, please change your clothes and sleep on the heated platform. Soaking too long, be careful not to catch cold.” The personal guard called softly.

The man leaning against the edge of the tub with eyes slightly closed opened them. He quickly stood up and stepped out of the tub, accepted the soft towel the guard handed him to wipe off the water droplets, and changed into comfortable inner garments.

“Bring the armor.” After being steamed by the hot air, Qi Shuo’s voice was even hoarser.

The guard hesitated briefly.

Today was a great victory. The Qi people were unlikely to launch a surprise attack, and even if circumstances changed, the Heir should get some proper rest.

“Go get it.” Qi Shuo said mildly.

He understood the guard’s thinking, but with the war between the two armies having reached this stage, being ready to engage in battle at any moment was the most basic requirement for a soldier.

“Yes.” The guard hurried to fetch the armor.

Qi Shuo silently donned the soft armor and went to the study.

The study was colder than the sleeping quarters. Ink had congealed in the inkstone, clearly untouched for a long time.

Unhurriedly grinding the ink properly, Qi Shuo lifted his brush and began writing.

The battle reports had nothing to do with him. What he wanted to write were two family letters—one to his mother, one to Ahao.

The one to Princess Consort Jing was quickly finished. The letter paper for Lin Hao was spread out sheet after sheet until the writing desk could hold no more.

The guard couldn’t help asking: “Heir, are you writing a book?”

Shouldn’t family letters be like the one to the Princess Consort? He suspected the Heir was writing an entire story for the heir’s consort.

Qi Shuo’s temperament was mild, which was also the prerequisite for subordinates daring to joke with him.

“Mind your tongue.” Qi Shuo indeed wasn’t angry, much less embarrassed. “Put away the ones whose ink has dried. I haven’t finished writing yet.”

He still had so very much to say to Ahao.

These past days, for the plan to eliminate Wuye, he had never written another letter. Whether his mother or Ahao, they must surely have been worrying about him all this time.

Just imagining Lin Hao earnestly reading the letter, the man with half-dried dark hair wielding his brush to write couldn’t help lifting the corners of his lips.

After he set down his brush, the guard sent the two letters out.

Qi Shuo’s family letters, borrowing the convenience of transmitting battle reports, were quickly delivered to Prince Jing’s manor.

At that time, Qi Qiong was preparing to go find Lin Hao. Hearing it was a letter from the north, she took the letters.

There were three family letters in all—one from Prince Jing to Princess Consort Jing, one from Qi Shuo to Princess Consort Jing, and one from Qi Shuo to Lin Hao.

What Qi Qiong had worried about most these past days was her injured elder brother. Seeing Qi Shuo’s letter, she lifted her skirts and ran into the main courtyard.

“Mother, Big Brother has sent a letter!”

Princess Consort Jing, worried about her son and concerned for her husband, had grown considerably thinner. Hearing her daughter’s words, she hurriedly said: “Quick, bring the letter here!”

Qi Qiong’s face was wreathed in smiles as she handed over two letters: “One from Father, one from Big Brother.”

No wonder she was beside herself with joy—receiving her elder brother’s family letter meant he was alright.

Princess Consort Jing snatched up the family letters, set Prince Jing’s letter on the table, and impatiently opened the other one.

After reading her son’s letter, then reading her husband’s letter, the smile at Princess Consort Jing’s lips grew deeper and deeper. Finally she wiped away tears.

“Mother—”

Princess Consort Jing dabbed at the corners of her eyes, smiling through tears: “Your elder brother is not only fine, he’s achieved great merit.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Princess Consort Jing’s gaze fell on what her daughter was holding: “Qiong’er, what’s that in your hand?”

If it weren’t wrapped in oiled paper, judging by the thickness it rather resembled a brick.

“This—” Qi Qiong’s first reaction was to hide it. Seeing Princess Consort Jing raise an eyebrow, she smiled sheepishly and handed over the letter.

“This is—” Princess Consort Jing didn’t take it.

“Big Brother’s letter to Ahao.”

Princess Consort Jing’s first reaction was to pick up the one written to her.

Watching Princess Consort Jing’s action, Qi Qiong wanted even more to hide the letter.

Such blatant favoritism—Mother would surely be angry, wouldn’t she?

Look at the brick-like letter in hand—the thick part. Then look at the single sheet of paper Mother held—cough, the thin part.

She’d read quite a few books, yet only now discovered for the first time how perfectly apt this expression was.

As the young princess secretly worried for her elder brother and friend, Princess Consort Jing shook her head and said with feigned reproach: “This unfilial son.”

Her son had indeed grown up. At least he still remembered to write one sheet of paper for his old mother.

Princess Consort Jing smiled as she put away the two letters written to her.

Qi Qiong blinked: “Mother, you’re not angry?”

“Angry about what?” Princess Consort Jing patted the box specifically for storing letters. “Your mother has two letters.”

Seeing her daughter still standing there stupidly, she tapped her daughter’s hand: “Hurry up and deliver the brick your elder brother sent to Second Miss Lin.”

“Ah, I’ll go right now.” Qi Qiong took the thick letter and trotted out of the prince’s manor with light steps.

The moment Lin Hao saw the young princess with smiling eyes and brows, her heart beat several rapid beats.

There must be news from Ashuo!

Qi Qiong couldn’t wait to speak: “Ahao, my big brother has sent a letter!”

The brick-thick letter felt heavy in her hands. Lin Hao treasured it like a precious object as she tucked it into her sleeve.

“Hey, why not open it and look?”

“It seems he wrote quite a lot. I’ll read it when I have leisure.”

Qi Qiong laughed: “I’m teasing you. Take your time reading. I’ll head back first.”

“Princess, why the rush? Stay and visit a while before leaving.”

Qi Qiong raised an eyebrow: “Then I won’t leave?”

Lin Hao smiled and gave her a light push: “If the Princess has matters to attend to, please go ahead.”

How could polite words be taken seriously?

The young princess left with a smile.

Lin Hao took out the letter, carefully opened the seal, and began reading character by character.

The letter was truly thick, with even more words than in story books. After Lin Hao finished reading it, she couldn’t help reading it again. Before she knew it, the sky had darkened.