After Liu Guan departed, there was no news at all.

Xie Changgeng waited through the night, and by midday the following day, his mind grew restless. Just as he was about to send someone to inquire, a retainer returned on horseback at full gallop, bearing a report.

Liu Guan had arrived at the horse farm in the dead of night and gained an audience with the Young Princess. After explaining the situation, she set out immediately for Horse River Valley. Liu Guan led a mounted escort to accompany her.

The retainer said that by now, the party should already have arrived.

The small carriage carrying Mu Fulan had stopped at the junction leading into Horse River Valley.

The sight of two armies facing each other with arrows flying through the air was nowhere to be seen now, but along the roadside, charred black traces of fire still remained everywhere. The tribespeople’s defensive measures had not been withdrawn either — the valley entrance was still manned with checkpoints and soldiers. Upon learning that the Military Commissioner’s wife had arrived, word came back that only she alone was permitted to enter; all others were to remain outside.

Liu Guan made to negotiate. Mu Fulan said, “Let us do as they say. I will go in, and you all wait outside.”

Liu Guan looked uncertainly at the fully armed tribal soldiers at the valley entrance. “Or perhaps the Young Princess should wait a while longer, and I will quickly send word to the Military Commissioner first.”

“There is no need for that. Going and coming would take another whole day — we cannot afford the delay. Do not worry, nothing will happen to me.”

She took the items from her retainer’s hands, told the tribespeople to lead the way, and under the watchful eyes of those behind her, walked briskly inside.

Liu Guan had no choice but to immediately dispatch someone to return to the city and report the latest developments to the Military Commissioner, while he himself waited outside with his men.

His heart was uneasy, and he did not dare move a single step away. From midday he endured the long wait until dusk, and seeing that half a day had passed with the Young Princess still not emerging, unable to put his mind at rest, he went to the valley entrance once more to negotiate and press for news — when suddenly he heard from within what seemed to be the distant sound of cheering.

He turned his head and looked over.

The tribespeople standing guard at the valley entrance had also heard the commotion and were craning their necks to look.

Inside Horse River Valley, outside the residence of the elderly chieftain, countless tribespeople had gathered. Holding their breath in tense anticipation, upon learning that the elderly chieftain had at last awakened from his coma, they were overcome with excitement, cheering and dropping to their knees one after another.

Inside the room, Bai Long was overjoyed beyond measure and said to Mu Fulan, “I heard that Madam had already left before — I never expected you were still here. Today you have saved my father’s life again. My fellow clanspeople and I are profoundly grateful. Please accept our bow!”

He led the others in bowing before Mu Fulan.

After spending half a day in focused effort, Mu Fulan felt somewhat fatigued. She caught her breath, had someone attend to the elderly chieftain — who had just regained consciousness — with his medicine, then called Bai Long aside and said, “Although the elderly chieftain has awakened and is out of immediate danger for the time being, I fear that the residual poison within his body cannot be fully eliminated by the method I used earlier or by ordinary antidotes. There remains a threat to his life.”

The smile on Bai Long’s face froze at once. He asked, “Does Madam have any other method?”

Li Yaoweng not only practiced medicine to help the world, but also made a thorough study of the poisons and plants found throughout all under heaven. He traveled the length and breadth of the land, with his footsteps reaching as far as the Western Regions, and composed a set of notes. In the section on the Northwest, he wrote specifically of a rare plant growing in the frost-filled crevices of the Tianshan Mountains in the northern desert. Due to the harsh cold climate, it grew exceedingly slowly. Its flowers were violently toxic — when refined into poison and ingested, they would paralyze and render unconscious, killing with certainty.

Yet this plant was most peculiar: while its flowers were deadly poison, its roots and stems served as an antidote — two opposing yet complementary properties. Based on these characteristics, Li Yaoweng named it Yin-Yang Grass, and in his notes described in detail its toxicity, methods of suppressing the poison, the plant’s identifying features, and even drew illustrations.

The arrowhead that had struck the elderly chieftain was still lodged within him. Mu Fulan had tested the poison repeatedly beforehand, cross-referencing it with Li Yaoweng’s notes and taking into account that the poisoned arrow had originated from the Northerners who operated north of the Tianshan Mountains — and so she had arrived at this conclusion.

She pondered for a moment, then explained the medicinal properties to him and said, “Fortunately, the poison entered through the blood, which has reduced its potency somewhat. If you can travel to the Tianshan Mountains as soon as possible to collect the roots and stems, there may be a chance to try.”

Bai Long’s face lit up with excitement, and he said at once, “I will dispatch men immediately!”

“According to my master’s notes, the roots and stems must be prepared into medicine within a few days of harvesting for the best effect — the longer one waits, the weaker the potency. From here to the Tianshan Mountains and back would take a month or two, would it not? It would be most appropriate for me to go myself, so the medicine can be prepared on-site. That would be most suitable.”

Bai Long was immensely grateful and dropped to his knees again. “Madam’s great kindness and benevolence are beyond repayment! I will personally lead an escort to accompany Madam!”

Mu Fulan told him to rise. “My knowledge is limited — this is only a best effort. I can only hope it will be effective.”

A person came out of the room and said the chieftain was asking for Madam to come inside.

Mu Fulan returned to the room.

After waking, the elderly chieftain had gradually regained some vitality. Leaning against his pillow with a faint smile, he said to Mu Fulan, “Madam showed great skill in helping our clanspeople before, for which I am very grateful. Today you have saved my life once again. Just now I heard everything you said to my son. The journey to the Tianshan Mountains falls in the dead of winter — not only are the roads treacherous, but there is the fear of raids by the Northerners as well. Whether I live or die, I will leave that to the will of Heaven. Madam is of noble station and cannot be allowed to endanger herself for my sake again. There is no need for Madam to go.”

Seeing his father disregard his own life and speak out to stop her, Bai Long did not dare to contradict him, but inwardly he was extremely anxious, and kept looking toward Mu Fulan.

Mu Fulan said, “The elderly chieftain is too kind. As long as there is even the slimmest hope, I will make this journey.”

Bai Long breathed a sigh of relief and felt even more overwhelmingly grateful toward Mu Fulan. “Father, your son will bring our finest warriors to guard Madam with their lives! Father, please rest at ease!”

Mu Fulan nodded. “Furthermore, there are garrisons along the route. I will not conceal this from the chieftain — my coming here was also my husband’s intention, and he is extremely concerned about the chieftain’s condition. I will explain the situation to him, and he will certainly issue orders for people along the way to offer assistance. The chieftain need not worry.”

The elderly chieftain closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them again and said, “Such great kindness requires no words of thanks. I could not presume to trouble Madam to speak of this matter. As for the Military Commissioner, I will send word myself, and humbly request that assistance be offered along the way.”

Mu Fulan said nothing more, only smiled gently and replied, “This matter cannot be delayed. Once I have made my arrangements, I will set out as quickly as possible. Liu, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanied me here and should still be waiting outside the valley entrance at this moment. The chieftain may well ask him to carry word back.”

Deep into the night, the lantern in the study of the Military Commissioner’s residence was still burning.

Xie Changgeng stood alone in the study, before the window, gazing out at the night sky over Horse River Valley in the unseen distance, when he suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from outside.

“My lord! Good news!”

Xie Changgeng’s heart gave a faint start. He wheeled around sharply and saw Liu Guan throw open the half-latched door with one hand, beaming with joy, and rush to stand before him, gasping as he said, “Congratulations, my lord! There has been a development in the Horse River Valley matter!”

He had not even caught his breath before he reached into his chest and produced a letter he had kept close to his person, offering it up with impatient eagerness.

“The elderly chieftain has been saved by the Young Princess! He has asked me to present this letter to my lord!”

Xie Changgeng snatched it with one hand, unfolded it, and read through it quickly.

Liu Guan said, “My lord, the elderly chieftain regained consciousness and received me, saying that in two days’ time, once his health has improved somewhat, he requests that my lord find time to discuss the matter of Horse River Valley.”

The matter of Horse River Valley — which had remained unresolved for so long — now appeared to have hope of a smooth resolution. Liu Guan was overjoyed and, having finished speaking, looked toward the Military Commissioner. He saw that his gaze still rested on the letter, and not a word was said. Thinking it was simply a matter of excess happiness, he thought nothing of it, only saying, “The smooth resolution of this matter is all thanks to the Young Princess.”

Xie Changgeng slowly lifted his eyes and asked, “Where is she?”

Liu Guan said, “Knowing that my lord was concerned about this matter and fearing you had waited long, I rode through the night first to deliver the letter. Although the elderly chieftain has been revived, his body is still very weak. The Young Princess is remaining there for now. Once the chieftain’s condition stabilizes, she will set out. Bai Long will lead a personal escort for the Young Princess. The elderly chieftain is deeply grateful to my lord and the Young Princess, and earnestly requests that the garrison soldiers along the way extend their assistance — the letter most likely mentions this as well.”

“My lord, the garrison at Jiaocheng happens to be transporting a batch of grain and provisions to the gold citadel of Tianshan over the next couple of days, to help the soldiers through the winter. Since they are traveling the same road, why not arrange for the Young Princess’s party to travel together with the supply escort? It would be much safer. What does my lord think?”

Xie Changgeng looked at Liu Guan without saying either yes or no.

At first Liu Guan had been too caught up in his joy to notice, but now he finally sensed that the Military Commissioner’s reaction was somewhat off. He hesitated, then asked, “What is the matter, my lord? Is there some concern?”

“Did the Young Princess make no conditions?”

Xie Changgeng asked suddenly.

“Conditions?”

Liu Guan felt somewhat at a loss.

“None at all! The Young Princess only said she would set out as quickly as possible. Though there was indeed one message she asked me to pass on to my lord.”

“What message?”

“The Young Princess asked me to convey to my lord that after she sets out, she asks my lord to please look after the young little lord in her absence.”

Xie Changgeng was silent for a moment, then said, “I understand. You handled this matter very well. It has been a great effort — go and rest.”

Two days later, Bai Long and the soldiers departing from Jiaocheng had all made their preparations. As the matter could not be delayed, Mu Fulan was to set out at first light the following morning.

She left her maidservants behind to care for Xi’er, and herself took along only one household servant woman from the horse farm.

That night, the room was warm and cozy. Mu Fulan sat beside Xi’er, keeping him company as he drifted off to sleep.

Xi’er could not fall asleep.

“Mother, they said the place you are going is very far away…”

He hesitated a moment, then asked in a small voice, “Will Sir Xie protect you and go with you?”

Mu Fulan said, “He is very busy and has more important matters to attend to. Mother already has an escort and will be very safe.”

“But I am still worried…” The child clung stubbornly to her sleeve.

“What important matters does Sir Xie have?”

Mu Fulan said quietly, “Xi’er, do you like the horse farm?”

“I do.”

“Sir Xie needs to protect the horse farm, and many other places just like it. If trouble broke out and bad people came and attacked, the horse farm and all those other places would be seized by bad people. The little foal would have no home, and Xi’er would not be able to come here anymore. Do you want that?”

The child shook his head at once.

“So tell me — are Sir Xie’s matters important or not?”

The child swallowed his inner distress and let go of his mother’s sleeve.

“I understand. Mother, Xi’er will miss you.”

Mu Fulan kissed his small cheek. “Sleep now.”

The child in her arms slowly, at last, fell asleep.

Mu Fulan’s thoughts were a turbulent flood, and sleep would not come to her for a long while.

She draped a garment over herself and rose to go to the outer room, where she checked once more everything she would be taking with her the next day. She wandered to the window and stopped there, pushed it open and gazed up at the night sky — only then did she notice that amidst the pitch-black night sky, snowflakes had begun to drift down, she knew not when.

She lifted her face and watched for a moment, then — just like a child — she stretched out both hands and caught a few drifting flakes, gazing at the snow in her palms as it slowly melted into water.

A cold gust of wind swept past. She seemed to feel the chill, and breathed a warm puff into her palms, then closed the window.

Inside the room, the sound of soft, quiet footsteps gradually faded from her ears.

Xie Changgeng stood just so beside the window, motionless, in that dim and shadowed corner to which he had retreated to avoid her just moments before.

Heaven and earth lay still and silent. The snowflakes fell sparsely at first, then slowly grew denser and denser, accumulating on his shoulders in a thin, white layer.

His heart felt somewhat adrift.

The dealings with the tribespeople were progressing smoothly.

Tomorrow, she would also be setting out on the road. Regardless of whether she could cure the elderly chieftain, even if he ultimately could not hold on and died, it should no longer affect the larger situation.

Now, everything was going very well — better, in fact, than he had anticipated.

He did not know why, this night, he had still come to this place.

The distance between him and this young woman was so very close. He had been standing right there at the window, listening to her whispered bedtime words with the child, and just now when she had opened the window, had it not been for his swift retreat to avoid her, he would almost have come face to face with her.

And even now, between him and her, there was nothing but four or five paces, one night of snowfall, one latticed window, one door, one wall — and nothing more.

And yet he could only stand in this dim corner, in the cold wind, letting the snowflakes pile slowly on his shoulders, unable to move his feet to close that short distance of four or five paces, unable to raise his hand to knock on that door that was so close it was nearly within reach.

The night grew deeper and deeper. The snow accumulating on his shoulders grew thicker and thicker.

Xie Changgeng finally slowly turned, and treading through the snow beneath his feet, walked toward the gate of the courtyard.

From behind him came a soft creaking sound. The door behind him opened.

Xie Changgeng slowly came to a stop. He did not turn around.

Mu Fulan stood in the doorway, looking at the solitary, lean figure of a man in the dark, snow-covered ground. After a moment of silence, she said, “When I return, I want to go home.”

A cold snowflake landed on Xie Changgeng’s eyelashes.

He closed his eyes briefly and said, “You may.”

He finished speaking and continued walking forward, soon leaving behind that quiet, white courtyard. He took the reins from a waiting retainer, mounted the horse, and rode away.

This outcome he had long anticipated, and for it, he had also prepared himself.

The only difference was the order of things.

He had thought she would use the saving of the tribal chieftain as a condition, and first demand that he agree to let her return to the Kingdom of Changsha.

He had already decided to agree.

As long as one was not completely out of his senses, there was no need to deliberate over the weight of such a matter.

She was merely a woman — of no particular consequence.

Let it be this way.

The man, riding into the icy wind and snow that swept toward him out of the pitch-black night sky ahead, urged his horse forward — and told himself this in his heart.