In memory, it seemed the two had never sat together so quietly. It seemed this meeting had brought great changes between them—no longer the sharp confrontations of the past, no longer the mutual resentment of old times. Yet beneath this tranquility lay such deep, such profound helplessness that neither dared touch.

“Though the southeastern province appears calm, it’s actually treacherous with high winds and turbulent waves. After I leave, you must be careful and cautious, prioritizing your own safety above all. Lu Zhongyong, the director of Haishi’s Ministry of War, is a general under my command, extremely loyal. I’ve already given orders—if you need anything, you can directly approach him. Additionally, I’m leaving a group of secret camp agents for you, both to protect your safety and gather intelligence. You must not charge ahead recklessly as before. If circumstances change and you know something cannot be accomplished, come to Southern Chu to find me—I’ll have plans.”

Chu Li’s voice was low and measured, no longer carrying his former arrogance, obstinacy, coldness, and domineering manner. Qing Xia nodded, her lips curving in a slight smile as she said softly, “Rest assured, I will certainly not disgrace this mission and will accomplish this task for you.”

Chu Li sighed softly, pondering for a long moment before saying gravely, “Whether it succeeds is secondary—I only hope you remain safe and sound.”

Her nose immediately stung, warmth flooding her heart. Qing Xia looked up at Chu Li’s calm expression. The formerly sharp and proud ruler had gradually receded, becoming today’s composed, calculating emperor full of wisdom and steady judgment. Her heart softened inch by inch, unable to help being moved. Word by word, as if making a promise, she said, “I definitely won’t joke with my own life. At worst, if I mess up the task, I’ll return to find you to clean up the aftermath—I won’t act rashly.”

Chu Li smiled brilliantly, saying, “If you can think this way, that’s best.”

Qing Xia smiled and withdrew her hand. That ointment was indeed miraculous—in just this short time, the swelling had subsided, though it was still slightly red. The two fell into silence again, unsure what to talk about. Chu Li’s gaze suddenly caught sight of the red knotted cord Qing Xia had woven. He picked it up to examine, saying, “What kind of knot is this? How is it I’ve never seen it before?”

Qing Xia answered casually, “This is a lovers’ knot, a craft from my hometown.”

“Lovers’ knot?” Chu Li’s eyes brightened, silently savoring these three words before saying slowly, “Truly a good name, and very delicate. Why don’t you give it to me? Would that be acceptable?”

Qing Xia was startled and snatched it back, her expression quite panicked.

Chu Li’s face turned pale, immediately feeling he’d spoken wrongly. He smiled bitterly, saying, “I was presumptuous. It’s already late—I should go first. Tomorrow there’s still hunting and military exercises. Rest well.”

Having said this, he stood up and walked out without looking back.

From outside came the faint sounds of Jingyu and others kneeling in respectful farewell. Qing Xia sat on the warm couch looking dazed, hearing the eunuchs’ calls of “Imperial carriage returning to palace” gradually fade away, her eyes containing endless churning sorrow.

Eight years of memories continuously echoed before her eyes, instantly reviewing their years of entangled bonds. Jingyu walked in, about to speak when she suddenly saw the official in moon-white scholarly robes stand up abruptly, grab the cloak His Majesty had dropped, and rush out like a whirlwind.

Though it was nearly May and the southeastern climate was warm, recent easterly typhoons had brought extensive rainfall affecting Haishi as well. The nights were cold and damp. Qing Xia wore indoor brocade slippers, running all the way with her skirt hem and shoes soaked by dew. The icy wind lifted her hair, fluttering like dancing butterfly wings. Soldiers ahead suddenly shouted sternly, “Who goes there? Stop! Ah, it’s Lord Xia!”

The crowd automatically parted. Qing Xia rushed through rapidly until she reached the imperial carriage, where she saw Chu Li lift the curtain and lean out half his body, looking somewhat amazed at Qing Xia’s hurried approach, hardly believing it.

Qing Xia had run frantically without thinking, but upon seeing him, she didn’t know what to say. After hesitating twice, she raised the cloak in her hand, saying, “The night wind is cold. Your… Your Majesty, don’t catch cold.”

Chu Li’s expression gradually softened, his earlier surprise slowly transforming into a smile at the corners of his eyes and brows. He slowly descended from the imperial carriage and took the cloak from Qing Xia’s hands. With a sweep of his arm, he draped the cloak over her shoulders, frowning as he said, “Your injuries haven’t fully healed, yet you rush out so recklessly. At your age, you still don’t know how to take care of yourself.”

The surrounding guards all stared wide-eyed at the two, except for a few core Black Guard members who understood—the rest were completely bewildered, secretly amazed.

Chu Li’s gaze swept downward, seeing her robe hem and shoes were soaked. He took her hand, wanting to lead her onto the imperial carriage. Qing Xia quickly declined, saying, “It’s very late. Your Majesty should return first—no need to escort me.”

“It’s fine,” Chu Li shook his head, saying, “I can ride back on horseback. Only by seeing you return safely can I be at ease.”

Without allowing refusal, he helped her onto the imperial carriage while half the guards immediately split off to escort Qing Xia back to the palace.

After the carriage had moved only a few steps, Qing Xia suddenly called for it to stop. She stuck her head out, looked at Chu Li not far away, pondered a moment, then said, “In my hometown, lovers’ knots were originally burial objects for commemorating deceased husbands—very inauspicious. I’ve already made a peace knot halfway through. I’ll send it to Your Majesty tomorrow.”

Chu Li’s smile deepened as he nodded, saying, “Go back quickly and rest well.”

The carriage gradually moved away while Chu Li’s entourage remained standing in the distance. Qing Xia leaned against the carriage wall and sighed dejectedly.

The next day was the hunting grounds military exercise. How could Qing Xia, the newly appointed southeastern governor general, not attend? Upon rising, Qing Xia changed into purple-gold four-clawed python robes—only one claw fewer than dragon robes, already symbolizing the highest ministerial rank. After dressing properly, she saw in the mirror a handsome young man of distinguished bearing, elegant and graceful, with two sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples, adding several points of heroic spirit.

Qing Xia set down her eyebrow brush, smiling faintly at herself in the mirror, feeling somewhat proud. Years of Agent 003 career had always meant perfect disguises—appearing as gods when playing gods, as ghosts when playing ghosts. The difficulty of women disguised as men lay not in clothing and appearance but in temperament and behavior. When she had disguised herself as a capital garrison soldier, even Chu Li, who saw her daily, hadn’t recognized her. Those white-haired veteran ministers outside had even less chance of seeing through her disguise.

After finishing her preparations, Qing Xia swept her robes and walked out of the main hall. Le Song and others were waiting in the outer hall. Upon seeing Qing Xia’s appearance, they were stunned speechless.

Qing Xia felt secretly proud, saying, “Why are you all standing there dumbfounded? Why don’t you accompany this lord to observe our southeastern province’s military bearing? Today is clear and refreshing—a perfect auspicious day for going out.”

Lord Xia Qing walked ahead with straight back, completely without any feminine affectation, free and spirited—truly amazing to behold.

Just upon leaving, she saw the imperial carriage approaching from afar. Chu Li wore jet-black python dragon imperial robes with golden thread borders, magnificent and composed, mounted high on his warhorse. Seeing Qing Xia, he looked her up and down, smiling faintly as he said, “My southeastern governor general certainly appears refreshed and imposing today.”

Qing Xia laughed heartily in a masculine manner, kneeling in formal salute, saying, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s praise. Your Majesty is truly heroic and wise, jade-like and divine, with kingly bearing that none can match.”

Chu Li smiled, saying, “Stop the smooth talk. Mount up and follow me to the training grounds to see the Southern Chu warriors who conquered Eastern Qi’s vast territory!”

Qing Xia received the order, nimbly vaulting onto her horse and following one horse-length behind Chu Li.

After riding for most of an hour, they reached the Ministry of War training grounds. Entering through the main gate, they saw banners fluttering throughout the field, red horns and tall standards everywhere. Two hundred thousand Southern Chu elite troops, each mounted on Xiliang fine horses, wearing light armor, with swords, axes, and halberds, stood like a forest.

The front ranks were all cavalry, followed closely by infantry divided into spear units, archer units, sword and axe men, and shield bearers.

Qing Xia rode alongside Chu Li, surrounded by Black Guards, heading forward with heads high. Instantly, countless pairs of eyes focused on them both, immediately forming an invisible aura of solemn killing intent. At the very front, surrounded by large numbers of high-ranking military generals and all court civil and military officials—apparently these people had arrived early, only waiting for Chu Li.

Seeing that unknown young man actually accompanying the Chu Emperor, everyone’s hearts immediately turned cold. It seemed this not-very-old youth was truly the Chu Emperor’s confidant—they couldn’t afford to slight him outwardly.

Thunderous respectful greetings immediately arose as tens of thousands knelt in unison to welcome Chu Li. Qing Xia dared not receive such great ceremony beside Chu Li, quickly spurring her horse back, dismounting, and bowing with all the officials.

Chu Li’s face was grave as water, showing no emotion. He rode forward, solemnly passing through the crowd and ascending the command platform, saying in a deep voice, “All ministers, rise.”

A sudden strong wind swept the field as the clattering sound of armor colliding arose. Two hundred thousand troops stood in unison while thunderous war drums and blaring horn calls sounded together, making blood boil and hearts tremble.

Chu Li’s eyes swept across the dark mass of troops below, saying gravely, “Where is the southeastern governor general?”

Qing Xia stepped forward quickly, kneeling firmly on the ground with full vigor, declaring loudly, “Your subject is here!”

Chu Li nodded as five eunuchs walked out in formation behind him, proceeding down the high platform to stand before Qing Xia, holding imperial edicts, seals, command arrows, and the emperor’s sword. Chu Li said, “For a hundred years, Eastern Qi rebels have repeatedly harassed our Great Chu borders, oppressed our people, and violated our territory. Since ascending the throne, I have slept on weapons and awaited dawn, daily planning to bring the southeastern coast under our domain. Heaven granted guidance—we sent troops to conquer, taking only three months to utterly destroy Eastern Qi and unify the southern mainland. Heaven and earth celebrate together. However, now Xichuan is in turmoil. That scoundrel Yan Hui commits great treason, allying with the Xiongnu to threaten our Central Plains civilization. My will is decided—send troops to Xichuan, ally with Northern Qin, jointly dispatch forces to crusade against the Xiongnu. Until the northern barbarians are destroyed, I swear not to return to court. My will: appoint Xia Qing as southeastern governor general with the rank of general, bestow the emperor’s sword, to garrison the southeastern province in my stead and coordinate the rear. All officials must obey and assist without error.”