Looking down from above, this terrain showed mountain foothills extending continuously on both sides, with a high ridge in the middle, resembling a soaring phoenix, which was how it got its name. Luan Pass was a natural passage extending north from the “bird’s head” position, stretching for dozens of li. The place where the Left Chang Prince had previously been stationed was a square fortress built at the “bird’s head” position, with walls built along the mountain, having gates and passes, controlling the north-south passage.

Opposite them, large numbers of rapidly approaching Di soldiers continuously pressed forward but were blocked outside the mouth of Luan Pass. The men and horses gathered in ever greater numbers. Horses neighed wildly, Di soldiers cursed angrily, dust flew and obscured vision, and battle cries shook the heavens.

In stark contrast, the Wei army soldiers behind the battlements initially remained motionless. Only when enemy forces gradually entered bow and arrow range did a commanding officer suddenly give the order. The arrow formation fired in unison with crackling sounds toward the opposite side. Though the Di troops charging at the front also raised shields for protection, they couldn’t withstand the dense rain of arrows. After several attempted charges that resulted in men and horses falling in confusion, they were forced to retreat, while their cursing grew even louder.

A gorgeous royal banner several zhang high and extremely conspicuous unfurled from behind. Beneath the banner, Chi Shu appeared surrounded by a squadron of armored cavalry. His face bore an angry expression as he shouted fiercely: “Jiang Hanyuan! So you were indeed the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the day of the heavenly worship! You scheming woman! If you truly have the ability, come out! Fight! I tell you, don’t think that occupying this place means you can achieve victory! Surrender early, and you might still have a way to live. Otherwise, when the formation is broken, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance!”

Jiang Hanyuan looked coldly at his furious face, remaining unmoved like a mountain.

However, the cursing from the Di formation quickly turned into frenzied howling with his and the armored cavalry’s arrival.

Countless Di soldiers raised their sabers high, shouting in unison: “Kill the Wei people! Kill the Wei people!” This roar was like thunder, rushing toward the opposite position and drilling into everyone’s ears.

Jiang Hanyuan turned to Cui Jiu, standing near her, and nodded slightly.

Cui Jiu drew his bow and shot an arrow toward the opposite side.

The arrowhead broke through the wind, carrying a low and sharp whistling sound, shooting directly toward Chi Shu. Dozens of personal guards immediately raised shields and crowded around him, preparing to form a shield wall to protect him behind it.

Chi Shu loudly commanded them to stand aside. Not only did he not retreat, but he spurred his horse forward, suddenly drew his saber, held it before him, and waited for that powerful arrow shooting toward him to arrive.

Unexpectedly, the arrow’s target was not him.

With a “whoosh,” it passed over his head several feet above, piercing through the flagpole of the royal banner behind him.

The flagpole snapped in the middle with a crack.

As the royal banner swayed and fell from the air, the clamoring in the Di camp gradually disappeared, while the Wei army suddenly burst into cheers. That sound came wave after wave, each higher than the last, until finally, like continuous ocean waves, it completely overwhelmed the sounds from the opposite side with irrepressible momentum.

Jiang Hanyuan’s gaze passed over the enemy leader, looking at the Di soldiers covering the mountains and plains with their weapons like a forest. She slowly tightened her grip on the long spear in her hand, feeling its intense killing spirit that seemed to be humming and trembling, ready to soar into the sky and transform into a dragon.

She knew another battle was coming. The blood throughout her body was slowly boiling, with balls of fire burning in her chest.

She had made all preparations. What she awaited was the arrival of this moment.

Half a month later, Chang’an received the battle report from the Luan Pass engagement.

Northern Emperor Chi Shu had personally led the expedition, commanding elite troops in fierce attacks for several days, yet couldn’t advance a single step.

At the same time, Zhao Pu led his army into Youzhou. Zhou Qing and the Eight Tribes warriors, who had been waiting for a long time, received orders and crossed Luoshui River. The two great armies simultaneously attacked Yan County from east and west directions.

After Chi Shu left Yan County, it was defended by the Beidi’s fiercest general Qin Long. Yan County now had not only Di soldiers under his command but also troops recruited by the Jin Emperor, making the situation temporarily balanced.

Full-scale war thus erupted. This was also the crucial period that would determine the final direction of this conflict.

Since the day the Regent Prince executed Gao He in court, the entire court had completely quieted down.

Except for necessary occasions, the young emperor rarely appeared at other times, and normally no one could hear any voice from him. All court affairs were controlled single-handedly by the Regent Prince.

It was said that the young emperor had been placed under house arrest by the Regent Prince.

If even the emperor was in such a state, what more could be said of his ministers?

Not to mention others—even Fang Qing felt he was gradually unable to understand the Regent Prince.

In the past, when Gao He’s faction stirred up trouble, slandering him for intending to use war to build merit and harbor treasonous intentions, Fang Qing had only felt it absurd. He firmly believed that the Regent Prince was not that kind of person.

However, the current situation had deteriorated to such an extent: the court was like the Regent Prince’s personal domain, and he himself seemed to have no intention of concealing this fact. At the same time, the young emperor had either been frightened by his execution of important court ministers that day and had become despondent, no longer possessing any of the sharpness and vigor that a young sovereign should have.

He saw everything.

He was deeply worried. For this reason, he first privately approached the Virtuous Prince, wanting to gauge his attitude on this matter. However, the Virtuous Prince responded with silence. Subsequently, he had no choice but to speak before the Regent Prince, tactfully reminding him of the evil consequences of continuing this way.

With the Regent Prince’s intelligence, it was impossible for him not to understand his admonition. Yet he seemed as if nothing had happened, listening at the time and dismissing it with a smile.

At this point, Fang Qing also had to begin suspecting whether the Regent Prince truly had other intentions. After victory in the northern war, his replacement of the young emperor would only be a matter of time.

He too fell silent. There was no longer any dissenting voice in the court. When mentioning military affairs, victory was invariably predicted. When mentioning the female commander, her achievements were praised without exception.

This situation continued until recently, when news of Jin’s restoration arrived. Besides necessary denunciations, another kind of voice also began to spread without prompting.

These were rumors and gossip.

No one knew where it started, but rumors were saying that the current Great Wei female commander, namely Regent Princess Consort Jiang Hanyuan, was entangled with that Jin remnant Huang Furong in an unclear relationship. The two had a deep connection—when he was still Wu Sheng, after returning from his western journey and disappearing for several years, during those years, he had settled in Yunluo City. Jiang Hanyuan, knowing his identity, had concealed it and failed to report it. Not only that, she had also taken him as her lover. This matter was known to everyone in Yunluo.

Now Wu Sheng had returned to lay life, submitted to the Beidi, and restored his former state, using his past reputation to bewitch northern Jin people and become an enemy of Great Wei. Not to mention whether she might have suspicions of communicating with the enemy due to personal feelings—just this matter itself, if investigated, would make her guilt considerable.

Naturally, in the court, under heavy pressure, no one dared to speak half a word about this, and the surface remained calm as usual.

However, among the people, this news was spreading wildly.

People might not lack kindness and justice, but they inevitably suffer from ignorance. Hearing wind, they assumed rain, always following what others said, repeatedly being swept up by rumors, cyclically and tirelessly. This time, it was also a matter of romantic affairs between men and women, which people naturally discussed with relish, not to mention that the people involved in these rumors had such identities. For a time, the entire city was in an uproar. As the news spread, embellishments were added, making it unseemly to hear.

Empress Dowager Lan had naturally heard this rumor long ago—it was finally a bit of comfort under the long despair and dark oppression.

She also knew that with Gao He’s death, Lan Rong could only protect himself, and the imperial edict in her son’s hands was worthless. With Shu Shenhui’s current control over the court, no matter how bad the public opinion became, it would probably be difficult to change the current situation for the time being.

However, no matter what, it could at least let out some anger.

Not only that, the romantic affair between Jiang Hanyuan and that Jin remnant was now known to everyone. Regardless of how calm and indifferent Shu Shenhui appeared on the surface, this would inevitably affect the relationship between him and Jiang Hanyuan.

As long as these two people were at odds, it would be good for her son. She wished this storm would be as big as possible.

After Consort Li fell and awakened that day, half her body was paralyzed. The imperial physicians diagnosed a stroke, and though her condition had gradually improved, she still had difficulty moving and spoke unclearly.

She was the only witness to Emperor Ming’s edict. Empress Dowager Lan still hoped that someday she could come forward to testify again, so she personally and attentively cared for her. After waking from her afternoon nap, just as she was about to visit Dunyi Palace to check on her, she heard palace servants report that the emperor had arrived.

Her heart leaped with joy. As she was about to go out to greet him, her son had already walked in quickly. After dismissing the servants, he immediately asked: “Are the rumors about General Changning and that Jin prince your doing, Mother?”

Empress Dowager Lan met her son’s eyes, hearing the questioning tone in his words. She was startled, then hastily protested her innocence, repeatedly denying: “That person is capable of anything! The palace is full of his spies. I’m afraid of arousing his suspicion and causing harm to you. Now I don’t even dare take one extra step toward your quarters, lest he think you and your uncle are communicating privately.” After clearing herself, she hurriedly explained to Lan Rong as well: “It’s not your uncle either! I dare stake my life on it! He wholeheartedly serves you, now enduring humiliation, only seeking temporary self-preservation. Moreover, his health still hasn’t recovered!”

After speaking, seeing her son looking at her without saying anything, her heart filled with sadness, and she couldn’t help sighing: “Jian’er, I truly don’t understand… Isn’t this matter good for us? He even killed Gao He like that—you can imagine how he’ll deal with you in the future! Why do I see that you seem to want to speak up for that Jiang family girl? Jian’er, don’t forget—she belongs to his side…”

Shu Jian didn’t wait for Empress Dowager Lan to finish before turning and leaving.

He walked along the palace path, aimless and distracted.

After that day’s shocking change in court, everyone probably thought he had been frightened by him.

Perhaps it was indeed so. Like a heavy hammer falling from the sky, everything was instantly smashed to pieces. He fell into great confusion and dejection.

He also couldn’t figure out what that person had meant when he finally said that day that he would ultimately give him a satisfactory explanation.

After that day, he didn’t want to think about or do anything anymore. He didn’t want to see anyone’s face, including that person’s. His emotions seemed to stop fluctuating. Anyway, for all unexpected events, even if the northern war went unfavorably, that person would naturally handle it. Thus, he remained muddled and confused, as if standing outside everything, until recently, when he learned of this rumor.

This filled him with long-absent great anger.

He didn’t believe at all what was currently being spread outside about her and that Jin prince. Without a doubt, it was a rumor.

He still remembered that scene in the plum garden at the Virtuous Prince’s mansion, not long after he first met her. At that time, he had accidentally caught her scent. What kind of scent was it? It was hard to describe. It wasn’t the fragrance of cosmetics, but rather like the smell emitted by lush green trees under sunlight. He had never smelled such a simple yet refreshing scent, so much so that it was deeply imprinted in his memory and he hadn’t forgotten it to this day.

She, as a person, was like that unforgettable scent of hers—no filthy odor could defile her. He couldn’t tolerate that while she was fighting enemies in the north, here in Chang’an, ignorant people were spreading rumors everywhere, destroying her reputation.

Shu Jian didn’t know how he had walked into Wenlin Pavilion. When he came to his senses, he found his feet had already stopped outside.

This was the first time he had come here since that day’s court upheaval.

A young attendant outside apparently hadn’t expected his sudden appearance and hastily bowed down. As he was about to rush in to announce his arrival, Shu Jian stopped him and continued forward.

The scenery here was all too familiar to him. Windows faced the wind, courtyard trees were dark green. However, those familiar attendants from before were nowhere to be seen. It was said they had gone to Jiangnan. Things remained, but people had changed—this was probably what it meant.

Shu Jian walked in and saw that young astronomer Lu Tianyuan was also there, speaking with him in a low voice about something. He wore court robes, sitting upright behind his desk, listening carefully. His expression was grave and focused, his bearing noble and calm.

Shu Jian suddenly felt how rash he was, as if he shouldn’t have appeared. He then sadly thought that before this person, even after another ten years, he would probably only be worthy of standing in his shadow, looking up.

Shu Jian suppressed the urge to turn and flee, stopping his steps. He saw that he had already noticed his arrival, turned to glance at him, signaled for Lu Tianyuan to pause temporarily, then stood up.

Lu Tianyuan stepped forward and bowed: “Your Majesty, Your Highness, this humble minister takes his leave first.”

Shu Jian seemed not to hear, remaining motionless. He nodded slightly.

“Please sit, Your Majesty.”

After Lu Tianyuan withdrew, he invited Shu Jian to take a seat.

Shu Jian didn’t move, standing rigidly as he said: “The rumors outside have been spreading for so many days—why have you remained silent? The General is not that kind of person!”

Yes, this rumor had been spreading for many days, and he had known about it early on. Initially, he had endured it, thinking he would react somehow. But he had shown no response whatsoever.

“During this time, I’ve thought it through. Whatever you want to do in the future is fine—I have no intention of interfering in your affairs now. But the court must defend her reputation.”

“The source of the rumors is probably the Grand Princess—at least, she must be connected to it.”

“If you’re unwilling to be this villain, I’ll do it. I’ll charge her with a crime, then send my people to arrest among the people those who dare to continue spreading rumors. Punish one to warn a hundred, and the rumors will stop!”

Shu Shenhui seemed slightly surprised, his gaze settling on his face. After a moment, he slowly revealed a smile.

“If General Changning knew, she would surely thank Your Majesty for your trust. This matter—I have also been considering it and was just about to report to Your Majesty.”