Since Zhang Bao had set out that day, he had truly endured hardships along the way, sleeping in the open and eating whatever he could find. When he neared Yanmen, following instructions, he first went to the neighboring Bingzhou to find Prefect Chen Heng. It wasn’t that he feared death. In the war zone ahead, anything could happen, and the Princess Consort wouldn’t remain stationed in one place—she would surely move according to the battle situation. If someone like himself had no knowledgeable guide, should he encounter misfortune, losing his life would be one thing, but failing to complete his assigned task would truly be an unforgivable offense. Thinking further of the slander and defamation the Regent Prince had endured previously, he was even more eager to sprout wings and immediately see the Princess Consort face to face, to tell her everything. Who knew Heaven would not comply with human wishes? First, he didn’t immediately find Chen Heng, which delayed him for some time. After finally meeting him through various channels, when Chen Heng learned of his purpose, he brought Zhang Bao along, following the Princess Consort’s military campaign route northward. Just when they were finally approaching their destination, the large group encountered a Di force of several thousand troops retreating from Yan Commandery on a narrow road. Fortunately, Chen Heng was clever enough to successfully shake off the Di soldiers. After escaping danger, knowing Zhang Bao was as anxious as fire, Chen Heng personally took him ahead of the main group to hurry forward.

Yesterday, the group had passed through a strategic stronghold called Luan Pass, and tonight they camped in the wilderness. After settling down, Zhang Bao thought about how long he had been away and wondered what the situation in Chang’an was now, whether his father had reached Qiantang. His mind was troubled and restless, and he was even more eager to see the Princess Consort’s face. Unable to sleep, he emerged from his tent and saw Chen Heng still sitting alone before a pile of smoldering campfire embers. He hurried over. Upon approaching, he discovered Chen Heng’s gaze looked past the fire toward the dark wilderness ahead, as if harboring worries. His silhouette appeared very solemn.

Regarding Chen Heng, he was quite a figure with a considerable background. Even Zhang Bao had heard of his experience during the Martial Emperor’s reign when he had enjoyed extreme glory before suddenly leaving the capital and thereafter remaining silent and unknown. In front of such a person, Zhang Bao naturally didn’t dare to presume, and seeing him heavy with thoughts and worried in expression, he momentarily didn’t dare to approach and disturb him. Just as he was about to quietly retreat, the other party had already noticed, withdrew his gaze, and turned to look at him.

Zhang Bao had no choice but to approach and ask how much longer it would take to arrive. When he heard that they were not far from where the Princess Consort was located—just four or five days of hurried travel—his heart finally felt somewhat at ease. He was very grateful to Chen Heng and expressed his thanks: “This entire journey has depended on the Prefect’s care, and you’ve personally escorted me. Please accept my bow!” After speaking, he bowed deeply in gratitude, but unexpectedly, the other party suddenly stood up, stepped aside to avoid his courtesy, and smiled slightly: “After days of travel, Young Master, you must be tired. Go rest. We must set out early tomorrow morning.”

Zhang Bao was indeed extremely exhausted from this journey and had been constantly worried and frightened. Now with his mind at ease, he dove into the tent and immediately fell asleep upon lying down. Who knew that even his dreams were of traveling—he dreamed his two legs kept running, tired as if filled with lead, wishing he could immediately collapse to the ground, but thinking of the item he carried, he could only continue forward. In his sleep, he was gritting his teeth and desperately striding forward in a frantic run when suddenly it seemed someone pushed him from the side. He woke with a start, his feet still kicking wildly in the air, shouting: “Get away! Princess Consort! I must see the Princess Consort—” Suddenly, his voice stopped abruptly.

When he drowsily opened his eyes, he met a pair of eyes looking down at him.

His mouth hung open in a round shape, stopping there. After being dazed for a moment, he suddenly turned his head and quickly looked left and right.

He was still in the tent, lying on the ground, bedding.

He then bit his tongue hard, crying “Ouch!” from the pain. This fully awakened him, and he was instantly overjoyed, shouting “Princess Consort!” and almost rolling and crawling, quickly sliding to her feet.

“Princess Consort! Is it you? How did you come here? Didn’t the Prefect say it would still take several days to reach you?”

Jiang Hanyuan bent down to support him, preventing him from kowtowing to her, with a faint smile appearing on her face: “I received a message from the Prefect saying you had also come, so I came to meet you.”

“There’s still fighting here. Instead of staying in Chang’an, why have you come here to find me?”

Zhang Bao looked at her smiling face, and countless grievances surged to his heart at this moment. He suddenly hugged her legs and burst into loud sobs on the spot. When he heard her ask what was wrong and whether he was injured somewhere, he shook his head and choked out: “No, this servant is fine…”

Just then, upon seeing the Princess Consort, somehow all the grievances he had felt for the Regent Prince could no longer be controlled, and all poured out. After crying for a moment, he suddenly remembered the important matter, hastily wiped away his tears, untied the pouch he kept with him even while sleeping, and presented it: “This is an item my father ordered this servant to deliver to the Princess Consort. Father said it’s more important than all our lives combined!”

Jiang Hanyuan was startled, took it, and opened the pouch. Inside was a box that appeared to be cast from refined gold, probably to be impervious to water and fire. Except for a small cross-shaped hole, it was completely sealed, appearing as one solid piece. She momentarily didn’t know how to open it. Zhang Bao then produced a key and, using the method Li Xiangchun had taught him, inserted it into the hole, then slowly moved it first left, then right, then up and down several times each.

Accompanied by a slight clicking sound, a seam appeared in the middle section of the box body—it had opened.

It turned out the sealing gap between the box cover and body was so fine that it was difficult to discern with the naked eye before unlocking, creating the illusion of being one piece.

Jiang Hanyuan opened the box cover and saw inside a seal, entirely dark gold, the size of a palm, cast in the shape of a tripod cauldron. The front was inscribed with “As if His Majesty were present in person,” and the back read “Tianqi Auspicious Omens.”

She had never seen this seal before, but cast in cauldron shape with such inscriptions, its origin was self-evident.

Tianqi was the era name of this dynasty’s founding emperor.

By candlelight, she looked at this weighty seal in her hand and soon recalled an old matter.

When the founding emperor had commanded the Martial Emperor to campaign in all directions on his behalf, he had bestowed a token said to be forged from Heaven-sent meteoric iron, called the Heavenly Cauldron. The bearer of this token could mobilize all military forces under Heaven for their use. As for appointing and dismissing officials, making decisions, and even matters of life and death, all would be as if issued by imperial decree.

After the Martial Emperor’s death, it was said that this seal, comparable to a state treasure, was buried with him and no longer existed in the world.

At this moment, could the seal in her hands be that Heavenly Cauldron Token?

Jiang Hanyuan was extremely shocked and looked toward Zhang Bao.

Zhang Bao gazed at the seal in her hands with reverent awe, knelt again, respectfully kowtowed first, then said in a low voice: “Father ordered this servant to tell the Princess Consort that this token was not taken away by the Sacred Martial Emperor but was left with Grand Dowager Consort Zhuang. Before the Grand Dowager Consort left the capital, she entrusted this token to Father for safekeeping, ordering him to present it to His Highness the Regent Prince when necessary.”

“This was the Sacred Martial Emperor’s intention.”

Jiang Hanyuan was completely shocked, staring fixedly at this token that suddenly seemed to weigh as much as mountains in her hands. She suddenly came to her senses: “This matter is of utmost importance! Since your father has brought it out, why didn’t he give it to His Highness?”

After asking, she saw Zhang Bao’s eyes turn red, looking at her with an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating. Her heart suddenly lurched, and in an instant, she seemed to understand everything, yet didn’t dare believe it.

What exactly had happened?

“Princess Consort, don’t you know? Since you led troops north at the beginning of the year, many things have happened in the court!”

After Zhang Bao spoke, he suddenly understood. “This servant knows now! His Highness must not want you to know, fearing it would distract you!”

Jiang Hanyuan said word by word: “Tell me! Everything! Not a single matter can be omitted!”

Zhang Bao complied, starting from the great court assembly at the beginning of the year, telling of Gao He’s return, the young emperor’s changed attitude toward the war; how rumors spread, how the Regent Prince was slandered, and how he consistently advocated for war without yielding a single step; then came the Western Pass incident, how those anti-war faction and ill-intentioned people in court used the opportunity to attack the deceased Grand General and her father and daughter, setting up assassination plots to kill him on his way to court. Fortunately, he had anticipated this, and that day in the great hall, he killed Gao He on the spot, catching everyone off guard and shocking the hundred officials.

“Since then, things finally calmed down somewhat, and no one in court dared attempt to obstruct the war effort anymore.”

“Also! This servant never imagined that when the late emperor was alive, he appeared to trust His Highness extremely, sharing seats and robes, and before dying, even removed his belt to entrust the young emperor to His Highness, yet he…”

Zhang Bao’s face flushed red with an expression of gritting his teeth. After pausing, he finally said: “Who would have thought he secretly guarded against His Highness so deeply, even leaving a final edict claiming His Highness had treasonous intentions, planning to eliminate His Highness. It was because of that final edict that Gao He and his people stirred up trouble! If His Highness hadn’t finally suppressed all those people, truly no one knows what the situation would be now!”

He was restraining himself greatly from speaking disrespectfully, but the anger and contempt in his tone couldn’t be concealed.

“What about His Majesty! Is he also opposing the Regent Prince together with Gao He and his people?”

Jiang Hanyuan listened with a pounding heart, unable to imagine to what degree that young emperor was opposing Shu Shenhui that would cause Li Xiangchun to produce this cauldron token.

When the young emperor was mentioned, Zhang Bao’s expression turned dejected again: “The late emperor was one thing—perhaps he harbored jealousy toward His Highness in his heart, appeared to act out of necessity on the surface, and left a final edict before dying telling His Majesty to guard against His Highness. But what this servant doesn’t understand is what kind of person His Highness is—doesn’t His Majesty know? How could His Highness possibly harm him? Though he hasn’t openly done anything, he allowed Gao He and his people to slander and attack His Highness both openly and secretly! If His Majesty could work in harmony with His Highness, how would His Highness have reached such a state? The Princess Consort doesn’t know—during that period, the slander against His Highness was truly overwhelming. When many mouths melt gold, this servant was truly worried for His Highness…”

Speaking of the painful parts, recalling those difficult times, he couldn’t help but wipe away tears again.

So while she remained completely unaware, in Chang’an behind her, it had been a city full of storms with dark clouds pressing overhead.

She also finally completely understood why at the beginning of the year, the battle orders that should have arrived were delayed in reaching Yanmen; why after the battle orders arrived, his attitude toward her began turning cold; and why he later specifically had Wang Ren deliver to her the betrothal knife he had prepared from the beginning—calculating the timing, this should have been an action taken after he killed Gao He.

His killing of Gao He, as described by Zhang Bao, was unexpected, as if it were a temporary action he took to retaliate against the assassination attempt.

However, Jiang Hanyuan knew this must have been his decision after deep consideration. He was clear about all the consequences his actions might lead to.

It seemed that from that time, he had already considered everything, which was why he had severed ties with her cleanly.

Jiang Hanyuan also understood why Li Xiangchun didn’t give this cauldron token representing the Sacred Martial Emperor’s will to Shu Shenhui, but instead transferred it to her.

The old eunuch had served with him for many years and obviously understood him extremely well, knowing what choice he would make, which was why he transmitted this item to her.

She was momentarily furious beyond measure, her hair standing on end with horror, gripping the token tightly in her hand as she turned and strode out of the tent.

Yang Hu had come with her and had been guarding nearby. Seeing her emerge with an angry expression, he was startled, then quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice: “What has happened?”

Jiang Hanyuan didn’t hide it from him and recounted everything that had occurred in Chang’an over the past half year.

Yang Hu flew into a rage and without thinking immediately said: “The Regent Prince is the General’s husband—how can we sit and watch him encounter danger? General, what do you plan to do? If you just say the word, even if it means rebellion, we will certainly follow you!”

Jiang Hanyuan took a long breath, suppressed the surging anger in her chest, turned her head, and looked toward the night sky in the true north direction.

There lay the location of Beidi’s southern capital.

She gazed for a long time, then slowly said: “Such words must never be spoken again in the future. For what do soldiers fight? It is so that the borderlands can achieve lasting peace, so that the people of our Great Wei will no longer suffer the hardships of war.”

Yang Hu paused, then said: “Then should the General return to Chang’an first?” His tone carried some urgency.

Jiang Hanyuan was silent for a moment, then turned back and said: “The war is urgent. Everything can wait until after we capture the southern capital.”

Yang Hu wanted to speak again, but she waved her hand. “Let it be thus. We’ll return tomorrow morning.”

Yang Hu reluctantly agreed.

She stood there for a long while more, then went to find Chen Heng.

He hadn’t slept yet and stood alone at the edge of the deep night wilderness, as if waiting for someone.

She walked toward him and finally stopped behind him: “Prefect Chen, the Regent Prince once told me that if anything should happen, I could freely seek you out.”

Chen Heng slowly turned around and respectfully bowed to her: “I thank the Regent Prince for his trust.”

“I once heard my late father say that after recovering the north, the Prefect would enter Chang’an to submit a resignation petition to the court and retreat to the mountains and forests?”

Chen Heng smiled slightly: “That is correct.”

Jiang Hanyuan nodded: “Laying down arms to return to farming, becoming like idle clouds and wild cranes, henceforth placing your affections in mountains and waters, free and at ease—what more could one ask of life? This niece congratulates the Prefect. I also have confidence in winning this final battle. May I trouble the Prefect—could you depart for Chang’an right now?”

Chen Heng gazed at her: “If the Princess Consort has any assignments, please feel free to command.”

Jiang Hanyuan handed out the token.

Chen Heng received it, initially puzzled, but when he saw it clearly, he naturally recognized what it was. Shocked, he immediately knelt and held it up with both hands.

“Besides this item, I have another thing. Let me fetch it to give to the Prefect, and trouble the Prefect to deliver both to the Regent Prince’s hands. Also, please convey a message for me, saying…”

She turned her head, gazing at the boundless night sky in Chang’an’s direction.

“Say that regardless of what choice he ultimately makes, he has his reasons. Having been husband and wife, I respect his thoughts and will not obstruct him. After capturing the southern capital, I will go to the destination where I once guided a young man when I was thirteen, and wait for that young man to come again.”

“I hope that when that day comes, I will be able to wait for him to arrive.”

Finally, she said slowly.