Jiang Hanyuan received a report from scouts ahead that the Beidi army camp, which had been in confrontation with them, had suddenly shown signs of movement. From a distance, it seemed there were signs of assembling troops, but it didn’t look like an advancing formation—rather, it appeared they were withdrawing and retreating.

She dared not let her guard down, fearing the enemy might be using deception. As a precaution, she immediately selected a contingent of troops to prepare for deployment to a strategic location one hundred li outside Maple Leaf City for observation. At the same time, she ordered the activation of city defenses, with the main force ready at all times to leave the city for battle.

Zhou Qing had been too severely injured that day, so city defense was entrusted to Zhang Mi and Xiao Lixian. She led the selected two thousand troops out of camp. In an instant, the atmosphere near the city gates changed dramatically—war horses neighed, soldiers stood in strict formation, and civilians were driven away, all ordered to return home and remain indoors.

The tense atmosphere of war was on the verge of erupting.

Fan Jing saw Shu Jian staying on the city wall without leaving and reminded him several times. Shu Jian acted as if he hadn’t heard, watching helplessly as Jiang Hanyuan led a cavalry unit out of camp, hooves thundering, dust flying on the road, the troops gradually moving away until they completely disappeared from view.

“Young Master! It’s not safe here! You must come down and go back!”

Fan Jing raised his voice and called to him once more.

Shu Jian slowly turned around, looking back with every step, and reluctantly descended the city wall.

Jiang Hanyuan led the cavalry to reach the road fortifications that had been constructed during the previous ceasefire, while Zhang Jun took men to scout ahead again.

An hour later, Zhang Jun returned, reporting that the Beidi camp was indeed retreating and didn’t appear to be using deception.

Before setting out, Jiang Zuwang had repeatedly instructed that the main objective of this expedition was to force the Beidi to retreat and resolve the crisis of the Eight Tribes. If this news were true, it would naturally be extremely good news.

This time, Jiang Hanyuan personally brought a small contingent to a hillside less than two li from the Beidi camp, climbed to the top, and gazed out from the height. She saw that in the sprawling military camp opposite, most of the tents had been dismantled, with only what appeared to be a guard unit remaining at the front. In the distance, she could faintly see supply wagons and troops that had already turned around, heading west toward Youzhou, moving slowly.

Jiang Hanyuan kept watch nearby until dark, never discovering any abnormalities.

After one night, the wilderness that had originally housed tens of thousands of troops was empty. All the troops had withdrawn completely, leaving only some tattered tents and scattered debris from the encampment of tens of thousands.

It seemed the retreat was real.

But what was the reason behind it?

If it was because the commanding general was too severely injured to continue directing the battle, the Southern Prince’s Manor could easily send someone else to take over.

From the scale of the Southern Prince’s Manor’s action this time, Chi Shu was determined to win this battle. Although they had suffered setbacks before, the overall losses weren’t significant, and they could completely stage a comeback. To suddenly retreat without warning like this, Jiang Hanyuan determined that the only reason must be something happening within the Southern Prince’s Manor itself.

Could it be that something she didn’t know about had occurred, forcing the Southern Prince’s Manor to retreat after weighing their options?

More than ten days later, Zhang Jun, who had infiltrated Youzhou for reconnaissance, sent back news that confirmed Jiang Hanyuan’s judgment.

Indeed, something had happened in the Beidi imperial court.

According to Zhang Jun’s investigation, when the Southern Prince’s Manor deployed troops this time, they had promised the Beidi court that they would take the Eight Tribes within a month. Unexpectedly, after the brief initial victory, things went extremely poorly afterward.

Youzhou was within the Southern Prince’s Manor’s sphere of influence, yet it was penetrated by Wei forces who appeared in Maple Leaf City like divine soldiers descending from heaven. Two commanders of considerable rank had died in succession, and the Southern Prince’s Manor faced fierce questioning from the Beidi court, mainly from Chi Shu’s brother’s faction. Subsequently, the southern route encountered setbacks, and Qin Long was severely injured.

The previous standoff should have been Chi Shu facing pressure from both sides, weighing the advance and retreat. Then, just a few days ago, news spread that the emperor was critically ill.

According to further investigation, actually before the Beidi camp retreated, Chi Shu himself should have already left the Southern Prince’s Manor.

Jiang Hanyuan understood.

With changes in the Beidi court and such commotion, he must have been the first to know.

The reason he didn’t immediately retreat at that time should have been fear that leaving too hastily might attract pursuit.

From what she knew, the power struggles in the Beidi imperial court surpassed even those of the Han dynasties. At least, in Han court power struggles, unless forced, fathers and sons, brothers, uncles, and nephews usually wouldn’t resort to violence until the final step.

But in places like Beidi that lacked ritual and law, using violence to seize power and brutally purging opponents was as common as daily meals.

With setbacks in the front-line battle and unexpected developments in the rear court, whoever it was would know how to decide.

This was a real retreat.

Jiang Hanyuan couldn’t guess what impact this turn of events would have on the future relations between Wei and Beidi, but for Maple Leaf City, it was naturally tremendously good news.

When the news reached Maple Leaf City, from the Xiao family father and son above to the Eight Tribes people below, the entire city celebrated. The Xiao family father and son immediately sought out Jiang Hanyuan, requesting that the Great Wei soldiers continue to stay for some time to help them eliminate the rebel faction of Ye Jin and his son.

Ye Jin and his son were as cunning as foxes and should have sensed something amiss earlier, knowing that once the Beidi decided to retreat, they would lose their usefulness, and the Beidi absolutely wouldn’t care about their survival. More than ten days ago, the father and son had been as panicked as homeless dogs, secretly beginning to seek escape routes. They learned that a group of tens of thousands of local people were spontaneously gathering, planning to bring their belongings and drive their cattle and sheep to seek refuge in Maple Leaf City.

Among them were some tribal members from the Baishui and Furen tribes who, hearing that the Great Hehe King now had Great Wei’s assistance and the situation was very favorable, resolutely decided to escape and seek refuge. Many former Jin Han people had fled nearby after the fall of Youyan years ago and had been intermarrying and living among the Eight Tribes for years. These people couldn’t bear the cruel exploitation by Ye Jin and his son. Unexpectedly, the news reached Ye Jin and his son’s ears. When Qin Long retreated, they decisively led their troops back, intercepted all the people, took them as hostages, and drove them to Donghe, the last stronghold where the rebels were still entrenched, brutally forcing the people to work day and night constructing city defenses.

Even without the Xiao family father and son speaking up, before leaving, Jiang Hanyuan also planned to completely suppress the rebellion and rescue the people. Both sides were in complete agreement.

Great He Crown Prince Xiao Lixian volunteered for battle, while from the Wei army side, Jiang Hanyuan dispatched Yang Hu to lead five thousand troops.

Zhou Qing also attended that day’s council meeting.

His abdomen was still wrapped in bandages. Due to his severe injuries, he had suffered greatly during this period. Fortunately, his constitution was strong, and he had endured. Though his complexion still showed signs of illness when he appeared today, his spirits looked much better.

He was a fierce general of considerable reputation in the Yanmen army, commanding camp troops with considerable prestige and deep seniority. In terms of age and generation, he was Jiang Hanyuan’s uncle. The two had roughly equivalent general ranks. Moreover, there was secret competition between camps, with everyone wanting to stand out and strive for first place. Previously, his attitude toward Jiang Hanyuan was naturally polite, but more or less always contained some self-importance. Now, however, things were somewhat different.

During the meeting, seeing him remain silent throughout, Jiang Hanyuan specifically turned to him and asked if he had any objections.

Zhou Jin shook his head, then said: “Actually, there is one thing!”

Jiang Hanyuan immediately asked him to speak.

Everyone also looked toward him.

Zhou Jin said, “I envy young Qi Lang of the Yang family! If I weren’t half-dead now, how would it be his turn to take the field!” After saying this, he laughed heartily, but laughed too hard and accidentally aggravated his abdominal wound, showing slight pain on his face as he reached down to press on it.

Yang Hu chuckled: “General Zhou! You’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. This time, just focus on healing your wounds and stop thinking about competing with me!”

Zhou Jin laughed again and turned to Jiang Hanyuan: “I, Zhou Jin, am a rough man who admires few people in my life. The Great General was the first, and now Changning, you count as another! You have the final say here, and I’m completely convinced with nothing to say!”

Jiang Hanyuan smiled.

After the matter was decided, they dispersed. Yang Hu and Xiao Li also hurried away to prepare for tomorrow’s deployment.

Zhou Jin had led troops on this expedition without having a chance to achieve merit, and had nearly lost his own life. He naturally felt some regret.

However, besides Zhou Jin, there was another person in Maple Leaf City who felt regret.

That was naturally the young emperor Shu Jian.

Since news of the Beidi army’s retreat spread, Shu Jian had sought out Jiang Hanyuan, pleading repeatedly that he wanted to see the military camp outside the city. Jiang Hanyuan finally agreed, instructing Fan Jing not to restrict his leaving the city anymore, as long as he didn’t go too far.

The next morning, Yang Hu and Xiao Lixian led their troops in formation, assembling outside the camp gates.

Five thousand soldiers, each wearing armor and mounted on horseback. The rising autumn sun illuminated their resolute faces, majestic and imposing.

At Jiang Hanyuan’s command, accompanied by the neighing of war horses, the army began to depart. At this moment, citizens who had heard the news and gathered near the city gates to watch let out cheers.

Shu Jian stood on the highest watchtower of the city wall, looking down at this scene outside the city, his heart itching unbearably. He turned to the bearded man who never left his side: “General Fan! This is the last battle. You follow me day and night—don’t you want a chance to achieve merit?”

Fan Jing didn’t know who this young man was, but the female general had given such solemn instructions that he naturally dared not be negligent.

He remained expressionless and said nothing.

The young emperor sighed quietly and looked outside the city again. Suddenly, his gaze stopped.

Not far from the military camp, by the roadside, a group of young women who had come out from the city gathered there, waving and cheering at the soldiers riding past them. At the front was a girl in red. Under the morning sun, her red clothes were like fire, making her very conspicuous in the crowd.

It was Xiao Linhua. She had also come out to see off her brother.

Shu Jian stared at her for a moment. After the army had passed, he turned and said: “General Fan, I want to go walk in the maple forest outside the city. That princess—”

He pointed at the red figure, “She should know the way and know where the scenery is best. I only recognize her, so please ask her to serve as my guide.”

Maple Leaf City got its name because of the large maple forests outside the city. Now in autumn, the layered forests were dyed, maple leaves like fire, visible from afar when climbing the city walls. The scenery was indeed excellent.

Fan Jing hesitated briefly, then had an attendant go ask if she was willing to accompany them.

After all, Xiao Linhua was a princess, so Fan Jing thought she would refuse. Unexpectedly, she looked up, glanced at the city wall, saw the young man, and nodded. Not only that, but she immediately came to the city gate and waited there obediently.

Fan Jing had no choice but to arrange horses, bring several attendants, and follow the young man and princess out of the city together.

The maple forest looked close, but the road had many ditches and gullies, taking considerable time. The group rode for over an hour before arriving. They stopped their horses outside the forest, and Shu Jian entered the woods, admiring the surrounding scenery while chatting casually with Xiao Linhua, asking about fun places and local specialties.

Xiao Linhua was initially very reserved, but gradually felt that this Wei’s young emperor was easygoing, completely without imperial airs, and very different from what she had previously imagined. She relaxed and answered every question.

The two were similar in age, and Shu Jian constantly praised Maple Leaf City as wonderful, a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery, making Xiao Linhua increasingly happy. Soon they were talking and laughing like old friends who had known each other for a long time.

While talking, Shu Jian wasn’t idle either—sometimes jumping up to pull down maple leaves, kicking the fallen leaves accumulated underfoot, sometimes bending down to pick grass. Gradually entering the deep forest where trees were dense and grass was tall, he slightly turned his head and glanced behind him.

Fan Jing was still following with several men, not too far, not too close.

He came to stop behind a large tree that several people could encircle with their arms.

Xiao Linhua also stopped: “Why aren’t we walking anymore?”

Shu Jian gazed at her intently, a smile appearing on his face: “You are very beautiful. In my opinion, except for my Third Imperial Aunt, even in Chang’an, inside or outside the palace, one couldn’t find a woman more beautiful than you.”

Xiao Linhua was stunned, really not expecting why this Wei young emperor would suddenly look at her like this and say such embarrassing words.

After reacting, her pretty face immediately flushed red, feeling both nervous and shy, not knowing how to respond. Then she saw his expression suddenly change, his gaze falling on her body as he pointed and said in an extremely tense voice: “Be careful! An insect is crawling on you! It’s about to crawl up your neck!”

Xiao Linhua looked down and indeed saw a fat caterpillar as thick as a finger, covered in bristly hairs, twisting and crawling on her clothing.

Though she usually rode horses and shot arrows with a straightforward nature and great courage, she was naturally afraid of insects, especially this kind of writhing caterpillar. She immediately paled, screamed, and jumped up.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid—I’m here!” Shu Jian immediately stepped forward, reached out, grabbed the fat insect, and flung it away. Xiao Linhua was still in shock when her hand suddenly felt warm—she discovered he had grasped it. Before she could react, she saw him lean close to her, his lips near her ear, whispering: “Come with me behind the tree! I have something to tell you!” Without allowing refusal, he pulled her hand and moved behind the large tree.

To others’ eyes, the two appeared extremely intimate.

Fan Jing had taken in this entire scene.

It wasn’t appropriate for him to watch too closely or follow when young people were being affectionate, so he waited in place. Initially, there were chattering voices from behind the tree, but he couldn’t make out what was being said. After a while, he heard Xiao Linhua’s soft singing voice carried on the wind.

Xiao Linhua kept singing, one song after another. Fan Jing thought she was singing for the young man and initially didn’t think much of it. Gradually, he felt something wasn’t right. After listening more carefully, he walked toward the tree where the humming was coming from and coughed: “Young Master? Princess?”

With his words, the humming stopped abruptly. He heard the princess seem to hesitate, then ask: “Can I stop now?”

No response.

Fan Jing felt something was wrong in his heart. Without worrying about propriety, he immediately rushed behind the tree and was shocked to see only Xiao Linhua leaning against the tree with a cloth covering her eyes, alone.

Was there any trace of the young man nearby?

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Linhua pulled off the cloth, looked around, opened her eyes wide, and looked at Fan Jing: “Where is he?”

“Just now he asked me to sing for him. He also covered my eyes and told me to keep singing. Without his word, I wasn’t allowed to stop. He is…”

He was the emperor of Wei. Although she thought his request was very strange, she dared not disobey his command.

At this moment, she also didn’t dare reveal the young man’s identity.

Never mind Fan Jing—even to her father and brother, she wouldn’t dare mention half a word.

Unable to speak, seeing Fan Jing’s anxious expression as he called his men to search nearby, she suddenly understood.

She had been used by the other party.

This smiling Wei’s young emperor had made her foolishly keep singing to cover for him while he ran off alone.

She knew she had caused great trouble. Both panicked and angry, she bit her lip hard with her white teeth, tears streaming down.

When Jiang Hanyuan learned this news, it was already evening on that day.

Shu Jian had escaped from Fan Jing, secretly circled back outside the forest, and ridden off by himself. Not only that, but he had also scattered the remaining horses, causing Fan Jing to spend considerable time on the road when returning to report.

Xiao Linhua had cried until her eyes and nose were red, hanging her head motionlessly.

When Jiang Hanyuan heard that Shu Jian had run away, she knew where he had gone. She comforted Xiao Linhua with a few words, immediately left camp, mounted her horse, and personally led a contingent to pursue, following Yang Hu’s march route while searching along the way.

Donghe was northwest of Maple Leaf City—a forced march would take two days. It was the morning of the second day when Yang Hu discovered an uninvited guest.

Song Shiyun brought a young man, saying he had ridden all night to catch up and was requesting to accompany the army to Donghe.

Yang Hu recognized this young man—he was the nephew of that relative’s family who had come from afar following grain wagons to seek refuge with the female general. Fan Jing followed him every day.

“General Yang! Take me with you! I guarantee I won’t cause you any trouble!”

Yang Hu sat on his horse and looked at the other party over, seeing the young man staring intently at him. Though he hadn’t slept all night, his eyes were bright, and the longing in them was incredibly intense.

He glanced back toward Maple Leaf City. Though he suspected the other party had probably run away to follow them, he was eager to march and couldn’t worry about so much at the moment. He pointed at the battle standard: “Fine! You carry the flag! Stay by my side!”

Shu Jian was overjoyed, immediately went over, took the battle standard, shouldered it, spurred his horse forward, and followed along.