Just moments before, Shu Jian had a dream. He dreamed he had returned to the imperial palace, standing outside the palace gates. He wanted to enter, but the palace guards didn’t recognize him and blocked his way, asking for the password. He gave one—it was wrong. He gave another, also wrong. He became anxious, arguing that he was the emperor, that the password was set by him, so how could it possibly be wrong? But the guards scoffed at his daydreaming and, ignoring his desperate struggles, lifted him and threw him far away. He got up from the ground and saw ministers approaching the palace gates. They wore court robes and feathered caps, carrying tablets as they walked, preparing to enter the palace for court. He was delighted and immediately ran to seek their help. However, he hadn’t expected that the ministers were the same, as if none of them recognized him; they looked straight ahead and walked past him.

Finally, all the people entered through those majestic palace gates. Only he remained alone.

The two palace gates slowly closed before him.

“I am the emperor—”

When Shu Jian woke up, his ears seemed to still echo with the reverberations of those final words he had shouted in his dream.

He felt restless, not knowing why he had inexplicably had such an unpleasant and absurd dream.

Just as he was both confused and dejected, his heart seemingly shrouded by the gloom brought by the dream, the next moment, he heard his Third Imperial Uncle’s familiar call.

Like clouds parting to reveal the moon, like light encountered on a lost path.

Instantly, Shu Jian was seized by a wild joy as if he had received salvation.

Never before had there been a moment like now when he realized that his dependence on his Third Imperial Uncle had long since penetrated to his very bones, impossible to sever.

He had only run wildly for a couple of steps when he saw a familiar, tall figure hurriedly turning in from outside.

The person who came into view was indeed his Third Imperial Uncle, whom Shu Jian knew all too well. However, at this moment, he was somewhat different from Shu Jian’s impression of him.

In Shu Jian’s memory, no matter when, he was elegant in bearing, his clothes unstained by dust. But the person before him now had yellow dust from long journeys settled on his clothes and hair. Not only that, but he had also become much thinner and darker, his eye sockets slightly sunken, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

It wasn’t difficult to imagine how worried and anxious he had been on this northward journey.

When their eyes met and he saw that gaze focusing on himself, Shu Jian suddenly felt deep shame and guilt.

This was different from the guilt he had felt in the past after making mistakes and receiving instruction. This was a genuine emotion truly arising from the depths of his heart.

“Third Imperial Uncle!”

Shu Jian called out again, his eyes growing hot as he rushed forward and embraced him.

Shu Shenhui’s eyes also reddened slightly. He raised his hands, placing them on his nephew’s shoulders and back that were gradually becoming broader, slowly increasing the pressure of his fingers, finally gripping tightly.

“Jian’er, are you well?” he asked.

Hearing his voice, Shu Jian could no longer hold back. He suddenly dropped to his knees, both knees hitting the ground, choking back tears: “Third Imperial Uncle! I was wrong! This time, I truly know that I was wrong. I shouldn’t have run away. I made you worry!”

Shu Shenhui was startled.

Just moments before, on his hurried way here, he had still been considering whether his nephew would be unwilling to return with him. If resistance still existed in his heart, how should he make his nephew truly recognize his errors?

He hadn’t expected that upon meeting, his nephew would react like this.

After his surprise, Shu Shenhui’s heart filled with great comfort. He wanted to help Shu Jian up from the ground, but he refused to rise.

Shu Shenhui slightly emphasized his tone: “You are the emperor—how can you bow to me? If you don’t get up, you’re causing me distress!”

Shu Jian finally slowly rose from his knees.

“Third Imperial Uncle, I used to always complain in my heart that no one truly cared about what I was thinking, that even you, Third Imperial Uncle, were forcing me. I felt I was suffering too much. Now I know that my sufferings—what kind of suffering were they? I was truly wrong! I failed your previous teachings, and acted so willfully and recklessly to such an extent. You must be very disappointed in me…”

Shu Shenhui gazed at this shame-faced youth before him and gently comforted: “This matter cannot be entirely blamed on you. Excess is as bad as deficiency—I, too, have things to reflect upon. In any case, your safety is the greatest fortune. You needn’t worry about the court either. As long as we return quickly and claim you’ve recovered from illness, with mutual understanding, the matter will pass.”

Shu Jian immediately said: “Good! I’ll listen to all your arrangements, Third Imperial Uncle!”

Shu Shenhui looked at him and nodded.

At this moment, another faint sound of commotion came from the direction outside the city, carried on the wind. Shu Jian awoke as if from a dream, turning to look outside: “Oh right, Third Imperial Uncle, have you seen Third Imperial Aunt yet? Does she know you’ve arrived?”

Shu Shenhui paused, then smiled slightly: “I haven’t had time to see her yet. I just happened to encounter the Great Hehe King outside the city, asked him a question, and he guided me here to you.”

“The Beidi army has retreated! The Eight Tribes rebels have all been eliminated, too! Today is a celebration feast for the troops. I’ll take you to find her right away.”

“Third Imperial Aunt thought you wouldn’t arrive for some time yet. When she sees you later, she’ll be extremely surprised!”

Shu Jian hurriedly wanted to take Shu Shenhui to find her, saying: “Third Imperial Uncle, Third Imperial Aunt saved my life a few days ago!”

Shu Shenhui asked what had happened.

Now, Shu Jian was like a pig unafraid of boiling water, telling the whole story of how he had secretly run to the front lines a few days ago.

“I truly know I was wrong. Not only did I make you worry, Third Imperial Uncle, but I also caused her trouble. After returning, I was afraid you would blame me, but she said you wouldn’t blame me. She was right! When you see her later, Third Imperial Uncle, you must thank her properly for me!”

Shu Shenhui stopped walking, pondered for a moment, then said: “I’ll go find her myself.”

Shu Jian nodded: “That’s good too. Then go quickly, Third Imperial Uncle! She’ll be very happy to see you!”

Shu Shenhui smiled slightly and turned to leave.

The Great Hehe King and Liu Xiang were waiting outside. Seeing him emerge, they immediately came forward to greet him.

Only now did the Great Hehe King slowly begin to understand.

The Regent Prince of Great Wei had suddenly appeared here.

He had never seen the person inside with his own eyes, but previously, when the Regent Princess had arranged for a young man seeking refuge to stay here, he had heard about it.

Thinking about it now, that young man was most likely the young emperor of Great Wei.

Except for someone of that status, who else in the world could make the Regent Prince travel thousands of li to personally come here to meet them?

He didn’t know the full story, but he understood the principle of not asking what shouldn’t be asked. Seeing the person come out, he respectfully saluted, repeatedly expressing gratitude for Great Wei’s military assistance, then smiled: “This humble king is fortunate to be able to reward the soldiers alongside the Princess today. Your Highness must be weary from travel—you may rest here briefly. This humble king will go out immediately and invite the Princess to come meet you.”

Shu Shenhui stopped him: “No need, please carry on as usual. This prince will go see her myself.”

The Great Hehe King dared not insist on accompanying him and repeatedly agreed.

Shu Shenhui nodded, instructed Liu Xiang not to follow either but to arrange accommodations for the men, and went alone.

He walked through the streets of Maple Leaf City. Everywhere he could still see houses damaged by the flames of war, but the people he encountered on the streets appeared very spirited, with hope shining in their eyes. The area near the city gates was particularly lively, with civilians and soldiers mingling together in constant coming and going. There were Wei soldiers as well as local Eight Tribes warriors. Everyone wore smiles, the atmosphere as festive as a holiday.

He continued toward the military camp, initially walking swiftly, almost impatiently, his heartbeat uncontrollably accelerating. But when that large camp finally appeared not far ahead, with sunset filling the sky, crimson clouds like flowing fire, the air carrying the aroma of roasted meat and fine wine, and amplified sounds of revelry suddenly surging into his ears on the wind, he slowed his pace and finally came to a gradual stop.

The various scenes from that stormy night once again surfaced in his mind.

She had been so resolute. He, too, had said the most hurtful and wounding words, leaving no room for either of them.

They were about to meet again—what should his first words be?

On the road from Yanmen to here, he had thought about this question more than once. But until this moment, he discovered he still hadn’t figured it out.

Shu Shenhui lowered his head and looked at himself.

Though he hadn’t looked in a mirror, he knew his current appearance probably wasn’t very suitable for her to see.

While hesitating, several young soldiers came nearby, arms around each other’s shoulders, playfully fighting and seemingly slightly intoxicated. Seeing him, they stopped and looked him over.

Shu Shenhui paused, dispelled the scattered thoughts lingering in his mind, stepped forward, and asked if General Changning was inside.

The soldiers looked at him a few more times, then at each other. Finally, one of them nodded: “The general is inside, celebrating with us!”

Shu Shenhui remained in place. After the evening glow faded and clusters of dancing campfires lit up in the large camp, he finally stepped forward again.

He came to the camp entrance and showed the guard a waist token he had taken from his attendants. He walked inside.

Bonfires blazed, surrounded everywhere by cheerful voices and laughter.

Though the feast was nearing its end and many soldiers were drunk, except for those who had collapsed in drunken sleep, the rest continued their undiminished revelry. Some sang boldly under the influence of wine, belting out heroic frontier songs, while others wrestled and showed off their martial skills, earning rounds of applause from their companions.

The entire military camp was filled tonight with a magnificent and masculine atmosphere, even more unrestrained and wild than usual. Shu Shenhui seemed so out of place. But no one noticed his presence. He walked through the camp toward the direction of the main tent, and when he was almost there, he stopped.

Just in front of the main tent, soldiers had gathered in groups of three to five. Shu Shenhui saw Xiao Linhua in a red dress and skirt, dancing gracefully beside a blazing bonfire. Her face was as red as fire, her steps changing in myriad ways, her figure nimble as a deer. As she spun, her skirt hem flew, her dance both unrestrained and beautiful.

Opposite the bonfire, a ground felt was spread with a long table placed upon it, set with fine wine and delicacies. One person held a wine pot in one hand and a sheathed long sword in the other, leaning casually against the tableside, her posture relaxed yet elegant.

This was a woman. She wore armor but no helmet, her dark hair bound at the top of her head like a man’s.

She appeared slightly intoxicated, smiling as she watched the dancing girl before her. With that touch of wine in her system, keeping rhythm with the girl’s dance steps, she was using the sword hilt to strike the table corner, producing rhythmic sounds like drum beats, accompanying the girl’s dance.

When one dance ended, Xiao Linhua excitedly called across the fire: “Sister General! Your rhythm keeping was excellent! Let me dance another for you, to add to your enjoyment!”

Jiang Hanyuan raised the wine pot in her hand, toasted her from afar, and laughed loudly: “Excellent!”

When she laughed heartily, the leaping firelight illuminated her face, making it radiant and dazzlingly bright.

The surrounding soldiers laughed with her and also burst into cheers.

Shu Shenhui had never seen her like this.

If he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes tonight, he wouldn’t have dared believe she could laugh so freely and boldly.

He stopped behind several soldiers, staring fixedly at that figure behind the firelight, momentarily entranced by what he saw.

At this moment, someone silently approached from behind him. A voice sounded near his ear.

“Who are you? What business do you have with the general?”

Shu Shenhui awoke as if from a dream, suddenly turning around to meet a pair of young men’s eyes.

The other person looked like a junior officer in the army, with a boyish face, but his expression at this moment was extremely stern, his gaze toward him full of wariness.

Shu Shenhui hesitated, then glanced forward again.

Xiao Linhua had begun dancing again. She continued leaning against the long table, drinking while smilingly using the sword in her hand to keep rhythm for Xiao Linhua’s accompaniment.

“It’s not urgent business either. No need to disturb the general immediately. I can wait.”

Shu Shenhui thought for a moment and replied.

Yang Hu became even more suspicious.

Although the battle was essentially over, there might still be spies wandering about. Who knew where the waist token he had shown the guards came from? Moreover, he had lingered outside the camp entrance for so long. If he had business, wouldn’t he just come straight in?

His instincts told him that the person before him was acting suspiciously.

“Give me the waist token!”

Shu Shenhui had no choice but to take it out and hand it over.

Yang Hu examined it repeatedly several times, then questioned him about his name.

Shu Shenhui smiled wryly: “How should I address you, young general?”

“You don’t need to know so much about me! What’s your surname and given name? What business do you have entering the camp?”

Zhang Mi was passing nearby and saw Yang Hu questioning someone. He looked a few times, his gaze fixing as he continued staring at the other person’s face. After watching for a while, he finally remembered.

The impression from years ago had been extremely deep. Even though many years had passed, at this moment, he quickly associated it with that person from back then.

He glanced again at the female general not far ahead. Though puzzled about why he would suddenly appear here, he became increasingly certain of his guess. Seeing Yang Hu still questioning him, he grabbed him and carefully said to the person opposite: “May I ask, are you Regent Prince Lord Qi?”

Unlike the young emperor whom no one recognized, Shu Shenhui knew that many veteran generals and soldiers in the Yanmen army had seen him on this trip. Wanting to conceal his identity was neither realistic nor necessary.

Coming here could be completely explained as his continuing north after his southern tour to inspect the northern frontier. Since he had been recognized, he didn’t deny it and nodded slightly.

Zhang Mi hurriedly bowed.

Yang Hu, however, was utterly shocked, staring at this young man before him and crying out strangely: “Who? Regent Prince Your Highness? How is that possible!”

His voice was extremely loud, immediately attracting the attention of surrounding soldiers who all looked over.

“Yang Hu! Don’t be rude! Why don’t you pay respects to Regent Prince Your Highness!”

Zhang Mi shouted.

Yang Hu stiffened for a moment, then finally slowly bowed, as if with some reluctance.

Shu Shenhui glanced at him, took back his waist token from his hand, and said coolly: “You are Yang Hu? Nicknamed Qi Lang?”

Yang Hu kept his head down and said nothing.

Zhang Mi hurriedly answered for him: “Reporting to the Regent Prince, he is indeed Yang Hu, nicknamed Qi Lang. He didn’t know the Regent Prince had arrived just now and was somewhat offended. Please forgive him, Regent Prince.”

The surrounding soldiers were uncertain and suspicious. No one was watching the princess dance for the female general’s entertainment anymore as they whispered among themselves in low voices.

Jiang Hanyuan also noticed the commotion here. Across the firelight, with just one distant glance, she recognized that figure.

She pondered briefly, looked at the surrounding soldiers, signaled Xiao Linhua to stop, put down her wine pot and long sword, stood up, and, under the gazes directed at her from all around, walked toward that figure.

Shu Shenhui stood in place, watching her walk toward him, suddenly feeling extremely nervous, his heartbeat accelerating again.

Jiang Hanyuan came near him, stopped, her gaze falling on his face. When their eyes met, she nodded to him, then the corners of her lips curved upward as she smiled: “Your Highness has come? Why didn’t you have someone announce your arrival to me?”

Her tone sounded extremely natural, as if a married couple had just separated yesterday and happened to meet again today.