The messenger delivered the letter that Jiang Zuwang had sent to his daughter.

The letter was immediately transferred from the main camp to the residence where the Regent Prince and his wife were staying. At this moment, both were silent, still not having recovered from the conversation they had just moments before. She leaned against the door wall, not immediately leaving. He stood before her, with a stubborn persistence that refused to retreat even half a step, though he no longer attempted to grasp her hand as he had at the beginning.

The letter was brought in. She looked at the letter, her complexion suddenly changing.

“What’s wrong?” He suppressed his turbulent emotions and asked her.

Jiang Hanyuan lost her voice, “Uncle is severely injured!”

Her hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, then loosened, repeating this several times, her knuckles crackling from the pressure. She closed her eyes briefly, then suddenly opened them: “Since there’s nothing left to do here, I’ll go to Yunluo. Your Highness may do as you please. Please trouble yourself to bid farewell to His Majesty for me tomorrow. You two return to the capital – I won’t see you off!”

Shu Shenhui chased after her to the main gate, but she had already mounted her horse and was heading toward the military camp outside the city.

“Sisi—”

Shu Shenhui called out to her retreating figure. She didn’t turn back, and in the blink of an eye, she had spurred her horse dozens of zhang away.

Shu Shenhui chased a few more steps, but her riding figure had already disappeared into the night. His steps gradually slowed, finally coming to a dejected halt. In the darkness, he gazed in the direction she had departed, standing motionless for a long time.

That night, Jiang Hanyuan returned to the military camp. After arranging matters, accompanied by Fan Jing, she departed overnight for Yunluo.

The Regent Prince did not travel with her. He had other important matters. The next day, he organized his forces and, bringing the young emperor along with Zhou Qing and Zhang Mi’s great army as escort, set out on the return journey back to Yanmen.

The Xiao father and son led their troops and civilians in farewell, sending them off for mile after mile. Thirty li outside the city, Shu Shenhui ordered the Great He King to halt and not escort them further.

Xiao Linhua rode behind her father and brother. Looking up, she glanced at a carriage in the Regent Prince’s procession. The closed curtains suddenly lifted at one corner, revealing a pair of youthful eyes behind them. Xiao Linhua noticed the other party seemed to wave at her and grin, making a smiling expression. At first, she was startled, then a wave of annoyance surged in her heart. She turned her face away, pretending not to see.

Shu Jian’s warm face met with a cold reception, feeling quite bored, and awkwardly lowered his hand. Thinking that the Third Imperial Aunt had left last night, his mood became even worse. Looking outside the carriage again, there were densely packed people everywhere. At this moment, the Great He King dismounted with Prince Xiao Lixian and Xiao Linhua, performing final farewell ceremonies to the Regent Prince on horseback and Wei generals Zhou Qing and Zhang Mi, personally pouring wine to bless their safe journey. Those civilians who had once been held captive by Ye Jin and his son were even more grateful, surging forward and kneeling in kowtow.

The Regent Prince accepted the wine served in a golden cup and drained it in one gulp. Then he dismounted, walked forward, and personally helped up a white-haired elder, telling the nearby civilians to rise as well. After the farewells, amid the continuous blessings echoing behind them, he mounted his horse and led the procession away.

After traveling far, Shu Jian looked back and could still see the people gathered on that road behind them, reluctant to disperse for a long time.

Shu Shenhui brought Shu Jian on the homeward journey. After traveling for most of half a month, they arrived at Yanmen. Jiang Zuwang personally led troops to welcome them. The Regent Prince’s party would stay at Yanmen for three days to inspect the border and comfort the soldiers.

After many years, the Regent Prince came to Yanmen again. When the news spread, everyone in the army was inspired. Wherever the Regent Prince went, there was great excitement. Naturally, Jiang Zuwang arranged the entire itinerary in the name of welcoming the Regent Prince. As for the young emperor, he was merely a follower beside the Regent Prince.

During these three days, Shu Shenhui brought Shu Jian with him, leading him into the border military camps, letting him hear his conversations with ordinary soldiers, taking him on horseback to patrol the borders, climbing the beacon towers blackened by wolf smoke, and pointing out the landscape beneath their feet. To the south lay distant Chang’an. To the north stretched vast territories of Youyan still under the iron hooves of the Beidi.

After this somewhat hurried border inspection ended, on the day before departure, Shu Shenhui led the young emperor to accomplish one final important task.

On this day, the mountains and rivers were solemn, heaven and earth austere. On a vast and boundless wilderness, the Great Wei Regent Prince personally presided over a ceremony, in the name of the Great Wei Emperor, to commemorate the souls of all fallen soldiers who had died for the country at Yanmen over the fifty years since Great Wei’s founding.

The Regent Prince wore white robes and a plain crown, with an azure sword at his waist. Facing the wind, he ascended the altar, bowed to heaven and earth, and after performing the great ceremony, personally recited the memorial text. His expression was solemn and grave, his tone mournful but not sorrowful, the atmosphere of commemoration both generous and stirring.

One hundred thousand Yanmen soldiers formed ranks, surrounding the altar on all four sides.

“…Humbly we beseech the heroic spirits to protect our kingdom, display divine might, and spread glory through ten thousand generations, forever without end!”

The Regent Prince finished reciting and cast the memorial document into a blazing fire. Around the altar, one hundred thousand soldiers knelt in unison. Iron armor and blades clashed with the soldiers’ movements, like thunder rolling across level ground.

“Spread glory through ten thousand generations, forever without end!”

The hundred thousand soldiers burst forth in unison. From all directions, the momentum was magnificent.

“Long live Great Wei! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years of ten thousand years—”

The soldiers continued their synchronized chanting.

Above the wilderness, beneath the dome of heaven, filled with these iron-blooded battle cries that resounded through the clouds.

Shu Jian stood below the altar.

He watched that figure standing high on the altar in his place, listening to the stunning roars of a hundred thousand soldiers echoing in his ears. Under the impact of those massive sound waves crashing like ocean tides from all directions, his eardrums nearly burst. But his entire being had never been so stirred. Tremendously excited, he unconsciously clenched his fists tightly.

At this moment, he seemed to suddenly truly understand what it meant to be the Son of Heaven, what it meant to command with one call and ten thousand responses, what supreme honor meant, and what glory above ten thousand people meant.

He finally understood why so many people in the world wanted to compete for the position he currently occupied.

After the commemoration ended, in the evening, one of Liu Xiang’s subordinates hurriedly came seeking Shu Shenhui, saying the young emperor had climbed a high hill and was behaving strangely in an incomprehensible manner. Liu Xiang had sent him back to report, requesting the Regent Prince to come and see.

Shu Shenhui immediately set aside his affairs and rode over. Climbing to the mountaintop, he indeed saw the young emperor standing alone in the wind atop a massive boulder, as if intently gazing at something. Before him, the ground of the high hill revealed layers of undulating peaks and broad plains, and beyond that, city after city. Liu Xiang waited nearby with an anxious expression. Finally seeing the Regent Prince arrive, as if granted amnesty, he hurried forward and explained in a low voice that while escorting the young emperor back to camp, passing this place, the young emperor had suddenly said he wanted to climb the mountain. He could only follow, accompanying the young emperor to the hilltop, where he had stood like this for quite some time, and no one knew what he intended to do.

Not far ahead of the boulder was a cliff. Worried about potential accidents, he had summoned the Regent Prince.

Shu Shenhui glanced at his nephew’s silhouette and slowly walked toward him, finally stopping behind him. Just as he was about to call out, he suddenly saw him raise his arms high and shout into the wind: “My rivers and mountains! My subjects!”

His voice came from deep in his chest and abdomen, carried by the mountain wind in all directions.

Shu Shenhui was startled. He then saw him finish shouting, turn around, and leap down from the boulder, striding up to him. Looking up slightly, he said: “Third Imperial Uncle! I truly understand all your teachings from before!”

“Third Imperial Uncle, rest assured. From now on, I will never again act recklessly and cause you such worry!”

He paused, “I can swear to heaven and earth that from today forward, I will devote my heart and strength to being an emperor like Imperial Grandfather!”

His nephew’s eyes sparkled brightly, his face excited.

After that brief initial surprise, Shu Shenhui quickly recovered. He smiled broadly, unconsciously raising his hand, about to grasp his nephew’s arm and pat it a few times, just as he had when the boy was small, using this gesture to express his approval and encouragement—his hand reached out, almost grasping the young man’s arm, when it paused in mid-air and withdrew.

Instead, he stepped back several paces and finally bowed to the young emperor before him, respectfully saying: “This minister awaits with keen anticipation!”

Liu Xiang and the others were stunned. Seeing this, they finally reacted, hurriedly stepping forward to kneel behind the Regent Prince, saying in unison: “Your humble ministers congratulate Your Majesty on an eternally stable kingdom, lasting through thousands of generations!”

Shu Jian turned his head, taking one more look around at the surrounding magnificent landscape, taking it all in with his eyes before descending the mountain.

On the road back to Yanmen camp, Shu Jian and Shu Shenhui rode together. He turned his head, looking once more toward the western horizon where the setting sun’s afterglow faded, his face showing concern: “Third Imperial Aunt has been gone so long now, she should have arrived there by now. I wonder how she is. I hope her uncle is all right. If something bad happens, Third Imperial Aunt, she…”

Shu Jian noticed Shu Shenhui suddenly turn to look at him, realized his slip of tongue, and immediately corrected himself: “Third Imperial Uncle, tonight when you see the General, remember to remind him that when Third Imperial Aunt returns, send word immediately. I’ll be waiting.”

Shu Jian had been away on this trip for too long. If he didn’t return soon, the Worthy Prince at court would probably be unable to suppress things. Moreover, given his status, according to plan, Shu Shenhui would depart tomorrow morning, personally escorting the current Great Wei Emperor on his return journey to Chang’an.

That night, in the central military tent, bright candles blazed. The Regent Prince finished seeing all the generals who came to bid farewell. Finally, only he and Jiang Zuwang remained in the tent.

Before Jiang Zuwang, he was no longer that lofty, approachable yet dignified and wise Regent Prince. He fell silent, not at all concealing his heavy concerns. He again addressed the other as father-in-law, asking if there was any new news from Yunluo City in the past two days.

Jiang Zuwang’s expression also became heavy: “Just received the news yesterday. Sisi’s uncle’s injury shows no signs of improvement.”

Shu Shenhui said, “I’ve already sent an urgent report to Chang’an, ordering skilled physicians to rush north immediately. When they arrive here in a few days, I’ll trouble father-in-law to send someone to deliver them.”

Jiang Zuwang was extremely grateful and rose to bow in thanks. Shu Shenhui pressed him back into his seat. “It’s merely a small effort. May my uncle be blessed and recover soon.”

“Yes. Sisi and her uncle have a deep bond…” Jiang Zuwang was dazed for a moment, sighing, “I can only hope for this.”

Thinking of how his daughter must be suffering now, he wished he could take Yan Zhong’s place. After worrying briefly, he suddenly remembered something and said hastily: “Your Highness departs tomorrow morning to escort His Majesty back to the capital – this is a matter of utmost importance. This minister dares not delay Your Highness further. If there are no other instructions, this minister will escort Your Highness back to rest.”

After speaking, he saw his son-in-law seemed not to hear, apparently lost in some train of thought. He too fell silent to avoid disturbance. Then he suddenly heard a question: “Father-in-law, how did Sisi live before age seven?”

Jiang Zuwang was startled.

Shu Shenhui explained: “Sisi and I are husband and wife, yet I know so little about her. Previously, I only heard from Liu Xiang about her childhood experiences of joining the army and growing up in military camps.”

For a moment, Jiang Zuwang didn’t know where to begin. He pondered briefly, then slowly said: “Your Highness must have heard about her mother’s matter. The fault then was entirely mine, yet she decided it was hers. When the incident occurred, she wasn’t yet a full year old. Do you know why, Your Highness?”

Jiang Zuwang looked toward Shu Shenhui.

“Only because at that time, her mother had already taken her to hide in a concealed place. The pursuers had passed, but because she, still in swaddling clothes, cried out once, she attracted the pursuers back. Her mother was forced to jump off the cliff with her.”

Though many years had passed, when Jiang Zuwang mentioned this deep wound again, his eyes still slightly reddened.

He calmed his emotions and continued: “Heaven took pity and let her survive. Months later, when I found her, she had been nursed by a she-wolf. This should have been tremendously fortunate, but it also brought her an ominous reputation. I was busy with military affairs then and couldn’t care for her properly, so I entrusted her to Yunluo City. I heard she spoke very late, was silent all day, and didn’t fit in well. A few years later, when she was only six or seven, she suddenly came to me saying she wanted to join the army. I couldn’t refuse her and had to accept. I thought she was just talking, but unexpectedly she persisted until today.”

“Your Highness, if I’m not mistaken, from childhood to now, Sisi has probably always carried her mother’s death in her heart. She likely feels she’s an ominous person.”

Shu Shenhui was silent for a long while, then asked again: “Besides these things, does father-in-law know anything else about Sisi? Anything at all. I want to know.”

Jiang Zuwang shook his head slightly, his face showing guilt: “Though I’m her father, that’s all I know. Over the years, except for military and official matters, she never voluntarily speaks to me about anything else, much less her private thoughts.”

He paused, “However, if Your Highness wants to know, I’ll call Yang Hu to ask him. He might know something. He’s a year younger than Sisi. He joined the army at fourteen and immediately stayed by Sisi’s side, inseparable every day, with a close relationship like siblings.”

Shu Shenhui rose, asking Jiang Zuwang not to escort him. He left the tent, walking slowly in the moonlight toward his resting tent. Nearly there, he hesitated, stopped, and stood in place for a moment. Finally, he summoned an attendant and ordered Yang Hu to be called out.

Yang Hu emerged from Yanmen camp and was led to a deserted, open area.

He saw ahead in the moonlight a graceful figure standing quietly.

Yang Hu slowly approached, bowing: “What orders does the Regent Prince have in summoning me?”

Shu Shenhui observed him briefly, a slight smile appearing at his lips as he nodded: “I hear Changning regards you as a younger brother. I have questions. Answer truthfully. You’ve followed her for years – do you know her usual preferences? Where does she often go? Does she have close friends? Whatever you know, large or small, you may speak of it all.”

Yang Hu looked surprised. He hadn’t expected to be called out alone for this reason. After thinking, unable to suppress his indignation, he replied: “Your Highness summons me for questioning tonight – dare I ask, is it as the Regent Prince, or as the General’s man?”

Shu Shenhui studied him: “How about as the Regent Prince? And how about as Changning’s man?”

Yang Hu said: “If, as the Regent Prince, this subordinate knows nothing and has nothing to report. If Your Highness is displeased, feel free to punish me. But if as the General’s man…”

He paused, then declared proudly: “Defeat me in combat, and I’ll speak!”

The surrounding wilderness was quietly silent. From dozens of zhang away, the conversation between the two men sounded vague and unclear, but this last sentence – Yang Hu’s voice was very loud, startling the dozens of Qingmu Camp companions hiding in the shadows behind them.

Tomorrow, after the Regent Prince departed, they too would return to Qingmu Camp. Tonight, they were all about to sleep when Yang Hu was suddenly called out alone by the Regent Prince.

The news was spread by Zhang Jun. Fearing the Regent Prince meant Yang Hu harm, and with the female general absent, worried Yang Hu would suffer, a group immediately followed from the surrounding tents. Initially everyone dared not get too close, all hiding in shadows, nervously watching, not knowing what this was about. They hoped it wasn’t punishment for his previous rudeness.

No one expected Yang Hu’s audacity to reach such heights, daring to provoke in this manner.