After returning from Yunluo, Jiang Hanyuan put away all her emotions.

He told her to wait – the court would soon issue orders to deploy troops.

From when she was thirteen and first met him, beginning with his first words to her, “Soldiers from Xixing Main Camp?”, until now, every sentence he had ever spoken to her, whether it brought her joy or annoyance, she remembered in her heart and would never forget.

Throughout the entire twelfth winter month, she threw herself wholeheartedly into war preparations, traveling back and forth between Qingmu Camp and Xixing Main Camp.

The battle plan for the central army tent had also been completed.

After the war began, the great army would exit Yanmen and divide into three routes. The left route would control Dai Commandery and Gaoliu, with the main task of cutting off reinforcements from the Di nation’s Hengzhou and Shuozhou directions. The central route would depart from Lingqiu Commandery, attacking Yanzhou’s Guangning and Daning – these two important military commanderies – at the fastest speed, then advance toward Yanjun, the center of Youyan. The right route would attack Anlong Pass from the Eight Tribes direction, striking toward Youzhou to coordinate with the central route, with both armies converging at Yanjun.

In this battle plan, the central route army would bear the most arduous main assault mission. Jiang Hanyuan’s Qingmu Camp was one unit within the central route army. Not only that, but she was also appointed as Deputy Commander of the central route army, working alongside another battle-hardened Huaihua General to lead the main assault on Yanjun.

The great army had already assembled – three hundred thousand soldiers sleeping on their weapons, awaiting battle. Provisions and various military supplies were also being delivered to Yanmen day and night without stopping.

Everything was ready except the east wind. Now they only awaited spring after the new year, when the court would formally issue the order to begin war.

On the last day of this year’s end, Jiang Hanyuan braved wind and snow to return from Qingmu Camp to Xixing Main Camp.

These past days, the borderlands had been covered with severe cold weather. Jiang Hanyuan was somewhat concerned about her father, Jiang Zuwang.

He harbored deep guilt toward her mother and had never forgiven himself. Every day he lived should be filled only with loneliness and longing.

Jiang Hanyuan had understood this point long ago. But previously, she would never have shown him even half a kind expression for this reason. Now, for some unknown reason, perhaps because her uncle’s sudden departure had made Jiang Hanyuan feel her heart had become much softer than before.

Her uncle’s departure had also left her father quite sorrowful. Thinking of his health, and today being New Year’s Eve with soldiers receiving extra rations and the camp having no affairs, imagining him alone in his tent, she felt some sympathy.

She galloped swiftly, braving the wind and snow that filled the sky, finally entering the main camp as darkness fell.

Upon arrival, she learned her worry was unnecessary. In her father’s tent tonight, there was a guest who had come from afar.

The small brazier glowed with red-hot charcoal, with warm wine heating in the pot.

The sounds of conversation and laughter occasionally drifted from the tent into her ears.

Bingzhou Governor Chen Heng had personally delivered a batch of military supplies to Yanmen, arriving in the evening. He was invited into the main tent by her father to warm wine and drink together.

In her memory, this seemed to be the first time Jiang Hanyuan had heard her father laugh so heartily. She stood quietly for a moment in the pitch-black snowy ground outside the main tent, her mood gradually lightening as well. She originally didn’t want to disturb them and planned to quietly leave, but remembering that Shu Shenhui had also mentioned this person before her, his tone seemed quite respectful. Not only that, but this person was also the logistics supervisor for the war effort. Moreover, as a junior, passing by without greeting would be impolite, so she had the guards outside the main tent announce her, then entered.

Her father sat around the brazier with a man of similar age. This should be Governor Chen Heng.

Jiang Hanyuan saw that this person’s face bore the carved marks of wind and frost, but showed no dejection. Instead, his gaze was clear and sharp, as if containing a sword’s edge, with lingering traces of iron and blood. It was said he had led troops in his early years. Now in Bingzhou, he also commanded a local military force.

The two men were drinking and conversing when they turned to look at her.

Jiang Zuwang hadn’t expected his daughter to come tonight and was very pleased. He immediately called her over to warm herself by the fire, then introduced her: “In this bitter cold, the Governor personally came here. Since it’s year’s end, I invited him for a small drink. Unfortunately, the space is cramped with no room to move about, but fortunately, the Governor is tolerant, and we’ve been conversing pleasantly. Just now we happened to mention you. Didn’t you accompany the Regent Prince to Qiantang in the middle of the year? What a coincidence – the Governor also led troops to that area in his early years, so we spoke a bit more about it, and then you arrived. Come quickly and pay your respects.”

Jiang Hanyuan greeted him formally. Chen Heng, seeing her sudden arrival, appeared extremely delighted, repeatedly saying he didn’t dare accept such courtesy. He rose from his seat to return the greeting, his eyes fixed on her: “Princess Consort must not embarrass this Chen. This Princess Consort’s reputation in battle has long reached my ears. Just now, I was regretting not being able to meet you, and unexpectedly, the Princess Consort has arrived. For the General to have such a daughter – what more could one ask from life!”

Jiang Zuwang glanced at his daughter and laughed heartily, continuing to be modest, but his expression showed considerable pride.

Tonight her father had company and was so cheerful – nothing could be better. Jiang Hanyuan naturally wouldn’t disturb them further and smiled: “Today the front lines are peaceful, and your niece had no affairs, so I came by. I’m fortunate to meet the Governor. The Governor need not be so polite – please return to your seat. Your niece won’t disturb you further.”

She took her leave and withdrew, returning to her quarters in Xixing Main Camp. Personal guards brought a warming brazier, hot water, and other overnight necessities. She brushed the accumulated snow from her clothes and boots, tidied up, and went to bed to rest.

The tent flaps were tightly closed, keeping out the ceaseless howling wind and snow. Soon, the tent interior warmed up as well.

The war had not yet arrived. This New Year’s Eve night was shrouded in a peaceful atmosphere both inside and outside the camp.

It should have been a good night for sleep, but listening to the wind and snow outside the tent, she couldn’t fall asleep.

He indeed hadn’t remembered.

But this was probably as it should be. At that time, she was only thirteen, still not recovered from the previous summer’s harsh sun exposure, dark and thin, showing no trace of a girl’s appearance.

How could he possibly connect that with her?

Or perhaps he had completely forgotten about that incident.

For her, it was love at first sight, lasting until now. But for him, it was like a tiny splash created by a pebble in the colorful river of life, fleeting, leaving not the slightest trace.

Jiang Hanyuan closed her eyes, tossing and turning on the bed. Finally unable to bear it, she got up, lit a lamp, and dragged out a trunk from under the bed, unlocking and opening it.

The trunk contained the flower garland she had brought.

This was his mother’s intention. No matter how they had quarreled that day, no matter how harshly he had spoken, she couldn’t casually discard it.

In this trunk, pressed at the very bottom, was another object.

Unlike this flower garland, it had been many years since she turned sixteen, and it had never been taken out.

It had always lain quietly at the bottom of the trunk, forgotten by her.

She hesitated, then finally slowly reached over, moved aside the covering clothes, and took out the jade pendant.

Many years had passed, yet it remained so warm and smooth, just like its owner. It lay quietly in her palm, initially cool, but soon merged with her and became warm.

Jiang Hanyuan’s fingertips gently caressed it. She seemed to become that young girl of years past again. She extinguished the lamp, took it back to bed with her, holding in her palm that gift the youth had given her long ago. Her heart filled with warm feelings, she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep to the sound of howling wind and snow outside the tent.

At the same moment in Chang’an, in the imperial palace, a grand palace banquet had just ended.

From the minor New Year until this New Year’s Eve night, besides the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue that the Regent Prince personally supervised, the officials of the Court of Imperial Entertainments were another group of the busiest people.

Tomorrow would be the grand court session of New Year’s Day in the third year of Tianhe. More than ten envoy missions from foreign lands had all arrived.

Tonight on New Year’s Eve, the young Emperor and Regent Prince held a banquet in the palace to entertain the missions. As usual, ministers accompanied the feast. That evening, except for Lan Rong, who was absent due to illness, all officials of the fourth rank and above were present. Fine wine and delicacies flowed like water, and palace ladies in gorgeous dresses performed splendid dances unseen by the foreign nations. Everyone was dazzled and watched in fascination, making the banquet atmosphere extremely lively.

The Regent Prince didn’t speak much, but whenever he needed to speak, the entire hall fell silent. As for those princes and envoys from foreign nations, they were even more respectful, unable to hide their admiration.

It was a joyous banquet, but considering it was New Year’s Eve and officials needed to return home to observe the new year, the palace banquet ended at the fourth quarter of the double-hour of xu. The Regent Prince accompanied the young Emperor out.

Shu Jian asked him to return early to rest, his attitude respectful.

Shu Shenhui said: “This subject seeks Your Majesty – there is something to discuss. Please, Your Majesty, move to the West Pavilion.”

That was the secondary hall of Xuanzheng Hall. Usually, after court sessions, the young Emperor and Regent Prince would continue there to summon ministers and handle various formal affairs.

Shu Jian agreed and walked toward the West Pavilion with a lowered head. Upon entering, as usual, he sat in his proper seat with Shu Shenhui below him.

“Third Imperial Uncle, what other matters do you have?”

After Shu Jian asked, he saw his eyes fixed intently on his face, as if appraising him. For the first time in his life, a floating sensation seemed to arise in his heart, and he didn’t dare meet his gaze.

He lowered his eyelids, slightly bowed his head, and remained motionless.

“Has Your Majesty had any worries these past days?”

Shu Shenhui asked.

Shu Jian immediately shook his head: “No! I’m fine! Third Imperial Uncle, please don’t worry…”

He raised his eyes to meet those two familiar gazes full of concern, then hurriedly explained: “It might also be that there have been too many matters recently, and I’m somewhat tired, causing Third Imperial Uncle to misunderstand.”

Shu Shenhui nodded: “It’s good that Your Majesty is well.”

He turned to survey this familiar West Pavilion, finally bringing his gaze back to rest on Shu Jian’s face, saying: “Your Majesty, after tonight passes, tomorrow will be the third year of Tianhe. Initially receiving the late Emperor’s trust, he removed his belt at his deathbed and entrusted Your Majesty to this subject. The late Emperor’s earnest instructions still ring in my ears as if yesterday. This subject, with his inadequate abilities, has presumed to occupy the position of regent. In the blink of an eye, it has been several years. Looking back on past events, it seems like yesterday.”

As he spoke, his expression was extremely serious.

Shu Jian stared at him blankly.

“Tonight, this subject asks Your Majesty to come here to inform Your Majesty that this subject requests to resign from the position of regent. Starting tomorrow on New Year’s Day, I will return governmental authority to Your Majesty.”