The tenth day of the first month. This was the first court assembly after the New Year’s rest period, and with the events of recent days, all officials entered the palace early, only to make a wasted trip. The young emperor didn’t appear at the morning court, with only a word sent that he was feeling unwell. Not only that, but the Regent Prince also still hadn’t shown himself.

Since there was no court session, officials could routinely withdraw and go to their respective offices to work. However, Fang Qing received news that Gao He and others weren’t leaving and, knowing the young emperor was in the imperial study, had pursued him there. Fang Qing naturally didn’t withdraw either and followed along. When he arrived, he saw the young emperor seated in his position while Gao He led others in formation, already kneeling on the ground with memorials raised high in their hands, passionately making their case.

“The court has only recently achieved stability and should maintain the situation, continuing to allow the people to recover, rather than exhausting them with military expenses and warlike policies!”

“Just as Chi Shu has now ascended the throne and dares not offend our Great Wei’s heavenly authority, actively sending envoys to seek peace—this is a heaven-sent opportunity. I’ve heard this person murdered his brother to seize the throne, and he cannot command respect. Currently, within the Di court, multiple factions still exist. If we rashly deploy troops now, we would instead prompt the Di court to reconcile and unite against external threats—Great Wei would gain nothing. Better to go with the flow and agree, watching the Di court’s internal strife, letting them kill each other until both sides are injured. By then, our Great Wei’s national strength will have accumulated even more than now. When Your Majesty gives the command and dispatches armies northward, wouldn’t that ensure certain victory?”

Though he had semi-retired these past years, his previous military achievements were illustrious. In terms of both experience and prestige, during Emperor Ming’s reign, apart from Prince Gao, he ranked highest. His words carried considerable weight. This speech not only drew strong support from the ministers kneeling behind him in remonstrance, but even among those who had come with Fang Qing, some were persuaded and began discussing in low voices, finding his arguments reasonable.

Fang Qing didn’t know why the Regent Prince hadn’t attended court today. He had already secretly sent someone to request his presence and was anxiously waiting. Seeing Gao He’s behavior and everyone looking at him, he had no choice but to step forward. After kowtowing to the young emperor, he said carefully, “Minister Gao’s words naturally have merit. However, according to my knowledge, the Beidi people are without loyalty or righteousness, gathering only for profit and dispersing when unprofitable. These are people who know nothing of civilization, each with their agenda, now merely gathered under Chi Shu’s banner due to intimidation. Whether they would abandon internal strife to unite against external pressure when faced with a strong military force remains to be seen. Moreover, regarding Chi Shu—what kind of person he is and what methods he employs, the Regent Prince has been preparing for war for a long time and presumably understands deeply. If we don’t fight now and the Di court doesn’t end up mutually destroying each other, but instead Chi Shu consolidates his position, the situation would then be difficult to handle.”

With Fang Qing’s words, those who had been wavering again found them reasonable.

Gao He’s face showed displeasure as he said to Fang Qing: “What do you mean? Are you implying I’m working against the court’s interests?”

Fang Qing denied this: “Minister Gao, please don’t take offense. I’m merely expressing my thoughts.”

Gao He suddenly kowtowed to the young emperor again: “Your Majesty! I originally only wanted to peacefully care for my aged mother and live out my remaining days. I now speak out purely from a minister’s duty. I dare not comment on the Regent Prince’s position—the Regent Prince has his reasons. However, I’m not cowardly about war. I once followed Emperor Shengwu in campaigns north and south, risking life and death. If the court has need and Your Majesty trusts me, I’m willing to immediately don armor and take the field!”

As his words ended, he suddenly tore open his official robe, baring his torso and pointing to exposed old scars: “These are proof of my loyal and devoted heart! Military affairs are grave, concerning national destiny. Please, Your Majesty, think carefully!”

His voice was loud and his actions dramatic, creating an overwhelming presence. The imperial study immediately fell silent.

Fang Qing secretly glanced at the young emperor on his seat. He remained silent.

He truly couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. At this point, he dared say nothing more and could only remain quiet.

“I humbly request Your Majesty immediately order Yanmen to withdraw troops!” Gao He straightened his clothes and spoke again.

“We humbly request Your Majesty!”

A chorus of unified voices responded throughout the imperial study.

Where exactly had the Regent Prince gone?

Fang Qing quietly raised his eyes and saw the young emperor seem startled awake by this chorus of remonstrance. He moved slightly, raised his eyes, seemingly looking toward the memorial Gao He held, causing Fang Qing’s heart to race with nervousness.

“Your Majesty!” Gao He was about to rise from the ground to present his memorial when he heard the slow sound of a door opening behind him.

Fang Qing spun around abruptly, his previously anxious heart finally settling.

Shu Shenhui, who hadn’t appeared for several days, had finally arrived.

He personally and slowly pushed open the door, appearing outside the imperial study.

Soon, everyone else also turned to look in that direction.

All around was completely quiet. Under everyone’s gaze, he stepped inside, stopped before the young emperor, bowed to him, and without looking left or right, simply said: “Everyone withdraw.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried incomparable authority.

Fang Qing came to his senses, greatly relieved, immediately bowed with those behind him, then quickly withdrew.

Those who had been kneeling on the ground now secretly glanced at Gao He, not daring to breathe.

Gao He slowly rose from the ground, his figure somewhat stiff.

“I have matters to discuss with His Majesty. What’s this—do you intend to eavesdrop?”

Shu Shenhui’s gaze swept over him once as he spoke coldly.

Gao He’s face showed embarrassment as he bowed slightly and said, “I wouldn’t dare.”

He glanced at the young emperor once, then slowly headed outside. The remaining people hastily scrambled up, chaotically competing to bow to Shu Shenhui before hurriedly following him out. Soon, the imperial study that had seemed cramped from being full of people became spacious again.

“If I told Your Majesty that I harbor no disloyalty toward you, would Your Majesty believe it?”

Shu Shenhui looked at Shu Jian and asked this question.

Morning sunlight streamed through the southern window of the imperial study. Light and shadow dappled, and his eyes also held gentle laughter, no longer showing the stern anger he had displayed toward the group of ministers.

Shu Jian slowly stood up from his seat and stammered: “I believe…”

Shu Shenhui nodded: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s trust. I am deeply grateful.”

He took out a rolled document, walked before Shu Jian, placed it on the desk, and with his slender fingers, slowly unrolled the scroll.

“This is an edict—the second matter Your Majesty and I agreed upon on New Year’s Eve. It should have been issued on New Year’s Day, but it’s been delayed for so many days. If not sent out soon, the Yanmen army might become suspicious, which would be detrimental to military morale.”

“I request Your Majesty deploy troops. Now is the best opportunity. Please, Your Majesty, review this. If there are no objections, you may sign and seal it, then hand it to the Secretariat for distribution and implementation by various departments.”

Shu Jian showed no response.

Shu Shenhui waited for a moment: “If Your Majesty doesn’t object, I’ll take that as permission.”

He opened the brocade box containing the imperial seal on the desk, took out the great seal, and stamped it on the document.

After sealing, he examined the edict carefully, then put it away and said: “I heard Your Majesty felt unwell this morning, perhaps due to excessive worry. Since Your Majesty trusts me and won’t permit my resignation from regency, I’ll exhaust this useless body to serve Your Majesty a while longer.”

“I take my leave.”

He respectfully bowed to Shu Jian, stepped back a few paces, then turned to leave. He heard Shu Jian murmur behind him: “Third Imperial Uncle, must it be this way?”

Shu Shenhui stopped, slowly turned his head, and met Shu Jian’s slightly reddened eyes.

He looked at Shu Jian and nodded: “It must.”

“Your Majesty, the timing for this war has arrived and cannot be missed.”

“We must fight!”

After Shu Shenhui finished speaking, he left.

He knew that what he had just asked about wasn’t this war he could no longer control.

Yet this was how his uncle had answered him.

Shu Jian watched Shu Shenhui’s figure disappear, motionless.

He believed in Third Imperial Uncle—he truly did! The reason he had wavered about starting the war wasn’t because of that testament. If Third Imperial Uncle could temporarily halt the military campaign, he would have sufficient confidence to ignore that testament from his father emperor.

Shu Jian emphasized this to himself once again in his heart.

But there was no such possibility.

Shu Jian felt that though his uncle seemed to maintain the same attitude toward him as before, he had already abandoned him. He had become a stranger, no longer the familiar person he once was.

At this moment, Shu Jian was tightly gripped by enormous feelings of loss, anxiety, and even something like fear. At this time, he thought of Jiang Hanyuan again.

If she were here, how wonderful that would be. She would surely believe him and understand his difficulties. But when he thought that she might now be waiting for the court’s military deployment order, and if she knew he was hesitating about starting the war, how would she view him?

Shu Jian felt utterly dejected, completely dispirited, and slumped down weakly.

Yanmen.

In the blink of an eye, most of the first month of the third year had passed. During the harsh winter, thick ice and snow had accumulated on the roads. With the clear weather of recent days and constant movement of horses and soldiers, the ice and snow had slowly begun to melt. However, the anticipated court appointments and formal war orders had still not arrived.

Initially, everyone in the army simply waited, thinking the court had many affairs and was temporarily delayed. But with news that arrived several days ago, the entire military camp began stirring with unrest.

Jiang Hanyuan was at Qingmu Camp on this day. All soldiers in the camp had long been ready for deployment. When the time came to deploy troops, this would be a necessary passage. Qingmu Camp would serve as one of the middle route advance units, leading the march northward.

In the afternoon, she was on horseback patrolling the front lines when Zhang Jun hurried over, saying the main camp had sent word that the general was calling her over.

Jiang Hanyuan immediately rushed back.

She arrived at evening, stopping her horse outside the camp gates and encountering Zhou Qing, who had just finished directing soldiers in moving supplies. She smiled and called out “Uncle Zhou.”

After the battle plans were set and commanders assigned, Zhou Qing had originally wanted to compete for the middle route, but Jiang Zuowang, worried about his previous injuries, assigned him to lead the right flank army—a chance to redeem his earlier disgrace. He had no choice but to accept. Seeing her arrive, his eyes lit up as he quickly stepped forward, immediately saying: “Changning, these past days word has come that the newly ascended Chi Shu up north is playing tricks, wanting to cease hostilities and make peace with the court. Gao He is vigorously promoting this, and the court is reconsidering the plan! Is this true? Do you have any news from the Regent Prince?” After asking, he cursed Gao He: “That surnamed Gao—either the barbarians scared him witless, or he has ulterior motives. At this crucial moment, he believes the little barbarian’s lies!”

This rumor had recently exploded throughout Qingmu Camp as well, and Jiang Hanyuan had learned of it immediately. Her father’s sudden summons today should be about this matter.

She gave vague responses and quickly walked toward the central command tent.

News of her arrival spread, and soon many commanders gathered outside the tent, with soldiers slowly assembling as well.

Jiang Zuowang had indeed called her for this matter, frowning as he said: “The army has been restless lately. With a major battle imminent, we’ve been mobilizing day and night, just waiting for the court’s final edict. If they truly call a halt, this momentum will be lost. Aside from affecting morale, I worry we actually can’t stop for long. If war resumes later, the enemy and our situations might be completely different. Sisi, do you have any definite news from the Regent Prince about this matter?”

Whenever deep night fell and she lay alone in her tent, unable to sleep, Jiang Hanyuan would think of him with closed eyes. This kind of insomnia was completely different from her previous poor sleep due to nightmares.

Recently, because of this news, she had repeatedly recalled the scene when he discussed this promise with her—his gaze and tone.

He possessed a quality that made her completely trust him, as stable as Mount Tai.

Setting aside grand principles about family and nation, even from personal feelings, Jiang Hanyuan deeply believed that what he had promised her would never change. She had never doubted this.

The reason court war orders were delayed must be due to other causes—it couldn’t be that he had changed his mind. As long as his intention remained unchanged, let alone one Minister of War, even if young Emperor Shu Jian didn’t want to fight, he couldn’t stop his uncle’s actions.

She heard low, whispered conversations from soldiers outside the tent.

“Is the court not fighting anymore?”

“If they truly stop fighting indefinitely, that’s fine too. We just fear stopping now only to resume later. Preparing for war day and night—when will it ever end…”

“General Changning just arrived. Isn’t she the Regent Prince’s consort? She might already have news! Let’s wait and see!”

Jiang Zuowang glanced outside and said quietly: “You’ve had a hard journey. Rest first. Father will go out and tell them all to disperse.”

As he was about to leave the tent, Jiang Hanyuan said, “Father, tell them the war order will arrive soon! They mustn’t relax—just wait!”

Jiang Zuowang looked at her.

“Before we parted, he promised me this. He has no reason not to fight.”

Her tone was extremely firm.

Jiang Zuowang considered briefly, then went out and reassured the crowd accordingly. The soldiers understood this likely meant the Regent Prince’s consort had inside information, and their recent restlessness finally calmed. Just as they were about to disperse, commotion suddenly arose outside the main camp as a messenger rushed in to report: “General! An imperial edict from the court has arrived, commanding the general to come out and receive the decree!”

Jiang Zuowang quickly went out, leading his officers to the camp gates, where he saw a group of horsemen stopped there. Indeed, these were relay messengers who had traveled from Chang’an in urgent relays and just arrived with the long-awaited imperial edict.

The current emperor appointed Jiang Zuowang as Grand Marshal of Military Forces, granted him the tiger tally, and bestowed upon him the Imperial Sword of Authority, allowing him to select and appoint officers at his discretion. He was to choose an auspicious day to deploy troops from Yanmen and recover the northern territories.

Jiang Zuowang knelt to receive the edict. That night, the news spread, and the interconnected camps that had been gathering here since year’s end for battle erupted in celebration. Soldiers cheered, and military morale soared. Jiang Zuowang also convened an overnight meeting of military commanders to determine the deployment date, arrange pre-battle inspections, and officially announce the war’s commencement.

This pre-battle meeting lasted until deep into the night.

Jiang Hanyuan was the last to leave, watching her father. He stood before the sand table, bending down to place small flags at various strategic points, showing no signs of fatigue. After coughing a few times and suppressing it, his spirits were extremely vigorous, and he seemed to have suddenly grown ten years younger.

She knew this day he had hoped for half his lifetime had finally arrived. She felt somewhat gratified but somehow also carried a touch of melancholy.

She stood to the side, quietly keeping him company.

After Jiang Zuowang finished reviewing the strategy once more, he looked up to see his daughter still there and urged, “Why are you still here? It’s late—go rest quickly!” Seeing his daughter hesitate to speak, he suddenly understood and hurried to say: “Father will rest too! Don’t worry—Father is fine now and won’t delay the war!”

Last year, Shu Shenhui had summoned skilled physicians who, though not as capable as her uncle, had examined her father and prescribed new medicines, which he had been diligently taking according to medical instructions.

Jiang Hanyuan nodded: “Good.”

She left her father’s main tent and walked slowly in the night wind, gazing at the scattered campfires dotting the vast connected camps in the distance, her emotions surging. When she reached her sleeping quarters, she saw a personal guard leading someone over, saying: “General, someone from Chang’an arrived tonight, claiming to bring something for the princess consort on the Regent Prince’s orders.”

The person stepped forward, bowing and addressing her as Princess Consort. Jiang Hanyuan recognized him—it was Wang Ren, the head of guards from the princely residence. Surprised, she asked what he had brought.

Wang Ren untied a tightly bound package from his person, presented it with both hands, and respectfully said: “Reporting to Princess Consort, this is the item.”

Jiang Hanyuan took it, weighing it slightly and feeling that what was wrapped inside seemed to be a long case or similar object. Suppressing her confusion, she nodded and thanked him for his trouble, then asked: “Did he have any message?”

“Indeed. His Highness said that when he first sought to marry the Princess Consort, he prepared this item. Now sending it again, he requests that Princess Consort keep it safe for future use.”

After listening, Jiang Hanyuan was even more puzzled and asked: “Did he say anything else?”

Wang Ren shook his head: “That was everything. Fearing delays on the road, I came personally to deliver it directly to the Princess Consort. With the item delivered, I’ll return tomorrow morning.”

By the light of nearby torches, Jiang Hanyuan saw he was dust-covered and weary-looking, clearly having traveled urgently. She quickly had her guard take him to rest while she took the item and entered her tent, eagerly unwrapping the outer cloth to reveal a long case.

This was a sword case—she had seen it before and wasn’t unfamiliar with it. She had already guessed what was inside.

She quickly opened the case lid, and indeed, that familiar betrothal blade immediately came into view.