Amid the roaring shouts, the siege tower struck the wall with earth-shaking force—the ground shook violently!

Small stones rained down from the high tower. Inside the curtained area, Qun Qing closed her eyes briefly, letting the flagpole break and fall, striking the hem of her skirt. “Lower the colored canopy!”

“Almost ready!” Zhu Su shouted.

“Fire crossbows!” The siege tower gradually blurred before Qun Qing’s eyes, along with the purple-robed figure atop it.

Zhu Ying stood on the siege tower as the city wall loomed before her.

Dense arrow rain shredded the air overhead.

…On Chang’an’s training grounds, that meticulous military officer used his bow to deflect flying arrows as he approached. Not daring to look at her, he knelt straight before Princess Changping. Wearing a worn, faded old robe, he was silent for a long while before saying words that surprised her: “Princess need not ask if I’m willing. In truth, I do know her. I’ve heard that the defending general’s old clothes were mended by Miss Zhu Ying. The stitches are even—every time I touch them, I feel comfort in my heart. To have such a meticulous woman as companion is my fortune. I’m willing to protect her for the rest of my life, never questioning.”

Amid smoke and battle cries, flames drifted.

…This man held her dry, cold hand, stepped over the fire basin, and in silence fulfilled his lifelong vow. Whatever she did, he never asked. He only boiled hot water when she went out, made the bed, and used spare moments to craft a sturdy wooden cradle.

People around her continuously took arrows, hot blood spattering as they cried out and fell from the tower…Splash, splash—the midwife placed the newborn baby girl in a golden basin to wash with hot water. The sound of water mixed with cries weak as a kitten’s: “So pale and thin, such a well-behaved child—came out without troubling your mother much. Don’t cry, washed in the golden basin, this little lady will have a fortunate destiny…”

This was merely a lump of flesh and blood. From the moment of birth, the mother-daughter bond was exhausted. At the time, curled up in bed, that’s what Zhu Ying thought. Treat her as rotted flesh carved away—yet she had limbs and would grow.

The siege tower struck the city gate heavily…No matter how many times forcefully pushed to the ground, the child with hair in twin tufts would always cry and crawl up, stretching out both hands to crash into her embrace.

Half the city’s plaque fell with a response. Bricks and tiles from atop the walls fell like rain.

Bean-sized raindrops rolled down. Stepping through the door, she saw the young lady’s figure gazing and waiting by the window. Seeing her, the girl grabbed an umbrella, climbed out the window, and held it over her head. In the young lady’s jet-black eyes gazing at her, pure childlike admiration filled them.

Amid creaking sounds, the siege tower pulled back.

She pushed her aside with one hand and limped into the rain. Looking back once, those eyes behind her opened wide, reflecting moonlight—containing worry, confusion, helplessness, and attachment. These eyes she so detested actually contained that expensive thing she had never received elsewhere.

She taught her to cut out the shape of flying birds, projecting secret messages onto the wall through window light.

“Mother. Good.” This was what the young lady spelled out. Her smile faded. She snatched away the paper in her hands. The young lady paused in confusion, then cut out “Mother good” again, casting it on the pure white wall curtain.

She coldly checked the mission content, then forged writing that was sick and weak. Finally, she carefully stamped the Flying Serpent seal on the paper, deploying this carefully polished jade piece.

The young lady submitted satisfactory answers. But on the replies, there were extra things—one after another, one after another. Clumsy flying birds persistently flapping their wings, all saying “Is Mother well?”

Zhu Ying had to admit she was not the continuation of her own bloodline, nor rotted flesh or clay figure. She and herself were truly different people. No matter how she strived to reshape her, there was still a force that diverged sideways.

She loved her. Regardless of who her father was, regardless of who she herself was, regardless of what mother could give—solely because of blood connection, because of similar fates, she loved her.

She had it innately.

She was born loving.

The siege tower moved forward again. Just then, from high atop the city wall, extremely rapidly, inch by inch, an enormous colored canopy unfurled downward.

The colored canopy was sewn and connected from a hundred bolts of various colored cloth, like a floral quilt. Having absorbed accumulated snow water, it hung drooping slightly, appearing dazzling and vivid in the light.

The expressions on the numb faces of the soldiers pushing the tower all changed.

Those floral patterns, auspicious cloud designs on colored silk—these were fine materials used to make New Year clothes for women and children. Hung on the city wall like this, it was as if many people were suspended there.

The siege tower’s wheels still clattered forward. The massive vehicle body, amid the killing sounds, struck heavily into the colored canopy, then immediately crushed it toward the city wall.

The soaked giant canopy blocked the momentum. After three strikes, the city gate remained unopened. This time, even the city wall didn’t shake once.

The siege tower gasped and pulled backward, but suddenly stopped with a creak, then suddenly moved no more.

Zhu Ying heard crying. Looking up, that colored canopy was already covered in bloody stains.

Low sobbing rose from the siege tower’s bottom level, slowly growing louder, gathering into helpless, mournful wailing.

Over forty days, day and night embracing cold and death. One surge of spirit—after seven attacks, finally exhausted!

Suddenly countless messages descended from the city, falling to earth like snowflakes.

Many unfamiliar faces suddenly appeared on the walls. These old people, young people, women and children standing together—many were family members that officials hadn’t been able to take when Crown Prince Zhao fled south years ago. Now, at Qun Qing’s request, they wrote family letters, wiped tears with raised sleeves, each calling their own relatives.

The killing intent had scattered. Clamor and arguing grew louder and louder.

A small eunuch held cloth, trembling as he climbed the city wall, reading loudly: “The Great Chen’s Crimson-Robed Envoy, Lord Qun, transmits: Twenty years without military conflict—this is His Majesty’s supreme benevolence. Though not beneficial to Nan Chu’s ancestral temple, the common people gained peace, the masses spared from torment. Is this not Heaven’s blessing, the fortune of ten thousand people? May the Zen Master discern clearly, may the Chu Emperor consider carefully!”—

Deep in Cloud Tower Gorge, all vegetation was white.

The clouds and fog gradually dispersed. On the snowy white ground lay bloodstains and severed limbs everywhere.

Yang Fu tightly held her pipa, fingers frozen like radishes. She rode on horseback, protected by two people, tightly following Ling Yunyi’s war horse.

The Second Prince chose this place for ambush with deliberate intent.

This gorge had fog. These past days when heavy fog rose, everything in all directions became completely white, obscuring vision—it became the Northern Rong’s hunting time.

When clouds and fog rose, the Commander discovered the compass needle spinning wildly, making direction impossible to discern. Archers from Northern Rong hiding in rock crevices used bone flutes to mimic hawk cries, frightening war horses to rear up. Northern Rong troops took advantage to charge up and slaughter.

Ling Yunyi barely led the army to escape. The Commander beat drums as signal. Forward scouts followed the drum sounds to respond, but Northern Rong also beat drums. Drum sounds surged from all directions. The scene immediately became chaotic. Light cavalry were mistaken for enemy cavalry and shot, with thousands lost in a short time.

Pipa music came from horseback, plaintively pleading—playing barbarian folk tunes. Though Northern Rong didn’t understand Han language, they understood barbarian music. All stood dazed. This allowed Ling Yunyi’s few thousand light cavalry to fight their way out.

The Princess was skilled with musical instruments, including barbarian music. This trembling barbarian tune traveled far on horseback amid enemy killing.

Afterward, Ling Yunyi gained experience—only advancing when fog cleared, remaining still to scout when fog rose. Taking hidden gorge paths, finally after several days, they saw shadows of the Second Prince’s remnant forces.

Aimed at them, besides remaining barbarian cavalry, were dozens of drawn strong bows with iron arrows nocked.

Ling Yunyi surveyed everyone, turned to have men stack oil barrels.

But Yang Fu suddenly said in a trembling voice, “General Ling Yun!”

Ling Yunyi’s eyes remained fixed forward.

Someone holding a command flag rode out separating the ranks.

She wore a crimson scarlet cloak and leather robes. Her hair was braided like Northern Rong women’s, yet solid gold shining hair ornaments proclaimed her extraordinary status.

She slowly removed her blue wolf mask, revealing a face weathered by vicissitudes yet still retaining charm.

Though so far apart, her hateful gaze still shot over like sharp arrows, nailing straight onto his face. Yet upon touching his features, it changed slightly.

“Prince Consort,” she examined Ling Yunyi, her gaze moving slightly. “You’ve aged so much—I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Behind Northern Rong’s Second Prince, directing military affairs, was indeed Princess Changping, Yang Yi.

“Retreat.” After a long while, Ling Yunyi said hoarsely. “If we pursue now to take the Second Prince’s head, it wouldn’t be difficult. But Princess… Princess Consort, you’re already married. I don’t wish to make you displaced again.”

Hearing this, the Second Prince flew into rage. Yet helpless due to circumstances, he snorted coldly, broke the command flag, and threw it into the fire. From the Northern Rong battle formation suddenly charged three hundred blind war horses, their tails bound with oil-soaked hemp rope. The people on the horses continuously cried out in wails.

“If you dare light fire, let them come meet you in battle.”

Seeing clearly that those “riders” convulsing on horseback were Great Chen prisoners of war with hands and feet nailed to saddles, everyone exclaimed in shock. Yang Fu cried out, “Elder Sister, these are all Middle Province people… Must we suffer mutual destruction? You weren’t like this before… Elder Sister, why not return to Nan Chu instead of helping Northern Rong!”

“Shut up!” Yang Yi’s gaze moved coldly toward Yang Fu. “How does the Yang family have such a worthless soft seedling like you! You dare appear before me! Became someone’s favored consort, living quite well, aren’t you? You haven’t tasted the feeling of nation destroyed, family ruined—I have.”

Yang Fu’s tears streamed down her face. After choking a long while, she trembled. “Elder Sister, do you think I lived well in the Chen palace? Precisely because I’ve tasted the bitterness of nation destroyed, family ruined—if I can prevent others from tasting this flavor, it counts as this fallen kingdom princess’s only contribution to the state.”

Years ago, the Seventeenth Princess, proud of her beauty, was so unworldly. Now her face bore weathering, even her character had changed. Yang Yi seemed unable to accept this realistic disparity. Enraged, her horse’s hooves trampled chaotically. “Get to the side! If you say more, I’ll have you killed right now!”

Yet this formerly weakest princess let out a breath, sobbing with closed eyes. “Then Elder Sister, take my life—step over my corpse to fight! If not for someone taking the blade for me, my life should have been claimed by Heaven when the nation fell.”

Yang Yi said sternly, “You asked for this. Fire arrows!”

Of course she wouldn’t retreat.

Now Northern Rong was at disadvantage. She never thought to defeat Great Chen’s tens of thousands with a thousand—that was impossible.

If she could use Northern Rong’s remnants to hold Great Chen’s main army, buying time for the Yunzhou battle situation, every additional person worn down would add one point to Nan Chu’s counterattack plan’s chances of success.

Only seeing her pillow companion of many years appear before her eyes, she felt shock and rage intertwined. Beneath fatigue was also endless excitement, almost unable to suppress her emotions.

Yang Yi wanted to see if she truly dared become a corpse. With one command, arrow tips broke through air toward Yang Fu.

In that instant of ten thousand arrows unleashed together, Yang Fu didn’t move. But suddenly someone rushed out to block before Yang Fu, cleanly and decisively receiving those hundred-some arrows.

That person was actually Ling Yunyi!

Yang Fu was shouting something. Ling Yunyi, already pierced by ten thousand arrows like a hedgehog, didn’t fall immediately but still stood upright on horseback, both eyes gazing at Yang Yi. He seemed to want to say something but ultimately couldn’t speak.

That instant of breath seemed stretched infinitely long.

Yang Yi almost couldn’t believe her eyes.

Ling Yunyi fell thudding to the ground, arrow shafts breaking, fresh blood overflowing from beneath black clothing.

He died just like that? Truly child’s play, she thought.

Even this hatred of many years hadn’t been carefully settled. Even battle hadn’t begun yet. Weren’t his bones very hard? Years of domestication never tamed this wolf. She thought having the ability to betray her, today he should have full preparation and abundant killing intent to punish her.

But she saw that besides Yang Fu, everyone else in the队 remained silently composed. Seeing this situation, they showed no shock or panic.

Moments later, the Commander rode forward with a letter. “General Ling Yun left a testament to inform Princess Changping.”

Yang Yi immediately looked toward him.

“Prince Consort Ling Yunyi, fortunate to be chosen by the Princess, twenty years of marriage, deep grace and love. For the people’s benefit, choosing the Northern land’s wise lord, betraying his wife’s deep trust, failing the Prince Consort’s duty—his spine cannot bear it, riches cannot be accepted. Many times sought death but couldn’t. Now knowing the Princess still lives, repaying with his life to the Princess, his heart’s wish fulfilled—how joyous! This was Yi’s only request in going to the Northern border battlefield. May all generals not obstruct.”

This testament was crumpled into a ball and shot to the ground before Yang Yi. Yang Yi looked down—on the silk, only the two blood-written characters “Grace Love” showed outside, trembling slightly in the wind.

“Princess Changping, we’ve informed you of the Prince Consort’s testament. His wish was to return this life to you in person. Since it was the commanding general’s order, we truly couldn’t obstruct.” The Commander clasped hands. “Next, we’ll no longer show mercy.”

“Sending a small thousand-man team in was just to probe the reality inside Cloud Tower Valley. Now that we’ve confirmed you only have this few troops left, the ten-thousand-man army outside need wait no longer. I’ve already transmitted orders for them to reinforce Yunzhou. If the Princess Consort wishes to fight, these few thousand of us will remain in the valley to die with you!”

With a wave of his hand, soldiers on both sides of the gorge cut the ropes. Barrels wrapped in black oil rolled down the ice face. Flames flared up. Falling snowflakes and thick fog were instantly reflected blood red.

“Retreat!” Yang Yi suddenly withdrew backward.

Since the delaying tactic was useless, remaining longer would result in mutual destruction. Moreover, sulfur drifted in the gorge’s air. Ling Yunyi must have tasted sulfur from the icicles. Fire attacking Northern Rong wouldn’t bring advantage.

The Second Prince also understood this point. Seeing valuables had been plundered, this year they should be able to winter. He ordered, “Go!”

Northern Rong officers and soldiers began fleeing north. The Commander didn’t pursue victory. Yang Yi used the command flag to pick up the testament, clutched it in her hand. Passing over that corpse on the ground, she looked deeply once, then rode north, never looking back again.

He would be left forever in this northern snowfield.

It seemed this had always been his wish. In the end, she’d made it easy for him.

Northern wind swept the ground, heavy snow assaulted the face, stinging painfully.

This truly wasn’t the reconciliation Yang Yi had imagined. But she was no longer the young master with intense love and hate from years past. There was still son Ling Yunnuo’s future to bear. Only, for many years, the pillar condensed from hatred was suddenly removed. The strong fighting will gathered from it also scattered like smoke and sand on this long northward journey—

“Coming, coming!” A courier rider galloped madly.

Qun Qing was extremely focused until news passed from person to person. A wave of thunderous cheers spread from afar closer until she heard clearly that joyful content: “Madam! Madam! Reinforcements have arrived!”

“Really?” She lifted the curtain just as Zhu Su came running over in wild joy.

“Absolutely certain!” Zhu Su said. “Northern Rong retreated! General Ling Yun and his close light cavalry died in battle, but the Vice Commander brought the remaining troops—already reached Huaiyuan!”

Wild joy ignited the will to live in those on the walls. Seeing this situation, below the city boiled even more. Countless abandoned armor.

“Zen Master!” Ling Yunnuo climbed atop the siege tower again, walking before Zhu Ying with grave expression. His lips were cracked. Looking at the devastation covering the siege tower, he finally spoke. “Retreat. We just received news. Northern Rong… defeated…”

“Young Master!” Zhu Ying said. If they charged forward desperately now, victory wasn’t entirely impossible.

“Don’t advise me anymore!” Ling Yunnuo’s face was pale. “Since I’m already the ruler, I should have my own governance strategy. Nan Chu still has several provinces to look after. This battle consumed too much vitality. Future development—taking back Chang’an isn’t the only path. I don’t want Mother to suffer for me anymore. I want to bring her back!”

Looking at the defeat message, Zhu Ying momentarily had no words to refute.

“Retreat—” War drums beat.

Seeing the siege tower retreat, the defending generals on the walls almost couldn’t believe they’d actually defended Jinling. They’d won! But these dozens of days were undoubtedly grueling. The defending generals sat or leaned, crying out loudly, roars shaking heaven, then weeping in grief.

Amid the boiling sound throughout the city, Qun Qing slowly stood up. Numb legs stepped over broken walls and ruins. She slowly bent to pick up the battle flag from the ground. With a flip of her hand, she re-erected it by the wall, making Yunzhou’s city flag flutter again under blue sky.

“Our Young Master agreed to the Great Chen Emperor’s peace negotiation.” Zhu Ying gazed at that figure. “Crimson-Robed Envoy, come here. Come to the command tent to talk. Let me see what you look like.”

Qun Qing must have heard, because after calmly planting the flag, she disappeared from atop the wall with that small eunuch.

Soon, the towering city gate slowly opened a crack. Qun Qing calmly walked out, vermilion robes flowing, golden belt binding her waist. But approaching the battle line, she stopped again. At this distance, Zhu Ying still couldn’t see her face clearly.

Qun Qing said, “I have duty bound responsibilities. I can only walk to here, cannot enter the tent. Please ask the Young Master to come sign the peace agreement. Both nations’ officers and soldiers will witness.”

Helplessly, Ling Yunnuo brought two trusted aides, carrying the seal, and descended from the tower. Qun Qing stared, seeing that blood-red seal touch the icy paper, then immediately retrieved the treaty. Ling Yunnuo seemed to want to say more. Qun Qing said, “Eunuch Liang will pass over the national gifts and hostage roster. Three days hence at this place, we’ll exchange hostages.”

With that, she performed a shallow bow, turned to return to the city, never glancing again at the Nan Chu army.

Zhu Ying’s eyes moved. Ultimately, she watched that slender back gradually move farther away.

“Zen Master.” Ling Yunnuo returned to her side. In his open palms lay a small sheep-head sachet, should have been often held and touched—already washed somewhat worn.

Zhu Ying said nothing, taking that sachet.

Twenty years’ treaty—this might be the only meeting between her and her daughter in the next twenty years, perhaps eternal farewell—

Firecrackers inside the city continuously sounded, resonating day and night throughout Yunzhou City.

Qun Qing had originally been helping Lu Huating remove his hair crown when the door was knocked on loudly. Qun Qing had to put down the wooden comb. Opening the door, she saw Su Run struggling to embrace a basket heaping full of taro roots squeezing inside. She hurried to push him out. “This is for Princess Danyang, right?”

“It’s for you, Madam!” But Su Run had already forcibly circled around her, smiling as he placed the basket inside the shelter.

The floor was already piled with wild vegetables and local products. The cramped shelter had almost nowhere to step.

“Outside they’re all spreading—how Crimson-Robed Envoy Lady at the end, with her three-inch tongue, talked back the Nan Chu Young Emperor, repelled seventy thousand troops. Drama scripts are already being written. In the city, clothing and jewelry similar to your official robe color are all trending—nearly driven mad by city women and children snatching them up.”

Qun Qing was silent briefly, feeling absurd. “Where do such rumors come from? Clearly it was the officers and soldiers on the walls defending to the death. I only came the last few days. Why not explain?”

Su Run repeatedly apologized for the disturbance and withdrew.

Lu Huating watched the two in the mirror, slowly raising a smile. “Nan Chu already lost—how can I cheaply claim good reputation? Might as well give it to you.”

After brief consideration, thinking this was Zhu Ying’s instruction, Qun Qing lowered her eyes, no longer speaking.

Even now she didn’t know Mother’s thoughts, but no longer let this matter disturb her heart.

What should be done as child and daughter—she’d already done everything.

“Aren’t you unable to hear?” Qun Qing walked before Lu Huating, somewhat puzzled.

He’d been unconscious for several full days. Using all the ice blocks and Cold Fragrance Pills’ power finally brought the high fever down. When he woke, she learned this heart-wrenching fact from the physician’s mouth.

This person refused to show weakness. Sometimes she truly hoped he was pretending—always better than her heart suffering this torment.

Lu Huating suddenly smiled, gaze falling on her face. “Can’t I read lips? Wife, say two more sentences to try? I’ll still guess correctly.”

Qun Qing leaned close to look at her. “Half-edge lotus, lotus half-edge, half-edge lotus by mountain stream’s edge. Half-edge sky came with a sickle, picking half a basket of half-edge lotus.”

Lu Huating: “…”

He stared at her slightly moving lips. But seeing laughter in her eyes, starry eyes divinely flying, he suddenly pulled her downward, bit her lips, blocking the unfinished words.

Qun Qing was held sitting on his lap. Such straddling was quite indecent. She immediately wanted to adjust position but was restrained at the lower back by him.

“You so enjoy playing games with me, then let’s play one.” Lu Huating lifted her up slightly, adjusting position. “Wife, release your hands. Don’t support me. If you touch me, you lose. Agreed?”

Qun Qing paused, removing the hands circling his neck. Cooperation counted as her favoritism and care.

Candlelight swayed. Sweat beads spread across Qun Qing’s forehead, rolling down her neck. This was absolutely the most difficult night to endure. She bit down on her breath, grasping his shoulder. He then stopped, steadied his breathing, and by her ear said, “You violated the rule. Wife practices martial arts—you should be able to persist longer than me, right?”

This person was malicious, displaying it to the extreme especially now.

Qun Qing’s lashes grew moist. She truly had no strength. But having agreed, she couldn’t go back on her word. She recovered for a long while, forcibly loosened her fingers, and together with him sank into this dizzy snowy night—

Thirty carts fully loaded carried hostages returning to Chang’an. Qun Qing checked identities one by one. With no errors, she followed the decree to return.

Some elderly palace servants never thought they’d have opportunity to return to Chang’an to reunite with family. They continuously used sleeves to wipe tears.

Li Huan issued decree—Danyang had merit, already promoted to Princess Protector of the Nation. Ceremonial guards were dispatched to welcome her, traveling at the very front.

At Danyang’s strong invitation, Qun Qing and Lu Huating shared one carriage.

The ceremonial guards’ magnificence exceeded Qun Qing’s knowledge. Inside could seat twelve or thirteen people. So the carriage behind was borrowed by Qun Qing to carry that group of uncared-for young hostages.

Lowering the curtain, Qun Qing asked, “After Princess returns, what do you plan to do?”

Danyang said, “Returning to the palace is showing face. I still don’t like the Great Brightness Palace. Thinking since I’m good at engineering, I shouldn’t waste it. I plan to organize reconstruction of these several Yunzhou cities, build some water conservancy. In any case, with this Princess title, wanting to ask His Majesty for money should be much easier.”

Qun Qing nodded. This was quite good. Danyang now had radiance on her face, smile blooming like flowers—looking completely different from that first meeting when drunk, like two different people.

“What do you two plan to do in future?” Danyang asked again.

Qun Qing: “Return to the palace.”

Lu Huating: “Leave the palace.”

Based on Danyang’s facial expression, seeing the two’s answers differed, he turned his head to look at Qun Qing, smiling yet not smiling. “Isn’t Wife too heartless? What’s good about this official position? I’m already like this, yet still have to return to be an official.”

Mentioning this matter, Qun Qing’s heart also felt pressed by a large stone. Grasping his hand, she couldn’t help defending. “After I escort the hostages back, hand over Palace Wardrobe Bureau affairs to others, we’ll go to the northern lands.”

Since Weimabi was Northern Rong’s property, she believed approaching that area might allow investigation into Yearning Inducer’s solution.

Outside suddenly came childish calling: “Crimson-Robed Envoy!”

Qun Qing lifted the carriage curtain to look back. Calling her from the rear carriage was a girl child with twin tufts of hair.

The young lady lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. She wore red jacket and skirt, holding in her hands a Crimson-Robed Envoy-shaped sugar figurine. Seeing Qun Qing look over, she said, “Zen Master Grandmother said you’re the one who brought us back to Chang’an. You’re a palace lady—do you know my mother?”

“I know her.” Qun Qing looked at Yun’er, calmly saying, “Your mother is named Xu Lin. She was once a Registrar female official of the Six Palaces.”

Longing appeared on Yun’er’s face. “Is Registrar very impressive?”

“To become Registrar requires passing six examinations. All of the Palace Administration Bureau’s archives are managed by your mother. For several years, never once making an error. Do you say she’s impressive?”

Yun’er listened seriously. “Then I’ll also be as meticulous as Mother in future… Does she think I’m too stupid? Why has she never replied to my letters?”

Qun Qing momentarily didn’t know how to respond.

“Your mother said she has a beloved daughter named Yun’er. She entrusted me to definitely bring her back to Chang’an.”

Yun’er smiled again, crescent moon eyes full of joy.

Suddenly, at this moment, Qun Qing again heard skylark calls by her ear.

Skylarks were tools for transmitting missions between spies. She was extremely sensitive to this sound. Immediately from spine to fingertips, she froze. Looking back, she indeed saw a skylark catch up, land on her shoulder, and a small bamboo tube rolled into her hand.

Qun Qing caught that small bamboo tube, twisted it open to look. Inside was a paper message, only no longer hidden in a wax pellet but bound with red thread. Qun Qing tremblingly opened the paper. On it was actually Zhu Ying’s handwriting:

“That day’s marriage joy, high hall did not attend. Belated gift presented, serving as supplement. Know that Yearning Inducer is not without solution. Since you chose a good man yourself, may daughter enjoy white-haired harmony to old age, peacefully enjoy fragrant years, don’t follow mother’s path to disaster.”

From the bamboo tube also fell a tiny porcelain bottle.

Inside the porcelain bottle was the antidote that could suppress Yearning Inducer! Qun Qing gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, suddenly raised her head. The skylark had already flapped wings flying to high sky, chirping crisply in circles, as if bidding her farewell.

Skylarks flew in flocks across blue firmament, passing by this procession of carriages slowly returning to Chang’an.

Those birds one by one carved on paper ultimately came alive, flying into Mother’s heart…