To the common people, the Empress was both familiar and unfamiliar.

Previous court notices had spread everywhere. Everyone knew that the former Emperor had passed away, a new Emperor had ascended the throne, and there was a new Empress.

This Empress was the daughter of Defense General Chu Wei.

But they had no specific thoughts about her—she was just the Emperor’s wife in the distant imperial palace.

At this moment, the city’s residents who had escaped death poured out to see the troops entering through the city gate, gazing at the young woman riding at the front—she was only about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a bow and crossbow on her back and a sword hanging from her saddle. Her garments were simple and covered in bloodstains.

She was General Chu’s daughter—a tigress born of a tiger.

She was Great Xia’s new Empress, but she wasn’t remote or above them.

General Chu guarded the border commanderies in Yunzhong, stopping the Western Liang army. His daughter had come from the distant imperial palace to kill the scattered Western Liang soldiers.

They had thought they were abandoned, never expecting the Empress herself would come to save them.

“Empress!”

“The Empress is mighty!”

“We kowtow in gratitude to the Empress for saving our lives!”

Countless voices, like snowflakes, swept through the city.

Ding Dachui, walking among the troops, felt his legs weaken. Fortunately, someone beside him caught him in time.

Ding Dachui turned to see it was his “wife.”

Madam Ding’s face remained covered, with the swirling snow making her features even more indistinct.

“You, you,” Ding Dachui couldn’t help whispering, “Did you guess that she, she—”

This girl was the Empress.

The Empress!

He hadn’t felt the slightest weakness in his legs when charging against the Western Liang soldiers, but hearing everyone shouting “Empress” made him want to kneel.

This girl had said her family was wealthy and powerful. He had guessed it was true, but he never could have imagined they were wealthy and powerful to this extent!

What should he do now?

Could this big fish still be caught?

Hmm—

Ding Dachui straightened his posture, looking at the woman holding his arm. If he immediately pushed her down and exposed her identity and malicious intent, wouldn’t that count as atoning for his crimes in front of the Empress?

…

…

After entering the city, Xie Yanlai led troops to eliminate nearby scattered Western Liang soldiers, while Chu Zhao went with officials to comfort wounded civilians. Fortunately, the city hadn’t fallen, so casualties weren’t too severe.

Chu Zhao personally bandaged the wounded.

The girl rolled up her sleeves, showing no fear of the raw, bloody wounds. Those who learned her identity were too anxious to thank her to even feel their pain.

Not until dusk fell did Chu Zhao return to the government office. She had just finished washing and changing clothes when Xie Yanlai arrived, covered in thick snow.

“Have you eaten? Is your wound bandaged?” Chu Zhao asked in rapid succession.

Xie Yanlai glanced at her, refusing to answer these useless questions, only saying: “The surrounding area has been cleared. Altogether there were about a hundred Western Liang soldiers.” He snorted. “It’s laughable that just a hundred could wreak havoc for so long.”

Chu Zhao sighed lightly: “It’s because they haven’t experienced warfare for a long time and were unprepared.” She looked up and asked, “Your wound—”

“I haven’t eaten. The wound has been treated,” Xie Yanlai impatiently interrupted her, then asked, “Is there anything else? If not, this subordinate will take his leave.”

As he spoke, he turned to leave.

Chu Zhao reached out to grab his sleeve. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Xie Yanlai looked at her askance, no longer walking away.

“Why didn’t you say earlier that we were reinforcements sent by my father?” Chu Zhao asked with a smile.

At that time, before she had approached, Xie Yanlai had already announced her identity to the city officials.

Throughout their journey, she had concealed her identity, not even revealing it to local garrisons when they hesitated to advance. Now, with their path clear, why expose her identity?

“I’m not blaming you,” Chu Zhao added. “I’m just saying, that would have enhanced my father’s reputation even more.”

Xie Yanlai scoffed: “Do I fear your blame?” He looked down at the girl coldly and said, “Your father is your father, and you are you. Although you’re father and daughter, you’re not one entity. Besides, your father is about to die. Once dead, his reputation will be gone. You’re still alive and must continue living. Compared to your father, you are the one who needs reputation more.”

With that, he shook his sleeve, freeing himself from Chu Zhao’s grasp, and strode out.

Chu Zhao stared at the fluttering door curtain, stunned and dazed.

She had always thought herself unfortunate, even after awakening to live again, holding onto a grudge. But at this moment, she gently exhaled that breath.

She was fortunate to meet someone in this life who thought of her welfare.

She raised her head and called out: “Attendant.”

Old Bai responded, entering and bowing to receive Chu Zhao’s orders.

Chu Zhao said: “Issue a decree announcing the Empress’s great victory in eliminating the Western Liang soldiers at Wangcheng.”

…

…

After leaving Chu Zhao, Xie Yanlai didn’t return to eat but went to another house.

The troops were stationed at the city gate, partly to maintain vigilance and partly to avoid disturbing the residents, as the city had just experienced a siege.

Only the women stayed with Chu Zhao inside the city.

As Xie Yanlai approached, bird calls sounded from the eaves, like birds startled into flight—

Xie Yanlai didn’t even look up, just pushed open the door with a bang. The cold air rushed in with him, startling the man and woman inside.

Ding Dachui sat in a chair, wide-eyed and rigid, seemingly forgetting to rise.

The woman—Madam Ding, quickly bowed after her initial shock: “Commander Xie.”

Xie Yanlai looked at the two and said calmly: “Uncle and Auntie, please don’t blame me for entering without invitation.”

Ding Dachui remained stiff, stammering: “—What?”

Madam Ding’s face was still covered, but her smiling eyes were visible as she took over from her husband, saying: “Commander Xie, you’re most wel—”

Before she could finish saying “welcome,” Xie Yanlai spoke again.

“—Since you, Madam Ding, already received warning of my arrival, there’s no need for me to announce myself again,” he said.

The tall, thin young man with his haughty expression hooked a chair with his long leg, sat down imposingly, and coldly regarded the pair.

When Xie Yanlai first arrived, he had inspected Ding Dachui and the others one by one, staring at each of them intently, not even sparing Madam Ding, and rudely asking why she covered her face.

Madam Ding had said she was injured, her face disfigured, and she feared frightening others and felt ashamed.

Xie Yanlai had laughed then: “Who are you afraid of frightening, Auntie? The people around you? If they’re frightened, they’re not worthy to be your companions. As for frightening others, isn’t that perfect?”

As he said this, Chu Zhao had poked him several times from behind. When he ignored her, she simply said she had other matters and pulled him away.

Afterward, Xie Yanlai hadn’t pursued the face-covering issue further, nor had he continued to stare at these kind-hearted hunters. He had directed them in battle formations, barking orders at them just like his own soldiers.

Until today, sitting here, looking at these two.

“Uncle Ding, why have you come here?” Xie Yanlai asked. “Aren’t you two supposed to be avoiding each other? On the road, you were more distant than strangers.”

“My husband twisted his arm,” Madam Ding said. “I was worried and asked him to come so I could check on him.”

She glanced at Xie Yanlai.

“In a marriage, what matters is the heart, not external appearances. We may look like strangers, but we’re concerned for each other.”

Why tell him this? Who cared how they interacted as a couple? Xie Yanlai snorted, raising his eyebrows: “Why did you twist your arm? I didn’t see Ding Dachui get injured during the charge and fighting.”

Though he addressed Ding Dachui, his eyes were on Madam Ding, with a faint smile at the corners of his lips.

Madam Ding lowered her gaze, poking Ding Dachui: “Tell him. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Poked by her, Ding Dachui remained stiff as he said: “Because I was frightened, I lost my balance, fell, and dislocated my shoulder.”

After he finished, Madam Ding continued: “We truly had no idea the young miss’s identity was so extraordinary—”

Xie Yanlai chuckled: “Auntie, don’t be so modest. What didn’t you anticipate? If you hadn’t anticipated something, would you have been persuaded by a mere girl to risk your lives for her?”

Madam Ding’s eyes seemed to contain laughter as she poked Ding Dachui again: “Husband—”

“Enough, Auntie, stop pretending,” Xie Yanlai interrupted her, saying, “You’re the one in charge. This Uncle Ding isn’t your husband, or if he is, he’s merely a puppet.”

Yes, he was a puppet, one that could be beaten at will. Finally, someone had seen through it. Ding Dachui’s eyes nearly welled with tears. This woman was the real mountain bandit! He wanted to shout it out, but—remembering how, when he had merely contemplated action, slightly shifting his posture, this woman had nearly torn him apart—

This Commander Xie might be evenly matched with this woman in a fight, but before they reached that point, she could easily finish him off.

Ding Dachui remained stiff, continuing to play the puppet.

Madam Ding lowered her head, the laughter in her eyes now impossible to conceal. Then she raised her head, looking at the young commander.

“Yes,” she said. “I am indeed in charge. We also guessed the young miss had an extraordinary identity, but Commander, we could never have guessed she was a phoenix among humans. This situation truly frightened us.”

Frightened? Xie Yanlai looked at the woman’s eyes, seeing no trace of fear, only joy—

“Do you think you’ve struck it rich?” he said flatly.

Madam Ding replied: “Yes, our luck has turned.” This time, without waiting for the young commander’s questioning, she continued, “People of our status originally only sought wealth. Now, encountering such an opportunity, we wish to seek fortune as well.”

Xie Yanlai looked at her. Since admitting she was in charge, this woman, though still appearing fragile, carried a different presence.

“Those who seek must know what to do and what not to do,” he said calmly.

Madam Ding didn’t answer, but with smiling eyes, asked in return: “Hasn’t the Commander personally witnessed our desire for wealth along the way? That’s why we can still sit here today.”

Xie Yanlai looked at this woman, showing neither pleasure nor anger.

Madam Ding showed no fear either, bowing solemnly: “Commander Xie, we live in infamy and hardship. To serve at the Empress’s side is an immense blessing from heaven. Please continue to observe our sincere desire for good fortune.”

“The one in charge is indeed extraordinary,” Xie Yanlai stood up, looking at this woman, and said ominously, “Since you know I’m watching, don’t blame me if, when I’m displeased, I cut off your heads—”

As he spoke, footsteps sounded outside.

“A-Jiu—” a female voice called.

Xie Yanlai’s cold face immediately showed impatience, but he didn’t answer.

The girl had already pushed open the door, her eyes bright with a smile.

“So you are here,” she said, beckoning to him. “I was just looking for you.”

Xie Yanlai said coldly: “This subordinate is not your attendant. If Your Majesty has orders, find Old Bai.”

Chu Zhao completely ignored his cold demeanor, grabbing his sleeve: “It’s an urgent matter, an extremely important matter that can’t be done without you. Come with me quickly.” With that, she walked out.

Fearing his sleeve would be torn, Xie Yanlai had to follow: “Chu Zhao! Mind your status.”

Chu Zhao turned back with a smile: “My status is lofty. Who can do anything to me?”

Xie Yanlai laughed: “Impressive, Miss A-Zhao. You’re not the same person who hesitated to leave the imperial city.”

Chu Zhao also laughed: “Alright, enough nonsense.” She looked back at the house, seeing Madam Ding standing at the door watching them leave. She smiled at her, then turned her gaze back to Xie Yanlai. “Why are you frightening them again?”

Xie Yanlai raised his chin, looking at her: “Do you think they believe you’re pretending to be deaf and blind?” He laughed coldly. “You’ve used them, shouldn’t you find out more about them?”

Chu Zhao knew that as soon as Xie Yanlai arrived, he had fixed his cat-like gaze on Ding Dachui and the other mountain bandits, his eyes scanning them until they nearly lost their souls. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Some things are better left unsaid,” she said. “I know they know, and they know I know. Isn’t that enough?”

At this point, she snorted.

“Back then, you insisted on making me admit everything, causing me to walk this path again today.”

The corners of Xie Yanlai’s eyes darkened: “I’m a coward who needs to expose all dangers. If Miss Chu isn’t afraid, feel free to do as you please.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode forward.

“Why are you angry?” Chu Zhao laughed, catching up to him. “I’m not blaming you. I’m not petty about past events, so don’t be so petty—”

The two, one ahead and one behind, grew more distant, their conversation becoming inaudible. But Madam Ding remained at the door, watching, the smile in her eyes overflowing.

“This Commander Xie is not bad,” she nodded.

Ding Dachui couldn’t help saying from behind: “He’s too fierce. How is that not bad?”

Fierce to them, and even fierce to that young miss.

“He’s fierce toward us because he’s concerned for that young miss, wanting to protect her completely,” Madam Ding said with a smile.

That’s why the young miss wasn’t afraid of him at all.

Madam Ding looked into the distance. The girl swayed as she walked beside the young commander, chatting and laughing. The commander kept his shoulders straight and his stride wide, seemingly ignoring her, but the hands behind his back were linked together, his little finger swaying back and forth.