“She has grand ambitions!”

Steward Cai said in a deep voice.

Xie Yanfang’s lips held a slight smile as he looked through the victory reports. He’d even brought out the military banners and placed them on the table to examine. He said, “Actually, these are all facts without any exaggeration. It truly was she who led the troops to execute the scattered Western Liang soldiers and rescue the local city and its people. Such a great achievement deserves to be proclaimed in victory bulletins. This will also reassure the people and maintain stability in the imperial court.”

Steward Cai said, “If it were a man, doing this would certainly be appropriate. If it were a military officer, even if it were Chu Wei, this would also be fine. But she, Chu Zhao—”

She, Chu Zhao, is female.

She, Chu Zhao, has already become Empress.

Isn’t it enough to sit properly in the imperial palace, being virtuous and dignified, serving as the mother figure to the empire as Empress?

Must she personally lead troops to battle and achieve military glory?

What does she want?

“She ascended the throne together with the Emperor; she sits with the Emperor in court, constantly standing before the court officials, and now she wants to stand before the entire world. She’s simply not content with staying in the rear palace. She’s trying to overshadow her host,” Steward Cai said angrily. “Third Young Master, what she’s doing is taking advantage of A-Yu’s young age. If he were an adult, no, even if he were just her age, how could she dare act this way?”

Xie Yanfang listened silently, then sighed softly: “Steward Cai, in this world, there are no ‘ifs’.”

He raised his eyes to look at Steward Cai.

“This is the reality now, so there’s no point in being indignant.”

Steward Cai looked at him and let out a long sigh: “Young Master, you never seem anxious or angry about anything.”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “Of course, I get anxious and angry too, but things have already happened this way, and being anxious or angry won’t help. We might as well save our energy for other matters.”

“But Chu Zhao hasn’t just done this one thing. Earlier, we tried to stop the victory bulletins, saying we should just report the victory and discuss the Empress’s involvement after court deliberations. But what happened? The postal station didn’t stop them. How did Chu Zhao manage to—” Steward Cai couldn’t let it go.

Xie Yanfang interrupted him: “However she managed it, she must have her abilities, and besides, we didn’t suffer any losses in this matter.”

That was true. Steward Cai stopped talking, but this woman’s actions revealed great ambitions. Currently, her actions didn’t concern them, but what if they did in the future?

Xie Yanfang smiled: “We’ll deal with that when it happens.”

Steward Cai studied Xie Yanfang: “Young Master, you seem to be in a good mood?”

Because of this matter?

Xie Yanfang raised his head, his eyes full of joy: “Today, A-Yu looked at me.”

Steward Cai was stunned for a moment. A-Yu, the young Emperor? Looked at him? Didn’t the Third Young Master and the young Emperor see each other every day? What was so joyful about being looked at?

“He didn’t see me before,” Xie Yanfang said softly. “He wouldn’t even look at me properly, and would immediately turn away when he saw me.”

Because the child hated him, resented him, and kept him at a distance.

“But I’m not worried. I still love him and protect him. I will let him see my intentions, which are only for him.”

“Today, I made him look at me once, so he was willing to look at me once.”

With this one look, there would be many more in the future, until he could enter the child’s view and heart.

When that time came, everything would return to its proper course.

As for Miss Chu’s actions, there was no need to pay attention to them.

Miss Chu’s actions could only be described as guests making noise. No matter how noisy the guests were, they were still guests. The master of this Great Xia was Xiao Yu.

What he, Xie Yanfang, wanted was to be the master.

The current situation was good. The guest was outside, and the guest could become a bridge for him to get closer to Xiao Yu.

Xie Yanfang looked at Steward Cai with a smile.

“This is the happiest moment I’ve had since the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s incident.”

……

……

When news of the Empress’s great victory spread through the imperial capital, places closer to Yunzhong Commandery than the capital had already known for some time.

The tense atmosphere caused earlier by the sudden appearance of Western Liang troops had completely dissipated. The city gates were no longer crowded with people, and the teahouses and taverns within the city were filled with people listening to storytellers narrate tales of Empress Chu.

“What’s there to talk about in a battle with fewer than a hundred people?” Iron Eagle said coldly, standing on the second floor overlooking the main hall, watching the storyteller gesticulating enthusiastically while the audience listened with rapt attention.

Xiao Xun leaned against the railing, smiling as he observed the scene, and said: “What’s worth talking about isn’t the battle, but Empress Chu. It’s not rare for women to kill enemies, but for an empress to lead troops to the border to kill enemies and save people is extremely uncommon. Of course, it’s worth telling again and again.”

“She wasn’t the one leading the troops,” Iron Eagle said. “It was the Xie clan. She was able to go to the border because the Xie clan allowed her to leave.”

Speaking of this, he frowned as he stared at the storyteller.

“In such a short time, so many people have appeared in our city to tell of the Empress’s victory—this must be Xie Yanfang’s doing.”

“Regardless of who’s behind it,” Xiao Xun tapped the railing and stood up straight, “if Miss Chu were unwilling or afraid, even Xie Yanfang couldn’t control her.”

Although his attendant refused to believe it, he did believe that this was something the girl had orchestrated herself.

Of course, the current rumors might be due to Xie Yanfang, but this wasn’t Xie Yanfang manipulating her, but rather Xie Yanfang trying to please her.

What about Third Young Master Xie? Even if he wanted to be the hero rescuing the beauty, he couldn’t—

Thinking of this, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but smile.

“—Having such an empress is a blessing for our Great Xia—” The storyteller in the hall concluded with a tap of his paper fan.

The audience echoed in agreement.

Putting aside the Great Xia, just think about themselves.

Who wouldn’t want an empress who, upon hearing of people suffering, would rush out from the imperial palace to save them? This time it was the people of that border city, next time it could be themselves.

The world was harsh, and who could guarantee they wouldn’t encounter danger in their lifetime? Having such a brave and people-loving empress was indeed fortunate for everyone.

“Speaking of Empress Chu, she truly embodies the saying ‘a tiger father does not beget a dog daughter.’ In those years, General Chu Wei—”

After a brief pause, the people in the teahouse didn’t disperse, nor did the storyteller leave the stage. Instead, he began to speak again.

Since he was talking about Empress Chu as a person, naturally, there was more than just one incident to tell. Empress Chu herself, Empress Chu’s family—

Xiao Xun smiled, pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and face, and walked downstairs toward the exit.

Iron Eagle followed with a grim face.

The master and servant walked through the main hall, completely unnoticed by the people who were concentrating on hearing about the heroic deeds of General Chu Wei.

“So General Chu’s troubles are just going to be forgotten?” Iron Eagle said.

Let alone the fact that no problems had been discovered yet, even if they were, with a daughter like this—not relying on her status as Empress, but on real battlefield achievements, redeeming her father’s sins through merit, solving worries for her father, country, and people—who in the world could still pursue the matter?

Xiao Xun looked back at the tavern. With such a daughter, what worries could a father have?

……

……

Fierce winds howled across the wasteland, covering the soldiers lying prone in the withered grass with dirt and sand.

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but cough.

“That kid—” someone nearby cursed in a low voice, while a scabbard flew over and hit him, “Do you want to get us all killed?”

Liang Qiang suppressed his cough, remaining motionless even as the scabbard struck his back.

Though he quieted down, others became lax. Someone lying in the grass started chatting, “Have you heard? Empress Chu personally killed those Western Liang bandits at the rear.”

Empress Chu! Liang Qiang clenched his fist. She had come?

“Didn’t we have no reinforcements? Even after this incident, the troops outside Yunzhong Commandery still couldn’t be mobilized.”

“Right, I heard that Empress Chu personally led troops from the imperial palace to kill the enemy.”

“Amazing, truly unexpected. An empress who can lead troops and kill enemies?”

“Hey, what’s so unexpected about that? Empress Chu is no ordinary empress. She’s General Chu’s daughter.”

“That’s right. Miss Chu grew up in the military since childhood, inheriting General Chu’s excellent martial skills, brave and resourceful.”

Various conversations about Miss Chu came flooding in. Liang Qiang’s ears were filled with them, yet it seemed as if he hadn’t heard anything at all—

“Enough!” someone shouted, interrupting the chatter and also breaking Liang Qiang out of his daze.

A soldier covered in withered grass stood up.

“Today’s mission is complete. Return to camp.”

The soldiers scattered in the withered grass all stood up, relaxed and at ease, saying, “Back to camp, back to camp!” “What good food do we have today?” They formed their ranks amidst chatter and laughter.

Liang Qiang stood at the end of the formation with a wooden expression. He wore a tattered military robe, carrying a broken bow in his hand and a broken sword on his back.

That girl who had praised his bravery was now known throughout the world for her bravery.

While he had risked his life to rush to the front lines, he hadn’t even engaged in battle with Western Liang soldiers, as he hadn’t seen a single one. Every day was spent lying on the ground as a sentry—

And it was guard duty, not scout duty.

After losing his status, he had neither the qualification nor the opportunity to display his bravery.

In the military camp, horses and men galloped by. The passing soldiers carried a strong smell of blood, both their own and their enemies’.

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but take a deep breath as he walked among them.

He also hoped to soon be covered in this smell of blood, rather than the smell of dirt.

“A-Qiang.” A voice called out.

Liang Qiang looked up to see a troop of soldiers galloping over, with his father among them. He hurried forward.

This troop consisted of officers, each with an imposing presence. His father, though a scholar, wore a general’s robe and looked no less impressive.

The Second Master Liang exchanged a few words with the officers beside him. Those officers looked over at Liang Qiang, nodding and smiling: “Here’s a father and son serving together.”

Liang Qiang saluted them. The officers left, and the Second Master Liang dismounted to talk.

Since that night when they left the labor camp, father and son had gone to different places. This was their first meeting since then.

“How is it?” Second Master Liang examined his son, smiling as he asked, “Are you adapting well?”

Liang Qiang also examined his father, smiling as he replied: “In my youth, I often rode horses around, so I’m adapting well now. But what about you, father? After holding a brush and sitting in a study for so many years, are you adapting well?”

Second Master Liang said: “Actually, I’m still holding a brush and sitting in a study.”

“The ambush battles of the past few days were all great victories. I heard from the soldiers that it was due to good command and unexpected strategies,” Liang Qiang said.

Second Master Liang replied: “Yes, as an officer, every word and action affects the lives of countless soldiers. Since coming here, I’ve gained a deeper understanding that the brush in my hand truly weighs a thousand pounds, and I dare not speak carelessly.”

Once truly on the battlefield, one realizes that achieving merit isn’t so easy. To be honest, there were many times when he woke up in the middle of the night with some regret, thinking it might have been better to remain a laborer at the camp—but as a father, he couldn’t say these words to his son.

“A-Qiang, be careful. War is not child’s play. Surviving is already an achievement.”

Liang Qiang nodded. The father and son were about to continue talking when a soldier called out from the other side, “Master Liang.”

Second, Master Liang didn’t say more, just glanced at his son one more time. When they would meet again was unknown, and whether it would be as living people or corpses was also uncertain. But there was nothing to be done. He could only turn and hurry away, not daring to keep the other officers waiting.

Although he was an officer, among the thousands of troops, he was only of the lowest rank. His old friend, surnamed Cai, had limited power and could only arrange for him to be placed here.

“Second Master Liang, from now on, you’ll have to earn your own merits,” his friend Cai had said.

Earning merit wasn’t so easy. Not to mention that he only knew theoretical warfare, even if he truly had brilliant strategies, with his low position, his superiors might not pay attention to what he said.

With various thoughts running through his mind, Second Master Liang entered the tent. Inside, the officers were seated around a sand table and map according to their ranks. Second Master Liang nodded to everyone and quietly took a seat at the very end, removing his hat and handing it to his attendant.

The commanding general didn’t even glance at him and continued his previous discussion, pointing at the sand table and map as he elaborated.

“This battle is extremely important for our northwestern front. It can cut off the Western Liang King’s rear defenses,” the general looked at everyone. “General Chu has entrusted us with an important task. Everyone, please share your thoughts.”

The officers in the tent began to speak, each offering their clever strategies and displays of courage.

Second Master Liang sat at the end, looking at the sand table. No one cared whether he spoke or not, and he didn’t know what to say. He had studied the sand table, the maps, and all kinds of battle reports, but warfare was different from the classics he had thoroughly read. In such a short time, even if he understood, he was hesitant to act, feeling that any move he made would be incorrect—

“Sir,” his attendant suddenly whispered in his ear while handing him a scroll, “I’ve also brought the battle plans you’ve been organizing these past days.”

Second Master Liang, lost in thought, was suddenly interrupted and startled: “What?”

With his words, the commotion in the tent paused, and the commanding general’s gaze turned toward him.

“Liang Yao,” he asked, “do you have something to say?”

These gazes held undisguised contempt, and one officer laughed: “Perhaps what we’re saying isn’t elegant enough? Have we amused Master Liang?”

Second, Master Liang wasn’t surprised by this mockery and contempt. First, civil and military officials naturally disdained each other, and he was of criminal status. The military might not care about family background, but they valued capability—sitting with them thanks to a friend’s help didn’t count as capability.

Second Master Liang looked at the scroll that had been placed in his hand and opened it. Seeing its contents, he was slightly stunned.

The commanding general saw him lowering his head to read the document and frowned: “Liang Yao, reading books should not be done at this time.”

Second Master Liang still didn’t speak. His attendant urgently said: “The master isn’t reading a book. He has written plans regarding this battle.”

Hearing this, more eyes turned toward him. The commanding general was surprised, but not really—he had seen plenty of scholars’ theoretical battle plans.

“I see,” the general said. “Since you’ve written something, Liang Yao, present it for everyone to see.”

Second Master Liang held the scroll but still didn’t speak, his expression somewhat hesitant.

“Perhaps Second Master Liang thinks we won’t understand?” an officer said with a half-smile.

Another officer impatiently said with a cold face: “What writing and characters? We can look at it later. Don’t delay important military matters. Success or failure happens in an instant; this isn’t the time for playing with writing.”

Laughter erupted in the tent.

Hearing these words and laughter, Second Master Liang, who had been hesitating, raised his head and said: “These are my shallow views, not yet fully thought through, so I didn’t dare present them to you, sir.”

The commanding general smiled slightly, about to say something, when Second Master Liang raised the document.

“But after hearing your words just now, sir, I suddenly gained courage. I boldly offer this to you. If there’s anything inappropriate, please instruct me,” he said.