“Her ambitions are immense!”

Cai Bo said in a grave voice.

Xie Yanfang wore a faint smile as he examined the victory dispatch. He even picked up the silk banner that had been brought over, placing it on the desk to look at, and said: “Actually, all of this is factual, without the slightest exaggeration. She truly did lead troops to eliminate the scattered Western Liang soldiers and rescue the local city and its people. Such great merit should indeed be proclaimed through victory announcements flying far and wide. This would also comfort the people’s hearts and stabilize the dynasty.”

Cai Bo said: “If this were a man, doing so would naturally be proper. If this were a military officer, even if it were Chu Ling, doing so would be fine. But she, Chu Zhao—”

She, Chu Zhao, was a woman.

She, Chu Zhao, had already become the Empress.

Wasn’t it enough to sit peacefully in the imperial capital, being a virtuous and benevolent empress with the bearing to mother the realm?

She still had to personally lead an expedition and achieve great merit in battle.

What did she want?

“She ascended the throne alongside the Emperor, she sits in the court alongside the Emperor, constantly appearing before the court officials, and now she wants to stand before all the people of the realm. She fundamentally refuses to remain content in the inner palace—she’s trying to usurp the host’s position while being merely a guest.” Cai Bo said indignantly, “Third Young Master, by acting this way, she’s taking advantage of our A’Yu’s young age. If he were an adult, no—even if he were merely as old as she is, how could he allow her to act so brazenly?”

Xie Yanfang listened quietly, then sighed softly: “Cai Bo, in this world, there are no ‘ifs.'”

He raised his eyes to look at Cai Bo.

“The present reality is what it is, so there’s no point in being indignant.”

Cai Bo looked at him and sighed deeply: “Young Master, you never seem anxious or angry about anything.”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “Of course I’m also anxious and angry, but since things have already turned out this way, being anxious and angry serves no purpose. I might as well save my energy to do other things.”

“But Chu Zhao isn’t done with just this one matter. Earlier we tried to stop the victory announcements from spreading, saying we should only report the great victory and wait until after court deliberation to announce the Empress’s involvement. But what was the result? The relay stations actually failed to block it. How did Chu Zhao manage to—” Cai Bo couldn’t let it go.

Xie Yanfang interrupted him: “However she managed it, she certainly has her own methods. Besides, in this matter, we haven’t suffered any loss.”

That was true. Cai Bo stopped speaking, but—this woman acted so boldly with such grand ambitions. What she was doing now had nothing to do with them, but what if in the future it did?

Xie Yanfang smiled: “We’ll deal with it when it becomes relevant.”

Cai Bo studied Xie Yanfang: “Young Master, you seem to be in quite good spirits?”

Was it because of this matter?

Xie Yanfang raised his head, his eyes full of mirth: “Today, A’Yu looked at me once.”

Cai Bo was momentarily stunned. A’Yu, the little Emperor? Looked once? Didn’t the Third Young Master and the little Emperor meet every day? What was so joyful about one glance?

“Previously, his eyes held no place for me.” Xie Yanfang said softly. “He wouldn’t even deign to look at me properly. The moment he saw me, he would immediately turn his gaze away.”

Because this child hated him, resented him, felt estranged from him.

“But I’m not worried. I continue to love him, protect him. I will let him see my devotion, my intentions solely for him.”

“Today, I showed him something, and sure enough, he was willing to look at me once.”

Having received this one glance today, there would be many more glances in the future, until he entered that child’s eyes and heart.

At that time, everything would return to its proper course.

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

Miss Chu’s actions could only be called the clamor of a guest. No matter how noisy a guest might be, they were still just a guest. The true master of this Great Xia was Xiao Yu.

What he, Xie Yanfang, wanted was to seize the position of master.

The current situation was excellent—the guest was making noise outside, and moreover, this guest could serve as a bridge between him and Xiao Yu to grow closer.

Xie Yanfang looked at Cai Bo with a smile.

“This is the happiest moment I’ve had since the Crown Prince and Crown Princess met with misfortune.”

……

……

When news of the Empress’s great victory spread through the capital, places closer to Yunzhong Commandery than the capital had long since known about it.

The tense atmosphere caused by the sudden appearance of Western Liang troops had completely dissipated. There were no longer crowds of people surging at the city gates. The teahouses and wine shops in the city were filled with patrons listening to storytellers narrate tales of Empress Chu.

“What’s there to tell about a battle involving fewer than a hundred people?” Tie Ying said coldly, standing on the second floor overlooking the main hall, watching as the storyteller gestured animatedly while the idle crowd listened with rapt attention.

Xiao Xun leaned against the railing, watching the scene with a smile, and said: “What they’re talking about isn’t the battle itself—it’s Empress Chu. Women killing enemies isn’t rare, but an empress who can still lead troops to the border to kill enemies and save the people is extremely uncommon. Of course it’s worth extensive discussion.”

“She didn’t even lead the troops.” Tie Ying said. “It was the Xie clan. She could go to the border only because the Xie clan let her out.”

At this point, he knitted his brows and stared at the storyteller.

“In such a short time, so many people have appeared in our commandery city to perform tales of Empress Chu’s great victory—this must all be Xie Yanfang’s scheming.”

“Regardless of whose scheming it is,” Xiao Xun slapped the railing and straightened up. “If Miss Chu were unwilling and didn’t dare, even Xie Yanfang couldn’t control her.”

Moreover, though this retainer refused to believe it, he himself believed that this was something the young lady had orchestrated herself.

Of course, these current rumors might be due to Xie Yanfang’s influence, but this wasn’t Xie Yanfang manipulating her—it was Xie Yanfang trying to ingratiate himself with her.

So what if he was Third Young Master Xie? Even if he wanted to play the hero saving the beauty, he couldn’t—

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

“—With such an empress, it is Great Xia’s fortune—” The storyteller in the main hall slapped his paper fan with a decisive conclusion.

The surrounding audience chorused their agreement.

Never mind Great Xia—just consider themselves.

Who wouldn’t want an empress who, upon hearing that the people were suffering, could sally forth from the imperial capital to rescue them? This time it was the people of those border cities; next time it might be themselves.

Times were hard. Who could guarantee they would never encounter danger in their lifetime? Having such a brave and people-loving empress was truly everyone’s good fortune.

“Speaking of this Empress Chu, it truly proves the saying that tigers don’t sire dogs. Back when General Chu Ling—”

After a brief pause, the idle patrons in the teahouse didn’t disperse, and the storyteller didn’t leave the stage. Instead, he continued speaking.

Since they were discussing Empress Chu as a person, naturally there was more than one story to tell—Empress Chu herself, Empress Chu’s family members—

Xiao Xun smiled and pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and face, then headed downstairs and outside.

Tie Ying followed with a dark expression.

The master and servant passed through the main hall, and the crowd absorbed in hearing about Guard General Chu Ling’s heroic deeds paid them no attention whatsoever.

“So General Chu’s troubles are just forgotten like this.” Tie Ying said.

Never mind that no problems had been uncovered—even if problems were truly discovered, with such a daughter—not relying on her status as empress, but truly earning merit through real combat by killing enemies, atoning for her father’s sins, and resolving worries for the nation and the people—who in the realm could still pursue the matter?

Xiao Xun glanced back at the wine shop. With such a daughter, what worries could the father have?

……

……

A fierce wind howled across the wilderness, filling the soldiers lying prone in the withered grass with dirt and sand over their heads and faces.

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but cough.

“That youngster—” someone nearby hissed quietly, while simultaneously throwing a sword sheath that struck over. “Are you trying to get us all killed?”

Liang Qiang suppressed his cough. Even when the sheath struck his back, he didn’t move.

However, once he was quiet, the others relaxed, and someone lying in the grass started chatting: “Did you hear? Empress Chu personally killed those Western Liang bandits in the rear.”

Empress Chu! Liang Qiang clenched his hands. She—she came?

“Weren’t we without reinforcements? Even with this incident, the troops outside Yunzhong Commandery still couldn’t be mobilized.”

“Right, I heard about it. Empress Chu brought troops from the imperial capital herself and came to fight.”

“Amazing! Who would have thought—an empress who can lead troops to kill enemies?”

“Hey, what’s so surprising about that? Empress Chu isn’t an ordinary empress. She’s General Chu’s daughter.”

“Oh right, Miss Chu grew up in the military from childhood. She inherited General Chu’s complete martial prowess, both brave and resourceful.”

Various scattered remarks about Miss Chu drifted over. Liang Qiang heard them filling his ears, yet it seemed he heard nothing at all—

“Alright.” Someone shouted loudly, interrupting the noise and Liang Qiang’s daze.

A soldier covered in withered grass stood up.

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

The soldiers scattered in the grass rose one after another, relaxed and at ease, saying “Return to camp, return to camp” and “What’s good to eat today?” They chatted and laughed as they formed up.

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

That young lady who had once praised his martial prowess was now so renowned for her bravery that it was known throughout the realm.

Meanwhile, he had brought his life to rush to the frontmost lines. Never mind fighting Western Liang soldiers—he hadn’t even seen a single one. Every day was just like this, lying on the ground as a lookout—

And not even an advance scout—just a stationary guard.

After losing his status, he had neither the qualifications nor the opportunity to display martial prowess.

Horses galloped through the military camp, and the passing troops were covered in thick blood scent—some their own, some the enemy’s.

Walking among them, Liang Qiang couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

He too hoped to quickly be covered in this bloody scent, rather than this earthy smell.

“A’Qiang.” A voice called.

Liang Qiang looked and saw a troop of cavalry galloping over. His father was among them. He hurried forward.

This cavalry unit consisted of military officers, each one imposing and mighty. His father, a scholar wearing a military officer’s robe, looked no less impressive.

Second Master Liang spoke a few words with the officers beside him. Those officers looked over and nodded at Liang Qiang with smiles: “A father and son going to battle together.”

Liang Qiang bowed respectfully. The officers departed, and Second Master Liang dismounted to speak.

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

“How are you?” Second Master Liang examined his son with a smile. “Are you adjusting well?”

Liang Qiang also examined his father and smiled: “I often rode horses and wandered about in my youth, so I’m adjusting fine. But Father, you’ve been holding a brush and sitting in a study for so many years—are you adjusting well?”

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

“The ambushes of the past few days were all great victories. I heard the soldiers say it was all due to excellent command and catching the enemy by surprise.” Liang Qiang said.

Second Master Liang said: “Yes, as a military officer, every word and action affects the life and death of countless soldiers. After coming here, I’ve come to understand even more deeply that the brush in my hand truly weighs a thousand pounds, and I dare not speak carelessly.”

Having truly arrived on the battlefield, he knew that achieving merit and glory was not so easy. To be honest, many times when he woke in the middle of the night, he felt some regret, wishing he had just remained doing labor service in the garrison—though he couldn’t say such words to his son as a father.

“A’Qiang, be careful yourself. Warfare is not child’s play. Staying alive is itself an achievement.”

Liang Qiang nodded. Father and son were about to continue speaking when a soldier called from over there: “Master Liang.”

Second Master Liang said no more. He looked at his son once more. He didn’t know when they would meet again, or whether he would see a living person or a corpse. But there was no choice. He could only turn and hurry away, not daring to keep the other officers waiting long.

Though he was an officer, among these thousands of troops he was merely at the lowest rank. His old friend surnamed Cai had limited influence and could only arrange for him to be here.

“Second Master Liang, from here on you can only earn merit through your own efforts,” Friend Cai had said.

Earning merit was not so easy. Never mind that he only knew warfare on paper—even if he truly had brilliant strategies, being of low rank, even if he voiced them, his superiors might not necessarily heed them.

Second Master Liang’s mind churned with scattered thoughts as he stepped into the command tent. Inside, the officers sat around the sand table and maps according to their ranks. Second Master Liang nodded to acknowledge the others and quietly sat in the last position, removing his hat and handing it to his own retainer.

The commanding general didn’t spare him even a glance, continuing his previous words, pointing at the sand table and maps in thorough exposition.

“This battle is extremely important for our northwestern front. It could sever Western Liang King’s rear defense.” The commanding general looked at everyone. “General Chu has entrusted us with great responsibility. Everyone share whatever ideas you have.”

The officers in the tent then spoke up in confusion, each with brilliant strategies and displays of valor.

Second Master Liang sat in the last position looking at the sand table. No one cared whether he spoke or not, and moreover, he didn’t know what to say. He had looked at the sand table and the maps, and had read all the battle reports, but warfare was different from the classical texts he was familiar with. In these few short days, even though he could understand it, he was too timid and hesitant to act—wherever he might make a move felt somehow incorrect—

“My lord.” His retainer suddenly whispered in his ear, while simultaneously handing over a scroll. “I’ve also brought the military planning you’ve been organizing these past days.”

Second Master Liang was lost in thought and was suddenly interrupted. He started: “What?”

As he spoke, the noise in the command tent also paused, and the commanding general’s gaze also turned over.

“Liang Yao.” He asked. “Do you have something to say?”

These gazes held unconcealed contempt, and one officer laughed: “Could it be that what we’re saying isn’t refined enough? Have we made Master Liang laugh at us?”

Second Master Liang wasn’t surprised by this mockery and contempt. First, civil and military officials inherently despised each other. Furthermore, he had the status of a criminal laborer. The military might not care much about family background, but they valued capability even more—arriving here through a friend’s connections didn’t count as capability.

Second Master Liang looked at the scroll that had been thrust into his hands and couldn’t help but open it. Seeing the contents within, he was slightly stunned.

The commanding general saw him looking down at the document and frowned: “Liang Yao, even if you want to read, this isn’t the time.”

Second Master Liang still didn’t speak. The retainer beside him said urgently: “My lord isn’t reading—he wrote a plan regarding this battle.”

Hearing this, more gazes turned over. The commanding general was surprised, though not particularly so—he had seen plenty of armchair strategist essays from scholars.

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

Second Master Liang gripped the scroll, still not speaking, his expression somewhat hesitant.

“Could it be that Second Master Liang thinks we can’t understand it?” One officer said with a mocking smile.

Another officer said coldly with impatience: “What writings and characters—look at it later. Don’t delay military matters. Success or failure happens in an instant. This isn’t for people to play at writing.”

Laughter rang out in the command tent.

Hearing these words and this laughter, Second Master Liang, who had been somewhat hesitant, raised his head and said: “This is my shallow opinion. I haven’t thought it through thoroughly, so I didn’t dare present it to you, my lord.”

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

“But after hearing your words just now, my lord, I suddenly gained courage. I presume to offer this to you, my lord. If there are any improprieties, please instruct me.” He said.