The city gates near the border commandery were tightly shut. On the snow-covered wilderness, only military horses galloped swiftly.

“Report—”

“Victory dispatch—”

The galloping messenger shouted all along the way, spreading the good news throughout the cities.

“Congratulations, General. Felicitations, General.”

The commandery city’s government office had become the commanding general’s headquarters. In the main hall of the office building stood a sand table with maps hanging on display. Armored and armed officers stood within, offering congratulations to Chu Ling seated in the high position.

“With victory dispatches arriving frequently now, it’s due to my lord’s excellent command.”

Chu Ling didn’t laugh heartily at these praises, nor did he wave his hand modestly. He was never swayed by external praise or insults, only looking at the sand table before him.

“The King of Western Liang cannot be underestimated.” He said. “Since he dared to mobilize troops and invade at this time, he must have complete confidence. A few defeats, even temporary retreats, will not shake his military morale.”

He looked toward the assembled officers again.

“Therefore, we must not underestimate the enemy, must not slacken, and must not be arrogant.”

The officers bowed their heads and responded in unison.

“However.” Chu Ling smiled slightly. “Merit must be rewarded immediately. Beyond wine and meat, what’s most important are official ranks and titles. Organize the list of those who have achieved merit properly, send it to the court by swift horses, and request immediate rewards from the court.”

In the past, military merit sent to the court would take at least half a year to be reviewed and confirmed, and sometimes there was no news for one or even two years.

When Chu Ling now spoke of immediate rewards, the officers had not the slightest doubt. They called out their approval in unison and celebrated in advance—

Though Chu Ling was still just a Guard General, never mind Guard General Chu Ling’s battle record from over a decade ago—before the Emperor’s death, he had arranged a marriage between his daughter and the Imperial Grand Prince, which was entrusting him with the orphaned heir.

Now his daughter was the Empress, and he was the national father-in-law. Though he wasn’t stationed at court, in this Great Xia, National Father-in-law Chu had the say.

If National Father-in-law Chu wanted to reward military merit, the court would naturally obey immediately.

With General Chu as national father-in-law, from now on their days as military officers would be easier. They would no longer be obstructed by those civil officials and would have no worries about the rear—though at present there was still one small worry about the rear.

With the battle in Yunzhong Commandery so tense, the rear had not sent even a single troop to reinforce them. No matter how one looked at it, they were being left to fight alone.

Previously, military morale had been somewhat unstable, but now—

“Our army’s morale is high.” One officer said with a smile. “Not only because of the successive victories, but also because the Empress herself came to support us.”

The Empress had not only come, she had also defeated the Western Liang soldiers who had infiltrated the rear, issued victory announcements, and shaken all of Great Xia.

At the mention of Chu Zhao, a smile appeared on Chu Ling’s face.

“Where has the Empress reached?” He asked.

One officer hurried to say: “She’s about to enter the commandery city.” He pointed at the sand table to show Chu Ling. “This is the latest news that arrived yesterday.”

Chu Ling looked toward the sand table. His form stiffened slightly, then he nodded with a smile.

“General, do we really not need to dispatch troops to meet the Empress?” Another officer asked.

Chu Ling laughed: “Is there any danger left in our Yunzhong Commandery?” He leaned back in his chair. “Moreover, since the Empress could annihilate the scattered Western Liang soldiers, naturally she doesn’t need military escort.”

That officer laughed: “This subordinate isn’t questioning the Empress’s martial prowess, but—” He scratched his head. “Don’t empresses all require ceremonial processions? Official reception, citizens bowing in welcome and such. When the Empress arrives at our Yunzhong Commandery, we can’t be shabby.”

Chu Ling laughed heartily.

“An empress who needs ceremonial processions sits in the imperial capital.” He said, pointing outside. “Now coming to Yunzhong Commandery, riding horses to kill enemies—that Empress is just our Miss Chu.”

“Miss Chu doesn’t need ceremonial processions.”

“Miss Chu is one of our own.”

Indeed, Miss Chu was Chu Ling’s daughter, a military officer’s daughter, and moreover, even after becoming Empress she could still fight alongside them. She truly was one of their own. The officers all laughed.

“The Empress is mighty.” “We await the Empress’s arrival.”

To welcome the Empress who would fight alongside them, the officers departed even more energized and busy. When Zhong Changrong entered the government office, only Chu Ling sat alone in the main hall.

Chu Ling seemed to be staring at the sand table, lost in thought. He didn’t look over when he heard footsteps.

“General.” Zhong Changrong was very familiar with Chu Ling and didn’t care if he might disturb him, especially since what he wanted to discuss was about Chu Zhao. “Really not going to meet A’Zhao?”

Chu Ling made an affirmative sound and said with a smile: “No need. Returning to Yunzhong Commandery is like coming home for her.”

“But—” Zhong Changrong was about to continue.

Chu Ling straightened up to look at him: “Changrong, A’Zhao has grown up. She’s not a child anymore. She can negotiate terms with the Emperor and can lead troops on horseback. You and I should both be at ease.”

Zhong Changrong said: “I’m not worried either. It’s just that I’m happy.” He grinned as he spoke. “A’Zhao actually came back. General, she came to see you.”

Now when people were fleeing the border commandery, his daughter rushed to the most dangerous place precisely because her father was here. She cared for her father, and even becoming Empress couldn’t stop her from returning. Chu Ling smiled faintly.

“I can at least hold on to let her see me once.” He said. “It’s a pity that I can no longer see her appearance with my own eyes.”

Zhong Changrong was momentarily stunned. These words sounded—

Chu Ling looked at him, his gaze calm: “Changrong, I’ve gone blind.”

Zhong Changrong felt his breath catch for an instant.

……

……

In the vast snowy expanse, a city appeared. Chu Zhao couldn’t help but remove her hood, happily pointing with her hand.

“Look.” She said. “That’s the commandery city.”

Xie Yanlai was not far behind her. Hearing this, he didn’t even lift his eyelids: “Your Majesty, I’m a courier. There’s no place I don’t know.”

Oh right, he had even been here before. Chu Zhao laughed: “But you’re not as familiar with it as I am. I grew up here. I came here to play almost every day.” She reined in her horse to wait for Xie Yanlai to approach. “Don’t look down on our commandery city just because it’s remote—there are many fun things. After we repel the Western Liang soldiers, I’ll show you around properly.”

Xie Yanlai scoffed twice, spurred his horse forward, raised his hand and swept it. Chu Zhao’s hood was flipped up by him and fastened on her head.

“Miss Chu should think about what’s before her eyes first.” He tossed out the sentence.

Chu Zhao was both amused and annoyed. She grabbed the hood down again. Xie Yanlai had already galloped toward the city gate, where officials and soldiers were coming to greet them.

Chu Zhao rode closer and exchanged greetings with the officials, then declined their invitation.

“I won’t enter the city.” She said. “I’ll go directly to where my father is.”

The officials looked at the sky and said: “It will definitely snow tonight. It’s too dangerous for Your Majesty to travel through the night. Why not stay overnight and leave tomorrow?”

Chu Zhao glanced at the sky and said: “There’s still some time. If I reach Luocheng by nightfall, I can travel even faster tomorrow.”

Though she appeared to be a young lady, she was also the Empress. The officials dared not oppose her words and responded affirmatively.

“Don’t assign more troops to escort me.” Chu Zhao instructed again. “Don’t disrupt your troop deployment because of me.”

The officials responded affirmatively again and presented the prepared hot tea, ginger soup, and thoroughly cooked beef and mutton, letting them rest briefly and replenish their strength for the journey.

Chu Zhao didn’t refuse again. She had everyone dismount and rest on the spot, while she accepted the mutton soup A’Le handed her.

“A’Jiu and Xiao Man personally verified it.” A’Le said quietly. “Everything is safe.”

Chu Zhao smiled and didn’t say they were being overly cautious—she had been poisoned to death back then, poisoned several times in fact. First a miscarriage, then her health ruined, and finally a cup of poisoned wine.

The two were drinking their mutton soup when Granny Ding walked over.

“Granny.” Chu Zhao greeted warmly. “Come try our local mutton soup. It’s especially, especially good.”

Granny Ding nodded slightly: “Good.”

Chu Zhao thought of something and pointed at a shelter set up nearby, saying quietly: “Granny, you drink over there. You can avoid people.”

Because she had said her face was injured and inconvenient to show others, she paid attention to such details. Laughter like overflowing water filled Granny Ding’s eyes. Ah, what a wonderful girl.

Even if she could only be by her side for a moment, this life would be enough.

“Your Majesty.” Granny Ding lowered her eyes and bowed. “I’m not feeling well. I’d like to rest here in the commandery city and won’t go to Luocheng.”

……

……

A bowl of hot mutton soup made one’s whole body warm. Riding on her horse, Chu Zhao felt the cold wind blowing no longer disagreeable, but rather refreshing and pleasant.

“This is called when a liar meets liars everywhere.” Xie Yanlai passed by from the side, raised his hand and swept it, fastening the hood on Chu Zhao’s head again.

Chu Zhao pulled the hood down and spurred her horse to catch up with him.

“That’s called a liar seeing everyone as liars.” She said. “Can’t Granny Ding even rest for one night?”

Xie Yanlai scoffed twice: “She didn’t rest all along the way, but suddenly wants to rest here.” He waved his hand. “Either there’s something ahead she fears, or there’s something here she needs.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily: “In short, everyone in the world is untrustworthy.”

Xie Yanlai said: “That’s right.” He glanced at Chu Zhao with a half-smile. “Empress, you understand this better than anyone.”

Though this girl didn’t say it aloud, who would she truly trust in her heart?

Chu Zhao raised her eyebrows at him with a smile: “Yes, yes, but I see through things without saying so. You’re good, I’m good, everyone’s good.”

Xie Yanlai spat and withdrew his gaze to look ahead.

Chu Zhao looked back at the commandery city gate and saw that Ding Dachui, after bidding a reluctant farewell to Granny Ding, had already caught up with his people.

“Whatever her reason, her men are still following us.” She said. “It doesn’t affect our journey. Everyone has secrets. I only take what I need—that’s enough.”

“You’re quite content with your lot.” Xie Yanlai said. “But don’t forget, circumstances are unpredictable. Things won’t always go as you wish.”

Chu Zhao nodded: “Then I’ll do what I can and leave the rest to fate.”

With that, she raised her whip and spurred her horse.

“Xie Yanlai, let’s compete in horsemanship. I won’t necessarily lose to you.”

The girl galloped past him, her hood and cloak flying. Xie Yanlai pressed his lips together behind her. Previously when he was A’Jiu and she was A’Fu traveling together, the couriers had joked and urged A’Fu and A’Jiu to compete in horsemanship. At that time, how could he compete with her? And she too, to maintain her disguise, didn’t compete with him.

Today, now, no need to pretend to be meek—show your true skills.

Showing true skills, did that mean he couldn’t beat her? What a joke. Xie Yanlai’s whip cracked in the air. His horse shot forward like an arrow, surpassing the girl. This time he didn’t nearly knock her off her horse, but curses still rang out—

“Xie Yanlai! Why are you competing with me, a young lady! Would you die if you lost to me!”

Watching the young man and woman galloping one after another until they became a black dot, Granny Ding standing at the city gate still couldn’t bear to withdraw her gaze.

“Granny.” The officials from the city gate had already returned. The gate guards called to her. “You should enter the city soon. At dusk the city gates close.”

Granny Ding thanked them and looked into the distance once more. Only when dusk fell and the city gates were about to close at the last moment did she enter the city.

Though the city wasn’t as bustling as before, the people’s lives were orderly and not chaotic.

Granny Ding walked slowly through the city, as if searching for an inn.

Earlier, Chu Zhao had wanted to entrust her to the government officials, but Granny Ding had declined, and Chu Zhao hadn’t insisted.

“That’s right, you’re not familiar with the officials either—it would be constraining instead.” She said with a laugh, stuffing a bag of money into her hands. “Take this money and rent a house yourself—you’ll be more comfortable.”

Thinking of this, Granny Ding’s eyes again filled with laughter. She pressed her hand to her waist—not the money bag, but A’Zhao’s abundant love.

Though this love wasn’t because they were mother and daughter, she wasn’t sad at all.

A bird’s cry passed by her ear. Granny Ding’s expression didn’t change, nor did she look around. She walked straight ahead, through streets and alleys, until she came to a gate and pushed directly through.

Happy shouts rang out in the courtyard: “The boss has returned.”

Standing in the courtyard under the lamplight, Granny Ding removed the face scarf wrapped around her, revealing a pale face.

“A’Hong.” An elderly woman studied her and said with a smile, “After all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen you smile so happily.”

Mu Mianhong touched her face with her hand: “Really?” She didn’t even know she was smiling. “I’m happy.”

People welcomed her into the house. The spacious hall had a brazier burning, and a large chair covered with tiger skin stood in the center. Mu Mianhong walked straight over and sat down.

Once she was seated, everyone in the room stood at attention and cupped their fists in salute.

Mu Mianhong raised her hand: “Everyone sit.”

According to seniority, ten people took seats in the chairs on both sides, while the rest stood on either side.

“How is the battle situation here in Yunzhong Commandery?” Mu Mianhong asked.

A tall, thin man said: “Currently there’s no defeat, but that’s also because Western Liang hasn’t launched a major offensive.”

Mu Mianhong asked: “Didn’t they say the King of Western Liang came himself?”

Another woman said softly: “Our people have investigated. The King of Western Liang’s royal tent is indeed there, but no one has seen the King of Western Liang.”

“Perhaps he didn’t come at all—just a bluff.” “The Western Liang soldiers in the rear should have been there as merchants long ago.” “Probably spies, and ones who infiltrated long ago and colluded with local officials and prominent families.” “Originally wanted to create chaos and momentum, but ended up completely annihilated by Miss A’Zhao in one stroke.”

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Mu Mianhong’s face again.

Seeing Mu Mianhong’s smile, everyone in the hall laughed even more.

“Though we didn’t witness Miss A’Zhao’s prowess with our own eyes, word has spread everywhere.” Everyone said one after another.

“Boss, why didn’t you continue traveling with the young lady?” Someone asked.

Mu Mianhong’s smile faded slightly. She said: “Luocheng—I promised not to go there.”

The atmosphere in the hall also stiffened slightly, mixed with grunts and low murmurs of “Why fear him?”

Mu Mianhong didn’t want to continue this topic and stopped them.

“It’s not just about Luocheng. As we get closer to General Chu, General Chu has many former subordinates. It’s inconvenient for me to appear by A’Zhao’s side.” She said, but there was no sadness on her face. Being able to follow by A’Zhao’s side on this journey had already been deeply satisfying, and moreover, she could still watch over her going forward.

“We’ll hide our identities and continue following her.”

“Moreover, hiding our identities also makes it more convenient for us to mobilize people.”

“The farther northwest we go, the more dangerous it becomes.”

Mu Mianhong looked past everyone in the hall toward the night outside. Under the lantern light, scattered snowflakes danced—sure enough, it was snowing.

But Mu Mianhong didn’t have to wait long. Before dawn she was awakened by urgent knocking.

“Boss, Miss A’Zhao and her group didn’t enter Luocheng.” The person said urgently. “General Chu—something seems wrong with him.”

Having not slept all night, sitting by the bed, Mu Mianhong suddenly stood up, staggered and nearly fell to the ground, but managed to brace herself against the table just in time.

“Boss.” The person called out in alarm.

She couldn’t hear what he was saying. Supporting herself on the table, both ears ringing—yes, something had been wrong all along, but she hadn’t wanted to think about it because of her joy.

If A’Zhao disregarded danger and status to rush straight to the border commandery, could it really have been just for the scattered Western Liang soldiers who had infiltrated the rear?

When Chu Ling sent the daughter he had protected for over a decade to the capital, could it really have been just to let his daughter find a good family in the capital?

Chu Ling—something really was wrong.

……

……

When dawn fully broke, the wind and snow had lessened considerably. Leaning in Xie Yanlai’s embrace, Chu Zhao could see the road ahead clearly.

But before long, her vision blurred again. She couldn’t help but reach out to wipe her eyes.

“Don’t move around.” Xie Yanlai’s voice fell from above her head. After a night of traveling through wind and snow, his voice was already hoarse.

Chu Zhao didn’t move again, leaning tightly against him, letting the mist blur her eyes. In her ears were only the sound of wind and Xie Yanlai’s heartbeat.

Yesterday, nearing Luocheng when she received the news, she had recklessly galloped off with the messenger. Xie Yanlai arranged for the others, then brought three horses and caught up.

In the heavy snow at night, her riding skills weren’t sufficient. Xie Yanlai shared a horse with her, traveling without stopping all night, having changed horses three times. Father’s location was finally drawing nearer and nearer.

Chu Zhao instead became more afraid.

“A’Jiu.” She said, leaning against Xie Yanlai. “What if this time I still can’t see Father?”

This time? Was she comparing it to last time when he had stopped her? Xie Yanlai urged the horse with one hand while holding the girl tightly with the other, shouting loudly: “Chu Zhao, you won’t always have bad luck!”