What circulated in the capital was that Chu Li had been obsessed with a village woman, a modest beauty from a humble home. While this wasn’t respectable, it was a common occurrence—many young men from noble families were occasionally bewitched by beauty, causing a scandal or two.

But in reality, it wasn’t some village woman or modest beauty, but a mountain bandit leader who robbed and killed.

A general hunting bandits and a beautiful bandit leader—if this had spread, it wouldn’t have been merely a scandal but something shocking.

It might even have led to accusations and punishment.

Was this why the Emperor had grown distant from Chu Li?

“Father, you were bewitched by bandits, let mountain bandits escape, and then criticized the Emperor. Now I think His Majesty was truly lenient with you,” Chu Zhao said. “You were quite a troublesome official.”

Chu Li laughed heartily. “When I was young, I was far more impressive than A-Jiu.”

They were discussing family matters—why bring up A-Jiu?

Chu Zhao smiled. “A-Jiu isn’t as impressive as you, Father. With his temperament, female bandits would only think about how to kill him, not pretend to fall in love with him.”

Chu Li laughed and said, “The connection between people is unpredictable, without fixed rules. When you meet someone, it’s meant to be.” He reached out and grasped Chu Zhao’s arm. “A-Zhao, don’t overthink. Mu Mian Hong and I—we loved, we hated, and I have no regrets in this life. The bonds between people—”

Before he could finish, his voice abruptly stopped, and his hand slipped away—

Chu Zhao was alarmed. “Father!”

Xie Yanlai rushed in, saw Chu Zhao shaking Chu Li’s shoulders, and turned to shout outside, “Doctor! Doctor!”

The doctor arrived quickly, and Zhong Changrong also ran back.

Chu Li wasn’t dead—his breathing continued, but he didn’t wake up again.

The earlier events had worn him out, draining the last of his strength.

Zhong Changrong first hit himself several times, then kicked a pillar, and then attempted to beat Xie Yanlai. “Who told you to let that person in? You don’t understand anything! What business is it of yours? Who do you think you are!”

Xie Yanlai had never been one to stand still and take a beating. He struck back immediately. “You make a stupid mistake and take it out on others! Who let her in? If General Chu didn’t speak up, who could have entered? Who do you think you are, so self-important and talking nonsense!”

Zhong Changrong, whether from extreme anger or something else, was staggered by the young man’s punch.

“Uncle Zhong, A-Jiu,” Chu Zhao called out. “Stop fighting.”

The two men each withdrew their hands.

“No one is to blame for this,” Chu Zhao said. “Father wanted to see her, too. Seeing her, Father was happy.”

Happy? Zhong Changrong couldn’t see any happiness at all. What was there to be happy about?

Chu Zhao didn’t speak, looking at Chu Li on the bed. The unconscious Chu Li’s lips still carried a trace of a smile, perhaps reliving the excitement of his youth.

In his youth, he wasn’t withered and bedridden like this.

The young Chu Li, sword in hand and astride his horse, could enter the imperial city, could defeat the Western Liang, could be as close as brothers with the Emperor, and could make a female bandit leader who came to assassinate him fall in love.

…

…

A troop of cavalry galloped across the open field, the fierce wind they stirred up making the training soldiers unsteady on their feet.

“Look quickly, it’s Young Lady Chu,” a soldier holding a spear called out excitedly.

Among the galloping troops was a figure wrapped in a cloak, carrying swords and arrows. Though dressed like the soldiers, the cloak couldn’t conceal her petite frame.

They had heard that Young Lady Chu was patrolling in place of General Chu, but she had previously been at the main camp. This was the first time the frontier troops had seen her.

“Young Lady Chu dares to come here,” one soldier said.

This was the place closest to the battle, where Western Liang soldiers could appear at any time, and battles could break out at any moment.

Another soldier immediately objected: “How could Young Lady Chu be afraid? Young Lady Chu has personally fought against the Western Liang people.”

A soldier nearby swung his long sword. “You’re all wrong.”

The previous two looked at him. How were they wrong?

The man smiled. “She should be called the Empress, not Young Lady Chu.”

New clamor arose on the training ground. Should she be called the Empress or Young Lady Chu? This was probably a rare pleasure in the monotonous training and uncertain life where one didn’t know if tomorrow would bring life or death.

One soldier turned his head and saw his companion standing motionless, holding a bow and arrow, his gaze following the departing troops.

“Liang Qiang,” he nudged his companion with his arm.

Liang Qiang turned to look at him, his eyes somewhat bewildered, as if not knowing what had happened.

“You,” the soldier teased, “haven’t seen such a beautiful girl before?”

Not only had he seen such a beautiful girl before, but this beautiful girl had also publicly praised his bravery. Liang Qiang smiled slightly. He had heard the news early that she was coming, but hadn’t expected to see her with his own eyes.

Liang Qiang was also relieved that he saw her now, much better than before. At least he had killed enemies and could be considered brave—

Thinking of this, he smiled self-mockingly.

What did his bravery have to do with her?

He hadn’t forgotten how his Liang family had left the capital, and what relationship existed between Chu Zhao and the Xie family. Before leaving, he had personally seen—

Liang Qiang tightened his grip on the crossbow.

His father had written that their merit rewards had been approved. This approval came only through chance—General Chu was in poor health, focused entirely on the war, and hadn’t personally reviewed the merit list. When it was sent to the capital, due to Xie Yanfang’s contest with the Grand Tutor, one did not dare to openly obstruct, and the other deliberately promoted, everything had gone smoothly.

If Chu Li or Chu Zhao knew that the Liang family was to be restored, they would certainly prevent it.

Even if the court approved it, in the border army controlled entirely by Chu Li, eliminating them, father and son, would be as easy as turning over a hand.

It wasn’t time yet.

When his promotions and rewards grew increasingly substantial, to the point where even the Imperial Son-in-Law General and the Empress couldn’t shake his position, then he would stand before her and let her see how brave he, Liang Qiang, truly was.

“Alright,” he threw down his crossbow and picked up a long sword. “No more idle chat. The more you swing your sword, the better your chances of survival.”

“Listen to Young General Liang,” a soldier called out, taking the lead to spar with his companion.

Others also began to fight.

“Young General Liang is brave!”

“Young General Liang’s record of victory in every battle comes from practice like this.”

Laughter and teasing were gradually drowned out by the sounds of combat.

Soon, the ominous sound of warning horns rang out.

“Western Liang troops spotted in the northwest!”

“Form ranks!”

“Vanguard troops form ranks!”

…

…

Hearing this, Chu Zhao reined in her horse and looked back.

“Is there a battle?” she asked.

“Young Lady,” a military officer listened to the warning horn. “It’s still far from here. Scouts have discovered Western Liang soldiers sneaking in, and troops are being assembled to pursue and kill them.”

Chu Zhao responded with an “Oh,” watching as a troop of soldiers assembled and headed northwest like an arrow.

“Young Lady, there’s no need to worry,” the officer said. “It’s just a small-scale pursuit battle.”

Her worry was useless anyway. She couldn’t go to the battlefield to kill. Her role was to substitute for her father, to stabilize and inspire the army’s morale. She knew what she should do and wouldn’t act rashly.

“When the soldiers return victorious, anyone who has taken a Western Liang head will be rewarded with a jar of wine,” Chu Zhao said.

The officer acknowledged the order and loudly passed it on.

“Young Lady, it’s time to go back,” a soldier said quietly beside her.

Chu Zhao glanced at this soldier, Ding Dachui.

Seeing her look, Ding Dachui shrank back a little and said softly, “Commander Xie said you shouldn’t go too far.”

Chu Zhao didn’t say anything. She indeed couldn’t go too far. Her father might wake up at any moment, or he might stop breathing at any moment.

She turned her gaze away and whipped her horse.

…

…

The soldiers pursuing the Western Liang troops didn’t know that victory in this battle would earn them wine as a reward.

Even if they knew, at this moment, a thought would cross their minds—this reward wouldn’t be easy to earn.

This time, the enemy they pursued exceeded the scouts’ estimates. When the two forces met, they fought in a chaotic battle.

A long blade passed by Liang Qiang’s nose, missing it by just an inch. If it had been any closer, he would have lost his nose.

Liang Qiang leaned back, raising his sword to clash with the Western Liang soldier’s blade, sparks flying before his eyes.