Liang Qiang looked at the girl on horseback—life’s encounters were truly unpredictable.

He knew she was in the army. He was part of the vanguard, fighting in the most dangerous places, while she was the daughter of General Chu Ling and also Da Xia’s Empress, positioned within the central formation surrounded by elite and heavily guarded soldiers.

He could see her galloping past, but he had never imagined they would meet.

Even less had he expected it would be at such a time, so dangerous, so wretched—

He was covered in blood, his armor and robes tattered, half-kneeling on the ground, supporting himself with his long blade. His left arm bore a deep gash that bled continuously.

Was he still alright?

“I…” Liang Qiang gripped his long blade, lowering his gaze. “I’m still fine.”

Though he kept his eyes down, he could still feel the girl’s gaze sweeping over him, settling on his left arm.

“Yes, still fine,” the girl said with considerable emotion, even repeating it. “Still fine, still fine.”

Really fine? Liang Qiang lifted his head to look at Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao had already looked away. “A’Le, come treat Young Master Liang’s wounds.”

Liang Qiang saw the maidservant flip down from her horse, approach him, and use her blade to cut away his sleeve.

“How dangerous!” A’Le said. “Another inch and your arm would have been severed, Young Master Liang.”

Liang Qiang said nothing, seemingly unable to feel pain, remaining woodenly still.

“First stop the bleeding and wrap the wound,” Chu Zhao said. “When you return, have a skilled physician treat it properly to avoid damaging the meridians.”

A’Le hummed in acknowledgment, fed Liang Qiang a pill, and efficiently applied medicine powder and bandages to stop the bleeding.

In this short time, the fighting ahead had already ended.

“Miss Chu!” a female voice shouted.

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but look over, seeing a girl ahead holding a long blade. Beside her stood another woman gripping twin blades, both blades stained red—

“Seven or eight escaped. Ding Dachui went in pursuit,” the girl shouted, then asked, “Shall we withdraw our troops?”

Were these Chu Zhao’s female guards? Liang Qiang wondered. Why did their voices sound somewhat impatient? They showed no reverence for an Empress.

Chu Zhao called out, “Forced march—to Chi’na’s military headquarters!”

The girl asked no more questions as orders to regroup echoed through the ranks.

Chu Zhao’s war horse also pawed the ground. A’Le quickly finished wrapping the wound and mounted her horse.

“Young Master Liang,” Chu Zhao looked at Liang Qiang again and said, “Can you still follow me to continue killing the enemy?”

Liang Qiang looked up at her, supporting himself with his long blade as he stood. “This humble general has not yet died, so will fight to the death.”

Chu Zhao said, “Young Master Liang remains as valiant as ever.”

When she said “as ever,” she wasn’t referring to his injury, but to the past.

In the past, when the privileged Liang family’s young master played freely in the capital, she had praised his valor.

Now, this Liang family youth exiled to the border could still fight on the battlefield, and she praised his valor once more.

Liang Qiang knew both compliments were sincere.

She truly considered him valiant.

But was he valiant? In the past he thought himself very valiant, but now—

Hoofbeats thundered as Chu Zhao spurred her horse forward at full speed.

Liang Qiang watched Chu Zhao’s retreating figure. Being able to fight alongside her—this moment in this life would surely be unforgettable. He withdrew his gaze, mounted his horse, and gripping his blade with one hand, pursued the girl swiftly.

……

……

By the time dusk fell, Zhong Changrong had already paced countless circles in the command tent.

“Old Zhong, don’t worry,” an officer couldn’t help consoling him yet again. “The young miss didn’t go to Chi’na’s main force, and—”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted.

“And so it’s fine?” Zhong Changrong said angrily. “Even if it’s not the main force, they’re still Chi’na army elite!”

Another officer said, “With that person there—”

This only added fuel to the fire. Zhong Changrong said bitterly, “She’s despicable and cunning, only capable of getting the general killed—a rabble of disorganized troops.”

The other officers exchanged glances, their expressions helpless. This Mu Mianhong was indeed detestable—the general’s bright future had been destroyed by her hands. However, Miss Chu was still her daughter.

“So what if she’s her daughter?” Zhong Changrong sneered coldly. “When facing danger, she’d throw out her daughter to save her own life. When encountering the fierce Chi’na army, she’d probably abandon her daughter and flee.”

As his words fell, chaotic shouting came from outside: “Victory report! Victory report—”

Zhong Changrong rushed out like the wind, nearly colliding with the messenger rushing toward him.

“General Zhong, Her Majesty the Empress and Commander Xie have achieved a great victory, crushing Chi’na’s military headquarters. Commander Xie captured the Xi Liang prince consort alive!” the messenger shouted loudly.

The officers who had followed him out all heard this and erupted in cheers. Soon the entire camp resounded with wave after wave of jubilant shouts.

“Great victory! Great victory!”

This was the crucial battle after Chu Ling’s death. From this point forward, military morale would be stabilized.

“Quickly, report to the capital! Send the victory bulletin flying!”

While the officers here celebrated in joyful chaos, Zhong Changrong grabbed the messenger, urgently asking how Chu Zhao was and whether she had been injured.

How would the messenger know such details? After a battle, especially a frontal assault, everyone bore some injuries.

He said, “When Her Majesty led troops to arrive, Commander Xie and the Chi’na army were already engaged in fierce combat. Her Majesty brought people to flank them, completely cutting off Chi’na unit’s escape route.”

A nearby officer patted Zhong Changrong’s shoulder. “You can rest easy now. The young miss is no longer a child.”

She had become Empress. She had bid farewell to her father and taken on his unfinished military duties.

Zhong Changrong did feel relieved, but still cursed Mu Mianhong harshly: “Wicked people truly have good luck—now the young miss owes her a debt of gratitude.”

……

……

Under the night sky, the battlefield where fighting had ended remained clamorous.

Fires burned, corpses piled like mountains, and wounded soldiers wailed.

A first batch of wounded had already been transported away.

When Liang Qiang came over, he saw Chu Zhao listening to officers report casualties. Around Chu Zhao were both men and women, and the moment he glanced their way, they stared at him with fierce vigilance.

Liang Qiang withdrew his gaze and turned to leave, but Chu Zhao had already seen him and called out, “Young Master Liang!”

“Your wound is severe. Why haven’t you left?” Chu Zhao said, about to ask the officers why this was so.

“I chose not to leave,” Liang Qiang volunteered, then added, “I’ll leave now.”

……

……

Not far away, Mu Mianhong asked Xiao Man, “Who is that person?”

Xiao Man was busy fiddling with her long blade, which had broken during combat, making her quite angry. Hearing the question, she looked up briefly. “Auntie, have you forgotten? That soldier who was nearly killed by his own men.”

When they had approached this area earlier, scouts reported the situation seemed strange, so Chu Zhao and they had dismounted and crept closer quietly. They saw several dozen men from the left vanguard with several hundred Xi Liang soldiers facing them.

It looked like they were surrounded, but no combat was occurring. Those vanguard soldiers were even talking and seemingly laughing, when two soldiers suddenly struck at one of them—

Seeing this scene, Chu Zhao ordered arrows fired.

The rescued soldier saw reinforcements and shouted loudly, “They’ve defected to the enemy!”

Chu Zhao ordered everyone to charge forward. Xiao Man and Mu Mianhong went to fight, paying no more attention to what happened behind them.

“That this person even followed to fight is quite good,” Xiao Man said.

Of course Mu Mianhong knew about this soldier, but that wasn’t what she was asking. She said quietly, “A’Zhao seems to know him.”

Xiao Man looked again. “I don’t recognize him, never seen him before.” She pursed her lips. “She really knows a lot of people.”

Mu Mianhong smiled faintly and looked over again at that young man standing before Chu Zhao.

It seemed they weren’t just acquainted but had history. Otherwise, why would he hesitate there, wanting to leave yet lingering?

Chu Zhao didn’t ask Liang Qiang further about leaving early or late—these were his own affairs, and he could decide for himself.

“Since you haven’t left yet, there’s something I need to confirm with you again,” she said. “Young Master Liang—”

Liang Qiang interrupted her. “I am no longer a young master.”

Chu Zhao smiled slightly. “Military Marquis Liang.”

Earlier she had already asked about Liang Qiang’s situation, learning that he and his father had fought their way to earning official positions.

Liang Qiang lowered his gaze. “Your Majesty, please command.”

Chu Zhao said, “After your vanguard army encountered the ambush, what happened? Was there internal strife?”

Liang Qiang was silent for a moment.

“We had five hundred men. Fighting to break through, fewer than a hundred remained,” he said. “The Xi Liang soldiers pursued relentlessly, and—tempted us to surrender.”

Chu Zhao said, “You refused, so they raised their blades against you?”

Liang Qiang fell silent again, then dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty, they were all good men, truly driven to desperation. I believe even if they defected, it was only a delaying tactic—I beg Your Majesty to grant them dignity.”

This confirmed it beyond doubt. The nearby officer frowned. “How can that be acceptable? Defecting to the enemy is even worse than fleeing from battle. Even if dead, they must be convicted and punished, made public knowledge, to serve as warning to others.”

Chu Zhao looked at the kneeling Liang Qiang, then at the officer. “Since they are already dead and we’ve won a great victory, let’s report only the good news. Publicizing defection crimes would instead shake military morale.”

The officer acknowledged this with a “yes,” but insisted, “However, they cannot receive death-in-battle compensation, nor can they be included in the memorial stele with the fallen soldiers.”

Chu Zhao nodded in agreement.

Only then did the officer depart with his orders.

“Military Marquis Liang, please rise,” Chu Zhao said to the still-kneeling Liang Qiang.

Liang Qiang expressed thanks and stood up, still keeping his gaze slightly lowered, but he could feel the girl’s eyes examining his arm.

Very earnest, very focused, very—concerned.

Liang Qiang’s hand at his side clenched as he heard the girl say softly, “Return quickly and find the best physician. Be extremely careful with treatment to avoid leaving any aftereffects.”

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but lift his head. “Even with one hand, I can still wield a blade and kill enemies.”

That was true. In the previous life, one-armed General Liang Qiang’s fame spread throughout Da Xia. After Uncle Zhong’s death, Liang Qiang and his father took over the border army, stabilizing half the realm for Xiao Xun, allowing the Liang family to return to court, and enabling the Liang family’s daughter to replace her as Empress. Chu Zhao sighed softly.

“If you can keep both arms intact, you will surely be even more valiant,” she said, looking at Liang Qiang. “Young Master Liang, life inevitably brings trials. Please set aside family feuds and private grievances. Serve the country and people, protect Da Xia’s peace, and the nation will surely not fail you.”

Was she trying to make peace with him? Liang Qiang turned his gaze away. “The law has determined guilt. This subject dares not harbor resentment—only to wholeheartedly strive to atone through meritorious service.”

Chu Zhao naturally didn’t believe he harbored no resentment, but there was no need to say more.

This time, by fortunate accident, she had saved Liang Qiang, preventing him from losing his arm. She hoped Liang Qiang would remember her kindness. It would be best if she and the Liang family could coexist peacefully. If not, in this life, she would absolutely never let the Liang family take away what was hers.

“Military Marquis Liang, it’s getting late,” Chu Zhao said. “Depart quickly to return to camp for treatment.”

Liang Qiang didn’t respond, seemingly still thinking about something—

What he’d said earlier had been too stiff.

Regardless of the truth, this girl had preserved his arm.

He should thank her.

And apologize to her. When they last met in the capital, his attitude hadn’t been very good.

What was wrong with her being friendly with the Xie family? Everyone seeks advantage—wasn’t he the same?

That they could meet on the battlefield today was rare. This was probably heaven’s will too.

Since heaven willed it, he couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

At this moment, there was no one else. They had been old acquaintances. Just now she had called him Young Master Liang repeatedly. In her eyes, he was still Young Master Liang. Then in his eyes, she was still Miss Chu.

“Chu—” He turned his head, about to speak.

A female voice louder than his: “—Miss, A’Jiu has returned!”

A’Jiu? Liang Qiang’s voice was drowned out. He stopped as well, watching the girl’s eyes light up like stars.

“Why so slow? Did pursuing the remnant soldiers take this long?” she said, lifting her feet to leave. After a few steps she turned back. “Military Marquis Liang, rest and recuperate well. Although there were some incidents with the vanguard, your merits will still be truthfully reported.”

Liang Qiang lowered his head. “This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

Footsteps hurried away. The girl’s voice didn’t come again. Liang Qiang raised his head, seeing someone striding forward through the flickering light and shadows ahead.

Whether in the capital’s dim alleyways or the border battlefield’s dusky night, Liang Qiang recognized that young commander at a glance.

Xie Yanlai.

Xie Yanlai resembled a flying swallow—black armor, pale face, tall and straight-backed, standing with hands clasped behind him.

The girl stood before him, looking him over from left to right.

Even without hearing their voices, Liang Qiang could guess what she was saying: Are you injured? Are you alright?

But she probably wouldn’t say “go quickly and have a physician look”—instead she would want to examine him herself.

Sure enough, the girl reached out to pull Xie Yanlai’s arm—

Someone stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

Liang Qiang started, seeing it was a woman wearing worn military robes. She seemed to be searching for something, muttering, “Is there anything we’ve overlooked?”

Then she looked at him.

“Why is there still a wounded soldier here?” she said in surprise. “Young man, you’re so badly wounded! Come with me quickly for treatment.”

This was one of Chu Zhao’s female attendants, Liang Qiang knew. He had personally witnessed these women wielding weapons and fighting alongside Chu Zhao. After the battle ended, they followed Chu Zhao to treat the wounded.

This woman had already enthusiastically reached out to support him.

Doing the same thing didn’t make them the same person. Liang Qiang said coldly, “No need.” With that, he turned and left.

“See that?” Xiao Man walked over, pursing her lips. “The people she knows all have bad tempers.”

Mu Mianhong watched the young man’s retreating figure with a slight smile. “A bad temper is nothing—what matters is one’s character.”

Not far away, Chu Zhao was also watching Liang Qiang’s retreating figure, pointing him out to Xie Yanlai.

“It’s Liang Qiang, Liang Qiang. Remember?” she said.

Xie Yanlai looked overhead. “Don’t remember. What do the people you know have to do with me?”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily. “What do you mean ‘people I know’? You were engaged to his sister!”

“I still don’t know him—not like you—” Xie Yanlai lowered his gaze to look at her, sneering coldly. “You fought with his sister, yet you can still be familiar and intimate with him.”

“How am I intimate with him?” Chu Zhao laughed, then grabbed him, eyes dancing with excitement. “Let me tell you—I saved his life!”

She recounted what had happened earlier.

Xie Yanlai looked past her into the distance. Liang Qiang’s figure had already disappeared—he had seen the boy before he’d even approached. Hmph.

“The refined young gentleman has fallen so low that he needs you to save his life,” he said, then looked down at the girl before him. “Do you think he’s grateful to you, or hates you even more?”

Chu Zhao shook her head. “Yanlai, don’t always be so dark. You’re so young—think more happy thoughts.”

Xie Yanlai chuckled twice. “Your Majesty is beautiful, kind-hearted, and dwells in the light. Yanlai is different—doesn’t have Your Majesty’s good fortune.”

Chu Zhao raised her eyebrows with a grinning smile. “So you do know I’m beautiful and kind-hearted, A’Jiu!”