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

He knew she was in the army. He was at the vanguard, fighting in the most dangerous places, while she was General Chu Wei’s daughter and also the Empress of Great Xia, surrounded by elite soldiers in the central formation.

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

Even less did he expect it to happen 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 sword. On his left arm was a deep cut, bleeding profusely.

Was he still alright?

“I am,” Liang Qiang gripped his sword, lowering his gaze, “still fine.”

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

“Still fine, indeed,” the girl remarked, sighing with sentiment, and then repeated, “Still fine, still fine.”

Was he fine? Liang Qiang raised his head to look at Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao was no longer looking at him: “A-Le, come tend to Young Master Liang’s wound.”

Liang Qiang watched as the maid dismounted and came to his side, using a knife to cut open his sleeve.

“That was close,” A-Le said. “If the blade had gone any deeper, Young Master Liang, your arm would have been severed.”

Liang Qiang said nothing, seemingly feeling no pain, motionless and wooden.

“Stop the bleeding and wrap the wound first,” Chu Zhao said. “When we return, have a skilled physician treat it properly to avoid damaging the tendons.”

A-Le responded with a sound of agreement, giving Liang Qiang a medicinal pill to swallow before efficiently applying powder to the wound and wrapping it to stop the bleeding.

In this short time, the fighting at the front had already ended.

“Lady Chu!” a female voice called loudly.

Liang Qiang looked over and saw a girl brandishing a long sword. Beside her was another woman holding twin blades, both stained red with blood—

“Seven or eight escaped, Ding Dachui went after them,” the girl shouted, then asked, “Are we withdrawing?”

These must be Chu Zhao’s female guards, Liang Qiang thought. Why did her voice sound somewhat impatient? She showed no reverence for the Empress.

Chu Zhao called back: “Forced march to the Chi Na military camp!”

The girl asked no more questions, and commands for formation could be heard among the ranks.

Chu Zhao’s warhorse pawed the ground impatiently. A-Le quickly finished bandaging the wound, rose to her feet, and mounted her horse.

“Young Master Liang,” Chu Zhao looked at Liang Qiang again and said, “Are you still able to follow me and continue fighting?”

Liang Qiang looked up at her, supporting himself with his sword as he stood: “This humble officer is not dead yet, so he will fight to the death.”

Chu Zhao replied: “Young Master Liang remains valiant as ever.”

Her “remains” didn’t refer to his injury, but to the past.

In the past, when the privileged Liang family’s son roamed freely in the capital, she had praised his valor.

Now, the exiled Liang son, still fighting on the battlefield, earned her praise for his valor once again.

These two instances of praise, Liang Qiang knew, were the girl’s sincere words.

She truly believed he was valiant.

But was he valiant? Before, he had thought himself valiant, but now—

Hooves pounded as Chu Zhao spurred her horse onward.

Liang Qiang watched Chu Zhao’s retreating figure. To fight alongside her would surely be an unforgettable moment in his life. He withdrew his gaze, mounted his horse, and, wielding his sword one-handed, galloped after the girl.

……

……

By twilight, Zhong Fujiang had paced around the tent countless times.

“Old Zhong, don’t worry,” another officer tried to reassure him for what seemed like the hundredth time. “The young lady didn’t go to face Chi Na’s main force, so—”

His words were cut short.

“So it’s fine?” Zhong Fujiang snapped in irritation. “Even if it’s not their main force, it’s still Chi Na’s elite troops.”

Another officer said: “But that person is with her—”

This only added fuel to the fire. Zhong Fujiang said hatefully: “She’s treacherous and cunning, only capable of causing the General’s death. Just a bunch of rabble.”

The other officers exchanged glances, their expressions helpless. This Mu Mian Hong was indeed hateful—the General’s promising future had been ruined by her hand. But still, Lady Chu was her daughter after all.

“What does being her daughter matter?” Zhong Fujiang sneered. “When facing danger, she’d use her daughter to save herself. When confronted by the fierce Chi Na Army, she might abandon her daughter and flee.”

As his words fell, shouts came from outside: “Good news! Good news!”

Zhong Fujiang rushed out like the wind, nearly colliding with the messenger running toward him.

“General Zhong, Her Majesty the Empress, and Commander Xie have won a great victory! They’ve routed the Chi Na forces, and Commander Xie has captured the Western Liang Prince’s son-in-law!” the messenger shouted.

The officers who had followed out all heard this and erupted in cheers. Soon, the entire camp resonated with jubilant shouts.

“Victory! Victory!”

This was a crucial battle after Chu Wei’s death, and from this point on, the army’s morale would be stabilized.

“Quickly, report to the capital, send the victory proclamation with all haste!”

While the officers busied themselves in happy commotion, Zhong Fujiang grabbed the messenger and anxiously asked how Chu Zhao was, if she had been injured.

The messenger couldn’t possibly know such details. After a battle, especially a confrontation, everyone sustained injuries to some degree.

He said: “When Her Majesty arrived with reinforcements, Commander Xie was already engaged in fierce combat with the Chinese forces. Her Majesty led troops to encircle them, completely cutting off the Chi Na unit’s escape route.”

A nearby officer patted Zhong Fujiang’s shoulder: “You should stop worrying. The young lady is no longer a child.”

She had become Empress, she had said farewell to her father, and she had taken up her father’s unfinished military duties.

Zhong Fujiang was indeed reassured, but he still cursed Mu Mian Hong vehemently: “Evil people have such good luck, now the young lady owes her a favor.”

……

……

The battlefield remained chaotic as night fell, even after the fighting had ended.

Flames burned, corpses were piled like mountains, and wounded soldiers moaned in agony.

A first batch of wounded had already been transported away.

When Liang Qiang approached, he saw Chu Zhao listening to officers reporting casualties. Around Chu Zhao were both men and women, and as soon as he looked a moment longer, they all glared at him vigilantly.

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

“Your wound is severe. Why haven’t you left yet?” Chu Zhao asked, about to question her officers about the situation.

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

……

……

Nearby, Mu Mian Hong asked Xiao Man: “Who is that person?”

Xiao Man was busy fixing her long sword, which had broken during the battle, making her quite angry. Hearing the question, she looked up: “Aunt, have you forgotten? That’s the soldier who was nearly killed by his people.”

When they had approached this area, scouts had reported a strange situation. Chu Zhao and her team had slowed their horses and crept forward quietly, only to see dozens of left flank vanguard soldiers facing several hundred Western Liang troops.

They appeared to be surrounded, but no fighting had broken out. Those left flank soldiers were talking and seemingly laughing. Then two soldiers suddenly attacked one of their own—

Upon witnessing this, Chu Zhao had ordered archers to fire.

The rescued soldier, seeing reinforcements, had shouted, “They’ve defected to the enemy!”

Chu Zhao had ordered everyone to charge forward, and Xiao Man and Mu Mian Hong had joined the fray, paying no more attention to what happened afterward.

“That man followed us to fight, not bad,” Xiao Man remarked.

Mu Mian Hong certainly knew about this soldier, but that wasn’t what she was asking about. She said softly, “A-Zhao seems to know him.”

Xiao Man looked again: “I don’t recognize him, never seen him before.” She pouted, “She knows so many people.”

Mu Mian Hong pursed her lips in a smile, looking over to where the young man stood before Chu Zhao.

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

Chu Zhao didn’t question Liang Qiang further about his departure. People’s matters were their own to decide.

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

Liang Qiang interrupted her: “I am no longer a Young Master.”

Chu Zhao smiled slightly and said: “Military Lieutenant Liang.”

She had already asked about Liang Qiang’s situation and knew that he and his father had earned official ranks through their combat achievements.

Liang Qiang lowered his eyes: “Please instruct me, Your Majesty.”

Chu Zhao said, “What happened after your vanguard troops encountered the ambush? Was there internal strife?”

Liang Qiang was silent for a moment.

“Of our five hundred troops, we fought desperately to break through, but in the end, fewer than a hundred remained,” he said. “The Western Liang soldiers pursued relentlessly and… tempted us to surrender.”

Chu Zhao asked: “You refused, so they raised their swords against you?”

Liang Qiang fell silent again, then knelt on one knee: “Your Majesty, they were all good men, truly at the end of their rope. I believe that even if they surrendered, it was only a delaying tactic—I beg Your Majesty to grant them dignity.”

This was as good as a confession. A nearby officer frowned: “How could that be allowed? Defecting to the enemy is even worse than fleeing in cowardice. Even if they’re dead, their crimes must be judged and punishments declared publicly as a warning to others.”

Chu Zhao looked at the kneeling Liang Qiang, then at the officer, and said: “Since they are already dead, and we have achieved a great victory in this battle, let’s report only the good news, not the bad. Publishing their crime of defection would only undermine army morale.”

The officer acknowledged with a “yes,” but insisted: “But they cannot receive death benefits for fallen soldiers, nor can their names be inscribed on the memorial stones with the honored dead.”

Chu Zhao nodded in agreement.

Only then did the officer accept his orders and leave.

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

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

Very attentive, very focused, very… concerned.

Liang Qiang’s hand hanging at his side clenched slightly as he heard the girl say softly: “You should return quickly, find the best physician, and ensure careful treatment. Don’t let any lasting damage remain.”

Liang Qiang couldn’t help but raise his head and say: “Even with one arm, I can still wield a sword to slay enemies.”

That was certainly true. In his previous life, the one-armed general Liang Qiang’s name was known throughout Great Xia. After Uncle Zhong’s death, Liang Qiang and his father had taken over the border army, securing half the kingdom for Xiao Xun, returning the Liang family to court, and allowing the Liang family’s daughter to replace her as Empress. Chu Zhao sighed softly.

“With both arms intact, you would certainly be even more formidable,” she said, looking at Liang Qiang. “Young Master Liang, life inevitably brings hardships. I ask that you set aside family grudges and personal grievances to protect Great Xia and its people for the country’s sake. The dynasty will surely not mistreat you.”

Was she trying to make peace with him? Liang Qiang turned his gaze away and said: “The law has found me guilty; I dare not harbor resentment. I can only do my utmost to atone through meritorious service.”

Chu Zhao naturally didn’t believe his claim of having no resentment, but there was no need to say more.

This accidental rescue of Liang Qiang had prevented him from losing his arm. She hoped Liang Qiang would remember her kindness, and that she and the Liang family could coexist peacefully. If not, in this lifetime, she would not allow the Liang family to take what was hers.

“Military Lieutenant Liang, it’s getting late,” Chu Zhao said. “You should hurry back to your camp to treat your wound.”

Liang Qiang didn’t respond, seemingly lost in thought—

His previous words had been too harsh.

Regardless of the truth, it was this girl who had saved his arm.

He should thank her.

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

What was wrong with her being friendly with the Xie family? Everyone pursued their interests, didn’t he do the same?

It was rare that they would meet on the battlefield today; perhaps it was fate.

If fate willed it so, he shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

At this moment, there was no one else around. They were old acquaintances, and she had just called him Young Master Liang several times. If he was still Young Master Liang in her eyes, then in his eyes, she was still Lady Chu.

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

A female voice, louder than his, cut in: “—Young Lady, A-Jiu has returned!”

A-Jiu? Liang Qiang’s voice was drowned out, and he stopped, watching as the girl’s eyes lit up like stars.

“Why so slow? Did pursuing the remnant troops take that long?” she said, stepping forward to leave, but after a few steps, she turned back to Liang Qiang and said, “Military Lieutenant Liang, take good care of your wound. Despite the unexpected incident with the vanguard, your merits will still be reported faithfully.”

Liang Qiang bowed his head: “This humble officer thanks Your Majesty for her grace.”

With hurried footsteps, the girl’s voice faded. Liang Qiang raised his head to see a figure striding forward through the flickering lights.

Whether in the dark alleys of the capital or on this dimly lit battlefield at the border, Liang Qiang recognized the young officer immediately.

Xie Yanlai.

Xie Yanlai was like a swallow in flight—black armor, fair face, tall and straight-backed, hands clasped behind him.

The girl stood before him, circling to look him over.

Even without hearing her words, Liang Qiang could guess what she was saying: Are you hurt? Are you alright?

But she probably wouldn’t say “go see a physician quickly,” instead preferring to examine him herself.

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

Someone stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

Liang Qiang started, seeing it was a woman wearing worn military clothes. She seemed to be looking for something, muttering, “What else might be missing?”

Then she looked at him.

“Why is there still a wounded soldier here?” she said in surprise. “Young man, your wound is so severe! Come with me quickly for treatment.”

This was one of Chu Zhao’s female attendants, Liang Qiang knew. He had seen these women wielding weapons and fighting alongside Chu Zhao, then following her to treat the wounded after the battle ended.

The woman had already enthusiastically reached out to help him.

Same action, different person. Liang Qiang coldly said, “No need.” With that, he turned and left.

“See that?” Xiao Man walked over, her mouth twisted in displeasure. “All the people she knows have bad tempers.”

Mu Mian Hong watched the young man’s retreating figure with a smile: “Bad temper doesn’t matter; what counts is the goodness of one’s heart.”

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 him?” she said.

Xie Yanlai looked up at the sky: “I 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 betrothed to his sister.”

“I still don’t know him, unlike you—” Xie Yanlai lowered his gaze to look at her, sneering, “Getting into fights with someone’s sister yet still being familiar and intimate with them.”

“When was I intimate with him?” Chu Zhao laughed, then grabbed him excitedly, saying, “Let me tell you, I saved his life.”

She told him what had happened earlier.

Xie Yanlai looked past her toward the distance. Liang Qiang’s figure had already disappeared—he had noticed this fellow even before approaching. Hmph.

“The once-refined young master 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 does he hate you even more?”

Chu Zhao shook her head: “Yanlai, don’t always be so gloomy. You’re still young; think of more beautiful things.”

Xie Yanlai chuckled twice: “Your Majesty is beautiful, kind-hearted, and lives in the light. I am different, not as fortunate as Your Majesty.”

Chu Zhao raised an eyebrow and giggled: “So A-Jiu, you do know that I’m beautiful and kind-hearted.”