The bad-tempered young man had walked away. Mu Mianhong and Xiao Man turned to look back and saw the young man here raise his hand and press it on Her Majesty the Empress’s head.

Mu Mianhong burst out laughing.

Xiao Man rolled her eyes.

Mu Mianhong smiled and reached out to take Xiao Man’s hand. “Come, let’s go get busy.”

“Busy with what? We just came to help fight. Now that the fighting’s done, we’re not doing chores.” Xiao Man was reluctant and complained, “She has time to fool around with Xie Yanlai but can’t come say a word to you.”

After receiving Ding Dachui’s message, Mu Mianhong had gathered her subordinates and joined forces with Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao had bowed and said “Thank you, Great Chief,” but after that hadn’t spoken privately with Mu Mianhong again.

Mu Mianhong also hadn’t approached Chu Zhao.

Hearing Xiao Man’s complaint, Mu Mianhong only said, “You don’t understand.”

Xiao Man said angrily, “She and I are the same age. What she understands, why wouldn’t I understand?”

Though she complained, she obediently followed Mu Mianhong away.

“Do you actually understand what I’m saying or not?”

Xie Yanlai pressed Chu Zhao’s forehead.

Chu Zhao said with a laugh, “I understand, I understand. I get it—Liang Qiang cannot be trusted. The enmity is already formed. Showing him kindness is useless and will only make him resent me more.”

Xie Yanlai released his hand, his face stern. “Don’t pretend to understand when you don’t.”

Chu Zhao rubbed her forehead. “I’ve always been pretending! Who do I trust? I don’t trust anyone to begin with.” Then she smiled again. “Except for our Commander Xie.”

Xie Yanlai was no longer afraid of such words from her. He chuckled twice and even raised his hand in salute. “Many thanks for Your Majesty’s great favor.” With that, he stood up. “Your Majesty should return to camp quickly. I must go attend to things.”

Chu Zhao personally leading troops here had been an unavoidable measure. As Empress, she couldn’t remain here long to avoid any mishaps.

Chu Zhao understood this principle. She nodded, then added, “Remember to bandage your wounds and apply medicine. You have old injuries.”

Mentioning old injuries all day long—as if they were such a big deal. Xie Yanlai said irritably, “I’ve had old injuries all over from childhood to now. I’ve lived until today and haven’t died yet.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily and raised her hand to him. “My loyal minister spares no thought for his own body in service to the nation. Go quickly, go quickly!”

Xie Yanlai spat and turned to stride away, unable to help smiling. This woman really was—so annoying.

When dawn broke, Chu Zhao returned to where the central army was stationed. Only then did Zhong Changrong let down half his guard.

But there was still no time to rest.

“The victory bulletin has already been sent flying to the capital. It should comfort the people’s hearts and the sovereign’s heart.”

“Also, rewards for merit in this battle must be reported immediately to stabilize military morale.”

Chu Zhao said, “The left wing army deserves rewards but also punishment.”

Zhong Changrong nodded. “I know.” But there was one matter he needed to request instructions on. “Liang Qiang and his father are both in the army.”

Before Chu Zhao returned, she had already sent Ding Dachui with a message for Zhong Changrong to investigate Liang Qiang’s situation.

Only upon investigation did Zhong Changrong learn that the Second Master of the Liang family and his son had actually enlisted, repeatedly earned merit and received numerous rewards, and were now well-known officers with real authority in the army.

Zhong Changrong also knew about the disputes between Minister Liang and the young miss back then. Though the Liang family’s imprisonment was deserved, he also knew the Liang family would certainly harbor resentment toward the Chu family.

“It’s my fault for not carefully reviewing the roster, allowing their father and son to emerge,” he said with self-reproach, then added in a low voice, “However, making them disappear now wouldn’t be a problem.”

Chu Zhao shook her head. “Their father and son truly have earned battle merits. Deliberately suppressing them would actually invite trouble. Give them the merits they deserve. Uncle Zhong, just remember to remain wary of the Liang family.”

Zhong Changrong acknowledged this, hesitated, then said, “Then what about… that person’s merits? How shall we report them?”

Chu Zhao didn’t react immediately. “That person?”

Zhong Changrong turned his face away. “Mu Mianhong. She aided you with merit. So, our military orders are strict as mountains, rewards and punishments are clear, we don’t count private grudges.”

Of course he counted private grudges, but the other officers had pulled him aside to remind him: the general was already gone, and children and parents were connected by blood after all. Being harsh wouldn’t work—it would instead push the young miss toward that woman, playing right into that woman’s hands. So they needed to use clever tactics.

Zhong Changrong, a rough old soldier, had never used clever tactics in his life, but for the general’s sake, for the sake of his pride, he worked hard to learn clever tactics.

The clever tactic was: go along with it.

This woman had earned merit, so reward her for it. When she later tried to demand other things from the young miss, that would show she was grasping for more—then the young miss would see her despicable shamelessness.

Chu Zhao looked at Zhong Changrong’s expression and couldn’t help laughing.

“They don’t count as earning merit,” she said. “At most, it’s atonement, so there’s no need for rewards.”

Zhong Changrong was overjoyed. “The young miss is absolutely right!”

“Don’t make their identities public either,” Chu Zhao continued.

Zhong Changrong was even more pleased. “Good, good, good!” Since the young miss had brought it up herself, saying one more bad thing about that woman wouldn’t be excessive, right? “Their identities are truly disgraceful. If known to the world, it would reflect poorly on the general.”

Mentioning the general made Zhong Changrong’s heart ache.

“Since she is so heartless, we need not show loyalty either.”

Chu Zhao opened her mouth, then swallowed her words.

Actually, that wasn’t what she meant. The reason for not publicizing Mu Mianhong’s identity wasn’t out of concern for reputation or fame, but for private gain.

In that previous life, Xiao Xun had concealed Mu Mianhong’s forces from her and appropriated them for his own use. So in this life, she would conceal them from everyone in the world, keeping them in reserve for unforeseen needs.

Actually, she was the heartless one.

Zhong Changrong withdrew to let her rest properly, leaving behind the merit registry for Mu Mianhong. Chu Zhao looked at it briefly, picked it up, and threw it into the brazier. She walked to the bed, threw herself onto it, and fell into a deep sleep.

……

……

Warfare knew no distinction between day and night, and wartime courier stations received couriers at all hours without distinction.

At the third watch of the night, several couriers rushed into the station.

“Victory report—!”

Accompanying this shout, the incoming couriers were greeted with cheers.

The station master and station workers all ran out, thanking various gods and buddhas. “Finally, a victory report!”

The couriers were both annoyed and amused. “What are you saying? We’ve been sending victory reports continuously all along.”

The station master sighed. “But General Chu is gone, isn’t he? Our hearts have been in our throats.”

The station workers also nodded. “The common people are terrified too. The provincial cities have all implemented scorched earth policies.”

The couriers could understand. At a critical juncture in the war, the death of the commander-in-chief was truly terrifying.

Fortunately, though the commander had died, victory reports still came frequently.

“This flying victory bulletin comes at just the right time—it will surely comfort the people’s hearts,” the station master shouted happily. “Go, make the banner even larger so everyone can see it! Assign ten fine horses and ten men to it for an imposing procession to spread word throughout the land!”

Laughter and joy filled the station.

The couriers only ate a quick meal and rested briefly before taking the larger banner prepared by the station master along with more men and horses, then entering cities and passing through towns to spread news of the great victory everywhere, letting everyone know that even though General Chu was gone, the border regions still achieved great victories and the nation remained stable.

They galloped through the night. As dawn broke faintly, they passed through a mountain valley.

“There’s a city ahead,” the lead courier said, turning back and pointing to a few men. “You all enter the city to announce the victory report. Have the government spread it throughout their jurisdiction.”

The couriers responded in unison.

“The rest of you, follow me—” The lead courier continued, but before finishing, he suddenly shuddered, his eyes bulging as he stared at the couriers behind him.

The couriers also looked at him, seeing an arrow protruding from his throat.

The next moment, the courier disappeared from view, falling from his horse.

The next moment, countless arrows flew from the mountain pass like rain. The soldiers didn’t even have time to cry out before they fell from their horses, struck by arrows.

The valley echoed with the sound of arrows cutting through air and horses neighing.

Moments later, quiet returned, leaving only scattered banners and the corpses of men and horses strewn across the ground.

A group of black-clad figures slid down from the cliff. Several carts rushed in from outside the valley. The black-clad figures lifted the bodies of men and horses onto the carts and hauled them away, then set fire to the scattered banners.

Flames rose in the morning mist, then were swallowed by it.

Sparse firecracker sounds rang out in villages and towns.

The fifth year of Yongning had finally passed and a new year had arrived. A few days ago, the new era name had also been announced: Xingping.

Though the war with Xi Liang continued, victory reports came frequently. Taking advantage of the new year, people prayed and wished for new fortune. Originally, localities planned celebrations, but unexpectedly, terrible news soon followed.

The border army’s commander-in-chief, General Chu Ling, had died.

He died heroically. Before his death, he had battled the Xi Liang King and driven him back.

But no matter how bravely he died, death was death—he no longer existed. What would happen next?

The people panicked and anxiously fled with their families into fortified cities once again. The New Year was forgotten.

Of course, not everyone fled into cities or deep mountains. Some could not leave their homeland, and others were unconcerned.

Several old men stood at the village entrance with some children, lighting a bonfire and throwing bamboo tubes into it to hear the sounds for fun.

“There’s no need to panic at all,” one old man said. “General Chu is gone—does that mean our Da Xia will be defeated? That would truly be laughable!”

Another old man nodded. “Exactly. The young people haven’t experienced these things. General Chu guarded the border regions for so many years—do you think he made no preparations?”

“General Chu was so valiant. The officers and soldiers he trained must all be formidable too,” the first old man said to the children beside him. “There’s an old saying: if the general is incompetent, the whole nest is incompetent. If the general is capable, naturally the whole nest is capable too.”

The other old men laughed along, their expressions confident. “Just wait. Before long, new victory reports will arrive. Even though General Chu is gone, the Xi Liang people won’t get any advantage.”

The children all laughed, throwing more bamboo tubes into the bonfire and jumping around it.

Crackling sounds, laughter and shouts—the village entrance finally had some New Year atmosphere.

One old man suddenly looked at his feet. “Why do I feel the ground is trembling?”

Was it the children jumping too vigorously, or was his aged body shaking?

No old man answered him. The children stopped their jumping and playing. Everyone looked up ahead at the main road outside the village. Not just on the main road—on small paths and across the fields, large numbers of troops appeared.

These troops wore armor and carried weapons, with banners like clouds among their formations.

Who were these people?

Though this place was far from the border regions, troop movements passing through were understandable.

But these troops were heading in the wrong direction!

Besides the assembled and organized troops, scouts galloped back and forth on all sides. Several scouts approached the village. One old man boldly asked, “Which army are you? Are you going to support the border regions?”

The scout looked at them and waved the banner behind him.

“We are Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops,” he said. “Old uncle, the border situation is critical. We’re going to defend the capital. You should hide in your homes and don’t wander about to avoid danger.”

With that, he galloped away.

The old men and children stood dumbfounded. The border regions—critical? Troops were already going to defend the capital? Critical to that extent? Had the Xi Liang soldiers really broken through the moment General Chu died?

Heaven help us—

The children, who knew nothing of worldly suffering, no longer dared to play. They burst into tears and ran toward the village. “Father—! Mother—!”

The old men, who had seen much worldly suffering, also trembled physically and mentally, unable to spare energy to add firewood to the dying bonfire.

Heaven help us—

The late emperor had died, Chu Ling had also died. Was the sky over Da Xia finally about to collapse?

Who could hold up Da Xia’s sky again?

Wait, what had that soldier just said?

Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops?

Right! The late emperor was dead, Chu Ling was dead, but the late emperor still had a brother—Prince Zhongshan!

They looked at the endless troops outside the village, spreading across the sky like dark clouds that seemed to go on forever.

……

……

In the deep night, the imperial palace was even more silent than during the day.

There was no atmosphere of New Year celebration in the palace, let alone firecracker sounds. Originally a few more ornate palace lanterns had been added, but after receiving news of Chu Ling’s death, Xiao Yu had ordered those lanterns taken down.

When Eunuch Qi entered, Xiao Yu was writing something, his small brow furrowed, occasionally sighing.

“What homework is this that has Our Majesty so troubled?” Eunuch Qi asked with a smile.

Xiao Yu said, “Homework could never trouble me. I’m writing a letter to Sister Chu.” He looked up. “What do you think I should say to comfort Sister Chu? No words of comfort work for something like this—I know that—”

At this point, the child’s voice grew somber, and shadows clouded his eyes.

Because he too had lost parents.

And lost them tragically. Eunuch Qi’s heart trembled. He dared not touch this topic either. He half-knelt and said, “Your Majesty, Miss Chu knows all those principles too. You don’t need to console her. You just need to tell her that you’re still here, let her know that even without her father, she still has you—you’re also her family.”

The shadows dispersed from Xiao Yu’s eyes, revealing a smile. “Right, Sister Chu still has me.”

And he still had Sister Chu.

Only Sister Chu now.

Eunuch Qi breathed a sigh of relief and personally ground the ink. Xiao Yu had just picked up his brush to write when hurried footsteps came from outside the door. A eunuch ran in.

“Minister Xie requests an audience,” he said.

Both Xiao Yu and Eunuch Qi’s hands paused. The difference was that Xiao Yu quickly resumed writing, only saying, “Tell Minister Xie that I have retired for the night. I will see him tomorrow.”

Eunuch Qi looked at the eunuch, signaling him to go relay this quickly, but the eunuch didn’t move. He stammered, pointing outside. “Minister, Minister Xie has entered.”

Eunuch Qi startled and looked toward the doorway. Sure enough, he saw Xie Yanfang wearing a cloak and carrying a sword in his hand walking in.

“Minister Xie!” He was alarmed and quickly spoke while standing in front of Xiao Yu, his gaze fixed on the sword in Xie Yanfang’s hand. “What is this?”

Eunuch Qi knew that nowadays this imperial palace, said to be the emperor’s home, was actually Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang’s home—they held the power. But the palace guards here belonged to Chu Zhao, and they did not obey Deng Yi or Xie Yanfang.

Of course, Deng Yi could enter carrying the imperial seal.

How did Xie Yanfang get in? He forced his way in with a sword?

This—

Xie Yanfang knew what he was thinking. He returned the sword to his side and said, “I didn’t force my way in with the sword. I snuck in by climbing over the walls.”

Climbed? Eunuch Qi was stunned. This—this was even more frightening than forcing one’s way in with a sword!

The guards hadn’t even noticed.

Xie Yanfang was so formidable—

Xie Yanfang didn’t elaborate further. “Eunuch Qi, I have urgent matters to discuss privately with His Majesty. Please withdraw with the others.”

Before Eunuch Qi could respond, Xiao Yu behind him spoke.

“Everyone else may withdraw. Minister Xie is my family,” Xiao Yu said, then added, “Eunuch Qi, serve tea.”

Eunuch Qi acknowledged this and turned to pour tea at the side. The other attendants in the hall bowed their heads and withdrew.

Xie Yanfang looked at Xiao Yu standing at the desk. He didn’t insist that Eunuch Qi also leave. He strode forward quickly. “A’Yu, don’t be afraid of what I’m about to tell you.”

Xiao Yu looked at him. “Minister Xie, speak freely. I am not afraid of anything.”

Xie Yanfang said, “Prince Zhongshan has assembled troops five hundred miles outside the capital.”

Eunuch Qi, who had just turned around carrying tea, was shocked. His hands loosened—crash!—the teacup shattered on the floor.

The rock hanging overhead had finally fallen.