————【When wolf smoke rises, it doesn’t necessarily herald war; it might also symbolize the coming of peace.】

The azure wind drifted, green grass swayed. The young general, dressed in cyan-colored armor, sat on horseback, unfolding the letter in his hand, silently reading it for a long time.

In the distance, hoofbeats sounded. Wei Shuye galloped from behind, seeing his unpredictable expression, slightly raised his eyebrows.

“Another letter from Zhuge Four?”

“Yes.”

After a long while, Zhao Che finally raised his head, chuckled, and said, “He’s had another daughter and is asking me for a title.”

“Oh?” Wei Shuye smiled genuinely: “He truly has both sons and daughters now. We should send a congratulatory gift.”

“No need to worry. He’s already drafted a gift list, asking us to send according to what he wrote.”

Wei Shuye was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then laughed: “He’s already a father of two, yet still has that awkward demeanor. No matter what, he refuses to lose out on anything.”

Zhao Che’s gaze softened, seemingly recalling some youthful memories, speaking with a smile at the corner of his mouth: “He’s been like that since childhood. Do you remember when we studied at Shangwu Hall together? Everyone had to host a feast on their birthday, and others prepared red envelopes and gifts. But he was peculiar, never saying anything or hosting feasts. Once, Thirteen ate a meal with him, coincidentally on his birthday. Thirteen later boasted to us about how impressive he was, eating Zhuge Four’s free meal. The next day, more than twenty businesses went to Thirteen’s steward to collect debts, saying that Zhuge Mansion’s Fourth Young Master had bought a bunch of things using Thirteen’s name, telling them to find him for payment.”

Wei Shuye laughed heartily: “I remember, I remember clearly! That time, His Highness Thirteen bled money. One meal cost him half a year’s salary. He borrowed money from me for three consecutive months and hasn’t paid back even now.”

“Haha, they say Thirteen is honest, but he’s the most cunning. From childhood to adulthood, he’s notorious for not repaying borrowed money.”

The two chatted as they walked back. Currently, Zhao Che’s temporary palace was set in Shuanghan City, adjacent to North Ross, covering a vast area comparable to Da Xia’s capital, Zhen Huang. After these years of development, the population had gradually prospered, already showing some characteristics of the north’s premier commercial city.

Before entering the city, they heard the clamor of rapid hoofbeats approaching. The woman at the front wore a bright red cloak, with fire-red fox fur boots. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her brows and eyes like a painting. Looking carefully, her belly was slightly protruding, seemingly pregnant. Seeing Zhao Che, her eyes immediately brightened. She vigorously waved her whip and spurred her horse forward.

Zhao Che couldn’t help but frown, while Wei Shuye covered his mouth and laughed softly.

“You come back without telling me. Humph, I still found out!”

The woman was already a mother of two children, and now her third child was about to be born. Yet she still maintained a girlish, coquettish demeanor. Swinging her whip, raising her small chin, and narrowing her eyes at Zhao Che, she appeared triumphant.

“You’re pregnant, why are you still riding horses? Do you not take my words to heart?”

“Tsk—”

Wanyan Rou softly grunted, carelessly saying: “I was born on horseback. We Eastern Hu women aren’t as delicate as your Da Xia women.”

As she spoke, she suddenly jumped down from her horse, ran to Zhao Che’s side, and used both hands and feet to climb onto his horse. It seemed she wanted to ride with him.

“Pull me, give me a hand!”

Wanyan Rou stood on tiptoe, calling from the side. With her big belly, mounting a horse was indeed inconvenient.

Zhao Che, looking at her stubborn little face, finally surrendered helplessly, sighed, and pulled her onto the horseback. But he no longer dared to gallop wildly, only lightly kicking the horse’s belly, making it walk slowly.

And Miss Wanyan Rou, who vocally claimed not to be as delicate as Da Xia women, obediently leaned in her husband’s embrace, smiling contentedly, like a cat that had caught a fish.

Just after returning to the palace, a servant came to report battle news from the inland. Wanyan Rou cursed angrily, pouting as she returned to the inner palace, saying she would go play cuju with her son.

Zhao Che, walking towards the political hall, instructed the servants to watch over her. The afternoon sunlight was warm, filtering through the window lattice onto the ground, creating a patch of brilliant golden yellow.

The news was delivered by Zhao Xie’s people, with content similar to what Zhuge Yue had said, only more detailed.

It was not surprising that Zhao Xie, who had been active at the northern border for years, knew more. Moreover, Zhuge Yue’s letter was probably sent half a month ago when the battle situation wasn’t yet intense. That he could detect the seriousness of the situation early was already remarkable.

Wei Shuye had long known that Zhuge Yue’s letter wouldn’t be just about that. But he had just returned from an expedition against Tujue Hun, and Zhao Che didn’t want to worry him. So he had just gone home briefly before entering the palace. As soon as he entered the political hall, he indeed found Zhao Che had summoned a group of generals and ministers, discussing military affairs.

After discussing for a full two hours, dinner time arrived. Wanyan Rou had sent people to urge several times, almost coming personally to fight with the ministers. The elders finally had to leave the palace with anxious hearts. Zhao Che invited Wei Shuye to stay for dinner, and Wei Shuye didn’t refuse, though, during the meal, he inevitably received several glaring looks from a certain woman who wanted to monopolize her husband.

After dinner, the two entered the study. Zhao Che asked directly: “What do you think of this matter?”

Wei Shuye smiled slightly, saying: “Your Highness should already have an idea. Why ask me?”

Zhao Che frowned, saying: “I haven’t decided yet.”

“When Your Highness hesitates, it means you’ve already decided.”

Zhao Che slowly sat down, his fingers caressing the wall of the teacup, silently not speaking.

“The Duchess of Jing’an, braving the world’s condemnation, attacking Meilin Pass, letting the Quanrong people advance eastward, this is simply seeking death. Your Highness, this time, even if she is a blood descendant of our Great Xia, we cannot tolerate it.”

Seeing Zhao Che remain silent, Wei Shuye continued: “Previously, she tried to kill Chu Qiao several times, openly and secretly. If not for your face, Zhuge Four would have acted long ago. These years, Bian Tang didn’t move against her, Qinghai didn’t move against her, and Yan Xun, I don’t know what he’s thinking—he had several opportunities but didn’t strike in the end—plus our covert protection, so she faced no mortal danger. But this time, what she’s done is too much.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Che said: “The Quanrong people have already reached Beishuo.”

“Great Yan has just been established for six years. Domestic forces are unstable, and local Da Xia military forces have not been completely removed. Princess Chun, raising the banner of restoring the Xia regime, can indeed gain some advantages. But once the timing passes slightly, letting the common people and army witness the Quanrong’s brutality, they will inevitably turn against her. At that time, Princess Chun will be in a completely passive situation, and the title of Eastern Land traitor will be fixed.”

Wei Shuye spoke eloquently. After years of bloody cleansing, he was no longer the elegant young master from the capital city of Zhen Huang.

Zhao Che frowned, slowly saying: “What Minister Zhang said, do you think it’s feasible?”

Wei Shuye laughed: “Your Highness, you know it in your heart, so why ask me?”

Zhao Che looked at him, and after a while, suddenly smiled: “Indeed, no wonder Ah Rou says I’m becoming more and more indecisive. I am truly anxious about gain and loss.”

“All rulers are like this. Before, you were just a vassal king, but now you are the monarch of Great Xia, responsible for so many people. You can’t help but be cautious.”

“I understand. Yan Bei’s rule has already stabilized. Now the northern situation is chaotic. We cannot fight on two fronts simultaneously. The result of trying to take care of both would be gaining nothing. We cannot take this advantage.”

Wei Shuye asked: “Then what about Zhuge Four’s proposal?”

“Let’s wait and see.” Zhao Che frowned: “We are different from him. Qinghai has always been independent, with no fundamental hatred of the inland. But our warriors, especially the upper military officers, hate Yan Bei to the bone. Asking them to help Yan Bei fight would be harder than asking for their lives.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Shuye sighed helplessly, shaking his head: “Alas, how is this fighting for others?”

Zhao Che also smiled helplessly: “How can we make these people understand?”

“By the way, the ritual official just sent out a swift horse beyond the pass. What was so urgent?”

Speaking of this, Zhao Che finally revealed a relaxed smile, saying: “It’s about finding a wife for Xian’er. Currently, the Pearl Princess from the Zhuge family is a treasure. I need to secure the marriage before Bian Tang does.”

“Emperor Tang Li’s Concubine Xiu?”

Wei Shuye asked in surprise: “Hasn’t he already established an Empress?”

“You’ve forgotten, Li Ce still has another son, the son of Concubine Zhan, who has been living in Qinghai.”

“Oh, I remember now.” Wei Shuye nodded: “I’ve seen that child once. He’s very much like his father, especially those eyes.”

Zhao Che leaned back in his chair, saying proudly: “He asked me for so many things, sooner or later he’ll have to return them all to me as his daughter’s dowry.”

Wind rose in the northern lands where green grass had just begun to sprout. At this time in Qinghai, rain was beating on the banana leaves, creating a scene of lush greenery.

In the deep of night, Chu Qiao, wearing cotton-white nightclothes, lowered the window shields. The pitter-patter of rain was immediately blocked out. A pair of red candles burned quietly, the light dim, everything peaceful.

A pair of hands embraced her from behind, warm breath on the back of her ear. Zhuge Yue, with a deep weariness, leaned against her soft body, saying softly: “Not asleep yet?”

“How could I dare sleep first when you haven’t returned?”

Chu Qiao smiled, turning around, lightly pecking his lips, asking: “Are you hungry? Do you want to ask the kitchen to prepare a late meal? I’ve had them keep it warm waiting for you.”

Zhuge Yue smiled, seemingly not too satisfied with her dragonfly-touching-water kiss. He lowered his head, covering Chu Qiao’s soft lips, tracing her lip shape with his lips, his tongue skillfully prying open her pearl-like teeth, passionately entwining with her tongue.

Chu Qiao gently embraced his waist, fervently responding. Soon, the temperature in the air seemed to rise on its own. Zhuge Yue’s husky voice sounded by her ear, filled with intense desire, with a uniquely charming allure: “It’s been so many days, don’t you miss me?”

Chu Qiao’s cheeks were pink, panting softly, her entire body leaning in his embrace, head raised, her eyes seeming covered with mist, moist and profound.

“I’ve been missing you. If you keep torturing me like this, I’ll have to take concubines.”

Chu Qiao frowned, her fist weakly hitting his chest: “You dare?”

“If you don’t want me to take concubines, then be more diligent.”

Zhuge Yue’s wrist moved nimbly upward, removing her hairpin. Her full black hair instantly fell. His hands were long and white, like Hetian jade, slowly sliding down Chu Qiao’s neck, arousing a numbness. Delicate kisses followed down her snow-white neck. His fingers untied her nightclothes. The lamplight flickered, and the warm curtain rippled like spring tides. Silk and gauze fluttered to the floor. Her skin was like porcelain, smooth and delicate, with exquisite curves.

Zhuge Yue lifted her horizontally in his arms, turning to walk to the wide bed…

The consequence of not eating dinner was severe. Someone woke up in the middle of the night, dragging an aching body to get up, walking to the small table to secretly eat pastries.

Just taking two steps, she nearly fell headlong to the ground. She frowned, very aggrieved, rubbing her lower back.

So sore, so painful, even standing was difficult.

She glared at a certain person on the bed.

Must it always be like this? How was she supposed to teach Zou’er sword practice tomorrow? Did he feel accomplished when her son laughed at her?

Squatting by the small table eating pastries, the tea was already cold, but being hungry, it still tasted good. Suddenly, a low laugh came from the bed. She startled, immediately standing up, wiping her mouth, saying: “You’re not asleep?”

Moonlight shone through the window. The man on the bed lay on his side, one hand propping his head, beckoning to her, smiling faintly, saying: “Come here.”

Chu Qiao grunted, saying: “No.”

Zhuge Yue smiled, saying: “It’s for your own good. You’re wearing nothing; I fear you’ll catch a cold.”

Chu Qiao’s face immediately reddened. She hurriedly looked for clothes on the floor but felt her waist suddenly tighten, pulled into the embrace of someone with long arms and legs.

“Tired?”

Using a thin blanket to wrap around her chest, her snow-white shoulders exposed to the air, he couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss them.

Chu Qiao honestly nodded: “A little.”

“Hungry? I’ll call someone to bring food.”

“No, no!” Chu Qiao hurriedly refused. What a joke! Calling for food at this time? Tomorrow she would be laughed to death by Li Qingrong and those precocious children.

He held her, sitting on the soft couch by the small table, taking a piece of pastry and putting it in her mouth. The two chatted casually. Time passed bit by bit. The great hall was as quiet as water. The entire world had already fallen asleep, leaving only them leaning together, skin warm, all peaceful and serene.

“Xing’er, the Quanrong people have already fought to Beishuo Pass. What do you think?”

Chu Qiao sighed slightly, thought for a while, and then carefully asked: “Zhuge Yue, do you trust me?”

Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow, smiling: “You want me to send troops to help Yan Xun?”

“Not to help Yan Xun, but to help ourselves.”

Chu Qiao shook her head, quietly saying: “You and I both know that in this war, the Quanrong people absolutely won’t gain any advantage. Perhaps in the initial stages, they might gain a slight upper hand due to the element of surprise, but once Yan Bei recovers, the Quanrong’s good days will end. But exactly how long that will take is debatable. Perhaps the difference in this battle is only how much destruction the Quanrong can cause to Yan Bei. These people are fierce in battle, but overall they lack military strategy, attacking without direction, just a frenzy of chaotic fighting. To call them an army, it’s more accurate to call them a meat grinder.”

Zhuge Yue embraced her, quietly listening, not speaking.

Chu Qiao continued: “In the thirteenth year of Emperor Ming of Tang, the Quanrong people also broke through Meilin Pass once. In just one month, the entire western border became a scorched earth. Nearly a million civilians died. All the classics and buildings were destroyed. At that time, national power declined for decades. If not for that incident, Great Tang would not have later been taken advantage of by Da Xia, eventually ending in a fragmented situation.”

“If Yan Bei’s national power declines because of this war, wouldn’t we have more opportunity to recover lost territory?”

Chu Qiao smiled, glancing at him sideways, saying: “You clearly know what the situation is in your heart, yet you ask me this question. Can I understand this as our Qinghai King is feeling jealous?”

Zhuge Yue laughed, lowering his head to kiss her once, saying: “I understand. Yan Xun definitely won’t let me watch from the sidelines. If he sees me not moving for a long time, he might lead the Quanrong people to attack Qinghai.”

“Guessed very accurately, completely in line with his way of doing things.”

“Forget it,” Zhuge Yue said: “Rather than having him lead people to Qinghai, I should send troops to help him block people outside Beishuo, saving us from chaos. Now the common people have just begun spring planting. If they come to cause trouble, who would still have the heart to farm and work?”

Chu Qiao asked: “When do you plan to send troops?”

“In the next few days.” Zhuge Yue said: “I’m waiting for news from Zhao Che. At this time, he must be taking advantage of the fire to loot in the north. If Yan Xun wanted to withdraw troops to fight the Quanrong, he would have to let him gain some advantage. I need to wait until he succeeds before taking action, and also need to find the wealthy Emperor Yan to ask for some military funds.”

Chu Qiao said: “You two are really like barefoot people who don’t fear those wearing shoes. Aren’t you afraid negotiations will break down? Then when you send troops, won’t you lose even more face?”

Zhuge Yue smiled, saying: “We three have fought for so many years, we understand each other somewhat. Fighting back and forth, we can’t determine victory or defeat. Now all regimes have just stabilized, and no one dares to use national power to launch large-scale wars. Continuing to fight like this is not a solution. When war can’t thoroughly solve problems, the final method is still negotiation. Ximeng has been fighting for more than ten years; it’s time for a rest.”

Hearing this, Chu Qiao sighed slightly. She leaned in Zhuge Yue’s embrace, quietly saying: “Let’s hope so.”

The Quanrong people outside Meilin Pass came killing with fierce momentum. All the common people of Ximeng hated them to the core. But perhaps they didn’t know that the arrival of these people, although bringing intense bloodshed and tragic killing, also brought a glimmer of chance, a hope for true peace.

Beishuo, Beishuo, how many years had it been since she left that land?

Unexpectedly, there would be a day to return.