Lian Qin felt deeply regretful, only blaming herself for speaking too much and grabbing her to make promises.

Murong Cuan felt both surprised and delighted in her heart, “I won’t tell, you can rest assured.”

She left satisfied.

In the following period, Feng Suzhen felt very happy.

Regarding the harem and those days with Li Zhaoting, she and Lian Yu both tacitly agreed never to mention them. If they accidentally touched upon related matters, they would immediately steer away.

During the day, he commanded the army in training and discussed military strategy with Lian Jie and others. His words and actions seemed even more seasoned than veteran officials like Marquis Murong Jing.

But toward herself, she could sense the complexity and suppression within Lian Yu’s heart.

One night, she woke from a nightmare in the middle of the night, only to see him propped up on his elbow beside the bed, gazing at her with distant eyes.

Hong Gu had performed a technique on him, restoring his original appearance. At that time, his wounds had not yet healed, and his face was wrapped in cloth strips. She laughed and scolded him for frightening her. He smiled lazily, but when he lay down, he held her so tightly she could barely breathe.

During those days, she tried to slowly let go, but Lian Yu did not.

He still harbored guilt and pain toward her, which both surprised and saddened Feng Suzhen.

But he said nothing more, and she didn’t ask. This happiness of loss and recovery, as fragile as walking on thin ice, was already enough to make her heart soft beyond measure… except for this day, when Xiao Zhou and Leng Xue bid farewell.

It was unexpected, yet reasonable. Xiao Zhou said she couldn’t help but set out to find her brother, and Leng Xue also decided to part ways with her in the martial world.

Regarding Xiao Zhou’s decision, she agreed. Regardless, it was time for the three of them to speak clearly.

As for Leng Xue, she had blamed him before, but now that everything seemed to have settled like dust, deep in her heart she was reluctant to part with this sworn brother.

But she knew this was the best way for both of them.

Some people can accompany you during your most difficult times, but are destined to be absent from your peaceful present.

Because you are already happy enough.

You should also release him to the mortal world, to the soft red dust ten zhang deep.

She had written a letter to Quan Feitong, begging him to give Leng Xue the antidote and grant him freedom. Quan Feitong replied, asking her to secretly meet him in Shangjing as an exchange condition.

On the way back, she walked extremely slowly. Perhaps having experienced great joy and sorrow, suffering and matters of life and death, parting sorrows were more easily wounding than usual. Even before the person had left, longing had already crept into her heart.

“Your Majesty, I don’t understand. This is soup being sent to the master, so why must it be delivered through Ninth Prince?”

She let out a long sigh, just thinking of encouraging herself, when she heard a voice, and two figures appeared in the thicket ahead.

She didn’t want to encounter them on this narrow path, so she hid behind a large tree nearby.

Murong Cuan stopped in her tracks and took the food basket from the maid’s hands.

“Have you forgotten what I told you? Ninth Prince accidentally let slip that woman only has a few days left to live. That’s just them deceiving her and His Majesty… Why should I go annoy His Majesty at this critical moment? It’s better to quietly do some things. When that woman dies, I’ll come out to comfort him. He’ll naturally remember my kindness. After some time, he’ll forget about her…”

“Master speaks truly.”

Feng Suzhen felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her from head to toe.

She suddenly understood somewhat why Leng Xue could always be found with Xiao Zhou, why the two left at the same time. It should be related to her condition – they wanted to go outside to seek hope for life.

It’s just that life and death ultimately have their fate.

Murong Cuan and her companion left, though she didn’t know how long ago. Only then did she slowly emerge.

She lifted her skirts and climbed the slope with difficulty, slowly coming to a stop.

Below the mountain, soldiers across the vast wilderness were training in formations. Lian Yu, Lian Jie, Lian Qin, and Marquis Murong Jing each held key positions, personally leading: single serpent formation, twin dragons emerging from water… winding and continuous, magnificent between opening and closing moves – this was the battle to defend the country, the final battle, burning bridges behind them, going forth to succeed or never return.

Ancient trees like waves, the great river like a jade belt, flowing magnificently eastward.

Across the river were thousands of households with cooking smoke, rice and firewood couples, ordinary families.

The combination of austere and warm colors removed most of the sorrowful emotions.

This truly was a magnificent land.

Great figures schemed and plotted for it, killing with cruel brutality, while small people toiled for their livelihood, working from dawn to dusk. But without exception, they all found joy, whether much or little.

She slowly walked back to the main camp courtyard.

There were more soldiers outside the courtyard than usual, and they were stricter. Qilin and his two companions were all present.

Feng Suzhen knew that Lian Yu and others had returned and should be inside discussing military and political matters.

“Madam, this subordinate will notify the master immediately.” Qilin bowed and was about to go inside.

“There are important matters inside, no need to announce me. I’ll just wait for him here.” Feng Suzhen leaped onto the roof eaves.

As her feet touched the roof, her figure swayed and her steps were unsteady. Qilin was startled and was about to have Bai Hu go up to support her, but Feng Suzhen steadied herself, sat down, and laughingly teased him, “Tell me, what age are you really? Should I call you Uncle Fu or Ah Fu?”

Qilin laughed heartily, imitating his old voice, “Whatever Magistrate Li prefers.”

Feng Suzhen said nothing more, quietly gazing at the house ahead.

The others didn’t dare disturb her.

This continued until the sun set in the west. Lian Jie and the various generals gradually emerged. Seeing this scenic figure perched on the eaves, they were all somewhat surprised.

“Oh my, my dear ancestor, what are you doing up there?” Lian Qin called out loudly.

“I’m here admiring flowers, admiring the moon, admiring Lian Yu – no, waiting for Lian Yu.” She laughed heartily.

Whether it was Lian Qin’s loud voice or her own voice, soon someone quickly walked out from inside.

“Why wasn’t I informed?”

He looked at her with reproach.

“I like waiting for you. You used to wait for me for a long time, so what’s wrong with me waiting for you a little while?” Feng Suzhen smiled.

Tender feelings mixed into Lian Yu’s deep eyes. He gathered his energy and leaped up. Seeing these two about to show their affection, and with Lian Qin making a gesture of being unable to bear it, everyone sensibly retreated quickly.

“Come, I’ll have someone bring dinner…” Lian Yu embraced her and was about to lead her inside.

“Lian Yu,” Feng Suzhen stopped him, “let’s go to a place.”

The two returned to the hillside from earlier.

“I’ve been too happy these past few days. I was thinking, what if you go to war and never come back?” Feng Suzhen broke free from his embrace and walked ahead to stand.

Lian Yu looked at her, “I will definitely return. This is my promise to you…”

“Don’t make promises lightly. When you can’t fulfill them, do you know how much others will hate you?” Feng Suzhen turned to look at him, the sunset’s afterglow making her face appear hazy and unclear.

“Moreover, life should be measured by width, not length. Xiao Zhou says I have over ten years left, but even if I could only make it to today, I would have no regrets. In this life, with every choice I made, I followed my heart. I didn’t do anything to wrong others. I tried my hardest to live, and I even met you—”

“Look, your body is improving daily. Zhuque says you have at least ten more years of time. She will find a way, and I will never let anything happen to you.” Lian Yu initially listened attentively, then his expression changed, and he interrupted her quite sternly, stepping forward to pull her into his arms.

His hands used such force that she felt as if her entire being had been embedded into his body.

“No, Lian Yu, let me finish. I know you will fight with all your might, but I want to tell you, even if you are defeated and cannot return, I will be sad, but I will never give up on myself. I will take good care of Lianzi. Though our time together was short, it was better than others’. I hope you can understand this.”

“Thank you…” His low voice rarely carried a trace of hoarseness.

She heard his jaw trembling slightly.

Behind his back, where he couldn’t see, she tightly closed her eyes.

To his ears, these words were spoken to set his mind at ease, so he wouldn’t have concerns and could fight with full strength. But actually, they were spoken for that day not far away. When she was gone, he should also live joyfully and brilliantly. What he had given her was enough. She had no regrets. Nothing would make her happier than seeing him live well.

After dinner, Lian Yu worked as usual, studying military maps under the lamplight, marking something with a vermillion brush. Feng Suzhen played with Lianzi for a while, coaxed the little ancestor to sleep, and without bothering him, went directly to find Xiao Zhou.

Lian Yu knew of her friendship with Xiao Zhou. In these extraordinary times, he couldn’t spend much time with her, so it was naturally good for someone to keep her company.

In Xiao Zhou’s courtyard.

Seeing Feng Suzhen come to find her, Xiao Zhou smiled slightly, “Since I’m leaving tomorrow, are you here to give me a farewell—”

“Zhuque, something’s happened. Quickly go find Huaisu and have her come discuss this. If we go, I’m afraid it will arouse Sixth Brother’s suspicion…”

Before Feng Suzhen could respond, Lian Qin’s voice rang out urgently and anxiously.

The two looked over to see Lian Jie carrying Lian Qin striding over, both with very unpleasant expressions. Feng Suzhen’s heart couldn’t help but sink.

“What’s the matter?”

Seeing her, the two showed a rare trace of delight, but it quickly dimmed again.

“Wuqing sent a letter. Lian Xin… something happened.” Lian Jie said, holding letters crumpled from gripping in his hands.

Two letters.

The group entered the room in gloomy silence. Feng Suzhen swallowed and quickly took the letters.

Lian Xin assassinated Mao Hui and Yu Jinglun but was captured. Her suicide attempt failed, and she was handed over to Wei Chenghui. I am in Shangjing seeking ways to rescue her.

The first letter was signed “Wuqing” with a communication address.

The second letter was written by Wei Chenghui.

Your Majesty, if you are willing to surrender and hand over military power, this old minister can guarantee before the new ruler that your entire imperial family will not die, and you will be granted fields and houses in a prosperous corner for peaceful settlement. If you do not surrender, within one month’s limit, your sister will be hanged on Shangjing’s city tower for all to see.

Very concise and to the point, but every word revealed the Wei family’s characteristic ruthless viciousness.