Gao Qiao had ridden from Jiankang to Jingkou, traveling light with only Gao Yin and a few close attendants.

He always paid attention to his appearance, presenting himself impeccably before others with immaculate clothing and unstained socks.

But at this moment, he was dusty from travel with dirt on his clothing hems, showing the urgency of his journey.

He was currently seated in the guest hall with Gao Yin sitting beside him. He was conversing with Lu Shi, both wearing smiles and talking happily.

“Father! How did you come?”

Luoshen rushed in, calling out joyfully.

Gao Qiao turned his face and, seeing his daughter rushing in, showed a smile. When she stopped beside him, he gently scolded in a low voice: “Mother is present—you cannot be so rash and ignorant of propriety.”

Luoshen pressed her lips together and said quietly, “Your daughter understands.”

Lu Shi laughed: “Minister is being too formal. How could A’Mi not know propriety? She only treats me as family, which is why she’s so unrestrained in nature—I greatly appreciate it.”

Luoshen smiled at her father and called out to Gao Yin as “elder brother.”

Gao Yin nodded with a smile.

Gao Qiao had no choice but to shake his head with a rueful smile.

Li Mu entered. Lu Shi recognized the sound of his footsteps and immediately said: “Mu’er, your father-in-law has come from Jiankang. Come quickly to pay respects!”

Li Mu showed a smile and stepped forward to bow respectfully to Gao Qiao, saying: “Today I happened to take A’Mi and my younger sister to Golden Mountain to watch the tides and just returned. It’s gotten somewhat late, and not knowing of father-in-law’s arrival, this is truly improper.”

After speaking, he and Gao Yin exchanged greetings.

Gao Qiao’s gaze fell on him, sizing him up. Seeing his composure and unhurried manner, a trace of dark light flashed in his eyes, but he nodded with a smile: “No matter. I also just arrived.”

“Father, did you come because of some matter?”

Luoshen asked with a smile.

Gao Qiao said: “Your daughter married to Jingkou—can father not come when there’s nothing going on?”

“Father! You know that’s not what I meant!”

Luoshen wouldn’t accept this.

Gao Qiao stroked his beard and laughed.

Lu Shi said: “Father-in-law and elder brother have had a hard journey. Mu’er, why don’t you lead them to have some food and rest early?”

Gao Yin quickly said: “Mother needn’t worry. Uncle and I already ate on the road.”

Li Mu looked toward Gao Qiao.

Gao Qiao said: “Jingchen, if you have nothing else, you can show me around. When I came, I saw some scenery by the river that looked quite nice.”

Li Mu respectfully said: “Please follow me, father-in-law.”

Gao Qiao smiled and bid Lu Shi a temporary farewell, then headed outside.

Li Mu told Luoshen to return to her room to rest first, then followed Gao Qiao out.

The two men went outside, each mounted their horses, and galloped toward the outskirts of town.

Soon, the sound of flowing river reached their ears faintly.

They had arrived at the ferry crossing.

During the day, the ferry area bustled with people coming and going, boats competing to cross. But now it was empty of people and boats, with only the moon overhead quietly illuminating the human world.

Gao Qiao dismounted and stood by the river.

The river wind pressed his beard against his face, and the tasseled ornament at his sword hilt danced wildly in the wind. The jade beads on the tassels struck against the scabbard, making tinkling sounds like a long sword humming and trembling in its sheath, ready to burst forth.

“Did you receive my letter?”

His attitude was completely different from what it had been before Lu Shi and his daughter—cold and demanding.

“I received it at noon. I should have obeyed father-in-law’s command to go to Jiankang immediately. But I had already promised A’Mi an outing and couldn’t bear to disappoint her, so I delayed half a day, planning to depart tomorrow. I never expected father-in-law to come personally—your son-in-law is terrified.”

Gao Qiao stared at the man across from him, furrowing his brow.

“Enough. I have something to ask you. You must answer honestly without the slightest concealment!”

“Father-in-law, please ask.”

Gao Qiao narrowed his eyes.

“His Majesty intends to appoint you as Governor of Yicheng? Not only that, I’ve heard that you previously recruited private soldiers in Bajun. Those private soldiers didn’t return with you but remain there, awaiting orders?”

“The so-called governorship is merely an empty title, not even worth a single carriage.”

Li Mu said.

“Father-in-law also knows that Yicheng has been through years of warfare and is now like barren land. His Majesty has grand ambitions, wanting to push our territory back north. Taking advantage of the recent victory in Bajun, he’s sending me to Yicheng to clear wasteland and establish borders. Besides spreading our civilized ways and displaying the emperor’s grace and might, it’s also to have a starting point for future northern expeditions.”

“As for recruiting soldiers, at the time the Ba people shared a common hatred of the enemy and voluntarily joined the army. After the war, those willing to continue military service numbered no more than one or two out of ten. The remaining men are fewer than a thousand and can hardly be called private soldiers.”

Gao Qiao watched him with an inscrutable expression, then nodded after a moment.

“You have aspirations for northern expedition—very good. But why didn’t you come to my Guangling initially? As long as you came to my Guangling, when the time comes, you could command all my Gao family’s troops. Wouldn’t that be more convenient than your current venture of going deep into northern territory to clear wasteland, blazing trails through mountains and forests?”

“Li Mu is grateful for father-in-law’s support and trust. But this matter—first, it’s by imperial command. Second, Guangling is like our Great Yu’s northern gateway. Father-in-law’s troops still need to constantly guard against Beixia’s southern invasions. If troops were divided for northern expedition, I fear there would be danger of leaving the gateway wide open. Northern expedition is indeed my life’s ambition, but I can still distinguish what’s light and what’s heavy.”

“Indeed you have eloquent talent, but unfortunately, while you can deceive others, you cannot deceive me, Gao Qiao!”

His expression suddenly became stern.

“Yicheng appears to be barren land to others, but when I led northern expeditions years ago, I once took routes through that vicinity and surveyed the terrain. This place connects north to Bingzhou, from which Jinyang and Chang’an can be taken, and extends south to control Xiangyang and defend Jiangling. If properly developed, it could serve as strategic territory! His Majesty does indeed have lofty aspirations, but his talent is merely ordinary, and his first priority in life is definitely not northern expedition! How would he spontaneously think to send you to develop Yicheng? Clearly you planned this yourself, using His Majesty’s words to achieve your purpose!”

Gao Qiao’s expression suddenly became severe.

“Li Mu, you say taking Yicheng is to plan territory for northern expedition. But I suspect you have other schemes!”

“The world is now in turmoil. The northern barbarians, whenever they get the slightest opportunity, occupy some tiny territory and shamelessly declare themselves emperors, constantly warring and causing chaos where people cannot survive. Our Southern Dynasty also faces continuous troubles. The imperial house is weak, rebellions never cease. Over these years, ambitious wolves who overestimate themselves continue to emerge.”

“When you forcibly married my daughter, I knew you were deeply scheming and not one to willingly remain subordinate. I, Gao Qiao, declare today: if you want to become a traitorous minister, even though I’ve retired to private life, as long as I have breath left, I’ll be the first to refuse!”

Gao Qiao’s righteousness was stern, his gaze solemn.

This was a warning from a powerful minister who had controlled the Southern Dynasty for years to an ambitious schemer.

His words, mixed with the river flow behind him, were deafening and extremely imposing.

After waiting a moment without hearing a response, Gao Qiao sneered coldly: “What’s this? You have nothing to say?”

“Recovering Shenzhou must also be father-in-law’s lifelong aspiration. Father-in-law once raised armies twice, but may Li Mu boldly ask: following rules and regulations as father-in-law has done, has northern expedition ever succeeded?”

Gao Qiao could hardly believe his ears.

This young ambitious schemer had finally spoken under his questioning.

But what Gao Qiao hadn’t expected was that instead of making excuses, he essentially admitted it and even dared to offend him so directly, immediately tearing at that old scar in his heart that wouldn’t heal.

He heard him continue: “Father-in-law’s two northern expeditions once pressed victory close to the Eastern Capital, but ultimately returned without success. Besides strong enemies blocking the way, the court behind father-in-law—from the imperial house above to the noble families below—created numerous obstacles, with the tail too big to wag. Two hundred thousand troops, yet supplies failed to keep up from behind, causing difficulty at every step and the great enterprise to fail!”

“Father-in-law, have you ever considered: if back then you could have controlled the court with one hand, who knows what the situation in the Central Plains would be today?”

“Northern expedition to the Central Plains, recovering both capitals—this was my ancestors’ wish and is also my wish, Li Mu. Father-in-law wants me to go to Guangling, saying you’ll lend me troops for future northern expeditions. Though father-in-law still has those aspirations from years past, unfortunately you’re deeply mistrusted by His Majesty. Even if His Majesty trusted you, there are still many noble families, each with their own thoughts, watching like tigers. How can father-in-law be certain that with such a chaotic, weak court, the Guangling troops going north can avoid repeating past mistakes?”

Gao Qiao was shocked.

Several days ago, concerned about Li Mu’s future arrangements, he had privately seen the emperor in the palace. With just a few probing words, he learned of the plan from the emperor. After returning, the more he thought about it, the more wrong it seemed, so he wrote a letter and had it urgently sent to Jingkou, ordering him to come see him immediately.

After sending the letter, just one night passed before, driven by suspicion and because the matter was so important, he became impatient and decided to come personally to question him face to face.

With Gao Qiao’s keen sense honed from years in politics, how could he not understand the implications of his son-in-law’s response?

Obviously, his suspicions were correct.

He wanted to use this opportunity to establish his own foundation and build his own enterprise.

In the future, if he truly gained full power and controlled a region, beyond northern expedition, his ambitions probably wouldn’t be containable by the court.

He stared intently at the man before him.

“Li Mu, northern expedition is indeed my wish, but I also won’t tolerate anyone plotting treachery and disrupting state order! I ask you one final time: will you come to Guangling or not?”

Li Mu met his pressing gaze and said: “Thank you, father-in-law. But I maintain my position—Guangling is not my destination.”

Gao Qiao flew into a rage, suddenly raising his hand to grasp his sword hilt and drawing the blade.

A flash of cold light passed as the sword edge came to rest at Li Mu’s throat.

“It seems you’re determined to become this traitorous minister. Very well, I’ll kill you now to eliminate future troubles!”

A wisp of dark cloud covered the moon, and the riverside night suddenly dimmed.

Gao Qiao’s eyes flashed like lightning as he coldly stared at the man shrouded in darkness.

“Don’t think I’m intimidating you, and don’t think that because you married my daughter I’ll be lenient! I told you before that if I discovered you had other schemes, for the sake of the world, what would it matter if I killed you?”

His sword-wielding hand suddenly exerted force.

The sword’s edge easily cut a gash in the skin.

“Life has death. With this seven-foot body, having made vows, why should I cherish my head? I only regret that my grand ambitions remain unfulfilled, that I cannot die in the right place!”

Li Mu suddenly spoke.

“If father-in-law thinks killing me will let the Southern Dynasty survive peacefully forever, then act.”

Night wind blew, dispersing the clouds covering the moon.

A stream of dark red blood flowed along the sword edge from Li Mu’s neck, staining his collar red.

His face became clear again under the moon’s shadow, his features stern and cold.

Gao Qiao’s face was iron gray, his sword-holding hand showing crossed veins on its back.

Li Mu stood throughout with hands at his sides, looking directly at him, his figure motionless.

Gao Qiao’s eyelid twitched. After a long moment, he said through gritted teeth: “If I killed you like this today, you certainly wouldn’t accept it. Very well, I’ll spare your life for now and let you go to Yicheng. I want to see just what abilities you, Li Mu, possess—you’re merely a Guard General, yet you dare to presume to such extent! Remember this: in the future, if you truly act improperly, my Gao family’s troops will kill barbarians and also eliminate traitors!”

He changed his tone.

“I spare your life today, but A’Mi—I must take her back from your Li family! A Gao family daughter can marry into humble origins but absolutely cannot marry someone plotting treachery. Know this!”

After speaking, Gao Qiao suddenly sheathed his sword, returning the blood-stained blade to its scabbard, then turned to leave.

Li Mu watched his rapidly departing figure and suddenly said: “Within one year, I will take the Western Capital. Minister Gao, do you dare make this wager with me?”

Gao Qiao stopped, slowly turned back, unable to hide his astonishment.

The Western Capital was Chang’an, the auxiliary capital of Beixia. The Jie people had been active west of Chang’an since early times. After rising to power, they seized it during the chaos and carefully developed it, planning to use Tongguan’s defenses to make Guanzhong their great rear base—from which they could advance or retreat. After last year’s defeat north of the river, the Xia kingdom’s capital Luoyang was in dire straits, making the strategic deployment of the Western Capital even more important.

The current defensive strength there was imaginable.

Li Mu’s private soldiers currently numbered at most two thousand, yet he spoke such words—how could Gao Qiao not be surprised?

Li Mu walked forward.

“Minister Gao, I only ask: do you dare wager with me?”

“How do we wager?” Gao Qiao said coolly.

“We wager A’Mi.”

“You are A’Mi’s father. Though according to propriety A’Mi is now a member of my Li family, if you truly want to take her away, I won’t stop you. After one year, I’ll use the Western Capital as my betrothal gift and come for her again!”

“Do you dare make this wager with me?”

Gao Qiao stared at Li Mu for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“I’ve seen many arrogant youngsters who don’t know their limits, but you’ve certainly broadened my horizons!”

His words couldn’t hide their mockery.

“Just defeating Yuan Jie, and you dare be so recklessly presumptuous!”

“Very well. I’ll watch and see exactly what state you’ll be in after one year!”

Gao Qiao laughed coldly, no longer glancing at Li Mu, and swept away.

…

No matter how naive Luoshen was, she could see that father’s sudden arrival tonight meant something had happened.

After the two men left, seeing Lu Shi’s grave expression as if deep in thought, knowing she must be worried too, how could she have the mood to return to her room to rest? She kept signaling to her elder brother until she called him to a deserted place in the courtyard, grabbed him, and pressed him about father’s purpose for this trip.

Not only did Gao Yin not really understand the situation, but even if he knew, he wouldn’t tell Luoshen, so naturally there was no result. Seeing she couldn’t get anything from questioning and that her elder brother only comforted her, telling her not to worry, she became even more anxious and restless.

Father and he had been out for some time now but hadn’t returned.

The longer she waited, the more anxious she became, with a faint sense of foreboding.

Just as she was sitting restlessly, she suddenly heard footsteps outside. Her heart jumped as she hurried out to meet them. Indeed, she saw father and Li Mu returning.

The two entered one after the other.

Looking at their expressions, it seemed nothing bad had happened.

It appeared the father-in-law and son-in-law had truly just gone out for a stroll together and just returned.

But before Luoshen could breathe a sigh of relief, she was startled by what she saw.

After going out for a trip, Li Mu now had a wound on one side of his neck.

Though it looked like it had been simply treated and the blood was slowly coagulating, the wound—cut by who knows what—was as wide as a palm. Even his collar was stained with blood marks, looking extremely shocking.

Surprised, she was about to approach and ask when she saw him give her a slight smile and wave his hand.

She immediately understood his meaning.

He was saying he was fine and she needn’t worry.

Luoshen glanced at Lu Shi and temporarily forced herself to suppress her questions.

But she saw father had already stepped forward to say to Lu Shi: “Madam Li, I came to Jingkou tonight to convey His Majesty’s imperial edict. Jingchen’s talents are exceptional, and His Majesty greatly appreciates him, wanting to entrust him with important duties. Congratulations, Madam Li.”

Lu Shi said joyfully: “My son being able to serve the court is his proper duty. This is also thanks to Minister’s support—this old woman is infinitely grateful.”

Gao Qiao smiled: “Madam Li is too polite. Jingchen’s current position is entirely due to his own brilliant talents—what support could I provide? But there’s one matter that I fear will displease Madam Li when I mention it.”

Lu Shi quickly said: “Minister needn’t be so formal. Please speak freely.”

Gao Qiao then said: “I have other urgent matters, so after conveying the imperial intention tonight, I must depart for Jiankang. My wife and I have only A’Mi as our daughter. Since she married here, to be frank, we miss her terribly. Jingchen will soon leave home to serve His Majesty, so I was thinking—why not take this opportunity tonight to have my daughter return to Jiankang with me? Would Madam agree?”

Lu Shi was obviously startled. Before she could speak, Luoshen had already cried out in surprise: “Father? Why so urgent? I…”

She instinctively wanted to say “I don’t want to return yet,” but stopped halfway.

Lu Shi also came to her senses. In her hesitation, Li Mu stepped forward and said to his mother: “Mother, father-in-law and I have already discussed having A’Mi return first. Please don’t blame me.”

Lu Shi seemed to gradually calm down and nodded with a smile: “As long as you and A’Mi have discussed it, I have no objection. If you’re not home, I’d actually feel more at ease with A’Mi living in Jiankang.”

This sudden decision left Luoshen unable to understand.

But she knew this decision must have been made by father.

“Father! Why do you suddenly want me to return? I won’t go!”

She could no longer hold back and shouted.

Gao Qiao said nothing, only casting his cold gaze toward Li Mu.

Luoshen watched Li Mu walk toward her and take her hand.

“A’Mi, I have something to tell you.”

…

Luoshen suppressed her dissatisfaction and doubts and returned to the room with Li Mu.

As soon as she entered, she used her handkerchief to gently wipe the blood on his neck.

At close distance, she could see clearly that the wound looked like it had been cut by a sharp blade, with blood still slowly seeping out. Her heart filled with shock, fear, and anger as she asked: “You were fine when you left—how did you come back like this?”

“Was it my father who hurt you?”

Li Mu took her handkerchief, pressed it against the wound himself, and smiled: “I was careless and did it myself—it has nothing to do with your father. It’s just a small wound, no need to worry.”

Luoshen truly didn’t believe him and kept pressing. Seeing he only claimed he had carelessly done it himself, she had no choice but to help him wipe the blood clean from his neck, applied wound medicine, and asked: “What exactly did my father say to you? Why does he suddenly want to take me back to Jiankang?”

While she had been treating his wound, Li Mu had kept his head lowered, silently watching her bustle about.

After a moment of silence, his face showed a smile as he said: “A’Mi, your father is right. His Majesty wants to entrust me with important duties, and I’ll soon depart for north of the river. You should return with your father first. In the future, I’ll definitely come back for you, all right?”

Luoshen was shocked. Reacting, she immediately threw herself into his arms.

“No way, I won’t return! Wherever you go, I want to go too!”

Li Mu said gently: “The place I’m going is now almost like an empty city, full of thorns, with tigers and wolves everywhere. Even if your father hadn’t come to take you today, I originally didn’t want to bring you along…”

“I’m not afraid! I want to go with you!”

Luoshen’s arms tightly embraced his waist, her head shaking like a rattle drum.

She suddenly remembered.

“Last night you said you wanted me! Just one night later, you don’t want me anymore?”

She raised her head to look up at him and questioned him.

Li Mu didn’t dare meet those beautiful, resentful eyes.

Though he had long known that in this lifetime, if Gao Qiao didn’t die early as in his previous life, there would inevitably come such a day between them.

But in his original plan, he should have had more time to proceed at his own pace. After taking the Western Capital and having sufficient capital, he would then negotiate the next step with Gao Qiao—at that time, he was confident he could suppress Gao Qiao.

Strength—only overwhelming strength was the way of kings.

No one understood this better than him.

This was also why he decided to abandon his previous life’s path of relying on accumulating military achievements battle by battle, then borrowing the suppression of the Three Wu rebellion, Xu Mi’s imperial pretensions, and northern expeditions to finally break through the dense network cast by the noble families, completely rise up, seize the court’s center, and become Grand Marshal.

That was too long. From now, it would cost him nearly ten years.

But in this lifetime, because she had become his woman so early, he couldn’t wait.

With his lowly status, to protect his woman, he had to use another faster and more forceful method to rise up, to suppress and strangle the various obstacles he might encounter in the future.

But Gao Qiao was indeed a cunning old fox who had gained wisdom. He had detected the anomaly early and struck, disrupting his original plan.

He knew Gao Qiao probably didn’t want his daughter involved in these disputes between men, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.

He also lacked the courage to tell her at this time the truth of why her father had come tonight—if she knew of her father’s break with him, would she still hold him so tightly, unwilling to let go, wanting to accompany him north to that place that was still a desolate, sparsely populated wilderness?

Li Mu closed his eyes, then opened them. He said again: “A’Mi, listen to me. Those accompanying me are all military officers and men—no one brings family members. As their commander, how can I break the rules? Please be at ease and wait for me at home. At most one year, when conditions there improve, if you’re still willing to go then, I’ll bring you there, all right?”

Luoshen looked up at him for a moment.

Slowly, crystalline tears glittered at the corners of her eyes, but she said: “Then just go. But when you leave, how can I abandon Mother and the others to return to Jiankang alone…”

Li Mu raised his hand, his thumb gently wiping away a tear rolling from her eye corner, smiling: “Be obedient and go with your father first. After some time, if you miss Mother, you can still come back…”

Luoshen stared blankly for a moment, her eyes reddening as she threw herself into his arms again, closing her eyes and shaking her head: “But… but I just don’t want you to leave…”

Li Mu fell silent. He held her on his lap, gently patting her back as if she were still just a child.

“Li Langjun, young mistress…”

Suddenly came A’Ju’s gentle call from outside.

“The Minister is urging—”

She sounded hesitant too, her voice full of doubt.

“My lord—”

Luoshen opened her misty tearful eyes, looked up at him again, her hands still tightly gripping his left and right sleeves.

Li Mu could no longer endure it. He cupped her face, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.

He pressed deeply against her soft, tender lips and tongue, then suddenly released her.

“A’Mi, go with your father first. Remember what I told you tonight while watching the tides. In the future, as long as you’re willing to have me, I, Li Mu, will never fail you!”