Though Cangshen Tower had front and rear courtyards, it was actually one large courtyard surrounding a central tower. Tie Ci’s gaze caught sight of the peach grove and artificial mountain in the rear courtyard. The stones dug out from the artificial mountain had presumably all been used to fill the cave, leaving the ground clean with only some mud remaining.

She suddenly said: “That cave was filled by Li Yao’s people, wasn’t it?”

Captain Xie said: “Shamefully, when you went down the cave and didn’t return for a long time, the people became restless. I led soldiers to maintain order and didn’t notice Li Yao filling the cave here, otherwise I should have stopped it.”

Tie Ci smiled and comforted him: “Captain was also deceived. How could this be blamed on Captain? After all, Captain’s soldiers worked very hard too.”

Captain Xie had just shown a relieved smile when he heard her say leisurely: “…having to maintain order and also transport sand and earth, everyone with muddy hands.”

Captain Xie’s body stiffened, his long shadow moved, and his hand at his side shot out with blinding cold light!

But Tie Ci had already turned around, her arm swinging violently like an iron rod whistling as it struck Captain Xie’s throat. The tremendous force crashed like a tide, sending Captain Xie staggering back several steps before slamming into the tower wall behind him with a bang. With a soft crack, several wall bricks shattered consecutively. Tie Ci’s arm pressed hard against Captain Xie’s throat, pinning him against the wall with her arm as a barrier, trapping him there.

Captain Xie struggled mightily, raising his hands to pull down Tie Ci’s arm. Tie Ci’s knee suddenly shot up with a muffled thud. Captain Xie screamed and went limp against the tower.

Amid the excruciating pain as if his internal organs had been shattered, he heard Tie Ci clearly say in his ear: “…Good acting, playing a captain who made mistakes only because he was deceived very well. I guess you acted the same way before Li Yao – reluctant, ambiguous in attitude, passive in everything, as if this way you could shirk responsibility and feign ignorance in the future… Good thinking, but did you forget about the catapult at Li’s residence that day?”

Captain Xie’s acting had indeed been good earlier. From beginning to end, he maintained the appearance of someone uninformed, uninvolved, and standing aside. Even Li Yao probably felt he wasn’t completely one of his own people, not knowing this was merely this man’s trick of always leaving himself an escape route. Tie Ci had almost believed him at first, but later seeing the artificial mountain in the rear courtyard and thinking of the garrison soldiers having mud on their hands, obviously having participated in filling the cave, she thought from the stones to the catapult.

Li Yao might not know the rules for using catapults, but Tie Ci knew that only garrisons had catapults, with strict management – they could only be used in war, and before use, all active officers in the garrison had to sign authorization. If Captain Xie had given Li Yao the catapult to use, how could he not be deeply involved?

She pressed Captain Xie against the tower and turned around to see those garrison soldiers quietly drawing their weapons to attack the nearby Rong family guards. Looking up and seeing the shocking change ahead, they were all stunned.

The next instant, Li Yao and the cloaked man leaped up, pushing aside those beside them and rushing outward. Li Yao ran toward the courtyard gate while the cloaked man climbed over the wall.

This was because the garrison soldiers who came to “help” had secretly sabotaged things, and now they also blocked the Rong family guards who wanted to pursue.

Tie Ci was still holding Captain Xie hostage. Dan Shuang and Chi Xue always stayed close to her. Dan Ye had taken Hai Dongqing to sit far away on the courtyard wall sulking. Seeing this scene, he only crossed his arms and curled his lips. It looked like those two were about to escape.

Rong Pu, standing by the courtyard gate, suddenly pushed the door open and shouted: “The murderer is escaping!”

With a whoosh, the people who hadn’t gone far rushed back again, blocking Li Yao.

But the cloaked man jumped down from the wall. Hai Dongqing silently swooped down, its sharp beak pecking at his nape. The man’s cloak suddenly flew up as Hai Dongqing caught a mouthful of cloth fragments, while the man had already shed his cloak and run far away.

Hai Dongqing angrily gave chase.

Back in the courtyard, the people had rushed back in. Now with Captain Xie held hostage, the garrison soldiers no longer dared act rashly. The people surged in like a tide, helping the Rong family guards and Patrol Inspection Office runners bind all those garrison soldiers and Li Yao’s trusted men. When rope wasn’t enough, they used belts; when that wasn’t enough, they took off pants. Soon they had bound a dark mass of people covering the ground.

Only then did Tie Ci breathe a sigh of relief.

She was alone and outnumbered, while the other side had half the city’s military force. If she couldn’t clear her name and mobilize the people’s power, not only would she be unable to bring Li Yao to justice, but Da Qian’s only Crown Princess would probably die in Ziyang.

She looked toward Captain Xie and suddenly discovered that beside her was actually a skeleton!

Tie Ci: “!!!”

She quickly blinked, and the next instant the person before her returned to normal – still that disheveled-looking Captain Xie.

Tie Ci was confused for a moment.

Had she just seen things?

Suddenly there was a commotion outside with trampling footsteps. She vaguely heard people shouting: “Army! Army!” Tie Ci’s brow jumped, then she saw a large group of black-armored soldiers charge in.

They still wore garrison uniforms, but not from Ziyang. The chest plates bore large “Lai” characters, obviously troops from Laizhou Garrison.

At the front was a black-bearded official who commanded from afar: “Seize everyone!”

Li Yao looked delighted, struggling and shouting: “Sir! Prefect Zhou!”

Tie Ci squinted.

Laizhou Prefect Zhou Wenchang?

Li Yao was quite fierce too. Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, he suddenly rammed into those beside him, somehow drew a blade from nowhere, stabbed one of his guards, then quickly rolled toward Zhou Wenchang.

Someone from Zhou Wenchang’s side quickly rushed out to receive him.

Tie Ci frowned. Li Yao had been tied up too close to the outside – this guy was like an unkillable cockroach.

With assistance, Li Yao quickly untied his bonds and hid behind Zhou Wenchang.

Captain Xie also showed joy and called out.

When Captain Xie called out, Zhou Wenchang noticed him. As his gaze turned over, Rong Pu suddenly stepped forward quickly: “Careful!”

Before he finished speaking, with a sound like a sharp whistle, an arrow shot through the crowd like lightning.

Tie Ci had to withdraw her hand. A dark light flashed before her eyes and blood sprayed.

She tilted her head as blood gushed onto half her cheek.

The body under her arm went limp like a mud sack. Without looking, Tie Ci knew Captain Xie had been silenced.

Right in front of her.

If she had been a step slower, that arrow would have severed her arm first before piercing Captain Xie’s throat.

This was too sudden. Not only was this side shocked, but over at Zhou Wenchang’s side, Li Yao was also stunned, slowly turning his gaze toward Zhou Wenchang after a long moment.

Zhou Wenchang’s face was dark, but his appearance and temperament were purely those of a scholar. Without looking at Li Yao, he said softly: “Don’t worry. You’re different from Captain Xie. When military officers rebel, it’s a serious matter. Reporting to the court, they deserve death, and disposing of them won’t bring pursuit. As for you, I naturally must protect you. Later I’ll need you to help organize documents and files, to maneuver things properly!”

Li Yao’s heart settled somewhat. He understood Zhou Wenchang’s meaning – military officers had low status and were sensitive, convenient for fabricating crimes. Killing them had little impact, and civilian officials who controlled discourse wouldn’t speak up for them. Moreover, Zhou Wenchang colluding with local military officers would be even more serious than colluding with him. As for himself, he was at least a civilian official with some background at court. Moving against him would cause greater trouble, so unless absolutely necessary, Zhou Wenchang wouldn’t want to kill him this way.

But then again, “absolutely necessary” was sometimes just a flimsy excuse.

Li Yao gritted his teeth and whispered: “Sir, today’s matter can’t end well. Perhaps…” He made a slashing gesture.

But Zhou Wenchang said lightly: “It’s not that easy. You’ve kicked an iron plate.”

“How so?”

“That man in blue is the legitimate grandson of Chief Minister Rong, the one currently serving in the Hanlin Academy.”

“Rong Pu!” Li Yao exclaimed. “How could it be him? This is troublesome now.”

Killing a Captain Xie was one thing, but killing the Chief Minister’s legitimate grandson would have endless consequences.

“It’s all because you acted carelessly,” Zhou Wenchang said. “Zhang Qiang’s lust caused such trouble – why didn’t you report to me earlier!”

“The first body was coincidentally discovered by that young master. He watched too closely, and I feared he’d discover Cangshen Tower’s secrets. Zhang Qiang said we might as well throw out more bodies to confuse him further. If he really detected Cangshen Tower’s secret, we’d pin the blame on him… I thought it very appropriate. I have the say in this Ziyang County – what could happen…”

“You have the say! Yet you were overturned by a green youth!”

Li Yao didn’t dare speak anymore.

Zhou Wenchang stared at the opposite side and slowly said: “This matter is grave. If that boy really doesn’t know his place, we can only resolve it all together.”

Li Yao knew he meant Rong Pu and couldn’t help trembling slightly, but heard Zhou Wenchang say: “He’s the Chief Minister’s legitimate grandson. We’re not without people at court either.”

Then he said sternly: “Capture the treasonous rebels and flower-picking bandits – kill without mercy!”

Rong Pu stepped forward quickly, blocking Zhou Wenchang’s horse: “Prefect Zhou, please wait!”

Zhou Wenchang leaned down to look at him: “Young Master Rong, why do you appear in this place? There are many villains here – you should avoid them early.”

“Doesn’t Your Honor ask who the villains are and what their crimes might be?” Rong Pu said. “Captain Xie’s guilt was undetermined, yet Your Honor ordered him shot dead. Li Yao is suspected of treason and murder, yet Your Honor shelters him behind you. What exactly does Your Honor intend by coming here?”

“These are one-sided words,” Zhou Wenchang said. “I received Li Yao’s advance report claiming someone in Ziyang was colluding with Garrison Captain Xie, inciting the people with intent to rebel. I specially came to capture the serious criminal. Since Li Yao is the informant, what crime does he have?”

Before Rong Pu could refute, he continued: “Young Master Rong is a clever man and weak scholarly type – why insist on wading into these muddy waters? Be careful you can’t pull your feet out and burden Chief Minister Rong to clean up after you.” Finishing, he waved his hand: “After three calls, immediately drop weapons and submit to binding, or I’ll order arrows released!”

With his words, black masses of heads appeared all around the courtyard walls, drawing bows and nocking arrows aimed at everyone in the courtyard.

Rong Pu took a breath but didn’t retreat, looking back at Tie Ci: “Please withdraw into the tower.”

Tie Ci winked at him: “Do you believe if I move, these bandits will dare release arrows?”

Rong Pu was silent for a moment, then said: “Please Your Highness take temporary shelter.”

The surrounding air seemed to suddenly fall silent. Tie Ci understood Rong Pu’s meaning and smiled without speaking.

After a moment of quiet came Li Yao’s shocked, changed voice: “Your Highness?!”

And the blank faces of surrounding people.

Rong Pu turned back, staring into Zhou Wenchang’s eyes: “Your Highness came to the regions for experience, choosing Hai You’s Ziyang. Personally entering the yamen for menial service, personally uncovering the secrets beneath Cangshen Tower. This shows Your Highness’s benevolence, unwilling to casually convict people. If Prefect Zhou captures rebels and protects Your Highness today, there’s naturally a share of opportunity and merit in it.”

Rong Pu spoke very skillfully, not directly questioning Zhou Wenchang to provoke his viciousness, while subtly hinting at letting bygones be bygones. But after Zhou Wenchang was stunned for a while, he suddenly said: “May I ask which Your Highness this is?”

“Naturally the Crown Princess Your Highness.”

Gasps sounded around them as Li Yao trembled all over.

Zhou Wenchang slowly spread his hands: “My apologies. But may I ask, where is the seal?”

He didn’t dismount, and from his expression, he obviously didn’t believe it.

Rong Pu looked back at Tie Ci, saying softly: “Your Highness, we can’t worry about this now. We have reinforcements coming – we just need to hold out for a while…”

Tie Ci remained silent, smiling bitterly.

She carried two tokens. The Crown Princess seal with golden print and turtle knob couldn’t be carried personally. The one she carried was her personal seal impression – blue jade carved with “Auspicious Treasure,” and a black jade “Virtue-Admiring Treasure.” Both had once been published in court gazettes as diagrams. Both were very small. For this trip, both were fitted with mechanisms that only she could open. One was placed on a specially made hairpin for binding hair, the other made into a waist ornament.

The Auspicious Treasure was thrown to Shen Mi to use for transferring troops to block weapon exports; the Virtue-Admiring Treasure was stolen by that money-loving bastard on the small boat at sea.

She remained silent without answering. Rong Pu understood the seals couldn’t be produced and his face changed slightly.

Over there, Zhou Wenchang saw their side’s prolonged silence and suddenly burst into laughter: “What a fine flag you’ve pulled up, but who can this deceive? Crown Princess Your Highness is clearly undergoing experience in Quyun County in the capital suburbs. His Majesty just visited her two days ago – who in the entire court doesn’t know?”

Li Yao breathed a long sigh of relief and laughed: “The Prefect’s mind is sharp and clear, not fooled by people. I said so – how could the dignified Crown Princess personally come to Ziyang for such dangerous business? If she’s the Crown Princess, then I’m General Xiao!”

“Don’t joke about General Xiao,” Zhou Wenchang replied solemnly, then turned to Rong Pu: “Young Master Rong was probably also deceived. Since that’s so, I’ll let bygones be bygones with you – please step aside.”

He pointed at Tie Ci: “Impersonating royalty adds another crime. If you don’t want to implicate innocents, throw down your weapons and come over yourself.”

Tie Ci said: “I’ll come then.”

Zhou Wenchang: “…”

Her agreeing so readily made Zhou Wenchang not dare let her approach. He said again: “Stop! Throw down weapons first!”

At this point, Rong Pu stepped aside, walking to Tie Ci’s front. Tie Ci smiled and said: “Fine, fine, fine.” Suddenly her arm extended, pulling Rong Pu to her.

Rong Pu cooperated very well, immediately falling into her embrace.

He fell so smoothly that even Tie Ci was momentarily stunned. Looking down, she saw his straight, thick eyebrows stretching in smooth lines across his bright forehead. She thought that though this person’s appearance was elegant and gentle with a weak temperament, he always made people feel like seeing high mountains or viewing white snow, not daring to treat him lightly – probably all because of these particularly dark and sharp eyebrows.

Tie Ci held him loosely and smiled at Zhou Wenchang.

Zhou Wenchang had never seen such tactics – taking one’s own people hostage to threaten enemies? His mind hadn’t turned the corner when he heard Tie Ci laugh: “You don’t recognize my identity, but you should recognize the Chief Minister’s legitimate grandson, right? Put down weapons and withdraw one li. Otherwise I’ll kill him. Prefect Zhou, you should know that having the Chief Minister’s legitimate grandson die in your hands would be quite a burden for you.”

Zhou Wenchang was silent briefly, then suddenly bowed to Rong Pu: “Young Master Rong has been captured by villains and will die heroically. We couldn’t rescue him in time and feel deeply ashamed. We’ll naturally go to Chief Minister Rong’s residence to apologize, but the Chief Minister has always been just and strict, for country and people. He’ll probably feel deep pride in having such a brave descendant as Young Master Rong and won’t blame us.”

“If all court officials had your brains, our Da Qian could swallow the world in a blink.” Tie Ci nodded appreciatively, then smiled: “But if you dare do it, aren’t you afraid news will leak? Don’t talk as if you can cover the sky with one hand.”

Zhou Wenchang looked up at the sky, then at the dark mass of troops behind him, and smiled: “I dare not say anything else, but at least right now, I can cover this bit of sky.”

He nodded, and half the archers on the walls aimed at the courtyard while half pointed their arrows skyward – meaning even if pigeons were released to send messages, they couldn’t escape pursuit and interception.

But suddenly a wild wind rose, sand and stones rolled everywhere, and in the gray world, a deep blue shadow suddenly flashed by, shooting up to the sky in an instant. Someone on the wall tried to shoot arrows but couldn’t catch that shadow at all, instead being blown by the wind to cry out and fall off the wall.

Zhou Wenchang said in shock: “What is that!”

Tie Ci said: “A big pigeon.”

Zhou Wenchang: “…”

In the distance, Hai Dongqing seemed to suddenly waver, flying in a parabolic curve.

Tie Ci smiled at him: “Sorry, it seems this big pigeon flew beyond the sky you’re covering.”

Zhou Wenchang’s face darkened, his eyes flickering, gradually growing sinister.

Tie Ci and Rong Pu both sighed.

It seemed this fellow was still going to tear off his mask.

But at this moment, distant noisy sounds faintly came. Zhou Wenchang’s expression changed while Rong Pu breathed a long sigh of relief.

Tie Ci asked: “Your reinforcements arrived?”

“Yesterday when I saw your bounty notice at the city gate, I went overnight to Hai You’s main prefecture, Penglai Prefecture,” Rong Pu said. “I used the excuse of unusual activity at Ziyang Garrison to request the Regional Military Commission to send troops for investigation. Then I hurried back ahead of time. Fortunately they arrived fairly timely too.”

Tie Ci nodded. The Hai You Regional Military Commissioner was originally a Beijing military official who had once been under the Rong family and had seen her – no worry about no one recognizing her.

Zhou Wenchang saw their relaxed expressions and became tense, about to send people to investigate when suddenly there was an explosion in the sky, shaking half the city.

Then came a long, particularly tragic cry as Dan Ye suddenly leaped up from the wall.

The next instant, Hai Dongqing flew back swaying, falling beneath the wall with half a wing dripping blood.

Dan Ye silently jumped down from the courtyard wall immediately. Tie Ci felt a bad premonition.

Then she heard orderly marching footsteps that made the ground tremble slightly. Light dust spread outside the walls with continuous clanging sounds, whip cracks and cries, as if the people outside who hadn’t entered yet were being driven away.

Tie Ci’s heart jumped slightly. She exchanged glances with Rong Pu, and Rong Pu, who had already moved away somewhat, retreated back again.

After a moment, the orderly footsteps stopped, and the whip sounds and crying also disappeared, but the people hadn’t disappeared. Tie Ci could already faintly see the tip of the foremost banner rising above the courtyard wall.

The banner was blue, belonging to Penglai Regional Military Commission, correct. But the atmosphere was somehow wrong.

The people outside the wall temporarily made no moves, while those inside unconsciously held their breath.

Inside and outside the courtyard walls, all fell into eerie quiet.

But this deathly silence before the storm was only momentary.

The next moment, with a great heaving sound, a human figure flipped into the sky, but facing skyward with back to earth, as if picked up by someone, flipping over the courtyard wall and falling straight down.

That person flipped again in mid-air and landed on the ground, his face half blue and half red. His slightly curved eyes no longer held any sweetness, only cold anger and killing intent.

It was actually Dan Ye.

He had suffered a loss while seeking justice for Hai Dongqing?

Not only was Tie Ci surprised and puzzled, even Zhou Wenchang was now confused. Were the troops from Hai You Regional Military Commission this formidable?

Outside the wall, a purple banner suddenly fluttered, followed by continuous whooshing sounds as countless hook-scythe spears crossed the sky, striking and embedding in the surrounding walls on all sides. The spear tips ejected lotus-shaped heads that gripped tightly to the wall cracks.

“Rise—”

After a deep commanding voice, the long ropes attached to the hook-scythe spears were pulled taut. Connected to the spear shafts were iron horse carts, with soldiers on the carts cracking their whips crisply as the carts thundered backward, grinding deep marks in the ground. The next instant, tremendous crashes erupted from all directions. Amid the thunderous sounds, the courtyard walls, normally high and sturdy, fell section by section like dominoes, sending dust columns shooting into the sky where they lingered.

In just an instant, everyone was exposed on open ground.

The archers who had been clinging to the wall tops rolled everywhere, many injured by falling stones. A large group of soldiers charged up, leaping over those people and the ruins. With continuous clicking sounds, crossbows were strung and aimed at everyone present, including both Zhou Wenchang and Tie Ci.

This time even Tie Ci was stunned.

What blockheads had arrived? How could they not distinguish friend from foe?

Rong Pu’s expression was obviously also very surprised. Those who came were clearly troops from the Regional Military Commissioner, but why did they seem completely discourteous toward the Crown Princess?

The dust hadn’t yet settled in front when two banners parted and a row of iron-armored soldiers ran out clicking and clanking, standing in two straight lines beneath the banners. They planted their long spears in the ground with a unified shout.

A white horse slowly emerged, its rider in white clothes and silver armor. The armor bore no decorations, and the clothing was cut most simply without any embellishments. Beneath the silver helmet was a severely carved face with lips so thin they were nearly bloodless. A pair of eyes drooped slightly, shaded by dense eyelashes, but everyone could understand at first glance that he wasn’t shy – he simply disdained to look at this world.

Tie Ci had never seen this person, but a name instantly flashed through her mind.

Xiao Xueya.

The Xiao family’s most famous military talent, and one of the important pillars supporting the Xiao family’s increasingly swelling ambitions. He favored white clothes and silver armor, with a cold and fierce style of action, known as “Snow Commander.”

It was said he had three hatreds in life.

He hated being born in peaceful times when Da Qian was stable.

He hated that the three feudal princes were well-behaved and neighboring Western Rong submitted in friendship.

He hated that most surrounding nations were far across borders while the court indulged in comfort and wouldn’t lightly take up arms. This prevented him from leading ten thousand troops with whip and horse across foreign territories to establish a hundred-year foundation for Da Qian.

An eagle confined to flat fields hadn’t forgotten to occasionally display its sharp beak. Xiao Xueya’s official court military rank was Resolutely Valiant General of the third grade. Legend said he refused family protection, concealed his identity and joined the army at thirteen. In ten years, he had leaped to high military office during peaceful times, largely because he entered Da Qian’s most difficult and dangerous army – the Gansu border troops. There, facing the great desert grasslands, besides restraining the restless Western Rong, they had to constantly block the even more ferocious grassland Dayan tribe’s raids. In ten years, bathed in blood on white grass, trampling wolf smoke under horse hooves, one after another fierce Dayan cavalry heads piled up Xiao Xueya’s brilliant military achievements in court.

At twenty, he was promoted to Supervisor of Three Borders, guarding the Jiusui, Ganshan, and Guning lines, titled General Controller of Three Borders – the highest position for Da Qian’s externally stationed generals. Da Qian had no marshal rank, but in the eyes of Three Borders soldiers, Xiao Xueya was their marshal.

So with Xiao Xueya here, the troops under Hai You Regional Military Commission huddled to one side like a flock of quails.

But why would Xiao Xueya be here?

Tie Ci recalled that recently there seemed to have been reports of sea bandits in the southeastern waters. Da Qian’s navy was generally weak, causing coastal city people to suffer greatly from harassment. The court had discussed replacing generals to reorganize the navy, and Xiao Xueya had also submitted memorials requesting assignment. But as General Controller of Three Borders, controlling nearly one-third of Da Qian’s border military forces, how could the Xiao family be willing to let him stoop to the much weaker southeastern navy? Naturally it was shelved.

Could Xiao Xueya have insisted on his opinion and gone to the southeast? If going from Jiusui to the southeast, Hai You would indeed be a necessary route.

Tie Ci’s heart sank.

If it was Xiao Xueya, would he let slip such a good opportunity today?

Rong Pu actually recognized the other party and stepped forward to bow: “General Controller Xiao. Commander Gan.”

Before Xiao Xueya, the round, fat Hai You Regional Military Commissioner Gan Tian had no presence. Hearing this, he smiled awkwardly and dismounted to return the courtesy: “Young Master Rong.”

“Commander Gan, this is…” Rong Pu indicated with his eyes.

Gan Tian smiled even more bitterly: “I transferred troops here, but on the road encountered General Controller Xiao going to the southeast for rotation. He heard there was trouble here, then… we were absorbed…”

Rong Pu was silent.

This really wasn’t proper. How could a general passing through for rotation absorb local garrison troops?

But Xiao Xueya was exactly that kind of person – he had no rules in his eyes. Legend said his father, Vice Minister Xiao, repeatedly ordered him home when he first reached the border, sending troops to tie him up, feigning illness, fraud – every method was used, but he ignored them all, even detaining those sent to serve as laborers.

Xiao Xueya only glanced at Rong Pu from the corner of his eye, obviously looking down on such “young masters,” not even bothering to return the courtesy. He only raised his head slightly: “Take them all down.”

His soldiers rushed forward quickly, raising their spears to separate and capture both Zhou Wenchang’s and Tie Ci’s sides.

Rong Pu said: “General Controller Xiao, that’s the Crown Princess!”

Xiao Xueya didn’t raise his head: “Seal.”

Naturally the seal couldn’t be produced. Gan Tian took a breath and reminded quietly: “General Controller, you should have seen the Crown Princess when you were young…”

“Why should I need to know her?” Xiao Xueya said indifferently. “A useless waste with no accomplishments – do I need to know her?”

There was a moment of silence all around.

Xiao Xueya finally raised his eyes, his cold yet sharp gaze covering Tie Ci: “Or are you dissatisfied with what I said?”

Tie Ci almost wanted to laugh, spreading her hands: “I haven’t said anything yet, but you’ve started directing and acting yourself. You shouldn’t be called General – you should be called Drama Queen.”

Though Xiao Xueya didn’t understand what “Drama Queen” meant, he obviously knew it wasn’t a compliment. He raised his chin slightly and suddenly threw a punch.

His hand had just been holding the reins, but suddenly it was before Tie Ci. That snow-white, hard fist like a heavy hammer broke through the wind, coming fast as lightning. Tie Ci, still recovering from serious injury and unable to exchange blows with him, sharply tilted her head. With a crack, that fist sank into the tower wall behind her, blasting open a round hole with countless lightning-like cracks instantly spreading half a zhang. A wall crashed to the ground.

The snow-white, hard fist withdrew, completely undamaged, with the beast mouth on the wrist guard looking fierce as if swallowing.

Tie Ci’s cheek was cut by exploding stones, opening a thin bloody gash, but she didn’t dodge, quietly watching Xiao Xueya.

“You clearly recognize this lone one.”

“So what if I do.”

Xiao Xueya didn’t look at her, saying softly: “If you’re not strong, why should you gain recognition? If you’re not strong, why drag out an ignoble existence? Wouldn’t it be better to marry early and support your husband while teaching children?”

He turned to leave.

“I originally thought you were someone worth noting, but you’re just another greedy, arrogant, despicable type. Xiao Xueya, you obviously consider yourself strong, but are you really strong?”

“At the very least, you couldn’t withstand one of my moves.”

“Are you blind and can’t see I’m injured? Besides, when did strength become measured by martial force?”

“You’re a waste who can’t inherit heavenly gifts. If even your much-vaunted martial force is mediocre, what right do you have to occupy such a high position?”

“I don’t deserve to occupy a high position, so I should abdicate to your ambitious Xiao family?”

“The Xiao family doesn’t deserve it either.”

“Oh, you mean you deserve it.”

Xiao Xueya finally turned around and sneered: “You women – when you lose, you resort to unreasonable arguments, right?”

“You men – you’re self-righteous before even winning.” Tie Ci said: “Xiao Xueya, are you proud of your achievements? You think you never relied on family, that through your own strength alone, bathing in blood and fighting for ten years, you accumulated military merits. So you’re qualified to look down on me, this puppet’s little puppet, thinking my occupying such a position is suicide and trouble for others. Out of what you consider noble pity, you coldly advise me of a so-called bright path, right? Aren’t you also moved by yourself, thinking you’re selfless and noble in action, though thankless you don’t care about others’ praise or blame – Snow Commander is just so uniquely distinguished – and since I didn’t tremble with awe and kneel to hug your leg singing surrender, I’m obviously uncarved rotten wood, right?”

Xiao Xueya’s eyes showed mosquito coil swirls for the first time…

“What is strength? Heavenly gifts? Winning fights? Killing more Dayan people?” Tie Ci shook her head and smiled: “Xiao Xueya, if you take pride in gaining your current position without relying on family, then you should understand that I concealed my identity entering Hai You, and under pursuit by local snakes, still relied on my own strength to discover the truth beneath Cangshen Tower – I’m doing the same thing as you. Denying me equals denying yourself, unless your standards were always double – what men do is precious, but when women do it, it’s overreaching? Then how is someone as narrow and despicable as you qualified to discuss who’s stronger with me?”

Xiao Xueya was silent for a moment.

After a while, he turned to look at Rong Pu, his eyes carrying slight question.

Rong Pu calmly recounted what had happened beneath Cangshen Tower.

That blacksmith suddenly stepped forward, gathering courage: “We were trapped under the tower – it was Master Mao who helped us find a way out!”

The Zeng family child blocked Xiao Xueya’s path: “Master Mao avenged my sister – I won’t let you hurt him!”

Miss Li cried out from the crowd: “My father framed him, locked him in the dungeon, and even collapsed the dungeon! If he hadn’t saved me, I would have been crushed to death by my father! His injuries were from saving me!”

Dan Shuang silently drew her sword, pointing the tip at Xiao Xueya.

The soldiers around Xiao Xueya all drew their blades together.

Xiao Xueya frowned, seeming somewhat surprised by everything he’d heard.

Chi Xue walked to Dan Shuang’s side, curtsied to Xiao Xueya, and said softly: “General Controller has reason to be proud. But General Controller shouldn’t forget – your smooth ascent met no obstacles, encountered no colleague difficulties, no superior stealing credit, no subordinate insubordination. Merit was recorded, strategies implemented, all affairs conducted far more conveniently than ordinary military officers. It was exactly this unobstructed career path that achieved your ten-year rise to General Controller… but without the Xiao family, without backing, could you really have been so smooth?”

Xiao Xueya’s eyes contracted.

“And my master…” Chi Xue’s voice grew softer: “You’re right – she’s a puppet’s little puppet, living from birth in a court full of treacherous steps and hostility. She has no support, no powerful clan like the Xiao family, yet she still grew up, became Crown Princess, and dared to leave the capital alone, facing a city’s military forces by herself… Do you really think this isn’t effort, that such effort has no value?”

“If you truly only respect the strong and aren’t constrained by family status and rules, you should understand – what she accomplished was harder than what you did!”

“Chi Xue.” Tie Ci said in a measured voice from behind the blade forest: “No need to tell him these things. After all, he’s Xiao family – a vested interest!”

Chi Xue stepped back. Xiao Xueya turned to stare at Tie Ci, saying after a long while: “You needn’t use provocation. I am only myself.”

“Xiao Xueya, now isn’t the time for posturing and intimidation. Who you are doesn’t matter, whether you respect this lone one doesn’t matter, but these people, and even those who’ve escaped, you must capture. Weapons and iron implements concern national security – not one blade or sword may leave our Da Qian. This is this lone one’s command!”

Xiao Xueya was silent for a while, finally stepping back and bowing slightly to her.

When his sword-like spine bent, it still seemed sharp and hard.

Zhou Wenchang and Li Yao, who had been nervously watching this side, saw his action and felt thunderous crashes in their heads, their vision filled with white spots and golden stars, the entire world seeming chaotic and upside down.

Especially Li Yao, who began convulsing almost uncontrollably.

How was this possible!

How could the Horse Supervisor’s son become the Crown Princess!

How could a nation’s heir apparent hide her name and suddenly come to his small county town!

If he had known earlier…

In his dizziness, his mind had lost thinking ability, filled only with “finished, finished, finished…” The noise grew louder, huge regret drowning him like a tide. He cried out and toppled from his horse.

Zhou Wenchang had slightly better endurance. He suddenly yanked his reins, turned and ran. The soldiers he’d brought quickly rushed up, trying to block the soldiers guarding them.

Xiao Xueya’s gaze was cold as he was about to order them killed without mercy when he heard Tie Ci shout: “Those who drop weapons now will be pardoned! Those who resist stubbornly will have crimes added!”

At this call, those soldiers from Laizhou Garrison all froze, looking at each other uncertainly. After a long moment, they put down their weapons.

Xiao Xueya suddenly raised his arm, drew an arrow from a soldier’s quiver and hurled it. A dark light flashed, actually three parts faster than crossbow shots. With a sharp whistle, Zhou Wenchang screamed and fell, pinned to the ground.

Crossbow arrows were generally light for speed, yet Xiao Xueya had pierced bone with arm strength alone.

Amid the screams, Xiao Xueya took a white cloth to wipe his fingers, his blade-like eyes sweeping over Tie Ci: “Rebellious troops deserve no mercy!”

“Laizhou archer formations are orderly, their bow-drawing postures skilled. Obviously their quality is acceptable, and they were merely following orders.” Tie Ci said lightly: “You only see guilt deserving punishment; this lone one pities that training elite talents isn’t easy for the nation. Besides, with Laizhou Garrison captured, short-term deployment is impossible – who will protect the people’s safety?”

Xiao Xueya was stunned.

If he still had doubts about Tie Ci before, this moment he suddenly felt that before him was the “Crown Princess.”

Not about authenticity, but that only now did he feel the other party’s Crown Princess identity. Not merely a title – the other party’s vision, perspective, and breadth truly deserved those three words “Crown Princess.”

He thought of deserved punishment; she thought of national resources spent on each talent and people’s safety.

Dwelling in high halls with heart for the world – what a ruler should do.

Xiao Xueya stopped speaking, signaling his subordinates to capture Li Yao and others, then reorganized his troops according to Tie Ci’s requirements to pursue that batch of transported Abyss Iron weapons.

Only before mounting and leaving did he say lightly to Tie Ci: “Your Highness has now earned my respect.”

Tie Ci mounted another horse, hearing this and turning with a smile: “Is that important?”

Xiao Xueya: “…”