Early the next morning, the monument for the tomb of ten thousand was erected, with Gu Ling and Yu Qi’s names at the top of the memorial stone.

Yan Chi led the remaining fifty thousand plus Shuoxi Army soldiers to pay respects at the mass grave. After Yan Qi’s corpse had been displayed for two days, Yan Chi ordered it buried southwest of the mass grave to make his crimes known. After the memorial service, with the army fully prepared, Yan Chi gave orders to march south the next morning.

Worried about Qin Wan, Yan Chi indeed left Bai Feng behind, along with five hundred troops to protect her.

That night, Yan Chi held Qin Wan with a perpetually furrowed brow. Qin Wan, lying on his chest, smiled bitterly and said, “I know you’re worried about me, but now I should be the one worried about you. You’re leading the army south – what if Ge Yang and the others recall their troops to provide support?”

Yan Chi was now completely confident about the military situation. “It’s no matter. They wouldn’t make it back in time anyway. Besides, they only cobbled together several thousand troops – hardly a threat. I’ve already had Bai Feng send word to Master Qi to keep Ge Yang and the others tied up in the west. If Ge Yang retreats, they’ll move troops north to join me in surrounding them.”

Since military matters weren’t something Qin Wan needed to worry about, she said, “That’s good then. I’m sure it will go smoothly.”

Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s waist and pulled her up slightly, staring at her face-to-face. “The road isn’t safe. In these chaotic times, bandits are everywhere. I should leave you a thousand troops to be certain.”

Hearing this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “No need! If you leave them behind, they probably won’t want to stay. Marching south to Lin’an is everyone’s chance to establish merit. How could they be content being assigned to me? Five hundred is enough – I’d say just one Bai Ying would suffice.”

Yan Chi then rolled over, pinning Qin Wan beneath him. “Protecting you is also meritorious service. What would I do if something happened to you?”

Qin Wan laughed and wrapped her arms around Yan Chi’s neck. “Then let’s make a promise – when we meet again, neither of us can be harmed even slightly. Whoever breaks the promise will…”

Yan Chi pecked Qin Wan’s lips. “Will what?”

Qin Wan’s eyes rolled playfully. “Whoever breaks the promise… won’t be allowed to sleep in bed. How’s that?”

Hearing these words, Yan Chi gritted his teeth. “I think you’re trying to punish me.”

Saying this, he kissed her without further words. Knowing they would part tomorrow, he naturally teased Qin Wan half the night. The couple entangled until midnight before finally sleeping.

The next day at dawn, Yan Chi led the army to break camp. At departure, Zhao You and Yan Che also came to see them off. Facing Yan Chi’s repeated instructions regarding Qin Wan, Zhao You guaranteed several times his life before Yan Chi finally left with the last troops. Qin Wan, unable to bear parting, followed on horseback for five li before returning.

After the Shuoxi Army camp departed, the entire campsite became empty. The five hundred troops Yan Chi left behind only occupied dozens of tents, no longer showing their previous grand scale. To avoid moving Zhao Shu Hua, Zhao You had the Northern Manor Army move into the Shuoxi Army camp. Since Qin Wan chose to stay, she naturally devoted herself wholeheartedly to Zhao Shu Hua’s injuries, though her heart felt quite unaccustomed to being separated from Yan Chi.

Now that Yue Ning was gone and Wei Qizhi had left with the main force, Qin Wan only had Bai Ying and Bai Feng to talk to. Though Qin Zhao Yu was grateful to her, she was always with Yan Che, and besides, they weren’t particularly close. However, Zhao You greatly admired Qin Wan and always chatted with her during examinations. Qin Wan was happy to converse with the elderly man, and after two days, they had developed something of an intimate friendship.

Qin Wan had originally said she would stay in the north for three days before catching up, but Zhao You’s people sent to find medicine still hadn’t found the Paris polyphylla. Without proper medicine, Qin Wan dared not clean the wound again and could only use decoctions and acupuncture to keep Zhao Shu Hua barely alive.

That evening, the second group sent to Fengzhou returned, still without finding the herbs. Qin Wan was troubled by this news when suddenly she heard that people had arrived at the camp gate.

Qin Wan still lived in the former central command tent, surrounded by Shuoxi Army tents, while the Northern Manor Army was stationed some distance away to avoid disturbing her. Learning of arrivals at the camp gate, Qin Wan went out to look and saw more than ten young men with extremely light-colored eyes entering the gate.

These men’s features weren’t very different from Zhou people, with their eye color being the only notable distinction. Qin Wan found this strange.

Zhao Xing led this group directly to Zhao You’s main tent. Qin Wan sent Bai Ying to investigate. Shortly after, Bai Ying returned saying, “My Lady, they’re from Northern Wei!”

Qin Wan was slightly surprised. Bai Ying continued, “They’re Fifth Princess’s people! They sent someone to the Northern Manor Army camp several days ago and met with the Empress, but this person had been gone for two months without news. The Fifth Princess learned about Great Zhou’s internal strife and personally went to Northern Wei’s border city to wait. A few days ago, she received word from her subordinate about General Zhao You’s poor health and sent people with Northern Wei medicines. She doesn’t yet know about the Empress’s condition…”

Qin Wan frowned at this news. Though they didn’t know before, they would surely know today.

In Zhao You’s tent, He Lian Chu said, “We had already traveled a hundred li when we received the Crown Princess’s letter. The Crown Princess sent people to visit the General, so we returned with them. We didn’t expect the Empress to be so severely injured. I will send word to Crown Princess immediately.”

From here to Northern Wei would take at least ten days. He Lian Chu had sent word to Northern Wei as soon as he reached Chongzhou, which was why Yan Zhen’s people had met him halfway.

Zhao You didn’t stop He Lian Chu from sending word to Yan Zhen, but sighed, “I never expected her to care so much about us. But can she leave the palace now?”

He Lian Chu hurriedly replied, “Don’t worry, Northern Wei’s court politics have stabilized. As long as the Crown Prince is safe, the Crown Princess can do as she pleases.”

Zhao You was in poor health and spoke with He Lian Chu briefly before telling him to rest. Seeing He Lian Chu had brought many medicines, he naturally praised Yan Zhen’s filial piety and ordered Zhao Xing to collect and bring them. Zhao Xing took a package of medicines to the army physician, instructing them to treat Zhao You’s condition. However, just as Zhao Xing finished giving instructions and hadn’t walked a few steps from the door, someone suddenly called out. The old physician rushed out, urgently saying, “Young General! Paris polyphylla! There’s Paris polyphylla in this package!”

When Zhao Xing heard this, his eyes immediately widened!

When Qin Wan was called to Zhao Shu Hua’s side and learned how the Paris polyphylla had arrived, she marveled at the coincidence. Now that she had the medicine, Qin Wan prepared to thoroughly clean Zhao Shu Hua’s wound again. Though this was just wound cleaning, it was as dangerous as the previous arrow removal. Qin Wan spent a full two hours in the tent before finishing the cleaning and applying medicine. Those waiting outside only saw basin after basin of bloody water being carried out, watching with hearts pounding in fear.

When Qin Wan emerged, she was pale and drenched in sweat.

Yan Che, supporting Zhao You, came forward asking, “How is she? Mother—”

Qin Wan sighed. “The bleeding has stopped for now, but she lost a lot of blood this time. These past days she’s been barely hanging on with ginseng medicine. The Empress is still extremely weak. I don’t know if she can survive these next few days. If there’s no fever within three days and the wound begins to heal, the danger will be reduced by half. But if the wound continues to fester, I’m afraid…”

Her words made everyone’s hearts sink. Now Zhao Shu Hua seemed to be going through checkpoints – she had to pass through them one by one to survive.

Zhao You sighed, “You’ve done your best. That she’s lived these extra days is all thanks to you, Princess Rui, thank you.”

Everyone knew Qin Wan would only stay for three days, and today was the third day. Tomorrow, Qin Wan would leave.

Though Zhao You didn’t ask Qin Wan to stay, his eyes held unspoken pleading. Yan Che and Qin Zhao Yu also looked at her earnestly.

Qin Wan hesitated for a moment. “I’ll stay two more days then. These two days I’ll personally change the Empress’s bandages. That should help.”

Beside her, Bai Ying seemed about to speak, but Zhao You immediately expressed profound gratitude. “Miss Qin, we truly… truly thank you so much. If Shu’er’s life is saved, it will all be thanks to your great kindness.”

Qin Zhao Yu also looked at Qin Wan with reddened eyes. Seeing them like this, Qin Wan could only sigh inwardly.

Back in her tent, Qin Wan wrote to Yan Chi, her words naturally full of guilt.

Over the next two days, Qin Wan indeed paid constant attention to Zhao Shu Hua’s wounds, being extremely careful with medicine application and acupuncture. During this time, Zhao Shu Hua’s wound showed signs of healing. Seeing this, Zhao You was increasingly grateful that Qin Wan had stayed two more days. If they had handed Zhao Shu Hua over to someone else, things would likely have gone wrong nine times out of ten—

At ten o’clock the next afternoon, He Lian Chu received a reply via messenger bird to the letter he had sent to Northern Wei’s border city – it was personally written by Yan Zhen!

When Zhao You opened the letter, he was startled because Yan Zhen wrote that she would personally come to see Zhao Shu Hua…

Yan Zhen’s words weren’t a suggestion or inquiry but a decided matter. Yan Che was naturally happy at the prospect of seeing Yan Zhen, and with Zhao Shu Hua’s condition not worsening, it was all good news. Zhao You held this letter with a smile on his face but somber eyes.

Shortly after, Zhao You called over Zhao Xing and Yan Che, saying, “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Yan Che and Zhao Xing exchanged glances, and Zhao You continued, “Shu’er’s injuries are so severe that even if she recovers, it will take three to five years to restore her spirit and energy. Moreover, Princess Rui said that Shu’er’s left shoulder, back, and arm will never be as agile as before, and she’ll likely have chronic problems. As for my health, I probably only have a year or two left. Shu’er fought to the death for Che’er’s position as Crown Prince, but now, she has practically walked through death’s door – I think that’s enough.”

Yan Che and Zhao Xing were slightly surprised but said nothing. Zhao You continued, “In our current situation, we must fight not only Yue Qiong but also the Emperor and Yan Chi. Setting everything else aside, just considering the Shuoxi Army – tell me honestly, can we defeat them? Moreover, the Prince and Princess Rui have shown us great kindness.”

Zhao You sighed again. “If we can’t win, we can only drag things out. Our provisions are long exhausted. We can’t even provide enough soup and bread daily, and our rice porridge barely has any rice grains. You must know this in your hearts. We can’t sustain a prolonged campaign, we can’t win in battle. For Shu’er’s health, for me to live a couple more years longer, and for you all to put down the burdens on your hearts and shoulders – let’s end it here.”

Zhao Xing gripped his sword hilt. “If Sister wakes up and learns of this decision, I’m afraid…”

Zhao You waved his hand. “Your sister has had it too hard these years. She put herself in shackles. You all didn’t dare touch those shackles, so I’ll remove them. If she wants to blame someone, let her blame me in the future. She’s spent half her life in hardship – I don’t want her to spend the next few decades feeling like she’s in prison or being tortured.”

Bitterness and defeat welled up in Yan Che’s heart. He wanted to fulfill Zhao Shu Hua’s vision, but he knew deeply that he wasn’t Yan Chi – he couldn’t command thousands of troops. Once Zhao Shu Hua and Zhao You fell, he would fall too. Though he felt defeated, giving up the fight for the throne didn’t pain him as much as expected – he only felt lost and empty. But thinking of Zhao You and Zhao Shu Hua’s health, he felt this was the best solution.

“I’ll follow Grandfather’s decision. But what about the Northern Manor Army?”

Hearing this, Zhao You heavily pounded his fist on the chair arm. “This is where I’ve failed them most. They’re all loyal and righteous men. Following me, they’ve been labeled as traitors and Cangzhou… I fear I couldn’t repay this debt in several lifetimes. I think, with the Emperor now unprotected in Lin’an, the Shuoxi Army is likely to win. Moreover, Prince Rui is very convincing. For them now, the best option is to join Prince Rui—”

Yan Che and Zhao Xing remained silent, then both sighed in tacit agreement.

Zhao You’s lips twitched. “You don’t object? If the Northern Manor Army disperses, we’ll have nothing left!”

Yan Che smiled bitterly. “Right now, this grandson only wants Mother to recover and Grandfather to live a long life.”

Zhao Xing added, “It’s regrettable, of course, but our family being together peacefully is already a great blessing.”

As a member of the Zhao family, Zhao Xing could never escape guilt and could never return to Lin’an.

Seeing their responses, Zhao You smiled reassuringly. “Good. If you’ve made up your mind, go call Cheng Wei and the others. Call all military officers of seventh rank and above. Princess Rui leaves tomorrow morning – we must move quickly.”

Qin Wan was to leave early the next morning, so she retired early that day. At midnight, she heard some commotion outside.

She didn’t know what was happening with the Northern Manor Army and didn’t have the energy to investigate, so she just tried to go back to sleep.

When she rose early the next morning, she saw Bai Feng looking somewhat grim.

“My Lady, the Northern Manor Army was organizing troops last night. We don’t know where they’re going.”

Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. “Returning to Chongzhou?”

Bai Feng shook his head. “Doesn’t seem like it. Everyone’s mobilizing, but Old General Zhao and his people barely move. Even their guards haven’t packed up. It’s very strange.”

Qin Wan found this odd but had other concerns. “Don’t worry about them. Old General Zhao is unwell – they won’t harm us. Go prepare. Since there’s something unusual here, we’ll leave early. We only need to worry about Lin’an now. If the north descends into chaos, so be it.”

Qin Wan didn’t think Zhao You would harm her. At most, she thought he might want to occupy Wei County and take Zhao Shu Hua there to recover, hence the troop movements.

After preparing and having breakfast, Bai Feng had the five hundred troops ready outside. Qin Wan went to bid farewell to Zhao You.

Zhao You, despite his illness, came with Yan Che and Qin Zhao Yu to personally see Qin Wan off at the camp gate.

Zhao You said, “Take care on your journey. Though we’ve only spent a few days together, this old man feels we’ve connected well. After this parting, we may never meet again. You and Prince Rui, take care.”

Qin Wan felt some sadness too. “You take care as well. If you follow my instructions for treatment, your health will surely improve.”

Zhao You smiled and nodded. Beside him, Yan Che looked deeply at Qin Wan, but her glance toward him was very light, even less concerned than when she looked at Zhao You. Yan Che pressed his lips together for a moment before saying, “Take care on your journey. Thank you.”

Qin Wan smiled and shook her head, looking at Qin Zhao Yu. “The Empress will recover, but you must be extremely careful for the next month. As I head south, if… if she develops chronic problems later, have Eighth Sister write to me. If I can help, I naturally will.”

Qin Zhao Yu’s eyes reddened, and she couldn’t help but step forward to embrace Qin Wan. “Qin Wan, after this parting, who knows when we’ll meet again. I only hope everything goes well for you and Prince Rui. Though I may rarely see you, I will always pray for your well-being from afar. Qin Wan, your hardships were all in childhood – surely endless blessings await you in the future.”

Qin Wan felt somewhat melancholic at Qin Zhao Yu’s embrace. She smiled, “I’ll take your kind words. Your wishes will come true too.”

Qin Zhao Yu knew Qin Wan meant her love for Yan Che, and her throat tightened again. However, at this moment, thousands of words were unnecessary. Seeing it was getting late, she finally released Qin Wan. Qin Wan mounted her horse, clasped her hands in respect, said “Take care,” and rode off!

Yan Che watched Qin Wan gradually disappear into the distance, the turbulence in his eyes growing increasingly calm. Finally, he put his arm around Qin Zhao Yu’s shoulders and sighed.

Qin Zhao Yu was right – after this parting, they would likely never meet again.

And his feelings for Qin Wan all ended with that sigh.

After leaving the camp, Qin Wan rode hard all day. Yesterday’s letter from Yan Chi said he had entered Yingzhou, and the journey had been very smooth, encountering almost no resistance from any cities. His campaign north to fight the barbarians had spread throughout the region north of the Yan River. Anyone with some spirit or who had been worried about the barbarian invasion was very grateful to him. Naturally, they wouldn’t stop him. Not only did they not obstruct him, but upon learning of his intention to take the throne, they all rushed to join him…

Thinking of this, knowing that both she and Yan Chi were moving, and he wasn’t much slower than her, she increasingly refused to rest, continuing until sunset when Bai Feng finally persuaded her, “My Lady, let’s stop at the town ahead. Beyond that, it’s half a day’s journey to the next settlement.”

Qin Wan was about to refuse when she suddenly heard a thunderous sound from behind, and Bai Feng looked back in disbelief!

Bai Feng was more sensitive than Qin Wan – he knew immediately what that sound was!

“My Lady! It’s hoofbeats, many of them – probably sixty to seventy thousand men—”

Hearing this, Qin Wan immediately frowned. “At this time, it can only be the Northern Manor Army!”

Bai Feng immediately said, “My Lady, staying here is dangerous. Let’s quickly enter the town!”

Qin Wan shook her head. “No need. I rather think the approaching forces mean us no harm.”

Bai Feng was still a man, less intuitive than Qin Wan. Thinking of the vast numbers approaching, he dared not risk Qin Wan’s safety. However, Qin Wan remained very certain. This delay meant that soon, the massive army appeared on the road behind them.

Tens of thousands of troops raised dust clouds ten zhang high, led by Cheng Wei, Zhao You’s vice commander.

Cheng Wei rode at the front, and when he saw Qin Wan, his eyes immediately lit up. He waved from far away, then rode quickly to Qin Wan’s side. As soon as he stopped his horse, he dismounted. Seeing this, Qin Wan said, “General Cheng, what is the meaning of—”

Before she finished speaking, she saw Cheng Wei kneel before her horse!

This shocked everyone in Qin Wan’s group.

Cheng Wei clasped his hands in respect and said, “This subordinate greets the Princess. Last night, the General informed us that the Empress and Crown Prince would abandon their southern campaign. At this point, the Northern Manor Army cannot continue living in hiding in the north under the label of rebels. The General disbanded the Northern Manor Army’s designation last night and ordered us to voluntarily join Prince Rui! Prince Rui is known as a war god, and we military men all admire him. This northern campaign has increased our reverence. If the General were willing to fight, we would follow him. Now that he has given up and ordered us to choose another lord, in this world, only Prince Rui is worthy of our service as second-time subjects!”

Cheng Wei was over forty, an old general. He spoke each word forcefully, then paused briefly before continuing, “The General completed the army’s reorganization last night. He didn’t tell Princess Rui before departure, fearing you would refuse. Now this subordinate has led the army to catch up, wanting to escort Princess Rui to join Prince Rui!”

Qin Wan’s heart was filled with mixed emotions – shocked at Zhao You and Yan Che’s decision, yet thinking of the Northern Manor Army’s current situation and Zhao You’s resolve, she felt this outcome was natural. After a moment’s stunned silence, she accepted the situation.

“General, please rise. I understand the Supporting Nation General’s decision, and I won’t refuse your allegiance. But I must confirm one thing: who do you consider your lord now? You say you’re a second-time subject – how can Prince Rui trust you?”

Cheng Wei didn’t rise but clasped his hands and said, “Once a subject, always a subject. Unless Prince Rui distrusts this subordinate or one day declares me a traitor, this subordinate will never betray his lord. If I do betray him, may I be like this robe—”

With a ripping sound, Cheng Wei tore off the hem of his military uniform and threw it forcefully to the ground!

Seeing Cheng Wei’s determined expression and all the Northern Manor Army officers kneeling in respect behind him, Qin Wan suddenly broke into a bright smile. “Good! With such words, I’ll lead you to catch up with Prince Rui. Prince Rui is benevolent and virtuous, caring for the common people – he will not fail you!”