Jun Beiyue’s words left Jun Beiyao momentarily unable to argue back.

He was forced to soften his stance, urging with great effort, “Seventh Brother—er, Fourth Brother, how could a war between two nations not be a matter of state? Do you have any idea how worried Father has been for you? The entire court opposed you, all of them saying you defied the Emperor’s command and showed contempt for the court—it was Father who pushed it through against their objections, mobilizing the western border troops under my command to rush to your aid!”

Was this the emotional appeal Han Ziqing had once spoken of?

Jun Beiyue scoffed coldly. “Is that so? Wasn’t I planning to return anyway? I’ll certainly go pay my respects to Father in person at the imperial study. As for how I choose to handle the spoils of this campaign, surely that requires no further approval?”

Jun Beiyao’s heart sank with alarm—he had originally hoped to use their father’s authority to pressure Jun Beiyue, never expecting that Jun Beiyue’s independence would have grown to such an extent, showing so little regard for imperial authority at all!

Continuing to argue like this would only hand Jun Beiyue an excuse to grow even more defiant!

He had no wish to see Jun Beiyue break so completely with the capital so soon—once that break happened, he’d have no room left to maneuver at all!

“Fourth Brother… you… never mind, never mind. I won’t be the villain here. Whatever misunderstanding stands between you and Father, it’s best resolved back at the capital in person. Let me just offer you this one piece of advice, brother—Father’s heart is entirely devoted to you. Why would you want to bear such a burden of blame unnecessarily?”

Hearing this, Jun Beiyue couldn’t help but regard Jun Beiyao with newfound respect—this man’s capacity for restraint was genuinely admirable; having plainly lost everything he’d hoped to gain, he could still manage to play the peacemaker so smoothly.

Both he and Emperor Tianhui alike were surely hoping he’d return to the capital, weren’t they? Of course he would return—but once he did, what exactly could they possibly do to him?

“Does anyone still have any objection to this king’s decision?” Jun Beiyue asked coldly.

Both Tiger generals, along with every commander present, called out together at once, “Prince Yao’s judgment is wise! Congratulations to the Queen of the Northern Gate!”

Jun Beiyao’s hands, hidden within his sleeves, clenched tight. Queen of the Northern Gate, was it? He’d see about that—once they returned to the capital and the scandal of “unmatched beauty” came to light, he’d like to see what face Han Ziqing would have left to hold onto such a title as prince consort’s equal!

This time, Jun Beiyao had thrown all caution aside—even if it meant mutual destruction, he was determined to have one final reckoning with that woman.

That night, no one returned to their own quarters, all of them remaining in camp to deliberate on critical military matters—how to defend these five newly won cities now that Western Chu had withdrawn, how to arrange the defense of the Three Realms Grounds. All of it, tasks that should rightfully have fallen to Han Ziqing, that she should have taken charge of herself, Jun Beiyue shouldered entirely on his own.

It wasn’t until the following afternoon that the council finally concluded, and everyone dispersed. Jun Beiyue rubbed at his temples, glancing over at Situ Xin’er, who had dozed off nearby, and was just about to head out when Situ Xin’er suddenly sprang up, bounding over to his side and looping her arm through his. “Beiyue-gege, where are you going? I’ll come with you!”

She had, of course, only been pretending to sleep—she’d kept her ears pricked the entire night. Everything Beiyue-gege had fought so hard to secure was all meant for Han Ziqing.

Not only had he given her real power, but status and standing besides—across the entire continent of Longyuan, aside from Western Chu’s own Chu Feiyan, what other woman had ever been granted a title and a fief of her own?

Could Beiyue-gege have actually fallen for Han Ziqing? Hadn’t her brother said he’d only married this woman because she was useful?

She didn’t care about any of that—she simply didn’t like Han Ziqing, plain and simple.

“Be good and stay put here, or don’t blame me for sending you straight back to Situ City,” Jun Beiyue said coldly.

“My brother told me to go on ahead—he said he’d arrive a little later, to go with you to Nanzhao together. If you send me back now, my brother’s bound to get tied up with something else, and won’t be able to go to Nanzhao with you after all!” Situ Xin’er pouted, her voice deliberately syrupy sweet.

She had no idea herself why Beiyue-gege was so insistent on having her brother accompany him to Nanzhao—but regardless, she was going to cling to this one leverage point of hers for all it was worth.

“You’re threatening me?” Jun Beiyue’s voice suddenly turned icy, startling Situ Xin’er into letting go at once. Her brother had warned her before—never push this man too far, and never bother trying tactics like grace or gentle pleading with him either; he simply didn’t understand any of that.

“I wasn’t! I’ll go back and behave, I promise! Safe travels, Beiyue-gege!” Situ Xin’er said quickly, spinning around and hurrying off at once.

Jun Beiyue’s gaze cooled, and only then did he turn to leave.

To his surprise, not long after Jun Beiyue had left, Jun Beiyao circled back around. Seeing no one nearby, the corner of his mouth curved into a sinister arc—whether it was because he’d been castrated or not, such a sly, malicious smile carried an unmistakably eerie, unsettling quality. “Fourth Brother, are you still here?”

He’d clearly seen Jun Beiyue head off toward the government office, yet he asked the question as though he had no idea at all.

Situ Xin’er, thoroughly bored in her tent, immediately hurried out the moment she heard Jun Beiyao’s voice. “Beiyue-gege just left. What did you need him for?”

Jun Beiyao put on a look of dejection, sighing helplessly. “Ah, Fourth Brother truly is a busy man. I just forgot to mention something to him—now who knows when I’ll get the chance to see him again.”

“What is it? Is it urgent?” Situ Xin’er, ever eager to help, asked at once.

“It’s nothing too serious—it’s just something Fourth Brother would need to see for himself, in person,” Jun Beiyao said, deliberately mysterious.

Situ Xin’er grew impatient at once. “Well, out with it then—what exactly is it?”

Jun Beiyao still took his time, unhurried. “It’s like this—a soldier spotted a cave not far from here, with quite a few weapons buried inside. We suspect it might be something Western Chu’s army left behind, and no one dares dig it up—everyone’s waiting for Fourth Brother to come take a look.”

The moment she heard this, Situ Xin’er lit up with excitement at once. “Take me to see! Could it be some kind of treasure?”

“That’s exactly the concern—which is why, without Fourth Brother present, no one dares touch it, in case something goes wrong and no one can explain it clearly,” Jun Beiyao said with a smile.

“Not a problem, not a problem at all—take me to see! If it really is treasure, go ahead and dig it up. I’m here as a witness, and if Beiyue-gege has any complaints, I’ll take full responsibility!” Situ Xin’er said cheerfully—bored as she’d been, why would she pass up a chance like this?

Jun Beiyao hesitated, looking thoroughly conflicted.

Situ Xin’er gave him a smack on the shoulder, displeased. “What are you so afraid of? I already said I’d take responsibility if anything goes wrong! Beiyue-gege’s so busy, waiting for him could take forever!”

Jun Beiyao gritted his teeth and finally agreed. “In that case, Miss Situ, please follow me.”

The two of them headed off toward the back hills in the distance, while Ziqing and Hongyi watched from far off—Ziqing had actually returned long before this, but hearing that Jun Beiyue was busy distributing rewards in the main camp, she hadn’t bothered going in.

Seeing Ziqing so slow to react, Hongyi hurried to explain, “My lady, don’t misunderstand—that girl is the younger sister of one of my lord’s sworn brothers. Our lord has always doted on her like a real little sister. If not for that connection, would he really let her get away with acting like this?”

“What’s her name?” Ziqing finally spoke, her tone flat.

“Situ Xin’er—she’s the young lady of the Situ Family, a prominent martial arts clan. Her brother, Situ Haonan, is quite the formidable master in the martial world! He’s extremely close with our lord—practically like blood brothers,” Hongyi answered hurriedly.

“I see.” Ziqing didn’t press further, simply acknowledging it flatly before turning to leave.

“My lady, our lord’s been searching everywhere for you—where are you off to now?” Hongyi asked anxiously.

“He’s already paid what he owes me. What reason would I have to go see him?”

Ziqing shot back the question. Hongyi, of course, had no idea of the true nature of their employer-employee relationship, let alone that Ziqing regarded Jun Beiyue’s granting her a title and territory as simply her payment. Puzzled, she watched her mistress walk further and further away, hesitating for a moment before finally chasing after Jun Beiyue instead—never realizing that Ziqing was, in fact, following Jun Beiyao.

What good could possibly come of Jun Beiyao leading Situ Xin’er away?