As spring warmth arrived, everything was reviving. Even the accumulated problems of the Song Dynasty’s dynastic change seemed to be growing wildly in the silent spring rain. Yet, amidst this desperate situation, people could see vibrant signs of life.

In the imperial study, after a long silence, suddenly burst forth hearty laughter.

The laughter of the new emperor, who had quickly shed his youthful naivety, seemed to pierce through the dark clouds pressing down on the city, instantly parting them to reveal the sun.

The cabinet ministers had various thoughts, but ultimately, they were pleased.

“General Ling is truly still alive! Heaven blesses the Great Song!” the emperor exclaimed.

Minister Hua had been hesitating whether to reveal that Chu Dingjiang had saved Ling Ziyue. Hearing the emperor’s exclamation, he decided to remain silent. The Song Dynasty had only one heaven—the emperor. Minister Hua had complex feelings towards his rebellious son, even fearing him slightly, but he couldn’t deny that his son had done his utmost to protect the Hua family. Nor could he deny that his son’s decision to infiltrate the Crane Control Army was crucial to the Hua family’s survival. After all, he was still his flesh and blood, and Minister Hua wanted to help him out of his current predicament.

Those who could enter the cabinet were all shrewd individuals. After spending so much time with the emperor, they naturally had some understanding of his temperament. At this moment, they were all inwardly weighing whether they should volunteer to help clear Ling Ziyue’s name.

Minister Hua, however, had hardly given it a thought before he softly asked, “Your Majesty, helping to overturn General Ling’s case will inevitably involve the late emperor…”

No matter what method was used, the fact that the late emperor had personally judged Ling Ziyue was unavoidable and would more or less affect the late emperor’s reputation.

The emperor didn’t seem to mind, thinking that his father’s reputation surely wouldn’t suffer from this one matter! Although such thoughts were somewhat disrespectful and unfilial, he had only ever been outwardly reverent towards his father, never truly respecting him inwardly. This was largely because his mother had instilled in him from a young age the notion that when he grew up, he should be a true man and never emulate his father!

After a moment, the emperor said wistfully, “Father devoted his life to the country and the people. The Great Song now needs General Ling, and Father’s spirit above surely won’t blame us. Minister Hua, this matter is entrusted to you. Do what needs to be done.”

“This old servant obeys the imperial edict!” Minister Hua hurriedly rose to accept the command.

The emperor’s words were open, but in reality, they couldn’t truly act without restraint. Even if not for the late emperor’s sake, they had to consider the imperial family’s dignity.

In early May, Ling Ziyue appeared in Bianjing, seeking an audience with the emperor to clear his name.

His appearance caused an uproar, as many people had personally witnessed General Ling being shot with arrows and dying on the spot before reaching the execution ground.

However, thinking back carefully, no one had seen the true face of the so-called “General Ling” at that time.

The court’s actions were unprecedentedly swift, taking only half a month to overturn the case. It was said that originally, some villains had fabricated “evidence” of General Ling’s treason. Due to the compelling nature of the evidence, the late emperor had been temporarily deceived and issued an edict to punish him. However, the late emperor’s wisdom prevailed, and he ultimately discovered the truth before Ling Ziyue’s execution. He then secretly saved Ling Ziyue to catch the real traitors.

As for how the traitors were caught and who they were, no clear answer was given. It was simply stated as confidential. In the end, the late emperor was portrayed as wise and decisive, while General Ling endured humiliation for a greater cause. Everything had been due to the pressing circumstances.

The current emperor also posthumously bestowed a first-rank title on Ling’s wrongfully executed wife and personally wrote a commendation for the Ling family, praising their loyalty.

Ling Ziyue moved into a brand new mansion befitting a great general. Standing alone in the spacious and silent courtyard, he felt utterly lonely.

No matter how much he told himself that he had returned to protect the country, he still felt unjust in his heart, feeling that he had failed as a husband and a father. His entire family had been wrongfully executed by the late emperor’s hand, yet now he had to sell his life for the Zhao family’s empire.

One general’s success is built upon ten thousand bones.

Whether it pained him or not, he could only step on this pile of white bones to become the war god revered by thousands. To build an impregnable Great Wall for the Song Dynasty—only then would he not fail the many sacrifices made.

Ling Ziyue closed his eyes. No matter how brightly the “Loyalty and Martyrdom” plaque on the door shone, he would forever feel indebted, forever unable to erase the sense of inferiority hidden deep in his heart.

“Brother Ling, aren’t you happy?” Lou Xiaowu had been standing in the corridor watching him for a while.

She didn’t understand why he looked so sad on a day when his innocence had been proven.

Ling Ziyue composed himself and turned to look at her. “Why are you here?”

Lou Xiaowu pouted, her big eyes brimming with tears, silently accusing him. In the past, Ling Ziyue had been silent and stern, and they weren’t particularly close. But since they both had nothing to do on the island, they interacted more often. He had never deliberately neglected her like he had these past two days.

Seeing that he didn’t speak further, Lou Xiaowu couldn’t help but say, “I want to live with you.”

It was a statement that could be easily misunderstood, but Ling Ziyue didn’t misinterpret it. Lou Xiaowu was still naive about matters between men and women. Her idea of “living together” simply meant living in the same courtyard. “Go back and focus on your inventions. If war breaks out between Liao and Song one day, your creations will be of great use.”

“We used to get along so well. Why have you suddenly changed?” Lou Xiaowu said, then pressed her lips tightly together, stubbornly looking at him.

Lou Xiaowu’s thoughts were simple, and there were too many things she couldn’t understand. In her eyes, Ling Ziyue’s emotions were a mystery.

Ling Ziyue’s dark eyes were calm, not betraying a hint of emotion. “Xiaowu, go live with the Sheng Changying couple. I’ll be heading to the border in a few days, and this place will be empty too.”

“I want to go with you.”

“No.”

Ling Ziyue refused outright.

Lou Xiaowu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud sobs like a child abandoned by their parents.

Those who knew Lou Xiaowu well knew that although she was naive, she had a resilient nature and wasn’t a fragile person. Even when the Lou family was annihilated, she hadn’t cried as loudly as she did now.

A person can grit their teeth and persevere in adversity, bleeding but not shedding tears. But once they encounter someone dear to them, they suddenly feel as if they’ve suffered a great injustice. This was probably Lou Xiaowu’s current state of mind!

Ling Ziyue steeled his heart, no longer looking at her as he turned and strode away.

Behind him, Lou Xiaowu’s crying abruptly stopped, leaving only the sound of her continuous sniffling. Ling Ziyue felt a sharp pain in his heart: Xiaowu because you’re someone I want to protect, I’m too afraid you’ll become the next sacrifice if you stay by my side.

A general’s profession is strange in this way. They can protect countless civilians, but the price is sacrificing those closest to them.

Lou Xiaowu watched his figure disappear among the lush flowers and trees, her mind in a fog, completely muddled. She couldn’t understand or accept this reality.

It seemed as if everyone had their matters to attend to, leaving her behind: her mother, her sister, her friends, even Líng Zǐyuè.

“Fine, ignore me then, hmph,” Lóu Xiǎowǔ muttered as she wiped away her tears and stormed off in a huff. “It’s not like I have nowhere to go. Plenty of people still like me!”