After Wen Yu confirmed the military physician examining her was Physician Tao, her heart felt somewhat unsettled.

Physician Tao’s home was in Tao Family Village, located at the border between Jinzhou and Tongzhou. When the three armies allied to attack Jinzhou, she had even sent a letter to Li Xun asking him to help look after Tao Family Village.

However, Li Xun later wrote back saying that people from villages and towns around Jinzhou had all been captured by Pei Song to quarry stones and build the old Great Wall. Tao Family Village was no exception.

Wen Yu had thought Physician Tao’s entire family had met with disaster and had even ordered long-burning lamps lit for them at the temple.

Yet now Physician Tao appeared in the Northern Wei army.

Due to her cold, Wen Yu felt her mind had become muddled like paste. She couldn’t think of a reason why Physician Tao would be in the Northern Wei army.

Even if conscripted as a military physician from the civilian population, Physician Tao should have been conscripted by Pei’s army.

Unless Physician Tao had brought his family and come to the northern territories before war broke out in the southern territories?

As Wen Yu endured the dizzy swelling of her headache, mulling over these chaotic thoughts, the tent flap was lifted open again. The candle flame in the tent corner flickered as cold wind rushed in.

This military camp was full of men—she didn’t dare be careless. Lifting her eyes toward the entrance, in that instant the figure she saw overlapped with that silhouette who’d lifted the curtain and entered when she’d awakened in that dark, silent room at the Xiao household.

The tall figure made the small military tent suddenly feel cramped.

The black eyes looking down at her were coldly indifferent, showing not a trace of emotion, sharp as a hawk.

Wen Yu didn’t know what expression she wore as she gazed at the other party—perhaps surprise, perhaps joy, or perhaps disbelief mixed with some sorrow.

She tried to call that name: “Xiao…”

But the person opposite had already looked at her with a light sneer: “The Princess seems very surprised to see Xiao?”

Wen Yu’s voice instantly went hoarse.

The other party stepped into the tent, picked up the wick trimmer beneath the lamp base, and drew out the wick of that dim yellow oil lamp in the tent corner somewhat. The tent interior immediately brightened considerably, but also more clearly illuminated the coldness and faint mockery in his eyes: “Did you not expect Xiao to still be alive after that poisoned arrow?”

Wen Yu remained in a daze. Hearing these words, she felt her throat slightly constrict, knowing he must be resenting that arrow that nearly took his life. She wanted to explain something. Opening her mouth, she discovered all she could ultimately say was one particularly pale sentence: “That wasn’t my intention…”

“Half a year unseen, and the Princess’s acting skills have improved again.”

Xiao Li’s tone was extremely flat. Turning to look at her, his eyes were darkly deep, his lips pulling slightly: “This grief-stricken demeanor—had I not witnessed the Princess crying this afternoon about being Jiang Yu’s concubine, I might truly believe it.”

Wen Yu froze.

He’d seen her this afternoon?

Recalling when that Wei general had gone to report to their “State Mentor,” the half horse’s head and corner of a great bow she’d glimpsed, a certain thought in Wen Yu’s mind suddenly became clear.

That Wei general’s “State Mentor” was him!

In this instant, Wen Yu couldn’t clearly say what her state of mind was. Though she’d previously received news that Xiao Li had entered the Wei camp, she’d never imagined their reunion would be under such circumstances.

Hearing his mocking words now, her heart felt terribly uncomfortable in every way. After taking a deep breath, she suppressed the stifling feeling in her chest: “Whether you believe it or not, I truly never thought of killing you. But things have come to this—I indeed wronged you. Your hatred and resentment are both deserved…”

Xiao Li still stared at her, but his jawline tightened slightly, and that arrow wound on his shoulder also faintly ached with burning pain.

He quickly turned away his gaze with a mocking laugh: “I didn’t know that besides the Princess, who else could command Changlian Prince Manor’s death warriors and the Azure Cloud Guards.”

But Wen Yu was rendered voiceless by this question.

Zhao Bai and the Azure Cloud Guards—she had indeed dispatched them. She couldn’t refute it.

Xiao Li seemed to feel she’d tacitly admitted something. Looking at the candle flame beside him, he continued with another mocking question: “Do people like the Princess who play with political schemes all know how to exonerate themselves like this?”

In this moment, Wen Yu truly felt deeply grieved.

Afraid the expression in her eyes was too unbearable, she hastily turned her face to the side and closed her eyes. Yet her eye sockets and nose tip still surged with an uncontrollable sourness, slowly moistening her long, downy lashes drooping over her eyes, then slowly sliding toward those cheeks covered in light red hives and small scrapes.

Xiao Li silently watched her sit at the bedside, turning her face inward, constantly using her hands to wipe her face—wiping away something. He gripped the brass wick trimmer in his hand until it deformed, saying nothing more.

Only when turning to leave did he ask one final question with his back turned: “You suspected I was a traitor. After Zhou Sui returned to Liang camp, did he tell you all how my mother died?”

This question he asked very calmly, without any hint of interrogation, yet it stabbed Wen Yu until she was completely torn apart.

As he was about to exit the tent, a hoarse voice sounded from behind: “I’m sorry.”

Her eyes were reddened by tears, her long hair scattered, her complexion pale as snow. The hand exposed outside her sleeve robe was also covered in wounds and light red hive marks. Her entire being resembled a white porcelain figure full of cracks—one light touch from another person would completely shatter it.

This was a confrontation delayed by several months.

Each word, each sentence fell upon her heart like slow slicing torture.

She couldn’t refute a single point.

What could she say?

That she’d actually always believed in him? Only to give those ministers who didn’t trust him an explanation, she’d ordered people to bring him back?

That poisoned arrow also wasn’t her instruction, but her teacher’s secret machination?

Her teacher had tried to make amends for this error, traveling over mountains to see him unsuccessfully. Now buried underground with yellow earth grinding his bones, she ultimately could never say another harsh word.

She only blamed herself for not thoroughly persuading her teacher back then.

That “I’m sorry” was both her guilt and her apology on behalf of Li Yao.

After hearing her words, Xiao Li seemed to have received an answer where dust had settled.

His straight back was like a silent rocky mountain covered year-round in white snow. He ultimately made no further pause, striding out of the tent with large steps.

—

Tonight the north wind raged, and heavy snow fell outside again.

After leaving the tent, Xiao Li ordered someone to bring his horse. He mounted and galloped out of the military camp, running dozens of miles through the wind and snow as if venting, then threw himself into the wilderness.

Half a waning moon hung in the sky—so cold, yet so bright, clearly illuminating the gray clouds and the fine snow floating down to the mortal world.

Xiao Li stared at the moon like that for a while, finally raising his arm to cover his eyes.

It was merely getting an answer he’d known all along.

When returning, the wind and snow had intensified. At the camp entrance, Xiao Li encountered Song Qin, who was driving a carriage as if to leave camp.

He reined in his horse and asked: “Where is Big Brother going so late?”

Song Qin said: “Physician Tao needs to prepare pregnancy-stabilizing medicine but urgently lacks several medicinal ingredients. He asked me to buy some from nearby market towns overnight. The camp has recently seen more soldiers with typhoid, so I can also purchase medicinal materials for treating typhoid.”

—

After taking leave from Xiao Li and handing his letter to the messenger to take to Weizhou, Wei Ang also understood that with Wei Pingjin’s temperament, upon hearing the news his subordinates had reported earlier, he definitely wouldn’t sit still.

To prevent him from doing something stupid again and causing irreversible consequences, he hastily left camp and rushed overnight to the town where Wei Pingjin was temporarily staying.

Upon arrival, as expected, Wei Pingjin had already ordered carriages prepared and horses harnessed, selected several hundred soldiers, and was about to storm the military camp to seize the person.

Wei Ang’s eyelids twitched violently. After much persuasion, he finally talked him down. Returning to the residence and explaining in detail how the military physician had examined Wen Yu, saying it was unlikely she was Princess Hanyang, Wei Pingjin immediately shouted: “Uncle Ang, you’re confused! What if that military physician is Xiao Li’s man and they’re acting together for you to see?”

Wei Ang said: “Even if that possibility exists, Young Master, you can’t barge in at this time to forcibly take the person!”

Afraid of accidentally touching this young master’s sore spot again and causing endless trouble, he could only say tactfully: “The person was brought back after State Mentor Xiao led troops to pursue Pei’s army nearly a hundred miles, finally killing and repelling that Pei force.”

Wei Pingjin said angrily: “I am the lord and he is the subject! He ordered the main force to remain, taking personal responsibility by bringing only two cavalry units to pursue Pei’s army, ultimately resulting in insufficient manpower and failing to intercept the Yang clan members from all routes. I haven’t yet held him accountable—going to demand the person from him could possibly offend him? If that woman truly is Princess Hanyang, what if he lets her escape?”

Wei Ang didn’t know what Wei Qishan usually thought watching his son like this, but at this moment he truly felt his entire head buzzing. No wonder Song Qin had said those words earlier.

He said seriously: “Young Master’s prejudice against State Mentor Xiao is excessive. State Mentor Xiao ordered the main force to hold the center line out of consideration for the overall situation. The Yang clan’s escape from Hengzhou—responsibility lies mainly with Hengzhou’s garrison troops. State Mentor Xiao drove back Pei’s army, reclaimed Jiang Yu’s corpse, and captured his concubine alive. This time he has merit.”

Seeing Wei Pingjin’s expression growing worse, he had to change tack, picking words this young master could hear to continue persuading:

“This subordinate also understands Young Master’s concerns. However… Liang and Chen armies are currently battling Pei Song in the southern territories. If Princess Hanyang isn’t in the southern territories managing the overall situation, what would she be doing in our northern territories? In this subordinate’s view, this must be Liang’s army rescuing the Yang clan members, deliberately releasing intelligence to draw away pursuers—a luring-the-tiger-from-the-mountain stratagem. From capturing that woman to returning to camp, State Mentor Xiao has been avoiding suspicion throughout. If Young Master acts to harm others over a woman who fundamentally isn’t Princess Hanyang, this not only chills Tongzhou army’s hearts but also chills all volunteer army soldiers’ hearts!”

Wei Pingjin was blocked from saying anything, but unwilling to yield like this, he randomly seized an excuse to retort mockingly: “Then why did Empress Dowager Jiang’s nephew, as a Chen general, come to our northern territories? With a pregnant woman at his side—how is that not suspicious?”

The speaker was casual, but the listener paid attention. Wei Ang frowned slightly but still said: “Liang and Chen armies coordinate—subordinate generals being assigned military duties to come to the northern territories and abduct Yang clan members isn’t surprising. As for that woman, if she truly is pregnant, she absolutely cannot be Princess Hanyang. First, Princess Hanyang has no reason to go north. Second, if Princess Hanyang carried royal issue, would ministers of Liang and Chen kingdoms allow her to venture into danger?”

After Wei Ang’s lengthy persuasion, Wei Pingjin knew he couldn’t rashly demand the person from Xiao Li anymore. After all, first there was suspicion of claiming credit, second there was doubt of distrust.

He said: “Then send our own physician to re-examine that woman’s pulse!”

Wei Ang thought for a moment: “This matter cannot be rushed, laying our intentions bare. The military camp happens to have no physician skilled in treating women’s ailments. How about this—tomorrow Young Master, you accompany me into camp, saying you heard that woman’s pregnancy pulse is unstable and specially invited from the city a physician skilled in treating women’s ailments to examine her pulse and stabilize the pregnancy.”

Though Wei Pingjin found it troublesome, at least their own person could examine that woman’s pulse. He finally agreed.

—

Since seeing Xiao Li last night, Wen Yu had been unable to sleep. Finally, because the cold had caused high fever, she’d burned in confusion and fainted. Upon waking, she discovered it was already the next day, and two servants had been added to the tent to attend to her.

Upon inquiry, she learned they were farm women from a nearby village. Last night someone had knocked on their doors and given their families large sums of silver, bringing them to the military camp overnight.

Last night she’d burned severely, sweating profusely. It was they who’d heated water to help her wash and change clothes.

Wen Yu thanked them. Both servants were honest, simple people who quickly said she was a noble lady—they should do these things.

Probably because she was ill, yesterday’s battle had been too shocking and exhausting, depleting her spirit. Today Wen Yu remained somewhat listless. Just after washing up and eating a few mouthfuls of porridge, her entire being felt fatigued again.

Having just eaten, lying down would cause indigestion. The servants said there would soon be medicinal soup to drink, so they padded two soft pillows behind her, letting her rest while leaning back.

The two servants did embroidery work by the charcoal basin beside the bed. Wen Yu leaned against the headboard, listening to the howling north wind outside the tent, but thinking about whether Zhao Bai and Bronze Sparrow were still alive.

Yesterday when Wei’s army brought her back, passing the attack site, she saw Wei soldiers digging deep pits in the roadside wilderness to bury those dead Liang army soldiers and Azure Cloud Guards. She’d called for the carriage to stop so she could go down and check on her maidservants.

But that Wei general said when they’d arrived, that Liang force had already been completely slaughtered by Pei’s army. The scene was quite gruesome—she was pregnant and her emotions couldn’t be too agitated, so she’d better not go down to look. Though his words were polite, he’d firmly refused to stop the carriage.

Wen Yu didn’t believe Zhao Bai and Bronze Sparrow were just gone like that. But in this bitter cold, and before she was rescued the two had already been wounded—even if they escaped, it would be extremely difficult.

She thought she still needed to get an accurate answer from Xiao Li.

Since he’d already recognized her, he surely knew Zhao Bai and Bronze Sparrow would be accompanying her. If he’d seen them, he would definitely recognize them.

Last night she was ill, the cold and headache making her mind completely muddled. Facing Xiao Li’s interrogation, thinking it was ultimately her fault that nearly cost him his life, and she’d failed to save Xiao Huiniang, momentarily full of guilt, she hadn’t thought to ask him about Zhao Bai and Bronze Sparrow then.

Wen Yu slowly closed her eyes.

This northern journey had too many accidents.

She’d calculated all possible risks this trip might encounter, but never anticipated Wei Qishan would produce a former Jin princess to rival her, nor that Jiang Yu’s troops would contain infiltrators.

Human calculations sometimes ultimately couldn’t match heaven’s designs?

Right now the worst result was falling into Wei Qishan’s hands.

But after that fierce assault, the barbarian tribes outside the pass had yet to make major moves. They must be plotting the next surprise attack. Before this harsh winter passed, Wei Qishan wouldn’t want to simultaneously face off against Pei Song’s main forces.

He needed Liang and Chen armies to occupy Pei Song in the southern territories. Then to stabilize the overall situation, Wei Qishan also wouldn’t quickly announce externally that she was in his hands.

At most he’d control her, then use her to threaten and command the Liang and Chen armies in the southern territories.

But with Jiang Yu dead, Southern Chen might not necessarily comply. With internal traitors stirring trouble, whether Southern Chen’s situation would destabilize remained unknown.

If all prospects were good and no accidents occurred, then this balance could at least be maintained until spring.

After spring, if the barbarians outside the pass remained fiercely aggressive, then both northern and southern territories would face a protracted war.

Southern Chen, constantly facing the threat of being devoured by Western Ling, would likely be first to break its alliance with Great Liang.

Wen Yu didn’t think further about what path Southern Chen would find, but at that time Great Liang would absolutely struggle alone against Pei Song.

Wei Qishan would either let her Liang forces be completely crippled, or… use her as leverage to make Liang’s army submit.

But after submission, it would probably just be using a figurehead to recruit Liang ministers still watching from the sidelines. Those ministers truly loyal to her—like Chen Wei, Li Xun, Fan Yuan and others—would definitely be removed from important positions, then slowly forced into desperate straits.

She, this last sovereign of Great Liang, might also someday “die of melancholy.”

To break this game, either she’d have to conceal her identity from start to finish as she’d originally planned.

Or when controlled by Wei Qishan, she could be rescued back to Liang camp.

Either way, the former would have the smallest impact on the overall situation.

But currently the key to achieving this fell on Xiao Li.

Recalling last night Xiao Li’s departing figure—upright yet desolate—Wen Yu’s thoughts became disordered again.

Noise suddenly came from outside the tent, seemingly someone calling at the entrance. Wen Yu halted her thoughts and looked up.

“I’ll go check.” One servant put down her embroidery work, smoothed her clothing hem, and walked toward the tent exit.

To prevent Wen Yu from catching wind, after going out she lowered the curtain. Wen Yu couldn’t see clearly who was outside.

Shortly after, that servant came in and said to Wen Yu: “Those military gentlemen have invited another famous physician skilled in treating women to help the young lady. Please change clothes first, young lady.”

Wen Yu’s lashes lifted slightly. She felt this quick invitation of another physician to examine her was somewhat strange.

She rose and let the two servants help her dress, but silently pondered whether this physician was invited to examine her pulse and stabilize the pregnancy, or whether that Wei general last night had suspicions and invited someone else to verify.

If the latter…

Wouldn’t that indicate Xiao Li still hadn’t revealed her identity to Northern Wei?

Wen Yu then recalled how last night when Physician Tao was applying needles for her, in her confused state she’d nearly called out to him, and Physician Tao had timely helped cover for her.

After seeing Xiao Li last night, her thoughts had been too chaotic—she hadn’t sorted everything out clearly.

Now it seemed Physician Tao was clearly also arranged by Xiao Li to help treat her.

He’d been helping her conceal her identity from Northern Wei all along?

This realization made Wen Yu unconsciously tighten her five fingers gathered in her sleeves, slowly furrowing her brow.

—

When the people outside entered the tent, Wen Yu was already properly dressed and leaning against the headboard, a quilt draped over her, a plain white silk handkerchief hanging from the dark hair behind her ear, covering most of her face, leaving only her clear, refined brows and eyes showing some sickly pallor exposed outside.

Entering the tent besides Xiao Li and that Wei general she’d seen yesterday was another rather young-looking man, not dressed in military attire but in fine brocade robes, shoulders draped with a cloak tanned from some animal fur, his demeanor revealing arrogant pride.

In comparison, Xiao Li’s expression was especially cold and indifferent. Broad-shouldered and long-legged, he stood a full head taller than that brocaded youth. Just coming from the training grounds, his dark brocade martial robe still carried a fierce killing aura, making the other’s gold-trimmed, jade-embedded outfit seem like a young boy’s.

He seemed unconcerned with the other party’s true purpose for coming. After entering the tent, he only said: “Examine her pulse.”

That touch of cold weariness in his brows seemed more like impatience at having to spare time from busy military affairs for this trip.

Wen Yu calmly swept her eyes over several people, then in a sickly state slightly lowered her eyes.

This situation seemed to be the latter scenario she’d previously speculated?

So… why was Xiao Li helping her?

From the moment Wei Pingjin entered and saw Wen Yu’s covered face, his brow jumped. Hearing Xiao Li’s words, his heart grew even more displeased. Feeling he’d caught something damaging, intending to undermine Xiao Li’s authority, before that physician could step forward, he shouted: “Why cover your face?”

Wen Yu seemed frightened by him, her sickly eyes showing confusion and alarm, as if not understanding what was wrong with covering her face.

The servant who’d helped her dress and arrange her hair said: “Reporting to the military gentleman, the young lady has broken out in hives and fears polluting the gentlemen’s eyes, so we helped find a handkerchief to cover her.”

The pair of hands Wen Yu exposed outside her sleeves and the area around her brows and eyes were indeed covered with quite a few hives.

Wei Pingjin’s attempted show of authority failed to establish itself. Instead losing face, his heart grew increasingly unpleasant. He shouted: “This young master has been to battlefields—would I fear your face full of wind hives? Remove it!”