The five hundred troops that Shen Zhishu had dispatched from the Transportation Commission to escort Meng Tinghui to the outskirts of Ting Prefecture turned back to report to Qing Prefecture.

The journey northward from Ting Prefecture was mostly mountain paths, increasingly difficult to traverse.

Meng Tinghui abandoned her carriage for horseback, following alongside Song Zhirui as they slowly advanced amid the troops.

Along the way, Song Zhirui explained to her all the developments between the two armies in recent days, particularly detailing the troop deployments inside and outside Jin Gorge Pass and the northern Jian’s request for peace negotiations.

After listening to everything, she realized he had not once mentioned Di Nian. She raised an eyebrow and asked, “General Di’s victory report reached the capital. Is he well?”

A look of hesitation flashed across Song Zhirui’s dark face. After a moment’s consideration, he said, “The victory report reached the capital, but it didn’t mention that General Di was wounded.”

“Is that true?!” Meng Tinghui was greatly shocked. “How could such an important matter not be reported to the Emperor?”

Song Zhirui gave a bitter smile. “Official Meng, you’ve seen the current situation at the northern border on your journey here. With the two armies facing each other, it’s a tense time of drawn swords and flying arrows. If people knew our commander was wounded, what would happen then? General Di strictly forbade us from reporting to the court, so naturally we dared not report it.”

She frowned. “Is the injury serious?”

Song Zhirui shook his head. “Not too serious. It’s just that his leg bone was injured. The military physician has forbidden him from getting up, and he can’t ride a horse to lead the troops for a short while. He needs more time to fully recover.”

Meng Tinghui finally relaxed a bit, then slightly furrowed her brow again. “If that’s the case, the Emperor’s decision to allow negotiations with northern Jian is indeed correct.”

Song Zhirui’s face darkened as he asked, “Is the court truly planning to negotiate peace with northern Jian?”

Seeing his mood darken, she quickly clarified, “General Song, please don’t misunderstand. This is just a temporary measure discussed by the Emperor and the Two Departments.” She then explained to Song Zhirui the court’s plan to temporarily ease the northern border conflict, first clear out the bandits in the three northern routes, and then defeat the northern Jian army.

Song Zhirui listened carefully, his expression finally improving somewhat. He sighed, “If we truly negotiate peace with northern Jian this time, I fear the commanders of the northern imperial troops won’t be able to contain their frustration.”

She thought for a moment and asked, “Before I left the capital, we received a report that General Di ordered Han Peng to advance from Zi Prefecture and attack northern Jian’s Hui Prefecture. How is that situation now?”

Song Zhirui frowned. “Since northern Jian came to seek peace, General Di dared not make his own decision. While reporting to the court for a final decision, he ordered Han Peng’s forces to retreat and defend Zi Prefecture.”

Meng Tinghui inquired about every detail, large and small, until she finally felt she had a clear understanding.

Most of it was as she had already estimated, except for Di Nian being wounded at the front, which she hadn’t anticipated.

Thinking back to Shen Zhishu’s expression and tone that night, she felt quite uncomfortable.

Fortunately, there was no serious harm.

As they approached Jin Gorge Pass, Song Zhirui reined in his horse on the mountain path, using his whip to point northeast, and said to Meng Tinghui, “That is Jin Gorge Pass.”

Meng Tinghui pulled her reins and gazed into the distance from the mountain ridge.

In the clear sky, the wind scattered remnant clouds, and half the sky was filled with colorful streaks of sunset glow. In the distance below the mountain, thousands of tents were connected in camps, presenting a stern and martial sight as far as the eye could see. The black mass of encampments stretched endlessly, blue banners blocking the sky and sun. All that could be seen were high mountains and flowing waters, appearing all the more magnificent against this cold and oppressive atmosphere.

Beyond the thin mountain ridge in the distance, one could faintly make out the tents of the northern Jian army, blurry and indistinct, yet still exuding a bloody killing intent that seemed near enough to breathe.

She took a deep breath.

Although it wasn’t her first encounter with the military, she had never before personally witnessed tens of thousands of troops gathered in formation, occupying every inch of this wild mountain plain like an iron flow, their imposing might sweeping across mountains and rivers. The air of valor came rushing toward her, irresistible.

The blood in her heart suddenly began to boil, surging through her limbs and body, the hot blood completely suffusing her entire being.

Such iron-blooded valor, how like him it was.

This was his picturesque frontier fortress, these were his brave imperial troops, this was the realm and all under heaven to which he had devoted his entire life.

“Official Meng,” Song Zhirui called to her.

She reluctantly withdrew her gaze, her eyes somewhat moist, then hurriedly waved her whip and urged her horse, galloping down the mountain.

People at the large encampment below had already spotted this contingent with golden halberds and purple flags. Before they even entered the camp, people had come out to welcome them from afar.

Leading them was a commander in black armor, tall and imposing, clearly a man of great spirit.

Song Zhirui came forward and said, “This is General Luo Bitao from the Qing Prefecture garrison, who has led troops north alongside General Di in this campaign.”

Meng Tinghui smiled slightly and said, “General Luo.”

She had seen this man’s name in official documents no fewer than ten times, and also knew that he had been victorious in the previous battle at Min Mountain.

Luo Bitao’s eyes were half amazed and half curious as he stared at her intently, trying to take her measure. After a while, he finally came to his senses and bowed to her, “Official Meng, you’ve traveled thousands of li to Jin Gorge Pass. It must have been arduous.”

The imperial soldiers behind him, needless to say, had their gazes fixed on her like burning torches, utterly unrestrained.

Except during the Emperor’s campaign, female entry into the imperial army camp had always been strictly prohibited, especially female officials coming to handle military affairs. Earlier, when she entered the Bureau of Military Affairs, it had already caused great astonishment among the troops across various routes. Now, seeing her as Associate Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs on a mission to Jin Gorge Pass to negotiate peace with the northern Jian army, they found it even more incredible.

Especially since she appeared so young and gentle.

Meng Tinghui could read the gazes of these soldiers and understood well what they were thinking. She simply smiled graciously, not blaming them for their bold and disrespectful behavior.

Song Zhirui, however, was somewhat annoyed. He rode forward to reprimand the soldiers for their disrespect, saying loudly, “Official Meng holds a position in the Two Departments and has traveled thousands of li on the Emperor’s orders to handle state and military affairs. None of you may show any disrespect, or you will be dealt with according to military law without leniency!”

The soldiers immediately lowered their heads and respectfully welcomed her into the camp.

Huang Bo led the way, with Meng Tinghui and Tang Cheng following behind. The thousand Imperial Court Guards accompanying them also entered the camp and set up tents according to protocol.

From behind, Luo Bitao couldn’t help saying to Song Zhirui, “I never expected her to be so young! The rumors in the capital must be true. Without the Emperor’s favor, how could she attain such a high position?”

Song Zhirui gave him a cold glance. “What do you know? The rebellion of the Willow Banner Imperial Troops in the northern route of Chao’an was suppressed by her. She ordered thousands of rebel troops to be buried alive. How ruthlessly calculated!”

Luo Bitao’s eyes widened. “You back then…”

Song Zhirui snorted, “I witnessed it personally.”

Luo Bitao sighed deeply. “If that’s the case, the Emperor’s favor towards her is justified. Just by her daring to come to Jin Gorge Pass now, I have to admire her courage!”

“Otherwise, why would General Di ask me to personally go to Ting Prefecture to welcome her?” Song Zhirui said no more, suddenly squeezing his horse’s belly with both legs and entering the camp area.

Meng Tinghui was escorted by soldiers to the central command tent before dismounting.

Along this route, none of the officers and soldiers on either side could contain their gaze, openly staring at her without end.

The youngest and most promising civil official in the court, a female official who had entered the Bureau of Military Affairs, and now on an imperial mission to the northern border to negotiate military and state affairs!

How could they not be curious? Only when the tent flaps rose and fell were those unbridled gazes finally blocked.

She took a light breath, and looking up, saw Di Nian reclining on a low couch. She smiled and said, “General Di!”

Di Nian had injured his right tibia, making it difficult to walk, but his complexion remained fresh. He smiled back at her and said, “I’ve been hearing commotion in the camp for a long time, but you were slow to reach the central command.”

Seeing him in this well state, Meng Tinghui truly felt relieved. She pressed her lips together and said, “A general leading troops should certainly lead from the front to inspire morale, but how can you disregard your family in the capital and place yourself in danger?”

“It’s not a serious injury at all. Don’t listen to Song Zhirui and the others’ exaggerations.” Di Nian waved his hand dismissively, then focused his gaze on her and said, “The northern Jian army has always been cunning and devious. Going to Jin Gorge Pass to negotiate peace is extremely dangerous. Won’t you reconsider?”

She shook her head and said, “My mind is made up. It’s useless for the General to say more.”