Yue Linxi’s expression stiffened.

Meng Tinghui, however, continued drinking wine leisurely and asked someone, “People say the rebel troubles in the south are severe, and Chuzhou sits at the border between Jiankang and Linhui routes, yet I haven’t seen any disturbances.”

The man raised his eyebrows. “Although Chuzhou city is still fine, I heard from people who fled from Jiankang route that those rebellious troops kill any man they see and rape any woman they encounter. They don’t even spare infants in swaddling clothes—truly terrifying! Looking at the current situation, if the imperial court doesn’t dispatch a large army soon, relying solely on the imperial guards from the north will make it difficult to quell the rebellion. I imagine the Emperor has realized this point, which is why he plans to lead the expedition personally!”

Someone nearby who overheard this joined the conversation: “If the Emperor leads the campaign himself, how excited those border guards and soldiers will be! Then neither the northern rebels nor bandits will pose any problem!”

Another person added: “If it weren’t for that traitor Meng Tinghui defecting to the enemy, would our northern imperial guards have suffered such a great defeat? Perhaps we would have already sent troops southward to eliminate the rebels! And the Emperor wouldn’t have to personally travel thousands of miles for the campaign, making all civilians tremble with fear.”

She put down her wine cup and turned to Yue Linxi, saying, “Let’s go.”

Yue Linxi paid for the wine and rose as instructed, accompanying her as they walked inside. On the way, he hesitantly spoke: “What that old civilian said about the rebel army’s indiscriminate killing must have been idle talk. My lord, please don’t take it to heart.”

Meng Tinghui said softly, “Regardless of what kind of army it is, or who commands it, once war breaks out, there will inevitably be incidents of civilian harassment and indiscriminate killing. I understand this clearly; you needn’t say more.”

Her words were resolute and decisive. Hearing this, Yue Linxi privately admired her, feeling that she truly did not fear bloodshed, and thus grew even more respectful toward her. “If the Great Peace Emperor truly leads the campaign personally, what does my lord think?”

She laughed lightly. “The Great Peace Emperor is not skilled in military affairs. This time, he must be putting on a show for the imperial guards, merely wanting to encourage the soldiers to fight bravely. But with his lack of strategic ability, how could he possibly win a battle?”

Yue Linxi asked further: “Though that may be true, we still cannot let our guard down. When will my lord inform this humble servant about the defense strategies for the three northern routes? So I can make early preparations.”

Meng Tinghui glanced back at him and said coolly: “Why the hurry? Aren’t we entering Jiankang tomorrow? When I meet with the generals at the front, I will naturally tell all of you.”

In the capital.

The dungeon of the Imperial Censorate was cold and damp, with a musty, rank smell permeating the air. Every step touched filth.

Left Qiurong carried a red wooden food box in one hand while lifting her long skirt with the other, carefully discerning her path in the dim light as she quickly walked inward.

At the end stood an iron door with guards outside.

She hastily took something from her sleeve and gave some silver pieces to the two jailers, saying softly, “I’m here on behalf of Scholar Fang from the Hanlin Academy.”

The jailers stepped aside, opened the door to let her in, and then locked it heavily from outside.

Upon entering, she stood motionless at the doorway, clutching the food box and staring fixedly at the man inside.

Yin Qing lay on his back on the dry straw on the prison floor. His figure was emaciated, his eyes tightly closed. Despite hearing someone enter, he remained completely still.

Left Qiurong stood for a long while before silently approaching him, crouching down, and arranging the dishes from the food box beside him one by one.

In the dim light, he slowly opened his eyes. Seeing it was her, he frowned.

She lowered her head and said, “Master Fang said you were imprisoned and questioned because you were careless with your words while compiling history, offending the Emperor.”

He stared at her with cold eyes, saying nothing.

She continued, “Master Fang is also worried about you. After hearing about this matter, he and several other scholars jointly submitted a memorial, pleading with the Emperor on your behalf. However, recently the court has been busy with the Emperor’s campaign, turning things upside down. The Emperor naturally pays no attention, and the ministers of the Secretariat are too busy to deal with your case. Please endure a few more days here; Master Fang will find a way to rescue you.”

“No need,” he finally spoke, his voice hoarse. “Tell Master Fang not to trouble himself further for me. It’s useless.”

She silently raised her head.

Carefully examining him in the dim light, her eyes suddenly glistened, and she cautiously asked, “Did they… did they torture you?”

Seeing her expression, he felt a wave of irritation and said softly, “Leave.”

She retreated slightly, remaining in a crouching position before saying, “These… these are fresh foods. Please eat some…”

He glanced at her impatiently, feeling a surge of anger. “I am now a prisoner, no longer that refined scholar composing poetry and prose. Are you blind or stupid?”

She slowly lowered her eyes, tears falling silently as she choked slightly, “I begged Master Fang for a long time, and he finally agreed to ask Chief Censor Liao to make arrangements, allowing me to come see you. Please let me stay a little longer. Don’t send me away, please?”

Those crystal-clear tears fell onto the filthy prison floor, causing something to well up in his heart, though he suppressed it forcefully.

He turned his head and closed his eyes, no longer looking at her or speaking another word.

True to her word, she sat quietly watching him, not making a sound for a long time. Finally, she gently covered the food box, preparing to leave.

But he suddenly asked, “Has the date for the Emperor’s campaign been set?”

“Three days from now,” she answered softly.

So he had three more days to live.

With his eyes closed, he envisioned the scene of thousands of troops and horses with iron hooves in motion, and sighed darkly in his heart.

In his daze, he suddenly felt something cold on his forehead.

He instantly opened his eyes and saw her face so close to his, startled. “You…”

She had kissed his forehead and bit her lip as she said, “Won’t you… Won’t you please stop opposing the Emperor?” Her eyes grew moist again, like black pearls in the darkness, making his heart suddenly illuminate. “Though I don’t know how you offended the Emperor, His Majesty has always been benevolent and would never impose such a severe punishment on a scholar over mere written words. Your crime doesn’t warrant death, so why force yourself to die? If you die, I cannot go on.” She wept slightly. “Please don’t die, will you?”

Faced with her tears, his chest suddenly constricted as he recalled that evening when that well-dressed man mentioned Meng Tinghui before him, the emotion in his eyes, and the ruthlessness in his words.

No one in this world deserves to die.

It was true then, and even more so now.

This applied to common people, and especially to Meng Tinghui.

He clenched his fist slightly and said to her, “Alright. When you leave, please inform Chief Censor Liao that I wish to see the Emperor.”

The journey from Chuzhou westward to Jiankang went smoothly.

As Yue Linxi had previously said, as soon as they approached the border of Jiankang route, within thirty li, troops in gray clothes and dark armor came to meet her.

Yue Linxi introduced the military leaders to her one by one. She met them all without showing any emotion, then somewhat haughtily continued onward with everyone.

From the Jiankang route further south, the road became much easier to travel.

The rebel army had previously captured several important cities on the Jiankang route, and now they were at the height of their arrogance. While the situation along the way wasn’t as terrible as the old civilian in the Chuzhou inn had described, it was still quite devastating with plundering everywhere.

Meng Tinghui’s expression remained unchanged throughout the journey. Only when they stopped to rest in Yongzhou city did she instruct Yue Linxi: “I wish to speak with these generals.”

Yue Linxi acknowledged and left, returning shortly with the requested individuals.

She sat quietly in the seat of honor, lowering her eyes to watch these men bow to her, then smiled slightly. “No need for such ceremony, generals. Please be seated.”

The key supporters among the former officials of Zhongwan were still in Shuzhou waiting for her, and although these men before her commanded troops in battle, they weren’t particularly high-ranking or powerful. Seeing her warm tone, they all felt they dared not accept such courtesy.

Meng Tinghui examined each person carefully before speaking again: “I wonder whose orders you generals have been following. Now that you have met me today, I must intervene with a question.”