All good things must come to an end. As night deepened, Feng Le Tower was left with only scattered dishes and cups. The young people had dispersed, cherishing their last moments of fleeting tenderness.

In their chamber, a beautiful woman was carefully folding clothes and packing them into a bundle when a man walked in and snatched them away.

“Cheng Xiu, I’ve told you not to do these things,” Yan He pulled her to sit on the couch. “You’re with child now and need to be extra careful. What if you tire yourself?”

Xia Cheng Xiu replied, “I’m merely pregnant, why do you make such a fuss about it?”

“How is being pregnant not a serious matter?” Yan He exclaimed anxiously. “In any case, let the servants handle these chores. You just need to take good care of yourself.”

Xia Cheng Xiu fell silent for a moment. “I remembered I made two new sets of clothes that you haven’t had the chance to wear yet, so I wanted to pack them for you.”

In the past two years, Yan He had rarely returned to Shuo Jing. Sometimes, the new clothes Xia Cheng Xiu prepared for him remained unworn before he departed again.

“I’m going to war, what’s the point of wearing nice clothes?” Yan He dismissed without thinking. “No need to pack so much.”

Xia Cheng Xiu fell silent.

Her silence made Yan He anxious. Before each deployment, what he feared most was Xia Cheng Xiu’s silence. Minister Xia’s daughter was both gentle and strong. In his youth, Yan He had seen military families bid farewell to departing soldiers, with family members crying and pleading with them to stay, even his own mother had been the same. But Xia Cheng Xiu was never like that – at most, she would just fall silent as she was now.

Yet this silence stirred even greater guilt and tenderness in his heart. As a military officer, he had a duty to serve when the nation faced a crisis. Throughout his life, he had lived without shame before heaven, earth, sovereign, and teacher – his only regret was failing his family.

Yan He hesitated before drawing Xia Cheng Xiu into his embrace, sighing softly, “Cheng Xiu, I’ve wronged you.”

Xia Cheng Xiu was startled for a moment before smiling, “How is this wrong? You’re going to Ji Jun to protect Wei’s territories. My peace here in the capital comes from your protection, doesn’t it?”

“But I…” Yan He frowned, “I can’t be by your side when you’re carrying our child.”

Having a child with Xia Cheng Xiu was a joyous thing, but it came with regret, loss, worry, and guilt.

“When I married you, I knew this day would come. It would be affected if I complained about it,” Xia Cheng Xiu smiled. “In these urgent times, our little one will understand why you’re not in Shuo Jing.”

Yan He looked at Xia Cheng Xiu’s belly, covering it with his palm as he murmured, “Wonder if it’s a little lord or lady…”

“Hearing you speak like that at Feng Le Tower today, I thought you didn’t care,” Xia Cheng Xiu chuckled.

“I truly don’t mind whether it’s a boy or girl – they’re my blood either way,” Yan He replied.

“If it’s truly a son, do you want him to become a military officer like you?” Xia Cheng Xiu asked.

Yan He pondered, “I’d like him to be a military officer, but if he doesn’t like it and wants to do something else, that’s fine too. Besides, if our Mu Xia wants to learn martial arts, that’s fine as well. My former classmate, General Fei Hong, was a woman after all. If our Mu Xia wants to be the second General Fei Hong, I’ll support her as her father. However, I’d be a much better father than the He family – I would pass on all my skills, making her surpass General Fei Hong.”

Xia Cheng Xiu stared at him and nodded, “I see, you still prefer a little lady.”

Caught out, Yan He wasn’t annoyed and simply said, “That’s right!”

Xia Cheng Xiu couldn’t help but laugh. After laughing, she rested her head lightly on Yan He’s shoulder and said softly, “If… I mean if only you could be here when Mu Xia was born.”

Yan He froze. Once war broke out, who could say when it would end? He might make it back in time, or he might not… He held Xia Cheng Xiu’s hand, “I’ll try my best, Cheng Xiu. I want to see our child born too.”

The night in Shuo Jing City didn’t seem as cold as it had been in recent days.

In their chamber, with all the braziers removed, He Yan had just finished bathing when she entered the bedroom to find Xiao Jue sitting at the table, polishing his sword.

Yin Qiu in his grip gleamed with flowing light, looking less like a sword and more like some rare treasure. It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful sword could be sharp enough to cut through enemy blades on the battlefield and split arrows in two in an instant.

Just as he finished wiping the last speck of dust from the sword tip with silk cloth and sheathed it, another sword appeared before him, accompanied by its owner’s playful laugh: “Commander Xiao, help me polish mine too?”

Xiao Jue glanced at her, and He Yan smiled mischievously at him. After a moment, he wordlessly took the sword and drew it from its scabbard, actually beginning to polish it.

He Yan sat down at the table.

Qing Lang and Yin Qiu were completely different swords. Typically, a woman’s sword should be light and nimble, but Qing Lang was heavy – even a man would not find it easy to wield. The blade was a deep green and appeared plain at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was quite extraordinary. Just like its owner.

He Yan rested her chin in her hand, watching the young man before her.

He had just bathed as well, wearing only jade-colored undergarments with a casual outer robe, dressed rather informally. He should have looked like a languid beauty, yet he was meticulously polishing the sword, bringing a hint of cold killing intent. The contradictions blended together made it impossible to look away.

Xiao Jue noticed He Yan’s direct gaze and asked, “What are you looking at?”

“I was thinking,” He Yan did not attempt to hide it, “your face truly deserves the title ‘Jade-faced Commander.'”

For a military commander to look like this was truly an insult to other commanders.

Xiao Jue tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Strangely, while he disliked others discussing his appearance – judging people by looks was shallow – whenever He Yan straightforwardly praised his looks, he didn’t mind it and even rather enjoyed it. Sometimes Xiao Jue wondered if he too had become shallow to be happy about such things.

He Yan waited for him to finish polishing Qing Lang and sheathe it before standing to hang both swords on the wall.

Just as Xiao Jue finished hanging the swords, someone embraced him from behind.

He Yan loved embracing him like this, like a child clinging to an adult. Perhaps because she was too short, or rather, it wasn’t that He Yan was short but that Xiao Jue was too tall. In any case, whenever she pounced and wrapped her arms around Xiao Jue’s waist like this, her expression was one of pure joy – a joy that would inevitably warm the hearts of those who saw it.

“Female hero,” the young man stood still, his voice carrying a hint of teasing, “are you trying to strangle me?”

From behind came her dismissive voice, “I’m not even using force yet, Commander Xiao. Why are you so weak?” As she spoke, her hands began wandering around his waist.

Xiao Jue: “…He Yan.”

He Yan found the sachet at his waist and snatched it, holding it up as she said, “Xiao Jue, is this how you show off my needlework everywhere?”

Xiao Jue turned around, looking at the sachet in her hand and raising an eyebrow slightly: “That seems to be ‘mine.'”

He Yan was speechless.

She hadn’t noticed it before, but today when leaving, Lin Shuang He had said to her: “Sister He, what’s with that ugly sachet on Huai Jin’s body? He is the Second Young Master of the Xiao family, after all, wearing such an ugly accessory is unsightly. Since you’re his wife, you should pay attention to such things occasionally.”

He Yan had “paid attention” and found it both annoying and amusing.

Previously, Bai Rong Wei had given Xiao Jue a safety charm, which was kept in a sachet. At that time, out of some hidden sentiment, He Yan had embroidered a moon on the sachet – truthfully speaking, that moon couldn’t be called beautiful. But it was the thought that counted, and now it seemed Xiao Jue must have discovered the secret. But discovering it was one thing – why did he turn the sachet inside out so the embroidered side faced outward?

Anyone who saw it would only think it was an ugly sachet.

“You didn’t tell them I embroidered this, did you?” He Yan anxiously spoke up, “It’s so ugly, it wasn’t made by me!”

Xiao Jue let out a laugh: “Oh, I only told them my wife embroidered it.”

He Yan’s heart sank into despair.

She returned the sachet to Xiao Jue: “Do as you please, I’ve already lost face anyway. But wearing it, don’t you find it ugly?”

It was like the elegant Young Master Lin Shuang He carrying an iron hoe as decoration – being ugly was secondary to how unsuitable it was.

“Is it?” Xiao Jue reattached the sachet to his outer robe’s clasp. “I think it’s quite nice.”

He Yan thought to herself, could blindness be contagious?

He turned to look at He Yan, “When I’m in Yun Zi, seeing this is like seeing you.”

He Yan: “…Are you finding a roundabout way to call me ugly?”

He was stunned for a moment before laughing, saying leisurely, “Your thoughts are always different from others.”

He Yan laughed too. How was she different from others? She simply didn’t want to make their last night together melancholic. People are particularly fragile and sentimental when facing separation, but she deliberately chose not to be. If one knows their purpose lies ahead and knows where they’ll return to, then walk forward boldly, walk forward with grace.

What’s called a weakness is armor on the other side.

“Xiao Jue, can you promise me something?” she asked.

“What is it?”

“Jiu Chuan and Yun Zi aren’t in the same direction. When war breaks out, news between us will take time to travel. I used to be alone with no concerns, but now we’re husband and wife. I want you to promise me that whatever news comes, do what needs to be done, don’t affect the bigger picture, don’t hesitate.” She looked at the man before her, “Keep moving forward.”

No one could guarantee the outcome of the war.

This was also her first time going to war with a loved one. Alone, one couldn’t afford distractions. When a military commander is on the battlefield, their entire focus must be on the battlefield and the enemy forces before them – every distraction is taboo. At that time, titles like husband, son, and father must all be cast aside. On the battlefield, there are only soldiers and commanders, nothing else.

Of course, the same applied to her.

“This applies to me as well,” He Yan said. “No matter what I encounter, no matter what I hear, I will lead my troops forward, not retreating or hesitating for anything.”

The girl’s eyes sparkled with a hint of apology as she hesitated, “You might think I’m heartless…”

“I promise you,” Xiao Jue interrupted her.

He Yan was stunned.

Xiao Jue said: “Promise me something too.”

“…What?”

He bent slightly and placed a gentle kiss on He Yan’s forehead.

“Come back alive.”

The early spring sunlight filtered through newly-cut window paper decorations, scattering small rays of light across the courtyard ground.

A tall guard walked in from outside carrying a bundle. With war approaching, the former “guard” would return to the Nine Banners Camp and head to Yun Zi.

A petite figure was sweeping in the courtyard. Chi Wu stood behind the young woman, hesitating whether to call out to her.

Technically, he had “stayed” at the He family for a while before. Though he hadn’t been much help, being almost useless to He Yan, he had at least formed a connection with her maid Qing Mei. Chi Wu even believed they had quite a good relationship – it was his first time being ordered around by a woman, and perhaps due to her matter-of-fact attitude influencing him, over time he too came to think this was natural.

However, after He Yan married the Xiao family, Qing Mei avoided him whenever she saw him as if he were a plague god. Chi Wu was utterly confused but didn’t feel right cornering a young woman to demand explanations. With everything else happening, he’d barely seen Qing Mei since.

Today’s departure meant he wouldn’t see the little maid for a long time. Chi Wu was debating whether to say goodbye.

Before he decided, Qing Mei turned around, saw Chi Wu, and was surprised: “Guard Chi Wu?”

“Oh… I’m leaving,” Chi Wu scratched his head. “Just passing by.” Having said this, he didn’t know what else to say and was about to turn away.

“Wait!” Qing Mei called out, taking a cloth package from the stone table and stuffing it into Chi Wu’s arms. “Your timing is perfect. If you hadn’t come, I would have had to ask Young Madam to give this to you.”

“What is this?” Chi Wu was startled.

“Young Madam said Yun Zi is near the sea and very humid. I made a pair of boots with hard soles to keep out water. The craftsmanship isn’t great, but make do with them.” She emphasized, “Consider it payment for helping me sweep the courtyard before!”

Boots? Chi Wu looked down at the package in his arms, feeling strange.

Seeing him still standing there, Qing Mei put her hands on her hips: “Aren’t you leaving? Aren’t you afraid of Young Master’s military punishment if you’re late?”

Chi Wu finally came to his senses, hesitated, said “Thank you,” and turned to leave.

Qing Mei called out again: “Hey!”

“What else?” Chi Wu asked.

She grabbed the broom beside her, turned toward the courtyard, and while walking away threw back one sentence, “Weapons and arrows are blind – take care of yourself!”

Chi Wu watched her back, coughed lightly, seemed to want to smile but held it back, tucked the package into his chest, and strode away.

Outside the city gates, crowds of spectators and family members gathered to bid farewell.

Beside Xiao Jing, Bai Rong Wei held He Yan’s hand, giving countless reminders to be careful. She also reverently gave her a safety charm, saying, “This was blessed by the Master at Yu Hua Temple. I got two – one for you, one for Huai Jin. A He,” she said, “I know you have a sense of duty, but… you must protect yourself too.”

He Yan attached the sachet containing the safety charm alongside the black jade at her waist, smiling, “I know, Sister-in-law.”

“Yan Yan, go to Jiu Chuan with peace of mind, Father will be waiting for your return!” He Sui waved grandly, trying to appear carefree and unrestrained, but his eyes inadvertently reddened.

Tears welled up in He Yan’s eyes too.

He Yun Sheng hadn’t said anything, but when He Yan came before him, he finally couldn’t help but remind her through gritted teeth: “He Yan, you’d better keep the promises you made.”

“I know, I know,” He Yan nodded repeatedly: “I’ll come back alive, don’t worry.” She also patted He Yun Sheng’s head: “While I’m gone, I’m counting on you to take care of the He family, Yun Sheng.”

He Yun Sheng: “Rest assured.”

Those three words were spoken with conviction.

He Yan couldn’t describe her feelings. In her previous life, every time she went to battle, she was alone. Now she had so many attachments, yet they didn’t feel like constraints – instead, they filled her heart with strength.

He Xin Ying had come today too, hiding in the crowd. When He Yan spotted her, she hesitated before stepping forward to give He Yan a bundle.

He Xin Ying said: “You’re a woman, and there will be many inconveniences in the army. Here are some clothes and small items I made myself that you might find useful.”

He Yan smiled: “Thank you, Xin Ying, you’re so thoughtful.”

He Xin Ying pressed her lips together, “You’re going to war, this is all I can do. Sister,” she called softly, “you must return safely.”

He Yan winked at her, “Don’t worry, when I return, I’ll exchange my military merits for rewards and buy you the prettiest jewelry!”

He Xin Ying was amused by her words. At that moment, Yan He called from the city gate: “Martial Peace Marquis, what are you dawdling for? We’re departing!”

“Coming, coming—” He Yan replied while walking over and mounting her horse.

Beside her, Xiao Jue looked militant in his armor, sword at his waist, riding alongside her.

Xia Cheng Xiu, supported by her maid, watched the figures moving with the troops toward the city outskirts until they disappeared from view. Only then did she gently caress her belly and murmur: “Mu Xia, say goodbye to your father.”

Cheng Li Su had sneaked out without her family knowing. Now hiding in the crowd, she asked Song Tao Tao, who had also secretly come: “When do you think they’ll return?”

The young girl unusually didn’t show impatience at his question, only saying: “I don’t know.” After a while, she slowly continued: “But I hope every one of them comes back.”

The city gates opened wide. Under the sunlight, the wind made grass and trees sway slightly. The troops and wagons moved forward in a line like a meandering dragon fearlessly heading to the battlefield.

Banners fluttered, their might extending a thousand li.