In the sixth year of Jianping, May, Xiao Du led ten thousand troops out of the capital. He also carried the military order bestowed by Emperor Wen to gather tens of thousands of troops from Yanzhou and Youzhou, rushing to rendezvous with the Xiao family army at Pingdu Pass. After half a month of bitter fighting at Pingdu Pass, the Xiao family army finally held on until His Highness personally led reinforcements. The morale in the army soared instantly, with soldiers clamoring to drive the barbarians back to their homeland.
However, the twenty thousand Black Cavalry coalition army composed of the Murong and Wuguo nations, assembled the elite forces of both countries, vowing to redeem their previous defeat and seize Pingdu Pass, bringing the Central Plains under their iron hooves. The two sides battled fiercely for months, with victories and losses on both sides and the situation remained deadlocked.
On this particular day, Xiao Du’s forces achieved a major victory over the Black Cavalry army, driving them back five hundred li outside the city. After ten days and nights, they finally managed to return to the city. Meanwhile, he ordered the soldiers to intensify the fortification of the city walls and dig deeper trenches to guard against the enemy’s next strong assault.
Later, Xiao Du rushed back to his residence without even having the chance to remove his armor. In the bedroom, Yuanxi was stooped over, sewing a robe. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden halo on her face, while her hands danced with the needle and thread, creating a serene and warm scene. Xiao Du couldn’t help but smile as he leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching this scene before him. The battlefield was ruthless, but only by seeing her could he cleanse the guilt in his heart and find a sense of belonging.
Yuanxi heard movement by the door, lifted her head, and saw Xiao Du standing there, covered in frost, smiling at her. She quickly set down the needle and thread, rushed into his arms, and planted a kiss on his lips. Xiao Du’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly stepped back, saying, “No, I’m dirty.”
Yuanxi reached out to touch his face and smiled, “My lord husband is a great hero. This isn’t dirt; it’s a symbol of your victory.” Then, she embraced Xiao Du affectionately before reluctantly instructing a maid to bring a bucket of hot water and urging him to take a bath.
Steam rose, and mist enveloped the room as Xiao Du immersed himself in the hot water, letting out a contented sigh. The battle had been extremely difficult, but fortunately, he led the troops to encircle the left wing of the Black Cavalry army, resulting in a significant defeat for the enemy, with tens of thousands of their troops killed or injured. However, winter was approaching, and the Black Cavalry coalition army’s provisions were in the rear. They could retreat to the grasslands at any time. If there were supply problems in the capital, Pingdu Pass would be in danger. He couldn’t help but recall the tragic scene five years ago, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him, furrowing his brow tightly.
At that moment, gentle hands reached around from behind, soothing his furrowed brow. Yuanxi picked up a towel and began to wipe his back, saying softly, “Since you’re back, take a rest first. We can think about other matters later.”
Xiao Du turned to look at her, her long-awaited face, her hands gently rubbing his skin, and suddenly he felt a rush of heat throughout his body, a fire igniting in his belly. He took her hand and kissed it before suddenly pulling her into the tub with him. Water splashed everywhere, startling Yuanxi. By the time she reacted, she was already sitting opposite Xiao Du, soaked from head to toe. Xiao Du wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and said with a mischievous grin, “Let’s bathe together.”
Yuanxi puffed up her cheeks indignantly, “It’s not proper to bathe like this! I won’t indulge your madness!”
But her resistance was no match for Xiao Du’s strength. Before she could struggle, he pressed her against the edge of the tub and kissed her fiercely, not stopping until she melted into his arms. In the heat of the moment, all that could be heard in the room were the splashing of water and heavy breathing. But Xiao Du, lost in his passion, forgot that they were still in the small wooden tub, relentlessly pursuing his desire. Eventually, the tub couldn’t withstand the strain and burst with a loud “bang,” sending water splashing everywhere as they tumbled out in a frenzy.
Outside the door, the guards heard the commotion and quickly knocked, calling out, “Your Highness? Is everything alright?” Xiao Du, embarrassed, lay on the ground with Yuanxi in his arms. Afraid that the guards might barge in, he hastily grabbed a cloth hanging nearby to cover Yuanxi’s body and shouted awkwardly, “It’s nothing. Don’t come in for now.”
Outside the door, the guards stared blankly as water seeped out from the cracks, scratching their heads in confusion, unable to understand what had happened. However, since His Highness said not to let them in, they didn’t dare to act rashly and could only mutter to each other before returning to their positions by the door.
Xiao Du breathed a sigh of relief when he heard no more movement outside the door. By this time, Yuanxi beneath him was already blushing with embarrassment. She covered her face with her hands and glared at him through her fingers, “It’s all your fault! Going crazy and not even considering the consequences. How are we going to clean up now?”
Xiao Du hadn’t seen Yuanxi blush with shyness like this in a long time. Feeling even more unable to restrain himself, he scooped her up and carried her to the inner room, saying, “Well, then let’s continue in a better place.”
After several rounds of passion, Yuanxi was left sore and exhausted, leaning against Xiao Du’s chest as she drifted off to sleep. When they woke up again, dusk was approaching. Yuanxi lazily opened her eyes and saw water stains all over the room, suddenly remembering the mess they had made. The bathtub was split in half, and they had spent the entire day hiding in the room. If anyone saw this, they would surely guess what had happened. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but cover her face and sigh, feeling ashamed.
But Xiao Du didn’t care about such things. As long as he was intimate with his wife, he didn’t care where or how. He didn’t care what gossip others might spread. With the sky now filling with the hues of twilight, he suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled Yuanxi up, saying, “Hurry and get dressed. I’m taking you somewhere!”
Yuanxi hadn’t figured out what was going on yet, but she saw his excited expression and could only hurriedly dress herself. They rode together into the streets, Yuanxi feeling a bit nervous about the bumpy ride on horseback. However, being tightly held in Xiao Du’s embrace, she felt a sense of security.
They rode until they reached the foot of Mount Daixia in the west of the city. Xiao Du helped Yuanxi dismount, tied the horse to a large tree, and led her by the hand, saying, “Let’s go up the mountain to watch the sunset. We should still be able to make it in time.”
Yuanxi had heard him talk about the beautiful sunset at the border before and didn’t hesitate to follow him up the mountain, despite feeling tired. After a few steps, Xiao Du turned to see Yuanxi struggling to keep up, holding up her skirt. He squatted down and simply lifted her onto his back, saying, “I’ll carry you.”
Yuanxi leaned against his broad back, smiling. Xiao Du was eager to catch the sunset, so he hurried up the mountain with Yuanxi on his back, sweating profusely after only half the climb. Yuanxi felt sorry for him and wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying, “Maybe I should climb on my own.”
Xiao Du chuckled, “Just hold on tight. If your lord husband dares to face hundreds of thousands of troops on the battlefield, surely he can carry his little wife.” Suddenly, he remembered something and said softly, “I promised to carry you for a lifetime. I can’t go back on my word.”
Yuanxi nestled against his shoulder, feeling as if the wildflowers on the mountainside were blooming in her heart. The stream flowed through her heart, leaving behind a sweet taste like honey.
Finally, just before the sunset, Xiao Du carried Yuanxi to the mountaintop. Then, he collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. Yuanxi quickly untied the water bag from his waist and fed him some water. After drinking a few sips, Xiao Du’s eyes flashed with mischief, and he said, “I want you to feed me.”
Yuanxi was taken aback before realizing what he meant. Seeing his stubborn attitude, she sighed and shook her head, then took a mouthful of water and fed it to him. But Xiao Du didn’t let go after drinking the water. Instead, he held onto her tongue and continued to kiss her. Yuanxi was both amused and annoyed, trying to push him away, but Xiao Du gently held her head down and continued kissing her. After a moment of entanglement, Xiao Du suddenly lifted his head and said, “Look, my dear.”
They watched as the round, the crimson sun gradually sank into the river, casting a dazzling glow over the winding river and bathing the distant grasslands in golden light. An eagle spread its wings, soaring over the rugged mountain ridges and mottled city walls. This was the scene described in poetry: the setting sun over the long river, the lonely smoke on the vast desert.
Yuanxi was mesmerized by the sight, leaning against Xiao Du’s shoulder. Together, they sat quietly on the mountaintop, admiring the magnificent scenery. It wasn’t until the last glimmer of light disappeared, replaced by the glow of the moon, that Yuanxi softly spoke, “It’s so beautiful. The sunset is truly beautiful.”
Xiao Du sighed softly and said, “My dear, do you ever regret it? If it weren’t for my identity, you could have stayed in the capital, enjoying a life of luxury without having to suffer through these days of fear and danger.”
Yuanxi held onto his arm and leaned against him, saying, “If it weren’t for you, I would have spent my life as a sheltered lady, or perhaps just a wife focused on managing the household. Ado, I love it here. Even if I have to accompany you to the border to herd sheep, living a simple life as a shepherd couple, I would still be happy.”
Xiao Du hugged her tighter, hesitating before saying, “Have you ever thought about becoming the empress?”
Yuanxi quickly raised her head and said, “I don’t want to. I don’t want you to fight for that position and bring war back to the Central Plains, becoming the one responsible for the suffering of the people.”
Xiao Du grasped her hand tightly, sighing heavily. He didn’t want that either. But reality was cruel, and if they didn’t strive to reach the top, they would never be let off. Could they choose their path in this life?
As the last golden light faded away, the Golden Crow was replaced by the Jade Rabbit hanging high in the sky. Xiao Du glanced at the moonlight shining on the city walls and led his soldiers back through the gate.
Since helping the people of the Marquis’ Mansion escape from the capital, he had been living with them in the city. Xiao Du, unwilling to waste his talent, secretly appointed him as a military advisor without Zhao Yan’s knowledge. Although Luo Yuan had never experienced the battlefield firsthand, he was well-versed in military strategy and enjoyed studying it. After he successfully deciphered an enemy formation, defeating the Black Cavalry, the generals who had previously doubted him began to take him seriously, addressing him as “Mr. Luo” with respect. Today, he led a group of soldiers to build a dam by the river, returning to the city only when night fell.
He first went to the general’s residence to report today’s progress to Xiao Du but learned that His Highness and his wife had gone to Dai Xia Mountain. So he turned to the clinic instead, intending to check on the wounded soldiers rescued in the battle.
The clinic was filled with cries of pain and sorrow. Luo Yuan sighed heavily and was about to walk further inside when he suddenly heard someone loudly proclaiming from one of the rooms: “It’s true! I saw the divine doctor in the mountains. It’s said that he’s like a reincarnated immortal, never failing to cure any illness.” Luo Yuan’s heart skipped a beat as he immediately thought of someone, abruptly halting his steps…