We only stayed at Shanhaiguan for one day, arriving in Jinzhou early the next morning. As we entered the city and climbed the city walls, the artillery, provisions, and other supplies were passing through the city gates behind us, the carriages and horses stretching endlessly through the wind and snow.

Among the creaking of carts and neighing of horses, Xiao Huan held my hand as we slowly walked to the edge of the city wall. Looking toward the distant mountains shrouded in snow, he seemed to lose focus for a moment before turning his head and saying softly, “Let’s go down.”

With their people innocently slaughtered, the anger and grief within the Jurchen nation was uncontrollable. Immediately after returning to Jianzhou, Kumor mobilized his troops southward without even removing their armor. Within three days, his imposing army was arrayed outside Jinzhou city.

The snow continued to fall intermittently. On the vast plains outside Jinzhou, fresh snow covered the old, concealing the wheel tracks and footprints left by the Great Wu army days before. In their place, smoke rose from the distant Jurchen encampment.

The evening Kumor’s army made camp below the city, I stood on horseback beneath Jinzhou’s majestic walls. Snow had long since buried the horses’ hooves, and scattered snowflakes still fell from the sky. The air was bitingly cold.

Pulling my snow fox cloak tighter around my shoulders, I turned to kiss the pale cheek so close to me. “Brother Xiao, are you alright?”

His skin was cool as jade beneath my lips. He shook his head with a slight smile and said quietly to Hong Qing, who sat on horseback nearby, “Let’s go over.”

Earlier at the hour of Shen, after Kumor’s army had trudged through the wind and snow to arrive, Xiao Huan had instructed Shi Yan and Hong Qing to prepare for departure from the city. As dusk fell, twelve elite guards in white combat attire silently gathered outside Xiao Huan’s quarters, awaiting orders.

The group then left through a narrow door that could only fit one person at a time, the entire process completely silent, not even alerting the soldiers guarding the walls.

The officials and commanders in the city likely had no idea that the Emperor had already left alone and was preparing to enter the enemy camp.

Earlier, while preparing the horses, I had insisted on sharing a horse with Xiao Huan, making him hold my waist as he sat behind me. Now at his command, all the warhorses silently glided toward the distant Jurchen camp.

The snow made everything extremely quiet; even the slightest sound could be detected by the night patrol guards. Fortunately, besides covering the horses’ bodies with a white cloth to conceal our movements, we had also bound their hooves with sound-dampening cotton. Now as we galloped through the snow, only the faintest sounds could be heard.

The closer we got, the slower we moved. Less than a li from the camp, we abandoned the horses. My lightness skill was only sufficient for self-protection, so Hong Qing supported Xiao Huan by the waist as we used qinggong to approach the camp.

This time, all who came were top experts from the imperial guard. We avoided the sentries along the way, silently moving deeper into the camp by staying close to the tents. Before long, we could see Kumor’s central command tent in the distance.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed only a few common soldiers standing guard outside Kumor’s tent. Fortunately, Chi Ku, who usually stayed by Kumor’s side, wasn’t there. Given Chi Ku’s martial arts skills and cautious nature, entering the tent would have been quite troublesome otherwise.

Just as I was thinking this, a guard from our group moved forward with lightness and skill. His finger flicked out, and the soldier before him instantly collapsed. One hand supported the falling soldier’s body while his other arm extended sideways in a chopping motion. Without even a gasp, the other soldier also silently crumpled.

These two moves were as swift as a rabbit pursued by a falcon, happening in an instant.

The guards at the tent entrance were dealt with using the same method. After the surrounding soldiers were cleared, Hong Qing lifted the tent’s leather curtain, and Xiao Huan entered first.

The tent was brightly lit by candlelight. Kumor was resting on a tiger skin couch, and though it had only been a few days since we’d last seen him, he appeared much more fatigued, with unkempt stubble on his chin. Hearing movement at the tent entrance, he didn’t open his eyes: “Didn’t I say everyone gets out?”

Walking in slowly, Xiao Huan didn’t speak, only approaching until he stood before the couch.

Finally sensing something amiss, Kumor’s muscles suddenly tensed. His hand moved to the sword at his side as he sat up. When he saw it was Xiao Huan, his dove-gray hawk eyes flickered, and he let out a cold laugh: “Well, well, who do we have here? Sneaking into camp at night—has Your Majesty Deyou come to take my head?”

Xiao Huan covered his mouth and coughed lightly: “Kumor, you know why I’m here.”

Though his posture still appeared lazy, Kumor was now like a drawn bow, every muscle radiating cold pressure. His gaze was sharp as an arrow as he sneered: “Oh? Perhaps Your Majesty Deyou has come specially to reminisce with me? At this point, what should I say to Your Majesty Deyou?”

His sneer deepened as he continued word by word: “Congratulations to Great Wu’s Emperor Deyou, may your reign last ten thousand years, may your empire stand eternal?”

Meeting his gaze, Xiao Huan responded: “Kumor, I thought we were friends.”

“Friends?” As if amused by the word, Kumor laughed loudly, his sarcasm increasing, “Your Majesty Deyou… do you think people like us can have friends?”

In response to his mockery, Xiao Huan coughed lightly, as if helpless: “I know you’re enraged about your people being killed. Kumor, you can seek revenge if you must, but can we discuss important matters first?”

The light in his dove-gray hawk eyes flickered several times, and Kumor slightly relaxed his muscles: “If Your Majesty Deyou has come to offer yourself to my bed, I suppose I could make an effort…”

If I hadn’t understood by now, I would truly be stupid… When Xiao Huan said he wanted to secretly visit Kumor’s camp tonight, I had vaguely guessed something. Now seeing how unusually lax the security was at Kumor’s camp, it was clear…

Sure enough, adjusting his position, Kumor wiped his face and became serious: “Xiao Bai, you finally came. I was starting to think I had guessed wrong…”

Understanding now, my anger flared up and I pointed at Kumor’s nose: “You guessed he wouldn’t do something so despicable, yet you still said such cutting words today? Would you be happy if you made him cough up more blood?”

Kumor was startled and looked at Xiao Huan: “That night in Datong, after I left, Xiao Bai, you coughed up blood?”

Not expecting me to mention this, Xiao Huan smiled: “It’s nothing, just got a bit agitated.”

A cold light suddenly shot through his dove-gray pupils as Kumor narrowed his eyes: “Very good, well done E’sen, using such a scheme to drive us apart! If I let you off this time, I wouldn’t be worthy to be called a son of the Aisin Gioro clan!”

Time was short, so Kumor spoke no more idle words. He jumped down from the couch and took Xiao Huan’s hand to show him the military map on the table: “I left fifty thousand men north of the Suzi River.”

The Suzi River lay outside Jianzhou city, a necessary route when entering Jianzhou from the south. Fifty thousand men was probably most of the forces Kumor could mobilize. If he had left fifty thousand men outside Jianzhou, then how many had he brought to Jinzhou?

I wasn’t the only one curious. Xiao Huan looked at the military map and nodded, then immediately asked: “How many men do you have in camp now?”

Kumor smiled and held up one hand: “Five thousand.” As he spoke, he burst into laughter, “You see the endless tents outside? They’re empty! Even all those cooking fires’ smoke was deliberately set!”

This startled me. When Kumor led his army to Jinzhou, he probably wasn’t yet sure if Xiao Huan was a friend or foe, yet he had only brought five thousand troops to camp beneath an enemy stronghold. No wonder Kumor was known in Liaodong for commanding troops like a ghost—this wasn’t military command, this was pure madness!

Yet Xiao Huan seemed unsurprised, only glancing at Kumor with a slight smile: “Bringing only five thousand men—you did trust me.”

Kumor raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond to Xiao Huan’s words, instead asking: “Xiao Bai, how many men did you bring this time?”

Just a few imperial guards and me, who probably wouldn’t be much help. If Kumor ordered his death squad soldiers to block us, escaping this camp would be quite difficult.

They raised their heads, exchanged smiles, then each looked away to study the military map on the table.

Just like in the camp outside Datong city some time ago, they engaged in swift, tacit discussion, meticulously working out various marching routes and troop coordination through their deliberations.

Knowing they wouldn’t finish for an hour or two, I had just relaxed and was about to look for a copper pot when Chi Ku entered through the tent flap. He silently carried a large red copper pot wrapped in animal hide, with steam rising from the spout and the slightly bitter fragrance of milk tea wafting out.

So Chi Ku’s absence from the tent entrance earlier wasn’t because he wasn’t there, but because he had deliberately stayed away.

Smiling at him, I took the pot and copper cups from his hands. I not only poured cups of milk tea for Xiao Huan and Kumor to place by their hands but also gave one to each of the imperial guards in the tent to ward off the cold.

The hot milk tea with salt was especially fragrant on the cold night. Only after the camp’s night watchmen had called out five times, and a dim light of dawn showed through the still-snowing, gloomy sky, did Kumor and Xiao Huan finally look up from the military map they had been bent over all night.

Taking a deep breath, Kumor looked at Xiao Huan and smiled: “A’silan killed Jurchen civilians. As long as we explain clearly that this blood debt shouldn’t be wrongly attributed to Great Wu, Xiao Bai, you could stay out of this.”

Exhausted from the night, Xiao Huan’s face showed some pallor. He looked up at Kumor with a slight smile: “When I wrote asking for your reinforcement of Datong back then, couldn’t you have stayed out of it too?”

Kumor laughed heartily: “That was different. E’sen had become a thorn in Jurchen’s side in recent years—how could I watch him grow stronger? Of course, I had to send troops to scatter him like fallen flowers.”

“Allowing E’sen’s remnant forces to run wild in the frontier regions would be tomorrow’s worry for Great Wu as well.” Xiao Huan gently continued Kumor’s words, also smiling.

Watching them talk, I went over to hug Xiao Huan’s waist: “Stop with the meaningful glances, it’ll be hard to return to the city once dawn breaks.”

Kumor burst out laughing: “Xiao Bai, what to do? Cangcang is jealous…”

Knowing these two would never have anything good to say when together, arguing would only lead to more teasing. I rolled my eyes, then hearing Xiao Huan cough lightly, quickly asked him: “Brother Xiao, are you feeling better?”

He smiled slightly and nodded to indicate he was fine, then held my hand and smiled at Kumor: “Then tomorrow at the hour of hai, we’ll meet below the city.”

Kumor nodded with a smile: “Below the city.”

It was indeed getting late. After bidding farewell to Kumor and being escorted to the edge of camp by Chi Ku, we returned along our original route. By the time we made it back into the city, the sky was already growing light.

Exhausted from the night’s work, Xiao Huan’s body had long since reached its limit, yet he didn’t even rest. Before dawn, he gathered the defending commanders and arranged preparations for the sortie.

Sitting beside him on the soft couch, I forced him to drink medicine while watching him handle various military matters with clear organization. I too hadn’t slept all night, and now, warmed by the brazier’s fire, I unconsciously drifted off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, I found the officials had left the room at some unknown time. I was lying on Xiao Huan’s lap with a soft, warm blanket covering me. The snow made it hard to distinguish dawn from dusk as white light shone through the window, filling the room with peaceful tranquility.

Noticing I was awake, Xiao Huan looked down at me, his lips curving into a gentle smile: “Cangcang.”

Wrapped in drowsy warmth, I hugged his waist and rested my head lightly against his chest, finally smiling: “Brother Xiao.”

Great Wu and Jurchen joined forces once again to face an enemy—the Tatar remnants hiding behind the snow plains.

On the twenty-third day of the eleventh month, the heavy snow finally ceased.

At the hour of hai on the twenty-third day of the eleventh month, the mountains and plains lay covered in fresh snow under moonlight, turning the area outside Jinzhou city into a silvery expanse.

The air was crisp, every breath layered with cold. The armored soldiers stood silently assembled below the city walls, not in battle formation but quietly awaiting their allies’ arrival.

The carriage curtain lifted, and in the dim light of the red clay brazier, Xiao Huan was, for once, not busy with military or state affairs. He slowly studied a go manual, playing against himself on the board beside him.

In the quiet, Liu Shi’an, also in the carriage, suddenly spoke while looking at the board: “Your Majesty is benevolent, unwilling to sacrifice pieces.”

Looking up at him, Xiao Huan smiled but didn’t respond directly, instead asking: “Shi’an, how do you view the current situation?”

After a brief pause, Liu Shi’an answered: “Kumor typically commands troops with strange, dangerous tactics and bold strokes, yet this time he seems hasty. While feinting at Jinzhou to lure the enemy is a good strategy, the timing is poor and hearts are unsettled. With Jurchen forces alone, victory is uncertain.”

If his previous comment had been indirect, this one was quite clear—he somewhat disapproved of Xiao Huan’s decision to aid Kumor.

Xiao Huan smiled again, picking up a go piece but not placing it, and continued questioning: “Then going further, what do you think of the current situation in Liaodong?”

Without his earlier certainty, Liu Shi’an pondered before answering: “Jianzhou has been gathering strength since the tenth year of Delun, now several decades past. Since establishing their nation, it’s been over ten years. Viewing them as enemies brings worry; treating them as subjects risk their defiance. Yet continuing to indulge them will one day surely endanger the empire’s foundation.”

Liu Shi’an was indeed young and bold enough to say anything. If Cao Xi were here, his hands would likely be trembling.

Xiao Huan nodded and asked: “Then what about pacifying Liaodong? What’s your view?”

Liu Shi’an paused: “With a full effort to govern Liaodong, there might be hope in ten years.”

With a faint smile, Xiao Huan lightly placed the piece he was holding onto the board: “Then we’ll discuss it again in ten years.”

This casual dismissal made Liu Shi’an immediately tense his lips. Something seemed stuck in his chest, and his usually composed face paled slightly, showing unexpected awkwardness.

This newly promoted Director of Operations at the Ministry of War still lacked experience—it was difficult not to be led around in conversation by an old fox like Xiao Huan.

As they spoke, the thunder of hoofbeats came from outside. The silhouettes of Jurchen cavalry became clear on the snow plain—Kumor had arrived.

The galloping horses kicked up snow, with Kumor leading the charge. His silver-gray fox cloak billowed in the biting wind, his handsome features sharp as if carved from stone in the reflection of fresh snow. Reining in his horse before the formation, his tone grew heavy, carrying the pressure of an approaching storm: “Jurchen Kumor is here. Will Your Majesty Deyou of Great Wu help me drive out the foreigners and kill our enemies for revenge!”

Rising and slowly walking down from the carriage, looking across the ranks of soldiers toward him, Xiao Huan spoke unhurriedly. Though his voice wasn’t loud, each word was clear: “Great Wu and Jurchen are connected by blood. Jurchen’s enemies are Great Wu’s enemies.” He paused, then continued slowly: “Now thirty thousand sons of Great Wu’s Jinzhou will assist Khan Kumor in surrounding and eliminating the Tatars, cleansing our homeland!”

With a ringing sound, Kumor drew his sword and raised it to the sky. Word by word, as if crying tears of blood, with utmost killing intent: “Drive out the Tatars, cleanse our homeland!”

“Drive out the Tatars, cleanse our homeland!” The cry rose like mountain thunder, mournful and fierce.

At that moment, I seemed to see wolves howling at the moon, their heavy grief and endless killing intent tearing through the sky to the clouds.

Two days later, the combined army of one hundred thousand Great Wu and Jurchen troops surrounded A’silan’s returning Tatar remnant forces outside Jianzhou city. The battle lasted three days, turning the snow plains outside Jianzhou crimson with blood, with corpses piled like mountains along the winter banks of the Suzi River. Nearly ten thousand Tatar remnants were annihilated, and their leader A’silan killed on the spot. Thanks to Great Wu’s powerful artillery, Jurchen cavalry suffered only about a thousand casualties—it was nearly a perfect victory.

On the clear morning when the battle’s dark clouds finally dispersed, the Great Khan of Jurchen, having returned to Jinzhou after the long campaign, drew the enemy commander’s sword still in his hand and threw it down from his horse. The blade sank halfway into the earth, its cold light flickering as the Khan’s clear voice echoed far: “As long as I, Kumor, live, no Jurchen tribal cavalry shall step past this sword. Any who defy this will be considered traitors!”

At that moment, the sky was pristine blue, the thousand li of mountains and rivers like white silk. Kumor raised his eyebrows and smiled toward the city walls, dimming heaven and earth.

After the battle, there were many urgent matters requiring attention in the Jurchen nation, yet Kumor still stayed in Jinzhou for two days.

During a break in Xiao Huan’s busy schedule, I found time to ride horses with him to the hills outside the city, watching the scattered grass and trees below and the endless mountains in the distance.

After galloping around with him, my whole body had warmed up, and I guessed my face was flushed. I raised my head and shouted at the sky—it had been so long since I’d felt such uninhibited joy.

Smiling as he watched my excited shouting, Kumor spoke: “Cangcang, I like you this way, like a walking flower.”

He had said these words to me years ago and now said them again. I couldn’t help but laugh: “Only you would say I’m like a flower. If my brother saw me acting this wild, he’d say I look like a madwoman.”

“In my eyes, Cangcang is the most beautiful flower.” Kumor had this magic—any sweet words from his mouth never seemed out of place.

After all these years, I still couldn’t look away when those dove-gray eyes gazed at me. I joked with a smile: “If you keep being this charming, I really won’t be able to resist.”

“Oh?” He immediately smiled, his eyes dancing, “So you’re saying I’m even more captivating than a beauty like Xiao Bai?”

“Of course, of course,” I laughed, “Khan Kumor is peerlessly handsome and charismatic.”

After the joking subsided, Kumor suddenly paused, then said: “Cangcang, I think you need to make a choice now—between freedom or Xiao Bai.”

I was stunned, not immediately understanding his words: “What?”

“You’re still running Fenglai Pavilion these past few years, right?” he smiled, “Xiao Bai mentioned it to me.”

I hadn’t expected that besides military matters, they would chat about such things. I smiled and admitted honestly: “Managing both sides, sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming.”

“Being able to roam the jianghu freely is certainly good, and these past years, Xiao Bai has tried his best to spare you from worries,” Kumor said, pausing slightly. “But Cangcang, if you don’t choose between these two soon, it will be too late.”

I froze, my mind buzzing like a swarm of bees.

Looking at me intently, Kumor reached out and gently stroked my head: “Cangcang, no one can support everything alone for too long. You can’t wait until Xiao Bai truly can’t hold on anymore before turning back.”

Almost instinctively, I quickly grabbed his hand, asking anxiously: “Kumor, did something happen to Brother Xiao? What happened when you were together?”

After asking these questions in succession, I saw Kumor’s reassuring gaze and realized I was being startled like a frightened bird again, but the chaos filling my heart wouldn’t disperse.

How could I have ignored it? For years I insisted on staying in the jianghu where I could fulfill my ambitions, knowingly disregarding his concerns as I traveled far and wide, deliberately not thinking about what toll my willfulness took on him. The rumors and doubts both inside and outside the court, the children’s health and studies, all of these… even if he never mentioned them, how could I ignore everything?

A few months ago when he collapsed in the Yangxin Hall, I only learned of his poor health at the last moment.

This time when he led troops personally, I could only stay at Fenglai Pavilion to maintain stability, not even able to see him off as he departed.

Kumor was right—I had left him alone to bear everything. No matter how many noble-sounding reasons, I couldn’t escape it. I had left him behind while pursuing my freedom.

Even now, when even Kumor could see he had been holding on for too long, I was still deceiving myself, unwilling to face it.

What was I still waiting for? Did I need to lose everything before regretting it again?

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at Kumor, composed myself, and smiled: “I understand. Thank you, Kumor.”

Approval showed in his eyes as Kumor held my hand, patting it gently with a smile: “Cangcang, what I most want to see is your happiness.”

I smiled and winked at him: “Oh? Not the happiness of your beloved Xiao Bai?”

Knowing this joke between him and Xiao Huan had gotten out of hand, he chuckled and nodded in mock seriousness: “Well, that works too…”

After this conversation on the plains, we didn’t stay out much longer before returning to the city together.

As I dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby soldier, I saw Liu Shi’an walking out of the room with a stack of documents. Seeing me, he bowed: “Your Majesty the Empress.” Then seeing Kumor behind me, he bowed again, “Great Khan Kumor.”

After his figure retreated, Kumor stroked his chin, muttering somewhat to himself: “This young official has quite a fierce gaze.”

I wasn’t interested in listening to him speak, and lifted the curtain to enter the room with some urgency.

Behind the screen, Xiao Huan wore cyan robes with a deep blue cloak draped over them, reading a memorial. In the white daylight, faint weariness was deeply hidden between his slightly furrowed brows.

Seeing me enter so hastily, he looked up with some surprise and smiled slightly: “Cangcang?”

I shook my head, went over to sit beside him, and gently held the hand resting on his knee. Looking up at him with a smile, I said: “Brother Xiao, I’ve come back.”

Seeming not to understand why I was suddenly like this, he paused briefly before smiling softly, nodding as he brushed the messy hair from my face: “Did you enjoy your outing?”

I nodded and smiled at him, reaching out to embrace him, slowly breathing in the clear, elegant fragrance of herbs and woods that surrounded him, not wanting to let go.

Long accustomed to my sudden displays of affection, he lightly embraced my shoulders without saying more.

Kumor, who had followed me in, saw this scene and raised his eyebrows in a gentle smile.

Silence fell around us, and pressed against Xiao Huan’s embrace, I faintly heard both our heartbeats, steady and peaceful.

A day later, Kumor departed, and together with Xiao Huan, we saw him off far beyond Jinzhou city.

At the moment of farewell, Kumor looked toward the clouds on the horizon and smiled slowly: “Xiao Bai, as long as you and I live, Liaodong will have peace in one corner, but perhaps soon after, war will reignite here, with blood staining the oars.”

Xiao Huan also smiled: “Or perhaps there will be a hundred years of stability, with common people living in joy.”

With a light smile, Kumor said no more. He mounted his horse, and after riding far, he turned back one last time to wave gracefully in our direction before his figure finally merged with the uniformly black-armored Jurchen cavalry, becoming indistinguishable.

Not far behind Xiao Huan, Liu Shi’an, who was also watching Kumor depart, either lost in thought or too indignant, muttered: “Endless troubles left behind.”

Though very quiet, his words unfortunately carried over clearly.

Smiling, Xiao Huan suddenly asked him: “Shi’an, do you believe in the code of brotherhood from the jianghu?”

Startled, obviously not expecting Xiao Huan to speak of jianghu principles, Liu Shi’an answered somewhat awkwardly: “Your subject has never associated with such friends.”

With a faint smile, Xiao Huan looked up at him, “I believe in it, in promises worth their weight in gold, in pledging life and death. I believe in these things.”

Liu Shi’an stood dumbfounded as Xiao Huan turned to walk toward the carriage.

After Xiao Huan got in, Liu Shi’an suddenly spoke: “Your Majesty, dark clouds will always obscure the moon, and even heaven and earth harbor filth.”

Looking back with a smile, Xiao Huan replied with crystal clarity: “Then we’ll wait for the day when the clouds part and the wind clears when the sun and moon shine bright again.”

Following behind Xiao Huan past Liu Shi’an, I felt playful and patted his shoulder, smiling: “Lord Liu, making more friends would make life more enjoyable, you know.”

Ignoring Liu Shi’an’s already ashen face, I jumped into the carriage.

Inside, Xiao Huan had heard what I said to Liu Shi’an and raised his lips in amusement, reaching out his hand: “Cangcang, Shi’an has a steady nature, don’t tease him.”

I laughed heartily, taking his hand and sitting beside him: “Oh, now you’re defending your beloved official?”

Having heard the conversation from inside the carriage, Liu Shi’an’s face changed from ashen to bright red, and his movements as he turned to mount his horse showed some fluster.

Watching this young official who always maintained such a serious expression repeatedly lose his composure was quite amusing, and I hugged Xiao Huan’s waist, laughing heartily.

The return to Jinzhou was still some distance away, but the carriage wasn’t rushing. We traveled leisurely across the plains, where the snow had partially melted, leaving just enough to barely cover the horses’ hooves.

In this quiet, peaceful moment, holding Xiao Huan’s hand, I smiled softly and lifted my head to kiss the corner of his lips.

This great battle had dragged on and on, and before we knew it, we had reached the twelfth lunar month. After Kumor left, we busied ourselves with returning to the capital, spending one more night in Jinzhou before departing for Shanhaiguan the next day, and then making our way back to the capital.

The accumulated fatigue from this period finally could no longer be suppressed. The day we reached Shanhaiguan, Xiao Huan only managed to drink one bowl of rice porridge, which he later threw up entirely, and continued to cough lightly as he lay on the couch.

Sitting beside his couch, I supported his shoulders with my arm, trying to make him as comfortable as possible, using a silk handkerchief to wipe the light sweat from his brow.

Despite the deep weariness in his eyes, he still smiled at me: “It’s nothing, Cangcang.”

Shaking my head gently, I held him, burying my head in his shoulder: “Brother Xiao, after we return, shall we go to Daiyu Palace?”

The hot springs at Daiyu Palace were most suitable for Xiao Huan’s recuperation. Back then, Li Mingshang had suggested that Xiao Huan should reside permanently at Daiyu and move the Six Ministries and Imperial Cabinet there to handle state affairs. There were precedents of emperors residing long-term in auxiliary palaces after Great Wu’s founding, and given Xiao Huan’s poor health, it would have been reasonable.

However, Xiao Huan had ultimately decided to return to the Forbidden Palace, partly because it made it more convenient for me to come and go from Fenglai Pavilion.

Lifting my head from his shoulder, I looked at him with a smile: “Brother Xiao, I want to resign from my position at Fenglai Pavilion.”

Hearing me say this suddenly, his expression showed shock for a moment as he gripped my hand: “Cangcang?”

For eight years, apart from him and the children, Fenglai Pavilion had been almost my entire life. Through countless dangerous jianghu incidents, each time I returned alone to Yangxin Hall late at night, I would see his figure waiting for me under the lamplight. Besides myself, only he truly knew how much time and persistence I had invested in Fenglai Pavilion, yet now I was talking about giving it up.

Finally saying the words aloud, the heaviness I’d felt before speaking disappeared, and I smiled: “Master Bai, eight years ago you entrusted Fenglai Pavilion to me, but unfortunately I’m merely mediocre. Even giving it my all, this is the best I could achieve, so it’s better to step down and let someone more capable take it.” I smiled at him, “How about it? How did I do these eight years? Care to give me a review?”

Looking at me with those jet-black eyes, his face somewhat pale, he suddenly pressed his chest and coughed softly.

This frightened me terribly, and I quickly hugged him, helping to gently pat his back, asking anxiously: “Brother Xiao, what’s wrong? Does your chest hurt?”

Coughing lightly, he closed his eyes, concealing the emotion in his deep gaze, and slowly shook his head. After a moment, he spoke: “Cangcang, are you resigning from Fenglai Pavilion because you’re afraid of burdening me?”

Taking a light breath, I leaned forward, resting my chin on his leg, looking at him: “Brother Xiao, if I say yes, would you start feeling guilty, thinking you couldn’t do your best for me, that’s why I’m now forced to choose between Fenglai Pavilion and you?”

Lowering his eyes, he continued coughing lightly, not answering.

Over these years, the more I understood him, the more helpless I felt about his habit of taking everything upon himself. Sighing softly, I held his cool hand against my cheek: “Although I enjoy laughing and talking with Su Qian and Mu Yan at Fenglai Pavilion, love riding horses under the moonlight, drinking to my heart’s content, and living freely. But Brother Xiao, if such freedom comes at the cost of your silent sacrifices, I’d rather give it up.” Lowering my head to kiss his fingertips, I looked at him, “Brother Xiao, now I just want to be with you.”

He looked at me quietly, then closed his eyes and sighed: “Cangcang…”

“Don’t tell me to think about it more!” Knowing what he would say, I quickly cut him off, simply hugging his waist and starting to act spoiled, “I want to stay with you and Little Lian and Little Xie, but you won’t let me! Do you not want me hanging around you all day!”

“Cangcang…” he called softly with slight helplessness, and I immediately looked up at him with pitiful eyes.

Finally, my antics drew a smile to his lips, and he sighed with a smile: “As long as you’re happy… do as you wish.”

As I held his hand, nuzzling this way and that, he stopped speaking, his gaze remaining fixed on me.

I smiled at him: “Brother Xiao, Zhang Zhuduan once told me that you loved me because I was the daughter of a powerful minister, that your loving relationship with me was because it was most beneficial for the empire. So later that day I went to ask you, if another woman were empress, would you be equally good to her, devotedly loving her? Even knowing how you would answer when I heard you say ‘yes,’ I still couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Women are greedy, hoping to become the only one, hoping no one can replace their position, even if we’ve never encountered such a situation.”

Speaking softly, I looked into his pure black eyes, smiling slightly: “Brother Xiao, I want to ask you again today, if we had never met, would you have doted on and indulged another woman you married, caring for her in everything?”

Just as unhesitatingly as before, he answered softly: “Yes.”

I smiled: “Then if another woman you married were trapped in enemy territory, in grave danger, would you go alone to save her, regardless of life or death?”

Though his voice was soft, it remained steady: “Yes.”

“Then if it were another woman you married, would you also risk your life to help her escape the palace, arranging everything for her future?” I looked at him, my eyes already misted over, “Then what is there that you wouldn’t do for her?”

After a brief silence, he spoke softly, his gentle voice without any doubt or hesitation: “I wouldn’t have returned from Yulong Snow Mountain. If it were someone else, I would have given up…”

He didn’t finish saying what he would have given up. Looking at me quietly, he smiled as if in relief: “Cangcang… you have always been, that one and only person.”

Tears had already rolled down my cheeks as I lowered my head and smiled, messily wiping the tears from my face: “Really now, why is it so hard to make you admit it just once…”

Watching me quietly, those pure black eyes held a gentle smile as he remained silent.

The day we returned to the Forbidden Palace, the sky was overcast.

The children came out to welcome us. Lian’er and Yan’er were fine, but as soon as Little Xie saw us, her eyes immediately reddened.

Just as I was about to signal Xiao Huan to comfort her, she unexpectedly pursed her lips, ran over to hug me, and began crying torrentially.

Surprised, I looked up at Xiao Huan, who smiled at me.

This child Little Xie, really—it was as if heaven had sent her specifically to test me. Who would have thought that upon our return, I would be the one she worried about most?

Concerned about Xiao Huan’s fatigue, I had him rest first while I comforted the children, sending Lian’er to take them to the study. I sat with them for a while as they read, settling everything, which took over an hour.

When I left the study, a fine autumn rain had begun to fall.

The rain pattered against the railings, striking the white jade steps. Below were lush flower beds where orchid grass grew, just like in front of Yangxin Hall. Scattered flower buds peeked out from between the slender leaves like stars dotting the landscape.

Xiao Huan hadn’t returned to his chambers but sat alone in a soft chair under the corridor. Seeing me, he looked up with a smile: “Cangcang.”

I went over and bent to embrace him. His body was cool, and his cyan robe carried traces of the cool moisture.

I lowered my head to kiss his thin lips, looking at him somewhat reproachfully: “What are you doing sitting outside wearing so little? Are you deliberately trying to make me worry?”

He smiled: “I only meant to sit for a moment before getting up, but then it started raining…”

I snorted lightly: “You just never let anyone stop worrying about you.”

He just smiled softly, his jet-black eyes quietly watching me.

Though he hadn’t shown any discomfort today, the journey had been tiring, and his face remained pale, the weariness between his brows more pronounced.

I knew it would be better to send him to the warmer climate of Daiyu Palace now, but with the army just returning victorious, there would surely be many matters to handle, so we had to stay in the palace for now.

Rare was it for him to show little interest in the memorials, instead coming to watch the rain from the corridor. Of course, I wouldn’t urge him to go back. I went to get a pure white fox fur cloak to drape over him, then squeezed myself onto the wide soft chair beside him.

Hugging his waist, I lifted my head to place a light kiss on the corner of his lips, smiling mischievously: “Then I’ll keep you company for a while.”

He smiled softly, putting his arm around my shoulders, nodding: “Alright.”

At this moment, apart from the sound of rain, the small courtyard was peacefully quiet. I contentedly rested my head against his chest, unwilling to move.

The result of such comfort was that, though I had intended to just watch the rain with him, I fell asleep in his embrace. When I opened my eyes again, a small fluffy head had appeared on the chair’s armrest.

Seeing me open my eyes, the owner of that small head giggled, her bright black eyes curving as she pinched her nose and teased me: “Mother is lazy, still sleeping when it’s time to eat!”

In just half a day, this little girl had started picking on me again. I sat up with a stern face: “Who’s lazy? I’ll spank you!”

The little girl wasn’t frightened by my threat at all, responding with a disdainful face: “Making excuses, making excuses, always trying to scare people when making excuses!”

From the doorway of the small hall behind came several stifled laughs—Lian and Yan’s small figures of different heights were hiding by the door, peeking at us.

“Little Xie,” Xiao Huan, who seemed to have also been sleeping, smiled and spoke softly, “don’t always talk back to your mother.”

Little Xie quietly stuck out her tongue: “I know, Father.”

Playing with the children as we got up, I held Xiao Huan’s hand as we all went to have dinner together. As usual, the three children couldn’t stay still for a moment during the meal.

Lian and Yan huddled together whispering, while Little Xie tried to climb onto Xiao Huan’s lap, but I decisively pulled her over to sit on mine instead.

Then, after one of the little ones said something, their three small mouths immediately started chattering away—reporting the day’s activities, asking questions about difficult homework problems, tattling on each other, boasting about remarkable achievements… Of course, eight out of ten stories were directed at Xiao Huan, leaving me only to listen and occasionally inject witty remarks when I couldn’t bear being ignored.

I’m not sure if they ate more or talked more.

After dinner, having finally sent the little rulers off to do homework in the study, just when I thought we could finally catch our breath, Hong Qing suddenly entered with a smile: “Your Majesty, the Prince has arrived.”

I could imagine how Xiao Qingqing would appear, but hadn’t expected him to enter like this… Before we could see him clearly, that white figure just flashed at the doorway before appearing in front of Xiao Huan.

Half-crouching, holding both of Xiao Huan’s hands, Xiao Qingqing’s light-painted eyes gleamed like water: “Brother Huan,” he called softly, his long, fair fingers slowly gripping Xiao Huan’s hands. His usually somewhat lazy voice carried a slight tremor, “Brother, why couldn’t I campaign in your place…”

Smiling gently at him, Xiao Huan responded: “Qingqing… I’m fine, it’s nothing.”

Looking at Xiao Huan, Xiao Qingqing murmured, as if containing infinite restraint and sorrow: “Brother Huan…”

I watched, my whole body stiffening, and raised my lip corner: “Xiao Qingqing, did you hit your head on a tree after leaving home today?”

Looking up at me, Xiao Qingqing released Xiao Huan’s hands, stood up to brush off his white clothes, and gave me a charming smile: “Cangcang, what are you saying? I was just being affectionate with Brother.” He turned back to smile at Xiao Huan, “Isn’t that right, Brother Huan?” He particularly emphasized the last three words.

Xiao Huan maintained a faint smile and nodded: “Qingqing is correct.” Then he smiled at me, “Cangcang, would you please bring some bruise medicine? My hand is injured.”

I was startled and hurriedly took his hand to look. Sure enough, one side of his palm was bruised—undoubtedly from when Xiao Qingqing had earnestly called “Brother Huan” while squeezing his hand.

Using concern as a cover for underhanded actions—I knew Xiao Qingqing couldn’t have suddenly decided to show goodwill toward Xiao Huan.

I felt exasperated: “Xiao Qingqing, even when joking, you should know when it’s appropriate! How can you still be seeking revenge at a time like this!”

Xiao Qingqing blinked his beautiful light-painted eyes: “Oh? Isn’t this exactly the time for revenge?” As he spoke, the hand he had placed on Xiao Huan’s shoulder in apparent friendliness secretly pressed down again.

Seeing this, I quickly jumped over to throw off his hand: “You stay away from Brother Xiao for the next few days!”

Looking at the bruise on Xiao Huan’s hand with extreme regret, Xiao Qingqing sighed quite dejectedly: “I want to squeeze it a couple more times…”

I knew he still resented Xiao Huan for leaving him behind to campaign beyond the passes, but I hadn’t expected him to be childish enough to seek revenge this way. I could only grind my teeth in mingled anger and hatred.

As we were speaking, the children heard the commotion and poked their heads out from the study. Seeing it was Xiao Qingqing, they all exclaimed happily and ran over: “Uncle Qing!”

So after bullying the adult, he immediately went to bully the children, quite maliciously reaching out to pull Little Lian’s ear as uncle and nieces and nephew played together in a crowd.

What a day of chaos… Standing with my hands on my hips in the noisy, messy room, I turned my head to meet Xiao Huan’s smiling black eyes.

Seeing his smile, my lips curved up involuntarily. In that shared smile, all the noise seemed to fade away.

The rain that had fallen all night had stopped. Outside the window, the cool autumn breeze was blowing down the late-blooming flowers in the courtyard. Some pale yellow petals drifted onto the desk as the children played and frolicked nearby.

Later, we moved to Daiyu Palace. With Xiao Qingqing’s assistance, Xiao Huan’s official duties lightened considerably, and he could finally rest and recuperate.

One day, I suddenly had the idea to have Xiao Huan paint a portrait of the two of us. It was just a casual suggestion, but unexpectedly, on a fine afternoon, he began to paint.

I leaned beside him, watching as he sketched out the green willows and long embankments of Jiangnan, and the smiling young woman and cyan-robed young man walking amid the beautiful landscape.

He painted slowly, but I wasn’t in a hurry. After all, we had plenty of time—enough for him to slowly complete this scroll of beautiful scenery, and enough for me to keep him company, chatting and laughing under the gentle sunshine and clear breeze.