Even the time spent preparing luggage and horses was torturous. After packing light travel gear, just before mounting, Su Qian walked over and nodded to me: “Besides the Imperial Guards and General Ling, there are a few young ones and me.”

I smiled, feeling the last of my worries ease: “Thank you, Su Qian.”

Su Qian’s expression remained icy: “Go see Master Bai quickly. If you let anything happen to Master Bai, I’ll kill you.”

Mounting my horse, I flashed her a smile: “Sorry, you won’t get the chance, don’t even think about it!”

As the Hour of the Pig was ending, I galloped through the empty, silent streets. Hong Qing was already waiting at the city gate. Seeing me approach, he waved for the guards to open the gates, then struck his horse’s flank with his scabbard, his steed following closely behind mine as we rode out.

Seeing my slight surprise, Hong Qing smiled lightly: “Since Her Majesty the Empress is going, naturally the Prince Consort must go as well.”

Knowing there was no need for formalities with Hong Qing, I smiled and leaned down to grasp his hand: “Thank you for your trouble, Hong Qing.”

Hong Qing laughed: “When it concerns His Majesty’s safety, why mention trouble to the Two Imperial Guard Divisions?”

I smiled in agreement and ceased the small talk, spurring my horse into the vast darkness beyond the city gates.

Hong Qing and several Imperial Guards followed closely behind.

Datong wasn’t far from the capital. We pushed our horses to their limits along the way, the late autumn wind whistling past, the rough mountain roads constantly falling behind us.

During the gallop, not another word was spoken. All spirit, all strength, was devoted to a single goal: faster, just a bit faster, even seeing him one moment sooner would be good.

The heavy night grew deeper as we continued riding, then began to lighten at its darkest moment. The horizon gradually whitened, sunlight pierced through thin clouds, the sky turned a clear slate blue, and the morning wind carried the fragrance of withered vegetation.

Finally, in the clear, piercing morning breeze, there seemed to come the scent of iron and weapons. Faint sounds of commotion carried on the wind – voices, horses, the sounds of vehicles and arms. A corner of a red and black banner suddenly unfurled in the wind, entering our view.

The royal banner, black embroidered with crimson flames, stretched out before our eyes like sequentially blooming flowers, extending to the cyan city walls at the horizon. White tents were scattered between, like stars.

This was the Great Wu encampment, where the Imperial Presence resided, the camp of the personally-led army.

Our galloping horses drew the attention of the camp guards. Banners mounted on spears approached rapidly with a squad of cavalry. Beside me, Hong Qing raised his token high and called out the name of the Imperial Guard.

I only slightly pulled the reins, not stopping as I rode toward the center of the camp.

A commotion arose beside me. Hong Qing called from behind: “Cangcang!”

His voice grew increasingly distant and anxious: “Your Majesty!”

Soldiers eager to protect the Emperor and Imperial Guards who had been following the army rushed over, and then all stopped.

Nothing could hinder me anymore. That white tent grew gradually closer.

The tent’s leather flap was hastily lifted, and soon appearing in view was a familiar tall figure in snow-white robes, black hair flowing in the wind.

Finally seeing him – E Sen hadn’t managed to harm him.

It felt as if something slowly settled in my heart, and my body involuntarily relaxed with it. My vision began to blur bit by bit.

“Cangcang…” It was his voice, gentle and clear as ever.

My body was caught by a pair of strong arms, his gentle voice right by my ear: “Cangcang, you can rest now…”

The faint fragrance of agarwood filled my nose. Resting my head against his chest, just before falling into darkness, I curved my lips into a smile… I had finally found him again.

This sleep must have been completely overwhelming, even I didn’t know how long I slept. I only remember hazily waking two or three times. Each time consciousness returned, I would grasp his slightly cool hand; each time in my blurry vision, there was his face wearing a gentle smile.

When I finally truly awoke and opened my eyes, the light in the tent had the brown tinge unique to dusk. Dazedly, I thought of that year going to Tianshan Mountain, staying in the tent at Fenglai Pavilion at the foot of the mountain. That day, after sleeping nestled against him and opening my eyes, I saw the same kind of tall white tent with secure bindings, the same slightly chilly dusk.

Except that time, he was the one being cared for; this time, it seemed to have become me.

“Cangcang,” While I was still lost in random thoughts, a hand with a faint warmth touched my forehead. Xiao Huan felt my forehead while smiling, “Awake? Good, the fever has broken.”

“Hmm?” Only with his words did I notice my body was somewhat sore and my throat raspy. “I had a fever?”

“Not severe. Your spirit was too tense, you rode through the night, and hadn’t been resting well for some time before that, so you developed a slight fever.” He said with a smile, his tone slightly deep.

Unable to miss the reproach in his words, I quickly pulled up the blanket corner to hide my face and stuck out my tongue: “It’s good if it wasn’t severe. I told you I’m as sturdy as an ox, hehe.”

Looking at me with some helpless amusement, Xiao Huan lowered his hand from my forehead: “Cangcang…”

“Ah?” I quickly widened my eyes, blinking at him, “Brother Xiao…”

I had to try my best to look pitiful now. Xiao Huan’s lectures were no joke – methodical, citing classics, every word hitting home. I couldn’t remember when I’d last been lectured by him, I only remembered that time he unhurriedly lectured me for over half an hour just about my habit of jumping around barefoot, until I almost wanted to dig a hole in the floor of Yangxin Hall to bury myself in, and never dared go without socks again… I admit defeat, I really can’t lecture like him.

Seeming to sigh slightly, he finally reached out his hand, placing it gently beside my cheek: “Don’t ever do something like this again!”

“Mm, mm,” Escaping disaster, I smiled at him in relief, “If I ever do something like this again, you can go a month without taking medicine!”

“Oh? Cangcang, are you sure you want to make such a poisonous oath? If Little Bai really doesn’t take his medicine then, one sick and one angry, when things get difficult, it’ll be two people suffering…” A light voice with a hint of laughter rang out as someone slowly walked over from the other side of the tent.

Eagle-sharp gray eyes, bronze skin, handsome and striking features – smiling, this person raised his eyebrows at me: “Cangcang, it’s been many years.”

“Kumor?” The tall, straight, handsome man before me slowly overlapped with the Kumor in my memory who had gently embraced me at Shanhai Pass eleven years ago. I took a deep breath, staring at him blankly before squeezing out: “You’ve gotten even more handsome!”

Unable to hold back a laugh with a “pft,” Kumor turned his head to look at Xiao Huan while laughing: “Little Bai, your little girl hasn’t improved at all in all these years…”

“Since you know she’s still the same as ever,” Xiao Huan said leisurely, “then don’t blame me for not warning you…”

Before his words finished, my pillow had already flown out, hitting Kumor square in the forehead: “Stingy! I even complimented you on getting more handsome, yet you say I haven’t improved!”

Though I’d known Kumor was already at the front lines, I hadn’t expected to see him in Xiao Huan’s tent. After throwing the pillow, I raised my chin: “Tell me, what are you doing in Brother Xiao’s tent?”

Fully expecting to hear an answer like “I was worried about you, I came to see you,” who knew that after catching the pillow, Kumor would stroke his chin and smile: “Who said I came to Little Bai’s tent? I’ve been living here all along.”

“Ah?” Maybe it was because I’d just woken up, but I didn’t understand right away. “You live here?”

“Yes,” Kumor wore a smile with an unclear meaning as he walked over and put his arm on Xiao Huan’s shoulder, “Since I arrived, I’ve been living with Little Bai, facing each other day and night, together from dawn to dusk… right, Little Bai?”

Glancing up at him sideways, Xiao Huan smiled faintly: “Indeed, coming and going together, sharing the same bed…”

Staring at the two of them, after a while, I twitched the corner of my mouth: “I say, haven’t you gotten tired of this flirting trick after playing it for so many years?”

Xiao Huan and Kumor looked up at each other, both lowering their heads to suppress their laughter.

These two old foxes…

Just then, a service soldier brought in two small dishes and porridge from outside, placed them on the nearby table, and withdrew. This campaign had been too rushed, so palace maids and eunuchs hadn’t accompanied the army. Though given Xiao Huan’s personality, even if there had been time, he probably wouldn’t have wanted to bring large groups of servants to attend him.

Though the camp meals were simple, perhaps because I hadn’t eaten for too long, when the aroma reached my nose, I couldn’t help craning my neck to look that way eagerly.

Seeing me like this, Xiao Huan smiled: “Hungry?”

“Mm.” I nodded without being polite, lifting the blanket covering me, and preparing to look for shoes under the bed to run over and eat.

The space under the bed was surprisingly empty, with no shoes for me to wear. While I was still staring and continuing to search, my waist was embraced. Xiao Huan smiled: “I carried you in, your shoes aren’t here.”

Having just woken up, my mind was still somewhat foggy, and I looked at him somewhat uncomprehendingly.

Smiling again, Xiao Huan lowered his head slightly, picked me up around the waist, walked to the table, and then sat down, letting me sit on his leg. His arms encircled my body as he picked up the meat porridge from the table, smiling: “Shall I feed you or will you do it yourself?”

Staring blankly at his smiling face, after a long while, I squeezed out: “Why can you carry me so easily?”

Beside us, Kumor seemed to finally be unable to hold back, letting out a “pft” of laughter: “Little Bai, it seems this little girl has thoroughly underestimated you…”

Looking at me with some amusement and helplessness, Xiao Huan sighed lightly: “Cangcang, between us two, I should be the one who has carried you more often…”

Looking up and thinking it did seem to be so, I took the bowl from his hand and nodded: “Then I’ll practice hard from now on, try to carry you back more.”

Kumor laughed even more heartily beside us.

Though simple, the small dishes were made fresh and tasty. I only caught my breath after drinking two bowls of porridge with them.

After having service soldiers bring freshly steeped clear tea, Xiao Huan still held me as we sat at the table.

Having eaten my fill and regained my spirits, I held the teacup and looked at Kumor and the long sword that never left his waist, beginning to understand. Kumor staying in Xiao Huan’s tent wasn’t just so they could reminisce at night. Thinking a bit further, it wasn’t hard to guess: “Has E Sen sent people to this tent?”

Looking at me, Kumor raised his eyebrows: “Not just this tent – since Juyong Pass, almost every place Little Bai has stayed has been personally visited by Prince E Sen!”

E Sen had indeed already come to attempt to assassinate Xiao Huan. Kumor’s presence in the central army tent must be to serve as a personal guard.

When Xiao Huan came, he hadn’t failed to bring capable men from the Two Imperial Guard Divisions. Even Shi Yan and Ban Fangyuan, the Guhanying Division commander who rarely deployed, had accompanied the army. With these people present, yet still needing Kumor to stay in Xiao Huan’s tent, coming and going together… this E Sen had become such a thorny problem.

Thinking this, I unconsciously grabbed Xiao Huan’s sleeve: “Brother Xiao… E Sen came to Fenglai Pavilion. He told me,” hesitating for a moment, I still said it, “he said… he wants your life.”

Slightly furrowing his brow, Xiao Huan didn’t seem particularly surprised, only lowering his eyes in deep thought.

Beside us, Kumor also narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a pause, spoke: “Little Bai, E Sen’s intention…”

He hadn’t finished speaking, but Xiao Huan seemed to already understand, nodding, then raising his eyes to see my worried face, smiling gently: “It’s alright, Cangcang, as long as you weren’t harmed.”

I nodded, quickly remembering to grab Xiao Huan’s sleeve: “Right, Brother Xiao, that fellow didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Smiling and shaking his head, before Xiao Huan could speak, Kumor glanced at me from the side and smiled: “What? Cangcang, don’t you trust that I can protect Little Bai?”

“I have confidence, but still need to confirm.” Crossing my arms, I also glanced at him, “Well, this time you’ve done well protecting my male consort, I’ll reward you later.”

“Oh?” Kumor stroked his chin, “How will you reward me? How about giving me your male consort?”

The joke was aimed at Xiao Huan again, and I rolled my eyes: “A joke isn’t funny anymore when you tell it too many times.”

His smile grew, Kumor turned his eyes to Xiao Huan’s face, finally unable to hold back a “pft” of laughter: “Who told Little Bai to be so delicate and charming…”

“Kumor!” Xiao Huan, still holding me, called out sharply, his voice carrying a rare trace of anger, “Haven’t you had enough laughing? Shouldn’t you go drink some wine?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll go drink,” still wearing a suppressed smile, Kumor rose with a low laugh.

I twitched the corner of my mouth – this was the bitter fruit planted at Shanhai Pass years ago. The Emperor of Great Wu and the Khan of the Jurchen would probably never have a more serious way of interaction for the rest of their lives…

In the military camp where battles were intense, intelligence reports soon arrived. I sat beside Xiao Huan holding tea, watching him concentrate as he slowly reviewed them. Under the pale light in the tent, his profile still appeared somewhat pale.

Since the day the personally-led army set out, along this journey of constant movement and fighting without rest, he probably hadn’t had a single day to relax.

Quietly waiting for him to finish reviewing and put down his vermillion brush, I handed over the warm teacup I was holding: “Brother Xiao…”

He smiled and took it, bringing it to his lips for a light sip.

Lowering my head to hold his slightly cool hand, I rested my head on his arm: “Brother Xiao, in the capital, I have nightmares at night.”

Placing his hand lightly on my shoulder, he smiled slightly, saying nothing.

“I often dream of heavy snow, covering the sky and earth. I walk in the snow, but can never figure out where this is, whether it’s Shanhai Pass or Tianshan Mountain… So I just keep walking…” Pausing, I raised my head to look at him with a smile, “There’s just lots of snow… and you’re nowhere to be found.”

He gave a light laugh, his dark ink-colored eyes quietly gazing at me, saying nothing.

“Later when E Sen came to Fenglai Pavilion and threatened to take your life right in front of me, I couldn’t think of anything else, just wanted to see you quickly.” Speaking of that false alarm, I also smiled, biting my lip corner while still looking at him: “So even though my coming this time probably doesn’t help much, and I even got a fever right away making you distracted with taking care of me, I still came…”

He laughed softly, almost like a sigh: “You’ve come regardless…” After saying this he paused, “Since E Sen could already reach Fenglai Pavilion… this might be for the best.”

Come to think of it, when Xiao Huan and Kumor mentioned E Sen earlier, their attitudes were a bit strange. Connecting this with E Sen’s puzzling actions at Fenglai Pavilion last night – he had the chance to kill me with one stroke, yet deliberately showed mercy, and left after dropping just that one threatening sentence – it was as if he had galloped to the capital at night just to see me, to tell me this threatening message.

Going to such lengths just to inform me he wanted to kill Xiao Huan? At the time I was too anxious, but now thinking about it, it seemed increasingly strange. Unable to help to furrow my brow, I grabbed Xiao Huan’s sleeve: “Brother Xiao, what game is this E Sen playing?”

After pondering briefly, Xiao Huan didn’t answer my question, instead smiling and reaching out to smooth the wrinkles between my brows: “Don’t worry, Cangcang, I can still handle him.”

Dazed again by his smile, I could only nod: “Then never mind.”

Before I could finish speaking, there was suddenly a commotion outside the tent. Hong Qing rushed in with his sword, somewhat gritting his teeth: “Your Majesty, he’s here again! Should you withdraw?”

Kumor, who had been resting with closed eyes on a chaise lounge on the other side of the tent, sat up, gripping his sword hilt and giving a cold laugh: “Well well, is it twice a day now?”

Before Kumor’s words ended, a light, frivolous voice joined in: “What? Since you won’t let me take the person away, I’m not even allowed to come see them more often?”

Along with the voice appeared an agile black figure at the tent entrance, the long sword in his hand drawing a golden arc, his young handsome face wearing an ambiguous smile, golden eyes narrowed.

Hong Qing shouted, already swinging his sword to meet him.

Kumor’s laugh grew colder: “Go ahead, look all you want. Even if you look for another hundred years, the person still won’t be yours!”

With a loud laugh, deflecting Hong Qing’s sword with one stroke, that person’s eyes suddenly filled with killing intent: “Whether they’re mine or not isn’t for you to say!”

Seeing him about to strike close, Kumor still didn’t draw his sword, only coldly laughing: “Oh? Then come and see for yourself whether they’re yours or not!”

Still somewhat dazed by this series of events, not yet understanding what was happening, suddenly Xiao Huan beside me was pulled away by someone.

“Ah! You…” An obviously exasperated voice rang out from across, the long sword pointing at my nose, arm trembling, “You… how do you manage your husband?”

Woodenly turning my gaze to his face, I had already recognized him – these eyes belonged to E Sen who had ambushed me last night. Twitching the corner of my mouth, I said emotionlessly: “I can see even more clearly from here, I’m not screaming so what are you yelling about!”

Kumor, holding Xiao Huan, raised an eyebrow slightly: “Prince E Sen, have you seen clearly?”

“You…” Face ashen, speechless, E Sen’s handsome face was already contorted, gnashing his teeth as he turned to Xiao Huan, “What’s going on between you and him?”

His questioning stance was incredibly self-righteous.

I continued to stay silent… I remembered I was supposed to be Xiao Huan’s Empress, right?

Kumor burst out laughing: “E Sen, a loss is a loss, you’re just making a fool of yourself by being so stubborn!”

E Sen was almost hopping with rage, nearly grinding his silver teeth to pieces: “I want to hear it from the beauty himself!”

“I’ve said before, I have no interest in the Prince,” still leaning in Kumor’s embrace, Xiao Huan lowered his eyes faintly, his tone light, “As for what’s between Kumor and me, I’m afraid that’s none of the Prince’s business.”

Good, that was harsh – “Prince” and “Kumor”, just the form of address made the difference in intimacy clear.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, E Sen’s face immediately turned pale. He pressed his lips together, his light golden eyes narrowing.

To prevent him from attacking Xiao Huan in his humiliation and rage, Hong Qing moved his sword to block.

But unexpectedly, E Sen suddenly raised his head, the light in his eyes undiminished: “It’s fine, it’s fine even if you like him.” He smiled at Xiao Huan, “He calls you Little Bai, right? Well then, Little Bai, someday I will make you fall for me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, with a long laugh, his figure had already flipped out of the tent.

In the chaos outside, that laughing voice quickly receded. To come and go as he pleased through the Imperial Guards’ blockade as if moving through space – this E Sen’s martial arts must be comparable to supreme masters.

As E Sen’s voice faded into the commotion, inside the tent Xiao Huan pushed away from Kumor’s chest, slightly raising the corner of his lips, smiling faintly: “Great Khan Kumor, are you taking advantage of my lost martial arts, knowing I can’t resist?”

Before his words finished, Kumor immediately wore a face of painful shock: “Little Bai, even now, you still don’t understand my heart?”

“Your heart?” Xiao Huan lowered his eyes, smiling indifferently, “I dare not trust it anymore…”

“Little Bai…” Kumor seemed about to speak but stopped.

I continued twitching the corner of my mouth: “Are you two done acting?”

The pain on Kumor’s face instantly vanished as he turned his head with a “pft” of laughter.

Xiao Huan raised his hand to adjust his clothes, instructing Hong Qing who stood to the side with the sheathed sword: “Help me get some tea to rinse my mouth, the stronger the better.”

Hong Qing agreed and ran out. I looked at Xiao Huan, then at Kumor, deciding to ask: “E Sen has fallen for Brother Xiao?”

That fellow Kumor had an expression caught between laughing and not laughing, clearly just enjoying the show, and even affected a sigh: “It’s all because Little Bai is too devastatingly beautiful – that time when the delicate beauty in flowing white robes shot that arrow from the city wall, it enchanted E Sen so much he’s been chasing after him ever since…”

“Kumor, say words like ‘devastatingly beautiful’ and ‘delicate charm’ one more time, and I’ll cut you down.” Still even-tempered, Xiao Huan didn’t even look up.

Kumor turned his head, covering his still-twitching mouth.

I rolled my eyes upward – so I was the backup E Sen called from the capital to catch someone in adultery? All that tension and anxiety, frightening me into riding through the night from the capital, turned out to just be E Sen and Kumor competing and being jealous!

Getting angry as I thought about it, I gave a cold laugh: “That E Sen, actually daring to try to steal my man, I won’t be named Ling if I let you off!” Then I looked sideways at Kumor, “You too! From now on you’re not allowed to touch Brother Xiao!”

Kumor and Hong Qing who had brought in the tea both stood in the room, looking at me and Xiao Huan.

After a moment of silence, Kumor seemed to come back to his senses, coughing dryly: “Fortunately I wasn’t trying to compete with you for Little Bai…”

Hong Qing also stopped staring, cleared his throat, and walked over to put down the tea: “Your Majesty, please drink.” Then he looked up at me very seriously, “Your Majesty the Empress, in the future when we encounter young ladies trying everything to squeeze into the imperial harem, I will tell them never to enter the palace to compete with Your Majesty for someone.”

“Cangcang…” Xiao Huan, pinned down on the bed by me, spoke up with a light laugh, “My chest feels a bit tight.”

Taking away the hand that had been pressing on his chest, I quickly jumped up to help massage it: “Brother Xiao! Are you alright?!”

Smiling and shaking his head slightly, he sat up holding my hand, his tone still unchangingly calm: “Kumor, I need to rest for a few days. Take over all affairs for me.”

Kumor widened his eagle eyes, his face showing a bitter smile: “All of it… Little Bai… even if I just took advantage of you, you don’t need to torture me like this, do you?”

“You’re thinking too much… Aren’t I the delicate beauty in flowing white robes? I should rest more.” Xiao Huan smiled, “Oh, and if there’s important military intelligence, remember to report it to me.”

With a bitter expression, Kumor was speechless for a while, then turned to look at me: “Cangcang, I was wrong… Little Bai is only delicate in front of you.”

When Xiao Huan became truly angry, it wasn’t fun – Kumor would suffer badly. I disloyally abandoned him and turned away, still helping Xiao Huan gently massage his chest: “Brother Xiao, is your chest still tight? Let me get you some tea…”

The Tatar forces currently holding Datong City numbered about fifty thousand, plus the scattered troops that frequently harassed the Great Wu camp, totaling less than eighty thousand. However, cities had always been easier to defend than attack. Following the conventional three-to-one ratio of attacking to defending forces, the elite troops Xiao Huan had brought from the capital numbered roughly a hundred thousand. Adding Kumor’s eighty thousand cavalry, confronting E Sen’s eighty thousand defending troops was quite challenging.

If E Sen truly gritted his teeth and defended stubbornly, this battle would likely last until winter.

After dinner in the evening, once Kumor had handled routine military affairs, he sat down with Xiao Huan before the spread-out maps in the tent to plan the attack strategy. The two quickly came up with several draft plans, comparing them, but couldn’t determine the most perfect one, unknowingly talking into the deep night.

At first, I could still interject a few words of advice, but later I became completely confused and didn’t know what they were talking about. Seeing how late it was getting, I urged: “Kumor, Brother Xiao, it’s too late – shouldn’t we rest and continue tomorrow?”

Seeing that they indeed couldn’t reach any conclusion for now, Kumor nodded: “Cangcang just arrived today and needs to rest early. Little Bai, let’s continue our discussion tomorrow.”

Xiao Huan also smiled and nodded in agreement, lowering his head to cough lightly several times.

He had been coughing occasionally since nightfall – I had been listening all along. Holding his somewhat cold hand, I asked: “Brother Xiao, have you been like this these past days?”

Before Xiao Huan could answer, Kumor nodded: “Today is good – there were days when he coughed so much I feared he would cough up blood. Cangcang, Little Bai’s intense drive isn’t much different from years ago.”

Immediately gritting my teeth, I glared fiercely at Xiao Huan: “If he could change, I would have grabbed his neck and made him change long ago!”

Kumor nodded seriously: “Little Bai isn’t someone you can change, I believe that.”

Xiao Huan, who had been silent beside us, gave a light laugh, slightly furrowing his brow: “Cangcang, it’s late, and I’m a bit tired…”

Hearing him say he was tired, my anger instantly vanished like smoke. I quickly turned to him: “Brother Xiao, you’re tired? Is your chest still tight? Shall we rest early?”

Beside us, Kumor was somewhat dumbfounded, and after a while sighed: “Cangcang, I thought you had Little Bai completely under your thumb, but it turns out Little Bai has you completely under his.”

Rolling my eyes, I decided to ignore him. Xiao Huan, whose arm I was supporting, gave him a faint glance: “Kumor, you should go rest.”

“Little Bai!” Kumor’s face immediately showed distress, his expression tragic, “Are you only this cold to me?”

Xiao Huan didn’t even look at him: “I can be even colder, would you like to try?”

Kumor became even more tragic: “Little Bai… what will it take for you to look at my heart again…”

Suddenly raising his head with a gentle smile, the light in Xiao Huan’s black eyes became unbearable to look at directly. His thin lips curved up as he said softly: “Kumor, I’ve always been looking at your heart…”

Propping up my head, I watched with interest as Kumor’s handsome face transformed from exaggerated sorrow to an expression caught between crying and laughing.

Finally turning my head with satisfaction, I said to Xiao Huan: “Brother Xiao, I suddenly find you and Kumor flirting quite interesting. Next time you two should embrace for me to watch.”

This central army tent was very spacious, with a curtain dividing the middle. Xiao Huan and I slept on the large bed on one side of the curtain, while Kumor slept alone on the tiger-skin bed on the other side.

The night passed quietly. Early the next morning as the sky was just brightening, the rustle of someone dressing came from the other side of the tent.

Hearing the sound, I opened my eyes and slowly sat up, lifting the brocade quilt. Even though I tried to move quietly, I still disturbed Xiao Huan beside me.

Coughing lightly, his black eyes half-open, his voice still carried the haziness of just waking: “Cangcang.”

Leaning down to kiss him, I tucked the brocade quilt back around him: “I’m going to inspect the camp with Kumor, you sleep a bit more.”

He didn’t say anything, just smiled lightly and nodded.

Kissing his lips once more, I quickly dressed and left him, walking out past the tent’s leather curtain. Kumor had already donned his light armor and had his sword at his waist. Seeing me, he smiled: “Cangcang, you want to inspect the camp with me?”

Nodding, I asked directly: “Won’t you let me see the Jurchen camp?”

Kumor smiled: “Ordinary people certainly can’t approach the quarters of our Eight Banners, but if it’s you, Cangcang…” He didn’t say more, just extended his hand to me, “Shall we go?”

Grasping his hand, I also smiled: “Thanks for the Great Khan’s generosity?”

Smiling again and holding my hand, Kumor walked out of the tent with me.

Guards outside had already prepared war horses. Kumor mounted, gesturing for me to mount the other horse.

With a wave of the horsewhip, several war horses galloped out together.

The army camp was built on a sunny highland. It was now early morning when soldiers had finished their drills and were beginning to disperse for breakfast, with wisps of cooking smoke rising between the tents scattered like stars.

Following Kumor on horseback, we soon reached the Jurchen soldiers’ camp. Among the expanse of white tents, neatly arranged troops moved back and forth, while mounted patrols rode through the camp.

As soon as Kumor’s horse arrived, a squad of soldiers came to meet us, led by someone whose face seemed familiar. They bowed on horseback: “Great Khan!”

Kumor laughed heartily and waved: “Chi Ku, thank you for your hard work.”

Only then did I remember – this person was Chi Ku who had always followed behind Kumor in those years. After many years without seeing him, he still had that stone-faced expression that could rival Shi Yan’s.

Chi Ku bowed and said nothing more, silently spurring his horse to follow behind Kumor’s.

Though called an inspection, after entering the Jurchen camp, Kumor mostly moved about casually, visiting the troops in various places. The Jurchen nation’s hierarchy was far less strict than Great Wu’s. Seeing their Khan arrive, the Jurchen soldiers mostly wore happy expressions, enthusiastically greeting Kumor.

Responding to each greeting, Kumor slowly rode through the camp. Following behind him, I also received many greetings, though there were still somewhat surprised glances moving back and forth between Kumor and me.

After walking like this for a while, finally, an impetuous young soldier called out: “Great Khan, is this lady beside you the Fujin you’ve found for us?”

This young man spoke too bluntly – I was slightly embarrassed. Over these years, Kumor had successively established two side-Fujin and already had several princes and princesses, but for some unknown reason, he had never established a primary Fujin. This matter was not only widely discussed among the Jurchen, but there were also rumors within Great Wu.

Kumor laughed heartily: “That’s right, this is the woman I found to be your Fujin!” As he spoke, he turned his head to look at me and smiled again, “But unfortunately someone else got there first.” Looking at me, then turning to sweep his gaze over the gathered soldiers, he raised his voice, “This is the Empress of Great Wu’s Emperor Deyou. Emperor Deyou is our Jurchen ally, and Her Majesty the Empress is my friend Kumor’s friend – how do we Jurchen people welcome friends?”

Following his voice, the Jurchen soldiers all began to cheer, together beating their scabbards against their thighs and saddles, shouting: “Welcome, Your Majesty the Empress! Welcome, Your Majesty the Empress!”

The earlier awkwardness was immediately dispersed. The prairie men’s loud, passionate cheers made my blood surge with excitement. The heroic spirit rushing to my head, I took the longbow from Chi Ku’s hand and raised my arm high, shouting: “Great Wu will forever be Jurchen’s friend!” After shouting, I drew the bow and nocked an arrow, barely aiming before shooting toward a triangular red flag at the camp’s border. The feathered arrow flew like a shooting star, striking the flagpole. Before the sound faded, the flag had already fallen.

I turned to look at Kumor, raising the bow high: “Great Wu and Jurchen, friendship for generations!”

Kumor smiled and also drew his sword, raising it high: “Great Wu and Jurchen, friendship for generations!”

“Great Wu and Jurchen, friendship for generations!” The soldiers all raised their swords, shouting in unison.

This camp inspection truly aroused heroic feelings I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Even after the inspection ended, as Kumor and I rode to a hill outside the camp, the excitement from that rallying cry still lingered in my chest.

Standing horseback on the hilltop, Kumor turned back to smile at me: “Cangcang, I still regret not being firm enough to keep you at Shanhai Pass back then.”

Back then at Shanhai Pass, although the Jurchen’s defeat was already sealed in the battle situation, Kumor still had many opportunities to put Xiao Huan to death. However, in the end, he never struck. Speaking honestly, that Xiao Huan and I could safely return inside the pass later was largely thanks to Kumor’s grace.

Smiling, I rode over to stand beside him: “Thank you, Kumor. I said it to you back then, and I need to say it once more now – thank you.”

Smiling slightly, he gazed into the distance: “Back then, of course, I could have killed Little Bai and kept you. But killing an enemy emperor on the battlefield, though it could raise our troops’ morale, would more strongly inspire the enemy troops’ grief and patriotic hearts. Moreover, others could have ascended to the throne in Great Wu then – Prince Chu was a formidable rival no less than Little Bai. Furthermore, Little Bai had the heart to cease war and make peace with the Jurchen; others who might ascend wouldn’t necessarily have the same inclination. At that time, the Jurchen had just been utterly defeated, and our strength greatly weakened. If a newly enthroned emperor launched massive attacks under the banner of avenging the previous emperor, the Jurchen would have been in danger.” After speaking, he smiled, “In the end, I still chose the bigger picture and the Jurchen… giving up on keeping you.”

After parting at Shanhai Pass that year, I rarely met Kumor again. Later when Xiao Huan disappeared and I went beyond the pass to borrow troops from him to counter the Empress Dowager’s palace coup, it was also a hurried meeting with immediate farewell. Today was the first time we could talk quietly like this.

“Later when you rode day and night bringing Little Bai’s blood-stained edict to borrow troops from me,” continuing to speak, Kumor’s eyes gained a gentle quality, “I thought, losing to such a person, I truly had nothing to complain about. Someone who could unhesitatingly cast everything aside for you time after time – losing to such a person was simply natural.”

I looked up at him with a smile: “Kumor, a handsome man like you, with such good swordsmanship and horsemanship, both domineering and graceful, and no less gentle when you want to be – I would fall in love with you… if I hadn’t first had that taciturn gourd who never says anything.” Smiling, I looked seriously into Kumor’s eyes, “Kumor, I already felt extremely grateful to you back then. Don’t make me feel guilty toward you for a lifetime.”

Suddenly breaking into laughter, wrinkles of mirth appeared around Kumor’s bright eagle eyes: “Actually you don’t need to feel guilty… just give Little Bai to me as a male consort.”

Just when things had gotten serious, he started talking nonsense again…

I immediately glared at him, punching his shoulder: “Then I’d better stay feeling guilty! Don’t get any ideas about my male consort!”

Kumor laughed heartily, his gaze seemingly casually turning to a certain point high on Datong’s city walls, pausing before narrowing his eyes: “That youngster E Sen indeed can’t stay still in the city.”

Following his gaze, I saw soldiers constantly coming and going at that section of wall, arriving at the battlements to observe for a while before withdrawing, and as soon as one group withdrew, new people would replace them, similarly observing before retreating.

“They’re letting the soldiers familiarize themselves with the situation outside the city,” Kumor gave a cold laugh, “E Sen is preparing to leave the city and attack.”

This was rather strange – with the current forces on both sides, if E Sen firmly defended the city, he might still endure through winter. If he actively opened the gates to attack, he would lose eight or nine times out of ten. But why was he preparing to attack?

“With just the current forces in the city, leaving to attack would certainly mean inevitable defeat, but once E Sen has reinforcements, the outcome would be hard to predict.” Giving another cold laugh, Kumor pulled his reins, “Such preparations will take at least three days. Cangcang, let’s head back first.”

Quickly agreeing and spurring my horse to follow him – we had already spent quite some time outside – we rode directly back to the main tent.

Arriving at the central camp, after dismounting with Kumor and entering the tent, we found Xiao Huan looking as if he had just woken, wearing a cyan great cloak and leaning against the headboard.

Though it wasn’t early, there was still some chill in the air. I hurried over to sit down and hold his hand: “Brother Xiao, are you feeling unwell? Have you had breakfast?”

Those black eyes still carrying some mist turned to my face, instantly regaining clarity as he smiled: “Cangcang, I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Pursing my lips, I leaned forward to hug his waist: “I don’t believe what you say.”

Lightly patting my shoulder, he showed some helplessness: “Cangcang…”

Kumor had also walked in, speaking immediately: “E Sen is showing unusual movement, looks like he’s planning to attack.”

Xiao Huan showed no surprise, just nodding: “Mm, I understand.”

Walking over to sit at the table and taking out his pewter flask to pour some strong wine into his mouth, Kumor smiled: “Retreated to Datong yet still won’t give up. This boy’s ambition is even bigger than mine back then – I only wanted to take the capital, he wants to take the emperor home with him.”

Xiao Huan ignored his teasing, saying flatly: “Just empty ambition. As an opponent, he’s not even worthy compared to you.”

Hearing this, Kumor raised a long eyebrow: “Oh? Should I be happy about that?”

Giving him a faint glance, Xiao Huan still showed no expression: “You should be honored.”

Kumor immediately turned to me: “Cangcang, when did Little Bai’s mouth become so poisonous?”

“Oh?” Still holding Xiao Huan’s waist, I looked at the tent ceiling pretending to think seriously, “When talking to you? Hasn’t it always been this poisonous?”

Inevitably letting out another round of worried sighs and self-pity – Kumor’s routine of playing the fool had become increasingly practiced.

After the three of us joked around for a while, Kumor finally got up to arrange attack and defense formations.

After he left the tent, I was still holding Xiao Huan, resting my head on his shoulder as I smiled: “Brother Xiao, since that kiss took advantage of you last night, Kumor seems to feel guilty – he doesn’t dare to argue with you much anymore?”

Giving a light sound of agreement, Xiao Huan didn’t say much, only after a while giving a faint snort: “At the time there were at least dozens of ways to both discourage E Sen and protect you from his attention, yet he specifically chose this one… he still dares to argue with me? Must not want to live to return to Jurchen.”

I had already understood after watching their kiss – their acting this way, even willing to kiss in public, was probably because they feared E Sen would harm me out of jealousy, so they simply diverted E Sen’s attention to Kumor to keep me safe.

I knew very well that Xiao Huan would do anything possible for my safety, but that Kumor would also consider my welfare this way truly moved me somewhat – although he used the worst possible method, and seemed quite happy doing it.

While shivering at the coldness in Xiao Huan’s words, I desperately tried to hold back laughter… if Kumor dared to do anything more, I absolutely believed Xiao Huan would draw his sword and cut him down.

Almost falling over laughing, I said cheerfully: “Right! Only I can kiss my male consort! When I feel like it you and Kumor can embrace for the show, but anything further like kissing or taking off clothes is out of the question!”

Looking down at my beaming face with some amusement, he couldn’t help curving his lips: “Oh? So there could be something further?”

His warm breath carrying a hint of coolness was right before me – might as well take advantage when it’s offered. I seized the chance to lift my head and kiss the corner of his mouth: “Don’t even think about it! You’re mine! You have to stay pure for me!”

He showed some helplessness, lowering his eyes to look at me with a light smile.

When I was still in the capital, I had worried that Xiao Huan’s health might not withstand the strain of the frontlines. Now that I had arrived to see, the situation indeed wasn’t much better than I had imagined.

Last night’s intermittent coughing, and today since getting up until noon, apart from reluctantly taking medicine under my watchful eye, he couldn’t eat much either. When I pressed him with the bowl, he would just lower his head to cover his mouth and cough softly, making me not dare to push anymore.

So in the afternoon while Kumor sat in the tent handling official business, I pestered Xiao Huan who was on a couch to the side, holding a bowl of snow pear and red date soup, scooping up a spoonful to cool and offer: “Come on, Brother Xiao, have another bite, it’s sweet.”

Though he had no appetite, Xiao Huan had never refused food I brought to his mouth with a spoon. Without moving his eyes from the memorial in his hand, he nodded with a light “mm” and opened his mouth to take the soup.

Encouraged, I immediately perked up, quickly scooping up a large, softly stewed red date to put in his mouth: “Brother Xiao, have another red date!”

Seeing the commotion I was making over here, Kumor looked up with amusement: “Cangcang, if he doesn’t want to eat then let it be, don’t make him vomit later – that would be more worrying.”

“It’s just two spoonfuls of soup, and I specifically asked for it to be made refreshing, it’ll be fine!” I replied somewhat guiltily, clearing my throat.

“I’m just saying, as long as you don’t force too much on him it’s fine.” Continuing to look at his documents, Kumor responded with a smile.

As we were speaking, Xiao Huan suddenly made an “ugh” sound beside me, raising his hand to cover his mouth.

I nearly lost my soul in fright, pouncing over: “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! What’s wrong?”

Xiao Huan’s brows furrowed slightly, and after a moment, his expression was still strange: “That date just now, the pit wasn’t cleaned out properly.”

A false alarm – Kumor and I both sighed in relief. The camp’s cooks naturally wouldn’t be as meticulous as imperial chefs; that red date I had just put in Xiao Huan’s mouth still had the pit inside.

Coming back to my senses, I quickly brought over an empty plate: “Brother Xiao, spit it here.”

Kumor sighed dramatically from over there: “Little Bai, please don’t scare people unnecessarily, alright? Do you know that others get all anxious at your slightest movement?”

After spitting the date pit into the empty plate I had brought, Xiao Huan said languidly: “To make the Great Khan of Jurchen anxious for me, I’m truly humbled.”

“Little Bai…” Kumor instantly put on an expression of pain, “Haven’t I been anxious for you every moment these eleven years?”

Long used to their loving glances routine, I completely ignored Kumor, continuing to scoop up a spoonful of soup: “Brother Xiao, can you eat more? Have another bite?”

On this peaceful late autumn afternoon, the three of us bantered back and forth. In the central army tent, this tranquility before the great battle was quite nice indeed.