After the polo tournament began, the front hall of the Shuang clan fortress was lit brightly every night. Prince Qin hosted banquets each evening to entertain the honored guests from the various kingdoms.

Tonight was no exception—but the person seated in the host’s place was the Princess Consort, and Prince Qin had not appeared at all. When guests inquired about his injury from that day, the Princess Consort said he had cracked two ribs, but fortunately it was not serious. On the physician’s orders he was resting quietly tonight and was unable to receive visitors; she asked for their understanding.

The guests, hearing this explanation from the Princess Consort, let out a breath of relief. They all said it was perfectly fine—of course Prince Qin’s recovery came first.

The next day, the competition continued, yet Prince Qin still did not appear. It was the Princess Consort who sat in his place on the high platform. That day she was beautifully dressed and splendidly attired, chatting and laughing with those around her, appearing to be in fine spirits. Even so, this could not prevent all manner of speculation from quietly spreading—especially at that evening’s banquet, when Li Xuandu again failed to appear. Though the Princess Consort remained perfectly composed in her explanations, saying Prince Qin was merely feeling slightly unwell, the rumors could not be contained before the banquet had even ended.

The blow from the horse’s hoof that Prince Qin had suffered that day was in fact quite serious—he had sustained internal injuries. It was said that when he returned he immediately began vomiting blood, and had been extremely weak these past two days, spending most of his time in a half-conscious stupor, which was why he was unable to show his face. The Princess Consort, fearing this news would cause harm to the Protectorate, had come out personally to manage things and was trying to conceal it.

Very soon, those seated on the high platform heard this news one by one.

Some grew deeply anxious, worrying whether the situation that had only just begun to improve might change because of Prince Qin’s sudden injury. Others were wildly excited, secretly dispatching people to swiftly relay the news outward.

However, on the surface, since the Protectorate was trying to keep it concealed and the Princess Consort was still calmly continuing to socialize on Prince Qin’s behalf as if nothing were wrong—before the matter had any definitive outcome, how could the kings, princes, and nobles who had come at the invitation dare let their true thoughts show? So even though Prince Qin had not appeared again, the polo tournament was not affected in the slightest by news of his injury. Each day, according to plan, with the Princess Consort presiding, the matches proceeded one by one. The polo field was also packed and roaring with people every day; the spectators below were captivated by the thrilling, fiercely fought matches, utterly enthralled.

Three days later, Shen Yang received a report back from the scouts he had sent out.

Hufeng had moved five thousand cavalry out the previous night and was heading toward Shuang clan city.

Evidently he too had received news of Li Xuandu’s injury and wanted to seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack and catch Li Xuandu completely off guard.

This news did not stir the slightest sense of anticipation in Shen Yang. On the contrary, the feeling of foreboding in his heart grew even stronger.

The sky had gone completely dark. The daytime clamor of the polo field had faded away. He stood alone in a dark corner, the thick darkness of night swallowing his figure entirely.

He gazed at the fortress ahead of him.

This heavily fortified structure was the same as the nights before—though the hour was late, the front hall was still blazing with light. Even at such a distance, he could hear the sounds of banquet music drifting over from within.

Tonight was still a night of songs and merriment. The people here seemed entirely unaware that several hundred li away, their enemy—that powerful cavalry force from a foreign people—was driving through the night toward this very place.

Iron hooves and blood would sweep this splendor away entirely.

Shen Yang’s mind turned once more over everything he had personally witnessed over these past few days.

After securing a series of initial victories and firmly establishing his footing, Li Xuandu had summoned the Western Regions kingdoms here and opened the polo tournament. He had been conspicuous at every turn, his authority overawing all directions. After he was injured, she had done everything in her power to conceal it, not shrinking from appearing in public, stepping in for her husband and continuing to entertain the many guests. She was adept and charming. On the surface, everything appeared unchanged from before—but news of Li Xuandu’s serious injury had spread underground without being traced to any source, finally reaching Hufeng’s ears. Hufeng dispelled his doubts, decided to make use of this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, and sent out his troops to mount a surprise attack…

It all seemed perfectly natural and logical.

Shen Yang recalled again the scene of that day—after Li Xuandu was injured and left the field, she had climbed the high platform and spoken, stabilizing the situation.

He closed his eyes and drove her image from his mind. Suddenly, the fog before him seemed to lift along with it.

It was as though he had finally figured out where something was wrong.

He could not penetrate the circle around Li Xuandu, and knew little about the man—but one thing he was certain of.

Li Xuandu was by nature never this conspicuous.

Yet in this matter, he was like a different person entirely.

It was not that he could not summon the Western Regions kingdoms to gather here for a polo tournament at a time like this—but this particular timing was not necessary.

And yet Li Xuandu, whose conduct had always been low-key, had this time spared no expense in manpower and resources to bring the people of the Western Regions kingdoms here.

Was his purpose truly nothing more than to trumpet his military achievements and overawe all quarters?

That did not fit his style.

Which left only one other possibility.

This was merely a smoke screen—using the grand occasion as cover to achieve some true objective that he could not allow others to know.

Shen Yang’s eyes snapped open. Everything fell into place at once.

After bringing the central route of the Western Regions under his control, the next enemy Li Xuandu urgently needed to deal with was Hufeng. And Hufeng commanded more than ten thousand iron cavalry; in a direct confrontation, Li Xuandu—who could only call upon the combined forces of the various kingdoms—would be at a severe disadvantage. So this grand occasion must be part of his plan to deal with Hufeng.

Reasoning along these lines, his injury that day could also be boldly inferred to have been a deliberate scheme to lull Hufeng into complacency.

The Aqini kingdom had ties to Hufeng that could not be cut loose. Though now, due to geography, they had publicly pledged allegiance along with the other kingdoms, everyone knew that in secret their hearts were still with Hufeng.

So the single most unexpected point of his entire plan was that he had used the Aqini prince as the instrument of his “injury.”

Shen Yang admitted that this was precisely why, at the scene that day, even he himself had been deceived. He had assumed Li Xuandu was genuinely injured by accident and had not considered any other possibility for a moment.

Equally, it was surely this very point that had completely put Hufeng’s doubts to rest—convincing him this was a golden opportunity, which was why Hufeng had moved decisively to send his troops here on a surprise raid.

Now everything was clear.

If his deduction was correct, at the moment she had taken the stage in place of her “injured” husband to speak to the crowd, and then stepped in for him on the polo field—captivating every person in the place with her brilliance—Li Xuandu must already have used that very opportunity to slip away.

He could already foresee what awaited Hufeng.

He had awakened too late. Even if he sent someone to warn them right now, it was already too late to change the outcome.

The Western Regions were truly a treasure land for Li Xuandu.

He was taken aback at how well Li Xuandu was thriving here—that his power could expand so swiftly. This was something he had not anticipated. But from another perspective, if Li Xuandu truly succeeded in this battle in removing the Eastern Di Grand Commander’s office as well, and then continued to push his power northward—there was surely someone who would suffer far more than himself.

That person was Li Chengyu, the Emperor of the Li dynasty.

So let Li Xuandu grow great in the Western Regions—the greater, the better. Once his momentum grew large enough to make Li Chengyu uneasy, only then would these still waters be stirred into turbulence, and only then could he himself find the opportunity he sought within that chaos.

Besides, the purpose of his journey beyond the pass had never been to obstruct Li Xuandu.

He was heading north—he knew that there, at this moment, something was happening, something that, if properly exploited, would be enough to disrupt all of Li Xuandu’s plans. And the reason he had taken such a roundabout detour to come here first, traveling ten thousand li out of his way, was nothing more than a certain impulse he couldn’t quite explain even to himself—perhaps, purely out of curiosity, wanting to see with his own eyes how she and Li Xuandu were faring.

Shen Yang deliberated for a moment, then decided not to linger any further. He would leave that very night and proceed to his original destination.

He slowly exhaled the stale air that had been sitting in his chest, cast one last glance at the fortress where she was, hesitated no more, turned away, and his figure swiftly vanished into the darkness of the night.

That night, not only for Shen Yang but for many others besides him, it was a sleepless night.

Pu Zhu, after days of waiting, finally received good news on this night.

Hufeng had indeed taken the bait. He had personally led his troops on a raid the previous night.

What would unfold next along the way—she was not under Li Xuandu’s command and could not witness it firsthand, but she could imagine it perfectly.

He had long since laid this net, waiting for the other side to walk into it. How could he possibly let the big fish slip away?

She was exhilarated.

This was the first time she had felt, truly and fully, that she was fighting side by side with him—watching victory slowly being gripped tighter and tighter in the palm of their hands, step by step.

That feeling was wonderful beyond words—far more than mere exhilaration. She felt a joy she had never known in either of her lifetimes—joy at having been able to help him.

She spent the whole night without sleep, yet the next day she felt not the slightest fatigue; on the contrary, her spirits were more radiant than ever.

This was the final day of the grand occasion. After days of fierce elimination matches, the two polo teams that had fought their way through to the end—Boluoguo and Shache—were to play the championship match.

The weather that day was perfect—clear and cloudless, the blue sky pure and limpid as a flawless gem. As she had done in the previous days, Pu Zhu ascended the high platform amid a wave of cheers, received the greetings of those assembled, and declared the match open.

On the polo field, the two teams threw everything they had into competing for glory—but many of those seated on the platform had their own preoccupations and were not genuinely watching the match.

Seated beside Pu Zhu were the Boluoguo king and the Shache king.

Though there was someone from his own side on the field below, the Boluoguo king was somewhat distracted.

Prince Qin had not shown his face since the day of his injury. Though the Princess Consort had repeatedly stressed that his injury was not serious, today was already the last day, and he still had not appeared. The Boluoguo king remembered the rumor and could not help feeling anxious.

He looked at the Princess Consort—she was watching the match below—and after some hesitation, finally could not resist testing the waters: “Several days without seeing His Highness—I wonder how his spirits are today? Yesterday I went to pay my respects, but was unable to see His Highness’s face. I am very concerned.”

Pu Zhu turned to look at him and smiled: “His Highness is perfectly fine—only it is inconvenient for him to see visitors these past few days. Everything will be as it was before; nothing will change. Your Majesty need not worry. Just watch the match—don’t you see the brave players on the field displaying exceptional skill, each striving with all their might? If we miss it today, who knows when we’ll get another chance to see something like it.”

The Boluoguo king, seeing her expression calm and her tone assured, giving a sense of composed certainty, seemed to be infected by it. Though a trace of doubt still lingered at the bottom of his heart, he was considerably more at ease than a moment before. He did not dare ask further, offered a few words of agreement, then fell silent and joined her in watching the polo match.

Their exchange was entirely overheard by the Shache king, who was seated on the other side.

He maintained a composed expression, repeatedly applauding and cheering for the skillful shots on the field below—but his thoughts were running constantly.

Unlike the Boluoguo king who hoped for Li Xuandu’s well-being, his own private wishes did not favor peace and stability coming to the Western Regions. He preferred to return to the chaotic state that had existed before Li Xuandu’s arrival; only in such chaos would he have the opportunity to annex others and grow powerful. Otherwise, Shache would forever remain nothing more than a small kingdom on the southern route, obliged to obey the Protectorate’s orders.

He had complete faith in the news of Prince Qin’s serious injury.

If he were at all able to show his face, he could not possibly have stayed out of sight day after day while rumors ran rampant.

This Princess Consort was still too young. No matter how brilliantly she tried to paper things over, she could not hope to deceive him.

He speculated that the Aqini king must have relayed the news to the Eastern Di Grand Commander Hufeng. Hufeng could not possibly let slip such a heaven-sent opportunity. If his conjecture was correct, Hufeng’s forces were perhaps already on their way here at this very moment. Even if there was some defensive preparation on this side, the Protectorate was no match for Hufeng in terms of strength to begin with, and now Li Xuandu was injured. With no one at the helm to lead, caught completely off guard—how could they possibly withstand an attack within just a few short days?

He seemed already to see the scene he had been hoping for. His heart swelled with excitement, and he could not resist turning around to glance toward a corner of the high platform.

The Aqini king was seated there.

But he looked over and found only empty air.

The seat was still there, but the person who should have been sitting in it was nowhere to be found—it sat conspicuously vacant.

The Shache king was gripped by uncertainty and couldn’t stop himself from glancing back repeatedly.

Pu Zhu had been observing the Shache king’s reactions all along. Seeing him look in that direction yet again, she said suddenly: “Your Majesty, are you looking for the Aqini king?”

The Shache king started, hurriedly denied it, and turned back around.

“How are Your Majesty’s relations with him normally?” Pu Zhu asked again.

The Shache king immediately replied: “I have had no dealings with him at all.”

Pu Zhu smiled slightly: “Good that you haven’t.”

The Shache king heard her suddenly address him with these two seemingly pointed remarks, and didn’t dare look back again. He pretended to watch the match with full attention—but inwardly he was alarmed and unsettled. Just as he was speculating about where the Aqini king had gone, he suddenly heard a commotion rise from the direction behind the high platform, faintly mingled with what sounded like the Aqini king’s voice. He could no longer hold himself back, and leapt to his feet to go look.

The Aqini king was at that moment in a state of utter terror.

By his calculations, at the very latest, Hufeng’s forces should have attacked here last night. Yet the night had passed without incident, and now half of today had gone by as well with still no movement. Sitting in his place, he had been growing increasingly agitated and gradually more frightened. Seeing that the Princess Consort ahead was speaking with the Boluoguo king and did not seem to be paying attention to him, he had risen on the pretext of needing to attend to personal needs, intent on fleeing at once. But scarcely had he descended from the high platform, with a few of his close personal attendants, before he had gone very far, when the Protectorate’s men cut him off.

He recognized the man with the scar on his face—knew him to be one of Prince Qin’s subordinates. He saw the man approach and use an interpreter to ask where he was going. Knowing his premonition had come true and that things had gone badly wrong, he turned and tried to flee, calling loudly for his personal soldiers to protect him as he ran, and shouting at the people around the polo field: “Li Xuandu is gravely injured! The Grand Commander is about to come here! If you value your life, come with me and run quickly! Don’t wait until it’s too late—it’ll be a dead end!”

He had barely finished shouting when he yanked a man who happened to be passing nearby on horseback from his horse, mounted it himself, and fled in a panic. He had barely galloped a few dozen paces when an arrow struck him in the back. With a cry of pain he tumbled from the horse, was seized by the pursuing Protectorate soldiers, bound hand and foot, and dragged before the Princess Consort.

His attendants had shouted alongside him a moment ago and had already alarmed those on the polo field. Word spread from one to ten, from ten to a hundred. The polo match halted. When the crowd saw him being dragged over bound, everyone surged in around him, buzzing with discussion.

Though the Aqini king was bound, he was still writhing furiously on the ground, screaming at the kings on the platform with all the strength his voice had left: “Don’t believe this woman! Li Xuandu is done for! If he were unharmed, he would have come out to see you long ago—why would he hide himself away and push this woman forward to keep things together? I’ll tell you the truth: the Grand Commander’s forces are already on their way. He will arrive very soon and level Shuang clan city to the ground! As the Han people say, only the wise know which way the wind blows. Seize this woman right now and come over to the Grand Commander’s side with me! With my relationship with the Grand Commander, I can certainly secure a pardon for you…”

Ye Xiao shoved a gag into his mouth.

The kings, seeing him unable to speak yet still making muffled sounds and struggling wildly, were alarmed. They were also afraid his words were true. If Hufeng attacked, things would be dire.

Everyone looked at one another, shaken with doubt and uncertainty.

Ye Xiao quickly mounted the high platform and gave the Princess Consort a bow, asking how to deal with the Aqini king.

Pu Zhu remained seated in her place, her expression calm.

She glanced at the Aqini king still uselessly writhing on the ground, then turned and signaled for the Shache king to come over.

The Shache king did not dare refuse. With everyone’s eyes on him, he had no choice but to go. He walked over and found her looking directly at him as she said: “This man pledged allegiance to Prince Qin, yet secretly colluded with Hufeng, harboring treacherous intentions. A moment ago he caused a public scene, attempting to drive a wedge between the Protectorate and the various kings. Though I would like to execute him on the spot to make the matter clear, Prince Qin is not here, and this is a weighty matter. I cannot make the decision alone. I have heard that Your Majesty is regarded as the foremost leader among the kings of the Western Regions, and that in the past you summoned the kingdoms to serve your purposes—the rumors do you justice. So I wish to ask your counsel on this matter: should this man be executed or not?”

The Shache king had not expected this Princess Consort to throw such a thorny problem into his lap.

If he said he should not be executed, he would be openly opposing the Princess Consort and the Prince Qin and the Protectorate she represented.

If he said he should be executed, then from that day forward he would never again be able to command the other kingdoms as he once had. After all, though the Aqini king’s heart leaned toward the Eastern Di, of all the kingdoms assembled here—aside from the likes of Khotan, Boluoguo, and those few—which ones were not simply going whichever way the wind blew, guided by self-interest? Execute the Aqini king, and out of sympathy they would all question how to regard him.

He froze, unable to speak.

“What is it—does Your Majesty believe I should not execute him?”

The tone of the woman seated opposite him had suddenly turned cold.

The Shache king could already see many Protectorate soldiers armed with bows and spears closing in from all four sides below the platform. A cold sweat broke across his back. He gritted his teeth and said: “The Princess Consort’s words are entirely correct! He deserves to die ten times over!”

Pu Zhu smiled, inclined her head slightly, then turned and gave Ye Xiao the order: execute him on the spot, then cut off his head and hang it from a pole for public display.

Ye Xiao carried out the sentence himself. He commanded soldiers to hold down the Aqini king, who struggled with everything he had. A single stroke of the blade took the head. He then called for someone to carry the head up a flagpole beside the polo field and hang it there.

Blood dripped steadily down from above. The faces of those watching went pale, and the whole field fell utterly silent. At that moment, the Princess Consort rose from her seat and smiled: “The traitor within has been eliminated. There is no need for further concern. I say it once more—Prince Qin is unharmed. Please do not worry on his account. Come, sit with me and continue watching the polo match. We must not let down the brave players on the field!”

Her words concluded, she sat back down first. The others on the platform exchanged glances, suppressed the fright in their hearts, and followed her lead back to their seats. Someone relayed her command to the field, and before long the match that had been interrupted resumed and at last reached its end—Boluoguo was victorious.

The Princess Consort smiled warmly and offered her congratulations to the Boluoguo king beside her.

The Boluoguo king still had not fully recovered his composure. He managed to produce a smile and was about to offer a modest response—when suddenly a sound reached his ears: something like the thundering of ten thousand horses, rumbling faintly in the distance. He turned to look in the direction of the sound and, far off above the city gate, saw a cloud of yellow dust billowing into the sky. A large body of cavalry appeared to be galloping this way at full speed.

He instantly recalled the Aqini king’s words. His first thought was that Hufeng’s iron cavalry had arrived. He was so terrified the color drained from his face, his legs went weak, and he nearly couldn’t stand.

Those on the platform also sensed something unusual. Faces tense, they surged to the front of the platform, eyes wide, staring at the direction from which the plume of dust was rising.

Pu Zhu slowly rose from her seat and squinted her eyes, gazing ahead. After a moment, she saw a Protectorate centurion galloping hard from the direction of the Shuang clan city gate. His figure grew steadily larger. Arriving before the polo field, he called out from a great distance in a loud voice: “Report to the Princess Consort! Prince Qin has won a great victory! He has taken Hufeng’s head! He has sent it ahead specially to present it at the grand occasion in celebration!”

Ye Xiao spurred his horse and galloped out to receive it. He took the head in hand and, gripping it, rode at full speed around the polo field once to display it to all present. He then called for men to carry this newly arrived head up the flagpole as well and hang it alongside the other.

A moment later, two heads hung side by side in midair, swaying in the wind.

Everyone on the platform and below—several thousand in all—looked on with perfect clarity. The owner of this newly hung head was none other than the Eastern Di Grand Commander Hufeng, who had once been supreme and untouchable in the Western Regions. But now, that head had its eyes clenched shut, its face streaked with blood—nothing remained of the man’s former dominance except wretchedness and ruin.

The Boluoguo king erupted in a surge of wild joy, then let out a long, slow breath. Only then did he feel that his legs had gone completely soft and he could no longer stand. He collapsed back into his seat.

The whole field was silent for a moment—then, from somewhere, no one could say quite where, a cry of triumph broke out. The crowd below surged like a tide toward the high platform, paying their respects to the Princess Consort. Those on the platform also came before her one by one, competing to flatter and pay court. Above and below the platform, all was jubilation—

Night fell again.

When Pu Zhu finally freed herself from everything outside and made her way back to the rear of the fortress, she recalled the sight of those two blood-soaked heads hanging together—and there, still walking through the maze passage, she could not hold back. A wave of nausea hit her and she bent over and retched against the wall. Luo Bao, who was with her, was thoroughly frightened, quickly moved to support her, and patted her on the back.

Pu Zhu finished bringing up what she had eaten at the banquet earlier that evening and finally felt somewhat better. She leaned against the wall and took the handkerchief Luo Bao held out to wipe her lips.

Luo Bao was genuinely worried: “Princess Consort, what’s wrong? You were perfectly fine and then you were sick? Is there somewhere you’re not feeling well?”

Pu Zhu shook her head: “I’m fine. It’s just that I thought of those two severed heads just now and felt some discomfort.”

Luo Bao understood and let out a sigh of relief: “Me too! They were truly revolting to look at! These past days have probably worn the Princess Consort out as well. Please go rest quickly—wait in peace for His Highness to return.”

The centurion a short while ago had also brought an oral message from Li Xuandu, saying he intended to press the advantage and lead his troops north to destroy the Grand Commander’s seat. He told her not to worry and to wait peacefully for his return.

Pu Zhu nodded. She was just about to take a step when Luo Bao rushed forward to support her.

“It has been a long time since this servant was able to attend to the Princess Consort—allow me to help you inside!”

Pu Zhu smiled.

Her nerves had been taut for days on end, and now that they had suddenly relaxed, she did indeed feel somewhat tired. So she let him support her and walked on into the fortress.