After a night of revelry, on the day of the Clear Snow Festival, all of Lu City’s citizens began their ancestral worship ceremonies. The atmosphere was more solemn than the previous day, and it was on this day that two major events occurred in Lu City.
One of these events was the escape of a prisoner from Lu City’s dungeon.
Lu City’s prison was built exceptionally secure, as it regularly housed the North’s most dangerous criminals. The guards were strict, and after Li Shuang entered the city, she directly assigned Changfeng Camp soldiers to guard the cells to prevent serious offenders from escaping during times of war.
Yet despite all these layers of security, that long-haired man with delicate features and luxurious clothing had somehow escaped from the dungeon.
Not only did he escape, but he also left behind a letter addressed specifically to Li Shuang, which read: “The dungeon is somewhat different from what I imagined—too dark, and I’m not used to it. I’ve left early, and I apologize for any inconvenience. Please forgive my departure.”
The tone was sincere as if an old friend bidding farewell…
Li Shuang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The fact that he left a letter meant that he hadn’t just escaped from the dungeon—he had escaped, purchased writing materials, written a letter, returned to the dungeon to place it inside, and then escaped again. He had broken out twice in one night, suggesting his martial arts skills must be unfathomably deep.
This confirmed that the person she had seen in the alley last night must have been that mysterious well-dressed man.
Li Shuang couldn’t fathom what this person intended in the bitter cold of the northern border. But just as she ordered a search for him, the second major event occurred.
Crown Prince Sima Yang, ahead of his main force, was arriving in Lu City, expected shortly after noon.
Upon receiving this news, Li Shuang immediately mustered troops, ordering all commanders and guards to await outside Lu City’s gates to respectfully welcome the Crown Prince.
Jin An, who had been moving among the guards these days, followed behind them today. Being small in stature, he stood at the back of the crowd unnoticed. He had no interest in paying attention to others, his gaze piercing through the crowd to rest on Li Shuang, who stood at the very front.
He observed Li Shuang gazing at the vast northern sky, her expression deep in thought, lips slightly pursed as if suppressing some emotion. Jin An was puzzled—was she unhappy? Why?
Luo Teng, Li Shuang’s deputy commander, stood two steps behind her alongside Qin Lan. At noon, Luo Teng’s stomach growled loudly. Being a rough man, he rubbed his belly and complained, “Why does the Crown Prince have to arrive at mealtime…”
Qin Lan rebuked him: “Do you not want to keep your head?”
Luo Teng touched his neck and sighed. “In this freezing weather, who knows when the Crown Prince will arrive? I’ve been standing here so long my feet are numb.” He glanced at Li Shuang. “General, we left in such a hurry I forgot my cloak. I’m freezing—may I go back and get something to wear?”
“Go ahead.”
“Ah good—shall I bring your cloak as well, General?”
Li Shuang paused before answering: “Yes, bring it.”
Usually, Li Shuang would avoid such trouble, but today she felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen. Having lived in the borderlands for so long, the cold had settled in her body, and frequent horse riding and fighting had made her monthly cycle irregular. It often wouldn’t come for several months, and when it did, it only lasted two or three days—but those days were filled with unbearable pain, starting the day before and lingering for days after it ended.
All her commanders were rough men, and she never felt comfortable speaking of such pains. Every few months she would simply endure it until it passed, but this time it happened to start just as Sima Yang was arriving…
Sima Yang had always been perceptive, and if he noticed, it would be embarrassing. Li Shuang asked Luo Teng to bring her cloak hoping the warmth might ease the pain enough for her to get through this.
Shortly after Luo Teng returned with the cloaks, dust clouds appeared on the distant official road as several riders galloped toward Lu City. Hoofbeats thundered as they crossed the small hill ahead, charging straight toward them. When they were about thirty paces from Li Shuang, the lead rider suddenly reined in his horse, which let out a spirited neigh as it reared up.
The noon sun was directly overhead, arriving seemed to stand within the sun itself, dazzling to behold. Li Shuang unconsciously narrowed her eyes.
As the horse’s hooves touched down, the man in purple-red formal robes sat tall in his saddle. His hair was slightly disheveled, his face bearing traces of weariness from the long journey, but this did not diminish the authority in his bearing. Upon seeing Li Shuang, that stern authority softened somewhat.
He gazed at her as he dismounted and approached. Before he could speak, Li Shuang suddenly bowed deeply: “Changfeng Camp Commander Li Shuang pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Sima Yang’s half-extended hand froze in mid-air before withdrawing: “Shuang… General Li, you’re too formal. Please rise.”
Li Shuang stood and respectfully stepped aside: “Your Highness must be weary. Please enter the city and rest.”
Sima Yang watched Li Shuang in silence. As he remained quiet, no one else dared move. Finally, seeing Li Shuang’s lips quiver slightly, Sima Yang’s gaze deepened, and he turned to enter the city, with the commanders and guards parting to either side.
However, after just a few steps, Sima Yang stopped.
A child stood blocking his path, looking up at him without servility or ceremony, showing not the slightest hint of proper etiquette.
Li Shuang, following behind Sima Yang, saw this and frowned slightly: “Jin An.” Jin An immediately turned to look back at her. Li Shuang instructed him, “Pay your respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Jin An frowned: “Why should I bow to him?”
At these words, the soldiers at the city gate all froze for a moment. The Crown Prince’s guards immediately glared sharply and rebuked: “How dare you!”
Li Shuang, protective of her own, cleared her throat and explained: “Your Highness, this is an orphan we found in the borderlands. The north is rough, and we haven’t had time to educate him properly. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness for his lack of manners.”
Sima Yang looked back at her: “You found him?”
“Yes.”
Sima Yang’s lips twitched slightly, his tone teasing: “His temperament is somewhat similar to yours when you were young.” His familiar tone made Li Shuang suddenly recall many years ago when her father had brought her to the General’s mansion. The first time she met the then-young Crown Prince, she had offended him even more severely than Jin An just had…
She had punched Sima Yang hard in the stomach, leaving him unable to eat properly for several days. Fortunately, the current Emperor was magnanimous and didn’t hold it against a child. Afterward, she and Sima Yang became friends through their conflicts, growing up together while keeping each other in check, right up until now.
Thinking of the past, Li Shuang’s deliberately cold expression warmed slightly.
Seeing this, Sima Yang’s smile deepened: “Since he’s your found child, you can make amends for his offense.” Without giving Li Shuang a chance to respond, he stepped forward and reached out to pat Jin An’s head, but unexpectedly missed.
Sima Yang raised an eyebrow. “Trained, are you?”
Jin An didn’t want to answer him, only saying: “I don’t like you. Stay away from me. This is the first warning—next time…”
“Jin An.” Li Shuang cut him off immediately. She rubbed her temples. “Come here.” Jin An obediently walked over, and Li Shuang took his hand, speaking softly: “Be good, don’t speak.”
Sima Yang found it amusing, assuming Li Shuang had grown lonely in the borderlands and taken in a child to dote on. He let the matter drop and turned to enter the city.
After Sima Yang left, Li Shuang crouched down to speak with Jin An: “I don’t care about others, and even I don’t matter but don’t speak to him like that, understand?”
“Why?” Jin An frowned. “Are you afraid of him?” His expression suddenly cooled. “I’ll help you kill—”
“Shh!” Li Shuang’s expression turned severe. “Anyone else might be acceptable, but you cannot be presumptuous before him. While he’s in Lu City, just stay away from him, and don’t say such things again.”
Jin An’s brow furrowed deeply: “Why?”
Li Shuang stroked his head. “Be good, just listen to me.” Because he was the ruler, and they were subjects. She could protect Jin An from others, but against this son of heaven—if he ordered death, she would have no way to keep Jin An safe.
Jin An silently watched Li Shuang, and seeing the determination in her eyes, he held back his words and remained silent.
Li Shuang took his silence as agreement and called for guards to escort him back to camp. She then led the remaining commanders, along with Luo Teng and Qin Lan, into the city.