Jiang Xuanjin quietly stared at the four characters, his dark eyes blinking slowly. It wasn’t easy; back when he taught her calligraphy at Feiyun Palace, it took months without her to write a single character properly. Yet these four characters were written neatly, stroke by stroke.
It truly meant she missed him.
Feeling a slight ache in his heart, he closed the letter and placed it back neatly in the letter box.
“Master, ink, and brush,” Chengxu thoughtfully brought the items to him, placing them by his side, expecting him to write a reply that could be sent immediately.
However, Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes and waved his hand, “No need.”
Chengxu was taken aback.
Lifting the tent flap, Jiang Xuanjin looked at the soldiers assembled on the ground. The last battle had left many wounded, and the army’s medical supplies were insufficient. Many who were only lightly injured never woke up after sleeping. On the way to Cangju Mountain, they buried countless of their own.
The chaos in Northern Wei, and the suffering of the people, were not the time for personal affairs.
“Your Majesty,” Yufeng returned from outside, frowning, “A letter from the Liu army.”
In warfare, the highest strategy is to attack the enemy’s plans, then their alliances, then their army, and lastly their cities. He and Liu Yunlie had been secretly competing, and he had wanted to talk, but Liu Yunlie had always refused negotiations. Now that he had taken the initiative to send a letter, Jiang Xuanjin naturally had to accept it.
After carefully reading the letter, he said, “Go invite General Jiuwu to accompany me to the pavilion halfway up the mountain.”
Chengxu was worried, “Your Majesty is going personally?”
“With the vanguard camp scouting ahead, what do I have to fear?” Jiang Xuanjin donned his armor, “Besides, I’ve known Liu Yunlie for many years. I know how he operates.”
Liu Yunlie wouldn’t use such a ruse to deceive him, knowing it wouldn’t work. So if he said he wanted to meet, he would attend the meeting properly.
The mountain wind was strong, and even in May, Cangju Mountain remained cool. Liu Yunlie had prepared a tea set in the pavilion halfway up the mountain, pouring water with his sleeves gathered, looking particularly leisurely. If it weren’t for the soldiers behind him, Jiang Xuanjin might have thought he was just a young master resting after a tiring climb.
“It’s been a while, and Ziyang Jun’s demeanor hasn’t diminished a bit,” Liu Yunlie smiled as he saw him approach, “This journey has left me quite disheveled.”
“Captain Liu is modest,” Jiang Xuanjin replied indifferently, sitting down in the pavilion, “The previous battle on the mountain path was truly impressive.”
The emperor had fled to Fengyi, and Liu Yunlie had declared himself the commander of ten thousand troops. Although his men called him this, hearing it from Jiang Xuanjin’s mouth, Liu Yunlie felt a hint of mockery.
Setting down his teacup, he said, “Let’s speak frankly, Your Majesty. In our conflict, it’s the soldiers of Northern Wei who suffer. Why don’t we cease fighting and join forces to drive back Xiliang?”
Jiang Xuanjin glanced at him.
Liu Yunlie smiled earnestly, “We can’t let Xiliang reap the benefits.”
Tapping his fingers on the stone table, Jiang Xuanjin said, “If I recall correctly, Captain Liu’s sister is married to a general of Xiliang.”
“Ah, don’t mention it,” Liu Yunlie’s smile faded, frowning, “The marriage alliance was the emperor’s decision, and I couldn’t stop it. Now that Xiliang has invaded Wei, everyone calls me a traitor, but who knows my pain? My sister is young and committed to her marriage. She refused to return home, and in my anger, I severed ties with her. She turned and went straight to Xiliang.”
The wind blew, scattering a few strands of Liu Yunlie’s black hair, adding a touch of desolation to his face.
“I was born a man of Northern Wei, and I’ll die with its soul. I can’t bear to see Northern Wei occupied by Xiliang!”
His words were full of passion, and Jiuwu behind him almost wanted to applaud.
A glimmer of light flashed in Jiang Xuanjin’s dark eyes, quickly dimming. He pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
Liu Yunlie knew him well. Seeing his expression, he knew he had been persuaded and quickly said, “I intended to escort the emperor to Lidu, but he insisted I send troops to assist Xiliang in capturing the capital. I refused, so he took Consort Ning to Fengyi. Otherwise, why do you think the emperor parted ways with me?”
This was convincing. Jiang Xuanjin nodded slightly, asking, “How does the captain propose we join forces?”
Liu Yunlie laid out a prepared map on the table, pointing out, “The capital is surrounded, and we’re both east of it. If Xiliang turns back, Your Majesty will be attacked from both sides. Instead, if we cease fighting, Ziyang’s army can return to the capital from the Changhuai River, and I’ll lead my men from Luoshui. We’ll meet on the outskirts of the capital and assist Lord Changlin and others in driving away Xiliang’s fifty thousand troops.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s eyes brightened, and he nodded, “Agreed.”
Liu Yunlie was overjoyed, placing his insignia on the table, “Let’s exchange tokens as proof.”
Jiang Xuanjin touched his waist, where he carried a thick protective charm given by Huaiyu.
“My apologies,” he said, “My insignia was taken by two mischievous children.”
A crack appeared in Liu Yunlie’s warm smile.
Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth, “If Your Majesty wants to boast about your wife giving birth to twins, just say so.”
“How well-informed the captain is.”
Nonsense! On the day Li Huaiyu gave birth, this man went crazy, opening the granaries and distributing food. The whole of Northern Wei knew that Ziyang Jun had an extraordinary wife who bore twins in one go!
Is it impressive? The dignified Ziyang Jun, making such a fuss over a small matter, wasn’t he afraid of losing face? As if anyone would envy him, hmph, he certainly wouldn’t!
Veins bulged on his forehead. Liu Yunlie said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“It’s nothing significant,” Jiang Xuanjin replied with a light smile.
With a crack, the teacup in Liu Yunlie’s hand shattered.
Jiuwu looked at Liu Yunlie’s twisted face, thinking that this man, over thirty, still had no offspring. Alas, if he wanted to seize the world, it wouldn’t be easy. If something happened, he’d have no descendants.
The two talked for a long time in the mountain pavilion, exchanging words and hidden meanings, finally ending the conversation smoothly.
“See you in the capital,” Liu Yunlie smiled, cupping his fists.
Jiang Xuanjin returned the gesture and left with Jiuwu.
Liu Yunlie’s smile grew as he hurried down the mountain, muttering, “After all this time, it’s my turn to win.”
Cangju Mountain had the advantageous terrain occupied by Jiang Xuanjin. Attacking would cost him dearly, but luring him to the capital would be easy. Once there, Jiang Xuanjin would understand what it truly meant to be attacked from all sides!
“Did Ziyang Jun agree?” the strategist asked in surprise.
Liu Yunlie nodded with a smile, “He’s good in every way, just too trusting. The trap I set for him is perfect; he can’t avoid it.”
With the ceasefire, the pressure on his side eased significantly. He could comfortably prepare for the journey, enjoying at least a month of peace. Just thinking about it made him happy.
However, for some reason, the journey to the capital was plagued with bad luck. Several branch camps encountered ambushes. The attackers, claiming to be rebels, intercepted and devoured small detachments, then vanished without a trace.
Each time, only a few hundred men were lost, but the frequency annoyed Liu Yunlie. He found a city to regroup, waiting for the rest to catch up before continuing.
Reports indicated that Ziyang’s army was moving at a similar pace, expected to reach the outskirts of the capital three days after them.
Relieved, Liu Yunlie turned back to deal with the mysterious forces.
Upon reaching the outskirts, he was about to contact the nearby Xiliang army when suddenly, a large force surrounded them fifty miles east of the capital.
The thunderous drums stunned Liu Yunlie on his horse.
Historians of Northern Wei called this battle the “Battle of the Mantis” because Ziyang’s hundred thousand troops reached the capital with astonishing speed, successfully supporting Lord Changlin and Lord Nanping. Like a mantis catching a cicada, they swiftly devoured Xiliang’s thirty thousand siege troops, then turned to face Liu Yunlie, who thought he was the “sparrow.”
How Ziyang Jun accurately knew Liu’s army’s route remains unknown, but the battle lasted half a month, soaking the outskirts in blood. Ziyang Jun led by example, slaying seventy-eight heads with a long sword, greatly boosting morale.
This battle marked a turning point, with Xiliang and Liu Yunlie’s forces retreating step by step.
Li Huaiyu waited by the window, hoping for a letter from Jiang Xuanjin, but none came.
Feeling a bit aggrieved, her eyes reddened as she asked Qingsi, “Doesn’t he miss me at all?”
Qingsi combed her long hair with a comb, “The Lord must miss you.”
“Then why hasn’t he sent me a letter? Even a single word would do,” Huaiyu pouted, “I wake up every day hoping, hoping until night falls, but nothing…”
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. Hugging her knees, she sniffled, “I never knew waiting for someone could be so painful.”
Qingsi didn’t know how to comfort her, so she said, “Good news from the front, Xiliang is retreating.”
“And then?”
“…Then, the emperor wants to establish a new capital in Fengyi, but something’s blocking it.”
“What else?”
“…And your dress looks nice today,” Qingsi turned her head.
Li Huaiyu puffed her cheeks, angrily placing the little troublemaker and little rascal on the couch in a row.
“Listen, your father is a scoundrel!” she complained to her daughter and son, counting on her fingers, “He’s cold, easily angered, hard to appease, and he’s been gone for 672 hours! He used to bully your mother, didn’t love or care for me, and even wanted to kill me. Now that I’ve generously forgiven him, he won’t even send me a letter!”
The little rascal blinked at her, and the little troublemaker blew a bubble, looking innocent.
Qingsi was speechless, “Your Highness, isn’t this… inappropriate?”
“What’s inappropriate? I’m their mother, and what I say is right!” Huaiyu huffed, continuing her complaints, from Jiang Xuanjin not talking to her during meals to his arm pressing on her neck while sleeping.
Qingsi silently looked out the window, thinking it would be best if the Lord returned soon. If he delayed a few more years, the children might think their father was a terrible monster.
Lu Jingxing visited the Princess’s residence and was greeted by a resentful face.
He opened his fan and laughed, “The beauty rolls up the beaded curtain, sitting deep with furrowed brows. Seeing the tear stains, who knows whom the heart hates?”
Li Huaiyu spat, “Whoever bothers me, I hate them!”
Lu Jingxing: “…”
Women are truly unreasonable!
“How do you have time to visit?” Huaiyu eyed him, “Isn’t business busy?”
“Yes,” Lu Jingxing replied, “Thanks to the Lord, the situation has stabilized, and I find money is easy to make.”
Li Huaiyu rolled her eyes, “Only you, Master Lu, would say that.”
With war everywhere, business was tough, and many merchants went bankrupt. Only he dared to buy up shops when no one was interested, and when the situation stabilized, he raised prices, making money flow into his pockets, leaving others envious but helpless.
“Here, your Lord helped a lot, so I brought a gift in return,” Lu Jingxing waved, and someone behind him handed over a long sandalwood box, “Take it.”
Huaiyu glanced at it, finding a fine jade carving of a handsome person. The figure wore a fox fur cloak, held a string of prayer beads, and stood straight with dignity.
No need to say who it was; after a few looks, Li Huaiyu’s eyes reddened.
“Did you do this on purpose?” she gritted her teeth, “Knowing I miss him terribly, you bring this?”
“Hey, don’t get excited,” Lu Jingxing closed his fan, smiling, “This jade was blessed at Hanshan Temple. The abbot said it had a spirit. If you hold it for forty-nine days, the person carved will appear before you.”
Only a fool would believe such a lie!
Li Huaiyu stared for a long time, unable to resist asking, “Really?”
Lu Jingxing gave her a deep look and nodded, “Really.”
Clutching the jade carving, Huaiyu threatened, “If it’s fake, I’ll break your legs!”
Thus, Qingsi noticed her mistress no longer sighed daily but carried the jade carving everywhere, even to meals and sleep. She even tried to take it to the bathroom once, which Qingsi barely stopped.
Amused yet sympathetic, she felt a bit sorry.
Jiang Xuanjin held a brush, staring at the letter paper, hesitating for a long time.
“Master,” Chengxu reported, “Liu Yunlie has fled to Fengyi.”
Pausing slightly, he set down the brush and asked, “Can we catch him?”
Chengxu shook his head.
Liu Yunlie’s defeat was swift, pursued by various lords, yet he headed straight for Fengyi, unstoppable.
His eyes darkened, and Jiang Xuanjin remained silent for a long time.
Li Huailin was the legitimate emperor, holding the imperial seal, even without real power.
“Forget it,” he said, “Even if we can’t catch him, let’s go see.”