Han Yan hesitated before walking to his side and softly calling out: “Your Highness.”

Fu Yun Xi slightly raised his head to look at her. Those dark phoenix eyes were no longer as gentle as they usually were when facing her, holding something mysterious that Han Yan couldn’t quite understand. Under Fu Yun Xi’s gaze, Han Yan inexplicably felt nervous, though she didn’t know why – the feeling came too suddenly. Since Fu Yun Xi showed no intention of speaking, Han Yan could only clear her throat and ask: “You’re going to war soon?”

“Yes.” Fu Yun Xi’s reply carried no particular emotion – no regret, no feeling at all. Han Yan found it strange; Fu Yun Xi’s attitude seemed to have reverted to when they first met, maintaining distance, cold as ice. If this were Han Yan from her previous life, such inexplicably rude treatment would have left her deeply hurt. But now, Han Yan felt only confusion, nothing more.

“Why so soon?” she asked. “Wasn’t it supposed to be next year?”

Fu Yun Xi watched her quietly, sighing inwardly. This girl – this was her first concern? Not showing even a hint of sadness. Perhaps he was being presumptuous – did he occupy any place in this girl’s heart at all? Any other woman facing her beloved’s departure for war would either cry in sorrow or plead for him to stay. But Han Yan… neither seemed likely.

“Xi Rong is making major moves. We must end the war quickly,” he said.

Han Yan nodded, but her brows unconsciously furrowed. Even with Xi Rong making major moves, the Great Song Dynasty shouldn’t need to rush to war like this. Could something serious have happened? Even though the Great Song was wealthy and powerful, victory wasn’t guaranteed. Han Yan remembered the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt and the Zhuo Qi incident – they seemed to indicate traitors in the Great Song court collaborating with Xi Rong. With such internal and external threats, Great Song might not gain any advantage in war. Then wouldn’t Fu Yun Xi, as commander, be in great danger?

Han Yan secretly glanced at him, seeing him calmly drinking tea, his posture casual. Anger rose in her heart – had Fu Yun Xi thought about her at all before his deployment? He didn’t seem inclined to explain anything. Han Yan coldly asked: “Your Highness, with the expedition imminent, when am I to enter your household?”

She didn’t even use the term “your servant,” asking directly and without courtesy. If others heard this, they would be shocked – women were usually passive in marriage matters. What unmarried woman would so boldly ask a man: when am I to enter your household? It was so shocking that even the usually composed Fu Yun Xi nearly choked on his tea.

Setting down his teacup thoughtfully, Fu Yun Xi raised his head to carefully study Han Yan’s expression. Her face was cold, her eyes holding a hint of frustration. In his memory, Han Yan rarely showed such iciness toward him. Was she angry? He said: “We’ll marry upon my return from the campaign.”

Now Han Yan was truly furious. Return from the campaign – this was Fu Yun Xi’s answer? Anything could happen on the battlefield, yet he dismissed it with just one sentence. Han Yan laughed in anger, looking at him with a light tone: “Has Your Highness not considered that if something unfortunate happens on the battlefield, wouldn’t Han Yan have to remain a living widow for Your Highness?”

With these words, the air in the room seemed to freeze. Fu Yun Xi remained silent, just staring intently at Han Yan, his gaze like a deep pool. Han Yan regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. Of all things to say, why did she joke about Fu Yun Xi’s life? Such talk was taboo before battle – her words were truly excessive, almost like a vicious curse.

Fu Yun Xi looked at her, wondering if he had spoiled this little girl too much, letting her become so unruly. If anyone else had said such things, they would have died many times over. But coming from Han Yan, he only felt helpless, as if he had truly pushed her too far – otherwise, how could she say such childish, willful things?

So Fu Yun Xi suddenly smiled, saying softly: “Are you so afraid I’ll die? Worried you won’t be able to marry anyone else?”

Han Yan was stunned, not expecting this response, and didn’t know how to reply. But seeing Fu Yun Xi’s expression – though just a slight smile – and his teasing tone returning to their usual way of interaction, the earlier oppressive atmosphere had lifted.

Han Yan turned her head away: “What nonsense. What do you mean, unable to marry?”

Fu Yun Xi stood up, forcing Han Yan to look up at him. He lowered his head and whispered near her ear: “You seem very eager to enter my household, wanting to marry me right now.”

His voice was gentle and deep, his warm breath by her ear creating an intimate moment. Han Yan’s heart began racing. This body was, after all, only that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, and facing someone she liked, she couldn’t help but feel excited. But Han Yan dared not show it, instead stepping back: “Your Highness thinks too much. It’s just that battlefield matters are unpredictable. Since Your Highness has made this decision, you must have thought it through.” By now, her anger had subsided, replaced by calm, and she asked: “May I ask Your Highness, what role does our marriage play in all this?”

Han Yan’s words weren’t casual. Fu Yun Xi had never indicated he would go to war with Xi Rong so soon – even Han Yan had assumed he would marry her first. Fu Yun Xi wasn’t one to suddenly change plans, which meant this early expedition had been his intention from the start. So was her marriage also part of this plan? Though unclear about its purpose, the timing of the marriage would affect its function differently.

Fu Yun Xi sighed inwardly. Han Yan was good in every way – her cleverness and quick wit were unmatched. He didn’t think having deep schemes was necessarily bad. Cheng Lei once said women should be pure and kind like blank paper to be beautiful, but Han Yan was not blank paper.

Her ruthlessness and decisiveness in action made her more like an ink-stained painting, full of deeper meaning. Perhaps because Fu Yun Xi liked Han Yan as a person, he saw her scheming nature not as a flaw but as an admirable quality. If it were someone else with the same calculating nature, Fu Yun Xi’s attitude would likely be very different.

“The marriage has nothing to do with the war.” This was the truth – Fu Yun Xi had never seen his marriage to Han Yan as a bargaining chip or means to an end. In his view, marrying Han Yan, and agreeing to this marriage, was because he liked her. But clearly, the little girl before him didn’t believe his words at all, her gaze plainly saying: you’re lying, I won’t believe you.