The sky was a dreary gray, with wind sweeping remnants of snow across the land. On the central square of the Second Army, two opposing forces stood in silent confrontation. Dark blue soft cowhide armor wrapped around those battle-hardened young bodies, their hands gripping swords with visible veins bulging. Yan Xun, dressed in a crisp black battle robe, sat on a chair covered with white tiger skin as the curtain to the central command tent was lifted. His gaze was cold as he looked at the people outside, saying in a calm tone, “So, you’re rebelling again?”

A chilling atmosphere descended, with the edge in his words as sharp as a knife. The soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison flushed purple, clearly struggling to control their emotions. He Xiao stood at the front—the young commander wasn’t particularly handsome, but his distinct features and the iron-blooded aura of a military man gave him a formidable presence. He now raised his hand to restrain the agitated soldiers behind him and said with furrowed brows, “Your Highness, you once promised us to let bygones be bygones regarding past events.”

“I have not broken my promise,” Yan Xun smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow with a cold, contemptuous light in his eyes. “Those kneeling outside are not traitors, but deserters.”

“We are not deserters!”

An angry shout suddenly rang out. In the center of the square, more than thirty soldiers wearing the uniforms of the Southwestern Garrison knelt in a row. Behind them were the cold blades of the First Army. A young soldier exclaimed emotionally, “No one has the right to burn our military flag!”

A tattered white flag with red clouds, stained with fresh blood, had been thrown on the ground. One corner was already burned, charred black and jagged.

Yan Xun glanced at him with the corner of his eye, letting out a contemptuous snort. His lips curled into a faint mocking smile.

“The Southwestern Garrison ceased to exist three days ago. What use is a military flag? You attacked friendly forces and fled the city in the dead of night before a major battle—that is betrayal. Such contempt for military discipline cannot be overlooked. If I let you off easily, what military law would Yan Bei have left?”

Yan Xun’s voice suddenly turned sharp. His gaze swept keenly over those unwilling eyes, and with a sudden wave of his hand, he said coldly, “Betrayal is the greatest crime. I can spare you once, but not twice. Guards! Execute them according to military law. Anyone who resists will be treated as an accomplice!”

“Your Highness!” He Xiao’s eyebrows shot up as he stepped forward abruptly, shouting in anger. But with a swish, a flash of bright blades suddenly appeared—twenty thousand Imperial Guards drew their swords simultaneously with astonishing speed. In an instant, blades were at their throats, yet not one made a sound. The warriors of the First Army also stepped forward together, archers preparing their arrows, nocking them to bowstrings. The forest of arrows presented a frightening sight.

The soldiers of the Second Army were stunned. During this time, they had been alongside the officers and men of the Southwestern Garrison. Back on the walls of North Shuo City, they had fought shoulder to shoulder. Thus, they had come today partly in support, but now seeing Yan Xun and the First Army’s stance, they found themselves at a loss.

The Southwestern Garrison now had fewer than fifteen hundred men left. They stood in the center of an army of tens of thousands, unarmed, clenching their fists with flushed faces. Facing the cold arrows and blades, their eyes burned with anger. He Xiao looked around and finally took a deep breath, saying gravely, “Does Your Highness intend to exterminate us completely?”

Yan Xun smiled enigmatically, his gaze gloomy like an unfathomable sea. “Commander He is a meritorious official and naturally cannot be treated the same as those traitors.”

“Your Highness!”

He Xiao’s eyes reddened as he slowly stepped forward. Twenty Imperial Guards immediately confronted him, placing their bright blades against his neck. Undaunted, he said in a measured, deep voice, “In the Battle of Zhen Huang, the Southwestern Garrison lost six thousand men. In the Battle of Chi Du, the Southwestern Garrison lost four thousand. General Feng Ting continued fighting despite being struck by dozens of arrows. General Murong set an ambush at Hundred-Zhang Cliff, and when arrows and rocks were depleted, he used fire to block the enemy, eventually perishing in the flames. General Wu Dan Yu led five hundred men, holding back hundreds of thousands of Da Xia troops for three full days, finally charging alone into battle and dying in the chaos. In the Battle of North Shuo, our isolated force aided the border city, defending the walls without retreating a step. The loyalty of the Southwestern Garrison is witnessed by heaven and earth, attested by the sun and moon. Tens of thousands of military and civilian witnesses in North Shuo City saw it with their own eyes. For Your Highness to treat loyal subjects this way—He Xiao cannot accept it!”

“How dare you!” The Third Guard Unit’s commander of the First Army, Qiu Yi, suddenly stepped forward and reprimanded him harshly. He was now the deputy commander of Yan Xun’s Imperial Guard, recently promoted from junior officers by Yan Xun. He said sternly, “A mere commander dares to speak disrespectfully to His Highness? You failed to discipline your subordinates, and His Highness hasn’t even reprimanded you for it. Now you dare to commit insubordination—do you still recognize military law?”

“Your Highness!” He Xiao knelt on one knee, his eyes resolute, declaring loudly, “Two thousand soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison, each one sincerely loyal. With this action, does Your Highness not fear chilling the hearts of all under heaven?”

“This is getting more outrageous!” The First Army’s Deputy Commander Feng Lu shouted, “Take him away!”

The Imperial Guards immediately moved forward to twist He Xiao’s arms. Seeing this, the soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison behind He Xiao swarmed forward. The situation became chaotic. He Xiao shouted, “Your Highness! Even the surrendered troops of the Batuha clan have a place to stand—why must the Southwestern Garrison be completely eliminated? He Xiao cannot accept this! He Xiao cannot accept this!”

“Stop.” Yan Xun commanded. His voice wasn’t loud, but it immediately silenced everyone. He looked coldly at He Xiao and said slowly, “Commander He, today I am only dealing with the soldiers who fled North Shuo last night. It has nothing to do with you. I hope you don’t insist on involving yourself, otherwise don’t blame me for charging you with disrupting military morale.”

“Your Highness, they were not deserting but trying to protect the military flag. They fled the city only when pursued…”

“An order is an order! I don’t want to hear explanations—I only look at results! If everyone has excuses, how am I to maintain military discipline?” Yan Xun raised an eyebrow, saying sharply.

He Xiao’s eyes reddened as he cried out, “Your Highness!”

“Execute them!”

“Your Highness!” He Xiao shouted as he rushed forward, with two thousand Southwestern Garrison officers and soldiers following closely behind. The Imperial Guards drew their swords and surged forward like a tide, striking at their heads, ten against one. Blood splattered, and chaos erupted. The First Army surrounded them in the fighting, and the square was in an uproar. Only the men of the Second Army stood outside, watching in shock.

Qiu Yi shouted at the soldiers carrying out the military law, “What are you waiting for? Kill them!”

“Using us and discarding us like hunting dogs and bows after the prey is caught—Yan Xun, you ungrateful, treacherous man! We were wrong about you all along!” The Southwestern Garrison’s record keeper Wen Yang knelt on the ground. Last night, he was the first to discover that the First Army had taken their twenty military flags and was burning them in the First Army camp. The situation was sudden, leaving no time to report to He Xiao. Wen Yang led more than thirty civil officials on horseback, charging into the First Army, retrieving the flag, and fleeing outside the city. Now, he was forced to kneel on the ground, his face pressed against the cold snow, still shouting.

Qiu Yi was furious and kicked him in the mouth. Blood gushed out, splitting Wen Yang’s lips, but he continued to shout. Qiu Yi raged, “Kill him! Quickly!”

“You bastard! I’ll cut you down!” A soldier from the Southwestern Garrison broke from the crowd, charging toward Qiu Yi with a head covered in blood.

Qiu Yi was startled and turned to look at Yan Xun. Yan Xun’s expression remained calm as his right hand tapped lightly on the table, but he said nothing. Qiu Yi had a sudden inspiration and shouted angrily, “The Southwestern Garrison is rebelling! Kill them all!”

The Imperial Guards, who had been attacking with scabbards, immediately drew their swords upon hearing the order, about to strike at the heads of the Southwestern Garrison soldiers. The officers carrying out the military law also walked up to the execution platform with their swords. One approached Wen Yang, expressionless, and raised his sword to strike.

The members of the Second Army standing on the periphery were dumbfounded, never expecting the situation to rapidly deteriorate to this extent. Just as the First Army’s blade was about to fall, a clear, sharp female voice called out from beyond the gate: “Stop!”

In an instant, the voice cut through the sky, penetrating the cold snow and wind, suddenly piercing into the chaotic crowd. Hooves trampled snow as a woman in white fur rode swiftly toward them. Before reaching her destination, she leaped from horseback, punched a First Army officer who tried to block her, and rushed into the crowd like the wind, shouting, “What are you doing?”

“Commander!”

“It’s the Commander!”

The officers and soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison called out in unison, their eyes immediately lighting up with hope. Chu Qiao pushed aside several soldiers wrestling on the ground with a few shoves, strode to He Xiao’s side, and before he could speak, she delivered a hard slap to his face, saying angrily, “Is this how you lead your troops?”

In an instant, everyone was stunned. He Xiao’s face flushed red. The Southwestern Garrison behind him was collectively petrified. The soldiers of the First Army were even more dumbfounded. Chu Qiao said angrily, “I ordered you to preserve the military unit designation and flag, but did I tell you to attack the First Army camp? Now you dare to fight in front of His Highness—what are you trying to do? Stage a mutiny?”

Having said this, Chu Qiao turned to Yan Xun and said, “Your Highness, today’s incident is my fault. All orders originally came from me, and He Xiao and others were merely following commands. I have been seriously ill in bed recently and failed to strictly discipline them, leading to such a major oversight. I voluntarily request punishment under military law!”

The moment Chu Qiao appeared, Yan Xun’s expression had gradually grown cold. Sitting in the commander’s position in the central command tent, he narrowed his eyes slightly, looking deeply at her, but said nothing.

Qiu Yi frowned, stepped forward, and said, “If I remember correctly, Advisor Chu is not the direct superior of the Southwestern Garrison. Advisor Chu is a tactical advisor from the Staff Department, not a commanding general. Why would the Southwestern Garrison follow your orders?”

Hearing this, Chu Qiao coldly turned her head, frowned at Qiu Yi, and then said coldly, “Who are you? I am speaking with His Highness—what right do you have to interrupt?”

“I—”

“Ah Chu!” Yan Xun, with a gloomy expression, said sternly, “Don’t cause trouble. Go back.”

“Your Highness, the Southwestern Garrison has acted recklessly and should be punished according to military law. As the former commander-in-chief of North Shuo’s defenses, I was responsible for leading both the Second Army and the Southwestern Garrison. The Southwestern Garrison’s mistakes are my errors. I ask Your Highness to punish me for failing to properly oversee them, and in view of the Southwestern Garrison’s outstanding achievements in the battles of Chi Du and North Shuo, to show them leniency. I am willing to take full responsibility for any losses caused by the Southwestern Garrison.”

Chu Qiao stood with clasped hands in the square, with tens of thousands of eyes fixed upon her. Yet she seemed oblivious, staring unblinkingly at Yan Xun, her brows tightly knit, her expression serious.

Qiu Yi said angrily, “What Southwestern Garrison? Their designation was canceled three days ago. How can we allow traitors’ flags in our Yan Bei army?”

At these words, the people of the Southwestern Garrison erupted in anger. Eight years ago, in the Battle of Huo Lei Yuan, the Southwestern Garrison had betrayed Yan Bei to join Da Xia, leading to the disastrous defeat of Yan Shi City. Tens of thousands of Yan Bei soldiers died, their blood staining the gates of North Shuo City red. The fallen mountains of corpses and flesh still nourished the fiery red Huo Yun flowers, making them crimson year after year, blooming without fading. Eight years later, in the capital of Da Xia, Zhen Huang City, the Southwestern Garrison betrayed again, turning to Yan Bei, helping the Yan Bei Crown Prince Yan Xun escape from Zhen Huang and return to Yan Bei, orchestrating the continental shock of the Zhen Huang Incident. From then on, the word “betrayal” became synonymous with the Southwestern Garrison. Despite their superior combat abilities, they were still ostracized and despised by all military personnel across the continent. Unexpectedly, after paying such a heavy price to defend Yan Bei, they still had not washed away the shame. How could Qiu Yi’s repeated use of “traitor” not enrage the people of the Southwestern Garrison?

Chu Qiao coldly turned her head, raised an eyebrow, and said angrily, “Absolute nonsense! The Southwestern Garrison’s return to Yan Bei was personally promised by His Highness. His Highness is our Yan Bei king—his golden words and jade speech, once spoken, cannot be retracted. Past matters have long been erased. You keep calling them traitors—are you trying to paint His Highness as untrustworthy and dishonorable? Your words are detestable, your intentions malicious. You seem more like a Da Xia spy to me!”

Qiu Yi’s forehead veins bulged as he shouted, “Say that again!”

Chu Qiao merely snorted coldly with disdain. “A military unit’s designation is its honor. The Southwestern Garrison was established by the first Old King of Yan a hundred years ago, with a long history. How can it be easily abolished? Commander He led the Southwestern Garrison following His Highness from the day of the Zhen Huang uprising, sharing hardships, surviving numerous life-and-death battles, achieving outstanding merits and glorious victories. At Chi Du City, seven thousand troops defeated two hundred thousand Da Xia soldiers. At North Shuo’s walls, two thousand Southwestern troops were equal to forty thousand ordinary soldiers. How can such an army have its designation revoked and its flag destroyed? His Highness has many affairs to attend to, and it must be ignorant villains like you causing mischief, conspiring to divide our Yan Bei army—evil and shameless, your hearts are condemnable!”

Qiu Yi was furious. He drew his sword from his waist and shouted, “You spew vicious lies!”

Seeing this, He Xiao and others rushed forward, red-eyed, standing in front of Chu Qiao, shouting angrily, “You dare take one step forward?”

“Silence, all of you!”

Yan Xun slowly rose to his feet. The young King of Yan, in his impeccable military uniform and draped in a black fur coat, walked forward slowly. People parted wherever he went. Finally, he came to stand before Chu Qiao, so close that he had to lower his head slightly to look at the young woman’s smooth forehead and snow-white face. He said in a deep voice, “Who told you to come?”

Chu Qiao shook her head, “No one called me, my lord. I came on my own.”

“Go back to the residence. This is none of your business.”

“Yan Bei’s affairs are my affairs. I am a member of the military and was once the superior officer of the Southwestern Garrison. I should take responsibility for the mistakes committed by my subordinates.”

Yan Xun slowly frowned, his eyes also showing some displeased sharpness. He said softly, “Ah Chu, do you know what you’re doing?”

Chu Qiao answered with lowered head, “I understand very well, my lord.”

“You’re opposing me?”

“Your Highness speaks too harshly. I am merely acknowledging my own mistakes.”

People gathered from all directions, with most of the commanders and soldiers from the First and Second Armies present. The square was packed with people, everyone holding their breath as they watched the man and woman standing in the center. Snow fell heavily, and the world was a desolate expanse of white. Yan Xun’s gaze was as dark as the sea. He looked deeply at Chu Qiao, with threads of anger and coldness emanating from him. After a long, long time, he suddenly turned around and strode toward the command tent, saying in a deep voice as he walked, “Advisor Chu resigned due to illness and is no longer the commander of North Shuo City. The crimes committed by the Southwestern Garrison have nothing to do with others. Proceed with the execution!”

“Your Highness!” Chu Qiao was shocked, suddenly raising her head, her eyes wide open as she cried out involuntarily.

“My lady, please don’t trouble yourself for us anymore. Go back!” Wen Yang, his mouth full of blood, defiantly raised his head and called out loudly.

Other soldiers also straightened their chests and said sorrowfully, “My lady! Please go back!”

Chu Qiao paid no attention to their cries. She stepped forward but was blocked by the Imperial Guards. She said urgently, “Your Highness, though the Southwestern Garrison has committed crimes, they don’t deserve death. They have been loyal to you since Zhen Huang, devoted and faithful, witnessed by the sun and moon!”

Yan Xun had his back to her but slowly turned around at her words. His tone was light, speaking in a voice only those nearby could hear, saying disdainfully, “Ah Chu, tell me honestly, are they truly loyal to me?”

In an instant, it felt as if a heavy club had struck her head. Chu Qiao stood stunned in place. She opened her mouth in a daze, frowning in disbelief as she looked at Yan Xun. She wanted to say something but felt as if her throat was blocked—wanting to speak but unable to. The wind was so cold, cutting against her face like a knife, but she felt nothing. She only felt that her heart had fallen onto an icy plain, numb with cold.

The snow was thick, and the entire place was so quiet a falling pin could be heard. After a long time, with a thud, Chu Qiao knelt on both knees. Her eyes were red, and her sickly face flushed. In a low, hoarse voice, she said, “Your Highness, I stake my life as a guarantee that the soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison are loyally devoted to you. If they have any treasonous intentions, I, Chu Qiao, am willing to die under a hail of arrows, my body torn to pieces.”

“Oh?” Yan Xun said softly. “You’re willing to guarantee?”

“I am willing.”

“Then besides you, who else believes in them?”

Chu Qiao immediately turned to look around. All the commanders of the First Army stood expressionless, without the slightest emotion on their faces. This wasn’t surprising; after all, they were Yan Xun’s trusted confidants. But when Chu Qiao looked at the faces of the Second Army—those who had once fought side by side with the Southwestern Garrison—they suddenly became hesitant and timid. They lowered their heads, avoiding the young woman’s gaze, completely forgetting who had saved their lives in desperate situations. The Second Army, local militia, self-defense corps, family armies of various tribal chiefs, and even Cao Mengtong’s guards—these twenty thousand people had fought alongside the Southwestern Garrison. They had followed Chu Qiao’s lead to kill Zhao Qi and had repelled several attacks by Zhao Yang. But at this moment, they acted as if they didn’t know her, standing far away, with no trace of comradeship in their eyes.

Chu Qiao gradually despaired. The cold wind blew through her thin body. The vast snowy ground was a pristine white. She looked at Yan Xun, at this man who had stood beside her for eight years, and said in a measured, deep voice, “I am willing to believe in them. I swear by my loyalty to Your Highness.”

Having said this, she kowtowed deeply, her smooth forehead touching the cold snow. Her once-straight back bent, her neck white as snow. The fierce wind blew her fur coat, making her appear even thinner and more frail.

“Commander!”

On the execution platform, some soldiers began to cry. It wasn’t that they didn’t fear death, but at this moment, heavier emotions weighed on the soldiers’ hearts. They shouted, “Commander! Get up! Each person must take responsibility for their actions. We are willing to die!”

Chu Qiao didn’t move. She remained kneeling on the ground, her head bowed. The voices gradually became chaotic, the snowstorm intensified, and the crowd grew disorderly. So many sounds came from all around, but she couldn’t hear any of them, still waiting for the voice from above her head.

Finally, a soft sigh came slowly. In that instant, her entire body trembled. She even thought she had succeeded, but in the next second, a cold voice suddenly rang out. Yan Xun said in a deep voice, “Proceed with the execution!”

“Swish!”

A row of uniform sounds instantly rang out, followed by the dull thuds of heavy objects falling to the ground. The blades were too fast and too sharp—not a single person had time to let out a scream. Blood spurted high from their throats, splashing onto the pristine snow, like blooming plum blossoms.

Silence. Too much silence. Chu Qiao’s blood ran cold in that instant. The wind filled her limbs, howling all around. Her hand clutched at the ground, feeling a ball of cold snow—so cold, just like her heart, which had lost all warmth. She couldn’t hear any of the surrounding sounds, only the howling wind that raged across the snowy plain like a wild beast.

“Commander He Xiao failed to discipline his subordinates. His soldiers followed him in insubordination, disregarding military law. Take them away—eighty lashes each, then temporarily held by the First Army.”

Yan Xun’s voice calmly rang out above her head. No one in the entire field spoke, nor did anyone resist. The soldiers all followed orders and began to move. Boots crunched on the snow, making squeaking sounds.

“My lady,” He Xiao’s voice came from behind. He seemed to be kneeling on the ground. His tone was calm, but his voice concealed undeniable sorrow. He said quietly, “We have disgraced you. Please take care of yourself.”

The footsteps moved further away, and the crowd gradually dispersed. The wind suddenly intensified. After who knows how long, Chu Qiao’s knees had gone numb, and her hands and feet had become too stiff to move. Yet she still maintained that kneeling position. Snow fell on her bit by bit, accumulating into a thick layer.

White snow-colored camel wool military boots slowly approached. Yan Xun reached out his hand to support her shoulder, but she immediately jumped up as if burned by fire, her steps faltering, nearly falling to the ground.

The guards had their backs to them, standing far away. Yan Xun, in a long black fur coat, stood before her. For a long time, he didn’t speak, just maintaining that posture of trying to help her, his hand awkwardly extended, reaching toward her from a distance.

“Ah Chu.”

Yan Xun called to her softly, but she could no longer hear. She staggered back, found her horse, and leaped onto it.

This day was so cold. Chu Qiao suddenly recalled thinking a few days ago that Yan Bei was still a bit warmer than Bian Tang. But now, she abruptly discovered that Yan Bei was so cold—cold enough to chill one’s heart, cold enough to freeze one’s blood, cold enough to make one feel as if falling into an icy abyss.

That night, Chu Qiao’s condition worsened. Before she could leave the military camp, she fell from her horse. After being sent back to her residence, Lü Liu cried out in distress. The three Jing sisters anxiously kept watch by her bedside, calling her name again and again. Through her haze, she opened her eyes, wanting to tell them not to worry, that she wouldn’t die and that she still had many things to do. But when she opened her mouth, no words came out.

When she woke in the middle of the night, Jing Zisu was still by her side. Seeing her awake, Jing Zisu smiled through her tears. After taking medicine, it was already the second watch of the night. Jing Zisu told her that Yan Xun had returned long ago but hadn’t come in. He had been standing outside her door for six or seven hours.

“It’s still snowing heavily outside,” Jing Zisu whispered, secretly glancing at Chu Qiao from the corner of her eye. Perhaps a woman like her could never understand. In her view, a man was her entire sky. What in this world could be more important than her husband’s commands?

Chu Qiao lay there, many things flashing through her mind one by one. Those past events were like flowing water, dancing with cold spray, forming a winding river through the hardships and difficulties of these eight years. She thought she should understand, without complaint or resentment. What remained was only coldness and disappointment.

In Zhen Huang City, across the northwestern lands, atop Chi Du City, on the North Shuo battlefield, the officers of the Southwestern Garrison had written their loyalty with fresh blood and young lives. The young and handsome Feng Ting, the steady and reliable Murong, the resourceful Wu Dan Yu, the unyielding Wen Yang, and the soldiers who used corpses as rolling stones and their bodies as shields—they were not saints, they had made mistakes, and their forefathers had betrayed Yan Bei, committing heinous crimes and accumulating blood debts. But from Zhen Huang City, from the day they followed her banner, they had already placed their lives and futures in her hands. Yan Xun was right—they were not loyal to him. They were loyal to her, Chu Qiao, and she didn’t have the power to protect them.

She carried the hopes of this isolated army. She had promised to clear their shame. She had once shouted atop Chi Du City that if they fought bravely and kept Da Xia outside the gates, they would become heroes of Yan Bei, and their names would be engraved on Yan Bei’s military honor roll! So they had followed in her footsteps, protecting the Yan Bei land that despised and rejected them, unyieldingly fighting enemies tens of times more numerous.

Yet now, her statue had been placed in Yan Bei’s Hall of Loyalty, making her a household hero, while they died at the hands of the person they loved most.

What had she done? What had she gained for herself with those young lives?

It felt as if a giant stone pressed on her chest. Her throat tasted of blood. The soldiers fell behind her, yet she lacked even the courage to turn around and look into their eyes. When she left in haste and looked back, all she saw was a pool of murky blood.

“Yue’er? Yue’er?” Jing Zisu anxiously pried open her hand. Her palm was covered in blood, her nails having dug deep into her flesh with such force.

“Sister Zisu, please go out first. Let me be alone for a while.”

The low voice echoed in the room, hoarse beyond recognition. Jing Zisu hesitated for a long while before finally withdrawing. The room immediately fell silent, so quiet that one could hear the flame on the candlestick. The candlelight cast long shadows, yet no silhouettes could be seen at the window.

The moon climbed to the center of the sky, and outside the snowstorm grew stronger. She knew that person was still there. If she didn’t go out, he would always remain. He had always been such a stubborn person. When he was young, he followed her to learn swordsmanship. Such complicated skills, yet he insisted on mastering them within a month, practicing through the night until his hands and feet were covered in blisters, never resting. Even now, she could still recall that courtyard from back then, him standing before the pillar, chopping and thrusting, his gaze as tenacious as a wounded tiger.

His heart had always carried too many heavy things. She once thought she understood them all, but now she gradually became confused.

Her gaze gradually grew cold, yet a resilient light flickered within. She suddenly got out of bed, wearing only a single garment, and stood in place, taking two deep breaths. Then, she suddenly ran to the door, flung it open, and rushed out, directly into that solid embrace.

The moment he felt her warmth, Yan Xun was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to come out or perhaps hadn’t expected her to cease being angry so quickly. But feeling those slender arms tightly hugging his waist, he suddenly realized and then embraced her even more tightly in return.

“Ah Chu!” he sighed softly. “I’ve hurt you.”

Chu Qiao lay against his chest, holding him tightly, but said nothing. Yan Xun said softly, “I’m not suspicious of you, nor do I resent the Southwestern Garrison. They now number fewer than two thousand, with severely incomplete organization. Canceling their designation was inevitable. Unfortunately, they were too unruly, even attacking the First Army camp. If I didn’t take action, military authority would be difficult to establish.”

Chu Qiao said sorrowfully, “I understand, I understand everything. Yan Xun, it’s me who’s made things difficult for you.”

Yan Xun lifted her chin, looked into her eyes, and said, “It’s all right. I just feared you would be heartbroken. Seeing you come out to meet me puts my mind at ease.”

Chu Qiao’s eyes were red as she pressed her lips together and said, “The Southwestern Garrison has saved me many times and shown me great kindness. Yan Xun, I really couldn’t bear it.”

Yan Xun frowned slightly but finally said reluctantly, “Fine, I’ll release He Xiao and the others. But if they violate military law again, I won’t show mercy.”

Chu Qiao nodded. “Yan Xun, thank you.”

The night was dark and windy, with a thin crescent moon casting a pale light. Snow stretched endlessly as the two embraced under the moon, so close yet feeling so far apart.

After Yan Xun returned to his room, Chu Qiao also went back to her own. As soon as the door closed, her expression turned cold. She walked a few quiet steps and sat down, supporting herself against the bedpost.

Incomplete organization? Canceling their designation? Seizing military flags? Rebellion?

Yan Xun, how could you deceive me like this?

For a soldier, what greater humiliation is there than having their designation canceled? In war, even if only one person remains, they must protect the military flag. As long as the flag exists, the army will not disperse. How simple a matter is it to recruit people and replenish the ranks? With the First Army’s three hundred thousand troops, how could Wen Yang and thirty-some civil officials be so invincible as to charge into the First Army, seize their flags, and escape the city? If the Southwestern Garrison’s people were to be executed, He Xiao and others should have been detained first. How could they be allowed to enter the execution grounds and cause such a disturbance?

You might as well say you resent the Southwestern Garrison for once betraying Yan Bei, rather than telling me these lies.

A tear slowly fell. Moonlight shone through the window, casting a silver-white glow throughout the room. She sat quietly at the head of the bed, a thousand thoughts surging in her mind, not knowing exactly where things had gone wrong. At this moment, a cold jade token suddenly fell from her clothing onto the floor. She picked it up and saw it was the blessing jade token for her longevity, probably left behind by Jing Zisu earlier. Recalling the longevity tablet that Feng Zhi and Lü Liu had brought before, her heart suddenly grew cold, as if someone had poured a basin of cold water over her head.

Regardless, He Xiao and the others were temporarily safe.

She gave a bitter smile, never imagining she would have to resort to such methods. Her tears fell in the darkness, line after line, like beads from a broken string.

Yan Xun, Yan Xun, what’s happened to you?

Throughout the long night, she finally could no longer hold back and sobbed aloud.