Never in her life had she seen true, heavy snow.

In the night with sparse stars, the moon appeared exceptionally bright. Its snow-white light poured onto the ground like waves of flowing water, like countless bright snow petals.

She stood at the top of the white tower, wearing loose-fitting robes. The wind rolled in from the horizon, blowing her sleeves up like two eagles spreading their wings about to take flight, fluttering upward. Her long hair was blown loose, flying wildly behind her like thousands of spider webs. The vast palace complex stood solemn and dense beneath the pitch-black night sky. In the distant black stone gate stood a figure whose face couldn’t be made out clearly. Only from the straight spine could one guess that this was a soldier and quite a young one at that.

She had been standing there for a very long time.

Xuan Mo had remained silent throughout. He gazed at her as the moonlight shone gently upon her, casting a pure white glow. The night was so quiet, that all sounds around them had vanished. Heaven and earth were in complete silence, with only the wind blowing through her robes making soft rustling sounds, carrying the fragrance of white orchids, slowly curling around his nose.

For a moment, he seemed to return to many years ago, when he was still a child. Following his father at the hunting grounds, he had won widespread praise for his excellent archery skills, standing out among the royal and noble children. But she had ridden into the field wearing bright yellow palace clothes, shooting three consecutive arrows that hit the bullseye, then turning back to look at him proudly, saying: “If you’re not convinced, come out and try yourself?”

That day, the Emperor sat on his throne laughing heartily, saying “My daughter is no less capable than any man!”

Other princes and nobles also praised the Princess’s excellent skills, but only he stood there quietly, looking up at the small figure sitting on horseback. The sun was so warm that day, the breeze so gentle. Sunlight fell on her delicate face, her eyes sparkling with brilliance. His chest felt warm, the arrow pattern on his sleeve rubbing against the skin of his wrist, causing a tingling sensation.

He said nothing, standing before her beautiful presence. It seemed from that moment on, he had lost the ability to speak. In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed. He had long grown accustomed to gazing up at that dazzling figure, watching her grow up from afar, watching her become stronger, watching her fall, watching her rise again, watching her step by step climb to the peak of power.

Time passed so quickly. The years were like water between fingertips, easily submerging the past youth and stubbornness, along with those thoughts hidden in the depths of his heart for many years—forever losing the chance to be expressed, covered by the sands of fate, permanently buried in the rolling dust.

“Xuan Mo,”

Nalan suddenly spoke softly. The top of the white tower was too spacious, making her voice sound somewhat ethereal. She didn’t turn around, her gaze still fixed on the brilliant lights of countless homes below as she asked softly: “Was I truly wrong?”

“Your Highness is not wrong.”

Nalan laughed lightly, shaking her head calmly: “I’m afraid I was wrong. Perhaps Counselor Cao was right—by opening the door to thieves, I will eventually ruin the foundations of Huai Song.”

“The Emperor is gravely ill, the Nalan clan has no more bloodline. The Huai Song lineage is already powerless to continue.”

“Who says it’s powerless to continue?” Nalan’s lips held a trace of calm indifference as she stated: “The King of Jin River, the King of An Li, the King of Jiang Huai—don’t they all qualify for succession?”

What Nalan said was true. When the royal family line couldn’t continue, branches of the royal family were eligible to inherit the throne. However…

Xuan Mo said nothing more. The white tower fell silent. The wind blew through the corridor, bringing damp moisture. Even in summer, it still felt somewhat cold.

“Ultimately, it’s my desires that are too strong. In my heart, there has always been family first, then country.”

Nalan seemed to fall into deep thought. Her gaze was profound and distant. After many years in high positions, the innocence and pure goodness in her blood and bones had long been worn away. Even if she occasionally had moments of impulse and willfulness, they were no match for the perseverance and obstinacy in her heart.

Thinking of the recent behaviors and actions of those royal relatives, her eyes involuntarily flashed with a cold, piercing light.

The Nalan clan had established the country hundreds of years ago. Their ancestors had shed blood and sacrificed lives on the battlefield to protect this vast land and its people. This empire was forged by the blood and bones of the Nalan clan, which she had painstakingly protected all these years. Those people were nothing but parasites enjoying the fruits of others’ labor—what right did they have to rule this empire?

“This country was established by my Nalan clan, and it was protected by the blood of my forefathers generation after generation. Even if it must end, it should end in the hands of a Nalan descendant. Others—they aren’t worthy.”

The low voice slowly rose. The moonlight was pale, falling on her bright yellow clothes, looking cold and solemn.

She spoke quietly: “Formally notify Yan Xun that I accept his proposal. Ask him to keep his promise to treat the people of Huai Song well. In the future, the successor to the throne must be my offspring. And also, I want the head of the King of Taiping.”

A cloud drifted by, gently covering the full moon, leaving only a faint glow. The earth was drawn into darkness. In the silence, something seemed to shatter instantly, scattering everywhere, carried by the rising wind, bit by bit to the corners of the earth.

Xuan Mo nodded and said in the darkness: “I obey your command.”

Nalan was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: “Notify Sima Yang to prepare the three armies, ready to cooperate with Yan Bei in attacking Da Xia at any time.”

The man in the darkness immediately raised his head, eyes fixed intently upon her, with a trace of shock and seeming disbelief.

Nalan breathed steadily, seemingly completely unaware of his emotional fluctuation, and instead calmly said: “Xuan Mo, pirates have invaded the East Sea again. This time, I must rely on you to defend the eastern border for me.”

For a moment, the white tower was completely silent. Xuan Mo stood tall like a poplar tree. He gazed at her, his gaze traversing through more than a decade of tender years, ultimately condensing into the wordless silence of this moment.

As childhood companions, he had used his status as a prince to become her guard, watching her childish innocence, her countenance as lovely as a flower.

When the Emperor passed away, he knelt for three days and three nights before his father’s door, desperately persuading his father to give up thoughts of usurping the throne, and instead assist the young Emperor and her as the Princess Imperial.

All these years, he had stood behind her, obeying her every command, being her most loyal subject and most trustworthy subordinate. Even when asked to marry the daughter of a powerful minister, he never objected.

And now, with the Emperor in critical condition, the fate of the Great Song Dynasty in peril, and Yan Bei’s iron cavalry approaching, she chose this moment to send him to the East Sea border.

But in just an instant, he understood the reasons behind it. His gaze gradually became calm, returning to his usual manner—composed and cool. He knelt on one knee and said solemnly: “Your humble servant obeys.”

For a moment, Nalan’s heart was suspended. Only when he quietly knelt, only when he said “your humble servant obeys” in his usual calm voice, did she finally release her tightly clenched fist. She turned around, her peerless beauty as delicate as a painting, her eye corners drawn with gold powder, radiating a dazzling elegance and dignity that was hard to look at directly. She felt the need to explain, so she said: “There will inevitably be a fierce battle between Yan Bei and Da Xia. The battlefield will be brutal and bloody. You are the only person I can trust. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”

Xuan Mo still kept his head lowered, saying very calmly: “Your servant understands.”

Nalan took a deep breath and smiled lightly: “Very well, rise. Between us, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Yet Xuan Mo didn’t stand up. He knelt there with silver moonlight above his head. A few crows flapped their wings and flew across the silent sky. The night wind blew through his billowing robes, embroidered with nine winding dragons. The insignia of high rank was like a cold blade in his hand—capable of hurting others, but also capable of hurting himself.

He slowly took several items from his bosom and placed them one by one on the white jade steps. Nalan frowned when she saw them and was about to speak when Xuan Mo quietly said: “Your servant is leaving, not knowing when I might return. I hereby return the command of the Capital Army and the Xuan Unit to Your Highness.”

Nalan immediately wanted to refuse, but when her gaze fell upon the two command tokens, she paused momentarily. The Capital Army originally belonged to the Ministry of War. Years ago, after she and Xuan Mo defeated the Minister of War, they had taken control of the Capital Army. All these years, it had been under Xuan Mo’s command. As for the Xuan Unit, it was Xuan Mo’s guard, with extremely strong combat capability, considered one of Huai Song’s elite forces. As if possessed, she stepped forward, smiled, and helped Xuan Mo up, saying: “Very well, I’ll keep them for you. When you return, I’ll give them back to you.”

Xuan Mo stood tall, standing before Nalan, a head taller than her. His elongated eyes were like a cold lake, gazing at her quietly, without disrespect, yet somewhat boldly.

Nalan looked up at him, her pointed chin having a gentle curve. She smiled faintly at him, her eyes bright, seemingly with rippling light.

“Although the King of Taiping has already betrayed us, the King of Jin River and others are not easy to deal with. After I leave, Your Highness must take care of yourself.”

Nalan smiled and said: “Xuan Mo, how many years have you known me? Don’t you trust me?”

Xuan Mo bowed his head and said: “Your Highness is naturally gifted. I spoke out of turn.”

“Alright, no need for formalities. We have known each other for many years, supporting each other, both as ruler and subject and as close friends. I promise you, no matter what fate awaits Huai Song in the future, as long as I have authority for one more day, I will grant the Xuan Wang Mansion and your entire family honor and glory.”

The fingertips were slightly cold. The night dew slowly crept up the hem of the clothes, dampening the claws of the embroidered dragon. Xuan Mo bowed and said: “Thank you, Your Highness. It’s late now. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Nalan had wanted to give him a few more instructions, but at this point, she didn’t know what to say. She nodded and said: “It’s dark at night. Tell the servants to light more lanterns.”

“Yes, I will remember that.”

With that, Xuan Mo gave Nalan a formal bow and turned to walk towards the corridor. Moonlight filtered through the occasional lattice of the passage, casting down streaks of white light. Xuan Mo’s back was straight, his steps steady, appearing and disappearing among the dappled light and shadow. A long time later, he finally descended from the white tower, walking on the vast square. The night wrapped around his figure like a thick fog. Standing on the tower, Nalan could only see a blurry shadow.

The night wind was strong, blowing Nalan’s hair. She stood there like a white jade statue, not moving even slightly for a long time.

She remembered when she was very young, pirates from the East Sea were causing trouble at the border. Her father, the Emperor, personally led the army to fight. At that time, the empire was powerful with ample troops and widespread prosperity. She couldn’t understand why, with such a strong army, her father still needed to go to the battlefield in person. The young Nalan pulled at her father’s sleeve, puzzled: “Father Emperor, why do you have to lead the campaign yourself?”

At that moment, her father’s eyes were like a vast ocean, boundless to the eye. He fondly patted her head and said quietly: “There is no why. Because some responsibilities, if you don’t shoulder them, no one else will.”

At that time, she didn’t understand her father’s words. But now, she suddenly understood.

In this world, everyone has their own struggles, everyone has things they’re forced to do against their will.

Her single misstep had allowed the King of Taiping’s followers to succeed, poisoning the already deaf young Emperor. This poor child was not only deaf but also, due to this poisoning, had little time left. Once the Emperor passed away, Huai Song would certainly fall into chaos. The King of Jin River, the King of Huai An, and others were all eager to act. By then, the Nalan lineage would be cut off from the world.

She couldn’t accept that. All these years, she had exhausted herself handling state affairs, painstakingly assisting the young ruler. Those royal relatives, every one of them, were hoping for her death every day. Her ancestors had fought on battlefields—was it all just to become stepping stones for others? After years of diligent work, how could she let the country fall into the hands of such trash?

Yan Bei’s domination was becoming inevitable. Bian Tang was in civil strife, Huai Song was in chaos, and Da Xia was in complete disarray. At this point, rather than waiting for Qing’er to die and handing the country over to those treacherous royal relatives, it would be better to use the empire as a bargaining chip to secure the safety of Huai Song’s people and the preservation of the Nalan line. After all, she still had her seriously ill mother, Yu’er, and three young daughters, as well as a group of loyal ministers faithful to the royal orthodoxy…

Better to agree to his proposal. This way, the honor of the Nalan clan would not diminish. The two countries would ally to pursue greater ambitions, which would fulfill her aspirations. Moreover, wasn’t this wish something she had longed for over many years?

The nine palace gates opened wide, and Xuan Mo’s figure gradually disappeared into the boundless darkness.

She suddenly felt a bit anxious, as if something had left, dispersing in this somber night, quietly vanishing.

Regarding sending Xuan Mo to the eastern border, she had no choice. The sentiment against this war was too strong in the army. Without using thunder-like force, it would be impossible to intimidate them. Xuan Mo was lenient in his command of troops and would find it difficult to complete this task. With him present, he would only hinder Sima Yang, preventing him from disciplining the entire army to cooperate with Yan Bei.

Moreover, the recent rebellion of the King of Taiping had also shown her the importance of military power. Xuan Mo’s prestige in the army far exceeded what she could match. In times of peace, she could still control him through court politics. But now, with the situation so chaotic, she had to be cautious.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t blame her.

On the empty imperial road, Xuan Mo walked quietly. His personal attendant Jiang Wu carefully followed to one side, with the carriage moving behind, making rattling sounds.

The Princess Imperial trusted the King of Xuan, and the Xuan Wang Mansion was very close to the imperial palace. Before reaching his residence, several red lanterns could be seen from afar, emitting a warm color that brought comfort to anyone who saw them.

“My Lord has returned.”

Lady Yu Shu wore a moon-white robe, appearing elegant and serene in the lamplight. She took the lantern from Xuan Mo’s hand and asked in surprise: “Why is my Lord carrying an unlit lantern?”

Xuan Mo was slightly stunned. Looking down, he saw that the jade-white palace lantern had not been lit. The thin jade screen appeared like crystal in the light of other lamps, looking as if it would shatter at the slightest touch.

He said softly: “I forgot.”

With that, he walked ahead toward the prince’s mansion. Yu Shu took a cloak, intending to drape it over his shoulders, but accidentally touched his hand and exclaimed in shock: “Why is my Lord’s hand so cold?”

Xuan Mo said dismissively: “It’s nothing.”

Saying this, he walked directly toward the study.

Yu Shu stood still, watching his figure disappear into the garden after several turns. The soft white cloak in her hand was like a kite, blown by the howling wind, floating lightly upward.

“My Lady?”

The personal maid stood beside her, somewhat embarrassed, and said softly: “The night wind is strong. Let’s return to the chamber.”

Yu Shu nodded, her nodding extremely slow. Then she turned around, resuming her usual gentle demeanor, with a faint smile saying: “My Lord returned so late and must be hungry. Go to the kitchen and tell the cook to prepare some light dishes.”

The maid nodded helplessly: “Yes, I’ll go right away. My Lady should rest early. Your health is not good; you shouldn’t stay up late.”

Yu Shu didn’t answer, only urging: “Go quickly.”

The maid left, and Yu Shu turned around to see candlelight illuminating the study across the corridor. An extremely thin figure stood by the window, with flickering light and shadow, elegant and otherworldly.

Yu Shu looked on and suddenly smiled. She pursed her lips and took several maids to the tea room. They had recently received several boxes of fine tea, which she could brew for him to taste later.

In the study, Xuan Mo spread out a sheet of high-quality Lanling paper, dipped his brush full of ink, and held it suspended in the air, but didn’t write for a long time.

With a soft sound, a drop of ink fell, creating a large ink blot on the paper, but he didn’t notice, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Wu stood to one side, carefully saying: “My Lord, let me replace the paper for you?”

Xuan Mo looked down, then without changing expression, crumpled the paper and casually threw it on the ground.

Jiang Wu couldn’t help but shrink his neck. Having served Xuan Mo for seven or eight years, he understood well the temperament of this master who never showed emotion on his face. Seeing him like this, he knew his mood must be extremely, extremely bad right now.

After discarding that paper, Xuan Mo pulled out another sheet, stared at the blank paper for a while, then lowered his head and began writing.

He wrote very quickly. In just a moment, he had written a large piece. After finishing, he handed it to Jiang Wu, saying: “Send this to the Ministry of Rites early tomorrow morning. Give it to Lord Yu and have him send someone to White Iris Pass to personally deliver it to Yan Xun.”

Jiang Wu was startled, his heart missing a beat, but he nodded and said: “Your servant obeys.”

Seeing that his master had no further business, he quietly withdrew.

The letter was already sealed, and he certainly didn’t dare to open it. As he walked, he wondered: It’s said the royal family intends to form a marriage alliance with Yan Bei—could it be true? If so, would Huai Song in the future be surnamed Nalan or Yan? Could it be that the assassination attempt by the King of Taiping a few days ago was successful?

The thoughts of those high-ranking figures were not something someone like him could casually guess. Jiang Wu thought about it for a while, then stopped thinking. Attracted by the aroma from the kitchen, he went off to Slack.

Xuan Mo sat in the study, leaning against the back of a nanmu chair carved with nine dragons, slowly closing his eyes.

The news of the marriage alliance between Yan Bei and Huai Song quickly spread throughout the Western Meng lands. In these troubled times, this marriage allied the two countries. Soon, Huai Song’s navy positioned themselves at Huangfu Sea, eyeing Da Xia menacingly, posturing as if ready to cooperate with Yan Bei at any moment.

That night, the entire White Iris Pass remained immersed in cold silence as before. Since the Yan Bei army took over this checkpoint, the former prosperity had vanished.

Around the second watch, a group of soldiers wearing black camouflage uniforms with faces painted with greasepaint slowly appeared below the checkpoint.

Chu Qiao stood at the center of the formation and repeated the rules for this operation one more time.

First, indiscriminate elimination—anyone who might pose a threat or raise an alarm must be taken out cleanly and efficiently. Second, the first team would create chaos within the city, while the second team would drive horse herds from the northeast direction to cause panic among the garrison troops, creating the illusion of a large-scale attack by Da Xia forces. Third, the remaining forces would wait outside the city, ready to provide support to their comrades and slip through the checkpoint during the chaos.

Time ticked away second by second. When the drum of the third watch sounded, He Qi led the first team like a group of ghosts, swiftly moving toward the White Iris Pass checkpoint.

Simultaneously, the second team also departed, heading toward the horse herds that had been prepared in the northeast.

In the darkness, He Qi led the elite warriors of the Xiu Li Army, crawling forward, and soon disappeared. Chu Qiao waited in the dense forest with several personal guards. She sat quietly, repeatedly reviewing the entire plan in her mind, searching for flaws and loopholes.

Once, twice, three times.

Good, no problems. She took a deep breath and quietly waited for a response.

About half an hour later, thunderous hoofbeats suddenly resounded from the northeast. The horse hooves sounded like thunder, interspersed with the soldiers’ angry shouts. The dust raised by branches tied to the horses’ tails obscured the moon in the sky. At first glance, it seemed as if hundreds of thousands of troops were charging forward. The ramparts of White Iris Pass immediately erupted in commotion, with everyone’s attention drawn to the northeast.

Soon, the northeast gate of White Iris Pass opened, and two scout teams quietly rushed out. But before they could get close, the Xiu Li Army waiting outside the gate swiftly eliminated them.

Another half hour passed, and fires suddenly erupted inside the city. Chu Qiao immediately stood up and said in a deep voice: “Time’s up, let’s go!”

By the banks of the Chi Shui River, prepared rafts were pushed into the water. Chu Qiao led her subordinates onto the rafts, heading at full speed toward Bian Tang via the waterway.

The Yan Bei army consisted entirely of cavalry and heavy armor units without any navy. Having hastily taken over White Iris Pass, they certainly couldn’t fully defend such vast waters. With enemies attacking from both inside and out, at this moment, the Chi Shui waterway was the best route to Bian Tang.

However, less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, the sound of flowing water suddenly came from ahead. Chu Qiao quickly drew her strong bow, instantly pulling it to full draw. With a whoosh, a scream immediately rang out in the darkness, followed by hundreds of torches suddenly lighting up. About five hundred warships revealed themselves in the pitch-black night.

A series of urgent sounds followed as dozens of spears thrust toward them from all directions. A Yan Bei officer stood at the bow of a ship, holding a sword and shouting: “Rebels, prepare to die!”

Dozens of rows of sharp arrows were nocked, their points menacingly aimed at Chu Qiao and her people. The officer fiercely swung down his sword, and the soldiers pulled their crossbow triggers. Rows of arrows instantly shot forward.

“Jump!”

He Xiao suddenly shouted fiercely. In the next second, the Xiu Li Army collectively leaped into the vast Chi Shui River. The crossbow arrows struck the small rafts with a patter but left no trace of blood.

“Commander, they jumped into the river!”

Someone shouted, but soon, soldiers were crying out frantically: “General! The ships are leaking!”

Following that, countless voices rose one after another. Many ship hulls had been smashed, and river water rushed in roaring. In the blink of an eye, three small vessels sank. Those Yan Bei warriors who couldn’t swim clung to floating wood, struggling in the river. Miserable screams echoed across the water. Torches crackled, and chaos erupted everywhere.

“They’re under the water!”

That general raged and shouted: “Use stone machines and spears! Crush them! Stab them!”

“General, we can’t—our people are still in the river.”

“Get out!”

That adjutant was angrily rebuked. He still wanted to shout but was pulled aside by his comrades. The man said indignantly: “But His Majesty said to capture them alive!”

Others quickly responded: “Alive? We might not even catch them dead, let alone alive!”

Torches illuminated the sky as massive stones were launched.

The general shouted in rage, and his subordinates quickly loaded the stone machines while rows of spearmen rushed forward. In the next second, a rumbling sound filled the ears as huge stones crashed into the water. Spears rained down like arrows, piercing sharply into the Chi Shui River. The surface immediately rippled with waves of red mist, blood churning like red clouds.

The attacks came one wave after another. Gradually, the river surface calmed down. All of Chu Qiao’s rafts had been smashed. The fragments of nearly a thousand rafts formed a floating bridge on the water, rushing under the Yan Bei warships, piling up layer upon layer.

As the battle cries subsided, the hastily formed Yan Bei naval forces looked at the calm river surface in confusion, frowning: “Are they all dead? Why haven’t they floated up yet?”

“Look!”

Someone suddenly shouted, and everyone looked in that direction. Far behind them on the river, countless heads surfaced densely. These people floated on the water while removing their upper garments. Several gathered together, and after a moment, everyone rose, following the current, swiftly departing.

The general stared in astonishment, asking angrily: “What is that?”

An experienced old soldier said uncertainly: “It seems to be sheepskin rafts.”

“Chase them!”

“General, the wood fragments are blocking our way. The ships can’t move for now.”

The general stood dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected that despite having such huge advantages—sturdy ships, sharp arrows, and the defensive advantage of the terrain—these people had still managed to escape right under his nose. Nearly sixty thousand Yan Bei naval forces stood on the massive warships, watching those silhouettes gradually disappear into the thick darkness, unable to recover from their shock for a long time.

After reuniting with He Qi and the others, Chu Qiao counted their numbers and found that over three thousand people had died in the recent battle, with two thousand killed by Yan Bei’s stone machines and spears.

Still, passing through White Iris Pass at such a cost was an unimaginable victory. But this wasn’t the end. Although they had left White Iris Pass, they had successfully attracted the attention of the Yan Bei army, and the vast territory behind White Iris Pass was still under Yan Bei’s control.

Chu Qiao made a quick decision, leading the army into the mountains. Two days later, they encountered the enemy’s first ambush. In three days, the two sides clashed more than twenty times, mostly ending with the Xiu Li Army’s victory. After all, compared to the Yan Bei army, which excelled in cavalry warfare, the Xiu Li Army was more proficient in field operations and close-quarters combat. Under Chu Qiao’s military theory leadership, they fought while retreating, rapidly approaching the territories governed by the legitimate royal family of Bian Tang.

However, just as they were about to leave the mountains and enter Han Shui territory, Yan Bei suddenly set fire to the mountains. The fire burned for four consecutive days, spreading throughout the Qiu Tang mountain region. Many mountain villages were affected, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.

With no choice, Chu Qiao had to lead the army out of the mountains prematurely. Because of the fires, they lost their way, emerging more than three hundred li off course. Despite having Wolf Army veterans familiar with the terrain, the next morning, they once again encountered the Yan Bei army at a narrow pass.

In the battle of Li Kang Yuan, both sides suffered heavy casualties. Chu Qiao led three thousand elite troops to attack the enemy camp. The enemy commander was unfortunately hit by a stray arrow during the battle, his fate unknown. But the Yan Bei army proved worthy of being one of the continent’s top iron armies. Even with their commander wounded, they maintained their formation, fighting while retreating, resisting tenaciously.

The large troop had poor mobility, but fortunately, they had captured many horses in several battles. After the Li Kang Yuan battle, Chu Qiao divided the army into ten small teams of four thousand each, each team less than two li apart, advancing in a fan-shaped formation toward Han Shui Pass.

However, just as they reached South Li Prefecture, Chu Qiao suddenly fell ill. She had noticed her discomfort five days earlier—stomach pain as if being cut by a knife, along with fever, dizziness, nausea, and weakness in her limbs. Due to the urgency of the war, she had forced herself to continue with strong willpower. But now, having temporarily escaped the Yan Bei army’s pursuit, her spirit was increasingly failing. Despite her objections, He Xiao settled the troops outside the city and took her into South Li City.

Although Bian Tang had descended into civil war and Yan Bei had passed through this area, the domestic destruction was far less severe than in Da Xia. Some large cities still maintained their original prosperity. Apart from some prices being driven up due to the war, there was almost no other impact.

He Xiao sent someone to find a doctor. Chu Qiao, who had been drowsy, now couldn’t sleep. She lay on the clean bed, quietly staring at the curtains, her thoughts drifting like clouds on the horizon.

When the Yan Bei soldiers were hunting them down, they kept calling them rebels, which meant they knew her identity. Indeed, with Yan Xun’s wisdom, he should have guessed that at this time, the only one who would risk breaking through the checkpoint was her, the Xiu Li Princess personally appointed by Li Ce.

This meant that Yan Xun had set his heart on killing her.

It made sense. Now that Yan Xun had allied with the Lady of Jing An Wang, while she was bringing troops to help Li Xiu Yi, as the leader of White Iris Pass, he naturally had to help his ally block her at the checkpoint. On the battlefield, there was no father-son relationship, let alone whatever they had been to each other.

She understood this.

Yan Xun had increasingly acquired the aura of a hegemon—decisive in killing, sharp and bold, daring yet meticulous, with astonishing methods. The present him was no longer the child who had huddled in the Sacred Golden Palace years ago; he no longer needed to watch anyone’s face.

The doctor arrived quickly. He Xiao stood behind the doctor, anxiously watching as he took her pulse.

The white-bearded old doctor pondered for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: “Congratulations, young man. Your wife is with child.”

He Xiao was stunned, then his face turned bright red. He quickly told the doctor: “Don’t speak nonsense. This is my lady; I am just a guard.”

Hearing this, the doctor immediately apologized, explaining with a smile that seeing him so nervous, he had mistakenly assumed him to be the child’s father, and hoped for forgiveness.

While He Xiao and the doctor exchanged words, Chu Qiao was completely stunned, as if struck to the bone. Her mouth is slightly open, she couldn’t utter a word for a long time.

What did he say? With child? She was pregnant?

She looked at the old doctor incredulously, asking in disbelief: “What did you say? Say it again?”

“My lady, you’ve been far too careless. You’ve been pregnant for almost three months, and you didn’t know it yourself? Besides, your constitution is very poor, and your pulse is erratic. If you cannot rest peacefully, this pregnancy could be extremely dangerous.”

Three months?

Chu Qiao lowered her head, looking at her still-flat abdomen. How was it possible? She was pregnant? While waiting to be married, while fighting across the north and south, while soaking in rivers, facing gunfire, and riding horses into battle—there had been a child in her womb?

“I’ll prescribe some medicine to nourish your blood and qi and stabilize the pregnancy. You must take it diligently, then rest peacefully. You mustn’t travel long distances or exhaust yourself.”

The old doctor comforted her with a few words, then left with He Xiao. Chu Qiao sat on the bed, still dazed. These days, bad news had been coming frequently, and the war situation had been tumultuous. Everything was like huge waves, crashing toward her one after another. But unexpectedly, in such circumstances, she had become pregnant.

She reached out with trembling hands, gently covering her abdomen. Faintly, she seemed to hear the weak heartbeat of the child.

A tear suddenly slid from the corner of her eye. She bit her lower lip lightly, her throat holding back a choke, silently shedding tears.

Zhuge Yue, I’m carrying your child.

I have a child now.

Night gradually fell. He Xiao lit a candle in the room. He brought some nourishing food and soup, walked to Chu Qiao’s bedside, and quietly asked: “My lady, are we still going to Tang Capital? Why not turn back to Qinghai instead?”

Chu Qiao raised her head to look at him, her gaze fixed, not speaking.

“My lady, your body is not suitable for continuing to lead troops. If you don’t think of yourself, think of the Fourth Young Master, think of the child in your belly.”

Chu Qiao trembled at his words. She looked down at her stomach, continuing to remain silent. After a long time, she finally raised her head and said softly: “He Xiao, I’ve already deceived him once.”

He Xiao was surprised, not knowing who she was talking about, and asked: “My lady, what are you saying?”

“I’ve already deceived him once,” Chu Qiao’s gaze was calm and distant, quietly looking at the candle flame. “I told him I would stay by his side to protect him, not letting others bully him anymore, but I couldn’t do it. He has no parents anymore. I’m thinking of my child, but who will think of him?”

He Xiao suddenly understood she was talking about the Tang Emperor Li Xiu Yi. He frowned and said: “My lady, at this point, the situation cannot be reversed by your efforts alone. Even if you had stayed in Bian Tang, you might not have prevented today’s events. Your health is poor; you must not overthink and take everything upon yourself.”

Chu Qiao raised her head and took a deep breath.

“He Xiao, there are some responsibilities in this world that can’t be escaped.”

Her lips curved into a slight smile as she said quietly: “I owe a great debt to Li Ce, a great debt to Bian Tang. Now it’s time to repay. I think if I abandon that child to danger, my child would also look down on me in the future.”

She sat up, got out of bed, put on her shoes, walked to the table, and began to eat. After finishing her meal, she obediently drank her medicine.

In the lamplight, she looked thin, nowhere resembling a mother three months pregnant.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

He Xiao looked at her, not knowing for a moment who she was referring to—herself, the child in her belly, or the current Tang Emperor.

The night wind was a bit cool, blowing the willow branches outside the window.

The mountains and waters of Bian Tang remained as before, but the footsteps of war drew near.

At the same time, in the main tent at White Iris Pass, Yan Xun wore a dark robe, lounging casually on a couch. Below him were more than a dozen young beauties just sent by local wealthy merchants, each wearing light gauze, half-dressed, looking tender and alluring.

Occasionally, a bold young woman would raise her head to steal a glance at the man above who held immense power. Unfortunately, his gaze never turned in their direction, not even for a moment.

“Your Majesty, we have arranged our forces to ensure we’ll annihilate the Xiu Li Army at Han Shui Pass.”

“Guards!”

Yan Xun suddenly raised his head and gestured, and a guard walked in.

“Take him away and give him twenty lashes!”

The guard immediately seized the staff officer to take him out. The man didn’t know what he had said wrong and quickly begged for forgiveness, though he didn’t dare plead for mercy. Soon, screams of pain were heard, frightening the young women kneeling on the ground pale-faced. None dared to raise their heads again.

“Annihilate…”

Yan Xun softly repeated these words, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. The candlelight shone on his face, seeming to cover it with a faint golden glow.

He lounged lazily on the couch, lying on his side to sleep, ignoring the many charming beauties kneeling below. Shortly after, he drifted into dreams.

That night, though thousands of li apart, they spoke the same words at the same time:

“Hopefully, I won’t meet him (her).”

Faintly, it was again many, many years ago. Under a dilapidated eave, a girl wearing a light pink padded jacket, with reddened cheeks, sat by the lamplight mending clothes. While sewing, she turned to tell the young man: “On the battlefield, there’s no father-son relationship, everything is for the nation’s interest. Even if brothers face each other on the battlefield, they cannot retreat. I’m not telling you about the ‘Romance of Sui and Tang’ now; I’m teaching you Tang history. That’s fiction, this is authentic history. Listen carefully.”

“What authentic history? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Just listen carefully, learn well.”

“If you were Li Shimin, would you also kill your elder brother?”

“Of course, I would. Would I leave him to kill me? Haven’t I told you they no longer had much affection for each other? By the way, what about you? Wouldn’t you kill?”

The young man thought silently for a moment, then suddenly said: “If it were me, I would have killed him while fighting Liu Wuzhou.”

The girl was startled, giving a thumbs up: “You’re impressive.”

…

The night of mourning enveloped heaven and earth, suppressing even the ripples of memory, unable to make the slightest sound.

The next day, someone secretly left White Iris Pass, riding to Han Shui, where one hundred thousand troops were now stationed—all elite forces from Yan Bei. They came both to aid the Lady of Jing An Wang and to guard the opponent’s lifeline while protecting their retreat route.

On the same day, Chu Qiao received the other warriors of the Xiu Li Army and Wolf Army at South Li Prefecture. Forty thousand people gathered in the wilderness, raising their black sabers like a flourishing forest.

“Han Shui is the necessary route from Tang Capital to the northwest. Without breaking through Han Shui, we cannot resolve the crisis of Tang Capital’s siege.”

Chu Qiao’s snow-white finger pointed at the map, drawing a circle at the Han Shui checkpoint, saying in a deep voice: “The battle that will determine life and death is about to come.”