Love and Crown

On the first day of the tenth month in the eighteenth year of Virtuous Blessing, the day that shattered all peace, began no differently than any other.

In the quiet of an autumn afternoon, a scout barged straight into the inner palace, still clad in bloodstained and dust-covered armor. Kneeling at the foot of the stone steps, he roared hoarsely, "The Tatars have invaded! Datong is in peril!"

Xiao Huan listened silently to the scout’s report before finally lifting his head. "Summon all officials to the palace to await orders. Dispatch a nine-hundred-li urgent courier to recall the Prince of Chu to the capital."

The Tatar advance was nothing like the Jurchen rebellion a decade prior. Their elite, bloodthirsty cavalry breached the supposedly impregnable walls of Datong on the third day after the report arrived. Liu Zhen, the commander of Datong, died in service, and thirty thousand soldiers fought to the last man, refusing surrender.

Overnight, the capital was stripped of its defenses, left exposed beneath the enemy’s iron hooves.

No one could have imagined that within mere days, the tranquil prosperity of the empire would be engulfed in flames of war. Nor could anyone have foreseen that the capital, stable for a century, would teeter on the brink of collapse overnight.

By the fifth day of the tenth month, on the third day of the Tatar cavalry encamping outside the capital, the court was already shrouded in pleas for surrender. Ministers who had once passionately debated state affairs now urged their families to pack their belongings while advocating for the court to flee south.

Amid the endless debates in the Qianqing Palace that day, the former Regent Prince, clad in dust-covered white robes, ascended the white marble steps one by one. His cold voice carried the sharpness of steel: "Move the capital? To where? Hangzhou? What are you all trying to emulate—the Southern Song’s retreat?"

Only then did the emperor, who had been leaning against the Imperial Throne with his eyes closed, open them. His tone was as indifferent as ever: "Those who just now suggested relocating the capital—each of you will receive fifty strokes of the court rod. If I hear those two words from anyone again, it will be death without pardon."

Jiao Yan, nearly giddy with excitement, recounted to me what she had heard from a young eunuch who had been at court. "You wouldn’t believe how awe-inspiring His Majesty and the Prince of Chu were! The moment they spoke, not a single person in the hall dared even breathe!"

"Enough already…" I laughed, waving a hand at her exaggerated description. "If no one dared breathe, they’d suffocate!"

Jiao Yan chuckled sheepishly. "I was just trying to convey how terrifyingly majestic His Majesty and the Prince of Chu were—enough to silence those spineless ministers!"

"Majestic? They’re not some kind of evil-warding divine beasts…" I laughed again and patted her shoulder. "Enough chatter. Go tell the Imperial Cuisine staff to clear the lunch from the table and bring fresh dishes. These have gone cold."

"Oh? Not divine beasts, then?" A voice laced with amusement sounded from behind me—clear, soft, and melodious, like the chime of jade springs, unchanged from years past. "Does this fresh meal include a portion for me?"

I turned hurriedly. Behind Xiao Huan, who stood smiling at me, was a figure in flowing white robes. His light jade-green eyes curved with a bright, radiant smile. "Cang Cang, it’s been a long time."

"Xiao Qianqing…" I rose from my chair and smiled softly. "It has been a long time."

The mirth in his pale green eyes deepened. Reaching past Xiao Huan, he grasped my arm, then leaned in and pulled me into a tight embrace. "I’ve missed you, Cang Cang."Gasping for breath from his tight embrace, I couldn't help rolling my eyes: "Thanks for missing me, but really... it's been less than a year. No need to hug me so tightly..."

Xiao Qianqing released me slightly, his phoenix eyes crinkling with a faint smile: "A year is still a long time..."

Meeting his gaze, I smiled back: "You're right... a year isn't short at all..."

These past years, it's been rare for more than half a year to pass without seeing Xiao Qianqing.

That year, though Xiao Qianqing had tossed court affairs to Xiao Huan and practically fled back to his fiefdom as if afraid of being burdened with responsibilities again...

First, Xiao Huan never formally issued an Imperial Edict revoking Xiao Qianqing's regent duties. Second, Xiao Qianqing never seemed to regard Emperor Taizong's decree prohibiting feudal lords from leaving their fiefdoms without permission. So every now and then, he'd openly return to the Forbidden Palace, staying for ten days to half a month as if it were his own princely residence.

"Alright, enough chatter," I said cheerfully, tugging at both Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan's sleeves. "You must be tired! Come eat! Otherwise these dishes will have to be sent back to the kitchens to be reheated!"

They both smiled indulgently as I pulled them to the table.

Having been apart for so long, Xiao Qianqing and I kept chatting casually as the three of us sat down to dine.

After the meal, before the first pot of after-dinner tea could be brewed, the children—having somehow learned of Xiao Qianqing's return—came swarming in, calling "Uncle Qing! Uncle Qing!" incessantly.

Scooping Xiao Xie onto his lap, Xiao Qianqing smiled charmingly: "Xiao Xie... did you miss Uncle Qing? Did you dream about me?"

The wild girl giggled happily, wrapping her arms around his neck: "I did! I did! After Father, I like Uncle Qing best!"

As the two played joyfully, Lian and Yan gathered around, laughing along foolishly. Xiao Qianqing bent down unceremoniously to pull Lian over, immediately pinching and squeezing the boy's cheeks.

"Hey, hey!" I protested. "Don't flirt with my daughter while bullying my son!"

Xiao Qianqing kept tugging at Lian's cheeks, sighing dramatically: "What can I do? Lian looks so much like his father—seeing him makes me want to tease him..."

What kind of logic was that! I rolled my eyes again, resigned to watching Xiao Qianqing mercilessly pinch Lian until the boy whimpered, then laugh triumphantly along with Xiao Xie and Xiao Yan.

One Xiao Qianqing plus three children—though rowdy... they seemed thoroughly content in their revelry.

I loved playing but rarely had time to spend with the children. Xiao Huan, naturally quiet and in poor health, inspired such devotion that even the most clingy children would become subdued around him, afraid of disturbing him. Xiao Qianqing, however, always indulged their antics—whenever the four got together, peace in the rear palace became impossible...

After playing with the children for a while, Xiao Qianqing stopped and took out three jade pendant ornaments from his robe, giving one to each child with a pat on their heads: "Uncle Qing's gifts for you. Wear them around your necks—lose them and you'll get spanked..."

Accepting their gifts, the three children examined the intricate patterns on the jade curiously.Standing at a distance, I could only vaguely make out the dragon-scale-like patterns on the jade hook. Xiao Huan, who had been quietly watching us with a faint smile, suddenly spoke in an unexpectedly somber tone: "Qianqing, what did you give them?"

"Just the Kui Dragon Pendant of the Azure Dragon branch leader, cut into three pieces," Xiao Qianqing replied indifferently, not even glancing at Xiao Huan, as if he hadn't just mentioned the Kui Dragon Pendant—a symbol of status second only to the Vermilion Bird branch leader within the Xiao clan.

A chill ran through me before I could speak, but Xiao Huan was already asking, "Qianqing, do you intend to lead this campaign?"

"If I don't go, will you?" Xiao Qianqing scoffed, lifting his gaze to meet Xiao Huan's. "In your current state, with your martial arts long since crippled?"

Xiao Qianqing truly spared no mercy. Eight years ago, during the battle against the Azure Jade Sect at Tianshan, Xiao Huan had used medicine to purge the Cold Poison from his body. While this freed his Inner Force from the cold's suppression, allowing him to wield it freely, the backlash on his body doubled. Later, Chen Luomo saved Xiao Huan by channeling nearly two decades of cultivated Yin-cold Inner Force into his Meridians, suppressing the extreme Yang energy within him. But this act also rendered Xiao Huan's martial arts useless. Now, devoid of Inner Force, his King Wind had been stored away for years.

Xiao Huan merely smiled faintly at Xiao Qianqing's words and fell silent. The three children, however, grew quiet upon hearing Xiao Qianqing's remarks, turning to stare pleadingly at Xiao Huan. Xiao Xie hesitated before climbing down from Xiao Qianqing's lap, tugging at Xiao Huan's sleeve timidly. "Father, you're not well... Please don't go to the border to fight, okay?" She then glanced back at Xiao Qianqing, her face conflicted. "Xiao Xie doesn’t want Uncle Qing to go either. Can you both stay?"

Involuntarily following Xiao Xie's gaze to Xiao Qianqing, my heart clenched, leaving me speechless.

Xiao Qianqing chuckled lightly, propping his chin on one hand and raising a brow. "What’s there to fear, Xiao Xie? A few Tatar barbarians are nothing to your Uncle Qing. Wait here obediently, and when I return, I’ll bring you a Tatar blood-sweating horse to ride."

At the mention of the blood-sweating horse, Xiao Xie's eyes lit up instantly. "A real blood-sweating horse? The kind that sweats red?"

"Of course," Xiao Qianqing laughed, reaching out to pinch both Lian and Yan's cheeks simultaneously. "You two take good care of your sister. When I return, you’ll get gifts too!"

Hearing his lighthearted tone, the children relaxed, their laughter and play soon resuming.

Seizing the moment when Xiao Xie let go of Xiao Huan's sleeve to run back to Xiao Qianqing, I reached under the table and took Xiao Huan's hand.

He returned the gesture gently, his grip steady and warm.

Turning, I met his calm gaze. He smiled softly at me but said nothing.

With the nation in crisis, even Xiao Qianqing set aside his playful demeanor with the children. After sending the three little troublemakers away in the afternoon, the Hall of Mental Cultivation once again became a hub for ministers discussing urgent matters.

Grateful that Phoenix Come Pavilion had no pressing affairs, I stayed in the palace that afternoon. Though I couldn’t enter the inner chamber where state affairs were deliberated, remaining in the outer room allowed me to assist the overwhelmed Feng Wufu.In the evening, it was almost Xu hour by the time all the court officials finally left. When I entered the Warm Chamber, I saw only Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing remaining in the room, sitting on the soft couch amidst the thin haze of accumulated incense smoke, both with their heads lowered and hands supporting their foreheads.

Sighing, I walked over: "Shall we go out for dinner, or have it served here?"

Seeing me enter, Xiao Qianqing lifted his head and smiled at me: "Serve it here, it's too troublesome to move."

As I approached the couch, Xiao Huan finally raised his head and gave me a faint smile: "Cang Cang."

From the moment I entered, I had noticed something off about his complexion. I walked to his side and reached out: "Brother Xiao..."

Before I could finish speaking, he had already lowered his head, pressing a hand to his chest as he coughed lightly.

Quickly supporting him, I panicked slightly: "Brother Xiao, what's wrong? Is your chest hurting badly?"

On the other side of the couch, Xiao Qianqing's expression also changed slightly as he leaned forward, then frowned and snorted lightly: "Can't even handle this much! Truly too delicate."

Leaning on my arm, Xiao Huan lifted his head and shook it with a smile: "Just a little tired, it's nothing."

Last time when it got so severe at the end, he had also called it "a little tired."

Frowning, I stomped my foot but could only say in the end: "Do you have any appetite? Should I help you inside to rest first?"

Perhaps thinking I was being overly cautious, Xiao Qianqing snorted: "Help him? Why not carry him in?"

Not sure why he was being so sour, I turned back with some amusement: "He's too heavy for me to carry. Why don't you do it instead?"

Stunned for a moment, Xiao Qianqing's face reddened slightly before he snorted again and turned away: "My hands are slippery—he's too heavy for me to carry either!"

"Mm..." Xiao Huan spoke up, smiling, "I wouldn't be that heavy, would I..."

Without thinking, Xiao Qianqing immediately shot back: "Do you want me to carry you?" Only after speaking did he realize his mistake, pressing his lips together as half of his jade-like face flushed red.

It was rare to see Xiao Qianqing so embarrassed. Still supporting Xiao Huan, I burst into laughter, while Xiao Huan also lowered his head, clearly suppressing his own amusement with two light coughs.

Despite the joke, Xiao Huan didn't go to rest first, but he still ate very little at dinner. Originally, Xiao Qianqing and he seemed to have planned to discuss something after the meal, but once dinner was over, Xiao Qianqing stood up and said, "I'll go rest first." Then he walked out without even a glance back.

I didn't even have time to offer to see him off, so I could only turn back to Xiao Huan: "Tired? Do you want to bathe and change?"

Sitting on the couch, he tilted his head slightly to look at me and shook it with a smile: "Really, it's nothing. I just felt a bit weary earlier."

Wrinkling my nose at him, I snorted lightly: "You're too unreliable—I don't believe you!" As I spoke, I walked over and sat beside him, wrapping my arms around him.

Unconsciously, my arms tightened with great force, holding him so tightly... as if, if I didn't, I might never be able to hold him again.

I am selfish. The moment I heard that the Tatars had captured Datong, my first thought wasn't of the nation's peril or the people's suffering, but of what would become of Xiao Huan.

Everyone else could flee. Even if the Imperial Guards were defeated and the capital fell, others could still escape—go into exile or simply surrender to the Tatars. Only he could not.The empire of Da Wu only stands when the Son of Heaven stands, and the Son of Heaven of Da Wu can only be in the capital. Either defend this national gate, or perish with the nation—there is no third path.

Suddenly, I regretted not leaving him in the Martial World. Xiao Yuncong or Bai Chi Fan of the Martial World was peerlessly talented and capable of anything. Even if driven to Tianshan, unless he sought death, not even the full might of the Azure Jade Sect could harm him. But as the emperor of Da Wu, this position bore too much weight, this throne was too high... so high it almost felt empty and ungrounded...

At this moment, my wavering and timidity were unlike myself.

"Brother Xiao..." Burying my face deep into his sleeve, I heard the tremor in my voice that I couldn’t hide, "I'm scared..."

"Cang Cang..." His hands, cool yet warm, cupped my cheeks. His gaze remained as gentle as ever, his eyes holding their usual soothing smile. "It's alright. Just trust me." He paused, then smiled again. "The capital won’t fall. I won’t let it fall."

These were words no one had dared to speak since the Tatars breached the gates. In just a few days, morale had already crumbled. Apart from Xiao Qianqing’s resolute questioning in court this morning, no one had dared to say such things—that the Tatars would surely be repelled, that the capital would never fall.

Staring blankly at him, I took a deep breath and then raised my head.

What was I doing? Acting like those cowards in court, terrified before even seeing the Tatars’ warhorses... Like some weak, useless woman, clinging to her husband and crying when disaster struck!

Lifting my chin, I hugged him tighter and raised my voice. "Who said I’m scared of the Tatars? I’ll cut down every stinking barbarian that comes, one by one or two by two! I’m just worried my delicate male concubine might get accidentally hurt!"

He frowned slightly but couldn’t hold back a laugh. "First ‘frail as a reed,’ now ‘delicate’... Between you and Qianqing, do I even seem like a man anymore..."

"You’ve always been a kept male concubine!" I shot back without hesitation, baring my teeth at him.

He coughed lightly, laughing even harder.

Just sporadic coughs, and he had slept peacefully through the night. Yet by the next morning, Xiao Huan couldn’t rise from bed.

Waking at dawn as usual, he no longer had the strength to get up. Looking at Xiao Qianqing, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, he smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Qianqing. I’m afraid you’ll have to handle court today."

With a light scoff, Xiao Qianqing crossed his arms, his expression grim. "Stop pushing yourself when you’re already sick! Don’t worry—Da Wu won’t collapse without you!" With that, he turned and left.

Watching his usually elegant figure storm off almost petulantly, though worried, I couldn’t help but smile. Sitting by the bed, I pressed Xiao Huan’s hand to my cheek.

Yang Tai had already come by. This stern and upright physician, so unlike Li Mingshang, had said the same thing as when Xiao Huan collapsed last time after checking his pulse: exhaustion from overwork, requiring careful rest.Hearing this diagnosis again, I wasn't sure what to feel. Surprisingly, I didn't get angry or scold Yang Tai. I just watched Jiao Yan escort him out and then sat by Xiao Huan's side.

When the faint warmth from his palm reached my cheek, I finally looked up and smiled at him. "Despite his sharp tongue, Xiao Qianqing actually cares about you quite a bit... He's so vain, yet when he rushed here just now, he didn't even have his hair properly tied up..."

He chuckled softly. "Qianqing has been stubborn since childhood... but it's not too bad..."

I had always felt there was some awkwardness between Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing, and I'd never really asked about their childhood. Smiling, I said, "You seem to know him quite well. When did you two first meet?"

He smiled again. "That... would probably be the eleventh year of Delun? When Qianqing was four years old."

This genuinely surprised me. "That early..."

"Not really," he said with a light laugh. "Back then, Third Imperial Uncle hadn't yet been enfeoffed to the Chu region, and his residence was still in the capital. It's just that Qianqing wasn't brought to the palace until he was four, so that's when we first met."

"I see." Recalling those events, I nodded.

Back then, Xiao Qianqing's father, Xiao Danyan, was the biological son of Emperor Jingzong and the younger brother of Emperors Yingzong and Ruizong. Yet, whether in court or the inner palace, the third prince was treated with notable indifference.

Thus, Xiao Danyan left the palace at sixteen to reside in his princely mansion in the capital. At twenty-five, he was enfeoffed to the Chu region, where he remained until his death, with the title of Prince of Chu passing to Xiao Qianqing. He never returned to the capital.

So, although Xiao Qianqing was already the second-generation Prince of Chu, he was actually Xiao Huan's first cousin. This was also a major reason why, during Empress Dowager Liu's coup in the ninth year of Virtuous Blessing, many elder ministers supported Xiao Qianqing as emperor—he was indeed the imperial clansman closest in bloodline to the Vermilion Branch among the Azure Dragon lineage at that time.

Xiao Qianqing was born to Xiao Danyan and a dancer in his mansion when he was sixteen. By the time they left the capital for Chu, he would have been around nine years old.

Thinking about it, he must have had plenty of opportunities to interact with Xiao Huan during his childhood.

"Eh? What did Xiao Qianqing call you back then?" I asked Xiao Huan with a grin. "Surely not 'Your Highness the Crown Prince'?"

"Back then..." Xiao Huan smiled faintly. "Qianqing always called me 'Brother Huan.'"

"What? Really? Did he follow you around calling you 'Brother' over and over?" I laughed. When Xiao Qianqing first met Xiao Huan, he addressed him with a mocking, cold tone as "Your Majesty." Later, he only referred to him as "my imperial brother" in front of me, but to his face, he remained hostile. It was hard to imagine there was a time he called Xiao Huan "Brother Huan."

Xiao Huan chuckled softly but didn't deny it. He frowned slightly before smiling again. "Not quite to the point of following me around..."

As we chatted lightly, no trace of fatigue showed on his face, and the smile at his lips remained gentle and calm. Yet under the pale daylight, his complexion was so pallid it seemed almost translucent.

"Brother Xiao." Pressing his hand tightly against my cheek, I looked up at him, wanting to smile but failing to lift the corners of my mouth. I truly was selfish. "Brother Xiao, I'm glad you can rest."Regardless of the menacing Tatar cavalry outside the city walls, regardless of the endlessly bickering court officials, regardless of any new battle opportunities that arose, regardless of the land being contested inch by inch in the midst of fierce fighting—

If only he would, when weary, set everything aside for a moment and rest, that would be enough.

His gentle voice remained unchanged, carrying a smile as he looked at me: "Cang Cang, I've made you worry."

Before the Tatar forces reached Juyong Pass, the last barrier protecting the capital, on the morning court assembly of the eighth day of the tenth month in the eighteenth year of Virtuous Blessing, standing beside the Imperial Throne in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Feng Wufu, recited the Imperial Edict word by word: "The Emperor shall personally lead the campaign, while the Prince of Chu remains in the capital to oversee state affairs."

"Fine!" In the warm chamber of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Qianqing threw the bright yellow silk Imperial Edict to the ground with a loud "smack," sneering coldly: "Even illness can be faked! Our Emperor's methods are truly brilliant!"

The room had long been cleared of people, leaving it eerily silent. I could only force a smile, walk over, and pick up the scroll: "Xiao Qianqing, if you're angry, just be angry. Why throw things?"

Still sneering coldly, Xiao Qianqing ignored my deliberate attempt to divert the topic and suddenly laughed: "Very well. Since His Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled, this humble official begs to be excused for his stupidity and inability to serve. This official takes his leave..."

"Xiao Qianqing!" I quickly called out again. If even such words were spoken, it seemed Xiao Qianqing was truly furious this time.

"Qianqing," Xiao Huan, who had been silent until now, looked up and met Xiao Qianqing's gaze. "If it weren't necessary, I wouldn't have done this."

Meeting his gaze, Xiao Qianqing narrowed his eyes slightly and sneered again: "Necessary? Necessary means feigning illness, pushing state affairs onto me, and then suddenly issuing an edict to personally lead the campaign?"

"Stay in the court, Qianqing," Xiao Huan continued, pausing briefly while holding Xiao Qianqing's gaze. "Lian is still young."

His light-colored eyes narrowed and then relaxed. Xiao Qianqing let out another cold laugh and turned to leave: "I'm not here to raise your son for you!"

Knowing that Xiao Qianqing's words meant he wouldn't actually leave, I didn't call after him this time. Watching his figure disappear through the palace doors, I smiled, placed the edict on the table, and walked over to Xiao Huan, taking his hand. "This act of yours was well-played. I never thought Xiao Qianqing could be fooled like this."

He smiled faintly and raised his hand to caress my cheek. "Cang Cang... I made you worry these past days."

"It's alright," I sighed, looking up at him. "I’ve long grown used to you falling ill at the drop of a hat. And I guessed you’d insist on going to war yourself..."

That Imperial Edict for the personal campaign had been drafted right under my nose. Over the past few days, I’d often seen him leaning against the bed during his free time, casually writing and sketching with a brush—yet I never went over to see what he was writing.

Truthfully, his spirits had been quite good these days. Though he claimed to be ill and rested in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he slept and rose early, even finding leisure to play chess with Lian on the couch... Had Xiao Qianqing found time to visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he might have realized he’d been deceived much sooner.

Given Xiao Huan’s nature, unless he had other plans, even if he were bedridden, he’d likely cling stubbornly to state affairs in the face of an invading enemy.

In wartime, everything was simplified. The edict was issued on the eighth day of the tenth month, and by the ninth, the imperial procession and imperial guards were to depart from the Xuanwu Gate for the front lines.

On the morning of the ninth, I was sitting on a chair in the hall of One Water Courtyard.

"This month’s income from the thirty-eight Jiangsu pawnshops is..." Mu Yan paused mid-sentence, waving the Records in front of my eyes. "...Are you even listening?"

Pulling my gaze back from the window, I nodded. "I heard. The pawnshops, grain stores, cloth shops, and gambling houses all saw worse business than last month. The banks had many withdrawals—people are packing their valuables to flee because of the war..."

Mu Yan sighed helplessly. "I wasn’t telling you that income dropped. I was telling you how much money we can spare to support the court and aid the people..."I nodded. "With the nation in crisis, we certainly have our part to do as well." After speaking, I paused, unsure of what else to say.

Su Qian waved her hand dismissively. "I think we should just carry on and skip over you."

Mu Yan was clearly pleased to hear this and immediately stood up with a nod. "In that case, I'll have someone calculate the figures. Once we have the exact numbers, I'll bring them back for your review."

Knowing I had been distracted and delayed official matters, I smiled apologetically at Mu Yan. "Sorry to trouble you with this."

Mu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Since when have you been so polite?" Without another word to me, she hurried out the door.

Left alone, Su Qian picked up her teacup and took a sip before remarking lightly, "I didn’t expect you to stay behind."

I chuckled, still gazing out the window. "I have other things to do too. I can’t spend all my time following him around."

The memory of this morning flashed through my mind—no different from any other morning. We had risen together, washed up, and shared breakfast. I had kissed the corner of his lips, bid him farewell with a smile, and then come to Phoenix Come Pavilion.

With the capital in peril and enemies at our gates, as the Pavilion Master of Phoenix Come Pavilion, it was my duty to stand firm and inspire confidence in all our disciples.

"Can you really let go so easily?" After a moment of silence, Su Qian glanced at me and spoke.

"I have other responsibilities," I replied, turning my gaze back to her with a smile. "I can’t leave."

Su Qian looked at me, then suddenly turned away with a soft sigh. "Even at a time like this, you make no demands… Sometimes I truly envy how the White Pavilion Master indulges you… It’s almost as if he isn’t an emperor treating his empress…"

That’s how it should be, right? Any empress worthy of being called virtuous should stand by her emperor’s side in such moments—supporting him, sharing his burdens as both the nation’s mother and his wife, easing his troubles.

"Brother Xiao doesn’t need that." I paused, then smiled. "This might sound irresponsible, but Brother Xiao isn’t the kind of person who constantly needs someone by his side for support. When he sets out to do something, he’s better off alone.

"Besides," I continued with a smile, turning back to the golden ginkgo tree outside the window, "I’ve never loved him as an empress, and he’s never loved me as an emperor. Words like, ‘Since you’re my empress, you must act this way,’ or ‘Now that you’re my empress, that’s all you are—no other identity remains’… Brother Xiao would never say such things, nor would he even think them."

I took a quiet breath and smiled. "That’s why he’s worth it, Su Qian. Worth it even when, for his sake, I sometimes nearly forget who I am… and still don’t regret it."

Lowering her head in silence for a long while, Su Qian finally sighed softly and stood from her chair. "Fine. As a hall master of Phoenix Come Pavilion, it’s rather unbecoming of me to urge my own Pavilion Master to abandon our disciples in times of crisis just to run after her man." She nodded at me. "Even if you’re distracted and practically useless, I’m glad you’re staying in the pavilion at a time like this."

Was that supposed to be praise? Why did I not hear a single note of praise in those words… This woman truly never misses a chance to mock me.

With a helpless smile, I nodded. "Thanks for your approval…"Before the words had even faded, a thunderous boom suddenly erupted outside the window, followed by increasingly deafening roars that seemed to shake the very floor beneath our feet. It was the 108-gun salute, honoring the imperial procession's departure.

As the prolonged cannonade finally ceased, Su Qian looked down at me with a faint smile. "It's noon. The imperial expeditionary army has set off."

"Mm," I nodded and smiled back at her.

With a light chuckle, Su Qian descended the steps and walked across the courtyard until she disappeared from view.

I patted my cheeks to clear my mind, but my gaze inevitably drifted back to the steps. A few delicate golden leaves, shaped like tiny fans from the ginkgo tree outside, lay scattered there.

Unnoticed, autumn had deepened its embrace.

On the first day of the tenth month in the eighteenth year of Virtuous Blessing, Esen, the Tatar prince, citing the Great Wu's reduction of tribute horses and gifts as justification, led his forces to attack Datong Prefecture. By the third day, Datong had fallen. On the fourth day, Esen's 200,000-strong army advanced unimpeded, pressing toward Juyong Pass, placing the capital in imminent peril.

On the fifth day, the Prince of Chu, urgently recalled to the capital, rebuked his ministers and staunchly advocated for resistance. He mobilized 220,000 troops from the capital's garrisons and regional commanders to defend the city.

By the eighth day, Esen launched a massive assault on the capital with 20,000 eastern troops, 100,000 central troops, and 50,000 western troops, attacking from three routes: Gubeikou, Juyong Pass, and Zijing Pass. That same day, the Virtuous Blessing Emperor issued an edict appointing the Prince of Chu as regent and personally led three elite imperial guard battalions into battle.

On the tenth day, the imperial expeditionary forces arrived at Juyong Pass. That very day, the vanguard clashed with Esen's central army below the pass. After a day of fierce fighting, thousands of enemy troops were annihilated, dealing a significant blow to Tatar morale.

By the fourteenth day, the gates of Zijing Pass, locked in a stalemate with the western army for three days, suddenly opened. General Longwei Ling Jueding led 5,000 elite cavalry into battle. In this engagement, Great Wu suffered over 3,000 casualties but annihilated more than 10,000 enemy troops, slaying the Tatar general Ala and routing their western army.

On the sixteenth day, Esen challenged the defenders before Juyong Pass. The Virtuous Blessing Emperor personally ascended the walls and loosed an arrow that struck Esen's helmet. Enraged, Esen threw his entire force into the assault, but after prolonged fighting, neither side gained the upper hand.

On the eighteenth day, the Jurchen vassal state of Great Wu dispatched 80,000 cavalry to relieve the siege, with their Great Khan Kumoer leading the charge in person.

By the twentieth day, the Jurchen forces arrived at Juyong Pass, prompting Esen to withdraw his troops to Datong and fortify his position.

In the following days, several skirmishes ensued, with victories and losses on both sides, leading once again to a stalemate.

As daily battle reports arrived and the imperial expeditionary forces achieved successive victories, the atmosphere of fear and unease in the capital gradually dissipated. The bustling streets slowly regained their former tranquility and ease.

My days fell into a busy routine: mornings spent accompanying the children in the palace, afternoons handling affairs at Phoenix Come Pavilion.

One afternoon, as I sat in Phoenix Come Pavilion, I found myself staring absentmindedly at the ginkgo tree outside the window—for how many times now, I couldn't say. Suddenly, my hand felt empty. Xiao Xie, whom I'd brought along that afternoon, had climbed onto the table on tiptoe and snatched my vermilion brush from me.

Puffing her cheeks, the little girl glared at me indignantly. "Mother! You weren't listening to me at all!"

Snapping back to attention, I quickly turned to apologize. "I'm sorry, dear. Mother was lost in thought. What did you say to me just now? Can you repeat it?"

Her eyes reddening with anger, Xiao Xie shot me a hurt look. "Mother, you're the worst!" With that, she threw down my brush and ran off."Xiao Xie?" I quickly got up and chased after her. Before the departure, Xiao Huan's decision to personally lead the campaign was naturally kept from the children. Lian and Yan were fine, but on the day Xiao Huan left, my biggest worry was Xiao Xie causing a scene. So early in the morning, I had Feng Wufu secretly take them to Phoenix Come Pavilion. We managed to keep it hidden all day, and the noon cannon salute didn’t alert them either. But by evening, when neither I took them back to the palace nor Xiao Huan came to Phoenix Come Pavilion to fetch them, Xiao Xie immediately sensed something was wrong. She burst into loud wails, leaving Feng Wufu and me scrambling to console her—to no avail. What’s worse, the little girl seemed to hold a grudge against me. These past few days, she’s been cold and barely acknowledged me, not even Feng Wufu, whom she usually adores.

The little girl was fast, darting around corners until I couldn’t keep up.

Though I knew Phoenix Come Pavilion was safe, I still grew anxious. "Xiao Xie!"

I called out as I turned past the doorway, then stopped in my tracks, staring ahead in surprise.

Xiao Xie had already halted, held in the arms of a familiar figure clad in a brown robe.

He looked up at me, his familiar face breaking into a warm smile. "Silly girl..."

"Brother..." I murmured, still stunned, then hurried over. "Brother... are you alright?"

Dust still clung to him—he had come straight from the battlefield. A few days ago, with the capital in crisis and no generals left to deploy, my brother had rushed back from southern Yunnan overnight. Without stopping in the capital, he headed straight to Zijing Pass. The day after his arrival, the gates of Zijing Pass swung open, and the Dragon Guard General’s bloody battle marked the turning point in dismantling Esen’s three-pronged offensive.

My eyes welled up as I scrutinized every inch of his face and body.

Chuckling, he pinched Xiao Xie’s cheek with one large hand. "Why is my precious Xiao Xie crying like this? Tell your uncle, did your mother bully you again?"

"Brother..." I stepped forward and threw my arms around him, not caring that Xiao Xie was still between us. "I’m so glad you’re back... so glad you’re back..."

"Silly girl..." He sounded briefly surprised, then burst into hearty laughter. "Your brother here is the undefeated general who just sent the Tatars fleeing in disarray, not some defeated soldier barely escaping with his life..."

"Who said you were a defeated soldier barely escaping?" I pulled back and glared up at him. "If you’d come back after losing, who’d hug you? I’d laugh you to shame, you useless general!"

He couldn’t help but laugh again, reaching up to ruffle my hair roughly. "Don’t worry, silly girl," he said, pausing before adding with a smile, "I’ve returned safely."

Tears I’d held back finally spilled over, and I wiped them away with my fingers. "As if I’d worry about a reckless fool like you!"

Laughing, he nodded. "Fine, fine, I know you weren’t worried."

"Of course I wasn’t!" I stubbornly insisted... glaring.

"Uncle..." Xiao Xie, still in his arms, called out twice before suddenly pouting, her tears still glistening. "Daddy’s gone..." Before she could finish, she burst into loud sobs again.Although Xiao Huan didn't spend as much time with the children as Xiao Qianqing did, he made sure to visit them in the capital whenever he could over these years, often bringing them unique little gifts. The three little ones would get extremely excited whenever they saw their uncle and shared a very close bond with him.

After Xiao Huan left this time, Xiao Xie had been acting like she'd suffered great injustice. With the war intensifying, Xiao Qianqing was solely managing affairs in the capital and couldn't spare time to comfort her. Now that she saw her uncle today, the little girl was probably going to pour out all her pent-up grievances through tears.

Hurriedly, my brother and I took turns holding and comforting Xiao Xie, with my brother repeatedly assuring her that since her uncle had returned safely, her father would surely come back unharmed too. Only then did her crying subside somewhat.

After much effort, the little girl finally cried herself to exhaustion and fell asleep in my brother's arms, still sniffling. We carefully laid her down in the inner chamber of the Warm Chamber, tucked her in, and then withdrew.

Sitting down in the outer hall and taking a sip of tea, my brother looked at me and said, "Little one, that Esen is no simple man."

His grave expression made my heart tighten. "How so?"

After another glance at me, he shook his head slightly. "I'm not entirely sure, but on the day I arrived at Zijing Pass, our scouts happened to capture a soldier lurking near the city walls. Under harsh interrogation, he revealed that Alaq would lead troops secretly through mountain paths to flank the pass from the other side the following night. Without this information, had we not preemptively opened the city gates for battle the next day, it's hard to say whether Zijing Pass could have been held."

Zijing Pass was the last stronghold west of the capital. If Esen's forces breached it, the Tatar cavalry would be at our gates. Coincidentally, the most elite imperial guards had been taken by Xiao Huan to the central frontlines, leaving the capital vulnerable.

A cold sweat broke out as I asked urgently, "What does this mean?"

"I think someone capable of devising such a strategy can't be the reckless young prince of rumors," my brother said, pausing briefly. "Moreover, this hidden path outside Zijing Pass leading behind the gates was unknown even to veteran soldiers stationed there for over a decade—only local woodcutters frequenting the mountains knew of it. I fear Esen's attack on the capital wasn't planned in just a year or two..." He hesitated again before adding thoughtfully, "But if it wasn't premeditated..."

"Then there must be a mole within Great Wu aiding Esen..." I clenched my hands as I continued his thought.

"There's more," my brother spoke again, looking at me. "The day we defeated Alaq, I encountered a martial artist in his camp whose techniques didn't belong to any Central Plains Martial World school." Frowning, he added, "We exchanged fewer than three moves, but I'm certain his skills would rank among the top-tier in the Central Plains Martial World."

Unconsciously gripping my hands, I stood up until my brother called, "Cang Cang?"

Snapping out of it, I turned to him, slowly exhaling the breath I'd been holding and forcing a smile. "I'm fine. It's just surprising to hear the Tatars have martial arts masters too."

"Cang Cang," he called softly, then sighed. "Never mind. Little one, if you truly wish to go to his side, then go...""Hmm?" Over the years, even though we've interacted frequently, my brother's attitude toward Xiao Huan hasn't changed at all. Cold glares are the norm, so I was surprised he'd actually suggest I go find Xiao Huan. I laughed, "Brother, you're telling me to go see Brother Xiao?"

My brother snorted. "Even if I don’t care about your feelings, I have to consider Xiao Xie, Lian, and Yan. My precious nephews are crying for their father."

"So it’s the little ones who have the biggest sway." I chuckled, loosening my sweaty grip and nodding. "Phoenix Come Pavilion has been quiet lately. I’ll make time to head to the frontlines."

Brother nodded. "Take some people with you. Be careful on the road."

I smiled and agreed.

To go to his side... I really don’t have enough self-control.

I said I trusted him completely, that I wouldn’t panic at the slightest disturbance. Yet, the moment I heard he might be in danger, I couldn’t stop the urge to rush to him.

Once my nerves relaxed, they spiraled out of control. Even Su Qian noticed my distraction immediately, giving me a cold glance and saying if my heart was already elsewhere, I might as well leave quickly.

There were still two matters to settle before I could go. Once resolved, I quickly delegated them to Mu Yan and managed to set my departure for the next day.

But I never expected things to take such an unexpected turn that very night.

Su Qian and I had been discussing matters in the council hall until nearly midnight before heading back to our rooms.

The moment we stepped out, a cold glint suddenly shot from the shadows, followed by a black-clad figure leaping out.

Hidden weapons flew from my hands as Su Qian’s dagger met the lightning-fast assault.

After a brief pause, I snapped into action, drawing my gun and loading it swiftly. A single shot struck the black-clad figure in the waist, sending them stumbling back.

"Cang Cang!" Su Qian, facing me, suddenly paled and shouted.

I instinctively turned, only to see the cold blade already inches from my face.

The killing intent pierced my skin. Never before had death felt so close.

Yet the descending blade halted abruptly. Under the lamplight, a pair of light golden eyes flickered behind it—just for an instant. Then, he uttered a single phrase, withdrew his sword, and leaped back, his agile figure vanishing into the night.

The chilling aura of his killing intent still lingered on my skin as I stood frozen.

"Pavilion Master!" Su Qian, breaking her usual demeanor, called out urgently, "Hey! Are you okay?"

Still staring at the direction he’d disappeared, I shook my head.

"Answer when someone calls you!" She exhaled in relief, then scolded, "You scared me half to death! You know that?"

Without looking at her, I tried to speak but found my voice hoarse. "That was Esen."

Su Qian frowned. "What?"

"The black-clad man—he was Esen." I repeated, turning to her. "The Tatar prince, Esen."

Even her usually cold and composed face showed shock. After a pause, she asked, "What... does he want?"

"I don’t know." Drenched in cold sweat, I shook my head. "I really don’t know."In the nearly frozen moment just now, the masked figure in black clearly and swiftly said to me, "I am Esen. Your emperor's life is mine."

Pressing a hand to my forehead, my mind felt as if struck by countless hammers. I desperately tried to make sense of it all: "Esen said he wants Brother Xiao..."

Suddenly raising my head, I looked at Su Qian and declared clearly, "I must go to the front lines. Now."