Love and Crown

While Kumoer left me in his great tent to recover from my injuries, I managed to piece together the situation of the Jurchen army based on information coaxed from the servants and maids, combined with what I already knew.

The Jurchens were divided into three major tribes: the Jianzhou Jurchens, the Haixi Jurchens, and the Beishan Jurchens. The Beishan Jurchens, located far north of Heitaha Garrison and distant from the Central Plains, had no interest in reviving their former glory or conquering the heartland. They did not directly participate in this rebellion. Only the Jianzhou and Haixi Jurchens were involved.

Although Kumoer was the Jurchen Khan, he hadn't held the position for long. His father, Nahachi, was revered like a god among the Jurchens—a Great Khan of divine mandate, celebrated for his military exploits and deeply beloved by his people.

Unfortunately, this brilliant and mighty Khan wasn't particularly skilled at raising sons. Including Kumoer, his six sons fought relentlessly over the succession.

Against all expectations, the youngest, Kumoer, emerged victorious. He first allied with his eldest brother, Bage, to kill their second brother, Qinghu, and third brother, Qilisha. Then he incited conflict between Bage and their fifth brother, Hasha. In the end, Bage was killed, Hasha was exiled to the frozen seas, and only the fourth brother, Dasuli—born to a maidservant—remained, unable to challenge Kumoer, who was born to a side consort.

It was said this bloody fratricidal struggle enraged Nahachi so much that he died shortly afterward, leaving Kumoer to rightfully inherit the Khanate.

For a time after his ascension, Kumoer struggled to win the loyalty of the Jurchen tribal leaders. The elders once attempted to convene a Wolf Hunt Assembly to elect a new Great Khan, but after Kumoer ruthlessly executed two chieftains and displayed their heads outside his palace, no one dared mention it again.

The more I learned about Kumoer, the more disheartened I became. By all accounts, this young Khan was a formidable and ruthless figure.

Still, Kumoer had treated me courteously these past few days. Though he kept me in his great tent, he didn’t force me to share his bed.

I was content with the respite. The Changbai Mountains were rich in rare medicinal herbs, and the Jurchens’ homemade wound salves were remarkably effective. Within days, my shoulder injury was nearly healed.

Yet even while confined to my tent, I could feel the weather turning colder. A biting chill seeped through the gaps in the wolfskin tent, and I guessed it wouldn’t be long before snow fell.

During my time in the Jurchen Camp, I also pieced together the events leading to my abduction at Shanhai Pass.

Xing Yiyong’s father, Xing Yu—the Minister of Personnel—had long been at odds with my father. Presumably, he believed that as long as my father remained in power, he would never reach the pinnacle of authority. Unable to overthrow my father, he feigned close relations while secretly conspiring with Kumoer to rebel.

The day I was kidnapped coincided with the uprising Kumoer and Xing Yu had planned. Xing Yu arranged for assassins to strike at Xiao Huan in the capital, while Kumoer, with the help of Xing Yu’s spies, breached Shanhai Pass.

Had this scheme succeeded, the Jurchen army could have reached the capital within a day. With the emperor newly dead and the court in chaos, the Great Wu Dynasty’s century-old foundation might have crumbled in an instant.The plan seemed decent at first glance, but unfortunately, the traitor inside Shanhai Pass was exposed by Qi Chengliang before the uprising could begin. The failure of Xing Yu and Xing Yiyong in the capital was inevitable. If Xiao Huan could be toppled by them alone, then I had truly underestimated him.

However, my capture and being taken to the Jurchen Camp beyond the pass was entirely thanks to Xing Yiyong. Consumed by jealousy, she was in no hurry to kill Xiao Huan but instead focused on tormenting me.

Thinking about it, I couldn’t help but sigh—a woman’s jealousy is truly the most terrifying thing in this world.

I couldn’t bring myself to inflict serious harm on myself. The wound on my shoulder looked ghastly, but it was merely superficial. That afternoon, after applying ointment, I saw that the wound had nearly healed, so I didn’t bother with bandages. I wrapped my clothes around me and lay down.

Just as I was about to take a nap, Kumoer barged in, his usual composed demeanor absent.

Noticing his unusually grim expression, I sat up and smiled. "Great Khan, what brings you back at this hour?"

Kumoer flung his saber onto the ground and suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Your husband is here."

"What?" I didn’t understand at first.

"Your husband is here. The imperial army, led by him personally, has arrived at Shanhai Pass." In front of the maids in the tent, Kumoer strode forward and gripped my shoulders tightly. "He’s finally come! I’ve waited years for this day—he’s finally stepped out of his gilded palace! Tell me, shouldn’t I be overjoyed?"

His voice grew louder with each word, making my scalp tingle.

Forcing composure, I smiled at him. "Great Khan, there are others present."

Kumoer’s frenzied gaze gradually returned to normal, but his grip on my shoulders remained like iron shackles. When he spoke again, his voice had regained its usual cold steadiness. "Leave us."

The maids retreated with quick steps. Kumoer pushed me onto the bed and sat down beside me.

"I’ve met your husband," Kumoer said abruptly, his thin lips curling slightly like the edge of a blade, a mocking glint appearing on his handsome face.

"That was when I was fourteen, accompanying my elder brother to the capital to present the annual tribute to the emperor. Do you know what the annual tribute is? It’s when we Jurchens hand over our finest furs, ginseng, live beasts, and minerals to you Han people." As he recounted the past, there was even a hint of nostalgia in his voice when he mentioned his elder brother Bage, whom he had later betrayed.

"My brother and I set out from the tribe, escorting over thirty carts of tribute along roads buried under heavy snow. The snow was knee-deep, making the journey treacherous. Bandits even tried to rob us along the way, but thanks to my brother’s bravery, none of the tribute was lost. Otherwise, failing to deliver the full tribute would have likely earned us a whipping from you Han people.

"After much hardship, we finally reached the capital. My brother, worried the fresh meat in the carts would spoil, wanted to deliver the goods immediately. But the Han officials in charge of collecting tribute said they were busy preparing for the New Year celebrations and the emperor’s birthday, so we had to wait a few more days." Here, Kumoer paused and asked, "Your husband’s birthday falls on New Year’s Day, doesn’t it?"

I nodded. Xiao Huan was indeed born on New Year’s Day. Come to think of it, having been married for less than a year, I had never celebrated his birthday with him.Kumoer suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Any day would be the same. Since he's come, I won't let him live to see next year's birthday!" He paused before continuing, "We waited outside the palace day after day, but those Han officials never let us in. Until an elder who'd previously delivered tribute suggested that to gain entry, we'd likely need to bribe the officials. You Han people call it 'facilitation fees'—something required whenever asking for favors."

"We had to scrape together some money from our travel funds to give those Han officials. Sure enough, the next day, the emperor summoned us. At the crack of dawn, we waited outside the imperial palace. Your Han palaces have many gates, all enormous, yet you deliberately forbid entry through the main one. My elder brother and I stood until our legs ached before someone finally led us inside. The guide first berated us—no wiping noses, no dropping things, no walking with heads raised—before taking us through."

"Your palace was vast. We passed through multiple gates and courtyards before being ushered into a grand hall. The ceiling was gilded, the pillars golden, even the floor tiles shimmered with gold. I'd never seen such splendor—it left me dumbstruck. Staring at the golden tiles reflecting my image, I remember it mirrored me like the frozen Songhua River's surface would."

"The guide shouted again, reminding us to kneel before the emperor. I froze. We Jurchen warriors value our knees—only slaves kneel to masters. Glancing at my brother, the proudest among us, I saw him hesitate before pulling me down. As I knelt, his temples bulged with suppressed fury. What choice did we have? You Han make us Jurchens your slaves, demanding tribute each year just to remind us who truly owns these lands."

He paused before continuing, "Rising, I stole a glance at the emperor. He sat rigidly on a wide yellow throne—a slender, delicate youth paler than any maiden, looking faint any moment. In that instant, I felt utterly worthless for kneeling to such a man."

"Then the young Han official beside him spoke: 'His Majesty pities your journey's hardships. You may lodge in the capital two days before departing.' So I learned tribute bearers were normally expelled immediately after delivering goods—to prevent foreigners from causing trouble." Kumoer stopped again, staring at me. "That speaker was your father, wasn't he? Grand Secretary Ling Xuefeng. I know he truly holds your nation's reins."

I nodded hesitantly. "That was true then. But now the emperor governs directly."Kumoer let out a cold laugh. "I don't care who holds the power, nor do I want to understand you Han people's absurd affairs. I only believe in my iron cavalry. Whoever is stronger, whoever can defeat others, is the hero—the land should belong to them. Why must such fertile land belong to you Han people? Why should those Han officials, who only know how to stretch out their hands for money, lord it over others? Why should an emperor who keeps those dog-like Han officials still sit on the dragon throne? Why can't his empire be mine? Why can't his things be mine?" His voice rose again as he grabbed my shoulders and threw me onto the bed, tearing open my collar in one swift motion.

His hot breath buried into my neck, his stubble prickling my skin with an itchy pain. His hand slipped beneath my collar, his calloused palm rubbing against my back.

I never considered myself a woman who valued chastity, but the moment Kumoer's hand began to wander downward, I thought of Xiao Huan's hands—those slender, pale fingers, their bones not thick, hands that seemed only fit to hold a wolf-hair brush and inscribe elegant strokes on fine paper. They were not hands meant for weapons.

He had already arrived, his imperial carriage stationed just a few miles away within Shanhai Pass. But he hadn't come to save me—he had come to avenge his humiliation.

In the eyes of the court officials, I should already be dead. After so many days trapped in enemy territory, the Empress of Great Wu, if she could not remain untouched, was better off dead.

With all my strength, I slapped Kumoer across the face. "I am not his thing!"

I think it might have been the loudest sound I'd ever made in my life. I screamed hoarsely, "I am not a thing!"

"Why should I let you shameless men fight over me? To hell with your empire, to hell with your world! In your eyes, am I just a thing? Something shiny to wear, something to show off? That bastard surnamed Xiao married me because I was the Grand Secretary's daughter! You want to take me because I'm his woman! Do you think this is fun?"

"Yes, I'm a woman, but have any of you ever asked me what I actually want? Has any one of you bastards ever asked if I'm happy? Asked what I want to do? You all say you like me, but have you ever asked if I'm willing to live like this? What I truly want?" I grabbed Kumoer by the collar and roared. I must have gone mad—I flung him hard onto the ground. "I'll tell you right now—I don't like being touched by you. Get out!"

Kumoer stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth where I'd struck him. He licked the blood from his fingers and actually chuckled. "Good, very fiery... I've had many women. Some were even fiercer than you. Do you know what happened to them in the end?"

He leaned in, his hawk-like eyes locking onto mine. "I stripped them naked, tied them to wooden posts, and erected them in front of the camp. Any soldier who wanted could have them."

As he spoke, he gently stroked my chin and smiled. "A woman as fair and beautiful as you—the soldiers would love you. I doubt you'd last even a day before you stopped breathing."The mocking smile on his thin lips deepened as he gazed at me with amusement, his dove-gray eyes clearly reflecting the expression of a cat toying with a mouse.

His saber lay discarded not far from the bed, and the copper-clad corner of the square table at the foot of the bed looked sharp enough.

In such a situation, wouldn’t it be better for me to choose death?

But dying in the Jurchen Camp would surely be unpleasant. No one would mourn or shed tears for me, nor would it be particularly heroic. My corpse might even be stripped and hung outside the camp as a warning.

Kumoer remained silent, merely quirking his lips as he waited. Then, releasing me, he turned to leave.

I knew that once he stepped out of this tent, he would order someone to drag me out and tie me to a post.

Quickly, I rushed forward and embraced him from behind. "Great Khan, I’ve reconsidered. I’m willing to serve you. My body is yours whenever you desire it."

"What a clever woman," Kumoer halted, sneering. "Pity I’ve lost interest in you now."

So, death was my only option?

Just as my body began to stiffen, Kumoer suddenly turned and pulled me into his arms, chuckling softly. "I never tire of clever women. Stay in this tent and watch as I take everything from your husband—including you." He smirked. "Not that I called you a thing. I simply want you. First, your body. Now, your body and your heart."

With that, he pressed another light kiss to my lips before striding out of the tent.

Outside, the bitter wind howled against the leather walls, leaving me dazed. What had Kumoer said? He wanted my heart?

My thoughts were a tangled mess, my emotions unclear. All I wanted was to find the bed and lie down to sort through them. But then, two soft coughs suddenly came from the corner of the tent.

"Who’s there?" I demanded in a low voice.

Silence. I picked up Kumoer’s discarded saber and gripped it tightly, stepping forward cautiously. "Who is it? Show yourself."

"It’s me, madam. Please, don’t kill me." A man in Jurchen military garb rolled out from beneath a pile of furs in the corner. He had a weaselly face, unkempt beard, and his uniform was tattered.

"Who are you? How did you get here?" Seeing his state, I lowered the blade.

"Madam, I came with Princess Min. I’m Han, from Hebei. I was on my way to Changbai Mountain to trade ginseng when I got caught in the fighting. I just arrived at the camp today and don’t know my way around. I wandered in here by accident. When you and that lord were arguing earlier, I didn’t dare make a sound, so I hid. Please spare me, madam!" Before I could even respond, he covered his face with his filthy sleeve, on the verge of tears.

"Alright, alright. I won’t kill you," I waved dismissively. If nothing else, I’d help him hide for the sake of our shared Han heritage.

"Thank you, madam, for your mercy—" The man hurriedly kowtowed.

I waved again. "Enough." Then, remembering, I asked, "Wait, you’re under Princess Min? She’s here too?"

"Yes, she just arrived today. I came with her," he replied hastily, his voice thick with a Hebei accent, raspy and ageless.The Princess Min mentioned by this person was none other than Minjia, Kumoer's full-blooded younger sister. As the only daughter of Nahaqi, she had been cherished like a pearl in the palm since childhood, deeply adored by Nahaqi. This Princess Min was not only renowned for her beauty among the Jurchens but also skilled in martial arts, more valiant and battle-hardened than many men, making her a fierce warrior in the Jurchen army.

Originally stationed with the rear tribes, Minjia hadn’t come to the frontlines at Shanhai Pass. It was likely that Kumoer, unable to break through the pass after prolonged sieges, had summoned her here.

I nodded thoughtfully and casually asked the man, “What’s your name?”

“This lowly one is called Zhao Fugui, but everyone calls me Old Zhao,” he hurriedly replied.

“Alright, Old Zhao, you may leave. I won’t tell the Great Khan you were here. Next time, make sure to watch your step and not barge in so recklessly.” I smiled at him.

Faced with my smile, Zhao Fugui froze for a moment before bowing profusely and retreating.

It seemed today was indeed an unusual day—not only had Xiao Huan arrived, but the Jurchens had also gained another formidable general.

The tent was empty. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I closed my eyes. The pale, gaunt hands that had been flickering before my vision since earlier were now gone. Instead, the searing heat of Kumoer’s lips on mine grew increasingly vivid.

According to rumors from within Shanhai Pass, Xiao Huan had fallen ill due to exhaustion from the journey on the second day of his arrival at the frontlines and was soon bedridden.

However, the Hanlin academician accompanying the army swiftly issued a proclamation for this campaign.

The proclamation was righteous in tone, eloquent in style, each word striking like gold and jade, yet it made no mention of the empress’s capture. It appeared they had already decided to erase this disgrace to the empire’s dignity.

But I wasn’t concerned with such matters. I had made up my mind—this den of trouble was no place to linger. Rather than exhausting myself trying to please Kumoer, it would be better to find a way to escape this wretched place. Once free, the world would be vast, and I could fly as I pleased.

Though Kumoer hadn’t forced himself on me, his stays in my tent grew longer. Yesterday, after Princess Min’s arrival, she even came specifically to Kumoer’s grand tent to see her brother’s new woman.

“Her brother’s new woman”—this title disgusted me more than the Green Head Placard in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Even by Han standards, Minjia was a rare beauty. She arrived dressed in fiery red riding attire, dismounting with a flourish, her pomegranate-red skirt flaring over her knee-high suede boots, her movements bold and heroic, her entire being like a living flower.

After dismounting, she circled me twice, flicking her riding crop, and nodded. “This one’s not bad. Brother’s taste in women has improved.”

Suppressing my irritation, I smiled at her. “Thank you for the praise, Princess.”

“No need.” Minjia was straightforward by nature, replying briskly before blinking her bright, large eyes. “What do you think of my brother? Do you like him?”

“What does it matter whether I like him or not?” I asked with a smile.

“It matters a great deal. My brother has many women, but not even a single secondary Khan's Wife yet.” She blinked at me again. “So? If you want to be the Khan's Wife, I’ll help you.”

Give up being an empress to become a Khan's Wife here? I laughed evasively. “Well, that’s not for me to decide.”

“The other women were always eager to be my brother’s Khan's Wife!” Minjia seemed surprised by my indifference. As she spoke, she turned and called out, “Old Zhao, is my horse ready?”Yesterday, the soldier Zhao Fugui, who had accidentally barged into Kumoer's tent, came trotting in from outside. Bowing obsequiously, he said, "Princess, it's been ready for a while, tied up right outside the door."

"Tied up? Where exactly?" Minjia asked with great interest.

"To that big pillar in front of the tent. Isn't that where you tie horses?" Zhao Fugui answered honestly. His thick accent, combined with his simple and bewildered expression, was rather amusing.

Minjia burst into giggles: "That's my brother's commander's flag! And you used it to tie up a horse."

She was like a gust of wind, already losing interest in me. With a wave of her hand, she said, "I'm going out to patrol. See you later."

"Princess Min..." I quickly called out to stop her. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm just patrolling around the camp. Why?" Minjia asked.

"Let me come with you. Staying in the tent all day is suffocating," I hurriedly said.

Kumoer would never allow me to wander freely, but Minjia was simple-minded. If I could follow her around, I could familiarize myself with the camp and make my escape easier later.

"You can ride a horse?" Minjia eyed me skeptically.

"I won first place in the annual riding and archery competitions every year. Did you think I was some delicate noblewoman?" I retorted without hesitation, offended by her doubt.

"Alright, my mistake." Minjia had a straightforward personality, and my bluntness actually appealed to her. She laughed and ordered Zhao Fugui, "Go fetch a horse for the lady."

Zhao Fugui was a bit slow-witted but quick on his feet, immediately obeying and heading out.

Watching his hunched back retreat, I couldn't help but ask Minjia, "Isn't he a Han Chinese recently captured? Why do you keep him by your side?"

"Yeah, I caught him on the road a couple of days ago," Minjia giggled. "He's a bit silly, but he has some skills—quick hands and knows veterinary medicine. One of our horses fell sick on the way, and he cured it. I thought he was amusing, so I kept him around."

After a few more words, I estimated Zhao Fugui would have brought the horse outside. I picked out a narrow-sleeved Silver Fox Coat to wear and followed Minjia out of the tent.

Kumoer had a separate tent for meetings, where he was currently discussing strategies with the leaders of the Eight Banners.

Since the arrival of the Great Wu emperor's personal expeditionary force, Kumoer had been considering a swift resolution. The weather was getting colder, and even the Jurchens, accustomed to the northeastern forests, were struggling with the bitter cold. In contrast, the Great Wu forces had sturdy fortress walls for warmth, putting them in a much better position.

Outside the tent, I tugged at my collar and wrapped the Silver Fox Coat tighter around me. The sky was overcast, filled with leaden clouds, and the wind carried a biting chill—it looked like snow was imminent.

Xiao Huan carried the Cold Poison within him. If the weather turned colder, it would undoubtedly worsen his condition. I had always suspected that his sudden illness upon arrival was a feigned weakness, but the recent cold snap was real. He hadn’t been in the best health back in the palace—could he actually be seriously ill now?

Gripping the reins of my horse, I smiled wryly to myself. Since I had already decided to leave the capital and never return, all those plans—bearing Xiao Huan’s child, becoming the Empress Dowager—were just empty talk now. Why even think about them?

"My lady?" Zhao Fugui hesitantly called out beside me. I looked up to see Minjia already mounted and waiting for me.

I smiled, swung onto my horse, and Zhao Fugui followed suit.

Minjia led a small squad of guards, carrying no banners, and urged her horse out of the camp, patrolling along the valley where the Jurchens were stationed.

I kept close behind her. The northeastern steeds were broad-shouldered and long-legged, running steadily and swiftly, gliding through the knee-high grass like boats on water.Shanhai Pass is situated by the seashore, with Mount Jiao just six li to the north of the city. The Great Wall stretches from Laolongtou at Shanhai Pass, traversing Mount Jiao all the way to the Yin Mountains. Mount Jiao is known as the First Mountain of the Great Wall.

The city of Shanhai Pass is built between Mount Jiao and the sea, spanning several li in circumference. Within its walls, provisions are amply stored, and barracks and buildings stretch endlessly, easily accommodating hundreds of thousands of troops. Several watchtowers inside the pass and the beacon towers on Mount Jiao echo each other, forming a horn-like defensive position that is mutually supportive and difficult to attack. It is no exaggeration to call Shanhai Pass the greatest fortress under heaven.

The Jurchen Camp is nestled in a valley beside Mount Jiao, where the walls of Shanhai Pass are usually out of sight. At this moment, Minjia led a small squad of personal guards, gradually patrolling to the edge of the valley. From afar, the imposing walls of Shanhai Pass loomed under the vast sky, exuding an air of inviolable majesty.

"It's just a pass. How could my brother waste so much time here?" Minjia suddenly snorted and spurred her horse straight toward Zhenyuan Gate to the north of the pass.

Her action could easily be interpreted as a provocation by the defending soldiers.

I quickly called after her, "Minjia, don't go over there!"

Ignoring me, Minjia continued charging forward. I had no choice but to urge my horse to follow her.

The distance of several li was covered in an instant. As the towering walls of Shanhai Pass loomed before us, I shouted to Minjia, who was leading the charge, "Come back! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Before I could finish speaking, an arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself in the ground nearby, its shaft quivering. More steel-tipped arrows followed in rapid succession. I hastily drew the military saber from my horse's gear to deflect the incoming arrows.

Blocking arrows mid-flight wasn’t difficult, but I had always slacked off on arm strength training during sword practice. Moreover, the wound on my left shoulder hadn’t fully healed. After deflecting just a few arrows, the impact sent a dull pain through the injury. Worried it might reopen, I pressed my hand against it.

As the arrows grew denser, even Minjia, who had been charging ahead, began drawing her saber to fend off the barrage, halting her advance.

In an instant, Minjia’s horse suddenly buckled at the knees, as if struck by an arrow in the leg. I had been keeping an eye on her, and in my panic, I failed to block one of the arrows.

A flash of steel cut through the air, splitting the arrow aimed at me in half. Zhao Fugui rode up to shield me, brandishing his saber. "Madam, fall back quickly!"

Though his blade work was chaotic and unrefined, he somehow managed to deflect the relentless hail of arrows. It suddenly struck me—last night, he had hidden in the command tent, yet even Kumoer’s sharp hearing hadn’t detected him. Could he have used Inner Force to suppress his breathing, evading Kumoer’s notice?

If so, this Zhao Fugui might be a hidden master.

I nodded to him. "Hold them off for a moment." Then, leaning over, I grabbed the bow and arrows from his horse, nocked an arrow, and took aim at the Black Banner fluttering atop the city walls. Drawing a deep breath, I let the arrow fly.

The arrow cut through the rain of projectiles, striking the flagpole dead center. The banner toppled with a snap. The bowstring twanged again as my second arrow followed, hitting the red tassel atop the helmet of an officer on the tower.

These two shots served as a warning. The soldiers on the walls faltered, and the arrow barrage thinned. Seizing the moment, I called to Minjia, "Retreat for now!"

Minjia wheeled her horse around, blocking arrows as she withdrew.

Our squad of guards and I quickly retreated as well. Only after we had fallen back a full li did the soldiers on the walls cease firing, watching us depart.Minjia pulled on the reins and turned back, shouting loudly, "Listen up, you Han people! Send my regards to your emperor and tell him to wash his neck clean—I’ll be coming for him."

As she yelled, she brandished her saber, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Standing nearby, I could only sigh helplessly. "You're having fun, but I'm scared to death."

Suddenly, Minjia turned and threw an arm around my neck over the horse. "Didn’t expect you to have some real skills. I like you. By the way, what’s your name?"

I smiled. She liked me already? I really do have a way with girls. If only I could charm men just as easily—would Xiao Huan have treasured me like a jewel by now?

Grinning at Minjia, I said, "My name is Ling Cangcang. It’s from a line in Li Bai’s poem: ‘Cliffs and peaks rise steeply into the azure sky.’"

"Cliffs and peaks—whatever, I don’t get it. You Han people are so complicated." Minjia pursed her lips. "Just call me Minjia. From today on, you’re my friend. We Jurchens value loyalty above all. From now on, we live and die together, friends for life." She held out her hand for a high-five.

I raised my hand and slapped hers firmly. "Deal. From today on, we’re friends—live and die together." As I spoke, I began scheming. Getting along with Minjia might prove useful when I made my escape.

Lost in thought, I glanced at Minjia’s face, bright with genuine joy at having made a new friend.

Suddenly, I felt a pang of shame. Had I been in the Forbidden Palace too long? Calculating gains and losses in everything I did?

I stole a look at Zhao Fugui. He had curled up on his horse again, covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve against the biting wind, coughing.

I needed to find a chance to test him—was he sent by Xiao Huan or my father to rescue me?

But if he really was here to save me, would I go back? Back to that suffocating, stifling Forbidden Palace?

The icy wind outside the pass stung my face, but it was fierce and unrestrained—a taste I loved.

Minjia’s horse had only suffered minor injuries and could still gallop. We soon returned to camp.

After this trip, Minjia’s attitude toward me had changed completely. She even invited me to move into her tent.

I politely declined. Staying in Kumoer’s tent meant keeping an eye out for his drunken episodes where he might try to tear off my clothes, but Kumoer often spent nights drinking and discussing matters with the tribal leaders in another large tent, so he rarely returned.

If I wanted to escape, this tent was still the more convenient option.

Two more days passed. That afternoon, Kumoer stumbled into the tent, drunk again.

As usual, I hurried to greet him. "Great Khan."

But this time, he was different. He took my hand and pulled me down to sit on the edge of the bed, quirking his lips. "Minjia told me you saved her at Shanhai Pass. You’ve become friends with her so quickly—impressive."

I forced a laugh. "All thanks to your blessings, Great Khan."

Kumoer chuckled. "Cut the formalities." He suddenly leaned in, cupping my face and stroking my jaw. "I know you like to say things that sound nice but mean nothing. Every time you talk like this, I feel like you’re a gust of wind—about to whoosh away before I can catch you."Perhaps it was the alcohol, but his dove-gray eyes suddenly held something I couldn't comprehend: "My father said I chase after things I can't hold onto—the more elusive they are, the more I want them. He saw me clearly, that's exactly who I am. But now I wonder, did I make a mistake when I said I wanted your heart? The heart of a woman like the wind must be exhausting to pursue."

His voice grew softer, whether from fatigue or something else, as he gripped my hand and leaned against the bedside, soon closing his eyes.

I helped him lie down properly on the bed and brushed the stray hair from his forehead. This young and imposing Great Khan, even in sleep, wore a childlike expression of grievance, his thick brows tightly furrowed.

Did he want to love me? To truly love someone, to slowly draw closer, to hold them tightly and tell yourself that meeting them was the most beautiful thing in life—repeating it until you believed it.

I had done such things before, shamelessly, until I felt like nothing more than a despicable fraud. Because I knew—real love arrives in the moment it arrives. Real love never needs to be learned. When we try to learn how to love, we're usually just crafting a self-deceptive lie.

I lay down beside Kumoer without undressing. He was a weary beast seeking warmth and rest, but I couldn't give him what he wanted.

When I woke in the gloomy twilight, Kumoer was already gone. I pushed aside the blankets he had draped over me, stepped barefoot onto the fur rug beneath the bed, and sat up.

Outside the tent, the cold wind howled even fiercer than before. Faintly, the intermittent sound of a flute drifted in—neither elegant nor bright, but clearly a common rural tune, its joys and sorrows wrapped in a lively melody that sounded strangely mournful against the northern winds.

I found a pair of shoes, threw on a fur coat, and followed the flute's sound outside the tent. It led me to a patch of grassland beyond the camp, where Zhao Fugui sat among the wild grass, playing a short flute.

I walked over with a smile and sat beside him. "You know how to play folk tunes?"

Zhao Fugui put away the flute and pulled out a pale blue handkerchief to wipe it. "My mother knew a bit about music. She used to sing this tune to me when I was little."

"I heard this one too when I was young—my grandmother sang it to me." For some reason, I suddenly wanted to talk more with this disheveled man of unknown origins.

"You grew up with your grandmother?" Zhao Fugui asked.

"Yeah. My mother died right after I was born. I spent my childhood in the countryside with my grandma. Catching loaches, trapping scorpions, climbing walls and trees—I was good at all of it. The whole village got headaches just seeing me." Recalling my childhood exploits, I couldn't help feeling a little smug.

"Is that so? My wife was the same when she was little," Zhao Fugui remarked casually.

"You're married? How many children do you have?" I asked immediately.

"I'm married, but no children yet," he replied.

"That's no good. You should have a child. Think about it—you're always running around, and your wife waits at home. How anxious she must be. Having a child would keep her company."

"She probably wouldn't be anxious for me," Zhao Fugui said, then changed the subject. "You're blessed with great fortune, my lady. You and the Great Khan will surely grow old together.""What are you talking about?" I smiled. "I'm not the Great Khan's wife."

"Not the Great Khan's wife?" Zhao Fugui seemed confused.

I chuckled: "I have a husband, but it's not the Great Khan."

"Madam has a kind heart. Your husband must have accumulated great virtue in his past life," Zhao Fugui immediately flattered.

"He wouldn't think so," I said, thinking of Xiao Huan, and the smile faded from my face. "He'd be thrilled if I never returned."

Zhao Fugui fell silent for a moment, coughing lightly before responding: "Madam's husband is too heartless."

I smiled indifferently: "It's nothing. If he were the one missing, I'd also wish he never came back."

This time Zhao Fugui didn't reply, only coughing quietly twice.

It occurred to me that he might actually be an Imperial Bodyguard sent by Xiao Huan, so I smiled and said, "Old Zhao, I want to escape from here. Will you help me?"

Zhao Fugui seemed startled and immediately stood up: "That's a capital offense."

I studied his still blank and indifferent face but couldn't discern anything, so I just brushed off the grass from my clothes and stood up: "If you're unwilling, forget it."

Noticing the late hour and the scattered snowflakes beginning to fall, I said: "Old Zhao, let's talk another day."

After I'd walked a few steps away, Zhao Fugui suddenly spoke hesitantly from behind: "Madam... if you truly wish to leave, this humble one will help you."

I turned back with a smile: "Isn't that punishable by death? You wouldn't dare."

"If Madam hadn't shown mercy that day, this humble one would have long been dead. I want to repay your kindness," Zhao Fugui said, lowering his head.

"Forget it. I wouldn't want to implicate you," I said, having only been testing him, and turned to leave.

"Madam!" Zhao Fugui called out again, his tone firm. "Don't think me useless. I've trained in martial arts for two years—I should be able to escort you out."

"You're serious?" I laughed, watching the snowflakes grow heavier in the sky, then winked at him half-jokingly. "The guards will be more relaxed in heavier snow. Shall we take the chance to leave now?"

"Alright," Zhao Fugui agreed readily. "Madam, wait here. I'll fetch two horses." Without another word, he tucked away his flute and headed toward the stables.

I found it somewhat amusing. After days of planning my escape, was it really going to happen thanks to this simple-minded man?

But Zhao Fugui kept his word. Before long, he returned with two chestnut horses.

Handing me the reins, he said, "Madam, let's go now." His forehead was beaded with sweat from running around, and he wiped it with that pale blue handkerchief from his pocket.

Taking the reins, I smiled and was about to compliment him when a cold laugh sounded nearby: "Little girl, trying to run away?"

Gui Wuchang. This plague had been absent for days—I thought he'd disappeared long ago. Why did he have to show up now of all times?

I cursed inwardly. With Gui Wuchang here, escape was impossible. The best I could do was think of an excuse to fool him and prevent him from alerting Kumoer.

I had already given up, but Zhao Fugui suddenly pushed me onto one horse and mounted the other.

This fool! He had no idea how dangerous Gui Wuchang was—this was pure suicide!Gui Wuchang sneered and struck a palm toward Zhao Fugui: "Trying to run?"

Even with just ten percent of his strength, that strike would likely kill Zhao Fugui instantly.

I quickly called out to stop him: "Mr. Gui, let's talk this through..."

Gui Wuchang ignored me completely. His lightning-fast palm strike had already reached Zhao Fugui's chest. At the critical moment, Zhao Fugui met the strike with his right palm while pressing his left hand against the horse's back, using the momentum to redirect the force entirely onto the chestnut steed.

The magnificent chestnut horse let out a mournful whinny as its massive body collapsed sideways, its organs shattered by the impact.

Having deflected Gui Wuchang's strike, Zhao Fugui wasted no time. He swiftly leaped onto my horse, spurred it with his legs, and the steed shot forward like an arrow.

Snowflakes pattered against my face as sparse lanterns lit up in the barracks, accompanied by shouts and the sound of running. They were mobilizing horses and soldiers to pursue us.

Sitting in front of Zhao Fugui, I realized I didn't smell the pungent body odor typical of a man like him. Instead, his scent was refreshing, carrying a strangely familiar note.

I slowly turned my head and noticed a corner of a light blue handkerchief peeking out from his grimy collar. How foolish of me—how could a man like Zhao Fugui possibly carry such a clean and elegant handkerchief?

Hesitating for a moment, I reached up to touch his face. The disguise paste came off under my fingers, and a snowflake landed on his refined brows, melting instantly into a droplet.

Under the snow-filled sky, Xiao Huan smiled at me.

The shouts of pursuing soldiers echoed from behind. My mind felt muddled as I clutched Xiao Huan's collar and blurted out, "Why are you here?"

Now that he'd been exposed, Xiao Huan didn't speak, only smiled at me.

I never imagined meeting him again under such circumstances. My thoughts were still in disarray, unsure of where I was.

In the twilight snow, his face looked unnaturally pale. I shook my head to clear my vision, then suddenly remembered something and asked, heedless of our galloping horse, "What did you do with Jiao Yan after I left?"

This time, he smiled. "She's still in the palace, doing well."

After a pause, I continued, "What about Ying?"

He chuckled. "Still in the Hall of Heroic Splendor."

I thought for a moment. "And Xing Yiyong?"

He hesitated slightly. "Dead."

Already dead? I pondered, then asked, "What about Xiaoshan?"

"Naturally, she's still safe in the palace," he replied with a sigh. "Anyone else you'd like to ask about? Might as well get it all out now."

His smile and tone felt familiar. I froze for a second before releasing his collar and glancing at his filthy Jurchen soldier uniform. I muttered, "If you were coming, you could've at least made yourself presentable. You look awful."

He chuckled in response but coughed and fell silent.

I shot him another glance before turning forward. After the initial shock and confusion, I finally regained some composure. "Your Majesty has taken a great risk coming here. If anything goes wrong, I can't bear such a grave responsibility."

He coughed softly but only gave a faint acknowledgment.

Just then, several warhorses charged out from the mountain pass ahead. The soldiers on horseback took one look at us and immediately moved to intercept.

Damn! We'd run right into a patrol.I was still silently lamenting my misfortune when Xiao Huan behind me thrust the reins into my hands and calmly said, "You go back to the pass first."

The five or six warhorses were already close to us and now charged right before our eyes. Without time to think, I quickly gripped the reins and crouched low to avoid the sabers.

The moment the warhorses crossed paths, an extremely brief scream rang out. Xiao Huan behind me had already leaped forward.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of gleaming blade light, followed by two screams that sounded almost simultaneously.

I had no doubt that Xiao Huan could handle these few cavalrymen. After galloping out about twenty feet, I gently reined in my horse and turned to assess the situation.

Two of the enemy horses were already riderless. Xiao Huan pivoted, his gleaming saber cutting a cold, deadly arc through the air. Blood splashed as the third cavalryman was swept off his horse.

The two riders who had turned their horses to chase me hadn’t expected their opponent to be so formidable. In their panic, they couldn’t even turn back to defend themselves, frantically slapping their horses with their scabbards instead.

Xiao Huan leaped onto one of the riderless horses. His right hand swung the saber, while his left flung a scabbard. The two remaining men, who hadn’t even had time to draw their weapons, fell one after another into the snow.

Just then, one of the fallen cavalrymen refused to accept defeat. Using the momentum of his fall, he kicked out at Xiao Huan on horseback.

The kick was wild and weak, lacking any technique, yet it struck Xiao Huan squarely in the chest. Caught off guard, he tumbled into the snow alongside the soldier.

I hadn’t expected him to be knocked off his horse by a mere cavalryman and hastily pulled my own horse to a stop.

Through the heavy snow, the walls of Shanhai Pass were faintly visible, but the sound of pursuing hooves was closing in behind us.

Desperate, I shouted, “Get back on your horse!”

He was already several yards away, and in the blizzard, I couldn’t make out his figure clearly. I only saw him trying to push himself up with his hands, but his body swayed before collapsing back into the snow.

The hoofbeats grew louder—the Jurchen pursuers were nearly upon us. The situation was dire.

Should I leave him behind and go back alone? He had told me to go ahead earlier, hadn’t he?

I weighed my options. After all, he was the one who had gotten me out of the Jurchen Camp. Abandoning him now would be too heartless.

“Wait there!” I yelled, turning my horse around and galloping back to pull him up.

He finally managed to stand, but when he saw me returning, a flash of anger crossed his eyes. His voice was stern: “Why did you come back?”

I froze, my outstretched hand stiffening midair. Anger flared in me. “I came back to save you! Do you think I wanted to—”

Before I could finish, an arrow whizzed past my arm. Minjia’s voice rang out: “Hold still! Don’t move!”

I had no choice but to stay rigid. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Xiao Huan glare at me again, still furious, as he clutched his chest, coughing uncontrollably.

Had I done something wrong by coming back to save him? His glare only made me angrier. I didn’t care if it was insubordination—I glared right back.

“Cang Cang? How could you be so careless, letting this lowlife capture you?” Minjia rode up with a squad of guards, clearly assuming I’d been taken hostage. She leaned down and patted my shoulder. “Lucky I arrived in time, or you’d be in real danger!”

Seeing me frozen in place, she laughed and waved her hand. “Not you—I meant him.” With that, she casually lashed out with her whip, striking Xiao Huan across the head. “Quite the fighter, aren’t you? Six men couldn’t stop you!” She then ordered the guards beside her, “Chop him down where he stands.”

Panicking, I blurted, “No! Actually, he’s not—” My mind raced for an excuse."Hmm? Wait a minute." Before I could think of how to cover up my lie, Minjia suddenly raised her hand to stop her soldiers. She urged her horse forward a few steps, leaned down, and used her riding crop to lift Xiao Huan's chin, carefully examining his face. "So there really are men more beautiful than women. Just a bit too pale though. Don't chop him—tie him up and send him to my tent."

Shouldn’t this scene belong to some mountain bandit kidnapping a bride?

"You, what’s your name?" Minjia continued playing the role of the female bandit leader, tilting Xiao Huan’s chin and staring intently at his face.

Xiao Huan was coughing so hard he couldn’t speak, clutching his chest. I quickly cut in, making up a name on the spot: "His name is... Bai Chi Fan."

"Bai Chi Fan?" Minjia looked puzzled.

"Yes, Bai Chi Fan—'Chi' as in 'fear of a delayed return,' 'Fan' as in 'a thousand sails pass, yet none are the one.'" I hastily explained, stifling a laugh.

"Bai Chi Fan. Fitting. A good name." Minjia nodded in satisfaction. "You Han people always have such lovely names."

Lovely? Bai Chi Fan literally means "Eats for Free." But it is fitting, I suppose. I cleared my throat and chuckled.

"Oh, right, Cang Cang, what were you going to say earlier?" Having settled Xiao Huan’s fate, Minjia looked up at me with a smile.

"Nothing." What else did you expect me to say? I grinned, stealing a glance at Xiao Huan in the firelight. He was still bent over coughing, his chest heaving violently, his face frighteningly pale.

It seemed Gui Wuchang’s palm strike must have damaged his internal energy—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been kicked off his horse so easily.

Minjia tapped her riding crop with interest, sizing up Xiao Huan with the kind of gaze a man might use to appraise a courtesan.

Well, this was just perfect. Not only was the empress captured, but now the emperor had also fallen into enemy hands.

After being "rescued" by Minjia and brought back to camp, Kumoer didn’t say much, but from then on, a grim-faced guard—that personal attendant named Chi Ku—was stationed outside my tent.

Meanwhile, Minjia took Xiao Huan back to her tent as a trophy. Not only did she have the army physician treat him, but upon hearing he was sensitive to cold, she also fetched piles of furs for him and ordered the stove in her tent to be kept burning day and night, pampering him in every way possible.

With this new favorite, Minjia quickly forgot about Zhao Fugui, who had mysteriously vanished. Truly a forgetful princess.

The snow fell heavily for days, so much so that neither side even considered fighting—even the sentries huddled in their tents to escape the storm.

Early one morning, Minjia came to me cheerfully. "Cang Cang, come to my tent. Xiao Bai is afraid of the cold, so I won’t let him out. The three of us can chat in my tent."

Xiao Bai... A pet name already? Xiao Bai. I felt my facial muscles twitch slightly and forced a stiff smile. "Sure, let’s go to your tent."

Minjia’s tent wasn’t far from Kumoer’s main one. Seeing me leave with Minjia, Chi Ku said nothing.

Braving the snow, we soon reached Minjia’s tent. Pushing aside the fur flap, I saw Xiao Huan reclining leisurely on a tiger-skin chaise lounge, reading by the firelight.

After a few days, he looked much better, his complexion no longer deathly pale. Wrapped in a pure white fox fur, his unbound black hair cascaded over his shoulders. In the flickering firelight, there was an undeniable allure in the curve of his eyes and brows.He was really acting more and more like a male concubine. The mighty Emperor of Great Wu, the supreme ruler, was actually playing the role of an enemy princess's male concubine here—and seemingly enjoying it too. He’d thoroughly shamed the ancestors of the Xiao family. If I were him, I’d rush outside and slit my own throat with a sword.

I followed Minjia inside, tossing the fur cloak I’d been wearing aside.

Unaware of my anger, Minjia chirped excitedly, “What do you think? Doesn’t Xiao Bai look great in white? I had him try on furs of every color, but white suits him best.”

As she spoke, she even skipped over and pressed her hands on Xiao Huan’s shoulders. “Don’t let his slender appearance fool you—he’s not weak at all. His chest is quite broad too.”

She’d even felt his chest? Then they must have done everything else too. Xiao Huan was taking advantage of a beauty like Minjia—he must be secretly gloating.

Over there, Xiao Huan, interrupted by Minjia, set down the book he’d been reading and looked up at me with an amused smile. “Madam has arrived?”

Now that he was a male concubine, he wasn’t scowling and glaring anymore?

“Hmm.” I couldn’t be bothered to engage with him, so I just grunted in response and sat down on a fur stool by the brazier.

“Cang Cang, are you upset?” Minjia finally noticed my foul mood and asked with concern.

“Oh! I’ll go fetch some venison and a jar of good wine. We’ll have a much better time chatting over food.” Suddenly clapping her hands, she beamed at me. “Xiao Bai told me everything—it was all a misunderstanding. He’s from the same hometown as you, so he just talked to you a bit more. Then the guards saw you together and thought you were trying to escape, so they chased after you. You ran toward the camp’s outskirts out of fear—just a big misunderstanding.” With a radiant smile, she finally left the tent.

This naive princess had actually been fooled by such a flimsy excuse from that old fox Xiao Huan.

Seizing the moment while Minjia was gone, I shot Xiao Huan a glare. “Enjoying your stay?”

He flipped through his book leisurely, a faint smile playing on his lips, not even bothering to look up. “Is this how the Empress should speak to me? Where are your manners?”

“Manners? If we delay any longer, Kumoer will eventually discover your identity and have your head chopped off and hung up for display! We should be thinking of a way to escape as soon as possible!” I was furious—how could he still care about manners at a time like this? The heat from the brazier must have fried his brain.

“Escape how? Gui Wuchang comes every twelve hours to seal my major acupoints. And in this heavy snow, you’d be sending me to my death. You’d be a widow before Kumoer even got the chance to behead me.” Whether it was the influence of being a male concubine or not, his tone had grown increasingly frivolous. He lifted his gaze from the book and smirked at me. “Now you want me to come up with a plan? Back then, when we were right at the gates of Shanhai Pass, why didn’t you leave when I told you to?”

I thought he’d forgotten about that—why was he still holding a grudge?

I was at my wit’s end with him, so I could only muster a weak explanation. “Your Majesty, how was I supposed to get through Shanhai Pass without you? I didn’t want to be mistaken for a Jurchen spy and turned into a pincushion by a hail of arrows.”

“Before I left, I ordered Shi Yan to keep watch on the city walls day and night. The moment he recognized you, he would’ve opened the gates.” After saying this, he had the audacity to smirk. “What? If I hadn’t told you, you wouldn’t have even thought of that?”I hadn’t expected him to have such an arrangement and was momentarily speechless. I could only glare and say fiercely, "Fine! Then can our wise, divine, and brilliantly strategic Majesty take me on another charge? If he falls off his horse again, half-dead, and I go back to pull him up, I’ll be a fool!"

"No." His smile remained unchanged, but his refusal was absolute. "The snow is too heavy. I can’t go out."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Are you really that afraid of the cold?" Glancing at the thick fox fur wrapped around him, I asked, "Wearing so much, are you still cold? Is there any way to keep warm?"

He chuckled. "A little wine might help."

"So that’s why you love drinking so much, never letting go of your cup." As I spoke, I reached into the fur to feel his hand. Even sitting by such a blazing brazier, his fingers were still cool.

"Cang Cang, Xiao Bai, wine and meat are here!" Minjia’s excited voice rang from the entrance. I quickly withdrew my hand and cleared my throat.

Minjia had somehow found a plate of steaming venison and a large jar of wine, placing them on the small wooden table inside the tent.

Seeing the wine was cold, I said to Minjia, "Do you have a pot to heat the wine?"

Minjia suddenly realized and smacked her forehead. "Right! Old He Du said Xiao Bai shouldn’t drink anything cold. I completely forgot." With that, she got up to find something to warm the wine.

Xiao Huan smiled at me. "Thank you for your concern, my lady."

I glared at him and snorted.

Minjia returned with an iron basin, filled it with water, and placed it over the fire to heat the wine. With the steaming millet wine and the rich, tender roasted venison, we chatted idly, enjoying the warm and cheerful atmosphere.

As we drank and grew merry, Kumoer lifted the tent flap and strode in, calling out before he even entered, "Min Min, is Cang Cang here?"

I quickly stood. "Great Khan, I’m here."

"Running around in such cold weather? Don’t catch a chill." Kumoer moved briskly, his robes rustling as he approached and embraced my shoulders.

I hadn’t expected such an intimate gesture and smiled, catching a glimpse from the corner of my eye of Xiao Huan still seated in the recliner, swirling the millet wine in his cup without looking up.

Kumoer seemed to notice my gaze and glanced briefly at Xiao Huan before turning back to me. "You’ve never experienced winters this cold in the Han palace, have you? Don’t worry, I’ll take you to Shanhai Pass soon to shelter from the wind."

"Brother, have you thought of a way to breach the city?" Minjia asked excitedly upon hearing this.

"Taking advantage of tonight’s blizzard, I’ll send a thousand-man team to secretly chisel ice and scale the cliffs to ambush the beacon towers on the Great Wall. Once we succeed, we’ll throw open the gates. With this storm, the Han forces are lax in their defenses. The icy walls will also make climbing easier—we’ll catch them completely off guard," Kumoer explained.

"That’s wonderful, brother! Tonight, I’ll lead the charge!" Minjia exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over."No, you won't breach the city." Xiao Huan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up in a calm tone. He lifted his unfathomable eyes to meet Kumoer's gaze directly. "Shanhai Pass isn't located in frigid lands. Even with continuous heavy snowfall, the ice on the city walls hasn't thickened enough for climbing. This strategy relies entirely on surprise. If there's someone with sharp eyesight atop Shanhai Pass who can detect your thousand-man squad before they reach the walls, this entire plan becomes useless."

He wasn't wrong. For every day he didn't return, Shi Yan would be waiting on the city walls. Shi Yan was renowned as the top martial artist in the imperial guards, with astonishing internal and external cultivation. Those with profound internal energy could detect movements several miles away even on snowy nights.

Kumoer finally noticed Xiao Huan and frowned.

Minjia quickly explained, "This is Xiao Bai, the one I told you about."

"That man?" Kumoer's tone wasn't dismissive; instead, he asked quite seriously, "From your perspective, is there someone with exceptional eyesight on Shanhai Pass's walls?"

"Just a casual remark. The Great Khan may believe it or not as he pleases." Xiao Huan continued to meet Kumoer's gaze while lightly swirling his wine cup.

"I'll send a scouting team first," Kumoer said with a slight smile, then suddenly added, "You really don't seem like a male concubine."

Xiao Huan gave a slight bow. "You flatter me, Great Khan."

Kumoer turned to Minjia. "Min Min, come with me. I'll brief you on tonight's arrangements."

Minjia happily agreed, smiling at me and Xiao Huan. "Cang Cang, you and Xiao Bai stay here and chat. I'll be back soon."

I watched the siblings leave with a smile. Only after the door curtain fell behind them did I sit down, wiping my sweat as I complained to Xiao Huan, "What were you thinking? Afraid Kumoer wouldn't recognize you?"

"If he recognizes me, so be it," he said, still swirling his cup with remarkable nonchalance. "If he doesn't, then he doesn't..."

I was so angry I couldn't speak. Giving up on that topic, I asked instead, "You've been hiding in the Jurchen Camp all this time. How is this battle supposed to proceed? When will the Great Wu forces defeat the enemy?"

I paused, surprised at myself. I hadn't even questioned the battle's outcome—only when Great Wu would win. Even in such dire circumstances, did I still believe that with Xiao Huan here, Great Wu couldn't possibly lose?

Xiao Huan seemed to notice this. He looked up at me with a faint smile. "I'm not the one leading the troops. The commander is Qi Chengliang. How could I possibly predict when we'll defeat the enemy?"

I pursed my lips. "True enough. Our great emperor who personally leads his army is currently serving the enemy princess in their camp."

He smiled again, as if about to say something, but suddenly set down his cup. He pressed a hand to his chest and coughed lightly, his face instantly turning pale.

I hurried over to pat his back and help him catch his breath. As my hand touched his slightly thin shoulder, I remembered how he'd been too weak to stay on horseback that day and had been kicked off. I couldn't help complaining, "How can you be so frail and still come to the Jurchen Camp to show off?"

He kept his head down, coughing softly without answering. Only after his breathing steadied did he manage a weak smile. "This snowfall came at an inconvenient time." He seemed to drift off momentarily before adding, "Earlier... he called you Cang Cang, didn't he?"I was a bit puzzled. "What's wrong with him calling me Cang Cang?" After a brief pause, the image of that young man suddenly surfaced in my mind—him smiling as he called me "Cang Cang," pressing his slightly cold fingers against my cheek.

With a cold laugh, I withdrew my hand from his back. "What? Is His Majesty displeased? Upset that we don’t know the bounds of propriety?"

He seemed momentarily taken aback as well, lifting his head slightly to explain, "I didn’t mean—"

"What?" I cut him off before he could finish. "Is there something wrong with calling me by my name? All I know is that this is my name, and anyone in the world who likes it can call me that."

He hesitated, lowered his head, and coughed lightly a few times before smiling faintly without speaking.

I steadied my breathing and turned away. "You don’t look too well. Since it’s just the two of us here, you can rest for a while."

He nodded, raising his head to smile at me. In the firelight, his face was alarmingly pale. "My words earlier were presumptuous. Please don’t take them to heart."

Truly worthy of being the paragon of etiquette and grace, the Virtuous Emperor of Great Wu—always able to speak with impeccable courtesy. I curled my lips into a smile. "Rest assured, how would I dare to hold a grudge against Your Majesty?"

The sarcasm in my words was unmistakable, yet he still smiled and nodded, leaning back in the recliner. After a moment of deliberation, he looked at me and spoke. "Your shoulder—were you injured?"

"My shoulder?" I was puzzled by his question but then laughed. "Got hurt when leaving the Forbidden Palace. It’s nothing serious, just a scar now." I chuckled. "Being Your Majesty’s woman isn’t easy. I understand."

He smiled faintly, coughed a few more times, and fell silent again.

Seeing that he was resting, I walked back to the fireplace, sat down, and picked up the fire tongs to stoke the flames brighter. The crimson glow reflected in my eyes as the tent grew warmer.

The inexplicable anger in my heart subsided slightly. I wrapped myself tighter in my clothes and sat by the fire, deliberately ignoring Xiao Huan beside me.

Unconsciously, my eyelids grew heavy. By the time Minjia returned, I had already dozed off several times, only to be startled awake by a bright laugh suddenly ringing in my ears.

Rubbing my eyes, I looked up to see Minjia laughing heartily as she yanked the blanket off me, pressing her icy-cold hand—still chilled from outside—playfully against my forehead.

That woke me up completely, and I sat up with a laugh.

Before I could say anything to Minjia, I turned and saw Xiao Huan reclining on the chair, reading a book. He must have woken up at some point, his eyes lowered as he held a wine cup. Sensing my gaze, he lifted his head slightly and gave me a faint smile.

I realized the blanket covering me earlier must have been brought by him at some point. I thought of telling him that drinking too much wine was bad for his health, but immediately remembered he must already know. So I simply nodded and said nothing.