Qiao Chu

To the common people, the Empress was both unfamiliar and not unfamiliar.

Official notices from the court had already spread far and wide. Everyone knew the previous Emperor had passed away, a new Emperor had ascended the throne, and there was also a new Empress.

This Empress was the daughter of Garrison General Chu Ling.

However, no one had any concrete impressions of her—she was merely the Emperor's wife in the distant Imperial City.

At this moment, the city's residents, having narrowly escaped death, poured out into the streets. They watched the procession entering through the city gates, their eyes fixed on the young woman riding at the forefront—she appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old. She carried a crossbow on her back, a sword hung from her saddle, her robes were simple and stained with blood.

She was General Chu's daughter—a worthy child of a heroic father.

She was the new Empress of Great Xia, yet she was not distant or unapproachable.

General Chu guarded the Border Commandery in Yunzhong, holding back the Army of Western Liang, while his daughter had traveled from the faraway Imperial City to this place to eliminate the Western Liang stragglers.

They had thought they were abandoned, never expecting Her Majesty the Empress would personally come to their rescue.

"Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

"We kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's life-saving grace!"

Countless voices swept through the city like a blizzard of snowflakes.

Walking among the ranks, Ding Dachui's legs suddenly went weak. Fortunately, someone nearby caught him in time.

Ding Dachui turned to see it was his "wife."

Ding Dashen still had her face covered, the swirling snow making her features even more indistinct.

"You, you," Ding Dachui couldn't help muttering under his breath, "did you ever guess she, she—"

This girl was actually the Empress.

The Empress!

When charging at the Xiliang soldiers earlier, he hadn't felt the slightest weakness in his legs. But hearing the overwhelming cries of "Empress," he nearly dropped to his knees.

The girl had said she came from a powerful family—he had suspected it might be true, but even in his wildest guesses, he never imagined it would be to this extent!

What should he do now?

Could they still reel in this big fish?

Hmm—

Ding Dachui straightened up again, looking at the woman holding his arm. If he immediately pinned her to the ground and exposed her identity and malicious intentions, wouldn't that count as redeeming himself through meritorious service before the Empress?

......

......

After entering the city, Xie Yanlai led troops to clear out the nearby Western Liang stragglers, while Chu Zhao went with officials to comfort the wounded civilians. Fortunately, the city walls hadn't been breached, so casualties weren't too severe.

Chu Zhao personally bandaged the wounds of the injured.

The girl rolled up her sleeves, showing no fear in the face of gruesome, gaping wounds. The wounded, upon learning her identity, were too awestruck to feel pain as they hurriedly expressed their gratitude.

It wasn't until dusk fell that Chu Zhao returned to the government office. Just after washing up and changing clothes, Xie Yanlai arrived, his shoulders thick with snow.

"Have you eaten? Have your wounds been dressed?" Chu Zhao asked in rapid succession.

Xie Yanlai shot her a glance, refusing to answer what he considered useless questions. "The surrounding area has been cleared," he reported. "We counted about a hundred Xiliang soldiers." He then scoffed, "How ridiculous that a mere hundred could wreak havoc for so long."

Chu Zhao sighed softly. "After all, it's been a long time since we've seen battle. People were caught unprepared." She looked up and asked again, "Your injuries—"

"Haven't eaten, wounds have been treated," Xie Yanlai interrupted impatiently. "Anything else? If not, this general takes his leave."

As he spoke, he turned to leave.

Chu Zhao reached out and grabbed his sleeve. "Yes, yes, there is."

Xie Yanlai glanced sideways at her and didn't take another step.

"Why didn't you tell them earlier that we were reinforcements sent by my father?" Chu Zhao asked with a smile.Before she could approach, Xie Yanlai had already announced her identity to the city's officials and generals.

She had concealed her identity throughout her journey, not even revealing it to the local garrison when hesitating to proceed. Now, with the path clear, her identity was exposed?

"I'm not blaming you," Chu Zhao added, "I mean, that would further enhance my father's reputation."

Xie Yanlai scoffed, "Do I care if you blame me?" He glanced down at the girl coldly and said, "Your father is your father, and you are you. Though father and daughter, you are not one entity. Moreover, your father is about to die—once dead, reputation vanishes. You are still alive and must continue living. Compared to your father, it is you who needs reputation more."

With that, he shook off Chu Zhao's hand and strode out.

Chu Zhao stared blankly at the swaying door curtain.

She had always believed herself unfortunate, even after waking to a second chance at life, she carried a stifled resentment—until this moment when that breath finally eased out softly.

She was fortunate to encounter someone in this life who cared for her well-being.

She lifted her head and called out, "Attendant."

Lao Bai entered promptly, bowing to receive orders.

Chu Zhao commanded, "Issue the order: Proclamation of Victory, reporting the Empress's great triumph over the Western Liang soldiers at Wangcheng."

...

...

After leaving Chu Zhao, Xie Yanlai did not return to eat but went to another building.

The troops were stationed at the city gates, both for vigilance and to avoid disturbing the civilians, especially since the city had just endured a siege.

Only the female attendants resided with Chu Zhao.

As Xie Yanlai approached, bird calls echoed from the eaves, as if startled birds were flying past—

Without even looking up, Xie Yanlai pushed the door open with a clatter, charging inside with a chill air that startled the man and woman in the room.

Ding Dachui sat rigidly in his chair, wide-eyed as if forgetting to stand.

Meanwhile, the woman—Ding Dashen—hurriedly bowed after recovering from the shock, "Commander Xie."

Xie Yanlai looked at them both and said indifferently, "Uncle and aunt, don't blame me for entering uninvited."

Ding Dachui stiffened, stammering, "W-what?"

Ding Dashen, still veiled, conveyed a smile through her eyes and took over her husband's words, "Commander Xie, you're too ki—"

Before she could finish, Xie Yanlai spoke again.

"—Because Aunt Ding, you've already received the alert of my arrival, there's no need for me to ask repeatedly," he said.

The young man, tall and lean with an arrogant demeanor, hooked a chair with his long leg and sat down imposingly, glaring coldly at the two.

When Xie Yanlai first arrived, he had met with Ding Dachui and the others one by one, scrutinizing each of them, not even sparing Ding Dashen, and bluntly asked why she wore a veil.

Ding Dashen explained that she had been injured, her face disfigured, and she wore the veil out of shame to avoid frightening others.

Xie Yanlai had laughed then, "Auntie, who are you afraid of scaring? Those around you? Then they don't deserve to be your companions. As for scaring others, isn't that just perfect?"

As he spoke, Chu Zhao had poked him several times from behind. Seeing he paid no heed, she simply claimed there were other matters and dragged him away.

After that, Xie Yanlai didn't press further about the veil or continue scrutinizing these kind-hearted hunters, instead deploying them in formations and commanding them as he did his own soldiers.

Until today, sitting here, staring at these two."Why has Uncle Ding come here?" Xie Yanlai asked. "Didn't you two know how to keep up appearances? You've been acting more distant than strangers all along the way."

"My husband sprained his arm," Ding Dashen said. "I was worried, so I told him to come have it looked at."

As she spoke, she glanced at Xie Yanlai.

"In a marriage, what matters is the heart, not outward appearances. They may seem distant, but they're actually always thinking of each other."

Why bother telling him this? Who cared how they conducted their marriage? Xie Yanlai scoffed, raising an eyebrow as he said, "How did you sprain your arm? I didn't see you get injured when we charged into battle earlier, Ding Dachui."

Though his words were directed at Ding Dachui, his gaze rested on Ding Dashen, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.

Ding Dashen lowered her eyes and poked Ding Dachui with her finger. "Go on, tell him. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Poked, Ding Dachui stiffened and said, "Because... I was frightened, lost my footing, fell, and dislocated it."

Only after he finished did Ding Dashen continue, "We truly had no idea the young lady's status was so extraordinary—"

Xie Yanlai chuckled. "Auntie, no need to be so modest. What couldn't you have anticipated? If you hadn't anticipated anything, would a young girl have been able to persuade you to risk your lives for her?"

A flicker of amusement seemed to dance in Ding Dashen's eyes as she reached out again to poke Ding Dachui beside her. "Husband—"

"Enough, Auntie. No need to keep up the act," Xie Yanlai interrupted her. "You're the one in charge. This Uncle Ding isn't your husband—or rather, he is, but only a puppet."

That's right, he was a puppet—one who could be struck at will. Finally, someone had seen through it! Ding Dachui nearly shed tears of relief. This woman was the real bandit leader! He longed to shout it out, but—remembering how just a moment ago, when he had barely stirred a thought or shifted his posture, she had nearly torn him apart—

This Deputy General Xie might be her match in a fight, but before that could happen, she could easily finish him off.

Ding Dachui stiffened his body and continued playing the puppet.

Ding Dashen bowed her head, the amusement in her eyes now impossible to conceal. Then she lifted her gaze to the young officer.

"Yes," she said. "I am indeed the one in charge. We did suspect the young lady's status was extraordinary, but Deputy General, even in our wildest guesses, we never imagined she would be a dragon among men! This situation truly frightened us."

Frightened? Xie Yanlai studied the woman's eyes and saw not a trace of fear—only delight—

"Think you've struck it rich?" he said coolly.

Ding Dashen replied, "Yes, we've encountered great fortune." This time, without waiting for the young officer to interrogate her further, she volunteered, "People of our status originally sought only wealth. Now that we've encountered such an opportunity, we wish to seek fortune as well."

Xie Yanlai watched her. Since admitting she was the one in charge, though she still appeared delicate, her demeanor had shifted.

"If you seek something, you must know what should and shouldn't be done," he said indifferently.

Ding Dashen didn't answer directly. Instead, with a smile in her eyes, she countered, "The Deputy General must have witnessed our determination to seek wealth firsthand along the journey, right? That's why we're still sitting here today."

Xie Yanlai regarded the woman, neither pleased nor angered.

Ding Dashen showed no fear either. She bowed solemnly and said, "Deputy General, we are disreputable people who have clung to survival. To serve the Empress in any capacity is a blessing fallen from the heavens. We ask Deputy General Xie to observe our determination in seeking fortune from here on.""The master of the house is indeed extraordinary." Xie Yanlai stood up, looking at the woman with a faint, chilling tone. "Since the master knows I'm watching, then don't blame me for cutting off your heads when I see something I don't like—"

As he spoke, footsteps sounded outside the door.

"A Jiu—" a woman's voice called.

Xie Yanlai's cold face immediately showed impatience, but he didn't respond.

The girl pushed the door open, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile.

"You really are here," she said, beckoning to him. "I was just looking for you."

Xie Yanlai said coldly, "This humble general is not your attendant. If you have orders, go find Lao Bai."

Chu Zhao completely ignored his cold demeanor, tugging at his sleeve. "It's urgent, a matter of great importance. It can't be done without you. Come with me quickly." With that, she started walking out.

Afraid his sleeve would be torn, Xie Yanlai had no choice but to follow. "Chu Zhao! Mind your status."

Chu Zhao turned back with a smile. "My status is high and mighty. Who can do anything to me?"

Xie Yanlai let out a short laugh. "Impressive, Miss Azhao. Not like the hesitant girl who left the Imperial City before."

Chu Zhao laughed too. "Alright, enough nonsense." She glanced back at the room, where Ding Dashen stood at the door watching them. Chu Zhao smiled at her, then turned her gaze back to Xie Yanlai. "Why do you have to scare them again?"

Xie Yanlai lifted his chin to look at her. "Do you think pretending to be deaf and dumb will make them truly believe you're deaf and dumb?" He sneered again. "You use people without even asking for clarity?"

Chu Zhao knew that as soon as Xie Yanlai arrived, he had been eyeing Ding Dachui and these bandits like a cat watching its prey. His scrutinizing gaze had almost scared the souls out of them. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh.

"See through but don't expose," she said. "I know they know, and they know I know. Isn't that enough?"

She snorted at this point.

"Back then, you insisted on exposing everything to me, making me take this road again today."

Xie Yanlai's eyes darkened at the corners. "I'm someone who fears death. I must expose all dangers. If Miss Chu isn't afraid, feel free to do as you please." With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode forward.

"Why are you angry?" Chu Zhao laughed, catching up to him. "I'm not blaming you. I'm not that petty about the past, so don't you be petty either—"

The two of them, one in front and one behind, grew farther away in the distance. Their words could no longer be heard, but Ding Dashen remained standing at the door, watching, a smile overflowing in her eyes.

"This Xie Deputy General is not bad," she nodded.

Ding Dachui couldn't help but say from behind, "He's too fierce. How is he not bad?"

He was fierce to them and even fierce to that young lady.

"His fierceness toward us is because he's worried about that young lady and wants to protect her," Ding Dashen said with a smile.

That's why the young lady wasn't afraid of him at all.

Ding Dashen watched into the distance. The girl swayed slightly as she walked beside the young general, chatting and laughing. The young general strode forward with a straight back, ignoring her, but his hands were clasped behind his back, his little finger swaying back and forth.