The day she met the young lady of the Helian family was Chu Qiao's first day of recovery after her illness. A full moon cast its faint glow through the window, spilling pale moonlight across the floor. The candle flame flickered, wax dripping drop by drop onto the candlestick, red as blood. The brocade curtains by the bed were covered in dust, faded and worn, with remnants of crimson dye. Outside, tree shadows swayed, occasionally emitting mournful rustles as bleak crows flew past with sorrowful cries.
Helian Ling lay sideways on the cotton-padded quilt, her silhouette appearing frail and thin. The room still carried the lingering scent of blood, chaotic and desolate, a sight that tugged at one's heartstrings.
Jing Zisu sat beside her, stroking her temples while secretly wiping away tears. Turning to Chu Qiao, she said, "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. I never thought we'd meet again. But the Helian family was so powerful—how could they end up like this?"
Chu Qiao wore a fiery red fox fur cloak that Yan Xun had just sent over. The vibrant fur accentuated her exquisite features. Standing there, watching the three Jing sisters silently weeping, she felt a pang of sorrow herself and softly comforted, "Sister, don't be too sad. Reuniting with an old friend is supposed to be a joyful occasion."
When leaving, Yan Xun's attendant Feng Zhi stepped forward to explain, "This woman was rescued by His Highness on the road. He originally gave her some money and sent her away, but she stubbornly followed behind, refusing to leave. On His Highness's return from meeting Princess Nalan, he encountered her again. The young lady knelt and kowtowed, begging His Highness to take her in. Seeing her pitiful state, His Highness relented and brought her back—this was when you were still in Biantang. Later, we found her a residence in Beishuo City. I handled all these matters personally, but after the war broke out in Beishuo, I got busy and forgot about her."
Feng Zhi continued chattering, but Chu Qiao paid no attention. Seven days had passed, and war was imminent in the east—she no longer had time to dwell on such trivial details.
In the evening, when Yan Xun returned, they had dinner together. Seeing Feng Zhi and A Jing bustling about, packing Yan Xun's belongings, Chu Qiao casually asked, "Are you leaving soon?"
Yan Xun, eating while opening letters from the east, nodded faintly. "Soon."
"Let me go with you."
Yan Xun looked up at her words, set down the letter in his hand, and said gravely, "The eastern front is engulfed in war, and the Daxia Army is formidable. Your health is still fragile—I can't bear to have you endure the hardships of a long, risky journey. There's no fighting within Yanbei now; you should stay here."
Chu Qiao frowned slightly, speaking with urgency, "I've fully recovered. Let me accompany you—I can assist you, I can—"
"A Chu, I've never doubted your capabilities, but you deserve a rest."
Yan Xun's words were firm, his tone low and his gaze intense. "You've done enough. Leave the rest to me. Don't you trust me?"
For a moment, uncertain what emotions surged in her heart, Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback. Her hand holding the chopsticks trembled. She took a deep breath before slowly saying, "I'm just worried about you."
Yan Xun's expression softened. Reaching across the table, he took her hand and smiled. "Don't worry."Chu Qiao smiled faintly but didn't know how to respond. She suddenly realized that ever since Yan Xun returned, she hadn't been involved in military affairs for a long time. She didn't even know where Daxia's army had advanced to.
"That Helian Ling, I've arranged for her to stay in the western courtyard of the residence."
Yan Xun asked casually while reading correspondence, "Which Helian Ling?"
"Don't you remember? She's the young lady from the main branch of the Huaiyin Helian family whom you rescued."
Yan Xun's eyes showed no emotion as he calmly said, "I have some impression."
The candle wick crackled as the wind suddenly picked up outside the window. Chu Qiao said softly, "You forgot about her when you left and didn't entrust me with her care. During the war, she was taken into Cao Mengtong's army as a camp prostitute and has been tortured beyond recognition."
"Oh."
Yan Xun's tone remained unchanged. Chu Qiao even suspected he hadn't properly heard her words. Seeing him focused yet slightly weary, she decided not to press further. Putting down her bowl and chopsticks, she entered the inner chamber and instructed the maids to prepare his bed and heat water.
Outside, the cold wind howled. Even with the roaring fire in the room, there was still a chill in the air. Yan Xun enjoyed eating chestnuts. During idle daytime hours, Chu Qiao would sit by the bed shelling them one by one, often spending half the day this way. The sweet aroma of chestnut meat drifted like mist, silently lingering in the air, intoxicating the senses. Shelled chestnuts were placed within easy reach - by the bedside, study desk, tea table, and writing desk - gradually filling the room with their fragrance.
The quilt was thick and soft, embroidered with golden threads depicting auspicious clouds and soaring dragons. The bed was enormous, capable of sleeping seven or eight people. As Chu Qiao smoothed out the layers for him, she felt a rare sense of peace. Perhaps only when doing something for him could she find such tranquility.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. Without turning around, Chu Qiao said casually, "The water is ready, you should first..."
Her waist was suddenly encircled by someone. A man's warm breath brushed against her fair neck. Forced to stand straight, Chu Qiao chuckled and tried to push him away, "Stop fooling around, I'm making the bed."
"Outsiders would never imagine that Chu Qiao, the renowned commander who defended Beishuo with such distinction, would also perform such mundane tasks."
Knowing he was teasing her, Chu Qiao laughed and scolded, "How ungrateful! I've been taking care of you for nearly ten years. You make me sound like some battle-hardened shrew who knows nothing but warfare."
Yan Xun smiled, "Not at all, I'm marveling at my own good fortune."
Hearing this, Chu Qiao suddenly turned around, "Then let me accompany you, so I can continue caring for you."
Yan Xun looked at her, the smile suddenly vanishing from his face. He gazed at Chu Qiao for a long time before slowly asking, "A Chu, do you know what my greatest wish has been all these years?"
Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows slightly but didn't respond.
Yan Xun didn't expect an answer anyway and continued, "All these years, whenever I saw you rushing about covered in dust for my sake, I secretly swore to myself that someday, when Yan Xun achieves success, I would never let you suffer any hardship or harm again. I want you to live in luxury and comfort, enjoying all the honors and privileges a woman could possess. A Chu, I'm a man. Rather than seeing you charge into battle for me, I'd prefer to see you making my bed and preparing my meals."Yan Xun's expression was extremely calm, yet his gaze held deep seriousness. Chu Qiao looked at him, momentarily unable to articulate the emotions swirling in her heart. She lowered her head as countless feelings flickered through her mind. Finally, she slowly reached out and wrapped her arms around Yan Xun's lean, firm waist. "I understand. I'll wait here for you. You must return safely and soon."
Chu Qiao's voice was gentle, and Yan Xun was visibly moved by her words. Almost involuntarily, his slender fingers lifted her delicate chin as his deep eyes gazed intently into hers. Then, his kisses fell softly and scattered—upon her temples, the corners of her eyes, her cherry lips, and her neck. His arms tightened fiercely around her waist, and between their lips and teeth, soft murmurs arose, so enticing they seemed to shatter one's reason. Yan Xun's breathing grew ragged, a fire igniting in his lower abdomen. His large hand roamed her back with such intensity, yet it wasn't enough. A desperate longing surged from deep within him; the mere touch of lips and teeth could no longer satisfy him. He seemed to crave more, much more.
The massive bed lay shrouded behind layers of silk curtains, exuding an unusually seductive aura. Yan Xun swept Chu Qiao's soft form into his arms and laid her down upon the bed.
As her body met the mattress, Chu Qiao felt a wave of panic. A faint chill crept over her skin, and her eyes widened in helplessness, only to be immediately engulfed by his scorching breath. Her token resistance did nothing to quell the sudden blaze of desire. The man pressed down on her, their bodies rubbing together in subtle friction. The thin indoor garments offered little concealment; their skin burned with feverish heat.
"Yan... Xun..."
A breathless voice, delicate as rippling water, drifted in, its emotions unreadable—neither clearly resisting nor welcoming. His sword-calloused hand slipped inside her loosened collar, gliding slowly inward. When his fingers brushed against the smooth skin of her chest, Chu Qiao's startled gasp in his ear could no longer halt him. His breathing grew abruptly frantic, the exquisite sensation instantly incinerating the last shred of his rationality. His hoarse voice echoed by her ear, dreamlike and obsessed: "A Chu, I'm afraid I can't hold back any longer."
Chu Qiao had lost the ability to speak. Her slightly parted lips were captured, allowing only muffled whimpers to escape. His tongue gently traced her pearly teeth, sending tingling shocks through her. Her skin trembled; the brocade quilt beneath her was silky smooth, yet the weight upon her felt both heavy and strangely secure. Her robe slipped from her shoulders, revealing snow-white skin that gleamed like fine porcelain in the lamplight.
A sudden thought flashed through her mind. As if guided by some unseen force, Chu Qiao struggled to free her mouth. Her voice emerged husky and watery as she murmured, "Yan Xun, how old is Jing Yue'er?"
Yan Xun paused slightly. She had asked about Jing Yue'er's age, not Chu Qiao's—but what difference did it make? Unaware of the truth, he felt a pang of resentment and looked at her accusingly. "A Chu, you're tempting me!"
Chu Qiao shook her head pitifully. "How am I doing that?"
"Appearing before me so beautifully is temptation enough!" Yan Xun took a deep breath and gently kissed her pale, tender earlobe. "And every time you tempt me, you never take responsibility."A faint shiver ran through her body, and Chu Qiao instinctively arched slightly, yet she still managed to say in broken breaths, "You... are being... unreasonable..."
"It's precisely because I've been too reasonable that I find myself helpless against you." Yan Xun sighed silently. "A Chu, I truly wish to marry you right away."
"Then marry me."
The words slipped out in a soft, thoughtless murmur, and as soon as she spoke, her face flushed crimson. Chu Qiao buried her head in the blankets, hearing Yan Xun pause briefly before bursting into hearty laughter, his voice ringing with genuine delight. She felt as though she had lost her mind—how could she seem even more eager than him?
"That won't do," Yan Xun insisted, pulling her out and seating her on his lap. "The current Yan Xun is merely a rebellious lord confined to Yanbei. Yanbei is in disarray, a wasteland awaiting revival. How could I welcome my wife into such a humble dwelling? Once the eastern campaign is settled and Yanbei's situation stabilizes, I will build a golden palace to marry you in, offering the northwestern granaries of Daxia as my betrothal gift. My A Chu must be the most honored bride across the entire Ximeng Continent, my one and only lifelong love."
Though she had long been aware of his intentions, hearing his words so abruptly still struck a chord in Chu Qiao's heart. Her eyes reddened, and she nearly shed tears. She slowly lowered her head, resting it on his shoulder, and whispered, "I want nothing. I only wish for you to be well, safe and sound."
"You may not want it, but I cannot refrain from giving it." Yan Xun smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know how you've lived these years. This is my dream, one I've cherished for many years. I owe you far too much, and I can only repay you by devoting the rest of my life to you."
Her heart felt as though it were bathed in warm water, gently enveloped by the candlelight. Chu Qiao sighed softly, "Between you and me, is there still room for words like 'debt'?"
Yan Xun's expression darkened slightly. He tightened his arms around her, his voice lowering. "I know you've endured much suffering."
The candle crackled as it burned, its light flickering through the layers of gauze curtains, casting intertwined shadows and rustling with the soft sound of clothing.
After his bath, Yan Xun had not changed into sleepwear but instead wore casual attire. Chu Qiao asked in confusion, "Where are you going?"
Yan Xun casually picked up a long fur cloak and draped it over her shoulders, smiling as he said, "I'm taking you back to your room."
"Back to my room?" Chu Qiao was taken aback. She had been sleeping in Yan Xun's quarters for the past few days, which was nothing unusual—they had often slept together since childhood. During her recent illness, Yan Xun had kept watch day and night, frequently sharing meals and rest with her. It was already so late; why would he send her back now?
"What? Can't bear to part with me?" Yan Xun teased her, but then feigned a pained expression. "A Chu, we're no longer children. These past few nights, I've been unable to sleep—it's been even more torturous than my ten years as a hostage in Zhenhuang City."
Chu Qiao's pretty face instantly flushed red. Noticing the maidservants nearby covering their mouths and giggling softly, she quickly pouted and retorted, "What nonsense are you saying!"
"Stop laughing, all of you! Can't you see Lady Chu is embarrassed?" Yan Xun turned and pretended to scold the young maids, only to see them laugh even louder. He could only shrug helplessly at Chu Qiao. "It's no use—they won't listen to me."
"Talk nonsense all you want. I'm ignoring you."Chu Qiao turned to leave for her room when Yan Xun suddenly laughed heartily from behind, scooping her up into his arms. "I said I'd escort you back. How dare you defy military orders? You deserve a spanking!"
After Yan Xun left, the room seemed to grow colder and quieter. Back in her own chamber, Chu Qiao found herself wide awake. Recalling what had just transpired, her cheeks flushed crimson. Tossing and turning in bed, she eventually sat up and leaned against the writing desk, lost in thought.
Since Yan Xun's return, something felt different. While their relationship had grown more intimate, certain things were gradually changing.
Remembering Yan Xun's words earlier, Chu Qiao smiled faintly. Perhaps she was overthinking it. Men were all like this - none wanted their woman fighting on battlefields. Now that he had gained power, he naturally wanted to protect her. She should understand him. His wish for her to live peacefully and happily like ordinary women - drinking tea, admiring flowers, wearing fine silks, being served by attendants, and enjoying luxurious living - was merely his way of compensating for her past sufferings.
Although such a life wasn't what she desired, she should respect his wishes and understand his intentions. He wasn't trying to exclude her, only to protect her.
After thinking this through, she felt much better and was about to sleep when hurried footsteps sounded outside. Opening the window, cold air rushed in as she saw rows of lanterns moving quickly toward Yan Xun's quarters.
"Lü Liu!" she called.
The young maid came running in, rubbing sleepy eyes. "Miss, what is it?"
"What's happening outside? Why are so many people coming at this late hour?"
"Oh, miss, you didn't know? His Highness is summoning the generals tonight to discuss military affairs. They're planning battle strategies for the eastern front. The generals have been waiting in the gatehouse for quite some time."
Chu Qiao froze. The wind outside blew fiercely, whipping her robe off her shoulders and sending her long hair flying wildly, making her appear disheveled and fragile.
"Oh, miss! You've just recovered from illness - you mustn't catch a chill!" The maid hurried over to close the window. "Miss? Miss?"
"Ah?" Chu Qiao came to herself. "It's nothing. You may go rest now."
Lü Liu looked doubtful. "Are you sure you're alright, miss?"
"I'm fine. Go to sleep."
"Alright," Lü Liu replied. "You should rest early too, miss."
The study was brightly lit. After watching for a while, Chu Qiao got under the covers. Before falling asleep, she thought: Did Yan Xun send me back to sleep because he needed to discuss military matters? Then she reconsidered - perhaps it was better this way. With all that noise over there, she definitely wouldn't have been able to sleep.
Drifting in and out of consciousness, an indescribable, vague fear slowly crept into her dreams. Her heart felt like a small boat tossed by ocean waves, rising and falling until gradually, gradually calming down.
She woke early the next morning, her mind too preoccupied to sleep anymore. In three days, Yan Xun would depart. Restless and uneasy, she rushed to his room first thing without even washing her face, only to be told he had gone to the Sunset Army camp overnight and hadn't returned yet.Walking back in a daze, she looked up and realized she had gone the wrong way. By the frozen pond in the west courtyard, a girl in only a thin white robe stood foolishly at the water's edge. Her hair was loosely draped, her face as pale as a ghost's. Hearing someone approach, she slowly turned her head, revealing a bloodstain on her forehead. Frowning in confusion, she asked, "What's wrong with this pond? Why can't it drown people?"
Chu Qiao gasped and quickly ran over, pulling her back. "What are you doing?" she demanded angrily.
"Who are you?" Helian Ling frowned and asked, "Are you sent by my father?"
Yesterday, the doctor had said she was mentally disturbed due to shock, but Chu Qiao hadn't realized it was this severe. Feeling a pang of pity, she coaxed her, "Yes, I am. Come back to the room with me first—it's too cold outside."
"Wonderful!" The last remaining young lady of the Helian family laughed happily, her innocence shining like a child's. "Father has finally come for me! How is Mother? How is Brother? I miss home so much!"
The distance to the room wasn't far, but it wasn't close either. Chu Qiao took off her heavy fur cloak and draped it over Helian Ling's shoulders. "They're all well and waiting for you, so you must take care of your health."
"Mm, I'll listen to you," Helian Ling replied with a smile.
They soon entered the room. Thanks to Chu Qiao's care, it had been cleaned yesterday and was now warm and comfortable. Helian Ling seemed truly addled—she didn't even think to remove her cloak upon entering but sat obediently on the bed, wrapped in the thick fur, and said meekly, "I'll listen to you. Can you take me home?"
Chu Qiao sighed helplessly, took off the cloak, and said with a smile, "Not yet. It's too cold outside. We have to wait until spring."
"Oh." Miss Helian nodded silently, visibly disheartened. After a long pause, she politely looked up and said, "I understand. You're right. It's snowing outside, and the horses are too cold to pull the carriage."
She was so thin. Remembering how she had looked when she first arrived yesterday, Chu Qiao felt a pang of sorrow.
"You must take good care of yourself. Only when you're better can you go home, understand?"
"Mm," Helian Ling agreed, then cautiously leaned in and whispered mysteriously in her ear, "You seem like a good person. I'll tell you a secret."
Chu Qiao was taken aback. "What secret?"
"Actually, everyone outside is evil."
Chu Qiao stared blankly. "Huh?"
"Mm, all of them." Helian Ling lowered her head, cautiously glancing around as if surrounded by people, and muttered, "Those soldiers in armor are all bad people."
But in the next moment, Helian Ling straightened up, looking brave and proud. "But don't be afraid. The gods will protect me. Since you're good to me, I'll protect you too."
Talking to her was truly illogical. Chu Qiao felt as if she were going mad herself as she asked, "Gods?""Yes!" Helian Ling chuckled smugly, "You haven't seen them before, have you? I've seen the celestial soldiers and generals, but I can't tell others—I'd be punished by heaven. I can only secretly tell you. That celestial general likes me, he even held me in his arms. When I return home, he'll come to propose marriage, and I can marry him."
After saying this, she yawned and obediently climbed into bed, saying, "I'm going to sleep now. Whenever I sleep, I can see him."
Chu Qiao stood up, casting a sympathetic glance at her. Who could have imagined that this once-proud young lady would fall to such a state? Muttering phrases like "If you bully me, the heavenly soldiers and generals will strike you all dead," she gradually drifted into sleep. Chu Qiao shook her head and turned to leave the room.
After the meal, Yan Xun still hadn't returned. With nothing better to do, she sat at the desk, lost in thought. Her mind involuntarily began analyzing the distribution of Daxia's military forces after the Northern Expedition, comparing intelligence, logistics, and weaponry between the two sides. A battle map naturally unfolded in her mind.
It wasn't entirely by chance that Yan Xun had managed to lead his cavalry through Daxia's blockade and penetrate deep into their territory during the last Northern Expedition. Only now was Chu Qiao beginning to grasp the underlying strategy.
In terms of overall strength, Yanbei was far inferior to Daxia—whether in military power, weaponry, grain supplies, leadership, intelligence, political systems, or rear stability, Yanbei was like a barren wasteland. If they had clashed head-on, even with the initial strategy of Yan Xun attacking Meilin Pass, Miss Yu defending the second line at Blue City, and Beishuo being led by a capable commander, the outcome would have been at best a fifty-fifty chance, dragging on for at least three to five months. It would never have ended in just half a month as it did now. From this perspective, it was a great fortune for Yanbei.
Daxia's only oversight was likely deploying the four allied armies simultaneously. Their intention was good: to crush Yanbei with overwhelming force, intimidate the northwestern warlords, and restore the empire's prestige. However, this resulted in no secondary rear defense line beyond logistical support, with the four armies operating independently under separate commands. Confident in their numerical superiority, they never expected Yanbei to venture out of their cities and approach them. Thus, they deployed in an all-out offensive formation with lax blockades. Yan Xun, relying on nearly flawless strategic intelligence, led his troops through the gaps in the four armies' blockade, quietly infiltrating Daxia's heartland. Not only did he throw Daxia into disarray, but he also occupied the northwestern provinces. Imagine the panic among the Daxia Army when Yan Xun's forces attacked from the east, cutting off Zhao Yang's retreat. Suddenly confronted with such a fierce, fresh army, they had no idea what was happening back home—this kind of fear is the greatest weakness in warfare. When it strikes an army abruptly, it can trigger a full-scale mutiny. Moreover, Yan Xun cleverly left them an escape route, so they didn't have to fight to the death. Without the resolve for a desperate struggle, soldiers fled for their lives, giving Yan Xun the opportunity to pursue and slaughter them at minimal cost. Otherwise, if over 400,000 troops had resisted fiercely, Yanbei might not have fared well.
Of course, if any single step had failed, it could have led to the complete destruction of Yanbei.
First, if Yan Xun had been discovered by even one scout unit during his advance into Daxia, he would have been trapped in a precarious position, isolated deep behind enemy lines with no city or foothold. He would have faced the frenzied onslaught of the Daxia armies, risking the lives of hundreds of thousands in the First Army and the Sunset Army.Second, if Chu Qiao hadn't first seized Chidu City, evacuated all the civilians from eastern Yanbei to the northwest, and held the city firmly, Zhao Yang would have breached Chidu, divided his forces into two routes—one coordinating with Zhao Qi to attack Beishuo, forming a pincer movement, and the other advancing into Yanbei's interior. Had Zhao Yang truly entered Yanbei's heartland, he would have discovered the region's military vulnerability, likely suspecting Yan Xun and the First Army's whereabouts. Yan Xun's isolated troops would then have been trapped in a precarious situation, with the entire Yanbei at stake. However, after Chu Qiao defended Chidu for many days, Zhao Yang, aware that Zhao Qi might challenge him, had no choice but to lead his entire army to reinforce Zhao Qi, forgoing any further attempts to split forces and seize power.
Third, if Yan Xun had not returned to reinforce Yanbei in time or arrived too late, Yanbei would inevitably have fallen. Of course, in that scenario, Yan Xun might have captured Zhenhuang City instead.
How intriguing reality can be.
Chu Qiao had always harbored doubts about how easily Yan Xun managed to occupy the northwestern mainland of Daxia. Setting aside the fact that all officials in the northwest were appointed by Daxia, the tens of millions of northwestern civilians and hundreds of thousands of local troops—how could they simply allow outsiders to seize their homeland? Yet, upon further reflection, she came to understand.
The northwest was largely grassland, with only one-third of its settlements located near the Helan Mountains. Aside from a plain near the eastern river, most of the territory belonged to the Batuha Family. This region had been a battleground since ancient times. Years earlier, during the Shangshen civil unrest, the Helan Mountains area had even risen in support, revealing the Batuha Family's poor governance. Moreover, Yanshicheng had once held immense prestige throughout the northwest. Later, Yan Xun told her they had fought only four major battles and never even approached cities like Suoduyuan—local civilians and volunteer forces had spontaneously rebelled and surrendered to them. This was something Chu Qiao had never anticipated. It seemed Daxia's slave system had indeed reached its end; even without Yan Xun's war, the people would have eventually risen in rebellion.
As she pondered this, Lü Liu and Feng Zhi entered, laughing. Lü Liu held a wooden plaque and chuckled upon seeing Chu Qiao, saying, "Miss, look at this!"
Chu Qiao was taken aback. Raising her head, she saw it was a longevity plaque inscribed with her name and military rank, followed by dense lines of small characters—all auspicious prayers for long life and blessings.
"My longevity plaque?" Chu Qiao smiled. "Which of you made this? Trying to cheer me up?"
Lü Liu giggled immediately. "What? Feng Zhi bought it."
"Bought it? How could anyone sell something like this?""You wouldn't know this," said Feng Zhi, who was still young—he was the new page Yan Xun had taken on after Feng Mian left. He chuckled and said, "Now, Miss is the savior and benefactor of Beishuo City. Almost every household has a memorial tablet of Miss, offering incense morning and evening. The Zhongyi Hall in the southern part of the city collapsed, and recently a wealthy family volunteered to fund its reconstruction. They even placed a statue of Miss inside, right beside the old Prince of Yan. This is the first time a living person has been enshrined in Zhongyi Hall. Seeing an opportunity, small vendors have started making longevity tablets and peace jade pendants of Miss to sell on the streets. Even people in the army have bought the pendants to carry with them."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qiao was momentarily stunned. Instead of showing the happiness Feng Zhi and Lü Liu had expected, she gradually furrowed her brows. After a long while, she asked in a low voice, "Besides my memorial tablets, do they sell anyone else's?"
Seeing her serious expression, Feng Zhi grew anxious and replied softly, "They do, but they sell clay figures of Lu Zhi, the official from the Second Army. The commoners take them home to burn in their stoves or throw them into the latrines."
"Miss, are you alright?" Lü Liu asked quietly.
Chu Qiao shook her head. "I'm fine. You may go now. As for those things, burn them or throw them away—don't keep them in the residence."
"Yes," the two replied uneasily before turning to leave.
Yet Chu Qiao felt unsettled. This time, Yan Xun had employed a strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao," saving Beishuo from peril. His earlier intention to abandon Yanbei was unknown to the public, so logically, the people should be grateful to him. Why then were the citizens of Yanbei ungrateful?
There was something amiss here—it seemed she needed to investigate further.
Frowning, Chu Qiao thought to herself that her own reputation had soared so high. Yan Xun, being more tolerant, might not mind, but others might not be so forgiving.
It seemed she needed to do more to bolster Yan Xun's prestige. Staying out of military affairs was the right move. As she pondered, a chill ran through her. Did Yan Xun know about these things? If he did, could his decision to keep her away from military matters have other considerations? But as soon as this thought crossed her mind, she dismissed it, shaking her head with a wry smile. Was she going mad? It seemed she had been talking too much with Helian Ling.
At dinnertime, Yan Xun finally returned. Hearing of his arrival, Chu Qiao hurried out and stood under the corridor, watching him from afar. Her smile was warm and gentle, and she looked stunning in her white fox fur coat.
Yan Xun strode over, about to take her hand, but then stepped back, rubbing his hands together. "My hands are too cold. I don't want you to catch a chill."
Chu Qiao smiled, stepped forward, and took his hands, rubbing them and breathing warm air onto them. Then she asked with a laugh, "Why are you back so early?"
"We'll be leaving soon. I wanted to spend more time with you."
Chu Qiao looked up, smiling, and accompanied him toward the main room. As they walked, she asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Have you eaten?"
"No, I was waiting for you."
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you eat first? I told you not to wait for me."
In a rare display of coquettishness, Chu Qiao said, "Eating alone isn't as enjoyable."
They chatted idly as they walked. Just then, a sudden "Ah!" came from the northwest, and a figure rushed forward.
"Immortal! It's the immortal! Have you come to see me?"Helian Ling rushed forward urgently but was stopped by the guards. Her hairpins askew and hair disheveled, she still desperately tried to charge through, shouting loudly, "It's me! It's me!"
She had grown so thin she was almost unrecognizable. Yan Xun frowned slightly in confusion, looking at her without speaking for a moment.
"That's Helian Ling. She's ill and not in her right mind. Tell them not to hurt her," Chu Qiao quickly explained.
Yan Xun nodded. "Take her back and make sure she isn't harmed."
With that, he turned and left. Chu Qiao followed beside him, and even from a distance, they could still hear Helian Ling's shrill screams. Chu Qiao felt a slight unease in her heart, though she couldn't quite identify the emotion—was it sympathy? Pity? Or perhaps a hint of jealousy? How ridiculous that she would feel jealous over someone like that.
Yan Xun hadn't slept all night and looked utterly exhausted. After the meal, Chu Qiao made his bed and then returned to her own room. In the middle of the night, she was abruptly awakened by loud shouting outside, faintly recognizable as a woman's voice.
Lü Liu heard it too, threw on some clothes, and went out to check. When she returned, she said, "Miss, it's that mad young lady from the Helian family in the west courtyard. She ran to His Highness's courtyard, screaming. His Highness is awake and told me to tell you not to worry, to sleep well, and that he would handle it."
"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded, a vague unease lingering in her heart. That Miss Helian was also a pitiable soul. She wondered if the soldiers might harm her, but she had no intention of going out to see for herself. After some thought, she realized she was more bothered by the phrase, "He even held me once."
Chu Qiao inwardly mocked her own pettiness and said to Lü Liu, "Tomorrow morning, send for the physician to examine that young lady. She can't go on like this forever—a perfectly good person driven to madness."
She turned over and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Yan Xun left the residence as usual. For the first time in many years, Chu Qiao found herself with so much leisure time, free from worries. She felt she had gained weight and, upon looking in the mirror, noticed she was developing a double chin, which frustrated her. After some thought, she decided it would be good to go out for a walk. She draped a heavy fur cloak over her shoulders and, without summoning Lü Liu, set off alone.
The weather was clear and fine. Though it was cold, she was bundled up and unbothered. As she reached the westernmost Plum Garden, a light snow began to fall, layering the ground in white. Her footsteps crunched softly on the snow, and the world around her fell into a profound silence. The snow-covered ground blended with the dazzling array of flowering trees, intertwining in a riot of colors. Chu Qiao tread through the snow, her white fur cloak blending into the shimmering White Plum Blossoms, as if she were about to vanish into the overlapping floral shadows.
The fine weather lifted her spirits. Days like these were actually quite pleasant. If not for the eastern war, life would be even more satisfying.
She wondered how Helian Ling was doing. Lü Liu had sent for the physician first thing in the morning, but she hadn't heard any updates. She decided she ought to go check on her later. After all, she still felt some camaraderie with the Jing sisters, and Helian Ling was, in the end, a pitiable woman.
Just as she was lost in thought, a noise came from the small, low gate to the west. The area was quite secluded, and beyond that gate lay the estate's stables. To prevent the animals from neighing and disturbing the residents' sleep at night, the stables were situated far from the main residence. With Yan Xun away, who could be using the horses?Just as she was about to go over and take a look, she suddenly saw three servants emerge. Two were carrying a rolled-up mat while the third walked alongside guarding it. None of them noticed Chu Qiao, chatting idly among themselves.
One said, "She was quite pretty. What a pity she froze to death."
Another replied, "Pity? Didn't you hear her making a racket outside His Highness's door half the night? I heard she even disturbed the Young Lady, who's just recovered from illness. Given His Highness's temper, it's a miracle he didn't have her executed on the spot. Besides, even if she was locked up here, couldn't she have started a fire? Serves her right."
The older man walking alongside, around fifty years old, sighed. "I heard this girl went mad after being captured by General Cao's camp and forced into military prostitution. Once someone's gone mad, how would they know to start a fire? Ah, poor thing."
"Alright, Uncle Cai, you paying for her burial is already her good fortune. Who else would care?"
The old man shook his head. "Don't say that. His Highness left in a hurry this morning and didn't have time to give instructions."
"Enough already. Would His Highness even know who she was? Except for the Young Lady, other women's lives mean nothing in His Highness's eyes."
"Let's stop here. No one speaks of this, especially to the Young Lady's sisters."
...
The group moved further away. Chu Qiao stood there in a daze, still able to see the black hair peeking out from under the mat in the distance.
The snow fell heavier, soon accumulating over half a foot deep. Standing there, Chu Qiao felt the weather was unusually cold, her blood almost freezing. She recalled Helian Ling's mysterious manner when speaking to her yesterday, suddenly feeling as if pierced by needles, a sharp pain.
"I can only tell you secretly - that heavenly general likes me. He even hugged me. When I return home, he'll come to propose marriage, and I can marry him."
"What a madwoman."
Chu Qiao murmured, her voice cold and detached. For some reason, she suddenly remembered the little girl named Xingxing she'd met in Biantang - that chubby child with two small braids, round black eyes, and two dimples when she smiled.
By the time she returned to her room, she was nearly frozen stiff. Lü Liu had been searching everywhere for her, frantic with worry. Seeing her return, tears immediately streamed down as she rushed over crying, "Young Lady, where have you been? You scared me to death!"
Chu Qiao shook her head, her lips almost too stiff to move.
"Let me sleep."
When she woke, her throat hurt terribly. From experience, she immediately knew she was sick again. Yan Xun stood in military attire, covered in dust as if he'd just returned from travel, angrily scolding Lü Liu and the other maids. "Are you all dead?!"
The maids knelt trembling on the floor, faces pale with fear, sobbing but not daring to cry aloud.
Chu Qiao opened her mouth, wanting to call his name, but couldn't make a sound, only emitting a hoarse noise. Hearing this, Yan Xun immediately turned around. Seeing she was awake, he hurried over to grasp her hand, frowning as he said, "You're awake. Are you feeling better? Are you hungry?"
After several attempts, Chu Qiao finally managed to speak, though her voice was hoarse and unpleasant. "It's not their fault."
Yan Xun turned and cast a cold glance at the maids, saying sternly, "Get out!"The maidservants instantly vanished without a trace.
"A Chu, seeing you like this, how can I leave with peace of mind?"
Yan Xun sighed helplessly, his face somewhat pale. He too was injured—the stab wound from Zhao Song had damaged his vitality, and it would flare up when he overexerted himself. But being stubborn by nature, he always endured it silently. Having just gone through a major battle and forced marches, and now working tirelessly day after day while preparing to command at the frontlines, it was only sheer willpower keeping him going—his body would have given out long ago otherwise.
Chu Qiao's heart ached as she reached out to gently trace his gaunt features, her voice hoarse as she said, "You've lost so much weight."
Yan Xun smiled gently. "I'm fine."
He picked up a bowl of medicine warming over a small flame and coaxed her like a child: "A Chu, drink your medicine. Once you're better, I'll take you to Huolei Plain to hunt wild horses."
Chu Qiao frowned. "The medicine is so bitter."
"Be good."
With resignation, Chu Qiao opened her mouth as Yan Xun fed her spoonful by spoonful. It was unbearably bitter—she'd rather have gulped it down in one go. Outside the window, the snowstorm intensified. Yanbei's weather was as changeable as a child's mood, turning into howling blizzards at a moment's notice.
After finishing the medicine, Chu Qiao ate two pieces of preserved fruit before looking up to ask, "How are your preparations? Are you leaving soon?"
Yan Xun nodded. "Yes, almost ready. Mr. Wu and Zhong Yu have already arrived."
Chu Qiao noted he now called her Zhong Yu instead of Miss Yu but said nothing, merely continuing, "Did you pack everything you need?"
"Don't worry. Focus on recovering and don't fret over me."
Still uneasy, Chu Qiao urged, "You must be careful—don't get hurt."
Yan Xun chuckled helplessly. "A Chu, you're so naggy."
"Oh, that was the young lady from the Helian family last night, wasn't it? What a racket she made."
The girl spoke as if casually, even frowning slightly as if annoyed at being woken. Yan Xun remained composed, his expression unchanged as he gently tucked Chu Qiao's quilt and said calmly, "She's unwell. Don't let such people upset you. I've already sent her away—you won't see her again."
A flicker of hope rose in Chu Qiao's heart, but she deliberately asked, "Have you found a physician who can treat this illness?"
"It may not be curable, but it's worth trying."
Yan Xun stood up, placing warmed milk tea within Chu Qiao's reach. "I have matters to attend to tonight, so I won't stay with you. Get some proper rest."
Chu Qiao nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You should rest early too."
"Mm."
The man's figure disappeared from the room. The candle sputtered, filling the space with warm, dry air. Lying there, Chu Qiao felt a chill in her chest. Footsteps approached her room from outside. Her vision blurred, and her nose felt uncomfortably stuffy. As the footsteps drew nearer, Chu Qiao pulled the quilt higher, gradually covering her mouth, her nose, her eyes, until her entire head was buried beneath it.
"Miss?" Lü Liu approached, calling out in puzzlement. "Why are you sleeping with your head covered? There's charcoal burning in the room—you'll suffocate like this."Seeing that Chu Qiao did not respond, Lü Liu reached out to pull the quilt down, only to find a strong force stubbornly holding it from inside. The young maid was immediately taken aback and cautiously asked, "Miss? What's wrong?"
The person beneath made no reply. After a long while, the maids withdrew one by one. The night deepened, and there was no moonlight tonight—only the flickering candlelight quietly illuminating the vast room. The soft glow fell upon the quilt, casting a faint, wavering line of light.
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