When she awoke, it was already deep into the night. Two braziers warmed the room, making the air dry. Chu Qiao’s throat felt parched as she groped her way out of bed to find water.
On the table, as usual, a small warming pot held a jug of milk—produced by the snow deer raised in Nanlan Temple, an extremely precious commodity. Chu Qiao poured a small cup and took a sip. Instantly, a rich fragrance filled her mouth, and warmth spread from head to toe.
The room was dark, but the moon tonight was large, hanging brightly in the sky, casting a pale glow over Yingge Villa. She pushed open the window, and the clear moonlight streamed in. Sitting in a chair, she propped her elbows on the windowsill, rested her chin, and let out a long sigh.
She had lost count of how many times she had gazed at this courtyard. Time flew by swiftly, and often, she couldn’t tell whether the world before her was a dream or if her memories of a past life were mere illusions. In the blink of an eye, nearly eight years had passed since she arrived in this world. Eight years were enough to change many things—including a person’s thoughts, beliefs, aspirations, and the goals they strove for.
In the courtyard stood two wooden stakes, which had been there for over seven years. Even in such darkness, the pale moonlight clearly revealed the deep and shallow knife marks on them. That was where she and Yan Xun had practiced martial arts over the years. In the early days, they didn’t dare train during the day, only venturing out quietly each deep night with their blades. One would stand guard while the other silently practiced the exquisite sword techniques Chu Qiao had devised, blending the essence of various martial arts styles. Whenever a palace servant or two passed by, they would be frightened pale, and only after the person left would they heave a sigh of relief.
In the side chamber’s western warm room, two sets of bedding were always prepared. Back then, they had no servants they could trust. Often, the two children would sleep in the same room, clutching their swords. While one slept, the other had to stay awake. A thin string was always tied to the door bolt, connected to their hands or feet, so that at the slightest disturbance, both would draw their blades and leap from the bed.
In the study, the antique vase on the bookshelf was always filled with various medicinal supplies for wounds, ready for any emergency. Though they rarely needed them, this habit had gradually taken root. Even their eating utensils—chopsticks and spoons—were made of silver, and they kept many little rabbits. Every meal had to be tasted by the rabbits first, and only after waiting half a day or a full day would they dare to eat. In those early years, it seemed they never once tasted freshly cooked, hot food.
Whether in the scorching heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter, they always wore soft armor beneath their inner garments. Whether eating or sleeping, they always kept their most reliable weapon within reach. Time passed slowly this way, and no matter how difficult it was, they grew up side by side. Hope suddenly no longer seemed so distant, the future no longer felt hopeless, and in their hearts, a faint but fervent anticipation began to sprout. Chu Qiao faintly curled her lips. Perhaps this was what they called a sense of belonging. After so many years, so much bloodshed, so many hidden arrows and schemes, she finally no longer saw herself as an outsider, wanting to escape or remain detached.
In truth, from the moment she stepped into this imperial city, their fates had already been tightly intertwined.At this thought, Chu Qiao couldn't help but gaze toward the northwestern sky. There lay Huihui Mountain and the Fire Thunder Plains that Yan Xun had described to her countless times, and the Yanbei grasslands they had always yearned for. On every cold night, in every humiliating predicament, in every moment filled with hatred, these visions had sustained them, helping them struggle forward.
Taking a deep breath, she closed the window and went to the desk, spreading out a chart and lowering her head to examine it carefully.
The door creaked open slowly. A man in a plain white robe with a delicate camel wool collar stood there, his attire neat and elegant, making him appear exceptionally handsome. Chu Qiao looked up and smiled slightly, not rising from her seat as she greeted him, "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Aren't you still awake too?"
Yan Xun entered carrying a food box. Opening the lid, he said, "You slept straight through until midnight and didn't eat dinner. Aren't you hungry?"
No sooner had he spoken than a loud rumble came from her stomach. Chu Qiao rubbed her belly and smiled sheepishly, "It was fine until you mentioned it, now it's starting to rebel."
"Have something to eat first, see if it suits your taste."
"Mm," Chu Qiao set aside her papers and brush, stood up to take the food box, and peeked inside. Her eyes lit up with delight as she exclaimed, "Ah! Pear blossom dumplings!"
"Yes, I know you love them. I had someone prepare them early, they've been frozen outside for several days waiting for your return. I just boiled them."
"Hehe," the girl's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled happily. "Yan Xun, every time I eat these, I feel like I've come home."
After devouring several dumplings in big bites, Yan Xun poured a cup of deer milk and quietly watched the girl eat. The moonlight outside shone brightly, streaming through the window to cast its glow upon both of them. The candle in the corner crackled softly, making everything appear even more peaceful and serene.
"A Chu," seeing that Chu Qiao had finished eating, Yan Xun handed her a white silk handkerchief and naturally wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth. His voice deepened as he said, "About those stone merchants you bribed..."
"Yan Xun, just go ahead and do what you need to, no need to tell me about it." Before Yan Xun could finish, Chu Qiao immediately interrupted. "This matter shows I wasn't careful enough in my considerations, and couldn't bring myself to be ruthless. But keeping such people around will only bring trouble. When we still don't have the power to oppose the Elder Council of the Holy Gold Palace, leaving such evidence is very unwise. The reason I brought them back was hoping you would help me make this decision, so you don't need to explain to me."
Yan Xun smiled slightly, his eyes instantly softening. "Mm, I just didn't want to keep anything from you."
"Exactly," the girl said with a smile. "We agreed we would never hide anything from each other. Secrecy is the root of all misunderstandings and barriers. No matter how well-intentioned the starting point, we can't make that mistake."
"Hehe," Yan Xun chuckled softly. "Well then, why don't you tell me all about your trip to Nanji Mountain now? Every detail, no matter how big or small."
"Alright," Chu Qiao smiled, pressing Yan Xun down into the chair before the desk. Pointing at the chart, she began to explain everything carefully and meticulously.The sky was hazy, and all was silent. After taking a sip of tea, Chu Qiao made the final stroke on the chart and pointed, saying, "As long as the Meng Clan is still led by General Meng Tian, we need not worry too much. From my perspective, rather than concerning ourselves with the Holy Gold Palace and the Wei Clan, we should be more wary of the Zhuge family."
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice, "Didn't Zhuge Huai just leave the capital? Zhuge Mu Qing has gradually withdrawn from the Elder Council in recent years, entrusting all family affairs to Zhuge Huai. Will he intervene this time?"
"You're underestimating that old fox, Zhuge Mu Qing," Chu Qiao shook her head. "Over the past three hundred years of the empire, the ruling families of the Elder Council have changed repeatedly. Among the founding heroes, only the Zhuge family followed Emperor Pei Luo from the grasslands, fighting their way out. This is the Zhuge family's skill—they understand balance, never placing themselves in the spotlight, unlike the Muhe Clan, which constantly vies for attention. Thus, when successive emperors sought to reclaim power, they targeted the most prominent figures, allowing the Zhuge family to remain intact. In these turbulent years of the empire, Zhuge Mu Qing may appear moderate, yet he has repeatedly avoided disaster. This cannot be solely attributed to luck."
"Look here," Chu Qiao pointed at the chart. "This is the intelligence I've gathered over the past few months. On the surface, the Zhuge family shows no signs of movement, but there have been frequent, small-scale adjustments to grain, river salt, and iron ore in the southeast. Though the changes are subtle, they occur often. Zhuge Xi was transferred from Songshui to Xihancheng to collect land taxes and hasn't returned in two months. The higher-ups claim he is dull and incompetent. But in my view, though Xihancheng is small, it is a crucial passage on our return to Yanbei—the central hub of the Yaoshui, Fusu, and Chishui River post roads. Its strategic importance cannot be underestimated."
"Moreover, look here," she continued. "On the eighth of last month, the Elder Council approved Zhuge Ran's enlistment. Instead of sending his son to guard the Zhuge family's southeastern stronghold, Zhuge Mu Qing assigned him to the southwestern camp as a general. The southwest borders the northwest, and the southwestern camp lies within the territory of the Batuha Family. If the Zhuge family weren't secretly colluding with the Batuha Family, why would Old Batu allow outsiders to set up camp at his heartland? And most importantly, haven't you noticed that Zhuge Yue is about to return?"
Yan Xun nodded. "I've taken note of that. Miss Yu sent someone to inform me of these points a few days ago."
"Oh?" Chu Qiao's eyes lit up. "What did Miss Yu say?"
"She said it's still early. During the Summer King's birthday celebration, nobles from various countries will gather, and the situation will be complex and ever-changing. We can only adapt as we go, responding to each move as it comes."
Chu Qiao's brow furrowed immediately. She lifted her face to look at Yan Xun and said slowly, "Yan Xun, is that acceptable? I'm worried something might go wrong. Shouldn't we prepare in advance to ensure everything is secure?"
"A Chu, there is no such thing as a foolproof plan in this world. As for preparation, haven't we prepared enough over the years?" Yan Xun gazed into the girl's bright eyes, reached out, and grasped her shoulders, saying firmly, "A Chu, do you trust me?"
Chu Qiao nodded. "I trust you.""Then you should rest," Yan Xun smiled faintly. "Leave things to me. This trip to Nanji Mountain has taken too much toll on your health. You're ill and shouldn't overexert yourself."
"Yan Xun..."
"I don't want to return to Yanbei alone." Yan Xun suddenly spoke in a low voice. "I have no family left. A Chu, you are the most important person to me."
"A Chu, do you remember what you told me that year when we first entered the Holy Gold Palace, when I was severely ill with fever but had no medicine?"
Chu Qiao was taken aback. Yan Xun's expression softened as he slowly continued, "You told me to sleep without worry, that you would stay awake until I woke up. In the end, I slept for four days, and you were still forcing your eyes open to care for me. A Chu, now I have the ability to take care of you. You can rest assured and sleep - I will stay awake until the day when we can both close our eyes and sleep safely together."
Chu Qiao lowered her head, gently pursing her lips. After a long while, she finally looked up and gave a faint smile. "Alright, then I won't leave. I'll stay by your side, waiting for you to take me away."
Yan Xun nodded, his eyes bright, his smile like lake water thawing in March. The gloom that had plagued him for months instantly vanished.
"A Chu, since we could enter together, we will definitely leave together. You must believe in me, because in this world, we can only trust each other."
At that time, the deep winter snow accumulated peacefully, the long night was tranquil, and Zhenhuang capital appeared calm on the surface. However, no one knew what fierce undercurrents surged beneath the apparent stillness. Those unpredictable countercurrents lay dormant underground, ready to boil over at any moment and submerge everything. Those walking along the shore could only tread carefully, striving not to let the muddy water stain their clothes. When one's ability isn't sufficient to confront the tide, all they can do is stay away from the water.
After closing Chu Qiao's door and watching the lights inside go out, Yan Xun's eyes instantly turned cold. He raised his head and looked toward the direction of Xiahua Palace, fierce determination flashing in his eyes. His fingers tightened slightly, snapping a dried branch. Yan Xun lifted his head, closed his eyes, and suddenly remembered a night many years ago. That day, A Chu, merely nine years old, had been discovered by Wei Shuyou who had been secretly monitoring them while she tried to find medicine for his illness. She was surrounded by over twenty burly men who brutally whipped and kicked her. To avoid giving others an excuse to target him, A Chu neither fled nor fought back. Her flesh was torn open everywhere, blood flowing profusely. When he arrived, the child was barely breathing, yet still tightly clutching the stolen medicine.
From that day on, he had secretly sworn that from then on, he would never let those important to him leave his side. And the people he valued - in this lifetime, there would never be a second.
Let what's coming arrive quickly. He had waited too long, almost growing impatient.
The man opened his eyes, their clarity restored. Tomorrow would be the day Zhuge Yue returned to court. Seven years apart - how has his old friend been faring?
The wound on his shoulder had long healed, but some hatred had taken root in his heart. Yan Xun smiled coldly, turned, and strode decisively into the darkness, his figure resolute, his clothes fluttering in the wind.
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