Chu Qiao knew she had stirred up serious trouble this time.
There were far too many things to worry about—assassinating the Crown Prince of Bian Tang? Conspiring to sabotage diplomatic relations between two nations? Disobeying military orders and overstepping authority?
Any one of these charges pressed against her would be enough to sentence her to death. It seemed she had never acted so impulsively and recklessly in her entire life. What exactly had gone wrong? Why had she been so bewitched?
She no longer dared to look at Zhao Che’s expression. The clamor from the women across the tent was loud enough to pierce through the roof of the central command tent. Standing behind Zhao Che, she carefully retraced the events from beginning to end, yet could not find even the slightest detail to exonerate herself. Now, she could only hope that this matter would not implicate Yan Xun, that he would not be burdened with this accusation of harboring sinister intentions.
"Have you all finished talking?"
A cold, low voice suddenly rang out, its tone icy and filled with intense hostility. The several finely dressed young women were momentarily stunned. They saw Zhao Che clad in armor, his face as hard as iron, his eyes sharp as blades as he stared at them. He spoke slowly, word by word: "If you're done, then get out!"
"You!" A young woman in a goose-yellow dress suddenly pointed at Zhao Che and shouted, but was stopped by another, slightly older woman. "Xiao E, do not be disrespectful to the Seventh Prince."
"Sister Fu..."
"Since Your Highness still has official duties to attend to, we shall not disturb you further. However, we will not let this matter rest. We have already dispatched messengers, and our country will immediately send envoys to Zhenhuang to coordinate this matter. As for this young lady..." The woman’s gaze slowly swept over Chu Qiao before she said indifferently, "Since Your Highness refuses to hand her over, there is nothing we can do. We ask that the Seventh Prince detain her for us temporarily, and we will settle this another day. Farewell."
With that, she turned and led the way out of the tent. The other women snorted coldly and swept out with a flick of their sleeves.
Zhao Che stood silently in the tent, staring at the fluttering tent curtain for a long time without saying a word.
Chu Qiao stood behind him, unable to see his expression, but she could well imagine how furious he must be. For Zhao Che, the best solution to this matter would be to execute her, this treasonous woman, on the spot. Failing that, he could hand her over to the Ministry of Justice for punishment. Yet now, he had detained her and refused to hand her over to the envoys of Bian Tang. What exactly was his purpose?
Chu Qiao swore that if he were to strike her now, she would not fight back.
Suddenly, Zhao Che’s back trembled slightly, as if he had something to say but was struggling to hold it back. Sweat slowly trickled down her forehead, her palms grew damp, and her pupils contracted slightly.
What exactly was he going to do? Would he seize this opportunity to falsely accuse her of being a rebel? The emperor had long been searching for faults in Yan Xun, eager to eliminate him. Would she now become the excuse for that?
The young woman slowly clenched her fists, unconsciously reaching for the dagger at her thigh.
Zhao Che turned around, his expression strange, his eyes blazing as he looked at Chu Qiao. But suddenly, the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward, and then...
"Ha ha ha ha!"
A loud burst of laughter erupted. Deputy General Cheng and several other officers from the Elite Cavalry Camp suddenly walked in, laughing uproariously, pounding their chests and stomping their feet. Zhao Che reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a thumbs-up as he sighed, "Well done! You did well!"
What... was this situation?
Chu Qiao was momentarily stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief."That Li Ce brat has long needed a good beating."
"What Crown Prince of Bian Tang? Dressing in red and green all day like a woman, even I, Old Dong, find it disgusting."
"With so many flaws, someone ought to take him down a peg."
"Well done, little girl! If anyone dares trouble you, we won't stand for it!"
Chu Qiao stared dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long while. After some time, she cautiously cleared her throat: "Your Highness, this matter shouldn't be handled so rashly. While ignorance may be excused, I did strike the Crown Prince of Bian Tang after all. Moreover, he came to offer birthday congratulations to the Emperor. At the very least, shouldn't we sincerely apologize?"
"You hit him?" Zhao Che raised an eyebrow, turning to the group of burly men: "Who saw it? Did any of you see it?"
The men answered in unison: "We didn't see anything."
Someone immediately became confused, looking at Zhao Che in bewilderment.
Zhao Che sighed and shook his head: "But speaking of which, you really are foolish. If you wanted to beat him up, you should have found a secluded opportunity."
"That's right!" Dong the Bearded interjected eagerly: "His Highness had already discussed with us - we were waiting for this guy to set out, then planned to find a secluded spot to put a sack over his head and beat him up. We wanted to send him to Zhenhuang all bruised and swollen. We never expected you'd act faster than us. Actually, we arrived long ago and watched you beat him up from afar, we just didn't show ourselves."
Chu Qiao looked at the room full of men with gleaming eyes, feeling utterly helpless.
"Don't worry," Zhao Che patted her shoulder righteously: "Although I didn't think much of you before, now that you're one of my people, I won't treat you poorly."
That day, the frozen lake had thawed, the winter snow had cleared, and the spring of the Great Xia Dynasty had finally arrived quietly at the tail end of early summer.
As night fell, the military camp grew quiet, except for faint music coming from the eastern corner, starkly out of place in the night camp. Remembering Deputy General Cheng's words that this was the Crown Prince of Bian Tang's habit - he couldn't sleep without music - and now that he had suffered such a blow, the music played even more mournfully, like the spring-longing tunes of palace maidens.
Chu Qiao sat on a snowy hill, toying with the long sword in her hand. Across the vast snowy plain, countless lights flickered. The cold moon shone like frost, its light pouring down. The camp was quiet, with only occasional patrols passing by. Since this wasn't a battlefield, the atmosphere was inevitably more relaxed, lacking tension but carrying traces of desolation. Chu Qiao sighed softly: "So this is what they call the thousand tents' lights."
A crisp "zheng" sound suddenly rang out. Chu Qiao looked down to see the still-sheathed sword emitting the clear metallic ring. Her brows slightly furrowed as she swiftly drew the sword from its scabbard.
The sword was uniquely forged, a full four feet long. The blade was pale with faint dark red wave patterns that at first glance resembled undried blood stains.
"Fine sword!"
Praise immediately came from behind. Chu Qiao turned to see Zhao Che in black brocade robes, climbing step by step up the snowy slope. He sat directly beside her and asked: "What's its name?"
Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback, shaking her head: "I don't know."
"You don't know the name of your own sword?"
The woman shook her head: "This sword isn't mine."Zhao Che nodded without further questions. He lifted a wine pot with his right hand, took a swig, and casually passed it to Chu Qiao, provocatively raising his chin.
The woman shook her head with a faint smile. "No need to provoke me. I never drink alcohol—it only leads to mistakes or deepens sorrows."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Che was momentarily taken aback. After a long pause, he murmured, "I used to think the same way, but gradually, I changed my mind."
"Zhao Che, what you did today was rather unwise."
"Is that so?" Zhao Che chuckled softly, tilting his head back for another drink without responding.
Chu Qiao continued, "You publicly humiliated the Crown Prince of Tang in front of everyone, watched me strike him without intervening, and then fiercely defended your own afterward, making sure everyone knew. Do you realize the consequences if this gets out? Do you truly trust your subordinates that much?"
Zhao Che gave a lazy smile. "Then what should I have done? Hand you over to the Ministry of Justice? Someone did what I secretly wished to do—why should I repay kindness with enmity?"
"You shouldn’t be like this," the young woman slowly shook her head. "Zhao Che, you’re very different from what I imagined."
"Then what should I be like? Like those in the Holy Gold Palace? Scheming and fighting all day, where fathers aren’t fathers, sons aren’t sons, and ministers aren’t ministers?"
"Enough!" the woman snapped sharply. "Do you even know what you’re saying?"
"Of course I do," Zhao Che’s voice turned icy. His gaze drifted into the distance as he spoke grimly, "Sometimes, I wish I could burn it all to ashes."
The man lowered his head and said slowly, "I’ve been entangled in power struggles for over a decade, calculating for gain since I could speak. It wasn’t until I was exiled to the border that I truly found peace. Sometimes, being with these common-born soldiers feels far more comfortable than the Holy Gold Palace. Those inside are my siblings, parents, and kin, yet to me, they’re more vicious than floods or wild beasts."
"Chu Qiao, I came tonight only to ask you one thing: Did you join the Elite Cavalry Camp to secure a future escape route for Yan Xun, or are you genuinely loyal to me?"
Chu Qiao’s expression remained calm. Meeting his eyes, she finally stated firmly, "I just want to survive. That’s all it’s ever been."
A sharp glint flashed briefly in Zhao Che’s eyes before fading. He nodded slowly and declared solemnly, "From now on, you shall follow me wholeheartedly. No one will harm you again."
The woman knelt resolutely in the snow. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
With sparse lantern lights and fading stars, by the time Chu Qiao returned to her tent, her clothes were nearly soaked through. Soaking in the steaming bath, all her thoughts surged at once.
Everyone in Zhenhuang City was a master of acting—and she was no exception.
Emperor Xia had executed the entire Muhe Clan, leveraging the power of the Third Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Wei Clan, yet deliberately excluded Zhao Che, even sending people to test and monitor him relentlessly. Anyone else would surely harbor resentment.
A wise emperor could tolerate a son who sulked or threw tantrums, but he would never tolerate a disloyal minister who buried grievances deep within, biding his time for revenge.A prince scheming for the throne can tolerate a brother who foolishly displays his anger on the surface, but he cannot endure a competitor who feigns humility, endures humiliation to survive, and executes everything flawlessly.
No one would truly believe that a mere archery instructor would dare defy the world by assaulting the crown prince of a neighboring country. The mastermind behind it was almost glaringly obvious.
She stayed there that night precisely to wait for him. She didn’t believe Zhao Che hadn’t investigated her background. With a little effort, he couldn’t possibly know nothing about a little slave of unknown origins like her. So, she quietly waited for the right moment, holding Zhuge Yue’s longsword—the Moon Breaker Sword, a masterpiece among blades, forged by the master swordsmith Feng Yazi. How could Zhao Che fail to recognize it?
As long as he knew about her entanglement with the Zhuge family, he would conclude that her following Yan Xun back then was out of desperation—after killing the Zhuge family’s patriarch, she had nowhere to go and had no choice but to attach herself to that fallen crown prince.
As long as he knew this, he would naturally assume that her master-servant relationship with Yan Xun was merely driven by self-interest. Only if he held such a belief would he possibly attempt to win her over for his own use.
Deceit and treachery, fooling superiors and deceiving subordinates—while you secretly delight in deceiving me, how do you know I’m not just going along with it to humor you? Who will emerge victorious? We’ll have to wait and see.
“Human hearts?” The woman with a cold expression snorted softly, slowly closing her eyes as she leaned against the edge of the bathtub. “They’re nothing but worthless weeds.”
A long eagle soared and perched majestically at the gates of the Holy Gold Palace. Yan Xun unfolded the letter: “To soothe Biantang’s defiance, the overall situation remains stable. Only guard against the Wei Clan.”
Palace lanterns flickered as flames devoured the letter. Watching the paper burn to ashes, the Emperor Xia’s new son-in-law and Yanbei’s crown prince issued an order: “Within three days, intercept all memorials sent to the palace from the Wei Clan.”
A Jing was startled upon hearing this. The matter was of grave importance; one misstep could destroy years of carefully laid plans. He couldn’t help but question, “Crown Prince, isn’t the price too high?”
“Losing A Chu would cost even more.”
“Crown Prince?”
“A Jing,” the man, dressed in light robes with a jade-like countenance, raised his eyebrows slightly. “Just remember that A Chu’s life is more important than anything else.”
A Jing’s voice rose in disbelief. “More important than Yanbei?”
Yan Xun smiled faintly. “If she is not here, what use do I have for Yanbei?”
A Jing was utterly shocked, kneeling firmly on the ground and speaking gravely, “The Crown Prince is the crown prince of Yanbei, the young master of Datong, the hope of all living beings. How can you abandon public duty for personal feelings? How can you be swayed by romantic attachments?”
Yan Xun let out a cold laugh. “Where was Yanbei when I was cast into hell? Where was Datong? Which of the common people extended a helping hand to me? I have endured years of hardship and humiliation, surviving for two purposes: to seek revenge and to protect those I cherish. To me, the world and its people are nothing but dust and dirt.”
A Jing frowned deeply, speaking resentfully, “If that’s the case, why did you let her fall into someone else’s hands? Why not shield her under your wings?”
The young man slowly raised his head, his gaze resolute. “Because I believe in her.”
I believe she is an eagle soaring high in the heavens, a blade that never bends, the only one who can truly understand me. She will surely stand by my side, weathering storms and fighting alongside me."A Jing, I hope your Great Alliance Society will pledge allegiance to her as you have to me, and protect her as you have protected me. Because with her by my side, I am the leader of your Great Alliance Society, the hope and blessing for all the common people under heaven. If she is gone, I will surely become a demon!"
A Jing trembled all over, looking at Yan Xun in disbelief—this man whom the society had devotedly served for years. They had believed he would surely be like Prince Yanshicheng, loving the people as his own children and upholding the ideals of the Great Alliance. But today, in this flickering lamplight of the study, he suddenly realized how mistaken all their previous assumptions had been.
They were engaged in a high-stakes gamble, with immense wagers that could be overturned in an instant!
"No need to panic," Yan Xun smiled faintly. "I dare to tell you this because I have never feared the Great Alliance turning against me. Yan Xun is not Yanshicheng. I will not be a pawn, nor a puppet. I fight only for my own heart."
A Jing lowered his head, his tone already cold and detached: "If the Crown Prince acts this way, it chills this subordinate's heart."
"It doesn't matter," a window suddenly blew open a crack, the icy wind scattering the hair at Yan Xun's temples. His gaze drifted into the distance, his voice growing faint yet still firm, word by word, reaching A Jing's ears:
"I must first be a man, before I am your young master."
The cold wind was like iron, and he seemed to smell the scent of armor.
All of this was laid out on Miss Yu's desk an hour later. Xia Zhi stood nearby, frowning as he said, "Miss, this woman is Young Master Yan's weakness. Sooner or later, it will lead to disaster."
"Indeed," Bian Cang said gravely. "How can one who aspires to great achievements be entangled in romantic sentiments and neglect the bigger picture?"
"Miss, should we report this to the higher-ups? Or perhaps take this woman into our control first?"
Miss Yu's expression remained indifferent as she turned to Xi Rui and said slowly, "What are you trying to say? Take her into our control, or eliminate her to prevent future troubles?"
Xi Rui was taken aback and immediately bowed his head. "This subordinate did not mean that."
Miss Yu snorted coldly and spoke slowly, "What do any of you know about true strength? The strength of blades and soldiers can only overcome a hundred foes; the strength of strategy can only overcome a thousand; the strength of power can only overcome ten thousand. True strength lies in an unyielding heart—resolute, indestructible, and unwavering. Only with such a steely will can one advance without hindrance, fear no hardship, and ultimately reach heights unattainable by ordinary people. And what truly constitutes an unyielding heart? Is it being heartless, without attachments or burdens? Or is it unwavering belief, free from greed? Neither. All people have selfish desires. The so-called purity of the white lotus is nothing but a fable. Truly strong individuals must have something they are willing to defend with their lives."
The woman set down the letter and sighed softly. "I no longer need to worry about the young master. He has grown up. From now on, act according to his wishes. There is no need to seek my approval anymore."
"Miss?" Bian Cang exclaimed in surprise.
"Be grateful," the woman said with a heartfelt sigh, closing her eyes. "Years of imprisonment have not completely eroded his trust in humanity. If he had become a gloomy, ruthless, hate-filled demon without a shred of trust, not a single person here would have survived to return to Yanbei."
"This young girl named A Chu is a gift from heaven, the hope and treasure of the Great Alliance!"Initially believing that the Crown Prince of Bian Tang would not let the matter rest, Zhao Che and the others had even prepared for a protracted standoff here. Unexpectedly, early the next morning, Li Ce clamored to go to Zhenhuang, refusing to stay in the military camp for even a moment longer.
Though unafraid, Chu Qiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of how the Crown Prince Li might complain about her once he reached Zhenhuang, at least his willingness to move meant she could mitigate some of the blame.
Three days later, the carriage procession of the Crown Prince of Bian Tang finally entered Zhenhuang City under the escort of the Elite Cavalry Camp!
This was the first time in many years that the two nations had sent members of the imperial family for such diplomatic relations. The Great Xia Dynasty attached great importance to the occasion, with the Third Prince Zhao Qi leading the officials to welcome the delegation ten li outside the city.
Along the way, flags were raised, drums and gongs resounded, and the common people flocked to watch as armored troops stood guard on both sides. The grandeur of the procession rivaled that of an imperial tour.
However, as soon as the Bian Tang carriages arrived, the carriage curtain was flung open, and the Crown Prince of Bian Tang, dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe and a yellow fur cloak, strode out with steady steps and a haughty posture. If not for his bruised and swollen face, the scene would have been perfect.
The expressions of Zhao Che, Chu Qiao, and the others instantly turned as grim as could be. Even the envoys from Bian Tang wore mournful looks.
They had never imagined that His Highness the Crown Prince would dare to show himself in such a state!
Pity Zhao Qi and the civil and military officials of Great Xia, who were caught completely off guard. Their faces were filled with shock and panic. But seasoned officials are nothing if not quick to react. Wei Guang, the head of the Wei Clan, was the first to step forward, bowing and sighing, "Long have I heard of Crown Prince Li Ce's refined elegance and extraordinary handsomeness. Today, witnessing Your Highness's golden countenance, it truly shines with brilliance, rivaling the sun and moon."
As soon as he finished speaking, the others rushed to follow suit. The civil officials composed poems and exchanged praises, singing Li Ce's praises as if he were a peerless beauty unmatched in history, the most handsome man of all time. The military officials, lacking such flowery language, enthusiastically gave thumbs-up and pieced together the best compliments they could muster: "Beautiful," "Gorgeous," "Too handsome."
Li Ce laughed heartily, only to wince in pain as the movement tugged at the corner of his mouth. Waving to the crowd, he repeatedly said, "You flatter me, you flatter me," accepting the praise with utter ease.
One wonders what the Emperor and Empress of Bian Tang would have thought had they been present.
After much persuasion, the apple of the Tang King's eye was finally coaxed back into his carriage. With horns blaring, the grand procession set off toward Zhenhuang City. But after just a few steps, Crown Prince Li Ce raised an objection: "Why do the horns sound as if we're marching off to war?"
Zhao Qi was taken aback, once again feeling fortunate that he hadn't personally gone to receive him. The horn melodies were governed by ceremonial rules: there were specific tunes for going to war, for triumphant returns, for imperial processions, and for welcoming distinguished guests according to their rank. Everything was perfectly in accordance with protocol, so what could Bian Tang possibly find unsatisfactory?
After negotiating for nearly an hour, Great Xia had no choice but to concede. In an instant, the stirring horns were replaced by soft, seductive music. Accompanied by the gentle melodies of silk and bamboo instruments played by a group of elegantly dressed young women, the procession slowly resumed its journey.Li Ce paid no mind to the injuries on his face, continuously lifting the carriage curtain to wave at the commoners below, appearing amiable and approachable with a beaming smile.
This fellow, if not a cunning fox, must be a genuine fool.
Chu Qiao sighed inwardly as she rode on horseback, following the Elite Cavalry Camp to escort Crown Prince Li Ce into the Holy Gold Palace.
Zhao Che and Deputy Commander Cheng entered the palace together. Chu Qiao returned directly to the Elite Cavalry Camp with the soldiers. As they approached the entrance, a black eagle suddenly circled overhead. An archer spotted it, drew the crossbow from his waist, and shot an arrow. Unexpectedly, another arrow shot upward and deflected his.
The eagle grew even more arrogant, screeching loudly as it circled the crowd several times before finally flying away.
"Instructor Chu! Why did you deflect my arrow?"
Chu Qiao cast a cold glance at the soldier, snorted disdainfully, and rode into the camp.
After days of exhausting work, they finally had time to rest. As soon as everyone returned to the camp, except for the guards on duty, they all fell asleep.
Chu Qiao changed into ordinary casual clothes and quietly slipped out through a side gate.
The weather was gradually warming, and Chishui Lake had thawed. In the distance, a tall, elegant man in white robes stood by the lakeshore, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, exuding an indescribable grace.
Chu Qiao approached with a smile and said, "Who are you posing for over there?"
Yan Xun turned around, smiled gently, and looked her up and down. "Were you scared?"
"No," the woman replied with a sly grin. "I never learned how to write the word 'fear' since I was a child."
"Stubborn," Yan Xun chuckled. "The entire imperial city knows about it. You've become quite the celebrity."
Chu Qiao was taken aback. "The whole imperial city knows? And no one filed a complaint?"
"Zhao Che said he didn't see you hit anyone, and the entire Elite Cavalry Camp is sticking to the same story. Even the Crown Prince of Bian Tang refuses to admit you beat him, insisting he fell. With even the victim not pressing charges, what could the Emperor do?"
Chu Qiao covered her mouth and laughed. "If I'd known, I would've hit him harder."
"A Chu, are you adjusting to military life?"
"It's fine," Chu Qiao nodded. "Zhao Che doesn't trust me and has tested me repeatedly, but the situation isn't bad. Everything is still under control."
Yan Xun nodded silently and said slowly, "Good, be careful. If things become impossible, don't force it."
"I understand. Don't worry."
"I won't keep you any longer. This token can command the forces of the Great Alliance Society to assist you. It might come in handy while you're out here."
Chu Qiao took the wooden plaque. It was simple and antique in style, carved with a massive gyrfalcon on the front and the character "Tong" on the back.
"I should go now."
"Yan Xun!"
The man turned back, looking at her in confusion. Chu Qiao was also surprised by her own sudden outburst and smiled awkwardly. "Be careful on the road."
Yan Xun smiled, his expression as warm as a spring breeze through willow trees. His robes fluttered as he rode away.
Chu Qiao stood silently for a long time, only turning to walk back toward the Elite Cavalry Camp after his figure had disappeared from sight.
With a "whoa," Yan Xun dismounted and addressed the men who came to meet him, his voice low. "What happened?"
A Jing hurriedly replied, "Wei Shuyou sent people overnight to gather evidence of the young lady beating the Crown Prince of Bian Tang. He also bribed two soldiers from the Elite Cavalry Camp to testify and is heading to the Holy Gold Palace now."
"Wei Shuyou?"
Yan Xun stopped and said slowly.
"Crown Prince, what should we do? Even though the Crown Prince of Tang is too embarrassed to pursue it, once this matter is brought into the open, the young lady won't be able to escape punishment."
A cold glint flashed in Yan Xun's eyes as he said firmly, "Notify the Night Squad. Let them handle it."A Jing was taken aback, murmuring, "What does the Crown Prince intend to do?"
"Kill Wei Shuyou." The man's eyes instantly turned fiercer than a jackal's, with not a trace of the gentleness from moments ago remaining. He spoke slowly in a somber tone, "He has lived long enough."
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