"Is the news reliable?"
"Absolutely. Our people confirmed it. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry has indeed mobilized. A woman appeared in the Wu Yue Kingdom and took away their Saintess. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry was summoned by her. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry are the Empress Dowager's personal guards; they only obey her. Even the Duguo family cannot command them. If the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry moved, it means the Empress Dowager is still alive. She is still alive."
Murong Shengrui, pacing back and forth on the ground, was filled with excitement. "The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry are the Empress Dowager's personal guards; they only obey her. Even the Duguo family cannot command them. If the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry moved, it means the Empress Dowager is still alive. She is still alive."
Wei Wuji bowed his head and remained silent. If it could bring the young emperor some solace, he would weave him a beautiful dream where Dugu Man was still alive, by his side, never to leave.
"I wish to bathe and change," Murong Shengrui immediately ordered. The decadence of the past few days had left him pale, but the news now filled him with excitement. A touch of unhealthy flush appeared on his sallow face.
"Wei Wuji."
"Your servant is here."
"Have you identified the woman?" Murong Shengrui emerged after his ablutions, restored to his noble and cold demeanor as a young emperor, as if nothing could sway him.
"Your Majesty, we have not yet," Wei Wuji bowed even lower. "However, I have located the Wu Yue Kingdom's Saintess."
"Where?"
"Yusheng Imperial Capital."
Murong Shengrui's eyes flickered. "Yusheng Imperial Capital. Does that mean the Empress Dowager is also in Yusheng Imperial Capital?"
Wei Wuji did not rush to answer. Sometimes, withholding too much information, or revealing the outcome too quickly, might lead to further despair for the young emperor.
"Investigate! I need to know her identity!"
"Yes, your servant accepts the command."
"Sound the imperial drum," Murong Shengrui swept his sleeve. "We hold court."
"Yes."
After many days, Murong Shengrui finally stepped out of his sleeping quarters, a cold and somber smile on his face. Mother, no matter where you hide, on heaven or earth, I will find you. This time, you will not escape from me again!
At the border, Pingxi City was enjoying a rare period of peace. First, Yusheng had seized Pingxi City, and then Xiahou Ying recaptured it with his army. Battles had raged around Pingxi City, leaving its inhabitants in misery.
"General, why not pursue and capture Yang Pass? If we take Yang Pass, we can advance freely and seize ten cities of Yusheng in one fell swoop."
Xiahou Ying polished his spear, his expression calm and composed. "Do you think Yang Pass is so easily taken?"
"But you've already repelled Xiao Luo."
"Are you sure he was repelled by me, or did he retreat voluntarily?" Xiahou Ying raised an eyebrow and glanced at the speaker. "Xiao Luo has inherited Xiao Zhen's full legacy; he is not easily defeated. Moreover, Duguo Mingyu has yet to make a move."
"That traitor Duguo Mingyu! He has defected and betrayed the country!"
"Isn't it normal for him to defect and betray the country?" Xiahou Ying said softly. "After all, he is the only one left from the Duguo family. Yun Qi no longer has a place for him. He has no other path but to seek refuge with the enemy nation."
The deputy general fell silent. The matter of the Duguo family had now become a taboo.
Back then, Empress Dowager Duguo was exceptionally talented. Many generals in the army deeply respected this young Empress Dowager. Alas, fate was cruel; she vanished like a shooting star across the night sky.
Xiahou Ying, seemingly nonchalant, was filled with questions. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry was not unfamiliar to him. Each warrior among them could fight a hundred men. And the only person who could command the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry had always been one person: Dugu Man!
"Is it really you?" A deep confusion flickered in Xiahou Ying's eyes. If it was you, why didn't you acknowledge me? Or has the Emperor's betrayal made you no longer trust me?
"Tonight, we will launch a surprise attack on Pingxi City," Xiao Luo ordered.
"Tonight at midnight, Duguo Mingyu will lead the vanguard to launch a surprise attack on Pingxi City, drawing Xiahou Ying out. We will then find a way to capture him."
"This subordinate obeys."
"Very well, all of you go and prepare." With Xiao Luo's command, everyone withdrew. Just then, a figure, mingled among the generals, attempted to sneak away.
Xiao Luo reached out and grabbed the person. "Where are you going?"
The person turned around, a fawning smile on their face. "Young General, I'm just going for a stroll."
"A stroll? Are you sure you're not trying to join the battle?" Xiao Luo's tone was sharp. "Chu Qingge, do you think the battlefield is a place where you can act recklessly?"
Chu Qingge placed her hands on her hips. "I came to join the army. Why won't you let me fight? Do you think only the battlefield is dangerous? The Imperial Capital is more dangerous than the battlefield. At least the battlefield is open combat, but the Imperial Capital is filled with hidden arrows. If I can't survive here, do you expect me to survive in the Imperial Capital?"
"Don't be foolish," Xiao Luo's tone was firm. "The condition for me agreeing to let you stay in the army was that you would obey me. If you disobey, I will have you sent back to the capital immediately."
"You're threatening me again!" Chu Qingge detested Xiao Luo using the threat of sending her back to the capital, but it was her weakness, and she had no choice but to obey.
"This is not a threat; it is concern. If something were to happen to you, how would I explain it to Man'er?"
Chu Qingge fell silent for a moment, then looked up at Xiao Luo, gritted her teeth, and made up her mind. "If I weren't Man'er's good friend, would you still care about me?"
"Even if you weren't Man'er's friend, you are still the daughter of a court official. How could I abandon you?"
"Then what if I were just an ordinary civilian?"
Xiao Luo's brows furrowed even tighter. He felt Chu Qingge was being unreasonable. If he weren't worried about her sneaking onto the battlefield and getting hurt, he wouldn't have to spend his days watching over her, fearing she might run off to seek death if he wasn't paying attention.
"There are no 'what ifs'."
"Xiao Luo, I don't like the battlefield, and I don't like killing."
"Then why did you come to the battlefield?" Xiao Luo retorted coldly. "Wouldn't it be better to stay in the Imperial Capital and be a young lady of a prominent family?"
"Because you are here, I came."
Xiao Luo froze, released his hand, and looked at Chu Qingge with astonishment. "What does that have to do with me?"
"Xiao Luo, I like you. I want to be with you, so I came to Yunzhong City. I joined the army only to stay by your side."
Xiao Luo took a step back. He could face thousands of soldiers without flinching, but when a young lady suddenly declared her love for him, he was at a loss.
"You... what nonsense are you talking about?"
"I am not talking nonsense!" Chu Qingge said very earnestly. "Xiao Luo, I like you. Just tell me directly, do you like me? If you like me, marry me. If you don't like me, I will return to the capital immediately and never bother you again."