Seven days after returning to the Tiancheng military camp under a hidden identity, Xiao Nanhui finally enjoyed the warmth of a charcoal fire.
Strictly speaking, she was merely mooching off someone else's supply. The Emperor was extremely sensitive to the cold, and the brazier in the carriage was kept burning brightly. Yet, despite the warmth, sleep eluded her.
The Emperor was a man of few words, and Xiao Nanhui had nothing to occupy her time. She could only close her eyes and feign sleep, though she couldn't help but listen to every minute sound, trying to discern what the man across from her was doing.
As the charcoal crackled and popped in her ears, she was reminded of that night at Baiyao Pass. His outer robe had been shredded by her, leaving him in nothing but thin inner garments to endure the freezing night by her side.
*Ah, it’s no wonder Ding Weixiang is so annoyed with me.*
At the time, she hadn't understood the situation and simply thought Ding had a screw loose. Thinking of it now, a faint sense of dread crept over her. The Emperor hadn't punished her outwardly, but could he be harboring a deep-seated grudge? Was he feigning indifference now only to lull her into a false sense of security before striking at the Marquis’s Manor?
Xiao Nanhui’s eyelid twitched. She cracked her right eye open a sliver to steal a glance at him.
His posture hadn't changed in an hour. He was still reviewing imperial petitions, as still as a wooden statue.
Since she couldn't glean anything from looking and didn't dare ask, she lowered her gaze. Her peripheral vision caught a tactical map spread halfway across the floor. Curiosity got the better of her, and she studied it.
It was a map of the deployments from Sanmu Pass to the Suyan region.
Previously, her information regarding Tiancheng’s strategic movements had come from Bailao. Every message had to be concise and encoded, leaving the details frustratingly vague. Seeing it laid out like this made everything much clearer.
When she had been ambushed by the Black Feather Camp at Sanmu Pass, she had been puzzled by the Emperor’s actions. The Sun family undoubtedly had the Bai clan’s backing and wouldn't surrender to Tiancheng easily. Even if that "fence-sitter" was removed, the Bai clan wouldn't stand idly by; a direct confrontation between the two armies at the pass seemed inevitable.
However, during her three months in Bijian, she hadn't heard a single report of battle from Sanmu Pass. Only now did she realize why: the Emperor hadn't left a single soldier to guard the pass.
While Sanmu Pass had been a strategic prize since ancient times, seizing it by force in the current climate was a poor choice. It wasn't a fortified city and offered no cover; any army pushing deep into the interior would find it difficult to maintain momentum. Stationing troops there might look like a victory, but it was a move that would result in massive attrition. The Emperor had done the opposite. Though he had purged the Sun family from Sanmu Pass, he had withdrawn his forces without leaving even a scout behind—a deployment that screamed "trap" to any observer. The Bai clan appeared to have gained territory for free, but in reality, they could no longer use the pass as a shortcut as they once had. Furthermore, they had to remain constantly vigilant against another Tiancheng incursion. The mental strain was immense, putting them at a distinct disadvantage.
This treacherous, unpredictable style of operation suited the man himself perfectly.
The strategy was a series of interlocking traps. The next step should have been the ambush at Famang Ridge. If they could have struck while the Bai clan’s rear was vulnerable, the campaign against Bijian would have been half-won. Unfortunately, a mistake had occurred at that critical juncture, allowing the Bai clan to regain their footing. Now, both sides were locked in a stalemate. It was unclear when the final straw would break the balance and signal the start of a full-scale war.
Xiao Nanhui was so lost in thought that she didn't realize her neck was stretching longer and longer, her face inching closer to the map.
At that moment, the carriage jerked to a halt.
Ding Weixiang’s voice drifted in from outside. "Master, we have arrived."
The Emperor looked up. Startled, Xiao Nanhui recoiled so violently that her back slammed into the carriage wall with a resounding *thud*.
The Emperor stood up unhurriedly, donning his heavy cloak. Without so much as a glance at her, he stepped past her stiff body and exited the carriage.
What was she supposed to do? Follow him?
In the next heartbeat, as if he possessed the power to read her mind, he spoke. "There is no need to follow. I have found an acquaintance to help settle you in."
An acquaintance?
"May I ask which acquaintance Your Majesty refers to...?"
"You have met several times before. I heard you even sparred once; he seems to hold your martial skills in high regard." Before the Emperor could finish, a male voice rang out from the front of the carriage.
"Your servant, Lu Siping, greets Your Majesty."
Xiao Nanhui looked out in shock, meeting Lu Siping’s narrow, feminine eyes, which were currently fixed on her with an unreadable expression.
She felt her tongue tie itself in knots. "I... I have only met Governor Lu twice. We are hardly 'acquainted'..."
But the Emperor had already walked away. Ding Weixiang followed behind him, casting a look over his shoulder at her.
She interpreted that expression as: *You're on your own.*
Lu Siping drifted onto the carriage like a wisp of smoke, his movements terrifyingly light. Xiao Nanhui felt certain he could commit a murder and dispose of the body without making a sound.
She bristled like a hedgehog, her muscles tensing. With a flick of her arm, her spear, Pingxian, transformed into a silver flash of light, barring the space between her and Lu Siping.
Lu Siping looked down at the gleaming spearhead, a peculiar expression crossing his face. "General Xiao, I have no interest in your weapon. You may put it away for now."
Xiao Nanhui gave a cold snort. "The Emperor is gone. Why continue this charade, Lord Lu? You weren't nearly this polite during your time in Tong City."
Lu Siping bared his teeth in a mirthless smile. "I was merely performing my duties. Aside from necessary security measures, I believe I never overstepped my bounds."
He was mocking her for bringing her troubles on herself. This sarcastic, eccentric tone was remarkably similar to the man at the Emperor's side.
"I had Bailao watching you the whole time. Naturally, you didn't dare move."
"Bailao?" Lu Siping paused for a moment, as if recalling something. "So that young lady’s name is Bailao. She stayed at my manor for over two months and ate more than half of this year’s grape harvest by herself. I suppose that debt should be settled on your account, General Xiao."
*What?!*
Xiao Nanhui’s jaw tightened, her temper flaring. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Speak clearly!"
"I am speaking the official court language. How is it that General Xiao cannot understand me?" Lu Siping deftly gathered the six sets of reins, handling the carriage with practiced ease. "To say nothing of the grapes, she even managed to sneak a look at quite a few military reports. Though you were far away in Bijian, General, your heart was truly one with mine."
*Who is 'one' with you?!*
Before she could process the implications of his words, the carriage lurched into motion. Xiao Nanhui’s expression shifted. "Where are you taking me?"
Lu Siping didn't answer. He snapped the reins hard, and the carriage surged forward.
"Let me off! I need to find Mo Chunhua!"
Dressed in green, with his long neck and slender waist, Lu Siping sat as steady as a mountain. "Save your breath. The Emperor handed you over to me, so you must follow my lead."
Aside from Xiao Zhun and the old Emperor, there wasn't a second person in the world who could boss her around!
He wouldn't let her off? Fine, she’d get off herself!
She gripped Pingxian, intending to strike at the carriage window.
Without even turning his head, as if he had eyes in the back of his skull, Lu Siping said coldly, "This is the Emperor’s carriage. If you have the courage, feel free to destroy it completely."
Xiao Nanhui stumbled back onto the cushions. She glared at his back with resentment, holding her spear horizontally across her chest.
"The carriage is quite cramped. If you don't mind the effort, feel free to keep holding it like that."
The carriage began to bounce as it sped away from the Black Feather Camp’s marching column, heading toward the dark slopes of the Gobi.
***
The Black Feather Camp’s retreat moved southeast, not stopping until they were twenty miles away.
This military order had come directly from the Emperor. No one in the army dared to question it, though many generals harbored doubts and dissatisfaction. Everyone was whispering, wondering what kind of game the Emperor was playing with this move.
That night, the army of a hundred thousand camped on a plateau dozens of miles east of the Taimu River. The Emperor summoned the generals to the main tent to discuss how to coordinate with the Guangyao Camp in the north and the Subei Camp in the center for a general offensive against Bijian.
The meeting began just after the hour of the Dog and lasted until the third quarter of the hour of the Ox. Still, the Emperor had not expressed approval for a single proposal.
The generals had gone from heated debates and fierce arguments to being completely drained and parched. Throughout it all, the Emperor remained noncommittal, seemingly dissatisfied with everyone’s strategies.
Finally, a long silence fell over the great tent.
Whether it was a personal quirk of the Emperor or not, the bronze clepsydra from the Hall of Primordial Brilliance had been moved into the main tent. The rhythmic *drip-drop* of the water was maddening, making every passing second feel infinitely stretched, an agonizing ordeal.
It was obvious that the meeting was a facade; something else was the true objective.
Serving a sovereign was like living with a tiger, but with this one, it was like standing on the edge of an abyss. Who could guess what lay hidden in those depths?
*Ah, being an official in Tiancheng is truly too difficult.*
Finally, someone couldn't take it anymore.
Yan Guang stepped forward, determined to be the first to tear down the paper screen the Emperor had set up.
"Has Your Majesty called us here for another matter? I am a blunt man and do not understand these roundabout ways. It would be better to tell us directly rather than waste everyone’s time."
The Emperor remained seated on his meditation chair like a stone statue. His black cloak made his features appear colder than usual, but his eyes now held a hint of interest.
"General Yan is straightforward, and I have no wish to hide the truth. Previously, when the elite of the Guangyao Camp led by the General of the Left failed their ambush at Famang Ridge, he nearly lost his life to the Bai clan. He sent word to me, claiming that the failure was due to the leak of secret marching orders. I find this most puzzling, so I have invited you all here to talk. Do any of you have anything to say?"
These words sent a shockwave through the tent.
The Emperor’s meaning was clear: there was a mole in the army.
Many recalled the captives buried by the riverbank that day. It turned out there was a much larger conspiracy behind it.
The Emperor had trapped them all in this tent, and he likely had his confidants guarding the outside. This was a move to "catch the turtle in the jar."
Huang Wei, the Registrar of Ji Province, spoke up hesitantly. "May I ask Your Majesty if this report is reliable? This is a grave matter; we must carefully verify its authenticity..."
"Why is Lord Huang so quick to doubt?" This time, it was Sun Zhuo, the Vanguard General of the Subei Camp, who spoke. He was annoyed by the fussiness of civil officials and wanted to declare his loyalty quickly. "I believe that since His Majesty has spoken, the report must be reliable. We should begin an investigation immediately. I can start by searching my own camp."
After only one round of exchange, the atmosphere in the tent turned discordant.
Zhu Tingmao, the Assistant to the Upper Army, glanced at the Emperor and decided to play the peacemaker. "General Sun has a point, and Lord Huang need not be anxious. His Majesty has summoned us here, which implies a level of trust; otherwise, he wouldn't have risked alerting the enemy. We shall work together to root out the traitor for His Majesty. However..."
Zhu Tingmao looked hesitant. Sun Zhuo, unable to stand it, said coldly, "Lord Zhu, do you intend to speak only half-truths before His Majesty?"
Zhu Tingmao gave a bitter, good-natured smile. As if making a great resolution, he bowed deeply. "I only feel that the General of the Left has been missing for over half a month. For such news to arrive at this critical moment of the war, without the man himself appearing..."
As a veteran of the deceptions of the battlefield, Yan Guang immediately understood the implication.
"I believe Lord Zhu’s point is valid. Setting aside the fact that the battle at Famang Ridge was never a guaranteed victory, the Guangyao Camp is full of imperial relatives and nobles. I fear their skills are lacking while their pride is excessive. If the General of the Left led his troops poorly and fabricated the story of a spy out of shame, it wouldn't be unheard of. Furthermore, Bijian is a treacherous place. Even if he luckily survived, why refuse to show himself? Why act like a ghost, sowing discord in the army?"
Yan Guang had risen from the Yanchi Camp of the western frontier. The Yanchi Camp was an infantry unit spread across the harshest regions; its officers were mostly from humble backgrounds who had fought their way up. They had always been at odds with the Guangyao Camp, which was filled with those related to the imperial family.
Such words might have been laughed off in his own camp, but today, members of the Guangyao Camp were present.
General of the Guard Sui Yuanxiu, a member of the imperial family who wore the gold seal and purple ribbon, immediately took offense.
"When the Guangyao Camp was braving the dangers of Famang Ridge, I didn't see any of you coming to help. Now that something has gone wrong, you turn and bite. Does General Yan have evidence for his words? If not, how are you any different from a common rogue throwing filth and slandering others?"
Rebutted so publicly, Yan Guang’s eyes flashed with anger. "What do you mean by that? I am the General Who Pacifies the West! How dare you compare me to a common rogue?!"
Seeing that they were about to come to blows, Zhu Tingmao quickly spoke up. "Lord Huang has followed Prince Kang for many years and assisted many provincial governors. He understands the situation in Ji Province and the minds of the vassal lords best. Why don't you offer a fair word?"
Huang Wei, put on the spot, felt beads of sweat rolling down his face. He knew he would rather offend everyone in the tent than deceive the man sitting above them. After some thought, he spoke truthfully.
"The General of the Left comes from the Manor of the Prince of Xuanuan. I believe that since Your Majesty is personally leading this campaign, leaving the Prince of Xuanuan alone to guard the capital is like leaving a lone wolf to watch an empty mountain. It is indeed easy for thoughts of usurping the throne to take root."
With that final sentence, the atmosphere in the tent reached a boiling point.
Yet, the scorching tension didn't seem to reach the Emperor. He and his meditation chair remained as cold as the air outside the tent.
"I have suddenly grown weary."
The Emperor leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes, his voice dropping.
"You have all been busy with the war for months and have now spent the night in council. You must be exhausted as well. We shall rest for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. After that, I shall make my decision."
A collective sigh of relief could almost be heard throughout the tent.
No one had expected this meeting to be so dangerous. Having stood for so long without even a drop of water, everyone’s legs were weak. Though the military men could endure it, nature eventually called for some.
After a chorus of departures, only a few people remained in the tent.
The Emperor slowly opened his eyes. He looked at a face that showed almost no flaws and, with a faint, mocking smile, closed his eyes once more.
***
On a mound west of the Black Feather Camp, Xiao Nanhui let out a heavy sneeze.
She had been on this slope with Lu Siping for nearly two hours.
Beneath her was the cold, hard gravel, which refused to warm up. She had endured her restlessness for a long time, but now she truly couldn't take it anymore.
"I say, what exactly are you waiting for?"
Lu Siping didn't speak. He raised a finger to his lips and gestured for her to look toward the military camp in the distance.
From this high ground, they could overlook the entire camp. In truth, she didn't need Lu Siping’s reminder; she had already noticed that the camp was unusual tonight.
Although lights were strictly controlled at night during wartime to prevent ambushes, it had never been quite as pitch-black as this.
The silent camp seemed to merge with the Gobi, quiet and murderous.
The north wind that had been blowing for days seemed to have stopped. In this desolate land, there were no sounds of birds or insects; the air was terrifyingly still.
In that boundless silence, a faint sound drifted from the distance, so light that one couldn't tell if it was an illusion.
Lu Siping stood up immediately, picking up the long black bow that had been resting by his side.
The bow was slender and powerful, similar in style to his silver snake-like soft sword.
He deftly opened his quiver, checking the black-feathered arrows inside. Without looking up, he asked in a low voice, "How is your archery, General Xiao?"
She looked at him with confusion. "What does my archery have to do with you?"
Lu Siping ignored her defensive tone and pulled another bow from a long cloth wrap, handing it to her.
Xiao Nanhui hesitated for a moment before taking it.
The limbs of the bow were cold and heavy. When she plucked the sharp, straight string, it emitted a vibrating hum that cut through the air.
This was a King Bow of the Black Feather Camp.
She looked up and saw that Lu Siping’s face had completely changed. Only then did she realize that such feminine features could also radiate such murderous intent.
Many people wore two faces.
She was familiar with this feeling; every time she went onto the battlefield, she too became a different, unfamiliar person.
Subconsciously, she asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Lu Siping looked toward the blurred horizon in the darkness.
The dark purple sky remained frozen, showing no movement. Yet, within that stillness, something was clearly brewing and surging, like a swarm of insects about to burst from their cocoons.
The moon was dark, the wind was high, and the *yang* energy was at its lowest—the perfect time for a night parade of a hundred ghosts.
"Watch closely, General Xiao. Do not let anything you see moving escape."
*Moving things? What things?*
Xiao Nanhui’s gaze fell upon the ink-black night sky, her throat feeling inexplicably dry.
***
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