By the time AhJing had left, Chu Qiao was already eating medicine. Batch after batch the doctors walked in carrying large boxes of medicine and medical equipment, and the courtyard seemed to be bustling with life and activity. Yet, AhJing felt as though the place was colder. Just as he left the house, he saw Yan Xun standing under a poplar tree. Yunbi had a nice name, but it was, in fact, a very poor city. With heavy snow every year, the people here would starve in winter, and eventually, the younger people had migrated out of this city, leaving behind only the elderly and the poplar trees.

　　Even though AhJing had walked out, Yan Xun did not turn around. In deference, AhJing passed the letters to Yan Xun. Opening them up one by one, Yan Xun scrutinized the letters. Even though all three letters were short, Yan Xun spent a good hour reading through them. In the end, he returned the letters to their envelopes, and passed it back to AhJing while instructing, “Follow her instructions.”

　　With his face completely red, as though he was caught red-handed, AhJing hesitated for a moment, before replying, “Your Highness, will the lady think too much and take her own life? She sounded as though she was writing her will.”

　　Without changing his expression, Yan Xun firmly replied AnJing the same answer as Chu Qiao, “No, she will not.”

　　“Then,” AhJing asked, “why did we let her carry the blame for the murder of Zhuge Yue? Not only will the assassins go crazy and take revenge, but the lady will hate you.”

　　“Hate me?” Yan Xun’s tone raised a pitch as he said that. Quietly chuckling, he calmly explained, “That would still be better than her being dead.”

　　Taken aback, AhJing seemed to understand something, but he was still not completely sure about his guess, so he continued to ask, “Your Highness, will there be any problems with using a random corpse to deceive the Xia Empire and the Zhuge Family? After all, we accepted their money.”

　　Yan Xun did not answer that question, but merely stretched out his hand, pointing to the snow plains in front. Slowly, he asked, “AhJing, do you know why maps of Yan Bei not mark this city of Yunbi?”

　　AhJing did not know why Yan Xun suddenly asked that, but he still answered properly as he shook his head and said, “I do not know.”

　　“That is because this place is useless.” With a deep tone, Yan Xun coldly elaborated, “This location is too small, desolate, barren, and without resources. It could not be used as a farm, nor as a rearing ground. Chi Shui does not pass by here, and Qianzhang Lake is too very far away from here. Not only that, but every year, the snow here is heavy and causes disasters every year. Even when the Quan Rong people invade Yan Bei, they will not raid this area. Regardless if it’s militarily or economically, this land is a burden to Yan Bei, and therefore even maps do not mark this location. Coldly laughing, Yan Xun continued his explanation, “To the Zhuge Family, Zhuge Yue’s existence is like Yunbi’s existence to Yan Bei. His existence was a humiliation. What do you think will happen to a general who was reckless and arrogant, having died not on the battlefield but due to his love for a woman? The Zhuge Family could not wait to break all ties with him. Who would bother to check his body?”

　　AhJing suddenly understood. “Ah, I see. No wonder Your Highness needed to use the Lady for disguise. It seemed like you intend to weaken the Zhuge Family.”

　　Emotionlessly, Yan Xun stared into the distance, as he slowly replied, “The death of Zhuge Yue is merely the beginning. The Zhuge Family, Zhao Che, General Le Xing, and even Meng Tian, who was the initial one to recommend him, will all be affected. The Xia empire is in a state of chaos now. Zhao Qi has died, and Zhao Song is useless. The Wei Family and Zhao Yang’s power are too weak. Why not give them some help and further weaken the conflict? Only when the Xia Empire is in turmoil can I safeguard my lands.”

　　AhJing stood there with his mouth agape, completely stunned.

　　“AhJing, do not always fight with Chen Yuan.” Looking at AhJing, Yan Xun lightly frowned as he continued, “You are no longer just an assassin of an underground organization. With Yan Bei’s invasion to the east impending, you will be my arms. If you want to dabble in politics, you must first be capable of doing so. There are many people who need to be sacrificed for a greater cause. If you are unable to understand that, you would forever be like those idealists in the Da Tong Guild, forever living in their dreams and never tasting real power.”

　　Yan Xun turned around and did not pay much heed to AhJing’s shocked expression. There was a sentence that he did not mention: Although a lion is ferocious and powerful, it is hard to control. Sometimes he preferred using a pack of dogs.

　　As for AhChu, she would eventually understand that the death of Zhuge Yue was exceedingly important, and using her name for the incident was the best option for Yan Bei. Firstly, unless by taking such drastic measures, Zhuge Yue would be impossible to lure into a trap. Secondly, he needed the effects caused by Zhuge Yue’s death to force a chain effect in the Xia Empire. By the time Xia Empire started to crumble under the internal chaos, she would surely understand. In regards to her feelings for Zhuge Yue, Yan Xun had not thought much about it. While Zhuge Yue was still alive, Yan Xun had not worried much. What more when Zhuge Yue had already died? She was just like in olden days, merely throwing a tantrum. Time would heal all wounds, and she would be back to normal after a few days. He could afford to wait.

　　AhJing sank into silence for a while, before suddenly asking, “Your Highness, the lady is really upset. Are you not going in to take a look at her?”

　　“There is no time. I have to head back to the pass tonight. Zhao Che has been getting ready to attack for a while, I need to go back to control the situation.”

　　After Yan Xun finished his sentence, AhJing stood rooted to the ground. Watching Yan Xun mount his horse, and gradually walked far away with the escort of his guards. In that instance, AhJing suddenly recalled what Yan Xun told him back in Sheng Jin Palace. At that time, AhJing had been cautioning Yan Xun to think about the whole situation, yet Yan Xun retorted, “If AhChu is not around, what use do I have for Yan Bei?”

　　That sentence was deeply engraved in AhJing’s mind, and still echoed in his ears today. Yet, had His Highness forgotten these words? Or perhaps, he had not forgotten, but Yan Bei was too small, and he was too ambitious; too intelligent. What he wished to obtain was the entire world.

　　Lowering his head, AhJing knew not what was right or wrong. Perhaps from the moment he started following Yan Xun, the situation would have been destined to occur. Turning around and walking off, AhJing’s usually straight back seemed to be slouching for some reason. It was as though something heavy was weighing down on his back, causing him to be unable to walk upright.

　　Chu Qiao rested for five whole days before she finally returned to normal. In the past few days, she was perfectly normal, as she ate her meals properly, and had taken her medicine on time. When she was not sleeping, she would do some stretches in the courtyard. Her unhealthily thin face that resulted from the disease from before the incident had returned to normal, but her complexion still showed an unhealthy paleness. Lü Liu felt that it was strange that she would still seem so sickly, so she secretly took at look at Chu Qiao at night, only to discover that Chu Qiao’s eyes remained wide open at night, unable to sleep.

　　It was the New Year. The battle at the pass had ended three days ago. After eight rounds of urgent orders from Sheng Jin Palace, Zhao Che had no choice but to return back to the capital. At that moment, Yan Xun took the opportunity to attack the Yanming Pass. Although the siege was unsuccessful, he had inflicted over 50,000 casualties on the Xia troops. That would be considered a magnificent present for Yan Bei.

　　Yan Xun returned back one day before the New Year’s day. With that, Yunbi city had suddenly turned into the location for the Yan Bei Emperor to stay for the New Year. The local officials were all excited, and decorated the entire place to make it a fitting location to celebrate the occasion. In the morning, Lü Liu had brought the new clothes for Chu Qiao. They were bright crimson with a hundred lotuses embroidered onto it. It looked auspicious and beautiful, yet Chu Qiao felt uncomfortable looking at it, as she felt that the red color resembled blood. She was so distraught by it that she refused to even touch the clothes.

　　Everything had been arranged properly. The messages should have been sent out. Shangshen was now in Mister Wu’s competent hands. As for the Xiuli Army, they would have no future following her. As important members of the Da Tong Guild, Yan Xun would be on guard when it came to Mister Wu and Lady Yu, so Chu Qiao handed the command of the army to Huanhuan. Not only was she the princess of Yan Bei, but she was also already in command of the Huoyun Army. She should be able to give the Xiuli Army a good destiny. It seemed like there was no need for her to stay here any longer.

　　By the time Yan Xun came into the room, the place was already vacated. Everything seemed as per normal—neat and tidy. Suddenly, he was reminded of that night when he was given Zhao Chun’er’s hand in marriage, and his heart sank. It was not that he had not thought of such a situation where she disappeared, but he still held on to a single trace of hope. Perhaps she had already understood everything? Perhaps she had already forgiven him? After all, in the decade that they had been together, she had always been so forgiving. No matter what he had done, she would forgive him. He had once abandoned the Southwest Emissary’s Garrison, and abandoned Yan Bei. He had once killed her subordinates, and had once doubted her, ostracized her, yet she had not left him. Merely Zhuge Yue, and merely just Zhuge Yue… No matter how much gratitude AhChu had for him, how could those feelings match up to their ten years together?

　　Perhaps all they needed was a proper conversation. As long as he was perfectly honest with his thoughts and his plans, she should be able to understand him. Even if she was still angry, she would sooner or later no longer be angry. At most he would give her control, of her army again. With the momentum of the Xia Empire’s defeat, there was little to worry anymore.

　　He did not know why he was so sure about it. He had probably comforted himself hundreds of times in the past few days, yet, when he witnessed this neat and tidy room, his started to panic. He quickly headed out in a hurry, and in this process, his sleeves hit something on the desk. With a crash, a shattering sound was heard. Lowering his head, Yan Xun saw that a pristine white jade ring had fallen onto the ground, and was shattered into many pieces. It dimly glimmered, reflecting the weakly glowing candlelight, yet it was so piercing.

　　Looking at that ring, Yan Xun stood rooted to the ground. Suddenly, he was reminded of the words AhChu had firmly told him, “If he dies in Yan Bei, I will not forgive you for the rest of my life.”

　　I will not forgive you…

　　For the rest of my life…

　　“Lady?” Lü Liu happily exclaimed, “Let us head out to look at the lanterns! They are really pretty!” Suddenly, she saw Yan Xun who was still rooted to the ground. In her panic, Lü Liu dropped to the ground, kneeling. After a long while, the man did not say anything. Carefully lifting her head up, she saw that the man merely stood there with his face full of loneliness. Like a dense fog that drew a blanket over his face, the loneliness seemed impossible to be dispersed.

　　Chu Qiao was walking on the street as she led her horse around. Wearing a casual green cape, she was surrounded by crowds wearing brightly colored clothes, jubilantly celebrating the festival. The kids ran around carrying lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The lanterns were intricately crafted. They were made in the shapes of dragons, phoenixes, tigers, koi fish, trees, stars, dogs, birds, cats, rabbits…

　　With the fireworks in the sky, the entire street was filled with the aroma of wine. Shopkeepers shouted along the roadside in hopes of selling their goods, and the streets were lined with colorful lanterns that had riddles written on them. On the snow patch in the distance, there were civilians who danced festive dances in their land boat props, with some blowing horns for musical accompaniment.

　　Many walked past Chu Qiao, yet none stopped to look at her. Holding each other’s hands, there was the husband that held the hand of the wife, the wife leading the child, the child turning back and waking at his grandmother, and the grandmother would be holding onto the elderly grandfather. Everyone had their families around. In the auspicious occasion, they walked out of their impoverished homes onto this bustling street to celebrate this rare occasion.

　　“AhChu, I have never told you this before. I will only say this once, so listen carefully. I want to thank you for accompanying me all these years in hell. Thank you for not abandoning me during the darkest days of my life. Thank you for standing by my side. If not for you, Yan Xun wouls be nothing, and would have probably died in the snowy night eight years ago. AhChu, this will be the only time I say these words. I speak with actions, and will make it up to you for the rest of my life. There is something between us that we need not say to understand. AhChu, you are mine alone, and I will protect you. I will leave with you. From the moment I held your hand eight years ago, I never planned to let go.”

　　“Yan Xun, I have no hometown. It was because you were here with me, that I think of your hometown as mine.”

　　“AhChu, trust me.”

　　Trust me, I will protect you, take care of you. I will make sure you will not get hurt, and you will not get bullied. Trust me, I will make you happy, trust me…

　　Tears flowed in a stream down Chu Qiao’s eyes. Quietly, the droplets rolled off her face, off her chin. With the wind blowing past, the cold wind was like a freezing blade grazing her skin again and again. Leading her horse, she walked alone, slowly.