Just as she was about to observe the other side, she heard another set of footsteps from the other side. The palace was well ventilated, with the wind blowing in from the west door and out the east. Yet, Chu Qiao froze up. With a slight frown, she reached for her Sword of Moon Shatterer. Yet, before she could draw her blade, she had the illusion that the sword started to vibrate, as though resonating with something. With that, a strange urge rushed through her mind. Before she could help it, she had quietly shuffled over to the left side of the goddess’ statue, and lightly, she poked her head out.

　　With the snow drifting down in the distance, and the winter plums in full bloom, a certain figure came into her view. Under the battle ax of the other side of the goddess, he wore a silvery grey fox fur cape with a pristine white undershirt. Just as elegant as before, his eyes were still like a frozen lake, with his lips in a crimson shade of red. He was still the same person that stood out from the crowds as before. With a gust of wind, the red plums were brought into the palace from the outside and landed on his shoulders. This instance was illuminated by the pale moonlight that shone through the layers of clouds. He was also taken aback and seemed to have not expected to meet her here. For once, he was actually lost for words.

　　A young yellow bird flew into the palace to hide from the snow. After circling the area once, it landed on the shoulder of the goddess. Its pea-sized jet black eyes observed the duo before it started chirping crisply.

　　The man looked at her, as his gaze pierced through the misty palace. Frowning, he looked as if he wanted to say something. His gentle gaze swept past her frail shoulders, her slender neck, her skinny face, and finally landed on her surprised eyes. After a long while, he looked away and turned around. His lonesome silhouette walked off towards the exit in firm steps, with his cape sweeping up dust on the ground.

　　“The next few days will have some heavy snow storms. You must watch out.” Just as Zhuge Yue reached the door, Chu Qiao’s voice echoed out calmly. Her voice was like premium tea that could only be found in the Tang Empire; soothing, with a tinge of sweetness.

　　Zhuge Yue stopped in his tracks and turned around. With a light flick of his eyebrow, he asked, “You are not worried?”

　　Chu Qiao earnestly replied, “I am, but I have no choice.” She shrugged helplessly and pretended to be very worried. Yet, her voice seemed ever so gentle.

　　A tinge of gentleness flashed pass Zhuge Yue’s eyes. With a calm voice, he replied, “Rest at ease. My infiltration of Yan Bei has nothing to do with the war.”

　　“That would be great.” Chu Qiao smiled. “Is there anything that requires my assistance?”

　　“Yes,” Zhuge Yue gave an unexpectedly honest reply.

　　Chu Qiao was taken aback, as she had not expected him to really say anything. She quickly asked, “What help do you need?”

　　“Do not expose me.”

　　Chu Qiao was left with her mouth agape. She had completely not expected that Zhuge Yue actually was capable of casual banter. After taking a few seconds to process those words, she replied, “How could I?”

　　The bird suddenly chirped with joy, and darted to a fireplace at the corner. One then noticed the smell of cooked meat filling the entire room. Chu Qiao walked past the goddess statue, and saw that there was a small table carpet in the corner, with a copper basin placed on the table top. In the copper basin, there was a small flame cooking a pot of food. With the thick soup boiling and the meat tumbling in the pot, the smell was so good it could induce hunger. Beside the pot, a few plates of fresh meat and vegetables were placed at the side, with a silver octagonal wine bottle placed at the very side.

　　Chu Qiao smiled. Pointing at Zhuge Yue, she asked, “Are you leaving? These will be mine.”

　　Taking a moment to think, Zhuge Yue walked over to the short table and sat down. Stoically, he said, “Dream on.” As expected of someone born with a silver spoon, having grown up with the best resources, even as Zhuge Yue was deep in enemy territory with such a huge snow storm brewing, he continued his lifestyle. His food was prepared with such intricacy, as the thinly sliced pieces of mutton were rolled and stacked up on the plates, and the fresh vegetables still had water droplets on them. Even his chopsticks were made of pure silver with beautiful engravings. Picking up a slice of the mutton, he put it into the boiling soup. The meat quickly turned in color, and as it cooked in the boiling water that released clouds of steam. Eating hotpot in the winter was indeed a great enjoyment.

　　There was an entire set of cups. Chu Qiao still vividly remembered his habits. Long ago, even in Qing Shan Court, he would put entire sets of utensils on the table even if he was eating alone. It was as though there were many people eating with him.

　　Chu Qiao picked up the wine bottle, and poured a cup for him before pouring one for herself. Seeing that, Zhuge Yue frowned and asked, “Since when did you start drinking?” Her hand that was holding the cup trembled very slightly. Indeed, she had never drunk much alcohol. Since when did she start to consume this thing that served only to cloud her mind? Slowly lifting up her head, she calmly looked at him. Raising her cup, she said, “Although the wine is not mine, toasts to you.”

　　Zhuge Yue’s seemed to be deep in thought, as he did not even lift up his cup, but merely observed her.

　　Chu Qiao drank the cup in one gulp, and calmly said, “This cup is to thank you for all these years of help and letting me off.”

　　In the past year, it was as though Chu Qiao had grown taller again. Her delicate face was decorated by two thin, fine brows. Her eyes were big, yet it seemed like they were covered by a thin veil to conceal her true thoughts. Even with the cup of wine before him, Zhuge Yue did not drink it, as he merely continued to add meat into the boiling pot. Without lifting his eyes from the food, he retorted, “Are we singing some kind of opera? We are eating, do not talk so much nonsense.”

　　Chu Qiao frowned. “Even when eating, there is usually an opening speech.”

　　Zhuge Yue remarked, “Handling those old men in the royal capital were tiring enough. I have no energy to handle you here.”

　　Chu Qiao quietly muttered some complaints before picking up the chopsticks to eat. Seeing how she was too fast, Zhuge Yue cautioned, “Careful, it is hot.” Before he even finished his sentence, Chu Qiao yelped. She had obviously been scalded. Seeing that, Zhuge Yue rolled his eyes, and commented, “Good for you.”

　　Although she had been scalded, the taste was good. Sitting there, the duo initially were chatting nonstop, but before long they were fully immersed in the food. The entire plate of mutton was quickly devoured. Chu Qiao seemed to be still unsatisfied, as she continued to fish for food in the pot, and ate up all the vegetable as well.

　　“I heard you were promoted? Congratulations.”

　　Zhuge Yue calmly replied, “It was alright. After killing a good 10,000 Yan Bei soldiers, they promoted me. I heard you had also been promoted?”

　　“Same here. I plucked out the remaining Xia soldiers in Meilin Pass, and was promoted too.” Chu Qiao glanced at him, and asked, “I heard you were appointed as the Chief Commandant of the Western Front, and are no longer subservient to Zhao Che?”

　　“That was merely thanks to His Majesty’s generosity. I would not dare to flaunt that. On the other hand, I’ve heard that the Southwest Emissary’s Garrison had been dismissed, and expelled from the regular troops of Yan Bei army. Even their weapons were limited,” Zhuge Yue casually remarked.

　　“Xiuli Army is in charge of policing the region, and it would only be natural for our weapons to be limited. However, I heard that the Wei Family had sent Wei Shuye to Yanming Pass. Isn’t that an attempt to reduce your authority?” Chu Qiao smiled as she said.

　　“Hope may not always translate into results. Right, I have heard that Wu Daoya from Da Tong had restricted his presence to Luori City, and could not even attend the parade this winter.”

　　“Any organization will have friction between the members. Have you not experienced much of that yourself? In the first place, what you hear may not necessarily be the truth. For example, I heard that Zhao Yang had been gathering troops in the Southern Front, and, as a result, hindered progress in the West. I wonder how true that is.”

　　“There is a saying that if you repeat a lie enough times it will become the truth. I totally agree. I heard that you had been rebuilding Yan Bei, and had focused on trade. Even the Xia merchants secretly started to trade with you. That seemed amazing.”

　　“I was merely playing the fool. Compared to you, that was nothing. I caught wind of the fact that you had an overwhelming victory in the battles of Caoqiu and Jinhui, capturing over 10,000 men from the Eighth Battalion of the Second Army. If not for that, we could have taken advantage of the incidents in the North of Xia Empire to breakthrough into Xia Territory.”

　　“The Xia Empire has existed for over 300 years. It is not something that will disappear overnight. Right, I have heard that the Quan Rong people had a serious case of famine this winter, with civilians dying by the thousands. Are you not worried that they will take this chance to start a war for resources with Yan Bei?”

　　“What will come will come. There is no point in worrying. We could only prepare for any possible situation. Plus, I heard that in the northeastern region of the Xia Empire, the Li Zhen People were trying to copy Yan Bei and fight for independence. What do you think about their chances of success?”

　　“I heard Lady Yu of the Da Tong Guild was also given a useless role.”

　　“I heard last month the Xia Elders Council gave an empty position to the Murong family. How quickly power could change hand is truly surprising.”

　　“I heard Yan Bei created a new type of material that could create weapons that are even more durable than iron and steel. Was it made by you?”

　　“I head the Zhen Huang City endorsed the 46th order to close the borders to restrict the flow of military resources in the market, and may be starting a war with the Song Empire. Was this all caused by you?”

　　“I heard you will be bringing the rations to the Yan Bei main camp soon. If the rations do not arrive, they will run out of food.”

　　“I heard you came here to check on the commerce of Yan Bei, and to find out the factions that are trading with Yan Bei. If proven true, those forces will be decimated by the Xia Empire.”

　　Their conversation was interrupted by a loud buzz. The two swords that were placed on the carpet were buzzing, trembling, as though they could sense the tension in the air. That small bird was long gone, and only the two of them remained sitting, facing each other. The coal crackled as the soup continued to boil. In the bubbling soup, the crimson chilies looked like the fresh blood of the warriors.

　　Ultimately, they were on different sides. It was as though they had intentionally released such a ferocious atmosphere to remind each other that they were enemies, not friends, and that each of them had their own responsibilities.

　　“I heard, after the new year, you and Yan Xun will be marrying,” Zhuge Yue finally picked up his wine cup, and casually mentioned.

　　Chu Qiao also lifted her head up. Calming her breath, she replied softly, “I heard too your fiance is the daughter of General Le Xing.”

　　Zhuge Yue nodded, “Yes, our marriage will be soon.”

　　“General Meng is already aging. With General Le Xing’s growing authority, your future will be bright. ”

　　Zhuge Yue lightly smiled. “Perhaps the next time I see you, I have to address you as Lady of Yan”

　　Chu Qiao shook her head, and seriously rebutted, “Since Yan Bei has already declared our independence, I should be addressed as the Queen of Yan.”