How many more years would she have to wait for that to happen? She shook her head lightly, not wanting to think about this matter anymore. She put a to be read stamp on the documents, and chucked them to one side.

　　Aunt Yun frowned. She wanted to speak up but did not. The princess had paid attention to Yan Bei’s affairs all these years, particularly to the ones after its independence. The Song Empire had changed its stance, taking a big risk to involve themselves in the conflict. She thought that the princess, given her wisdom, had her own intentions behind her actions. She would never be able to understand the princess. As described by the countless citizens of Song, the princess was like a shining star in the sky, an unbelievably wise figure.

　　Nalan walked to the front of the window and raised the curtains. The raindrops landed on the bananas, making splattering sounds. The lotus pond was visible in the distance. Occasionally, some koi fish leaped above the water surface, revealing their white bellies. Nalan felt cold on the inside. She stood there for a long time. Her servants took their leave. Aunt Yun made the bed and stepped out of the room. In that instant, the entire world seemed to quieten down, leaving only the splattering sounds of the raindrops and croaking sounds of the frogs. She suddenly reminisced the events many years ago. She was a small child standing under the banana tree in the rain. The young man was like a star. Their palms high-fived each other…

　　The alliance between sworn siblings was everlasting.

　　That year, her father was alive. The members of the royal family were precious to him. He sent his most beloved daughter away to Xia, along with his brother, the King of Anling. He disguised her as Xuan Mo, the young son of the king of Anling. They bumped into the Prince of Yan Bei, who was a hostage prince in Zhen Huang back then. In the one month that they interacted with each other, they got along and became sworn siblings. From then on, they wrote to each other, their letters traveling between the north and south. This carried on for many years.

　　Back then, her character was weird. Yan Xun was lively and handsome. The children of the Muhe family were proud, playful and arrogant, but did not harbor any bad intentions. Zhuge Huai was grown up, while Zhuge Yue was withdrawn and hard to interact with. Although Zhao Che was arrogant, he was often pranked by herself, Yan Xun, Muhe Xifeng, and the others. He reacted angrily, even chasing after Muhe Xifeng with a sword over 30 palace gates one time, swearing to fight to the death. As for the young Zhao Song, he was a crybaby, wanting to play with the rest of them all day. However, they thought that he was too young. None of them wanted to bring him along.

　　In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed. Presently, everything had changed. The people back then had changed. Some of them held absolute power in their hands. Some of them went through intense suffering and hardships. Some of them were ambitious. Some of them were wounded. Some of them had turned to dust and ashes, scattered about in the landscape.

　　She took out the letter that had been delivered to the palace earlier in the morning. In just one day, the letter had been slightly crumpled and felt warm to the touch. The paper carried the bodily fragrance of the young lady. The words on the paper read:

　　Brother Xuan Mo, the war in Yan Bei is imminent. I will be fighting on the battlefield in a few days. Before I left, I thought for a long while. I still need your help to settle the issue regarding the army rations. Half a month ago, I went to Song and met with the eldest princess. Princess Nalan is benevolent, promising to supply rations to Yan Bei. As the war in the eastern part of your country is about to begin also, I am fearful that the officials in the court will object. If the princess changes her mind, please help me to manage the situation and appease the officials. This matter concerns the life and death of Yan Bei, hence I have no choice but to request this favor. I hope that on the account of our many years of brotherhood, you will help me out. I will be eternally grateful to you from the mountains far away.

　　I heard that you got married one month ago, welcoming a beautiful bride. As I could not be there, I can only give you this hairpin. I wish you and your wife eternal happiness and love.

　　Also, I finally managed to see the beautiful elder princess, as described by you. However, she was covered in a veil which was as thick as half a finger. Her voice sounded old and reserved, while she was not bubbly enough. Also, she felt that your judgment of beauties was abnormal. If I see you again, you have to drink a full cup of wine for me as punishment for your misjudgment.

　　Nalan frowned, looking at the letter a few times, specifically the sentence, “However, she was covered in a veil which was as thick as half a finger. Her voice sounded old and reserved, while she was not bubbly enough.” Her face started to appear visibly enraged.

　　As the wind blew at her lower outfit, the aroma of the flowers lingered in the air. She picked up a piece of paper and a brush. After a long while, she wrote:

　　Having received your letter and knowing that you are going to battle, I am worried. The battlefield is dangerous. The swords have no eyes. Please take care of yourself. I will wait for our promise to gather 15 years later at Pengxian Restaurant and get dead drunk. We will admire the waters of the lake, while playing musical tunes and singing. You have to honor your promise and not abandon me.

　　The eldest princess is tall, cultured and virtuous. She is the role model of all females, the treasure of Song. How could she be seen by ordinary people? I have been in battle all year long, hence my judgment has been heavily affected. Hearing your words, I am deeply saddened. I am worried about what you will experience tomorrow.

　　Regarding the rations, you do not need to worry. Since the eldest princess has promised to help, she will follow through with her promise. If there are any changes, I will do my best to facilitate the situation for you. The war in Yan Bei is imminent. I will sit in my chair every night and stare at the northwest, waiting for your news.

　　After she finished the letter, the rain outside had stopped. She held the hairpin in her hand. It was white and warm to the touch. A plum flower was attached to its end, its petals visible. It was pure and plain, but exquisite. A gift to the couple? Did he really want to gift this to Xuan Mo’s bride?

　　First Princess Nalan gave off a rare smile. She picked up the documents that she was reading and wrote, Read.

　　The first rays of sunlight had shone on the land. The night was about to end. Nalan stood up, walked to the window and stared at the northwest, standing at her position for a long while. The clouds appeared on the horizon. The air was fresh after the storm. The sounds of the drums were loud and clear. The sounds of the watchman’s rattle echoed far from the back palace.

　　Nalan took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she awoke, the sky was bright. She still had to think of a way to appease the officials who were not in favor of interfering in the battle between Xia and Yan Bei. She rubbed her eyes slowly. It looked like she had to resort to using her reputation as a shrewd tactician who had reasons for everything she did. She smiled lightly, her face appearing playful. Humans, after all, had their moments of willfulness.

　　Some people and some things were impossible to predict. She did not think any further. She knew that her main aim was to protect Song, the emperor, her brother’s children, and the entire Nalan family.

　　The weather was sunny. First Princess Nalan calmly opened the curtains and called out, “Help me to wash up and prepare for the court session.”

　　“It’s not Beishuo! The next target of the Xia troops is Chiyuan Crossing!” the lady frowned and remarked. “It’s been three whole days. The Xia troops were not organized in their attacks. They only carried out small-scale disturbances and minor skirmishes. This is abnormal, very abnormal. Given their strength, if they gathered all their troops together, they would have carried out a full frontal assault on Beishuo. Based on what happened so far, it means that there is no one absolute leader. Their forces here are not the main force…”

　　“Is there any new intel yet?” General Cao Mengtong yawned and said to his other subordinates, seemingly pretending not to hear her words. “Has Zhao Qi and his brother been scared out of their wits by our forces? Have they forgotten what their father sent them here for?”

　　Everyone broke out in joyful laughter. Over these three days, the troops of Yan Bei claimed victory after victory. The Xia troops were decimated with ease. The armies led by Zhao Qi and Zhao Yang seemed disunited. The Northwestern Army leaned towards the fourteenth prince, Zhao Yang, while the troops of the Batuha family sided towards Zhao Qi. During every battle, their troops interfered with each other, messing up the opposite party’s formations. They had no semblance of organization and were seemingly only here for show. No one wanted to act as the attacking force and deplete their resources first.

　　Before the troops of Yan Bei had shot out their first round of arrows, the Xia troops shouted, “No way! We can’t carry on!” Finishing their words, they promptly retreated. Even ten-year-old untrained soldiers could be more capable than them.

　　Over 300,000 troops gathered in Beishuo City, along with over 300,000 conscripts. This was enough to form a reputable army. Initially, when faced with the prospect of fighting the elite Xia troops, they were apprehensive and fearful. However, after the past few battles, the conscripts had become brazen to the point where they walked around openly with their axes.

　　“It looks like the dogs from Xia will retreat back to Zhen Huang even before Your Highness is back.”

　　Everyone broke out in laughter again. Cao Mengtong added, “In my opinion, we should dispatch half the troops here towards Meilin Pass, for Your Highness to conquer that place.”

　　“There’s no need for that. We can follow the troops from Xia and fight all the way to Zhen Huang.”

　　“That’s right!” As those words were uttered, the rest agreed unanimously, as if they had already won the battle.

　　“General Cao!” Chu Qiao stood up, a spark flashing across her eyes. With a low voice, she said, “Generals, if I did not make my word clear just now, I don’t mind saying it again! Presently, we have not determined where the enemy’s main force is. The assaults they have carried out are merely small scale, below 10,000 people. Even if the ensign of their army is visible, we have not seen where their main cavalry is. The heavy snowstorm has blocked off our means of communications. We don’t know where the main camp of the enemy is. This is just a show! I don’t know much about the Batuha family and the Northwest Army, but I know the third prince, Zhao Qi. I have also faced the fourteenth prince, Zhao Yang, personally on the battlefield. Zhao Qi is a cautious man. He will not attack recklessly with a large army. Even if he attacks, his methods will not be so simplistic. As for Zhao Yang, despite his young age, he is already a senior figure in Xia’s Shangwu Hall. He is adept in warfare and soldiering skills. His methods are unpredictable. His specialty lies in infantry warfare and taking down cities. He is experienced. This man is tough and likes to carry out ambushes. He is known as the “Snake” within the Xia army. He will not resort to these seemingly suicidal methods!

　　“I implore all of you to think carefully. The Xia Empire has maintained its stronghold over the world for hundreds of years. How could they only be this capable? They are trying to bluff us and make us complacent. If I’m not wrong, Zhao Qi and Zhao Yang are not in the opposite camp. There is more than one route into Yan Bei. If I was a commander of the Xia army, I would travel through Helan Mountains and use Changying Mountains as my breaching point into Chiyuan Crossing. As long as I can stabilize the situation there and carry out a two-pronged assault, Beishuo will fall even without a direct invasion! Luckily for us, although we have wasted three days, we can still send 100,000 troops to defend Chiyuan. The war is imminent. Please think carefully!”

　　Silence, dead silence.

　　Everyone looked up at the lady dressed in body armor. She stood alone in the big meeting room, upright. Her eyes were bright, her body leaned forward slightly. She frowned and looked sternly at the crowd, her eyes carrying a tinge of anticipation and anger.

　　The wrinkles on Cao Mengtong’s face twitched slightly. He stood up and left the room without saying a word.

　　This was a perfect way of summarising the commander’s mood. In an instant, everyone left the room, leaving Chu Qiao alone. She sighed and slumped back in the chair weakly, covering her forehead with her hand. Her eyelids twitched in anger.