In the wind, the grass swayed as the young general clad in light green armor opened the letter in his hand while sitting atop his horse. A horse trotted over from the back. It was Wei Shuye. Seeing how Zhao Che’s expression seemed to reveal that he was in a dilemma, Wei Shuye lifted an eyebrow and asked, “Did Zhuge Yue send another letter?”


  “Yes.” Only after waiting a while did Zhao Che lift his head and chuckle, saying, “He has a daughter now and is seeking me to bestow her with a title.”


  “Oh?” Wei Shuye chuckled sincerely. “He is pretty lucky to have both a son and daughter. We should send some gifts over.”


  “Think no more. He personally requested a list of presents.”


  Wei Shuye was slightly taken aback upon hearing that before laughing yet again. “He is already the father of two and he is still so awkward.”


  Zhao Che’s gaze was gentle as though he had remembered some things from the past. He smiled and said, “Since young, he has always been like this. Do you remember back when we were in Shangwu Hall, everyone would hold a banquet and others would prepare presents, yet he was the strange one as he never told us anything. Once he treated the 13th brother to a meal, and it just so happened that it was his birthday. After that, the 13th brother boasted about how he was treated by Zhuge Yue. But in the end on the very second day, over 20 shops went to the 13th Brother’s butler to collect a debt. Apparently, Zhuge Yue bought a bunch of things using the 13th brother’s name.”


  Wei Shuye laughed. “Yes, I definitely remember that. That time the 13th Prince really spent a lot. He spent half a year worth of allowance on one meal and had to borrow money from me three months in a row. Even now he still has not returned it to me.”


  “Haha, they all say the 13th brother was the most earnest person, but he is actually the most cunning. Since young, he was always the one who would not return money that he borrowed.”


  As they chatted, they walked back. Zhao Che’s main palace was situated at Shuanghan City, next to Beiluosi. The area covered was huge, on the scale of Zhen Huang City. In the past few years of developments, the population was increasing rapidly and was quickly becoming the number one commercial hub in the north.

  Before they even entered the city, they could hear a wave of horses trotting over. The lady that was at the very front donned a large red cape as she wore boots made of fox fur. Her face was slightly red, and her beautiful features were like the gods painted her themselves. Looking at her carefully, one could tell that her stomach was slightly bulging, indicating that she was pregnant. Seeing Zhao Che, her eyes lit up as she whipped her horse, dashing to him. Zhao Che could not help but frown, yet Wei Shuye was hiding his stifled laughter on the side.

  “You did not tell me anything even though you have come back. Hmph, in the end, weren’t you still discovered by me?” The woman was already the mother of two, and even the third kid was about to be born, yet she still did not have a single tinge of maturity as she thrashed the whip around as she raised her chin and looked at Zhao Che with her narrowed eyes full of pride and happiness.

  “You are pregnant, why do you still ride a horse? Do you not remember my words?”


  “Tch!” Wan Yanrou clicked her tongue and brushed off his comment. “I was born to my mother on a horse. We women of the East Hu are not as weak as the Xia woman.” Just as she said that, she jumped off the horse and ran over to Zhao Che’s side and tried to mount his horse. It was apparent that she wanted to share the ride with Zhao Che.

  “Pull me! Pull me up!” Wan Yanrou went on her tippytoes and wailed. Having a big stomach would indeed hinder her movement.

  Seeing her stubborn face, Zhao Che finally gave in and with a sigh, he pulled her onto the horse. He didn’t dare to dash anymore and merely controlled the horse in a brisk walk.

  Wan Yanrou who said that the Xia women were weak and gentle ultimately obediently cowered in the embrace of her husband, smiling like a cat who had just eaten a fish.

  Just as they returned to the palace, servants immediately crowded over reporting about the latest intelligence from inland. Wan Yanrou was so furious, she went back to the back palace, supposedly to play ball with her son.

  Zhao Che informed the servants to take good care of her as he walked to the main palace. The afternoon sun was bright as it shone on the ground, turning everything a golden hue.

  The news that was sent was from Zhao Yang. The content was roughly the same as the information given by Zhuge Yue but was more detailed. Zhao Yang had been rather active in the northern borders, and being able to provide more details was only natural. In the first place, Zhuge Yue’s letter was sent out half a month ago. At that moment the battle had not intensified. Being able to identify the situation in advance was already a feat on its own.

  Wei Shuye knew that Zhuge Yue would not write a letter to merely report on his family issues. It was that he had just returned from a campaign in the Tuyuhun and that Zhao Che did not want to worry him too much. As such, Wei Shuye went home and gave his greetings before heading back to the palace. The moment he entered the palace, he saw that Zhao Che had gathered a group of military advisors and was discussing military matters.

  The discussion lasted for four entire hours until dinner time. Wan Yanrou had sent servants to hurry them for dinner multiple times. In fact, she was about to personally barge into the meeting to argue with the ministers. It was then that the ministers finally relented and dismissed the meeting. Zhao Che invited Wei Shuye for dinner, and Wei Shuye accepted. The only problem he faced was that he was stared down furiously by Wan Yanrou, who hoped to finally have her husband to herself.

  After eating, they entered the study room. Zhao Che got straight to the point and asked, “What says you about this matter?”


  Wei Shuye smiled gently and said, “Your Highness should have already had an idea long ago, why ask me?”


  Zhao Che frowned. “I had not made up my mind yet.”


  “Your Highness, when you are hesitating, you have essentially made up your mind.”


  Zhao Che slowly sat down and rubbed the teacup in his hand, deep in contemplation.

  “The Lady of Jingan was willing to betray the whole world and attack Meilin Pass, allowing the Quan Rong people to enter. This is blasphemy in itself. Your Highness, this time around, even if she is a blood relative of the Xia Empire, this is not something that we can ignore.”


  Seeing how Zhao Che did not speak, Wei Shuye continued, “Back then she had tried to sabotage Chu Qiao multiple times. If not for you, Zhuge Yue would have taken action long ago. These past years, the Tang Empire did not touch her, Qinghai did not find trouble with her, Yan Xun for some reason did not do anything about her even though he had the chance to do so several times. In addition, due to our secret protection, she never had to risk her life. Yet, this time around, she went really overboard.”


  Zhao Che sank into silence for a moment before replying, “The Quan Rong people have already reached Beishuo.”


  “The Great Yan Empire merely existed for six short years. The powers within the empire were still unstable, and there are still small forces of Xia forces within their borders. With the slogan of the revival of the Xia Imperial family, Princess Chun will gain the upper hand for a short while. However, once the civilians witness the cruelty of the Quan Rong people, they will immediately come to their senses. By then, Princess Chun will sink into a complete disadvantage. The title of the betrayer of this entire continent will follow her into history.” Wei Shuye continued his reasoning. The years of battle was his baptism in blood as he was no longer that gentleman of a prince but a fearsome general.

  Zhao Che frowned and slowly inquired, “Do you think what Master Zhang said is feasible?”


  Wei Shuye let out a chuckle. “Your Highness, you know the answer yourself. Why ask me?”


  Zhao Che looked at him and broke into a laugh as well. “Indeed. No wonder AhRou said that I was becoming indecisive. I am really just overthinking.”


  “All rulers are the same. Before you were merely a king, but now you are the Emperor of Xia. You are responsible for more people. It would be impossible not to consider more carefully.”


  “I understand. The rule of Yan Bei has roughly stabilized, and with the mess in the North, we will be unable to fight a two-sided war, and it would be impossible to gain anything in doing so.”


  Wei Shuye asked, “What about Zhuge Yue’s suggestion?”


  “We will see.” Zhao Che frowned. “We are in a different situation from him. Qinghai was always removed from the situation without much hatred with the inland. Yet, our warriors, particularly the upper commanders, hate the Yan Bei people to the core. It would be more difficult to motivate them to fight for Yan Bei than to convince them to commit suicide.”


  Wei Shuye helplessly sighed and shook his head. “Sigh, how is this fighting for others?”


  Zhao Che, too, helplessly smiled bitterly, “Words can’t get through to these people.”


  “Right, the ceremonial officials just sent out an urgent team. What happened that was so urgent?”


  Speaking of this, Zhao Che finally revealed a relaxed smile and said, “I was finding a wife for Xian’er. Zhuge Yue’s daughter was a godsend. I must make sure to snatch the opportunity before the Tang Empire.”


  “The Tang Emperor Li Xiuyi? Didn’t he already have his empress?” Wei Shuye remarked in surprise.

  “Did you forget that Li Ce had another son? The son of Lady Zhan who always lived in Qinghai.”


  “Right, now I remember.” Wei Shuye nodded. “I even saw that kid once. He looked exactly like his father, especially that pair of eyes.”


  Zhao Che leaned on the chair and pridefully said, “After taking so much from me, I will make sure he returns the debt by marrying his daughter to my son.”


  With the wind bellowing. Even though the grass had just begun to germinate, all of Qinghai was already in lush greenery.

  It was deep into the night as Chu Qiao slowly closed the windows while wearing her pristine white pajamas. The sounds of the rain were instantly blocked out as the room was completely illuminated by a pair of candles in dead silence. A pair of hands embraced her from behind, with warm breath tickling her back. Zhuge Yue was completely fatigued as he leaned on her soft body, whispering, “You still have not slept.”


  “If you do not come back, how could I dare to sleep first?” Chu Qiao smiled as she turned around, lightly pecking him on the lips, asking, “Are you hungry? Should we inform the kitchen to prepare dinner? I asked the servants to wait for your return.”


  Zhuge Yue smiled as though he was not too satisfied with her light kiss just now. He lowered his head and buried his lips into Chu Qiao’s. His tongue deftly pushed into her mouth. Their tongues were interlocked in a passionate dance.

  Chu Qiao gently hugged his waist as she returned the gesture fervently. Before long, the temperature in the room seemed to have raised by a few degrees. The hoarse voice of Zhuge Yue sounded by her ears, his tone filled with lust, giving his words a particular sense of seduction, “How many days has it been? Did you not miss me?”


  Chu Qiao’s face was flushed red as she panted shallowly, before leaning her head into his chest. Lifting her head up, her watery eyes were ever so attractive and beautiful.

  “I really missed you. If you continue to mistreat me like this, I will start to find concubines.”