Xumo’er stirred up a great fire, putting Gao Yuexing’s Imperial Guards in a predicament, attacked from both front and rear, struggling to defend themselves.
The tide of battle shifted, and the situation greatly improved. Xumo’er’s forces were determined not to retreat. Of course, even if they wished to retreat, Gao Yuexing would not permit it.
Ru Zilin was intent on capturing the Consort of Prince Xiang alive. However, their forces had landed on the opposite shore, and they had already missed the best opportunity. Zhao Tongsheng noticed their intention, raised his blade, and roared angrily:
“Don’t let a single one escape! Leave them all in the fire—if we die together, so be it! Burn them all to death!”
Following Zhao Tongsheng’s command, his men brandished their blades, recklessly driving Xumo’er’s troops into the flames.
Ding Wenfu, leading his reinforcements, dared not delay along the way. Just as they crossed the Lushu Mountain, they saw flames shooting up to the sky and knew the situation was dire. They charged into the Haitang Palace, scattering Xumo’er’s forces before they had time to react.
Zhao Tongsheng slashed down an enemy soldier and pushed him into the fire. The miserable screams and the smell of burning flesh overwhelmed the senses. Wiping the blood and sweat off his face, Zhao Tongsheng looked at Ding Wenfu and laughed foolishly, “You’re here, brother.”
Xumo’er’s soldiers shouted in unison, “Their reinforcements have arrived!”
Zhao Tongsheng said to Ding Wenfu, “Brother, you go capture that damn Xumo’er king! Your elder brother here has his eyes burned; I can’t see a thing.”
Ding Wenfu tossed him a damp cloth, turned, and went to find Xumo’er’s leader. He had never seen Ru Zilin in person, but after sweeping his gaze over the crowd, he saw no one suspicious.
Known for his meticulous and thoughtful nature in the Imperial Guards, Ding Wenfu immediately had a terrifying suspicion. He turned his gaze toward Gao Yuexing’s location.
Ru Zilin was not playing fair.
Long before the chaos erupted on the opposite shore, he had already slipped into the water, planning to exploit the disorder. He noticed that Gao Yuexing had deployed all her forces to extinguish the fire and resist the enemy, leaving less than a squad of soldiers by her side.
He was the strongest man in the entire Xumo’er tribe, both ambitious and cunning.
Capturing a mere Central Plains woman was no challenge at all.
Holding his breath, he finally reached the shore. The Consort of Prince Xiang was just a few steps away. Once he emerged from the water, he could pounce on her and seize her by the neck. Oh, how he wanted to strangle her! But he couldn’t—he needed her alive to escort into the capital of the Great Xu Dynasty. Once he secured the throne of the Golden Hall, he would strip her naked, toss her onto the streets, trample her into the mud, and let her die in utter humiliation…
Her corpse would be delivered to Li Fuxiang. Wouldn’t that make him wish he were dead?
Ru Zilin’s eyes gleamed with cruel excitement.
Gripping the muddy shore, he leapt out of the water in a single bound. He moved so quickly that even he was impressed by his own speed. As he lunged toward the Consort of Prince Xiang with a savage smile, his pupils suddenly constricted.
Gao Yuexing stood at the shore, mere steps away. All he needed to do was pounce hard, and he would surely have her in his grasp.
But in Gao Yuexing’s hands, a bow was already drawn to its fullest, like a full moon. The arrowhead was aimed squarely at his head.
The terrifying part was—she let go.
Ru Zilin, suspended mid-air with no leverage, bent backward desperately. The arrow grazed his nose and forehead, tearing off a bloody strip of skin. He rolled to the ground, then dived back into the water.
Gao Yuexing ground her silver teeth in frustration, silently cursing her missed opportunity.
The arrow had been laced with poison. If it had pierced his body, the poison would have seeped into his blood. Within half an hour, he would have been paralyzed and unable to move.
But he dove back into the water. The freshly poisoned wound was cleansed, rendering the poison nearly ineffective.
Ru Zilin touched his numbed forehead, cold sweat dripping down his back. The battle was lost; the tide had turned against them.
As the Xumo’er forces fought, they suddenly heard three sharp whistle blasts. At the same moment, they shifted direction and began to break out of the encirclement.
They want to retreat.
The entangled forces on both sides finally pulled apart. Ding Wenfu immediately ordered his men to set up crossbows and fire volleys of arrows, chasing after their retreating figures. Zhao Tongsheng quickly commanded his men to control the fire.
Only then did Ding Wenfu have a moment to pay his respects to Gao Yuexing, reporting, “Consort, they’ve retreated.”
Gao Yuexing asked, “Where did they go?”
A soldier replied, “Toward Lushu Mountain.”
Gao Yuexing waved her sleeve and commanded, “Bring in the wounded. The rest of you, rest and recover, but remain vigilant—they will come back.”
Zhao Tongsheng’s eyes were badly burned by the fire. After an entire night of fierce battle, Gao Yuexing moved him into the hall and applied medicine to his wounds. The cool sensation made Zhao Tongsheng sigh with relief, exclaiming how comfortable it felt.
Ding Wenfu said, “Consort, we can retreat to the capital. Prince Xin still has a thousand Imperial Guards and the Jinyiwei.”
While tending to the wounded, Gao Yuexing replied calmly, “No.”
Ding Wenfu was puzzled. “Does the Consort not trust Prince Xin?”
Gao Yuexing wiped her hands with a damp cloth. “Do you think breaking through the gates of the capital with 200 men is a joke?”
Ding Wenfu answered without hesitation, “Of course.”
Gao Yuexing said, “Exactly. I think so too. But do you think Xumo’er is foolish?”
Ding Wenfu was momentarily at a loss for words.
Gao Yuexing continued, “Xumo’er is so confident because Kong Shishu is supporting him from inside the capital.”
Ding Wenfu argued, “Kong Shishu doesn’t have any troops.”
Gao Yuexing replied, “But he has methods.”
Seeing Ding Wenfu’s confusion, Gao Yuexing explained, “There are our citizens in the capital. We cannot take that risk.”
—
In the Qianqing Palace, Prince Xin had solemnly donned his armor. Before him, a sword lay silently in its case—a blade bestowed by the emperor.
He was a civil official, and this was the first time he had ever worn armor. The heavy silver plating, weighing dozens of pounds, not only made it hard for him to straighten his shoulders and back but also pressed on his chest, leaving him constantly feeling stifled.
Lu Weixiao leaned against the doorframe, watching him.
When Prince Xin turned his head, he saw the sky behind her painted with the brilliant hues of dawn.
Lu Weixiao had become as thin as kindling. Ever since her miscarriage, her health had deteriorated. The palace physicians had examined her and declared that her womb was severely damaged, making it unlikely for her to bear children again.
Prince Xin took her hand, placed a hand warmer into her palm, and said, “Wait for me.”
Lu Weixiao nodded mechanically, her expression lifeless.
Prince Xin was about to leave when Lu Weixiao suddenly called out to him, “Your Highness.”
Prince Xin turned back patiently and asked in a gentle voice, “What is it?”
Lu Weixiao said to him, “Remember to bring our child back safely.”
From a distance, Prince Xin gave a slight nod. Then, carrying his sword, he headed toward the inner palace.
Meng Zhaoyi’s palace was already heavily guarded by layers of Imperial Guards. However, Prince Xin’s illegitimate eldest son was still in her hands. The child was tied to a small cradle, and at the slightest disturbance outside, Meng Zhaoyi would immediately place a knife against the child’s neck. No one dared to act rashly.
When Prince Xin pushed open the door, Meng Zhaoyi, disheveled and unkempt, was resting close to the small cradle. The moment she heard movement, she grabbed the knife and pressed it against the child’s neck. “Who is it? Stay back!”
Prince Xin silently stared at his mother.
When Meng Zhaoyi recognized her son, she showed no sign of calming down. As Prince Xin took a step forward, she pressed the knife closer, shouting hysterically, “Stay back!”
Prince Xin’s gaze shifted to the small face of his son.
The child was quietly sleeping, undisturbed by any noise.
He would never open his eyes again.
The small body bore numerous knife wounds, no longer bleeding.
Prince Xin opened his mouth and uttered, “Take her down.”
The Imperial Guards stormed in, violently overpowering the frantic Meng Zhaoyi as she stabbed wildly at the child. They threw her to the ground, bound her with ropes, and dragged her away.
—
At the same time, in the Northern Supervision Office, Xi Heng stood under the corridor, watching the fading hues of the morning sky. The sundial in the courtyard pointed to a fixed moment. He mounted his horse as a servant at the gate pushed the two heavy doors open and removed the threshold.
Xi Heng rode out, his subordinates following closely behind him.
They headed straight for Kong Shishu’s residence.
The heavy gates of the Kong Mansion slowly swung open.
The Jinyiwei unsheathed their blades.
Kong Shishu’s private guards were no match for the Jinyiwei. Sitting in the main hall, Kong Shishu appeared to have been waiting for a long time. He looked at Xi Heng and sneered coldly, “As expected, as expected… I underestimated Prince Xin after all…”
Xi Heng waved his hand coldly.
Kong Shishu was dragged out in a disheveled state. As he passed by Xi Heng, he struggled and whispered in his ear, “Don’t be arrogant. The outcome is far from decided!”
—
Prince Xin ascended the city walls.
Xi Heng, having captured Kong Shishu’s entire household, soon arrived as well.
Prince Xin asked, “By now, Xumo’er’s forces should have arrived, correct?”
Xi Heng replied, “News just came in—Xumo’er’s troops have been blocked at the foot of Lushu Mountain by the Consort of Prince Xiang.”
Prince Xin’s unease grew. “That’s too dangerous. How many men could she possibly have?”
Xi Heng said, “Just now, Kong Shishu’s surrender gave me an unsettling feeling. I can’t shake the sense that he’s left something in reserve.”
Prince Xin closed his eyes, suppressing his anxiety. “Father knew my abilities were mediocre. Before I left, he specifically instructed me to hold the city gates at all costs.”
Xi Heng glanced at him and said, “Your Highness, why belittle yourself?”
Prince Xin replied, “It’s the truth.”
The two stood silently on the city wall. At last, they saw figures in the distance.
Prince Xin’s spirits lifted. “They’ve arrived?”
Xi Heng squinted and decisively said, “No.”
The momentum was wrong, the speed was wrong, and the numbers were wrong.
They stood atop the high city wall, waiting for the dense crowd of figures to draw nearer. Only then did they realize it was a group of their own Great Xu citizens, about a thousand people in total. They were dressed in rags, a mix of the old and young, supporting one another as they approached the city gates.
Prince Xin hurriedly ordered the soldiers guarding the city to lower their bows to avoid accidental injury.
Caught off guard, he looked blankly at Xi Heng and asked, “What’s going on?”
Xi Heng’s expression grew increasingly grim. Then, with sudden clarity, he slapped himself hard across the face.
Prince Xin was startled. “Commander Xi?”
Xi Heng remembered. “Over a month ago, when the epidemic in Jiangnan was at its worst, some disaster victims fled their homes and began traveling north. At the time, His Majesty was still present and issued an edict ordering the prefectures along the Huai River to properly settle them. That group of refugees did indeed stop in the Huai River region, and we heard no further news. It was assumed they had been resettled. Who could have known…”
Prince Xin murmured, “The Huai River… that region is heavily influenced by Kong Shishu’s faction…”
These citizens of Great Xu, displaced by flooding, had traveled north to the capital seeking refuge. Should the gates be opened to them or not?
If the gates were opened, over a thousand “refugees” would pour into the city. But who could guarantee that every one of them was innocent?
—
Gao Yuexing counted the people under her command. They had truly reached the point where even the eunuchs from the palace had been put to use.
Zhao Tongsheng was confined to the hall to heal his eyes and couldn’t be exposed to light.
Ding Wenfu took over command. Climbing onto the roof, he surveyed the courtyard, which had been completely burned. All that remained were charred ground and walls, along with a few stacked corpses. Ding Wenfu ordered the corpses to be cleared out.
After personally overseeing the placement of the wounded, Gao Yuexing quickly made her way to Li Fuxiang’s study.
The Haitang Courtyard had not been used as a permanent residence since its construction, but Li Fuxiang did have a study there. Gao Yuexing remembered that he had hidden quite a few books inside, including military texts.
This was nothing more than a desperate, last-minute effort on her part. She dared not let anyone know, fearing it would shake morale and betray the hope and trust that had been placed entirely on her shoulders.
She easily found several of the military books Li Fuxiang had left in the study. But in the urgency of the moment, it was impossible to calm her mind and read carefully.
With trembling hands, she flipped through several books in the span of a tea break. Naturally, it was all in vain. She spread the books across the desk, but amidst the chaos, a leather envelope tumbled out from somewhere.
Gao Yuexing suddenly paused. She stared at the envelope for a long time before reaching out to pick it up. On the envelope were written the words: “To my wife, Ah Xing, personally.”