That night, many stayed awake until dawn.
Lu Chao, however, fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow and didn’t stir until daylight. When he woke, his entire body ached as if he’d been run over by a cart. He sat dazed for a long moment before his mind cleared.
The moment he stepped off the camp bed, he hissed through clenched teeth, his features twisting in pain. His legs no longer felt like his own—the deep, bone-weary soreness was unbearable. After so much horseback riding, he now walked with an awkward, splayed gait.
"You’re actually awake?"
As soon as Lu Chao stepped out of the tent, he spotted Zhou Qingyuan mid-yawn. Zhou Qingyuan blinked in surprise at the sight of him.
"Yeah. Haven’t slept that deeply in ages—woke up to broad daylight. You didn’t sleep well?" Lu Chao chewed on a withered willow twig, eyeing Zhou Qingyuan’s dark circles with curiosity.
"Ha! What you did wasn’t sleeping, it was passing out. Do you even know you had a fever in the middle of the night? Nothing could wake you—scared the hell out of us. Liu Yao was practically in tears!"
Zhou Qingyuan reached out to feel Lu Chao’s forehead. Thankfully, it was no longer burning. Thank goodness Prince Kang had brought Doctor Song along—otherwise, things could’ve turned dire.
"Ah? I didn’t feel a thing. No wonder my whole body feels like it’s been trampled."
Lu Chao sighed. He’d thought that after so many colds, his body would’ve built up some resistance. Clearly, he’d underestimated the potency of ancient-era illnesses.
"Young Master! You’re awake?! I’ll fetch Doctor Song!"
Liu Yao had just returned when he spotted Lu Chao leaning against the tent, clutching his waist. Overjoyed, he blurted this out before dashing off again. Moments later, he returned, half-dragging a middle-aged man into the tent.
"At—at least let… this old man… catch his breath!"
Doctor Song braced himself against the table, gasping for air.
"No rush, no rush. Doctor Song, have some tea first."
Under Lu Chao’s pointed glare, Liu Yao scratched his head sheepishly.
Doctor Song closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. After a long pause, he approached Lu Chao with measured steps, slightly bowing as he placed his right hand on Lu Chao’s wrist. His left hand rose habitually to stroke his sparse, salt-and-pepper beard. After a prolonged silence, he finally opened his eyes and spoke.
"Young Master, this high fever was likely brought on by exhaustion. In your case, however, it acted as a sort of… cleansing. Not entirely a bad thing. Your constitution has always been delicate, and with pent-up emotions hindering your qi and blood flow, this fever burned through those blockages like a purge. Your pulse is actually stronger now than before. Later, have Liu Yao fetch some medicine from me—brew and take it as prescribed. In three days, I’ll examine you again to assess your recovery. For now, focus on resting."
Hearing this, the gloom lifted from everyone’s faces, and they finally exhaled in relief.
Just then, one of Prince Kang’s attendants hurried over.
"Young Masters, His Highness requests your presence!"
Xiao Youcheng’s dark under-eye circles betrayed his sleepless night. As the group entered, he clenched the letter in his hand and announced without preamble:
"Gentlemen, Xiao Zheng has agreed to peace talks! Shortly, Lu Chao, Qingyuan, and Deputy General Sun will accompany me into the city."
"Once I depart, command of the thirty thousand troops will fall entirely to Commander Yuan. The Tatar forces at Yanmen Pass remain a looming threat—stay vigilant. At the first sign of unusual movement, light the signal flares without hesitation. Delay will not be tolerated. Anyone who fails this duty will face immediate execution."
"Understood, Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, can Xiao Zheng truly be trusted? Your status is paramount—entering Shuozhou City is like stepping into a den of thieves. Should we reconsider the meeting location?"
Yuan Zhongwei, once a guard under the Crown Prince, voiced his concerns bluntly.
Xiao Youcheng waved a dismissive hand.
"The Xiao family has always been loyal and honorable. The sons raised by Elder Marquis Xiao are cut from the same cloth. Besides, I once did him a favor. There’s no need for concern."
By the hour of the Snake, Xiao Zheng stood atop the city walls, clad in silver armor, his posture rigid.
Outside the gates, Prince Kang sat astride a towering steed, his entourage numbering no more than twenty.
Their eyes met—both sides sizing each other up.
Xiao Youcheng thought: So this is the man Lu Chao bonded with at first sight?
Xiao Zheng thought: So this is the prince Lu Chao chose to follow?
Behind them, Lu Chao squinted at Xiao Zheng, surrounded by his men. Good—still in one piece.
Suddenly, the man on the wall turned his gaze toward him. Lu Chao raised an eyebrow and flashed a grin.
"Open the gates!"
As Xiao Zheng stepped out to greet them, Xiao Youcheng dismounted.
"I’ve long heard of General Xiao’s reputation. Seeing you today, the tales don’t do you justice."
Xiao Zheng cupped his hands in salute. "You flatter me, Your Highness. We remain grateful for your past kindness."
Xiao Youcheng, devoid of arrogance, replied candidly:
"When the nation is in peril, every man bears responsibility. Defending our borders is duty, not kindness. You honor me too much, General."
The atmosphere was unexpectedly cordial, devoid of the anticipated tension. The first step toward peace had been taken smoothly.
Side by side, they entered the city.
Inside, soldiers bustled about with disciplined efficiency.
On the training grounds, some drilled in formation, their synchronized steps and thunderous shouts radiating formidable energy. Elsewhere, archers loosed arrows in seamless motions—draw, aim, release—each shaft whistling straight to the bullseye.
Despite the activity, discipline held firm. Even when catching glimpses of Prince Kang’s party, not a single soldier faltered or strayed from their task.
"General Xiao, your command is truly admirable. To mold an army into such a sharp, obedient force is no small feat," Xiao Youcheng praised sincerely.
The Xiao Army, tempered by recent battles, had not only recovered but rallied with astonishing speed, throwing themselves back into rigorous training.
Banners snapped in the wind as soldiers moved with relentless vigor, their weapons glinting coldly under the sun. Every strike, every thrust burned with undiminished fervor, their fighting spirit soaring skyward.
For an army to rebound so swiftly from devastation, without a trace of defeatism, spoke volumes of their leader’s exceptional prowess.
Lu Chao nodded proudly. Just as he’d always said—Xiao Zheng was incredible.
Zhou Qingyuan snorted at his expression.
Xiao Zheng’s generals had worried Prince Kang’s party might cling to prejudice and utter offense.
Instead, the prince seemed genuinely impressed, unshackled by narrow-minded conventions. Jiang Da and the others exchanged glances, their opinion of him rising further.
After tea was served, the discussions began in earnest.
"General Xiao, before my departure, His Majesty entrusted me with a few heartfelt words to convey to you. Upon hearing of the Elder Marquis Xiao's tragic sacrifice for the nation, His Majesty was deeply grieved and remained unsettled for days."
"During the confrontation between the two armies, it was indeed a turbulent time. His Majesty's health had been frail, leaving him with limited strength, while the court was mired in endless affairs. The Second Prince, due to his weak temperament and poor judgment, mistakenly placed his trust in Luo Ziwei. That man, arrogant and obstinate, mishandled critical opportunities, ultimately leading the Elder Marquis into peril and inflicting heavy losses upon the Xiao Army. Fortunately, His Majesty's wisdom prevailed—Luo Ziwei and his accomplices have now been apprehended and imprisoned, awaiting the full weight of the law to deliver justice. This will serve as both a warning to others and a proper account to the Elder Marquis and the Xiao Army."
Xiao Zheng curled his lips into a cold smirk.
