Lu Chao stood quietly by the tavern window, his gaze drifting outside. Though the streets were still sparsely populated, more and more families were gradually returning to Shuozhou as news of the Tatars' defeat spread. The city resembled a convalescent slowly regaining its former vitality.
A crisp knock suddenly broke the silence of the room.
Hearing the sound, Lu Chao walked gracefully toward the door. Outside stood Xiao Zheng, dressed in casual attire, her posture as straight and unyielding as a pine tree. The heavy, dust-and-blood-stained armor she usually wore was absent today. Her dark hair was tied high, neat and sharp, accentuating the striking determination in her features. The scar at the corner of her mouth seemed to have faded slightly, and Lu Chao nodded in satisfaction.
"Ahem," Xiao Zheng broke the brief silence, clearing her throat before asking, "Did you summon me to discuss the peace negotiations?"
Lu Chao remained composed, giving a slight nod as he stepped aside to let her in. He then picked up the teapot from the table, pouring her a steaming cup with practiced ease before speaking leisurely, "You guessed correctly."
Xiao Zheng’s piercing gaze locked onto Lu Chao, as if she could see through everything. After a moment, a bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at her lips. Even he couldn’t accept it?
"If you’ve come here to act as Prince Kang’s mouthpiece, then you’ve both miscalculated. My resolve and will are not so easily swayed by mere words."
"Do you also believe women shouldn’t command armies? That we should stay at home, tending to husbands and children?"
Her eyes remained stubbornly fixed on Lu Chao.
Lu Chao shook his head gently, his expression calm and sincere. "Not at all. In my eyes, you surpass most men in this world. Compared to you, I feel inadequate." He paused briefly before continuing, "The terms you’ve proposed are fair—four conditions, with only the last concerning yourself. Such consideration for others is rare."
Xiao Zheng was momentarily taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response. Reflexively, she countered, "You don’t think I’m just a power-hungry woman?"
Lu Chao shook his head again, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Why would I? Countless men scheme and scramble for power—doesn’t that prove its worth? Why shouldn’t women desire it? Only the strong can control their own fate and have the freedom to choose. I see nothing wrong with what you’re doing."
His tone shifted, the smile fading as a frosty seriousness returned to his expression. He looked at Xiao Zheng intently. "But tell me—do you truly have the confidence to handle those pedantic scholars in court?"
Lu Chao knew well that once command of the Xiao Army passed to Xiao Zheng, as long as the borders remained peaceful, she would never return to the northwest. Instead, she would face daily court sessions, forced to navigate the schemes and hidden daggers of political intrigue. The road ahead would be exhausting and treacherous.
Was that the life she wanted?
Xiao Zheng’s brows furrowed, anger flashing in her eyes. "So all your pretty words were just leading to this? No matter how difficult, it’s better than being treated like goods—married off to some stranger, wasting my life away in the inner chambers!"
Her voice trembled slightly, barely containing her fury.
Lu Chao studied her in silence before softly posing another question: "What if it were by the emperor’s side?"
His quiet words fell like a stone into still water, sending ripples through the air.
The impact struck Xiao Zheng like a hammer. Shock and indignation surged within her. Forgetting all decorum, her lips quivered as she blurted out, "You’re insulting me!! I will never agree to such a disgrace!!"
Lu Chao’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, a flicker of satisfaction vanishing as quickly as it appeared. He sighed lightly, his composure unshaken, like a deep, undisturbed lake.
"Don’t rush. There’s another path."
Suppressing the faint trace of levity in his voice, he recounted in detail the plan he had discussed with Prince Kang the previous day.
Unnoticed, the sun had climbed to its zenith, its bright rays filtering through the window lattice, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the floor—a silent dance of time.
Lu Chao and Xiao Zheng sat facing each other, the tea on the table long since refreshed multiple times, steam curling gently between them.
Leaning back in her chair, Xiao Zheng rubbed her temples, her voice hoarse from the lengthy discussion. "I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. My apologies—I misjudged you earlier."
"Between brothers, such words are unnecessary," Lu Chao waved it off.
Xiao Zheng stared at him intently, her eyes brimming with complex emotions. "This plan… it was your idea, wasn’t it?" Without waiting for an answer, she murmured to herself, "Others would only urge me to give up. Only you would genuinely seek another way for me."
"It was just a passing thought, casually mentioned. Fortunately, Prince Kang is benevolent and considers the greater good, willing to accept the proposal. Otherwise, this opportunity wouldn’t exist."
Lu Chao stood, stretching his arms with a relaxed grin as he looked at his longtime friend. "First-rank General Xiao—remember me when you rise to greatness, won’t you?"
Xiao Zheng’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she nodded firmly. "Of course!"
Yet, recalling Xiao Youcheng’s final cryptic remark, Lu Chao felt an uneasy tug in his chest. After a moment’s hesitation, he turned to Xiao Zheng and asked softly, "What do you think of Prince Kang?"
Her expression remained neutral, but her gaze flickered briefly over his face. "A man who cares for the people and the realm—an excellent candidate for the throne. Why do you ask so suddenly?"
Lu Chao shook his head slightly, as if dispelling an unwelcome thought. "No reason. Just idle curiosity."
The idea of standing perpetually by the emperor’s side cast a shadow over Xiao Zheng’s heart, like a cloud dimming the light within.
Days later, a golden imperial decree descended upon the city like a bird bearing sacred words.
That day, Lu Chao and the others were strolling through the streets when a voice caught their attention.
"Come on, let’s go! Business is slow anyway—let’s hear the tale of the female general who captured the Fourth Prince!"
A street vendor nudged his companion, who swiftly packed up his wares. The two hurried off toward the teahouse in quick, eager steps.
