"Imperial Father, now that the war has concluded, I simply cannot contain myself—I must share this with you in detail. That Xiao Zheng is truly a rare military genius! Did you know, in the northwest campaign, she led just five thousand cavalry and utterly annihilated the Tatar forces of over ten thousand? Such extraordinary military prowess would be a waste if not utilized for the Great Yuan."
The Emperor straightened slightly, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Oh? Is she truly that formidable?"
"Imperial Father, Xiao Zheng's methods of training soldiers are unparalleled. The troops under her command are fearless, like a pack of wolves. I dare say, if we entrust the imperial army to her for rigorous training, within two years, it will be completely revitalized—a sharp blade to intimidate all neighboring nations. By then, which of those scheming minor states would dare provoke us? Moreover, Xiao Zheng is wholly devoted to the military camp. Once she takes charge, she won’t need to attend court daily, sparing her from the endless scrutiny and disputes with those civil officials."
Xiao Youcheng had briefly mentioned this matter in a previous letter to the Emperor, but now he could elaborate with earnest conviction. As the Emperor listened, his expression gradually softened, as if swayed by the argument.
Yet, at the thought of the Xiao Army, the Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly, a lingering unease in his heart.
Xiao Zheng’s deep-rooted influence among the troops stemmed not only from her formidable skills, which earned the soldiers’ respect, but also from one undeniable fact—she bore the surname Xiao.
A thought suddenly struck the Emperor. Xiao Huan was the true-blooded heir of the Xiao family, though still a boy of twelve, not yet of age. Between the two Xiao descendants, whom would the Xiao Army choose to follow? And historically, women were bound by marital ties—if Xiao Zheng were to marry and bear children, would the Xiao Army remain as fiercely loyal and obedient to her as before?
As the banquet ended, Xiao Zheng trudged wearily through the gates of the Marquis's Mansion. The moment she stepped inside, she was met by the sight of Uncle Man, his eyes red-rimmed, rushing toward her.
"Uncle Man, what happened? Why are you—"
Before she could finish, a sudden instinct made her whirl around.
"Ah-Zheng!"
Turning toward the voice, Xiao Zheng saw a slightly hunched yet unmistakably lonely figure standing in the shadows. The interplay of light and darkness made her heart lurch—it was Xiao Huan.
Though only a few months had passed since their last meeting, their reunion now felt like an eternity.
"Ah-Huan… I’m sorry…"
The once bright-eyed, spirited boy who used to pester his mother for sweets was now gaunt, his cheekbones protruding sharply, his eyes dull and lifeless.
"Where… where is my mother?"
Xiao Zheng led him to the ancestral hall and pushed open the door. Xiao Huan’s gaze locked onto the rows of newly placed memorial tablets lining the room. Instantly, his lips trembled violently, his eyes unable to contain the flood of grief. Scalding tears streamed down his cheeks unchecked.
He opened his mouth, desperate to cry out, but his throat was parched, and no sound emerged.
You promised you’d come back for me!
The empty hall echoed only with the sound of his broken sobs.
It wasn’t until the metallic tang of blood filled her mouth that Xiao Zheng unclenched her jaw.
"Ah? Young lady—!"
Uncle Man’s voice called out in alarm from the doorway as a delicate figure suddenly darted inside. The girl rushed to Xiao Huan’s side, wrapping her arms around him comfortingly while patting his shoulder.
"Ah-Huan, don’t grieve. We’ll avenge your parents—we’ll avenge the Xiao family!"
Her words were tender, but the glance she shot Xiao Zheng was unmistakably hostile.
After a long bout of weeping, Xiao Huan finally calmed. Wiping his tears, he glanced awkwardly at Xiao Zheng and murmured,
"Ah-Zheng, this is Lin Ruyi, the eldest daughter of Lord Lin, the military governor of Hedong. She… she escorted me all the way to the capital."
The victory in the northwest had hinged largely on the retreat of the Rakshasa forces. Xiao Zheng had never imagined Xiao Huan could persuade Lord Lin to send troops. Seeing how fiercely protective this girl was of him, it seemed fate had intertwined their paths.
"Thank you, Miss Lin, for taking care of my younger brother. The Lin family’s aid against the Rakshasa is a debt Xiao Zheng will never forget. If there’s ever anything—"
Before she could finish, the girl cut her off.
"No need, Cousin Ah-Zheng! Ah-Huan has already repaid the debt. We’re family now—no need for formalities between kin."
"Ruyi!"
Xiao Huan shot Lin Ruyi a warning look, ignoring her pout, and turned back to Xiao Zheng.
"Ah-Zheng, we can discuss this later. First, tell me—what really happened? Why did Shuozhou fall?"
Xiao Zheng recounted the battle, careful to omit the mastermind behind the tragedy, wary of Lin Ruyi’s presence and the risk of leaks.
"Something’s not right! I—"
Xiao Zheng’s ears twitched. She raised a finger to her lips, silencing Xiao Huan with a shake of her head.
"Rest for now. His Majesty will summon you in the coming days. Miss Ruyi is our cousin, close to you since childhood. She’s come to pay respects to your mother—make sure she’s well taken care of."
Lin Ruyi, barely in her teens, was youthful yet sharp-witted. The moment Xiao Zheng spoke, she sensed the undercurrents of danger swirling around the Marquis's Mansion.
Her eyes darted shrewdly before she swiftly masked her alertness. With practiced grace, she stepped toward the altar, took three incense sticks, lit them, and bowed solemnly before the memorial tablets. Her movements were so poised and reverent that nothing seemed amiss.
Only after Xiao Zheng’s figure vanished from the ancestral hall did Lin Ruyi and Xiao Huan rise unhurriedly and leave the sorrow-laden chamber.
Back in the guest quarters, Lin Ruyi first scanned the surroundings warily before slipping inside and shutting the door firmly with a thud. She then hurried to the windows, sealing them tight and drawing the curtains, ensuring complete privacy.
Once satisfied, she spun around, gliding toward Xiao Huan with light steps before abruptly seizing his ear with slender fingers, her grip unyielding.
"Xiao Huan!" Lin Ruyi’s delicate brows arched in fury, her almond eyes blazing with indignation. "Care to explain why you didn’t clarify things earlier? We’re betrothed—you’re supposed to marry me! Or are you planning to break your vow and wed her instead?"
Xiao Huan winced, sucking in a sharp breath. "Aiya, my little ancestor, must you fuss over this now?" He looked at her helplessly, pleading. "Look at the situation—my family’s been slaughtered, my vengeance unfulfilled. How can I spare a thought for romance? Right now, all I care about is hunting down those responsible and making them pay!"
With that, Xiao Huan gently grasped Lin Ruyi's wrist, his eyes filled with earnestness, as if pleading for her to understand his current predicament.
"Both my father and I will help you! But you must remember the vow you made back then!"
"Yes! Don’t worry—I won’t let you down!"
When Xiao Huan first went to Hedong, Lord Lin had been unwilling to take the risk of sending troops. He waited outside the Lin residence for three days, but Lord Lin still feigned illness and refused to see him. Later, Xiao Huan happened to hear about a bandit stronghold north of Hedong and devised a plan to seize it, using the captured outlaws as soldiers to march against the Rus. That very night, he led a dozen Imperial Guards in a raid on the bandit hideout. By chance, he encountered the clever and mischievous Lin Ruyi. It turned out that Lin Ruyi’s wet nurse had finally managed to arrange a marriage for her son in the countryside, only for the bride to be kidnapped by the bandit leader on the way. The wet nurse pleaded with Lin Ruyi for help. Having trained in martial arts under Lord Lin since childhood, Lin Ruyi immediately led the household guards to storm the bandit lair—and thus, the two crossed paths.
After learning of this, Lord Lin began to regard Xiao Huan in a new light. His only daughter had also fallen for him at first sight, so he made Xiao Huan swear an oath and agree to a marriage contract, stipulating that one of their future sons must bear the Lin surname. Only then did Lord Lin send troops against the Rus.
