"How much do you know about Xunfeng Island?" Jiang Jin asked again.
Village Head Su thought for a moment before replying, "The island is quite large, but it's covered in steep, rocky mountains, unsuitable for farming. Most of the coastline is cliffs, with only a few places accessible by boat."
"Is there fresh water?" That was crucial.
Village Head Su shook his head. "I don't know for sure, but I've heard there is fresh water there."
He had never sailed the deep sea or set foot on Xunfeng Island; everything he knew was from word of mouth.
Meanwhile, Zhao Er led Tian Daguang and the others on horseback, racing ahead, while Lu Ping and his troops followed at a distance for protection.
By noon, they had reached a mountain near the road from Zhou County to Ze'a Prefecture.
Before they even entered fully, a foul stench hit them.
Fortunately, they had come well-prepared: masks, protective suits, and head coverings leaving only their eyes exposed.
As a precaution, they all drank Daqinglong decoction before setting out.
Tian Daguang was equally prepared, his heart heavy with grief. He bowed to Zhao Er and said, "Thank you, officers. But inside, it may be..."
His voice choked up. "Too dangerous. We'll handle it ourselves."
Zhao Er nodded. "We'll follow behind you and help chop firewood when needed."
This team was originally responsible for the Gofeng refugees. Since the outbreak of the plague, they had rarely entered Gofeng City.
Their master had also instructed them to stay far from the bodies, and Lu Ping's Jinyang troops remained at a distance as well.
Tian Daguang and his men had been around the plague victims for so long without being infected—Jiang Jin suspected they had some immunity.
So they were left to handle the bodies, while the Jinyang troops helped on the periphery, cutting firewood to clear an area for burning the dead, preventing the entire mountain from catching fire.
Deeper in, the smell grew worse.
Suddenly, Tian Daguang's startled voice rang out: "Mother, you... you're alive?"
Zhao Er followed the sound and saw corpses scattered haphazardly among the trees.
Farther off, several hundred people lay or sat on the ground—skinny as skeletons, but alive.
Tian Daguang rushed toward an old woman.
She was barely conscious, lifting her head dazedly at the noise. When he reached her, she recognized him, her voice trembling.
"Daguang, you... how did you come back?"
He knelt before her, sobbing with joy. Seeing only his third sister-in-law nearby, he knew his father and other family were gone. Suppressing his grief, he said, "Gofeng, Gofeng really has medicine! They have medicine! Mother, I'll take you there right away."
Zhao Er hadn't expected survivors either.
It was thanks to Tian Daguang and his companions' kindness, who had left some provisions for the plague-stricken.
Though they thought them doomed back then, they were their own relatives—leaving them had been a last resort, and they couldn't bear to take all the food.
The villagers, who had been lying in a stupor waiting to die, stirred: "What? Gofeng has medicine?"
"Yes, yes! Everyone, get up! Gofeng has sent people—you'll live!" Tian Daguang shouted excitedly.
"Really?" His uncle's cheeks were hollowed, his pale face tinged with yellow.
Each word seemed to drain him, but a glimmer of light shone in his dull eyes.
Tian Daguang nodded fiercely, wiped his tears, and turned to Zhao Er.
Zhao Er nodded back. "Help the villagers out first."
Watching Tian Daguang and his men follow orders, Zhao Er went to find Lu Ping.
They quickly decided to chop firewood and burn the bodies, then lead the people back.
Zhao Er had only brought about a hundred men; Lu Ping had just one battalion.
This was Zhou County's territory. Though there was a temporary ceasefire among three factions, empty words weren't to be trusted.
So they couldn't spread their forces too thin.
The team moved swiftly; the mountain was littered with deadwood, and soon fires blazed...
Back at the Gofeng county office, Wei Qingran and her daughter finally met Jiang Jin.
Much had changed since they last saw each other.
The Jiang Jin before her seemed different from the person in their memories.
Wei Qingran led Jiang Li to bow: "Greetings, Princess."
"Greetings, Sixth Imperial Sister."
Jiang Jin stepped forward to help them up. "The capital is gone now. No need for those old titles."
Wei Qingran's gaze was complicated. "Then let me call you Lord, like the townsfolk."
She had never imagined that Gofeng was taken by Princess Jinyang herself.
Earlier, Meng Chong heard of the Jinyang Army's reputation and suspected a connection to Jiang Jin.
But he never thought the army was personally founded by Princess Jinyang—he remembered her as an innocent, unworldly woman.
He assumed someone was using her name to rally support, a "control the emperor to command the nobles" scheme.
Sending Wei Qingran and her daughter to Gofeng was a last resort. The only Han forces near Zhou County were Ze'a Prefecture and Gofeng.
Princess Jinyang and Tenth Princess were sisters, after all, so there was a bond of kinship.
It wasn't until they settled in Gofeng that they discovered the Jinyang Army truly belonged to her, and Gofeng was her conquest.
Not only Gofeng, but also Shan Pass County and Chunrong County had been reclaimed from Qu Zhao.
Jiang Li looked up, stealing a glance at Jiang Jin, then lowered her head, shyly whispering, "Sixth Sister."
She studied at the academy and knew the simplified characters and pinyin her sixth sister had created.
Gofeng was reclaimed from the Barbarians by her sixth sister. The townsfolk could now wear clothes and eat their fill—all thanks to her.
Everyone in the city revered her sixth sister with deep gratitude and unyielding loyalty—it filled Jiang Li with pride, yet also a touch of humility.
In the past, she rarely saw Sixth Sister—only during festivals or special occasions.
Sisters though they were, they weren't close; the imperial palace held too many siblings.
Jiang Jin nodded. "Are you comfortable in Gofeng? Let me know if you need anything."
Wei Qingran shook her head. "I still have some savings, so no trouble for you, Lord. Jiang Li is at the academy—she's doing well."
Seeing her sincerity, Jiang Jin smiled. "That's good. If you'd like to go to Sizhou, I can arrange an escort."
Wei Qingran's heart leapt. She looked up at Jiang Jin, finding no hint of testing—only genuine intent.
She relaxed slightly and bowed. "We'd like to stay in Gofeng. Please take us in, Lord."
Jiang Jin chuckled lightly. "No need for such formality. I respect your choice."
She had assumed Wei Qingran would prefer Sizhou—it was a whole prefecture, even with one commandery lost after the attack, still better than her mere three counties.
Besides, Sizhou held the First Prince, and the Wei family had most likely fled there.
Wei Qingran glanced down at her daughter, worry flickering in her eyes. She said softly, "Jiang Li, go outside for a moment. I need to speak with your Sixth Sister."
Jiang Li glanced at her mother, then at Jiang Jin. After obediently performing a salute, she silently withdrew.
