Jiu Yue and Qiu Dongfang's righteous indignation found no outlet for expression.
Because Sima Qing informed Jiu Yue that she would be going on another mission.
This time, she didn’t need to disguise herself as a man—quite the opposite. Sima Qing demanded that Jiu Yue suppress the fierce aura around her and appear as harmless and approachable as possible.
To this, Jiu Yue responded with a puzzled, "?"
Displeased, she tossed her blade onto the table in front of him and demanded seriously, "When have I ever had a fierce aura?"
When no one provoked her, she was just an ordinary civilian, wasn’t she?
Sima Qing looked up and saw the defiance in her eyes: "..."
Jiu Yue then turned to Fu Yu, who was standing nearby, for confirmation. "Fu Yu, tell me, don’t I have absolutely no fierce aura at all?"
Fu Yu: "...Y-yes, yes! Utterly... utterly ordinary."
Jiu Yue looked back at Sima Qing with righteous confidence.
Sima Qing: "..."
By now, Sima Qing had developed a foolproof method for dealing with Jiu Yue: yield, and prosper.
So, with practiced calm, he amended his words, "My phrasing was inappropriate. Then, on top of your current demeanor, just act even more ordinary and harmless."
Jiu Yue, magnanimous, decided not to press the issue and asked instead, "Why do I need to be harmless? Where are we going this time?"
Sima Qing replied, "The northwest. I’m paying a visit to an old friend. And incidentally... his grandson should be about five years old now. It’s only right that I bring him a grand gift."
Ah, so there was a child involved.
In that case, it made sense to be more approachable. Swords and a murderous aura would only frighten the little one.
Understanding the situation, Jiu Yue went to pack her things.
Meanwhile, Fu Yu, having received a silent signal, also left to prepare.
Once the two were gone, Qiu Dongfang entered with a face full of resentment, looking every bit like a jilted spouse as he glared accusingly at Sima Qing.
"Your Highness, why aren’t you taking me this time?" On previous outings, he had always been the one by the prince’s side!
Sima Qing raised his eyes and shot him a warning look. "I’ll give you one chance to wipe that disgusting expression off your face."
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
He scrubbed a hand over his face, instantly composing himself, but his confusion remained.
Only then did Sima Qing deign to explain, his voice low and deliberate. "The reason I’m not taking you is that I have a far more important task for you."
Qiu Dongfang stiffened as his prince continued nonchalantly, "By the time I return, I expect you and Mo Jin to have rooted out all the traitors—completely."
Qiu Dongfang’s eyes flickered with bewilderment. "...Traitors?"
Meeting Sima Qing’s dark gaze, a shiver ran down Qiu Dongfang’s spine, and in an instant, the pieces fell into place.
"Your Highness need not worry," Qiu Dongfang said, bowing his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "We won’t let a single one escape."
Traitors deserved nothing less than death.
Jiu Yue was surprised that Sima Qing had opted to ride horses instead of taking a carriage this time.
"Time is of the essence, and the weather has been favorable these past few days. The sooner we go, the sooner we return," Sima Qing said as he swung himself onto his horse, only to find Jiu Yue staring at him with undisguised astonishment.
Sima Qing: "...Didn’t I already tell you? I am, in fact, not disabled."
Jiu Yue nodded. "I know, Your Highness."
Sima Qing: "..."
If you knew, then why are you looking at me like that?!
Choosing not to engage further, Sima Qing nudged his horse forward and took the lead.
Fu Yu glanced at Jiu Yue, signaling for her to follow, before urging his own mount onward.
Jiu Yue lagged slightly behind.
Her surprise stemmed from the stark contrast she saw in Sima Qing.
Before this, Sima Qing had either been sitting or lounging in his study, and whenever he traveled, it was always by carriage. She had never seen him engage in any physical exertion.
Yet the ease with which he mounted his horse just now proved Nan Xun’s claim—Sima Qing had once been trained in martial arts.
Of course... it made sense. Sima Qing oversaw an entire training camp, after all.
But now that he had withdrawn from the martial world and settled into court life, Jiu Yue couldn’t help but sense a hint of resignation in him.
Shaking off her wandering thoughts, she spurred her horse forward to catch up.
Their destination was the northwestern frontier.
Stationed there with his army was Xiao Chi, the renowned veteran general of the Tianqi Dynasty.
The Xiao family had served as warriors for generations, their loyalty unshakable, their heroes buried in every battlefield. Xiao Chi had spent his life on the front lines, yet now, his only remaining family was a grandson not yet five years old.
The heart of an emperor was inscrutable.
No matter how many battles Xiao Chi had won to preserve the dynasty, the trust between ruler and subject remained fragile.
Three times now, Xiao Chi had been summoned to the capital to relinquish his military authority.
Did he refuse to return?
No—he dared not.
Compared to the capital, a place that devoured men without a sound, Xiao Chi would rather lay his bones to rest here in the frontier... if not for the one seedling left of the Xiao bloodline.
"Grandfather, Grandfather! Who’s writing to you again?" A young boy in riding attire came dashing into the tent.
Xiao Chi snapped out of his thoughts and, without a change in expression, burned the letter in front of him to ashes. Facing his grandson, even the mighty war god softened into a doting elder.
"Who knows? Just another nuisance," Xiao Chi said, bending down to scoop the child into his arms. "Did you go riding again? Did you take anyone with you?"
The boy clung to his grandfather’s shoulders, beaming with pride. "Nope! I rode all by myself this time! My pony’s grown up, and so have I—I don’t need anyone watching me anymore!"
Xiao Chi’s heart nearly stopped. "A horse is a horse, and you are you! You can’t just act like one! From now on, you must take someone with you when you ride. What if you fall? Who’s going to take care of your grandfather when he’s old? Do you want me to die alone?"
The boy burst into tears. "I don’t want Grandfather to die!"
Xiao Chi chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Then Grandfather won’t die. It’s sunset—go find Uncle Mengwei and drink your milk."
Wiping his face, the boy planted a kiss on his grandfather’s cheek before scampering out of the tent.
Xiao Chi’s smile faded as he watched him go.
His gaze dropped to the ashes in the brazier, and for a moment, conflict flickered in his eyes.
Closing them, he exhaled heavily, the image of his mischievous grandson flashing in his mind. Just as he was about to call for someone to keep a closer eye on the boy, a soldier rushed in.
"General, there’s someone outside claiming to be an old friend here to see you."
Xiao Chi’s expression darkened. "Who is it?"
The soldier hesitated. "He only said... he’s an old friend."
Xiao Chi paused.
Striding out of the tent, his eyes immediately landed on the figure standing beside a black horse.
Sima Qing looked up, meeting his gaze. After a long silence, a genuine smile curved his lips as he stepped forward.
"General, it’s been a long time."
