Chapter 245 -

Chapter 245: Chapter

The morning air was crisp and chilly as the golden sun began to rise over the Xi estate, painting the sky in bright shades of orange and pink. Two days had passed in a blur of quiet preparation and quick healing, and today was finally the day they were heading out toward the northern border.

Inside her quiet bedchamber, Yueqing stood in front of a large, polished bronze mirror, carefully adjusting her clothes. She had completely bypassed her heavy, restrictive palace dresses and formal imperial robes today. Instead, she chose a tailored, light blue traveling outfit, a simple tunic with snug sleeves and wide, comfortable trousers made of soft leather and linen. It allowed her to move her arms and legs completely free, without any extra silk layers getting caught under her boots.

Lu Yue came up behind her, carefully tying a soft cloth belt around her waist to keep everything in place. "Young Madame, this outfit is so practical! You look like a heroic young warrior ready to ride a horse!"

Before Yueqing could smile and reply, a young maid walked into the room carrying a heavy, beautiful folded coat wrapped in protective silk. She gave a low bow, holding it out with both hands.

"Young Madame, the General asked me to bring this to you before the carriage is packed."

Yueqing looked down at the soft cream-colored fur. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the thick fur coat immediately. It was the exact same cozy coat she had gifted to Wenzhe on that freezing evening a while back, back when she was still trying to get on his good side!

She stared at the fur for a second, a small, exasperated sigh escaping her lips. Of course he sent it back to me. He knows I hate the freezing cold air of the north!

"Tell the servants to pack it along with the rest of the luggage," Yueqing told the maid with a small, fond wave of her hand. "I am going to see the General myself right now anyway."

She took one last look at her reflection, made sure her wounded shoulder was fully protected under her tunic, and stepped out into the bright morning sunlight.

As soon as her boots hit the stone pathway leading through the main gardens, Nine stepped out from behind a tall bamboo pillar, falling into step right beside her. Wearing his human servant clothes, he folded his arms behind his back, leaning in close to whisper in a frantic voice.

"Host! Host! What on earth are you planning to do?" Nine asked in a loud, dramatic whisper, his eyes wide with worry. "You are still recovering from an iron arrow in your shoulder! Traveling all the way to the northern border in a bumpy carriage is going to be painful and crazy! Why aren’t you staying safe inside the capital where the food is nice?"

Yueqing kept her eyes straight ahead, walking with smooth, confident strides. "Nine, use your brain. If I stay in the capital, the Empress could easily send another round of assassins to kidnap me or use me to threaten Wenzhe while he’s far away. Besides, I have an eighty-nine-day secret countdown running! Sitting around doing nothing is not an option."

"89 days is plenty of time to eat cake and relax!" Nine argued back quietly, gesturing animatedly with his hands. "Going to a cold, muddy army base surrounded by scary soldiers with sharp spears sounds like an absolute nightmare! What if a sandstorm blows us away?"

"You can stay here and sweep the courtyard if you’re so scared," Yueqing teased with a small smirk, rolling her eyes.

"No way! If I stay here, Lu Yue is going to force me to carry heavy water buckets all morning!" Nine complained quickly, shrinking back slightly. "I am coming with you!"

As they walked past the central court, the entire Xi estate was buzzing with lively, frantic energy. Servants were carrying wooden chests, stable boys were leading handsome warhorses, and guards were polishing their bright silver armor in the courtyard. Maids were sweeping the wide stone steps, chatting softly among themselves about the big departure.

Yueqing stopped for a brief second on a small wooden bridge, looking out over the lotus pond and the grand, sweeping tiled roofs of the manor. The morning light reflected off the clear water, making the whole place look like a peaceful painting.

She had to admit it in her heart: the Xi estate really was a remarkably beautiful place. It felt grand and strangely homey.

Passing through the quiet inner archway, Yueqing finally reached Wenzhe’s private courtyard. The heavy oak doors to his main study were propped slightly open to let in the fresh air.

As she neared the entrance, the deep, low sound of Wenzhe’s voice floated out from inside, making her pause her steps near the wooden screen.

"He still refuses to listen," Wenzhe was saying, his voice laced with a dark, weary frustration. "I went to speak with my father early this morning, Dong Li. He still doesn’t get it. He claims he will do what he has asked us to stop doing, he insists that supporting the Empress is our only choice! He believes yielding to her demand is the only way to protect the family, but he doesn’t see that she will just destroy us the moment she takes the throne."

Dong Li’s calm, serious voice replied from inside. "The Duke is terrified of a full-scale civil war, General. He thinks siding with the Empress’s faction now will keep the Xi name intact, even if it means betraying the Emperor."

"Supporting her is suicide," Wenzhe muttered, the sound of heavy paper scrolls being slammed onto a wooden desk echoing into the hallway. "If my father chooses to align with the Empress, we cannot wait for his blessing. We have to take control of the northern army before he tries to turn it over to her."

Hearing the heavy, troubled mood inside, Yueqing didn’t wait outside another second. She pushed the carved wooden doors open, stepping straight into the sunlit room.

Both Wenzhe and Dong Li turned their heads instantly. Dong Li quickly bowed his head in respect, while Wenzhe’s sharp, tired eyes softened the second they landed on her comfortable light-blue traveling gear.

"Yueqing?" Wenzhe murmured, stepping around his large desk. "Why are you up so early?"

Yueqing looked straight into his dark eyes, her small face full of pure, unshakeable determination as she spoke clearly and loudly.

"I heard what you said," Yueqing declared, taking a step toward him. "And I don’t care if the Duke supports the Empress! Even if your father stands against us, we must go on without him! We are not stopping now!"

"Hmm... we won’t. I know my father is saying all this nonsense, but I still believe there is something he isn’t telling me yet. For now, we just focus on our plan... and if in the end it comes down to a one-on-one battle, then I guess..." Wenzhe’s face tightened slightly.

This was a man who had been raised by his father from the moment he was old enough to wield a sword. His father had been his mentor and his idol all these years, and now... he might have to face him in a battle to the death.