Chapter 153 -
Yueqing lay awake in her soft bed, staring up at the dark timber beams of her ceiling as the fire in the copper brazier flickered low. She pulled the thick fur blanket tightly around her shoulders, her hands gripping the fabric until her knuckles turned pale.
A soft blue-green glow lit up the dark room as Nine appeared beside her pillow, floating quietly in the cold air.
[System 009: Host... are you thinking about General Wenzhe? Are you missing him?]
Yueqing stayed silent, her eyes clouded with deep confusion. A heavy battle was fighting inside her heart. One part of her was filled with fierce, protective love for Xiao Chen, her son, who had suffered so much pain and betrayal. She wanted to destroy anyone who had ever hurt him. But another part of her couldn’t completely erase the quiet warmth Wenzhe had shown her. Even knowing his dark past, she found herself worrying for his safety. She wanted to protect her son, but she didn’t want Wenzhe to die either.
[System 009: Let me update you on the timeline, Host. General Wenzhe will reach the main fighting grounds at the northern border in two days, Once he arrives, the war will officially start. According to my current data calculations, Wenzhe has an 89% chance of winning this war.]
Yueqing closed her eyes, letting out a long, quiet breath as a dark mix of relief and anxiety filled her chest. "Two days until he reaches the border..."
One Month Later
A full month passed in a flash. The countryside and the capital were covered in deep, white snow, and bright red paper lanterns hung from every roof to celebrate the New Year.
During the past four weeks, Yueqing had stayed at Xiao Chen’s warm estate, living a quiet life while Wenzhe fought his brutal war in the cold north.
Sitting in the warm, quiet library on New Year’s Eve, Yueqing watched the snow fall outside the window. A hot pot of tea sat between her and Xiao Chen. Over the month, they had grown comfortable around each other, sharing long days reading poetry, drinking tea, and talking by the fire.
Xiao Chen leaned back in his chair, his loose red robe draped over his shoulders, his golden-brown hair falling softly down his back. His sharp black eyes looked at her with a gentle, relaxed warmth that he showed to no one else.
"You are quiet tonight, Lady Sue," Xiao Chen murmured softly, pouring a hot cup of tea for her. "Are you thinking about the snow, or are you wondering how the war in the north is faring?"
Yueqing took the warm cup from his hands, looking into his pitch-black eyes.
[Nine,] Yueqing called out silently in her head, her heart beating with nervous tension. [How is the northern war going?]
[System 009: Host, the month-long campaign is coming to an end. Wenzhe has crushed the enemy forces at the border, but Duke Xi’s political rivals have set a deadly trap for him on his return route. Wenzhe will enter the capital city gates soon!]
Yueqing held her teacup tightly, her mind spinning as her peaceful month at the estate came to an end. The conflict between her son and her husband was about to collide right in front of her.
Yueqing took a slow sip of her hot tea, letting the steam warm her face while her thoughts raced.
She couldn’t just stand by and watch them destroy each other. Xiao Chen was her son, a boy who had suffered unthinkable betrayal, but Wenzhe was the man whose quiet warmth she had come to care for despite herself. If they fought to the end, one of them would die and she refused to lose either.
I have to bring them together, Yueqing thought, setting her cup down with absolute resolve. Either I open Wenzhe’s eyes and convince him to turn his back on Duke Xi to support Xiao Chen, or I help Xiao Chen find a path to peace so he doesn’t need to burn the empire down for that throne. One of these options has to work.
Xiao Chen watched the shift in her expression, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. He set his own cup down and leaned forward, his long golden-brown hair falling slightly over his shoulder.
"The snow is heavy tonight, Lady Sue, but the village at the foot of the hill is celebrating the New Year Festival," Xiao Chen said smoothly, his dark eyes fixed on her. "There will be lantern releases, warm wine, and street performances. Why don’t we leave the estate for a few hours and join them?"
Yueqing blinked, surprised by the sudden offer. She looked out the window at the falling snow, then back at his relaxed, handsome face. A night out among the festival lights sounded like a welcome distraction from her heavy thoughts.
"I would like that, Your Highness," Yueqing agreed with a soft smile. "It has been a long time since I walked through a New Year market."
Xiao Chen’s smile widened, his black eyes glinting with a hidden, dangerous warmth.
"Then let us go," he murmured.
Yueqing stood up to fetch her cloak, completely unaware of the dark calculation spinning behind Xiao Chen’s calm eyes. The Third Prince had not chosen the village on a whim. He knew precisely who would be passing through that exact market under the cover of the festival crowd tonight and he was eager to see how the board would shift once all the pieces were finally in place.
The night market was alive with color, heat, and music. Red paper lanterns hung strung across the wooden storefronts, casting a rich glow over the snow-dusted cobblestones. The delicious scents of roasted chestnuts, warm plum wine, and fried pastries filled the crisp winter air.
Walking close behind Yueqing was Lu Yue, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling lights, though her hand never strayed far from her hidden blade. Surrounding them at a respectful distance were Xiao Chen’s elite guards, dressed as ordinary merchants but watching the crowded streets with razor-sharp focus.
Xiao Chen strolled casually beside Yueqing, his dark traveling cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. He watched with quiet, entertained eyes as she moved lively from one wooden stall to another, admiring hand-carved jade hairpins, colorful silk ribbons, and tasting hot sugar candy.
"You move quite fast for someone who claims to dislike the cold, Lady Sue," Xiao Chen teased softly, a low laugh escaping his lips as he handed a small silver coin to a vendor for a sweet candied hawthorn stick.
"It is New Year’s Eve, Your Highness," Yueqing replied with a bright smile, taking the sweet treat from him. "The cold doesn’t matter when the lights are this beautiful."
Before Xiao Chen could answer, the joyous atmosphere of the market was suddenly cut short by a commotion near the village square.
"The General is back! General Xi has returned!"
A group of young village boys came sprinting down the snow-covered street, yelling at the top of their lungs with wild excitement.
"He won the war and brought the enemy chief’s head tied to his saddle!" another boy shouted, waving his arms to the cheering townspeople. "The vanguard troops are entering the main road right now!"
The crowded market erupted into thunderous cheers and gasps.
Yueqing froze in her tracks, the candied hawthorn stick held halfway to her lips. Cold shock rushed through her body.
[Nine!] Yueqing screamed in her mind, her jaw clenched as absolute fury flared in her chest. [Why the hell didn’t you warn me he was here already?! You said he was still miles away!]
A small, frantically flickering blue-green light buzzed near her ear, Nine’s mechanical voice practically squeaking in panic inside her head.
[System 009: H-Host! My calculations were based on standard military travel speed! I didn’t predict General Wenzhe would force his entire vanguard to ride through the mountain blizzard without sleeping for three straight days just to reach the capital tonight!]
Beside her, Xiao Chen didn’t look surprised at all.
He stood calmly amidst the shouting crowd, his golden-brown hair catching the red lantern light. The warm, playful demeanor he had worn all evening vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, razor-sharp stillness. A dark, terrifying smirk touched his lips as his pitch-black eyes fixed on the entrance of the village street.
He had known all along.
Yueqing slowly turned her head toward Xiao Chen, her heart pounding frantically against her ribs as she realized why he had insisted on bringing her to this exact village tonight.
Down the main road, the heavy, rhythmic thud of armored horse hooves began to echo over the noise of the crowd, cutting through the snowy night.
Panic rushed through Yueqing. If Wenzhe saw her here with his worst enemy after being gone for a month, it would start a terrible fight right in the middle of the crowded market.
Yueqing turned around quickly and grabbed Lu Yue’s arm.
"Madam!" Lu Yue whispered nervously, pointing to a nearby building. "Do you want to hide in that tavern? Quick, before the horses get here!"
Yueqing nodded fast and turned to run toward the tavern.
She took one step before a strong hand grabbed her wrist.
Before she could pull away, Xiao Chen pulled her back into his arms. His heavy cloak wrapped around her as he held her tight against his chest, hiding her face against his soft fur collar.
"Your Highness—let me go!" Yueqing gasped, trying to push away.
Xiao Chen did not let go. He held her close, a cold, dark smirk on his face as he looked straight down the street.
At that exact moment, the loud sound of horses stopped at the edge of the market square.
Riding a tall black horse at the front of the army was Xi Wenzhe.
He was still wearing dark, heavy armor covered in snow. Tied to his saddle was the wrapped head of the enemy leader. He had ridden for three straight days without sleep just to get back her.
Wenzhe looked across the crowded street and his eyes landed right on the two of them standing under the red lanterns.
The cheering from the crowd stopped, and the air became dead quiet.
Wenzhe froze on his horse. He stared at Xiao Chen, and then looked at his wife wrapped tight in the Third Prince’s arms.
Wenzhe’s eyes turned completely cold and angry. His hand moved down to grip his sword, his fingers squeezing tight as his jaw clenched.
Xiao Chen looked right back at Wenzhe’s angry face, a slow, teasing smile spreading across his lips.