Volume One, Chapter Two: Departing for the Capital Tomorrow

That night, a deep silence fell over the world. Having finished her evening meal, Xiao Qingyu dragged her weary body to bed. It did not take long before her consciousness began to fade.

In her dream, Xiao Qingyu encountered Li Chaoyang. He stood before her with a wooden ruler in hand, his face contorted with rage as he shouted reprimands at her. Xiao Qingyu dared not move, able only to lower her head obediently and endure the lecture.

He raised the wooden ruler and struck her palm with great force. A piercing pain shot through her instantly, causing her to gasp. The pain felt so real that she almost forgot she was dreaming.

The scene shifted abruptly. Li Chaoyang suddenly appeared by her bedside. Without a word, he yanked the blanket off her and wrapped his powerful hands tightly around her slender neck. Xiao Qingyu struggled to breathe, and the world before her eyes began to blur...

"Phew..."

Xiao Qingyu bolted upright, waking from the nightmare, gasping heavily for air.

"It was just a dream!"

Realizing that it had only been a nightmare, her racing heart settled slightly. Beads of sweat the size of beans covered her forehead and back, soaking through her clothes. Yet, Li Chaoyang's furious face lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.

Xiao Qingyu got out of bed, intending to take a hot bath.

In the military camp of Yan, Li Chaoyang sat inside his tent, intently reading a thick book on military strategy.

"General, when do you plan to return to the capital?"

Without looking up, Li Chaoyang replied, "I will set out for the capital tomorrow."

"The General is returning early!"

Li Chaoyang raised his eyes slightly and said flatly, "Yes. Keep this quiet. Do not disclose my movements to anyone."

With that, his gaze returned to the military treatise in his hands as he resumed his reading.

After a moment, Li Chaoyang spoke again, "I hear Xiao Qingshan has become the Emperor?"

Yunwei said with a solemn expression, "Xiao Tingyu and Xiao Mu were originally the strongest contenders for the throne. Who could have expected that Xiao Qingshan would end up ascending it, while Xiao Tingyu has been exiled to the remote lands of Shu."

Hearing this, Li Chaoyang let out a cold, disdainful smirk. "Hmph. Quite a scheme indeed."

Yunwei froze for a moment. "Does My Lord mean Xiao Qingshan?"

Li Chaoyang shook his head slightly. "No. I mean the person standing behind him. With that useless fool Xiao Qingshan's capabilities, how could he have taken the throne without help?"

"My Lord means..."

"Xiao Qingyu!"

Yunwei gasped, "The Grand Princess?!"

"Rumor has it that she keeps numerous retainers in secret, neglects her duties, and does nothing but indulge in wine and pleasure. She is said to be an empty beauty, completely useless. The court ministers are filled with resentment toward her, and the common people despise her."

Li Chaoyang's lips curled up in a faint smile. He repeated, "Keeping retainers in secret?"

"She is far from being a mere fool."

"During the late Emperor's reign, his actions had already stirred up widespread resentment throughout the court and the country. Many harbored deep dissatisfaction. His rule was precarious, and his days were numbered. Under his administration, internal strife plagued the court while powerful enemies surrounded us from without, leaving hidden dangers everywhere."

"Back then, as Great General, I personally led the army to campaign in Yan. Facing the aggressive onslaught of the enemy, our soldiers fought valiantly and drove them back repeatedly. Later, Xiao Qingshan ascended the throne and exiled Xiao Tingyu to Shu. Only then did Northern Qi gradually stabilize."

"So Xiao Qingshan becoming Emperor is a good thing."

"Xiao Tingyu is of corrupt character, just like the late Emperor. If he had taken power, Northern Qi would have met a grim end. Xiao Qingshan has no ability, but the Grand Princess certainly does!"

"Does My Lord intend to side with the Grand Princess?"

"I only intend to pull her down. Xiao Qingshan relies on the Grand Princess, but one day he must stand on his own feet."

At the mention of Xiao Qingyu, Li Chaoyang recalled how she used to hide, not daring to face him. Five years had passed, and he had not expected her to have such capability. It seemed she had indeed changed a great deal.

***

"Welcome back, Great General!" Xiao Qingyu stood in the palace, her hands clasped in front of her, her head slightly bowed as she spoke in a soft voice.

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she shook her head, murmuring to herself, "No, that's not right."

She straightened her back, took a deep breath, and tried again. "General, you have worked hard on your long campaign in Yan."

Even after saying this, she remained unsatisfied, frowning and whispering, "Still not right."

In this manner, Xiao Qingyu stood before the portrait of Li Chaoyang hanging on the wall, practicing over and over what she would say upon meeting him. At times she offered a gentle smile, at others she assumed a solemn, majestic air.

Lingzhu watched her mistress behave in such a way, her heart filled with confusion: *Your Highness, what has come over you?*

Before Lingzhu could speak, Xiao Qingyu seemed to think of a new line. She hurriedly addressed the portrait, "Welcome..."

Stamping her foot in frustration, she muttered, "No, no, this won't do! I am the Grand Princess. How can I humble myself so to welcome a general!"

Turning to Lingzhu, she called out, "No more practice! Lingzhu, hurry and bring me some lychees to quench my thirst."

Hearing this, Lingzhu quickly replied, "Your Highness, lychees are heat-inducing. Eating too many might cause excessive internal heat. Let me bring you some cooling fruits instead."

Xiao Qingyu waved her hand dismissively. "Whatever you like, as long as it calms my mind."

With that, she plopped down onto a chair, though her gaze remained fixed on the portrait of Li Chaoyang, her thoughts drifting far away.

"Was there anything unusual in court today?"

"Your Highness, upon hearing the news of Li Chaoyang's return, the court ministers have become even more arrogant. The Emperor was actually refuted by them to the point of silence during the assembly."

Xiao Qingyu sneered, "Hmph. They merely wish to use Li Chaoyang's return to suppress me. Li Chaoyang holds absolute command over the military and was the late Emperor's most trusted confidant. Now that Qingshan has succeeded to the throne, Li Chaoyang's return is bound to be filled with discontent. And the one who rejoices most in this is none other than the Prime Minister."

"Your Highness, do we have a plan of action once Li Chaoyang returns?"

Xiao Qingyu closed her eyes slightly, fell into deep thought for a moment, and said, "For now, we shall do nothing. Let us wait and see what he intends to do."

As they spoke, an announcement came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Heqiu requests an audience!"

Xiao Qingyu looked slightly startled. "My cousin must have returned. Let her in quickly."

Heqiu bowed and saluted, "Greetings, Your Highness. My master has just returned from the West Sea today and has specially sent me to present this to Your Highness."

Heqiu held an exquisite box in both hands, presenting it respectfully to Xiao Qingyu.

Curiously, Xiao Qingyu took the box and opened it. Inside were foods of vibrant colors and strange shapes.

"What is this?"

Heqiu with a smile explained, "Replying to Your Highness, these are delicacies unique to the West Sea. My master knows that Your Highness has a fondness for sour flavors, so he specially sent people to find these for Your Highness to taste."

"My cousin has gone to great lengths. Go back and convey my thanks to him."

"This servant shall take her leave."