Man proposes, God disposes.

The next day, when I saw Li Yexuan again, the main army was already being reorganized. Auntie told me that when Li Yexuan woke up, he had searched all over the camp for me, but I had stayed the entire time at Auntie's quarters, leaving even the baby in A-fu's care.

As the army prepared to set off, I was no longer a princess, but a soldier. The outer city had long since been captured by our forces, with the majority of the soldiers surrendering and a small minority fleeing into the mountains and rivers. With the nation broken and its territory lost, Lingyun Country falling to ruin once more was a settled destiny.

"Move out." With a wave of his hand, Dongfang Qingyu led the army through the entire outer city and surrounded the inner city.

Before long, the entirety of Lingyun Country would be within our grasp.

In the distance, a goshawk soared over the numerous troops and landed upon my shoulder.

"Master of the Pavilion, tomorrow." Just four short words, yet they left me immensely satisfied.

I said to Dongfang Qingyu, who was likewise mounted on a horse, "Attack the city tomorrow. For now, simply hold our ground."

Dongfang Qingyu nodded immediately, and a cascade of orders was passed down the ranks.

Another day passed, and three thousand elite soldiers effortlessly breached the city gates. Countless soldiers threw down their armor and fled in panic, while countless commoners eagerly awaited the arrival of our victorious army.

"What is the meaning of this? Could I have gone blind?" Kong Yuelin could not help exclaiming.

"Go and see for yourself."

Kong Yuelin truly went to look, though not in person; instead, he dispatched his subordinates. Before long, a soldier returned holding a proclamation.

"This... this is real."

Seeing Kong Yuelin's profound astonishment, the others hurried forward to inspect it. Meeting their bewildered and questioning gazes, I had no choice but to nod.

I remained silent, leading the three thousand elite soldiers straight toward the imperial palace of Lingyun Country. Dongfang Qingyu alone did not accompany us, remaining behind to guard the perimeter outside the inner city with the main army.

"Elder Sister, we are going back."

"Yes, we are going back." I looked at Zijun beside me. The complex emotions in his eyes were something I had never seen before. In that moment, I finally realized that perhaps, unnoticed by me, he had truly grown up and matured.

With the three thousand elite troops clearing the path, our journey to the imperial palace was completely unimpeded. The moment we reached the grand gates of the palace, the Twelve Assassins surged forward, and all the court officials were entirely subdued. Anyone who dared to resist or obstruct us was executed without mercy.

Zijun and I entered the grand hall, followed closely by Guteng, Li Yexuan, and Kong Yuelin.

"You came after all. I truly underestimated you." A frail female voice rang out. The beaded curtains hanging before the high dais were pulled aside, clattering as they collided. Murong Lan walked out, holding Murong Xin by the hand. Dressed in magnificent imperial robes and wearing exquisite makeup, she could nevertheless not conceal her exhaustion. Murong Xin, whom she held by the hand, was also clad in a dragon robe.

"I thought you would pretend not to know me."

"How could I? He is still in your hands."

It was a remarkably simple conversation, yet it was a confrontation following our estrangement. No matter what, we had once shared our true hearts with one another. Yet I had never imagined she could be so venomous and ruthless. Without a doubt, Murong Lan was beautiful in this moment, possessing a fragile grace and casting a gaze at me that was filled with resentment yet utterly pitiful.

"This subject pays respects to Your Highness the Eldest Princess, and to His Highness the Crown Prince." Ren An was the first to offer a deep bow.

"This subject and others pay respects to Your Highness the Eldest Princess, and to His Highness the Crown Prince." The officials I had previously sheltered successively declared their allegiance.

"Huangfu Zijun, you!" Murong Lan glared at me in fury, as if she wished to hack me into a thousand pieces. "You planned this all along."

"Did you truly think I would come unprepared, daring to face you entirely alone?" My words caused Murong Lan to stagger back two steps.

"Guards."

"Here."

"Bring that scoundrel Murong Shaoxu forward."

"At once."

Murong Shaoxu was dragged forward, covered in blood and filth.

"Today, taking advantage of the fact that everyone is gathered here, I am laying the truth out in the open to clear up all the rumors."

Every official perked up their ears, especially the surviving collateral members of the Huangfu clan.

"This Murong Lan in the grand hall was originally nothing more than a personal maid by Murong Shaoxu's side. However, just before the imperial selection, Murong Lan suddenly died of violent causes, and this maid took her place, entering the palace for the selection. As for Huangfu Xin, he is merely the illegitimate offspring born of the illicit union between Murong Lan and Murong Shaoxu! He possesses no royal blood of our imperial family whatsoever!"

"Murong Shaoxu, you may not know, the true Murong Lan..."

"Stop talking! I beg you, do not say another word!" Murong Lan lunged forward like a madwoman, only to be forcefully pinned by the arms by the assassins.

"Why should I not say it? Wasn't the real Murong Lan murdered by you? Did you truly think I would spare you? Not only did you send assassins to hunt down our siblings, but you also spread rumors claiming that a great imperial treasure of Lingyun Country was hidden upon me, simply to incite the entire world to hunt me down!"

"You lie! You lie!" Murong Shaoxu, prostrate on the ground, began to roar.

"Things have reached this point. Is there any reason for me to lie?"

Guteng produced a stack of evidence from his sleeve and distributed it among the crowd. The proof was all right here.

"The evidence is all here. With members of the Huangfu clan still living, how could an impostor and a bastard like Huangfu Xin ever be permitted to ascend the throne? Am I right, my esteemed Imperial Uncle?" I directed my words toward Prince Gong, my late father's younger brother. Prince Gong had always been known throughout the world for his cowardice. Yet he was no fool; under my questioning, he began to break out in a cold sweat.

"Her Highness the Princess speaks the truth. Since the identity of Huangfu Xin is fraudulent, it is naturally improper for him to inherit the throne. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince is still with us, making him the most legitimate and rightful heir." The imperial uncle understood very well that this was merely the script I had left for him; as long as he recited it, I naturally would not make things too difficult for him.

"This subject earnestly implores His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne." As soon as Ren An declared his stance, the other officials chimed in with agreement.

Zijun looked at me, and I smiled and nodded. Striking first to eliminate the Murong clan had been driven somewhat by personal grievances.

"Drag Murong Shaoxu and Murong Lan away, and sentence the nine familial clans of the Murong family to execution."

"Understood."

Zijun had finally obtained the imperial throne that was rightfully his, and I left all the remaining matters to him, allowing him to act boldly.

When the officials and the Twelve Assassins had completely dispersed, leaving Zijun and me alone together, I voiced what I had wanted to say.

"You are leaving?" Zijun looked at me and asked.

"Yes, once you ascend the throne in a few days, I will go."

"Why, Elder Sister? You know I cannot bear to see you leave." Zijun stood up, agitated.

"Your elder sister has grown weary over these past years. From now on, Ren An and Guteng will assist you, and the Twelve Assassins will protect you. I have seen all the hard work you put in over the years. In the past, I refused to let you do anything dangerous because you were too important, too fragile to suffer injury. But things are different now. You have just ascended the throne, your foundation is not yet stable, and this is precisely the time for you to prove yourself."

"Even so, Elder Sister does not need to leave."

"I am merely taking the baby to travel through the mountains and rivers, to make up for not being able to accompany him properly all these years."

Zijun did not speak, but it was clear he was deeply unhappy.

"Rest assured, I will return from time to time. I leave all remaining matters entirely in your hands, and I will not interfere." Nor did I possess the time and energy to keep running about.

"What about Elder Sister and Li Yexuan?"

I had not expected Zijun to ask so directly. Over all these years, I had never brought up the matter between Li Yexuan and myself in his presence, assuming he would not understand.

"If Elder Sister wishes it, as the Eldest Imperial Princess, marrying him is more than fitting. After all, Elder Sister, your heart belongs to him alone."

Perhaps due to our blood ties, he was able to see right through my inner thoughts.

"You are thinking too much. I do not wish it." Zijun clearly had not expected me to say this, and a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

"Very well, do not worry yourself over my affairs. Once Auntie and the baby arrive, let us go together to pay our respects to Father and Mother."

"All right."

Soon, everyone arrived, and we traveled together to the imperial mausoleum.

Auntie, myself, Zijun, Guteng, and the baby entered the imperial mausoleum together, while everyone else remained outside, including the baby's father, Li Yexuan. We had never formally wed, and the world at large remained unaware that the Eldest Princess even had a husband.

"Father, Mother." I dropped to my knees, and Zijun knelt beside me. Auntie and Guteng knelt as well. Tears fell freely, and the baby knelt to one side as well; perhaps he did not yet understand, and no one had explained it to him, but the solemn atmosphere among the adults caused him to lower his head as well.

When we emerged from the imperial mausoleum, I carried the child back to the princess's palace entirely by myself.

"Does the baby like it here? This is the place where Mother grew up."

He nodded, a mixture of understanding and incomprehension. The child's innocence brought a measure of happiness to my heart.

"Mother, are you crying?" He asked, using his tiny hand to wipe away my tears.

"Today we went to visit Mother's father and mother."

"Mother, do not cry."

I pulled the baby closer into my embrace.

"Princess, Prince Xuan has arrived." A-fu entered to report.

"Let him in. And take the baby away." The baby obediently left with A-fu.

"You are here." I maintained my old habit, personally pouring a cup of tea for him.

"Zijun, that night... I am sorry." After my hand was grasped tightly, I withdrew it once more.

"Did you come for something?"

"Now that Lingyun Country has stabilized, return with the child to Yuehua Country with me."

My body trembled slightly; I had not expected him to say this.

"My younger brother's position here is still unstable, and I wish to remain."

"It was I who failed to consider everything. Then let us wait a while longer before leaving."

"For now, let the child stay with me. In about three months, I will send him to you."

"What do you mean by this?" Li Yexuan's expression grew stern, and the chill radiating from him filled my heart with a dull ache.

"Between us, there was merely the muddle-headed conception of a child; there is nothing more. The Prince need not overthink it."

"Huangfu Zijun, how cruel your heart is! What do you mean by 'merely the conception of a child'?"

Neither of us spoke further, followed immediately by Li Yexuan leaving in anger. Shortly afterward, palace attendants reported that Li Yexuan and Kong Yuelin had departed the imperial palace of Lingyun Country.

I thought everything had come to a simple end, that the war had drawn its final period. Yet I never imagined that the true war had not yet awakened; human plans could never rival the calculations of heaven, and these three months of life were far from enough.