In full armor, Murong Jin knelt before the throne.
The Emperor looked down, his gaze flicking past her to the man at her side.
"Your son greets his Imperial Father," Xue Liulan said, kneeling.
"Rise," the Emperor said lazily. "Murong Jin, you and Zuo Xunxiao bear a heavy responsibility. You must do your utmost to be worthy of my trust."
"Your subject understands." She bowed her head once more.
Three days later, Zuo Xunxiao stood at the city gate, waiting.
"Sorry to keep you, General," Xue Liulan said with a smile, his hand on Murong Jin's back.
Zuo Xunxiao gave him a curt nod, then his gaze shifted to her. Silver armor, a cloak billowing in the wind, her face like carved jade. Marriage had given her a new grace, but she had lost none of her general's fire.
"Commander," she said, giving him a formal military salute. In the army, rank was absolute.
He froze, then smiled. "My lady is too formal. You are the deputy commander."
"And as a deputy, I must not neglect the proper courtesies." She looked up, but not at him. Her eyes were on Xue Liulan. "You've seen me off. You should go."
Xue Liulan glanced at the sky. "It's still early. Surely the General won't mind if I have a word with my wife?"
The hand at Zuo Xunxiao's side clenched. He looked away, his voice cold. "As you wish."
Xue Liulan led her a few steps away, under the shade of a large tree.
"What is it?" she asked. "Don't tell me you've changed your mind. Defying an edict is a crime neither of us can afford."
"If I could have stopped you, you wouldn't be in this armor now," he sighed. "You know the rules. Now that you're his subordinate, be careful."
"Oh?" she asked with a small smile. "He may serve the Seventh Prince, but we have been through life and death together. He wouldn't kill me."
"Even brotherhood can't stand against ambition." He glanced at Zuo Xunxiao. The tenderness was gone from the man's eyes. Has he truly let her go? Or is he just holding on tighter?
Murong Jin's gaze dropped. "I'll be careful. But the battle for Sushen is crucial. I don't think the Seventh Prince would risk the kingdom for the throne."
Xue Liulan nodded. "If I were him, I would already be planning your death."
"You think he wants me dead?"
"Otherwise, with both of us gone, why give you half the command? He must have a plan."
She looked at the waiting troops. "The first move is always the supply lines."
"Don't worry about supplies. I'll have someone watch them. But in the camp…" He gave her a pointed look. "You're a married woman now. I shouldn't have to say more."
She covered a smile. "Afraid I'll be the first princess consort to die on the battlefield?"
Suddenly, he pulled her into a fierce embrace.
"Cough." The air was knocked from her lungs.
"Come back in one piece," he growled, a raw killing intent in his eyes. "If anything happens to you, I will personally take Zuo Xunxiao's life."
She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't worry."
"It's time. You should go," he said, letting her go with a reluctance that pained him.
"Oh," she added, "the Seventh Prince is investigating the death of the Commander of the Tiger and Horse Army."
"If it has to do with Liu, I'll handle it. Don't worry." He squeezed her hand.
She swung onto her horse and, with a sharp kick, was gone, leaving only a cloud of dust on the empty road.
High on the city wall, hidden behind a battlement, Xue Feiyan stood.
A soft cough from behind him made him frown. He turned, his expression once again smooth.
"The person I had you investigate. Any news?" he asked. Ling Yan was paler than ever. The cough had not left her for a single day.
"The report says the men at Yumen Jiao were Murong Yan's subordinates. As for who… cough… no news yet." She spoke in broken phrases, despair in her eyes.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "The spring wind is strong. You should go inside."
"Yes."
"Wait." He stopped her. "From now on, delegate. You don't need to go on missions yourself."
"I understand." Her brow furrowed, tears welling. She had once been his sharpest blade. Now, she was rusted, broken.
The moment the door closed, the tears fell. Her purpose was gone. Her existence, a joke.
A soft knock. She wiped her face and turned. Someone pulled her into a fierce embrace.
"My lord?" she whispered, turning her head away.
"You were crying?"
"No." She struggled, but he only held her tighter.
"Your illness is temporary. I will find a cure."
"Let go," she hissed, and with a near-sob, the tears broke free.
He had rarely seen her cry. Not since she was a child. Not even when grievously wounded.
So this is true despair.
He loosened his hold and pressed a kiss to her forehead. His lips were warm; hers, cold as stone. "It's just a cough. It will pass when the weather warms."
"Why lie to me?" she asked, her struggles ceasing. "I can't even speak a full sentence. I have failed you."
"You have," he sighed. "Ling Yan, do you still not understand?"
She looked up at him, dazed.
"The violet-gold pin. I brought it back for you. While I can't give you a title now, if I succeed, I will not fail you." He looked into her eyes. "I told you. You are not just a blade."
She stared, not surprised, but shocked to hear him say it. Eight years. How many eight years did a woman have?
She took a step back. "I am grateful for my lord's favor," she said, and turned to leave.
"Ling Yan." He caught her arm. "Stand beside me, with Night Blade in your hand."
It was a statement, spoken in a calm voice that belied the pain in his eyes.
"I understand," she said, and with a wrench, pulled her arm free and was gone.
She would not be a burden. She would not allow him to be harmed because of her.
To protect the one you love, you must be willing to suffer. Was she the only one who knew that pain?
At dusk, the army made camp.
Zuo Xunxiao sat on a rock, watching Murong Jin from a distance. The Seventh Prince's words echoed in his mind. The campfires flickered in the dusk, their smoke coiling like silent oaths.
"If you don't use this opportunity to eliminate Murong Jin, she will become a tiger that will one day devour us all. You came to my side for her sake. Now, I hope you are clear on what you are fighting for."