Next Luo He went to see his mother and father-in-law. Jin Su was the one with the most questions. Su Kim herself had already quieted down after seeing Luo He's unwavering presence.
To her simply having him by her side was enough to push those troubles away. But for his mother emotions alone were not enough. She needed cold logic and certainty.
Luo He reminded her of the warning he once gave before. Until she fully learned to control her strength she was forbidden from touching the things she treasured most.
Otherwise one careless moment of anger or panic could lead to unbearable regret if something dear to her was accidentally destroyed. That included the vases and ornaments she cherished and even her own husband.
Because of that Jin Quan had been suffering greatly forced to sleep without the company of his beautiful wife for so long. But now Luo He had seen enough.
Earlier when she toyed with the duke's son using only the tip of her sword threatening the man's genitals without harming him even once. Her control had been flawless. Not a single unnecessary scratch was left behind.
So Luo He finally nodded. "That ban is lifted from today onward," he said calmly. "But when you are with your husband try not to lose control no matter what happens. Relax yourself. Forget that you even possess such power in the first place.
The more conscious you are of it the harder it becomes to restrain." Jin Su let out a long breath she did not realize she had been holding. Even Jin Quan nearly looked ready to cry from relief.
The discussions continued long into the evening. By the time the servants replaced the lamps for the third time the atmosphere inside the hall had completely shifted from victory to preparation for war.
The discussion took place deep into the evening inside Jin Su's and Jin Quan's private chamber.
The room was quiet except for the soft crackling of the oil lamps and the distant sound of rain striking the courtyard stones outside.
Thunder occasionally rolled across the dark skies beyond the windows faint but constant. No maps were spread across the table. No military markers. No written strategies.
Things like trade routes, hidden roads, river access points, supply movements and military positions were never openly recorded where others could see them.
Especially not by Luo He.
Instead the three simply sat facing one another while speaking calmly each understanding the invisible map being drawn through conversation alone.
Jin Quan sat quietly near the window his expression more serious than usual while Jin Su remained seated across from Luo He beside the low tea table.
The faint frost-like glow within her eyes still occasionally surfaced now and then ever since her element was awakened.
Luo He rested one arm lazily against the chair while speaking.
"Sooner or later," he said calmly. "The duke will retaliate." Neither Jin Quan nor Jin Su questioned that statement. After what happened in the marketplace retaliation was inevitable.
The duke's son had been humiliated publicly before nobles, guards, merchants and civilians alike. That level of disgrace could not simply be ignored by a powerful family.
Jin Su's fingers tightened slightly around her teacup. "And when he does?" She asked. Luo He looked toward her calmly. "Then you'll need enough strength here to survive until I return."
The rain outside grew slightly heavier.
Luo He continued speaking as though discussing ordinary household matters.
"Jin Sang will provide around ten thousand soldiers immediately if the situation becomes unstable."
Jin Quan's brows lifted slightly even though he already expected the number to be large. "At minimum," Luo He added casually. "If he fully mobilizes the Golden Isles fleet and the trade militias he can likely double that."
Even Jin Su became silent hearing that.
Because mobilizing Jin Sang's fleet openly no longer meant calling a bunch sailors. It meant moving an actual regional power.
Luo He continued calmly. "But I don't intend to force him into full mobilization unless absolutely necessary. Once that full fleet moves openly every kingdom near the northern waters will begin paying attention."
Jin Quan nodded slowly. "That would shake the balance." "Exactly." Luo He's eyes shifted slightly northward though no map existed before him. "As for Xu Mun."
He began slowly. The room quieted further.
"He stabilized the empire's foothold within the Northern Isles and established a fortress on the largest island. But the situation there is worse than expected."
Jin Su frowned slightly. "The locals?" She asked. Luo He nodded.
"They aren't fighting like conventional armies. They avoid direct confrontation entirely. Ambushes. Night raids. Sabotaging supply lines. Guerrilla warfare." His tone remained calm.
"Xu Mun already lost nearly twelve thousand from his original forces in the earlier battles in establishing his strong hold. Suppressing the resistance had cost a lot more."
Even Jin Quan's expression shifted hearing that number. That was not suppression anymore. That was war.
Luo He leaned back slightly. "The islands themselves work against outsiders. Dense forests. Sharp cliffs. Narrow shorelines. The locals know every path while the army moves blind."
Jin Su spoke quietly. "And you intend to go there personally." It wasn't a question.
"Of course." His answer came immediately.
"The duke's situation cannot be allowed to spiral in my absent. And I need someone I completely trusts beside you before I leave." Thunder rolled outside again.
Luo He's gaze sharpened faintly. "So before I depart to Wu for the wedding I will personally ensure the Northern Isles resistance is crushed completely."
The room fell silent for several moments afterward. Not because he sounded emotional. But because he sounded absolute. Jin Quan finally spoke. "And what about the war?" He asked.
Luo He looked directly toward Jin Su. "You will command the estate and it's armies against the duke's forces." Jin Su's eyes narrowed slightly. "Me?" She asked. "Yes." Luo He answered without hesitation.
"Father-in-law understands elements like administration and diplomacy better than warfare. You understand pressure. Decision making and responsibility." Jin Su stayed silent.
Luo He continued calmly. "When Xu Mun arrives cooperate with him instead of opposing him. He appears rough and reckless but he's competent." Jin Quan folded his arms.
"And if conflict escalates before your return form the Northern Iles?" Luo He answered immediately. "Delay as much as possible. Negotiate if useful. Kill if necessary." The simplicity of that answer made the room colder.
Then Luo He added calmly, "The Duke will test you first before fully committing. Men like him always do. He'll probe weaknesses. Pressure trade routes. Threaten smaller allies. Perhaps attempt intimidation through officials."
Jin Su nodded slowly. "And if he attacks directly?" Luo He smiled faintly. "Then make sure he regrets surviving it." For a brief moment Jin Su almost laughed.
Not because the situation was amusing.
But because Luo He spoke about dangerous men and possible war with the same calmness other people discussed weather. Then Luo He finally stood.
The lamp light cast long shadows across the room as he looked toward the two of them. "You both raised Jin Mulan well," he said quietly. "So I trust you with this."
That statement carried far more weight than praise.
Jin Quan slowly exhaled. "You're treating us like generals now." Luo He smirked slightly. "No," he replied. "I'm treating you like family." Outside rain continued falling across the dark courtyard.
And inside the quiet room the future of the Jin family was being quietly placed into their hands in their next great war.