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The riders turned, horses kicking up dust as they fled the kill zone. Some were too slow. One horse was clipped by a stone shard, stumbled, then fell, pinning its rider beneath its weight. Another boulder landed with a sickening crunch atop an unlucky soldier.
But the Hengyuan losses remained minimal.
Their mission was already complete.
The sea of fire was dying.
The battlefield, once a raging inferno, now smoldered under blankets of wet sand, the flames reduced to hissing patches and fading embers.
And the siege, like the thirty three days before, continued.
Through smoke and ruin, Hengyuan reorganized.
Through exhaustion and desperation, Wei prepared to fend them off again.
And so the brutal rhythm resumed.
Far to the southeast of Hongnong, beyond the smoke of battle and the thunder of war engines, the capital of the Sun Clan, Yuzhang, basked under warm southern sunlight.
The city was decorated in bright banners of red and gold, lacquered wood gleaming, flower arrangements set along the streets. The scent of incense drifted through the air, mingling with the warm fragrance of lotus petals scattered for celebration.
A wedding feast was being prepared.
Sun Jian's household bustled with excitement, servants carrying trays of lacquered dishes, musicians rehearsing soft melodies, and attendants rushing between rooms with silk, jewels, and ceremonial vessels.
The marriage of Ma Chao and Sun Shangxiang was a union waves would speak of for decades, hero to heroine, warrior to warrior.
But the surprise arriving at Yuzhang that day was greater than anything Sun Jian had anticipated.
A long caravan approached from the road, draped in Hengyuan royal colors and escorted by Lie Fan's personal elite.
Word reached Lie Fan and Sun Jian, who were seated together reminiscing about battles past and youthful ambitions. A messenger rushed in, bowed, and announced breathlessly.
"Your Majesty! Duke Wulie! The Imperial Princess… the Crown Prince… they've arrived!"
Lie Fan froze mid sentence.
"What? Muchen? Wannian?" he asked. "With—"
"With her son," the messenger confirmed. "And… His Highness Crown Prince Muchen. And Lady Ma Yunlu and General Zhao Yun as well."
Lie Fan blinked.
He hadn't expected his sister at all, certainly not with her infant son and certainly not traveling such a long distance. And Muchen? His eldest? His heir?
A complicated mix of shock, delight, and paternal panic flooded his chest.
Sun Jian chuckled. "It seems your family misses you more than you expected, Your Majesty."
Lie Fan rubbed his temple. "Or they came to cause me trouble."
But there was warmth in his voice.
Together, he and Sun Jian walked toward the grand entrance of the Sun Clan mansion, where the caravan had begun to line up.
The foremost carriage stopped, its curtains drawn aside by attendants, and Princess Wannian stepped down gracefully. She wore a traveling gown of soft green silk embroidered with golden phoenixes. In her arms she held baby Sima Shi, wrapped in soft blankets, his tiny fist gripping her collar.
Her handmaidens followed her out, carrying light luggage, toys, and ceremonial gifts.
Behind her, the second carriage opened.
Lie Muchen stepped out, poised, calm, handsome, already radiating the elegance befitting the Crown Prince of Hengyuan. His attendants followed closely, one holding a lacquered box, another carrying the prince's sword.
The third carriage rolled to a gentle stop behind him.
Ma Yunlu stepped out slowly, her stomach rounded with pregnancy. Zhao Yun was immediately at her side, hands gentle, steadying her as if she were made of glass. His expression held both pride and worry, the latter growing every time Ma Yunlu took even a slightly uneven step.
"Careful," he murmured.
She waved him off with a tired but amused smile. "Zilong, I am watching my steps."
"I'm watching them more," he replied.
She nudged him lightly. "You worry too much."
"And you worry too little," Zhao Yun countered.
Sun Jian murmured under his breath, "Zhao Zilong traveled all the way from Xiapi to Yuzhang… with his wife pregnant? Truly, courage beyond measure."
As the family assembled near the entrance, Princess Wannian turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Lie Fan stood there.
For a heartbeat, her expression softened, all formalities forgotten.
But then she remembered they were in public.
And so she smiled, lowered her head, and greeted him with perfect imperial grace.
"Greetings to Your Majesty," she said clearly, her posture flawless, baby Sima Shi nestled peacefully in her arms.
Lie Fan sighed internally.
When had his little sister grown so formal?
He stepped closer, offering her a warm smile that was both brotherly and imperial.
"Rise, Wannian," he said softly. "You've traveled far."
She lifted her head, her eyes bright with relief and affection.
And for a moment, just a moment, she was not the Imperial princess, not a political pillar, not the mother of a child destined for great things.
She was simply his little sister.
Lie Fan stepped forward and wrapped an arm carefully around her shoulders, mindful of the baby between them.
"Welcome to Yuzhang," he murmured.
Wannian exhaled, leaning into the embrace just slightly.
Sun Jian watched them with a smile.
After that Lie Fan released his hug before he turned to look at his eldest son.
"Hello Muchen."
"Father," the boy greeted, bowing with perfect etiquette. "I have come to offer congratulations to Uncle Ma Chao and Aunt Sun Shangxiang."
Lie Fan felt a mixture of pride and a jolt of anxiety, Muchen should not have traveled so far without his explicit order. Then he turned to look at Zhao Yun and Ma Yunlu.
"Lady MaYunlu… this journey, are you well? Is the child well? Why did you not send word yo uwoudlcliek to come here? I'm sure your brothers would be more than happy to have you join Ma Chao's procession."
Ma Yunlu let out a soft laugh, "I have asked my brothers and they wouldny allow me to travel far even if it's for my eldest brother marriage… so I wished to surprise them."
Zhao Yun meanwhile bowed respectfully, still holding his wife as though she were made of fragile jade.
"Your Majesty," he said, voice calm but firm, "I ensured every step of the path was secure. I would not risk her highness, his highness, and also my wife safety, not even for an instant."
Lie Fan exhaled shakily.
A rare, unfiltered smile broke across his face.
"A surprise indeed."
Wannian meanwhile decide to broke the still lingering tension by gently stepped forward, presenting the infant Sima Shi.
"Would you like to hold your nephew, Imperial Brother?"
Lie Fan's royal façade cracked entirely for a heartbeat as he reached out, brushing a tender hand across the baby's cheek.
Sima Shi blinked sleepily, tiny fingers curling around his uncle's thumb.
Sun Jian laughed heartily.
"Well! If this is the surprise arriving today, then tomorrow's banquet may shake the heavens themselves!"
Lie Fan shook his head helplessly, though warmth glowed in his eyes.
"You all should have sent word. I would have sent escorts—"
Wannian raised a hand gently.
"We traveled safely, Brother. Zhao Yun and his guards ensured no harm approached us."
Zhao Yun stepped forward with a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I remained vigilant from Xiapi to Yuzhang. Not a single threat was allowed within a hundred paces."
Sun Jian clasped Zhao Yun's shoulder.
"As expected of the man known as one of Hengyuan's peerless general beneath heaven."
Zhao Yun only smiled humbly.
Ma Yunlu's hand strayed to her belly.
"The child has been energetic the whole journey," she said softly. "Perhaps he knows a wedding waits ahead."
Lie Fan placed his hand gently atop hers.
"Then let us ensure both mother and child are well rested."
He looked toward the gates.
"Escort them in."
Servants rushed to help.
The caravan began to move into the Sun Clan mansion, attendants guiding them toward prepared guest quarters. The air filled with warm chatter, handmaidens greeting one another, guards exchanging salutes, old friends reuniting.
Lie Fan walked beside them, unable to keep the small, relieved smile from lingering on his face.
The Sun Clan mansion was alive with movement as servants and maids rushed to prepare the guest quarters. Though everything had been arranged hurriedly, the rooms were spacious, perfumed with fresh lotus incense, and lined with soft silk cushions.
The moment the escorts guided Wannian, her infant son Sima Shi, Muchen, Ma Yunlu, and Zhao Yun inside, comfort seemed to fall over them like a gentle breeze after a long journey.
Princess Wannian was first shown to the east wing, reserved for royal family. Her handmaidens fluttered behind her, already arranging veils, screens, extra cushions, toys for the baby, and small bundles of travel gifts she insisted be brought.
Muchen's quarters were beside hers, quiet, serene, furnished quickly with fresh scrolls, tea sets, and writing tools befitting the Crown Prince's dignity. The boy took the arrangement with calm, though his eyes scanned every detail, clearly assessing the place he would stay for however long this unexpected visit would last.
Zhao Yun and Ma Yunlu were settled in the next courtyard. The porch overlooked a small koi pond surrounded by slender bamboo, a place designed for relaxation. Despite the rush, the servants had arranged soft bedding, laid out fragrant tea, even provided a reclining seat padded thickly to accommodate Yunlu's condition.
The moment Ma Yunlu sat down, she exhaled in relief, her hand drifting instinctively to her belly. Zhao Yun poured warm tea with practiced gentleness, the steam drifting between them like a soft cloud. His eyes never left her, hovering protectively, capturing every shift in her expression, every flicker of effort she tried to hide.
"Drink," he murmured.
She accepted the cup with a light smile. "You're fussing again."
"I'm being cautious," he corrected quietly.
"You mean fussing."
He didn't deny it.
And she didn't truly mind.
Just as Ma Yunlu finished her sip, muted footsteps echoed through the courtyard. Four figures approached with urgency thinly masked by attempts at composed strides.
Ma Chao. Ma Tie. Ma Xiu. Ma Dai.
All four together. All four frowning.
The siblings rarely appeared as a unit unless something was wrong or unless they were about to scold someone so thoroughly that the heavens themselves would tremble.
Zhao Yun straightened unconsciously.
Ma Yunlu lifted her eyes, her lips curving into an innocent, sweet smile that only made her elder brothers grind their teeth harder.
She greeted them softly, "Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Cousin Dai… you all came."
Ma Chao was the first to reach the porch.
"Of course we came!" he burst out, voice half shout, half disbelief, both hands thrown into the air. "Yunlu, do you have any idea how dangerous it was to travel all the way from Xiapi in your condition?!"
Ma Tie, Ma Xiu, and Ma Dai stood behind him like a towering wall, arms crossed, expressions a perfect blend of disappointment, worry, and anger barely being held back. Their silence alone thundered louder than any scolding words could. Ma Yunlu blinked, then took another small sip of tea.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 35 (202 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0