The moment the eighty-thousand-strong army from Ningzhou stepped into Kedan City, every last spy fled in a panic.
Word had already spread. The city's downfall was not a matter of chance but the inevitable outcome of Pugan's stubborn refusal to surrender. Not only had they rejected negotiations, but their insincerity had been an open provocation.
Ten days later, aside from Annan, who had already yielded, and Pugan, who had been utterly defeated and subdued, the remaining five states all submitted their letters of surrender. These documents were delivered straight to the imperial desk of Emperor Xuanwu.
Even the Seventh Prince of Bei Xiang, who had first sparked the war, was captured, bound in chains, and escorted to the capital.
Thus, the War of the Seven States came to a decisive end, and naturally, Yun Shu and her companions were to return.
Compared to the swift eagerness of the General Wei Yuan to return, and Yun Shu's own quiet satisfaction after resolving a national crisis, Yun Chuhuan was markedly more anxious.
His worry only grew as they drew closer to the capital.
By the day they were due to re-enter the city, Yun Chuhuan had already asked Yun Shu the same question for the third time.
"Fifth Sister, in the letter you sent to Father Emperor, when you mentioned that incident involving me on the battlefield, are you absolutely sure he wasn't angry when he replied?"
"How many more times must I repeat myself?"
Yun Chuhuan never tired of asking, but Yun Shu had long grown weary of answering.
"The rebellion was quelled in a single night. The territory of Tian Sheng has now expanded significantly.
Father Emperor was overjoyed. His reply was filled with nothing but delight. The rest was merely an account of the matters he needed to address now that the seven states had submitted, and a reminder for me to hurry back to the palace to assist with the memorials. As for you, he didn't say a single word."
"Not a word? That's excellent… Absolutely excellent..."
Yun Chuhuan could only hope that Imperial Father had been so overcome with joy he had entirely forgotten about his little transgression.
As he rejoiced and muttered silent prayers all the way back, the towering gates of the capital finally came into view. At that moment, Yun Chuhuan, who had been slouching in nervous anticipation, straightened his back like a taut string.
He pointed excitedly ahead.
"Fifth Sister, look! That figure in bright yellow at the very front—is that not Father Emperor? He's come to greet us in person with all the court officials!"
"Yes, I see him."
Yun Shu's lips curved into a subtle smile. Though her expression remained composed, a surge of pride swelled in her chest.
To have quelled the rebellion and returned in triumph, and now to be personally welcomed by the Emperor himself, flanked by his ministers…
When she had first arrived in this world, she never could have imagined this moment.
Tsk. Truly, she outdid even herself.
The corners of her lips lifted to their peak just as her steed came to a halt. Yun Shu dismounted with graceful ease, offering Emperor Xuanwu a proper bow.
"Father Emperor, Your Daughter returns. The mission is accomplished, and the trust was not betrayed."
"Good, good, very good! You are indeed Our daughter! Your first time leading troops, and you've brought glory to Tian Sheng!"
Joy and pride lit Emperor Xuanwu's gaze. He patted Yun Shu's slender shoulder, his voice tinged with emotion.
"You've only been away a few months, but it feels like you've grown in leaps and bounds."
"It has only been three months, has it not?" Yun Shu let out a light laugh. "How much could one change in so short a time?"
"Quite a lot, evidently."
Emperor Xuanwu disagreed without hesitation.
"We noticed the moment We saw you. You've grown thinner than you were three months ago."
"Have I?"
Yun Shu glanced down at her waist. Truthfully, she hadn't noticed any change herself. But she had been in the saddle nearly every day, often riding hard and fast. It was hardly surprising if she had lost some weight.
She let out a chuckle, her eyes glinting with mischief like a fox.
"Then should Father Emperor not bestow more rewards, so your daughter may restore her health?"
"Rewards, indeed!"
Emperor Xuanwu's generosity was swift and unrestrained.
"Whatever you desire, speak it. So long as it is within Our private treasury, it shall be yours."
Imperial Father was being that generous?
Yun Chuhuan, who had only ever known his Imperial Father to be stingy, was stunned.
Perhaps it was the temptation of such bounty, or perhaps it was the evident joy on the Emperor's face, which truly did not look like that of a man harboring any anger.
In the end, Yun Chuhuan could no longer contain himself. He poked his head out from between Yun Shu and the Emperor with a hopeful grin.
"And what about me? Father Emperor, could you take a look at your son too? It seems I've also lost quite a bit of weight!"
"You?"
The smile on Emperor Xuanwu's face remained unchanged, yet the warmth in his eyes faded swiftly. In its place was a cold edge that Yun Chuhuan, in his eagerness, failed to notice.
"Your reward has already been prepared by your Consort Mother. It awaits you in the palace."
"Truly?"
Neither Imperial Father nor Consort Mother had taken offense? They had even prepared a gift?
With that final worry put to rest, Yun Chuhuan was wholly at ease.
He nearly bounced where he stood.
"What kind of reward is it?"
"It would ruin the surprise if We told you now."
Emperor Xuanwu cast him a sidelong glance, then proceeded to commend the General Wei Yuan and his men. Only when the formalities were thoroughly observed and honors properly bestowed did the grand procession make its way toward the palace.
Still brimming with curiosity about the mysterious reward, Yun Chuhuan raced back to the Yaohua Palace. Before he even reached the courtyard, his voice rang out with excitement.
"Consort Mother! Consort Mother, your son has returned… la!"
That final syllable, which ought to have been light and cheerful, dipped abruptly to a whisper the moment he caught sight of the courtyard's decor.
Had one not been listening closely, it might have gone entirely unheard.
He forced a laugh. The foot he had just stepped through the threshold now began to inch backward, as though to retreat.
"Consort Mother, it just occurred to me—I left something at Fifth Sister's quarters. I shall return shortly to fetch it—"
"Stop right there."
Noble Consort Liu rose to her feet. Her every movement was deliberate as she adjusted the folds of her sumptuous palace robes. Her expression was a mask of serenity, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"It has been so long since This Consort last saw her son. Why is it that upon your return, you would turn around and leave again?"
"What could Consort Mother mean by that?"
Yun Chuhuan's smile turned increasingly stiff.
"As I said, I only need to retrieve something from Fifth Sister."
"If it was something so easily forgotten, then surely it can wait a little longer."
Noble Consort Liu offered a gentle smile and beckoned to him.
"Come in."
"I refuse!"
Seeing that feigning ignorance no longer worked, Yun Chuhuan spun on his heel and bolted.
He had barely taken two steps when the mother who had spoken so softly a moment before let out a sharp cry. A shadow flashed past, swift and silent, and seized him with expert ease, dragging him back into the courtyard.
Yun Chuhuan: "!!!"
"Fifth Sister, save me!
You said they weren't angry! You said they never even mentioned me!
Father Emperor actually lent Consort Mother a Dragon Shadow Guard just so she could beat me up?"