XVI

Even it was already late, Su Lan Yue is still up as she carefully skimmed through the mass reports and every detail concerning Kai Wen. The large map was also plaster onto the wall with red and blue dots written all over it.

Gathering information about the enemy is also as important in analyzing the terrain. If one would just order an attack without taking advantage of the natural landscape that is laid bare, its wasteful and utterly idiotic.

"Why did you dismiss almost all of your army and have them assign in Qing Xi Yu?" Su Miqin lazily asked as he fiddle with her hair. Long slender fingers slowly ran to her hair, Su Lan Yue let Su Miqin do whatever he wants with her hair. The young man soon become engrossed in his actions and started to get serious. His brows were slightly creasing as he wanted to braid his sister hair perfectly, when he was satisfied with the result he took the ruby eyed phoenix pin and placed it neatly in Su Lan Yue hair.

"I don't want an incompetent subordinates."

She slightly shrugged her shoulder. Having such soldiers under her only welcomes trouble, as the military in Han nation had a strict rules that needs to be adhere. For such rebel men, if they tried to refuse or ignore her orders and risked the operations such actions would be placed in her account as she is their superior, the one who should discipline them.

Disobeying such would result in her getting whipped or paddle thirty times. Su Lan Yue wasn't the type to have such kinks so she would rather avoid such ending. However in her situation, the generals who would be in charge of her punishment might have a different idea.

'Send her back to the capital.'

If that were to happen she would only bring shame to the Su family, and as much as the player inside Su Lan Yue hate to admit she already had gotten quite attach. She didn't want the Su Family to fall when she could bring it to the apex of its existence.

When she felt that the hands who was playing with her hair stopped, Su Lan Yue put down the reports and stared at her brother, who was holding a mirror. With a sly grin on his face, Su Lan Yue couldn't help her lips to twitch. The general, Su Minqin is actually grinning from ear to ear.

"You look ugly, when you do your hair like this sister."

Two weeks have already passed since she arrive in Cixi borders at first Su Lan Yue had second thoughts on how she would act, should she be formal? Should she act cute? Spoiled? Or mean? But every thoughts she had on how she would act flew away when her body on its own accord quickly ran and embrace Su Minqin.

'Well, they didn't really see each other for four years.'

Su Lan Yue lips also slowly broke into a sly grin and pinched his brother nose before standing up and went to her dresser. Su Minqin at first was confused by his sister sudden action but it soon turned into a horrified expression. Letting out her aura, Su Lan Yue grabbed to her brother's robe and forcefully made him sit down.

Her round eyes slowly narrowing into a sharp gaze. It made Su Minqin gulped as he slowly backed away.

Putting down a mahogany box with intricate gold details. Su Lan Yue opened it up and reveal the contents. Make-up.

"Dear brother, shall we make you look prettier than this princess."

---

Guan Ningxin softly knocked at Su Lan Yue room. Her face was covered with dirt, and her hair was in disarray.

"Enter." Su Lan Yue voice was soft but nonetheless Guan Ningxin heard it. She smooth out her uniform as she tried her best to look presentable, but if your general is unreasonable as Su Lan Yue any care about your image would be none existant. She required absolute obedience, her order must be carried out with question, and swiftly.

That's why when Su Lan Yue decided to dismiss almost of her army and created a squad comprising of only 14 people, herself included, Guan Ningxin wasn't surprise. She wasn't an idiot. By dismissing the army, Su Lan Yue is basically slapping the emperor face. Guan Ningxin knew that the army would serve only one purpose and that is to send Su Lan Yue back home.

'To think that he is so adamant in sending her niece home, yet letting his son to stay her for months.'

Guan Ningxin couldn't help but to think that the emperor priority is weird, no wonder there were rumours floating in the capital.

When she opened the door, Guan Ningxin froze on the spot. Her brow raised in question when she saw Su Lan Yue putting on rogue on Su Miqin cheeks.

"Have you familiarize with the terrain?" Su Lan Yue asked, not taking her eyes off her brother. She but down the rogue and grab the brush and dipped it into the lipstick. "Part your lips slightly, or i will draw a poop in your forehead." She said menacingly.

Su Miqing of course obediently followed her sister whims.

"The men had already been prep and are awaiting further instructions from you." Guan Ningxin casually said. She went to the small table and pour herself a cup of tea. Guan Ningxin had already knew that Su Lan Yue doesn't mind such lax behavior in her private space, therefore she can act without any restraint.

Watching the two siblings, Su Lan Yue put down her brush and had a look of satisfaction. She took the mirror and had her brother see his reflection. Guan Ningxin couldn't help but to feel unsettled, the cold general Su Miqin who is known to be as equally as ruthless as his sister was now wearing makeup and look absolutely beautiful in it. Guan Ningxin, had seen Su Wangfei portrait on her father study and Su Miqin as of now definitely looks like her.

A pure beauty that had a noble and elegant demeanor.

With his sister by his side the two siblings look a lot like their parents on their young days.

"Hm, i really do look much prettier than the princess Yue." Su Miqin teased, actions like this took Guan Ningxin by suprise. Su Miqin actions didn't exactly hold up to his reputation, but she soon figure out that his reputation didn't apply to his sibling.

"I agree, my gege is nation toppling beauty." Su Lan Yue giggled. She carefully place all her makeup inside the book and put it away. Her attention then went towards Guan Ningxin.

"Tell the men to rest the night, will set off by early morning."

Hearing his sister plans, Su Miqin smile vanished as his ears perked up. "Want me to come along?"

"No need. After all I'm just going to visit."