The Journey Under Attack

To hasten their arrival at Baichu, the armies of the Lan Kingdom were divided into two groups. 

The first group, led by Xuan Yue, primarily consisted of the five thousand female warriors she had brought from the Feng Kingdom, forging ahead at the forefront. Following closely behind was a contingent of one hundred thousand soldiers, commanded by Cheng Qiang, tasked with gathering and transporting military provisions along the way. 

Cheng Qiang, a seasoned general of the Lan Kingdom, had led troops for several decades. Renowned for his fairness and composure, he excelled in military strategy and had won numerous victories over the years, earning the deep admiration of his soldiers. Many in this current army had previously served under him in campaigns across the south and north, which made Xuan Yue feel reassured about his leadership. 

On the twentieth day of the first month in the twenty-first year of Qian Ning, after traversing for half a month, Xuan Yue's party finally arrived at Heifeng Ridge. 

Situated at the border between Baichu and Yan, Heifeng Ridge was an essential route to Baichu. Despite its ominous name, the terrain was not particularly steep; in fact, amidst the dense thickets on the central slope, there lay a spacious clearing. 

As evening descended, daylight gradually gave way to night. 

The harsh winter had yet to relinquish its grip, and the cold mountain wind felt biting against their skin, accompanied by the dampness of the night air. The rosy cheeks of the young women contrasted with the chill, but compared to the Lan Kingdom, the atmosphere here was far gentler. 

The group swiftly set up camp, and within Heifeng Ridge, bonfires flickered, creating an unprecedented liveliness. 

Despite the arduous journey, everyone seemed invigorated, showing no signs of fatigue. Having just finished their tasks, they gathered together, laughing and chatting excitedly. 

"Yi Lan, it's been ages since we've sat together like this to chat," said Ya'er, savoring her homemade plum, delight lighting up her face. 

"Indeed," Green Pearl chimed in, nodding in agreement. 

For the past few months, the group had been at the princess's side, each preoccupied with her assignments. The princess was relentless in her endeavors, and they dared not slacken their efforts. Since her arrival in the Lan Kingdom, they had not gathered as they once did; it had been over three or four months since they had last spoken with their close companions. 

Now, as they sat together, though the wind chilled their skin, their hearts felt a serene comfort. 

"Where's the princess? We have this rare opportunity to chat together," Ya'er proposed, licking her fingers. The others readily concurred. 

Though there were hierarchies, Xuan Yue was not one to elevate herself above others due to her status. Throughout their time together, they had shared meals and lodgings, and to them, she was a figure deserving of respect, yet someone who did not instill a sense of constraint. 

"The princess is in the tent with the officials and Green Robe. They might be discussing important matters; we shouldn't disturb them," Moon Shadow remarked, glancing at the tent where Xuan Yue had called the officials and Green Robe shortly after dinner, indicating something significant was afoot. 

"It's fine, Ya'er. Just go and ask. If the princess truly has urgent matters, don't disturb her. If it's nothing important, bring her over," Cheng Qiang replied. 

"How long until we reach Ye City at this pace?" 

Inside the tent, Xuan Yue leaned back in her chair, her legs resting on the table, stretching languidly. 

The casualness with which she posed such a serious question did not evoke any annoyance. 

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should arrive at Ye City in about ten days," came the reply. 

Xuan Yue nodded, tilting her head back slightly, eyes closed, fists gently clasped on her knees. "What about my brother? Any news from there?" 

Green Robe bowed her head, a flicker of anxiety crossing her eyes. "Your Highness, the state of the prince remains unchanged; he is still not well. The palace has imperial physicians attending to him, and in court, there are Lord Bai and General Wang; there's no need for you to worry." 

Xuan Yue murmured in acknowledgment, rubbing her temples. She said nothing more; if she were to open her eyes and look at Green Robe, perhaps she would notice the unease. Yet neither she nor Bai Pingting could see it; both trusted Green Robe's loyalty, but they overlooked one crucial aspect: the white lies born of goodwill. Because of her deep loyalty to Xuan Yue and her consideration for the bigger picture, Green Robe knew what to say and what must never be uttered. 

"Your Highness," 

Before the conversation could continue, Ya'er flung aside the curtain and approached Xuan Yue with an eager expression. 

"Ya'er, can't you see we are discussing important matters? You have no sense of propriety," Green Robe reprimanded softly, and Ya'er sheepishly stuck out her tongue. 

Xuan Yue opened her eyes, sitting up straight to look at the embarrassed Ya'er, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "What are you afraid of, Ya'er?" 

Hearing this, Ya'er's face lit up, her joy spilling over in laughter as she vigorously nodded. "No matter what I hear, as long as the princess doesn't ask me to share it, I won't tell a soul." 

Xuan Yue stood and walked to Ya'er, affectionately ruffling her hair. "What is it you need from me?" 

"Your Highness, these past few months, I, along with Yi Lan and the others, have been by your side, while Green Robe and the officials have been stationed in the military camp in the West City. After such a long journey, it's a rare opportunity for us to gather and chat. They sent me to ask if you would join us." 

Xuan Yue smiled, releasing her hold and patting Ya'er on the shoulder. "Of course! I was just feeling a bit bored." 

Ya'er's eyes sparkled with delight as she beamed even more brightly. 

"Pingting, Green Robe, let's all go outside together!" 

Green Pearl and Yi Lan, seeing Xuan Yue emerge alongside Ya'er, rose with joy. "Your Highness." 

Xuan Yue waved at them with a smile, casually finding a spot to sit, forming a circle with the group. 

Though the area was spacious, accommodating five thousand people was impossible. Moreover, being at the border of Baichu and Yan, caution and vigilance were paramount. Moon Shadow and the others understood this, thus they refrained from alerting the entire camp, settling instead with the few dozen present. 

Surrounded by the flickering bonfire, over a hundred people sat down. Lacking the fragrant roasted meats of before, they could not indulge in drinking like the last time; instead, they sat quietly together, observing Xuan Yue at the center, with a few playful souls sitting back-to-back, engaging in lighthearted teasing, yet keeping their voices low. 

"What do you wish to discuss with me?" 

Xuan Yue sat cross-legged, hands resting on her thighs, her gaze sweeping around the circle of faces surrounding her, a smile playing on her lips. 

Everyone looked at Xuan Yue, their faces adorned with broad smiles, yet none dared to speak.

At night, the surroundings were enveloped in silence, with only the sound of the female soldiers stationed on the hillside pacing back and forth. 

Xuan Yue propped her chin on one hand, understanding their feelings as akin to her own. Often, she thought she would have many things to say, yet in truth, when together, the myriad words vanished, leaving her unsure of how to express herself. They likely felt the same; simply being together in silence was a shared beauty. 

"Princess, will there be fighting once we reach Ye City?" 

Yue Ying asked softly. Such a topic bore no heaviness for them, and Xuan Yue could sense the excitement flickering on many faces. 

They may have suffered from the ravages of war, but more than a decade of rigorous training had prepared them for the day they would battle alongside her. 

"I don't know," Xuan Yue replied, clapping her hands together. "The most crucial thing upon arriving in Ye City is to get plenty of rest." 

As she spoke, she stretched lazily. "We still have over ten days of travel to reach Bai Chu's Ye City. Aren't you all tired from such a long journey?" 

Lu Zhu shook her head. "I dream of this day, to follow the princess." 

"Indeed, the princess is my idol," said Ya Er, shifting her position to sit behind Xuan Yue. "Whether we fight or not matters little to me; as long as I can be with the princess and my sisters, that is enough." 

Ya Er's face radiated a blissful smile as she looked around. The young girl had no grand ambitions; neither did the others. While they had learned much, they still longed for the peaceful life they once knew. Now, being with the princess they admired was more than enough. 

"Are you worried about something, princess?" 

Bai Ping Ting gazed at Xuan Yue, noting her distracted demeanor since leaving Lan Country. 

Before Xuan Yue could respond, Ya Er suddenly turned to her, and the others shifted their focus to Xuan Yue. They believed that Bai Ping Ting's perceptive question must stem from a significant concern. 

Xuan Yue wrapped her arms around Ya Er. "With your support behind me and your protection by my side, what is there for me to worry about?" 

She raised an eyebrow, exuding a sense of assurance, her lips curling into a confident smile that betrayed not a hint of concern. 

"With all of you here, is there anything I cannot resolve?" 

As she spoke, Xuan Yue stood up, using the flickering campfire to gaze out at the barren branches surrounding Black Wind Ridge. 

To them, it seemed her greatest worry was the impending war with Xuan Yuan. No one could comprehend the inner turmoil and heart-wrenching pain she felt; even with all their combined strength, they could not solve it. 

On the twenty-first day of the first month, during the hour of the tiger. 

This day was no different from others. In the center of the hillside, the bonfire blazed, and the surroundings remained pitch black. The stark branches cast mottled shadows on the ground under the moonlight, a silence that was unsettling. Suddenly, the sounds of clashing weapons echoed from Black Wind Ridge, the sharp clangs igniting the entire area with commotion. 

The previously quiet camp began to stir. Upon hearing the noise, Xuan Yue instantly sat up from her bed, donning her outer garments before rushing to the entrance, where someone collided with her and fell to their knees. "Princess, Black Wind Ridge is surrounded!"