Riding hard from the Northern Frontier to the Great Jin capital, Li Shuang completed the journey in half the usual time, pressing onward day and night without rest.
Her early arrival stunned the capital. Even Great General Li Lan hadn’t expected her return so soon.
When Li Shuang dismounted before the General’s mansion, Li Ting came running out faster than anyone else. She had barely steadied her horse when Li Ting threw himself into her arms.
“Sister! Father said you’d be home soon, but I didn’t believe it! How did you come back so fast?”
Before Li Shuang could reply, Li Lan appeared behind him. The Great General, nearing fifty, bore lines etched deep by time. Yet those marks didn’t age him—they only sharpened the power and steadiness of a man who had stood through countless storms.
Three years had passed since Li Shuang last returned to the capital, though her thoughts often wandered home. Though only adopted, Li Lan had raised her as his own—teaching her to ride, to shoot, to read strategy, and to fight alongside noble sons of the court. He had supported her wish to lead troops at the frontier, where she guarded Great Jin for three years.
She felt a rare warmth in her chest, tinged with guilt and gratitude.
Li Shuang gently pushed Li Ting aside and stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Father, your unfilial daughter has not returned for three years—”
Li Lan caught her arm before she could kneel. “Unfilial? You guarded Great Jin’s borders for three years. If that’s unfilial, then this rascal should be thrown out instead!”
Li Ting laughed. “That’s right, that’s right! Sister, don’t call yourself unfilial or Father might throw me out!”
The old general chuckled and swatted his son’s head, and for a brief moment, Li Shuang’s heart lightened. But the heaviness that had carried her all the way from the frontier soon resurfaced.
“Father,” she said softly.
Li Lan’s eyes narrowed. “Come inside first and rest. We can speak later.”
Li Shuang shook her head. “I can’t delay. There’s something I must do immediately.” Her mind flashed to the man imprisoned far away, and peace became impossible.
Li Lan’s voice dropped. “What matter?”
“I must enter the palace,” she said, steady but urgent. “To request fifty thousand troops.”
Li Lan froze. “Fifty thousand troops?” His brows drew together. After a pause, he said, “You’ve always had reasons behind your decisions. I won’t question your intent—but your return was by imperial decree. If you request more from His Majesty… have you considered what you’ll owe in return?”
The implication was clear. Si Ma Yang wanted more than just a loyal general.
Li Shuang lowered her head. “Your daughter understands.”
The moment she rode back from the frontier, she had already accepted the cost. She would bear it—no matter what—because someone’s life depended on her.
That man’s face lingered in her mind—unknown, unclaimed, yet unforgettable.
The palace stood unchanged, but the emperor upon its throne was not the boy she once knew. The corridors glittered with gold, yet the warmth was gone.
Li Shuang was led into the Imperial Study. The air between her and Si Ma Yang was heavy with unspoken memory.
Three months had passed since that day at the Northern Frontier, when he had left while she still lay unconscious.
Now, meeting again, silence hung between them.
“Li Shuang,” Si Ma Yang finally said, tossing aside the scroll in his hand. “You always surprise me.” He rose, walking toward her. “I thought you wouldn’t return.” His lips curved faintly. “Now that you have, I won’t ever—”
Li Shuang stepped back, dropping to one knee. “Your Majesty.”
Si Ma Yang’s hand froze midair.
“Li Shuang dares to beg Your Majesty for one wish.”
At her words, memory stirred. He recalled that day in the muddy cave, when he had promised her one wish—whatever she desired—if she survived.
He had thought she would ask to leave him. Yet now, hearing her solemn tone, he wasn’t sure.
“What do you wish for?” he asked quietly.
“I beg Your Majesty to grant me fifty thousand troops to march on South Changshan.”
“South Changshan?” His gaze darkened. “For what purpose?”
Li Shuang lifted her eyes. “To save someone. He once risked his life to save the Changfeng Camp and Lu City. He also saved me.”
“The red-eyed man?”
“Yes.”
Si Ma Yang studied her. “Do you know his background?”
“No.”
“His name?”
“No.”
A sharp breath escaped him. “You rode back from the frontier just to request this?”
“Yes,” Li Shuang said, voice calm but resolute. “I know the request is unreasonable, but I have no other way.”
Silence fell again. Si Ma Yang had known Li Shuang since childhood—steadfast, rational, never ruled by emotion. Yet now, she stood before him, willing to risk everything for a man whose name she didn’t even know.
Before, she fought for duty and honor. Now, she fought for a single heartbeat.
“Shuang’er,” he said slowly, “if I grant this, I risk the court’s balance.”
“I dare not trouble Your Majesty. The Gu tribe has long occupied South Changshan, oppressing the people and defying imperial law. Removing them would be a righteous campaign.” Her tone steadied. “Let this be the General’s mansion’s gift to Your Majesty. After the campaign, I will return the troops, surrender my command of Lu City and the Changfeng Camp, and remain a maiden of the Li family—awaiting marriage.”
Her words were measured, but Si Ma Yang understood their undertone. She offered him both promise and warning: give her this chance, and she would relinquish her power. Deny her, and who could say what would follow?
He met her gaze, then smiled faintly. “Very well.”
Without another word, he returned to his desk, picking up his brush. Li Shuang remained kneeling, armor glinting faintly under the lamplight, fatigue shadowing her features, yet her posture was unyielding—like steel tempered by flame.
“Shuang’er,” he said as he wrote the decree, “I only hope one day, you won’t regret this.”
Li Shuang bowed low. “Your subject receives the decree.”
That night, the order was sealed. Li Shuang would lead fifty thousand troops to South Changshan to eliminate the Gu tribe.
The court was shaken. The jianghu whispered. The people speculated endlessly.
But Li Shuang paid no mind. She made her preparations quietly.
This time, she wasn’t marching to conquer.
She was marching to save.
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