If one could gain some understanding before the battle, it would provide more confidence when facing the enemy.
If the opponent dispatches someone who has never fought before, one can only learn about the adversary, and oneself, through successive battles, big and small.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Qin Yuchuan put away the map on the table and opened the study window.
The cold wind ruffled a few strands of his hair as he stood motionless by the window.
The outcome of this battle was unpredictable; all he could do was give his all, as was his duty.
Previously, he had nothing to care about, but now he had his little girl. If something were to happen to him, what would become of her?
He had never considered this aspect before. As a general, he was supposed to live on the edge of death.
Dying on the battlefield was the highest honor, just like his father, becoming a figure praised by the people.
But now, with someone to care for, someone to protect, he seemed to have grown weary of this life of swordplay and bloodshed, wanting instead to remain by her side.
He hoped this battle would go smoothly.
In Changle Palace, Murong Yan's face darkened as she read the message Yan Lan had just handed her.
"How could they handle matters like this! Going to war now brings nothing but harm to the southern frontier."
"And letting that fool Murong Yi lead the troops, do they want the country to fall so soon?"
Yan Lan stood trembling beside Murong Yan.
"The King is currently obsessed with alchemy and the pursuit of immortality. All court affairs are being handled by the Crown Prince."
"This servant believes this matter may not be the Crown Prince's doing, but rather the work of some other princes."
Murong Yan laughed bitterly, "They can't truly believe they can match Qin Yuchuan!"
"His title of War God is well-earned, based on his military achievements and years of experience in campaigns north and south."
"They indulge in pleasure and still expect to win battles? It's nothing but a fool's dream!"
Yan Lan asked, "Then, Your Highness, what should we do?"
"Now that things have changed, we must act quickly. Go inform Li He to proceed as planned, and you go with him."
The situation was grave, leaving no other choice.
Yan Lan glanced at Murong Yan's belly, "Your Highness, you're with child now. You must be careful in all things. This servant will go find Lord Li immediately."
After Yan Lan left, Murong Yan looked down at her own belly.
She had to keep this child; it was her bargaining chip.
She hoped Li He and the others wouldn't fail this time, or she would have to find another way.
...
A few days before the New Year, everything at home had been prepared.
Neighbors gathered to play mahjong, while children played games, watched TV, and ate snacks.
Feng Qingyi sat by the fireplace, browsing her phone and chatting idly with friends.
Suddenly, her pinned contact on WeChat called. Noticing the noisy surroundings, Feng Qingyi took her phone and left the heated room.
"Hello, why are you suddenly calling me?"
The wind howled outside as Feng Qingyi placed her phone on the flower rack by the door, hands tucked in her pockets.
"Have you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten what? I don't think so!" She truly couldn't recall forgetting anything.
Hearing Feng Qingyi's answer, Qin Yuchuan was unsatisfied.
"Are you sure?"
Feng Qingyi hesitated for a moment, "I really haven't forgotten anything!"
"I want to see you. Find a suitable place."
"... Well, why don't you just tell me what I've forgotten? There are lots of people at home today, and if you come, I won't know how to explain it to them."
"Then you come to see me."
His tone today seemed somewhat aggrieved and urgent. Feng Qingyi even began to wonder if she had done something terrible to him.
But try as she might, she couldn't come up with anything, so she decided to ask directly.
"You're acting strange today. Did something happen?"
Qin Yuchuan didn't answer, instead continuing, "Can I really not come to see you?"
"... It's not that you can't. Let me find a place."
Feng Qingyi felt as if she had been bewitched by his words. His tone seemed so pitiful that she couldn't bear to refuse.
After telling her family she was going for a walk, Feng Qingyi headed towards the bamboo grove on the hill behind the house.
It was a vast bamboo forest, still lush despite the deep winter.
The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, creating a soothing sound.
The dense grove was actually a bit warmer than the open areas without cover.
"This is too much trouble, climbing a mountain in the dead of winter, and there's not even a place to sit."
Feng Qingyi leaned against a thick bamboo stalk, talking to herself.
No sooner had she finished speaking than a large number of bamboo leaves suddenly cascaded down from above her.
The sheer volume of leaves covered her entirely.
They fell on her hair, her clothes, everywhere.
Especially on her head, where her loose hair was now adorned with verdant green leaves.
A few leaves grazed her face, causing a slight stinging sensation.
Feng Qingyi jumped a few times, shaking off most of the leaves.
She then touched her face, worried she might have been scratched.
Taking out her phone to check her reflection, she sighed in relief when she saw no damage.
Looking around, she noticed that only her area was affected.
These bamboo leaves had fallen only around her.
Could this be some kind of supernatural event? Or was someone trying to harm her?
Feng Qingyi was hesitating whether to retreat when Qin Yuchuan suddenly descended from above.
Feng Qingyi was genuinely confused. Could it have been him who scattered the bamboo leaves?
It seemed somewhat out of character for him, though she admitted she might not know him well enough yet.
She had seen flower petals being scattered many times, but this leaf-scattering was truly a first, quite novel indeed.
However, if it happened again, with leaves falling at a more precarious angle, she might end up with a disfigured face.
"Did you scatter these bamboo leaves?" Feng Qingyi inquired.
Qin Yuchuan began plucking the leaves from Feng Qingyi's hair one by one.
"Are you cold?"
Seeing that Qin Yuchuan wasn't answering her question, Feng Qingyi asked again, "Did you do this with the leaves?"
"Yes. Did you like it?"
Yan Yang had found some folk tales that mentioned creating surprises for one's partner.
It was winter, and there were no flower petals here, so he had to make do with leaves. However, she didn't seem to find it as delightful as expected.
"... Well, I quite liked it, but let's not do it again next time."
She really couldn't bear it any longer! Where on earth did he learn all this?
Qin Yuchuan placed his hand on Feng Qingyi's head. "Did you miss me?"
"Don't we video chat every day?" This was practically the same as seeing each other daily, so was there any need to miss him?
"Don't you want to see me?" Qin Yuchuan asked again.
Feng Qingyi felt that he had been acting very strange lately. Could he be in some kind of trouble?
But even if he really was in trouble, there wasn't much she could do!
She had neither money nor influence. At most, she could only cheer him on from the sidelines. There wasn't much else she could rely on to help.
Seeing that the girl in front of him hadn't responded for a while, Qin Yuchuan asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
