Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Who is that?” My five-year-old sister huddled against me, whispering in my ear.

He was Xiao Xing, the youngest general in the empire.

At fifteen, he followed his father to war, and in just ten years, he unified Mobei.

Xiao Xing’s achievements were meant to be recorded in history books, to be revered by future generations.

Of course, that was only what I believed.

In reality, Xiao Xing had been imprisoned here for half a year on charges of treason.

“Do you remember the general we saw at Qinghe Hall on the twelfth of August last year?”

My little sister nodded. “That handsome, god-like general?”

On the day Xiao Xing returned to the capital, the streets were packed as the entire city cheered for him. I was fortunate enough to see his face then.

He stood tall and imposing, possessing a natural majesty that commanded respect without even trying.

I sat by the wooden bars, watching him constantly.

As the light from the air vent dimmed and the sound of snoring rose around us, I continued to watch him. When I grew tired, I simply shifted my posture against the bars.

When the night watch drum sounded five times, Xiao Xing raised his head. Through the thick gloom, he looked back at me.

I stood up and curtsied to him.

He gave a mocking sneer before closing his eyes once more.

I pinched my wrist with my fingernails, forcing myself to stay awake, maintaining my position just as he did.

Another day passed, filled with both silence and terror.

My second sister asked me when we would be taken away.

I told her, “Since no decree was announced yesterday, we still have five days.”

The Emperor held court every five days.

“Today is over,” my sister said, pointing toward the air vent. I nodded. “Then there are four days left.”

Terrified, my sister hid in the corner and began to cry.

I continued to watch Xiao Xing.

Late into the night, when the drum sounded five times again, Xiao Xing opened his eyes once more, his gaze colliding with mine. He gave the same mocking sneer and closed his eyes without moving.

At dawn, the jailer tossed breakfast onto the dry straw. I picked it up to feed my mother.

My mother refused to eat. She said she would rather die than see me enter the Jiaofangsi.

“There are three days left,” I told her. “Live for three more days. If there is truly no way out then, you can seek death.”

My mother did as I asked, slowly chewing the hard, dry bun.

This day was the second day of the second lunar month. After nightfall, I could faintly hear the bustle of the lantern festival on the streets.

What was I doing on this day last year?

I seemed to be in the palace accompanying the Empress to view the lanterns. The Crown Princess’s lotus lantern had fallen onto my skirt, setting my clothes on fire.

The Empress had reprimanded the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince had led the Crown Princess to apologize to me, and I had smiled, saying it was nothing.

Before I knew it, the fifth watch arrived. Xiao Xing opened his eyes, and I curtsied to him through the bars again.

He stared at me, and I looked back at him.

In my mind’s eye, the surroundings were replaced by billowing smoke and swirling snow; it was as if I followed his eyes to the vast, freezing wilderness of Mobei.

“General,” I said, collecting my thoughts and keeping my voice low. “The people… they need you.”

I couldn’t see his expression clearly, but those dark yet bright eyes of his betrayed a hint of interest.

After a long silence, he began to laugh.

“That traitor Yun Shenzhi actually raised a refined young lady like you.”

He shifted his posture, leaning against the wooden bars and squinting at me. “You’ve stared at me for three days. Is it really that the people need me, or is it that you need me?”

I replied, “There is no difference. I am also one of the people.”

I had watched him for three days specifically for this moment.

If we wanted to escape, we were nine women and children. Setting aside whether we could actually break out, we would have nowhere to hide even if we made it out.

But what if we were accompanied by Xiao Xing, a man of supreme martial skill who had Mobei as his stronghold?

I wanted to live.

But Xiao Xing remained unmoved, merely gesturing toward me with a rattle of his iron chains.

I said, “I only ask if the General wishes to leave. If you do, I have a way to unlock those chains on you.”

He said expressionlessly, “I don’t!”