A vanguard of ten thousand returned not a single one. When General Gao went to provide support, he saw corpses of his army scattered across the mountains and plains. Then, a deafening battle cry came from the rear of the main force. Turning his head, he saw a man and a woman in light armor, holding weapons, attacking from both sides.
He had nowhere to escape and was pierced in the chest, thrown from his horse. With the commander fallen, Gao’s army collapsed, completely routed. From this point, no one dared to invade the Qian Nan border again.
After recovering, Si Zhan spent his days playing with his three-month-old son, Chang’an, buying every toy in the street markets to enrich his world. On this day, Si Zhan sat Chang’an on his lap at the tea table in the main room. Chang’an held a wolf-hair brush, while Si Zhan’s hand guided his small one in scribbling on rice paper. Ning Wan Wan sat nearby, propping her chin and smiling as she watched them.
Suddenly, Yuan Bi entered and reported: “Master, Madam, there’s a mysterious woman outside seeking an audience.” Si Zhan frowned and said: “Do not admit her.” Ning Wan Wan asked: “Do you know who she is?” Yuan Bi replied, “She only said she’s from Bian Du and that the masters will recognize her upon meeting.” Ning Wan Wan thought: A woman from Bian Du… Could something have happened there? She quickly said: “Then let her enter.”
Yuan Bi left briefly before bringing in a veiled woman dressed in a golden-embroidered peony dress.
The woman glanced at the three-person scene, her gaze lingering on Chang’an in Si Zhan’s lap. She approached, removed her veil, and smiled: “This daughter, Han Shu Ya, pays respects to the Duke of Yi and greets the Duchess.”
Si Zhan, playing with Chang’an, turned to Han Shu Ya: “What brings you here?”
Han Shu Ya replied: “I was sent by my father to deliver a letter to the Duke.”
Si Zhan paused, handed Chang’an to Ning Wan Wan, and faced Han Shu Ya: “Bring it forward.”
The narrative continues with political intrigue involving the imperial court, succession struggles, and military conflicts.
