Frequent floods ravaged Suzhou, and banditry was on the rise. Among the countless outlaw strongholds, Qinglong Stronghold had become the most powerful. Its chieftain had even declared himself king, throwing the region into panic.
The Prefect of Suzhou urgently reported the situation to the imperial court. After deliberation, the court decided to send Crown Prince Xiao Yu to Suzhou as part of his training, tasking him with suppressing the bandits to demonstrate the empire’s resolve.
The next day, the Crown Prince departed for Suzhou alongside Shen Yi, the heir to the Duke’s estate.
After one of the scouts under Qing Ren, the second-in-command of Qinglong Stronghold, finished delivering the report, he couldn’t help sneering.
“A brat who’s barely out of diapers actually thinks he can march in here and—”
His laughter abruptly died in his throat as Qing Ren glanced toward the young woman seated at the head of the hall.
Silently rubbing his nose, he wisely swallowed the rest of his words.
Originally, Qing Ren himself had been the chief of Qinglong Stronghold. He had been content to keep to a quiet corner of the mountains—until a masked young woman appeared and proposed a partnership.
After a round of “friendly negotiations” (or rather, an overwhelming display of force), Qing Ren willingly relinquished the position of chief.
Since then, Qinglong Stronghold’s influence had soared. Nearby bandit groups flocked to join them one after another.
The silver-masked girl lounging on the chief’s seat lazily twirled a dagger between her fingers, sounding thoroughly uninterested.
“Why did you stop talking?”
She looked at Qing Ren, who could only force an awkward laugh without daring to continue, and chuckled softly.
“Do you really think that pampered Crown Prince can be compared to me?”
“N-No, absolutely not.”
Qing Ren hurriedly shook his head.
“I’ve seen your martial arts with my own eyes, Chief. That delicate Crown Prince couldn’t possibly compare to you.”
Even now, Qing Ren vividly remembered their duel.
Before he had even managed to raise his blade, the girl had already flashed in front of him.
The icy edge of her dagger resting against his throat was a sensation he would never forget.
“Hm.”
The girl closed her eyes.
“Tell everyone to keep a lower profile for the next few days.”
“I’m tired. You may leave.”
Though Qing Ren couldn’t understand why the chief had dismissed the Crown Prince one moment only to order everyone to lie low the next, he didn’t dare question her.
He simply acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Only after everyone had left did the girl slowly open her eyes.
They were bright and clear.
She turned toward the black-clad figure who had silently appeared before her.
“Pavilion Master, the Crown Prince has already reached Jingzhou. He should arrive in Suzhou within two days.”
“I know.”
Her voice remained calm and emotionless.
“When they enter Suzhou, take two men and keep watch over everyone in the stronghold.”
“No one is to enter the city.”
“Understood.”
The man disappeared back into the shadows.
The girl rose and opened a hidden compartment concealed behind the bookshelf.
Resting inside was half of a jade pendant, glowing faintly beneath the moonlight.
“Yu’er… Li’er… Take these.”
Warm afternoon sunlight bathed the palace.
The young Empress gently split an exquisite dragon-and-phoenix jade pendant into two halves.
She handed the dragon half to the little boy and the phoenix half to the little girl.
The two beautifully dressed children happily examined their matching pendants.
“Mother…”
Holding her half of the jade, the little girl tilted her head in confusion.
“Why did you only give Brother and me half a pendant?”
The beautiful Empress smiled lovingly and tapped her daughter’s little nose.
“Li’er, look.”
“When separated, they’re only two halves.”
“But when they’re put together…”
She joined the two pieces.
“…they become one perfect circle.”
Looking at her daughter, who only half understood, she gathered the child into her embrace.
“You and your brother are the two most precious treasures your father and I possess.”
“Right now, while you’re both with us, you’re like this complete circle.”
She carefully fitted the two jade pieces together.
They clicked perfectly into place with a crisp, pleasant sound.
“This half of the jade pendant…”
“…is Mother’s promise to you.”
The little girl’s eyes widened.
“A promise?”
The Empress gently stroked her daughter’s silky hair.
“Yes.”
“A very important promise.”
“No matter where life takes you…”
“No matter what either of you becomes…”
“As long as you still have your half of the jade pendant, you’ll be able to find each other.”
“You’ll become whole again.”
After a brief pause, she teased with a smile,
“So if your brother ever bullies you, just show him your half of the pendant.”
“He’ll remember he’s supposed to take good care of his little sister.”
“Otherwise…”
“…the jade pendant will never become whole again.”
The little girl was deeply moved by the thought of always being together.
She carefully tucked away her half of the pendant and smiled sweetly.
“I understand!”
“Li’er will always stay with Brother.”
“We’ll make a complete circle together!”
“What?! You’re leaving the mountain?!”
The woman, who had been bedridden for years, became so agitated that she broke into a violent coughing fit.
The girl hurried over and gently patted her back.
“Sister Cai Ling, my martial arts are excellent. Even Brother Qing Ren isn’t my match. I—”
“No!”
After catching her breath, Cai Ling refused firmly.
Her eyes brimmed with worry as she looked at the young girl.
“Ah Li, do you realize how dangerous it’ll be if you go down the mountain?”
Why were there so many bandits in Suzhou?
Because the prefectural government had long since rotted from within.
Corrupt officials and greedy bureaucrats were everywhere.
And now…
The imperial court had finally sent someone.
The girl dared not tell Cai Ling that the person sent was the Crown Prince.
She feared it would only make her worry even more.
Cai Ling had never once resented the girl for taking her husband’s position as chief.
If not for this young girl, whose childish features had yet to completely fade…
Their stronghold would likely have been swallowed up by rival bandits long ago.
Much less have the money to treat her illness.
Knowing Cai Ling sincerely regarded her as a younger sister, the girl spoke softly yet resolutely.
“I know you’re worried.”
“But now that the court has sent people here…”
“If I don’t act…”
“We’ll all become fish on the chopping block.”
Seeing the determination in the girl’s eyes, Cai Ling knew she could no longer persuade her.
She sighed, gently caressing the silver mask covering the girl’s face.
“I know I can’t stop you…”
“But promise me you’ll stay safe…”
Tears finally spilled from her eyes as she embraced the girl tightly.
“If things become impossible…”
“Run.”
“Don’t worry about us…”
The girl’s body stiffened slightly.
Awkwardly, she returned the embrace.
“It won’t come to that, Sister Cai Ling…”
Resting her head against Cai Ling’s shoulder, the warmth in her voice contrasted sharply with the endless coldness hidden within her eyes.
There were some matters…
That she had to handle personally.
After a long while, the girl quietly closed the door behind her.
As she turned around, a tall figure was already waiting outside.
Qing Ren handed her a travel bundle.
“Chief.”
“Here.”
Taking it, she noticed the complicated expression on his face and smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry.”
“Your chief’s life is tough.”
“I won’t die that easily.”
Standing on tiptoe, she lightly patted his shoulder.
“I’m off, Brother Qing Ren.”
The next moment, she vanished without a trace.
Qing Ren’s eyes reddened.
Facing the empty forest, he shouted at the top of his lungs,
“Ah Li!”
“You have to come back alive!”
Only the swaying branches answered him.