Thus, the already outrageous rumor spread and evolved at an astonishing speed.
“Did you see that? Wherever the Stronghold Chief goes, Madam follows. They’re inseparable!”
“Madam even helps the Chief handle the stronghold’s affairs! I heard her ideas are brilliant—what a capable wife!”
“Oh, I saw Madam bringing the Chief a cloak last night. She’s so thoughtful!”
“Though… the Chief seems to have quite a temper. Always scolding Madam…”
“Tsk. Typical. Got her, and now doesn’t cherish her anymore. Poor Madam—so handsome and gentle…”
The rumors spread farther and farther, becoming more ridiculous with each retelling.
Eventually, even Qing Ren, who was usually a man of few words, couldn’t hold back any longer.
After giving his report one day, he glanced awkwardly at Xiao Yu, who was quietly helping A’Li organize maps nearby, then lowered his voice.
“Chief… um… everyone’s saying… that… well… you’re… a little… too harsh… on Madam. It’s… not really good… it affects…”
Affects your prestige…
He didn’t dare finish the sentence.
Upon hearing this, A’Li snapped the brush in her hand clean in two.
Her head shot up, murderous eyes piercing toward Xiao Yu, who appeared completely oblivious and still wore that warm, gentle smile.
Sensing her gaze, Xiao Yu looked up and gave her an exceptionally tender smile—one tinged with unmistakable indulgence.
A’Li: “…”
For the first time in her life, she truly understood what people meant by easy to invite in, impossible to send away.
And also…
Lifting a rock only to drop it on your own foot.
This bastard was doing it on purpose.
Shen Yi and Xie Yan sat facing each other in silence, both wearing grim expressions.
The rumors filtering out of the stronghold only worsened their frustration.
They knew they were almost certainly tricks meant to disrupt morale, yet they had no way to stop them from spreading among the soldiers.
“We only have enough provisions for three more days.”
Xie Yan’s voice was low, carrying a trace of fatigue.
He had always been a man whose strategies never failed. Yet now, he had repeatedly suffered setbacks at the hands of a female bandit, even having his supply lines destroyed.
For the first time in his life, he felt truly powerless.
“Damn it!”
Shen Yi slammed his fist onto the table.
“That woman burned our grain supplies, and now she pulls this kind of underhanded crap every single day! She won’t fight us head-on—just endless harassment and sneak attacks! The men can’t sleep at night, and they’re on edge all day during patrols! How the hell are we supposed to fight like this?”
Just as the tent sank into gloomy silence, an unusual commotion erupted outside.
Moments later came the synchronized thunder of hooves and the clatter of armor.
Shen Yi and Xie Yan shot to their feet, exchanging startled looks before hurrying outside.
In the distance, a cloud of dust billowed into the sky as an elite cavalry force galloped toward the camp.
The three riders at its head made both men’s pupils contract.
In the center rode Xiao Che.
Dressed in black robes over dark gold soft armor, his cold features and commanding aura radiated unquestionable imperial authority.
To his left rode Shen Yi’s father, Duke Shen Changliu, whose refined appearance hid piercingly sharp eyes.
On his right was General Xie Qiu, Xie Yan’s father, his entire body exuding the killing intent of a seasoned battlefield commander.
Within moments, the procession halted before the camp.
Xiao Che reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping across the weary and somewhat disorderly military camp.
His brows knit together ever so slightly.
“Your subjects greet Your Majesty.”
Shen Yi and Xie Yan suppressed their shock and immediately knelt on one knee.
Xiao Che gave a small wave of his hand.
“Rise. We’ll speak inside.”
Shen Changliu and Xie Qiu each nodded to their sons, their expressions carrying equal parts inquiry and scrutiny.
The group entered the command tent.
Neither Shen Yi nor Xie Yan dared conceal anything.
They recounted every event from the past several days.
How they had uncovered the fake Crown Prince.
How they had deduced that “he” was actually A’Li, who was most likely the Chief of Qinglong Stronghold.
How their grain stores had been burned.
How their army was now plagued by collapsing morale and relentless harassment.
As Shen Changliu listened—especially upon hearing how his son had been wounded by A’Li and repeatedly toyed with—he couldn’t help glaring at Shen Yi with an expression of utter disappointment.
Meanwhile, after hearing the whole story, Xie Qiu’s eyes flashed with faint admiration.
“Unorthodox tactics… adaptable and unpredictable.”
“A rare military talent.”
“What a pity…”
Throughout it all, Xiao Che remained silent.
His fingers lightly rubbed the rim of his teacup, his eyes unfathomably deep.
Only after both men had finished did he finally speak.
“You mentioned that, over these past few days, besides the harassment, some of the bandits’ tactical responses have been… remarkably precise and experienced.”
Shen Yi and Xie Yan paused to think.
It was true.
The constant raids exhausted them.
Yet every so often, when they altered their strategy, the enemy responded as though they had anticipated every move in advance.
It was infuriatingly effective.
“…Yes.”
“That is indeed the case.”
Xie Yan nodded.
Setting down his teacup, Xiao Che fixed them with a sharp gaze.
“From what you’ve described…”
“I’m not convinced all of it came from that female bandit chief.”
“The style behind some of those tactical decisions…”
“…feels strangely familiar.”
He paused.
“Were there any other unusual occurrences? No matter how insignificant.”
Shen Yi hesitated.
He glanced at his father and General Xie before finally gritting his teeth and recounting the absurd rumor that had spread through the army.
About the Stronghold Chief and the so-called “Madam of the Stronghold.”
How inseparable they supposedly were.
How affectionate.
How they managed the stronghold together.
When he finished, an eerie silence filled the tent.
Shen Changliu and Xie Qiu’s expressions instantly became colorful.
First disbelief.
Then, with unmistakable amusement, both secretly glanced toward the expressionless Emperor.
Your Majesty… what exactly is the Crown Prince playing at?
Xiao Che’s hand remained perfectly steady as he lifted his teacup and calmly took another sip.
His face revealed not the slightest ripple, as though he hadn’t just heard scandalous rumors involving his own son.
A father knew his son best.
Ever since childhood, Xiao Yu had treasured his younger sister more than the apple of his eye.
After Xiao Li disappeared, although he never spoke of it, resentment had quietly taken root in his heart.
He had even grown distant from Xiao Che himself.
Only in public did he maintain the proper decorum expected of the Crown Prince.
Even the words Father Emperor came out stiffly.
A son whose every waking thought was devoted to finding his missing sister…
How could he possibly develop romantic feelings for a female bandit chief in such a short time?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
And yet…
Similar eyes.
A similar figure.
Xiao Che’s fingers tightened ever so slightly.
The vague but astonishing suspicion forming in his heart was becoming clearer by the moment.
Yet his face remained perfectly composed.
Silence settled over the command tent.
Only the flickering candlelight danced across the faces of those present, each lost in different thoughts.
Originally, Xiao Che’s plan had been simple.
Overwhelm Qinglong Stronghold with crushing force.
Rescue the Crown Prince.
Exterminate the bandits.
But now…
He had completely abandoned that plan.
A direct assault?
Perhaps they could rescue Yu’er.
Perhaps they could even raze the stronghold to the ground.
But that girl called A’Li…
That girl who was very likely Li’er…
She would undoubtedly find a way to disappear long before the army broke through.
Once she vanished into these endless mountains…
Finding her again would be like searching for a needle in the sea.
He could not take that risk.
Not even the slightest one.