Chapter 57: The Princess of the North Wind, Descending South to Negotiate Peace

[The imperial consorts, royal relatives, and the ladies of the court.]

[Amidst songs and dances, the beauties vied for splendor, like a hundred flowers in full bloom.]

[At the center of the gathering stood the current Empress, mother of the Second Prince.]

[Beside the Empress, a radiant woman drew attention—tall in stature, noble in bearing, and brimming with martial vigor.]

[This was the Princess of the North Wind.]

[Perhaps nurtured by the northern land, she stood tallest among all the women, making her the most striking among them.]

[Rumors said she rode horses and shot arrows with skill unmatched by any man.]

[Since marrying into this glittering capital four years ago as a bride sent far away for peace, she had firmly established herself within the capital in just four years.]

[The Second Prince cherished her deeply; to show his singular devotion, he dismissed every concubine in his household.]

[The Princess of the North Wind pleaded for them multiple times, but the Second Prince’s resolve was unshakable.]

[Those concubines met grim fates—some became servants, others drowned in ponds.]

[The reasons behind this were known to few.]

[Thus, the Second Prince earned the reputation of being heartless.]

[Within the Great Qing imperial clan, she thrived—the Empress treated her as her own daughter, and she mingled closely with the wives of court officials, becoming their intimate friends.]

[This Princess of the North Wind’s tactics were undeniably masterful!]

[After exchanging pleasantries with the Empress and the other consorts,]

[You quietly stepped aside, observing in silence.]

[Lu Yu, meanwhile, kept his gaze lowered, utterly uninterested.]

[Among these beauties, several eyes flickered with quiet curiosity and probing interest toward you.]

[After all, you had once been at the height of your glory, famed throughout the land, granted the title of Junior Guardian and authority over three provinces, as if only a single step remained before ascending to the clouds.]

[Back then, countless beauties were bewitched by you, pouring out their youth for your sake.]

[Yet fate is unpredictable—finally, only the news of your retirement to Mount Zhongnan reached them; your former glory vanished, reduced to the attire of a commoner.]

[This news swept through like a bitter wind across a lake, instantly extinguishing the warm fires in countless women’s hearts, leaving only cold disappointment.]

[In the torrent of power, even heroes who had won great military triumphs, once stripped of influence, became fleeting shadows, vanishing in an instant.]

[Your past heroic achievements, now that power had faded, became insignificant—even less than the peddlers and porters who wandered the streets.]

[Now, the Second Prince advocates peace, the Empress is his mother, and you are no longer the hero who once shook the heavens.]

[Naturally, no one dared provoke the Empress or risk offending the Second Prince and the Empress by associating with a former general of the pro-war faction.]

[In this palace vortex, who would dare challenge the Empress’s dignity or question the Second Prince’s decision? All avoided you, fearing any association.]

[Now, in this palace, no one greeted you—only solitude remained.]

[They kept their distance, leaving an empty space around you.]

[The ladies and sons of the officials bore faint mockery and cold smirks.]

[Once the Junior Guardian, Lu Shenzhou; now, the Daoist, Lu Chen.]

[One man, yet a world turned upside down.]

[At this moment, one person approached you.]

[The Princess of the North Wind.]

[With her noble status, no one dared speak out!]

[“Jinyu greets the Junior Guardian?” Her voice was soft and enchanting.]

[Her voice was even more delicate than that of southern women.]

[After marrying into the Great Qing, she requested a name change; the Emperor was delighted and granted her the imperial surname Zhou.]

[Her new name: Zhou Jinyu.]

[This name marked both her new identity and the beginning of her new life.]

[The Second Prince was enfeoffed as Prince of Han.]

[“Lu Chen, greetings, Princess of Han.”]

[Zhou Jinyu’s gaze flowed over you like autumn water.]

[“Junior Guardian, this is actually our second meeting?”]

[You were puzzled—your memory held no recollection of ever having met this Princess of Han.]

[Zhou Jinyu smiled: “Back then, when the Junior Guardian led your iron cavalry to strike directly at Huanglong Mansion, I watched your figure from atop the city gate—but the distance was too great, and I could not see clearly.”]

[She paused, then continued: “At the time, I assumed the Junior Guardian was a fierce, unyielding hero. Yet now, seeing you again, you are… a Daoist.”]

[Perhaps because they were close, the ladies and noble sons behind heard.]

[Since the Princess of Han began speaking with Lu Chen, all had strained their ears to listen.]

[At this point!]

[Someone behind laughed aloud—as if someone had started it, the laughter grew louder, drawing everyone’s gaze.]

[“Hero… Daoist, ha!”]

[“True enough—what a clever metaphor.”]

[Even the Empress, mother of the realm, could not suppress a faint smile—though it vanished instantly.]

[The Empress frowned slightly, sensing something improper.]

[The surrounding noise gradually subsided; all eyes turned back to you, waiting expectantly for your reaction.]

[You listened, calm and detached—as if the words had nothing to do with you.]

[Zhou Jinyu’s gaze remained fixed on your face, searching for even the slightest emotional ripple.]

[Yet you remained unmoved, like an outsider.]

[She continued: “Back then, when the Junior Guardian stood before Huanglong Mansion, it was as if black clouds pressed down, the city on the verge of collapse…”]

[She shook her head gently, her eyes filled with complex light: “Enough. Those are all past clouds and smoke—no need to speak of them again.”]

[You nodded.]

[You no longer wished to be remembered for those days; now, you only sought quiet cultivation.]

[The Princess of the North Wind saw your expression and pressed on: “Jinyu never intended to say this, but since the Junior Guardian refuses to listen, I feel it necessary to speak.”]

[You looked weary.]

[The northern woman paused, recalling, then spoke slowly:]

[“When the Lu family army reached the outskirts of Huanglong Mansion, my northern soldiers were filled with terror.”]

[“At the time, Huanglong Mansion held over two hundred thousand troops, while the Lu family army numbered only eighty thousand.”]

[“I thought to myself: two hundred thousand troops, rested and ready, against eighty thousand Lu soldiers—how could they possibly lose?”]

[She paused, then continued:]

[“Yet my elder brother, Tuoba Shuyi, who had always been a hero since childhood, lacked even the courage to fight—he only prepared to die within the city.”]

[“At that time, I wanted to curse him for being unworthy of being a man.”]

[“As a general, he should have led his soldiers to fight bravely—not chosen to flee.”]

[“Yet now, it seems that back then, his choice was the best one.”]

[She spoke slowly, as if muttering to herself—or perhaps seeking your opinion.]

[Zhou Jinyu turned to you, her eyes holding a trace of hope: “Junior Guardian, do you believe that negotiating peace and withdrawing south was the best decision?”]

[You were about to answer when a clear, firm female voice suddenly rang out from behind Zhou Jinyu, cutting off your conversation.]

[“Great Qing should not negotiate peace—the Junior Guardian should have stormed Huanglong Mansion.”]

[The entire hall fell into stunned silence.]

[You turned toward the voice!]

PS: Tonight’s update is too late, a bit late—I’ll correct typos and tweak a few sentences later.

Pacing has accelerated—this plotline should be over soon. Thank you all for correcting the typos!!

(End of Chapter)