Her words were earnest, her expression tinged with sorrow.
Under the shadow of war, the hardships of ordinary people lay bare for all to see.
What matters most is...
He said that he had pleaded with Pei Jue, and Pei Jue had agreed. If Xiao Cheng would not relent, wouldn’t that show he was less magnanimous than Pei Jue, unwilling to let the sisters reunite?
Yan Buxi let out a cold snort.
Though he said nothing explicitly, his gaze served as a warning to Xiao Cheng.
Beware of deceit!
In his eyes, Feng Yun was nothing but a cunning, sly woman who required constant vigilance...
Xiao Cheng looked at him with an indifferent expression.
"Granted."
-
Dark clouds piled upon each other in the sky, heavy and foreboding, like a curtain of gloom pressing down overhead.
Zuo Zhong was left waiting outside while Xiaoman, accompanied solely by a guard, made her way to Daman’s residence.
The guard led the way ahead, and as soon as they reached the entrance, Daman, who had already heard the news, rushed out...
Pulling aside the curtain, their gazes t, and Daman cried out in joyful surprise.
"Xiaoman!"
"Sister—"
Xiaoman opened her arms and embraced Daman tightly as she dashed forward.
"Co, let’s talk inside." Daman bead with delight as she ushered Xiaoman in, but her face turned stern as she addressed the guard beside her:
"Wait outside. Without my orders, you are not to enter."
The attendant responded, "Understood."
With a cheerful smile, Daman took Xiaoman’s hand and led her inside.
It was evident that over the years, Xiao Cheng had not mistreated Daman. Even while stationed with the army, her quarters were distinctively refined with every necessity at hand, along with two palace maids to attend her.
Silently watching Daman preparing tea and setting out refreshnts, Xiaoman pursed her lips, remaining quiet.
Only when Daman looked her way did Xiaoman softly ask:
"Sister, these years—how have you been?"
Daman paused, gently brushed her sleeve, and guided Xiaoman to sit beside her.
"Other than often thinking of you and Mother, everything has been fine."
Xiaoman furrowed her brow, her gaze fixed on Daman, her eyes slowly tracing her face as if trying to see through her completely—remaining silent for a long while.
Daman smiled and asked, "What’s the matter?"
Xiaoman replied, "But if this war continues, Sister, you and I—and Mother—will beco enemies. Later, if we want to et again, it will be even harder..."
Daman’s expression grew more subdued, a touch of difficulty showing on her face.
Xiaoman continued, "Sister, you can’t know how much I had to plead today to see you. My husband was initially unwilling—afraid that if I t you, I might speak recklessly, saying things out of turn..."
Daman’s gaze shifted slightly.
"He doesn’t treat you well?"
Xiaoman shook her head, "He treats well."
She lowered her eyes further and sighed lightly.
"But in his eyes, I lack cunning, lack foresight—too easily swayed by you, letting sothing slip..."
Daman chuckled softly and took Xiaoman’s hand.
"We are on the sa side, we are sisters. What could I possibly coax out of you?"
With a slight pout, Xiaoman let out a hum, "Of course! We grew up together—I don’t already know you inside and out? Besides, I don’t know anything about military secrets—what use would there be in trying to pry information?"
"Exactly." Daman sipped her tea while teasingly humming, "n are always like that, thinking won have long hair and short insight, ignorant of everything—as if they’re the most brilliant and conniving..."
"Exactly, exactly! Zuo Zhong is just the sa, so annoying!"
"Just listen to you, acting all pouty—saying he’s annoying but looking awfully sweet for it."
Daman teased her with a laugh, then took a sip from her tea cup. Her expression quickly dimd.
"You’re right about one thing—this war, I fear, will drag on endlessly..."
Xiaoman frowned, "The two nations have coexisted peacefully for years, everything was fine. It was the Qi Army who ignited the flas of war..."
She glanced at Daman and asked again, "What exactly is Qi Province after?"
Daman laughed quietly, a faint hint of lancholy appearing on her face.
"You still don’t know what he wants?"
Xiaoman found herself speechless as Daman toyed with the tea cup, her expression vacant. "He wants Da Yong Emperor’s confidant. He wants what’s most unattainable in this world—harder to acquire than the empire itself by hundreds of tis..."
Xiaoman scoffed, "His wife and child are already seven—how could she ever go back to him? Unless he destroys Da Yong... No, even if Da Yong falls, his wife wouldn’t possibly change her mind. Sister, you must persuade Qi Jun—persuade him to give up this thought—with peace restored between the nations, you and I could visit each other often again."
Daman smiled faintly, her eyes flickering with a complex light. "How could I possibly dissuade him? If I could, we wouldn’t be where we are today..."
"Sister..." Xiaoman looked at her, her emotions in turmoil. "Tell , is Qi Jun a match for our Emperor?"
Daman replied, "That’s hard to say. The Emperor strategizes from a thousand miles away, with brilliant plans. These past months of conflict have seen wins and losses on both sides—no one can foresee who will erge victorious in the end..."
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