Chapter 129: The Commander

December 25th, the twenty-first year of the Tianwu era, was a day of biting cold.

The teenage general, not yet sixteen, led the hundred-thousand-strong Chu Army to capture Yancheng, the final stronghold in Liaozhou, despite a severe shortage of provisions.

News of the victory reached Pingzhou in short order. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the citizens of Pingzhou were more spirited than in years past. Every household was adorned with lanterns and colorful streamers, and even the holiday couplets were largely dedicated to praising the heroic spirit of Chu Junhan.

Within the Prime Minister’s estate, a graceful young woman draped in a sable cloak was gently plucking winter plum blossoms. Snowflakes alighted on the tip of her delicate nose, accentuating her beauty.

"Miss... Miss!"

A maidservant cried out in excitement from a distance, heedless of the deep snow, nearly stumbling in her haste. Yet, nothing could dampen her exhilaration.

Liu Yan'er reached out with slender, jade-like fingers to steady the maid, exhaling a puff of warm mist. With a charming smile that revealed sweet dimples, she chided softly, "You, still so reckless. What could possibly have you so excited?"

After being steadied by her mistress, the maid clutched her hands tightly, nearly shrieking, "Miss, Young Master Chu is returning to Pingzhou!"

"What? Junhan is coming back? How did you find out? From whom?" Liu Yan'er’s flower basket clattered to the ground. Her eyes widened in excitement as she fired off a flurry of questions.

The maid, having anticipated her mistress's reaction, curtsied slightly and replied with a beaming smile, "Young Master Chu is truly a prodigy; he broke through Yancheng just a short while ago! I heard while buying rouge today that the Master has been summoned to the palace, likely to discuss the imperial conferment."

"Conferred as what?"

The maid exhaled a cloud of vapor, her lips moving, but no sound reached the air.

Liu Yan'er covered her mouth with her small hand, stunned for several seconds before regaining her composure. She pulled on the maid’s hand, her voice trembling with excitement, "Grand Marshal of the Imperial Armies?"

"Yes!" The maid nodded firmly, grinning foolishly; she was happy simply because her mistress was happy.

"I must confirm this with Father," Liu Yan'er murmured to herself.

With those words, she dashed toward the study like a gust of wind. Her father had just returned from court and usually remained in his study until mealtime. She could not wait; she needed a definitive answer. Was the man she had promised to remember for a lifetime truly coming back?

"Father..." Before Liu Yan'er could step through the doorway, she heard two voices inside. She was forced to stop at the threshold, suppressing her excitement.

The young woman tightened her cloak and quietly pressed against the doorframe, her large, curious eyes fixed on the two men, her ears pricked.

Aside from Liu Shuming, there was a young man inside. While not exceptionally handsome, he was striking, with eyes as sharp as a hawk’s. This was none other than the Crown Prince, Xiao Shengjie!

This was precisely why Liu Yan'er had hidden herself; she disliked Xiao Shengjie, even detested him, yet she was the designated Crown Princess.

"What is the Prime Minister’s opinion on the matter?" The two inside, unaware they were being overheard, continued their conversation.

Liu Shuming remained poised and scholarly as he replied, "Ten years ago, Chu Xiong led his forces into the pass. Now that Liaozhou no longer has any influence to check the Chu family, it is entirely possible that Chu Junhan will lead his army to march on the capital. We must secure other powers to intervene."

"The Grand Commandant’s forces are not necessarily a match for the Chu Army."

Xiao Shengjie’s subtext was clear: he would not use the Grand Commandant’s forces to confront the Chu family. For one, they were ineffective; for another, they were his own base of power, and he had no desire to suffer any losses.

It would be best to find a faction unwilling to submit to him, so that he might sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.