Although war is raging outside, reconstruction of Yong'an City has begun in recent days.

The damaged houses and roads are being repaired by officials sent by the imperial court.

Street vendors have started doing business again. Although Yong'an is not as bustling and prosperous as before, the people here know that they have experienced even the worst days.

Therefore, things will only get better.

It is precisely because they have been trampled upon by the Rouran that they cherish their current peace and tranquility even more.

Today, the people of Yong'an are grateful yet incredibly united.

Su Tiyue, who had been confined to her home for a long time, went out in the evening to stroll around the streets and try the signature dishes at Qianweilou.

Upon arriving at Qianweilou, the waiter politely led Su Tiyue to a private room on the second floor and served her well.

The waiter bent down and asked in a low voice, "Miss Su, what would you like to eat?"

Su Tiyue smiled and said, "Just bring three or four of your restaurant's signature dishes. It's just Liu Wan and me eating; bringing more would be a waste..."

"yes."

After replying, the waiter went downstairs.

Liu Wan poured a cup of tea and handed it to Su Tiyue, who sat by the window and looked down at the passersby below.

Just as he was about to say something to Liu Wan, he suddenly heard voices coming from the private room next door.

One of the voices said, "General, as you have seen and heard, the people of Yong'an City seem to be dissatisfied with the Prince of Huainan."

“Neither the Prince of Huainan nor the late Crown Prince are easy to deal with.” Another voice spoke in a low tone, with a distinctive Beiling accent.

Although she hadn't heard this voice for many years, Su Tiyue still recognized its owner.

And what about that person calling him a general?

Su Tiyue was even more certain that she had not misheard.

She simply got up and walked to the private room next door. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked on the door in front of her.

The man who opened the door was dressed in ordinary clothes. When he saw Su Tiyue, he asked with a puzzled look, "May I ask who you are looking for, young lady?"

Su Tiyue tiptoed and looked at the person inside, saying, "I...I'm looking for your general."

Upon hearing her voice, Song Yunqian quickly turned around, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight. He instructed his men, "Let her in. You stay outside and keep watch."

"General Song, it's been a long time... I never expected to meet you here." Upon seeing an old friend, Su Tiyue's eyes narrowed into two small crescent moons. "Just now next door, I recognized your voice immediately. I hope I didn't disturb General Song's business?"

He was dressed in plain clothes today, and if you didn't look closely, almost no one would recognize him.

As mentioned above, Song Yunqian has been stationed in the northern frontier for quite some time now. The ordinary people of Yong'an City naturally don't recognize him.

Song Yunqian looked at her, feeling indescribable: "I only arrived in Yong'an last night. I was thinking of visiting your father at his residence and seeing you as well. But I have important matters to attend to and can't leave right away."

"It's alright, my father and I are both fine. You are welcome to come to our house for dinner anytime General Song finishes his business," Su Tiyue said with a gentle smile.

Song Yunqian looked up at her, and it seemed that Su Tiyue was still the same as before, always smiling.

As gentle as she is, when she smiles, her eyes curve like little crescent moons.

To talk about their relationship, we have to go back to when they were studying in Suzhou.

At that time, the late emperor was still alive, Zhou Tingyue was still the crown prince, and Song Yunqian was the crown prince's study companion.

The two of them first met Su Tiyue at the Bowen Academy in Suzhou.

Zhou Tingyue likes Su Tiyue, and Song Yunqian also secretly likes her.

But by then Zhou Tingyue and Su Tiyue had already confessed their feelings for each other, so Song Yunqian had no reason to interfere.

Moreover, Zhou Tingyue is the crown prince, while he is a subject.

No one else knew about this except Song Yunqian.

Later, Song Yunqian went to the distant northern frontier and rarely returned to Yong'an.

Song Yunqian pulled out a wooden chair from beside the dining table and made her sit down. His voice was clear and bright: "You don't seem to have grown any taller, but you've become much prettier."

Su Tiyue sat down, placing her hands lightly on the table. She looked at Song Yunqian, blinked her bright eyes, and finally spoke: "General Song, I think... I can guess your purpose in coming to Yong'an City at this time."

I thought it was just small talk, but I didn't expect her to suddenly say this.

Song Yunqian paused for a moment, then replied, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

“I have been concerned about the war outside Suzhou and I know what General Song’s appearance means at this time. You disguised yourself and entered Yong’an only to find out about the Emperor’s disappearance, and also... you want to know, given the current situation, what choice should you make?”

“That’s right. On one side is Regent Zhou Lin, who supported the young emperor’s ascension to the throne, and on the other side is Xiao Heye, who is acting under the banner of the late emperor’s crown prince. To be honest, I’m not willing to help either of them until I find out why the emperor was attacked and went missing.”

Su Tiyue frowned and asked, "Why?"

Song Yunqian said, "All land under heaven belongs to the emperor, and I only obey the emperor's orders. Now that the emperor's whereabouts are unknown, I only want to remain inactive. Their infighting and tearing each other apart is none of my business."

This statement actually means that in his heart, the only person he truly trusts is Zhou Tingyue.

Only Zhou Tingyue was the emperor of Northern Liang.

“But the soldiers of Beiliang have never obeyed anyone or served anyone. Whether it is the Emperor or the Regent... General Song, given the current situation, all your choices should be made for the sake of Beiliang and its people.”

Su Tiyue: "You have never been loyal to any one person or any emperor. You have been loyal to Northern Liang, to this country, haven't you?"

"You want me to choose Xiao Heye? No... shouldn't he be Zhou Yuheng now?" Song Yunqian said.

"Even if I choose to side with him now, will he be a good emperor? Can he bring peace and prosperity to Northern Liang?"

"At the very least, he won't hand over the entire southern frontier to others. At the very least... he'd rather confine himself to the mountains and wilderness outside Suzhou than bring the war to Suzhou or Yong'an..."

She said, "Everyone can be Xiao Heye, but how many can be Zhou Yuheng?"