The two walked with steady and firm steps, each step like a heavy hammer striking the heartstrings of the crowd, producing a dull yet powerful echo.

They walked steadily forward until they reached the golden brick floor in the center of the hall, whereupon they all bowed down, knelt on both knees, and placed their hands together in front of their foreheads.

They performed a solemn and standard kowtow, their movements perfectly synchronized and fluid, showcasing the rigorous style of a nation of etiquette, without the slightest hesitation or mistake.

Qin Qianluo stood quietly among the court officials, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two unexpected figures.

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, like a slight ripple on a calm lake.

This imposing and powerful general was completely unfamiliar to her; no matter how hard she searched her mind, she couldn't find any memory fragments related to him.

Taking advantage of the brief interval when Xiao Muhan stood tall and straight in the center of the hall, respectfully and clearly reporting military matters to the Emperor.

Qin Qianlu lowered her eyes slightly, her expression impassive, and silently asked in her heart, as softly as a mosquito's wings, "Yunbao, who exactly are these two people?"

Feng Qingyun glanced through the light screen and flipped through the information, saying, "Luo Bao, this General Xiao Muhan is a renowned border general of the Tianxuan Kingdom."

For many years, he stayed away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, guarding the Xiongnu border alone, where sandstorms raged, conditions were harsh, and war raged.

On that land, the sun blazes fiercely during the day and the wind chills to the bone at night, yet he has never wavered or slackened in the slightest.

They have always stood firm like an evergreen pine, guarding the territory and people of our dynasty, and their heroic name is praised for thousands of miles along the frontier.

He is now thirty-six years old. The years have etched resolute marks on his face, but they have also honed his temperament to be more calm and dignified.

His return to the capital by imperial decree was actually due to a number of important missions, one of which was related to the new type of musket and the powerful cannons.

General Xiao knew its importance, so he went to great lengths to personally return and discuss the matter with the Emperor and his ministers.

We strive to equip the Tianxuan soldiers with the finest weapons to ensure peace on the frontier.

Secondly, it is necessary to report the situation in Yongning Prefecture in detail to the Emperor.

Feng Qingyun paused slightly, as if she was organizing her thoughts, or perhaps giving Qin Qianluo some time to process the information.

Then, she glanced sideways at the graceful young woman behind Xiao Muhan, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes.

Then he said softly, "As for the beautiful girl beside him, who is as lovely as a lotus emerging from the water, her name is Xiao Wanxi."

At the tender age of sixteen, in the prime of youth, she is like a delicate flower bud about to bloom, exuding a fresh and vibrant aura.

She was General Xiao's only daughter, and lost her mother at a young age, making her background truly heartbreaking.

I heard that when Xiao Wanxi's mother gave birth to her, she suffered a very dangerous hemorrhage. Despite the best efforts of the royal physicians and imperial physicians, they were unable to save her and she passed away.

Only the crying infant and the heartbroken General Xiao were left to depend on each other for survival.

General Xiao thought of his deep affection for his beloved wife, but he was also worried that remarrying would cause his young daughter to suffer from bullying and grievances as a stepmother.

So for many years, he raised his daughter alone and never considered remarrying.

Even though his elders repeatedly urged him to continue, and even argued with him about it, he was determined and unwilling to compromise.

Finally, annoyed by the constant pressure, he simply asked the emperor for permission to travel with his daughter to the arduous Xiongnu border.

In that remote place, the father and daughter supported each other and got through countless difficult days together.

Due to the busy border affairs and the long and arduous journey, they rarely returned to the capital.

With a graceful movement, Qin Qianluo turned her head slightly to the side, her long eyelashes fluttering gently, and her beautiful eyes sparkling with surprise as she looked at Xiao Muhan.

The general was tall and imposing, like a majestic mountain range, with a straight posture like a proud pine tree, exuding a powerful aura of someone who had been through many battles.

His deep-set features were as if carved by a knife and axe, his face was resolute and strong, his sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, and his eyes were bright and piercing, as if they could see through all illusions.

Beneath his high, straight nose were thin lips pressed into a tight line, exuding an air of cold authority.

Anyone who saw him would think he was a straightforward, decisive, and rough-around-the-edges pure warrior.

However, what lies beneath the surface is often a completely different truth.

Who would have thought that such a seemingly burly man, who only knew how to lead troops and fight battles, actually possessed a heart as delicate and tender as a gentle stream?

He deeply cherished his deceased wife, and in order to spare his beloved daughter from any possible grievances from her stepmother, he resolutely gave up his own pursuit of happiness.

She single-handedly raised her daughter in that harsh and dangerous border region.

On that land of yellow sand and war, he had to shoulder the heavy mission of protecting his homeland and resisting foreign enemies.

He also had to shoulder the mundane responsibilities of being a father, both inside and outside the camp, worrying and working hard for his daughter's food, clothing, shelter, growth, and education.

Such profound paternal love and unwavering resilience are truly rare and precious, like the most brilliant star in the night sky, inspiring heartfelt admiration.

Thinking of this, Qin Qianluo's thoughts seemed to be drawn by a gust of wind, involuntarily drifting to the matter of Yongning County.

Her beautiful brows furrowed slightly, like ripples spreading across a calm lake. "Yunbao, you just mentioned that General Xiao's return to the capital this time is for the matter of Yongning County."

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