"Report! Tongguan is under attack! One hundred thousand Northern Rong cavalry are at the gates!"

One piece of bad news after another arrived, shaking the court and the public! The emperor, already seriously ill, deteriorated rapidly upon hearing this devastating news. In the court, voices advocating war and peace clashed fiercely, with the remnants of the Second Prince's faction seizing the opportunity to fan the flames, accusing Xiao Xun of "exhausting the people with military might," thus inviting retaliation from the Rong and Di tribes. Some even suggested that the disaster in Yingzhou was a "divine warning," demanding that Xiao Xun issue an edict of self-reproach!

Beset by internal and external troubles, the country is teetering on the brink of collapse!

Standing in the imperial court, facing the attacks and chaos, Xiao Xun's face remained calm as still water, only his hawk-like eyes piercing through all the noise. He overruled the objections, his voice resolute and decisive, echoing in the deathly silent Golden Palace:

"The Rong and Di are like jackals and wolves, fearing power but not virtue! The loss of Yunzhou is the fault of the traitorous general, not a mistake in the battle! Ceding territory to seek peace is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire! Tongguan is the gateway to the Central Plains; if Tongguan is lost, the country will be shattered! I, Xiao Xun, request permission to personally lead the expedition! I swear I will not return to the court until the Rong and Di are defeated!"

His imposing presence, imbued with an iron will and an unquestionable resolve, instantly silenced all other noises.

At the same time, the Ministry of War's order was swiftly issued. Xin Yunzhou, deputy commander of the cavalry battalion, was appointed as the vanguard of the army in this critical situation, and was ordered to set off immediately to reinforce Tongguan!

When the news reached the Sixth Prince's residence, Xin Jiuwei was checking the final list of medicinal herbs to be sent to Yingzhou. Her hand trembled violently, and ink splattered onto the rice paper. Her brother… was going to the front lines! Tongguan was under attack! It was a meat grinder!

Worry washed over her like a cold tide. The image of her brother, framed and killed in her past life, his gruesome death in the street flashed uncontrollably through her mind. In this life, her brother had finally escaped Qi Huaiyu's schemes, joined the army, and distinguished himself—could it be…could he be buried on that desolate borderland?

"Miss!" Xin Kui looked at her face, which had turned pale in an instant, with concern.

Xin Jiuwei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, all the weakness and fear in her eyes had been forcibly suppressed, leaving only unwavering determination. She couldn't afford to panic! Her brother was fighting desperately on the front lines, Xiao Xun was about to personally lead the army, the capital needed her for disaster relief, and the remnants of the Second Prince's faction were still eyeing her covetously! She had to stay calm!

“Xin Kui,” her voice was unusually calm, yet carried an undeniable force, “go and prepare immediately. Your brother is about to go to war, and you… will accompany him.”

Xin Kui suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, followed by understanding and a complex emotion that was hard to detect.

"Miss?"

“You are an expert in pharmacology, and even more adept at… handling certain ‘accidents’.” Xin Jiuwei looked at her, her eyes sharp and pointed. “On the battlefield, swords have no eyes, and poisons and tricks are even more dangerous. My brother is upright and always charges ahead. I need someone absolutely reliable by his side who can handle such underhanded tactics. You are the only one I can trust! Protect him! At all costs!”

“This servant…” Xin Kui’s throat tightened slightly. Meeting Xin Jiuwei’s completely trusting gaze, she knelt on one knee, her voice resolute, “This servant swears with her life! She will protect General Xin! Unless Xin Kui dies, no one can harm the General in the slightest!” This was a promise, but also a resolute expression of a certain emotion deep in her heart.

Xin Jiuwei helped her up and squeezed her hand tightly, everything understood without words.

The following morning, a biting wind howled. Banners fluttered in the wind at the main camp on the outskirts of the capital. The army was about to set off.

Xin Yunzhou, clad in gleaming armor and a sword at his waist, stood at the front of the formation, exuding extraordinary heroism. The last trace of youthful naiveté had faded from his brow, replaced by the unwavering resolve and solemnity of a soldier. He saw Xin Jiuwei, accompanied by Xiao Xun, come to see him off.

"Brother!" Xin Jiuwei rushed forward, a thousand words stuck in her throat, but in the end, she could only say, "Take care! Come back safely!"

Looking at his younger sister's noticeably thinner yet piercingly bright face, Xin Yunzhou felt a surge of warmth and pride. He patted Xin Jiuwei's shoulder firmly, his voice steady: "Don't worry! I'm going to fight the enemy! As for you, stay in the capital, take good care of yourself, and help His Highness stabilize the situation!" His gaze swept over Xin Kui behind Xin Jiuwei, dressed in a neat short-sleeved outfit, carrying a medicine chest, and with a stern expression, and he nodded slightly, "Miss Xin Kui, thank you for your trouble."

Xin Kui clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying nothing more: "General, rest assured."

Xiao Xun stepped forward, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Xin Yunzhou and the vanguard soldiers who were fully equipped and ready to go, finally landing on Xin Yunzhou's face. He said in a deep voice, "Yunzhou, the vanguard is responsible for the overall situation! Tear open a gap for me! Once my army arrives, we will encircle and annihilate the enemy!"

"Your humble servant obeys! I will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust!" Xin Yunzhou clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice resounding through the sky.

Bugles sounded, and war drums thundered. The army, like a dragon awakening, slowly marched towards the war-torn north. Amidst the swirling dust, Xin Jiuwei clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She watched as her brother and Xin Kui's figures merged into the iron torrent until they disappeared.

Xiao Xun stood beside her, his tall figure shielding her from the biting wind. He held her icy hand, his voice deep and powerful: "Are you afraid?"

Xin Jiuwei raised her head, gazing into his deep, unfathomable eyes, where she saw a sense of responsibility for the nation, a murderous intent towards powerful enemies, and a hidden tenderness towards her. She slowly shook her head, transforming all her worries and fears into unwavering strength, and said, word by word:

"Your Highness is shedding blood on the front lines, my brother is fighting on the battlefield, and I, Wei'er, will guard this rear in the capital! I will ensure that the demons and monsters dare not act rashly! I will ensure that relief supplies flow continuously!"

She withdrew her hand and, facing Xiao Xun, solemnly and deeply performed a deep curtsy. Not as a woman dependent on him, but as a partner who would fight alongside him and share the heavy responsibilities of the nation.

"May Your Highness achieve a resounding victory and return in triumph!"

Xiao Xun gazed intently at her, at the unwavering resolve and sense of responsibility in her eyes, at her straight spine amidst the storm. He reached out, not to lift her up, but as if entrusting her with a heavy burden, he gently supported her arm and replied in a deep voice:

"Very well! When I return in triumph, I will see with you that this land is safe and sound, and the seas are calm and the rivers are clear!"