"We must win this battle, we cannot afford to lose!"

Zi Xi and Ling Siran exchanged a glance, both seeing a determination in each other's eyes.

When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break even metal.

They accepted this tough battle.

The imperial edict in the Golden Palace caused a far more violent upheaval in the capital than the gestation value crisis.

Allowing a man to hold the military seal and command the three armies was a complete subversion of the deeply ingrained concept that had been held for thousands of years.

Undercurrents were surging both in and out of government.

If it weren't for the Empress's decisive action, the strong support of General Ling's faction of military officers, and the sound analysis from the First Princess and the First Prince's husband, this imperial edict would never have been issued.

However, His will was made.

On the eve of the expedition, the palace of the princess was brightly lit.

Ling Siran stood in front of the armor, stretched out his hand, and gently brushed his fingertips across the cool armor plates, his feelings complex and indescribable.

Footsteps sounded from behind.

Zi Xi walked in, carrying a scarlet brocade cloak in her hands.

She walked to his side without saying a word, simply placing the cloak aside and then reaching out to personally dress him in armor.

The cold, heavy, and hard armor plates were intricately bound.

But she did it very seriously, her eyes lowered, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows under her eyes, her fingertips occasionally brushing against his thin inner shirt, bringing a subtle shiver.

Ling Siran stood stiffly, like a puppet on strings, completely at her mercy.

He could clearly smell the cool, refreshing scent of her hair and feel her warm breath brushing against his neck.

Zi Xi first put arm guards on him and tightened the silk ribbons.

Then came the breast mirror, the cold bronze mirror pressed against his chest, as if suppressing his restless heartbeat as well.

One piece at a time, his tall and strong body was gradually enveloped in cold iron armor.

Finally, Zi Xi picked up the scarlet cloak and unfolded it.

She went behind him and tied his cloak around his neck. Her fingertips deftly tied a knot behind his neck, and her warm breath inevitably brushed against the skin of his nape.

Ling Siran tensed up, even holding his breath.

Just as she finished fastening her cloak, she suddenly tiptoed and leaned close to his ear.

Warm, soft lips almost touched his earlobe.

A surge of electricity coursed through his body, and Ling Siran shuddered violently, his mind going completely blank.

"My general... this time, only victory."

Then Ling Siran heard her voice, which had a unique magnetic and languid quality.

All the tension and anxiety were shattered by those seven short words at that moment.

My general...

She said he was her general.

Ling Siran suddenly turned around, the movement so large that his cloak fluttered loudly.

He lowered his head and met her phoenix eyes, which were so close to his.

His reflection was clearly visible in those eyes that always held a hint of mockery or aloofness.

There were no jokes or tests, only pure trust.

He opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked by something. A thousand words were stuck in his chest, and in the end, they only turned into a heavy but firm nod.

*

War clouds loomed, and the atmosphere was tense and ominous.

The fleet of the Ryuen Kingdom patrolled the coastal waters, eyeing the area with predatory intent.

Their successive victories made them arrogant, believing that the Phoenix Kingdom's army was no match for them.