Fire Camp

Battle reports from the borderlands streamed into the capital like snowflakes, each one tinged with the scent of blood and fire. Wei Zheng led his army into a fierce battle with the main force of Hu Yanzhuo, the Left Wise King of the Northern Di, at Luoyingyuan. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, and the battle reached a stalemate. Throughout the court, attention was focused on the north, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Xiao Jingche, in charge of logistics, was kept busy, dealing with the buck-passing between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, while also trying to fill the supply gap caused by the covert obstruction of the Third Prince's faction. Lu Qinglan's covert delivery of supplies through Yunshang Pavilion and the Shen Chong caravan was a timely relief, alleviating the urgent needs of the front lines to a certain extent, but it was ultimately not a long-term solution and was extremely risky.

That day, Lu Qinglan was reviewing the latest list of supplies Shen Chong had sent back from the north when Fu Yu quietly led a dusty woman dressed as a man into Hengwu Courtyard. The visitor removed her hood, revealing a heroic yet haggard face. It was Wei Linlang!

"Sister Wei? Why are you…" Lu Qinglan was surprised. The border war was raging. As the sister of the Zhenbei General, Wei Linlang should be in the general's residence in Beijing. Why would she risk coming here?

Wei Linlang's eyes flushed red, and she ignored the formalities as she grabbed Lu Qinglan's hand, her voice choking with sobs. "Sister Lu! I... I'm really worried about my brother! I received a military report the day before yesterday saying that in the battle of Luoyingyuan, my brother led a light cavalry raid to lure the enemy deep into their territory. He was surrounded and although his subordinates risked their lives to rescue him, he was seriously injured!" Tears rolled down her face. "Those officials at the court are still arguing over food, fodder, and weapons! I... I can't wait to fly to my brother's side!"

Lu Qinglan was shocked. Wei Zheng was seriously injured! This was definitely devastating news that would shake the army's morale! She quickly supported Wei Linlang, who was almost unable to stand, and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, sister. Is the news accurate? What's the extent of his injury?"

"That's the news my brother's personal guard risked his life to send back. It's absolutely true!" Wei Linlang burst into tears. "The letter simply said he was seriously injured and urgently needed top-quality wound medicine and some rare herbs, but... but the herbs the Ministry of War allocated haven't arrived yet, and the army's stockpile is almost empty!"

Golden wound medicine! Rare medicinal herbs! Lu Qinglan immediately realized that this was the Third Prince's doing again! They didn't dare to openly stop the war, so they were choking on these details that affected the lives of the soldiers!

"What medicinal herbs does my sister need? Give me the list!" Lu Qinglan made a prompt decision.

Wei Linlang hurriedly pulled out a piece of sweat-soaked paper from her bosom. Lu Qinglan quickly scanned it, seeing a list of several medicinal herbs—all precious and hard to come by.

"Help Yu!" Lu Qinglan ordered immediately, "Go to the warehouse immediately and get all the herbs on the list from the mansion! Then go to Yunshang Pavilion and have Chen Xing use all her connections to search for them at all the major pharmacies in the capital. Take as many as you can! Quickly!"

"Yes!" Fu Yu took the order and ran away.

"Sister Lu..." Wei Linlang looked at Lu Qinglan gratefully, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Now is not the time to be polite." Lu Qinglan held her cold hand, his eyes firm. "General Wei fought for his country and must not let any mistakes happen because of the mischief of villains! I will handle the matter of the medicinal herbs. But sister, you need to stay calm. You are General Wei's sister, and you need to remain calm at this moment. Don't let outsiders see any clues, so as not to shake the morale of the army and give villains an opportunity to take advantage."

Wei Linlang nodded vigorously, wiped away her tears, and her fighting spirit rekindled in her eyes: "I understand! Thank you for the reminder, sister!"

The medicinal materials were quickly prepared, and several skilled fighters selected by Zhao Tieshou disguised themselves as a caravan, carrying Wei Zheng's handwritten token (provided by Wei Linlang), and rushed to the border overnight.

Even after handling this emergency, Lu Qinglan's heart ached. With Wei Zheng severely injured, the situation at the border was bound to become even more precarious. Meanwhile, in the capital, the movements of Yongquan Temple and Prince An's Mansion were becoming increasingly bizarre. According to Zhao Tieshou, Steward Hu's interactions with those Western Region merchants were becoming increasingly frequent, and he seemed to be planning something. Yongquan Temple was even more heavily guarded. The alchemy room burned continuously day and night, and a faint, strange aroma wafted out, causing even nearby residents to occasionally discuss it.

That evening, Xiao Jingche dragged his tired body back to the palace with an extremely ugly look on his face.

"Your Highness, is there another incident at the border?" Lu Qinglan's heart sank.

Xiao Jingche threw a secret report on the table and said in a hoarse voice, "It's more than just an unexpected incident! Third brother's people actually proposed in the court that a marriage be offered in exchange for the withdrawal of the Beidi troops! They suggested... marrying Princess Yongjia to the King of Beidi!"

Princess Yongjia! The emperor's most beloved youngest daughter, only fifteen years old, full of innocence!

Lu Qinglan gasped. What a diabolical plan! If the marriage were successful, it would not only humiliate the nation and discourage the soldiers at the border, but would also destroy the reputation of Xiao Jingche, who advocated for war! The Third Prince could use this as a way to portray himself as someone who "considers the greater good" and "avoids war," and perhaps even secretly collude with the Northern Di!

"Your Majesty...what do you think?" Lu Qinglan's voice was dry.

"Your Majesty...hasn't made up his mind yet." Xiao Jingche rubbed his forehead wearily. "But several veteran ministers have seconded the proposal, saying that the princess alone can buy peace on the border for ten years, which is a blessing for the country...It's ridiculous!"

We must not let them succeed! Lu Qinglan's mind raced. The fact that a marriage proposal could be proposed suggested that perhaps the Northern Di people were not entirely united. Or perhaps... was there something else behind Hu Yanzhuo's fierce attack?

"Your Highness, could you have Concubine Lin write a letter to her brother, asking about the situation within Beidi? Specifically, regarding the relationship between Hu Yanzhuo and the King of Beidi? Perhaps we can find the key to deciphering the marriage proposal."

Xiao Jingche's eyes lit up: "Princess, are you talking about... alienation?"

"It's not necessarily about alienation, but knowing both ourselves and the enemy is the key to success." Lu Qinglan said, "The King of Beidi is old, and his sons are vying for the throne. Hu Yanzhuo, as the Left Wise King, holds military power and may not be willing to be inferior to others. If we can find their internal contradictions, perhaps this marriage proposal will be refuted."

"Okay! I'll go find Concubine Lin right now!" Xiao Jingche cheered up and stood up immediately.

"Wait a minute, Your Highness," Lu Qinglan called out, her gaze fixed on the dark night outside the window. "One more thing... Over at Yongquan Temple, the elixir seems to be almost ready. I'm worried they'll take advantage of the intense border fighting and the distraction of the imperial court to make a move."

Xiao Jingche's expression was stern: "Princess, you are worried... about them and your father..."

Lu Qinglan nodded slowly. "We have to be on guard. His Highness is in the palace, so we need someone reliable to keep an eye on His Majesty's health. Furthermore, we also need to be fully prepared at Yongquan Temple. Once they refine the elixir and send it to the palace... we must be able to intercept them and expose their true identity!"

This was undoubtedly a gamble. Intercepting the "elixir" presented to the emperor was tantamount to treason! But if they allowed the elixir to enter the palace, the consequences would be disastrous!

Xiao Jingche was silent for a long time, with a flash of determination in his eyes: "I understand. I will take care of the affairs in the palace. As for Yongquan Temple... I'll leave it to you, Princess!"

A storm is brewing, and wars are raging. The flames of war at the border, the political maneuvers in the imperial court, and the conspiracies hidden in the capital are thoroughly intertwined, forming a vast and dangerous web.

Lu Qinglan knew she was at the center of the storm. The next step was not only about the struggle for power, but also about the fate of the nation and the lives of countless people.

She took a deep breath, her eyes sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath.

Since there is no escape, then let's go head-on! In this surging wave, fight for a bright future!