The sky above Jinyang City seemed to be stained with the smoke and fire of war from all sides, presenting a depressing leaden gray.
The once bustling streets, though still teeming with people, are now filled with an indescribable tension and fear.
Fast messengers frequently rushed to the Grand General's Mansion and the Prince of Jinyang's Mansion, always bringing urgent reports from all directions.
Despite Sima Hanzhong's best efforts to suppress the worst news to avoid causing panic throughout the city.
However, news of enemy attacks on both Zezhou and Luzhou spread quietly throughout Jinyang, like a cold breeze seeping through a crack in the door.
Ultimately, it inevitably reached the ears of the three ladies who lived deep within the backyard of the Grand Commander's Mansion.
The atmosphere in the backyard of the Grand Governor's Mansion was even more somber than outside.
Bai Ruolan is nearly four months pregnant, and her lower abdomen is noticeably protruding.
She sat on a cushioned chair, her hands unconsciously protecting her stomach. Her beautiful face was full of worry, and her already gentle temperament was now made even more fragile.
Huan Naxue sat opposite her. She had just finished her postpartum confinement and her eight-foot figure had largely returned to its former agility.
But a trace of postpartum fatigue and even more intense anxiety remained between her brows.
She was Naji (princess) of the Wuhuan tribe, with the untamed and fierce spirit of the grasslands flowing in her veins.
Only Yin Yao maintained the dignified demeanor of a royal princess.
However, her furrowed brows and the occasional glances out the window betrayed the turmoil in her heart.
"The news... is probably true."
Yin Yao's voice was low and deep, "Huguan is besieged by 20,000 enemy troops, and there are 50,000 elite troops on the other side of Zezhou... Hedong is already in grave danger."
Bai Ruolan's voice trembled: "My husband is far away in Longyou, the siege of Liangzhou is still not lifted, and I heard that Xiazhou is also fighting a bitter battle..."
"How many men does he have? How can he possibly deal with Yang Yan's cunning and shrewdness?"
She didn't know much about military affairs, but she was well aware that Zhao Muyun was in danger.
Huan Naxue suddenly stood up, her slightly plump postpartum body trembling slightly with excitement:
"We can't just wait here any longer! Sister Ruolan is pregnant, and Sister Yao needs to stay at the manor. I'm different!"
Her eyes were as sharp as a hawk on the grassland. "I have recovered. I am Naji of Wuhuan, and I am also the Fengzhou Commandant appointed by the late Emperor Yongchang!"
"I have the authority to command troops and the ability to fight on the battlefield! I want to go to Longyou to lend my husband a helping hand!"
Yin Yao was startled: "Sister Xue'er, you just gave birth, the baby is still so small..."
"I'm at ease knowing that my child is being cared for by the wet nurse and Sister Ruolan!"
Huan Naxue said decisively, "The Grand Commander is fighting alone in Longyou and has not received any good news for a long time. He must have encountered great difficulties."
"More men, more strength! I'm skilled in archery and horsemanship, and I can lead troops! Instead of worrying here, I'd rather go to the front lines and fight alongside him!"
She looked at Yin Yao and Bai Ruolan, her eyes filled with an unprecedented resolve: "Sister Yao, let's go see Prince Jin and Commander Han together! I need to request orders to lead the army!"
Bai Ruolan grasped her hand with concern, wanting to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a sigh and a silent nod.
Seeing the fighting spirit burning in Huan Naxue's eyes, Yin Yao knew that persuasion was useless. She took a deep breath and gracefully stood up:
"Alright! I'll go with you. In any case, we need to know the exact situation, and we also need to let the Prince's Mansion know that we, the women of the Zhao family, are not just hiding in our chambers and weeping!"
After settling Bai Ruolan in, the two women headed straight for the Prince of Jinyang's residence.
......
The atmosphere in the council hall of the Prince of Jinyang's mansion was even colder and more somber than outside.
Prince Yinji of Jin sat high on the throne, his face pale, his fingers gripping the armrests tightly as he tried to remain calm.
Below, Sima Hanzhong, Chief Secretary Fan Nan, Registrar Zhou Hong, and Commander-in-Chief Xiao Cheyun are all listed.
In addition, there was a travel-worn figure dressed in the distinctive attire of the Night Scout.
Fan Bingbing, the deputy commander of the Night Watch, had just returned from the perilous capital and came directly to the Prince of Jin's residence without even reporting to Commander Wang Tiezhu.
"Your Highness, esteemed gentlemen!" Fan Bingbing's voice was tinged with the weariness of days of travel. "Now, the southern regions, and the area outside Jiannan Road, have basically been pacified by Li Jingang."
"Because we still have His Majesty's and Prince Jin's banners, and there are still many loyal officials in the surrounding areas of the capital. We have also infiltrated and bribed some officials in the court."
"However, many people are still taking a wait-and-see approach! If we can't hold on this time, I estimate..."
At this point, Fan Bingbing's face darkened.
Han Zhong's beard trembled slightly as he said in a deep voice, "The situation is worse than we expected. We are no longer able to send reinforcements to Longyou and Xiazhou."
Fan Nan interjected, his tone urgent: "Not only that, the Tartars in the southern and Yan-Yun regions seem restless, intending to contain or even attack our army from both sides! We must stabilize the western front as soon as possible, otherwise..."
Zhou Hong frowned deeply: "Hedong is our base, we must hold it. As for Longyou and Xiazhou, we can only rely on the Grand Commander and Commander Lin, sigh..."
As Yinji listened to this suffocating news, he felt a tightness in his chest.
He felt insecure without Zhao Muyun.
He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Master will surely have a way. What we need to do now is to go to Hedong..."
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the council chamber.
"We want to see the Prince of Jin and Chief Secretary Han!"
"Get out of the way! I have urgent business!"
The guards tried to stop them, but Princess Yinyao's status and Huan Naxue's unquestionable aura allowed them to eventually break in.
Everyone in the hall was taken aback.
Princess Yinyao's face was frosty, her demeanor remained dignified, but her eyes were resolute.
Beside her stood Huan Naxue, dressed in a smart riding outfit, with the Wuhuan curved sword symbolizing her status at her waist. Her spirited face bore undisguised anxiety and determination, which seemed out of place yet strangely blended into the somber atmosphere of the war meeting.
"Brother Wang! Esteemed officials!"
Yin Yao spoke first, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, "What is the situation of the war in Longyou? Is the Grand Commander alright? Hedong is now in grave danger, and we, though in the mansion, feel the pain as if it were our own, and cannot sit idly by!"
Huan Naxue stepped forward, ignoring the surprised looks of Zhou Hong and the others, and said loudly to Yin Ji and Han Zhong:
"Your Highness Prince Jin, Commander Han! I, Huan Naxue, Wuhuan Naji, Commandant of Fengzhou, request permission to lead the expedition to Longyou to assist the Grand Commander in defeating the enemy!"
Her words were like metal striking the ground, resounding and instantly silencing the entire council chamber.
Zhou Hong's eyes widened, Han Zhong looked incredulous, and even the usually composed Fan Nan frowned deeply.
Fan Bingbing, on the other hand, had a glint in her eyes and a burning gaze.
Yinji was even more astonished, looking at the two wives of the Grand Commander in front of him, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Huan Naxue's gaze, however, did not falter, meeting his eyes directly.
It contains a wife's worry for her husband's safety, and even more so, a soldier's burning desire to volunteer for the fight against the enemy.
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