This handsome, composed boy with deep eyes was only ten years old. He was born and raised in the desert of northern Xinjiang.
In the desert, black scorpions with waving pincers, spotted venomous snakes with flicking tongues, and agile chameleons were all his prey.
On this harsh land, he learned to live in harmony with nature, mastered unique survival skills, and developed extraordinary resilience and fortitude.
At the age of five, he rode a camel with a caravan and traveled throughout the northern frontier, experiencing local customs and traditions, and mastering the local language.
When he was seven years old, he discovered that the enemy was making moves, so he led a group of men to launch a surprise attack on enemy soldiers who were lying in ambush on the northern border in the dead of night, thus ensuring peace on the border.
By the age of ten, he had mastered martial arts and archery, scaling walls and rooftops with unerring accuracy. No one in the northern frontier could be his master anymore. He also earned the recognition and loyalty of the generals in the Zhenbei Army through his military achievements, exceptional wisdom, and courage.
"Jinzhi, come in quickly, it's starting to get windy outside." A woman in her thirties with a pretty face, wearing a hooded robe, came out of the tent and gently patted Jin Jinzhi's shoulder.
Jin Jin smiled at the woman and said, "Yes, Mother."
Jin Jinzhi hid inside the tent, tied the curtains, and then the wind started to blow outside. Everyone inside the tent put on hoods and veils.
This is the sandstorm that is common in the desert. Faced with the power of nature, they cannot change it, but can only try to adapt.
Tents were set up behind the small hill, blocking out the wind and sand.
The sun slowly set, the night deepened, and the sandstorm subsided.
Jin Jinzhi arranged for five armed sentries to guard the area near the hill, and to report any encounters with wolves or enemy soldiers immediately.
"You guys stay here and report any developments immediately."
"Yes, Young General."
The soldiers of the Zhenbei military camp huddled together and lit a campfire to ward off the cold of the night.
A hot soup simmered in a cast iron pot filled with salt, and each soldier had a round, dry biscuit in his hand.
"Jinzhi, news has come from the palace. We will set off for the capital tomorrow." Jin Jinzhi's father, Jin Xiaoran, picked up a piece of dried meat, tore off a piece of flatbread, and handed it to Jin Jinzhi.
"Tomorrow, so soon?" Jin Jinzhi was somewhat surprised. The capital city was a distant and unfamiliar place to him.
"Yes, the palace's intention is to depart tomorrow."
"Return?" Jin Jinzhi was a little confused. He had never been to the capital, so why was it "return to the capital" instead of "go to the capital"?
“Your father and I are both from the capital. We were stationed here in the northern frontier for the sake of the court and Nanyang,” Jin Jinzhi’s mother said, patting Jin Jinzhi’s head and looking at her son with affection.
"Why would the imperial court suddenly send us back to the capital?" Jin Jinzhi asked, puzzled. He had been born in the northern frontier, and his parents had been there for more than ten years. Why would they suddenly be transferred back to the capital?
"Could it be that the court is about to change, and war has broken out in the capital?" Jin Jinzhi's heart tightened, and his fists clenched tightly. Although he was brave and resourceful, and skilled in battle, he did not like the killing and the tragic deaths of innocent civilians that war brought.
“Jinzhi, this is His Majesty’s will. The capital is very peaceful.”
"What will happen if the northern frontier is left unguarded?" Jin Jinzhi was worried. The enemy forces from Beiliang were eager to make their move, coveting the abundant resources of Nanyang.
“The imperial court will send people to garrison the area. We will go to the imperial court first, and the Zhenbei Army will enter the capital after the replacements arrive,” Jin Xiaoran explained.
Jin Jinzhi nodded. He understood that if his family led the Zhenbei Army into the capital, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. This display of force would inevitably be mistaken for a show of force, a coup, or a rebellion.
"But, Mother, what about your health?" Jin Jinzhi put down the dried meat in her hand and looked at her mother, Xun Yunge, with concern, her gaze falling on her mother's abdomen.
Xun Yunge touched her large belly, smiled, and comforted herself, "It's alright, this pregnancy is stable, and we'll give birth when we get to the capital."
Jin Jinzhi nodded and put the dried meat in her mouth. "Okay, Father, Mother, I'll go pack my things."
...
At night, the bright moonlight shone on the earth, and the palace was quiet and peaceful.
Led by Granny Zhang, Ah Xiang arrived at the front hall of Shouchang Palace. A few days ago, the Empress Dowager had reviewed Ah Xiang's case file. This girl was sixteen years old this year, and her case file was very clean. She had never made a mistake or offended anyone in the years she had been in the palace. She was an honest and reliable girl who could be put to good use.
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Ah Xiang followed Zhang Mama into the front hall of Shouchang Palace. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager sitting at the head of the table, she knelt on the ground, placed her hands on the ground, and kowtowed deeply, performing a grand salute.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager arrived in time and saved the little princess. If she hadn't even been able to protect the little princess, she would have died along with her mistress.
"Rise," the Empress Dowager said, raising her hand slightly.
"Are you Consort Shu's dowry maid?" the Empress Dowager asked, taking a sip of tea.
"Your Majesty, I am a servant born into a family. I have been serving by the side of Miss, uh, Consort Shu since I was a child."
"Later, Her Highness entered the palace and was granted the title of Consort Bai. I then served as her personal attendant in the Hibiscus Palace," Ah Xiang replied respectfully, bowing her head slightly and speaking softly.
The Empress Dowager nodded. This girl seemed to be well-behaved and had a kind expression.
Although she wasn't particularly beautiful, she had a well-proportioned figure, fair skin, and a delicate appearance. She had a kind and gentle face, and seemed like a down-to-earth person who would take good care of the little princess.
"Well then, from now on, you will stay in Shouchang Palace and take care of the little princess," the Empress Dowager instructed.
During the conversation, Granny Zhang had already brought Yun Duoduo out.
Yun Duoduo looked at the palace maid beside her grandmother, who was indeed her mother's head palace maid.
Aunt Xiang! Is Aunt Xiang coming to take care of her?!
"Really?! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ah Xiang was so happy that tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at the Empress Dowager with gratitude and was about to reach out to hug Yun Duoduo when she suddenly felt something was amiss. She withdrew her outstretched arm, turned her head and glanced timidly at the Empress Dowager, feeling somewhat at a loss.
She was so excited and shocked. She had thought she would spend her whole life in the Hibiscus Palace, guarding the things her mistress had left behind, remembering her by the sight of those things. She never imagined that she would be able to stay by the little princess's side now.
[That's wonderful! Being able to take care of the little princess and raise her is like fulfilling Miss's wish!]
Seeing Ah Xiang's actions, the Empress Dowager gave Zhang Mama a wink, "Mo Chou, give the little princess to Ah Xiang."
Granny Zhang nodded and was about to hand Yun Duoduo over.
"Ah Xiang, are your hands clean?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.
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