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As Ma Chao strode away to answer Lie Fan's summons, Ma Yunlu rushed forward, grabbing Sun Shangxiang's hands with her own. "That was incredible! You have to teach me some of those moves you have done just now!"
Wannian joined them, linking her arm with Sun Shangxiang's. "I told you that you would like her skills Yunlu, now you believe me."
Cheng Pu cleared his throat. "We should return to the Sun residence, my lady. Your father and your brothers were expecting a letter from you the most as you reach Xiapi, and you haven't even written your letter yet."
Sun Shangxiang groaned. "Do I have to, Uncle Cheng?"
"Yes."
She sighed but didn't argue, as she knew that while Cheng Pu dotes on her, there are times she had to listen to him. As they prepared to leave, she cast one last glance toward the path Ma Chao had taken.
Wannian noticed that and let her smile linger.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Ma Chao found Lie Fan waiting for him in the royal study, where Lie Fan was studying a map of the southern regions.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?"
Lie Fan didn't look up. "How was your spar with Sun Shangxiang?"
Ma Chao stiffened, not expecting that Lie Fan would know such a thing. But after thinking about it, it makes sense since Princess Wannian is in his residence and Lie Fan keeps an eye on his only sister after all. "It was very... productive, Your Majesty."
"Mm." Lie Fan finally glanced at him, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "She's quite skilled, isn't she?"
"...Yes. Yes, she was, Your Majesty."
"Good. I summon you here because I will be sending you alongside your brothers and cousin leading 50,000 men to help the Sun Clan and Shi Xie for the southern campaign, and since you have gotten to know Sun Shangxiang, I'm assigning you to escort her back to Lujiang as well alongside Cheng Pu in three days."
Ma Chao's head snapped up. "What? I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?"
Lie Fan smirked. "Consider that an order, General Ma Chao."
And with that, Lie Fan shooed away Ma Chao, who was leaving with a stunned face as he left the royal study.
On the other hand, back at the Sun Clan residence, Sun Shangxiang was seated by a low table in her chamber, brush in hand and brows furrowed in concentration. She was writing a letter to her father and brothers in Lujiang, to inform them that she had arrived in Xiapi safely.
The letter also included a quick apology for not sending word sooner, she explained that upon her arrival, she was immediately invited by Wannian to the Sima Clan estate, where she spent the night catching up with her friend and congratulating her in person on her pregnancy.
She hesitated, the tip of her brush hovering over the page. Should she mention Ma Chao? No. Not yet. That was a conversation best had in person, preferably when her father and brothers were seated and each of them had cup of wine in hand to soften the blow.
As she carefully signed off the letter, folding the parchment and sealing it with a wax imprint of the Sun Clan crest, Cheng Pu entered the room with his own finished letter in hand.
His letter was much more detailed and formal, a report on Sun Shangxiang's activities and behavior over the past two days. Cheng Pu was not only a loyal retainer but also someone who understood his young lady well, perhaps too well.
He had noticed the way her eyes lingered on Ma Chao and the excitement in her tone when speaking of him. In his report, he voiced his suspicion that Sun Shangxiang's interest in visiting Xiapi had less to do with wanting to see Princess Wannian, and more to do with getting closer to the famed General Ma Chao.
What's more, he observed that Ma Chao may have similar feelings brewing, though the young general was more subtle in his expressions.
Both letters were handed off to a trusted soldier, who saluted smartly before mounting his horse and riding off toward Lujiang. Sun Shangxiang stretched her arms with a yawn and flopped back onto her seat, just in time for a guard to knock and enter hastily.
"General Cheng Pu, my lady! An Imperial Envoy has arrived at the gate and requests an audience with you both."
Cheng Pu straightened, surprise flickering in his eyes. "An Imperial Envoy? Here? Did he say what the matter was?"
"He only mentioned that he carries a message from His Majesty."
Cheng Pu nodded and turned to Sun Shangxiang. "My lady, you should prepare yourself."
Sun Shangxiang groaned again, slumping melodramatically. "Another task from Brother Lie Fan? He really is trying to keep us busy, isn't he?"
Cheng Pu frowned and gently admonished her, "My lady, you mustn't speak so lightly, especially not in front of an envoy of His Majesty later."
She chuckled and flashed him a cheeky smile. "I know, I know. I'm just teasing, Uncle Cheng. I'll be on my best behavior."
Cheng Pu shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching despite himself. He truly could never stay upset with her for long.
Together, they made their way to the main hall, where the envoy was already waiting. The man was dressed in crisp ceremonial robes, a golden emblem on his chest indicating his status as a direct representative of the Emperor. He bowed low as they entered.
"General Cheng Pu. Lady Sun Shangxiang. It is an honor."
Cheng Pu and Sun Shangxiang returned the greeting with a respectful bow of their own. Ever the proper hostess, Sun Shangxiang gestured to the nearby seats.
"Please, sit. Servants, bring refreshments for our guest."
The Imperial envoy smiled appreciatively but waved a hand. "Thank you, Lady Sun, but I am here on a small errand from His Majesty and will not take up much both of your time."
"Very well," she replied. "What brings you here on behalf of His Majesty?"
The envoy's expression turned slightly formal. "By direct decree of His Majesty Lie Fan, in three days, an Imperial force of fifty thousand soldiers will begin their march south to aid the Sun Clan and Shi Xie in the southern campaign. The force will be commanded by General Ma Chao, and he will be accompanied by his brothers Ma Tie and Ma Xiu, and their cousin Ma Dai. In addition, General Ma Chao has been entrusted with the responsibility of escorting Lady Sun Shangxiang and General Cheng Pu safely back to Lujiang."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Cheng Pu was the first to recover. His brows rose slightly, but otherwise his face remained composed. Internally, however, his earlier suspicions were now burning brighter.
He wondered whether Lie Fan had known more than he let on, perhaps even using this as a gentle push to encourage something between the two young of them.
Sun Shangxiang, on the other hand, blinked, then broke into a slow, triumphant smile. "So… Brother Lie Fan has done something to help her unknowingly," she murmured, a flush of excitement rising to her cheeks.
Cheng Pu on the other hand could only sigh in resignation.
The envoy finished his message and bowed again. "Preparations are already underway, and you are to be ready to depart by the morning of the third day. I shall take my leave now."
After seeing the envoy off, Sun Shangxiang stood in the courtyard, gazing toward the palace. Where she thought that somewhere beyond those walls, Ma Chao was likely still digesting the same news.
She grinned.
"This is going to be an interesting journey."
Three days passed by, and the morning air was crisp as the first light of dawn stretched across the sky, painting Xiapi in hues of gold and amber. Outside the city gates, the massive contingent of fifty thousand soldiers stood in disciplined formation, their armor glinting under the rising sun.
At the forefront, Ma Chao sat astride his steed, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable. Beside him, his brothers Ma Tie and Ma Xiu exchanged quiet words, while their cousin Ma Dai surveyed the troops with a sharp eye.
Nearby, the Sun Clan's carriage fleet waited patiently. Sun Shangxiang sat inside her carriage, her fingers drumming lightly against the wooden frame of the window.
She had dressed practically for the journey, a fitted tunic and trousers rather than the flowing robes expected of noblewomen, but even so, she had taken care to ensure she looked presentable. Not that she would admit to whom she was trying to impress.
Cheng Pu, ever vigilant, rode alongside her carriage, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers with quiet approval. The Ma family's reputation was well earned, their men were disciplined, their formations tight. Still, he couldn't help the twinge of suspicion that curled in his gut. Lie Fan's orders had been… conveniently timed.
The sound of approaching hoofbeats drew his attention. Ma Chao, flanked by his brothers, rode toward them. The young general inclined his head respectfully.
"General Cheng Pu. Lady Sun Shangxiang.".
Cheng Pu returned the greeting with a nod. "General Ma Chao. We are ready to depart at your command."
Before Ma Chao could respond, the carriage window slid open, and Sun Shangxiang leaned out, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts sweet and mischievous. "Good morning, General. I trust you slept well?"
Ma Chao stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the directness of her gaze. His fingers tightened imperceptibly around his reins before he forced himself to relax. "I did, my lady. And you?"
"Oh, wonderfully," she replied, her eyes gleaming. "Though I must admit, I've been looking forward to this journey."
Ma Chao's brows lifted slightly, but before he could formulate a response or, more accurately, before his brain could catch up to the fact that Sun Shangxiang was flirting with him, Cheng Pu cleared his throat loudly.
"We should not delay, General. The road to Lujiang is long."
Ma Chao seized the excuse gratefully. "Of course." He bowed his head once more toward Sun Shangxiang. "My lady."
Then, with a sharp turn of his horse, he retreated back to the front lines, his brothers following with poorly concealed smirks.
Sun Shangxiang watched him go, her smile lingering.
Cheng Pu sighed. "My lady..."
"What?" She feigned innocence. "I was merely being polite."
"Mm." Cheng Pu's tone was dry. "Just as you were merely sparring with him the other day?"
Sun Shangxiang laughed, unrepentant, and settled back into her seat as the command to march rang out. The massive army began to move, the rhythmic thud of boots and hooves against the earth a steady drumbeat to the beginning of their journey.
Meanwhile, deep in the imperial palace, Lie Fan sat at the head of a long table, his fingers steepled as he regarded the men before him. Chen Qun, Jia Xu, Zhuge Liang, Mao Jie, and Sun Qian, each one a pillar of his court, each one watching him with varying degrees of curiosity.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 34 (201 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0