Chapter 615: Chapter 615

Fengyu thought to herself, "The emperor guards the nation’s gates. If it truly comes to that, Xie Xun would never surrender. He would defend the city gates to the death and protect the homeland. If defeat is inevitable, then so be it—it is fate. He would never choose to live in disgrace."

She didn’t feel discouraged. If she couldn’t persuade Dugu Jing in one attempt, she would persist. She could see that Dugu Jing also deeply wished for the common folk to live peaceful and secure lives.

By late September, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu took twenty thousand troops and returned to the Capital City first. After defeating the Beiman forces, they joined the main army led by Xie Jue and Fang Chuning and marched to Jiangnan. Following the victory in Sannan, Xie Jue, aware of the thin defense around the Capital City, instructed them to lead twenty thousand troops via Salt City and return to the Capital City first. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry did not need so many soldiers for the campaign in Zhongzhou.

Over the past three years, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu made great contributions to the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. From road building and serving as Grain Escort Officers to leading vanguard assaults, they became Xie Xun’s indispensable aides. In particular, Lin Xiao charged ahead fearlessly in battle and braved mortal danger, earning him the rank of Grade-Three General of Northern Pacification. Zhang Boxin and Zhou Liyu were also appointed Grade-Three Generals.

Grade-Three Generals of such youth were rare in the military. When Xie Xun promoted them, he did so in recognition of their sacrifices—abandoning the wealth and privilege of the Capital City and forsaking their aristocratic identities to follow him through life-and-death struggles. Whenever they fought on the frontlines, they never recoiled. Xie Xun had always been fond of the three since his time in Ningzhou, and used them with great confidence. Along with them, the Kyoto Capital Guard that had fled the Capital City also rose in prominence, securing promising futures.

Upon hearing that the three had returned to the Capital City, Fengyu personally went to the city gates to welcome them. Unexpectedly, she spotted Fang Lingjun amidst the crowd.

Fengyu was overjoyed and, lifting her skirt, ran excitedly down from the city wall toward the gate. As the army approached the gates, Fang Lingjun also saw Fengyu, dismounting swiftly to wave joyfully.

Fengyu rushed forward and embraced Fang Lingjun, crying tears of joy. Junjun had escaped Zhongzhou City unscathed, untouched by war—this was truly a blessing.

Xie Xun had sent several teams to Zhongzhou City to search for Fang Lingjun but had been unable to locate her. In his letters to Fengyu, he had candidly reported the situation. Fengyu had worried that if war broke out, the Zhongzhou defenders might take Fang Lingjun hostage to threaten Fang Chuning and Marshal Fang. Thankfully, Junjun had been rescued.

"It’s good that you’re safe! It’s good that you’re safe! But how did you end up returning with Lin Xiao and the others?"

As it happened, after Fang Chuning left for the frontlines, Fang Lingjun had found life in Zhongzhou City unbearably dull. She had decided to head to West State in search of Fengyu, unaware at the time that Fengyu had been abducted. Even if she didn’t go to West State to find Fengyu, she thought it would be a good opportunity to travel and explore the world. Fang Chuning had left two personal guards to protect her, and Fang Lingjun gathered a few people to wander across the Twelve States.

Later, upon learning that Fengyu had been taken by Yuwen Jing, she had grown frantic and set her sights on returning to the Capital City to find Fengyu. In Jiaozhou, she encountered the reinforcements heading from Ningzhou to Jiangnan. Fang Chuning stopped her, instructing her to stay put in Jiaozhou and await further news. He forbade her from returning to the Capital City for the time being. Fang Chuning believed that even if she returned, she wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything and might unnecessarily risk her life.

Thus, Fang Lingjun remained in Jiaozhou, waiting for updates from Fang Chuning. She stayed there until Xie Xun ascended the throne, Fengyu was safe, and Fang Chuning finally gave his permission. Only after Jiangnan’s decisive victory did Fang Chuning allow Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and others to escort Fang Lingjun back to the Capital City. Fang Chuning had kept this arrangement completely confidential, leading everyone to believe Fang Lingjun was still in Zhongzhou. He feared that the Chen Family in Zhongzhou might discover Fang Lingjun’s presence in Jiaozhou and try to abduct her. With both father and son occupied on the battlefield, this was the only feasible plan.

Fortunately, Fang Chuning demonstrated foresight; otherwise, Fang Lingjun could have been trapped in Zhongzhou once more.

Fang Lingjun hadn’t anticipated that her brief journey would lead to such monumental changes upon her return. She hugged Fengyu tightly with joy. "Ayu, my dear Empress, you must look out for me in the future!"

"Of course!" Fengyu touched her face. "You’ve lost weight." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on noᴠelfire.net

"Sleeping rough and eating army rations all the way back—Zhang Boxin even made me live on soldier food with no flavor or fat! I feel so pitiable, I’ve lost a whole circle of weight!" Fang Lingjun deliberately pinched her waist to underscore her plight. She remained the bright, cheerful girl Fengyu had always known, and Fengyu felt a wave of relief seeing her so unchanged. Meanwhile, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu, and others galloped to the city gate, dismounted, and knelt to pay respects to Fengyu.

"We pay our respects to the Empress! Long live Her Majesty!"

Fengyu released Fang Lingjun and helped them up. "The coronation ceremony hasn’t even been held yet. Don’t kneel—stand up quickly!"

Zhang Boxin, known for his bluntness, spoke. "The imperial edict has already been issued. That makes you the Empress, ceremony or not!"

To the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, she was the only Empress of their hearts.

After all, for three years, they had relied on Fengyu’s support.

Fengyu looked at the three former comrades. They were much more robust than she remembered. Years of hardship, discipline, and frontline battles had transformed them—gone were the images of carefree youths galloping through the streets. Clad in armor, their sharp, steady gazes revealed seasoned, mature generals. It was now difficult to associate them with the spoiled scions of noble families from years ago.

Lin Xiao caught Fengyu’s gaze and offered a faint smile. "Third Miss, how have you been?"

"Long time no see, General Lin."

Over the years, Lin Xiao had always called her Ayu. But times had changed, and even his form of address subtly reflected that shift. After an exchange of pleasantries, Fengyu took Fang Lingjun by the hand and walked lightly into the city. Behind them, Lin Xiao’s thoughtful gaze lingered on Fengyu’s back. It carried suppressed affection and a poignant sense of longing—somewhat resigned, yet deeply emotional.

"Lin Xiao, you..." Zhou Liyu, more perceptive than Zhang Boxin, hesitated, wanting to advise him but unsure of the words to say. Zhou had been aware of Lin Xiao’s feelings for Fengyu since his earlier confession.

"Don’t worry, I understand. My mind has long moved forward." Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. "I only wish for Fengyu to find happiness. I also trust that Xie Xun can give her that happiness."

All that remained was a touch of regret.

"Let’s go home," Lin Xiao said with a glance at the towering city gates. His heart had moved past old desires—it held no lingering romantic sentiments. Three years ago, when they had fled the Capital City, it had been a hasty and humiliating retreat. Looking back at the city gates then, none of them had known if they would ever return in this lifetime.

Now, the three of them had returned, bringing the Kyoto Capital Guard back home.

Not all the Kyoto Capital Guard had survived—some had perished during a flash flood while building roads; others had fallen on the battlefield. But they had brought home the living, entering the city openly and with dignity.

"Yes, we’re home!" Tears welled in Zhang Boxin’s eyes. Only he and his comrades truly understood the profound significance of those words—the longing they had nurtured, the sacrifices they had endured. On the battlefield, they had fought endlessly, all with the hope of one day returning home with honor.

And they had succeeded.

Lin Xiao led the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry into the Capital City to assume garrison duties.