Lin Zhao had lost her mother at a young age, and although she had an older brother, they had practically grown up fighting each other.

She couldn’t confide her thoughts to Lin Yao.

Even though she was close to Qin Sheng and Pei Wenyan, Lin Zhao subconsciously felt that she should protect them.

In front of them, she always portrayed a strong image and was unwilling to reveal her vulnerabilities.

Only in front of Qin Zheng could she shed that tough exterior, as if returning to the days in the mountain stronghold, where she could say whatever was on her mind.

Her confusion and fragility were exposed in front of Qin Zheng.

She didn’t feel uneasy; instead, after expressing everything, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had finally found someone to confide in.

When Qin Zheng heard about what happened between Lin Zhao and Cen Daoxi during the attack on the desert, her brows furrowed, and the first thing she asked was not about Lin Zhao’s attitude towards Cen Daoxi but about her injury: “You almost lost your life outside the pass. Why didn’t you mention being injured when you came back? Is the injury healed now?”

Lin Zhao’s heart warmed, and she grinned, “It healed a long time ago.”

Qin Zheng looked at Lin Zhao, her eyes slightly red. “Lin Zhao, you’ve suffered a lot on this journey.”

As the commander of the Women’s Army, Lin Zhao endured much more than what others saw.

She had exchanged her life for these military achievements and honors.

Lin Zhao shook her head and said, “It wasn’t hard.”

Qin Zheng instructed the palace attendants to fetch scar removal ointment from the imperial hospital, but Lin Zhao repeatedly declined, “Sister Zheng, I have tough skin and thick flesh. I’m used to those scars on my body.”

Qin Zheng felt even more heartache for this girl. “You often write letters to me, telling me everything you’ve seen, eaten, and won in battles along the way. However, you never mentioned your injuries. Those scars on your body, even if you don’t mind, I still do.”

Ancient people believed that the body belonged to one’s parents.

Lin Zhao might have a broad-minded character, but she was still a daughter.

It’s just that her achievements often made people forget that she was a women, but she would still feel the pain.

Lin Yao was a rough man, and having grown up fighting with Lin Zhao, he cared for her but wouldn’t get too emotional.

So far, Lin Zhao had only felt like she was being treated like an ordinary daughter by two people: Cen Daoxi and Qin Zheng.

Lin Zhao’s heart surged with emotions she couldn’t quite explain, unwilling to let Qin Zheng see through her.

She smiled and said, “Then I’ll obediently listen to you.”

Qin Zheng playfully scolded her for being talkative but couldn’t help but ask about Cen Daoxi, “What do you think about Minister Cen?”

Lin Zhao honestly replied, “I don’t know.”

She had grown up in a bandit stronghold, following her father’s path alongside Lin Yao in her early years.

At that time, her heart was filled with the idea of being a hero, and she never thought about love and romance.

Later, when she joined the army, she was solely focused on repelling external enemies and never considered her own lifelong matters.

However, occasionally, while bathing and looking at the scars covering her body, she became increasingly aware that probably no one would want to marry her due to her reputation in the outside world.

After all, no mother-in-law could tolerate a daughter-in-law who spent all her time with soldiers.

Lin Zhao didn’t take these matters seriously.

However, when Cen Daoxi mentioned marrying her and she expressed her refusal, expecting Cen Daoxi to give up, but he still insisted on marrying her, it did stir something in a corner of Lin Zhao’s heart.

Looking at Qin Zheng, Lin Zhao slowly said, “I never thought about marriage, and I told Minister Cen that he didn’t have to marry me out of obligation. But it seems like he’s not entirely doing it out of obligation, and I don’t know what to do.”

After a pause, Lin Zhao continued, “I’m afraid I might misunderstand him.”

Qin Zheng interrupted her, “Silly AZhao, you’re the best girl in the world. How could you misunderstand Minister Cen?”

However, Qin Zheng, as someone with experience, could empathize with Lin Zhao’s concerns to some extent.

She and Chu Chengji had gone through a lot of adjustment periods to get to where they were today.

A lifetime partnership wasn’t something easily entrusted to someone.

Despite Lin Zhao’s seemingly carefree nature, she was deeply sentimental, and she didn’t dare to take that step lightly.

Qin Zheng held her hand and said, “You deserve Minister Cen in every way. Don’t belittle yourself. What you need to consider is whether you’re willing to accept this person in your heart. As long as I’m here, no matter who your future husband is, he won’t dare to bully you.”

Lin Zhao, who had been feeling a bit melancholic, couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this, and she hugged Qin Zheng, saying, “Okay, then I won’t be afraid of anything in the future, with Sister Zheng protecting me!”

Qin Zheng knew she was just being playful and shook her head with a smile.

After Lin Zhao left the palace, Qin Zheng still sought opportunities to ask Cen Daoxi about his intentions.

Cen Daoxi only said eight words: “With sincerity, even rocks can be broken.”

Qin Zheng asked, “What if General Lin’s heart belongs to someone else?”

Cen Daoxi was silent for a moment before replying with a bow, “Then Cen would also be willing to accept it.”

The fact that Cen Daoxi, who was usually so self-assured, said such words made Qin Zheng believe that he sincerely cared for Lin Zhao.

She sighed and said, “General Lin is still young. Let her figure things out for herself.”

Cen Daoxi agreed.

At the end of August, Lin Zhao suddenly received a wedding invitation from Yang Yi and He Yunqing.

When they recruited for the Women’s Army, He Yunqing was among the first batch to join from Liangyan Mountain.

However, she had been pampered by the He Laozhi in the Western Stronghold and was not as physically strong as the other peasant women, so she had been following Doctor Zhao to learn medicine.

Yang Yi had once been considered one of Qin Zheng’s close aides and had accomplished many impressive tasks.

When it came time for rewards, he could have taken an official position in the capital, but he chose to stay in Qingzhou.

At that time, Yang Yi had said he didn’t want to leave his hometown.

Now Lin Zhao realized that he had stayed in Qingzhou for He Yunqing’s sake.

Over the years, He Yunqing had been circling Lin Yao, and there was also Wu Xiao in the Western Stronghold, who had his eyes on her.

They hadn’t noticed that Yang Yi also had feelings for He Yunqing.

It’s just that he and Lin Yao were also brothers, so he had never made his feelings obvious.

Lin Yao also received an invitation.

He said to Lin Zhao, “You represent me and bring a generous gift. I won’t make this trip. Tell Yang Yi that He Yunqing is also half my sister. The Lin family is her family too, so he shouldn’t let her down.”

He wasn’t going on this trip because, firstly, he was busy with military affairs and couldn’t spare the time, and secondly, although he and He Yunqing had resolved their past misunderstandings, if he appeared at the wedding, it would undoubtedly lead to gossip about He Yunqing.

Lin Zhao representing him on this trip was enough.

Lin Zhao nodded heavily.

They had all grown up together.

Lin Yao was the young master of the mountain stronghold and a few years older than them, always treating them like younger sisters.

Years ago, the He Laozhi and their father were sworn brothers, with deep bonds of loyalty.

However, due to differences in their governance of the stronghold, they had many conflicts, leading to enmity between the two families.

But with the death of He Laozhi, the hatred between the two families had dissipated.

Yang Yi and He Yunqing’s wedding was lively.

Lin Zhao saw many familiar faces from Liangyan Mountain.

Everyone had heard that Lin Zhao had become a general, and amidst the praise, there was also pride.

“Who in the world doesn’t know? We have a female general from Liangyan Mountain!”

“In the past, people used to say that Liangyan Mountain was a den of bandits, but now it’s called General’s Hill!”

“Who wouldn’t respect that? Even if you encounter bandits on the road, just shout that you’re from Liangyan Mountain, and everyone will give you some respect.”

“In the theaters of Qingzhou City, the most popular plays are the ones where Miss Lin leads troops into battle!”

…

Lin Zhao smiled and chatted with the villagers one by one.

She even saw Wang Xiu in the crowd.

Wang Xiu had a shallow scar on her face now, but her demeanor was no longer sharp.

She was dressed in the attire of a local female official, hurrying over to join the wedding banquet.

Compared to before, she exuded a sense of competence and elegance.

When Wang Xiu noticed Lin Zhao looking at her, she nodded and smiled from afar before turning to attend to her own affairs.

Lin Zhao noticed that the villagers from Liangyan Mountain, who had once detested Wang Xiu, were now treating her warmly.

Doctor Zhao had drunk too much, his cheeks flushed red.

Holding a long box, lined with fine red silk inside was a brush.

Drunk, Doctor Zhao proudly pointed to the brush, “This brush was made by His Majesty himself. There’s only one like it in the world!”

Everyone got up and stretched their necks to take a look, marveling and praising it.

Lin Zhao shook her head and smiled.

Auntie Lu seized the opportunity to pull Lin Zhao aside and asked tearfully, “Is the Queen doing well? When the patriarch brought them back to the stronghold, I knew they must be noble.”

Lin Zhao said, “The Queen is doing well. When she heard I was returning to Qingzhou, she asked me to bring some gifts for everyone.”

Auntie Lu wiped her tears and said, “I pray to the Bodhisattva every day, hoping that His Majesty and Her Highness will have a chubby prince soon.”

Lin Zhao smiled and reassured her, “The Queen is well taken care of by the physicians at the Imperial Hospital. Auntie, you don’t need to worry.”

She asked about Wang Xiu, “Is Wang Xiu working in the yamen now?”

Auntie Lu nodded and sighed, “That girl has had a hard life. After leaving the stronghold, she encountered war.

Wang Po died, and she was left alone.

Later, she joined the Women’s Army and even fought on the city walls of Qingzhou.

The scar on her face is from that time. Now that the fighting has stopped, many of the Women’s Army in Qingzhou have been disbanded.

She’s working in the yamen because she gained merit from killing two Northern Barbarians.

Years ago, I said she didn’t look like she was raised by Sister Wang, but now she does.”

Although Lin Zhao was the commander of the Women’s Army, she couldn’t possibly know about every soldier under her command.

So she was unaware of Wang Xiu joining the army.

Listening to Auntie Lu’s words and recalling Wang Xiu’s appearance just now, Lin Zhao suddenly felt a surge of emotions that she couldn’t quite explain.

She just suddenly felt that everything she and Sister Zheng had done was worth it, and they should continue on this path.

At the bridal chamber, Lin Zhao relayed Lin Yao’s words to Yang Yi and He Yunqing.

Yang Yi promised not to let He Yunqing down, but He Yunqing, with tears in her eyes, said to Lin Zhao, “Zhao, thank you, and thank Big Brother Lin. Back then… it was my fault for being ignorant…”

Lin Zhao smiled and said, “It’s a joyous occasion for your wedding. Don’t cry. It’s all in the past. I’ve always regarded you as my elder sister.”

He Yunqing smiled again, “Having a brother like Lin Yao and sisters like you, Zhao, is my blessing.”

Lin Zhao said, “Live well, and when your child is born, I’ll be the first to bring a longevity lock.”

He Yunqing and Yang Yi glanced at each other, their faces blushing, and quietly agreed.

Returning from Qingzhou and seeing that all her old acquaintances were doing well, Lin Zhao felt a sense of peace in her heart, but also a hint of melancholy.

She guessed that perhaps it was because Qin Zheng had talked to Cen Daoxi, and Cen Daoxi hadn’t come to see her for quite some time.

Cen Daoxi had wanted to talk to her before, but she had avoided him because she was confused and didn’t know what she wanted.

After this trip to Qingzhou, Lin Zhao felt she could give Cen Daoxi an answer now.

For the first time, she took the initiative to invite Cen Daoxi to a teahouse.

Cen Daoxi accepted the invitation, but when he saw Lin Zhao politely addressing him as “Mr. Cen,” he probably knew her decision.

Lin Zhao said, “I grew up in a bandit stronghold, with little education and barely able to read. Mr. Cen, on the other hand, is well-educated, a pillar of the Great Chu…”

Cen Daoxi slammed the teacup onto the table, a thin smile on his lips. “General Lin deliberately invited Mr. Cen out just to say these things?”

Lin Zhao was silent for a moment, then got up and bowed to Cen Daoxi, “Thank you, Mr. Cen, for your kindness, but I am truly unworthy.

The Bureau of Northern Barbarians has been established, and I wish to go there.

It may take three to five years. If Mr. Cen decides to marry another, I sincerely congratulate you…”

“What do you want to do, do it.” Cen Daoxi didn’t get angry, but there was a hint of chill in his eyes. “Mr. Cen’s affection, though not precious, if General Lin doesn’t want it, you don’t need to say such words to give it to someone else.”

He got up with courtesy and said, “Farewell.”

Lin Zhao sat in the elegant room, staring blankly at the cup of hot tea in front of him.

She thought to herself, perhaps she had hurt him, but when it came to feelings, it was best to speak up early.

Looking at the faint yellow tree tops outside the teahouse, Lin Zhao suddenly realized that autumn had already arrived.

After submitting her application for permission to travel, there was naturally a commotion in the court, but her request to become the first female envoy to the borders was approved.

Originally, Chu Chengji hoped Lin Yao would go.

After five years in the Northern Barbarians, whether in terms of experience or honing his skills, he would undoubtedly improve.

However, when Lin Yao learned that Lin Zhao had also submitted her application, he had a long discussion with her and burned his application the next day.

He said, “I’m not asking you to go. I know you’ll do better in the Northern Barbarians than I would.”

Lin Zhao felt her eyes welling up with tears. “Brother.”

Lin Yao said, “You’re not a leopard anymore, you’re an eagle. Going to see a broader world is a good thing.”

Lin Yao passed the test, but there were still many officials and generals in the court.

As one of the candidates for the position of Envoy to the Northern Barbarians, Lin Zhao and Lin Yao both had to abstain from the final decision.

After everything settled down, when Lin Zhao went to bid farewell to Qin Zheng in the palace, she learned from Qin Zheng that it was Cen Daoxi who had advocated for her to become the Envoy to the Northern Barbarians.

Tears rolled down Lin Zhao’s cheeks in front of Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng said, “Don’t cry. Mr. Cen understands your aspirations and is willing to help you achieve them. Azhao, with so many people supporting you from behind, you are taking this step for all the daughters of the Great Chu.”

The fact that Lin Zhao, who had been humiliated by the barbarians, became the Envoy to the Northern Barbarians after their defeat would be enough to be written into history books as a biography, celebrated by future generations.

The women of the Great Chu would forever take pride in her, holding their heads high in front of men.

The day before departing for the Northern Barbarians, Lin Zhao rode her horse past the Cen Mansion and paused in front of it across the street.

After she left, the gatekeeper informed Cen Daoxi that she had lingered at the gate.

Cen Daoxi, holding a book in his hands, didn’t even lift his head, just said, “You may leave.”

The door to the study was closed, and Cen Daoxi leaned back in his chair, looking at the wild geese flying south outside the window, silent.

The little cat that had been curled up in his arms with scars all over it on that snowy night was now going to hide its scars and go to a wider world.

On the day Lin Zhao left the capital, Qin Zheng personally went to the city gate to see her off.

Lin Yao was also there, and he rode a horse to escort Lin Zhao for more than ten miles.

Lin Zhao urged him several times before he finally pulled the reins and watched Lin Zhao’s army march away from a low slope.

Lin Zhao kept her body straight on horseback, never allowing herself to turn back.

As she rounded a bend in the road, she suddenly saw a carriage at the intersection ahead.

Someone stood with hands behind their back in front of the carriage, standing tall like a pine tree.

Magpie rode his horse half a step behind Lin Zhao, and when he saw the person in front of the carriage, he was half surprised and half nervous. “General, it’s Mr. Cen.”

Lin Zhao met Cen Daoxi’s eyes from horseback, and neither of them spoke until the army had passed the intersection, and they hadn’t said a word.

……..

Five years passed quickly yet slowly.

Trade between the Northern Barbarians and the Great Chu flourished, and under Qin Zheng’s guidance, Lin Zhao even built a academy on the grasslands, where more and more Northern Barbarians learned the language and characters of the Great Chu.

The Northern Barbarians cultivated suitable land, exchanged cattle, sheep, and textiles for grain and cloth from the Great Chu, and no longer had to endure hunger and cold in severe winters.

With no threat to their survival, life became better and better, and they naturally lost their will to fight, gradually accepting the existence of the Bureau of Northern Barbarians.

Lin Zhao never interrupted her correspondence with the Great Chu.

In her second year in the Northern Barbarians, Qin Sheng and Xie Huan were married as planned.

She brought generous gifts back.

At the end of the year, Lin Yao married Lu Jinyan, the eldest daughter of the Lu family, and there was also good news from Qin Zheng’s side.

In the third year, for some reason, Xie Chi abducted Pei Wenyan.

Pei Wenyan had no family, so Qin Zheng allocated funds from the treasury of the Great Chu to prepare her dowry.

She married with the dignity of a princess, and it was said that the wedding procession stretched for more than ten miles.

Lin Zhao knew from the letters that the little prince had started walking, talking, and even began to memorize the Thousand Character Classic…

Qin Zheng had been very busy.

Her letters sent to Bianjing often arrived months late, coming back from other provincial capitals.

In her letters, Qin Zheng said that the roads she planned had started construction, and the mountain and sea weirs were also being built bit by bit.

Just by reading these changing letters, Lin Zhao could guess how many places Qin Zheng had been to.

There were so many letters, but everyone tacitly avoided mentioning Cen Daoxi.

After five years, Lin Zhao’s term was over, and she was transferred back to the capital.

At the gate of Bianjing, a person waited quietly there, dressed in a purple official robe with a crane pattern, his face lacking the arrogance of the past, replaced by the elegance and integrity that had settled over the years.

He looked at Lin Zhao and said the same words as before, “I’ll marry you.”

The female general returning from the frontier in full armor, covered in dust, laughed loudly on horseback, “Alright.”

In the sixth year of Taian, he waited for the return of that little cat.

No longer weak, but still willing to nestle in his arms.