Chapter 69: A Dead End, Yet There Is Always a Way

Yingdie and Tang Chen, under Xifeng’s stern warning, abandoned the idea of secretly venturing to the Liao Kingdom. Everyone pinned their hopes on the medicine in Xifeng’s hands, each person staring intently at the decoction, praying for a miraculous effect.

Before long, Xifeng had finished feeding the medicine. She gently wiped the corners of the man’s mouth, waiting in hopeful anticipation, wishing that her son’s skills could truly bring someone back from the brink of death.

The man still kept his eyes tightly shut, but his breathing had grown noticeably stronger—there was a hint of vitality that had not been present in previous days. Xifeng’s face was alight with hope, like someone who had been trapped in darkness for too long and suddenly glimpsed the light. She shook the man eagerly, her voice full of longing: “Husband, wake up. Our Han’er has returned.”

The man’s eyes remained closed, but his brows furrowed slightly, as if struggling against something unpleasant. His breathing became heavier still. An ordinary person might not have noticed, but Tang Chen, whose hearing was exceptionally keen, stepped forward at once, his voice tinged with excitement: “Madam, the General heard you.”

“That’s wonderful! Han’er, come here, say a few more words to your father.” Xifeng pulled Chu Junhan by the wrist, guiding her to the bedside and making space for her to sit.

Chu Junhan sat at the edge of the bed, her small hand clasped in her father’s large one, her eyes bright as she spoke softly: “Father, if you can hear me, please recover soon. We are all very worried about you. Don’t worry, Father—whoever hurt you, I will make sure they pay dearly for it.”

Xifeng gave a long sigh at her side. “When your father wakes, the imperial decree will nearly have run its course. By then, our Chu Army will have to withdraw, and the troops under the Grand Commandant will take over the assault. As for that scoundrel Tameng and his treachery—do you think your mother does not wish for vengeance?”

“Withdraw? And go where? To cower in the shadow of the throne and await our fate?” Chu Junhan sneered, her voice cold. “The wretched emperor has always feared Father’s command of the army. I suspect this decree was nothing but a plot between him and old Tameng. If we withdraw, what place will there be left for the Chu Army?”

The boy’s righteous words seemed to stir something; the man on the bed’s fingers twitched faintly.

Xifeng’s eyes dimmed, a helpless sorrow overcoming her. “If we do not withdraw, we defy the imperial edict. Then the Emperor of Tianwu will have every reason to send troops against us, and we will be beset on all sides.”

Chu Junhan rose, clasped her hands and bowed to Xifeng, offering a look of reassurance. “Mother, do not worry. We only need to conquer Liao within two months, is that all? I have my ways.”

“Though it is two months, the deadline is already more than half gone. Only half a month remains, Han’er… it’s hopeless.” Xifeng knew her child had studied under Cen Song and must have learned many skills. She did not wish to crush her ambitions, yet the situation seemed utterly inescapable.

Chu Junhan’s lips curved in a confident smile. “Half a month is enough!”

“Junhan, do you really have a plan?” Tang Chen’s face was full of excitement, his mouth slightly agape in surprise.

Chu Junhan nodded, casting a glance at her unconscious father before turning to Xifeng. “Please be at ease, Mother. I will not let the Chu Army be left with nowhere to go. In these coming days, I must trouble you to care for Father. Feed him a bowl of the medicine I just prepared each day, until he wakes.”

Xifeng agreed, gently pulling her child close and smoothing the edges of her clothing with loving hands. “My Han’er has grown up. Mother believes in you.”

What can a child accomplish? Yet Xifeng loved her daughter dearly and did not want Han’er to be discouraged just after leaving the mountains—this was, after all, her first time on the battlefield, and perhaps it would also be her last.