The Northern Territory
"Your Highness, news from the capital." The guard handed the message to the King of the Northern Territory.
The King of the Northern Territory took it, glanced at it, and his expression changed. He sighed, "It has finally come to this day. The hundred thousand troops have already reached Mingzhou."
It would take about five more days to reach the outskirts of Beijiang City after Mingzhou.
"Your Highness..."
"Zhang Liangfang, how many soldiers does our Northern Territory have now?"
Zhang Liangfang cupped his hands and said, "Replying to Your Highness, we have over twenty thousand guards assembled from the entire city."
The King of the Northern Territory leaned back in his chair, opened his eyes, and then stood up. He walked to Zhang Liangfang and asked, "Over twenty thousand men against Xue Chang'an's one hundred thousand. Is there a chance of victory?"
Zhang Liangfang wanted to cry. There was no chance of victory; it was like throwing an egg against a rock.
The King of the Northern Territory sighed, "No chance of victory, is that right!"
"Your humble servant would not dare to deceive Your Highness, there is no chance of victory," Zhang Liangfang said, bowing his head very low.
"Has the messenger sent to Xiling Pass returned?" the King of the Northern Territory asked.
Zhang Liangfang shook his head, "Not yet."
"No matter what, we must hold this place and await the arrival of reinforcements," the King of the Northern Territory said word by word.
Zhang Liangfang nodded, "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble servant will defend Beijiang City with his life."
The King of the Northern Territory stepped forward and patted Zhang Liangfang's shoulder, "Three years ago, you and I held this place together. We can do it again this time."
Zhang Liangfang was stunned and looked up, saying, "Your Highness, you should take the old Princess and quickly evacuate. I am enough to defend this place."
Upon hearing this, the King of the Northern Territory's face darkened, "I did not leave three years ago, and I will not leave this time."
Zhang Liangfang sighed inwardly. Three years ago, the Empress arrived. This time, she would not.
Reinforcements would not come. He hadn't told His Highness that Xiling Pass was short of even grain and fodder. They wouldn't be able to reach the Northern Territory even if they starved to death.
But he didn't want to say it, fearing His Highness would be disappointed.
"Your Highness, this humble servant implores you to leave," Zhang Liangfang suddenly knelt on the ground.
The King of the Northern Territory narrowed his eyes, and after a long while, he said, "Why do you want me to leave? Zhang Liangfang, what is going on with you?"
Zhang Liangfang moved his lips but still did not speak.
"Speak," the King of the Northern Territory commanded.
Zhang Liangfang bit his lower lip and said, "Your Highness, please leave the task of defending the city to this humble servant!"
"Zhang Liangfang, I once made a vow to the Empress that as long as I am here, the city will stand."
He could not break his promise. This was the only thing he could do for that person.
"Your Highness, there are no reinforcements," Zhang Liangfang could not help but speak.
The King of the Northern Territory trembled all over and looked at Zhang Liangfang, "What are you saying?"
Zhang Liangfang said, "Your Highness, the messenger to Xiling Pass has returned. Xiling Pass is in dire need of grain and fodder and may not be able to hold on for many days. It is impossible for them to support the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory can only rely on itself."
The King of the Northern Territory took a step back, his hand on the chair to barely stand.
Zhang Liangfang knelt on the ground and said, "This humble servant implores Your Highness to leave first."
The King of the Northern Territory asked word by word, "And what about you? And the people of the Northern Territory?"
Zhang Liangfang raised his head, with a look of facing death, "This humble servant will guard the Northern Territory until the last moment. When the army enters, they will not do anything to the people. Although they are the people of the Northern Territory, they are also the people of Huangze."
The King of the Northern Territory shook his head, "You don't know how ruthless Xue Chang'an is. She will not let the people of the Northern Territory go."
Zhang Liangfang was stunned, "Your Highness..."
"Stop talking. I will not leave, and neither will Mother Consort. We live in the Northern Territory, and we will surely perish with the Northern Territory," the King of the Northern Territory interrupted Zhang Liangfang.
Zhang Liangfang trembled all over, closed his eyes, and kowtowed, "Your Highness, this humble servant, on behalf of all the people of the Northern Territory, kowtows to you."
In the past, he thought that a teenager of only a dozen years could achieve how much. Now it seemed he was narrow-minded.
"General Zhang, go and prepare for the defense of the city. If there are not enough men, conscript the strong young men from the populace to defend the Northern Territory together."
"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhang Liangfang withdrew.
The King of the Northern Territory rose and walked towards the backyard.
Orchid Garden
Seeing the King of the Northern Territory, Ruyi immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness."
"Where is Mother Consort?" the King of the Northern Territory asked.
Ruyi said, "The Princess is inside talking with Miss Li. Do you need this servant to go in and announce your arrival?"
The King of the Northern Territory said, "No need."
He walked directly in. A maid lifted the curtain. Seated at the head was a beautiful woman, and beside her sat a young woman, talking with the beautiful woman.
Hearing footsteps, both women looked towards the door. Seeing him, the beautiful woman smiled and said, "Zixuan is here."
Xue Zixuan walked forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Mother Consort."
The beautiful woman patted the seat beside her and said, "Come, sit here."
Xue Zixuan walked forward and sat beside the beautiful woman. He looked up at the woman opposite.
The woman was slightly taken aback and quickly stood up, "Your Highness."
"Princess Huimin, you need not be so polite."
The woman was stunned, then gave a wry smile, "Your Highness, I am no longer Princess Huimin."
After she escaped the capital and lived among the common people, she learned of the hardships of life. Fortunately, she had grown in the end.
It wasn't until recently that she came to the Northern Territory. Noble Consort Gui recognized her and kept her.
She had lived a wandering life for quite some time and wanted to find a place to live a quiet life, so she stayed. She opened a restaurant in Beijiang City, and business was good. She had achieved her wish and lived a peaceful life.
She was still worried about Chenxuan, but she heard that he was still the Imperial Censor and was doing well.
Since that was the case, perhaps it was best to leave it at that.
At least she knew he was safe.
Xue Zixuan said, "It was my presumption, Miss Li. Please do not take offense."
Li Fanghui stood up quickly and said, "Your Highness, you are too kind to this humble woman."
"Miss Li, please do not be so formal with me."
"Zixuan, is something the matter?" asked the Old Princess.
Xue Zixuan nodded. He looked at Li Fanghui and said, "Miss Li, Xue Chang'an's army has already reached Mingzhou. In a few days, it will likely reach the outskirts of Beijiang City. You should make preparations to leave as soon as possible."
Li Fanghui was stunned, "Xue Chang'an is going to attack the Northern Territory?"
Xue Zixuan did not hide it and nodded, "Yes. She had asked for my support multiple times, but I refused. This time, she will not spare me."
The Old Princess heard this and patted Li Fanghui's hand, "Quickly go back and make preparations, and leave the Northern Territory early."
"What about you, Princess? What about Your Highness?" asked Li Fanghui.
The Old Princess smiled and looked at her son, "This time, I will advance and retreat with Zixuan!"
Xue Zixuan said, "Mother Consort, perhaps you should..."
"Zixuan, Mother Consort is old. All I desire is to be by your side. Rest assured, if that time comes, Mother Consort will not hold you back."
Xue Zixuan's expression became solemn, "Mother Consort, have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, I have," replied the Old Princess.
Li Fanghui suddenly stood up and knelt, "Your Highness, this humble woman is also used to wandering. I wish to find a place to settle down. These days in the Northern Territory, I have been very content and happy. I wish to stay."