After Xuefeng successfully brought back a battalion of 50 000 soldiers and 150 wagons of food and medicine supplies, the Prince gathered all the commanders and generals for a meeting.
"The Hans wishes for a peace treaty," the prince said the moment he entered the tent, catching every single one of them off-guard except for Xuefeng.
"And are you going to permit it, Your Highness?" General Luo Yu asked.
The prince remained silent for a moment as he took his seat at the center. He knew there was something fishy with the treaty. It was still the early stages of the war and the Hans are already offering a peace treaty.
"Hmm... do you have any opinion on this, Xuefeng?" Jiahao asked as he turned to look at the man that was standing behind him.
"I don't know. Rumors have been going around that the battlefield is haunted with a beautiful girl with a red dress that would kill any of the enemies that cross path with her. They said she beheads them without any second thoughts," Xuefeng said.
Hearing this, the other generals and commanders started nodding as they also heard about this rumor.
"And... do you believe this rumor?" Jiahao asked.
"No. If I've seen it myself, then I would've believed it," Xuefeng said as he crossed his arms.
"The Hans has given a time limit to this peace treaty. They said if it isn't signed by dawn tomorrow, they'll commence a huge attack," General Yu Chin said.
Jiahao clenched his jaw. If there's a huge attack, it would be fatal to his troops. A hundred thousand enemy's soldier against their 50 000 soldiers would be a big catastrophe.
"Send a letter to the Commanding General of the Hans and ask the deadline to be moved until noon tomorrow," Jiahao said. He needed to see if the rumor was true. But the fact that the Hans offered a peace treaty even though they were winning means that the rumor must be something to be dangerous and terrifying.
He stood up and looked at his generals and commanders.
"General Xuefeng and I will scout the said part of the battlefield tomorrow at dawn," he said before leaving. "Prepare the soldiers by then."
...
Fang was still as stubborn as ever but she was slowly learning how to be a proper noble lady. And the time that she was to enter the Imperial Palace to continue her training was coming.
And by this time, the old General was already back on his feet. It seemed like his unknown illness was miraculously cured. Even though he was already fine, he still couldn't look at Fang without remembering Yue.
"Milady, you seem to be improving your tea brewing skills. Your father would be so happy if you serve him his favorite tea," Fang's new maid, Ye Ru said, praising her mistress.
Fang smiled as she heard the praise. She was going to serve tea to his father in celebration for his recovery. But aside that, she was also determined to gain her father's attention and replace Yue in his heart.
Carrying the tea herself, she knocked on his father's study where her father was currently having a private meeting. She was stopped a lot of times before arriving at his office but she insisted on coming. Since she was now the esteemed Second Lady of the Wen Family, the guards couldn't do anything to her.
"Father, I've brought tea for you," she said as she tried to open the door. But before she could even do that, her father opened it and his expression was not happy at all.
"What are you doing here? You should be preparing for the palace," her father said, his voice cold as ice.
"I-I only brought tea for you and your guest. It is to celebrate for your recovery," Fang smiled sheepishly. She was afraid that her father would scold her again.
But this time, her father only sighed and took the tray from her hands.
"I am having a private meeting. Go back now, your mother would be looking for you," the old General sighed as he closed the door.
Seeing this, Fang slowly smiled. It was a small step that her father didn't scold her.
"Milady, I think your father is talking to someone high in the court," her maid whispered as they exited the mansion's gate.
"Hmm? Well, my father is a General. It is normal for him to meet people from the high court," she said as she continued walking towards her mansion.
After her maid left her in peace inside her room, her true nature was shown.
"It'll be in a short while but I'll be sure to replace that bitch in father's heart," she smiled wickedly as she faced the mirror and slowly brushed her hair.
A small fire was set ablaze in her heart that day. A spark that would soon kindle her thirst for power in the future.