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After Mu Jiansheng and Chen Jinnan left Kaifeng, Mu Jianping and Fang Yi were also settled in.

Although Su Ning was busy with military affairs, he still had his own rules for managing the household affairs.

So he summoned a nanny surnamed Zhou and instructed her, "Take Miss Mu to the back room to settle in, make sure she washes up properly and is well taken care of, and do not neglect her."

"Yes, Commander Su."

Granny Zhou was an old servant in the household, having followed Su Ning since the time in southwestern Shandong, so she was naturally calm and capable in her actions.

He immediately accepted the order and led two maids to the side room where Mu Jianping and Fang Yi were resting.

“Miss Mu,” Zhou Mama bowed slightly, her tone respectful yet measured, “Commander Su instructed that you come with me to the inner courtyard room to settle in. Hot water and new clothes have been prepared to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey.”

Mu Jianping looked at Fang Yi with some confusion and helplessness. She had grown up in the Prince's mansion since childhood, but after experiencing this setback, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Fang Yi immediately stepped forward, shielding Mu Jianping behind her, and looked at Zhou Mama warily: "Thank you for your trouble, Mama. I will take care of the princess's washing and changing. I dare not trouble anyone else."

Granny Zhou raised her eyelids and glanced at Fang Yi indifferently. Her gaze was not sharp, but it carried a kind of insightful understanding of the world and the majesty of the inner courtyard of the Su family.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile played at the corners of her lips, her tone calm yet undeniably authoritative:
“Miss Fang, your duty is to protect the princess’s safety, which I understand. But there are rules for the daily life and care within this manor. The princess is a noblewoman, the direct descendant of the Mu family. Now that she has entered my Su manor, all her expenses and rituals must be in accordance with her status. How can she be treated as casually as an ordinary woman from the martial arts world? I and the maids will take good care of her washing, changing, and settling her in, so as to show the sincerity of my Su manor in entertaining guests and to preserve the reputation of the Mu family.”

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping lightly over Fang Yi's dusty clothes, before continuing, "As for you, Miss Fang... you've had a hard time protecting the princess all the way, so please go and rest first. Once the princess is settled, you'll have your own place to go. Some things require a certain level of status; you can't force them, and... you can't substitute for them."

These words, though seemingly gentle, subtly pointed out the boundaries between Mu Jianping's noble status and Fang Yi's duties as a guard, and also hinted at their different positions in the mansion in the future.

Fang Yi's face instantly turned bright red. Although Granny Zhou did not say it explicitly, her words "matching social status is not something that can be forced" were like a wake-up call.

This made her clearly realize that in the eyes of the young prince and the people of the Su family, she was worlds apart from the princess.

Her desire to protect the princess seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the stark difference in their social status.

Fang Yi's lips moved a few times, but in the end she couldn't say anything. She lowered her head in shame and silently retreated to the side.

Seeing Fang Yi's embarrassment, Mu Jianping felt sorry for her and softly called out, "Senior Sister Fang..."

Granny Zhou turned to Mu Jianping, a perfectly kind smile on her face: "Princess, please come with me. Everything is prepared and you will not suffer any injustice."

Her attitude was respectful and considerate, leaving no room for criticism.

Mu Jianping glanced at Fang Yi, who had her head down, and then at Zhou Mama, whose expression was gentle yet firm. In the end, she nodded slightly and left the side room with Zhou Mama.

After a thorough washing and dressing, she changed into a light blue dress, carefully prepared by the mansion, made of exquisite materials but not overly luxurious, thus shedding the fatigue and dust of her journey.

At this moment, Mu Jianping's skin appeared even whiter than snow, and her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting. Although she still carried some girlish innocence and unease, the noble air nurtured by the royal palace had quietly blossomed.

……

That night, the city lights began to twinkle.

Mu Jianping was led to the outside of the main courtyard study where Su Ning was.

Her heart was pounding like a deer's, and she nervously clenched her sleeves.

Inside the study, Su Ning had just finished processing military reports and was standing by the window, pondering the details of the Battle of Daming Prefecture.

Upon hearing the announcement, he turned around and saw the slender figure at the door.

Under the lamplight, Mu Jianping, after bathing and changing, resembled a magnolia in its first bloom, fresh and refined, with a touch of timid tenderness, forming a strange contrast with the solemn military atmosphere in the study.

She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes trembling, not daring to look directly at Su Ning.

Su Ning's gaze fell on her, and he sized her up for a moment.

He had witnessed the fierce bravery of those who shed blood on the battlefield, and the hypocritical cunning of those in the imperial court. Such a pure and innocent appearance before him was truly rare in this chaotic world.

He understood the Mu family's intention to arrange a marriage, and the young princess herself was not unpleasant to people.

"No need for formalities, come in." Su Ning's voice broke the silence, sounding less cold and hard than usual.

Mu Jianping followed her instructions and walked in quietly, still not daring to look up, her voice barely audible: "Greetings, Commander Su... Commander Su."

Seeing her looking like a frightened rabbit, Su Ning felt a rare surge of tenderness.

He walked up to her, not getting too close, and asked in a calm tone, "Are you settling in well at the manor?"

"Hmm... Granny Zhou made very thoughtful arrangements," Mu Jianping replied softly.

"Are you aware of your brother's intentions?" Su Ning asked directly, as he disliked beating around the bush.

Mu Jianping's body trembled slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head even further, letting out a barely audible "hmm".

Before leaving home, her brother did have a deep talk with her, explaining that this move was related to the future of the Mu family and that she should... seize the opportunity.

Seeing her like this, Su Ning understood.

He was not a lustful man, but in this era, marriage was one of the most stable ways to form an alliance.

Mu Jianping's status is suitable, and her temperament seems gentle. Keeping her by one's side can not only reassure the Mu Prince's Mansion, but also provide an additional link from the southwest to the increasingly powerful force within the family.

“In that case,” Su Ning looked at her, his tone becoming more serious, “from today onwards, you will stay by my side. The Mu Prince’s Mansion is the Mu Prince’s Mansion, and you are you. As long as you behave yourself, I will protect you and will not mistreat you.”

This isn't exactly sweet talk; it's more like a promise and a declaration.

Mu Jianping raised her head and glanced quickly at Su Ning. When she met his deep and calm gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly lowered her head again. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings: uncertainty about the future, a hint of hidden expectation, and more of a sense of resignation to a predetermined fate.

She gave another soft "hmm," this time with a hint of resignation.

That night, Mu Jianping did not return to her original room.

She now has her own independent residence in Suning's courtyard.

Outwardly, she might be a guest or a tutor, but everyone in the manor understands that from this moment on, the young princess of the Mu family has a different status.

She became the first woman formally accepted by Suning in this turbulent era, marking the establishment of an invisible yet solid connection between the Red Flag Army and the Mu family in the Southwest.

In times of chaos, marriages often begin with self-interest, and whether true feelings will develop in the future remains to be seen.

……

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Fang Yi tossed and turned all night, her mind preoccupied with the princess. Her mind raced with all sorts of possible scenarios, and she longed to immediately grab a sword and storm into the backyard.

Fang Yi got up at the crack of dawn and waited anxiously in the courtyard.

It wasn't until Granny Zhou sent someone to tell her that the princess had risen and that she was allowed to go and serve her.

Fang Yi breathed a sigh of relief, quickly tidied her appearance, and strode towards the main courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, no different from usual, but there seemed to be a subtle atmosphere in the air that was different from usual.

Fang Yi was led by a maid to a warm and elegantly decorated room, where Mu Jianping was already sitting in front of the dressing table, and a maid was combing her cloud-like black hair.

"Princess!" Fang Yi stepped forward quickly, her voice filled with urgency and worry.

Mu Jianping turned around upon hearing the sound.

The soft morning light shone on her face, revealing a blush that had not yet completely faded.

As her eyes darted about, they seemed to possess an indescribable shimmering light, less of the girlish naiveté, and more of the coquettish languor of a newlywed.

Upon seeing Fang Yi, Mu Jianping initially showed a hint of joy, but then, as if remembering something, her fair cheeks instantly flushed red, and she lowered her eyelashes somewhat flusteredly, not daring to meet Fang Yi's gaze.

"Senior Sister Fang, you've arrived..." Her voice was soft and weak, with obvious shyness.

Fang Yi was an extremely intelligent person, and upon seeing this situation, she already understood seven or eight parts of the situation.

Immediately afterwards, an indescribable feeling of bitterness and self-reproach welled up in my heart.

She was both Mu Jianping's bodyguard and a sister to her, and now she could only watch helplessly as the princess she had cherished since childhood...

However, she was powerless to do anything about it, and even yesterday she was so embarrassed by what Granny Zhou said.

Fang Yi suppressed her complicated emotions, walked to Mu Jianping's side, and took the comb from the maid's hand.

Then, feigning composure, he combed her long hair and asked in a low voice as if casually, "Princess... was everything alright last night? Did Commander Su... make things difficult for you?"

She asked cautiously, afraid of touching on Mu Jianping's sore spot.

Upon hearing this, Mu Jianping's ears turned bright red, her head drooped even lower, and her fingers unconsciously twisted her sash.

Then, in a voice barely audible to the two of them, she murmured, "Commander Su... he... treats me well."

Though her words were brief and her shyness was palpable, there was not a trace of grievance or reluctance. Instead, she exuded a subtle shyness and submissiveness befitting a new bride.

Fang Yi paused slightly in her hand holding the comb, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Looking at the princess's shy yet painless expression in the mirror, he felt slightly relieved, but the self-blame for "failing to protect the princess" grew heavier.

After a moment of silence, Fang Yi said in a low voice, "I am relieved that the princess is well. From now on... Fang Yi will always stay by the princess's side."

This is her promise, and it's the only thing she can do now.

Mu Jianping sensed the sadness and determination in Fang Yi's tone, raised her head, took her hand, and said softly, "Senior Sister Fang, I know you're worried about me. I'm fine, really."

Her eyes were clear, filled with the same reliance and trust she had for those around her.

Just thinking about the wonderful night before made Mu Jianping blush.

Women in feudal society did not have as many ideas; they believed that being uneducated was a virtue and were more accepting of their fate.

There is absolutely no such thing as the mentally challenged and idiotic women of later generations who masquerade as modern women...

From then on, Fang Yi stayed by Mu Jianping's side, nominally still a guard, but in reality, she had more of a responsibility to take care of him personally.

Mu Jianping officially gained a place in the backyard of the Su family mansion. Although her identity was not explicitly announced, everyone in the mansion treated her with respect.

……

Meanwhile, Suning has already devoted all its energy to intensive preparations for the upcoming match.

Mu Jianping is indeed very beautiful, but now is not the time for romance. Only by eliminating the main force of the Manchu in Daming Prefecture can his Red Flag Army truly achieve great success.

Therefore, the Battle of Daming Prefecture was a matter of national destiny and could not be lost.

Inside the command post, around the huge sand table, generals and staff worked day and night, and all kinds of intelligence gathered like snowflakes.

In order to completely seize the initiative on the battlefield and gain insight into the movements of the Qing army, Su Ning deployed a piece of equipment from the outer space world that was ahead of its time...

High-altitude tethered reconnaissance hot air balloon!
In a secluded military camp outside Kaifeng, a huge spherical balloon filled with hot air slowly rose into the air, with a sturdy basket suspended below. Inside the basket were high-powered telescopes, drawing boards, and simple optical communication equipment made using the principle of lens reflection.

Hot air balloons are tethered by cables and can rise to a height of several hundred meters, offering an extremely wide field of vision.

"Report to Commander Su! Observation point number one has been launched! The field of view is clear, and it can monitor a range of 100 miles in the direction of Daming Prefecture!" The technical officer (AI) in charge of the project reported loudly.

Standing at the ground command post, Su Ning issued instructions through the communication equipment connected to the gondola: "Maintain altitude and closely monitor the movements of the three Qing army forces, especially the Mongol cavalry groups and the Shanxi Green Standard Army's marching routes, speeds, and encampment locations. Draw detailed situation maps and report them daily!"

"understand!"

From then on, a silent "sky eye" has been watching over the earth from the azure sky.

Despite the Qing army's supposedly secretive troop movements, none of them could escape the surveillance from above, whether it was the dust raised by the Mongol cavalry, the long, winding marching lines of the Shanxi Green Standard Army, or the slow northward advance of the Qing army's camps in Jiangbei.

Maps with precise markings of Qing army positions, troop strength estimates, and marching routes were quickly delivered to Su Ning's desk.

The Qing army commander's supposedly brilliant strategy of splitting and attacking simultaneously turned him into a pawn on a transparent chessboard in front of Su Ning.

"The Mongol cavalry of the northern route have passed Shunde Prefecture and are still five days' journey from Daming Prefecture."

"After the Shanxi Green Standard Army on the western route left Jingxing Pass, their movements were slow, as if they were waiting for something."

"The Qing troops on the southern route north of the Yangtze River are still lingering around Huai'an, seemingly fearful."

The clear intelligence allowed Suning to calmly allocate troops and choose the best time and place for the decisive battle.

A cold, stern smile curved his lips. This great battle, which would determine the fate of the world, had not yet begun, but the scales of victory had already quietly tipped in favor of the Red Flag Army because of the appearance of this "eye in the sky".

For the first time on the battlefield, a dimension from the sky appeared, and the prelude to dimensional reduction attacks was being silently unveiled.

...(End of chapter)