At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

The capital city of the Great Qian Dynasty, the residence of the Imperial Concubine.

As dawn broke, a misty fog enveloped the entire palace.

The young eunuchs, who got up early, carried buckets and brooms and busied themselves silently in the corridor, not daring to make a sound.

Inside the sleeping quarters, the charcoal fire burned brightly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

On the dragon bed, Emperor Xiao Jinghuan slowly opened his eyes, waking up from his dream.

He stayed overnight in Consort Xu's palace last night, and a faint fragrance of cosmetics still lingers around him.

"Your Majesty, you're awake?" Consort Xu walked in from the outer room, carrying a bowl of warm ginseng soup, a gentle smile on her face.

She wore a light pink nightgown, her black hair was like clouds, her eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, and her steps were light, like a butterfly dancing gracefully.

"My beloved consort." Xiao Jinghuan sat up, took the ginseng soup, took a sip, and praised, "It's always been my consort who is so considerate. None of the eunuchs and palace maids are as attentive as you."

Consort Xu sat down by the couch, picked up a hot towel, and gently wiped Xiao Jinghuan's face and hands.

The movements were gentle and meticulous, leaving no inch untouched.

After wiping him clean, she brought him mouthwash and personally helped him rinse his mouth.

"Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and I cannot share your burdens. I can only try to take better care of you in your daily life." Consort Xu's voice was soft and sweet, like honey melting in water, almost cloyingly sweet.

Xiao Jinghuan reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace and lovingly stroking her long hair.

"Why is Heaven so kind to me? It has bestowed upon me such a beauty as the Imperial Concubine."

Consort Xu nestled in his arms, a smile on her lips.

She lowered her head, looked at the handkerchief in her hand, and suddenly sighed.

The sigh was very soft, but Xiao Jinghuan caught it.

"My beloved concubine, what's wrong? Why are you sighing?"

Consort Xu raised her head, her eyes slightly red, as if she was trying hard to hold back her tears.

"Your Majesty... I dare not speak."

Xiao Jinghuan frowned slightly and hugged her tighter.

"I am here, what do you have to be afraid to say? Speak."

Consort Xu bit her lip, lowered her head, and choked up.

"Your Majesty, my parents have both passed away, and I have no relatives left but my brother Xu Shigui."

"Although he has made a mistake, he has been imprisoned in the imperial jail for several months, suffering every day, and his hair has turned mostly white... Whenever I think of this, my heart aches as if pricked by needles, and I cannot sleep at night..."

Her tears fell, one by one, landing on the back of Xiao Jinghuan's hand.

"Your Majesty, I wish to see my brother, but you will not allow it... My heart is truly breaking..."

Xiao Jinghuan's expression changed slightly.

He released his grip on Consort Xu, sat up straight, and frowned.

"My beloved consort, your brother Xu Shigui deserted his post and framed loyal officials. I have already shown him extraordinary mercy by not killing him. How could you..."

Consort Xu raised her head, looking at him with teary eyes, her voice even more earnest.

"Your Majesty, I know my brother is guilty. But he has been imprisoned for months, he has suffered all the hardships he deserved, and he has been punished as he should. Your Majesty is merciful, could you please show leniency and release him? Even if you don't restore his official position, it would be good enough if he could live as a commoner."

She grabbed Xiao Jinghuan's hand and held it tightly.

"Your Majesty, this is my only brother. I don't want to grow old without anyone to talk to..."

Xiao Jinghuan remained silent.

Looking at Consort Xu's tear-streaked face, he felt a pang of pity.

In his eyes, Consort Xu had always been gentle and virtuous over the years, never interfering in court affairs, and never vying for favor like other concubines.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to say one more thing," Consort Xu wiped away her tears, her voice gradually calming down, "The Great Qian Dynasty is currently in dire need of capable people. Although Yuzhou and Qingzhou have been recovered in the northern border, the Northern Di have not been completely eliminated, and Tuoba Han is still in Cangzhou."

"Although Su Mu is brave, he is, after all, just an old general. If Your Majesty can make good use of your brother's two sons, Xu Zhaowen and Xu Zhaowu, they are both promising young men who are good at fighting."

"Wouldn't it be better to let them atone for their crimes by going to the northern border to assist Su Mu than to kill them?"

Xiao Jinghuan's brows furrowed even more.

"Atone for their crimes through good deeds? Can they really do that?"

Consort Xu nodded and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, although I am not knowledgeable in military affairs, I know that no matter how capable Su Mu is, he cannot conquer the world alone."

"The Great Qian needs more young generals. Xu Zhaowen and Xu Zhaowu have practiced martial arts since childhood and are well-versed in military strategy, but they have never had the opportunity to use their skills. If Your Majesty gives them an opportunity, they will be grateful and serve you to the death."

As she spoke, her voice choked up again.

"Your Majesty, I ask for nothing more than to spare my brother's life and give my two nephews a chance to serve the court... I beg you..."

She knelt on the couch, her forehead hitting the edge of the bed with a "thump, thump" sound.

Xiao Jinghuan's heart softened completely.

He reached out and helped Consort Xu up, then sighed.

"Alright, alright, I promise you. Xu Shigui has been imprisoned for several months and has suffered the hardships he deserves. However, I will make a decision after consulting with the Prime Minister."

Consort Xu raised her head, a hint of joy flashing in her tearful eyes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She threw herself into Xiao Jinghuan's arms and cried even harder.

Xiao Jinghuan put his arm around her and gently patted her back.

"Okay, stop crying."

"I ask you, that Daoist Qingfeng you mentioned last night, has he truly reversed his aging process by practicing the art of immortality?"

Consort Xu wiped away her tears and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I heard it from someone with my own ears. That Daoist Qingfeng is over ninety years old, but he looks like he's in his forties. He has white hair and a youthful face, and is very energetic. The longevity technique he cultivates is said to prolong life and prevent all diseases."

Xiao Jinghuan's eyes lit up.

"The art of immortality? Rejuvenation? How come I know nothing about it?"

Consort Xu smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs all day long, how can you have time to care about these things? After my brother's matter is settled, I will accompany Your Majesty to Ziyun Temple to see Master Qingfeng in person, what do you say?"

"Good! Good! Good!" Xiao Jinghuan nodded repeatedly, his face beaming with joy. "My beloved consort is so thoughtful."

Consort Xu nestled in his arms, her smile growing ever wider.

……

After the morning court session, in the Imperial Study.

Xiao Jinghuan sat on the dragon throne, a pile of memorials spread out in front of him, but his mind was not on them.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and said to the eunuch beside him, "Summon Prime Minister Li Yuan to see me."

"As you command."

Before long, Prime Minister Li Yuan strode into the Imperial Study and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, what business do you have summoned me for?"

Xiao Jinghuan put down his teacup and got straight to the point.

"Prime Minister, I would like to ask you, what is your opinion on the matter of Xu Shigui?"

Li Yuan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes.

He had been navigating the treacherous waters of court for decades; what kind of storms hadn't he weathered? The fact that His Majesty suddenly asked about Xu Shigui must mean someone had spoken ill of him behind his back.

"Your Majesty means...?"

"Xu Shigui has been imprisoned in the imperial jail for several months and has received his due punishment. I intend to release him so that he can atone for his crimes through meritorious service. What do you think?"

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Although Xu Shigui is guilty, his crime does not warrant death."

"Although Yuzhou and Qingzhou have been recovered in the north, the Northern Di army has not yet retreated, and Tuoba Han is still in Cangzhou. Although Su Mu is brave, he is getting old after all. What if something happens to him..."

He paused, then continued, "If Your Majesty can make good use of someone like Xu Shigui, allowing him to redeem himself through meritorious service and go to the northern border to assist Su Mu, it will not only demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence but also add strength to the Great Qian Dynasty. I believe that the Imperial Concubine's suggestion is very appropriate."

Xiao Jinghuan nodded.

"Very well, then issue my decree: release Xu Shigui and reinstate him to his original post. Xu Zhaowen and Xu Zhaowu shall each be granted a set of golden armor and shall accompany him to the northern border to await Su Mu's command."

Li Yuan cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty is wise."

Just as he was about to draft the imperial edict, a eunuch's shrill voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty! The Third Prince, Xiao Jingyu, has returned from the Northern Border! He is requesting an audience outside the palace, saying he has important military intelligence to report!"

Xiao Jinghuan's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Third brother's back? Announce it immediately!"

Li Yuan stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with unease.

The Third Prince, Xiao Jingyu, has always been a staunch supporter of Su Mu.

His return might affect the rescue of Xu Shigui.

Li Yuan stepped aside, stood with his hands at his sides, his expression unchanged, but his mind was racing.

The palace doors swung open, and Xiao Jingyu strode into the imperial study.

He was travel-worn, his robes still covered in unmelted snow, his face tanned dark by the north wind, but his eyes were full of joy.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!" Xiao Jingyu knelt on one knee, his voice booming.

Xiao Jinghuan quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"Third brother, get up! How's the northern border? How's Su Mu's fighting going?"