Nine Nights Owl Song

Late February of the nineteenth year of Yong'an.

Luoyang, the imperial city.

When the news of the victory in the south reached the court, it was during a grand court assembly.

The Minister of War, holding a report of victory, spoke in a voice that echoed through the empty Golden Palace: "Qian Shigui of Qingjiang has surrendered, Sun Bofu of Pinghai has surrendered, and Zheng Jing of Wuyi has surrendered. The three towns in the south have all been pacified. General Su Jiuge of Anxi will soon return to the capital in triumph."

The court was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers.

The civil officials congratulated each other, while the military officers slapped the table and cheered.

Emperor Yong'an sat on the dragon throne, and a smile finally appeared on his aged face.

The threat in the southern border had plagued the imperial court for many years, and repeated military campaigns had failed to eradicate it.

He did not expect that Su Jiuge would pacify the three towns in less than two months, without using a single soldier or spending a single penny of the imperial court.

She successfully tackled the tough challenge of the southern border.

The crown prince stood at the head of the civil officials' line, a smile on his face, impeccable.

His knuckles were white as he gripped the scepter.

With the southern border pacified, his plans there completely collapsed. Qian Shigui surrendered, Sun Bofu surrendered, and Zheng Jing also surrendered.

His men in the southern border were either incorporated or eliminated, and her plan, which he had been preparing for over half a year, was thwarted in just two months.

After the court session ended, the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace and smashed the last vase in his study.

Broken porcelain shards were scattered all over the floor, and the chief of staff stood outside the door, too afraid to come in.

The prince looked at the broken porcelain on the ground and gasped for breath.

Emperor Yong'an summoned the Minister of War to his study.

"When will Su Jiuge return to the capital?" The Minister of War bowed.

"The report says they will depart in mid-February and are expected to arrive in the capital in early March." Emperor Yong'an nodded.

She's not in the capital, so the Crown Prince doesn't dare to act. But once she returns, he'll be in a panic.

Emperor Yong'an picked up his vermilion brush and issued an imperial edict: "General Su Jiuge of Anxi has rendered meritorious service in pacifying the southern border. He shall be promoted to Marquis of Zhennan, with a fief of three thousand households, and shall be granted a set of golden armor and a jade belt."

He put down his pen and looked out the window.

Su Jiuge, this eighteen-year-old girl, quelled the border troubles on the three sides of the Great Liang Dynasty: the western border, the northern border, and the southern border.

She deserves the title of Marquis of Zhennan.

The Marquis of Dingyuan's Residence.

Ms. Shen is making osmanthus cake in the kitchen.

News of Su Jiuge's victory spread throughout Luojing, and the entire Marquis's mansion was filled with joy.

Uncle Fu wiped the stone lions at the entrance three times.

Su Chengzhi spent the entire day being congratulated by his colleagues in the imperial court.

Su Chengen received more than a dozen groups of guests who came to offer their congratulations at the Marquis's residence.

At the Imperial College, Su Chengxun was surrounded by his classmates who asked, "When is your sister coming back?"

Even Su Wan'er walks with a swagger.

Shen kneaded the dough, and her wrists stopped shaking.

The southern border has been pacified, her daughter is coming home, and her illness has mostly healed.

The old drunkard sat in the main hall, a plate of osmanthus cake in front of him. He hadn't eaten a bite, and his hand holding the wine gourd was trembling slightly, not out of fear, but out of joy.

The girl he raised quelled the border troubles on the three sides of the Great Liang territory: the west, the north, and the south.

The child he picked up from the snow years ago is now the Marquis of Zhennan.

Ghost Hand stood under the eaves watching the old drunkard. After all these years, Senior Brother no longer has to hide.

Qian Shaoqing is packing his luggage.

When he came, he only brought a bundle, a few clothes, and a knife; when he left, he still had the same bundle, but with a few more clothes and the same knife.

Qian Shigui stood at the door looking at his son, his lips moved several times, but in the end he didn't say anything.

Qian Shaoqing looked up at his father.

"Father, I'm leaving."

Qian Shigui nodded.

"Once we arrive in Luoyang, listen to the Sixth Prince and General Su. Don't bring shame to the Qian family."

"I know."

Qian Shigui took a letter out of his sleeve and handed it to him.

The cover reads "To His Highness the Sixth Prince".

"Take this letter to the Sixth Prince."

Qian Shaoqing took the letter and carefully put it away.

Qian Shigui reached out and patted his son on the shoulder.

"Go."

Qian Shaoqing mounted his horse and rode away.

Qian Shigui stood at the door watching his son's figure disappear at the end of the street.

He didn't say "take care of yourself," "write back often," or "Dad misses you."

He couldn't say it, and he would never say it in his entire life.

Su Jiuge's entourage set off from Wuyi Mountain and headed north to Luoyang. Along the way, they passed through Qingjiang and Pinghai, and in every town they passed, people lined the streets to see them off.

Su Jiuge rode on horseback, expressionless, while Zhao Ying followed behind, grinning from ear to ear. Lin Mo leaned out of the carriage and waved to the people, but Shen Qing pressed him back down.

Qian Shaoqing walked in the middle of the group.

Zhao Ying rode up to his side.

"Brother Qian, did your father write you a letter?" Qian Shaoqing shook his head.

"He gave me a letter to deliver to the Sixth Prince. It wasn't addressed to me." Zhao Ying fell silent.

"Won't he say a few words to you?" Qian Shaoqing said no need, he had already said everything he needed to say since childhood.

Zhao Ying looked at him.

Qian Shaoqing's face showed no expression, but Zhao Ying knew he was feeling bad.

Zhao Ying patted him on the shoulder.

"When we get to Luoyang, I'll treat you to drinks. Good wine, not the kind you find in the general store."

Qian Shaoqing's lips curved slightly.

"it is good."

Su Jiuge looked at the road ahead.

Luoyang is thousands of miles away, and a storm is brewing in the imperial court.

The Crown Prince will not give up easily; he will make new moves even if he loses in the Southern Territory.

Su Jiuge touched the straight sword at her waist; she had to get back before the Crown Prince made a move.