Chapter 229: Northern Departure

The atmosphere in the room was tense but only Lieyin seemed to be unaware of that fact. Qingyue and Yexue watched quietly as she put random things into the sack she was traveling with.

"I don’t think you know how dangerous this journey is," Qingyue reminded her. "This is not a random walk down the road."

Lieyin only stopped long to give her a single nod."Trust me, I know. Intercepting an Imperial shipment is no joke. Especially because I can’t take any of the men with me. That guide is the only one coming with me."

"But...he can’t fight," Yexue added. "I’ve seen him train, he’s absolutely helpless."

Lieyin shrugged her shoulders. "He insisted on coming with me." She looked at Qingyue. "Just don’t expect him to come back in one piece..." she smirked, "or come back at all. Be prepared for the worst."

Qingyue scoffed. "Keep him safe. He’ll know the best roads to travel on."

The last thing Lieyin packed was the letter Han Shuying had sent. "I think that is all."

"Are you sure about this?" Yexue asked, looking at Qingyue. "I trust that Lieyin can protect herself. But...if this ends up being an ambush, I’m afraid she wouldn’t be able to fight them all off on her own."

Lieyin felt offended."How about your patient that’s seated right next to you," she shot back, gesturing at where Qingyue sat down. "I can hold my own."

Together they walked out of the castle. The sky was only beginning to pale when all three sisters stepped into the courtyard.

Burn marks still stained some of the walls, several buildings remained half-collapsed. There were soldiers moving quietly through the ruins, carrying timber and stones as they continued the long work of rebuilding.

Lieyin tightened the straps of her armor and checked the sword at her waist. She had prepared everything she needed.

A horse waited beside the Fortress gate.

Kael was already standing next to it, adjusting the saddle with the expression of someone who would rather be somewhere else.

"You’re late," he said once Lieyin was within hearing distance.

’I said we would leave at dawn."

Lieyin looked around. "It is dawn, which means I’m not late."

Kael sighed. But before he could argue the other two sisters reached where they were standing. Under the morning light he could see how pale she had become.

Even after several days of rest, the exhaustion had clearly taken more from her than she wanted anyone to know. Yexue stood beside her, one hand lightly supporting her arm.

"The shipment should reach the northern road within three days. If you leave now, you will reach it before the Imperial Army enters the mountain pass," Qingyue said and Lieyin nodded in response.

For a moment, the three sisters simply stood there. It was strange. They had spent so much of their lives together, yet affection had never come easily between them.

The sisters loved each other deeply, but the words of tenderness were rare. They had been raised in a palace where affection could become weakness and vulnerability could become a weapon.

So when Qingyue stepped forward and reached for Lieyin’s hand, Lieyin froze. Qingyue’s fingers closed around hers.

"Be careful," she spoke in a small voice. ’Stay safe, and don’t take unnecessary risks. I know how reckless you can be."

Lieyin looked at her. Qingyue rarely said things like that, nor did she wear her emotions on her sleeves.

"I won’t," she said in a teasing voice, her expression softening with the words.

"And come back as soon as you get a hold of the shipment," Yexue said, stepping closer. She tried to smile but there was too much worry in her eyes. "Come back in one piece."

Lieyin shifted on her feet. "Relax, I’ll be fine. Don’t act like you’re sending me off to a battlefield." She squeezed Qingyue’s hand, trying to play off the uneven beat under her chest. "I’ll be back before you know it."

Qingyue’s fingers tightened briefly before releasing her. She’d have to blame the sickness later for making her feel extra vulnerable. But she also had genuine reason to be worried.

Yexue suddenly embraced Lieyin which shocked the both of them to the bone. It made Lieyin stiffen, her arms hanging in an awkward angle.

"You’e both becoming sentimental," Lieyin muttered, smiling a little when Yexue laughed softly against her shoulder.

When Yexue finally stepped back, Lieyin looked at Qingyue

"You should take care of yourself," Lieyin told her. "I know you want to be strong for the people, but you can’t lead them if you can’t stand on your own two feet."

Qingyue nodded.

Lieyin finally mounted her horse and Kael climbed onto his own beside her. Before the left , Liwyin looked back at Ashen Fortress...then at her sisters standing together beneath the fortress gate.

For a brief moment, the anger she had carried since Ru YI’s betrayal faded beneath something warmer.

Home.

Both the brown-eyed girl and the castle where her mother had once lived.

She turned her horse toward the northern road. "Let’s go."

Kael followed without a word.

They passed through the iron gates and began their journey into the mountains.

Then Kael said, "There’s something you need to understand as we embark on this journey." He sounded older than he actually was.

Lieyin glanced at him.

"If Ru Yi and General Sheng are also heading toward the shipment, you are not to pursue Ru Yi."

Lieyin’s brows furrowed in confusion. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"That you should stay clear of Ru Yi if we ever run into her," he said in a firm voice, like Lieyin couldn’t pull out her sword that instant and put an end to his nonsense.

Lieyin looked ahead. "What makes you think you can tell me what to do?" she asked, taking his words for mere stupidity. "Keep your mouth shut and eyes on the map. That’s all you’re here for."

Kael still continued, "General Sheng already knows how dangerous you are. If he’s traveling with Ru Yi, he won’t hesitate to use her against you. And if Ru Yi’s shadow gets involved—"

Then...Lieyin would more than likely be killed on the spot.