War Departure Twist

The Expedition Begins

The day the generals marched out of Changyang City, an eerie silence spread through the streets. It was as if everyone in the city had reached a quiet consensus: the usual hustle and bustle subdued without warning. People whispered in hushed tones—some about the coming war, others about trivial matters, but all cloaked in a tense unease.

Xi Linchuan knew that the common folk didn't hold much hope for this war.

He left the mansion in full armor. Just before mounting his horse, he put on his helmet and instinctively turned to glance back toward the familiar front courtyard—yet the figure he longed to see was not there.

Steeling his thoughts, he spurred his horse forward.

Back in the Xi Mansion, Hongyi had just awakened.

She was conflicted upon hearing that Xi Linchuan had departed for war. Part of her felt relieved that he wouldn't be around, yet another part was anxious—war affected the fate of the nation after all.

But this wasn't something she, a woman within the walls of Changyang, could influence. Worrying was pointless. After freshening up, she went to find Lvxiu.

She told Lvxiu she wanted to save up to buy her freedom. Lvxiu had looked into it for her—but just the thought of gathering 2,000 taels of silver made Hongyi feel hopeless.

"This way," said Lvxiu, pulling her toward the rear of the estate, until they turned a corner near the archery field.

"There's a side gate here," Lvxiu said, stopping before a narrow wooden door. "It opens to the outside."

"Isn't that unsafe?" Hongyi asked, worried. "What if someone breaks in?"

"It's only latched from the inside. Word is, some of the servant girls take on embroidery or sewing jobs from outside and exchange them right here. No one's gotten into trouble so far."

Hongyi raised an eyebrow. "Does the young master know about this?"

"He does," Lvxiu smiled. "He didn't stop it—actually, he arranged for Steward Qi to supervise it."

"Steward Qi?"

"Yes. So no one dares shortchange the girls or cheat them. He even helps find more work if needed."

Hongyi was stunned. This informal "side hustle network" completely overturned her understanding of strict feudal hierarchies—especially within such a well-established mansion.

Later that afternoon, Hongyi watched a full "business exchange" take place: outer buyers handed over fabrics and instructions; inner servant girls took notes and promised delivery. Like a makeshift production line, it was remarkably efficient.

Steward Qi didn't interfere, only stepping in once to scold a young girl carrying too many materials: "Still think you'll have time for your actual duties?!" When she protested—saying her mother was ill and she needed the money—he sighed and split her work with others, promising to deliver funds to her family himself.

Then, surprisingly, he handed the extra cloth to Hongyi: "Lvxiu said you were looking for work. Try starting with this."

"But... I can't sew," she murmured.

Lvxiu glared at her, already regretting her suggestion.

Several days later, the army arrived at the border between Daxia and Heqi.

That night, in the war tent, maps were unfurled and strategies debated. General He Mao would lead the cavalry, followed by General Zhang Teng. Then, the Grand Marshal turned to Xi Linchuan.

"Take your eight hundred light cavalry," he said after a pause. "Bring back a live prisoner."

Xi Linchuan bowed. "Yes, sir."

"Be cautious. The enemy is cunning," the Grand Marshal added.

Xi Linchuan acknowledged the order once more, then strode out into the desert.

The cavalry galloped across the Gobi Desert, dust trailing like smoke beneath their hooves. The golden sands bore their tracks for moments before the wind swept them away.

They were headed for a surprise attack—Xi Linchuan was to behead He Xi King Li Zuo himself, a legendary elder of the Heqi royal family.

But as they neared a familiar village, something felt off. There was no smoke from the chimneys.

He halted abruptly. "Go scout ahead," he ordered.

A soldier rode off, returning moments later with a pale face. "Sir… the village has been slaughtered. Not a single soul left."

Xi Linchuan dismounted and walked through the village gates. In the west courtyard, he had once received a goose egg from a brave little girl who had stepped forward, saying, "Are you the generals coming to fight the Heqi? My goose laid an egg yesterday—this is for you."

He'd taken the egg and replied, "Keep this one for yourself. Give me the next one when we win and come back."

Now, he stepped into that same courtyard and saw the girl lying dead at the doorway.

Her red coat was the same. Her little braid tied with red thread was still neat.

Beyond her, a shattered goose egg lay on the ground.

A cold tremor ran through him.

She must have just picked up the egg… and then…

He bent down, gently cradling her body in his arms.

She was gone.

But how could it have ended like this?