The sunset blazed like fire, casting its glow on the gates of Zhaoyu City.

Although the city gate was somewhat dilapidated, with much of the red lacquer peeling off, the evening light gilded the dull red with a layer of golden light, making the gate seem as if it were burning in flames.

However, even such a fervent color could not ward off the chill brought by the cold wind.

With the gates wide open, the wind rushed in unimpeded, howling with a near boastful sound, sweeping all the withered fallen leaves and dust off the long street, leaving the alleys immaculately clean. The soldiers guarding the city were also wearied by this wind, each one hunching their necks, wrapping their sleeves, and shivering as they paced to keep warm.

After a while, it was nearing 5 PM.

A few older soldiers, too lazy to move, hid behind the city wall, merely twitching their chins. The two younger soldiers, having no choice, hung their heads dejectedly as they walked through the wind to the back of the city gate, preparing to close it.

Just then, two long shadows, drawn by a slender ray of sunset light from behind, stretched towards their feet.

From the wind, the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats also carried over.

The two soldiers immediately looked up and saw, on the main road outside the gate, two riders approaching side by side. The one on the left was a burly man. His brocade clothing, not overly ornate, was fitted perfectly to his athletic form, exuding a powerful aura akin to a leopard; beside him, the other rider was a graceful woman. Although she wore a veil hat, at this moment, she extended a delicate hand to lift some of the white gauze, revealing a pair of bright and clear eyes, filled with tender emotion.

Clearly, a beauty.

Seeing the gate about to close, the beauty turned her face slightly, seeming to say something to the man beside her. The two shook their reins and quickened their pace, reaching the city gate in no time.

The two soldiers immediately blocked their way: "What do you want?"

As they spoke, they looked up to the figures on horseback. Instinctively, both of their gazes first fell upon the woman, but a strong presence inexorably drew their eyes towards the man on horseback, who sat as straight-backed as a javelin. His handsome features, though not much older than the soldiers, carried an unyielding authority that made them lower their heads instinctively after just one look.

Meanwhile, the beauty leaned slightly forward and said, "Gentlemen, we’re here to visit relatives."

"Visit relatives? Which family?"

"Well—"

The beauty hesitated slightly, but the handsome man curtly replied, "The Li family in the western city, the ones in the oil and flour business."

The two soldiers exchanged a glance.

After all, Qi County was the most crucial point on the Taihang Grain Road, with the west of the city full of grain shops, and more than just one family dealing in oil and flour, not to mention the common surname Li. With such a vague answer, who could tell which family they meant?

They were about to ask further, but as they looked up, they met those stern eyes, and whatever words they had ready to voice were swallowed back down.

Just then, a few older soldiers, sheltering from the wind behind them, impatiently shouted, "If you’ve got it sorted, let them go already, let’s go change shifts! The soup at home will get cold soon."

Hearing this, the two young soldiers exchanged a look and decided not to inquire further.

They stepped aside: "Go on in then."

So, the two immediately shook their reins to quicken their steps through the city gate, and behind them, with a hoarse, protracted low hum, the gates slowly began to swing shut.

When the last ray of sunshine was cut off in the crack of the closing gate, the man suddenly turned back for a glance.

The aged bolt lodged heavily into the door frame.

He turned back without any change of expression, but the hand holding the reins tightened slightly, the veins on the back of his hand swelling a little. The beauty beside him, though not turning around, sensed something from his steady aura and quietly spoke, "This city gate, is it the most vulnerable?"

As she spoke, a gust of wind blew past, lifting the white gauze in front of her veil completely, revealing a delicate face.

It was Shang Ruyi.

Riding alongside her was none other than Yu Wenye.

When she first suggested accompanying Yu Wenye into Qi County, he refused her outright, even with anger in his voice, but she was adamant. If he didn’t agree, she wouldn’t let him leave. Ordinarily, women had little say in the army, but as Princess Qin, who had achieved direct merit in the Battle of Fufeng, she had the support of most of the soldiers, especially the Deputy Generals. Moreover, everyone was already uneasy about King Qin, Yu Wenye, taking such a risk. With a woman alongside, at least it could conceal his identity. Thus, everyone ended up backing her.