"His name is Qubing. He is Sister Shao'er's son."
Wei Zifu introduced Huo Qubing to Qingnu and then told the boy to pay his respects.
Qubing!
Huo Qubing!
Qingnu's gaze fell upon Huo Qubing. As she watched him bow to her, a smile spread across her face, impossible to suppress.
"Qubing, Qubing... to rid the Han of its ailments..."
She stepped forward until she was right in front of Huo Qubing, bending down to look him in the eye. "Little one, have you ever considered developing in the direction of a natural disaster for the Xiongnu?"
Huo Qubing looked bewildered by her words. What did she mean by developing into a natural disaster for the Xiongnu?
"Does that... mean going out to exterminate the Xiongnu?"
A new brain really did work fast!
Qingnu patted Huo Qubing on the shoulder, then turned back to Wei Zifu and Liu Che. "Will you leave this child to me for his training?"
Upon hearing this, both Wei Zifu and Liu Che were overjoyed.
"To be taught by the teacher is Qubing's greatest honor!"
Qingnu took up residence in the Han palace for the time being.
Liu Che suggested building a new palace for her, but after receiving a stern scolding, he never mentioned it again. Since the Han palace was built upon the foundations of the old Qin palace, it was easy for Qingnu to find a place to stay. She had the Jade Maiden Shrine within the palace demolished and chose a secluded hall nearby to live in.
This place was called Changmen Palace!
Within the walls of Changmen Palace, a woman dwelled in sorrow, her voice mournful and her words filled with longing.
Chen Ajiao saw the festive atmosphere within the Han palace, noting how the palace maids and eunuchs had all received rewards. When she saw them avoid her gaze, she immediately understood the reason.
"It is Wei Zifu, isn't it? What is her good news?"
"The Empress... has given birth to a prince."
Those seven words struck Chen Ajiao like a bolt of lightning.
She froze, her expression turning desolate. She did not throw a tantrum; instead, she said to her maid, "I want to see my mother. Go and invite her here."
The maids looked at each other, then lowered their heads. "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that Grand Princess Dou is not allowed to enter Changmen Palace."
"Why?"
Chen Ajiao did not understand.
Even if she had been deposed as Empress, her mother was still the Princess Royal. It was only reasonable for her to visit!
The maid whispered, "A person of high status has moved into Changmen Palace!"
"They say... it is an immortal!"
An immortal!
Chen Ajiao remembered the Qingnu she had seen years ago at Changle Palace. Was it her? The Jade Maiden of the Azure Heavens!
Ignoring the attempts of the maids to stop her, Chen Ajiao forced her way into the hall where Qingnu was staying. At that moment, Qingnu was teaching Huo Qubing swordsmanship. She showed no surprise at the intrusion, merely waving a hand casually. "There are seats over there. Sit down."
But Chen Ajiao did not sit. Instead, she knelt directly before Qingnu.
Qingnu immediately took a step back. "What are you doing? Trying to scam a snake?"
Chen Ajiao prostrated herself. "Ajiao is willing to serve as a palace maid at Your Ladyship's side! I beg for your permission!"
This left Qingnu somewhat puzzled.
After a moment of thought, a glint of realization flashed in her vertical pupils. She looked at Huo Qubing by her side and said, "Fine! Go and tell your uncle-in-law that she will be staying with me."
Overjoyed, Chen Ajiao kowtowed again. "Thank you, My Lady!"
Huo Qubing whispered, "Teacher, she is not a good person. Be careful..."
Qingnu didn't care in the slightest. "This snake is quite capable now. A mere mortal woman is no trouble at all."
Seeing her confidence, Huo Qubing nodded and went to fulfill the request.
Just as she had promised, Chen Ajiao remained by Qingnu's side as a maid, serving tea, pouring water, and sweeping the courtyard. She handled all the menial tasks herself.
She followed Qingnu like this for seven long years.
In the sixth year of Yuanshuo, the seventeen-year-old Huo Qubing was titled Colonel of the Agile Cavalry. The Han court mobilized its forces once again, intending to strike the Xiongnu.
The young general made his debut, whipping his horse into a gallop, destined to carve out ten thousand miles of territory for the Han.
Now that Huo Qubing had set out on his campaign, it was time for Qingnu to leave the Han palace as well.
Before departing, she met with Chen Ajiao one last time.
"You have served me for seven years. Do you feel you have atoned for your sins, Chen Ajiao?"
When Qingnu asked this, Chen Ajiao's face filled with shock. She opened her mouth to speak but ultimately sighed with a bitter smile. "You knew all along, My Lady?"
Seeing her reaction, Qingnu asked, "Ajiao, tell me, what sin do you think you committed?"
Chen Ajiao lowered her head. "Disrespecting Your Ladyship years ago at Changle Palace."
Qingnu shook her head. "That was not a sin. I did not care about it."
"But then why..."
Chen Ajiao looked at Qingnu and took a deep breath. "Why is it that in the ten years since then, neither His Majesty nor I could conceive a child? Was that not a punishment for my disrespect toward a god?"
Hearing her question, Qingnu sighed and patted her shoulder. "Having no children was actually a blessing."
"It was never meant to be between you and Liu Che."
Qingnu patiently explained the reasons to Chen Ajiao. After listening, the woman remained silent for a long time.
Qingnu began packing her things. After tossing them into the jiao-snake pearl, she looked once more at Chen Ajiao, who was still standing there. "If you wish to leave the palace, then go! No one in the Han palace will stop you."
Leaving those words behind, Qingnu departed from Changmen Palace.
Was Chen Ajiao a good person?
Certainly not. She had once plotted to harm Wei Zifu and Wei Qing.
But one must judge by actions, not hidden thoughts; in the end, she had never succeeded. Whatever she was had no impact on Qingnu. Considering she had served her for seven years, granting her freedom was merely a matter of saying a few words.
Not long after, Hongluan brought news of Chen Ajiao. She had left the palace.
Liu Che had issued an imperial decree naming her Princess Wannian and tasking her with managing the Jade Maiden Shrine in Chang'an.
"From Empress... to princess..."
"Truly, the world is fickle, and sorrows are many."
To have an emperor like Liu Che was a personal misfortune but a blessing for the era. All Qingnu could do was protect individuals as best she could within these times.
After all, the Yellow River's waters were vast, nourishing the masses.
She was the providence; she was the deity.
Qingnu sighed and stopped dwelling on such matters. She gripped the reins, turned her horse's head, and looked toward the approaching Han army.
Great General Wei Qing himself led the vanguard.
He was greatly surprised to see Qingnu's figure standing on her horse on the plains in the distance, wearing a bamboo hat.
Under the setting sun, the wind brushed past Qingnu. Birds soared above as her hair and azure robes fluttered. Huo Qubing galloped toward her and asked, "Why has Teacher come?"
Qingnu replied, "To the grasslands!"
Wei Qing naturally welcomed her presence with open arms.
The great wind rises!
Ripples spread across the grasslands.
The banners of the Han army surged majestically into Hexi. That night, they set up camp.
Inside the command tent, everyone of the rank of colonel and above gathered.
The campfires blazed. Qingnu leaned lazily against Hongluan's embrace, listening to them discuss the situation. After all, asking a snake to sit perfectly upright was simply unreasonable! Although she told them not to mind her, no one dared to truly ignore a goddess in their midst.
As Wei Qing explained the tactical situation, the generals frequently glanced her way.
After over a decade of continuous strikes from the Han court, the Xiongnu's power in Hexi was no longer what it once was.
In this battle, they would settle everything in one stroke and drive the Xiongnu out completely!
The lands of Hexi would belong entirely to the Great Han!
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