The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

"However, thank you, I'm quite happy." Sikong Jin suddenly raised her bright and charming face and said with a smile, "When I have time, I will definitely go to the capital of the Great Zhou to see you. I just hope that you won't make up any excuses to turn me away."

A rare, bitter smile appeared on Di Beizun's usually cold and handsome face. He stared intently at her, who was pretending to drink tea with her head lowered. For a long time, he didn't say anything more, and the teacup in his hand gradually cooled in the desolate wind.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly stood up, his tall figure slowly passing through the gauze curtain. "When you come, have someone send a letter first."

With that last sentence, his figure disappeared outside the door.

Watching his figure slowly disappear outside the door, Sikong Jin couldn't help but let out a long sigh. She threw down the teacup in her hand, ran her fingers through her hair, and for the first time felt a chill in her heart.

Forget it, the road ahead is still long. He will soon be the supreme emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the most powerful being in the world. And what about her, Sikong Jin?

What is she?

It is nothing more than a pawn that is controlled by others at every turn, maneuvering between various forces, and has almost no ability to protect itself.

Perhaps, as she continues on her path, she is destined to spend her days in countless battles and bloodshed, and she herself does not know how much blood will be on her hands.

She doesn't know if what she's doing now is right or wrong. She only knows that some things have deeply touched her, so she still needs to endure too much bloodshed and hardship.

For the first time, such strong and resilient people, almost cold-hearted in matters of the heart, passed each other by. Perhaps it was precisely because of this that they fought bloody battles in the long years that followed, striving to reach the pinnacle of strength, presumably to prove something to each other.

That night, Sikong Jin, who usually slept very well, actually had insomnia. Then she heard faint, cold music coming from outside the window. She couldn't sleep all night, and the music played all night long.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Di Beizun, as always, rose early and stood by the railing outside the corridor, watching the first rays of sunlight filter through the bamboo forest. Suddenly, he heard Feng Yang's deep, melancholic voice behind him—

"Your Highness, Lady Sikong has left. She left behind this letter and these two bags."

Emperor Beizun, standing in the cool breeze, paused slightly. His fingers tightened around the railing, and Feng Yang could faintly hear the sound of the bamboo being crushed. Looking down, he saw fine white powder slowly flowing from the Crown Prince's palm.

After a long while, Crown Prince Di Bei turned around and looked at Feng Yang. He saw that Feng Yang was carrying two large black cloth bags and a letter. Those two bags must have been obtained from the looting of Xianyin Pavilion last night.

He reached out and took the letter, unfolding it slowly. It contained only a few words—

All grudges and affections fade with a laugh, ultimately amounting to nothing more than a farewell. In Luoyang, the dawn wind blows and the moon wanes; a cup of wine is drunk in remembrance, awaiting a reunion.

I will remember all these beautiful moments, and I will remember you.

Also, I have a question for you: was that your first kiss last night?

Keep the answer to me, and tell me next time we meet.

Goodbye!

The signature was naturally her full name, and at the end she drew a flower, saying it was for him.

As Di Beizun watched, his chest suddenly felt a little heavy, and he felt a strange sense of oppression and discomfort. After a long while, he took a deep breath, blinked, looked up, and gazed indifferently at the drifting clouds in the sky with a distant and unfathomable look.

Sikong Jin…Sikong Jin…

"Your Highness..."

Feng Yang called out softly.

"The western expedition plan will be postponed for now. After fighting for so long, it's time to rest for a while. Strengthen the defense of the border and recuperate for two years. Write to Father Emperor and tell him that I will return to the capital immediately."

Di Beizun's indifferent tone came through.

“But, Your Highness… the Wing King’s 200,000-strong army has already marched to the vicinity of the Yuezhi Kingdom. With the internal strife in Wu so severe, it would be effortless for Tuoba Yu to take it over. If we…”

Feng Yang frowned. The morale of the Great Zhou soldiers was currently high. If they could take the Yuezhi Kingdom in one fell swoop, it would certainly be a great advantage in their future battles against Tian Sheng. But now…

"I have been fighting for several years and I am feeling tired and exhausted. Don't the soldiers on the battlefield feel the same way? Don't worry, as long as the conflict between the Liao and Yong continues, Tuoba Yu will not be able to spare much attention. This is the best opportunity for us to rest and recuperate. After they finish fighting the Liao, we will fight them. This is our strategy, Feng Yang."

Emperor Beizun answered calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness, I have learned your lesson!"

Feng Yang looked at Di Beizun with some admiration. His composure, knowing when to stop, and far-sightedness—this was true imperial demeanor. However, he seemed to vaguely sense that the Crown Prince's sudden decision was probably inextricably linked to the recently departed Minister Sikong. He wondered what the Crown Prince was thinking; it was clear the Crown Prince held Minister Sikong in high regard…

“Reply to the Wing King, instructing him to halt his advance, leave 100,000 troops stationed on the border between the Yuezhi and the Great Zhou, and rest in place, while the rest of the soldiers return to the interior to await orders.”

"Yes, His Royal Highness!"

"Alright, you go ahead and take inventory of our people. We'll return to the capital tonight."

Emperor Beizun calmly folded the letter in his hand, put it into his sleeve, gave this final instruction, and then suddenly turned and walked into the study.

At midday, the city of Luoyang was unusually bustling under the bright sunshine.

In the bustling middle section of Qinglong Street, beneath a tall, ornate red building with luxurious decorations, a person dressed in a white robe and wearing a white veil hat stood still at the gate.

"Living a life of debauchery? This must be it."

Sikong Jin used her swift sword to slightly lift the veil beneath her bamboo hat, glanced at the plaque above the gate, and murmured to herself.

She left Di Beizun's bamboo house early this morning. After thinking it over and over, she still didn't know how to face him. Besides, her injuries had already healed, so she could only leave. Sometimes, too much agonizing only adds to the trouble. Sikong Jin always knew what she should do and what she needed to do.

As for complicated matters like emotions, they can only be put aside.

However, when she heard Di Beizun say those words, she admitted that her usually calm and oblivious heart softened a little, which surprised her. She, Sikong Jin, could actually have such emotions!