She truly hadn’t expected that there would be so many things in the brocade box her master gave her.

Besides many advanced medical skills and principles, there was also knowledge on making and detoxifying poisons, along with a miscellaneous assortment of items.

The skin of the living dead was one of them!

In the recent days at the military camp, besides observing the situation, she had been studying these items, with a particular focus on the skin of the living dead.

This plan, she had thought about for a very long time, and now it was imperative to put it into action.

"Disguise and alteration, I’m afraid it won’t work, right?"

Cao Anxing thought that Long Yue was being too childish; many things weren’t as simple as just imagining—only upon encountering them would one know if they were feasible.

Anyway, Cao Anxing didn’t agree.

But his disapproval was useless, for Long Yue had already made up her mind!

"Cousin Anxing, rest assured, my decision wasn’t made on impulse but was carefully thought out. Besides, before that, I’ll return to Shengjing City to see Rui’er."

She didn’t know how long it would take to return this time; Long Yue really couldn’t bear to leave Rui’er.

He’s her flesh and blood, her most cherished person in this world aside from A Mu.

A child of Rui’er’s age should be by the side of his parents, enjoying care and love, but both his mother and father have left him.

This must have left deep scars on his young heart!

Long Yue closed her eyes in pain; the person she owed the most in this life was her son. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Alright, Cousin Anxing, now that both you and Grandpa know about this, remember not to let anyone else know! Otherwise, both A Mu and I would be in danger."

Cao Anxing nodded: "I know, Cousin Yue’er, don’t worry!"

"Charge—"

"Boom, boom, boom..."

From afar, sounds of battle cries echoed. Cao Anxing stood up to look outside the tent, watching the soldiers continually advancing towards the front line, and said worriedly, "Can we win this battle?"

Long Yue followed him outside, her face resolute: "We can! He’s sure to get the Liang Army utterly defeated here!"

Saying this, Long Yue showed a confident smile.

That man, she knew too well.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

"Kill—"

The sounds outside rose and fell. Long Yue did not make an appearance; she couldn’t show her face now since there were many who knew her at the Daliang Military Camp. If discovered, it would be troublesome.

If the enemy thought she escaped by sheer luck, it wouldn’t matter much, but if they believed Li Qingmu let her go deliberately, it would be detrimental to him.

Thus, Long Yue just stayed hidden behind, silently watching the changes in the battle situation.

Time ticked by, moving from noon to evening, and as torches were lit, the battlefield down below grew even more intense.

Cao Yin instructed Cao Anxing to keep an eye on Long Yue, primarily out of concern that she might run off and cause trouble. Regarding this, Long Yue was quite helpless; she wasn’t foolish after all—she knew the bounds.

This battle lasted a long time. After two whole days and nights, reports came from the front line: victory!

This defensive battle was won, the enemy army lost fifty thousand elite troops, and the Eldest Young Master of Daliang timely minimized their losses and withdrew their troops, while Dazhou suffered only over ten thousand casualties. It was a rare victory indeed.

"The Liang Army suffered a huge setback this time and has already retreated, though we’ve achieved a great victory over them, in the end, we’ve still lost this campaign."

As they withdrew, Gao Chi summarized.

"Who knows how Shengjing City will comment on this engagement?"

"Anyway, we have done our best!"

"..."

The generals were muttering, all worried about the outcome of this battle.

With merit comes reward; with failure comes punishment. They had lost this battle and didn’t know how the Emperor would deal with them.

The crowd was anxious, but only Cao Yin appeared calm.

However, at that moment, he wasn’t here in the camp but had gone over to Long Yue.

"The Liang Army has retreated; scouts report they have already returned to the capital."

Cao Yin was somewhat relieved to see that Long Yue was obediently staying behind in the camp, so he roughly described the situation on the front lines.

Long Yue smiled faintly: "This time he captured all Five Northern Counties from Dazhou, a grand victory indeed. Charging this checkpoint was just to make a statement to those below, to prevent any accusations of leniency."

"Mm, those fifty thousand elites, sacrificed on purpose. Heh, that kid is just a wily one!"

Cao Yin grinned, thinking of Li Qingmu’s cunning and scheming, and surprisingly found it a bit heartwarming.

"Grandpa, since the border conflict here has ended, when will we go back?"

Long Yue was a bit anxious; she truly missed that child Rui’er.

"Soon, once the battlefield is cleared and the soldiers’ remains are collected, we’ll return."

Clearing the battlefield is a must after war; many comrades’ bodies remain there and must be gathered.

This time is neither long nor short; three days later, the army reassembled for the journey back.

Meanwhile, on the Liang Army side.

Li Qingmu looked coldly at Lu Zhi and several generals, sneering disdainfully.

"Everything in moderation; having achieved such a massive victory, we should lower our flags and quietly digest the Five Northern Counties. But you were overly ambitious, hoping to capitalize on victory, and ended up losing fifty thousand elites! I wonder, do you feel justified before the fallen soldiers?"

Silence fell below; no one answered.

"What, no answer? Those deceased soldiers; how can their heroic souls rest in peace?"

As Li Qingmu spoke, he once again scanned over everyone present.

All those who met his gaze bowed their heads, faces full of shame.

"Alright, everyone so defeated, who are you putting on a show for? A loss is a loss; thankfully we captured the Five Northern Counties. In this conflict, our Liang Country is still the victor! When I return this time, my mother will surely be pleased."

"Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations!"

Li Qingmu’s lips curved into a smug smile; after this defeat, these people were even more submissive and admiring.

"Return to the capital!"

With Li Qingmu’s command, the Liang Army left one hundred thousand troops to guard the Northern Border, and the others returned.

Liang Country Capital.

Imperial Palace.

Rong Si had long received battle reports from the border; each was better than the last, each more excellent. Rong Si was in high spirits.

"Good, good, good, my son truly is a dragon among men, achieving great victory the very first time he leads an expedition. Haha, marvelous, simply marvelous!"

"Congratulations to the Princess, for having such a remarkable child!"

The female official beside Rong Si promptly congratulated her.

Rong Si smiled lightly: "My son is indeed outstanding, and once he returns from this successful southern campaign, his momentum will certainly rise greatly. Tell me, is there any need for that Little Emperor to continue his reign?"

Such words were exceedingly disrespectful, yet Rong Si spoke them aloud, showing her arrogance.

Aunt Yin bowed: "Everything is for the Princess to decide!"