The soldiers guarding outside Wen Yuesheng’s study were some of the best in the army.

Despite this, Jiang Yan was still able to break through their encirclement and rush in.

Liu Yi and Zhongyong Hou exchanged a glance, both with expressions of shock.

The man before them, who had previously led the entire Haozhou army to capture Yuan City in one fell swoop, had relied not only on the fierce generals under Borlei Heng but also on his own strength.

As soon as Jiang Yan broke in, dozens of soldiers outside immediately drew their swords and pointed them at him.

In such a tense atmosphere, Wen Yuesheng remained seated calmly at the main seat.

She seemed unsurprised by Jiang Yan’s actions today.

After briefly glancing at him, she spoke lightly: “These shackles should have never been able to hold you, right?”

Zhongyong Hou was momentarily confused about her meaning, until he followed her gaze and looked at the handcuffs in Jiang Yan’s hands.

His expression shifted slightly. The handcuffs and shackles used by the Da Hui army were forged from fine steel, much heavier than those used in ordinary cells.

For Jiang Yan, these should have been a serious restraint. But could they really not hold him anymore?

Before he could fully grasp the thought, Jiang Yan’s expression changed slightly, and in front of all the gazes upon him, he broke the fine steel handcuffs binding his hands with ease.

A stillness fell over the study.

Liu Yi watched with a complex expression as Jiang Yan effortlessly broke free. After recovering, he thought to himself, had the handcuffs and shackles only become a mere ornament once Jiang Yan’s injuries improved?

Although Jiang Yan’s wrists were now red and irritated, he appeared unaffected, and Liu Yi’s gaze darkened slightly.

Jiang Yan was different from ordinary soldiers; he was reckless and didn’t fear death.

Even when Wen Yue-sheng had him underfoot, he hadn’t begged for mercy.

In the silence, Wen Yue-sheng held a cinnabar brush in her hand, her expression cold. She didn’t even spare him more than a glance before saying, “Since the restraints are gone, you may leave now.”

Jiang Yan froze, then asked, “You really won’t keep me?”

Liu Yi was taken aback. What was this nonsense?

If someone didn’t know better, they might think that the princess had done something to him!

Despite the fact that Jiang Yan, no matter how injured or bleeding, remained unmoved, in front of Wen Yue-sheng’s nonchalant attitude, he finally couldn’t hold back. Ignoring the surrounding blades and swords, he took a step forward, looking at Wen Yue-sheng and saying in a deep voice:

“Princess of Da Hui, I can help you sever Borlei Heng’s head.”

Wen Yue-sheng’s tone was calm as always: “Are you helping me, or is this for your own revenge?”

Jiang Yan’s eyes darkened slightly.

With Wen Yue-sheng’s skills, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to investigate his past. Moreover… he had an aunt who had already switched sides.

She must know, so Jiang Yan no longer hid it.

His eyes, which were slightly lighter than those of most men from Da Hui, locked on Wen Yue-sheng as he spoke seriously: “I do want to use this opportunity to kill Borlei Heng.”

“But at the same time, I can bring great value to the Da Hui army.” Jiang Yan took a deep breath. “I am familiar with the strategies used by Borlei Heng’s army and understand exactly what kind of person he is.”

“With me, Da Hui will surely win this war.”

Surprisingly, his words had a certain amount of persuasion.

At least Zhongyong Hou, who heard them, seemed moved.

But now, Wen Yue-sheng was the one in charge of the army, and all decisions would be hers. Whether Jiang Yan stayed or left depended entirely on her will.

After hearing his words, Wen Yue-sheng finally put down the cinnabar brush and raised her eyes to look at him.

Her gaze was still as cold and detached as ever, but she spoke: “The battle for Yuan City was won without you.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes shook violently upon hearing this.

He wanted to rebut Wen Yue-sheng’s words but then recalled how she had, within just a single day, severed all of Borlei Heng’s escape routes, killed Borlei Rui, and crushed the Haozhou army.

The words of rebuttal were stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t bring himself to say them.

What Wen Yue-sheng said was true.

If any other general from Da Hui had been in charge of this battle, Jiang Yan would have said they were talking nonsense.

Although Borlei Heng was corrupt, he had always been successful on the battlefield. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gained so much credit for the Borlei family.

He was not like the arrogant and reckless Feng family father and son.

By observing his inaction these past few days, one could tell he wasn’t simple.

But all of these schemes and plans became meaningless in the face of absolute strength.

The woman before him was the most powerful person Jiang Yan had ever encountered in his many years. Under her hand, he couldn’t even retaliate.

She was so deep and unfathomable, her military strategy impeccable.

Against Borlei Heng, it was hard to say who would win and who would lose.

Before coming here, Jiang Yan had prepared a lot of arguments, but now that he was before Wen Yue-sheng, he realized that the things he took pride in were not enough to sway her.

He even understood why Wen Yue-sheng was more willing to keep his aunt than him.

His aunt, though having experienced much hardship, had a deep understanding of the nobles of Haozhou due to those experiences.

Compared to fierce generals, Wen Yue-sheng needed internal information about Haozhou, especially the things that were unknown to most.

Jiang Yan stood still, unable to speak for a moment.

“Once you’ve made up your mind, go ahead,” Wen Yue Sheng said calmly.

After her words, Jiang Yan suddenly lifted his head and looked at Wen Yue Sheng.

His gaze was intense, as though he had made up his mind. He spoke in a low voice, “What if I say that from now on, I am willing to follow the princess, to share your burdens and worries?”

Earlier, he had stated that it was a mutual arrangement: he would help Da Hui win the battle for Yuan City, and in return, Da Hui would assist him in killing Borl Lieheng.

Wen Yue Sheng had a plan to win, and didn’t necessarily need his help, but she had never denied Jiang Yan’s worth.

Without hesitation, in front of everyone in the room, Jiang Yan lifted his robe and knelt, his gaze steady as he addressed the person sitting at the center:

“After we kill Borl Lieheng, Jiang Yan is willing to swear allegiance to the princess, to submit to Da Hui.”

The Duke of Loyal Courage, who was standing nearby, had a complex expression.

Jiang Yan, compared to his son Zhang Yulin, was more perceptive.

In terms of strength, Zhang Yulin possessed innate divine power, something Jiang Yan could never match.

However, Jiang Yan was sharp and resourceful, with a fierce spirit that feared nothing, a natural-born commander.

But such a person was difficult to control, and if not handled carefully, could easily become a source of trouble.

After all, Jiang Yan had once committed the treasonous act of setting fire to his own army and allowing the enemy to infiltrate.

Whether he could be trusted was still uncertain.

“You were once a Haoshou soldier, and then you betrayed them. You bear the reputation of a traitor, and even if I were to use you, the soldiers beneath me might not accept you,” Wen Yue Sheng said, breaking the silence.

Jiang Yan’s heart sank at her words.

He knew very well that he was a cursed being.

If he was not accepted by Haoshou, how could he expect to gain the trust of Da Hui?

Even if Jiang Yan truly wished to follow Wen Yue Sheng now, he feared that it might not be enough.

His eyes darkened.

Then Wen Yue Sheng spoke again: “Three days.”

He suddenly looked up, disbelief written all over his face.

Wen Yue Sheng’s face remained cold as she continued, “I’m giving you three days.”

“There is an advance unit in Borl Lieheng’s army. Their leader is brave and has contributed significantly in every battle. In the battle for Yuan City, they also performed admirably.”

She cast a cold, emotionless glance at him. “You have no soldiers of your own. In three days, I want to see the heads of the advance unit’s commanders.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes gleamed. Without hesitation, he answered, “Alright!”

After he left, the Duke of Loyal Courage couldn’t help but speak up. “Borl Lieheng’s advance unit consists mainly of fierce generals, over a hundred strong.”

“Can he really do it alone?”

Wen Yue Sheng had already lowered her head to handle her own affairs, her voice cold and emotionless. “That’s his problem.”

The Duke of Loyal Courage nodded lightly.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Whether Jiang Yan succeeded or not remained unknown.

However, the second letter from Yan Ling had arrived.

After the previous incident, Lu Hongying made it a point to separate any letters from the capital, especially those from Yan Ling to Wen Yue Sheng.

When Wen Yue Sheng received the letter, it was already midday.

In the letter, Yan Ling wrote that he had already gone to Jiangnan to mobilize troops, and would arrive at the border city within half a month at the latest.

The troops he was bringing amounted to 100,000.

Da Hui’s military was lacking, and the fact that so many reinforcements were coming could likely be attributed to Yan Ling’s efforts in the capital.

Yet, in his letter, he did not mention any of the hardships. Instead, he wrote:

“I hear the princess has recently acquired a young general. To ensure he gains the trust of the entire army, you’ve done much for him, which seems more productive than Yan Ling, left alone in the capital for nearly a month without receiving any letters from you.”

“If I had known this, I should have given up the imperial examinations and joined the army from the start.”

Wen Yue Sheng: …

How did he hear about her “scheming” for Jiang Yan?

Giving Jiang Yan three days to kill a few commanders was considered “scheming” to him?

Moreover, hadn’t he himself once said that the Haoshou traitors could be used?

“The Borl generals are formidable in the Haoshou army, and Borl Lieheng is cunning by nature. He has not moved his forces for a long time, likely planning something else.”

“Be careful in Yuan City, princess. Though a month has passed since we parted, you have not thought of me once, but all I wish for is your safety, hoping to see you soon.”

Wen Yue Sheng paused, then handed the letter to the person by her side. Before she could speak, there was an uproar outside.

Lu Hongying hurried inside, her face full of surprise. Seeing Wen Yue Sheng, she shouted:

“Princess! Jiang Yan has returned!”

Not only had he returned, but he had brought back what Wen Yue Sheng had requested.

And there was more than one item.

Borl Lieheng’s army had three advance units, which were used to confuse the enemy and gather intelligence.

These units were exceptionally strong. Before Wen Yue Sheng arrived, the army led by the Duke of Loyal Courage had already been troubled by these units.

In recent days, Borl Lieheng had, as usual, sent out his advance units to gather intelligence, only to be ambushed by Jiang Yan, who had already set up traps.

Out of the three advance units, Jiang Yan had wiped out two.

He brought back the heads of their commanders, carrying Da Hui’s military flag, riding swiftly into Da Hui’s ranks.

Before the sea of Da Hui soldiers, Jiang Yan’s expression was grim, and he called out loudly:

“Please report to the princess, Jiang Yan has fulfilled his mission!”

His voice echoed throughout the army.

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