144 Verifying Identity

The weather at the border was even colder and more desolate, with withered vegetation and a landscape full of bleakness.

The wind howled, sweeping past Yun Xueyan's ears like the death-knell roar of wandering souls. She did not like war; it meant ruined families, shattered homes, and the separation of wives and children.

Just thinking about these things made her chest feel heavy and oppressed!

Turning her head slightly, Yun Xueyan looked at Xiao Chenxue, who was walking toward her. Her eyes curved into a soft smile as she greeted, "Lady Xiao, why are you here?"

Xiao Chenxue was dressed in full armor, her black hair tied up high in a high ponytail, showing no trace of feminine frailty. She was the very first woman in the imperial court to lead troops into battle, and she commanded the respect even of men.

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Yun Xueyan, and her mind cleared significantly. Since Xiao Chenxue could be a female general, what would be wrong with another woman standing proudly in the imperial court?

"I came to see you." Xiao Chenxue's gaze shifted toward the horizon, filled with melancholy. "Who knows how many casualties this war will bring? Don't you agree, Xueyan?"

Those two words caused Yun Xueyan's figure to stiffen, freezing her in place. For a long moment, she could not react, and merely looked at the person beside her, her lips curving upward slightly. "How did my sister-in-law figure it out?"

Xiao Chenxue's expression remained calm as she continued to gaze into the distance, her voice exceptionally light. "It was just a guess, though I didn't expect you wouldn't deny it. Back then, before I married Qixiao, he had already told me about the people who mattered most to him. He wanted to ensure I wouldn't misunderstand, and he promised to treat me as the most important person in his life."

"Sister-in-law," Yun Xueyan whispered softly, yet she did not know what else to say.

"I am fine. I trust Qixiao, and I am not a petty person. As long as he is devoted to me, it does not matter if he holds others in his thoughts; after all, you are his sister, aren't you? Xueyan, what upset me was that he chose to hide your identity from me. I know he was afraid I might be affected because of you, but doing so made me feel like he didn't trust me."

Xiao Chenxue turned and took Yun Xueyan's hands in hers. Fate had finally shown kindness to the young woman before her, and she felt a deep tenderness for her, for Yun Xueyan was Yun Qixiao's sister, and therefore her own sister as well.

She had easily sensed something amiss in Yun Qixiao's gaze, but it was only today that she had gathered the courage to confirm her suspicions.

Now that it was confirmed, her heart settled at last. As long as Yun Xueyan lived, Yun Qixiao would not sink into depression over her death, and that made her happy as well.

"Sister-in-law, Second Brother simply didn't want you to overthink things, nor did he want too many people to know my identity for fear of exposure." Yun Xueyan spoke with a hint of anxiety, unwilling to see Xiao Chenxue harbor any misunderstandings about Yun Qixiao.

"You silly girl, your sister-in-law isn't angry. I know you wish to keep Prime Minister Feng and Prince Xiao from discovering your true identity, but can you live like this forever?" Xiao Chenxue's words effortlessly laid bare the reality Yun Xueyan was so reluctant to face.

Could she live like this forever? She did not know...

"Perhaps it is just a matter of time." Remembering and forgetting were both merely questions of time; with enough time, everything would eventually fade away...

"Perhaps," Xiao Chenxue replied, just as the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind. She turned to see a soldier approaching her. "What is it?"

"Deputy General, the General requests your return to the camp to discuss our strategy," the soldier said respectfully.

"Understood, I am returning right now." Turning back to Yun Xueyan with a side glance, she said, "Let's go, Lady Jueyan, the General is still waiting." With a gentle smile at Yun Xueyan's stunned expression, she walked forward, and Yun Xueyan closely followed behind her.