Yu Jin Chang An (With Jin's Chang'An)

Chapter 29

Riding a fast horse, Li Shuang traveled from the northern borders to the capital of Great Jin, using half the time of others, traveling day and night without stopping.

Her return to the capital was too early, beyond everyone's expectations, even catching General Li Lan off guard.

When Li Shuang returned to the General's Mansion, Li Ting rushed out faster than anyone else. Just as Li Shuang had dismounted, she was enveloped in Li Ting's embrace. "A-jie! Dad said you were coming home soon, but I didn't believe it! How did you come back so quickly?"

Before Li Shuang could answer him, the dignified Li Lan followed closely behind Li Ting. The general was nearing fifty, and there were a few lines of age etched on his face, but they did not make him appear old; instead, they reflected the accumulated power of the years.

Separated for three years, Li Shuang had avoided returning to the capital, but she had not forgotten about Li Lan in her heart.

She was the adopted daughter of the General's Mansion, but Li Lan had treated her no differently than Li Ting. He taught her archery, military strategy, and gave her the opportunity to study and train alongside the nobles of the capital. He even acquiesced to her wishes and allowed her to serve as a general in the northern borders for three years.

Li Shuang found it hard not to be grateful to Li Lan.

Pushing away Li Ting, who was still clinging to her, Li Shuang stepped forward and respectfully bowed, almost kneeling to the ground. "Father, Shuang'er has been unfilial for three years..."

Li Lan helped Li Shuang up, grabbing her arm and pulling her straight. "It's been several years since we last met, but you've never been unfilial. If you call this unfilial, then Li Ting here should be thrown away."

"Yeah, yeah, A-jie, don't say that. Dad might really throw me away later!" Li Ting interjected with a joke, while the old general laughed and scolded him, patting his head. Li Shuang couldn't help but smile.

But there was something on her mind, and her smile quickly faded. "Father," she called softly, and Li Lan nodded in understanding. "Come into the mansion first and freshen up. We'll talk about the rest later."

But Li Shuang shook her head. "Father, I don't have time to delay." Just the thought of someone suffering in prison made it impossible for Li Shuang to calm down.

Li Lan furrowed his brows slightly at her words. "Why the rush?"

"I need to see the emperor and request permission for fifty thousand troops."

To mobilize troops, Li Lan frowned, but seeing Li Shuang's determined gaze, he pondered for a moment. "You've always been steady since childhood, and your decisions are always reasoned. I won't ask more, but you need to think carefully. Your return to the capital was at His Majesty's command. If you have further requests, have you considered how to repay this favor?"

The implication couldn't be clearer. Li Shuang was a good military leader, but what Sima Yang wanted wasn't just for her to be a commander.

Li Shuang nodded. "I understand, Father."

The moment she rode back from the northern borders to the capital, she had already considered all the consequences. But even so, she still had to save him, even if she didn't know the man's name.

Li Lan ordered someone to escort Li Shuang into the palace. The palace was still the same, but the emperor had changed, and from that moment on, this palace was different from the one she had known in her childhood.

Life was always full of changes, but there was no more time for Li Shuang to reflect. She finally met Sima Yang in the study.

It wasn't a public summons; the matter Li Shuang wanted to discuss couldn't be debated by many ministers.