Renaissance of goddess of war✨️

Chapter 13: The Weight of Legend and Bonds Unbroken

The grand hall was silent as General Li Ancheng entered, the echo of her footsteps the only sound. The emperor sat upon the throne, his face impassive yet his eyes sharp, while the Crown Prince Zhao Yang stood beside him, his expression unreadable. All eyes in the court turned to her, the whispers of her encounter with the legendary Phoenix already spreading through the capital.

Ancheng bowed deeply before the emperor, her posture perfect. "Your Majesty," she began, her voice steady, "I have returned from Mount Mystic and come to report the details of my mission."

The emperor nodded gravely, his voice deep and authoritative. "General Ancheng, I understand you encountered something... extraordinary. Speak of it."

Ancheng straightened and looked ahead, her gaze unwavering. "Indeed, Your Majesty. I met the Phoenix, a creature of legend. It spoke of a storm—unseen but soon to arrive."

A ripple of shock spread through the courtiers, but no one dared speak out of turn. The emperor's brow furrowed, the weight of her words clearly affecting him. "The Phoenix," he repeated, "such a creature has not been seen in centuries. You are fortunate to return safely from such an encounter."

Ancheng bowed again. "I have returned unharmed, Your Majesty."

The emperor exchanged a glance with the crown prince, whose expression remained impassive, though a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. "This is a matter of grave importance," the emperor said. "We must prepare. General Ancheng, your bravery will not be forgotten."

The court murmured in agreement, astonished by the magnitude of what Ancheng had achieved. To meet the Phoenix was no ordinary feat; it was the stuff of legends.

With a formal nod, the emperor dismissed the court, and as the officials began to file out, Ancheng kept her head high, maintaining the proper decorum.

As they left the hall and the heavy doors closed behind them, the formality of the court began to melt away. Crown Prince Zhao Yang, walking beside her, glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Ancheng," he said quietly, his voice softening now that they were away from the watchful eyes of the court, "were you truly unharmed? The Phoenix is no ordinary creature."

She smiled faintly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I am fine, Yang. There is nothing to worry about."

But he didn’t seem convinced. His hand briefly brushed against hers, a fleeting gesture of concern that would have been unthinkable in the formal setting of the court. "You don’t have to hide anything from me."

Ancheng’s heart warmed at the tenderness in his voice. She had grown used to his concern over the years, but in moments like this, it still caught her off guard. "Truly, I’m fine," she assured him, meeting his gaze.

Zhao Yang’s expression softened further, and for a moment, it was just the two of them—crown prince and general titles stripped away, leaving only their shared history and deep connection.

Later that evening, Ancheng returned to the Li Mansion, where her father, General Li Tianming, and her brother, Li Ming, waited for her in the courtyard. The familiar sight of her home filled her with a sense of peace she hadn’t realized she’d missed.

Her father, ever the stoic general, allowed a rare smile to break through as she approached. "Ancheng," he said, his voice rough but warm, "you’ve been gone for far too long."

Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Though he was not one to express affection easily, the strength of his hug spoke volumes. "I feared for you," he muttered quietly, "but I am proud of you, my daughter."