At the mention of the Mongol Empire, Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat. "What military news?"
"This servant does not know," the eunuch replied. "The urgent dispatch sent from the border is currently in the Imperial Secretariat."
Song Qingshu dismissed him, then gestured to the women. "Let's go over together."
The women all realized the gravity of the situation and hurried after him. Qin Hongmian hesitated for a moment before following as well.
Upon reaching the Imperial Secretariat, Song Qingshu opened the letter sealed with secret wax and took out a memorial. His brows soon furrowed deeply. After a long while, he sighed. "What I feared has finally come."
The women hurried over to read it and finally understood what had happened. Border spies had discovered unusual movements among the Mongol troops. They seemed to be gathering toward Western Xia once more, so the border had submitted a memorial urging the central court to prepare early.
Song Qingshu found it strange. Previous reports had said that the Persian Ming Cult, joined by the western nations and city-states, was locked in a stalemate with the Mongol Empire. Where would the Mongols find the energy to launch another campaign against Western Xia?
"It's all my fault," Mu Wanqing said, unable to hold herself back. "If not for me, Nian Liandan and Bamboo Elder would not have been killed. I heard that the Mongols value the lives of envoys above all else, believing that such people represent a nation's honor. Now that Nian Liandan and the others have been killed, the Mongols will never let this rest."
Song Qingshu comforted her. "Wan'er, don't overthink it. Nian Liandan nearly offended you. Even if I had to choose a hundred times over, I would still kill him without hesitation. As for the Mongols, they were