Outside Xingqing Prefecture, Song Qingshu had originally considered using Lingxu Flying Ferry to cross through the air if the siege was too tight. But upon drawing closer, he saw that not every inch of ground was surrounded.
That made sense. Xingqing Prefecture was, after all, Western Xia's capital. Even compared to the entire Central Plains, it was a major city. Completely sealing it off was not so easy.
Moreover, sieges had always followed the principle of surrounding on three sides while leaving one side open. The attackers would deliberately leave an opening for the defenders, invisibly shaking their resolve to hold the city.
Using the cover of night, Song Qingshu sped toward Xingqing Prefecture like a wisp of green smoke. The towering walls could not stop him; with a tap of his toe, he shot up along the wall.
Still, the disturbance alerted the soldiers guarding the city. These were extraordinary times, and countless eyes were watching. No matter how skilled his lightness kung fu was, he could not conceal himself completely.
Some soldiers fired arrows at him, but he casually brushed them aside. The men atop the gate were horrified and were about to sound the alarm when Song Qingshu had already landed on the gate and displayed a golden plaque. "Take me to the palace."
The soldiers on the gate froze. This was the emperor's golden plaque; possessing it was equivalent to the emperor himself arriving. None of them dared delay. While sending someone to report the matter, they escorted him toward the palace.
Before long, a tall, slender figure in golden armor arrived with a troop of cavalry. Clearly, the commotion here had alerted her.
The soldiers all knelt before her. "Greetings, Crown Princess!"
Song Qingshu was secretly startled. Anyone could see the soldiers' respect for her.