A night of springtime passion.
When dawn broke, the woman general who had once stood on Elm Grove City's battlements, saber drawn and horse at her side, valiant and magnificent, now nestled quietly in Lu Changfeng's arms. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, and her radiant face had lost its usual sharpness and martial spirit, leaving only a languid, tender blush steeped in love.
Like a cat that had finally found a home, she curled into the crook of his arm. Even the stubbornness in her eyes had melted into lingering tenderness.
"Jingxian."
Lu Changfeng gently stroked her hair. "Come back to Chang'an with me."
Wang Jingxian's eyes flew open. Delight first lit those beautiful eyes, then gave way to a trace of apprehension and bashfulness.
Naturally, she knew what going to Chang'an meant.
"But... I'm a garrison officer of the Northern Frontier. Without a proper reason, how could I..."
"You defended the city with the army and held firm against the Göktürks. You already rendered great service to the State Altars."
Lu Changfeng chuckled. "I'll ask General Xue to release you on the grounds that you're reporting for duty in the capital. Perfectly legitimate."
At noon that day, Lu Changfeng took Wang Jingxian to see Xue Ne.
The iron-blooded general needed only one glance at the Deputy General, once so imposing but now blushing with her head shyly lowered, and another at the composed man in blue robes. How could he fail to understand?
Far from displeased, he found it rather amusing.
After all, Lu Changfeng's household of women... was no ordinary household...
"Good!"
Xue Ne clapped his hands and laughed, his voice booming like a great bell. "Mr. Lu is a pillar holding up the heavens for our Great Tang, and General Wang is a heroine who