My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Time slipped away slowly in the anxious wait.

Just as Zheng Xiaomei was feeling her hands and feet getting a little numb and was about to go back inside the palace to warm up, a sound of carriages and horses, different from usual, finally came from outside the palace gate. It was mixed with some unfamiliar shouts and hoofbeats with a grassland accent.

Zheng Xiaomei perked up and immediately looked over.

The palace gates opened, and a procession of carriages slowly entered. Leading the way was an inconspicuous small carriage with a blue curtain, followed by several large carts fully loaded and covered with snow tarpaulins. Further back, there were twenty or thirty women riding Mongolian ponies, dressed in brightly colored Mongolian robes and wearing various leather hats!

These women were of varying ages, some older and composed, others youthful and lively, but without exception, they all possessed healthy, rosy skin honed by the winds and frosts of the grasslands, and bright, curious eyes. They gazed curiously at the majestic palace buildings and exquisite decorations of the Eastern Palace, conversing in hushed tones in Mongolian, their voices clear and distinct from the gentle whispers of the women in the palace.

On both sides of the motorcade, guards from the Eastern Palace were guiding and keeping watch.

This scene... Zheng Xiaomei was stunned.

In the past, when Qiqige traveled between the grasslands and the capital, she usually traveled light, with only one or two personal maids and a few simple belongings. Never before had she seen such a scene of "dragging her whole family along," with a large cart and entourage, as if... as if she were moving the entire Mongolian tribe?

Just then, the curtain of the lead carriage was lifted, and a figure dressed in a royal blue Mongolian brocade robe and a fiery red fox fur coat jumped out of the carriage with agility. It was Qiqige.

Months of wind and frost in the borderlands seemed to have made her a little thinner, but the subtle unease and aloofness in her brows had disappeared, replaced by a calmness and an indescribable, gentle charm of a newlywed woman, her eyes shining like morning stars.

She spotted Zheng Xiaomei eagerly waiting under the eaves at a glance, and a bright smile, as radiant as the morning sun, immediately bloomed on her face as she quickly walked over.

"Little sister!"

Qiqige's voice was filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

"Qiqige! You're finally back!"

Zheng Xiaomei also stepped forward, took her somewhat cold hand, looked her up and down, her eyes full of concern.

"Was the journey smooth? It must be very cold in the border region. You look a bit thinner."

"I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright!"

Qiqige squeezed her hand back tightly, feeling that familiar warmth, and a warm current surged in her heart.

However, Zheng Xiaomei's attention was quickly drawn to the "huge" group behind her.

Holding Qiqige's hand, Zheng Xiaomei glanced at the Mongolian women unloading the trucks and the curious onlookers, then lowered her voice, asking with a mix of amusement and curiosity:

"Qiqige, why did you come back with such a big entourage this time? You brought so many people and so many trunks and boxes of things..."

She paused, then said, half-jokingly and half-probingly.

"Judging from this, it doesn't seem like a temporary stay, but rather... like they're going to settle down here permanently?"

She said it casually, wanting to ease the excitement of the reunion and satisfy her own curiosity.

However, as soon as she spoke, she keenly noticed that Qiqige tightened her grip on her hand almost imperceptibly. Immediately afterward, a bright blush spread rapidly from Qiqige's neck, instantly staining her cheeks and ears. Even her bright eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of shy tears, and she subconsciously lowered her eyelids slightly.

In just a moment! Zheng Xiaomei's heart skipped a beat! She had spent two years with Qiqige and knew the temperament of this grassland princess very well.

Qiqige might blush when riding a horse and shooting arrows, or get excited when arguing, but she would never show such a shy and uncontrollable expression like a newlywed when a casual joke is made!

This is absolutely not the reaction a "temporary resident" should have!

A bold, heart-pounding guess, like a spring bud breaking through the soil, instantly sprouted and grew wildly in her heart! She tightened her grip on Qiqige's hand, her gaze fixed on the other's evasive eyes, her voice trembling slightly with excitement and a premonition, as she pressed for an answer:
"Tell me the truth, are you... not leaving? Are you... never leaving again after coming back this time?!"

Qiqige, caught off guard by Zheng Xiaomei's question, looked up and met her gaze—a gaze that seemed to see right through her. The thousand words in her heart ultimately coalesced into the simplest and most certain two words: she nodded gently, her voice low yet crystal clear.
"Okay, I'm not leaving anymore. I'll never leave again."

"boom!"

Zheng Xiaomei felt a soft sound in her mind, and all her guesses and doubts were confirmed at that moment!

Qiqige's appearance, her answer, and the commotion resembling a "moving house"... what else could it be?! The trip to the grasslands was definitely not just about contacting Abunai! Something momentous must have happened, something that could change Qiqige's fate, the Crown Prince's fate, and even the relationship between the Ming and Mongolian dynasties!

"This is not the place to talk, come with me!"

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Zheng Xiaomei grabbed Qiqige's hand and turned to hurry into the palace. She needed to know the details immediately! She had to!
The two hurried through several corridors and arrived at a quiet courtyard located on the west side of the East Palace, where Qiqige used to live.

The snow in the courtyard has been cleared away, and several wintersweet trees are in full bloom.

Upon entering the warm chamber, they dismissed the servants, leaving only the two of them inside. The charcoal brazier burned brightly, dispelling the chill brought in from outside.

Zheng Xiaomei pulled Qiqige to sit down on the warm kang (heated brick bed) by the window, poured her a cup of hot tea, placed it in her hand, and then looked at her intently, her voice a little dry with urgency:
"Quick, tell me what happened? What... what happened on the grassland?"

Qiqige held the warm teacup, the warmth spreading from her palms to her heart.

Looking at Zheng Xiaomei's genuine concern and urgency, the last trace of unease and anxiety she felt due to the "change of identity" quietly dissipated.

She took a deep breath and stopped hiding anything. From the moment the Crown Prince arrived in Xuanfu, the meeting between the two sides, her brother Abunai's doubts and demands, the terrifying firearms and the "steel behemoth" that the Crown Prince displayed, to Abunai's proposal of a marriage alliance in order to gain the trust of the grasslands and consolidate the alliance, as well as the conversation on the hill and the oath made around the campfire, she recounted everything as calmly as possible.

Of course, when it came to the most private parts, she just blushed and vaguely glossed over them, but Zheng Xiaomei was so clever that she had already understood.

Zheng Xiaomei listened quietly, her expression shifting from initial shock to realization, then to deep contemplation, and finally to relief and peace.

She didn't show much surprise, especially when she heard Abunai use marriage as a guarantee for the cooperation; instead, she nodded slightly.

"Just as I thought..."

Zheng Xiaomei whispered, her gaze somewhat distant.

"For the steppe tribes, no amount of promises of gold and silver, or the strongest military intimidation, can be as reassuring as a genuine marriage alliance. This is the most familiar and trusted form of alliance they have formed over thousands of years. By marrying you, the bloodline of the Golden Family will be connected with that of the Ming Dynasty. This is more convincing to the Mongol tribes than any treaty that the Ming Dynasty genuinely desires peace and is not merely using them temporarily."

Your elder brother... sees things clearly and acts decisively. This is indeed the only option right now that will yield the best outcome for you, for the Khorchin, and for the Ming Dynasty.

Her analysis was calm and insightful, completely transcending petty jealousy and taking a higher, almost political perspective.

This made Qiqige feel both admiration and a strange bitterness in her heart—her younger sister seemed to have long since adapted to the mindset of the palace, where everything required weighing the pros and cons.

The next moment, a radiant, relieved smile suddenly bloomed on Zheng Xiaomei's face. She reached out and grasped Qiqige's hand, her eyes glistening with tears, but her voice was filled with joy:
"That's good! That's wonderful! Qiqige, do you know? Before you left, I felt so empty inside, always afraid that the blue sky and white clouds of the grasslands had kept you here, afraid that you would never come back. In this vast Eastern Palace, His Highness is busy with state affairs, and I don't even have anyone to confide in or share my feelings with..."

"Now everything's alright! You don't have to leave anymore! From now on, we can always be together, true and inseparable best sisters! I... I'm so happy!"

These words were sincere and genuine, without any pretense. Qiqige felt her heart warm and her nose tingle. She gripped Zheng Xiaomei's hand tightly and nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Let's be best friends for life!"

Inside the warm pavilion, sisterly affection flowed, and the atmosphere was as warm as spring.

Not long after, a commotion arose outside; His Highness the Crown Prince had returned to the Eastern Palace.

Qiqige quickly straightened her clothes and expression, and Zheng Xiaomei also stood up.

Soon, Zhu Cilang appeared at the door. He took off his snow-covered black fox fur cloak and handed it to the eunuch behind him, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the two beauties in the warm pavilion.

When his gaze met Zheng Xiaomei's, he keenly caught a fleeting hint of resentment in her eyes. It wasn't anger, but rather a slight sense of grievance and coquettishness at being "overtaken by the newcomer."

Zhu Cilang was no ordinary man; he immediately understood the key to the matter.

He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, a touch of pity rising within him. He stepped towards Zheng Xiaomei, a gentle smile on his face, and under Qiqige's slightly shy gaze, leaned close to Zheng Xiaomei's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Don't be jealous. Tonight, I won't go anywhere; I'll stay with you and make up for everything I owe you."

His breath brushed against her ear, and the meaning behind his words was self-evident.

Zheng Xiaomei was surprised that he would be so direct and say such private things in public. She was so embarrassed that her face turned bright red, like a boiled shrimp.

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, and subconsciously raised her hand to gently push Zhu Cilang's chest, saying coquettishly:
"Your Highness! You...you're so wicked!"

Having said that, she no longer cared about her manners, covered her burning cheeks, turned around and ran out of the warm pavilion as if fleeing. Her skirt brushed against the threshold, leaving behind a string of light footsteps and a faint fragrance.

Zhu Cilang watched her flee in disarray and couldn't help but smile.

Qiqige, standing to the side, couldn't help but chuckle softly, and the slightly awkward atmosphere from before seemed to dissipate considerably.

That night, Zhu Cilang indeed stayed in Zheng Xiaomei's bedroom as promised.

Red candles burned high, and brocade curtains hung low. Perhaps it was because of the little "excitement" during the day, or perhaps it was because the longing after months of separation finally found an outlet, or perhaps it was because of Qiqige's incident that he realized that some waiting and boundaries no longer needed to be adhered to.

That night, he was exceptionally gentle and exceptionally passionate.

After her initial shyness and nervousness, Zheng Xiaomei finally opened her heart completely and wholeheartedly accepted the most important person in her life whom she had been waiting for.

……

Time flies like an arrow. Amidst the tense war preparations and busy political affairs, early winter quietly slipped into deep winter, and the new year of the seventeenth year of Chongzhen's reign arrived.

However, there was little festive atmosphere in the court this New Year; the air was thick with the somber and ominous feeling of an impending storm.

Since the Crown Prince returned from his northern tour, news of the marriage alliance with the Mongols and the peace of the western route has gradually spread among the high-ranking officials of the court. The specific plans for launching a war to destroy the Jurchens next spring have been carried out with unprecedented intensity and efficiency.

The offices of the Cabinet, the Ministry of War, and the Five Military Commissions were often kept lit all night long.

Countless documents, strategies, budgets, and transfer orders were drafted, debated, revised, and finalized here.

After months of repeated deliberation, debate, and weighing of options, a detailed and almost demanding "Strategy for Pacifying Liaodong and Destroying the Jurchens," which gathered the wisdom of the most capable generals and strategists of the time, was finally reviewed and approved by Emperor Chongzhen and Crown Prince Zhu Cilang around the Spring Festival. It was then outlined in red ink and became the empire's highest military decision.

The central government remained in charge: Prince Ding, Zhu Cijiong, continued to oversee the country and govern, while Grand Secretary Xu Guoguan and other cabinet ministers oversaw the overall situation, stabilized the court, and coordinated affairs in all directions.

Ni Yuanlu, the Minister of Revenue, and Hong Chengchou, a cabinet minister, jointly oversaw logistical support.

Ni Yuanlu coordinated the allocation of grain and provisions, laborers, and the transportation of supplies; Hong Chengchou, with his familiarity with Liaodong, refined the distribution of military supplies and route planning to ensure that the supply to the front line was not interrupted.

He personally led the expeditionary force, appointing Zu Dashou as the Grand General of the Expedition, in charge of all armies outside the pass, and serving as the commander-in-chief of the front lines.

Sun Chuanting, the experienced and prudent Governor-General of the Three Border Regions of Shaanxi and Minister of War, was appointed as the deputy commander-in-chief, assisting in military affairs, and his Qin soldiers served as an important striking force.

Cao Wenzhao, Wu Sangui, and Zhou Yuji served as vanguard generals, each leading elite troops to clear the way and break through enemy lines for the entire army.

Zu Dabi was entrusted with the important task of consolidating the rear and ensuring the smooth flow of grain supplies.

This lineup takes into account the advantages of local Liaodong generals, the combat experience of veteran border generals, and the vigor of the new generation of fierce generals.

The Western Route Army, heading towards Mongolia: The key to this route lies in coordination with the Mongol cavalry. Led by the valiant and skilled Sun Yingyuan, who has distinguished himself in recent years in reorganizing the Beijing garrison, and with the exceptionally brave Huang Degong and the young and spirited Cao Bianjiao as his deputies, they will command elite cavalry and infantry drawn from the Ming Dynasty. They will join forces with the Mongol allied forces led by Abunai, the Taiji of the Khorchin tribe, and launch an attack from the grasslands to threaten the flank of Shenyang, while also intercepting any remnants of the Jurchen forces that might attempt to flee westward.

The Southern Route Army, by sea and towards Korea: Cross-sea operations are only possible with a navy.

The commander-in-chief of this route was, without any doubt, Zheng Zhilong, who was familiar with the sea conditions, commanded a powerful navy, and had a close relationship with the Crown Prince.

He will lead the massive Ming Dynasty naval fleet, accompanied by elite land troops, to coordinate with the Korean army. They will cross the river from places like Pi Island and Uiju in Korea, landing at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula. This will tie down any attempts to harass the Jurchens' rear, cut off their possible escape routes by sea, and create a pincer movement with the main force from the north and south. (End of Chapter)