Time flies, and moments slip away unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, ten long years had passed since the former emperor departed from this world. The crown prince ascended the throne, and the court became a battlefield of overt and covert struggles, with external enemies threatening the realm.

"General, His Majesty requests your presence in the Western Courtyard," a respectful guard spoke to a figure dressed in a silver-threaded armor and carrying a blackened sword at his waist.

"Go," the general, addressed as such by the guard, replied without turning around. He coldly dismissed the guard's words, and as the guard realized his message was delivered, he took his leave.

The general, known as Pojun, listened to the fading footsteps of the person behind him and interrupted his thoughts. Ten years had passed... hmph, recalling the deep connection they had back then. Pojun felt that fate played a cruel trick, bringing together two individuals who should never have crossed paths. And it was under this capricious fate that he transformed from a mere beggar into a general with military power, all thanks to that person. Yet, all he had sacrificed was for the current emperor, how ironic...

Pojun shook his head, turned around, and walked in the familiar courtyard he knew so well. It didn't take long for him to reach the Western Courtyard and stand at the entrance, observing the scenery that remained the same as when he first saw it. However, this time there was an additional figure dressed in white, standing there like snow. Pojun wondered if he should disturb the person's contemplation.

Just as Pojun hesitated, the person in the courtyard turned to look at him. His expression remained gentle, and Pojun looked back at him, feeling an immense helplessness. It was this gentle smile that had made him lower his guard.

"Here you are," the person who spoke was none other than the emperor's half-brother, Qiyun Tian, also known as the Duke of Qi, who had formed an unlikely bond with Pojun ten years ago.

Qiyun Tian still wore the same white clothes, untouched by worldly colors, and possessed a remarkable and elegant appearance that many noble ladies admired. The passing years seemed to have left no traces on this man, only adding to his maturity and reserve. His eyes, always gentle, now held a hint of appreciation as he looked at Pojun.

When Pojun first met him, he was somewhat afraid, although he couldn't pinpoint the reason. That was the most incomprehensible part for Pojun. Qiyun Tian appeared harmless, but why did Pojun always feel fear towards him? It wasn't until the battle six years ago that Pojun finally understood what he feared. At the young age of fourteen, Pojun was brought to the battlefield by Qiyun Tian, allowing the child to be baptized by killings and bloodshed. If it weren't for Pojun's indomitable spirit, he might have perished long ago, buried in the soil. And thus, he was bestowed the title of "General Weying" today.

"Yes, my lord," Pojun, although now a high-ranking general, couldn't help but address the person before him as "my lord" since he had been the one to guide and mentor him.

"The recent battle greatly delighted the emperor. Pojun, I am also pleased," Qiyun Tian approached with a leisurely pace, examining the person before him who had been away for two years.

"Pojun does not dare to take credit. It is all thanks to your wise guidance, my lord," Pojun replied with an expressionless face, looking at his "master," Qiyun Tian.

Qiyun Tian didn't feel surprised by Pojun's respectful yet distant attitude. After all, he had nurtured him into the person he was, and he knew his character well.

"I have no specific orders at the moment," Qiyun Tian said with a casual tone.

"Then, I shall take my leave," Pojun quickly interrupted Qiyun Tian's unfinished words. With a respectful salute, he turned to leave the Western Courtyard. However, as Pojun took a step beyond the archway, a soft voice came from behind, halting his departure.

"Every time you return from a campaign, I always reward you generously. Don't you want this time's reward?" Qiyun Tian looked at Pojun with an indiscernible expression.

Perplexed, Pojun halted her steps upon hearing "his reward." Surprisingly, she heard a barely audible sigh from Qiyun Tian.

"You have already rewarded me generously, my lord. I dare not be greedy," Pojun thought of the armor on her body and the dark blue sword in her hand, both once cherished possessions of Qiyun Tian during his youth. They had accompanied her through life and death, and she was grateful beyond words.

"Even if it's this reward, you must accept it," Qiyun Tian said firmly.

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Pojun felt puzzled. What kind of reward did his lord want to bestow upon her? Little did she know that this reward from Qiyun Tian would bring a lifetime of regret and unleash a catastrophe.

"My lord, what is the reward you wish to give me?" Pojun asked respectfully, clasping her hands together.

"A general's wife," Qiyun Tian said, nonchalantly.

"My lord, are you joking with Pojun?" Her eyebrows furrowed with a resolute air, her face turning pale as she questioned her master, hoping that she had misheard or that her master misspoke.

"Would I joke about such matters?" Qiyun Tian's tone suddenly turned cold, but his face remained gentle.

As Pojun listened to Qiyun Tian's words, she realized she had underestimated her own significance. How could she forget that she was born with a female body?

"Master, have you forgotten that Pojun has a 'female identity'?" Pojun's voice was cold, her words biting.

Qiyun Tian heard Pojun's words filled with resentment and knew that he didn't want to ruin the lives of two women. However, for the sake of the current situation, he had no choice but to sacrifice Pojun and the other woman!

Qiyun Tian didn't answer but instead asked Pojun, "Do you remember the banquet two years ago?"

"I cannot forget it," Pojun replied. How could she forget? It was then that he personally handed her the dark blue sword, a treasure he had cherished for years. And what made Pojun furious was the emperor, how could he forget?

"Why should you marry? I don't need to say more," Qiyun Tian didn't directly explain the situation, looking at Pojun with a difficult expression.

As Pojun realized there was no room for ambiguity, she stood with a cold expression. She couldn't move, fearing that she would rush forward and kill the person she had dedicated her loyalty to.

"You may leave," Qiyun Tian knew that Pojun was in a state of rage, and it would be better to let her go and vent her emotions.

"I take my leave," Pojun saluted and, without looking at the heartless person again, left the imperial study.

Imperial Palace

"What? She has already returned?" The person speaking wore a yellow robe embroidered with dragon patterns and sat in the main seat of the study. Upon hearing the report, a displeased expression appeared on his handsome face. This person was none other than Qiyun Tian's elder brother, the current emperor, Qi Aotian.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, General Pujun returned to the capital two days ago," the attendant reported quietly, waiting patiently.

"She returned two days ago, and she didn't come to see Us?" Qi Aotian's expression turned furious, scaring the attendant to tremble.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, General Pujun returned to the capital ahead of the army and did not travel with the main forces," the attendant cautiously replied, fearing he might have conveyed the information incorrectly and would bring disaster upon himself.

Qi Aotian narrowed his enchanting peach blossom eyes, his well-proportioned lips tightly pressed together. Pujun, you have quite the audacity to disregard Us.

"Convey Our order. Summon General Weiyin Pujun to come and see Us immediately," Qi Aotian said displeasedly to the attendant. He thought about the grand reception he would give to Pujun upon her triumphant return, but she didn't even bother to come and see him. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.

"Yes," the attendant didn't dare to linger and quickly left to deliver the order to General Weiyin Pujun.

After the attendant left, the grand study room was left with only Qi Aotian. He walked to the exquisite antique on display, reached out, and touched the hanging ring on it. The adjacent bookshelf slowly moved, revealing a hidden side. Qi Aotian walked towards the wall, gazing absentmindedly at a painting of a "Sleeping Beauty."

Recalling the celebration banquet two years ago, Pujun had been intoxicated by her colleagues and temporarily rested in the back hall. Qi Aotian happened to be there and accidentally overheard the maidservants' exclamation, discovering that Pujun was, in fact, a woman. He realized that she had been deceived by Qi Yuntian for so many years. He initially planned to confront her immediately, but Qi Yuntian arrived at the back hall at the same time and witnessed him discovering the truth. Yet, there was no trace of fear in his eyes. He just casually said, "If you want to cause chaos in the palace again, and if you don't want to secure your position as the emperor, I don't mind if you spread this matter." After saying that, Qi Yuntian left without looking back.

At that time, Qi Aotian was infuriated, staring at Pujun who was drunk and lying on the chair bed. Gradually, his ill intentions faded away, and he ordered his subordinates to remove Pujun's armor. He brought over the clothes usually worn by imperial concubines and helped her change. When everything was done, a stunning woman stood before him, emitting an irresistible aura.

"Sigh..." Qi Aotian sighed helplessly.

Pujun was lamenting why she had stopped her footsteps upon hearing "his reward" when she was surprised to hear a faint sigh from Qi Aotian.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for returning," Pujun said coldly.

"Pujun, both you and I know the reason for my summoning you," Qi Aotian recalled the innuendos of the ministers during the morning court, hinting at issuing a decree to thoroughly investigate those who disturbed the court. Deep down, he knew it was to settle the score from two years ago. Although he had eliminated those who knew the truth at that time, the news had somehow reached the ears of troublemakers.

"Pujun doesn't know," Pujun replied with a straight face.

Qi Aotian's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "You dare to play dumb with Us?"

Pujun stood tall, her gaze cold. She didn't want to reveal the resentment she had hidden deep within her heart. She knew it was her master who instructed her to act as a man, deceiving her, as well as deceiving the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Pujun has always been loyal and dedicated. I do not understand why the emperor suddenly summoned me today," Pujun responded calmly, maintaining her composure.

"You don't understand? Then let Us tell you!" Qi Aotian slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with anger.