Today was the day Mu Muqiao would ascend the throne and make that person his empress. It was also the twentieth day Lin Jiao had held the border alone.
Lin Jiao stood by herself atop the city wall, staring down at the hundred thousand enemy troops and gripping her bow. Even though she could hit a target a hundred paces away, she couldn’t take on an entire army alone.
Just then, a soldier rushed over from inside the city with a report. “General, Yicheng has fallen. No reinforcements are coming!”
Lin Jiao froze. With Yicheng lost, they would be attacked from both sides.
Half the townspeople had already evacuated, leaving only ten thousand Qing troops. If they didn’t wipe out the enemy forces in Yicheng, they would be surrounded and slaughtered. But if she led her soldiers to Yicheng now, the border would surely fall, and the capital would be in danger!
Just then, Lin Te came forward. “Elder sister, let me be your sword and your reinforcements! Go to Yicheng without worry. I’ll defend the border! I won’t let Western Yi’s cavalry set foot even half a step into our Great Heng!”
Lin Jiao felt a vague unease, but had no choice. “You only need to hold out for three days. I’ll be back within three days!”
Three days later, Lin Jiao returned as promised, but Lin Te had been captured and taken to the enemy camp.
Lin Jiao finally broke down. With her crossbow on her back, she charged into the enemy camp alone. “Little brother, I’m here to take you home!”
Lin Te was brought back by Lin Jiao, but she was gravely wounded and on the brink of death.
The new emperor, far away in the capital, could no longer sit still…