"Aunt Yuna, wait for me!"
"Haha, if you catch me, I'll take you out to play!"
Four years passed quickly. Yuna Ji had grown taller and even more beautiful, her face always adorned with a smile. All these years, she never felt sad about having to marry into Jiang Territory; instead, she remained cheerful every day.
Grant Domain had enjoyed four years of peace. Now, a little boy of about five, with rosy cheeks and panting breath, chased after Yuna Ji. He was Simon Grant, the son of Edward Grant and Yuna Ji's nephew. Simon adored his aunt and spent every day with her.
"Aunt Yuna, you're so bad! You're a grown-up, and I'm just a kid. How could I ever catch you?"
Simon Grant, exhausted from chasing, sat down. Yuna Ji ran over and squatted beside him, and immediately Simon's tiny hands wrapped around her.
"Got you!"
"You little rascal! All right, all right, I get it. I'll take you out to play."
Yuna Ji picked up Simon Grant and looked north into the distance.
"Will those nine be able to make it under big brother's command?"
Joseph Qiao and the others had already gone to the central pass, and it had been over half a year. Tensions were rising—the Grant Family had been preparing for war these past four years, and everyone in Grant Domain was talking about the coming conflict.
"Aunt, what's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Simon Grant saw Yuna Ji's worried face. Yuna Ji smiled softly, shook her head, and affectionately rubbed her cheek against his.
"Simon, next year Aunt Yuna won't be here anymore."
"Huh? Aunt, where are you going?"
Yuna Ji pointed to the northwest.
"I'm going to marry into Jiang Territory."
Simon immediately buried his head in Yuna Ji's arms, his voice trembling as he cried out.
"No, I don't want that! I want to go with Aunt Yuna!"
Just then, the sound of gentle laughter drifted over.
"Yuna, don't take Simon outside, okay? It's spring now, but it's still chilly! Simon could catch a cold out there."
King Grant walked over step by step, and Simon Grant cheered happily from horseback.
"Grandpa."
Yuna Grant set Simon down, then looked at her aging father. Now, King Grant's hair was completely white, his spirit faded. Last year, Yuna had already taken over as clan leader.
Her sister-in-law had arrived too, dragging Simon away. Yuna Grant waved to Simon, then supported King Grant out of the palace. Only one of the Nine-plumed Birds remained now, a small one.
As soon as it saw Yuna Grant, the Nine-plumed Bird chirped and flew over.
"This bird really listens to you."
King Grant chuckled, his expression suddenly growing distant. He remembered long ago, when Joseph Qiao gifted the Nine-plumed Bird. Back then, he was full of heroic ambition, even dreaming of waging war against Sage Domain and Wynn Domain, conquering Huaxia, and making the Grant Family masters of the land.
"Father, what are you smiling about?"
Seeing King Grant's helpless smile, Yuna Grant asked, placing a hand gently on his forehead.
"Yuna, you've grown so much, and become so sensible. It's the last year now. As your father, these days with you are precious. What do you want to eat today? I'll cook for you myself."
Yuna Grant shook her head, her gaze growing dim.
"I'm going to practice for a while."
"No more sword dancing or playing with guns—you'll soon be someone's wife."
Yuna Grant ran off lightly. She returned to her residence, and amid the birds' cries, the Nine-plumed Bird flew over. Yuna Grant had already left the house, a long rifle slung across her back, a rope tied at her waist, and a short gun, no longer than her forearm, strapped above.
These were the only weapons she had truly mastered over the years—the guns.
She arrived at the training grounds she used daily. The soldiers practicing there quickly made way for her. Yuna Grant often sparred with the soldiers of Grant Domain and had become noticeably stronger; now, no one in Grant Domain could match her.
"Princess Yuna, how many opponents today?"
A captain asked, and Yuna Grant smiled.
"Ten, I think."