What her maids said in the library wasn't a lie-- the banquet was mandatory. You had to go if you and your family were invited. 
But Jin qing was an exception. She was an illegitimate daughter with no social status, barely recognized by law. There was no place for her to be there anyway, but that wasn't the only reason. 

She needed time to prepare. 
A lot of time to prepare. 

Dinner was eaten in a private room, dishes immediately cleared away. There was little time for Jin qing to truly relax, but she tried her hardest to enjoy it before what came next.  Bai yan massaged her shoulders as her hair was let down and combed through until it shone like silk. Ye bing will have to do the hair again later anyway-- but it wouldn't be using the same blue jewelry that Jin qing was wearing this morning. 

Instead, an array of fancy white and silver jewelry and headdresses lay across the dresser, waiting to be used. 

Carefully, Ye bing laid out a simple White robe decorated with black thread. It was like the ones her miss usually wore, folded around the upper body and expanded loosely from the waist down. But this is different. This was more elaborate and much more heavily decorated than what she usually wore. On top of that was an equally white cloak covered in embroidery and beads that made it shine in the light. Despite how heavy it looked with the decorations, it was surprisingly light and the train both the dress and the cloak left behind could be dragged around effortlessly. 

She wore this ensemble only when she had official things to tend to, as the purpose of this outfit wasn't to show status or to show wealth-- it was designed to make her like a pure, snow-white goddess.  There weren't too many people in the living world that knew who she was underneath the exterior of the shy second daughter of the most respected advisor in the kingdom. 

Jin qing pulled out a veil from her trunk and tucked it in her hair to cover her face. Keeping her secret identity from not only her family but the world meant everything to her. 

Tonight, Jin qing wasn't the illegitimate daughter and lady from a high-standing family. No, she was someone completely different. She is the strategist and advisor that helped the Emperor in his most difficult tasks, the most respected woman in the entire empire whose status is rivaled only by the emperor himself. 

The world knew this mysterious advisor as the 'Xue xian."

The name can be read as 'The immortal of snow'

or

'The goddess of blood'

<>

Everyone under the sun knows who the Xue xian is.

Many will say she is a gift from the gods themselves, a mortal blessed with heavenly knowledge and wisdom to aid the destined empire to greatness. Her grace and mercy were as pure as snow, but her wrath can be as thick as blood. 

It was a popular topic in teahouses and private chambers alike on whoever the legendary Xue Xian may be, but there wasn't a single person in the country who guessed that it was her. 
After all-- Jin qing was just an illegitimate child that no one ever paid any attention to. Why would they bother wasting their time on her when there was someone like Huan le who will steal the sun from the sky just because it was outshining her? 

Jin qing's cape and robes trailed behind her as she walked through the palace halls. A cool breeze made the beads and tassels dance against her cape and dress as the train made soft swishing sounds as she turned the many and complex corners of the palace.  

Even her maids were dressed impeccably, decked out with fine silk fabrics as white as the one Jin qing was wearing and jewelry fit for a servant of the highest-ranking lady in the land. both of them were smiling underneath the veils that were tucked in their hair-- their miss looked like a warrior goddess from the ancient stories!
 Neither of them knew what they had done in their past lives to work for her, but they were thankful. 

Huan le turned a corner from the dimly lit corridor, ready to head back into her room. She had just left the banquet with another victory tucked away-- the attention of all the eligible bachelors of the country was all on her. The prize was the crown prince himself, and even he was wrapped around her little finger. 

Everything was going perfectly. Her illegitimate sister wasn't even there to try and compete against her. Out of all the siblings she had, even she had to admit she was her biggest challenger for attention-- but she knew for a fact her illegitimate sister won't dare if she knew what was best for her. 

The sound of beads and bells twinkling from the corner caught her attention, and the slightest peek of the color white almost made her freeze. 
There was only one person in the entire palace that would wear the color of death so confidently and without protest. This was the lady that is considered the same status as the emperor, a person she could be executed for even breathing at her the wrong way.

To gain the favor and the support of the Xue xian... the rewards would be unthinkable! but the legendary lady is so rarely seen that it made her heart pound to even think about talking to her. 

When they finally crossed paths, Huan le dipped down in the lowest possible curtsey she could manage and spoke in the humblest voice she could manage. "Greetings to the Xue Xian!"

The majestic lady didn't even speak, it was her servant who spoke for her. 

"Rise."

"No one ever sees the lady," Huan le said, keeping her gaze low. "If this lowly girl may ask, what brings the Xue xian out tonight?"

"The Xue Xian is simply taking a walk and taking in the fresh air." Her maid answered. "The lady would like to know why are you out so late"

"Many thanks for worrying about this little girl!" Huan le said grandly, dipping again. "I just returned from the banquet for the Emperor has set a solution for the flood. This lowly girl would like to know why weren't you present."

A small chuckle left the Xue Xian's lips, which only made Huan le more nervous than before. 

"The lady doesn't like attending big celebrations. She prefers spending time alone" 

"Of course! A person as important as yourself shouldn't be burdened by small-scale events like the one tonight. If the lady doesn't mind, may I join you on your walk?"

"No thank you," said the same servant. "The lady would like to be alone. You should go back to your room."

Huan le curtsied quickly and Jin qing left without another word.

Jin qing was surprised to find herself trembling as she walked further and further away from Huan le and closer to the private meeting room. Much to her confusion, she couldn't tell if she was nervous because of her interaction with Huan le (despite knowing her eldest sister couldn't do anything to her,) or if it was because she was about to be relied on to make some of the most difficult decisions in the country. 

It wasn't anything she wasn't used to... but with the conflict brewing with the neighboring country...

The meeting place was in a dimly lit room with candles on desks and candle holders. All of the windows were shut tightly with heavy curtains drew across them. No one should be able to listen in or even get close to this room. The only reason Jin qing was even allowed in was because of her status. 

Jin qing walked into the room where the emperor and four generals stood around a table. Seems like the emperor had left the banquet rather early, but he still smelled of wine and rich perfumes. 

"Greetings to the mistress of snow and blood!" the generals said in unison, lowering themselves to their knees in respect. Even the emperor had to slightly nod his head to acknowledge her presence. 

Jin qing knelt and put her hands in front of her, lowering her head to the floor in a kowtow for the emperor. "Greetings to the great emperor," she said softly. 

"There's no need to be so formal." The emperor answered. "How has your night been?"

"Answering the emperor: it has gone well, thank you."

"Good to hear." He nodded at the generals around the table. "Now, to the matter at hand."

One elderly general pointed to the map in the middle, and Jin qing deliberately turned her body around to show she was paying attention-- after all, her entire face was under a heavy veil. "I'm sure the Xue xian had read through the reports we sent, but the Song army continues to surround the city LiangYin. Our troops are outnumbered from three to one, but we have the advantage of being behind walls and in home territory."

"Have the reinforcements we sent arrived yet?"

"Intercepted by the Song and forced back. They have the area surrounded as well-- they are settling in for a siege so it seems."

Jin qing bit her lip. The city of LiangYin wasn't technically a part of the Wei, but was still under their protection. What the Song was trying to do was a borderline crime that can potentially spark a war-- even if they technically aren't invading just yet.

"How are the supplies looking?"

"Not enough to last through a siege, if that was what the Xue Xian is wondering. I've already sent some more, but it'll be difficult."

Jin qing considered this. She scanned the map and understood their plan instantly.

The Liang Yin city was in a very strategic spot. It was close enough to the river, providing the Song army a constant source of supplies and men, and with the silver mines close by, this will fund their armies greatly.
If a war was what they wanted... well, this was a great starting point. 

The city was surrounded by hills except for two parts that opened up into and out of the Wei. With the Song controlling one end, it was crucial for them not to take the other end and trap the city from all four sides. The surrounding countryside was ideal for guerilla fighting and random ambushes-- only if you knew the area well. 

"Have there been measures taken to secure one opening?"

"Yes. That was our priority, but they still surround us to some extent in the hills. We won't be able to hold that area for very long"

"Is this updated?"

"From the scouts the night before"

Looking at the river and the passes, a plan began to tick in Jin qing's mind.

"we'll need distractions if we want to split them up." Jin qing said, smiling underneath the veil. Everything will be a diversion, every single move, every single placement of the troops. "We trick the enemy with tricks in layers."

"What do you mean?"

Moving a small figure representing some number of troops, she pushed it toward the river. "We'll take advantage of the fact that they are in territory that we are most familiar with." She trailed off, pushing more troops over "We take a handful of troops at night and light up fires near the enemy camp so it seems like we are preparing to attack at any second."

The youngest general present smiled. "I see. The enemy forces will stay up, prepared for an enemy attack. Any sane general would ask for more troops in a hurry, which gives the actual force an advantage."

Jin qing nodded. "They'll already be weakened by exhaustion and anxiety. It'll be ideal to strike in the next morning." 

"What about the rest stationed near the city?" The emperor asked, "Not everyone would be leaving to help them."

"We just need to create the illusion that there is an overwhelming number of attackers and they'll naturally send people to defend-- it'll need to be a crucial area, like the camps near the river."

The same young general picked up a handful of pieces and scattered them around the route the Song would take to get to that camp. "We can utilize the archers and ambush the enemy along the way, picking off their numbers. Do you think we can send in reinforcements while they struggle to reposition?"

The older general nodded. "I'll organize the reinforcements with one other person. We'll be running on a schedule so no one attacks early. One group goes to the camp to support the attack, and the other goes and defends the city just in case they do try anything." he looked at Jin qing. "When do you think this should happen?"

"As soon as possible before the supplies in the city runs out-- or before the Song attacks. We have tried diplomacy, right?"

"LiangYin is only under our protection, but not by law." The emperor answered. "We're not legally allowed to intervene."

"If the generals think it's alright, is three days enough? The plan starts on the night of the second day, and the attack begins on the third."

a quiet chorus of mumbles and nods put Jin qing at ease. 

"We'll figure the logistics out," The emperor said, waving his hand to dismiss her. "It's late and I'm sure you've worked hard today. Your presence brings great peace to our minds."

Jin qing curtsied and exited the room with a heavy sigh of relief.

She may have acted calmly in the room, but there were too many unspoken risks and variables she didn't mention. The reinforces may not arrive in time, or the Song may attack the camps out of fear before the next steps can be carried out. 

Even by the time she reached her room and was undressed to prepare for bed, Jin qing was still thinking. Plans on the drafting table never survive a battle. She has been lucky so far with her plans and strategies, but there was always the looming threat of failure.

Eventually, she did fall asleep but was only welcomed by unsettling dreams. 

A/n
Let me know if you didn't get her plan, and I'll be more than happy to explain it!