The sudden outbreak of war between Nanjiang and Daliang sent ripples of unease across the borderlands.
Within days, Nanjiang's forces retreated from Yue Pass, but Daliang's army pursued relentlessly, crossing the Qunan River and advancing towards Nanjiang's royal capital.
The vast Daliang army made camp at Ghost Gu Mountain, and skirmishes erupted along the border between the two nations.
Tantai Ye himself led the troops into Nanjiang, his hundreds of thousands of soldiers a formidable压境. The Western Regions began to experience unrest and turmoil, a precarious state of affairs.
The roaring river waters lapped against the pleasure boats, the cities were in disarray, and the war between the two nations continued unabated.
Following the conflict of years past, the entire Western Regions had become outwardly strong but inwardly weak. The sudden war between the two countries fueled rampant rumors, causing anxiety and fear among the various states of the Western Regions.
The iron cavalry of the Central Plains was fierce and unyielding, led by the renowned Tantai Ye of the Western Regions. This war would inevitably affect many nations.
Some predicted that as long as Tantai Ye lived, there would be no peace for the Western Regions.
Consequently, numerous assassins emerged from the martial world, all intent on taking Tantai Ye's life.
However, news then surfaced from an unknown source, claiming the war between the two nations was solely due to Nanjiang's Saintess, and that Daliang's Prime Minister, a constant presence in court, had personally arrived in Nanjiang.
The tumultuous love-hate entanglement between the two in Shangjing was widely publicized throughout the Western Regions. Some even denounced Nanjiang for its treachery, accusing them of using a marriage alliance to protect their capital only to secretly break the agreement and instigate war.
Others blamed Daliang, as the news of Consort Qing's death had spread throughout the Western Regions, and no one had actually seen if Nanjiang's Saintess was still alive. Now, Daliang attacking Nanjiang without just cause was considered unjust.
Regardless of public opinion, on the fifteenth day, Daliang's army marched into Tianshan City. Nanjiang could not resist, and the city fell into chaos.
A dark, dense mass of soldiers, like a swarm of locusts, stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Go back and tell your Gu King that if he hands over Chi You within three days, Daliang will immediately withdraw its troops."
On the city walls, Nanjiang's general trembled as he clutched his saber, gazing at the man before the army.
Years ago, the Saintess had secured Nanjiang with a marriage alliance. Now, Daliang's iron cavalry had once again appeared at their gates. How could they resolve this crisis?
Daliang did not press the attack further. The army set up camp a hundred miles away.
Inside the military tent, Liu Rongruo dismissed his generals.
Tantai Ye glanced at him and spoke.
"In that battle, Nanjiang suffered heavy casualties and had no ability to counterattack. The fact that they dared to send troops to retrieve Chi You must mean they made some deal with Bei Qi."
Li Qiongyu scoffed, "She would rather elope and start a war than have anything to do with you."
Tantai Ye retorted, "You lost face because of her this time. Marrying a wife, only for her to run away – it's a complete joke in Shangjing."
Liu Rongruo was provoked by their words, his eyes chillingly indifferent.
"Nanjiang is merely a small territory, yet it repeatedly opposes our Daliang. Why not take this opportunity to annex Nanjiang?"
"Xiao Chizhan has long wanted to capture Nanjiang, establish a Protectorate, and control the Western Regions. If you have the heart for it, we can march directly into the capital. I don't believe Xie Beihan would risk his troops for a woman."
Liu Rongruo pursed his lips slightly, remaining silent.
Tantai Ye, impatient with his indecisiveness, kicked him.
"Give me a clear answer, are we attacking Nanjiang or not? I don't want to play games with you all, she's waiting for me to come home."
He hadn't fought seriously the entire way, clearly showing leniency towards Chi You.
Liu Rongruo's expression darkened, his gaze lowered as if lost in thought.
Tantai Ye felt his anger dissipate like hitting cotton, and he slumped back onto the couch in frustration.
"Hang those captured Gu masters on the city walls, and I'm sure she'll come out."
Li Qiongyu, sipping his tea, raised an eyebrow.
"If all you want is to bring her back to Daliang, you'd best not listen to this fool."
Enraged by his words, Tantai Ye kicked him.
Li Qiongyu lay down beside him and kicked back, his tone contemptuous.
"With your temper, how did that little lamb fall for you?"
Mentioning Lan Murou, Tantai Ye's expression softened slightly.
"My charm is great."
Li Qiongyu: "-----"
Liu Rongruo listened to their bickering and subtly furrowed his brows.
The pent-up anger of recent days began to surface uncontrollably.
He narrowed his eyes, suppressing it, his expression a mask of unreadable indifference.
Suddenly, a bone-deep pain surged through him.
He glanced at the sky outside, veins bulging on his hand.
The full moon night, the Heart-Devouring Gu.
Li Qiongyu tilted his head and saw the cold sweat beading on Liu Rongruo's forehead, rolling his eyes.
"You refuse to have the Gu removed, and now you're suffering. I truly don't know if she poisoned you or cursed you."
He then called out,
"Jing Yu, bring the Gu masters."
"Yes."
Chi You, within the royal palace, was exhausted by the continuous war reports.
She knew that madman wouldn't let her go, but she hadn't expected him to personally come to Nanjiang.
He was now forcing her, forcing her to return with him.
But she didn't want to go back.
Yet, Daliang's army was a looming threat. If war truly broke out, Nanjiang would once again be plunged into conflict, and the common people would suffer the ravages of war.
Chi You sat on the phoenix chair, touching her belly, her eyes darkening slightly.
"Sister."
At that moment, someone entered from outside.
Chi You looked up and saw the person, immediately breaking into a smile.
"Chi Qi, come here."
Although young, Chi Qi acted with maturity. Having experienced war and bloodshed, and witnessed the infighting within the royal family, he was no longer the naive child he once was.
"Sister, don't be afraid, I won't let the Daliang people take you away."
He knew, he knew his sister had suffered greatly in Daliang. Those were their enemies.
Chi You looked at her brother, who was almost as tall as her, a surge of warmth filling her heart. She stood on tiptoe, trying to pat his head, but couldn't reach.
Chi Qi immediately squatted down, looking at her obediently.
"Sister, be careful not to hurt your belly."
Chi You smiled gently, "It's fine."
"No, the Gu doctor said you're about to give birth, you can't get angry or overexert yourself."
"Yes, Sister knows."
Chi Qi curiously touched her belly. Recalling the war that had engulfed Nanjiang, he suddenly spoke.
"Sister, I'll have the Grand Priest assassinate him. As long as he dies, no one will come to take you away."
Chi You froze, then shook her head.
"Don't be foolish. If you kill him, the Central Plains' iron cavalry will trample every city in Nanjiang, and Nanjiang will never know peace."
"But if this continues, and they break into the capital, they'll take you away like before. I can't bear to lose you, Sister."
Chi You looked at him, a flicker of reluctance in her eyes, though her expression remained unchanged. She gently touched his face.
"Sister will not leave Nanjiang anymore."
She was Nanjiang's Saintess, supported by its people, and naturally, she had to protect her subjects. However, this time, she was unwilling to use a marriage alliance to solidify Nanjiang's reign.
'Sister, what are you going to do?'
Chi You patted him lightly, changing the subject. "Brother Xia Yun is a great help. Since he's willing to stay and protect you, treat him as you would Xuan Qing, do not neglect him."
"Sister, I understand."