"I... I will try my best," Xiao Yao hugged Ye Qingying's arm, resting her head on his arm. "Master, I'm very obedient, don't leave me, I'll listen to you about everything."
Ye Qingying said nothing, merely lowered his gaze, looking at her small head.
His feelings were indescribably complex.
He knew the imperial city was fraught with danger, and bringing her along would be very risky.
Yet, he was determined to take her, unwilling to leave her behind.
Was this the right decision or the wrong one?
But she trusted him so implicitly, drinking the poison he offered without hesitation, even knowing it was poison.
He himself didn't know when this little one had come to trust and depend on him so much.
She truly believed that he was wholeheartedly good to her...
If, one day, she were to discover that he was partly responsible for her current predicament,
Would she still forgive him?
...
Long Teng had a new Empress. In alliance with Fusang, they aided the Long Teng army in attacking Yitie City, and then withdrew their troops.
The Fusang army and the Ruoyi tribe, already struggling in the battle, were now even more routed without the Long Teng forces.
Moreover, the Xuanwu army, which had seemed to lack a leader, suddenly surged with morale.
Prince Xuan, who had reportedly left the army, personally led the troops into battle, dispelling the rumors.
The Xuanwu army's prestige soared, quickly driving the enemy forces out of Yitie City.
That wasn't all. Someone had evidently angered Prince Xuan, as he led his troops further south, directly into the heart of the Ruoyi tribe's base camp.
It was utterly terrifying!
The Fusang army fled in disarray. The Ruoyi King knelt and begged for mercy, not only signing a peace treaty but also relinquishing military power.
The Ruoyi tribe was no longer solely governed by the Ruoyi King.
Prince Xuan appointed two carefully selected Ruoyi princes, dividing the Ruoyi territory into three parts with the Ruoyi King.
At this time, the Ruoyi tribe was in disarray, unable to even manage its own territory.
With internal strife and external threats, how could they possibly focus on anything else?
The idea of invading Yitie City was something they no longer dared to entertain, not even in their wildest thoughts.
Who would have thought that Prince Xuan, who had always advocated against offensive actions, would directly attack their homeland this time? It truly terrified the Ruoyi warriors.
It turned out that Prince Xuan wasn't incapable of reaching their doorstep, but rather, it depended on his mood.
He hadn't attacked before simply to maintain the balance between the various powers, but this time, it was heard that Prince Xuan was in a bad mood.
Those who provoke a sleeping lion must have the courage to bear all the consequences of the lion's awakening.
Clearly, everyone had severely underestimated Prince Xuan.
The Xuanwu army achieved a great victory at Yitie City.
On the night the peace treaty was delivered, Feng Yexuan picked up his pack and prepared to leave.
Fortunately, Leng Ji delivered the message while he was still in the camp.
Had he been a moment later, the Prince would have truly departed.
"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Leng Ji arrived, panting slightly. "Your Highness, there's no need, no need to go to Long Teng, no need..."
Feng Yexuan's cold eyes swept over him sharply.
He had finally reconciled with his little lady.
Li'er's soul-capturing technique had finally been broken, and the two of them were now at the peak of their affection.
He wished he could be holding his woman and rolling around on the bed right now.
Anyone who dared to stop him would be killed without mercy!
Leng Ji was so frightened by his death-defying gaze that he flinched, almost forgetting why he had come in.
Fortunately, he still had a letter in his hand.
Leng Ji immediately remembered his purpose and said urgently, "Your Highness, there's no need, no need to go to Long Teng. Miss Chu... no, Her Majesty the Empress, she has already departed for Beiming!"