The battle began after nightfall and lasted until dawn.
The princess's mansion suffered countless casualties. By morning, the imperial guards' assault finally paused.
Everyone was bloodthirsty, and the entire princess's mansion was a river of blood.
However, not long after dawn, some news arrived from the Empress. The imperial guards retreated from the princess's mansion, temporarily securing the perimeter.
Although the guards did not leave, they at least ceased their direct assault.
Jiang Tao was covered in wounds and blood.
Upon returning to the west courtyard, she saw the princess sitting on the rooftop, still breathing heavily.
Jiang Tao's heart ached.
The princess had been wronged.
When had their princess ever been so disheveled?
If it weren't for Feng Wuya, would it have come to this?
But the princess's concern for Feng Wuya surpassed anything she could be jealous of.
Unable to be jealous, she could only learn to accept and care.
Jiang Tao now also cared deeply for the逍遥王爷.
She walked to the base of the house and looked up at the figure on the rooftop, saying softly, "Princess, I don't know what happened in the palace, but the royal army has retreated to half a li away."
Long Xinghe waved her hand.
Standing on the rooftop, she could see clearly.
An ancient li was about four hundred meters. The royal army had only retreated over two hundred meters, still quite close.
They could attack again at any moment.
For now, it was merely a brief respite for both sides.
"Princess, if we can hold on for another half a day, our reinforcements will arrive."
Long Ziyue had sent word, opening a special passage for them at the Dingqin Prince's mansion.
The Grand Princess's army could pass by Wei Qiong and the Dingqin Prince's camps without any obstruction.
This way, her army could easily enter Longcheng.
The Empress was currently facing enemies on all fronts. Her temporary retreat was likely due to the increasing pressure on Long Teng.
But no one knew when the next attack would come.
Below, Chu Qianli, inside the house, had no idea how her surgery was progressing.
Was the person safe?
Jiang Tao looked at the closed door, wanting to ask, but she dared not.
What was happening inside?
Long Xinghe remained seated on the rooftop, motionless.
Jiang Tao quickly ordered the cooks to prepare food, to first calm the emotions of her comrades.
They sat on the ground, resting.
About an hour later, the royal army outside suddenly stirred.
After an unknown period, Jiang Tao rushed in, her voice hoarse, "Grand Princess, Your Majesty... the Empress has arrived!"
Long Xinghe stood up abruptly.
She didn't know why, but even though she knew it wasn't her mother, upon hearing of her arrival, her blood seemed to surge instantly.
She leaped from the rooftop and quickly walked to Jiang Tao.
Jiang Tao whispered, "Princess, you... you should go and see the Empress."
Jiang Tao knew very well that the Empress's personal visit meant she was willing to give her another chance.
But this was likely the last chance.
Long Xinghe hesitated greatly, then looked back at the closed door.
For a man, she had betrayed her mother and everything she possessed.
Although she never regretted it, she felt a sense of unease.
A disquiet that surged from the depths of her heart, through her very blood.
Jiang Tao added, "Princess, see the Empress first. Perhaps... perhaps there's still room for a change of heart."
Finally, Long Xinghe, accompanied by Jiang Tao, went out to meet her.
Long Tianliu had arrived.
She was clad in armor.
It was unexpected that the Empress, nearing fifty, could look so heroic and spirited in armor.
It showed how commanding she must have been in her youth.
After a moment of hesitation, Long Xinghe finally took three steps forward and knelt on one knee: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Jiang Tao waved her hand, and the guards behind her all knelt on one knee.
Everyone felt immensely tense and uneasy.
Anxious, conflicted, hesitant, and lost.
After all, they were all subjects of the Long Teng Kingdom.
"Xinghe, return with me." Long Tianliu, seated on her horse, looked down at her.
Given the previous incident with An Shang Palace, Long Tianliu was now guarded by many experts.
She kept a considerable distance from Long Xinghe, with four top experts positioned in front of her.
It was rumored that the Grand Princess possessed a formidable weapon that fired projectiles as fast as lightning.
An Shang Palace had died by such projectiles.
Everyone feared that the Grand Princess, in her madness, would even dare to attack the Empress, so no one dared to be careless.
Should the Grand Princess make the slightest move, they would immediately spring into action and protect the Empress.
Long Xinghe remained kneeling, looking up at the Empress seated high on her horse.
Though not her biological mother, and despite being a soul transmigrator, looking at the Empress at this moment, her heart inexplicably ached.
It seemed that the body's memories truly had a profound impact on her soul.
The Empress's kindness and care since childhood flooded her heart.
It evoked an indescribable sense of longing.
Long Xinghe now understood why Chu Qianli, also a soul transmigrator, cared so much about Long Xiyue, the Long Teng Kingdom, and "relatives" like Long Hongming.
The body's memories genuinely merged with their original memories.
Facing one's mother truly caused heartache.
If not for dire circumstances, she would not have wanted to betray her; she would have wanted to fight alongside her mother.
Long Tianliu knew her well and saw the pain in her daughter's eyes from afar.
She said sternly, "Xinghe, return to my side, and you will still be my good daughter. I can overlook all that has happened."
"Your Majesty..."
"They have already begun to join forces against me. They are all your enemies."
Long Tianliu urged her horse forward. The experts beside her grew uneasy. "Your Majesty, no!"
Long Tianliu waved her hand dismissively, "She is my own daughter. Would a daughter kill her own mother?"
Long Xinghe's heart ached even more.
Looking up at Long Tianliu, who had ridden to her side and was now within striking distance, her mood grew heavier.
Long Tianliu softened her voice, "Chu Qianli is Long Xiyue's daughter. She has returned to seize my empire."
"Xinghe, this is your empire too!"
"I don't care what agreement you have with her. I know she will not give you this empire! Xinghe, wake up. You could have had all of this, so why share it with others?"
Long Xinghe looked at her, her eyes filled with a sour sting.
This empire was originally hers.
But now, for a man, she was cooperating with Chu Qianli, who should have been her enemy, to fight against her own mother.
Were her choices truly right?