"Should I thank you?" he asked, rising as if in obedience. In the lamplight, he was noble, elegant, and captivating.
"How should I thank you?"
"You must let me know where you are," he said with persistence.
All he wanted was for her to tell him where she was, to know she was safe and well, no matter what he did.
Next, he had to do what he needed to do. He feared Shangguan Yao would start making moves, and many people would suffer. He couldn't let Shangguan Yao destabilize the foundations of Dong Qin.
Otherwise, what he'd get back would only be an empty shell. He wanted it complete, the way it was originally.
"I'll try."
Yun Xiao yawned and, feeling tired, walked to the bedside. She paid no mind to the person standing in the center of the tent, collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep.
After all, this person wouldn't harm her. If he intended harm, he wouldn't have helped her so much.
In front of him, she seemed to be without restraint, more like a spoiled little girl. Whatever she wanted, he seemed to give it to her or help her.
Yun Xiao slept. She thought he would leave, but he didn't. Instead, he walked directly to the bedside, towering over her, his eyes filled with a captivating, drowning gaze.
Unfortunately, Yun Xiao had her eyes closed and couldn't see, only waving her hand in annoyance.
"It's time to go, Great Hero Murong."
"Sleep. I'll leave when you're asleep."
As he spoke, he naturally moved a chair to the bedside and sat down, gazing at her sleeping face.
Yun Xiao was truly exhausted. She hadn't expected him to stay, and her annoyance made her eyes snap open. Her large eyes were bright and sparkling, like the brightest stars in the sky, or the most precious gems on earth.
"It's late, hurry and leave. I need to sleep."
"Sleep. I'll leave in a moment, I promise."
His voice was very gentle. His chin was sharp and well-defined, his lips very sexy, slightly parted, outlining a beautiful curve.
Especially his eyes. They were no longer cold or the bloodthirsty cruelty he showed others. Instead, they were clear and blue, like blue silk ribbons, faintly shimmering, incredibly beautiful.
Just looking at him like this, Yun Xiao strangely fell asleep. She didn't know why. Although she should be angry, she still had scores to settle with him.
But he was the only one, besides Yun Mo and Yun Zhen, who cared about her since she came to this world. So she felt warmth, a sense of security, and peace.
The next day, Yun Xiao met her brother Yun Zhen in their father's tent and handed him the drawing.
Yun Zhen was greatly surprised. "This is a formation diagram."
This formation diagram was so exquisite, full of dangers, with loops within loops, unpredictable and mysterious. It was clearly drawn by an expert. Could this also have been drawn by Xiao'er?
"The Nine Ring Formation, also known as the Nine Linked Rings, is an ingenious formation. This is the head and tail of the formation," Yun Xiao explained. Yun Zhen, who understood formations, understood how to arrange it with just a few pointers.
As the siblings were engrossed in conversation, Yun Mo, lying on a nearby bed, was drawn in. His spirits were much better today. He smiled as he looked at his two children.
"Come, let me see, just how amazing is it?"
As soon as Yun Mo spoke, Yun Zhen handed the drawing to his father.
Yun Mo, still an old general on the battlefield, had always been proficient in troop deployment and formations. However, because the Xi Liang army was not to be trifled with and also deeply understood military strategy, ordinary formations were rarely used as they could be easily broken.
Upon seeing the Nine Ring Formation, Yun Mo praised it heartily.
"Exquisite. This person is indeed a master of military strategy, full of dangers and endless mysteries. It's truly extraordinary that someone can transform a maze into a military formation diagram."
After his praise, Yun Mo handed the drawing to Yun Zhen. "Zhen'er, take this to the main camp immediately for everyone to see, and then start arranging it at once. We must deliver a crushing blow to that Xi Liang army."
Yun Zhen accepted the order and left. As he reached the door, he turned back to look at his sister with confusion. Could this military formation diagram have been created by Xiao'er? Xiao'er's medical skills were already so superb, how could she possibly know these things? Who was helping her from behind the scenes?
Yun Zhen's gaze darkened and chilled. He walked out without another word.
Inside the tent, Yun Xiao and Wan Wan, one on each side, attended to Yun Mo as he sat down.
Yun Mo smiled and looked at Yun Xiao. "Xiao'er, sit here and keep your father company for a while."
"Okay."
Yun Xiao sat down beside Yun Mo. The father and daughter held hands, smiling at each other. Yun Xiao, recalling the current events, had a hint of darkness in her eyes. She pursed her lips and said,
"Father, if the Xi Liang army is defeated and retreats to Xi Liang, let's leave this place. Find a place to live in obscurity and lead a simple life."
Who was Shangguan Yao? He was nothing but a cunning villain. She hadn't expected to become so famous when she used a stratagem to leave the palace and rush to Feng Ya Pass.
But after winning this battle, she would surely become known throughout the world. Shangguan Yao, after much consideration, would surely figure it out.
That she had used a stratagem to have the foolish empress leave the palace. He would likely not easily spare the Yun family. So why should they stay here and wait for death?
"Xiao'er, what's wrong?"
Yun Mo's expression changed to one of alarm. He didn't know what had happened for Xiao'er to say this. His expression became anxious. Seeing his agitation, Yun Xiao quickly shook her head.
"The reason I was able to leave the palace smoothly this time was due to a stratagem. I used a pseudonym, Feng Guan, to go to the palace to treat the Empress Dowager. My first condition for treatment was the abolition of the empress. If this battle is won, Feng Guan's name will likely be known throughout the world. Shangguan Yao will definitely assume that the Yun King's Mansion orchestrated this and will surely seek trouble for the Yun King's Mansion."
Upon hearing Yun Xiao's words, Yun Mo actually breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to stroke Yun Xiao's hair.
"You've gone through a lot, Xiao'er, but don't worry. After this battle is won, our Yun King's Mansion will be renowned throughout the land. The Emperor would not dare to casually target the Yun family unless there was genuine treason. Otherwise, the other three kingdoms would have a legitimate reason to unite and attack Dong Qin, each taking a share. The young emperor would only be able to confine us here at the border."
Yun Mo was intelligent and resourceful, seeing through many things. However, he also thought of another matter. If the Emperor spared the Yun family, he might not spare Feng Guan. Feng Guan was likely the most in danger.
"Xiao'er, after this battle is over, you must immediately return secretly to the Yun King's Mansion in Yan Jing. Shangguan Yao will no longer trouble you, but be careful not to mention the name Feng Guan."
"Father, I'll stay here."
Yun Xiao was worried about her father and brother, fearing that Shangguan Yao might unleash his monstrous intentions again and frame them. After this incident, if he made a move again, it would surely be a fatal blow.
"Xiao'er, you and Wan Wan are girls. The border is a sensitive area, and Father is not at ease. You should return to Yan Jing. With Liu Xing and Jing Yun accompanying you, Father will be at ease. If you meet a suitable husband with whom you share affection, then marry him and let go of the past."
Yun Mo's eyes were slightly clouded with mist. He wished that Xiao'er could meet a good husband who knew her, understood her, and cherished her. Then he would truly be at peace. Whether he lived or died was irrelevant. He did not want to fail the late emperor's trust. Even in death, he would have the face to see the late emperor in the netherworld.
"Father, since the Emperor is so narrow-minded, why are you still defending the city for him?"