Others flew up and rescued Hua Zhi. Shangguan Lin brought Murong Yingxue over and threw her onto the grass.
Hua Zhi looked up and saw the fair-faced young man. She was stunned, not knowing who he was. Yun Xiao reached out and removed her mask, revealing a delicate and elegant face. Hua Zhi was startled and quickly knelt on the ground, crying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
"Get up," Yun Xiao said.
Yun Xiao had already dismounted and reached out to help Murong Yingxue up. She had only fainted from fright. Yun Xiao took out a silver needle and inserted it. Murong Yingxue soon woke up and slowly opened her eyes. To her surprise, she saw Yun Xiao and stared at her fixedly.
Perhaps due to fear, or the fact that she had escaped death, she completely forgot the rift between her and Yun Xiao and threw herself into Yun Xiao's arms, weeping heartbrokenly.
"I was so scared."
Yun Xiao was taken aback. She patted Murong Yingxue's back, her voice softening slightly, "It's alright now, everything will be alright."
Shangguan Lin, standing beside them, was also stunned by Murong Yingxue's actions.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yao had led hundreds of elite soldiers to join the North Dynasty's wedding procession and some of the East Qin generals. Together, they had repelled the scattered attackers. At this moment, everyone walked over.
The East Qin envoy for the wedding was still the Minister of Rites, along with Deputy General Yao Feng and others. Upon seeing the Empress's true face, they immediately led their men to kneel on the ground, "Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Even the hundreds of soldiers who had faced life and death with Yun Xiao were stunned. They had always wondered who this refined and handsome young man was, who commanded such respect from the Prince and their own masters. To their surprise, this person was actually the current Empress. They all knelt on the ground and shouted loudly.
"Your subordinates greet Your Majesty the Empress."
Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows slightly, a smile playing on her lips, her radiance unrestrained, her every move exuding a dazzling arrogance. "All of you may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone rose and retreated to the side, their eyes filled with reverence and admiration. They felt incredibly fortunate to have participated in this campaign against the Blood Bandits alongside the Empress.
The North Dynasty's wedding envoy approached. Leading them was Prince Xiang, who was about to marry Murong Yingxue. He was exceptionally handsome, with a heroic aura, and carried himself with noble grace.
This man was a good man. Yun Xiao stood up and released Murong Yingxue, looking directly at Prince Xiang. He spoke respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress, for your timely rescue."
Yun Xiao nodded and glanced slightly towards the front, where bodies lay scattered. These people had clearly come prepared. Knowing that this was the border of the Qingyun Mountain Range, with no lodging for hundreds of miles, they had expected the princess to camp here and attacked at night. Who were these people?
A sharp glint flashed in Yun Xiao's eyes. She spoke slowly.
"Who are these people?"
"They are still the North Dynasty's rebels, Prince Xin. When my brother captured him before, he managed to escape. Who knew he would gather some scattered soldiers and hide in this area of the Qingyun Mountain Range, waiting to attack us."
"This is a matter for your North Dynasty. Please convey this message to the Emperor of the North. If such an incident occurs again, my East Qin will settle this account along with any future ones."
Amidst the white mist, the sound of unyielding resolve echoed through the forest.
The North Dynasty envoys, hearing such audacious words of warning, all had their expressions change simultaneously.
Although they had been saved this time, speaking such words between two nations was truly dismissive of them. However, Prince Xiang did not get angry, for he knew who the Empress of East Qin was – she was his brother's savior.
He had heard from his brother that without her, he would likely have lost his life long ago. Let alone such a minor warning, if she had not married the Emperor of East Qin, his brother would have been willing to offer her the position of Empress. It was a pity that it was ultimately missed.
"This Prince will surely deliver your message."
"That is good."
Yun Xiao nodded, her expression softening slightly, a warm, gentle smile gracing her lips, her gaze fixated on the radiant and noble man. She spoke softly.
"Prince Xiang, I am entrusting my East Qin princess into your hands. I hope you will not let her suffer any grievance. She is a cherished sister in her brother's heart."
"Yes."
Murong Yingxue, who had been sitting on the ground, listened to Yun Xiao's words and, for some reason, felt a sense of release. It was as if she had truly found solace, with no sadness or sorrow, only a sense of belonging.
Yes, in Murong's heart, she was still a sister, a real sister. Perhaps in Yun Xiao's heart, she would also be like that in the future. Was there anything wrong with that?
In the past, she had been afraid and panicked, fearing that she would have no family in this world. But they had not forgotten her. Wasn't this better?
In the future, she would have other family members. At this moment, her eyes suddenly lit up, and a graceful and noble demeanor enveloped her. She slowly stood up and walked to Yun Xiao, tears welling in her eyes.
"Thank you, Imperial Sister-in-law."
This was an acknowledgment of Yun Xiao, and an acknowledgment of Murong. Yun Xiao's heart was relieved, knowing that at least everything was not as bad as it seemed.
She reached out and embraced Murong Yingxue, whispering into her ear, "My East Qin princess has an unyielding spirit. You must capture the man's heart, and then you will have everything."
"Thank you."
Murong Yingxue shed quiet tears, nodding vigorously. Hua Zhi, standing by her side, looked at the Empress with immense gratitude.
She was grateful and touched. The Empress was truly benevolent, continuously guiding the princess. She had finally let go and embarked on her true life path.
The North Dynasty's procession was reorganized, followed by the East Qin wedding procession. The grand retinue slowly moved forward.
Murong Yingxue lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked out, waving goodbye repeatedly. As she drifted further away, she would eventually embark on her own journey.
Yun Xiao only turned back after the procession had disappeared from view. Shangguan Lin, standing beside her, gazed at her intently.
He murmured slowly, "What kind of person are you?"
When ruthless, she was like a wild lion, trampling anyone who dared to provoke her into utter ruin.
When kind, she was bathed in a radiant light, like the Buddha of the Western Heavens, saving all sentient beings.
"Let's go, Prince Lin."
Yun Xiao paid no mind to the lost in thought Shangguan Lin, not caring what he said. Now, all she wanted was to see Murong quickly and tell him that she was pregnant, that she carried their child, their flesh and blood, the crystallization of their love.
Everyone mounted their horses. Yun Xiao called out to Zhi Qiu on the side, "Zhi Qiu, let's go."
The grand procession headed straight for Yanjing.
The subsequent journey, though lonely and tedious, was made bearable by Zhi Qiu's conversation.
From their conversations over these past days, Yun Xiao learned of Zhi Qiu's background. She had been found by their master, picked up at Ghost Head Mountain, not far ahead.
The master said that her parents had likely been killed by bandits on the mountain, but she had always refused to believe it. That was why she had followed Yun Xiao to Yanjing this time, determined to find out the whereabouts of her parents.
Half a month later, they returned to Yanjing City. The bustling and prosperous Yanjing was as vibrant and flourishing as ever.
At least on the surface. Yun Xiao closed her eyes to rest. Her body felt as if it were breaking apart. She had taken many tonics along the way, fearing that the child might be affected.
Due to an uneven diet, her complexion was pale, and she had lost a considerable amount of weight. Shangguan Lin grew increasingly worried and wanted to find a doctor for her, but Yun Xiao adamantly refused. Fortunately, they had returned to the capital.
Zhi Qiu leaned against the window, looking out at the lively scene. She couldn't help but exclaim and laugh, yet also feel a hint of fear.