Chapter Seven, Old Friends Reunited

The people of the Western Xuan are somewhat taller, while the people of the Great Wei are somewhat shorter

"This is truly extravagant..." she exclaimed, her bright eyes sparkling with unusual interest. In any case, that kind of lifelong love was beyond her reach; a fleeting romance seemed quite appealing as well

Xu Da sat in a corner of the car and smiled, saying: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration"

"Your Highness..." Xu Da felt grateful, but suddenly recalled something and asked in surprise: "Your Highness, how is it that you are able to leave the capital? How can a hostage leave the capital?"

When in the capital, she could only seek companions in the brothels, and even then, she had to humbly see if anyone would want her. I wonder if the same situation awaits her in the Great Wei

"I have heard, and I am willing." Someone beside her said, taking the mask from the young woman's hand and putting it on her, then smiling as they pulled her up. "Second Miss, now you belong to me; let us find a place to talk about love."

Li Rongzhi glanced at him, his eyes subtly changing, signaling Lin Xiu to close the carriage curtain to block some sunlight

Li Rongzhi chuckled and said: "Lin Xiu only understands a few sets of martial arts techniques with fists, feet, knives, and swords, while Young Master Wu is a natural talent with exceptional martial skills. The two cannot be compared."

His Majesty of Beitang personally issued an edict, commanding this prince to cooperate with Nanlin in leading the Black Iron Army to intercept and eliminate the Crown Prince of the Great Wei. Regardless of the outcome, this prince must return to Beitang to report back.

He chuckled, and Xu Da quickly covered the little baby's ears. He could only endure it for a moment, the corners of his mouth curling up

What is the purpose of living to such an old age? The face becomes so wrinkled that even relatives cannot recognize you, all the teeth are gone, and you can no longer get out of bed. Living to that point is truly a dull existence; it would be better to be like Xixuan, burning out one's life entirely in youth.

He laughed heartily: "So you can recognize me like this?"

He gazed into the bright crimson eyes, momentarily unable to bring himself to close his own eyes.

"My lord, do you believe me?"

"If one day you can no longer stay in the Great Wei, come to Beitang to find me... This is a last resort, and I fear I may not be able to protect you." He smiled and continued, "In the past, Yuan Yuan once said that I would be buried in a foreign land; I want to see if his words hold any truth. Xu Da, just watch, if I remain in Beitang forever, then Yuan Yuan is indeed a complete fraud, and you need not take his words to heart."

Since you are going to the Great Wei, the child cannot be taken away by you. Let him stay with me for a year and a half, and we will talk again once you are settled. This child is too young; when I ask him where it hurts, he does not respond. You share the same poison with him, so naturally, you can answer for him.

She was taken aback

Upon hearing this, he burst into laughter: "Xu Da, where are you thinking of going?" As he mentioned the name Xu Da, the maid blinked and cast a glance at Xu Da.

Li Rongzhi, with keen eyesight and swift hands, drew out a dagger that could slice through iron as if it were mud from his sleeve. He blocked with his arm, feeling a slight pain as the blades clashed with a clang, severing the opponent's broadsword, while the dagger plunged directly into the opponent's vital point

Under his guidance, Xu Da carefully held the child, suddenly feeling that the child's head was perhaps too soft, and then fearing that this small, delicate body might slip out from his embrace.

Suddenly, she rushed forward, using the blade to block the opponent's long sword. She shouted at the trembling fat owner of the inn, "Get out of here!" With a flick of her right hand, she drew a line across the assassin's chest and abdomen, blood gushing forth. Her heart raced, knowing she could not afford to show mercy here, so she resolutely turned the blade to take the opponent's life.

The wutong tree at the slightly distant table glanced over this way

The maid, seeing that she was very fond of the child, asked: "Miss, would you like to hold him?"

A great fire cannot burn everything away

He recalled something and suddenly said: "Xu Da, what kind of relationship have you established with the two princes of the Western Xuan?"

Xu Da raised his eyes to look at him

Thanks to her strong will, the future Empress of Da Wei should be grateful to her. Otherwise, with Li Rongzhi's kind and persuasive methods, if she were to suggest lowering the carriage curtain and rolling around in the carriage, who knows if this future emperor would be willing to sacrifice himself in such a manner to completely win her over? She found her own wild thoughts amusing.

He almost burst into laughter. "Are you only realizing this now? I have done so much for Beitang, and this is what has earned me my freedom. Once I complete the final task, I will return to Beitang, and another heir will come to Xixuan as a hostage."

Suddenly, he actively extended his long arm, firmly embracing the slender figure in his arms, tightly and closely, without revealing a single seam.

Xu Da responded with a sound, observing the old Guan Tian, and smiled

This prince dares not take the risk of protecting Xu Da any longer. Has Brother Rongzhi not noticed this?

The knife remembered that when Lin Xiu mentioned this point, she cleverly avoided the reason... She thought that it was most likely that Li Rongzhi had secretly done something, or perhaps it was that he had bought too many hearts within the Great Wei Dynasty...

Xu Da's eyes sparkled. To the east, a group was courting, while to the west, another group was too shy to speak, exchanging glances in silence. She walked on the arched bridge that had been constructed, with some old lanterns hanging from the trees, casting varying shades of candlelight.

Her slightly childlike expression of curiosity brought a smile to his lips. He said, "In life, reaching seventy is indeed rare, but in the Great Wei, there are certainly more than one person who has lived to seventy. I remember that during my journey to the Western Xuan, I encountered several elderly individuals nearing eighty within the territory of the Great Wei."

She blinked, somewhat incredulous, and asked: "Wrinkled all over?"

"Your response is too quick, which appears insincere." Wen Yu Yi did not take it to heart. Many things, once done, are done; if given the chance to do it all over again, he would still choose to do it, just like Li Rongzhi, who, once a choice is made, would truly climb over a mountain of corpses to achieve it.

Upon closer inspection, the guards of the Great Wei managed to protect Li Rongzhi as he exited the inn. They surprisingly withstood the attacks of these black-clad assassins from the Black Iron Army, indicating that they were all skilled fighters. However, they were outnumbered and were showing signs of weakening.

He was amused by her expression. "Wrinkled all over."

Lin Xiu's face darkened

She felt a bit weary, so she propped her chin on her hand and leaned against the small table, closing her eyes

She quickly turned her head to glance at him, and her eyes conveyed the message: I will not let go!

Xu Da glanced at him, pointed at Lin Xiu, and then pointed at another table where Wu Tongsheng was eating alone in fear

The small eatery has been cleared out, and Lin Xiu is also standing guard at the entrance

He glanced over and saw her unable to resist teasing the sleeping child, completely disregarding the second prince of the Western Xuan dynasty's gaze upon her

Xu Da widened her eyes, feeling anxious. "I... I don't have anything confidential in my room." Were the clothes in her room put away? Were the beautiful dresses she secretly ordered taken out from the wardrobe? And what about the phoenix bellyband she had someone secretly embroidered? In the bottom drawer, there were wooden carvings of fish and shrimp, which she would look at to quench her thirst when she couldn't eat during the hot summer. She also had a habit of writing in her diary. These peculiarities must not be discovered by others.

She is that Xu Da!

She looked at him

What does this ... ... mean

The guard outside the door received the order and departed

Xu Da

She usually takes a long time to think before taking action, but at this moment, with life and death at stake, there is no room for hesitation. She takes a deep breath and brandishes her sword to join the battle. The guards of the Great Wei, recognizing her as one of their own, step aside to let her pass unhindered.

Lin Xiu drove away the boss, looking at this mask, and sighed

She swayed the old red thread on her small wrist that she had just bought out of curiosity. Come on, come on, where is the man with whom she is about to spend a romantic night?

Xu Da was taken aback. "Does the prince mean those ladies... why must one still marry?"

In the darkness of the night, the glint of blades and the shadows of swords intertwined, layers upon layers of murderous intent surged forth, and bright red blood sprayed out, splattering all over her and Li Rongzhi. The guards of the Great Wei closely followed, and Wu Tongsheng suddenly joined the battle, wielding his silver spear with a force akin to thunder, crushing everything in its path, which made her breathe a slight sigh of relief

Is that so? He was silent for a moment, then asked: "Does Li Rongzhi know about this?"

He slightly bent down and whispered in her ear

He would never let go. When his mother died protecting him, her face was covered in blood, and she refused to let go until the end, saying: "Not to be above others, I feel ashamed as a son"

Care! Upon finishing the speech, she tightly wrapped her hands around his strong body, holding on without letting go

Who exactly divided the four nations of the world? Even someone like me, who harbors no great ambitions, cannot help but feel regret. If the four nations were united as one, how could there be today's separation? Xu Da, as we part today, it will be difficult to meet again. All the joys of the past in the capital have now become mere fleeting memories

Subsequently, the Emperor arrived late and issued an edict to seek the remains of the Empress for a grand burial, declaring that past grievances would not be pursued. Within a few months, the Empress's family presented a noblewoman, and the Emperor gladly accepted her, no longer mentioning the palace bloodshed.

Prince

She smiled faintly with a hint of bitterness. It turned out that she no longer trusted anyone, yet she still pretended to believe in order to survive

She scrutinized the young man closely. The grass-woven mask could hardly conceal much; the young man's ears were flushed. Was it because of her that they turned red

She smiled as she finished her tea and said, "The long night is upon us, tomorrow we shall enter the Great Wei. I will go out for a walk, just a stroll outside." Reluctantly, she glanced at the mask once more, shook her head, and left with her hands behind her back.

This knife is truly wasted in my hands she sighed

Wang ... ... '' Lin Xiu opened his mouth to speak

Wen Yu's beautiful Jue suddenly darkened, finally understanding how those pits and holes that marred the beauty of the treasured sword came to be

"Then follow me!" With that, she waved her sleeves and pulled him through the encirclement. With a flick of her left hand, the blade gleamed brilliantly as she swiftly dispatched several people.

She took several steps back, bowing deeply, without raising her head. "May Your Highness find everything to your satisfaction from now on"

In the Xu family, only Xu Da still possesses a semblance of humanity. Ultimately, I am selfish and unwilling to take the risk of bringing her back to Beitong. I fear that one day, when I can no longer protect her with my own strength, I would still willingly exchange my life for hers, ensuring that she lives a life of peace and happiness. Rather than that, it is better to remain in this moment. Rong Zhi Shi, you must be cautious; do not let there come a day when you can no longer turn back, for at that time, your intention to keep her by your side for a smooth journey will truly become the greatest irony.

As I got off the carriage, I saw the eldest son take two steps, and you had to take three steps; I indeed counted carefully The delicate and graceful face cracked.

Isn't this essentially a business opportunity dating festival?

The prince lives without worry, but this child is, after all, a gift from the prince for him to raise. Xu Da is already immensely grateful for the prince's constant care, so how could he dare to expect the prince to attend to even the smallest details?

That is just right. This child can be considered as saved by you, and it should have been you to name him. However, all my concubines quite like this child, so let us give him a name for now, and we shall call him Huan Yu

Your Highness! Lin Xiu wanted to catch up, but was intercepted by the Black Iron Army. He shouted: "Protect the Prince!"

That day, he also heard her make a promise to her sister-in-law, that she would share her life with her child, and even if Wen Yuyi had now deceived her by having another person's child, she would not be surprised

"Second Young Lady?" Li Rongzhi's expression remained calm and unperturbed, showing not a trace of fear. Dressed in a long robe of moonlight white from the Great Wei dynasty, the fabric flowed like drifting clouds in the night breeze, yet it was as tranquil as water, completely unlike someone in a perilous situation.

He smiled and said, "I also understand your intention to do something small for Qin Dayong. If he knows in the afterlife, he might plead with King Yama, hoping to repay you for this kindness in the next life. What do you think, how should it be repaid?" Xu Da gave him a strange look... Why does Wen Yuyi's tone sound so ambiguous...

Li Rongzhi raised his eyebrows and said softly, "It is they who are unworthy of the second young lady"

She remained completely still

But I hope that when the prince ascends the throne, he will restore the ancestral teachings, no longer allowing innocent subjects to die unjustly, and not causing the empress to die with resentment in the underworld

What? This topic has shifted too quickly

Alright, I trust you as well

The previous grievances between the two princes have nothing to do with me, but since Prince Wei has already protected me, I suppose this worthless life can be considered a gift to him

Before his master took his own life, he looked at him and said: The founding of the Great Wei has spanned several hundred years, and the ancestral teachings have long been lost. Today, the infighting within the imperial harem is so fierce that it will inevitably lead to bloodshed among the princes in the future. The princes are naturally intelligent and talented, yet they find themselves isolated and helpless within the palace. If they do not take the initiative, they will only face a dead end. How can they face the empress and how can they face me? I can only hope that when the prince ascends the throne, he will restore the ancestral teachings, no longer allowing innocent subjects to die in vain for the royal family, and not let the empress die with resentment.

On a small path, even the red strings of fate from last year have been released, she couldn't help but express her feelings; this kind of love-seeking festival must surely be a concept devised by merchants, quite impressive

You are now Li Rongzhi's person, so you are unwilling to harm him for me

Does the prince truly... wish to protect this child

The border between the two countries has always been like this, with mutual trade, intermarriage, and even today celebrating here, and tomorrow crossing the river to celebrate the Grand Wei Festival. Li Rongzhi sat in a simple bed, smiling warmly and said: "It is easy for the second young lady to recognize people, as they can be easily distinguished by their clothing."

In the past two years, the initial few banquets were all part of his scheme to involve her, but ultimately he gave up, choosing instead to engage in light-hearted conversations with her. Although they could not be completely open with each other, they managed to preserve a tranquil and comfortable space amidst the overt and covert struggles. Xu Da played an indispensable role in this, and it is likely that Bei Tangwen's warm regard for her is precisely for this reason, which led him to take the risk of supporting the son of Qin Dayong on her behalf

He gave her a mischievous smile but still did not turn back. "This king has made a miscalculation, thinking that the person I brought tonight was trustworthy, but little did I know that the Second Prince's people were hiding beside the Third Madam. Take her a distance, find a place to bury her, and if the Third Madam inquires, let her come personally to ask this king."

Wen Yu Yi was taken aback, and upon seeing her smile as she spoke these words, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pity

At the time of the alternating hostages of the Great Wei, the imperial uncle returned. He requested to go to the Western Xuan to avoid calamity, cultivate his own power, secretly undermine the Crown Prince's morality, bribe court officials, and win over the concubines of the harem. Although he was not physically present in the Great Wei, his influence was intricately woven in his homeland, making the throne within easy reach

Xu Da came to her senses as a young man wearing a mask asked her a question

She mumbled a response, her consciousness gradually fading away

Xu Da remained impassive. ... Bei Tang Wen had many capable individuals around her, whether it was the maid from earlier or this attendant, they always appeared silently ... . ... Was she too incompetent? If it were Young Master Wu or Xu Hui today, they would surely be able to detect their movements in an instant, she lamented inwardly

Wendi glanced back at her and said sarcastically

She wanted to touch the grass-woven mask, and Li Rongzhi thought she was going to put it on, pressing his fingertip against the mask

Before his mother passed away, her blood-stained face was filled with desperation

He repressed his thoughts, allowing his right hand to remain embraced, while continuing to turn the pages of his book

She leaned slightly towards him and asked mysteriously

The sunlight immediately withdrew from the car, leaving the two individuals hidden in the dim and enclosed world.

The gentle warmth of his gaze fell upon her face, and she didn't even need to think about who was watching her. Look, look, she no longer minded anything at all

Xu Da was thinking... In the past, he had heard about the system of one king and one queen in the Western Xuan. Although several successive monarchs no longer adhered to this system, the practice of the Great Wei Emperor welcoming the legitimate wife first and then taking concubines had not changed. The romantic affairs of the monarch before welcoming the legitimate wife were, of course, recorded clearly, and this record was presented to the queen during the grand wedding. ... My lord, this is truly quite arduous for men.

Xu Da's heart was greatly shaken! She had never witnessed such a bloody murder scene from childhood to adulthood

She glanced at him, knowing that he had little confidence in Doctor Xixuan. Lord Xixuan's lifespan is approximately around fifty, and living to sixty is already the limit, but the Great Wei is different

Behind the grass, another attendant was about to reveal himself. The servant presented a long cloth wrapped around a long sword with both hands.

The shadowy guard behind swiftly departed

Is she a beauty? ... In the past, life was too humble, and I really haven't looked closely at myself in the mirror ... She swallowed hard, and for a moment, a small struggle arose within her.

I hope that one day I can share a drink and converse joyfully with the prince again

She further remarked, "It seems that the people of the Western Xuan are a bit more uninhibited, while the people of the Great Wei are somewhat more delicate in their mannerisms"

The soft body heavily pressed upon him, determined not to leave him even if it meant being dismembered.

A commotion arose at the door. Someone outside declared: "This king has come to find your master, step aside."

Little did he know, she was indeed full of schemes, yet devoid of any deep-seated hatred. On the New Year's Eve of the year she served as the Fengyu Ling, he presented her with a precious sword under a pretext. He witnessed her great delight in that sword, believing he had once again successfully won her over. However, to his surprise, Qin Dayong appeared to invite her to the New Year's Eve dinner, leaving her flattered and astonished as she followed Qin Dayong away.

Yes. The maid glanced at Xu Da a couple more times before leaving

Come on, don't you want to see the Qin family's child?

Only killed once

"No matter what, I will not let go of the prince's hand. If I must die, I will die before your eyes first, you must believe me!"

Not to be superior to others, I feel ashamed to be a son

The boss nodded enthusiastically. "Beautiful lady, there are fewer young ladies this year. Would you like to join us? As long as you wear a mask, you can mingle with the men and women during the courtship festival. If you take a liking to someone, you can approach them to express your affection. Remember, don't seek out those without masks, as some shy men from Dawei come here specifically to court during this festival. Once dawn breaks, if both parties have not left, the next step can be discussing marriage. I must say, last year at least several couples got married. Come, come, if the lady is interested, I have masks here for everyone to wear, but... this year there are indeed fewer young ladies. The implication is that they hope the men in this group of guests will stay here and give the opportunity to the locals...

She looked at the doll that she had been hugging haphazardly, sleeping so soundly. Are you really the boss's child? Or whose child are you? ... It's fine if you can't speak, just nod or shake your head, at least give me a little hint...

What? Did I say something wrong?

He smiled and said: "Who among the people here is worthy of the Second Young Lady?"

She smiled and said, "The children are right in front of me, how could I not believe? Thank you, Your Highness, for your dedication to this child that day, which saved his little life."

She glanced at him and swiftly parried a strike, but her physical strength was limited, making it difficult to cope with the successive assassins that followed.

Li Rongzhi's expression remained unchanged as he looked towards the door

"It is true," he answered without hesitation

Xu Da pressed the long knife at his waist, turned back to blend into the darkness, and hurried away

He raised his eyebrows. "Once this child has regained his health in Beitang, I will have someone send him to find you."

That... aren't you the grandfather

She stole another glance at Li Rongzhi. Just imagining such a handsome and beautiful young man with a face full of wrinkles and blooming chrysanthemums, she already felt herself breaking down.

Rest assured, my lord, this time I will cling to you tightly. Unless I am chopped into seven or eight pieces, it is absolutely impossible to drag me away.

I caused a commotion in the capital of Xixuan, creating chaos and disorder, while you were busy in the back, overwhelmed with the situation; in my heart, I felt an immense joy.

Something warm gently touched her cheek, and she instinctively held on tightly.

Are all the teeth gone?

She shivered slightly. This treasured sword has a formidable background; she cannot bear the weight of it

The biting cold wind howled fiercely, and blood flowed incessantly like a spring. She could not grip the handle of the knife with her left hand, so she alternated with her right hand to strike out. Although she was in a position where her left and right were constrained, she never let go of Li Rongzhi.

It is quite good for you to settle down in such a place

Xu Da, upon hearing this, was filled with fear and trepidation, staring blankly at Wen Yuyi

She raised her eyes to look at him

"The doll?" Her heart skipped a beat. Wen Yuyi walked away without looking back, and she instinctively jumped up, hurriedly running forward. "Your Highness, the doll is not dead?"

Is that so... this worthless life of yours should have belonged to me. On that day, it was I who sent someone to the palace to find Li Rongzhi; otherwise, do you think such a coincidence could occur, that he would appear at Xu's residence together with the imperial physician?

Every day she polishes the treasured sword, ensuring it remains spotless and free of dust. In her hands, this sword is, in fact, of no practical use, having never harmed a single person to date. Nevertheless, she simply adores this blade

She has already lost a very important Young Master Huang, and that fleeting romance... at least... she can still have a small experience of what is known as the bliss between men and women

She was taken aback, feeling both surprised and somewhat touched as she received the knife that had accompanied her for two years. She unwrapped the long cloth, revealing the treasured sword that Li Rongzhi had gifted her years ago

Is that so? Wen Yu thought back to when the Second Prince of the Western Xuan spent a long time in her boudoir, finally sending someone to bring in an inkstone, writing and drawing. Before leaving, he did not leave behind a single piece of writing. This behavior seemed to have occurred more than once.

Indeed, the so-called individual innocence is better described as the innocence of Li Rongzhi. The spacious carriage she occupied was ample enough for two people to roll around in, and she was gazing at the handsome and elegant Li Rongzhi.

Does he know who she is

Since her recovery, Li Rongzhi has spent more than half of each day in the same carriage with her, the curtains of the carriage raised to demonstrate their mutual innocence

I have no enmity with the Second Prince; at most... at most... when I returned to the Xu residence that day, perhaps I spoke out against him, perhaps I was used by him, and thus became enemies

Wen Yu took the child from her arms and said, "When I left the capital, I took the opportunity to go to your residence and retrieved the long sword on your behalf."

Xu Da hesitated for a moment, then looked at the child with suspicion. Is this really the leader's child? She ultimately chose to be honest and said: "After my recovery, my eyesight is not very good, my hearing is also not very good, and I occasionally have abdominal pain, but it does not hinder my daily life"

"Take care, Your Highness," she said softly. She felt a bit reluctant after what he had said.

Good. He neither moves nor stirs.

She smiled and said, "Of course, I believe it."

"Esteemed guest, you have arrived at just the right time; today is the village's courtship festival." The shopkeeper smiled as he presented a grass-woven mask. "Look, with this mask on, anyone can propose to you tonight."

When I teased you in the capital of Xixuan, it was also a joy that came from the bottom of my heart

He had heard of Xu Da's affairs and had once stayed in the same restaurant as her. At that time, he thought she was merely pretending to be a foolish girl, but in reality, she was full of schemes. A person who suffers from discrimination, yet can act like a silly girl, would truly be a fool.

Wen Yu Yi observed her insincerity, gently caressing the blade, and said with a smile: "Whether it is a waste or not is up to Li Rongzhi to decide. He is wholeheartedly trying to buy you. I have examined this treasured sword closely; the gems on it are all precious jewels deliberately inlaid. Although it is missing several stones, its value is enough to purchase half a small city. The sword itself is the Changde sword of his master, who was highly respected in the Great Wei. The reason this sword is called Changde is that it has only taken one life in its history."

This child is indeed a member of the Qin family. "Wen Yuyi looked at her. "Did Li Rongzhi tell you that he is still alive?"

Suddenly, a fierce wind swirled from the left side, yet Xu Da seemed oblivious to it. The gust accompanied the flash of the blade, striking Xu Da's left side; with this slash, it was likely that half of his body would be sent flying.

This is truly a lie without a draft ... Xu Da smiled gently, looking affectionately at the child in her arms. No matter how she looked at it, she could not see any resemblance between this child and his father or his aunt. On that day, she herself was on the brink of death, and how could a child have survived for so long? He must have been blessed with great fortune and a strong life.

"Good." She smiled slightly and gently poked the baby's tender little mouth. Although the baby was clearly asleep, the little mouth opened and took her finger.

In the capital of Xixuan, he had no one to whom he could speak his true feelings, and could only vent to her. What else could she say

Nature

When I was in the capital of Xixuan, I didn't feel much, but how can the thoughts of the Xixuan people differ so greatly from ours

He stared fixedly at her, her face covered in blood, blood streaming over her eyeball, just as she had done on that day when she sought medicine for Qin Dayong's son, her face drenched in fresh blood, yet there was no regret, no desire for recompense

To this day, he still has not forgotten that gaze filled with pure joy... Xu Da saw through his intentions from beginning to end, while Qin Dayong remained aimless.

Is there any bone? This is really..." She was somewhat panicked

She raised her eyebrows and refrained from commenting. She was like a frog at the bottom of a well, having lived in the capital of Xixuan for nineteen years, and had hardly seen any elderly person over seventy. In Xixuan, one is considered old at ten, and although her father maintained his appearance well, he was already fifty-five. This was also the reason her father had decided to stop having more children in the past two years

He maintained his composure, his gaze shimmering like waves, and smiled as he said: "Second Miss, do not worry. I have practiced the art of killing since childhood and have never been hindered. You need not protect me entirely."

The people of the town cried out in despair, calling for escape. The black-clad assassin swung his blade, blood sprayed forth, and a life was extinguished in the blink of an eye

Li Rongzhi coughed lightly while covering his mouth

Xu Da had not yet responded, when Wen Yu Yi came to her side and leaned down to look at the child together with her. He said lightly: "The second young lady is still a young girl, how would she know how to hold a child? Do you know what this child is called?"

He glanced at her. Xu Da is indeed a beauty, and a charmingly exquisite one at that. If she were born into an ordinary family, she would have been betrothed long ago. However, in the capital, everyone knows her name is Xu Da. The first impression one gets is not of her beauty, but of the meaning represented by her name, which is truly a great pity.

Since I dare to entice with beauty, this king certainly will not refuse the delectable morsels that are within reach. Speaking of which, I have great sympathy for Li Rongzhi. In order to prevent those who oppose him in the Great Wei from seizing on his weaknesses, he cannot, like me, keep these little devils under his watchful eye. Xu Da, you should understand the current situation. If Li Rongzhi truly becomes emperor, he will undoubtedly align with the Western Xuan, and the Northern Tang and Southern Lin will feel threatened. " He paused, gazing directly at her, and continued: "Xu Da, I have been very happy drinking with you these past two years. " Xu Da, you should understand the current situation. If Li Rongzhi truly becomes emperor, he will undoubtedly align with the Western Xuan, and the Northern Tang and Southern Lin will feel threatened. " He paused, gazing directly at her, and continued: "Xu Da, I have been very happy drinking with you these past two years.

It is no wonder that Li Rongzhi does not trust the physicians of the Western Xuan. The doctors of the Western Xuan are accustomed to using potent medicines to treat illnesses, rapidly bringing the body to its optimal state, just like her now; no one can tell that she had bled from all seven orifices just a few months ago

His master forced him to ascend to the throne, leading him to take his own life.

Her eyebrows are filled with laughter

Li Rongzhi looked at him, her expression subtly revealing satisfaction, as his right hand was tightly clasped beside her cheek, soothing the desire to heal every scar in her heart. Her gentle breath suddenly brushed against his fingertips, causing his fingers to tremble slightly

Does the young lady want a mask

My lord, I have heard that there are indeed elderly people in the Great Wei who live to be seventy or eighty years old

She discovered several men in the corner wearing masks, poised to act at any moment

The Li River serves as the boundary, beyond which lies the Great Wei. However, in recent years, the Li River has dried up, so there is no need to take a boat; we can simply walk across. Li Rongzhi glanced outside the car and instructed the man outside, "There is no need to travel tonight; we will stay in a nearby town and cross the river early tomorrow morning"

Do you really believe that this king will no longer harbor any thoughts of using you

Xu Dading looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "May I ask, Your Highness... what about this last matter?"

Although the second young lady has long been subjected to discrimination, her views on matters of love and relationships are not much different from those of the Xu family. It is unknown whether the Great Wei has any brothels. One cannot expect the second young lady to come in pure innocence and leave in pure innocence at the time of her death, having not indulged in even a bit of joy; if this were to be known, it would be a great shame for her.

The second young lady's eyes need to rest more for their well-being

Is it to ... ... a person named Li Rongzhi?

Hearing this, Lin Xiu outside the car door coughed several times.

However, it is evident that the Western Xuan royal family is very fond of the old style of chrysanthemums blooming on their faces, frequently sending physicians to the Great Wei to seek knowledge, hoping to have a few more flowers bloom on their faces

Hmm? Li Rongzhi noticed her embarrassment and smiled, saying, "But it is no trouble to speak; Lin Xiu is also curious to know." Unable to contain her curiosity, Lin Xiu nodded. "Please, Miss Er, go ahead."

The person before me wore a beaming smile ... yet it was not a genuine one. She said in a hoarse voice: "Your Highness, I kindly ask you to take good care of Qiong Yu."

"... ... Your servant is not ... ..." promptly fell silent

He allowed her to tease him for half a day without turning his head, saying: "I have intimate matters to discuss with Xu Da, you can go back and tell the Third Madam that there is no need to attend to me tonight"

Li Rongzhi wants to become emperor, and he is being courted in every possible way, which indicates that this journey is likely fraught with danger... Losing her life would not come as a surprise to her... The risks are too high, and not knowing when death may come, she thinks it better to indulge in fleeting pleasures before that time arrives... Should she accept it?

She looked again at those guards of the Great Wei, who allowed the people of Xixuan to be killed. Wutong Sheng remained motionless, only meeting his end when the masked Black Iron Army approached him, at which point he was shot dead with a single bullet

I hadn't noticed that," he chuckled lightly

He smiled at her and said, "Why does the second young lady regard me in such a manner?"

"He said... he said." She did not look up

The Beitang people are capable of lying, and the people of Dawei can also speak sweet words without changing their expression to deceive others. Even the people of Dongxi Xuan cannot be trusted. In this world, everyone is deceiving one another. Little children, regardless of whose child you are, must never learn to deceive others in the future

His eyebrows were full of charm as he smiled and said: "I have only killed once, yet the number of victims is beyond count. Twenty years ago, there was turmoil in the imperial family of the Great Wei, and his master drew his blade to protect Li Rongzhi. However, once the blade was drawn, both the guilty and the innocent fell under it, becoming souls lost to the sword. Afterward, before any reckoning could take place, his master took his own life. Xu Da, you must see clearly that the person you are about to follow is such a person. You expend all your efforts to protect him, yet he will be unable to protect you."

Is he the child of Qin Dayong, my lord?

Wen Yu said: "It's not him, why would I bring other children here, to stroll around the streets? From today onwards, you are his godmother."

The name Qin Huanyu is quite nice. Your Highness, before I left the capital, the ladies had not yet received any good news, had they

Lin Xiu's face twitched twice as she looked at her good-natured prince.

The system of the Great Wei is not much different from that of the Western Xuan... Well, the customs are slightly more conservative, making it difficult for the conservative prince Li Rongzhi to endure for so many years in the open Western Xuan

However, she was not a stunning beauty, and it was utterly unbelievable that the Second Prince would fall in love with her at first sight

She thought for a moment, nodded, and did not voice her concern about what would happen to the child if she were to die... The boat will naturally reach the bridge when it gets there; if this child survives, it must be a sign of good fortune... If this is indeed the head's child.

Suddenly, his heart trembled. ... He waited for a long time, and finally ... ? ... did he receive the same treatment from her as Qin Dayong did?

The physician of the Western Xuan always leaves behind aftereffects when treating patients. How have you been feeling lately

What was discovered

Wen Yu Yi played with her ring, and with a rare sigh, she said

So it is. She was absent-minded and casually set down her chopsticks. She had little interest in the dry dinner, merely swallowing a few bites in a haphazard manner.

She shook her head

Care

"If I were not the Crown Prince of the Great Wei, would you still protect me?" he asked with a smile

Xu Da was momentarily taken aback. "Seeking... love? That..." Two fingers intertwined in a knot. "A man and a woman, completely naked, is this how one seeks love?"

The regulations do not mention the grievances and entanglements of the current Dawei royal family. She occasionally hears Lin Xiu mention it. The Dawei has one king, one queen, and twelve concubines, along with five princes. Li Rongzhi ranks third among them. Originally, he had no connection to the throne, but last year, the Dawei crown prince lost his virtue, which greatly angered the emperor. In his extreme fury, he deposed the crown prince and initially intended to establish the second prince. However, in the end, he unexpectedly named Li Rongzhi as the crown prince this year

Have you not noticed that her life has been smooth and uneventful largely due to the people around her? You and I ensured she obtained the antidote, you ensured her departure from the capital, preserving her life... Throughout her life, she has enjoyed stability and ease, which is insignificant in the Western Xuan, yet in the Great Wei, she is a person of great fortune and blessing. You keep her by your side to protect you, but are you not also protecting her? At present, you effortlessly secure her loyalty in exchange for your protection, but I fear that one day...

She grasped Li Rongzhi's warm hand tightly

Li Rongzhi smiled and said, "What happened one day?"

The customs are different, aren't they?" Li Rongzhi said with a smile, "Throw away the mask, and don't let the second young lady see it again." Suddenly, a voice from the table behind him spoke softly:

The two of them fought while retreating, backing up to the center of the Li River. Xu Da was covered in blood, and the hilt of her knife slipped from her grasp. She cried out in alarm, unable to retrieve the knife, as several masked iron soldiers had already approached, brandishing their blades. She turned and embraced Li Rongzhi, knocking him down.

But you have never believed? So what I said, do you believe it or not

... ... Hmm

She was taken aback, and then saw that the young man had actually conjured a grass-woven mask and presented it to her.

Although the second young lady appears to have recovered, her complexion still shows some pallor. There have been many inconveniences along the way, and we have not been able to find a truly good doctor. Once we arrive in Dawei, it is best to have a doctor conduct a thorough examination.

Li Rongzhi's elegant face slightly moved, recalling that night in the brothel when she took the initiative to kiss him. Boldness and passion are common traits among the men and women of Xixuan, and they do not reject fleeting romances; it is precisely because of such boldness that cases of bride-snatching occasionally occur in Xixuan, which he has long since become accustomed to... But he cannot allow her to truly seek such fleeting romances in the Great Wei...

Li Rongzhi looked towards the guard outside the door, and the guard immediately followed suit

Without a second thought, she smiled sweetly at him

The customs are conservative, indeed! Xu Da observed Li Rongzhi, who smiled but remained silent.

Lin Xiu has always been loyal, and even when feeling slightly uneasy, he carefully draws up the car curtain

It is indeed the uniquely beautiful woman, Bei Tang Wen Yu Yi.

She turned her face slightly and then realized that he had blocked the knife for her, inadvertently asking: "Is there something the prince needs?"

The maid stepped forward gently to listen carefully

The corners of her mouth twitched. It is truly hard to find anyone with such a flamboyant demeanor, and the embroidered patterns of Beitang are still visible on her magnificent outer robe. Who could possibly fail to recognize such a blatant display?

Have you ever heard of the Xuan Xu family? It is better to be honest and straightforward in life. If the person in front of you has heard of it, they would not mind that Xu Da is incompetent, then, then...

Standing upright, Lin Xiu's face twitched slightly.

Xu Da noticed that the boss was so enthusiastic that he even pointed out where the popular dating spots were, and also explained where one could roll comfortably

Wen Yu suddenly took the child from the maid's arms, her movements somewhat natural, as if she had practiced for a while. "Forget it, you hold him for a bit."

She felt a jolt in her heart, her beautiful eyes widening in shock. Could it be that this person intends to confess his love to her as soon as she puts on the mask?

She stared at the corpse that lay dead beneath her knife, her palms instantly becoming sweaty ... She had killed, she had killed ...

She sat on the somewhat unstable railing of the bridge, smiling as she ate the dry, roasted chestnuts, watching the men and women busily chasing each other.

... ...

In the world he inhabits, she is the only person who still possesses humanity, devoid of selfish calculations or ulterior motives to approach him. She does not engage in any schemes or intrigues; she merely fulfills her responsibilities as a Fengyu Ling, with no other thoughts. Even the one she is close to, the Chief of the Imperial Guards, when approaching the Crown Prince of Wei, is also measuring and calculating in his eyes.

These should be given to the child... let them be used as living expenses for Qiongyu! Even if she is dead, these jewels are enough for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life

He conducts himself discreetly in the Western Xuan and is sincere towards others—he has never spoken falsely. His sincerity towards others is such that at times he nearly deceives himself.

Wen Yu's brilliant gaze fixed on the direction of the darkness into which she had vanished. After a long while, as the cold wind brushed past, he finally came to his senses and looked down at the baby doll in his arms, who had been awakened by the chill. He teased its flattened little mouth and said with a faint smile: "Your godmother has chosen a particularly arduous path"

"Um..." She smiled as she withdrew her hand. "Indeed, I shouldn't be so greedy. The people here are all good folks; don't waste it on me. When we get to Da Wei..." I wonder if the conservative society of Da Wei has any brothels

This truly resembles the warm feeling she experienced during her moments of delirium; only then could no one harm her, and no one could exploit her. It is regrettable that such days were too short; how wonderful it would be if she could forget that her name is Xu Da for a lifetime. Joyful and carefree, yet strangely, it is truly a pity. Now, she can only dream of this warmth in her dreams

Li Rongzhi smiled and said: "Lin Xiu has been my companion in reading since childhood. When I came to Xixuan, he also requested to come along, and he is not a eunuch."

Lin Xiu could no longer hold back and interjected: "Second Miss, your words are rather excessive. It is so dark today, can you see clearly?"

Xu Da stared blankly at the soundly sleeping infant, who was thin and frail, a stark contrast to the lifeless doll in her memory. She gently touched the baby's cheek and softly asked:

Some people are destined to speak only a few heartfelt words in their lifetime, not because they are unwilling to speak, but because they cannot. Wen Yuyi smiled and said: "Xu Da, only tonight, every word I say is true. Qiong Yu is the child of Qin Dayong"

Wen Yu's lips curled slightly: "That's right. He will return to the Great Wei as the emperor without any obstacles. You can let this small matter weigh on your mind for now. Once I return to Beitang and completely treat this child, I will use the same medicine to treat you, and you will be fine." He waved his hand again.

Wen Yu glanced at her deeply and said, "Your antidote arrived just in time. This child is fortunate and has a strong fate, but it took several months to stabilize. Otherwise, I would not have waited until now to show you the child."

All countries in the world have an understanding; if a prince becomes a king, he must be sent back, and then other heirs or royal family members will serve as hostages. However, this is merely a verbal understanding and has never been put into practice, as most of the hostages exchanged between countries are largely unrelated to the throne

At that time, he was completely sleepless. As dawn broke, the youth in the mirror had eyebrows that resembled crescent moons, with a smile that was gentle and faint, warm and harmonious, no longer bearing any trace of confusion

Li Rongzhi glanced at the dishes on the table and the bowl that contained no seafood, his mouth moved slightly, but in the end, he let her go

This is a person from the Western Xuan, and that is a person from the Great Wei; this is a person from the Great Wei, and that is a person from the Western Xuan... Xu Da was dazzled by the sight, truly overwhelmed by the spectacle

If there is an afterlife ...! ... If there is an afterlife, he would not be a scheming prince, but would only wish to be the one and only Young Master Huang in the eyes of the knife!

Xu Da smiled candidly upon hearing this: "Xu Da considers this life to have been saved, never expecting to teach someone to save again." After hesitating for a moment, she thought of the uncertain future of going to the Great Wei, then looked at the child in Wen Yuyi's arms, and hesitantly gazed at Wen Yuyi again.

Come with me, I have something to discuss with you, do not struggle, there are people from Li Rongzhi behind you

Does she still hold Xi Xuan in high regard in her heart? He briefly lowered his gaze to their clasped hands. Occasionally, blood and sweat would cause a slip; she momentarily lost her grip, and he instinctively tightened his hold on her

She blinked her somewhat blurred vision and occasionally flipped through the Great Wei's statutes and regulations that Li Rongzhi had given her

She smiled and said, "The prince has already taken great care of me, so why trouble him with such a trivial matter?"

Li Rongzhi merely smiled faintly

With vocabulary exhausted, tightly grasping his hand, not allowing him to look away, he took his own life.

The corners of his mouth lifted. "I hope so."

Xu Da, known for his incompetence throughout the capital, is a man who only sees her beauty...

The men from the Western Xuan walk with larger strides, while the men from the Great Wei walk too elegantly

After pondering for a moment, she removed all the jewels from the sword, wrapped them in a long cloth until it was bulging, and handed it all over to Wen Yuyi

If there truly is a concept of reincarnation, Xu Da would prefer that the people he encounters in the next life have no connection to those in this life, and that no one knows of Xu Da in this world

Xu Da made every effort to conceal his astonishment

It turns out that there is such a difference between the phoenix and the crow, her breath quickened slightly, only to resent the fact that she felt a tremor of revulsion in her heart for having killed someone

Wen Yu did not pay attention to her, quickly weaving through the festive streets. Before long, the voices faded behind them. Arriving at a hidden clearing, he waved in a certain direction, and a maid immediately appeared, cradling a peacefully sleeping infant.

Xu Dawei squinted his eyes and said with disappointment: "Prince Wen..."

Li Rongzhi observed his surroundings without flinching or dodging, allowing her to lead him back to the desolate Li River. The moment he saw her direction, he understood her intentions—to protect him while simultaneously urging the townspeople to avoid the massacre by the Iron Army.

Wen Yu Yi pondered and recited: "This does not seem to be the case. On that night, I took the opportunity to enter your residence to retrieve the treasured sword, just as the Second Prince arrived. He lingered in your boudoir for quite some time before leaving"

She tilted her head, allowing a cascade of dark hair to flow freely in the car

Wen Yu Yi Wen Bu Jing Xin Dao: "Xu Da, look, this is what it means to be a member of the royal family. Spies from various countries are hidden around us. Even if one day you wake up and find that the princess beside you is there to monitor you, you shouldn't be too surprised. Xu Da, do you want to guess how many women would turn against their husbands at the command of their masters?"