Chapter 8, Teasing

She suddenly came to her senses, catching his probing gaze, her heart trembled, and then a thought flashed rapidly through her mind; she slightly curled her fragrant lips and coldly laughed, "I was wondering, what would you do if the Xie tribe invaded the Gas tribe"

She was seized by a mischievous thought, playfully splashing water onto Niko's shoulder, her fingertips gently gliding over the delicate skin.

She could not accept his disdain and reckless manipulation of life, furrowing her brows and sarcastically asking, "Can a chieftain kill at will?"

With her beautiful eyes glimmering, she revealed a confident smile, turned to Yujiang, and said, "Esteemed Chief!"

The movements were clean and swift, executed in one go; moreover, they were incredibly fast. By the time the two guards beside her reacted, their captain was already in an intimate embrace with the ground, and she had charged into the main tent without any hindrance

Yu Jiang shot a glance at Mai Sheng, who was standing at the entrance of the tent, bowing and nodding, utterly ashamed, yet asked her, "What is the matter?"

A few days ago, in the campaign, the Hanmo tribe annexed the Gas tribe and incorporated the cavalry that voluntarily surrendered. The Hanmo tribe is now undergoing training. Currently, there are only five hundred cavalry stationed in the Gas tribe.

She stood up, leaned close to Niko's ear, lowered her voice, and whispered a few words

The chieftain is discussing important matters; without permission, no one is allowed to enter, and the young lady is even less permitted to do so. Mai Sheng stands firmly at the entrance of the tent, speaking calmly, yet still exuding an air of neither servility nor arrogance

The muscles on Yujiang's cheeks twisted maliciously, furrowing her thick brows as she pondered the meaning behind her words

Suddenly, the tent fell silent, and Yu Jiang felt a great sense of curiosity. With her explosive personality, which was filled with anger, she would not simply leave obediently. He cast a glance at Sai Nan, signaling him to go out and take a look. Sai Nan gently nodded, stood up, and strode towards the entrance of the tent.

Yang Wawa sat down across from her and said with a hint of sincerity, "I know that you hate me in your heart, wishing that I would disappear immediately and never appear on the grassland again, no longer hindering you and the chief!"

Yujing tightly locked her beautiful eyes, which still flickered with doubt and contemplation. Suddenly, it became chilling, like the eyes of a wild wolf glowing with a bluish light. "You better not deceive me, otherwise, you can wait to meet them in the heavens!"

Yang Wawa turned her small face to the side and glared at him fiercely, with a sharp and cold demeanor; then, her narrow beautiful eyes filled with mockery, and her authoritative face was suffused with derision, "I simply won't go out, what can you do to me?"

The atmospheric pressure suddenly dropped, and an invisible haze of gunpowder enveloped the area above the large tent

Confronted by her murderous gaze, Mai Sheng could not help but feel a surge of guilt, his lowered hands trembling slightly. However, recalling his responsibilities, he stood at the entrance of the large tent, his tall figure exuding an imposing presence, embodying righteousness; his eyelids lowered in a respectful manner, yet his demeanor was as unyielding as a piece of rotten stone

Yang Wawa suddenly realized the surging gaze of his, like a torrential river, stirring her heart profoundly, causing her hands and feet to tremble uncontrollably. Perhaps, she really should not have come here today, especially with such an overt display of brilliance

"How can I help you?" Niko's alluring almond-shaped eyes suddenly widened, sparkling brightly. She suddenly thought of something, and her gaze fell, her eyes dimming with a sense of desolation. "The chief has already sent someone to keep an eye on me; I fear I cannot assist you!"

Ni Ke crossed her arms, wearing a guarded expression, staring in panic at the newcomer. A hint of surprise flickered in her charming apricot eyes, her face flushed with a slight redness, revealing a trace of hidden anger. "What do you want to do?"

"Shut up!" The explosive shout rang out abruptly, and she glared at him, forcing him to mumble and obediently sit down. She hoped that Xia Xin could live a happy life, to be with the person she loved, but it was absolutely not Jonah, absolutely not the Desert Tribe; staying in the Desert Tribe, Xia Xin would only have painful memories and a heart full of hatred, therefore, she must take Xia Xin away. She hoped that Xia Xin could live a happy life, to be with the person she loved, but it was absolutely not Jonah, absolutely not the Desert Tribe; staying in the Desert Tribe, Xia Xin would only have painful memories and a heart full of hatred, therefore, she must take Xia Xin away.

According to the above, the old narrative has a long-standing influence, but it is not entirely accurate. In recent years, Lin Gan's "History of the Xiongnu" states: "The Xiongnu refer to their wives and concubines as 'Eshi', and they call their mothers 'Mu Eshi'." It also mentions: "Many Xiongnu live in polygamous arrangements, especially among the upper echelons of the ruling class, who all have numerous wives and concubines." Furthermore, it points out that the assertion that 'Dai Eshi' is the 'legal wife' of the Xiongnu Chanyu is also incorrect.

He held her frail shoulders and said clearly, "I believe that Kuo Tian and Luo Sang can protect you"

A sharp scream pierced through the fragrant mist that enveloped the air

The term "Chanyu" means "vast". I personally speculate that it originated during the stage when the Xiongnu developed into a tribal confederation. After unifying the Xiongnu, the leader of the Xiongnu was referred to as "Dachanyu". As for the term "Eshi", I believe it has existed since ancient times, and I have made a bold conjecture: before the Xiongnu reached the stage of tribal confederation, within each tribe, the wives and concubines of the chieftains and tribal nobles (those involved in tribal governance) were uniformly referred to as "Eshi". After the unification of the Xiongnu and the establishment of the steppe empire, the wives and concubines of the ruling and noble classes of the Xiongnu continued to be collectively referred to as "Eshi". The primary wife of the Dachanyu was respectfully called "Dai Eshi", while other concubines were referred to as "Eshi", either by name or by bestowed titles.

I heard that Xia Xin will be sent to Jonah's tent tomorrow. If it weren't for the urgent situation, she wouldn't want to expend her energy here! She withdrew her gaze, curling her lips into a distant cold smile, and said to him, "As long as you agree to let Xia Xin follow me from now on, I will go out immediately"

The most urgent matter now is not to discuss it here, but to send two or three people to hasten to the Gas tribe to gather information

Yang Wawa tilted the corners of her lips, extending her claw-like fingers to lift her chin, with a faint smile that was both alluring and reminiscent of a flower thief, "I am not a man, so you don't need to be this afraid, do you?"

Love, this word, is so unfamiliar! Her statement is quite strange: what does marrying a concubine have to do with "loving or not loving"? Is it necessary to love a woman in order to marry her? How could she have such a peculiar idea? And in his thirty years of life, for him, women can be summed up in one word: hatred

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, gritting her teeth in pain, completely unaware that she was leaning against this wall of flesh. Sainan abruptly halted his forward momentum, momentarily losing his balance, and was knocked backward by her force.

He did not utter a word, merely made a sound of acknowledgment, his gaze shifting to the other side, "Senan, what do you think?"

Ni Ke stood with her back to the entrance, humming a tune leisurely, completely unaware. Yang Wawa tiptoed forward, standing behind her, catching a glimpse of the crystal-clear breasts floating in the water, resembling a pair of jade rabbits, gentle and soft

Experts point out that the Xiongnu leaders traditionally had multiple wives, referring to the primary wife as "pinfei" and the secondary wives as "jijiao," both of which are acceptable. However, designating one as "like the Han empress" would be overly solemn and too noble. This is because in ancient China, the "empress" was one who "ruled the harem" and "served as a model for the world," and the distinction between the empress and other concubines was significantly pronounced

The maid said that Ni Ke was taking a bath. She lifted the curtain and walked straight in, witnessing a scene of fragrant and stimulating beauty bathing. The misty water vapor rose gently, revealing a smooth neck and fragrant shoulders, tender and alluring, with long hair elegantly tied up, dark and moist, the crisp sound of water echoing in the silence of her imagination

She said calmly, "I want to bring Ye Tianming and Lin Yong with me, they can protect me!"

She deliberately exaggerated her change in gaze, then calmly looked at him, "Oh? Even if you lead troops into battle, you would still take me along?"

It is her! Yu Jiang, with his thick eyebrows, is filled with the echoes of her shadow in his mind. What is she doing here in the council tent? Oh, right, she must have heard about Xia Xin. However, she is being too much; women are not allowed to enter this council tent.

However, Yang Wawa was unaware of the many thoughts that had crossed Mai Sheng's mind, believing instead that he was simply stunned. In fact, she did not wish to act this way; she had already become the subject of gossip within the tribe. Now, having openly flirted with the chief's captain of the guard, her reputation was instantly ruined! Before long, rumors about how the chief's woman was debased and promiscuous would spread like wildfire.

She broke free from his embrace and, slightly awkwardly, said, "You have forgotten our three agreements"

The Xiongnu people have an established rule of warfare: any opponent who has engaged in armed resistance is to be executed without exception, and no prisoners of war are to be taken; only those who surrender honestly from the very beginning are allowed to preserve their lives. The purpose is to maximize the impact on the enemy's morale, forcing a large number of potential adversaries to be intimidated before battle and to voluntarily lay down their arms

The esteemed chief of the Mai Sheng, revered by all, is one to whom everything is subordinate; the chief's woman is one he must never violate, even if she were to infringe upon or tease him. He simply does not fully comprehend that this woman, astonishingly beautiful, possesses an awe-inspiring and unassailable aura, yet at times behaves frivolously and boldly, teasing men in public, exuding a terrifying allure

They are damned! On Junhao's face, there was a rebellious and defiant expression. He gritted his teeth, speaking each word slowly and deliberately, as if he wanted to hammer it into her mind, engraving it in her consciousness

"Then why do you insist on bringing me along? What if I get hurt, or if an arrow pierces my chest—ah—"

However, as long as the predetermined goals are achieved, it does not matter how others perceive it—rumors can be quite damaging. Her "reputation" is so tarnished that even if he intends to make her the legitimate chieftainess, he would have to appease the wave of opposition from the people. Consequently, she gained the opportunity to turn the tide.

However, Yang Wawa did not return to her tent immediately, but went directly to the sleeping quarters of the dancer Niko

Two large hands rested on the knees, rather abruptly, with the right palm wrapped in a white cloth strip, speckled with bright red bloodstains. Yu Jiang squinted his dark eyes, coldly gazing at the crowd, waiting for them to arrive at a groundbreaking conclusion.

The account holder, along with the two guards beside him, was so horrified that they resembled clay statues, their eyes bulging as if they were about to fall out, their faces as pale as if they were anemic. As for Mai Sheng, she was as stiff and eerie as a zombie, her body already decayed—she coldly laughed to herself, her jade-like claws slowly grinding upwards, teasing all of his senses... Suddenly, her delicate wrist seized his collar, lifting the tall and imposing man from the grasslands and throwing him over her shoulder, sending him crashing three to four meters away.

How could she inexplicably arrive in the late Warring States period, in the land of the Xiongnu, and even encounter him? Was it the arrangement of fate, or merely a matter of chance?

The sharp eyes of the eagle shot forth wild fury, directly confronting her, "Do not forget, this is the Hanmo tribe; who has the final say, you or I?"

Is he angry? His tone is quite harsh. If he knew that she was teasing his captain at the entrance of the council tent, he would surely be furious and nosebleed. However, thinking of the purpose of her visit, Yang Wawa's anger surged, and she cleared her throat, "You said you wouldn't pursue this matter, so why did you give Xia Xin to him?"

Yu Jiang was taken aback, not expecting that this low bench had such a function—a stool. Shaking his head with a smile, he stepped forward, sat down, just like elementary school students sitting in a row, grasping her delicate hand, which felt as if it had no bones, not allowing her to pull it back, kneading and caressing it, waiting for her to continue speaking

He is the owner of those calm eyes, Wu Min, the one who adopted the little Yu Jiang

The bright gaze of Yujiang flickered swiftly, only to become cold and沉沉 again in an instant, remaining silent and contemplative.

Every character, every sentence, like a coin, ringing and clanging, resounding and powerful

Yu Jiang shot a fierce glare, and everyone immediately fell silent— their facial muscles gradually cooled, wanting to laugh but daring not to, their expressions extremely awkward. Sai Nan felt even more mortified: lying together with the chieftain's woman, what would the chieftain think? What would others say?

Isn't Miss Xiaxin the Empress of Shangye in the future? Has he given her up? Jonah asked, seeming quite embarrassed. If Shangye no longer wants her, then he can marry Xiaxin, right

Yang Wawa confidently said, "I know, but I believe you can do it! After the chief sets out, as long as you deliver something that I entrust to you to my companion, you will have done me a great favor, and furthermore, your wish will be further advanced!"

After a moment, he shifted his gaze, looking at Wumin, and slightly curled the corners of his lips, as if harboring an ambiguous smile; immediately afterward, he glanced at Jonah, "Jonah, are you not going yet?"

"Of course I will marry her, and I will take good care of her!" Jonah said confidently, patting his chest, swearing an oath; he had long set his sights on the graceful and tender Xia Xin.

In a single sentence, her death sentence was pronounced! She clenched her fists, her expression immediately turning cold and fierce, and shouted, "No, we must talk now, immediately!"

Nico looked at her with suspicion for a long time, then stood up from the wooden tub, as if there were no one around, calmly drying herself off. She elegantly donned a light pink silk dress and sat gracefully on a low stool. Throughout this process, her mind was not idle; she kept pondering: what exactly did Yang Shenxue come here for this time?

The sharp gaze of the eagle remained firmly locked onto the petite yet fierce figure, and after the initial surprise came an appreciation that was entirely expected. Yujiang had long known that she was intelligent and composed, comparable to an average man; however, matters between tribes were not something a woman like her could fully comprehend. At this moment, it was evident that she was indeed unfathomable, and he discovered a startling fact: his heart was exceedingly eager to know her perspective on this matter

Two piercing gazes intertwined, and in an instant, the sky darkened and the earth trembled, as if mountains were collapsing and tsunamis were raging

She laughed, exaggeratedly laughing a few times, a cold self-mockery, as well as disdain for his remarks. "Indeed, in the Xiongnu, on the grasslands, and even in other places, a woman's mission is to serve her husband, obey men, bear offspring, and raise children. As long as she obediently takes care of the family, she can live happily and die joyfully. But I tell you, I am not that kind of woman, I will never be the kind of woman you understand, never!"

He gently squeezed her small hand, the corners of his lips slightly curling, his eyes filled with mischief, "This is not the tent, the three rules do not apply here!"

Her tone is sarcastic, yet her voice is delicate and crisp

The Xiongnu people have disappeared, and no historical or literary materials from their own ethnicity have been passed down. Only a few records can be found in Han historical texts, but most of these are conjectures and should not be fully trusted. Currently, there are generally three interpretations of "Yanshi" online: first, it refers to the primary wife of the Great Chanyu of the Xiongnu, equivalent to a queen; second, it refers to the wives and concubines of the ruling class and noble leaders of the Xiongnu, all of whom are called Yanshi; third, it refers to the wives and concubines of the Xiongnu people (including ordinary citizens), meaning "wife".

Yu Jiang's gaze had been fixed on her, and in just a short moment, had she already reached a conclusion in her mind? He sensed the sarcasm and confidence hidden behind her respectful words, which made him feel a surge of tension, "Speak!"

Jonah instinctively stood up, puzzled, "Why—why?"

She stared at him, suddenly realizing: they had violated the chief's woman, spoken words that should not have been spoken, trampled upon the chief's dignity and authority, and only death could atone for the unintentional mistakes they had made. Ah, in his eyes, the lives of others were as worthless as ants, as insignificant as weeds, easily trampled and killed! She had also killed before—arriving at the end of the Warring States period, she was either being hunted or forced to kill. She did not want this; she loathed it, yet she still had to protect herself, killing when there was no other choice!

As expected, in order to confront the assembly boldly, Xia Xinyong spoke coldly, "You go out first, and we will talk again later"

Wuming smiled faintly, a glimmer of cunning light flashing in her eyes. "What the young lady says is indeed correct, but this Shangye is not like ordinary people; he would not raise an army or sacrifice the interests of his tribe for a woman!"

Sainan stood beside her, shaking his thick mustache gently, and advised, "The chief is discussing important matters with us, it would be best for you to step outside for now"

At this point, she felt guilty: that bastard was very interested in her body

His face was a mixture of shadows and light, with dark eyes surging like tides, as if struggling with something; in an instant, his gaze turned icy and sharp, "I will make you the kind of woman I speak of, and you can only be my woman. You had better remember this!"

She raised her chin and stared back without any fear

In the "Chen Chancellor's Family", it is stated that "Emperor Gao used Chen Ping's clever strategy to make the Chanyu of the Xiongnu encircle him in order to find a way out". The "Collected Explanations" cites Su Lin's annotation, explaining "Xian" as "similar to the Han Empress"

He chuckled softly, fully aware of her intentions, and his gaze suddenly turned stern. "Rest assured! If you wish to escape from my side once again without a trace, I can tell you clearly that I will not give you the opportunity to do so"

Mai Sheng cannot do anything to her, for she is the chief's woman. Although not in the truest sense, he can see that the chief, who generally harbors a deep disdain for women, cares a great deal for this particular woman; he treats her very specially. Not only does he send two buckets of lake water to her tent every day after lunch for her enjoyment, but he has also allowed her to reside in the chief's tent, which is truly astonishing.

In the spacious conference tent, a long, low wooden table is placed horizontally at the main seat facing south. On either side of the main seat, six long tables are arranged along the curve of the tent, leaving a large open space in the middle, which is quite impressive. Yujiang sits at the main seat, with a straight posture, exuding authority from all directions; his sharp gaze radiates a commanding presence. Seated below are the key figures of the Hanmo tribe.

In the "Biography of the Xiongnu," it is stated that "the Chanyu has a crown prince named Modun. Later, he has a favored concubine, who gives birth to a younger son, and the Chanyu wishes to depose Modun and establish the younger son as the heir." The commentary by Shi Gu on the "Book of Han" states: "The term 'Eshi' refers to the queen of the Xiongnu." The "Suo Yin" also states: "(Eshi) refers to the queen of the Xiongnu." It cites the correspondence between Xi Zaochi and the King of Yan, which says: "The Xiongnu refer to their wives as 'Ezhi,' implying that they are as beloved as rouge." However, the subsequent text in the "Biography of the Xiongnu" mentions that the Eastern Hu "wants to obtain a concubine of the Chanyu," and Modun also states, "How can I love a woman from a neighboring country?" Thus, he gives his favored concubine to the Eastern Hu. It appears that the Chanyu of the Xiongnu does not have only one concubine. Therefore, Wang Xianqian cites Shen Qinhang, stating: "According to this account, the wives and concubines of the Xiongnu are collectively referred to as Eshi. Generally speaking, among the Hu people, there are the Left and Right Ladies of the Wusun; the Yuan also has a second and third queen. The primary wife of the Xiongnu is referred to as 'Da Eshi.'"

Bang bang bang ... She heard the fierce beating of his heart in his chest, momentarily stunned. Is he worried about himself? How could he care about himself! It's too unbelievable! Ha, I can't worry about that anymore, this dangerous man, the best choice is to leave as soon as possible

She said decisively, "No matter what, Xia Xin must follow me; you cannot casually give her to someone else"

In a fit of rage, Yang Wawa spoke indiscriminately, rattling off the concepts of love and marriage from the 21st century, completely oblivious to what the love and marriage relationships between men and women were like on the northern grasslands during the late Warring States period

Ni Ke's expression changed dramatically, her almond-shaped eyes trembling with fear; soon, her gaze regained its calmness, devoid of any disturbance, as she cast a faint glance at the stunning beauty of the woman opposite her, and coldly remarked, "You are the chieftain's woman, and before long, you will become the chieftain's consort. What is Ni Ke in comparison?"

Everyone was once again taken aback: her conclusion was not only profound but also deeply unsettling

Jonah's face changed rapidly, red like the vibrant flowers of spring, white like the pure snow of winter, and green like the tender grass of summer. When the chieftain awarded him Summer Heart to be his consort, he was filled with joy, yet he did not realize that Summer Heart was the future consort of the Upper Evil, and that this could lead to conflict between the two tribes. As a prominent general in the tribe, he felt deeply ashamed for not considering this aspect. However, being scolded sternly by a girl in front of everyone made him lose face; his eyes widened in anger, yet he was intimidated by her imposing presence and aggressive demeanor, and could only sit down in frustration. As a prominent general in the tribe, he felt deeply ashamed for not considering this aspect. However, being scolded sternly by a girl in front of everyone made him lose face; his eyes widened in anger, yet he was intimidated by her imposing presence and aggressive demeanor, and could only sit down in frustration

A very peculiar foreign woman

The women of the grasslands truly have a hard life! To put it bluntly, they are merely accessories to men, existing rather than living. She angrily swatted away his dark claws, turned her head away, and said resentfully, "I am not your woman, and I will not become the kind of woman you speak of!"

She scoffed coldly, walked up to Jonah, and with her delicate fingers, forcefully poked his chest, "All you think about is women. Do you realize that because of you, two tribes will be drenched in blood, and countless lives will be lost? Have you ever thought about that? I think you should hurry up and go to the stable to brush the horses!"

You are right, I am very cruel, and it would be best for you not to give me the opportunity to be cruel. By the way, I should inform you that the two grooms at the racetrack are already dead. He speaks of a kind of cruelty, a death event, as if it has nothing to do with him, cold as ice.

"Shen Xue, stop messing around, you go out first!" Yu Jiang broke the standoff between the two, gently persuading.

Yang Wawa feigned mystery, smiled gently, and said, "Speaking of lessons, I actually want to teach you how to seduce men. Are you interested in listening?"

I want to see your chieftain! A cacophony of noise came from outside the tent, and within the delicate voice, there was a penetrating fiery anger

Yu Jiang walked up to her, observing her intently, and softly asked, "What are you thinking about?"

It felt as if she were in an ice cellar, shivering with cold, her heart and mind trembling

Her clear words detonated like a bomb, instantly exploding with a thunderous sound in the large tent. Except for the chieftain and Wumin, everyone else's hearts were jolted out of their bodies, their faces filled with confusion and panic

Yang Wawa had long known that he would doubt it, and she knew he would never agree, so bringing everyone along was not feasible. A faint smile lingered on her delicate face, and her tone was relaxed and playful, trying her best to appear natural, "Even if you agree, I still wouldn't be happy to bring so many people along!"

The chief's decision to allow this woman to stay in the tent, how could she possibly be unaware of it! She was unwilling to be abandoned by the chief just like that. Even though the chief had always treated her merely as a means of release, she could not accept it, could not reconcile herself to it. Why was this woman before her so special, so special that the chief was infatuated with her! She had to win, to win the chief's favor; however, she needed time, to carefully plan and strategize

She understands the weight of this statement, knowing that Niko will definitely be moved. To make her nod in agreement, a more intense provocation is needed. "Niko, are you really that lacking in confidence? To be honest, up until now, I am still not the chief's woman; I merely share the same bed with him. Think about it, if a man has no reaction or interest in a woman's body, would he marry her? Clearly, no! Let me tell you, a man's interest in a woman begins with her body, and only then does it extend to other aspects!"

Ah, a single man can hold the pass, while a thousand cannot open it! She knew that with his demeanor, if he didn't use his brain, there was no way to get through.

"Miss," a voice filled with age called out from the right side. He watched as the two continued to glare at each other without blinking, desperately suppressing the urge to burst into laughter, and slowly said, "Now, it is unlikely that you can keep Miss Xiaxin by your side, because the chief of the Jiye tribe, Shangye, has already sent envoys, stating that Miss Xiaxin is to be the future Yanshi of Chief Shangye, and has come to take her back this time!"

He has already seen through her, just waiting for the prey to be obediently tamed

She furrowed her brows in deep thought: This Shang Ye is truly not simple! Both terrifying and detestable, in his eyes, women are merely pawns, pieces of value to be exploited; or rather, everyone else is his pawn. Fortunately, Xia Xin did not marry him, otherwise—wait a minute, Xia Xin's current identity is a captive of the Hanmo tribe. He must know that the Hanmo tribe would not easily hand her over. So, wouldn't that lead to conflict again? No, Shang Ye would not do such a thing; he would not engage in overt actions. Then—heh heh, a feint to the east to strike the west!

"Yes, wherever you are, I will be there!" He reached out and twirled a strand of her hair that fell in front of her chest, playing with it with great interest. His expression tightened as he said, "You are quite clever, but this tent is not a place for you to come. Do you understand?"

She said she needed to go back and make some preparations, and thus exited the council tent. She could not reveal even the slightest hint of joy or excitement; the eyes behind her were so sharp, astute, and terrifying that she had to remain fully on guard

Tilting her head, with a furrowed brow, she gazed at him, her beautiful eyes reflecting a clear and profound disdain and mockery; she also understood his intention: to use the deaths of the two grooms as a warning and reminder to her that if she attempted to escape again, the consequences would threaten the innocent lives of others, a situation that she had caused and one that she found difficult to bear

She held her head high, with a proud and unyielding spirit, exuding an air of dignity akin to that of a queen commanding the world

Yu Jiang was greatly surprised to discover that Sai Nan Tian, who was fearless and both brave and resourceful, would either be knocked down by her or stand there foolishly in her presence. This woman was truly extraordinary. Her intimidating gaze and her demeanor, which commanded respect without anger, seemed to possess a strange kind of magic, effortlessly causing those around her to "surrender their arms".

Niko swatted away her claws, snorted coldly, and said with mild irritation, "You aren't here specifically to watch me bathe, are you? Or is the lesson I learned last time not enough?"

The incisive words, each a gem, left everyone inexplicably astonished, and also caused Yu Jiang to shudder and furrow his sword-like brows, reflecting on the strange rhetoric expressed in her speech

She could tell that his instinct to conquer had been awakened, and his hunting nature had fully erupted. Before he launched his next attack, she had to escape, far away.

He will remove or destroy any obstacles between them at all costs

He grasped her slender chin and stared at her, saying, "You are my woman, and you must do everything I say, do you understand?"

Yang Wawa sighed and rolled her eyes in disdain, saying, "If a married concubine can be heartlessly given away to others, what does it matter for one who is not yet married? To him, women are merely transactional items with utilitarian value!"

In our Xiongnu culture, the role of women is very important. The life of men on the grasslands is quite simple, driving the herd and engaging in combat, while women have many responsibilities, such as milking, processing mare's milk, making cheese, shearing sheep and spinning wool, and crafting clothing, among others; when the knights go to battle, strong women accompany the cavalry, helping us manage luggage and finances, setting up yurts, and transporting food and supplies

"Chief, she is our captive and cannot be returned to that brat; besides, the Chief has already awarded her to me, so it cannot be revoked!" As he spoke the latter part, Jonah felt a bit embarrassed, scratched his head, and smiled foolishly, appearing somewhat shy as well

Sainan is a formidable warrior of the Hanmo tribe, appearing to be in his thirties; he has a slightly furrowed brow, and his troubled expression is unmistakable. "I do not believe that Shangye is such a person; he would not be so concerned about women. However, it is also possible that he currently does not have a consort!"

Oh? I didn't expect this. Could it be that she has overestimated Shang Xie? She commanded, "Bring me the information on Shang Xie!"

Her cold gaze shot towards Jonah on the left, filled with hatred

At that moment, the sound of gasping rose and fell. The prominent members of the Cold Desert Tribe present were either astonished, shocked, or enraged. However, among the various expressions reflected in several pairs of eyes, there was one pair that calmly observed the tense confrontation and the fierce battle before them, showing no signs of disturbance; upon closer inspection, one could discern that deep within these aged eyes lay profound admiration and a hint of amused intrigue.

Oh, is that so? Yes, Xia Xin is the Yanshi of Shangye who has not yet crossed the threshold. Due to a conflict between tribes, what will become of Xia Xin's fate? Xia Xin once said she did not like that Shangye, but what about now? Yang Wawa's sharp gaze searched around Wu Min's face, finding no suspicious signs, and calmly said, "So what do you plan to do?"

Suddenly, Yu Jiang looked up to the sky and laughed wildly, his boisterous laughter echoing against the tent's ceiling, deafening.

Of course not!" She waved her hand, pointing at Jonah, speaking sharply, "Xia Xin doesn't know him at all, doesn't love him at all, and what about him?"

Everyone was taken aback, unable to believe that the chief's woman had such a fiery temper. They were even more astonished by her disrespect towards the chief, shouting at him in such a manner. How could this be? The chief was a deity in their hearts, their noble and respected leader. How could this woman speak to the chief in such a way

"Why not bring all four along, and also take Xia Xin with you?" He tightened his grip, causing her to gasp in pain. A sharp pain pierced her heart like an arrow; his cold gaze swept across her delicate face, scanning for any hint of conspiracy like a radar.

Jonah stood up excitedly and said firmly, "Chief, we absolutely cannot give Miss Xiaxin to that scoundrel Shangye."

After three days of observation, he finally understood what method could remove her claws, extinguish her anger, and make her docile and gentle. To deal with her, one must not confront her head-on; instead, one should use stillness to counter movement and softness to overcome hardness, gradually breaching the defenses of her heart.

A sudden chill surged up her spine, instantly spreading to her limbs and bones. If the plan were to fail, what would happen to Xia Xin and the four guards? Would he kill them? She knew she would not die, but the people around her, he would definitely not spare. Thinking of this, she felt a coldness throughout her body, yet her eyes burned with fury, "You are cruel!"

Yang Wawa let out a cold snort, which could be considered a response. After all, she would be leaving sooner or later; how he viewed women was none of her business

Seeing the astonished and dumbfounded expression on Ni's face, she felt a secret joy in her heart and could only brace herself to continue lying, "I am not a Xiongnu. My hometown is in the south, and in some aspects, I may be a bit different from the women of your Xiongnu. The chieftain simply finds an exotic woman like me refreshing, but after a while, he will grow tired of it. I believe the chieftain will ultimately choose a Xiongnu woman whose lifestyle is more similar to his own. If you want to become the chieftain's wife, you must help me!" I believe the chieftain will ultimately choose a Xiongnu woman whose lifestyle is more similar to his own. If you want to become the chieftain's wife, you must help me!

Yang Wawa did not understand why he was laughing so arrogantly, but it was not a difficult task to threaten him. She also laughed, a laugh that brought forth a chilling wind, a laugh that was rebellious and defiant. "Since you are untrustworthy, then our agreement is hereby canceled. However, you should remember what I told you: I want to leave, and no one can stop me"

Upon hearing these resolute words, Ni was taken aback, unsure of what she intended, why she said such things, whether it was a test, or if she was sincere, whether it was a conspiracy, or if there was a genuine intention to facilitate.

Yang Wawa firmly said, "You are mistaken; the chief's consort is Niko!"

She slightly curled the corners of her lips, casting a bewitching glance, extending her delicate hand to rest on his chest, gently kneading, caressing, and swirling... He was left speechless, his eyes wide with shock; his face was taut, the lines rigid, as if it were about to burst at any moment; beads of sweat were seeping from his furrowed forehead, densely packed, and before long, two streams of water flowed down, surging with intensity

At this moment, they are discussing matters concerning the envoy from the Jiye tribe

His dark hand gently lifted her delicate chin once more, and on Junhao's face, a smile of helplessness and affection emerged, "You must be prepared; in the chaos, I cannot take care of you at all times"

He stood outside the large tent curtain, slightly squinting his dark eyes as he watched her petite figure gradually recede into the distance, a confident smile appearing on his resolute face

The gentle and kind eyes revealed a glimmer of brilliance as he spoke eloquently. "Shang Ye is approximately in his thirties, imposing and valiant, an exceptional archer and horseman, unmatched in the tribe, capable of handling seven or eight warriors without difficulty. Ten years ago, he was elected as the chieftain of the Jiye tribe, dealing with matters calmly; however, he is arrogant, suspicious, and possesses a deep cunning. He has two wives. Five years ago, the Lan tribe was strong and robust, a large tribe, and their chieftain, Lan Kou, took a liking to Shang Ye's most beautiful wife and requested her from him. Aware that he could not compete with the Lan tribe, Shang Ye gave his most beautiful wife to Lan Kou. Three years ago, Hu Yan Jie Er was elected as the chieftain of the Hu Yan tribe, and Shang Ye chose two beautiful women to send to Hu Yan Jie Er, claiming he wanted to establish a treaty relationship with the Hu Yan tribe for generations of goodwill. However, Hu Yan Jie Er was not interested in women and sent them back. A year ago, Shang Ye sent another beautiful wife to the Hei tribe, and two months later, the chieftain of the Hei tribe suddenly fell ill and died. That night, Shang Ye launched a surprise attack and annexed the Hei tribe!"

Then you can give it a try! The consequences of escaping again are something she absolutely cannot bear. His piercing gaze locked onto her delicate face, and within the dark depths of his eyes lay the brutality and chill of a raging blizzard, a frenzy and pain that wished to grind her to dust.

She was taken aback, suddenly realizing that her posture was extremely ambiguous and very awkward. She immediately stood up and awkwardly adjusted her clothes. Raising her eyes, she glanced at the chief in the main seat, and a chill ran through her body—his dark eyes, filled with interest, concealed a violent rage, and the faint smile at the corner of his lips was chilling enough to send shivers down one's spine; his handsome face and disheveled black hair combined to form a visage that, at this moment, resembled a devil from hell, exuding a bloodthirsty demonic aura

Yang Wawa noticed that they were staring at her as if she were a monster. As the young president of the Yang Group, she usually instructed her subordinates in this manner, and at this moment, she unconsciously revealed a capable leadership demeanor, which was indeed out of place. She gave a self-deprecating smile and explained, "Tell me some things about Shang Ye, such as how old he is, his personality and temperament, his style of doing things, and so on. The more, the better."

All eyes were focused on the man and woman lying on the ground, in close contact, as if a dangerous storm was brewing in the still air. In the midst of the silence, a sudden burst of loud laughter erupted, resonating like thunder.

Wu Min cast a glance at the crowd and explained, "The target of Shang Ye is the lush grasslands of the Jiasi tribe, sending someone to demand the return of Miss Xiaxin is merely a ruse to confuse us"

No, it should be said, just a word from me, a glance!

His domineering declaration was like a bomb, exploding in the lake of her heart, sending water columns soaring into the sky, with smoke billowing around. She was well aware that he had set his sights on her and would not easily relent; although they had spent three days together without arguing or speaking, each respecting the other's space, she knew he was secretly observing her every move, like a feigning tiger, conserving energy and waiting for the right moment to strike. The next attack would be even more intense and terrifying

He does not want her to worry about Xia Xin anymore, nor does he want Xia Xin to interfere with his conquest plans. Why must she protect Xia Xin? He emphasized his tone, "Brother Jonah can provide her with a family and take care of her for a lifetime. What is wrong with that?"

He always has his reasons! She pouted, shot him an annoyed glance, and turned to sit on the bench—standing for such a long time had indeed made her a bit tired. She crossed her legs and swayed them back and forth, "If you want me to accompany you on your expedition, fine, but you must agree to one condition!"

Yu Jiang stood up abruptly, his gaze sharp and commanding. "Jonah, you are to take two cavalrymen and rush to the Gas tribe to gather intelligence. Remember, do not let anyone discover you. As soon as you have news, report back immediately without delay. You must return by dawn at the latest. Senan, gather the troops at once; they must all be in place before dark. Maisheng, detain the two envoys from the Jiy tribe; not a single one is to escape. Uncle Wumin, you are in charge of supplies; after we set out, you will oversee the main camp. Everyone, split up and prepare. Before dark, I will carry out the next phase of the deployment. Is that clear?"

Yang Wawa was enraged: "What nonsense is this? Can women not participate? Do women on the grasslands have no status, no value of existence? Are they only useful for procreation?" With a fierce glare, she shot forth a terrifying look and gritted her teeth, shouting, "Get out of the way!"

What? She forcefully withdrew her hand that he was holding

Once the news spread, the Hanmo tribe erupted like an oil pot, with rumors flying everywhere. In places where there were cattle, sheep, and horses, tales about the chieftain and this woman circulated. God knows how precious the water resources are on the grasslands; even in the scorching summer, they do not bathe every day. The people of the Hanmo tribe are also aware that in the chieftain's tent, even maidservants cannot stay for long, let alone the chieftain sharing a bed and living closely with a woman.

Sighing helplessly, he widened his eyes and glared at her, intending to intimidate her with his fierce expression; however, her gaze was even more severe, like an invisible net that unconsciously drew him in, leaving him awestruck by her dominance. He lowered his eyes in guilt and turned away his gaze

Yu Jianglin fixed his gaze upon her, his dark, bright eyes deep and unfathomable like the sea. In the depths, where waves surged, there lay a tremendous joy and excitement, while beneath the surface stirred an undercurrent of unease and distress. As their four gazes met once more, the situation shifted slightly, transforming into a game of pursuer and fugitive. The pursuer chased with wild excitement, while the fugitive had become the prey under his relentless pursuit, forced to flee in a state of disarray, and escaping unscathed was becoming increasingly difficult.

Yang Wawa smiled, quietly laughing in her heart, for her objective had been achieved—she wanted to accompany him on the expedition, intending to bring along Kuo Tian and Luo Sang. However, she had to demonstrate the opposite intention; he would make contrary arrangements, which would perfectly yield the result she desired. This strategy is to act in opposition to one's own path.

Everyone responded in unison and then exited the council tent

Information and Speculations about "Eshi"

Before he could finish speaking, his steady hand swiftly wrapped around her waist, pulling her close with force, embracing her in a flurry of panic. His heart trembled in anxiety, spasming in pain; at times, he truly did not know how to handle her.

Yang Wawa was filled with emotions. He was a descendant of the Luan Di clan, currently just a chieftain of a small tribe, yet he seemingly possessed extraordinary military talent and a commanding leader's demeanor, with an unlimited future ahead of him. It was uncertain what role he would play in the history of the Xiongnu. From the earlier conversation, she learned that the four major noble families of the Xiongnu had already emerged: the Lan clan and the Hu Yan clan, while the Qiu Lin clan and the Xu Bu clan had not yet been mentioned. It seemed that the critical historical moment for the unification of the Xiongnu was not far off. Was it as recorded in historical texts that Touman unified the Xiongnu? If so, where was Touman?

She had to admire him; he was indeed a wise and outstanding military commander, uniting the cavalry of the Gas tribe, conducting a spiritual baptism, and pledging allegiance to the Hanmo tribe

Yang Wawa burst through the curtain and rushed into the large tent at the speed of a hundred-meter sprint, only to unexpectedly collide head-on with a solid wall of flesh, her petite nose striking it forcefully

She shouted indignantly, "Does he love Xia Xin? Is he looking to marry a woman to bear offspring, or to toy with a weak captive who cannot protect herself?"

You bastard! she cursed through gritted teeth; if it weren't for the fact that he had confiscated her handgun, she would have shot him dead long ago, regardless of whether he was a chief or some other nonsense