Chapter 6, Suicide

Xiangxiang was frightened and cried out loudly. After crying out twice, he pressed her down again

Han Xu asked: "Otherwise?"

Bing laughed and said: "Go away, General Zhou and the others should still be able to enjoy some of the spoils, let's not think about it for ourselves..."

Xiangxiang has not yet responded, in the dark reeds, a person said in a low voice: "Therefore, you should not have saved her"

What shall we do if that time really comes

Guo Tian saw his daughter and let out a sigh of relief, yet he still pleaded, "Your Highness, I am but a humble commoner, lacking in etiquette. If I have offended you, I ask for your forgiveness. However, every parent has a deep love for their child, and Xiangxiang is merely a girl who will soon be married. In any case, I cannot allow her to leave the city with you just like that. I hope for your understanding, Your Highness"

Xiangxiang could no longer afford to be afraid of him; she instinctively ran forward and supported Guo Tian, exclaiming: "Father! What brings you here?!"

Xiangxiang was like a startled rabbit, almost jumping up: "Is it... I, I... can't I do it myself?"

Guo Tian opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time before closing it again, and after a while turned his head and softly called out: "Xiang Xiang?"

No, I cannot go back. I can no longer return home... Will he really offer himself to these men?... He has never been very patient with himself...

She took off her shoes and slowly slid into the water. The lake water in September already carried a chill, and she gently submerged herself, the icy lake water enveloping her body. Her dark hair swayed gently, spreading across the surface of the lake

Murong Li shouted: "Shut up!"

The water submerged, and one could not help but feel a sense of panic, with the mind going blank

Murong Li's arms controlled the horse, enclosing her in the middle. She could feel her back occasionally rubbing against his chest. She did not dare to turn back to look at him, and there were not many people around; his subordinates were fanned out, keeping their distance from him.

The kitchen staff recognized her and knew she was someone close to the prince, so they did not dare to say much and simply handed over all the belongings to her

Several times in a row, Xiangxiang had no strength left; even when pressed into the water, she did not struggle. Murong Li threw her onto the shore, while wringing out her wet clothes and arranging the * illustrations * and books, he said to Han Xu, who was still kneeling on the ground: "Since you care for her so much, you can have her as a reward."

In the county town, my own home, I do not know if I can ever return. Even if he is willing to let me go back, what will others say and think? ... My parents have shed countless tears in secret for their own matters, this time ...? ... How should one live?

Murong Li's actions could hardly be described as gentle; in fact, they were quite rough. Amidst her murmured words, she still softly called out for Lan You. She closed her eyes, thinking of her parents, sister, and brother at home, tears streaming down her face.

Han Xu said: "You simply slipped and fell into the lake"

After he had fidgeted enough, she stood up, feeling sticky all over, drenched in sweat. Murong Li paid her no mind as she tidied her clothes and exited the tent. Outside, the moon was bright and the stars sparse, with soldiers on night watch speaking in hushed tones. Their voices sounded particularly clear in the darkness. A group of rascally soldiers, with their foul mouths, what kind of crude talk could they not come up with when gathered together?

Guo Tian closed his eyes and after a long while, he softly asked: "Your Highness, esteemed generals, since it is thus, I have no further words to say. But please inform me, when will the army return to the city? At that time, will you send someone to bring the people back, or should I come here to receive them?"

Even if he were to risk his life, how could that possibly shake this person even the slightest bit?

Han Xu and others looked at Murong Li, who said lightly: "Since they are my people, I will take care of them myself, no need to worry."

Han Xu's gaze was dim, and Xiang Xiang kept retreating: "I ... ... "

Before he could finish speaking, Xiangxiang had already covered his mouth: "Father! Please do not speak nonsense. I am fine, I am doing well."

Suddenly, her hair was grabbed by someone, and Xiangxiang instinctively reached for something. A hand pulled her out of the lake, air rushed back into her lungs, and she gasped for breath for a long time before realizing that Han Xu was standing in front of her

Murong Li stood up and walked in front of Guo Tian. Xiang Xiang's face was as pale as paper, and she opened her arms to shield Guo Tian behind her. From childhood to adulthood, their father had always regarded the three siblings as his treasures. No matter what mistakes they made, as long as their father was there, everything could be resolved. But now, she knew that her father could no longer protect her.

Guo Tian had a resolute expression, while Han Xu and Zhou Zhuo were in a difficult position. Old Guo dared to ramble on for so long in front of the prince, which could be considered quite a manly act; he couldn't really go through with it, could he?

Murong Li led a scout team to survey the terrain. When Xiangxiang saw the cook preparing the meal, it was clear that Murong Li and the three soldiers were each provided with their own separate cooking stations.

She sat by the lake, gazing at the water that appeared as dark as ink in the night. As if bewitched, she suddenly thought that perhaps she should jump in, to end everything once and for all. If he were to see it, he would think I had accidentally fallen into the water, and it would not implicate my family.

Murong Li waved his hand, signaling the army to camp in place: "Otherwise, set the mountain on fire"

Ding whispered: "It's not impossible. I heard that one of the prince's concubines was formally betrothed in the past, and she also... heh heh..."

Guo Tian was at a loss for words; such a blow left him disheartened. No matter how much pain he felt, that kind of person was not someone he could provoke.

As Xiangxiang walked over, the sound of their conversation ceased, and their eyes naturally turned, to some extent, in her direction. Adjacent to them was a lake, from which the military sourced all their drinking water.

Yi Yi Yin said: "She is the tofu lady from Lingzhi County. I wonder if the prince will let us have a taste once he gets tired of her..."

She hesitated as she walked to the edge of the lake, trembling as she glanced back at him before slipping back into the water. The lake water rose again, and Han Xu urgently said: "Your Highness! She is still young, please do not hold it against her!"

Han Xu and several others were greatly astonished: "Your Highness, wildfires are easy to ignite, but difficult to extinguish..."

Xiangxiang looked around and saw freshly selected vegetables, fresh chicken, and duck. She looked up and noticed a chestnut tree nearby, which was in season. She tugged at the cook beside her, pointed at the tree, and before she could say anything, the cook understood. He simply thought that she liked to eat and helped her pick quite a few.

Xiangxiang, quickly sit down, having only a plate of shredded potatoes with *pictures* and books, eating with trepidation. Murong Li finished his meal in a few large bites and went out to patrol the camp, fearing that the mountain bandits, in their desperation, might come down to launch a surprise attack

This time, I found it quite refreshing and appetizing. In comparison, the previous cook should simply be executed!

The army is stationed outside Lingzhi County, and Xiangxiang cannot ride a horse. Murong Li still shares a mount with her, and the sunlight is just right along the way. The sound of the horse's hooves is rhythmic, as if in a cadence.

Murong Li remained silent; reasoning with others was not his style. Han Xu and Zhou Zhuo had already stepped forward, their swords half-drawn from their sheaths: "Is the prince's command something you can simply refuse to follow?"

Xiangxiang found a place to lean against, filled a copper basin with some water, and gently wiped her body with a damp cloth. Her entire body felt as if the bones were shattered with pain

Xiangxiang raised her face, tears gathering in her eyes like an ocean: "Father, I am doing this willingly"

He had discussed with the Guo and Chen families all night, yet still felt that it was not appropriate to let Xiangxiang leave the city with the army

The next day, Xiangxiang was still asleep when she was awakened by the voices coming from downstairs. Upon hearing the sound, she immediately recognized it was her father, Guo Tian. Startled, she quickly got dressed and got out of bed

Murong Li entered the tent and saw Xiangxiang making the bed. As for the matters within Murong Li's tent, she took care of them herself whenever possible. Murong Li frowned and said, "These tasks should be handled by the servants."

Han Xu did not dare to speak again. After a while, Murong Li entered the water and pulled her up. Just as Xiang Xiang took a breath, he pressed down with his arm, pushing her back into the water once more. She struggled desperately, splashing water everywhere. Murong Li remained indifferent, and after a while, he pulled her up from the water again.

During the march, the soldiers' meals are standardized to be easy to carry and not prone to spoilage. The taste is not a consideration. Of course, this is a different matter for Murong Li and a few others

She knew it was him and held back, not daring to make a sound. Right next to her were the tents of Zhou Zhuo, Yan Qing, Han Xu, and the others; any slight movement would be heard by them

Murong Li grasped her wrist and forcefully pulled her up. Xiangxiang had no time to speak before he suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lips

The bandit stronghold of the bookish bandits is built against the mountains. After surveying the terrain, Yan Qing and Zhou Zhuo came to report: "Your Highness, the mountain is riddled with traps. If we attempt a frontal assault, we will inevitably suffer heavy losses. As for besieging them, there is a clear spring on the mountain, and it will not yield results in the short term."

Murong Li dismounted and also helped Xiangxiang down: "I call upon everyone, within three hours, to lay down their weapons and descend the mountain to surrender"

He ate for a while, and seeing Xiangxiang standing to the side, he said: "Sit down and eat!"

He took off his clothes and got into bed. Xiangxiang was sound asleep. Her physical strength had been exhausted after riding from Lingzhi County to here all day and being busy for another day. However, she could not bear it any longer. Murong Li pulled her over and pressed her down, then began to unfasten her clothes

Of course, there was no dressing table in the room; no matter how noble the Prince of Xun was, he certainly had no need for such an item. After a few quick twists, she gathered her hair up, feeling that it was somewhat tidied before she pushed the door open and stepped outside

Father lived his life with integrity and honor, yet in his old age, he has a daughter like me

Only A said: "The girl next to the prince, I heard she was captured from the Eastern Hu last time, she is truly so young that she seems to be able to squeeze out water."

The morning light shines upon me, revealing a hint of sorrow

At night, when Murong Li returned, Xiangxiang was already asleep. There was a faint, refreshing fragrance in the tent. He turned his head and saw a handful of osmanthus flowers soaking in water in the corner of the tent, just waiting to be placed.

Xiangxiang, quickly bring the food that is heating in the pot. Murong Li is usually not particular about what to eat. He entered the military camp at the age of fifteen, sometimes enjoying delicacies and at other times enduring hunger, and his sense of taste has long been dulled.

Looking at the figure that had always sheltered her from the storm, Xiangxiang shed tears. Murong Li turned his head and said: "Leave the city"

Murong Li asked: "What does that have to do with this king?"

With a loud bang, Xiangxiang's mind went blank, and golden flowers scattered before her eyes. Guo Tian slowly widened his eyes, completely forgetting how to speak.

The remaining chestnuts are boiled, and some osmanthus flowers are picked to extract their juice, making a plate of osmanthus chestnut cake. Additionally, a plate of garlic sautéed greens is prepared. The potatoes are finely shredded and served cold.

Murong Li saw her trembling like a piece of soft tofu and coldly tossed out two words: "As you wish"

Xiangxiang packed all the bowls and chopsticks into the food box, and the cook would come to collect them

After a long while, Murong Li threw down Xiangxiang, stared into his eyes, and asked: "Do you understand now?"

The fragrant silver teeth gently bit, as the wind blew, the damp clothes clung tightly to her body, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Han Xu asked: "Is it really so painful that you don't want to live anymore?"

Xiangxiang watched for a while beside and softly said: "Shall I come over?"

Guo Tian held Xiang Xiang firmly and said resolutely: "Military Master, my daughter is young and does not understand, how can I stand by and watch her ruin her reputation? As a father, it pains me deeply that I cannot protect and love her. Now, I absolutely cannot bear to watch her make mistakes and take risks. Even if you were to kill me, I..."

Guo Tian's face was filled with shock and pain: "Xiang Xiang! He is Prince Xun, how can you follow him... he can still marry you, can he?"

In the inn, Murong Li sat at the head, while Guo Tian knelt before him

Murong Li ignored him and fixed his gaze on Xiangxiang: "Go down." Xiangxiang trembled even in her breathing, while Murong Li was as cold and hard as stone: "Go down!"

The soldiers set up camp at the foot of the mountain, and some began to shout up the mountain. At that time, there was no response, as the bandits also needed time to observe and discuss. Murong Li was not in a hurry; some soldiers started to dig a fire pit to cook.

She peeled all the chestnuts, washed and drained the chicken, and made a chestnut chicken dish. She found a radish and started to stew the duck meat.

Xiangxiang sat on the ground, her eyes filled with tears. After a long while, she finally raised her head and said with a smile: "Father... I, I am willing to be with the prince..."

Xiang Xiang's face instantly turned as pale as frost, and Han Xu was also taken aback, kneeling down: "Your Highness."

Warm and soft jade embraced in abundance, Murong Li did not think of anything else; at the time when he should have been sober, his mind was exceptionally clear

Guo Tian wanted to ask again, but he was already quite impatient. Xiang Xiang gently pushed Guo Tian: "Father, I will go home by myself, you go back first. Tell Mother not to worry about me."

Indeed, it is of no consequence. Han Xudun paused for a moment and then said, "This subordinate will obey your command"