Chapter 8, Submission

Of course, Lan Yao would not do such things. If Lan Yao were here, he would definitely rush up excitedly at this moment and get into a scuffle with Han Xu and the others

On such a sunny and breezy day, it is a pity that she is not here

When Xiangxiang came out, she saw that this group of warriors was acting as if they had gone mad, fighting among themselves with a deadly intensity. She felt a chill run down her spine and dared not look too closely. She picked some osmanthus flowers, added honey, and made osmanthus honey tea for Murong Li. It was not an intentional attempt to please him; rather, it was just her restless nature—having something to do could help pass the time, even if just a little.

Xiangxiang raised her head upon hearing this, and Murong Li pressed his lips against hers. Her lips were soft and full, and he savored them for a moment. Xiangxiang hesitated, then gently parted her red lips. His tongue slipped inside, touching the warm and slightly sweet little tongue within.

On the second day, Murong Li woke up half an hour late. No one dared to enter the tent to summon him

Tears flowed like a spring: "Hmm, Father, please do not come tomorrow. I will have someone send a message."

He suddenly turned cold, and Xiangxiang noticed it, instinctively wanting to shrink back. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, pulling her closer to himself, intending to taste her again, but caught a faint smell of garlic.

Xiangxiang let out a sound, and her movements slowed down again. ... He would give himself to others; this time it was just talk, next time ... . ... He could send his own woman to reward the troops, as Han Xu mentioned last time.

Xiangxiang gently bit her lip, Han Xu raised an eyebrow, and she replied softly, "I will go right away"

Guo Tian's eyes were also wet, but he still said: "Your mother also wants to come, but your father is afraid that she won't see anyone and will worry even more, so let her wait at home for news. Child, listen to your father, no matter what happens in the future, we do not live for others. No matter what happens, you can always come home. You are the flesh that fell from your father and mother, and we have raised you in the palm of our hands for over ten years, so why should we fear raising you for a lifetime?"

The fragrant one in his arms trembled violently, and Murong Li lifted her chin, making her face him. After all this time, why is she still so afraid? ... He was also puzzled, after all, he had never hit her

Murong Li returned to the post station with Xiangxiang, but he still needed to leave the city to inspect the deployment of the troops. Although five thousand men is not a large number, five thousand ruffians can certainly cause enough trouble to manage.

Those small hands, both soft and fair, gently helped him into his nightgown. Murong Li finally asked: "Why throw oneself into the lake?"

Han Xu sighed gently and said, "Xiang Xiang, do you really not understand? It has come to this point, and you have no better options. As long as he is willing to take you as a concubine, your parents will be at ease, and your family will have a good reputation. Your brother and sister will receive support. He possesses everything you could have never imagined before. Your life is worthless in his eyes; you can only endure joy and suffering at his discretion, and your life and death, as well as your honor and disgrace, will also depend on him"

Xiangxiang really wants to go home and take a look, but on one hand, she does not dare to tell him, and on the other hand, what would others think if she went home at this time

Xiangxiang lowered her head and after a long while said: "Father, you need not worry about me. The prince... will take care of me." Perhaps Han Xu was right. She noticed a strand of white hair mixed in with Guo Tian's temples and, feeling a pang of heartache, reached out her hand to gently touch it: "Father, do not worry about me."

Xiangxiang was taken aback, and Murong Li raised an eyebrow at her—"I have already said that I will not. Do you have any other questions?"

Xiangxiang hung her head, remaining silent

Murong Li understood that there would be no good words from that group of subordinates when they gathered together. He thought they must have said something nonsensical that she overheard. He said: "No."

Oh, by the way, there was a flood last time. Wasn't that self-inflicted?

That night, the noises in the tent and the books kept Zhou Zhuo, Han Xu, and Yan Qing awake all night, and in the end, they lined up to wash by the lake

She was deep in thought when a voice came from outside: "I, Guo Tian, request an audience with the prince or several generals. I kindly ask the military officer to relay this message."

With a slight nod, fragrant tears fell in strings. Guo Tian sighed, glancing back three times with each step, but ultimately still left.

The soldiers' voices resounded like thunder, turning the entire mountain of red and green into a battlefield for men

He continued to ride, and of course, Xiangxiang rode with him. He held her waist with both hands and gently lifted her onto the horse. The captured bandits were placed in a cage, loaded onto a cart, and pulled into the city by horses

Xiangxiang held Guo Tian's hand, tears welling up again: "Father!" She sniffed, and seeing the worry in Guo Tian's eyes, she couldn't help but smile and say: "I am fine, I am doing well."

He noticed her expression; her small face was slightly furrowed, her gaze still cast downwards, revealing a hint of fear, yet she appeared very submissive. He released her, allowing her to slowly change into a loose cotton robe for him. This was also the first time Xiangxiang saw his body, that of an adult man, tall and strong, with bulging muscles and prominent veins, yet marred by intersecting scars

Xiangxiang had no choice but to accept the money. Guo Tian sighed, "Father has gone back first. Tomorrow, no matter what, we must send a message; otherwise, Father will come over to check in the afternoon"

While tidying up, a soldier outside the tent said: "Miss Guo, the prince requests that you return to his tent once you are finished."

Xiangxiang's face suddenly turned pale: "I ... ..." Murong Li did not interrupt her for the first time, patiently waiting to listen. She trembled and said: "I ... ... they said ... ... you would ... ... me ... ..."

Outside stood Han Xu, and Xiang Xiang took a step back, noticing that the place on his hand where she had bitten him was still wrapped in gauze, feeling somewhat at a loss. Han Xu said, "Go on, what are you hesitating for? Just go along with him. This time he gave you to me because he knows I won't touch his things. If there is a next time, it might not be so easy to say."

Guo Tian noticed that although her attire was that of a soldier, it was very clean and tidy, and he nodded slightly. After a long while, he asked: "Has the prince mentioned how he intends to arrange for you?"

Murong Li extended his hand, and someone presented him with a weapon. He said loudly: "Come!"

Murong Li was taken aback, was she... accommodating him

The mountains outside Lingzhi County have become a ready-made training ground, where soldiers ride horses and draw bows, wielding long spears in lively exchanges. The complex terrain of the mountains and forests only adds to the excitement of the competition

Beside him, Zhou Zhuo picked up a weapon and rolled up his sleeves, saying: "Your Highness, shall we stretch our muscles? These bandits are nothing; we captured them before we even warmed up, it's not satisfying enough"

The sky outside was bright and clear, and fortunately, the mountain bandits had been eliminated, with the army having no pressing matters at hand. Murong Li was in a good mood and instructed his men to select a box of confiscated gold, silver, and jewels, organizing a mounted archery competition for the soldiers. The victors would receive substantial rewards.

Han Xu understood his grandfather's temperament, so he quickly stepped forward to hand over the captured mountain bandit to the provincial official. The provincial official still wanted Murong Li to say a few words, but Han Xu smiled and thought, if the Prince of Yan asked him to say a few words, he would probably refuse. You think he will speak just because you ask him to? Are you his father?

Murong Li sat in the center, observing his subordinates, who were clad in iron armor and wielding precious swords, engaging in fierce exchanges, displaying unparalleled bravery. He nodded slightly, his expression reflecting a degree of satisfaction

Feeling both panic and fear, she stood there in a daze for quite some time, when someone lifted the tent curtain

Upon seeing him, Xiangxiang immediately turned and buried herself in Murong Li's embrace. The onlookers could see her on the horse, but not her face, leading to various speculations among them. Xiangxiang resolutely refused to lift her head, while Murong Li only felt a warm and soft bundle in his arms. Being nestled against him in such a manner was quite enjoyable, and he paid her no mind.

Murong Li sat at the desk, with an oil lamp beside him

The face is also tender, like tofu, making one want to take a bite. He said: "Look up."

She couldn't help but slightly raise the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile

Upon reaching the center of the street, the state official came to receive them. Only then did Murong Li furrow his brow, feeling too lazy to say much, and signaled for his spokesperson Han Xu to step forward and engage in the discussion

He was engrossed in writing something when he saw Xiangxiang enter, so he set down his pen and rolled up the paper. Xiangxiang tightly clutched a corner of her clothing with her right hand, and Murong Li said: "Come here, serve this king in changing clothes"

Guo Tian nodded, then took out a silver ingot and two banknotes from his bosom: "Here is some money, you take it for now. Originally, when you were leaving the city, your father intended to send it to you... at that time..." Startled, he momentarily lost his senses and forgot.

Xiangxiang was helping the wounded soldiers change their dressings when she turned her head and saw a prince, a dignified figure, fighting fiercely alongside the soldiers. Drawing his bow and shooting arrows, engaging in hand-to-hand combat, grass and debris flying everywhere, sand and stones scattering, dust filling the air; there was no longer any distinction between nobility and commonality

Xiangxiang shook her head, knowing that it was not easy for her parents to save some money, especially with a younger brother at home. Guo Tian advised her: "You take it first; spend it when you need to. If you really don't need it, you can return it to your mother when you go home. Will your parents go hungry?"

Guo Tian saw her and was somewhat excited: "Xiang Xiang!" He pushed aside the soldier in front of him and wanted to enter. The soldier glanced at Xiang Xiang and hesitated, saying: "You can just stand here and say a few words, you cannot go in, nor can you take anyone out."

Xiangxiang felt a sense of calmness in her heart. Murong Li lowered his head and kissed her again. She slightly opened and closed her hands, and finally, with great care, touched his firm waist, hesitatingly and slowly grasping the fabric of his long robe at the waist. His body was as hot as fire.

Murong Li sipped on osmanthus honey tea and ate chestnut cake, sighing softly. Women are born to embellish this world. If men are the earth, then they are the flowers that bloom in the soil. They possess an innate power to transform decay into the miraculous

The person guarding outside is a subordinate of Yan Qing, who merely replied: "The prince has gone out, and several generals have not yet returned. Moreover, who are you? Our prince and the generals are not someone you can just meet at your whim!"

Everyone played at the foot of the mountain for most of the day, until they had scattered the entire box of jewels, before Murong Li finally commanded: "Return to the city"

He thought to himself that his mouth was about the same, so he let her go and went out to rinse his mouth

Xiangxiang let out a sigh of relief and began to draw water for her washing. She had not brought any clothes, so Han Xu found some clothes belonging to Murong Li for her. Although they were initially too long, she made some adjustments herself and was able to wear them.

The mountain bandits of Lingzhi County have been a scourge for a long time, and the common people, having heard that they have been eradicated, gathered to watch. Murong Li's horse led the way, and the streets of Lingzhi County were filled with people standing on both sides.

Xiangxiang rested her head on his shoulder, nodding repeatedly. Guo Tian said: "When the prince returns, you must ask clearly. If you cannot send someone to deliver a message, father will come again tomorrow."

Fragrant tears burst forth as she cried out, embracing Guo Tian: "Father!"

Xiangxiang walked over with her head down, clumsily untying his robe. He looked down at her; she was still wearing his own robe, which had been altered to fit her perfectly. There was a fragrance of osmanthus in her hair, extremely elegant, surpassing the freshness of any cosmetics

Guo Tian held her hand and sighed deeply: "You are your father's daughter, how can I not worry? Xiang Xiang, I do not wish to ask about other matters, I just want to tell you that such a family is not one that we common folk can aspire to. No matter how grand the Xun Wangfu is, there is no place for you there. If the prince is merely... he is just a fleeting whim, you promise your father, no matter what, you will return home."

Xiangxiang almost dashed out, shouting: "Father!"