“I’ve seen many women of your age. But I’ve never seen any woman who wasn’t afraid of enemies’ swords and blades. Just on that day when you saved me years ago, watching you protect me with complete disregard for your own safety, from that moment on, there was only you in my heart and eyes.

“No other woman would be as excellent as you, younger and more beautiful than you, without your talent and courage. Those with the same courage as you don’t have your wholehearted devotion to me.

“Khan, what else do you lack confidence in? In my heart, you have long been like a goddess. Your preciousness is something I wouldn’t trade even for ten thousand li of rivers and mountains.”

Si Qin’s words were spoken in deep, gentle tones, each word sincere and heartfelt, making A’na Ri’s face flush completely red. She was so shy she wished she could just bury herself in Si Qin’s embrace and never come out.

“What are you saying? How could I be so wonderful? I’m not beautiful enough, and my temperament is too strong. As Tatar’s most refined and excellent man, I’ve always known that when we’re together, you’re the one at a disadvantage.

“Si Qin, don’t blame me for being suspicious and paranoid. I’m truly afraid of losing you. You’re so excellent, yet I don’t deserve you…”

“Silly girl.” Si Qin used his finger to block A’na Ri’s lips. “Don’t you dare belittle yourself like this. You are Tatar’s Khan, my wife, and also my master. How could you not deserve me? Clearly, I’m the one reaching above my station, not deserving of you. Making you feel such insecurity is all my fault. A’na Ri, hit me. As long as you’re not sad.”

“How could I bear to?” A’na Ri raised her head and actively gave Si Qin a loud kiss on his cheek.

Si Qin was moved by such a lively and forthright gesture, couldn’t help but laugh, and also leaned down as if to kiss her.

…

At this time, Qin Yining sat on the ground with lowered eyes, having listened for quite a while to the sweet words between Si Qin and A’na Ri. She was getting goosebumps all over, and her suspicions about Si Qin only grew.

Although it was normal for couples with good relationships to say such sweet words to each other.

But between Si Qin and A’na Ri, it was obviously A’na Ri who was in the inferior position, with Si Qin needing to use words to coax her before she could peacefully live with him.

Si Qin’s words were all too pleasant to hear—so pleasant they seemed like they had been rehearsed countless times in his mind beforehand, then recited from memory.

But what was Si Qin’s purpose in treating A’na Ri this way? Could it really just be out of a husband’s love and protection for his wife?

Qin Yining lowered her head, her long lashes fluttering as countless possibilities ran through her mind. She carefully considered each one, then dismissed them.

How many of these sweet words were actually true? Qin Yining felt this was still debatable. If it were her, she wouldn’t believe Si Qin.

Because testing someone’s sincerity didn’t require paying attention to what they said, but rather watching what they did.

No matter how eloquently Si Qin spoke, the fact that he had actively gone to another woman’s tent was indisputable.

Forget about saying it was to interrogate a hostage—who would believe such words?

Only someone as honest and straightforward as A’na Ri would believe it.

Qin Yining made up her mind that during this time, she should carefully investigate Tatar’s power structure. She felt this Si Qin was too cunning, while A’na Ri was too honest. When these two were together, Si Qin could easily set trap after trap waiting for A’na Ri to fall into them.

Si Qin was just a prince consort. No matter how outstanding his performance, in others’ eyes he was still someone who had risen to power by relying on his wife.

Perhaps there were already conflicts between these two, and these were exactly the factors she could use to escape.

Just then, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her scalp.

Snapping back to attention, she discovered that A’na Ri had grabbed her hat, along with the hair bun hidden underneath, and was pulling upward, forcing her to stand up following A’na Ri’s force.

“You slutty vixen! Stay away from this Khan’s man from now on! If you’re really so lustful that you can’t live without men, don’t blame this Khan for finding ten or so warriors to serve you!”

In all her life, when had Qin Yining ever suffered such humiliation?

She was the type who would rather die standing than live kneeling. A’na Ri actually dared to grab her hair and utter such disgusting threats. How could Qin Yining show weakness? She immediately grabbed A’na Ri’s hand and forcibly pried it open, then stood up and said mockingly:

“I heard long ago that Tatar had changed to having a woman as Khan. Actually, when I first heard about how Tatar’s female regent managed state affairs, I was very curious about and admiring of you.

“I just never thought that the regent I admired would completely change after becoming Khan. Or perhaps you’ve always been a woman completely lacking in confidence, constantly suspicious and paranoid, just worried that your husband would fancy other women!

“If you truly had ability, if you were truly so wonderful, you should be confident that your husband wouldn’t look at anyone but you. But what about you now? Your own dog isn’t properly leashed, yet you blame others instead!

“As a fellow woman, you can actually say such disgusting words. Don’t you feel ashamed of your own cultivation!”

Qin Yining’s voice was both crisp and loud, like pearls falling on a jade plate, spoken so quickly that no one could interrupt.

A’na Ri was so angry her face turned iron-blue, pointing at Qin Yining but too angry to speak.

“You, who are you calling whose dog!”

“Didn’t you hear clearly? How strange—how can there be people in this world who like being cursed at? Do you want me to curse again so you can listen carefully?”

“How dare you! Fine, you’re still being unreasonable! You clearly used your beauty to seduce someone else’s man. You’re afraid of death, so you want to live, that’s why you tempted my man. Is your behavior so much more honorable!”

“Which eye of yours saw me seducing? It was clearly your man who came barging into my place. Even though I’m a hostage and you still need to use me to extort Pang Zhixi, aren’t you afraid I won’t survive and Pang Zhixi will retaliate in anger?”

In her fury, A’na Ri gradually forced herself not to be made so angry by this vixen that she’d lose her composure in front of the Prince Consort.

She seemed to have heard some incredible joke and actually covered her mouth while laughing until her whole body shook.

“How interesting, how interesting. I’ve never seen someone who, even as a captive, remains so defiant. It seems you don’t care about life or death at all, don’t care whether we kill you or not!”

A’na Ri’s fingers still hurt from being pried away by Qin Yining. Looking at Qin Yining’s face that appeared even more radiant in anger, the jealousy in her heart was already surging like lava, about to drown her.

A’na Ri drew the exquisite gem-encrusted dagger from her boot and swung it toward Qin Yining’s face.

“Let’s see how you’ll seduce other people’s men without this face!”