Li Weiyang had no interest in Ali’s provocation. Adding her past and present lives together, she was already quite old. How could she engage in such petty jealousy between young girls? Moreover, this princess before her had clearly been instigated by Pei Bao’er. Why should she create a scene for others’ amusement? If she truly agreed to compete with this princess, it would instead make people think she had designs on Prince Jing—purely a waste of time. She patted the non-existent dust from her clothes, then walked out with Zhao Yue.

Ali hadn’t expected the other party to completely ignore her. She hastily called out loudly, “Where are you going? We haven’t competed yet.”

Li Weiyang turned her head and smiled, “Princess, I advise you to first learn how to judge character before studying Yuexi’s music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You don’t even know what kind of person this Miss Pei beside you truly is, yet you dare befriend her—truly reckless and foolhardy.” As she spoke, she had already drifted away.

Princess Ali stamped her feet in anger, though her pink face also showed three parts confusion. She looked toward Pei Bao’er, “What does she mean?”

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Pei Bao’er’s face, because she heard the nearby noble young ladies whispering amongst themselves. What they discussed was nothing but mockery of Pei Bao’er’s affair with Xiahou Yan. After leaving the Crown Prince’s residence, she had never seen Xiahou Yan again. She knew Second Brother would certainly handle this person cleanly, leaving no future trouble. Even so, she couldn’t erase those madams’ and young ladies’ memories. Hearing their mockery, Pei Bao’er couldn’t help but feel extremely angry. But in the current situation, she couldn’t lose composure in public again. She could only say to Ali, “Princess, she fears you, so she doesn’t dare compete with you!”

Ali said proudly, “Yes, I’ve learned music, chess, calligraphy, and painting very well. The teachers Yuexi invited all keep saying I’m very clever!” Speaking thus, she proudly brandished her riding crop and departed with her guards.

Pei Bao’er watched her retreating figure and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, she heard Han Lin nearby sneer coldly, “Miss Pei has reached this state yet still dares attend the hunt—don’t you feel humiliated?” If it were the past, Han Lin would never speak such harsh words in public, because compared to her sister she was truly gentle. But now it was different—she had settled her betrothal with Guo Cheng and would soon marry into the Guo residence. Seeing Pei Bao’er instigate Ali to target Li Weiyang naturally displeased her, making her speak out unconsciously.

Pei Bao’er retorted coldly, “Miss Han hasn’t even married into the Guo residence yet you’re so eager to speak up for your future sister-in-law. You don’t even feel ashamed—what do I have to be humiliated about?”

Han Lin’s face reddened. Nearby, Han Qin said loudly, “Truly twisting right and wrong! A person caught in adultery doesn’t feel shame—what does my sister have to be ashamed of?” As these words were spoken, the nearby young ladies all laughed. Pei Bao’er looked at the Han sisters with deep resentment, her gaze so vicious it seemed she wanted to gouge out their eyes. But no matter how formidable she was, she couldn’t seal everyone’s mouths. She could only stamp her feet and turn away.

Meanwhile, on another side, Heir Batu also returned in defeat. He had originally planned to use today’s hunt to show his skills and make the Yuexi princes take proper notice. But unexpectedly, not only did he fail to shoot the wolf cub, he was instead humiliated. As he rode his horse, he loudly berated the guards around him, criticizing them for being useless and causing their master to have his braid cut off. Just then, an indifferent voice sounded nearby, “Isn’t this the Heir? Why so angry? Is something troubling you?”

Batu raised his eyebrows and saw Pei Hui, whom he’d known previously, standing before him. Pei Hui rode a white horse, his heroic bearing making Batu appear even more bedraggled in comparison. Batu’s temper was fierce. He couldn’t help saying gruffly, “Who else could it be? That bastard—what’s his name again?” He asked the guards beside him. The guard replied, “Reporting to the Heir, that person called himself Prince Xu.” Batu said, “Right, right, he’s called Prince Xu, some Yuan Lie!” Speaking to this point, his eyes shot out intense hatred.

A trace of purposeful smile flashed through Pei Hui’s eyes, “Oh, I wondered who dared provoke the Heir’s displeasure—so it was him. How did the Heir clash with him?”

Batu briefly recounted what happened today, then said, “The entire grassland belongs to my father the Khan. Isn’t that wolf cub mine? What right does he have to compete with me!” These words made no sense—Yuan Lie had spotted this prey first, why should he yield it? But naturally Pei Hui wouldn’t say so. He only smiled, “The Heir doesn’t know—this Prince Xu Yuan Lie is no ordinary person. You absolutely cannot offend him!”

Batu sneered, “No ordinary person? What’s so impressive about him! Which of the Yuexi princes don’t I know? Who dares speak to me like he did?”

Pei Hui’s face flashed with cunning, yet his tone became increasingly mild, “This… the Heir doesn’t know. This Prince Xu is a bastard my old uncle found from outside. Not only does he place high hopes on him and pass the princely title to him, even my father looks favorably upon him, constantly summoning him to the palace to accompany him walking and playing chess—their relationship is very good! Don’t you think his status is quite special? Even toward the Crown Prince he shows no good face—what’s surprising about treating Heir Batu this way! Fortunately you left quickly, otherwise he would have drawn his sword!” As he spoke, he observed Batu’s expression.

Batu was already a brute. At this moment his face couldn’t help flushing red, “He dares! I am the grassland’s heir. No one has ever dared shout at me like this. I must avenge this!”

Pei Hui only smiled coldly, “It’s not difficult for the Heir to take revenge, but you must wait for the right opportunity.”

Batu looked at him with surprise, “Wait for what opportunity?”

Pei Hui curved his lips, smiling leisurely, “One must use cunning, not brute force.” After speaking, his gaze fell on the distance. Batu followed his line of sight and saw a woman dressed in Yuexi noble attire walking this way with a maid. Batu’s eyes couldn’t help stopping on this woman. Seeing her refined features, slender figure, and a pair of eyes like cold stars that made his heart suddenly pound—truly very different from those fierce, robust beauties on the grassland—his eyes couldn’t help but stare.

Pei Hui naturally noticed Batu’s gaze. He smiled, “This young lady is Prince Xu’s beloved.”

Batu raised his eyebrows, looking at Pei Hui, “That dog bastard’s beloved?” Clearly very interested.

Pei Hui nodded, “Yes, he cherishes her greatly, always staying close to her.”

Batu’s gaze grew gloomy. If she were an ordinary Yuexi noble lady, he really couldn’t casually provoke her—otherwise the Khan wouldn’t let him off easily. But if this woman was Prince Xu’s beloved, that was completely different! He absolutely must provoke her! He spurred his horse forward, but Pei Hui extended his hand to grasp his reins, his tone very anxious, “Your Highness must not!”

Batu turned his head, his gaze cold as he looked at him, “Why not? She’s just an ordinary noble lady. If something happens, I’ll tell my father the Khan and request to marry her as consort—wouldn’t that be fine!” Grassland men could marry both left and right consorts.

Pei Hui sneered inwardly. This Li Weiyang was the precious and noble Miss Guo—she truly wouldn’t care about being your grassland consort. But naturally he wouldn’t say this to Batu. He only frowned, appearing very hesitant. Only when Batu grew impatient did he say, “Does Your Highness truly like this woman?” Batu said, “Her appearance is passable. More importantly, she’s connected to Prince Xu! I want to see what’s so untouchable about her!”

Pei Hui showed a grave expression, earnestly advising, “Within ten steps there’s surely fragrant grass. Why must you oppose Prince Xu and provoke this woman?”

Batu had only acted on impulse, but after Pei Hui’s few words, his heart grew even more angry. With one lash of his whip, he actually struck Pei Hui’s hand aside, “Don’t interfere with me, get lost!” Finishing, he galloped toward Li Weiyang’s direction with his guards.

Pei Hui watched his retreating figure and merely smiled coldly. A nearby guard said in a low voice, “Young Master, won’t what you’re doing cause trouble?”

Pei Hui said slowly, “What trouble could arise? Heir Batu saw that Guo Jia himself. I tried to dissuade him repeatedly. Speaking of blame, one should blame Prince Xu Yuan Lie—why did he provoke the Heir? He implicated Guo Jia—it has nothing to do with us!” Speaking thus, he curved his lips and smiled faintly, “Let’s go. We should return.”

The guard lowered his head, not daring to look at Pei Hui’s expression again. In his view, his master was not only devious in thought but also extremely cold and cunning. Anyone who offended him met no good end. He’d heard that two years ago, the young master had a much-beloved concubine. But this woman merely served outside the study and somehow overheard confidential discussions between the young master and the old master. She was actually skinned alive by the young master and hung outside the garden as a warning—the sight was truly unbearable. Yet the young master maintained his reputation as a jade-like gentleman outside. Such a person was truly terrifying. Seeing Pei Hui ride away, the guard dared not think further and quickly spurred his horse to follow.

Li Weiyang had just left the hunting grounds. This area was obviously much quieter than there—only the sound of whistling wind could be heard. Seeing the verdant grass, azure sky, and eagles occasionally flying past, Li Weiyang’s mood opened considerably. Zhao Yue followed closely behind Li Weiyang. She knew this grassland always held some dangers—her duty was to follow her master and protect her. At this moment, seeing Li Weiyang’s very relaxed expression, Zhao Yue smiled. Just then, she suddenly heard a voice say, “Well, well, I wonder where this beauty came from—so delicate and tender, completely different from our grassland girls!”

Li Weiyang raised her eyes and saw a group of people had already swiftly surrounded them. The leader was a young man with golden bells wound through his braid and a pigeon-egg-sized gemstone on his forehead. His build was tall and robust like a young bull, his face fleshy and somewhat piled up, showing several parts arrogance and tyranny. This person was precisely Heir Batu. He laughed loudly, “Look, this little beauty is truly gorgeous. Taking her back to be the right consort in my tent—wouldn’t that be perfect?”

The nearby guards excitedly circled around them on horseback, some even whistling crudely. Whether in Dali or Yuexi, when noble men encountered a girl they admired, they dared only quietly follow her carriage, seeking opportunities to speak a few words. After the girl returned home, they would follow all the way to see which gate she entered. If truly interested, they would send people to propose marriage. But the grassland wasn’t like this. The girls here all liked the bravest warriors. Batu, as the grassland Khan’s son, possessed the most land, the most slaves, and grassland herdsmen everywhere—naturally developing his arrogant, tyrannical character. Whenever he fancied someone’s daughter, he would unhesitatingly snatch her, regardless of whether she was already married.

Previously, he had snatched a young bride from his own herdsmen, forcibly compelling her to submit. Later, when that woman became pregnant, he relaxed his vigilance. Who knew that woman would quietly escape under the moonlight? Batu immediately sent people to capture her and bring her back. Not only did he beat her severely, he also tied her to a horse’s tail and dragged her to death. Such a cold, cruel, brutal person naturally wouldn’t use gentle techniques like Yuexi noble sons to pursue women. What he displayed was an extremely crude side. Zhao Yue couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Li Weiyang’s expression was very indifferent. She looked at Batu with emotionless eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.

Batu thought she was already at a loss and couldn’t help laughing proudly. The surrounding guards also laughed along. As Batu spurred his horse, he slowly circled around Li Weiyang. Suddenly crouching down before Li Weiyang, he actually extended his hand to touch her face. Li Weiyang didn’t move, because Batu’s hand had just reached out when Zhao Yue’s sword hilt blocked it. Batu laughed heartily, “Oh my, there’s also a little beauty here with a sword. This sword isn’t light—can you lift it?” His tone completely dismissed Zhao Yue.

Zhao Yue looked at the other party warily. This time Batu had brought ten-some guards beside him, all very robust grassland warriors. Zhao Yue understood very clearly in her heart—though her martial skills were high, dealing with so many people at once wasn’t easy. Moreover, she was a woman. Though her movements were agile, her stamina was insufficient. If she got held up, she likely couldn’t protect Li Weiyang. Thinking this far, her heart couldn’t help but jump fiercely. Li Weiyang didn’t know that Guo Dao was currently searching everywhere for her, unable to find her anywhere, extremely anxious and agitated.

Batu took advantage of the sunlight to look at Li Weiyang again. Seeing her skin was very white, almost transparent, her lips very red and bright, that pair of beautiful eyes even more brilliantly gleaming in the sunlight. Batu’s heart grew even more itchy, wishing he could scoop her up and kiss her fiercely. He said loudly, “The Yuexi Emperor once promised my father the Khan that no matter who I fancy, even if it’s a Yuexi princess, he would marry her to me as heir consort!”

Li Weiyang’s expression was very cool. Looking at the person before her, she couldn’t help feeling both amused and absurd. In this world there was actually someone coming to harass her—truly made her feel both novel and bizarre. Whether in Yuexi or Dali, her status and reputation had deterred many romantic interests. Though her appearance was beautiful and her temperament elegant, ordinarily no man dared approach her, because everyone knew she was a famous tigress, extremely fierce. With one careless move, she would gnaw them to nothing but bones. Though a beauty was fine, who dared take such risks to provoke her? This heir before her probably didn’t know who she was and was harassing quite enthusiastically. She wondered who had deceived him… Li Weiyang smiled slightly, “Is that so? Then why doesn’t Your Highness the Heir mention this to the Yuexi Emperor and see if he’s willing to marry me to you.”

Batu chuckled twice, “That’s something to do later. Right now let’s have some fun first!” Speaking thus, he extended his arm wanting to lift Li Weiyang up. Zhao Yue’s long sword instantly thrust before Batu. Batu froze, then suddenly exerted force, dodging Zhao Yue’s long sword. Originally he thought these noble ladies’ maids were just bluffing, knowing only flowery fist and embroidered leg techniques, completely unable to withstand strong, robust men. But he hadn’t expected this maid beside Li Weiyang not only had shocking strength, that pair of eyes was even more chillingly cold, making his heart feel icy. Not wanting to play this cat-and-mouse game, he shouted to those beside him, “Why aren’t you capturing them!”

The ten-some guards quickly dismounted and rushed forward, surrounding Zhao Yue. Zhao Yue’s long sword instantly pierced a guard’s chest. That guard’s face filled with disbelief. Then Zhao Yue pulled out her long sword—blood splattered everywhere. This scene stunned the grassland men. They hadn’t expected such a fierce woman existed in this world. Yet they weren’t afraid of death and swiftly charged forward again. Zhao Yue’s elbow viciously struck another person’s lower abdomen. Then her movements flowed like clouds and water, continuously executing graceful swordplay, quickly leaving spotted blood marks on these ten-some guards’ bodies.

Batu’s fleshy face was full of surprise. Watching this scene, he thought to himself how could this be—Yuexi noble ladies’ sides actually had such fierce guards! But after all he wasn’t one to give up easily. With a shout, those guards seemed to go mad, quickly reforming a human wall and completely surrounding Zhao Yue.

Just then, horse neighing from the distance sounded like thunder. But Batu paid no attention. He spurred his horse forward wanting to grasp Li Weiyang’s wrist. At this moment, a long arrow whooshed over, with lightning speed piercing Batu’s buttocks. Batu screamed miserably, his whole person pitching forward to the ground, violently raising a cloud of dust! The surrounding guards heard the heir’s scream and hastily abandoned Zhao Yue to surround him. As Batu cried out miserably, he loudly said, “Capture that archer for me!”

The guards looked at each other. They saw a fine horse galloping over like the wind. The rider on that horse had beautiful features, eyes like spring water, lips like vermillion, a pointed chin and long neck with gracefully beautiful lines. His handsome face gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, making anyone who saw him involuntarily fascinated. But this face in their eyes was like a demon, because at this moment these people had all recognized him—this was precisely Prince Xu Yuan Lie who had competed with their heir earlier.

Yuan Lie reined in his horse and smiled slightly, then jumped down and walked with large steps to Li Weiyang’s side, “Are you alright?” His expression held great concern, his forehead even showing traces of sweat—something that had never happened before.

Li Weiyang only nodded slightly, “I’m fine.” In truth she wouldn’t have had any problems. After all, this was Yuexi’s camp. If Batu went too far, he would alarm others. Moreover, Li Weiyang knew Yuan Lie had informants around her. These people would protect her when necessary. But she hadn’t expected Yuan Lie would personally come.

After Yuan Lie dismounted, the dozen-some cavalrymen behind him also dismounted together, silently standing to one side—disciplined and orderly, looking like well-trained soldiers, definitely not ordinary guards.

Li Weiyang looked toward Batu’s direction. Yuan Lie’s arrow just now had struck Heir Batu’s buttocks, and the arrowhead had deeply embedded in the flesh. Batu had completely lost face. Gasping twice, the veins on his forehead bulged as if he had gone mad, appearing to thoroughly hate Yuan Lie. His eyes reddened, “I will never let you go. Just you wait!”

Yuan Lie’s gaze at Heir Batu also revealed killing intent. That fierce expression made Batu’s heart jump. He hadn’t expected that despite his status, someone would dare look at him with such eyes. But after all he was fierce. No matter what, he refused to believe Yuan Lie would truly do anything to him. Though his buttocks were already injured, in his view the other party was merely bluffing. Barely supporting himself with guards’ help to stand, disregarding the arrow still in his buttocks’ awkward state, Batu grimaced in pain, “If you have the guts, wait here for me. I’ll go find people to deal with you right now!”

Yuan Lie smiled slightly, “Is that so? I’m afraid the Heir won’t be able to return.” Speaking thus, the dozen-some guards beside him had quietly surrounded them.

Batu froze, then startled, “You dare do what? Could you really kill me!”

Yuan Lie only smiled faintly, making a light gesture to the guards beside him. The guards originally beside him immediately formed a line, holding daggers, yet not one person made any sound. But those cold, sharp gazes made Batu tremble all over. “You’ve eaten the heart and guts of a bear!” Batu momentarily couldn’t control his anger, “What exactly do you want to do!”

But those people gave no response at all. Batu signaled to the guards beside him with his eyes. Those people immediately rushed forward. The foremost one slashed a blade toward Yuan Lie’s direction. But somehow, this blade actually missed. He was puzzled when he suddenly felt his whole body float up, intense pain came from his neck, then he completely lost consciousness. This process happened very slowly. Batu watched helplessly as his guard was beheaded alive by Yuan Lie’s guards with one blade. That guard’s head suddenly spurted blood and flew up. Yet the corpse remained in a forward-running state—looking extremely bizarre and terrifying. Soon, that corpse fell to the ground with a thud. The rest of Batu’s guards hadn’t recovered from their shock when the opponents’ sharp sword light had already pressed close to them.

This was completely a one-sided slaughter. Yuan Lie’s guards accurately used long swords to slash those minions of Batu to pieces. Each sword’s fall was accompanied by miserable howls. In the sword light, one could only see Batu’s shocked and terrifying eyes. In less than a moment, those dozen-some fierce grassland warriors had all vanished, their death states all very miserable. Batu looked at this scene in terror and couldn’t help but kneel on the ground, trembling all over. Just his status as grassland heir made him unable to speak words of begging for mercy no matter what. He knew if he truly begged for mercy, the Khan would slaughter him first.

The grassland Khan had once said their Bokmo family absolutely did not allow any person to kneel and beg others for mercy—this absolutely didn’t conform to their royal bearing and grassland warrior title. But now, Batu had completely lost any warrior appearance. He knelt on the ground trembling, lips mumbling unable to say a word. A gleaming long sword had already been placed at his neck. He could no longer endure this fear of impending death and loudly said, “Spare my life, Prince Xu spare my life. I didn’t mean to. I only…” He looked at Li Weiyang’s ice-cold eyes and already couldn’t say another word. He only what? Only saw the girl’s beauty and wanted to come harass her? If he said this, he’d likely lose his life on the spot. Batu after all wasn’t a fool. Under such a gaze, he realized he should shut his mouth.

Yuan Lie sneered, “Blame only yourself for having no perception, touching someone you shouldn’t have touched.” As he spoke these words, the long sword in his hand moved lightly—cold light fierce, killing intent overflowing. Li Weiyang knew he had killing intent. She immediately stopped him, “You cannot act.”

Yuan Lie frowned, looking at Li Weiyang, “Why stop me?” He very much disliked this Batu. If one must add a degree, it would be to the extent of burning him to grass ash as fertilizer for horses…

Li Weiyang’s tone was mild, yet her gaze was very cold, “He is the grassland heir. Even if he’s at fault, we cannot casually execute him.”

Yuan Lie glanced at Li Weiyang, his gaze showing disapproving expression. In his view, so what if he killed this coward—one and done, permanently eliminating future trouble. But he had never once refused Li Weiyang’s requests. Moreover, this place might not be without walls having ears… So he only pondered slightly, then waved his hand lightly. Those guards silently retreated to the side. Their movements were very swift, clearly resolutely executing their master’s orders.

Batu, deeply afraid the other party would regret it, rolled and crawled backward in escape. After going twenty meters away, he began shouting loudly, “Save me! Quickly save me!” Speaking thus, he had already swiftly run toward the camp direction, completely disregarding that his buttocks had already suffered serious injury.

Yuan Lie looked amusedly at the other party’s retreating figure, “You all clean up these corpses. Don’t leave any traces.” Those guards responded in low voices and began cleaning up efficiently. In just a short moment, aside from the blood spattered on the ground, these headless corpses had already been taken away.

Li Weiyang looked at this scene, her gaze calm, “Though he deserves death, he shouldn’t die here, and even more shouldn’t die by your hand. It’s not that I won’t let you kill him, but this person is after all the grassland Khan’s son. If you killed him, dirtying your own hands aside, it would also bring much trouble. To make him die, there are plenty of other methods.” That Batu dared come cause trouble was itself a strange matter. She felt it was better to be careful. Even if killing Batu, one must find the most suitable timing and best reason.

Yuan Lie smiled slightly, clearly not putting the other party in his eyes at all. He said, “No need to bother with this stupid pig. Come, I have a gift for you.”

Li Weiyang glanced at him, warmth passing through her heart. She smiled, “A gift? Didn’t you go hunting?” Her heart swept over the words Zhao Yue had just said, already guessing somewhat. Turning her eyes, she saw Yuan Lie had already lifted a small wolf covered in gray fur and presented it before her like a treasure, “Look, doesn’t this wolf cub suit you perfectly?”

Li Weiyang’s heart was clearly warm, yet her face sneered, “Others send soft rabbits. You’re great—sending me a wolf. Are you mocking me?”

Yuan Lie grinned, his gaze growing increasingly gentle, “Those soft fluffy things are meaningless, not at all matching your temperament. After I train it properly, it can be a guard dog for you in the future. Don’t you think so?”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. Wolves in this world could never be trained into dogs. She glanced at the small wolf Yuan Lie was holding. Seeing its body was about the size of a dog, eyes green and glowing yet shining with moisture, trembling all over, and its hind leg also had an arrow wound, she said, “Let it go.”

Yuan Lie frowned, “I finally caught it. This fellow is quite cunning.”

Li Weiyang shook her head, “Since it’s a gift you’re giving me, what’s wrong with letting it go? I don’t need a wolf, and I can’t take it back. If you forcibly confine this kind of animal, you’ll raise it to death.”

Yuan Lie looked at Li Weiyang, his gaze revealing a trace of tenderness. He suddenly understood Li Weiyang’s thoughts. Though her actions were ruthless, whether toward people or matters, she never indiscriminately killed the innocent. He nodded, “Alright, if you say to let it go, then let it go.” Speaking thus, he loosened his hand and tossed that gray-furred small wolf into the nearby grass. That small wolf was originally clever, and its injury wasn’t serious, so it swiftly ran away.

Li Weiyang thought for a moment, “Now you’d better think carefully about how to deal with this Heir Batu. I see he’s determined to avenge this.”

Yuan Lie’s beautiful, long phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, sneering, “Batu is merely a jumping clown. The one truly instigating him behind the scenes is the Pei family’s second young master, Pei Hui. Just now my people saw Pei Hui and Batu whispering together over there. I guessed he must have some plot, so I rode over quickly. Unexpectedly, I happened to see this scene. Otherwise, how would I run so fast?”

Li Weiyang heard this thoughtfully, then paused a moment before speaking, “We should return to camp. If we’re gone too long, the Guo family will worry.”

Yuan Lie glanced at Zhao Yue, “I’m taking your young lady.” Speaking thus, he embraced Li Weiyang’s waist and actually lifted her onto his own horse, then swiftly jumped up himself. Afraid Li Weiyang would refuse, he decisively said, “I’ll escort you back.”

However, Li Weiyang only smiled and didn’t refuse verbally. In her view, though Yuan Lie appeared easygoing and agreeable on the surface, in truth if one went against his wishes, he would pester endlessly.

Thus Yuan Lie brought Li Weiyang back. All along the way, his eyebrows danced and he chatted and laughed, making anyone who saw unable to help being infected by him. Only when nearly entering the camp did Yuan Lie order someone to bring another horse for Li Weiyang to ride. The two rode side by side into the camp. Because Yuan Lie possessed peerless beauty, though low-key, he was still like a huge magnet attracting gazes from people along the way. Walking through the crowd, everyone’s eyes involuntarily followed him. Li Weiyang had already grown accustomed to the gazes others cast toward Yuan Lie at any time or place when in Yuexi. Therefore she kept chatting with him, completely ignoring the surrounding situation. Suddenly, Yuan Lie said without changing expression, “Look, that person keeps staring at you.”

Li Weiyang glanced in the direction Yuan Lie mentioned. Before the tent stood precisely Prince Jing Yuan Ying. He was constantly watching her, his expression somewhat unusual, different from normal. Li Weiyang’s expression didn’t change. Her gaze swept that way and she smiled slightly at the other party. Yuan Ying froze, then also smiled and raised his hand to greet her.

Li Weiyang returned to the Guo family’s tent. The accompanying maids had already arranged everything inside the tent. The three Guo brothers were anxiously waiting. At this moment seeing her return, they couldn’t help happily greeting her. Guo Cheng smiled, “Just now we looked everywhere for you but couldn’t find you.” But he quickly saw Yuan Lie behind Li Weiyang. Seeing his unusual expression, he couldn’t help saying, “What happened? Did something occur?”

Li Weiyang only smiled slightly, “The matter isn’t small. Do you know that Heir Batu?”

Guo Cheng exchanged glances with the other two, nodded, “Naturally we know him. This person has no evil heart, just reckless and lustful.” He said this for a reason. Previously this Heir Batu had also fancied a Yuexi noble lady—precisely Prince Jiangxia’s daughter, Princess Xiangyun. The Emperor said nothing and married that Princess Xiangyun to Heir Batu. This action already showed his regard for the grassland Khan and his determination to maintain friendly relations between the two countries.

Li Weiyang said without changing expression, “That being so, he’ll come causing trouble very soon.”

Guo Cheng couldn’t help but freeze. But being so intelligent, he quickly understood, “You just encountered him? He dared show you disrespect?” Speaking thus, he actually bristled with anger, “Truly outrageous!”

Li Weiyang only smiled broadly, “I’m fine. However, Prince Xu shot him with an arrow.”

Guo Dao couldn’t help stepping forward, “Shot him with an arrow—is he dead?” Guo Dun sneered, “If he’s dead, so be it. This kind of scourge—keeping him alive is just wasting grain.”

Guo Cheng rebuked him, “Don’t speak nonsense!” Then looked toward Yuan Lie, “How serious is Heir Batu’s injury?”

Yuan Lie’s expression was indifferent, “An arrow to the buttocks—he definitely won’t die. Rest assured, I know the severity. I wouldn’t kill him before so many people.”

Only then did Guo Cheng quietly breathe a sigh of relief, “Good that nothing major happened. How about this—Guo Dun, you prepare some gifts. We’ll go to Heir Batu’s tent right now to apologize.”

Yuan Lie couldn’t help raising his eyebrows, “Oh? I caused trouble—why should the Guo family apologize?”

Guo Cheng raised his eyebrows, his gaze seemingly holding some anger, “Are you willing to go?”

Yuan Lie’s brow furrowed slightly, yet his face still smiled, “Naturally I’m unwilling.”

Guo Cheng sneered, “Then that settles it. I guess it must be that Batu showing disrespect to my sister that provoked your anger. Speaking of it, Batu brought it upon himself. But after all he’s the grassland Khan’s son, the future grassland overlord. Acting this way, you’ll not only damage our alliance but might also give Empress Pei opportunity to make difficulties. Even worse…” He glanced at Li Weiyang, “What if Heir Batu takes this opportunity to request the Emperor to marry my sister—what should we do then? So we’d better appease him first.”

Li Weiyang sighed, “Too late.”

Guo Cheng froze, then said, “Too late? What’s too late? Didn’t you just say you didn’t harm his life?”

Li Weiyang shook her head, “Third Brother has met Heir Batu. Looking at his temperament, is he someone who can casually forgive others?”

Guo Cheng thought about it and couldn’t help frowning, “Indeed, someone like him is obstinate and strong-willed. He absolutely won’t easily forgive people. Then what should we do? Let him go complain?”

Guo Dun couldn’t help saying angrily, “Could this bastard really request the Emperor to marry Jia’er? Is he even worthy?”

Guo Cheng sighed, “He’s indeed unworthy. Remember when Princess Xiangyun cried and made scenes, Prince Jiangxia repeatedly pleaded, Princess Jiangxia even fainted crying at the palace gates—yet the Emperor didn’t change his mind. Only because this grassland has always bordered Da Zhou, which eyes us covetously. If the grassland Khan becomes estranged from our country because of this, who can guarantee he won’t turn to support the Da Zhou Emperor instead? At that time, if Da Zhou people cross this grassland, they might very well come invade our interior and cities. Do you think the Emperor would take such a risk? It’s merely a woman. It’s not like he hasn’t done it before—what can’t be done? Didn’t he promise that even if Batu fancied his princess, he would still marry her off without fail?”

Guo Dao sneered, “No wonder neither Princess Anguo nor Lin’an ever came to this grassland. Presumably Empress Pei also knows that given their beauty, if Batu saw them, there would inevitably be a scene demanding a princess marriage alliance.”

Yuan Lie listened thus, his expression very indifferent. Since he dared act, naturally he had methods to make that Batu suffer in silence. He said coolly, “For such a vicious person, there’s only one method—be even more vicious than him. If he dares speak nonsense before the Emperor, I’ll make sure he has no return journey.”

Guo Cheng turned to look at Yuan Lie and felt that in those exceptionally bright eyes passed a trace of ruthless color. His heart couldn’t help but tremble, thinking this Prince Xu truly dared say and do anything—even Heir Batu he didn’t put in his eyes. But Guo Cheng couldn’t help worrying. He didn’t want Li Weiyang implicated in this matter. After all, marriage alliances weren’t fun and games. That Princess Xiangyun married to the grassland for only two years yet had already written hundreds of letters desperately pleading to return. Reportedly she cried endlessly on the grassland every day—one eye already cried blind.

Prince Jiangxia was grief-stricken and helpless, yet had no way to save his daughter. If Guo Jia fell to this state in the future, how heartbroken would his mother be? Therefore, he decisively said, “Guo Dun, you go prepare. Do as I said.”

He didn’t plan to remain as unmoved by this matter as Yuan Lie. He must first appease Heir Batu. Then he looked toward Guo Dao, “You go see the grassland’s Great Shaman. No matter how much gold and silver it costs, bribe him to speak for us.” The grassland people all believed in shamans. As long as he divined this marriage was untimely, inauspicious, and would bring bloody disaster, then no matter how Batu caused trouble, Guo Jia wouldn’t marry him. One could say Guo Cheng had already considered very thoroughly.

Yuan Lie looked at the other party yet smiled faintly, appearing noncommittal. Li Weiyang glared at Yuan Lie, thinking—are you deliberately making them anxious? Why not tell the truth?

Seeing Li Weiyang show such an expression, Yuan Lie finally laughed and said loudly, “You needn’t worry, and even more needn’t send gifts. This method simply won’t work. If I didn’t have a complete strategy, I absolutely wouldn’t act rashly. Rest assured, I guarantee the Emperor absolutely won’t agree to her marriage alliance.”

Hearing this, Guo Cheng couldn’t help staring blankly at the other party. He truly couldn’t imagine what ability Yuan Lie had to sway the Emperor’s decision. Thinking this far, he couldn’t help feeling even more strange—could it be true what everyone said about the Emperor favoring Prince Xu? But the Yuexi Emperor was such a cold, ruthless person…

Li Weiyang smiled, “Third Brother, since Prince Xu has already made his guarantee, let’s trust him once.”

Guo Dun then withdrew the foot that had originally stepped toward the tent exit. He glanced at Guo Cheng, his gaze carrying inquiry. Guo Cheng pondered for a long time before finally nodding, “Alright, I’ll trust you once for now. However, regarding this matter, it’s best not to alarm Father.”

Li Weiyang nodded, “Third Brother, rest assured.”

In Batu’s tent, a young woman in grassland attire knelt to one side, holding medicinal ointment in her hands. She had delicate features, was beautiful and gentle, with an extremely docile expression. Yet her long hair hung over her face, covering half her eyes—appearing somewhat strange.

Batu beckoned with his hand. She trembled and immediately offered the ointment. Batu snorted coldly, “Must I apply the medicine myself?”

She bit her lip, not daring to argue, and immediately went to apply medicine for him. But she hadn’t applied it twice before he slapped her face. A bright red palm print immediately appeared on her snow-white face, looking extremely terrifying. Startled, she quickly lowered her head, only to hear him angrily berate, “Useless thing! I asked you to help apply medicine and you can’t even do that properly, making it hurt so much. Are you deliberately trying to murder me?”

The woman burst into tears, saying in panic, “Xiangyun wouldn’t dare, Young Master please calm your anger…” So this was Princess Xiangyun who had married Young Master Batu—a precious daughter of the imperial family, beautiful and noble, yet now kneeling on the ground like an ordinary grassland slave.

A surge of hot blood seemed to rush to his head. Batu’s eyes became bloodshot as he raged, “You think I’m not unlucky enough already, what are you crying about! I’m not dead yet!”

“Young Master… I’ll be careful…” Princess Xiangyun spoke incoherently. Her hand shook and all the medicine in her hand spilled at once. Batu became even more furious, “What a stupid thing!” Another slap struck Princess Xiangyun, making her see stars, dizzy and nearly fainting. Yet she dared not show the slightest trace of pain, only quickly wiping her tears and pleading bitterly, “Young Master, I was wrong. It’s all my carelessness. Please forgive me…”

When she first married over, she had thought she could endure life on the grasslands. But only when she truly arrived here did she realize how naive she’d been. The hardships of daily life were bearable, but her husband’s cold cruelty truly terrified her. At the slightest disagreement he used his whip—her body was already covered in scars. For this, she had wept, pleaded, even begged the Great Khan to make decisions for her, begged her father the king to take her back. But it was useless—nothing she did mattered… This was what grassland women must endure—men’s whips! She was now merely this man’s possession, no different from a sheep or a horse! Everyone considered this perfectly natural, only blaming her for knowing nothing but crying all day, not knowing how to please her husband… Princess Xiangyun had learned music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She had hoped for a husband of equal talent and compatible temperament. Yet she encountered a brute who only knew violence. With heaven unresponsive and earth unhearing, she could only learn to endure…

Everyone knew Batu was cruel, lustful and vicious. Women who fell into his hands—without exception—he tired of after two or three days and discarded or gifted to others. Princess Xiangyun’s status was different after all. Even considering Yuexi, Batu wouldn’t go too far… So at this moment she was flustered and frightened, tears sliding down her jade-like cheeks, her voice almost inaudible: “I’ll go get more medicine for you…”

“What a useless woman!” Batu raged while cursing several times, “I’m truly cursed for eight lifetimes—not only shot in the rear by that bastard, but when returning to camp an arrow came from nowhere and injured my arm… Yuan Lie, just you wait, I will never let you go!”

Hearing this, Princess Xiangyun’s body trembled, yet she dared not turn around. She didn’t know how Batu had gotten entangled with Prince Xu, but earlier Batu had sent guards to the golden tent to report, only to receive news that the Great Khan was discussing matters with the Emperor and had to withdraw. This only made Batu even more humiliated and furious… Having just walked out of the tent, Princess Xiangyun noticed in the distance a young, handsome gentleman looking at her with a slight smile. That handsome face had been deeply carved in her heart from several years ago—impossible to forget for this lifetime… Her heart couldn’t help but skip!

On the first day of the hunt, everyone had bountiful harvests. Especially those Yuexi nobles who received the Emperor’s rewards—each one was in high spirits, eagerly waiting for the second day’s hunt to begin. Early the second morning, after Li Weiyang finished washing and ate breakfast, just as she prepared to exit the tent, she heard a rush of hurried footsteps outside. In moments, Guo Cheng burst in regardless of propriety.

Li Weiyang was startled, then heard Guo Cheng loudly say, “This is bad—Young Master Batu is dead!”

Li Weiyang froze. Then her expression changed slightly. Guo Cheng said angrily, “Could it be Yuan Lie’s doing? He’s truly gone mad!”

Li Weiyang looked at him, her gaze revealing a trace of coldness. She said lightly, “Third Brother, this matter was absolutely not Prince Xu’s doing.”

Guo Cheng’s face showed anxious concern, “There’s no time to worry about that now. Outside is already in uproar. Let’s quickly go see.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but nod, “Let’s go.” Speaking thus, they quickly exited the tent and walked toward where the crowd gathered. As Li Weiyang walked, she rapidly contemplated—Yuan Lie would absolutely never truly kill Young Master Batu. The method he spoke of absolutely wasn’t using murder to solve problems. One must know, this kind of permanent solution would bring endless future troubles…