Li Weiyang rode her little white horse following behind Yuan Lie, slowly heading deeper into the grasslands. The sounds of the ritual gradually faded away into the vast expanse of the prairie. Ahead lay a tranquil world, where the wind gently brushed across her cheeks, allowing Li Weiyang’s restless heart to gradually relax. Between heaven and earth, it felt as though a force was flowing through her body. People often said the grasslands were the most spiritually invigorating place, best able to lift one’s spirits and dispel fatigue—these words seemed to be true. Zhao Yue and Zhao Nan, the two siblings, seeing them riding side by side, didn’t wish to disturb them, so they rode at a distance, secretly protecting them from afar.

Li Weiyang removed her cloak and slowly raised her head to look at the clouds on the horizon. Yuan Lie smiled from the side, gazing at her profile. In her eyes, which were like an ancient well, the sacred shadow of clouds was reflected. Her expression as she watched the sky was so focused and very quiet.

Yuan Lie smiled, knowing she would like this kind of life. After spending too long in the scheming and plotting of palace life, it was good to occasionally relax. He couldn’t help but think that when everything was over, they could wander the grasslands or travel the world—both would be excellent choices.

Li Weiyang walked farther and farther along this path. This white horse had just been tamed but was very intelligent. With just a slight movement from Li Weiyang, it knew where she wanted to go, following her wishes and moving forward.

Just then, Yuan Lie suddenly said, “There seems to be a dark cloud in the sky. It looks like rain is coming.”

Li Weiyang glanced up and indeed saw the sky darkening. She couldn’t help but ask, “At this time of year, can there be heavy rain on the grasslands?”

Yuan Lie nodded and said, “The rain here always comes quickly and leaves quickly. Perhaps it’s clear skies one moment, then dark clouds the next, and there will be strong winds. To avoid getting caught in the rain, we should return early and come back tomorrow.”

Li Weiyang looked reluctantly at the open world, then nodded and said, “Alright, let’s go back.” Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly heard Zhao Yue shout loudly, “Miss! Master! There’s an ambush!”

Li Weiyang was startled, then was immediately pulled onto Yuan Lie’s horse by him. The little white horse stood confused for a moment before galloping away. Li Weiyang had no time to think of anything else and only heard the “clang clang clang” sounds. From somewhere, sharp arrows flew toward them. The arrows immediately stirred up a storm of wind and rain. The twenty-some guards who had been following not far behind Yuan Lie rushed forward to protect them. Zhao Yue and Zhao Nan, one on the left and one on the right, rode forward, wielding their long swords to strike down the flowing arrows. Having barely avoided this round of attacks, people fell like straw in the hail of arrows, and a thick bloody smell rose to the sky. Half of Yuan Lie’s twenty guards had already been lost. In the sky, vultures circled continuously, their cries chilling to the bone. At the edge of heaven and earth, dust clouds faintly rolled up, and the enemy’s forces grew more numerous.

Only then did Li Weiyang and the others realize they had somehow been surrounded by countless soldiers dressed in grassland attire. These soldiers were obviously different from those they normally encountered—their builds were taller, their skin very dark, they wore fierce masks on their faces, and mysterious totems were painted on their arms, making one’s heart tremble with fear at the sight. There were fully a thousand of these people. They suddenly let out a battle cry and rushed toward Yuan Lie’s group like a violent storm.

The guards Yuan Lie had brought were not ordinary—they were all highly elite, well-trained killers, completely beyond what grassland soldiers could resist. The long swords in their hands could kill dozens of grassland warriors, which was why they were used to execute the most brutal assassination missions. But this time, there were too many on the other side, surging forward like a tide. Although each of them was a killer who could fight a hundred men, they still couldn’t withstand such a fierce assault. Often, while blood was still dripping from their blades, endless grassland warriors who feared no death charged forward and cut their throats with curved blades. In just the blink of an eye, five more guards disappeared into the green tide, and grassland soldiers trampled over their corpses, continuing to surge forward like water. Such a scene was truly terrifying to the extreme.

These were definitely not ordinary grassland soldiers—Yuan Lie’s usual smile completely vanished, and his eyes coldly watched the cavalry approaching through the dust. They howled as they came, their warhorses galloping like boiling water, seeming like man-eating beasts. The soldiers’ blades were all covered in mottled bloodstains, overlapping like steel thorns. Although they had already lost more than ten men, the remaining guards still charged forward. They didn’t even glance at their fallen comrades and together spurred their horses, leaping into the air to meet those fearless grassland warriors.

Yuan Lie drew his long sword. The blade flashed like moonlight pouring down. When his long sword was raised, it was like the only star in the dark night, summoning his guards hidden in the darkness. Behind Yuan Lie, a large group of black-clad guards appeared at some unknown time. Though not numerous, their imposing manner was like that of thousands of troops and horses. At this moment, the sky had completely darkened, without even a trace of light. Only Yuan Lie’s long sword emitted a snow-white glow in the darkness, yet even this light couldn’t illuminate the faces of these black-clad guards. At this moment, raindrops began to fall from the sky, striking their black cloaks and splashing up water, as if enveloping them in a layer of faint light.

Yuan Lie swung his long sword downward, and the black-clad warriors drew the long knives from their waists, spurring their horses and charging toward the surging grassland soldiers. The long knives in their hands were cold and sharp, carrying a heart-piercing chill. In this pitch-black rainy night where one couldn’t see one’s hand before one’s face, these people could see clearly, heading straight toward the grassland warriors. The grassland leader angrily commanded, “Loose arrows!” Thus, over a thousand sharp arrows were shot out together. The bow and arrow were weapons the grassland people took great pride in. A strong warrior could shoot an arrow through a wild beast with one shot. These black-clad warriors only held long knives, but the speed of these knives was extremely fast, far exceeding the arrows. So when the grassland people discovered that not a single black-clad warrior had fallen, they were simply astonished! Their long knives instantly pierced through the chests of several grassland soldiers. Only countless blood sprays could be seen splashing up. Their movements were as gorgeously elegant as a phantom dance.

Yuan Lie said softly to Li Weiyang, “Don’t be afraid. They are the best.” The confidence in his words made Li Weiyang look carefully at these black-clad warriors. The black-clad warrior charging at the front moved extremely fast, taking the lead like a bolt of black lightning. With one slash of his blade, the grassland commander who was in charge looked on in surprise and raised his own large blade to strike. In the instant the two horses crossed, the grassland leader’s head suddenly flew up spurting blood, while his body remained seated on the horse’s back—an extremely horrifying scene.

It was a complete massacre. The black-clad warriors charged into the enemy formation without hesitation. Although their numbers were far inferior to the opposing side, they didn’t even blink, disemboweling the grassland people and cruelly discarding their limbs. Their speed was like ghostly shadows in the wind, making it almost impossible to track their movements. Li Weiyang’s eyes were filled with blinding blood red, her ears filled with the wailing of those cut down from their warhorses. The air was permeated with an irresistible bloody smell.

Not far away, a mysterious man stood on a high hillside. His expression was very focused as he watched the fierce battle below. A cold gleam passed through his eyes, and his tone carried a hint of surprise as he said, “This person is Prince Xu, Yuan Lie?”

A person beside him answered, “It is indeed him.”

“To be able to train such a fearsome group of death warriors—he is truly exceptional. Given time, he will certainly become a great threat to my heart.” The Great Khan sighed softly, “For this very reason, I cannot let him live.” Having said this, he suddenly waved his hand, and the person beside him raised a command flag. The sound of horns rang out, and several hundred more men surged forward like a tide. On the hillside, a hundred archers shot arrows together, and a rain of arrows fell toward Li Weiyang and the others.

Seeing this scene, Yuan Lie knew someone wanted them dead. Cold fire burned in his eyes. He glanced at Zhao Nan, then spurred his horse forward more than ten zhang, his sword energy cold and fierce, forcibly cutting a bloody path through the encirclement from the side. His form was like a sword, yet his other hand never released its hold on Li Weiyang. Facing the soldiers surrounding them, he gripped his sword and struck down viciously. His sword energy was like waves of water, rippling outward in circles. The soldiers who had been pointing long swords at them had their weapons crash to the ground, and they fell one after another.

Hearing the sound of blades cutting through human bone, Li Weiyang felt the heavy heartbeat in her chest suddenly become lighter. Yuan Lie’s riding attire was also stained with blood, and a trace of coldness flashed across his handsome face. He charged all the way, taking Li Weiyang left and right, throwing the grassland soldiers into complete disarray.

The Great Khan said coldly, “Order everyone to charge forward. We must kill Prince Xu Yuan Lie!” As soon as he finished speaking, the horns sounded again. Immediately, countless grassland warriors rushed toward Yuan Lie. Leading them was Hu Zhe, called the number one warrior of the grasslands. Hu Zhe’s entire body was covered in blood. He raised his large blade and charged toward Yuan Lie. The cold aura of the blade had already reached the tip of Yuan Lie’s nose when he suddenly saw his opponent smile faintly at him. That smile carried a hint of mockery, even colder than a demon’s. Before he could think further, Hu Zhe’s head had already separated from his body and fallen heavily to the ground, facing upward, perfectly positioned to see Yuan Lie standing with his sword raised.

On the hillside, the Great Khan personally witnessed this series of sword techniques from Yuan Lie and couldn’t help but smile. He said slowly, “Years ago, I saw that the Emperor of Yuexi had a peerless expert called Qin Feng by his side. I once spent hundreds of gold taels trying to bring this person to my side, but that emperor stubbornly refused. Later I received news that this person had actually removed his armor and returned to his fields, no longer serving the emperor. I found this very surprising and secretly investigated. It turned out he had made a mistake and was driven far away home by the emperor. Looking at it now, he didn’t return home—he was sent to Prince Xu Yuan Lie’s side. My earlier speculation was indeed correct. This Yuan Lie must have an unspeakable relationship with that emperor. Otherwise, how could the emperor’s most beloved swordsman pass on all his supreme skills to this young man?”

Further entanglement was meaningless. Yuan Lie only wanted Li Weiyang to be safe. At this moment, he had already cut out a bloody path, like a lone swan’s shadow, riding with Li Weiyang and gracefully fleeing outward. In a flash, Yuan Lie had already spotted that person on the distant hillside. Because the distance was too great and it was already dark, he couldn’t see the person’s appearance clearly, only caught a flash of gold. His heart sank—it was indeed the Great Khan of the grasslands! Because only he wore golden ornaments on his head! He laughed coldly, pulled out a long arrow from his horse, and shouted loudly, “If you fail to kill me, I will certainly avenge this!” With that, his arrow flew like a meteor, heading straight for the Great Khan.

The Great Khan’s expression changed slightly. Instinctively, he pulled on the reins and retreated two steps. Fortunately, the distance was too great, and the arrow’s force had already weakened by thirty percent. The soldiers beside him timely threw themselves forward and forcibly blocked the arrow. Otherwise, the Great Khan would truly have been bloodied on the spot! He hadn’t expected this young man to be so bold—to shoot an arrow at him while being pursued. The Great Khan didn’t get angry but smiled instead, saying in a low voice, “Quickly chase after them. We absolutely cannot let him return to the camp!”

At this time, Yuan Lie’s robe was already covered in bloodstains. Li Weiyang saw this and her heart grew anxious, though she knew it was other people’s blood. But she understood very clearly that if they continued like this, being alone and outnumbered, they would never be able to defeat these thousands of soldiers. Those black-clad killers, though brave and invincible, were not skilled in siege warfare. Moreover, this time the Great Khan had chosen the most excellent grassland warriors—he was determined to kill them. Her mind suddenly flashed to what Duke Qi had said. He was right—her actions had already attracted the attention of the Yuexi Emperor. No, or rather, she had attracted everyone’s attention.

At this time, the rain in the sky grew heavier, flowing from her forehead down to her lips. Even the sounds of people around her seemed to become blurred. Li Weiyang glanced at the sky and saw only layers of dark clouds, then heard rumbling thunder. At this moment, the horses’ hooves galloped, splashing mud everywhere, and seemed to be slipping somewhat. Li Weiyang hadn’t expected the grassland weather to truly be so changeable. Suddenly, with a thunderous crash, frightening thunder sounded, and a bolt of lightning sliced through the dark heavy sky like a sharp sword, illuminating the entire grassland where they stood. Li Weiyang looked back and at this moment, a soldier on horseback had already caught up. On the other side, dozens of soldiers had already entangled Zhao Nan and his sister, allowing him to pursue directly to Yuan Lie’s flank without obstruction. “Watch out!” she cried softly, instinctively embracing him. Then, shocked by her own action, she watched helplessly as that sword fell!

In an instant, the long sword came toward her body with a whistling wind. At this critical moment, Yuan Lie raised his sword and turned that long sword, thrusting it deep into the soldier’s body, then kicked his horse away with one foot. Yuan Lie hesitated no more, taking Li Weiyang and running toward the bottomless depths of the grassland. Most of the soldiers were held back by the black-clad warriors. Those who pursued couldn’t match the highly skilled Zhao Nan siblings—one third were killed by them, one third were wounded and fell from their horses, and the remaining third were still in pursuit.

Li Weiyang only heard shouting behind them, while the rain ahead grew heavier, as if it would never stop. Yuan Lie’s chest pressed tightly against her ear. She seemed able to hear his heartbeat, while danger was also close at hand. In her ears was the whistling wind. Rain struck her face. The entire grassland had lost its peace—everywhere was the smell of blood. Only the cold light of countless blades and swords could be seen approaching in the darkness, and gradually she could no longer see Zhao Nan and his sister.

People kept catching up, surrounding and attacking, but these people were becoming fewer and fewer. Everyone was gasping for breath. Li Weiyang only felt herself splattered with rain, blood, and sweat. Li Weiyang glanced at Yuan Lie—rain had soaked Yuan Lie’s hair and his body, but he kept gripping her hand tightly, unwilling to let go no matter what. Li Weiyang’s body was cold everywhere from the rain, but she could feel a warmth coming from him. Knowing Yuan Lie was beside her and never left gave her courage and strength, allowing her to persevere.

Just then, ahead there was suddenly a trip rope set up at some unknown time. Yuan Lie leaped up with Li Weiyang. The horse was tripped and let out a neighing cry. Several agile dark shadows appeared before them, and sword light suddenly struck their faces. Yuan Lie’s long sword trembled, and his fierce sword momentum slid across their throats. Three white lights meant three corpses fell, while a dagger simultaneously appeared in his left sleeve, firmly stabbing into another person’s chest. Li Weiyang only saw that sword light flash a silver-white arc in the darkness. She could even feel the sound of the dagger inserting into a person’s chest, but she only bit her teeth tightly and said nothing.

Yuan Lie pulled out the dagger in one motion, and boiling hot blood spurted from that grassland warrior’s chest as he crashed down.

Because of the sudden heavy rain, the ritual had to be interrupted. Han Lin and Han Qin, the two sisters, couldn’t find Li Weiyang anywhere and became somewhat anxious. Looking at Prince Jing Yuan Ying, Han Lin quickly said, “Could she have returned to the tent?”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying nodded and said, “I’ll go check. Don’t worry. I believe Prince Xu has good judgment and wouldn’t take her wandering around.” He looked at the sky, then hurriedly walked toward Li Weiyang’s tent holding an umbrella. The Han family sisters were about to follow when they saw others’ strange gazes looking over. Han Qin glared fiercely at them but also knew they couldn’t act rashly now. They could only return to their own tent as if nothing had happened.

In the tent, the three Guo brothers were as anxious as ants on a hot pot. Seeing Prince Jing, Guo Cheng stepped forward and asked, “Have you seen Jia’er? She was already missing at dinner tonight. We just searched all around the camp and couldn’t find her.”

Prince Jing’s expression changed slightly as he said, “What about Prince Xu Yuan Lie?”

Guo Cheng’s face darkened as he said, “He’s also gone somewhere! We didn’t dare report to Father, and could only say my sister wasn’t feeling well to cover for now. We don’t know what to do anymore.”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying’s expression began to look worse, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart. He knew that although Prince Xu Yuan Lie was a willful and reckless person, he would never joke around with Li Weiyang. Not returning at this time meant they must have encountered some danger. He turned to Guo Cheng and said, “There’s no time to waste. Let’s quickly think of a way to search! Although it’s early spring now, it’s already late, and grassland nights are very cold. Add the heavy rain—if they’re exposed outside like this, they’ll certainly freeze to death.”

Hearing him say this, Guo Cheng’s heart grew even more anxious. Guo Dao had already walked out. Guo Cheng called to him, “Where are you going to search for them?”

Guo Dao bit his teeth and turned around, saying, “I naturally have my methods. Rest assured.”

Guo Cheng was still worried and stepped forward to grab him, saying, “Don’t panic first. We’ll naturally go search. Jia’er’s disappearance is no small matter. It absolutely cannot be spread around. If this becomes a big issue…”

He didn’t finish his words, but Guo Dao already understood. Guo Jia was a young lady of the Guo family. If she and Prince Xu disappeared on the grasslands, regardless of whether they could return in time, it would be extremely damaging to her reputation. Now that it was already late, if they couldn’t find her all night, this matter would become very serious. They must act carefully and cautiously to preserve Li Weiyang’s reputation. Guo Cheng said this with wholehearted consideration for this sister.

Guo Dao nodded and said, “I know.” At this time, Prince Jing Yuan Ying had already stepped forward and said to them, “Don’t worry. In this situation, if we search like headless flies, we definitely won’t find anything. In my opinion, we should find a way to get people familiar with the grassland situation to lead us.” As he spoke, a person’s figure flashed through his mind.

Guo Dun was startled, then looked at him and said, “Someone familiar with the grassland situation—you mean…”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying bit his teeth and said, “Wait here. Don’t act rashly for now. Follow my orders in everything.” With that, he lifted the tent flap and quickly left.

When Prince Jing left, he went to find Princess Ali. In his view, the Third Prince was too cunning and would certainly use this matter as leverage to help him ascend to the throne. Rather than that, it was better to find someone he could control to help him. In the current situation, the safest choice was Princess Ali.

He hurried to find the grassland royal tent and finally saw Princess Ali. Ali’s expression still carried a trace of strangeness. During the day, Yuan Ying had refused her in front of so many people, yet at night he came to find her again—why was this? She originally didn’t want to see this person again, but now seeing him looking so anxious, half his body soaked through, his handsome face showing an unease and anxiety she had never seen before, Princess Ali couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking for me so late?”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying grabbed her sleeve, unable to think of anything else, and said in a low voice, “Miss Guo has disappeared on the grasslands. If we let her run around outside like this, I’m afraid there will be danger!”

Princess Ali was startled and instinctively said, “Now? How is that possible!” As she said this, a trace of surprise and doubt showed in her eyes. The grasslands were vast and sparsely populated. Between the various tribes were large areas where no one lived. Even in the forests and deep grass, many fierce beasts lurked. She said, “With such heavy rain now, how could she run into the grasslands alone? This is too dangerous!” As she said this, she quietly instructed her maid, “Go get my cloak. I’m going to search for Miss Guo.”

After she said this, Prince Jing Yuan Ying was stunned. He thought it would take much persuasion to convince Princess Ali, but he hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

Princess Ali smiled faintly and said, “Miss Guo is a good person—I know that. I won’t make things difficult for her because of you.” After saying this, she couldn’t help but worry, “With such heavy rain outside now, Miss Guo as a young woman is probably in too much danger. We must find her quickly.” As she spoke, she ordered people to prepare a large troop of horses and torches. But thinking it over, in this weather, preparing torches would be useless. They could only rely on their own intuition to search first, hoping the rain would stop quickly.

But at this time, Prince Jing Yuan Ying shook his head and said, “We can’t alarm too many people.”

Princess Ali was startled, then said, “Not alarm people—how is that possible? In this weather, with the grasslands so vast, we need to divide into several routes to search. If we’re late, I’m afraid their lives will be at stake. In your view, is reputation more important than life?”

Prince Jing bit his teeth, “Yes, in Yuexi, a woman’s reputation is indeed more important than life. Haven’t you seen that Pei Bao’er? Now she hides in her tent every day, not daring to come out, precisely because her reputation is ruined. Do you want Miss Guo to become like her?”

Hearing this, Ali was stunned and didn’t speak for a long time. In the firelight, her eyes flickered with an incomprehensible expression. She was confused, not understanding why these Yuexi people talked only about reputation and family. In their eyes, couldn’t even life compare to these precious things? If a person died, they would have nothing left.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but say, “Then I’ll call my personal guards! I have fifty personal guards around me. They won’t speak carelessly. Along with your people and the Guo family’s people, we can search secretly together. We should be able to find them before dawn.” As she said this, her heart was uncertain. These grasslands were really too vast. Some places even she wasn’t familiar with. She didn’t know if they could really find them.

Prince Jing Yuan Ying rode a fast horse and quietly left the camp. To avoid detection, he and the Guo family split up. But now darkness mixed with raindrops pressed heavily on the grasslands. Everywhere was chaotic. Prince Jing Yuan Ying’s heart also felt pressed down by this heavy dark chaos, almost unable to breathe. He had never been so nervous and worried before. Knowing that Yuan Lie couldn’t have gone far with a woman, but there were almost no places nearby to hide people. If they were really here, they should be visible at a glance. Which of the four directions—east, south, west, north—had they gone?

Princess Ali said in a low voice, “I’ll go east, you go west. The Guo family can divide into north and south directions and search there! Take this eagle. When you find them, release it—it will tell me.” With that, she said no more, spurring her horse and galloping away with her personal guards. She went east—the most dangerous area of the grasslands. She didn’t want Prince Jing to follow and risk danger, so she gave the safest western area to Yuan Ying.

Yuan Ying watched her retreating figure and couldn’t help but feel moved. Unfortunately, this emotion lasted only a moment before being covered by worry and anxiety for Li Weiyang. He kept searching, going deeper and deeper, continuously expanding the search range. Princess Ali was right—these grasslands were so vast that no matter how many people they brought, they couldn’t search every place. And the deeper they went, the longer the grass became. Add the heavy rain obscuring his vision—he thought that if Li Weiyang had fallen somewhere, even if she were right before his eyes, he probably wouldn’t see her. The sky was now completely invisible. But just then, the rain slowly lessened. Prince Jing Yuan Ying wore a cloak that was already completely soaked. The anxiety in his heart overwhelmed everything.

Now he was no longer jealous of Yuan Lie. He even hoped Yuan Lie was beside Li Weiyang, helping her endure this dark time, waiting for him to find her. Someone beside him said, “Prince Jing, the rain has stopped.”

Prince Jing glanced at the sky and said, “Light the torches.”

Flames began to float across the grasslands. Prince Jing Yuan Ying bit his teeth and said, “Continue searching.” With that, they continued deeper into the grasslands. Princess Ali had long ago sent people familiar with the grassland terrain to lead them. Along this route, Prince Jing Yuan Ying’s heart remained suspended, unable to settle down.

When Li Weiyang woke up, she found herself lying in a clean, cold, dry cave. She sat up and discovered she had just been unconscious. Earlier, when rolling to the ground, although Yuan Lie had protected her from falling completely, the violent impact had caused her to lie on the cold grass and fall asleep. Though she had been aware, when she opened her eyes, Yuan Lie was not in the cave. She couldn’t help but feel nervous—where had he gone? How could he leave her alone at a time like this?

Just then, she saw a person hurrying into the cave. Her heart jumped, and she instinctively gripped the dagger in her sleeve. But when she saw the person’s face clearly, her heart relaxed slightly.

Yuan Lie looked at her with concern and asked, “Are you awake? Are you cold?” As he spoke, he walked into the cave and placed the firewood he had found with difficulty on the ground. He took out a fire starter, but the firewood wasn’t very dry and made hissing sounds and cracking noises. Yuan Lie tried to build up the fire, placing the wet wood beside it to slowly dry it out before adding it to the fire.

When flames appeared in the cave, Li Weiyang felt her body grow colder. She instinctively moved closer to him.

Yuan Lie’s clothes were still wet. His left shoulder and chest bore traces of blades and swords. The torn fabric was already stained red with blood, fortunately all light wounds. Li Weiyang glanced at him. Yuan Lie’s handsome face had been blackened somewhat by the smoke, looking rather comical. But his expression was so focused and serious. Li Weiyang’s heart warmed as she said, “What about Zhao Yue and the others?”

Yuan Lie raised his head, his eyes like star fire, and said, “They already disappeared earlier. I think they were held up by pursuing soldiers. But don’t worry—with their martial skills, nothing will happen to them. They’ll catch up soon. I’ve already left markers along the way.” As he said this, Li Weiyang sighed and said, “It seems my action of killing the Pei family has already enraged them. But I’m quite surprised that even the Great Khan of the grasslands wants to kill me…”

Yuan Lie said lightly, “No, he has ulterior motives.”

Li Weiyang’s heart jumped. “Why?”

Yuan Lie sneered and said, “I’ve heard that Empress Pei and the Great Khan have always had some unspeakable transactions. For Yuexi’s supplies and the wealth in Empress Pei’s hands, as long as the conditions are sufficient, even assassinating the Yuexi Emperor wouldn’t be impossible. In his eyes, we’re just minor characters—killing us is nothing. Though I couldn’t see very clearly in the darkness, I have a premonition this matter was his doing.”

Li Weiyang wanted to speak but involuntarily sneezed. Yuan Lie quickly grasped her hand and said, “Get closer to the fire. Once the clothes dry, you’ll feel much better.” Only then did she see Yuan Lie’s hand was already bloody and mangled. She couldn’t help but be stunned, only now realizing that when fighting with the enemy earlier, his hand had gripped their long sword. No wonder his hand had become a bloody mess. She bit her teeth, tore a piece of fabric from her skirt, then roasted it dry over the fire. Yuan Lie didn’t know what she was doing, but watched as she took out the dried fabric and pulled over his hand, wrapping it layer by layer.

Yuan Lie’s eyes flashed with a trace of cunning, and he suddenly held her tight, originally wanting to take advantage of the opportunity. Who knew Li Weiyang was startled but didn’t refuse. The person beside her had originally always been taken care of by her, but at some unknown time, he had grown into such a great young man with such powerful strength, easily protecting her—no, not easily, but protecting her at the risk of his life.

As if feeling her gaze, Yuan Lie’s heart beat violently. He lowered his head, and unexpectedly, all his affection fell into her eyes. Li Weiyang instinctively wanted to avoid his passionate gaze but it was already too late.

Yuan Lie smiled and said, “In the future when we marry, let’s leave Yuexi and travel around everywhere, alright? If you want to return to Dali, we’ll go. When you’re tired of living in Dali, we’ll come live on the grasslands for a while. I’ve heard that besides Yuexi, Dali, and the grasslands, there are many other countries in this world that are very interesting. Dongmian Country has the most beautiful lantern festival in the world. Yueluo Country has the most spectacular horse racing festival in the world. In Cangfan Country, women can study, hold office, control wealth and power just like men. Yicheng Country is the most cold and ruthless—they always like to leave children outside right after birth, letting them stay in the ice and snow. If they survive, they can be raised. If they don’t survive, they’re buried under the house. Don’t you think they’re very strange?”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows and smile slightly, “Yes, very strange.”

Yuan Lie’s smile carried a trace of sweetness as he said, “These countries are all very interesting. Some people are naturally lazy, some are very clever. There are countries that don’t produce anything and only know how to compose poetry and dance for pleasure all day. If we went there, we could live their lives, taste their existence, and no longer be entangled in all this scheming and plotting. What do you think?”

Li Weiyang nodded gently and said, “Good.” When she said this, a trace of warmth passed through her heart. She didn’t know when the “everything ends” that Yuan Lie spoke of would be, but she knew that as long as they worked hard, that day would surely come. Although she didn’t know what price they would have to pay, she could now actually think about what to do in the future and where to go. Of course she knew that no matter where they went, Yuan Lie would be by her side. This made her very happy. A woman who had always been alone—when she had something to care about, she was no longer so lonely. In the past, she had always resisted Yuan Lie’s approach, but now she realized that deep in her heart, she relied on him. Today, without him, she couldn’t have persevered at all. Because he was there, she had begun to fear death.

This feeling was very strange. Li Weiyang had never experienced it before. She was about to speak when Yuan Lie, without waiting for her reaction, pinched her chin and kissed her. Why did he have to make her fall into the whirlpool of emotions again? It was all because of the person before her! Li Weiyang’s heart felt a bit angry. Startled for a moment, she then fiercely bit his tongue tip. A faint trace of bloody taste immediately spread across her tongue. Yuan Lie didn’t care at all, letting her bite, kissing deeper and deeper. After a long while, he finally released her lips, still holding her, grinning shamelessly as he said, “I wonder when I’ll be able to go to the Guo residence to propose marriage?”

Li Weiyang was stunned. Over all these years, only he had stood up for her to shield her from wind and rain, to strategize for her. Only then did she realize there was someone in this world whose heart was aligned with hers, who fought alongside her, who had never abandoned her no matter what. Thinking conversely, if there were no Li Weiyang, what path would Yuan Lie have taken? She instinctively said, “If everything ends, do you want to become emperor? The position of Yuexi Emperor—His Majesty—is very tempting, isn’t it?”

Yuan Lie only smiled and said, “I remember you once told me you wanted this world, didn’t you?”

Li Weiyang was stunned and didn’t speak for a long time. Yuan Lie’s smile was calm. “I know what you said then wasn’t true. If you truly wanted this world, you should have married Tuoba Zhen or Tuoba Yu back then. You said those things not because you were angry with me—no, perhaps you were encouraging me. Your way of encouraging people is always so special.”

Li Weiyang laughed despite herself. She realized he was changing the subject and slowly said, “Do you really not want to be emperor?”

A trace of amusement flashed through Yuan Lie’s eyes. “Become emperor? What’s good about it? I can’t accompany my beloved. Everything I do will be criticized by others. That dragon throne has countless people coveting it. Look at my father emperor—” When he said the words “father emperor,” he was somewhat shocked himself. He lowered his eyes, and his long eyelashes blocked the expression in his eyes.

In the firelight, his entire person was beautiful as jade, with raven hair and skin like ice, eyebrows like ink, and a high nose bridge. What made it most impossible to look away were those eyes bright as amber. With a single glance, they captured one’s soul. The only flaw seemed to be those black smudges from the smoke, which added a touch of childishness to that handsome face.

Li Weiyang smiled. That faint sorrow from before once again crept into her heart. She knew that without her, Yuan Lie would fight for that imperial throne, because he was ruthless enough and didn’t like being constrained by anyone. When encountering obstacles, he would kill gods if he met gods, kill Buddhas if he met Buddhas. Such a person—how could he be willing to remain beneath others?  This was his nature…

Thinking this, Li Weiyang sighed softly in her heart but said no more.

Yuan Lie looked at her and said, “This time, will you still support Prince Jing to fight for the throne?”

Li Weiyang was startled, then felt somewhat amused. “Why would I support him?”

Yuan Lie smiled faintly, “I thought you would support him onto the throne like you supported Tuoba Yu. However, I didn’t expect that even Tuoba Yu was just a chess piece on your board.”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “He’s not my chess piece. His failure to become emperor wasn’t because of me, but because of the Sacred Heart. The emperor’s position was never meant for him. What the emperor liked from beginning to end was the Eighth Prince. So Tuoba Yu was destined to fail. I only said I would help him but never promised I would definitely make him sit on the throne. Moreover, isn’t it good to be a carefree prince? Why must he fight for that dragon throne?”

Yuan Lie sighed softly and said, “News from Dali says he still hasn’t given up on becoming emperor.”

Li Weiyang thought for a moment and said, “This has nothing to do with me anymore. Whether he wants to be emperor or an idle prince, even if he raises troops in rebellion, before making a choice, he must take responsibility for his own life. I said long ago he’s not emperor material. Just like the Eighth Prince—he’s always stood silently to the side, watching them kill each other. This patience and temperament alone is something ordinary people cannot achieve.”

Yuan Lie looked at Li Weiyang, his eyes showing a trace of smug satisfaction. “I knew you wouldn’t help Yuan Ying the way you helped Tuoba Yu.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Why is that?”

Yuan Lie looked at her gently, his amber eyes filled with boundless seriousness. “Because Yuan Ying is actually even more cold and ruthless than Tuoba Yu. If he becomes emperor in the future, I’m afraid…”

He didn’t finish, but Li Weiyang already understood. “I’m afraid once the cunning hares are dead, the hunting dogs will be cooked. An emperor cannot tolerate those who know everything about his past. If I help Yuan Ying, naturally I’ll be involved in many matters. In this way, he’ll find me very obstructive. One can share hardship but not wealth and honor—is this what you want to tell me?”

Yuan Lie nodded.

Li Weiyang knew that ninety-nine percent of what Yuan Lie said was true. Yuan Ying appeared magnanimous and generous on the surface, but deep down he was quite cold. If he ascended to the throne, the Guo family might meet a good end, but she, Li Weiyang, would be in great trouble—unless she was willing to marry him, then the situation would be different. As an advisor, she would naturally be eliminated because she knew too much. But once she became Princess Jing, how could she not enjoy wealth and honor? However, this thought could remain a thought—it could never be said aloud under any circumstances, because she knew Yuan Lie with his petty jealousy would definitely not want to hear it. In any case, she had no such intentions, so why bring it up and make him overturn the vinegar jar?

In the distance, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came. Li Weiyang reacted even before Yuan Lie. She quickly exchanged a glance with him. Too late to say anything else, she rapidly tidied her clothing. Fortunately, she was still fully clothed, just with more wrinkles. However, having been drenched in the rain and rolled in the mud, the original color was no longer visible. Li Weiyang smiled bitterly and said, “Someone has found us, but I don’t know if they’re friend or foe.”

Yuan Lie listened carefully for a while, then his expression darkened as he said, “They’re friends.”

Li Weiyang asked curiously, “If they’re friends, why is your expression so strange?”

Yuan Lie snorted coldly, “I thought it would be at least tomorrow morning before they could find this place.” He seemed to suddenly remember something and suddenly grabbed Li Weiyang’s hand, saying, “Why don’t we take this opportunity—I’ll propose marriage to the Guo family.”

Li Weiyang glared at him coldly, “Now is not the time!”

Yuan Lie was stunned. “Not the time—you mean?”

When Li Weiyang said this, she had clearly already agreed—meaning that when the appropriate time came, it would be acceptable?! This was the first time she had consented! Before Yuan Lie could rejoice, someone burst in from outside. Seeing them sitting together talking perfectly fine, the person couldn’t help but be stunned.

Li Weiyang glanced over. The face covered in anxiety and rain was none other than Prince Jing Yuan Ying. When he saw this scene, the panic in his eyes turned to dimness. He averted his gaze and said, “Are you two alright?”

Li Weiyang nodded and said, “We’re fine.”

Yuan Ying bit his teeth, took off the cloak from his body, and handed it to Li Weiyang. Yuan Lie pushed it away indifferently, his gaze cold as he said, “That’s not appropriate.” Just then, Zhao Yue had already quickly entered the cave. She held clean clothing in her hands and said quietly, “Miss, Prince Jing specially brought clothes for you to change into.”

Li Weiyang glanced at Yuan Ying, her gaze calm as she said, “Thank you, Prince Jing.”

Yuan Ying said nothing more and turned to quickly walk out. Yuan Lie still dawdled until Li Weiyang glared at him, and only then did he follow and leave. Li Weiyang looked at Zhao Yue and said, “Were you the first to find us?”

Zhao Yue shook her head and said, “When we were being chased by pursuing soldiers, we encountered those black-clad warriors. They helped us escape the pursuers, then they disappeared. Later on the road, we saw the markers Master left and followed them here.”

Li Weiyang said, “The sky was so dark—how did you find those markers?” She was very curious about what Yuan Lie had left behind.

Zhao Yue smiled slightly, took out a brocade pouch from her waist, then opened it for Li Weiyang to see. Li Weiyang immediately understood—it was luminescent powder. She nodded and said, “He’s really bold. Wasn’t he afraid those pursuers would follow?”

Zhao Yue smiled with confidence and said, “Miss needn’t worry. We can only see the traces Master left if we use the same powder to sprinkle on top. Ordinary people can’t see it.”

Only then was Li Weiyang reassured. She then said, “Help me change clothes, then let’s go out.”

At this time, the sky was gradually growing light. Pei Bao’er had been awake all night. She tossed and turned in the tent, her mind flashing with scenes of that night’s massacre. In the end, she sat up from the bed in terror.

The maid beside her quickly said, “Miss, are you alright?”

Pei Bao’er bit her teeth and said, “I’ve been in this tent for so long, but has no one come to see me?”

The maid lowered her head. In this situation, who would dare come see the young lady? She didn’t dare say this.

But Pei Bao’er said from the side, “What about Princess Ali? Hasn’t she come either? Yesterday was their grassland ritual, yet she didn’t even invite me!” Then her face darkened, and she ordered, “Help me change clothes. I’m going to find her.” Ali must have heard some gossip from Li Weiyang and stopped paying attention to her! She must do something to salvage this ally, after all, she still needed Princess Ali. She thought this.

When she reached Princess Ali’s tent, Pei Bao’er discovered that except for an elderly female slave keeping watch, everyone else was gone. She frowned and said, “Where has Princess Ali gone?”

The female slave was working and now raised her face, looking at Pei Bao’er somewhat dazedly. Pei Bao’er said again, “I’m asking you—where has Princess Ali gone?”

Seeing it was Princess Ali’s friend, the female slave answered truthfully, “Last night Prince Jing came and said someone was missing, asking Princess Ali to help search together. The princess hurriedly took the others and left. This old slave doesn’t know anything else.” She was old and was Princess Ali’s wet nurse, so she could stay in the tent. But she hadn’t heard clearly what Yuan Ying said at the time and could only vaguely guess.

Pei Bao’er raised her eyebrows. Who could make both Prince Jing Yuan Ying and Princess Ali search together? She thought hard for a long time but couldn’t figure it out. Then she quickly turned and walked outside, piecing together the whole matter as she walked. Suddenly she thought of someone—and a flash of delight passed through her eyes!

Just then, she saw a group of young ladies chattering as they walked over from not far away. An idea struck her. She intercepted them and said, “Miss Zhao, are you enjoying the grasslands?”

The daughter of Minister Zhao looked at Pei Bao’er, her eyes showing contempt. Since seeing that incident at the Crown Prince’s residence, they had all kept their distance from Pei Bao’er. Now this woman still had the audacity to approach them. Miss Zhao couldn’t help but lower her head, pretending not to see her.

But Pei Bao’er bit her teeth and blocked them, saying, “I heard Miss Guo caught a chill in the rain yesterday and developed a high fever. Shouldn’t we go see her?”

The others exchanged glances, their eyes all showing surprise. Hearing it was related to the influential Guo family, Miss Zhao turned back, “Miss Guo is a good person. We should naturally go see her.” With that, the others chimed in agreement.

Pei Bao’er sneered coldly. Guo Jia was always very aloof to people—you’re doing this only because of the Guo family’s power and influence, aren’t you? Then she thought of the two unmarried young masters in the Guo family and understood what these young ladies were thinking. This time the Guo family had gained great glory at the hunting grounds, even receiving many rewards from the emperor—unlike her three Pei brothers who died miserably. Thinking of this, she grew even more resentful, but her face was full of smiles as she said, “Let’s go quickly. Don’t delay.”