“So it’s Princess of Great Qin,” Chen Che said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “Please forgive this humble person for being blind and not recognizing the Princess’s golden countenance. However, we are Southern Chu soldiers who do not kneel to foreign dignitaries. I ask for the Princess’s forgiveness.”

Just as Bao Quan was about to speak, Princess Wanfu laughingly interrupted him, her eyes crescent-shaped as she said: “Forget it, forget it. Those who don’t know aren’t at fault. Mm, not bad. The servants of the Chu imperial family are quite backbone. I admire you. What’s your name? I’ll definitely promote you well in the future.”

Chen Che’s brow furrowed slightly, seeming somewhat unable to keep up with this master’s jumping train of thought, but still said respectfully and politely: “This humble person is Chen Che.”

“Good name.” Princess Wanfu said, jumping down from her horse with a bang, swinging her little whip back and forth with one hand while placing the other on her hip, shouting loudly: “Call out all the women from Chongming Hall. Not from our palace, but the ones you brought yourselves.”

The confusion in Chen Che’s eyes deepened, but he still said: “Reporting to Princess, there are no women in the hall.”

“None?” Princess Wanfu immediately widened her eyes and shouted loudly: “Do you take me for a fool?”

“This humble person dares not deceive the Princess. There truly are none.”

“Liar!” Princess Wanfu said angrily: “Are you bullying me because I’ve lived in the palace all these years and haven’t seen the world? My father the emperor, my crown prince brother, second brother, fourth brother, sixth brother, seventh brother, ninth brother – all my brothers, plus uncles and cousins, princes and nobles – not one of them travels without bringing dancing girls. Even my third brother now knows to bring women when going out. What makes your emperor any different?”

Chen Che was dumbfounded and tongue-tied. This usually articulate man suddenly didn’t know what to say.

Princess Wanfu frowned and thought, then said puzzledly: “Could it be that your emperor is like Bao Quan and the others – unable to perform?”

Chen Che had no idea who Bao Quan was. Just as he was puzzled, he suddenly saw the old eunuch beside him rush forward and cover the little princess’s mouth, panic-stricken without any regard for hierarchy.

“Let me go.” Princess Wanfu broke free and looked Chen Che up and down from head to toe, then suddenly rushed forward, shouting loudly: “If you won’t call them for me, I’ll go find them myself.”

“Princess, please stop!” Chen Che was startled and quickly said.

Bao Quan cried out miserably: “My little ancestor!” and also rushed forward.

Who would have known that this seemingly delicate little princess actually had some skills? With a wave of her hand, she dodged under Chen Che’s arm, and her long whip struck Chen Che’s back as she laughed triumphantly: “Haha, that’s for not letting me in.”

Chen Che frowned and stepped forward to grab Princess Wanfu’s collar, saying angrily: “If the Princess continues like this, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“Hmph! Am I afraid of you?” Princess Wanfu pouted her small mouth and raised her delicate hands, attacking forward with several sharp and elegant moves. However, she had only learned a few techniques from palace masters and had never fought anyone before. How could she be Chen Che’s match? Within two moves, Chen Che struck her shoulder with a palm, causing her to scream.

“Princess, please conduct yourself with dignity!”

Seeing his master injured, old eunuch Bao Quan immediately acted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, letting out a sharp scream that truly startled the others. With lightning speed, he rushed forward and hugged Chen Che’s waist, opening his mouth to bite down on the man’s armor. One bite nearly shattered his mouthful of old teeth.

The four little eunuchs behind him saw their elderly leader charging forward regardless of his advanced age – how could they miss this opportunity to show loyalty? For a moment, five eunuchs rushed forward with hair standing on end and faces flushed red, like five quails.

The Southern Chu Black Guards were all skilled fighters with exceptional martial prowess – one could easily handle more than ten opponents like Bao Quan. But they were currently on someone else’s territory, and their superiors had repeatedly warned them to be careful. Although these eunuchs were being unreasonable and had no real fighting skills, their morale was astonishing. They shouted and yelled, having appeared listless just moments before but now full of vigor, as if ready to fight to the death.

“Well done, Bao Quan!” Princess Wanfu shouted loudly, fearing the world wasn’t chaotic enough: “This princess hasn’t loved you all in vain. When we return, I’ll reward each of you with ten taels of gold.”

With that, she lifted her skirts and rushed toward the inner hall. Chen Che tried to intercept her, but Bao Quan hugged his thigh. The other Black Guards, fearing her status, didn’t dare truly harm her. She flashed and ran into the inner hall, where crashing sounds immediately erupted, as if bandits had entered the house.

“Let go!” Chen Che was furious. He, a personal bodyguard leading over twenty men to guard the palace, had been breached by five eunuchs and a little girl. If this got out, how could he maintain his standing among the Black Guards? He angrily said: “If you don’t let go, I won’t be polite anymore!”

“Princess, hurry up! They’re getting serious!”

“Haha!” Princess Wanfu suddenly bounced out from inside with a cunning smile as if she had exposed someone’s scheme: “All crows under heaven are black – there’s nothing I can’t find!”

With that, she shook her hand, and a scroll taller than a person suddenly unrolled with a whoosh, dragging on the ground.

However, the next second, the little princess made a sound of surprise, holding the scroll high and stretching her neck as she muttered: “It’s not erotic pictures? Who is this?”

The painting clearly depicted a woman with willow eyebrows and starry eyes, a cherry mouth, and sharp, determined gaze that flashed like ice and frost, yet warm as spring sunshine. Her glances sparkled with spirit. She wore simple, elegant palace attire, holding a yellow riding whip in one hand and a battle sword in the other, placed at the neck of a deliberately uglified man. She looked triumphant with a cold smile at the corner of her mouth, appearing almost alive, full of feminine charm and girlish grace.

Qing Xia sat high on the tree trunk, looking at the scroll under the palace lanterns. She was struck as if by lightning, countless emotions flooding her heart, making even breathing difficult. For a moment, her heart was bitter, her inner world turning over and over. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress all those chaotic thoughts and vain ideas, pressing them down again and again, gradually clearing her mind. Those bygone days rushed away like the great Yangtze River, with rolling waves, no longer visible even in fragments. Looking back now, that pure and simple life had finally left her far behind. Looking from afar, she could only see a faint shadow.

“Who is this?” Princess Wanfu frowned and muttered: “Why does she look somewhat familiar?”

“Put it down!” A low voice suddenly came from the palace entrance. Everyone was startled and turned to look, seeing Chu Li in a black robe with a black jade crown, his face gloomy and eyes sharp, glancing sideways at Princess Wanfu as he said in a deep voice: “Put it down.”

“You’ve returned just in time,” Princess Wanfu called out joyfully: “I was just looking for you.”

Chu Li stood in the courtyard center with clear moonlight spilling over him. His face was handsome, the former evil charm had dissipated, leaving only an oppressive kingly aura like a sharp piece of cold ice, gleaming with a man-eating luster. The black robe fit perfectly on his body, his black hair flowing gracefully, extraordinarily handsome and elegant.

He seemed born to wear black. This meeting was the first time Qing Xia had observed him so closely. It seemed that with each encounter, he underwent some changes. He was no longer the young crown prince who had stamped his feet in anger in Lanting Hall, no longer would he childishly practice spear techniques before her camp in the dead of night, no longer would he sulk with her or bully Da Huang.

He had become a qualified ruler. He expelled foreign threats and pacified internal affairs, settled all four directions, commanded thousands of troops and horses, and conquered all lands within Southern Chu that refused his rule. Even Qin Zhiyan spoke of him with admiration and respect, sighing about Southern Chu’s revival.

However, they could never go back. Heaven had never given them a chance, and they had never had a chance. Life’s hardships had caused them to miss each other repeatedly, just like now – she watched him but could only hide in a tree, waiting for an opportunity when no one was around to quietly leave.

Qing Xia slowly closed her eyes. Qin Zhiyan’s eyes were like a handful of clear spring water washing her heart. Since she had already made her choice, why torment herself with hesitation? Whether longing or reluctance, it would all fade away. He was a ruler of his generation – how could he be held back by romantic entanglements?

What she owed him could never be repaid. His feelings could never be reciprocated by her.

Better to go back, better to go back.

“Let me ask you, who is this woman?” Princess Wanfu suddenly ran forward and grabbed Chu Li’s arm, saying charmingly: “I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere, but I can’t remember for the moment.”

Chu Li’s eyes were ice-cold. He imperceptibly pulled his arm from Princess Wanfu’s grasp and said in a deep voice: “Put it down. Get out.”

“What are you doing?” Princess Wanfu frowned and pouted: “Why should I get out?”

“Because I don’t welcome you.” The low voice said slowly, ice-cold in tone, carrying a bone-chilling rejection.

Princess Wanfu’s eyes gradually reddened. Born of noble birth and always deeply favored by the Qin King, even the people of Qin Palace obeyed her every whim. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? After thinking for a long time, she angrily said: “Why don’t you welcome me? This is my home.”

Chu Li’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said coldly: “Then return my things to me, and I’ll leave immediately.”

Princess Wanfu was instantly furious, her eyes red like a rabbit’s. She raised the scroll in her hand and shouted loudly: “Who exactly is this person that makes you so nervous? Is she your consort? Or your relative?”

Chu Li frowned impatiently and said: “It’s none of your business.”

“Coward!” Princess Wanfu suddenly flew into a rage, her hands violently tearing at the scroll as she shouted: “Coward, treating a painting like a treasure! Coward, I won’t give it to you – I’m going to destroy it!”