Bian Ruohan gaped, not knowing how to speak.

Lu Heng said in a heavy voice, “Do you see? This is the environment you’re in now. The people in this military camp have to conserve even their drinking water, yet you want to bathe? Are you some precious princess or naturally extraordinary? What makes you more special than others? You eat well, live well, use good things, yet do nothing. And now you even want to bathe? Believe it or not, I’ll throw you into that uninhabited desert!”

Bian Ruohan trembled all over, whether from fear or cold. In March, the desert climate was extremely harsh. Having never experienced such hardship, Bian Ruohan was too frightened to speak again.

Looking at Bian Ruohan’s appearance, Lu Heng easily recalled Qin Yining from that day.

When they couldn’t escape their pursuers, they had no choice but to enter this desert. Qin Yining at that time was like a female hero, showing not the slightest fear, remaining calm and even more outstanding than grown men. She was only in her teens then, yet already possessed such temperament. Compared to the spoiled Bian Ruohan now, Qin Yining was like a sensible child versus an ignorant infant.

Such a stark contrast filled Lu Heng’s heart with dissatisfaction. This marriage wasn’t what he wanted, yet it ultimately fell upon him. The woman he desired was probably beyond his reach in this lifetime.

With his family destroyed, life going against his wishes, becoming annoyed at the sight of Bian Ruohan, plus having exhausted all his wealth to support the Tatar war effort only to see it becoming difficult, and his own life in Si Qin’s hands—these accumulated blows nearly wore away what little patience Lu Heng had left.

“Bian Ruohan.” Lu Heng squatted down, grabbing Bian Ruohan’s hair and forcing her to look at him.

At this moment, he no longer cared how many people were watching from behind, no longer bothered maintaining his image as family head. With gritted teeth and a twisted expression, he leaned close to Bian Ruohan.

“If you’re sensible, you’d better cause me less trouble. Now isn’t the time for your tantrums. If you won’t behave, then I’ll have to send you away.”

“Send, send me away?” Hope appeared in Bian Ruohan’s eyes.

She’d had enough! This man didn’t have her in his heart, always so fierce and menacing. In this military camp, she could only stay in the tent, unable to wander around, unable to make any requests. Whenever she made a demand, it would result in scenes like this.

She truly didn’t know why she remained here to suffer.

Seeing Bian Ruohan like this, a mocking smile bloomed on Lu Heng’s lips. “Yes, send you away. But now with armies pressing at the borders, the Tatars retreating all the way, with Great Zhou forces everywhere in all directions, sending you back to Great Zhou would be harder than ascending to heaven. However, here—” He pointed to the uninhabited desert behind them, Lu Heng’s smile becoming even gentler.

“Here, no one will stop you. I’ll give you silver, bring your beloved jewelry. Send you in there—wouldn’t that be nice?”

The expectation in Bian Ruohan’s eyes froze, gradually turning to terror. She shook her head repeatedly, ignoring that her hair was still clutched in Lu Heng’s hand. “No, no, I’ll never make so many demands again. You, you don’t…”

“Scared?” Lu Heng chuckled, his handsome features gaining more color.

Bian Ruohan stared wide-eyed in terror.

This Lu Heng was like an evil spirit ready to devour her alive at any moment, making it impossible for her not to fear.

Lu Heng slowly released his grip on Bian Ruohan’s hair, then pointed at that stretch of desert. “Do you know? That desert was once crossed by someone voluntarily. When pursued by enemies with no way to retreat, they would rather die in the desert than become a burden to others.”

Lu Heng’s voice became exceptionally gentle, completely different from when he had threatened Bian Ruohan moments ago.

Though Lu Heng didn’t name who it was, Bian Ruohan knew he was talking about Qin Yining.

“In your heart, she’s that wonderful. Even though she has her heart set on another man, you still treasure her in your heart.”

“Yes.” Lu Heng turned around, sneering coldly. “Even if she stabbed me, I’d be willing. And you—never dream of comparing yourself to her.”

“You! But if you don’t like me, why did you marry me!”

“Ridiculous. If it weren’t for the Emperor arranging the match back then, do you think I would have married you?”

These answers had actually crossed Bian Ruohan’s mind long ago. She just hadn’t expected that when the truth was laid bare before her, it would be so despairing.

Carefully recalling how Lu Heng treated her, she even felt that her entire marriage, her desperate struggles, fighting for affection, competing with Qin Yining, scheming against Lu Heng—it was all a joke.

Bian Ruohan’s tears burst forth like a dam breaking. “Lu Heng, you’re not human!”

“Don’t cry. Water is very scarce here. Cry too much and you’ll lose fluids, but there isn’t that much water for you to drink.”

Bian Ruohan trembled with anger, covering her face as she ran crying toward the tent.

Lu Heng stood with hands behind his back at the edge of the gentle slope. One step back, there were still some weeds under the snow. One step forward, the desert stretched endlessly in unchanging golden yellow with no signs of human habitation.

Whether advancing or retreating, it seemed they were nearly at a dead end.

The war between the Tatars and Great Zhou grew increasingly intense. By mid-April, the forces led by Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu had formed an encirclement, completely cutting off reinforcements from the Tatar capital and severing the entire Tatar army’s supply lines.

The Tatars were naturally fierce and warlike. Now forced into desperate straits, they fought with determination to die, their ferocity reaching breathtaking levels.

The battlefield reeked of blood, with struggling, life-and-death fighting soldiers everywhere. Their languages differed, but their fury when roaring was the same.

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu sat mounted, leading their troops as they wielded sabers and spears, charging straight into the enemy camp.

Si Qin wore iron-gray armor with a red-tasseled helmet, wielding a Tatar curved blade as he gritted his teeth and led his troops directly toward Pang Xiao.

“Come! Let me see how formidable you are, Prince Zhongshun, Great Zhou’s God of War!”

Pang Xiao sneered coldly, raising his blade as he spurred his horse forward to engage Si Qin in combat.

Ji Zeyu shook his reins, observing the surroundings, ready to clear away any sneak attacks against Pang Xiao from horseback.

In the Tatar camp, Lu Heng, Lu Wenru, and Bian Ruohan were already under guard protection, planning to escape in the chaos.

However, throughout the military camp stretching for miles, Great Zhou forces were everywhere. This time, Great Zhou troops had literally stepped directly into their main camp.

The sounds of battle cries never ceased, with severed limbs and arms covering the ground. Bian Ruohan stared wide-eyed as despair spread through her heart.

In such a chaotic battlefield, could she possibly escape alive?

“It’s all your fault, all your fault!” She cried while being dragged along by the guards, complaining incessantly.

Lu Heng couldn’t be bothered with her, only rushing toward the perimeter under guard protection with Lu Wenru.