Upon hearing this, Si Qin’s expression tightened, and he replied with a solemn and earnest countenance: “How could I be such a person? My heart is completely devoted to the Khan, as heaven and earth can attest! The Khan is such an extraordinary woman, far more charming than those who merely possess empty beauty! My admiration and love for the Khan has never changed throughout all these years!”

Si Qin’s gaze was too intense, burning A’na Ri’s face crimson red. She looked at Si Qin with both joy and shyness, murmuring: “Naturally, I trust the Prince Consort’s character.”

Si Qin was moved and grasped A’na Ri’s hands, leaning forward and slowly drawing closer.

Seeing this, A’na Ri bashfully lowered her eyes and closed them, waiting for that kiss to arrive.

The men nearby, while drinking water and eating dried rations, kindly suppressed their laughter and inwardly praised the Prince Consort’s prowess. So handsome and capable—only such a man could make the Khan, usually so fierce, become completely docile.

Perhaps thinking there were too many people around, Si Qin did not kiss A’na Ri, but merely touched his forehead to hers.

Such an intimate gesture was actually more stirring to the heart than a kiss would have been.

Being treated with such cherished regard, A’na Ri could no longer remember anything else, feeling as though she was about to melt into a pool of soft water, dissolving in Si Qin’s tenderness.

That slight suspicion from earlier had long been cast to the winds.

However, when she glanced sideways at Qin Yining and saw that face which, despite its grime, still couldn’t conceal its beauty, A’na Ri still felt a tightness in her chest.

Such a vixen really made one feel disgusted just looking at her.

After resting for a moment, the group set out again.

This time, with adequate water and dried rations, confirmed direction, and knowing they would soon leave the desert, everyone’s mood was completely different from the earlier dejection—each person became relaxed and cheerful.

However, as captives, neither Qin Yining nor Lu Heng were given horses and still had to follow behind the cavalry on foot.

Qin Yining tried to steady her breathing as much as possible, telling herself in her heart that at least she now had water and dried rations, and no longer needed to worry about these people abandoning her in the desert. If Pang Xiao were here, she might have felt safe enough to faint, but without anyone to rely on, she had to be strong herself.

Finally, after walking for another entire day, at dusk, everyone saw the oasis at the desert’s edge.

It was not a mirage, but a real oasis right before their eyes! They had finally left the desert and set foot on Tatar territory.

Everyone rested briefly at a nearby tribe. Upon hearing that the Khan and Prince Consort had arrived, the chieftain immediately offered his most spacious and clean tent, presenting the most delicious roasted meat and mare’s milk wine.

Qin Yining and Lu Heng could finally wash away all the sand and grime from their bodies and change into clean Tatar clothing.

The garments offered by the chieftain were all exquisite without exception. The innermost layer was a narrow-sleeved long robe with side slits, over which was draped a goose-yellow outer robe with sleeves reaching to the elbows, and the outermost layer was a red brocade round-necked floral-patterned front-opening vest with a row of pure silver buttons gleaming with silver light.

Her hair was neatly arranged by a maid, and she wore a hat adorned with red agate and dangling silver tasseled chains on both sides. A row of red agate tasseled bead strings hung from the center front of the hat, draping over her forehead and covering the space between her brows, making her palm-sized pretty face appear as white and tender as congealed cream.

The maid chatted with her in Tatar with a smile.

Qin Yining couldn’t understand what she was saying, so she smiled politely at her.

The maid chattered something else and brought over a pair of red soft boots with lace trim for her to wear.

Qin Yining smiled and said thanks, putting on the boots.

The maid looked at Qin Yining with shining eyes, excitedly circling around her. After gazing at her for quite a while, she said something else, then covered her cheeks with both hands and went out in excitement.

Qin Yining frowned slightly and lay down wearily on the wooden couch by the window.

She remained alert, not daring to truly fall asleep, but the exhaustion from trekking through the desert was beyond what ordinary people could endure, especially since she was still recovering from injuries and had been constantly underfed.

Qin Yining fell asleep without realizing it.

Not long after, Si Qin entered the tent and saw the beauty lying by the window.

Agate beads and tassels draped over her forehead, her delicate hand supporting her fair cheek, her other lotus-white arm resting at her waist. The close-fitting long robe and vest, due to her side-lying position, outlined her mountainous undulating figure in complete detail.

Si Qin stood stupefied at the entrance, staring for a long time without remembering what he had come for.

Only when the small pile of firewood burning in the center of the tent made a soft “crack” did it startle Si Qin back to his senses from his daze.

The Great Zhou was truly a wonderful place. Rich in water and fertile soil, abundant in resources, even the women were born delicate and fair-skinned, with skin as white and tender as milk curd.

This was why he was so obsessed with that southern land.

Compared to Tatar, where most tribes needed to live nomadically, the Great Zhou’s agricultural nation was obviously much more suitable for a country’s long-term development.

Si Qin slowly walked toward Qin Yining. His footsteps were very light, like a cat creeping stealthily, gradually approaching the bedside.

He extended his right hand wearing a red agate ring, his fingertip just about to touch Qin Yining’s cheek when the beauty on the couch suddenly opened her eyes and looked straight at him.

Si Qin met her gaze, and was actually intimidated by those sharp eyes, forgetting to continue his action.

Qin Yining frowned and slapped away his hand with a “crack,” standing up. Her sharp gaze fixed on him as she spoke in a cold, cutting voice:

“What is the Prince Consort doing?”

Si Qin’s slapped hand burned with pain. He clenched it into a fist behind his back and smiled gently, saying: “There’s a bonfire up ahead, and they’re preparing to roast a whole lamb. I came to call you to eat together.”

Qin Yining narrowed her eyes: “I don’t quite understand the Prince Consort’s meaning.”

“Don’t understand? What don’t you understand?” Si Qin’s gaze stared directly at her opening and closing cherry lips.

Qin Yining said: “On the journey here, the Prince Consort treated me no differently from the other captives. Aside from occasionally speaking normally, you and I had no interactions. You are the lofty Prince Consort, your wife is the Khan of the Tatars. And I am now merely a prisoner fallen into your hands. In such circumstances, forget whether I’m qualified to eat roasted lamb—even if I were to eat it, why would the Prince Consort personally condescend to come, and why behave as you just did?”

Si Qin’s eyes flickered, and gradually, a trace of a smile appeared on his face.

“You truly are a clever woman. I didn’t expect you to be so perceptive.”

Qin Yining looked back at him with an expression that said ‘don’t try to fool me.’

“Such obvious differences—anyone could discern them, right? Or is the Prince Consort too confident in himself, thinking that as long as you show a pleasant face, all women should be dazzled into losing their judgment?”

Upon hearing this, Si Qin’s eagle-like eyes immediately narrowed sharply, intense killing intent bursting forth from his gaze!