Wei State was dead.

With the commander fallen, how could they continue fighting?

Bo Gu saw that some soldiers were already losing their will to fight. His gaze swept over the crowd like a predator. He had already grabbed a riderless horse and spurred it directly toward Xiao Yan.

“Since I’ve pledged loyalty to Your Highness, I’m willing to fight to the death for you, to avenge your grievances!”

Yu Dai rode across to block his path, raising his spear in challenge.

When Bo Gu saw him, hatred immediately flared. He sneered coldly: “A barbarian outsider! Back then, you led a rabble to surround the capital. Do you think that by changing your surname to Yu and donning armor to command troops, you’ve become one of the Great Mu people? Nothing but a joke!” As he spoke, his blade thrust toward Yu Dai.

Yu Dai parried with his long spear, then struck directly at Bo Gu’s waist, having already spotted his weak spot.

Seeing Bo Gu struggle to turn and avoid the blow, Yu Dai laughed loudly: “You’re still so obstinate and foolish! Blindly loyal! Blindly filial! Utterly stupid! Xiao Heng is already dead, yet you’re still making wedding clothes for others. Hahaha!”

Bo Gu’s face darkened further. He gritted his teeth and fiercely spurred his horse, suddenly leaning forward in a flash as his blade chopped toward the legs of Yu Dai’s horse.

Yu Dai snorted coldly, gripping his reins tightly as his horse’s hooves leaped over the blade’s edge.

He swung his long spear around, unhorsing Bo Gu and sending him tumbling to the ground.

This was precisely what Bo Gu had been waiting for.

As he rolled on the ground, he pulled a dagger from his bosom and stabbed it directly into the horse’s belly.

The horse let out a long whinny. Yu Dai had no choice but to dismount, leaping down from the stirrups.

In close combat, he was no match for Bo Gu.

Bo Gu’s eyes were already bloodshot from killing. When he lunged forward, he exerted all his strength.

Yu Dai retreated, the blade’s edge mere inches away. Suddenly, he heard a swift whistling by his ear as a white-feathered arrow pierced Bo Gu’s side, its momentum so forceful that the feathers still trembled.

Xiao Yan sat on horseback, drawing his bow for another shot directly at Bo Gu’s forehead.

Having already been struck once, Bo Gu couldn’t dodge in time. His long blade immediately fell from his hand as he collapsed to the ground.

He died with his eyes wide open.

Seeing this sudden turn of events, Wei’s cavalry lost all will to fight.

The cavalry, carrying the banner with the “Wei” character flag, cut it off themselves, then threw down their helmets and armor and fled in disarray.

Xiao Yan rode up to Yu Dai, looking down from his high position: “General Yu, I was reckless today.”

Yu Dai flushed with embarrassment and saluted with clasped hands: “This subordinate acknowledges his guilt.”

Xiao Yan gazed toward the fork in the road ahead, where dust rose into the air leading toward Yang City, a route filled with numerous checkpoints and troops stationed for thousands of li.

Zheng Sui’s main army was just outside Yang City.

Yu Dai looked up at him and suddenly exclaimed: “Your Majesty, your arm is wounded!”

Several streams of blood had flowed from his right arm down to the back of his hand, dripping profusely.

The wound on Xiao Yan’s right arm had reopened, now numb with pain.

Yu Dai urgently said: “Your Majesty’s royal body is of utmost importance! The plan to take Yang City need not be rushed. Once General Qi’s naval forces are deployed, our eighty thousand troops can take Yang City directly. If we hasten now, we risk ruining everything.”

Yu Dai observed Xiao Yan’s expression again and continued in a gentler tone, “As long as the Concubine is alive, that is what Yang City hopes for. The Concubine’s life must be safe at present…”

Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the reins, remaining silent for a moment. “Have someone gather the weapons and collect the bodies.” Then he added firmly, “Return to camp!” With that, he turned his horse around and rode away quickly.

He feared that if he stayed a moment longer, he would change his mind.

*

Gu Yi opened her eyes, her neck aching terribly. The blow she had received was not light, but fortunately, it hadn’t sent her straight to the afterlife.

She blinked, making out the green gauze bed curtains hanging before her.

She moved her hands and feet, only to discover that the ropes binding her had been loosened. Deep red marks were still visible on her wrists, but she was lying perfectly intact on a wooden couch.

Looking down, she saw that even her dirty undergarments had been changed. She now wore plain underclothes with a lotus-colored outer garment and a brocade skirt with intricate embroidered edges, all neat and tidy.

Whoever had kidnapped her this time had better aesthetic taste than Bo Gu.

Gu Yi felt weak as she propped herself up on her elbows to rise from the couch. Looking around, she saw she was in a medium-sized sleeping chamber.

Before the couch stood a crane-shaped candleholder as tall as half a person. In the crane’s mouth was a jade-green incense burner, emitting wisps of fragrant smoke.

The half-closed window directly opposite her revealed pavilions and waterside gazebos. Tender green willows swayed, lightly brushing against a pond of clear blue-green water.

Faint, ethereal music drifted in with the breeze.

Gu Yi roughly guessed where she was.

Spring scenery of Jiangnan, the detached palace of Yang City.

She rose and walked languidly to the window, observing three or four servant women passing through the courtyard with lowered eyes. Even when they saw her standing at the window, they passed by without a word.

Though beautiful, this detached palace in Yang City seemed completely lifeless to her.

“You’re awake…”

A male voice came from behind her, languid and somewhat hoarse, as if just awakened from sleep.

Gu Yi turned around to see a man approaching with loose hair and bare feet. His blue outer robe was only loosely tied, its brocade brilliance embroidered with golden dragons ascending to the heavens.

His features were as if painted, with eyes of distinct black and white, though the corners were tinged with a faint redness, and he appeared drowsy.

Is this… the breathtakingly beautiful Xiao Lü?

When reading the book, to be honest, Gu Yi’s favorite supporting character was Xiao Lü.

The Xiao dynasty was generally known for its elegant and handsome men.

According to the book, Xiao Lü was the most beautiful among them, with incomparable looks.

Yet when contrasted with Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan’s intelligence, he, though merely an ordinary person, appeared as if he knew nothing at all.

The former Crown Prince Heng’s followers were all ruthless and calculating, and Qingzhou Prefecture was a prosperous agricultural and commercial region.

Yet the false regime had not succeeded in seizing power.

Gu Yi guessed that part of the reason might be that… no teammate could carry Xiao Lü.

Ah, it somehow made one feel sympathy.

Xiao Lü was also carefully examining Gu Yi.

So this was Xiao Yan’s woman.

Yet she didn’t look as lifeless as the palace concubines.

The corner of his lips curved upward as he sighed: “You’re finally awake. You slept for three days and nights. I thought they might have accidentally… killed you.”

Gu Yi was startled—she had slept for three days.

She instinctively touched her stomach.

“Are you hungry?” Xiao Lü frowned and asked.

Gu Yi nodded and said: “And a bit thirsty.”

Xiao Lü clapped his hands several times, and a palace servant entered with a bow. “What does Your Majesty command?”

“Bring food.”

Gu Yi stood in place, and only after the servant had left did she say: “Thank you.”

Xiao Lü brushed aside his robe and sat directly at the dining table, beckoning to Gu Yi. “Come here.”

Gu Yi took two steps forward, standing stiffly before him.

Xiao Lü said impatiently: “Sit down.”

Gu Yi followed his example, kneeling at the table.

Xiao Lü glanced at Gu Yi, then played with a strand of hair by his ear, seemingly asking casually: “So you’re that dog Xiao Yan’s favored concubine?”

Gu Yi blinked.

How should she answer this question…

Should she acknowledge that Xiao Yan was a dog?

Or that she was a dog’s favored concubine?

Gu Yi thought for a moment, then carefully replied: “Favored concubine… I wouldn’t say so… Bo Gu seems to have captured the wrong person from the start…”

“Captured the wrong person?” Xiao Lü laughed. “How do you know he captured the wrong person?”

His eyes brightened. “What’s this? Is Xiao Yan now surrounded by beauties on both sides? Like Goddess E Huang and Nü Ying? How many favored concubines did he bring on his southern tour?”

Gu Yi faltered for a moment. “Among those accompanying him, there are still palace ladies of higher rank than me…”

Xiao Lü let out a cold snort. “I simply don’t believe it. That dog Xiao Yan has always been cold and ungrateful. How could he have any favored concubine or weakness? Zheng Sui is thinking too beautifully…”

He gazed at Gu Yi and sighed softly, “It’s a pity that someone so young has become a pawn in this game. One misstep, and you’ll die before thousands of troops.” He smiled. “But if so, at least you’d leave your name in history…”

Gu Yi immediately felt that Xiao Lü and Xiao Yan were indeed brothers, with equally infuriating abilities.

She gave a dry laugh and didn’t respond further.

A short while later, palace servants brought dishes and arranged them on the table—all delicacies.

But Gu Yi didn’t move.

Xiao Lü raised an eyebrow. “Afraid it’s poisoned?” As he spoke, he picked up his chopsticks and ate a slice of spring bamboo shoot.

Only then did Gu Yi pick up the bamboo chopsticks to take food.

The two ate in silence.

Gu Yi calculated the days. The army’s attack on Yang City should be within the next month.

Advancing by both water and land, though Zheng Sui had a hundred thousand troops, they were not elite soldiers or generals, and could not match the battle-hardened veterans of General Qi Wei, who trained daily and had bathed in blood for many years.

Though the battle would be fierce, with the river dyed red with blood, Qi Wei would defeat Zheng Sui at Luo River.

Yu Dai would then lead troops to attack the gates of Yang City, and the false emperor Xiao Lü would be pushed onto the city gate to die in a hail of arrows.

Gu Yi held her teacup, glancing at Xiao Lü from the corner of her eye.

Sigh.

Such a beautiful person would soon die.

What a waste.

Xiao Lü lowered his eyes and blew on his tea. “What is it? Are you pitying me?”

Gu Yi was startled for a moment, then shook her head and said: “No, I’m pitying myself.”

I know your fate, but I don’t know my own.

Xiao Lü frowned, about to speak when suddenly a woman’s voice came from outside the hall: “This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Gu Yi looked toward the sound and saw a beautiful woman in imperial concubine-colored skirts gracefully entering. The hairpins on her head resembled either a bluebird or a phoenix chick, glittering brilliantly.

Entering the hall without being announced—it could only be the renowned Concubine Zheng, Gu Yi thought.

Xiao Lü immediately changed his previously languid demeanor, his gaze instantly softening. “Why has my beloved concubine come? Didn’t you say earlier that you were flying kites in the courtyard?”

Concubine Zheng passed by Gu Yi and smiled coquettishly at Xiao Lü: “For some reason today, there was no wind at all. The kite wouldn’t fly up no matter how long I tried. This concubine’s arms are sore from holding it up. The palace maids weren’t much help either. We ran around the courtyard several times, but the kite never took flight…”

Xiao Lü laughed heartily: “How neglectful of my beloved concubine! I shall punish them another day…”

Concubine Zheng took two steps forward, ignoring Gu Yi’s presence, and knelt beside Xiao Lü. She gently placed her hand on his arm, slowly caressing it. “Your Majesty is wise, but this concubine doesn’t mind. Your Majesty need not trouble himself with those palace servants. This concubine only wishes… only hopes that Your Majesty would spend more time with me. Tonight happens to be a full moon. This concubine would like to enjoy the moonlight with Your Majesty at the waterside pavilion…” She rested her head on Xiao Lü’s shoulder and continued softly, “Your Majesty, please promise this concubine tonight… will you?”

Gu Yi, sitting across the table, watched all this with wide eyes, immediately breaking out in goosebumps.

This was truly the demeanor of a favored concubine…

Compared to Concubine Zheng, she was as rough as a horse-taming nomad…

Xiao Lü laughed softly but looked toward Gu Yi and said: “My beloved concubine will likely be disappointed tonight. A friend has come from afar, and I must have a conversation with her…”

Gu Yi’s heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, Concubine Zheng’s gaze turned toward her.

She lifted her head from Xiao Lü’s shoulder and smiled graciously at Gu Yi, feigning surprise: “Is this the person your father’s men brought? Truly a beauty. If this concubine lost such a beauty, I would be heartbroken too…”

Gu Yi gave a forced smile.

Xiao Lü glanced sideways at Concubine Zheng. “Since my beloved concubine wishes to enjoy the moonlight, why not call for some musicians? Dancing to the moon at the waterside pavilion would be beautiful…”

Concubine Zheng’s expression remained unchanged as she nodded: “This concubine won’t disturb Your Majesty tonight. But in a few days, Your Majesty must spend a good time with this concubine…”

Xiao Lü agreed with a sound.

Concubine Zheng left the bedchamber, looking back three times with each step.

Gu Yi shuddered all over, the goosebumps only now subsiding slightly.

Xiao Lü looked at her with a smile, casually asking: “Are you also this tender and loving with Xiao Yan?”

Do you have some misunderstanding about Xiao Yan?

Are you two really brothers?

Gu Yi stared at Xiao Lü wordlessly, watching as he suddenly smiled and shook his head vigorously, sighing: “So that’s how it is. I knew it… what does that dog Xiao Yan know of love!”

Gu Yi’s heart suddenly softened.

In the book, it described how the brothers Xiao Lü and Xiao Yan stood north and south, like fire and water, completely incompatible.

But the Xiao Lü before her, though speaking of Xiao Yan every third sentence, didn’t seem to speak purely from hatred. Rather… it seemed more like brothers simply quarreling.

Moreover, under heaven, probably no one else would dare call Xiao Yan a “dog” like this.