Murong Bi walked step by step toward Chu Changsheng.

Chu Changsheng thought of the letters her subordinates had sent her during this time.

The letters said that during the most intense phase of the war, which lasted three full days and nights, Murong Bi hadn’t rested for three days and nights and had saved countless soldiers’ lives.

He had worked without sleep or rest until he collapsed from exhaustion, yet still dragged his sick body to continue treating the soldiers.

When the body of a Great Jin deputy general was seized by the enemy and thrown onto the battle line, he had risked his life to retrieve the corpse, using his superb medical skills to carefully suture the horrifically mutilated body together, giving the deputy general his final dignity…

When medicinal supplies ran out, he went up the mountain to search for substitute herbs, testing for poison with his own tongue…

In this great battle, Great Jin suffered very few casualties, achieving the greatest victory with the smallest cost. His contribution was indispensable.

Who says men must achieve something in their official careers?

A person with the common people in their heart carries merit wherever they go.

“A total of sixty-nine days in the northern frontier,” Murong Bi stepped forward and took down the bundle from his back, placing it on the table. “I heard the Princess most enjoys painting, so I painted sixty-nine pictures—there’s the scenery of the northern kingdom, the vast grasslands, blooming flowers, and also continuous beacon fires, bodies wrapped in horse leather, and separations between life and death…”

Chu Changsheng lowered her head and unrolled the paintings.

From the brushwork, one could see he wasn’t skilled at painting, but he had still worked hard to recreate the scenes he had witnessed.

At first there was the beautiful scenery of the northern kingdom, taking her to appreciate different geographical landscapes.

Then came the battlefield. At first, he tried to avoid depicting the cruelty of war, but eventually, probably feeling deeply moved, he painted some anyway. However, he was truly too busy—many times just a few quick strokes… Only when cleaning up the battlefield did the content of his paintings become rich again… From beginning to end, his painting skills had obviously improved more and more, and increasingly carried a compassionate sentiment.

“Today’s Great Jin is extraordinarily prosperous, but at the very bottom, countless common people are still struggling desperately. The Princess has always spread kindness widely, and I too am willing to practice medicine extensively, saving everyone who needs help,” Murong Bi said word by word. “I admire you like the moon, and wish to share the rest of my life with you, until death do us part.”

He gazed at Chu Changsheng, his eyes filled with resolute affection.

He waited for the woman before him to answer.

However, at this moment, footsteps sounded on the stairs, drawing closer and closer.

Chu Hongyu walked over. “It seems I’ve come at an inopportune time.”

Murong Bi’s face suddenly flushed red.

He had heard people say that His Majesty most doted on his younger sister, the Princess Imperial, not allowing any man to get close, which was why the Princess Imperial was seventeen and still not betrothed.

He knew he wasn’t a good match. His parents always said he was unambitious, that he was foolish, that he was stupid…

“Why have you stopped talking?” Chu Hongyu deliberately said. “If Changsheng doesn’t agree, or if I refuse, what will you do?”

“It would be very normal for the Princess not to agree, because I’m not that outstanding. I’ll continue working hard. I believe the Princess will eventually be moved by my sincerity,” Murong Bi paused and said. “If during this time someone appears that the Princess likes, then I’ll wish her happiness.”

His gaze carried a trace of dejection.

Chu Hongyu smiled.

During the two-plus months in the northern frontier, he had seen extraordinary endurance and uncommon courage in Murong Bi, along with his superb medical skills.

Murong Bi might not have what the world considers excellence, but he had a heart that didn’t care about worldly matters. Only after having someone he loved did he begin to measure himself by worldly standards… This was a pure person.

Changsheng was also a pure person.

No matter who either of them ended up with, they would inevitably face schemes and calculations.

Chu Hongyu looked at his sister from the same mother and asked, “Changsheng, are you willing to let Murong Bi become your Prince Consort?”

Chu Changsheng tilted her head. “Murong Bi, if you become Prince Consort, you won’t be able to take concubines. You won’t be permitted to have even chamber maids as concubines. Are you truly willing?”

“That would be absolutely wonderful!” Murong Bi’s eyes lit up. “One lifetime, one person—that’s exactly what I pursue. The Princess and I always think alike. This is wonderful!”

He had long known that as Prince Consort, one couldn’t take concubines, but chamber maid concubines were permitted.

He had previously worried the Princess would forcefully give him some. Since the Princess had proactively said this, it seemed that wouldn’t happen.

“Good, then I shall grant you two marriage,” Chu Hongyu’s face revealed a smile. “How about having your wedding on the same day as mine?”

Murong Bi was overjoyed. “Whatever Your Majesty decides!”

The wedding day drew closer day by day.

Cavalry sent the wedding invitations by express horse to the Western Regions.

At this very moment, Yun Chu and Chu Yi were in a mountain in the Western Regions. They had traveled to many places before finally learning of the Nine Black Gu’s lair.

They had come thousands of miles precisely to destroy this evil lair.

It was said that the Nine Black Gu needed to feed on human blood. Only by exhausting the blood of seven young women could two mature worms be raised. These two mature worms were called Love Gu—planting them in someone you desired would make them devoted for life. However, if one raised two gu worms inside one’s own body and nurtured them with human blood for many years, when the two gu worms produced offspring, the Love Gu would become the Nine Black Gu. Yun Chu had already experienced its lethal power.

According to some informed people, no one had ever successfully raised the Nine Black Gu—most used them as Love Gu.

“A letter from Yuer,” Yun Chu finished reading the letter, the corners of her mouth revealing a smile. “In just under half a month, Yuer and Changsheng will be getting married. Time really flies.”

“Half a month is enough time,” Chu Yi looked toward the distant mountains. “After resolving the gu worm matter, we’ll set off.”

The couple led their horses, walking the mountain path until they reached inhabited areas at the foot of Five Qi Mountain.

There were more than ten villages near this mountain. At this time, the village chiefs and elders had all gathered together to strategize about this year’s River God sacrifice.

Every year at this season, Five Qi Mountain held a River God sacrifice. The dozen or so villages selected seven unmarried women to sacrifice to the River God, praying for favorable weather and bountiful harvests throughout the year.

Year after year, there were fewer and fewer women in the villages. The elders all wore worried expressions.

“Many people in our village, to avoid the sacrifice, marry off their daughters at just ten years old. There’s really no other way.”

“Yes, we can’t very well send eight or nine-year-old girls. Alas…”

“Now we only have six women, still one short. What do you say we should do?”

“Yes, what should we do…”

Just as everyone didn’t know what to do, a voice rang out. “How about letting me go?”

Everyone turned around to see an extraordinarily beautiful woman walk in. The woman wore simple black and white clothing, yet it couldn’t conceal her stunning appearance. As she entered, the room seemed to become resplendent.

Behind her followed a man. The man carried an imposing aura, a sense of pressure rushing toward them, making everyone involuntarily stand and greet them with courtesy.

The village chief cupped his hands. “May I ask who you two are?”

“This is my younger sister,” Chu Yi said calmly. “She’s not yet married. I wonder if she would be suitable for the sacrifice?”

Though Yun Chu was over thirty years old, excellent maintenance kept her skin delicate and smooth. Having not needed to worry about things over the years, her hair was black as satin. Before these toiling farmers, saying she was twenty would naturally be believed.

The village chief said in a daze, “Why?”

“Naturally to see what Lord River God looks like,” Yun Chu curved her lips in a smile. “Give me the opportunity.”

Everyone couldn’t help but look at each other.

Every single woman sacrificed to the River God had died without exception and never returned.

And someone was fighting for the chance to go to their death?