Yu Yao lowered her gaze, silent and unspoken.
She could vividly feel the complex gaze of Xuanyuan City and the inner struggle.
She suddenly stood up, her face calm, walked to the front of Xuanyuan City, respectfully performed a bow and said, "The wife does not know that the prince has come. I have not been able to greet you. Please forgive me."
Her posture was exceptionally respectful, faultless, yet it lacked the familiarity and ease of yore.
It also made the atmosphere feel increasingly alien and awkward.
Xuanyuan City watched her like this, his eyes grew more complicated, lightly said: "Get up, no need for etiquette."
The voice was extremely calm, conveying no emotion, yet it also lacked the past tenderness and pampering.
Yu Yao was aware of this, and she knew that the man still harbored resentment towards her identity as a killer from the West. She couldn't say that her heart wasn't disappointed.
But then she thought it over and felt that she was indeed greedy.
Xuanyuan City did not kill her and did not treat her as an assassin to be executed. Letting her live in the Qin Mansion as a concubine with no status, that was already the best possible outcome.
What more could she desire?
Yu Yao stood up, saw the tea cup sent by Xiangling, and offered it to him actively, saying, "Your Highness, drink some tea to moisturize your throat."
Xuanyuan City just stared at her like this, his deep eyes seemed able to absorb her, and then melt into her body.
"These things can be done by the servants; why must you do it yourself?"
He reached out and took the teacup she held, his gaze resting on her shoulder. Due to the covering of her clothes, he couldn't see the extent of her injury.
"How is your injury? Is the fetus in your womb still okay? Have you had a physician from the mansion come to examine you?"
He sipped the tea lightly, masking the concern in his eyes, and asked in a low voice.
The tone was neutral, as if he was asking casually.
Yu Yao heard this and knew that the man was still concerned about her in his heart. She bowed slightly and smiled, replying: "The wife is much better now. The wound is slowly healing, and the child in her womb is also fine."
Xuanyuan City nodded slightly, his voice low and solemn, "That is good then."
In an instant, the air seemed to solidify, and the silence was so awkward that it made people feel embarrassed.
Both kept silent, neither uttered a word again.
Xuanyuan City's mind was in disarray. His feelings for her were struggling between trust and suspicion, yearning to get close yet filled with fear.
The complicated emotions, like a thousand tons of stone pressing on his chest, were heavy enough to suffocate him, and he didn't know how to handle them.
Yu Yao knew well of his internal turmoil, or perhaps he didn't know how to face her.
She wanted to say something to alleviate the awkward and silent atmosphere.
Then he heard Xuanyuan City say, "The prince will set out to conquer the Western Regions in a few days. You..."
Thinking of her as a killer from the Western Regions, the words on his lips were abruptly stopped, leaving only confusion and helplessness.
Yu Yao raised her eyes to look at him, seemingly understanding what he wanted to say, and smiled faintly: "Your Highness, there is no need to worry about the thoughts of this wife. Although I was trained by the Western Regions as a killer, I have already betrayed the Western Regions' court and have no family left there. As long as Your Highness treats the people of the Western Regions well, I will not care."
Seeing that Xuanyuan City's expression softened a lot, she spoke softly again: "The battlefield is dangerous. Your Highness, please take care of yourself. Don't forget that the wife and the child in her womb are waiting for you in the Qin Mansion."
The eyes were fiery and sincere.
Xuanyuan City looked at her fiery and sincere eyes, and his expression became more complex.
He was a little afraid to look at her, quickly avoided her gaze and turned his eyes away.
"You stay well in the palace to nurture your pregnancy. If you need anything, just tell Li Fu. I'll be leaving."
Xuanyuan City left this sentence and hurriedly turned to leave.
Several days later, the army was fully equipped and ready to set out.
The sky was just beginning to break dawn, and the square was filled with a solemn and deadly atmosphere.
The military flags fluttered wildly, making a loud rustling sound, as if the souls of the undefeated were screaming.
Xuanyuan City was dressed in a gold armor, shining brilliantly in the sunlight. His face was exquisite and peerless, his arched eyebrows flying into his hair, his eyes deep and mysterious, his nose straight, his thin lips slightly pursed, exuding determination.
He stood on the high platform, his posture tall and proud like a pine, cold and majestic, daunting to all who looked upon him.
"Citizens!"
Xuanyuan's gaze swept over the entire army below, his voice resounded like the roar of nine dragons, cutting through the clouds and piercing the stones, echoing in every corner of the training field.
"The Western Regions' bandits, with evil intentions, disguise themselves as traders and sneak into the heart of our Jing country, attempting to overthrow our land and disturb our tranquility. Today, under the command of the emperor, I, Xuanyuan, will embark on this campaign to eradicate these bandits and protect our national security!"
His voice was filled with indisputable strength. His right hand tightly gripped the hilt of his sword, the knuckles slightly turning white from the force, as if even the air trembled from it.
Below, the tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison: "Defend our country, defend our country."
The sound wave was like a tide, directly hitting the sky.
Xuanyuan City nodded approvingly and drew his sword from his waist, pointing it towards the sky and bellowing loudly: "All soldiers listen to the order! This battle, we are only allowed to win and not to lose. Use the blood of our enemies to forge an eternal glory and honor for Jing!"
The voice was like a thunderclap, resonating in the hearts of every soldier and stirring up the deepest blood and fighting spirit within them.
With that said, he mounted his horse, which was tall and muscular, with glossy and lustrous fur. As the horse's hooves pounded the ground, it kicked up a swirl of yellow dust and the horse's neighing resounded through the sky, fully displaying its regal demeanor.
Xuanyuan City firmly controlled the reins and led the troops out first.
Behind him, the soldiers followed in neat lines, their armor clashing with a resounding echo, their flags fluttering and their swords and spears forming a dense forest. It resembled an unstoppable torrent of steel, rolling towards the Western Regions.
Below the city gates, the people gathered in waves, discussing animatedly. Their faces were filled with concerns about the war and admiration for heroes.
"I heard that the people from the Western Regions are incredibly cunning. I wonder if Your Majesty can safely return."
"Have no worries, Your Majesty is our Jing country's war god. As soon as he sets out, those Western Regions' scoundrels will be captured easily."
"Hoping for that. May all the soldiers return safely, and may our Jing country thrive forever," a woman with her hands clasped together whispered in silent prayer.
On the city gate, Xuanyuan Zan was clad in a dragon robe, standing with his hands behind his back, watching as Xuanyuan City's figure gradually disappeared in the distance.
His expression was solemn and complex, filled with concern for King Qin as well as hopes for the future of Jing.
He shouted loudly, "Xuanyuan, the battlefield is perilous. Be sure to take care of yourself, and do not fail my trust!"
Xuanyuan City turned around, bowed and fisted his hands, and shouted back in a high voice: "Rest assured, my brother. I will surely defeat the enemy and return triumphant to safeguard Jing's peace!"
Xuanyuan City then flicked the horsewhip, and the majestic horse bolted away like an arrow from a bow, leaving behind a trail of dust in the sky.
In the Mingxi courtyard of Qin Mansion, sunlight streamed through the window bars, casting a scattered pattern on the ground.
Xiangling hurried into the room, looking at the master who was reading a book on the bed and said urgently, "Master, today His Highness is set to go to war; he has already been fully equipped and ready to leave."
Yu Yao's expression slightly hesitated, and her eyes looked at Xiangling, asking, "Is it today that he is going to set out for battle?"
"Yes, he has already set out. There are many people gathered at the city gate to watch and discuss this matter."
Xiangling took a couple of breaths, then went on to say.
Yu Yao didn't say anything, hesitated for a moment, and then hurriedly walked over to the makeup table, pulling out a delicate pouch. Inside, there were a few precious pills.
There are blood-stopping, wound-healing, and detoxification pills. In short, they are all lifesaving things on the battlefield.
The price isn't expensive either; she bought them during a discount sale in the system mall.
She put the pouch into her pocket and said to Xiangling, "Quickly saddle a horse, I need to go and bid farewell to His Highness."
The voice carried a hint of urgency.
Xiangling was startled and knew that her master was worried about His Highness, but thinking of her master's injury, she hurried to persuade, "Madam, your injury has not yet healed. With all the journeying you will have to endure, how will your body bear it? Why not give the pouch to me?"
Yu Yao shrugged indifferently and said, "I'm fine, with these days of recuperation, my wound has healed almost completely. Don't delay, go and prepare."
Xiangling was helpless, knowing well the temperament of her master, and could only hurriedly order people to prepare the carriage.
Shortly, there was a carriage waiting outside the Qin Mansion.
Yu Yao and Xiangling hurriedly sat on the carriage, and she couldn't help but urge the coachman to hurry up. "Go faster."
"All right, Madam, hold on tight."
The coachman flicked his whip, and the carriage raced quickly on the street.
Hurriedly and hurriedly along the way.
Finally, not far from the city gates, they caught up with the large army that Xuanyuan City had set out with.
Yu Yao pulled open the carriage curtain, leaned out of the window, and shouted loudly, "Your Highness!"
Xuanyuan City, hearing the familiar voice, turned his head and saw her rushing out of the city gates. He was slightly surprised at first, but then his eyes showed a mix of joy and complexity.
He reined in his horse and rode up to the carriage, looking at Yu Yao with a tone of concern and reproach, "Why did you come? With your condition, you should be resting well at the mansion."
Yu Yao didn't have time to explain, and she quickly handed him the pouch, "Your Highness, this is what I prepared for you. There are some life-saving pills inside. The battlefield can be very dangerous. You must come back safely."
Xuanyuan City took the pouch and held it in his hand, gazing deeply at her, a myriad of emotions stirring in his heart.
She seemed not to notice the complexity in his eyes and continued, "Your Highness, the journey ahead is long. You must take good care of yourself and don't let me worry."
Xuanyuan City suddenly laughed and couldn't help but reach out and gently rubbed her face, "Don't worry, I will be careful. As for you, be sure to take good care of yourself in the mansion."
At this moment, the aide on the side hurriedly reminded, "Your Highness, the time is late. It's time to set out."
Xuanyuan City looked deeply at Yu Yao and then kissed her brow, speaking with reluctance, "Wait for me to come back."
Then he turned and rode back to join the army, leading them to continue on their journey.
Yu Yao watched as the army rode away, and suddenly, she smiled.
Since she was injured by an arrow and then her identity was revealed, Xuanyuan Cheng's feelings for her have been in a state of intense fluctuation.
It wasn't until just now that they finally settled down, no longer fluctuating.
