Chapter 175: Beimeng King, You Think Too Much

Behind Xiao Yang, the pass stood wide open, her grand army assembled.

The forces of Beimeng also swelled in number. Within moments, the scene had become a standoff between armies tens of thousands strong.

A great battle was imminent.

Xiao Yang was itching for a fight. The wealth of Beimeng surpassed her imagination.

Jin Zeyu couldn’t stomach letting Mu Yunlian go. Then his gaze fell on Xiao Yang, the Da Wei Empress. The thought that she had been right in front of him for so many days, only to slip away, made him even more resentful.

"This King has no intention of going to war with the Empress."

Jin Zeyu placed a hand over his heart and bowed slightly. "Meng Country and Da Wei are eternal allies. Since matters have progressed to this point, this King can choose not to pursue the issue with Mu Yunlian. The mines promised by the Eldest Prince, this King will deliver as agreed. Furthermore, this King is willing to offer a gold mountain, a copper mine, and a hundred li of vast plains to ask for the hand of a Princess of Da Wei in marriage, and with it, forge a perpetual alliance with Da Wei."

Xiao Yang understood. Jin Zeyu was determined to get something out of her, no matter what.

"Beimeng King, you’re dreaming."

Xiao Yang tugged on her reins, her gaze imperious. "The Xiao Royal Family, starting with me, is different. The sons and daughters of the Xiao Family may die in battle, but our pride will never be broken. The daughters of the Xiao Family will never be used in political marriages."

"I am not here today to negotiate with you, but to inform you. It doesn’t matter who is king of Beimeng—what I am owed, you will deliver."

As soon as Xiao Yang finished speaking, the mighty Black Dragon Guards surged forward, forming a tight, protective circle around her.

Li Wei rode his horse forward, the National Letter still in hand. "According to this National Letter, the next ten li of land from this point belong to Da Wei. Now, I must ask the Beimeng King to depart from Da Wei’s territory."

All the soldiers banged their spears against their shields, roaring in unison, "Beimeng King, depart from Da Wei’s territory!"

"Beimeng King, depart from Da Wei’s territory!"

Jin Zeyu’s face turned livid. ’To suffer such humiliation only three days after becoming the Beimeng King... This is an absolute disgrace!’

Mu Yunlian slowly removed the mask from his face and tossed it carelessly beneath the horses’ iron hooves. He and Jin Zeyu had been friends for five years, and while Jin Zeyu knew what he looked like, the instances where he had removed his mask could be counted on one hand.

After today, he would no longer need this mask. He could live openly, with his head held high, bearing his own face.

In the end, Jin Zeyu retreated.

He was facing the Da Wei Empress, tens of thousands of elite Da Wei cavalry, and Da Wei’s most fearsome general, Li Wei.

The annihilation of the Xirong made anyone and everyone hesitant to rashly declare war on Da Wei.

"Your Majesty!"

Inside the military camp, Xie Liuzheng, clad in riding attire, threw herself at Xiao Yang, diving straight into her embrace and holding on tight.

"Waaaah, Your Majesty, you’re finally back! You scared me to death!"

"Running off so far without a word... I was worried sick about you."

Above her head, a transparent pufferfish system hovered, perfectly calm and still, yet utterly disdainful of Xie Liuzheng’s racket.

’This host is noisy, manipulative, irritable, and unstable. What rotten luck did I have to get bound to a creature like this?’

Xiao Yang returned Xie Liuzheng’s hug and patted her on the head. "It’s okay. See? I’m back now, safe and sound."

Then she looked up at the pufferfish and offered a faint smile. "Thank you."

System: "..."

’I’m just a system. I’m not going to fall for the Empress’s sweet talk.’

Xiao Yang might be the Empress, but she was still a mortal with no heaven-defying powers. However, she had managed to activate a cheat for herself, forcing Xie Liuzheng’s system to place a tracker on her.

She could share her karmic fortune with Xie Liuzheng, linking their destinies. That way, Xie Liuzheng could live well in the future without having to complete any more tasks.

And through this connection, the system would also be aware of Xiao Yang’s existence.

If she went missing, Xie Liuzheng would surely help look for her.

Xie Liuzheng might seem brash and careless, but she was actually sharp and meticulous. She would undoubtedly find the most effective way to help, which is why she had brought Li Wei and the Black Dragon Cavalry.

Li Wei and Xie Liuzheng whisked the Empress away to update her on court affairs, leaving Mu Yunlian completely excluded.

’So what if he’s the Minister of Revenue, Meng Xuechen? So what if Her Majesty forgave him?’

’He’s the kidnapper who took Her Majesty. Just looking at him is infuriating.’

’Your Majesty, let’s just ignore him!’

Mu Yunlian was incredibly perceptive. From their subtle, dismissive attitudes, he could already anticipate the situation he would face upon his return. This was a problem that money couldn’t solve.

His gaze shifted to Ling Ji, who was staring longingly at the Empress’s retreating back. "Ling Ji, would you be willing to enter the Imperial Palace to serve the Empress?"

Ling Ji hesitated. "I am your handmaiden, Master. I am willing to serve you for my entire life."

’In the past, those words would have been a declaration of loyalty, a firm choice to stay with him. But now, it sounded more like a reluctant compromise, a second-best option.’

’I never thought I’d see the day I’d be jealous over my own handmaiden—and one who has always admired me, no less.’

’Life is truly unpredictable.’

"In this life, I will only ever choose her. Whether I have an official title by her side or not, she is your one and only female master."

"I can’t always be by her side, and I certainly can’t live in the Imperial Palace. So, I want you to go in my stead to serve and protect her. Are you willing?"

Ling Ji had always been grateful to Mu Yunlian for saving her life and for nurturing her talents. Even without her feelings of admiration, she would have willingly served him for a lifetime out of sheer gratitude.

’But he said Her Majesty is the female master... so if I want to repay my debt to him, serving the female master should be acceptable, too.’

"I am willing."

Mu Yunlian: "..."

’Listen to that. Not a hint of reluctance in her voice.’

Xiao Yang had just exchanged a few words with Li Wei and the others when Ling Ji arrived, carrying a tray.

She was followed by two other maids. They first presented water for washing her face and hands, then served tea of a perfect temperature. Afterward, Ling Ji stood discreetly behind Xiao Yang.

Xie Liuzheng’s eyes lit up when she saw Ling Ji. ’What a stunning, icy beauty!’

’That bust, that waist... and in that purple dress, she’s ridiculously sexy.’

’The sexiest figure with the iciest beauty... This whole look makes her the ultimate dream girl straight out of an anime!’

As a total fangirl, Xie Liuzheng had to force herself not to drool. Her voice unconsciously took on a cutesy, high-pitched tone. "Your Majesty... where did this lovely lady come from?"

Xiao Yang said, "Ling Ji. She’s Mu Yunlian’s handmaiden."

Then she introduced to Ling Ji, "And this is Xie Liuzheng. You two should be acquainted."

Ling Ji gave a polite, shallow bow. "Mr. Xie."

Then she turned to Xiao Yang. "The master has ordered me to follow you from now on, Your Majesty. From this day forward, I am yours to command."

Her expression was blank, but there was an unmistakable eagerness about her, as if her eyes were filled with anticipation.

Xie Liuzheng glanced back and forth between them, her keen senses picking up on something interesting.

Xiao Yang frowned, however. "There’s no reason for this. Why should you follow me? I’ll speak with him about it later."

Xiao Yang genuinely liked Ling Ji, but she also knew Ling Ji’s feelings for Mu Yunlian were a mixture of gratitude and affection.

It wasn’t that she was too petty or possessive. She knew Ling Ji and Mu Yunlian would never be a couple, but she wouldn’t be so cruel as to rob Ling Ji of the simple comfort of staying by the side of the man she admired.

’Mu Yunlian must be overthinking things,’ she thought, ’and forcing Ling Ji to leave him.’

Ling Ji never imagined Xiao Yang would refuse her. She was completely stunned.