After Xuanhuang City left Mingxi Pavilion, he was deeply entangled in a dilemma.
On one hand, Yu Yao's identity as a killer from the Western Regions caused him to harbor reservations.
On the other hand, her unwavering protection and selfless love deeply moved him.
He didn't know what to do, nor how to handle it, so he chose to keep himself busy and avoid thinking about these things.
Xuanhuang City hadn't come to Mingxi Pavilion for several days, but Yu Yao didn't feel anything unusual; she just went about her business as usual.
Having saved her life and the child in her belly, Xuanhuang City wouldn't kill her.
As for the feelings between them, it's hard to say.
If Xuanhuang City can put aside his resentment and act as if nothing had happened, then she would stay at the royal mansion and live well.
If he couldn't get over it mentally and was very bothered, then after giving birth to the child in her belly, she would leave the royal mansion and find a place to hide.
Anyway, her mission was simply to give birth to a child for Xuanhuang City, and once the child was born, her mission would be completed.
Thinking about it like this, she felt a lot more relaxed and no longer worried.
She stayed quietly in Mingxi Pavilion every day to recuperate and maintain her pregnancy.
Seeing the prince suddenly not coming to Mingxi Pavilion, Xiangling and Xiangju were both extremely worried.
She wanted to say something but seeing that her master was injured and pregnant, which was the time for recovery, she could only swallow the words in her mouth silently.
The palace, the imperial study.
The sandalwood incense burns slowly, but it fails to calm down Xuan Ruanzuan's anger.
He was outraged when he learned that the assassin who dared to kill the king was a killer from the Western Kingdom, disguised as a caravan and mixed into Jing country, with the purpose of killing the king.
His eyes widened, and the scrolls scattered from the imperial desk with a loud clatter, his voice roaring with fury: "The Western Kingdom Court dares to be so brazen, it's completely lawless!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down."
The serving girls and eunuchs in the imperial study were terrified and trembling with fear, kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed low, not daring to breathe a single word.
Xuanhuang Cheng watched his nose with his nose, focused on his heart, standing there silently with no expression on his face, like a still, deep pond.
After expressing his anger, Xuanhuang Zan's gaze fell on Xuanhuang Cheng, and his anger still couldn't be calmed down. "Young brother Cheng, this time you narrowly escaped a deadly hand. This shameful humiliation is beyond words. I will make those brutes from the Western Kingdom pay a heavy price!"
Xuanhuang Cheng bowed his body and said solemnly, "Brother Emperor, please calm down. This matter requires careful consideration. As my brother knows, the Western Kingdom Court appears to be subject to our dynasty, but in reality, they have great ambitions. In recent years, they have secretly increased their military strength, trained assassins, and conspired with neighboring tribes. Their hearts are malicious."
Xuanhuang Zan paced back and forth, agitated, saying, "To wait for a long time? The Western wolf has long-term malicious ambitions! If this time we don't give them a heavy blow, they will become a great problem in the future!"
Xuanhuang Cheng's expression frowned slightly, and his gaze fell on Xuanhuang Zan. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Young brother wants to wipe out the Western Kingdom even more than Brother Emperor. The Western Kingdom is vast but sparsely populated, with a fierce people. If we are to conquer it, it will not be achieved overnight. In addition to considering the factors of grain, troops, terrain and so on, we must ensure that everything is in place."
Upon hearing this, Xuanhuang Zan's anger subsided slightly, but his gaze remained resolute.
"What you said, Brother Cheng, is very true. But I have made up my mind. If the Western Kingdom Court dares to defy the authority of our country, I will make them pay a price. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will completely eliminate them to prevent future troubles."
Xuanhuang Cheng lowered his eyes. How he wanted to eliminate the Western Kingdom, but the Western Kingdom was indeed a tough bone to chew.
But even though it's tough, there are still ways to deal with it.
"Brother Cheng, what do you think?"
Xuanhuang Zan looked straight at Xuanhuang Cheng, waiting for his reply.
He knew that this war god-like brother of his would be the key to this operation.
The kingdom of Jing is not without capable generals who excel in battle, but none can compare to him.
Xuanhuang Cheng looked up, his eyes deep and profound, bowing and saying, "Brother Emperor, Brother Cheng is willing to lead the troops to the battlefield. However, please allow me to make detailed preparations first to ensure there are no unforeseen circumstances."
"Good!" Xuanhuang Zan pounded the table with a sound like a bell.
"I will appoint you as the Grand Commander of the Western Campaign, in charge of leading the three armies. All military forces will be under your command. Immediately return to the palace to prepare. Three days from now, you will lead your troops in a flag-raising ceremony on the campus, demonstrating our national strength and striking against the Western Kingdom!"
"I will obey the imperial command."
Xuanhuang Cheng bowed respectfully and accepted the command.
The next morning, the atmosphere at the morning meeting was extremely serious.
Xuanhuang Zan sat on the Dragon Throne, surveying the assembly of ministers, and began to speak slowly: "The Western Kingdom Court dared to kill my younger brother, which is a provocation against the imperial authority and defiance of heaven's might! I have decided that it shall be led by King Qin to lead the troops out to conquer the Western Kingdom. I will restore our great homeland with peace!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers all knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
Among them, there were some who expressed concerns, but there were also many who respected the emperor's decision and trusted the abilities of King Qin.
Xuanhuang Cheng stepped forward from the ranks, bowed and accepted the command: "Young brother will not disappoint Brother Emperor's high expectations. I vow to break down the Western Kingdom and return triumphant!"
In the hall of state, the ministers whispered to each other, exchanging glances and murmuring about the upcoming expedition.
Some people had serious expressions, worried about the difficulty of the campaign.
Others had determined looks, full of confidence in King Qin.
An elderly minister stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this campaign against the Western Kingdom is a long journey. I hope Your Highness, King Qin, will make full preparations and not underestimate our enemies or advance recklessly."
Another military official shouted, "Your Majesty, rest assured that King Qin is brave and capable. He will certainly win the first battle, glorifying our country's authority!"
Xuanhuang Zan nodded slightly, looking at Xuanhuang Cheng: "Young brother, for this campaign, I will provide full support. The grain and military supplies will be plentifully supplied. Do you have any other requirements?"
Xuanhuang Cheng bowed his hands in reply: "Thank you, Brother Emperor. I only wish to pacify the chaos in the Western Kingdom as soon as possible and ensure the peace and security of our people."
Xuanhuang Zan happily exclaimed, "Good! All the ministers should work together to help King Qin achieve victory and return home triumphantly!"
The ministers quickly dispersed after the meeting.
Upon returning to the Qin Palace, Xuanhuang Cheng thought about the upcoming campaign against the Western Kingdom. He had not visited her for several days, and his footsteps unconsciously led him to Mingxi Pavilion.
The golden sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, scattering like shards of gold on the cobblestone path.
Among the flowers outside Mingxi Pavilion, colorful butterflies fluttered gracefully, filled with abundant vitality.
Xuanhuang Chen has not stepped into Mingxi Pavilion for several days, which is something that has never happened before.
All the maids and servants in Mingxi Pavilion were on edge, fearing that their mistress would lose favor.
Now, seeing Xuanhuang Chen appear, the maids and servants in Mingxi Pavilion were both surprised and delighted, and they all respectfully saluted.
"Our slaves have seen Your Highness."
"The slave have seen the prince."
Xuanhuang Chen waved his hand, indicating for everyone to stand up, and walked inside.
At this time, he had a very complicated feeling. She had betrayed the Western Kingdom Court for himself and risked her own life and the fetus in her belly to shield him from arrows.
This deep affection, he said he couldn't be moved was a lie, his heart was deeply touched.
She was so resolute and brave, using her fragile body to protect him.
She was so in line with his heart.
He originally thought that he had finally found a partner who was soul and body compatible with him, and they deeply embraced each other.
He even thought of asking his elder brother for a royal edict, making her his princess consort, and spending the rest of his life with her alone, walking hand in hand until they were both old, raising several lively and lovely children—such a life would be sufficient.
Those beautiful aspirations once circulated in his heart, warming him every day and night.
But the sudden identity of the Western Kingdom assassin, like a heavy blow, caught him off guard and left him in a disarray.
It felt like a nightmare that shattered all his beautiful dreams to pieces.
The truth is also a sharp sword that deeply penetrates his heart, causing him great pain and agony, with so many twists and turns, he couldn't sleep all night.
Every time he thinks of it, it's like thousands of arrows piercing his heart, making him waver between trust and suspicion.
Looking at the woman sitting quietly there, not saying a word, his emotions in his heart were like the surging waves of the sea, hard to calm down.
