The general, hearing this, looked hesitant. Liu Xing’s face darkened. “Have you not heard the Empress’s words? Disengage your troops at once.”
“Yes.”
The general of Fengya Pass immediately gave the order to sound the gongs and retreat.
The Western Liang army had no idea what was happening when they saw the Eastern Qin soldiers and generals retreating like a tide.
Yun Xiao, enveloped in bloodthirsty killing intent, stared intently at the vast expanse of the Western Liang army below. Her expression was so grim it could devour people. She reached out and handed a large pouch of poison to Liu Xing and Jing Yun.
“Immediately cast the poison into the wind. Heaven favors us today, the wind is in the right direction. The Western Liang army will soon be forced to retreat.”
Liu Xing and Yun Li Jing immediately took the order. Once the soldiers and generals of Fengya Pass retreated back to Eastern Qin and the city gates were closed, they leaped into the air. Facing the wind, they unfurled the white powder, which instantly drifted like willow catkins, carried by the wind.
Wherever the powder landed, an unbearable itch ensued. The Western Liang army below quickly noticed the anomaly and retreated further and further.
On the city wall, Zhui Feng and Zhui Yue had already brought back the Emperor. The Emperor’s face was dark and he was slightly dizzy, but in the flash of an eye, he saw a familiar face and almost thought he was dreaming.
It wasn't until a pair of soft hands held his pulse that he regained consciousness. It wasn't a dream; it was Xiao’er. It was Xiao’er. Why had she come to the border? He couldn't help but roar.
“Yun Xiao, you’ve run here again? And you’re heavily pregnant.”
This roar used up all his strength, and then with a thud, he collapsed onto the ground. Yun Xiao sighed helplessly, reached out, and carefully felt his pulse. She immediately gave an order, “Prepare warm water at once.”
Someone took the order. She gave Mu Rong a pill. Fortunately, she had arrived in time; otherwise, his life might have been in danger.
She didn’t know if it was because of their spiritual connection or because the child didn't want to lose its father, but its reaction had been so fervent.
Yun Xiao directed Zhui Feng and Zhui Yue to quickly escort the Emperor to the military yamen.
The general of Fengya Pass finally recovered from the series of events and hastily led his soldiers and generals to escort the Emperor to the best room in the governor’s mansion.
After ordering someone to prepare warm water and bring it in, Yun Xiao wrote a prescription. The military doctor fetched the medicine and placed it in the water.
Yun Xiao ordered someone to soak Shangguan Yin in the water. Coupled with the administration of the antidote, at least his life was no longer in danger. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed. Tears slipped from her eyes and dripped into the bathtub where he was soaking.
It was only now that she realized her fear. If she hadn't rushed day and night, her child would have no father, and she would have lost the man who was supposed to take her to see the mountains and rivers.
She didn't know what Shangguan Lin had been doing, to have someone deliver a letter that was so mistaken. If Mu Rong had known from the beginning that Ye Jingyi was actually a poisonous person, that his entire body was filled with poison, even his blood, he would never have been affected.
However, Ye Jingyi had died a miserable death in the end, which brought some relief.
This scourge had finally been eliminated. The remaining one was the Crown Prince of Western Liang. Only the leader of the Blood Bandits could mobilize Ye Jingyi. Anyone with a bit of sense would guess that the Crown Prince of Western Liang was the instigator.
The more Yun Xiao thought about it, the angrier she became. Her pupils were cold and bloodthirsty, and a cold smile played on her lips.
She had given the people of Western Liang the Corrosive Pill. That poison, as soon as it touched human skin, would cause rot. She wanted to see how the Western Liang Prince Li, Ji Ge, would deal with this poison!
To dare to break their word, this was the price. Now, whether he knew about it or not, the fact was that he had caused Mu Rong to be injured.
Yun Xiao looked up at Mu Rong. After the medicinal bath, his complexion had cleared slightly, and the poisonous aura had lessened. He slowly opened his eyes, his dark eyes as bright as gemstones, staring intently at Yun Xiao. He grinned.
“Xiao’er, I really don’t know what to do with you.”
“You still talk. If I hadn’t come, our child would have no father. What would you have us do?”
Yun Xiao said fiercely. Shangguan Yin’s handsome and elegant face was tinged with a light radiance. “I won’t die so easily.”
He would be unwilling to die, and even if he became a ghost, he would come back to find her.
“You still talk,” Yun Xiao said, her voice filled with complaint and worry. Her pretty and charming face was etched with unease. Thinking that she had almost not seen him again, how could she not be afraid, not be anxious, not be nervous? She had been scared to death, scared to madness. Fortunately, in the end, he was fine.
“Xiao’er.”
“Alright, stop talking. You still have toxins in your body. Although you have my antidote, you still need to rely on yourself. Your internal energy is profound, and you can expel the toxins.”
“Mmm.”
Shangguan Yin looked at Yun Xiao’s concern and sorrow for him. At this moment, she was still heavily pregnant, which made his heart burn with anxiety. He quickly channeled his energy to expel the toxins.
Because of his deep cultivation, expelling the toxins was not a problem at all. Moreover, he had begun treatment immediately. If there had been any delay, even the most powerful deities would have been useless.
Outside the room, Liu Xing reported in a low voice, “Empress, someone wishes to see you.”
“Who?”
Yun Xiao asked coldly. At this time, she didn't want to see anyone.
Outside the door, Liu Xing spoke word by word: “Empress, it is the Prince Li of Western Liang.”
“What? He still dares to come? Look at what your Western Liang has done.”
At this, Yun Xiao stood up and strode towards the outside. Several subordinates guarded the door. Below the many stone steps outside the corridor stood Ji Qingge, the Prince Li of Western Liang. Dozens of elite soldiers surrounded him, their swords pointed at him. If he made any move, these people would kill him.
Yun Xiao walked out, stood on the stone steps, and looked at him coldly.
“What are you doing here?”
On Ji Qingge’s handsome and clear face, a flicker of pain flashed in his eyes. This matter was not his wish, nor his father’s wish.
For a long time, the Ministry of War was under the jurisdiction of the Crown Prince. Who knew that the Crown Prince would privately mobilize troops to attack Fengya Pass, causing the deaths of so many people in Western Liang and damaging the friendship between the two countries.
“I want to talk to you.”
Ji Qingge looked at the dozens of covetous soldiers by his side and spoke calmly.
Yun Xiao had wanted to refuse, but seeing the pleading in Ji Qingge’s eyes, she finally let out a breath. “Alright.”
The two walked into the flower hall next door. Outside the door, countless elite soldiers stood guard, lest the Empress be harmed. Zhi Qiu and two medical attendants accompanied her, never leaving her side.
In the flower hall, Yun Xiao’s cold, sharp pupils stared at Ji Qingge, who was seated in the guest seat. She said faintly, “Speak. You know that Eastern Qin does not welcome people from Western Liang now.”
“Xiao’er, this is a misunderstanding. When Crown Prince Huangxiong did this, my father and I had no idea.”
As soon as Ji Qingge spoke, Yun Xiao stared at him aggressively.
“So what? Do you know how detestable the Crown Prince of Western Liang is? He had been targeting Eastern Qin for a long time. He abducted Ye Jingyi, a traitor from Eastern Qin, and turned him into a poisonous person to harm the Emperor. If I hadn't arrived, he would have died in Ye Jingyi’s poisonous blood. Is this also forgivable? Fortunately, he is fine, otherwise, your entire Western Liang army would have to be buried with him.”
Yun Xiao suddenly stood up, her entire being radiating a chilling aura, bloodthirsty. Her dark, ink-like pupils were as enchanting as the soul-hooking Asura of midnight.