This battle saw only a few dozen soldiers from Xianyue injured, and the military doctors were tending to them. Meanwhile, Danfeng Kingdom suffered thousands of casualties. With the first battle a decisive victory, everyone was ecstatic.
In the main command tent, Qingyao gazed at Bingxiao with satisfaction. Since Bingxiao had won, and so brilliantly, despite the advantage of weaponry, Bingxiao's strength could not be underestimated. Qingyao smiled slowly, "Bingxiao, from today onwards, you are the Cavalry Commandant."
"Thank you, Marshal."
Bingxiao was overjoyed and stood at attention. Qingyao surveyed everyone below and then spoke indifferently, "From now on, rewards will be given for meritorious service. If you perform well, you will be rewarded; if not, you will be punished."
The people in the tent were eager, everyone excited. They firmly requested to fight in the next battle, finding the enemy women to be nothing special. If they were to compare, they thought Bingxiao was several times more beautiful than them.
"Yes, Marshal."
Due to this battle, Chen Tang Pass suffered heavy losses, losing both soldiers and prestige. Therefore, they raised a three-day truce flag, ignoring Qingyao's drum calls and challenges. Although Lu Zhanyun and others advocated for using weapons to blast open the gates of Chen Tang Pass and capture it in one fell swoop, Qingyao did not agree with such a plan.
Chen Tang Pass was the border of Danfeng Kingdom, with many troops stationed inside. A rash advance would result in heavy casualties. She needed these soldiers not just to die within Chen Tang Pass but to fight the capital of Danfeng Kingdom and other countries later. Thus, she could not afford unnecessary losses.
For now, they would wait for battle.
After three days of truce, it was thought that the women were unwilling to accept the death of Chun Tao and the thousands of fallen soldiers, and would fight again. For this battle, Qiu Ju emerged. From the moment she appeared, she was different from Chun Tao. She was calm and serene, beautiful as a refined bamboo, neither anxious nor hurried, incredibly peaceful. She appeared gentle, making it difficult to be ruthless. Lu Zhanyun volunteered to face her.
However, this battle did not go smoothly. Firstly, Qiu Ju's delicate demeanor repeatedly confused Lu Zhanyun, making him hesitate to strike with full force, nearly costing him his life. Qingyao's expression turned cold. Were all men so lustful? She turned to look at Yin Xuan beside her, recalling Ximen Xinyue's words, feeling a little perplexed. Who had actually favored Ximen Xinyue, the Emperor or the Prince of Nan'an?
However, she couldn't dwell on that now. She looked up.
The situation on the field had changed. Lu Zhanyun was clearly being controlled by Qiu Ju, his moves soft and lacking power, his entire body moving with her actions. If this continued, he would surely be defeated. Thinking this, Qingyao extended her hand backward, the Phoenix Tail Zither in her grasp. She plucked it a few times, its sound sharp and clear. Lu Zhanyun started, snapping back to attention, his cheeks burning. He hadn't expected this woman to bewilder him. Filled with anger, he leaped forward, his long sword carrying his fury, striking out. He missed, and struck again. However, he still couldn't bring himself to use the hand grenade, as it seemed too cruel. Qingyao, seeing Lu Zhanyun's hesitation, wouldn't let him continue his haphazard actions and immediately commanded in a low voice.
"Mochou, go replace him."
"Yes, Master." Mochou's figure blurred as she rapidly mounted her horse and charged forward. She was already skilled in martial arts. Suddenly, she leaped into the air, throwing a hand grenade. At the same time, she sprang onto Lu Zhanyun's horse and pulled hard on the reins. The horse, feeling the strain, galloped away. As it passed her own horse, she leaped onto it, yanked the reins, and swiftly rode back to the team.
With a boom, Qiu Ju was killed again. This time, before the Xianyue soldiers could advance, the troops within Chen Tang Pass swiftly retreated.
Now, they dared not fight again.
Having lost two major generals in quick succession, and facing such potent weaponry, they were at a loss. It seemed they could only rely on cunning.
In the military command camp of Chen Tang Pass, Ji Xue sat solemnly in the main seat, gazing silently at the remaining three generals below. Yu Jiao's face was full of grief. Chun Tao and Qiu Ju were both her capable subordinates, and now both were killed. How could she not be sad? But at this moment, she was helpless.
"Crown Princess, what shall we do?"
Yu Jiao, usually resourceful, faced a daunting problem for the first time. If it were a battle between two armies, she wouldn't be afraid, but now their weaponry was too formidable. No matter how skilled their fighters, they couldn't overcome those weapons.
Ji Xue remained silent, completely lost in thought. She was devising a plan. It seemed only one person could achieve a surprise victory. Her pupils were deep, and a cold smile curved her lips.
Mu Qingyao, Mu Qingyao, this is your death knell. I refuse to believe no one can stop you!
"Temporarily cease hostilities. No matter how they provoke us, we will ignore them."
As Ji Xue finished speaking, Yu Jiao asked with concern, "What if they blow up the city gates and charge in?"
"That woman is not foolish. If she charges in, it will be to our advantage. They only have a hundred thousand troops, while we have nearly three hundred thousand. Even if we fare poorly, she will not have an easy time."
"Yes, your subordinate understands."
Yu Jiao received the order and went out to instruct people to raise the truce flag.
Ji Xue looked thoughtful, her eyes dark and unreadable. Frankly, she hated Hua Wenbo and truly did not want him released from the cold palace. However, apart from him, no one else could achieve a surprise victory. That man had a vendetta against Mu Qingyao. It was because of her that the Empress Consort lost her son. Even if his heart was wicked, he must have been in great pain, so he blamed Mu Qingyao. That man was truly insidious and shameless.
Ji Xue cursed him inwardly.
She remembered something. The last time she discovered Wuqing was still a Prince of Danfeng, she had intended to expose the Empress Consort to the Empress. Unexpectedly, he revealed a shocking conspiracy to her.
She, Ji Xue, was not the Crown Princess of Danfeng at all. It was he who had manipulated things to switch Ji Feng and her. Ji Feng was the true Crown Princess; she was merely a low-born commoner. At first, she didn't believe it, but that man was capable of anything.
Yet, he made her meet someone.
Upon seeing that woman, even though she hadn't said a word, Ji Xue knew she was not a royal princess of Danfeng. The woman looked exactly like her.
The questions that had long puzzled her were suddenly answered. The royal family had always produced beautiful and handsome men. The Empress was beautiful, and the male consorts in the harem, including her late birth father, were all stunningly attractive. Why then was there an ordinary woman like her?
Later, she finally understood. She was not of royal blood at all. xxs壹贰
That man threatened her, stating that as long as she behaved, he would not expose her true identity. Furthermore, he demanded that she marry Wuqing as her primary consort. Little did she expect that Wuqing would die in the end.
Actually, she liked Wuqing. Thinking about it, she and Hua Wenbo shared a common enemy: that woman Mu Qingyao.
Ji Xue's eyes turned dark, her expression slightly contorted. She commanded outwards in a low voice.
"Someone."
Immediately, a subordinate female soldier rushed in and respectfully cupped her fists, "Crown Princess."
"I will write a letter. Send it to the capital with utmost urgency."
"Yes," the female soldier replied, bringing ink and brush. Ji Xue frowned in thought and quickly penned a letter to the Empress. In essence, she explained the predicament at Chen Tang Guan and requested the Empress to release the Empress Consort from the cold palace and order him to come to Chen Tang Pass to assist in the battle.
Chen Tang Guan, having lost two major generals and thousands of troops, was a severe blow to the usually arrogant female generals of Chen Tang Guan. They continued to raise the truce flag, while Qingyao and her forces dared not rashly enter the city. However, news from within the pass still emerged. Currently, the commanding general of Chen Tang Guan was in seclusion, his strategies unknown. Despite her two consecutive victories, Qingyao was happy, but those who deserved punishment would definitely be punished.