"Ling'er..." Yuan Zhao saw Chu Ling'er being escorted by the soldiers from the Han Kingdom and rode his horse towards her.
The two Han soldiers released Chu Ling'er. One of them said in broken language, "Young General Yuan, the person has been returned."
"Brother Yuan Zhao..." Chu Ling'er saw Yuan Zhao and rushed towards him, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yuan Zhao patted Chu Ling'er's back and said in a gentle tone, "It's good that you're back."
Chu Ling'er hugged Yuan Zhao tightly and whispered, "I will never leave your side again, Brother Yuan Zhao."
Yuan Zhao looked up at the two Han soldiers and said coldly, "Where is Miss Feng?"
The Han soldiers replied, "Miss Feng stayed behind, and Miss Chu was returned to you."
Yuan Zhao's expression turned grim. "What do you mean she stayed behind?"
"Miss Feng voluntarily stayed, and our Prince decided to return Miss Chu to you," the Han soldier said.
"Impossible, where is she?" Yuan Zhao strode towards the Han soldiers.
In his arms, Chu Ling'er clutched his clothes and looked up, crying, "Brother Yuan Zhao, Sister Feng voluntarily stayed to save me."
Yuan Zhao trembled. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and he pushed Chu Ling'er away, saying, "Ling'er, you go back. I'm going to save Miss Feng."
Seeing Yuan Zhao about to leave, Chu Ling'er steeled her heart, fell to the ground, and cried out, "It hurts, Brother Yuan Zhao, it hurts..."
Yuan Zhao turned back and saw Chu Ling'er on the ground, clutching her ankle, her face contorted in pain.
He had no choice but to return. He checked Chu Ling'er's injury. It was not serious, just a sprained ankle, but Ling'er could no longer walk on her own.
Yuan Zhao sighed, lifted Chu Ling'er onto his horse, mounted it himself, and headed towards the military camp.
Chu Ling'er lowered her gaze, thinking silently, "I'm sorry, Sister Feng."
Back at the military camp, Chu Ling'er saw Deputy General Chu and Old General Yuan and burst into tears.
Even the iron-blooded Deputy General Chu couldn't help but have his eyes mist over. Although he had told Old General Yuan not to worry about Ling'er, only he knew the pain of having his heart gouged out.
"Deputy General Chu, take Ling'er to rest and have Xingzhi examine her injury," Old General Yuan said.
Deputy General Chu nodded, picked up Chu Ling'er, and left.
"You come in with me," Old General Yuan said coldly to Yuan Zhao.
Yuan Zhao was slightly taken aback but followed him into the military tent.
After a long silence, Yuan Zhao couldn't help but speak, "Father..."
Old General Yuan looked up, his eyes icy. "You're going to the Han Kingdom's military camp to save someone?"
Yuan Zhao froze, his expression betraying him.
Old General Yuan snorted. "Do you think you can single-handedly infiltrate the Han Kingdom's camp?"
"Then should I just watch Miss Feng remain there?" Yuan Zhao looked up and asked, word by word.
Upon hearing this, Old General Yuan sighed, then looked up and asked, "Zhao'er, tell me, do you like Miss Feng?"
Yuan Zhao trembled. "Father, what are you talking about?"
"I'm asking if you do or not!" Old General Yuan's tone turned cold.
Yuan Zhao lowered his gaze and after a long pause said, "Yes."
"You cannot like her," Old General Yuan stated decisively.
"Why?" Yuan Zhao suddenly looked up and asked Old General Yuan.
"If I say you can't, then you can't," Old General Yuan said coldly, annoyed.
"Father, who I like is my freedom," Yuan Zhao said stiffly, also angered.
Old General Yuan walked up to him and said, word by word, "You can like anyone, just not her."
"Why?" Yuan Zhao looked at Old General Yuan with disbelief.
"There is no 'why'," Old General Yuan turned away and continued, "You are not suitable. Ling'er is the most suitable person for you."
"Father, I have always regarded Ling'er as a sister. My feelings for her are only those of a sibling, not romantic love."
"Ling'er likes you, don't you know that?" Old General Yuan asked with a sigh.
Yuan Zhao paused, his gaze falling. "I know."
Old General Yuan asked with a cold laugh, "You know, yet you haven't made things clear. Yuan Zhao, acting this way will only hurt Ling'er."
"I will make things clear with Ling'er, but as for Miss Feng..."
"You don't need to worry about that. Miss Feng will be safe and sound."
Yuan Zhao was stunned. He didn't know where his father's confident assertion that Miss Feng would be alright came from.
Outside the tent, Chu Ling'er bit her lip, her face covered in tears.
She knew that Brother Yuan Zhao didn't like her, but this was the first time he had said it so directly.
Behind her, Deputy General Chu sighed. He had also hoped for Ling'er and Yuan Zhao to be together, but since Yuan Zhao was not comfortable with Ling'er, it was better for Ling'er to face the truth early.
Yuan Zhao walked out of the tent and saw Chu Ling'er, her face streaked with tears. He then saw Deputy General Chu behind her and understood.
He nodded to Deputy General Chu, who turned and left.
Pain now would prevent greater pain later.
"Ling'er," Yuan Zhao looked at Chu Ling'er and said gently.
"Brother Yuan Zhao, please don't say anymore," Chu Ling'er said, shaking her head.
Yuan Zhao shook his head and said softly, "Ling'er, I used to think you simply liked me, so I didn't refuse. But now it seems this liking has consumed you entirely. If it continues to develop this way, I cannot reciprocate, and you will be even more heartbroken."
"Don't say it..." Chu Ling'er shook her head.
"Ling'er, I have always treated you as a sister, both in the past and in the future."
"Don't say anymore..." Chu Ling'er cried out hysterically, then turned and limped away.
Yuan Zhao lowered his gaze. "Ling'er, I hope you will understand."
"General, the Han Kingdom has retreated. They have withdrawn to two hundred li outside Xue Ling Pass."
Old General Yuan's face lit up. "Are you telling the truth?"
The messenger replied, "It is absolutely true, and they have sent a peace treaty."
Old General Yuan stepped forward and opened the peace treaty. The document clearly stated that from this day forward, they would not invade the Xue Kingdom.
"Good, excellent..." Old General Yuan said excitedly as he read.
Han Bing Pass, Han Kingdom
Han Xi Xia looked at the young woman before him and spread his hands. "I have done what you asked me to do. Is it your turn now?"
The young woman's gaze was cool. "What do you want me to do?"
"Be my princess consort," Han Xi Xia said with a cheerful smile.
"I am already married," Xue Zi Ning said faintly.
Han Xi Xia was taken aback. "You're married?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Yes, I would not dare to deceive Your Highness."
Han Xi Xia frowned. "I thought I had finally found a woman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with me, only to find out she's married. Where is your husband?"
"Widow."
Han Xi Xia's eyes brightened. "A widow is also good! More flavorful."
Xue Zi Ning twitched her lips. "Won't people laugh?"
Han Xi Xia laughed heartily. "Miss Feng, to tell you the truth, I am after that jewel in the old man's hand."