Han Xiwen's brow didn't even furrow, but he only felt the sword's wind, not its entry into his body.
After a long while, he opened his eyes and saw the sword tip, just a hair's breadth away from his brow. He looked at Wu Dakang opposite him. Suddenly, Wu Dakang dropped his sword and said coldly, "Regarding the girls of Han Country, this general is also very sorry. Since it is a truce, this general is not someone who is bound by personal grievances. Let's call it even!"
Han Xiwen watched Wu Dakang turn and walk a few steps before saying, "However, I thank Your Highness the Prince for sacrificing himself to protect the righteous path."
Wu Zhengdao waved to him.
Han Xiwen smiled, a smile from the heart for the first time.
Inside the tent, Wu Dakang recounted the events of the past few years one by one.
The young woman frowned, all her previous efforts in vain.
"Your Majesty..."
Wu Dakang noticed the young woman was lost in thought and couldn't help but call out to remind her.
The young woman turned around and looked at Wu Dakang, asking, "Wu Dakang, I will retake the throne."
Upon hearing this, Wu Dakang knelt on one knee, "This subject will certainly assist Your Majesty in retaking the throne."
The young woman nodded, "But, we still don't have enough people."
Wu Dakang knew the young woman was correct and said, "Your Majesty, I can contact Xiling Pass and Beiling Pass."
"Good, you handle all of this. I want to unite the four nations so that, at the very least, they do not intervene when I fight Xue Changan."
Wu Dakang said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not fail my trust."
The young woman nodded, "Good. We will go our separate ways. You pay more attention to matters in the capital. My appearance here means Xue Changan will know soon. He will take measures, so you must be more vigilant."
"This subject understands!" Wu Dakang replied.
The young woman stood up, "I will go to rest. Prepare a carriage for tomorrow, and I will go to Han Country."
"Your Majesty, shall I send some men to protect you!" Wu Dakang said.
The young woman nodded, "You may. Choose those who are agile."
The young woman walked out of the tent and arrived at Han Xiwen's tent. Just as the army physician was coming out, he saw her and was about to kneel, but she stopped him and asked, "How is Prince Xiwen's injury?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, they are all superficial wounds. He will recover in a few days of rest."
"Good, prescribe a few more days of medicine and send it over!" With that, she pulled open the tent curtain. Han Xiwen was about to put on his clothes after applying ointment. Upon seeing who had arrived, his face turned red, and he quickly put on his clothes.
The young woman was unfazed and walked in. Han Xiwen felt a bit awkward, "You don't wait until I'm done changing before coming in?"
The young woman heard this and said lightly, "My former harem was filled with handsome men, and we didn't fancy each other."
Han Xiwen almost spat out a mouthful of blood. At this moment, he was completely certain that this young woman was not Princess Anning, because Princess Anning would definitely be shy.
The young woman sat on the bed and said slowly, "We depart tomorrow, do you have any objections?"
Han Xiwen was startled, then said, "I have no objections, but are you really going?"
The young woman nodded, "Yes."
Han Xiwen's gaze flickered slightly, "You may not be able to persuade my father."
"How will I know if I don't try?" the young woman said.
Han Xiwen said nothing more, and silence fell between them.
Han Xiwen looked at the young woman and couldn't help but ask, "Will she come back?"
The young woman raised her head, her eyes clear and serene, "You wish for her to return?"
Han Xiwen gave a bitter smile, "After all, we spent a few days together. It's hard to adapt to a living person changing."
"Without handling some matters properly, she will not wake up," the young woman said.
What she didn't say was that "she" seemed unwilling to wake up.
Perhaps it was for the best, at least it would allow her to resolve these matters. As for how to choose then, that would be between her and "her."
The next day
Wu Dakang had the carriage ready, along with two people chosen from the army.
"What are your names?" the young woman asked.
"Nan Feng, Nan Yuan," the two said, bowing.
"Good," the young woman nodded.
The carriage set off. Dongling Pass was not too far from Han Country. After a two-day journey, they reached Han Xiwen's encampment in the wilderness.
No one found it strange that Han Xiwen had brought back a young woman.
The army was reorganized and began to march towards Han Country.
Along the way, Xue Zining did not leave the carriage. "She" had not appeared again. She had tried to call out a few times, but "she" had not responded. She felt somewhat guilty for occupying "her" body.
However, she was also grateful; without "her" calling, she wouldn't have been able to come out.
The carriage stopped. She looked up and saw Han Xiwen walking in, "Your Majesty, we are almost there."
"Still call me Anning!" Xue Zining said, looking up.
Han Xiwen was startled, "Is that acceptable?"
Xue Zining nodded, "After all, I occupy her body. I don't want to change even her name."
"Alright, Anning," Han Xiwen said.
Upon arriving at the capital of Han Country, the army camped outside the city. Han Xiwen and Xue Zining took a carriage to the capital, Hancheng.
"Your Highness, we have arrived."
Han Xiwen got out of the carriage first, then lifted the curtain. Xue Zining saw the Prince of Run's mansion.
"This is..."
"My residence. It's getting late, why don't we see my father tomorrow."
Xue Zining nodded, "Alright."
As Han Xiwen approached the mansion, a group of charming women rushed forward, "Your Highness, you're finally back, I've missed you so much."
Han Xiwen was about to reprimand them when someone stepped forward, grabbed Xue Zining's hand, and laughed heartily, "Sister, are you new to the mansion?"
Xue Zining looked at the woman, her gaze as cold as frost. The woman was taken aback and nervously let go of her hand, thinking to herself, this person's gaze was too cold, too cold, giving off an aura of keeping others at a distance.
Han Xiwen said coldly, "All of you, retreat. This is a distinguished guest of this Prince. No one is allowed to disturb her, understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the charming women replied.
"All of you, withdraw. This Prince will see you tonight." Han Xiwen pushed away the charming women beside him and stepped forward, "You've seen a joke."
Xue Zining shook her head, "It's normal. Your Highness the Prince is at a vigorous age, but..." She glanced around, there were at least five of them.
"But what?" Han Xiwen asked.
Xue Zining coughed lightly and said, "Has Your Highness the Prince managed to experience all of them?"
Han Xiwen's expression flickered, and he frowned, "Are you doubting my abilities?"
Xue Zining said lightly, "No, I just feel that Your Highness the Prince should take good care of himself, lest he be unable to perform when he is old."
Han Xiwen: "..."
Xue Zining walked forward, the aura of keeping others at a distance emanating from her body, causing Han Xiwen's charming women to dare not approach and to part ways.
Han Xiwen almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Was she implying he was incapable?
She underestimated him.
"Your Highness, when will you come?"
Han Xiwen looked at the surrounding perfumes and cosmetics. For some reason, he felt somewhat bored.
"This Prince might not be able to, perhaps another day!" With that, Han Xiwen left.
Unable to? The charming women were stunned in place. What happened to the promised shared happiness?