Murong JinYun asked again, her tone no longer as gentle, each word carrying a faint trace of anger.
"Princess, I beg your pardon, but I cannot comply!"
Baili Xi was also very firm. On any other matter, he would have agreed to Murong JinYun's requests, but on this particular issue, he absolutely refused.
Dong Chu had already begun to be suspicious. If he were to withdraw his informants, and Dong Chu were to make a move, he would not be able to know immediately and rush to reinforce.
If the princess were to meet with misfortune because of this, he would have committed an unforgivable sin, a crime for which even ten thousand deaths would not suffice.
"Baili Xi, do not forget your place. You are merely a subject, and I, this princess, am your sovereign. You are not qualified to monitor me. I shall say this one last time: withdraw your men!"
Murong JinYu's anger was thoroughly ignited. She could no longer tolerate Baili Xi's actions.
"Princess, I am doing this for your safety. Has that Gu BeiChen perhaps bewitched you, causing you to..."
"Are you implying I am unable to distinguish between friend and foe, between good and evil? Baili Xi, it is you who is attempting to overstep your bounds now!"
Baili Xi was becoming increasingly presumptuous, showing her no respect. If he found her inconvenient, he might as well kill her directly.
Baili Xi felt as though he had been falsely accused, his mouth unable to clarify anything. With a sigh of helplessness, he turned his head away, choosing silence.
This attitude further intensified Murong JinYun's rage. She picked up the teacup from the desk and smashed it heavily onto the ground. The loud crash made Baili Xi flinch.
He looked at Murong JinYun with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Why did Murong JinYun seem so unfamiliar to him now? He had never seen her like this before.
He also realized that since arriving in Dong Chu, everyone around her seemed to be changing. Murong JinYun's transformation was the most significant; she had developed a compassionate and merciful heart, yet this compassion had become like a fatal poison to her.
"Princess, do you truly think that?"
Murong JinYun did not directly answer Baili Xi's question, but instead reiterated: "Will you withdraw them or not!"
Seeing Murong JinYun's resolute stance, Baili Xi sighed in exasperation. He understood that this was not the time to fall out with the princess and decided to comply with her wishes for now.
"Your command is my decree, Princess. Rest assured, I will withdraw my men immediately and ensure they do not cause you any displeasure."
As he finished speaking, Baili Xi stood up and headed for the door. Just as his hand reached the doorknob, Murong JinYun's warning voice echoed from behind him.
"Handle it cleanly. Do not let me discover any underhanded dealings on your part. And from now on, when Gu BeiChen is present, you are to keep your distance. Avoid him!"
Lately, she felt that Gu BeiChen's attitude towards her had changed, though she couldn't quite pinpoint the difference.
Especially when Gu BeiChen saw Baili Xi, his gaze had truly frightened her. It would be better for Baili Xi to stay away from Gu BeiChen for now, to avoid any further complications and trouble.
Baili Xi curved his lips into a self-mocking smile. He had never imagined Murong JinYun would say such things to him. It seemed Gu BeiChen was indeed very important in her heart.
She had now specifically warned him for Gu BeiChen's sake. Baili Xi couldn't help but start to worry. The current situation was gradually slipping from his control. He couldn't be sure if Murong JinYun might betray Xi Liang because of Gu BeiChen at any moment.
In any case, Gu BeiChen remaining by the princess's side would only be a disaster. He would disrupt the princess's judgment. Allowing him to approach the princess before was merely a ploy to use Gu BeiChen's identity as a cover.
The unfolding situation was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. If this continued, disaster would eventually strike because of Gu BeiChen. It seemed Gu BeiChen could no longer remain, at least not by the princess's side.
"I never imagined Gu BeiChen would be this important to the princess. I have noted your words, Princess. I will absolutely not appear near Gu BeiChen in the future. Please be assured!"
"I warn you, do not touch him!"
Knowing Baili Xi all too well, she recognized that his expression indicated he was plotting something. Murong JinYun, fearing he might harm Gu BeiChen, warned him.
Baili Xi was a complete lunatic; he was capable of anything. Murong JinYun's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and her worry for Gu BeiChen deepened.
Little did she know, these words of protection for Gu BeiChen only fueled Baili Xi's resentment towards him even further, strengthening his resolve to kill Gu BeiChen.
"Did you not hear what I told you!"
Murong JinYun anxiously asked again. Only when Baili Xi agreed did her tense heart begin to relax slightly.
"Gu BeiChen is the princess's beloved. Even if I had ten times the courage, I would not dare to lay a hand on him. Princess, please rest assured!"
Although Baili Xi verbally agreed not to harm Gu BeiChen, he was already planning how to kill him in his heart.
"I have other matters to attend to and will not trouble the Princess further. I shall take my leave."
Baili Xi bowed slightly to Murong JinYun and then respectfully withdrew.
"General, are we truly to withdraw all our men?"
"Withdraw them. The Princess now harbors ill feelings towards me. If I were to anger her further over this trivial matter, it would only worsen our relationship. Once the bond between ruler and subject breaks, it would be a great advantage for Dong Chu."
Dong Chu had already begun to sense something and was highly guarded against them. At this crucial juncture, they could not afford internal strife; it would only allow their enemies to benefit.
Only by withdrawing the men for now, and waiting for the princess's anger to subside, could he send people to watch again. Only then would he be completely at ease.
"Yes, General. Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."
"Wait. There is one more matter. Go to Li Ge and place a heavy bounty on the head of Gu BeiChen."
"General, the princess's marriage to Gu BeiChen is our only cover for remaining in Dong Chu. If Gu BeiChen dies, it will surely cause chaos. Moreover, concerning the princess..."
At the sharp glare from Baili Xi, the man speaking quickly closed his mouth, daring not to utter another word.
"I am your superior. You are only to obey my commands. Do you understand?"