The guards stepped forward to seize her.
Although Qin Rulian had regained her senses, the silencing pill administered by Feng Yinwan had not yet lost its effect. Seeing this, she struggled with all her might, but not a single sound escaped her lips.
In front of the Empress, two guards used considerable force to subdue her.
With half her face pressed against the ground, Qin Rulian looked at the Empress in panic. The latter merely shook her head at her and then averted her gaze.
Knowing that she could not escape this fate, Qin Rulian’s face turned pale, and she gave up struggling.
Having achieved her objective, Ye Tingyan’s eyes held a hint of mockery. She strode away, as if stepping on the Empress's face.
...
It was the third day since Ning Shunhe had been captured. As agreed, the Dingnan King's army had fully retreated to Dingzhou.
On the very day of their withdrawal, the rebel forces, as if having already received the news, swiftly blocked the gap.
After two days of uneasy calm, though no further battles had erupted, the surrounding rebel defenses had been steadily tightening, their intention to completely encircle and annihilate them being all too obvious.
When the scout reported the approaching rebels for the tenth time, the deputy generals in the camp could no longer sit still.
They dared not question Ye Tinglan directly, so they paced back and forth in front of his tent.
Li Chengyan happened to pass by and frowned upon seeing them.
“Why are you all gathered here? Have your soldiers been properly drilled?”
As a later addition, their formation techniques were not as proficient, lacking considerably compared to their original troops. For this reason, he had been diligently supervising this matter for the past two days.
However, instead of retreating, the men pressed forward, casting sheepish glances towards the tent and whispering as they approached.
“Is General Li also here to discuss strategy with His Highness?”
After the previous incident, they no longer dared to harbor rebellious thoughts.
Now that the enemy was closing in, and their supplies and communications were cut off, they had no other recourse but to seek Ye Tinglan's counsel.
Li Chengyan glanced at them, about to dismiss them, when Ye Tinglan's voice sounded from within the tent.
“Come in.”
With his permission, Li Chengyan had no reason to stop them. He lifted the tent flap, and the others followed him in single file.
Inside the tent, Ye Tinglan sat as steady as a mountain, his expression not showing any signs of gravity.
Seeing this, the deputy generals felt a sliver of their anxiety ease.
Once everyone was present, Ye Tinglan looked up at them and rose from behind the small table.
“You have all heard the news from outside. I will be brief. The enemy vastly outnumbers us. We are in a predicament, and the day our supplies run out will be their day of victory. To sit and wait is to court death.”
The situation was clear to all. Upon hearing his words, they all turned to Ye Tinglan.
“May I ask what Your Highness plans to do?”
They had initially thought that his composure meant he had a foolproof plan. Little did they expect that after his chilling gaze swept over them, his response would be merely four words.
“Die or break the net.”
“I do not keep cowards under my command. Those who wish to live, fight your way out with me. Those who do not, can draw your swords and end yourselves now. Whether to live or die, each of you must decide.”
He threw his sword onto the ground, the half-exposed cold blade enough to make everyone’s color drain.
Unexpectedly meeting such a response, the men fell silent at once.
A deathly silence filled the tent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Li Chengyan clasped his arms, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the men, scrutinizing them.
He understood his cousin's intentions. This action was a test for these men, and their ability to withstand it depended entirely on themselves.
Given the circumstances, a gamble still offered a glimmer of hope. After a moment of contemplation, they all clasped their fists.
“Your subordinates are willing to follow Your Highness to the death!”