Jiaohua

Chapter 1691 Chen Yunqi and Chen Yongming are dead

In the vast Changyan Prince's Mansion, from the main royal courtyard at the front to the livestock slaughterhouse at the back, which was clinging to the Gobi Desert cliff, everyone except the thirty or so people who were with Prince Changyan died of poisoning.

This includes Sang Tae-woo's other wives, concubines, and children.

More than that.

Not long after, people came on horseback to report that Shang Taiyu's children, who had gone out to establish their own households, had all died, also from poisoning.

"Who did this?" Shang Taiyu murmured. "Who was it?"

He kept talking to himself like this for more than an hour.

More than two thousand soldiers arrived on the empty snowfield in the backyard.

The corpses were carried in one by one, covered with white sheets, which were stained with black blood.

Shangtai Jinni's body was also brought in.

Shang Taiyu looked at Shang Taijinni's corpse. The fatherly love that had disappeared in the past few days seemed to have been revived after experiencing a huge shock.

He looked at the white sheet covering Shangtai Jinni, and thought of what she had said about Ali and Shen Lie.

"Is it them?"

As he spoke, Shang Taiyu denied his own claim: "Impossible. If Ali wanted to kill me, she would have come straight for me."

Last year, Ali single-handedly nearly wiped out the inner court of the nobles in Lanze City, but she chose to be merciful to the concubines, servants, and even the short children, and did not kill them.

Therefore, it shouldn't be Ali. He, the "damned one," is not dead, while everyone else in the manor is dead. This situation is completely opposite.

So, is it Yi Shurong?
Because of Wu Weili?
Because all of Yi Shurong's own relatives are dead, they can't stand to see him doing well?

Because over the past year, he and Yi Shurong had countless disagreements due to their defeats.
However, Yi Shurong is a very measured and strategic person. Now that a formidable enemy is at hand, he will not, and should not, act rashly.

So, it's Ali again?
After all, Ali was cunning and treacherous; they fought her for a year without gaining the slightest advantage.

She is resourceful and unpredictable, coming up with a new idea every day, making her difficult to understand and fight against.

However, if we think about it this way, Yi Shurong's possibility also increases, because it is precisely because he has a sense of the bigger picture that Yi Shurong killed all of his family members but spared him alone...

Shang Taiyu couldn't understand it, he couldn't figure it out.

He thought about the splitting headache, the ringing in his ears, and the dizziness in his eyes.

Who is it? Who is it?!
Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie sat around the fire, one looking at a map and the other replying to a letter.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

Shen Lie put down his charcoal pencil, got up, and went to open the door.

Wu Shaoning and Yan Ziyan stood outside, and the group spoke in hushed tones.

Soon, the door closed again, and Shen Lie walked back and sat down.

"Ah Li, it's all done." Shen Lie placed a rectangular folded letter in front of Xia Zhaoyi.

Xia Zhaoyi opened the letter, and after reading it, she said, "Shangtai Jinni is dead. A stone tower caused father and daughter to become complete enemies."

Shangtai Jinni was not in Xia Zhaoyi's plan at all; it was a last-minute change of heart that she made after arriving at Baiyinsuer Stone Tower.

Unexpectedly, this move was very successful; Shangtai Jinni went on a rampage that far exceeded her expectations.

Shen Lie said, "Next, Shang Taiyu should test Yi Shurong and investigate us."

“He can’t find us,” Xia Zhaoyi laughed. “With my second brother running around Qingji Pass, Shang Taiyu will only think we’re celebrating the New Year there. You know, we Han people value the Spring Festival the most.”

Shen Lie also laughed.

Last year and this year were the two best New Years he's ever had.

He firmly believed that he would be joyful and happy every New Year for the rest of his life.

The following day, while the entire city of Lingdai was still reeling from the shocking upheaval at the Changyan Prince's Mansion, Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie quietly dispersed their men and left.

On their return journey south, Shi Baijin and Li Xinya remained busy, constantly chatting with caravans along the way, describing the conflict between Shang Taiyu and Yi Shurong to everyone they met as irreconcilable.

These words were all meant to reach Yi Shurong's ears.

Just like when Shen Lie went to Jiangzhou to pick up Guo Zhaohai, they ran into Jin Hongkang. Guo Zhaohai's son, Guo Zi, cut his losses to survive, using Shen Lie to draw away all of Jin Hongkang's firepower. After Shen Lie struggled out of Xiaonanshan, the Guo family, fearing that Shen Lie would harbor hatred and retaliate against them, took the initiative to strike first, frequently making things difficult for Shen Lie. Initially, they used underhanded tactics, and later they directly confronted him, all to kill Shen Lie and eliminate the hidden danger.

Yi Shurong is also a vigilant, suspicious, cold-blooded, and calculating person.

He knew perfectly well that he hadn't done anything, but he wouldn't let his guard down against Shang Taiyu.

Hidden dangers must be eliminated, especially powerful ones.

On the way back, we encountered a snowstorm. We arrived back at Qingji Pass on the 21st day of the first lunar month.

After a short rest overnight, Shen Lie left on the 22nd day of the first lunar month.

Xia Zhaoyi set off with him, and after arriving at Gaitang City in Cangjin, she returned to Xibulang Grassland.

The long, circuitous journey, adding over 300 miles to the original route, was a testament to her reluctance to part with Shen Lie.

But she lied to Shen Lie, saying she was going to Gaitang City to take care of some business.

Shi Baijin was with her. When Shi Baijin heard that she was going to Gaitang City, she wanted to go home with her to take a look.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived in Gaitang City, there really was something waiting for them there.

To be precise, it's a transit point here; it needs to be sent to the Serbian Foreign Ministry immediately.

What she was to hand over were Liu Yue, Chen Yongming and his daughter, Chongmen Heng, and their few remaining subordinates.

Yun Bozhong and Yu Zhenyao went to great lengths to capture them.

Besides them, there were more than twenty people sent by Nie Huimo, some surnamed Nangong, some surnamed Jin, and some surnamed Liao.

Mr. Xin Shun personally delivered the person, accompanied by Nie Huimo's bodyguards Ling Yang, Jiang Yang, and Ji Liang.

Mr. Xin Shun personally handed the list to Xia Zhaoyi, glancing awkwardly at Shen Lie beside him.

Shen Lie didn't pretend not to see; on the contrary, his deep black eyes, as dark as the sea, were staring straight at Xin Shun.

Mr. Xin Shun coughed lightly and said to Xia Zhaoyi, "General Ali, Weng Enhou's head is a generous gift. Our general, in order to thank you, happened to learn that you had a conflict with these people, so he paid special attention and captured these twenty or so people."

Shen Lie said quietly, "By chance, you found out?"

Shen Lie stood tall and imposing beside Xia Zhaoyi, towering like a black mountain. Xin Shun glanced at him, then had to secretly look up, making her feel extremely guilty.

Shen Lie's nonchalant way of speaking made Xin Shun feel even more pressured.

He never imagined that the commander of the Yan army, who claimed to have wiped out two more rebel armies on the Ancient Locust Plain, would appear here by some strange twist of fate.

“It was a coincidence,” Xin Shun forced a smile, “a very coincidence.”

Shen Lie looked at him calmly, without saying a word.

After Xia Zhaoyi finished reading the list, she said to Mr. Xin Shun, "Thank you for bringing it here. I gave you that head not to seek any reward, nor to repay the promise I made to Nie Huimo."

She simply didn't want to die in factional infighting before Nie Huimo even told her who to kill.

Although she shouldn't have underestimated Nie Huimo, things are unpredictable, and who can say for sure?

“Mr. Xin Shun,” Xia Zhaoyi said again, “when you go back this time, please help me urge Nie Huimo.”

Mr. Xin Shun smiled and said, "That is indeed a bit difficult. Our general is now quite powerful, and he can kill whoever he wants."

As for those you want to kill but find difficult to kill—

Mr. Xin Shun couldn't help but want to look at Shen Lie again.

Fortunately, I managed to hold back.

However, Xin Shun knew that even if Shen Lie disappeared from this world, there would be no possibility for Ali and his general to be together.

Or rather, Ali will never be with anyone.

She possesses a unique temperament, a refined and elegant beauty, and is an independent and complete person who walks between heaven and earth.

Mr. Xin Shun thought to himself, "What a wonderful woman!"

In Gaitang City, Xia Zhaoyi had quite a few men. The twenty-odd people sent by Mr. Xin Shun were handed over to Xia Zhaoyi's subordinates.

The cases will be tried separately, and as many cases as can be uncovered. Those who have committed numerous crimes should be executed, while those who have just joined the gang and have not yet taken a life should be sent to the army.

To thank Mr. Xinshun for sending these people, Xia Zhaoyi was very generous and gave him a homemade, instant-fire hidden weapon, ten in total. She also had a large quantity of Northwest specialties prepared, cartloads of tea and rare medicinal herbs for him to take back.

Mr. Xin Shun was embarrassed to accept the gifts. The steward who brought them over was from Hengxiang Qimotang. He said cheerfully, "Mr. Xin Shun, our boss said that these things are not given to you for free. If you find them useful after taking them, and want more in the future, we will not send them to you. But you can buy them with your own money!"

Mr. Xin Shun smiled and said, "So General Xia wants to develop trade here."

"Yes! So please accept it. If you like it, please spread the word when you get back! Our boss will be going back to war early tomorrow morning, so we won't see you off. Have a safe journey tomorrow!"

Mr. Xin Shun nodded and said, "Then I thank General Xia for the gift. The military situation is urgent, and I dare not delay. I wish her a resounding victory and many more good news."

Of the remaining people sent, Liu Yue was the one Xia Zhaoyi wanted to take away.

Chen Yongming and his daughter, Xia Zhaoyi, were handed over to the local officials of Cangjin.

Originally, I wanted to hand it over to Mr. Xin Shun, because Chen Yongming had served as an official in Youzhou, which was Tian Dayao's sphere of influence.

However, Chen Yongming is treacherous and ruthless, and has allowed him to escape many times. Xia Zhaoyi is worried that the journey is long and may cause trouble. In addition, Chen Yongming is colluding with the Northern Yuan, and all six northwestern prefectures have suffered greatly from the Northern Yuan. Therefore, it is reasonable to put him here for trial.

Like Wei Xingchuan's men, Chongmen Heng's men were first interrogated before a decision was made.

As for Chongmen Heng, Xia Zhaoyi decided to give him to Yuan Muxue. She wrote a letter and asked Shen Lie to take it back and mail it.

That night, Chongmen Heng kept insisting on seeing her.

Xia Zhaoyi didn't want to pay attention, but Shen Lie said that they might as well go and see him to see what else he had to say.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Zhaoyi took out the bronze bell: "Alright, I'll give this to him and see what his opinion is."

Gaitang City was very poor, but thanks to Wang Fengnian and Zhao Ning, life has become less difficult in the last two years.

All of these people were imprisoned in the Yamen prison in Gaitang City. It had been in disrepair for many years, but it was reinforced last summer, with all the wood replaced and repainted. Each prisoner was equipped with shackles.

Xia Zhaoyi can no longer keep a low profile. As soon as they heard that she was going to jail, all the officials in the yamen rushed over, surrounding her with a large entourage.

Xia Zhaoyi left them outside and told them not to follow.

But she couldn't get rid of the jailer and guards.

The jailer enthusiastically led her and Shen Lie inside, and Bai Shijin insisted on coming along as well.

The rumors and whispers that used to circulate behind Bai Shijin's back have disappeared as she went to the front lines to fight and killed one Northern Yuan soldier after another.

Her trip home to visit her sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews was no different from returning home in glory; the villagers' gazes toward her all turned to admiration and respect.

Shi Baijin thoroughly enjoyed herself, and following behind Xia Zhaoyi, the support and flattery of others made her even happier.

Chongmen Heng was shackled hand and foot, with an additional shackle around his neck, and was chained to a corner.

His range of movement was limited, so when he heard Xia Zhaoyi coming over, he couldn't come out to hold onto the wooden fence.

“You were looking for me,” Xia Zhaoyi said, looking at him.

Chongmen Heng frowned slightly as he sized up the young woman in front of him.

She has a slender and thin figure, a slim waist and long legs, and slightly brown skin that is full and plump, exuding youthful vigor.

His eyes were dark and bright, like polished jade soaked in a pond.

Two stunning beauties stood beside her, Shen Lie and Shi Baijin, but when Chongmen Heng locked his gaze on her eyes and brows, those two beauties seemed to fade away like a watercolor painting.

“I have seen your portrait,” Chongmen Heng said. “You’ve gotten tanned; you don’t look as pretty and delicate as you do in the painting.”

Xia Zhaoyi said, "You're pretty and delicate, can you help me win the battle?"

"Hahaha! That makes sense, but when it comes to winning battles, I can help you win them too."

Xia Zhaoyi lowered her eyes slightly and stared at him intently.

Chongmen Heng adjusted his sitting posture: "Ali, let's discuss a deal."

Xia Zhaoyi replied without hesitation: "No way."

“Heh,” Chongmen Heng chuckled, “Don’t rush to refuse. I’ve lived in the Northern Territory for years. I know the six provinces and states of the Northern Territory like the back of my hand and can come and go as I please. If we cooperate, you release me and I’ll work for you.”

Xia Zhaoyi remained expressionless: "This is not enough to move me."

"You don't hate Tao Lan? You don't want to capture her alive?"

Xia Zhaoyi sneered and turned to leave.

Chongmen Heng panicked and shouted, "Let me finish! Why would I work for the Northern Yuan? Because I like them? You can probably guess I have ulterior motives! If you can help me achieve my goals, I'll do anything for you!"

Shen Lie said coldly, "Are you dreaming? You're already struggling to survive, and you still want to scheme?"

Chongmen Heng said, "Then let me live! Ali, let me live!"

Xia Zhaoyi looked at him, paused, and then lowered her head to take out the bronze bell.

Chongmen Heng looked at it and frowned: "Where did you get this bell? Do you recognize it?"

"It seems somewhat familiar."

"Where have you seen it?"

Chongmen Heng recalled, turning his gaze away from the bell: "Yue Tang Temple, you and Shen Lie went there, right?"

"I've been there."

"What about the secret room beneath Yue Tang Temple? That stone chamber's mechanism?"

Xia Zhaoyi shook her head: "No."

Chongmen Heng smiled: "So, do you want to know?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Shi Baijin said in a low, sibilant voice, "General, I really hate his expression, it's so ugly!"

Xia Zhaoyi said, "I want to know, but I don't necessarily have to know. You can tell me if you want, or I'll take my leave if you don't."

Chongmen Heng scoffed, "If you want to know, then you want to know. If you didn't want to know, why would you need to bring a bell all the way here? Ali, as long as you let me go, I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Just like I said before, I'm willing to risk my life for you."

Xia Zhaoyi said, "Just as I said, let's not talk about it."

The two looked at each other across the distance, Chongmen Heng's brows furrowed.

Xia Zhaoyi's patience ran out, and she turned to leave.

Chongmen Heng suddenly roared, "No way! What do you mean no way?! What kind of woman are you, instead of marrying properly, you have to cause trouble! You're so young, yet you're full of lies. Why do you have to pretend to be so high and mighty!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he cried out in pain as a piece of silver struck his brow bone.

If he hadn't been so emotionally agitated that he shook his head violently, that piece of silver could have ruined his left eye.

Chongmen Heng glared at Shen Lie: "You!"

Shen Lie's voice was icy: "You have committed countless evils and committed heinous crimes. You have spent your life toiling away, harming others without benefiting yourself, and have suffered a complete defeat, ending up as a prisoner. You are not even worth a lump of mud, utterly worthless. Do you deserve our respect? What high-mindedness do you have to pretend to have?"

Chongmen Heng was so angry that his face turned purple. He rubbed his forehead and glared at them fiercely.

Shen Lie continued, "You've probably forgotten that there's such a thing as torture in this world. How many people can withstand that kind of physical pain?"

Chongmen Heng said ruthlessly, "If we really reach that desperate point, I have plenty of ways to die comfortably! But you, without my help, your war will drag on indefinitely, and tens of thousands more, young and old, will die! If you know what's good for you, beg me for help; if you don't, then let those soldiers go to their deaths, and let their families never see their sons, husbands, and fathers again!"

Shi Baijin's face turned pale, and he looked at Xia Zhaoyi.

Xia Zhaoyi said, "It's just rhetoric; don't believe it too easily."

Shen Lie said, "To negotiate with a tiger for its skin is to invite disaster upon oneself."

Seeing that Xia Zhaoyi was about to leave again, Chongmen Heng knew this was his last chance. His voice became so excited that it cracked: "Give me the bell, give me the bell! I know it, let me see! I'll tell you!"

Xia Zhaoyi turned around: "You've lost my patience and my trust. I can only believe 20% of what you say now."

Chongmen Heng gritted his teeth: "Don't try that on me! I can only tell you that there are countless mysteries in this world that are hard to fathom. The heavens have the sun, moon, and stars, and storms and lightning; the earth has mineral deposits and spiritual veins, and the abyss resounds. There is the vast universe and the narrow spiritual realm. Ali, to understand and seek knowledge is precisely my plan! I know that this bell of yours is what Tang Xiangsi has been looking for all along!"

Xia Zhaoyi's eyes darkened slightly: "Continue."

"This bell belonged to Wei Xingchuan's grandmother, who was the eldest princess of Emperor Jingxi of the Great Zhang Dynasty and the aunt of Emperor Pingchun! She was extremely accomplished in metaphysics, skilled in observing celestial phenomena, arranging the five elements, and debating the laws and principles with others. However, she was of questionable character. She was spoiled and domineering, outwardly aloof but inwardly tyrannical, and intolerant of disobedience. She took a fancy to the Yue Tang Temple on Jixing Mountain, but the old abbot refused to give it up, so she used every means to seize it. After obtaining it, she even took a Taoist name called 'Moon-Stealing,' which drove the old abbot to his death!"

Shen Lie suddenly asked, "Why isn't she famous?"

He sent people to investigate, but they found nothing related to the "Princess Who Steals the Moon," and no one even mentioned the name.

"Ha, she practiced Taoism in the Taoist temple while also keeping male lovers—more than twenty handsome young men. Such disgraceful deeds were naturally erased by posterity after her death. As for that bell," Chongmen Heng looked at the bronze bell in Xia Zhaoyi's hand, "Although Duoyue was unorthodox and reckless, she was truly a talented person! There were six bells in total, said to be soul-summoning bells, but no one can verify that. If she could really create soul-summoning bells, would she still be human? She would be a god! But she herself is still dead, isn't she?"

Xia Zhaoyi asked, "Why is Tang Xiangsi looking for this bell?"

Chongmen Heng stopped abruptly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He leaned back, his eyes becoming meaningful.

He seemed to say a lot, but he didn't get to the heart of the matter.

He held onto this crucial information like a hook, waiting for the fish to bite and make demands.

The most infuriating thing is when a story is only half told.

Xia Zhaoyi smiled: "Perhaps you know Xie Huaichu."

Chongmen Heng frowned: "You know him too?"

Xia Zhaoyi said, “It’s not your fault for being out of touch. First, you’re always busy with something, buried in those underground caves, never seeing dawn. Second, Tian Dayao and Jin Hongkang are fighting to the death, disrupting many communication routes. Third, we’ve probably eliminated most of the people who work for you, leaving you with fewer and fewer men. Let me tell you how much happened last year. Feng Qingang died, in Han Ruiqian’s underground palace, right in front of us. Fang Xiyu also died there, as did Lü Wuwei. Xie Huaichu is alive, but he’s now Shen Lie’s informant. It doesn’t matter if you don’t tell me now; Xie Huaichu can find out.”

"Hahahaha!" Chongmen Heng laughed loudly, as if he had heard some incredible joke. "What are you saying? Xie Huaichu is Shen Lie's man? Xie Huaichu? Hahahaha! Anyone in this world can become a traitor, but Xie Huaichu is absolutely impossible! I know his character: blindly loyal, a fool, stubbornly loyal, a blockhead! He's the kind of person who would shield his brothers with his own chest. You're saying he betrayed Tang Xiangsi? Hahahaha!"

Xia Zhaoyi knelt down on one knee, holding the bell in her hand and shaking it: "This bronze bell probably doesn't belong to Princess Duoyue either."

Chongmen Heng sneered: "This is it!"

Xia Zhaoyi shook her head: "Do you still remember the Fuguang Qinghe Book that you've been looking for? Like this bronze bell, it was made by Han Ruiqian, also known as Feng Qingang. He imitated the craftsmen of Prince Qianqiu and made batches of similar things, including this bronze bell. Tang Xiangsi sent Lü Wuwei and Xie Huaichu to Zhuzhou to find this bell."

Shen Lie continued Xia Zhaoyi's words: "Chongmen Heng, those who follow the Way receive much help, while those who stray from the Way receive little. You pride yourself on being adept at navigating social situations and getting along well wherever you go, yet you are completely unaware of such a major event that has occurred in Zhuzhou. Wei Xingchuan and Tang Xiangsi have both planted spies in Zhuzhou, and as soon as Feng Qingang brought Elder Gu to Zhuzhou, their respective factions immediately took action. Tang Xiangsi, in order to stir up the stagnant waters that had finally come back to life, even staged a charade for Xie Zhong, making him believe that there was a great tomb in Zhuzhou and immediately leading his troops there. And you know absolutely nothing about all of this."

Chongmen Heng remained silent, his face ashen.

He hoped to gain a chance by exploiting the information gap, but he discovered that the other party knew more and knew many things that he did not.

Seeing the girl get up nimbly and about to leave, Chongmen Heng hurriedly crawled forward, but was pulled by the iron chain and got stuck.

"Ah Li!" Chongmen Heng shouted, "Trust me, there's something I know that you'd have to work hard to find! And what about the Northern Yuan? Do you really want the war to drag on? Your master and I are the same kind of people! I see no one but heaven and earth! I don't care if they're Han or Northern Yuan, I don't care if there's fighting and humanity is out of balance. I just want to live, I only want to pursue my own path! As long as you nod, I'll do anything you ask! I'm not lying to you, you can trust me!! What I ask for is extremely simple, just nod!"

Xia Zhaoyi didn't stop walking, but after a few steps, she suddenly stopped, her brows furrowed slightly, and she glanced at the cage on her left.

Chen Yunqi, dressed as a peasant woman, huddled in a corner, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her neck was raised, her bright eyes filled with hatred, staring straight at Xia Zhaoyi.

Due to inadequate conditions in Gaitang City, there was no separation between male and female prisons. Chen Yunqi and Chen Yongming were in adjacent cells, with Chen Yongming in a cell diagonally opposite Chongmen Heng.

From the moment Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie entered, Chen Yunqi kept staring at her, while Xia Zhaoyi and Chongmen Heng were talking with their backs to her.

Chen Yunqi just watched Xia Zhaoyi's back.

Everyone says they have similar figures, especially from behind.

But who wants to be her shadow!

Who wants to look like her!

She, Chen Yunqi, is Chen Yunqi!

Following Xia Zhaoyi's gaze, Shi Baijin and Shen Lie also turned to look.

Seeing Shen Lie's dark eyes looking at her, Chen Yunqi's fingers tightened slightly, and she gripped her knees, feeling embarrassed and wanting to look away.

She always knew that she didn't have deep feelings for Shen Lie; it was just attraction at first sight, her heart fluttering because of his rare good looks, nothing more.

But in this situation, Chen Yunqi felt that it was worse than death.

Do not……

Why should she be upset? She shouldn't back down.

She had nothing left to lose, and she was no longer afraid of anything!

Shen Lie's gaze was indifferent, but his brow bone was deep and his eyes were clear and black. In addition, when he was next to Xia Zhaoyi, he was relaxed and natural, like winter snow melting. This casual and calm glance made people feel that he was gentle and affectionate, as if he could speak.

Chen Yunqi ultimately dared not look him in the eye again.

In recent years, she rarely thought of him. Only when she heard his name by the roadside would her heart flutter and she have some unrealistic fantasies.

But now, why does she feel uncomfortable all over, with an indescribable soreness and grievance?

Xia Zhaoyi glanced at her, then looked away.

Chen Yunqi suddenly spoke up: "Ali."

Xia Zhaoyi stopped again and turned to look at her.

Chen Yunqi looked at her and also saw Shi Baijin on her other side.

Shi Baijin has an extremely beautiful face, exquisite and flawless, with large, round, watery eyes.

She got tanned too, but even with the tan, her charm and allure were still undeniable.

Shi Baijin looked at Chen Yunqi with curiosity. At first glance, she thought she was a peasant woman, but when Chen Yunqi spoke, Shi Baijin realized that she was a young woman of similar age to them.

Chen Yunqi was momentarily stunned, then looked back at Xia Zhaoyi from Shi Baijin's face.

She felt even more bitter, resentful, and uncomfortable.

why?
Why can Ali tolerate having such a beautiful woman by his side?

Isn't she afraid that such a beautiful woman will steal Shen Lie's soul?
Is she really that great, without a trace of jealousy, so open and confident, so composed and graceful?

Chen Yunqi's eyes reddened, the huge sense of loss and imbalance overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

She can't stand people like that; she despises people like that!

Is it because Ali thinks other women are not worth mentioning, which is why she doesn't care?
Including Chen Yunqi, she was never taken seriously, not even considered an opponent.
Xia Zhaoyi remained silent, waiting for Chen Yunqi to speak first.

Chen Yunqi didn't know what to say.

She hadn't expected that her emotions would completely collapse the moment she saw Shi Baijin's face.

It seems that only now has she realized that her hatred for Ali over the years was all a one-woman show.

The other party never took her seriously, never.

Xia Zhaoyi waited for a while, then left.

She didn't say a word.

Chen Yunqi didn't say anything more, staring blankly at the ground in front of her.

Chen Yongming sat with his back against the corner next to the adjacent wooden fence, his face deathly still.

Chen Yunqi said softly, "Father, I feel unwell."

Chen Yongming did not respond.

“I thought that my silhouette, like hers, would make her uncomfortable. She would feel that I was a thorn in her side, and that as long as I lived, I would be pricking her with thorns. So, she must be hostile to me and want to erase my shadow.”

By the end, Chen Yunqi's voice had choked up.

"But it doesn't seem like that. Father, why isn't it like that? I hate her, I despise her!"

Chen Yongming frowned and glanced behind him: "Stop arguing, this time we might really have no way out."

"Waaaaah..." Tears streamed down Chen Yunqi's face. "I'm not reconciled! Waaaaah, I'm not reconciled!!!"

In mid-March, Yuan Muxue arrived in Gaitang City with her two apprentices and took Chongmen Heng away.

Seven days later, Chen Yongming was taken to the execution ground.

Chen Yunqi was also taken away and forced to watch her father's execution. Later that evening, a bowl of poison was placed in front of her.

Chen Yunqi shrank back and glared at the women who had brought the poison.

She thought she was not afraid of death, but seeing her father's head fall to the ground today, the intense shock made her feel like her soul was leaving her body. After she was brought back, she was trembling all over, and her fingers were twitching uncontrollably.

“Drink it,” a woman said. “This bowl of poison is your last act of dignity.”

Chen Yunqi shook her head frantically: "No, I don't deserve to die, why kill me?! It wasn't Ali who wanted to kill me, right? She wouldn't even look at me properly, she's never taken me seriously, so who was it? Who wanted to kill me?! I want to see Ali, she'll protect me!"

The woman's eyes were sharp: "The entire population of Cangjin Province, the elders and folks of Gaitang City, all want you dead! You traitorous dog who colludes with the enemy deserves to have your entire family exterminated! What right do you have to live? Our parents and children are all dead, why should you live! You must die! Give me the medicine!"

The other women stepped forward, forcibly grabbed Chen Yunqi, and pried open her mouth.

Thick, foul-smelling medicine was poured into her mouth mouth by mouthful, and Chen Yunqi choked until her eyes were filled with tears, and she burst into tears.

At the same time, Xia Zhaoyi led the Falcon Battalion to end a small-scale sneak attack.

Sun Bichun led a group of people to move the injured.

Tu Xiaoxi and Feng An'an tallied the casualties.

Zhu Xiaohua led her men to select weapons and warhorses.

A scout team that had left three days earlier rushed back and went straight to the wounded soldiers' camp.

After finding out where Xia Zhaoyi was, Liu Qiaoyun dismounted and ran there. As soon as she entered, her face lit up with joy: "General, they've appeared! Fifty miles away, Yan Ziyan has led them to the Wilderness Valley!"

The "they" refers to the Snow Mountain Camp on the right flank of the allied forces of the major families of the Northern Yuan.

Xia Zhaoyi has been launching frequent sneak attacks over the past two months, with a fixed range that basically allows her opponents to lock down the area she is currently in.

Xia Zhaoyi said, "The timing is perfect. Uncle Xia and the others should be arriving soon."

Wilderness Valley is where her father, Xia Wenshan, and elder brother, Xia Zhaode, died in battle, and the main force of the Snow Mountain Camp came from the elite troops who attacked them back then.

Not only Xia Xingming and Xia Junnan rushed over, but Second Brother was also on his way from Qingji Pass.

Enemies must be killed by one's own people.