If I send you to join the army and marry a woman, will you conquer the Empress?

"Brother Xia, it's dawn, we should head down the mountain."

Qin Feng spoke up.

"Um."

Xia Yingtai was about to stand up when she discovered that her pants... had been torn open at the thigh, revealing a large area of ​​skin.

She quickly sat back down, her pretty face flushed red as if it were about to bleed.

How is she supposed to go out and face people now?

Seeing this, Qin Feng understood immediately and handed over his dried coat.

"Brother Xia, put this on first."

"Thank you so much, Brother Qin."

Xia Yingtai took the coat, thanked it in a barely audible voice, wrapped herself up tightly, and then managed to stand up.

The two walked out of the cave, and it was already broad daylight outside.

After the rain, the air in the mountains and forests was filled with the fresh scent of earth and vegetation, washing away the bloodshed and carnage of the previous night.

They hadn't gone far when a series of urgent shouts came from the nearby woods.

"Young master! Young master!"

It's Commander Lü!

Qin Feng immediately called out in the direction of the sound, "We're here!"

Ding Ding Deng!

Soon, a tall figure, leading a group of men, pushed aside the damp bushes and appeared before the two.

It was Commander Lü.

He was wrapped in several bandages, some of which were stained with blood, but he seemed to be in relatively good spirits.

When he saw Xia Yingtai standing there unharmed, he felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Young master! It's so good that you're alright!"

Commander Lü rushed over in three strides, knelt on one knee before Xia Yingtai, and said in a voice filled with lingering fear and self-reproach, "Your subordinate arrived late to save you, please punish me, young master!"

The dozens of imperial guards behind him also knelt down on one knee in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, their armor clashing with a dull thud.

"Commander Lü, please rise. This is not your fault."

Xia Yingtai quickly spoke up, then asked, "What happened next? What happened to those assassins?"

"Young Master Qi!"

Commander Lü stood up and respectfully reported, "Last night, I fought desperately to delay them, but fortunately the Imperial Guards arrived in time. Seeing the situation was dire, the assassins tried to escape, but we surrounded them and captured them all after a fierce battle. However…"

"But what?" Xia Yingtai pressed.

"Those men were all suicide soldiers. Seeing that they couldn't escape, they all committed suicide by poisoning themselves. Not a single one was left alive, and their identities and origins are impossible to trace," Commander Lü replied.

Suicide squad?

Qin Feng listened from the side, a question forming in his mind.

The force behind the operation that could cultivate so many highly skilled assassins must be extraordinary.

It seems this Brother Xia...

No, it's Her Highness the Eldest Princess; she has quite a few enemies!

Commander Lü turned his gaze to Qin Feng, his expression filled with undisguised gratitude and admiration.

"Many thanks to Young Master Qin for his chivalrous act of saving your life! I, Lü, will never forget this great kindness!"

"Commander Lü, you're too kind. Brother Xia and I are sworn brothers, so it's only right that we do this."

Qin Feng waved his hand, appearing completely nonchalant.

"Young master, this place is not safe to stay any longer. Let's go back as soon as possible."

Commander Lü glanced at Xia Yingtai again, hesitated, and finally couldn't help but advise:

"Your father... when he learned of your assassination attempt, he... cough, was furious and worried all night. He wants you to return immediately."

He almost let it slip.

Xia Yingtai nodded and said to Commander Lü, "Take your men and wait for me at the carriage at the foot of the mountain. I need to say a few words to Brother Qin, and I'll be right there."

"yes!"

Commander Lü bowed and accepted the order, then led his imperial guards away.

"Brother Qin, I'm leaving now."

Xia Yingtai composed herself and looked at Qin Feng: "I, Xia Yingtai, will never forget this great kindness. Upon returning home, I will definitely report your merits to my father and request commendation for you!"

"Brother Xia, you flatter me." Qin Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Seeking credit?

Your father is the current emperor; how could the merit he bestowed upon you be insignificant?

This is a huge profit!

Then, after descending the mountain, she had the Imperial Guards bring over a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse and handed the reins to Qin Feng.

"Brother Qin, this 'Red Hare' is my favorite steed. It can travel a thousand miles a day without a problem. Today, I'm giving it to you."

Then, she took off a jade thumb ring, which was entirely green and had a warm, smooth texture, from her thumb and stuffed it into Qin Feng's hand without saying a word.

"This is something I keep close to my body. Please keep it safe as a token."

"After you participate in the literary and martial arts examinations, I will send someone to find you to discuss...my sister's marriage."

As she spoke the last few words, her voice was barely audible, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

Qin Feng looked down at the jade thumb ring in his hand.

Good guy!

Imperial green, with excellent translucency!

If this thing existed in my previous life, it would be worth at least eight figures!

In this era, these two treasures combined are worth far more than silver; they would probably be worth ten thousand taels of gold.

As expected of a princess, she's incredibly generous!

"Well... I'll accept it without hesitation."

Qin Feng accepted the jade ring and mounted Red Hare.

"Brother Qin, until we meet again!"

Xia Yingtai looked at him deeply, as if trying to etch his image into her heart, before leaving.

……

After a while.

After bidding farewell to Xia Yingtai, Qin Feng rode his magnificent Red Hare towards the imperial city.

Although last night's experience was thrilling, with several brushes with death, the gains were immense.

Not only did he completely latch onto Princess Fuyao's powerful backing, but he also secured a "marriage," ensuring a bright future for him.

More importantly, he learned a Xuan-level martial art through his [Photographic Memory] talent.

Thunderclap Saber Technique!

This sword technique is incredibly powerful. If paired with a suitable treasured sword, his combat strength will surely soar once again.

Unfortunately, I don't have a knife on hand right now, so I can't test its power.

Looks like I need to find a way to get a good knife.

As I pondered this, the somewhat dilapidated gate of the Marquis of Loyalty's residence came into view in the distance.

"Sister-in-law, I'm home!"

Before he even reached the door, Qin Feng's shouts could be heard inside.

Ding Ding Deng!

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a beautiful figure stumbled and rushed out of the mansion.

It was Bai Wanqing.

Her eyes were bloodshot, clearly she hadn't slept all night.

Seeing Qin Feng appear unharmed, she could no longer control her emotions and threw herself into his arms, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"Xiao Feng, you're finally back! You didn't come home all night, I couldn't find you anywhere, you scared me to death..."

She was incoherent, her voice trembling with sobs, filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

Qin Feng felt a warmth in his heart, but also a surge of guilt. He hugged her tightly and gently stroked her back.

"Sister-in-law, I'm fine. I just encountered a little unexpected situation and was delayed outside for one night. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Feeling the warmth and heartbeat of the man in her arms, Bai Wanqing's heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled back into her stomach.

She lifted her head from his embrace, tears streaming down her face, a sight that evoked pity in me.

"I'm so glad you're alright..."

Qin Feng wiped away her tears and asked, "By the way, where are the Shangguan sisters? Why can't I see them?"

Bai Wanqing explained, "Earlier, Xiaoyu was feeling a bit better and said she wanted to go out for a walk and get some fresh air. Wan'er was worried about her going out alone, so she went with her."

Qin Feng was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, weren't you worried they'd run away? How could you let them go out without worry?"

Bai Wanqing shook her head and gave a faint smile.

"It's better to guide than to block. Keeping them confined in the mansion will only backfire and make them resentful. It's better to be more generous and let them go out for a walk."

"Moreover, I was also careful."

She added, "I only gave them five taels of silver. That's not much money in the capital, let alone enough to escape the city. I also specifically told them to cover their faces with veils when they went out, so I think there shouldn't be any problems."

"As for me..."

Bai Wanqing looked at Qin Feng and said softly, "I don't want to go anywhere. I'll just stay home and wait for you to come back."

Qin Feng was deeply moved upon hearing this.

My sister-in-law was very thoughtful; she was outwardly relaxed but inwardly cautious, giving the other party their trust while also having a backup plan.

"Sister-in-law, with a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for!" Qin Feng couldn't help but praise.

Bai Wanqing blushed slightly upon hearing the praise.

However, barring any unforeseen circumstances...

Another accident occurred!