Chapter 69: Conflict
Her entire body felt like a fledgling bird being freely pecked and licked by him.
After a year apart, those eyes seemed so unfamiliar—cold, rigid, and devoid of emotion…
Li Youqing felt as if she had fallen into an icy cellar. Numerous thoughts flashed through her mind, her chaotic reflections lingering on the first time they met, when he had looked at her with utterly emotionless eyes.
She took a deep breath, wanting to tell him to stop, but found herself powerless to speak under his frigid gaze.
“Guards, protect Her Highness!” Jin Cheng shouted, grabbing Li Youqing’s hand and pulling her to his side to shield her.
“Xuan Rui.” Li Youqing felt inexplicably wronged, but then her other hand was seized with great force. With just a slight tug from him, her entire body stumbled toward him.
Simultaneously, Xuan Rui’s personal guards filed into the hall.
Xuan Rui pointed his sword at Jin Cheng with his other hand, his gaze full of disdain: “Qingqing, look at his frail appearance—who could he possibly protect?”
“Xuan Rui, you will not act recklessly before His Majesty.” Crown Prince Li Jing strode forward, speaking sternly: “My imperial sister has been cherished since childhood. Jin Shilang is the consort she personally chose. Even if Commander Xuan has any objections, he should not use force to coerce the princess.”
Force? Coercion?
Li Youqing realized this was a trap—her Imperial Brother and the others were using her to provoke him into madness, then seize evidence against him.
But what could she do…
If she yielded to Xuan Rui, she would betray the Daliang imperial family, her Father Emperor, and Imperial Brother. The entire court would never stand by and watch her marry a powerful general dominating the frontiers.
If she cooperated with Imperial Brother… what mad actions would Xuan Rui take then?
“I traveled thousands of miles to the capital not to listen to Your Highness’s nonsense.” Xuan Rui remained arrogantly dismissive, his gaze falling on Li Youqing’s panicked face as he chuckled: “What are you afraid of? Your husband is here.”
At such a moment, this man still had the mood to jest.
Yet Li Youqing’s frightened heart gradually calmed because of his familiar teasing.
He was not a man of courage without strategy. Since he had come to the capital, he must have already devised countermeasures.
Xuan Rui released Li Youqing, drew a square seal from his sleeve, and placed it on the sharp edge of his sword before extending it toward the throne.
Emperor Jian rose, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The sword tip pointed directly at the emperor, the small square seal resting horizontally on the blade glowing softly—symbolizing command over eight hundred thousand troops in the northwest.
“You thought the betrothal gifts were just those few dozen large chests?” Xuan Rui flicked his sword, placing the object on the table before Emperor Jian, speaking nonchalantly: “Your Majesty, now, may this subject become Third Princess’s consort?”
Li Youqing thought he had gone completely mad.
By surrendering the Military Tally, did he believe the imperial family would spare him—
Li Jing’s eyes remained fixed on the square seal on the table. Suddenly, he felt he had lost this battle.
Xuan Rui had achieved illustrious military exploits in the northwest, witnessed by all nations across the nine provinces. Even if he acted arrogantly after returning to the capital, he had proactively surrendered the Military Tally immediately, demonstrating his stance.
Therefore, no one could touch him now.
But heaven knew how much authority this Military Tally still held over the Zhenbei Army.
Lu Zhan had previously been in charge of the Military Tally, yet not only was he placed under house arrest, but he was also escorted to the capital as the chief conspirator of rebellion.
With this move, Xuan Rui had forced both the Emperor and himself to swallow a bitter pill in silence.
With such a formidable figure entering the capital, having surrendered the Military Tally and pledged his loyalty, everyone had no choice but to treat him with the utmost respect.
However, he wanted to become the Third Princess’s consort—
Li Jing felt his patience had reached its limit.
“Outrageous!” Emperor Jian was the first to lose his temper, fuming, “Since you’ve entered the Central Plains, you can’t act like a savage anymore. Seeking to marry a princess doesn’t mean you can behave like a kidnapper, making a scene here. If I refuse today, are you going to openly snatch her in this hall? What will become of the princess’s reputation?”
Li Youqing struggled free from his grip and knelt before Emperor Jian, saying, “This trouble was caused by your daughter. I am willing to bear the consequences.”
Xuan Rui glanced at her, remained silent for a moment, and then knelt as well.
This was, in fact, the first time since his return to the capital that he had performed such a formal gesture of respect.
“Your Majesty, I sincerely seek to marry the Third Princess. All matters regarding the wedding shall follow the customs of the Central Plains. I have no objections.”
Emperor Jian’s face turned ashen, rendered speechless by Xuan Rui’s words.
You troublemaker! Is this really about customs now?!
“Your Majesty, I take my leave!” Xuan Rui stood up, not forgetting to pull Li Youqing along as he departed.
Jin Cheng wanted to intervene but was stopped by Xuan Rui’s personal guard, who fixed him with a threatening glare before following his master out.
—
He walked as swiftly as the wind, while Li Youqing stumbled along behind him, her entire being numb.
Even after he helped her into the carriage, her mind remained in a daze.
The man seated beside her was shrouded in an aura of menace, like a fierce bandit, his killing intent even more palpable than before.
Li Youqing stared at his cold, stern face and asked, “Have you truly given up on the Zhenbei Army?”
“No.” His reply was immediate, as he had never considered hiding anything from her. “Those soldiers have followed me for most of my life. They cannot be controlled by a mere Military Tally.”
Then, he deliberately added, “I’m planning a rebellion. Will Qingqing still follow me?”
“When have I ever followed you?!” Li Youqing’s mind reeled. What nonsense was this? How could he speak of such treasonous matters in such a calm tone?
A glint flashed in Xuan Rui’s eyes. “Didn’t you just tell His Majesty that this trouble was your doing and that you were willing to bear the ‘evil’ consequences?”
He was that “evil”—otherwise, how could he have taken her back?
Inside the carriage, the faint scent of Jia Tan incense lingered, a fragrance she had grown accustomed to in the northwest, mingled with… his own distinct scent.
It was hard to describe, but it was overpowering, domineering, and strangely alluring.
Li Youqing feared that the resolve she had cultivated during her year of spiritual retreat at the temple would crumble in an instant. She bit her lip hard to stay clear-headed.
Xuan Rui let out a low chuckle, leaned close to her, and whispered by her ear, “Qingqing, as long as you behave, I won’t lose control.”
Unlike his earlier coldness and detachment, Li Youqing finally saw a surge of emotion in his eyes at that moment.
“Xuan Rui, what are you afraid of?” she asked, having caught a flicker of panic in his gaze just moments before.
A year had passed, and both of them had changed. The intimacy they once shared had turned into distance, and their movements were now restrained.
“Afraid?” Xuan Rui’s expression hardened once more. He lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside and, as expected, spotted someone following them.
“Qingqing, the capital is no safe haven for us. I’ve come this time determined to take you away.” Xuan Rui didn’t share her delicate sensitivities—he felt no distance or restraint, but with so many things to guard against now, he remained tightly wound.
“If you don’t wish to return to the northwest, I’ll take you to Jiangnan. No matter where we go, I only ask you to trust me and give me a home.” These words he had rehearsed countless times in his mind over the past year.
Yet in the end, they came out cold and detached. Without waiting for her response, he crushed his lips against hers.
His rough, prickly stubble scraped painfully against her cheeks. Li Youqing helplessly leaned back, her head cradled in his palm, her whole being like a fledgling bird submitting to his devouring kisses.
His movements carried a wild roughness, like the harsh desert winds sweeping across the face—utterly aggressive.
But… they were still in the carriage…
Maintaining some rationality, Li Youqing pushed against him with force, but both her hands were pinned against his chest.
“Stop moving, you’re insane…” Xuan Rui murmured against her lips before pulling away, his gaze fierce.
“Has your consort ever done this to you?” The scene from the palace hall earlier still angered him.
Li Youqing’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, accusation in their depths as she challenged him: “No one bullies people quite like you do.”
“I’m bullying you, and I’ll keep doing it.” Xuan Rui moved to kiss her again when the carriage abruptly halted.
The driver called from outside: “Boss, we’ve arrived at the Dudu Residence they arranged for us.”
Hearing no response from within, the man paused before adding uncertainly: “There are many followers behind us, seems they’ve come to escort the princess back. Should I send them away?”
“No need.” Xuan Rui took a deep breath, pinched Li Youqing’s cheek, and said calmly: “Return to Jinlin Terrace first. I’ll come for you tonight.”
“The palace guards are strict at night. Don’t do anything reckless.” Li Youqing wanted to remind him—this wasn’t the northwest where he could do as he pleased.
Xuan Rui grew irritable, gripping her tighter, his expression turning dangerous.
“Wait for me tonight.” He delivered this ultimatum before stepping out of the carriage first.
Li Youqing remained in a daze throughout her return to the palace.
That kiss of his had seemed passionate yet felt utterly emotionless, completely different from their tender intimacy a year ago.
Now he was filled with possessiveness toward her.
He was like a savage wolf who had fought his way from the northwest to the capital, determined to claim her by any means necessary.
Caught between both sides, her position granted her clearer perspective and rationality.
She couldn’t betray the imperial family, yet she wouldn’t stand by watching him walk into certain doom.
Perhaps for everyone involved, the best outcome would be for the two of them to disappear together.
But he made it sound so easy—how could it be that simple?
Every inch of land under heaven belongs to the emperor, meaning they’d spend their lives in hiding. How would that differ from their elopement a year ago?
Between two paths, she must choose one.
In the Palace Hall
Li Jing, Grand Tutor Jin, and Zhang Liang were discussing with the emperor how to deal with Xuan Rui.
The Military Tally was genuine, but its practical value was limited.
Xuan Rui’s influence in the northwest had essentially made him a local ruler.
Now that he had surrendered the tally and sought to marry the princess, unless—
“Perhaps we could use Third Princess to keep him in the capital while appointing a new commander to the northwest. After three to five years, his influence there would naturally fade.” Thus spoke Grand Tutor Jin.
Li Jing’s expression darkened: “The Grand Tutor means we should agree to marry my younger sister to him.”
Emperor Jian glanced at the Crown Prince: “It might not be entirely unacceptable.”
“If he can abandon the northwest and become a puppet consort, we can have people closely monitor him to prevent his escape. When the Third Princess bears his child, he’ll be further constrained. Then we can find an opportunity to eliminate him once and for all.”
Zhang Liang presented his scheme, proud of his cunning plan, but was coldly interrupted by the Crown Prince: “General Zhang, what do you take our dynasty’s Third Princess for? Please watch your words from now on!”
Grand Tutor Jin exchanged a look with Emperor Jian before finally saying: “The princess’s dignity must not be violated. This matter… perhaps we should seek the Third Princess’s own opinion.”
“I’m afraid my Cheng’er ultimately doesn’t have such fortune.”
[Author’s Note]
It’s Wednesday today…