Tuoba Xiangtai left with a dagger in hand, leaving a hall full of barbarian generals and soldiers standing bewildered in the wind.
Wait, the Third Prince went to find Xiao Mingzhao, but what about the barbarian army outside the city? What about them? Right now... should they go out to save them? Or should they not?
What on earth should they do?
In contrast to their confusion, Tuoba Xiangtai's mind was extremely clear at this moment; he was completely calm and rational.
He finally understood.
Xiao Mingzhao, from the very beginning, had wanted to leave him!
Dispatching the imperial guards and the border army to attack their barbarian forces outside the city was all for the sake of rescuing Xiao Mingzhao from the Yuchen Mansion later. And now, the existence of this Xiangxiang completely confirmed it.
Xiao Mingzhao was actually keeping...
A beloved person!
He, who was constantly told by Xiao Mingzhao that she loved him, was in reality just a substitute!
Just a substitute!
Xiangxiang's substitute!
So, when it all came down to it, Luan'er wanted to leave him!
But,
She couldn't!
Absolutely not!
He was going to be with Luan'er for all lifetimes. If they couldn't be together in life, they would die together, staying with Luan'er forever and ever!
...
While Tuoba Xiangtai was heading to the backyard, Pei Jingzhi had already taken a step ahead.
Pei Jingzhi truly had not expected that things would turn out to be so surprisingly easy.
Originally, the Yuchen Mansion was heavily guarded by barbarian soldiers, so strict that not even a fly could enter. But who knew whether his earnest heart to serve Her Majesty had moved the heavens or if the Great Yu's national power had exerted itself, the barbarian soldiers suddenly fell into chaos.
Those barbarian soldiers were running in and out, creating a complete uproar.
Even the guards at the entrance had retreated inside the Yuchen Mansion.
They left the main gate completely deserted.
How could Pei Jingzhi let such a great opportunity slip by?
He immediately sneaked inside.
Unexpectedly, entering was also quite smooth. The barbarian soldiers were in such a chaotic state that they seemed to have no time to notice him, allowing him a smooth journey all the way to the inner courtyard.
The closer he got to the inner courtyard, the safer Pei Jingzhi became.
This was because the closer he got to the inner courtyard, the more deserted it was.
With the map left by Sun Da and Sun Er in his hand, his understanding of the Yuchen Mansion was no worse than that of these barbarian soldiers. He immediately slipped in and quickly found the room where Xiao Mingzhao was detained.
He immediately pushed the doors open.
The moment he saw the scene inside, tears instantly surged down Pei Jingzhi's old face.
He had already heard from Sun Da and Sun Er that Her Majesty was bound by Tuoba Xiangtai with golden chains, preventing Her Majesty from leaving the room. But what he saw right now was that, in addition to the golden chains, heavy iron chains had also been added.
The Emperor of their Great Yu was actually tied up here like a dog!
This was the Emperor of their Great Yu!
The ruler of all the people!
How, how could she suffer such humiliation?
Pei Jingzhi fell to his knees with a thud, his eyes filled with hot tears as he wept bitterly. Your Majesty, this old minister is late to your rescue and has allowed Your Majesty to suffer. This old minister deserves to die ten thousand deaths!
Xiao Mingzhao's spirits lifted. My beloved minister Pei?
You, you have finally come!
Quick, quickly save me and get me out of here!
Pei Jingzhi dared not delay. Enduring the devastation and sorrow in his heart, he immediately tried to untie Xiao Mingzhao. However, whether it was the golden chains or the iron ones, it was as hard as ascending to the heavens for someone like Pei Jingzhi who knew no martial arts.
Moreover, even if he did know martial arts, he would not be able to sever these chains in one strike.
The keys are over there... Xiao Mingzhao pointed into the distance and said, The keys are kept right there. Take them and unlock these iron chains for me!
Pei Jingzhi felt another pang of sorrow in his heart.
The keys were placed exactly out of Xiao Mingzhao's reach. Tuoba Xiangtai, that barbarian beast and savage bastard, dared to treat Her Majesty so cruelly. Every citizen of Great Yu would surely be willing to spill their blood to slay this thief!
Fortunately, his resolute nature allowed him to quickly fetch the keys.
He unlocked the shackles on Xiao Mingzhao's body one by one.
Feeling the weight lifted off her body, Xiao Mingzhao instantly felt as if even the air had become free. Her heart was filled with excitement, and she could not help but ask Pei Jingzhi about the current situation.
Pei Jingzhi responded while he worked.
The border army and the imperial guards are currently slaughtering the barbarian army outside the city. It must be under Ren Tianye's orders. Right now, this Yuchen Mansion is in total chaos. This is a great opportunity. Your Majesty, it is heaven's will that Great Yu shall not perish. Now is the perfect time for you to escape!
The excitement on Xiao Mingzhao's face, however, paused.
She asked, My beloved minister Pei, are you saying that Ren Tianye has come to save me?
No, it is... Before Pei Jingzhi could explain, rapid footsteps echoed from outside the door, and his expression changed drastically. It is likely Tuoba Xiangtai approaching.
He looked at Xiao Mingzhao, who had just been freed from the iron chains, and without a single moment of hesitation, he said directly, Your Majesty, at this rate, we will not be able to escape. Right now, there is only one way!
Your Majesty, please take off your clothes!
Xiao Mingzhao, who had been lost in her own thoughts, was instantly stunned upon hearing this. What?
Your Majesty, take off your outer garments and let this old minister wear them. If I sit with my back facing Tuoba Xiangtai and blow out a few candles, Tuoba Xiangtai will surely be deceived. Then, this old minister can buy Your Majesty some time. Your Majesty...
You can use that opportunity to escape.
As long as Your Majesty can remember the lesson of this incident after escaping, treat the people of the world kindly in the future, revitalize the imperial court, execute the treacherous, and wipe out the barbarians, this old minister will have no regrets even in death!
Xiao Mingzhao understood Pei Jingzhi's intentions.
However, Xiao Mingzhao decisively shook her head.
Pei Jingzhi grew anxious. Your Majesty, this old minister's life is as insignificant as an ant's. If this old minister can trade this worthless life for Your Majesty's dragon body, it would be a tremendous blessing. Your Majesty, in such a critical moment, you absolutely must not hesitate!
Xiao Mingzhao still shook her head and said, My beloved minister Pei, that is not what I mean. I want to say...
Xiao Mingzhao looked out the window at the pitch-black darkness, much like the perilous situation she was currently in. Yet, the occasional burst of firelight was like a bright beacon illuminating her heart.
The road ahead had always been difficult, but as long as a breath remained, one should bravely pursue it.
Thus, she said, Ren Tianye has come to save me!
In the past, I treated Ren Tianye poorly and hurt his sincere devotion to me.
This time, I want to give him a chance!
I believe that he has made all the necessary deployments and will absolutely not allow Tuoba Xiangtai to cause me the slightest harm.
I misjudged people and did the wrong things in the past, bringing about a great disaster. This time, I will not make the same mistakes again!
Pausing, she turned to the utterly incredulous Pei Jingzhi and added, My beloved minister Pei, please rest assured. Even if it is solely for my sake, Ren Tianye will definitely plan everything thoroughly. With you and me here, there will not be the slightest bit of danger!
Just set your mind at ease!
...
nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...
e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
