Just a few days after Yuwen Ran brought Gu Yanyue back to the palace, Tuoba Chen sneaked into Gu Yanyue's bedroom again.

Gu Yanyue looked at Tuoba Chen, who was becoming more and more familiar with sneaking into the palace. She really didn't expect Tuoba Chen to be so persistent.

Tuoba Chen obviously had no idea about such a serious crime as sneaking into the imperial palace. Fortunately, he still had the identity of a prince from the Western Regions. Otherwise, based on the fact that he had broken into the imperial palace so many times, Yuwen Ran would have ordered him to be beheaded hundreds of times.

Tuoba Chen came more often and no longer considered himself an outsider. Gu Yanyue's habit of not liking palace maids to serve her made it convenient for him to go directly into the main hall of Gu Yanyue's bedroom.

He walked forward, took Gu Yanyue's hand, smiled, and asked the question that Gu Yanyue hadn't answered last time, "Ayue, will you come back to the Western Regions with me? I'm different from Yuwen Ran. He has three thousand beauties in his harem. I swear that even if I succeed my father in the future, you will be the only one in my harem."

Gu Yanyue waved his hand away, her voice cold, even addressing him differently than before: "Prince Tuoba, I've said it many times, I love Yuwen Ran very much, and Yuwen Ran loves me too. We have been very sweet since our wedding, and he has never done anything bad to me. So please go back, Prince Tuoba. It is impossible for me to go back to the Western Regions with you. Prince Tuoba will definitely find someone he truly loves in the future..."

A gloomy look flashed across Tuoba Chen's eyes, but Gu Yanyue, who was standing in front of him, didn't notice. After a brief silence, Tuoba Chen slowly exhaled and said, "What if I insist on taking you back to the Western Regions?"

"Are you planning to kidnap me like you did a few days ago? I'm Yuwen Ran's queen. Prince Tuoba, don't you think you're really breaking the rules by doing this?"

Tuoba Chen's eyes turned red with anger at Gu Yanyue's stubborn look. He stepped forward, grabbed Gu Yanyue's collar and pulled her forward a little.

"Tuoba Chen..." Gu Yanyue's voice sounded low and fierce, but it was also trembling obviously, "What do you want to do?"

Tuoba Chen grabbed Gu Yanyue's hand with his backhand and took off Gu Yanyue's outer clothes with an almost tearing motion.

Gu Yanyue was stunned for a moment, then reacted and slapped Tuoba Chen hard in the face. Gu Yanyue used so much force that not only did Tuoba Chen's face tilt, but even her own hand hurt badly.

Tuoba Chen relaxed a little in pain, and Gu Yanyue seized the opportunity to break free from his restraints. Before Tuoba Chen could react, she wrapped her clothes tightly around her and ran out of the palace. Calculating the time, Yuwen Ran was about to return to his bedroom after court, so Gu Yanyue ran even faster.

As soon as she walked out of the palace gate, she ran into Yuwen Ran who was coming back from court. Gu Yanyue ran over and hugged Yuwen Ran tightly. Her clothes and hair were in a mess, and she didn't even know where her shoes had fallen.

Seeing Gu Yanyue like this, Yu Wenran's eyes instantly turned red with distress, "Ayue, who bullied you?"

"Aran." A faint smile appeared on Gu Yanyue's pale face, "Aran, I'm fine, I'm fine..."

Even though she kept insisting that she was fine, Yu Wenran didn't believe it. Her clothes were in such a mess and her face was so pale. It was obvious that she was frightened. She didn't look like she was fine as Gu Yanyue said.

Yuwen Ran looked up and met Tuoba Chen who had just walked out of the hall. Gu Yanyue ran out of the hall in this state, and Tuoba Chen happened to be inside again. With this association, Yuwen Ran knew roughly what had just happened in the hall.

He definitely believed in Gu Yanyue. Gu Yanyue would never do anything to let him down. However, Tuoba Chen had repeatedly crossed the line. Yuwen Ran's eyes were red as he glared at Tuoba Chen fiercely and shouted, "Come here—call the minister back to the palace. I am determined to attack the Western Regions."

After Yuwen Ran comforted Gu Yanyue, he went to Xuande Hall.

Before the ministers' carriages left the palace gate, Gao Hai and his men stopped them, saying that the emperor had something else to discuss.

Sitting on the throne, Yuwen Ran looked calmly at the people below. After all the ministers had arrived, he said calmly, "I plan to attack the Western Regions soon. Do you have any generals to recommend?"

Prince Xiang suddenly stepped out and said in a resounding voice, "I think this is inappropriate. Our dynasty and the Western Regions have always enjoyed friendly relations, and the Western Regions have not transgressed any rules. Now, Your Majesty suddenly issues an order to attack the Western Regions. Isn't this unreasonable?"

All the ministers in the court echoed him.

Yu Wenran's eyes were gloomy, and he pulled the corner of his mouth calmly. He was about to speak when he suddenly rushed in.

Tuoba Chen wore his usual smile and said, "Since Your Majesty wants to attack the Western Regions, it would be best to march today. If you are late, it will not be Your Majesty who will lead the troops to attack the Western Regions, but I will lead the troops to attack the Central Plains."

After a pause, Tuoba Chen raised his eyebrows and continued, "If I win, I will take A Yue back to the Western Regions."

Yuwen Ran frowned slightly. "Impossible, Prince, you should think more about how to defeat my Central Plains cavalry. As for A Yue, I can confirm that even if you win, she will not follow you..."

"Your Majesty, please think about how to win first." Tuoba Chen interrupted Yuwen Ran coldly, "The men of our Western Regions have always been brave and good at fighting. I am determined to win A Yue."

Yu Wenran's pupils shrank slightly, and his eyes darkened. After a moment, he said, "Ayue is not a thing. She is a living person and cannot be a prize in this battle. If she is willing to follow you, I will never stop her. But if she refuses, I will never let you take her away even if it costs me my life."

After hearing what Yuwen Ran said, Tuoba Chen's face turned terribly bad. He said "I'll take my leave first" and turned away.

After Tuoba Chen left, the ministers in the court were immediately in an uproar and listed their opinions one after another.

Yuwen Ran's brows furrowed ever deeper as he listened. He slowly swept his gaze over the crowd, interrupting the endless debate in the hall. "Since all the ministers have no objection, I will personally lead an expedition to the Western Regions soon. This meeting is adjourned!"

After they left, Yuwen Ran went to find Gu Yanyue, intending to tell her that he was going to lead the army in person.

Gu Yanyue had heard Gao Hai's report some time ago, saying that Yuwen Ran had argued with Tuoba Chen in the court, and had made Tuoba Chen speechless in the end and could only leave in anger.

Gu Yanyue asked some more details. She didn't expect Yuwen Ran to go to such lengths for her. She felt sweet in her heart, and even her face turned slightly red unconsciously. She looked so delicate and shy, and it was very beautiful.

When Yu Wenran returned, he saw Gu Yanyue like this. He walked up to her, hooked a strand of her long hair with his fingers, and twirled it gently: "Ayue, did you know something? Why are you so happy?"