Tuoba Ze was waiting for her words.

After Zhu'er and the others left, he forcefully threw Mei Xiyuan away.

Mei Xiyuan suddenly lost her footing and fell face-first onto the side table.

She never expected that at this critical juncture, just when everything was about to settle down, the appearance of Yi Shangyun would disrupt all her plans.

I even fear that all my efforts over the years will be in vain.

At this moment, just as the maid had said, she regretted not having used Lu Tianjiao to eliminate her completely.

Now, even a savage, despicable, and lowly person like Tuoba Ze is willing to turn against her for her sake.

But she was unwilling to admit defeat, nor could she admit defeat.

In a fit of anger, he endured the double pain in his heart and body, and repeatedly questioned her in a fit of rage.

"Tuoba Ze, are you crazy?"

Do you know what you're doing?

"Tonight, you not only broke into my residence without my permission, but also led your men into the night."

"Still running rampant in this princess's residence!"

"Not only did you injure my maid, but you also allowed your guards to search indiscriminately everywhere."

Have you really thought about the consequences of doing this?

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze gave a cold laugh.

He turned to the side, put his hands behind his back, raised his chin high, and spoke arrogantly with a haughty and disdainful air.

"as a result of?"

What are the consequences?

"You were the one who attacked my people first. Do you think I should just swallow my anger towards a woman?"

"Wouldn't that make this prince lose face?"

Seeing her rudeness and contempt, Mei Xiyuan composed herself and suddenly changed her attitude.

"Tuoba Ze, I'll say it again, please watch your words and actions!"

"Your actions will make me, Dongning, question the sincerity of your cooperation. I have already persuaded my brother to begin mobilizing troops to help you prepare for the battle against Western Qin, but if you dare to be so disrespectful to this princess again..."

"That……"

"This princess will have to reconsider our cooperation!"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze finally showed a look of surprise as he looked back and forth at her.

I couldn't believe it and kept checking with him to confirm.

"What did you say?"

Are you telling the truth?

"Did Mei Zhixuan really agree?"

"With such swift action, is everything you're saying true?"

This time, it was Mei Xiyuan's turn to look down on him, and she proudly declared, "Of course!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a secret letter from his person and handed it to Tuoba Ze: "Open your dog eyes and take a good look!"

Tuoba Ze's eyes gleamed as he snatched the document, unfolded it, and exclaimed in surprise, "Mei Zhixuan, he really has already begun to send troops to help me wipe out Western Qin in one fell swoop!"

"Hmph..." Mei Xiyuan snorted coldly.

He then raised his hand to adjust the hair ornament on his head and said, "It's far more than that! This is only the 200,000 soldiers who are the vanguard. This time, including your remaining troops, all expenses for the expedition will be borne by the Dongning national treasury."

This is war, and the enemy is the strongest adversary on the Lingkong Continent. Once the two sides start fighting, the war will definitely last a long time, causing great hardship and loss of resources. It is by no means a trivial matter.

I've heard that Mei Zhixuan's ascension to the throne was illegitimate and his words lacked legitimacy; he's still just a regent.

How could he really have such great power? Tuoba Ze was truly incredulous: "Is this true?"

Faced with his questioning, Mei Xiyuan glared at him and retorted, "You don't believe me?"

As she spoke, she moved toward the desk and said, "Then I, the princess, will immediately write to my brother, the emperor, and tell him to stop all his actions! Tell him that the eldest prince has resolutely given up his revenge for the sake of a woman!"

Just as he was about to pick up his pen, Tuoba Ze strode forward, reached out his hand, and stopped him, making his stance clear: "Of course, this prince will not give up on revenge. National hatred and family feuds—this time, this prince will definitely take down Western Qin!"

Tuoba Ze was genuinely surprised that Mei Xiyuan had fulfilled all her promises before returning to the country so quickly. He thought to himself, "It seems that Mei Zhixuan can't sit still any longer!"

Even so, the power of the guardians should not be underestimated.

Moreover, if she wanted to, she would be the rightful heir to the Dongning Kingdom.

With this thought in mind, Tuoba Ze said to Mei Xiyuan, "That woman is still useful; now is not the time to harm her!"

However, Mei Xiyuan didn't think so, saying, "The Crown Prince must know that the biggest obstacle to Mei Zhixuan's ascension to the throne is her. Even if I spare her, I doubt Mei Zhixuan will let her live and keep her under constant control!"

Having truly lost any idea how to convince her that Yi Shangyun had to live, Tuoba Ze thought for a moment and then blurted out, "Actually... she is the descendant of the legendary guardian of Western Qin."

Sure enough, upon hearing this news, Mei Xiyuan was immediately stunned: "What did you say?"

After a long while, Mei Xiyuan slowly came to her senses and asked him again to confirm, "You mean that bitch is the descendant of the guardian who possesses that legendary mysterious power?"

Tuoba Ze nodded affirmatively.

Mei Xiyuan seemed to be deep in thought, and then murmured something to herself.

"How is this possible?"

"How could it be her?"

"In that case, the Empress Dowager would be the guardian that the Western Qin Kingdom lost back then..."

"No wonder she insisted on returning to Western Qin even though she was about to give birth..."

"So that's how it is..."

At this moment, Tuoba Ze spoke up: "I heard this news from the Crown Prince of Nan'an when he was talking to her, so it should be true! Therefore, for the time being, she cannot die yet."

Mei Xiyuan seemed to have already made up her mind about something, and finally slowly came back to her senses and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, she reiterated her initial statement: "I said I didn't touch her, and I didn't. Your people are already searching for her, aren't they? Even if you don't believe me, don't you trust your own people?"

In order to persuade her to release Yi Shangyun, Tuoba Ze did not hesitate to tell her such a huge and shocking secret.

Unexpectedly, Mei Xiyuan still refused to change her tune, which enraged Tuoba Ze: "Mei Xiyuan, you..."

Just then.

Zhu'er returned looking dejected, and shook her head as soon as she met Tuoba Ze's eyes.

Mei Xiyuan had already anticipated this outcome, and asked, "So? Have you found the person you're looking for?"

Clearly, Tuoba Ze and his maid had nothing to say.

Mei Xiyuan then sneered and suddenly raised her voice to shout angrily: "Since you haven't found it, then take your people and get out of here right now! This place is too small for the Crown Prince to be a big shot like you."

"Let's go!" Helpless, Tuoba Ze could only grit his teeth and prepare to leave with his maid in a dejected manner.

Even though the search tonight yielded no results, Tuoba Ze still firmly believed in his intuition. He was convinced that Yi Shangyun had fallen into Mei Xiyuan's hands.

Before turning and taking a step, he warned Mei Xiyuan with unprecedented seriousness: "I know that her disappearance is definitely related to you. I just want you to know that if she loses even a single hair, I will show you what I will do."

Just as he took a few quick steps and was about to cross the threshold, he stopped again and added, "Seeing how pitiful you are now, I, the prince, advise you: what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you should not force. Otherwise, when your sins become so grave that they cannot be redeemed, you will surely be condemned by heaven and earth."

Then he stepped over the threshold and led the group of people in the courtyard away completely.

Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan looked at his retreating figure in astonishment, muttering to herself, "How exactly was Tuoba Ze brainwashed by that bitch? How come he speaks so profoundly now? Is he warning this princess?"

But now, she couldn't listen to any of that. Her heart was filled with hatred: "What fate? My life is my own to decide! This time, I'm going all in. Even if I end up being reduced to ashes, I will die with you! This is the last bit of dignity I, as a princess, will leave for myself in this life!"

He then said to Tuoba Ze in a near-mad manner, "Mei Zhixuan is a wolf with ambitions, intending to dominate the entire Lingkong. This time, I'm making you cannon fodder first. You should live well, live hard, and make sure you live as long as possible."

After saying that, he suddenly burst into a maniacal laugh.

"Ha ha!"

"Hahaha!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Suddenly, she raised her voice and ordered the guards outside the door, "Bring that slut to this princess!"

In the bamboo grove in the corner of the backyard, a cold wind howled.

Here, there is a very secluded little cellar, which is usually used to store vegetables for the winter.

"Whoosh..." A sound was heard.

At the same time, a man's voice said, "You know what, this woman is really tough; she's still alive."

A sudden jolt jolted Yi Shangyun awake, who had already fallen into a deep sleep due to exhaustion and being moved to a cramped and oxygen-deprived space.

What are you going to do?

Before she could react, two guards carrying torches grabbed her arms and carried her away from the cellar.

"Of course, I'll take you to experience the next round of punishment."

"don't want!"

Where do you want to take me?

"Let me go!"

Faced with Yi Shangyun's weak resistance, the guard advised her, "You'd better save your energy, or you'll suffer the consequences."

At this moment, Mei Xiyuan clenched her fists, still burning with anger.

"King Xuanyuan Han of Qin!"

"The Crown Prince of Nan'an!"

"Tuoba Ze!"

"Why are you all so devoted to that bitch...?"

Mei Xiyuan was completely enraged.

"Where exactly does this princess fall short of her?"

"You all treat me like a worn-out shoe, something you can discard at will!"

"So what if they are descendants of the Guardians? They've fallen into my hands now."

"I want you to see with your own eyes how I will destroy the one you all care about!"

"If I can't have it, no one else can!"