Gao Chengwei: "..."

Despite his best efforts to persuade him, he couldn't "wake up" from Ashin's feigned death. He was so frustrated he just wanted to chop the guy to death with a single blow!

Gao Chengwei gripped the hilt of his sword tighter and tighter, gritting his teeth as he said, "Ninth Prince has brought so many men. Do you think we, just a few of us, are a match for him? It's not like we're tired of living!"

“That’s true.” Ah Xin tumbled up from the ground, looking at Gao Chengwei with a puzzled expression: “But your Gao family has never been the emperor’s confidants, so how come…”

"You lowly servant, what nonsense are you spouting? How dare you question our commander like that? Believe me or not, I'll whip you!" One of Gao Chengwei's confidants was furious and brandished his riding whip.

Ashin shrank back in fright and muttered something under his breath:

You think you're loyal, but Ashin doesn't?

Without asking clearly, how dare I point in the direction of my master?

But then I thought about it again and Gao Chengwei was right. The Ninth Prince had over 100,000 well-equipped troops, which was the most elite army in the Great Zhao Dynasty. Even if the entire Imperial Guard were to join them, they would not be a match for the Ninth Prince, let alone Gao Chengwei who only had a few people with him.

Ashin stood up, clutching her heart, and pointed out Shang Xiye's location to Gao Chengwei.

He watched as Gao Chengwei and the others rode away.

Ashin stood there for a while, still feeling uneasy, before finally leaving.

Wuying and Wuhen had just ordered their men to fill in the large pit at the entrance.

Gao Chengwei and several of his close subordinates arrived, and the guards on duty outside the door drew their swords, ready for battle.

"Please inform him that I am only requesting an audience with the Ninth Prince on my own behalf," Gao Chengwei said without any anger. He dismounted and politely clasped his hands in greeting.

The guards on duty immediately went in to inform Wuying.

Wuying entered the room again and reported to Shang Xiye.

“In the past, whenever we left the capital, groups of people would chase after us, wanting to kill us. This time is quite strange, as one group after another is rushing to see us and curry favor,” Xi Que laughed.

Ji Fengyao was surprised that she had figured it out, and deliberately said, "The Gao family is the number one royalist, so how can you be sure that he came to see us and curry favor? The letter that the servant from the Yin family sent said that the emperor sent Gao Chengwei to intercept and kill us."

"Miss, please stop teasing me; if Gao Chengwei really came to kill us, he wouldn't have brought just a few people and come to our door to ask for an audience. He's not asking for trouble." Xique rarely acted coquettishly, showing some girlish charm.

Ji Fengyao smiled broadly: it seemed that her relationship with Wuhen was developing very steadily and sweetly, and it was time to plan a wedding banquet for them.

Shang Xiye ordered Wuying to invite Gao Chengwei in, without avoiding Ji Fengyao and her servants.

Gao Chengwei was taken aback for a moment. Seeing that Shang Xiye had no intention of moving to another place to talk, he didn't say anything more and simply clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "This humble general greets the Ninth Prince and the Ninth Princess."

"Sit," Shang Xiye nodded slightly and said calmly.

Gao Chengwei sat down and said directly, "Now that the Ninth Prince has met with the Yin family, he must also know that His Majesty sent me to intercept and kill you."

"I already knew this before this," Shang Xiye said frankly.

Gao Chengwei raised an eyebrow inwardly, surprised by Shang Xiye's frankness and admiring his magnanimity. He continued to speak frankly, saying, "The emperor's order cannot be disobeyed. Since the emperor has given the order, this humble general will naturally bring people here. Most of the imperial guards in the palace have already left the capital and are on their way."

"So, you didn't come here to seek peace, but to issue a challenge?" Xi Que felt a little pain in her face.