Chapter 324
Tao Tao shook her head. "No, you are dealing with the Wu Kingdom and the Dali Kingdom. My mind is made up to go to Yuquan Pass, and you don't need to persuade me."
"I believe you will be able to take back the cities that the Celestial Empire has lost."
"It doesn't matter if we can't take it back. As long as we defend our territory well now, and prevent our people from being displaced and rivers of blood from flowing, we can prevent them from being displaced."
"Don't make blind sacrifices; taking a step back to advance is also a way to win."
Is retreating as a strategic advance also a form of victory?
Everyone looked on in astonishment; it was the first time they had ever heard such a statement.
Qi Rongzong thought that dealing with those small countries would be better than losing his life, while going to Yuquan Pass to face those wolves and tigers head-on would truly be a case of going with one's life but not returning.
After all, even the invincible General Dingyuan was defeated there.
General Mingwei, however, did not think so. The prince had summoned his subordinates and told them that the princess's life was as important as his own.
When trouble struck, the first person to be protected was not the young emperor, nor Empress Dowager Liu, but the princess.
Now that the princess is leading troops to Yuquan Pass for support, if the prince finds out, he will surely blame them for not protecting the princess.
Moreover, the person in charge now is the princess, and she must stay in the capital to stabilize the court and the people's hearts, otherwise how can they face the enemy with peace of mind?
He frowned, his brow furrowed with anxiety. "Take my advice and stay in the capital. If the prince finds out, he won't make the same risky decision as you."
"It is precisely because his fate is unknown that I should go!"
Tao Tao's eyes reddened, unable to contain her excitement.
"This was not an impulsive decision; it was the result of careful consideration."
She swept her gaze across everyone looking at her. "Country, country. Only with a country can there be a home. I hope everyone can understand this and not become traitors."
"As for what happens to traitors, you probably know the prince's temperament; he's much more ruthless than I am."
"Only by protecting the Celestial Empire can everyone survive. If everyone's hearts are united, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished."
"There is a reason why the Celestial Empire has stood firm for a hundred years. You must believe that Heaven is on our side."
Her words were not merely encouragement, but more akin to brainwashing.
We must plant the seed of absolute victory in their hearts, and we must stabilize the public sentiment and morale affected by the rumors of Duan Gan's death.
If you approach life with a mindset of certain defeat, you'll only ruin yourself.
"Yes! The Princess is right!" The Minister of Personnel raised his hand and shouted.
"Your Highness also thinks that what you say makes sense."
More and more people agreed with her.
Xie Ruizhang: "General Mingwei, please do as the Princess says."
General Mingwei clenched his fists, sighed, and finally had no choice but to compromise.
Without delay, in front of all the ministers, she personally wrote the transfer order, stamping the imperial seal and Duan Gan's personal seal on the letter, which was then taken by the Imperial Guards and the Privy Council Guards to the surrounding military camps.
Tao Tao then left the palace and headed towards the Prince Yong's residence.
The Prince Yong's mansion was dimly lit, and the surroundings were so quiet that even the slightest breeze could be heard.
Qi Heng lay back in the rocking chair in the courtyard, wearing a cloak, her eyes closed, her face pale, and her usually jet-black hair had turned dull and withered.
Like him, a lifeless person, he had no vitality whatsoever.
The night wind was biting and fierce, the ground was covered with a thick layer of snow, and the dim candlelight flickered, making the scene seem particularly empty and desolate.
Shen Yu and Granny Sun stood under the eaves, their eyes filled with heartache.
Suddenly, he covered his mouth and let out a muffled cough, each one heavier than the last, as if he were coughing up his lungs.
Granny Sun hurriedly poured a cup of warm tea and ran to his side, saying, "Your Highness, please drink some water."
Qi Heng struggled to her feet, her fingertips still trembling as she held the teacup. With her help, she had just brought the cup to her lips when a metallic sweetness suddenly surged up in her throat.
He frowned, and the next second, he couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.
Sprayed on the white snow, it was so bright red it was glaring and shocking to behold.
Shen Yu and Granny Sun were both shocked.
Shen Yu: "Your Highness, what's wrong? I'll go find a doctor right away."
Just as he took a step, about to rush out, Qi Heng shouted and stopped him, "You're not allowed to go!"
Granny Sun asked anxiously, "Your Highness, why are you still forcing yourself to stay strong when your health is already like this?!"
"If this drags on any longer, you...you'll die!"
After saying that, ignoring his attempts to stop her, she shouted to Shen Yu, "Go and call the doctor! Hurry up!"
Shen Yu turned and glanced at him before rushing outside.
Qi Heng gripped Granny Sun's hand tightly, extremely anxious, "Tell him to come back... cough cough cough... quickly tell him to come back... come back!"
He knows his own health condition; there's no need to call a doctor.
Even if he is healthy, so what? His mother and father are dead, the Qiu family is gone, and those who followed him are either dead or scattered.
Even his wife was taken away.
What's the point of him still living in this world?
Granny Sun was furious at his lack of self-control, "Your Highness!"
"You can't treat your body like this!" She knelt down, grabbed his arm, and tears streamed down her face.
Just then, the sound of several people's footsteps came from outside.
Granny Sun wailed, oblivious to Qi Heng's fading consciousness. Qi Heng, however, seemed to sense something, and, struggling to maintain his senses, raised his hazy eyes to look at the courtyard gate.
In his hazy vision, he seemed to see Xiao Tao, stretching out his hand, gazing at her intently, and murmuring, "Xiao Tao..."
Tao Tao frowned slightly, unable to bear seeing his dejected and haggard appearance.
His eyes inadvertently caught sight of bloodstains on the snow, and he was startled. He rushed over, calling out, "Yanli!"
She grasped his cold hand. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
Granny Sun turned around, saw Tao Tao, and shouted angrily, "You shameless woman! How dare you show your face in front of His Highness?"
She stood up and reached out to pull at Tao Tao's clothes, but Leng Qiao pressed her down to the ground.
The cold ground and her twisted wrist made her feel extremely humiliated, and more importantly, she felt sorry for her prince.
She didn't know why this bitch still came over at this point. She was worried that Tao Tao would use Qi Heng again, so she yelled at Tao Tao to stay away from Qi Heng.
As a result, Leng Qiao covered his mouth and tied him up.
Qi Heng's eyes reddened as she stared blankly at the face she had been longing for day and night.
Her tone was incredulous, "Is it you? Xiaotao?"
Was it a dream? I never imagined I could have such a beautiful dream as I lay dying.
But the warmth and softness of his hand told her that this was not a dream.
"It's me, Yanli. I'm sorry I'm late."
"No, it's never too late to come." His eyes remained gentle, his smile warm, and he treated her the same as before.
These words made her heart clench, and she sighed silently.
Despite the fact that the loser is considered an outlaw, she couldn't help but feel pity for him.
She didn't even want to think about what would happen to Duan Gan.
Therefore, if she had to choose between him and Duan Gan, she would only choose the person she liked.
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