Yin Ningbi was filled with immense shock. She abruptly lifted her veil and stared at him in disbelief, asking, "What did you say?"
His voice was soft, but firm: "I said, I will not marry you."
She seemed to be in a daze, just staring blankly at him.
At this moment, a servant shouted, "How dare He Zhixia openly defy the marriage proposal!"
He Zhixia acted as if she hadn't heard, only glanced at Yin Ningbi, and then walked out.
"Zhixia!" She suddenly realized, lifted her veil, and took a few steps to block his way, her expression almost pleading. "What happened?" -- Why does she suddenly seem like a different person?
He curled his lips into a mocking smile: "When did the Second Princess become so naive? Do you really believe I love you?"
She tried to grab him, but her outstretched hand froze in mid-air. She said hatefully, "He Zhixia, if you dare to step out the door, I will kill you with my own hands!"
He sneered, turned around and walked away decisively without the slightest hesitation.
Yin Ningbi drew a sword from a guard beside her and thrust it straight at him. A flash of cold light appeared, but just as it touched his back, it suddenly changed direction, tearing his sleeve with a "slash".
He knew she wouldn't kill him.
"Second Princess!" A shout suddenly came from the crowd. He didn't need to turn around to know that she had coughed up a mouthful of blood—it was pain that went deep into her lungs.
But he didn't dare to turn around.
There's no turning back.
two
One year ago.
The banquet was brightly lit, and Yin Ningbi stared indifferently at the wine glass in front of her, a cold smile appearing on her lips.
As the Empress grows weaker, the struggle for the position of Crown Princess becomes increasingly urgent—has she finally been unable to resist taking action?
Although the scene before her was one of singing and dancing, the imperial guards inside and outside the mansion all had solemn expressions, and the atmosphere had become tense from the moment she stepped through the door.
The Ji Dynasty has only two princesses, the eldest princess Yin Ningyue and the second princess Yin Ningbi. The two have been fighting openly and secretly for the throne, and now the situation has reached a critical point.
"Royal sister, you have returned to the capital in triumph. We should celebrate properly." Yin Ningyue clapped her hands with a smile. "I have specially arranged for someone to perform a sword dance to add to the festivities."
As soon as he finished speaking, a man dressed in white descended from the sky.
Yin Ningbi was slightly surprised—such lightness skill and internal strength were more than enough to kill her. She frowned slightly, about to refuse, when she heard a gentle voice: "In that case, this humble subject will also join in the fun."
He was dressed in a light blue robe that was almost pure white, and the gentle breeze fluttered his wide robe, revealing an air of aloofness. Yet, his brows were serene, and his calm gaze held a composed demeanor.
—He Zhixia? Yin Ningbi raised an eyebrow. He was the top scholar appointed by the emperor this year, and they had no past relationship. Why would he suddenly intervene to help her?
He Zhixia walked leisurely to Yin Ningbi, gazed at her for a moment, and then slowly said, "A fine sword is given to a hero. I wonder if the Second Princess's sword could be given to me for my use?"
She smiled and said, "Although you are not a hero, I am willing to give you this precious sword."
He Zhixia took the sword from her hand and drew it with a "whoosh," thrusting it straight at the man. Everyone knew he was skilled in literature, but no one expected his swordsmanship to be so exquisite, striking at the opponent's vital points with every move.
With a clang, the white-clad man's sword shattered in two. Yin Ningyue's face darkened, and she slammed her wine cup to the ground—this was the signal for the operation.
In an instant, the Imperial Guards all drew their swords.
Yin Ningbi's expression changed, and her gaze inadvertently met He Zhixia's. She knew something was wrong. Almost simultaneously, someone outside the door shouted, "His Majesty has arrived—"
Everyone was shocked, not expecting the Empress to arrive at this time.
The Empress sat on her palanquin, her gaze sweeping across the scene, taking in everything. She said calmly, "Ningbi, you will immediately lead an army of 100,000 to the border and recapture Xiliang. There must be no mistakes!"
For hundreds of years, Xiliang had been a remote and isolated region, and the Ji Dynasty had long wanted to reclaim it. However, the fact that the Second Princess was sent there at this time made everyone understand that it was to help her gain military merit and prepare for the throne.
Yin Ningbi knelt down and said, "Your subject accepts the decree—" She paused, then continued, "Your subject requests that the top scholar He Zhixia be appointed as his deputy general to accompany you."
The Empress gave He Zhixia a meaningful look and said, "Granted."
Yin Ningyue lowered her head slightly, a peculiar smile appearing on her lips—this game of chess had only just begun.
two
"drive--"
Two swift horses galloped away, raising a cloud of dust behind them. Yin Ningbi stopped at a fork in the road, turned back, and laughed, "You lost!"
He Zhixia reined in his horse and smiled gently: "Anyway, the Second Princess abandoned her entire army not just to compete with me in horsemanship, so why should I care about winning or losing?" He dismounted and slowly said, "What does the Second Princess want to say to this humble subject?"
Yin Ningbi glanced at him and slowly asked, "Why did you help me at the banquet last night?"
He Zhixia reached out and stroked the horse's head, saying casually, "Since the Second Princess dared to attend the banquet with only a few attendants, she must have already made arrangements. In truth, I was overthinking it." Otherwise, the Empress wouldn't have happened to appear at that time.
Yin Ningbi raised an eyebrow slightly: "What I'm asking is—why did you help me?"
He chuckled softly: "A wise bird chooses a good tree to perch on. My choice of the Second Princess is not wrong, is it?"
She smiled and said, "That's true."
The soldiers behind them caught up, and neither of them spoke again, but simply moved forward slowly.
To recapture Xiliang, the first city to attack is Lanlingdu. This city is strategically located, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Yin Ningbi stared at the map in deep thought, when she inadvertently met He Zhixia's probing gaze and asked, "What are your thoughts, Lord He?"
He Zhixia pursed her lips and said lightly, "No." Then she couldn't help but smile, "It's just that the Second Princess looks very charming when she's deep in thought."
She slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, "How dare you!"
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