I care a lot about your life and death.
Qi Dou said, "Naturally, we will continue our incognito visits."
The two men came to Jiangnan without bringing anyone with them, which was indeed the best opportunity for assassination.
Li Xingyi understood his plan and said, "Then consider it training."
Qi Dou stepped forward and laughed, "Of course, after all, who can defeat my Alliance Leader?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi suddenly recalled the moment on their wedding night when he was suppressed and unable to resist Qi Dou!
Li Xingyi said, "Perhaps His Majesty, the Supreme Ruler, could defeat me."
Qi Dou was taken aback, not expecting this, and said, "Xing Yi, you don't need to flatter me. I know whether I can beat you or not."
Li Xingyi looked at him without saying anything.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" That was the sound of numerous arrows coming at once. Thousands of arrows were fired at once, and they were already upon us.
Fortunately, Li Xingyi and Qi Dou reacted quickly and blocked the arrows with their swords.
The next second, a barrage of arrows came flying in, and the two immediately turned back to back, working together to block the arrows.
For a long time, the arrows continued to rain down, and the two were in a passive and disadvantageous position.
Qi Dou blocked the arrows with his sword while saying, "Xing Yi, they're basically testing who can outlast whom. Can you hold on?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi glanced back at Qi Dou and noticed that his speed in blocking arrows had slowed down due to the prolonged battle. Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately shouted, "Wu Yan! If not now, when?!"
This was the first time Li Xingyi had become restless because of Qi Dou. She was afraid that Qi Dou would get hurt, afraid that something might happen to him, and afraid that Qi Dou would leave her all alone.
Qi Dou's eyes widened in surprise. Li Xingyi's behavior was easy to understand; this was an unexpected and delightful surprise.
Suddenly, a woman in black appeared on the rooftop behind them. She swiftly stepped across the rooftops, annihilating the archers who were lying in ambush on other rooftops.
The arrows finally stopped. Seeing this, Li Xingyi quickly turned to look at Qi Dou and was relieved to see that he was unharmed.
Qi Dou looked at the masked woman in black beside him and asked, "Who is this?"
Li Xingyi also looked at her and said, "This is Wuyan, my aunt's maid in the palace."
Qi Dou nodded and said, "I see. But why is she following you? And how did you know she was there?"
Li Xingyi regained his composure and said, "Ever since I returned home from Shuanghan Sect, she has been secretly accompanying me. Since her martial arts are inferior to mine, I naturally know whether she is there or not."
Even if Wuyan's martial arts skills were superior to Li Xingyi's, Li Xingyi could still deduce whether she was there or not, because Wuyan had been following Li Xingyi all these years.
Qi Dou asked, "So, is this the first time you've asked Wu Yan for help?"
This means that Li Xingyi needs to admit that she chose to have Wuyan help her because of her own sake.
After hearing this, Li Xingyi walked to the umbrella shop, put down the silver, took an umbrella, opened it, handed it to Wuyan, and said, "Yes."
Wu Yan was stunned for a moment upon seeing this, then took the umbrella. At that moment, she felt as if she were seeing Li Hehua.
Qi Dou was overjoyed to hear the answer he wanted to hear.
Li Xingyi looked at Wuyan and said slowly, "Wuyan, it's raining, don't get wet."
Wu Yan froze on the spot. Li Hehua had said these words to her before. She felt a mix of emotions, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Li Xingyi turned to Qi Dou's side and said, "Also, thank you."
The two then walked further and further apart. The rain continued to fall, and countless raindrops fell to the ground. But at that moment, Wuyan felt as if the raindrops were falling on his heart, causing him so much pain.
Tears and raindrops fell together on the ground, mixing so well that they were indistinguishable.
Qi Dou said, "Xing Yi, shall we go and catch them?"
Li Xingyi replied, "Okay."
The two walked in unison and eventually stopped at the entrance of a courtyard house. The courtyard was very large, and people said it belonged to a wealthy merchant who had moved there eleven years ago.
Li Xingyi knocked politely on the door, and Qi Dou smiled and said, "Xingyi, do you still remember we're here to arrest someone?"
"..." Li Xingyi withdrew his hand, then raised his foot and kicked the door down.
Qi Dou looked at Li Xingyi with affection and laughed, "Xingyi, you have excellent skills."
After hearing this, Li Xingyi glanced at him and said, "Get to work."
Although what Qi Dou was doing was indeed the right thing to do, it's really hard to say about it now.
"Okay." Qi Dou went inside and looked around. He found no one there. The ground was a mess, obviously left behind in a hurry to escape. There was still warm tea on the table in the pavilion, indicating that they had only been running away for a short time.
Qi Dou scoffed, "Ha, they ran away as soon as they knew we were here to settle accounts. What a bunch of cowards."
He then looked at Li Xingyi and asked, "Shall we pursue them?"
Li Xingyi calmly said, "No need. Let's see what else they can do."
Qi Dou had no choice but to give up and said, "Alright, let's go back first then?"
Li Xingyi looked at him and said, "Adou, it's rare for you to come out like this, why don't you stay a few more days?"
Qi Dou laughed and said, "Of course, the scenery here is so beautiful, we'll definitely want to stay for a few more days."
A few days later, the two returned to the palace. As soon as Li Xingyi returned to Fengyi Palace, he saw a mountain of birthday gifts.
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you."
Qingyi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, although it's a few days late, I still want to say that I wish you a happy birthday."
Li Xingyi said, "Thank you."
While Qi Dou was attending court, Hu Cun, the Minister of Personnel, started causing trouble again.
Hu Cun bowed and said, "Your Majesty! The Empress has deceived the Emperor and deliberately concealed her identity, which may be suspected of treason. I beg Your Majesty to depose her as Empress as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing this, Li Fengtan immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress did not mean to do this. I hope you will understand!"
Qi Dou sat on the dragon throne, looking down at them, and said, "My dear minister, you seem to have a bad memory. I have said it before, Frostbite Sect belongs to the Empress, and the Empress belongs to me. The Empress's backer is me!"
"I have known the Empress's identity for a long time. The Empress has not deceived the Emperor, nor has she intended to rebel. I will not hold such matters against the Empress! Nor will I let her go! As long as I live, the Empress will live!"
Upon hearing this, all the officials were shocked and stunned.
Qi Dou was willing to give everything for Li Xingyi. Protecting Li Xingyi was his most basic duty. He loved Li Xingyi to the bone. Even if he was called a tyrant by later generations and even if the officials opposed him, he was unwilling to back down, because Li Xingyi was behind him.
Hu Cun gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty! You must not be bewitched by beauty! You must not become a foolish ruler who would abandon his country for a beautiful woman!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou stood up, drew a sword from Liu Linye's waist, walked up to Hu Cun, placed the sword against his neck, and said coldly, "My dear minister, be careful with your words. Today I am determined to protect the Empress. If you continue to be so aggressive, I will not hesitate to send you to accompany Prince Pingshou, not to mention your wife and children."
Hu Cun knew that Qi Dou already knew he was a man of the Prince of Pingshou. He was reminding Hu Cun that he was lucky to be alive, and was also threatening him with his wife and children.
Hu Cun broke out in a cold sweat as he looked at the sword resting against his neck. He knew that Qi Dou was a man of his word, but he hesitated after hearing about his wife and children. In the end, he could only say, "Your subject... dares not."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou sheathed his sword and said, "My beloved ministers, you must know that I am your sovereign! If anyone refuses to acknowledge me or harbors disloyalty, then I will personally eliminate any dissidents!"
This is a reminder to those who were once Qi Hui's cronies: they are lucky to be alive; if they cross Qi Dou's bottom line, then it's a different story.
The officials immediately bowed and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
After that, Qi Dou and Li Xingyi finally had a period of peace. According to the intelligence from Shuanghan Sect, Qi Yan of the Eastern Kingdom was made a concubine, Qi Yan of the Western Kingdom was made a noble concubine, and Jiang Changjun became the empress as soon as she arrived.
The princesses lived a very leisurely life. Qi Qing would visit Qi Wenzhe at the Imperial Hospital, Liu Linye would take Qi Ru out for delicious food whenever he had free time, and Ji Xi would send flowers to Qi Min and take her to fly kites.
In August, the provincial examination began, and Zizheng lived up to expectations, winning first place and becoming the top scholar.
That day, a report came from the border: "Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! Those two despicable countries have attacked our country!"
Qi Dou sat on the dragon throne, puzzled, and asked, "Not a thing?"
The soldier explained, “They led a large group of people to the border. General Qi asked who they were. One side was clearly an envoy from the East, who claimed to be from the West, while the other side was clearly an envoy from the West, who claimed to be from the East.”
"..."
Everyone was speechless, then they all shouted, "What a scoundrel! How dare he go back on his word!"
Prime Minister Liu Zhengrong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the two countries of the East and West have openly reneged on their agreement. I believe we should attack them!"
Qi Dou waved his hand at Zhao Hongxing and said, "Hongxing, send a message to the Iron Tartar Emperor. Come with me and teach those two worthless countries a lesson."
Zhao Hongxing replied, "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhengrong asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to personally lead the expedition?"
Qi Dou said, "Of course, I will personally execute them!"
Li Fengtan hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since you are personally leading the expedition, who will oversee the country?"
Qi Dou calmly replied, "Naturally, it is my imperial brother, the Prince of Huainan, and the Empress also has the right to assist him."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, thinking that at least Li Xingyi wasn't acting as regent, and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
After the court session, at Fengyi Palace, Qi Dou held Li Xingyi's hand and said, "Xingyi, you stay in the capital and keep an eye on them for me. After all, some of them may have ulterior motives. With you here, I feel very at ease."
Li Xingyi looked at the person in front of her, wanting to say that she would go too, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Perhaps Qi Dou's words made her unsure of what reason to give for going.
Finally, Li Xingyi said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Qi Dou smiled and said, "Yes, I'll be back soon."
Just then, a voice rang out, "Wait a minute, we're going too!"
The two looked toward the source of the sound and saw Qi Qing and Qi Wenzhe.
Qi Qing laughed and said, "I am, after all, Princess Qing'an, who can lead a hundred generals. How can I not step up when the battle begins?"
Qi Dou released Li Xingyi's hand and looked at Qi Wenzhe, wanting to hear his reason for going. Qi Wenzhe replied, "Your Majesty, I am a physician. It is inevitable to be injured on the battlefield. I can treat patients in the rear."
Qi Dou thought about it and agreed, saying, "Then you may come with me."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps. Li Yanzhang, Ji Xi, Liu Linye, and Qi Xuan had all arrived.
Qi Dou immediately understood their meaning and spoke first: "You stay here. Xingyi needs your help in the court."
If they all go, the officials will make things difficult for Li Xingyi; it would be better to leave some of his own people behind.
After hearing this, Li Xingyi looked at Qi Dou's back and felt that his back was so broad and safe, as if he could ignore everything else with him by his side.
Li Yanzhang and the others had no choice but to accept this arrangement. Qi Xuan looked at Li Yanzhang and the others who were silent, and then at Qi Dou, and said, "No, if you're going to lead the army in person, why do you want me to oversee the country?"
Qi Dou honestly replied, "Because you are my only imperial brother, and only in this way will the officials have no objections."
Qi Xuan could only compromise and say, "Alright."
The next day, Qi Dou led his men to the frontier, and Li Xingyi stood on the imperial city wall to see them off.
After Qi Dou left, Li Xingyi accompanied Qi Xuan to court every day to listen to government affairs and worked diligently with Qi Xuan to handle every matter.
Li Xingyi became even more silent as he walked through the palace. The palace servants remarked, "Empress has hardly spoken since His Majesty went to the frontier."
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty must be missing His Majesty."
"..."
A few days later, a soldier rushed into the court, panting, "Urgent message! The two countries, East and West, have a combined force of 800,000 men! Our side, plus the Iron Tartars, has a combined force of 700,000! His Majesty is no match for them! His fate is unknown!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi staggered and nearly fell, but fortunately Qingyi caught her and said worriedly, "Your Majesty..."
Qi Xuan sat in his seat and murmured, "Royal brother..."
Li Xingyi regained his footing, trying to calm himself, but his hands were trembling. He said, "Qingyi and Zhao Hongxing, come with me to the frontier immediately! The Prince of Huainan will act as regent!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan hurriedly asked, "What are you doing, Imperial Sister-in-law?!"
Li Xingyi stepped firmly across the threshold and said, "I am going to rescue the Emperor!"
Before leaving, he glanced at Qianwu, who nodded slightly in response.
The soldier lowered his head, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.
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