Chu Changning stayed in Linshui County for a day. When he set off the next day, a group of people suddenly appeared and surrounded them.
It's a remote place, the sun is still high, and there's hardly anyone around.
Tao Zhi immediately drew her sword and stood in front of Chu Changning.
Who are you?
The man in the lead didn't speak or make any move; he simply waved his hand at them.
A strange smell wafted over, and the two quickly covered their noses and backed away.
However, the drug spread too quickly, and the two of them were rendered powerless after only a few moves, and were knocked unconscious and taken away.
Chu Changning woke up again several days later.
She looked around and found herself tied up in the tent.
It was already dark outside, but candles were burning inside.
She glanced around and skillfully untied the rope.
Guards stood watch at the entrance of the camp, and the outside was brightly lit with patrols everywhere.
Chu Changning glanced around furtively, then used a knife to cut open the tent and sneaked out.
But before they had taken more than a few steps, a young man in red came into view under the moonlight. He was tall and imposing, with an air of elegance and nobility.
She stared intently, and suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
"Gu Xuanye?"
No, that's not right.
The young man was dressed in exotic attire, wearing a red robe with arrow sleeves, gold earrings, and his long, black hair was secured with a gold-carved crane. Gold ornaments were wrapped around his hair, with a few strands of pebbles hanging down. The silver ornaments on his cloak shone brightly in the night.
She suddenly narrowed her eyes, looking at those beautiful, glassy eyes, and tentatively spoke.
"Helian Ye, the young master of the Western Regions?!"
Helian Ye walked towards her with a smile, his eyebrows and eyes resembling the vibrant colors in a mural, and the golden bells on his ankles swaying, making him look incredibly eerie.
"I have long admired Princess Jinling."
Chu Changning's heart tightened. He glanced at the heavily armored military camp and forced himself to calm down.
Her gaze was fixed on the boy under the moonlight.
Legend has it that Helian, the young master of the Western Regions, is wild and ruthless, and is skilled at killing with exotic fragrances.
In his early years, when the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Regions were in chaos, he led his troops to slaughter the royal court, conquered many countries, and took control of half of the Western Regions. He repeatedly launched southern expeditions, expanding his territory, and was extremely at odds with Yan and Beimo.
He must have kidnapped her here to negotiate with Yan Beimo.
The thought crossed his mind, and Chu Changning cursed under his breath.
If she falls into Yan Beimo's hands again, she will die.
Meanwhile, in Yandu.
Inside the study, Yan Beimo sat in a round chair, glancing indifferently at the person kneeling on the ground.
"You mean, Helian Ye?"
Night Hawk replied respectfully, "Yes, those assassins all came from the Western Regions."
Yan Beimo closed his eyes slightly, playing with the black jade beads in his hand.
The people sitting below exchanged glances.
Zhong Yuan stood up and said, "If the lady has indeed been taken away by people from the Western Regions, I'm afraid this trip will be detrimental to our lord."
Two days ago, they received a letter from Helian Ye, inviting their lord to a gathering at the Southern Desert Royal Court.
"The Western Regions have always coveted our lord, and Mo Nan has a close personal relationship with Helian Ye. This is probably a trap."
Inside, there was not a sound.
Yan Beimo closed his eyes and remained silent, and the others dared not say anything more, falling silent as well.
After a while.
“Write to the King of the Northern Desert and the other kings of the Northern Lands, and tell them that I will personally go to the Southern Desert in two days.”
----
On this side, Chu Changning had just climbed out of the bath when the maids busied herself changing her into a Western Region dancer's dress.
She looked at the barely-there dress, tugged at it in disgust, and then wrapped herself in the outer robe draped on the glass shelf.
Helian Ye was waiting outside, dressed in a red robe, leaning back in his seat. Hearing the commotion, he lifted his thin eyelids to look at her.
The princess from the Central Plains was extremely beautiful, with cloud-like hair and rouge and ink.
Perhaps she had just taken a bath, for her delicate, fair face seemed to be smeared with rouge, and her long, captivating willow-leaf eyes were glistening with moisture.
He glanced at the cloak she was wrapped in and curled his lips into a smile.
Are you cold?
Chu Changning replied calmly, "Mm."
In the candlelight, a pair of translucent jade feet stepped on animal hide, which was white and shiny.
Helian Ye chuckled, picked up the wine jar, tilted his head back, and took a sip.
"Now that you've seen my true appearance, young master, may I go back to rest?"
"Take it off and let me see."
Chu Changning, "---"
Seeing that she was silent, Helian Ye narrowed his cold eyes and stared at her intently.
"Yan Beimo and I have fought for many years. You have fallen into my hands. Have you thought about the consequences?"
She shrugged, her expression indifferent.
"Young master, you may kill me or torture me as you please."
Helian Ye curled his lips and gave her a few meaningful glances.
Suddenly, a strong force struck, and a cold hand gripped her slender waist tightly.
Chu Changning was held in his arms, and her body stiffened for a moment.
“He killed his own father and slaughtered his own brother. Such a ruthless person is not worthy of the princess.”
The scorching heat, mixed with the aroma of strong liquor, filled her nostrils. She snapped back to reality and pressed the knife against his waist.
"open."
Helian Ye didn't let go; instead, he tightened his grip even more.
"If I shed even a drop of blood, your little maid will be pierced by a thousand arrows."
Chu Changning's expression changed, and he subconsciously loosened his grip on the knife.
Helian Ye was pleased with her understanding and continued to hold her.
"He pinned all the blame on me and even forced the powerful families to send troops to the western border. Awan, what do you think I should do?"
They hadn't been this close during those few days together.
Chu Changning was extremely uncomfortable with his touch and had no intention of listening to him.
"Please do as you please, young master."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned closer and got very close.
Chu Changning instinctively dodged, holding his knife horizontally in front of the two men.
"A young master of the Western Regions shouldn't do something as shameless as stealing another man's wife."
Helian Ye originally wanted to see what Yan Beimo's women looked like, but now---
He stared intently at the person in his arms.
Looking at his devilishly handsome face, Chu Changning sensed that he had ill intentions. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she shoved him aside and ran out of the tent.
Two forked knives clattered across my face.
She paused, then turned to look at him.
Where will I stay?
Helian Ye also realized his loss of composure and leaned back.
"random."
Chu Changning, "---"
There were guards outside, and only a soft couch inside the tent.
She paused, walked to the table, and leaned on it, closing her eyes slightly.
The surrounding air was silent.
Neither of them paid any attention to the other.
The candlelight flickered and danced, adding a touch of tranquility to the tent.
Chu Changning was wary of him and slept very restlessly, remaining in a semi-conscious state all night.
But when she woke up, the person in the tent was gone.
She searched around and found a maid's dress, dressed herself up completely, and then went outside.
This is a large open space with temporary camps set up. The soldiers are packing up as they prepare to depart.
Chu Changning looked around but couldn't find any peach branches, so he went back to his tent to wash up.
"Awan, come out."
She heard a man's voice outside, paused, and then went out.
Helian Ye was dressed in a red outfit, riding the Red Hare, with strands of his black hair hanging down with gold chains adorned with precious jade fragments, fluttering in the wind, exuding a spirited and dashing air.
He saw the girl emerge, chuckled, glanced at her a few times, bent down, scooped her into his arms, and rode away with a spur of his horse.
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