Xiao Chengrui grinned and rubbed his hands together, saying, "I want to see what kind of skills that Kumore has to marry Yun'er!"
News of the martial arts contest to choose a husband spread quickly, causing a sensation in the capital. Masters from all sides were eager to participate and join in the excitement.
Xiao Chengyu, however, always felt uneasy. That day, she went to find Ashina Yun.
Ashina Yun was packing his things when he saw her arrive. He forced a smile and said, "Yu'er is here."
"Sister Yun..." Xiao Chengyu grasped her hand, "Second Brother..."
“I know,” Ashina Yun interrupted her, tears glistening in her eyes. “That fool… but I don’t want to drag him down with me. If he really wins the duel, Kumor will never let it go, and the Northern Di’s pro-war faction will have a perfect excuse to start a war.”
Xiao Chengyu felt a pang of sorrow: "So, sister, are you really going to marry Kumor?"
Ashina Yun remained silent for a long time, then suddenly took out a jeweled dagger from his bosom: "This was left to me by my mother. She said... if you meet someone you truly love, use this to pledge your love; if you encounter something you do not wish for, use this to preserve your innocence."
Xiao Chengyu gasped, "Sister, you mustn't!"
Ashina Yun smiled, a poignant and resolute smile: "I, Ashina Yun, would rather be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile."
Leaving Ashina Yun's residence, Xiao Chengyu felt heavy-hearted. After much deliberation, she finally made up her mind to go find someone—Qin Sang.
"Miss Qin, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with," she said solemnly.
Qin Sang replied without hesitation, "Princess, please give your orders."
Xiao Chengyu lowered his voice and explained. Qin Sang listened attentively and nodded emphatically at the end: "This humble woman will certainly not fail in her mission!"
The day of the martial arts competition was fast approaching. The royal martial arts arena was packed with people, and banners were waving in the wind.
Kumor indeed arrived. He was a burly, fierce-looking man whose eyes were filled with a greedy determination to possess Ashina Yun.
Xiao Chengrui, dressed in a sharp outfit, exuded a heroic aura. When he met Kumore's gaze, sparks flew.
The competition rules are simple: archery on horseback, swordsmanship on foot, and unarmed combat, best of three rounds.
In the first two rounds, Xiao Chengrui and Kumore each won one round, resulting in a tie. In the final round, which was unarmed combat, both fighters gave their all, making for a thrilling and exciting match.
At the critical moment, Kumor suddenly changed his moves and used a vicious groin kick to target Xiao Chengrui's vitals!
"Despicable!" Exclamations erupted from the stands.
Xiao Chengrui narrowly avoided the attack, but Kumore seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful punch to his chest, causing him to stagger backward.
Kumore grinned maliciously as he approached, about to strike hard, when suddenly a cry of alarm rang out from the stands: "An assassin!"
Several arrows suddenly shot straight at the royal stands! The scene immediately descended into chaos.
Kumor was distracted and Xiao Chengrui seized the opportunity, throwing him hard to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw!
At the same time, the guards quickly protected the emperor and subdued the "assassins"—who turned out to be several bribed gangsters.
In the chaos, Qin Sang quietly made a hand gesture to Xiao Chengyu. The plan had succeeded—these "assassins" were precisely the ones they had arranged to distract Kumore.
However, when Xiao Chengyu looked at Ashina Yun, his heart sank. Ashina Yun gripped the dagger tightly in her hand, her eyes resolute, as if she were ready to end her own life at any moment.
"Sister Yun, no!" Xiao Chengyu cried out in alarm.
At the critical moment, a figure suddenly pounced on Ashina Yun and tightly grasped her hand holding the knife.
It was Xie Ling'er! She had somehow appeared beside Ashina Yun, clinging to her tightly and crying, "Princess, you mustn't! If you die, what will happen to the Second Prince? What will happen to the people of both countries?"
Ashina Yun was stunned, and the dagger clattered to the ground.
At this moment, Xiao Chengrui had completely subdued Kumor. He strode over, pulled Ashina Yun into his arms, and said in a choked voice, "Silly Yun'er! I said I would protect you, and I will definitely do it!"
Ashina Yun nestled in his arms and finally burst into tears.
The commotion finally subsided without serious incident. Kumor was disqualified for using underhanded tactics. Xiao Chengrui won the competition fairly and squarely, leaving the Northern Di envoy speechless.
Following this incident, Xiao Xun issued an imperial edict to bestow a marriage upon Xiao Chengrui and Ashina Yun, promising to help the Northern Di Khan quell the internal strife. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the Northern Di envoy had no choice but to accept.
That night, a banquet was held in the palace to celebrate. Xiao Chengrui and Ashina Yun sat side by side, their eyes filled with joy.
Xiao Chengyu looked at them and smiled sincerely. Her gaze drifted to Qi Mingxuan, who raised his glass in a gesture of respect, his eyes still gentle.
Halfway through the banquet, Xiao Chengyu left his seat for some fresh air and unknowingly walked to the lotus pond where he had spoken with Qi Mingxuan that day.
"Your Highness seems to be in a good mood." A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Xiao Chengyu did not turn around, but said softly, "It's always something to be happy about when lovers are finally united."
Qi Mingxuan walked to her side and stood beside her, gazing at the moon's reflection in the water: "Yes... true love will eventually be united."
His tone carried a hint of desolation, and Xiao Chengyu couldn't help but glance at him sideways.
Under the moonlight, Qi Mingxuan's face was exceptionally clear, and the emotions in his eyes were no longer concealed, so intense that it startled her.
"Cousin Mingxuan..." She subconsciously tried to avoid the topic.
Qi Mingxuan suddenly said, "That painting... I didn't do it on a whim."
Xiao Chengyu was stunned.
"The prince in the painting is the prince I see in my heart." He looked at her and said, word by word, "Not a princess, but Yu'er."
A summer breeze swept by, rippling the surface of a spring pond and stirring up the heart of someone.
Xiao Chengyu stared at him, speechless for a long time.
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