That night, the military tent was brightly lit. Xiao Chengyu, Qi Mingxuan, and the other generals discussed countermeasures.
"Breaking out to seek reinforcements is a poor strategy, too risky." "Holding out and waiting for reinforcements is unwise due to insufficient supplies..." "It would be better to launch a night raid on the enemy camp and burn their supplies!"
Opinions varied. Qi Mingxuan remained silent until Xiao Chengyu looked at him and asked, "Scholar Qi, what are your thoughts?"
Qi Mingxuan pointed to the sand table: "Kumor's army has stockpiled its provisions here at Black Dragon Pool. This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack; a direct assault will surely fail. But..." He changed the subject, "My investigation has revealed that Kumor's birthday is in three days, and the garrison will surely be lax. If we send elite troops to infiltrate through a side path, we might succeed."
The plan was risky, but it was their only chance of survival. Xiao Chengyu immediately made the decision: "Let's go with this plan! I will personally lead the team!"
The generals were in an uproar. Qi Mingxuan immediately objected: "No! Your Highness's life is of utmost importance..."
"It is precisely because I am a princess that I must go in person!" Xiao Chengyu declared resolutely. "With the soldiers fighting on the front lines, how can I remain safely in the rear?"
Her gaze swept over the assembled generals: "Who is willing to accompany me?"
After a moment of silence in the tent, they all suddenly knelt down in unison: "This humble general is willing to go!"
Looking at her resolute profile, Qi Mingxuan felt both proud and worried. He finally said, "Your Highness, I will accompany you."
Three days later, on a dark and windy night, Xiao Chengyu, dressed in military attire, led a hundred elite soldiers with Qi Mingxuan, sneaking behind enemy lines along a small path.
The mountain road was rugged and fraught with danger. Several times they were nearly discovered by the patrol team, but Qi Mingxuan cleverly averted the danger each time.
As they approached Black Dragon Pool, they indeed found the garrison drinking and making merry, their vigilance lax.
"Action!" Xiao Chengyu gave the order, and the soldiers pounced like cheetahs.
However, just as they were about to succeed, a sudden change occurred! A group of black-clad assassins suddenly attacked, heading straight for Xiao Chengyu!
"There's an ambush!" Qi Mingxuan shouted sharply, brandishing his sword to protect her.
Swords clashed and blood splattered everywhere. Although Xiao Chengyu had learned self-defense techniques, he had never experienced such a battle and stood there stunned for a moment.
"Your Highness, be careful!" Qi Mingxuan shielded her from a fatal blow, inflicting a new wound on his arm.
In the chaos, Xiao Chengyu suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure—Gu Nianzhi's uncle, Gu Zhili! He was actually directing the ambush here!
"Gu Zhili!" Xiao Chengyu shouted angrily, "You traitor who sold out your country for personal gain!"
Gu Zhili grinned maliciously: "Your Highness, how have you been? Your spirit in heaven would surely be pleased to see this day..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Mingxuan had already thrust his sword forward: "Traitor, prepare to die!"
However, Gu Zhili was highly skilled in martial arts and fought Qi Mingxuan to a standstill. The remaining assassins then launched a frenzied attack on Xiao Chengyu.
Just when it seemed they were about to be overwhelmed, suddenly the sound of battle erupted from the outside – Ashina Yun had arrived with reinforcements!
"Yu'er, hold on!" Ashina Yun drew his bow and shot every arrow with deadly accuracy.
It turned out that she was worried and secretly brought troops to meet her.
With reinforcements arriving, the battle situation instantly reversed. Seeing the situation was dire, Gu Zhili tried to escape but was captured by Qi Mingxuan, who stabbed him in the shoulder with a sword.
The supplies were successfully burned, and black smoke billowed into the sky. Seeing their supplies destroyed, Kumor's army was thrown into chaos.
However, on the way back to the city, Xiao Chengyu suffered from overwork, his old illness relapsed, and he developed a high fever.
In the military tent, Qi Mingxuan stayed by her bedside day and night.
"Water..." Xiao Chengyu mumbled in a daze.
Qi Mingxuan immediately helped her up and carefully fed her water. Looking at her pale face, his heart ached.
"Cold..." she shivered.
Without hesitation, Qi Mingxuan pulled her into his arms and warmed her with his body heat.
Xiao Chengyu nestled in his arms, murmuring, "Mingxuan...don't go..."
"Your subject is here." He gripped her hand tightly, his voice hoarse. "Your subject will always be here."
Three days later, Xiao Chengyu finally woke up after his fever subsided. When he opened his eyes, he saw Qi Mingxuan sleeping by the bedside, with dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin, clearly indicating that he had not slept for many days.
She stirred slightly, and he immediately woke up: "Your Highness is awake?" He reached out to touch her forehead. "Thank goodness the fever has gone down..."
Looking at his haggard face, Xiao Chengyu felt a pang of sorrow: "You've been guarding him all this time?"
Qi Mingxuan smiled and said, "I promised to protect Your Highness." He then brought over the medicine, saying, "It's time to drink your medicine."
The medicine tasted bitter, and Xiao Chengyu frowned. Qi Mingxuan magically produced candied fruit: "This was specially prepared by your subject."
She finished her medicine with his help, then put a piece of candied fruit in her mouth, the sweetness melting gently. Xiao Chengyu suddenly asked, "That day...did I say something incoherent?"
Qi Mingxuan's ears turned slightly red: "Your Highness... called my name."
The tent fell silent for a moment, save for the lingering fragrance of medicine.
At this moment, good news arrived from outside: Kumor was forced to retreat a hundred miles due to the burning of his grain supplies! The siege of Shuofang City was temporarily lifted!
The generals cheered with joy. Xiao Chengyu also smiled, but he noticed that Qi Mingxuan's expression was solemn.
"What's wrong? Isn't this good news?"
Qi Mingxuan said in a deep voice, "Kumor is inherently cruel. Having suffered this setback, he will surely retaliate. What follows... will likely be an even more brutal battle."
Sure enough, three days later, Kumor returned with an even fiercer offensive. Shuofang City was in grave danger.
Just when things were at their most critical, the tribe that Qi Mingxuan had instigated finally rose up in rebellion! The Northern Barbarians were in turmoil, and Kumor was attacked from both sides, so he had no choice but to divide his forces to suppress the rebellion.
The opportunity has arrived! Xiao Chengrui has recovered from his injuries and personally leads the army into battle. Qi Mingxuan strategizes, Xiao Chengyu coordinates logistics, and Ashina Yun contacts his old subordinates.
Under attack from three sides, Kumor's army suffered repeated defeats.
On the day of the final battle, Xiao Chengyu stood atop the city wall, gazing at the battlefield. He saw smoke billowing everywhere and the sounds of battle shaking the heavens.
Suddenly, a group of enemy soldiers broke through the defenses and rushed straight to the city wall!
"Protect the princess!" The guards fought desperately.
In the chaos, a stray arrow struck Xiao Chengyu squarely in the face! She had no time to dodge and was on the verge of death—
At the critical moment, a figure rushed over and held her firmly in his arms!
With a "thud," the arrow pierced flesh.
Xiao Chengyu looked up in alarm: "Mingxuan!"
Qi Mingxuan was shot in the back, blood gushing out, but he forced a smile and said, "It's nothing... I said... I would protect Your Highness..."
He slowly slid to the ground, his face turning pale rapidly.
"Imperial Physician! Quickly summon the Imperial Physician!" Xiao Chengyu hugged him, tears welling up in her eyes.
Victory or defeat on the battlefield no longer mattered. All she wanted was for him to live.
Amidst the flames of war, she finally understood that some feelings could no longer wait.
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