Upon closer inspection, this renowned Yun Shi woman had a fair complexion and rosy cheeks, naturally red lips, and a pair of beautiful eyes that shone brightly, dazzling and impossible to look directly at.
Qin Zhiyao had to admit that if she were Zhao Shuyu, and faced that face frequently, she would probably find it hard not to be moved.
Looking at Yun Qing's words and actions, there was none of the arrogance of someone in a superior position. On the contrary, she was gentle and polite, and there was not a single fault to be found in her.
In just a few breaths, Qin Zhiyao's impression of her underwent a complete change, and correspondingly, his expression softened considerably.
Yun Qing keenly noticed this and couldn't help but feel a little smug. Although her face had brought her a lot of trouble, it was also a great asset. Just like now, it was easy for her to change other people's opinions of her.
The group settled down in Pingyang County for a short rest.
That night, Yun Qing came to Qi Xiao's room.
Since learning that she was just an insignificant substitute, Qi Xiao has lost her previous arrogance. Yun Qing is also helpless about this, but their relationship can never go back to the way it was at the beginning.
"You should already know why I brought you here."
"Of course, someone like me can only contribute so much. But I really underestimated Your Highness. Everyone says you used to be a playboy, but now you've turned over a new leaf. But it seems the world has been kept in the dark. They have no idea that you are a master strategist with grand ambitions."
Yun Qing did not deny Qi Xiao's assessment. She smiled and said, "I never care about other people's opinions. As long as the goal is achieved, the process is not important."
"Your Highness is truly magnanimous. If that's the case, then what about feelings? Are they also just bargaining chips you're using?"
After spending several months in Shengjing, Qi Xiao deduced the entanglement between Yun Qing and Li Huaiyin from some minor details.
After figuring it out, he actually felt relieved. Perhaps Yun Qing's feelings for this white moonlight weren't as deep as he had thought.
However, being a substitute ultimately made him feel deeply humiliated.
Even more tragically, he discovered that he actually liked, or rather, fell in love with, this woman who had a history of promiscuity.
What could he do? He was unwilling to stay in her backyard, yet reluctant to leave. He could only take it one step at a time.
Unexpectedly, they soon arrived in Falling Moon City again, this time with only him in her arms.
Even though he knew there was more to the story, he couldn't help but feel happy.
He even had a wicked thought: what if she had died on the battlefield? He would have surely died for her, so they could have been buried together forever.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. Yun Qing had made so much effort to ascend the throne, how could he have such a vicious thought for his own selfish reasons?
Yun Qing neither dodged nor avoided his accusations.
"Qi Xiao, you're too naive. Love is just a seasoning in life. There are so many people in the world who are starving and freezing, living in turmoil. In order to change all this, to have absolute power, to make a name for themselves in history, what's wrong with temporarily sacrificing personal joys and sorrows?"
"I understand. So what exactly do you want me to do?"
"It's very simple. I just want to help you avenge the massacre of your family. Maybe I can also take advantage of this to attack Qixing City."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xiao's expression changed instantly.
His mother was originally the city lord of Qixing City, the border city between Qi Kingdom and Sheng Kingdom.
After becoming the city lord, Qi's mother facilitated trade between Qixing City and Luoyue City, which led to the economic development of both cities.
Because of her political achievements, Qi's mother was loved by many people. However, unexpectedly, treacherous officials were in power in Qi State and could not tolerate a good official like her.
Thus, a conspiracy against the Qi family quickly unfolded. The ruler of Qi was incompetent and easily believed the one-sided words of treacherous officials. Without investigation, he imprisoned and beheaded the entire Qi family on charges of colluding with foreign powers.
Only Qi Xiao was sent to Luoyue City by her mother's old friend. The Lord of Luoyue City and Qi's mother had once shared a mutual respect, so they turned a blind eye to this.
"If I'm not mistaken, the official who saved you must be the magistrate of Tongji County."
Yun Qing had investigated all of this long ago, and she had even foreseen the outbreak of this war.
Marrying Zhao Shuyu and taking Qi Xiao as a concubine are both part of her plan. If all goes well, Li Huaiyin will return to her before the end of this trip to Luoyue City.
The foreplay has been laid; now it's just a matter of gambling on his feelings for her.
Thinking of this, Yun Qing revealed a confident smile.
The next day, Qin Zhiyao went to the place where Zhao Shuyu and others lived to discuss the battle plan with him.
"Huh? Where is Yun Shinv?"
Zhao Shuyu was at a loss for words. This morning, when he went to find Yun Qing, he discovered that she had left with Qi Xiao, leaving him only a letter.
Seeing his strange expression, Qin Zhiyao had a bad feeling.
"Tell me what happened!"
"Yun Qing, she, she infiltrated Qixing City with Qi Xiao."
"What?" Qin Zhiyao suddenly burst out with a sharp explosion.
"What are we going to do? What is this little devil thinking? If anything happens to her, we'll all probably be buried with her."
"Don't say such unlucky things, she'll be fine."
However, several days passed without receiving a single message from Qixing City, and Zhao Shuyu could no longer sit still.
"No, I have to go find them myself."
"Are you crazy?" Qin Zhiyao grabbed Zhao Shuyu, who was blinded by worry. "No news is the best news. The war is about to start, the commander-in-chief is not here, and you, the general, are going to leave too. What's the point of fighting? We might as well just surrender."
She was also quite helpless. She had known for a long time that Zhao Shu was impulsive and reckless, but she did not expect that when it came to Yun Qing, he would not only be reckless, but would also lose his mind.
While the two were anxiously pacing around the army, Yun Qing's remaining troops had already arrived in Shengjing at breakneck speed.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened."
Qingfeng rushed in, his face anxious.
"What's wrong?" Since Li Huaiyin promoted him to a close attendant, this was the first time he had seen the usually calm Qingfeng so flustered, which made him quite curious.
"News has come from the front lines: Yun Shinv has gone missing."
"Clang—" The teacup in Li Huaiyin's hand fell to the ground, and the warm tea soaked the surface of his shoes, leaving deep marks on the dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread.
"Quickly prepare the horses, I must enter the palace."
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