"No, my legs are too weak," Su Wan said. "I really can't stand up."
She feared seeing Chu Yi's spear pierce Wei Jingzhuo's body, and she didn't want to see Wei Jingzhuo harm Chu Yi. She only wanted Chu Yi to retreat and leave. She never expected Wei Jingzhuo to choose to duel with Chu Yi.
Below, warhorses neighed, hooves thundered, and the sounds of clashing weapons filled the air. Shouts from both sides rose and fell, making her even more nervous.
"Oh dear!" Meng Ruliu exclaimed, slapping her thigh. "His Highness has been stabbed!"
Su Wan nearly fainted on the spot, her lips trembling as she asked, "Where is it stuck?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing. It just grazed Your Highness's shoulder," Meng Ruliu said nervously without turning her head. "It didn't go in, it just left a bruise."
Su Wan asked with difficulty, "Sister-in-law, will A-Jin lose?"
"Is Your Highness injured? You seem unable to wield the gun properly. Chu Yi easily parried your attack." Meng Ruliu raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead. "Your Highness is likely in grave danger."
Su Wan couldn't take it anymore and grabbed Meng Ruliu's hands: "Sister-in-law, help me up."
Meng Ruliu pulled her up, and she leaned against the battlements to look down. She saw Wei Jingzhuo and Chu Yi charging at each other on horseback.
Two warhorses passed each other, their spears flashing silver. Chu Yi cried out, his right shoulder armor flying through the air, his spear falling to the ground. Clutching his bloodied right shoulder, he spurred his horse and retreated in defeat.
Su Wan saw it clearly and was overjoyed. She jumped up and cheered, "Ah Jin won!"
The soldiers guarding the city walls cheered, while the Southern Chu army fell silent, even ceasing to beat their drums.
Qiu Jie, who had been facing away from the battlefield, turned around upon hearing the cheers from the city walls. She stomped her foot angrily and said to the generals of the Southern Chu army, "Don't just stand there! The walls of Xiping Pass have fallen. Do you really intend to settle this with this duel?"
Seeing Chu Yi retreat in defeat, the generals of the Southern Chu army were at a loss. Several generals mounted their horses and chased after Chu Yi. The rest of the army hesitated after hearing Qiu Jie's words.
Qiu Jie raised the jade pendant in her hand and said, "I command you to attack as a goddess."
One of the generals said to the others, "His Highness has not yet returned. Since it is the goddess's command, we should obey and prepare to attack the city."
Upon hearing the order, the soldiers of the Southern Chu army immediately formed ranks and charged toward the city wall of Xiping Pass.
Wei Jingzhuo was riding back when thousands of Southern Chu soldiers rushed towards him from behind.
Su Wan saw the Southern Chu army begin their charge from the city wall and was so shocked that her hair stood on end. She shouted with all her might, "Ah Jin, they're attacking! Run!"
Wei Jingzhuo seemed completely unconcerned, turning his horse around and standing alone to meet the charge of the Southern Chu army.
Meng Ruliu exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, are you crazy? Come back to the city at once!"
The Southern Chu soldiers hadn't expected Wei Jingzhuo to dare intercept them alone, and hesitated halfway through their charge. Qiu Jie shouted from behind, "What are you afraid of? Charge!"
The generals of the Southern Chu army came to the front lines and urged their soldiers to charge. At that moment, the sound of horses' hooves, as rapid as a sudden downpour, came from the darkness of the north.
The Western Rong cavalry emerged from the darkness, brandishing their swords and charging into the Southern Chu army's ranks.
The tightly strung string in Su Wan's mind snapped, and she fainted in Meng Ruliu's arms.
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