Chapter 44 Marriage
Liu Xi didn't have time to explain everything to the Empress Dowager, but seeing the shocking wounds on Liu Xi's body, the Empress Dowager could probably guess what was going on.
When she heard from Liu Xi that Liu Yu had imprisoned her without her consent and harbored rebellious intentions, the Empress Dowager was so angry that she almost fainted.
"Grandmother, I beg you to entrust all your personal guards to your grandson. I must go to rescue General Huo and bring back Huo's army to stop Liu Yu's rebellion."
The Empress Dowager hurriedly asked Aunt Wen to bring out paper and pen to write down an imperial edict, instructing Liu Xi to prioritize her own safety in all things, and that even if she could not return to the palace to rescue the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager would never blame her.
"Grandmother, you must persuade His Majesty to let the Second Prince lead troops to guard the capital. Apart from the Second Prince, none of the former court officials should be trusted."
Having said that, she took advantage of the night and rode out of the palace without stopping for a moment.
Huo Lin was besieged on the frontier, and for him, there was only one way to go in this battle: to advance.
But how long can Huo's army hold out in a war without reinforcements and supplies?
Facing his elder brother and numerous soldiers of the Huo family army, Huo Lin made a crazy decision.
He will infiltrate the enemy camp alone and take the head of the Third Prince Murong Xiaohe. Whether he succeeds or fails, it will have nothing to do with the Huo family army.
That night, Huo Lin changed into a set of night clothes and left alone. He carefully put the sachet that Liu Xi had given him close to his body and, with the determination to die, sneaked into the enemy camp.
Unfortunately, Murong Xiaohe had already made plans. In his tent lay a double who looked and acted similarly to himself. Huo Lin was killed in one blow, but he also fell into Murong Xiaohe's trap.
The enemy soldiers rushed up, grabbed him, and pushed him to the center of the camp, waiting for Murong Xiaohe to question him personally.
Murong Xiaohe had no intention of killing Huo Lin. He stood in front of Huo Lin and asked him in confusion.
"Why did the Celestial Empire go back on its word? It promised a peace treaty and truce, but then sent troops to provoke us."
Huo Lin coldly replied, "It has nothing to do with the Celestial Empire; I simply wanted to kill you."
Murong Xiaohe tilted his head. "It seems that your fourth princess has changed her mind and doesn't want to marry me anymore."
"If the Third Prince wants my life, he may take it. But if you still want to use the Huo family army to threaten the princess into a marriage alliance with the Northern faction, you won't get a chance!"
"General Huo, please don't be so agitated. The Northern Sect is not a den of monsters that devours people. The princess will only live a happy and peaceful life after marrying me. What exactly is wrong with you, General?"
"Or is it that the general doesn't actually want the princess to marry anyone except yourself?"
Huo Lin, his sore spot touched, silently frowned.
Murong Xiaohe shrugged. "Actually, we don't need to make things so awkward. After all, it was the Fourth Princess who personally agreed to come to the Northern Sect for a marriage alliance. She herself hasn't said anything. Why is the General in such a hurry to kill me?"
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside, and a messenger ran up to Murong Xiaohe, speaking incoherently.
“The prince has decreed that we must not be disrespectful to the future princess. When we see her, we should treat her as if she were the prince himself, and we should treat her with the respect due to a subject to a ruler.”
"The princess led a group of people to block the entrance of the camp, and she herself rode in on horseback!"
"No one dares to stop the Princess, so, so..."
The messenger stammered and rambled on, and before he could finish speaking, Liu Xi's arrow flew over. She aimed at the military flag hanging to the side and shot it down with a single arrow, startling everyone who turned to look.
Liu Xi was dressed in fiery red, her wedding gown unable to conceal her beauty in the night. A similarly bright red cloth was tied around her forehead for simple bandaging of her wounds.
"Huo Lin!"
She anxiously called out Huo Lin's name from horseback. Huo Lin, who had been forced to kneel on the ground, suddenly turned around, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Murong Xiaohe looked at Liu Xi's outfit and was somewhat puzzled.
"The princess's sudden visit—is she eager to marry me?"
Liu Xi sensed that Murong Xiaohe didn't seem to have any ill intentions, but she didn't have time to joke with him.
"To my shame, I may have misspoke."
"But in exchange, I have brought the Third Prince some great news. The current situation in the country is turbulent, the princes are plotting a rebellion, and the throne may change hands."
"Regardless of the outcome, the Northern faction can take this opportunity to negotiate a ceasefire treaty with the Celestial Empire, since it will be the Celestial Empire that wants to avoid war at that time."
Murong Xiaohe gave a regretful look. "It seems that the option of requesting a princess for a marriage alliance will have to be removed from the list?"
"We can look forward to the Third Prince."
After saying that, Liu Xi lightly stepped into the stirrups and approached Huo Lin, extending her arm towards him.
Huo Lin grabbed Liu Xi's wrist, and Liu Xi gripped Huo Lin's wrist in return, pulling him onto the horse with a forceful pull.
"I will take General Huo away today. If I am the one standing before the Third Prince to negotiate a truce in the future, I will certainly allow the Northern Faction to offer very attractive terms."
Liu Xi suddenly pulled on the reins, turned the horse around, and galloped wildly out of the camp.
Huo Lin wrapped his arms around Liu Xi's waist from behind and rested his chin on the crook of her neck.
He immediately noticed the glaring wound on Liu Xi's wrist, and a thousand emotions condensed into a single, brief sentence.
"Your Highness, I love you."
Liu Xi's horse moved swiftly. "I know."
Huo Lin didn't need to ask her for an answer; it seemed that the red wedding dress on the princess spoke for itself.
But Liu Xi still muttered something softly.
I also love you.
“I heard you.”
"Well, it's okay if you can't hear me."
The two rushed back to the Huo family army camp. Liu Xi sent the Empress Dowager's personal guards ahead of time to inform Huo Lin's elder brother, Huo Xun, that they were preparing to break camp and return to the capital.
Huo Lin then learned that the one who had started the rebellion was actually the seventh prince, Liu Yu.
The Seventh Prince's plan to annex all of He Qing's troops was premeditated.
"We must return to Kyoto as soon as possible. Only my second brother remains in the palace, and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold out for much longer."
This battle will not only determine the future of the Celestial Empire, but also the fate of Liu Xi and Huo Lin.
Liu Xi silently held Huo Lin's hand, trying to draw more courage from him.
Huo Lin placed her hand on his heart and closed his eyes reverently.
"Your Highness, if the Huo family wins this battle, may we ask His Majesty for a favor?"
Upon seeing this, Huo Xun quickly ordered everyone around him to leave the tent and hastily prepare to break camp and return to the capital.
When only Huo Lin and Liu Xi were left in the room, Liu Xi suddenly pulled Huo Lin to the window and knelt down, looking up at the sky with a smile on her face.
“Mother, General Huo, with you both in high esteem, Huo Lin and I will take the moon as our oath.”
Huo Lin was both surprised and delighted, and looked at Liu Xi helplessly.
"Bowing to Heaven and Earth, bowing to our parents, Liu Xi and Huo Lin pledge their lives to each other here today, with Heaven and Earth as witness."
As she spoke, she solemnly kowtowed, then pulled Huo Lin to bow in return.
“I do not want to be a favor you obtained through military merit. I agree to be with you because you are the only one in my heart in this life.”
"Huo Lin, let's get married officially after we win the battle."
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