The female soldiers held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound.
Lin Jingmo stood tall, her posture straight as a pine, exuding the authority unique to those in command.
“Peng Yongshen, illegitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of War, Peng Yong, dared to attempt assassinating Princess Qinglan, and even poisoned the banquet last night.” Her voice was deep and powerful, echoing across the training grounds. “Such wicked deeds are intolerable to Heaven and unforgivable in law!”
At her words, the female soldiers exchanged shocked glances, whispering in disbelief.
Peng Yongshen, tightly restrained by two law enforcement soldiers, still wore a mask of innocence. Hearing Lin Jingmo’s judgment, her heart clenched, but she quickly reacted, crying out her grievances.
Her voice was sharp and frantic, piercing through the murmurs:
“I’m innocent! How could I possibly do such a thing? Her Highness the Princess has always been kind; I only feel gratitude, why would I ever try to kill her?
“At last night’s banquet, I didn’t even touch the wine, how could I have poisoned it? Someone must be framing me! Captain, please, you must see clearly!”
As she wailed, her eyes quickly filled with tears. Crystal droplets welled up, making her appear pitiable, as though she were truly the wronged victim. Yet beneath her lowered lashes, a flash of malice glinted as she secretly glanced at Feng Jueying.
“Silence!” Lin Jingmo’s shout rang like a bell across the field, instantly drowning out the noise. The crowd quieted at once, though Peng Yongshen still whimpered her protests.
Lin Jingmo gestured, and the law enforcement squad presented the evidence. One by one, the proofs nailed down Peng Yongshen’s crimes like iron spikes.
Lin Jingmo slowly descended from the platform, stopping before Peng Yongshen, looking down at her from above. The accused’s face turned paler by the moment, though a flicker of desperate hope still lingered in her eyes.
“With witnesses and physical evidence alike, proof as solid as iron, what else can you say?” Lin Jingmo’s voice was icy.
Peng Yongshen’s legs went limp, barely able to stand, supported only by the soldiers gripping her arms.
Her face was ashen, sweat pouring down her forehead, mixing with her tears to streak her cheeks in humiliation.
“I—I really am innocent…” she stammered, voice trembling with sobs, repeating her plea again and again in vain struggle.
But her words were drowned out by the murmurs of anger and disdain around her, as weak as a candle in the storm, ready to be snuffed out.
Without hesitation, the law enforcement soldiers dragged her to the center of the field. Sunlight glinted off the raised blade, its cold gleam reflecting in Peng Yongshen’s despairing eyes.
The female soldiers watched, some trembling in fear, others inwardly rejoicing. Huang Yu and Xu Jing even clapped with glee.
Huang Yu leaned close to Xu Jing, whispering with satisfaction, “Ha! That wretch finally got her retribution!” She nudged Xu Jing with her elbow.
“Remember the Battle of Ningyuan? That vile woman slipped laxatives to Shaoqing—if I hadn’t stopped her in time, who knows what chaos would’ve happened!”
“What?!” Xu Jing’s eyes went wide, her voice rising in shock.
Everyone turned to stare. Realizing her outburst, she quickly covered her mouth, glaring at Huang Yu. “Something that serious, and you kept it from me?!”
Huang Yu scratched her head sheepishly, lowering her voice. “I didn’t want you to worry. You know me and Shaoqing—we already had our guard up against her. No way we’d let her get the upper hand.”
As they whispered, the blade flashed. With a dull crack, Peng Yongshen’s head rolled to the ground, her eyes still frozen in disbelief and terror.
The once arrogant and domineering woman could now cause no more fear.
Some female soldiers who had been close to her went pale, heads bowed, afraid to even glance at the bloody scene, fearing they too would be implicated.
With the execution over, Lin Jingmo swept her gaze across the camp.
“Remember this well!” Her voice thundered with unyielding authority. “Whoever you are, whatever background you have—if you dare harbor treachery, break military law, or betray the court, Peng Yongshen’s fate will be yours!”
She paused, eyes sharp as blades.
“Military law is like a mountain, not to be defiled. Discipline is like iron, and offenders will never be spared! Engrave this day in your hearts—let it be your warning!”
The grounds fell into deathly silence. The female soldiers all lowered their heads, filled with awe.
That night, under a bright moon, Liu Hanyue sat in her quarters. Now that Feng Jueying had been won over, Zeng Si had outlived his usefulness. To her, betrayal deserved no mercy.
“Zeng Si is of no value,” Liu Hanyue said calmly, though her eyes were cold. “Fuqu, dispose of him before the shadow guards. Let it be a lesson—betrayers have only one end.”
Fuqu, clad in black, emerged from the shadows and bowed. “Yes.”
She ordered Zeng Si dragged to the woods, summoning the shadow guards.
Before their eyes, she killed him swiftly and cruelly. None dared to speak, but all silently imprinted the iron rule into their hearts: betrayers never live. Their end is death.
The next night, the Crown Prince of Zhuoguang’s palace was ablaze with light, yet the air was thick with menace.
Saihemu stood at his desk, long fingers clutching a letter so tightly his knuckles whitened.
His gaze devoured the words—each one searing into his heart like a burning brand, fanning the flames of fury within.
“Jizhe failed!” His voice was a low growl. With a violent wrench, he tore the letter into shreds, white fragments fluttering down like snow.
He gritted his teeth, jaw tight, eyes filled with rage and bitter disappointment. “I warned him countless times to be cautious, but he wouldn’t listen!”
Memories surged: riding the grasslands with Jizhe, sparring side by side, long nights of heartfelt talks…
In those years, their bond had taken root, growing into an unshakable affection.
Saihemu had always trusted Jizhe’s strength. Though he had intended to handle this plot with Liu Hanxing himself, Jizhe eagerly took the task, swearing he’d see it through flawlessly.
Saihemu chose to believe him, awaiting his triumphant return. Yet all he received was this bitter news.
That peerless warrior, the invincible commander, had stumbled in the Xuanbing Camp and been trapped there. Saihemu could hardly accept it.
He breathed deeply, chest heaving, struggling to calm himself. At last he opened his eyes, resolution blazing.
“I cannot sit and wait.”
He swiftly changed into a merchant’s garb, gathered his retinue, and left the palace.
Outside, the night was ink-dark. Horses whinnied, hooves thundered, breaking the silence as they sped toward Feidu City.
The road ahead promised dust, hardship, and peril, but Saihemu’s eyes were steady.
For the deep bond he held for Jizhe, he would face anything, without fear.
At dusk, the last rays of sunlight bathed Liu Hanyue’s quarters.
Xiong Shaoqing leaned against the window, savoring the rare peace of recent days spent resting there, stealing a moment of leisure.
Meanwhile, on the training grounds, Huang Yu and Xu Jing sweated alongside the others. Realizing Shaoqing hadn’t shown up in days, they grew uneasy.
Huang Yu frowned. Shaoqing wasn’t the type to slack. Something must be wrong.
Xu Jing too was worried. They decided to visit her after drills.
At Liu Hanyue’s residence, guards stopped them, but soon they were ushered in. Liu Hanyue, knowing they were Shaoqing’s friends, personally welcomed them.
Huang Yu strode in loudly, bowing casually. “Greetings, Princess! Xu Jing and I were worried about Shaoqing, so we came to check on her.”
Liu Hanyue smiled gently. “Come with me.” She led them inside.
The moment they entered, Xu Jing’s eyes locked on the exquisite pastries laid on the table. Her eyes widened, sparkling.
Shaoqing sighed, helpless. “You little glutton. You forget everything the moment food’s involved.”
Liu Hanyue, already seeing through her thoughts, said kindly, “They’re freshly made. Help yourself, don’t hold back.”
Delighted, Xu Jing grabbed one and stuffed it into her mouth, cheeks puffed like a hamster. “Mmm… I’ve never tasted anything this good! Even better than the banquet’s!”
Huang Yu and Xu Jing turned to Shaoqing. Seeing her lively and glowing, not the least bit ill, their worries melted.
Huang Yu teased, “Well, looks like you’re living the good life here. Careful, or you’ll get spoiled lazy!”
“Exactly!” Xu Jing chimed in with her mouth still full. “Abandoning friends for pleasure—not very loyal!”
Everyone blinked, then burst into laughter, the room filling with joy.
When it was time to leave, Xu Jing cast a longing glance at the pastries. Liu Hanyue noticed, smiling. She ordered Qinglian to pack the rest, adding more fresh treats.
Soon, Xu Jing held the elegant bundle, overjoyed. “Thank you so much, Princess!”
“No need for thanks—we’re all friends,” Liu Hanyue replied warmly.
No sooner had they left than Fuqu appeared silently, a letter in hand. She presented it: “Princess, this is penned by Prince Saihemu himself.”
Liu Hanyue calmly opened it. At a glance of the elegant, flowing script, her eyes flickered faintly.
The writing was refined, steeped in Central Plains culture—something only long immersion could yield. She couldn’t help but admire it, her impression of Saihemu deepening.
“So, the Prince of Zhuoguang is no simple man.”
She sighed softly, murmuring,
“He dares to come to Shuguo alone, just for a commander? Clearly, their bond is extraordinary.”
She had long investigated him, knowing well how unlike his brutal father he was.
The Zhuoguang King was cruel and boorish, but the prince was refined, scholarly, radiating gentleness—utterly unlike most of his people.
Just then, Shaoqing, having overheard, stood and approached firmly. “Senior Sister, I’ll go with you to the meeting.”
Her bloodline had allowed her swift recovery—already back to eighty percent of her strength.
“You’re certain?” Liu Hanyue asked, concern in her eyes.
“Of course. I’ve nearly recovered, and this is dangerous. I won’t let you face it alone.”
Moved by her resolve, Liu Hanyue smiled warmly. “Very well. We’ll go together.”
In truth, she wasn’t too worried. Shaoqing’s strength had returned, her own shadow guards were formidable, and with Fuqu at her side, she felt secure.
Besides, Feidu City was within Shuguo territory. Even if Saihemu had three heads and six arms, he could stir no great storm here.