Chapter 169

Five days ago, in the capital city.

Nangong Ling listened to the black-clad individual's account and called for Yin Xuan.

Yin Xuan entered the room and asked, "What's the matter? Why do you look so worried?"

Nangong Ling replied, "I just received news that our lord has turned against us.

This could be a good thing, but the emperor intends to deploy the imperial army to deal with our lord's Northwestern Army."

"Our lord should have anticipated this. Why are you so alarmed?"

"The problem is that the Prince of Jin has sent people to surround the residence of Princess Zhaoyang. I don't know if there are any people our lord cares about inside."

"From what I know, she has already taken important individuals with her to the northwestern border."

Nangong Ling sat down on a meditation chair. "I correspond with our lord once every seven days, and just two days ago, I informed her of the current situation in the capital city.

The information about the situation in the capital city that was conveyed in the letter is now outdated.

Regardless, we need to deliver the latest news to our lord. I don't trust anyone else to do it."

She handed a letter to Yin Xuan. "Choose a good horse and deliver this letter to our lord with the utmost speed."

Yin Xuan hesitated to accept it. "But what about you? If they want to harm our lord, they will eventually trace it back to you!"

Nangong Ling replied, "I will be fine. Our lord left me with hidden guards, and as the head of the Wind and Rain Pavilion, I have ways to protect myself."

Reluctantly, Yin Xuan took the letter and murmured, "But I still worry about you."

As they were about to continue speaking, a scream suddenly rang out from outside the door!

"Help!"

"Don't kill..."

The sound of screams accompanied by the piercing of blades and swords reached their ears!

Nangong Ling pushed Yin Xuan. "Why are you standing there? Run!"

Yin Xuan stumbled back, looking at Nangong Ling. "I won't leave!"

Nangong Ling looked at her coldly. "If you don't leave, we are no longer friends. Even if we die, I will avoid you on the path to the afterlife!"

The hidden guards gathered around Nangong Ling, and she shouted again, "Go!"

Yin Xuan stared deeply into Nangong Ling's eyes and swiftly leaped out of the window.

Immediately after, the door was kicked open!

Two teams of over a hundred imperial soldiers burst into the room...

· Qin Zhao's reputation for liking women had spread far and wide, and Xu Xiao was aware of it. After conducting various investigations, Xu Xiao learned that she had appeared at the Spring Breeze Building multiple times and even became an honored guest of the courtesans!

Xu Xiao concluded that Nangong Ling could undoubtedly pose a threat to Qin Zhao!

He pointed at Nangong Ling and shouted to Qin Zhao, "If you don't want this beauty to meet a tragic end, hand over control of the Northwestern Army and beg for forgiveness from the Emperor!"

Qin Zhao raised her hand and said to Huo Jun, "Bring me the bow."

Huo Jun handed her a two-stone bow made of refined iron and asked, "Your Highness, do you want to kill Xu Xiao?"

Qin Zhao remained silent as she took the bow and arrows.

Seeing this, Xu Xiao sneered, "Princess, you're overestimating yourself. From this distance, do you really think you can kill me?"

Qin Zhao said, "If you're making demands, then offer something of equal value.

Do you think a beauty is more important than the entire world?"

Xu Xiao replied, "Not exactly, but the world will always be there, while this beauty is one of a kind."

Qin Zhao set an arrow on the bowstring. "Then let me rephrase it: I, Qin Zhao, am not threatened by anyone!"

She silently apologized to Nangong Ling.

Nangong Ling understood and closed her eyes...

Qin Zhao aimed his arrow at Nangong Ling and shot straight at her!

Only then did Xu Xiao realize that the target the Crown Princess wanted to kill was not him, but Nangong Ling!

With a trace of hesitation, he forcefully pushed Nangong Ling aside, and the arrow grazed his cheek, leaving a bloody trail!

Xu Xiao was furious. "She's gone mad! The Crown Princess is a lunatic!"

He stared at Nangong Ling's stunning profile. "That kind of woman is not worth your trust. Come with me, I will protect you!"

Nangong Ling sneered inwardly. This person doesn't even take a look at himself. What qualifications does he have to compare himself to the lord?

Xu Xiao, seeing her cold indifference, said, "Didn't you see that the Crown Princess wants to kill you? That kind of person is not worth your consideration!"

Nangong Ling turned to him and uttered a single word: "Go!"

Xu Xiao's face darkened as he spoke, "Guards, take her back to my residence!"

Qin Zhao watched as Nangong Ling was taken away.

asked, "Host, do you really want to kill Nangong Ling? She is the Greedy Wolf Star!"

Qin Zhao replied, "Of course not, I aimed for her shoulder."

Furthermore, there is someone hiding near the city wall.

If Nangong Ling falls from the tower, that person will definitely catch her.

Unfortunately, Xu Xiao, with his audacity, coveted Nangong Ling!

He ruined her plan.

She glared at Xu Xiao on the tower with disgust.

Xu Xiao, belatedly realizing, discovered that the Northwestern Army brought by Qin Zhao was not just the thirty thousand mentioned by the Prince of Jin.

His expression changed slightly as he ordered the guards to take the people from the Zhaoyang Princess Residence back to the dungeon. He said to Qin Zhao, "Your Highness, I advise you to think twice. If you stop now, perhaps the Emperor, for the sake of the father-daughter relationship, will spare your life.

If you dare to attack the capital, it will be irreversible doom!"

After speaking, he hurriedly left the scene.

Huo Jun asked Qin Zhao, "Your Highness, when do you plan to attack the city?"

Qin Zhao smiled and said, "You are enthusiastic. If I say within three days, can you lead the Northwestern Army to be ready?"

Huo Jun nodded, "As long as Your Highness wishes, I will do my best."

Fortunately, there was Huo Jun. Qin Zhao's mood, which had been somewhat depressed due to Nangong Ling's matter, was relieved for a moment.

After finishing the conversation with Huo Jun, Qin Zhao went to Mo Qianqiu's carriage.

Mo Qianqiu was carving wooden hands, and when he saw Qin Zhao, he wanted to put down his work.

Qin Zhao waved his hand and said, "Continue."

She sat down next to Mo Qianqiu and asked, "To what extent have you progressed with your wooden hands?"

Mo Qianqiu, carving while detailing his achievements, explained...

Half an hour later, Qin Zhao left with satisfaction.

·

Xu Xiao's residence.

Nangong Ling was confined to a room when Xu Xiao entered.

He walked over, untied Nangong Ling, and smiled, "Who dares to treat my beautiful woman so rudely?"

Nangong Ling tried to exert force, but her body was exhausted as if she hadn't rested for several days. If it weren't for her strong will, she would have probably fallen asleep.

She didn't know what kind of medicine Xu Xiao had given her, but she had been in this state for four consecutive days!

Nangong Ling was too tired to even roll her eyes. The sight of Xu Xiao's face made her feel nauseous!

Xu Xiao didn't hear Nangong Ling's response, but he wasn't annoyed. After all, Nangong Ling was powerless to resist and could only let him manipulate her.

"Beauty, look, my mansion is spacious, and my official position is high. If you follow me, you will definitely live a good life. Please don't be stubborn.

If you're with me, I will make you happy!"

Xu Xiao gazed at Nangong Ling, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His heart was filled with impatience!

Nangong Ling stared at the vase in front of her, thinking that if she didn't speak, Xu Xiao might really do something disgusting to her.

So she spoke, "If you want me to be with you, fine, but you must marry me openly and honestly.

If you force me in such a humiliating way, I would rather bite my tongue and die!"

Upon hearing her mention self-harm, Xu Xiao was filled with panic. How wasteful it would be to lose such a beautiful woman!

Xu Xiao suppressed his desires and said, "Alright! As you said, after the Crown Princess dies and the capital city regains peace, I will come to propose to you!"

With that, he left in a huff. If he stayed any longer, he really wouldn't be able to control himself!

Not long after Xu Xiao left, two muffled groans came from outside the door, as if someone had fallen to the ground.

Nangong Ling looked towards the door and saw Yin Xuan open the door slightly and slip in through the crack!