A strong gale swept through, with snow flying everywhere on the ground.
Sheng Jiangli and Caiyu lowered their eyes and looked down at the man in silver armor below the city wall.
Song Yinghuai looked up and saw Caiyu. His pupils constricted slightly, and he called out, "Yuer!"
Caiyu dug her fingers into the bricks of the city wall and softly responded, "My lord."
Seeing Song Yinghuai again, all the grudges in her heart had completely disappeared.
Perhaps knowing that she would soon succumb to the poison, she was surprisingly calm.
All the past events were like the gale sweeping over the city wall of Licheng, vanishing into the distance.
How many more months did she have to live?
Why should she torment her own feelings?
Although her voice was soft, her response made Song Yinghuai's hanging heart finally settle.
He had been anxious all the way, fearing that when he arrived in Licheng, he would find that Caiyu had already married someone else.
Now seeing her like this, it seemed that her eyes were filled with only him. She was more focused on him than in Pengcheng. It was as if they had returned to the days in Yanjing. His fingertips trembled involuntarily.
He composed himself, and his face looked much brighter. He looked at Sheng Jiangli and said, "You killed Zhu Xiao?"
Sheng Jiangli coughed lightly.
Although he had accepted the reality, the affectionate looks exchanged between Song Yinghuai and Caiyu just now still irritated him.
He raised his eyebrows and defiantly admitted, "Yes, it was me. What are you going to do about it?"
Song Yinghuai drew out his long sword from one side, expressionless. "The eldest and second young ladies have ordered me to take you and Yuer back to Pengcheng together."
Sheng Jiangli was stunned for a moment, then found it interesting. "You want to capture me? Hehe! Do you think you can catch me?"
He had thought... that Song Yinghuai would storm the city in a fit of rage when he arrived in Licheng and tear him to pieces!
Song Yinghuai curled his lips. "Let's give it a try. Come down."
Suddenly, Sheng Jiangli slapped the city wall in front of him. He gracefully flew down from the several - zhang - high city tower and landed on the horse below the wall. He drew out his double - moon scimitar, raised his eyebrows and laughed:
"Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, let's give it a try... Come on. I've always wanted to fight you again. Since today you're not going to attack the city and I'm not going to defend it, let's have a fight first."
If it had been in the past, Song Yinghuai would have readily agreed.
But now he was silent for a moment and looked up at the city wall again.
He clearly saw the anxious look in the woman's eyes on the city wall. He let out a soft sigh and said, "I won't fight you."
Sheng Jiangli felt like he had punched into cotton.
He was eager and raring to have a big fight with Song Yinghuai, but this man refused to take up the challenge?
Song Yinghuai's reaction at this moment was completely beyond his understanding, which made him extremely angry. "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, when did you become such a coward? You don't even dare to accept the challenge!"
Song Yinghuai was not irritated by his taunts. Instead, he curled his lips in a half - smile. "Yes, I don't dare to accept the challenge. You're going to be my future brother - in - law. How dare I offend you?"
Sheng Jiangli gasped and was deeply hurt by his words again. He gritted his teeth and said:
"Are you going to fight or not? If not, I'll defend Licheng to the end! Let's see how long you can last!"
"I won't fight." Song Yinghuai paused for a moment. Before his face darkened with anger, he added, "I'll send someone else to fight you."
Sheng Jiangli looked completely confused. "......Who?"
A sly smile appeared on Song Yinghuai's face. He stepped aside, revealing the countless soldiers behind him.
The soldiers automatically parted into two rows. A beautiful figure in light blue armor suddenly rushed out. The woman's heroic and beautiful face was filled with anger. She galloped towards Sheng Jiangli on horseback, brimming with killing intent:
"Sheng Jiangli! I'll skin you alive and pull out your tendons!"
"Damn it!" Sheng Jiangli gasped suddenly. His face changed drastically. He couldn't help but curse loudly, "Song Yinghuai! You're cheating! What kind of a man are you to rely on a woman!"
Song Yinghuai smiled coldly. "I'm not capable. If you're capable, fight. I won't accompany you."
Sheng Jiangli wanted to curse some more, but Xu Buyue had already arrived. She twirled her silver spear, creating a flurry of snowflakes.
Sheng Jiangli had no choice but to parry a few blows. Then he took the opportunity to whip his horse and gallop out of the city, cursing Song Yinghuai, that sly, despicable and shameless man, thousands of times in his heart.
Below the city, the man looked up. Snowflakes were falling from the sky and landing on his handsome face.
Song Yinghuai said gently, "Yuer, could you let me into the city?"
Caiyu blinked. "My lord, are you begging me?"
Song Yinghuai let out a soft laugh. "Yes, I'm begging you."
Caiyu pondered for a moment and probed, "What if I don't agree?"
"Then I'll wait below the city and keep begging until you open the city gate."
Caiyu's heart trembled slightly. "......You won't attack by force?"
The horse's hooves under the man were stomping. He suppressed his impatience and coaxed, "Yuer, I've said that I'll change. From now on, I won't force you to do anything. So I won't attack by force."
"However, could you come out? Master Guangzhi is on the outskirts of Licheng, and Zhu Xiao is there too."
Hearing the name Zhu Xiao, Caiyu's eyes widened in shock. Then she seemed to understand something.
She suddenly turned to Suobude and the others and said, "I'm going out of the city!"
With a "boom", the city gate of Licheng opened wide.
The woman's white long dress fluttered in the wind as she ran towards the armored man.
The tense line of Song Yinghuai's jaw suddenly softened like melting ice and snow. He couldn't even wait for Caiyu to run over. He whipped his horse and rode towards her.
Caiyu only felt a gust of wind in front of her eyes. The man's face suddenly loomed large in front of her. Then she felt a tightness around her waist and was lifted into the air, falling into a familiar embrace.
The memories of the past suddenly rushed into her mind like a tide.
Song Yinghuai's big hand reached around her waist from behind. He tightened the reins. His thin lips brushed against her earlobe, and his voice was broken in the wind:
"Yuer, I'll take you to find Master Guangzhi. He must have a way."
He had lured her out of the city in the name of Zhu Xiao just to get her to look for an antidote with him as soon as possible.
Caiyu was stunned. She wanted to turn back and ask if he knew everything.
However, the man took the opportunity to plant a passionate kiss on her temple. "You won't die... Even if you do, this time I'll definitely snatch you back from Lord Yama!"
In a rural manor on the outskirts of Licheng.
The sound of hoofbeats came from afar. A fast - running horse carried a man and a woman and quickly arrived.
Fang Kuan and Ma Mo ran out of the manor. Seeing Song Yinghuai and Caiyu, a surprised smile appeared on their faces.
Song Yinghuai dismounted and carried Caiyu down. Then he asked, "How's Lao Zhu?"
Fang Kuan said, "He's still not awake, but the master said he's out of danger."
Song Yinghuai let out a sigh of relief. He took Caiyu's hand and strode inside. "That's good."
Ma Mo still couldn't help but curse from behind, "That scoundrel Sheng Jiangli stabbed Lao Ma right next to his heart! If we hadn't arrived in Licheng in time and if the master wasn't so skilled in medicine..."
Caiyu finally understood.
Brother A'li was up to his old tricks again!
Relying on his fast and accurate sword skills, he took advantage of the situation right under the noses of those who were secretly monitoring her!
Song Yinghuai said, "You should be content that he got Qingqing to send the letter to Yandi in time to inform us!"
He was already very grateful that Sheng Jiangli had shown mercy to him and his men.
Ma Mo frowned and said, "......Since he sent the letter, couldn't he have told Lao Zhu in advance to put a copper coin on his chest and wear a blood pack..."
Fang Kuan coughed loudly. "You're dreaming! He and Lao Zhu have been at odds in Yanjing for a long time. Do you still expect that prodigal son to act according to your wishes?"
As they were talking, they had already entered the inner room.
Zhu Xiao was lying on the bed, his face as pale as gold, his eyes tightly closed.
But his steadily rising and falling chest showed that he was out of danger.
Everyone present let out a sigh of relief.
As soon as Song Yinghuai saw the man, he couldn't wait to invite the master out to feel Caiyu's pulse.
Master Guangzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
They hadn't seen each other for two years, but Song Yinghuai didn't even let them greet each other first and was eager to feel the pulse...
Even His Highness, the Prince of Yan, could be so impatient!
The old monk with white beard felt Caiyu's pulse for a long time and hesitated to speak.
Finally, Song Yinghuai couldn't bear it anymore and asked, "Master, is there an antidote for Yuer's poison?"