After Dongfang Yi left the dungeon, she headed straight for the Qianqing Palace. As soon as she entered, she saw Helian Qi bending over his desk. She quickened her steps towards him.
"You're here?" He looked up, his eyes crinkling in a smile.
She nodded and sat down beside him. Then she told him about what had happened in the dungeon that day and explained why the Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country had been so arrogant. It was all because of Yaoji, the Holy Maiden.
If they were to kill Yaoji, it would play right into the enemy's hands. The Southern Neighboring Country would then have an excuse to launch an attack. They could even conscript soldiers from the whole dynasty. Moreover, the common people had always trusted the Holy Maiden. If she were to die here, the consequences were unimaginable.
Hearing this, Helian Qi frowned deeply. He couldn't help but say to the woman in front of him, "I've already anticipated all this."
Dongfang Yi was surprised that he was aware of everything. But then she wondered why he still wanted to execute Yaoji, knowing that it might trigger a war.
So she asked, "Then why do you still want to execute Yaoji?"
Helian Qi squinted his eyes slightly. Then, hesitating a little, he asked, "Don't you really understand?"
Under the confused look of the woman in front of him, he continued, "Because you were wronged by that woman. How could I let her go?"
He enunciated each word clearly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. Dongfang Yi felt a warm flush on her cheeks. She reached out and hugged the man in front of her. Then, with a smile on her lips, she said,
"You can't do such reckless things, even for me."
Helian Qi's expression froze. He reached out and hugged her back, his teeth gritted tightly.
This time it had been extremely dangerous. If it hadn't been for the maid Xiaoqian, the woman in front of him would surely have been doomed. Just thinking about it made his heart tremble. The mere thought of his woman being so close to death filled him with unbearable fear.
So how could he easily let that woman go, even if it meant paying a heavier price?
Seeing that the man in front of her didn't respond, Dongfang Yi frowned. She wriggled out of his embrace, her eyes glinting with a mysterious light. Then she said,
"I'm not wronged. There will be more ways in the future to make those who hurt me pay. But not now. I can't be the sinner of the Eastern Sheng Country."
She knew that once the war broke out, it would be the common people who would suffer. What had they done wrong? Why couldn't they have the peace they deserved?
So how could she act on a whim and ignore everything?
Thinking of this, her eyes became even more determined.
"Okay? We have a long time ahead of us."
Helian Qi could sense her emotions. He knew that she was thinking about the Eastern Sheng Country. So he hesitated for a moment. Then, as if he had made a difficult decision, he nodded heavily.
Seeing that he had agreed to her request, Dongfang Yi felt a little relieved. She threw herself into his arms again, and the two of them grew closer.
Then they redrafted the national letter and sent it to the Southern Neighboring Country, asking them to send someone to pick up Yaoji. In this way, they would have no reason to start a war.
On the other side, in the mansion of the Second Prince of the Southern Neighboring Country.
Ye returned from the palace and began to think about starting a war. He had long known that Yaoji wouldn't last long in the harem of the Eastern Sheng Country.
He had met the woman who ruled the harem of the Eastern Sheng Country, Dongfang Yi. He knew that she was not an ordinary person.
When facing those terrifying moments, she had always remained calm and fearless. She had even escaped from the well - designed trap he had set for her, and had made the Emperor of the Eastern Sheng Country infatuated with her.
Since then, he had known that Yaoji would never be her match. So when he had returned to the Southern Neighboring Country in disgrace, Yaoji had been the pawn he had placed in the Eastern Sheng Country.
In the past six months, Ye had known all of Yaoji's actions. Although she had succeeded many times, he still knew that the day when she would be discovered was approaching.
So it was within his expectation that she had been thrown into the dungeon this time. Although he had told his father that as long as the people of the Eastern Sheng Country released Yaoji, they would not start a war.
But how could he let her come back so easily? How could he let go of this opportunity to bring Helian Qi down?
Just thinking about how his elder brother Shun had been stabbed through the chest in the sedan chair made his teeth itch with hatred.
As for Yaoji, they had never been close. When they were children, the few times they had met, the little girl had always laughed at him with her brothers.
Now, dear sister, it's time for you to make a contribution to the Southern Neighboring Country, he thought to himself. A sinister smile curled up on his lips, and a sense of triumph welled up in his heart.
Neither his father nor his mother could escape his schemes. In the end, he would be the one who would rule the world and enjoy all the glory and wealth.
Then, maybe that woman would come to him...
Night was gradually falling. The moon hung on the treetops, and the sky slowly darkened.
The weather was still cold, but the coldest place was undoubtedly the dungeon.
At this moment, in the dungeon, Yaoji was sitting in a corner of her cell, her arms wrapped around her knees, her eyes blank.
Since Dongfang Yi had left, she had been in this state. Although she didn't want to believe what that woman had said, the words kept echoing in her ears, driving her crazy. But she was too weak to do anything, so she could only sit there in a daze.
Outside, Xiao Si was snoring loudly, while the Second Brother suddenly stood up. After looking around, he tiptoed to the back and took out a plate of food.
If you looked closely, you would find a whole chicken and a pot of wine on it.
He carried the plate towards the end of the dungeon, towards the cell where Yaoji was being held.
He had heard every word the Empress had said outside today. He also knew that the Holy Maiden Yaoji didn't have many days left. Since she would soon lose all her power...
Such a beautiful woman shouldn't just die like this. Why not let a lowly jailer like him have some fun...
Just thinking about it made his blood rush to his head. He licked his lips, looking eager.