Bateer was taken aback by Chu Qing's straightforward question. Then, looking serious, he replied, "What I said just now definitely counts. I can swear it in front of all the people of the Burando tribe. I can find a capable person to take over the position of the chief. But... by then, I hope the Princess of Ning won't do anything to the Burando tribe."
Seeing that the other party had made all these sincere arrangements, Chu Qing suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
Now it seemed that this young man really had no ambition. His desire to unite the tribes was only out of desperation, not wanting his own tribe to be annexed.
Chu Qing noticed that the others sitting around were looking at her with eager eyes. She lowered her head, lost in complicated thoughts.
What she was sure of now was that she couldn't make a decision on Wei Ying's behalf easily. After all, this kind of help wasn't just an empty promise. However, at this moment, she did want to say a few good words for the young man. But the final decision still lay with Wei Ying.
Thinking of this, Chu Qing said seriously, "This princess can help you persuade the Prince of Ning, but whether the Prince will agree or not depends on your persuasion skills and the Prince's decision."
Although he didn't get an affirmative answer, Bateer was already quite satisfied. Because he had brought the Princess of Ning here on his own initiative... well... one could even say he had abducted her. This might have already angered and dissatisfied the Prince of Ning. Not only might the Prince not help him, but he might even take action against them personally... But if the Princess of Ning could put in a good word for him and he could meet the Prince in person, this was already a glimmer of hope for Bateer.
Chu Qing said a few more earnest words. Finally, the atmosphere was no longer as tense as before. After clearing the air, everyone happily continued eating and drinking.
Seeing that this abduction wouldn't pose a threat to her mistress's life, Lvluo immediately relaxed and couldn't help but keep putting meat on Chu Qing's plate.
Not only Lvluo, but also the aamas and children sitting around Chu Qing all happily placed meat on her plate.
Normally, she wouldn't easily eat food from strangers.
But when Chu Qing looked at the mountain of roasted mutton on her plate, it was as if a door had been opened deep in her heart.
Chu Qing just smiled helplessly and said,
"If you keep doing this, you'll make me as fat as a pig! Be careful that the Prince of Ning won't recognize me then, and he might not agree to help!"
Her joking tone made everyone feel even closer to Chu Qing. Although she wasn't quite used to it, Chu Qing was filled with joy.
After the children were full, they ran off to play. And Chu Qing had a harmonious conversation with the aamas of the Burando tribe. Thanks to Bateer, most of these aamas could communicate with her in the Central Plains language.
Chu Qing was quite at ease having a pleasant conversation with the aamas of the Burando tribe.
Well...
After all, there were topics to talk about...
For example, chatting about which family's daughter - in - law was filial, which family's daughter - in - law could give birth to a son, which family's son was still unmarried, and which family's child was smart and cute, and so on...
Hey! Chu Qing was no stranger to these topics among mature women.
Chu Qing even had the illusion of going back to her previous life.
After all, when the women in the palace got together, they didn't always talk about poetry and literature...
In short, this night was a happy one.
...
In the following days, Chu Qing ate and drank, chatted with the aamas of the Burando tribe, and silently waited for Wei Ying's arrival.
He should... come, right?
If he didn't come after waiting for a long time, it would be really embarrassing for her.
On the fifth day of her stay in the Burando tribe, when Chu Qing was teaching a child to recite a poem, Bateer rushed into the tent with a cold look on his face.
Before Chu Qing could say anything, Bateer said anxiously, "Princess, you should leave here quickly!"
"What's going on?" Chu Qing was a bit surprised. They had finally brought her here, so why were they suddenly letting her go?
But Chu Qing quickly realized that something urgent must have happened.
Could it be... that another tribe was attacking?
"The Aqitu tribe will arrive soon. The sentinels saw that they were coming aggressively, so there will surely be a tough battle!" Bateer didn't have time to explain in detail and hurriedly tried to take Chu Qing out.
When Chu Qing walked out, everyone outside the tent had already packed their luggage, including the women and children.
Chu Qing originally thought they would be scared, but unexpectedly, she didn't see a single panicked expression on anyone's face. Instead, they all calmly waited for Bateer's order.
It seemed that... they were already used to this kind of life of fighting and fleeing at any time.
Even the naughtiest children were now with serious little faces, obediently staying beside their parents.
"As usual, the old people, women, and children go first. The men stay behind. Don't engage in a protracted battle against this unexpected attack. Escape if you can. Our next camp is at the foot of Mount Kaze."
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison. Then, the women and children rode on the same horses, while the men held their weapons and guarded the direction from which the enemies were coming.
As nomads on the grassland, riding a horse was a necessary survival skill for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Chu Qing, who had been silent, didn't act coquettishly either. She grabbed Lvluo and quickly mounted the horse.
She knew that she couldn't really help Bateer at this moment. After all, she was pregnant, so she must take good care of her own body. Only when she was safe and sound could Bateer focus on dealing with the enemies.
The Aqitu tribe...
Was it the tribe that had cooperated with the people of Xiliang?
She wondered if, after Hu Yanlongchang and the others were defeated by Wei Ying, they still sent people to contact the Aqitu tribe.
If she remembered correctly, the people of the Aqitu tribe had helped Hu Yanlonghao go to the Fengyue Villa.
Thinking of this, a cold look appeared in Chu Qing's eyes.
"Princess, you go first!" Bateer said in a deep voice in Chu Qing's direction.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone else rode their horses aside to make way for Chu Qing.
Seeing this, Chu Qing was stunned and then was at a loss for words.
During these days, she had fully felt the enthusiasm and sincerity of the Burando people towards her.
If she just left like this, she would really be unworthy of her title as the Princess of Ning.
"Let the old people, women, and children go first. Don't worry about this princess. I have the ability to protect myself."
Bateer was taken aback, and there was a bit of sourness in his eyes.
He had dragged the Princess of Ning into this, but the princess still cared so much about his tribe.
Since that was the case, he had to work harder to hold back the Aqitu people and prevent them from catching up with the Princess of Ning.
Thinking of this, Bateer said loudly, "Men of the Burando tribe, follow me to hold back the Aqitu people! Remember! Don't engage in a protracted battle!"
The Princess of Ning and the others... should be able to get away, right?
But when he turned around to face the enemies, he noticed something strange.
According to the speed of the horses, the Aqitu people should have almost arrived by now.
But looking into the distance, it seemed that they had stopped?
Moreover... it seemed that...
They seemed to be in a fierce battle with someone?
Could it be the people of Wumushan and Baharnao?