Zhao Luoning was just about to ask the reason when Liu Qingyun spoke first, laying out all that had happened in recent days.
"Luoning, I'm exhausted. I'm just a pawn for the emperor to hold onto Feng. Watching Feng spiral into madness step by step makes me feel like a sinner," Liu Qingyun said painfully, muttering, "When the city fell back then, I should have done what a princess was supposed to do and died for the country!"
"Qingyun, it's not your fault," Zhao Luoning comforted, but her words had no effect.
"I've been on the verge of collapse for a year."
Si Ma Feng had already gone mad. He was just satisfying his desires with killing and death.
Liu Qingyun was no longer the Princess Anning of the past, and Si Ma Feng was no longer the elegant general.
The closer they got physically, the farther apart their hearts became.
So far that Liu Qingyun could no longer sense his feelings.
Was it because of the promise from that year or because of herself?
Zhao Luoning sighed.
"Qingyun, you should know that once you come to me, Shi Su and the others will soon find out."
"I know," Liu Qingyun nodded. "I can disappear. Without me as an excuse, Si Ma Feng has no just cause. I believe this is what you all want to see."
Zhao Luoning sighed again.
"Alright, I'll think of a way for you."
She temporarily settled Liu Qingyun down, but it wasn't a good idea to keep her in the villa.
Not to mention the constant comings and goings here, Ji Shisu would come back every now and then.
The news that Liu Qingyun was staying here couldn't be hidden for long.
Zhao Luoning knew that Ji Shisu had secretly arranged many people to protect her. Fortunately, no one knew what the Princess Anning looked like, so Liu Qingyun hadn't been discovered yet. But if it was postponed for a couple more days, it might be a different story.
Forget it. She'd better find a way to send Liu Qingyun out.
Zhao Luoning knew that no matter whether Liu Qingyun was in the Si Ma Manor or in Shiguan, her fate would be bleak.
The Si Ma Manor was now at the end of its rope. If Liu Qingyun stayed there, she would only become an innocent victim.
As for Shiguan, it wouldn't tolerate a princess from an enemy country who had rebelled. Moreover, once the war ended, without the support of the Si Ma Manor, even if she could barely save her life, she would become a prisoner.
Zhao Luoning sat there in a daze for over an hour and finally made up her mind.
Help her escape!
She was just a weak woman and shouldn't have been involved in this whirlpool.
Let's just pretend that the Princess Anning never existed!
However, Zhao Luoning underestimated Ji Shisu.
As soon as Liu Qingyun arrived in Shiguan, Ji Shisu received the news.
In the military camp, because of the disappearance of the Princess Anning, the Si Ma Manor had become active again.
Like a cornered beast, it was making its final struggle.
Ji Shisu had to stay in the military camp and keep a close eye on the situation.
Yu Chi suggested, "Since the Princess Anning is with your wife, my lord, why don't you..."
Ji Shisu waved his hand, interrupting him.
"Don't act rashly for now. Let's see what the Si Ma Manor will do."
If they pushed Liu Qingyun out now, it would surely put Luoning in a difficult position.
In the villa, that night, Zhao Luoning slept restlessly.
Her right eyelid kept twitching, disturbing her so that she didn't fall asleep until midnight. Even when she was asleep, she was haunted by nightmares.
Maybe it was because she had met Liu Qingyun. Her mind was filled with images of war.
As a result, her dreams were all about blood and killing.
The ground was covered in blood, staining the entire earth red. The殷 - red blood flowed like a small stream.
At this stage of the war, human lives no longer mattered.
Ji Shisu, Ji Shijian, Yu Chi, and Shu Dan were all in military uniforms, waiting quietly in front of the closed city gate.
Most of the soldiers had died, but the army of the Si Ma Manor was still approaching menacingly.
They were all going out with the determination to die.
Zhao Luoning watched anxiously from the side and wanted to rush up to stop Ji Shisu.
But why were they so close, yet she couldn't touch him?
What was going on?
Ji Shisu leaped onto his horse. His white iron armor glowed with a blood - thirsty light in the setting sun.
"Charge!"
The city gate was slowly opened, and a group of purple whirlwinds rushed out.
Wherever they passed, a gust of wind blew.
"Shaojing!"
Zhao Luoning then noticed that there was another herself, dressed in magnificent clothes, standing on the city tower.
Before she could figure out what was going on, she saw that Zhao Luoning flash a cold light in her hand. With a turn of her body, behind her magnificent robe was actually Liu Qingyun, who had been hijacked?!
She would actually hijack Liu Qingyun?!
The woman was holding a shining dagger, with the blade pointed at Liu Qingyun's neck.
On the battlefield, ten thousand people were in solemn silence.
"Listen, people of the Wu Kingdom. Abandon the attack on Shiguan, or I'll sacrifice your princess's blood to our soldiers."
The black - clad soldiers didn't retreat because of these words. The two sides were in a stand - off like this.
Just when everyone was holding their breath, not knowing what to do next, something strange happened on the city tower.
Liu Qingyun said in a voice so low that only she and Zhao Luoning could hear,
"Thank you. I'll repay the favor I owe you in my next life."
Without any warning, Liu Qingyun leaped from the high city tower.
"Don't!"
Zhao Luoning sat up in bed with a scream. She wiped her forehead and found it was all cold sweat.
Only then did she realize that the thrilling scene just now was only a dream.
But why was the dream so real?
The sweet smell of blood in the air, the pain of the cold wind on her cheeks.
That heart - wrenching smile.
And the endless despair and loneliness.
All were so real.
That dream had haunted her all night, leaving Zhao Luoning feeling groggy. She couldn't even be sure if she had woken up from the dream or was still in it.
"Madam!"
Jing Su and Gui Su burst into the room with their swords in hand.
They were in a complete mess, covered in blood.
Their appearance scared Zhao Luoning badly, and she was stunned for a moment.
Jing Su and Gui Su then realized their rudeness. They sheathed their swords, clasped their fists, lowered their heads, and knelt half - way in front of Zhao Luoning's bed.
"We've disturbed you, madam. Please punish us."
"What's going on with you two?"
Gui Su was about to look up and answer obediently, but was stopped by a look from Jing Su.
She still kept her head down and answered in her usual calm voice, "We just got rid of some thieves. Madam, don't worry. General..."
Speak of the devil. Just as Jing Su mentioned Ji Shisu, his anxious voice came from outside.
"Is Ning'er alright?"
As he spoke, he had already reached the door.
After hearing the news that someone had broken into the mansion, he rushed back immediately.
No matter how many people told him that his wife was okay, it couldn't compare to seeing her safe and sound with his own eyes.
When Jing Su and Gui Su saw him enter, they quickly bowed respectfully.
"Master!"
Ji Shisu nodded slightly. His eyes never left Zhao Luoning since he entered the room.
"You've worked hard last night. Go and rest first."
After they left, Ji Shisu walked up to her and placed a pillow on her head so that she could lean more comfortably.
"Don't be like this. I'm not a patient. I just have a headache after waking up. I'll be fine after a while."
She wasn't a porcelain doll. How could she be so delicate?
"Why are you sweating so much? Were you scared?"
Zhao Luoning nodded and said, "I had a nightmare."
Zhao Luoning didn't know that the reason she had a nightmare wasn't just because of Liu Qingyun's arrival, which had made her worry too much.