Zhao Luoning sensed her intention and was naturally reluctant to comply. She tried to withdraw her hand, but Liu Qingyun grabbed it tightly.
Just then, two men from Sima Villa broke through the encirclement and rushed into the room.
They were shocked by the scene before them. Holding their long swords tightly, a fierce glint flashed in their eyes.
"Let go of the princess!"
Even if Zhao Luoning wanted to let go now, it was too late.
Zhao Luoning had to gather her courage, clear her throat, and said,
"Only if you put down your weapons."
For a swordsman, the sword is like his life. The strength of the two sides was originally evenly matched. Without weapons, they would only be captured without resistance.
Naturally, they weren't that stupid to give in obediently.
The others also noticed these two fugitives who had rushed in and quickly diverted their attention to stop them.
While everyone was busy dealing with the oncoming enemies,
Liu Qingyun seized the opportunity and said to Zhao Luoning,
"If you want to save Ji Shisu, take me to the city tower."
The city tower? In this position?
It was true that Zhao Luoning was worried about Ji Shisu's safety, especially after learning from Ji Shijian's situation that Sima Feng had poisoned the arrows. But how could Zhao Luoning hold hostage her bosom friend?
She couldn't do it.
"Then I'll kill myself right in front of you now."
Seeing that she couldn't make up her mind for a long time, Liu Qingyun had to help her make the decision.
Liu Qingyun's hands were just on the hand where Zhao Luoning was holding the knife, seemingly to prevent Zhao Luoning from hurting herself.
But only the two of them knew that Liu Qingyun was 'holding hostage' Zhao Luoning in this way.
If it weren't for the fear of hurting Liu Qingyun, Zhao Luoning would have pulled her hand back long ago.
Zhao Luoning quickly calculated in her mind.
If she held her hostage and went up to the city wall now, Sima Villa would be afraid to take risks. Maybe she could make Sima Villa retreat and save Shisu and the lives of all the soldiers.
In this situation, Zhao Luoning didn't have many choices.
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was deeply engaged in the fierce battle and couldn't spare any effort, she 'held hostage' Liu Qingyun and walked out step by step. After walking a few steps, they met Guixiu and Jingsu who had rushed over.
Guixiu was also startled when he saw this situation. After knowing her intention, he automatically escorted them. With the help of these two people, it was much more convenient for them to act.
Just like this, they went up to the city tower all the way.
Everything was exactly the same as the scene in the dream.
The battlefield was awash with blood, the cold wind carried a strong smell of blood, and there was the overwhelming Sima army like a dark cloud.
Would the result be the same as in the dream?
She shook her head to get rid of the inauspicious thought in her mind.
Zhao Luoning could only comfort herself in her heart that this wasn't a dream and Qingyun would be okay.
While thinking, Zhao Luoning followed Qingyun's steps, braved the wind, stood on the city wall, and stood in front of everyone.
At this time, the two armies had just finished a battle and hadn't started another one yet. The leaders of the two armies were now in a tense stand - off.
Their appearance quickly attracted everyone's attention.
Someone in the crowd exclaimed, "Madam!" Then everyone's eyes turned towards this side.
This could be considered the grandest occasion Zhao Luoning had ever seen in her life.
Tens of thousands of pairs of eyes were on her.
"People of Sima Villa, if you want your princess, put down your weapons and promise never to invade again."
She summoned up all her courage to shout out these words.
There was a loud - voiced herald on the city wall.
He blew the horn to attract everyone's attention and roared out Zhao Luoning's words clearly.
The Sima army was really well - trained. There was not the slightest movement. They just fixed their eyes on their leader, Sima Feng.
On the opposite hillside, the archers of the Sima army all aimed their arrows at Zhao Luoning.
This was exactly what Ji Shisu was most worried about.
The archers of the Sima army had caused their army too many losses.
Just thinking of the scene where Ji Shijian fell to the ground, foaming at the mouth, Zhao Luoning couldn't help shivering.
Liu Qingyun also noticed this and exposed her body in front of everyone, almost using herself as a human shield.
Sensing her intention, Zhao Luoning's tears welled up in her eyes. Then her nose twitched, and hot tears fell like broken pearls on Liu Qingyun's thin shoulders.
This was the most interesting hostage - taking ever.
The hostage looked calm, looking directly at all sentient beings without the slightest fear. Instead, the hostage - taker shed tears first.
Sima Feng still didn't move. He just stared blankly at Liu Qingyun on the city tower.
Without his order, no one in the Sima army dared to act rashly. They all just waited quietly.
Liu Qingyun spotted him at a glance in the vast army.
She knew him so well that she naturally understood the meaning of his silence at this moment.
He was calculating.
Calculating whether he should agree to Zhao Luoning's conditions.
Or rather, he was calculating whether it was worth giving up this perhaps the only chance to turn the tables for her.
Liu Qingyun knew that the longer the time passed, the greater the probability that Sima Feng would abandon her.
He had shown it so clearly. What else did she have to be nostalgic about?
"People of the Wu Kingdom, listen. I, Liu Qingyun, your Princess of Peace, now announce the removal of General Sima Feng from his post. The Wu Kingdom surrendered five years ago and will never start a war again."
Liu Qingyun knew that once she said this, she would definitely be a sinner in history.
She could even imagine how the history books would describe her.
Cowardly and traitorous.
But what did it matter?
She wasn't afraid of being criticized when she was alive, let alone now.
Zhao Luoning opened her mouth to persuade her, but Liu Qingyun stopped her.
"Don't worry, Luoning. I'm not afraid of being scolded. Someone scolding me means someone is thinking about me. It's good."
At this time, the herald had already spread the words.
As soon as these words were out, the army of Sima Villa was obviously shaken.
Most of them were former soldiers of the Wu Kingdom, and their belief was to restore the country.
Now, the only princess of the Wu Kingdom had announced permanent surrender.
It was meaningless for them to keep insisting.
Morale was very important in war. Sima Feng knew this truth.
But he didn't expect that Liu Qingyun would say such words in front of the two armies.
He didn't know how to deal with it either.
Because... his belief was also starting to collapse.
What Sima Feng didn't know was that Liu Qingyun was completely disheartened with him.
Before stepping onto this city tower, she even still held a glimmer of hope, hoping that his affection for her remained and that her appearance could end this dispute.
It was just wishful thinking after all.
The young general who had promised to marry her at her coming - of - age ceremony and said that he could give up power and wealth for her was dead.
Sima Feng couldn't let go, but Liu Qingyun had already let go.
She had been controlled by others all her life. This time, let her make a decision for her own fate.
She couldn't decide how to live, but at least now she still had the right to decide how to die.
"Luoning, thank you."