The figure stood there like a puppet. The clothes it wore were somewhat weathered. It didn't react at all when they approached.
"A glazed puppet," Xiao Jinghan said. It was the first time he had seen one.
They stepped closer for a better look. It was a middle - aged man. Even though he had turned into a puppet, he still gave an air of elegance.
"Can someone like this still be alive?" Yi Qing turned to look at Aunt Xue.
"He's been dead for a long time. It just remains in the state it was in when it died," Aunt Xue said with a hint of disgust in her eyes.
Yi Qing let out a sigh. The group continued on their way. They saw another dozen or so such puppets, all adult men, some from the Great Jin and some from the Northern Di tribe.
Aunt Xue said that these were all men who had coveted Princess Aza's beauty and had been turned into puppets by her.
When evening fell, they arrived at the Jade Butterfly Palace. It was a large natural cave with a small number of stalactites. Night pearls were used for lighting. From a platform on one side, most of the Jade Butterfly Mountain could be seen. It was a rare and wonderful place.
Yi Qing was a bit surprised when she saw Princess Aza. Her age should have been about the same as Yi Qing's mother, but she looked like a young girl.
Princess Aza didn't greet them. She just lay down on her small couch.
"Mother," Bai Yutang bowed.
"Your Highness," Aunt Xue knelt down.
"General Xiao has come for the antidote to the Purple Glaze, I presume," Princess Aza said slowly.
"Yes," Xiao Jinghan didn't hide it. "If you hand over the antidote, I can allow you to stay on the Jade Butterfly Mountain."
Princess Aza laughed. "The only antidote to the Purple Glaze is to bathe in the divine spring of the temple. I'm sure General Xiao is well aware of this."
"Since you have the Purple Glaze, there's no way you don't have the antidote," Yi Qing didn't believe it.
Princess Aza burst out laughing. "I use the Purple Glaze to harm people. Why would I need an antidote and wait to regret it?" She looked at Yi Qing. "I never regret my actions."
Yi Qing looked at Princess Aza's contemptuous expression. It seemed that Bai Chengyi had hurt her badly back then.
"Then hand over my sworn brother," Xiao Jinghan said coldly.
"Don't even think about it," Princess Aza sat up. "I've said before, Bai Chengyi was mine in life and will be mine in death. No one can take him away."
"What's the point of keeping a man who doesn't like you by your side?" Yi Qing mocked.
"Since I can't keep his heart, I'll keep his body. Since I can't keep him alive, I'll keep his dead body. In any case, if I can't have what I've set my eyes on, no one else can either."
Yi Qing felt a bit annoyed. "Aren't you tired? You've hung yourself on one tree so stubbornly. Isn't it better to live? Why be so stubborn?"
Aza sneered. "What do you know? In this life, one should just strive for what one wants."
Yi Qing thought there was no point in arguing further, so she looked at Xiao Jinghan.
"Now that Prince Kelo will no longer trust Princess Aza, she should think about her own future," Xiao Jinghan said indifferently.
"You should think about your own future," Princess Aza giggled. "If others find out that you've been poisoned by the Purple Glaze, what do you think your fate will be? You'll no longer be the God of War of the Great Jin, and the Northern Di tribe will no longer fear you. Your end will be to turn into a puppet. When you do, I don't mind putting you on the Jade Butterfly Mountain. Maybe many people will come to pay their respects."
Yi Qing understood why Xiao Jinghan had been keeping it a secret from the emperor. There was no real affection between them. They were just using each other.
"Before that, I'll kill you," Xiao Jinghan said expressionlessly.
He had already thought things through clearly. He just needed time to make arrangements for Yi Qing.
"Really?" Princess Aza remained calm. "I've already made arrangements. If I die, both the Great Jin and the Northern Di tribe will know that General Xiao has been poisoned by the Purple Glaze."
Princess Aza wasn't stupid. After Prince Kelo's failure, their relationship had completely broken down. Naturally, she needed a way to protect herself.
Xiao Jinghan hesitated.
"If you don't take Bai Chengyi away, I can tell you a piece of news," Princess Aza said, seeing Xiao Jinghan's hesitation.
"Speak."
"The saintess chosen by the temple this time is Guli, the daughter of Prince Sarmu. When the saintess arrives at the temple, the temple gates will open wide, and a grand ceremony will be held. At that time, the temple will need the help of the royal court," Princess Aza said with a smile.
"You're telling me this. Don't you plan to collude with the Northern Di temple and trap me?" Xiao Jinghan was a bit skeptical.
"I'm just telling you the best time to sneak into the temple. It's up to you to decide," Princess Aza said indifferently.
Xiao Jinghan and Yi Qing exchanged a look. This was indeed a once - in - a - lifetime opportunity.
"I'll come back for my sworn brother sooner or later," Xiao Jinghan said and then led his men away.
Aza didn't care at all. Then she looked at Aunt Xue and Bai Yutang. "I've told you that Xiao Jinghan is not easy to deal with, but you still underestimated him. Since Xiao Jinghan is already poisoned, I won't hold this against you this time. Step back."
Aunt Xue bowed and stepped back. Bai Yutang still stood there.
"What's wrong?" Princess Aza looked at Bai Yutang.
"How should I address you from now on?" Bai Yutang asked, looking down.
"It's tiring to keep hiding all the time. Just address me the same way Aunt Xue does."
Bai Yutang clenched her fist. "After all, you raised me. Don't you have any...?"
"No," Princess Aza's face darkened. "The worst excuse in the world is feelings. Thinking that one cares so much and trying to change others' attitudes is really ridiculous."
Bai Yutang thought for a while and then bowed and stepped back.
Logically, she should seek revenge, but she had no such intention at all. If she hadn't followed the princess, where would she be now? Maybe she would have been sold and lived an ordinary life.
Princess Aza slowly closed her eyes. She thought her plan was foolproof, but it had completely failed. She had planned to ride into the capital of the Great Jin with Bai Chengyi, but now it was impossible.
"Humph, if I can't destroy what you're protecting, I'll destroy the person you care about most," Princess Aza said as she released two falcons on one side.
As soon as the falcons flew out of the Jade Butterfly Palace, they were shot down by Xiao Jinghan. There were message tubes on their feet. There were only two words on the note: Start.
Xiao Jinghan picked up the two message tubes. "It seems she really is well - prepared."
When they were in the Jade Butterfly Palace, Xiao Jinghan had noticed these two falcons, but during the argument, he didn't have time to stop them from flying away.
"This Princess Aza doesn't keep her word," Yi Qing thought that people in this place should have simple and honest folkways.
"Madam, go back first. I'll go and bring my sworn brother out," Xiao Jinghan smiled.
This time, Yi Qing didn't follow Xiao Jinghan. She would only be a hindrance to him.
Princess Aza had once been the most beloved princess of the Northern Di royal court and the most respected saintess of the temple. It was a pity that her encounter with Bai Chengyi had ended in vain. After she violated the temple's rules and was stripped of her princess title, she could still live freely on the Jade Butterfly Mountain. This showed her ability and the royal court's favor towards her.