The prince loves me like his life, but I force him to rebel

"Xichuan's retreat did give us a chance to catch our breath," he said in a steady and firm voice, "but the other two countries are still strong, and they have not been completely defeated by us. Moreover, they were able to invite a famous general like Batu, which shows how deeply they are committed to this war and are definitely not the kind of people who give up easily."

"We can't let down our guard just because of a small victory," Sima Yao continued, "The outcome of a war often depends on the final persistence. We still have to be patient and wait and see for a few more days."

"So, the next plan is..." Shu Huaiyuan's voice echoed in the spacious hall, with a hint of expectation. He looked at Sima Yao, waiting for his instructions, as if all the decisions were condensed at this moment.

Sima Yao pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Let's wait for Lin Heng to come back and make detailed arrangements. His importance to us is self-evident. His insights and strategies can always bring us new inspirations. As for today, we will follow the convention and go outside the city to meet Batu and reminisce about the past." His tone was calm, and every word was full of careful consideration.

At this point, Sima Yao's eyes suddenly fell on Gu Nianzhi, and a thought flashed through his mind. He turned to look at Gu Nianzhi and said with a smile, "By the way, speaking of reminiscing about the past, I almost forgot that Mr. Gu will also meet Princess Ulanya today. I think Princess Ulanya should also be looking forward to 'reminiscing about the past' with you."

Hearing this, Gu Nianzhi flashed an awkward smile on her face. She whispered, "Old feelings? How can there be any old feelings between me and the princess? I don't think the relationship between Princess Ulanya and I is that deep. We just met by chance, and it was a brief encounter like duckweed. How can there be any old feelings to talk about?"

"Sometimes, it doesn't take a long time for people to connect with each other." Sima Yao retorted, his eyes flashing with insight. "When Princess Ulanya mentioned you yesterday, her eyes sparkled with anticipation and joy that could not be faked. I think her feelings for you may be much deeper than you think."

"Your Highness, you think too much." Gu Nianzhi quickly picked up the bowl in front of him and drank a few gulps of goat milk.

"It's getting late. Princess Ulanya should be able to see you in less than an hour." Sima Yao's words made Gu Nianzhi nervous, and he choked and coughed in panic.

The pure white goat milk was sprayed everywhere.

“Look at you, you eat like a child.” Sima Yao did not show any disgust, but gently patted Gu Nianzhi on the back.

"No, sir, really."

Gu Nianzhi stood up and avoided physical contact with Sima Yao.

For some reason, she always showed an indescribable playfulness when she was alone with Sima Yao. There was a sly light in her eyes, and an elusive smile often hung on the corners of her mouth, as if she was teasing his heartstrings silently, just like a woman in love, teasing her beloved man in the most subtle way. That kind of innocent and slightly provocative behavior was irresistible.

However, when they were in the crowd, she seemed like a different person. She would deliberately keep a subtle distance from Sima Yao, a distance that was neither distant nor too close, as if she had drawn a line in the air. Her behavior became dignified, and her words became more cautious, as if she was carefully protecting something. This was not out of indifference to Sima Yao, but from the sense of crisis deep in her heart.

She knew very well that her female body was like a time bomb that could trigger an unpredictable storm at any time. She did not want to bring any trouble or crisis to Sima Yao because of her existence. Therefore, her reserve in front of others was actually an instinctive reaction of her self-protection, and also a silent protection for Sima Yao.

But Sima Yao didn't think so.

He looked at Shu Huaiyuan who was standing beside him, and then looked at Gu Nianzhi who was standing in front of him with an expression of avoidance.

He vaguely felt that Gu Nianzhi cared about Shu Huaiyuan's feelings, so he kept a distance from him.

He withdrew his hand, sat back down and continued eating.

His face was expressionless, but his heart was in turmoil.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Gu is going to meet Princess Ulanya today. I think we still need to make some preparations, at least change clothes. Since Mr. Gu has already finished his meal, why not get ready early?"

Shu Huaiyuan tried to smooth things over.

"Well, let's go down."

Sima Yao stood up, his expression like the surface of a lake in late autumn, calm but hard to read. His eyes flickered with complex light, with both determination and some indescribable worry.

"I should go back and prepare myself." His voice was low and firm, and every word was like a drumbeat in the air. "We will set out together in half an hour."

After saying that, Sima Yao turned around and left the tent.

Sima Yao left, and Gu Nianzhi breathed a sigh of relief.

At that tense moment, Sima Yao's heart was like the surface of a lake stirred by the wind, with waves rising and falling. Whenever he showed his concern for her, she would feel an unspeakable tension, as if she was afraid that this deep affection would be accidentally broken. At this moment, Shu Huaiyuan's eyes were like fallen leaves in late autumn, falling on her with worry, making it impossible for her to ignore his emotions.

"General Shu, your expression is like the weather in Xichuan, which is unpredictable. Xichuan's withdrawal from the alliance is undoubtedly a turning point for our strategy. However, I see that you look worried." Gu Nianzhi asked softly, trying to break the heavy atmosphere. At the same time, she couldn't help but frowned, imitating Shu Huaiyuan's appearance.

"Is it that obvious?" Shu Huaiyuan's tone was filled with self-mockery. He raised his hand and gently stroked his brow. There were indeed faint wrinkles there, like an unsolved mystery engraved on his forehead.

"General Shu, your frown is deeper than the mountains of Xichuan." Gu Nianzhi responded with a smile. There was a joking tone in her words, but her eyes were extremely serious. She stretched out her hand and gently pressed on his brow, as if trying to soothe his worries.

"Mr. Gu, no, Ms. Gu, I'm not worried about the situation of the alliance. I'm worried about the relationship between you and Sima Yao. I can see that your feelings for each other have surpassed the simple friendship between monarch and subject, but you must understand that emotions in the palace are often like playing with fire. If you are not careful, you will burn yourself and hurt others and yourself." Shu Huaiyuan's words were full of concern, and his eyes stared deeply at Gu Nianzhi, hoping that she could understand his worries.

"I know. It feels like walking on a tightrope, and every step could lead to falling into the abyss." Gu Nianzhi's tone was filled with a hint of helplessness. Her words seemed to be accidentally picked up from a domineering CEO novel, but they unexpectedly fit her mood at the moment.

"Yes, your description is very appropriate. In the power struggle in the palace, emotions are often the most dangerous weapon and the most easily exploited weakness. If the current emperor knew that you were a girl, I'm afraid that the crime of 'deceiving the emperor' would be unavoidable, whether it's you, me or the prince."

Gu Nianzhi was very clear about the current situation. She knew that the shadow of war had already shrouded the city, and any delay could bring unpredictable dangers. However, when Shu Huaiyuan laid out all these potential crises, her worries seemed to be tightened by invisible hands and became heavier.

Half an hour later, the team was ready in front of the camp, ready to pass through the south gate and advance towards the enemy in the northern suburbs.

In the square of the South Gate, Ulan Ya, wearing a fiery red dress, rode on a tall warhorse, and scanned the direction of the base camp with anxious eyes. The bright red color was particularly eye-catching under the gray sky, like a flame on the battlefield.

"Why haven't they come yet? This is a war, not a joke. What time is it?" Ulan Ya frowned, her tone revealing dissatisfaction and anxiety. She turned to complain to Hatulig beside her, her eyes flashing with anger, "Didn't the Three Kingdoms' coalition army claim to be coming with great force? Isn't the Dasheng army known as the Iron Cavalry Division? Why haven't they seen any sign yet? What kind of army is this? I think they are not as decisive as us women. They are more womanly than women."

Hatulig smiled bitterly and responded cautiously: "Princess, war is not just about bravery, strategy and patience are equally important. Maybe they are waiting for the best time to attack, or they are deploying their troops. After all, we cannot underestimate the strength of the coalition forces of the three countries."

Although his words made sense, Ulanya's brows did not relax.

As he was speaking, the shadows of a large army appeared in front.

Ulanya's joy was like a spring stream, instantly filling her heart, her eyes sparkling like stars twinkling in the night sky. She gripped the whip tightly and kicked the horse hard, and the Arabian horse was like a ignited rocket, instantly breaking through the peaceful grassland and bringing up a gust of wind.

"Where is Mr. Gu?" Ulan Ya bowed slightly in front of Sima Yao, unable to hide her inner anxiety. Her words were full of concern for Gu Nianzhi.

Sima Yao's face was calm. He pointed backwards indifferently, as if everything was under his control. "He is with General Shu."

Wulanya immediately drove her horse forward, through the crowd, as if looking for a lost pearl. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, and every time the horse's hoof landed, her heartbeat accelerated. Finally, she saw the familiar figure, like a warm sun penetrating the dark clouds.

The corners of Ulanya's mouth curled up unconsciously. It was a smile from the heart, like the rising sun, warm and bright. "Mr. Gu, I said, we will see each other again."

Gu Nianzhi bowed politely, his eyes full of respect and sincerity, "Gu Nianzhi greets Princess Ya. I didn't know you were the princess before, so I apologize for any offense. Please forgive me."

Wulanya laughed heartily, her laughter was like a clear silver bell, breaking the tranquility of the grassland. "You people in the Central Plains are so elegant and polite. But you helped me when I was in trouble, and I am grateful to you. How can I say that you are offended?"

Gu Nianzhi smiled gently, and that smile was like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, with a hint of imperceptible warmth. Ulanya's words were like clear spring water, flowing into his heart and dispelling his fatigue with the red tape of the world.

Yes, in this world, hypocritical etiquette is as complicated as flowers, people are lost in it, forgetting the value of truth and honesty. It is rare to have such a princess who is as straightforward as the grassland and as honest as the sun. It is like an oasis in the desert, which makes people brighten their eyes.

"Mr. Gu, have you thought of me these days?"

Wulanya's eyes were like bright stars, gleaming with anticipation. Her frankness was like her personality, without any disguise, which made Gu Nianzhi a little overwhelmed. He could feel the warmth in her words, but he didn't know how to respond to this enthusiasm. For a moment, he seemed to be trapped by her frankness and was at a loss.

Shu Huaiyuan, who was standing by, couldn't help but laugh secretly when he saw this scene. He turned his head away, trying to hide his smile, but the slight laughter still filled the air. His actions seemed to ignite the atmosphere around him. The soldiers around him were also attracted by this subtle interaction, and they all made a slight booing sound, as if cheering for this silent drama.

"Is there a real one, Mr. Gu?" Ulan Ya did not retreat because of his embarrassment. Instead, she moved closer, put her face close to his, and looked straight at him with her bright eyes, as if to penetrate his heart.

Gu Nianzhi had to answer.

"Princess Ya and I just met by chance, and I don't know Princess Ya's identity. The help I gave her that day was just a simple thing in my daily life. Nianzhi didn't take it seriously. Please forgive me, Princess."

"So you didn't think of me?"

"I'm sorry. Princess Ya, please forgive me."

Gu Nianzhi was as nervous as a deer, afraid that her words and actions would offend the arrogant little princess in front of her. Her eyes were full of humility and caution, and every word seemed to have been carefully considered thousands of times before it slipped out of her lips, and her voice was so soft that it was almost carried away by the breeze.

However, to his surprise, Princess Ulanya did not show any displeasure because of her caution as he imagined. On the contrary, she laughed loudly without reservation, and her laughter was crisp. Ulanya laughed so hard that even the teardrops at the corners of her eyes seemed to be jumping happily. Her frankness and carefreeness made Gu Nianzhi stunned.

"Forgive? What do you need me to forgive?" Ulan Ya's words were like a breeze, blowing away the doubts in Gu Nianzhi's heart.

"I was wearing men's clothes that day. It would be strange if you still miss me." Princess Ya stretched out her hand to smooth her pigtails and looked at Gu Nianzhi with wide eyes: "Now take a good look at me. I came to see you in my best clothes. Do I look good today?"