Marrying the Crown Prince

This wasn't the first time Li Zixi had brought up this topic, but this time, Su and Cao didn't refuse her outright as they usually did. Instead, they pondered for a long time.

Li Zixi sat there quietly, not disturbing him.

Finally, Su and Cao both made their decisions.

He reached out and gently cupped Li Zixi's face, then lowered his head slightly and slowly bent down.

He placed a light, feather-light kiss on her forehead.

The light in Li Zixi's eyes dimmed—had she rejected him again?

But just then, a deep and gentle voice entered her ears—"Okay!"

This simple word was like a lightning bolt piercing the night sky. Li Zixi was stunned, her face showing a mixture of disbelief and joy.

Su and Cao cupped her face in their hands and solemnly said, "Let's go to a place where no one knows us and start our lives anew."

"No longer concerned with anything in this world."

"You are no longer the princess of Chen Kingdom, and I am no longer the ruler of Qixi Kingdom. Let's be an ordinary couple and live a peaceful life, okay?"

Upon hearing his words, Li Zixi couldn't help but look at him, trying to discern something from his expression.

But looking at them, all that could be seen was that Su and Cao were serious, not joking at all.

His expression was focused, his eyes deep and clear, like a transparent lake.

Li Zixi watched as their gazes met in mid-air, feeling his burning gaze.

She saw her own reflection in his eyes, a reflection that was clear and real.

In an instant, Li Zixi's doubts vanished, and she smiled, saying, "Okay."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su and Cao Du's kiss landed.

Their lips pressed tightly together.

His kiss was possessive, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, passionately conveying his love and releasing the emotions deep within his heart without reservation.

Surrounded by such a strong aura, Li Zixi's heart trembled slightly. She wanted to struggle, but she still let go of her hands and tightly gripped Su and Cao Du's collars.

Before the kiss was over, Li Zixi's body went limp.

Su and Cao licked their lips and reluctantly let her go.

Li Zixi closed her eyes and slumped against him.

He picked her up, as if afraid of waking her, and gently placed her on the soft bed.

Su and Cao sat by the bed, carefully examining Li Zixi's appearance, as if trying to etch her image into their minds.

He reached out and touched her face...

Meeting you is the happiest thing in my life.

But I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I can't abandon my people, nor can I leave this mess behind and go off on my own.

All of this, all of this evil, is my own doing. I should bear the consequences myself, instead of letting innocent people die in vain.

Enough people have died recently; no more can die.

He carried his sword and slowly walked up the city wall, step by step.

He stood by the city wall and looked down, only to see a vast, dark mass of Chen Kingdom soldiers standing below.

Su and Cao both raised their longswords, gathering their inner energy, "I want to see your emperor."

He has practiced martial arts since childhood and can use his dantian energy freely. Now he uses it to transmit messages. Although his voice is not very loud, it is very long and can be carried far.

Upon hearing his voice, Li Ziyan immediately stood up.

Marquis Zhaoqing disagreed, "No, Your Majesty, it's too dangerous."

On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. If he stands there and something happens, what a disaster it would be!

Li Ziyan stared at him intently, his expression resolute, his voice somewhat cold, "Jiafu is in their hands."

Jiafu was Li Zixi's title.

With just one sentence, he successfully stopped Marquis Zhaoqing from continuing to persuade him—the emperor he served must have a benevolent heart that carries the weight of the people under heaven.

Nowadays, if you simply offer a few words of advice, this emperor will abandon his own sister.

In other words, if an emperor cannot even fulfill the most basic filial piety and brotherly love, can one still believe that he is a good emperor who cares about the world?

Li Ziyan mounted his horse and appeared before Su and Cao Du.

Su and Cao both looked at him not far away, their eyes slightly narrowed.

Li Ziyan was not wearing armor, but rather a dark blue robe with no embroidery, only some faint patterns of swimming scales.

Even though it was a bloody battlefield where arrows could be shot at any moment, he was so relaxed.

Su and Cao both gave a wry smile. Indeed, what difference was there between Chen Kingdom attacking them and playing house?

How ironic!

"Hahahaha, this is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!" He threw his head back and laughed wildly, his voice hysterical.

Why did he do all that?

Marquis Zhaoqing stood beside Li Ziyan, listening to Su and Cao's erratic voices, and felt somewhat worried.

"Your Majesty, why don't we go back first?" he suggested.

This……

That seems like a good suggestion.

Just as Li Ziyan was seriously considering this matter, Su and Cao finally stopped.

He stared intently at Li Ziyan, his voice calm, "I know you've come for revenge."

Li Ziyan's brow twitched, and he spoke loudly, "What? Su He and Cao Du, did you come here willingly to await your execution?"

Su and Cao had expected that their words would be met with a sharp retort, but to their surprise, neither Su nor Cao responded with a retort; instead, they remained silent.

Upon seeing this, Li Ziyan's eyes darkened, like a bottomless lake. The surface of the lake was as calm as a mirror, without a ripple, but deep within it, turbulent undercurrents were surging, ready to burst forth at any moment.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Su and Cao both raised their longswords and held them across their necks with unwavering resolve.

"Your Majesty, the Qixi Kingdom is now in ruins, with many dead and wounded. Countless lives have been lost because of my selfishness. I wonder if all of this can end because of me?"

Su and Cao asked softly, their calm eyes filled with madness.

"King, no!"

"king--!"

"We would rather die fighting than be slaves of a conquered nation!"

"Correct!"

Upon hearing Su and Cao Du's voices, the soldiers all knelt on the ground.

The people in the city also went out into the streets, raising their cloudy eyes.

Su and Cao both looked up and were met with a scene of crimson, with severed limbs and corpses lying haphazardly everywhere.

The wounded soldiers clutched their wounds; their clothes were torn and stained with someone's blood.

The people in the city were pale; the cruelty of war filled their eyes with despair and fear.

This land, once full of hope and peace, is now shattered.

He said in a deep voice, "Enough!"

"Now that things have come to this, we've done everything we should and shouldn't have done."

"That's enough."

Su and Cao both smiled, then looked at Li Ziyan.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to commit suicide to atone for all that has happened before. After my death, you may dismember me as you see fit, but please do not harm the people in my city."

After saying these words, Su and Cao stared intently at Li Ziyan.

"Okay, I agree!"