Marrying the Crown Prince

That night, Xi Qiu, dressed in night clothes, was surrounded by guards.

She glanced around—these guards were all top-notch martial artists. If it were just one or two, she might be able to handle the situation, but given the current circumstances, she was afraid…

I'm afraid they've already prepared tea, just waiting for me to arrive, so they can catch me like a turtle in a jar.

Xi Qiu pursed her lips: She just didn't know if this trap was aimed at her or at the intruder.

For some reason, Xi Qiu suddenly remembered the scene from that day when Chen Muchuan stood beside her, holding her hand, and teaching her to draw.

She looked down at the sword in her hand and thought to herself: Who would have thought that these hands once held a pen and an embroidery needle?

Suddenly, perhaps sensing something, Xi Qiu saw Chen Muchuan through the crowd of figures.

He stood there, dressed in a long robe stained with ink and bamboo shadows, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his eyes deep and sharp, exuding a chilling majesty.

"You've arrived?" Xi Qiu smiled calmly.

Chen Muchuan emerged from the shadows, the moonlight bathing him, giving him an indescribable sense of mission.

"General, have you been waiting for me here for a long time?"

Xi Qiu was clearly smiling, but for some reason, there was an indescribable sadness about it.

Seeing that he didn't answer, Xi Qiu continued, "When did the general find out?"

"So, what are we to each other?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Muchuan finally reacted, "That's what I want to ask you too, what are we to each other?"

You schemed to get close to me, yet you expect me to reciprocate with my true feelings. How ridiculous!

"Hahaha," Xi Qiu roared to the sky, "General's words are truly enlightening!"

Having said that, she drew her sword and attacked.

Chen Muchuan did not draw his longsword; he fought her using only the scabbard.

At this moment, Xi Qiu finally understood why he had been promoted to the third rank at such a young age—all of his moves were neutralized by his effortless skill, and all his fierce swords were easily deflected by his gentle touch.

The more she attacked, the more shocked she became, eventually turning into frustration.

Xi Qiu knew that she had lost.

Even though Chen Muchuan had the longsword in her hand, she still attacked with all her might, because she didn't want to die like that.

Unexpectedly, Chen Muchuan pulled her into his arms, her back pressed against his chest, his sword aimed directly at her neck.

Her skin was slashed by the sharp blade, and bright red blood gushed out, causing her eyelashes to tremble slightly.

Xi Qiu reached out and touched the cold longsword, asking, "General, in your heart, has I ever held even the slightest place?"

Chen Muchuan remained silent for a moment, then answered irrelevantly, "Where is the defense map?"

"If I hand it over, can the general guarantee my survival?"

Before Chen Muchuan could answer, the deputy general next to him started to erupt.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "General, there's no need to talk to this spy. There are hundreds of torture methods in the Black Prison. I don't believe we can't pry this woman's mouth open."

The more trust they had at the beginning, the more hatred they now harbor.

Chen Muchuan glanced at him briefly, and the deputy general gritted his teeth and endured it.

Xi Qiu frowned. "How is it?"

He moved his lips slightly and uttered a single word, "Okay."

Upon hearing this answer, Xi Qiu's body stiffened for a moment.

She took out a defense map from her person.

Chen Muchuan opened it, confirmed it was the item, then threw down the sword and made a hand gesture.

Although the guards were unwilling, military orders were absolute, and they still made way for them.

Seeing this scene before him, Xi Qiu suddenly wanted to say something, but after opening his mouth, he closed it without saying anything.

Finally, she bowed deeply, took her sword, climbed over the wall, and disappeared into the night.

General, if... if I hadn't stolen this defense map, could we... still continue as before?

After her parents passed away, the warmth she received in her life came entirely from Chen Muchuan.

Hongmei met Xiqiu at the city gate. When she saw Xiqiu arrive, she helped her onto the horse, and the two rode together to their long-lost hometown.

Suddenly, Xi Qiu seemed to hear the sound of wind breaking, and then an arrow pierced her chest, soaking her night clothes with blood.

She fell helplessly from her horse.

Hongmei held her hand, "Hang in there a little longer, we'll be home soon."

Xi Qiu turned around with difficulty, as if he saw Chen Muchuan on the city wall with his bow fully drawn—at such a distance, who else could it be but him?

Ultimately, one wrong step led to a series of wrong steps...

Xi Qiu closed his eyes tightly.

On the city wall, Li Changyuan stared blankly at Chen Muchuan, who drew his bow and shot the arrow in one smooth motion.

This……

They shot the person without even blinking?

He carefully observed Chen Muchuan's expression and saw that he looked normal, but his heart remained unsettled for a long time.

For no other reason than this simple question: cats and dogs are raised and pampered, and you develop feelings for them over time, so how can you just kill the person in front of you like that?

When the moon was bright and the stars were few, Chen Muchuan sat on the rooftop, holding a wine jug, gazing into the distance.

After thinking for a moment, Li Changyuan brought a ladder and climbed onto the roof.

Upon seeing the person arrive, Chen Muchuan tossed the wine jug over.

"Sir, you've been waiting for me?"

Chen Muchuan did not answer, keeping his eyes down and remaining silent.

Following his gaze, Li Changyuan saw the ladder he had just used.

Li Changyuan: "..."

Although I am proficient in the Six Arts, please don't make things too difficult for me, or you'll only be making things difficult for yourself.

Soon, the two sat side by side and drank together under the moon.

As Li Changyuan sipped the wine, he became somewhat tipsy, while Chen Muchuan's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He put his arm around Chen Muchuan's shoulder and said, "Sir, I'm not trying to be mean, but you're really ruthless."

Chen Muchuan: "..."

Since he's so drunk, I'll just kick him off the roof. He probably won't remember anything tomorrow.

Whether he remembers it or not is unknown, but at this height, he definitely won't be able to get up tomorrow.

Considering the consequences, Chen Muchuan decided to endure it.

"I wonder if you have heard of my lady's affairs, young master?"

"what?"

The sudden words caught Li Changyuan, whose mind was already foggy, off guard.

He took a deep breath to clear his head.

"Is it... Lady Qingyuan Marquis?"

Liu Jingyuan was posthumously granted the title of Second-Rank Marquis's Wife, with the honorary title of Qingyuan.

"Ah."

"Madam is a woman of great righteousness."

Hearing the comments about Liu Jingyuan from others, Chen Muchuan's coldness dissipated considerably, and under the soft, white moonlight, his usually stern face appeared even more gentle.

Li Changyuan was sitting next to Chen Muchuan, and could only see his flawless profile.

Now, his slight smile captivated Li Changyuan.

Chen Muchuan continued, "I remember you've been to Changchun Tower?"

"Yes."

"How does it feel?"

Feel……

A thought flashed through Li Changyuan's mind, and he jumped up immediately, "Changchun Tower is the Empress Dowager's property?"

Not bad.

The reason why Li Changyuan felt that the words on the Changchun Tower plaque looked familiar was because Zhou Zhou had written them.

and so……

"So, you knew about Miss Xi Qiu's identity all along?"

"Yes."

"That defense map?"

"It's true, but it's mixed with fake news."

However, this false information was enough to ensure that the people of Western Qin would never return.

"So all these years you've been...acting?"

"if not?"

“But,” Li Changyuan asked faster and faster, his mouth moving faster than his brain, “but Miss Xi Qiu’s temperament…”

Only after the question was asked did he realize his mistake and awkwardly shut his mouth.

Seeing that he felt pity for the spies, Chen Muchuan sneered—truly a child raised in the gentle embrace of Kyoto.

"The battle is about to begin, young master, just watch." After saying that, Chen Muchuan ignored him and flew down.

He went to the bedroom, unfolded the yellowed portrait, and was surprised to find that it was a painting by Liu Jingyuan.

The woman in the painting has bright white teeth and a radiant smile, like the warm and beautiful winter sun.

Chen Muchuan reached out and gently stroked it, "You've been gone for so long, but I haven't made a move to take revenge. You must be getting impatient, right?"

"Don't worry, it'll be quick."

"wait for me."

His bet with his father, Marquis Zhaoqing—those five cities—were not a bargaining chip to win a beautiful woman, but a gift to his wife.

beautiful woman?

How could she be worthy of being a spy from Western Qin?

substitute?

No, he has always known where his true home is.