The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and composure. He cupped his hands and said, "Oh? Princess Tuoba, please speak. I am willing to hear the details."

Tuoba Rou smiled knowingly, her voice clear as a silver bell: "I require you to complete this poem within seven steps, or you will never see my true face."

After speaking, she turned around gently, her back to Xiao Jinyan, her long hair dancing lightly in the wind, like a beautiful painting.

Xiao Jinyan thought to himself: Let alone seven steps, I could compose the poem in one step. After all, as a time traveler, I have countless masterpieces by ancient poets stored in my mind. What difficulty would it be to copy one?

However, he remained calm and composed, simply smiling and confidently replying, "No problem, Princess Tuoba, I will certainly not disappoint you."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou's smile widened. She slowly turned around, her eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation: "It seems that Commander Xiao is quite confident."

Xiao Jinyan straightened his back, his gaze firm: "Of course I'm confident. How can a man easily say he can't do it?"

Tuoba Rou nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes, but then she changed the subject and made a higher demand: "However, Commander Xiao, the poem I want you to write must not only be completed within the time limit, but also be exquisite in every word and moving in every line, so as to show your true talent and learning."

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly, confident: "Princess Tuoba, rest assured, you will judge its quality when the poem is completed."

Having said that, he paced back and forth, each step seemingly in rhythm, as if a masterpiece was about to emerge from his mind.

Xiao Jinyan spoke with a melodious and composed tone, his gaze sometimes gazing into the distance, sometimes lowered in thought.

Not far away, Tuoba Rou held an exquisite round fan, half-covering her face, revealing only her bright, star-like eyes, sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

"Commander Xiao, you have taken six steps. According to our agreement, if you take one more step and still have no masterpiece, you will not have the chance to see the true face of this princess."

Tuoba Rou's voice was clear and melodious, with a hint of playfulness that was hard to detect, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, creating gentle ripples.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan paused slightly, then took a decisive step forward, a step that seemed to embody all his talent and courage.

"Princess Tuoba, inspiration struck suddenly, but..."

"But what?" Tuoba Rou's curiosity was completely piqued. She gently put down her fan, leaned forward slightly, and her eyes were full of longing for the unknown.

"What I'm thinking of is not poetry in the traditional sense, but a ci poem. I wonder if the princess would be willing to make an exception and exchange a ci poem for a beautiful woman?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou smiled faintly, a smile as bright and gentle as a newly blossoming peach blossom.

"Poetry and lyrics share the same origin, and lyrics can also convey emotions and ideas, so why not? Commander Xiao, please."

Having received the princess's permission, Xiao Jinyan felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his inspiration flowed like a spring.

“Then I will compose a poem on the spot.” After saying this, he closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.

Overwhelmed with indignation and pride, Xiao Jinyan said, "My hair stands on end in anger, I lean against the railing as the rain subsides. I raise my eyes, look up at the sky and roar, my heart filled with fierce passion."

"Thirty years of fame and glory are but dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of road are but clouds and moon." He murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of vicissitude and helplessness. "Do not let time slip by idly, lest your youthful head turn white in vain regret!"

"The shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged. The hatred of the subjects, when will it end! I will drive my chariot and crush the Helan Mountains!" He vowed resolutely, as if he could already see himself leading thousands of troops, breaking through the Helan Mountains that blocked his way, and marching straight to the enemy's capital to wipe away the shame.

"With lofty ambitions, we'll feast on the flesh of the barbarians when we're hungry, and laughingly drink their blood when we're thirsty. We'll wait to start anew, reclaim our lost lands, and return to the imperial palace."

Tuoba Rou stood to the side, stunned, a profound and indescribable shock welling up within her. She had never heard such stirring and passionate words before; each line struck her heart like a heavy hammer, allowing her to feel the poet's deep patriotism and indomitable heroic spirit.

She thought to herself: This poem is simply a masterpiece, every word a gem, every line a tearful lament, making one's blood boil and wishing one could immediately throw oneself into the battlefield and fight alongside the poet.

After Xiao Jinyan finished reciting the last line, "Let's start anew, reclaim our lost lands, and face the imperial palace," Tuoba Rou slowly came back to her senses. She looked at the dashing man before her, her eyes shining with an unprecedented light.

Xiao Jinyan asked softly, "Princess, how was my poem?"

Tuoba Rou gently stroked her hair, her eyes sparkling with an unprecedented light, as if she had just awakened from a soul-stirring dream.

The poem exploded in her ears like a thunderclap, each word like a sharp blade, slicing through the tranquility of her heart. Especially the line, "With lofty ambition, I'll feast on the flesh of the barbarians when hungry, and laughingly drink their blood when thirsty," though spoken softly, surged like a stampede of horses, stirring her blood and causing a flush to rise on her usually composed face, her legs trembling involuntarily. This was not merely the power of the words, but the deep-seated patriotism that resonated within her soul.

"Who are the barbarians?" she wondered to herself, the horrific scenes of the battles between the Northern Wei and the Song Dynasty involuntarily flashing through her mind. Those concepts that were once vague in her eyes became so clear at this moment—the barbarians, weren't they the enemies who attempted to invade their territory and trample on their dignity?

This poem was written by Xiao Jinyan, a military officer of the Song Dynasty. No wonder the Song Dynasty had such brave and fearless heroes, no wonder they were able to defeat the Northern Wei in countless battles; their lofty ambitions had already destined them for greatness.

Tuoba Rouqing couldn't help but exclaim, "Commander Xiao, your lyrics are so well written, they've truly amazed me!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly and said slowly, "Would the princess do me the honor of removing her veil so that I may see her true face?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou felt a surge of inexplicable emotion, a mix of passion inspired by poetry and admiration for Xiao Jinyan's talent. She smiled slightly, a smile that held both girlish shyness and a resoluteness beyond her years: "General Xiao's poems are so well-written, let alone just looking at my face, what if I stripped naked and showed you my whole body?"

After he finished speaking, the air seemed to freeze for a moment, and even breathing became heavy.

Xiao Jinyan's gaze deepened. He gently shook his head, a playful smile playing on his lips: "These are the princess's words, so I'll have to 'appreciate' them properly. Princess, hurry up and take them off."

Tuoba Rou possessed a graceful figure, her eyes carrying a hint of untamed spirit and challenge. She spoke softly, "Alright, I'll let Commander Xiao examine my body right now."

After speaking, she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching her clothes. It seemed that every movement contained endless meaning and allure, as if she was preparing to remove that thin barrier and reveal her supreme nobility and secrets as a member of the royal family.

However, at this crucial moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Tuoba Rou had already removed two of her gorgeous clothes. Beneath the light gauze, her skin was faintly visible, like a flower blooming in the morning mist, inspiring imagination.

Just then, Xiao Jinyan suddenly spoke up: "Princess, I think he was just joking. You don't need to take it seriously."

Tuoba Rou stopped abruptly. She turned her head slightly, a hint of amusement and curiosity flashing in her eyes: "Oh? Commander Xiao isn't looking at my body anymore. Don't regret it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly, a smile that was both elegant and distant: "I am already content with the honor of seeing the princess's face, how could I dare to be presumptuous in the slightest?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou's lips curled into a deeper smile, a smile that contained a hint of confidence and a touch of provocation: "Commander Xiao, the beauty of my body far surpasses my appearance."

Xiao Jinyan shook her head slightly, her gaze firm: "It would be inappropriate to be so abrupt on our first meeting. I still think that seeing the princess's appearance is enough."

Tuoba Rou's smile gradually faded, and a complex light flashed in her eyes: "Commander Xiao, if you don't see this now, you may never have another chance. You'd better not regret it."

Xiao Jinyan took a deep breath, his gaze becoming even more resolute: "Princess, rest assured, I, Xiao Jinyan, have no regrets in this life. Just looking at your beauty is enough."

“Alright, then let’s show it to Commander Xiao.” Tuoba Rou’s voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an undeniable firmness, like a mountain spring that instantly broke the surrounding tranquility.

Having spoken, she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the thin veil that concealed her peerless beauty, a movement both elegant and resolute. The veil slipped down, like the first rays of dawn, and for that moment, the entire world seemed to pale in comparison. Her smile, warm and radiant, was like the most dazzling flower in spring, a smile that could topple cities and kingdoms, breathtakingly beautiful.

Xiao Jinyan, who was usually unfazed even by the collapse of Mount Tai, stood frozen in place, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light. He murmured to himself, "I never imagined the princess would be so beautiful, truly a peerless beauty."

Seeing this, Tuoba Rou's lips curled into a playful smile: "How about it, Commander Xiao, do you regret not having the chance to peek at my body before?"

Xiao Jinyan came to his senses and gave a bitter smile: "I do regret it. There is such a beauty in the world, but I failed to discover her sooner."

Tuoba Rou chuckled, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes, and deliberately drew out her words: "Tell Commander Xiao that my figure is excellent, with perfect proportions, every part just right."

After speaking, she twirled slightly, her clothes fluttering, like a fairy descending to earth, adding to her allure.

Xiao Jinyan's heart skipped a beat, and he said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Why don't you strip naked now and let me see, so that I can prove that what you said is true?"

Tuoba Rou's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her calm smile, her tone tinged with arrogance: "Hmph, I won't let you see. Do you think you can just look at my body as you please? Unless..."

She paused deliberately, whetting Xiao Jinyan's appetite.

"Then how can I see the princess's body?" Xiao Jinyan asked impatiently, her eyes full of anticipation.

Tuoba Rou smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with wisdom: "Unless you agree to one condition, one that may not be too difficult for you, but is enough to test your sincerity."

Xiao Jinyan's brows revealed an undeniable determination, and his voice was steady and powerful: "Princess Tuoba, please state your conditions."

Tuoba Rou parted her lips slightly, each word resounding: "Your father, Xiao Cheng, captured my elder brother, Tuoba Mao, alive. On this premise, our Great Wei will never stand idly by while our loved ones suffer. We are willing to exchange cities for my brother's release."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly: "What the princess said is very true. Our Great Song Dynasty also had this intention. Peaceful coexistence is the best policy."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou felt somewhat relieved and then expressed the sincerity of the Great Wei: "Then the Great Wei is willing to cede ten cities to show its sincerity. Commander Xiao, can you make the decision on this matter?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded gently, his gaze deep: "Princess, rest assured, I can naturally make the decision on this matter."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou's face showed a hint of relief, thinking that the overall situation was settled. Her tone was filled with urgency and joy: "That's wonderful. In that case, our two countries will agree to exchange ten cities for my brother Tuoba Mao's safe return to the country."

However, just when the deal seemed to be finalized, Xiao Jinyan abruptly changed the subject, her tone resolute and unwavering: "No."

Tuoba Rou was taken aback, her delicate brows furrowing, a mixture of confusion and anger in her eyes: "Xiao Jinyan, what do you mean by that? Why won't it work?"

Xiao Jinyan slowly raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a desire for victory and loyalty to the country: "Princess, you misunderstand. It is not that our Great Song is greedy, but that these ten cities are insufficient to demonstrate the majesty of our Great Song, nor to mend the past enmities. If we wish to negotiate peace, we need fifteen cities."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Rou's expression changed drastically. She had not expected Xiao Jinyan to make such a request. For a moment, the atmosphere became so tense that it was almost suffocating: "Xiao Jinyan, don't be greedy! Fifteen cities, do you know what that means?"