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

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's brows did not completely relax, but his expression softened slightly. He sighed softly, "Alas, since that's the case, we still cannot be careless. In this turbulent time, any negligence could bring about utter disaster."

Yang Rong, standing to the side, sharply scanned the area, her tone decisive and leaving no room for delay: "Yinrui, you'd better tell us quickly what brings you here. After you've told us, you still need to hurry back to the manor outside the city to protect the Crown Princess and Princess Xincai. At the same time, you must be careful not to let Liu Kun and his gang discover your whereabouts. Our great cause is at a critical moment, and we cannot afford any mistakes."

Li Yuerui nodded gently, her expression becoming unusually serious: "Husband, to be honest, I have come here today to discuss an important matter, which concerns whether our great cause can proceed smoothly."

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping across the three faces, as if searching for resonance and resolve.

A strange unease welled up in Xiao Jinyan's heart, as if she had a premonition that the secret about to be revealed was no small matter.

"What on earth is going on?"

Li Yuerui gently bit her lower lip, her eyes flashing with a complex light: "Husband, I brought two people with me this time."

"Who is it?" Xiao Jinyan's gaze sharpened instantly. An ominous premonition welled up in his heart, yet he couldn't help but want to find out.

"My husband, please come with me. You'll see when we get there."

Li Yuerui moved gracefully, leading Xiao Jinyan and Yang Rong along the winding corridor to the most secluded courtyard of the Duke of Qi's mansion.

The courtyard is hidden behind a lush bamboo forest, making it exceptionally quiet and secluded.

Pushing open the mottled wooden door, a musty, slightly damp smell wafted out. The room was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the window frames, barely illuminating the outline of the interior.

"Click——"

As the footsteps drew nearer, a slight noise came from inside the house. Then, two figures slowly turned around, their faces gradually becoming clear in the dim light. It was a feeling of familiarity mixed with strangeness, like old friends reunited after a long separation, or like old acquaintances seen again after a lifetime.

"Generals, what brings you here?"

Xiao Jinyan's voice was filled with disbelief and shock. Before him stood the once-renowned "Fire God Steed" Tan Lin and "Northern Gun King" Han Xiu.

These two heroes, who once fought side by side and made great contributions to the country and the nation, are now mysteriously appearing here. How could he not feel puzzled and excited?

Tan Lin, dressed in a fiery red battle robe, had eyes that seemed ready to ignite the flames of battle at any moment; Han Xiu, on the other hand, held a long spear in his hand, looking dashing and heroic, as if the wind and snow of the northern border were still frozen between his brows.

Tan Lin, with a dashing and elegant demeanor and a gentle smile on his lips, softly said to Xiao Jinyan, who stood with his hands behind his back, "Jinyan, how have you been? It's been a long time, and you still look as charming as ever."

Beside him, Han Xiu, dressed in battle robes, exuded an imposing and dignified air. He laughed heartily, his voice resounding like a bell throughout the hall: "Jin Yan, we meet again! Since we parted ways in Jiankang Death Row, time has flown by, truly a blink of an eye."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan glanced at the two men with a gentle gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said with emotion, "Are you two generals doing well in Pengcheng? With frequent battles, it is truly remarkable that you can stand alone."

Upon hearing this, Tan Lin's expression turned serious, and he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your concern, Jin Yan. Your father values ​​us highly and regards us as his right arms. We have thrived in the army and have made many outstanding contributions."

Han Xiu nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with gratitude: "Yes, Jin Yan, if it weren't for your timely help back then, we would probably be prisoners by now, and we wouldn't be the generals who command heavy troops and are so powerful in this region today."

Xiao Jinyan gently shook his head, his tone full of sincerity: "Generals, please don't say that. You have won this all through your own hard work and talent. I, Xiao Jinyan, am just the one who connects the dots. The real heroes are you."

With a hint of intelligence and gentleness in her eyes, Yang Rong softly interjected, "Generals, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. But judging from your expressions, you must have something important to discuss."

Li Yuerui's words were filled with unwavering determination: "Of course. The two generals have come to the Duke of Qi's mansion to discuss important matters with my husband. These matters concern the nation and its people, and should not be underestimated."

Tan Lin's voice was calm and firm as he said, "That's right, Jin Yan. Han Xiu and I have returned this time to lend you a hand and completely eliminate Liu Kun, this tyrannical emperor who is wreaking havoc on the court, and restore peace to the world."

Han Xiu immediately echoed, his voice carrying an undeniable air of pride: "That's right, Jin Yan. Your father has generously provided us with 100,000 elite troops, all under your command, to help you eliminate Liu Kun, restore the crumbling state, and allow the people to see the light of day again."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible flicker of excitement flashed in Xiao Jinyan's eyes. He knew all too well what this meant. The flames of war in the North had finally been extinguished, allowing his father, Xiao Cheng, to extricate himself from the tense border defense and redeploy his precious troops to focus on dealing with the treacherous officials within the country.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to absorb all the weighty trust and expectation into his chest, and then said loudly, "Excellent! With the assistance of two such loyal and courageous heroes as these two generals, how can I, Xiao Jinyan, not succeed in my great undertaking! This battle will surely be won, and the nation will surely be safe!"

At this moment, Li Yuerui smiled gently, her smile carrying a hint of playfulness and confidence. She parted her lips slightly and said to Xiao Jinyan, "Husband, you should understand now, right? We now command an army of 100,000, which is like adding wings to a tiger. Even if I am a 'criminal' on the wanted list, who would dare to easily lay a finger on me? In this world, strength ultimately speaks."

With a hint of doubt and confusion in her eyes, Yang Rong slowly said, "Yes, I still can't figure it out. Where did Yinrui get the audacity to leave that impregnable manor without permission? Wasn't she afraid of being wanted by the court, or worried about the safety of the Crown Princess and Princess Xincai? There must be some hidden story that we haven't noticed."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuerui smiled faintly: "Sister is absolutely right. The Crown Princess and Princess Xincai are surrounded by 100,000 elite soldiers who are like shadows, and their protection is as tight as an insurmountable barrier. How could my insignificant strength compare? Even if there were a real need, it wouldn't be my turn to go to the front line."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's eyes shone brightly, and a carefree smile appeared on his lips: "Very well! In that case, why don't we seize this opportunity to accomplish something truly magnificent? Rather than lingering on the edge of power, let's step directly into the eye of the storm and let the world witness our strength!"

Upon hearing this, a glint of excitement flashed in Tan Lin's eyes. He clenched his fists, as if he couldn't wait to throw himself into the impending battle: "Jin Yan, you're right! We've waited too long for this day. You tell us what to do, and we'll do it! No matter what, whether it's a mountain of knives or a sea of ​​fire, or a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, I, Tan Lin, swear to follow you to the death!"

Han Xiu followed closely behind, his voice carrying a hint of composure and authority: "Yes, Jin Yan, now the 100,000 troops are all under your command, and there are 50,000 Imperial Guards as your backup. You are a sharp sword in this chaotic world. Wherever you point, we will charge there! You tell us what to do, and we will do it without hesitation!"

Li Yuerui's eyes shone with an unprecedented light, a light of pride and honor for her husband: "Not only does he command 100,000 troops, but he also holds 50,000 Imperial Guards in his hands. This is the true power of the emperor. Jinyan, with this force, we will surely make a name for ourselves in this chaotic world and let the world know that we are no ordinary people!"

Yang Rong snorted lightly, her eyes flashing with a resolute light, and said to the crowd, "Hmph, we now command an army of 150,000. With the thunder of their iron hooves, why should we worry about that tyrannical Liu Kun not being destroyed? His dynasty is already a candle flickering in the storm. We only need to set it on fire to completely devour it."

Upon hearing this, Tan Lin's brows furrowed with boundless ambition. He stood up and looked intently at Xiao Jinyan: "Jinyan, tell me, what should we do? It's time for this empire to have a new master!"

Xiao Jinyan gently smoothed the wrinkles on his robes, his eyes deep. He spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "Very well, then I will begin the preparations. This battle concerns the lives of all people, and even more so our own lives. We must proceed with utmost caution."

Han Xiu could no longer contain his excitement. He urged impatiently, "Jin Yan, tell me the tactics! I'm getting impatient! When can we turn Liu Kun's palace into a sea of ​​fire?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly, then turned his gaze to Tan Lin, his expression turning serious: "Tan Lin, listen to my command!"

Tan Lin straightened his chest abruptly and shouted in a booming voice, "Your subordinate is here!"

"Tanlin, I order you to lead 50,000 elite troops to silently capture Dongfu City. You must secretly monitor the movements of Zhan Ying's forces and not let your guard down. If you discover any unusual activity from him, kill him without hesitation, without asking for permission, to prevent future troubles!"

Tan Lin accepted the order, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "Yes! This subordinate will certainly not fail your expectations!"

Then, Xiao Jinyan turned his gaze to Han Xiu, his tone carrying a barely perceptible gentleness: "Han Xiu, you will also lead 50,000 troops straight to Zhuque Bridge, the vital passage to Stone City. Your mission is to quickly capture Zhuque Bridge, besiege Stone City, and at the same time closely monitor the movements of Xue Wenyi's forces. Remember, Xue Wenyi is cunning and shrewd; if you discover any sign of his activity, kill him without mercy!"

Upon hearing this, Han Xiu's eyes flashed with a fanatical light. He clenched his fists, as if he could already see the dawn of victory: "Yes! Jin Yan, rest assured, the Vermilion Bird Bridge will surely become Xue Wenyi's burial ground! We will win this battle!"

Li Yuerui parted her lips slightly, her eyes gleaming with determination: "Husband, what should I do? I can't just be a bystander at this crucial moment."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's gaze sharpened, and he tightly grasped Li Yuerui's hand. The warmth emanating from his palm seemed to dispel all gloom.

"My lady, you once served as a captain in the Imperial Guards, and your knowledge of the palace's layout is unparalleled. This time, I need you to fight alongside me, to storm the palace together, to kill that tyrannical and incompetent emperor, and to seek justice for the people!"

A flicker of excitement flashed in Li Yuerui's eyes, as if the anger and resentment that had been building up for so long had finally found an outlet.

“Yes, my husband! I have waited for this day for far too long. From the moment I was forced to leave the Imperial Guard to this chaotic world, the fire in my heart has never been extinguished. This time, let us join hands and let that tyrant know the power of justice and courage!”

At this moment, Yang Rong gently stroked her swollen belly, her eyes filled with both tenderness and helplessness.

“My husband, I… I am pregnant, and it is very inconvenient for me. This time, I will not fight alongside you. I think protecting our child is also my contribution to this battle.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, then relaxed, a gentle yet undeniable smile curving his lips: "Madam, what are you joking about? You don't know any martial arts at all. Even if you weren't pregnant, would you be able to charge into battle with us? Your task is to focus on your pregnancy and protect our child. That's the greatest support you can give us."

Seeing this, Li Yuerui quickly stepped forward, gently patted Yang Rong's shoulder, and comforted her, "Yes, sister, you want to charge into battle, but your husband doesn't need you. We each have our own tasks. Your task is to take good care of this little life and let him become our new hope in the future. As for me, I will carry your courage and move forward with my husband."

Yang Rong gently bit her lower lip, her eyes sparkling with determination and tenderness. She slowly said, "Alright, since that's the case, then I will light incense for you deep within this mansion. Every wisp of smoke carries my deep concern and endless wishes for you. I hope your journey will be smooth and that you will return safely."