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

She slowly took out a delicate little bottle from her bosom. The bottle shimmered with a faint green light, making it appear particularly mysterious in the dim environment.

Liu Kun's pupils dilated with fear, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Heroine... what are you going to do?"

Green Pearl parted her lips slightly, a hint of mockery in her smile: "Even death row inmates have to drink a farewell toast before being beheaded. This is a farewell toast that I, Green Pearl, have specially prepared for you."

Liu Kun's face turned deathly pale instantly. He barely managed to squeeze out a few words: "What kind of wine is this... is it poison?"

Green Pearl frowned impatiently, her voice turning colder: "Stop talking nonsense."

Immediately, she reached out her slender hand, grabbed Liu Kun's chin tightly, and forced him to open his mouth. At that moment, Liu Kun seemed to see death beckoning to him, and the bottle of liquid in Green Pearl's hand was his ticket to hell.

Without a word, Green Pearl flicked her wrist, and the liquid in the bottle, like a small silver snake, swiftly slid down Liu Kun's throat. Liu Kun's body trembled violently, a mixture of terror and despair flashing in his eyes. He tried to struggle, but found himself firmly controlled by Green Pearl's power, forced to let the unknown liquid ravage his body.

Liu Kun felt an indescribable itch spreading from the depths of his bone marrow, as if millions of tiny insects were crawling rampant inside him, or as if he were being burned by a raging fire. Pain and itching intertwined to form an invisible net that tightly bound him.

He flailed his limbs wildly, his body rolling uncontrollably on the ground, each impact accompanied by a piercing wail: "Heroine, spare me! Heroine, spare me!"

Yang Rong stood to the side, her brows furrowed, her gaze sharp as a sword, staring directly at Green Pearl, who was holding a small porcelain bottle beside her. Her tone was tinged with confusion: "Green Pearl, what did you give him to drink?"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Green Pearl's lips, a smile tinged with resolute glee as she gently shook the porcelain bottle in her hand: "This is called Soul-Severing Water. Once it enters the mouth, it's a taste worse than death. To deal with a tyrannical and cruel ruler like Liu Kun, who is licentious and persecutes loyal officials, how can we not let him taste the ultimate pain in this world, to be worthy of those innocent and wronged souls?"

Li Yuerui stood to the side, her face cold and indifferent, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. She snorted coldly, "Hmph, rather than torturing us like this, it would be better to end it all with a single cut. It would be cleaner and quicker, and save us from getting our hands dirty."

Green Pearl shook her head gently, a cunning glint in her eyes, seemingly enjoying the dual torment of mind and body: "No rush, no rush. Let him struggle in this boundless pain a little longer, let him personally experience the despair and fear suffered by those innocent people who died because of him. This is the best punishment for him."

Liu Kun's cries grew increasingly shrill. His voice was hoarse, his face was covered in sweat and dirt, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was almost losing his mind: "I'm in so much pain... Just kill me! Please... Give me a quick death!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong felt a mix of emotions. She gently shook her head, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Oh, Liu Kun, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? You will have to reap the bitter fruit of your actions."

After a while, Liu Kun's twisted and pained face became extremely ferocious. His hair was already in a mess, like straw ravaged by a storm, sticking haphazardly to his forehead, and sweat and tears mingled together, slowly sliding down his cheeks.

His body trembled uncontrollably, his hands flailing wildly as if in a frenzy, his fingertips digging deep into his skin, leaving shocking bloody marks, as if trying to etch all the pain and despair onto his broken body.

"You...kill me!" Liu Kun's voice was hoarse and strained, each word seemingly squeezed out from the depths of his throat, filled with endless pleading and a longing for release.

At this moment, Yang Rong glanced at Li Yuerui. Li Yuerui understood immediately, and a resolute smile appeared on her lips. She slowly drew the gleaming long knife from her waist, adding a touch of sinister intent.

"Liu Kun, prepare to die!" Li Yuerui's voice was as cold as the wind.

Liu Kun closed his eyes, a strange calm appearing on his face. He tilted his head back, his bare neck appearing exceptionally pale and fragile, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

"I wish that in my next life I will not be born into an imperial family..."

At that very moment, Li Yuerui flicked her wrist, and the long sword transformed into a silver lightning bolt, slashing fiercely towards Liu Kun's neck.

With a soft "splat," blood gushed out instantly, like a blooming, alluring flower, staining Liu Kun's clothes red and wetting Li Yuerui's hem. Liu Kun's body shuddered violently, then collapsed limply to the ground, dead.

Yang Rong watched this scene silently, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. She slowly walked to Liu Kun's body and whispered, "Xi'er, your great revenge has finally been avenged for you. May your spirit rest in peace in heaven."

Three days later, the setting sun, as red as blood, dyed the sky a brilliant orange-red. Xiao Jinyan stood alone on the banks of the Yangtze River. The river surged and roared, its vast waves seemingly carrying endless history and vicissitudes. Each lap against the shore seemed to tell the tales of past heroes and their joys and sorrows.

Xiao Jinyan, his robes fluttering, gazed intently at the vast expanse of water, as if trying to take in everything in the world.

Just then, a soft yet slightly hurried sound of footsteps broke the silence. Yang Rong slowly walked up behind him and said softly, "Husband, Liu Kun... is dead."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan remained motionless, gazing into the distance with a complex and enigmatic smile playing on his lips, as if he were reminiscing or deep in thought.

"Looking eastward to Jieshi, I gaze upon the vast sea."

He began to recite softly, his voice low yet each word powerful and resonant, as if in harmony with the ceaseless flow of the river.

"The water is calm and still, the mountains and islands stand tall and majestic. Trees grow in abundance, and grasses flourish."

As the autumn wind began to blow, carrying a hint of coolness, it also ruffled Xiao Jinyan's long hair, echoing the waves on the river.

"The autumn wind is bleak, and the waves are surging. The sun and moon seem to rise from within it; the starry sky seems to emerge from within it. How fortunate I am! I sing to express my aspirations."

His voice grew louder and louder, each word seemingly imbued with life, leaping through the air and weaving with the roar of the Yangtze River into a stirring symphony. At that moment, he seemed no longer to be the wise strategist, but a poet with lofty ambitions, yearning to conquer the stars and the sea.

Yang Rong stood behind him, gazing at Xiao Jinyan's lonely yet resolute back, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She softly called out, "Husband, what time is it? You still have the mind to write poetry."

Xiao Jinyan finally turned around, his gaze gentle and profound: "Madam, is my poem not good?"

Yang Rong gazed at her husband with tender yet firm eyes, a smile of admiration playing on her lips: "Husband, your poem is truly wonderful, every word a gem, full of deep emotion, making one feel as if they are amidst the ever-changing clouds and mountains. However, we may have more pressing and important matters to attend to before us."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, asking with a mixture of doubt and nervousness, "Oh? What is it that you are talking about, Madam, that makes you still think about such a beautiful line?"

Yang Rong sighed softly, a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashing in her eyes. Her tone was resolute: "Although Liu Kun has been brought to justice, the world is still firmly in the hands of those surnamed Liu. How can our great cause vanish because of the death of one man?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's expression became complicated. He slowly walked to Yang Rong's side and looked at her with deep eyes: "Madam, have you still not been able to completely let go of the hatred for the fall of Qiuchi? Do you hope that I will use my own hands to overthrow the seemingly indestructible Song Dynasty?"

Yang Rong turned around, gently placing her hands on Xiao Jinyan's shoulders, her eyes glistening with tears: "Husband, you are wrong. I have long since become one with you. My hatred, my dreams, have all become our shared destiny. Moreover, my body is now carrying our child, who will be our future and the continuation of our hopes. Everything I have done is not just for revenge, but for us, for our child."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan felt a surge of complex emotions. He gently stroked Yang Rong's slightly protruding belly, his gaze softening yet becoming firm: "Madam, you're right. For our child, for a brighter future, we must take action. So, what's our next step?"

Yang Rong's brows revealed an undeniable determination. She spoke softly, "Our next goal is to reach the supreme realm."

Xiao Jinyan's eyes were deep and unfathomable. He frowned slightly upon hearing this. He knew the difficulties and dangers of this path, but he still maintained a calm analysis: "What you say is very true, but these Liu princes, although their strength has been greatly reduced under Liu Kun's ruthless policy of weakening the princes, their foundation and potential power should not be underestimated. In the course of history, how many heroes have fallen because they underestimated their opponents."

Yang Rong's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile that contained both disdain and confidence: "Those so-called princes surnamed Liu, in my opinion, are nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot, not worth fearing. Even Emperor Liu Huan, who sits on the dragon throne, is nothing more than a puppet manipulated by you. What waves can he possibly stir up?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. He slowly said, "Madam, you must not be deceived by appearances. Take, for example, Liu Yixuan, the Prince of Jingling. He is cunning and resourceful, and has been entrenched in Yizhou for many years. He commands 100,000 elite soldiers, all of whom are battle-hardened warriors. He should not be underestimated. Another example is Liu Xun, the Prince of Jin'an. He is deeply rooted in Jiangzhou, with tens of thousands of elite soldiers ready for battle. If he makes a move, he will also be a force to be reckoned with."

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong showed no fear whatsoever; instead, her smile widened, revealing an air of domineering arrogance: "My husband is overthinking it. These so-called elite troops are nothing but ants in my eyes. With just a command from you, my iron cavalry will sweep them away like autumn leaves, leaving them utterly annihilated. The world's affairs are such that after a long period of unity, there will be division, and after a long period of division, there will be unity. This time, it is time for us to write history."

Xiao Jinyan frowned, his gaze deep. He spoke slowly, his voice low and firm: "But, Madam, do you know that the Prince of Jingling is Liu Lianyue's biological father? Am I, Xiao Jinyan, really going to lay a hand on this elder for the sake of power struggles? How can I face the moral and ethical boundaries?"

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in Yang Rong's eyes. She gently smoothed her sleeve and said, "Husband, are you really going to give up this empire that is within your grasp so easily for the sake of a woman? This empire is the land that countless heroes have dreamed of, the foundation that we have painstakingly built over the years. Lian Yue's feelings are certainly important, but what do personal emotions matter compared to this grand undertaking?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan felt a mix of emotions. He stared at Yang Rong, trying to find the answer in her eyes.

After a moment of silence, he finally sighed, his tone carrying a hint of compromise: "Of course I want the world. But, Lian Yue... I must also take good care of her feelings."

Seeing this, Yang Rong smiled with satisfaction. She stepped forward and held Xiao Jinyan's hand tightly. His hands were warm and strong, as if they could convey endless courage and determination: "That's good, my husband. Let me, Yang Rong, assist you. Let's fight side by side and conquer this world together!"

Just as their eyes met, and they were determined to embark on this unknown journey together, a gentle figure quietly appeared.

It was Yu Xin'er. She smiled, her eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "I am here too. I am by my husband's side. No matter how difficult or dangerous the road ahead may be, I am willing to walk with my husband."

Immediately afterward, Guan Lingxuan also stepped out. Her steps were light, yet they carried an unyielding determination: "And me, I am also willing to serve my husband wholeheartedly and work together for a great cause."

Then, Green Pearl emerged from the shadows with a mix of playfulness and determination. Her voice was clear and melodious: "Count me in too, my husband. Though I am not very talented, I will do my best to help you."

Then, Li Yuerui slowly stepped in, her eyes gentle and deep: "And me, I am also willing to stand on my husband's side, through thick and thin, never to leave him."

Finally, Yan Daoxiu slowly stepped forward, her eyes firm and profound: "Count me in too."

Xiao Jinyan turned around, his gaze sweeping over the group of stunningly beautiful women before him. Each one seemed to have stepped out of a historical painting, each carrying a unique charm and elegance. A confident smile played on his lips, his voice deep and magnetic: "With so many confidantes supporting me, how can I, Xiao Jinyan, not succeed in my great undertaking? This deep affection is the greatest treasure of my life."

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Jinyan. Her eyes sparkled with boundless anticipation and determination for the future: "Husband, let us fight side by side, with the Yangtze River as our witness, vowing to conquer the world and create our own glory!"

Yu Xin'er followed closely behind, her voice clear and melodious: "Conquer the world!"

Immediately afterwards, Guan Lingxuan and the other women seemed to be drawn by an invisible force. Some were gentle, some were heroic, and some were agile, but at this moment they gathered into an unstoppable torrent and shouted in unison: "Conquer the world!"

The sound, like ten thousand horses galloping, reverberated across the Yangtze River, deeply moving and awe-inspiring.

Xiao Jinyan's eyes shone brightly as he looked at the group of women who were willing to go through fire and water for him. An unprecedented sense of pride and ambition welled up in his heart: "Not only will we seize the Song Dynasty, but we will also unify the country and let the people of this land bask in the sunshine of peace and prosperity!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong's eyes flashed with excitement. She gripped Xiao Jinyan's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Alright, then let's unify the country, let history remember this moment, and let future generations sing our legend!"

Yu Xin'er responded again, her voice filled with unwavering determination: "To unify the country!"

Immediately afterwards, Guan Lingxuan and the other women shouted in unison: "Unify the country!"

At this moment, everyone's hearts were closely connected, and their voices converged into an irresistible force, echoing along the banks of the Yangtze River, enduring for a long time...