Women disguised as men went to the battlefield and the emperor bowed down in submission.

Xuanyuan Yu returned to the Chu King's Mansion and quickly dealt with military affairs. He sent an urgent message to the generals on the western border, ordering them to enter a state of high alert, intensify troop training, stockpile grain and fodder, and fortify the city in preparation for an invasion by the Lanling Kingdom.

After arranging everything, Xuanyuan Yu returned to the palace.

News of Baili Heng's serious injury by the King of Chu had already reached the palace. Chu Xiao summoned the court officials to the Golden Palace for a meeting and ordered the arrest of Xuan Yuan Yu.

The Imperial Guards received the order, and before they even left the Imperial City, Xuanyuan Yu had already arrived at the Golden Palace.

Chu Xiao slammed his fist on the table and stood up, demanding, "Xuanyuan Yu, you severely injured the Crown Prince of Lanling Kingdom. What are you trying to do? Do you know that this will ignite a war between our two countries?"

Xuanyuan Yu cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have important military news that I need to report to you privately."

Chu Xiao and Xuan Yuan Yu arrived at the Imperial Study together. Xuan Yuan Yu said, "Your Majesty, Baili Heng molested Princess Yongle today, and I happened to witness it. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may ask the princess yourself."

Chu Xiao clenched his fists. He couldn't believe that the refined and gentle Baili Heng could do such a thing. He wished he could go over there now and stab Baili Heng in the heart twice more.

He can bully anyone, but he can never bully his own sister.

"Your Majesty, I have already taught him a lesson. He is currently seriously injured, and whether he lives or dies is no longer important."

"As long as I can provoke the Lanling Kingdom to send troops against our country, then my goal will be achieved."

Chu Xiao asked in confusion, "Why does the King of Chu want to start a war?"

"Because the negotiations between Lanling Kingdom and our country are a pretense, their true intention is to attack Canghesa City on the western border. If Canghesa City falls, then the military defense capabilities of our five cities within our borders will be utterly insufficient to resist them. Recently, I received intelligence that Lanling Kingdom has already amassed a million soldiers in the western border region. Some have already infiltrated Canghesa City, while a large number are disguised as civilians and scattered in various villages around Canghesa City. As long as they have all their military supplies ready, Lanling Kingdom will definitely launch an attack on our country within a year. Currently, our western border garrison has 600,000 troops, including 200,000 elite soldiers. Outnumbered, the chances of victory are slim. If we want to be certain of victory, we need support from all sides. Now that Baili Heng is injured, they will definitely launch the war ahead of schedule. If their preparations are not yet sufficient, our chances of winning will be even greater."

As he spoke, Xuan Yuan Yu marked the geographical locations of Cangcheng and Sacheng, as well as the five surrounding cities, on the map so that Chu Xiao could gain a deeper understanding.

"Your Majesty, war with Lanling Kingdom is inevitable. Currently, all the spies in Canghesa City have been taken into custody by our army. What we need to do now is to prepare for war quickly," Xuanyuan Yu said solemnly and earnestly.

Chu Xiao nodded, and the two headed to the Golden Palace together.

The ministers, who had been waiting for a long time, thought that the emperor would punish Xuan Yuan Yu, but what they received was news that the emperor was preparing to go to war with Lan Ling Kingdom.

The Emperor ordered the six ministries—the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works—to enter a state of first-level preparedness. All military supplies must be prepared within two months. In addition, 200,000 troops each from the southern and northern border cities were to be deployed to support the western border.

They studied the situation for seven days in a row, and all the deployment work was basically completed.

Chu Xiao and Xuan Yuan Yu relaxed a little, and Lin Ruoshui's illness improved a lot. Her damaged heart meridian was slowly recovering, but she still often experienced angina.

Whenever she experienced angina, Xuanyuan Yu would take her to a hot spring and exchange souls with her, so that almost every time an attack occurred, Xuanyuan Yu would silently endure it.

Lin Ruoshui couldn't say she wasn't moved, but she was still afraid...

One month later, Lin Ruoshui's internal and external injuries had almost healed, but she still had some discomfort in her heart.

Early in the morning, Lin Ruoshui and Xuanyuan Yu soaked in the hot spring. Their souls returned to their respective places. Lin Ruoshui scooped up some hot spring water and splashed it on Xuanyuan Yu's face. Xuanyuan Yu squinted his eyes and asked Lin Ruoshui, "How have you been lately?"

Lin Ruoshui replied, "I feel great today. My body doesn't feel so heavy anymore, and I feel strength in my arms and legs."

Xuanyuan Yu smiled happily, a golden light flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Then may I do some things with my wife that we love to do?"

Lin Ruoshui asked, "What is it? Stop calling me 'husband,' I haven't even married you yet!"

Upon hearing those vulgar words, Xuanyuan Yu frowned and said, "I have said before that those who use vulgar language will be punished."

When Lin Ruoshui saw Xuan Yuan Yu looking at her with lecherous eyes, she felt that she was in great danger in the hot spring, so she hurriedly ran to the edge of the pool.

How could Xuanyuan Yu let her go? He grabbed Lin Ruoshui's inner garment from the back and tried to pull her into his arms.

He embraced Lin Ruoshui and said, "Don't go, I still have something to say."

Lin Ruoshui glared at Xuan Yuan Yu through gritted teeth and asked, "What do you have to say? Hurry up, I need to go back and get dressed."

Xuanyuan Yu said, "My lady, don't be impatient. I have important business to discuss." As he spoke, he began to light a fire on Lin Ruoshui's back.

Lin Ruoshui's breathing was a little erratic. She asked, "What important matter is it? Just tell me quickly. Can you please stop touching me when you're talking about important matters?"

The smooth, slippery skin on the palms is like a peeled egg, making it irresistible to touch.

He said, "I am going back to the western frontier. I didn't want to take you with me, but now we have to exchange souls every day, so you have to come with me."

Lin Ruoshui's eyes lit up when she heard Xuan Yuan Yu's words.

Lin Ruoshui looked at Xuan Yuan Yu with bright, sparkling eyes and said, "You're going to take me to the battlefield? That's great! I've been wanting to leave the palace for a long time. I'll tell my brother today."

Xuanyuan Yu thought Lin Ruoshui would be in a difficult position, but he didn't expect her to be willing to follow him.

Xuanyuan Yu was overjoyed and naturally kissed her soft lips and cheeks.

Lin Ruoshui was ambushed. She pushed Xuan Yuan Yu, who immediately took her soft upper lip into his mouth, gently bit it, and then used his tongue to pry open her teeth.

Their lips intertwined, and Lin Ruoshui, with her eyes open, looked at Xuan Yuan Yu, who had closed his eyes in emotion. This man was handsome and carefree when his eyes were open, and like a bewitching demon when his eyes were closed.

At this moment, the male demon's fair skin turned pink, and his breath sprayed onto Lin Ruoshui's cheeks, feeling incredibly hot.

Lin Ruoshui pulled him ashore and made him sit by the hot spring pool. Xuanyuan Yu was puzzled as to what Lin Ruoshui was doing.

Lin Ruoshui transformed into a bewitching demon, willingly allowing him to be slowly devoured, even until nothing was left. The feeling was so exquisite that he wished he could die immediately.

Her eyes, like two sparkling gems, gazed tenderly at him; her long eyelashes trembled gently, as if butterfly wings were leading his soul in a graceful dance.

When Lin Ruoshui felt a little tired, she stood up and said to Xuan Yuanyu, "Your Highness, this princess is tired and needs to go back to the palace to change."

Xuan Yuan Yu's dazed eyes were veiled with tears. He was stunned for a moment, unable to believe that Lin Ruo Shui, that damned woman, would actually run away at the crucial moment.