The pampered heiress holds the script and leads her cannon fodder family to a counterattack.

"After his subordinate said, 'Our Chiling tribe is already small in number, and if we attack Dayao, it might bring us a devastating blow,' Marquis Zhong'an realized something was wrong, indicating that there was a problem with that statement."

Qin Wanying frowned in thought.

Why is there a problem with this statement?

The Crimson Feather Tribe is already sparsely populated. What Mu Yan said seemed perfectly reasonable and without any problems.

"Since the Red Feather Tribe has a small population and is relatively weak, why did they still attack Dayao?" Mu Yan asked.

Qin Wanying felt a sudden flash of inspiration, as if something had become clear.

“Although the Crimson Feather Tribe has a small population, it would be very powerful if they united with other tribes,” Qin Wanying said.

Xiao Jiye nodded: "It is indeed very likely. The Chiling tribe's geographical location makes it the most convenient for them to come into Dayao territory. Therefore, those two Chiling tribe envoys were actually representing multiple northern tribes in negotiations with Dayao."

The more they thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Unfortunately, it's unclear which tribes have united now.

The worst-case scenario is that all the tribes in the North unite.

If that were the case, it would be very disadvantageous for Yao.

Qin Wanying began to worry about Qin Xiaorong.

Her second brother is in the northern border; I wonder if he can handle it?

Xiao Jiye quickly reported their speculations to the Emperor.

The emperor also looked solemn, feeling that their speculations were reasonable and very likely.

Therefore, Qin Yezhong was summoned to discuss how to deal with such a situation.

Although Qin Yezhong had not been on the battlefield for a long time, the emperor still highly recognized his military capabilities.

Qin Yezhong was extremely skilled in strategizing and planning.

Qin Yezhong offered his own approach.

The emperor's eyes lit up after hearing this.

"Having General Qin is a blessing for our Great Yao!" the Emperor exclaimed.

They immediately dispatched people to act according to the methods given by Qin Yezhong.

After Qin Yezhong withdrew, the Emperor and Xiao Jiye remained in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

"General Qin has served the Great Yao for many years, yet he is only a marquis. I intend to elevate his rank. If we win the war against the northern border, I plan to bestow upon him the title of duke. What do you think?" the Emperor asked.

Xiao Jiye certainly had no objections.

Qin Wanying is his wife, and he is willing to elevate her status. If Qin Yezhong is promoted to duke, Qin Wanying's position will become even higher.

Moreover, the Qin family is full of loyal ministers. They would feel at ease if power were delegated to them, and it would also allow for a better balance of power in the court.

After all, Qin Yezhong was his father-in-law, so it was inappropriate for Xiao Jiye to bring it up. Unexpectedly, the emperor himself said it.

"It is all up to Father Emperor to decide," Xiao Jiye replied.

-----------------

Qinghe's lover, Shen Feng, was brought back by the shadow guards.

After Qinghe captured Marquis Zhong'an that day, she left Yinxiao Pavilion and temporarily stayed at the Crown Prince's residence.

The Crown Prince also gave her the antidote as promised.

Qinghe waited at the Crown Prince's residence for several days, but still did not see Shen Feng.

She was very anxious, fearing that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would not keep their promise, and also worried that something might go wrong during the rescue.

On this day, she was by the lake, looking at her reflection, her brows furrowed.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Qinghe." It was Shen Feng's voice.

Qinghe almost thought she had misheard. After taking two deep breaths, she slowly turned around and saw that familiar figure looking at her with a smile.

Tears instantly blurred Qinghe's vision. She rushed towards Shen Feng and threw herself into his arms.

Shen Feng took a step back, his expression pained, as if Qinghe had touched some wound on him.

Qinghe noticed Shen Feng's unusual condition and quickly checked his injuries. She found that Shen Feng had multiple bruises on his body and his wrists were red, which looked like the result of wearing shackles for a long time.

Qinghe's eyes instantly reddened.

Just how much abuse did Shen Feng suffer at the hands of the War King?

"It's alright, it's all over now." Shen Feng smiled and wiped away Qinghe's tears. "They didn't hit me before, but after I tried to escape, they hit me and locked me up."

Qinghe looked at him with heartache: "You don't know martial arts, you can't escape at all..."

Shen Feng said, "But I can't bear to see you doing these things at Yinxiao Pavilion."

“I tried to commit suicide, but I was saved. They said that if I died, you wouldn’t survive either…” Shen Feng said, looking at a long scar on his wrist.

Qinghe gently picked up Shen Feng's wrist, and tears streamed down her face again.

So she almost didn't get to see Shen Feng again...?

Qinghe lowered her head as she recalled her unbearable past at Yinxiao Pavilion.

"Shen Lang, will you despise me for my experience at Yinxiao Pavilion? Don't worry, I sell my art, not my body, and I am still a virgin..." Qinghe said worriedly.

Shen Feng looked at Qinghe and smiled: "You stayed in that place all for my sake. If I were to look down on you because of that, what kind of person would I be?"

He then gently pulled her into his arms and let out a long sigh of relief.

Xiao Jiye and Qin Wanying watched the two from a distance, exchanged a glance, and smiled knowingly.

Qinghe noticed the two people, pulled Shen Feng over, and knelt down to express her gratitude.

Qinghe felt that the two were their benefactors; if she hadn't met them, she and Shen Feng would never have been reunited.

Xiao Jiye said softly, "No need for formalities."

Qinghe and the other person stood up.

"I will escort you to another place where the War King's influence cannot reach. You can then live in anonymity," Xiao Jiye continued.

Qinghe was initially worried that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess might be like the War King, using them and breaking their promises. But now it seems that the two of them are good people and keep their word.

She looked at Shen Feng beside her and gave him a smile that seemed to say, "After all the hardship, happiness has finally come."

Over the years, she worked in the sex industry, and many times she felt she couldn't go on, but thinking of Shen Feng, she gritted her teeth and persevered.

Now, she has finally gotten her wish and is with Shen Feng. It all feels like a dream.

[Ding! Helping value increased by 40! Please keep up the good work, host!]

Qin Wanying couldn't help but smile as she listened to the pleasant system notification in her mind.

The system is a great thing; every upgrade brings a pleasant surprise.

She couldn't wait to upgrade the system again.

-----------------

Chen Ling Shuang was heartbroken when she heard that her father, Marquis Zhong'an, had died.

All the surviving members of his father's family were exiled.

She escaped this calamity because she married into the Yan family.

This was the first time she felt fortunate to have married Yan Cheng.

However, after the incident involving Marquis Zhong'an, her life in the Yan family became even more difficult.

Many people in the Yan family already disliked her because her affair with Yan Cheng damaged the Yan family's reputation.

Previously, because she was the daughter of Marquis Zhong'an, they didn't dare to treat her too badly. Now that Marquis Zhong'an is dead, his family is finished.

Because Yan Danyang had become related to Marquis Zhong'an by marriage, and Marquis Zhong'an had committed the serious crime of treason, he was often ridiculed by his political enemies in the court.

Yan Danyang disliked Chen Ling Shuang even more.

Chen Ling Shuang's status in the Yan family declined day by day, and she became pale and thin.

Qu Wanyi also targeted Yan Cheng in business, making Yan Cheng hate Chen Ling Shuang. He felt that after marrying Chen Ling Shuang, everything went wrong for him; he lost his status as the legitimate son, his official position, and now even the family of this jinx was in trouble...

They had only been married a short time, and while she was still pregnant, Yan Cheng took a concubine, and Chen Ling Shuang didn't dare to say anything.

Even favored concubines dared to give her attitude, but Chen Ling Shuang didn't dare utter a single word.