"Report—"

A Loulan soldier swiftly arrived in front of Yue Yuxi’s carriage, knelt down on one knee, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, scouts from the front report that Celestial Dragon City in Qingzhou has been abandoned, and they have fled across the river."

"What?"

Inside the carriage, a stunning woman sat elegantly on a soft couch; in this harsh winter, she was only wearing a thin white gauze dress. Her figure was enchanting, faintly revealing some skin, completely bare underneath. Upon her long, beautiful legs rested a head, and the woman’s hands were gently pressing on either side of the head.

Upon hearing the report outside the carriage, Yue Yuxi’s once relaxed brows instantly furrowed. The woman she was pressing on also ceased her actions, knowing full well that His Majesty held great appreciation for Zhao Qianyi, even desiring to bring her into the harem. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

To satisfy this, His Majesty had mobilized two armies to encircle Qingzhou City from both sides. The attack had yet to commence, primarily waiting for logistics to catch up, to avoid extending the front too far.

But now, the fish had slipped away.

His Majesty had proclaimed with great confidence that Zhao Qianyi would not flee.

And now wasn’t this just a slap in the face?

Yue Yuxi sat up, pulled aside the carriage’s curtains, allowing the cold wind to blow in. The lady in the white dress, being an ordinary person, shivered from the cold, quickly pulling a nearby blanket over herself and curling up.

"And what about Zhao Qianyi?" Yue Yuxi asked.

"She also... also escaped." Although the scenery inside the carriage was beautiful, the reporting soldier didn’t dare lift his head.

"Haha..." After a moment of silence, Yue Yuxi suddenly burst into laughter, a chilling coldness hidden within the laugh, "I didn’t expect that even I could make an error in judgment.

Inform Ling Zhi to lead a cavalry unit, quickly cross the Yao River, and intercept the Celestial Dragon Army; they must not escape."

"Understood." The reporting soldier retreated.

"Someone," Yue Yuxi called.

"At your orders, my lord."

"Issue the command for the army to advance at full speed."

"Understood..."

The four large lions pulling the carriage, initially sluggish due to the cold, suddenly seemed invigorated upon hearing Yue Yuxi’s words, letting out low beastly roars as they started to run.

Yue Yuxi dropped the curtain, turned to look at the woman who had curled into a ball, and abruptly pulled off her blanket, grabbing her delicate chin, murmuring, "Moon Slave, you’re wonderful in every aspect, except that your body is a bit too fragile."

With that, she leaned down to kiss her.

...

Thud thud—

On the vast earth, blanketed in white, snowflakes swirling, an orderly army swept by, leaving behind a trail of hoof and footprints in the snow.

Inside a carriage, Zhao Qianyi slowly awoke, her head still dizzy. After a moment of daze, she recalled what had happened.

That wine certainly contained Rosemary Soft Bone Powder and a tasteless and odorless tranquilizer.

Seemingly realizing something, Zhao Qianyi hurriedly lifted the carriage’s curtain, letting in the cold wind. Seeing the snow-covered scene outside, even a fool would understand what had happened.

Wei Ying had taken her and escaped.

"Princess, you’re awake." Wei Ying, riding alongside the carriage, looked at the lifted curtain and laughed softly.

"Wei Ying, where is this place?" Zhao Qianyi suppressed her anger and asked.

"We’ve already crossed the Yao River. We should reach Wind Ridge City before dark," Wei Ying replied.

Though she had braced herself, hearing this answer still made Zhao Qianyi’s face turn pale. She shouted, "Who ordered you to do this? This is treason! A capital crime!"

"I understand." Wei Ying still had a smile on her face.

When she made that previous decision, Wei Ying had already prepared for the worst, "Princess, this life of mine was saved by you, and it’s time to return it."

"You..." Zhao Qianyi was furious, attempting to mobilize her True Qi, only to find the effects of the Rosemary Soft Bone Powder had not yet worn off.

Wei Ying said, "Princess, while you were still unconscious, I administered some more."

"Wei Ying, what exactly do you intend to do?" Zhao Qianyi couldn’t believe that such a trusted subordinate had betrayed her.

"Princess, haven’t you done enough for the Great Song already? Even the emperor does nothing, and you..."

"Silence, stop this at once."

"Princess, wake up, the Imperial Court is already in ruins. With our limited numbers, we can’t change anything. There’s no need for you to sacrifice your life at Qingzhou City. Once we’ve escaped the Desolate Kingdom’s pursuit, I will personally end my life to atone."

Wei Ying’s words struck a chord with Zhao Qianyi.

...

The 140th day of the Great Chaos.

The Imperial Court received news that the Celestial Dragon Army had withdrawn to Wind Ridge City, and the Desolate Kingdom’s forces occupied Qingzhou City; they feared the Yao River had already been crossed, and a third of the Great Song’s territory was now under Desolate Kingdom control.

The court was in uproar, with officials’ faces changing dramatically.

At this moment, rebellion erupted in Jizhou, the Yellow Turban Army occupied the State Governor’s Mansion, and Jizhou was completely beyond the control of the court.

Furthermore, as misfortune never comes alone, King Yan, having returned to Youzhou, gathered forces once again, intending to make a comeback.

Amidst internal and external troubles, the trend of peace talks began to flourish in the court.

In light of this information, another piece of news quietly spread.

Supreme Emperor Zhao Ji was assassinated in Fengzhou.

And the State Governor of Fengzhou, after all, was Zhao Ji’s brother Zhao Mu’s domain.

...

Wu Family.

"Master, news from the clan, Nanyang is short on grain, and Chen Mo is currently seeking large grain merchants to purchase food. It’s an opportune moment for the family to..." A refined middle-aged man approached Wu Lu, leaning close to his ear and speaking softly.