Under the moonlight, a faint smile appeared on Lu Xiao’s captivating face, seemingly charming, yet her demeanor held a hint of coolness.

She said, "Young Master—oh no, Prince Han, there’s no need for this."

"..."

"That military attire, I originally intended for Prince Qin."

"..."

"No, I should say, regardless of who takes that path, as long as he’s attacking Taiyuan, I would offer such a strategy. Because what I want is not to help you, but to use your blade to kill Wang Shaoji."

"..."

"Moreover, I only provided a set of military attire, without truly providing a strategy. If not for Prince Han’s cleverness and vigilance, being able to deduce from a set of clothes to reverse the uniforms of the subordinates to impersonate Wang Family’s troops to attack Western Turkic reinforcements, causing them to fight amongst themselves, the outcome of this battle would be hard to decide. I’m even less daring to claim credit."

"..."

"Now that Wang Shaoji is dead, it is I who should be grateful."

After speaking, she stepped back and gracefully bowed to Yu Wenqian: "Thank you."

Yu Wenqian slowly straightened up upon hearing this, and said, "Since this is the case, then you don’t need to thank me. We can consider ourselves even, right?"

Lu Xiao raised her head to look at him, her enchanting eyes passing over myriad charms.

She laughed and said, "Never expected."

Yu Wenqian asked, "Never expected what?"

Lu Xiao smiled and said, "Never expected, the rumored Young Master Yu Wen, now the Prince Han of the Dasheng Dynasty, is such a person."

Yu Wenqian asked, "What kind of person should I be?"

Lu Xiao said, "I heard Prince Han once intended to become a monk, even discarding the title of Princely Heir to wander the world, thinking you had already transcended the mortal world. Yet, never expected—"

Yu Wenqian said, "Never expected that I’m an ordinary person?"

Lu Xiao laughed and said, "People eat grains, how can they not be ordinary?"

"..."

"If not mundane, then one must be either a Buddha or a demon. Not sure which one Prince Han is?"

"...!"

Yu Wenqian’s eyes flickered slightly, remaining expressionless yet not speaking further, he silently gazed at the increasingly charming woman under the moonlight, after a long time, he sighed deeply and slowly said, "I’ve also long heard of Miss Lu Xiao’s fame across the Two Capitals, later aligning with Xiao Yuansui, even participating in Left General’s rebellion; a few years ago, captured by Wang Shaoji... it seems you must have endured countless hardships, an ordinary woman would have long succumbed, perished quietly."

"..."

"Yet, never expected, not only did Miss Lu Xiao not succumb to adversity, but became even more—"

At this point, he paused, wondering whether hesitating or pondering over his words.

After a period of silence, he finally said: "Fierce."

While he spoke those words, Lu Xiao’s expression gradually grew heavy, as though her innermost thoughts were suddenly pricked; yet, she didn’t seem willing to expose her feelings to others and soon resumed a calm expression, especially upon hearing his last sentence, she burst into a laugh, covering her mouth.

Others cover their mouths with the palm, but she covered hers by gently pressing the back of her hand against her lips, revealing the palm’s fairness, her slender, curved fingers, making her coquettish gesture all the more enticing.

Yu Wenqian asked, "Why is Miss laughing?"

Lu Xiao raised her eyebrows slightly, the action naturally seemed mocking for others, but with her innate alluring demeanor, even such a mocking expression carried a hint of teasing.

She said, "Yes, an ordinary woman would be long gone."

"..."

"So, in Prince Han’s eyes, I am not an ordinary woman?"

Yu Wenqian’s expression remained unchanged as he looked her up and down without any hint of emotion, and said, "No."

Lu Xiao laughed and said, "Then, I wonder if such a—unusual woman can find some shelter with Prince Han?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi, standing at the garden gate, felt a jolt in her heart.

However, before she could react, a rather displeased voice filled with sharpness suddenly rang out: "Your Highness!"

Shang Ruyi quickly turned her head and saw someone slowly emerging from the corridor on the other side of the garden. Although the Yu Wen Mansion wasn’t hung with lights everywhere, making it dimly lit, the person’s bright presence immediately revealed her identity.

It was Yu Mingyue.

It’s unclear how long she had been standing there, or listening, but she now walked slowly down the corridor, with the cool moonlight immediately illuminating her face, visible clearly were her tightly furrowed brows, though she tried to maintain a calm expression, disgust was evident under the moonlight.

She walked to Yu Wenqian’s side, though she addressed him as "Your Highness," her sharp gaze was fixed firmly on Lu Xiao.

And Lu Xiao, slightly raised her eyebrow, looking at her.

Under the moonlight, watching beauties became even more enchanting, moreover, when two differently poised beauties meet, it ought to be a delightfully beautiful scene. Yet, between these two, there was inexplicable hostility, their gaze meeting even caused the cold moonlight to carry a hint of sharpness.

Yu Wenqian on the side couldn’t help but frown a little.

Actually, when they returned to Taiyuan City at dusk today, they met Yu Mingyue, who had not caught up the day before, he could see that she was displeased—but yesterday’s situation was not about whether they chose to leave her or not, but whether she could keep up with them.

However, this wasn’t a big deal anyway, as the real major issue has been resolved.

But when Yu Mingyue saw this attractive woman, who even upon dismounting from Shang Ruyi’s horse back had men around staring wide-eyed, their gaze seemingly glued to her, Yu Mingyue’s mild displeasure gradually turned to intense.

She clearly didn’t like Lu Xiao at all.

Especially after they explained the background and experiences of this woman to her, Yu Mingyue didn’t even care that she was present, coldly laughed once and left without a single word.

But to meet again now.

Moreover, under such circumstances.

Yu Wenqian frowned slightly, hadn’t had the chance to speak, when he heard Yu Mingyue coldly say: "Miss Lu Xiao, do you know Prince Han once practiced Buddhism?"

Lu Xiao laughed and said: "I’ve heard."

Yu Mingyue said: "Then, you still hope he’ll protect you?"

Lu Xiao raised her brow again.

This time, compared to previous coquettish gestures, the mocking demeanor was more pronounced, but still charmingly alluring, she laughed and said, "Shouldn’t practitioners of Buddhism be compassionate?"

Yu Mingyue coldly laughed and said, "Buddha’s heart is calm and more abhors the lewd. Miss, you—"

Saying this, she sized up Lu Xiao with more pronounced disdain in her eyes, then chuckled lightly and said, "You should leave a clear space for Buddha."

"...!"

Lu Xiao’s face darkened upon hearing that.