Font Size:
The army rested briefly.
Shen Ning had finished her lunch and personally carried a portion of food to the cage where Han Rong was imprisoned. Although it was not yet dark, the campfires had already been lit.
Han Rong was trapped inside the cage, unable to move. The flickering firelight cast an eerie glow on his disheveled face, adding a sense of sinister mystery.
Around the cage sat envoys with ashen faces, each one terrifyingly silent. Surrounding them on the outside, black-armored soldiers with long spears kept them firmly trapped in this small area.
Shen Ning approached the cage and calmly ordered, “Open his cage and give him this food.”
“Yes.” A soldier stepped forward, skillfully unlocking the cage with a key and taking the food from Shen Ning, placing it in front of Han Rong.
Han Rong’s hands were still shackled, making it inconvenient to eat, but the instinct to survive is strong in humans. Starving to the extreme, even if he had to eat like a dog on the ground, he would set aside his dignity to ensure his survival.
Shen Ning did not say much and turned to leave.
“Jiuli” A voice heavy with regret and pain suddenly called out from behind. “Is that you?”
Shen Ning’s steps faltered.
The seated envoys were all startled, turning their heads in disbelief to stare at Shen Ning’s back.
Jiuli?
Whom was the Brave and Loyal Marquis calling out to?
“I was wrong, I know I’ve let you down, but those actions were not of my own free will.” Han Rong seemed to be confessing, his tone filled with heartache and self-reproach. “The Emperor was wary of your military achievements, saying he couldn’t sleep at night as long as you were alive. There were spies from the Emperor in the Marquis’s residence, I… I did it to keep you alive, so I had no choice…”
Shen Ning turned to look at him, taking step by step towards him.
His meal consisted of rice and vegetable soup, which for a prisoner was already a generous offering. However, Shen Ning now felt that giving him this meal was a tremendous waste.
She picked up the vegetable soup and poured it over his head, drenching him with leaves.
Han Rong froze on the spot and then struggled excitedly: “Jiuli! You’re Jiuli, I was wrong, can you forgive me? I was forced to do it—Jiuli! Li!”
Shen Ning turned and left.
The soldier relocked the cage, ignoring Han Rong’s shouts even if he screamed himself hoarse.
The envoys sitting around were already in turmoil.
Jiuli?
Was the Brave and Loyal Marquis calling out to War Goddess Princess?
The Regent’s wife of the Yong Kingdom, Shen Ning, and Princess Yan Jiuli of Nan Dynasty, how could they be the same person when their identities, appearances, and ages were all different?
How could it be possible?
Were they not different in identity, appearance, and age? How could they be the same person?
Was the Brave and Loyal Marquis losing his mind?
“Up ahead is the imperial city of Nan Dynasty.” Minister Ji said quietly, his expression filled with the sorrow of a nation about to fall. “With the enemy army at the gates, I wonder if the Emperor and the court officials plan to fight to the death or if they’ve already started packing their belongings to flee?”
“Minister Ji, please be careful with your words.” Another envoy frowned. “The Emperor is wise and brave, the last hope of Nan Dynasty, and would never abandon the city and escape.”
“Hahahahaha…” Suddenly, a mocking laugh rang out. “Not abandon the city and escape? Do you really believe the Emperor has that much backbone?”
Minister Ji’s face turned red, and he turned to Han Rong: “Brave and Loyal Marquis, do not speak nonsense! The Emperor is not as you say.”
“I dare to bet that the Emperor has already packed his gold and silver, disguised himself, and hidden in the secret passages of the palace, waiting for the enemy army to enter the city. Then he will look for the right moment to leave.” Han Rong sneered. “Whether he can leave safely will depend on how thoroughly the Yong Kingdom’s generals search and guard the Nan Dynasty palace.”
If his guess was true, and Shen Ning was indeed the War Goddess Princess, then the Emperor’s chances of escape were almost zero.
Because that underground palace was something Yan Jiuli had known about since childhood. They had even played hide-and-seek in the secret passages and the underground palace when they were young.
Thinking about childhood memories, a moment of bewilderment flashed in Han Rong’s eyes, and a sharp pain suddenly pierced his heart.
If the remorse and grief he had shown in front of Shen Ning were a pretense, then the inexplicable sharp stabbing pain in his heart at this moment was truly heartfelt.
Once upon a time, they had also shared a beautiful innocence, untainted by interests, without defenses or apprehensions.
Only those pure and beautiful moments had gradually faded away with age, until they disappeared, leaving only a heart full of calculations and resentment.
Han Rong curled up in the cage, suddenly realizing that he deserved his punishment.