The weapons and horses sent by Northern Flame gave Tianqi a chance to breathe. Seeing that Tianqi still had so many horses, and that these horses showed no signs of fatigue, Liang Xuanting became increasingly suspicious as the battle progressed.
Upon returning to the military camp, he unleashed a furious tirade. Seeing his return, the soldiers guarding the tent quickly saluted. However, he kicked one soldier to the ground. This soldier was young, not yet fifteen, and the kick was not light; he couldn't get up for a long time.
Wang Sui frowned, his voice cold. "Young Master, why are you taking your anger out on your own men?" He then looked at another soldier nearby and said, "Help him down." Liang Xuanting turned back and glared at Wang Sui with venomous eyes.
He was utterly fed up with this old man's constant pretense of righteousness. But Wang Sui held great power in Southern Jiang, and his King still needed his support.
"Someone! Tell Jun Hui to get his butt over here!" Liang Xuanting shouted loudly. This time, even Liang Wei frowned. "Xiao Ting, control yourself."
Liang Xuanting still listened somewhat to his Imperial Uncle's words. He composed himself and turned to enter the main tent. Before long, Jun Hui also entered. As soon as he stepped into the tent, he felt the atmosphere was off.
"What's wrong with you all?" Liang Xuanting looked at him coldly. "Tianqi's troops aren't poisoned at all."
Jun Hui's eyes widened in surprise. "Impossible!"
Liang Wei sneered. "How is it impossible? We underestimated them in today's battle and almost suffered a great loss!"
Jun Hui lowered his head in thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Are the people sent to administer the poison still in contact?"
Liang Xuanting shook his head. "No, they've been out of contact for many days."
"Didn't you say they had very few troops a few days ago? And now they have more horses?" Jun Hui asked.
Wang Sui analyzed, "Their warhorse numbers were indeed very low a few days ago, which shows there was an effect. Could it be that they found an antidote?"
Liang Xuanting immediately retorted, "Impossible! This is a secret medicine from Southern Jiang. Who could possibly cure it?!"
Wang Sui said, "Then there's only one possibility: our people were discovered before they could administer the poison. A few days ago, Tianqi was playing a trick, deliberately feigning symptoms of poisoning to mislead us."
At this point, Jun Hui spoke, "Did you forget? Tianqi has a divine physician." Wang Sui and Liang Wei looked at him in confusion; only Liang Xuanting had a look of sudden realization.
"You mean Su Li?" Liang Xuanting asked him. Although he was in Southern Jiang, he knew Su Li's every move. Jun Hui nodded.
Liang Xuanting shot up from his seat. "She's in Blue Eucalyptus!"
Liang Wei and Wang Sui didn't understand why he was so agitated, nor did they know who this "Su Li" was that he spoke of. "Who is this Su Li?"
Liang Xuanting smirked, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Su Li is the legitimate daughter of Tianqi's Minister of Revenue. She's a remarkable woman. Currently, she's Jun Mo's fiancée, but... that might change."
Liang Wei chuckled. "I'm rather curious now. How about we capture her? That way, Jun Mo would have something to fear, and our chances of winning would greatly increase."
Liang Xuanting nodded. "Exactly my thought!" Only Jun Hui remained silent. It was clear that Liang Xuanting had a strong interest in Su Li. If Su Li fell into his hands, things would likely not go well for her.
Liang Xuanting, thinking of that stunning woman being in Blue Eucalyptus, couldn't sit still. "I'll send people to investigate immediately and see if Su Li is in the Tianqi military camp."
...
Wanyan Xue didn't expect to wake up not in her own room, but in a large tent. For a moment, she was bewildered. This didn't look like the Tianqi military camp either. Her body felt weak and powerless; she couldn't exert any strength. Just then, footsteps approached from outside the tent. Wanyan Xue decided to close her eyes and pretend to still be asleep.
"Young Master, she's inside!" Liang Xuanting smirked in satisfaction. He tidied his clothes, then pushed the door open and entered. Seeing the person on the bed still asleep, Liang Xuanting thought, Anyway, she's in my tent and can't escape.
I'll act like a gentleman for once, lest I offend the beauty. He walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and as he drank, he surveyed the graceful figure on the bed. A cup of tea later, the beauty still hadn't stirred. Liang Xuanting couldn't wait any longer and rose to approach her.
"Bang!" The door was violently pushed open from outside.
"Liang Xuanting, you're not to touch her!" Jun Hui's voice was filled with rage.
Liang Xuanting turned, a mocking smile on his face. "I'm not to touch her? What right do you have to say that? Jun Hui, have you forgotten your own situation?" A stray dog, if it weren't for me taking him in, he wouldn't even know where he'd be. How dare he yell at me!
Wanyan Xue was startled. This was the Southern Jiang military camp! Liang Xuanting wanted to touch her, and Jun Hui forbade it. Were the two of them willing to break ties over her? Oh heavens! How complicated! Jun Ce, help me!
"Get out!" Liang Xuanting roared furiously.
Jun Hui stood his ground, watching coldly.
Liang Xuanting chuckled. "If you want to watch us 'play the phoenix and dragon,' then watch. This Young Master doesn't mind." Saying so, he walked towards the bed. Wanyan Xue's hairs stood on end instantly. How perverted!
Just as his hand was about to touch the person on the bed, Jun Hui moved. The two began to exchange blows within the large tent. Wanyan Xue was conflicted. Should she try to escape amidst the chaos? After thinking it over, she decided against it. She was drugged; there was no way she could escape.
Jun Hui kicked Liang Xuanting in the chest, sending him back several steps. Seizing the opening, Jun Hui rushed towards the bed. Wanyan Xue was helped up by him, but for some unknown reason, she was then thrown back onto the bed. Wanyan Xue felt her head spinning from the impact.
"Since Young Master likes her, then I won't disturb Young Master's pleasure." Jun Hui's voice sounded.
Liang Xuanting, who was about to continue forward, froze, then finally said triumphantly, "Consider yourself sensible!" After Jun Hui left, Liang Xuanting wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and walked towards the bed. Just as his hand was about to touch the person on the bed, Wanyan Xue abruptly turned over.
"Ah!! Pervert, stay away from this Princess!!" Liang Xuanting was stunned for a moment, his face sinking dramatically, turning from dark to green.
"Northern Flame's Seventh Princess?"
"It's your old hag, me! Liang Xuanting, I can't believe how deep you hide your intentions! If you had come to Northern Flame properly beforehand, perhaps I might have thought highly of you.
But I never expected you to be so despicable and shameless, daring to abduct me! This Princess looks down on a scoundrel like you!" Wanyan Xue's beautiful eyes glared at him, words of merciless scorn spewing from her mouth one after another.
Liang Xuanting gritted his teeth. "How are you in the Tianqi military camp?"
"Where I am is none of your business! I advise you to release me quickly, otherwise, watch my Imperial Father flatten your Southern Jiang!" Liang Xuanting snorted, turning and leaving.
"Hey! Give me the antidote! Don't leave!" Wanyan Xue followed him out, but was stopped by the soldiers outside the tent. Liang Xuanting looked at the kneeling soldiers with a sinister gaze.
"Young Master, this subordinate deserves to die! This subordinate truly didn't know she wasn't Miss Su. In the Tianqi military camp, besides Lan Canghai's daughter, she was the only other woman, so this subordinate abducted her."
"So, you're innocent now?!" Liang Xuanting said coldly. This abducted woman was a hot potato. An enmity had already been forged; sending her back was impossible. And killing her was even more impossible. Southern Jiang was currently at war with Tianqi. If Northern Flame was added to the mix, Southern Jiang would have no power to resist.
"This subordinate wouldn't dare!"
"Get out and receive your punishment!"
"Yes!"
Wanyan Xue was thus confined to the large tent, daily provided with good food and drink.
"Liang Xuanting, don't think I'll fall in love with you like this. Dream on!" Wanyan Xue cursed as she gnawed on a chicken leg.
Wanyan Xue's disappearance worried Jun Ce the most. Wanyan Xue had left Northern Flame with him, and now she was missing. If Northern Flame blamed him, he would be a sinner of Tianqi.
"Third Brother, don't worry. I've already sent people to search. We'll have news soon." Jun Mo comforted him.
Jun Ce couldn't sit still. He rose and said, "I'll go personally with men to investigate!" With that, he led a team out.
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