The King of Yunnan was highly skilled in martial arts and managed to evade the poison, but he was surrounded by the people of Southern Xinjiang and seriously injured, unable to lead his troops into battle again. However, the soldiers from Qingyan arrived at the border and joined him in holding the position. The people of Southern Xinjiang tried many methods but failed to capture the city. For a time, the war between Southern Xinjiang and Qingyan border became a stalemate.
When the news reached Qingyan Capital, Nangong Xiao was a guest at the Maple Pine Courtyard of the Holy King's Mansion, pacing anxiously back and forth with a teacup in his hand.
Dongfang Yu'er, dressed in red with a circle of golden bells adorning her jet-black hair, her sandalwood robes swaying in front of her eyes, frowned and said unhappily, "Nangong Xiao, can you sit down and rest? You're making me dizzy."
For the first time ever, Nangong Xiao didn't argue with Dongfang Yu'er. He stopped and a cold glint flashed in his beautiful peach blossom eyes: "My father is seriously injured and can no longer fight. I need to go to the border to help him."
For more than a decade, he and the Prince of Yunnan had been separated for long periods. For the sake of the Prince of Yunnan's palace, he endured the pain of separation from his family and did his best to deal with the emperor's repeated tests and suspicions. But now, his father was seriously wounded in the war for the country and was on the verge of death. He could no longer endure it, nor could he ignore it.
"Give me a break. You're a pampered young master who grew up in the capital, enjoying wealth and luxury every day. Going to fight in such a harsh place as the border will exhaust you in just two days."
Dongfang Yu'er looked him up and down, her beautiful eyes filled with mockery. She had spent half a year at the border and knew how harsh the conditions were there. Compared to the capital, it was like hell. A young master like Nangong Xiao would definitely cry and beg to come back if he went to the border.
"Dongfang Yu'er, I am going to save my father. I am not afraid of any hardship." Nangong Xiao's tone was unusually sharp. As long as he could save people, he did not care about the hardship or fatigue.
Dongfang Yu'er glanced at Nangong Xiao. Anyone can talk big, but whether he can endure the hardships at the border is another matter.
Looking at his anxious face, Shen Lixue sighed softly: "Nangong Xiao, you are a hostage. The Emperor will not allow you to leave the capital."
"What time is it now? At this critical moment when lives are at stake, the Emperor is still doubting my father. It's really..." Nangong Xiao was furious. Looking at Dongfang Yu'er sitting opposite him, the words "tyrant" stuck in his throat. He couldn't say them. All his words turned into a sigh.
The emperor sent the Prince of Yunnan to support the border, firstly to test the prince's loyalty, and secondly to indirectly weaken the prince's power. As clever as the prince was, he had long guessed the emperor's intentions, but he did not refuse at all and went to the border without hesitation to fight alongside the soldiers. This shows that he really had no intention of rebelling. Why was the emperor so suspicious?
"Don't worry, His Majesty has already summoned the ministers to the palace to discuss the matter. I believe he will soon send capable individuals to the border to assist the King of Yunnan..."
Shen Lixue comforted Nangong Xiao, but she was also unsure of herself. If anyone knew the most about Gu techniques in the Southern Frontier, it would be the War King Dongfang Shuo. However, he was currently in Qingzhou with Lin Qingzhu. Rashly summoning him to the border to fight would disturb his peace.
This also indirectly shows that Qingyan has talent gaps and loopholes. Nanjiang is a large country that cannot be destroyed in a day or two. The War King's lifespan has a certain limit. If Nanjiang launches another large-scale invasion of Qingyan after he passes away, Qingyan cannot simply pull the War King out of his coffin to fight. Qingyan needs to cultivate new talents specifically to deal with Nanjiang.
"My father is seriously injured. I hope His Majesty can send a capable person quickly." Nangong Xiao had experienced firsthand the viciousness and power of the Gu techniques of the Southern Frontier. Although the King of Yunnan and his forces had sealed off the city, the Gu techniques of the Southern Frontier were mysterious and unpredictable, making them impossible to guard against. Perhaps one day, while eating or drinking, they would ingest the Gu, and then they would surely face the tragic fate of total annihilation...
A tall, slender figure walked into the courtyard. He wore a purple-gold jade crown and a long robe with a dragon pattern. It was Dongfang Heng. Nangong Xiao's eyes lit up, and he hurried over to greet him: "Prince An, how did His Majesty handle the border affairs?"
The border was in danger, and the situation was urgent. The emperor summoned his civil and military officials to discuss the matter. Nangong Xiao was a leisurely prince who was not a court official, so he was not invited.
"His Majesty has decided to send reinforcements to the border." Dongfang Heng walked to the table, took off his cloak, and put it aside.
"Who should we send?" Nangong Xiao sat down next to him, inquiring about the progress of the matter.
Dongfang Heng held the teacup with his white jade fingers, took a small sip, and said, "I volunteer to go to the Qingyan border!" He killed Qin Ruoyan, and the death of Qin Junhao was also framed on him. It is most appropriate for him to go to the border and start a war with the Southern Frontier.
“Great! With Prince An personally going to the border, Qingyan’s chances of winning will increase many times over.” Nangong Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled broadly, his heart finally at ease.
The war between Nanjiang and Qingyan is unique. Mediocre generals cannot change the situation even if they go to the border. Dongfang Heng is different. He is the God of War of Qingyan. He is a master strategist who is invincible. With him at the border, the morale of the soldiers will be boosted, and the chances of defeating Nanjiang will increase.
As long as his father can hold out until Dongfang Heng arrives, he will definitely be safe.
The atmosphere around him froze for a moment. Nangong Xiao sensed something was wrong, looked up and saw Shen Lixue. His heart trembled. He had forgotten that Shen Lixue was eight months pregnant. She must be very sad that Dongfang Heng left at this time.
As expected, Shen Lixue paused abruptly as she poured tea, a hint of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes: "You're going to the border in person?" She had long guessed that the emperor would send someone to the border to provide support, but she hadn't expected that it would be Dongfang Heng who went to fight.
There are many generals in the court, but none of them understand Gu poison. If they go to the southern border, they will be assassinated like the King of Yunnan. Dongfang Heng is the invincible war god of Qingyan. With the border war imminent, sending him is indeed the most suitable option. However, he is not very proficient in Gu poison either. What if something goes wrong...
A warm, large hand reached out and firmly grasped her slightly cool small hand. She looked up and met Dongfang Heng's comforting gaze: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Shen Lixue smiled slightly, though her smile seemed a little forced: "With the outbreak of war, the situation is chaotic, and no one can guarantee that they will return unscathed. Moreover, the Gu poison in the Southern Frontier is difficult to guard against, and if one is careless, one will be poisoned and tricked."
"When will you leave the capital?" The matter was already settled and could not be changed. The Southern Frontier and the Qingyan Border were indeed in great need of Dongfang Heng. Shen Lixue was understanding and supported Dongfang Heng's decision.
"Three o'clock in the afternoon."
Dongfang Heng spoke calmly, his composed voice causing Shen Lixue to frown slightly: "Why are you in such a hurry?" It was almost noon, and there was only one hour left until the afternoon.
"The border war is urgent and we can't delay any longer. I will go to muster the troops at 1:15 p.m. and set off for the border at 3:00 p.m.
Dongfang Heng gently stroked Chen Lixue's high, protruding belly with his jade-like fingers. The fetus was already eight months along and would soon be born, but he had to rush to the border to fight against the Southern Frontier, and he probably wouldn't be able to witness the baby's birth.
Shen Lixue smiled slightly and said, "I'll help you pack your clothes." She was pregnant and couldn't accompany Dongfang Heng to the battlefield. The only thing she could do for him was to pack his things and send him to the battlefield.
"You are pregnant and should not overexert yourself. I can pack my things myself." Dongfang Heng gently supported Shen Lixue. It was already wrong of him to lead troops into battle when she was about to give birth, and he felt even more guilty for making her overexert herself.
“Eight months pregnant, I can still walk freely. You talk to Nangong Xiao about the situation in the Southern Frontier first, and I will get ready soon.” Shen Lixue patted the back of Dongfang Heng’s hand, and with Qiu He’s hand in hers, she entered the inner room. She did not want Dongfang Heng to leave her at this time, but the border war was urgent, and he had no choice but to leave.
Dongfang Heng's clothes were mostly white. Shen Lixue took them out of the wardrobe, carefully folded them one by one, and put them into a wooden box. She folded each piece herself, representing her longing and prayers. Dongfang Heng wearing these clothes was like having her by his side.
In the courtyard, the voices of Dongfang Heng and Nangong Xiao could be heard from time to time: "Dongfang Zhan recommended you to go to the border. Didn't you say that you volunteered for it?"
"Indeed, it was I who volunteered. The Emperor hesitated for a moment, but Dongfang Zhan gave me a push, and that's when the Emperor agreed to let me go to the border." Dongfang Heng's deep gaze was sharp as a knife. He had known Dongfang Zhan's intentions for a long time. Dongfang Zhan's recommendation of him to go to the border was definitely not for good reasons. However, he was also determined to go to the border. Whether Dongfang Zhan recommended him or not didn't matter to him.
"It seems he hasn't given up on Li Xue yet. Dongfang Zhan is quite skilled in martial arts. What will happen to her if you go to the border?" Nangong Xiao's words carried a hint of worry. If Dongfang Zhan hadn't recommended Dongfang Heng, it would have been enough to prove that the grudge between him and Dongfang Heng had lessened somewhat. However, he used the most suitable excuse to transfer Dongfang Heng out of the capital. He must have another purpose and would definitely be making moves in secret.
"Don't worry, I have my own arrangements. I will definitely protect Li Xue..." Dongfang Heng's voice was clear and steady, and hearing it brought a sense of peace.
Shen Lixue frowned. Her child with Heng was about to be born, was Dongfang Zhan still so persistent? Or did he have other purposes in sending Heng to the border?
Puzzled, Shen Lixue packed up her clothes, walked out of the inner room, looked up at the sky, and realized that noon was almost over and they didn't have much time left together. Nangong Xiao, pulling Dongfang Yu'er along, tactfully took his leave.
The guards set out the food and then all withdrew. Shen Lixue poured two cups of tea and handed one to Dongfang Heng: "I toast you with tea instead of wine, hoping you will have a successful start and return in triumph."
"Thank you for your kind words!" Dongfang Heng picked up his teacup, looked at Shen Lixue's high, protruding belly, and a trace of guilt flashed in his sharp eyes: "Lixue, I'm sorry, I can't be by your side for a while."
"It's alright. I'll be happy as long as you return to the Azure Flame Holy King's Mansion safe and sound." Shen Lixue smiled and looked up at Dongfang Heng, her beautiful eyes sparkling with laughter. Dongfang Heng felt a surge of affection for her and couldn't help but lower his head to gently kiss her eyelids, as if making a vow or a promise: "Don't worry, I will definitely come back. When that time comes, you must also be safe and sound. Our family of three cannot be missing any one of us."
"Don't worry, the remaining forces in the Southern Frontier have been mostly wiped out. Qingyan Capital is peaceful, and I will be safe in the Holy King's Mansion. On the contrary, you need to be extra careful on the battlefield, where swords have no eyes." Shen Lixue clinked glasses with Dongfang Heng and slowly drank the tea in her cup.
Her safe return was both a blessing and an expectation for Dongfang Heng; nothing in the world could be more inspiring than that.
After the sun had passed its zenith and began to slant westward, Dongfang Heng ate a few bites of food, then rode his horse to the square, with Shen Lixue following closely behind in a sedan chair. The square was filled with soldiers in armor, holding spears, a dark mass as far as the eye could see.