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Chapitre 129

Zhang He stared blankly at Ye Ming, who had come to deliver the imperial decree.

"You...you want me to lead troops to the border right now?! You must have delivered the wrong order, kid?" Zhang He pointed at himself, utterly incredulous.

Looking at the gold medal in Liangliang's hand, Ye Ming stared at him expressionlessly: "How dare you question the Emperor's decree!"

Although Zhang He was a rough and uncultured man, such an imperial decree seemed too abrupt, making him suspicious.

"No, this matter is of utmost importance. I must see His Majesty in person and hear his decree before I can proceed!"

"Zhang He, are you perhaps planning to disobey the imperial decree?!"

"Whether I respect him or not, I'll wait until I see His Majesty to decide!" Having missed Ye Ming, Zhang He was about to stride towards Chongde Hall.

With a swift movement, he blocked Zhang He's path as he tried to move forward: "His Majesty is currently hosting a banquet for the envoys of the Eastern Dynasty. How dare you disturb him!"

"Ye Ming! You won't let me see the Emperor, are you plotting something?!" Zhang He's hand rested on the iron sword at his waist, his eyes wide with anger as he glared fiercely at Ye Ming, who was blocking his way.

A struggle flashed in Ye Ming's eyes. He raised his large hand, about to draw the soft sword at his waist, but at that moment, a majestic voice came from afar: "Zhang He, you have quite the nerve, daring to question even my words!"

Zhang He was startled and turned his head to look. In the distance, the bright yellow figure sitting on the grand master's chair, holding a white jade cup, was none other than the current emperor!

He hurriedly took a few steps and knelt down a few paces away from the bright yellow figure, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Zhang He, I knew you wouldn't obediently do as I command..."

"Your Majesty, I am..."

"Alright, alright, I understand. You're afraid there might be a trap, aren't you? I know. The Right General of the Cavalry is wholeheartedly devoted to me, his loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon. To be honest, I'm very gratified to have such a minister. Alright, time is of the essence, so I won't say any more! Zhang He, quickly lead 30,000 iron cavalry to the eastern border at top speed, without delay!"

"Could something have happened in the east?"

"I suspect that the Eastern Dynasty is using a feint to seek peace while secretly making a move! This mission to sue for peace is probably just a smokescreen..."

"Ah? Your Majesty means..."

Just as you expected.

"Damn it! How dare they bully our Loulan! I, Zhang He, will skin them alive! Your Majesty, rest assured, I will go and wipe out those bastards right now!"

After Zhang He walked away, a red figure descended from the sky and landed in front of the bright yellow figure.

"His acting skills are really not bad! No wonder he has been by her side for three years. Every move he makes, even his voice, is so lifelike. I am truly impressed!"

The bright yellow figure on the grand chair quickly rose and bowed: "Palace Master."

He touched his face, then ripped it open, and a human skin mask landed in Red Shadow's hand: "It's really good. That old man's craftsmanship is truly superb. It was worth all the effort I put into him!"

Just then, Ye Ming stepped forward, looking coldly at the red figure: "I hope the Palace Master can keep his promise and, after the matter is accomplished, help my lord restore the country and complete the great cause."

The red-clad figure smiled meaningfully, the smile beneath the red mask particularly eerie: "Yes, it will. Sending you to the underworld to complete your grand undertaking shouldn't count as breaking a promise, right? Hahaha! Liu Zhiyi, blame yourself for choosing the wrong partner. Signing a contract with wolves is practically suicide!"

"Alright, you should go back now. You've been out for so long, don't arouse suspicion."

"Your subordinate obeys."

...

After the song and dance ended, the dancers left. The ministers remained staring blankly at the stage where the dance had ended, still unable to shake off the beautiful music and dance they had just witnessed.

Standing up from his seat, Ye Fan walked to the center of the hall, bowed, and asked, "Your Majesty, isn't it time to drink this alliance wine?"

Setting down her jade chopsticks, Rongyue smiled and said, "Thanks to the Prime Minister's reminder, it would be terrible if we missed the appointed time for this Alliance Wine! Someone, bring the wine!"

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines' Chronicle, Chapter Fifty-Two: A Shocking Turn of Events (Part Two)

As soon as he finished speaking, an eunuch carrying a crystal-clear white jade wine pot and white jade wine cups stepped into the hall with utmost respect and humility. At Rongyue's signal, he handed the tray to the attendant serving in front of the hall, then bowed and respectfully withdrew from the hall.

From the moment the eunuch entered the hall until his figure disappeared at the entrance, Dongfang Yao's gaze remained fixed on him, her brow furrowed deeply, and her beautiful eyes filled with profound confusion. Why did that person look so familiar? She was certain she had seen him somewhere before… but where exactly had she seen him…?

Taking the wine jug from the attendant, Rongyue descended the jade steps with a steady gait. The civil and military officials present immediately ceased their clamor, all rising respectfully from their seats, bowing slightly, and watching with reverence as the dignified Rongyue slowly walked towards Dongfang Yao, the envoy of the Eastern Dynasty, who stood to the left with a slightly stunned expression.

His heart pounded uncontrollably. He watched as the figure, who only appeared in his midnight dreams, walked gracefully towards him with a smile. Dongfang Yao was momentarily stunned, forgetting where he was, unable to distinguish between dream and reality. He still felt as if he were back in that early spring when pear blossoms filled the courtyard, a woman in a white pleated skirt, as delicate as a pear blossom, smiling as she held a newly finished painting. She lightly touched the man grinning foolishly in the painting with her slender hand, softly asking, "Brother Yao, does this painting look like him?"

Forgetting the present, forgetting how he should react, Dongfang Yao was so lost in the beautiful memories of the past, holding his breath and seemingly unwilling to even blink. His eyes were fixed on the smiling face that was getting closer and closer, in a daze, with a dreamy expression, making it seem as if his soul had left his body, leaving only a fixed shell...

He was jolted back to his senses only when someone subtly stabbed him hard from behind.

A dream is just a dream, and dreams always end. But how could he bear the cruelty that followed?

Slowly propping himself up from the table, Dongfang Yao looked at Rong Yue, who was so close to him, and truly saw the coldness and aloofness beneath her faint smile. Only then did he realize that even though they were so close, they were worlds apart.

The melodious sound of the flowing river added a dazzling glow to his fair and handsome face.

His gaze shifted to the slender hand holding the wine cup, and a warm current quietly flowed through his heart.

This was the wine she poured for him herself; it was the first time she had ever poured him wine, and probably the last.

How fortunate he was to drink the wine she poured for him! Even if it was poison that would kill him, he would probably still be happy to drink it as long as she poured it for him!

As I took the wine cup, my fingertips accidentally touched something cool and smooth. Instantly, it felt like an electric current was running through my body, a tingling sensation spreading throughout my entire being. Waves of excitement, accompanied by indescribable palpitations, surged through every inch of my skin, an intoxicating and lingering sensation.

Her body heat lingered on the glass, swirling the amber wine within. Dongfang Yao raised his glass and clinked it against hers; the crisp sound of the glasses striking each other was exceptionally clear and loud in the desolate hall.

"I hope our two countries can become brotherly nations and create a prosperous and glorious future together!" With a slight smile, Rongyue smiled politely, her voice light yet not distant.

The bitterness was forced out of the colored contact lenses.

With a smile that could rival any beauty, Dongfang Yao picked up the cup, letting her wide sleeves fall to cover half her face, and drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.