Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 449 - 448: Swearing to Follow Until Death

Chapter 449: Chapter 448: Swearing to Follow Until Death

Tonight, Feng Wuya was unexpectedly absent, with no clue as to where he might have gone.

Feng Wuya followed Long Xinghe to another estate, leaving the others with no choice but to follow.

After all, Long Xinghe had brought hundreds of troops over. Unless they truly intended to start a conflict with them, they had no say in whether to go or not.

Having just entered Longteng, they couldn’t afford to clash with the local troops so rashly.

With limited numbers, plus Feng Wuya’s protector, Feng Si, missing, it was not in their favor to fight now.

Engaging in a battle at this time would be detrimental and afford them no benefits.

Chu Qianli only worried that Long Xinghe seemed quite enamored with Wuya.

Now that Wuya had been taken to her own place, Chu Qianli wondered if Long Xinghe might do something beastly to him.

Chu Qianli paced back and forth in the room, unable to settle down and rest for even a moment throughout the night.

"Ali, no matter what, she is still the Grand Princess, with high status and significant power. She has a considerable reputation in Longteng and should... should not do anything extreme to Prince Wuya."

Long Ziyue was worried too, but worrying was useless at this point.

She glanced at Chu Qianli’s silhouette and then looked at Fu Long with full guilt.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. Now that my mother is still in the palace, I am... at a loss as well."

Long Xinghe said that due to Prince Wei Xian’s persistent poor health, the Empress decided to "bring" her into the palace so she could recover within its walls.

Chu Qianli stopped pacing and turned to look at her, "Why has Her Majesty suddenly brought her into the palace? Why were there no moves made before?"

Prince Wei Xian could not have been easily taken in. They all knew the palace was fraught with danger.

Entering the palace was like walking into the maw of a tiger.

Now, because she was within the palace, it resulted in Long Ziyue also daring not make a single reckless move.

Indeed, they were being constrained at every turn!

"The Empress is despicable, using the unrest in Jicheng as an excuse to transfer General Wei away."

Long Ziyue clenched her fists and said angrily, "The moment General Wei left, she immediately brought my mother into the palace!"

"General Wei?" That title sounded very familiar. Chu Qianli hurriedly asked, "Are you referring to General Wei Xian?"

This was indeed a resounding figure in Longteng Country from before.

Chu Qianli had heard from her uncle Long Feifan that General Wei was the Great General most trusted by the former emperor.

He had followed the former emperor on many campaigns, earning significant military achievements.

Her uncle also said that everyone might betray her, but General Wei never would!

This General Wei was also a person Chu Qianli must meet upon her return to Longteng Country.

She might not have much military power right now, but her connections were broad, and to reach out to those still loyal to the former emperor and Princess Xiyue, General Wei would certainly be a great help!

Long Ziyue looked at her with some surprise, "You know about General Wei?"

"How could I not know?"

Long Ziyue, however, let out a soft sigh and shook her head helplessly, "General Wei has been disinterested in politics for many years, living a reclusive life. My mother visited numerous times, but he always refused to come out of retirement."

"Then..."

"The General Wei I’m speaking of is General Wei’s daughter, Wei Qiong."

Though Wei Qiong controlled less than a third of the soldiers once under General Wei, that much power was still enough to protect her and her mother within the Imperial City.

Adding their forces to those of her mother, even the current Empress could not handle them.

But unexpectedly, with this ploy to dispatch General Wei away, they had immediately managed to control her mother.

The army outside the city, I’m afraid, is still in disarray.

"I must return to my mother’s camp as soon as possible to soothe the soldiers’ emotions, otherwise, I fear that if they cannot contact my mother for a prolonged period, they may be persuaded by the Grand Princess."

The worst fear for an army is to be without a commander.

Without a pillar of support, the soldiers’ morale would fall into chaos. At such a time, if Long Xinghe were to threaten or entice them, it might be that not all soldiers can resist the temptation.

It’s not that they are disloyal, but rather, without their commander, there is no clear path ahead and everyone is directionless.

"But my mother is in their hands, and if I don’t go to see her and ascertain her safety, I can’t leave."

At the moment, Long Ziyue also feels utterly at a loss.

"I’m afraid it’s not so easy for you to leave now."

Fu Long had surveyed the area; inside and out, this secluded garden is guarded by Long Xinghe’s men.

The army is layered with three rings of defense both inside and out, such tight security clearly indicates they don’t intend to let anyone leave.

In his heart, Long Ziyue also knew this, and right now, he felt even more helpless.

"I’m sorry, Ali, Brother Fu, I didn’t expect... really didn’t expect that upon returning, I wouldn’t even be able to ensure your safety."

It was he who had invited them back, and his inability to ensure their safety was his responsibility.

Long Ziyue felt extremely guilty.

Chu Qianli said indifferently, "What does it have to do with you? We came willingly."

She hadn’t told Long Ziyue about her true identity yet, the time wasn’t right.

Fu Long glanced at her, naturally understanding her meaning.

However, right now, as the situation is still uncertain, her identity must absolutely not be revealed.

"Ali, I’ll go check..."

"No need," Chu Qianli immediately interrupted, "just pretend nothing has happened. We are envoys from Beiming Country, and besides, Wuya is still a Prince of Beiming, they won’t do anything to us for the time being."

After all, a war between the two nations was not good news for the current Empress.

She had yet to stabilize her own country’s turmoil, although she had controlled Longteng for more than a decade, there was still a part of the population seeking the truth of past events.

Therefore, over these years, Longteng Country had refrained from initiating conflicts with neighboring countries, not wanting to deal with both internal and external troubles at such a time.

"Our safety, at least for now, should not be in too much trouble."

The only problem is that we cannot go out freely to contact the followers of Princess Xiyue.

Using such a strong hand to control them right after their arrival signifies that the Empress, during this period, must also be preparing for some major event!

And their arrival, perhaps, has made the Empress feel pressured.

"Ziyue, remember not to act rashly for now. The Prince is still in their hands. What we need to do at the moment is to meet with the Prince first."

"I understand," Long Ziyue nodded.

Chu Qianli hesitated for a moment, then suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Ziyue, are you certain of your mother’s intentions?"

"What do you mean?" Long Ziyue didn’t understand. What intentions?

"If, at this time, Princess Xiyue were to return..."

Long Ziyue’s heart skipped a beat, and he stood up abruptly, "Where is Princess Xiyue?"

"I was just saying, if," Chu Qianli put her forefinger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.

Long Ziyue felt a surge of excitement, his chest heaving uncontrollably: "If... If the Princess returns, both my mother and I will certainly pledge our undying loyalty, ready to die a thousand deaths without regret!"