The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 366 - 365 Breaking Her Wings (First Update)

Chapter 366: 365 Breaking Her Wings (First Update)

Yelu Yan looked at Xiao Dilu and said, "After they carry out this matter, they will certainly cover their tracks thoroughly, leaving no trace behind, so tracing the source will be difficult. Their purpose is clear, they aim to sabotage agriculture. If the first strike misses, they will surely employ other methods. As long as we assign someone to keep a close watch on the agricultural activities, we will naturally uncover their mistakes."

"Yes," Xiao Dilu bowed as he replied.

Although Xiao Dilu was Yelu Yan’s early tutor, Yelu Yan had been precociously insightful, exhibiting astonishing strategic acumen by the age of eleven or twelve, already surpassing him in cunning and political maneuvering. Yet, for all these years, he still addressed him as "honored teacher" and treated him with great respect.

Just for this reason alone, Xiao Dilu could not help but be fiercely loyal to him.

-

That night, at the Houliang Imperial Palace.

Murong Ce finished his official duties and returned to the Harem.

The connected buildings of the Harem, with their upturned eaves, sketched beautiful arcs in the cold moonlight.

The palace chimes hanging from the eaves swayed gently in the wind, chiming pleasantly and adding to the tranquility of the night.

The Palace Attendant of Qionglu Palace stood watch on the essential path leading to the Harem, and immediately approached when she saw the figure who resembled a splendidly upright orchid, kneeling down to perform a salute.

"Your Majesty, the young lady threw quite a tantrum in the palace, would you like to go see her?"

Bai Mengling’s status in the Harem was rather awkward, she could be considered one of Murong Ce’s women, but Murong Ce had not granted her any official title. Conversely, she was not considered unrelated, as she was the only woman Murong Ce kept in the Harem.

Murong Ce said indifferently, "If she has a temper, let her vent it. Why involve me?"

Since his ascension, he had been diligent in governmental affairs, especially attentive to military preparations.

Murong Ce’s iron-fisted policy had offended many, and he was known for his unorthodox actions. In just a few short days, Houliang began to standardize, with its national strength gradually recovering.

He walked straight ahead, his mind suddenly filled with the image of a pair of eyebrows and eyes very similar to Li Xianyun’s, and finally, he stopped and commanded faintly, "Lead the way."

The Palace Attendant of Qionglu Palace scrambled up from the ground and led the way ahead.

Because of his iron-handed policy, Murong Ce had made many enemies, and so wherever he went, he was always followed by a large group of guards, particularly by the three masters: Shang, Zhi, and Yu.

The entourage approached Qionglu Palace in full array.

Murong Ce glanced back at his followers, who offered salutes respectfully and stood in formation on either side of the door.

He stepped in and saw the chaos within, precious treasures shattered all over the floor, each one of them invaluable.

But Murong Ce didn’t show the slightest change in his expression; instead, he looked at the woman sitting on the soft couch.

Bai Mengling was somewhat afraid of Murong Ce and slowly rose from the couch.

Murong Ce gave her a brief glance and sat down on the Taishi Chair next to the soft couch, gazing at the woman who had stood up.

Her face was covered, revealing only the pair of eyebrows and eyes he longed for both day and night.

This was something Murong Ce had ordered her to do.

Being kept in the palace by Murong Ce, Bai Mengling soon understood why he had annihilated her family yet chose to spare only her.

She had a pair of eyebrows and eyes similar to those of the woman he loved.

If not for these eyes, she wouldn’t know how many times she might have died.

It was uncertain whether this was fortune or misfortune.

Bai Mengling was very curious about the woman Murong Ce loved.

What kind of woman could move the cold-blooded and cruel Murong Ce to genuine affection?

After a while, Murong Ce said, "Come here."

Like many times before, Bai Mengling walked over and knelt down before him.

But today was different from the past days; she had a dagger hidden up her sleeve.

She had had enough of such a life; she wanted to avenge her grandmother, her parents, and her younger brother.

Being kept by Murong Ce made her feel deeply humiliated and yearning for death.

Murong Ce leaned forward, lifted Bai Mengling’s face, and saw those familiar eyebrows and eyes close at hand, then raised his hand to gently caress them.

"Xianxian, I’ve been so good to you, why would you still betray me?"

He paused and then continued, "But I don’t blame you. It was my fault to begin with, and I deserve your punishment."

Bai Mengling couldn’t take it anymore. She was herself, unwilling to be the shadow of another woman, nor did she want to kneel before her enemy like a slave.

She gripped the dagger tightly and suddenly raised her hand. The sharp blade darted towards Murong Ce’s chest.

But in just a blink, her slender wrist was fiercely grasped.

Bai Mengling looked up in shock at the man above her.

His expression remained unchanged, his eyes as deep as an ancient well.

Murong Ce looked at Bai Mengling and suddenly burst into laughter.

Bai Mengling’s heart tightened.

The man before her must be crazy, laughing even when being assassinated.

But he was already a madman. What couldn’t a madman do?

Murong Ce looked at Bai Mengling and laughed, "Very well, you’re finally a bit like her. She looked at Us precisely in that manner, wishing she could slice Us a thousand times. From now on, look at Us just like this."

"..."

Madman.

After Murong Ce finished speaking, with a slight exertion of force, the dagger in Bai Mengling’s hand clattered to the ground.

He flicked his long sleeve, brushing Bai Mengling to the ground, then rose to pick up the dagger and strode out.

Bai Mengling sat on the ground as if her soul had been extracted, utterly disheartened.

How could she fight against such a powerful man?

Murong Ce walked out of the sleeping palace, and Xu Sheng stepped forward to report softly, "Your Majesty, there’s trouble. News from Longxiao Camp say that the camp’s provisions and military supplies have all been burnt to ashes."

Murong Ce looked coldly at Xu Sheng, "Who is behind this?"

Xu Sheng hesitated.

"Speak."

Murong Ce ordered impatiently.

It was then Xu Sheng spoke, "A few days ago, we found a master of poison near Longxiao Camp, and I suspect the people of Ji Shi Tang are involved."

Again, Ji Shi Tang.

Murong Ce’s eyes narrowed, filled with a terrifying look.

Had it not been for the people of Ji Shi Tang last time, he would have already brought Li Xianyun back. Why would he need a substitute to alleviate the pain of longing?

Murong Ce looked at Xu Sheng and said indifferently, "Immediately send people to search for those from Ji Shi Tang. I want to dig three feet into the ground to utterly destroy Ji Shi Tang."

Is it only when I cut off all your wings that you will obediently return to my side?

Xianxian, you’ve forced my hand.

Xu Sheng saluted with a fist, "Yes!"

But he knew this task was not easy. The people of Ji Shi Tang were skilled at using poison, and they were like shadows—elusive and uncatchable as a loach.

Murong Ce walked towards his own sleeping quarters with a group of people.

In a dark corner, a person was hidden. She watched Murong Ce and his entourage departing, unwittingly tightening her grip on the porcelain bottle in her hand—the medicine had been given to her by Li Xianyun.

A medicine that could make Murong Ce fall in love with her.

Should she try it?

Murong Ce was already completely muddled. Bai Mengling had done so many outrageous things, but Murong Ce still indulged her, all because she had brows and eyes similar to Li Xianyun’s.

Just a pair of similar brows and eyes had made Murong Ce so infatuated. If Li Xianyun were present, who knew to what extent she would be doted on?

Without external help, Murong Ce wouldn’t glance at her in a lifetime.

But would Li Xianyun really help her kindly?

What if it was poison? Would she not be harming Murong Ce?

How could she bear to hurt the man she had yearned for so many years?