Chapter 170: Chapter One Hundred Seventy

"Pfft!"

Cheng Qiuluo burst out laughing on the spot.

"You can't even deny it, this Xiyue National Lord really knows how to curse."

The others also had the corners of their mouths slightly hooked, a hint of exhilaration in their eyes.

Well cursed!

Cheng Qiuyun picked up the second letter, and after a quick glance, the corners of her mouth could no longer be pressed down.

"Dongxun Nation cites unrest on the border as the reason and refuses to lend troops."

Cheng Qiuluo held it in again and again, but still couldn't hold it in.

"Hahaha, that's killing me. He came up with some boneheaded scheme to let the wolf in, and the wolf doesn't even want to come."

Hearing her exceptionally apt description, the others also burst into laughter one after another.

Yu'an, sitting to the side playing Huarong Dao, seemed to think of something good, and would cover her mouth and secretly giggle from time to time.

Cheng Qiuluo saw this and slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Yu'an is this happy, is there some good news? Tell us and let everyone be happy too."

The little one quickly covered her mouth with both hands, her big eyes rolled around guiltily, and her little head shook like a rattle-drum.

"No, no."

Daddy said to give everyone a surprise, can't say it ahead of time.

There must be something!

The few exchanged a glance.

But none of them pressed further, instead changing the subject and continuing to discuss the previous topic.

Seeing that the Ancestors didn't keep pressing, Small Dumpling breathed a sigh of relief.

"So when do we go find Second Brother?"

Cheng Qiuluo excitedly waved her fist.

She was already impatient to take her Tiger Squad onto the battlefield!

"Shh."

Cheng Qiuruo made a hushing gesture at her, using her eyes to signal her to look toward Yu'an.

The little one's upper and lower eyelids were fighting each other, and her little head was nodding bit by bit.

Tian Qin gently picked Yu'an up and said softly.

"Grandmother, this granddaughter-in-law will take Yu'an back to her room first."

Cheng Old Madam nodded.

"Go quickly."

Then she looked at the others.

"It's late, everyone disperse."

The few nodded in assent.

"Yes."

Tian Qin gently put the little hat on the little one, wrapped up snugly, and only then walked briskly toward the little one's room.

Back in the room, she helped Yu'an simply wipe her little face, hands, and feet with a warm cloth.

Small Dumpling, with her outer clothes taken off, rolled over, tumbled into the warm little bed in one go, squinted her big eyes and nuzzled the pillow, her little mouth sucking in and out.

Sleeping soundly.

Looking at the obedient, milk-scented little Small Dumpling, Tian Qin's heart was about to melt into a puddle of water.

Thinking about how the little one had been inexplicably excited and shaking her head these past few days, she leaned in closer and asked softly.

"Yu'an is this happy, is something good going to happen soon?"

The little one's eyebrows slightly furrowed, she rubbed her ear, then rolled over.

Tian Qin smiled and shook her head.

What had gotten into her?

Yu'an was already asleep, how could she answer her question?

She got up lightly on tiptoe and walked out, but had only taken a few steps when she heard Yu'an's small mumbling, like sleep-talking.

"Hehe."

"Daddy... Daddy, is finally coming, back."

In her sleep, the little one's little mouth was stretched in a grin.

"... So good..."

After saying her sleep-talking, Small Dumpling smacked her little lips, and slept soundly with little snores.

Hearing these words from the little one, Tian Qin immediately froze on the spot.

Her nose stung, and all the panic, fear, sadness, and grief of these past days...

All the negative emotions came pouring out at once.

In the end, they were all drowned by this enormous surprise.

Sitao was coming back.

Tian Qin wept with joy, but afraid of waking Yu'an, she covered her mouth tightly with both hands, and only then did she not cry out loud.

That's great, really great.

……

In the palace several hundred li away, upon hearing the news that she didn't have to go to a political marriage, the Sixth Princess felt as if granted a great reprieve; having narrowly escaped a disaster, she was alone in her room, sobbing softly one moment and laughing happily the next.

Wonderful—she won't have to go marry into another kingdom, won't have to suffer!

The door suddenly creaked open.

Shen Yuxi hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and adjusted her expression.

"Didn't I say it already? This princess wants to be alone. Can you not understand words?!"

She turned her head, saw who had come, and froze.

"Why are you here?"

The visitor said playfully.

"No longer having to go to Xiyue for a political marriage, the Sixth Princess must be very happy now, right?"

Shen Yuxi unnaturally averted her gaze, pressing her lips down hard.

"Who said that? Not being able to share Father Emperor and Empress Dowager's burdens—I am heartbroken."

The visitor gave a soft laugh.

"In front of me, the Sixth Princess need not put on an act."

"Having escaped this calamity, what does the Sixth Princess plan to do afterward?"

Shen Yuxi's brows furrowed slightly, her tone none too pleasant.

"What do you mean?"

"His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Crown Prince so easily cast you aside. This time it was Xiyue that refused the marriage, so the princess escaped. But what about next time?"

The visitor continued speaking on their own.

"Muyuan Kingdom's new emperor is about to ascend the throne. To better control Muyuan, would His Majesty perhaps send the princess to marry Muyuan's new National Lord?"

"And Dongxun—this time Dongxun refused to lend troops. If court officials proposed sending the princess to Dongxun for a political marriage, to maintain relations between the two courts and change the Dongxun emperor's mind?"

"Does the Sixth Princess think His Majesty would agree?"

Glancing at the look on Shen Yuxi's face, the visitor added another airy remark.

"I heard that although the Dongxun emperor is advanced in years, his harem is full of beauties—truly vigorous in old age."

Listening to these words, Shen Yuxi pressed her lips tightly together. Her two hands clenched tighter and tighter, her carefully tended nails digging viciously into her palms, yet she seemed not to feel it at all.

The hatred in her eyes grew thicker and thicker.

Yes, escaping once was her good luck. If something happened again, she would still be the first to be abandoned.

Why?

Just because she was a princess, not a prince?!

Seeing her expression brimming with hatred, the visitor sneered inwardly.

Possessing lofty status and glory, enjoying the people's support, yet never once thinking of contributing even half a thing for the people!

But a Shen Yuxi like this is even easier to manipulate.

"Sigh!"

The visitor shook their head and sighed, took out two handkerchiefs, and wrapped her bleeding palms.

"The princess's status is noble. Be angry if you must, but please never hurt yourself again."

Watching the person bandage her hands, Shen Yuxi was slightly dazed. She forcefully pulled her hand back and asked coldly.

"Why have you come to tell me all this?"

"Naturally, I wish to cooperate with the princess."

Shen Yuxi gave a cold laugh.

"Why should this princess agree to you?"

"I have a piece of information here. The princess can decide after hearing it—it won't be too late."

The person whispered something in her ear.

Shen Yuxi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Really?!"

Lowering her eyes to think for a moment, she nodded.

"Fine, I agree to you!"

……

At night, a group of people and horses rested at the edge of a grove.

About a hundred meters from the main force, Cheng Chengxuan leaned against a tree, looking up at the night sky.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on the light screen. The corner of his mouth curved into a smile, and he reached out to tap it lightly.

"Miss An."

An Luo surveyed the surroundings around him.

"How much longer before you reach the battlefield?"

Cheng Chengxuan estimated in his heart.

"In about two more days, we should be able to intercept Prince Kang's army."

An Luo nodded upon hearing this.

"On the battlefield, blades and swords are blind—take extra care."

Hearing these words, the smile in Cheng Chengxuan's eyes deepened.

"Is Miss An worrying about me?"

An Luo's cheeks flushed slightly as she softly retorted.

"I'm not!"

"I'm afraid that if you get hurt, Yu'an will be sad."

"Alright."

Cheng Chengxuan's tone was pleasant, carrying a faint indulgence.

That voice made An Luo's ears flush hot.

Honestly, he was already this good-looking, and his voice was this pleasant too.

Afraid of truly making her angry, Cheng Chengxuan quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, isn't Big Brother coming back very soon?"

At the mention of this topic, An Luo looked at the table and nodded, her mood not very high.

"Yes, soon."

Afterwards, as usual, An Luo told him the news of the Cheng Family one by one, just somewhat absent-mindedly.

Noticing her mood was off, Cheng Chengxuan asked with concern.

"Miss An, what's the matter? Did something happen?"

"It's actually nothing, it's just that after your Big Brother goes back, Yu'an can no longer come over here, and I'm still a bit unused to it, reluctant to part with Yu'an."

So it was because of this.

Cheng Chengxuan smiled and gently comforted her.

"Miss An coming to Da Yin to see Yu'an would be just the same."

An Luo opened her mouth, but in the end said nothing, only managing a forced smile and nodding vaguely.

"Mm, what you say is true."

Seeing her expression, Cheng Chengxuan's heart tightened, and an inexplicable panic welled up inside him.

What on earth was going on?