Chapter 152: Baring the Heart

Tukesuo remained in high spirits, taking up the thread: "What else could they do? Those Xixia soldiers can't even feed themselves—dare they come for revenge? If they still had the strength to march, why didn't I lead a force thirty li deep into Xixia and see not a single soul? Rest assured, I guarantee that from now on, whenever they hear your name, these Xixia beasts will crawl away on their hands and knees."

Jiang Mingyu listened, puzzled, and pressed: "What do you mean?" Tukesuo chuckled: "I left your banner beside the corpses of those Xixia soldiers, so they'd know who defeated them. So I declare: as long as your banner flies over Da Feng, the Xixia people will never dare raise a weapon again."

Jiang Mingyu felt a bitter smile tug at his lips, while Zhuge Yu still wore an expression of concern.

Though celebrating their victory, the men understood this battle might only be the beginning—and future challenges could be far grimmer.

Zhuge Yu's concern reminded him: though the Xixia were currently in dire straits, hunger and despair might ignite even greater ambition and resolve. Jiang Mingyu nodded in agreement: "You're right. We mustn't grow complacent because of this victory. The Xixia have nothing to eat now, but once they survive this winter, they'll return with a vengeance. Da Feng may face even harsher trials—possibly total annihilation."

Jiang Mingyu's words plunged the group into silence; they knew this was no time to relax. Jiang Mingyu continued: "Even this is optimistic. If they're truly starving, where else can they go but to invade Da Feng again? So right now, the most urgent task is to reorganize Da Feng's defenses and prepare for war at any moment."

As the conversation continued, Jiang Mingyu and the soldiers behind him crossed the border and returned into Da Feng territory. Snowflakes clung to Jiang Mingyu's face, but his gaze was resolute—he knew he must act swiftly. He nodded in agreement with Zhuge Yu's suggestion: "Correct. Zhuge Yu is right—better safe than sorry. Back in the city, immediately tally our casualties and replenish missing troops. Also, today we captured many horses—I estimate at least ten thousand. Zhang Jiani, later, select men and train them into a cavalry force as quickly as possible."

Jiang Mingyu had long lamented his lack of cavalry; now that this opportunity had arisen, he was thrilled. Back at the city garrison, he personally began reviewing the roster to count casualties, while Tukesuo rushed to report: "My lord, you may not believe it, but our casualties today totaled less than two thousand."

Jiang Mingyu nearly gaped. Less than two thousand casualties—for the annihilation of forty thousand elite Xixia cavalry? The victory was almost unbelievable. He silently marveled: perhaps since Da Feng's founding, no such glorious triumph had ever been achieved.

Jiang Mingyu entrusted all city affairs to Zhuge Yu, then turned to Tukesuo and announced his plan to travel to the provincial capital the next morning to report the victory. Such a brilliant achievement meant his promotion was imminent.

Suddenly, Cloud of the Murong changed into clean clothes and knelt before Jiang Mingyu, his voice thick with emotion: "Xingqiu, today, at last, you've helped me avenge my dead family. I've waited too long for this day. I keep my word—from now on, my life belongs to you. Through water or fire, I'll follow without hesitation."

Jiang Mingyu was deeply moved and honored by Cloud of the Murong's decision. He watched the retreating back of Cloud of the Murong, speechless for a moment. He sighed, brushed his sleeves, and mounted his horse to return to the county magistrate's office.

Upon entering the magistrate's office, he immediately ordered his guards to post notices informing the townspeople that the Xixia had retreated and Da Feng had won a great victory. He also instructed the kilns to resume production and accelerate the making of glass and iron to meet the provincial capital's demands.

After the guards departed, Jiang Mingyu coughed a few times, then entered the main hall of the magistrate's office.

No sooner had Jiang Mingyu sat down than Liu Yifei, dressed in red, burst in, her face flushed with anxiety, clearly fearing he'd been wounded. "Xingqiu, let me see—are you alright? Did you know? When I heard you led the army into battle, I nearly died of fright."

Jiang Mingyu smiled gently and embraced Liu Yifei, soothing her softly: "Don't worry, Yifei—I'm perfectly fine. What, you think I'd die on the battlefield…?" His words were cut off as Liu Yifei's small hand gently pressed over his mouth.

Liu Yifei's expression turned superstitious; she spat repeatedly: "Pee-pee-pee! Don't say such things—they're bad luck." Jiang Mingyu felt the softness of her hand and kissed it, making her eyes soften with tenderness.

Jiang Mingyu enthusiastically shared the army's magnificent victories with Liu Yifei, but she barely cared.

She cared only for Jiang Mingyu's safety and Da Feng's peace.

The lingering fear in Liu Yifei's eyes warmed Jiang Mingyu's heart; he gently kissed her rosy lips.

At the moment their lips met, Liu Yifei trembled all over, her mind going utterly blank.

Time itself seemed to halt.

Jiang Mingyu and Liu Yifei's kiss grew hotter, their tongues entwining as if speaking endless emotion.

Liu Yifei's body grew supple; her hands slowly circled Jiang Mingyu's neck, clinging to him as if trying to merge him into her embrace.

Her breathing grew rapid and uneven; her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes glazed with passion.

Jiang Mingyu sank into her gaze, as if finding their entire world within it.

Long moments passed before their lips parted, yet their eyes remained locked—each knew, in that instant, this feeling had sunk deep into their hearts and could never be forgotten.

Then Jiang Mingyu gently kissed Liu Yifei's forehead and whispered: "Yifei, no matter what happens, I will protect you—forever."

Liu Yifei nodded, her eyes brimming with happiness and dependence; she knew, in Jiang Mingyu's arms, she had found her sanctuary.

Releasing her hand, Jiang Mingyu gazed into her beautiful eyes and asked softly: "I have one more piece of good news—would you like to hear it?"

Liu Yifei blushed, her curiosity piqued. "What good news? Tell me quickly."

Jiang Mingyu gazed deeply into Liu Yifei's eyes and declared without hesitation: "I plan to use this great victory to ask your father for your hand in marriage—to make you my wife, with all the honor and glory you deserve."

Liu Yifei exclaimed in surprise: "Why do you keep thinking about proposing?"

In that instant, Liu Yifei recalled everything Jiang Mingyu had done for her.

He had publicly humiliated Zhu Tianxiang, the Zhu family's spoiled heir, to defend her justice; he had bravely confronted the provincial secretary Huang Chaoran; he had even risked execution to secretly mobilize fifty thousand troops solely to pursue Che Ting, who had kidnapped her.

Jiang Mingyu's devotion to her was overwhelming.

Seeing Liu Yifei moved, Jiang Mingyu seized the moment: "Of course—you're such a wonderful girl. If I don't act now, someone else might steal you away—and then I'd have no place to cry."

Then Jiang Mingyu grew serious, asking: "Yifei, will you be my wife?"

Liu Yifei's face burned crimson, nearly reaching her ears; she was about to nod—then paused, as if remembering something.

She said: "I don't oppose marrying you—but I have one condition."

Jiang Mingyu would have agreed to any condition she proposed—whether one, a hundred, or a thousand.

He declared firmly: "Say it. I'll agree."

Liu Yifei fixed her gaze on Jiang Mingyu's eyes and spoke slowly, word by word: "I want you to promise—this life, you will marry only me, and your heart will hold only me. Will you?"

In a world where multiple wives and concubines were normal, Jiang Mingyu's status made it perfectly reasonable for him to take eight wives.

Yet pure-hearted Liu Yifei refused to share Jiang Mingyu with anyone.

Fortunately, Jiang Mingyu was no man who fell for every woman he met. He nodded solemnly: "I will."

Then Jiang Mingyu told her: "Before you answer, I must tell you one more thing."

Seeing his tone grow even more serious, Liu Yifei asked softly: "What is it? Tell me."

Jiang Mingyu then revealed without reservation his feud with Prince Qi.

He described the perilous state of court politics—if Prince Qi ascended, Jiang Mingyu would face certain death.

Jiang Mingyu asked: "Yifei, given this dire situation, will you still marry me?"

Faced with the current crisis, Liu Yifei had no thought left for marriage; she hurriedly asked: "So you'll just sit and wait to be killed? Don't you have any plan to respond?"

But she immediately realized her words sounded impertinent and corrected herself: "What I meant was—"

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, smiling: "No need to explain. I know you're thinking of me. I understand."

He glanced around, confirmed no one was near, then whispered: "Since things have come to this, I'll no longer hide anything from you."

"You saw the fifty thousand troops at the city garrison? That's my backup plan against Prince Qi."

He told Liu Yifei everything: if Prince Qi drove him to desperation, he would rise in rebellion.

Liu Yifei stared at him in shock, while Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly: "Ever since I recruited those fifty thousand men, my fate has had only two paths."

"Either I cling to life, only to die one day at Prince Qi's hands—or become a traitor despised by all."

He fixed his gaze on Liu Yifei's eyes, filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"So, Yifei—even if you refuse to marry me, I won't blame you."

"You're a good girl. How could you possibly follow Jiang Mingyu through such perilous days?"

Liu Yifei stared at his bitter smile and asked slowly: "Besides us, who else knows this?"

Jiang Mingyu sat across from her, lifted his teacup, and took a sip.

He answered: "Tukesuo and Zhuge Yu—they only learned recently. You're the only ones I trust. Why?"

After the tension of moments before, Liu Yifei gradually calmed.

She said: "Xingqiu, this matter is too grave. We must never speak of it to a fourth person."

"No matter what happens, our safety comes first."

If this secret leaked, Jiang Mingyu would face nothing but pursuit and death.

Hearing her say this, Jiang Mingyu paused, then gave a wry nod. He understood—she was thinking of them both.