Xiao Yuan was gravely injured, with wounds on his waist and abdomen and two arrows lodged in his leg.
The Nanchuan Army and the Imperial Guards also suffered significant losses, leaving all matters inside and outside the palace to be managed by the arriving forces from Qucheng.
Qucheng, located next to Nanchuan, was currently led by a loyal follower of the late Prince Xiao, who had served under Xiao Yuan’s father. The old prince, Xiao Yuan’s father, was a royal family member and generally regarded as virtuous, except for having a rebellious and troublemaking son. However, despite Xiao Yuan's notorious behavior, his greatest achievement was maintaining stability in the southern regions after his father's sudden passing.
The reinforcements from Qucheng arrived in three divisions, moving silently but at a critical moment.
They arrived just in time to save Xiao Yuan from the brink of death.
He was carried back to the palace, where his bleeding was finally staunched, and he lay in the side hall of Mingwu Hall, as still as death. He was so exhausted that he didn’t even hear Chu Li’s anguished cries upon seeing the Xiao family’s coffin after returning from escorting the young prince back to the palace.
Yet amid the excruciating pain and semi-consciousness, the sounds of a woman’s sobs and her gentle words reached Xiao Yuan’s ears.
Xiao Yuan wasn’t sure if he was dead or alive, but hearing the woman cry for someone else made him furious enough to want to rush back from the gates of the underworld and confront her.
As the woman in the main hall wept and spoke, the man in the side hall struggled to sit up, forcing his numb, pain-racked legs to carry him outside.
The closer he got, the clearer the voices became.
It wasn’t until he heard the words, "Xiao Yuan, even if you don’t want to in the next life, I will still force you to marry me," that his heart skipped a beat, a wave of intense joy surging through him. The pain in his body vanished instantly, but as he stepped out, he saw her raising a dagger toward herself.
If he hadn’t moved quickly, he might now be facing Pei Qing’s lifeless body.
He had thought she was mourning for Xiao Jing, but to his surprise, she was willing to go to such lengths for him, Xiao Yuan.
He should have anticipated this... When the imperial decree was announced to open the palace gates and surrender, he should have known.
Xiao Jing was indeed a benevolent emperor, but as a man, he wasn’t so kind-hearted that he would remain indifferent knowing his empress had feelings for another man.
For this reason, before leaving the palace to fight, Xiao Yuan had visited Yangju Hall again. He had bargained with Xiao Jing, pledging to protect Xiao Jing’s only son in exchange for a promise that no matter the outcome, Pei Qing would not be harmed. Whether they won or lost, Pei Qing was to remain the empress, and she would not be punished or hunted down.
For the first time, Xiao Jing had put away his usual composed smile and agreed to the Nanchuan King’s audacious demands.
With that agreement in place, Xiao Yuan had never considered that Xiao Jing would personally issue the decree to surrender the palace. Now, he realized that only Pei Qing could have persuaded Xiao Jing to make such a concession.
Pei Qing was stunned by the sudden voice from the side hall, staring blankly at the man who had emerged. She wasn’t sure if it was real or a dream until he flashed that familiar, mischievous grin and waved at her, saying, "Would the Empress be so kind as to help this king? My legs are in terrible pain."
In the next moment, her slender figure was rushing into Xiao Yuan’s arms, hugging him tightly and crying pitifully.
Xiao Yuan felt as if all his internal organs had been knocked out of place, yet he felt no pain—only a comforting warmth spreading through his chest.
He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around Pei Qing’s waist, lowering his head to plant a kiss on her hair. "See, I’m fine, but you’re crying so much it’s making me ache."
Pei Qing quickly looked up, her voice choked with tears. "Where does it hurt?" She then noticed the strong scent of blood on Xiao Yuan and hastily tried to pull away. "Did I touch your wound? I’m so sorry."
As she spoke, tears began to fall again.
Xiao Yuan, who had risked his life to win her affection, was in no hurry to let go. He held her tighter and whispered in her ear, "Qing’er, your tears are breaking my heart."
Pei Qing’s ears turned red, and though she wanted to push him away, she couldn’t bear to use force.
Watching their playful exchange, Xu Da, the leader of the Qucheng forces, furrowed his brow. He couldn’t understand this empress. Just moments ago, she was weeping bitterly at the emperor’s coffin, and now she was in another man’s arms.
As for Xiao Yuan, Xu Da was even more puzzled. Wasn’t this guy only good at fighting and causing trouble? When did he become so gentle and considerate? And to the empress, no less—the future empress dowager.
This was outrageous!
Seeing more and more people peeking into the hall, Xu Da loudly cleared his throat, drawing the attention of those inside.
Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Xu Da found his expression insufferable, and if Xiao Yuan were his son, he would have beaten him senseless long ago. If not for the old prince’s sake, he wouldn’t have come to the aid of this scoundrel.
"Lord Xiang has arrived."
Xiao Yuan, still holding Pei Qing, asked, "Who?"
"Who else? Lord Xiang Zhi of the State Council!" Xu Da snapped. "He says he’s here on imperial orders to announce the emperor’s last will to the world."
Hearing this, Pei Qing quickly looked toward the black coffin in the hall.
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