He stood there, his face twisted in fury, the emotion now the only thing in his eyes.
People cannot be too lonely, so they seek friends.
People cannot be too foolish, so they seek a true heart.
But where is true sincerity found? Each person’s heart is different, and sometimes, it reveals itself in unexpected ways…
For the crowd, trading a horse for people seemed like a mere game. But for Qing Yun, it pierced his lonely heart.
“Release them!” he ordered. Liao Zhen obeyed, and soon the Ernaqi people and Na Zhan’s soldiers, appearing like ants, emerged from the rear of the camp.
Qing Yun’s eyes darkened as he watched Huang Bei Shuang. The hurt she caused him wasn’t just an injury to his pride—it was a wound far deeper. He knew all along that whether or not she used the horse as leverage, he would never senselessly slaughter a slave tribe, nor would he hold the Red Cavalry for long, knowing it could provoke an all-out war between Yunpei and Tiandu. He had only wanted to give her a reason to come to his side. But everything she did that day—dressing in the same clothes she wore when they first met, smiling as she promised him they were still the same—was all to lull him into a false sense of security, to manipulate him. He, a hero, could control empires, but he was helpless in the face of a beautiful woman.
Huang Bei Shuang held back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She would not cry. Not now, at least.
Qing Yun roared in anger, drawing his sword with his left hand while his right hand gripped the air. A flash of white light appeared as the jade bracelet they had once shared broke into two and fell to the ground, the red blood from his wrist staining it like the night her earlobe had bled.
Huang Bei Shuang watched as the jade bracelet was gradually buried under the windblown sand. Her face turned pale, but she silently led the 7,000 Ernaqi people and 5,000 soldiers away, step by step.
Qing Yun stood with his back to 10,000 soldiers, his fury and sorrow simmering, unable to be soothed…
It wasn’t until late into the night that Huang Bei Shuang’s group crossed the snowy plains and reached the border city of Guang Ping in Yunpei. She instructed Lian Huan and Ye Pei to help everyone settle in, but she herself did not meet with her brother, Eh Xiu. Instead, she rode alone to the border gate, sorrowfully stroking Fei Ta’s mane. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, before letting go of the reins and setting the horse free.
Fei Ta galloped away, returning to the lonely figure still standing in the desert, far away.
A white horse, traded for 7,300 lives;
A sword severed the jade bracelet.
From now on, neither owes the other.
Since that day, Huang Bei Shuang often drifted between sleep and wakefulness, rarely eating and always looking dazed, as if she didn’t want to engage with anyone. After three days, she, along with the 11 remaining attendants and 5,000 soldiers, returned to Guang Han Palace, while the 7,000 Ernaqi people temporarily settled in Guang Ping City.
Her triumphant return became the talk of the palace, with other concubines gossiping and mocking the Lord of Tiandu, laughing at how a king had been thwarted by a horse. Many speculated that Northern King Huo Qing Yun must be a strange, ugly creature.
Indeed, Qing Yun’s reputation had suffered greatly, and within days, the entire kingdom was laughing at him.
However, that very day, in the Guang Han Palace’s council chamber, the king Na Zhan, along with 27 top ministers, made a decision that shocked the entire nation of Yunpei.
“Your Majesty, Lady Huang Bei Shuang is asleep,” Zei Ping said, kneeling by the door, blocking Na Zhan’s way.
“Nonsense! I heard her playing the flute,” Na Zhan said, visibly displeased. “Move aside!”
At that moment, Huang Bei Shuang was sitting on her bed. Hearing the commotion outside, she quickly put away her jade flute. Na Zhan strode into the room and sat beside her. “Ever since you returned, you’ve spent all your time sleeping. You’ll make yourself ill,” he said, looking at her thin face.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Huang Bei Shuang replied, her tone touched with warmth. From the day she entered Guang Han Palace, Na Zhan had always treated her with kindness. Smiling faintly, she asked, “Your Majesty, don’t you think it’s time to fulfill the promise you made?”
Na Zhan followed her lead, nodding. “Of course. But first, there’s something else I must tell you.”
“What is it?” she asked calmly.
Na Zhan looked at her seriously. “I’m going to make you my empress.”
The words stunned Zei Ping and Ye Pei, who were serving at her bedside, nearly causing them to drop the tray they were holding.
“Your Majesty, surely you’re joking,” Huang Bei Shuang said, showing little reaction.
Na Zhan let out a grunt. “I’m not.”
“The mother of the crown prince, Consort Yu, and the pregnant Consort Jia will never agree.”
“As long as you agree, that’s all that matters.”
Huang Bei Shuang smiled at his response. “What makes you think I would agree?” she asked.
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