The Enchanting Empress Dowager Is Really Poisonous

Chapter 36: Xue Nation’s Great Victory! Jin Yu’s Heart Stirs

The war between Feng Yu and Xue Nation finally commenced. Although Xue Nation was half the size of Feng Yu, it was larger than the grasslands and possessed a national system, making it more unified. Like Feng Yu, Xue Nation’s army was stationed and commanded by generals, unlike the grasslands’ scattered and disorganized forces. Thus, this was a true war between nations.

Xue Nation had always been small because it was located in a remote polar region to the north, a place central troops were unaccustomed to. This allowed the nation to survive and establish itself. Three years ago, Long Yi launched an offensive, conquering half of Xue Nation’s territory and forcing the old emperor to submit. However, this submission was superficial, as they surely harbored hopes of restoration. Over the past three years, Xue Nation had secretly trained its troops and rebuilt its strength, now emerging ready for war. Despite its population of less than one million, Xue Nation raised an army of 100,000, demonstrating their resolve.

Half of Xue Nation’s land now belonged to Feng Yu, leaving only a small portion of territory and the perennially Xue-covered polar regions. Even if they wished to provoke Feng Yu, it seemed like a futile gesture, like striking a stone with an egg. No one in the world expected Xue Nation to succeed, likely not even its own people. Yet no one dared voice this, as the emperor and the regent strongly supported the war. In fact, the regent personally led the troops. Who would dare question their decision?

Two days before the war with Feng Yu began, a special guest arrived at Xue Nation’s camp. He stood tall and straight, with an imposing and cold demeanor. Clad in a black cloak and a silver mask, only his deep, sharp eyes like cold stars could be seen.

When Lan Ze saw the guest, his expression shifted slightly, but he skipped the pleasantries and directly led him to the main tent. Inside, over a dozen generals were already seated. Lan Ze brought the guest to the head of the room, standing with his hands behind his back. His elegant aura carried a touch of majesty. “This is the strategist I invited. From today onwards, he will command this war on my behalf. His orders must not be defied.”

The generals exchanged confused glances. Finally, an older general couldn’t help but ask, “Regent, can you clarify this strategist’s background? How else can I explain it to my men?”

Lan Ze raised his head slightly. “In two days, our forces will take the offensive against Feng Yu. All you need to do is follow his orders. Use a decisive first victory to answer your soldiers.”

“This…” The generals hesitated, uncertain.

Seeing their doubts, Lan Ze remained firm. “If you do not trust me, I will issue a military order: should we lose the first battle, I will kneel and crawl back to the palace to face the emperor’s judgment. What say you?”

Though the palace was not far, it was still several hundred miles away. For a regent, such an act would be unthinkable. The generals were shocked and could only comply. “We obey!”

Lan Ze swept his gaze across the room. “Train your soldiers well today. Tomorrow, we hold a feast to honor our flags. The day after, we march against Feng Yu and avenge the humiliation of three years ago!”

“Yes!”

After the generals left, the strategist removed his cloak and mask, revealing a face sculpted like marble. It was none other than Leng Yue. Glancing at the tent’s entrance, his sharp gaze fell on Lan Ze. “Does the regent trust me so completely?”

Lan Ze chuckled. “Why not? General Leng’s military achievements are unparalleled, with defeats few and far between. Only you could inspire me to issue such a military order. Besides…” He paused, his eyes softening. “I trust not only you but also her.”

Leng Yue knew who “her” referred to. His gaze dropped, concealing his emotions. “Xue Nation is small and weak. Mobilizing 30,000 troops against Feng Yu’s over 2 million is a fool’s errand, risking national destruction. All for her words—is it worth it?”

Lan Ze gracefully took a seat and laughed lightly. “Why not ask yourself that? Why are you here, helping me stand against Feng Yu? Once you find your answer, you’ll understand mine.”

Leng Yue stiffened slightly, fell silent for a moment, and dropped the topic.

Lan Ze spread out a map. “I’ve spent the past few days redrawing this area’s map in detail. Take a look.”

Shaking off his thoughts, Leng Yue examined the map seriously. After a moment, he looked up. “Prepare straw dummies dressed in soldiers’ armor—make as many as possible.”

“Understood!” Lan Ze immediately ordered preparations without hesitation.

For the next two days, Leng Yue remained in the main tent, occasionally summoning generals to discuss defensive arrangements. He kept his face masked during these meetings and shared a tent with Lan Ze at night, ensuring no one could approach him.

The preparations complete, the day of battle arrived.

Prince Xiao was in the midst of a meeting with several generals when news came that Xue Nation’s army was moving out. They hurried to the city walls. Xue Nation’s gates swung open, and a sea of soldiers surged forth, filling the field in an instant.

“Heavens! So many soldiers—are they planning an all-out assault?” Prince Xiao exclaimed.

Standing beside him was Zhao Yuncheng, the 20-something deputy general of the Zhao family. Frowning, he observed the neatly arrayed formations and found it odd. “Seven thousand soldiers—a bold move for Xue Nation, given they only have ten thousand in total. Strange.”

Prince Xiao sneered. “What’s strange? That regent—you’ve seen him yourself. Before our emperor, he didn’t even dare lift his head, a mere slave. Somehow, through trickery, he became regent, but he’s nothing more than a weakling. How could someone like him lead troops?”

Zhao Yun felt Prince Xiao’s words were rash but couldn’t help agreeing slightly. Having met Lan Ze, he couldn’t imagine such a frail figure commanding an army.

“Let’s wait and see. We must not underestimate them,” Zhao Yun cautioned.

Prince Xiao scoffed. “Ridiculous! Shall we fear them? Mobilize 10,000 troops outside the city to crush their arrogance.”

Zhao Yun hesitated. “Mobilizing 10,000 is almost our entire force—might that be unwise?”

“He only has a hundred thousand troops but dares to deploy seventy thousand. We have an army of one hundred and fifty thousand; are we not even bold enough to deploy a hundred thousand? Hmph!” Prince Xiao looked impatient as he spoke.

Zhao Yun wanted to persuade him further, but Prince Xiao was adamant, and there was nothing Zhao Yun could do. Although the prince’s words were harsh, they weren’t entirely unreasonable. Zhao Yun glanced at the massive army on the other side and, after some hesitation, turned around to order the troops to assemble.

A hundred thousand troops surged out of the city gates like a tide, quickly forming neat formations. Cavalry took the front, shield and infantry followed, with archers and mounted archers on the flanks. The two armies stood hundreds of meters apart, facing each other from a distance.

The soldiers of Fengyu were imposing, drums pounding, and tension high, while on the other side, the soldiers of the Xue Kingdom remained eerily silent. There were no war drums; the troops stood there motionless, as quiet as wooden stakes.

“What exactly is the Xue Kingdom trying to do?” After waiting for a long time without seeing the enemy raise their battle flags, Prince Xiao became restless. “They’ve deployed so many soldiers but refuse to engage. What does this mean? Should we just charge at them directly?”

Zhao Yun, cautious as ever, shook his head slightly. “The enemy’s actions are quite strange; we must be careful.”

“Careful? It’s already midday, and our troops have been standing under the scorching sun. If they stay like this for another half hour, it will start to take a toll. How much longer can we afford to wait?”

A deputy general squinted at the sun and agreed, “His Highness is absolutely right. It’s late June, and the midday sun is blazing. If our soldiers stay out here any longer, their combat effectiveness will definitely drop.”

“But…” Zhao Yun still had reservations, but Prince Xiao interrupted him, “I am the commander, and my word is final. Send the troops forward immediately and crush them!”

“Yes, sir!” Two generals accepted the orders and left. A quarter of an hour later, the war drums thundered once again, and the hundred-thousand-strong army charged forward under the scorching sun.

“Attack!”

“Charge!” The massive army surged forward, darkening the field like a black tide. Despite the sun sapping some of their energy, their sheer numbers gave them an intimidating momentum.

Facing the ferocious advance of Fengyu’s forces, the soldiers of the Xue Kingdom responded with a single command: “Retreat!”

With a single flag signal, the seventy-thousand-strong army retreated like a receding tide. Their movements were swift and orderly, without a trace of panic. By the time Fengyu’s troops had advanced two hundred meters, the Xue Kingdom soldiers had completely retreated into the city, shutting the gates and leaving no one behind.

Seeing the seventy-thousand soldiers vanish in an instant without any intention of fighting, Fengyu’s troops were dumbfounded. Their shouts stopped, their momentum dissipated, and confusion clouded their faces.

The leading generals exchanged bewildered glances, then raised their flags to signal, “Fall back!”

“Haha! Those cowards, retreating at the sight of our hundred-thousand-strong army!” Prince Xiao burst into laughter.

Zhao Yun, however, stared at the city walls of the Xue Kingdom with furrowed brows.

The Fengyu soldiers retreated, their morale diminished, and they appeared somewhat lax. But just as they were about to return to the city, the gates of the Xue Kingdom opened once more, and the seventy-thousand troops surged out, more aggressive and faster than before.

“Turn around! Form up! Charge back!” The leading generals, seeing the Xue Kingdom’s troops advancing again, hurriedly gave orders.

Fortunately, the troops’ formations were not yet scattered, allowing them to quickly turn around and prepare for battle. The soldiers of the Xue Kingdom charged forward without a leading general, evidently acting on prior orders. The distance between the two armies closed rapidly, tension mounting. However, just as they were less than two hundred meters apart, the soldiers of the Xue Kingdom suddenly turned around and retreated again. Their speed was astonishing, leaving Fengyu’s troops dumbfounded once more, unable to comprehend the enemy’s tactics.

“What the hell is going on?” After being toyed with twice, the soldiers began to grumble.

The generals were equally speechless, feeling an intense desire to charge into the Xue Kingdom’s ranks and lash out. But they were helpless, stuck in a cycle of retreating only to turn back. They hadn’t even made it a hundred meters before the Xue Kingdom’s soldiers came charging out again, drums pounding and voices roaring: “Attack!”

“This time, they mean it!” Hearing the war drums at last, Fengyu’s soldiers regained their spirit and prepared to charge. But the Xue Kingdom’s troops advanced only a hundred meters past the gates before retreating once more, the drums falling silent.

“To hell with it! What are they trying to pull?”

Fengyu’s soldiers finally lost their patience and began cursing. The generals ordered the troops to fall back, but they moved sluggishly, frequently turning their heads to check for another Xue Kingdom charge. The short distance back to the city was a nerve-wracking trek.

“What is that rascal Lan up to now?” Even Prince Xiao sensed something amiss, pacing anxiously atop the city walls.

The ten-thousand-strong Fengyu army retreated but did not dare re-enter the city immediately. They stood in formation at the gates, staring warily toward the Xue Kingdom’s direction, remaining on edge for hours. Under the blazing sun, clad in armor weighing ten kilograms, without water, even soldiers began to falter. Some generals felt their throats drying up.

“General! Should we retreat? It seems the Xue Kingdom won’t come out again.”

“Exactly! They’re hiding in their city, while we stand here baking in the sun. We’ll collapse soon!”

“General!”

The deputy generals, seeing the soldiers’ sunburnt faces drenched in sweat, hesitated before exchanging glances. After assessing the firmly shut gates of the Xue Kingdom, they finally decided to retreat to the city. But just as they began to withdraw, the gates of the Xue Kingdom opened once more, and the war drums thundered. The soldiers, who had just sighed in relief, tensed up again, turning to face the Xue Kingdom with expressions of rage. The generals were equally furious. After years of battle experience, they’d never encountered such tactics—infuriating and baffling all at once.

The troops formed up again, but after a long wait, the Xue Kingdom soldiers remained inside. The drums would start and stop sporadically, keeping the Fengyu forces guessing.

Thus, the ten-thousand troops stood there, unable to move. Whenever they showed the slightest sign of relaxation, the Xue Kingdom would drum once or twice, keeping them on edge. It was maddening.

The June winds were scorching, carrying dust that made breathing uncomfortable. The exhausted soldiers soon wilted, drained as if they’d fought several battles. By dusk, when the Xue Kingdom soldiers finally shut their gates, it marked the end of the day’s torment.

When the order to return to the city was finally given, many soldiers were too weak to walk and had to be carried back. Others collapsed from exhaustion. Prince Xiao stormed back to his quarters in a fury, venting his anger before retiring for the night. Zhao Yun, however, remained awake, unable to shake the feeling that something was amiss. He gathered several generals to discuss strategies.

Meanwhile, within the Xue Kingdom, the seventy-thousand troops slumped to the ground in exhaustion after a long day. Upon closer inspection, however, it became clear that the frontlines were composed of actual soldiers, while the rear consisted of straw men dressed in armor. Of the seventy thousand, only forty thousand were real soldiers; the rest were decoys. If Fengyu’s forces knew they had been facing a bunch of straw figures all day, they might very well vomit blood.

As night fell, when the troops should have been lighting fires to cook and rest, the Xue Kingdom’s camp was bustling with activity. Soldiers moved briskly among the tents, their spirits high and showing no signs of fatigue.

As the night wore on, Lan Ze observed the sky and turned to Cold Yue beside him. “Is it time?”

Cold Yue’s eyes darkened slightly before shaking his head. “Wait two more intervals.”

After two more intervals, Cold Yue finally nodded at Lan Ze. With a wave of his hand, the commanders, who had been prepared long before, led their troops out from another side of the city walls.

The cover of night provided the best camouflage, and battles fought under such circumstances were often referred to as night raids.

Five thousand soldiers moved out from various directions, quickly gathering on both flanks of Fengyu’s city walls. The towering walls, flanked by dense forests, provided ample concealment. The ten-thousand-strong Fengyu army, exhausted from the day’s ordeal, slept soundly, oblivious to the looming threat. Zhao Yun had ordered the remaining soldiers to maintain a night watch, so the city walls were still manned.

The midnight breeze was unexpectedly cool, sweeping away the day’s oppressive heat and bringing some relief. Then, suddenly, hundreds of fire arrows shot into the rear of Fengyu’s camp, targeting their vital supplies of food and weaponry.

“Enemies attacking the rear! Sound the alarm!”

“The granary is on fire! Quickly, put it out!”

“The armory is burning, too! Hurry and extinguish the flames!”

Chaos erupted throughout the camp as black-clad figures surged in from the rear, taking advantage of the confusion to cut through their ranks. Meanwhile, at the base of the city walls, hundreds of soldiers equipped with grappling hooks climbed swiftly. The sentries atop the walls were swiftly killed, and within minutes, a thousand men had scaled the walls. The city gates began to creak open.

There were no cries of battle, only silent efficiency as the troops pushed forward. Anyone encountered along the way was killed without hesitation. From the gates, they charged straight toward the sleeping tents. Exhausted from the day’s exertion, the soldiers of Fengyu were oblivious, their lives extinguished in their dreams.

“Not good! Xue Kingdom troops have breached the gates!”

“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

The entire camp was thrown into chaos. On one side, raging flames; on the other, the Xue Kingdom soldiers, spirited and full of killing intent. Feng Yu’s soldiers were instantly flustered!

“Report! Enemy attack! A large number of Xue Kingdom soldiers have broken through, the city gate has been breached, and both the granary and armory are on fire!”

“What?” The generals were shocked.

“Let’s go! Check it out!” Zhao Yun’s face darkened as he grabbed his spear and rushed out.

At this moment, the Feng Yu camp was in utter disorder. The sounds of killing filled the night, and under the cover of darkness, it was hard to distinguish between Xue Kingdom soldiers and Feng Yu soldiers!

“Boom boom boom!” The sound of uniform hoofbeats echoed, and soon, 20,000 Xue Kingdom cavalry arrived. Without hesitation, they raised their weapons and charged, their bright, piercing eyes brimming with killing intent.

“General… I’m afraid we can’t hold this place anymore…” a soldier trembled.

“Get lost!” Zhao Yun kicked him aside, his gaze landing on the man leading the cavalry, clad in a black cloak and wearing a mask. He gripped his spear and leapt forward.

“Ha!” The spear thrust out with immense force. Zhao Yun, an expert in spear combat, was determined to kill this leader and demoralize the Xue Kingdom soldiers. He poured all his strength into this deadly strike, resolved to kill in one blow.

Leng Yue, seeing the incoming spear, didn’t even blink. He channeled his internal energy into a long whip, which coiled around the spear like a snake and forcefully diverted it. Then, he leapt into the air and struck Zhao Yun with a series of palm attacks.

Realizing that his lethal move was countered, Zhao Yun immediately understood that his opponent was a superior fighter. Seeing the palm strikes coming, he retreated swiftly, but Leng Yue was faster, determined to kill him.

“Boom!” Zhao Yun couldn’t dodge in time and took a heavy blow to his left shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.

Clutching his shoulder in pain, sweat pouring down his face, Zhao Yun dared not linger. He struck the ground with his palm, using his light-footed skill to retreat into the tent, narrowly avoiding another attack from Leng Yue.

Exiting through the rear, Zhao Yun mounted a horse and rode swiftly to find Prince Xiao Qin. The prince had just been awakened by the deafening sounds of battle. Before he could ask, he saw Zhao Yun approaching, gravely injured, and was shocked. “What happened?”

Zhao Yun struggled to speak, “The Xue Kingdom has launched a night raid. Our granary and armory are ablaze, the city gate has been breached, and their cavalry has entered. This city cannot be defended. I beg Your Highness to order a retreat!”

Prince Xiao Qin was horrified. “The city gate has been breached? How did this happen?”

“Your Highness, it was a trap. They spent a hundred days wearing down our soldiers’ morale and strength just to launch this night attack. We’ve fallen into their trap. Please order a retreat quickly!”

Prince Xiao Qin’s face turned pale with fury, but there was no room for anger now. “Men! Order a retreat! Fall back ten miles!”

“Yes!”

The soldiers of Feng Yu, upon receiving the order, abandoned everything in panic and began retreating. However, only 50,000 to 60,000 managed to escape, while over 10,000 were killed, and many others were captured in their sleep! Prince Xiao Qin led the remaining 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers and fled through the rear gate.

“No need to pursue!” Leng Yue raised his hand to stop the cavalry eager to chase after them. Glancing at the retreating trail of Prince Xiao Qin, he turned his horse and ordered, “Extinguish the fires in the granary and armory immediately!”

“Yes!”

“Gather all Feng Yu soldiers in the training ground. If anyone resists, kill without mercy!”

“Yes!”

The Xue Kingdom, initially underestimated, achieved a resounding victory in their first battle, stunning everyone. Later, it was revealed that the Xue Kingdom had acquired an exceptional strategist, the regent’s sworn brother. This mysterious strategist quickly became a figure of reverence and fear.

When news of the war reached Feng Yu, Leng Jiu was still at the Xuan Wang Manor, personally feeding Leng Yirou. After a day of rest and ample food, she looked much more refreshed. The medicine from Jin Yu was effective, and Leng Yirou had stopped coughing altogether.

A small Xue Kingdom went up against Feng Yu, resulting in a crushing defeat for the latter. Out of an army of 150,000, fewer than 60,000 escaped in disgrace. This was a humiliation for Feng Yu. Upon hearing the news, Long Yi slammed the dragon table in anger, nearly spitting blood. Recovering himself, he fumed, wanting to storm into Weiyang Palace to confront Leng Jiu. But in the end, he stopped, realizing that doing so would only make him look more pathetic and give her more reason to laugh at him.

Suppressing his raging fury, he turned to the Imperial Study. “Summon the civil and military officials at once, and send someone to invite Xuan Wang immediately!”

“The Xue Kingdom played Feng Yu for fools, exhausting their soldiers with a prolonged campaign and then launching a night raid. With just 70,000 troops, they forced Prince Xiao Qin and his forces out of the city, killing 20,000 and capturing 70,000. This battle is enough to shock the world and be recorded in history!” Long Yue Li remarked to Leng Jiu, his tone heavy with emotion.

Leng Jiu met his gaze and smiled faintly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Long Yue Li flicked his nails and smirked. “It’s said that the Xue Kingdom’s camp welcomed an extraordinary strategist, skilled in both strategy and martial arts. Any guesses who it might be?”

Leng Jiu leaned back against a pillar, exhaling, “Don’t play riddles with me. If you want to know something, just ask.”

Long Yue Li took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, and then said, “My informants just returned. It’s said that the strategist wore a cloak and a mask, but their figure and demeanor bear a striking resemblance to Feng Yu’s great general.”

Leng Jiu closed her eyes. “It’s just a resemblance. Who can prove it’s true?”

Long Yue Li chuckled. “Fair point.”

After a glance at Leng Jiu, he stood, adjusted his sleeves, and sighed lightly. “My imperial nephew, the emperor, must be fuming right now. With the court officials assembled, he’ll likely send for me soon.”

Leng Jiu opened her eyes slightly. “I’ve heard that Xuan Wang’s southern fiefdom is incredibly prosperous, with a private army of 50,000. Along with another 50,000 on the border, they are well-equipped and formidable. Might you be preparing to contribute to the imperial court?”

“As a prince, I am naturally duty-bound. However…” Long Yue Li’s tone turned playful, “there’s currently a plague in my fiefdom. Even my soldiers have been affected. I wonder if His Majesty dares to use troops infected with the plague?”

Leng Jiu rolled her eyes at him and laughed. “You’re truly a sly fox!”

Long Yue Li laughed softly, leaning down to peck her cheek. “Without being a fox, how could I enjoy the feast?”

Leng Jiu pinched his face lightly. “Go meet your summons.”

This time, Long Yue Li kissed her lips deeply before turning to leave. “Wait for me to return!”

As he left, the messenger arrived. “His Majesty summons Xuan Wang to the palace immediately!”

Long Yue Li chuckled and nonchalantly brushed his sleeves. “I was just about to visit His Majesty. It seems he’s summoned me first. Let’s go.”

After he left, Leng Jiu gazed at the sky. The weather was still bright and sunny today. Surely, it was the same in the north of Mo Bei.

Lan Ze was adept at handling court affairs, but leading troops into battle was his weakness. Firstly, he lacked the respect of the military; secondly, he had no martial arts skills. Though he knew some strategies, he had no practical experience. Leading 100,000 troops against Feng Yu’s 150,000 was a mission bound for failure. Yet no one expected Leng Jiu to send Leng Yue to assist him. Leng Yue was the opposite of Lan Ze: unsuited for court politics but unmatched in military strategy. Despite Feng Yu’s 150,000 soldiers, their leaders—a prince who had never fought a war and a novice commander like Zhao Yun—were no match for Leng Yue. The outcome of this war was predetermined and unchangeable.

A cold presence approached, accompanied by a faint medicinal scent. Leng Jiu looked up slightly to see Jin Yu, still dressed in pristine white, as serene as an immortal.

Jin Yu sat where Long Yue Li had just been, cleaning a cup with hot water before pouring herself tea. Her eyes lowered slightly, concealing her emotions.

“Manipulating the world, overturning court and battlefield alike—is there anything you don’t dare to do?” Jin Yu’s voice was calm but cold.

Leng Jiu looked at her. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

Jin Yu’s eyes, deep and cool, met hers. “What do you think?”

Leng Jiu lowered her eyes. “As you wish.”

Jin Yu paused with the cup in his hand, looking deeply at her. “Why not tell me what it is you truly want?”

“Want?” Leng Jiu chuckled coldly and gazed at the sky. “I don’t even know what I want, so how could I tell you?”

Jin Yu observed her. Her expression was distant and ethereal, something he had never seen before. At that moment, he felt as though she was far away, almost unreal—so unreachable it made his chest tighten, leaving him breathless.

“Isn’t it her you want to save?” Jin Yu suddenly said.

Leng Jiu snapped back to reality at his words, glanced inside the room, and smiled faintly. “That’s true. But didn’t you say you wouldn’t save her?” She looked directly at him.

Jin Yu, seeing her previous elusive expression gone, felt somewhat relieved. He took a small sip from his cup. “I’ve said before, give me a reason to save her.”

“I can’t give you one,” Leng Jiu shook her head. “The reason you want is not something I can offer.”

“How do you know if you don’t think about it?” Jin Yu blurted without thinking, surprised at himself the moment the words left his mouth. He lowered his gaze and took a sip of tea to mask his lapse in control.

Leng Jiu was also momentarily surprised but soon smiled. “I can’t think of one and won’t offer one. If what you want is some casual excuse, I refuse to say it.”

Jin Yu paused, his gaze returning to her. In his usually indifferent eyes, a flicker of inscrutable emotion appeared.

Leng Jiu smiled as she sat opposite him, raising an eyebrow. “How about this? Let’s make a bet. You claim your medical skills are unparalleled, right? I’ll present you with a case: if you can cure it, I lose and won’t ask you to treat her. But if you can’t, you have to help me heal her throat. How about that?”

Jin Yu’s eyes lit up with interest. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

Supporting her chin with one hand, Leng Jiu looked at him thoughtfully and spoke slowly, “If someone were slapped to the ground and hit their head so hard they stopped breathing, what would you do?”

Jin Yu’s hand tightened around the cup. “Are you giving me a dead person? Do you take me for a god? You’re giving me a no-win situation—do you truly not want to save her?”

Leng Jiu shook her head. “Of course, I want to save her. And I haven’t finished speaking. That person is still alive.”

Jin Yu loosened his grip on the cup. “The likelihood of death from a head injury is high, but temporary unconsciousness isn’t out of the question. If breathing stops but the person isn’t dead, generally, you shouldn’t move the patient. Let them wake naturally. In special cases, you could press on their chest and back to assist breathing.”

Leng Jiu waved dismissively. “None of those.”

“Then what is it?”

Leng Jiu smiled mysteriously, looking away toward the sky. “I don’t feel like telling you the answer right now. But you lost—remember to heal her.”

Jin Yu’s lips curved slightly. “Are you trying to play tricks on me again?”

Leng Jiu shrugged, looking entirely unconcerned. “You’re welcome to think so, but I won’t admit it!”

“And if I don’t admit it either?” A mischievous glint flickered in Jin Yu’s eyes.

Leng Jiu propped her head with one hand, speaking irritably, “Then don’t admit it. I never thought you had any credibility anyway.”

Jin Yu froze, feeling at a loss. Wasn’t it just about tricking her into taking medicine twice? Sure, he’d deceived her, but the medicines were ones he’d painstakingly crafted, treasures others couldn’t even dream of obtaining. How had it turned into her resenting him instead of being grateful?

He lifted his cup and glanced at her lips inadvertently. A thought suddenly struck him, and his eyes lowered slightly. “Actually, there’s another way to make me save her.”

Leng Jiu looked up. “Let’s hear it.”

Jin Yu’s gaze grew dangerous and wicked. Before she could react, he was already in front of her, his tea-scented, warm lips pressed against hers!

Caught off guard, Leng Jiu’s eyes widened in shock, momentarily forgetting to react.

Jin Yu had only acted on a sudden whim, recalling their previous kiss. But once his lips touched hers, he found he couldn’t pull away. Seeing her startled expression, a mischievous thought stirred in his heart. He opened his lips, enveloped hers, and turned them so that he was sitting on the chair with her in his lap. His arms tightened around her, and he possessively deepened the kiss.

Leng Jiu gripped Jin Yu’s arm tightly, her fingers clutching his robe until it wrinkled.

“Jin Yu!” she finally managed to gasp, her voice trembling with resistance and quiet anger.

Jin Yu paused at her protest, his eyes cooling slightly. “What? Am I not good enough?”

Leng Jiu’s gaze was cold, void of any ripples, her tone equally icy. “I will never use myself as a bargaining chip for anything—not even for someone I care about. I am not that cheap.”

The chill in Jin Yu’s eyes instantly melted, replaced with a gleam of light. “You’re angry because of that?”

Leng Jiu glared at him. “Isn’t that enough reason to be angry?”

Jin Yu suddenly laughed, a low chuckle that made his chest shake with amusement. After a moment, he lowered his head, his voice hoarse. “What if it’s not an exchange? What if it’s just because I want to kiss you?”

Leng Jiu froze, unable to answer. Before she could think it through, Jin Yu kissed her again. This time, it wasn’t the sudden, domineering aggression of before; instead, it was gentle, full of emotion.

Feeling the shift in his demeanor, Leng Jiu was startled. She was well aware of her own charms but had never thought herself irresistible. And she certainly didn’t expect Jin Yu, who viewed women like puppets, to suddenly show interest. What was going on? Could it be she had somehow stirred this wooden man’s romantic thoughts? Memories of their kiss at the border came unbidden, and Leng Jiu felt helpless. It seemed she had attracted yet another troublesome admirer.

A sharp nip on her lips snapped Leng Jiu back to reality. She looked up, meeting Jin Yu’s faintly discontented gaze. “You’re spacing out while I’m kissing you. That’s your punishment.”

Leng Jiu opened her mouth as if to speak but found herself at a loss for words. Jin Yu, however, smirked devilishly and captured her lips once more, deepening the kiss.

Leng Jiu’s heart wavered as she watched his wickedly enchanting expression. This man truly was a devil. As the kiss grew deeper and more entwined, she had no choice but to surrender to his overwhelming presence, her thoughts consumed by his scent and touch.

Jin Yu’s long lashes lowered, his mesmerizing eyes closed as he savored the kiss. Feeling her hesitance give way to softness, he felt her arms wrap around his neck as she leaned closer, tenderly responding.

Sensing her sincere response, Jin Yu’s heart trembled. His grip tightened, pulling her fully against his chest, her warmth and softness seeping through the thin fabric between them.

“Ah!”

In the quiet, sunlit room, their intimate embrace was interrupted by an unwelcome intruder.

Hua Ruirui stared at them, wide-eyed, her expression a mix of shock, anger, and jealousy. “You… you are shameless!”

Both Jin Yu and Leng Jiu had long noticed her arrival but chose to ignore her. However, now that she was right in front of them, they had no intention of continuing their private display for her benefit. Reluctantly, Jin Yu released Leng Jiu, his lashes fluttering as he opened his eyes, which still carried traces of desire and allure.

Leng Jiu’s own gaze was misty, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, and her lips were a tantalizing shade of red. Her beauty in this moment was spellbinding, and Jin Yu couldn’t tear his eyes away. Such a scene wasn’t something one could see every day, but there were always those who failed to appreciate the moment.

“You… you…” Hua Ruirui stammered, unable to glare at Jin Yu directly due to past experiences with him. Instead, she focused her fury on Leng Jiu. “You’re shameless! You’re supposed to belong to Yue Li, yet you’re seducing other men! Despicable! You’re nothing but a harlot!”

Leng Jiu’s eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Jin Yu flicked two needles at Hua Ruirui, instantly rendering her mute and immobile. All she could do was glare angrily.

Jin Yu didn’t spare her a glance, instead picking up a strand of Leng Jiu’s hair to play with. His voice was icy and detached. “Should we silence her permanently, or carve the word ‘harlot’ into her face? My specially prepared solution guarantees it will remain visible, even if she peels off her skin.”

Leng Jiu sighed. “Must you be so ruthless? She’s still a girl.”

“In my eyes, there’s no difference between men and women,” Jin Yu replied, pausing before adding, “Except for you.”

Leng Jiu chuckled. “Should I feel honored?”

“Of course.”

Faced with this self-satisfied man, Leng Jiu was at a loss. “Just toss her out. She’s an eyesore.”

“She insulted you. Shouldn’t there be some punishment?”

“When a dog barks at you, do you bark back? I might not mind, but I’d feel it’s beneath me.”

Jin Yu laughed. “Fair enough.”

With a wave of his hand, he sent the bothersome Hua Ruirui flying out of the room with his inner force. His attention returned to the strand of hair he was twirling, and his gaze drifted back to Leng Jiu’s face. Meeting her eyes, his fingers brushed teasingly against her lips. “Now that it’s quiet again, shall we continue?”