Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Destruction

Suddenly, warmth spread across her right hand.

Sang Yan looked up to find He Ying had grasped her hand.

He gazed at her tenderly, his slender hand firmly holding hers.

Their intertwined fingers were completely concealed by their wide sleeves.

“Don’t be afraid.”

His voice was soothing as he added, using colloquial speech, “I’m here. I swear to protect you to the death. Don’t do anything foolish.”

Sang Yan felt a sour ache in her chest, and her eyes began to feel warm.

But at this moment, tears were the most useless things; instead, they would only make one appear weak.

She blinked back the tears, restraining them, and thought carefully: Qi Jiu was right. They were outmatched right now; if it came to a direct conflict, they wouldn’t even be an appetizer for Qi Jiu’s people.

Unless… they could find reinforcements.

Sang Yan’s heart sank. She surveyed the entire Imperial Garden and noticed the Puluo King and Queen Pulu at the end of the corridor, shrinking their heads, trying hard to act as if they didn’t exist.

“Nayun, let’s go. There’s nothing worth seeing here.”

The Puluo King was sitting on a soft couch.

The guards were carrying the couch.

Realizing that Sang Yan had noticed them, he shivered involuntarily.

Was it because the palace’s fruits and pastries were unsavory, or because abalone and pork knuckle were hard to chew?

Why stay here to witness such a bloody scene?

He was afraid.

And didn’t want to stay a moment longer.

Queen Pulu tugged at his sleeve, gently comforting, “King, let’s watch a little longer.”

They couldn’t hide forever.

Mr. Jiu was already starting to be dissatisfied with the king!

If they could resolve this matter, it’s likely they would be the next ones he would move to deal with.

As they spoke, a mocking laugh came from not far away.

It was Tan Yunjian laughing.

He seemed to have heard some hilarious joke, laughing heartily, pointing at Qi Wuya, saying, “You really are foolish. To think, Tan Yunjian, a mere rough man, and you actually believed that I am the Emperor.”

Qi Wuya’s expression changed dramatically: “You’re not He Ying?”

“Of course not.”

Tan Yunjian sneered with raised eyebrows: “What spectacle hasn’t our Emperor Da He witnessed? For a petty individual like you, why would he personally take action? Want to know why I knew about the Fan Yin Flower? That’s because as soon as we landed on the island, the Emperor had already informed me of your schemes and tricks.”

Qi Wuya narrowed his eyes, trying to detect something on Tan Yunjian’s face.

But the man before him had only mockery and hatred in his eyes.

Wait?

Hatred?

Didn’t he just say he wanted to take Jiang Ke’s life back?

Thinking this, Qi Wuya had already guessed his identity–the man who came to kill them in Quanzhou after Jiang Ke left! He was an old friend of Jiang Ke!

“Qi Wuya, you’ve forsaken a comfortable position as Ninth Prince of Bei Qi to come to Puluo as the Finance Minister. I bet acting as Finance Minister is just a pretense. You actually plan to use the soldiers and the blood of the people of Puluo to fulfill your grand ambitions, right?”

Tan Yunjian’s voice boomed, echoing throughout the Imperial Garden.

Almost all the archers and guards were from Puluo.

Hearing this, a flicker of confusion crossed their faces.

Was Mr. Jiu planning to use them?

“Heh.”

Qi Wuya realized something was amiss and cut off Tan Yunjian’s speech: “In the struggles of this world, injuries and deaths are but natural consequences. Without me, how could Puluo have withstood until today?”

It would have perished long ago.

They should be thanking him!

Hearing this, Sang Yan’s heart also sank: Qi Jiu’s words weren’t false. In the hearts of the people of Puluo, his status was probably even more important than that of the Puluo King…

But however important, it wasn’t an absolute faith.

If even faith could be overturned, what about a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

Sang Yan pondered deeply within her heart about how to change the situation.

He Ying took one look at her and immediately knew what she was thinking, giving Tan Yunjian a meaningful glance.

Tan Yunjian got the hint and continued to confront Qi Wuya, “Casualties must have meaning, as you said earlier, ‘attacking a stone with an egg’–what’s the point? Emperor Da He has already deployed a hundred thousand troops, soon to surround the palace. In my opinion, you people, following Qi Wuya, are merely seeking death. It would be better to lay down your weapons now.”

A hundred thousand troops?

Qi Wuya’s pupils shrank: How could that be possible? He hadn’t received any news of this! They must be deceiving him! But what if it was true? No wonder they knew his identity and purpose, and yet dared to bring so few men to the island. No, it couldn’t be!

He saw the faces of the guards already showing panic, and he felt both shocked and furious.

But this man was too good at hiding his thoughts. Not the slightest hint of change could be seen on his face, looking as indifferent as if he were simply enjoying the moonlight.

Sang Yan couldn’t help but admire this man’s calm composure.

No.

To be precise, he was mad.

He simply didn’t care about life or death.

As expected.

Qi Wuya spoke, his eyes filled with pity, “So what if there are a hundred thousand troops? I’ll kill you all before they break through the palace.”

He then looked at Sang Yan with a much gentler smile, “You see, Ah Yan, wouldn’t you be better off with me? He knew you were here, yet he cowered at the back, not daring to come and save you himself. Is this the man you love?”

He Ying cursed in his heart upon hearing this: This madman, even at a time like this, still tried to sow discord!

Even knowing Sang Yan wouldn’t listen, who could tolerate another man expressing his affections towards his own wife?

Just as he was seething, his hand suddenly tightened.

It was Sang Yan, gripping his hand strongly.

Telling him not to worry.

His Ah Yan… the best Ah Yan in the world…

Sang Yan looked at Qi Jiu with cold eyes, “He Ying is the Emperor Da He, and he has his mission; he must prioritize the bigger picture.”

In fact, she prayed countless times that he wouldn’t come.

But he came.

And now he stood right beside her.

He was indeed the man she loved.

Sang Yan’s eyes shone brightly, her voice becoming even clearer, “Qi Jiu, you have your mission too. Look at your guards and archers, look at the people of Puluo Country, they trust you, they see you as their savior. Do you truly want to see this peaceful land destroyed by war?”

The Puluo King, already frightened, gripped the queen’s hand tightly.

Did Mr. Jiu want to destroy all this?

He didn’t want that…

Sang Yan continued to try to persuade him, “Qi Jiu, if you let us go, Puluo Country will still be under your rule. Why lead to a situation where both sides suffer losses?”

Qi Wuya tilted his head slightly, gazing at the exquisitely dressed woman before him, a hint of infatuation passing through his eyes.

He had to admit that this woman was the most special and most captivating one he had ever met in his life.

Unfortunately, at such a moment, her heart contained only that man who would only hide behind others.

Couldn’t have her?

Then let everything be destroyed!

Destroy it all!

Qi Jiu closed his eyes momentarily, then revealed an indifferent smile under Sang Yan’s gaze.

“Archers, ready–”

Madman!

Truly a madman!

“Wait!”

Seeing that the archers already had their arrows nocked on their bows.

Sang Yan couldn’t bother with Qi Jiu anymore and shouted towards the Puluo King and queen who were at the corridor, “As the rulers of a nation, can you just cower there, watching Qi Jiu gamble with your lives and those of your subjects? Emperor Da He has his troops ready outside, if you can get your men to lay down their weapons, I, as Empress Da He, will ensure that Emperor Da He withdraws his troops, favoring peace over war, and even help you eliminate Qi Jiu, putting the real power in your hands!”

Upon hearing these words from Sang Yan, the faces of the Puluo King and Qi Jiu changed instantly.

Fear seized the Puluo King.

How could this woman dare to utter such seditious words!

His life, his very life, was given by Mr. Jiu…