Chapter 2: Marriage Alliance 2

Lan Jiayi patted Yue Mulin on the shoulder: "Mulin, with Qingxue looking after her, rest assured."

Yue Mulin sat dejectedly in his chair, his eyes staring forward without a trace of life, utterly hollow and exceptionally despairing: "In the end, it was I who hurt her; that is why she is like this."

"If you love her, do not go against the decision Xiayan has made. Mulin, live well. When you have done enough, when you have the power to make the whole world shut its mouth, take her back!" His words carried an invisible strength.

Yue Mulin slowly raised his gaze: "Why is it that even you can see it, yet I only understand it today?"

"What kind of friendship do you and I share? You and Xiayan are devoted to one another; how could I not see it?"

Rolling dust and smoke, the road ahead was long.

"Your Majesty, there were rumors among the common folk that when the Demon Eyes appear, the world falls into chaos. That Yue Xiayan with her pair of blood-red eyes must be the demoness from the rumors who brings ruin to the world. Regarding such matters, it is better to believe they exist than to assume they do not. If Your Majesty accepts Li Chuan's marriage alliance at this time and welcomes the Yue demoness back to Chiyan, your servant fears..."

Qin Yihan let out a cold laugh, choosing not to expose his subordinate's intentions. He raised his whip, and his mount—the sweat-blooded stallion, Zhuiyue—kicked up a defiant cloud of dust along the official road.

Hearing the galloping hooves ahead, the carriage came to a halt; they had finally reached their destination.

After sitting in a carriage for many days, Yue Xiayan finally stepped onto the ground with steady composure.

With a long neigh, a magnificent steed came charging toward the imperial carriage like a bolt of lightning. A white horse, purple robes, silver battle armor, and a man of such transcendent beauty that it seemed unfair to heaven came rushing toward her.

"Miss!" Watching this heart-stopping scene, Mu Ya nearly fainted.

That handsome man held a long sword, pointing it directly at Yue Xiayan's throat. With just a slight exertion of force, he could take her head.

Yet Yue Xiayan did not dodge or avoid; she simply stood there calmly. With an air of "unmoved even if the heavens collapse," she appraised the newcomer with nonchalance. Then, her brow furrowed slightly: "Mu Ya, how can you be so impolite in front of the Han Emperor? Kneel and apologize at once!"

"Greetings, Han Emperor! This servant had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg the Han Emperor to forgive my impoliteness." Mu Ya obediently knelt, performing the grand salute with neither humility nor arrogance. After all, she was a first-rank female official personally appointed by the Emperor. Her etiquette was impeccable, and her conduct was flawless.

Qin Yihan watched the woman before him, who was beautiful enough to be called a nation-toppling beauty, with appreciation. His thoughts suddenly shifted, and he let out a cold laugh: "Yue Xiayan, you are indeed just like the legends say..."

"The legends say Xiayan possesses demon eyes that bring ruin to the world. If Your Majesty finds the legends credible, then this marriage alliance can be postponed."

Qin Yihan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is Xiayan provoking me?" She had bared her claws so quickly; where was her composure? Rumor had it that Yue Xiayan possessed the mind of a million-strong army, always calculating without error. Yet, seeing her now, she seemed nothing special.

Yue Xiayan lifted her head and smiled faintly: "Yes! Xiayan is indeed provoking Your Majesty. Whether Xiayan comes for this marriage alliance, or whether she can live to reach Chiyan, has nothing to do with Your Majesty's plans..."

Seeing her look as if she had realized something, Qin Yihan grew interested and withdrew his long sword: "Tell me then!" He liked clever people, and he liked clever women even more. He wanted to see what she could say.

"Your Majesty is personally leading a campaign, bringing hundreds of thousands of iron cavalry to the border. Though the momentum is grand, it is merely a tactic to scare the tiger by striking the mountain. Because Chiyan no longer has any more grain or fodder. The sudden attack by Li Chuan, which stands as an equal to Chiyan, is merely to intimidate the small southern barbarians—to give them a warning so they dare not act recklessly. Incidentally, it allows Li Chuan to let Your Majesty demonstrate your methods of leading troops. I wonder, is what Xiayan says correct?"

Qin Yihan narrowed his eyes dangerously, and a sudden burst of killing intent permeated the space between them. For an Emperor to have his thoughts guessed—especially regarding such vital military matters—it was no wonder he felt the urge to kill.

As if she hadn't felt it, Yue Xiayan continued: "Ji Nuohan is wary of my brother and me, and knowing that my brother prizes me above his own life, he surely intends to use the news of my misfortune in Chiyan to force my brother to violate the poison oath my grandfather made before his death."

Ignoring his chilling aura, Yue Xiayan smiled triumphantly: "At that time, the Yue family's military tactics will resurface, and my brother will surely assist Li Chuan in unifying the world. The world knows that Yue Mulin values trust more than his life. However, to seek revenge, my brother will break his oath and will surely seek death at my grandfather's grave to atone. At that moment, without exerting any effort, Ji Nuohan will hold the great power of the world in his hands..."

Qin Yihan's face turned from pale to livid, the veins on his temples bulging. His fury had nowhere to be vented, so he could only glare: "Do you truly think I wouldn't dare kill you? Do you truly think I am afraid of your Yue family's military tactics?"

He was indeed wary, but it wasn't of the Yue family's tactics...

Before Yue Yi Dong passed away, he made Yue Mulin swear, "In the conflict between the two nations, we shall only defend, never attack." More strangely, this oath was witnessed by the Emperor of the Li Chuan generation. After Ji Nuohan ascended the throne, Yue Mulin held significant military power, yet he repeatedly acted contrary to the idea of attacking Chiyan. Even so, Ji Nuohan could not force him, because his late father had raised no objections to the oath made back then.

Yue Xiayan broke into a heartfelt smile, her blood-red eyes gazing toward the horizon, which had already become a blur. Her voice grew low, sounding weathered and ancient. Looking at Qin Yihan with eyes full of anticipation, she whispered: "I only seek death!" The four words sounded ethereal and fleeting.

When they first met, he thought this woman was nothing special and that the rumors were mere exaggerations. Now it seemed the rumor "When the Demon Eyes appear, the world falls into chaos" was not entirely baseless. At this moment, he greatly admired her courage and wisdom. With a mind like a million-strong army, bringing chaos to the world would be no difficult task for her.

Qin Yihan looked at the nation-toppling beauty before him with an unpredictable expression, then suddenly smiled: "How could I bear to kill such a wonderful person? My beloved consort, come back to the capital with me."

As he spoke, he reached out to take Yue Xiayan's jade-like hand.

Yue Xiayan said weakly, "I'm afraid... it's too late..."

The touch felt as cold as a ten-thousand-year-old glacier. In the next instant, Qin Yihan's rationality momentarily fractured as he watched in panic as the woman closed her eyes and fell backward. He moved with lightning speed to catch her, but the icy chill he felt terrified him completely.

His deep eyes darkened with shock, and at this moment, an endless fury surged in his heart. Was it Ji Nuohan? How could he do this to her? All his composure shattered instantly, and he suddenly let out a series of frantic roars to the outside: "Xuanming! Go call the imperial physicians!"

"Yes!" a voice responded loudly from the shadows.

Just as they were about to leave, a sharp command rang out: "Forget it. If we wait for the physicians to arrive, my Xiayan will have already departed for the underworld."