Chapter 88

When the nightmare actually turned into reality, Nie Qinglin instead calmed down.

She lay in the wooden box, her large eyes calmly staring at Nie Qinglin, who had suddenly appeared before her.

Having not spoken for a long time, her voice was hoarse as she said, “Lord Ge’s skills have grown yet again, but  We wonder what wondrous scene of a flood over the skies you plan to show me this time?”

Her appearance made Ge Qingyuan laugh out loud.

“Ha ha ha, Your Majesty’s steadfastness in the face of mountains collapsing and the earth cracking truly earns my admiration.”

After saying this, he reached out and lifted the precious treasure that had been transported from afar out of the wooden box.

When Ge Qingyuan carried her out of the box, Nie Qinglin’s eyes swept across her surroundings.

This was unexpectedly a desolate, boundless desert.

Fierce winds whipped up clouds of sand, making a sound like a monster’s roar in her ears. In the distance, the mournful notes of a hujia flute sounded.

Only a few unknown, hardy weeds had taken root in the sand, trembling with their withered yellow bodies in the chilling wind.

It was already deep night.

The grandeur of “solitary smoke rising straight in the desert, the long river and setting sun round” could not be seen.

Looking around at the darkness, there was only an indescribable vastness and loneliness.

This was not the Great Wei! It was… the Northern Frontier.

Seeing the environment, Nie Qinglin’s heart sank again.

Listening to the hujia flute, it seemed they were not far from the border.

Night had fallen, making travel unwise.

If they could camp here, perhaps she would have a chance to send a signal.

“General, it is already dark. Should we set up camp to rest for a while?”

A Xiongnu attendant asked in stiff Han.

Ge Qingyuan slightly tensed his arms, holding the dragon robe emperor even closer.

“No need. With the compass guiding the way, we will return tonight to the camp of the Moerha tribe.”

His words immediately extinguished the hope that had begun to stir in Nie Qinglin.

At his command, his men quickly mounted their horses.

Ge Qingyuan also placed Nie Qinglin onto his horse.

After untying the ropes that bound her, he said, “Your Majesty, hold on tight to me for a while. If you fall, your delicate face may be trampled, and the smell of blood will attract the wolves of the grasslands. They do not understand gentleness and will taste dragon flesh piece by piece.”

Although his words were cruel, he still tied Nie Qinglin around his waist with a rope as a precaution.

At this moment, Lu Feng hurried over.

In fact, from the moment Ge Qingyuan dismounted, he had followed closely behind, hoping for even a glance from him.

Long separated, the young man who had once been elegant in the capital had grown into such a towering man.

His tall figure and deep, refined features left Lu Feng mesmerized.

Yet from beginning to end, Ge Qingyuan’s eyes held only the emperor, and no one else.

This made Lu Feng’s heart sink.

When Ge Qingyuan lifted the emperor onto his horse and prepared to leave, Lu Feng reached out to grab the reins, his voice tinged with grievance.

“Ge Lang, after being apart for so long, do you have nothing to say to Lu Feng?”

Only then did Ge Qingyuan turn his gaze toward Lu Feng, slightly narrowing his deep eyes.

He smiled and said, “Of course there is something to say. Thank you for your hard work, Lord Lu…”

Before finishing, Ge Qingyuan slowly extended his arm toward Lu Feng.

Lu Feng’s eyes stirred, as if he had returned to the peach orchard years ago when petals fell in the wind.

The spring breeze brushed his face, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom.

Holding hands with the handsome young man, his heart had leapt for the first time in his life.

The young man’s penetrating words about the world had given him a guiding belief for his future.

As their fingers intertwined, the long-held, lingering emotions that had haunted his dreams for years surfaced.

Seeing Ge Lang extend his hand, he could not help but reach out as well, ready to feel the warmth transmitted through that palm.

At that moment, under the long arm that had reached out, a sharp and icy sleeve arrow suddenly flew out.

With a muffled “peng,” it struck the center of Lu Feng’s forehead.

The pointed tip pierced through the back of his head, and crimson blood mixed with pale fluid dripped down.

The corners of Lu Feng’s mouth still carried a smile reminiscent of past memories as he slowly lowered his outstretched arm, collapsing heavily onto the cold sand.

The guards who had escorted the carriages froze at the scene.

Before they could react or draw their swords, they were pierced by the blades of Ge Qingyuan’s men, screaming in agony as they were cut down, falling into pools of blood.

The sudden slaughter immediately filled the night desert with a metallic, bloody scent.

Nie Qinglin shivered, yet the man behind her let out a light laugh.

He pressed close to her pale ear and said, “I failed to shield Your Majesty’s eyes. I frightened you. I beg your forgiveness.”

Sensing her attempt to evade him, the smile on his lips turned slightly cold.

He turned to his men and said, “Burn the carriage along with the bodies. Leave no trace.”

After giving the order, he wrapped the small, stiff body in front of him with a fur cloak.

He cracked his whip sharply and led the large group of riders, rushing into the darkness.

Behind the horses, flames soared into the sky.

For three full days, there was no news from any checkpoints.

The roads leading to the Qilu territory were strictly monitored.

The Grand Tutor’s face was stern, sensing that the disappearance of the Dragon Pearl was not the simple scheme of a few rebellious princes.

There was something strangely familiar in the circumstances.

His mind was troubled.

Several times he dug his fingernails into his palms, letting the pain remind him not to lose his composure.

After hearing reports from all directions in his study, he stepped outside, only to see a half-naked man kneeling at the door.

Seeing the Grand Tutor, the man bowed heavily, head striking the ground.

“Your servant Qiu Mingyan knows his fault. I took one hundred lashes in the camp and beg the Grand Tutor to allow me a chance to redeem myself and rescue His Majesty.”

The man was the Prime Minister.

His once smooth back was covered with jagged, crisscrossed whip marks, some still bleeding, clearly from recent punishment.

The Grand Tutor did not even glance at him and was about to pass by.

Qiu Mingyan pressed his pale, peeling lips and weakly said, “Grand Tutor, in the past few days I examined the passes for river and land travel across the country. With such strict surveillance, only one convoy could possibly move through the checkpoints successfully, and that is the imperial convoy transporting items for Princess Shaoyang.

Furthermore, I investigated Lu Feng’s record from when he went to the capital for the exams and the odd jobs he did in the scholar academy. Lu Feng originally came from a poor background. When he went to the capital, he fell ill and spent all the money he had brought on doctors. He could not even afford to stay in the scholar academy. It was Ge Qingyuan, still a young man at the time, who paid for his expenses. The two of them seem to have had frequent contact. Could it be that…”

These words finally made the Grand Tutor stop in his tracks.

He had once entrusted all the affairs of the capital to Qiu Mingyan because of the man’s meticulous mind and his tendency to find unconventional ways to gather intelligence.

Yet Qiu Mingyan had been stubborn and self-willed, betraying that trust.

He had allowed the emperor to fall into a desperate situation even while clearly knowing of Lu Feng’s schemes.

If Qiu Mingyan had not been a loyal and devoted subordinate, and if Lu Yuda, Shan Tiehua, and other comrades had not pleaded on his behalf, he would surely have been executed.

Yet the young man, who had earlier been so defiant after a harsh kick, now wore an expression of deep remorse, likely having received a severe lesson from Shan Tiehua.

If what he said now was true, then the mastermind behind the abduction of the Dragon Pearl must once again be Ge Qingyuan—the man who had repeatedly escaped his sieges and ambushes, like a poisonous insect constantly shedding its shell.

Each transformation made him more cunning and ruthless, until he had almost become a fully formed, sinister monster.

Recalling the intelligence from the Northern Frontier, it seemed that Ge Qingyuan had joined the Moerha tribe of the Xiongnu.

Thinking of this, the heart of Wei Lenghou tightened.

He could not bear to imagine the outcome if Guo’er fell into that villain’s hands.

“Send men! Prepare swift horses at every relay station. I am going beyond the border!”

Qiu Mingyan quickly said, “Your servant has already arranged the horses and wishes to accompany the Grand Tutor beyond the border.”

The Grand Tutor frowned, looking coldly at his former trusted general.

“No need. If you truly understand your mistake, I hope Yanjing can do me a real favor. During my absence, maintain stability in the court and do not allow any new troubles to arise.”

The situation in Great Wei was urgent.

The various princes were restless, and the iron garrisons were stationed around the camps of potentially rebellious princes.

Even if Nie Qinglin had fallen into the Northern Frontier’s hands, the army could not be deployed there.

It would be better for him to take a small squad and investigate the Northern tribes before acting.

Hearing the Grand Tutor call him “Yanjing,” Qiu Mingyan could not hold back his tears.

“I understand, Grand Tutor. During your absence, I will stabilize the princes and ensure you are not threatened from both sides. If anything happens to His Majesty, when you return, I will offer my life to atone!”

Wei Lenghou knew Qiu Mingyan spoke sincerely.

Men of the Black Banner Army always kept their word.

He helped Qiu Mingyan to his feet, yet his heart burned with worry.

“Guo’er, you must hold on…”

The Grand Tutor looked toward the clouded north, wishing he could fly there on wings.

The Moerha tribe had long grazed on the most fertile grasslands of the Northern Frontier.

Herds of cattle and sheep enjoyed the richest grasses, producing sweet milk for the tribe’s children.

But after their leader, Xiu Tuyu, lost the struggle for the Chanyu throne, that peaceful life was gone.

The laws of the grasslands were always harsh.

They had been forced to abandon their abundant pastures and flee to the most barren land of the Northern Frontier.

Poverty and hunger drove more and more warriors to become bandits, taking up robbery to survive.

Yet all of this changed because of the savior of the Moerha tribe…Ge Qingyuan, the capable minister from Great Wei.

When he had once been kidnapped by the tribe’s warriors, he had come to the camp despite past grievances.

In a duel with the chief, he unseated Xiu Tuyu, forcing him to accept defeat with complete respect.

He then persuaded Xiu Tuyu to take him in and used the treasures he had brought to exchange for urgently needed supplies at the border.

When Xiu Tulie sent forces to pursue them, he offered timely advice, helping the tribe win several clever counterattacks.

He also absorbed a number of tribe members who had suffered under Xiu Tulie’s oppression.

For a time, the Moerha tribe returned to a scene of prosperity.

The entire tribe admired this prescient General Ge Qingyuan and followed his orders without question.

Since Ge Qingyuan had married his sister to Xiu Tuyu, the defeated chief had become completely absorbed in wine and the embrace of his tender new wife.

Ge Qingyuan had effectively become the tribe’s de facto leader, giving orders and directing the tribe.

When Ge Qingyuan appeared in the camp holding Nie Qinglin, men, women, and children of the tribe all bowed in respect to him on horseback.

At the same time, Ge Yun’er returned from bathing in the creek behind the camp with a Xiongnu maid.

When she lifted her eyes and saw the Nie Qinglin in her brother’s arms, gagged with a soft cloth to stop her from shouting and alarming the chief of the tribe inside the tent.

Ge Yun’er had initially thought her brother had captured Princess Yong’an, feeling a surge of malicious joy as she quickened her steps.

But as she approached the horse, Nie Qinglin’s body tilted, revealing a bright yellow corner of clothing under the fur cloak.

She realized the figure resembling the princess was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and hesitated.

It was not the princess? Oh my, her brother… had he actually abducted the emperor of Great Wei?

Ge Qingyuan quickly wrapped Nie Qinglin in the fur cloak again and calmly asked, “Has the chief gone to sleep?”

Hearing her brother speak, she replied quickly, “Not yet. I had just gone to bathe. I will go to the chief’s tent to serve him shortly.”

Having always respected her steady and mature older brother since childhood, she normally obeyed him.

Yet now, each time she saw him, he seemed increasingly distant and cold, filling her with a deep, instinctive fear.

She wanted more than ever to follow his instructions perfectly to prove she was not useless and could not be casually discarded.

Ge Qingyuan did not mention the emperor’s true identity to his sister.

But seeing her gaze repeatedly at the “youth” in his arms, full of curiosity, he gently said, “Yun’er, be good and go serve the chief. Do not speak of things that should not be spoken of. Remember, our ultimate goal is to return to Great Wei.”

The rare tenderness from her brother warmed Ge Yun’er’s heart, instantly dispelling all her doubts.

She obediently nodded and turned toward the chief’s camp.

After arriving at the Moerha tribe, her brother presented her to Xiu Tuyu.

Ge Yun’er had become accustomed to such things and felt no shame.

She had long learned how to find pleasure under a man.

Though Xiutu Yu was crude, his strong physique was far superior to the somewhat hollow Southern King, who had become spoiled by indulgence in women.

Entering the tent, she had no time to remove her robes before being dragged onto the felt mat by the wine-scented Xiu Tuyu.

“The women from your south are ridiculous! Just like my dead father’s marriage consort, always bathing. You should know that carrying a scent makes it more appealing!”

Ge Yun’er forced herself to endure the unpleasant odor of the bear-like man, obediently opening her legs and letting out artificial moans.

Yet even as her body was repeatedly struck, her mind lingered on the youth in her brother’s arms.

“His” gaze had really been so much like…

When Ge Qingyuan returned to his camp holding the person in his arms, he slowly placed her on the thick felt mat before finally removing the soft cloth and untying the ropes.

Nie Qinglin felt her whole body weak and sore.

On the way back, Ge Qingyuan had given her some dried meat and water, but after days of almost constant unconsciousness, her already fragile body had suffered greatly.

The moment the ropes were untied, she collapsed onto the soft mat.

The Northern Frontier had no formalities like in Great Wei.

Ge Qingyuan dampened a handkerchief, wrung it out, and sat beside Nie Qinglin.

She instinctively recoiled, but he pulled her into his arms.

His large hand held her chin firmly as he carefully wiped the dust from her face and neck.

Once her delicate face was clean, he slowly reached for the buttons of the dragon robe.

“No!”

Nie Qinglin struggled violently, trying to avoid his hand.

But Ge Qingyuan suddenly pinned her to the mat, rolling over to straddle her.

“No? Did the princess resist so fiercely under that Wei traitor to protect her chastity for her husband? Remember, we were married under heaven. You are my lawful wife. What right do you have to say no?”

Ge Qingyuan’s normally calm and handsome face turned terrifying.

He tore open her dragon robe, the fragile fabric ripping with a sharp sound, revealing the enticing fullness wrapped in her bellyband.

He surveyed her coldly.

The body in his memory seemed even more voluptuous, the pale skin made whiter and more delicate by the bright yellow robe.

It was clear that only through tireless care and attention from Wei Lenghou had she blossomed like a tender flower.

Suddenly, he bent down and kissed Nie Qinglin fiercely, devouring the taste of the princess’s mouth.

The sweetness was as rich and intoxicating as he remembered.

After that, any kiss from another woman would feel dull and tasteless in comparison.

Nie Qinglin tried desperately to keep her mouth closed, resisting him, but he held her chin firmly, forcing her to open her lips, helplessly submitting to his snake-like invasion of her mouth.

Was she going to be completely claimed by this cruel man while unprepared?

At that moment, a sudden tightening in her lower abdomen caught her attention.

She felt warmth spreading beneath her and, recognizing the familiar sensation, her heart lifted.

As Ge Qingyuan began to move again, she quickly said, “Stop… I am on my period…”

The man who was about to tear her trousers froze when he noticed the unmistakable red staining her white silk pants.

“Her Majesty’s fluids have arrived at the right time,” Ge Qingyuan said, firmly parting her legs to confirm.

Fortunately, the customs of the Great Wei court held that a woman’s body would carry misfortune if contacted during this time.

Seeing the crimson stain, Ge Qinyuan, transformed into a beast, finally stopped and brought thick felt to place beneath her.

After a moment of silence, he said, “This is fortunate. At least it proves the princess has not conceived the seed of  that bastard Wei Lenghou. Otherwise, later, if she bore a child, it would be a trouble to prove the child’s innocence.”

After speaking, he rose and walked out.

The moment the cruel man left, Nie Qinglin’s tension eased.

She rolled over and sat up, wrapping her clothes tightly around herself as she glanced around.

The tent was sparsely furnished.

Aside from the felt mat, there were a few wooden boxes and clay jars for storing water.

There was not a single weapon within reach.

Just as she stood to look outside the camp, Ge Qingyuan returned, carrying a large wooden basin filled with steaming warm water.

He slowly set the basin down and straightened, gazing at the princess.

Under the intensity of his deep eyes, Nie Qinglin slowly sank back onto the felt mat.

“The northern land is barren and does not have the luxuries of the palace. There are no extensive preparations, but you must endure. Wash your body first. I have already ordered some felt mats to be soaked in strong liquor and dried by the fire for your use. For the next few days, stay on the bed in the tent.”

As with their previous meeting, Ge Qingyuan seemed changed in many ways.

At the very least, he no longer displayed the youthful rashness typical of a nineteen-year-old.

He had managed to escape easily from chaotic troops, traveled calmly from the southern lands to the north, and quickly gained control over the entire Moerha tribe.

Nie Qinglin realized he was no longer impatient to rise quickly in the capital of Wei.

At this moment, Ge Qingyuan was calmer, more ruthless, and far more inscrutable.

When he had escaped the capital, she had once feared he might reveal her secret to strike at Wei Lenghou, yet he had guarded it perfectly, not leaking even a trace. When she saw his fearsome face again, she had expected him to torment her with the weight of ruin and revenge, but instead, he cared for her like a meticulous and considerate husband, tending to her discomfort without a hint of malice.

A man like this was terrifying, for no one could predict his next move.

Even when Nie Qinglin chose to wash herself behind a curtain rather than in front of him, Ge Qingyuan did not interfere.

When she finally finished and stepped out wearing a long robe he had provided, he slowly extended his arm toward her.

For a moment, Nie Qinglin felt as if a sharp arrow might fly from his sleeve, and her body stiffened slightly.

Ge Qingyuan noticed the fear in her eyes but still smiled.

The scar on his face was hidden in the dim light of the tent, leaving his handsome demeanor intact.

“Princess, how long must Your Humble Servant keep my arm raised? If my patience runs out, the scene will hardly be pleasant,” he said in a darkly teasing tone when Nie Qinglin hesitated to step forward.