The daughter of the Marquis is too delicate, the abstinent prince pinches her waist and loves her

Chapter 215: Showing your noble hand
Mu Jiyue's heart skipped a beat, and she cried, "Your Majesty, I was just worried about what might have happened to you, so I sent people to the military camp to find out what was going on. The matter of burning the grain... there must have been some misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?" Mu Chengqian raised his hand and slapped her again, saying, "Zhixing is the destined Holy Maiden of Western Shu. Are you hoping for her death so that Western Shu will perish?!"

Mu Jiyue covered her face, her voice trembling with grievance: "She can't even learn basic witchcraft, what kind of saintess is she..."

"Shut up!" Mu Chengqian glared at her angrily and said, "If you dare to lay a finger on your imperial sister again, I will demote you to a commoner and banish you!"

Mu Jiyue was utterly astonished, tears streaming down her face: "Father, for the sake of a princess you just recognized, you actually did this to your son..."

"Send the order! The Second Princess is confined to Qinxue Palace and is not allowed to leave without my command!" Mu Chengqian flung his dragon robe and uttered these harsh words.

"Father! Your son knows he was wrong! Father!" Mu Jiyue sobbed and tried to hug Mu Chengqian's leg, but was ruthlessly dragged away by two guards.

At noon, amidst the howling wind and snow, soldiers in the Zhu Luo army camp sharpened their rifles and trained, preparing for the battle that would begin at night.

Two delegations braved the wind and snow to arrive. The prime minister, who was at the head of the delegations, knelt before the main tent, holding the imperial seal. His hoarse voice proclaimed, "His Majesty has decreed that the night raid on the grain supplies was carried out by Princess Qinxue and the city lord of Baiyue City. Our army presents the city lord's head and returns all the burned grain supplies to Crown Prince Zhu Luo as an apology!"

"The previous transaction was a decision made unilaterally by Princess Qinxue, and His Majesty was unaware of it! His Majesty is willing to exchange three cities for Princess Yaoke. We implore Crown Prince Zhu Luo to show mercy and allow Princess Yaoke to return to her country!"

"We beg Crown Prince Zhu Luo to show mercy and allow Princess Yao Ke to return to her country!" The two rows of envoys knelt down and shouted in unison.

The steamy air inside the military tent became scorching, creating a stark contrast with the bitter cold outside.

Mu Zhixing lay on the soft couch, her clothes slipping off her shoulders to reveal the dark red insignia of the Eastern Palace and large patches of bluish-purple pinch marks.

Ye Jingnian stroked her neck from behind, his slender fingers touching her throbbing pulse, and whispered in her ear, "Did you hear that? Your father has sent people to ransom you."

Mu Zhixing swallowed hard, her eyes slightly red, and she clenched her fists.

The prime minister outside the military tent continued to shout, "If Crown Prince Zhu Luo is not satisfied, the terms can still be negotiated!"

Ye Jingnian raised his lips in a cold smile. He pinched her chin, his eyes filled with a wicked and unrestrained charm: "Why aren't you talking? Don't you like to cry? There are those Western Shu barbarians outside right now. I didn't cover your mouth. If you cry to them, they might rush in to save you."

Mu Zhixing clenched her teeth, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

After a long silence outside the tent, the Prime Minister's voice rang out again: "I am willing to exchange five cities for the return of the Third Princess!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jing clicked his tongue, kissed her lips, and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips. He whispered hoarsely against her lips, "Listen, the more urgently they shout, the less I want to let you go..."

"I promised seven days, and I won't break my word... If Your Highness is ignoring me, then pretend you didn't hear me." Mu Zhixing lowered her head and sobbed, her fingertips tightly gripping his clothes, saying, "I don't want a deal made with the empire..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingnian's eyes dimmed slightly, revealing an indescribable emotion.

Half an hour later, a loud voice rang out again from outside the tent: "We are willing to give up ten cities to allow the princess to return home!"

A single sentence snapped Ye Jingnian out of her daze. Not only did the soldiers of Zhu Luo outside gasp, but even Mu Zhixing was stunned. Ten cities, half of the Western Shu Kingdom's territory—Mu Chengqian was actually willing to do all this for her…

Ye Jingnian narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned away after a moment, put on his cloak, and prepared to go out.

"Your Highness..." Mu Zhixing hurriedly grabbed his wrist.

Ye Jingnian stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at her sitting on the bed. He raised his hand and lifted her chin, saying, "Azhi, those are ten cities. Do you think you are more important to me, or are those ten cities more important?"

He shoved Mu Zhixing aside, grabbed the chain on the ground and fastened it around her ankle, tucked the key into his sleeve, and turned to leave.

He sat on the throne, gave a cold laugh, and said, "Come in."

The old prime minister entered the military tent and saw the man on the throne with his collar slightly open, revealing his strong muscles and a languid expression with a hint of bloodthirsty smile.

"Ten cities, Mu Chengqian really dotes on her."

He could vaguely hear the sound of chains coming from inside the tent. The prime minister dared not think about it too much. He pursed his lips, his brows revealing a gloomy and restrained expression.

His Majesty said that as long as the Holy Maiden of Western Shu is in our hands, there is still a chance to turn the tide. Therefore, no matter what the cost, we must bring the Third Princess back!
He lowered his head, presented the seal in his hand, and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is willing to add another ten thousand taels of gold and a thousand fine horses. If that is not enough, we can discuss it further..."

"Your Highness! Please don't!" Mu Zhixing's voice came from inside the tent. Chains bound her ankles, and she took a few heavy steps, but before she could touch the curtain, she fell to the ground with a "thud".

The prime minister frowned, and before he could move into the inner tent, two soldiers drew their swords and crossed them in front of the curtain, blocking his way.

"Mu Zhixing is still my prisoner. I advise the Prime Minister of Western Shu not to act rashly." Ye Jingnian's voice was cold, with a sinister smile.

His fingertips were still stained with a little bit of bright red rouge, which he casually wiped off with a handkerchief before tossing it on the ground.

The pure white silk handkerchief was stained red, and the Western Shu flags on the carelessly discarded sand table on the ground looked like a blood-red patch that had been carved out of the snow.

His brows furrowed slightly, and his softened voice carried a hint of unease: "You promised me seven days, but only three days have passed, and you want to take her back in such a hurry. I'm quite displeased."

“It’s not that Western Shu wants to go back on its word. It was the Second Princess who agreed in His Majesty’s name. His Majesty was very anxious when he found out,” the Prime Minister said, clenching his fists. “How can His Highness let the princess go? As long as His Highness says so, everything can be discussed.”

“Alright.” Ye Jingnian’s fingertips casually tapped on the armrest, playing with a broken silver bell that had been left on the throne. A smile appeared on his lips as he said, “If you want Mu Zhixing, exchange her for Mu Jiyue.”

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister was suddenly taken aback. Looking at Ye Jingnian's appearance, a chill ran down his spine. After capturing the Third Princess, he now wanted to exchange her for the Second Princess... Did Ye Jingnian also intend to do something to the Second Princess...?

He swallowed hard, a hint of fear in his eyes, and said, "This...this matter...still requires His Majesty's approval..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingnian suddenly sneered, his chilling laughter sending shivers down one's spine: "I thought you cared a lot about the Third Princess. You hesitated so much when I asked you to send the Second Princess instead. But when the Third Princess came, I didn't see you having any trouble."