Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

The "rebel trio" haven't even had a chance to set off yet.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

Eunuch Li, accompanied by a squad of imperial guards, swaggered into the Chu residence.

The manner of the visit was more like someone coming to confiscate property than to deliver an imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The northern barbarians have invaded, and the border is in dire need of attention. Therefore, General Bai Ze, the Protector of the Nation, is hereby appointed to immediately lead the expedition, without fail! So be it!"

After reading the decree, Eunuch Li looked at Bai Ze with a forced smile: "General Bai, accept the decree. His Majesty said that the military situation is urgent and you must depart tonight."

Everyone knew perfectly well that this was not some kind of border emergency.

The barbarians in the north were beaten to a pulp by Bai Ze just two years ago, and now, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to make a move.

This is a diversionary tactic.

Ye Wuhen intends to defeat them one by one.

Bai Ze's face turned ashen: "I'm not going!"

"Oh dear, General Bai, this is tantamount to disobeying an imperial decree!"

Eunuch Li exaggeratedly covered his mouth: "Disobeying the imperial decree is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family! The entire Bai household..."

Bai Ze's body stiffened.

That raging anger was extinguished instantly, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head.

He might risk his life, but he can't gamble with the lives of his family.

That madman Ye Wuhen is capable of anything.

A hand was placed on his shoulder.

Ji Lingxiao appeared behind him at some point, his voice cold yet resolute: "Receive the decree."

Bai Ze whirled around, glaring at him intently: "You want me to leave? If I leave, who will protect her? With your weak body, or that blind man?"

"If you stay, you will die now."

Ji Lingxiao stated the facts expressionlessly: "Ye Wuhen was waiting for this excuse."

Chu Sikong, who was standing next to him, put down his teacup and casually added, "If General Bai wants to spend the night in the imperial prison, he can simply behead the eunuch who delivered the decree."

Bai Ze gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffed out like stones.

Finally, he knelt down on one knee, his knee slamming so hard that it cracked the floor tiles.

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

These three words were almost roared out from his chest.

Eunuch Li left satisfied, leaving behind a particularly irritating remark before he departed: "General Bai, have a safe journey. I will put in a good word for you before His Majesty."

The courtyard gate was closed again.

Bai Ze, like a tiger whose spine had been removed, slumped to the ground.

"Alright, stop pretending to be dead."

Ji Lingxiao pulled out a bottle of wound medicine from somewhere and threw it into his arms.

"Come back alive. If you die out there, no one will collect your body."

Chu Sikong rarely spoke a word of truth: "The wind and sand are strong in the north, and General Bai has thick skin. Apply more oil, or Ningning might complain that you're even rougher."

Although their words were unpleasant, these two were indeed seeing each other off in their own way.

Bai Ze ignored them, stood up, dusted off his knees, and walked straight toward Jiang Yining.

He stopped three steps in front of her.

Like an abandoned dog, feeling wronged and reluctant to leave.

"Ningning."

Jiang Yining felt a pang of sadness and wanted to say something to comfort him.

"I……"

"I'll go pack my things."

Bai Ze interrupted her. He looked at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his bones, then turned and strode back to his room.

Jiang Yining stood there, stunned.

They're leaving already?

This silly dog ​​usually pesters her for ages over the smallest things, why is it acting so differently today?

Until the night was deep and quiet.

Jiang Yining lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The wind howled outside the window, making her feel restless and uneasy.

Suddenly, the window sill made a soft "click" sound.

Jiang Yining sat up reflexively: "Who?"

A tall, dark figure nimbly flipped in, bringing with it the chill of a late autumn night and a faint scent of soapberry.

"it's me."

Bai Ze's voice was very low, sounding particularly mellow in the darkness.

He walked to the table and threw a huge package he was carrying on his back onto it with a thud. Judging from the sound, it was quite heavy.

Jiang Yining lit the candle.

In the dim candlelight, Bai Ze, dressed in a dark outfit with his hair tied up high, looked even more dashing and imposing.

"What's this for?" Jiang Yining asked, pointing to the package.

Bai Ze didn't say anything, but took a few steps forward and roughly untied the ribbons of the package.

wow-

The contents were scattered all over the table.

A thick stack of land deeds, dozens of large-denomination banknotes, even several gold bricks of excellent quality, and a dagger inlaid with gemstones.

Jiang Yining was dumbfounded.

"This is……"

"My entire fortune."

Bai Ze looked at her with a serious gaze that made one's heart tremble: "The rewards I've accumulated from fighting over the years, as well as some of the properties I've acquired myself, are all here."

He picked up the stack of land deeds and stuffed them into Jiang Yining's hand, his movements clumsy yet hurried.

"These are three hundred acres of fertile farmland on the outskirts of Beijing, two shops in the south of the city, and a house in Tongzhou..."

He kept talking incoherently, as if he were making his final arrangements.

"That house is in a secluded location. If you can't stay in the capital anymore, you can go there to hide."

"And this dagger."

He picked up the gleaming dagger, pulled it out, and showed it to Jiang Yining.

"It's sharp enough to cut through iron like mud. Keep it for self-defense. If any fool dares to bully you, just stab him. If he dies, I'll take responsibility."

Jiang Yining held the heavy pile of things, feeling her palms burning.

"Why are you giving me all this?"

"Keep it for yourself; fighting a war costs money too..."

"The army provides meals, so I don't need to spend any money."

Bai Ze interrupted her, a tsunami of deep affection surging in his eyes.

"Ningning, the journey to the northern frontier is long and arduous, and the outcome is uncertain."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty, as if he were using immense effort to utter the next words.

"If I die..."

Jiang Yining's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tried to cover his mouth: "Shut up! Don't say anything that could kill him!"

Bai Ze grabbed her hand and pressed it tightly against his cheek.

"Listen to me," he said, his voice tinged with pleading.

"If I die, this money will be enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

"Although that blind man is cunning, he is physically weak and can't earn much money. He still needs you to support him. With these things, you can live a better life."

When he said "you guys," his eyes darkened, revealing an undisguised bitterness and jealousy.

But he still spoke up.

He would rather she live than possess her, even if she were with another man.

"but……"

Bai Ze abruptly changed the subject, his previously dim eyes suddenly flashing with a wolf-like ferocity.

"Ningning, if I don't die this time, I'll rebel when I get back!"

"What kind of emperor is this? What kind of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country? I don't care about any of that!"

"I'll overturn the heavens and drag that madman off the throne! I'll make sure you never have to be beholden to anyone again, that you can go wherever you want and love whomever you want!"

Jiang Yining looked at the man in front of her.

He's usually very carefree, like a silly, heartless husky.

But at this moment, he opened his chest and presented her with a bloodied and sincere heart.

It was so hot that she wanted to cry.

That idiot.

"Bai Ze." Jiang Yining sniffed, her eyes reddening.

"Um?"

next second.

A pair of soft arms wrapped around his neck.

Jiang Yining tiptoed, with a hint of indescribable emotion in her eyes, and took the initiative to kiss his lips.