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

Outside the window, a bolt of lightning ripped through the night sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

The rain poured down.

Jiang Yining did not answer.

She simply raised her hand and gently stroked Chu Jinglan's hair, again and again.

It's like comforting a wounded beast.

"There are no 'ifs,' Chu Jinglan."

Jiang Yining's voice was gentle, yet cruel.

There are no "what ifs" in this world.

Chu Jinglan tightened his grip on her, making Jiang Yining feel a little pain.

"I will drive them away."

Chu Jinglan said in a muffled voice in her arms, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"No matter who it is... Ji Lingxiao or Bai Ze..."

"No one can take you away from me."

"You are my wife."

"Even if I die."

The next morning.

The capital city was shrouded in a thin mist after the rain.

Chu Jinglan, however, was unusually energetic.

Although the bloodshot eyes were still there, she looked radiant, as if she had been reborn.

He didn't let the maids interfere; he personally took the eyebrow pencil and drew Jiang Yining's eyebrows.

Chu Jinglan was drawing with great care, and fine beads of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose.

Although the skill was questionable, the drawing looked like two caterpillars.

"It needs to be a little thinner here... Yes, lift it up a bit."

Jiang Yining closed her eyes helplessly, letting him paint on her face.

This scene was witnessed by Liu Xueru, who was passing by outside the window.

She clutched a handkerchief tightly in her hand, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh.

Why should that withered flower receive such treatment from the general?

Just then, a carrier pigeon fluttered its wings and landed on her shoulder.

Liu Xueru looked around and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, removed the secret message from the carrier pigeon's leg.

The letter was sent by someone from Ye Wuhen.

The letter said that as long as she could find a way to secretly smuggle Jiang Yining out of the city.

After the deed is done, she will enjoy endless wealth and honor, and the position of General's wife of Chu Jinglan will only belong to her, Liu Xueru.

Liu Xueru's breathing became rapid instantly.

"Jiang Yining, since you're taking up the spot, don't blame me for sending you on your way."

Just as she crumpled the note, preparing to destroy the evidence,

"Thump—thump thump—thump—!!!"

Suddenly, a rapid and muffled sound of war drums rang out from the direction of the city wall!

The sound of the drums was like rolling thunder, like a mountain collapsing, shaking the entire capital city!

Butler Zhao Bo rushed in from the front yard, his face ashen.

"General! Something terrible has happened!"

"That...that tyrant has led an army of 100,000 and besieged the capital!"

Chu Jinglan's hand trembled, and the snail-shaped hairpin snapped in two with a "crack".

A glaring black mark was slashed across Jiang Yining's originally beautiful face.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Night...Night leaves no trace!"

Uncle Zhao stammered, "He was shouting from below the city wall, saying... saying..."

"What did you say?"

"He said that if we handed over the lady, he would withdraw his troops and spare the lives of all the people in the city!"

Jiang Yining opened her eyes. Before she could speak, several people walked in.

Ji Lingxiao was dressed in a purple official robe, his face so somber it could drip water.

Bai Ze was carrying a large, still-dripping sword, clearly having just returned from fighting outside.

"He's dreaming."

Ji Lingxiao sneered and tapped his folding fan against his palm with a crisp sound.

"My woman is not for that traitorous scoundrel to steal."

Bai Ze spat a mouthful of bloody saliva on the ground: "Want to mess with Ningning? Ask the knife in my hand if it'll allow it first!"

Chu Jinglan silently drew the sword from his waist.

The sword's edge reflected his resolute expression.

War is imminent.

Ji Lingxiao, Bai Ze, and Chu Jinglan must rush to the city wall to defend against the enemy immediately.

Before leaving, Chu Jinglan gave Jiang Yining a deep look.

"Wait for me to come back."

He bent down and hugged her tightly, ignoring the glares from the other two.

"If...if the city falls, let Sikong lead you through the secret passage."

Jiang Yining's heart skipped a beat, and she reached out to grab his sleeve: "You must live."

Chu Jinglan smiled.

That was the first genuine smile he showed after he came back.

"Yes, madam."

The capital city has never felt so oppressive as it does today.

Dark clouds loom over the city, threatening to crush it.

An army of 100,000 men, like a black tide, completely surrounded the majestic capital.

The cold iron armor reflected a chilling glint in the gloomy sunlight.

Before the army's formation, a lone rider stood out.

Ye Wuhen was dressed in a black military uniform, with a dragon pattern embroidered in gold thread on his chest, its claws outstretched.

His long, ink-black hair danced wildly in the wind, and a mad smile played on his handsome, almost demonic face.

He reined in his horse and used his inner strength to send his voice throughout the entire capital.

"Listen up, people of the city!"

"I only need one person."

"Hand over Jiang Yining."

"I order an immediate withdrawal of troops!"

"Otherwise..." He paused, his smile growing increasingly cruel, "I will raze this city to the ground, slaughter you all, and let this capital be a river of blood!"

The sound was like a demonic chant, echoing throughout the capital city.

The whole city was in an uproar.

Fear spread among the people like a plague.

"What? For a woman?"

"Just what kind of enchantress is Lady Chu? How could she have provoked the tyrant to wage war like this?"

"Hand her over! Hand her over now! We don't want to die!"

"Yes! She's just a woman; how can she compare to the lives of our entire city!"

It's unclear who started it, but soon countless people spontaneously flocked to the Chu residence, completely surrounding the gates of the general's mansion.

"Hand over the vixen Jiang Yining!"

"General, please consider the bigger picture!"

The sounds of petitions, curses, and cries mingled together, like dull knives cutting into the hearts of the Chu family.

Inside the Chu residence, the atmosphere was heavier than ever before.

The wind howled on the city wall.

Chu Jinglan stood tall and straight as a pine tree, clad in iron armor and holding a sword.

He looked down at the arrogant emperor below the city walls and shouted, "Ye Wuhen! As the ruler of a nation, you have raised an army to rebel for your own selfish desires, disregarding the lives of the people! You are unworthy to be called the Son of Heaven!"

Ye Wuhen reined in his horse below the city walls and laughed loudly.

"The Emperor? I am the Emperor!"

"What I desire, I will obtain!"

"Chu Jinglan, I'm giving you one last chance. Hand over Jiang Yining, and I might spare your life!"

"Don't even think about it!"

Chu Jinglan raised his longsword, its tip pointing straight to the sky, his voice as resounding as iron.

"She is my wife, Chu Jinglan's wife!"

"No one is allowed to lay a finger on her!"

"Well said!" Bai Ze roared, his heroic spirit soaring to the heavens.

Ji Lingxiao stood to the side, his robes fluttering, his eyes looking down at her with disdain: "Ye Wuhen, you dare to challenge me?"

War is imminent.

However, just as the battle on the city wall reached a stalemate...

In the backyard of the Chu residence, an inconspicuous side door was quietly opened.

Liu Xueru peeked out and waved urgently at the figures in the shadows outside the door.

"Quick! She's in the main courtyard!"

A group of assassins dressed in black sneaked into the Chu residence like ghosts.

At this moment, all the elite troops in the manor had been transferred to the city wall to defend against the enemy, leaving only some elderly, weak, women and children.

Those assassins were all highly skilled, clearly carefully trained by Ye Wuhen.

They infiltrated the mansion like ghosts, killing anyone they encountered.

The front yard instantly turned into a battleground.

"ah--!!"

A scream rang out.

Jiang Yining, who was accompanying Old Madam Chu in the backyard, suddenly changed her expression.

"Oh no! An assassin!"

Without a second thought, she shielded Old Madam Chu behind her, grabbed a wooden stick used to support the flower stand, and went to meet her.

"Ningning!" Old Madam Chu was terrified.

"Mother! Hide quickly!"

Despite her pregnant belly, Jiang Yining remained agile.

With a single swing, the staff struck precisely on the wrist of one of the assassins.

The man cried out in pain and dropped his long knife.

Jiang Yining kicked the long sword up and held it in her hand.

The blade flashed coldly, each strike deadly.

However, two fists can't fight four hands, especially since she was pregnant and her physical strength was greatly depleted.

Soon, her white dress was splattered with bloodstains, indistinguishable as to whether they were from the enemy or her own.

"lady!!"

Butler Zhao Bo's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He risked being stabbed, crawled out through the dog hole, and ran towards the city wall like a madman.

"General!! Something terrible has happened! At the manor... something has happened at the manor!!"