Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

"Heh... the girl's grown up, she can't hide her feelings anymore." Li Jing shook his head and sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness and a sense of realization.

He stared at Xiao Tuan, raised an eyebrow, and laughed, "Come on! Lead the way! Let me see if this tough kid really escaped from the clutches of death!"

"Hahaha, I knew it! He's not that easy to kill! Quick! Lead the way!"

Not long after.

Xiao Tuan led the two through the backyard and straight into the front hall.

Sunlight streamed in, and the courtyard was quiet. A young man stood by the window, dressed in white as snow, his back tall and slender, gazing silently at the distant mountains outside the courtyard.

A breeze swept across the eaves, causing his clothes to flutter slightly.

That moment——

Li Yingge's pupils suddenly contracted.

It felt like something had hit my chest hard.

so similar……

It's so similar!

That rainy night, blood stained the long street, iron armor was broken, and a man with half a pale face was revealed through the shattered mask... His back view and the person in front of him almost overlapped!

They were equally proud and lonely, as if the whole world was weighing on their shoulders, yet they refused to bow their heads.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes were wide open, and even her breathing became lighter.

And at this moment—

The boy slowly turned around.

A handsome, youthful face came into view, his eyebrows and eyes still showing the immaturity of a teenager, but his eyes... were frighteningly deep, as if they contained the smoke of war and thousands of troops, and could not be seen at a glance.

Han Ye's gaze swept over Li Jing, finally landing on Li Yingge. He paused for a moment, then his expression returned to normal. He bowed respectfully, his tone gentle yet distant.

"Greetings to the Duke of Wei, and greetings to the Divine General."

Li Yingge did not respond.

Her gaze was fixed on his face, as if trying to dig out a familiar shadow from the contours of his features.

Li Jing burst into laughter and stepped forward, patting Han Ye heavily on the shoulder, his eyes glistening with tears: "Good lad! I knew you wouldn't die! You're tougher than a cat!"

He looked him up and down, growing more and more excited, and suddenly murmured, "It's...it's so similar..."

Han Ye frowned slightly, his heart tightening: "What does it look like?"

"You and your father!" Li Jing exclaimed, "You're practically identical! Brow bones, nose bridge, jawline... exactly the same!"

Han Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully... it wasn't the Ghost-Faced General.

He smiled slightly, lowered his eyes to conceal the coldness in them, and said gently, "My father often mentioned you when he was alive, saying that you were his only true friend in this life, and that he was still concerned about your well-being before he passed away."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing's smile faltered slightly.

His brow furrowed slightly.

These words sound respectful, each word is proper and polite, yet they exude a cold and distant feeling.

It's like there's a wall between us, so we keep our distance with respect.

His expression darkened slightly.

In my eyes, you've long been half a son of the Li family, a future son-in-law! And now, you're addressing me as "Duke of Wei," acting like a complete outsider!

Just as it was about to erupt—

Han Ye, however, preemptively bowed again, his tone crisp and decisive:

"Thank you, Duke, for taking in the former subordinates of the Han family."

Now that I have returned, I will no longer disturb you.

I will have someone pack my bags shortly and move out of the residence immediately. I am extremely grateful for your continued assistance over the past few days.

The air froze.

Li Yingge suddenly looked up and blurted out, "You're leaving?!"

The voice was rapid, almost cracking.

Li Jing's eyes widened in shock.

Han Ye nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips: "Living in your esteemed residence for too long might cause gossip."

It's best to avoid suspicion.

"Bullshit!" Li Jing roared, his mustache bristling with rage. "What do you mean by avoiding suspicion? What is your relationship with my family?! We're family, why are we distinguishing between each other?!"

He stepped forward, pointed at Han Ye's nose, and cursed:

"And another thing! You're not allowed to call me Duke of Wei anymore! Your father is my brother, and you're the son-in-law I'm going to marry! From now on, call me—Uncle! Uncle! Uncle! Do you understand?!"

Li Jing practically puffed out his beard and glared, uttering that sentence word by word.

The word "son-in-law" had barely left his lips—

Li Yingge, who was usually as cold as ice, had a rare blush on her face, and even the tips of her ears felt slightly warm.

What's even more surprising is that she didn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Han Ye was stunned on the spot, his pupils dilating in shock!

son in law?!

A series of question marks instantly exploded in his mind—Li Jing didn't know?! Li Yingge hadn't mentioned it to him?!

He subconsciously touched his chin, his tone filled with disbelief: "Uncle Li, but that marriage certificate... I tore it up in Youzhou City a long time ago."

"What?! It's torn?!"

Li Jing suddenly looked up, his expression changing drastically, as if he had heard a corner of the sky collapse.

This time, it was Han Ye's turn to be dumbfounded.

No... you really didn't know?!

The two of them turned to look at Li Yingge.

She simply raised her hand and took out a roll of yellowed paper from her bosom—the edges were torn and the ink was stained, but it was neatly pieced together and sewn together. It was none other than the marriage certificate that Han Ye had torn up by his own hands!

"this……"

Han Ye's heart skipped a beat, and his throat felt like it was blocked by something.

Li Yingge lowered her eyes, her fingertips lightly tracing the crack. Her voice remained as clear and cold as snow, but now carried a hint of barely suppressed tremor: "You think that tearing off a piece of paper can sever everything?"

"My Li family has never had more than one marriage certificate."

She paused, then looked up and stared directly at Han Ye, her gaze sharp and piercing.

"Everyone in the world knows that the husband of the Divine Might General has already been chosen, and even His Majesty has given his approval—how can you simply say 'no' and call it off?"

Han Ye frowned, his mind in turmoil.

Honestly, when did he and Li Yingge ever have even the slightest bit of affection between them?

But at this moment, he finally realized that this matter was far more complicated than he had thought.

He took a deep breath and tentatively asked, "So, General Li, what would be the best way to dissolve this engagement?"

Before he could finish speaking...

Li Yingge's face suddenly turned pale, she bit her lower lip lightly, and a hint of hurt and anger flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Is this guy... stupid or just pretending?!

When did she just say she wanted to call off the engagement?!

Every single word clearly implies—I don't want to end this relationship!

But how come in his mouth it sounded like he couldn't wait to get rid of her?!

Who is Li Yingge? She is the youngest female general of the Great Qian Dynasty, renowned for her military exploits and fame throughout the world!

He really... dislikes her that much?!

In that instant, the resentment in her eyes was like the moon reflected in a cold pool, making Han Ye's heart tighten, his mind filled with "What did I say wrong?"

Li Jing's face also darkened.

He slowly unfolded the tattered marriage certificate in his hand, pointed to the two names on it, and sighed deeply: "Han Ye, this marriage contract was made by your father and me by blood oath back then. It was an agreement between our parents and a matchmaker. How can you expect me to go back on my word today? You have to give your uncle an explanation..."

Han Ye smiled wryly and could only force himself to say, "I'm afraid... I'll delay General Shenwei."

These words had barely left his lips.

Li Yingge suddenly pouted, just like when she was a child and had been wronged. She turned to Li Jing, her voice soft but firm:

"My daughter's marriage is a major life event, and everything... is entirely up to her father to decide."

The air froze.

Han Ye froze on the spot, his mind blank with a huge "???"

What's going on?!

Why didn't she refuse?!

He had always believed that Li Yingge was absolutely against this marriage!

She was a revered female war goddess, while he was just an unknown border general guarding a small town in the north.

Even a fool would know that she would never want to marry him!

not to mention--

He didn't want to marry into the family! He didn't want to be a live-in son-in-law!

Therefore, in his view, since neither of them was willing, the marriage naturally fell through.

And now... not only did Li Yingge not object, but she also publicly stated that she would "listen to her father's arrangements"?!

Did she know what this meant?!

Silence is tantamount to acquiescence; not refusing is tantamount to consent!

Li Jing's eyes lit up, and he almost burst out laughing on the spot.

He was prepared for his daughter to flip the table, but to his surprise, she changed her attitude today!

The old man was so happy his beard trembled. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Good! Good! Good! Han Ye, did you see that? My daughter already agreed, are you trying to renege on your promise?!"

Han Ye's lips twitched, and he inwardly groaned.

Li Jing was not only the Duke of Wei, but also his deceased father's sworn brother and the elder whom he had called "uncle" for more than ten years.

Refusing to his face now? That would be a slap in the face, a slap to the bone!

He could only manage a couple of dry laughs, offering a vague reply: "Uncle Li, marriage is a significant matter, perhaps... we could discuss it later?"

Li Jing waved his hand, his smile undiminished.

"No rush, no rush." ​​He squinted at Han Ye, looking at him meaningfully. "There's plenty of time... for the future."

He threw his head back and laughed loudly, his voice booming, and waved his hand with great pride, saying, "No rush, no rush! You should settle down in the manor first."

"Yingge—" He turned his gaze to his daughter, his tone meaningful, "Take Han Ye to his courtyard and tell the servants what he needs or what is missing."

After all... you two are going to spend your lives together, so it's good to spend more time together, hahaha—"

These words stirred a breeze throughout the room.

This wasn't a discussion; it was a decision made on the spot!

Han Ye's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this, and he could only smile helplessly.

Li Yingge's ears turned slightly red, her eyelashes trembled, but she suppressed her shyness, turned around and left, her back straight as a sword.

The two left the main hall side by side. Just as they stepped out of the courtyard gate, she suddenly stopped and turned around sharply.

The moonlight shone down, outlining her cool and aloof features.

Those beautiful eyes, like cold stars, pierced straight at Han Ye, carrying an unavoidable sharpness.

Han Ye was tall, standing at 1.8 meters with a straight and upright physique, but at this moment, being stared at by her looking up, he felt a sense of pressure.

"What's wrong?" He touched his face, looking bewildered. "General?"

"Don't call me General." Her voice was clear and cold, like snowmelt hitting a blue stone. "Call me by my name—Li Yingge."

As soon as she finished speaking, her stunningly beautiful face reverted to its familiar, aloof and glamorous appearance, with her brows slightly furrowed and her lips tightly pressed together.

She stood before him, her fingertips slightly clenched, her teeth biting down. Finally, unable to suppress the surging emotions within her, she demanded, "My father doesn't want to ask, but I must know—Han Ye, how did you survive?!"

The air suddenly froze.

Han Ye's pupils contracted slightly, his heart churning with turmoil, but his face remained calm, only letting out a light laugh: "What else could it be? They escaped back, that's all."

"Just running away?" Her eyes were like knives, piercing through him inch by inch.

"Absolutely true." He met her gaze and nodded frankly.

But she didn't believe it.