Chapter 1242: Intrigue and Schemes in the Forbidden Palace, Women Safeguarding Peace (Part 6)

Chapter 1242: Chapter 320: Intrigue and Schemes in the Forbidden Palace, Women Safeguarding Peace (Part 6)

Shi Feiyang pondered for a moment, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: “Go! Gather the troops immediately and head to Jiangnan. No matter who is behind this, if they dare to make waves in my Great Ming territory, they must pay the price!”

His voice was resolute and commanding.

Xie Wen clasped his fists and bowed, then employed the “Feixu Qingyan Technique,” swiftly merging into the air, disappearing instantly.

The autumn wind swept through the felt tents of the Lindan Tribe, making the silver ornaments by Princess Gugela’s temples chime. The rose-red silk gown she wore fluttered in the wind, the embroidered twin lotus flowers on the hem seeming to fade in the twilight, just like her fluctuating emotions at the moment.

Shi Feiyang was outside the tent packing his gear, his black battle robe flapping sharply in the wind, the cold sheen of the dragon tower ring on his left middle finger flashing faintly, highlighting his handsome features.

Gugela leaned against the carved birch wood pillar, her fingertips absent-mindedly caressing the cloud pattern embroidered with gold thread on her sleeve, watching him carefully pack dry rations and water bags. Each of his actions made her heart ache.

Finally, she moved lightly like a lotus, as if afraid to disturb anything, her voice soft enough to drip: “Shi Lang, do you really have to go?”

As Shi Feiyang turned around, he caught sight of her charming, glistening eyes.

The sunset bathed her face in a soft glow, the stars gathered on her lashes dampened by tears. His heart tightened, as he reached to tidy the pearl tassels in her hair disturbed by the wind: “The people of Jiangnan suffer under the pirate scourge, how can I stand by and do nothing?”

“But…” Gugela buried her face in his chest, the heartbeat echoing under her silk robe making her feel even more aggrieved, “You just returned not long ago and haven’t even tasted the freshly brewed mare’s milk wine in the tent…”

When she lifted her head, tears were already hanging from the corner of her eye, sparkling in the sunset, “Shi Lang, the grassland nights are so cold. Without you, I can hardly sleep…”

Shi Feiyang’s throat moved, the warm radiance of the Bright Jade Technique couldn’t hide the distress in his eyes.

He gently held her face, using his thumb to wipe away the tear marks on her cheek: “When I pacify Jiangnan, I will surely accompany you to see the four seasons of the grassland. The sea of Gesang flowers in spring, the Milky Way pouring in midsummer, and…”

“Don’t talk about some future!” Gugela suddenly grasped his collar tightly, the rose-red sleeve falling, revealing the wolf tooth silver bracelet he had given her, “Shi Lang, every time you leave, I count stars in front of the tent. Only when I count to a thousand can I hope for your return.”

She stood on tiptoe, pressing her face against his icy scabbard, “The bloody scent of this knife, every time I smell it, I fear one day…” She couldn’t finish her sentence, overwhelmed by sobs. Shi Feiyang felt a pang in his heart, instinctively circulating the Bright Jade Technique, enveloping her in a soft halo.

He bent down to kiss away the tears on her lashes, whispering: “My dear girl, see this wolf tooth—” he took off the silver bracelet from her wrist, “years ago, when I killed the alpha wolf in the pack, this wolf tooth became our token of love. As long as it remains, I promise to return to you.”

Gugela suddenly unfastened the coral necklace from her neck, the fire-red coral beads trembling in her palm: “Then, Shi Lang, take this with you. See it as seeing me.” She tied the necklace around his waist, her fingers brushing over the pleats of his battle robe, “If you encounter danger, touch this coral. I will be on the grassland, using all my prayers to protect you…”

The autumn wind sobbed, in the distance came the desolate tune of the morin khuur.

Gugela held Shi Feiyang tightly, refusing to let go, until the moment he mounted his horse, she was still tiptoeing to reach his hand: “Shi Lang, remember well, there is someone on the grassland who will guard the moonlight, guard the tent, guard our promise, always waiting…”

Her voice was torn apart by the wind, turning into longing scattered across the horizon, while Shi Feiyang’s figure gradually merged into the blood-red setting sun.