General Mu Man had fought on battlefields for half his life, what kind of people hadn't he seen?
Yet, no matter the person, all feared death.
For today's situation, if it were anyone else, they surely wouldn't have spoken these words.
After all, if private grudges were elevated to a national war, even in death, several would accompany them on the journey.
But Ji Zizhao was willing to venture alone into danger, even if she would live the rest of her life under the shadow of assassination.
All for the sake of...
Protecting the nation and its people, ensuring that the soldiers and civilians of both countries would not be dragged into further conflict.
General Mu Man looked at the maiden, barely in her teens, before him in disbelief. "You are not afraid of death?"
Ji Zizhao smiled. "Naturally, I am."
"Then why devise such a plan?"
"Because I believe that I will still be the one who prevails."
General Mu Man: "..."
Could she be any more arrogant!
If these words came from anyone else, even an emperor of a nation, General Mu Man would have scoffed.
But facing Ji Zizhao standing before him, General Mu Man had no choice but to believe.
After all, he had suffered enough losses to have a certain understanding of his opponents.
"What do you want?"
Ji Zizhao's proposal not only saved herself but also saved him.
General Mu Man was unwilling to owe Ji Zizhao a favor.
Ji Zizhao did not hesitate and got straight to the point, "Where are Ji Zihe's remains?"
Years ago, during the Turkic unrest at the border, her younger brother, only ten years old, had marched with the army and died by the Turkic blades.
For years, even though their grandfather had secretly sent people to search for them in the Turkic territories, there had been no news.
General Mu Man's expression shifted several times before he finally spoke, "The Turkic did not secretly keep Ji Zihe's remains."
Ji Zizhao could tell from General Mu Man's discomfort but did not press further.
As long as the Turkic territories were the starting point for finding her brother's remains, she was not in a hurry.
Even if she returned to Yulin now, General Mu Man would still send assassins after her.
The more Turkic people came her way, the more she could meticulously inquire about her brother's burial site.
One day, she would personally bring her brother home.
"Since you say so, I will grant your wish. As long as I live, you will never have peace. Ji Zizhao, everything that follows is your own doing!" General Mu Man finally acknowledged Ji Zizhao's words.
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded. "These are the very words I wished to say to General Mu Man."
With that, she immediately performed a ceremonial bow to General Mu Man.
Her next words were clear and distinct, "Princess Ronghe of Yulin will escort General Mu Man of the Turkic forces out of Luoyi. We hope the Turkic soldiers can safely reach their homeland this time."
If General Mu Man were to leave in disgrace, it might lead to speculation of a falling out with Yulin. However, Ji Zizhao's words and farewell now completely overturned those prior assumptions.
After all, if Yulin truly had a conflict with the Turkic, Princess Ronghe would not show such great courtesy.
Hearing this, the Turkic envoys in the carriage behind them instantly swallowed their complaints.
If Yulin genuinely had no conflict with the Turkic, General Mu Man would be a hero, not a traitor.
Such thoughtful consideration was beyond General Mu Man's imagination.
To be able to suppress hatred for the moment and act in such a manner, even as an act, was something extraordinary.
Thinking further, General Mu Man couldn't help but ask, "Princess Ronghe is intelligent and sharp; why did she choose to support the Seventh Prince?"
Despite their brief interaction, General Mu Man could see the Seventh Prince's recklessness and ignorance.
Ji Zizhao calmly replied, "While His Highness may lack the abilities of others, he possesses qualities that others cannot match."
Abilities could be learned, but innate qualities were the most precious.
General Mu Man cast another deep look at Ji Zizhao and turned to leave.
Princess Ashiya, who had just regained consciousness, heard Ji Zizhao's voice. Disbelievingly, she peered out of the carriage window, only to see Ji Zizhao standing not far away.
"Ji Zizhao, you b****! Just you wait! Once we return to the Turkic, I'll have my Abu flatten Yulin!"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "If the Turkic princess truly possesses such strength, I am willing to wait."
"You..."
The Tenth Prince, hiding in his carriage, hadn't intended to bid farewell to his fairy sister. However, hearing Princess Ashiya's curses, he couldn't help but poke his head out of the carriage window from the one in front.
The moment Princess Ashiya saw the Tenth Prince, despite her unyielding rage, she begrudgingly closed her mouth.
After all, the lingering trauma of being cursed by the Tenth Prince last time was still fresh...
The Tenth Prince gazed at Ji Zizhao with reluctance. After a long pause, he choked out, "Fairy sister, you must wait for me."
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Inside the carriage, Princess Ashiya's face was contorted with hatred, her fists clenched in anger.
General Mu Man sighed inwardly, looking at his princess who only knew how to be arrogant and lacked any true capability.
When raising daughters, one should look at the Ji family, and then look at their own princess...
The disparity was truly immense.
Fortunately, there was still a handle that the Turkic held tightly over Luoyi.
A faint, blurry figure flickered in his mind. General Mu Man narrowed his eyes, something flashing quickly in their depths. He seemed to softly murmur, "Ji Zihe..."
In the thirty-second year of Xiaochang of Yulin, in February, the Turkic forces withdrew from Luoyi.
The people of Luoyi rejoiced incessantly, their cheers echoing through the night.
While the citizens celebrated, Ji Zizhao, accompanied by Qing Zhu, decided to leave Luoyi ahead of schedule.
As she needed to travel a considerable distance, Ji Zizhao abandoned the carriage for horses. Although her horsemanship was not expert, she could manage simple riding.
Upon hearing this, Han Jingyu naturally came to see her off, accompanied not only by Ji Zixiu but also by a thousand new Yulin soldiers.
Xie Jingqi walked beside Ji Zizhao, offering to lead her horse.
Though it was not a final farewell, everyone was silent.
Those who knew Ji Zizhao's temperament understood that upon her return, she would not let matters rest.
Ji Zixiu couldn't help but say, "Eldest sister, I will accompany you back."
With her aunt's misfortune, she had to return both in reason and in sentiment.
Moreover, her aunt's death was suspicious, and even knowing her third sister was in the manor, she still felt uneasy.
Han Jingyu remained silent regarding Ji Zixiu's suggestion.
Although soldiers were not to leave their posts without cause, the current situation was special. If Ji Zixiu truly wished to leave with Princess Ronghe, he was willing to turn a blind eye.
Without Princess Ronghe, where would Luoyi have found its current peace?
One must have a conscience.
However, Ji Zizhao said, "You stay here and return with the army."
Ji Zixiu was reluctant. "But..."
"There is no 'but.' Even if you go back, what help can you provide? Be good."
The trip to Luoyi could be considered a complete victory.
Ji Zixiu, returning to Yulin with the army, was bound to receive the Emperor's commendation.
At such a crucial juncture, Ji Zizhao would not risk her second sister's future.
Han Jingyu also understood Ji Zizhao's reasoning.
It was precisely for this reason that he admired her even more.
As they reached the city gates, Xie Jingqi suddenly looked at Ji Zizhao. Usually boisterous, he carefully instructed, "When you get back, do what you need to do. If anyone bullies you, just use my name. If my name isn't enough, you should endure it for now..." Sudan Novel Network
Hearing this, Han Jingyu almost gave him a thumbs-up.
The Seventh Prince had truly matured, understanding the wisdom of taking a step back.
Completely unaware of Han Jingyu's inner musings, Xie Jingqi paused and then added, "Remember the names of those who bully you, and when I return, I will go and kill them all, one by one."
Han Jingyu: "..."
What did he just say?
He hadn't said anything...