Murong Jinyun asked again, her tone no longer as gentle as before, each word carrying a slight anger.
"Princess, I beg your pardon, but I cannot obey!"
Baili Xi was also very resolute. He would agree to Murong Jinyun on other matters, but on this particular issue, he would never comply.
The Eastern Chu had already caught wind of something. If he withdrew his spies, and the Eastern Chu made a move, he would be unable to know and rush to reinforce them in time.
If the princess were to be harmed because of this, it would be a grave offense for him, one for which he could never atone even with death.
"Baili Xi, do not forget your status. You are merely a subject, and I am your sovereign. You have no right to monitor me. I will say it one last time: withdraw your men!"
Murong Jinyun's anger was completely ignited. She could no longer tolerate Baili Xi's actions.
"Princess, I am doing this for your safety. Have you been so infatuated with that Gu Beichen that you have..."
"Are you implying I am unable to distinguish between friend and foe, or right and wrong? Baili Xi, it is you who is attempting to overstep your bounds now!"
Baili Xi was becoming increasingly outrageous, showing her no regard whatsoever. If he found her bothersome, he would probably just kill her.
Baili Xi felt as though he was being accused of something baseless, and no amount of words could explain it clearly. He finally sighed in resignation and turned his head away, choosing silence.
This attitude further fueled Murong Jinyun's anger. She picked up the teacup from the table and smashed it heavily onto the floor. The loud crash startled Baili Xi.
He looked at Murong Jinyun with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Why did Murong Jinyun seem so unfamiliar to him now? He had never seen her like this.
He also realized that since arriving in the Eastern Chu, everyone around her seemed to have changed. Murong Jinyun's transformation was the most significant. She had gained a compassionate heart that felt for the suffering of others, but this compassion was like a fatal poison to her.
"Princess, do you truly think so?"
Murong Jinyun did not directly answer Baili Xi's question. She simply repeated, "Will you withdraw them or not!"
Seeing Murong Jinyun's firm stance, Baili Xi sighed helplessly. He understood that now was not the time to fall out with the princess, so he could only comply with her wishes for the moment.
"Your subject obeys. Please rest assured, Princess. I will withdraw the men immediately and ensure they do not displease you."
As he finished speaking, Baili Xi stood up and walked towards the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Murong Jinyun's warning voice echoed behind him.
"Dispose of them cleanly. Do not let me know if you are secretly tampering with anything. And from now on, when Gu Beichen is around, you are to keep your distance. Do not let him see you!"
She had a feeling that Gu Beichen's attitude towards her had changed, but she couldn't quite pinpoint how.
Especially when Gu Beichen saw Baili Xi, his gaze was truly frightening. It would be better for Baili Xi to avoid Gu Beichen for now, to prevent any further trouble that could lead to major complications.
A self-mocking smile curved Baili Xi's lips. He could never have imagined Murong Jinyun would say such things to him. It seemed Gu Beichen was indeed very important to her.
She was now explicitly warning him for Gu Beichen's sake. Baili Xi couldn't help but worry. The situation was slowly slipping out of his control. He couldn't be sure if Murong Jinyun would betray Western Liang because of Gu Beichen in the next moment.
In any case, Gu Beichen's continued presence by the princess's side could only be a disaster. He would disrupt the princess's judgment. Previously, he had allowed them to get close to use Gu Beichen's identity as a cover.
The current development was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. If this continued, something serious would eventually be ruined because of Gu Beichen. It seemed Gu Beichen could no longer remain, or at least, could no longer be near the princess.
"I never expected Gu Beichen to be so important in the princess's heart. Your subject has noted your words, Princess. I will absolutely not appear near Gu Beichen again. Please be at ease!"
"I warn you, do not touch him!"
Knowing Baili Xi well, Murong Jinyun recognized that look as him plotting something else. She feared he might harm Gu Beichen and immediately warned him.
Baili Xi was a complete madman; he was capable of anything. Murong Jinyun's heart skipped a beat, and she worried deeply for Gu Beichen.
Little did she know, these words of protection for Gu Beichen only deepened Baili Xi's resentment towards him, strengthening his desire to kill Gu Beichen.
"Did you not hear what I told you!"
Murong Jinyun anxiously asked again. Only when Baili Xi agreed did her tense heart relax slightly.
"Gu Beichen is the princess's beloved. Even if your subject had ten times the courage, he would not dare to lay a hand on him. Please be at ease, Princess!"
Although Baili Xi outwardly agreed not to harm Gu Beichen, his heart was already planning how to kill him.
"Your subject has other matters to attend to and will not continue to disturb the Princess. I shall take my leave now."
Baili Xi bowed slightly to Murong Jinyun and respectfully withdrew.
"General, are we truly to withdraw all the men?"
"Withdraw them. The Princess now harbors suspicion towards me. If I were to anger her further over such a trivial matter, it would only worsen our relationship. If discord arises between sovereign and subject, it would be a great boon to the Eastern Chu."
The Eastern Chu had already begun to suspect something and were wary of them. At this critical juncture, they could not afford internal strife, as it would only benefit their enemies.
Only by withdrawing the men first, and waiting for the princess's anger to subside, could he redeploy them to keep watch, which would then allow him to truly relax.
"Yes, General. Your subordinate will arrange it now."
"Wait. There is one more matter. Go to Li Ge and place a heavy bounty on the death of Gu Beichen."
"General, the marriage between the Princess and Gu Beichen is our sole cover for remaining in the Eastern Chu. If Gu Beichen dies, it will surely cause chaos. Moreover, concerning the Princess..."
With a sharp glance from Baili Xi, the man who spoke quickly shut his mouth, daring not to utter another word.
"I am your master, and you are only to obey my command. Do you understand?"