"Just pick one, isn't that simple?"
"That's a big difference. If you care about the person, prepare something good. If they're not important, then something ordinary will suffice."
"Ordinary is fine, too much is a waste."
She couldn't be sure if this marriage would actually happen. If she prepared something too good and it didn't go through, she wouldn't be able to take it back, making it a complete waste. It was better to prepare something ordinary.
"Then it's as you wish."
For the rare occasion, Feng Jin didn't argue with Ling Mohan. She prepared things according to Ling Mohan's wishes.
...
"Princess, you look so beautiful in this wedding dress. You're even more stunning than the fairies in paintings."
Murong Jinyun looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in a bright red wedding gown embroidered with phoenixes and peonies in gold. She was momentarily flustered.
This magnificent attire made her appear even more radiant and captivating. When she was still, she truly looked like she had stepped out of a painting.
"Yes, this wedding dress is indeed beautiful... Oh, right, the phoenix coronet... Is it ready? Bring it to me to try on."
"It's been ready for a while. Your servant will go get it right away."
Not long after the maid left, the tightly shut chamber door was opened again from the outside. Thinking it was the maid who had just left, Murong Jinyun said without looking back, "You're back, quickly put the phoenix coronet on me."
As her voice fell, and there was a long silence, Murong Jinyun realized something was amiss. She hurriedly stood up and looked behind her. Upon seeing Baili Xi standing behind her, her expression was filled with unconcealed panic.
"Why are you here? How did you get in!"
There were many Dong Chu soldiers hidden in the dark outside the courtyard. Was Baili Xi out of his mind to dare to barge in at this time? He didn't care about his life, but she did.
"Does the princess think those useless guards outside could actually stop me? I can go wherever I please!"
Baili Xi's gaze was fixed on Murong Jinyun. The wedding dress was so beautiful, so dazzlingly so. He wished he could tear it to shreds.
Sensing Baili Xi's gaze becoming increasingly unsettling, Murong Jinyun took a step back in panic, creating a safe distance between them.
"Why are you looking at this princess like that? This is my chamber. You shouldn't linger here. If you have something to say, say it quickly and then leave!"
Murong Jinyun turned away, no longer looking at Baili Xi, trying to calm herself for the moment.
"May I ask, Princess, if Gu Beichen were standing here right now, would you also drive him away like this?"
"You scoundrel! Shut your mouth. My affairs are none of your business. If you have nothing else to do, get out!"
Instantly enraged, Murong Jinyun shouted angrily, about to have Baili Xi thrown out.
"Is the Princess feeling guilty? Or has the Princess truly fallen in love with Gu Beichen? Princess... are you really going to abandon Xiliang and marry Gu Beichen!"
Her innermost thoughts exposed, Murong Jinyun turned around in a slight panic. "This princess has her own decisions to make. You don't need to worry."
Although Murong Jinyun hadn't explicitly said it, Baili Xi's heart was as clear as day.
He hadn't expected that his short trip to Dong Chu would lead him to such a state. The spies he had cultivated for years were disintegrating right under his nose, all defecting. And the Princess... the Princess probably wished he would disappear quickly now.
"Princess, have you... have you ever had me in your heart?"
Gathering his courage, he finally asked the question that had been weighing on his heart for years.
Murong Jinyun's body trembled slightly. She wasn't foolish; how could she not have noticed Baili Xi's feelings for her? It was just that her heart only held Gu Beichen, and there was no room for anyone else.
She would never be able to repay his deep affection in this lifetime.
"My heart has only ever held Gu Beichen."
Not wanting to prolong the agony, Murong Jinyun had to speak her true feelings.
He had anticipated this answer, but hearing Murong Jinyun say it out loud still felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
How had the Princess fallen so deeply in love with him in such a short time? Would she still go along with their planned schemes as usual?
"Princess, then... are you truly disregarding the Xiliang grand plan?"
"The grand plan... Given the current situation, whether the grand plan can succeed, General Baili, you should know better than I. We are in Dong Chu, your men have long since defected, and the spies planted in the imperial palace have all been removed. With Chu Yanxi dead, your last bargaining chip is gone. Take my advice, let go. Returning safely to Xiliang is the most important thing."
Their advantage was lost, and the grand plan they had schemed for would ultimately be nothing more than an elusive shadow.
Fortunately, no grave mistake had been made yet. It was still possible to withdraw now.
Baili Xi's gaze gradually dimmed. He had planned for so long and absolutely could not give up now. Moreover, he would not stand by and watch Murong Jinyun marry that useless Gu Beichen.
"Princess, your subordinate has offended you."
"You..."
Before Murong Jinyun could react, Baili Xi struck her with a sharp chop to the neck, knocking her unconscious.
The unconscious Murong Jinyun fell into Baili Xi's arms. Baili Xi stared intently at Murong Jinyun with a grim expression. He would absolutely not let go. Even if he had to return to Xiliang, he would take Murong Jinyun with him. As the night was deep, Baili Xi silently carried her away.
...
"Young General... Young General, the Xiliang Princess is missing!"
Lu Shi rushed in to report, his words faltering.
Ling Mohan immediately became tense. He knew perfectly well how important Murong Jinyun was.
She could disappear anywhere, but she absolutely could not disappear on Dong Chu territory. This could very well become a trigger for war between the two nations. No matter what, they had to find Murong Jinyun.
"Send the Black Armored Army to search. Turn the entire capital upside down until you find her!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
As Lu Shi reached the doorway, Ling Mohan's command continued from behind: "Keep an eye on Baili Xi!"
"Yes, your subordinate will arrange it immediately!"
After Lu Shi left, Ling Mohan's expression became troubled. He slammed his fist onto the table. What was this Murong Jinyun trying to do? If something happened to her while she was missing at this time, they would naturally be unable to escape all responsibility.
They searched for an entire night, but Murong Jinyun had vanished as if into thin air, with no news.
"Useless. Increase the manpower and continue searching!"
Ling Mohan suppressed his anger and resentfully ordered them to continue the search.