Afterward, Jiang Hengyu once more arranged for several important ministers to issue a few edicts. With their lives hanging in the balance, the emperor's commands were thoroughly executed.

The whole of Great Qi was now performing a single act - delay!

No matter what, they had to stall until Chu Mo's terrifying master left this world!

At that point, the Great Qi... It would be the day the nation counterattacks!

In such times, unity is essential. Regardless of who it is, anyone who hinders this would meet the same fate - death!

Didn't you see even the princes could die? Who else would dare to slack off?

The Fifth Prince, dazed and disoriented, was taken away. He was luckier than his second brother, surviving the ordeal. But he was also unlucky, as in the end, he couldn't hold on and ended up diverting the enemy's fire onto the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince.

It seemed that in future, the Fifth Prince might be able to leisurely spend his life in wealth and luxury, but achieving anything significant would likely be impossible.

Even if the emperor forgave and forgot this incident, the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince... would never forgive his actions today.

At this moment, no one even bothered to glance at the Second Prince who still lay on the golden bricks of the golden hall.

As each edict was announced, Jiang Hengyu's vitality seemed to return to the state it was before the million-strong army set off.

But upon careful observation, one would realize that the state of Great Qi's ruler at this moment was actually one of morbid excitement.

The goings-on in the royal palace were almost never known to the common people. However, as each edict was issued, the citizens of Great Qi felt an immediate sense of urgency!

The real war... was coming!

...

The North, the Prairie royal court.

A grand coronation ceremony is taking place.

A beautiful young girl in her best attire, wearing a crown, stands there, receiving the worship of the people.

Princess Baolian stands at the side, her face wearing a delighted smile, and an unobtrusive man stands at a position behind Princess Baolian.

Had Chu Mo been there, he would have immediately recognized that this man was Pang Zhongyuan.

The hard times for the Prairie royal court were over at last!

In a battle about a dozen days prior, Nayi had led the Prairie alliance army to a decisive victory over Jin Ge's royal troops.

Before the battle, there was internal turmoil within the royal troops. Almost a third of the military officers defected on the spot!

Leading their respective teams, they declared allegiance to Princess Nayi. Yes, Nayi was still a princess, not a queen, ten days ago.

Originally, Jin Ge's royal troops were already largely demoralized. With the internal rebellion, they crumbled at the slightest touch.

Jin Ge committed suicide on the spot. Nayi led the allied forces to occupy the royal court. It took less than a year to return to the place where she was raised, the royal court, and finally avenge her father and mother!

With a crown on her head, a scepter in hand, and draped in her ceremonial attire, Nayi looked stunningly beautiful. Standing there quietly, receiving the worship of the people, only one figure occupied her mind.

"Brother Lin Bai... Can you see this? Nayi has become the queen! Will we... Can we still meet?"

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Nayi didn't fully understand this phrase before, but the moment she put on the crown, she got it!

And because she understood, it hurt even more.

Because as long as she held this position for a day, she couldn't do what she truly wanted.

What she most wanted to do... was naturally to find Lin Bai.

But where was Lin Bai?

In the entire Prairie royal court, probably only one person knew, right?

Nayi was deep in thought, her eyes subconsciously glancing at the giant in the distance, who stood like an iron tower.

He surely knew, but he definitely wouldn't say...perhaps, he was going to leave?

Nayi felt a tinge of melancholy. Ever since Chu Mo had left the Prairie, Gao Dasha had shone brightly on this land.

In every battle, he had led the charge, rushing to the front. His robust physique struck fear into all enemies!

No matter what your rank — Yellow Rank Two or Yellow Rank Three — he could rip you apart with one hand!

And then he would roar to the heavens.

Even the bravest would be plagued by nightmares at the sight of such terrifying scenes.

Princess Baolian seemed to understand Nayi's thoughts but could only offer a bitter smile. She didn't have the words to console Nayi. Everyone had their burdens to bear and their own paths to walk.

Nayi had her own, and so did Lin Bai!

The coronation ceremony was grand and joyful. The merry Prairie people finally welcomed their king. They were delighted and celebrated with song and dance.

Nayi returned to her room and mindlessly stared at the place where her parents had once stayed.

Princess Baolian walked over from behind her, whispering, "Big Fool has left, should we send people..."

Nayi quickly waved her hand: "No...we absolutely mustn't send anyone after him. Despite his nickname being 'Big Fool', he isn't foolish at all. We owe him a lot, but he owes us nothing. Aunty, let him leave in peace."

"Nayi, you've grown up!" Princess Baolian said with a touch of nostalgia.

Nayi walked over and leaned into Princess Baolian's arms, murmuring, "Nayi would rather never grow up and stay as I was when I was a child. In those times, father and mother were still here, and...I wouldn't have had to meet him."

Two traces of clear tears slid down from the corners of Nayi's eyes.

Princess Baolian hesitated about whether to tell Nayi the news she had received about the young man from Great Xia.

After much deliberation, she decided against it.

Chu Mo, Lin Bai... both extraordinary talents, both youthful heroes. Lin Bai was of mysterious origin but clearly had a powerful master. Chu Mo had returned to Great Xia and stirred up a storm, a timeline that coincided with his leaving the Prairie. He also had a famously powerful master. He was stirring up unlimited drama in Great Xia!

Baolian had too many reasons to suspect that Chu Mo was Lin Bai.

But she knew clearly in her heart, even if it were confirmed, what difference would it make? If they knew the two were the same person, would Chu Mo come to the Prairie? He was now a celebrity in the whole of Great Xia, how could someone from such a prosperous place end up in the Prairie? Moreover, he was a young man with ambitions and dreams, he must have a lot to do.

Could Nayi go to Great Xia? Even less likely!

She was the queen of the Prairie!

The spiritual leader in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Prairie people!

How could she abandon everything and leave?

"Nayi...I am sorry, I deceived you earlier. You and he... really it's impossible. Just forget it. If you don't think about it, it won't hurt." Holding Nayi, Princess Baolian gently patted her back, thinking to herself.

"Report!" Suddenly, a guard outside loudly announced, "Urgent news from the South...."

After a while, both Nayi and Princess Baolian's faces were filled with disbelief and shock.

The millions-strong army of Great Qi was ambushed and slaughtered in the Skybreaker Mountains!

The Great Qi Kingdom suffered a great loss, which could take at least a decade to recover!

On the Great Xia side, the army gathered on the border, ready to launch a counterattack!

Great Qi Kingdom... won't hold out for long!

Nayi stared dumbfounded at the intelligence report, a thought suddenly popping into her mind as she mumbled, "Could he...have done this?"

Princess Baolian was also stunned at her side. (To be continued. If you like this novel, please recommend it and vote on qidian.com. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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