Wu Dakang trembled all over, his eyes blood-red like the setting sun, a terrifying crimson.
"General..."
After a long silence, Wu Dakang slowly said, "Zhengdao, do not fear, Father will soon join you, you and your... your mother..."
His voice choked, rendering him unable to continue.
Han Xiwen's face was hideously grim, "Wu Dakang, for the sake of those behind you, that city, have you no regard for your wife and child?"
Wu Dakang closed his eyes and spoke word by word, "I promised the Empress that I would protect the city with my life. As long as I live, the city stands..."
Anning trembled all over. Wu Dakang's words seemed familiar, as if she had heard them somewhere before.
So familiar, so very familiar.
Han Xiwen's face remained grim, and he sneered, "Good, good... Since that is the case, then they have no reason to exist anymore."
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on Wu Zhengdao. Wu Zhengdao, his small body trembling, opened his eyes and said, "Mother, Father..."
Anning looked up, Wu Zhengdao looking towards her, "Sister... it hurts..."
This cry pierced her heart and the hidden soul deep within her. He cannot die. She must save him.
In her panic, she fumbled for the dagger at her waist, a gift from Gui Ning for self-defense. With the fastest speed she possessed in her entire life, she lunged towards Han Xiwen and plunged the dagger fiercely into the hindquarters of his horse. The horse, in pain, reared its front legs, startling Han Xiwen. His hand instinctively loosened its grip.
Wu Zhengdao fell. Anning lunged forward, catching him.
"Waaaa..." Wu Zhengdao landed in her embrace, this time crying out loudly.
Anning, holding the child, approached the woman. She pulled the woman up and placed the child before her, then took off her outer garment to cover the woman.
She reached for the woman, "Can you get up?"
The woman gritted her teeth and rose, but her body was without strength. Anning looked up and saw Han Xiwen looking at her as well, commanding his men towards her. Soon, they were surrounded.
Han Xiwen's horse was no longer usable, so he dismounted. Filled with rage, he strode towards Anning and slapped her across the face.
Anning felt a burning sensation on her right cheek, but she did not cower. She looked up at Han Xiwen.
"You slut..." Han Xiwen was so enraged he almost exploded.
He saw that the young girl before him was looking at him with eyes that seemed familiar, clear as water, yet exceptionally cold.
Han Xiwen frowned and asked coldly, "Who are you?"
"Princess Anning," Anning replied, no longer concealing her identity.
She hoped her title would intimidate Han Xiwen.
After all, survival was paramount.
Han Xiwen was stunned. Princess Anning?
Suddenly, he remembered. Was this not the Anning Princess his seventh brother yearned for day and night? No wonder she looked familiar. Truly, it was a case of 'searching high and low without success, only to find it by chance.'
"Are you truly Princess Anning?" Han Xiwen asked again, unsure.
Anning stood up, looking down at him. "Your Highness, are you questioning this princess's identity? I have not yet returned the slap you just gave me..."
As she spoke, she swung her hand fiercely towards him.
Just as she was about to reach Han Xiwen, he grabbed her wrist and smiled coldly, "Princess Anning, you stabbed my horse's hindquarters, and I did not pursue the matter."
Anning sneered, "Let go of me..."
Han Xiwen released her hand and asked, "What brings Princess Anning to my presence?"
"Your men captured me as a person from the barren lands. Does Your Highness owe me an explanation for this?" Anning said coldly.
In truth, Han Xiwen was not afraid of a small nation like Anguo. However, Princess Anning was not backed by a small Anguo, but by a powerful nation like Xueguo. Moreover, his seventh brother was still infatuated with this Princess Anning.
"Since Princess Anning is here, why not be my guest?" Han Xiwen said with a forced smile.
"That is possible, but this princess has a humble request."
"Princess, please speak freely," Han Xiwen replied. As long as he could keep Princess Anning here, his seventh brother would surely comply, wouldn't he?
"I want these two people," Anning said, pointing to the women behind her.
Han Xiwen was taken aback. "This might be difficult..."
"Your Highness, I know that in wartime, there are no familial ties. However, taking women and children hostage is truly not the act of a true gentleman. I have heard that your Prince Xi Xia never takes women and children hostage; he relies solely on the long spear in his hand to defeat all opponents." Anning spoke with apparent admiration.
Han Xiwen's expression darkened considerably. "Heard? Princess, you have heard of my seventh brother's name even in Anguo?"
Anning chuckled softly, with a hint of shyness. "To tell you the truth, if this princess were not betrothed, she would indeed admire Prince Xi Xia."
Han Xiwen sneered, "He certainly knows how to attract women. Very well, I shall give you these two people."
Anning's heart leaped with joy, but she did not show it. "Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Princess Anning, please!" Han Xiwen gestured for her to proceed.
Anning walked forward. She was no longer worried about Madam Wu and her son, as Han Xiwen had promised her in front of the army and would not break his word.
Returning to the camp, she found Madam Wu and her son already in her tent.
Madam Wu put down the child and adjusted her clothes before kneeling on the ground.
Anning was startled. "What are you doing? Get up quickly."
Madam Wu shook her head. "If not for Your Highness, this humble woman and her child would likely have gone to meet their maker."
"Madam Wu, please rise!" Anning stepped forward to help Madam Wu up.
Madam Wu dared not let her help, and rose, her eyes red as if she had just been crying.
"Madam Wu, with me here this time, they should not bother you and your son anymore," Anning said.
Madam Wu bit her lower lip. "Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness. This kindness this humble woman will never forget."
"Mother, Sister..." Wu Zhengdao, seeing familiar faces, quickly forgot that he had just been held by Han Xiwen.
Anning bent down and stroked Wu Zhengdao's head. "Your name is very nice. Who chose it for you?"
Wu Zhengdao looked at Madam Wu. Madam Wu's expression was tinged with sorrow. "The Empress."
"Xue Changan?" Anning asked.
Madam Wu shook her head. "It was the former Empress, a wise ruler."
Anning trembled all over. Something deep within her seemed about to break free.
She clutched her chest tightly. Suddenly, her chest ached, a sharp, intense pain. It was trying to get out.
Madam Wu sensed something was wrong with her and quickly asked, "Your Highness, what is wrong?"
Anning shook her head. "It's nothing. Perhaps I am just a little tired."
Madam Wu quickly helped her to the bed. "Please rest for a while."
Anning did not refuse and lay down on the bed. Soon, she entered a space, a void.
There was nothing there. She didn't know where to go, only that she kept walking.
Suddenly, a faint light appeared ahead. She quickened her pace. She saw a person lying on an ice bed.