Liu Liu saw Feng Xie's displeased expression and took the letter from him. After reading it, smoke nearly billowed from her head. How dare Feng Luo be so maliciously scheming.
If the Emperor went, their archers would shoot arrows from above, and the Emperor would surely be dead. But if the Emperor did not go, they would kill the common people. This was truly a fatal threat.
"I cannot let him harm the people of Yueyang. Since he knows I am here, he will not let those people go. I must go out and meet him."
"Are you going to your death?" Liu Liu's chillingly bloodthirsty words sounded. Feng Xie stopped in his tracks and looked back at Liu Liu. He saw that her clear and pure face had lost its former gentleness, replaced by a chilling coldness as if from ice and snow. She gazed at him coldly.
"Even if everyone here dies, it won't be your turn to die."
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, all the ministers in the large tent stood up and said respectfully, "We are willing to die to protect His Majesty."
"But how can you let me watch you go to your deaths?" Feng Xie swept his gaze over everyone with cold annoyance. He would rather not be emperor than watch his subjects die for him; how could his conscience bear it?
"We are making a decision, and we don't intend for anyone to die," Liu Liu said, reaching out to pull Feng Xie back to his seat on the high throne. She looked at Dai Mei, her eyebrows furrowed, and said, "Dai Mei, immediately find a way to notify our brothers in Yueyang City. Tonight, break through the north gate, and we will launch a surprise attack into the city. The faster, the better. There may be casualties, but we will strive to minimize them. There may also be many civilian casualties, but this is the only way. This is a disaster for Yueyang, and a disaster for those who will die."
Liu Liu's words were incredibly heavy. The soldiers stationed in the camp silently mourned the civilians who were about to suffer.
"Yes," everyone replied in unison. Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling them to withdraw. Only a few of them remained in the tent.
"Your Highness, what about us?" Liu Liu looked at Liu Ting and Bai Han. These two had other tasks. "The two of you, do not worry about other tasks. Your sole mission is to deal with the person behind the Thirteen Eagles and Feng Luo. Remember, although we do not recognize the person who has always hidden in the shadows, we have heard that he is a terrifying individual who would frighten anyone to tears upon seeing him. Therefore, he should not be difficult to identify. As for Feng Luo, he is skilled at disguise. Because he is slender, he likes to impersonate young girls. You must remember that at such a time, not even a shadow can be seen. If anyone dares to wander around the streets, there must be a reason."
"Your subordinates obey your command," the two replied and withdrew.
Feng Xie sat at the command table behind the main tent, his eyes fixed on Liu Liu. Liu'er was truly a woman who excelled where men failed, possessing great courage to be a general.
"Liu'er's arrangements are excellent. Although there will be casualties, they will not be too great."
Despite this, both of them felt a sense of heaviness. Firstly, they were unsure of any variables, and secondly, many people would surely die. How could an emperor be worthy of the people who trusted him wholeheartedly?
"Don't overthink it. We'll start the operation tonight."
During the day, chickens and sheep were slaughtered in the camp, making it lively. Everyone ate and drank their fill, awaiting the battle at night.
As for Feng Luo and his men, because they did not receive a reply to the letter they sent, they cruelly killed more than a dozen civilians, hanging their heads in a row on the flagpole as if selling dog heads, the scent of blood filling the air.
The action was to commence at the third watch. At the second watch, someone delivered a letter. It turned out to be Nan Gongyue sending someone to ask Liu Liu to meet him in the small woods ahead. Feng Xie, fearing a trick by the enemy, disagreed with Liu Liu going, but Liu Liu could not rest assured about Nan Gongyue. She eventually led a few people there.
In the quiet woods, Nan Gongyue was leaning against a large tree as he had the last time. The faint moonlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting a solitary shadow on his figure. His solitary and stern back made Liu Liu's heart ache. Even though she dodged quickly, a sharp blade still cut her arm.
"Who? You're not Nan Gongyue at all?"
Liu Liu took a step back. Ri Ying and the others had already rushed forward. Several people surrounded the man, expertly seizing him from top to bottom. After being captured by Liu Liu and her group, the man looked up, his eyes vacant and expressionless. Liu Liu was greatly surprised. These people were clearly drugged and their minds controlled, like robots, obeying the orders of the person behind them.
Nan Gongyue had not come tonight. Had he betrayed her? Liu Liu did not believe Nan Gong would have the heart to harm her. Then there was another possibility: Nan Gong had been captured and imprisoned by them, and another man had been sent to kill her. Fortunately, her skills were high; otherwise, she would not have survived.
Liu Liu stepped closer, about to question the man in detail about who sent him to kill, when a chill passed through her from behind. Feng Xie arrived, waved his hand, and punched the man. The man's head tilted, and he closed his eyes, dying. It turned out he had poisoned himself.
"Your Highness?" Liu Liu called out. The heavy gasps from behind grew louder. With a large hand, he reached out, scooped her up, and carried her back to the tent.
"I told you not to come. See? That man had no good intentions at all." Feng Xie, thinking of her injury, could not feel any good will towards Nan Gongyue. Liu Liu, however, spoke with certainty, "Nan Gong might be in trouble. That person was sent to kill me. They probably couldn't figure out how high my skill level was, so they failed every time."
A lot of blood flowed from Liu Liu's arm, yet she still had the strength to joke, masking the pain from her arm. Feng Xie's arm tightened, and he looked down at her stubborn little face. "If it hurts, groan. Don't pretend to be strong all the time. Women should rely on men's embrace."
"I'm fine." She grinned, a smile that looked incredibly awkward. Feng Xie didn't point it out; she was naturally like this.
As soon as they returned to the tent, a military doctor was summoned to bandage the Empress. Fortunately, the knife was not poisoned; otherwise, it would have been troublesome. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, completely unable to understand why such a ruthless person did not poison the knife. In fact, everyone did not expect that this person had grabbed the wrong knife. The knife was originally poisoned, and it could only be said that Liu Liu was destined not to die.
As the third watch arrived.
Everyone was ready and set out. They acted according to the plan. Tonight, the east wind was blowing, which was perfect for setting fires. The smoke would quickly spread into the city, causing panic among the people. They would then focus their attention on the other three city gates, ignoring the north gate, allowing them to enter the city.
As the skyward smoke and fire rose, there was indeed movement within the city, with continuous clamor and soon the sounds of wailing. Everyone knew that civilians were falling victim to their cruelty, and their hearts were cut like knives. But to break through the city, some people had to be sacrificed. They couldn't sacrifice the Emperor! Therefore, all they could do was reduce casualties and be fast. Seeing Liu Liu's injured arm, Feng Xie originally wanted her to stay and recuperate, but at this moment, how could Liu Liu care about her injury? She only wanted to capture Yueyang City first.