CHAPTER 671: CHAPTER 651: VICTORY OR DEFEAT

The Third Princess and Fourth Princess challenged Fengyu to a martial duel, but naturally, they failed. Then they wanted to compete in literature and culture, yet Fengyu wasn’t about to be led by the nose in such meaningless contests. Whether winning or losing, Zhixu was not an object; defeating someone in a duel wouldn’t mean possessing Beiman. Beiman and Beining were separated by the Sha Ling Tian Mountain, with vastly different customs and cultures.

Furthermore, there was no need to homogenize the princesses; their innate temperaments were themselves charming. The palace attendants refilled the princesses’ milk tea; both princesses had an insatiable love for sweets. Plates of desserts were brought forth one after another—this kind of snowy day was unsuitable for taking them horseback riding. The princesses weren’t really harboring malice toward her; Fengyu didn’t wish to make foes of the Beiman Princesses either.

The princesses repeatedly confirmed that Fengyu had no intention to share a husband with them. Fengyu maintained her gentleness and smiled throughout, and though the princesses were angered, they refrained from confronting her. Fengyu even shared stories of life and customs from the Twelve Provinces, as well as Jiangnan’s scenic landscapes. At their age, the princesses weren’t fixated on passions between men and women; instead, they adored the carefree life of galloping across the lands. Fengyu naturally catered to their interests, detailing what she knew of the Twelve Provinces and the southern customs of Jiangnan. The princesses listened intently, thoroughly engrossed.

They cherished their homeland with deep affection and a strong sense of belonging, yet Fengyu’s descriptions of the scenic wonders stirred their curiosity. Midway through her storytelling, the Third Princess suddenly asked, "Empress, the landscapes of Beining River and Mountain sound so magnificent. Just hearing your words fills me with a desire to see them personally. You’ve traveled throughout the land, but you’ll soon be confined here in the Imperial Palace for the rest of your life. Does that make you sad?"

Fengyu, "..."

Such innocent words!

Before and after her grand marriage to Xie Xun, no one had ever asked her such a question. Not even her grandmother or mother, who were closer to her than anyone, had asked whether being confined within the palace would make her sad. Since childhood, Fengyu was never the type of girl trapped in her boudoir; she had traveled alongside her family to Ningzhou at a young age, then moved to Liling, and later ventured across the Twelve Provinces. She had seen every city in the Twelve Provinces. When Xie Xun ascended the throne, she knew her fate was tied to the Imperial Palace forever.

Truthfully, ever since they defected from the Capital City, Fengyu had been aware of it and had long accepted her destiny.

To most people, her marriage to Xie Xun and her role as Empress was regarded as an unparalleled honor. No one ever asked whether being confined to one place, unable to enjoy freedom, would evoke sorrow.

She herself had never asked that question. Life was so long, and she was only eighteen. The prospect of spending such an extended period of time confined to a single location naturally meant there would be moments of frustration.

"No, it wouldn’t!"

"You’re lying! Just now, when you described the wondrous landscapes, your gaze was filled with longing. You yearn for that life too."

"Yes, I do yearn for it. But the Imperial Palace contains my husband, and the Capital City holds my beloved family. I cannot simultaneously wish for a life of freedom outside the palace and still want to take them along with me. I must make choices. Compared to them, the free-spirited life and scenic wonders are insignificant." Fengyu had always possessed clarity about herself. Indeed, she regarded herself as one of the happiest and most fortunate women in existence.

Having married her beloved, living in comfort without enduring hardship or wandering aimlessly—what’s there to lament over mere freedom?

One cannot hope to possess every blessing under heaven!

Xie Xun, as the supreme ruler, couldn’t live as he pleased either.

"You can lead a life of freedom," Fengyu said with a smile. "Do not let yourselves be trapped in the palace as I am. You two are still young. From Beiman to Beining, you’ve yet to truly appreciate these vast landscapes. How could you willingly confine yourselves here?"

The princesses were moved by Fengyu’s words, falling silent in deep thought. The Beiman Princesses embodied independence and autonomy—not merely in their way of life but also in their mode of thinking. They were able to ponder their own desires. For the sake of halting war and achieving peace between the two peoples, they had agreed to enter the palace as imperial consorts. Yet they hadn’t met Xie Xun or come to understand him. If they could truly lead a life of unfettered freedom and also prevent the outbreak of war, who would voluntarily choose confinement in the palace?

"Is that really possible for us?"

"It’s possible!" Fengyu replied resolutely. "Negotiations are matters for the High Priest and our cabinet ministers. We simply await news. Perhaps you won’t need to marry, and peace between the two peoples can still be achieved."

While Fengyu was chatting with the princesses, Chunlu rushed forward and lowered her voice upon coming to Fengyu’s side. "Empress, His Majesty and Dugu Jing are fighting in the martial arts arena."

Fengyu’s smile instantly faded. She swiftly rose and headed out, startling the two princesses. Since their first meeting with Fengyu, she had always carried a gentle, warm smile and spoken in soft tones—gentler than Beiman’s spring breezes, like a caring elder sister whom they enjoyed talking to.

But now, her smile had vanished, and she emanated a commanding and fierce aura—a far cry from the amiable Empress they had grown used to. She resembled one of those Great Generals issuing orders in martial command.

The princesses’ hearts trembled slightly. So this was the Empress of Beining.

Capable of bantering and jovial conversation, yet also able to command armies!

The two princesses followed Fengyu to the martial arts arena. Fengyu paid no heed to the fine snowflakes drifting down from the sky. She worried that both Dugu Jing and Xie Xun, young and headstrong, might refuse to yield. It was a death-match without rules—an utterly unnecessary gamble of their lives. What was the point of such reckless combat?

At the martial arts arena, Zhang Boxi had gathered the Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guards to encircle the space, all watching Xie Xun and Dugu Jing duel. Someone shouted "Her Majesty the Empress!" and the Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guards quickly parted to clear a pathway.

In the center of the arena, Fengyu saw Xie Xun and Dugu Jing locked in combat, wielding spears. Both were dressed in lightweight training uniforms, their movements fierce and sharp. As their spears clashed and sparked vividly mid-air, the piercing metallic sound made Fengyu’s heart race. When Zhang Boxi and the others moved to salute her, Fengyu raised her hand to stop them.

Both men were injured—dark training garbs riddled with tears, stained by patches of deep black. It was the mark of their blood.

Specks of blood were splattered across Xie Xun’s features, though it wasn’t clear whose blood it was.

Dugu Jing swung his spear with ferocious momentum, sweeping it horizontally toward Xie Xun’s chest. Xie Xun countered with sheer force, meeting the attack head-on. The clash of their two spears sent a shower of sparks scattering through the sky. Both swiftly shifted their stances: Dugu Jing turned his body to reposition his spear, while Xie Xun rotated his dual-tipped weapon with immense strength, nearly knocking Dugu Jing’s spear from his grip. Harnessing Xie Xun’s force, Dugu Jing propelled himself vertically off the ground, altering his attack mid-air to strike at Xie Xun.

Xie Xun retreated in an attempt to evade but was struck in the shoulder by Dugu Jing’s reverse thrust. The sharp spearhead pierced into his flesh, causing Xie Xun to grimace in pain. Zhang Boxi and the Forbidden Army grew alarmed, almost jumping in to protect him, but Fengyu gestured for them to stay put. Xie Xun hadn’t spoken—there was no need to interfere.

The Xie Xun she knew was fierce and indomitable; he would never submit easily.

They resembled two lions locked in a ferocious standoff, battling until only one remains standing!

Xie Xun’s gaze burned with a wild, murderous energy. With this demeanor, he charged forward despite Dugu Jing’s inability to withdraw his spear in time, kicking him violently. As Dugu Jing’s body was hurled across the arena, his spear was wrenched free from Xie Xun’s shoulder. Xie Xun roared in fury, ignoring the pain, and swept his spear upward, aiming directly at Dugu Jing’s heart.

The two princesses gasped aloud. After being kicked away, Dugu Jing quickly grabbed his fallen spear. When Xie Xun struck toward his heart, Dugu Jing countered by positioning his spear against Xie Xun’s abdomen.

One remained standing. The other lay prone on the ground. Both were in utter disarray, yet their spears were aimed at each other’s vital points—ready to end the other’s life.