Yelyu Lie's sharp gaze was fixed on Ayang.
Like a hunting eagle in the night sky, aiming straight at its target for a deadly strike!
Ayang, who was initially glaring at Yun Chunnuan, felt her gaze becoming unfocused and flickering under such an intense stare.
Finally, unable to bear it, she lowered her head.
She thought Yelyu Lie would become furious again, which would be best, as she had already thought of a way to escape.
It would be great if he treated her like that fool Banlai and beat her senseless...
Ayang lowered her face, a slight smile curling at her lips.
Unexpectedly, the anticipated pain did not arrive; instead, his voice was surprisingly calm, "So boldly righteous, are you admitting that the fragrance-seeking grass was thrown into this General's room by you?"
Ayang quickly raised her head, just about to deny it, only to see him smirk, "Since you want to be a loyal and valiant female soldier, you dare not admit what you've done?"
Upon hearing this, Ayang's eyes suddenly lit up, "General! Do you agree to let this servant join the army?!"
Yelyu Lie picked up a jug of wine, leisurely taking a sip, "Hmm."
Not only Ayang, but even a dozen men also stirred, encouraging Ayang, since she had done it, to admit it, as honesty and integrity are the first rules of joining the army!
Ayang, holding back the excitement in her heart, provocatively glanced at the petite Little Princess.
See! The General still favors the women of Bianliao! No matter if she had harmed the Princess of Great Xia, once the General understood her ambitions, he agreed to let her join the army!
"Yes! The fragrance-seeking grass in the General's room was indeed placed there by this servant! I just didn't want a person from the Central Plains..."
'Bang——'
The jug of wine in Yelyu Lie's hand was smashed onto the table.
The force caused the jug to crack open, with wine spraying out continuously.
Ayang didn't understand what this meant and timidly asked, "General, since this servant has spoken the truth, will you uphold your promise and let this servant join the army?"
Ayang's thoughts were simple.
Being close to the General, she could gain more than she ever would at the General Mansion.
She believed herself to be well-versed in both literature and martial arts, beautiful as she was, if not born into a servant's womb, she would be the most fitting woman for the General in this world!
As they say, her aspirations were high as the sky.
"Approved." Yelyu Lie smirked coldly, drenched in wine but unfazed.
Ayang was overjoyed, hurriedly bowing in gratitude.
Who knew the man's next words would chill her to the bone, "Defying superiors, provoking commanders, this is mutiny! Spreading falsehoods, deluding soldiers, this is subversion! Sharp-tongued and reckless, this is defamation! You, guilty of all these, by law should be executed!"
Upon hearing this, not just Ayang, everyone else was stunned.
Banlai, who cared for Ayang like a sister, hastily knelt on the ground, "Master! General! It's true Ayang sister did wrong by placing fragrance-seeking grass in your room, but she never intentionally meant to defy her superiors! And deluding soldiers, speaking recklessly... What, what are these accusations?!"
"Banlai, why did you join the army?"
Banlai replied in confusion, "Naturally, to defend our country and protect the people of Bianliao!"
Having said that, he suddenly understood.
Ayang's earlier words, though filled with passionate rhetoric, greatly boosted the soldiers' morale, but...
She should never have said anything about 'killing all the people from the Central Plains'!
This could easily be dismissed as a joke but was enough to jeopardize the newly established peace treaty between the two countries!
Especially with Ayang saying it right in front of the Princess of Great Xia...
The war had just ceased for a month, if by any chance...
Banlai, realizing the gravity, swiftly knelt and moved beside Ayang, "Ayang! Quickly, tell the General you just spoke out of turn, that it was unintentional!"
Ayang, being a sheltered maiden, had no knowledge of military rules.
Her previous statements were half meant to gather those foolish rough men and half due to her disdain for the Princess of Great Xia.
She completely didn't understand why Yelyu Lie suddenly erupted, saying such frightening things.
But Ayang wasn't foolish; she knew that Banlai, who had protected her since childhood, was frightened for a reason; she must have committed a major military taboo!
"General, this servant is merely a servant! Knows nothing..."
"Weren't you just enlisted?"
Yelyu Lie supported his leg with one hand, watching the woman swaying nervously, as if watching a scene unfold.
Yun Chunnuan, on the other hand, looked at him.
This barbarian... was he standing up for her?
It seemed not too bad, actually?
Yun Chunnuan slightly curled her lips, and under the faint light, she observed his features carefully for the first time.
She had to admit, this barbarian was quite handsome.
Unlike other Bianliao men who were rough, his features were refined, with distinct contours, more like a mix of Eastern and Western lineage.
His eyelashes were long but not curled, casting a faint shadow over his amber eyes.
It was hard to decipher his true emotions.
His nose was high, with a subtle hump at the bridge, adding more definition to his face.
Then there were those slightly curled lips, a bit chapped but full and shapely, resembling the M-lips sought after by cosmetic enthusiasts...
"Princess, how do you think it should be handled?"
Just as Yun Chunnuan was lost in thought, the owner of the face suddenly looked at her.
Under the dim firelight, those dark amber eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, as if he hadn't expected his usually fearful little wife to be staring at him intently.
Immediately, Yelyu Lie curled one side of his lip, displaying a proud expression as if to say, 'How about that? Your man is quite handsome, isn't he?'
Tsk, truly narcissistic.
"Childish." Yun Chunnuan blushed slightly.
Being caught sneaking a peek was somewhat embarrassing.
She feigned calmness, unaware that this demeanor mesmerized the man beside her.
Her tiny face, fair with a hint of pink, seemed enveloped in a thin veil under the light, appearing delicate and precious.
Her rosy lips were plump, lightly pursed, with dimples at the corners, which faintly appeared and disappeared, so sweet one could drown in them.
If she remembered correctly, this was her first time smiling at him.
Even though it was a shy smile after being caught admiring his handsome face, she smiled!
So beautiful!
How could there be a woman this stunning?
Her smile made her even more lively, more beautiful than when she was teary or scared!
He thought, he wanted to see her smile always.
Gazing at her lovely face, Yelyu Lie couldn't help but smile too, even already thinking of names for their future children.
However, there was still some trash to be dealt with.
Yelyu Lie cleared his throat and, where no one else could see, winked at Yun Chunnuan with his left eye.
"Jing Ayang harbors malicious intent, aiming to harm this General. Surprisingly, this General avoided the peril, yet the Princess suffered this ordeal on behalf of this General."
Yun Chunnuan: "?"
She was rather impressed by his ability to lie with such conviction.
The girl was infatuated with him, surely it was her she wanted to harm?