Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 62: Punch Prince
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
"Now that you've just walked out of the big camp, you're practically suicidal."
The woman's tone was calm as she leisurely sat in the cavalry camp, her expression composed, showing no trace of panic.
Zhao Che had already donned his armor. If it weren't an emergency, he might have punished this insolent woman who defied him. However, the chaos outside was growing worse, and the situation was becoming more urgent. Despite his dislike, even disdain, for Muhe, Zhao Che's fate was now inextricably tied to hers. He couldn't ignore the implications of her words.
"When I return, make sure you've cleaned up again," Zhao Che said coldly, casting a hard look at the woman. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he instructed Deputy Cheng Yu, "Prepare the soldiers and horses. Follow me."
A sharp, clear sound rang out, and Zhao Che quickly dodged to the side. A white flash struck a pillar with such force that it left a deep impression.
"Bold assassin! A foreigner! Protect His Highness!" one of Zhao Che's soldiers shouted as panic spread.
The soldiers rushed in, swords drawn, their blades catching the flickering candlelight, creating a disorienting gleam that stung the eyes.
Zhao Che frowned, his thick eyebrows raised slightly as he spoke coldly, "You've got some nerve."
Chu Qiao tilted her head, surveying the soldiers before locking her gaze on Zhao Che with a faint, ironic smile. Casually, she stood up, walked to the corner of the tent, and picked up the object that had fallen—just a piece of broken silver. Blowing off the dust, she looked at Zhao Che and mockingly said, "Is this supposed to be a hidden weapon?"
Zhao Che's face flushed slightly in embarrassment. He ordered sternly, "Everyone, out."
The soldiers retreated like a receding tide. Chu Qiao, still unfazed, looked up at Zhao Che. "Didn't I say it earlier? You didn't listen, did you?"
Zhao Che's eyes narrowed, and he scoffed coldly, "Do you think my barracks are a place for you to say whatever you please? Let's go."
As his voice faded, a petite figure moved like a leopard, lunging toward Zhao Che, her hand clawing for his throat.
No one doubted that, with her speed and precision, she could snap his neck effortlessly.
"You're my superior," Chu Qiao smiled. "So, I didn't bring a knife—only gestures."
"Do you realize what you're doing?" Zhao Che's voice was icy, each word dripping with anger.
"Of course," Chu Qiao responded calmly. "I'm saving you."
"Saving me?"
"Yes," she replied, her eyes bright and confident. "If you leave the Valiant Camp now, no one from your household will live to see tomorrow's sunrise."
Zhao Che gave a cold, incredulous smile. "With them?"
Chu Qiao squinted her eyes, her tone icy as she spoke: "Mu He's embezzlement and murder cases, Muhe Yun kneeling in front of Shen Jin Palace last night and refusing a summons this afternoon—why? A sudden report is sent to the Elder Shrine to review the charges and is executed within half a day without any prior arrangements—who would believe that? The Eighth Princess Zhao Chun is scheduled to attend tonight's banquet, yet they didn't invite you to the palace. Even if you and the Queen aren't close, Zhao Chun is your sister. Why is this happening? Mu He's main residence has been besieged. Your mother knows you're heavily armed, but when the troops surrounding you are so disproportionate to your forces, you can't fight at all. What are they waiting for? Don't you understand?"
Zhao Che was taken aback for a moment, the realization flashing in his eyes. In a low voice, he asked, "You mean... my father, the emperor...?"
"That's not necessarily the case," Chu Qiao smiled gently, lowering her hand. "The emperor left you in Xiaoqi Camp perhaps to test your loyalty—whether you stand with the Zhao family or with the Mu family. As for those outside, it may not be the emperor who arranged it all, but someone who wants you dead."
Zhao Che, who had been infuriated by this smart girl earlier, suddenly saw everything fall into place. He recalled the events with clarity, and cold sweat broke out on his back as the pieces fit together.
"The plan was to make you drop your guard, deliberately surrounding Xiaoqiang Camp with a few soldiers. But the moment you step out of the cavalry camp, you'll be branded a rebel, and then killing you will be simple—not just by those nearby."
Zhao Che frowned. After a long pause, he asked quietly, "Why do you want to save me?"
"Because I'm now a member of the Valiant Camp. If you die, I die too," the girl said. Boldly, she knelt on one knee, her voice soft as she whispered, "I am Chu Qiao, Arrow Division Leader of the Striker Camp, reporting for duty."
Zhao Che studied her calm face for a long time, saying nothing.
Three more hours passed, and the situation in the northwest only worsened. The girl wrote letters, lifted the curtain, and raised her hand, sending an eagle into the sky. The bird, strong and swift, disappeared into the night. In this tense, uneasy evening, no one noticed.
A short while later, the eagle soared high toward the distant, magnificent palace.
Far away, a man in white silk robes, slightly travel-worn, yet with bright, sharp eyes, heard a whistle. He looked up as the goshawk landed on his arm. Unfolding the letter, he read its contents, his eyes narrowing at the fierce handwriting: Double Star Yaogeng Bureau must ensure the Forbidden Palace is deeply fortified. Exercise caution.
The man smiled gently, his distant gaze turning northwest as though hoping for home.
Despite the night's turmoil, Huang Cheng's citizens remained silent indoors. No one dared venture outside. The shouting that had begun in the middle of the night continued until dawn, when it finally ceased. Flames flickered, and black smoke rose into the sky.
Mu He's opposition was expected, but even they had not foreseen the severity of the situation. They didn't anticipate how the emperor would ruthlessly drive them toward ruin. The famine disaster exacerbated the situation, and the Wei family and Zhao royal family both played a part in sealing Mu He's fate.
Caught off guard, the Mu family, who had dominated for a century, crumbled. Mu He's authority within the temple, as the minister in power, was reduced to chaos. As the Imperial Army advanced, they crushed the Mu family with ease, leaving them no room for resistance.
At the dawn of the war's end, Muhe Xi, Mu He Xili, and others from the Mu He family were executed on the spot. Their forces suffered two thousand dead and wounded. That same night, Muhe Yun was arrested and imprisoned. The Mu He family, consisting of ninety households—men, women, and children alike—were taken into custody under Muhe Yun, the matriarch of the empire. The Imperial Palace was suddenly overwhelmed with prisoners.
At the same time, the imperial capital was sealed off, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the city. Emperor Zhao Song, with the family's token and imitation letters from Chongwen Pavilion, traveled to the Twenty-Third Tung Choi Army, the Twenty-Sixth Army, the Southeast Field Army, and the Southeast Marine Navy 16th Army. Mu He Yun's critical messages, sent in haste, summoned Muhe Xi Fangchi, Muhe Xi Xing, Muhe Xi Yu, and others back to Beijing to discuss the future leadership of the family.
However, as soon as the chief military commander of the Quartet set foot in Huangcheng City, he was captured by imperial troops, signaling the complete defeat of the Mu He family's last hope.
That evening, Muhe Yun's grandson, Song Duan, managed to escape from the heavily guarded Tian residence and fled eastward through Zhen City Gate.
The remaining members of the Mu He family were left in stunned disbelief, while Muhe Yun, devastated by the turn of events, closed his cloudy eyes, apologized to his ancestors, and let two clear tears roll down his face.
Three days later, General Meng Zhan, one of the Mongolian generals, led his army east and attacked Huai'dong, where Song Duan was hiding after conspiring to rebel against the empire. Song Duan, along with Muhe Yun's daughter Minglan, were captured, tied with flowers, and sent to the front of Meng Tai Suo Li's army.
However, Meng Zhan refused to negotiate. After a round of arrows, the army pressed on and, within five days, broke through Huai'dong. This victory marked the beginning of the end for Song Duan and his allies.
In a swift and brutal action, the two families were massacred. On March 28th, before the executions at Jiuyou began, more than 4,000 members of the Mu He and Song families were beheaded. The Mu He family's line, which had spanned five generations, was eradicated. Apart from Queen Mu He Yun, who was spared, others, including Ting Fei Mu and Xiang Fei Mu, were poisoned while heading west, their liquor laced with deadly orchids.
On the day of their execution at the Nine Quiet Stage, thousands of Huangcheng residents gathered to watch. The streets were eerily empty, while the execution grounds bustled with activity, reminiscent of a festive New Year's celebration.
A once-prosperous dynasty, the Mu He family's past splendor and dominance were buried in the soil, swallowed by the relentless currents of time. The former Queen Mu He Yun, adorned in gold and silver with her head veiled in pearls, finally succumbed. Before her execution in the imperial grounds, blood sprayed across the dirt.
The so-called blessed and prosperous life in military power was nothing more than dust carried away by the wind.
On the fourteenth day, Zhao Che remained in his camp, unmoved, though news had reached him. He understood that these developments were designed to force him out of hiding, to tempt him into revealing himself as bait. Though his eyes remained closed, he was already aware of the cold blade that awaited him outside Ji Yu.
On the second day of April, the Golden Temple issued a commendation order. Zhao Che was praised for his steadfast patriotism and thorough actions. He was awarded 2,200 gold and promoted to General of the East Road. Although this title held no real power at the moment, it positioned him close to the emperor's future campaigns, indicating the emperor's satisfaction and trust in him.
Suddenly, news of the seventh prince, Zhao Che, gaining solemn prestige spread throughout the Great Xia Dynasty. Countless eyes turned toward him, filled with envy.
Receiving the imperial decree that night at Xiaoqi Camp, known for its outstanding martial arts training, Zhao Che stood quietly for a long time without saying a word. He hated the Mu He family, despised their domineering attitude, and loathed their arrogance and disregard for others.
However, he had to admit that his survival among the many princes over the years was, in part, due to the influence of his powerful mother. Now that the Mu He family had fallen, he wondered how he could navigate the bloodthirsty royal family without her protection. How could he secure his position?
For five days, Xiaoqi Camp was shrouded in darkness. The aristocratic soldiers quietly bought their way out through the military department, transferring to the Green Camp. The remaining soldiers, those who couldn't leave, claimed illness and returned home. Zhao Che did not stop them. These aristocratic children understood that if they wanted to remain in Great Xia, their only chance was to seek refuge in the three districts of Shandong, where strong military reserves awaited them.
By the fifth day, two-thirds of Xiaoqi Camp's staff had been streamlined. The remaining soldiers were those who had loyally followed Zhao Che for years, most of them battle-hardened veterans from the borderlands, now facing a bleak future.
On this day, as the snowstorm raged violently, Zhao Che, wearing his ink-black leather armor, naturally pulled back the camp curtains.
Suddenly, a flash of white light struck the pillar above him. Zhao Che's eyes flashed as he heard a sharp, biting sound. The light had embedded itself in the pillar—it was a sharp dagger!
"What are you doing?" Zhao Che shouted, his anger rising. "Do you want to die?"
His voice had barely faded when the seventh prince of Great Xia, despite his years of military service under the harsh sun and wind, felt his face flush with embarrassment. His skin, darker and weathered compared to the aristocrats in the capital, took on an unfamiliar hue. Still stunned, he asked again, angrily, "What are you doing?"
Standing before him was a woman, her waist slim, her jade-like shoulders bare, her body wrapped in nothing but a piece of leather that barely covered her front. Her slender legs and fragrant shoulders were exposed, and although she appeared angry and embarrassed, she did not show the panic one might expect. Instead, she stood there with confidence, coldly saying, "I'm changing clothes."
Zhao Che quickly turned away, flustered, and said in anger, "What kind of clothes are you changing into during the day? Hurry up!"
The sound of armor clashing followed, a distinct "Pau Shuo" noise as Zhao Che's expression grew more unsettled. His eyes wandered, catching the reflection of the woman's graceful figure in a large bronze mirror nearby. As her form was concealed by the mirror, his eyes widened, uncontrollably drawn to the scene. Just then, the woman's sharp gaze shot back at him through the mirror. Dressed now in black, tight-fitting night clothes, her waist wrapped with a homemade hook lock as a belt, she looked both graceful and intimidating. Flying knives, a dagger, and a small folding crossbow were strapped to her body, with arrows neatly packed into the quiver on her back.
Zhao Che's brow furrowed even more tightly. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you planning to go somewhere fully armed like this?"
Chu Qiao looked at him icily. "I'm used to it," she said coldly.
Zhao Che scoffed. "Are you planning on living your life as a slave or always thinking about running away?"
The woman didn't respond with anger. She continued to lace up her boots, ignoring him. Zhao Che watched her for a while, becoming a bit bored with her silence.
"I still don't understand why the general acts this way," he remarked.
Zhao Che seemed caught off guard by his own words. He had been trying to figure out why she behaved like this but only now verbalized it. Sinking into his thoughts, the young prince, annoyed by the awkwardness of the conversation, sat down and picked up a flask of wine from the table, taking a sip.
In the cold of the barracks, jugs of wine were small, meant only to warm the body during the winter. Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows and coldly said, "You didn't come here just to drink, did you?"
Zhao Che, with his healthy and striking appearance, replied, "Why not?"
"No problem at all," Chu Qiao said with a smile. "This is your camp. You could go to the stables, the toilet, or drink wherever you please, and no one could stop you."
Zhao Che's expression turned cold as he growled, "Your crooked mouth will get you killed one day."
"You'll at least not die by my hand," Chu Qiao said in a low voice.
The man drank and looked up, saying, "Don't think that just because you helped me once, I won't kill you."
"Do I dare to hope for such mercy?" Chu Qiao replied. "The seventh prince may be ruthless, but you care about human lives. After all these years, with 1,800 slaves under your command, how could you possibly pity someone like me, with my insignificant life?"
Irritated by her provocative words, Zhao Che changed the subject. "Why are you wearing a night coat?"
Chu Qiao was surprised for a moment, not expecting this sudden question. She replied, "I'm used to it. It's convenient for sleeping and moving quickly."
The young general, for once, showed no exaggeration in his response. He simply nodded and continued drinking quietly.
At that moment, a sudden round of applause echoed from outside. Zhao Che frowned, stood up, and walked out. Chu Qiao's eyes followed him, and she decided to follow.
An experienced Green Army soldier approached the army's large tent. He handed over a letter, which Zhao Che did not accept immediately. Instead, he pretended not to see it, dusting himself off before turning back to the soldier. His eyes dimmed as he read the contents, though he said nothing.
Cheng Fu handed over the letter and, frowning, said, "Your Highness, Sanhedrin has dispatched a briefing from the Ministry of War. It states that Xiao Qingying's unit is to move 130 miles out of Yucheng to build Chi Road. Prince Li Ce of Bian Tang will arrive shortly."
Zhao Che didn't take the letter but clenched his fists slowly. The veins in his arms bulged with the tension coursing through him.
Half a month ago, Zhao Qi, the third prince, had personally requested the move to build Chi Road. However, the Mu He case had since revealed that Zhao Qi had never left the Imperial City. The Green Army had been stationed outside the city for some time, waiting. Mu He's fall solidified Wei family dominance. Now, despite Zhao Che's contributions, he was being sent out of the city—was this a sign of disdain or a victor's mockery?
Zhao Che's eyes gleamed with anger, his fists tightening even more. Standing beside him, Chu Qiao, for the first time, saw a vulnerability in the prince. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Your Highness, please bear with it for now."
Zhao Che gave her a cold smile, then turned his gaze toward the magnificent San Gai Temple, which loomed like a sharp knife on the horizon.
Chu Qiao knew that this contempt had already begun to foster hatred in Zhao Che's heart, a hatred that would only grow with time.
The next day, Xiao Qing Camp set out for Yucheng to build Chi Road and meet with Prince Li Ce of Bian Tang.
The Arrival of Prince Li Ce
Bian Tang is not far from the Great Xia Kingdom. A fast horse could reach it in one month, or a slower carriage could take two. However, the prince had set out four months ago and was nowhere to be seen.
Most Great Xia princes had experience in the garrisons, following the army through grasslands, wastelands, and mountain streams. But this particular Bian Tang prince required a stone bridge to cross rivers and refused to ride horses on anything but solid ground. The Great Xia Emperor had even decreed that Bian Tang horses' hooves should not be sullied by common terrain. He refused to set foot in any village more than 50 miles from a town, wouldn't drink water that didn't come from a fresh spring, and would only consume tea leaves that were recently picked. His food was imported from Bian Tang, delivered by more than 200 carriages. Each ingredient was personally cultivated by young girls within his harem, from rice to fruits and vegetables.
Learning all this, Chu Qiao was speechless. This prince seemed to be quite the character. The fact that the Great Xia royal family had sent Zhao Che to greet him, along with soldiers from Xiaoqi Camp, surely meant that complications were expected.
After ten days of plowing through snow-covered trails, the Xiaoqi warriors set up camp and awaited the prince's arrival. Just as everything was prepared, word came from the front: the prince had fallen ill and was now bedridden due to the cold.
When Zhao Che heard this, his frustration nearly made his nose curl. He gathered his troops and stormed out. As Chu Qiao watched him leave, she sighed slightly. Despite not knowing the prince of Bian Tang, a hint of unease began to grow in her heart. She wondered if this prince was truly foolish or if he was hiding something far more dangerous beneath his absurd behavior.
Later that evening, Zhao Che's men brought news: the prince had finally agreed to stop and rest, but he refused to enter the barracks. He sent word that he wanted Chu Qiao, a member of the Arrow Division, to personally escort him to the camp.
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, puzzled by this strange request.
After some hesitation, one of the soldiers whispered, "The prince refused to meet with His Highness, claiming His Highness was 'too bathed in the scent of men' and might aggravate his condition. The message was conveyed by one of the prince's maids."
Everyone was baffled. Was this prince unwilling to talk to men?
The soldiers instructed Chu Qiao to wear a dress. Reluctantly, she dressed accordingly and set off immediately.
The weather had been merciful to the Great Xia Dynasty these past few days, with only light snow dusting the ground. Chu Qiao and four of her companions set off quickly, cutting through the white snow as they journeyed to meet the prince. Despite the cold, her dress lined elegantly, giving her a picturesque appearance, her skin as white as the snow around her.
The distance between the camps wasn't far—just a two-hour journey. However, within an hour of leaving, they encountered a carriage approaching from the opposite direction. It was adorned with gold, and the horses pulling it seemed to float as if riding on air. A chilling wind blew, momentarily blocking their path.
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow and held her horse still. She saw that the carriage was being driven by two young girls—one in a white marten fur coat with a pink cotton skirt, and the other in a green cloak. Their faces were flushed from the cold, but they were giggling and chatting amongst themselves, their voices crisp in the frosty air.
Wow, Sister, is there someone up ahead?"
Chu Qiao halted in front of five girls. The girl in green, her eyes lighting up with interest, said, "Back off."
"Who is it?" a charming voice called out from inside the carriage. "Male or female?"
The girls bit their lips to hide their smiles. One of them responded, "Four men and one woman."
"Oh?" The voice inside paused for a moment before continuing, "The young master wants to know—how old is the woman?"
Chu Qiao glanced at the girls who looked her up and down for a moment. Then one of them shouted back, "About sixteen years old, and she's not bad looking—quite comparable to you, Big Sister."
A burst of laughter came from inside the carriage. The voice, now laughing, said, "If Greenie says such things, then she must be stunning. Let the men go and leave the woman. The young master wants to ask her some questions."
The girl, feeling uncomfortable, snorted. She and a few others turned to Chu Qiao and said, "Did you hear Sister's words? Let the men go. The woman stays."
Everyone froze in surprise for a moment. The four soldiers, even more incensed, couldn't believe the audacity of these girls. Based on their attire, it was clear they were part of a royal household, but even so, these young women had no right to be so insolent.
Chu Qiao had long observed the behavior of many aristocratic families in Great Xia—outrageous and arrogant. They indulged in extreme luxuries and raised children who acted without regard for consequences. These girls clearly belonged to one of those powerful families, but she couldn't tell which. Regardless, caution was necessary to avoid offense.
Before anyone could respond, the girl in green grew impatient, shouting angrily, "Did you not hear what I said? How foolish can you be!" She reached into her sleeve, pulled out two gold coins, and threw them to the ground. Proudly, she added, "You're not wearing jade belts, so clearly, you're not from any noble clan. This price is good enough for a lowly woman like her. Take the money and leave, all of you."
One of the soldiers, furious, snapped, "Where does this girl get the nerve to—"
Before he could finish, a whip cracked through the air. The maid, despite her youth, displayed impressive skill. The whip struck the soldier across the face with a sharp "Shua!" leaving a red mark. His eyes were nearly hit, and the soldier fell from his horse, clutching his face and screaming in pain.
"You lowborn fool! Know your place!" the maid shouted coldly, preparing to strike again.
Chu Qiao, seeing the maid's rudeness and recklessness, felt a surge of anger. She moved swiftly, grabbing the braid of the whip with a clever twist of her hand, yanking it away.
"Don't overstep your bounds," Chu Qiao said, her voice cold as she stared at the small maidservant.
"Ah!" Another soldier shouted suddenly. Chu Qiao looked down and saw that the soldier's hand was covered in blood, which was flowing from his injured eye. Clearly, he had been seriously hurt by the whip.
"Hmph!" The girl in green, whose name was Lv Ling Ran, snorted fearlessly. "What's the big deal? He's just a lowly fool. If I blinded him, I could simply pay him off with silver… Ah!"
Before she could finish her sentence, a whip lashed out, slashing across her tender white cheek. Blood streamed down from the wound, and the girl screamed, clutching her face in shock and fury.
"You talk a big game, but you're nothing more than a spoiled brat," Chu Qiao said, coldly mimicking the girl's tone as she withdrew the whip.
The girl glared at Chu Qiao venomously, her face twisted in anger. She clenched her teeth and growled, "You wretched girl, let go of me now!"
"Who told you I'd let go?" Chu Qiao half-squinted, her gaze sharp. "Didn't you just say you wanted to buy me? Now let's see if you have what it takes."
As she spoke, Chu Qiao suddenly flicked her wrist, sending a knife flying forward like a flash of lightning. It struck the horse's hip, startling the animal. The horse reared up with a sharp neigh before whistling and bolting away in panic.
"Help him get started, go!"
Chu Qiao said coldly, as her demeanor hardened. The four horses behind immediately moved forward.
Just moments ago, Chu Qiao had sensed that they weren't alone. There were cautious footsteps in the snow-covered jungle on both sides. She realized that something was wrong. What appeared to be a simple carriage was actually guarded by nearly 100 skilled soldiers. If a conflict broke out, they wouldn't stand a chance. They had to strike preemptively to catch their enemies off guard.
Sure enough, a moment later, the sound of hoofbeats rumbled in the air. Chu Qiao whipped her horse and shouted, "Move fast!"
The five riders took off at full speed.
Suddenly, a rain of arrows came whistling through the air, aimed at the horses rather than the riders. Four of the soldiers were immediately thrown from their horses as the animals fell.
"Not stopping?"
A voice filled with sinister charm echoed in her ears. A rider on a white horse, his red hair fluttering like flames, pulled up beside Chu Qiao, his face sly and mischievous like a devil's. His hand gripped the reins, while his other hand held a sword. He kept pace with Chu Qiao, laughing like a wolf stalking its prey.
"Peng!"
Chu Qiao kicked the man's horse hard in the belly. The white horse whinnied, but it didn't falter. The man was surprised for a moment, then laughed, "A fierce woman! Ye Hao, since you don't like me, let's not let this spoil our fun."
With that, the man leapt from his saddle. In a flash, he landed on the back of Chu Qiao's horse, wrapping his arm around her waist. His warm breath brushed against her ear as he whispered, "Ah, your body smells so fragrant, like flowers blooming in the snow. Such delicate skin... and such an ignorant little girl."
Disgusted and enraged, Chu Qiao quickly threw her elbow back into his stomach, but the man only laughed harder, tightening his hold on her. He leaned forward, licking her shoulder with his tongue, and murmured, "So soft, like snow lotus... You truly are a beauty."
Chu Qiao felt a cold shiver run through her body, her skin crawling with revulsion. She nearly gagged. Furious, she glanced sideways, her mind racing. Without hesitation, she threw a fist, then an elbow, then followed with a palm strike to the man's shoulders and legs. In a rapid series of moves, she drove her elbow hard into his abdomen, before slipping off the horse's back. Gripping the horse's belly with her legs, she grabbed the man's leg and yanked with all her strength.
The man, who hadn't expected her to be so skilled, was caught off guard. He cried out as he was thrown awkwardly into the snow with a loud "Peng!" He landed headfirst, his body upside down in the snow. Any semblance of charm or dignity was gone.
Without missing a beat, Chu Qiao jumped down, landing on one knee on the man's back. With stars spinning in his eyes, he barely had time to react before Chu Qiao slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing sharply in the cold air.
Taking advantage of the moment, Chu Qiao pummeled him, her fists landing like a storm. She attacked with the force of a tiger, using Wing Chun boxing techniques. Her punches rained down on his head and face in a relentless, crackling rhythm, not giving him a moment to breathe.
The rapid succession of blows echoed around them, like thunder in a storm. Chu Qiao's fists were as fast as lightning and as sharp as raindrops, dazzling to watch. Those who witnessed the scene were stunned, unsure how to react. The sight of Chu Qiao sitting atop the man, fists flying, left them speechless.
"Idiots! Save the prince!"
A sharp voice rang out, snapping everyone to attention. Chu Qiao's heart skipped a beat. Prince?
The sound of hoofbeats thundered in the distance. Snow and fog swirled as horses whinnied. The Xiaoqi Yanying army, led by Zhao Che, approached like a storm. As they arrived on the scene, everyone froze in shock at the sight before them.
Zhao Che, the handsome and powerful seventh prince, rode forward and immediately snapped, "Chu Qiao, what are you doing?"
Chu Qiao quickly stopped her assault, her hands freezing mid-punch. The man beneath her, now a mess of bruises, slowly lifted his swollen face, looking confused. His blackened eyes squinted, clearly struggling to comprehend the situation.
Zhao Che dismounted, his face tense as he strode toward them. He turned to the man lying in the snow, bowed slightly, and said politely, "Your Royal Highness, Prince of Bian Tang, I apologize for my subordinate's overstep. The fault is mine for not maintaining control."
As he spoke, Zhao Che grabbed Chu Qiao's arm, pulling her off the prince and placing her behind him.
Chu Qiao stood there, stunned. She stared at the Bian Tang messengers, tears streaming down their faces as they rushed toward the fallen prince. This... this was the Bian Tang royal family? The man she had just beaten up was Prince Li Ce?
She couldn't believe it. She really must be crazy.
AC Afterthought on Prince Li Ce and Zhao Che
The introduction of Prince Li Ce, the enigmatic royal from Bian Tang, adds an intriguing new layer to the narrative. At first glance, he appears to be nothing more than an eccentric aristocrat—one who surrounds himself with lavish comforts and treats people as little more than playthings. His behavior, especially toward Chu Qiao, borders on the absurd, as he flirts with her and revels in his own charm. However, beneath this facade of arrogance and frivolity lies a far more dangerous and calculating individual.
Li Ce's behavior is a mix of charm and danger, a combination that makes him unpredictable. His initial encounter with Chu Qiao, where he tries to intimidate her with both physical proximity and suggestive remarks, feels tense and uncomfortable. Chu Qiao's disgust at his actions is palpable, and her swift and violent reaction provides a sense of catharsis, showing that she is not someone to be trifled with, even by royalty. This moment of combat between Chu Qiao and the prince highlights her strength, resilience, and refusal to be intimidated by someone of higher status. It also serves as a pivotal moment for her character, where she demonstrates once again her ability to stand up against those who wield power unjustly.
The climax of this scene—the revelation that the man Chu Qiao just defeated is Prince Li Ce—throws everything into chaos. The sudden shift in tone, from an intense physical fight to the dawning realization that she's just assaulted a member of the royal family, creates a moment of sharp irony. Chu Qiao's realization that this is the Bian Tang prince—the very man they were waiting to meet—turns her triumph into an immediate complication. This twist adds to the complexity of the political landscape, as Chu Qiao's actions now have much deeper consequences than just defending her dignity.
Furthermore, Zhao Che's reaction to the situation is telling. As a prince himself, he knows that handling this moment with care is crucial. His immediate response—to apologize to Li Ce and defuse the tension—highlights his diplomatic awareness and strategic thinking. Zhao Che understands that while Chu Qiao may have been justified in her actions, they are still playing a much larger political game. The repercussions of this incident could extend far beyond the battlefield, affecting not only personal relationships but also the fragile alliances between kingdoms.
Li Ce's introduction as both a potential ally and a possible enemy adds a sense of intrigue to the narrative. His playful, almost sinister charm contrasts with his status as a royal, suggesting that there is much more to him than meets the eye. Will he hold a grudge against Chu Qiao for humiliating him, or will he respect her strength and independence? This ambiguity makes him a fascinating character, one whose actions and motivations are difficult to predict. The climax leaves readers on edge, wondering how this incident will impact the delicate balance of power and whether Li Ce will become a friend or foe moving forward.
This scene also serves as a key turning point in the story, marking the beginning of a more complex relationship between the protagonists and the world around them. As the stakes continue to rise, the political intrigue deepens, with characters like Li Ce serving as wildcards in the unfolding power struggles. The clash between Chu Qiao and Li Ce sets the stage for future conflicts, alliances, and betrayals, making it a crucial moment in the larger narrative arc.