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Finest Servant Chapter 613
🕑 Added 2023-11-01 09:25:12 +0000 UTCChapter 613 Exposure
The raven-black hair was elegantly pinned high, shimmering like ink. A golden hairpin was inserted at a tilt as if casually chosen, yet it perfectly held her smooth, luscious locks in place. Atop her head sat a small golden cap, its tassels swaying gently by her ears, embodying elegance and grace. Her golden skirt lightly touched the grass, floating like a cloud, outshining even the sun.
Her skin was translucent and luminous, resembling the untainted snow lotus of the Tian Shan Mountains. Around her swan-like slender neck was a thin red string, from which dangled a bronze coin resting against her full chest. Her soft cheeks glowed with a subtle luster, her dainty nose appeared as if carved from white jade, and the corners of her rosy lips curled up slightly, reminiscent of a crescent moon in the sky.
What was most unforgettable was the twin streaks of pure white at her temples, lending her an aura of impeccable purity and stunning beauty. Yet, within this beauty was a heart-shaking sense of nobility and aloofness, etching her into one's memory for eternity.
She stood there, light as a feather, her deep eyes as unfathomable as ancient ice, bereft of warmth.
"You, you are—" Miss Xu suddenly stood up, her face rapidly changing, her palm trembling slightly.
"My name is Yujia, though some prefer to call me Yueya'er," the woman lowered her eyes and shook her head gently. "However, that's irrelevant to you. You may call me Golden Blade Khan!"
Xu Zhiqing bit her lip, her body quivering, tears falling like rain. "So it was you; you're the one who killed him!"
Golden Blade Khan glanced at her nonchalantly. "Why do you weep, Miss Xu? Is it because I killed your lover?"
Wiping away her tears, Xu Zhiqing retorted, "So what if he was my lover? I loved him! That's better than some people who live their entire lives in nightmares!"
"Miss Xu is indeed courageous," Golden Blade Khan spoke softly, "but how do you know that living in a nightmare isn't a form of happiness?"
Although Yujia was a Turkic woman, her intelligence and wit were sharp, and her innate nobility and aloofness were deeply memorable. Her sudden appearance reminded Advisor Xu of the man who had fallen to her arrow, stirring a surge of emotions that took a long time to settle.
Li Tai quickly caught Xu Zhiqing's eye and stood up, smiling, "So you are the famed Khan of the Turks, known for your three consecutive arrows. Truly a heroine. Although we are enemies, my soldiers can't help but admire your archery. No one else in the world could shoot those three arrows in succession. I am also humbled by your skill."
Li Tai's praise was indeed heartfelt. For centuries, whether in Great Hua or among the Turks, there had only been a handful of individuals with such miraculous archery skills. Seeing even the arrogant Turkic Left Prince act subdued in Yujia's presence revealed the awe her three arrows had instilled in the Turks. For a seemingly delicate woman to achieve this was indeed something to be proud of.
Yet Yujia remained expressionless, gently shaking her head. "General Li Tai, you flatter me. Archery is just a skill, attainable through diligent practice. But intelligence and wisdom, those are rare treasures in this world. Like this unique strategy of infiltrating the plains, such a brilliant idea could only come from the mind of a Great Hua military strategist, couldn't it?"
The Great Khan's gaze was as cold as ice, landing on Miss Xu's face, a sneer clearly visible in her eyes.
Xu Zhiqing's heart twisted like a knife. Softly, she said, "There's someone who is far smarter than I am. This idea was his. However, even he couldn't outsmart the Great Khan's archery skills. Three arrows in succession, perfectly aimed, not an iota of error. Very well! I believe Miss Yujia would be quite pleased!"
The color drained from the Great Khan's face as she clenched her teeth. A fleeting sense of satisfaction rose in Miss Xu's heart, which upon reflection, was tinged with bitterness.
Silence enveloped the tent. After a long pause, Yujia finally let out a long sigh and sat down slowly. Lu Dongzan and Batur respectfully stood behind her.
"Let's get straight to the point if we're negotiating," Yujia's voice turned icy, her eyes regaining their clarity. "Master Lu, please inform General Li and Advisor Xu of the conditions we have set forth and ask them to convey it to the Emperor of Great Hua."
Lu Dongzan nodded and spoke loudly, "Please let General Li and Advisor Xu inform His Majesty, the Emperor of your esteemed nation, that as long as you release our Young Khan and the Right Prince, we Turks can promise to cease all military actions for at least five years. We will not cross the Great Hua border even one step further. Additionally, the Great Khan is willing to offer a thousand cattle and sheep, a hundred beautiful women, and ten prized horses to Great Hua as a token of goodwill between our nations."
"How presumptuous!" Miss Xu raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Cease all military actions for five years and not cross our border? It sounds as if you Turks have won the war. Great Khan, who is begging whom here? Do you understand the situation? The Turks have no say in setting terms!"
The Great Khan remained silent, only giving a glance to Lu Dongzan. The National Tutor of the Turks immediately responded, "I believe Advisor Xu is mistaken. We Turks never beg anyone. What we're discussing here is merely an equal exchange!"
This Yujia not only made unreasonable demands, she wouldn't even engage in further discussion! Xu Zhiqing was so angered her face turned pale. She turned her head away, no longer wishing to look at Yujia.
Li Tai was also livid, "What do you mean by 'equal exchange'? A few years of ceasefire and some cattle and sheep are sufficient to exchange for our captured Young Khan and Right Prince, who are crucial to the Turks? Lu Dongzan, is this your idea of an equal exchange?"
Yujia closed her eyes, saying nothing. Lu Dongzan retorted, "General Li, the Golden Blade Great Khan said that the Young Khan and Right Prince are Turks and sacrificing for their country is their duty. If Great Hua continues to use their lives as leverage, it would be a scenario where both the fish and the net are destroyed. If you so much as harm a single finger of our Young Khan, we Turks will retaliate a hundredfold."
"So what if both the fish and the net are destroyed? Is Great Hua afraid of you?!" Miss Xu's eyebrows furrowed. She pointed at Yujia, "Golden Blade Great Khan, don't you dare talk to us directly?"
With a sigh, Yujia rose and walked slowly toward the tent's exit. Her steps were light but carried an indescribable firmness. Just as she reached the doorway, she suddenly paused.
"Miss Xu, forgive my bluntness, but in all of Great Hua, there is only one person qualified to negotiate with me!" She shook her head gently, her tone imbued with an indescribable warmth and radiance, as if recalling something. But then her expression gradually dimmed. Two silent tears fell. "Sadly— he's already dead."
She took delicate steps and left, her snow-white temples fluttering in the soft breeze of the grasslands, as delicate as a tuft of down.
...
"Achoo—" Just as he stepped out of the inn, he let out a loud sneeze. Wiping his nose, he looked around and chuckled, "Who's thinking about me now? Is it Qingxuan, or Xian’er, or perhaps everyone at once?"
Ning Yuxi tightened his clothing and spoke softly, "I told you to dress warmly, but you don't listen. With your injuries, catching a cold could be dangerous."
In July's scorching heat, everyone in Xingqing wished they could walk around shirtless. Yet there he was, bundled up like a sack. Who could pass by without giving him an extra glance?
He had been tormented by illness, breaking out in cold sweats at night while shivering during the day. If not for the healing touch of the Fairy, it was uncertain if he would have survived.
"It will take almost twenty days for a letter to reach the capital, even with the fastest horse," he sighed and shook his head with a wistful look. "When I wrote the letter, it was high summer, but by the time it reaches the capital, it will already be autumn. Time flies, and life slips away without you noticing."
The Fairy nodded softly, "Since you've already deserted, and don't want to deal with things here, why not just flee completely? Let's go back to the capital. They are all waiting for you at home."
The thought had crossed his mind countless times. How much better it would be to return to the capital, to be by Qingxuan's side, watching her have children? Even if he were convicted of desertion, he'd accept it.
"Sister, are you really willing to go back with me?" He took Fairy Ning's hand, looking at her breathtakingly beautiful face as he softly inquired.
Ning Yuxi knew exactly what he meant, and couldn't help but feel her face heat up and her heart flutter. She quickly lowered her head and whispered, "I will return to Thousand-Forsake Peak."
"What?!" Lin Wanrong looked shocked, "Sister, after all we've been through, why would you go back there? Climbing peaks isn't exactly my strong suit with my current health."
The Fairy smiled, "If you go back to the capital, you'll naturally go home. What business do you have following me? There's no place for you on Thousand-Forsake Peak!"
"No place for me? My requirements are low. All I need is to sleep holding you every night—"
Ning Yuxi smiled and firmly shook her head. Disheartened, he lowered his head and said, "So, Fairy Sister, you still intend to leave me? Fine, I'll set up ropes on Thousand-Forsake Peak and climb up myself. I'll bring my own bedding, clothes, shoes, and underwear!"
With her face flushed, the Fairy glared at him, "Are you trying to be mischievous again? Asking you to climb that rope is like asking for my life! And if I silently follow you, wouldn't that be asking for Qingxuan's life? Isn't this all getting tangled up?"
"Exactly," he suddenly clapped his hands. "How could I have forgotten about this? The battles are almost over. When I go back and Qingxuan has given birth to our son, I'll have a serious talk with her. Our secret rendezvous may be thrilling, but it's not quite right!"
"Who has been having secret rendezvous with you?" The Fairy sneered before letting out a sigh. "My lifetime of cultivation has been ruined by you. If you have the guts to clear things with Qingxuan, then come find me. If you upset her, not only will I not have the face to see her, but you should also never come to Thousand-Forsake Peak to look for me."
"Understood, understood," he said, audaciously grabbing the Fairy's hand and patting his chest confidently. "Sister, rest assured, I'll handle everything! So it's settled. We'll pack our bags tonight and set off for the capital first thing tomorrow."
At that moment, his thoughts were only of home. Forget about the Turks, forget about Yujia; he didn't want to remember anything else.
‘Eldest Miss, Xian'er, Qiaoqiao, Qingxuan, I'm coming back,’ he thought, tears filling his eyes. He took the Fairy's hand and turned to leave, only to be met with a soft, fragrant collision—like bumping into a pile of tender silk floss. The sensation was gentle, warm, and oddly familiar.
"Who's throwing cotton at me—" he began angrily, but then he looked up and was struck dumb.
Disheveled hair, an emaciated but beautiful face, her body trembling intensely—she was glaring at him as her tears fell like a torrential downpour. Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake as countless cavalry rushed down the street behind her, their hoofbeats thunderous.
"Xu... Miss Xu, you... how did you get here—"
"You ungrateful wretch! I’ll beat you!" Xu Zhiqing screamed, her endless tears becoming a deluge as she threw a lightning-fast punch toward his chest.
"Ah, don't hit me, don't hit me! I didn't mean to; I'm injured!" Terrified, he turned and ran. Xu Zhiqing stood there, stunned. Suddenly, she burst into tears, covered her face, and walked away as if she were flying.
‘What just happened? I really am injured!’ He shook his head, feeling both elated and bitter.
"Hisss—" The resounding neighing of horses startled him. Turning back, he saw the street filled with an endless sea of heads and horses—tens of thousands, at least.
"General!" Hu Bugui, Du Xiuyuan, Gao Qiu, Xu Zhen, and Li Wuling, along with tens of thousands of soldiers, simultaneously drew their blades and knelt in unison. Their tears flowed like a floodgate had been opened, unstoppable.
