Chapter 443 – Challenges (2)

Ning Yuxuan was confounded. The nearby civil and military officials had also clearly heard Ji Man’s words. Soon, there was a clamoring uproar. The emperor’s expression looked extremely ugly. He was unwaveringly staring at the two people below.

A long time later, Marquis Moyu finally stretched his other hand out and pulled her up. He looked at the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, this subject will have to trouble you to care for my not yet wedded wife.”

Zhao Zhe didn’t smile. He only lightly snorted. The wind that started to blow on the training grounds caused people to feel somewhat cold.

“The marquis is serving the country, so this emperor really should take good care,” Zhao Zhe said, “Unfortunately, someone recently wrote a letter that the marquis has been secretly meeting with important officials to plot a rebellion to seize control of the imperial court, hidden away letters meant for the emperor, stamped reports with the imperial seal, and secretly wore dragon robes.”

Standing by Ning Yuxuan, Ji Man looked at Zhao Zhe with furrowed brows.

“Although it pains this emperor to do this, this emperor must have the marquis arrested according to law,” Zhao Zhe clapped his hands, and the surrounding soldiers gradually approached them.

Just like last time, the soldiers had their hooked spears raised and pointed at Ning Yuxuan. But, this time, Ji Man was standing side by side with him.

Ning Yuxuan very leisurely smiled. He turned his head to look at Ji Man and said, “There’s something that I’ve been wanting to say for a long time.”

Ji Man stole his words, saying in an indifferent tone, “En, I love you.”

Ning Yuxuan, “…”

The previous romantic atmosphere was thoroughly swept clean by her tone. Ning Yuxuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Didn’t you always want me to say those words? Why won’t you let me say it now?”

“Your outlook on love is different from mine.” Ji Man looked at the soldiers that were coming increasingly closer. “You think that loving someone means you should protect her and have her hide behind you, right?”

Ning Yuxuan nodded. Wasn’t that how it was supposed to be?

“I think loving someone means standing by his side and weather hardships together. Just like I once said to you, I want to be a tree, not a trumpet vine.”

Ji Man seriously said, “In short, either we survive this together or die together today.”

Ning Yuxuan was stunned for a moment. The nearby people, who had heard her words too, were also stunned. Ji Man stood by his side and looked at the faraway Zhao Zhe. She took a deep breath, then very quietly asked Ning Yuxuan, “So, are you going to live or die?”

Ning Yuxuan had thought she was going to say bold, visionary words. He covered his face and stifled his laughter. “I’ll try my best to keep living.”

“Okay.” Ji Man straightened her back.

Just as a soldier’s hooked spear was about stab through him, there was suddenly the sound of an army orderly marching over here. It was like hearing the booming sound of thunder from a slowly approaching storm. Everyone was startled. One by one, they turned to look at where the sound was coming from.

The approaching armored soldiers formed a dense mass and stretched pass the entrance of the training grounds. Ning Mingjie was riding a horse at the forefront. He slowly entered the training grounds, dismounted from the horse, walked to a spot below the emperor, and said, “The 80,000 soldiers have already been gathered. It’s just missing the commander. Your Majesty, please give the army the order to set out.”

Zhao Zhe’s face changed colors.

This army had been waiting in a station outside the capital. Even if they were going to set out, it should be Ning Yuxuan that should go over there to join up, then set out for the borders. Ning Mingjie didn’t have the army seal. How could he bring over these troops?

Was he trying to scare them to death by bringing over these 80,000 soldiers?

The faces of the officials had changed colors too. On the other side, some soldiers who couldn’t read the situation had already started attacking Ning Yuxuan in hopes of receiving meritorious credit. Although most of the soldiers had already halted over there, there were still a few soldiers that didn’t fear death.

Ji Man had said she would advance or retreat together with him, so of course she would do that. When the soldiers had been coming over to surround him, she had already jumped out of the fight zone.

Ning Yuxuan didn’t whether to laugh or cry. He surprisingly still had the time to leisurely ask, “Didn’t you say that you want to live and die with me?”

Ji Man nodded. “Sure, but I don’t know martial arts. I would only be causing trouble if I stand by your side. If right now, you yell for me to hurry, run away, I’ll definitely leave without even looking back. It’s so that I can lightened your burden!”

There were so many idiots with obsessive-compulsive disorders that would choose to waste time and end up being hacked to death by their enemy. They would go back and forth with saying, “Hurry, run away!” and “No! We have to run away together!”

She didn’t know how to fight. When someone gave you the chance to flee for your life, of course you have to run. Otherwise, both of their lives would be forfeit, and they would die with unfinished grievances.

Ning Yuxuan roared with laughter. He took out his sword and quickly slashed the incoming solider. There were two soldiers lying on the ground, and another two soldiers nearby that were wounded. In actuality, a real life fight didn’t look as good as the choreographed fights on the TV. Ning Yuxuan’s body also showed signs of damage. With one against five, this fight didn’t look any different from a street brawl.

“Seize those soldiers that are rebelling against the emperor.”

Faced with the pressure of the army, Zhao Zhe only had one option. He ordered for the soldiers that had attacked Marquis Moyu to be seized and beheaded. How dare they harm the emperor’s beloved subject?

Ning Yuxuan sighed in relief. Ji Man did the same too. One after another, the nearby officials started to praised Ning Yuxuan.

“The marquis is so talented. With such a good commander, what country would dare to invade?”

“Yes, exactly so, that recent martial arts competition was truly brilliant. Anyone with eyes can see the marquis’s strength. No one in the armies would be able to dispute this.”

It had clearly been a scene of premeditated murder, but now they were saying it was a martial arts competition. Ji Man silently cursed them as she went over to help support Ning Yuxuan. His injures weren’t light. She could see the deep wound on his shoulder.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your great benevolence.” Ning Yuxuan saluted Zhao Zhe.

Zhao Zhe insincerely smiled. “Marquis, you may rise. Get ready to leave for the campaign.”