Men with power and purpose possessed an undeniable charm, and in that moment, as thousands fixed their gazes upon him, Li Wen stood at the center of the world. Even Duan Xinghui, the male lead, seemed diminished in comparison.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ning Shu noticed Duan Xinghui staring at the Emperor with a mix of awe and envy.
Li Wen delivered a passionate speech that ignited the spirits of the soldiers, sending them into a frenzy of cheers, eager to rush onto the battlefield.
Ning Shu's lips twitched in surprise. She hadn't expected Li Wen, usually so taciturn, to be capable of stirring such fervor that soldiers would face death with enthusiasm.
It was clear that Li Wen was serious about punishing North Mongolia. The cost of provisions for a two-hundred-thousand-strong army was staggering, yet he invested it, determined to teach those North Mongolian bandits a lesson.
As Li Wen's rousing words resonated, the rhythm of the drums quickened, mingling with the soldiers' cheers until the entire capital seemed to vibrate with their collective energy.
"Jiahui." Li Wen beckoned to Ning Shu. She quickly dismounted and approached him, kneeling on one knee. "This sister-subject greets Imperial Older Brother!"
Li Wen placed a small gray creature on her shoulder. Surprised, Ning Shu looked up at him. "This little guy is very sensitive to danger," he explained. "We tried feeding it poisoned cake, but it refused to eat. When we tossed it into a pit of snakes, it scampered off."
Ning Shu couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
"Take it with you. It might come in handy," Li Wen said, giving her a hearty clap on the shoulder that nearly knocked her off balance. "Come back alive."
Ning Shu felt her eyes sting, a surge of emotion coursing through her—perhaps a remnant of the original host's feelings. Despite his cold demeanor, Li Wen clearly held a fondness for her.
With a somewhat nasally voice, she replied, "En. Imperial Older Brother, take good care of yourself as well. Health is everything. Only in good health can you achieve great things and fulfill your dream of creating a golden age."
Li Wen's expression was complicated, but he simply said, "Go now."
The little gray creature squeaked continuously, scrambling back onto Li Wen, clearly reluctant to part with him. It clung to his clothes, protesting with tiny cries.
Ning Shu was taken aback. After being tormented, the creature still didn't want to leave him?
Irritated, she grabbed the little gray ball, which continued to squeak mournfully in her hands. The sound was so heart-wrenching that anyone who heard it felt a pang of sympathy.
As the troops began their march towards the gates, Ning Shu rode alongside, observing the citizens and family members who had come to see them off. Many were weeping, their expressions a blend of worry and hope.
The scene was solemn and stirring, and Ning Shu began to grasp why Li Wen longed to establish a peaceful golden age for the people.
Yet she understood that such a golden age would be built upon the blood and bones of the fallen, necessitating continuous struggle for the hope of peace, security, and happiness.
Scanning the crowd, she spotted Er Ya, Yuan Dong, and Madame Duan. Yuan Dong, adorned with an array of pearl ornaments, embodied the image of a wealthy married woman, but her expression was one of deep despondency. Duan Xinghui had likely focused all his attention on his true love, leaving Yuan Dong to wither in his shadow.
Duan Xinghui, too, had spotted his mother and beloved in the crowd. Yet, inexplicably, he felt compelled to steal a glance at Ning Shu first.
When he saw her indifferent expression, a wave of relief washed over him, but it was quickly followed by a bittersweet disappointment.
It was a classic case of desire for what one could not have. In the original storyline, when Jiahui had insisted on being with Duan Xinghui, he had come to loathe her, likening her to a stubborn dog skin plaster that wouldn't peel away.
Now that she was ignoring him, Duan Xinghui felt frustrated and unreasonable in his feelings.
If Ning Shu were to find out, she would simply lift her middle finger and remark that the word "scum" barely scratched the surface in describing him.