A group of Tartars soon arrived, their presence exuding a powerful and oppressive aura. The large horses they rode kicked up a massive cloud of dust as they galloped toward the Great Yong troops.
The sheer sight of them caused panic among the soldiers. Fear flickered across their faces as their ranks wavered.
Ning Shu's sharp voice cut through the chaos. "What are you panicking for? Stand at attention!"
Her commanding tone restored some order, and the soldiers quickly straightened their formations. In battle, maintaining composure and an imposing aura was paramount.
Ning Shu narrowed her eyes at the leader of the Tartars. The enemy's path seemed to intersect with hers too often. At the forefront of the group was none other than He Lianying, the second prince of North Mongolia.
The captured Tartars began shouting excitedly, "Second Prince! Second Prince!" Their eyes gleamed with malice as they turned smug gazes toward Ning Shu, confident in their rescue.
But before they could continue, Ning Shu swung her whip. Its sharp crack through the air silenced the prisoners instantly, leaving only the sound of the wind in its wake.
The soldiers of Great Yong, witnessing their princess instill fear in the Tartars with a single lash, straightened their backs and puffed out their chests. Their confidence surged, strengthening their aura.
He Lianying was clad in animal leather that exposed part of his chest, lending him a rugged, untamed appearance. From head to toe, he exuded an unruly charisma that was as coarse as it was seductive.
His gaze first landed on the scout who lay lifeless and disfigured from the whipping. A dark, unreadable glint flickered in his eyes before he turned toward Ning Shu, who sat on her horse in full battle armor.
"You shouldn't have done that," He Lianying said, his tone languid yet laced with danger. "You rejected the peace marriage with me, and now you've led troops into battle. Princess Jiahui, you've truly exceeded my expectations."
A sly smile spread across his face as he extended a hand toward her in a mock gesture of invitation. "Only a woman like you is worthy to be my wife. Why torment yourself by fighting here? Just agree to the marriage."
His grin widened, revealing his teeth in a savage display. "You killed a warrior of North Mongolia, so I'll have your soldiers make up for it. For every warrior you kill, I'll slaughter a hundred soldiers and a hundred citizens of Great Yong. If you kill two, I'll take five hundred lives."
The cold wind carried his chilling words to everyone's ears, causing them to shiver.
"Princess Jiahui, come with me," He Lianying said, his voice softening yet no less menacing. "If you leave with me now, I'll spare this group."
"Princess, please allow me to duel him!" Duan Xinghui's voice rang out, his anger barely restrained.
"Stand down!" Ning Shu snapped, her icy tone brooking no argument. Duan Xinghui hesitated before reluctantly retreating, his eyes still burning with anger as they fixed on He Lianying.
"So, does that mean you've decided to come with me?" He Lianying asked, a faint glimmer of joy in his expression as he extended his hand again. "You're the first woman I've truly appreciated, and the only one worthy to be my woman."
Ning Shu felt a surge of disdain. Such arrogance! He truly thought highly of himself. Her lips curled into a cold smile as she swung her whip—this time, directly at the lower body of a captured Tartar.
The lash landed with precision, and the prisoner was dead within moments.
The swiftness of her actions left even He Lianying stunned. His fingers tightened around the reins of his horse as his face darkened with menace. "Princess Jiahui," he said, his voice low and sinister, "I advise you not to provoke me further."
The soldiers of Great Yong stared at Ning Shu in awe, astonished by her boldness and resolve.
Ignoring He Lianying's ominous warning, Ning Shu declared, "This is the fate of those who humiliate the women of Great Yong. I will whip every offender to death! You bandits have stolen our food, plundered our homes, and trampled on the dignity of our people. If I don't punish people like you, I don't deserve to be the princess of Great Yong!"
Her eyes burned with fury as she continued, "The phrase 'no sense of propriety, justice, integrity, and honor' exists for bastards like you! I would rather die than agree to your so-called peace marriage. He Lianying, who do you think you are? What makes you think you're worthy of this princess?"