Ning Shu had aimed to render He Lianying powerless with a precise kick, but he dodged just in time. In doing so, however, he loosened his grip, giving Ning Shu the opening she needed. She swung her whip with precision, and the tip lashed across He Lianying's arm.
A sharp, burning pain seared through him. His face paled, and beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead.
Leaping back onto her horse, Ning Shu turned to look at him, a pleased smirk spreading across her face. "How does it feel? Amazing, isn't it? This princess's whip was soaked in hot pepper and enhanced with a little something extra. How's the poison working out for you?"
He Lianying's brows furrowed as his expression twitched slightly. Despite the obvious pain, he grinned at her, his voice dripping with amusement. "This prince finds the flavor… delightful."
Ning Shu's eye twitched. This guy is seriously a pervert, joking around even in this situation.
"Second Prince!" He Lianying's subordinates, alarmed at her mention of poison, began to shout anxiously. Their glaring eyes burned into Ning Shu as they cursed her loudly. "Shameless Great Yong woman!"
Ning Shu snorted inwardly. These Tartars actually have the nerve to call me shameless? Compared to them—pillaging and plundering like thieving mice—I'm practically a saint.
He Lianying waved off his subordinates' concerns, his attention fixed solely on Ning Shu. His lips curled into a feral yet alluring smile as he commanded coolly, "Apart from Jiahui, kill them all."
"Understood!"
Ning Shu's expression turned grim. She raised her voice, her tone steely and resolute. "Soldiers! The Tartars have trampled on our land and humiliated our wives and daughters. We must drive these bandits off our soil! Protect our nation, protect our families!"
"Protect our nation!" A unified, thunderous chant erupted, echoing with unwavering conviction. The soldiers' eyes burned with determination as they looked toward Princess Jiahui, standing firm with her whip in hand.
He Lianying watched her intently, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Do you truly believe these men can overcome this prince's forces?"
Then, his tone softened as his gaze lingered on her. "Jiahui, come with this prince. I'll grant you unparalleled glory. You'll be my woman—my only woman—for a lifetime."
Ning Shu sneered coldly and cracked her whip, striking a Tartar who had rushed at her. The whip wrapped around his neck, leaving a deep, crimson slash. Blood spurted as the man collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
"He Lianying," she spat, her voice icy, "this princess is a daughter of Great Yong. Great Yong grants me all the glory I need. Even if this princess were to die, it would be on the soil of her homeland. You want me to go with you? Keep dreaming."
He Lianying shook his head, an odd gentleness flickering in his eyes. "The more defiant you are, the more this prince adores you. You're even wilder than the women of North Mongolia."
Ning Shu glared at him, her thoughts simmering with irritation. Is this bastard's ability to ignore what people say truly limitless?