When Bo Muer demanded Jinwu, everyone was shocked. Shan Jian, usually reserved, couldn't help but comment coldly: "A gentleman promotes others' happiness, while a villain steals what belongs to others. Saving Lady Chiyun was a noble deed, but using it to extort His Highness makes you no better than a bandit. Is the leader of the Boxia tribe truly a despicable thief?"
Bo Muer sneered back: "Call me whatever you want. I'm not ashamed."
Even Shan Jian, known for his sharp tongue, was at a loss for words.
Cui Yi sat silently, his silence ominous. Chiyun wanted to intervene but knew it would undermine Cui Yi's authority.
After a long pause, Cui Yi ordered: "Zhonghang, bring Jinwu here."
Stallone protested: "Your Highness, ignore him! He thinks he's someone because he saved Lady Chiyun!"
Cui Yi repeated firmly: "Bring Jinwu here."
Xu Cheng also objected: "Your Highness, you can't give away Jinwu. A Heavenly Horse is priceless and extremely rare..."
Cui Yi roared: "Enough!"
Silence fell. Everyone knew relinquishing Jinwu was the only option unless they killed Bo Muer and Sang Duo to bury the matter.
Cui Yi's voice was icy: "Don't make me repeat myself."
Stallone reluctantly complied, glaring at Bo Muer.
Jinwu was brought to the banquet hall entrance. Stallone handed the reins to Bo Muer, who took them indifferently. Jinwu recoiled, snorting angrily at Bo Muer's touch.
Sang Duo was distraught, unable to publicly oppose her brother.
"Tell everyone to prepare to leave," Bo Muer commanded, pulling Jinwu's reins despite the horse's resistance.
Sang Duo, heartbroken, wondered how to wake everyone up in the middle of the night for departure.
Despite obtaining a magnificent horse, Bo Muer felt no joy. He glanced at Chiyun, wanting to say something.
But Chiyun met his gaze with cold disdain: "You can leave now."
That look mirrored the hatred and contempt she had seen directed at Hu Erhan in the Northern Di camp. It hardened his resolve to sever ties.
As Jinwu's angry neigh faded, Cui Yi dropped his porcelain cup onto the table, staring blankly ahead.
Everyone tactfully left, leaving Chiyun alone with him. Neither spoke.
The Boxia tribe departed quietly at night, with no one seeing them off. The heavy gates closed, symbolically ending any lingering connection between them and the Han people.
Over the following month, Cui Yi barely spoke or smiled, becoming even harsher during military drills. Soldiers trembled at his presence, improving discipline but at great emotional cost.
Chiyun, feeling down, joined the makeshift school next door to listen to Bai Li Zan teach while feeding chickens and pigs.
Children recited aloud inside, while Chiyun sat outside, feeding chickens absentmindedly.
Bai Li Zan divided the children into classes based on age and literacy levels, teaching younger ones to recognize characters and older ones poetry and military tactics.
Initially, a few unruly children were expelled, setting an example. No one dared waste this precious learning opportunity afterward.
Xiaoqiu walked around with Xiao Cuilian, teaching her words. Xiao Cuilian was learning to speak more words and sought cuddles from Chiyun but rarely dared approach her father.
"Lady, you shouldn't sit in the wind. It's getting colder, and you might catch a chill," Bai Li Zan advised during lunch break.
Chiyun scattered chicken feed, lost in thought.
"Are you still worried about His Highness?" Bai Li Zan asked, sitting opposite her.
Chiyun nodded dejectedly: "This is all my fault. I should have sent Bo Muer away immediately instead of letting things drag on. Now, everything's ruined."
"Not entirely," Bai Li Zan consoled. "No one is entirely blameless. Bo Muer was wrong for coveting what wasn't his, and you were indecisive, leading to this situation."
Chiyun sighed heavily: "I shouldn't have insisted on reconciliation. Now, His Highness is depressed."
Simply wanting to bury her face into the dustpan.
"But His Highness is also at fault."
Chi Ying was taken aback, turning to look at him in confusion, "What fault does His Highness have?"
Baili Zan smiled and asked back, "Does Lady think His Highness has no fault?"
Chi Ying thought for a while but couldn't think of any mistakes made by Cui Yi, so she shook her head, "I don't think His Highness did anything wrong. From the beginning, it was Bumu who provoked first. His Highness endured and gave way again and again, yet he remained ungrateful and aggressive. In the end, he even took away Jingu. His Highness didn't make things difficult for him. To this extent, how can you still think that His Highness is at fault?"
Baili Zan stroked his beard, his smile full of wisdom, "Lady mentioned these as His Highness's attitude towards outsiders, which indeed are tolerant and magnanimous, repaying kindness with kindness, which is beyond reproach and can even be praised. But how did His Highness treat you?"
Chi Ying's expression clearly slowed down, as if she had fallen into confusion. Baili Zan continued, "Jingu was something His Highness promised to give. At that time, it wasn't an absolute dead end. The act of demanding Jingu itself was absurd. Even if not given, it wouldn't matter much. But since His Highness gave it, it was to prove to Bumu that only you are irreplaceable, nothing can replace or surpass you. Then why has His Highness been silent and sullen in front of you for these two months? Is giving up Jingu just to shut Bumu up, just for show?"
"Caring for someone doesn't need to be proven to anyone. It should be cherished and loved from every little detail around. His Highness gives up what he loves painfully in front of others but turns coldly towards you. Pardon me for saying this, but it's worse than not giving Jingu that day."
After hearing his words, Chi Ying let out a pained groan, covering her head with both hands.
"But all of this started because of me. Bumu saved me, Xie family expelled me, and even the Crown Prince plotted against His Highness, all because of me!" Chi Ying closed her eyes tightly, speaking painfully, "If it weren't for me, none of these troubles would have arisen."
Baili Zan said, "The conflict between His Highness and the Emperor has existed for a long time. Whether you are here or not, the process might change, but the outcome remains the same. Lady shouldn't take all the blame on yourself. Why not think about it? Without you, His Highness's situation might be worse. The Yanzhou army couldn't get food, Xie Yuchan was wreaking havoc in the palace, and in the end, everyone would fall apart. The imperial army would easily crush us all."
Chi Ying covered her face and took a deep breath, saying, "I..."
Baili Zan asked, "Lady, do you regret marrying His Highness?"
Chi Ying released her fingers, revealing slightly red eyes, her lips moved a few times, whispering softly, "No regrets."
"Then there's no need to feel guilty about everything afterwards. Happiness and hardship always come together. Jade hidden in stone is destined to go through some trials. After many years, you will thank heaven for letting you share both good and bad times, rather than being buried in gold and silk, unknowingly losing your heart."
Chi Ying sat there in a daze. A maid came to deliver a food box, so Baili Zan left her alone to think and went inside to eat.
Xiaoqiu approached cautiously and asked, "Lady, shall we go back for lunch? His Highness should be back soon."
Chi Ying nodded absentmindedly, put down the dustpan, walked out a few steps, then turned around and asked, "Then what do you think I should do now?"
Baili Zan's voice with a smile came from inside the room, "Last night, I observed the stars and felt that General Yang would find His Highness to talk today. So Lady just needs to go back for lunch."
Chi Ying laughed helplessly, bid farewell, and went back for lunch.