“Where is your warhorse?” Feng Autian turned her gaze. Now, in her eyes, there was no one but Mu Han Yao. When she looked at him, fondness was evident, and her soft, gentle words sounded even more tender than a spring breeze.
Mu Han Yao was not used to being looked at so gently by another man. Even the voice sounded as if bathed in a spring breeze. The scene before him brought a warmth to his heart. He had been on campaigns for many years, and in the past three years, he had been working in a quarry, with little contact with women. Most of the time, he was with a group of men who spoke roughly. How could they ever be as soft as Feng Autian, with a hint of feminine gentleness? He felt a bit dazed, suppressing the strange thoughts that flashed through his mind.
Putting his fingers to his lips, he lightly whistled, and soon a dark brown steed came galloping towards him. Its eyes were shiny and full of spirit. It ran at the fastest speed to Mu Han Yao’s side, nudging its head against his chest.
Mu Han Yao rarely showed a faint smile, extending his hand to stroke the horse’s mane. Just as he was about to speak, a cold and stern light struck him.
He raised his eyes and saw Feng Autian glaring at him with a dark expression. Perplexed, he returned her gaze. What had he done to displease her?
“Have you forgotten what I said?” Feng Autian asked coldly.
Mu Han Yao’s eyes dimmed for a moment, realizing it suddenly. He fell silent, then spoke in a low voice, “Regent, he is my relative, and he is my brother who fights side by side.”
Moreover, it’s just a horse, not a person. Can’t it be approached?
“I allow it to come close to you, but remember, in the future, if you smile at it so charmingly, for every smile, you must smile a hundred times at me. Also, aside from in front of me, you are not allowed to smile at anyone else,” Feng Autian declared dominantly.
Mu Han Yao’s expression stiffened, lifting his gaze to meet Feng Autian’s. To him, her smiles were not worth a lifetime of smiles. He suppressed his emotions without showing any expression. Perhaps he wouldn’t need to smile at anyone in the future. He sighed inwardly, wondering when he, Mu Han Yao, became so involuntarily constrained. Strangely, he didn’t feel any displeasure or anger at her domineering and unreasonable command. Instead, there was a sense of helplessness and some other unidentifiable emotions.
“I understand,” Mu Han Yao responded coldly.
With a snap of Feng Autian’s fingers, a snow-white steed came galloping towards them. She held the reins, looking at Mu Han Yao. “The morning air is quite pleasant. Walk with me.”
“Yes.” Although Mu Han Yao was concerned about Jibai and the others, he dared not refuse.
Each leading a horse, the two walked out of the military camp. The soldiers on patrol and guard duty watched the figures of blue and silver disappear into the vast grassland, feeling a sense of sorrow. General Mu sacrificed himself for the safety of the Mu family’s army. With his single body, he saved the lives of a hundred thousand soldiers in the camp. This act of selfless sacrifice earned him not only respect but also a determination among the soldiers to follow General Mu to the death.
Si Xi remained outside the tent, watching the figures of Feng Autian and Mu Han Yao as they departed. He then turned his gaze toward Qingyi, silent and contemplative.
Qing Yi looked into the distance and sighed quietly, why did the regent do this? Isn’t she afraid that he will kill her if he becomes powerful?
On the boundless grassland, Feng Autian held Mu Han Yao’s hand, leading the horse slowly toward the woods five miles away. In her mind, the memories of the original owner surfaced. She glanced at the stern profile of Mu Han Yao and softly asked, “What are you thinking?”
Mu Han Yao had never walked side by side, holding hands with anyone like this. Once, he had also envisioned meeting a woman he admired, riding horses together across the vast grassland. But now, he found himself holding hands with a man. “Nothing.”
Feng Autian seemed to sense the bitterness in his heart but didn’t mention it. His pride and glory, now tightly held by her, a commanding general of a country reduced to a male favorite. His endurance spoke volumes about the depth of his thoughts.
“Mu Han Yao, do you believe this king will one day become the ruler of this continent?” Feng Autian turned her gaze, sharp and authoritative, like a profound abyss, exuding an unquestionable majesty.
Mu Han Yao was momentarily stunned, gazing at Feng Autian’s beautiful face. The overwhelming dominance surrounding her made it impossible for anyone to resist or doubt the sincerity of her words.
He pondered for a moment. Her cruelty was well known. If she were to dominate the continent, the people would undoubtedly suffer, and there would be widespread devastation. Did he have to assist in such tyranny?
“Why? Don’t you believe me?” Feng Autian naturally knew that Mu Han Yao wouldn’t believe. Even if he did, considering her current reputation, a unified rule under her might result in a tyrant causing harm to the country and its people.
Mu Han Yao intended to remain silent, but as he once again looked into her resolute eyes, he inexplicably uttered two words, “I believe.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Autian’s lips curled into a pleased smile. At first glance, she knew Mu Han Yao’s temperament. Going through all this trouble to bring him under her command, she also believed in his courage and foresight. Even though he currently didn’t willingly submit to her orders, she was confident that one day, he would willingly submit to her, Feng Autian.
“Remember the words I said today,” Feng Autian closed her smile and said coldly. “I will make you see that day.”
Mu Han Yao remained silent. Would he live to see that day? Now, he was nothing more than a pawn in her hands. As long as he was around, he would not let the people suffer.
When the two reached the woods, it was already noon. The wolf pack had not dispersed but surrounded the generals led by Jibai within the forest. When they heard footsteps and the sound of hooves not far away, the wolves finally cleared a path, allowing Feng Autian and Mu Han Yao to enter.
Jibai and the others turned their gaze, looking at Mu Han Yao with joy. However, when they saw him holding hands tightly with Feng Autian, their faces turned pale. They had already anticipated that General Mu would sacrifice himself for them by submitting to the Regent.
Mu Han Yao remained composed, sweeping his gaze over everyone. He spoke coldly, “The Regent has reinstated me as the general. In the future, you will guard the border with me, pledging loyalty to the Regent unto death.”
Jibai and Li Su exchanged glances. Despite their inner resentment, after the terror of the previous day and witnessing General Mu’s fate today, what else could they say?
They quickly dismounted and knelt on the ground. “We are willing to follow General Mu’s lead and pledge our loyalty to the Regent unto death.”
On this day, the entire military camp fell into silence. After Jibai and the others returned from the woods, each went about their duties without much conversation. The atmosphere grew even heavier.
Inside the tent, after bathing and changing into regular attire, Feng Autian approached Mu Han Yao, who was arranging troops on the map. She walked leisurely, asking, “Any doubts?”
Mu Han Yao looked at the topographical map, focusing on a particular challenging terrain that had been a longstanding issue for them. Even with Qianye now stationed there, they still couldn’t overcome it.
Feng Autian looked at the place Mu Han Yao indicated, a faint smile playing on her lips. She raised her finger, hooked it under his chin, and locked eyes with him. “I have a way.”
A hint of surprise flickered in Mu Han Yao’s deep gaze as he looked at Feng Autian. “I am eager to hear the details.”
“However, if you smile at a horse today, you will smile at me a hundred times. Come on, smile for me, and I will tell you.” Feng Autian said with a mischievous smile. She leaned forward slightly, emitting a subtle fragrance from her nostrils, and continued in a seductive tone.
