Chapter 515: Chapter 350: Offering My Heart to You

Mu City is just a small town near the Capital City.

Its most famous feature is simply a roast goose.

However, in the past two years, military conflicts have erupted outside Mu City.

The townspeople and City Guard tremble with fear at the sounds from outside, afraid to speak.

At this moment, five thousand imperial guards and fewer than a hundred Dingyuan Army cavalry, along with the Hidden Guard from Crow Building, are tangled in combat.

The Dingyuan Army has formed a phalanx of Falling Tassel Spears, moving and changing formations as fast as lightning, incredibly agile in weaving through imperial guards many times their number, each of them ready to sacrifice, fierce and fearless.

Meanwhile, the Hidden Guard, under the leadership of You Ying, engage in guerrilla tactics, stealthily sending hidden weapons or executing finishing moves, causing chills down the spine. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The battle was meant to be a radiant moon against fireflies, yet these glimmers of light stubbornly rise again and again under the pressure from the bright moon, as if nobody can make them yield.

This is the Dingyuan Army!

Rong Heng is surrounded by a dozen imperial guards, his sword sweeping through the air, bringing a streak of blood, his Battle Armor stained red with some places showing cracks, yet he hasn’t retreated a single step.

The Dingyuan Army grows fewer, while the imperial guards fight more fearfully.

Are these cavalrymen even human?

Clearly exhausted, cornered beasts struggling, only about a hundred of them, yet why can they explode with such an astonishing fighting strength!

Even in dire straits, they still cluster around their Prince, like a long spear defying everything, piercing through the five thousand imperial guards who have never been to a battlefield.

Song Zhi dodges a long spear, and with a reverse grip slashes the leg of a Dingyuan Army horse, causing the warhorse to stumble, throwing the rider who is then trampled under the hooves of those coming from behind.

His sword-wielding arm grows heavier, the warm phoenix eyes tinged with a red glow.

Song Zhi knows well that killing Rong Heng would demand a tremendous price; none of these Dingyuan Army would survive.

No matter how strong they are, even if five thousand stand before them waiting to be killed, they cannot kill them all.

But these people are Yan’s men after all, and Song Zhi is unwilling, pursing his lips, suddenly raising his voice:

"Prince Xiang privately led troops back to the Capital, defying the Emperor’s authority; this is indeed an act of treason. All of you are Dayan soldiers, you should not persist in befuddlement, much less slaughter your comrades. If you dismount and surrender, complying with Your Majesty’s command, this General can spare your lives."

Song Zhi hopes these people can lay down their arms, rather than fall dead before him one by one.

"The Prince battled for Dayan across the regions, repelling the Wei Army, fighting bravely, protecting the Southern Border from Wei Country’s invasion for ten years, how could there ever be rebellion!"

"We return to the Capital because we know the Emperor has been deceived by treacherous ministers, actually planning to punish Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the Prince and we want to seek justice for Marquis Mansion, how could this be rebellion."

"Back then, Pingnan Marquis’s death was suspicious. We only want the Emperor to reinvestigate the Pingnan Marquis family purge case, and we are merely personal soldiers of the Prince, returning to the Capital with the Prince under royal command, how can this be leading an army to revolt?"

"Yes, Commander Song, why not return to the Capital with us, ask the Emperor what wrongdoing Dingyuan Marquis Mansion has committed?"

The Dingyuan Army, in a hearty chorus, began persuading Song Zhi to surrender, leading to even lower morale among the imperial guards.

Song Zhi clenches the sword hilt, eyes growing deeper: "Persist in ignorance, then keep fighting, this General does not believe five thousand cannot defeat two hundred."

His voice had not yet faded when the ground beneath shook.

Song Zhi’s expression sank, realizing the sound of hooves came from behind him.

"Commander, it’s our reinforcements; those are imperial guard armors—"

Tan Ce exclaimed in delight, and Song Zhi turned to see a streak of gold appear in the distance, the color of imperial guard attire.

Could it be that Your Majesty deemed five thousand imperial guards insufficient and sent reinforcements?

Song Zhi raised his hand to signal everyone to halt, both sides ceased the slaughter, Rong Heng squinted his eyes, observing the azure sky as the golden light gradually expanded.

Rong Heng’s breath slowed a beat, his eyes fixed on the distance.

He instinctively straightened his spine, his posture towering and erect like a long sword drawn from its sheath.

The collar of the Python Robe beneath the Mystic Armor complemented Rong Heng’s warm jawline, he discretely wiped the blood-stained hand onto Mo Feng’s mane, then raised his hand to remove his gold helmet, revealing a handsome face like jade.

The indifference around him was dispelled by his upturned lips, Mu Jun beside Rong Heng paused, feeling in that brief moment, the Prince seemed to transform into a different person.

The reserved and composed Prince suddenly became much more handsome.

Numerous Golden Armor Forbidden Army surged like a golden tide, and everyone held their breath until they saw the figure rushing at the forefront of the troops!

That person rode a crimson Divine Steed, a fire-red long skirt billowing in the wind, light armor draped over her shoulders, ponytail tied high with a vermillion hairband, behind her, a Falling Tassel Spear like a blazing sun, wild and untamed.

Her appearance abruptly captured all attention.

This is a woman.

She thrust a sword, sending an imperial guard obstructing her flying, as blood trickled slowly down the bright silver blade.

Rong Heng’s breath halted, staring blankly at the newcomer.

The rider approached, leaving a trail of dust behind, with bright sunlight and a golden cascade flowing around, making the world pale in comparison.

Their sun was galloping towards them.

Her black hair fluttered in the cold wind, her crimson robe resembling a fierce fire, freely outlining the resilient curve of her waist.

Gu Lan pulled the reins of her warhorse, sheathed her sword; her brows arched slightly, the corners of her eyes lifted. Her long lashes were dense, highlighting her obsidian-like pupils which seemed even clearer, her red lips curling into a captivating and soul-stealing smile.

A smile radiant enough to eclipse the city, more dazzling than the morning sun.

Eyes met, and Rong Heng lost the ability to speak.

Gu Lan rode her horse to him, her familiar clear voice creating waves in his heart:

"Rong Zichan, now, you are the first to see me dressed as a woman."

Her original battle armor was more solid, with a cloak tied over it.

Only upon seeing Rong Heng did she remove the cloak.

During the month Zijin was confined in the Imperial Palace, she made a beautiful dress as a gift for her, yet she had torn the female garments Rong Jing brought her, refusing his request to wear them to court.

Naturally because, the first dress she wore was meant for Brother Hang to see.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Among thousands of troops, Rong Heng heard the sound of his own heartbeat.

His heart trembled like thunder, yet his throat was too parched to speak, merely staring at Gu Lan.

"Is this... Young Master?"

"Gu, Young Master Gu!?"

"Greetings to the Princely Heir—"

The exclamations of the Dingyuan Army’s remnants brought Rong Heng back to reality.

The first thought in his heart was to keep the woman before him hidden forever, visible only to him and liked only by him.

Rong Heng had guessed Gu Lan would come, and just now, he had sensed that the appearing imperial guard was commanded by her; yet never had he imagined she would come in a red gown.

He had imagined numerous times what his Lanlan would look like in women’s clothes, thinking perhaps there would be no difference from her usual self. Because in his mind, Gu Lan was always beautiful and wonderful regardless of attire, yet he hadn’t anticipated the deep impression her presence before him would carve into his very bones.

Rong Heng would never forget this scene for the rest of his life.

His heartbeat mirrored the sun’s warmth that day when she first gently placed some candy beans into his palm.

Suddenly, Rong Heng felt somewhat grateful Gu Lan had always disguised herself as a man; at least this way, she had fewer romantic rivals.

His Adam’s apple moved, his dark eyes deepening; his thin lips pressed into a gentle smile which seemed somewhat foolish in Gu Lan’s eyes.

"Thank you, Young Master Gu, for heroically saving me. May... May I offer myself to you in gratitude?" Rong Heng asked without any reservations.

Gu Lan mischievously blinked: "Isn’t the Prince reputed to not care for women?"

"I care for you."

Beside them, the stunned crowd gradually came to their senses.

They stared at Gu Lan, filled with amazement and curiosity.

Hearing that Young Master Gu was a woman in disguise was one thing, but witnessing her dressed as a woman in person was a completely different shock.

The latter was so striking that even Song Zhi was momentarily dazed.

Until Mu Jun called Gu Lan "Princely Heir," the Dingyuan Army also struck their chests with their fists fervently, gazing at Gu Lan with fervent admiration.

What difference does being a woman make? She was always the Pingnan General who led them to victory!

Song Zhi squinted, ignoring the tender gazes between the man and the woman, he looked past Gu Lan to the Golden Armor Forbidden Army behind her, frowning.

Since these people were under Gu Lan’s command, they weren’t reinforcements from Rong Jing.

But Gu Lan had clearly been confined by Rong Jing in the Imperial Palace, so how did she escape? How could the imperial guard follow her orders?

Even if the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion secretly inserted personnel into the imperial guard, it was impossible to win over thousands at once—

"I say, can anyone look here? A living person right here, why can’t you see me, I’m such a big presence!"

A mournful voice sounded from behind Gu Lan.