I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 471 I Promise You

Inside the main house, the early winter wind blew outside the window, and the house was silent.

Qin Jiuwei didn't say a word throughout the entire meal.

Only after the children left, leaving just the two of them in the house, did Qin Jiuwei raise her head, her eyes reddening.

She looked at him with a pair of deep, clear eyes.

That look in her eyes was like a thin thread that wrapped around his throat. Xie Yanli immediately stepped forward and hugged her, saying, "I'm sorry."

His voice was low and husky, and he spoke close to her ear.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, his palms gripping her back, tightening his hold little by little. "I once said I would always protect you and safeguard you."

"But now I have to leave, and I don't even know... if I'll ever be able to come back."

Qin Jiuwei remained silent, letting him hold her as he moved closer and closer to her.

Xie Yanli lowered his head and rested his chin on her shoulder, his Adam's apple bobbing, "If I don't come back..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a dampness on his shoulder.

He was startled and looked down.

She is crying.

There was no sound, no sobbing, only tears rolling down his face, silently soaking his clothes.

Xie Yanli's breathing suddenly became erratic. He immediately raised his head, cupped her face in his hands, and hurriedly kissed the tears from the corners of her eyes, kissing them again and again.

"Don't cry, don't cry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

He murmured softly, his voice pleading, yet his movements were incredibly gentle.

He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, the corners of her eyes, and the tip of her nose.

Qin Jiuwei looked at him, tears still in her eyes, but suddenly smiled softly.

Her voice was gentle, "How could I blame you? You didn't even care about your own life. You did it for so many more people, you did nothing wrong."

"I just can't bear to part with you, I really, really can't bear to part with you..."

As soon as she finished speaking, a tear silently slid down her cheek and landed on Xie Yanli's hand.

Xie Yanli froze, staring at that tear. His chest felt as if it had been ripped open by a dull knife, the pain making it hard to breathe.

In that instant, he really didn't want to leave.

He wanted to stay, to continue protecting her.

But... he can't.

If he stays, what will happen to the 50,000 soldiers trapped on the border?

What will happen to the border defenses of the Great Jin Dynasty, which are on the verge of collapse?

Who will take care of the lives of millions of people?

His brow furrowed, and there was an unspeakable struggle in his eyes.

Suddenly, a cool hand covered his cheek.

Qin Jiu looked up at him and said, "If you think you should go, then go. I'll be waiting for you at home."

Xie Yanli choked up, unable to hold back any longer, and lowered his head to kiss her.

After a long pause, he murmured softly, "Wait for me to come back."

outside the house.

Stars scattered across the corridor, the night air cool and still.

Xie Jue, holding the soft kitten in his arms, squatted on the steps, lost in thought.

With its little head tilted back, it counted the stars with a serious expression.

Xie Jingchun had just finished practicing his sword and came out wiping away sweat when he saw Xie Jue's appearance. He walked over and patted Xie Jue's head, "Why aren't you asleep?"

Xie Jue pouted, "I can't sleep."

"Then let's go, I'll take you to find Second Brother for tea."

Xie Jingchun deftly picked up Xie Jue, and the cat meowed once before lazily lying in Xie Jue's arms.

They entered the inner room one after the other.

Xie Jing was indeed still awake, sitting in the room reviewing his books. He wasn't surprised to see them come in and pushed a cup of hot tea to an empty seat.

The three brothers sat in a row, each with a cup of hot tea.

The cat nestled in Xie Jue's arms, purring softly.

Xie Jue, holding his teacup, asked softly, "What is war? What does it mean?"

Xie Jingchun bit the rim of his teacup and said with a sidelong glance, "It's just a lot of people, killing people with knives."

Xie Jing glanced at him, "Not rigorous."

Xie Jingchun shrugged. "I'm not a teacher."

Xie Jing turned to look at Xie Jue, thought for a moment, and explained in the simplest terms.

"When conflicts arise between countries and they can't communicate properly, they have no choice but to resort to force."

"So, Father's going to get into a fight?"

Xie Jue's eyes widened, and she gripped the cat in her arms tighter. "But Father is such a good person, how could he go and fight?"

Xie Jingchun patted his head. "Dad went to save people, not to fight."

"What if he gets hurt?" Xie Jue's voice softened, her eyes blinking rapidly, her eyes slightly red. "Will he come back?"

Xie Jing was silent for a moment, then put down his teacup, looked at him and said, "Father will definitely come back."

The three of them remained silent for a while, none of them speaking, but they moved even closer together.

The next day, in the Imperial Study.

"Are you really going?" Gao Xian asked, his tone filled with worry.

Xie Yanli stood in the hall, his posture as upright as a pine tree, and slowly replied, "Yes."

Gao Xian did not speak immediately. After a moment of silence, he turned and walked back to the imperial desk, looking at Xie Yanli with a deep gaze.

"It's not that I don't trust you, but you must understand that this battle is not simply about conscripting troops, but about fighting to the death."

"I understand." Xie Yanli said calmly. "I've already made up my mind."

After a moment's hesitation, Gao Xian finally agreed.

There is indeed no one available now.

After a few moments of silence, Xie Yanli cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please grant me a request."

Gao Xian looked up: "Go on."

"Your Majesty, please abide by our previous agreement."

Don't touch Qin Jiuwei.

As soon as they finished speaking, their eyes met.

Gao Xian said in a gentle voice, "I agree."

Even after he finished speaking, Xie Yanli's expression remained unchanged.

Gao Xian looked up at him, his tone softening, "Yanli, you can trust me."

Xie Yanli remained silent for a long time before finally bowing his head and saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Before noon, the Emperor officially issued an edict appointing Xie Yanli as the General Who Conquers the West, in command of the three armies, to rush to the border and lead troops to resist the enemy.

The imperial court was in uproar.

After the initial shock, the court fell silent.

After all, if you really think about it, Xie Yanli is indeed the only suitable person at the moment.

Evening, at the Marquis's residence.

The fireplace inside the house burned softly as night deepened.

Qin Jiuwei sat at the table, carefully folded a thick winter robe, smoothed out the hem, and then picked up a needle and thread to sew the slightly loose sleeves tighter.

Beside her, the maid Xiaohe said softly, "Young Madam, the cotton-padded coats and sable cloaks you had made have all arrived today. Should we put them in as well?"

Qin Jiuwei nodded slightly, "Put them all in. He'll probably be gone for the winter."

She placed the newly sewn, thick, silver-gray robe on top.

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Jiuwei stood up and looked at the packed bags by the table. They were full of winter clothes: thick robes, cloaks, hand warmers, medicine, thick-soled boots...