She Rebuilt Her Fallen Country With Storage Space

Xiang Ying twisted her head to look at the Chief Palace Maid, who immediately took a step back, her heart fraught with guilt.

"I've yet to inform the Commandery Princess of this joyous news."

"Joyous news? Would you even want it if it was given to you?" said Xiang Ying. The Chief Palace Maid hurriedly waved her hands, insisting she wouldn't dare.

She then turned her gaze toward Lu Feiyi: "Are you going to tell the Empress, or should I go to her myself? If she doesn't abandon this idea, one of us will die—either her or you."

Xiang Ying's frame was slender but far from weak. She stood clear and bright against the cold wind, her cheeks blushed pink from the chill, yet her expression was all defiance with not a hint of retreat.

Such bold words were something only she would dare to utter within the entire palace.

Lu Feiyi descended the steps: "Xiang Ying, don't be hasty. There are some things I need to discuss with you alone."

Xiang Ying's gaze hardened on him: "I don't want to hear all that nonsense. Marriage is out of the question; you're not worthy of me."

His last statement made Lu Feiyi pause for a moment, a touch of helplessness flashing through his deep eyes.

"Then, at least hear me out. If you find my words unjust, you may leave right away. Does that sound fair?"

Xiang Ying looked him up and down, then nodded her head, conceding.

She turned and followed Lu Feiyi into the palace. The gates closed behind them, and Lu Feiyi took a seat on a low couch by the window of his own accord.

Xiang Ying glanced at him sideways: "Speak, then. I'm in no mood to sit down and have a pleasant chat with you."

Lu Feiyi gave a slight smile.

"Fine, if you don't mind standing, then stand and listen."

Lu Feiyi's voice softened a notch: "Xiang Ying, since you refuse to submit to Nanyue, how about joining forces with me?"

Xiang Ying raised an eyebrow: "Join forces? How so?"

Lu Feiyi propped his head with one hand, his gaze warm but his tone decisive and sharp.

"I'll not conceal from you that Nanyue has just ended a great war with Xizhou and is currently at its most weakened state, with the treasury theft causing chaos throughout the court and government."

"I have decided to strike while the enemy is sick and go for the kill. Beiqi's mightiest forces have already mobilized and will soon be at the gates."

"Feign a marriage with me, buy time for Xizhou's advancing army, and once Beiqi's Fierce Army arrives, Nanyue would instantly be at our mercy."

Xiang Ying watched him, arms folded, leaning against a column in the hall, and suddenly laughed.

Lu Feiyi watched her calmly: "You disagree with my plan?"

"I find you laughable. Do you think I'm an idiot? Delay Xizhou's army, all to wait for your Beiqi men to come and net us all in one go?"

Lu Feiyi replied indifferently: "With me here, I won't let Beiqi harm you. All the guarantees I've made to you now, I will fulfill. Your only option is to trust me."

Xiang Ying chuckled coldly under her breath.

Suddenly, she pulled a long sword from her sleeve, pressing it to Lu Feiyi's neck.

Lu Feiyi didn't evade; he saw the piercing intent to kill in Xiang Ying's phoenix eyes.

"First of all, I trust no promises. Words are too easily spoken and utterly useless;"

"Secondly, I certainly do have other choices. I could kill everyone here and then leave."

Lu Feiyi was aware of her capabilities.

He laughed helplessly: "I know you could. At that banquet, you injured the Emperor and killed four senior officials on the spot. I'm aware that you're capable of anything."

"But Xiang Ying, the world is not as simple as you think. You may care little for the lives of others, but surely you care about those three children who follow you?"

Xiang Ying was taken aback, frowning: "What do you mean? Are you threatening me with the children?"

Lu Feiyi shook his head and took a box from a nearby shelf.

"See for yourself."

Xiang Ying, upon opening the box, was astonished to see two bamboo tubes inside.

She recognized these items; during her exile, she had carved bamboo tubes into water cups, which she hung around her children's necks.

But at this moment, these bamboo tubes bore dark red stains of blood.

Xiang Ying's breath faltered, "What exactly are you trying to say!"

Lu Feiyi looked at her, "I'm saying that you have no choice but to trust me. I know you have a close relationship with Jie Chen, but are you aware? The moment your three children left the Imperial Palace, they were captured by his people."

"Jie Chen must have told you that he's escorting the children away, right? In fact, the Emperor of Nanyue ordered him to kill your three children."

"Because Xizhou cannot leave any surviving heirs, such a young lineage needs to be eradicated. If you don't believe me, I can take you out of the palace tonight, to see where Jie Chen is hiding your three children."

"As for your brother… his whereabouts are unknown. Xiang Ying, at this point, do you still think you have a way out? These people are all acting for their own interests. Only I, seeking neither the Jade Seal nor any reward from you, only want you to follow me."

He had unknowingly moved closer to Xiang Ying.

In her phoenix eyes flickered a look of incredulousness, as if she was internally defending Jie Chen repeatedly.

Lu Feiyi raised his hand, gently grasping hers, attempting to take the sword from her.

"Xiang Ying, trust me. After we have annexed Nanyue, the whole world will be ours."

Whoosh—!

A slicing sound echoed as the sword in Xiang Ying's hand swiftly cut through his hairpiece.

Lu Feiyi's long hair fell down, his slightly turned profile carried a deep coldness in his eyes.

Xiang Ying had swung her sword directly at him. Had he not reacted quickly, that sword would have taken his head off by now!

Xiang Ying pointed her sword directly at him, her eyes brimming with pitch-black coldness.

"I don't want to hear only your side of the story. Take me to see the three children tonight; we'll talk about the rest later."

Lu Feiyi watched as she sheathed her sword, remaining silent for a moment.

He asked, "Do you still want to return to stay in your cell right now?"

Xiang Ying concealed her sword back within her sleeve, glaring coldly at him, "I will stay here, but you move out."

Lu Feiyi paused, then chuckled, "Okay."

He then headed to the doorway, indeed planning to leave the entire palace residence for Xiang Ying to live in.

"Wait," Xiang Ying suddenly called out to him.

Lu Feiyi turned around, just to hear Xiang Ying ask, "You just said you ask for nothing from me, so why do you insist on marrying me? Out of all the prisoners in Xizhou, why did you particularly choose me?"

No lights were lit in the palace, and the light faintly slanted, leaving Lu Feiyi standing with his back to it, his eyes indiscernible.

But Xiang Ying still saw the smile at the corner of his lips.

"Perhaps it's fate."

"I don't believe it."

Lu Feiyi gazed steadily at her, "Don't disbelieve it. Who knows, maybe we have known each other for a very long time. In such a chaotic world, I am willing to protect you as if you were myself."

After saying this, he told Xiang Ying to rest well and turned to leave.

Originally filled with suspicion, Xiang Ying saw that Lu Feiyi seemed serious.

He did not post anyone to guard her, and if she disliked being served by palace maids, then not a single Palace Attendant could be seen throughout the entire palace.

Xiang Ying was perplexed, wondering what he was after.

Lu Feiyi tidied up briefly and moved to the side hall to live.

Soon the night arrived, and as promised, he came to escort Xiang Ying out of the palace.