Ling Xi, as always, refused. The wind and rain grew heavier, and Yu Li pleaded desperately, "Ling Xi, I'm going crazy being cooped up here! Besides, the King isn't around. Just let me out for a bit,..."Where is the Empress's position"

Feng Ling-xi feigned ignorance, "Your Majesty's words are unclear. What do you mean"

Du Gu Yan approached, Feng Ling Xi hurriedly retreated, looking at Du Gu Yan's sharp eyes, as if wanting to see through her thoughts, which made Feng Ling Xi feel a little flustered. Seeing this, Du Gu Yan pressed her against the table, Feng Ling Xi softened and slipped out from the gap beside him.

"If Your Majesty has nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Regardless of whether he agreed or not, Feng Lingxi turned and left. Du Guyan shouted angrily, "Who allowed you to leave!"

Wind Ling turned around, looking at Dugu Yan's imposing aura. Thinking that since he wouldn't be happy if she didn't appease him, she spoke, "Earlier, Zhang Gonggong told me that the Emperor sent the Fourth Princess to quell bandits in Ye Zhu Village. A few days ago, the Emperor was injured, and I thought about going to help."

"He can still fight bandits even with an injury. As for you, I ask, are you willing to be my empress"

Feng Lingxi glared back at his icy gaze, rolling her eyes and replying in a frigid tone, "If I wanted to be empress, I would have been already. Besides, Your Majesty wants me to be your empress You should speak with the Empress Dowager first and get her approval before you even mention it."

“Did your mother agree to it”

獨孤雁's eyes lit up, but she saw Feng Linglong standing at the door, just in time to hear their conversation. Feng Linglong's face was very ugly.

"Your Majesty, this servant is here…"

"Get out!"

Du Gu Yan roared, frightening Feng Linglong's eyes to redden. Feng Lingxi rushed to Feng Linglong's side with a whoosh of wind, "He told me to leave, Noble Consort Long. Please go in and comfort the Emperor." Feng Lingxi patted Feng Linglong's shoulder and ignored Du Gu Yan's shouts from behind. She hurried away.

Just as Dugu Yan took two steps, he suddenly felt dizzy. He shook his head, and Feng Linglong rushed forward to support him, "Your Majesty, are you alright"

Dugu Yan looked at Feng Linglong, her eyes flickered, and what she saw was Feng Lingxi's peerless face. She reached out with joy and hugged her in her arms, "Xi'er, is it you Your Majesty knew that you liked him."

"Your Majesty, I am not Feng Ling Xi, I am..."

Before she could finish her words, Feng Linglong was swept into Du Gu Yan's arms and carried directly towards the inner palace.

Feng Lingxi exited the palace and saw Xiao Li waiting outside. She mounted her horse and rode away.

"Your Highness, the servant has inquired. This Pig Village is located at Chenjiazhuang, a hundred miles outside this city. It isn't too far."

Feng Lingxi responded in a voice as clear as the wind, a hundred miles away was enough for half a day's journey.

By the time they reached Chenjia Village, it was already dusk. Feng Lingxi and Xiao Li found a place to stay near the village and feasted on some wild game in a dilapidated temple for the night.

"Dugu City definitely got to Yezhu Village. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to Yezhu Village."

Xiao Li handed the roasted pheasant to her. Feng Ling Xi took it and ate it, then looked at the bag on Xiao Li's body. Seeing her take out a crossbow, she quickly put it away. After eating, she fell asleep in the ruined temple.

The two took turns keeping watch. Feng Lingxi guarded the latter half of the night, while Xiao Li guarded the former. As dawn broke, the two set off on their journey towards Ye Zhu Village. Seeing that every household had its doors tightly shut, Feng Lingxi instructed Xiao Li to knock on a few doors to inquire, while she herself observed the surroundings.

Xiao Li knocked on the door, but no one answered. Feng Lingxi and Xiao Li pushed open the door to find that the house was empty. The villagers of this wild boar village were nowhere to be found.

"Your Majesty, there's no one in this Pig Village. Perhaps we should go to Chenjia Village and ask around"

"Go to town, you'll hear more news there."

Yesterday night, no trace of bandits was found near Chenjia Village. They might have moved to a different location.

Feng Lingxi brought Xiao Li to the town near Chenjia Village. It was market day, bustling with people coming and going. Feng Lingxi asked several people and finally learned the exact location of Ye Zhuang (Wild Boar Village). It was about ten miles from their previous direction, but the area had become a stronghold for bandits. The local villagers dared not approach that area. Merchant caravans passing by Ye Zhuang were also frequently attacked by bandits, with almost none escaping unscathed.

The bandits' rampage has spread throughout the vicinity. Every constable sent by the county government vanished without a trace, and over time, this led to the bandits becoming increasingly arrogant and bold.

Feng Lingxi also heard that yesterday, some villagers saw an army go to Yezhu Village. According to their description, Feng Lingxi was sure it was Dugu City.

Feng Lingxi didn't dare to delay. She bought dry food and water with Xiaoli, changed into men's clothing, and hurried towards Ye Zhu Village, hoping to find Du Gucheng and meet up with him.

"Your Highness, we are only two of us. It's likely that bandits will target us. We should be more careful."

Xiaoli reminded them, these bandits were described as so ferocious, they must not be kind. Although they had martial arts skills, they were still just two women. To go there would be quite dangerous.

"I understand what you're saying, but this time I'm not here to suppress bandits. I want to recruit them all for my own use."

Feng Ling Xi's words surprised Xiao Li, "Your Highness, do you think bandits can reform and turn over a new leaf"

"Bandits aren't born villains. If there wasn't a reason, who would willingly become a king of thieves and take to banditry"

Since ancient times, bandits have taken to the mountains out of desperation. If we could persuade them to surrender, they could become a formidable asset to Duke Du's forces. Perhaps we could even gain talented generals from their ranks.

Xiaoli looked at the queen's determined gaze and shook her head. Things were not as simple as the queen thought.

Two people rode their horses towards the direction of Wild Boar Village. There was no one on the mountain path nearby. After passing through the mountain path, Feng Lingxi saw a village in the distance and stopped.

"Isn't that Pig Village over there"

Xiao Li looked at the figure in the distance, "Your Highness, shall we go and ask"

"Be careful."

Xiao Li responded and rode her horse forward, while Feng Ling Xi slowly followed behind, observing the surrounding terrain. The rice fields nearby had already been harvested, leaving a somewhat desolate scene.

"Your Highness."

Xiao Li came back, a smile on her face, "This is Pig Village, just not sure where the King is."

Feng Lingxi frowned, feeling something was amiss. Suddenly, a large group of bandits emerged from the darkness, surrounding them completely.

Xiao Li's smile froze, and she hurriedly shielded Feng Ling Xi.

"What are you doing"

"The whole boar village came, two pretty boys. Don't you know who owns this place"

Feng Lingxi looked at the man speaking, who had a scar across his face and appeared to be in his twenties or thirties. His eyes were fierce, and the men behind him each carried a large sword. They stared at them with greedy eyes; they weren't mountain bandits, then what else could they be

"Sir, we apologize for the intrusion and offer our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused."

"Who are you, and what brings you here" To even ask if this is Pig Village! You're not here for us, are you Did you come here to visit relatives

Feng Lingxi looked at those bandits, her eyes showing no fear whatsoever.

"Could I meet your older brother I have something to tell him." walked towards her, reaching out to hug her shoulder. Feeling the snow on Dugu Cheng's body, Feng Ling Xi turned to look at him, looking at the snowflakes on his shoulders, and stood up."With such he...