Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1098 - 1097 Heading to the Northern Desert

The ruler’s face was exceptionally dark as he stared at Liu Sisi slowly approaching from outside the hall.

Liu Sisi’s gaze was also exceptionally determined.

Each step seemed as though she was treading on the opponent’s heart, slowly striding until she was about ten steps away from him before halting and performing a fist greeting towards the ruler seated in the superior position.

"Princess Ruyu of the Great Zhao greets the ruler of the Great Xia."

The ruler’s face was as gloomy as water.

The Great Zhao and the Great Xia had maintained friendly relations for more than just a day or two, and the ruler was naturally very familiar with the Zhao’s etiquette. Yet here was Princess Ruyu, adopting a man’s gesture to greet him with a fist, nearly making him spurt out a mouthful of blood in anger!

"Doesn’t Princess Ruyu always claim that Zhao Country is a land of etiquette? Is this the manner of respect you show? Hmph!"

Liu Sisi’s lips parted slightly, the corners of her mouth curling into a mocking smile.

"My vast Great Zhao Country is naturally a land of etiquette. However, precisely because we are a land of etiquette, our actions must follow the principles of conduct and behaviour. To those who sincerely treat my Great Zhao Country as a friend, we naturally extend our wholehearted hospitality; as for those who pay lip service while secretly stabbing us in the back with a cold knife, it is only fitting to treat them with their own medicine."

The ruler’s face grew even darker.

"Princess Ruyu indeed has a sharp tongue! Hmph!"

He swept up his robes and sat down on the dragon chair, scrutinizing Liu Sisi carefully.

Liu Sisi’s figure was slender and delicate like a willow branch, her frailty such that it appeared she needed support to walk, herhair styled in a cloud bun, and she was draped in court dress, with only her large, expressive eyes showing strength.

At the moment, his intense scrutiny seemed to disturb her, causing Liu Sisi’s eyebrows to draw together ever so slightly, before she responded.

"A sharp tongue is naturally for dealing with those who are unreasonable!"

Especially someone like you!

The ruler was yet again left speechless, snorting coldly before sitting down: "Speak! What urgent matter brings you to see this ruler?"

"Nothing else but to request your consent for this Empress to go north of the Mo River!"

This was, of course, her purpose.

The ruler’s expression suddenly became cautious: "You wish to search for Marquis Yongping?"

"The ruler truly understands Ruyu’s thoughts. I hope you will grant this favor," Liu Sisi quickly stated her purpose.

"To go north of the Mo River? Just you?"

The ruler’s voice was filled with surprise!

He turned his head to glance at the few people nearby, almost thinking he had hallucinated!

"North of the Mo River is a land of harsh cold; a vast, endless desert where even water sources are hard to come by. The river is the only lifeline for countless people of the Great Xia amidst the desert. You, a lone woman, wish to go north of the Mo River. Should any misfortune befall you, that would be..."

"I am well aware of the situation near the Mo River. I must make a trip there; that is the main reason I have come to the Great Xia. I hope the ruler will acquiesce!"

How could this request be granted!

Although the ruler harbored thoughts of getting rid of Liu Sisi, confronted with this face very much resembling that of the late Emperor, he sighed and remained silent.

"It’s not a matter of whether I can grant this or not. At present, the Great Xia is focusing on striking a blow against the ethnic groups, and almost all of our deployable troops are concentrated along the borders. If Princess Ruyu insists on leaving to search for Marquis Yongping, I’m afraid my Great Xia has no suitable candidates to escort the Princess to the Mo River."

"That won’t be a problem. Ruyu respectfully requests a visa from the ruler, granting me the freedom to travel through the lands north of the Mo River."

Once she leaves this place, she can let loose the reins and gallop away.

Even if it ends in death, she must find Ye Lei’s remains!

"That won’t be difficult..."

The ruler waved his hand, "It’s impossible to come and go freely, however, I can ensure that if any matters within my power can be resolved, I the Empress will definitely see to it that everything is properly taken care of for everyone."

"Then we are greatly indebted to the ruler!"

The ruler’s feelings for Liu Sisi were indeed complex.

On one hand, he was looking forward to disposing of her sooner, thereby ending Lin Xiner’s foolish hopes. On the other hand, he was hoping she could breakthrough to reach Marquis Yongping north of Mo River, and by doing so, he would no longer have to deal with the people from Zhao Country.

Liu Sisi was already waiting at the city gates before the break of dawn the next day. When the city gates opened in the morning light, her carriage sped out of the imperial court, heading straight for Mo River.

By the time Lin Xiner received the news, Liu Sisi and her group had long vanished without a trace.

She looked toward the rising sun and sighed in admiration, ultimately saying nothing and closing her eyes.

Let it be, so be it.

A grown girl can’t be kept at home!

The more you try to hold on, the more you brew enmity!

If only her journey is successful, and she finds Marquis Yongping for a family reunion.

Chou Chou also closely followed by Liu Sisi’s carriage, guarding her every step of the way without leaving her side.

His face was covered in frost, and he gripped the big blade in his hand extra tight. Only when the imperial court was far behind, gradually becoming a small black dot on the horizon, and everything remained peaceful, did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"It seems we were too worried." Some unfounded fears!

But Liu Sisi’s eyebrows remained furrowed, as she was not so optimistic, "Don’t let your guard down, everyone. Stay alert and prioritize your own safety the moment anything unusual happens."

No sooner had her words fallen than there was a sudden disturbance beneath the smooth dunes ahead!

Entire sections of the dunes began to shift, creating chaos all around.

"Enemy attack! Quick, protect the Princess! Hurry, everyone, quick!"

Marquis Yongwu shouted loudly!

They quickly formed a defensive circle, with the carriage securely in the center.

The dunes moved swiftly, and figures emerged one by one from the sand—it was the sand bandits!

These sand bandits had been encountered by Liu Sisi and others twice on their journey into Great Xia, but the scale and number of those two times were nothing compared to the quantity of sand bandits this time.

Each sand bandit was incredibly formidable, with organized attacks and retreats, their force aimed directly at the carriage, quickly engaging in combat with Liu Sisi and her group.

Liu Sisi sat upright in the carriage, without a hint of panic!

Her cold eyes watched these so-called sand bandits.

The bandits, all with their heads wrapped in scarves, moved in a manner that greatly differed from the usual sand bandits.

A mocking smile formed on her lips!

These must be people sent by the ruler, right?

Just wondering what expression the ruler will have when he finds out that this entire force has been annihilated.

Pity I won’t be able to see it for myself!

And Liu Sisi’s conjecture was incredibly accurate! freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

When the ruler did not receive any response and sent people to search for the force, they found many carcasses, already mangled and gnawed incomplete by starving wolves amidst the sandstorm.

Upon hearing the news, he stood stupefied in place for a long time before he finally sighed deeply and collapsed dejectedly onto his chair.