198: I am not the bed frame, Your Highness is the bed frame!

Chapter 197: This Concubine Is Not the Bed-Armored, Your Highness Is the Bed-Armored! (13)

Li Chang'an thought Pei Nanwei would cry out for help at this moment.

Then, the news of Li Chang'an forcibly taking the future Prince Jing'an’s Consort would spread throughout Qingzhou.

At that time, Wang Linquan’s goal of provoking a conflict between Li Chang'an and Zhao Heng would be achieved.

However, Pei Nanwei showed no intention of calling for help.

“This concubine, Pei Nanwei, offers herself to Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will not disdain me.”

Li Chang'an could feel Pei Nanwei’s rapid heartbeat.

Pei Nanwei whispered, “Please, Your Highness, have pity…”

Hearing Pei Nanwei’s request, as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, Li Chang'an suddenly smiled.

“A Spring and Autumn Bed-Armored, what pity is there to speak of!”

The shy Pei Nanwei in his arms suddenly opened her eyes.

Her beautiful eyes first showed surprise, then were filled with shame, anger, and resentment.

There was no “Bed-Armored” among the Thirteen Armored of Spring and Autumn, but the meaning of “Bed-Armored” was not hard to guess.

The woman’s small fist couldn’t help but pound Li Chang'an’s chest.

“Your Highness, please don’t tease me. This concubine is a virgin!”

“How could I be… a Bed-Armored!”

Li Chang'an said, “If I say you are, then you are.”

Outside the small courtyard where Li Chang'an resided, Wang Linquan paced back and forth anxiously.

The courtyard entrance was already tightly guarded by Brocade-Clad Guards.

It was late at night, and events had already deviated from his plan.

His plan was that shortly after Li Chang'an entered, Pei Nanwei would cry for help.

Then, the matter of Li Chang'an forcing Pei Nanwei to serve him could be blown out of proportion!

Such matters were always like mud sticking to trousers—even if it wasn’t excrement, it would be treated as such.

As long as this matter spread, Prince Jing'an would lose face, and the Crown Prince would be furious.

With Wang Linquan fanning the flames in the dark, Li Chang'an would be in huge trouble!

“Could it be that Li Chang'an used some coercive methods?!”

“Yes, he is highly skilled in martial arts and audacious! It must be so!”

“Li Chang'an, oh Li Chang'an, you are walking into a fire pit. Don’t blame me!”

The sun was high in the sky.

Pei Nanwei, in Li Chang'an’s arms, slowly opened her eyes.

“Your Highness… you should leave Qingzhou as soon as possible. I imagine Zhao Heng wouldn’t dare stop you…”

She had barely spoken two sentences when Li Chang'an interrupted the topic.

“I told you you were a Bed-Armored, and you didn’t believe me.”

“An ordinary woman wouldn’t be able to go again and again on her first night.”

Pei Nanwei’s face was completely flushed. She carefully cut and tidied the plum-blossom bedsheet.

“This concubine willingly served you. Your Highness, please leave quickly.”

Li Chang'an said leisurely, “If this King leaves, what will become of you?”

Pei Nanwei said, “That depends on Prince Jing'an’s mood.”

“If he wants to kill me or imprison me, I will have no complaints.”

Li Chang'an said, “You are this King’s woman now. Let this King handle the rest.”

Pei Nanwei looked at Li Chang'an in surprise, her worry growing heavier.

“Your Highness doesn’t know the full situation. How do you plan to handle it?”

Li Chang'an said, “By remaining unchanged, we respond to all changes.”

The Brocade-Clad Guards were still investigating Wang Linquan and the Western Shu restoration organization.

Now, Li Chang'an had forcibly taken Pei Nanwei.

Wang Linquan had already gone to Xiangfan City to report this matter to Prince Jing'an.

Xiangfan City.

Prince Jing'an’s Residence.

In the main hall, Prince Jing'an solemnly received a string of prayer beads.

The prayer beads were handed over by an exquisite nun wearing a veil and dressed in white.

Her head was shaven, free of the thirty-three thousand strands of worldly Worry hair, and she wore a pure white monastic robe. On her wrist, a white snake acted as a rope, biting onto a white flask.

Her jade feet were bare, yet untouched by a speck of dust.

White clothes, white snake, white flask.

This was none other than the Female Dharma King of Lantuo Mountain, known as the White-Robed Guanyin, the Six-Jewel Dharma King of Esoteric Buddhism's Red Sect.

“Your Highness’s devotion to Buddhism is truly a blessing for the Buddhist faith.”

“These Snow Mountain prayer beads are a gift to you.”

The White-Robed Guanyin’s voice was like heavenly music, utterly calm.

Prince Jing'an put his palms together and said, “Zhao Heng has been reckless for the past two years, leading to karmic retribution.”

“From now on, I will take another wife and Cultivate peacefully at home.”

The White-Robed Guanyin said, “I have come to use the secret techniques of Esoteric Buddhism to liberate the resentful spirits of Xiangfan.”

“It just so happens that I encountered this good Karma from Your Highness, which is truly immeasurable.”

After speaking, the White-Robed Guanyin left the residence with four Disciples.

Just as she reached the main gate, she suddenly heard a mournful cry.

“Your Highness! This commoner deserves to die ten thousand deaths!”

“Your Highness, this commoner has failed your great trust!”

“Miss Pei! Miss Pei has been taken by someone!”

Wang Linquan cried out loudly, entering the residence with the help of the steward.

Wang Linquan knelt on the ground, snot and tears streaming down his face!

Seeing Crown Prince Zhao Xun arrive, Wang Linquan cried even more miserably.

His face was bruised, and his clothes were torn in several places.

Prince Jing'an frowned deeply, “Wang Linquan, how did you end up in such a state?!”

Zhao Xun also asked, “What did you just say! What happened to Miss Pei?!”

Wang Linquan cried out, “Your Highness! Crown Prince! Something terrible has happened!”

“King of Tang Li Chang'an stayed at this commoner’s house last night!”

Wang Linquan’s Tianmu Mountain often hosted dignitaries and had helped Prince Jing'an’s Residence many times.

Therefore, the father and son, Zhao Heng and Zhao Xun, did not mind his hosting Li Chang'an.

“Yesterday, Miss Pei was teaching my daughter the zither at my humble abode.”

“When she was leaving in the evening, she happened to be seen by Li Chang'an!”

“Who would have thought that Li Chang'an would order his personal guards to forcibly abduct Miss Pei!”

“Last night… last night! Li Chang'an forced Miss Pei to serve him!”

“Alas… oh dear…”

Wang Linquan’s lie reached this point, and he angrily pounded the ground with his hand, utterly miserable!

Zhao Heng’s face was ashen, his prayer beads spinning rapidly, as if he was contemplating the underlying calculations.

Zhao Xun retreated several steps, trembling all over, his lips purple with rage!

“Wang Linquan! Doesn’t Li Chang'an know that Miss Pei is about to become Prince Jing'an’s Consort?!”

Hearing this, Wang Linquan immediately pointed to the injuries on his face.

“This commoner told him! I told him and was almost beaten to death!”

“Who would have thought that Li Chang'an wasn’t afraid at all!”

“He even said… even said…”

“He dared to snatch Xu the Butcher’s daughter!”

“The Emperor not only didn’t punish him but even bestowed Xu Xiao’s other daughter upon him!”

“No matter how powerful Prince Jing'an is, can he compare to Northern Liang’s Xu the Butcher?!”

Zhao Xun directly drew the long saber from his waist and roared furiously.

“How outrageous!”

“Li Chang'an is indeed as arrogant as the rumors say!”

“Father, your son requests permission to lead troops to eliminate him!”

Zhao Heng was furious!

Li Chang'an was openly slapping his face!

However, years of power struggles had cultivated in him a habit of forbearance.

His mind raced, beginning to ponder Li Chang'an’s motive.

Was all this instigated by the Li Yang Dynasty… Was it another Qingcheng Mountain drama, where the loser of a conflict between two princes would have his fief reduced?

No, this King is surnamed Zhao!

But this King almost got the throne back then, and has always been an eyesore to my second brother.

The smarter one is, the more prone one is to overthinking.

Zhao Heng was somewhat displeased with Zhao Xun’s impetuousness.

“Does your father have a marriage contract or betrothal gifts with Miss Pei?”

“If two princes send troops over a lovers’ quarrel, wouldn’t that just give the Li Yang Dynasty an excuse to reduce our fiefs?”

Zhao Xun was burning with rage, fire seemingly spewing from his eyes!

That was his beloved Pei Nanwei!

His goddess, whom he hadn’t even touched in over two years!

Zhao Heng coldly said, “The Qingzhou Navy is on standby in Spring God Lake, keeping an eye on Li Chang'an’s movements.”

“Also, mobilize troops to block Li Chang'an’s path and set up ambushes in the mountains.”

“All actions must be carried out at night, and under no circumstances should there be a large-scale mobilization!”

Zhao Xun immediately replied, “Yes, Father!”

“This time, Li Chang'an must not leave Qingzhou alive!”

Longxiang Chess Club.

A few idle spectators were chattering amongst themselves.

“Did you see the White-Robed Guanyin? She’s unbelievably beautiful! Even the wind smells fragrant when she walks by!”

“If she weren’t a monastic of Esoteric Buddhism, she would definitely be on the Rouge List!”

“I heard she’s only one step away from becoming a Vajra of Buddhism!”

Speaking of Vajra of Buddhism, someone eager to talk immediately chimed in.

“The White-Robed Guanyin, Dual Cultivation to achieve Dao!”

“I heard the White-Robed Guanyin has been looking for someone suitable for Dual Cultivation!”

Upon hearing Esoteric Buddhism’s Dual Cultivation, someone immediately scoffed.

“Lantuo Temple’s Esoteric Buddhism Dual Cultivation means they’ll take you in, and you’ll never get out in this lifetime!”

“To Dual Cultivate with the White-Robed Guanyin, I’d be willing to be confined for life!”

“Pah! With your physique, you’d probably be useless after two times! Confined for life, dream on!”

A blind young man reluctantly spoke, ending the topic.

“The White-Robed Guanyin is a Buddhist Great Grandmaster, here to liberate resentful spirits.”

“The old monk from Fahua Temple said that only by Cultivating Buddhist Cultivation Techniques to the Great Vajra stage is it possible to succeed.”

“This White-Robed Guanyin is the most hopeful candidate for successful liberation in recent years.”

Several idlers said, “Mr. Lu is indeed knowledgeable!”

This blind chess player was none other than Lu Xu, the future Great Strategist.

Just then, a scholar rushed in.

“Mr. Lu! Something huge has happened!”

“King of Tang Li Chang'an, passing through Qingzhou yesterday, actually forced Miss Pei to serve him!”

Someone disbelieved, “How is that possible! Does Li Chang'an have the guts for that?”

“In Qingzhou territory, snatching someone Prince Jing'an fancies, that’s too outrageous!”

“I think this Li Chang'an won’t leave Qingzhou alive!”

Someone retorted, “Why isn’t it possible? Li Chang'an even snatched Xu Xiao’s daughter!”

Lu Xu muttered to himself, “King of Tang Li Chang'an, what exactly does he want to do…”

Three days later.

Tianmu Mountain, Wang Residence.

Li Chang'an had already taken over as host, spending his nights in revelry at the Wang family’s home.

But the situation outside was promptly relayed to Li Chang'an by Qingniao.

The alluring and tender Pei Nanwei clung to Li Chang'an like a water snake.

“Your Highness, with these three days, this concubine would not regret dying.”

Pei Nanwei truly lived up to her reputation as a Bed-Armored, repeatedly defeated, yet repeatedly fighting on.

Li Chang'an said, “Wei’er, why are you so willing to serve this King?”

Pei Nanwei smiled charmingly and said, “Your Highness is a young hero, elegant and charming. This concubine has gained a great advantage.”

Li Chang'an, however, said, “No, that’s not the whole reason.”

Pei Nanwei’s smile faded, and a look of worry appeared on her face.

In these three days, Pei Nanwei’s emotional value had already reached its maximum.

“Your Highness, this concubine is willing to die for Your Highness.”

Li Chang'an said, “You serve so diligently because this King executed Chu Lushan.”

“Back then, Chu Lushan’s thousand cavalry opening of Shu was hailed as a great feat by the Li Yang Dynasty!”

“For many years, Shangyin Academy has always regarded this battle as a classic!”

“However, his actions in Shu were utterly inhumane.”

Hearing Chu Lushan’s name, the smile on Pei Nanwei’s beautiful face instantly vanished.

“Your Highness, so you knew all along.”

Li Chang'an said, “I didn’t know everything originally, but I’ve gradually clarified some things over the past two days.”

Pei Nanwei’s voice became low and sorrowful.

“Western Shu was a tiny nation, with no more than sixty thousand soldiers in the entire country.”

“However, when Western Shu fell, over three thousand officials died for the country!”

“My Pei family has received national grace for generations, and my late father, the great scholar Pei Kai, also died for the country with the late Emperor.”

Li Chang'an sighed, “There were no righteous wars in the Spring and Autumn period.”

“Chu Lushan and his subordinates harmed hundreds of Western Shu empresses, concubines, and female relatives of officials.”

“Six unmarried Western Shu princesses were tortured to death by that Chu Lushan in a single night!”

Speaking of these tragic past events, Pei Nanwei instantly burst into tears.

“How did a beast with his hands full of the blood of Western Shu women become a romantic and famous general recorded in history?!”

“To the people of the world, the thousand cavalry opening of Shu was a Spring and Autumn national war that didn’t concern them!”

“But to me, Pei Nanwei, it is an unforgettable national hatred and family vendetta!”

Among the harmed women of Western Shu back then, many were Pei Nanwei’s relatives.

The youngest princess was also Pei Nanwei’s childhood friend.

Therefore, Pei Nanwei was truly grateful to Li Chang'an for executing Chu Lushan.

Over these three days, the Brocade-Clad Guards had already uncovered many things.

The organization Pei Nanwei belonged to was called the Green Shirt Alliance.

This was because the leader of the organization was Cao Changqing, who habitually wore green clothes.

The main members of the Green Shirt Alliance were displaced people from the fallen states of Western Shu and Western Chu.

These people from the Green Shirt Alliance in Qingzhou aimed to gain control of the Qingzhou army.

Many members of the Green Shirt Alliance were in the Qingzhou garrison and the Qingzhou Navy.

Pei Nanwei’s entanglement with Zhao Xun was to better control him.

However, this action was detected by Prince Jing'an, which led to Prince Jing'an forcibly marrying Pei Nanwei.

The richest man, Wang Linquan, with his immense wealth, infiltrated this organization disguised as a Shu person.

No organization would refuse the active participation of a wealthy person.

Wang Linquan, of course, would not genuinely help Western Shu or Western Chu restore their nations; he did all this for Northern Liang.

He was Northern Liang’s secret agent to restrain Prince Jing'an, and the Green Shirt Alliance was Prince Jing'an’s enemy.

Funding Prince Jing'an’s enemies could bring considerable trouble to Prince Jing'an.

Li Chang'an speculated that Wang Linquan wanted to use Pei Nanwei to provoke a war between Li Chang'an and Zhao Heng.

Doing so could weaken Zhao Heng, so the Green Shirt Alliance also agreed.

Therefore, Pei Nanwei actively participated in this plan.

In fact, this plan didn’t require Pei Nanwei to truly offer herself to Li Chang'an.

However, Pei Nanwei truly offering herself would not affect the overall plan either.

Marrying Prince Jing'an was something Pei Nanwei was unwilling to do, but also helpless to avoid.

Coupled with the idea of repaying kindness, Pei Nanwei simply turned the fake into reality, giving herself to him.

After a long while, Pei Nanwei’s emotions finally calmed down.

“This concubine, on behalf of the tragically deceased women of Western Shu, thanks Your Highness for your great kindness.”

“Your Highness should leave now, and this concubine must also take her leave.”

Pei Nanwei, her robes half-undone, intended to dress and depart.

At this moment, Li Chang'an reached out and stroked Pei Nanwei’s pretty face.

Pei Nanwei smiled sadly, looking even more delicate and charming.

“This concubine thanks Your Highness for your affection…”

But Li Chang'an’s next words made Pei Nanwei’s smile freeze.

“This King didn’t tell you to leave, so how can you leave?”

Seeing the burning gaze in Li Chang'an’s eyes, Pei Nanwei panicked, her eyebrows tightly furrowed!

She grabbed Li Chang'an’s hand and shook it continuously, beginning to plead.

“Good Your Highness… please spare this concubine…”

“This concubine gives up, this concubine is not the Bed-Armored at all, Your Highness is the Bed-Armored!”

“Please, Your Highness!”

Li Chang'an was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

He didn’t know why, but the more Pei Nanwei pleaded, the more excited he became.

“Hiss… This King cannot bear the ill reputation of being the Bed-Armored for nothing!”