NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Mia
"We can't go back to the capital, Your Majesty!"
Fan Qingyue's face went pale with panic as she dropped to her knees before Ronald, pleading with him. "The capital is heavily guarded. If you return now, you'll be walking into a trap. Please, Your Majesty, think this through!"
Ronald, however, remained unmoved. Just as he was about to mount his horse, Fan Qingyue, frantic with urgency, threw herself at his legs, gripping them tightly.
"Your Majesty, we can't afford to throw away our lives now! We can rebuild, but we need to live first!" she cried, her voice shaking.
The surrounding guards immediately dropped to their knees, shouting in unison, "Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!"
The roar of their pleas struck Ronald like a thunderclap, momentarily pulling him from the fiery rage that consumed him. He stood there, staring down at the loyal soldiers, then looked to the determined Fan Qingyue holding his legs. His fury was absolute.
"Li Haotian, Mia, and that old fool Wang Fuchen… mark my words—someday, I'll personally bring you to your knees!" he spat, his voice cold and filled with hatred.
Turning on his heel, he shouted, "We march west!"
With that, he mounted his horse and, followed by his devoted guards, they rode off in a storm of dust, heading toward the western frontier.
Five Days Later – Sun Moon City
In the quiet morning light, inside the royal palace's garden, a serene scene unfolded by a calm lake. A young woman in an elaborate gown sipped her tea gracefully from a porcelain cup. She was Mia, Ronald's new queen.
"Ah, my beloved! Every moment without you feels like an eternity," a deep voice spoke with affection.
A tall young man in royal attire, Li Haotian, the newly crowned emperor, sat down across from her, his eyes filled with desire.
Mia, unfazed, gave a small smile, then casually shifted the conversation. "A few days ago, I heard that Ronald and his band of rebels appeared near Canaan Pass. How did the situation unfold, Your Majesty?"
Li Haotian shook his head, a frown crossing his face. "The Prime Minister was certain that they'd try to flee through Canaan Pass to seek refuge with the Empire. We had set up a trap, but for some reason, that brat managed to escape. Now the reports say they're headed west."
"West?" Mia raised an eyebrow, a look of intrigue flashing across her face. "That's the direction of Xihe Kingdom. Although we are both part of the Empire, the relationship has always been tense. Could it be that the rebels plan to seek refuge with Bai Zhaoju?"
"There's a chance," Li Haotian agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "Bai Zhaoju has always been ambitious, wanting to expand his territory. The Empire tends to turn a blind eye to issues between its vassal states. If they do seek his aid, it'll certainly complicate things."
"I've already sent word to the governor of Pingxi Pass, and another 10,000 troops have been dispatched. If the rebels try to move along that route, we'll surround them and take them down," he continued confidently.
Mia remained silent, her gaze fixed on the calm waters of the lake, her mind clearly elsewhere.
After a long pause, she sighed lightly. "Your strategy is indeed thorough, but there's something you haven't considered. The late king and Bai Zhaoju had a deep-seated enmity. Ronald would be fully aware of this. How could he possibly seek refuge with the Xihe Kingdom?"
Li Haotian's brow furrowed. "Oh? I didn't know that. If they're not heading west, where do you think they're going?"
Mia's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I've heard rumors of a place called Wanghai Tower in Dongshan City. From there, you can see the majestic sight of the Yun Cang River, where it rushes through the narrow gorge. It's an unforgettable view. Perhaps, Your Majesty, you might like to accompany me on a little tour?"
Li Haotian paused, caught off guard for a moment, before a smile spread across his face. "When my royal sister invites me, how could I possibly refuse? Very well, let's prepare and head to Dongshan City tomorrow."