She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 198: Prayer Festival Market, Drink Less Alcohol

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Prayer Festival Market, Drink Less Alcohol

"I cannot," Yan Wanqing replied lazily. "Although it is highly disrespectful, at this moment, I become extremely furious upon seeing Prince. Your Highness had better control your fiancée, Princess Yaochi, and ensure she doesn’t confront me, or I will definitely—"

Her long sword suddenly slipped from its scabbard. By the time it was back in its sheath, the table in the hall had been neatly cut in half and crashed to the floor.

Yan Wanqing sneered, "I can’t help but want to cut her head off as neatly as this table."

This was undoubtedly a threat.

Xiao Hongshen frowned, slamming his hand on the table as he stood up, "Yan Wanqing, do you realize what you are saying? Have you gone mad since leaving the Capital City?"

"Mad?" Yan Wanqing squinted her eyes. She stepped towards Xiao Hongshen. Although she was not as tall as him, she was not outdone in terms of aura.

"Is it I who is mad, or might there be someone else? With your illustrious wisdom and martial prowess, Prince, you should investigate more. Otherwise, do not bark here like a dog."

"Yan Wanqing, you are too arrogant! Do you really think I am afraid of you?" Xiao Hongshen’s hands began to gather Inner Strength.

Yan Wanqing saw it and smirked sarcastically as if to say, bring it on.

The battle was imminent.

The City Lord, who had been shrinking back like a turtle, suddenly wheeled his wheelchair between the two, "Could you two please listen to me for a moment?"

"Get lost!"

"Get lost!"

Yan Wanqing and Xiao Hongshen shouted at the City Lord simultaneously.

Bearing what he should not have had to endure, the City Lord swallowed hard and mustered his courage to speak again, "Xiliang City is remotely located, and many things here are irreplaceable. If you two wish to fight, could you please take it outside?"

Yan Wanqing’s gaze fell on the City Lord.

Xiao Hongshen could hardly believe these were the words of a City Lord.

The City Lord coughed dryly, "These are my heartfelt words, I hope you would cherish them."

Yan Wanqing rolled her eyes, grabbed her sword, and stormed out.

Xiao Hongshen stood still, looking down at the City Lord. After a while, he finally managed to squeeze out, "...I think I know why you are in that wheelchair."

City Lord: "...Would your Highness care to listen to my story?"

Xiao Hongshen’s mouth twitched, and he walked towards the door.

"Understood, my lord is not interested," the City Lord touched his nose, now alone in the vast hall.

He wheeled himself to the table split in two, hesitantly reaching out to touch the smooth surface.

"Chuihua, I never expected you to leave me in such a manner. I thought you would stand by me much longer..."

...

Yan Wanqing was not idle for a moment and went to check with General Chang how many troops remained.

"Xiliang City is the last line of defense, and we must not lose it," Yan Wanqing said, looking at the city defense map, "Currently, our numbers are insufficient; we can only defend aggressively and wait for the main forces to arrive so we can take the offensive."

However, she always liked to strike unexpectedly and catch her opponents off guard.

Taking advantage of the upcoming time, she needed to personally scout the surrounding terrain.

General Chang, seeing Yan Wanqing’s serious demeanor, felt much more reassured.

"The Japanese Pirates are few, but they excel at using the terrain. Most of them are cavalry; they come and go quickly, and their movements are elusive. They usually raid a village and quickly disappear, never staying overnight, which is why the City Lord has yet to capture them," he analyzed.

Listening to General Chang’s analysis, Yan Wanqing nodded, "That makes sense. The fact that Xiliang City has managed to hold the line so far shows that the City Lord does have some capabilities."

After that scene, Yan Wanqing did not dare to underestimate this limping city lord at all.

Such a person was truly adept at concealing his abilities.

"So, what does Commander Yan plan to do next?" asked Captain Chang.

Yan Wanqing, propping her chin, looked at the terrain map. "What place is this?"

"It’s a canyon," Captain Chang replied.

"I feel something strange; have someone check it out and map the orientation and critical areas of this canyon," Yan Wanqing said as she looked at the canyon.

Captain Chang took note of this.

After instructing the generals to continue their drills, it was already nearing evening, and the banquet at the City Lord Residence was about to begin.

Yan Wanqing was not keen on attending, but the city lord had sent someone to the military camp to invite her multiple times; it would be somewhat disrespectful not to go.

Yan Wanqing had no choice but to return to the City Lord Residence, where she quickly changed her bandages before heading out in men’s robes.

She did not know exactly what Xiao Hongshen had said to Li Chengyuan, but indeed, she did not have to see that detestable face at the banquet.

However, Xiao Hongshen’s face was also very displeasing to her.

Seeing him, she felt like drawing her sword.

"Just drinking and eating seems a bit boring; I have specially prepared some other entertainment," the city lord said with a smile.

Captain Chang, curious, picked up on the city lord’s words. "What entertainment has the City Lord prepared?"

"Tonight is the year’s liveliest Prayer Festival Market. Later, on top of the town walls, we can see the citizens light up luminary lanterns for blessings. Seeing thousands of lights flying in the sky is truly awe-inspiring."

As the city lord spoke, everyone seemed eager to try it.

"What exactly is the Prayer Festival Market? Is it a marketplace?" Captain Chang asked.

Smiling gleefully, the city lord explained: "Prayer Festival, as the name suggests, is about seeking a sense of peace. People write their wishes on lantern paper, then light candles, releasing the lanterns into the sky. This way, the heavens receive them and will bless the seekers of blessings. At this time, vendors gather on the streets of Xiliang City, selling goods from everywhere, making it the liveliest time."

"That sounds really fun," Captain Chang couldn’t help saying.

Yan Wanqing sat at the head seat, seeing the look of anticipation in the eyes of many young soldiers, she softly chuckled and shook her head.

They are all just young kids, after all.

"If you want to go, just go; why just stare at me?" Yan Wanqing said sternly.

By now, the wine had gone around three rounds, and the banquet was more than halfway through; Yan Wanqing was not the type of person to enjoy outdated talk, and she herself couldn’t wait to go back and rest.

Thus, when the city lord mentioned the Prayer Festival Market, she went along with it and gave the generals leave.

Watching them happily leave, she picked up the wine cup in her hand, downed it in one go, and then filled it again.

By now, there were only a few people left at the banquet; Xiao Hongshen had just gone out with the generals.

When he left, he didn’t even glance at Yan Wanqing, walking away swiftly as if there were ghosts behind him.

"Commander Yan should drink less, it would be better for you. You still have injuries, and drinking too much is not good for your health," the city lord’s gentle voice rose from below.

Yan Wanqing swirled the wine in her cup, and a touch of sarcasm appeared in her distinct black-and-white eyes. "If you are really concerned about my health, then why did you keep pouring me drinks earlier?"

The city lord was stumped by her question.

Yan Wanqing chuckled softly, "Hypocritical."

With that, she raised the cup to her lips and drank.