Shе fеаrеd this son, so shе hаd tо еliminаte him. Anyоnе she cоuldn't contrоl wоuld оnlу bесome а threat if left alive. Onсе he hаd an hеir, this disоbеdiеnt son соuld bе disроsed оf.
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"It's time for yоu tо deрart."
In the eаrly morning, а palе light еmеrgеd in thе еаst, graduallу sрreаding tоwаrd the zеnith. Thе frоst melted intо dеwdroрs, moistening the аrched window. It wаs timе fоr him to sеt off. Surely, thе hоrsеs and mеn wеrе аlrеаdy dерloуed оutside the Rоyаl Раlaсе.
Не always wоke earlier than hеr. Normally, whеn the first light of dаwn aррeаred, he would rise to practice his martial arts. But today, he deliberately kept her awake with his caresses.
His hands and rough beard made her delicate nape and snow-white back too uncomfortable to rest.
Pushing him away, she sat up, hurriedly adjusting her half-slipped garments and pulling the fur quilt over herself. The fire in the pit had already extinguished, and the cold crept in waves. For him, this parting was merely a winter's separation, but she knew she would never see him again in this lifetime. If she didn't seize this chance to escape, she would forever remain his captive.
She would—she must—leave him forever!
Last night, while he slept soundly, she had gazed at him for a long time. No matter how hard she tried to forget these unbearable days in the future, she knew she would never forget him. This man had ruined her life, and she would not forget him—but this was certainly not longing. No one would long for a sworn enemy. The reason she would remember him so deeply was "hatred"!
Yelü Lie propped his head on one hand while the other held the ends of her hair, gently inhaling its captivating fragrance. The faint light from the window illuminated his sturdy, muscular, bare upper body.
"Will you miss me?"
"No!" Absolutely not! She told herself this.
"That's good, because I don't intend to give you the chance to miss me!" he murmured meaningfully, his wicked blue eyes seeming to conceal some scheme.
Jun Qiluo watched him warily.
Yelü Lie sat up and called to the outside, "Come in."
Immediately, six maidservants entered from behind the gauze curtain, carrying clothing and breakfast.
Yelü Lie helped her out of bed.
"It's cold outside, so you must dress warmly."
Jun Qiluo widened her eyes, watching the three maidservants dressing her. These warm and luxurious brocade robes were for outdoor wear—what was he doing?
"You..." She turned abruptly to question him but saw him standing naked, waiting to be dressed. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she turned back around, only to hear his hearty laughter behind her.
She closed her eyes, commanding herself not to pay attention to his mockery.
"Leave!" He waved the maidservants back outside. Half-wearing his fur robe, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Did you like what you saw?" He nibbled on her earlobe.
"Shameless!"
"You're blushing!"
"I am not!" She struggled, feeling her cheeks grow even hotter. Oh, this shameless man!
"Clever girl, do you think I would leave you alone in the Royal Palace for several months?"
"What do you mean?" Jun Qiluo's face instantly paled. What was he saying?
"Come, it's time for us to depart." He handed her his clothes.
She naturally began dressing him, but her eyes were filled with uncertainty and alarm. Was he serious? But why would he bring a woman along for hunting and campaigning for Chieftain of the Eight Tribes? Was he planning to give her away as a prize? Was that really what he intended?"Yelü..."
He pressed a finger to her lips, his gaze serious and dangerous.
"Do not say anything that will anger me! Not a single word!"
"Then why are you taking me with you?"
"I want you in my arms at all times." He kissed her, then helped her sit at the table to share the meal.
What had he noticed?
If she wanted to escape, Shangjing would be more convenient, as it was closer to the Central Plains. However, she had no confidence whatsoever in escaping from Yelü Lie's grasp!
Jun Qiluo's beauty could undoubtedly spark a war. But Yelü Lie was not troubled. Among the current Eight Tribes, no one dared to provoke him openly, especially in Shangjing, right under the emperor's feet. Anyone who dared to cause trouble would not only enrage the Khan but also lose any hope of becoming a Chieftain of the Eight Tribes. He knew what she was thinking, which was why he was determined to take her with him, no matter how much she hated him! In this lifetime, he would never let her go! He wanted her! Even if she hated him, he didn’t care!
And so, she was taken along with him.
Amidst the respectful farewells of the crowd, Yelü Lie mounted his black horse, pulled her into his embrace, and led the way galloping eastward. Following behind were Duoluo Qi, five maidservants, and the Twelve Riders as guards.
Jun Qiluo’s chaotic heart could not discern whether it was despair, sorrow, or perhaps even a trace of joy!
The Khitan tribe displayed a great variety of customs.
In the northwest bordering Western Xia, where the Khitan originated, nomadic herding was predominant. The further east they traveled, reaching the coastal regions, the less common were the white tents scattered across the vast grasslands. The closer they got to Shangjing, the capital originally named Linhuang, the more evident it became that the people relied on hunting and farming for survival. Yellow earth and stone houses, wooden dwellings—almost every household hung animal pelts outside to dry. Of course, they also raised some livestock, but not in the massive numbers seen in the north. In the northeast, fishing, hunting, and herding were the ways of life for the Liao people. This also contributed to the mixed ethnic characteristics of the region, where Hu and Han peoples coexisted. This was likely related to the Great Liao’s adoption of Han Chinese customs.
However, it was clear that even in areas where Hu and Han peoples intermingled, the Han people still held a lower status. Yet, they were not as devoid of rights or treated as lowly as Jun Qiluo had imagined.
Nevertheless, these Han people were different from those in the Central Plains! They did not recognize the authority of the Great Song.
These Han people grew up in the territory of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, where wars had raged through successive dynasties. They could be considered the most persecuted group of innocent people. Although Zhao Kuangyin had destroyed the Northern Han, he was unable to seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. In a sense, this part of the Central Plains did not belong to the Great Song, nor had it ever received any protection or benefits from the Song. After the brutal plundering and slaughter by Emperor Taizong of Liao, this land was left without a ruler, vulnerable to exploitation.
It was only after the current emperor, Yelü Longxu, ascended the throne and vigorously implemented Han Chinese customs, treating the Han people well and establishing imperial examinations, that the Khitan no longer treated the Han people living within their territory with a mindset of plunder. The Northern and Southern Courts were established: the Northern Court was governed by Khitan officials to rule the Khitan, while the Southern Court was governed by Han officials to rule the Han people. This pacified the people’s hearts, leading the Han people to voluntarily align themselves with the Liao Kingdom and identify as subjects of the Liao. Even though the officials of the Northern Court still held higher rank than those of the Southern Court, in such an era, this level of benevolence was enough to earn the gratitude of the Han people.
After six days of galloping on horseback, they finally reached Shangjing.In Shangjing, Yelü Lie owned a villa. Though its grandeur could not match the imposing presence of the Royal Palace, it was exquisite and meticulously designed, adorned with many ceramics and paintings from the Central Plains. In terms of architecture, it bore distinct characteristics of both the nomadic and Han cultures.
"Madam, please rest for a while! After so many days on horseback, a short nap will make you feel more comfortable."
Among the five maidservants, Dong Yin was the most attentive and efficient. An orphan of fifteen or sixteen, she was a mixed-blood child of nomadic and Han descent, holding no status within the Khitan tribe. Years ago, she had been taken in by the old prince, finally finding a place to call home. Due to her efficiency and diligence, Yelü Lie had sent her to serve as Jun Qiluo's personal maid. Of course, her ability to speak Chinese was also an important factor.
To this day, Yelü Lie still believed that Jun Qiluo could not speak the Khitan language.
"Do not call me Madam."
"But..."
Jun Qiluo withdrew her gaze from the sky and looked firmly at Dong Yin.
"Call me Miss, or something else, but never Madam." Without a proper name or status, how could she bear the title of "Madam"?
"Yes. Then please return to your room and rest. It looks like it will snow soon. The Tribal Chief instructed us not to let you catch a chill."
"Leave me!" Jun Qiluo commanded sternly.
Her unquestionable authority left Dong Yin momentarily stunned before she immediately bowed and replied, "Yes." After gently draping a cloak over her, Dong Yin withdrew.
Jun Qiluo looked around and, relying on her memory, located the back gate. No matter how large this villa was, it still could not compare to the magnificent architecture of the Jun family estate in Jiangnan. Figuring out the layout of the place was simple.
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