Chapter 44

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Yuan Fang stared at the delicate face, memories flooding his mind, momentarily losing himself.

The person, being stared at so intently by Yuan Fang, showed a hint of embarrassment in their eyes, a blush creeping onto their cheeks, and said with a playful smile, "What, Second Young Master, you who once shook Hebei, have you already forgotten me after just a few days?"

Yuan Fang snapped back to his senses, looking at the peach-blossom-like face, and smiled faintly, "How could I forget? If it weren't for Miss Zhen Mi's secret gift of one million coins, I might not have achieved my current position."

The person before him, dressed as a man, was the same servant he had encountered in the Yuan household that day.

Outside the Zhen family's stronghold, the young lady had entrusted a maidservant to give him a sachet. Yuan Fang had already deduced that the servant in disguise was Zhen Mi herself.

Now, seeing her again, Yuan Fang directly revealed her secret assistance, mentioning how she had helped him raid the one million coins the Zhen family had sent to Yuan Xi.

Zhen Mi's delicate body trembled, her face showing a mix of surprise. After a moment of stunned silence, she sighed and smiled, "So, you had already guessed who I was."

"If I couldn't even figure that out, I wouldn't deserve your kindness," Yuan Fang smiled, waving away Hao Zhao and the others.

In the hall, only the two of them remained.

The atmosphere between them became ambiguous and unclear.

Zhen Mi's heart rate quickened, her breathing grew rapid, and her cheeks flushed even more.

"Plain County is a battlefield. Why did you come here, Miss Zhen, instead of staying in Quliang?" Yuan Fang asked curiously.

"It's all because of you. I heard you were severely injured, and I was worried, so I secretly came to Plain County without telling my family, but I didn't expect..."

Her lips hesitated, stopping mid-sentence.

She had answered without thinking, but as the words left her mouth, she suddenly realized that she had practically confessed her deep concern for Yuan Fang.

A sense of propriety surged in her heart, and Zhen Mi blushed deeply, feeling too embarrassed to continue.

But her words were already enough.

A woman who valued him so much, not only secretly helping him but also risking her life to come to this war-torn Plain County to see him.

Even a young man as tough as Yuan Fang couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness.

The Zhen Mi before him touched the softest part of his heart.

With a light sigh, Yuan Fang stepped forward, took her delicate hands, and said softly, "I am just an insignificant illegitimate son of the Yuan family. Why are you so good to me?"

The moment their skin touched, Zhen Mi's body trembled deeply, her heart racing as if it might leap out of her chest.

It was the first time in her life she had held hands with a man, and she couldn't help but feel shy and nervous.

But when she looked up and saw Yuan Fang's handsome and sincere face, she felt an unprecedented sense of security, and her nervousness quietly dissipated.

With a blush, she gazed at Yuan Fang and bravely said, "You are not as arrogant as Yuan Xi. Despite your low status, you are self-reliant and strong. You have extraordinary courage and wisdom, and you have achieved your current position through your own strength. You..."

Zhen Mi openly expressed her admiration for Yuan Fang, listing his virtues. In her eyes, Yuan Fang was a perfect man.

Yuan Fang was deeply moved. Without waiting for her to finish, he suddenly cupped her beautiful face and kissed her soft, pink lips deeply.

Zhen Mi never expected Yuan Fang to make such an improper move.

In that instant, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body trembled violently, and she froze, allowing Yuan Fang to taste her lips and tongue.

She felt as if she were suffocating. Her high, full breasts rose and fell with her rapid breathing, pressing tightly against Yuan Fang's solid chest.

At some point, her heart seemed to stop, and she no longer heard the frantic beating.

Her struggling hands gently wrapped around Yuan Fang's back, her eyes tightly closed, savoring the taste she had never experienced before.

After a long while, Yuan Fang finally released her, his eyes filled with a mischievous smile as he looked at Zhen Mi, whose face was flushed and full of allure.

Zhen Mi, coming out of her trance, lowered her head in embarrassment, lightly tapping his chest and pouting, "So you're a naughty man too."

"Ha ha—"

Yuan Fang laughed heartily, his laughter filled with joy.

A great victory, a sense of vindication, and a beautiful woman in his arms—what more could life offer?

In his excitement, he led Zhen Mi out of the mansion, helped her sit behind him, and galloped towards the city walls.

Riding to the East Gate, Yuan Fang led her up to the city wall. Looking out, they saw a vast battlefield still smoldering.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the two young figures.

Yuan Fang pointed to the southeast and declared proudly, "From here, a thousand miles of land belong to Qingzhou. It won't be long before I plant my flag across all of Qingzhou."

The young man's ambition was boundless, his confidence unshakable.

Zhen Mi, leaning against him, looked up at his confident face and nodded deeply, "I believe in you. You will definitely achieve it."

Yuan Fang looked at the beauty beside him and said solemnly, "Mi, when the year is up, I, Yuan Fang, swear to marry you and make you my wife, ensuring you enjoy a life of honor and wealth."

Yuan Fang never made promises lightly, and once he did, he would keep them.

This beautiful and extraordinary woman had done so much for him. How could he let her down?

To have such a wife is truly a great fortune in life.

Hearing Yuan Fang's vow, Zhen Mi was deeply moved, her eyes glistening with tears.

Amidst her joy, she suddenly remembered something and worried, "Although we have a year's agreement, your father is very partial to Yuan Xi. If he goes back on his word, I fear..."

Zhen Mi, being intelligent, understood the kind of person Yuan Shao was.

Yuan Fang, however, snorted and said proudly, "Don't worry. No one can stop me. Whoever stands in my way will pay with their blood!"

The fierce determination in his words made even Zhen Mi shiver slightly.

After a moment of silence, Zhen Mi nodded deeply, her eyes filled with nothing but trust in Yuan Fang.

Bathed in the setting sun, the two young figures stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the vast horizon.

...

The next morning, before dawn, Yuan Fang arranged for Yuan Gui to lead a group of elite soldiers to personally escort Zhen Mi back to Quliang.

Qingzhou was a battleground, and Yuan Fang did not want Zhen Mi to be in danger until he had fully secured the region.

At the West Gate, Yuan Fang, dressed in armor, personally saw Zhen Mi off. After she left, he would immediately lead his troops back to Gaotang.

A few miles from the city, Zhen Mi, though reluctant, said firmly, "A man of great ambition has more important things to do. You don't need to see me off any further."

Yuan Fang checked the time and then removed his sword, handing it to Zhen Mi, "Take this sword for protection. When I return to the Zhen family, I will take it back with me."

Yuan Fang considered this sword a token of his promise, a keepsake for Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi understood, took the sword, and hugged it tightly, nodding and smiling, "Go forth and achieve your ambitions, Young Master. Let the world fear your name."

"Let the world fear my name, indeed. How exhilarating, ha ha—"

Yuan Fang laughed heartily, turned, and galloped away without looking back, leaving behind a trail of bold laughter.

Zhen Mi stood there, hugging the sword, watching the strong figure disappear into the distance.

Her eyes, filled with water, were brimming with satisfaction and anticipation.

Riding at a gallop, Yuan Fang reached the South Gate.

There, seven thousand soldiers were already lined up, ready to head south to the river crossing.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yuan Fang, clad in silver armor, mounted his white horse, wielding his skull-crushing club, and galloped forward.

His imposing presence exuded an invisible aura of authority, making the soldiers dare not look him in the eye.

Pointing his club southward, Yuan Fang roared, "Advance! Cross the Yellow River and leave no trace of Tian Kai!"