You Shall Not Betray Me, and I Shall Certainly Not Betray You

Seeing that it was already October, the Qian Xiang Country was still lush with greenery, showing no signs of desolation.

Because all the customs in the country imitated Da Zhou, there was naturally a reception pavilion three to five miles outside Qinglin Prefecture—just a few days ago, Sun Shaozong had just welcomed the new special envoy Hou Yong in the reception pavilion, but on this day, it was Hou Yong's turn to see him off here.

As Sun Shaozong expected, the imperial court really had no intention of punishing him, but only issued an order instructing Sun Shaozong to set off back to the court immediately after handing over with Hou Yong.

In addition, Hou Yong also brought good news: Prince Yizhong, whom Sun Shaozong had offended, had been placed under house arrest in the Imperial Clan Court for leaking information about privately manufacturing firearms. All the property in his home had been seized and sold, and even the coffin he had ordered was resold to others.

"Second Brother!"

Speaking of which, outside this long pavilion, by the ancient road, Hou Yong solemnly clasped his fists, and a bit of loneliness appeared on his rough horse face: "After returning to the capital, don't forget to say hello to my old mother on behalf of your brother, let her take good care of her body, and wait for me to come back and fulfill my filial piety!"

Unlike the previous Ambassador Niu, this Hou Yong came from the military and was known as one of the Patrol Camp Twin Tigers along with Sun Shaozong's elder brother, Sun Shaozu. They had quite a bit of friendship with each other, so he did not address Sun Shaozong by his official position, but called him 'Second Brother'.

Although they had only spent a few days together, Sun Shaozong and this forthright and generous Brother Hou, who did not lose his sense of propriety, were quite compatible.

At this time, seeing this burly man like a black iron tower, mentioning his own mother, could not help but feel a little choked up, he was also very sympathetic, and quickly clasped his fists and said: "Brother Hou, don't worry, when I return to Shuntian Prefecture, I will definitely visit my aunt often!"

"Then your brother will thank you in advance!"

As Hou Yong said, he waved his hand back, and immediately an attendant served two bowls of water and wine. He first handed a bowl to Sun Shaozong, then took a bowl for himself, and sent the wine bowl forward, saying: "It's getting late, drink this bowl of farewell wine, and Second Brother, set off on the road—come, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Sun Shaozong quickly raised his bowl to meet him.

After pouring a bowl of wine down his throat, he smiled at Hou Yong again, and was about to say goodbye and leave, when he saw a horse galloping along the official road. Although it was dressed as a man in Blue-Clothed Cap, the voice that came from afar was as crisp as an oriole: "Brother Sun, wait for me!"

With just this shout, Sun Shaozong recognized that the person was Ruan Rong!

He couldn't help but feel both happy and surprised. He was happy that he could say goodbye to this little girl in person before leaving; he was surprised that this girl was clearly getting engaged today, but she still came out of the city to see him off. If her future husband's family knew about it, it would not be a good thing.

Sun Shaozong subconsciously took a few steps forward and asked, "Miss Rong, why are you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Ruan Rong jump off the horse and rush straight into his arms, regardless of everything, and said resolutely: "Brother Sun, I don't want to marry that Pan Fool from the Pan Family, I want to go back to Da Zhou with you!"

This was really a sudden change. Sun Shaozong stared blankly at her picturesque little face, and was stunned for a long time, not knowing how to respond.

"Hahaha..."

At this time, he heard Hou Yong burst into hearty laughter, stepped forward and patted Sun Shaozong on the shoulder, and said jokingly: "I didn't expect you, Second Brother, to have such abilities, it really makes your brother envious!"

Sun Shaozong's body stiffened and he dared not move. He awkwardly turned his head and said with a wry smile: "Brother Hou, don't talk nonsense, Miss Rong is the daughter of the Qinglin Prefecture Governor, and the Pan Family is the Minister of Revenue of the Qian Xiang Country. If I really take her to Da Zhou, how can those two families let it go?"

"What if they don't let it go? Could it be that they dare to chase after us to Shuntian Prefecture?!" Hou Yong said indifferently: "The girl doesn't even care about her reputation for you, this intention is worth more than pure gold, are you going to push her to that Pan Fool?"

Saying that, he glared his bull's eyes and threatened fiercely: "I'll put the ugly words first, if you dare to do this kind of dirty-hearted thing, don't say that we can't be brothers, my fist as big as a casserole will have to reason with you!"

Speechless...

His Brother Hou is really a model of eagerness to help others!

Moreover, the Pan Family's son is just obsessed with books, how can he be considered a fool?!

As mentioned earlier, although Sun Shaozong also had some good feelings for Ruan Rong, there was still a considerable distance from the love between men and women, but the dignified daughter of the Prefecture Governor did not hesitate to run away from home, and also wanted to fly with him, how could he say the word 'rejection'?

After a little hesitation, seeing a look of panic on Ruan Rong's face, he had to sigh, lowered his head and asked: "Do you really want to go to Da Zhou with me?"

Ruan Rong nodded without hesitation, her raised face full of expectation.

"Alright!"

Sun Shaozong held out a hand in front of her. "Let's make a pact with a high-five. Within Qian Xiang Country, you'll have about eight days to think it over. If you regret it, I'll immediately send you back to Qinglin Prefecture without a word—but once we set foot on the land of Da Zhou, you'll be my woman, Sun Shaozong, and I won't allow you to go back on your word!"

Ruan Rong stared at his large hand, lost in thought for a long while, before taking a deep breath and placing her fair, jade-like hand on his. With a solemn expression, she said, "If you do not betray me, I will certainly not betray you!"

Having made the vow, Ruan Rong felt a sense of relief, but also a touch of shyness. She hurriedly broke free from Sun Shaozong's embrace, her face flushed as she smoothed the hair by her ear.

"Feng Xin!"

Once Sun Shaozong made up his mind, he immediately threw all his concerns to the back of his mind. He pointed at the white horse Ruan Rong had ridden and ordered, "Tie it to the back of the carriage first, so we can take turns using it on the road."

Like Sun Shaozong, Feng Xin was also required to return to Da Zhou, but the difference was that he was returning to the capital to report to the Ministry of War, while Sun Shaozong was returning to the capital for an audience—meaning he had to make an appearance before the emperor first, before further arrangements could be made.

Feng Xin accepted the order and went to fetch the white horse.

Sun Shaozong then said to Ruan Rong, "Get in the carriage first. After I say goodbye to Brother Hou, we'll set off."

Ruan Rong obediently nodded, but first took down a package from the white horse, then gave Hou Yong a respectful greeting before getting into the carriage on her own.

"Brother Hou, I..."

"Alright, stop dawdling here with me!"

Seeing that Sun Shaozong was about to come over to say goodbye, Hou Yong waved his hand impatiently, urging, "You brat, hurry up and get on the road. If you delay any longer, the aggrieved party might catch up!"

Sun Shaozong could only offer a speechless bow, snatch the whip for driving the carriage from Feng Xin's hand, jump onto the shaft, and flick it casually. The horse immediately sprang into action, galloping eastward along the official road.

Behind them, Feng Xin hurriedly mounted Sun Shaozong's Black Steed Horse, and with a tug of the reins, followed closely behind.

From that day on, the trio traveled day and night, making their way to the border between the two countries at a leisurely pace.

Eight days later.

The three finally left the territory of Qian Xiang Country and officially set foot on the land of Da Zhou. That evening, Ruan Rong burned incense and bowed three times in the direction of Qinglin Prefecture, her face already streaked with tears as she stood up.