"Which is more important, face or survival?" the old general asked. "If we don't agree to peace talks, the Qin will definitely send troops to attack us again. By then, I'm afraid even our survival will be in trouble."

Hu Yantuo fell into deep thought. He knew that the old general was right.

However, he was unwilling to submit to the Qin Dynasty.

He raised his head and looked at the grassland outside the tent, his heart filled with confusion and hesitation...

Hu Yantuo's hesitation lasted for three whole days. In the end, he decided to agree to the Qin's request for peace talks. He knew that if he continued to fight against the Qin, the Xiongnu would eventually perish.

However, he did not expect that this peace talk would allow him to meet a woman who would change his destiny.

On the day when the Qin envoys arrived at the Xiongnu royal court, the grassland was sunny and breezy. Hu Yantuo led his generals to greet them in person.

When he saw the man in a white brocade robe and with an imposing manner walking at the front of the delegation, he was stunned.

That man was none other than the late Qin Emperor—Ying Yuan!
"You...you are not..." Hu Yantuo was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

Ying Yuan smiled slightly and said, "I am not dead."

These three simple words exploded in Huyantuo's mind like thunder.

He couldn't believe his eyes and ears.

The man who once made him tremble with fear and almost unified the entire grassland is still alive!

"This...how is this possible?" Huyantuo muttered to himself.

Ying Yuan did not explain, but walked straight to Hu Yantuo, stretched out his hand, and said, "Long time no see, Hu Yan Chanyu."

Hu Yantuo mechanically stretched out his hand and shook hands with Ying Yuan. His palms were covered with cold sweat.

"You...why are you..." Hu Yantuo was unable to organize his words.

Ying Yuan smiled and said, "I will tell you my story slowly later. Now, let's talk business first."

Huyantuo then came to his senses and quickly welcomed Ying Yuan into the king's tent.

After sitting down, Ying Yuan said straight to the point: "I came here this time for only one purpose, and that is to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu."

Hu Yantuo was secretly delighted. He knew that since Ying Yuan was still alive, he must have his own purpose. And now, his purpose coincided with his own.

"I am willing to negotiate peace with the Qin Dynasty." Hu Yantuo said.

Ying Yuan nodded and said, "Very good. I believe this will be a win-win situation."

In the next few days, Ying Yuan held several talks with Hu Yantuo and finally reached a peace agreement.

According to the agreement, the Xiongnu would become a vassal state of the Qin Dynasty and pay tribute to the Qin Dynasty with cattle, sheep, horses and other supplies every year. The Qin Dynasty promised to protect the territorial integrity of the Xiongnu and not to invade each other.

After the peace talks ended, Ying Yuan did not return to Daqin immediately, but stayed in the Xiongnu royal court.

He told Hu Yantuo that he wanted to live on the grassland for a while and experience grassland life.

Hu Yantuo naturally did not dare to refuse, and quickly arranged for people to build a luxurious tent for Ying Yuan.

During this period, Ying Yuan often went out hunting on horseback with several guards. His superb riding and archery skills amazed the Xiongnu soldiers.

And Huyan Tuo's sister, Huyan Yue, also developed a strong interest in Ying Yuan.

Hu Yanyue was a beautiful woman with a lively and cheerful personality, completely different from other women on the grassland. She was full of curiosity about Ying Yuan and often took the initiative to chat with him.

Ying Yuan also had a good impression of this beautiful Xiongnu princess. He found that Hu Yanyue was not only beautiful, but also smart and eloquent.

The relationship between the two gradually became ambiguous.

One night, Ying Yuan and Hu Yanyue were walking on the grassland.

The night sky is dotted with stars and the moonlight is bright.

"Your Majesty, why did you fake your death?" Hu Yanyue asked. Ying Yuan looked at her, was silent for a moment, and said, "For a woman."

"Oh?" Hu Yanyue became interested, "Can you tell me more?"

Ying Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "I fell in love with a woman, but she doesn't like me. For her, I am willing to give up everything, including the throne."

Huyan Yue listened quietly, her heart full of curiosity and doubt.

"Where is she now?" Hu Yanyue asked.

Ying Yuan looked into the distance, his eyes filled with longing and sadness.

"She..." Ying Yuan paused and said, "She is no longer here."

Huyan Yue looked at Ying Yuan's sad expression and felt an inexplicable pain in her heart.

She reached out and gently held Ying Yuan's hand.

"Your Majesty..." Huyan Yue said softly.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Ying Yuan turned his head and looked at Huyan Yue, his eyes full of gratitude.

He stretched out his hand and held Huyan Yue in his arms.

Huyan Yue did not refuse, but hugged Ying Yuan tightly.

On the silent grassland, the two hugged each other tightly, as if they wanted to integrate each other into each other's lives.

At this moment, there was a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds in the distance...

The sound of hurried horse hooves was getting closer and closer, breaking the tranquility of the grassland. Ying Yuan and Hu Yanyue separated from each other and looked towards the direction of the sound with vigilance.

Amid the flying dust, a horse galloped over and the figure on the horse gradually became clear. It was Ying Yuan's guard Li Hu.

Li Hu pulled the reins, dismounted, knelt on one knee, and said urgently: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The royal court has been attacked by unidentified people!"

Ying Yuan's face darkened. "Who are they? How many people are there?"

"There are a large number of people, at least thousands, and they are dressed like... like the army of the Qin Dynasty!" Li Hu's voice trembled slightly.

Ying Yuan was shocked. Could it be that the Qin army was here to hunt him down? However, he had faked his death and escaped. How did they know he was still alive?

"Yue'er, go back to the royal court first." Ying Yuan turned to Huyan Yue and said, with an unquestionable command in his tone.

A trace of worry flashed across Huyan Yue's eyes, "Your Majesty, I'll go with you!"

Ying Yuan shook his head, "No, it's too dangerous, you have to go back first!"

Hu Yanyue wanted to say something, but seeing Ying Yuan's determined eyes, he finally nodded, "Your Majesty, take care!"

After saying this, she jumped on her horse and galloped towards the royal court.

Ying Yuan looked at Hu Yanyue's receding back, feeling mixed emotions. He had originally wanted to live a peaceful life on the grassland, but he did not expect to be involved in this sudden dispute.

"Let's go!" Ying Yuan jumped on the horse and said to Li Hu.

The two men spurred their horses and galloped towards the royal court.

In the royal court, flames shot up into the sky and shouts of killing were deafening. The Xiongnu soldiers fought fiercely with a group of people wearing Qin army uniforms, and the scene was in chaos.

Ying Yuan and Li Hu rushed into the battlefield, like a tiger descending from a mountain, invincible. Ying Yuan's swordsmanship was extremely sharp, and each sword carried a deadly momentum, and he quickly cut a bloody path through the enemy's formation.

"Stop!" Ying Yuan shouted loudly, and his voice resounded throughout the battlefield like thunder.

Both sides stopped fighting and looked at Ying Yuan. (End of this chapter)