Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1165 She and Gu Jinxiao disappeared for one night

His gaze fell on the cave entrance, and with his usual caution, he said, "But just in case, please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I will go and check the surroundings to confirm whether there are any pursuers or wild animals lurking."

"……it is good."

Shen Zhinian looked at Gu Jinxiao's back.

The dim light of morning light outlined the neat lines of his shoulders and back.

This man was like a silent rock, and his words were so stingy that they were almost boring.

But every time a storm was about to come, every time a knife was hanging over his neck, he always stood silently in the front, leaving all the dangers and unknowns to himself.

This protection doesn't carry any intention of seeking credit, but instead stirs up indescribable complex emotions within one's heart...

Gu Jinxiao didn't look back, but just touched the scimitar at his waist to make sure the weapon was within reach.

He moved slightly and left the cave, his figure instantly swallowed up by the gradually brightening shadows of the forest outside.

Shen Zhinian was the only one left in the cave, and the light coming through the cave entrance was getting brighter and brighter.

The dust particles floating in the air are clearly visible.

She exhaled gently, and white mist dispersed in the slightly cool air.

Last night's thrilling escape, and Gu Jinxiao's protection along the way...scenes replayed in my mind.

Shen Zhinian closed her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the edge of the fabric.

Hopefully this will all be over soon.

Although the sudden appearance of the Hun assassin disrupted everyone's plans, Nangong Xuanyu had made so many preparations and should have completely controlled the camp.

As Gu Jinxiao said just now, his people might be found soon.

Time flows slowly in silence.

I don’t know how long it took, but a familiar sound of footsteps came from afar.

Gu Jinxiao's figure reappeared at the entrance of the cave, with a few blades of grass on his shoulders, and his expression remained calm.

"Miss."

He walked in, bringing with him a breath of fresh morning breeze. "There's no sign of danger nearby, and the pursuit is heading in the opposite direction."

Gu Jinxiao stopped a few steps away from Shen Zhinian, keeping a respectful distance. His eyes fell on her slightly tired but still calm brows, and his voice became slower.

"It's not advisable to stay here for long. Can you hold on, Madam?"

Shen Zhinian's voice returned to its usual calmness: "It's okay, thank you for your concern, Lord Gu."

Gu Jinxiao moved aside to clear the cave entrance. "When I came here, I noticed a more hidden path. It should allow us to reunite with the search team more quickly."

"Your Majesty, please follow me."

The two walked out of the cave one after the other.

In the suddenly widening view, the morning light has spread across the forest, dispelling the gloom of the night.

Shen Zhinian took a deep breath of the air with the fragrance of grass and trees, and stretched his stiff limbs.

Gu Jinxiao followed her half a step behind, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

At this moment, a rapid and dense sound of horse hooves came from afar, breaking the tranquility of the forest.

There were also faint shouts coming towards where the two were!

Gu Jinxiao tensed up instantly, subconsciously took half a step forward, protecting Shen Zhinian behind him, his hand already on the scimitar.

Shen Zhinian's heart was also lifted, and his fingertips curled up slightly, but his face still remained calm.

Is he an enemy or a friend?

The sound of hooves was getting closer.

At the end of the forest path, a group of men dressed in black imperial uniforms, galloping on horseback, finally broke through the shadows of the trees.

The man in the lead was none other than the commander of the Imperial Guards, Zhan Weiran!

His eyes were like lightning, sweeping across the cave entrance and instantly locking onto Shen Zhinian's figure. A look of great surprise suddenly broke out on his face.

"found it!"

Zhan Weiran pulled the reins and shouted loudly behind him, "The Imperial Concubine Chen is here! Hurry!"

Immediately, he dismounted, ran a few steps forward, and knelt on one knee: "I am sorry that your subordinate is late in coming to your rescue, and Your Majesty the Concubine Chen is frightened!"

"Hearing the news of the Queen's disappearance, His Majesty was extremely worried and has dispatched many people to search for her!"

The imperial guards behind Zhan Weiran also dismounted and saluted, the clanking of their armors made the scene solemn in an instant.

Seeing the familiar faces of the Xuanjia Imperial Guards and Zhan Weiran, Shen Zhinian's tense heartstrings finally relaxed completely. A sense of exhaustion, akin to surviving a catastrophe, washed over him.

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing the dew-soaked hair on her temples. Her movements were filled with the elegance that came from living in the palace for so long. Her voice was soft but clear: "Commander Zhan, please rise. I am fine."

Shen Zhinian's gaze swept across the kneeling crowd, finally landing on Gu Jinxiao beside him, and added, "Fortunately, Lord Gu has been protecting me all the way."

With Shen Zhinian's intelligence, how could she not have imagined that her disappearance with Gu Jinxiao for a night would definitely lead to gossip.

But some things will only get worse the more you explain them, so it is better to act uprightly and keep a straight face.

The more graceful and generous she is, the more open she appears.

Zhan Weiran stood up and looked at Gu Jinxiao, with a subtle hint of inquiry and solemnity in his eyes. He clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Gu!"

Gu Jinxiao finally released his hand from the scimitar and returned the greeting to Zhan Weiran and Shen Zhinian, his voice still calm: "Protecting the Empress is the duty of a subject."

Zhan Weiran immediately ordered his men: "Prepare the horses, and quickly escort the queen back to the camp!"

"Send someone to inform His Majesty!"

The guards immediately brought a docile horse and respectfully asked Shen Zhinian to mount it: "Your Highness, please."

With the help of the imperial guards, Shen Zhinian climbed onto the horse. After she sat firmly, she turned her head slightly and looked at Gu Jinxiao who was standing under the horse again.

The morning light fell on his handsome yet tired face. His silent posture overlapped with the figure that had been guarding her last night.

"Master Gu."

Shen Zhinian spoke, her voice not loud but clearly reaching his ears: "Follow me back to the camp."

This matter cannot be swept under the rug, and to do so would appear sneaky.

Therefore, she not only has to be open and honest, but also has to take credit for protecting Gu Jinxiao!

Gu Jinxiao raised his eyes and met Shen Zhinian's calm gaze. He lowered his eyes for a moment, clasped his fists and replied, "I obey your command."

He walked over to the horse brought by another guard and mounted it with a clean and neat movement, as if the exhausting escape last night had left no trace on him.

The horse neighed softly, Gu Jinxiao pulled the reins and naturally controlled the horse to lag half a horse's length behind Shen Zhinian.

"Go back to camp!"

Following Zhan Weiran's order, the black-armored guards quickly lined up and placed Shen Zhinian in the center of the team.

The horses' hooves trampled through the morning dew as they galloped towards the enclosure camp.

Gu Jinxiao's figure silently merged into this dark torrent.

Finally, the dilapidated camp after the war appeared before everyone.

Zhan Weiran's resounding voice echoed throughout the camp: "Empress Chen, return to the camp!!"

Countless eyes looked over from all directions, some were surprised, some were relieved, and some breathed a sigh of relief.

But there were also people whose eyes were filled with unconcealable astonishment, disappointment, and even...resentment.

Those who secretly prayed that Shen Zhinian would disappear forever in the depths of the dense forest felt their hearts sink at this moment...