Yuan Song stared at him in shock while holding onto the handle of the chair tightly. His face turned pale upon hearing this heartbreaking news.

  Tan Jiahao continued," I know you must be shocked. Actually, there is something that you should know. Since you're the military commander, you should know this and be prepared beforehand." His expressions turned grave as he said.

  Yuan Song who was still in shock, noticed his expressions and realized that something is not right. He took a deep breath and pulled himself together to listened to his words.

  " You know that the neighbouring empires of the East were creating troubles for us. Before your south border mission, you went to north border for security check, during that time there was some suspicious activity going on the east border. I tried to find out more about it and figured out that the people from neighbouring countries were brainwashing people and preparing for the rebellion."

  Tan Jiahao took a deep breath and continued, " Things were becoming quite messy and it was hard to contact you because of the storm in the north. At that time,?I found out that the Emperor of the Yang Dynasty is in the nearby town, I wanted to make connections with him and wanted to make an alliance so that they can help us in time of emergency. However…." He paused as he remembered about his biggest mistake.

  "However, when I asked for help, he said that he will only help if I marry my daughter off to him. He……said that he wants Tan Xiu. I rejected his offer right away and after some time I even forgot about it. I know that he has an image for being a player and always visits brothels."

  "However, one day I received a message from the Yang Dynasty, in which it was written that, if I don't fulfill the wish of Yang Hanying, they will attack us. Now rather than, Eastern neighbouring countries, we have a bigger enemy. And you know, if he attacked us, there is no way we can win against him. I tried to talk it out with words, I even agreed to accept his sovereignty and will serve him with royalties. But he only wants one thing, marry Tan Xiu or war."

  Yuan Song tightened his jaw and murmured, "So you're marrying Princess Tan Xiu to him because he threatened you to wage war on us?"

  Tan Jiahao stared at him and saw his darkened expressions and the burning fire in those eyes. He nodded which made Yuan Song's expressions to turn four shades dark in anger.

  " And why does he want that? Did he have ever seen her? As long as I know, Princess Tan has never attended royal gatherings where outsiders were invited."

  Tan Jiahao shook his head and responded, " I don't know anything. I am puzzled as well. How come he knows her name and why does he fancies her?"

  He sighed and looked at Yuan Song before saying, "?I know about you and Tan Xiu. I am sorry that I had to take this decision despite how you guys feel for each other."

  Yuan Song looked at him shocked and bewildered. He knows?

  Tan Jiahao smiled bitterly and replied, " Tan Xiu always thought that I wasn't aware when she sneaks out of the palace." He laughed sadly.

  " My people were always following her. I didn't stop her because she deserves this much freedom and… I sent those people to protect her. Even if she is out of the palace, I can't put her life in danger."

  " Yuan Song, can you just…… keep all this a secret from her? I don't want her to know anything about the politics going on. I know I am asking too much from you….but……can you just end things with her. Let her start her new life." He said while looking at him expectantly.

  Yuan Song pursed his lips and were silent. What can he say?

  " Is there……really no way? You know I have prepared my men very well, we can just face them if the worst comes. Do you really have to throw her in the fire pit?" Yuan Song asks while looking at his tea cup, tightly holding it.

  Tan Jiahao saw his expressions and the way he was avoiding his eye contact. He sighed and said, " You know our military condition very well. It's good enough and I know you can face them but…… war is not logical when the enemies military is way better than us. Going on a war with them will be like a suicide attempt for us. War is never an option,Yuan Song. I am the Emperor of Tan Dynasty and I can't put everyone's life in danger because of Tan Xiu." he said sternly-

  Yuan Song stood in front of Tan Xiu's room as he stared at the door which was locked from outside. He looked at the guards who went away to give them privacy. He came here to end things just like Tan Jiahao has said. He was allowed to talk to her privately.

  ' Seems like they really have no future together.'

  Tan Xiu, who was plomped on the floor lifelessly, didn't turn around even when the door opened. She thought that it must be Yu Ju, so she didn't bother to look at the figure behind her.

  Yuan Song's chest tightened seeing her disheveled hair, her pale face and hopeless figure with her head against the bed.

  " Tan Xiu." he called her out in a low voice.

  Tan Xiu, who was looking towards the window, woke up from her trance when she heard his voice. She abruptly turned and she was so overwhelmed seeing him in front of her that she couldn't even understand if she was dreaming or was it true.

  "Commander……Yuan Song?" she whispered with her dry throat.

  She tried to walk to him fast but due to her sore legs and no energy in her body due to not eating in days, she almost fell on ground but he held her by her shoulders.

  Without waiting for anything, she wrapped her arms around his chest and wailed loudly while hugging him for her dear life. She was afraid that she might not get to meet him again.

  He took a deep breath as he hesitantly hugged her back, while trying to hold his stubborn tears back. He has been in the military for years and he has never cried after his first wound which he got by a sword when he was a teen. Since then he has always faced every wound with a smile, because it was the reward and mark of his bravery and service to the country.

  But it was the first time he was having a hard time controlling his tears because of this woman who was crying while clinging to him desperately.

  "Commander Yuan Song, please take me away from here. Father is making me marry that perverted Emperor. I don't want to marry anyone else, I don't want to be his consort. Please do something, just take me away from here. I……"

  "Tan Xiu." he interrupted her.

  She stopped speaking, waiting for him to speak. She was waiting for his response, which was delayed because of the long silence.

  "Let's end the things here." he said while removing his hands from her back, leaving her the only one holding onto him.

  "-_-"

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