Chapter 158: Heading to the Northern Frontier
After entering the room, Jinsui’s demeanor changed drastically. She was no longer the casual friend she was in front of Yan Jiu, nor the gentle beauty she was when coaxing Yan Shiyi. Instead, she was like a drawn sword.
Sitting there, she wasn’t as demure as a young lady. Her arms rested on the chair’s back, her gaze sharp, her aura cold and stunning, as if a thousand troops stood behind her.
Yan Shiyi felt that if he had seen Miss Ji like this when he first entered, he definitely wouldn’t have dared to speak to her playfully.
The current aura of this young lady was very much like Elder Brother before he got angry, and also like Daoist Ji before she beheaded Zheng Yun!
Yan Shiyi’s heart leaped. How could I have mistaken such a beautiful young lady for that brat! But when this young lady gets angry, the more I look, the more she resembles that brat?
Yan Jiu remained composed, even leisurely pouring Jinsui a cup of tea: “I didn’t intend to hide it from you…”
Jinsui interrupted him: “But you did! And when I trusted you so much!”
Yan Jiu offered no further defense. He did what he did and wouldn’t deny it, nor would he make excuses for himself:
“I only wanted to investigate the full truth of the matter before informing you. A partial truth would only mislead you into making the wrong decision.”
Jinsui sneered: “Then now, you can tell me.”
Yan Shiyi looked at one, then at the other, giving this young lady a thumbs-up in his heart. She was truly bold to give my brother such a look!
He was now certain this young lady wasn’t the favored guest Elder Brother was hiding; what favored guest would be so audacious!
“The Imperial Court sent two edicts to Li King this time. The first is a public reward for the great victory at the border city against the Tartar army. From Li King to the border soldiers, everyone received a reward.”
“The second is a secret edict. The border city defeated the Tartar army, and the Northern Frontier sent an Imperial Letter to question the offense. If no explanation is given to the Northern Frontier, the army will advance on the city, declaring war between the two countries.”
“The Emperor is gravely ill, and Prince Yu is overseeing the state. He issued an edict for Li King to go to the Northern Frontier Royal Court for peace talks, and also to offer an apology.”
“If he refuses, not only will everyone at the border city be punished, but the Northwest Army, which Li King once commanded, will also be implicated.”
Jinsui cursed silently, “Shameless! Prince Yu is truly shameless!”
And Gu Changxiao is too foolish. They clearly sent you to your death, yet you actually went, and even took my Black Feather Army brothers with you!
Speaking of which, Yan Jiu glanced at Jinsui and said softly, “As for why Li King was so eager for you to leave, it’s because Prince Yu already knows about the real and fake Li King.
He specifically requested you go to the Northern Frontier to confess your guilt. This journey would surely lead to your death.”
Jinsui said coldly, “But why did Prince Yu send people to capture me alive?”
Yan Jiu looked at her: “You are so intelligent, you must have thought of it. Prince Yu is extremely wary of the firearms you used to kill the Tartars.”
“He captured you for two reasons: first, to obtain the firearms, and second, to frame Li King. Even if Li King dies in the Northern Frontier, he can solidify the fact that Li King is a traitorous official.
Neither the people of the world nor the historical records of the court will find any fault with him.”
Jinsui burst into laughter, her laughter unrestrained and wild, with not a trace of a young lady’s demeanor left.
“Wanting to be a whore and also build a memorial archway! Are all people of the royal family this ridiculous?”
Yan Shiyi’s eyes widened like saucers, and he kept shrinking back. Was this the same young lady who was chatting with me just now?
How could such vulgar and heaven-defying words come from those cherry lips of yours?
Jinsui stood up abruptly: “Regardless, thank you for your care during this time. I bid you farewell!”
Yan Jiu looked up: “What do you plan to do?”
“I was the one who burned and killed the Tartars. I’m not so pathetic as to let Gu Changxiao, that scoundrel, take the blame for me!
The brothers of the Black Feather Camp followed me. No one can let them go to their deaths in vain!
I’m going to bring them back, every single one of them! The Northern Frontier is a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair, but I will still venture in!”
Yan Jiu spread his hands: “See, this is precisely why I didn’t dare to tell you beforehand.”
Jinsui looked at him directly: “If Eleventh Young Master hadn’t come today, when were you planning to keep it from me? Were you going to build a golden birdcage and lock me up forever?
You are as self-righteous as Gu Changxiao!
In the end, you are all too accustomed to being high and mighty. You think you’re doing what’s best for the other person, but in reality, you just look down on people!
On what grounds do you assume I’m incapable of handling things?”
Yan Shiyi was looking for a crack in the ground to hide in. This young lady wasn’t just bold; she was audacious! To speak to my Elder Brother like that!
But soon Yan Shiyi noticed something was wrong. The Tartars were clearly burned by Little Daoist Ji, so why did this young lady say she did it?
Even if he was bad with faces, he could tell something was off. This young lady wasn’t just like Little Daoist Ji. If she wiped off the rouge, tied up her hair, changed her clothes, and perhaps flattened her chest a bit, she would be Little Daoist Ji!
Yan Shiyi rubbed his eyes. They weren’t blurry. He pinched himself. It hurt. He wasn’t dreaming!
With a ‘plop,’ he fell off his chair in panic.
He pointed at Jinsui, stammering ‘you, you’ for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Until Jinsui glanced at him, her eyes practically conveying the words “idiot”!
Yan Shiyi was too familiar with that look. He cried out in shock: “You are Li King! Pfft, you are Little Daoist Ji!
You’re a woman?!”
Has the world gone mad? The fake Li King, who was so arrogant that the youth of the entire Yan land admired him, was a woman?
Was he pretending to be a woman to escape assassins?
Yan Shiyi stared intently, examining her from the tips of her hair to her toes. He had to admit, with this appearance and figure, if she were a fake woman, then there would be no real women in the world!
Madness, it’s truly madness! The matter of the real and fake Li King had the entire Yan land in heated discussion.
If they knew the fake Li King was a woman, and a stunning beauty at that, countless people would probably think they were blind.
Jinsui snorted coldly, ignoring him, and directly asked Yan Jiu:
“I know you hate Gu Changxiao and don’t want to be involved with Li King, but what about Miss Yan? Are you not going to manage her?”
Yan Jiu nodded: “Naturally, I will manage her.”
He was too calm, so calm that he seemed heartless and unfeeling.
Jinsui took a deep breath, reminding herself, “You are asking for a favor now, stay calm.”
She sat down again: “Then we can cooperate. I’ll borrow some people from you to go to the Northern Frontier together. I guarantee Miss Yan will return safely.”
Yan Jiu remained silent. Jinsui took out a map she had recently drawn and spread it before him: “I know the Yan Clan has sea vessels and secretly trades by sea.
I also know you don’t have complete sea charts and can’t find safe routes. This map is the complete Nanyang route.
I’ll use this map to repay your life-saving grace and exchange it for some manpower. I even guarantee that if I return alive, I will personally lead a team to verify the authenticity of this sea chart.
If I don’t return alive, you can arrange for someone to verify it…”
Before she could finish, Yan Jiu slowly rolled up the sea chart. Jinsui thought he was going to agree.
To her and Yan Shiyi’s astonished gaze, he actually threw the map into the tea stove and burned it!
The flames licked at it, instantly turning the sea chart to ash in the stove.
Jinsui was shocked: “What are you doing?”
She believed this was a deal no one could refuse. A sea chart with a safe route! Yan Jiu couldn’t possibly not know its importance.
Even Yan Shiyi, the simpleton, knew: “Brother, what are you doing? Our family just lost three ships to a storm. With this sea chart, our fleet would be much safer.”
Yan Shiyi didn’t doubt Jinsui’s words at all. The businesses he had partnered with Little Daoist Ji on had all been profitable.
Yan Jiu looked up at Jinsui and said in a calm but very serious tone, “You will return alive to verify the authenticity of this sea chart.”
Jinsui was stunned and looked at him with confusion.
Then she heard him say, “You will definitely return alive, because I am going with you.”
“Go where?”
Yan Jiu smiled: “The Northern Frontier.”
Jinsui’s heart skipped a beat. The anger and ferocity she had felt moments ago completely dissipated at his words, and an indescribable emotion swirled in her heart.
After a long pause, she said, “You don’t have to do this. This matter has nothing to do with you.”
Yan Jiu chuckled: “Miss Yan is my sister, and it’s better if I bring her back myself. Besides…”
He looked at Jinsui: “Brother Ji considers Jiu Lang a friend, and as friends, we naturally stand together.”
Jinsui shook her head vigorously: “No, you can’t go!”
I already owe you so much. If you die in the Northern Frontier, how can I repay your kindness?
Yan Jiu smiled: “I prefer the way you were when you were cursing me.”
Yan Shiyi Lang: …Brother, are you crazy?
“Just as you said, the Northern Frontier isn’t a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair. What can’t be ventured into?”
Jinsui opened her mouth but didn’t know how to persuade him, only shaking her head: “Just give me some people, and I guarantee Miss Yan will return safely.”
Yan Shiyi suddenly reacted: “Brother, if you go to the Northern Frontier, what will happen to our family?”
Yan Jiu smiled and looked at him: “Isn’t there you! Otherwise, why would I have you here?”
To watch the show for so long, to listen to Miss Ji scold me, was the show that good?
Yan Shiyi immediately pleaded more sincerely than Jinsui: “Brother, you can’t go! I’ll go, let me bring Miss Yan back!”
Yan Jiu said very seriously: “You will die in the Northern Frontier.”
No, with your brain, you’d probably die halfway there.
He remained in his calm demeanor, poured out the cold tea from Jinsui’s cup, refilled it with hot tea, and pushed it towards her:
“Once I’ve made up my mind, I won’t change it. Now, what Miss Ji should be discussing with Yan Jiu is how to break through this situation.”
…
Meanwhile, Grandpa Ling at Plum Blossom Villa was performing divination: “Great Accumulation hexagram, line three.”
Jin’an didn’t understand: “What does that mean?”
Grandpa Ling’s expression was solemn: “Your sister is going on a long journey.”
Jin’an anxiously said: “We’re going too!”
Grandpa Ling sighed softly: “If we go, we’ll only be a burden to her.”
He gently stroked Jin’an’s head: “Your sister has had it very tough. Little An needs to grow up quickly and help her share her burdens!”
Liu Yun, lying on the bed, sat up instantly: “Where is she going? Prince said she must leave Yan land safely.”
Grandpa Ling pushed him back down, feeling that this scene was all too familiar. Right, he had done the same to Gu Changxiao before.
Meanwhile, Gu Changxiao, on his northward journey, finally received an urgent letter from Cheng Yu. His anxious heart finally settled; Little Daoist Ji was not dead.
Cheng Yu personally verified the body; it was Little Daoist Ji’s body double. She had been rescued by Yan Jiu.
Gu Changxiao felt both relieved and regretful. He had been too anxious at the time and feared that sending too many people for protection would attract attention.
He never expected to almost cause Little Daoist Ji’s death.
Had she finally joined Yan Jiu’s command? Thinking of this, a surge of jealousy welled up in Gu Changxiao’s heart.
The scene from that day flashed in his mind, when Little Daoist Ji wrote on Yan Jiu’s palm.
However, what right did he have to be jealous? Little Daoist Ji had faced life-and-death situations multiple times because of him.
Getting involved with him would only harm Little Daoist Ji.
This is for the best. At least Yan Jiu can protect you.
As long as you are safe for a lifetime, I will die without regret.
But it still hurts so much, the heartache is so intense that every breath feels like being cut by a knife.
Sui Sui, I haven’t even called you that yet.
“Sui Sui, can I call you that from now on?”
Jinsui’s lips twitched slightly. She felt a bit embarrassed hearing those two words spoken by the cool-voiced Yan Jiu.
But she really didn’t want to change her name. She was afraid that if she used too many personas, she would get confused.
“Which of these three identities do you want to choose?”
Jinsui looked at the plan on the paper. Wife—she widened her eyes and looked at Yan Jiu: “Are you crazy! If the Head of the Yan Clan takes a wife, it will be known to the world. Who can you fool?”
Yan Jiu chuckled: “Fooling the Northern Frontier people is not a problem. If you think it’s too fake, we can hold the wedding within three days.”
Yan Shiyi almost knelt. My brother, are you playing this big? This crazy woman… alright, this beautiful crazy woman, you can’t marry her!
Aren’t you afraid she’ll hack you in the middle of the night if you argue? I don’t want to call her sister-in-law!
Madness, madness is indeed contagious. My brother has been infected by this crazy woman!
Jinsui directly crossed it out with her pen: “The wife of the Head of the Yan Clan is too difficult to portray. I can’t act it well.”
Yan Jiu chuckled and pointed to the second identity, Yan Clan Daughter, Yan Jiu’s sister.
Then I’ll have to call you brother all the way? That’s also embarrassing. Besides, Young Miss is as difficult to portray as Madam Yan.
Her gaze fell on the third option, a personal maidservant.
Her mouth twitched, and she directly asked: “Can’t I continue to pretend to be a man?”
Yan Jiu shook his head: “Many people recognize the fake Li King, and it will be exposed.”
Jinsui resigned herself: “Then I’ll choose maidservant.”
Yan Jiu gave no indication.
Then Jinsui asked again: “What reason will we use to go to the Northern Frontier?”
Yan Jiu hid nothing: “To congratulate the Left Wise King of the Northern Frontier on his wedding. The Yan Clan has always had business dealings with the Left Wise King.
The Yan Clan intends to expand its business in the Northern Frontier. Taking this opportunity, the Head of the Yan Clan personally goes to offer congratulations, which is not out of the ordinary.”
Jinsui frowned. You’re telling me this so casually?
Although I know that the gentry of Yan land have some business dealings with the Northern Frontier, you’re dealing with the Left Wise King. If this business involves provisions, what’s the difference from treason?
Yan Jiu glanced at her and reminded her with a smile: “Sui Sui, don’t forget, you are not Li King now.”
Jinsui was stunned, blushing slightly. She had finished acting for so long, yet she hadn’t stepped out of the role!
The gentry of Yan land are colluding with the Northern Frontier to rebel, what does that have to do with you? With your current precarious situation, and you asking for favors, what can you do?
But she still sincerely advised: “Doing business with the Northern Frontier is like seeking a tiger for its skin. It’s better to expand the sea merchant business.”
Yan Jiu nodded in agreement: “That’s why Sui Sui must return alive to verify the safety of that route.”
“When do we depart?”
“I have made all the arrangements. We can depart tomorrow.”
Yan Shiyi finally managed to interject: “But Brother, the New Year is almost here. Do you want me to perform the sacrifice?”
Yan Jiu looked at him: “You are eighteen now. It’s time to settle down and take on responsibility.”
Whether he was trying to scare Yan Shiyi or speaking sincerely, he patted Yan Shiyi’s shoulder and said, “If I don’t return from this trip, the Yan family will be yours.”
Then Jinsui saw Yan Shiyi slide off his chair again, grab Yan Jiu’s leg, and wail.
Jinsui covered her forehead. If Jin’an turned out like this, I’d definitely beat him to death!
Sorry, my dears, the update is late today. Don’t stay up late reading, read it in the morning.
