Chapter 167: Go Chase Gu Changxiao
But now was not the time for gossip. Jin Sui pondered and asked, “Then what does the Princess want to cooperate with Lord Yan on?”
Naren Tuoya’s eyes lit up and she said, “Naturally, to help my younger brother reclaim the throne, and to annihilate the Left Wise King.”
Jin Sui suppressed the urge to retort and asked with a smile, “Then what benefits will Lord Yan receive?”
Naren Tuoya clasped her hands and said, “This Princess can give Yan Jiu all the trade rights of the Northern Frontier with Yandi!”
Jin Sui raised an eyebrow. Was this Princess too naive, or was it the mindset of this era? Those in power all thought that commerce was unimportant, even that it harmed agriculture and the nation’s foundation.
Giving all the trade rights of the Northern Frontier to Yan Jiu, believe it or not, within ten years Yan Jiu could collapse the Northern Frontier’s economy, make your country indebted, and the entire nation would work for him!
It seems my strategy of collecting rabbit fur and undermining the Northern Frontier’s national foundation can be implemented. I thought only the Great Xia Imperial Court was engaged in infighting, but the Northern Frontier fights even more fiercely.
When the Imperial Court is in internal strife, there is less attention paid to the lower levels, and the lives of the common people fall into a mire, which is perfect for causing trouble.
Seeing Jin Sui remain silent, Naren Tuoya smiled again and said, “This Princess can also offer Yan Jiu another reward: to make him my husband!”
Fortunately, I wasn’t drinking tea, otherwise Jin Sui would have definitely spat it out.
“Hey, go tell Yan Jiu that I can marry him according to your Han customs, as long as he helps my younger brother reclaim the throne.”
Jin Sui gave a dry laugh, “Marriage is a serious matter, it’s not appropriate for an outsider to relay messages. Princess, you should speak to Lord Yan yourself!”
She absolutely would not get involved in such matters! Before, she tried to set up Yan Twelve Niang and Gu Changxiao, and those two ended up fighting.
I don’t have the talent to be a matchmaker or a cupid, and it’s said that meddling in others’ romantic affairs will diminish one’s own. As a single person, why would I wade into your muddy waters!
But what she wanted to say was: “The two rewards you mentioned, Princess, are too grand, too vague. In our Han language, it’s like ‘drawing a big pie,’ with no substance.”
Naren Tuoya became displeased, “How is it not practical? Isn’t marrying him practical enough? If he doesn’t believe me, I can go to his bed tonight.”
Jin Sui: …
Sister, you are truly bold!
Liu Yun, who was eating candy over there, looked over. Was it that explosive?
“Princess, you may not know, but we Han people cannot share a bed before marriage! And, we don’t know if Lord Yan is willing to be your husband.”
To avoid enraging this stubborn Princess, Jin Sui quickly said, “The trade rights you mentioned also require a lot of time to manage before yielding results. Instead of drawing these big pies, it would be better to offer some practical compensation.
For example, for the throne of the Northern Frontier, asking for a hundred thousand taels of gold is not excessive, is it?”
Naren Tuoya lifted her chin, “Our Northern Frontier throne is certainly worth more than a hundred thousand taels of gold!”
Jin Sui nodded in agreement, “Yes, yes, that’s the attitude we want.” But then she was speechless again, “But this Princess has no money! My younger brother also has no money.”
“Of course, after my younger brother ascends the throne, we can pay Yan Jiu in installments of cattle, sheep, gold, and silver.”
You even have installment payments!
You have no money, yet you’re so proud, with a domineering aura that says, ‘I’m not poor, I’m just out of money.’
Since there’s no money, it’s even easier to handle.
“Even if the Princess has no money, then offer another reward. I want the Princess to ensure Li King and his subordinates return safely to Great Xia, and to find evidence of the Empress and the Left Wise King colluding.”
Naren Tuoya looked at her with confusion, “Did Yan Jiu ask for this? I heard Yan Jiu is at odds with the Great Xia royal family. Why would he care about Li King’s life or death?”
It’s remarkable that you, from so far away, can gather such information.
At this moment, Yan Jiu’s voice rang out, “This is not something the Princess needs to consider. The Princess only needs to answer, do you agree?”
He entered wearing a fur-collared cloak, carrying a hint of the coldness of winter snow.
Jin Sui noticed mud on his boots and dirt on the hem of his cloak. He had gone out again to search for Twelve Niang’s clues.
As soon as Yan Jiu entered, Naren Tuoya became spirited. She stood up and asked with a smile, “I agree, then will you promise to marry me?”
Yan Jiu glanced at her expressionlessly and turned to leave.
Naren Tuoya quickly spread her arms to block him, “Alright, if you don’t want to marry me, you don’t want to marry me. This Princess doesn’t want to marry into Great Xia anyway!
Then let’s discuss our cooperation in detail.”
After speaking, she looked at Jin Sui, her intention obvious: you, a mere maidservant, have no place here. Get out!
But Yan Jiu said, “Miss Ji, please stay and discuss with us.”
“Miss Ji? Isn’t she your maidservant?”
Jin Sui smiled, “I appreciate the Head of the Family’s regard. Strictly speaking, we are partners. Just as the Princess and the Head of the Family are partners from now on.”
Naren Tuoya was very displeased with this answer and asked loudly, “Then I like Yan Jiu. If he’s willing to stay in the Northern Frontier, I’ll make him my husband. Do you like Yan Jiu too?”
Jin Sui thought Yan Jiu would stop her from talking nonsense, but found that Yan Jiu was actually lowering his gaze, his ears flushed red, whether from the cold or the warmth of the room.
Big Brother, have you never been confessed to before? A Princess openly declared her liking for you, and you’re just lost in thought like this?
Aren’t the women of Yandi quite bold? Has no one ever confessed to Yan Jiu?
She sighed softly and took out her identity card, a Taoist priest’s token: “I am a Taoist nun, I cannot be involved in romantic affairs.”
“Amitabha… bah, Ten Thousand Blessings Heavenly Venerable.”
Naren Tuoya’s attitude changed immediately, and she clasped her hands in greeting, “I didn’t know you were someone who served the Gods. I apologize.”
Uh, I’m different from the Saintess from the Northern Frontier who was sent to the Divine Palace.
In short, the Princess agreed to let Jin Sui stay and became much more polite to her. The three of them began to discuss how to overthrow the Left Wise King, while Liu Yun continued to squat in the corner, pretending to be invisible.
But Jin Sui didn’t drive him out; she needed a ‘witness’ to relay a message to Gu Changxiao.
Just then, a commotion was heard from outside, and then a group of Northern Frontier soldiers was seen pushing and shoving Yan Clan bodyguards, shouting something in their language.
Princess Tuoya exclaimed in shock, “It’s the Left Wise King’s men! How did they know I was here?”
But she didn’t suspect Yan Jiu or Jin Sui at all. Instead, she looked around for another exit, “I’ll leave first. Find me at the forest from yesterday later.”
At that moment, a man dressed as a general burst into the felt tent. His eyes lit up when he saw Princess Tuoya, and he chuckled creepily, as if he wasn’t looking at a woman, but at wealth and power.
Whether he captured her alive or killed her, he would receive a heavy reward from the Left Wise King!
Princess Tuoya frantically searched for her saber, but Jin Sui reacted faster, “Liu Yun!”
At the same time, she pulled the Princess, “You hurry and go, Liu Yun will handle this person!”
Upon hearing “handle,” Liu Yun, whose movements were as swift as lightning, asked, “Handle how much?”
Jin Sui was stunned. What did “handle how much” mean? Princess Tuoya cried out first, “Handle half!”
Then, with a sharp ‘swish,’ a flash of silver-white saber light, the general who had charged in was split into two halves at an even interval. Liu Yun sheathed his saber with a cool ‘clang.’
Without looking back, he said to Princess Tuoya, “You choose half!”
Jin Sui: …
They’ve gone mad! I knew it, anyone who stays in a border city for too long will become somewhat abnormal!
You call this “handling” someone? And “handling half”? And you get to choose?
Moreover, my felt tent is covered in blood, I can’t live here anymore!
Yan Jiu looked disdainfully at the bloodstains splashed on his hem and calmly said, “Let’s go together! It seems someone has leaked our whereabouts.”
Princess Tuoya broke free from Jin Sui’s hand and ran excitedly to Liu Yun’s side, her eyes sparkling, “Your swordsmanship is so good, teach me!”
Liu Yun, putting on a show, said arrogantly, “My saber only kills, it doesn’t teach.”
Jin Sui wished she could grab both of their heads and drag them away quickly. Is this the time to be chatting?
She looked at Yan Jiu sympathetically. You’ve “fallen out of favor” so quickly! No wonder you didn’t even consider marrying Princess Tuoya. It turns out the Princess’s affections change so fast.
Yan Clan bodyguards stepped forward to assist. The four of them galloped out of the chaotic circle. With the general dead, the other soldiers lost their will to pursue. They didn’t have to wait long at the edge of the forest before Yan Clan bodyguards arrived.
Yan Jiu’s expression was very grim. It seemed many of the shopkeepers from Yandi who remained in the Northern Frontier had defected.
If they could sell his whereabouts to Princess Tuoya, they could also sell them to the Left Wise King.
To be honest, he wasn’t very enthusiastic about getting involved in Princess Tuoya’s affairs at first. But now, it seemed the Left Wise King already considered him an enemy, and it would be difficult to extricate himself.
At this moment, Jin Sui, who had been writing something, looked up and said to him, “We need to split up. You and Princess Tuoya will go see the Prince and organize troops to ambush near the Royal Court, preparing to kill the Left Wise King.”
“Liu Yun and I will go after Gu Changxiao and inform him of this plan, so he can also join the cooperation.”
Yan Jiu’s brow furrowed slightly, and he didn’t reply. Jin Sui sighed softly, “I know finding Twelve Niang is the most urgent matter, but searching for one person in the vast Northern Frontier is like finding a needle in a haystack. We can’t trust all those shopkeepers either.”
“We can change our approach to find her: let Twelve Niang find us! If the news spreads, Twelve Niang will definitely hear about it no matter where she is. If Lord Yan and Princess Tuoya join forces, she will definitely find a way to send us a message.”
“What we need to do now is to stand on high ground, so high that Twelve Niang can see us no matter where she is.”
This statement made Yan Jiu’s brow relax considerably. He slowly nodded, “Miss Ji’s words are reasonable. Then, as you said, you go catch up with Li King, and we’ll meet at the Royal Court.”
Princess Tuoya quickly ran over and said, “Then Miss Ji can go alone to chase him. No, I can send people to protect you. Master Liu Yun must stay.”
Liu Yun, who was chewing on an energy bar, looked up blankly. Master Liu Yun, like a monk, sounded so unpleasant!
Jin Sui chuckled, “No, Liu Yun has to come with me.”
Tuoya was unconvinced, “Why? Is he your slave? Then this Princess will buy his freedom!”
Jin Sui sighed powerlessly and pushed Liu Yun, “You tell her.”
Liu Yun broke his energy bar in half and handed it to her. Princess Tuoya accepted it without suspicion and ate it, her eyes growing brighter with each bite.
“My duty is to protect Little Daoist Ji. Goodbye!” Liu Yun said this and turned to mount his horse. Jin Sui and Tuoya were left stunned. Is this how you explain it?
Jin Sui had to comfort Tuoya, “When we meet at the Royal Court, I will definitely persuade Liu Yun to teach you swordsmanship!”
Yan Jiu arranged for dozens of people to accompany Jin Sui, but she refused, as it would be too conspicuous. She only chose two Yan Clan bodyguards and asked Tuoya for one more.
She needed a guide. The group of five, all disguised as Northern Frontier people, quickly set off to chase Gu Changxiao.
Not to mention, Liu Yun looked quite like an exotic young man in a sable coat and fur hat. She stared at him for a long time, stroking her chin, and said with a smile,
“If an eagle were perched on your shoulder and your saber hung at your waist like this, riding a horse, you’d be a perfect prairie prince!”
In later generations, you’d definitely become an internet celebrity with millions of fans! No, our Liu Yun is much more handsome than many young idols, he could even be a big star.
Liu Yun uncomfortably tugged at his collar and shot her a look, “I’m not going to be a prairie prince, I’m Han Chinese!”
Jin Sui teased, “I think Princess Tuoya has fallen for you. What do you think?”
Liu Yun’s expression remained unchanged, “She just likes good-looking men, and I happen to be good-looking.”
Jin Sui’s mouth twitched. You’re quite narcissistic.
“And, she likes my saber even more.”
Liu Yun showed off his precious saber like a proud elementary school student showing off his favorite toy.
Jin Sui didn’t want to talk to this child anymore. When they catch up to Gu Changxiao, you can go play with Hei Hu!
Before parting, Yan Jiu quietly instructed Jin Sui, “Your safety is paramount in all matters.”
Jin Sui nodded emphatically and said at the same time, “Head of the Family, you too, be careful. And be wary of Princess Tuoya, don’t let her force you to become her husband!”
Yan Jiu’s lips curved slightly, “Miss Ji doesn’t want me to be her husband?”
Jin Sui asked back in confusion, “Do you want to?”
Yan Jiu coughed lightly, showing a rare hint of panic, “Of course not! Then we’ll meet at the Royal Court.”
Talking to Liu Yun is like coaxing a proud elementary school student, and talking to Yan Jiu is like playing riddles. If you two weren’t good-looking, you’d definitely have a harder time finding wives than Hei Hu!
Upon arriving at a prefecture city in the Northern Frontier, tracking Gu Changxiao became much easier. Tuoya’s subordinates acted as guides. Asking a herdsman here and there, they learned where the Great Xia Imperial Commissioner’s team had gone.
He led Jin Sui and the others along a small path, and they could even stay in herdsmen’s felt tents at night. Jin Sui was very glad she brought him along; a guide was too important.
However, caution was still necessary. She used her telescope to survey the surrounding environment and marked it on the map. Only when she confirmed they were heading towards the Royal Court did she relax.
Three days later, a herdsman told them that the Xia Army had passed through this area just yesterday.
Jin Sui became inexplicably nervous. But Liu Yun was as happy as a child, “Finally caught up to the Prince!”
“I misunderstood you before.”
“Misunderstood me about what?”
“I thought you wanted to be under Yan Jiu and didn’t want the Prince anymore.”
Jin Sui rolled her eyes at him, “What do you mean ‘didn’t want the Prince anymore’? Your Prince isn’t mine!”
“Besides, I was already going to work under Yan Jiu. Didn’t you hear our conversation on the way? Yan Jiu lent me manpower and financial resources to bring your Prince and the Black Feather Army back to the border city, and I have to help the Yan Clan find a safe sea route.”
Liu Yun was stunned, “You weren’t lying to him?”
Jin Sui leaned so close to his face she could almost touch him and questioned, “When have I ever lied to anyone?”
Liu Yun flinched back, “You’ve been lying all along! The Black Feather Camp and the Prince still don’t know you’re a woman.”
Speaking of which, Jin Sui instantly deflated. Yes, come to think of it, I even lied to Grandpa and Jin An!
I’m no longer the real Ling Jin Sui. Perhaps I even lied to the Gods, otherwise, why would I have transmigrated?
“Alright, you’re right, I’m a liar.
But I didn’t lie to Yan Jiu. When we return to the border city, neither you nor your Prince will owe me anything.”
