Chapter 195: Strategy
After Xue Sui finished her midday meal in Li Xiang Courtyard, she was chatting with Xue Ji when Jinshu hurried in and whispered a few words in her ear.
“Well done!”
Xue Sui immediately got up, told Xue Ji to rest well, and then left with Xiao Zhao.
As soon as she passed the Yi Gate, she saw Xue Qingzhi with his brows deeply furrowed and a solemn expression, returning from outside with his hands behind his back, blocking her path.
“Where are you going to roam again?”
The Xizi death warriors were rampant, and the women of all households were forbidden to go out.
“You’re not young anymore, yet you’re becoming more and more unruly. Look at you, how can you be considered a lady of a Prince’s Mansion?”
What one likes, one likes no matter what.
What one dislikes, even a breath is annoying.
Xue Sui stood quietly, smiling faintly, saying nothing.
Xue Qingzhi lectured her for a couple of sentences, and looking at her serene and elegant smile, he suddenly felt guilty, his cheeks burning.
He himself couldn’t explain why; all his daughters were well-behaved and obedient. Yet this sixth one always gave him an unfathomable sense of pressure, making him very uncomfortable.
He waved his hand, no longer wanting to beat around the bush.
“The Prince is ill, and as the Prince’s wife, you should know what’s important. Hurry back and attend to him…”
Xue Sui, not knowing how to refuse, immediately agreed.
“Father’s reprimand is correct, your daughter will return to the mansion now.”
She curtsied and walked away with her back straight.
Xue Qingzhi watched the figure receding on the blue stone slab road, suddenly feeling that this daughter was like a rootless duckweed, seemingly drifting with the current, with no one to rely on, yet forming her own vast ocean, its depth unfathomable…
–
Xue Sui did not return directly to the Prince’s Mansion but went to meet Wen Jia.
The carriage sped along and soon arrived at the Princess Huguo’s Mansion.
This was a new mansion bestowed by the Emperor after Li Fuyin was enfeoffed as Princess Huguo.
At this moment, white banners fluttered throughout the mansion, the corridors were draped in white, and benzoin was burned in the bronze brazier, exuding a chilling atmosphere. Servants and stewards, old women, came and went, all clad in mourning clothes.
Wen Jia, dressed in mourning clothes without any pearls or jade ornaments, came to greet her at the flower-adorned gate.
“Ping An, you’re finally here.”
The two clasped hands, their fingertips both icy cold.
Wen Jia led her into the warm pavilion. Yaoguang had already brewed new tea, and amidst the curling tea mist, he looked at ease.
“Thirteen’s plan, with its interlocking steps, is brilliant!”
Xue Sui bowed slightly and smiled, “It’s all thanks to Senior Brother’s strong support.”
Wen Jia lightly supported her arm and invited her to sit. He personally held the pot and poured the tea, his voice weak, “I heard that the leader of the Xizi death warriors, Hakmu, has been captured. But that Ashina, with his wolf-like ambition, can even poison his own kin. How could he care about the life of Hakmu, his nephew?”
Xue Sui fiddled with the teacup, smiling faintly.
“He can give up the person, but he cannot give up the gunpowder… A hundred barrels of gunpowder for a nephew, exchanged for an immature child. This is a very profitable deal…”
After speaking, she turned her gaze and asked Yaoguang.
“Are the transported gunpowder supplies all properly stored?”
Yaoguang nodded leisurely, “Don’t worry, when I do things, they are always watertight.”
Xue Sui curved her lips into a smile, “Then we will proceed according to the plan. Send a message to Ashina, return Niu Niu, and recall all the death warriors lurking in Shangjing City. Then Hakmu and the gunpowder can both be returned…”
Yaoguang: “The Xizi people are cunning and suspicious. We need to devise a foolproof method.”
Xue Sui said, “First, spread rumors that the Crown Prince intercepted goods containing a secret letter, thus confirming King Xizi’s patricide and usurpation… When public opinion boils over, with Daliang outside preparing to fight, and Amun Rah’s old faction rising up inside, Chishui City will be in turmoil, and Ashina will have no other way out…”
“The Crown Prince?” Wen Jia was a little surprised.
Yaoguang also glanced at her.
“You mean, using the Crown Prince’s name to make this deal with Ashina?”
Xue Sui said faintly, “Old Mausoleum Swamp is in the shadows and doesn’t need to risk wading into muddy waters. Now everyone in Shangjing knows that it was the Crown Prince who led the Eastern Palace Six Guards to encircle the Xizi death warriors at the Yongding River and capture their leader, Hakmu. The immense merit of rescuing the imperial grandson should naturally be credited to the Crown Prince. It is reasonable and logical, and will not arouse suspicion…”
Yaoguang nodded, feeling that what she said was right, yet also felt something was not quite right…
Wen Jia nervously twisted her handkerchief, her expression anxious.
“I’m afraid Ashina will be cornered and harm Niu Niu…”
Xue Sui could not promise it would be foolproof.
But seeing the tears welling up in Wen Jia’s eyes, she could only comfort her.
“Ashina is a smart person. If he wants to keep his throne, he won’t shoot himself in the foot by harming Niu Niu. Harming Niu Niu would be of no benefit to him. Niu Niu is just a child…”
Wen Jia nodded nervously.
Xue Sui understood Wen Jia’s feelings and comforted her for a while, then turned to ask Yaoguang.
“What has Senior Sister Yuheng been doing lately?”
Yaoguang smiled and replied, “Senior Sister Yuheng sent a message a few days ago, saying she went to Qishan to gather herbs…”
“Is that so?” Xue Sui mused.
Could it be that she had misunderstood, and Senior Sister Yuheng wasn’t deliberately avoiding her…
Yaoguang noticed her unusual expression and couldn’t help but scrutinize her.
“Thirteen, why are you so eager to find Senior Sister Yuheng? Could it be…”
“It’s just a small matter I need to consult about,” Xue Sui said nonchalantly, not telling Yaoguang and Wen Jia about the subtle changes in her body recently.
She had been taking the medicine Senior Sister Yuheng gave her for a few days, but as her letter stated, it could control it but not completely detoxify it, feeling like a helpless situation of treating the symptoms but not the root cause.
“Senior Brother, I must return to Prince Duan’s Mansion today. If you have any news of Senior Sister Yuheng, please inform me.”
Yaoguang cupped his hands in response.
Wen Jia put down her teacup and stepped forward, gripping her hand tightly.
“Ping An, be careful with everything.”
Xue Sui pursed her lips and smiled, nodding, “Let’s each take care.”
The two parted reluctantly.
As soon as Xue Sui left, Dong Xu came to report.
“Princess, Young Master Lu requests an audience…”
Wen Jia’s eyes flickered, and she looked up at the sunset that dyed the sky.
“Please ask him to wait in the front courtyard’s living room for a moment.”
–
The setting sun was like blood.
Wen Jia stood at the end of the covered walkway, bathed in the slanting western light, her figure slender.
The sound of armor clashing could be heard in the distance.
Lu You’an, clad in silver armor, strode against the sunlight, his presence radiating a cold, sharp glint in the sunset.
This was the first time Wen Jia had seen him in military attire.
For a long time, her memory of him was of a frail scholar, the top scholar of the imperial examination, and a Imperial Son-in-law living in the shadow of Princess Ping Le. As a result, many people had forgotten that Lu You’an was both scholarly and martial, well-versed in military books, and originally had ambitions to conquer the world…
“Your subordinate greets the Princess.”
Lu You’an stood tall and straight, but he couldn’t hide the longing and reluctance in his eyes.
“General Who Conquered the West need not be so formal.” Wen Jia raised her hand, calling him by his newly bestowed title, feeling somewhat unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
“May I ask why the General seeks me?”
Lu You’an bent down and bowed deeply, gazing at her, his eyes filled with affection that almost overflowed: “Your subordinate has come to bid farewell to Your Highness. I am going to Chishui Pass…”
He paused, his throat slightly hoarse.
Wen Jia looked at him quietly, saying nothing.
“I will do my utmost at Chishui Pass,” Lu You’an took a deep breath, caressed the sword at his waist, and lowered his voice, “Your Highness, please rest assured. Your subordinate will definitely bring Niu Niu back safe and sound, even if it costs me my life…”
Wen Jia’s heart warmed.
This man was loyal and righteous, with a true heart, and was originally someone she could entrust herself to. But thinking of their awkward identities and the impossibility of spending their lives together, she couldn’t help but feel a little dejected.
“The journey ahead is perilous, General Lu, please take care. I will be in Shangjing, waiting for your safe return.”
Lu You’an’s throat tightened.
All the feelings in his heart, in the end, could not be spoken.
He suddenly recalled Princess Wen Jia’s wedding day, her bright red wedding dress sweeping across the snow, the tassels of the red veil swaying before his eyes. Watching her board the bridal sedan, his throat churned a thousand times, but he ultimately did not speak to stop her…
Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, things would have changed so much.
Lu You’an lowered his head and cupped his hands, his gaze falling on his sword tassel.
“Your subordinate will not fail in this mission.”
He bowed solemnly again, swallowing thousands of words, leaving only two.
“Farewell!”
Wen Jia’s eyes reddened, “General, travel safely. Please forgive me for not seeing you off.”
“Princess, take care.” Lu You’an’s voice was low. His gaze swept over the sandalwood bracelet on Wen Jia’s wrist—it was left by Consort Wan—and his heart ached.
He suddenly turned back two steps, grabbed her icy hand, and nervously stuffed a sweaty jade pendant into Wen Jia’s hand. The warmth in his palm felt like burning charcoal.
“Princess, wait for your subordinate to return with merit. If… if your subordinate does not return, this can be a memento for you…”
After saying this, he smiled with relief, a heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart for a long time finally lifted—the jade pendant his grandmother had left for her eldest grandson’s wife had finally been given away after many years.
But he was also very anxious, fearing that Wen Jia would refuse. So he withdrew his hand and turned away in a panic, walking quickly and hurriedly.
By the time Wen Jia came to her senses, his figure had already disappeared from sight.
“Take care…”
Wen Jia’s eyes shimmered with moisture, and she murmured, turning her back, not letting Dong Xu see the mist of tears welling up in her eyes. She only pursed her lips and smiled faintly.
“Let’s go back to the room.”
Dong Xu complied.
When she glanced over, she saw the Princess carefully winding the red string of the jade pendant around her wrist. The jade was a vibrant green, looking very beautiful, as if it had always belonged there.
–
Princess’s Mansion.
Upon hearing the news of Lu You’an’s departure for battle, and then hearing that he had met with Wen Jia and gifted her the jade pendant that carried his feelings, Ping Le was consumed by jealousy and slammed her teacup to the ground…
“What a pair of shameless scoundrels! Utterly shameless!”
The maid stood by with her head bowed and sleeves tucked in, not daring to say a word.
Ping Le suddenly turned her head coldly, “You immediately go to the Lu Mansion and tell the Imperial Son-in-law that I want to see the children. Before he departs, he must send the two children back to my mansion, otherwise, don’t blame me for turning ruthless…”
The maid hesitated.
Ping Le’s eyebrows shot up, her dark eyes seeming to hold poisoned hatred.
“You little slut, trying to die, hurry up and go…”
The maid’s shoulders tensed from the scolding, and she lowered her head, wiping away tears as she retreated.
The coral beaded curtain behind her rustled softly.
Gu Jie slowly entered, his figure tall and slender, like a green pine bearing snow, possessing a naturally handsome aura.
“Princess, why must you be so angry?”
Ping Le turned her head, looking at him coldly, and vented her anger on him.
“Why are you only coming now?”
Gu Jie smiled apologetically. He watched Ping Le’s skirt hem brush against the woven gold velvet carpet, added two spoonfuls of osmanthus honey to the tea soup, his gaze sinking slightly, and his voice softened.
“The Xue family is marrying off a daughter. My mother went to Bao Cui Fang to purchase a congratulatory gift, and asked me to accompany her. I was unable to get away for a while…”
“A congratulatory gift?” Ping Le raised an eyebrow.
Thinking of that reckless illegitimate daughter from the Xue family marrying into the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion and being paired with that useless Guo Zhaoxuan, she let out a sneering laugh with interest.
“Speaking of which, how long has it been since Guo Zhaohuai made an appearance?”
Ever since Xue Liu returned to the capital, Ping Le had been repeatedly confined, and the Women’s Society’s gatherings had almost ceased. Her former close friends each had their own duties, and they gradually drifted apart, no longer surrounding Ping Le as they used to.
He said, “Brother Guo is now serving in the Ministry of War, and with the Xizi invasion and the urgent situation at the border, he must be busy with official duties and unable to get away…”
“Hmph, that’s just an excuse.” Ping Le snorted coldly.
“I think he’s just a opportunist. He thinks this Princess has lost favor and is easy to bully, and wants to distance himself from me…”
She stepped closer, raising her eyebrows at Gu Jie.
“I’ve thought about it carefully these past few days, and I’ve slowly come to understand. In the past, it was my fault.”
Gu Jie’s pupils contracted slightly, “Why does the Princess say that?”
“My mistake was underestimating Xue Liu, and also underestimating that widow Wen Jia…” Ping Le narrowed her eyes, raised her chin to look at Gu Jie, and a finger painted with rouge gently traced his neck. In her eyes, there was a strange red glow.
“Fortunately, there is still a long future ahead. No rush, I will play with them slowly. This time, I will plan carefully…”
Gu Jie’s skin, touched by her, felt slightly cold, and he couldn’t help but shiver. Although it was a delicate and beautiful face before him, it seemed like a fierce demon with bared teeth, revealing its white fangs…
Before he could speak, Ping Le’s eerie smile was suddenly reflected in the bronze mirror.
Her fingertip traced Gu Jie’s Adam’s apple, and her voice was low and cold, “Speaking of which, Guo Zhaohuai, that good-for-nothing, is not entirely useless…”
The sound of water boiling on the stove suddenly rose.
Gu Jie took half a step back, his palms slightly sweaty.
“What does Your Highness intend to do?”
Ping Le smiled faintly, “The most poisonous bait is the human heart. Xue Liu used this trick. Why shouldn’t I use her own strategy against her?”
–
Inside Prince Duan’s Mansion, Lanzhi Courtyard was desolate.
Consort Zhang had just pushed the medicine bowl aside and coughed twice, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. The maid Cui Zhi lifted the curtain and hurried in to curtsy.
“Your Ladyship, it’s from the Master…”
Consort Zhang unfolded the letter and read a few lines with bated breath, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably.
The handwriting on the letter was messy and hurried, but it clearly stated: “As dawn broke, the Crown Prince sent people to surround the Zhang Mansion… You must ask Prince Duan to intervene and rescue your elder brother…”
“Are they crazy… He dares to collude with the Xizi people!”
Consort Zhang suddenly clenched the family letter, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh.
She had known her brother was greedy for money, but she never expected this fool would dare to collude with foreign enemies. If the Crown Prince could truly prove his guilt, let alone the entire Zhang family, even she, a Prince’s consort, would have to be buried with them…
Consort Zhang pushed away the maid serving her, not even bothering to put on her outer robe, and stumbled towards the main building of the Prince’s Mansion.
It was at this moment that Xue Sui entered the gates of Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Since “Prince Duan is ill,” she, Madam Ping An, naturally could not be negligent.
Xiao Zhao, Ru Yi, and Jinshu, carrying medicine boxes, surrounded Xue Sui as they hurried back to the mansion.
The gatekeeper said that the Princess Consort was attending to the Prince in his room. Xue Sui did not hesitate, walked through the corridor, and headed straight for the main courtyard where Li Huan resided.
Still in the outer room, she could hear Consort Zhang’s tearful voice.
“My Lord, for my sake, please save my elder brother…”
Two chapters combined, goodnight~
Please sisters point out any errors and leave comments, thank you mwah mwah
