“Wait!” At that moment, Ge Xinwei spurred her horse forward and stood in front of Ruo Wen. “Your Majesty! I have an idea!”
Ruo Wen waved his hand, and Man Hu and the others who were about to move the gunpowder retreated.
Ge Xinwei steadied herself before speaking, “Your Majesty! Please send me as an envoy to Mizan. If the Yunpei delegation can negotiate, why can’t we from Fentian?”
Ruo Wen narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. “Negotiate? What a novel concept!”
Ge Xinwei said, “Your Majesty! Xinwei knows you’re not enthusiastic about this battle. Please let me go as an envoy to Mizan! I will surely bring back what you desire.” Her eyes were filled with determination.
Ruo Wen laughed, “You? Just you?” His tone was mocking.
Ge Xinwei’s gaze dimmed slightly, and she said bitterly, “Or do you think I’m no match for her?”
Ruo Wen put away his horsewhip. “Man Hu, take a thousand men with her! You have three hours!”
Ge Xinwei nodded and turned to ride towards the city gate with Man Hu.
Oh, woman, why can’t you let go of a man?
Oh, woman, why do you still love that man even when he’s hurt your heart and soul?
Is it because his broad chest holds your gentle spirit?
Or is it because his rough hands grasp the persistence of your love?
Oh, woman, if you can’t have him, yet can’t leave him;
If you can’t cry it out, nor laugh it away…
In the end, what will become of you? Will you even exist?
At the Lord’s Manor in Fuping City.
Wu Jihai sat in the main hall. He was received by a slender old man in his sixties who sat in the host’s seat, holding a document. “General Wu! Please forgive today’s incident. His Majesty explicitly ordered that your country’s delegation couldn’t enter until the Huoxian army arrived. Fortunately, it was just in time.”
Wu Jihai was in no mood to be angry; he had been truly frightened. They had entered the city just moments before the Fentian army arrived. If they had been a step later, it was unimaginable. After a moment, he said, “Mr. Na Ke, thank you for your hospitality. Our Queen Guan Ying is injured and cannot leave Fuping for now. The journey to Youzhou will have to be postponed.”
Na Ke smiled, “Stay and rest here! However, as the Lord of Fuping, I must state in advance that I must prioritize Mizan’s interests at all times. If the Kuangxue King attacks forcefully, we certainly won’t risk our nation’s 300,000 elite soldiers. Please understand if that time comes.”
No matter how rough Wu Jihai was, he couldn’t miss the implication of these words. He clenched his fists tightly but had to endure.
“Report to the City Lord! An envoy from Fentian seeks an audience!” An urgent shout broke the silence in the hall.
“What?” Both men were startled simultaneously.
“The Fentian envoy, Ge Xinwei, seeks an audience!” The soldier quickly repeated.
After a brief moment of thought, Na Ke nodded and said, “In war, we don’t kill envoys. Receive her! General Wu, you need not leave. I fear… this envoy truly wants to see your master.”
Wu Jihai sat to the side, his gaze fierce as he stared at the door. Before departing, His Majesty had discussed Ruo Wen with him, saying that apart from his martial prowess, he was just a reckless brute without wisdom. How could his behavior today be so different?
Soon, Ge Xinwei entered gracefully. She wore a long green dress with a fur coat. Her high bun was simply adorned with two precious hairpins, yet she still looked noble and elegant, immediately brightening the somber hall.
“Queen?” Wu Jihai was so surprised at her appearance that he knocked over his tea. But upon closer inspection, he realized something was off. The eye color was different. Queen Guan Ying’s eyes were light gray, while this woman’s were sapphire blue. Yet, how could there be such similar faces in the world? He suddenly felt a bit scared. “Who are you?”
Ge Xinwei ignored Wu Jihai and bowed slightly to Na Ke. Behind her, Man Hu looked at everyone disdainfully, occasionally snorting. This stark contrast in attitude left Na Ke momentarily stunned before he nodded in return.
Ge Xinwei sat down frankly next to Wu Jihai and smiled, “Lord Na Ke, don’t you remember Xinwei? At the last Provisional City Council, Xinwei was deeply impressed by you!”
Na Ke finally recognized her, “Princess Yuji, Ge Xinwei? How you’ve grown! I hardly recognized you!”
The talent and strategy of this Princess Yuji had once deeply impressed Na Ke. At that time, she was just a 15-year-old girl. Now she had blossomed into a graceful young woman with an extraordinary aura. When he first heard about the fall of Masui and the extermination of the Yu clan earlier this year, he felt quite regretful for this innocent young girl. He never expected to see her in his city today.
“I’m glad you remember me. Let me get straight to the point,” Ge Xinwei smiled slightly. “I want to see Queen Guan Ying!”
Na Ke was taken aback. Although he had suspected this, such directness was unlikely to lead to a good outcome.
Seeing his silence, Wu Jihai became furious, “If you have anything to say, tell me. The Queen won’t see you!”
Ge Xinwei finally looked at Wu Jihai, “General Wu, is it? I’ve long heard of your great name, but seeing you now, you don’t live up to the rumors! Go report to your master. If she truly won’t see me, we’ll leave immediately. I’ll wait for just a quarter of an hour. Consider it carefully!” She spoke firmly, completely unaffected by Wu Jihai’s anger.
Wu Jihai sat there, unwilling to rise and report, unaware that Lian Huan, who had been guarding the side of the hall, had already sent someone to inform Huang Beishuang of everything.
Meanwhile, Ge Xinwei calmly sipped her tea, her gaze dark. “General Wu, the quarter hour is almost up. Have you decided?” Wu Jihai hesitated for a long time before finally standing up abruptly, seemingly ready to report.
But before he reached the door, Lian Huan and seven others rushed in, clearing a path in the hall. The sound of coughing could be heard from afar. Wu Jihai and the others looked toward the sound and saw Ye Pei and two others supporting Huang Beishuang as they approached.
Ge Xinwei watched that figure draw closer, her heart racing, her jade hand unconsciously gripping the teacup. Soon, she entered, her face pale but wearing a plum blossom-like smile. Seeing so many people in the hall bowing to her, she didn’t immediately respond but walked step by step to sit opposite Ge Xinwei. Only then did she softly say, “Please, everyone, no need for formalities.” Her cool demeanor dissipated the oppressive atmosphere in the hall.
Everyone’s gaze shifted between these two women with similar appearances.
“You look like you still have a fever,” Ge Xinwei spoke first, very simply.
Huang Beishuang smiled, “Indeed, I’m not feeling well.”