The Seventh Prince was injured in the face while being pursued by the Second Prince? The timing of this injury… was truly opportune!
Xiao Rongyan looked at the spy kneeling in the center of the great tent, reporting on the matter of the Dongyi Empress personally welcoming the Great Zhou Emperor, and said, “You have worked hard, Yue Shi… have someone take him to receive his reward.”
“Thank you, Regent Prince. Serving the country is this humble person’s duty…” The man quickly expressed his gratitude.
Just as Yue Shi led the man out, Xiao Rongyan said to his guards, “You all leave first as well!”
When only Xiao Rongyan remained in the great tent, he removed the mask from his face, poured himself a cup of tea, picked up the teacup, and gazed at the clear tea liquid. His smile deepened.
It seemed… A’Bao was determined to retaliate for the troubles little A’Li had once caused Great Zhou.
This so-called “Seventh Prince” was probably fake, and the real Seventh Prince must already be firmly in A’Bao’s grasp.
The Dongyi Empress thought herself the cleverest person under heaven, showing off her intelligence before A’Bao, but… she had no idea what kind of person her opponent truly was. To protect her lifeline, she had schemed against the Great Zhou envoys, and now she even wanted Great Zhou to help her son conquer territory. Yet she didn’t know that A’Bao was not someone who would swallow humiliation and accept any loss just for the sake of victory in their wager.
Now with her weakness firmly grasped in Great Zhou’s palm, this Dongyi Empress could only hold her nose and acknowledge this fake son, allowing this fake son to ascend the throne as emperor. Thus, the Dongyi court would be entirely under the Great Zhou’s control, and would spare no effort in causing trouble for Yan, even dragging Yan into the war.
He had led troops here originally to prevent such things from happening, but A’Bao had used a strategy of removing the firewood from under the cauldron.
On the surface, Dongyi was still Dongyi, but in reality, Dongyi had already become Great Zhou’s Dongyi!
Yan could incite Dongyi to cause trouble for the Great Zhou for the sake of their wager’s victory, and now… The Great Zhou would naturally command Dongyi to make things difficult for Yan for the sake of their wager’s victory.
Previously Great Zhou was passive, but now Yan was the passive one!
Yan now probably could only attempt to buy off this Dongyi Empress and this fake Dongyi Seventh Prince while simultaneously sending people to find the real Dongyi Seventh Prince and grasp him firmly in their hands.
“Uncle Feng…”
Xiao Rongyan called out, and Feng Yao lifted the tent flap and entered upon hearing: “Master…”
“Uncle Feng, select elite troops and head to Great Zhou. Do everything possible… to find the Dongyi Seventh Prince! The Dongyi Seventh Prince should have first fled to Jin Wan City…” Xiao Rongyan closed his eyes briefly, then looked up at Feng Yao. “He’s certainly on the road back to the capital now. Uncle Feng, have people go directly to the capital and ask our spies… see where those recently escorted by officials from Jin Wan City to the capital have been placed. Once confirmed to be the Dongyi Seventh Prince, rescue him at any cost!”
“Yes!” Feng Yao responded and withdrew.
Not long after Feng Yao left, Yue Shi entered, bowed, and said, “Master, that General Cheng came personally, saying he requests Master to enter the city, but… only allows Master to bring one team of guards. The main army cannot enter the city. He also asked Master to rest assured, saying that Yan and Great Zhou are allied nations, currently engaged in their wager, and Great Zhou will certainly protect Master’s safety.”
Yue Shi wasn’t worried about his master’s safety either. Others didn’t know that his master and the Bai family’s eldest miss were husband and wife, but he knew. The Bai family’s eldest miss and his master had deep feelings for each other – no matter what, the Bai family’s eldest miss would never harm his master. However… if his master only brought one team of guards into the city, he would be constrained in state affairs.
“Good…” Xiao Rongyan put down his brush, rolled up the newly written alliance treaty on the table, and tossed it to Yue Shi, then picked up the mask from the corner of the table and put it on. Officially speaking, this was also within Xiao Rongyan’s expectations. Since he was eager to see A’Bao, he stood up and had Yue Shi select a team of guards to enter the city.
However, Xiao Rongyan hadn’t expected… that Bai Qingyan, still in her military attire and silver armor, would be waiting for him at the palace gates.
The profound depths of Xiao Rongyan’s eyes couldn’t hide his joy. He leaped down from his horse and restrained his steps as he walked toward the person he had longed for day and night.
The purple-gold western clouds on the horizon cast a warm hue over the entire Dongyi capital, and the magnificent light spread across the red walls and golden tiles, the vermilion doors with golden studs of the imperial palace, making it appear even more solemn and glorious.
The autumn wind was cool and light. Under the azure-white sky, flocks of pigeons swept past in formation, chasing toward the western sunset’s radiant light, leaving behind an empty echo.
Their eyes met. Xiao Rongyan gripped the riding whip in his hand tightly to restrain his impulse to embrace Bai Qingyan. He saw Bai Qingyan’s clear and elegant features unfold in a gentle smile under the light, her extremely long eyelashes seemingly tinged with subtle brilliance, making heaven and earth pale in comparison. Standing in the twilight’s radiance, she was exceptionally stunning and captivating.
It was Yue Shi behind Xiao Rongyan who first bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan in greeting.
Xiao Rongyan turned and tossed the riding whip in his hand to Yue Shi, stepped forward, and respectfully bowed to Bai Qingyan: “I pay my respects to the Great Zhou Emperor.”
In front of others, proper etiquette must be observed.
Bai Qingyan, standing with her hands behind her back, looked at Xiao Rongyan’s serious demeanor and smiled as she spoke: “Regent Prince need not be overly courteous! Yan initially provided strong support for the Dongyi Second Prince to ascend the throne. I wonder why… this time Yan’s military expedition is not to assist Dongyi against Great Zhou, but is also here to attack Dongyi!”
Xiao Rongyan straightened up, his profound eyes behind the mask carrying gentle light and a slight smile: “Initially, Yan supported the Second Prince as heir apparent, but we certainly did not support the Second Prince using methods like patricide and fratricide to ascend the throne. Such an ally who could strike against even his father and brothers would also be a hidden peril for Yan!”
Bai Qingyan nodded slightly, indicating agreement with Xiao Rongyan’s explanation, then heard Xiao Rongyan continue: “Moreover, our Yan was originally allied with Great Zhou. Now our two nations have made a wager agreement. Since the Great Zhou has moved to attack Dongyi, no matter what, our Yan cannot fail to assist.”
“The Regent Prince’s meaning is… no matter what, you cannot watch Great Zhou take all the benefits alone without being tempted… without making a move, correct?” Bai Qingyan said with a smile, then made a gesture inviting Xiao Rongyan to proceed.
Xiao Rongyan maintained his composed bearing and bowed to Bai Qingyan again before following her into the Dongyi imperial palace: “The Great Zhou Emperor truly speaks directly.”
Bai Qingyan smiled and walked shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Rongyan toward the main hall of the Dongyi imperial palace: “The Dongyi Seventh Prince’s coronation ceremony is set for tomorrow. The Dongyi Bureau of Astronomy calculated the dates – tomorrow is an auspicious day, and after that would be next month. The Dongyi court officials believe… a nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day. After consulting with the Empress, they came to inquire about Great Zhou’s opinion. I… suggested setting it for tomorrow, so today the entire Dongyi nation has been busy. I happened to be free… so I came to welcome the Regent Prince.”