Without more words, the maids’ acupoints were quickly released. They watched these people leave with trembling faces.

Returning to the reception hall, Wei Chenghui rose with pleasantries, cupping his hands with a smile: “You gentlemen have worked hard. Guard Xuan, quickly notify His Majesty to come receive the person. Though this old man and His Majesty fight, that’s due to different political views – it’s unrelated to other matters. Don’t you agree?”

Hearing this, Qinglong and Bai Hu burned with fury, wanting to draw swords. Xuanwu stared at him for a moment before speaking indifferently: “What master thinks, we servants dare not interfere. We’ll just report truthfully. Lord Wei, please.”

Wei Chenghui felt slightly uncomfortable under his gaze. He sneered inwardly, said “please,” and had people escort them out.

That afternoon, Lian Yu wrote a letter and sent it, saying he was unwell and busy with military affairs, temporarily unable to come personally to receive the person. He’d visit in a few days when free, hoping the Grand Master would take good care of her, etc.

Wei Chenghui and Wuliang smiled at each other. Though Lian Yu hadn’t agreed, his attitude had softened compared to before. Having his man see her was right. Wei Chenghui didn’t press like that night’s letter. Though unable to take Lian Yu’s life yet, he’d bought time, waiting for Li Zhaoting’s army to arrive. With Feng Suzhen as a bargaining chip, if he didn’t actively attack, Lian Yu certainly wouldn’t either.

Once he received news of Li Zhaoting’s return to the capital, he could kill the person. Even if he couldn’t kill Lian Yu, it would be satisfying. Defending the capital was a great achievement.

He replied that he’d certainly care for her well, but hoped His Majesty would set a date soon. Otherwise, with fortune changing daily, who could say whether the person would live or die? This comes later and needn’t be elaborated now.

Here, after Lian Yu returned to camp without stopping, he immediately asked Ming Yanchu about Wei family matters. Everyone cared about Suzhen’s condition, but he didn’t elaborate. After seeing Ming Yanchu alone, he immediately summoned Huo Chang’an, Murong Ding, and the Lian brothers for a meeting.

After the previous capital battle, since Wei Chenghui couldn’t decisively defeat them, he’d become cautious and wasn’t immediately launching the next offensive, instead delaying time. Acting thus, he was certainly waiting for reinforcements.

Since Si Lanfeng was Prince Jin’s faction, his previous report was deliberately designed to lure Liu Shouping away. This killed two birds with one stone – creating battle opportunities for Wei Chenghui in the capital while the border Wei army probably had not just a hundred thousand troops. There were likely unexpected traps waiting for Liu Shouping.

They’d lost the initiative. Though they’d sent people day and night to contact the border to find General Liu, the journey was long – a round trip would take ten days to half a month. They couldn’t sit and wait for death!

Hearing Lian Yu’s analysis, everyone felt chilled. Huo Chang’an proposed quietly moving thirty thousand of Murong army’s current forces to the border for a surprise attack on Wei’s army to aid Liu’s army, commanded by Murong army’s deputy general Zhongjun – a steady man especially skilled at surprise attacks. He and Murong Ding would defend the capital to the death.

This was a risky move. If Wei Chenghui discovered it and attacked, with rear defenses empty, results would be unimaginable. But Lian Yu was always decisive and agreed almost without hesitation, simultaneously having Murong Ding, Lian Jie, and Lian Qin lead troops to intercept provisions Wei Chenghui was transporting to the capital.

“Intercepting Wei traitor’s provisions – aren’t you afraid he’ll become furious and take it out on Huaisu?” Huo Chang’an immediately asked.

“I am afraid.” Lian Yu’s eyes lowered slightly, his hand that had been marking the maps slowly stopping: “But I have no choice. I can only gamble that before their reinforcements arrive, Wei Chenghui won’t easily harm her. Only by forcing Wei Chenghui to send troops for reinforcement and diverting his attention can our army’s border mission remain hidden.”

“Therefore, intercepting enemy provisions aims only to create disturbance, not success. As long as provisions can safely arrive without truly angering Wei Chenghui, Huaisu will still be safe.”

“Yes, we understand.” The three replied in unison.

“Wei traitor uses Huaisu to scheme for my life and buy time. I must also use this opportunity to try rescuing her. Time is urgent – if we can’t succeed in these few days, then…” Lian Yu’s voice faded as he spoke.

Without his saying more, everyone knew that if the surprise attack failed and border Wei forces won, once reinforcements returned to the capital and news arrived, Suzhen would certainly die.

With deployment complete and dinner time arriving, soldiers brought food. But Lian Yu wanted to leave the tent. Lian Qin panicked: “Sixth Brother, the food’s here. Where are you going? You must eat.”

“Your Majesty,” Lian Jie and Murong Ding also urged: “Even if you have an iron constitution, you must eat.”

But Huo Chang’an didn’t add persuasion, knowing Lian Yu had urgent business, likely related to Suzhen: “I’ll go with Your Majesty.”

“No, I’ll go alone.” Lian Yu’s brow slightly furrowed: “I want to talk with Quan Feitong.”

Everyone was startled. Huo Chang’an said: “Aren’t you devising rescue strategies for Huaisu? How do you have time to meet that traitor?”

Lian Yu’s eyes showed complexity.

“Because this rescue method lies with him. If he can help, I might be able to save Huaisu.”

Everyone was surprised, but Lian Yu was always strategic. If he said the method lay with Quan Feitong, he certainly had reasons. But the question was… Lian Jie and Lian Qin exchanged glances – would Quan Feitong help?

Quan Feitong had some feelings for Suzhen, but after their engagement was broken and Suzhen was with Lian Yu, his not bearing grudges was already incredible.

Here, Lian Yu had already left the tent. Except for Murong Ding, who had issues with Suzhen and didn’t move, everyone immediately followed.

…

When Lian Yu entered, Quan Feitong was dining with Chao Huang. Since he’d once sold Lian Yu a favor regarding Suzhen’s disappearance, though Lian Yu detested his rebellion, the food had never been stingy.

Lian Yu didn’t have soldiers announce him, so when he entered, Chao Huang was unprepared, his mouth slightly open looking very strange. But Quan Feitong still smiled, pouring a cup of tea and even pointing to a nearby seat: “Your Majesty, if you haven’t dined and don’t mind eating with a criminal, degrading your status, please.”

Ignoring his barbed words and not being polite, Lian Yu lifted his robes and sat. Chao Huang sneered and lowered his head to eat, but heard him say: “I have matters to discuss with Chancellor Quan. Could General Chao provide some convenience?”

Chao Huang was alarmed, immediately suspicious, staring at him intently. But Quan Feitong said: “Chao Huang, if His Majesty wanted to kill me, he needn’t do it personally. Go out.”

“Good, Big Brother, be careful.” Chao Huang always obeyed Quan Feitong, glaring coldly at Lian Yu before leaving.

Lian Yu ordered soldiers outside to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks. Quan Feitong watched without speaking until soldiers withdrew, then said indifferently: “His Majesty detests this minister, and this minister also despises His Majesty. You don’t visit without purpose – speak.”

Lian Yu put down his covered bowl: “Chancellor Quan is indeed Chancellor Quan, still so straightforward. Compared to dealing with Wei Chenghui, I prefer fighting with you.”

Quan Feitong touched his nose and chuckled: “I also heard His Majesty is tangling with that fox Wei. I’m delighted – it seems I’ll soon get a different prison with better food.”

He subtly mocked that Lian Yu would lose. Lian Yu didn’t get angry or argue, didn’t even beat around the bush: “I came to visit Chancellor Quan because I need your help.”

Quan Feitong immediately laughed, his phoenix eyes trembling slightly: “Is Your Majesty bored with fighting and seeking entertainment from me? I’m just a prisoner – how can I help you?”

“There’s news about Huaisu. She’s in Wei Chenghui’s hands, in critical condition. I need your help to rescue her.” Lian Yu suddenly stood and bowed low.

Quan Feitong’s expression changed, completely freezing. After a long moment, he sneered: “You two are lovey-dovey. Whose hands she’s in – what does it matter to me?”

“Even if she dies, what does it matter to me, Quan Feitong!”

Crashing sounds came from table to floor – he’d suddenly swept dishes and bowls to the ground with his sleeve.

“Is Your Majesty alright!”

“Sixth Brother…”

Several people burst in from outside. Lian Yu’s eyes immediately darkened as he scolded: “Who told you to enter? All of you get out!”

Seeing him unharmed, Lian Jie and others quickly withdrew.

Quan Feitong watched coldly, his voice growing icier: “Lian Yu, I don’t know what medicine you’re selling, but if you want to make this deal with me, you must agree to one condition: release Chao Huang and me with these tens of thousands of sick soldiers.”

Lian Yu didn’t wipe the soup and scraps splattered on him. He slowly spoke: “Quan Feitong, in her heart, even if you’re not her partner, you’re an irreplaceable friend. I also believe you have genuine feelings for her. When she was sentenced to death, you once pleaded for her but ultimately abandoned her. Regarding Great Zhou, I cannot agree to your condition, but I hope this time you won’t abandon her again. Her life or death now lies entirely in your hands.”

Two days later, news spread in Lian Yu’s army that Chao Huang had died of plague. Since Wei Chenghui was Chao Huang’s father-in-law, Lian Yu sent people to the capital to notify him.

Regarding this former son-in-law, Wei Chenghui showed some sadness upon receiving the news, but inwardly smiled, thinking that with Chao Huang dead, the weakened Chao army was even more scattered and posed no threat.

Sighing, he pretended to thank Ming Yanchu and Qinglong who came to notify him. Ming Yanchu returned the courtesy, then said: “Grand Master, could you have the young miss come out briefly? This servant has a few words to convey.”

Seeing Wei Chenghui’s eyes narrow suspiciously, he smiled: “It’s like this – though Chao Huang deserved death for his rebellion, His Majesty remembered his years defending Great Zhou’s borders. Though merits can’t offset crimes, he begged bitterly before death to convey these words to his wife.”