This was Sima Ruodan’s first time handling matters for His Majesty of Great Zhou. She had to do it beautifully to have another chance to serve the Great Zhou Emperor.
“Miss Sima, rest assured. In a moment, I’ll have someone send over the detailed habits of the prefect’s wife and the prefect’s daughter to Miss Sima!”
Through the steamy vapors rising from the copper pot, Xiao Ruohai nodded slightly to Sima Ruodan and continued: “If Miss Sima wishes to take a look at this prefect’s wife and the prefect’s daughter, I can also arrange for you to observe them secretly for a while.”
“Thank you, my lord!” Sima Ruodan stood and bowed to Xiao Ruohai.
Xiao Ruohai didn’t dare to be presumptuous and stood to return the courtesy: “Since we’re both working for the Bai family army, I dare not accept your thanks.”
After finishing the evening meal, when Xiao Ruohai was taking Sima Ruodan to see the prefect’s wife and daughter, Sima Ruodan suddenly asked Xiao Ruohai to wait. She walked to Lu Ning’e’s side, looking at her with tear-filled eyes: “Master… I shouldn’t have deceived you!”
“Enough, everyone has their difficulties!” Lu Ning’e was quite fond of this disciple of hers. “It’s just that your master hopes you won’t let hatred blind your eyes, hopes you’ll never forget your true nature, and remain that pure-hearted little girl Liaichen forever. Even if you seek revenge, use the most honorable and upright methods.”
Sima Ruodan nodded: “I understand, Master!”
Bai Qingyan continued discussing with her siblings how to attack Yecheng Pass…
Although Sima Ruodan would impersonate the prefect’s daughter to enter the city, they still needed backup plans. If something unexpected happened and they couldn’t steal the token, they would have to attack by force.
“Qing Zhu, send several more people to protect Sima Ruodan. If something goes wrong, tell them they must ensure Sima Ruodan’s safety!” Bai Qingyan instructed Shen Qingzhu.
“Yes!” Shen Qingzhu responded.
“In the previous battle with Xiliang, they bribed Liu Huanzhang. This time, if we can get General Ye Shouguan’s token and kill our way directly in, destroying Xiliang’s morale and destroying Xiliang’s nation, only then can I vent this anger!” Bai Jinzhao said.
“Your Majesty…” Wei Zhong lifted the curtain and entered, bowing before saying: “Second Miss and Fifth Young Master achieved a great victory at Liuxiang Mountain, captured Akexie alive, and are on their way to Suining City. They should arrive tomorrow. Yan State is also attacking Xiliang cities from east to west, heading toward Yun Jing!”
Hearing this, Bai Qingyan walked to the map. Bai Qingqi picked up the candle from the table and walked to Bai Qingyan’s side, helping to illuminate the map more brightly for her…
She could roughly guess which route Murong Yan would take leading Yan State’s army.
“Second Sister and Fifth Brother are amazing!” Bai Jinzhao’s eyes lit up.
“I knew Second Sister and Fifth Brother would win!” Bai Jinhua’s expression was full of smiles.
Bai Qingyun also nodded. He already knew that Fifth Brother had previously been the Ghost-Faced Prince. With Fifth Brother and Second Sister together, victory was natural.
Bai Qingyu turned to look at his Third Brother. Previously, Third Brother had been blaming himself for not being able to save A’Yu, but later when he heard A’Yu had returned… although Third Brother didn’t show it on his face, he knew Third Brother was the happiest, even beginning to hope in his heart that other Bai family children could be rescued by the most loyal Bai family army soldiers like Fifth Brother, having been mistakenly buried by him.
Knowing she would see her Fifth Brother, Bai Jinse’s eyes became moist and red: “Will they arrive early tomorrow morning?”
“In response to Seventh Miss, exactly so!”
“Once Second Sister and Fifth Brother arrive with the army, we’ll have the greatest numerical advantage. Even a direct frontal assault would be possible!” Bai Jinzhao declared loudly.
“Yecheng Pass can’t be taken just with superior numbers!” Bai Qingqi’s voice carried a light smile.
General Wei Zhaonian also nodded in agreement.
“High walls have been built on the cliffs on both sides of Yecheng Pass. Even if our Huying Battalion tried to climb the mountains and kill their way into the city, it would be extremely difficult!” Bai Qingyun wheeled his chair to Bai Qingyan’s side.
Bai Jinse clenched her fists, then saw her Seventh Brother rub her head: “If you have any ideas, tell Eldest Sister! In front of our own Eldest Sister, what do you have to fear?”
Bai Jinzhi nodded vigorously and quickly walked to Bai Qingyan: “Eldest Sister, I have a method! If Miss Sima’s method fails, this could be tried!”
“Little Seven, let’s hear it!” Bai Qingyan looked encouragingly at Bai Jinzhi with her fists clenched.
“Eldest Sister, what do you think… about having someone impersonate Li Tianfu? After all, Li Tianfu is currently in our Great Zhou’s hands!”
After speaking, Bai Jinse walked to the map, pointing at the city walls of Yecheng Pass and the walls on the cliffs on both sides, then continued: “This Yecheng Pass has been heightened and fortified year after year, becoming increasingly easy to defend and difficult to attack. But… the Ye family has been loyally devoted to the Xiliang royal family for generations, just like Yun Poxing! Back then, Yun Poxing could humiliate my five brothers just to shake Father’s resolve to defend the city, to shake our Bai family army’s morale, forcing Father to come out for a decisive battle! Why can’t we use the same methods?”
Bai Jinse turned to look at Bai Qingyan. The hatred in her heart hadn’t disappeared for a single day, burning like a raging fire that made her unable to sleep day and night. Her gaze was resolute: “This time, the Ye family faces their Xiliang Empress. General Ye Shouguan will bring troops out to rescue her. We can have our Bai family army soldiers lie in ambush beforehand, take the opportunity to change into Xiliang military uniforms during the chaos, and have these soldiers follow General Ye Shouguan back to the city together. When Ye Shoucheng finds himself unable to win and inevitably retreats to the city, once he leads our Bai family army into the city, have these soldiers fight with the Xiliang soldiers guarding the gates, and we’ll lead troops to kill our way in!”
Regardless of whether Miss Sima succeeds, for us, this is additional insurance. If Miss Sima’s side is exposed, we can also quickly enter the city to rescue her!” After Bai Jinzhi finished speaking, she lowered her eyes and fidgeted with her hands. “It’s just that the method isn’t very honorable…”
“In warfare between armies, each side shows its abilities. As long as you fight with all your strength and don’t insult the opposing soldiers and generals, it’s honorable!” Bai Qingqi slowly spoke. “Moreover, all is fair in war. If General Ye Shouguan comes out to rescue ‘Li Tianfu,’ it shows loyalty to his lord. If he doesn’t rescue her, it will greatly affect the morale of Xiliang’s defending soldiers. Either way benefits us! What does Eldest Sister think?”
“Perhaps we can use three approaches simultaneously!” Bai Qingyan clasped her hands behind her back, smiling. “Have Miss Sima pretend to be the prefect’s wife’s daughter and go to Yecheng Pass. When entering the city, inform the Yecheng Pass soldiers that the Great Zhou has already captured Li Tianfu alive. Then take the prefect’s wife’s jade pendant to find General Ye Shouguan’s attendant at Yecheng Pass, telling him that Xiliang Emperor Li Tianfu is in Great Zhou’s hands! Say that… the prefect and prefect’s wife of Suining City were originally on their way to Yecheng Pass, but midway heard the news that Great Zhou had captured Li Tianfu alive…”