HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 535: A Battle Is Inevitable

Chapter 535: A Battle Is Inevitable

Rong Ce, stationed in Liangzhou, sent a clear message to Xiao Changqin: the Northwestern King had been ambushed in Liangzhou and was seriously wounded. While investigating this matter thoroughly, he unexpectedly discovered traces of the Jia Chen Crown Prince.

Initially intending only to investigate the Crown Prince’s whereabouts, he inadvertently discovered that the Crown Prince seemed to have connections with Geng Liangcheng. This shocking secret lacked concrete evidence, but Rong Ce knew its gravity, especially now with Shen Yueshan’s critical condition. This couldn’t be taken lightly – if the Northwest changed military commanders, it would inevitably affect the bordering Liangzhou.

Without evidence and pressed for time, Rong Ce dared not directly memorialize the Emperor. Fearing a mistake could become ammunition for his opponents, he could only write privately to his nephew Xiao Changqin, subtly suggesting he inform His Majesty.

Emperor Youning’s expression darkened upon reading Rong Ce’s private letter to Xiao Changqin.

If… Xiao Juexiong and Geng Liangcheng were in collusion, Xiao Juexiong would have ample reason to move against Shen Yueshan!

He already hated Shen Yueshan, so revenge would be natural. But if he could take revenge through another person while secretly becoming the power behind the Northwest, amassing forces there – that would be Emperor Youning’s greatest concern!

However, domineering Shen Yueshan might be, at least he harbored no thoughts of rebellion and truly protected the Northwest. If the Northwest fell into Xiao Juexiong’s hands, he would stop at nothing – exploiting Tibet, the Turks, and even stirring up conflicts in places like Liangzhou – to make the empire unstable.

At this moment, Emperor Youning could no longer proceed with gradual probing. Whether this was a trap or not, he had to err on the side of caution!

“Order Rong Ce to visit the Northwestern King’s manor on my behalf,” Emperor Youning commanded immediately.

Since Rong Ce had already detected the connection between Geng Liangcheng and Xiao Juexiong, upon receiving the order he should understand the Emperor’s intent – the Northwest must be controlled before Shen Yueshan’s last breath.

“Your Majesty, the Turks have also heard of the Northwestern King’s critical condition. Their internal strife has temporarily ceased, and they seem to be stirring,” Xiao Changqin presented another letter from Rong Ce.

In the letter, Rong Ce expressed great unease, hoping his nephew would find ways to help stabilize the situation. Under these circumstances, how could Emperor Youning dare to reassign Rong Ce? Wouldn’t that deliberately leave a gap for the Turks to exploit?

Shen Yueshan had been the Turks’ nightmare for many years. Upon hearing of his critical condition, they even set aside their internal conflicts, apparently planning to ensure Shen Yueshan’s permanent departure – this was entirely within character for the Turks.

When Xiao Changfeng sought to verify that Shen Yueshan’s condition wasn’t fabricated, he summoned the city’s physicians. Such major news couldn’t be contained, and the Turks inevitably receiving this information was unavoidable. In this matter, Xiao Changfeng bore no fault.

Whether Shen Yueshan was truly critically ill was of major significance – one or two people’s testimony wasn’t sufficient proof. Even though the situation had developed to this point, Emperor Youning wouldn’t blame Xiao Changfeng.

Unable to move Rong Ce meant unable to move others around the Northwest. Rong Ce was informed and could represent the Emperor in paying respects, but others were uninformed – appointing them would require explaining the gravity of the situation.

The Northwest region was complex. Once others knew, it would no longer be a secret. While this matter remained unconfirmed, being only Rong Ce’s speculation, although Emperor Youning had to take it seriously just in case, it didn’t mean he was certain there were no unexpected factors.

If there were unexpected developments and everything became public knowledge, the Emperor himself would have difficulty managing the aftermath.

“You may withdraw. I have my plans,” Emperor Youning dismissed Xiao Changqin.

“Son takes his leave,” Xiao Changqin respectfully withdrew.

Leaving the palace, Xiao Changqin mounted his horse. Looking at the clear sky, he revealed a smile as bright as the blazing sun. Then, he couldn’t help sighing softly: “What a fine play, pity I can’t witness it personally.”

Xiao Huayong had instructed him to expose the Crown Prince’s conspiracy with Geng Liangcheng using Rong Ce’s name while ensuring the Emperor wouldn’t send Rong Ce to the Northwest. From this, he could roughly guess that Xiao Huayong intended to teach the Emperor a lesson.

Without thinking, he knew whoever the Emperor sent this time would not return, though he wondered whom the Emperor would send.

If it were the Divine Brave Army…

That would be perfect.

However, Emperor Youning disappointed Xiao Changqin. He didn’t deploy the Divine Brave Army. Last year’s summer palace incident, where the Divine Brave Army lost hundreds of men, had made Emperor Youning wary. The Divine Brave Army had been exposed to many eyes, and though they were thought to be Xiao Juexiong’s pawns, another exposure couldn’t be explained away. Moreover, Emperor Youning was extremely dissatisfied with the Divine Brave Army’s easy losses and had implemented new training protocols – real weapons, and life-and-death training.

What surprised Xiao Changqin was that the next day, citing alarm at the Northwestern King’s predicament and the doctors’ helplessness, Emperor Youning sent Minister of War Pei Zhan to personally escort imperial physicians to pay respects on the Emperor’s behalf.

This seemingly supreme honor from the Emperor to his subject concealed turbulent undercurrents.

“Pei Zhan…” Xiao Changqin couldn’t help smiling – a rare sight since Gu Qingzhi’s death. “This gets more and more interesting.”

Pei Zhan was Prince Jing’s man, and he was battle-hardened. If something were to happen to him on the way to the Northwest, Prince Jing wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

The Emperor half-believed this matter but couldn’t ignore it, couldn’t just watch Xiao Juexiong potentially swallow the Northwest and use it as cover to continuously grow stronger, eventually becoming someone who could truly split his empire. This forced him to send someone.

Yet still worried this might be a trap if not Xiao Juexiong’s doing, then it must be Shen Yueshan orchestrating a grand play. Shen Yueshan had always shown some respect for Pei Zhan and surely wouldn’t harm him.

At this moment, Xiao Huayong, who was placing hairpins for Shen Xihe, had already informed her that Pei Zhan was leading the troops. Before he sought out Sang Yin, he had already sent word to Xiao Changqin, so Xiao Changqin’s presentation of Rong Ce’s letter to Emperor Youning came two days before Geng Liangcheng met “Xiao Juexiong.”

Time was of the essence. Pei Zhan would certainly ride at full speed; four or five days had passed, and reaching the Northwest in another two days wouldn’t be considered slow.

“Your Highness, will you move against General Pei?” Shen Xihe looked at Xiao Huayong through the mirror.

Xiao Huayong smiled faintly, comparing two golden hair ornaments in Shen Xihe’s hair: “Pei Zhan is His Majesty’s man. I won’t change plans because of him. His Majesty sending him shows he knows Father-in-law would show mercy to him. This suggests His Majesty suspects Father-in-law planned everything. If I truly showed leniency, it would confirm His Majesty’s suspicions.

Although Father-in-law doesn’t fear His Majesty’s additional suspicion, I don’t need Father-in-law to bear this burden for me.”

“If General Pei falls in the Northwest, Prince Jing won’t let it rest,” Shen Xihe said softly.

“Between the Eighth Brother and me, a battle is inevitable,” Xiao Huayong inserted a gold-jade hairpin into Shen Xihe’s black hair, his fingers trailing over the hanging pearls.

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