I also do not break faith with others.

Also.

When Jiang Xuening heard these words, she felt somewhat bewildered, because she didn’t know to whom Xie Wei had made promises. Not until a scene floated up from hazy memories, bringing with it voices from the past she had nearly forgotten, sounding together in her ears.

“Lesser Teacher, when will the iron cavalry of the Central Plains trample through Yanmen Pass to bring Her Highness back?”

“Very soon, very soon.”

In that instant, it was as if a crack had split open upon an icy surface. Something surged through, suddenly touching her, making her lips part slightly as if wanting to say something.

But Xie Wei only withdrew his gaze.

His face held calm and cold serenity, a kind of alienating detachment that kept people at a thousand li distance. Before she could open her mouth, he had already added a sentence: “Moreover, I have my own calculations.”

Jiang Xuening was thus startled.

Xie Wei then said: “First, Yan Lin values sentiment and righteousness too heavily. Though I can certainly turn a blind eye to your unfulfilled wish, Yan Lin may not necessarily be able to. If you open your mouth to request his help, he will definitely act willfully on your behalf, braving water and fire. Border warfare is extremely perilous. Should even the slightest accident occur, my years of planning will all fall short of success, ruined in an instant.”

His voice grew increasingly indifferent.

Rising from beside the table, he picked up a towel cloth that had been set aside to wipe his hands, only saying: “Miss Ning’s temperament is stubborn. I cannot persuade you not to rescue the Princess. Out of consideration for past relations, I also cannot kill you to eliminate future troubles. Therefore, I’ve made this special trip from the capital to Jinling. Though you cannot be considered supremely intelligent, you should be able to see the situation clearly. I imagine that in these two days before coming to see me, you’ve already sent people to tally all the various properties under your control and all accounts large and small, haven’t you?”

“…”

Jiang Xuening almost couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

She suddenly stood up, looking directly at Xie Wei!

Her clear eyes even carried some anger.

She had indeed made calculations before coming.

When Xie Wei came two days ago, he told her he was going to the border.

You Fangying had originally prepared a large sum of silver to participate in next year’s salt monopoly competition, but the government side casually found an excuse not to let them participate. And Lu Xian, who had gone to great lengths to come here and should have involved himself in this matter, also didn’t invest much money.

What did this prove?

It proved Lu Xian’s money suddenly had another use, and he hoped their silver wouldn’t be given to the court to compete for next year’s salt monopoly rights!

What matter required rushing to the border?

What matter required much silver?

The greatest possibility was to make war against the Tatars!

Moreover, even if Xie Wei didn’t have this plan, the news that Shen Zhiyi was trapped among the Tatars and seeking rescue from the court had already been confirmed. Since Jiang Xuening had made a promise to someone, naturally she had to fulfill it.

Indeed, as Xie Wei said—

If there were no other methods, she would hope Yan Lin’s side could extend aid.

Therefore, after pondering for a long time that day, she had You Fangying and Ren Weizhi rush to tally all the wealth they could mobilize under their name, as well as properties that could be liquidated in the near term.

All for the purpose of being put to use as quickly as possible.

But she hadn’t expected that Xie Wei would see through it at a glance, and with a turn of his words, behind them lay such cold-hearted calculations!

“I forgot.”

The few measures of warmth that had risen in Jiang Xuening’s heart were suddenly frozen by ice and snow. She lightly clenched the fingers hanging at her sides, yet her voice contained a measure of mockery.

“What Teacher schemes is so great, it’s not what ordinary people can anticipate. How could he have the heart of an ordinary person?”

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids without explanation.

Seeing him maintain such an unruffled appearance, Jiang Xuening felt even more stifled in her heart. Thinking that moments ago she had actually believed this person’s heart might still retain a few measures of tender feelings—how ridiculous!

A sage’s skin with a devil’s heart.

She had dared to trust lightly.

But at present, aside from Xie Wei, whom else could she rely upon?

The Grand Princess was in mortal danger. She simply had no other choice.

At this moment, not knowing whether she resented Xie Wei more or resented herself more, Jiang Xuening stepped back and bowed to Xie Wei in courtesy. Her voice, however, held several measures more coldness as she only said: “This student is like a fish in a dried-up rut. Teacher’s aspirations reach far and wide. To receive your compassionate grace is already great fortune, let alone conspiring to rescue someone? Money, grain, and wealth have all been tallied. The account books can be delivered to Teacher’s hands by evening. Since we depart tomorrow, please forgive this student’s rudeness—I must return to make some arrangements. I take my leave first.”

Xie Wei set down the cloth for wiping hands.

Jiang Xuening didn’t hear him speak and only took it as his tacit consent. After one bow, with a cold face, she directly flicked her sleeves and withdrew from the room.

Outside, Lu Xian had just returned.

The two came face to face.

After all, it had been two years since they’d met. Seeing this vivid yet cold countenance, Lu Xian was momentarily stunned before reacting to who it was.

He had originally wanted to greet her, but who would have thought Jiang Xuening would glance at him, let out a cold laugh, and walk away.

Lu Xian’s heart immediately sank.

He turned around, looking again toward the window shutters of the room where Xie Wei was staying. After hesitating a moment, he still gently lifted his scholarly robe and entered with steeled nerves.

Xie Ju’an appeared quite normal.

Lu Xian gave an awkward smile and moved closer, saying: “I just saw your Miss Ning leave?”

Xie Wei turned back: “How did matters go?”

Lu Xian had sought conversation but gained nothing. Yet seeing the expression on that Jiang family young lady’s face when she left just now, she must not have been very pleased. So he didn’t dare touch upon misfortune again, only saying: “After receiving the secret communication several days ago, I made a trip to Huangzhou and arranged everything in advance. Young Master Yan departed yesterday for the border to make preliminary deployments. Xie Ju’an, this time the Tatars have elite troops and capable generals—not like when they struggled to survive under Central Plains iron cavalry before. If this battle goes unfavorably, we will have no strength left for another fight!”

Originally over the past two years, Xie Wei had arranged everything flawlessly.

Toward the southern Celestial Teachings led by Wan Xiuzi, he dealt with them insincerely, not tearing off the façade, occasionally even providing conveniences.

Toward the northern Buddhism led by Monk Yuanji, he ignored them, avoided their sharp edge, and allowed their development.

Meng Yang bore a grudge against Monk Yuanji for killing his wife—all this was secretly restrained by Xie Wei.

The Emperor neglected governmental affairs, only employing cunning schemes to control subordinates. Naturally, popular resentment filled the land. The Celestial Teachings took this opportunity to develop and grow stronger. White Horse Temple, because of Monk Yuanji, was designated the Nation-Protecting Temple and also gained considerable reputation among the common people.

Yet Monk Yuanji and Wan Xiuzi had old enmities.

Naturally, the evil Buddha and demon Daoist fought endlessly.

Xie Wei remained centered, concealing his brilliance, secretly gathering forces and assisting Yan Lin, only waiting for both sides to mutually exhaust themselves in a devastating mutual defeat. Even if one side won, it would only be a pyrrhic victory.

At that time, he would bide his opportunity to reap the benefits.

Thus, without expending many troops, he could command armies northward to stage an earth-shattering rebellion!

But now, because of one Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi, he actually had to move this chess piece of Yan Lin first, using it against the Tatars to rescue the Princess!

In Lu Xian’s view, this was simply insane.

Yet facing Xie Wei, he didn’t dare speak too harshly either. Muttering and mumbling, he said: “Even the court is unwilling to extend aid to the Grand Princess. You and I are mere outsiders, and in the future, we’ll be doing treasonous acts. No matter what, the blood flowing in her veins is imperial bloodline. If we risk the failure of great undertakings to rescue her, when you break into the capital and slaughter the imperial clan, won’t it be awkward to have her there? How will she conduct herself?”

In other words, rescuing Shen Zhiyi held a hundred harms and not a single benefit for them!

Xie Wei, hearing him speak so much upon arrival, felt slightly annoyed. Casually picking up the cold tea sitting on the corner of the table, he handed it to him: “Are you not thirsty?”

Lu Xian frowned: “I’m not thirsty.”

Yet saying this, he still took that cup of tea and unconsciously drank a mouthful.

The tea taste was deep and strong, permeated with a stale air.

Lu Xian instantly spat it out, simply unable to believe: “Surnamed Xie, this tea is cold! Old tea—you dare hand this to me!”

Yet Xie Wei only recalled the expression of that woman in the room when she suddenly stood up moments ago. In her eyes, there actually seemed to be a measure of… disappointment?

Did she not think him a savage beast? Had she actually thought he could still be saved?

Disappointment wasn’t necessarily bad.

Slowly closing his eyes, Xie Wei was truly weary. Sitting by the window, he lightly raised his hand to press against his tense temples, saying: “Hot tea wouldn’t block your mouth either. Later, Miss Ning’s side will send account books. According to plan, I depart for the border tomorrow. The rear will trouble you to plan and manage. Provisions and military supplies are the most crucial of the three armies—there must be no mishaps.”

“Account books from Miss Ning’s side?”

Lu Xian’s eyelids jumped sharply. Thinking what would Jiang Xuening be sending account books for, this thought barely arose when he recalled Jiang Xuening’s unpleasant expression when leaving moments ago. An ominous premonition immediately surfaced.

He said: “How did you speak with her?”

Xie Wei, with lowered eyelids, said: “To save Shen Zhiyi, aside from me, no one can help her.”

Lu Xian sucked in a sharp breath.

After quite a while, he finally recovered his wits. Simply feeling somewhat frustrated at his failure to meet expectations, he stomped his foot: “But you clearly… How can this win a young lady’s favor?!”

Yet Xie Wei remained silent.

The autumn wind was bleak, parasol leaves drifting yellow.

The Jinling city of evening was enveloped in brilliant amber-hued sunset rays.

Several small boats dragging fishing nets returned from the river.

Everything was leisurely and peaceful.

Yet Jiang Xuening emerging from the guest house was extremely angry. After boarding the carriage back to Xiebai Residence, she was even more livid, smashing three or four vases in the flower hall before barely recovering her composure.

She downed half a cup of tea before having someone first send the account books to the guest house where Xie Wei was staying, then sent someone to summon You Fangying to give her detailed instructions.

Though the account books were delivered, many things still required someone to manage them.

She would personally go to the border, but the Central Plains side needed You Fangying left behind to hold the fort so that matters large and small could proceed in an orderly fashion.

Upon hearing this, You Fangying couldn’t help being stunned: “Why is Miss leaving everything for me to handle?”

Jiang Xuening was already having people pack luggage, only saying: “I leave tomorrow.”

You Fangying was greatly alarmed: “Where are you going?”

Jiang Xuening said decisively: “To the border.”

You Fangying was completely stunned: “But, but this urgently, leaving tomorrow…”

Jiang Xuening lifted up that wooden box containing earth, placing it solemnly and seriously into her luggage. Turning back to look at You Fangying, she said: “There isn’t much time. If we cannot rescue the Princess by early next spring, afterward there will never be another opportunity.”

In her previous life, when the Tatars started war was precisely when the Princess met disaster!

This also meant—

If they wanted to reverse her previous life’s fate and rescue the Princess, no matter what, they must strike at the Tatars before the Tatars made war on the Central Plains, launching a surprise attack beyond everyone’s expectations!