Skillfully steering the conversation toward heaven’s will, Han Yan didn’t want her identity as a reincarnated person discovered. If people learned about her rebirth, she couldn’t imagine the trouble it would bring. Not even the slightest doubt could be allowed.
Upon hearing this, Yang Qi carefully examined Han Yan. Seeing her looking up with an innocent and kind smile, he sighed again: “Perhaps you are truly blessed by heaven.” Though this young girl appeared ordinary, she concealed a quick wit. When he had mentioned it casually earlier, she immediately came up with this explanation to dispel his suspicions.
Yang Qi understood that Han Yan didn’t want others to view her as some kind of monster. The ability to predict the future wasn’t necessarily a blessing for anyone, especially after such disasters. People might view Han Yan with strange eyes, considering her an ill omen.
But explaining it as heaven’s blessing changed everything – people would say this girl was naturally fortunate, noticed by immortals who came to guide her. The same situation explained differently, yielded entirely different results. Han Yan had chosen the more advantageous explanation, and such quick thinking was truly admirable.
“Thank you for your praise, Elder Yang. So now do you believe everything I’ve said?”
Her use of “everything” indicated that Yang Qi should believe not just about the flood, but also about the Western Rong people’s possible schemes.
“What harm is there in trusting you this once?” Yang Qi finally responded after a long pause.
“Thank you, Elder Yang,” Han Yan smiled slightly.
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged glances and tactfully left the room. They had talked from early morning until dusk before Han Yan emerged from the room.
When Han Yan came out, her expression wasn’t good, and Yang Qi looked even worse. Han Yan curtsied to Yang Qi: “Thank you for your guidance, Elder Yang.”
Yang Qi snorted, “Just don’t tell anyone else.”
Han Yan nodded, “Of course.” Then she left without looking back.
After the carriage had traveled for some time, Ji Lan finally couldn’t help asking, “Young Miss, what did Official Yang say?”
Han Yan leaned against the carriage door, lost in thought. From Yang Qi, she had learned that in this war with the Western Rong, the Da Zong had initially maintained the upper hand. Though the Western Rong’s manpower and resources were considerable, and those nomadic prairie people possessed a terrifying natural courage that made them lethal on the battlefield, they were much weaker in military tactics and strategy. Their ruler appeared to be someone who only knew how to use brute force, and Fu Yun Xi had easily countered many battles with clever strategies. However, as the war neared its end, Da Zong’s soldiers suddenly began retreating repeatedly.
Han Yan couldn’t hide her shock at this point. Logically, this should have been when morale was highest and breaking through enemy lines easiest. How could they be repeatedly retreating? Could the Western Rong have developed some ultimate technique?
Yang Qi shook his head, showing a grave expression. The problem wasn’t with the Western Rong but with Da Zong’s army itself. Something inexplicable had happened to Da Zong’s soldiers – their morale suddenly weakened, and one night, the granary was burned down. Without provisions, they were at an absolute disadvantage on the battlefield. Things got worse day by day, and it was said that Princess Irina of the Western Rong secretly sent food to Fu Yun Xi. At this point, Yang Qi specifically paused to observe Han Yan’s expression but was surprised to see her remain perfectly calm.
Da Zong ultimately won this war, though how they won remained unknown. Everyone suspected there might be some hidden issues. A war that could have ended quickly was dragged out due to the mysterious decline in Da Zong soldiers’ morale, and Fu Yun Xi, known for decisive action, struggled immensely in the final battle. Even their victory came at the cost of many soldiers’ lives. Such a victory hardly counted as one – so what had happened to the usually invincible Fu Yun Xi? And why did the Western Rong surrender instead of pursuing their advantage? What conspiracy lay behind this?
Han Yan and Yang Qi discussed many things, exchanging opinions. Han Yan realized then that the former Imperial Martial Champion wasn’t just a title. Beyond his martial prowess, he was well-versed in military strategy and could pinpoint questionable issues in battlefield situations incisively. During their conversation, Yang Qi was also amazed by Han Yan’s intelligence. It was said that even clever women could only excel in poetry and literature, but Han Yan was different. Whether discussing battlefield matters or court politics, she could respond thoughtfully and even debate with Yang Qi. Her ability to extrapolate from given information was extraordinary, leaving Yang Qi amazed that a sheltered young woman could possess such insight – had she been born male, she might have already become a prince or general.
Yang Qi only knew of Han Yan’s sensitivity to these matters and her natural intelligence, but he didn’t know that she had to understand and investigate court politics because it affected her life and survival. Which faction she aligned with would determine her future life – one wrong move would lose everything.
Seeing Han Yan lost in thought, Ji Lan quickly prompted, “Young Miss?”
Han Yan snapped back to reality and roughly explained what Yang Qi had told her to Ji Lan and Shu Hong. Though they were also puzzled, they couldn’t help with court matters or offer strategic advice, and could only look apologetically at Han Yan.
Han Yan wasn’t concerned, though Yang Qi’s questions matched her doubts, and now she didn’t know how to investigate these issues further.
The carriage entered an alley, deep and long, rarely traversed even during normal times, and now completely empty as evening fell. As soon as they entered, Han Yan sensed something amiss. This feeling came from nowhere, but strangely, it just happened. This uneasy feeling quickly grew, and Han Yan decisively ordered the driver: “Turn around, let’s take another route!”
She spoke quickly and urgently, but the driver didn’t catch it clearly and suddenly pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to an abrupt stop, asking, “What?”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong looked at Han Yan in confusion, unable to understand why she suddenly wanted to take a different route home when they always took this one. Han Yan frowned deeply – though she had lied to Yang Qi about her intuition being reliable when she had such a strong premonition, it was best to trust it.
Unfortunately, before she could react further, there came three swift sounds and over a dozen masked figures in black suddenly jumped down from all directions, surrounding the carriage.
Han Yan was startled, and before she could devise a strategy, she saw the dozen masked figures flash their blades and strike toward the people in the carriage.