Chapter 325 Meeting an Old Friend

When Xu Zhenying received Ming Xiaoshuang's secret report, he sighed softly, "Is it still not working?"

Looking at the dozen or so eager faces below, he smiled helplessly and said, "Ming Xiaoshuang failed to persuade Zhao Yi to surrender, and Zhao Yi specifically asked me to go to the northern border to negotiate."

"What?!" Everyone in the room was shocked.

Xu Zhenying continued slowly, "He said that I was the only one allowed to go to his military camp."

"Your Highness, you can't do that," Elder Lin advised immediately. "We still don't know what Zhao Yi is planning. If he doesn't truly surrender, Your Highness will be in danger. Ming Xiaoshuang can't do it, so I, an old man, will go. I have some friendship with Zhao Yi, so I'm easier to talk to than him."

"Don't worry, there won't be any danger on this trip."

But none of Xu Zhenying's subordinates agreed, especially Jiang Yongkang: "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Your Highness, now is a time of great trouble and a critical moment in our Northern Expedition. You cannot afford any mistakes."

Zhou Houfang thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, I will go with you."

Zhao Qiaonian also stood up immediately: "I'll go with you too!"

Elder Lin also said, "These people are not enough. No, why do we have to go? Now that the situation is settled, we have a strong army and strong horses. Since he wants to negotiate, let him come to Fengxiang Mansion!"

This sound immediately received the attention of everyone.

"That's right, let Zhao Yi come to our Fengxiang Prefecture! We have over a hundred thousand people waiting for him here!"

"That's right, our own territory is still more secure!"

"Yeah, it's not like we can't defeat them, so why should we bow down? If all else fails, let's just go for it! All the way to the northern border! We have people armed with firearms, so why should we be afraid of being defeated by Zhao Yi?"

Zhou Houfang said, "We can't speak in anger. If we can truly resolve this through peaceful negotiations, or even persuade Zhao Yi to surrender, then we can form a pincer attack with the northern border, and Bianjing will naturally fall without a fight. In other words, this persuasion of surrender is crucial to whether we can continue the war."

"That's right. Therefore, persuading Zhao Yi to surrender this time is of great importance. If we succeed, we can at least save hundreds of thousands of people from disaster."

Everyone naturally knew that it was important to persuade Zhao Yi to surrender.

If Zhao Yi could really be persuaded to surrender, there would be no need to fight later. By then, Bianjing would have become an isolated island, unable to retreat or advance, and would have fallen completely into their hands.

What's more, there are Tatars in the north.

In this way, peace in the north can be maintained.

Elder Lin still shook his head. "Your Highness, the situation in the North is extremely complex. Not only are Zhao Yi's forces there, but there are also spies planted by Zhou Mian. If they disagree politically, even if Zhao Yi wants to surrender, what if someone supporting Zhou Mian attacks you? It's far too dangerous for you to go alone."

Qian Zhenniang nodded, but her tone was unquestionable. As a veteran, she naturally spoke with more confidence than others. "Your Highness, you can't go. Even if you want to go, you can't go to their military camp. We can meet somewhere else. If you go to Zhao Yi's military camp, we will be passive."

Xu Zhenying smiled and glanced at everyone: "Don't you see that Zhao Yi is testing me?"

Everyone in the room looked at her in confusion.

Xu Zhenying laughed, "Have you ever considered that with Bianjing City in dire straits right now, Zhou Mian must have issued an order overnight urging Zhao Yi to rescue the emperor? Yet, Zhao Yi is waiting to discuss matters with me at this critical juncture. My journey to the northern border is at least ten days' journey. How could Zhou Mian tolerate Zhao Yi wasting precious time for rescue efforts for a traitor like me? Isn't Zhao Yi afraid that Zhou Mian will accuse him of treason?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Lin's eyes lit up and he said happily, "Zhao Yi is ready to surrender to us!"

Only then did everyone react.

Yes, if Zhao Yi did not surrender, why would he delay the rescue time and instead wait to negotiate with Xu Zhenying?

This is clearly a signal of surrender.

Qian Zhenniang asked, "Since he is willing to surrender, why does His Highness insist on going to the northern border alone?"

Xu Zhenying smiled, "They say that good times bring good times. He probably wanted to test whether I'm worthy of that position."

At this point, everyone was a little unsure.

Elder Lin asked, "Then Your Highness...are you still going?"

Xu Zhenying pondered for a moment, "I think you're right. A gentleman doesn't stand under a dangerous wall, especially at a time like this. He wants to have a secret meeting with us, right? Then we should spread the word in the newspapers and let the people of Bianjing know that their reinforcements might not be arriving! Zhao Yi has no escape route and can only be manipulated by me. Then we can choose a place where we both feel safe to negotiate."

The people in the house were shocked.

In terms of cruelty, he is still not as good as His Royal Highness Prince Zhao.

In this way, Zhao Yi has no way out at all.

This move, which cut off the source of the problem, not only completely seized the initiative in the peace talks in the North, but also left Zhao Yi with no choice.

Elder Lin stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Your Highness, now I truly understand why you insisted on publishing a newspaper. This newspaper is clearly a murderous weapon! No wonder you always say that war is not only a struggle for resources, but also a struggle for the right to speak."

However, Xu Zhenying asked, "Willn't it be possible to push him too hard and make him fight like a trapped beast?"

Elder Lin shook his head. "From what I know about Zhao Yi, he probably won't do that. He's been operating in the Northern Territory for many years and has always had a good reputation for loving his people like his own children. For the sake of the hundreds of thousands of people under his command, he won't engage in a meaningless, desperate fight with us."

"We have to prepare for both scenarios." Xu Zhenying stood up. "Mr. Lin, you'll be the lead editor and spread the news of our peace talks with the Northern Territory. The war continues. I'll set out directly from Fengxiang Prefecture. Jiang Yongkang, Zhao Qiaonian, Zhou Houfang, Chang Yuanshan, and I will select another two thousand soldiers to go with me. Get ready, and we'll set out as soon as possible."

At this moment, in the waiting area of ​​Fengxiang Mansion, two people were sitting quietly waiting.

Mr. Wu and his beautiful concubine, Aunt Bai, were sitting here nervously at the moment. The previous receptionist told them that they needed to wait here until someone called them from inside the house, and then they could go in.

Aunt Bai was wearing a cotton-padded coat, and the fox fur cloak she wore outside was the mistress's most precious possession. Normally, the mistress was reluctant to wear it, but when she heard that Aunt Bai and Xu Zhenying were old acquaintances, she immediately had it taken out of the box, ironed it neatly, and put it on her herself.

The lady was more friendly to her than ever before, and even personally sent her to the government office, but unfortunately she was stopped outside the gate.

Now the two of them were looking at the movement inside anxiously.

After the meeting, the soldier guarding the conference room told Zhou Houfang that there was someone outside who claimed to be an acquaintance of His Highness and wanted to see him. Zhou Houfang did not delay and passed the news to Xu Zhenying.

Xu Zhenying looked confused.

Her acquaintance?

Which acquaintance?

Seeing her frown, Zhou Houfang said, "It's a young woman. She doesn't look like she's here to cause trouble. She said she's an old friend of yours and is anxious to see you. Do you want me to send them away?"

Xu Zhenying took out his pocket watch and said, "Okay, there are still ten minutes left. Bring them in for a look."

Soon, people outside received the message.

Mr. Wu couldn't help but tremble at this moment. He subconsciously grabbed Aunt Bai's hand and repeatedly confirmed: "Ying Niang, do you really know His Royal Highness Prince Zhao? Could you be mistaken? This is the government office of Fengxiang Prefecture!"

Aunt Bai was only thinking about Xu Zhenying, and at this moment she had no time to care about the fat and big-eared Master Wu. Her chest kept heaving, and her feet walked quickly. She looked at everything around her, thinking about the scene when she left Lan County. Her eyes were already red before she saw anyone.

Xu Zhenying heard the noise outside. As soon as he looked up, he heard a mournful call: "Girl——"

The voice is so familiar!

Zhou Houfang clearly felt Xu Zhenying's face change!

She stood up suddenly, almost knocking over the teacup on the table, and walked quickly towards the young woman below.

"Zhao Di?!" Xu Zhenying's heart was pounding, as if he couldn't believe what he saw.

That face... is clearly Li Zhaodi who has been dead for many years!

That's right, it's her.

But now she looks a bit more mature than before, with some flesh on her cheeks and a hint of sadness between her brows.

Following behind her was a slightly fat middle-aged man with a flattering smile on his face.

The man kowtowed as soon as he entered the room: "Your Highness... I, Wu Denggao, pay my respects to Your Highness!"

Xu Zhenying stood there in a daze, but Li Zhaodi had already grabbed her hand, calling her "girl" again and again, and then burst into tears.

Xu Zhenying's eyes also turned red.

Seeing this, Zhou Houfang immediately realized that this woman was probably an old friend of His Highness, so he said to the middle-aged man, "Mr. Wu, please go over to the side and have some tea. Let His Highness have a chat with this girl."

Mr. Wu obviously didn't want to leave, but seeing that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao and Aunt Bai were busy talking, he felt awkward staying here, so he had to obediently follow Zhou Houfang and leave.

"Zhao Di, you're still alive? Didn't the madam say you jumped into the moat and died?" Xu Zhenying also held Li Zhao Di's hand, his face anxious. "If you're still alive, why don't you come find me?"

After Li Zhaodi finally finished crying, the two sat down to talk. However, it was clear that Li Zhaodi had no idea what Xu Zhenying was talking about. "What madam?"

Xu Zhenying said, "We entered the city on the third day after you were sold. I asked Jiang Yongkang to look for you everywhere, but he only found the madam. She said you jumped into the river and drowned!"

Li Zhaodi shook her head with red and swollen eyes. "There was a brothel owner named Li. It was only after I was sold that I realized they weren't looking for maids from wealthy families, but prostitutes. When I found out, I naturally refused to obey them. So they tied me up in a cellar with many other girls like me. Then, for some reason, I passed out, and when I woke up, they were already on their way out."

Xu Zhenying asked, "So, when we captured Lan County, you were already taken out of the city? Do you remember the time?"

Li Zhaodi shook her head. "That was six years ago. I just remember that after eating the steamed buns handed to me by the madam, I passed out. I have no idea what happened in Lan County during those few days."

"Then I fell into the hands of a trafficker named Yan Ma. She used to be a horse breeder, but now that she was older, she started training young girls, teaching them music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She hoped to sell them to wealthy families as concubines, where they could fetch higher prices."

When talking about the hardships she had experienced before, Li Zhaodi's expression was calm, but Xu Zhenying felt uncomfortable.

Why did I miss it by accident?

If she had asked a few more questions and verified more, could Li Zhaodi's tragedy have been avoided?

Soon, footsteps were heard outside the door. It turned out that Qian Zhenniang heard the news and immediately dropped everything and rushed over.

"Zhao Di!"

Li Zhaodi stood up, looked at Qian Zhenniang's face, and burst into tears again.

Qian Zhenniang and Li Zhaodi hugged each other and cried bitterly.

"I just heard Secretary Zhou say that, and I didn't believe it. I rushed over here, and only then did I realize it's actually true! You're really not dead!"

"Yes, thanks to Your Highness, I am alive and well. I have been sold twice over the years, and now I am the concubine of the Master of the Wu family. In these troubled times, I am very lucky to be healthy and free from disaster."

Qian Zhenniang looked Li Zhaodi up and down. Although she was thin, she was dressed in silk and satin. Her skin was delicate and the calluses on her fingers were gradually fading. It seemed that she had not suffered much in these years as she said.

But Qian Zhenniang still felt heartbroken when she looked at Li Zhaodi, who was dressed as a woman with smiling eyes.

If Li Zhaodi had not been sold back then, she would at least be able to support herself, even if she could not be made a marquis or a prime minister and achieve great things.

So that you won’t become someone else’s concubine.

Qian Zhenniang suddenly became frightened.

If she hadn't met Xu Zhenying, wouldn't Li Zhaodi's ending have been the same as hers?

Being able to be a concubine of a wealthy family, having no worries about food and clothing, not having to flee, not having to be displaced, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain, this is the life that many girls hope for in troubled times.

Qian Zhenniang's voice choked with sobs. "Since you're still alive, why didn't you come find us? Your Highness has become very famous in recent years. Fengxiang Prefecture isn't that far from Jinzhou Prefecture, after all. Haven't you ever heard of His Highness's name?"

"When I first escaped from Lan County, I didn't know I was going to be sold into a brothel. When I found out, I kept thinking about escaping. For those two years, I wasn't very obedient and was locked in the backyard by my mother. I never heard any news from the outside world. Later, I was bought as a concubine by Master Wu, and I stayed in the backyard all day. I only heard that there was an extremely powerful king in Jinzhou Prefecture. It was only two years ago that I even found out that the king was a woman. Everyone called them the Green Head Gang or the Female King. As for their surnames and names, I really don't know."

Xu Zhenying also felt emotional.

It seems that they are only two states apart, and the distance added up to a few hundred miles. Unfortunately, Zhaodi has been in the backyard all the time, and the news is delayed, so she is completely ignorant of all the news about Xu Zhenying.

Hearing that Li Zhaodi was sold as a concubine, Qian Zhenniang felt a wave of pain in her heart. With red eyes, she asked, "How have you been through these years? Has Master Wu been good to you?"

Li Zhaodi smiled and said, "Of course it's good. At least I have enough food and clothing, and I have lived a peaceful life until now. I also have a daughter, who is only a little over three months old. I will bring her over for you to see after some time."

Only then did Qian Zhenniang notice that Li Zhaodi was plump and looked like a woman who had just given birth.

Thinking about it, they are almost the same age, but one is already a mother and trapped in the backyard, while she has followed His Highness in his battles to broaden his horizons.

It's true that people have different fates.

Especially since Li Zhaodi downplayed her experiences in these years, but Qian Zhenniang knew very well that in such a chaotic world, how could she have a good life as a woman wandering alone?

However, Li Zhaodi didn't seem to think too deeply about it. She just looked at Qian Zhenniang and saw how much she had changed compared to before, and her smile was full of relief. "Zhenniang, you've grown taller, fatter, and more majestic. I heard that on the day you entered the city, you rode your horse side by side with Minister Jiang. You were so majestic and brought honor to us women. My girl kept talking about how amazing the ladies who became female officials were when she came back. Now I see that they are indeed amazing."

Qian Zhenniang felt extremely bitter at what she said, but a smile appeared on her face. "How can you be so arrogant? Now that you have recognized His Highness, you can be just like us in the future. Now that you have us as your backers, whether you want to do something else or not, we will support you."

There was light in Li Zhaodi's eyes, but she did not answer the question. She looked many times calmer than before.

After so many years of wandering outside, she seemed to have become a more sensible girl.

"What about them? Fourth Miss Xu, Fifth Miss Xu, and the eldest and second daughters of the Fang family, are they all okay? How about everyone else?"

"All is well. Fourth Miss Xu is now His Highness's secretary, stationed in Jinzhou Prefecture. First Miss Fang is finishing up the battle on the Eastern Frontier. Second Miss Fang and Fifth Miss Xu are now in charge of education, with female students all over the world. The others are all doing well, and are currently working for His Highness."

At this moment, Li Zhaodi seemed to suddenly realize the gap between herself and them.

This gap is invisible and intangible, but it is like an unbridgeable chasm between them.

Qian Zhenniang calls Xu Zhenying His Highness.

They used to call her girl.

Li Zhaodi knew that Xu Zhenying was no longer the same person she used to be. She could tell from the attitudes of the servants as they walked in. Otherwise, the master and the mistress would not have been in such a hurry to dress her up and personally escort her to the gate of the government office.

All this is because the person in front of him may ascend to the supreme throne.

But she quickly adjusted herself, and then she asked hesitantly, "Then...then...where are my parents?"

The room was quiet for a moment.

Qian Zhenniang smiled bitterly: "Zhao Di, the past is over. Are you still thinking about them? Don't you forget why you were sold in the first place?"

Li Zhaodi lowered her head and remained silent, looking as restrained as a child who had done something wrong.

Xu Zhenying said, "They are all doing well, healthy and well. They should be in Jinzhou Prefecture now. If you want to see them, I can send someone to escort you back."

Qian Zhenniang looked at Xu Zhenying with a little surprise.

Xu Zhenying never concealed his disgust for the Li family's adulterous couple.

Besides, it seems that Mrs. Cao has been divorced by Mr. Li?

But why did His Highness say that Li Zhaodi’s parents were fine?

Could it be that in His Highness's mind, as long as these two people are still alive, everything is fine?

Or did His Highness say this to comfort Li Zhaodi?

Li Zhaodi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and her eyes curved. After hearing the news, she couldn't tell whether she felt relieved or something else.

She hesitated for a moment, then timidly looked at the two of them and said, "Forget it. Hearing that they're doing well puts my mind at ease. My mother sold me to Lan County back then, so I've already repaid them for raising me. With my younger brother in the Li family, my parents won't have to worry about their retirement. Besides, I changed my last name a long time ago to Bai, not Li, so I'm no longer a member of the Li family. I... don't need to meet them."

Only then did Qian Zhenniang breathe a sigh of relief.

Xu Zhenying also said, "That's fine. It's time to make a decision. You're living a pretty good life now, so why dwell on the past?"

Xu Zhenying thought of the chubby middle-aged man from earlier. He was about thirty years old, dressed in silk and satin, and spoke and acted quite smoothly. "Is that your husband?"

Li Zhaodi shook her head. "I'm just a concubine of the Wu family. That's Master Wu, not my husband. Master Wu's first wife is still here, so I don't dare say that."

Xu Zhenying felt a pain in his heart again.

Xu Zhenying felt very uncomfortable because her former partner had now fallen into the situation of being a concubine of a man who was more than ten years older than her.

Qian Zhenniang was the same. She asked tentatively, "Is Madam Wu good to you?"

Li Zhaodi smiled slightly. "It's hard to say whether she's good or bad. Madam Wu used to be impatient, very concerned about face, and had a reputation for being jealous. It was hard to live under her. Not to mention that we servants were afraid of her, even the master was afraid of her. But now that the eldest young lady is pregnant, she has no time to pay attention to us, so she can take a break. As the mistress of the house, who would like the beauties in her husband's room? As long as they are acceptable for face, it's enough."

Qian Zhenniang's eyes turned red and she almost cried again.

Seeing this, Li Zhaodi quickly handed over a handkerchief and wiped her tears. She was also moved. "Look at me, I made you cry all the time. I didn't catch up with the good times. Unlike you, you have always been with the girls and now you can be granted titles and become prime ministers like men. Even so, didn't I get through it? Besides, aren't all women in this world like this? In this chaotic world, being able to live without illness or disaster, and having enough food and clothing is a great blessing. I am very satisfied to be able to recognize you. I am open-minded. These are all my blessings."

Seeing that Li Zhaodi seemed to be really open-minded, Xu Zhenying thought that one should avoid having unrealistic ambitions. Since Li Zhaodi herself did not feel the hardship, Xu Zhenying felt relieved.

She couldn't measure whether Li Zhaodi was happy by modern standards.

As Li Zhaodi herself said, in troubled times, being alive is better than anything else.

What's more, Li Zhaodi has never been a girl with big ambitions.

Maybe her current life is really the best ending for her.

But for some reason, Xu Zhenying's heart still ached. She could only force a smile and said, "Yes, it's not easy for us to meet each other alive. Bring your daughter here next time so that we aunts can see her. We can get a lot of small gold bracelets by taking a look around."

Li Zhaodi immediately laughed, "Miss, you are now rich enough to rival a country. I will not be polite to you. Your bracelet must be three inches thicker than others, otherwise I will not accept it."

Xu Zhenying also laughed: "That's natural."

However, Qian Zhenniang wanted to take Li Zhaodi to meet other people. When they went out, they found that Mr. Wu was still waiting next door in a very uneasy state.