Chapter 159 Internal and External Cooperation

A hint of admiration flashed in Yuanbao's eyes, and he nodded emphatically: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will make the arrangements immediately!"

Then he asked, "Then... does the Princess have any words that I should arrange for someone to convey to Your Highness?"

Shen Qingci paced slowly in the room, lost in thought for a long time.

She had intended to suggest that she personally disguise herself as a eunuch and enter the palace to see Chu Jichen. However, this thought only flashed through her mind before she rejected it.

The risk is too great.

Now everyone's eyes are on her, and if she suddenly disappears, it will definitely arouse suspicion.

If exposed in the palace, not only would it fail to save Chu Jichen, but it would also implicate itself, making the whole situation even more unfavorable.

Moreover, with Chu Jichen currently trapped in the palace, the entire Regent's Palace is in a state of panic, and someone must step forward to stabilize the situation.

As the regent's wife, she had no choice but to shoulder this responsibility.

She remained silent for a long time before finally making up her mind and instructing Yuanbao, "After you send your men in, first try to confirm whether the prince is safe and sound."

“If he is well, ask him one question—” her voice was calm and firm, “Is there anything I can do for him?”

Upon hearing this, Yuanbao's heart tightened, and he solemnly agreed, then went to carry out the order.

Around noon, Yuanbao quietly reappeared in her study.

"Your Highness, it's done!" His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "Last night's shift change went smoothly! That code... it really worked!"

Shen Qingci's heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally eased a little.

She waited patiently for another whole day.

It wasn't until evening that news came from the palace again.

"Your Highness," Yuanbao's voice was filled with admiration, "our men have successfully completed their shift change! His Highness... His Highness is safe and sound!"

"The prince also brought a message, telling you... telling all of us to hold back and do nothing."

Stay put?

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci was taken aback at first, but then a knowing smile slowly appeared on her lips.

She understood.

Chu Jichen must have had this planned in advance.

At this moment, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled back into place.

Sure enough, by the afternoon of the next day, a border war report arrived from the capital with an urgent message!

When Shen Qingci received the news, she was sitting on the porch, quietly watching the drizzling rain outside the eaves.

The raindrops, like threads, wove a hazy net that enveloped the entire world.

After hearing the steward's report, she showed no surprise. She simply picked up the fish food and slowly sprinkled it into the lotus pond under the eaves. Watching the koi carp scramble for the food, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

She whispered to Wanqing beside her, "He made a move."

Wanqing was preoccupied with the contents of the battle report when she heard this and asked in confusion, "They've made their move? Miss, do you mean... the Prince?"

"But this... this is just news of renewed fighting at the border! What does it have to do with Your Highness?"

Shen Qingci smiled as she watched the ripples spreading across the water, and patiently explained to her, "Silly girl, don't you think about it? Now that war has broken out again on the border, we urgently need to send reinforcements. But who should issue the order to send troops?"

"Now, the prince is 'ill' and confined to the palace, not concerning himself with state affairs. For the time being, the one in charge of the court is... Prime Minister Liu."

"Then...then Prime Minister Liu can just send reinforcements!" Wanqing still looked completely bewildered.

Shen Qingci shook her head, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes: "Do you think that old fox Liu Wenyuan would dare to send troops?"

"Right now, he's locked in a life-or-death struggle with the prince, wishing he could kill him. At this critical juncture, a battle report suddenly arrives from the border. His first suspicion will undoubtedly be... that this is a scheme devised by the prince!"

Wanqing's eyes lit up instantly!

She suddenly realized: "This servant understands! Most of the troops that Prime Minister Liu can mobilize around the capital are his own men! Prime Minister Liu is worried that once he transfers his trusted troops to the border, the Prince will immediately launch a counterattack in the capital! At that time, he will be powerless to resist as he will have no troops at his disposal!"

“That’s right.” Shen Qingci nodded, her eyes full of approval. “But if he doesn’t send troops, and if the border incident is true and the war is lost, then Liu Wenyuan will have to bear the infamy of delaying military operations and causing the loss of territory for all eternity!”

"We don't even need to wait until something really happens at the border. As long as he dares to suppress the battle report and refuse to send reinforcements, those loyal and patriotic military officers and officials in the court will be the first to stand up and impeach him!"

"That move was really... ruthless." Shen Qingci's lips slowly curled up, but she felt a sense of peace she had never felt before.

Chu Jichen, as expected, did not disappoint her.

He appeared to be trapped in the deep palace, unable to move, but in reality... he had already placed a piece thousands of miles away that was enough to turn the tide.

Liu Wenyuan's trapping of him had absolutely no effect on him.

He could even use this opportunity to secretly... set up an even bigger scheme.

After listening to Shen Qingci's analysis, Wan Qing felt enlightened, and her admiration for the regent, whom she had never met, grew even stronger. But then, she couldn't help but ask:

"Miss, now that His Highness has laid out such a brilliant plan, shouldn't we... take this opportunity to do something to coordinate with him from the inside?"

Shen Qingci slowly shook her head.

She looked at the koi carp stirring up the spring water in the pond as they fought for food, and said calmly and clearly, "No, do nothing."

"Since Chu Jichen has already laid out his plan, what we should do now is... to remain still and wait for the right opportunity."

She turned to look at Wanqing, her eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Think about it, Liu Wenyuan is now in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place. He must be filled with fear and suspicion towards me and the Prince. If we make any moves now, we might alert him and give him away."

“Therefore,” her voice became incredibly firm, “I will simply stay within the palace walls, remain obediently within the palace, protect myself, and not let myself fall into anyone’s hands or become a burden to him.”

"At least, the Regent's Palace is still an impregnable fortress. As long as I am here, I am safe. Liu Wenyuan and the others will not dare to make any rash moves."

Upon hearing this, Wanqing nodded heavily, completely relieved.

Then, she remembered something else and asked cautiously, "Then...Miss, in ten days, will your birthday banquet still be held?"

"Do it! Why not do it?" Shen Qingci smiled upon hearing this, a smile full of calculation and interest.

"Not only should it be held, but it should be a grand affair! Pass down the word that everyone in the manor should proceed as usual, and that preparations should proceed as planned, without any restraint due to the Prince's affairs."

Seeing Wanqing's puzzled look, the curve of her lips deepened.

"Now that the news of Chu Jichen being trapped in the palace has probably spread throughout the capital, everyone thinks that I, the newly appointed princess, must be completely lost and living in constant fear."

"If I were to still be in the mood to prepare a grand birthday banquet for myself at this time, what would Liu Wenyuan and the others think?"