Chapter 166 Returning to Beijing

The visitor was dressed in elaborate and solemn palace attire, with her hair tied up high and adorned with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin that symbolized her status. Her face was well-maintained, and one could vaguely see the unparalleled elegance of her youth.

But deep in those phoenix eyes, there was a lot of resentment and unwillingness accumulated over the years.

The eldest princess Lu Tong is the biological sister of the former deposed crown prince Lu Chen.

"Lord Xun."

The eldest princess' voice was reserved and distant, her eyes fixed on Xun Chen's face, "Your Excellency was so elegant at today's palace banquet, and you are highly regarded by the Emperor. It is truly a cause for celebration."

She said congratulations, but her tone was flat and without a trace of emotion.

Xun Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and saluted: "Your humble servant, Xun Chen, pays homage to Her Royal Highness, the Princess. Your Highness is so kind, I am ashamed to accept it. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's great grace."

He was respectful, but alarm bells suddenly rang in his heart.

This eldest princess has a noble status but is in a delicate situation.

When the deposed crown prince was executed, his followers were purged. Only this sister was able to retain the title of eldest princess and live in the capital because she was a woman and her husband died early and had no children. This was actually tantamount to house arrest.

She lived a secluded life, rarely attending palace banquets, but today she suddenly approached him to speak...

"My royal brother is so gracious, and I am deeply blessed."

Lu Tong curled her lips, and her eyes seemed to sweep unintentionally across the distance. Lu Bin was surrounded by stars in the palace. There was a deep coldness and hatred in the depths of her eyes, so fast that it was difficult to catch.

She changed the subject, lowering her voice a bit, with a hint of tentativeness:

"It's just that I've recently heard rumors of unrest in the Yunze area of ​​Jiangnan. I wonder if Lord Xun, as the Deputy Imperial Envoy, who oversees all officials, has heard of this?"

A layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on Xun Chen's back.

Why did the eldest princess suddenly mention Yunze?

What did she know? Was it a test, or...?

He forced himself to remain calm, his face displaying just the right amount of doubt and caution. "Your Highness, the Jiangnan Province Supervisory Censor's report didn't mention any major unusual activity on Yunze's part recently."

"I wonder what kind of rumors Your Highness has heard. I will investigate thoroughly."

Lu Tong looked at him deeply, but did not answer his question. She raised her hand and brushed the peony petals beside her.

"Rumors are just rumors, just like this peony. No matter how beautiful it blooms, if its roots are rotten, it will eventually become a castle in the air, and will be blown away by the wind."

"Master Xun, do you think it is or is not?"

She raised her eyes, her phoenix eyes staring directly at Xun Chen, a deep pool in them, "I think some roots buried deeper can actually wait until spring comes and flowers bloom."

Xun Chen's heart was beating like a drum.

Was the eldest princess implying that the deposed crown prince's lineage was still alive, or was she warning him?

He followed the conversation and responded ambiguously, "Your Highness is right. Only with deep roots can the leaves flourish. However, times have changed. If the old roots of the previous dynasty want to survive and flourish in this new soil, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky."

When Lu Tong heard this, a sharp light suddenly flashed in her eyes, and then it was replaced by a sad smile.

She stopped looking at Xun Chen and cast her gaze towards the noisy palace banquet in the distance. Her voice was as soft as a sigh, but it reached Xun Chen's ears clearly:

"Yes, it's as difficult as ascending to heaven, but even the sky can change, isn't it, Master Xun?"

She paused, as if talking to herself, "I've spent my entire life in this deep palace watching flowers bloom and wither. Some flowers may appear to have withered, but who knows where their seeds might land in some unexpected corner, waiting for a spring rain."

After saying this, she did not stay any longer, but turned around and left gracefully, holding the hand of the palace maid beside her.

Xun Chen was left standing there stiffly, his body cold but his heart filled with turbulent waves.

Princess Lu Tong hadn't mentioned this unintentionally. Was she extending an olive branch to him? Or was she setting a deadly trap?

He watched the eldest princess's back disappear in the dim light, and thought of Jiang Qingning's cold and indifferent eyes. A chill and an indescribable feeling intertwined together, making him tremble slightly all over.

This chess game seemed more dangerous and more tempting than he had imagined.

Ning Pavilion.

In the study, it is late at night.

The flickering candlelight cast the figure of the writer writing at the desk on the plain white wall, making it appear slender and lonely.

Jiang Qingning's brows were furrowed, his fingertips dipped in cinnabar, and he made the final stroke on a parchment scroll with a map of the Northern Di people painted on it.

The evening wind howled outside the window, stirring up the rustling sound of fallen leaves in the courtyard, but it could not cover up the solemn atmosphere in the study.

An Yi, An Er, An San... The leader of the secret guards whom she had carefully trained for three years stood before her like the most loyal shadow, with his hands hanging down, waiting for instructions.

"This letter must be delivered to Ashina Tuzhen, the Left Wise King of Beidi within three days."

Jiang Qingning handed An Yi a letter written in the secret language of the Northern Di royal court and sealed with wax.

The candlelight reflected her cold profile, and there was an icy flame burning deep in her eyes.

"Tell him that the insider he seeks is ready. The Emperor of Dagan is addicted to elixirs, the government is in chaos, and the border defenses are empty. This is the perfect opportunity for him to march south to avenge his previous humiliation."

"Yes!" An Yi took the letter.

"Second An," Jiang Qingning turned his gaze to another person, "You must immediately head south and contact the guards of Yunze Water Stronghold. Tell him that Xun Chen has established contact with Princess Lu Tong, but that this person's intentions are unpredictable, so be extra cautious."

"He's been dormant for years, and his chance to rise again is right before his eyes. When the Northern Di army begins to stir and the capital is shaken, it will be the perfect opportunity for him to seize the chaos and rally his former followers under the banner of the deposed Crown Prince. He must gather enough strength within three months to march directly towards the capital."

"yes!"

"An San," her gaze finally settled, "you will be responsible for assisting Lingnan and delivering the message to my father and brother. Lingnan's military affairs will be secretly handed over to Deputy General Chen Duo immediately. They will immediately pack up and set off for the capital under the pretext of reporting on their duties!"

"I'll assign someone to arrange the route and contact. It must be secretive and swift!"

"yes!"

Across the wall, in the study of Duke Qin's mansion, the lights were also on.

Qin Xiu stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his figure as straight as a pine tree, but his eyes penetrated the dark night and fell on the wall next door.

He closed his eyes, his brows thick with an indelible look of worry and helplessness.

"Master," Qing Ming appeared silently behind him, "Miss Jiang's secret guards are being frequently mobilized. I'm afraid there will be a major move."

Qin Xiu slowly opened his eyes, his deep pupils filled with a dark color.

He knew her too well.

Silence was only the prelude to the storm. All her forbearance was accumulating strength for the final blow, and at this moment, this strength had probably reached its limit.

"Send the message."

Qin Xiu's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue. "Tell her that the capital is not Lingnan. The emperor has many eyes and ears. Haste makes waste. Don't act impulsively."

Qingming took the order and left.

A moment later, the news he brought back made Qin Xiu frown even tighter.

"Master...the letter was returned unopened."

Qing Ming said awkwardly, "Miss Zi Su said that Miss Jiang is dealing with important matters and has no time to care about irrelevant trivial matters."

"It's nothing trivial..."

Qin Xiu repeated these four words in a low voice, with a bitter arc at the corner of his lips.