Chapter 89

Zhou Junsong was no fool. When he saw that the legendary hostage was not present in the hall, he knew that this matter was not as simple as just changing the hostage.

He didn't say anything, just quietly observed everything. He didn't care about their struggle; he only cared about whether he could get what he wanted here.

Inside the main hall, Zhou Yanqing, Si Yanmo, and Sa Yong were performing a play they had rehearsed in advance.

Wu Zhao was even more arrogant than they had imagined. With just a few words, he believed everything and was willing to sign a trade agreement with Zhou Yanqing. He even thought that Zhou Yanqing was there to extort money from him.

He was currently short of food, and Zhou Yanqing offered to exchange it for grain at a high price. He also promised to send a thousand cattle and a thousand sheep every month after the frost disaster ended, and most importantly, five hundred warhorses.

The Sak are a nomadic people, and although these things are a bit tight for them, they can still provide them. If they can get through this frost disaster and the false hostage situation smoothly, it won't be a loss.

Seeing that the plan was going smoothly, Zhou Yanqing and Si Yanmo exchanged glances and suggested that they stay here for a few more days to rest. Their purpose was, of course, to lure Wu Zhao into their trap step by step.

Just then, Zhou Junsong, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "It would be great if the two princes could resolve this matter peacefully, but the hostage issue was requested by His Majesty himself. Now that the previous hostage was fake and the person has run away, I think Your Highness should give Prince Qin an explanation."

As he spoke, he winked at Wu Zhao.

Si Yanmo happened to witness this scene. She couldn't figure out Zhou Junsong's intentions, so she silently counted on her fingers but couldn't see anything.

This made her even more worried.

If she had to say who she feared most in both her past and present lives, it wouldn't be Lin Jiao'er, who pushed her onto the sacrificial altar, but rather the man before her whom she could never truly understand.

She really didn't know what this person was really after, making a seemingly helpful statement. Someone who could even scheme and exploit their own love life.

Compared to Si Yanmo's confusion, Wu Zhao seemed quite pleased, waving his hand and saying to Zhou Yanqing, "What happened before was indeed my fault. I just didn't want to send my brothers and children to such a far place. Does Your Highness understand?"

Zhou Yanqing had no idea what the two were up to. After exchanging glances with Si Yanmo and getting no answer, she could only offer a fake smile.

Wu Zhao continued speaking to himself, "But this time, to thank the King of Qin for not making things difficult for me and for being willing to lend a helping hand when our country is suffering from a severe frost, I am willing to send my younger brother Wu Lan to Qin as a hostage. What does the King of Qin think?"

This was not part of Zhou Yanqing's plan, but since the unexpected event occurred, she had no choice but to deal with it.

It seems unlikely that this will affect Sano's parents' plans, so he had no choice but to agree.

And so, Zhou Yanqing and Si Yanmo were arranged to stay in the palace.

The two sat together by the charcoal stove to warm themselves, neither of them believing that Zhou Junsong would be so kind, or that King Nasak would really be willing to send his younger brother to Qin.

Zhou Yanqing: "Do you think this Wu Lan is real or fake?"

The two of them had actually run into Wu Lan, who had been summoned into the palace by Wu Zhao, on their way back to the palace.

That man was far more prosperous than Sano; he was plump and rather short, about the same height as Si Yanmo, but his demeanor was as proud as a rooster.

It really doesn't look fake.

Si Yanmo also provided the answer, "He is real. I just looked at his birth chart. He and Wu Zhao don't have a good relationship."

"Do you think he took this opportunity to get revenge on Wu Lan?"

She didn't answer, her brows furrowed. "He's doing this because of that. What about Zhou Junsong? He's acting strangely."

Perhaps they also have some kind of deal going on behind the scenes.

As Si Yanmo thought this, her worries only intensified.

Whether in her past life or in Zhou Junsong's destiny, she couldn't see any connection between him and Sak. But if she changed all of this and made the two connected, then they would have one more enemy, and Zhou Yanqing would be in even more danger.

She felt relieved, but then a flea started jumping around in her mind, disturbing her peace. She instinctively grabbed the hand of the person next to her.

At that moment, Zhou Yanqing's breath hitched, and even her fingertips trembled involuntarily, as if she were afraid that this was an illusion.

He gently covered her hand with his other hand, and seeing that she did not resist, he became bolder and pulled her directly into his arms.

He seemed to know what the woman in front of him was thinking.

Are you worried about me?

His voice was low and hesitant, like a child unsure if he could eat, completely lacking the majesty that usually belonged to the King of Qin.

He thought, it seems like it all ended the very first day he met Si Yanmo; he was destined to fall for this woman.

Si Yanmo did not disappoint him, nodding and expressing her concern, "This is not in her destiny."

Unexpected events are the most terrifying thing. They had no idea when Zhou Junsong and Wu Zhao met, nor what conditions they had exchanged.

Most importantly, they don't know if this alliance can continue.

Zhou Yanqing comforted her, "I think a smart person wouldn't ally with that fool Wu Zhao."

She chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder, but her eyes gradually hardened. "I think there are too few soldiers in Qin."

Zhou Yanqing was shocked by her words. You should know that Qin has always been known for its martial prowess, and even the Southern Emperor is wary of it.

This woman suddenly said such a thing.

"You don't want me to rebel, do you?" His joke carried a hint of probing.

Sure enough, Si Yanmo gently pushed him away and faced him directly. "You can't be too careful. If necessary, you can just kill him."

What a crazy little devil!

Zhou Yanqing sighed inwardly, but silently brushed her stray hairs behind her ear. "What about your sister? Are you planning to let her become a widow?"

Si Yanmo's heart sank, but she couldn't think of a way to satisfy both sides.

That's her older sister, not Zhou Yanqing's.

It's perfectly normal for Zhou Yanqing to do anything to save his own life.

Zhou Yanqing naturally saw through her thoughts. Sometimes he felt that this woman was too insightful, as if she was helping everyone, but also as if she was pushing everyone away.

He gently stroked her shoulder. "Silly girl, I'm your husband, I'm on your side. Your sister is my sister. I won't let you or your family be sad."

Si Yanmo clearly didn't expect him to say that.

She was aware of his feelings for her, but she didn't believe that love was eternal.

Even if it's normal for the other party to do something to protect themselves, Zhou Yanqing gave a different answer.

"I advise you to be prepared. There's always a sense of complacency if something doesn't happen." She didn't want to be the one to suffer the consequences.

"You don't believe me?" Zhou Yanqing asked, somewhat hurt.

She didn't want to face him like this, so she tried to gloss over it with a light tone, "Didn't you say when you imprisoned me that you would kill anyone who disobeyed you?"

However, these words did not lighten the atmosphere; instead, Zhou Yanqing tightened his grip on her shoulders.

He spoke each word with the seriousness of a vow, "Amo, listen to me. I know I was a jerk before, but I was just too afraid of you leaving me. I will never let you or your family get hurt for my own sake."

He spoke so seriously that Si Yanmo felt resistant.

She simply couldn't believe that anyone could truly remain sincere to the end, especially when it came to their own interests or even their life.

Not wanting to spoil the mood, she nodded, but said, "Better safe than sorry, isn't it?"

She still didn't believe it.

Zhou Yanqing felt a sense of helplessness, yet she didn't know how to make her lower her guard.

He had no choice but to change the subject: "Shall we go and talk to him?"

Just then, Si Yanmo didn't want to continue the topic, so she agreed to go with him to find Zhou Junsong.

The man seemed to have expected them to arrive, and he sat down and brewed three cups of tea.

Everything was going according to his plan, which made Si Yanmo even more uneasy. She sat down with Zhou Yanqing, but hesitated to speak. Zhou Junsong, on the other hand, got straight to the point.

“I know what Your Highness and Aunt are worried about. How about we make a deal? I think we both want to know what the other wants to do.”

Si Yanmo and Zhou Yanqing exchanged a glance, wondering what this person was up to.

“If we are allies, we should be open and honest, shouldn’t we?” Zhou Junsong added.

Now she had no choice but to speak. Si Yanmo leaned forward, about to open her mouth, but Zhou Yanqing pressed her down.

“I know that the Third Prince wants to curry favor with King Sak, but I have a better plan.”

In fact, when Zhou Yanqing saw Zhou Junsong's calm and composed demeanor as soon as he entered the door, he roughly guessed his purpose.

If this person truly intended to cooperate with Wu Zhao, he wouldn't have met with them at all, nor would he have discussed any terms.

Wu Zhao is arrogant and conceited, and is certainly not a good ally.

Then there is only one possibility—to befriend others and go with the flow.

He must have known that the two brothers didn't get along, so he took this opportunity to have Wu Zhao push the man to Qin. Wu Zhao was satisfied, and he could also get a good deal, making everyone happy.

It's nothing serious; their anxiety is unnecessary.

Sure enough, after he finished speaking, Zhou Junsong raised the corners of his lips, "The King of Qin is a smart man, so why not tell me about this plan? If there are benefits, we should all work together."

Zhou Yanqing glanced at Si Yanmo, signaling her not to speak for a moment, and then revealed his plan to support Sano as king.

"If Your Highness lends him a hand, Qin Di and Sak will stand behind you in the future. What do you think?"

Zhou Junsong didn't answer directly, but twirled the string of beads in his hand. "What if I want to increase the stake?"

Zhou Yanqing frowned, a bad feeling creeping into her heart. "Go on."

"These days I've been thinking it over and over again and I still hope that my aunt can lend me a hand."

After hearing what he said, Zhou Yanqing tightened his grip on Si Yanmo's hand, causing the back of her hand to turn red.

If he hadn't heard Si Yanmo talk about her past life, he might have been willing to agree as a delaying tactic.

But the marriage between Si Yanmo and the person in front of him in his past life was like a small fishbone stuck in his heart. It was better not to mention it, because once it was mentioned, he could feel the discomfort of it piercing his heart and lungs.