Chapter 6 Identity in doubt

Zhong Min had long anticipated that if he spoke too much, his identity would be suspected. However, there was no hope of escape at the moment. If he really walked into an ambush circle, he would surely die. Therefore, between his identity and his life, he could only choose one.

"Your Highness, I am just an ordinary maid in Prince Mu's Mansion. I have no ill intentions. If Your Highness doubts my identity, you can ask Concubine Zheng for confirmation." She habitually spread her hands towards Xiao Mingzheng, as if to let him believe it or not.

"How could an ordinary maid in Prince Mu's mansion be so familiar with things like marching and fighting!" Xiao Mingzheng naturally didn't believe it.

The maidservant before him was no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. Though her appearance was pleasant and pretty, she possessed no distinguishing qualities compared to the other concubines in the palace. Her only striking feature was her calm and composed eyes, a steady yet somewhat casual expression that completely belied her age and seemingly fragile appearance. Who would have believed she was merely an ordinary maidservant?

The prince before him didn't believe it at all, which was completely understandable. Seeing this, Zhong Min could only calmly make up a story: "My original name is Zhong Min. Before entering Prince Mu's palace as a slave, I enjoyed reading military books, so I have some knowledge of this subject. Your Highness, there is no need to doubt Zhong Min's intentions. If Zhong Min wanted to harm Your Highness, there was no need to stand up and say these things to arouse suspicion."

At this point, Zhong Min paused, looked Xiao Mingzheng in the eye, and kindly suggested, "Your Highness, if you are truly concerned about my identity, you can send someone to investigate thoroughly after we escape this danger. But for now, Your Highness, please prioritize the overall situation. I dare to ask Your Highness to find another plan to return to the camp and not to risk your life."

What he said was reasonable and Zhong Min was also alert. On the one hand, he took the initiative to reveal his so-called trump card to increase the sense of authenticity. On the other hand, everything he said was from the perspective of King Mu's safety, which sounded quite loyal.

Even if these people would not easily believe her words, at least they would not overly speculate about her identity at this moment.

As expected, after hearing these words, Xiao Mingzheng stopped staring at Zhong Min and turned his gaze to Luo Jiaxing, asking, "What do you think, Jiaxing?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Jiaxing quickly and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I believe what this woman said makes sense. We know there's an ambush ahead, and if we rashly move forward, I'm afraid we'll never return."

"I know the outcome, but I must return to the barracks before dark." Xiao Mingzheng frowned slightly and said to Luo Jiaxing, "I just want to know if you have any better ideas."

This question immediately left Luo Jiaxing speechless. Although General Cheng's method was tantamount to suicide, he had no other good way to ensure that King Mu could return to the camp safely before dark.

Given King Mu's character, even if it meant risking his life, as long as there was a one in ten thousand chance, he would not give up moving forward just to save his life. After all, if he couldn't return to camp before dark, if something happened in the army, not only would King Mu's life be in jeopardy, but who knows how many more people would die as a result.

Just when he was in trouble, Luo Jiaxing suddenly thought of Zhong Min. Since the maid had the courage to point out the pros and cons and tried to stop the prince from returning to the camp according to General Cheng's method, maybe she had other ways. Otherwise, how could a little maid have such courage?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Zhong Min beside him, and saw that Zhong Min also turned his gaze to him, with an expression as if he could see through his thoughts and was waiting for him to ask for help.

"Your Highness, I don't have any good ideas for the moment, but in my opinion, why don't you listen to what the maid has to say? Maybe she has a way?" Luo Jiaxing turned around and threw Zhong Min out. Now he could only try his best. After all, there was still time to discuss. If he really fell into the ambush circle, it would be too late to say anything.

"Her?" General Cheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard Luo Jiaxing pinning his hopes on a servant who was only good at talking big. "General Luo, are you sure? We have so many people and no better solution, yet you're still counting on a servant? You weren't fooled by her pretentious words just now, were you? In my opinion, that servant is just an afterthought, and it's all because of what you said before."

Luo Jiaxing ignored General Cheng's words. This was not the time to be competitive. Any further delay would mean their situation would become more passive.

With a serious expression, he continued to speak to Xiao Mingzheng, "Your Highness, there is no other way now. Why not ask? It won't take too much time. I beg Your Highness to give me this opportunity."

Seeing Luo Jiaxing's serious look, Xiao Mingzheng knew that he meant well and was unwilling to force his way across the valley. After all, the danger was too high and the chances of winning were very slim.

Zhong Min didn't look embarrassed at all after hearing Luo Jiaxing's words. Instead, he looked calm and confident. Such confidence gave him a sense of certainty. Besides, there were no other viable options at the moment. If there really was a clever plan that could help him return to camp safely, it would be worth a try. Therefore, Xiao Mingzheng thought for a moment and agreed.

"Did you hear what General Luo said? If you have any good ideas, you can tell me. If you can help me return to the camp safely, you will be rewarded." Xiao Mingzheng has always been a man of his word. Although the maid in front of him is very suspicious, those who accomplish great things will not be too fussy about trivial matters, let alone at a critical moment, so he will not be reluctant to make promises.

Zhong Min had already decided to help, but given her status, if she rashly asked Ying, she would be unconvincing and might even be suspected of having ulterior motives. Now that Luo Jiaxing had proposed it, and Prince Mu had personally asked, the effect would be vastly different, even if the words were identical.

She wasn't one to meddle in other people's affairs, but if King Mu didn't change his mind and insisted on moving forward, she, the accompanying person, wouldn't be able to escape. Before there was a chance to escape, they were all in the same boat, and she couldn't ignore it.

"Since Your Highness has asked, I dare not refuse to answer. As for the rest, we can discuss it after we are free." Zhong Min said without further ado, "There is indeed a method we can try right now, but I must be clear. Nothing in this world is absolute. Even a method I believe is feasible has risks. I am merely stating the method as Your Highness has instructed. Whether it is feasible or not is up to Your Highness to decide for himself."

The more this happened, the less Zhong Min would impose her methods on them. Although she was 100% sure, the human heart was the most complicated and strange thing. No matter how good or right others' words were, they could never compare to their own thoughts and judgments.

The reason why Zhong Min said this was nothing more than to cleverly transform her idea in this way, so that the recipient could analyze and judge it, and subconsciously turn it into his own thing and identify with it.