He didn't want to stay in this godforsaken place for even a second longer.
Song Yue stood up with satisfaction and instructed the person next to her: "Take good care of the Second Prince, give him medicine every day, and stew some tonics. As long as it's not excessive, do as he pleases."
"yes."
After leaving the house, she vaguely heard insults coming from behind her.
Amber was furious and wanted to teach this person a lesson, but Song Yue stopped her: "Let him be, this is not the time to make a fuss."
For several days in a row, Song Yue locked herself in her room to study the art of disguise.
When the fake faces appeared before her, they were so realistic that they were indistinguishable from the real ones. Amber was dumbfounded and gave her a thumbs up, her face full of admiration.
"Your Highness, there is a letter."
The guards rushed over to report.
Amber took the letter and handed it to Song Yue. The letter had no name on it, but contained a simple poem that, when put together, read: "Defeated and imprisoned, hoping for rescue."
The handwriting is Linghu Ning's.
Song Yue frowned. She had not ordered Linghu Ning to assassinate anyone, so how could Linghu Ning have made the decision on her own?
"Miss Linghu is too impatient."
"The entire Linghu family died at the hands of the Japanese; she must have lost her mind."
Yun Dong and Amber had different opinions on this matter.
“It might not be Linghu Ning,” Song Yue analyzed. “If Dongying wants to take action against Bei Chu, all they need is an excuse.”
The Emperor of Dongying had long coveted Beichu, and taking advantage of the situation while Beichu and Nanjiang were fighting, he seized the opportunity to invade. This was the Emperor of Dongying's strategy.
"Is the Crown Princess really going to rescue Miss Linghu?" Amber was secretly anxious. Wouldn't this trip be very dangerous?
She fell silent.
After much hesitation, he picked up his pen and wrote a letter: "Send someone to deliver this to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence and give it to the Marquis of Zhenbei's wife."
The Lady of Zhenbei and the Empress of Dongying are sisters and have a close relationship. It must be very convenient for her to come and go from the palace. She has the Lady of Zhenbei's son in her hands, and out of this relationship, she will inevitably leak some information.
at night
The sound of drums echoed in my ears.
Suddenly, the bugle sounded, deafening and terrifying.
Song Yue woke up with a start from the bed: "What happened outside?"
"Your Highness, it's the Japanese who have attacked." Amber said anxiously as she quickly helped Song Yue dress, putting a silver armor on her body.
As Song Yue walked out, she saw the firelight. General Shen approached her and said, "It was Xuan Yuanming who couldn't hold back and led more than 10,000 men to come and demand justice."
Xuanyuan Ming?
Song Yue remained silent and followed them into the tent to await news. Several deputy generals were discussing the situation around the sand table: "There are at least 400,000 troops in Biancheng, Dongying. If they march north in one fell swoop, we will be no match for them."
"The best course of action now is to delay Japan and not to engage in battle lightly."
"Who can argue with that?"
"I don't know what possessed the sixth prince, he suddenly raised an army to attack."
Northern Chu is sandwiched between Southern Xinjiang and Eastern Ying. If Northern Chu were to fight Eastern Ying without the involvement of Southern Xinjiang, they might be able to fight to the death.
However, most of the Northern Chu's forces are currently tied up in the Southern Frontier, and in the fight against the Eastern Ying, they can only win with fewer troops.
The generals from the Eastern Sea are all seasoned veterans, undefeated in battle. If they join forces this time, it will surely be a fierce battle for Northern Chu.
Song Yue fell silent.
Listening to the sounds of two soldiers clashing, weapons clashing, shouts, and fighting, she frowned.
This wait lasted for two whole days.
Until General Shen returned.
"How is it?" Song Yue pressed.
“Xuanyuan Ming has been injured and retreated. I estimate that it won’t be long before Japan makes a comeback,” General Shen said.
Song Yue frowned. She wasn't good at leading troops into battle and didn't know how she could help in the short term. General Shen looked at her with a somewhat serious expression.
When no one was around, General Shen spoke up: "During the battle, Xuanyuan Ming said that if the Crown Princess went to Japan as a hostage for three years, Japan would never invade Northern Chu within those three years."
Upon hearing this, Song Yue's face turned deathly pale.
“If this matter escalates, I fear those old fogies will try to persuade you to go to Japan,” General Shen said with concern.
He knew those old fogies all too well.
They are afraid of death and cling to life.
All they want is to hide in their luxurious home and enjoy their wealth and status.
Song Yue asked solemnly, "In your opinion, how long will this battle take, and is there any chance of victory?"
General Shen shook his head: "We can't figure out exactly how many troops the enemy has, so we can't estimate it. If we really have to take action, we need to consider reinforcements."
If reinforcements are not supplied, the consequences will be unimaginable.
The most serious consequence would most likely be that Japan and the Southern Frontier join forces to annex Northern Chu.
Song Yue rubbed her temples: "Let me think about it."
"Princess Consort!" General Shen said anxiously, "No matter what, you must not go to Japan. The Japanese emperor is extremely cruel. Once you set foot there, you will surely suffer."
"At this point, do you think I'm afraid of suffering?" Song Yue said with a wry smile.
As long as she could protect Northern Chu, her mother, and the Crown Prince, she was not afraid of anything. She was already content to have lived a few years longer than in her previous life.
"Crown Princess," General Shen wanted to persuade her again.
Another urgent document arrived outside the door.
It was sent from Japan.
Several lieutenants also came with them.
As Song Yue opened the document, several lieutenants' eyes fell on her, looking as if they wanted to say something but hesitated.
The document stated that Song Yue must be taken as a hostage in order to settle the matter of Linghu Ning's assassination attempt on the Japanese emperor; otherwise, Japan would definitely pursue the matter.
“Crown Princess, for the sake of Northern Chu, you…” One of the lieutenants was about to speak when General Shen kicked him away: “Shut up!”
The lieutenant lay on the ground, clutching his chest and trembling.
Song Yue glanced around and saw that the expressions on the faces of the group were almost identical; they all hoped that she would be held hostage in exchange for their safety.
"Have you all considered that even if we compromise, it may not necessarily bring about Japan's restraint?" General Shen roared.
Someone retorted, "Whether it's true or not, we'll only know by trying. How could a great nation like Japan go back on its word?"
"That's right. Exchanging the Crown Princess's life for three years of peace in Northern Chu is the best way to save innocent civilians and soldiers."
"We are not cowards who fear death, but the disparity in strength is too great. Once war breaks out, countless people will die or be injured, and it will be the common people who suffer."
The group of people chimed in with their own words, leaving General Shen speechless.
A hint of mockery flashed in Song Yue's eyes. She would remember this debt to the Japanese emperor.
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