Chapter 167: Exploring the Study
In Jiang Qingning's heart, is it possible that he is not even worthy of seeking knowledge?
Qin Xiu felt a dull pain in his heart, but he knew that once she made a decision, no one could change it.
Qin Xiu turned to Qing Ming and said, "Guard the yard. No one is allowed to approach the study."
Before he finished speaking, he walked out of the study and disappeared into the yard.
The candle flame flickered violently.
Jiang Qingning's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he pressed his finger on the bulge under the desk without hesitation.
"who?"
As soon as the sound was uttered, three thin needles shot out quickly from the gaps in the bookshelf.
A very soft groan came from the shadows.
A figure quickly dodged three poisonous needles. The needle tips brushed past the cuffs of his black brocade robe and pierced into the wall behind him, making three light sounds.
The candlelight illuminated the visitor's face.
Qin Xiu stood in the shadows, his brows and eyes deep, and he stood there with a tiny cut on his dark cuff.
"Master Qin is in a good mood."
Jiang Qingning stood up slowly, his eyes swept over the torn cuffs of his sleeves, and a hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of his lips.
"He's the son of the Duke of Qin, a second-rank minister of justice, and the crown prince's tutor. Breaking into a woman's study late at night is quite similar to a street thief."
"Master Qin, can't you even tolerate my last quiet place?"
Every word she said was like a knife, carrying a poisonous chill, stabbing Qin Xiu fiercely.
Qin Xiu looked at the cold and beautiful face in front of him, which was full of alienation and hostility, and his heart was chilled by the ridicule.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and met her gaze calmly: "You know very well that I am not. If I were, I would not be standing here talking to you at this moment."
He took a step forward, the candlelight casting a mixture of light and dark shadows on his face.
"You know exactly why I'm here. Ning Pavilion's secret guards are being frequently transferred. Do you really think you can do whatever you want in the capital? What are you planning?"
Qin Xiu's voice was low and contained an irresistible tone.
Jiang Qingning clenched his fingers in his sleeves instantly, but his face remained unmoved. "Master Qin is indeed well-informed. Is he coming here to question the emperor?"
"Raising an army to hold him accountable?"
Qin Xiu took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes were blazing and frank, "You knew I wasn't... why did you push me away?"
"If I really wanted to stop you, I wouldn't be here alone tonight, and I wouldn't be standing here asking you why. I just want to know what you're going to do."
"You're so reckless, even inviting a wolf into your home. Do you know how many people on the border would be displaced and suffer if the Northern Di cavalry really marched south?"
"That Wei Zhai is nothing more than a puppet being used by an ambitious man. Once the plan succeeds, the first people Wei Zhai will liquidate will be those meritorious officials who fought bravely in the battle. Are you willing to go to such lengths to get your family back?"
"Jiang Qingning, why are you unwilling to wait for me? I...I said I would help you, so I won't give up halfway."
Qin Xiu's eyes were filled with sorrow and worry, and the words he hesitated to speak were tinged with self-mockery.
After a long moment, Jiang Qingning slowly spoke, his voice cold and stern, "Qin Xiu, in your eyes, am I, Jiang Qingning, a madman who disregards the lives of ordinary people and will do anything to achieve my goals?"
She stood up, walked to the desk, picked up the parchment scroll depicting the map of Northern Di, and pointed her fingertips firmly at the spot marked with the royal court. She said in a firm voice:
"What I want is never to invite wolves into my house, nor to let the iron hooves of the Northern Di trample my mountains and rivers."
She turned her gaze towards Qin Xiu and said calmly, "What I want is a signal fire that will shake the government and the country, and send the entire capital into a state of panic."
"Feint?"
Qin Xiu's heart suddenly relaxed.
"I have reached a secret agreement with Ashina Tuzhen, the Left Wise King of the Northern Di. He has sent 100,000 troops to be stationed a hundred miles northwest of the capital, pretending to attack the city with all his might. However, he will only lay siege, not attack, to create the illusion that the capital is in imminent danger."
Her fingertips slid across the map and landed back on the capital:
"At the same time, I had already leaked the information about the weaknesses of the capital's defenses, the emperor's addiction to elixirs, and the emptiness of the court to Ashina Tuzhen through secret channels. He believed it and thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He would definitely cooperate with this feint attack, attacking from both inside and outside."
"By then, the Emperor and his entire court will inevitably be drawn to the Northern Di army, and all forces will be transferred to the northwest for defense."
"And the second step is that I need you to be attacked by the elite Beidi troops while commanding the defense, and you will be seriously injured and unconscious, with no idea whether you are alive or dead."
"Once you, the pillar of the nation, fall, who will be left in the court to lead the troops and repel the enemy? He Ning, the crown prince of Zhenbei with illustrious military achievements, is the emperor's only and necessary choice. He must be urgently appointed commander-in-chief and rushed to the front lines of Yelangyu to repel the enemy."
"After He Ning arrives at the front, he will disappear unexpectedly at a critical moment as planned. The commander's disappearance will inevitably cause chaos at the front. In reality, He Ning will escape secretly and head south to meet my father, brother, and mother."
Qin Xiu listened to her plan, was stunned for a while, pursed his lips and said: "You planned everything a long time ago. When you first hinted to me, you wanted to do this."
“That’s right!”
Jiang Qingning's voice was resolute and decisive, "When the government and the country fall into chaos and panic, my father and brother will lead their former subordinates to enter the capital openly and honestly under the pretext of defending the emperor."
"The purpose of our troops is not to commit treason, but to purge the emperor's entourage and bring justice to the people who were unjustly exiled eight years ago and who were harmed by the elixir!"
There was dead silence in the study.
Only the two of them were breathing slightly faster.
Qin Xiu's voice was a little dry, "Are your father and brother willing?"
"The letter has already been sent."
Jiang Qingning's eyes were determined. "If I don't take revenge, this hatred will be hard to dispel. Qin Xiu, tell me, what other options are there?"
"Are we to continue to endure, watching that fool drag this country into an abyss of no return, watching more loyal and good people be demoted, and watching more people be exploited?"
Her words hit Qin Xiu's heart like a heavy hammer.
The emperor was obsessed with immortality, and the government went from bad to worse. Loyal and good people were demoted, and treacherous people were in power.
If we continue to tolerate this, the country will no longer be a country.
Jiang Qingning's move may seem crazy, but in fact it is a chance to be reborn from the ashes in a desperate situation.
Qin Xiu was silent.
Although her plan was extremely dangerous, it was currently the fastest path.
He stared at Jiang Qingning's stubborn face, thousands of words stuck in his throat, and finally turned into a sigh, and he had no choice but to compromise.
“It’s a very thorough plan.”
"I will secretly coordinate with the Northern Di people in their feint attack, ensuring that it is sufficiently powerful and does not pose a real threat to the border residents."
Qin Xiu lowered his voice to a very low level, with a hoarseness that was almost pleading, and his eyes were fixed on her.
"This matter is dangerous, and every step is filled with murderous intent. I, Qin Xiu, am willing to be the blade in your hand, paving the way for you and clearing away the obstacles."
"I only ask that you please stop hiding things from me. At least don't make me rely on guesses and night spies to find out where you're going next."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
