As Su Rong was conversing with Fen Ling, Zhou Gu sat nearby, quietly listening without interrupting.
It was only when they finished talking that he spoke up. "The eleventh master of the eighteen forts, Jiang Zhu, has decided not to accept the Imperial Court’s amnesty. He has no intention to pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince. Instead, he implored me for a recommendation to join you."
"What?" Fen Ling widened his eyes, "When did my sister become such a coveted prize?"
It was understandable why he would doubt this. Su Rong’s circumstances were dire. Even before setting foot in Nanchu, she had been met with relentless assassination attempts, one wave after another. If she were to enter Nanchu, the dangers she would face would multiply a hundredfold. It was a thorny trail home, fraught with perils.
To pledge allegiance to her was akin to betting their lives on an uncertain future.
After all, danger lurked around every corner.
Just yesterday, if not for Zhou Gu’s timely rescue, she would have been killed by Nangong Yu. What sort of future would she see then?
Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, a pleased expression on his face, "Why not say they all have good judgement?"
Fen Ling: "..."
Their judgement might indeed be sound, but the path to taking power in Nanchu was like scaling the heavens.
After yesterday’s events, Fen Ling and his sister vowed never to be careless or underestimate anyone again, and this included raising their understanding of the Nangong family’s capabilities.
"Jiang Zhu is cunning to the point of seeming uncanny. If he pledges allegiance to you, it will bring nothing but benefits. He is someone who knows exactly what he wants." Zhou Gu gave a simple recount of his conversation with Jiang Zhu about the Crown Prince’s attitude towards her. However, he left out the part where he warned Jiang Zhu not to harbor any malicious intentions towards her.
Upon hearing about Jiang Zhu’s speculations regarding Zhou Gu’s intentions to go to Nanchu, Su Rong was somewhat surprised. "Such an intelligent man, he would indeed be an irreplaceable talent."
She had been worrying about not having any allies in Nanchu. If she could bring a significant number of people with her, it would be different. She could trust them entirely and not worry about having to recruit others.
She didn’t have any objections. "Alright, since you are recommending him and speak of him so highly, I will accept him. Where is he now? At the Marquis Nanping Residence?"
"When I left, I tasked him, alongside Ning Chi, to settle some of the minor issues that I no longer needed to intervene in. After all, once the major decisions have been made, there are always countless smaller issues that need to be handled. It’s not something that can be resolved in a day or so. Additionally, he will have to arrange care for his brothers’ families who are unwilling to leave Daliang for Nanchu." Zhou Gu turned to Fen Ling, "Whether he has already gone to the Marquis Nanping Residence, I am not sure."
Fen Ling picked up, "When Prince Ning returned to the Marquis Nanping Residence, I didn’t see anyone with him. Jiang Zhu is probably still at the eighteen forts taking care of matters."
Su Rong nodded, changing the subject. "Now the priority is the Jibei army. Have we figured out their numbers yet? Also, the carrier pigeon carrying my letter to the Crown Prince should have reached the Capital City by now if all went well. However, the Capital City is still too far from Nanping. As for your third brother, Zhou Che, I’m not sure if he has received the letter yet. It seems that we are relying on his troops."
Zhou Gu replied, "I’ve dispatched Ziye to gather intelligence, but we have not received any news yet."
As though he had anticipated this situation, he added to Su Rong, "We will make our way towards Nanping City along this route, but we will stop outside of the city. We need to find a concealed spot to gather information and to wait for my third brother’s army. Also, when you were changing your dressing, I had someone send a message to Ning Chi instructing him to be ready. It might have to be him defending the city as we wait for an opening to coordinate an internal and external assault."
When Su Rong first heard news of the movements in the Jibei army, she also had the same plan. Zhou Gu’s words coincide with her own thoughts. Otherwise, if they entered Nanping City before the arrival of a large army, the city’s 30,000 soldiers may not be able to hold it without inside assistance. Entering Nanping City would mean they’d only be adding a few more prisoners. It would be better to stay outside of the city, gather information and devise a plan.
"I’ve also sent people to gather intelligence. Among our undercover guards, there are some who are good at gathering information, possessing the skills to remain unseen and to track and investigate." Fen Ling said, "Sister, it’s crucial for you to not stress right now, as it not conducive to your recovery."
Su Rong nodded, "Indeed, there’s no use in worrying."
She was raised to be strong-hearted. When she was faced with Nangong Yu, who was hot on her heels, she was desperate, but she was also determined to go down with him. In the face of imminent death, she didn’t once think about those she would leave behind or anyone who might suffer from her loss.
If a person dies, everything would be over. It’s pointless thinking about it.
In some sense, her heart was indeed hardened.
Now, there was no point in her worrying. Especially after the experiences of predicting Zhang Mao’s and Jibei’s mobilization as well as Zhou Gu’s timely rescue, she truly experienced Zhou Gu’s intelligence, foresight and resourcefulness. With him by her side, there was no need for her to worry.
Fen Ling thought for a moment and agreed with the plan. Seeing that everything had been said, he turned to Zhou Gu, "Brother-in-law, I’m stepping out. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Zhou Gu nodded, "Yes."
Fen Ling blinked, "Then please tell me."
Zhou Gu said seriously, "I need you to bear witness, to your sister’s promise of providing me with a new marriage contract."
Fen Ling: "..."
He turned to look at Su Rong.
Su Rong looked towards the roof of the tent.
Not understanding Su Rong’s gaze towards the roof, Fen Ling felt unsure for a moment and scratched his head, "Isn’t this something I shouldn’t testify to?"
With their parents and brothers still alive, surely he, a mere hidden guard, didn’t qualify.
Sensing Su Rong’s gaze shift to the roof of the tent, Zhou Gu immediately became displeased. He reached over and pinched her face, hinting a veiled threat. "What kind of look is that? Are you going back on your word?"
Pinched by him, Su Rong felt a small pang of pain. But she couldn’t lift her arm to rub her face. She could only turn to face him under the pressure of his hand. Seeing his piercing gaze, as if threatening to make her regret if she dared to renegade, she quickly responded, "I dare not, how could I dare?"
If she dared, Zhou Gu would either burst into tears or make her burst into tears. Either way, it would not be pleasant.
"Well, you better not." Zhou Gu was not finished, "What was with the expression just now?"
Feeling a little uneasy, Su Rong glared at him and said indignantly, "I was just a bit embarrassed, okay? You were the one who insisted on knowing."
Zhou Gu: "..."
Oh, so that’s how it is!
His mood instantly improved, and he curved his lips into a slight smile. He gently rubbed her pinched cheek, then turned to Fen Ling, "You heard it too, she agrees."
Fen Ling: "..."
Yes, he heard it, loud and clear!
He already addressed Zhou Gu as his brother-in-law, what’s seeing a wedding contract to that? He could handle it!
Zhou Gu turned around, took out a brush and ink from a box, and placed them on the table. He said to Su Rong, "Come on, let’s write it now. I’ll support your hand. You won’t touch the wound."
Su Rong: "..."
He, indeed, was someone who wouldn’t let her off even in her state of injury.
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