Su Rong hadn’t expected the situation in Nanchu to be so dire, but upon reflection, it seemed to be something the Nangong Family and the Nanchu royal family would resort to when pushed to their limits.
She had planned to stay in the Capital City for ten days, but the circumstances wouldn’t permit her to wait that long.
With such a dire situation in Nanchu, Su Rong was also worried about the safety of Uncle Xie and Zhou Gu. The Nanchu King was too overwhelmed to spare any attention, and the Ye Xiang Residence was overburdened with dealing with the situation. If she didn’t lead her soldiers to establish stability soon, she feared the situation would worsen, jeopardizing her chance to see her biological father again.
After all, he was her biological father, and she didn’t want him dead.
She said to Yan Huisheng, "I initially planned to stay in the Capital City with my mother for ten days and promised the old Duke that I would learn some military tactics from him. However, with Nanchu’s situation so dire, I must depart soon."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "The sooner you leave, the better! In order to avoid any complications. The Nangong Family controls the military. They claim to command fifty thousand, but they might be like Zhang Ping, harboring private armed forces and recruiting scattered soldiers from various parts of Nanchu, added to the complex network of power in the court and country under Nangong Family control. When the Nanchu royal family allies with them, even if the Nanchu King has aid from the Ye Xiang Residence, he may not be able to withstand their aggressive advance."
Su Rong agreed and decided, "I will set out in three days."
Looking at Yan Huisheng, she said, "During this trip to the Capital, I wanted to say goodbye to my mother and sisters. As for the matter of borrowing troops, I didn’t want to rely solely on a letter to ask you for the soldiers. Once you’ve agreed, I would take the troops away. Instead, I should provide you with a written guarantee, sign it and seal it. Despite the Crown Prince’s magnanimity, I shouldn’t just take your word for it without any proof. Otherwise, you would also have difficulty explaining it to the Imperial Court."
After all, Yan Huisheng lending her 300,000 troops was a huge deal, thanks to her status as the princess of Nanchu. This was a matter of national importance.
Yan Huisheng broke into a smile. "I had the same idea. You’re raising the army on behalf of the Court of Daliang, and I won’t suffer any losses by lending them to you. We should set up a gentleman’s agreement. We’ll write down the reasoning for lending troops, as well as why I am lending them. Then we set a term for the return of the troops, whether it’s one year, two years, after your ascend to the throne, or after the start of Dawei’s war, or something like three or five years."
"Alright, let’s negotiate this pact now and take the opportunity to set up an alliance between Daliang and Nanchu." Su Rong asked Yan Huisheng, "Should we both go to the emperor to discuss and sign this agreement? Then we can call in witnesses, like Grand Tutor Qin and the Old Duke."
"That would be appropriate," Yan Huisheng agreed.
So, they both left the Banquet Hall.
When Fen Ling saw them settle such a big issue in a few words and immediately get up to leave, he quickly followed them.
As they rushed to the entrance, Su Rong was just about to get in the carriage when she heard someone behind her call "Miss." The voice was extremely familiar - it was Yuewan. She had initially planned to see Yuewan and the wet nurse Zhao after her conversation with Yan Huisheng, but the issue of the agreement meant that she had to go to the palace.
She turned around to see Yuewan hurrying over, panting heavily. Su Rong could only wait for her, "Don’t rush, slow down, I’ll wait for you."
When Yuewan reached her, her eyes were already red. She hugged Su Rong tightly, "Miss, don’t you want me and Nurse Zhao anymore? Sob sob sob... You came to the Eastern Palace and didn’t even look for us, and are just leaving?"
Su Rong was helpless, "I don’t want to abandon you. I had some business to discuss with the Crown Prince and had to visit the palace. You and Nurse Zhao should start packing our things. In three days, you’ll leave for Nanchu with me."
"What?" Initially crying, Yuewan was suddenly stunned by Su Rong’s big news and was left speechless.
Su Rong reached out to pat her head, pulled her away, and gently wiped away her tears with her fingertips. "Alright, why are you crying? Go and tell Nurse Zhao, start packing your clothes, and come back to the Xie Residence with me. Later when I come out of the palace, I’ll see Qiuying and bring you all back together."
"Alright," Yuewan managed a smile through her tears, not crying anymore. Now that her missy wanted her and Nurse Zhao, she had zero resentment.
"Go back! I will enter the palace with the Crown Prince." Su Rong turned and got into the carriage.
Yuewan didn’t waste any time and quickly turned around to go back.
After Su Rong got in the carriage, Yan Huisheng chuckled, "This maid of yours always waits at the palace gate for me to return every day just so she can find out about you at the earliest. Yesterday when she heard you had returned, she almost ran to the Xie Residence in the middle of the night, but I stopped her. I told her that you would surely come to the Eastern Palace today, and after that, she calmed down."
Su Rong laughed, "Thank you for indulging her, cousin."
Yan Huisheng heard how she seamlessly transitioned between addressing him as ’Crown Prince’ and ’cousin’, he laughed and quipped, "I have no choice but to tolerate her. I’m afraid if I upset her, she’ll complain about me to you. After all, she’s someone who’s been by your side since childhood, and you’re very fond of her."
Su Rong also agreed that she’d spoiled Yuewan by letting her have her way too much. She asked, laughing, "Nurse Zhao is a stickler for rules, didn’t she stop her?"
Yan Huisheng laughed, "She probably tried to stop her, but Yuewan missed you too much and was too worried about you. Seeing that I was not annoyed with her, Nurse Zhao indulged her as well."
Su Rong nodded, "Is Qiuying doing alright in the Eastern Palace? Hope she hasn’t caused you any trouble?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "She’s very sensible and upstanding, equipped with excellent education from the Ye Xiang Residence. With Nurse Zhao and Yuewan accompanying her, she hasn’t caused me any trouble."
Su Rong felt reassured. "That’s good."
After all, Qiuying was there because she’d arranged it.
Yan Huisheng said, "After Nurse Zhao and Yuewan leave with you, I will find a wet nurse and some personal maids to be with her. You don’t need to worry about her. That should assure the Ye Xiang Residence as well."
Su Rong, naturally, was relieved, "Alright."
When they reached the Imperial Palace, Yan Huisheng and Su Rong headed towards the Yangxin Hall.
Su Rong asked quietly, "Are we going to the Emperor’s sleeping palace? I heard when I returned to the Capital that you are Lan country’s regent, is the Emperor still ill?"
"He’s recovered but still convalescing," Yan Huisheng also replied softly. "But it seems that the Emperor has come to terms with his situation and wishes to fully empower me. Thus, he is earnestly recuperating, providing me the opportunity to seize authority."
Su Rong was surprised, "I didn’t expect the Emperor to have such magnanimous moments."
It was nearly unimaginable given the situation when she’d just returned to the Capital City.
Yan Huisheng smiled faintly, "Indeed, I never expected it either. I’d always assumed he would be unwilling to relinquish authority to me even on his deathbed."
"Is the Emperor’s health truly serious?" Su Rong cautiously asked.
Yan Huisheng slowly nodded at her, "His anger has caused physical harm multiple times, causing his heart to be injured and affecting his organs. His health is indeed in a serious condition. If he continues to rest and recuperate, he should be fine, but any excess labor or emotional stress could worsen his health."
Su Rong understood. "It’s a good thing he’s come to terms with it. It’s a good thing for you."
Yan Huisheng just hummed in agreement.
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