“They’re locked up in jail,” Qi Mingyue said. “One of them tried to commit suicide the day before yesterday, but was saved.”
Yao Xiuyan immediately stood up: "I'll go take a look."
In the dungeon, the prisoner who had attempted suicide trembled upon seeing Yao Xiuyan. Yao Xiuyan did not interrogate him, but simply said, "The Marquis of Yongchang has fallen, so it's only natural that you would seek another wise ruler. It's just a pity... you followed the wrong person."
The prisoner's face turned deathly pale: "Your Highness...Your Highness, spare my life!"
"Spare my life, it's not difficult." Yao Xiuyan toyed with the dagger. "Tell me, who ordered this?"
The prisoner stammered, "They...they're from the capital...they offered us a large sum of money to cause trouble on the border..."
"Who is in Beijing?"
"No...I don't know...I only know that his surname is Zhao..."
Qi Mingyue and Yao Xiuyan exchanged a glance. The Zhao family were related by marriage to the Marquis of Yongchang.
Emerging from the dungeon, Yao Xiuyan's expression turned grave: "It seems someone doesn't want peace on the border."
Qi Mingyue said softly, "It's not just that I don't want peace on the border."
Yao Xiuyan turned his head to look at her.
"Brother Xiuyan, don't you think all these things are aimed at me?" Qi Mingyue's eyes were clear. "The timing of the school being smashed, the granary being looted, and even the barbarian attack... is too coincidental."
Yao Xiuyan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly pulled her into his arms: "I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this."
Qi Mingyue was taken aback: "Brother Xiuyan, what makes you say that?"
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten involved in all this,” Yao Xiuyan said in a low voice. “I’ll send someone to take you back to the capital tomorrow.”
Qi Mingyue shook her head: "I'm not leaving."
"Bright moon..."
“Brother Xiuyan said that the border needs to change.” Qi Mingyue looked up at him. “If we run away at the first sign of trouble, how can we talk about change?”
Yao Xiuyan stared at her for a long time, and finally sighed, "Stubborn temper."
The two walked side by side on the city wall. The autumn wind blew fiercely, causing the banners to flutter.
"What does Brother Xiuyan plan to do?" Qi Mingyue asked.
"Let's turn the tables on them." Yao Xiuyan's eyes were sharp. "Since someone wants to cause trouble, let's show them what trouble is."
Qi Mingyue understood: "Brother Xiuyan wants to go fishing?"
“Hmm.” Yao Xiuyan’s lips curled up slightly. “But we need to change the bait.” He looked at Qi Mingyue. “You might have to make do for a few days.”
Qi Mingyue smiled faintly: "I'll leave it to Brother Xiuyan to arrange."
Three days later, news spread from within the pass that Qi Mingyue had fallen ill due to shock and fear, and Yao Xiuyan wanted to send her back to the capital.
That night, as expected, some people couldn't resist. Several shadowy figures stealthily approached the granary, only to be caught red-handed by the ambushing guards.
The leader was none other than the grain official—a middle-aged man who was usually honest and unassuming.
Yao Xiuyan interrogated the official overnight. The grain official was initially defiant, but he collapsed to the ground when Yao Xiuyan produced the secret letters between him and the capital.
"It was...it was Lord Zhao who ordered it..." he cried, tears streaming down his face. "He said that as long as we stirred up trouble at the border and distracted the prince...he would guarantee my whole family's wealth and honor..."
Yao Xiuyan sneered: "The Zhao family can barely protect themselves, how can they protect you?"
He instructed his personal guards: "Keep a close watch on the man. Send these confessions to the capital by fast horse."
After finishing these tasks, dawn was breaking. Yao Xiuyan returned to the villa and saw that the light was still on in Qi Mingyue's room.
She was mending the battle robe, the stitches fine and neat. Seeing him enter, she looked up and smiled, "Finished?"
Yao Xiuyan nodded and sat down beside her: "There may be some trouble tomorrow."
"Is Brother Xiuyan scared?"
"I'm afraid." Yao Xiuyan gazed at her. "I'm afraid I can't protect you."
Qi Mingyue bent down and finished sewing the last stitch, then bit off the thread: "I've altered that cloak." She unfolded the cloak, revealing a thin layer of cotton lining inside. "It's windy at the border, Brother Xiuyan, don't catch a cold."
Yao Xiuyan took the cloak, feeling its warmth in his palm. He suddenly said, "Once these matters are settled, I'll take you to see the sunset in Dunhuang."
Qi Mingyue smiled faintly: "Okay."
Outside the window, the first light of dawn was breaking. But the undercurrents were only just beginning to stir.
Qi Mingyue thought that this game of chess had only just begun. And she was no longer a pawn to be manipulated.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
