Chapter 191 Reunion
The soldiers on duty at the camp probably didn't recognize them, but Wen Zhiming's three bodyguards could simply reveal their identities and present their tokens to lead people in directly.
Once the guards went in, Wen Zhiming would definitely guess that it was her.
She planned to go in under a different identity first, and then unexpectedly stand in front of Wen Zhiming to see if her husband would recognize her.
Wen Zhiming had previously instructed the guards not to reveal Meng Lingge's identity, so the guards did not find it inappropriate to hear this and nodded in response: "Your Highness, rest assured, the guards will not scrutinize the people we brought in carefully."
They were the Northern Frontier King's secret guards, answering only to him. The guards knew that they sometimes carried out missions that could not be made public. As long as they showed the secret guard's token and brought a few people in, the guards would not make things difficult for them.
Meng Lingge realized they had misunderstood, so she explained, "No, you shouldn't reveal your identities yet. We'll go in first as merchants. My cousin and I are here to discuss business with the King of Northern Frontier, and you are all employees of the Du family. Do you understand?"
The guards were unaware of Meng Lingge's thoughts, but since the Northern King had instructed them to bring the princess over, and now that she was here, they would do whatever the princess said.
Seeing that everyone nodded in understanding, Meng Lingge whispered a few more words to Du Yuanhua. Then the group drove to the camp entrance.
Several soldiers immediately surrounded them, saying, "This is a heavily guarded military camp. Who dares to trespass?"
Meng Lingge quickly covered her face with a veil and nimbly got off the carriage.
"Gentlemen, we are merchants from out of town. We have heard that the King of Northern Frontier appoints people based on merit and treats his people like his own children. We admire him greatly and have come here specifically to do business with the King of Northern Frontier. We would be very grateful if you could inform him of our arrival."
"Do business?" The soldiers exchanged surprised glances, clearly puzzled.
Since declaring himself king, the Northern Frontier King has strictly disciplined his soldiers and treated the people along the way kindly, winning their hearts. After setting up camp there, people frequently came to him seeking refuge, asking for help or joining the Tiger Soaring Army.
But this was the first time they had met a merchant.
They intended to drive them away directly, but the King of the Northern Frontier had given orders that people should not be treated rudely. These merchants were also considered commoners, especially since they had come all the way from afar specifically to visit the King of the Northern Frontier.
The leading soldier thought for a moment, gave a wink, and immediately two soldiers went in to report.
Meng Lingge and the others waited patiently. After a short while, a soldier came out and said, "The King of the Northern Frontier has ordered that merchants may enter to negotiate, but only one or two people who can make decisions should go. The rest of you should wait here."
Meng Lingge nodded and said, "Thank you for your understanding, sirs. Please take my brother and me to see the King of the Northern Frontier."
Du Yuanhua was gentle and polite, and Meng Lingge spoke softly with a smile. Seeing that neither of them had any weapons, the soldiers did not make things difficult for them and turned to lead them deeper into the camp.
Upon entering, Meng Lingge discovered that the tents were close together, the soldiers were orderly, there was a sentry every three steps and a patrol every hundred meters.
It is already dusk, but there are still many soldiers practicing on the training ground.
The soldier led the two men straight inside, stopping only when they reached the central command tent. He then addressed the tent, saying, "Your Highness, the two merchants have been brought in."
A deep, resonant voice echoed from inside the central command tent, "Let them in."
Upon hearing this voice, Meng Lingge pursed her lips slightly, her heart racing. She quickly adjusted her face mask, leaving only her eyes visible.
Following behind Du Yuanhua, he calmly walked into the main tent.
The tent was poorly furnished. Wen Zhiming sat at a table, looking down at a yellowed blueprint. He looked much thinner, with sunken eyes and a lot of messy beard.
It has lost some of its gentle and dignified charm, and gained more of its sharp and edgy edge.
Two guards with swords stood behind him.
Suppressing her excitement, Meng Lingge lowered her voice and followed Du Yuanhua, saying, "Greetings, King of the Northern Frontier."
Wen Zhiming looked up and sized up the two people in front of him. Meng Lingge lowered her head just as he looked up, avoiding his gaze.
Throughout her journey, she dressed simply and practically, without any makeup, revealing only her eyes. Even if she made eye contact with Wen Zhiming, her husband probably wouldn't recognize her. But she was afraid she might burst out laughing and give herself away.
Although she had her head down, she still felt that Wen Zhiming's gaze seemed to linger on her for a few more moments.
Could it be that he recognized her?
That shouldn't be the case.
Her current attire is completely different from before, and she has deliberately lowered her voice. Now she is wearing a face mask and looking down, so you probably can't see what she looks like. How could anyone recognize her?
Meng Lingge was so nervous that her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
Fortunately, at this moment, Wen Zhiming finally looked away and said calmly, "Please have a seat, both of you."
Inside the tent, besides the simple wooden stool where Wen Zhiming sat, there were only a few cushions. Du Yuanhua and Meng Lingge each took a cushion and sat opposite Wen Zhiming.
Wen Zhiming folded and put away the blueprint in his hand, and said calmly to the guards behind him, "You may all step back."
Wen Zhiming is skilled in martial arts, but now his identity is special. Cao Ran is worried that the emperor will send experts to assassinate him, so he arranged for guards to take turns protecting him 24 hours a day.
Although these guards were no match for one of his personal guards, Wen Zhiming did not refuse Cao Ran's offer in order not to offend him, since it wouldn't do him any harm anyway.
But things are different now.
Seeing the two people behind him hesitate, Wen Zhiming raised his voice, "Step back. You may not enter without my permission."
"Yes." The guards dared not delay any longer and immediately withdrew.
Wen Zhiming turned his gaze back to Du Yuanhua and Meng Lingge.
"Since you two are here to do business with me, why are you being so secretive? Is this young lady perhaps someone you can't be seen in public?"
"Please forgive my embarrassment." Du Yuanhua had already learned of Meng Lingge's plan, and he also wanted to see what kind of person this man who had Meng Lingge so devoted to him was. Hearing this, he explained, "My sister has caught a cold these past few days and was worried about infecting others, so she covered her face. Please forgive her, King of Northern Frontier."
It was fine if she had just exchanged a few words with him before, but if Meng Lingge spoke again now, Wen Zhiming would definitely hear what she was saying, so only he could explain.
"Oh?" Wen Zhiming chuckled. "Your sister is truly a heroine. Even with a cold, she hasn't forgotten the family business. My military camp is full of rough men, so I mustn't frighten the young lady."
Meng Lingge looked down at her knees and realized she was being a little too jealous. She even got angry when she heard Wen Zhiming's teasing.
Du Yuanhua remained mild-mannered, even somewhat flattering.
"My sister came with me not entirely for business. She has heard that the King of the Northern Frontier is handsome, brave and unparalleled, and currently has no wives or concubines. So she begged me to bring her here, hoping to make friends with the King of the Northern Frontier. If the King of the Northern Frontier is also interested, then we can form a marriage alliance."
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