Chapter 422: Striving to Achieve KPIs (Part Two) [Happy Dragon Boat Festival]
"Your Highness, this is freshly stewed bird's nest soup. Please try some." The maidservant who was serving her stepped forward slowly and spoke, pulling the princess out of her reverie.
She casually pointed and said, "Put it down."
"Yes." The maid carefully placed the bird's nest on the ground and quietly left the tent, leaving the princess alone.
Looking at the bowl of expensive bird's nest, Princess Wang felt only annoyed. After Shen Tang left, she carefully reviewed their conversation and all the details, and began to regret that she had been too rash and revealed the trump card of Shiwubu Defense too early.
Sadly, besides this trump card, he had no other leverage to make a deal with Shen Tang.
She initially tried to seduce him using her looks, but the prefect Shen practically had "too young and ignorant of women" written all over his face, leaving the princess with no way to make her move. He simply wasn't buying it.
Aside from her looks, she couldn't provide the power and status that men crave; she was just a mascot.
"...I just hope this person is reliable..."
Princess Wang Ji stirred the bird's nest with a small silver spoon, her movements light and erratic. Such a precious and rare delicacy was something that even the matriarch, who was in charge of managing the household affairs, could not afford, let alone her before. But now she had no heart to savor it.
Not only was she worried that Shen Tang would be the second "heartless man" who would betray her trust, but she was also worried that Shen Tang would not believe the authenticity of the map, and most of all, she was worried that there was something wrong with the map she had given out! If she offended even Shen Tang, she would become a lamb to the slaughter, and every day would be a countdown.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, the princess sighed again and again.
Yes, you read that right.
The map on the handkerchief she gave to Shen Tang was not even her own guarantee of authenticity, and its origin was also quite questionable.
But she was already at her wit's end, like a gambler who had run out of chips and was in dire straits.
The only option left is to take a desperate gamble.
Take a gamble; you might just be able to turn things around.
If you don't gamble, you're doomed either way.
Wang Ji chose to take a gamble.
Use the map given to you by that mysterious person.
He was described as a mysterious figure, but in reality, he was a scholar whose exact age was unknown. The princess had encountered him by chance when she went to a Zen temple to burn incense and pray for blessings after receiving her title. He wore a gray scholar's robe that covered his thin and frail body, and his temples were gray, as if he had experienced many hardships.
This person immediately recognized the princess upon seeing her.
He asked her, "Is Your Highness aware of the 'besieged on all sides' situation?"
The princess, who was anxious about her future, was slightly touched by the scholar's words. Like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood, her eyes shone brightly.
She asked for advice as if possessed: "With the songs of Chu rising from all sides, and attacks coming from both sides, how can the Hegemon find a way out of this desperate situation?"
"There's always a way out. Even when all seems lost, there's always a glimmer of hope. Endure it, and you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel." The scholar's lips curled into a smile, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening, the laughter reaching his very core. "It all depends on whether Your Highness has the courage to fight with your back to the wall."
Princess Wang said, "I humbly request your guidance, sir."
Upon hearing this, the scholar took a small package from his sleeve and, under the princess's puzzled gaze, handed it to her, saying, "This item may be the key to Your Highness's survival. However, before using it, you must be discerning and consider it carefully. Do not act rashly, lest you bring disaster upon yourself!"
As soon as the man finished speaking, a strange gust of wind blew, making it impossible for the princess to open her eyes. When she lowered her arm to shield herself from the wind, she was startled to find herself no longer in the same spot. The temple was bustling with worshippers, many wives of officials who came to pray for marriage. They had come in groups and seemed unaware of the suddenly appearing princess… No, that's not right, she had been offering incense in the main hall before she met the scholar!
What exactly happened?
Just when he thought he was hallucinating in broad daylight, he was astonished to find the mysterious little package in his sleeve.
This thing is silent proof that it is not an illusion!
Princess Wang Ji dared not make a sound. Pretending nothing had happened, she returned home surrounded by her maids. She secretly examined the contents of the package, never dreaming it was a map.
Judging from the markings and terrain, it's actually Shiwu!
She broke out in a cold sweat.
He hurriedly wrote down a map, destroyed it immediately, and carefully disposed of the residue after burning it.
Later, using some techniques learned in the inner quarters, he engraved maps onto different handkerchiefs.
Normally, the handkerchief doesn't appear to have any flaws; one can only smell the special fragrance of cosmetics. Only when it's heated will its true nature be revealed. This skill is a unique technique she developed through studying ancient fragrances. She uses it to help "talented men and beautiful women" secretly exchange secrets, earning a fee to improve their quality of life in the inner quarters.
Princess Wang Ji was utterly perplexed. How could this map offer her any hope of survival? Whether she presented it to King Zheng Qiao or betrayed the scholar to curry favor with Shi Wu, her fate as a mere pawn was certain death!
Until they learned of the feud between Longwu County and Shiwu.
Maybe……
The opportunity has arrived!
Wang Ji's primary target wasn't Shen Tang, but the garrison commander of Yonggu Pass. The latter held military power and had a blood feud with Shi Wu, so there was no reason for him not to be tempted by this map! But once she truly entered the role of Wang Ji, she realized how much she was restricted.
The garrison commander chased them away like flies.
Princess Wang had no time to make a move.
They had no choice but to settle for second best, observing the Prefect of Longwu, subtly inquiring about her, and openly testing her three times, finally convincing her to seek cooperation. As for the authenticity of the map, that would naturally remain a secret.
Even if it's fake...
It has to be real before you can get yourself out of trouble!
By the time the princess came to her senses, the bird's nest soup had gone cold.
We eagerly await Shen Tang's reply.
Instead of a reply, they were met with an attack!
A dark and windy night presents an ideal opportunity for a sneak attack.
By this time, everyone was exhausted, and with only a few days' journey remaining to the Ten Crow King's capital, the camp's patrols and guards became increasingly lax. Apart from the crackling of the campfires, the only sounds were the snoring coming from the various tents, and it was almost midnight in the blink of an eye.
This is when you are in the deepest sleep.
Among the many tents, only Shen Tang's tent still had light, and the faint sound of chess pieces being dropped onto the board could be heard.
Jiang Sheng and Gu Chi fought each other to the death.
Shen Tang, her lord, sat beside her, holding a water jug, her head bobbing up and down, her eyelids almost glued together. Finally, her head slammed against the edge of the chessboard, jolting her awake. She groggily asked, "It's already past midnight, are you coming or not?"
Gu Chi teased, "Haste makes waste."
Jiang Sheng frowned as he looked at the situation on the chessboard.
Even the creases between your eyebrows can trap flies.
He said, "It's been three days in a row."
Gu Chi smiled and said, "To catch a big fish, you always need some patience. No rush, no rush, perhaps it will happen tonight."
Most sneak attacks were a joke to Gu Chi.
Because the enemy will deliberately expose themselves.
Shen Tang yawned widely and said sleepily, "...I don't mind staying up late, but could you guys please stop playing chess? This is more effective than hypnosis..."
Believing Gu Chi's lies, she stayed up for three nights straight.
They were afraid of missing the best opportunity to steal kills.
Coincidentally, these two also enjoy playing chess, and in a relatively quiet environment, the sound of the chess pieces falling is comparable to hypnosis.
Gu Chi said, "Wait a little longer."
Shen Tang said helplessly, "The wolf is coming!"
Gu Chi's credibility is about to run out!
Intended to criticize Gu Chi, but the result was—
With a snap, he placed the chess piece.
He said solemnly, "My lord, the wolves have truly come this time."
An unusual light appeared outside the tent.
|ω`)
I'm shamelessly asking for monthly votes again.
I feel so guilty every time I ask for help now...
P.S.: It's Dragon Boat Festival again, what kind of zongzi did you all eat?
(End of this chapter)
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