Chapter 9 A Flawless Hand Dares to Hold Up Half the Sky (Part 3) Since the Princess is a General...
This jade pendant is clearly a memento from Lu Qingyuan. It was something she had lost somewhere in a moment of distraction a few days ago.
Originally, she had taken a risky gamble by storming the enemy camp, intending to obtain from Chu Huaili a personal token that would convince Ge Shulin, even if it was just a private seal or the origin of a scar. She had prepared a perfect explanation to cover it up. But she never expected that what she found would be this!
In that instant, she felt a tremendous shock, followed by a surge of exhilaration that seemed to have found a way out. Truly, heaven was on her side!
Ye Yixiang steadied her trembling heart, still shaken by fear, and, holding the jade pendant, turned to present it to Geshu Lin. She even deliberately raised her hand and gently shook the jade pendant, making its crimson hue appear even more eerie under the lamplight: "Take a close look, Huyu. This item might prove that what I said was true?"
The story she just told about "royal secrets" and "the prince of the Southern Dynasty" was merely a clever way for her to apply Lu Qingyuan's true background, which he couldn't reveal to outsiders, to Chu Huaili.
She was betting that even if Geshu Lin harbored doubts, even if he sent people to the Southern Dynasty to investigate thoroughly afterward, he would find it extremely difficult to uncover the truth. Who among those who knew such secrets concerning the bloodline of the former dynasty's royal family would dare not keep quiet, fearing they would bring trouble upon themselves?
Calming herself, Ye Yixiang handed the jade pendant to Geshu Lin, gently shaking it to let the warm purple hue flow under the light. "Take a close look, Huyu. The character 'Qing' on this jade is engraved in a style unique to the Central Plains royal family. Why would someone keep it so closely if they weren't a close relative?"
Ge Shulin took the jade pendant, his rough fingers caressing the jade and the cinnabar-filled character "Qing". His sharp, hawk-like eyes examined it carefully, as if weighing his options.
The only sound inside the tent was the crackling of charcoal burning in the brazier, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.
After a moment, he lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the petite yet incredibly courageous woman before him, a playful yet dangerous smile curving his lips.
“Princess Ningxiao,” he said slowly, his tone languid yet carrying a penetrating pressure, “I have long heard of your silver tongue. Who knows if you are not weaving another magnificent lie right now? Or… besides saving people, what other purpose do you have in risking your life to come here? Otherwise, how can I explain that you, a mere woman, would have the audacity to venture into my den of dragons and tigers alone, and even… to try to curry favor and seek peace with me?”
Ye Yixiang felt her palms instantly become covered in cold, sticky sweat. She forced herself to remain calm, but her face still maintained a gentle and obedient demeanor. She lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes concealing the fleeting panic in her eyes.
When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with just the right amount of tears, making her look sincere yet somewhat aggrieved: "I really have a deep misunderstanding about Hu Yu."
“I am a widow from a fallen kingdom, and now I am a widow with no one to rely on. I am like a duckweed in the wind. What waves can I make? I saved him only because... he is my deceased husband’s only remaining blood relative in this world.” Her voice was soft, but it carried an unwavering determination.
“When my late husband was alive, he often mentioned this cousin from whom he had been separated since childhood, his words filled with concern and guilt.” She spoke slowly, as if lost in grief, “Now that my late husband has sacrificed his life for his country and is buried on the battlefield, as his eldest sister-in-law, it is only right and proper for me to follow his wishes and take care of his blood relatives. Otherwise…”
Her voice suddenly shifted, tinged with barely suppressed hatred and trembling, and her gaze sharpened: "The Ling Dynasty has fallen, the ancestral temples have collapsed. As a former princess, I hate the traitors so much I could tear them apart. How could I possibly help my enemies? I am merely fulfilling my late husband's last wish and seeking some peace of mind!"
Ge Shulin listened quietly, tossing the jade pendant up in the air and catching it again, tracing a cold arc in his fingers. He scrutinized every subtle expression on her face, his deep eyes gleaming with calculation and weighing of options.
"Is that all?" He suddenly took a step closer, his oppressive aura increasing sharply. "But I've heard that Princess Ningxiao and this General Chu seem to have some private matters that are not for outsiders to know... Rumor has it that General Chu is deeply in love with you, and even went against his orders to keep you in the military camp."
“Absolutely not!” Ye Yixiang immediately denied, her tone resolute, as if she had been greatly insulted.
"Those are nothing but ignorant people making wild guesses based on hearsay! Just like..." She subtly changed the subject, raising her eyes to look directly at Geshulin, her eyes carrying a hint of nonchalance as if she hadn't intended to mention the past, "Just like when you were a hostage in the Ling Dynasty, didn't some rumors circulate in the palace about your romantic affairs with the princess? In essence, they were just idle gossips from a few palace maids, not to be taken seriously."
Upon hearing this, Geshulin raised an eyebrow slightly, then chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with reminiscence and an indescribable meaning: "Oh? Those rumors..." he said casually, as if recounting an amusing anecdote unrelated to himself, "...aren't they all baseless. At least, it's true that Her Highness the Princess harbors feelings for him, it's just a pity..."
He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over Ye Yixiang's instantly tense face, before slowly saying, "The person in question is not me, but one of my valiant subordinates. As for me, I just happened to be in someone's way and was inexplicably seen as a thorn in the side by some people, and even received a beating for no reason. It was an undeserved disaster."
Ye Yixiang was startled, her fingertips instinctively digging into her palm. She never expected Ge Shulin to admit it so bluntly, and to reveal this palace secret so casually! What exactly was his intention?
Before she could think it over, Geshu Lin had already steered the conversation back on track: "Let him go, I can." His gaze swept over Chu Huaili, whose face was pale from blood loss, and his tone became businesslike. "But I never do anything that doesn't benefit me. If General Chu can persuade the Southern Dynasty Emperor to allow my border people to trade with the Southern Dynasty and remove the fortifications, I will immediately let you two leave safely without any obstruction."
“Alright! He will do his best to persuade the imperial family!” Before Chu Huaili could speak weakly, Ye Yixiang had already agreed, speaking quickly and clearly, “Even if the court finds it difficult to make a decision for the time being, I can guarantee that within General Chu’s jurisdiction, the people of the northern border can travel and trade safely without any worry of being harassed by government troops! General Chu’s soldiers can all testify to this, it is no exaggeration!”
"Oh?" Geshulin looked at her suspiciously, his gaze sharp. "You can make decisions for General Chu? Do you mean what you say?"
Ye Yixiang met his wolfish, scrutinizing gaze, suppressing the surging fear in her heart. She smiled sweetly, a smile that carried a certain, almost bewitching confidence, quite different from her usual gentle demeanor: "Hasn't Huyu heard the rumors? General Chu... is most susceptible to whispered rumors. Since I'm so fortunate to have received such 'unjust favor' from the General, I'll just whisper in his ear when I get back."
Unexpectedly, the rumors that were originally baseless have now become bargaining chips in her hands.
Geshulin was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Hahaha... Good! What a clever pillow talk! In that case, I look forward to good news from the princess. But..." His laughter stopped abruptly, and he looked at her meaningfully, "This pillow talk is hard work, princess... you must take good care of your health."
After his teasing, he readily agreed, raising his hand to signal. His personal guards immediately stepped forward and deftly untied the heavy iron chains binding Chu Huaili.
Ye Yixiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurried forward, using all her strength to help the almost exhausted Chu Huaili up from the cold ground. Her hands were covered in sticky cold sweat and his taut muscles. She softened her voice and whispered in his ear, "General, can you still walk?"
Chu Huaili's face was deathly pale, his lips were cracked, and he was breathing heavily. Hearing this, he nodded slowly and very slightly, and with the support of her slender shoulders, he managed to stand up.
Ge Shulin watched from the side and said calmly, "General Chu's steed was extremely loyal and died fighting when he was captured. To express my apology and to wish us a pleasant cooperation in the future, I would like to give you my beloved 'Cangzhui' for your use. I hope you will not refuse."
He then turned to Ye Yixiang, who was struggling to support Chu Huaili, leaned slightly forward, and lowered his voice, carrying an indescribable meaning, "Since the princess is the general's beloved, I naturally would not take advantage of her in her distress. Once the general has recovered, if the princess is in the mood, she may come to the royal court again to reminisce. Perhaps... there will be someone you wish to see here."
Ye Yixiang's supporting movements paused almost imperceptibly, her heart jolted, and she abruptly looked up at Ge Shulin. He had already straightened up, his deep and unfathomable demeanor gone, and simply gestured for his subordinates to bring over a thick, luxurious, snow-white fox fur coat.
“It’s cold on the road, Princess, you can use this to keep warm. I’ve also prepared some dried meat, milk cakes, and medicine in the hidden pocket inside the fur coat, just in case,” said Geshulin. At this moment, he showed some of the forthrightness and thoughtfulness of a grassland man.
"Thank you for your protection." Ye Yixiang suppressed her churning doubts, took the fox fur coat, and said in a low voice, "Once General Chu's injuries are healed, I will definitely come to keep my promise to you."
At this moment, Chu Huaili had already been helped onto the magnificent Cangzhui horse by Geshu Lin's men. Ye Yixiang dared not linger any longer, put on her fox fur coat, and nimbly stepped into the stirrups and mounted the horse she had ridden on.
She glanced back at Geshulin, saw that he was standing with his hands behind his back and seemed normal, then she flicked the reins, spurred her horse to follow closely beside Chu Huaili's horse, and galloped away from the royal court.
The cold wind was like a knife, stinging her face, and she felt a wave of exhaustion from escaping death. However, the moment the horses stepped out of the royal palace gates, she inexplicably felt an extremely complex and anxious gaze fixed on her from behind, following her like a shadow!
She turned around abruptly—only to see the Northern Di royal court dimly lit, with patrolling soldiers still drinking and making noise, and nothing seemed amiss.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com