Xun Cheng smiled.
"Why are you asking me? Shouldn't this be asked to King Yannan?"
Otherwise, Ye Si should know it.
"You can even get news about Nanhu, so these are nothing." Ye Chutang said.
Xun Cheng smiled helplessly and raised his hands, "What an injustice! It's all right for me to get some bits and pieces of information, but how would I know about the military's confidential matters?"
Ye Chutang remained silent.
King Nan of Yan has never sent any news back to the capital, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any in the future.
"Even though Tuoba Yu is dead, Tuoba Shan will never let it go."
Ye Chutang felt vaguely uneasy.
You have to plan ahead...
She whistled.
A black shadow quickly appeared above the courtyard, then circled and landed on the windowsill.
Ye Chutang came to the table and wrote something, then tied the copper ring with the note inside to the eagle's leg.
"Go ahead."
As she finished speaking, the black eagle flapped its wings again and quickly disappeared from sight.
Princess Qinyang couldn't help but say, "Even if they have a deep brotherly love, Tuoba Shan wouldn't dare to do anything, right? With the Nanhu's military strength, they are no match for us. Wouldn't that be courting death?"
Ye Chutang stared at the direction where the black eagle disappeared, and suddenly turned his head and asked,
"Is there any news about Shui Xingqiu?"
This question was directed at Xun Cheng.
Xun Cheng paused, "There's nothing else to it, but I heard that he didn't do his job well this time. Although Tuoba Shan didn't say anything, he hasn't seen him for several days. I guess he has fallen out of favor with the emperor."
It's impossible for Tuoba Shan to really not care.
However, the Shui family has a deep foundation, and Shui Xingqiu has not revealed his true identity this time, so it is not easy to punish him openly.
Princess Qinyang held her chin in her hand and pondered for a moment. "Come to think of it, why did he leave in such a hurry that day? Since he's skilled in the art of poison, he should also be knowledgeable about medicine. He wouldn't risk Tuoba Yu... He left in such a hurry, as if someone was chasing him."
She glanced around and couldn't help but ask, "Everyone says Xiao Lanxi died from a poisonous insect. Was it... Shui Xingqiu's doing? If that's the case, doesn't that mean Shui Xingqiu and Prince Jing might also be involved?"
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow, "He has already returned to Nanhu. There are always many speculations, and there is no way to verify them."
Princess Qinyang reacted almost immediately and opened her eyes wide.
"You mean, they really—"
It took her a while to digest the information in this sentence, but she was still frightened.
"But...what exactly is the reason why Prince Jing did this?"
First, he secretly communicated with Wa Zhen, and then he became entangled with Shui Xingqiu...
Are you really going to do anything to win that position?!
Xun Cheng glanced at Ye Chutang, but saw that her eyes were calm, as if she was not shocked or confused by this.
He raised his eyebrows.
Ye Chutang met Xun Cheng's gaze and asked bluntly, "When do you plan to go back?"
Xun Cheng asked with a smile, "Where are you going back to?"
Ye Chutang paused, "...Lou Yang."
Before Xun Cheng could speak, Princess Qinyang couldn't help but interrupt, "Young Master Xun, why don't you go back for now? It looks like danger is lurking on the southwest border, and I'm afraid Louyang won't be safe either. It would be best if you could recuperate in the capital first."
Xun Cheng smiled slightly, "That's exactly what I meant."
Ye Chutang: “…”
Xun Cheng raised his hand and adjusted the thin blanket on his legs.
"I've waited for several years, so a few days won't make a difference."
…
Nanhu, the royal palace.
"Your Majesty, the head of the Shui family is here to see you again."
The palace servants served tea carefully and observed Tuoba Shan's expression.
Since Tuoba Yu passed away, Tuoba Shan was extremely sad and did not attend court for three days.
In a short period of time, he lost a lot of weight and looked very haggard.
Tuoba Shan slowly opened his eyes, his eyes bloodshot.
In the past few days, Shui Xingqiu came to ask for a meeting early every morning and waited all day.
Go back at night and come back at dawn.
Tuoba Shan had a grudge against him and didn't want to see him at all.
The palace attendant lowered her voice again, "Master Shui and the ministers are all very concerned about the king's health..."
Tuoba Shan raised his hand tiredly, "Let him in."
It's impossible to disappear forever.
The palace maid was delighted and responded quickly.
Soon, Shui Xingqiu walked in.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
He saluted respectfully.
Tuoba Shan didn't want to say much and asked directly, "What are you doing here?"
Shui Xingqiu raised his head and said, "I have come to relieve the king's worries."
Tuoba Shan frowned, "What did you say?"
Shui Xingqiu said, "The king is heartbroken over the prince's passing, and so are we. Our only solution now is to find a way to avenge the prince and allow his spirit to rest in peace."
Tuoba Shan's expression wavered for a moment, "What does this mean?"
Shui Xingqiu reminded him, "Your Majesty, do you still remember who injured the prince? Now, only by killing Ye Yunfeng can we avenge the prince!"
Tuoba Shan naturally remembered this name, and anger appeared on his face, "That's right!"
If it weren't for that person, how could his only brother be captured? And how could he be tortured and die tragically!?
Shui Xingqiu continued, "I heard that Ye Yunfeng was promoted several times due to his military achievements. He has now returned to the southwestern border and is stationed in Duzhou with his troops. He seems to be in charge of an entire city and is very famous."
Tuoba Shan's expression changed, and he was in a dilemma. "This man is indeed hateful, but he and the King of Yannan, Feng Cheng and others have joined forces to resist the enemy. I'm afraid the border defense is unbreakable..."
"They've only just arrived in Duzhou, and they're running low on food and supplies. Furthermore, he's young and new to the job, so it's inevitable that some will be dissatisfied. This is their weakest moment! If Your Majesty is determined to avenge the prince and offer the head of Ye Jia Silang as a sacrifice to him, this—is the best opportunity!"
Tuoba Shan was obviously persuaded by his words, and frowned, "But if he asks for reinforcements, I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with. Moreover, if a war breaks out, the two countries will clash, and the disparity in military strength will be huge..."
A strange smile suddenly appeared on Shui Xingqiu's face.
"Your Majesty, rest assured about this."
…
After a stick of incense, Shui Xingqiu came out.
The palace maid obeyed the order and went to see him off.
Shui Xingqiu tilted his head, "Thank you so much for today, eunuch."
The palace maid smiled apologetically, "Master Shui, you are too kind. You are deeply trusted by the monarch, how could you really harbor resentment?"
Recently, it has been rumored that Shui Xingqiu is disliked by the king because of Tuoba Yu's matter, and he even refuses to meet him.
And yet, only a few days had passed, and Shui Xingqiu was still able to enter and leave the monarch's study.
Shui Xingqiu looked back and walked away.
…
In Duzhou, as night fell, the defenders were still busy working inside and outside the city walls.
Stones and logs were constantly being brought into the city, and caltrops were buried in other places except the middle road.
There are no stars or moon tonight, only the light of torches, and faint cold spots can be seen above the ground.
"Sir, the defense outside the city gate will be completely completed in three days."
On the watchtower, Ye Yunfeng was listening to the report from the soldiers behind him.
He nodded and said, "Hurry up."
The officer agreed, but couldn't help but ask, "Sir, our Duzhou City isn't very big, and it's adjacent to the important towns of Longcheng and Xiacheng. Why are you going to such great lengths?" (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
