Xin He buried herself in his embrace, mumbled, "Did you find out what the Emperor thinks of Lian City?"
Mu Houchu brushed his chin against her soft hair: "Yes, I know."
Hearing his nonchalant tone, she wasn’t sure if he truly didn’t care, or if he was simply acting calm to reassure her.
Xin He slightly pushed him away and looked up at him: "So what is your plan?"
"The Emperor has a beautiful idea, letting Lian City allow passage to the enemy forces, letting the enemy cavalry invade our Da Qian territory. But, this is just his fantasy, not all city leaders along the way are willing to watch their own country trampled by the enemy."
"I’ve heard that the Great Prince has already been controlled. The Emperor daring to do this must surely mean that he has pre-emptively controlled the opposing forces. Once Rouyi’s troops reach the foot of Yu State, things might become troublesome." Xin He said gravely.
Mu Houchu gently stroked her cheek: "True, indeed so, hence, this matter is not that simple."
His woman was not easy to deceive, nor to appease, he seemingly had no other choice than to lay his cards on the table.
Mu Houchu paused, then continued: "Moreover, so far, I still can’t completely figure out what the Emperor’s purpose is. Is it truly to let Rouyi’s cavalry reach Yu State, assisting in defeating Yu State and taking my head? Or is it a deliberate trick... leaking this news, making me rush to Lian City, then taking advantage of the situation to kill me in Lian City."
At his words, Xin He stammered, with a chilling tone: "What do you mean?!"
"You forgot, from beginning to end, what the Emperor couldn’t tolerate was me alone. What he wants is my life. Once I leave Yu State, it’s much easier for him to deal with me. Therefore, I suspect, the news about Lian City’s admission to Rouyi, did our people learn about it or did he purposely let our people learn about it? If it’s the latter, then he wants me to rush to Lian City in desperation and then he will take the opportunity to have me killed in Lian City, or even on my way there."
Mu Houchu calmly finished his words, as if the person on the verge of death was not him.
He had experienced too many conspiracies in his life, and too many people had wanted him dead; consequently, these circumstances might have become routine for him.
Just like Duan Lan said, his hands were too bloody, naturally, he should face some retribution in this life.
But he didn’t care, living cautiously or uneasy didn’t matter as long as he could protect her and Ah Guai, allowing them a lifetime of peace. After fighting for half his life, Mu Houchu’s wish was just as simple now.
If this leaked out, people would be shocked.
Xin He grew anxious, speaking in a deep voice: "So, the authenticity of this news is difficult to discern, then you..."
Mu Houchu’s demeanor turned a shade more serious, staring firmly at Xin He: "That’s why I need to go to Lian City."
Xin He’s face changed: "But if this news is fake and the Emperor is setting a trap for you to die..."
Mu Houchu slightly squeezed her palm, seemingly trying to reassure her: "Whether it is true or not, I have to go. Xin He, as long as there is a one in a thousand possibility that this news is true, I must go. Otherwise, waiting in Yu State to become a trapped beast... it will be too late."
"But..."
"Lian City is a big problem, if I don’t go personally, I’m afraid nobody else can handle it. So, I have no choice but to go. But if it’s fake, I promise you, I will return alive, escape safely and not die at their hands. Xin He, will you believe me?" Mu Houchu fixedly looked at her.
The corners of Xin He’s eyes turned red, she lowered her head and bit her lip, remaining silent.
How could she easily believe him? This was clearly a trap, but she had no choice but to jump in, because she and Ah Guai were in Yu State. Mu Houchu could not afford any risks to them, so he had to protect Yu State’s safety no matter what.
Whether the news was true or false, he would go because he must ensure that Yu State did not face any threats and that she and Ah Guai did not face any danger.
He thought everything through, but he didn’t take his own safety into account.
Considering the current situation, once he left the protection of Yu State, he would be in great danger. Even if Mu Houchu didn’t say anything, Xin He knew. Once the Emperor learned that Mu Houchu had left Yu State, he would be eager to kill him.
Xin He was full of unease, how could she easily believe that he will surely be safe?
Mu Houchu gently stroked her cheek, his voice soft: "Xin He, you will believe me right? We have been together so many years, when have I ever lied to you? There are some things that we can’t avoid in the end. You wait for me in Yu State, don’t go anywhere. Don’t worry, Yu State has one hundred thousand elite soldiers, I will let all the generals obey your command. You and Ah Guai staying in Yu State is the safest. This time I go to Lian City, I absolutely won’t let Rouyi’s army reach Yu State. At that time, the court’s power alone will struggle to deal with Yu State."
If there is any risk, it’s only the risk on him.
"But I’m not at ease, not at ease for you. You always ask me to trust you, but do you know how uneasy I should be waiting in Yu State for news of your life and death? You should let me accompany you. You’ve said that we’ll advance and retreat together. Now at this point, you are leaving me alone in Yu State, how can I feel safe?" Xin He’s tears rolled down her cheeks, she choked back a sob.
She wasn’t foolish, how could she not know how dangerous it would be for him to leave Yu State? How could she not know how many eyes were watching, waiting to kill him on this journey? Even more so when he was heading to a more dangerous place like Lian City!
From what he meant, ten thousand elite soldiers would stay in Yu State, not even the troops were going with him, how big a risk was Xin He guessing?
Xin He wiped her tears: "You should at least take thirty thousand elite soldiers with you, otherwise how can I be assured?"
Mu Houchu gently shook his head: "This trip to Lian City is a secret mission, it should be as low-key as possible, how can we openly parade thirty thousand elite soldiers?"
More importantly, leaving only seventy thousand elite soldiers in Yu State, how could he rest assured about her safety? If the court took the opportunity to attack Yu State, with one hundred thousand elite soldiers, he could be entirely confident of defending it.
In terms of her and Ah Guai’s safety, he couldn’t afford any risks at all.
Xin He got angry and punched him: "Stop trying to scare me with words! If you don’t take the soldiers with you, then I will go with you. We’ll die together if it comes to it."
Mu Houchu’s eyes cooled slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
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