Chapter 817: Chapter 814: Indifferent
Bai Qingyan had over a hundred thousand soldiers with her. Not only did she have to deal with illnesses and arranging their accommodations, but also planning detailed strategies before launching any attacks. Before moving to the next city, she had to make comprehensive plans, and was thus not as free as Xiao Rongyan. If Xiao Rongyan followed the Jin army, it might cause delays.
âRest in Daming Prefecture for a day. Weâll depart for Hancheng early tomorrow. When the King of Xihuai summoned me, he mentioned that the ghost-faced General of the Rong would likely arrive in Hancheng between late March and early April. He hoped to arrive earlier to prepare adequately and meet with that ghost-faced Prince.â
Bai Qingyan nodded. Xiao Rongyan also needed to hurry to Hancheng to make some arrangements.
If A Yu were to reach Hancheng between late March and early April, Bai Qingyan wouldnât have much time. She originally intended to accommodate Bai Jinzhiâs schedule and seize Hancheng by June, but it seemed⊠that wouldnât work.
âPlease summon the King of Xihuai.â
Bai Qingyan adjusted her sleeves and stood up, but Xiao Rongyan pressed her shoulders, making her sit back on the bedside.
He leaned down, looking into Bai Qingyanâs bloodshot eyes, squeezed her shoulders, and said, âRest a bit more. Iâll go speak with the King of Xihuai. What he seeks is an unattainable wish; you donât need to waste time on it. Sleep a bit more.â
Xiao Rongyan spoke softly, stooping down to take off Bai Qingyanâs shoes. Then, he ordered Shen Qingzhu to bring the chicken soup prepared for Bai Qingyan from the small kitchen. Only after that did he rise to deal with the King of Xihuai.
Shen Qingzhu already knew Xiao Rongyanâs identity. Watching Xiao Rongyanâs humble demeanor in front of their lady, even though they werenât officially married yet, Xiao Rongyan genuinely cared for her. Shen Qingzhu felt happy for Bai Qingyan but also worried.
Bai Qingyan aspired to rule the realm⊠But if she ever opposes Yan in the future, it would put their lady in a tough spot.
After Xiao Rongyan left, Bai Qingyan didnât rest. She got up and asked Shen Qingzhu, âDid the Fourth send a letter?â
âNot yetâŠâ Shen Qingzhu shook his head while following Bai Qingyan. Seeing her sit down at the desk and pick up a brush, he knelt down beside her to grind ink. âHas something changed?â
The Fourth is impulsive but brave in battle⊠Cai Ziyuan understands the overall strategy. If the Fourth and A Yu really met, the Fourth and Cai Ziyuan wouldnât know A Yuâs identity. If A Yu was leading troops, they would surely try to cut off the Rong reinforcements to Liang by any means, even if it meant their total annihilation⊠trusting that Liu Hong or Bai Qingyan could still capture Daliang.
If A Yu wasnât leading troops, with Cai Ziyuanâs insight⊠heâd definitely see the ghost-faced General of the Rong as a future enemy and act swiftly.
Bai Qingyan held the brush but couldnât risk informing Bai Jinzhi that the ghost-faced General was A Yu via letter, to avoid causing trouble for A Yu.
After calculating Bai Jinzhiâs route and A Yuâs possible position if he reached Daliang by late March, Bai Qingyan put down the brush and told Shen Qingzhu, âThe Fourth shouldâve reached Fuyu by now. Head there immediately, ride straight to Daquan, and wait for the Fourth⊠Inform her that the ghost-faced General of the Rong is one of us, and must not be harmed!â
Shen Qingzhu looked surprised.
Ever since pacifying the Rong, this ghost-faced General had become renowned, yet he was one of their own.
Bai Qingyan gave no further explanation, only saying, âWriting a letter is too risky. Only if you go personally will I be at ease!â
Shen Qingzhu clasped his fist solemnly, âRest assured, my lady. Iâll leave at once! Please take care of yourself!â
As Shen Qingzhu was about to leave, Bai Qingyan grabbed his wrist, âStay with the Fourth after delivering the message. Sheâs rash and impulsive⊠Iâll be more at ease with you there.â
âUnderstood! Please donât worry, my lady!â Shen Qingzhu bowed deeply and left immediately.
Timewise, Shen Qingzhu should be able to reach the Fourth before she encounters A Yu.
But how did the King of Xihuai know A Yuâs exact schedule?
It wasnât surprising that the Rong had spies from Wei. Every state had spies in other states.
But for Wei to have specific details about A Yuâs arrival in Daliang⊠that meant there was a Wei spy close to A Yu.
Bai Qingyan clenched her hand. Xiao Rongyan was close with the King of Xihuai and highly intelligent, surely he knew about it.
Earlier, Xiao Rongyan told Bai Qingyan he needed to meet the ghost-faced Prince to discuss the captured Yan soldiers.
If Bai Qingyan guessed right, Xiao Rongyan might want to use the spies as leverage in negotiations with the ghost-faced Prince.
Bai Qingyan wasnât thinking ill of anyone, but if necessary, Xiao Rongyan might even use A Yuâs identity as leverage.
Xiao Rongyan now needed the Wei spies around A Yu to convey messages to the King of Xihuai, but she couldnât tolerate any threat around A Yu.
Bai Qingyan clenched her fist, determined, and shouted, âSomeone! Prepare a horse!â
âUnderstood!â
Did Xiao Rongyan know the ghost-faced Prince of the Rong was her brother, yet still chose to hide it from her and even tried to leverage against her brother, was she angry?
Yes.
Back then, she had Doctor Hong work hard to treat Emperor Yan, which could be said to be for Xiao Rongyanâs sake.
This lover, who she had deep mutual feelings with, had just been intimately close to her, and now turned to trouble her brother, even using him as leverage. It was something she couldnât ignore.
But she also understood that Xiao Rongyan, as the Ninth Prince of Yan, had nothing wrong considering the interests of Yan.
Besides, they had agreed upon this in the past.
Bai Qingyan always knew that everything in the world had its reason, except emotions which defied reason.
Rationally, she understood and even agreed with Xiao Rongyanâs actions. If she were in his position⊠she would do the same.
But emotionally, it still made her a bit sad.
·
In the small courtyard of an inn in Daming Prefecture, the anxious King of Xihuai had none of the grandeur he displayed in Wei. He was restless, unsure if he could use Xiao Rongyanâs connection to meet the Princess of Zhen.
Previously, when Wei sent emissaries to Jin, hoping for aid, the Crown Prince of Jin explained that Jinâs main forces were engaged in Liang and couldnât be spared.
But the secret envoy from Wei reported that the Crown Prince of Jin nearly heeded every word of the Princess of Zhen. If he could persuade her to aid Wei, there was no need for a major offensive against Yan, just a show of force at Yanâs borders to make them wary.
The King of Xihuai believed that with the right amount of gold and silver, accompanied by pleasant words, and considering the Princess of Zhenâs relationship with Xiao Rongyan, success was possible!
After all, the Princess of Zhen and Xiao Rongyan were betrothed. Women⊠often liked to hear pretty words.