Chapter 1131: 1125: Return to the Capital

Chapter 1131: Chapter 1125: Return to the Capital

“Please, Ninth Prince…” Bai Qingyan turned her horse around and made a gesture of invitation to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan, maintaining a formal demeanor, also made a gesture of invitation to Bai Qingyan, “Emperor of Zhou, please!”

After watching Bai Qingyan, Murong Yan, Bai Jinzhi, Shen Qingzhu, and Xie Xun walk away into the distance, Wang Dagou stood up and said to An Qingshan, “As the Emperor of Zhou and our Ninth Prince said, if it weren’t for the fact that our Yan Kingdom is really lacking in iron and grain, we wouldn’t be so calculative, but since Zhou has helped our Yan Kingdom once, in the future when we fight again… we are also willing to help Zhou!”

“Sure, sure!” An Qingshan quickly replied.

·

On their way back, Murong Yan rode side by side with Bai Qingyan, keeping a slow pace because he was mindful of Bai Qingyan’s pregnancy, “Has the Empress of Xiliang, Li Tianjiao, been caught?”

Bai Qingyan shook her head, “The people sent out haven’t returned to report, and we don’t know if Li Tianjiao has kept some backup plan, but this time… there was indeed an unexpected delight.”

Now that Yun Poxing is dead, Li Tianjiao cannot suppress the Eight Great Families of Xiliang. Even if Li Tianjiao escapes, it doesn’t matter; the real target is the Tianfeng Kingdom she invited.

“What?” Xiao Rongyan asked.

“Li Tianfu has been captured, and another one… is the chief disciple of the Great Shaman of Tianfeng Kingdom,” Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

Tianfeng Kingdom, initially invited by Li Tianjiao, was able to enter Xiliang, and later, due to Li Tianjiao’s disobedience, they deposed her and gave Li Tianfu the title of Emperor of Xiliang, using him as a puppet to exploit Xiliang for Tianfeng Kingdom’s benefit.

Now, Li Tianfu is in the hands of Zhou.

If Li Tianjiao doesn’t show up, it will be over, but if she shows, why can’t Zhou use Li Tianfu as an excuse to capture her, and after the war ends, treat Li Tianfu like the King of Rong, conferring him a title like the King of Xiliang and keeping him in lifelong seclusion in Dadu City.

Of course, if Li Tianfu seeks death, Bai Qingyan wouldn’t mind sending him on his way.

The chief disciple of the Great Shaman couldn’t keep his mouth shut; after some persuasion, he divulged the secret of the jade cicada.

Since Bai Qingyan had already learned about this secret from Li Zhijie, she knew the disciple wasn’t lying…

The disciple further revealed, under heavy torture, that the reason Sal Khan didn’t dare to seize the lands of Zhou and Yan Kingdoms outright was that the Great Shaman prophesied a deity had chosen the rightful owner for these lands.

Hearing Bai Qingyan mention the matter of the deity, Murong Yan didn’t appear shocked but rather amused, “Just because their Great Shaman said a deity has chosen an owner for these lands, they dare not fight? I doubt it could be that simple?”

“I was about to ask him myself when you brought Xie Xun here!” She looked sideways at Xiao Rongyan, “If you’re interested, why not join the interrogation later.”

But Bai Qingyan didn’t doubt the Tianfeng people’s faith in their deity, nor their loyalty to such a degree. To ascertain the truth, Bai Qingyan wanted to personally meet this disciple of the Great Shaman.

After a moment’s thought, Murong Yan nodded slightly, “Alright, I’ll let Xie Xun lead the way first. Tonight… I’ll spend New Year’s Eve with you.”

“What about Ah Li?” Bai Qingyan asked Murong Yan, “You’re his uncle, and it’s New Year’s Eve, you should be with him! A Yu, Jinzhi, Qingzhu, and several generals from the Bai family army are around; I won’t be lonely on New Year’s Eve.”

“Empress Dowager Yan has come to Mengcheng, tonight… let them spend it together. It’s been so long since they met; surely, they have much to discuss. I also want to spend more time with you and the child,” Murong Yan restrained the impulse to hold Bai Qingyan’s hand, whispering to her softly.

“Your sister-in-law came to Mengcheng probably to spend New Year’s Eve with you all; is it appropriate for you to stay here?” Bai Qingyan said.

Seeing the clarity in Bai Qingyan’s eyes, Murong Yan recalled what his sister-in-law had told him, his gaze deepened as he smiled at Bai Qingyan, “On New Year’s Eve, I still wish to be with you and the child.”

Noticing the subtle change in Murong Yan’s mood, she didn’t press further. The fact that he could be here on New Year’s Eve naturally pleased Bai Qingyan.

When they returned, Bai Qingyu and Shen Kunyang were standing before a map, discussing the next steps in the war.

Shen Kunyang suggested taking advantage of their victory, crossing the Danshui River to attack Quanya City, and capturing Sal Khan before the main force of the Elephant Army arrives, so if Aksai wants to rescue Sal Khan, he will only fall into their trap.

Bai Qingyu, however, said, “Sal Khan isn’t foolish; since he entered Quanya City last night and got a chance to recuperate, he must have already left Quanya City. After all, almost all of the Tianfeng Kingdom’s Elephant Army he led were lost, and with Li Tianfu captured by us, even if their alliance claims Tianfeng Kingdom is Xiliang’s ally, their control over Xiliang must be greatly diminished unless…”

“Unless?” Xie Xun looked at Bai Qingyu.

“Unless General Shen Liangyu and General Cheng Yuanzhi failed to capture Li Tianjiao, and she met with Sal Khan! Having completely fallen out with Zhou, if she once again sides with Tianfeng Kingdom, they might have the strength to unite against our Zhou and Yan.” Bai Qingyu looked at Quanya City, “But I think that possibility is low.”

Bai Qingyu was confident in Shen Liangyu and Cheng Yuanzhi’s combat capabilities; the veterans from the Huying Camp were sent to capture Li Tianjiao. If they still couldn’t capture her, Li Tianjiao would indeed be extraordinarily lucky.

Shen Qingzhu lifted the curtain and entered from outside, whispering to Bai Qingyan beside her ear, “Third Miss sent a letter, and the Hidden Guard delivering it said it was urgent. Would you like to avoid the Yan people and go to the side room to see?”

“Give it to me!” Bai Qingyan stepped a few paces under the lamp, took the letter from Shen Qingzhu, and unfolded it, reading it carefully.

Bai Qingyu, Shen Kunyang, and Xie Xun were still discussing the next steps in the battle.

In the letter, Bai Jinxiu mentioned… the Empress Dowager of Yan quietly left the city for Mengcheng. Currently, everyone in Yan believes the Empress Dowager is in the palace recuperating, but it was discovered she left the city quietly because she has been keeping a close watch on her natal family. She deliberately approached Murong Li’s cousin, who enjoys eating, drinking, and reveling, and finally found out after great effort that the Empress Dowager of Yan was uneasy about the Ninth Prince of Yan, Murong Yan, taking the Emperor of Yan to the frontline, fearing the Ninth Prince aims to harm the Emperor of Yan. Hence, she came to Mengcheng to take Emperor Murong Li back to the capital.

Others might not be aware of the complex internal relationships within the Yan Imperial Family, but Bai Qingyan was well aware…

The relationship between Murong Li and Murong Yan, though strained, was more of a performance for outsiders.