Chapter 124: Design

Inside the Mingfeng Palace, the lights were blazing.

The palace attendants stood solemnly in the flickering light. The hall was piled high with tributes from foreign lands, including precious whole pieces of ermine fur, rare pearls the size of fists, and jade carvings of nine interlocking rings…

Under the light, they all shone brightly, dazzling on people’s faces.

When Su Shangyi walked in from outside, she gently asked, “Where is the princess?”

The palace attendants, still somewhat fearful, timidly replied, “Inside, not coming out, and not letting us in to serve her.”

Su Shangyi felt a pang in her heart.

She had watched the princess grow up and, to be honest, had come to love her like a daughter. Now, she saw the Tatar envoy celebrating with the emperor in the hall, and with a few words, the princess was betrothed…

“I’ll go in and see.”

Su Shangyi walked over and lifted the beaded curtain.

The window was not closed, and a cold wind blew in. The beads on the curtain were cold to the touch, and when released, they clinked together, making a pleasant sound.

But to Shen Zhiyi, it sounded like ice blocks clashing together.

The beautiful makeup from the day had been removed.

The scar on her face, once covered with cherry powder, was now starkly visible on her pale face, like the so-called royal affection, revealing its hideous and ugly nature after the waves washed away the sand.

Shen Zhiyi saw Su Shangyi’s reflection in the mirror and appeared unusually calm, even smiling faintly. She said, “I’m fine, Su Shangyi, don’t worry about me. If mother finds out, she might trouble you.”

The princess was not like this before.

She used to be bold and carefree, saying whatever made her happy. Now, faced with such a big event, she was so calm.

Shen Zhiyi did not cry, but Su Shangyi almost did. However, being a strict and disciplined person, she did not want to show too much emotion. She held back and said, “I heard you didn’t have dinner tonight, and I was really worried. I’ll have the small kitchen make something, even if it’s just a bowl of soup to warm you up.”

Shen Zhiyi only looked at the scar on her face, gently touched it with her fingertips, and said, “It won’t warm my heart.”

Tears immediately welled up in Su Shangyi’s eyes.

Shen Zhiyi finally turned and hugged the nanny who had watched her grow up, as if trying to draw strength and warmth from her, but avoided the topic of marriage, instead asking, “Shangyi, isn’t Ningning coming tomorrow?”

When the news of the marriage with the Tatars came, Shen Zhiyi did not cry or make a fuss, accepting it calmly. Perhaps it was her calmness that stirred a rare sense of guilt in her brother Shen Lang, who asked if there was anything she wanted, promising to fulfill it.

She only said she wanted her companions to return to the palace to study.

To make Shen Zhiyi happy, Shen Lang immediately agreed, allowing the selected companions from various mansions to enter the palace at night. But the Jiang family sent a letter of apology, saying Jiang Xuening was ill and could not withstand the cold, fearing she might pass the illness to the princess, and would enter the palace after recovering.

Su Shangyi had also inquired and reassured her, “The Jiang family has hired a good doctor. Although the illness came on suddenly, it has stabilized and she will be able to enter the palace in a few days. Please don’t worry.”

Shen Zhiyi felt a void in her heart.

Without Ningning, it made no difference whether the other companions came or not.

Moreover…

She silently curved her lips and said, “Yes, even if Ningning enters the palace now, there’s nothing much to learn. Master Xie has gone to quell some rebellion and is not teaching in the palace. By the time he returns, she will be well, and it might just be the right time.”

Su Shangyi, not understanding court affairs, could only nod and say, “It’s best if you think that way, Your Highness.”

Then, as before, she removed the princess’s hair ornaments.

The long hair, like dark clouds, fell down, but the eyes in the mirror were calm to the point of lifelessness.

---

Due to the prison break incident involving the Tianjiao Sect, there was much discussion in the court.

No one had expected so many prisoners to escape.

The plan was devised by Xie Wei, naturally attracting much criticism.

Although he was a civil official, since his strategy was questioned and suspected of being flawed, he had to take full responsibility.

In fact—

This was precisely Xie Wei’s intention.

Gu Chunfang’s recommendation of Zhang Zhe to infiltrate the enemy disrupted his plan; now, taking advantage of the court’s criticism, he volunteered to take responsibility, to track down the rebels and the Tianjiao Sect, and regain control of the situation.

However, there were always some surprises.

Outside the dilapidated temple where Jiang Xuening and her companions had initially stayed, a large contingent of soldiers was stationed.

The once-ruined temple had been cleaned up.

Jian Shu returned from the shadowy forest outside, stepped into the temple, and saw Xie Wei sitting on a clean brocade cushion in the corner, looking up at the headless Buddha statue, his dark eyes half-hidden in the shadows, inscrutable.

He was dressed warmly, his lips pale.

Though still calm, there was a hint of coldness between his brows.

Jian Shu bowed and said, “I found a mark left by Xiao Bao on the bark of a tree outside. There was indeed a woman traveling with Zhang Zhe, seemingly protected by him, possibly the second Miss Jiang. Also…”

Traveling with Zhang Zhe, seemingly protected by him…

She was not worried about her safety.

The headless Buddha statue looked particularly frightening in the dim light.

Xie Wei looked at it and asked, “What else?”

Jian Shu hesitated, his voice lowering, “Xiao Bao said that besides Huang Qian and Feng Mingyu, Young Master Dingfei also came this time.”

Sitting cross-legged, his hands naturally rested on his knees.

His wide sleeves covered his hands.

The exposed fingers were long and slender, but somewhat pale. The small wound on the pad of his right ring finger had been treated and scabbed over, no longer painful when resting on his knee.

Hearing the name, Xie Wei curved his lips, “What a coincidence.”

There was a hint of coldness in his smile.

Jian Shu knew what this “coincidence” meant and said, “The Duke of Dingguo is leading the troops ahead, heading straight for Tongzhou. The matters you instructed a few hours ago have been handled, and the message has been sent to the Duke of Dingguo.”

If Xiao Dingfei were here, he would probably jump up upon hearing this!

How did that damn Duke of Dingguo get involved?

This matter had to be traced back to the court meeting that day.

Originally, the plan to use Gongyi Cheng as bait to lure the Tianjiao Sect was devised by Xie Wei alone, and any unexpected issues should have been handled by him. Unexpectedly, the Duke of Dingguo, Xiao Yuan, claimed that Xie Wei, being a civil official, lacked the ability to lead troops in battle, and it would be more reliable for him to handle it.

The emperor agreed.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered Xiao Yuan and Xie Wei to handle the matter together, splitting the troops to track down the rebels, capture the main culprits, and rescue Zhang Zhe.

At noon, Xiao Yuan set off with his personal soldiers.

Xie Wei, however, followed unhurriedly.

Jian Shu was extremely worried.

Xie Wei only gave him some instructions, saying, “If he wants to court death, let him learn a lesson.”

Jian Shu was stunned by the instructions.

Having been by Xie Wei’s side for many years, he calmed down and thought it over, breaking out in a cold sweat. He realized this was a three-pronged strategy, and it wouldn’t end well. Not only the Tianjiao Sect and the Xiao family, but even Zhang Zhe and the master…

The temple had a fire, but the north wind blowing in was still cold.

Xie Wei’s face turned even paler.

The next moment, a flush appeared, and he frowned and started coughing, his shoulders shaking, casting a flickering shadow on the wall.

The person standing still in the shadow became clearer.

It was Dao Qin, with delicate features, dressed in dark blue attire, carrying a bow and quiver, standing behind Xie Wei like a shadow.

Jian Shu knew that his sword might not kill, but Dao Qin’s arrows would definitely be lethal.

---

“Is sister feeling unwell?”

Jiang Xuening, who had been silent while everyone discussed court affairs, was startled by the concerned voice and looked up to see a high ponytail swaying in front of her.

It was the young Xiao Bao.

With big eyes, Xiao Bao was squatting by the fire, adding wood, and looked back at her with some concern, asking a question.

Jiang Xuening snapped back to reality, thinking about Shen Zhiyi’s marriage decree from the emperor. She was just an official’s daughter, with no power to influence the court or stop this from happening.

She couldn’t control it.

Moreover, would she really return to the prison-like capital for someone else? Opportunities like this might never come again…

This is beyond your control.

This is not within your power.

This is fate.

She told herself this, forcing her chaotic thoughts back, and said, “It’s nothing.”

Xiao Bao, however, was puzzled and blinked, saying, “But you look sick.”

Sick?

Jiang Xuening thought of the plan with Zhang Zhe.

After entering Tongzhou, she would pretend to be sick, go to the clinic, pass on the message, and then quietly leave Tongzhou and the capital.

Starting to act now was just right…

So she didn’t try to perk up, sitting weakly next to Zhang Zhe, smiling faintly, “Maybe I caught a cold on the way, and have a headache.”

A young lady’s body is delicate, especially someone like Jiang Xuening.

Everyone thought it was normal. Xiao Bao, however, had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Xiao Dingfei, who had been squeezed next to Jiang Xuening, saw Xiao Bao adding wood to the fire and quietly slipped away with his water pouch, going to Feng Mingyu and asking, “Grand Master, hasn’t there been any news from the city? I can’t wait any longer!”

If this didn’t end soon, a disaster might come. He was extremely anxious, wanting to sneak into the city immediately.

Feng Mingyu, remembering his nonsense on the way, twitched his face and said, “It should be soon.”

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps suddenly came from the darkness.

Everyone with swords and knives immediately held their weapons.

Huang Qian heard a whistle in the darkness, quickly stood up to calm everyone, and said with a smile, “It should be the scout returning, I’ll go check.”

Huang Qian walked over.

A shadow spoke to him and handed him something.

Huang Qian seemed to tremble.

He brought it back and handed it to Feng Mingyu.

It was a thin message tube.

Feng Mingyu initially didn’t pay much attention, but when he opened the tube and pulled out the small rolled-up letter, he saw a small black emblem in the upper right corner, with flowing lines like winding mountains, simple yet returning to nature. His face changed dramatically.

After reading the letter, his pupils contracted.

Despite repeatedly telling himself not to alert the enemy, his eyes still flickered uncontrollably towards Zhang Zhe.

Zhang Zhe, too far away, only vaguely felt the gaze.

His heart tightened slightly.

Xiao Dingfei, impatient, asked repeatedly, “How is it, how is it?”

Feng Mingyu quickly put the letter back in the tube and into his sleeve, not letting anyone see the emblem. After a quick thought, he walked back with a smile, “Thank you for waiting, the scout reported everything is safe, we can enter the city now.”

Everyone was delighted and stood up.

Zhang Zhe also stood up.

Jiang Xuening felt an indescribable unease, gently tugging his sleeve, her lips moved, but before she could say anything, Feng Mingyu had already walked up to them. His face, backlit by the fire, was smiling, but the shadow made it look sinister. He respectfully said, “Master Zhang, let’s go together?”

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