Chapter 72: The Fake Princess and His God of War Prince (Part 29)
Seven hours earlier.
Na Ren had been bound hand and foot and thrown into the dungeon.
She wanted to cry but had no tears, and there was no door open for help. She never expected that before dawn, the entire Prince’s Manor would suddenly erupt in commotion.
Vaguely, she only heard the words “fighting has broken out.”
Her heart sank immediately, guessing that her letter had failed to reach the Khan.
But just as she was falling into despair, the sound of rustling chains came from the adjacent cell. Soon, Xiao Ji, dressed in plain clothes, appeared before her.
Na Ren was stunned. “You…”
Xiao Ji interrupted her. “I have my ways. I need you to do something for me. If you agree, I will rescue you.”
Na Ren was suspicious. “How can I help you?”
Xiao Ji spoke directly. “I am of the Great Yue Imperial Family. Great Yue needs a legitimate excuse to reclaim Xiang Yinnian’s military power. Take me into Northern Di and let the Khan use me as a hostage to manipulate Xiang Yinnian.”
“I will offer strategies to Northern Di to ensure the Northern Frontier’s defeat. You must persuade the Khan to guarantee my safety.”
Na Ren frowned. “The Northern Prince will not put the Northern Frontier in danger for the sake of personal romance.”
Moreover, although Xiang Yinnian and Xiao Ji had indeed seemed affectionate before, Xiao Ji had been imprisoned in the dungeon for some time now, and Xiang Yinnian hadn’t visited him once.
Xiao Ji’s expression was indifferent. “He doesn’t need to have personal feelings for me. But I am the Princess Consort of the Northern Prince, the legitimate Princess of Great Yue. As long as he sees me in Northern Di hands, he will reveal a flaw. If you Northern Di people aren’t useless waste, you should know how to seize that flaw to defeat the enemy.”
He looked into Na Ren’s eyes. “I want Xiang Yinnian’s life.”
Na Ren met his gaze. “How can I trust you?”
Xiao Ji looked down at her. “Do you have any other choice right now?”
Xiao Ji was right.
Na Ren was currently locked in a dungeon, completely at a disadvantage.
The Khan had deployed troops, and the odds of victory were slim. If Xiang Yinnian was a benevolent man, Na Ren would be executed once the war ended. If Xiang Yinnian was cruel, Na Ren, as a Princess of Northern Di, would become a prisoner of war, possibly thrown into the military camp to reward the soldiers.
The Khan would not save her.
From the day she was sent to the Northern Frontier, she became a chess piece. If she succeeded, perhaps she could be welcomed back. If she failed, she would become a discarded piece.
Now, Xiao Ji’s words became Na Ren’s saving straw.
As a fellow political pawn sent for marriage, Na Ren unconsciously didn’t doubt Xiao Ji’s loyalty to Great Yue.
With no better option and the situation critical, Na Ren could only agree immediately.
She knew Xiao Ji had some kung fu skills, having trained daily with Xiang Yinnian at the drill grounds, but neither she nor Xiang Siyou had ever seen it with their own eyes.
Xiao Ji removed the hairpin from his head, pulled off the head, and took out a thin copper wire from inside. With just a few movements, he picked the lock of the cell.
Taking Na Ren, they capitalized on the weak defenses of the manor, knocked down a group of servants, stole horses, and fled. Under Na Ren’s guidance, they rode all the way into Northern Di territory.
The Khan strode into Na Ren’s tent, locking his gaze on Xiao Ji the moment he entered.
Na Ren knelt, her voice trembling as she called out, “Father.”
The Khan didn’t spare Na Ren another glance. He walked straight to Xiao Ji and drew his saber, holding it against Xiao Ji’s neck.
Xiao Ji remained unruffled. “Has the Khan thought this through? My life is not meant to be used this way.”
Before the Khan could react, Xiao Ji suddenly exploded into motion. He instantly snatched the great saber from the Khan’s hand and slashed out.
The change happened too suddenly. When the Khan’s head fell to the ground, blood sprayed across Na Ren’s face.
Unfortunately, before she could even see her father’s death clearly, that beautiful head of hers followed suit, falling to the ground.
The Northern Di population was small, and with the main army currently pressing the front lines, only a hundred or so soldiers guarded the Royal Tent. Under Xiao Ji’s blade, they were like ants. Everywhere he passed, only ghosts remained.
His expression was indifferent. His plain smoke-colored gauze skirt was speckled with blood. Holding the great saber, he stood in the Royal Tent surrounded by corpses, looking like a life-claiming Yama, a god of slaughter descended to earth.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yinnian and the countless soldiers fighting on the front lines, having forced the Northern Di generals to retreat again and again until they reached the city walls, encountered a new variable.
The Northern Di city gates opened without being attacked.
A foreboding feeling rose in Xiang Yinnian’s heart. Just as he was about to order the soldiers to fall back, thousands of green-eyed wolves surged out from the city gates.
…
“And then?”
Late at night, sitting in the tent, Xiang Yinnian bared his teeth in a grin as he helped wipe Xiao Ji’s freshly washed long hair. He shot a glance at Lin Heng, signaling him to continue.
Lin Heng held the Shrike, which was now draped in a small red handkerchief, placed it on top of his head, and continued speaking to Xiao Ji:
“On the battlefield, the most terrifying thing is horses getting spooked and disobeying orders. Once the wolf pack came out, you can imagine the consequences. The entire battlefield turned into chaos; the horses turned and ran, impossible to rein in.”
“Forget about fighting the enemy; plenty of our own men fell off their horses and were trampled, disemboweled by hooves.”
“Just at that critical moment! The clear blue sky suddenly turned dark. At first, I thought dark clouds were blocking the sun, but when I looked up, I realized it was countless densely packed falcons gathering above the soldiers’ heads.”
“When the falcons dove down, everyone was terrified. But who knew? They ignored us completely and went straight for the eyes of those vicious wolves.”
At this point, Lin Heng reached out and fed a small piece of raw meat into the Shrike’s mouth.
“As for the rest, this subordinate is out of words. The scene was too chaotic. I’ve never seen such a spectacle in my life, and my brain is still a mess. Your Highness, you’ll have to figure out the rest yourself.”
Xiao Ji reached out, and the Shrike flew onto the back of his hand, lowering its head to nuzzle his fingers.
“You certainly performed a great merit.”
Xiang Yinnian smoothed Xiao Ji’s hair, sat down, and poured Xiao Ji another cup of tea.
“You also performed a great merit. With the Khan dead, they won’t even be able to sort out their domestic affairs.”
Xiao Ji’s expression remained normal. “Wildfire cannot burn the grass completely; it will grow again with the spring breeze. It’s just a few years of recuperation for them.”
Xiang Yinnian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “When I saw you hadn’t returned for so long today, I was truly terrified.”
In his early years, Xiang Yinnian had been alone. Charging into battle to kill the enemy was his life’s destiny; he had never imagined a day when he could settle down.
But now, looking at the person in front of him, he suddenly felt the urge to retreat.
“Once we take Great Yue, I will let you live a peaceful and stable life. I absolutely cannot place you in danger again.”
Yu Qing had been rather reticent lately.
Hearing Xiang Yinnian speak to Xiao Ji, he felt suffocated. He turned and walked out of the tent, joining the soldiers who were eating meat, drinking wine, and talking loudly. He picked up a bowl of wine and drained it in one gulp.
With Yu Qing gone, only Xiao Ji, Xiang Yinnian, and Lin Heng remained in the tent.
Lin Heng had no tact and wanted to continue reminiscing about the battlefield with Xiang Yinnian. He rambled on about how many heads he had chopped off today, which move he used with perfection, and which move was still unpolished and nearly let someone find an opening.
As he spoke, he noticed that both Xiang Yinnian and Xiao Ji were just looking at him in silence. Only then did he realize he seemed to be in the way.
Lin Heng slapped himself, said nothing more, bowed to Xiang Yinnian and Xiao Ji, and turned to leave the tent.
Xiang Yinnian was in a good mood and shook his head with a smile.
“This Lin Heng is good in every way, except he can’t read people’s expressions. In this regard, he’s really not as good as Yu Qing.”
Xiao Ji held Xiang Yinnian’s hand and pulled him into his embrace. “General Yu has feelings for you. He can’t stand seeing you treat me well, so naturally, he doesn’t want to stay long.”
Actually, ever since Yu Qing had caused trouble for Xiao Ji last time, Xiang Yinnian had been paying attention and gradually realized that Xiao Ji wasn’t just eating vinegar over nothing.
But he also knew Xiao Ji wasn’t a petty person. After all, whatever feelings Yu Qing had for him, he couldn’t return them.
So Xiang Yinnian could only sigh and rub his nose. “What are you saying? We’re all brothers.”
Xiao Ji didn’t press the issue, but deep down, he was still unhappy.
He was planning to “discipline” Xiang Yinnian thoroughly that night, but before he could put his plan into action, news arrived from the Imperial City.
The Emperor had contracted tuberculosis. His condition was deteriorating daily, and it looked like he wouldn’t last much longer.
Chapter 73: The Fake Princess and His God of War Prince (Part 30)
The stifling sensation of having an arrow on the string only to be forced to unstring the bow lit Xiang Yinnian’s fuse.
Most importantly, for the sake of the act, Xiang Yinnian hadn’t been intimate or clingy with Xiao Ji for over half a month.
Receiving the letter from the Imperial City, his handsome face immediately dropped.
“He’s dying, yet he doesn’t know how to pick a good time.”
Xiao Ji pressed one hand against the back of Xiang Yinnian’s head, kissed him for a long time, and then released him to get up and change clothes.
“I will return to the Palace first.”
Xiang Yinnian licked the corner of his lips and frowned.
“In such a rush? Leaving overnight?”
Xiao Ji gave a hum of affirmation. “There’s already a time lag in the news reaching us. Even with fast horses, it must have been nearly half a month. There can be no more delay.”
Seeing that Xiao Ji was about to leave, Xiang Yinnian stood up in a heat of the moment. “I’ll go back with you.”
Xiao Ji refused. “The war with Northern Di has just ended. You are needed here to soothe the army’s morale.”
Furthermore, a Feudal Prince could not enter the capital without a summons. Whether Xiang Yinnian could help if he went back now was one thing, but the inconvenience of his movements was undeniable.
Xiang Yinnian had thought about Xiao Ji returning to the capital, but he hadn’t expected this day to come so abruptly.
The reluctance of parting surged in his heart instantly, washing away the joy of having just won a victory.
“We haven’t even had time to plan…”
Xiao Ji knew Xiang Yinnian couldn’t bear to part with him.
He simply asked, “Great Yue—do you want it or not?”
If Xiang Yinnian were alone, this Great Yue wasn’t really worth coveting; he could do without it.
But if a new Emperor took the throne, he would eventually be driven into a corner. Even his trusted subordinates would likely meet a terrible end.
And this was the perfect opportunity for Xiao Ji to seize the succession.
Xiang Yinnian couldn’t bring himself to say “I don’t want it.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed looking at Xiao Ji, his iron-willed character suddenly carried a hint of grievance in his voice:
“There are only three days left until your birthday.”
Xiao Ji was about to turn twenty—the age of capping. Xiang Yinnian had made many preparations for this day. He hadn’t been able to participate in every important moment of Xiao Ji’s past, so he had planned to not only participate in the future ones but to handle them personally.
And now, he was going to miss it again.
Xiao Ji finished changing his clothes and tied up his long hair.
“We must act according to the urgency of the situation. Three days from now, announce the truth of my male identity to the world. Let word out that the Emperor deceived the Northern Frontier, and thoroughly muddy these waters to confuse everyone.”
“The Emperor’s illness is likely not a matter of a day or two. My brothers must already be restless. I will pretend to have escaped back to the Palace to handle some matters.”
“If anyone seizes the opportunity to take military power, I will place the label of wolfish ambition—attempting to divide the Northern Frontier from Great Yue—on their head.”
“When the time comes, you will mobilize troops towards the Central Plains under the banner of clearing the Emperor’s side of evil ministers.”
In just the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Ji had laid out the path clearly. As for how to handle matters in the Palace along this path, it would depend entirely on Xiao Ji himself for now.
Xiang Yinnian looked at Xiao Ji’s calm and indifferent demeanor. His original reluctance turned into heartache.
Even knowing that this was a matter of utmost importance right now, he couldn’t help being tethered by personal feelings and asked:
“Do you not have even a little bit of reluctance to leave me?”
Xiao Ji froze at Xiang Yinnian’s words.
In his previous life, Fang Yinnian’s temperament had been more awkward and domineering. When similar conflicts arose, Fang Yinnian would only sulk alone or lash out with harsh words.
At that time, Xiao Ji couldn’t understand. The things he was doing were clearly things the other party wanted him to do, so why was the other party unhappy when he started doing them?
Now that Xiang Yinnian had asked this question, Xiao Ji seemed to suddenly realize something.
In the end, he had neglected the other’s emotions.
He walked to the bedside, pulled Xiang Yinnian into his arms, kissed his temples, then took a wooden hairpin from his chest pocket and placed it in Xiang Yinnian’s palm.
“Next time we meet, put this on for me personally.”
Xiang Yinnian looked down at the wooden hairpin.
Deep purple sandalwood, exquisitely detailed, a lifelike image of a phoenix in flight.
That day at the training grounds, when Xiao Ji had taken down the hairpin and nailed it into the wooden stake behind him, damaging it, Xiang Yinnian had secretly held a grudge.
But ultimately, it was a small matter, and it wasn’t anything valuable. If it bought Xiang Siyou’s complacency, it was worth it.
So afterwards, Xiang Yinnian hadn’t brought it up to give Xiao Ji trouble.
But now, seeing this wooden hairpin lying perfectly intact in his palm, Xiang Yinnian felt a mix of emotions.
His throat moved.
“This hairpin… that day at the training grounds…”
Xiao Ji touched his cheek.
“That was just a fake. The craftsmanship wasn’t fine; if you had looked closely, you would have noticed the flaws. Ah Nian, anything you give me, I will treat as a treasure—whether it is this hairpin or you yourself.”
Xiang Yinnian felt an intense ache in his heart.
Matters in the Palace wouldn’t be easily resolved.
If the Emperor died too quickly, the throne might fall to someone else before Xiao Ji had a chance to act.
If the Emperor died too slowly, these matters would drag on. The Northern Frontier and the Imperial City were thousands of miles apart; who knew when they would meet again?
And no one could guarantee what other variables might occur in the meantime.
He cupped Xiao Ji’s face, leaving a teeth mark on his cheekbone, his eyes rimmed with red.
“Get out of here, Xiao Ji. Keep your life safe. Send word back whenever you can. If anything happens to you, I will flatten the Central Plains and overturn the skies of Great Yue!”
When Xiao Ji left, Xiang Yinnian didn’t see him off.
He silently rode out of the military camp, heading straight for the Great Yue Imperial City.
He brought no travel expenses; the silver on him was only enough to spare his warhorse’s life and exchange for two horses to ride day and night without rest toward the capital.
Three days later, the Emperor, in order to appease the Northern Frontier, spread the secret that the Ninth Prince had disguised himself as a princess for the marriage alliance. This news set off terrified waves throughout Great Yue.
Soon after, just as the news reached the Imperial City, it was accompanied by the grim report that the Northern Frontier Army was pressing the borders and the Ninth Prince was missing.
The Emperor, already bedridden, coughed up a large pool of blood upon hearing this.
“What a Northern Prince! He chose the person himself, and now he truly intends to rebel!”
Seeing this, the Emperor’s personal head eunuch hurriedly crawled to the Emperor’s side. While serving tea and water, he patted the Emperor’s back.
“Your Majesty, quell your anger. Your body cannot withstand such torment right now…”
Here, the old eunuch’s words hadn’t even finished falling when, on the other side, a young eunuch ran in hurriedly, bowing and scraping. He knelt outside the screen, his voice trembling:
“Your Majesty, the Ninth… the Ninth Princess has returned!”
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thanks for the chapters! ♡
You’re welcome!!!