As soon as the others dispersed to attend to their duties, Niu You Dao turned to Black Peony and beckoned her over. He pointed at his head, hinting for her to comb his hair.
They walked over to a stone and sat there.
Black Peony couldn't help but chuckle slightly as she took out her comb. She stood behind him and began to comb his hair:
— Lord Dao, we are so close to each other. Are you not afraid others will think something of it?
— Misunderstand? — Niu You Dao chuckled. — Thanks to you, everyone already thinks I spied on you while you bathed. What else is there for me to fear?
Black Peony deliberately laughed and giggled, drawing strange looks from the others.
Niu You Dao closed his eyes. He recalled a certain "ugly girl" who had combed his hair with such reverence and care. That "ugly girl" had been far more tactful than this one.
Qingshan County.
An immense military camp stretched across the vast, open fields, its banners emblazoned with the "Shang" symbol.
Sentinels continuously patrolled the camp's perimeter.
A massive army had gathered near the borders of the Zhao Kingdom's Qingzhou Province. The formidable forces of the Yan Kingdom's Southern Domain had also assembled along the frontiers. Seizing the opportune moment, Shang Chao Zong, with a single offensive, captured the entirety of Qingshan County, and his troops secured the borders. In doing so, Shang Chao Zong posed a genuine threat to Zhou Shou Xiang, the governor of the Southern Domain.
Shang Chao Zong's actions threw the entire Yan Kingdom into disarray. The emergent internal strife now presented a great danger to them. The Imperial Court was forced to send emissaries for negotiations.
After several rounds of negotiations, Shang Chao Zong temporarily halted his assaults. In truth, the Kuangai forces were now exhausted. Even if they were to capture new territories, they simply wouldn't have enough strength to hold them.
In the distance, a cavalry unit rode forth, a "Feng" flag fluttering from its flagpole. Feng Ru Nan rode at the head of the detachment, a silver spear in hand, astride a white horse. Behind her galloped more than ten cultivators, their swords at their sides.
With a creak, the military camp gates opened. The palisades were pulled back, and the cavalry rode inside. From the main tent, a group of people emerged. At their head was Shang Chao Zong, followed closely by Shu Qing. She no longer wore a veil over her face. In times of war, no one paid attention to her birthmark.
Feng Ru Nan reined in her horse, dismounted, and tossed her spear to a subordinate. Then, with long strides, she walked toward Shang Chao Zong. As she neared him, she drew a credential arrow from her belt, knelt on one knee, and presented the arrow to Shang Chao Zong with both hands:
— I have carried out the order. The rebel forces of Sian County have been annihilated. I have come specifically to report to the commander-in-chief on the completion of the mission!
Shang Chao Zong took the arrow and handed it to Lan Ruo Ting, who stood nearby. Then, with both hands, he lifted Feng Ru Nan, and, looking at her dirt-smudged face, he sighed and said:
— My wife is utterly exhausted!
After such a formal ceremony, he treated his wife like this in front of everyone? Feng Ru Nan felt awkward. She even swayed slightly and freed herself from Shang Chao Zong's grasp.
— Commander-in-chief, if there are no further orders, I shall take my leave.
Chao Zong smiled and released her.
Lan Ruo Ting said to Shu Qing, who stood nearby:
— Princess, could you help the Princess Consort rest?
Shu Qing stepped forward and politely said:
— My brother's wife is tired. Let us go and bathe.
As soon as Feng Ru Nan saw Shu Qing, she immediately broke into a smile. She pulled her close, and they walked away together, smiling.
In truth, being "ugly" had its benefits. Many treated her with caution, and few young women would feel jealous of her.
As for Feng Ru Nan, she had even begun to pity Shu Qing. Every day, she made every effort to ignore Shu Qing's birthmark.
And the more Feng Ru Nan got to know Shu Qing, the more she realized how unjust Heaven was. How could this be?!
Feng Ru Nan learned that Shu Qing had a truly good nature. No matter her talent, figure, or temperament — in everything, Shu Qing was excellent. And only the birthmark on her face marred the entire picture. How could this be?!
Movement soon appeared from the direction of the border outpost as well.
The border outpost gates opened, the palisades were removed, and more than ten riders emerged. They descended the mountain road towards the plain, towards the vast army.
At their head rode a single rider in a black cloak. He had a pale face. This was none other than Ga Miao Shui.
He was not only a senior palace eunuch; this time, he had arrived as a negotiator from the Yan Kingdom.
The group stopped near the camp gates. They dismounted and entered on foot.
As soon as they passed through the gates, their cultivation channels were restricted. Then, a person led them to the main tent.
Inside the tent, the main map depicting troop dispositions was tightly covered. Shang Chao Zong sat with a straight back, while Bai Yao, clutching his sword, stood beside him. Disciples of the Heavenly Jade Sect were also present, eyeing the arriving guest with predatory gazes.
No matter what, Chao Zong still belonged to the imperial clan, so as soon as Ga Miao Shui entered, he immediately cupped his hands and said:
— Greetings, Your Highness!
Chao Zong replied in a cold tone:
— What more is there to discuss? The terms have been put forth. If you agree, then so be it. If you don't, then let us speak on the battlefield!
Ga Miao Shui stood his ground:
— Your Highness, it is impossible to fully agree to your terms.
Chao Zong: If you don't agree, what more is there to say!
Ga Miao Shui: The Imperial House has spoken its final word. It is impossible to admit Zhou Shou Xiang's guilt. Qingshan County will go to Your Highness; the Imperial House can agree to this. But to publicly acknowledge this before all under Heaven is impossible! Aside from these two points, we agree to everything else. We are prepared to compromise on this. If Your Highness continues to demand, the reputation of the Imperial House will be ruined. Then the Imperial House will have to resolve all matters with Your Highness on the battlefield. Then we shall see how long Your Highness's men can hold out!
"Bang!"
Chao Zong sprang to his feet with lightning speed. He glared fiercely at Ga Miao Shui.
Lan Ruo Ting hastily moved to restrain him:
— Your Highness, His Majesty is still your uncle. Since he has already made concessions, perhaps it wouldn't hurt for us to meet him halfway!?
Having reached a compromise, both sides concluded the agreement. With that, they parted ways.
Witnessing this with their own eyes, the cultivators of the Heavenly Jade Sect rejoiced inwardly. Their sphere of influence had expanded, and now they had all but assimilated an entire county!
Slowly taking the agreement, Ga Miao Shui looked awkwardly at Chao Zong:
— Some things are best not aired outside the home. If a clamor arises, it will not benefit the Yan Kingdom, nor will it benefit Your Highness. Next time, the Imperial House will not be able to be so yielding. Your Highness knows the consequences perfectly well. I hope Your Highness understood my meaning!
Lan Ruo Ting said with a smile:
— Grandfather Ga, are you referring to the 100,000-strong army?
As soon as he uttered those words, Ga Miao Shui and Bai Yao's expressions changed. They hadn't expected Lan Ruo Ting to speak of such a secret in front of everyone. What was the meaning of this?
But Chao Zong remained calm.
Lan Ruo Ting burst into laughter and said:
— Grandfather Ga, now it might be time to enlighten you on a few matters. Back then, when His Highness was framed and thrown into prison, you knew better than I what awaited him. Someone wanted His Highness dead! That's why I had to use my position to spread the rumor of the 100,000-strong Crows army. If not for that rumor, I fear His Highness would not have lived to see today!
Ga Miao Shui narrowed his eyes, and his cheeks trembled. He flicked the hem of his cloak, turned, and departed.
Before exiting, he suddenly stopped again and looked at Chao Zong. He now recalled Song Jiu Ming's words: "They are releasing a tiger into the mountains!"
Watching Ga Miao Shui leave, Bai Yao, still gripping his sword, immediately said:
— Master Lan, I am a little confused. What exactly did you just say?
Lan Ruo Ting slowly turned and looked at him:
— It's simple. The 100,000 Crows don't exist. They never did! When His Highness was in danger, we had to deceive to save him. And when we left the capital to escape the Imperial House's fatal blow, we had to deceive to gain your support. But now we have taken Qingshan County, is that so bad?
Bai Yao was somewhat flustered. They had deceived the Heavenly Jade Sect!
He slowly approached Chao Zong:
Your Highness, some jokes are best not played on us!
Chao Zong remained silent, unperturbed.
Lan Ruo Ting approached him:
— Master! Has the Heavenly Jade Sect lost anything? What losses have you incurred? None! On the contrary, you have only gained. Has His Highness not worked hard for the Heavenly Jade Sect?
— By kinship, Feng Lin Bo is the husband of the Heavenly Jade Sect leader's daughter. And His Highness... is the husband of the leader's granddaughter. We are all still one family, what is there to divide? Furthermore, His Highness is of imperial lineage. With proper arrangement, discussions will flow smoothly. And his background can be very beneficial to the sect! Also, regarding the conditions with Qingzhou. They prefer His Highness to be in Qingshan. Why should Master reject His Highness? Why shouldn't the sect give His Highness a chance?
Bai Yao was speechless at this moment. After all, in such matters, he was not his own master. He would do whatever his teacher instructed.
He understood that Chao Zong now dared to reveal all his cards. He had truly grown bold!
Bai Yao slowly turned and walked away.
The other disciples exchanged bewildered glances before also exiting.
Not long after, Shu Qing entered the tent. Feng Ru Nan was still bathing, so she had left her.
— I just saw Master's perplexed expression. Did the negotiations with the Imperial House not go well? — Shu Qing asked, worried.
Chao Zong sighed and said:
— We revealed the matter of the Crows. Now the Heavenly Jade Sect knows all our cards.
Shu Qing fell silent. She understood why Bai Yao had been so flustered.
Lan Ruo Ting said with a smile:
— No matter what, much has already been accomplished. Everything will be fine! We have taken Qingshan, so Feng Lin Bo can no longer restrain His Highness. His Highness is now independent. A new life awaits us now.
— Calculating the marriage with Feng Ru Nan, borrowing Kuangai County's troops, establishing ourselves in Cang Wu County, taking on the responsibilities for Qingzhou, arranging an alliance, and now calmly assimilating Qingshan County! — Shu Qing quietly recounted.
The two men nodded silently. Chao Zong sighed and said:
— Lord Dao has truly accomplished a great feat!
Shu Qing lightly walked to the tent's entrance and gazed at the boundless sky. She softly whispered:
— It has been a long time with no word from him. How is he?