Chapter 717

Chapter 717

Wen Xian and Zhao Huai exchanged a look, naturally understanding what she meant . "Teacher Ji, Prince Rong gave us a second chance back then at Yufu . By right, we should help him in return, but this concerns matters of Great Lin's Imperial Court and we ought not interfere . "

It's not merely that they ought not interfere, but that they can't interfere! They would love for Great Lin to have internal strife, spin out into a bitter fight, then swoop in to reap the rewards when both parties are spent .

However, Ji Yunshu bowed deeply towards them . "I know that you have your difficulties, and that you truly ought not interfere in this matter . But if something unexpected happens, there aren't many people by His Highness' side . He is heavily outnumbered and may not be able to make a move . Take it as me begging the two of you to go back there . If there were a mishap, please do ensure His Highness' safety . "

Faced with the Little Heir's bow, the two of them hastily backed away . "Teacher Ji, how can someone as eminent as you bow to us?"

"This isn't a bow, it's an entreaty . "

Zhao Huai is a hot-blooded man . Even though he had lost an arm, even though he had some altercations with Jing Rong when they were at Gaoshan Village , none of that discounts the fact that Jing Rong had given him a way out . What lay between them couldn't be called a grudge, nor could it be termed gratitude . And now with Ji Yunshu's request, how could he really harden his heart and play the fisherman that reaps the benefits at the end?

"We are bound to follow your orders . We will do whatever you want us to . Alright, we will return immediately and protect Prince Rong," Zhao Huai said .

Beside him, Wen Xian startled and turned to look at him, but didn't say anything .

Ji Yunshu swept a worried glance over them and inclined her head slightly in gratitude . "Many thanks . "

Finally at ease, she climbed back into the carriage and headed towards the Capital's city gates .

Still standing at their original spots, Wen Xian told Zhao Huai, "We shouldn't interfere in this matter . "

"We must follow the Little Heir's orders . " His stance was unshakable .

Wen Xian considered it for a moment then suddenly patted his shoulder . He jerked his chin in the direction where Ji Yunshu's carriage had gone and said, "You follow the Little Heir; I'll head back . "

Eh? "You can't! You alone..."

"You only have one arm left . Do you want to lose the other as well?" His implication was clear .

Zhao Huai was touched but Wen Xian immediately splashed a bucket of cold water over him . "You were the one who took Lin Feng's life, so your life should end in my hands too . I can't let anyone else kill you . " Haha!

Immediately, Zhao Huai's expression turned serious . "I may have lost an arm but that doesn't mean that I've become useless . I can still kill several people . "

"Stop acting tough . Listen to me, our mission now is to protect the Little Heir, so one of us must remain by his side . You go into the capital with the Little Heir and leave Prince Rong to me . "

"You..."

Wen Xian had already turned around and set off even before Zhao Huai had the chance to react . As he left, his figure looked so dashing! [1]

. . .

Soon after, the city guards received the message sent by Jing Rong . His Highness is returning to the capital! This news couldn't be delayed, so they immediately went to the palace to report .

At this time, several courtiers and generals were deep in a serious discussion with the Qizhen Emperor within the Empire Affairs Chamber .

"Your Majesty, this is already the third urgent missive sent in from the border . The Barbarians created trouble time and time again; although they didn't step foot across the border, their looting has created a lot of distress for the commoners," a courtier reported .

Qizhen Emperor was also furious . "Twenty years ago, We signed a treaty for an armistice of thirty years . Now, there are still ten years before it ends . " How frustrating!

......

"But we can't let them wreck havoc as they please just because of that . " Vanguard General Gao, Gao An, stepped forward to volunteer himself . "If Your Majesty would just give the order, this subject is willing to lead the troops and immediately destroy every last one of those Barbarians . "

"That must not happen!" Another courtier stopped him . "If His Majesty orders the troops to move, it would be violating the treaty . How would the people regard this decision? All nations have their eyes trained on us . "

"Then what shall we do now? Let them continue causing trouble at the border?" Gao An is a valiant general and was even more impulsive and hot-headed than Ji Huan . "They provoked us first! A troop of 50,000 would be sufficient to completely destroy those measly barbarians; who cares about some treaty? All who dare to bully our Great Lin must be killed!"

"General Gao, this isn't a question of whether they can or cannot be killed . Rather, it's a matter of His Majesty's reputation and the fundamental relationships established with other countries . Unless the other party really sent out troops further than 100 miles to the border, then we can send our troops in response . But if they didn't, we can only stay our troops as well," the courtier analyzed the situation .

When he heard that, Gao An's fiendish expression radiated displeasure and fury . He would dearly love to lead his own troops straight to the border, kill every last one of those barbarians, and show off the might of Great Lin .

The courtiers governing internal affairs looked towards the Qizhen Emperor, waiting for his decision .

The Qizhen Emperor looked to have aged substantially in recent days, the fatigue etching deep lines on his face . The many problems he encountered in court weighed on him so heavily that he could hardly catch his breath . Now, here was yet another one .

He thought for a moment then replied, "Lord Li spoke rightly . In this situation, we cannot send out troops hastily . On the surface, there is the treaty that we signed; behind it are the neighbouring countries eyeing us covetously . It would not be worthwhile if unrest arises because the National prestige is compromised . "

"Your Majesty means that...?"

The Qizhen Emperor considered for a moment, then turned to Gao An . "Lord Gao, with Our decree, command the border guard to send troops to suppress the barbarians . We certainly cannot allow the Barbarians to take advantage of any weakness and endanger the people living near the border . If necessary, you may kill the chicken to warn the monkey!" His tone carried a trace of ruthlessness .

His words implied that, even though they couldn't send troops, they could capture the barbarian troublemakers and punish them as a warning .

Gao An restrained his impulsiveness and bowed to acknowledge the order . "Yes, this subject will obey . "

"If they enter a hundred miles across the border, there is no need to report back to the capital; send out troops immediately . "

"Yes!"

"You're dismissed then . " He waved his hand .

The internal affairs courtiers exchanged several looks, then all started to withdraw .

The Qizhen Emperor was left alone in the cavernous Empire Affairs Chamber . He sighed and shut the urgent missive from the border with a clap . The sound echoed in the empty hall .

Just then, a eunuch entered with a bow to report, "Your Majesty, the capital's city guard is requesting an audience . "

The city guard is requesting an audience? Could it be that one of the city walls has collapsed again and they have come to request funds for repair? How annoying! The Qizhen Emperor wrinkled his high forehead . "Summon him . "

The eunuch inclined his head and bowed his way out .

Soon after, the city guard entered, lifting the front of his robes as he crossed the threshold . He then stood politely in the middle of the hall and bowed with cupped hands, "Greetings, Your Majesty . "

The Qizhen Emperor lifted the teacup by his hand and stroked the surface of the tea gently with its lid as he looked at the trembling guard . "What's the matter?" [2]

"Prince Rong has returned to the city . "

Clang! The lid fell from his fingers and clattered lightly onto its cup . The Qizhen Emperor stared for a moment in shock before he quickly put his teacup back down and questioned, "What did you say? Prince Rong is back? When did this happen?"

The Qizhen Emperor felt like a ray of light had finally broken through the gloomy clouds .

Finally, he's back . He has been waiting for so long!

[1] Hmm . . . it's been a while since Author last sent BL vibes xD

[2] see here for what the teacup looks like .