229 Journey Southward

ow should I explain that I know something even Emperor Jinqi himself doesn’t" Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "If you don't want to do it, then let me ask Lord Liu to handle this ma...229. Journeying South

229. Journeying South

In Ye Li's study at the DIng王府, she calmly watched Qin Feng standing before her and asked, "What do you think about this matter"

Qin Feng maintained a calm expression and slightly lowered his eyes as he said, "I will follow whatever decision the Lady of the Ding王府 makes." When Qin Feng heard Ye Li mention Yao Ji volunteering to go to Chu Capital to assist Leng Haoyu, there was a momentary blankness on his face. However, he quickly recovered and returned to his usual calm demeanor. Seeing this change in Qin Feng's expression, Ye Li understood that he truly had feelings for Yao Ji.

Over the years, Qin Feng had followed Ye Li as the leader of the Qilin army, and Ye Li trusted him no less than she did Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and others. Although she rarely interfered in her subordinates' personal matters, Ye Li also didn't want them to be troubled by love affairs that might affect their work. Looking at Qin Feng, she said, "I haven't agreed to her request yet. If you don't want her to go, I can reject her request." Qin Feng was taken aback but soon shook his head and forced a smile, saying, "It's her own decision; I have no right to interfere."

Seeing him like this, Ye Li could only sigh softly and say, "This journey is fraught with danger. I hope you won't regret it."

Qin Feng remained silent, replying simply, "Thank you, Lady of the Ding王府." Seeing that Qin Feng wouldn't be persuaded further, Ye Li picked up a memorandum from beside her, wrote several words on it, and handed it to him. She said, "If so, take this to Yao Ji. We will depart seven days later."

"As you command," Qin Feng replied.

After sending off Yao Ji, Qin Feng didn't seem particularly downcast. He continued his daily routine of shuttling between Qilin's base and Li City, though he stayed longer at Qilin’s headquarters than before. After the imperial examinations ended, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li personally supervised the selection of talented young officials to join the administration in the northwest region. Soon after came what was annually the most grandiose trade conference for Ye Li, but this year she and Mo Xiuyao had no time to attend it because they were about to depart for Nanzhao to participate in Princess Anxi's wedding.

Among those heading south to Nanzhao besides Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li, Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Feng San (who joined them at the last minute) was also Xu Qingchen. Originally planned was that Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao would go to Nanzhao while leaving Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu in charge of the northwest affairs. However, right before departure, Xu Hongyu had sent Xu Qingchen away instead of accompanying the group, while General Lu Jinxian, who had originally intended to travel with them, stayed behind. Mo Xiuyao didn't know why but agreed after a moment's consideration. Therefore, this entire group, whose appearance clearly stood out above average, set off leisurely on their journey south towards Nanzhao.

In recent years, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had been busy governing the Northwest and reforming the Black Cloud Army. They hadn't left the Northwest for a whole five years. However, between the Northwest and Nanzhao were vast expanses of Datu’s territory. As such, as soon as their convoy passed through the borders of the Northwest, they found themselves under surveillance by Datu's troops from various regions. Although these troops did not intercept or attack them, it was still extremely unpleasant to feel that they were being carefully watched wherever they went.On this day, while the group stopped over at a small town for rest and meals, Mo Xiuyao finally snapped.The small town wasn’t particularly large, nor was its name impressive. However, because of its proximity to the southwestern borderlands, it had been fortified heavily as part of the second or third line of defense in case of an emergency in the southwestern regions. When Mo Xiuyao’s group arrived at this small town one day, it was midday and very hot. There were still over a day’s journey to Suixue Pass and more than twenty days until Princess Anxi's wedding. So they did not rush but decided to rest for the night before continuing their journey the next morning. Although none of them were particularly picky, this small town didn’t have any fancy restaurants or inns. They simply chose a fairly decent-looking inn and rented it out entirely.Seeing that everyone in their group looked handsome and beautiful with their fine attire, the innkeepers knew they must be people of great importance and treated them very courteously. Apart from Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen, Feng San, Qin Feng, and Zhuo Jing, there were only over forty guards accompanying them. Half of them were Black Cloud Riders while the other half was under Qin Feng’s command. The abilities of the Black Cloud Riders did not need to be mentioned; however, among those who served Qin Feng, there were all sorts of people with various skills and talents. Even tasks such as brewing tea or cooking meals came naturally to them. Not only the innkeepers but even the chef at the inn was rendered useless.Ye Li’s group sat on the second floor of the inn eating delicacies prepared by some of those skilled in culinary arts under Qin Feng. They instructed everyone else to take their meal elsewhere."Qin Feng, your men are truly a talented bunch." Feng Zhirao praised as he tasted the delicious dish that did not lose out to first-rate chefs.Qin Feng smiled faintly, "Third Young Master Feng is too kind with his words. It’s just petty skills."Feng Zhirao was both envious and jealous. Indeed, those were merely petty skills. However, only a truly talented person could research these minor techniques so thoroughly. He had seen for himself that among the men under Qin Feng’s command there were culinary experts as well as bookish scholars who liked to show off their knowledge at every chance they got. There were also people from all walks of life who were skilled in various arts and crafts, even tailors and embroiderers. Moreover, what was more terrifying was that these people were equally powerful.Xu Qingchen smiled while sipping tea as he listened to the conversation. Feng Zhirao loved stirring up trouble and detested it when someone remained detached from a situation. So without hesitation, he started showing concern for Qingchen, "Qingchen, you haven’t spoken much since we left the Northwest. Are you feeling down”The others immediately recalled Princess Anxi’s affectionate relationship with Qingchen as well as their friendship. Could it be that Qingchen had not looked down on her but was simply reserved and embarrassed about it Was he now silently grieving because she married someone elseEveryone instantly imagined various stories related to Qingchen and Princess Anxi, looking at Xu Qingchen with pity in their eyes. Even his handsome face twitched involuntarily as he sighed helplessly, "I’m just thinking… what if something happens to these people who have followed us this whole way"They looked out the window and saw various individuals standing on the opposite side of the street, around a corner, or under large trees. They appeared to be chatting idly, setting up stalls, or simply passing by casually. However, in their eyes, such disguises were extremely crude.Feng Zhirao narrowed his eyes, "You’re not wrong; there seem to be more and more of them following us. Don’t they think we’ve noticed them"Xu Qingchen sighed, “It doesn’t matter what they think. What I’m worried about is…” Mo Xiuyao put down his wine cup and looked at Xu Qingchen, "Are you afraid that Mo Jingqi will take drastic measures

Xu Qingchen nodded solemnly and frowned slightly, saying, "Northwest has been at peace with the Great Chu for several years. Borrowing a path to travel through Nan Zhao would not make Mo Jingqi take action against us. But... Mo Jingqi is still an unstable factor. Given the situation these days, they might just attack us."

Ye Li asked, "Do you think if they really want to act, where would be the most suitable place"

Xu Qingchen shook his head and said, "This depends on when Mo Jingqi thinks it is convenient for him. We are now standing on Great Chu’s land, so whatever he says can go."

Feng Zhiyao sneered and said, "Apart from Xi Ling, there's no other country that borders with Northwest. Do we have to travel around Xi Ling Or do they want us not to go anywhere"

Xu Qingchen raised his eyebrows and said, "While we might think this way, it doesn't mean Mo Jingqi would."

Moshouyao smiled faintly, “Since that’s the case, let him try. Let me see how much he has improved in these few years.” Feng Zhiyao snorted and said, "What can he possibly improve on The northeastern part of Great Chu was ceded to those barbarian tribes. Great Chu actually couldn’t handle a few border tribes, while Mo Jinglei is waging both open and secret battles in the capital city."

Although they were no longer related to Great Chu now, it still felt uncomfortable when they heard about some tribal areas occupying parts of northeastern Great Chu. Especially for those soldiers under the Mo Family’s army; they viewed Mo Jingqi with even more disdain.

"Since he hasn’t improved, I can help fix his incompetent subordinates," Moshouyao said indifferently.

The people present exchanged glances at this remark from the prince. The prince's words seemed to imply that there was a hint of killing intent. However, wasn't it really ominous to kill on the way to attend someone else’s wedding

But they didn’t need to wait for Moshouyao to go looking for trouble since the trouble found them before their lunch had even finished.

"Men! Surround the inn immediately!" A domineering male voice sounded from downstairs. Feng Zhiyao stood up and looked down, amusedly saying, "Hey, Prince, our old acquaintance."

Moshouyao glanced downwards to see the person who was directing his troops to surround the inn, raising an eyebrow in puzzlement. There were many people he knew, but this one wasn’t important enough for him to recall.

Feng Zhiyao said with a smile, "Prince, take a closer look at that face which makes you want to slap it and those legs crippled so uniquely. Don't you think they’re familiar"

Upon being reminded like this, Moshouyao remembered, "Guanting, the one trampled by a horse That horse must have gone blind not to step on him."

Feng Zhiyao said with a smile, "Shall I find another horse and stomp on him"

While the people upstairs were still chatting, those downstairs couldn’t wait to start shouting. Guanting hobbled across the street with one limp leg, calling out, “A gang of traitors dare to set foot on Great Chu’s land! I am here in the name of the emperor to cleanse this place of traitors. Surrender quickly!”

Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but criticize from upstairs, "If it were me, I would first have them all shot with arrows turning the inn into a hedgehog before saying anything."

Qin Feng said with a smile, “That's why Third Young Master Feng would live longer than him.”

Feng Zhiyao replied, grinning broadly and bowing politely as he accepted his words.

Qin Feng stood up and disdainfully glanced at the people downstairs who were being so loudmouthed. He then turned to ask the prince and princess, "Prince, Princess, should we start by killing him

Moxiu Yao stood up and said, "It's unnecessary. Let’s go down and take a look first. Oh right… find someone to escort Qingchen公子 away." Among them, the worst case scenario was that they all had some self-preservation abilities. Only Xu Qingchen was truly incapable of defending himself. Although it wouldn’t be difficult to protect Xu Qingchen during a fight later on, there might always be unexpected accidents in the midst of chaos. Xu Qingchen knew he would only be a burden and nodded in agreement with Moxiu Yao’s words. He just told Ye Li, "Liyu, please be careful." Ye Li smiled lightly and said, "Elder Brother, you can rest assured."

After seeing off Xu Qingchen, the group followed Moxiu Yao downstairs to watch the commotion. The guards who had been having meals in the dining hall on the ground floor had already stood up and were guarding the door when they arrived. On the street outside, there were a few corpses of Chu soldiers who hadn’t heeded warnings and tried to rush into the inn first. Guan Ting clearly didn’t expect that the guards from the Ding Prince’s王府would be so tough. They dared to take action and kill people even though he had surrounded them with his troops. His originally ugly face was now pale green, twisted in anger.

"You have such big guts! Even at your last breath, you still dare to act so arrogantly! I must break every bone in your bodies to ease my hatred!" Under the protection of many soldiers, Guan Ting shouted at the guards by the door. The guards couldn’t help but twitch their mouths as they looked at him in disdain, like he was a fool or dead man walking. Was this idiot really thinking that hiding behind people would keep him safe and unharmed A guard from麒麟couldn’t hold back anymore and raised his hand to slap Guan Ting on the other side of the door. Bang! Green light shot out at Guan Ting with extreme speed.

When Guan Ting saw a green object coming towards him, he was naturally scared and hurriedly tried to dodge it. But since he had hidden behind many soldiers, and they were all bulky fellows who grew fat in recent years, how could he possibly evade He couldn’t even squat down before the thing reached his side and startled him into shouting, "Poison dart! Poison dart! Quickly save me! Quickly save me!"

However, when the object hit his shoulder, it only caused a bone-chilling pain. It wasn’t fatal though. Everyone, including Guan Ting’s Chu soldiers, looked at him like he was an idiot. Someone muttered, "Idiot."

Guan Ting called out for some time and realized something was wrong when he opened his eyes to find himself completely unharmed. Then, he saw strange, wet things dripping with a faint fragrance on his fancy clothes, making him ask, “What… What is this”

"Reporting to the General! It’s cucumber!" A soldier by his side reported seriously.

Only then did Guan Ting see half of a tender cucumber lying somewhere nearby. Realizing he had been tricked and that everyone was playing jokes on him, he got so angry that he wanted to explode, “I must kill you all! I must kill you all! Attack, kill these traitors!”

"Guan Ting, who are you going to kill Tell me," a cool and clear voice rang out from the inn. The guards immediately made way for him. Moxiu Yao still had snow-white hair and was dressed in white as he appeared with Ye Li.

—d with a smile, "Who knows Anyway, he's a Central Plains person. Whether he says he’s the descendant of the previous dynasty or even an ancestor to that dynasty, no one can stop him from claiming so....