Chapter 998 – War in the Northern Border (35)
“Ahaha—look at this, Liu Xi isn’t as divine as the rumors suggest—”
The tribal envoy completed the surrender task with flying colors, his mood soaring with delight.
Once back in a safe place, he revealed his true self.
“Don’t let your guard down; those who underestimate Liu Xi never end well,” a companion warned.
The tribal envoy lay back on a fur chair, enjoying the massage from a beautiful woman.
“What are we afraid of?” he replied, “If Liu Xi suspects us, would she even give us our own separate camp?”
Having a separate camp was like giving a child their own room—perfect for sneaking around without parental supervision.
“That said, there’s an old saying among the Han in the Central Plains: ‘A careful sailor never capsizes.’ You can’t let your guard down until the very end.”
Compared to the envoy’s arrogance, this person remained quite composed.
The envoy dismissively said, “Enough with your fancy rhetoric; you’re just trying to sound clever. I’m scared of you! We’re surrounded by our own people. Liu Xi doesn’t have eyes or ears that can hear our whispers from afar. What a coward!”
His companion looked disapproving but had to hold his tongue due to the envoy’s higher status.
“Stop worrying about this and that. Just take care of your own responsibilities,” the envoy declared nonchalantly. “True, you’re right. Liu Xi may be foolish, but her subordinates are crafty. We’ve just surrendered; we can’t give them any leverage. There might be spies from Liu Xi sneaking in soon, so control your people and don’t let anything slip. We can’t jeopardize Dai Wang’s grand plan—”
With too many people around, rumors could spread easily, so the deception of surrender only a few key figures knew, while the rest remained in the dark.
Hearing that their tribe had surrendered to Jiang Pengji without even a fight, many warriors felt utterly dejected, worried about their futures.
The atmosphere was very low, but they all recognized it was necessary.
If everyone knew about the fake surrender, who could guarantee they would all keep it a secret?
What if someone accidentally spilled the beans or blurted something out in their sleep? That could spell disaster!
With these thoughts, they behaved themselves, not stirring up trouble, as if they had genuinely surrendered.
However, as Jiang Pengji pointed out—it’s all a farce. No matter how they tried to fool her, they would never earn her trust.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, marking the hottest season of the year.
The Northern Border intended to execute a two-pronged plan—on one hand, tricking Jiang Pengji, while on the other, laying bombs along her rear defenses.
The surrender had been arranged, and sowing discord among her defenses was next on the agenda.
Liu Zhao had recently been feeling troubled.
He would rather spend each day outside, playing with chickens and walking dogs than go home.
“Aunt Die, my sister is still fighting on the front lines; my marriage isn’t urgent.”
As Liu Zhao stealthily climbed over the wall to return home, he was startled by the familiar curvaceous figure standing at the base, causing his legs to weaken almost leading to a fall.
“Not urgent?” Aunt Die assessed him from head to toe, pretending to be angered. “At your age, you should be getting engaged. How can that not be urgent?”
Months ago, Aunt Die had come to Chongzhou with servants in tow, with a single purpose—
To arrange a marriage for Liu Zhao!
Back in his childhood, while his legitimate mother was bedridden, Aunt Die managed the household finances.
Thanks to her not stirring the pot with the illegitimate sons and daughters in the back courtyard, Liu Zhao had been able to lead a comfortable life.
Even though Aunt Die carried a proud attitude and was often cold to others, thinking about the plight of other illegitimate children, Liu Zhao felt a bit of admiration for her.
But admiration and respect were one thing, and being forced into marriage was entirely another.
“Aunt, I’m still young; I haven’t had enough fun—”
Liu Zhao didn’t resist getting engaged, but he didn’t want to be pressured into it at this crucial moment.
Before he could finish his sentence, Aunt Die’s gaze turned icy and sharp.
A chill ran down Liu Zhao’s spine, causing him to forget his words.
“Not enough fun? You can have fun even when engaged! You’re grown up now; you can’t act so willfully!” Aunt Die declared. “Liu Zhao—”
Before she could finish, a familiar voice came from behind.
“The child is still young; why are you pushing him?” Liu Zhi, dressed casually as if just taking a post-meal stroll, approached and looked at the concubine and his illegitimate son coldly. “If Zhao’er isn’t exceptional, let him be—after all, no one has high hopes for him.”
Both Liu Zhao and Aunt Die’s expressions changed, though each bore different emotions.
The former looked somewhat hurt, while the latter seemed to be holding back something.
After a moment, Aunt Die spoke in a tone that brooked no discussion, “What if I insist on pushing him? Are you going to stop me, cousin?”
Liu Zhi glanced at Liu Zhao, sighed. “The older you get, the more your temperament—”
“Gets more what?” Aunt Die’s eyebrows shot up, genuine anger apparent on her face. “I say Liu Zhao should get engaged quickly!”
Liu Zhi’s gaze faltered; he and Aunt Die locked eyes, and finally, he acknowledged defeat.
“Fine, this will go according to your wishes. Zhao’er, don’t go against your stepmother.”
Upon hearing Liu Zhi’s words, Aunt Die’s expression flickered.
Stepmother?
Even after so many years, she still couldn’t adapt to that title.
Liu Zhi left, and Liu Zhao found himself at the mercy of Aunt Die’s strong resolve, yielding to reality.
“Choose—pick one.”
Aunt Die sat across from Liu Zhao, the table filled with profiles of various young ladies.
Liu Zhao wore a pained expression. Under Aunt Die’s intense gaze, he picked one reluctantly.
“You think I’m trying to harm you?”
Liu Zhao shook his head, “Not daring.”
“As long as you don’t dare, that’s good. Anyone could harm you, but I certainly won’t,” Aunt Die seemed to recall something, a fleeting reminiscence crossing her eyes. Yet she quickly returned to herself. “No matter what happens in the future, you must never, ever covet what doesn’t belong to you or listen to others’ instigations, for it will bring you disaster. You are your mother’s last hope and her only desire before her passing. If something were to happen to you, it would break her heart—be smart, don’t let others use you.”
Be used by others?
By whom?
Liu Zhao maintained a steady face, his mind racing with thoughts.
“I promised your mother that I would protect you well; you must not do anything to disappoint her, you understand?”
A wave of indescribable emotion washed over Liu Zhao.
“Aunt—”
Aunt Die urged, “Hurry up and choose; don’t dawdle.”
Liu Zhao asked, “What exactly are you worried about?”
“I’m worried this fool of yours will be played to death by those two! If your mother couldn’t outmaneuver them, how much more can you?!” Aunt Die gritted her teeth. “Hurry up and get engaged and married. Have a child to at least leave some of your mother’s bloodline behind. After that, do whatever you like; I won’t care anymore. Others may be clueless, but I see through you! You think you’re hiding your talents well, but those two can see right through you?”
This brat couldn’t even outsmart his mother, yet he wanted to fool someone else?
“Aunt—did you misunderstand something?” Liu Zhao quietly asked her.
“What could I possibly misunderstand? I witnessed it firsthand! If it weren’t for you and Lan Ting, why would I even come to Liu Residence?”
