Chapter 1019 – Surrender or Not (6)
“Jiang Pengji praises the Right Prime Minister’s research on Han culture,” the assassin casually mentioned, but an unmistakable disdain flickered in his eyes, not aimed at Jiang Pengji, but at the Right Prime Minister.
From her perspective, the real messenger had likely been killed. The assassin, whose build resembled that of a messenger, had donned his clothing, slipped the genuine documents into his possession, and slipped out of the royal city in a bamboo basket, impersonating the messenger to attempt an assassination on Jiang Pengji.
She had few suspects regarding the true mastermind behind the assassin—
Jiang Pengji succinctly shared her speculations, and Sun Wen pondered for a while, already suspecting someone.
“I’d wager it’s the Third Prince’s people.” Sun Wen stated, “The Third Prince learned from Wu Libai, making them one of the few clever pairs in the Northern Border. Influenced by Wu Libai, the Third Prince has developed quite the interest in Han culture—though he also inherited his master’s stubborn arrogance, remaining fiercely loyal to the Northern Border. It’s clear that coming up with an assassination plan at this juncture could only be him.”
If it weren’t for the unparalleled martial prowess of their leader, they might have really encountered disaster.
The Northern Border was currently at its breaking point, and the nobles were as fickle as the weather; their likelihood of defecting was extremely high.
Who would’ve thought someone would attempt to kill the messenger, impersonating him to assassinate Jiang Pengji?
“Regardless of whether it’s him or not, I’m placing the blame on him for now.” Someone had to be held accountable, and the Third Prince was the most suspect. If he’s not taking the fall, then who will? “I should thank him, really; it conveniently gives me a reason to wipe out the Northern Border’s nobility.”
As long as there’s justification, a massacre isn’t considered a big deal.
Nevermind cleansing the Northern Border’s noble class; even if they killed more, it’d still hold ground.
Furthermore—
The Northern Border’s nobles were the richest, looting a single family’s wealth would surely plump up Jiang Pengji’s private coffers.
If the enemy hand-delivers an opportunity, wouldn’t it be a waste not to take advantage of it?
Sun Wen’s brow twitched as he caught a glance at the other three, noticing their indifference to the ‘massacre’ Jiang Pengji mentioned. Recalling the behaviors of Qi Guanrang, Wei Ci, and Feng Zhen, he felt that his leader’s reckless disregard had much to do with their indulgence.
Even if they truly planned to massacre them and loot their wealth, they shouldn’t speak so brazenly about it!
Yet the leader was willful, and with subordinates enabling that, Sun Wen could only turn a blind eye.
“It’s too late today; you all should rest first. Send someone to keep an eye on movements in the royal city, and if anyone else decides to ‘defect,’ capture them all. We’ve got a tough battle ahead, and once the Northern Border’s nobility realizes there’s no hope in defecting, they’re sure to seek alternatives.”
After some brief discussions, Jiang Pengji noticed the remaining traces of sleep on Sun Wen and Qi Guanrang’s faces and felt soft-hearted, urging them to get some sleep.
Feng Zhen and the others took their leave, and Wei Ci also prepared to rise, but after taking a few steps, he felt his sleeve being tugged.
Wei Ci glanced at his sleeve, following the hand that pulled him upwards, meeting the gaze of Jiang Pengji.
At this moment, Feng Zhen and the others had already exited the main tent.
“Leader?”
Jiang Pengji responded, “Didn’t I say I’d settle the score with you later?”
She put emphasis on one particular word.
Regardless of past or present, Wei Ci was always the image of grace, like a breath of fresh air. When had he ever encountered crude language?
Thus, he paused for a moment, finally comprehending Jiang Pengji’s implication.
In that instant, he felt all the blood rush to his head, overwhelmed by a wave of embarrassment.
“Leader—how could you say something so coarse?”
Wei Ci couldn’t believe Jiang Pengji would act so frivolously in the military camp, but such words were even more unacceptable.
Saying and doing, could they be equated?!
Jiang Pengji laughed teasingly, “What do you mean coarse? Like, ‘darn it’?”
Wei Ci: “…”
This was absolutely not the monarch he knew—
Wei Ci forgot that even the emperor in his memory was intimately familiar with Feng Zhen’s raucous society, having frequented brothels and wine houses!
Jiang Pengji was simply shattering the divine image he had built of her in his heart, reminding him that the person he regarded as divine was still human.
After a while, Wei Ci left the main tent with a conflicted expression, returning to his own tent.
He hadn’t walked far when a swift shadow followed him into the tent, unnoticed by the patrol.
Wei Ci couldn’t help but sigh about Jiang Pengji repeatedly.
“At dawn, the Leader should return to avoid causing panic among the crowd.”
While Wei Ci lacked the ability to sneak out of the main tent without raising suspicion, Jiang Pengji could slip out of Wei Ci’s tent unobserved.
Clearly, there was nothing between them, yet they created the appearance of a secret rendezvous, leaving Wei Ci feeling drained.
Jiang Pengji didn’t care for such details.
The weather was still warm, and with Wei Ci’s relatively low body temperature, cuddling him was bliss.
She drifted into a night of sweet dreams, while the Third Prince, who had been anxiously waiting for news, was plunged into despair.
If the assassination had succeeded, the Liu Thief’s camp would be in chaos, but as the night dragged on, order in the tents remained unchanged.
Clearly, the confidant he dispatched had failed in the attempt.
Rubbing his tired eyes, the Third Prince traveled to court with heavy steps, his eyes bloodshot and unshaved.
Not only had the Third Prince gone without sleep, but half the ministers in court also shared his insomnia.
They anxiously watched the Third Prince, fearing he might reveal their dealings with the enemy.
In such a scenario, they wouldn’t need Jiang Pengji’s forces to invade; they’d be done in by their own!
Surprisingly, the Third Prince maintained his silence, coldly watching the court squabbles, like a statue.
Numerous elders earnestly urged the Sixth Prince.
“Dai Wang, in this old minister’s opinion, it would be best to surrender to the Liu Thief; at least we could preserve some sparks for a potential resurgence.”
The Sixth Prince was infuriated to the point of laughter.
If they surrendered, the Northern Border’s royal family would surely be slaughtered clean.
These ministers, turning to the Liu Thief, slathering flattery like dogs, could at least preserve their wealth and grandeur.
On what basis?!
Simply on what basis?!
The royal family was more noble than them; why should they sacrifice the imperial bloodline to preserve the lives of these lowly beings?
The Sixth Prince smoldered with rage internally, while half the ministers leaned toward surrender.
They couldn’t afford to be so anxious; the Seventh and Eighth Princes were at their limits.
In other words, time was running out for the Northern Border.
If they didn’t make a decision soon, should the two princes perish, Jiang Pengji would march into the royal city.
With a clear path before them, why would they choose to descend into hell alongside the royal family?
To quell their anger, several old ministers were willing to assist in hiding the imperial bloodline, hoping to find another opportunity to rise again.
Had it not been for the matter of defection, the Third Prince might have been fooled, believing they were truly considering the royal family’s welfare.
“Report! —The enemy forces outside are again making movements—”
A messenger presented a letter that captured everyone’s attention.
This letter was not written in the common Han characters; it was in the barbarian language, completely understandable for everyone present.
The Third Prince scanned it, his heart sinking, instantly feeling engulfed in darkness.
