Qin Zhao stared at the letter, recalling the time spent with Qi Yan Su Luo, trying to find the reason for her departure.
But she just couldn't figure it out.
Or perhaps she had already figured it out, but was unwilling to admit it.
"Host, it was probably because of your order that she cannot leave the residence without your permission that made her determined to leave you."
Qin Zhao disagreed, "I know she wants revenge and needs some freedom, but I said I would help her.
Before I became the imperial princess, she was still willing to stay here.
Now she has even less reason to leave.
There must be some other reason!
When I find her, I must get to the bottom of this!
If her answer does not satisfy me, I will definitely punish her!"
502 shivered, "Host is so scary, female lead is in danger!"
"502, did Qi Yan Su Luo leave with her brother?"
"Yes, they seemed to be heading back to West Lin."
"Host need not worry, she will be fine."
·
Qi Yan Su Luo sat by the carriage, looking at the retreating scenery outside the window.
Qi Yan Te Mu Er asked, "Little sister, what are you thinking about?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said, "Nothing, just looking at the scenery."
"Then why do you seem so gloomy?"
"Brother, when we return to West Lin, can we really restore our country?
West Lin is now controlled by Yue Country's appointed West Lin Pacification Commissioner.
Our clansmen are treated as slaves there, it's no longer the West Lin we knew."
"Don't be too anxious, brother will take care of it."
Qi Yan Su Luo withdrew her gaze and looked at Qi Yan Te Mu Er, "You've been vague about your plans since yesterday.
If you don't trust me, why did you make me come with you?
You even threatened me that if I refused to leave, you would assassinate Qin Zhao!
You know very well that I don't care about her, as long as you tell me a viable plan, how could I have any hesitation?"
Qi Yan Te Mu Er said, "You said you don't care about her, yet you agreed to leave only after I threatened to kill her!
How can I trust you?
Don't forget Zhao Yang Princess, no, she's now the imperial princess of Yue Country, she's our enemy!"
"Of course I know she's our enemy, but if I didn't temporarily rely on her, I would have died long ago!
How could I have lived long enough to see you?!"
Qi Yan Te Mu Er was somewhat moved, "Really? The people of Yue Country treated you badly?"
Qi Yan Su Luo sneered coldly, "Should I say you are naive, or stupid?
I was captured to Yue Country, I didn't come here to enjoy life.
Don't change the subject, tell me, what are your plans?"
Qi Yan Te Mu Er's eyes darted around, seemingly afraid to look at her.
Qi Yan Su Luo sensed something wrong and said, "Brother, if you don't tell me now, I will jump out of this carriage!"
He suddenly glared at her and shouted, "Don't you dare!"
"Hmph! You can try to stop me. I'll count to three.
One..."
Qi Yan Te Mu Er quickly said, "Wait!"
"Two..."
"Alright alright! I'll tell you!"
Qi Yan Su Luo stopped counting, "Okay, I'm listening."
"I, I cooperated with Prince E Le Deng of Chi Rong Country.
He said as long as you are willing to marry him and become his queen, he will lend us twenty thousand troops!"
Qi Yan Su Luo's body trembled slightly as she asked, "So you sold me to E Le Deng?"
Qi Yan Te Mu Er was originally somewhat ashamed, but hearing this blunt conclusion, he instead justified himself unabashedly, "Little sister, you are making contributions for our West Lin Country, it is very admirable!
How can it be called selling?
Moreover, E Le Deng will be the next King of Chi Rong, he is powerful and influential, it is not a bad match for you!"
Qi Yan Su Luo tried her best to restrain her anger, and forced out a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Yes, elder brother is right.
You have thought it through so thoroughly, I really admire you."
After saying this, the carriage fell silent.
·
On the third day after Zhao Yang Princess was bestowed the title of imperial princess, Qin Zheng issued an imperial edict, announcing this matter to the world.
At the same time, Qin Zhao received an imperial order to prepare to set out for the northwest border within ten days!
In the afternoon, Qin Zhao put on men's clothing and went to Chunfeng Building.
When Nangong Ling heard that Qin Zhao had arrived, she personally came downstairs to greet her.
The guests at Chunfeng Building were excited to finally see the true appearance of the oiran!
They secretly guessed who was important enough to make the oiran come downstairs to greet, and then saw a beautiful man walk through the door!
The men turned sour, gossiping jealously.
"Good looks come with privilege huh, the oiran is willing to come downstairs from the fifth floor to greet him!"
"I think he looks ordinary. Look how tall he is, just a bit taller than a table."
Qin Zhao is 1.73 meters tall, not considered short.
Someone spoke righteously, "With your height, how dare you say that about him? Can you jump high enough to reach his knees?"
The man pursed his lips and kept quiet.
Nangong Ling walked up to Qin Zhao and smiled, "Master finally took off that annoying black eye mask.
You look so much better like this, I almost want to give up my oiran position for you."
Qin Zhao said, "I still have other things to take care of, after retirement I might consider taking over from you."
The two walked side by side forward. Qin Zhao felt like the men's jealous gazes were burning holes through her clothes!
She pulled Nangong Ling hurriedly upstairs.
Only after entering Nangong Ling's room did Qin Zhao breathe a sigh of relief.
Nangong Ling let Qin Zhao take the main seat while she sat beside her, asking, "Master has come to see me, is it about the expedition to the northwest border? Do you need me to go with you?"
Qin Zhao really wanted to bring Nangong Ling to the northwest border. Having a great beauty accompanying would make life there more interesting.
But things are not so simple. If she left, there would be no one to oversee things in the capital, which would definitely lead to problems.
And among those qualified to represent her and take charge in the capital, only Nangong Ling would do.
Qin Zhao waved her hand, "No need."
Nangong Ling sidled up to Qin Zhao and said, "But I want to go."
Qin Zhao placed her forefinger on Nangong Ling's forehead and pushed her face back a little, "I don't want you to suffer there.
The northwest border is right next to the desert, not only dry but plagued by sandstorms.
Your face going there would be a sheer waste.
I don't want the world to lose such a country toppling beauty."
Nangong Ling's cheeks flushed from the compliments, but she soon realized Qin Zhao was just being diplomatic. She asked, "Master is not letting me go for another purpose, why not tell me directly?"
Qin Zhao chuckled, "Looks like you're simple yet not stupid."
"Indeed, I have a very important task for you."
"Please speak, master."
"This imperial princess position, I have yet to stabilize.
My imperial brothers are all itching to make trouble.
After I leave, the balance in the capital will be disrupted, with high risk of turmoil at any time.
Help me keep an eye on them. If anyone dares to cause havoc, you may take action when appropriate.
If necessary, get rid of them!"
"Master, I will definitely live up to your expectations."
"Very good. Of the eight top experts from my World's Best Assassins leaderboard, I'm leaving six with you.
Although the capital is not a battlefield, it is more dangerous than one. Please be very careful."
"Thank you, master."
Nangong Ling remembered she had yet to successfully recruit Yin Xuan under Qin Zhao and said apologetically, "I'm sorry I was of no help with regards to Yin Xuan."
Qin Zhao said, "It's fine, I shouldn't have gotten you involved back then.
If she had surrendered to me because of your beauty, I would have felt it lacked meaning."
"Then what does master plan to do about her?"
"Put her matter aside for now, I'll deal with it when I return."
After talking with Nangong Ling, Qin Zhao went to the Huo residence.
There was someone she had to bring along to the northwest border no matter what!
Qin Zhao waited for an hour in a restaurant not far from the Huo residence.
Only when the sky darkened did she sneak in from the tree side of the perimeter wall.
After getting in she realized she didn't actually know where Huo Jun lived!
