Chapter 43: Who is Losing Face in the Discussions

In the past few days, the biggest uproar wasn’t about the Prince Jing’s rebellion.

It was about Princess Ning’an injuring the old Inspector Ji and what kind of punishment should follow.

When the emperor breaks the law, he is punished like any commoner.

It remained to be seen whether this was mere talk or if it was true.

Ultimately, it depended on how Princess Ning’an decided to handle it.

Grand Tutor Wen, having been in power for decades, quickly caught on.

He couldn’t help but speculate: could Princess Ning’an be in cahoots with Ji Jian?

Perhaps they deliberately made this incident public to lower Prince Jing’s guard.

But that old Ji Jian was unlikely to coordinate with a young lady like Princess Ning’an.

Regardless, it was imperative to investigate this matter promptly.

“Wen Di is incorrigible; send him back to the old residence for reflection, lest he cause trouble in the capital one day.”

Wen Di understood his father’s intention was for him to find solid evidence regarding Prince Jing’s rebellion.

“No, Father, I… I’m just a useless person.”

Wen Di sat despondently on the ground, like a downtrodden woman in the marketplace, about to cry but was halted by his father’s glare.

Grand Tutor Wen knew his son well. He constrained him to study more, hoping he would strive for improvement.

After all, how could he, with a thriving family, have a good-for-nothing son who didn’t take his responsibilities seriously and roamed about aimlessly?

As Grand Tutor Wen was about to leave, the steward hurried in, handing over a letter.

“I don’t know who left this at the back door. The gatekeeper dared not open it, so it was brought to me.”

Grand Tutor Wen opened the letter, which contained evidence collected by the Ji family.

With this, he felt reassured.

Only relying on Princess Ning’an’s word was not enough; with this letter, he could make some plans.

The emperor valued familial ties greatly, which was why he had treated Ji Jian lightly and imposed some punishment.

If Ji Jian insisted, the emperor would still summon him for questioning.

At that time, if they sent the Jinwu Guards to investigate, Prince Jing might act swiftly and hide those involved.

Ji Jian could also be in danger.

Though Grand Tutor Wen was unaware of previous events, he had guessed the eventual outcome.

Wen Di ultimately couldn’t escape returning to Xitong County.

The Wen family’s ancestral home was a ten-day journey from Xitong County. That night, Wen Di was expelled from his home and escorted back by guards.

This incident spread the next day, becoming a source of ridicule for many.

Especially for Guo Zhou.

With the two major rascals of the capital having left, he was now the leader of them all.

Guo Zhou, who had long since prepared for a life of leisure, called friends to join him for some fun.

The autumn days in the capital had some wind and rain, but nothing compared to the harsh conditions at the northwestern border.

In the past, Yan Ziqi would have been drinking and feasting in the Drunken Spring Pavilion, wrapping his arms around a beauty while listening to the courtesan play.

In the camp of the Great Qi, charcoal braziers were already lit. Yan Ziqi sat at his desk, reviewing the military accounts.

It was still too early for snow, yet the cold was already biting.

Military supplies could not afford to be late.

Tong Linian had entrusted him with these trivial matters to see how he would negotiate for funds from the capital.

In previous years, when his father communicated with the capital, the Ministry of Revenue had always been crying poverty.

They had no choice but to cut back in some areas.

Apart from the Iron Cavalry, the Yun Armor army under Tong Linian had always fared better in terms of rations.

Those who completed the training assigned by the Tong family could receive additional provisions.

However, the specifics of how well they had to perform were still determined by the Tong family.

The Iron Cavalry wasn’t starving, but while others were feasting, they barely tasted meat.

Originally, Yan Ziqi had hoped that his arrival would improve conditions, but the final results still rested in Tong Linian’s hands.

The brothers complained privately but didn’t dare put pressure on Yan Ziqi.

Outside, Deputy General Ge braved the wind to enter, causing the flames in the brazier to flicker.

He sat next to Yan Ziqi, saying, “This damned weather is really cold.”

He felt that it was colder this year than last.

The biting cold wind seemed to seep into one’s bones, threatening to freeze people stiff.

In such weather, weapons felt cold to the touch, sending shivers down one’s spine.

Yan Ziqi didn’t even lift his head, continuing to read while still managing to speak.

“Has there been no movement from Beiyue?”

It seemed they were quite content to provide General Tong with food and comfort, showing no intention of returning him.

The second prince of Beiyue didn’t look like a fool.

Deputy General Ge instructed Qingyan to bring a cup of hot tea. In this military tent, it was a luxury to enjoy a warm drink.

Naturally, Tong Linian was also living in comfort.

On the bed lay a tiger skin, quite warm.

If it weren’t for Beiyue’s aggressive stance, he would have liked to send a gift to Yan Ziqi.

Qingyan quickly served the tea, its fragrance filling the air, making Deputy General Ge feel as if he were in the prosperous capital.

“No movement. They are likely feeling the cold as well, possibly thinking of ways to launch a surprise attack.”

Yan Ziqi murmured in response, turning the page of his book. After he finished his tea, Deputy General Ge asked Qingyan for another cup.

“Nephew, is there really no way to teach Tong Linian a lesson?”

With no outsiders present, Deputy General Ge dropped the pretense.

Before, he had advised Ji Bai to endure, but now that his eldest nephew was here and the Iron Cavalry had somewhat regained its strength, there was no need to keep enduring.

“The emperor’s command is primarily for me to resolve the situation with Mount Fu and to secure General Tong’s release.”

If he intervened too much in military matters, rumors would inevitably spread in the capital.

After all, the Tong family currently held real power.

However, Yan Ziqi couldn’t just sit by and watch the Iron Cavalry suffer.

He had already prepared a plan.

Yan Ziqi’s letters to Li Ning’an were being transmitted through relay stations.

He had heard about Li Ning’an injuring Inspector Ji around mid-September.

The news had come from the Drunken Spring Pavilion.

Additionally, news about Ling Jibai traveling toward the border was on its way.

Yan Ziqi couldn’t quite understand what Li Ning’an was doing.

How could she have injured Inspector Ji?

Tong Linian, upon receiving news from the Tong family, laughed heartily in his tent.

“That fool Li Ning’an actually dared to injure a high-ranking official. If she isn’t executed, the public’s wrath will be hard to quell.”

“Quickly investigate! Living in this place, we receive news from the capital slower than others.”

Tong Linian had no way of knowing what was written in Li Ning’an’s letters to Yan Ziqi.

But he felt jealous—why was no one writing to him?

He was not unattractive, came from a prestigious family, and had ample wealth.

Li Ning’an was after all his cousin; how could she not care for him even a little?

All the attention seemed to be on Yan Ziqi.

What could a man compete with?

Money, status, women.

Meanwhile, Beiyue sent envoys saying they wished to visit the Great Qi palace in person to return General Tong to the emperor.

Tong Linian convened several generals to discuss this, including Deputy General Ge and Yan Ziqi.

“You still haven’t rescued my father; there has to be an explanation.”

Yan Ziqi sat in a chair, having read Beiyue’s letter.

“They are not merely returning General Tong.”

Tong Linian glared at Yan Ziqi, fully aware that his father had been captured by the enemy. Naturally, they would settle this on the battlefield.

To have them respectfully return him would imply they were surrendering a captive for negotiation.

Yan Ziqi maintained a peace-seeking demeanor. “They treat General Tong as an honored guest, bringing him to the capital.”

“I think we should hasten and send a memorial asking the emperor if he wishes to receive them.”

Hearing this, Tong Linian could no longer contain himself.

“Must everything be questioned by the emperor? What are you here for? You were sent by the emperor to resolve issues, and you still have the gall to ask him?”

Yan Ziqi nodded earnestly. “Yes, it’s hard to say who lacks the face to ask the emperor.”

Deputy General Ge seemed to understand what Yan Ziqi was getting at; he lowered his head, shoulders trembling as he struggled to suppress laughter.

Tong Linian felt that Yan Ziqi had once again bested him. “Then let’s draft a memorial to hand over to Young Master Yan.”

Yan Ziqi nodded, appearing quite relaxed. “Alright, I’m just a little inferior to General Tong.”

The second prince of Beiyue wanted to visit the capital, not knowing what kind of storm he would stir.

As Yan Ziqi left the main tent, he gazed toward the capital.

He wondered if Li Ning’an was still alive.

No wonder he hadn’t received any letters from her recently.