Chapter 55: The Oddity of General Tong

Ling Jibai no longer mentioned Princess Ning’an and instead brought up General Tong’s situation.

“Are you really not going to rescue him? Tong Linian might be deeply concerned for you; you need to be wary of their counterattack.”

Yan Ziqi sat back in his chair, appearing relaxed as he shrugged.

“It’s not that I don’t want to; it’s just that the timing hasn’t been right. I initially planned to go, but Bei Yue wants to visit our court.”

“It was General Tong who asked me to petition the emperor for a decision.”
He felt quite innocent in this matter.

Seeing that Yan Ziqi seemed to have a plan, Ling Jibai changed the subject. “So, who do you intend to send to escort the Second Prince of Bei Yue?”

Although the Second Prince would have his own protection, if anything happened in Da Qi, a major conflict would be inevitable.

At that point, who knows how Bei Yue might extort Da Qi?

The individuals sent to protect the Bei Yue delegation had to be chosen carefully.

Yan Ziqi stroked his chin. “What do you think the emperor wants me to do?”
After rescuing Uncle Ge and others trapped in Fushan, General Tong would also accompany Bei Yue into the capital.

The task given to him by the emperor was essentially complete.

He should return military authority to the Tong family.

Ling Jibai clearly realized this. “You plan to take Tong Linian back with you?”

The Tong family has connections both in the palace and the court; if the heir returns, he will likely have to act alone.

This Princess Ning’an is hard to predict, and Ling Jibai didn’t dare place his hopes on her.

“You should come back with me too; it hasn’t been long since your wedding.” Yan Ziqi joked, “Lady Shui Liujiao must be missing you very much.”

After spending time together, Ling Jibai understood what kind of person Yan Ziqi was, so he ignored the last comment.

Yan Ziqi continued, “Uncle Ge should stay behind. Without the tiger in the mountains, the monkeys can claim the throne.”

Moreover, Yan Ziqi wasn’t too reassured about the true purpose of the Second Prince of Bei Yue entering the capital.

Surely he doesn’t actually intend to marry a princess, right?

It’s better for Uncle Ge to remain at the border; that way, Yan Ziqi would feel more secure.

Tong Linian’s favoritism toward the Yunjia Army had already caused tension within the Iron Cavalry.

If Tong Linian were taken away and General Tong was still with Bei Yue’s forces, Uncle Ge would be the highest authority here.

All he could do was hope Uncle Ge could regain some ground.

Once everything was confirmed, Yan Ziqi sent word to the Second Prince of Bei Yue, scheduling their departure for three days later.

Vice Commander Ge chattered on with the heir, while Yan Ziqi quietly sat in the tent, occasionally agreeing with a nod.

On the day of their departure, Vice Commander Ge watched the heir leave, his figure gradually shrinking.

“General, the heir has grown up.”

He’s already capable of handling things independently without worrying others.

He even told me to take good care of the Iron Cavalry; he trusts me.

In the carriage, the Second Prince of Bei Yue, Chi Jin, sat comfortably, a fine wool blanket spread beneath him, a glass cup filled with rich wine beside him.

Delicate pastries were arranged on a low table, and two young women were there to massage his shoulders.

“The Second Prince really knows how to enjoy life.”
Seated in the right compartment, Yan Ziqi unabashedly took a piece of cake, which was sweet and soft, quite delicious.

Chi Jin wore a crescent-shaped silver ornament unique to Bei Yue, and he appeared tall and imposing.

A dagger capable of cutting through iron lay concealed in his boot, his gaze watchful of the unexpected Da Qi visitors.

Chi Jin recognized that he was the heir who had rescued those trapped in Fushan.

He was the last bloodline of the Xiang State.

Today, Yan Ziqi wore a sky-blue long robe with a purple cloak, which he casually tossed aside upon entering.

“What are you doing here?” Chi Jin asked.

Chi Jin signaled the two beauties to stop. The young women, half-covered, shivered despite the warm stove inside, the cold wind outside unrelenting.

They dared not utter a word, striving to please the Second Prince.

Without a proper wife yet, even a concubine’s status would be coveted.

In the future, if the Second Prince ascended the throne, they might be able to secure a rank as concubines.

The Second Prince was the strongest man in Bei Yue, and he was generous; following him wouldn’t lead to hardship.

The two slender-waisted beauties knelt beside Chi Jin.

Leaning against the carriage wall, Yan Ziqi took another piece of cake. “This isn’t to escort you into the capital, you know.”

The weather in the northwest is cold, and the road to the capital isn’t any warmer.

If he can enjoy himself inside, why should he go outside to ride a horse?

There were a few more carriages behind, one of which contained a beautiful woman similar to those beside the Second Prince.

It was said she was meant as a gift for Emperor Mingde.

There were also some jewelry and local specialties from Bei Yue.

These items would be thoroughly inspected by the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple.

“Since you’re escorting me, you should ride outside with those people,” Chi Jin said.

He wasn’t a prince of Da Qi; why should they be treated as equals?

Chi Jin was quite displeased, but being on Da Qi’s territory, he didn’t immediately kick Yan Ziqi out.

Yan Ziqi even tossed a piece of cake to Ling Jibai, who was sitting on a horse outside. “This has a nice Bei Yue flavor.”

Ling Jibai understood that the heir was putting on a show now that they were heading back to the capital.
He was still that useless dandy who needed the emperor’s protection.

Yan Ziqi poured himself another cup from the wine jug, toasting with Chi Jin and enjoying their feast together.

“Of course, I will provide close protection for the Second Prince; there are many interesting things in the capital.”

He chatted casually with Chi Jin inside the carriage.
Meanwhile, Tong Linian was freezing on his horse.
Why couldn’t he sit inside?

Why had the emperor sent Yan Ziqi to choose the escort for the Bei Yue delegation?

Tong Linian’s guards looked at Yan Ziqi, who appeared to be as incompetent as ever, indulging in food and drink. One of them asked,
“Lord, is he just pretending?”

Could it be that everyone in the capital had been fooled?

Was Yan Ziqi just pretending to be a fool while being capable beneath the surface?

Tong Linian shook his head. “As soon as Ling Jibai returned, he dragged Yan Ziqi into the tent to discuss something.”

The people from the Duke of Loyalty and Courage’s household were firmly on the side of the Duke of Xiang.

Tong Linian couldn’t recruit Ling Jibai for now, and he had no way to deal with the Duke’s household.
He suspected that Ling Jibai had given Yan Ziqi some brilliant plan.

Perhaps Princess Ning’an had imposed strict measures, so he didn’t dare to act recklessly at the border.

Princess Ning’an was sending a letter to the border almost every day, surely she had planted spies.

Now, using the Second Prince of Bei Yue as a cover, he likely wanted to loosen up a bit.

Tong Linian contemplated sending some news to Princess Ning’an.

It would be best if the Second Prince sent a few beauties to Yan Ziqi; Princess Ning’an would surely cause a ruckus.
Perhaps she wouldn’t want Yan Ziqi to go to the border after all.

“Are we going to rescue General Tong?” one of the guards asked, glancing at the carriage behind the Second Prince.

Inside was General Tong, heavily guarded by Bei Yue soldiers, as strict as the protection for the Second Prince.

They had even provided General Tong with a hood.

They weren’t allowed to speak to him.

Tong Linian, only concerned about General Tong, had asked, but the Second Prince replied,
“He is my prisoner and should rightly be in a prison cart; I only refrained from doing so out of respect for the Emperor of Da Qi.”

General Tong had been captured and was indeed a prisoner of Bei Yue.

Yan Ziqi added, “At least let General Tong wear a different mask; this hood is something for women.”
What a ridiculous thing to say.

Yan Ziqi muttered softly,
but everyone around him had some martial skills; how could they not hear his words?

To refer to a general who fought in battles as a woman would upset anyone.

However, General Tong, hidden beneath the hood, remained unusually quiet.

Yan Ziqi had a bold idea, which is why he entered Chi Jin’s carriage.

During this journey, he had been chatting with Chi Jin, drinking and eating meat, clearly becoming close friends.

Chi Jin even suggested taking Yan Ziqi to see the sights of Bei Yue.

Yan Ziqi chuckled, “There will be opportunities for that.”