Chapter 79: The Truth Behind the Cloud Armored Army

Li Ning’an had lunch with her mother and Ning Zhao before heading to the residence of the Duke of Xiangguo.

Ling Jibai, knowing they had returned to the capital, came to report to Yan Ziqi.

“General Tong truly has ambitions. He secretly sent word and privately mobilized ten thousand Cloud Armored troops.”

“They won’t notice if they leave?” Yan Ziqi asked as he welcomed Li Ning’an into the study.

“Some of them were taken to the battlefield and faked their deaths; they’ve been removed from the military roster and kept hidden.”

Ling Jibai believed that the Tong family was cornered and thus dangerous.

A few of them calculated carefully and still thought they had a chance.

“Although Uncle Ge cannot come, he has good information. We need to find a way to persuade the Cloud Armored troops on the roster to reconsider.”

Ling Jibai admired Uncle Ge’s cleverness.

After all, this was about rebellion, and the Emperor was still alive.

They still had parents and families. Did they want to bring ruin upon themselves?

“Agreed,” Li Ning’an said, considering that Wen Di was clearing out the pests in the Ministry of Revenue, with significant results.

The Ministry of Revenue finally wasn’t begging for funds anymore.

The common people were more supportive of the Emperor. Even if General Tong wanted to support the Fourth Prince, it was still treason.

Weighing the pros and cons, the Cloud Armored troops might not be willing to follow General Tong down the path of rebellion.

However, those who would go with him must be influential members of the royal family.

For instance, Li Ning’an.

Even if Yan Ziqi were to go, he could not represent the Emperor.

But Li Ning’an was known to be favored by Emperor Mingde, and this was a widely recognized fact.

After Ling Jibai finished discussing General Tong’s situation, he politely left the two of them alone in the Duke of Xiangguo’s residence.

Li Ning’an was definitely going, so Yan Ziqi thought he would clarify any misunderstandings.

Although she didn’t ask, her mind was racing with questions.

After pondering for a moment, Yan Ziqi spoke up, “Leng Shuang is not someone I have feelings for.”

Seeing him bring it up, Li Ning’an continued to listen.

“She is the daughter of the commander of the guards in the hunting grounds. Years ago, when the Emperor was seriously injured and the two princes died, her father was responsible for the mishap.”

Leng Shuang had been placed at Zui Chun Pavilion by Yan Ziqi.

Zui Chun Pavilion was under his control, and with his status as the heir, he kept Leng Shuang safe, even beating up Guo Zhou for developing feelings for her.

No one dared to disturb Leng Shuang easily, especially since Qiuer and the others would inform the steward, making it quite safe.

But later, when Yan Ziqi went to the border, worried about any mistakes, he moved her to another residence.

Yan Ziqi added, “The First Prince was fond of her, so I secretly protected her.”

Li Ning’an hadn’t expected her brother to like someone.

“How come… I never heard the First Prince mention her.”

In her memory, she had no knowledge of this person.

Yan Ziqi understood the First Prince’s feelings but knew he hadn’t made them clear.

The First Prince also wanted to wait until he was formally named the Crown Prince before requesting marriage, but he had never been able to fulfill that wish.

After the Beiyue assassination, Da Qi suffered heavy losses, and someone had to be held accountable. Leng Shuang’s father was that person.

He had managed to save Leng Shuang with great difficulty.

Only the steward and Qingyan knew her identity.

“What are her plans?” Li Ning’an finally understood why Yan Ziqi had taken a concubine in her previous life.

“Although you can keep her forever under your wing, she will have lost her freedom.”

The Emperor was not a cold-hearted person. In that position, there were always things he had to do.

Since Leng Shuang had survived by chance, Li Ning’an was willing to give her a chance at freedom for her brother’s sake.

Yan Ziqi pondered her question briefly and said, “How about I let her meet with you?”

He was only concerned with keeping Leng Shuang alive and hadn’t thought it through completely.

Asking her would be more prudent than risking jealousy.

“Let’s go now; we can’t delay with the Cloud Armored troops.”

The sooner these troubles were handled, the sooner she could see how the old Taoist planned to treat her father.

In another residence, Leng Shuang was painting in her room.

The steward dared not arrange any additional visitors for her; he only came monthly to check on her and bring food and supplies.

Leng Shuang was content and felt quite comfortable in the residence.

The neighbors did not know where she had come from; they only knew her husband had died, and she was keeping her vow of loyalty.

She was a beautiful woman, but her personality was a bit cold, and she didn’t like to go out. Usually, she had no contact with anyone.

When she heard a knock at the side door, it was the secret signal she had agreed upon with the Duke of Xiangguo’s residence.

Still not the day for deliveries, Leng Shuang opened the door in confusion and saw Yan Ziqi and a young lady.

“This is Princess Ning’an,” Yan Ziqi introduced. Leng Shuang nodded; this princess had once barged into Zui Chun Pavilion looking for the heir.

Welcoming them inside, Leng Shuang noticed the white pearl flower pinned in the princess’s hair.

Leng Shuang could probably guess why Yan Ziqi had brought Princess Ning’an with him.

“My father knows he has failed in his duty and is willing to die; I harbor no resentment. Being alive and standing here is not solely due to your help, Young Master Yan.”

The First Prince and she had shared mutual feelings and had promised to marry her.

He had also mentioned that her position was dangerous.

If he were to die one day due to the struggles for power, he hoped she would live well.

He wanted her to carry on and witness the beauty of the world.

If she were to meet someone destined for her, she should follow her heart.

Leng Shuang only agreed to the first half of his words, as she intended to live for the First Prince.

“I willingly remain here to guard my loyalty to the First Prince.”

Li Ning’an sat in the main room, listening to Leng Shuang recount her story with the First Prince—a tale of heroism and love at first sight.

When it was time for Li Ning’an to leave, Leng Shuang gifted her a dagger.

“I chose this together with His Highness and originally planned to give it to you both. But now, I’m giving it to you.”

Li Ning’an accepted it, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Li Ning’an felt that Leng Shuang truly deserved to be called sister-in-law.

Leng Shuang nodded. “You should go back.”

She saw them off as they departed.

The next day, Li Ning’an and Yan Ziqi set off for Huzhou.

The ten thousand Cloud Armored troops were hard to hide and would inevitably take the back roads.

Huzhou was along their necessary route.

This place, with its mountains and waters, was originally a great spot for leisure.

Sitting in the carriage, Li Ning’an had the lake on her left and the mountains on her right, with the Cloud Armored troops blocked in the middle.

The cavalry ahead went to investigate and spotted the carriage in their path.

“Who goes there?”

“Princess Ning’an of Da Qi, hurry and come forth to pay your respects.”

Li Ning’an lifted the curtain to look at the cavalry.

The rider pulled the reins and looked around. General Tong had said that there were Beiyue people lying in wait in the capital, and the Emperor was in grave danger.

This was a great opportunity for the Cloud Armored troops to achieve merit.

They were instructed to enter the capital secretly and assist General Tong in his endeavors.

They had been promoted by General Tong but also understood that rebellion was a grave crime.

They thought about how General Tong had never gotten along with the Iron Cavalry and speculated that those soldiers might not follow his orders.

Especially since Yan Ziqi had made military achievements; if General Tong were captured, it would indeed be a disgrace.

This time, they probably wanted to regain some face.

“Are you Beiyue people in disguise?”

The cavalry drew their swords, seeing only a single carriage with a lowly coachman.

They thought it should pose no threat.

With just the two of them present, the cavalryman decided to return and report to the deputy commander.

“Are your eyes blind? You don’t recognize Princess Ning’an, nor do you know who I am?”

Yan Ziqi raised his head. Besides being on good terms with the Iron Cavalry, he had also been to the Cloud Armored troops.

The cavalry naturally recognized him.

“Could it be… Beiyue has bought off Young Master Yan too?”

The two exchanged glances.

If Yan Ziqi was here, they had little assurance.

“I’ll resist with my life; you go send word.”

The cavalryman made a quick decision but was instantly knocked off his horse by Yan Ziqi.

“What does this have to do with Beiyue?” Yan Ziqi doubted that Uncle Ge had misunderstood something.

“Isn’t it said that Beiyue people are secretly entering the capital to assassinate the Emperor?”

The cavalryman looked confused.

Yan Ziqi laughed heartily, “I told you how could he persuade you to rebel? It turns out he used this trick.”

“Rebel?”

The cavalryman dared not rebel; his parents were still in the capital.

But he also didn’t believe that General Tong would rebel. “Young Master Yan, is there any chance you’re unaware of the news the Tong family has received?”