Chapter 40: Joining Forces to Capture Someone

“General Shen also asked me to pass on a message to you…”

Li Yunli could only learn about Zhou Foxiao’s character from the mouths of others, as he no longer had the opportunity to interact with him.

From how he took in the orphaned girl Feng Mu and raised her with care after his old friend’s passing, he seemed to be a good person.

However, as the governor of Yongzhou, he had allowed Baotoushan to grow unchecked for two years. That alone made his political abilities questionable.

Li Yunli brought his personal guards, Shiliu and Shiqi, along with ten imperial secret guards, and sealed all of Zhou Foxiao’s belongings in his room, not letting a single clue slip through.

Yang Xu, sweating profusely, was reprimanded again before he nervously retreated.

Watching him leave, Yun Chu commented, “He doesn’t have much skill, but at least he’s honest.”

Li Yunli nodded, “If he is truly sincere, we can leave him to Gongliang Chong. He could be a useful assistant for general affairs.”

Yun Chu smiled lightly.

Seeing how things were already being arranged for after the mission’s success, she was as confident as ever.

Li Yunli glanced sideways at him, noting his expression, and asked, “Do you resent me or Gongliang Chong for what he did?”

Yun Chu quickly shook his head. “He’s already been sent back. Besides, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity or courage to speak openly with Your Highness. I should be thanking him. As for you, Your Highness can do anything to me—I have no resentment.”

Lately, he kept saying things like this, mentioning his unwavering devotion more often than he ate meals.

Li Yunli understood his current state of mind and silently took note to bring it up less in the future.

She stretched her muscles and glanced at the sealed evidence.

Yun Chu looked at the large chests on the ground and asked, “What does Your Highness plan to do now? Should we first examine Zhou Foxiao’s private correspondence to see if he has any connections with the capital?”

“Not yet, but we should let the news spread.” Li Yunli signaled to the guards to move the items to her courtyard. “If Zhou Foxiao truly has ties to people in the capital, given Marquis Yongcheng’s methods, he must have planted spies in Yongzhou’s government. Since we’ve just shaken Yang Xu, those spies will surely react. Now is the perfect time to set a trap.”

Yun Chu asked, “Do you need me to do anything?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Li Yunli tapped the chests. “The evidence is sealed. If I were the spy, and confident in my abilities, I’d try to destroy it. If I were weaker, I’d prioritize getting the message out. The guards are watching the evidence, so we’re not worried about theft. But if the spy tries to send a message, I don’t have enough people on hand—you can help me.”

“Me?”

Yun Chu frowned slightly, surprised.

She trusted him so readily?

“Unwilling?”

“I’m willing.”

Li Yunli chuckled, seeing right through his thoughts. “You’re wondering how I dare trust you so quickly, aren’t you?”

That was exactly what he had been thinking. He longed for trust but expected it to be a gradual process.

Being confronted so directly left him momentarily speechless.

Li Yunli continued, “You’ve sworn your loyalty to me so many times. If I still can’t give you even this much trust, wouldn’t that hurt your feelings?”

“Besides, if you are truly as devoted to me as you claim, then now that you have the chance, you should work diligently. I’m openly testing your loyalty—do you resent me for being heartless?”

By speaking so plainly, there was no room for resentment; her supposed heartlessness became honesty.

Yun Chu smirked, dragging out his words. “Your Highness is truly ruthless.”

Then he wiped away his smile and said sincerely, “That’s how it should be. I’d rather you test me more so you can understand my heart sooner.”

---

After receiving his task, Yun Chu split up with Li Yunli and arranged for a dozen people to stay hidden in the government office.

Just as he finished setting things up, he was stopped in the courtyard by Lin Feng.

Lin Feng was still unaware that Yun Chu had already revealed his identity. Ever since Yun Chu had been locked in the western storeroom, Lin Feng had been keeping an extremely low profile, barely making an appearance.

But today, seeing his master return from Yongqing Temple with the princess, he knew something was happening!

And sure enough, in just two days, his master had regained the princess’s trust!

Excited, he said, “Master!”

Yun Chu recognized him and sighed in relief. “How did it go? Did you get the men out?”

He was referring to the assassins who had disguised themselves as commoners to enter Yongzhou.

Lin Feng, having spent two nerve-wracking days handling the matter, now grinned. “No need to get them out, Master. General Shen has arrived outside the city!”

Yun Chu was shocked. “Why did he come? I specifically ordered no action without my command!”

Lin Feng, however, was brimming with confidence. “Master needn’t worry. General Shen didn’t come alone. While you were in the capital, you didn’t know—our remaining Wei army brothers are all under General Shen’s command. Over the past two years, he has been gathering men, and now, seizing this opportunity, he has brought them to the northwest!”

“He brought reinforcements? You sent him a message?!”

When Yun Chu left the capital, he had instructed Ah Si to act as needed. He hadn’t expected him to move so quickly.

At that time, he hadn’t yet spoken openly with Li Yunli. Now that the situation had changed, Ah Si’s sudden actions disrupted his plans.

Lin Feng, unaware of Yun Chu’s dilemma, continued happily, “Yes! You’re alone in Yongzhou, and after what happened last time, it’s too dangerous. This princess isn’t easy to deal with.”

He thought Yun Chu had simply been punished for upsetting Li Yunli, not knowing the real reason.

“The general is nearby now. Even if he can’t act openly, at least we have backup,” Lin Feng said confidently.

Yun Chu felt conflicted.

These were his brothers, the ones who had fought alongside him. In this second chance at life, he had different ambitions, but he couldn’t lead them into disaster.

Calming himself, he said, “The princess is watching me closely. She might be watching you too. Besides her own guards, she now has the imperial secret guards with her. I can’t meet Ah Si. Be careful when moving in and out. If he enters the city, he must not contact me without my signal.”

Lin Feng reassured him, “Don’t worry, Master. General Shen knows how to avoid detection.”

“Good.” Yun Chu exhaled. “For now, I don’t need his men. He should focus on his own matters.”

If Ah Si got involved in Yongzhou now, things would get much more complicated.

Lin Feng nodded, then said, “General Shen also asked me to give you a message.”

“What is it?”

Lin Feng cleared his throat and mimicked Ah Si’s tone. “If you hesitate, you will only invite chaos.”

Yun Chu frowned.

Lin Feng scratched his head. “Master, what does that mean?”

Yun Chu replied, “Nothing. Just tell him I understand.”

Ah Si was displeased.

They had lived solely for revenge, but now Yun Chu was hesitating.

Ah Si had noticed his hesitation too quickly.

All Yun Chu wanted was more time.

Just then, the sharp whistle of an arrow rang out. Yun Chu’s head snapped around.

Lin Feng shielded his eyes from the sun and tensed. “What’s happening?”

“Let’s go!”

Yun Chu rushed toward the sound.