Chapter 58: A Tacit Understanding – A Gift for the Grand Princess of Great Chu

“If there are no issues with the embankments near the lower reaches, then the problem lies further upstream—where General Xiao needs to investigate. That area has many tributaries flowing into the Wei River, which could be troublesome. I can only try my best to buy him time.”

Li Yunli had been investigating in the Western Territory for five days, targeting several minor Wei strongholds, but her efforts had yielded little.

She knew that since Yun Chu, a prince, had been kidnapped, he would not be held in some careless hideout.

Yet, she could not help but worry about him.

She stopped her horse by the river and ordered the camp to be set up.

Though her forces were not large, they were the best troops available at the moment.

The Wurong tribe was now plagued by internal strife, and their military strength was not what it once was. Even with just a few thousand soldiers, no one dared to confront her directly.

Indeed, in the past five days, aside from encountering Wei outposts marked on the maps and those identified through intelligence provided by the Second Prince, she had not seen any sign of the Wurong army.

That Second Prince, before she even entered his domain, had specifically sent supplies to her.

Shi Liu nibbled on some dry rations and scoffed, “That Second Prince seems eager for us to stay in the Western Territory permanently. His enthusiasm is a little excessive.”

Li Yunli gazed at the setting sun, her tone calm. “He holds no real power in the royal court. For years, he has been pushed aside and bullied by his brothers. He is not a fool. Now that he has finally found their weaknesses, he has a chance to use someone else to do his dirty work. How could he possibly let go of this opportunity?”

Shi Liu dared not compare the Grand Princess to a mere weapon.

He lowered his gaze. “If it is truly those Wurong princes colluding with the Wei people, will Your Highness lead an army against them?”

Attacking a vassal tribe without the emperor’s command was a grave offense for a general.

He feared the princess might act impulsively and strain her relationship with the emperor.

Li Yunli cast him a glance. She was troubled—her responsibilities were mounting, and she was caught in a web of conflicts where everything needed careful consideration.

She waved a hand, then shook her head lightly before asking, “Any news from the Consort?”

Shi Liu hesitated. “The shadow guards are doing their best to investigate. As soon as there’s any information, we will report immediately. However, ever since the Consort disappeared… Lin Feng has also gone missing.”

He paused for a long moment before continuing, “So, does Your Highness suspect that this is all an act by the Consort?”

“I do not.” Li Yunli fixed him with a steady gaze until he averted his eyes uncomfortably. Only then did she continue, “He may have the ability, but he would never do such a thing. I have always been good at judging people—I am willing to gamble this time and trust him.”

The moment these words left her lips, she felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine, as if she had been plunged into water.

A shiver passed through her, and belatedly, she realized—

Was this really something she would say?

Had she unknowingly abandoned her usual meticulous calculations? Had she lost her rationality?

And yet…

She still couldn’t shake the worry in her heart.

That day, when he was abducted, he had picked up a sword to protect her. Their enemies had seen it with their own eyes.

Li Yunli fell silent, staring at the flickering flames in the brazier, lost in thought.

Shi Liu did not press further. After handing over the day’s reports, he prepared to leave.

As he reached the tent entrance, he saw Shi Qi hurrying over from the distance, an anxious look on his face.

Shi Liu raised a hand to stop him, and the two whispered at the entrance. Upon hearing the news, their expressions changed drastically.

Shi Qi hesitated before lowering his voice, “What do you think? Should we report this or not? I leave the decision to you, Brother.”

Shi Liu’s face darkened. After a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded. “I will report it.”

With that, he turned back inside the tent.

Li Yunli, noticing the disturbance, looked up. “What is it?”

Shi Liu dropped to one knee and cupped his hands. “Your Highness, Lin Feng has appeared.”

Li Yunli sat up straight, her expression turning serious. “Speak quickly!”

Shi Liu stepped forward and circled a spot on the western side of the map with his finger.

“Our men have been searching for him for days. Today, he was sighted here—not alone, but with a group of subordinates.”

Shi Liu crouched lower, his voice heavy with concern. “Your Highness, he is likely…”

Likely a complete traitor now, having gained the Wei faction’s trust.

If that were true, the most valuable proof of loyalty he could offer them would be intelligence about Li Yunli. Who knew if Yun Chu had already revealed anything under duress?

Li Yunli stared at the location, her gaze unwavering.

This place was too coincidental.

Combining the clues Yun Chu had left behind with the Second Prince’s intelligence, there were only a few places that didn’t fully align.

They had already searched several of them in the past few days, leaving only this western site and one in the south unexplored.

And now, just as only two locations remained, Lin Feng appeared—making the choice for her.

Seeing her silent contemplation, Shi Liu could no longer hold back.

He dropped his other knee to the ground and spoke earnestly, “Your Highness… please reconsider. This might be a trap meant to lure you in.”

Li Yunli sighed softly, “Do I seem so distraught over the Consort?”

Shi Liu lifted his gaze, startled and uneasy.

Li Yunli chuckled.

“You two brothers only recently started following me. Comparing my actions to the rumors, what do you think?”

Shi Liu immediately responded, “The rumors are absurd and false!”

“If so, why are you so worried that I would lose my judgment over the Consort?”

Shi Liu hesitated, unable to answer.

His master was always meticulous and rational—not one to be blinded by emotion. But still…

“You’ve seen how I conduct myself. Do I truly seem like I’ve lost my head?” Li Yunli sighed lightly. “Be honest. I’m not reprimanding you.”

After a brief hesitation, Shi Liu lowered his head. “Your Highness’s plans remain excellent, but… compared to before, they seem a little more aggressive.”

Li Yunli was momentarily stunned.

Then, she smiled.

“You are observant—and bold.”

Shi Liu kept his head bowed. “It was reckless of me to speak out of turn.”

“I am praising you.”

Li Yunli’s gaze drifted into the distance, her voice steady.

She had thought she was acting as usual, but those around her had already noticed a difference.

“Rise.” She pointed at the southern side of the map. “Look here.”

Shi Liu stood up as ordered.

Li Yunli drew a circle around the southern location.

This place was closer to Chu’s original borders. She had not sent people to investigate there yet.

“Lin Feng has been operating in Chu for years. He always worked alone. If he now has capable subordinates, he must have aligned himself with the Wei. But even Yun Chu was taken captive—why wasn’t Lin Feng restrained by Zheng Siyin? Why is he still free to move?”

Shi Liu considered this and a new possibility arose.

“Could it be… he was originally a spy planted to monitor the Consort?”

“If he were that trusted, why was he left in Chu for so long?”

Spies embedded for years often assimilated into their new environment, leading their original masters to doubt them.

Shi Liu knew this well.

“But then… whose men is he leading?”

Li Yunli’s smile was cold.

“If the Wei people still value Yun Chu’s royal bloodline, then he may have a chance. If he has not betrayed me, the western site is where he wants to lead me. If he has betrayed me, then as the new pillar of the Wei, he is setting a trap.”

With this, the events of the original story aligned.

Li Yunli steeled herself—she knew the reality of her situation.

“Your Highness?” Shi Liu awaited her command.

Li Yunli marked an ‘X’ on the western side of the map. Her voice turned cold.

“This is his only chance. For better or worse, I must meet him.”

And this was her only chance too.

This kind of reckless trust—she would give only once.

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Meanwhile, Yun Chu, clad in black armor instead of his usual silver and red, walked through a bustling market with a band of soldiers, blending into the crowd.

One soldier asked, “Your Highness, why aren’t we regrouping with the eastern forces? Are there enemies here?”

Yun Chu led his horse forward without looking back.

“Yes. The eastern forces are my gift to the Grand Princess of Great Chu. And I am here to deliver that gift myself.”