Chapter 193 Prince of Huaiyang

Chapter 193 Prince of Huaiyang

In the Second Prince's residence, in Xue Qingning's room, charcoal was burning, and a faint fragrance filled the air.

“Brother, Xie Yu and Zhao Feilong met in private. It’s obvious that the two of them are colluding. If I don’t take him down, Zhao Zhendong will become Xie Yu’s faction once he leaves.”

“Xie Yu is a prince. That old bastard Zhao Zhendong would help his son but not his grandson. In his eyes, Xie Yu is definitely more legitimate than Hong’er.”

"The consequences of Xie Yu giving him military pay are predictable."

Xue Yubai said with annoyance, "Now look what's happened, Zhao Zhendong has become Shen Nanzi's weapon! I really don't know how she persuaded Zhao Zhendong, that man is so strong-willed and stubborn."

"Zhao Feilong is probably crippled now. That old bastard will definitely not let us off easily."

Xue Qingning's eyes darkened. "What's there to be afraid of? His female relatives are all in Luoyang. If he dares to help Shen Nanzi and Xie Chengze, we dare to take him down."

Xue Yubai, with his hands behind his back, said angrily, "Trying to control me? Do you think I didn't think of that? The General's Mansion has already been hijacked."

"What!" Xue Qingning exclaimed in shock. "That bitch Shen Nanzi is so hard to kill, and I even let her come back from Fangshuo to ruin my plans."

Where is Zhao Feilong?

"Zhao Feilong, though seriously injured, didn't leave, but was taken to the Sixth Prince's residence." Xue Yubai was somewhat discouraged.

Since Xie Yan's death, things that were once easy have become extremely difficult.

Despite possessing the imperial seal, the young imperial grandson, and absolute power, they were still prevented from ascending the throne by Xie Yu and Prince Ding.

In Luoyang today, the three major powers are locked in a stalemate, like a stable tripod, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

Xue Qingning's face turned ashen, her eyes filled with intense hatred. "Xie Yu, he deserves to die!"

"I thought he was weak, but I didn't expect him to have such a strong appeal, bringing all the other princes under his wing."

"Some old fogies have also jumped out to support him, saying that he is the legitimate heir. Doesn't Hong'er also have royal blood?"

Xue Yubai said with dissatisfaction, "You joined forces with Prince Ding and didn't even tell me. This is the biggest mistake you made."

"If it were only Xie Yu, this world would have already belonged to Hong'er!"

“Brother,” Xue Qingning refused to admit, “Xie Yan ascended the throne without Prince Ding. He only had eyes for that mother and child. Can’t you see that?”

"Xie Yan's heart has changed, so don't blame us."

"I never expected that the usually calm and collected Prince Ding would also have the ambition to seize the throne."

“Now the King of Liang, the King of Zhongshan and the King of Dai are all secretly supporting the King of Ding, especially the King of Liang, who is only 150 li away from Luoyang.”

"He has 50,000 soldiers at his disposal. With such a huge beast crouching at the gate, the world will probably be taken over by Prince Ding."

"Unless he kills all the princes and grandsons, he is guilty of treason, unworthy of his position, and the world will not submit to him!"

"So, it's a dead end right now."

Xue Yubai slumped down, the white hairs among his black hair becoming more and more noticeable: "The current situation is extremely agonizing."

Xue Qingning knew perfectly well that she already had another plan in mind. "Brother, to break this deadlock, we can only eliminate Xie Yu first."

Xue Yubai disagreed. "Once Xie Yu is eliminated, we'll be next."

“Then let’s cooperate with Xie Yu,” Xue Qingning said. “After we get rid of Prince Ding, we’ll get rid of Xie Yu.”

"Do you think Xie Yu is stupid? He's surrounded by a bunch of stubborn old men." Xue Yubai knew that today would be another fruitless day.

If Xie Yan were here, he would definitely have a way to solve this.

Xue Qingning was also exhausted; this period of time had been too agonizing.

“If Shen Nanzi comes back, she will definitely join hands with Xie Yu. I cannot let her come back.”

“She now has Zhao Zhendong leading the troops. Zhao Zhendong fought alongside Xie Yan back then, and he’s not someone to be trifled with,” Xue Yubai said worriedly.

Xue Qingning narrowed her eyes slightly: "Then let them never come back, let them die on the way!"

"She's nothing but Shen Nanzi. Does she even deserve to fight me? And she wants to come back and fight for the throne? Does she even deserve it?"

"What are your plans?" Xue Yubai asked.

Xue Qingning said confidently, "She will pass through two fiefdoms on her way back to Luoyang."

"One is the fiefdom of the eldest grandson of the emperor, the Prince of Huaiyang."

"One of them is the younger brother of the Prince of Ding, the Prince of Liang."

"I need to write a letter to my sister-in-law."

Xue Yubai frowned. "I promised Xie Yan that if he died, I would take care of Princess Jing and Xie Chengze."

"Brother, what time is it? Xie Yan is already dead!"

"So what? I promised him."

Xue Qingning looked at Xue Yubai's uncompromising expression and said, "Fine, fine, I'll spare their lives, okay?"

…

Xie Chengze led his army on a long journey and finally arrived in Pingyang County ten days later.

This was the first city Xie Yan conquered, and it bordered the fiefdom of the Prince of Huaiyang.

Xie Chengze ordered the entire army to rest and set up camp outside the city.

The weather was good, and after traveling for ten days straight, Shen Nanzi was covered in dirt.

After washing up in the temporary house, I felt refreshed and lay in the yard drying my hair.

Mo Lanxing, dressed in plain clothes, walked out and stood in the courtyard. He was lonely and looked like a lifeless stone statue.

"You're fully recovered?" Shen Nanzi hadn't seen him for a few days, and she was still somewhat surprised to see him get out of bed.

"No." His voice cracked, hoarse as if tearing silk, and very unpleasant to hear.

"I hope your throat isn't poisoned!" Shen Nanzi asked, tilting her head to look at him with a hint of pity.

The person stood there quietly, and if he didn't turn around, he looked very much like Xie Yan.

Meeting her was his bad luck.

Because I don't like Xie Yan, and I don't like him either.

He didn't say anything, just stood there silently.

After a long silence, he asked, "Is this Pingyang County?"

The drowsy Shen Nanzi was awakened by his words and gave a curt "hmm".

Startled awake, Shen Nanzi slumped back in the recliner. "This place used to belong to Fang Shuo. It must be hard for you to step onto this place again!"

Mo Lanxing had his back to her, and the glaring sunlight was blocked by him, so that he was surrounded by light.

"Back then... I almost took over the fiefdom of the Prince of Huaiyang, but Xie Yan came, reclaimed the lost territory, and also took away Fang Shuo's 101 cities."

"Did you really lose it, or is there some other reason?" Shen Nanzi asked with some curiosity. "You don't seem like a useless person, so how did Xie Yan beat you so badly?"

Mo Lanxing remained silent for a while before saying, "There's no hidden story. I was simply defeated by him."

Shen Nanzi was somewhat shocked, and then guessed the reason for the failure.

“You have already conquered most of the Prince of Huaiyang’s fiefdom. Taking advantage of your exhaustion, he will drive you back to Fangshuo in one fell swoop.”

“No,” he said. “Xie Yan seems to fight recklessly, always fighting me with the mindset of certain death.”

"He has no worries about the future, while I want to expand my territory and return to Ti City alive."

"With either of these two mindsets, I'm bound to lose!"

Shen Nanzi pondered. He hadn't returned to Luoyang for two years when he was fighting Fang Shuo.

"Xie Yan was indeed granted the title of Prince Jing after he conquered your city of Fangshuo."

Mo Lanxing turned around and looked at her, "With such a beautiful wife and child, how can you be so single-minded?"

Mo Lanxing seemed puzzled, perhaps unable to understand why he had lost.

Shen Nanzi understood that she and Cheng'er were not his beloved wives and children; he only wanted to gain the power he desired through war.

Some of the injuries on his body were from when he was a child, but most were brought back from this war. Mo Lanxing said he risked his life, and she believed it.

"So, does that mean General Zhao Zhendong is your defeated opponent?"

"No, General Zhao Zhendong is an evenly matched opponent; it's just that I was blessed by heaven."

What do you mean?

"General Zhao Zhendong fell off his horse, breaking several ribs and nearly dying, and I took advantage of the opportunity to enter."

"You really are quite... insidious!"

"What treachery is there? It's simply taking advantage of an opening to strike when the enemy is weak."

"Indeed, we have different perspectives."

"We, Fang Shuo, have been bullied by Yun Han for a long time. We finally have a chance to fight back. It would be a great mistake not to take advantage of it."

Shen Nanzi nodded. "Why are you buying weapons?"

"Xie Yan is dead, but I'm thinking of trying again." Mo Lanxing said, "If he's not dead, I won't fight him."

It seems Ye Shuyin still doesn't understand Mo Lanxing. They have the same appearance, but completely different personalities.

Shen Nanzi touched her hair, which was now dry, got up, changed her clothes, and left the courtyard.

Zhao Zhendong was analyzing tactics with his generals on the sand table, while Xie Chengze stood by, asking questions whenever he didn't understand. Zhao Zhendong was happy to teach him, and the two, one old and one young, were very harmonious.

Shen Nanzi listened from the side, "General Zhao is the son of the eldest prince of Huaiyang, and he is only twelve years old this year."

"If we break in, it won't sound good if word gets out that we're a widow and her children. I, the princess, will go and investigate first."

Zhao Zhendong nodded, "If we could get Chengjun to go there, that would be wonderful."

Shen Nanzi stood up and patted Xie Chengze's head, "Study hard with General Zhao."

"Mother, Cheng'er will." Xie Chengze nodded obediently.

Shen Nanzi sent a letter first and only went after receiving a reply from the eldest sister-in-law.

When Shen Nanzi went to Fang Shuo, she passed by the Prince of Huaiyang. At that time, she didn't have time to take a good look around. Now, along the way, there are beggars and vagrants everywhere on the streets.

The people's clothes were often folded up with rags, indicating that they were all living very difficult lives.

Upon arriving at the Prince of Huaiyang's residence, one finds it to be luxurious in every way, far more magnificent than the First Prince's residence in Luoyang.

Shen Nanzi was led to the main hall, where the Grand Princess Consort Feng Miaoyin sat in the main seat.

She was dressed in a pomegranate red gown with gold-embroidered phoenixes and the morning glow, her wide sleeves shimmering with gold thread. The skirt was adorned with pearl tassels, exuding an air of nobility.

Her black hair was styled into a phoenix bun, adorned with a phoenix hairpin inlaid with red gold and kingfisher feathers, surrounded by pearls and jade.

She lightly tapped the teacup with her fingertips, glanced calmly at Shen Nanzi, and showed no intention of getting up.

"Princess Jing, what brings you here?"

Her voice was as indifferent as that of a complete stranger.

Shen Nanzi wasn't angry. They weren't exactly on good terms back then, and they maintained a semblance of royal decorum in front of the Emperor.

Now that she has arrived in her son's fiefdom, she naturally doesn't want to maintain a dignified image and lets her emotions show.

Shen Nanzi sat down uninvited and, without saying any pretense, went straight to the point: "Elder Sister-in-law, you should know about my affairs now."

"I have come today to ask my sister-in-law for passage so that our army can pass through the fiefdom of the Prince of Huaiyang."

Feng Miaoyin put down her teacup, a smile of ambiguity playing on her lips.

“Prince Jing is guilty of regicide and treason. Father and son are equally guilty. Your son is now leading an uprising on the border, which is treason.”

“My son is the dignified Prince of Huaiyang. Why should he give way to a rebel? If word gets out, wouldn’t I be seen as colluding with you?”

“Princess Jing, I have already shown you face by not ordering your arrest. Why do you have to come here and make trouble?”

Shen Nanzi said with some regret, "So, it seems that the eldest sister-in-law is unwilling to pass through. In that case, we'll just have to fight!"

Feng Miaoyin: "If you want to win, then you'll definitely have to fight."

Shen Nanzi looked at her and said, "Eldest sister-in-law, the eldest prince passed away early, and it was extremely difficult for you to raise two grandsons all by yourself."

"I remember Xie Hongchen and Xie Hongyin, one was twelve and the other was ten, both were children."

"I'm thinking of you out of a bit of sentimentality, and I hope that you, my sister-in-law, can be a conservative and not get involved in this matter."

“The Prince of Huaiyang’s fiefdom only has five thousand garrison troops, while we have several times that number. You should know the outcome, my sister-in-law.”

"There are stories of victories achieved by outnumbered forces in those folk tales, but the Prince of Huaiyang's territory is a plain with no mountains or rivers, so any battle would be a direct clash between the two armies, a test of strength."

"I've said so much in the hope of turning hostility into friendship. We're all family, and we've already laid everything out in the open."

"Please consider this, Eldest Sister-in-law. If we do not receive a reply within two days, then I hope Eldest Sister-in-law will not take offense."

After Shen Nanzi finished speaking, she got up and left.

Feng Miaoyin watched Shen Nanzi's departing figure with a disdainful expression, picked up her teacup, raised her delicate fingers, and took a sip of tea.

"Who does she think she is? Five thousand defenders? Hmph, she's naive to think she can defeat us!"

After a moment's thought, he said, "If you want to pass through, I will grant your request."

The next day, Shen Nanzi received a reply from Feng Miaoyin, meaning that they should remain neutral and that if Xie Chengze were to ascend the throne, he should not forget their kindness in lending him passage.

Shen Nanzi looked at the letter and handed it to Xie Chengze, asking, "How do you judge it?"

Xie Chengze pondered for a while, "Mother, how about I lead five thousand soldiers ahead to scout the way?"

Shen Nanzi nodded, "You're right. The situation is uncertain right now, and the Grand Princess will definitely not let us pass through easily."

“The people in her city are living in extreme hardship. Although the Prince of Huaiyang’s mansion is luxurious, it doesn’t need that much. They must have other uses for it.”

"Mother, are you trying to lure the snake out of its hole?"

"Cheng'er even knows how to lure the snake out of its hole? Not bad. Tomorrow, we'll watch a real-life 'luring the snake out of its hole' scenario."

"Can Cheng'er lead troops through the royal city?" Xie Chengze tilted his head up, looking expectant.

"Go and ask General Zhao."

Xie Chengze hurriedly ran to Zhao Zhendong's side and asked, "General Zhao, I wish to lead the troops."

"Yes, follow behind this old minister."

"Very well! I will go and make preparations immediately."

Shen Nanzi stopped him, "What are you preparing?"

"General Zhao has made armor for me. Cheng'er, go and see if it fits. This is my first time leading troops, so I need to make a good impression."

Xie Chengze's eyes were shining.

Shen Nanzi said affectionately, "Go."

*

The following morning, Xie Chengze sat upright on his tall steed, appearing before five thousand Cheng soldiers in full black armor.

Although he was thin, his back was straight, and the black armor was tailor-made for him, gleaming coldly in the morning light.

The crossbow strapped to his arm was the one he received at the late emperor's fiftieth birthday banquet.

Small and exquisite, yet incredibly powerful.

He also had a specially made longsword hanging at his waist, with a black leather scabbard and a red tassel hanging from the hilt.

It stood out among the black objects; this was the item Yunhan had prayed for, and it came with the little sword.

General Zhao is truly meticulous; he handles even such trivial matters so thoroughly.

Zhao Zhendong rode up and stopped half a step behind Xie Chengze.

The military commander said to Shen Nanzi, "Your Highness, do not worry. His Highness's black armor is made of fine steel and cannot be damaged by anyone but those with the strength of ten thousand stones."

"And that longsword was also specially made for the young prince. It is made of fine steel, sharp and lightweight, and can cut through iron like mud."

Shen Nanzi's eyes flickered slightly; she had heard Xie Yu mention the steel armor before.

The craftsmanship is intricate and rare; even royalty would find it extremely difficult to acquire.

The ultimate goal for those generals was to possess a set of fine steel armor; it was the highest honor.

Where did Zhao Zhendong get the steel armor?

When the eye falls on the large banner hanging high behind Xie Chengze, the character "承" is written with vigor and strength, in a very forceful style.

But as she embroidered, she always felt a sense of déjà vu.

"Soldiers, line up and march towards Huaiyang Royal City! We shall depart immediately!"

Xie Chengze's youthful yet resolute and steady voice interrupted Shen Nanzi's thoughts.

Behind him, a large banner fluttered, and his steed took its first step, followed closely by five thousand elite soldiers who marched in a grand and orderly fashion.

Watching Xie Chengze's troops gradually disappear into the distance, Shen Nanzi immediately turned back, ordering all the remaining elite soldiers to stand ready.

If they let Chengjun pass, they will follow closely behind. If they don't, it will be a bloody battle.