Chapter 190 - Chapter 190:190. That woman

Chapter 190:190. That woman

Translator: 549690339

The sky had just lightened, and the sounds of military training could be heard from the northern part of Xuanbei City.

Day after day it went like this, the nearby common people had long become accustomed to it.

Su Liang woke up, hearing a commotion next door, not knowing when Ning Jing returned.

Since she came back so quickly, and did not wake her up, presumably, the problem was resolved smoothly.

Su Liang got ready and went out. She arrived at Ning Jing’s door and was about to knock, but the door opened from the inside.

Ning Jing still wore the plain disguise from before. Seeing Su Liang, she spoke indifferently, “They will arrive today.” Su Liang stepped inside, “Where’s Wan Lin?”

“He’s been knocked unconscious.” Ning Jing said.

“As long as he’s not dead, he’s still useful.” Su Liang breathed a sigh of relief,

“From now on, it’s up to Uncle Xing. Although I was also sent by the emperor, I’ll wait until the situation is stable before revealing myself.”

In order to be prepared for any eventuality, she and Ning Jing decided to temporarily keep their identities hidden and work in secret for a more secure approach.

The two, like yesterday, went together to have breakfast.

They heard people discussing the matter of Wan Shan’s old illness coming back.

Outsiders did not know that Wan Shan was paralyzed, and only thought that he had not recovered from an old injury caused by fighting in the military years ago. Their remarks were full of concern and respect for him.

There were indeed different opinions, but not challenging Wan Shan. Instead, they speculated that Wan Shan was feigning illness to deceive the Liang Country’s army and lure the enemy in.

If Su Liang had not known the truth, she too would have suspected such things.

But she did know, and she could not help but wonder how much water was in the “glorious achievements” that the Wan brothers had established in the Northern Border over the past few years.

When Xing Ji arrived, Wan Shan’s true face would soon be exposed. Su Liang was looking forward to it.

“Little Wen!”

A loud shout came, and Su Liang, who was looking at the clay figurines being sold on the roadside, had no reaction.

“Wen Liang!” Another shout came.

Ning Jing looked at the general leading a group of soldiers coming their way and tugged Su Liang’s sleeve, “Is he calling you?”

Only then did Su Liang snap back to reality and remember that she had casually chosen the pseudonym Wen Liang the day before.

“General Che.” Su Liang saluted.

“Haha, you found out my surname, didn’t you?” The bearded man laughed as he approached them. His eyes fell on Ning Jing as he reached out and patted his shoulder.

Ning Jing dodged the gesture.

The bearded man’s hand missed, and he paused awkwardly before rubbing his hands, “Little Wen, is this your brother? Why are your builds so thin?”

Su Liang smiled, “This is my brother, Wen Gu.” Another name she had just made up on the spot.

“This name is a bit strange.” The bearded man laughed.

“Not strange.” Su Liang shook her head. “Originally, I should have been named

Wen Zhixin. Wen Gu and Zhixin.”

Ning Jing turned to buy the little clay figurine Su Liang had been looking at earlier, not wanting to listen to her nonsense.

The bearded man laughed heartily, “So why didn’t you go by Wen Zhixin instead?”

“I don’t like writing. My father changed it to a simpler name.” Su Liang said without changing her expression, “I still don’t know General Chels full name?”

“My apologies, I love writing too, so my name is quite complex. It’s just a single character – Yun.” Che Yun said with a smile, “Are you and your brother still going to Liang Country for business?”

Su Liang shook her head, “No, we’re just going to stay in Xuanbei City for a few days before going home.”

“That’s more like it!” Che Yun nodded in agreement, then wiggled his fingers and tried to tousle Su Liang’s hair.

Ning Jing grabbed Su Liang’s arm and pulled her behind him, his expression bland, ‘General Che is very busy, we won’t disturb him any longer.”

Che Yun rubbed his hands awkwardly once more and chuckled, “I had a younger brother who got lost when he was little. If he were alive, he would be as big as Little Wen. So when I saw Little Wen yesterday, I felt an instant affection.”

He wanted to say more, but his subordinate hurried over, “General, we need to get going. We haven’t taken care of the matters the Young Master asked for.”

“General Che, you should get going.” Su Liang urged quickly.

“Which inn are you staying at? I’ll come to find you for a drink when I’m free!” Che Yun asked.

Ning Jing shook his head, “My younger brother doesn’t drink.”

Su Liang smiled, “It’s not that I can’t drink, it’s that my brother won’t let me.”

As soon as she said this, Ning Jing pulled Su Liang away from Che Yun, creating some distance.

Watching Che Yun and his soldiers walk away, Su Liang whispered to Ning Jing, “He knows the shameful dealings of the Wan brothers and can testify later. ”

“Uncle Xing will find out when he arrives.” Ning Jing handed the clay figurine she had bought to Su Liang.

It was a cute, chubby little clay doll. Su Liang laughed and asked, “Doesn’t it look like Zhengzheng?”

Ning Jing took another look, “No, it doesn’t.”

Su Liang hummed softly, “Since you bought it, you must have a reason. If it doesn’t look like Zhengzheng, then it must look like you.” As she spoke, Su Liang poked the clay doll’s nose, “It’s better looking than you. General Che already said you’re too thin; it’s only festive to be plump.”

“You…” Ning Jing’s voice paused, “You like that kind of look?”

“What kind?” Su Liang followed Ning Jing’s gaze and saw a plump, obese man swaying past.

Su Liang’s mouth twitched slightly, “Are you being polite?”

Ning Jing didn’t answer and walked towards a direction.

Su Liang followed with her clay doll, only to realize when Ning Jing paused that they had arrived at a tea house run by the Ning Family. She hadn’t even noticed it yesterday.

Although Xuanbei City was not as bustling and elegant as other major cities in Qian Country, there were still many merchants passing through. The tea house had a second floor, which was a good place for merchants to rest and discuss business. The first floor sold various kinds of tea, and the business had always been good.

Ning Jing had kept their identities hidden, so the two sat at the window on the second floor, watching people come and go down below. “Xiaoqi shouldn’t be discovered at home, right?” Su Liang suddenly remembered.

But Ning Jing retorted, “Xiaonian, Xiaoqi — do you feel very old?”

Su Liang raised her eyebrows, “If I really counted my age, I would be older than all of you.” Psychological age.

“You’re not even fifteen years old yet. What’s the big deal?” Ning Jing shook his head.

“Does it sound strange to you? Well, you can bear with it.” Su Liang said she would not change her tune.

“Whatever.” Ning Jing replied.

With that, Su Liang completely forgot what she was going to say.

When they were almost finished with their cup of tea, Su Liang had a thought,

“Could it be that Wan Cong never received a message from Wan Lin and sent

Che Yun to patrol on the surface but actually to assist Wan Lin?”

Ning Jing frowned slightly, “Possibly.”

“During the day, there should be no problem. Che Yun seemed to be dissatisfied with the Wan Brothers and didn’t seem in a hurry today.” Su Liang said, “Let’s just wait here for Uncle Xing. If we don’t see him by noon, we’ll go looking.” Ning Jing suddenly got up, “I’m going to buy something.”

Without waiting for Su Liang to ask questions, he had already gone out and closed the door from the outside.

Su Liang looked down from above and saw Ning Jing leave the tea house and turn into an alley, disappearing from sight.

Su Liang thought Ning Jing was secretly meeting up with Xing Ji, and feeling reassured, he sat down to drink tea and watch the street below.

Approaching noon, Ning Jing returned.

As soon as he sat down, he began to speak, “In Xuanbei City, there is a family with the surname Che. They have two sons. The eldest is twenty-two years old, and the younger one went missing when he was four. If he is still alive, he would be sixteen this year.”

Su Liang was taken aback, “You went to investigate Che Yun? It seems there are no issues then. What do you think is wrong?”

“Nothing, just idle curiosity,” Ning Jing said.

“I thought you went to meet up with Uncle Xing,” Su Liang said, looking outside again, only to see a commotion occurring in the direction of the city gate.

They didn’t go down, watching as Xing Ji led the way, followed by Lin Bojun and a team of elite soldiers, entering Xuanbei City.

There was no sign of Che Yun and his soldiers, nor was Wan Lin present.

As they passed, the common people made way for them.

News quickly spread that the Emperor had sent a special envoy, the former Bei Jingwang, now Marquis Zhong Xin, Xing Ji.

As the capital city’s controversy over the crown prince had not yet reached Xuanbei City, only a few people speculated that Xing Ji had come to replace Wan Shan.

Xing Ji’s entourage passed beneath the tea house, and as if sensing something, he looked up, meeting Su Liang’s gaze. He calmly withdrew his eyes and continued on with his people.

Wan Cong, who was in the General Mansion, had not received any news from Wan Lin. He sent his most competent subordinate Che Yun, who was ostensibly patrolling the outskirts of Xuanbei City, to search for him. He instructed that if anyone claiming to be from the capital city was encountered, they should be captured without asking questions and secretly brought back.

But before Che Yun could return, Wan Cong received a report from his subordinates, “Marquis Zhong Xin has arrived!”

In fact, Wan Cong had known since midnight, when the latest news was delivered to the Wan family from the capital: Duanmu Cheng killed Duanmu Ao, the Emperor nearly executed Duanmu Cheng, and sent Xing Ji, Lin Bojun, and Su Liang to Xuanbei City. The situation was not good!

On one side, Wan Shan had suddenly collapsed; on the other, it was uncertain whether Wan Lin would succeed. As time passed, Wan Cong was becoming increasingly anxious.

He prayed that either Wan Lin or Che Yun would secretly intercept Xing Ji outside Xuanbei City, in which case the Wan family would not be so passive.

But, in the end, things did not go as he wished.

“Eldest Prince, it’s said that Marquis Zhong Xin is the envoy sent by the Emperor. Hurry and greet him!” His subordinate urged.

The reason they all addressed Wan Cong as the Eldest Prince, rather than General, is not because they wanted to distinguish him from Wan Shan.

It was because both Wan Cong and Wan Lin’s status in the military was entirely dependent on Wan Shan, and they had no legitimate military titles of their own.

Qian Country’s military promotions required the Emperor’s approval. Wan Shan had submitted several petitions, requesting “titles” for his two sons, but Duanmu Yi had never approved them.

As long as Wan Shan was alright, everything could be worked out, as he was the most powerful figure in Xuanbei City.

Thinking of this, Wan Cong’s expression darkened, but at such a crucial time, he had to face Xing Ji personally, or he would only be more disadvantaged.

“Invite them to the General Mansion!” Wan Cong said with a solemn face. Once the subordinate left, Wan Cong changed his clothes, planning to wait at the entrance.

However, the subordinate soon returned, saying that Marquis Zhong Xin and his entourage had already gone to the main military camp, ordering all military commanders above the fourth rank in Xuanbei City, except those on patrol, to gather there immediately.

Wan Cong’s heart sank! He, of course, knew Xing Ji’s intentions, but even though he and his brother had been all-powerful in Xuanbei City for years, now that Wan Shan had collapsed, their positions in the military had become quite awkward.

He wasn’t even a military commander ranked fourth or above!

“Eldest Prince, go on behalf of General!”

Someone reminded Wan Cong, whose expression became taut. He ordered that Wan Shan be well guarded and not allowed to be approached by anyone. Then, he left the General Mansion with two trusted attendants and headed towards the main camp.

Except for the Wan family father and son, the guard generals of Xuanbei City didn’t know about the changes in the capital city, even though most of them belonged to Wan Shan’s faction.

Before Wan Shan collapsed, the received information was that Duanmu Ao was still the crown prince, and it was not yet the time for him to “take action.”

When the news of Duanmu Ao’s death came, Wan Cong only hoped to kill Xing Ji urgently and hadn’t had time to do anything else.

As Wan Cong entered the military camp’s Meeting Hall, he saw unfamiliar soldiers guarding outside, sensing something was wrong in his heart.

As he approached, he was stopped, “Who are you?”

Wan Cong said with a solemn face, “My father is Wan Shan.”

“Are you a military commander of the fourth rank or above? If not, you’re not qualified to go in!” The soldier said with a stern face.

Wan Cong’s anger rose, but before he could vent it, he heard a voice from inside, “Let Young Master Wan come in.”

Upon entering, Wan Cong saw everyone who should have come, all with various expressions.

In the position where Wan Shan used to sit, there was a handsome middle-aged man with an impressive appearance, and in front of him, on a silver plate, lay a yellow scroll.

“Young Master Wan, I heard your father is sick? Is he unable to move around?” Xing Ji asked.

Wan Cong shook his head subconsciously, “No serious issue, he just took some medicine and is in a deep sleep. It’s hard to wake him up for a while. If the Marquis has anything to command, I can pass it on to my father.”

“I am acting under orders. The emperor’s decree is for General Wan Shan, and he needs to be here for it to be announced. Since there is no serious issue and he is just resting, please join us and wait for him to wake up. As soon as he wakes up, I will announce the decree so as not to delay the important matters.” Xing Ji’s expression was gentle, “Come here, accompany Young Master Wan to the General Mansion and carry General Wan here.”

Wan Cong’s face stiffened, “Your Lordship, is this appropriate?”

“Well, I’ll personally carry General Wan here. Young Master Wan shouldn’t feel disrespectful to your father, right?” Xing Ji smiled.

Wan Cong lowered his head, hiding the panic in his eyes.

Ever since Wan Shan collapsed, the situation had become increasingly out of control. And as soon as Xing Ji arrived, he took control of the military’s higher-ups. Without a clear understanding of the situation, no one would dare to oppose the court. Even if Wan Cong had the opportunity to reveal the situation to them individually and ask them to join forces to kill Xing Ji, it would be impossible. If Wan Shan was okay and came forward, there was hope. But with Wan Shan down, even those who were originally loyal to him would lose confidence in the Wan family.

“Young Master Wan? Have you made up your mind? Either send your father here or let me invite him.” Xing Ji asked.

“I’d like to ask General Zhou and General Liu to accompany me to bring my father here.” Wan Cong said with a stiff face.

Zhou Liu was the most loyal to Wan Shan, and his subordinates had many soldiers. Wan Cong could only take the risk and find an opportunity to conspire with them

“Ai! The crown prince was killed, the eldest prince committed a big mistake and was placed under house arrest. I assume General Wan received the news and was heartbroken?” Xing Ji opened his mouth, throwing a bombshell.

The generals in Xuanbei City were all stunned.

“Generals Zhou and Liu, Young Master Wan wants you to invite General Wan. Are you willing?” Xing Ji looked at the two veterans with a smile, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Everyone in the room wasn’t a fool, and by now they could naturally guess Xing Ji’s intentions.

If Wan Shan were here at this moment, the situation might be very different. But unfortunately, he wasn’t.

After looking at each other, one of the two generals Zhou Liu spoke. He said he was old and not as strong as the young, and he offered two of his best soldiers to carry Wan Shan. The other one offered two soldiers as well.

Wan Cong’s face was extremely ugly, his fists clenched, his teeth bitten, but he had no solution.

“Bo Jun, you go.” Xing Ji looked at Lin Bojun, “Please bring General Wan here, the matter of announcing the decree cannot be delayed.”

Lin Bojun stood up, “Yes. Young Master Wan, please lead the way.”

As Wan Cong left with Lin Bojun, he heard General Zhou’s laughter from the Meeting Hall, “Old man still remembers the bravery of Marquis Zhong Xin when he was young, entering and exiting the enemy’s army three times in

Liang Country! In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed!”

“I’ll be counting on your care in the future.” Xing Ji’s laughter was hearty.

Wan Cong was about to vomit blood, and as he walked, his steps suddenly stopped, and a thunderbolt flashed in his mind: his father suddenly became paralyzed, probably because someone intentionally did it! Su Liang! The news from the Wan family, she had clearly been sent as well, but she hadn’t shown up yet! It must be that woman!