Chapter 102

Chapter 102: War in the Northwest Seeing that he could not persuade Ling Jiayue, Ling Taian sighed and let her return to rest. As Ling Jiayue had just stepped out of the study, she saw Madam Liu waiting at the door. When Madam Liu saw her come out, she went forward and asked, “Yue’er, what did your father say to you?” Ling Jiayue did not want Madam Liu to worry, so she smiled and said, “Father didn’t say anything. Mother, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve been tired all day and would like to return and rest early.” When Madam Liu heard that she was tired, she said with concern, “Then hurry back and rest.” Ling Jiayue then returned with Danyun. Danyun accompanied Ling Jiayue as they slowly walked back. Ling Jiayue was not in a hurry to return to her courtyard, however, and instead led Danyun to the pond they had just visited. She stood silently by the pond. Seeing that Ling Jiayue was quietly standing there without saying anything, Danyun simply remained by her side in silence. Standing by the pond and letting the breeze wash over her, Ling Jiayue thought about how she had come face-to-face with Chu Chaoci today. Chu Chaoci was as loathsome as ever. It seemed she would have to speed things up. For the time being, the only way forward was to break the four-kingdom balance of power. The more chaotic the world became, the more advantageous it would be for Ling Jiayue. Having made up her mind, Ling Jiayue slowly walked toward her courtyard with Danyun. As they walked, she seemed to recall something and asked Danyun, “How is Cheese Lord’s training going lately?” “Reporting to Miss, Cheese Lord’s training is going quite well,” Danyun answered respectfully. “Go to him tomorrow and tell him to step up the training. I’ll be asking him for people soon. He’d better not be unable to hand them over when I need them.” Ling Jiayue instructed Danyun carefully. “Yes, Miss. This servant will go and give Cheese Lord your instructions tomorrow,” Danyun replied. “That’s enough. Let’s go back.” Ling Jiayue then returned to her courtyard with Danyun. As soon as Ling Jiayue entered the courtyard, Lingxue came forward and attended to her as she bathed and changed clothes. After washing, Ling Jiayue put on a comfortable, dry set of sleeping clothes and climbed into bed. Ling Jiayue felt exceptionally exhausted that day. Knowing that Ling Jiayue had not been sleeping well, Lingxue asked softly, “Miss, shall I burn some soothing incense tonight?” Lingxue waited for quite some time, but when Ling Jiayue did not answer, she quietly leaned inside to take a look. She saw that Ling Jiayue had already fallen asleep. Lingxue set down the soothing incense she had been preparing to light, gently tucked the covers around Ling Jiayue, and then turned to stand guard for the night. The night grew deep, and the entire Ling Residence was silent. At that moment, Feng Yan quietly arrived at the Ling Residence with a group of people. Every one of them was dressed in black and wore a mask. Feng Yan had come on his master’s orders to station a group of secret guards at the Ling Residence, specifically to protect Ling Jiayue’s safety. Ling Jiayue was already sleeping soundly in bed, though she occasionally frowned and tossed restlessly from side to side. She did not know that Mu Yuheng had secretly sent people to protect her. Danyun was also keeping watch in Ling Jiayue’s room. When she heard faint noises outside, she abruptly woke up. Thinking that the Third Prince or Chu Chaoci had sent people to assassinate Ling Jiayue again, Danyun suddenly drew the long sword at her side. Its blade flashed as she carried it outside. At that moment, a black-clad, masked man happened to come face-to-face with Danyun. A murderous glint flashed through her eyes, and she raised her sword to strike. Just as the black-clad man was preparing to counterattack, Feng Yan stopped her from the side. Seeing that it was Feng Yan, Danyun asked, “What do you mean by this?” “My ancestor, hurry and put away your sword! It wouldn’t be good if you startled Miss Ling awake,” Feng Yan said anxiously. Danyun sheathed her sword, but she stared at Feng Yan in confusion. “What are you doing here?” Feng Yan hurriedly explained, “After what happened today, the master was worried that Miss Ling might be assassinated, so he specially sent me to station a group of secret guards here to protect her safety.” Only then did Danyun put away her sword completely. Feng Yan turned to the secret guards and said, “From now on, you are to protect Miss Ling with all your hearts and strength, and obey Young Lady Danyun’s orders. Miss Ling’s safety comes first. If Miss Ling so much as loses a single strand of hair, none of you will escape punishment.” “Yes,” the black-clad men answered quietly. Seeing that the arrangements had been properly handed over, Feng Yan returned. Danyun merely instructed the secret guards to protect Ling Jiayue from the shadows and not reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary. Once everything had been arranged, Danyun returned to keep watch over Ling Jiayue. Early the next morning, Ling Jiayue rose. After Lingxue and Lingzhu helped her wash and dress, she went to Madam Liu’s courtyard. Ling Taian had already been sitting there. After the two of them finished breakfast, they set off for court. Danyun accompanied Ling Jiayue to the main gate. Ling Jiayue gave her a meaningful glance, and Danyun immediately understood before leaving. Ling Jiayue and Ling Taian settled into the carriage, which then creaked and rattled toward the imperial palace as the coachman urged the horses onward. When they reached the Dismounting Stele, Ling Jiayue had originally intended to report for duty at the Hanlin Academy. Unexpectedly, Eunuch Chen stood at the Dismounting Stele and announced to the assembled court officials, “There is an important matter to discuss in court today. All officials are requested to attend the imperial court session.” When Ling Jiayue heard Eunuch Chen’s instructions, she abandoned her plans to go to the Hanlin Academy and followed Ling Taian to court. The assembled officials entered the main hall in orderly succession. Once Mu Yuye saw that all the officials and princes had arrived, he took out a memorial and handed it to Eunuch Chen, ordering him to read it aloud to the assembled ministers. Eunuch Chen accepted the memorial and loudly read, “This subject has a matter to report. Recently, the soldiers stationed along the borders of the Ye Kingdom appear to have made unusual movements near the Mulan Horse Ranch. Meanwhile, the Sheyu Kingdom’s army has invaded our Northwest region, and the border city is in urgent danger. Your Majesty, we implore you to dispatch troops at once to provide support.” As soon as Eunuch Chen finished speaking, the entire imperial court fell silent. It was so quiet that one could almost hear a needle drop. Seeing that none of the ministers reacted, Mu Yuye asked, “My esteemed ministers, our border frontier is in urgent danger, and the Ye Kingdom is also making unusual moves. What should we do now?” The ministers all stood silently, not daring to speak. Mu Yuye grew furious. At that moment, General Luo spoke. “Your Majesty, although this old subject is unworthy, I am willing to lead troops to the Northwest, drive out the Sheyu Kingdom’s army, and restore peace to the people of the borderlands.” Hearing this, Mu Yuye felt somewhat relieved, but he still said, “General Luo, I know you still possess great ambition despite your advanced years. However, the Northwest is bitterly cold, and I fear you may not be able to endure the hardship. Besides, the Ye Kingdom is also making unusual moves. We truly find ourselves beset on all sides.” When the Third Prince heard about the war in the Northwest, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes. He spoke up, “Father, the Ye Kingdom’s movements can be set aside for now. The war in the Northwest is the more urgent matter. We must first select a general to go to the Northwest and put an end to the fighting.” Mu Yuye also agreed. “The Third Prince speaks reasonably.”