Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Collusion Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng slowly led the army toward the city gates. As they passed through the main street, the citizens of the capital came running to see them off, shouting, “Dayi shall prevail! The Dayi Army is mighty!” Amid those cries, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng felt the weight of responsibility on their shoulders grow heavier. When Ling Jiayue turned around, she saw Madam Liu and Ling Jiaxuan standing among the crowd, watching her intently. Their eyes were filled with encouragement and support. Ling Jiayue nodded at them, indicating that she would surely return victorious. Ling Jiaxuan gazed at his little sister with confidence, while Madam Liu had already cried until her eyes were swollen. Ling Jiayue could not bear to see Madam Liu so upset, so she urged her warhorse onward, increasing her pace. As Ling Jiayue sped up, the marching army quickened its steps as well. Before long, Ling Jiayue and the army had already left the city. Ling Jiayue continued riding forward, increasing her speed more and more, as if she were trying to escape something. Mu Yuheng caught up with her from behind and asked, “Yue’er, what’s wrong?” “Nothing. I just feel rather stifled, and I’m afraid the Third Prince will make a move against them. I only want to reach the battlefield as quickly as possible, achieve some merits, and return early so I can serve my parents at their side and fulfill my filial duty.” Ling Jiayue spoke dejectedly, clearly unhappy. Her thoughts remained with Ling Taian, Madam Liu, and Ling Jiaxuan. “It’s all right. I’ll protect you and make sure nothing happens to you. Only by accomplishing what we want to do as soon as possible can we stay by their side for a long time. I’ve left people in the court to protect the Prime Minister’s Residence properly. There’s no reason our family should suffer for no cause simply because we’ve gone off to war,” Mu Yuheng comforted her. “All right. We should also pull ourselves together and set an example for all the generals and soldiers. It wouldn’t be good for troop morale if they saw us looking so dispirited,” Ling Jiayue said, gathering her spirits. “That’s right. We should pull ourselves together. The Sheyu Kingdom has launched such a massive attack on the border frontier this time, so I’m afraid they’re coming with great force. We must take them seriously.” Mu Yuheng put away his usual gentleness and charm, revealing a rare calmness and wisdom. Seeing Mu Yuheng like this, Ling Jiayue was momentarily reminded of the Mu Yuheng who had once faced her on the battlefield. She could only sigh at the impermanence of fate. They had once been mortal enemies, yet now they were comrades fighting side by side. The two said no more and silently continued toward the border frontier. Danyun and Feng Yan had also disguised themselves as soldiers, following close beside Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng. The four of them proceeded together toward the border frontier as the mighty army marching westward continued on its way. Meanwhile, in the capital, the Third Prince sat in a private room at an inn, watching Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng depart. Mu Yuyang revealed a smile. Those two had finally left the capital. Now, no one in the capital could oppose him anymore. Aside from the Crown Prince, there was no one left who could stand in his way. “Go and inform the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom that Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng have set out for war. Tell him that he had better fulfill the promise he made to me soon as well. Otherwise, I, this prince, will make sure he suffers the consequences!” Third Prince Mu Yuyang said to a man in the private room dressed entirely in black, his face completely covered. “Please rest assured, Third Prince. Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng’s departure today is the first step toward the success of our grand plan. I’ll return at once and report to His Majesty. With our forces working together from within and without, we will certainly help you seize the imperial throne of Dayi. But what of the matter you promised us?” the black-clad man asked. “Enough of your prattling. I, this prince, have always kept my word. So long as you help me ascend the throne, I will give you the entire mineral deposit at Mulan Horse Ranch,” Mu Yuyang said magnanimously, not feeling the slightest bit that he was betraying his country—or, more accurately, bringing disaster upon its people. “Then allow me to thank the ‘Sovereign of Dayi’ in advance for his generosity.” Though the black-clad man’s tone remained relatively calm, the corners of his eyes and brows betrayed his delight. He thought to himself that Mu Yuyang was truly an idiot. If Ye Kingdom joined forces with such an idiot, Dayi would sooner or later belong to Ye Kingdom. “Then I’ll take my leave. I won’t disturb your pleasure any further.” As the black-clad man spoke, he rose and left. Mu Yuyang merely gave a soft “Mm” and paid him no further attention. He allowed the man to leave while continuing to sit silently in the same spot, drinking his tea. It turned out that the Third Prince had long since colluded with Ye Kingdom. The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom wanted the mineral deposit, while Mu Yuyang wanted the imperial throne, so the two of them had plotted this scheme together. Chu Chaoci would help Mu Yuyang ascend the throne, and Mu Yuyang would give the mineral deposit at Mulan Horse Ranch to Chu Chaoci. Yet Chu Chaoci was such a shrewd man. How could he so easily help Mu Yuyang seize the imperial throne merely for the sake of a mineral deposit? He must have another move in reserve. It simply was not yet time to reveal it. Only after the black-clad man had gone some distance away did the guard beside Mu Yuyang ask worriedly, “Master, if the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom truly helps you seize the throne, are we really going to give him the mineral deposit at Mulan Horse Ranch? This was won through the blood and sacrifice of the ancestors of Dayi over generations!” “Enough of your prattling. So long as Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng die on the battlefield, all of Dayi will be mine. What does it matter if I lose a little? I can earn it back later. For now, we’ll work together with the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. Once I ascend the throne, there will be nothing under Heaven I cannot obtain. Why should I care about such a minor gain or loss?” Mu Yuyang spoke dismissively. At present, he had only one goal: eliminate Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng, then eliminate the Crown Prince and ascend to the imperial throne. He had already gone mad, willing to risk the interests of the country. “But, Master, the Empress’s biological son, the Crown Prince, is still in the court. If we ascend the throne, our claim may not be legitimate, and it will probably be difficult to win the people’s support. Besides, why do we need to collude with Ye Kingdom? The mineral deposit at Mulan Horse Ranch should be used to benefit the people of Dayi, not handed over to outsiders!” This guard still possessed a conscience. Even though Mu Yuyang had become so utterly deranged, he continued to think of Dayi’s interests, afraid that the country would suffer losses. But the Third Prince could not bear to hear the guard’s loyal and patriotic words. He said furiously, “What is the Crown Prince, anyway? If not for his legitimate-born status, he wouldn’t even be qualified to put on my shoes. And you dare call this collusion? Take a good look and figure out who your master really is! If you want to follow someone else, then go! Why keep prattling on here?” As Mu Yuyang spoke, he angrily hurled the teacup in his hand at the guard. Scalding tea splashed over the guard’s head and face, and the cup struck him in the forehead as well. The guard’s head split open and blood streamed down his face. He could do nothing but kneel on the floor and plead for forgiveness, repeatedly saying that he would never dare do so again. The more Mu Yuyang looked at the guard, the more his anger rose. All enjoyment had vanished from his tea, and he stormed away with a sweep of his sleeve. The guard wiped the tea stains from his head and face before hurrying after him. Master and servant then returned to the Third Prince’s Residence together. Close Window