Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Poison Powder Far away at the border frontier in the Northwest, Mu Yuheng and Ling Jiayue were currently reorganizing the troops stationed in Northwest Fortress-City. They had withdrawn all the wounded soldiers and sent them to recuperate, replacing them with the strong soldiers they had brought from the capital. The troops would take turns standing guard to prevent the Sheyu Kingdom from launching another attack. On the tenth day after Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng entered the city, an imperial edict from Emperor Mu Yuye arrived. It stated: “Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng have rendered meritorious service by defeating the enemy. However, to prevent the Sheyu Kingdom from seeking revenge, the two are hereby ordered to remain stationed at Northwest Fortress-City. They may not return to the capital without a summons.” Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng were utterly bewildered when they received the imperial edict. They had come to the Northwest to fight the war, after all. Although they had temporarily driven back the Sheyu Kingdom, there was no guarantee that the enemy would not return. Neither Ling Jiayue nor Mu Yuheng had planned to return to the capital immediately. But Emperor Mu Yuye’s imperial edict had completely confused them. Why had he suddenly written that they could not return to the capital without a summons? Could something major have happened in the capital? That very night, Mu Yuheng received a letter delivered by the Crown Prince. Only after reading the entire letter did Mu Yuheng understand why Mu Yuye had issued an imperial edict forbidding their return without a summons. It turned out that the Third Prince had used the celestial omens as a pretext to trap them there. Mu Yuheng handed the letter from the Crown Prince to Ling Jiayue. After reading it, she finally understood why Mu Yuye had suddenly issued such an edict. As she returned the letter to Mu Yuheng, she noticed the four large characters written beneath it: “turn the enemy’s stratagem against them.” Ling Jiayue pointed out the four characters to Mu Yuheng, and he asked, “Yue’er, what do you think my imperial brother means by ‘turn the enemy’s stratagem against them’?” Ling Jiayue pondered for a long while before answering seriously, “I think the Crown Prince’s words are an excellent strategy. We aren’t in the capital right now, so no one is there to oppose the Third Prince. Besides, the Third Prince is doing everything he can to eliminate us.” She paused, then continued: “Why don’t we first pretend that we’ve been trapped here by the celestial omens, while secretly cultivating our own forces? At the same time, we can break apart the alliance between the Sheyu Kingdom and the Ye Kingdom, and firmly win over the hearts of the army and the people along the border frontier. As for the Third Prince, we’ll let him enjoy his success in court for now. Once our strength is sufficient, we’ll bring him down in one decisive blow.” “Yue’er, what you’ve said makes sense. However, our most urgent concern is the Sheyu soldiers, who could return at any time. We should focus on their counterattack first. I’ll go deploy the troops now,” Mu Yuheng said. “Good. I’ll arrange for Cheese Lord to infiltrate the Sheyu Kingdom, gather intelligence on both kingdoms, remain ready to break apart their alliance, and keep watch over the Sheyu Kingdom’s movements,” Ling Jiayue said. “Good. Yue’er, let’s split up and take action,” Mu Yuheng said. After making their arrangements, the two went out to attend to their respective tasks. Ling Jiayue found Cheese Lord and gave him detailed instructions, while Mu Yuheng went to the city wall and redeployed the guards. After the redeployment, the defenses became even more stringent. Having received his orders, Cheese Lord also departed for the Sheyu Kingdom. Once they had finished their tasks, the two returned to the city to discuss matters. Ling Jiayue said, “Yuheng, report the situation here to the Crown Prince. That way, he can keep track of our movements, and we can stay in regular contact with him as well. This will ensure that none of us ends up in a passive position.” “You’re right, Yue’er.” Mu Yuheng agreed with her and went to pick up his brush and write a letter. Ling Jiayue stood beside him and ground the ink for him. Mu Yuheng soon finished the letter, and Feng Yan took it and left. At that moment, Danyun brought in the prepared meal and said, “The two masters, please take a break. It’s time to eat. You can continue working after your meal.” As she spoke, Danyun arranged the food on the dining table. Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng went to wash up, preparing to eat. Meanwhile, in the capital, Third Prince Mu Yuheng was happily drinking in his residence. Since the emperor had accepted his suggestion, Mu Yuheng and Ling Jiayue were now trapped at the Northwest border frontier by the celestial omens. Even if they won the war, they might not be able to return. Feng Yu stood to one side, looking at the crazed Mu Yuyang. A cold indifference filled his heart, and he felt more and more that his decision to seek out the Crown Prince had been a wise one. As usual, Third Prince Mu Yuyang drank until he was thoroughly drunk. Feng Yu ordered the maids to settle the Third Prince, then quietly went to the Crown Prince’s Residence. Feng Yu returned to change into night-operations attire and put on a mask. He leaped into the air, and after several bounds, arrived at the Crown Prince’s Residence. The guards there had received the Crown Prince’s orders not to stop Feng Yu anymore. Thus, Feng Yu entered the Crown Prince’s Residence brazenly, as though no one else were present. Inside the study of the Crown Prince’s Residence, the Crown Prince was sitting upright behind his desk. Feng Yan entered the study and first bowed to the Crown Prince. “Your subordinate pays his respects to the Crown Prince,” Feng Yan said. “Rise. I have you to thank for passing messages to me recently, as well as for delivering those letters. Fortunately, I had you; otherwise, I would not have known the Third Brother’s movements,” the Crown Prince said. “Your Highness praises me too highly. This is merely what your subordinate ought to do. May I ask why Your Highness summoned me here?” Feng Yan asked. Earlier, while accompanying the Third Prince to court, he had received a message from the Crown Prince requesting to see him. That was why Feng Yan had hurried over during the night. “It’s nothing major. I merely wish for you to do something for me,” the Crown Prince said indifferently. “What does Your Highness require your subordinate to do?” Feng Yan asked. “I have a bottle of poison powder here that can leave a person mentally dazed. Take it back and put it in the Third Prince’s food and drink. Over time, no one will notice.” As he spoke, the Crown Prince took a bottle of poison powder from inside the desk and handed it to Feng Yan. A ruthless gleam shone in his eyes. “This…” Feng Yan looked at the bottle of poison powder before him, hesitating slightly. He had never considered taking the Third Prince’s life. All he wanted was for Dayi to enjoy peace and prosperity. The Crown Prince saw Feng Yan’s hesitation and said, “The Third Prince is becoming more and more reckless. If we allow him to continue like this, sooner or later, Dayi will be destroyed in his hands. Feng Yan, I am not asking you to assassinate your master. But if the Third Prince continues living, he will be a disaster for Dayi. Do you understand?” Only after hearing those words did Feng Yan accept the poison powder. Seeing him take it, the Crown Prince said, “That’s more like it. Sacrificing one person to save an entire nation—that is true great compassion, Feng Yan. Very well, I’m tired. You may return.” “Yes, Your Highness.” Feng Yan tucked away the poison powder and left. Close