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Yin Luo nodded and said, "Liu Yan, you've worked hard."
Qin Liu Yan glanced at Yin Luo and replied, "How could Liu Yan be the one to suffer? The one who is truly suffering is the princess. Ever since that incident a year ago, not only has her temperament become increasingly indifferent, but her body has also grown more sensitive to the cold; she is far from what she used to be!"
Yin Luo's eyes flickered with emotion. After a moment, she responded, "Go fetch some ink and paper. I will personally write a letter to the prince."
Qin Liu Yan complied and quickly brought back the ink and paper. Yin Luo laid the paper on the table for a long while before finally dipping a feather quill into the ink and slowly began to write.
The content was brief; she referenced the tone and handwriting of previous letters. Once finished, she handed it to Qin Liu Yan and said, "Follow the usual procedure; don't let anyone notice. Also, give that master half a month off, saying that I am tired from practicing and want to rest during this time."
Qin Liu Yan took the letter and was taken aback. "Princess, such a large sum—will the prince agree?"
Yin Luo looked up at her. "Although the amount is considerable, my reasoning is sound. Given that the mountain roads are difficult to traverse, having someone repair a road will naturally incur significant costs. While this may seem extravagant, considering Prince Jin's temperament, he will definitely agree. Don't forget, he controls the entire realm; how could he possibly be unable to spare this amount? I haven't made any requests of him this past year; this is my first and only request—he will certainly agree!"
Qin Liu Yan looked at Yin Luo with a complex expression for a long while before saying, "But if one day the prince finds out that he has been supporting Hei Yao all along while also funding those who oppose him, he might go mad with anger."
"Compared to that matter, he would likely be more enraged by my betrayal," Yin Luo said with furrowed brows. "Since I've made my choice, I can only see it through to the end; there is no turning back! Even if one day I fail and fall into despair..."
"I understand!" After a long pause, Qin Liu Yan replied and took the letter as she left.
Yin Luo's guess was entirely correct. On the second day after heavy snowfall blocked the mountains, Mu Changqing sent troops with eight large chests of silver.
Qin Liu Yan personally received it and then began to arrange matters accordingly.
Part of this silver would indeed be used for road construction, while most would support Hei Yao's underground operations during this period of inactivity.
Meanwhile, news from the palace indicated that Mu Fengyan had been in low spirits. After the Empress Dowager was imprisoned for half a month, he had become increasingly withdrawn from court affairs and even missed several court sessions. In light of this situation, he had an argument with Prince Jin; seeing that Mu Fengyan would not heed his advice at all, Prince Jin had no choice but to take over all state affairs himself.
Originally, everything should have progressed smoothly; however, unexpectedly, after half a year of inactivity, Xiyu clashed with Fenghua at the border due to friction caused by Xiyu merchants passing through Fenghua. Because of an incident two years prior, the people of Fenghua were overly suspicious and detained about ten Xiyu merchants. These merchants were rumored to have significant connections as they were underlings of the current Eighteenth Prince of Xiyu.
Eighteenth Prince Jun Mo Xian Although he had abandoned politics for business years ago, he was still a prince. As a prince, he had close relationships with several other princes in the court and, due to his indifferent nature, was quite favored by the emperor. Therefore, when something happened to his subordinates, the Western Yu Army quickly sent people to negotiate with Fenghua. However, the negotiations failed, leading to a conflict between the two sides. Xiyu was furious and directly dispatched troops to the sea, preparing for another battle with Li Country.
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Mu Changqing sent three envoys in succession, but none could quell Xiyu's anger. Xiyu even issued a stern warning: unless Li Country ceded the city of Fenghua, they would not back down!
This matter was quite tricky. Just as both sides were at a stalemate, Mu Fengyan unexpectedly attended an early court session and proposed that he personally go to Fenghua to negotiate with Xiyu.
For so many years of being unlearned and unskilled, everyone knew he was merely a figurehead. Now he suddenly made such a decision, which shocked everyone in the court. What surprised them even more was that the emperor agreed to this decision. Not only that, but when Jin Wang suggested that the emperor take fifty thousand troops to Fenghua, the emperor refused, stating that only five thousand light cavalry were needed.
Such an unpredictable decision quickly became a hot topic of discussion. Some were eager to watch the drama unfold, some waited to see how things would change, while others began to prepare for any eventualities.
After the New Year, Mu Fengyan led five thousand troops on their way directly to Fenghua.
“Princess, the latest news is that the emperor has mysteriously disappeared within Xiyu, and it has been three days.”
“Disappeared?” Yin Luo raised an eyebrow and looked at Qin Liu Yan. “Is the information accurate?”
“Absolutely true!”
Yin Luo stood up. In the vast underground palace, her long black robe trailed behind her as she walked gracefully. “Since our people have received this news, Jin Wang must have received it too! Is there any movement on his side?”
Qin Liu Yan shook his head. “Strangely enough, Jin Wangfu has been extremely quiet these past few days. Even Jin Wang rarely goes out, and there have been no officials from the court visiting. It seems almost isolated from the world.”
Yin Luo paused her steps, her eyes narrowing slightly. Mu Changqing, this person was unfathomable. With the emperor now missing, once this news spreads, there would surely be a storm in Li Country. Clearly, he should be the one most benefited by this storm; but why is he holding back at such a time? Is it deliberate concealment? Or is it to stabilize the common people?
“Investigate further. If Jin Wang can remain calm at this time, perhaps he knows the whereabouts of the emperor! Also, arrange for someone to keep a close watch on Jin Wangfu. If there’s any movement from Jin Wang, you must report it to me immediately!”
Qin Liu Yan took his leave. After sitting for a moment, Yin Luo suddenly remembered something and instructed someone, “Come here, bring me ink and brush!”
A letter was sent to Jin Wangfu, but there was no response for a long time until Qin Liu Yan brought news that Mu Changqing had suddenly fallen ill and had not stepped outside his door since then.
Such a sudden event occurring at this moment was impossible not to think about, yet Mu Fengyan still had not sent any news!
Yin Luo's eyes suddenly brightened as she looked at Qin Liuyan. "Ask the people over at Fenghua if any strangers have appeared in the Fenghua military camp in the past ten days."
Her suspicion was not wrong at all; a few days later, the news brought back was that Mu Changqing had personally gone to Fenghua!
This was an excellent opportunity, enough to stir up the chaos in the capital. How could she possibly miss it?
Yin Luo immediately issued orders for Hei Yao to bribe about a hundred beggars in the capital to spread rumors about Mu Fengyan's disappearance and Mu Changqing leaving the city. As soon as the news broke, it was like a thunderclap, and the entire capital erupted!
"Princess, here is what you wanted: all the information on court officials, a total of one hundred and nine individuals. Every one of their weaknesses has been thoroughly collected and recorded on the last page."
Yin Luo opened one of the documents, reading rapidly. When she closed it, her eyes sparkled with clarity!
She had always thought that opportunities were too distant, but she never expected this moment to arrive so quickly.
In just a month, the capital was in turmoil. Yin Luo took advantage of the chaos to lay down one piece after another, achieving her foundation without anyone noticing!
In addition, she even contacted the Moon Cherry Dynasty. Nie Yuanzong was very supportive of her plans and encouraged her to go all out! The Moon Cherry Dynasty did not have ambitions to conquer the world; it only sought to enrich its people!
Mu Changqing had no choice but to return to stabilize the situation. He sent three urgent messages over eight hundred miles to the border troops causing trouble while simultaneously searching for Mu Fengyan without a moment's respite.
A month and a half passed in the blink of an eye. After disappearing for an entire month, Mu Fengyan suddenly reappeared in Fenghua, just as abruptly as he had vanished. At the same time, Xiyu withdrew its troops and reached a friendly agreement with the Exiled Nation. Not only that, but they also presented twelve exquisite pearls from the East Sea, each said to be priceless and worth a fortune!
The day after Mu Fengyan returned to the capital, Mu Changqing replied with an explanation for his lack of response. His words conveyed genuine regret, which was quite rare.
Unfortunately, Yin Luo did not take this sincerity to heart; after merely glancing at it, she burned it into ashes and scattered it into the air.
She drafted another letter and personally sent someone to deliver it to Mu Fengyan in the palace.
The reply came quickly. Yin Luo held the letter tightly in her hand and looked up towards the horizon.
It is clearly already March, the season of spring, yet the weather has not warmed up at all. The cool breeze brushes against her face, causing her to wrap her cloak tighter around herself.
The next night.
Yin Luo stood outside the courtyard gate in a black outfit, her long hair styled in a simple bun, her entire face hidden beneath the hood, making it impossible to discern her expression.
"They're coming, they're coming!"
Inside the courtyard, candles were lit in the room, and the sound of a baby's cries could be heard. Soon after, murmurs followed, and then footsteps approached.
"It's me." Her voice was as cold as water falling outside the door. The woman inside was startled upon hearing it and hurriedly opened the door, saying, "Miss, what brings you here? It's so late, and the night is heavy with dew. You must be freezing!"
Yin Luo glanced at her and replied, "It's too conspicuous during the day. With things being so tense right now, I can only come at night!"
The woman said nothing more and quickly invited her inside. After looking around to ensure no one was following, she closed the door securely and led Yin Luo into the courtyard.
"Although you came late, at least the child is here this time, so you won't have to return empty-handed!"
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