"An Yi."
He called softly to the shadow behind him, and a figure, like a ghost, emerged from behind a pillar and silently appeared before Prince Ding.
"What are Your Highness's orders?"
"Tell Su Cheng, it's time to act."
"Yes."
Outside, the sounds of gongs and drums filled the air with excitement, but within Prince Ding's manor, a chilling silence prevailed.
On the imperial street, after the envoys had departed, the crowds dispersed.
Bai Siruo, having watched for a long time, felt a little tired. She turned to Feng Jinyao beside her and said, "Ayao, let's go home. Aunt has acquired a Siamese cat these past few days, it's absolutely beautiful."
It was well known that her aunt loved cats. The last time Princess Wenyi had mentioned finding one for her, she hadn't expected it to actually happen.
"Was it bought in the West Market?"
"No, it was a gift from Grandmother from the Empress's palace. Three were presented to the Empress from the outer territories this year. One was given to the Fifth Princess, one to Grandmother, and the third, it's said, is kept by the Empress herself."
Such favor was rare. It seemed the First Prince had handled the imperial greetings well this year, otherwise, he wouldn't have earned such a high regard from His Majesty.
"I won't go today, I'll visit another time. Mother told me before I left to come back early."
"Alright. With your second cousin not home and your eldest cousin being such a quiet one, it's only right for you to go home and talk with Aunt. Tell Aunt that I'll visit her in two days, and I'll be sure to buy her favorite pastries from Jufangzhai!"
Feng Jinyao smiled faintly. Her cousin seemed to know her mother's preferences even better than she did. She nodded.
Since Xiao Muqian was escorting Bai Siruo home, the task of seeing Feng Jinyao home naturally fell to Su Cheng. Unfortunately, the Su Cheng, who had been smiling moments before, caught a glimpse of a fleeting figure through the window. He simply dropped a "I have something to do, I'm leaving," and hurried away.
Watching his speed, Bai Siruo suspected he might have encountered an enemy and was rushing off for revenge. As a result, Feng Jinyao had to go home alone.
"Don't worry, this period will surely be the safest time in Dongdu City. Don't you see soldiers every ten steps on the road?"
Bai Siruo was a little worried, but ultimately couldn't persuade Feng Jinyao and had to let her go home alone.
On the other hand, Xiao Muqian, who was escorting Bai Siruo home, seemed somewhat pensive. "Cousin, what's wrong?"
Since their last encounter, their forms of address had changed. Xiao Muqian now called her by name, while Bai Siruo addressed him as cousin. Hearing her question, Xiao Muqian smiled faintly and said, "I didn't sleep well last night, and I woke up early today, so I'm a bit dazed. It's nothing."
He then offered a reassuring smile. Bai Siruo, not suspecting anything, said, "When I don't sleep well, I'm also not energetic. Cousin, you should go back and take a nap, it's so comfortable."
As she offered her suggestion, she animatedly recounted the scene she had just witnessed. Xiao Muqian, however, was preoccupied with the war in the northwest and only caught two or three parts of what she said.
Meanwhile, Su Cheng, who had left in a hurry, was now in a secluded alley, having caught up with the ghostly figure.
He asked with a serious tone and earnest demeanor, "An Yi, does the Prince have an order?"
"Yes, the Prince said you can act now."
Su Cheng was slightly surprised. When this matter was first discussed, the Prince had remained silent. He hadn't expected him to agree after such a long time.
To act at this juncture, everything must be arranged perfectly.
He cupped his hands and said to An Yi, "Please assure the Prince that I will not fail this mission."
An Yi, having received the desired reply, immediately vanished into the alley as if he had never been there, leaving behind a contemplative Su Cheng.
At the Duke of Wei's manor, in the study, sat the newly summoned Ninth Prince and his most trusted advisor, Tutor Du.
Tutor Du, a man with a slightly stooped back and many wrinkles on his face, was dressed thinly. Yet, his eyes held a shrewd and calculating glint.
"Grandfather, why have you summoned us so urgently?"
The Ninth Prince spoke first. He had been enjoying a leisurely life in his own residence when he received an urgent message from the Duke of Wei's manor, explicitly stating that Tutor Du should accompany him.
The Duke of Wei glanced at him, his brow furrowed slightly. He had lived for decades and knew the scent of the man before him. Indulging in pleasures in broad daylight was an act he found somewhat contemptible.
Alas, the Wei family's entire fortune was tied to the man before him. Even if he was incompetent, they had to push him to the throne to preserve the Wei family's prosperity, power, and honor.
Tutor Du, on the other hand, though unassuming in appearance, possessed a sharp mind.
With his eyelids lowered, but a bright light shining from his eyes, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and addressed the Duke of Wei, "Your Grace, is there a war?"
He was indeed clever. Having such a person as the Ninth Prince's advisor was not a bad thing.
Upon hearing Tutor Du's words, the Ninth Prince, who had been listless, instantly became invigorated.
Compared to the decadent and extravagant life in Dongdu City, campaigning in the field was far more satisfying. Killing openly, no one could say anything.
That bloodthirsty impulse surged within him once more, like a famished wolf that had not eaten in a long time, he was exhilarated.
"Grandfather, where is it?"
"It's Di Rong."
The Ninth Prince frowned. "Di Rong? A mere band of scattered soldiers from the grasslands, can they really stir up such chaos?"
It wasn't that he was looking down on them, but rather that the various tribes on the grasslands were like this – strong yet dispersed, accustomed to a free and easy life, and thus never willing to consolidate their power to face external threats.
Di Rong had at most a thousand men. Such a small force was not even enough to tickle his teeth.
His newfound excitement instantly vanished. Tutor Du, however, was silent for a moment before asking, "Your Grace, has Di Rong been rampaging within the grasslands?"
He was indeed clever. "Yes, General Xiao Ji, who guards Liangzhou, sent a rider to the capital with the news. The intelligence just happened to reach me. Di Rong, perhaps they should be called Northern Di now, have gathered about a hundred thousand troops on the grasslands and are now sharpening their blades and advancing towards Liangzhou."
One hundred thousand!
Grassland troops were different from those of other nations. They were always fierce and skilled horsemen, thus they could defeat their opponents with minimal casualties in battle.
Although Liangzhou City had always been easy to defend and difficult to attack, the troops stationed in Liangzhou and its surrounding areas of Great Jin numbered no more than fifty thousand. With such a disparity of two to one, the chances of victory were slim.
"So, Grandfather means for me to lead troops to save Liangzhou?"
The Ninth Prince was not foolish. With the situation laid out so clearly, he naturally understood the Duke of Wei's intentions.
"There are twenty thousand troops in Jizhou who have just completed their training. His Majesty has been looking for a place to deploy them. It is expected that if this news is delivered to the palace, these troops will be dispatched. Two of the deputy generals within are already in our employ. Therefore, Your Highness can go with peace of mind. The merit of reinforcing Xiao Ji and saving Liangzhou will surely be yours."