Hong Luan did not return, which was a great blow to Jifeng. He knew there was no hope for their survival.
More importantly, Hong Luan had not brought back any news, and he did not know if their master was alive or dead.
There was no reply to the message sent back to Chen Country. He still had to deal with his own people and outsiders every day. He was completely at a loss.
"Lord Jifeng, are we just going to keep waiting like this?"
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"But I don't want to wait anymore. It's just a general's mansion. If we gather our brothers and charge in, we'll definitely find our master."
"What good would it do to charge in? With such a big commotion, do you think the Emperor of Chu is dead? If a war breaks out between the two countries because of our impulsive actions, how much blood will be shed then? Will that be worthy of the people of my Chen Country?"
"The warriors of my Chen Country do not fear your Chu Country. The King has been planning and enduring for many years. We will surely win this battle."
"You say it so easily, but a slight deviation leads to a thousand-mile error. Everything will be decided by the King. We just need to do what's in front of us now."
"But I feel so distressed. With so many eyes watching me every day, I wish I could just kill to my heart's content right now."
"I know how you feel, but the more it is like this, the more we must not be reckless. The people of the Chu Emperor are not fools. Be careful recently, and don't give others any leverage."
"I understand."
A month passed, and Chen Jiayu could no longer hide. His face began to rot and breed maggots, and he was so thin that he was just skin and bones.
Zhao Jingwan no longer wanted to deal with him, but in the current situation, she could not have the guards drag him out. She still had to help cover for him.
Otherwise, her reputation would suffer. She knew that rumors and gossip in ancient times could be deadly. She could only place her hope in Chen Jiayu's subordinates.
"Who exactly are you? I can ask someone to contact your subordinates. If this continues, both of us will be finished."
Chen Jiayu let out a dismissive laugh, "Who can you contact? That unreliable little maid. You're thinking too simply."
"No matter how unreliable Qiu He is, she is still more reliable than your subordinates. It's been so long, and they still haven't found you. They are all useless."
"Why are you so anxious? In another month, it will be your sister's wedding to the Crown Prince. Once that time comes, and this mansion is busy, they will have an opportunity."
"Another month! Do you want me to starve to death in my courtyard?"
Zhao Jingwan's face seemed to have four big characters written on it: "I find it unlucky!"
"You don't need to put on such an act. I will definitely repay you once I get out. If you work harder and share your meals with me, I can hold on until then."
"You say it so simply. Now that you can't move. How long will it take for me to finish copying? The daily meals are only enough for me to eat alone."
"Hmph, Zhao Jingwan, you better let me live. If I die, you won't be able to deal with my corpse. Your strange words, and your peculiarities, I have written them all down and hidden them in this room. When my body starts to smell, the general will search thoroughly, and then you will be burned to death."
"You are so wicked. I saved you, yet you repay kindness with enmity."
"Hmph, stop pretending. After spending so much time together, I know what kind of person you are. As an assassin, you stand on the opposite side of the general's mansion. You must have ulterior motives for saving me, or you are foolish beyond redemption."
"How can you think of me like that? What is there to gain from you? Ungrateful wretch."
Zhao Jingwan was furious, wishing she could rush forward and tear his mouth apart. Seeing his disgusting face, she immediately stopped in her tracks.
"Wicked people will be dealt with by wicked people. Your current state is retribution. You'd better pray that your subordinates can sneak in on the day my eldest sister gets married, otherwise, both of us will be finished, hum."
What was once the appearance of a graceful young gentleman had now become this ghastly state. Chen Jiayu wished he were dead, but fortunately, his spirit was strong.
He had initially suspected Zhao Jingwan of poisoning him, but later realized this person was incredibly foolish and certainly did not possess such skills.
That detestable and sinister Zhao Junqian! If he could survive this ordeal, he would make him wish he were dead.
The Emperor of Chen Country, in his grief, sentenced Chen Jiayu to death and ordered a substitute to impersonate him while he sent new people to take over his mission.
As soon as the person arrived in the capital, Jun Jiuli killed him. Jifeng was so anxious that he wrote a letter back to inquire about what had happened.
Information transmission was inherently slow. By the time the Emperor of Chen Country received the news and sent people to investigate, there was no trace to be found.
The Emperor of Chen Country directly ordered Jifeng to manage their network in Chen Country on his behalf, while Jun Jiuli had already obtained evidence of those court officials colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.
He presented the evidence to the Emperor with a few old friends. After the Emperor confirmed it was correct, all those court officials were thrown into prison.
After they confessed and signed their confessions, they were all taken to the marketplace to be beheaded. At the same time, troops were dispatched to surround the hostage mansion.
Jifeng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. The Emperor summoned him, and he had to accompany the fake hostage into the palace.
When they reached the imperial study, he was stopped. Shortly after, the Emperor's angry shouts could be heard from inside, and Jifeng was escorted in.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of Chu. Long live the Emperor of Chu, long live, long live, long live."
"Heh, long live. How dare you deceive me by keeping a fake hostage? Does your Chen Country still have any regard for my Chu Country?"
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Chu is wrongly accused. Our master is indeed the Third Prince of Chen Country. Please do not listen to the slanderous words of villains, Your Majesty, and harm the friendship between our two countries."
He spoke with sincerity and kowtowed forcefully, only to be met with the Emperor's cold laugh.
"I don't want to waste my breath with you. Hand over your real Third Prince within three days. Otherwise, don't blame my Chu Country for tearing up the alliance and marching south."
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Chu, please reconsider. Our two countries have lived in peace for so many years. It is not worth rekindling war for a misunderstanding."
"I decide whether it's a misunderstanding or not. Your Chen Country is pushing its luck too far. Not only did you secretly bring back the hostage, but you also planted spies in my Chu Country. I don't think you are sincerely seeking peace."